Pluronics, also known as poloxamers, are amphiphilic triblock copolymers widely employed in drug delivery systems due to their tunable self-assembly and biocompatibility. Among them, Pluronic F68 (Poloxamer 188) exhibits thermoresponsive behavior in aqueous solution, forming ordered supramolecular structures at high concentrations and temperatures. In this work, we investigate the morphological and rheological properties of a 45 wt% Pluronic F68 aqueous system at different temperatures through a combination of experimental and computational approaches. Rheological measurements and Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) confirm the formation of a body-centered cubic (BCC) structure at higher temperatures and highlight the emergence of viscoelastic solid-like behavior. To support and extend these findings, Dissipative Particle Dynamics (DPD) simulations are employed to model the nanostructure evolution and the impact of temperature on self-assembly and material properties. This integrated approach provides a consistent framework to characterize the temperature-induced transition from fluid-like to solid-like states and sets the groundwork for future simulation studies incorporating drug cargo. The results offer valuable insights into the design of thermoresponsive drug delivery systems and demonstrate the potential of DPD in capturing complex structure-property relationships in amphiphilic polymer systems.

• Klíčová slova
• Dissipative particle dynamics, Drug delivery systems, Pluronics, Rheology, Self-assembly,
• MeSH
• maloúhlový rozptyl MeSH
• nosiče léků * chemie   MeSH
• poloxamer * chemie   MeSH
• povrchové vlastnosti MeSH
• reologie MeSH
• teplota MeSH
• velikost částic MeSH
• voda * chemie   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• nosiče léků * MeSH
• poloxamer * MeSH
• voda * MeSH

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between longitudinal changes in the uterine Doppler velocimetry and the maternal profile of angiogenic factors in the third trimester and to assess their ability to predict term preeclampsia (PE). METHODS: A cohort of low-risk pregnant women was scheduled for a uterine Doppler evaluation and measurement of the circulating levels of angiogenic factors at ∼30 and ∼36 weeks. The performance of both parameters and their change over time in predicting term PE was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 1,191 women were analyzed, of which 28 (2.4%) women developed term PE. At ∼30 weeks, a model including the sFlt-1/PlGF (fms-like tyrosine kinase-1/placental growth factor) ratio and the uterine Doppler explained 16.2% of the uncertainty of developing term PE, while at ∼36 weeks, the same variables explained 25.2% [p < 0.001]. The longitudinal changes of both predictors had an R2 of 26.8%, which was not different from that of the ∼36 weeks evaluation [p = 0.45]. The area under the curve (AUC) of the ∼36 weeks ratio was significantly higher than at ∼30 weeks (0.86 [0.77-0.94] vs. 0.81 [0.73-0.9]; p = 0.043). The AUC of the longitudinal change of the ratio (0.85 [0.77-0.94]) did not differ from that of at ∼36 weeks (p = 0.82). At ∼36 weeks, for a 10% of false positives, the ratio had a detection rate of 71.4%. CONCLUSION: A cross-sectional measurement of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio outperforms uterine Doppler in predicting term PE. The combination of both markers does not improve such prediction, nor the evaluation of the longitudinal changes between weeks.

• Klíčová slova
• Angiogenic factors, Preeclampsia, Term pregnancy, Uterine Doppler,
• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• placentární oběh fyziologie   MeSH
• placentární růstový faktor * krev   MeSH
• plocha pod křivkou MeSH
• prediktivní hodnota testů MeSH
• preeklampsie * krev   diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• receptor 1 pro vaskulární endoteliální růstový faktor * krev   MeSH
• reologie * metody   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• rychlost toku krve fyziologie   MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• třetí trimestr těhotenství * krev   fyziologie   MeSH
• ultrasonografie dopplerovská metody   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• ultrasonografie prenatální * metody   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• multicentrická studie MeSH
• randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• FLT1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• placentární růstový faktor * MeSH
• receptor 1 pro vaskulární endoteliální růstový faktor * MeSH

A series of triterpenoids of the lupane, taraxastane, friedelane and baccharane type were oxidized using selenium dioxide (SeO2) and benzeneseleninic anhydride (BSA) under various conditions. Depending on the reaction conditions, different reaction pathways were observed, including dehydrogenation, allylic oxidation, and 1,2-diketone formation. In this way, derivatives functionalized in the triterpene core (especially in rings A, D, and E), difficult to obtain by other methods, can be easily prepared. In some cases, rarely observed α-phenylseleno-ketones were isolated. An unexpected reaction involving the cleavage of the carbon-carbon double bond was observed in the presence of stoichiometric amounts of osmium tetroxide. Further transformations of selected intermediates facilitated the synthesis of new, functionally enriched derivatives. The key reaction pathways were investigated using density functional theory (DFT), focusing on bond length variations and transition states, revealing energetically favored pathways and critical transition structures, including covalent and noncovalent interactions. Solvent and isomerization equilibrium effects were proposed to explain the experimentally observed discrepancies. Cytotoxic activity of selected derivatives was investigated. Derivatives 4 and 38 showed strongest cytotoxicity in cancer cells and fibroblasts (IC50 2.6-26.4 μM); some compounds were selective for G-361 or HeLa cells. These results suggest that they may find application in pharmaceuticals.

• Klíčová slova
• BSA oxidation, Cytotoxic activity, Cytotoxicity of O-Mesylates, DFT calculations, Oxidation of triterpenoids, SeO(2) oxidation, α-phenylseleno-ketone,
• MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• molekulární struktura MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• oxidace-redukce MeSH
• pentacyklické triterpeny MeSH
• proliferace buněk účinky léků   MeSH
• protinádorové látky * farmakologie   chemie   chemická syntéza   MeSH
• screeningové testy protinádorových léčiv MeSH
• selen * chemie   MeSH
• teorie funkcionálu hustoty MeSH
• triterpeny * chemie   farmakologie   chemická syntéza   MeSH
• vztah mezi dávkou a účinkem léčiva MeSH
• vztahy mezi strukturou a aktivitou MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• lupane MeSH Prohlížeč
• pentacyklické triterpeny MeSH
• protinádorové látky * MeSH
• selen * MeSH
• triterpeny * MeSH

Across the world, human (anthropophonic) sounds add to sounds of biological (biophonic) and geophysical (geophonic) origin, with human contributions including both speech and technophony (sounds of technological devices). To characterize society's contribution to the global soundscapes, we used passive acoustic recorders at 139 sites across 6 continents, sampling both urban green spaces and nearby pristine sites continuously for 3 years in a paired design. Recordings were characterized by bird species richness and by 14 complementary acoustic indices. By relating each index to seasonal, diurnal, climatic and anthropogenic factors, we show here that latitude, time of day and day of year each predict a substantial proportion of variation in key metrics of biophony-whereas anthropophony (speech and traffic) show less predictable patterns. Compared to pristine sites, the soundscape of urban green spaces is more dominated by technophony and less diverse in terms of acoustic energy across frequencies and time steps, with less instances of quiet. We conclude that the global soundscape is formed from a highly predictable rhythm in biophony, with added noise from geophony and anthropophony. At urban sites, animals experience an increasingly noisy background of sound, which poses challenges to efficient communication.

• MeSH
• akustika * MeSH
• divoká zvířata MeSH
• hluk * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• ptáci * fyziologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• zvuk * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

PURPOSE: Coughing is related to voice problems, since it involves firm glottal closure, fast glottal opening, and high subglottic pressure and flow rate. In this study, the glottal area variation and movements of laryngeal structures during coughing and phonation are compared. METHODS: High-speed laryngoscopy recordings were made of a normophonic male participant with a healthy larynx producing a neutral vowel and coughing. Oral air pressure was registered in a mouthpiece, through which an endoscope was inserted into the pharynx. Electroglottography, acoustic, and pressure signals were recorded simultaneously. The glottal width variation at the membranous and cartilaginous parts of the glottis was derived from the high-speed images, and the strong vibration of the false vocal folds was also registered. RESULTS: In coughing, compared to ordinary vowel phonation in nearly the same sound pressure level (93-94 dB6cm), the glottal width was 25% larger at the middle of the vocal folds, the maximum glottal opening velocity was 39% higher, and the maximum glottal width declination rate during glottal closing was up to three times higher. The maximum acceleration was 40% higher, and the maximum deceleration was 47% higher. Fundamental frequency f0 was the highest (ca. 400 Hz) at the beginning of the first phase of a typical coughing process. During the last part of the coughing process, f0 decreased from ca. 250 Hz to ca. 85 Hz at the phonation offset. CONCLUSIONS: The remarkable increase in maximum glottal width declination rate implies much higher vocal fold loading in coughing compared to phonation.

• Klíčová slova
• Electroglottography (EGG), Glottal width waveform analysis, Laryngeal movement, Maximum glottal width declination rate, Oral air pressure, Vocal folds vibration,
• MeSH
• akustika řeči MeSH
• akustika MeSH
• biomechanika MeSH
• časové faktory MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• elektrodiagnostika MeSH
• fonace * MeSH
• glottis patofyziologie   MeSH
• hlasové řasy * patofyziologie   fyziologie   diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• kašel * patofyziologie   MeSH
• kvalita hlasu * MeSH
• laryngoskopie * metody   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• prediktivní hodnota testů MeSH
• tlak MeSH
• vibrace MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH

Single-structure scoring functions have been considered inferior to expensive ensemble free energy methods in predicting protein-ligand affinities. We are revisiting this dogma with the recently developed semiempirical quantum-mechanical (SQM)-based scoring function, SQM2.20, comparing its performance to the standard scoring functions on one hand and state-of-the-art molecular dynamics (MD)-based free-energy methods on the other hand. The comparison is conducted on a well-established Wang data set comprising eight protein targets with 200 ligands. The initial low correlation of SQM2.20 scores with the experimental binding affinities of R2 = 0.21 was improved to R2 = 0.47 by a systematic refinement of the input structures and omission of the ligand deformation energy. Consequently, SQM2.20 representing accurate single-structure scoring functions, exhibited an average performance comparable to that of MD-based methods (R2 = 0.52) and surpassed the performance of standard scoring functions (R2 = 0.26). The per-target analysis highlighted the pivotal role of high-quality input structures on the outcomes of single-structure methods. In the instances where such structures are available, SQM2.20 scoring has been shown to rival or even exceed MD-based methods in predicting protein-ligand binding affinities, while exhibiting significantly reduced computation time.

• MeSH
• konformace proteinů MeSH
• kvantová teorie * MeSH
• ligandy MeSH
• proteiny * chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• simulace molekulární dynamiky * MeSH
• termodynamika MeSH
• vazba proteinů MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• ligandy MeSH
• proteiny * MeSH

Micro- and nanoplastic pollution is pervasive worldwide, infiltrating drinking water and food chains, accumulating in the human body, and posing serious threats to public health and ecosystems. Despite these urgent challenges, effective strategies to curb the widespread presence of micro- and nanoplastics have not yet been sufficiently developed. Here, we present magnetically driven living bacterial microrobots that exhibit a nature-inspired three-dimensional (3D) swarming motion, allowing the dynamic capture and retrieval of aquatic micro- and nanoplastics originating from various commercial products. By combining autonomous propulsion with magnetically guided navigation, we enabled the multimodal swarming manipulation of magnetotactic bacteria-based living microrobots (MTB biobots). The actuation of a rotating magnetic field induces a fish schooling-like 3D swarming navigation, allowing the active capture of micro- and nanoplastics, which are then retrieved from the contaminated water by magnetic separation. Our results show that the 3D magnetic swarming of MTB biobots synergistically enhances the removal efficiencies of both model and real-world microplastics, demonstrating their practical potential in water treatment technologies. Overall, plastic-seeking living bacterial microrobots and their swarm manipulation offer a straightforward and environmentally friendly approach to micro- and nanoplastic treatment, providing a biomachinery-based solution to mitigate the pressing microplastic pollution crisis.

• Klíčová slova
• biohybrid microrobots, magnetically driven, magnetotactic bacteria, microplastics, nanoplastics, swarming behavior, water purification,
• MeSH
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu * izolace a purifikace   chemie   MeSH
• čištění vody * metody   MeSH
• magnetické pole MeSH
• mikroplasty * izolace a purifikace   chemie   MeSH
• robotika * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu * MeSH
• mikroplasty * MeSH

BACKGROUND: Socially assistive robots (SARs) hold promise for supporting older adults (OAs) in hospital settings by promoting social engagement, reducing loneliness, and enhancing emotional well-being. They may also assist health care professionals by delivering information, managing routines, and alleviating workload. However, their acceptability and usability remain major challenges, particularly in dynamic real-world care environments. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the acceptability and usability of a SAR in a geriatric day care hospital (DCH) and to identify key factors influencing its adoption by OAs and their informal caregivers. METHODS: Over the course of 1 year, 97 participants (n=65, 67%, OA patients and n=32, 33%, informal caregivers) took part in a mixed methods evaluation of ARI, a socially assistive humanoid robot developed by PAL Robotics. ARI was deployed in the waiting area of a geriatric day care robot in Paris (France), where it interacted with users through voice-based dialogue. After each session, participants completed 2 standardized assessments, the Acceptability E-scale (AES) and the System Usability Scale (SUS), administered orally to ensure accessibility. Open-ended qualitative feedback was also collected to capture subjective experiences and contextual perceptions. RESULTS: Acceptability scores significantly increased across waves (wave 1: mean 15.4/30, SD 5.81; wave 2: mean 20.9/30, SD 5.25; wave 3: mean 22.5/30, SD 4.23; P<.001). Usability scores also improved (wave 1: mean 47.9/100, SD 24.18; wave 2: mean 57.4/100, SD 22.46; wave 3: mean 69.3/100, SD 16.03; P<.001). A strong positive correlation was observed between acceptability and usability scores (r=0.664, P<.001). Qualitative findings indicated improved ease of use, clarity, and user satisfaction over time, particularly following the integration of a large language model (LLM) in wave 2, leading to more coherent, natural, and context-aware interactions. CONCLUSIONS: Successive system enhancements, most notably the integration of an LLM, led to measurable gains in usability and acceptability among patients and informal caregivers. These findings underscore the importance of iterative, user-centered design in deploying SARs in geriatric care environments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Approved by the French national ethics committee (CPP Ouest II, IRB: 2021/20) as it did not involve randomization or clinical intervention.

• Klíčová slova
• acceptability, gerontology, hospital environment, human-robot interaction, informal caregivers, large language model, older adults, socially assistive robot, usability,
• MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pomůcky pro sebeobsluhu * MeSH
• robotika * přístrojové vybavení   MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• velké jazykové modely MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Francie MeSH

This study examined the impacts of electron beam irradiation (0.25; 0,5; 1; 10 and 25 kGy) on bovine collagen hydrogels at a concentration of 3 wt%. The impact of irradiation was verified via the analysis of the mechanical, thermal and rheological properties, changes in the composition and structure of the collagen, its stability in the enzymatic environment, and its swelling and morphology. Both the degradation and cross-linking of the collagen mass were demonstrated in relation to the radiation dose. Degradation was proven via a decrease in the content of the triple helical part of the collagen and transformation into other collagen structural states, and cross-linking was demonstrated by an increase in the network chain density with the radiation dose. When compared with the non-irradiated gels, no significant qualitative changes in the configuration or ordering over longer distances were evident following the application of the irradiation doses. The apparent elastic modulus, overall thermal stability and rheological characteristics in the oscillatory regime, and the storage and loss moduli of elasticity correlated positively with the radiation dose.

• Klíčová slova
• Collagen, E-beam irradiation, Hydrogel, Mechanical properties, Structure,
• MeSH
• elektrony * MeSH
• gely chemie   MeSH
• hydrogely chemie   MeSH
• kolagen typu I * chemie   MeSH
• mechanické jevy * MeSH
• modul pružnosti MeSH
• reologie MeSH
• skot MeSH
• teplota * MeSH
• voda * chemie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• skot MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• gely MeSH
• hydrogely MeSH
• kolagen typu I * MeSH
• voda * MeSH

This work illustrates a novel application of a supervised superpixel-based segmentation method for root micrograph classification and total fungal colonization rate estimation. Two procedures relying on successive classifier application on different root micrographs or on the same micrograph but with an increasing number of labels to be assigned to each picture element category are compared to a reference grid-intersect count method. Finally, supervised classification with at least 16 labels on the same picture appears as a convenient method for obtaining rapid and confident colonization rate estimates. We suggest this kind of method may be easily and routinely implemented for research or educational purposes.

• Klíčová slova
• Fungal colonisation rate, Image segmentation, Roots, Superpixel,
• MeSH
• houby * růst a vývoj   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• kořeny rostlin * mikrobiologie   MeSH
• mikroskopie * metody   MeSH
• počítačové zpracování obrazu * metody   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH