bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychosoziale Maßnahmen zur Sport- und
Bewegungsförderung bei Menschen mit Übergewicht: Konzeptionelle
Überlegungen und Übersicht zur Forschungslage
Authors: Kleinert Jens
Published: March 2023

Menschen mit Übergewicht oder Adipositas treiben weniger Sport und sind
weniger aktiv als normalgewichtige Menschen. Ein Grund hierfür ist, dass
diese Menschen schwerer zu Sport oder körperlicher Aktivität
motiviert werden können als normalgewichtige Menschen, was an
spezifischen psychischen und psychosozialen Problemen der Verhaltensregulation
liegt. Diese Probleme hängen vor allem mit (Selbst-) Stigmatisierung,
defizitärer Selbstwahrnehmung, Depression, Angststörungen und
einer sozial kontrollierte Motivationslage der Menschen mit Übergewicht
zusammen. Hieraus ergeben sich Verhaltensbarrieren, die durch volitionale und
motivationale Ansatzstellen beseitigt oder verringert werden können.
Hierzu dienen verhaltensmodifizierende Techniken (BCTs), die vor allem auf
Handlungsziele, Handlungsplanung, Selbstregulation, Selbstreflexion und soziale
Unterstützung ausgerichtet sind. Der positive Effekt vieler dieser BCTs
für die Sport- und Bewegungsförderung von Menschen mit
Übergewicht und Adipositas ist durch Reviews belegt. Wenig erforscht
sind konkrete Wirkmechanismen dieser BCTs sowie Bedingungen, die den Effekt von
BCTs hemmen oder fördern.
Monetarisierungsformen digitaler Spiele und Entwicklung einer Gaming Disorder
Authors: Mikusky David , Riedesser Simon , Bayha Elias , Abler Birgit
Published: March 2023

Symptome einer spielbezogenen Verhaltensstörung (Gaming Disorder) sind in der 11. Auflage der International Classification of Diseases mit validen Kriterien beschrieben. Bei einer Prävalenz von 2–3 % ist nach Einführung der neuen Klassifizierung mit klinischen Vorstellungen entsprechender Patienten zu rechnen. Für die Einschätzung einer behandlungsbedürftigen Störung sind neben den Symptomen und Risikofaktoren auch die Kenntnis der rezipierten Spiele relevant, weil die Art der Bezahlung (Monetarisierungsformen) mit der Entwicklung einer Gaming Disorder in Verbindung gebracht wird.

In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde eine klinische Stichprobe von 151 Spielern auf Symptome der Gaming Disorder (anhand des standardisierten Fragebogens Ten Item Internet Gaming Disorder Test) sowie ihren Spielepräferenzen hin untersucht. Die genannten Spiele wurden hinsichtlich einzelner Merkmale analysiert und für problematische und normale Spieler beschrieben. Neben der weiten Verbreitung potenziell räuberischer Monetarisierungsformen in unserer Stichprobe wurden von problematischen Spielern häufiger Spiele mit zufälligen Belohnungen (Lootboxen) konsumiert, die Ähnlichkeiten zu Glücksspielen aufweisen. Es werden Gründe für Lootbox-Engagement und gesellschaftspolitische Implikationen diskutiert sowie Folgerungen für die Forschung und die Praxis gezogen.
Allergien primär vorbeugen – so gelingt es
Authors: Stockert Karin
Published: March 2023

Allergien sind nicht ausschließlich genetisch zu erklären. Epigenetische sowie Lebensstilfaktoren spielen bei ihrer Entstehung eine Rolle. Essenziell dürfte die Zusammensetzung (Arten und Vielfalt) der mikrobiellen Besiedelung sämtlicher menschlicher Schleimhäute und der Haut dazu beitragen, ob sich Toleranz gegenüber möglichen Allergenen entwickelt/erhält oder eben nicht. Daher muss der Kontakt zu natürlichen Mikroben bei Kindern von Anfang an ermöglicht und gefördert werden. Zusätzlich können Mütter bereits während der Schwangerschaft das Risiko für Allergien bei ihrem Kind reduzieren, indem sie ausreichend Omega-3-Fettsäuren zu sich nehmen und auf das Rauchen verzichten. Stillen, ein früher Start von Beikost bereits ab dem vollendeten 4. Lebensmonat ohne diätetische Restriktionen sowie eine ballaststoffreiche Ernährung tragen ebenfalls dazu bei, das Allergierisiko herabzusetzen.
Homöopathie bei Allergien
Authors: Riker Ulf
Published: March 2023

Die Homöopathie hält sowohl Mittel parat, die Symptome wie Schnupfen oder Hautekzeme lindern, aber auch solche, die an der Ursache der Allergie ansetzen und die Gefahr eines Rückfalls reduzieren. Neben homöopathischen Arzneien, die die Symptome lindern, werden daher auch solche eingesetzt, die die Allergiebereitschaft allgemein zurückdrängen und auch begleitende Beschwerden beseitigen können. In einigen Fällen kommen sogenannte Nosoden zum Einsatz. Nosoden sind potenzierte Zubereitungen aus Krankheitsprodukten, die einen besonders tiefen Zugang zu dem Patienten ermöglichen. Eine solche Nosode ist Psorinum, das bei Allergien angewandt wird, wenn die Arznei einerseits in den Rubriken der jeweiligen Organsymptomatik wie Haut, Augen, Nase oder Atemwege verzeichnet ist, andere Mittel nicht den erwünschten Erfolg bringen und zusätzlich allergieferne, aber konstitutionelle markante, zusätzliche Krankheitszeichen oder Beschwerden auftreten.
Pouch bacteria: an understudied and potentially important facet of marsupial reproduction
Authors: Maidment Toby , Eisenhofer Raphael
Published: March 2023

Australia is home to a rich biodiversity of marsupials that are found nowhere else. Unfortunately, many of these species are currently threatened with extinction due to introduced feral predators and other anthropogenic factors. There is growing recognition that host-associated microorganisms can play important roles for animal health, with billions of dollars currently being invested into human gut microbiome research and the development of microbiome-based therapeutics to improve human health. Can microorganisms also be harnessed to stem the tide of marsupial extinctions? In this review, we provide an overview of some of the challenges facing Australia’s marsupials, and our current understanding of the microbiology of the marsupial pouch. We also propose outstanding research questions pertaining to the marsupial pouch, which, if addressed, may provide actionable knowledge and novel microbial therapies that could help stem the tide of marsupial extinctions in Australia.
Atopic dermatitis in 2023 and beyond
Authors: Drucker Aaron M
Published: March 2023

The last 10 years has seen incredible advances in our knowledge of the epidemiology, pathogenesis and treatment of eczema. This editorial introduces a British Journal of Dermatology Scholarly Review series, including papers on life-course epidemiology, global health and disparities, pathogenesis and current and upcoming treatments.
A patient with a severe allergic reaction secondary to Efudix 5% cream
Authors: Lam Mun Wai , Cuell Alexis
Published: March 2023

We report the case of a patient with a severe allergic reaction following Efudix 5% cream (5-fluorouracil) application.
The Child Surgical Patient in the Early Twentieth Century
Authors: Brock Claire
Published: March 2023

In the second half of the nineteenth century, scientific and technological developments in surgery permitted safer procedures to be carried out. Theoretically, therefore, children whose lives would otherwise have been blighted by disease could be saved by timely operative interference. The reality was more complicated, however, as this article shows. Through an exploration of British and American surgical textbooks and an in-depth analysis of the child surgical patient base at one London general hospital, the tensions between the possibilities and the actualities of surgery on children can be examined for the first time. Hearing the child’s voice through case notes allows both a restoration of these complex patients to the history of medicine and a questioning of the wider application of science and technology to working-class bodies, situations, and environments which resist such treatment.
“The Warmth of His Continuing Interest”: Henry K. Beecher, the Bioethics Revolution, and Pharmaceutical Industry Funding of Academic Medical Science in Cold War America
Authors: Gabriel Joseph M , Desai Sukumar P
Published: March 2023

This paper examines anesthesiologist Henry K. Beecher’s funding relationship with pharmaceutical manufacturer Edward Mallinckrodt, Jr. Beecher is a familiar figure to both medical ethicists and historians of medicine for his role in the bioethics revolution of the 1960s and 1970s. In particular, his 1966 article “Ethics and Clinical Research” is widely considered a turning point in the post-World War II debate about informed consent. We argue that Beecher’s scientific interests should be understood in the context of his funding relationship with Mallinckrodt and that this relationship shaped the direction of his work in important ways. We also argue that Beecher’s views on research ethics reflected his assumption that collaboration with industry was a normal part of how academic science is conducted. In the conclusion of the paper we suggest that Beecher’s failure to consider his relationship with Mallinckrodt as worthy of ethical deliberation has important lessons for academic researchers who collaborate with industry today.
A Scoping Review of Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal and the Infant Gut Microbiome
Authors: McGlothen-Bell Kelly , Groer Maureen , Brownell Elizabeth A. , Gregory Katherine E. , Crawford Allison D. , Francis Jimi , Lopez Emme , McGrath Jacqueline M.
Published: March 2023

Background:

While a growing body of literature has established the role of human milk as a mechanism of protection in the formation of the infant gut microbiome, it remains unclear the extent to which this association exists for infants with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome.

Purpose:

The purpose of this scoping review was to describe the current state of the literature regarding the influence of human milk on infant gut microbiota in infants with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome.

Data Sources:

CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus databases were searched for original studies published from January 2009 through February 2022. Additionally, unpublished studies across relevant trial registries, conference proceedings, websites, and organizations were reviewed for possible inclusion. A total of 1610 articles met selection criteria through database and register searches and 20 through manual reference searches.

Study Selection:

Inclusion criteria were primary research studies, written in English, published between 2009 and 2022, including a sample of infants with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome/neonatal abstinence syndrome, and focusing on the relationship between the receipt of human milk and the infant gut microbiome.

Data Extraction:

Two authors independently conducted title/abstract and full-text review until there was consensus of study selection.

Results:

No studies satisfied the inclusion criteria, which resulted in an empty review.

Implications for Practice and Research:

Findings from this study document the paucity of data exploring the associations between human milk, the infant gut microbiome, and subsequent neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. Further, these results highlight the timely importance of prioritizing this area of scientific inquiry.
Downstream of kinase 3 promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis of prostate cancer via the NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Jin Kun , Qiu Shi , Chen Bo , Zhang Zilong , Zhang Chichen , Zhou Xianghong , Yang Lu , Ai Jianzhong , Wei Qiang
Published: March 2023

Background:

Downstream of kinase 3 (DOK3) is involved primarily with immune cell infiltration. Recent research reported the role of DOK3 in tumor progression, with opposite effects in lung cancer and gliomas; however, its role in prostate cancer (PCa) remains elusive. This study aimed to explore the role of DOK3 in PCa and to determine the mechanisms involved.

Methods:

To investigate the functions and mechanisms of DOK3 in PCa, we performed bioinformatic and biofunctional analyses. Samples from patients with PCa were collected from West China Hospital, and 46 were selected for the final correlation analysis. A lentivirus-based short hairpin ribonucleic acid (shRNA) carrier was established for silencing DOK3. A series of experiments involving the cell counting kit-8, bromodeoxyuridine, and flow cytometry assays were performed to identify cell proliferation and apoptosis. Changes in biomarkers from the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway were detected to verify the relationship between DOK3 and the NF-κB pathway. A subcutaneous xenograft mouse model was performed to examine phenotypes after knocking down DOK3 in vivo. Rescue experiments with DOK3 knockdown and NF-κB pathway activation were designed to verify regulating effects.

Results:

DOK3 was up-regulated in PCa cell lines and tissues. In addition, a high level of DOK3 was predictive of higher pathological stages and worse prognoses. Similar results were observed with PCa patient samples. After silencing DOK3 in PCa cell lines 22RV1 and PC3, cell proliferation was significantly inhibited while apoptosis was promoted. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that DOK3 function was enriched in the NF-κB pathway. Mechanism experiments determined that knockdown of DOK3 suppressed activation of the NF-κB pathway, increased the expressions of B-cell lymphoma-2 like 11 (BIM) and B-cell lymphoma-2 associated X (BAX), and decreased the expression of phosphorylated-P65 and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP). In the rescue experiments, pharmacological activation of NF-κB by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) partially recovered cell proliferation after the knockdown of DOK3.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that overexpression of DOK3 promotes PCa progression by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway.
Physical Therapists' Perceptions of Preparedness to Engage in Culturally Competent Practice Upon Graduation: A Qualitative Research Study
Authors: Schubbe Emily
Published: March 2023

Introduction.

Entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates are not demographically diverse compared with the population of the United States. The curriculum must provide depth, breadth, and opportunity to develop culturally competent providers. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine perceptions of novice/advanced beginner and experienced physical therapists (PTs) as to how well prepared they felt by their PT education to act as culturally competent providers and compare methods of cultural competence education received. Findings can inform whether cultural competence curriculum standards in PT education are viewed as effective or if changes to curriculum may be needed.

Review of Literature.

Research has highlighted measured or perceived changes in perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of cultural competence with clinical exposure and experience for PT students. Studies that examine or compare practicing PT perceptions of the effectiveness of entry-level cultural competence education are limited, as is evidence supporting specific cultural competence curriculum methodology.

Subjects.

Thirteen licensed PTs participated in the study.

Methods.

In this phenomenological qualitative study, subjects participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were coded and analyzed using a constant comparative approach.

Results.

Three themes emerged: 1) clinical practice and life experiences had greater influence on perceptions of preparedness, 2) suggestions to improve cultural competence curriculum, and 3) experiential learning was valued and contributed to culturally competent practice.

Discussion and Conclusion.

Entry-level DPT programs may consider exposing students to diverse patient populations through diverse clinical rotation opportunities, community outreach, and interactive learning early in the curriculum. Incorporating student experiences with different social, cultural, or ethnic groups may promote a greater perceived value of cultural competence curriculum and improve PTs' perceptions of preparedness to practice culturally competent care. Programs may also examine the direct and indirect influence clinical instructors have on developing DPT students' cultural competence during clinical rotations.
Advances in development of new tuberculosis vaccines
Authors: da Costa Christopher , Onyebujoh Philip , Thiry Georges , Zumla Alimuddin
Published: March 2023

Purpose of review

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global public health emergency and caused 1.6 million deaths in 2021. The aim of this review is to provide recent updates on advances in TB vaccine development for prevention and adjunct therapy.

Recent findings

Targets use indications guiding late stage TB vaccine development have been established, namely: (i) Prevention of disease (PoD), (ii) Prevention of recurrent disease (PoR), (iii) Prevention of established infection in previously uninfected patients (PoI), and (iv) Adjunctive immunotherapy. Novel approaches include vaccines designed to induce immune responses beyond established CD4+, Th1-biased T cell immunity, novel animal models for use in challenge/protection studies, and controlled human infection models to generate vaccine efficacy data.

Recent efforts at developing effective TB vaccines for prevention and adjunct treatment utilising new targets and technologies have yielded 16 candidate vaccines demonstrating proof of concept for inducing potentially protective immune responses to TB which is currently under evaluation in different stages of clinical trials.
Using Simulation to Develop Clinical Judgment in Undergraduate Nursing Students
Authors: Byrne Deborah , Blumenfeld Stephanie , Szulewski Maureen , Laske Rita Ann
Published: March 2023

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing plans to update the National Council Licensure Exam for nursing graduates to better measure clinical judgment. It is important that schools of nursing provide opportunities for nursing students to practice and develop clinical judgment skills. Simulation offers nursing students opportunities to use clinical reasoning and clinical judgment to care for patients in a safe environment The purpose of this study was to evaluate an unfolding case study using high-fidelity simulation to develop nursing students' clinical judgment skills across three practice settings: primary care office, acute care hospital, and home healthcare. This was a mixed-method, posttest study design with a convenience sample of 91 nursing students using the Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric (LCJR) and survey questions. The posttest analysis mean of the LCJR subgroups revealed students felt accomplished following the intervention. Four themes emerged from content analysis of the qualitative data: 1.) increased knowledge of management of diabetes in various clinical settings, 2.) using clinical judgment/critical thinking in the home care setting, 3.) being able to self-reflect on actions, and 4.) a desire for more simulation experiences in the home healthcare setting. The results of the LCJR indicated that students felt accomplished after the simulation experience. This outcome was also evident in the qualitative data, indicating that students felt more confident in managing the care of a patient with a chronic illness using clinical judgment skills in various clinical settings.
The Effect of a Healthcare Services Hotline on Quality of Life and Hospital Readmissions for Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Maghsoudi Shahrokh , Mazloom Seyed Reza , Rafiei Hossein , Mohammadmousaei Farshid , Ghaderi Mohammad Sajjad , Mafi Mohamad Hossein
Published: March 2023

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common debilitating disease marked by frequent exacerbations and hospitalizations, economic burden, and reduced quality of life. This study aimed to determine the effect of a healthcare hotline on quality of life and hospital readmissions within 30 days of discharge for patients with COPD. Sixty patients with COPD who needed home healthcare services were recruited for this quasi-experimental study. A direct hotline was provided to patients and their caregivers in the intervention group to answer their questions about the disease. Data were collected using a demographics checklist, and St. George Respiratory Questionnaire. The number of hospitalizations and mean length of hospital stay in the intervention group within 30 days was significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05). As for quality of life, only the mean score of symptoms was significantly different between the intervention and control groups (p < 0.05). The results showed the positive effect of a healthcare hotline on reducing readmission rates within 30 days of discharge and its low effect on quality of life of COPD patients.
Children and Restraints Study in Emergency Ambulance Transport
Authors: Cochran-Caggiano Nicholas , Till Sara , Holt Christian , Lang Nicholas , Ata Ashar , Cerone Jennifer , Dailey Michael W.
Published: March 2023

Objectives

The aims of this study were to identify the pediatric transport methods used by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel in our area and to highlight the need for federal standards to unify prehospital transport of children.

Methods

Children and Restraints Study in Emergency Ambulance Transport is a retrospective observational study of EMS arrivals to an academic pediatric emergency department for 1 year. Review of existing security footage from the ambulance entrance focused on the appropriateness of the selected restraints and the correctness of their application. A total of 3034 encounters were adequate for review and were matched to an emergency department encounter. Weight and age were identified from the chart. Patient weight was used in conjunction with video review to assess for the appropriateness of restraint selection.

Results

A total of 53.5% (1622) of patients were transported using a weight appropriate device or restraint system. In 77.1% of all cases (2339), the devices or restraint systems were applied incorrectly. The best results were observed for commercial pediatric restraint devices (54.5% secured appropriately) and for convertible car seats (55.5%). Ambulance cot was used alone in 69.35% of all transports despite it being the appropriate choice in just 18.2% of transports.

Conclusions

Our findings confirmed that most pediatric patients transported by EMS are not appropriately secured and are at increased injury in a crash and potentially during normal vehicle operation. Opportunity exists for regulators, industry, and leaders in EMS and pediatrics to develop fiscally and operationally prudent techniques and devices to improve the safety of children in ambulances.
Improving the Hope and Happiness of Patients With an Ostomy
Authors: Farmitani Zakieh , Farokhzadian Jamileh , Azizzadeh Forouzi Mansooreh , Ramezani Tahereh , Ebrahimnejad Zarandi Batool
Published: March 2023

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of group cognitive therapy (GCT) on hope and happiness in patients with ostomy.

DESIGN:

A single-group before-after study.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING:

The sample comprised 30 patients living with an ostomy for at least 30 days. Their mean age was 64.5 (SD 10.5) years; most were male (66.7%, n = 20).

METHODS:

The study setting was a large ostomy care center in the city of Kerman, located in southeastern Iran. The intervention was 12 GCT sessions, each lasted 90 minutes. Data were collected before and 1 month after GCT sessions using a questionnaire designed for purposes of this study. The questionnaire queried demographic and pertinent clinical data, and incorporated 2 validated instruments: the Miller Hope Scale and the Oxford Happiness Inventory.

RESULTS:

The mean pretest score on the Miller Hope Scale was 121.9 (SD 16.7) and the mean score on the Oxford Happiness Scale was 31.9 (SD 7.8); posttest mean scores were 180.4 (SD 12.1) and 53.4 (SD 8.3), respectively. Scores on both instruments significantly increased in patients living with an ostomy following 3 GCT sessions (P = .0001).

CONCLUSION:

Findings suggest that GCT enhances hope and happiness in persons living with an ostomy.
The Influence of Absorbent Products on Skin Integrity
Authors: Lindsay Carly , Wolfe Lauren , Ductan Charline , LeBlanc Kimberly
Published: March 2023

PURPOSE:

Absorbent products are commonly used to absorb urine and fecal matter and to mitigate potential skin complications such as incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD). Evidence concerning the effect these products have on skin integrity is limited. This scoping review aimed to explore the evidence/literature on the effect of absorbent containment products on skin integrity.

METHOD:

A scoping literature review.

SEARCH STRATEGY:

The electronic databases CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, and Scopus were searched for published articles between 2014 and 2019. Inclusion criteria were studies that focused on urinary and/or fecal incontinence, use of incontinent absorbent containment products, impact on skin integrity, and published in English. The search identified a total of 441 articles that were identified for the title and abstract review.

FINDINGS:

Twelve studies met inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Variability in the study designs did not allow firm conclusions regarding which absorbent products contributed to or prevented IAD. Specifically, we found variations in assessment of IAD, study settings, and types of products used.

IMPLICATIONS:

There is insufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of one product category over another for maintaining skin integrity in persons with urinary or fecal incontinence. This paucity of evidence illustrates the need for standardized terminology, a widely used instrument for assessment of IAD, and identification of a standard absorbent product. Additional research using both in vitro and in vivo models, along with real-world clinical studies, is needed to enhance current knowledge and evidence of the impact of absorbent products on skin integrity.
Comparative genomic epidemiology of serotype 3 IPD and carriage isolates from Southampton, UK between 2005 and 2017
Authors: Cleary David W. , Lo Stephanie W. , Kumar Narender , Bentley Stephen D. , Faust Saul N. , Clarke Stuart C.
Published: March 2023

Serotype 3 pneumococci remains a significant cause of disease despite its inclusion in PCV13. Whilst clonal complex 180 (CC180) represents the major clone, recent studies have refined the population structure into three clades: Iα, Iβ and II, with the last being a recent divergent and more antibiotic-resistant. We present a genomic analysis of serotype 3 isolates from paediatric carriage and all-age invasive disease, collected between 2005 and 2017 in Southampton, UK. Forty-one isolates were available for analysis. Eighteen were isolated during the annual cross-sectional surveillance of paediatric pneumococcal carriage. The remaining 23 were isolated from blood/cerebrospinal fluid specimens at the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust laboratory. All carriage isolates were CC180 GPSC12. Greater diversity was seen with invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) with three GPSC83 (ST1377: n=2, ST260: n=1) and one GPSC3 (ST1716). For both carriage and IPD, Clade Iα was dominant (94.4 and 73.9 % respectively). Two isolates were Clade II with one from carriage (a 34-month-old, October 2017) and one invasive isolate (49-year-old, August 2015). Four IPD isolates were outside the CC180 clade. All isolates were genotypically susceptible to penicillin, erythromycin, tetracycline, co-trimoxazole and chloramphenicol. Two isolates (one each from carriage and IPD; both CC180 GPSC12) were phenotypically resistant to erythromycin and tetracycline; the IPD isolate was also resistant to oxacillin.In the Southampton area, carriage and invasive disease associated with serotype 3 is predominantly caused by Clade Iα CC180 GPSC12.
Antimicrobial Resistance Rates in Gram-positive Uropathogens in Duhok city, Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Authors: Mohamed Alan Ali
Published: March 2023

Background

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections world-wide. Antibiotic resistance is an important medical problem because there is an increasing trend of antibiotic resistance worldwide making it harder to eliminate uropathogens. Antibiotic resistance shows a geographical variation. Hence, local studies are necessary to determine prevalence of uroptahogens among UTI patients. Thus, this study was conducted to determine prevalence of uropathogens among UTI patients and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern from the data of 12 years period from 2010 to 2022 in Duhok Province, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Materials and methods

This study was conducted by retrieving 12-year laboratory records between 2010–2022. data were collected from Azadi teaching hospital in Duhok city in Kurdistan region in northern Iraq. uropathogen species were identified by routine laboratory methods. Antimicrobial sensitivity testing was performed manually and by Vitek-2 automated susceptibility system.

Results

The results of gram-positive urine pathogens of 249 patients showed Staphylococcus haemolyticus (20.9%) was the most common isolated pathogen, followed by staphylococcus aureus (7.6%), Streptococcus Agalactiae (6.4%) and Enterococcus spp. (6%). S. haemolyticus had highest resistance to nitrofurantoin (61.5%) and lowest amikacin (34.3%). S. aureus showed highest resistance to penicillin 73.3% and highest sensitivity to amikacin (78.9%).in our study, Streptococcus agalactiae had the highest sensitivity to vancomycin (%87.5). 93.3% of enterococcus spp. were resistant to tetracycline.

Conclusion

UTIs are more common in female than in male and coagulase-negative Staph species (Staphylococcus spp) are the most commonly isolated pathogens. This study found antimicrobial resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics are high. Hence, an urgent plan to control antimicrobial resistance is necessary in our area.
Polygenic analyses show important differences between MDD symptoms collected using PHQ9 and CIDI-SF
Authors: Huang Lianyun , Tang Sonja , Rietkerk Jolien , Appadurai Vivek , Krebs Morten Dybdahl , Schork Andrew J. , Werge Thomas , Zuber Verena , Kendler Kenneth , Cai Na
Published: March 2023

Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) are commonly assessed using self-rating instruments like the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ9, for current symptoms), and the Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short-Form (CIDI-SF, for lifetime worst-episode symptoms). Using data from the UKBiobank, we show that corresponding symptoms endorsed through PHQ9 and CIDI-SF have low to moderate genetic correlations (rG=0.43-0.87), and this cannot be fully attributed to different severity thresholds or the use of a skip-structure in CIDI-SF. Through a combination of Mendelian Randomization (MR) and polygenic prediction analyses, we find that PHQ9 symptoms are more associated with traits which reflect general dysphoria, while the skip-structure in CIDI-SF allows for the identification of heterogeneity among likely MDD cases. This has important implications on factor analyses performed on their respective genetic covariance matrices for the purpose of identification of genetic factors behind MDD symptom dimensions and heterogeneity.
Comparing the risks of environmental carcinogenic chemicals in Japan using the loss of happy life expectancy indicator
Authors: Murakami Michio , Ono Kyoko , Takebayashi Yoshitake , Tsubokura Masaharu , Nomura Shuhei
Published: March 2023

In this study, we aimed to use the loss of happy life expectancy (LHpLE), an indicator that enables risk assessment considering wellbeing, to compare the risks of environmental carcinogenic chemicals in Japan. First, we surveyed Japanese people to determine their emotional happiness by age and sex and evaluated whether cancer incidence reduced emotional happiness. Questionnaires were administered to a general population panel and a panel of patients with cancer in 2022, recruiting a predetermined number of responses of 5000 and 850, respectively. Second, using the survey data, LHpLE was calculated for radon, arsenic, and fine particulate matter (aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm; PM2.5) and compared to psychological distress, considering increased mortality and decreased emotional happiness due to these risks. We discovered no significant decrease in emotional happiness due to cancer incidence and no significant associations between emotional happiness and cancer type, history, or stage. LHpLE was calculated to be 6.4 × 10−3years for radon, 2.6 × 10−3years for arsenic, 1.1 × 10−2years (2012 exposure) and 8.6 × 10−4years (2020 exposure) for PM2.5, and 9.7 × 10−1years for psychological distress. The fraction of losses caused by these carcinogenic chemicals to HpLE exceeded 10−5, suggesting that risk reduction for these chemicals is important in environmental policies. The LHpLE indicator allows for comparing different types of risks, such as environmental chemicals and psychological distress. This is the first study to compare chemical risks using the LHpLE indicator.
Latitude-specific urbanization effects on life history traits in the damselflyIschnura elegans
Authors: Palomar Gemma , Wos Guillaume , Stoks Robby , Sniegula Szymon
Published: March 2023

Many species are currently adapting to cities at different latitudes. Adaptation to urbanization may require eco-evolutionary changes in response to temperature and invasive species that may differ between latitudes.

Here, we studied single and combined effects of increased temperatures and invasive alien predator presence on the phenotypic response of replicated urban and rural populations of the damselflyIschnura elegansand contrasted these between central and high latitudes.

Larvae were exposed to temperature treatments (current [20 ºC], mild warming [24 ºC], and heat wave [28 ºC; for high latitude only]) crossed with the presence or absence of chemical cues released by the spiny-cheek crayfish (Faxonius limosus), only present at the central latitude. We measured treatment effects on larval development time, mass, and growth rate.

Urbanization type affected all life history traits, yet these responses were often dependent on latitude, temperature, and sex. Mild warming decreased mass in rural and increased growth rate in urban populations. The effects of urbanization on mass were latitude-dependent, with central-latitude populations having a greater phenotypic difference. Urbanization effects were sex-specific with urban males being lighter and having a lower growth rate than rural males. At the current temperature and mild warming, the predator cue reduced the growth rate, and this independently of urbanization level and latitude of origin. This pattern was reversed during a heat wave in high-latitude damselflies.

Our results highlight the context-dependency of evolutionary and plastic responses to urbanisation, and caution for generalizing how populations respond to cities based on populations at a single latitude.
Dominant Role of Stochastic Processes in Soil Fungal Communities in Pioneer Forests at a Regional Scale
Authors: Man Xiaowu , Zeng Qingchao , Zhou Meng , Martin Francis M. , Zhang Feng , Liu Honggao , Yuan Yuan , Dai Yucheng
Published: March 2023

Soil fungal community assembly is driven by deterministic and stochastic processes. However, the contribution of these mechanisms to structure the composition of fungal communities of forest soils at the regional scale is poorly known. Here, we investigate the relative importance of deterministic and stochastic processes on fungal community composition by rDNA ITS metabarcoding in aPopulus davidianapioneer forests along spatial-temporal gradients. We also assessed the impact of elevation and seasonality. The soil fungal richness ofP. davidianapioneer forests was significantly affected by elevation and less affected by season. Similarly, the variation in the fungal community composition according to the elevation was greater than the effect of seasonality. The fungal community composition showed a significant distance-decay relationship. Variation partitioning analysis showed that plant variables explained the soil fungal community variation. Through null model analysis, we found that stochastic processes were dominant in the soil fungal community assembly. However, the relative importance of ecological processes, including dispersal, selection, and drift, was not consistent across the four soil fungal community assemblies. In addition, the undominated fraction (including weak selection, weak dispersal, diversification and drift) had a high relative contribution to the soil fungal community assembly process in theP. davidianapioneer forest. In summary, our results demonstrated that plant variables and the undominated fraction dominate the deterministic and stochastic processes driving soil fungal community assemblies in aP. davidianapioneer forest at the regional scale, which provides new perspectives for the regional scale studies of soil fungi.

IMPORTANCE

Elevation and seasonality are important factors driving the composition of soil microbiota. Due to the tight interactions of soil fungi with their host trees in forest ecosystems, the spatial variation of soil fungal community is often linked to the variation in the composition of dominant tree species. We compared the responses of soil fungal communities to seasonal and spatial changes at four levels in a temperate poplar forest dominated by a single tree species under elevation changes. Elevation had a higher impact than seasonality on the soil fungal beta diversity. Even when the shift in dominant tree species was limited, vegetation factors still impact soil fungal community variations. The dominant role of homogeneous selection and drift in fungal community assemblies, except for ectomycorrhizal fungi, was further discovered.
An assessment of rates and covariates of mpox diagnosis and vaccination provides evidence to refine eligibility criteria for mpox vaccination among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in the Netherlands
Authors: Adam Philippe C.G. , Op de Coul Eline L.M. , Zantkuijl Paul , Xiridou Maria , Bos Hanna , Blom Cor , Ketsuwan Itsada , te Wierik Margreet J.M. , David Silke , de Wit John B.F.
Published: March 2023

Background

The 2022 multicountry mpox outbreaks predominantly affected gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in non-endemic countries, including the Netherlands. We conducted a survey-based assessment of the alignment between the risk factors associated with mpox diagnosis among GBMSM in the Netherlands and the eligibility criteria used in 2022 for vaccinating this group, with the aim to refine these criteria.

Methods

An online self-report survey was conducted among adult GBMSM in the Netherlands between 29 July and 30 August 30, 2022, corresponding to the first month of the Dutch mpox vaccination campaign. GBMSM were recruited via advertisements on social media and gay dating apps. Participants reported on their sexual behaviour, mpox diagnosis, and/or (initial) mpox vaccination since the start of the outbreak. Covariables of mpox diagnosis and vaccination were assessed using logistic regression analyses.

Results

Of the 2,460 participants, 73 (3.0%, 95% CI 2.3%-3.6%) were diagnosed with mpox and 485 (19.7%, 95% CI 18.1%-21.3%) had received (initial) mpox vaccination. Using sample weighting, we estimated that, of the GBMSM population aged 18-80 years in the Netherlands, 1.1% (95% CI 0.7%-1.6%) had been diagnosed with mpox and 7.8% (95% CI 6.8%-8.9%) had received (initial) vaccination. HIV-PrEP use, living with HIV, reporting 20 or more sex partners in the past 12 months, and sex in sex venues/parties in the past 2 months were independent risk factors for mpox diagnosis. Except for sex in sex venues/parties, these variables were also independently associated with mpox vaccination.

Conclusion

This study provides novel evidence regarding the degree to which eligibility criteria for mpox vaccination align with the risk factors for mpox among GBMSM in the Netherlands. The findings contribute to a refinement of the eligibility criteria for mpox vaccination, to which sex in sex venues/parties should be added.
Tozorakimab (MEDI3506): a dual-pharmacology anti-IL-33 antibody that inhibits IL-33 signalling via ST2 and RAGE/EGFR to reduce inflammation and epithelial dysfunction
Authors: England Elizabeth , Rees D. Gareth , Scott Ian Christopher , Carmen Sara , Chan Denice T. Y. , Chaillan Huntington Catherine E. , Houslay Kirsty F. , Erngren Teodor , Penney Mark , Majithiya Jayesh B. , Rapley Laura , Sims Dorothy A. , Hollins Claire , Hinchy Elizabeth C. , Strain Martin D. , Kemp Benjamin P. , Corkill Dominic J. , May Richard D. , Vousden Katherine A. , Butler Robin J. , Mustelin Tomas , Vaughan Tristan J. , Lowe David C. , Colley Caroline , Cohen E. Suzanne
Published: March 2023

Interleukin (IL)-33 is a broad-acting alarmin cytokine that can drive inflammatory responses following tissue damage or infection and is a promising target for treatment of inflammatory disease. Here, we describe the identification of tozorakimab (MEDI3506), a potent, human anti-IL-33 monoclonal antibody, which can inhibit reduced IL-33 (IL-33red) and oxidized IL-33 (IL-33ox) activities through distinct serum-stimulated 2 (ST2) and receptor for advanced glycation end products - epidermal growth factor receptor (RAGE-EGFR complex) signalling pathways. We hypothesized that a therapeutic antibody would require an affinity higher than that of ST2 for IL-33, with an association rate greater than 107M−1s−1, to effectively neutralize IL-33 following rapid release from damaged tissue. An innovative antibody generation campaign identified tozorakimab, an antibody with a femtomolar affinity for IL-33redand a fast association rate (8.5 × 107M−1s−1), which was comparable to soluble ST2. Tozorakimab potently inhibited ST2-dependent inflammatory responses driven by IL-33 in primary human cells and in a murine model of lung epithelial injury. Additionally, tozorakimab prevented the oxidation of IL-33 and its activity via the RAGE/EGFR signalling pathway, thus increasingin vitroepithelial cell migration and repair. Tozorakimab is a novel therapeutic agent with a dual mechanism of action that blocks IL-33redand IL-33oxsignalling, offering potential to reduce inflammation and epithelial dysfunction in human disease.
Rhythm generating mechanisms in rat sino-atrial node and ventricle
Authors: Charles Jesi , Nedumaran Latha , Raman Swetha , Vinod Elizabeth , Rajasegaran Rajalakshmi , Vadivel Kamalakannan , Bhaskar Anand , Subramani Sathya
Published: March 2023

The major membrane currents responsible for sinoatrial and idioventricular rhythm-generation were studied in isolated rat heart preparations, perfused in Langendorff mode. The rates of whole isolated hearts beating with sinoatrial rhythm decreased with cesium and ivabradine, both blockers of the funny current, and were not affected by nickel, at a dose which blocks T-type calcium current. The sinoatrial rhythm was completely abolished by reduction or removal of sodium from the perfusate (interventions that inhibit calcium-extrusive mode of the sodium/calcium exchanger), or by nifedipine, an L-type calcium channel blocker. Idioventricular rhythm, however, was arrested only by reduction of sodium in the perfusate. Ivabradine reduced the idioventricular rate, nickel did not cause any change, while nifedipine in some cases increased it. The inferences made based on these observations are that INCX and ICaL are obligatory rhythm-generating currents in the sinoatrial node, while INCX is the only obligatory mechanism for an idioventricular rhythm. The funny current is not an obligatory requirement for sinoatrial as well as idioventricular rhythm-generation. However, it enhances the frequency of LCRs. Our results in the isolated whole heart are in corroboration with results from isolated cells.
Chromium/cadmium plays a pivotal role to emerge amoxicillin resistantStaphylococcus aureus
Authors: Islam Tajreen Naziba , Meem Foujia Samsad , Yasmin Rahena , Amin Mohammed Badrul , Rahman Tania , Dockrell David H. , Mohasin Md
Published: March 2023

Rationale

The rapid emergence of resistant bacteria is occurring worldwide, endangering the efficacy of antimicrobials. Apart from horizontal gene transfer and plasmid mediated antimicrobial resistance (AMR) acquisition, co-exposure of heavy metals and antibiotics cause to emerge AMR Enterobacteriaceae. Heavy metals and antimicrobials co-exist in many environmental settings. We hypothesized that heavy metals and lower dose of antibiotic co-exposure may alter levels of antimicrobial susceptibility and facilitate to emerge AMR bacteria.

Methods

The growth kinetics of antimicrobial susceptible Staphylococcus aureus ST80 was carried out in the presence of chromium/cadmium salt and a lower dose of antibiotics. Subsequently, the antimicrobials susceptibility patterns of heavy metals pre-exposed for 48 hours Staphylococcus aureus ST 80 was determined by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method.

Results

The antimicrobial susceptibility profile revealed that the zone of inhibition (ZOI) for ampicillin, amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin and doxycycline significantly decreased in chromium pre-exposed Staphylococcus compared to unexposed bacteria. However, cadmium pre-exposed bacteria only showed significant decreased ZOI for amoxicillin. Moreover, the MIC of amoxicillin was increased by 8-fold in chromium and 32-fold in cadmium with a low-dose of amoxicillin co-exposed bacteria. Besides, the RT-qPCR data demonstrated that chromium and a low-dose of amoxicillin pre-exposed significantly increased the mRNA expression of femX (25-fold), mepA (19-fold) and norA (17-fold) in S. aureus.

In essence, minimum levels of chromium/cadmium and a MIC of amoxicillin exposure induced efflux pumps, which might responsible to emerge amoxicillin resistant S. aureus.
An explainable artificial intelligence-based typification of chronic inflammatory responses enhances glioma prognosis
Authors: Chowdhury Debajyoti , Yip Hiu Fung , Li Zeming , Ren Qing , Liu Hao , Tai Xuecheng , Zhang Lu , Lu Aiping
Published: March 2023

Glioma is one of the most aggressive solid brain tumors with a poor prognosis. A chronic tumor inflammatory microenvironment drives glioma promotion and progression. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and other clinicopathological variables usually serve as prognostic glioma markers. However, they are not ubiquitous prognostic markers for glioma as they fail to reveal the intricacy between the glioma-specific tumor inflammatory microenvironment and the systemic inflammatory responses, especially those chronic inflammatory responses, which vary among individuals fabricating diverse prognostic outcomes. Here, we introduced an explainable artificial intelligence model to typify chronic inflammatory responses as prognostic markers for glioma using 694-patients’ data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. We characterized the glioma-specific personalized inflammatory mediators using multi-layered regulators such as transcriptional networks, cellular infiltration markers, and cellular senescence markers, which identified five unique chronic inflammatory responses (p-value<0.0001). We defined its prognostic significance using overall survival analyses. The chronic inflammatory responses were positively correlated with poor overall survival in glioma. The patients with higher chronic inflammatory responses showed significantly shorter overall survival than those with lower chronic inflammatory responses. Interestingly, optimizing those chronic inflammatory responses improved the overall survival of glioma patients. We identified the effector genes within the personalized inflammatory mediators’ networks, indicating them as the targets for optimizing individualized chronic inflammatory response profiles through co-drug intervention.

Significance

Explainable artificial intelligence-based typification of chronic inflammatory responses accelerates glioma prognosis and supports co-drug discovery to modulate inflammatory responses alongside cancer therapy, suggested by 694-glioma patients’ data analysis.