Titanium dioxide (TiO) has been vastly used commercially, especially as white pigment in paints, colorants, plastics, coatings, cosmetics. Certain industrial uses TiO in diameter <100 nm. There are three common exposure routes for TiO: (i) inhalation exposure, (ii) exposure via gastrointestinal tract, (iii) dermal exposure. Inhalation and gastrointestinal exposure appear to be the most probable ways of exposure, although nanoparticle (NP) penetration is limited. However, the penetration rate may increase substantially when the tissue is impaired. When TiO NPs migrate into the circulatory system, they can be distributed into all tissues including brain. In brain, TiO lead to oxidative stress mediated by the microglia phagocytic cells which respond to TiO NPs by the production and release of superoxide radicals that convert to multiple reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ROS production may also cause the damage of blood-brain barrier which then becomes more permeable for NPs. Moreover, several studies have showed neuron degradation and the impairment of spatial recognition memory and learning abilities in laboratory rodent exposed to TiO NPs.

After an initial increase, the rate of R and 90R remains stable in long-term follow-up. The changes of antiepileptic treatment in most patients potentially influence the outcome. Battery replacements or malfunctioning system exchange reflect the patient's satisfaction and correlate with good outcomes.

Tooth agenesis is one of the most common craniofacial disorders in humans. More than 350 genes have been associated with teeth development. In this study, we enrolled 60 child patients (age 13 to 17) with various types of tooth agenesis. Whole gene sequences of PAX9, MSX1, AXIN2, EDA, EDAR and WNT10a genes were sequenced by next generation sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform. We found previously undescribed heterozygous nonsense mutation g.8177G>T (c.610G>T) in MSX1 gene in one child. Mutation was verified by Sanger sequencing. Sequencing analysis was performed in other family members of the affected child. All family members carrying g.8177G>T mutation suffered from oligodontia (missing more than 6 teeth excluding third molars). Mutation g.8177G>T leads to a stop codon (p.E204X) and premature termination of Msx1 protein translation. Based on previous in vitro experiments on mutation disrupting function of Msx1 homeodomain, we assume that the heterozygous g.8177G>T nonsense mutation affects the amount and function of Msx1 protein and leads to tooth agenesis.

For the last two decades, lone wolf terrorists in Western countries have been significantly changing their modus operandi. Part of these changes and possibly even one of their causes is the increasing use of the internet by lone wolves. This article reviews the role of the internet in the preparation of a terrorist attack as well as during the process of radicalisation of lone wolves. The possibilities and methodical flaws of lone wolf identification on the internet are also discussed. Based on current knowledge, it can be said that the Internet still has a limited role for lone wolves during the preparation of their terrorist attacks. However, it has been demonstrated, that as an efficient communication tool, the internet is of considerable importance in the process of lone wolf radicalisation. The internet is also a place where lone wolves may leak indications of their future actions. These leakages may be utilised for the identification of future lone wolf terrorists on discussion forums or radical websites using semi-automatic methods. However, the biggest drawbacks of these methods is their inability to distinguish between future lone wolf terrorists and common radical authors with no real intention on committing any terrorist act.

COVID-19. 3 The FSH provided more than 14 000 beds and timely treatment for the mild cases, as well as breaking down transmission of the virus. It has been suggested that the FSH were a major reason for the successful control of COVID-19 in China. 3 In the FSH, due to social isolation, uncertainty, fear of virus transmission, and overwhelming negative news portrayals in mass media coverage, 4 the psychological unwellness of both COVID-19 patients and health-care workers (HCW) was prominent. Our baseline cross-sectional survey with 372 COVID-19 patients in FSH and 742 frontline HCW who were engaged in direct contact with COVID-19 patients observed a high proportion of psychological effects among them. We used three selfadministered instruments: the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9; cutoff point 5), the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7; cutoff point 5), and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI; cutoff point 8), to assess symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia among participants. We found that 67.7%, 53.0%, and 48.7% of the COVID-19 patients, and 60.5%, 54.2%, and 42.6% of the frontline HCW suffered symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia, respectively. Multiple psychological intervention measures were carried out in the FSH. First, we set up publicity and education exhibition board areas to convey psychological information, including common psychological problems, coping methods, and ways to obtain online and offline psychological services, to both COVID-19 patients and HCW. All the COVID-19 patients and HCW in the FSH had access to these areas. Second, 11 hospitals and institutions jointly developed a free online psychological support system that was loaded as a 'mini-program' into the most popular instant messenger (WeChat) in China. The system was first available on 11 February 2020 and consisted of three sections. The psychological information section presented popular science readings about common psychological unwellness that may occur during a public emergency, and the latest encouraging facts on COVID-19. The online assessment section provided several self-administrated tools to assess the psychological fitness, and could give an overall explanation and suggestions for users according to the results of the scales. The psychological intervention section provided an online behavioral and sleep cognitive therapy system, as well as a portal for online consulting through which psychologists and psychiatrists could be reserved for remote video consultations. Both patients and HCW had free access to use the system via WeChat. Third, nurses in the FSH were trained with basic psychological nursing skills in February, such as listening to the patient patiently, showing interest in the content of the conversation, and understanding the patient's situation and feelings. Fourth, at least one psychiatrist was assigned to each FSH. The psychiatrists participated in joint rounds and visits, provided timely monitoring of the psychological status of patients, and provided proper psychologi...

PurposeWe investigated associations between neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) and rs10490924 polymorphism of ARMS2 gene (age‐related maculopathy susceptibility 2), rs1061170 polymorphism of gene for complement factor H (CFH), rs2230199 polymorphism of gene for complement component C3 and rs11200638 polymorphism of gene for serine protease high‐temperature requirement A1 (HTRA1) in the Czech population.MethodsWe analysed samples of DNA from 307 patients diagnosed with neovascular form of late AMD (average age: 73.7 ± 7.7 years) and 191 control subjects, recruited from patients awaiting cataract surgery (average age, 73.6 ± 8.7 years).ResultsHTRA1, CFH and ARMS2 genes polymorphisms were found to be related to neovascular AMD in the Czech population. All analysed polymorphisms were statistically significantly associated with neovascular AMD, with stronger associations in females than in males. In whole group, CC genotype of CFH gene polymorphism, TT genotype of ARMS2 gene polymorphism and AA genotype of HTRA1 gene polymorphism showed the greatest risk for neovascular AMD with odds ratios equal to 8.43, 10.07, 9.83, respectively (p < 0.0001). Only CG polymorphism of C3 gene showed statistically significant risk for neovascular AMD. In addition, we observed an association between waist circumference and neovascular AMD in both sexes, which further suggests the significance of excessive abdominal fat as a risk factor of AMD. We found a statistically significant association between polymorphisms in HTRA1, CFH and ARMS2 genes and neovascular AMS in the Czech population. The association was stronger in females than in males.ConclusionWe demonstrated a relationship between neovascular AMD and genes for HTRA1, CFH, ARMS2 and C3 in Czech population. To our knowledge, the relationship between these polymorphisms and neovascular AMD in Czech population has never been investigated before.

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Background: Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) is a widely distributed Zn2+-binding metalloprotease that cleaves multiple short and medium-sized peptides prone to form β-structures. These include insulin and amyloid-β peptides. Accumulation and fibrillation of amyloid-β peptides leading to the formation of amyloid plaques is a characteristic sign of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. Objective: The study investigated the rs2421943 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the IDE gene as a risk factor for MCI (Mild cognitive impairment) and AD. Methods: Two independent groups of 1670 patients and controls were included. The AD group consisted of 595 patients and 400 controls; the MCI group involved 135 patients and 540 matched controls. PCR and restriction fragment length analysis was used for analysis of the rs2421943 polymorphism. Using the miRBase and RNA22 prediction tools in silico indicated that the rs2421943 polymorphism is a potential target for a specific miRNA (hsa-miR-7110-5p). Results: AG and GG genotypes of rs2421943 significantly increased the risk of AD and the AG genotype increased the risk of MCI. It seems G allele both increases the risk of AD and accelerates the transition through the MCI phase. In silico study revealed that rs2421943 is inside the sequence binding miRNA hsa-miR-7110-5p. The polymorphism could affect the rate of IDE pre-RNA (heterogeneous nuclear RNA, hnRNA) processing, resulting in slower translation, lower levels of IDE, deficient removal of amyloid-β fragments and greater risk of and/or accelerated progression of AD. Conclusions: GG and AG genotypes of the single nucleotide polymorphism rs2421943 of insulin degrading enzyme gene increase the risk of AD and MCI.