Rzeszów University

Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a novel technique for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the impact of electrode type on lesion formation at fixed PFA parameters remains unknown. This study investigated differences in lesion characteristics when using a 4 mm non-irrigated catheter versus an open-irrigated flexible-tip catheter in focal-bipolar PFA in a potato model. PFA applications were performed in a potato model using a purpose-made PFA generator, applying both a solid-tip 4 mm non-irrigated catheter and an open-irrigated flexible-tip catheter under identical energy delivery parameters. After electroporation, potatoes were stained with triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) to visualize lesion boundaries. Depth, diameter, and volume of the irreversibly electroporated zones were measured to assess the impact of each electrode type. A total of fifty PFA applications were performed − 25 with the 4 mm non-irrigated catheter and 25 with the open-irrigated flexible-tip catheter. The depth of the irreversible electroporation zone was significantly greater with the 4 mm non-irrigated catheter than with the irrigated electrode (1.7 ± 0.5 mm vs. 1.4 ± 0.7 mm, p = 0.03). The diameter of irreversible lesions created with the 4 mm electrode was 7 ± 1 mm, compared to 6 ± 1 mm with the irrigated electrode (p = 0.001), resulting in a total lesion volume of 46 ± 19 mm³ versus 30 ± 12 mm³, respectively (p = 0.0008). The use of a solid-tip 4 mm non-irrigated catheter in focal-bipolar PFA creates lesions with greater depth, volume and diameter compared to an open-irrigated flexible-tip catheter. Ablation catheter type significantly influences lesion spread during focal-bipolar PFA.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-related disorder increasingly linked to chronic inflammation and redox imbalance, yet its systemic oxidative and nitrosative profile remains insufficiently characterized. In this cross-sectional study, fasting serum samples were collected from 47 men with clinically confirmed BPH scheduled for transurethral resection of the prostate and 40 healthy controls. We assessed antioxidant status (thiols, total antioxidant capacity), lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal), protein nitration (3-nitrotyrosine), glycoxidation markers (Amadori products, advanced glycation end products (AGE)-associated fluorescence), and tryptophan metabolism indices (tryptophan, kynurenine, N '-formylkynurenine). Compared with controls, BPH patients showed significantly lower antioxidant capacity and thiol levels, together with increased lipid peroxidation and protein nitration. AGE-associated fluorescence was modestly elevated, whereas Amadori products and advanced oxidation protein products did not differ significantly. Tryptophan metabolism was markedly altered, with lower tryptophan and higher kynurenine and N '-formylkynurenine, indicating activation of the kynurenine pathway. After false discovery rate correction, most redox biomarkers remained significant. Multivariable logistic regression confirmed independent associations of lipid peroxidation, nitrosative stress, and kynurenine pathway activation with BPH after adjustment for age and metabolic parameters. These findings support a role for systemic oxidative and inflammatory mechanisms in BPH pathophysiology, although confirmation in age-matched and longitudinal studies is needed.

Most known yeasts are mesophilic organisms, with optimal growth at 28-30°C. However, a few species, notably Ogataea polymorpha and Kluyveromyces marxianus, can grow at temperatures around 50°C. Their thermotolerance is of both fundamental and applied interest, offering advantages for high-temperature bioprocesses. Notably, cultivation at elevated temperatures facilitates simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of starchy and lignocellulosic substrates, reduces sterility requirements, lowers distillation costs, and enhances the rates of biochemical reactions. These features make thermotolerant yeasts attractive platforms for producing biofuels, proteins, and other valuable compounds. Despite their potential, the underlying mechanisms of thermotolerance in these species remain underexplored. Herein, we systematically review the molecular, cellular, and metabolic mechanisms underlying yeast thermotolerance and discuss their implications for high-temperature industrial biotechnology.

Background: Family-centered care is a core principle of contemporary pediatric rehabilitation, particularly for children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Conceptual frameworks emphasizing functioning, participation, and contextual factors are essential to operationalize this approach in clinical practice. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and the F-words framework are widely used models aligned with these principles; however, their practical integration remains challenging. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to identify English-language publications (2005-2025) addressing the ICF, the F-words framework, and pediatric neurodevelopmental disability. Results: Thirty-one publications were included. The findings indicate increasing international adoption of both frameworks in pediatric rehabilitation. However, persistent challenges were identified, including conceptual ambiguity between activity and participation domains, limited operationalization of personal factors, overlap between the ICF and F-words constructs, limited standardization, difficulties in outcome measurement, and inconsistent involvement of families in clinical decision-making. Conclusions: The ICF and the F-words framework offer complementary strengths for advancing family-centered pediatric care. A structured dual-layer integration approach may enhance shared decision-making, clarify goal-setting, and improve communication with families. Further methodological refinement and practice-oriented guidance are needed to support consistent clinical implementation.

We discuss the role of fully heavy tetraquarks in ultraperipheral collisions AA→ AA J/ψJ/ψ and AA → AA γγ. Two-photon couplings to scalar and tensor tetraquarks are considered. We use relatively recent results of four-body calculation of fully heavy tetraquark wave function within the extended relativized quark model. The corresponding radiative decay widths for different tetraquark states are evaluated using NRQCD factorisation, with LDMEs extracted from the four-body wave functions at the origin. The results are collected in tables. The cross sections for production of pairs of J/ψ mesons and diphotons in UPC of ^208Pb + ^208Pb collisions are presented. While the couplings for T_4c(0^++, 2^++) → γγ are calculated based on the model wave functions, simplified couplings are used for T_4c(0^++, 2^++) → J/ψJ/ψ. When calculating the energy dependence of the resonant γγ→ J/ψJ/ψ and γγ→ γγ cross section, we employ the total decay widths measured at Γ_tot=0.446 GeV for X(6600) while Γ_tot=0.135 GeV for X(6900) in latest CMS data. The resonant terms are compared with continuum contributions for both considered channels. While for the J/ψJ/ψ channel the resonant contributions are larger than continuum ones, for the γγ channels the situation is reversed. The latter result is in clear disagreement with the result obtained from the näive use of vector dominance picture.