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Patient participation in multidisciplinary team meetings in residential mental health services : an explorative study of patients' perception
No full textIntroduction: The lack of evidence of mental health patients' perception on patient participation in multidisciplinary team meetings (MTMs) is a potential threat to the person‐centeredness of care.Aim: To explore the perceptions of mental health patients regarding patient participation in MTMs and to identify factors associated with these perceptions.Method: In a cross‐sectional study, 127 former and 109 currently admitted mental health patients completed the Patient Participation during Team Meetings Questionnaire (PaPaT‐Q). The STROBE‐checklist was used for reporting the study.<Results: Overall, patients' perceptions were positive. Former patients expressed greater willingness to participate in MTMs, considered participation as more important, and felt more competent. These patients also exhibited a stronger preference for an autonomous role in medical decision making when participating in MTMs. The perception varied across factors such as gender, educational level, nature of psychological complaints and prior experience(s) with participation in MTMs.Discussion: These findings may help mental healthcare professionals to become more aware to factors associated with mental health patients' perception of patient participation in MTMs.Implications: The results can be used by mental healthcare professionals to motivate mental health patients in an even more tailor‐made basis to participate in MTMs when admitted in a hospital.Introduction: The lack of evidence of mental health patients' perception on patient participation in multidisciplinary team meetings (MTMs) is a potential threat to the person‐centeredness of care.Aim: To explore the perceptions of mental health patients regarding patient participation in MTMs and to identify factors associated with these perceptions.Method: In a cross‐sectional study, 127 former and 109 currently admitted mental health patients completed the Patient Participation during Team Meetings Questionnaire (PaPaT‐Q). The STROBE‐checklist was used for reporting the study.<Results: Overall, patients' perceptions were positive. Former patients expressed greater willingness to participate in MTMs, considered participation as more important, and felt more competent. These patients also exhibited a stronger preference for an autonomous role in medical decision making when participating in MTMs. The perception varied across factors such as gender, educational level, nature of psychological complaints and prior experience(s) with participation in MTMs.Discussion: These findings may help mental healthcare professionals to become more aware to factors associated with mental health patients' perception of patient participation in MTMs.Implications: The results can be used by mental healthcare professionals to motivate mental health patients in an even more tailor‐made basis to participate in MTMs when admitted in a hospital.A
Validation of the Toronto Upper Gastrointestinal Cleaning Score in children
No full textGastroscopy is used to examine the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, but no validated method yet exists to assess the quality of mucosal visualization in children. Utilizing validated endoscopic scales can enhance study quality and standardization across centers. This study aimed to validate the existing Toronto Upper Gastrointestinal Cleaning Score (TUGCS) in pediatric patients. This was a multicenter, prospective, single-masked study conducted in 10 European pediatric gastroenterology centers. Endoscopists with varying degrees of experience assessed the quality of mucosal visualization in prerecorded gastroscopies using the TUGCS. Each endoscopist assessed the studies two times in random order, with an interval of at least 2 weeks. The correlations of individual and total scores were statistically compared between themselves, between assessors, and between assessment attempts. Internal consistency was also checked with Cronbach's α. Seventeen endoscopists participated in the study. The TUGCS demonstrated high consistency within raters, with a score of 0.64 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.34-0.84), and an excellent test-retest reliability of 0.97 (95% CI: 0.94-0.99). The scale also showed high internal consistency, with a Cronbach's α of 0.95. The correlation between different items ranged from 0.60 to 0.77, and the correlation between individual items and the total score ranged from 0.66 to 0.88. No significant differences in the assessment were found based on the raters' experience performing endoscopy, specialization, age, or gender. The endoscopists found TUGCS easy to learn and potentially useful, especially in clinical trials. The TUGCS was demonstrated as a reliable and validated method for assessing the visualization quality of the upper GI mucosa in pediatric patients.Gastroscopy is used to examine the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, but no validated method yet exists to assess the quality of mucosal visualization in children. Utilizing validated endoscopic scales can enhance study quality and standardization across centers. This study aimed to validate the existing Toronto Upper Gastrointestinal Cleaning Score (TUGCS) in pediatric patients. This was a multicenter, prospective, single-masked study conducted in 10 European pediatric gastroenterology centers. Endoscopists with varying degrees of experience assessed the quality of mucosal visualization in prerecorded gastroscopies using the TUGCS. Each endoscopist assessed the studies two times in random order, with an interval of at least 2 weeks. The correlations of individual and total scores were statistically compared between themselves, between assessors, and between assessment attempts. Internal consistency was also checked with Cronbach's α. Seventeen endoscopists participated in the study. The TUGCS demonstrated high consistency within raters, with a score of 0.64 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.34-0.84), and an excellent test-retest reliability of 0.97 (95% CI: 0.94-0.99). The scale also showed high internal consistency, with a Cronbach's α of 0.95. The correlation between different items ranged from 0.60 to 0.77, and the correlation between individual items and the total score ranged from 0.66 to 0.88. No significant differences in the assessment were found based on the raters' experience performing endoscopy, specialization, age, or gender. The endoscopists found TUGCS easy to learn and potentially useful, especially in clinical trials. The TUGCS was demonstrated as a reliable and validated method for assessing the visualization quality of the upper GI mucosa in pediatric patients.A
DNA damage-associated vesicle production in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is mediated by a cryptic tailocin endolysin
No full textLike other Gram-negative bacteria, S. maltophilia is capable of producing membrane vesicles under normal growth conditions. The addition of certain exogenous triggers stimulates the production of vesicles, including those that are distinct from the archetypal outer membrane vesicle. In this study, we examine the effects of DNA damage on vesiculation, with a focus on the role of a bacteriophage-encoded endolysin. We demonstrate that deletion of the gene that encodes this protein (mal) negatively affects the vesiculation capacity of S. maltophilia. Further, we provide evidence that the spontaneous re-arrangement of shattered membrane fragments attributable to mal-induced explosive cell lysis results in the formation of predominantly explosive outer membrane vesicles, while only a minor portion are outer-inner membrane vesicles. Our findings expand on the current knowledge of (cryptic) tailocins in the biogenesis of vesicles in conditions of stress.Like other Gram-negative bacteria, S. maltophilia is capable of producing membrane vesicles under normal growth conditions. The addition of certain exogenous triggers stimulates the production of vesicles, including those that are distinct from the archetypal outer membrane vesicle. In this study, we examine the effects of DNA damage on vesiculation, with a focus on the role of a bacteriophage-encoded endolysin. We demonstrate that deletion of the gene that encodes this protein (mal) negatively affects the vesiculation capacity of S. maltophilia. Further, we provide evidence that the spontaneous re-arrangement of shattered membrane fragments attributable to mal-induced explosive cell lysis results in the formation of predominantly explosive outer membrane vesicles, while only a minor portion are outer-inner membrane vesicles. Our findings expand on the current knowledge of (cryptic) tailocins in the biogenesis of vesicles in conditions of stress.
Convergence during feedback controlled reactive magnetron sputtering : mechanisms and classification
No full textDuring feedback control of reactive magnetron sputtering, process parameters often exhibit a complex timedependent behavior. This behavior hinders process stabilization and can lead to a modification of the desired film properties. This study investigates the processes behind this behavior by performing time-resolved measurements during reactive sputtering of aluminum in argon/oxygen mixtures. Two distinct groups of physical processes were identified. The first group exhibits a relatively fast time-dependent behavior, leading to process stabilization within 5 to 8 min. This group includes processes related to reactive gas introduction, its interaction with deposited material, and the feedback loop characteristics. The second group causes a continuous drift of the process for more than 45 min, primarily due to oxide deposition on the chamber walls and target erosion. These two groups have a different impact on the process curves known as hysteresis curves. For the first group, the impact is minimal while for the second group the hysteresis curve becomes distorted, potentially leading to misinterpretation or incorrect selection of deposition conditions. The utilization of the difference between the discharge voltage and floating potential as the feedback input signal eliminates the impact of oxide deposition and mitigates this problem.During feedback control of reactive magnetron sputtering, process parameters often exhibit a complex timedependent behavior. This behavior hinders process stabilization and can lead to a modification of the desired film properties. This study investigates the processes behind this behavior by performing time-resolved measurements during reactive sputtering of aluminum in argon/oxygen mixtures. Two distinct groups of physical processes were identified. The first group exhibits a relatively fast time-dependent behavior, leading to process stabilization within 5 to 8 min. This group includes processes related to reactive gas introduction, its interaction with deposited material, and the feedback loop characteristics. The second group causes a continuous drift of the process for more than 45 min, primarily due to oxide deposition on the chamber walls and target erosion. These two groups have a different impact on the process curves known as hysteresis curves. For the first group, the impact is minimal while for the second group the hysteresis curve becomes distorted, potentially leading to misinterpretation or incorrect selection of deposition conditions. The utilization of the difference between the discharge voltage and floating potential as the feedback input signal eliminates the impact of oxide deposition and mitigates this problem.A
A systematic review of the hydrogeomorphological impacts of large dams in Africa
No full textLarge dams exert significant impacts on the hydrology and geomorphology of the rivers they impound. Although there is a renewed interest in large dams in Africa to support sustainable development in the face of a changing climate, no systematic review of their hydrogeomorphological impacts exists at continental scale. In this review, we compiled a geospatial dataset of 1047 large dams from different data sources (jointly storing up to 948.7 km3; equal to 29 % of the continent's average annual discharge), and systematically investigated the impact these dams have on water and sediment regimes, river and coastal geomorphology. Our findings reveal a consistent augmentation in low flows and a pronounced reduction in high flows (resulting in an average 35 % reduction in the coefficient of variation of monthly discharges), and often, a decrease in average river flows. The total sediment retention by these dams was estimated at 459.6 Mt. yr-1, with fluxes towards the Mediterranean Sea being particularly reduced by 197.6 Mt. yr-1. Although trends in altered flow regimes and trapping efficiencies (average of 85.5 %) display broad consistency across the continent, the associated geomorphological changes frequently exhibit localized variations. Common alterations encompass riverbed incision and a narrowing of the active riverbed. Coastal erosion and the permanent opening or closing of estuaries are also recurrently observed. This research significantly advances our understanding of the water infrastructure and its potential challenges for sustainable water and sediment management in the context of a changing climate and ever-high erosion rates.Large dams exert significant impacts on the hydrology and geomorphology of the rivers they impound. Although there is a renewed interest in large dams in Africa to support sustainable development in the face of a changing climate, no systematic review of their hydrogeomorphological impacts exists at continental scale. In this review, we compiled a geospatial dataset of 1047 large dams from different data sources (jointly storing up to 948.7 km3; equal to 29 % of the continent's average annual discharge), and systematically investigated the impact these dams have on water and sediment regimes, river and coastal geomorphology. Our findings reveal a consistent augmentation in low flows and a pronounced reduction in high flows (resulting in an average 35 % reduction in the coefficient of variation of monthly discharges), and often, a decrease in average river flows. The total sediment retention by these dams was estimated at 459.6 Mt. yr-1, with fluxes towards the Mediterranean Sea being particularly reduced by 197.6 Mt. yr-1. Although trends in altered flow regimes and trapping efficiencies (average of 85.5 %) display broad consistency across the continent, the associated geomorphological changes frequently exhibit localized variations. Common alterations encompass riverbed incision and a narrowing of the active riverbed. Coastal erosion and the permanent opening or closing of estuaries are also recurrently observed. This research significantly advances our understanding of the water infrastructure and its potential challenges for sustainable water and sediment management in the context of a changing climate and ever-high erosion rates.A
Reframing the agrarian question(s) : pluralism, politics and the promise of critical agrarian studies : Handbook of critical agrarian studies, edited by A. Haroon Akram-Lodhi, Kristina Dietz, Bettina Engels and Ben M. Mckay, Cheltenham and Northampton, Edward Edgar Publishing Limited, 2021, Pp.v + 744, ISBN: 978 1 78897 245 1
No full textDiscovery of multiple bee-hazardous pesticides in ornamental plants via the Bee-Plex multi-target microsphere screening method
No full textExposure to pesticides is one of the main drivers of global bee decline. However, the occurrence of pesticides in bee-attracting crops remains underexposed due to the lack of efficient on-site screening approaches for multianalyte monitoring. Utilizing color-encoded superparamagnetic microspheres, we constructed a portable 8plex indirect competitive microsphere-based immunoassay for the simultaneous determination of multiple bee-hazardous residues (Bee-Plex). Through a single measurement within 40 min, Bee-Plex exhibited high sensitivities with IC50values of 0.04, 0.08, 0.14, 0.15, 0.78, 0.86, 7.72, and 8.79 ng/mL for imidacloprid, parathion, fipronil, emamectin, carbofuran, chlorpyrifos, fenpropathrin and carbaryl, respectively. Moreover, the implementation of multiple broad-specific antibodies enables a wide-range screening profile for 30 pesticides and pesticide metabolites, detecting 6 neonicotinoids, 6 N-methyl carbamates 6 organophosphates, 5 avermectins, 5 pyrethroids and 2 phenylpyrazoles. The combination of Bee-Plex screening (93 % accuracy) and LC-MS/ MS confirmatory analysis revealed contaminations of neonicotinoids (100 %) and avermectins (70 %) in roses, with occurrence frequencies of 79 %, 79 %, 21 %, 21 %, 7 %, and 7 % for imidacloprid, acetamiprid, clothianidin, thiacloprid, imidaclothiz, and nitenpyram, respectively. Above all, this study offers a powerful analytical tool for rapid screening of multiple bee-hazardous pesticides, offering new insights in the occurrence of multi-pesticide contamination in ornamental plants.Exposure to pesticides is one of the main drivers of global bee decline. However, the occurrence of pesticides in bee-attracting crops remains underexposed due to the lack of efficient on-site screening approaches for multianalyte monitoring. Utilizing color-encoded superparamagnetic microspheres, we constructed a portable 8plex indirect competitive microsphere-based immunoassay for the simultaneous determination of multiple bee-hazardous residues (Bee-Plex). Through a single measurement within 40 min, Bee-Plex exhibited high sensitivities with IC50values of 0.04, 0.08, 0.14, 0.15, 0.78, 0.86, 7.72, and 8.79 ng/mL for imidacloprid, parathion, fipronil, emamectin, carbofuran, chlorpyrifos, fenpropathrin and carbaryl, respectively. Moreover, the implementation of multiple broad-specific antibodies enables a wide-range screening profile for 30 pesticides and pesticide metabolites, detecting 6 neonicotinoids, 6 N-methyl carbamates 6 organophosphates, 5 avermectins, 5 pyrethroids and 2 phenylpyrazoles. The combination of Bee-Plex screening (93 % accuracy) and LC-MS/ MS confirmatory analysis revealed contaminations of neonicotinoids (100 %) and avermectins (70 %) in roses, with occurrence frequencies of 79 %, 79 %, 21 %, 21 %, 7 %, and 7 % for imidacloprid, acetamiprid, clothianidin, thiacloprid, imidaclothiz, and nitenpyram, respectively. Above all, this study offers a powerful analytical tool for rapid screening of multiple bee-hazardous pesticides, offering new insights in the occurrence of multi-pesticide contamination in ornamental plants.A
PTMVision : an interactive visualization webserver for post-translational modifications of proteins
No full textRecent improvements in methods and instruments used in mass spectrometry have greatly enhanced the detection of protein post-translational modifications (PTMs). On the computational side, the adoption of open modification search strategies now allows for the identification of a wide variety of PTMs, potentially revealing hundreds to thousands of distinct modifications in biological samples. While the observable part of the proteome is continuously growing, the visualization and interpretation of this vast amount of data in a comprehensive fashion is not yet possible. There is a clear need for methods to easily investigate the PTM landscape and to thoroughly examine modifications on proteins of interest from acquired mass spectrometry data. We present PTMVision, a web server providing an intuitive and simple way to interactively explore PTMs identified in mass spectrometry-based proteomics experiments and to analyze the modification sites of proteins within relevant context. It offers a variety of tools to visualize the PTM landscape from different angles and at different levels, such as 3D structures and contact maps, UniMod classification summaries, and site specific overviews. The web server’s user-friendly interface ensures accessibility across diverse scientific backgrounds. PTMVision is available at https://ptmvision-tuevis.cs.uni-tuebingen.de/.Recent improvements in methods and instruments used in mass spectrometry have greatly enhanced the detection of protein post-translational modifications (PTMs). On the computational side, the adoption of open modification search strategies now allows for the identification of a wide variety of PTMs, potentially revealing hundreds to thousands of distinct modifications in biological samples. While the observable part of the proteome is continuously growing, the visualization and interpretation of this vast amount of data in a comprehensive fashion is not yet possible. There is a clear need for methods to easily investigate the PTM landscape and to thoroughly examine modifications on proteins of interest from acquired mass spectrometry data. We present PTMVision, a web server providing an intuitive and simple way to interactively explore PTMs identified in mass spectrometry-based proteomics experiments and to analyze the modification sites of proteins within relevant context. It offers a variety of tools to visualize the PTM landscape from different angles and at different levels, such as 3D structures and contact maps, UniMod classification summaries, and site specific overviews. The web server’s user-friendly interface ensures accessibility across diverse scientific backgrounds. PTMVision is available at https://ptmvision-tuevis.cs.uni-tuebingen.de/.A