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A formal comparative description of an international system operation in the presence & in the absence of force as a perturbing factor is proposed. Areas of discussion include: (1) a model of international system structure & behavior, (2) models of goal-oriented behavior of individual actor-states, (3) the relationship between individual & collective behavior, (4) a formal description of the force-factor in international relations, its operation, & its perturbing effects, (5) a measure of political manageability of international relations, & (6) conclusions related to conditions for improving a given international conjuncture. It is proved that, under certain hypotheses, the increasing participation in the international system, the independence of partners, & especially the nonuse of force, are factors that improve the political manageability of world affairs. HA.

AbstractThis exploratory pilot study examined alumni attitudes and behaviors toward making contributions in a nonprofit higher education organizational setting. The theoretical base of the study was that nonprofit higher education organizations operate in competitive marketing environments within a resource dependence open systems framework. In an effort to better understand alumni donor attitudes and behaviors in this context, this research explored the predictive relationship between the donor organization–public relationship (OPR) and alumni donor attitudes toward willingness to contribute unrestricted funds and donor behaviors concerning size of gifts made, frequency per year of contributions, and frequency of years of contributions using Huang's (2001) organization–public relationship assessment. Results indicate that donor OPR significantly predicts alumni donor attitudes toward willingness to contribute unrestricted funds. The results do not support that donor OPR significantly predicts size of gifts made, frequency per year of contributions, and frequency of years of contributions.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin condition, characterized by multiple recurrent eczematous lesions and intense itchiness. It is a multifactorial skin disorder involving an association between genetic and environmental factors that lead to a defect of the epithelial barrier in conjunction with immunological dysregulation. Over the last decade, there has been an increasing understanding of the role of the human microbiota in preserving skin integrity and that a shift in the homeostasis of these microorganisms may lead to dysbiosis and disease. Diversity in the intestinal microbiome and its role in the etiopathogenesis of AD has been described and has become of great interest. In this report, we have reviewed the importance of the gut microbiome and the possible mechanism in the pathogenesis of AD as well as the therapeutic impact of probiotics and prebiotics

Plans are currently being drafted for the next decade of action on biodiversity—both the post‐2020 Global Biodiversity Framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Biodiversity Strategy of the European Union (EU). Freshwater biodiversity is disproportionately threatened and underprioritized relative to the marine and terrestrial biota, despite supporting a richness of species and ecosystems with their own intrinsic value and providing multiple essential ecosystem services. Future policies and strategies must have a greater focus on the unique ecology of freshwater life and its multiple threats, and now is a critical time to reflect on how this may be achieved. We identify priority topics including environmental flows, water quality, invasive species, integrated water resources management, strategic conservation planning, and emerging technologies for freshwater ecosystem monitoring. We synthesize these topics with decades of first‐hand experience and recent literature into 14 special recommendations for global freshwater biodiversity conservation based on the successes and setbacks of European policy, management, and research. Applying and following these recommendations will inform and enhance the ability of global and European post‐2020 biodiversity agreements to halt and reverse the rapid global decline of freshwater biodiversity.

Plans are currently being drafted for the next decade of action on biodiversity—both the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Biodiversity Strategy of the European Union (EU). Freshwater biodiversity is disproportionately threatened and underprioritized relative to the marine and terrestrial biota, despite supporting a richness of species and ecosystems with their own intrinsic value and providing multiple essential ecosystem services. Future policies and strategies must have a greater focus on the unique ecology of freshwater life and its multiple threats, and now is a critical time to reflect on how this may be achieved. We identify priority topics including environmental flows, water quality, invasive species, integrated water resources management, strategic conservation planning, and emerging technologies for freshwater ecosystem monitoring. We synthesize these topics with decades of first-hand experience and recent literature into 14 special recommendations for global freshwater biodiversity conservation based on the successes and setbacks of European policy, management, and research. Applying and following these recommendations will inform and enhance the ability of global and European post-2020 biodiversity agreements to halt and reverse the rapid global decline of freshwater biodiversity.

Plans are currently being drafted for the next decade of action on biodiversity—both the post‐2020 Global Biodiversity Framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Biodiversity Strategy of the European Union (EU). Freshwater biodiversity is disproportionately threatened and underprioritized relative to the marine and terrestrial biota, despite supporting a richness of species and ecosystems with their own intrinsic value and providing multiple essential ecosystem services. Future policies and strategies must have a greater focus on the unique ecology of freshwater life and its multiple threats, and now is a critical time to reflect on how this may be achieved. We identify priority topics including environmental flows, water quality, invasive species, integrated water resources management, strategic conservation planning, and emerging technologies for freshwater ecosystem monitoring. We synthesize these topics with decades of first‐hand experience and recent literature into 14 special recommendations for global freshwater biodiversity conservation based on the successes and setbacks of European policy, management, and research. Applying and following these recommendations will inform and enhance the ability of global and European post‐2020 biodiversity agreements to halt and reverse the rapid global decline of freshwater biodiversity. ; We thank the organizers of the ALTER‐Net/EKLIPSE Post‐2020 Biodiversity Workshop for discussions that led to this collaboration. CBvR was supported by a Fulbright Early Career Scholar Award from the Fulbright Spain Commission, SJT by the NERC Highlight Topic "Hydroscape" (NE/N006437/1), SCJ and GK by the "GLANCE" project (01LN1320A) from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), HPG by the BMBF "BIBS" project (01LC1501G1), KAW by the Rural & Environment Science & Analytical Services Division of the Scottish Government (2016–2021 Strategic Research programme), SD by the Leibniz Competition (J45/2018), AIL by FCT (CESAM; UID/AMB/50017/2019), IJ by the J. E. Purkyně Fellowship of the Czech Academy of Science, and VH by a Ramon y Cajal Contract (RYC‐2013‐13979).

Obesity correlates with a higher risk of fractures in some sites as vertebras, upper arm, and legs. This is a narrative mini-review focused on several key points that link obesity with osteoporosis. Waist circumference may a better predictor of fractures than body mass index (BMI) in obese females. Even obese menopausal women have an extra source of estrogens in fat tissue this actually is not enough to offer a complete protection against osteoporotic fractures. Low levels of testosterone in males induce a higher risk of fall dependent or independent of sarcopenia (which is more evident in elderly). High BMI is correlated with vitamin D deficiency. Obesity is a contributor to muscle damage and decline due to fat accumulation and inefficient fuel utilisation by the muscle, namely sarcopenic obesity, regardless the age. Associated type 2 diabetes mellitus involves bone damage and fracture risk due to glycated proteins of the matrix, the changes of adipokines, increased cortical porosity, high risk of fall because of blood pressure and glycaemia anomalies, visual disturbances, renal and peripheral nerves diabetes-associated conditions etc. The fracture risk is also augmented via fat derived cytokines and chronic inflammation. Even it seems logical that the weight correction though bariatric surgery reduces the fracture risk in obesity, actually data from longitudinal studies pointed that, despite the procedure is life saving, it does not actually protect against osteoporosis which is regarded as a potential long-term complication. A high fracture burden in obesity should increase the level of awareness for practitioners of different medical areas due to multiple levels of complications and to the epidemiological impact of obesity.

Breast cancer remains a significant health concern, with predictions indicating a rise in global incidence. While the
primary focus is on oncological radicality, the aesthetic and psychological impacts of surgical interventions, such as radical
mastectomy, cannot be ignored. This study, conducted over 8 years, aimed to identify factors that can prevent unnecessary
lymphadenectomy. The research analyzed various parameters, including age, BMI, tumor size, and immunohistochemistry, to
determine their correlation with axillary lymph node invasion. The results highlighted the importance of tumor size and estrogen
receptor status in predicting axillary lymph node metastasis. The study underscores the value of sentinel lymph node biopsy in
early breast cancer treatment, emphasizing its benefits over complete axillary lymph node dissection.

"Melanoma outcome seems different between females and males, with a potential protective role of estrogen (E) through estrogen receptors (ER) expression into the tumor. In the study of ERs, both alfa (ERα) and beta (ERβ) is a well-known endocrine elements in non-melanoma tumors, like mammary and endometrial cancer. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) assessment of melanoma concerning ERs represents a path to explore the tumor profile to provide useful information concerning the prognostic and potential adjuvant treatment. Currently, this is not a routine practice, nor a mandatory step for deciding the medical therapy. Typically, IHCs are based on usual kits for mammary tumors regarding ERs configuration. Prior/concomitant use of oral contraceptives and hormonal replacement therapy is not correlated with a better prognostic in melanoma; neither have they represented a contraindication for survivors of melanoma; a subset of tumors might present a higher ER expression which is potentially targeted by the hormone-based treatment as SERMs (Selective Estrogen Receptors Modulator), for instance, tamoxifen. Experimental studies on melanoma cell lines confirmed the anti-tumor activity of ERβ which might function as a prognostic marker. G-protein-coupled estrogen receptors in melanocytes and keratinocytes might be involved, too. Additional crosstalk of TGF-β (Transforming Growth Factor β), respective IGF1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor), and ERα expression are involved in tumorigenic pathways. Recent preclinical studies showed the potential benefits of diarylpropionitrile, a selective agonist of ERβ; pyrazole derivates 21-23 can block ERs. Murine melanoma models showed the interference of anti-estrogenic medication (like molecule fulvestrant) to enhance immune checkpoint blockade, a modern approach to solid cancers. The proliferation of melanoma might be partially explained by ERs; whether this is generally applicable or there is a subgroup of tumors particularly related to E status is still debatable. The subject of E status in melanoma is far from clear at this point and further studies are necessary concerning this particular issue to implement it as a practical approach in the daily management of a disease that still has a very severe prognostic nowadays "

The increasing incidence of obesity, a significant health problem worldwide, represents a major socio-economic burden with a high impact on the quality of life. It is considered a risk factor for multiple medical conditions. More than half of women from developed countries are overweight or obese, this comorbidity can affect them from puberty through the reproductive period and then in the menopausal period, involving multiple medical and surgical specialties. It has a significant impact on the onset of puberty, the menstrual cycle, ovulation, fertility rate, and pregnancy outcome. In postmenopausal women, obesity represents an important risk factor for breast cancer, endometrial cancers or polyps, fibroids, pelvic organ prolapse, or stress urinary incontinence in addition to a higher risk of post-operative complications and also to some types of fragility fractures, especially if diabetes mellitus is associated. Pelvic floor disorders include pelvic organ prolapse, urinary or fecal incontinence. Obese patients seem more affected compare with normal-weighted females. We introduce a single-center, retrospective study on 74 patients (admitted between 2016 and 2019) with pelvic organ prolapses that were referred for surgical correction, and further on they were evaluated after one month, respective after 6 months since procedure. On admission, the subjects, aged between 41-82 years (median of 57 years) showed a strong correlation between the symptomatology caused by the prolapse degree and obesity (40.54% of them), as it appears that the discomfort and symptoms are significantly higher in the women with higher body mass index. In the reevaluation form, the patients with obesity complaint more frequently compared to the non-obese females about urinary and colorectal distress and low sexual desire and interest. The use of surgical treatment for pelvic organ dysfunctions is a contributor to improved quality of life in adult obese females.