High-entropy oxychloride increasing the stability of Li-sulfur batteries

A novel lithiated high-entropy oxychloride Li_0.5(Zn_0.25Mg_0.25Co_0.25Cu_0.25)_0.5Fe₂O_3.5Cl_0.5 (LiHEOFeCl) with spinel structure belonging to the cubic Fd3̄m space group is synthesized by a mechanochemical-thermal route. Cyclic voltammetry measurement of the pristine LiHEOFeCl sample confirms its excellent electrochemical stability and the initial charge capacity of 648 mA h g^-1. The reduction of LiHEOFeCl starts at ca. 1.5 V vs. Li⁺/Li, which is outside the electrochemical window of the Li-S batteries (1.7/2.9 V). The addition of the LiHEOFeCl material to the composite of carbon with sulfur results in improved long-term electrochemical cycling stability and increased charge capacity of this cathode material in Li-S batteries. The carbon/LiHEOFeCl/sulfur cathode provides a charge capacity of 530 mA h g^-1 after 100 galvanostatic cycles, which represents ca. 33% increase as compared to the charge capacity of the blank carbon/sulfur composite cathode after 100 cycles. This considerable effect of the LiHEOFeCl material is assigned to its excellent structural and electrochemical stability within the potential window of 1.7 V/2.9 V vs. Li⁺/Li. In this potential region, our LiHEOFeCl has no inherent electrochemical activity. Hence, it acts solely as an electrocatalyst accelerating the redox reactions of polysulfides. This can be beneficial for the performance of Li-S batteries, as evidenced by reference experiments with TiO₂ (P90).

ForestClim-Bioclimatic variables for microclimate temperatures of European forests

Microclimate research gained renewed interest over the last decade and its importance for many ecological processes is increasingly being recognized. Consequently, the call for high-resolution microclimatic temperature grids across broad spatial extents is becoming more pressing to improve ecological models. Here, we provide a new set of open-access bioclimatic variables for microclimate temperatures of European forests at 25 × 25 m² resolution.

Molecular Detection of Nosema spp. in Three Eco Regions of Slovakia

Microsporidia are unicellular obligate intracellular parasitic fungi that infect a wide range of vertebrates and invertebrates. There are two known species of microsporidia infecting honey bees in Slovakia- first Nosema apis and also Nosema ceranae. Our aim was to examine samples of honey bees collected from bee queen breeders in three ecoregions of the Slovak Republic in 2021 and 2022. First, microscopic diagnostics were used, and then randomly selected samples were examined using molecular methods. There were 4018 samples examined using microscopic diagnostics and the positivity was demonstrated in 922 samples. From the microscopically diagnosed positive samples, 507 samples were randomly selected, and using molecular methods, the positivity was proved in 488 samples. After sequencing the positive PCR products and comparing the sequences (BLAST) with the sequences stored in the gene bank, the Nosema ceranae species was detected in all positive samples.

Influence of Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) on Female Reproduction

This review describes the chemical composition of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) and its general health effects, as well as the currently available knowledge concerning its action on the female reproductive state, functions on the ovary and ovarian cells and reproductive hormones, as well as possible constituents and extra- and intracellular mediators mediating its effects on female reproductive processes. Flaxseed contains a number of biologically active molecules, which, acting through multiple signalling pathways, can determine numerous physiological, protective and therapeutic effects of flaxseed. The available publications demonstrate the action of flaxseed and its constituents on the female reproductive system - ovarian growth, follicle development, the resulting puberty and reproductive cycles, ovarian cell proliferation and apoptosis, oo- and embryogenesis, hormonal regulators of reproductive processes and their dysfunctions. These effects can be determined by flaxseed lignans, alpha-linolenic acid and their products. Their actions can be mediated by changes in general metabolism, metabolic and reproductive hormones, their binding proteins, receptors and several intracellular signalling pathways, including protein kinases, transcription factors regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis and malignant transformation. Flaxseed and its active molecules are found potentially useful for improving farm animal reproductive efficiency and treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome and ovarian cancer.

Intermittent Hypoxic Preconditioning Plays a Cardioprotective Role in Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiomyopathy

Intermittent hypoxic preconditioning (IHP) is a well-established cardioprotective intervention in models of ischemia/reperfusion injury. Nevertheless, the significance of IHP in different cardiac pathologies remains elusive. In order to investigate the role of IHP and its effects on calcium-dependent signalization in HF, we employed a model of cardiomyopathy induced by doxorubicin (Dox), a widely used drug from the class of cardiotoxic antineoplastics, which was i.p. injected to Wistar rats (4 applications of 4 mg/kg/week). IHP-treated group was exposed to IHP for 2 weeks prior to Dox administration. IHP ameliorated Dox-induced reduction in cardiac output. Western blot analysis revealed increased expression of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase (SERCA2a) while the expression of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1-α, which is a crucial regulator of hypoxia-inducible genes, was not changed. Animals administered with Dox had further decreased expression of TRPV1 and TRPV4 (transient receptor potential, vanilloid subtype) ion channels along with suppressed Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) activation. In summary, IHP-mediated improvement in cardiac output in the model of Dox-induced cardiomyopathy is likely a result of increased SERCA2a expression which could implicate IHP as a potential protective intervention in Dox cardiomyopathy, however, further analysis of observed effects is still required.

ATAD3A-related pontocerebellar hypoplasia: new patients and insights into phenotypic variability

BACKGROUND

Pathogenic variants in the ATAD3A gene lead to a heterogenous clinical picture and severity ranging from recessive neonatal-lethal pontocerebellar hypoplasia through milder dominant Harel-Yoon syndrome up to, again, neonatal-lethal but dominant cardiomyopathy. The genetic diagnostics of ATAD3A-related disorders is also challenging due to three paralogous genes in the ATAD3 locus, making it a difficult target for both sequencing and CNV analyses.

RESULTS

Here we report four individuals from two families with compound heterozygous p.Leu77Val and exon 3-4 deletion in the ATAD3A gene. One of these patients was characterized as having combined OXPHOS deficiency based on decreased complex IV activities, decreased complex IV, I, and V holoenzyme content, as well as decreased levels of COX2 and ATP5A subunits and decreased rate of mitochondrial proteosynthesis. All four reported patients shared a strikingly similar clinical picture to a previously reported patient with the p.Leu77Val variant in combination with a null allele. They presented with a less severe course of the disease and a longer lifespan than in the case of biallelic loss-of-function variants. This consistency of the phenotype in otherwise clinically heterogenous disorder led us to the hypothesis that the severity of the phenotype could depend on the severity of variant impact. To follow this rationale, we reviewed the published cases and sorted the recessive variants according to their impact predicted by their type and the severity of the disease in the patients.

CONCLUSION

The clinical picture and severity of ATAD3A-related disorders are homogenous in patients sharing the same combinations of variants. This knowledge enables deduction of variant impact severity based on known cases and allows more accurate prognosis estimation, as well as a better understanding of the ATAD3A function.

Effects of chronic delta-opioid receptor agonist on the excitability of hippocampal glutamate and brainstem monoamine neurons, anxiety, locomotion, and habituation in rats

BACKGROUND

Short-term treatment with non-peptide agonists of delta-opioid receptors, such as agonist SNC80, induced behavioral effects in rodents, which could be modulated via changes in central neurotransmission. The present experiments aimed at testing the hypothesis that chronic treatment with SNC80 induces anxiolytic effects associated with changes in hippocampal glutamate and brainstem monoamine pathways.

METHODS

Adult male Wistar rats were used in experiments. Rats were treated with SNC80 (3 mg/kg/day) for fourteen days. Neuronal excitability was assessed using extracellular in vivo single-unit electrophysiology. The behavioral parameters were examined using the elevated plus maze and open field tests.

RESULTS

Chronic SNC80 treatment increased the excitability of hippocampal glutamate and ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons and had no effect on the firing activity of dorsal raphe nucleus serotonin cells. Chronic SNC80 treatment induced anxiolytic effects, which were, however, confounded by increased locomotor activity clearly confirmed in an open field test. The ability to cope with stressful situations and habituation processes in a novel environment was not influenced by chronic treatment with SNC80.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that the psychoactive effects of SNC80 might be explained by its ability to stimulate hippocampal glutamate and mesolimbic dopamine transmission.

Executive functioning moderates the decline of retrieval fluency in time

Prevailing theoretical accounts consider that automatic and controlled processes are uniformly engaged in memory retrieval across performance of the semantic verbal fluency (SVF) task. We tested this proposal against the alternative, namely that a rapid automatic retrieval, exploiting stable associative structure in the early stages of the performance, is followed by a slower, more executively demanding, retrieval in later stages. Eighty-five healthy adults completed low- and high-demand SVF tasks that were assessed for retrieval rate, response typicality, and inter-response similarity across the performance. Additional measures of executive functioning were collected to estimate individual differences in executive control. We found that decrease in fluency in time was associated with lower typicality and weaker semantic similarity of the responses. Critically, the time-dependent retrieval slowing was steeper in individuals with less efficient interference control, particularly in high-demand SVF tasks. Steeper retrieval slowing was also associated with poorer working-memory capacity. Our findings show that the relative contribution of automatic and controlled processes to semantic retrieval changes with associative sparsity over time and across task demands, and provide implications for the use of SVF tasks in clinical assessment.

Measuring various aspects of coronavirus anxiety: a psychometric evaluation of Pandemic anxiety and Coronophobia scales from the latent and network perspective

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, understanding and describing the changes in experiences related to the pandemic and its correlates have become crucial. The current study aims to provide a psychometric evaluation and examination of the relationship of two COVID-related anxiety scales through the latent and network approach. The data was collected from the same participants at two time points (Nwave 1 = 1283; Nwave 2 = 1326). The study examined the psychometric properties of the Pandemic Anxiety Scale and Coronaphobia scale. It also examined the factor structure, invariance and relationship with selected variables through both the latent and network approach. The results revealed that both scales provided good fit and psychometric properties-PAS (wave1: CFI = 0.97, TLI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.05 [0.04, 0.07], SRMR = 0.048; wave2: CFI = 0.97, TLI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.05 [0.04, 0.07], SRMR = 0.049), and Coronaphobia scale (wave1: CFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.05 [0.03, 0.07], SRMR = 0.027; wave2: CFI ~ 1, TLI = 0.99, RMSEA = 0.03 [0.002, 0.06], SRMR = 0.015). The results also indicated that distinguishing between them is crucial as they were related differently to various variables. The global network models provided a more complex insight in their connections with the set of selected variables. The PAS and Coronaphobia scales are brief and valid measures that can be used in research looking at mental health issues related to the pandemic. The present study shows a unique pattern of relationships of these scales with other variables, extending previous studies into the topic of COVID-related anxiety.

Scientific reasoning is associated with rejection of unfounded health beliefs and adherence to evidence-based regulations during the Covid-19 pandemic

Scientific reasoning and trust in science are two facets of science understanding. This paper examines the contribution of science understanding, over and above analytic thinking, to the endorsement of conspiracy and pseudoscientific beliefs about COVID-19 and behavioral intentions to engage in the recommended preventive behavior. We examined the direct and indirect effects of science understanding on normative health behavior in a representative sample of the Slovak population (N = 1024). The results showed more support for the indirect pathway: individuals with a better understanding of science generally had fewer epistemically suspect beliefs and as a consequence tended to behave more in line with the evidence-based guidelines and get vaccinated. Neither scientific reasoning nor trust in science directly predicted non-compliance with preventive measures, but analytic thinking correlated positively with non-compliance with preventive measures. The strongest predictor of epistemically suspect beliefs was trust in science, which also directly predicted the intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Therefore, reasoning about which experts or sources to believe (second-order scientific reasoning) has become more important than directly evaluating the original evidence (first-order scientific reasoning).

Supplementary information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-023-04284-y.

Intramolecular crankshaft-type rearrangement in a photoisomerised glycoconjugate†

High-resolution NMR spectroscopy revealed that a novel glycoconjugate, consisting of two β-glucopyranoses attached to a quinazolinone-like structure, exhibited photoisomerization around the –N–N <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.0" width="13.200000pt" height="16.000000pt" viewBox="0 0 13.200000 16.000000" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet"><metadata> Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 </metadata><g transform="translate(1.000000,15.000000) scale(0.017500,-0.017500)" fill="currentColor" stroke="none"><path d="M0 440 l0 -40 320 0 320 0 0 40 0 40 -320 0 -320 0 0 -40z M0 280 l0 -40 320 0 320 0 0 40 0 40 -320 0 -320 0 0 -40z"/></g></svg> and CH–C– bonds of the –N–NCH–C– linkage in the same timeframe (the so-called “crankshaft rotation”) upon exposure to UV light. Experimental NMR data combined with DFT calculations discovered that the attachment of carbohydrate residues to photoactive compounds significantly changed the isomerization process and intramolecular rearrangement compared to the unglycosylated system, while the overall molecular structure remained virtually unchanged.

A reversible photoinduced intramolecular crankshaft-type rearrangement in a glycoconjugate proceeds simultaneously at both the –N–N and CH–C– bonds.

High On-Treatment Platelet Reactivity in Patients Undergoing Complex Percutaneous Coronary Interventions

Patient response to P2Y12 inhibitor therapy is heterogeneous, and those with high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) are at an increased risk of thrombotic complications. The aim of our study was to determine whether selecting a high-risk patient group of individuals after complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) would show the clinical benefit of HTPR testing for preventing thrombotic complications. Blood samples of patients after complex PCI were acquired 1 day and 1 month after the intervention. The samples were tested using vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation (VASP-P) and platelet function assay (PFA). The occurrence of clinically significant stent thrombosis with repeated revascularization of the target vessel was observed over a 1-year period. One day after PCI, 37% of patients had HTPR as established by VASP-P. One month after PCI, the percentage of patients with HTPR decreased to 30.9%. According to PFA, 1 day after PCI, 33.3% of patients had HTPR. This percentage declined to 19.8% after 1 month. All measurements identified a significantly higher proportion of HTPR in patients on clopidogrel compared to ticagrelor and prasugrel. Two cases of early stent thrombosis and 1 case of late stent thrombosis were identified. Further study of adenosine diphosphate receptor blocker on-treatment response in patients undergoing complex PCI is necessary.

The survey of soil-transmitted helminth species abundance in Slovakia with an emphasis on parameters important for their distribution

Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) can be easily dispensable in socially disadvantaged groups. The Roma people represent the group most at risk in Slovakia. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of STH infections in minorities living with animals under low hygienic conditions and on contaminated soil. Subsequently, we identified the risk assessment factors of the STH transmissions based on parasitological results. In our study, STHs were predominantly found among the Roma communities living in unsanitary conditions. The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides among the majority was 0.79%, and Trichuris trichiura was 0.05 %. On the contrary, a community-based cross-sectional survey across eastern Slovakia also found a prevalence of 22.28 and 3.47% for A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura among the Roma population. Inhabitants that belong to the Roma minority had a 37.12 infection OR times higher than non-Roma inhabitants. The Roma people living in the countryside have a 2.23-fold higher chance of getting infected with STH than Roma living in the city. Therefore, soil and domestic animals were also examined for the presence of the STH eggs to show the environmental burden. In general, the presence of STH eggs was confirmed in 26.26% of the soil examined samples. The detailed description is as follows: eggs of Toxocara spp., Trichuris spp., eggs from the family Ancylostomatidae, and Toxascaris leonina. Ascaris eggs were detected only in the soil from localities with low hygienic standards. The probability of contracting the STH eggs in segregated settlements was 15.94 times higher compared to urban or rural areas. In addition to humans, dogs can also be a source of STH eggs in the soil. The STH eggs were confirmed in 43.55% of dog droppings. The most interesting finding was that the eggs of the genus Ascaris were up to 7.93% of dog droppings from localities with a low hygienic standard were positive. This study revealed that climatic factors and the WASH conditions influenced the distribution of STHs to variable degrees. In addition, ethnicity and sanitation were crucial factors in the distribution of STH infection in eastern Slovakia.

In vitro versus cryo-induced capacitation of bovine spermatozoa, part 1: Structural, functional, and oxidative similarities and differences

Low temperatures during cryopreservation activate a cascade of changes, which may lead into irreversible damage and reduction of the fertilization potential, including the process of premature capacitation. The aim of our study was to evaluate the range of cell damage following the cryopreservation process and possible activation of cryocapacitation in bovine spermatozoa. For the experiments semen samples were obtained from 30 sexually mature Holstein bulls. Within the analysed parameters, we focused on the functional activity, structural integrity, capacitation status and oxidative profile. The samples were divided into three experimental groups, control (CTRL), in vitro capacitated (CAP) and cryopreserved (CRYO). Based on the collected data, there was a significant decrease in the sperm motility, mitochondrial membrane potential and concentration of cyclic adenosine monophosphate in the CRYO group when compared to CAP and CTRL (P<0.0001). A significant decrease (P<0.01; P<0.0001) in the membrane and acrosome integrity as well as DNA fragmentation index and a significant increase (P<0.0001) of necrotic cells were observed in the CRYO group. Following capacitation, a significant increase (P<0.01; P<0.0001) was recorded in the number of cells which underwent the acrosome reaction in the CRYO group against CAP and CTRL. Changes in the oxidative profile of the CRYO group indicates an increase (P<0.0001) in the reactive oxygen species generation, except for the superoxide radical, which was significantly higher (P<0.0001; P<0.001) in the CAP group in comparison with CRYO and CTRL. In summary, premature capacitation may be considered a consequence of cryopreservation and the assessed parameters could serve as physical markers of cryogenic damage to bovine spermatozoa in the future.

Aspects of self-regulated learning and their influence on the mathematics achievement of fifth graders in the context of four different proclaimed curricula

Metacognition is a part of the models of self-regulated learning. The consideration of a broader context resonates with a social cognitive perspective approach to learning which dominates the educational academic field with the theory of self-regulated learning. Metacognition is considered a crucial factor influencing mathematics achievement. Furthermore, the affective field including pupils' self-efficacy, interest and motivation are the phenomena involved in mathematical problem-solving. On the other hand, metacognitive knowledge and metacognitive regulations are not a regular part of mathematics education in the Czech Republic. The main aim of this study was to investigate the relation between pupils' attitude toward mathematics; metacognitive knowledge; self-efficacy and motivation; metacognitive monitoring; and their achievement in solving mathematical problems. All together 1,133 students of Grade 5 from four types of Czech schools participated in the study. There were traditional schools; schools teaching mathematics by genetic constructivism, i.e., Hejný's method; Montessori schools; and Dalton schools were involved. The assessed variables, namely relation to mathematics; metacognitive knowledge; self-efficacy and motivation; metacognitive monitoring; and mathematical achievement were used as an input to regression analysis. Item-response theory was used for assessing the performance of the students and demands of the tasks. The metacognitive monitoring was detected as the most significant predictor of mathematics achievement for higher- and lower-performing students as well as for the item with high and low demands. The study reveals how the different mathematics curricula (un)support the metacognitive processes involved in mathematical problem-solving. The information allows teachers to spend sufficient time with particular types of mathematics problems whose solutions is determined by activation of metacognitive processes. This demonstrates the importance of including the activities for development of metacognitive monitoring in mathematics education.

A quest for a fair schedule: The International Young Physicists' Tournament

The International Young Physicists' Tournament is an established team-oriented scientific competition between high school students from 37 countries on 5 continents. The competition consists of scientific discussions called Fights. Three or four teams participate in each Fight, while rotating the roles of Presenter, Opponent, Reviewer, and Observer among them. The rules of a few countries require that each team announces in advance three problems they will present at the regional tournament. The task of the organizers is to choose the composition of Fights in such a way that each team presents each of its chosen problems exactly once and within a single Fight no problem is presented more than once. Besides formalizing these feasibility conditions, in this paper we formulate several additional fairness criteria for tournament schedules. We show that the fulfillment of some of them can be ensured by constructing suitable edge colorings in bipartite graphs. To find fair schedules, we propose integer linear programs and test them on real as well as randomly generated data.

Derivatives of benzo-1,4-thiazine-3-carboxylic acid and the corresponding amino acid conjugates

Herein, we present the synthesis and utilization of derivatives of 4H-benzo[b][1,4]thiazine-3-carboxylic acid. These benzothiazine compounds were assembled via the coupling of aminothiols and bromopyruvates. Oxidative dimerization of these starting materials was also observed and the corresponding benzothiazine dimers were isolated. Moreover, the coupling of benzothiazines with amino acids was realized. In doing so, an enantioselective synthesis of the nonproteinogenic amino acid 2-amino-3-propylhexanoic acid was accomplished.

A rapid method for approximative evaluation of thermooxidative stability of organic materials

In this work, a novel procedure for fast assessment of the material residual stability is proposed. The method resides in integral isoconversional kinetic analysis of the thermal oxidation of unaged material employing the Berthelot-Hood temperature function. Subsequently, the obtained conversion-independent kinetic parameter D is also employed for samples aged in various regimes. The value of conversion-dependent parameter A for aged samples is calculated from the oxidation onset temperature measured at 5 °C min^-1. The residual stabilities are then calculated as a simple ratio of the parameter A of aged material to that of the unaged one. The method has been applied and verified for the samples of low-density polyethylene aged by thermal, radiation and combined ageing. The method can also be employed for high-throughput screening of the effect of various stabilizers and antioxidants in a given organic matrix.

Frequent flaws encountered in the manuscripts of kinetic papers

In the manuscripts dealing with thermoanalytical kinetics, many flaws, mistakes, and misconceptions are encountered repeatedly. In this paper, frequent flaws encountered in manuscript of kinetic papers are reviewed, mainly those originating in the false interpretation of the general rate equation, improper employment of integral isoconversional methods, conclusions drawn from the values of a single kinetic parameter, absence of error estimation and application of single-heating rate methods. Assessment of the quality of kinetic treatment is also noticed. Some experimental imperfections that could lead to incorrect values of kinetic parameters are mentioned.

New cytogenetic data on Caryophyllaeus laticeps and Paracaryophyllaeus gotoi, parasites of evolutionary interest

Caryophyllideans are intestinal parasites of freshwater fishes, occupying a basal position among the ‘true’ tapeworms. We performed detailed cytogenetic analyses of the well-known caryophyllidean species Caryophyllaeus laticeps. For comparison, we also examined for the first time the chromosomes of Paracaryophyllaeus gotoi, a specific parasite of loaches in China. Both species showed a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 20, n = 10m. Chromomycin A3 (CMA3)/diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining performed for the first time in the class Cestoda revealed CMA3+/DAPI− bands in the pericentromeric regions of the short arms of chromosome pair no. 7 in the karyotype of C. laticeps. Fluorescence in situ hybridization with the 18S rDNA probe confirmed the presence of a single cluster of major rDNA near the centromere on a pair of small chromosomes in both species. These findings support the hypothesis that the ancestral state in the family Caryophyllaeidae is a single interstitial cluster of major rDNA genes and thus one nucleolar organizer region per haploid genome. Our results, which we presented together with literature data plotted on a phylogenetic tree, show stability of caryophyllidean karyotypes at the genus level, but showed differences between genera without a clear phylogenetic signal. The data allowed us to at least formulate a hypothesis about the ancestral haploid chromosome number of n = 10 for the family Caryophyllaeidae and possibly for the sister family Capingentidae. In addition, we compared two populations of C. laticeps from water bodies with different levels of polychlorinated biphenyl contamination, showing a slightly increased incidence of chromosomal abnormalities at the contaminated site.

Psychological Factors of Tourist Expenditure: Neglected or Negligible?

Despite recent progress in identifying the factors of tourist expenditure, knowledge of the psychological characteristics of tourists is necessary to fully understand their impact. Therefore, this study attempts to extend the economic, sociodemographic and trip-related factors by including psychological factors in the econometric models. A total of 1,036 Slovak tourists who paid for summer holidays abroad in the summer of 2021 were interviewed. Three of the six psychological factors analysed (two stable personality characteristics – conscientiousness and agreeableness as well as four tendencies expressing willingness to spend or save – spendthrift, tightwad, thrift and spending propensity) correlated significantly with the amount of expenditure. In addition to income, type of travel, children and duration of the stay, the results of the partial least squares test revealed the net effects of tightwad, spending propensity and thrift. The magnitude of the effects of psychological factors points to the need for further research.

Internet Addiction in Socio-Demographic, Academic, and Psychological Profile of College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Czech Republic and Slovakia

Internet addiction is a serious problem among young adults that requires increased attention, especially at a time of distance learning during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of the study was to assess the relationships between internet addiction and selected socio-demographic, study-related, and psychological characteristics of college students. Internet addiction was measured using the Internet Addiction Test both overall and in its individual subscales (Salience, Excessive Use, Neglect Work, Anticipation, Lack of Control, and Neglect Social Life). The selected characteristics represented (1) socio-demographic profile (gender, age, residence, family), (2) academic profile (housing during the semester, form of study), and (3) psychological profile (depressive symptoms—the Patient Health Questionnaire, stress—the Perceived Stress Scale, anxiety symptoms—the Generalized Anxiety Disorder). Data collection took place during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 at Czech and Slovak colleges, with 1,422 students from the Czech Republic and 1,677 students from Slovakia participating in the research. The analytical processes were carried out through descriptive analysis, non-parametric difference analysis, and multiple negative binomial regression. Mild internet addiction was found in 387 (27.2%) Czech and 452 (27.0%) Slovak students. Moderate internet addiction was identified in 49 (3.4%) students from the Czech Republic and in 100 (6.0%) students from Slovakia. Two (0.1%) Czech and three (0.2%) Slovak students reported severe internet addiction. Increased likelihood of internet addiction overall, as well as in most individual subscales, was found particularly among male students and students who lived away from home during the semester. Depressive symptoms and stress could also be considered significant predictors in both countries. These results are important for the development of effective strategies and prevention programs, as Internet addiction may be a serious problem in the future, given the current times. When assessing internet addiction among college students, it would also be appropriate to evaluate the individual internet addiction subscales and their specifics.

Internet Addiction, Symptoms of Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms, Stress Among Higher Education Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Poor mental health is a growing concern among young people during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess the associations of Internet addiction with depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and stress in higher education students during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to examine these mental health problems in the context of study-related characteristics. The research sample consisted of 3,099 participants from the Czech Republic (CZ: 1,422) and Slovak Republic (SK: 1,677). The Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire for depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were used to measure mental health problems. The analyses also included demographic data (gender and age) and study-related characteristics (form of study, degree of study, field of study, distance between college and home, and housing during the semester). Based on the results of frequency and descriptive analyses, the prevalence of mental health problems was high. The most serious levels of Internet addiction (IAT cut-off point ≥ 50), to which attention should be paid, were found in 3.5% of Czech and 6.2% of Slovak students. Using the standard cut-off point of GAD-7 ≥ 10, 14.1% of Czech and 11.6% of Slovak students were identified with anxiety symptoms. Regarding the PHQ-9 with the cut-off point ≥ 10, 23.4% of Czech and 19.1% of Slovak students had depressive symptoms, which should be addressed. Using the PSS cut-off point ≥ 27, 12.9% of Czech students and 9.1% of Slovak students perceived high stress. The quantile regression analysis showed that Internet addiction was positively associated with anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and stress in all of the analyzed cases (p-value < 0.001). In terms of study-related characteristics, the binomial logistic regression analysis revealed that risk factors for mental health problems in Czech and Slovak students were mainly full-time form of study and living away from home during the semester. Internet addiction, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and stress are issues that require increased attention, and professionals and policy-makers should implement interventions to effectively prevent and help students with psychological problems.

Young Adults and Sick Leave Length of Mental Illnesses

Objectives

The objective was to explore whether a sick leave length related to mental morbidity differs across different occupational categories.

Methods

In the analysis, registry of sick leaves was analyzed. Provided analysis is focused on the length of sick leaves related to mental diseases caused by substance use or other factors. Dependent variable is the sick leave length, and the independent variables are the categories of disease and occupation. Kruskal–Wallis test, Shapiro–Wilk test, and Brown–Forsythe (B–F) are used.

Results

There are differences in mental sick leave lengths caused by substance use or other factors. In the case of mental illnesses attributable to drugs, differences in the sick leave duration among different working groups were not found. Considering mental disorders caused by other factors, there are differences in the sick leave duration among different working groups.

Conclusions

There is no evidence of longer sick leave in people diagnosed with mental disorder related to substance use. Differences in occupational categories do not relate to sick leave length.

Leishmania guyanensis M4147 as a new LRV1-bearing model parasite: Phosphatidate phosphatase 2-like protein controls cell cycle progression and intracellular lipid content

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic vector-borne disease caused by the protistan flagellates of the genus Leishmania. Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis is one of the most common causative agents of the American tegumentary leishmaniasis. It has previously been shown that L. guyanensis strains that carry the endosymbiotic Leishmania RNA virus 1 (LRV1) cause more severe form of the disease in a mouse model than those that do not. The presence of the virus was implicated into the parasite’s replication and spreading. In this respect, studying the molecular mechanisms of cellular control of viral infection is of great medical importance. Here, we report ~30.5 Mb high-quality genome assembly of the LRV1-positive L. guyanensis M4147. This strain was turned into a model by establishing the CRISPR-Cas9 system and ablating the gene encoding phosphatidate phosphatase 2-like (PAP2L) protein. The orthologue of this gene is conspicuously absent from the genome of an unusual member of the family Trypanosomatidae, Vickermania ingenoplastis, a species with mostly bi-flagellated cells. Our analysis of the PAP2L-null L. guyanensis showed an increase in the number of cells strikingly resembling the bi-flagellated V. ingenoplastis, likely as a result of the disruption of the cell cycle, significant accumulation of phosphatidic acid, and increased virulence compared to the wild type cells.

Worldwide, over one million people are getting infected by the parasitic flagellates of the genus Leishmania annually leading to ~30,000 deaths. Notably, there is still no approved vaccine against human leishmaniases. A range of methods of forward and reverse genetics has recently been developed for several model Leishmania species. Unfortunately, these methods are often not transferrable to non-model species, which may be of even greater medical importance. Leishmania guyanensis is one of such cases. It frequently carries a symbiotic RNA virus that contributes to the development of a more aggressive form of leishmaniasis in an experimental murine model. In order to establish and optimize the system for genetic manipulations in L. guyanensis, we sequenced and annotated its genome. Next, we applied the CRISPR-Cas9 technology to target a gene of interest. This approach was validated by ablating a gene encoding a protein involved in lipid metabolism. In this work, we document that deletion of this gene leads to the disturbance of cell cycle and affects the ratio of critical intracellular lipids. We believe that our study will facilitate research into more effective treatment of leishmaniases.