BACKGROUND Purely cystic meningiomas are extremely rare extra-axial neoplasms that can mimic aggressive malignancies, like glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), because radiologically and intraoperatively they lack a visible solid component and demonstrate postcontrast enhancement and significant vasogenic edema. The authors present a case of a purely cystic intra-axial meningioma mimicking GBM with an accompanying systematic review of the literature. OBSERVATIONS An 84-year-old female presented with expressive dysphasia. MRI revealed a 3-cm inhomogeneously enhancing intra-axial left temporal lobe mass with apparent MRI presentation of central necrosis, suggesting a high-grade glioma. Intraoperatively, the lesion appeared vascular and infiltrative like a GBM; however, histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses (somatostatin receptor 2 antigen positive, progesterone receptor positive, glial fibrillary acidic protein negative) confirmed an angiomatous meningioma (WHO grade 1). Postoperatively, the patient’s symptoms resolved, and 10 years of annual follow-up MRI studies confirmed no recurrence. Only 3 other purely cystic meningioma cases (extra-axial) were identified in the literature. LESSONS Cystic meningiomas are rarely GBM “imitators.” Surgeons should consider cystic meningioma when classic radiological hallmarks are absent. Despite an aggressive imaging profile, these tumors are biologically and clinically benign. Gross-total resection remains the gold-standard treatment, offering excellent long-term prognosis and the potential for a permanent cure. This case highlights the need for histological tissue diagnosis before final treatment plans are considered. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE26438

The flammability of building materials and products is expressed by the reaction to fire class according to the European standard EN 13501-1. However, the procedures described in this technical standard and in the related test standards do not fully reflect the physical and chemical principles of combustion. Especially in the area of lower classes B–F, the methodology is based on empirical principles, which makes it relatively very complicated to use the test results in the development of new insulation materials and predict their behaviour. This paper presents the initial phase of research that approaches combustion from a building-physics perspective at the scale of the fibre microstructure. In the case of insulation materials based on polymer fibres (very often based on recycled textile fibres), the situation is very complicated because, in most cases, the reaction to fire is given by combination of physical and chemical processes under contact of material with the flame. Rather than proposing a complete predictive model, this study formulates the basic governing relationships and reports the first experimental results, which will serve as the basis for a comprehensive model developed within the follow-up research. Single-flame-source tests (EN ISO 11925-2), combined with microstructural, calorimetric and airflow-resistivity measurements, established basic relationships between the observed flame behaviour and parameters such as fibre type, thickness and bulk density. The main observation is a clear ignition/no-ignition dichotomy between primary fibres (which melted and withdrew from the flame without igniting) and recycled fibres (which ignited), showing that neither the heat of combustion alone nor a purely physical description is sufficient—both physical and chemical aspects must be considered.

The interest in small hydropower plant (SHP) as renewable energy is increasing but also selecting the appropriate small SHP project and its parameters involve different factors because of the multi-dimensionality of sustainable development goals. Number of studies have examined different aspects (environmental, technical, economic …), no prior study has delved into their interactions. To fill these gaps this paper presents the analysis of interrelationship among criteria for sustainable planning project solutions in construction of SHP. The criteria were identified through a review of the literature, as well through the advice of experts in the access areas. Contextual relationships among these criteria have been identified and Interpretative Structural Modelling (ISM) technique and Cross-Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification (MICMAC) analysis has been developed. ISM was used to identify hierarchical structure of all factors while MICMAC analysis has been used to classify criteria based on their dependence and driving power. The main goal of this study is to establish a theoretical and methodological approach for decision makers to investigate influencing factors and major insights into relationship between. The analysis results reveal that criteria Flow pattern and amount of flow, Annual flow and Installed capacity are all key drivers of the desire to realize sustainable SHP project.

The impostor phenomenon (IP) is an individual's internal experience of intellectual phoniness, characterized by an inability to internalize success, leading to self‐doubt and fear of being exposed as a fraud. We examined IP among Croatian and Bosnian‐ Herzegovinian undergraduate dental students.

Materials science is at the crossroad between fundamental and applied sciences. Whether enabling clean energy, next-generation computing, or advanced manufacturing, it shapes the tools we use and the systems we build. As our societies undergo rapid digital, environmental, and technological transitions, materials science becomes even more central. It's a space where innovation can respond to practical challenges while aligning with broader social values. In the European context, that means supporting sustainability, openness, and solidarity -while also strengthening competitiveness.This roadmap explores how digital tools-especially simulation, data science, and AI-are transforming materials research, in connection with the twin digital and energy transition. The digital transition refers to the widespread adoption of digital technologies and data-driven methods across sectors, while the green (or energy) transition focuses on shifting toward sustainable, lowcarbon energy systems-together forming what is often called the twin transition, a joint effort to make economies both smarter and more sustainable.The Roadmap outlines both the technical directions and the cultural shifts needed to make this transformation inclusive and effective. Chapters span from atomic-scale simulations to advanced experimentation, from reproducibility to intelligent optimization, and from institutional reform to education for the next generation.Importantly, this isn't a single viewpoint. The document brings together a wide range of voices: researchers from different disciplines, working across length and time scales. It includes early-career scientists and senior experts. Enabled by activities supported by European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), it reflects a commitment to gender and geographic diversity. This plurality doesn't just enrich the content-it makes the vision more robust and relevant.We hope this collection serves not just as a guide, but as an invitation to collaborate-across fields, sectors, and borders-as we reimagine the future of materials science in a digital age.

This study evaluated the effects of different seed priming treatments on the ex situ propagation of the Balkan endemic species Silene sendtneri Boiss. Seeds were subjected to hydropriming, silicic acid, salicylic acid, proline and combined salicylic acid–proline treatments prior to in vitro cultivation. Following aseptic germination, seedlings were transferred to Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 1.0 mg L−1 BA and 0.2 mg L−1 IBA, and their shoot multiplication response, rooting, and acclimatization success were assessed. Seed priming significantly influenced subsequent propagation stages. Plantlets derived from seeds treated with 0.5 mM salicylic acid and 10 mM proline + 0.5 mM salicylic acid exhibited the highest multiplication rates, superior morphological quality, increased rooting frequency, and the greatest acclimatization success. Hydropriming and higher proline concentrations generally resulted in reduced propagation performance. The results indicate that seed priming can influence multiple stages of the ex situ propagation process and may represent a simple and practical addition to micropropagation protocols aimed at improving conservation-oriented plant production of endemic species.

Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in numerous physiological and neurobiological processes. However, the biological effects of distinct Mg forms remain insufficiently characterized. This study compared the systemic and neurobiological effects of a multi-form Mg supplement (Magnesium Breakthrough™, Mg BT™, BIOptimizers, Reno, NV, USA) with commonly used single-form Mg compounds in a rat model. Sixty-day-old male Wistar rats were assigned to a control group or to groups receiving Mg BT™ or individual Mg compounds (oxide, citrate or glycinate). Treatments were administered by gastric gavage for 30 days at 50 mg/kg/day of elemental Mg. A comprehensive panel of endpoints was evaluated, including Mg distribution in biological fluids and tissues, metabolic markers, glucose tolerance, synaptic protein expression (synaptophysin, PSD95, phospho-PSD95, drebrin), cortical gene expression (NR2B, BDNF), behavioral outcomes, and liver and kidney histology. Magnesium from the multi-form supplement increased serum Mg without affecting glucose homeostasis and modulated proteins involved in synaptic plasticity, accompanied by mild anxiolytic-like effects without changes in locomotion. No adverse histological alterations were observed, while preserved renal CLDN-19 expression indicated maintained tubular integrity. These findings suggest that supplementation with the multi-form Mg BT™ supplement influences multiple evaluated biological domains, including systemic, behavioral and molecular parameters, with effects comparable to those observed with individual magnesium compounds under the experimental conditions applied.

Background: Childhood nutritional status is a key indicator of growth and development and is influenced by biological, environmental, and behavioral factors. Understanding regional and urban–rural differences is crucial for targeted public health interventions. Aim: This study aimed to examine regional and urban–rural differences in the nutritional status of first-grade children in Montenegro, using Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist-toHeight Ratio (WHtR) as primary indicators. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 286 first-grade children aged 6–7 years from northern and central regions of Montenegro. Anthropometric measurements, including body height, body mass, and waist circumference, were collected following ISAK standards. Methods: Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) were evaluated in 286 first-grade schoolchildren (135 boys, 151 girls) from Northern and Central Montenegro, stratified by region and urban-rural environment. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test (p<0.05). Results: No significant regional or urban-rural differences were found in BMI distribution (p>0.05). However, boys showed a high combined overweight/obesity prevalence in Northern (36.6%) and Central (30.2%) regions. For WHtR, a highly significant regional divergence was found among girls (p<0.001); girls from the Central region demonstrated a critically higher prevalence of abdominal obesity (32.8%) compared to Northern peers (8.3%). Urban-rural environment had no significant impact (p>0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest relatively homogeneous patterns of nutritional status among first-grade children in Montenegro, regardless of region or settlement type. Nevertheless, the presence of overweight and obesity highlights the importance of early monitoring and preventive interventions. School- and community-based programs promoting healthy nutrition and physical activity are essential to mitigate childhood obesity and support long-term health outcomes.

Background: Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is a cornerstone treatment for hypercapnic respiratory failure in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of selected comorbidities on the effectiveness of NIV in these patients, and to compare clinical characteristics and outcomes between continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) modalities.Materials and methods: This prospective, randomized, single-center study included 80 patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure due to COPD, randomized 1:1 to CPAP or BiPAP. Demographic and clinical data, comorbidities, vital signs, and arterial blood gas parameters were recorded at admission and during NIV. The primary outcome was pCO₂ reduction at the end of treatment compared with baseline.Results: Arterial hypertension significantly enhanced pCO₂ reduction with CPAP, but not with BiPAP. Systolic and mean arterial pressure independently predicted the magnitude of pCO₂ reduction, regardless of NIV modality. Patients treated with BiPAP more frequently had decompensated cor pulmonale and severe pulmonary hypertension, while pneumonia was more common in the CPAP group. NIV modality itself was not an independent predictor of pCO₂ reduction.Conclusion: Systemic hemodynamic status and arterial hypertension influence NIV effectiveness in hypercapnic COPD. The cardiovascular status should be considered alongside respiratory parameters when selecting the NIV strategy.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex and heterogeneous condition characterized by the coexistence of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, chronic low-grade inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction. Increasing evidence suggests that the gut microbiota plays a central role in the development and progression of MetS by influencing host metabolism, intestinal barrier integrity, immune activation, endocrine signaling, and vascular homeostasis. This narrative review summarizes current evidence regarding gut microbiota alterations across major obesity-related metabolic phenotypes, including obesity alone, obesity complicated by T2DM, and obesity associated with hypertension. Obesity is generally characterized by reduced microbial diversity, depletion of beneficial taxa such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Akkermansia muciniphila, impaired short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) signaling, increased intestinal permeability, and metabolic endotoxemia. The coexistence of T2DM is associated with a more pronounced depletion of butyrate-producing bacteria, altered bile acid metabolism, impaired incretin signaling, and enhanced inflammatory activation that may contribute to insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. In hypertensive obesity, gut dysbiosis appears to preferentially involve disturbances within the gut–vascular axis, including reduced SCFA-producing taxa, increased trimethylamine N-oxide production, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and vascular inflammation. Although microbial signatures partially overlap among metabolic phenotypes, functional alterations in microbial metabolites and host–microbiota interactions may better explain disease heterogeneity than isolated taxonomic changes. Current evidence supports the potential role of microbiota-targeted interventions and integrated multi-omics approaches in future precision medicine strategies for cardiometabolic disease prevention and management.

AIM To evaluate the association between intravaginal therapy with carboxymethyl-β-glucan (CMBG) and polycarbophil and cytological regression of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 (CIN 1), compared with standard follow-up. METHODS This prospective observational controlled study included 80 women aged 23-49 years with ASCUS or CIN 1. Forty patients received intravaginal CMBG/polycarbophil spray, and 40 were managed with standard follow-up. Allocation was based on clinical assessment and therapy availability, without randomisation. The primary outcome was cytological normalisation after 12 months, based on Papanicolaou smear results. RESULTS After 12 months, abnormal cytology was observed in 4 (10.0%) patients in the treatment group and 18 (45.0%) in the control group (RR 0.22; 95% CI 0.08-0.60; p < 0.001). Normal cytology was observed in 36 (90.0%) and 22 (55.0%) patients, respectively (p < 0.001). Human papillomavirus (HPV) persistence was detected in 2 (5.0%) patients in the treatment group and 5 (12.5%) in the control group (p = 0.432). CONCLUSION Intravaginal CMBG/polycarbophil therapy was associated with a higher rate of cytological normalisation than standard follow-up in women with ASCUS and CIN 1.

This paper extends the post-factual polity framework into AI infrastructure and public administration systems theory. It asks how proprietary analytical platforms alter the state’s capacity to produce, audit, and contest the categories through which risk, threat, eligibility, fraud, and deviance become actionable. Using a structured documentary case analysis of Palantir Technologies across United States agencies and allied jurisdictions, the study applies three diagnostic markers—categorical opacity, contestation displacement, and substitutive dependency—to examine the migration of sovereign classification into vendor-controlled infrastructure. The research gap was identified through an integrative review of public administration, AI governance, algorithmic accountability, systems theory, surveillance studies, and Palantir scholarship. The analysis distinguishes AI epistemic capture from ordinary IT vendor lock-in: the former concerns not merely technical dependence or high exit costs but the loss of public capacity to define and contest consequential administrative categories. The paper argues that administrative law, procurement reform, and algorithmic impact assessment remain necessary but insufficient when agencies lack substitutive capacity. It specifies untangling as a systems-level task involving capacity reconstruction, categorical repatriation, contractual restructuring, and procurement reorientation. Hybrid intelligence is advanced as a post-untangling architecture that embeds machine processing within contestable, accountable, and legally governed human judgment. The contribution is diagnostic, methodological, and design-oriented for AI systems governance.