Jagiellonian University

DNA metabarcoding of species-rich taxa is becoming a popular high-throughput method for biodiversity inventories. Unfortunately, its accuracy and efficiency remain unclear, as results mostly pertain to poorly known taxa in underexplored regions. This study evaluates what an extensive sampling effort combined with metabarcoding can tell us about the lepidopteran fauna of Sweden—one of the best-understood insect taxa in one of the most-surveyed countries of the world. We deployed 197 Malaise traps across Sweden for a year, generating 4749 bulk samples for metabarcoding, and compared the results to existing data sources. We detected more than half (1535) of the 2990 known Swedish lepidopteran species and 323 species not reported during the sampling period by other data providers. Full-length barcoding confirmed three new species for the country, substantial range extensions for two species and eight genetically distinct barcode variants potentially representing new species, one of which has since been described. Most new records represented small, inconspicuous species from poorly surveyed regions, highlighting components of the fauna overlooked by traditional surveying. These findings demonstrate that DNA metabarcoding is a highly efficient and accurate biodiversity sampling method, capable of yielding significant new discoveries even for the most well known of insect faunas.

The study of interpolation nodes and their associated Lebesgue constants is central to numerical analysis, impacting the stability and accuracy of polynomial approximations. In this paper, we will explore the Morrow–Patterson points, a set of interpolation nodes introduced to construct cubature formulas of a minimum number of points in the square for a fixed degree n. We prove that their Lebesgue constant growth is ${\mathcal {O}}(n^2)$ as was conjectured based on numerical evidence about 20 years ago in the paper by Caliari et al. (Appl Math Comput 165(2):261–274, 2005).

Mesoporous Pt/C‐CeO2 catalysts for the combustion of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were developed. The materials were obtained by nanoreplication of spherical silica gel. The pores of the SiO2 template were filled simultaneously with a solution of sucrose and Ce(III) nitrate, and the obtained composites were carbonized. After etching of the SiO2 template with NaOH, colloidal Pt (1 wt.%) was introduced onto the C‐CeO2 supports containing different amounts of cerium (0–20 wt.%) using the polyol method. The synthesized materials were examined in terms of their structure (XRD), porosity (low‐temperature N2 adsorption), morphology (SEM‐EDS, TEM), bulk (XRF, elemental analysis), and surface (XPS) composition. Moreover, hydrophobic properties of their surfaces were determined by immersion calorimetry measurements using solvents of different polarity (i.e., hexane, methanol, water, and acetone). Finally, their catalytic activity in toluene combustion was tested, as well as stability under variable humidity of a purified gas. It was found that the developed materials showed very high activity at low temperatures, while maintaining resistance to H2O vapor due to the presence of an appropriately selected active phase and a hydrophobic surface.

Age estimation at the time of death is an integral part of forensic examination whenever unidentified human remains are discovered. In the case of adult remains the methods of age estimation are based mostly on the extent of age-related degenerative changes. The most controversial method makes use of cranial suture assessment. The purpose of this study was to verify whether assessment of cranial suture closure may be considered a useful and reliable method in forensic estimation of age at death. Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) acquisitions of 114 male skulls were evaluated. Multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) to visualize the progress of suture closure in cross-sections was used. The inner and outer surfaces of each skull were visualized with the volume rendering technique (VRT). The coronal, sagittal, and lambdoid sutures were assessed with a suture closure scale introduced by Broca. Cranial suture assessment has been generally used for estimating age ranges, such as “younger/older”, “under about 30 years of age”, “over 50 years of age”. Moreover, lambdoid suture closure is unrelated to age, except for its ectocranial part L3 on the left side. These observations indicate no major importance of this age estimation method in forensic anthropology.

Background Sepsis is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, characterized by a dysregulated host response to infection. Despite the development of multiple clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) to standardize sepsis management, substantial variability exists in methodological quality and key clinical recommendations. This inconsistency complicates guideline implementation and potentially affects patient outcomes. The proposed systematic methodological review aims to evaluate the quality and consistency of sepsis guidelines to identify areas for improvement and provide actionable insights for guideline developers. Methods This protocol outlines a systematic methodological review of sepsis CPGs published over the last two decades (2004–2025). A comprehensive search strategy will be conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and the official websites of professional societies to identify relevant guidelines. The inclusion criteria are CPGs targeting adult sepsis management published by recognized medical or governmental organizations with detailed methodological descriptions. We will use the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II instrument to assess methodological quality across six domains: scope and purpose, stakeholder involvement, rigor of development, clarity of presentation, applicability, and editorial independence. Data extraction will focus on key clinical recommendations, including fluid resuscitation, antimicrobial therapy, vasopressor and inotrope use, corticosteroids, source control, blood glucose management, hemodynamic management, and mechanical ventilation management. The consistency of the recommendations will be analyzed, and trends in guideline quality over time will be evaluated. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools will be evaluated for data extraction processes in systematic reviews to determine their capacity for efficiency and accuracy in extracting data compared to human‐driven methods. Conclusion By systematically appraising the quality and consistency of sepsis guidelines, this review aims to address the existing gaps and discrepancies in guideline development and application. These findings will provide valuable insights into the evolution of sepsis guideline quality, highlight areas for improvement, and support the development of more robust evidence‐based recommendations. These results will inform clinicians and guideline developers, ultimately enhancing the standardization and effectiveness of sepsis management worldwide. Integrating AI into the review process represents a novel methodological advancement that streamlines data extraction and analysis.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder, yet significant advancements have been made in understanding its etiology. Among the risk factors, exposure to neurotoxins plays the greatest role. One of the most dangerous toxins is rotenone, a naturally derived compound that was historically used as an insecticide. This chemical affects mitochondrial function by blocking electron transfer, resulting in increased reactive oxygen species production and accumulation. Recently, the role of the Nrf2 pathway was explored as a possible protective mechanism to minimize the neurotoxic effects leading to Parkinson’s disease. Here, we used Drosophila melanogaster as a model to examine the link between the expression or activity levels of CncC (an ortholog of Nrf2) or HO (an ortholog of HO-1) in the brain and the detrimental effects of chronic exposure to rotenone. We found that flies with overexpression of CncC or silencing of ho survived better after exposure to rotenone compared with flies with partially suppressed CncC or upregulated ho expression. These experimental groups exposed to rotenone also exhibited significantly fewer degenerated dopaminergic (DA) neurons than did the wild-type group. Nevertheless, only those in which CncC was overexpressed in glia showed the best survival, the greatest percentage of climbing ability, and no effects on DA neurons. Our findings were supported by data obtained for flies fed with HO inhibitor (SnPPIX) or activator (hemin), as well as with curcumin (Nrf2 activator). The observed effects were connected with changes in autophagy and apoptosis pathways. Our data suggest that possible therapies exploiting Nrf2 activation should include restricting HO upregulation as a neuroprotective strategy against the toxic effects of rotenone.

The synthesis of a [7]helicene bromide derivative with two fused 2,1,3‐thiadiazole heterocycles (TD[7]Br) and a comprehensive study of its photophysical and chiroptical characteristics are presented along with a comparison with 9‐bromo‐carbo[7]helicene ([7]Br) and 2,15‐dibromo‐carbo[6]helicene ([6]Br). The integration of a bromine heavy atom onto the helicene backbone facilitates efficient singlet‐to‐triplet conversion allowing to investigate the resulting fluorescence and phosphorescence properties. The steady‐state chiroptical features of the systems are demonstrated through electronic circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence. Interestingly, a fluorescence quantum yield of 14% is obtained, a 17‐fold increase compared to the corresponding bromo‐heptacarbohelicene, and phosphorescence dissymmetry factors reach ±1.2 × 10⁻² at 580 nm at low temperature. Finally, the exploration of various excited states generated during the excitation process and their dynamics is delved into by employing nonpolarized transient absorption and emission spectroscopies, thus, highlighting the fruitful combination of heavy‐atom effect and charge transfer. The experimental results are understood through time‐dependent density functional theory computations.

Aims To discuss the use of urodynamic testing for female stress urinary incontinence and provide a narrative review of the current evidence regarding the utility of urodynamics across the spectrum of clinical presentations. Methods A nonsystemic, extensive literature review via PubMed was performed on the use of urodynamics for female stress urinary incontinence. Results Findings from several large multicenter trials and subsequent secondary analyses have significantly influenced treatment patterns away from the routine use of urodynamics in female patients with uncomplicated stress urinary incontinence. Much of the current literature focuses on selected patients with uncomplicated stress urinary incontinence that are subsequently treated with midurethral sling placement. These studies comprise the foundational evidence supporting multiple national and international guidelines on the topic. In uncomplicated patients, these guidelines do not support the routine use of urodynamics. However, in more complicated presentations, urodynamic studies are more often valuable for diagnosis and management. Conclusions Routine use of urodynamic testing is not currently recommended in guidelines for evaluating uncomplicated female stress urinary incontinence. It is important to recognize that much of the evidence supporting these recommendations is derived from a select population of uncomplicated patients, which may limit generalizability to more complex cases. In such cases, urodynamic testing may be more useful to guide diagnosis and management, though further research is needed to identify which findings have the greatest impact on clinical outcomes.

Mushrooms are increasingly being studied for the development of new dietary supplements and drugs, which necessitates the analysis of their chemical profiles to assess their nutritional and health benefits. This research focused on the mycelium of edible mushrooms, Laetiporus sulphureus and Flammulina velutipes . The study aimed to enhance the production of health‐promoting secondary metabolites using elicitors salicylic acid (SA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJa) and to evaluate the extraction of organic compounds and bioelements with pro‐health properties into artificial digestive juices from both the mycelium and sporocarps. The extracts were analyzed using HPLC‐DAD for organic compounds and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) for bioelements. The results showed that the elicitors increased the synthesis of secondary metabolites, with MeJa at 50 µmol/L being the most effective in F. velutipes . The high extraction of bioelements and selected metabolites into artificial digestive juices suggests good potential bioavailability, indicating that these mushroom materials, with elevated medicinal substances, could be used in health‐promoting preparations.

Photomagnetic materials form a class of magnetic systems, in which light irradiation changes their magnetization. Photomagnetic behavior is often observed in spin transition materials, including spin‐crossover complexes, and can lead to long‐range magnetic ordering. Photo‐induced magnetization can affect different physical properties, including second harmonic generation. Still, despite a growing number of luminescent spin‐crossover systems, the simultaneous switching of both magnetism and luminescence was not yet explored. In this regard, we present systematic studies for a novel coordination polymer composed of anionic NdIII–[WIV(CN)8]4– layers, crystallizing with chiral organic cations embedded in the interlayer space. Not only we observe and rationalize theoretically near‐infrared emission of NdIII centers sensitized by [WIV(CN)8]4– units, but we also found a plausible pathway to track the photomagnetic effect throughout the analysis of the Nd³⁺ excitation spectra and their temperature dependence. The observed thermally reversible effects in luminescence were correlated with the results of photomagnetic studies, providing an attractive pathway to monitor the light‐induced magnetization changes through a photoluminescent read‐out.

Managing food–drug interactions may help to optimize the efficacy and safety of antifungal therapy. This systematic review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to evaluate how food, beverages, antacids, and mineral supplements influence the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters or pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) indices of 14 orally administered antifungal drugs. We considered all studies evaluating the effects of food, beverages, antacids, and mineral supplements on PK parameters and PK/PD indices of oral antifungal drugs for inclusion. We excluded in vitro, in silico, animal studies, reviews, and alcohol-related investigations. Searches were conducted in Medline (via PubMed), Embase, and Cochrane Library from database inception to June 2024. We evaluated the risk of bias using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) tool for before–after studies and the Cochrane tool for parallel and cross-over trials. We performed meta-analyses when two or more studies with comparable designs were available; otherwise, results were summarized qualitatively. The review included 73 studies from 68 reports. Only studies investigating the effect of dietary interactions on PK parameters were found. Meta-analyses were conducted for seven antifungal drugs, while qualitative synthesis covered the remaining drugs. Open-label, cross-over studies accounted for 58% of trials, aligning with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommendations. A high risk of bias appeared in 33% of studies, while only 7% showed low risk. Among 11 antifungals with food-effect data, seven (64%) exhibited clinically important interactions. High positive food effects (area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) or peak serum concentration (Cmax) increased by > 45%) were seen for griseofulvin, itraconazole capsules and tablets (except rice-based meals), and posaconazole immediate-release tablets and suspension. A moderate positive impact of high-fat meals (AUC or Cmax increased in the range of 35–45%) occurred for ibrexafungerp and oteseconazole. A high negative food effect was observed on the absorption of voriconazole and itraconazole oral suspension or super bioavailable (SUBA) capsules (AUC or Cmax decreased by > 40%). Antacids strongly reduced itraconazole and ketoconazole absorption, while nutritional supplements improved posaconazole bioavailability. Acidic beverages such as Coca Cola substantially enhanced the absorption of itraconazole, ketoconazole, and posaconazole, whereas orange juice significantly reduced itraconazole bioavailability. Interactions were influenced by such factors as drug physicochemical properties, type of dietary intervention, drug formulation, and patient characteristics. Although the review largely filled the existing gaps in recommendations, we judged the overall quality of evidence as low owing to outdated studies, methodological inconsistencies, and uneven data availability. Further research involving PK/PD indices is needed to link the postprandial changes in the bioavailability of antifungal drugs with their clinical efficacy. The protocol of the systematic review was registered in March 2024 in the Open Science Framework (OSF) Registries (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/HAVK9).

We study the action of Dynkin diagram automorphisms $\sigma$ on generalized Gaudin algebras, focusing in particular on the big Gaudin algebra $\mathcal {B}(\mathfrak {g}) \subset (U(\mathfrak {g}) \otimes S(\mathfrak {g}))^{\mathfrak {g}}$ and its evaluated versions $\mathcal {B}^\lambda (\mathfrak {g})$ and $\mathcal {B}_\chi (\mathfrak {g})$. We show isomorphisms between the coinvariants of the generalized Gaudin algebras associated with $\mathfrak {g}^\vee$ and the generalized Gaudin algebras associated with $\mathfrak {g}_\sigma ^\vee$, where $\mathfrak g_\sigma$ is the fixed point subalgebra. In particular, we get an isomorphism $\mathcal {B}^\lambda (\mathfrak {g}^\vee )_\sigma \simeq \mathcal {B}^\lambda (\mathfrak {g}^\vee _\sigma )$ for any $\sigma$-invariant dominant weight $\lambda$, which allows us to reprove Jantzen’s twining formula. Our approach relies on interpreting generalized Gaudin algebras via spaces of opers, which explains the appearance of the Langlands duals in our results and in Jantzen’s twining formula.

Background One in six people experience infertility, often leading couples to seek Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), which can be emotionally taxing. Anxiety and depression are common among individuals undergoing ART, highlighting the need for integrated mental health support, especially for women who face heightened risk of psychiatric disorders during their reproductive years. Despite the importance of psychiatric care, there is limited knowledge regarding the use of psychiatric medications among individuals undergoing ART. Methods Following a pre-written protocol (osf.io/egxw8/), we systematically searched electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, Web of Science, PsycInfo, Scopus) up to 15.02.2025 to identify any study focused on psychopharmacotherapy among people undergoing ART. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full texts, performed data extraction, and resolved conflicts through discussion or consultation with a third reviewer. We synthesized data using descriptive analysis and performed analysis within the following subgroups: (1) group of medication according to Neuroscience-based Nomenclature (NbN) classes; (2) indication for using a specific medication (psychiatric / non-psychiatric). Results We included 29 studies published in 31 papers. Psychiatric medications were primarily administered for the treatment of depression (n=12/29 studies, 41.38%) and anxiety disorders (n=8/29, 27.59%). Among all groups of medication serotonin reuptake inhibitors were the most commonly studied class of medications (n=15/29 studies, 51.72%), with fluoxetine being the most frequently used medication (n=8/29, 27.59%). Among medications for anxiety, GABA Positive Allosteric Modulators with midazolam occurred the most frequently (n=6/29, 20.69%). Medications for psychosis included single drugs: olanzapine, clozapine, risperidone, quetiapine, aripiprazole, haloperidol, and promethazine. Among medications that could be used in bipolar disorder there were: valproic acid, lithium, and lamotrigine. The most commonly reported endpoints in the studies were psychiatric symptom severity (n=11/29, 37.93%) and ART efficacy (n=10/29, 34.48%). Conclusion Evidence on the use of psychopharmacotherapy in ART primarily concerns women. Available literature indicates that psychopharmacotherapy for individuals undergoing ART frequently involves medications commonly used in general psychiatric practice, with a tendency toward lower dosing and a preference for serotonin reuptake inhibitors. However, this observation should be interpreted cautiously, as current evidence remains limited and further research is warranted to establish treatment patterns more conclusively. The variability in study designs and reporting standards further highlights the need for standardized methodologies and improved adherence to reporting guidelines to enhance the quality and applicability of future research. Trial registration Review registration number: osf.io/egxw8/

The literature provides examples of the use of different types of solid standards in the LA-ICP-MS analysis of organisms with calcareous skeletons. These include commercial glass standards, which chemically and physically differ from the carbonate matrix, and calcite-based laboratory-prepared pellets, whose homogeneity is often poorly documented. Furthermore, some works do not verify the accuracy of the results. Therefore, it is still unclear which calibration approach should be chosen when imaging calcareous specimens. In our work, the usefulness of various solid standards (NIST 610 and 612 glass standards, pellets produced by the addition of liquid elemental standards to calcite base and a standard made from powdered shells of Cerastoderma glaucum) was investigated in quantitative imaging of magnesium, strontium, and barium in coralline alga and bryozoan samples. Our study not only evaluated the impact of the standard's matrix on the accuracy of the results during the analysis of the in-house reference material but also examined whether the laser wavelength and internal standardisation could be crucial in obtaining reliable results. Additionally, for the first time, the homogeneity of the liquid-powder standards applied in previous works and the repeatability of their preparation method were thoroughly characterised.

Purpose To validate the feasibility of quantitative T2 mapping as a novel, gadolinium‐free, preclinical biomarker of interstitial lung disease (ILD). Methods Quantitative T2 mapping of lung parenchyma was obtained with multiple‐slice multiple‐echo readout. A mono‐exponential model of magnetization decay was fit to the data to obtain parametric maps of T2 relaxation time in four slices across whole lungs. The measurements were performed in three clinically relevant murine models ILD: acute lung injury due to endotoxemia, chronic recovery phase post–influenza infection, and bleomycin‐induced interstitial lung fibrosis. Results Quantitative maps of T2 relaxation in healthy mice showed a mean value of 10.51 ± 0.56 ms. During ILD development, the mean T2 increased up to threefold, showing high sensitivity to altered tissue water content due to augmented fraction of macromolecules in fibrosis or inflammation associated with disease progression. Conclusion T2 mapping of mouse lungs can be successfully applied at 9.4 T, offering quantitative insights through parametric T2 mapping across various ILD models without requiring contrast agents. The proposed method for evaluating lung tissue damage is adaptable to other interstitial lung diseases.

Rapid climate change is amplifying the frequency and severity of global flooding events. These floods induce declines in agricultural areas, water bodies, barren lands, precipitating diminished crop productivity due to habitat loss and constrained water availability. Conversely, urban sprawl, notably within high-risk flood zones, exhibits substantial expansion. Projections anticipated approximately 5200 km² of urban areas to confront heightened vulnerability to flash floods by 2030 and 2040, accentuating the exigency for immediate risk mitigation measures. This study scrutinizes the ramifications of flash floods on land use and land cover (LULC) dynamics over 20-years period within the Hodna watershed, situated in northern Algeria. The applied methodology integrates a random forest (RF) model for classification, complemented by a fused Cellular Automaton–Markov model to forecast future LULC trends for 2030 and 2040 based on the remote sensing data obtained from Landsat 5 and 8. The modeling results attained high prediction accuracy (Kno: 0.7857, Klocation: 0.8184, Kstandard: 0.7763), affirming the proposed methodology reliability. In addition, the study explored the employment of convolutional neural network (CNN) model coupled with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for flood susceptibility and was delineated with 89% accuracy. The findings underscore significant susceptibility to flash floods, driven by hydrological and topographic factors, and explained through principal conditioning factors.

Carbon Footprint Reduction Index (CaFRI) has been presented as a newly developed web tool designed to assess and enhance the sustainability of analytical methods, with a focus on estimating greenhouse gas emissions (available at bit.ly/CaFRI). While many tools exist for evaluating greenness, none specifically address the carbon footprint of laboratory procedures. CaFRI fills this gap by providing a standardized approach that predicts the effectiveness of carbon footprint reduction strategies. It assigns a numerical rating based on direct CO2 emission factors such as energy efficiency and indirect factors like sample storage, transportation, waste management, and reagent use. By implementing CaFRI, laboratories can optimize resource use, minimize environmental hazards, ensure compliance with eco-friendly regulations, and target specific areas for improvement. Case studies using techniques such as spectrophotometry for polidocanol in ampoules, dispersive solid phase microextraction with HPLC/UV for ritonavir in human plasma, carbon quantum dots for molnupiravir in capsules, and homogenous liquid-liquid microextraction with HPLC/UV for favipiravir in human plasma demonstrated CaFRI’s applicability in evaluating the carbon footprint across diverse analytical methods and matrices. These case studies illustrated that energy consumption and CO2 emissions are key criteria for CaFRI scores, with higher scores indicating more sustainable methods.