Background/Objectives: Forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP) enables the prediction of externally visible characteristics (EVCs) such as eye, hair, and skin color, ancestry, and age from biological traces. However, low template DNA (LT-DNA), often derived from degraded or trace samples, poses significant challenges due to allelic dropout, contamination, and incomplete profiles. This review evaluates recent advances in FDP from LT-DNA, focusing on the integration of machine learning (ML) models to improve predictive accuracy and operational readiness, while addressing ethical and population-related considerations. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted on FDP and ML applications in forensic genomics. Key areas examined include SNP-based trait modeling, genotype imputation, epigenetic age estimation, and probabilistic inference. Comparative performance of ML algorithms (Random Forests, Support Vector Machines, Gradient Boosting, and deep learning) was assessed using datasets such as the 1000 Genomes Project, UK Biobank, and forensic casework samples. Ethical frameworks and validation standards were also analyzed. Results: ML approaches significantly enhance phenotype prediction from LT-DNA, achieving AUC > 0.9 for eye color and improving SNP recovery by up to 15% through imputation. Tools like HIrisPlex-S and VISAGE panels remain robust for eye and hair color, with moderate accuracy for skin tone and emerging capabilities for age and facial morphology. Limitations persist in admixed populations and traits with polygenic complexity. Interpretability and bias mitigation remain critical for forensic admissibility. Conclusions: L integration strengthens FDP from LT-DNA, offering valuable investigative leads in challenging scenarios. Future directions include multi-omics integration, portable sequencing platforms, inclusive reference datasets, and explainable AI to ensure accuracy, transparency, and ethical compliance in forensic applications.

Background: Many deaths during heat waves stem not only from body overheating but also from heat stress, which can intensify pre-existing medical conditions, leading to fatal outcomes. Aim: This study aimed to investigate whether the intensity of pathological changes in the heart muscle and lung tissue of albino rats exposed to hyperthermia correlates with different water temperatures (WT) and to determine whether the histological structure of the myocardium and lungs varies. Methods: A sample of 21 albino rats was exposed to water temperatures of 37°C, 41°C, and 44°C. Temperature readings were recorded before immersion, immediately after immersion, at the point of reaching hyperthermia, at 20 minutes, and at the time of death. Tissue samples were collected from the dissected rats, fixed in 10% buffered formalin at room temperature, embedded in paraffin, sectioned into 4–5 μm slices, and stained using the hematoxylin-eosin method. Results: The severity of myocardial histopathological alterations increased with both higher temperatures and longer exposure durations WT. However, the progression of morphological alterations in cardiomyocytes was not markedly significant, likely due to the brief exposure time, which limited the visualization of subcellular alterations in Hematoxylin and Eosin staining-stained tissue. All lung samples from the seven rats exposed to the highest temperatures displayed bronchiolitis and acute bronchitis, along with early bronchopneumonia. Conclusion: While some organs exhibit greater tolerance to heat stroke than other organs, most organs show similar alterations characterized by capillary dilation, vascular pathway disruption, and extravasation. The extent of pathological changes in myocardial and lung tissue intensified with higher temperatures and longer exposure durations to elevated WT. However, the progression of morphological alterations in cardiomyocytes did not demonstrate marked significance, likely because of the brief exposure period. This short duration may limit the detection of subcellular changes when using hematoxylin-eosin staining.

Introduction: Vitamin D (VD) deficiency has become a global epidemic in the past 2 decades. Cardiac troponin is a specific biomarker for detecting myocardial injury, particularly in the context of myocardial infarction (MI), where elevated levels are indicative of myocardial necrosis. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between VD levels and troponin values in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit under suspicion of acute coronary syndrome, including comparisons with patients ultimately not diagnosed with ACS. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included a group of 69 patients who were hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital under suspicion of acute coronary syndrome. The control consisted of patients without ACS. The content of VD-(25[OH]D) in blood plasma was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay during June–August 2024. Blood samples were taken in tubes with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid anticoagulant. The tubes without anticoagulant were used for collecting blood for VD, fibrinogen, D-dimer, and lipid parameter measurement. Results: A statistically significant difference in total cholesterol levels was observed between patients with angina pectoris and those with MI (P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis also demonstrated a moderate negative correlation between VD levels and troponin values in patients diagnosed with MI (P < 0.05), indicating that lower VD concentrations may be associated with greater myocardial injury. Conclusions: Based on the data obtained, the medical community is inclined to believe that correction of VD deficiency has great prognostic significance. Further clinical and experimental studies are needed to study in more detail the mechanisms of the negative effects of VD deficiency on the cardiovascular system.

Background: Between 10% and 80% of surgical patients experience some form of fear and anxiety before surgery. This is often attributed to inadequate or incorrect preoperative information. Objectives: This study aimed to critically evaluate and compile research that describes the impact of preoperative information on the patient's well-being before surgery. Methods: A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Medline, CHINAL, Embase, and the Cochrane Library database for qualitative and quantitative literature regarding factors influencing patients' well-being before surgery. An inductive thematic analysis generated categories and subcategories. Nineteen studies were included. Results: Two main categories emerged from the thematic analysis of the included articles. These were the direct impact of information on fear and anxiety and the indirect impact of information on fear and anxiety. Information from healthcare professionals, alternative sources of information, shortage of healthcare professionals, music, and inability to receive information were some of the factors that can influence the well-being of patients before surgery. There are different reasons for the patient's fear and anxiety preoperatively, as well as the importance of direct and indirect information and other methods. For some patients, however, too much information could cause more fear and anxiety. Conclusion: The importance of the patient's discomfort being highlighted by the healthcare professionals emerges clearly and shows negative experiences in those cases where the patient feels his fears and concerns are not being addressed. More qualitative and quantitative research in the same theme, education and using person-centred care, and the right amount of information based on the patient's wishes are needed to improve the patient's well-being.