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A systematic review and Bayesian meta-analysis assessing intelectin-1 in cancer patients and healthy individuals
Get PDFBackground: Intelectin-1 (ITLN1) is an adipokine with multiple physiological functions, including a role in tumour formation and development. Previous research reported variable ITLN1 levels for cancer patients and healthy individuals. This study aimed to compare ITLN1 concentrations between controls and cancer patients and to determine the adipokine’s physiological level. Methods: Five databases were searched in January 2022 for studies that measured the level of ITLN1 in adults that were healthy or diagnosed with any type of cancer. After title, abstract and full-text screening, the methodological quality of the studies was assessed. The extracted data were meta-analysed using the R language and Bayesian statistical techniques. Results: Overall, 15 studies compared circulating ITLN1 levels between healthy individuals (n=3424) and cancer patients (n=1538), but no differences were observed between these studies. ITLN1 was not different between groups in an analysis that evaluated high-quality studies only (n=5). The meta-analysis indicated considerably higher ITLN1 levels in gastrointestinal (i.e., colorectal, pancreatic, gastric) cancer compared to controls, while the other cancer types did not demonstrate differences between groups. The mean ITLN1 level of healthy individuals was 234 ± 21ng/ml (n=136), while the average value in high-quality studies (n=52) was 257 ± 31ng/ml. Conclusion: Different types of cancer showed different circulating ITLN1 patterns. Circulating ITLN1 concentration was higher in gastrointestinal cancer compared to controls, with strong support from the meta-analytical model. Our analysis also determined the mean ITLN1 level in healthy individuals; this is a crucial starting point for understanding how this cytokine associates with diseases. Two-thirds of the studies were of low methodological quality and thus, future work in this field must focus on improved methods. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=303406, identifier CRD42022303406
Friends or enemies? Unraveling niche-regime interactions in grassroots digital innovations
Get PDFDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, grassroots digital innovations (GDIs) have gained traction as innovation niches, providing an alternative to the prevailing mainstream regime dominating smart city transitions. Drawing upon interviews with experts and promoters of GDIs from 12 European countries, we explore the relationships between these initiatives and mainstream regime actors. Five distinct types of niche-regime interactions have emerged from the analysis: inertia, indirect support, antagonism, direct support, and active collaboration. These interactions do not follow a linear and incremental trajectory, but rather represent dynamic configurations that change over time and at different geographic scales. Consequently, our findings contribute to the literature on socio-technical transitions and grassroots innovation by further revealing the multidimensionality and multiscalarity of mainstream regimes. In light of these findings, we urge scholars and practitioners to reconsider how information flows and power imbalances among local and supralocal actors in mainstream regimes influence the development of innovation niches and dictate the pace of socio-technical transitions
Translation and validation of the Hungarian version of the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R)
Get PDFBackgroundEvidence relating maternal birth experience to a range of maternal and neonatal outcomes is increasingly compelling. Consequently valid and reliable self-report of birth experience from the mothers perspective is critical.AimThe current study sought to translate and validate a Hungarian-language version of the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R).MethodFollowing forward and backwards translation into Hungarian, the Hungarian BSS-R (HU-BSS-R) was administered to women in a major Transylvanian hospital maternity unit within 72 hours postpartum. Key psychometric characteristics were then examined in relation to factor structure, divergent and convergent validity, internal consistency, and known-groups discriminant validity.ResultsTwo-hundred and thirty-two women completed the HU-BSS-R. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed the HU-BSS-R to offer an excellent fit to data for the established tri-dimensional measurement model. The HU-BSS-R was also found to offer excellent convergent and divergent validity and known-groups discriminant validity. No significant differences were observed between internal consistency observations between the current study and the original UK validation study.ConclusionsThe HU-BSS-R is a valid and reliable translation of the original BSS-R, it has proved itself to have excellent psychometric properties and is suitable for use in the Hungarian maternity context
Effective Science Communication
No full textEffective Science Communication (Third Edition) is an essential handbook tailored for scientists at any stage of their career, aiming to enhance both their inward-facing and outward-facing communication skills. The book is structured into detailed chapters, each focusing on different aspects of science communication, from publishing in peer-reviewed journals to engaging with the media. It offers a blend of theoretical insights and practical exercises designed to build confidence and competence in communicating scientific research. This guide seeks to empower scientists to effectively share their work, enhancing the impact of their research and facilitating a deeper public understanding of science. Through this, it aims to bridge the gap between the scientific community and society at large, promoting science as a cornerstone of informed citizenship and social progress
The future of midwife-led continuity of care: Call for a dialogue
Get PDFBackground/Purpose: Midwife-led continuity of care (MLCC) is an evidence-based care model positively influencing the health and wellbeing of women and their families. Despite the evidence, a sustainable future of the model is uncertain. The aim of this paper is to give an example of a theoretical exercise that enhances the understanding of the trends and developments impacting MLCC's future state. Methods: The industrial complex theory scaffolded the theoretical approach. The intuitive logics scenario development methodology was used to structure the key variables that influence the utility of MLCC. Dimensionally structured scenarios representing the probable, possible and probable MLCC futures were written. Results: Thirteen key variables that greatly impact the future MLCC, with varying degrees of certainty were identified. A theoretical framework representing two underlying meta dimensions of MLCC was constructed: identity system of midwife-led continuity of care (fixed vs fluid) and embodied orientation to the world (reasoning vs meaning making). Within the framework, four different storylines of possible, plausible prospective futures emerged: Sense & sensibility, The birth of mothers, Too many sisters and One-stop-shop. Conclusion: The paper is an example of how to approach the future of MLCC, the method serving as a tool to establish a theoretical truth of how its future state may unfold, the scenarios facilitating a dialogue among stakeholders and informing the public
Dairy product consumption, eating habits, sedentary behaviour and physical activity association with bone mineral density among adolescent boys: a cross-sectional observational study
Get PDFBackground: During childhood and adolescence, skeletal microarchitecture and bone mineral density (BMD) undergo significant changes. Peak bone mass is built and its level significantly affects the condition of bones in later years of life. Understanding the modifiable factors that improve bone parameters at an early age is necessary to early prevent osteoporosis. To identify these modifiable factors we analysed the relationship between dairy product consumption, eating habits, sedentary behaviour, and level of physical activity with BMD in 115 young boys (14–17 years). Methods: Bone parameters were measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry using paediatric specific software to compile the data. Dairy product consumption and eating habits were assessed by means of a dietary interview. Sedentary behaviour and physical activity was assessed in a face-to-face interview conducted using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Data collection on total physical activity level was performed by collecting information on the number of days and the duration of vigorous and moderate intensity (MVPA) and average daily time spent in sitting (SIT time). Results: The strongest relationships with BMD in distal part of forearm were found for moderate plus vigorous activity, sit time, and intake of dairy products, intake of calcium, protein, vitamin D, phosphorus from diet. Relationships between BMD, bone mineral content (BMC) in the distal and proximal part of the forearm and PA, sit time and eating parameters were evaluated using the multiple forward stepwise regression. The presented model explained 48–67% (adjusted R2 = 0.48–0.67; p < 0.001) of the variance in bone parameters. The predictor of interactions of three variables: protein intake (g/person/day), vitamin D intake (µg/day) and phosphorus intake (mg/day) was significant for BMD dis (adjusted R2 = 0.59; p < 0.001). The predictor of interactions of two variables: SIT time (h/day) and dairy products (n/day) was significant for BMD prox (adjusted R2 = 0.48; p < 0.001). Furthermore, the predictor of interactions dairy products (n/day), protein intake (g/person/day) and phosphorus intake (mg/day) was significant for BMC prox and dis (adjusted R2 = 0.63–0.67; p < 0.001). Conclusions: High physical activity and optimal eating habits especially adequate intake of important dietary components for bone health such as calcium, protein, vitamin D and phosphorus affect the mineralization of forearm bones
Energy efficiency considerations in software‐defined wireless body area networks
Get PDFWireless body area networks (WBAN) provide remote services for patient monitoring which allows healthcare practitioners to diagnose, monitor, and prescribe them without their physical presence. To address the shortcomings of WBAN, software-defined networking (SDN) is regarded as an effective approach in this prototype. However, integrating SDN into WBAN presents several challenges in terms of safe data exchange, architectural framework, and resource efficiency. Because energy expenses account for a considerable portion of network expenditures, energy efficiency has to turn out to be a crucial design criterion for modern networking methods. However, creating energy-efficient systems is difficult because they must balance energy efficiency with network performance. In this article, the energy efficiency features are discussed that can widely be used in the software-defined wireless body area network (SDWBAN). A comprehensive survey has been carried out for various modern energy efficiency models based on routing algorithms, optimization models, secure data delivery, and traffic management. A comparative assessment of all the models has also been carried out for various parameters. Furthermore, we explore important concerns and future work in SDWBAN energy efficiency
Sodium Metabisulfite Inhibits Acanthamoeba Trophozoite Growth through Thiamine Depletion
Get PDFAcanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a severe infection of the cornea. Prevention and treatment are difficult due to the inefficacy of currently available compounds. The impact of many commonly used compounds for routine examinations of Acanthamoeba is unexplored but might offer insight useful in combatting AK. In this study, we demonstrate that sodium metabisulfite, a common preservation constituent of eye care solutions, was found to be active against Acanthamoeba trophozoites at concentrations lower than that commonly found in eye drops (IC50 0.03 mg/mL). We demonstrate that sodium metabisulfite depletes thiamine from growth medium and that Acanthamoeba is a thiamine auxotroph, requiring thiamine salvage for growth. The inhibitory effects of sodium metabisulfite can be overcome by thiamine supplementation. These results are consistent with the lack of key enzymes for thiamine biosynthesis in the genome of Acanthamoeba, an area which might prove exploitable using new or existing compounds. Indeed, this study highlights sodium metabisulfite as a useful inhibitor of Acanthamoeba castellanii trophozoites in vitro and that it acts, at least in part, by limiting available thiamine
Hearing Impairment and Physical Activity and Physical Functioning in Older Adults: Baseline Results from the ACHIEVE Trial
Get PDFPhotovoltaics Beyond Silicon
No full textPhotovoltaics Beyond Silicon: Innovative Materials, Sustainable Processing Technologies, and Novel Device Structures presents the latest innovations in materials, processing and devices to produce electricity via advanced, sustainable photovoltaics technologies. The book provides an overview of the novel materials and device architectures that have been developed to optimize energy conversion efficiencies and minimize environmental impacts. Advances in technologies for harnessing solar energy are extensively discussed, with topics including materials processing, device fabrication, sustainability of materials and manufacturing, and the current state-of-the-art. Contributions from leading international experts discuss the applications, challenges and future prospects of research in this increasingly vital field, providing a valuable resource for students and researchers working in this area
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