Introduction Autistic spectrum disorders belong to the group of neurodevelopmental disorders, where the manifestations of the disorder differ depending on the severity of the autistic condition. These disorders are often associated with intellectual impairments and structural language disorders. In his patients, Asperger described cases with above-average intelligence as well as cases with low language and intellectual abilities. What they had in common was that they had significant disorders in social and affective communication. The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders is usually made in childhood, but there are also cases where the diagnosis is made at an older age due to the later manifestation of symptoms. Objectives To present a case report of 18 years old girl who was diagnosed with moderate intellectual disability in childhood, while later established with symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome and mild intellectual disability. Methods Psychiatric interview, medical history, psychological testing Results An 18-year-old girl, accompanied by her mother, presented herself to psychiatrist for the first time due to affective disorders that manifested in the form of increased nervousness and outbursts of anger. Early psychomotor development was slow, she started walking at the age of 1.5 years and spoke at the age of two. From early childhood, stereotypies in movements and hypervigilant attention were observed, along with very poor social interactions. Due to difficulties at school, she was categorized at the age of 12 as having moderate intellectual insufficiency and IQ of 35. She underwent long-term speech therapy treatment and finished elementary and high school with the help of teaching assistant. Somewhere in high school, the patient’s pronounced talent for drawing was noticed. Observation during the psychiatric examination reveals emotional immaturity, stereotypes and rigidity in social interactions. The patient is referred again for psychological testing, results show IQ of 88 with a lag in emotional development and development of basic social skills. The patient is referred to another psychiatrist for an additional opinion, who agrees with diagnose of Asperger’s syndrome. Low dose of lamotrigine was included in therapy, after which affective state stabilized. The patient is referred again for categorization. Conclusions This case report that a diagnosis established in childhood period does not have to be definitive and that revision of diagnosis is necessary over time and as necessary, initially due to increase of patient’s IQ, as well as due to the later presentation of symptoms characteristic of certain disorder. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the morphology and porosity of microstructured charcoal using a combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), computed tomography (CT), and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) methods. SEM analysis revealed a parallel arrangement of tube-like structures interspersed with smaller pores, confirming the presence of fibrous formations. MIP evaluation was conducted in two research series. MIP results identified macropores as the primary contributors to mercury intrusion; however, a minor volume of mercury also intrudes to the mesopores. The total pore area was determined to range between 70.7 and 88.5 m2·g−1, with porosity values of approximately 58.0–62.4% across different experimental series. These variations highlight the heterogeneous nature of the sample. Additionally, the uniformity of the charring process during dry wood distillation was indicated by wall thickness measurements, which ranged narrowly from 5.7 to 25 µm.

Introduction Infertility is a biopsychosocial crisis. While there are studies demonstrating heightened negative affect (e.g., depression and anxiety) in women undergoing in vitro Fertilization (IVF), the findings are still inconsistent. The network paradigm allows for a more in-depth examination of symptom dynamics behind specific psychopathological states. A recent development allows one to compare networks from different groups using three characteristics: global strength (overall level of network node connectivity), edge strength (level of association between symptoms), and network structure (comparing all edges in the network across two groups). Objectives This study aims to compare the networks of anxiety, depression, and negative affect across women who have fertility issues or undergoing IVF and women without these issues. Methods Sample 1 consisted of 197 women with fertility issues (age: M = 37.73, SD =5.13) and 370 women without such issues (age: M = 36.25, SD = 6). Sample 2 consisted of 205 women undergoing IVF (M = 40; SD = 5.29) and 222 mothers without fertility issues (M=28; SD = 4. 93). Sample 3 consisted of 162 women undergoing IVF (M= 35.58; SD=5.04) and 129 mothers without fertility issues (M= 34.37; SD= 4.94). PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire; depression measure) was administered to the sample 1, GAD (generalized anxiety disorder measure) was administered to sample 2, and PANAS - NA (negative affect measure) was administered to sample 3. NetworkComparisonTest R package was used to compare the networks. EBICglasso was used to estimate the networks. Results Regarding the depression symptoms (sample 1; image 1) - the networks across the two groups are highly similar with respect to overall connectivity (S =.051; p = .73) and overall network structure (M = .16, p =.87). Regarding generalized anxiety symptoms (sample 2; image 2), the findings are replicated with overall connectivity being the same across the two groups (S =.10, p = .34) and network structure being the same across the two groups (M = .28, p= .09). Finally, the negative affect (sample 3; image 3) network connectivity (S = .02, p = .93) and network structure (M = .23, p = .53) are identical across the two groups. Image 1: Image 2: Image 3: Conclusions The networks of negative affect, depression, and anxiety are highly similar across women with fertility issues and women without such issues. Therefore, fertility issues do not seem to affect the structure of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and negative affect. Finally, it is argued here that the knowledge of these disorders (and negative affect) can be generalized to the population of women who have fertility issues. Disclosure of Interest N. Ćirović Grant / Research support from: Nikola Ćirović was supported by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, #GRANT No 1568, Identity Crisis in Women Facing Infertility: Mixed Methods Approach – InsideMe., J. Opsenica Kostić Grant / Research support from: Jelena Opsenica Kostić was supported by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, #GRANT No 1568, Identity Crisis in Women Facing Infertility: Mixed Methods Approach – InsideMe., M. Mitrović Grant / Research support from: Milica Mitrović was supported by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, #GRANT No 1568, Identity Crisis in Women Facing Infertility: Mixed Methods Approach – InsideMe., M. Guberinić Grant / Research support from: Mila Guberinić was supported by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, #GRANT No 1568, Identity Crisis in Women Facing Infertility: Mixed Methods Approach – InsideMe., M. Spasić Šnele Grant / Research support from: Miljana Spasić Šnele was supported by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, #GRANT No 1568, Identity Crisis in Women Facing Infertility: Mixed Methods Approach – InsideMe., I. Janković Grant / Research support from: Ivana Janković was supported by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, #GRANT No 1568, Identity Crisis in Women Facing Infertility: Mixed Methods Approach – InsideMe., M. Trenkić Grant / Research support from: Milan Trenkić was supported by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, #GRANT No 1568, Identity Crisis in Women Facing Infertility: Mixed Methods Approach – InsideMe.

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.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a crucial role in vascular repair, and their depletion has been involved in coronary artery disease (CAD) severity. This study examines the relationship between circulating EPC levels and CAD complexity, as quantified by the Syntax Score I. A total of 85 patients undergoing coronary angiography were enrolled, with EPCs quantified using flow cytometry. EPC proportion showed a significant inverse relationship with CAD severity, measured by Syntax Score I. Additionally, we investigated EPC levels in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and found that EPC depletion was more pronounced in this group compared to non-ACS patients (median EPC count: 0.35 vs. 0.61, p = 0.027). These findings suggest that lower EPC levels are indicative of more severe CAD and ACS, reinforcing their potential as biomarkers for cardiovascular risk stratification, monitoring disease advancement, and identifying patients at risk of adverse events.

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.