6112 research outputs found
Sort by
“Canada is a Big Deal Here”: The eFP Battle Group and Host Nation Public Opinion
Get PDFDoes personal contact between allied service members and local citizens result in greater public acceptance of foreign military presence? To what extent do members of the host nation's domestic society assess favorably the forward deployment of allied military personnel on their own national territory? Substantial scholarly literature has probed these types of questions in the context of US globe-spanning military deployments. This study, however, departs from the US-centric approach and focuses on the deployment of a middle power. In the presented analysis, we examine the Canadian approach to “winning hearts and minds” in Latvia. In 2023, upwards of 800 Canadian troops were stationed in Latvia. Using original survey data, we measure local citizens' attitudes towards the Canadian-led battlegroup. Our results speak to the fact that Canadian and other foreign armed forces' presence in Latvia is generally accepted by the wider society. Despite Moscow's active attempts to cultivate anti-NATO sentiments, the Latvian public welcomes the stationing of Canadian troops on the country's soil
KWU176 and KWU183 as a novel KCNQ channel openers in mesenteric blood vessels
Get PDFThe intricate relationship between KCNQ channels and vascular diseases is
discernible across various pathological conditions, revealing noteworthy insights into
their impact. Various structurally diverse compounds have been synthesized to
selectively target Kv7 channels. In the realm of Kv7 modulation, specific compounds
have demonstrated potential therapeutic utility along with in vivo evidence supporting
their effects (Evseev A, 2013). This thesis delves into the vasorelaxant effects of
Flupirtine, PVRF (Oxylipins), KWU 176, and KWU 183 on mesenteric arteries,
specifically examining their modulation of KCNQ channels. The central hypothesis
posits KWU 176 and KWU 183 as potent activators of KCNQ4 and KCNQ5 channels,
surpassing established activators in efficacy. Through pharmacological and genetic
methodologies, findings reveal that Flupirtine and PVRF induce endothelium-
independent vasorelaxation, while KWU 176 exhibits a dual impact on KCNQ4 and
KCNQ5 channels with significant endothelium-dependent vasodilatation. In contrast,
KWU 183 selectively activates KCNQ5 channels with endothelium-independent
vasorelaxation. Genetic knockout models underscore the regulatory role of Kcnq4 and
Kcnq5 channels in vasomotor responses. Beyond unraveling the nuanced
mechanisms of these compounds, this study contributes valuable insights for
optimizing cardiovascular function and potential therapeutic interventions. Modulators
like KWU 176 and KWU 183 emerge as promising candidates for enhancing
cardiovascular health, presenting a compelling avenue for future clinical applications.Die komplexe Beziehung zwischen KCNQ-Kanälen und vaskulären Erkrankungen ist
in verschiedenen pathologischen Zuständen erkennbar und bietet bemerkenswerte
Einblicke in ihre Auswirkungen. Verschiedene strukturell unterschiedliche
Verbindungen wurden synthetisiert, um selektiv auf Kv7-Kanäle abzuzielen. Im
Bereich der Kv7-Modulation haben spezifische Verbindungen ein therapeutisches
Potenzial gezeigt, unterstützt durch In-vivo-Beweise (Evseev A, 2013). Diese Arbeit
untersucht die vasorelaxierenden Effekte von Flupirtine, PVRF (Oxylipins), KWU 176
und KWU 183 auf die Mesenterialarterien und untersucht speziell ihre Modulation der
KCNQ-Kanäle. Die zentrale Hypothese postuliert KWU 176 und KWU 183 als potente
Aktivatoren der KCNQ4- und KCNQ5-Kanäle, die etablierte Aktivatoren in ihrer Wirksamkeit übertreffen. Durch pharmakologische und genetische Methoden zeigen
die Ergebnisse, dass Flupirtine und PVRF eine endothelunabhängige Vasorelaxation
induzieren, während KWU 176 eine duale Wirkung auf KCNQ4- und KCNQ5-Kanäle
mit signifikanter endothelabhängiger Vasodilatation zeigt. Im Gegensatz dazu aktiviert
KWU 183 selektiv KCNQ5-Kanäle mit endothelunabhängiger Vasorelaxation.
Genetische Knockout-Modelle unterstreichen die regulatorische Rolle der Kcnq4- und
Kcnq5-Kanäle bei vaskulären Reaktionen. Über die Enthüllung der nuancierten
Mechanismen dieser Verbindungen hinaus trägt diese Studie wertvolle Erkenntnisse
zur Optimierung der kardiovaskulären Funktion und potenziellen therapeutischen
Interventionen bei. Modulatoren wie KWU 176 und KWU 183 erweisen sich als
vielversprechende Kandidaten zur Verbesserung der kardiovaskulären Gesundheit
und bieten eine überzeugende Möglichkeit für zukünftige klinische Anwendungen
Protocol for assessing myogenic tone and perfusion pressure in isolated mouse kidneys
Get PDFThe isolated perfused kidney is a classic ex vivo preparation for studying renal physiology in general and vascular function. Here, we present a protocol for assessing myogenic tone in isolated mouse kidneys as well as vasodilatory and vasoconstrictive responses, expressed as perfusion pressure. We describe steps for pre-operative preparation, kidney and renal artery isolation, and connection of renal artery with glass cannula. We then detail how to measure pressure changes in perfused kidneys and the myogenic tone
Comparison between fixed and removable space maintainers in a specialized pediatric dental clinic
Get PDFBackground and aim: The evidence base for the use of space maintainers (SMs) is
relatively sparce despite being used for decades after the premature loss of primary
molars. Thus, this study aims to increase the dental evidence base via investigating
retrospectively the success rates of prefabricated fixed and removable space
maintainers at a specialized university clinic and to identify reasons of any reported
minor and major failure. Authors hypothesized that there is no significant difference in
failure rates between fixed and removable SMs inserted after the premature loss of a
single primary molar per quadrant.
Methods: Patient’s digital records of the department pediatric dentistry / University of
Greifswald were searched yielding 645 space maintainers inserted from 2019 to 2021
and followed up until 02/2023. After the application of inclusion criteria, 157 (67%) fixed
prefabricated SMs in 112 children and 77 (33%) removable SMs in 61 children were
analyzed for an average of 18.4 months (±9.5). In total, 234 space maintainer were
inserted in 173 children after the premature loss of 284 primary molars, which were
extracted due to caries mostly under general anesthesia followed by nitrous oxide
sedation.
Results: Patients were 2 to 13 years old with a mean age of 5.90 ±1.56 when the
space maintainer was inserted. Mean d3mft was 5.22 ±3.52 and when initial lesions
were included the mean d1mft was 6.81 ±4.17. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with
Mantel-Cox statistics showed an overall cumulative survival time of 31.6 months
(SE=1.15; 95% CI=29.4-33.9). Major failure occurred significantly more often in
removable maintainers (n=40/67; 59.7%; mostly due to loss of the appliance)
compared to fixed space maintainers (n=27/67; 40.3%; P<0.001).
Conclusion: The present study indicates that space maintainers were mainly placed
in young children with high caries experience, where treatment was mostly only
possible using advanced behavior management. Fixed space maintainers had a
significantly lower failure rate than their removable counterpart. However, both require
continualHintergrund und Ziel: Obwohl Platzhalter nach dem frühzeitigen Verlust von
Milchmolaren in der Kinderzahnheilkunde seit Jahrzehnten eingesetzt werden, ist die
Evidenzlage zu ihrer Verwendung eher gering. Ziel dieser Studie ist es daher, die
wissenschaftliche Evidenz durch eine retrospektive Untersuchung der Erfolgsraten von
konfektionierten festsitzenden und herausnehmbaren Platzhaltern, die an der
Abteilung für Präventive Zahnmedizin und Kinderzahnheilkunde der Universität
Greifswald in Deutschland eingesetzt wurden, zu erweitern.
Methoden: Digitale Patientenakten aus der Abteilung für Kinderzahnheilkunde wurden
durchsucht, und ergaben 645 Platzhalter, die zwischen 2019 und 2021 eingesetzt
wurden. Nach Anwendung der Einschlusskriterien wurden 157 (67%) festsitzende
Platzhalter bei 112 Kindern und 77 (33%) herausnehmbare Platzhalter bei 61 Kindern
über einen Zeitraum von durchschnittlich 18,4 Monaten (±9,5) analysiert. Insgesamt
wurden 234 Platzhalter bei 173 Kindern nach dem frühzeitigen Verlust von 284
Milchmolaren eingesetzt, die meist unter Vollnarkose oder Lachgas-Sedierung
aufgrund von Karies extrahiert wurden.
Ergebnisse: Die Patienten waren zum Zeitpunkt der Eingliederung des Platzhalters
zwischen 2 und 13 Jahre alt (MW: 5,90 ±1,56). Der mittlere d3mft lag bei 5,22 ±3,52,
und bei Einbeziehung der initialen Läsionen lag der mittlere d1mft/d1mfs bei 6,81 ±4,17.
Eine Kaplan-Meier-Überlebensanalyse mit Mantel-Cox-Statistik ergab eine kumulative
Gesamtüberlebenszeit von 31,6 Monaten (SE=1,15; 95%-KI= 29,4-33,9). Misserfolge
traten signifikant häufiger bei herausnehmbaren Platzhaltern (n=40/67; 59,7%) auf,
meist aufgrund des Verlustes der Apparatur, als bei festsitzenden (n=27/67; 40,3%;
P<0,001).
Schlussfolgerung: Die vorliegende Studie zeigt, dass Platzhalter vor allem bei jungen
Kindern mit hoher Karieserfahrung eingesetzt wurden, bei denen eine Behandlung
meist nur durch erweitertes Verhaltensmanagement möglich war. Festsitzende
Platzhalter hatten eine signifikant niedrigere Misserfolgsrate als herausnehmbare
Platzhalter. Nichtsdestotrotz müssen beide Varianten bis zum Durchbruch des
permanenten Nachfolgezahns kontinuierlich kontrolliert, ggf. repariert oder gar ersetzt
werden
Vorurteile, Wissen und Einstellungen zum Krankheitsbild Epilepsie von Betroffenen und ihren Angehörigen
Get PDFDie Studien untersuchten Wissen und Einstellungen zum Krankheitsbild Epilepsie von Betroffenen und ihren Angehörigen sowie Vorurteile in Bezug auf die Erkrankung. Trotz heutzutage leichtem Zugang zu Informationen, halten sich bestimmte Vorurteile, insbesondere in Bezug auf Krankheitssymptome, schulische oder berufliche Leistungen und das soziale und familiäre Umfeld. Die wahrgenommene Stigmatisierung bleibt hoch, bisherige globale Kampagnen haben nicht den gewünschten Erfolg erzielt. Medienpräsenz könnte zur Aufklärung der Gesellschaft beitragen. Einige Teilnehmende waren nicht offen für Freundschaften oder Partnerschaften mit Menschen mit Epilepsie. In Bezug auf die Risiken bestimmter Freizeitaktivitäten zeigt sich, dass viele der Betroffenen sich dieser bewusst sind, jedoch einige mögliche Gefahren, wie etwa beim Schwimmen, unterschätzen. Es besteht Bedarf an Beratung und Informationen für Menschen mit Epilepsie, insbesondere hinsichtlich Familienplanung und Sicherheitsbedenken. Angst vor Stigmatisierung hinderte teilweise an der Kommunikation über die Erkrankung. Die Förderung offener Kommunikation könnte dazu beitragen, das Wohlbefinden der Betroffenen und der Angehörigen, sowie die Unterstützung im Falle eines Krampfanfalls zu verbessern. Männer zeigen größere Wissensdefizite und negativere Einstellungen, ältere Teilnehmende sind zurückhaltender, was das Verabreichen von Notallarzneimitteln betrifft. Besondere Aufmerksamkeit bei Aufklärungsarbeiten sollte daher der männlichen Bevölkerung und älteren Generation geschenkt werden. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit präsentieren eine neue Perspektive auf das Wissen und die Einstellungen von Menschen mit Epilepsie. Frühere Untersuchungen konzentrierten sich meist auf die gesunde Bevölkerung, die direkte Befragung der Menschen mit Epilepsie und ihrer Angehörigen ermöglicht, die Situation aus Sicht der Betroffenen und ihrer Angehörigen zu veranschaulichen
Categorization of continuous covariates and complex regression models—friends or foes in intersectionality research
Get PDFObjectives
To reduce health inequities, it is important to identify intersections in characteristics of individuals subject to privilege or disadvantage. Different proposals for that have recently been published. One approach (1) considers models specified with first- and all second-order effects and another (2) the stratification based on multiple covariates; both categorize continuous covariates. A simulation study was conducted in order to review both methods with regard to identification of intersections showing true differences, rate of false-positive results, and generalizability to independent data compared to an established approach (3) of backward variable elimination according to Bayesian information criterion (BE-BIC) combined with splines.
Study Design and Setting
R software has been used to simulate the covariates age, sex, body mass index, education, and diabetes to examine their association with a continuous frailty score for osteoporosis using multiple linear regression. In setting 1, none of the covariates was associated with the frailty score, that is, only noise is present in the data. In setting 2, the covariates age, sex, and their interaction were associated with the frailty score, such that only females above 55 years formed an intersection associated with an increased frailty score. All approaches were compared under varying sample sizes (N = 200–3000) and signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs, 0.5–4) in 1000 replications. For model evaluation, bootstrap resampling was used. The models were fitted in internal learning data and then used to predict outcomes in the internal validation data. The mean squared error (MSE) was used for comparison and the frequency of false-positive findings calculated.
Results
In setting 1, approaches 1 and 2 generated spurious effects in more than 90% of simulations across all sample sizes. In a smaller sample size, approach 3 (BE-BIC) selected 36.5% of the correct model, in larger sample size in 89.8% and always had a lower number of spurious effects. MSE in independent data was generally higher for approaches 1 and 2 when compared to 3. In setting 2, approach 1 selected most frequently the correct interaction but frequently showed spurious effects (>75%). Across all sample sizes and SNR, approach 3 generated least often spurious results and had lowest MSE in independent data.
Conclusion
Categorization of continuous covariates is detrimental to studies on intersectionality. Due to high and unrestricted model complexity, such approaches are prone to spurious effects and often lack interpretability. Approach 3 (BE-BIC) is considerably more robust against spurious findings, showed better generalizability to independent data, and can be used with most statistical software. For intersectionality research, we consider it most important to describe relevant differences between intersections and to avoid nonreproducible and spurious findings
Studies on the Virucidal Effects of UV-C of 233 nm and 275 nm Wavelengths
Get PDFAmong the physical decontamination methods, treatment with ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a suitable means of preventing viral infections. Mercury vapor lamps (254 nm) used for room decontamination are potentially damaging to human skin (radiation) and harmful to the environment (mercury). Therefore, other UV-C wavelengths (100–280 nm) may be effective for virus inactivation on skin without damaging it, e.g., far-UV-C radiation with a wavelength of 233 nm, which is absorbed in the outer layer of the skin and thus does not reach the deeper layers of the skin. For room disinfection, 275 nm UV-C LED lamps could be a more environmentally friendly alternative, since toxic mercury is avoided. A carrier test using multiple viruses was used to determine the TCID50/mL value on stainless steel, PVC, and glass carriers. In addition to the inactivation kinetics (233 nm), the necessary UV-C dose for 4 lg inactivation (275 nm) was investigated. The impact of irradiance on the inactivation efficacy was also assessed. The inactivation of the viruses was a function of the radiation dose. UV-C-radiation at 233 nm (80 mJ/cm2) inactivated from 1.49 ± 0.08 to 4.28 ± 0.18 lg depending on the virus used. To achieve a 4 lg inactivation (275 nm) for enveloped viruses, doses of up to 70 mJ/cm2 (SuHV-1) were sufficient. For non-enveloped viruses, a maximum dose of 600 mJ/cm2 (MS2) was necessary. Enveloped viruses were inactivated with lower doses compared to non-enveloped viruses. Higher radiation doses were required for inactivation at 275 nm in comparison to 254 nm. A more environmentally friendly alternative to mercury vapor lamps is available with 275 nm LED emitters. Radiation at 233 nm could serve as an additional prophylactic or therapeutic measure for virus inactivation in direct contact with human skin
Multi-trait analysis characterizes the genetics of thyroid function and identifies causal associations with clinical implications
Get PDFTo date only a fraction of the genetic footprint of thyroid function has been clarified. We report a genome-wide association study meta-analysis of thyroid function in up to 271,040 individuals of European ancestry, including reference range thyrotropin (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), free and total triiodothyronine (T3), proxies for metabolism (T3/FT4 ratio) as well as dichotomized high and low TSH levels. We revealed 259 independent significant associations for TSH (61% novel), 85 for FT4 (67% novel), and 62 novel signals for the T3 related traits. The loci explained 14.1%, 6.0%, 9.5% and 1.1% of the total variation in TSH, FT4, total T3 and free T3 concentrations, respectively. Genetic correlations indicate that TSH associated loci reflect the thyroid function determined by free T3, whereas the FT4 associations represent the thyroid hormone metabolism. Polygenic risk score and Mendelian randomization analyses showed the effects of genetically determined variation in thyroid function on various clinical outcomes, including cardiovascular risk factors and diseases, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. In conclusion, our results improve the understanding of thyroid hormone physiology and highlight the pleiotropic effects of thyroid function on various diseases
Prospective evaluation of sexual health following radical cystectomy due to bladder cancer
Get PDFBackground
There is a lack of data concerning sexual health following open radical cystectomy (RC), especially in elderly patients and women.
Aim
To describe sexual health and its impact on general health as well as survival in patients undergoing standard open RC for the treatment of bladder cancer (BC). Due to limited data, subgroup analysis for elderly patients and women was performed.
Methods
A prospective noninterventional clinical study was performed evaluating sexual health in RC with any kind of urinary diversion due to BC with a follow-up of 12 months after RC. The study was approved by the local ethics review board (A 2021-0175) and was registered at the German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS00026255). Assessment of sexual health was done with the following validated questionnaires: EORTC QLQ-C30 (for quality of life; European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer), EORTC SH22 (for sexual health), and IIEF-5 (5-item International Index of Erectile Function).
Outcomes
The standard measurements of EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC SH22, and IIEF-5 as well as overall survival.
Results
Thirty-two patients participated in the study with a mean age of 71.5 years (SD, 9.7): 25 (78.1%) were male and 7 (21.9%) were female. Overall there is a heterogenic picture for sexual health in the study population, but sexual satisfaction is significantly higher prior to surgery while the importance of a sex life stays high and stable. Interestingly, the general health score is significantly correlated to sexual satisfaction (Pearson’s correlation; r = 0.522, P = .002) preoperatively but not following surgery: r = 0.103 (P = .665) after 3 months, r = 0.478 (P = .052) after 6 months, r = 0.276 (P = .302) after 9 months, and r = 0.337 (P = .202) after 12 months. The importance of a sex life is still essential for the patients, especially when recovering from RC; nearly the same can be reported for elderly patients. Unfortunately, the data for women are too limited to report robust results.
Clinical Implications
Evaluation, advice, and monitoring of sexual health must be integrated into clinical practice, particularly in women.
Strengths and Limitations
At least to our knowledge, this is the first systematic prospective evaluation of sexual health in patients with BC receiving RC. Due to the small sample size, there is a risk of selection bias.
Conclusion
Sexual health is important for patients with BC receiving RC, and it is an essential part of quality of life, especially in elderly patients
Framing victimhood, making war: A linguistic historicizing of secessionist discourses
Get PDFAs separatist yearnings resurge and gain traction in Nigeria, the agency of language and digitality in spreading dissident discourses has come under scrutiny. In this study, I investigate the linguistic-historical dimension of the Biafran movements, exploring the rhetorical frames by which the actors curate ethnic victimhood and sustain the secessionist struggle. Drawing on a corpus of memoiristic narrative of the Biafra war and digitally mediated discourses from a new Biafran movement – Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), I identify and discuss the central topoi of warspeak in both narratives across space and time. In this context, the notions of linguistic framing and atrocity propaganda are fruitfully integrated to analyse the range of rhetorical strategies for incentivizing the struggle and for animating its social capital. While both narratives draw on shared belongings, historical precedents, cultural frameworks, and atrocity stories for incitement, they vary in style and audience. I attribute the shifts to changes in actors’ demographics, discursive contexts, and Nigeria’s ethnopolitical cartographies