Expression of Cytoskeletal Proteins (GFAP, Vimentin), Proapoptotic Protein (Caspase-3) and Protective Protein (S100) in the Epileptic Focus in Adults and Children with Drug-Resistant Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Associated with Focal Cortical Dysplasia

The European Commission of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) has identified glial mechanisms of seizures and epileptogenesis as top research priorities. The aim of our study was to conduct a comparative analysis of the expression levels of cytoskeletal proteins (glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin), protective protein S100, and proapoptotic caspase-3 protein in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) associated with focal cortical dysplasia (FCD). We aimed to investigate how the expression levels of these proteins depend on age (both in children and adults), gender, and disease duration, using immunohistochemistry. Nonparametric statistical methods were employed for data analysis. In the epileptic focus area of the cortex and white matter in patients with FCD-associated temporal lobe DRE, a higher level of expression of these proteins was observed. Age and gender differences were found for vimentin and S100. In the early stages of disease development, there was a compensatory sequential increase in the expression of cytoskeletal and protective proteins. In patients with DRE, depending on the disease duration, patterns of development of neurodegeneration were noted, which is accompanied by apoptosis of gliocytes. These results provide insights into epilepsy mechanisms and may contribute to improving diagnostic and treatment approaches.

Air pollution and individual productivity: Evidence from the Ironman Triathlon results

The study considers how air quality affects the productivity of physically intensive labor. Namely, we analyze the athletes of the Ironman Triathlon, one of the toughest long-distance triathlon races in the world. Moreover, in this competition, both men and women, professional and amateur athletes, can participate. We consider the results of Ironman Triathlon from 2005 to 2019. Using athlete's finishing time as a dependent variable, we estimate the impact of concentrations of two main air pollutants, O3 and PM2.5. We found triathletes performance decrements in swimming due to high ozone concentration and in bicycle riding and running due to high level of PM2.5. We have also found that professional athletes are less sensitive to air pollution, whereas there is almost no gender difference in the impact of air pollution on athletes' productivity.

Correction: After the Crimea crisis: Employee discrimination in Russia and Ukraine

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240811.].

After the Crimea crisis: Employee discrimination in Russia and Ukraine

This paper examines the issue of employee discrimination after a political crisis: the annexation of Crimea. The annexation, which resulted in a political crisis in Russian-Ukrainian relations, is a setting which allows us to test if a bilateral political issue caused employee discrimination. We use a quasi-experimental approach to examine how the political crisis influenced participation in major sports leagues in Russia and Ukraine. The results show that the employment conditions significantly worsened since the Crimea crisis started.