bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of the tumor antigens NY-ESO-1, tyrosinase, MAGE-A3, and TPTE in pediatric and adult melanoma: a retrospective case control study
Authors: Forchhammer Stephan , Pop Oltin Tiberiu , Hahn Matthias , Aebischer Valentin , Seitz Christian M. , Schroeder Christopher , Liebmann Alexandra , Abele Michael , Wild Hannah , Bien Ewa , Kunc Michal , Schneider Dominik T. , Cuk Katarina , Büttel Isabel , Flemmig Carina , Peters Magdalena , Laible Mark , Brück Patrick , Türeci Özlem , Sahin Ugur , Flatz Lukas , Brecht Ines B.
Published: June 2024

Tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) are potential targets for T cell-based immunotherapy approaches in cutaneous melanoma. BNT111, an investigational lipoplex-formulated mRNA-based therapeutic cancer vaccine encoding melanoma TAAs NY-ESO-1, tyrosinase, MAGE-A3, and TPTE, is undergoing clinical testing in adults. Expression of these TAAs in pediatric melanoma is unclear but is a prerequisite for feasibility of this treatment approach in children with melanoma. Our main objective was to characterize expression of those TAAs in pediatric melanomas compared to control cohorts. In this retrospective case control study, protein and transcript expression of NY-ESO-1, tyrosinase, MAGE-A3, and TPTE were analyzed in a cohort of 25 pediatric melanomas, 31 melanomas of young adults, 29 adult melanomas, and 30 benign melanocytic nevi in children using immunohistochemical staining and digital pathology (QuPath) and reverse transcription quantitative PCR. Based on IHC analysis, pediatric melanomas expressed tyrosinase (100.0%), TPTE (44.0%), MAGE-A3 (12.0%), and NY-ESO-1 (8.0%). Young adult melanomas expressed tyrosinase (96.8%), NY-ESO-1 (19.4%), MAGE-A3 (19.4%), and TPTE (3.2%). Adult melanomas expressed tyrosinase (86.2%), MAGE-A3 (75.9%), NY-ESO-1 (48.3%), and TPTE (48.3%). Childhood melanocytic nevi only expressed tyrosinase (93.3%). Expression prevalence of individual TAAs did not differ between subtypes of pediatric melanoma, and no association with prognosis was found. All four TAAs were expressed in pediatric melanoma, albeit NY-ESO-1 and MAGE-A3 to a lesser extent than in adult melanoma. These data support the possibility of investigating vaccines targeting these TAAs for the treatment of pediatric melanoma.
Familial hypercholesterolemia care by Dutch pediatricians—mind the gaps
Authors: van den Bosch Sibbeliene E. , Hutten Barbara A. , Ibrahim Shirin , Wiegman Albert , Pang Jing , Watts Gerald F. , Corpeleijn Willemijn E.
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) leads to elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, which increases the risk of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Since the first functional and morphologic changes of the arterial wall occur in childhood, treatment should start early in childhood to mitigate the elevated risk of ASCVD. Pediatricians play an important role in the detection and care of children with FH. In this study, we aim to explore potential gaps in FH care amongst Dutch pediatricians, in order to enhance their knowledge and awareness of detecting and treating children with FH.

Methods

An anonymous online survey, deployed using Google Forms, including 26 closed and semi-closed questions on FH care in children was distributed by the Dutch Association of Pediatrics via a newsletter to which the majority of the practicing Dutch pediatricians subscribe. In addition, we requested that the pediatric departments of all Dutch hospitals in the Netherlands distribute this survey personally among their employed pediatricians. Respondents were instructed to answer the questions without any help or use of online resources.

Results

Between September 1st, 2023 and November 1st, 2023, 158 (an estimated 11% response rate) Dutch pediatricians completed the survey. They reported a median (IQR) of 15.0 (6.0–22.0) years of experience as a pediatrician, and 34 (21.5%) were working in academic hospitals. The majority (76.6%) of pediatricians correctly identified a typical FH lipid profile but 68 (43.0%) underestimated the true prevalence of FH (1:300). Underestimation and unawareness of the increased risk of FH patients for ASCVD were reported by 37.3% and 25.9% of pediatricians, respectively. Although 70.9% of the pediatricians correctly defined FH, only 67 (42.4%) selected statins and ezetimibe to treat severe hypercholesterolemia.

Conclusions:The results of this study suggest significant gaps in knowledge and awareness of FH in children among Dutch pediatricians. FH care in children needs improvement through educational and training initiatives to mitigate the life-long risk of ASCVD from early life.

What is Known:

• Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) leads to elevated LDL-cholesterol levels, which increases the risk of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).• The process of atherosclerosis starts in childhood• Pediatricians play an important role in the detection and treatment of children with FH.

What is New:

• Our results highlight significant gaps in care for children with FH amongst pediatricians and this may lead to suboptimal detection and treatment.• FH care in children needs improvement by educational initiatives to ultimately prevent ASCVD in adulthood.
Identification of 1-Methylnicotinamide as a specific biomarker for the progression of cirrhosis to hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Sijia , Tuo Ping , Ji Yuanye , Huang Zuoan , Xiong Zi , Li Hongshan , Ruan Chunyan
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent malignant tumor, often arising from hepatitis induced by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in China. However, effective biomarkers for early diagnosis are lacking, leading to a 5-year overall survival rate of less than 20% among patients with advanced HCC. This study aims to identify serum biomarkers for early HCC diagnosis to enhance patient survival rates.

Methods

We established an independent cohort comprising 27 healthy individuals, 13 patients with HBV-induced cirrhosis, 13 patients with hepatitis B-type HCC, and 8 patients who progressed from cirrhosis to hepatocellular carcinoma during follow-up. Serum metabolic abnormalities during the progression from cirrhosis to HCC were studied using untargeted metabolomics. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics methods characterized the subjects’ serum metabolic profiles. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was employed to elucidate metabolic profile changes during the progression from cirrhosis to HCC. Differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) between cirrhosis and HCC groups were identified using the LIMMA package in the R language. Two machine learning algorithms, Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO), and Random Forest Classifier (RF), were used to identify key metabolic biomarkers involved in the progression from cirrhosis to HCC. Key metabolic biomarkers were further validated using targeted metabolomics in a new independent validation cohort comprising 25 healthy individuals and 25 patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma.

Results

A total of 155 serum metabolites were identified, of which 21/54 metabolites exhibited significant changes in HCC patients compared with cirrhosis patients and healthy individuals, respectively. PLS-DA clustering results demonstrated a significant change trend in the serum metabolic profile of patients with HBV-induced cirrhosis during the progression to HCC. Utilizing LASSO regression and RF algorithms, we confirmed 10 key metabolic biomarkers. Notably, 1-Methylnicotinamide (1-MNAM) exhibited a persistent and significant decrease in healthy individuals, cirrhosis, and HCC patients. Moreover, 1-MNAM levels in developing patients were significantly higher during the cirrhosis stage than in the HCC stage. Targeted metabolomic validation in an external cohort further confirmed the good diagnostic performance of 1-MNAM in early HCC detection.

Conclusion

Our findings imply that 1-MNAM may be a specific biomarker for the progression of cirrhosis to HCC.
Laparoscopy experience in East, Central, and Southern Africa: insights from operative case volume analysis
Authors: Yankunze Yves , Mwachiro Michael M. , Lando June Owino , Bachheta Niraj , Mangaoang Deirdre , Bekele Abebe , Parker Robert K.
Published: June 2024

Background

With the primary objective of addressing the disparity in global surgical care access, the College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA) trains surgeons. While sufficient operative experience is crucial for surgical training, the extent of utilization of minimally invasive techniques during COSECSA training remains understudied.

Methods

We conducted an extensive review of COSECSA general surgery trainees' operative case logs from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2020, focusing on the utilization of minimally invasive surgical procedures. Our primary objective was to determine the prevalence of laparoscopic procedures and compare this to open procedures. We analyzed the distribution of laparoscopic cases across common indications such as cholecystectomy, appendicitis, and hernia operations. Additionally, we examined the impact of trainee autonomy, country development index, and hospital type on laparoscopy utilization.

Results

Among 68,659 total cases, only 616 (0.9%) were laparoscopic procedures. Notably, 34 cases were conducted during trainee external rotations in countries like the United Kingdom, Germany, and India. Gallbladder and appendix pathologies were most frequent among the 582 recorded laparoscopic cases performed in Africa. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy accounted for 29% (276 of 975 cases), laparoscopic appendectomy for 3% (76 of 2548 cases), and laparoscopic hernia repairs for 0.5% (26 of 5620 cases). Trainees self-reported lower autonomy for laparoscopic (22.5%) than open cases (61.5%). Laparoscopy usage was more prevalent in upper-middle-income (2.7%) and lower-middle-income countries (0.8%) compared with lower-income countries (0.5%) (p < 0.001). Private (1.6%) and faith-based hospitals (1.5%) showed greater laparoscopy utilization than public hospitals (0.5%) (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The study highlights the relatively low utilization of minimally invasive techniques in surgical training within the ECSA region. Laparoscopic cases remain a minority, with variations observed based on specific diagnoses. The findings suggest a need to enhance exposure to minimally invasive procedures to ensure well-rounded training and proficiency in these techniques.
In situ stoichiometry amounts of p62 and poly-ubiquitin exceed the increase of alpha-synuclein during degeneration of catecholamine cells induced by autophagy inhibition in vitro
Authors: Lenzi Paola , Lazzeri Gloria , Ferrucci Michela , Busceti Carla Letizia , Puglisi-Allegra Stefano , Fornai Francesco
Published: June 2024

Neurodegenerative disorders are typically featured by the occurrence of neuronal inclusions. In the case of Parkinson’s disease (PD) these correspond to Lewy bodies (LBs), which are routinely defined as proteinaceous inclusions composed of alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn). In turn, alpha-syn is considered to be the key protein in producing PD and fostering its progression. Recent studies challenged such a concept and emphasized the occurrence of other proteins such as p62 and poly-ubiquitin (Poly-ub) in the composition of LBs, which are also composed of large amounts of tubulo-vesicular structures. All these components, which accumulate within the cytosol of affected neurons in PD, may be the consequence of a dysfunction of major clearing pathways. In fact, autophagy-related systems are constantly impaired in inherited PD and genetic models of PD. The present study was designed to validate whether a pharmacological inhibition of autophagy within catecholamine cells produces cell damage and accumulation of specific proteins and tubulo-vesicular structures. The stoichiometry counts of single proteins, which accumulate within catecholamine neurons was carried out along with the area of tubulo-vesicular structures. In these experimental conditions p62 and Poly-ub accumulation exceeded at large the amounts of alpha-syn. In those areas where Poly-ub and p62 were highly expressed, tubulo-vesicular structures were highly represented compared with surrounding cytosol. The present study confirms new vistas about LBs composition and lends substance to the scenario that autophagy inhibition rather than a single protein dysfunction as key determinant of PD.
Integrating local ecological knowledge and remote sensing reveals patterns and drivers of forest cover change: North Korea as a case study
Authors: Elves-Powell Joshua , Dolan Jai , Durant Sarah M. , Lee Hang , Linnell John D. C. , Turvey Samuel T. , Axmacher Jan C.
Published: June 2024

Satellite-based remote sensing approaches provide a cost-efficient means to collect information on the world’s forests and to repeatedly survey large, or inaccessible, forest areas. However, it may not always be possible to ground truth–associated findings using direct ecological field surveys conducted by trained forest scientists. Local ecological knowledge (LEK) is an alternative form of data which could be used to complement, interpret and verify information from satellite data. Using a case study on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), we evaluate the potential for integrating remote sensing and LEK data, gathered with non-specialist former residents, to understand patterns and drivers of forest cover change. LEK reports often concurred with, or provided key information to enable interpretation of, satellite data. This revealed that between 1986 and 2021, North Korea experienced high, but uneven, rates of deforestation. There was a pronounced northwards deforestation shift in the mid-1990s, coinciding with a period of extreme hardship and famine (the “Arduous March”), and associated with clearance of trees in more forested northern provinces as an economic and fuel resource, and conversion of forest to agricultural cropland. Loss of forest cover in North Korea has continued and recently accelerated, to a rate of > 200 km2 per annum between 2019 and 2021. This increases the vulnerability of North Korean socio-ecological systems to future environmental change and is an obstacle to the recovery of threatened species across the Korean Peninsula. We recommend that LEK- and remote sensing–based approaches are considered within a suite of complementary techniques to analyse forest changes where ecological field surveys cannot be conducted.
Multi-finished protective viscose textile via infrared assisted one-pot incorporation of Ce-organic framework
Authors: Emam Hossam E. , Abdelhameed Reda M. , Ahmed Hanan B.
Published: June 2024

Antimicrobial and UV-blocking textiles (protective textiles) are quite required especially for outdoor workers and in hot weather countries. Herein, for the first time, under the effect of infrared radiation, the preparation of multi-finished viscose fabrics via the incorporation of metal organic framework-based on Cesium (Ce-MOF) is investigated. Ce-MOF using different ligands including 1,4-benzendicarboxylic acid (BDC), 1,2,4-benzene tricarboxylic acid (BDC-COOH) and 2-amino-1,4-dicarboxyic acid (BDC-NH2) were incorporated within viscose and cationic viscose (Q-viscose) fabrics in one-pot process. MOF uptake was significantly improved from 88.6 – 96.8 mg/g to 122.5 – 152.2 mg/g after the cationization process. Due to incorporation of Ce-MOF, viscose fabrics acquired creamy to yellowish color and became more thermally stable. Tensile strength was lowered by 8.9 – 17.4% for viscose and 17.1 – 20.3% for Q-viscose, after modification with Ce-MOFs. The estimated UV-protection factor (UPF) for Q-viscose fabrics was significantly increased to be 50.1– 88.1 after incorporation of Ce-BDC-COOH & Ce-BDC-NH2, achieving maximum UV protection. By comparing between Ce-BDC and Ce-BDC-COOH, the fabrics treated with Ce-BDC-NH2 showed the highest microbial protection against bacteria and fungus. After immobilization of Ce-MOF, the estimated inhibition zones were 11–14 mm & 15–18 mm against E. coli and 13–15 mm & 17–19 mm against C. albicans, for viscose and Q-viscose, respectively.
OpenSCV: an open hierarchical taxonomy for smart contract vulnerabilities
Authors: Vidal Fernando Richter , Ivaki Naghmeh , Laranjeiro Nuno
Published: June 2024

Smart contracts are nowadays at the core of most blockchain systems. Like all computer programs, smart contracts are subject to the presence of residual faults, including severe security vulnerabilities. However, the key distinction lies in how these vulnerabilities are addressed. In smart contracts, when a vulnerability is identified, the affected contract must be terminated within the blockchain, as due to the immutable nature of blockchains, it is impossible to patch a contract once deployed. In this context, research efforts have been focused on proactively preventing the deployment of smart contracts containing vulnerabilities, mainly through the development of vulnerability detection tools. Along with these efforts, several heterogeneous vulnerability classification schemes appeared (e.g., most notably DASP and SWC). At the time of writing, these are mostly outdated initiatives, even though new smart contract vulnerabilities are consistently uncovered. In this paper, we propose OpenSCV, a new and Open hierarchical taxonomy for Smart Contract vulnerabilities, which is open to community contributions and matches the current state of the practice while being prepared to handle future modifications and evolution. The taxonomy was built based on the analysis of the existing research on vulnerability classification, community-maintained classification schemes, and research on smart contract vulnerability detection. We show how OpenSCV covers the announced detection ability of the current vulnerability detection tools and highlight its usefulness in smart contract vulnerability research. To validate OpenSCV, we performed an expert-based analysis wherein we invited multiple experts engaged in smart contract security research to participate in a questionnaire. The feedback from these experts indicated that the categories in OpenSCV are representative, clear, easily understandable, comprehensive, and highly useful. Regarding the vulnerabilities, the experts confirmed that they are easily understandable.
Cosmological fluids with boundary term couplings
Authors: Böhmer Christian G. , d’Alfonso del Sordo Antonio
Published: June 2024

Cosmological models can be studied effectively using dynamical systems techniques. Starting from Brown’s formulation of the variational principle for relativistic fluids, we introduce new types of couplings involving a perfect fluid, a scalar field, and boundary terms. We describe three different coupling models, one of which turns out to be particularly relevant for cosmology. Its behaviour is similar to that of models in which dark matter decays into dark energy. In particular, for a constant coupling, the model mimics well-known dynamical dark energy models while the non-constant couplings offer a rich dynamical structure, unseen before. We are able to achieve this richness whilst working in a two-dimensional phase space. This is a significant advantage which allows us to provide a clear physical interpretation of the key features and draw analogies with previously studied models.
Application of a Human Factors Systems Approach to Healthcare Control Centres for Managing Patient Flow: A Scoping Review
Authors: Paterson Estrella , Chari Satyan , McCormack Linda , Sanderson Penelope
Published: June 2024

Over the past decade, healthcare systems have started to establish control centres to manage patient flow, with a view to removing delays and increasing the quality of care. Such centres—here dubbed Healthcare Capacity Command/Coordination Centres (HCCCs)—are a challenge to design and operate. Broad-ranging surveys of HCCCs have been lacking, and design for their human users is only starting to be addressed. In this review we identified 73 papers describing different kinds of HCCCs, classifying them according to whether they describe virtual or physical control centres, the kinds of situations they handle, and the different levels of Rasmussen’s [1] risk management framework that they integrate. Most of the papers (71%) describe physical HCCCs established as control centres, whereas 29% of the papers describe virtual HCCCs staffed by stakeholders in separate locations. Principal functions of the HCCCs described are categorised as business as usual (BAU) (48%), surge management (15%), emergency response (18%), and mass casualty management (19%). The organisation layers that the HCCCs incorporate are classified according to the risk management framework; HCCCs managing BAU involve lower levels of the framework, whereas HCCCs handling the more emergent functions involve all levels. Major challenges confronting HCCCs include the dissemination of information about healthcare system status, and the management of perspectives and goals from different parts of the healthcare system. HCCCs that take the form of physical control centres are just starting to be analysed using human factors principles that will make staff more effective and productive at managing patient flow.
Analytical and numerical optimization of broaching tool tooth distribution
Authors: Iklodi Zsolt , Munoa Jokin , Dombovari Zoltan
Published: June 2024

This paper presents a detailed mathematical analysis of the effect of tooth distribution on the stability of broaching operations. Analytic and numeric techniques are employed to analyse a simplified one-degree-of-freedom mechanical model of variable pitch broaching, to assess its stability, and to find the optimal tooth distances maximizing robustness against harmful self-excited chatter vibrations. A novel modelling approach, considering a theoretical infinitely long broaching tool, draws parallels with variable pitch milling, and analytic formulas for tuning milling cutters are extended to broaching tools. For a further increase of robustness, and to take feasibility constraints into account, a goal function based on the semi-discretization and spectral collocation techniques is implemented in a direct numeric optimisation framework. A new, detailed derivation of the corresponding parameter gradients is presented to enable the use of gradient descent techniques. Since broaching is inherently a time-limited process, optimal parameters found in this manner are then validated via time domain simulations to show the desirable transient behaviours achievable by this ideal tuning of the tool geometry.
Preparing Quality of Life Surveys Versus Using Information for Sustainable Development: The Example of Polish Cities
Authors: Ligarski Mariusz J. , Owczarek Tomasz
Published: June 2024

Cities, in order to develop, should acquire data from various sources, properly process it, and skillfully use it for sustainable development. One such source is data from the surveys of residents’ quality of life. When processed as appropriate, the data may be a valuable source of information concerning sustainable development for the city. However, the very fact of carrying out the quality-of-life surveys does not guarantee that the information obtained from them will be used to manage the city. Based on studies entailing a sample of 29 city offices in Poland which declared regular studies of the residents’ quality of life, it was proved that the preparation and organization of such studies influences later use of such information for sustainable development purposes. Relying on the method of examining the quality of life and the number of specific indicators, the cities studied were divided into two groups. One was involved, and the other was not in the process of preparing quality-of-life surveys. A comparison was made between these groups of cities in terms of the areas included in the quality of life surveys, the decisions and actions taken based on the analysis of the results of these surveys, and the purposes for which the information is used. The areas in which the local government declares an impact on the quality of life of its residents were also compared. Attention was paid to significant differences between the two groups of cities and the effects of each of those two approaches were specified.
Mycological air contamination level and biodiversity of airborne fungi isolated from the zoological garden air — preliminary research
Authors: Plewa-Tutaj Kinga , Krzyściak Paweł , Dobrzycka Aleksandra
Published: June 2024

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the degree of mycological air contamination and determine the taxonomic diversity of airborne fungi residing in the air of 20 different animal facilities in a zoological garden. The concentrations of fungi in the zoological garden were measured using a MAS-100 air sampler. The collected microorganisms were identified using the combination of molecular and morphological methods. The fungal concentration ranged from 50 to 3.65 × 104 CFU/m3 during the whole study. The quantitative analysis of the fungal aerosol showed that the obtained concentration values were lower than the recommended permissible limits (5 × 104 CFU/m3 for fungi). Environmental factors, including temperature and relative humidity, exerted a varying effect on the presence and concentration of isolated fungi. Relative humidity was shown to correlate positively with the concentration of fungal spores in the air of the facilities studied (rho = 0.57, p < 0.0021). In parallel, no significant correlation was established between temperature and total fungal concentration (rho =  − 0.1, p < 0.2263). A total of 112 fungal strains belonging to 50 species and 10 genera were isolated. Penicillium was the dominant genera, including 58.9% of total fungal strains, followed by Aspergillus 25.89%, Cladosporium 3.57%, Talaromyces 3.57%, Mucor 1.78%, Schizophyllum 1.78%, Syncephalastrum 0.89%, Alternaria 0.89%, Absidia 0.89%, and Cunninghamella 0.89%. Our preliminary studies provide basic information about the fungal concentrations, as well as their biodiversity in zoological garden. Further studies are needed to generate additional data from long-term sampling in order to increase our understanding of airborne fungal composition in the zoological garden.
Periacetabular osteotomy using computed tomography-based navigation: preoperative planning and accuracy evaluation
Authors: Inaba Yutaka , Tezuka Taro , Oba Masatoshi , Choe Hyonmin , Ike Hiroyuki
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Since 2011, we have used computed tomography (CT)-based navigation to perform safe and accurate rotational acetabular osteotomy (RAO) for treating developmental dysplasia of the hip. We developed a new method with four fiducial points to improve the accuracy of a published technique. In this study, we introduced a new method to achieve reorientation in accordance with planning and evaluated its accuracy.

Methods

This study included 40 joints, which underwent RAO used CT-based navigation. In 20 joints, reorientation was confirmed by touching the lateral aspect of the rotated fragment with navigation and checking whether it matched the preoperative plan. A new fiducial point method was adopted for the remaining 20 joints. To assess the accuracy of the position of the rotated fragment in each group, postoperative radial reformatted CT images were obtained around the acetabulum and three-dimensional evaluation was performed. The accuracy of acetabular fragment repositioning was evaluated using the acetabular sector angle (ASA).

Results

The absolute value of ΔASA, which represents the error between preoperative planning and the actual postoperative position, was significantly smaller in the new fiducial method group than the previous method group in the area from 11:30 to 13:30 (p < 0.05). The Harris Hip Score at 1 year after surgery did not differ significantly between the previous and new fiducial point methods.

Conclusion

The new fiducial point method significantly reduced reorientation error in the superior-lateral area of the acetabulum: significantly fewer errors and fewer cases of under-correction of lateral acetabular coverage were recorded. The four-reference fiducial method facilitates reorientation of the acetabulum as planned, with fewer errors. The effect of the improved accuracy of the fiducial point method on clinical outcomes will be investigated in the future work.
Kommunale Gesundheitskompetenz und kommunale Kapazitätsentwicklung
Authors: Röding D. , von Holt I. , Decker L. , Ünlü S. , Walter U.
Published: June 2024

Hintergrund

Aus Sicht kritischer Gesundheitskompetenz sollten Kommunen die notwendige Kapazität dafür haben, um vor Ort die gesellschaftlichen Determinanten der Gesundheit zu gestalten. Obwohl sich in der kommunalen Gesundheitsförderung zunehmend Kapazitätsentwicklungsansätze verbreiten, sind diese in Deutschland noch kaum erforscht. Der Beitrag geht der Frage nach, wie verschiedene Facetten kommunaler Kapazität für Gesundheitsförderung in ausgewählten deutschen Städten und Gemeinden ausgeprägt sind und ob die COVID-19(„coronavirus disease 2019“)-Pandemie die kommunale Gesundheitsförderung beeinflusste.

Methoden

Datenbasis ist die von der CTC-EFF(„Effectiveness of the Community Prevention System Communities That Care“)-Studie in 2023 durchgeführte zweite Welle einer Befragung kommunaler Schlüsselpersonen (n = 235) aus 30 Städten und Gemeinden in Niedersachsen, Rheinland-Pfalz und Baden-Württemberg. Erhoben wurden Daten zu den lokalen Rahmenbedingungen und der kommunalen Kapazität für Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung (PGF). Es wurden deskriptive Analysen durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse

Kapazitätsaspekte, die in den meisten Kommunen ein gutes Level haben, sind Problemlösefähigkeit der Kommune, interorganisationaler Informationsaustausch sowie Rückhalt seitens der in den Kommunen lebenden Menschen gegenüber Maßnahmen zur Prävention von jugendlichem Problemverhalten. Facetten, die in vielen Kommunen Defizite aufweisen, sind die strategische Planung, Verknüpfung und Koordination von Maßnahmen, Ressourcenausstattung, interorganisationales Teilen von Ressourcen, evidenzbasiertes Vorgehen sowie Öffentlichkeitsarbeit zu den lokalen Angeboten. Die Coronapandemie hatte in den meisten Kommunen einen großen Einfluss auf die Präventionsarbeit. Es finden sich Hinweise auf Nachholeffekte in der Umsetzung von PGF-Maßnahmen.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Ergebnisse offenbaren einige Stärken und viele Schwächen in der kommunalen Kapazität für PGF. Um die kritische Gesundheitskompetenz der Kommunen zu steigern, sollten wirksame Kapazitätsentwicklungsansätze genutzt werden. Die Generalisierbarkeit der Ergebnisse ist limitiert und es besteht Forschungsbedarf zur untersuchten Thematik.
Completeness and calibration of the Italian Seismological Instrumental and Parametric Database (ISIDe) before 16 April 2005
Authors: Lolli Barbara , Vannucci Gianfranco , Gasperini Paolo
Published: June 2024

The Italian Seismological Instrumental and Parametric Database (ISIDe) is the recipient of earthquake data collected in real-time by the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), and used by the studies of earthquake forecasting and seismic hazard assessment in Italy in the last decade. When it went online, following a significant improvement of the seismic acquisition system of INGV, it was including only data since the second fortnight of April 2005. About ten years later, the data since the beginning of 1985 suddenly appeared without any prior notice than the updating of the starting date of the dataset. However, the characteristics of the added data appeared clearly different from the following period both in terms of the numbers of located earthquakes and of types of magnitudes provided. After having analyzed the numerical consistency and the calibration of magnitudes of ISIDe as a function of time from 1985 to 15 April 2005, we can say that such a dataset is incomplete and poorly calibrated compared to other catalogs of Italian seismicity (CSTI, CSI, and HORUS) available for the same period. Hence, we suggest not using it as is for statistical analyses of Italian seismicity. However, it provides some magnitudes that are missed by other catalogs and thus might be used for improving such catalogs.
Ecoregional height–diameter models for Scots pine in Turkiye
Authors: Sağlam Fadime , Sakici Oytun Emre
Published: June 2024

Ecoregion-based height-diameter models were developed in the present study for Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands in Turkiye and included several ecological factors derived from a pre-existing ecoregional classification system. The data were obtained from 2831 sample trees in 292 sample plots. Ten generalized height–diameter models were developed, and the best model (HD10) was selected according to statistical criteria. Then, nonlinear mixed-effects modeling was applied to the best model. The R2 for the generalized height‒diameter model (Richards function) modified by Sharma and Parton is 0.951, and the final model included number of trees, dominant height, and diameter at breast height, with a random parameter associated with each ecoregion attached to the inverse of the mean basal area. The full model predictions using the nonlinear mixed-effects model and the reduced model (HD10) predictions were compared using the nonlinear sum of extra squares test, which revealed significant differences between ecoregions; ecoregion-based height–diameter models were thus found to be suitable to use. In addition, using these models in appropriate ecoregions was very important for achieving reliable predictions with low prediction errors.
The effect of extraction conditions on the chemical profile of obtained raw poplar propolis extract
Authors: Miłek Michał , Bonikowski Radosław , Dżugan Małgorzata
Published: June 2024

Various conditions of extraction were applied to obtain active extracts of raw poplar-type propolis. The extraction efficiency of traditional maceration was evaluated in terms of used solvent: ethanol (70 and 96% v/v), acetone (pure and 70%), propylene glycol, glycerol (50%), water and water with extraction modifiers: PEG 400 and lecithin. For obtained extracts, the total amounts of extracted phenolics and flavonoids as well as antioxidant activity were compared. For the most active extracts, the profile of volatile organic compounds with the use of GC × GC–MS and selected polyphenols content by HPLC–DAD was compared. To increase the activity of water propolis, extract ultrasound and microwave-assisted extraction were applied and obtained water extracts were compared regarding the main polyphenolic compounds content quantified by HPLC method. The recovery of 70% ethanolic extraction and the effect of the extension of extraction time were also examined by the HPTLC method. Based on conducted analyses, 70% ethanolic extract was found as the most aromatic and bioactive, followed by pure acetone and polypropylene glycol extracts. Compared to the classic maceration, water extraction assisted by microwaves and ultrasounds did not provide a higher extraction yield. In the case of 70% ethanolic extraction, the 5-day duration is recommended which allows to recovery of close to 80% of bioactive components of raw propolis.
Clinical, functional, and radiological outcomes of robotic assisted versus conventional total hip arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Ruangsomboon Pakpoom , Ruangsomboon Onlak , Osman Khabab , Pincus Daniel , Mundi Raman , Tomescu Sebastian , Ravi Bheeshma , Chaudhry Harman
Published: June 2024

This systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aims to compare important clinical, functional, and radiological outcomes between robotic-assisted total hip arthroplasty (RATHA) and conventional total hip arthroplasty (COTHA) in patients with hip osteoarthritis. We identified published RCTs comparing RATHA with COTHA in Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. Two reviewers independently performed study screening, risk of bias assessment and data extraction. Main outcomes were major complications, revision, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and radiological outcomes. We included 8 RCTs involving 1014 patients and 977 hips. There was no difference in major complication rate (Relative Risk (RR) 0.78; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.22 to 2.74), revision rate (RR 1.33; 95%CI 0.08 to 22.74), and PROMs (standardized mean difference 0.01; 95%CI − 0.27 to 0.30) between RATHA and COTHA. RATHA resulted in little to no effects on femoral stem alignment (mean difference (MD) − 0.57 degree; 95%CI − 1.16 to 0.03) but yielded overall lower leg length discrepancy (MD − 4.04 mm; 95%CI − 7.08 to − 1.0) compared to COTHA. Most combined estimates had low certainty of evidence mainly due to risk of bias, inconsistency, and imprecision. Based on the current evidence, there is no important difference in clinical and functional outcomes between RATHA and COTHA. The trivial higher radiological accuracy was also unlikely to be clinically meaningful. Regardless, more robust evidence is needed to improve the quality and strength of the current evidence.

PROSPERO registration: the protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42023453294). All methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations.
Uncertainty-integrating, automated design of gripper jaws for robust grasping of electrical connectors
Authors: Gebauer Daniel , Geng Paul , Hartmann Annalena , Dirr Jonas , Fuchs Sebastian , Daub Rüdiger
Published: June 2024

For robust grasping of workpieces with complex surface geometries such as the plugs of electrical connectors (ECs), individually designed gripper jaws are commonly required. The manual design of the latter is time-consuming, iterative, expensive, and requires expert knowledge. Therefore, automating the design process offers the potential to increase efficiency and reduce costs. However, the plugs of ECs often involve interference contours which pose a high risk for a grasp to fail. Thus, this paper introduces an approach for the automated design of gripper jaws that considers complex surface geometries with interference contours. Thereby, expected geometric uncertainties in the relative pose between a plug and a gripper system can be parameterized by a user. The key steps of our approach are to automatically simulate collision volumes between the gripper jaws and the workpiece to map geometric uncertainties in software for computer-aided design (CAD) and to adapt the gripper jaws accordingly within minutes and without manual design. The results of the experimental validation using three different high-voltage plugs show that the presented approach is suitable for robust grasping of such workpieces. In summary, our work intends to contribute to a more efficient design process of gripper systems for workpieces with complex surface geometries such as plugs of ECs.
Associations of role, area deprivation index, and race with health behaviors and body mass index among localized prostate cancer patients and their partners
Authors: Xu Jingle , Ma Chunxuan , Hirschey Rachel , Liu Jia , Neidre Daria B. , Nielsen Matthew E. , Keyserling Thomas C. , Tan Xianming , Song Lixin
Published: June 2024

Purpose

To examine the associations of role (localized prostate cancer (PCa) patient vs. their intimate partner), area deprivation index (ADI—higher scores indicating higher neighborhood deprivation levels), and race (Black/African American (AA) vs. White) with health behaviors and body mass index (BMI) among PCa patients and partners. The behaviors include smoking, alcohol consumption, diet quality, sedentary behaviors, and physical activity (PA).

Methods

This study used the baseline data collected in a clinical trial. Given the nested structure of the dyadic data, multi-level models were used.

Results

Significant role-race interaction effects on smoking, ADI-race effects on alcohol consumption, and role-ADI effects on BMI were found. Meanwhile, patients smoked more cigarettes, decreased alcohol consumption, had less healthful diets, spent longer time watching TV, did fewer sedentary hobbies, had more confidence in PA, and had higher BMIs than their partners. High ADI was independently associated with lower odds of drinking alcohol, using computer/Internet, and doing non-walking PA, and higher BMI compared to low ADI controlling for role and race. Black/AA dyads had less smoking amount and alcohol consumption and higher sedentary time and BMI than White dyads when adjusted for role and ADI.

Conclusions

This study identified significant interaction and main effects of role, ADI, or race on health behaviors and BMI.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Future behavioral interventions should address divergent individual needs between patients and partners, social and neighborhood barriers, and cultural indicators of racial groups to promote healthful behaviors and improve the quality of survivorship for PCa patients and partners.
TINNITUS. A Non-invasive Neuromodulatory Perspective
Authors: Rossi Simone , Mandalà Marco
Published: June 2024

Purpose of the Review

Chronic tinnitus affects millions of people worldwide, but it remains an unmet clinical problem, particularly from a therapeutic perspective.

Recent Findings

Neuroimaging and neurophysiological investigations have consistently unveiled that tinnitus can be considered as a form of maladaptive plasticity taking place not only in primary and associative auditory areas but also involving large-scale brain networks. Based on these premises, treatment strategies that aim to manipulate in a controllable way plastic capabilities of the brain are being under investigation as emerging treatments.

here, we review the rationale for using so called Non-Invasive Brain stimulation (NiBS) techniques, such as navigated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and other forms of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) or peripheral stimulations, to alleviate tinnitus. We also provide an overview of available clinical results of these various non-invasive neuromodulatory approaches, trying to identify how to translate their unquestionable therapeutic potential into real-life contexts, beyond the lab boundaries.
Do humanitarian missions impede the progress of pediatric cardiac surgical programs in developing and under-served nations?
Authors: Karl Tom Roland , Soto Rodrigo , Raylman Rob
Published: June 2024

Over the past three decades, there has been increasing interest in humanitarian pediatric cardiac surgery. While the need is undisputed, the most effective strategy remains debatable. With education, long-term sustainability, and safety as goals, we discuss the realities and possible benefits of the most frequently invoked care model, the visiting humanitarian cardiac surgical team.
Response surface analysis exploring congruence and incongruence patterns on mother-adolescent perceived maternal rejection
Authors: Izquierdo-Sotorrío Eva , Carrasco Miguel Ángel , Holgado-Tello Francisco Pablo
Published: June 2024

This study analyzes congruence and incongruence between mothers and adolescents on perceived maternal rejection as a predictor of externalizing and internalizing problems. The sample comprised 162 Spanish families (adolescent, father, and mother). The children (38.3% males, 98.8% Caucasian) were between the ages of 12 and 16 years old (M = 13.27, Sd = 1.23). Mothers and adolescents completed specific versions of the Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire, and fathers completed the Child Behavior Checklist. Polynomial regressions, including the quadratic and interaction terms of the predictors and response surface analysis, were conducted. The results indicate a congruent effect in predicting externalizing problems from mothers’ and adolescents’ reports on perceived maternal rejection. Thus, congruence between adolescents and mothers on high perceived maternal rejection is associated with the highest levels of adolescent psychological maladjustment, and congruence between adolescents and mothers on low perceived maternal rejection is associated with the lowest levels of adolescent psychological maladjustment. In contrast, the magnitude—but not the direction—of incongruence in perceptions between mothers and adolescents has a positive effect, as it is associated with a decreased risk of externalizing problems. This study contributes to existing knowledge surrounding the importance of employing multiple-informant assessment and using appropriate approaches to study discrepant reporting by mothers and adolescents on family variables, and its effect on adolescent mental health.
Trajectories of positive and negative affect and state hope and their relationship with mental health among male adolescents in a juvenile correctional institution in China
Authors: Schuster Isabell , Larran Julie , Zhai Jin , Ye Lin , Lu Jun , Liu Yangyang , Hein Sascha
Published: June 2024

Positive affect and hope contribute to individuals’ psychological adjustment and positive youth development. The purpose of the study was to examine growth in positive and negative affect as well as state hope in Chinese adolescents in a juvenile correctional institution. We also investigated whether distinct trajectories of affect and hope predicted mental health and externalizing, internalizing, and prosocial behavior. The study included 198 male adolescents in a Chinese juvenile correctional institution and comprised nine measurement points (T1-T9) which were one week apart, respectively. Positive and negative affect and state hope were assessed from T1 to T8, and mental health and internalizing, externalizing, and prosocial behavior were measured at T9. Analyses of latent growth curve and latent class growth models were estimated. It was found that positive and negative affect, as well as state hope, decreased over time. Youth in classes characterized by higher state hope and lower negative affect reported better mental health than youth in classes characterized by lower levels of these constructs. Because of the beneficial effects of lower negative affect and higher state hope on mental health and internalizing, externalizing, and prosocial behavior, interventions strengthening hope and reducing negative affect may promote positive youth development in juvenile correctional institutions.
Demographic predictors of public speaking anxiety among university students
Authors: Lintner Tomáš , Belovecová Boglárka
Published: June 2024

Public speaking is a crucial component of many higher education courses and is essential for students’ academic performance and future career success. Despite its importance, public speaking anxiety is a common issue among higher education students, adversely impacting their learning. Addressing this anxiety through targeted interventions, especially for the most at-risk students, is vital. This study provides insights into the demographic predictors of public speaking anxiety, using a sample of 1745 students from a large public university in the Czech Republic. We employed the Personal Report of Confidence as a Speaker in a short form to assess public speaking anxiety levels. Our multivariate regression analysis identified gender, type of high school, and study level as significant predictors of public speaking anxiety, whereas age, nationality, and field of study were not. The study found that women, non-binary individuals, graduates of academic high schools, and bachelor’s students are more prone to public speaking anxiety. These findings highlight the need for targeted intervention and support strategies for students with higher levels of public speaking anxiety.