OBJECTIVE Vestibular impairment may be present in and contribute to imbalance in patients with hereditary neuropathies. We examined the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) characteristics in peripheral myelin protein 22 neuropathies using the video head-impulse test (vHIT). METHODS 23 patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease 1A (CMT1A) and 17 with hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) were recruited. Three-dimensional vHIT was performed. VOR-gain and latency, refixation-saccade prevalence and first-saccade amplitude, onset-latency, peak-velocity and duration were examined and compared against age-matched controls. RESULTS In CMT1A and HNPP gait imbalance was reported in 78.3 % and 58.8 % of patients, resulting in recurrent falls in 65.2 % and 23.5 %. Reduced VOR-gain affecting the posterior-canals (PCs) was found in 47.8 % of CMT1A and 11.7 % of HNPP patients. First saccade amplitude and peak-velocities higher in horizontal-canal (HC) and PC in the CMT1A group compared to controls (p < 0.05). In HNPP, first saccades were larger in HC and anterior-canal (AC) planes; saccade peak-velocity was higher in AC and PC planes compared to controls (p < 0.05). In CMT1A, VOR-gain impairment was associated with higher Charcot-Marie-Tooth Examination Score, longer disease duration, and higher total Overall Neuropathy Limitation Scale score (p < 0.05) and VOR-gain was lower for PC in patients with a history of recurrent falls (p < 0.05). VOR-latency was significantly longer in HC and PCs in CMT1A compared to controls (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS VOR impairment and slowing of the VOR-latency is found in CMT1A but not the HNPP cohort. These findings may relate to demyelinating processes affecting the vestibular nerves and thus the VOR pathways. SIGNIFICANCE VHIT allows detection of VOR impairment which could be an additional contributor to imbalance and falls in patients with CMT1A.

This study explores pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods for decarbonizing and recovering valuable metals from bauxite residue, with direct hydrogen reduction in a rotary kiln without smelting and dissolution of solid residues under high pressure in an autoclave. The goal is to offer decarbonizing techniques for the removal of iron from bauxite residue, a by-product of the Bayer process, which cannot be disposed of in an environmentally sustainable manner. In contrast to traditional carbon-based reductive melting, which generated significant CO₂ emissions, hydrogen is now being investigated as a cleaner alternative. Through hydrogen reduction in rotary kiln, approximately 99.9% of iron is recovered as iron, which can be separated using magnetic separation from the solid residue containing other valuable metals. We concluded that hydrogen can reduce iron oxide from bauxite residues to metallic iron in contrast to very stable oxides such as titanium oxide, silica and aluminum oxide. Leaching of titanium, iron and aluminum with sulfuric acid has high efficiency under high pressure in an autoclave.

Background Angiotensin II (Ang II) plays a critical role in the progression of kidney disease. In addition to its direct signaling events, Ang II transactivates epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and causes renal injury. CD148 is a transmembrane protein tyrosine phosphatase that dephosphorylates EGFR and strongly inhibits its activity. In this study, we have asked if CD148 agonistic antibody 18E1 mAb attenuates renal injury induced by chronic Ang II infusion to explore its therapeutic application. Methods Hypertensive nephropathy was induced in mice subjected to unilateral nephrectomy (UNx) by infusing Ang II (1.4 mg/kg per day) for 6 weeks using an osmotic minipump. The 18E1 mAb or isotype control IgG were intraperitoneally injected (15 mg/kg, three times per week) to the UNx + Ang II mice for 6 weeks, and their renal phenotype was investigated. Results Chronic Ang II infusion induced evident hypertension and renal injury that is indicated by elevation of plasma creatinine, urinary albumin excretion, renal hypertrophy, podocyte injury, macrophage infiltration, and the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin and collagen deposition. As compared with isotype control antibody, 18E1 mAb significantly reduced these renal changes, while it showed no effects on blood pressure. Furthermore, phospho-EGFR immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting demonstrated renal EGFR is activated in the mice that were subjected to UNx and Ang II infusion and 18E1 mAb significantly reduces EGFR phosphorylation in these kidneys as compared with isotype control treatment. Conclusion Agonistic CD148 antibody attenuates UNx + Ang II–induced renal injury, in part by reducing EGFR activity. Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12882-025-04070-x.

Objective. The study assesses how well patients follow secondary prevention measures after completing an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program. Materials and Methods. This research involves 63 patients who completed an outpatient CR program between 2018 and 2020 at the Istrian Health Center in Pula, Croatia. Socio-demographic characteristics, levels of physical activity, adherence to a Mediterranean diet, and compliance with medical recommendations were assessed in a survey to gather data. Results. Out of the 63 patients surveyed, 51 responded (34 males, 17 females, average age 68.25 years). After completing a cardiac rehabilitation program, 78.4% maintained appropriate levels of physical activity but showed low adherence to a Mediterranean diet, with an average score of only 3.94 out of 9. Only a small percentage (2%) effectively followed medical recommendations. Conclusion. Despite the fact that patients maintain physical activity, there are still challenges regarding adherence to nutritional recommendations and medical advice. Long-term adherence can be improved by utilizing technology, involving family members, and offering education. Future research should focus on identifying obstacles to adherence and developing approaches to achieve lasting behavioral change.

The chemical reactive molecule ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) is a product of normal cellular metabolism. ROS plays a pivotal role in a wide range of biological processes, including aging, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies have shown that ROS can also affect the ribosomes – molecular machines responsible for protein synthesis.  ROS leads to errors in protein synthesis and the production of misfolded proteins, causing damage to ribosomes. However, it has also been suggested that ROS is implicated in the regulation of the ribosome activity under certain conditions. The aim of this paper is to review current knowledge regarding the effects of ROS on ribosomes, with a focus on the mechanisms by which ROS can cause damage to ribosomes and the potential role of ROS in regulating ribosome activity.

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), a secret key agreement primitive, makes possible long-awaited real-world Information-Theoretical Security (ITS). In the last twenty years, the development of QKD-based networks that deliver ITS keys to distant parties has been a focus of the academic and industry sectors. Several key-delivery specifications have been developed for the practical delivery of keys to end applications. In this paper, we discuss key-delivery specifications with a focus on security and authentication.

The development of telecommunications networks sets greater appetites to ensure secure communication flows. One of the approaches to providing information-theoretical levels of security is the application of quantum cryptography based on the quantum laws of nature. However, quantum networks differ significantly from existing networks in terms of their organization and availability of resources. This technology’s convergence largely depends on how it is integrated into existing networks and on the economic return of investment. Towards analyzing the latter, we consider the business model for accessing QKD network resources through a mechanism of pricing a QKD link upon a user’s request, with continuous fairness monitoring of the network utilization.

Future connected cooperative automated mobility can benefit from high-data-rate wireless communication links between vehicles to exchange LIDAR and/or RADAR data. The millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency range offers large bandwidth for rapid sensor data exchange but suffers from higher signal attenuation compared to the centimeter wave (cmWave) band. In this paper we obtain cmWave and mmWave multipath component (MPC) parameters by combining a single omnidirectional antenna that is used as virtual array with the CLEAN algorithm. The cmWave MPC information enables low-overhead mmWave beamforming by means of an antenna array. Empirical multi-band measurement data ($3.2 \text{GHz}, 34.3 \text{GHz}$, and 62.35 GHz) shows that considering the 5 strongest MPCs, a signal-to-noise ratio of up to 25 dB for a V2I scenario can be achieved.

Future vehicular communication systems will integrate millimeter wave (mmWave) technology to enhance data transmission rates. To investigate the propagation effects and small-scale fading differences between mmWave and conventional centimeter wave (cmWave) bands, multi-band channel measurements have to be conducted. One key parameter to characterize small-scale fading is the Rician $K$-factor. In this paper, we analyze the time-varying $K$-factor of vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) channels across multiple frequency bands, measured in an urban street environment. Specifically, we investigate three frequency bands with center frequencies of 3.2 GHz, 34.3 GHz and 62.35 GHz using measurement data with 155.5 MHz band-width and a sounding repetition rate of 31.25 μs. Furthermore, we analyze the relationship between K-factor and root-mean-square (RMS) delay spread. We show that the Ricean $K$-factor is similar at different frequency bands and that is correlated with the RMS delay spread.

The environmental fragmentation of plastics generates a mixture of plastic particles of various sizes, which frequently co-occur with other mobile and persistent environmental pollutants. Despite the prevalence of such scenarios, the interaction between micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) and their combined effects with environmental pollutants, such as highly toxic hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), remain almost entirely unexplored in mammalian species. This study demonstrated that nanoplastic and microplastic particles co-aggregate and together influence Cr bioaccumulation patterns and related physiological alterations in rats. Following a four-week repeated intragastric exposure of Wistar rats to MNPs and Cr(VI), either alone or in combination, MNPs significantly enhanced Cr bioaccumulation in the liver, heart, brain, and skin. Under co-exposure conditions, Cr(VI) was the primary driver of cellular effects observed in the blood, including shifts in immune cell subpopulations (e.g., neutrophils, lymphocytes) and alterations in red blood cell indices, while serum biochemistry reflected limited physiological stress. MNPs per se decreased creatine kinase activity and increased cholesterol levels. In summary, polystyrene MNPs increase Cr(VI) distribution and bioavailability, but co-exposure does not uniformly exacerbate toxicity. Instead, their interaction may selectively alter physiological responses, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of their combined effects and potential health risks.

Background and Objectives: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has a profound impact on the central nervous system (CNS), contributing to cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms even in individuals receiving combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). This study aimed to investigate the associations between brain parenchymal volumes and neuropsychological outcomes, specifically focusing on cognitive function and depressive symptoms in HIV-positive males. Materials and Methods: A total of 48 male participants underwent cognitive assessment using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), while depressive symptoms were evaluated in 35 participants using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Volumetric brain analysis was conducted through automated imaging software, volBrain (Version 1.0, published on 23 November 2021), ensuring high consistency and accuracy. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation to identify relationships between brain volumes and neuropsychological outcomes, emphasizing key regions like the basal forebrain and cingulate gyrus. Results: Significant trends were observed between basal forebrain volume and MMSE scores, emphasizing the role of this region in cognitive regulation. Additional correlations were found with the anterior and middle cingulate gyri, which are crucial for executive functioning and attentional control. Notably, smaller right basal forebrain volumes were associated with greater depressive symptom severity, suggesting the region’s specific involvement in mood regulation. These findings highlight the dual impact of HIV on cognitive and emotional health, with structural vulnerabilities in key brain regions playing a central role. Conclusions: This study underscores the selective vulnerability of certain brain regions, such as the basal forebrain and cingulate gyrus, to HIV-associated neurodegeneration. The results highlight the importance of integrating neuroimaging and neuropsychological assessments in routine clinical care for HIV-positive individuals. The study emphasizes the importance of early detection and targeted interventions to address neuropsychological challenges in this population, with a call for further research in larger and more diverse cohorts.

Background: Plants face a wide range of environmental stresses that disrupt growth and productivity. To survive and adapt, they undergo complex metabolic reprogramming by redirecting carbon and nitrogen fluxes toward the biosynthesis of protective secondary metabolites such as phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, and lignin. Recent research has revealed that these stress-induced metabolic processes are tightly regulated by epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNAs. Methods: This review synthesizes current findings from studies on both model and crop plants, examining the roles of key epigenetic regulators in controlling secondary metabolism under stress. Special focus is placed on dynamic changes in DNA methylation, histone acetylation, and the action of small RNAs such as siRNAs and miRNAs in transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. Results: Evidence indicates that stress triggers rapid and reversible epigenetic modifications that modulate gene expression linked to secondary metabolic pathways. These modifications not only facilitate immediate metabolic responses but can also contribute to stress memory. In some cases, this memory is retained and transmitted to the next generation, influencing progeny stress responses. However, critical knowledge gaps remain, particularly concerning the temporal dynamics, tissue specificity, and long-term stability of these epigenetic marks in crops. Conclusions: Understanding how epigenetic regulation governs secondary metabolite production offers promising avenues to enhance crop resilience and productivity in the context of climate change. Future research should prioritize dissecting the stability and heritability of these modifications to support the development of epigenetically informed breeding strategies.