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The purpose of this study was to provide new knowledge about the temporal and contextual aspects of the alcohol–sport relationship. Eight U.K. student-athletes completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test in their final year at university, 18 months, and 30 months after graduation. They also completed semistructured interviews about their drinking motives, behaviors, and life circumstances. Results showed that participants reduced their alcohol consumption after leaving university, but despite the onset of some adult responsibilities, most were still drinking at hazardous levels. After university, drinking took place with old friends, new colleagues, and new sporting teammates. At all time points, social drinking motives were the most prevalent. Findings demonstrate a relationship between alcohol and sport that is cemented at university but continues beyond it. Targeted interventions to reduce the role of alcohol in the social experience of sport are needed to support long-term athlete health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) targeting activated factor Xa (FXa) are used to prevent or treat thromboembolic disorders. DOACs reversibly bind to FXa and inhibit its enzymatic activity. However, DOAC treatment carries the risk of anticoagulant-associated bleeding. Currently, only one specific agent, andexanet alfa, is approved to reverse the anticoagulant effects of FXa-targeting DOACs (FXaDOACs) and control life-threatening bleeding. However, because of its mechanism of action, andexanet alfa requires a cumbersome dosing schedule, and its use is associated with the risk of thrombosis. Here, we present the computational design, engineering, and evaluation of FXa-variants that exhibit anticoagulation reversal activity in the presence of FXaDOACs. Our designs demonstrate low DOAC binding affinity, retain FXa-enzymatic activity and reduce the DOAC-associated bleeding by restoring hemostasis in mice treated with apixaban. Importantly, the FXaDOACs reversal agents we designed, unlike andexanet alfa, do not inhibit TFPI, and consequently, may have a safer thrombogenic profile.

A patient-centered partnership between different healthcare professionals is critical to improving the quality of health services. While the cooperation of physicians, nurses, midwives, and paramedics is well documented, more and more attention is paid to the role of pharmacists in interdisciplinary care. This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacist’s perception of the current state of community pharmacist-physician collaborative working as well as to identify barriers to the implementation of the community pharmacist-physician collaborative working model in Poland. This cross-sectional survey was carried out between October and December 2022 among community pharmacists in Poland. A total number of 1327 pharmacists from one of the largest franchise chain pharmacy networks in Poland were invited to take part in this study. The study questionnaire included 23 questions on the current state of pharmacist-physician collaborative working, the scope of cooperation, barriers to cooperation, and educational and organizational needs. Completed questionnaires were received from 635 pharmacists (response rate of 47.9%). Formal correction of the prescription (91.3%) was the most common cause of pharmacist-physician collaborative working. Moreover, 62.7% of pharmacists indicated that modification of ordered drugs was the reason for pharmacist-physician collaborative working. Only 3.3% of community pharmacists indicated that they collaborate with physicians during the drug review. Lack of IT systems enabling pharmacist-physician collaborative working (67.6%) and lack of recommendations on pharmacist-physician collaborative working (57.3%) were the most common barriers to collaboration with the physician. Pharmacists declare their readiness to cooperate with physicians, but there is a need to strengthen trust between both groups.

Abstract Thrombin generation (TG) and fibrin clot formation represent the central process of blood coagulation. Up to 95% of thrombin is considered to be generated after the clot is formed. However, this was not investigated in depth. In this study, we conducted a quantitative analysis of the Thrombin at Clot Time (TCT) parameter in 5758 simultaneously recorded TG and clot formation assays using frozen plasma samples from commercial sources under various conditions of activation. These samples were supplemented with clotting factor concentrates, procoagulant lipid vesicles and a fluorogenic substrate and triggered with tissue factor (TF). We found that TCT is often close to a 10% of thrombin peak height (TPH) yet it can be larger or smaller depending on whether the sample has low or high TPH value. In general, the samples with high TPH are associated with elevated TCT. TCT appeared more sensitive to some procoagulant phenotypes than other commonly used parameters such as clotting time, TPH or Thrombin Production Rate (TPR). In a minority of cases, TCT were not predicted from TG parameters. For example, elevated TCT (above 15% of TPH) was associated with either very low or very high TPR values. We conclude that clotting and TG assays may provide complementary information about the plasma sample, and that the TCT parameter may serve as an additional marker for the procoagulant potential in plasma sample.

Abstract Male sex is a risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC) with higher illness burden and earlier onset. Thus, we hypothesized that loss of chromosome Y (LOY) in the tumor micro-environment (TME) might be involved in oncogenesis. Previous studies show that LOY in circulating leukocytes of aging men was associated with shorter survival and non-hematological cancer, as well as higher LOY in CD4 + T-lymphocytes in men with prostate cancer vs. controls. However, nothing is known about LOY in leukocytes infiltrating TME and we address this aspect here. We studied frequency and functional effects of LOY in blood, TME and non-tumorous tissue. Regulatory T-lymphocytes (Tregs) in TME had the highest frequency of LOY (22%) in comparison to CD4 + T-lymphocytes and cytotoxic CD8 + T-lymphocytes. LOY score using scRNA-seq was also linked to higher expression of PDCD1, TIGIT and IKZF2 in Tregs. PDCD1 and TIGIT encode immune checkpoint receptors involved in the regulation of Tregs function. Our study sets the direction for further functional research regarding a probable role of LOY in intensifying features related to the suppressive phenotype of Tregs in TME and consequently a possible influence on immunotherapy response in CRC patients.

Abstract Organismal physiology is widely regulated by the molecular circadian clock, a feedback loop composed of protein complexes whose members are enriched in intrinsically disordered regions. These regions can mediate protein-protein interactions via SLiMs, but the contribution of these disordered regions to clock protein interactions had not been elucidated. To determine the functionality of these disordered regions, we applied a synthetic peptide microarray approach to the disordered clock protein FRQ in Neurospora crassa. We identified residues required for FRQ’s interaction with its partner protein FRH, the mutation of which demonstrated FRH is necessary for persistent clock oscillations but not repression of transcriptional activity. Additionally, the microarray demonstrated an enrichment of FRH binding to FRQ peptides with a net positive charge. We found that positively charged residues occurred in significant “blocks” within the amino acid sequence of FRQ and that ablation of one of these blocks affected both core clock timing and physiological clock output. Finally, we found positive charge clusters were a commonly shared molecular feature in repressive circadian clock proteins. Overall, our study suggests a mechanistic purpose for positive charge blocks and yielded insights into repressive arm protein roles in clock function.

Abstract Heated tobacco products (HTPs) are novel tobacco products that are alternatives to cigarettes. The study aimed to investigate the effect of HTPs on blood biomarkers of inflammation as well as to provide a comparative evaluation between daily heated tobacco users and healthy men who do not use nicotine products. This case–control study was carried out among 92 healthy males in Poland (Lodz-Province) aged 20–56 years: 44 daily heated tobacco users (daily use in the past 90 days) and 48 controls who do not use nicotine products. The history of use of the nicotine-containing products was self-reported and verified using a saliva cotinine test. A 20 ml blood sample was collected and the levels of ten blood biomarkers were analyzed. Among all heated tobacco users (n = 44), only the levels of interleukin 8 (IL-8) were significantly higher when compared to controls: 6.86 vs. 3.95 (p = 0.01). Among exclusive heated tobacco users (n = 33), the levels of IL-8 were also significantly higher when compared to controls: 7.76 vs. 3.95 (p = 0.01). IL-8 level was positively correlated (r = 0.37; p = 0.01) with the daily number of heated tobacco sticks. Out of 10 different biomarkers of inflammation, only IL-8 levels were significantly elevated in heated tobacco use compared to controls.

This paper discusses the potential of additive printing, the risks it poses to users’ health (including 3D printer operators) and the effects of chemical substances released during the printing based on the available in vitro and in vivo studies. It was shown that substances emitted during printing with the commonly used acrylonitrile butadiene styrene filament in additive manufacturing might have carcinogenic, hepatotoxic and teratogenic effects, as well as toxic effect on the respiratory system. The latest research on the mechanism of formation of particles and volatile organic compounds during 3D printing, the parameters affecting their potential emission, and trends in reducing these hazards are indicated. The need for the design of more environmentally friendly and less emissive printing materials, as well as strategies for prevention and individual and collective protection measures are emphasized. Users of 3D printers should be familiar with all possible aspects of the threats associated with the printing process. Insufficient data on direct exposure to chemicals and particles released during the use of filaments makes it difficult to build awareness of safe working practices. Of particular concern is the health impact of emitted chemicals and particles from thermally treated materials in one of the most popular technologies for 3D printing, i.e., fused deposition modelling. Exposure of the users to, e.g., plasticizers added to filaments occurs through a variety of routes, by absorption through the skin, by inhalation or ingestion. Available epidemiological data, as well as current experimental works, indicate that such exposure is a high risk of cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis in adults, and cardiac problems and metabolic disorders in children. This review, by identifying potential risk factors, may contribute to reducing the health loss of printer users and improving working conditions and safety, especially in enterprises where additive manufacturing technology is used. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2024;75(2):159–171

COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide. Its diagnosis can be made with spirometry, which is underused due to its limited accessibility. Portable spirometry holds promise for enhancing the efficacy of COPD diagnoses. The study aimed to estimate COPD prevalence diagnosed with a portable spirometer in high-risk patients and compare it with COPD prevalence based on data from conventional, on-site spirometry. We also evaluated the strategy of a proactive approach to identify COPD in high-risk individuals. We conducted a systematic review of original studies on COPD targeted screening and diagnosis with portable and conventional spirometers selected from 8496 publications initially found in three databases: Cochrane, PubMed, and Embase. The inclusion criteria were met by 28 studies. COPD prevalence evaluated with the use of portable spirometers reached 20.27% and was lower compared to that estimated with the use of conventional spirometers (24.67%). In 11 included studies, postbronchodilator tests were performed with portable spirometers, which enabled a bedside COPD diagnosis. Portable spirometers can be successfully used in COPD targeted screening and diagnosis and thus enhance the detection of COPD at early stages.

Nowadays, there is an extreme need for buildings with seismic resistance capability in rural areas, in which, it is possible to increase the floor number of buildings. In this study, the effects of number of bays and story levels on the seismic performance level of Reinforced Concrete (RC) frames were investigated. The 3-, 5-, 7-, and 9-story RC frames were modeled using ETABS software. In order to collapse state analysis, Incremental Dynamic Analyses (IDAs) were performed on the verified 2D models in Opensees subjected to near field records with and without pulse like (i.e., PL and NL) effects. The results of analysis showed that the number of bays had considerable effects on the seismic performance levels of RC frames and it should be considered in seismic design process. For this process, a specific procedure can be implemeted to connect the beams of lateral bays to the main moment-resisting frame. It should be noted that the beam connection should be further designed to resist axial and bending deformations of seismic load. In addition, it is recommended to use the result of this study for retrofitting purposes.

Nowadays, extreme need for construction of buildings in rural area increased the floor number of buildings, in which, the soil under foundation can affect the performance of buildings. In this research, soil effects were investigated to show soil type effects on the performance levels of steel structures. To do this, the 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-story structures were modeled using ETABS software; then, the models were verified in Opensees software for collapse state analysis. Incremental Dynamic Analyses (IDAs) are employed using far field, near field records having pulse like and no pulse effects. The results of analysis provide informations regarding the influence of soil types of B, C, D, and E on the seismic performance level of steel structures. The results confirmed that the soil types have remarkable effect on performance levels and it should be considered in seismic design process. To consider the soil types effects, it is recommended to compare the results of analysis achieved in this study to find out the percentage of variations, and use them as a reference for seismic design process. In addition, it is possible to have modification factors for amending the performance levels.

This paper describes the significance of the minimum actuation limit per actuator while controlling the shape of a single-layer frame dome. The algorithms that perform optimum shape controlling allow the user to assign the minimum allowable actuation per actuator, which means the actuators with an actuation of less than the assigned amount are assumed to be passive; thus, they are excluded. In this study, the deformed shape of a numerical model of a single-layer dome is reshaped. At the same time, the minimum limit is assumed to vary between 0.1mm and 1 mm to investigate how the outcomes are affected. The results show that changes in the minimum allowable actuation significantly affect the number of necessary actuators and the final form of the structure in terms of nodal displacements and stresses. The study suggests using the limit of 0.7 mm, which provides the optimum number of actuators while the nodal displacements are controlled.

To molecularly characterize the impact of exercise on mitigating neoadjuvant treatment (NAT)-induced physical decline in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients, a multi-omics approach was employed for the analysis of plasma samples before and after a personalized exercise intervention. Consisting of personalized aerobic and resistance exercises, this intervention was associated with significant molecular changes that correlated with improvements in lean mass, appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI), and performance in the 400-m walk test (MWT) and sit-to-stand test. These alterations indicated exercise-induced modulation of inflammation and mitochondrial function markers. This case study provides proof-of-principal application for multiomics-based assessments of supervised exercise, thereby supporting this intervention as a feasible and beneficial intervention for PDAC patients to potentially enhance treatment response and patient quality of life. The molecular changes observed here underscore the importance of physical activity in cancer treatment protocols, advocating for the development of accessible multiomics-guided exercise programs for cancer patients.

Abstract Lithium niobate is a promising material for developing quantum acoustic technologies due to its strong piezoelectric effect and availability in the form of crystalline thin films of high quality. However, at radio frequencies and cryogenic temperatures, these resonators are limited by the presence of decoherence and dephasing due to two-level systems. To mitigate these losses and increase device performance, a more detailed picture of the microscopic nature of these loss channels is needed. In this study, we fabricate several lithium niobate acoustic wave resonators and apply different processing steps that modify their surfaces. These treatments include argon ion sputtering, annealing, and acid cleans. We characterize the effects of these treatments using three surface-sensitive measurements: cryogenic microwave spectroscopy measuring density and coupling of TLS to mechanics, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. We learn from these studies that, surprisingly, increases of TLS density may accompany apparent improvements in the surface quality as probed by the latter two approaches. Our work outlines the importance that surfaces and fabrication techniques play in altering acoustic resonator coherence, and suggests gaps in our understanding as well as approaches to address them.

Abstract Glyoxal oxidases, belonging to the group of copper radical oxidases (CROs), oxidize aldehydes to carboxylic acids, while reducing O2 to H2O2. Their activity on furan derivatives like 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) makes these enzymes promising biocatalysts for the environmentally friendly synthesis of the bioplastics precursor 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). However, glyoxal oxidases suffer from inactivation, which requires the identification of suitable redox activators for efficient substrate conversion. Furthermore, only a few glyoxal oxidases have been expressed and characterized so far. Here, we report on a new glyoxal oxidase from Trametes versicolor (TvGLOX) that was expressed at high levels in Pichia pastoris (reclassified as Komagataella phaffii). TvGLOX was found to catalyze the oxidation of aldehyde groups in glyoxylic acid, methyl glyoxal, HMF, 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) and 5-formyl-2-furancarboxylic acid (FFCA), but barely accepted alcohol groups as in 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxylic acid (HMFCA), preventing formation of FDCA from HMF. Various redox activators were tested for TvGLOX reactivation during catalyzed reactions. Among them, a combination of horseradish peroxidase and its substrate 2,2′-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulfonic acid) (ABTS) most efficiently reactivated TvGLOX. Through continuous reactivation of TvGLOX in a two-enzyme system employing a recombinant Moesziomyces antarcticus aryl-alcohol oxidase (MaAAO) almost complete conversion of 8 mM HMF to FDCA was achieved within 24 h.

Background: The results of the OlympiA study led to the approval of a PARP inhibitor (olaparib) as adjuvant treatment for early breast cancer (eBC) at high risk of relapse in patients with a germline BRCA1/2 mutation (gBRCAm). However, the proportion of patients in routine practice who meet the “high-risk” criteria applied in the OlympiA study, and for whom gBRCAm testing would now be mandatory, remains unknown. Patients and methods: In this population-based study, we use unique data from the French specialized Côte d'Or Breast and Gynecological Cancer Registry, to assess the real-life proportion, and long-term prognosis of patients treated for eBC between 2005 and 2015 with standard treatment, and at “high risk” of relapse according to the OlympiA trial criteria. Results: We included 3483 patients treated for HER2-negative eBC (N = 380 with ER-, and N = 3103 with ER + tumor). We found N = 62 (1.8 %) patients with gBRCA1/2 mutations. A total of 494 patients (14.2 %) were classified as “high risk” according to the Olympia criteria; 55 % with ER-tumors, and 9.1 % with ER + tumors, respectively. Despite more intensive systemic treatments in “high risk” patients, 10-year overall survival was much worse in these “high risk” patients compared to the others: 60.1 % vs 83.8 % in ER-tumors, and 55.4 % vs 84.1 % in ER + tumors. Our estimates of net survival show an even greater difference. Conclusion: This study provides real-life insights into the prevalence and prognosis of patients with high-risk eBC, in a context where the approval of adjuvant olaparib requires careful reorganization of care, so as not to overlook a patient with gBRCAm who could benefit from adjuvant olaparib.

Poland is a country with a high burden of COPD and its risk factors. This population-wide and geospatial study on COPD in Poland, aimed to analyze changes in hospitalizations of patients with a diagnosis of COPD between 2006 and 2019 as well as to identify changes in the demographic characteristics of patients hospitalized with COPD. This is a retrospective analysis of hospital discharge records of patients with a diagnosis of COPD (ICD-10 code J44 and age 40 and over), hospitalized in Poland between 2006 and 2019. Data were analyzed separately for all patients hospitalized with COPD (primary and secondary diagnosis), for patients admitted due to COPD (primary diagnosis) and patients hospitalized with COPD as a comorbidity (secondary diagnosis). Between 2006 and 2019, a total of 1,663,420 hospital admissions of patients with COPD were reported. Between 2006 and 2019, the annual number of patients hospitalized due to COPD decreased by 53.8%, including 57.3% among men and 46.6% among women. The number of patients hospitalized with COPD as comorbidity increased by 35.8%. The lowest hospital admissions rate was in north-western Poland and the highest in north-eastern Poland. Among patients admitted due to COPD, the percentage of women increased from 32.6% to 37.7%. The percentage of patients admitted due to COPD and living in rural areas decreased from 51.2% in 2006 to 40.8%in 2019. This study provided data on changes in sociodemographic characteristics of hospitalizations of patients with a diagnosis of COPD, including overall reduction in COPD admissions but an increase in COPD burden among women.

Tissues derive ATP from two pathways-glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle coupled to the electron transport chain. Most energy in mammals is produced via TCA metabolism1. In tumours, however, the absolute rates of these pathways remain unclear. Here we optimize tracer infusion approaches to measure the rates of glycolysis and the TCA cycle in healthy mouse tissues, Kras-mutant solid tumours, metastases and leukaemia. Then, given the rates of these two pathways, we calculate total ATP synthesis rates. We find that TCA cycle flux is suppressed in all five primary solid tumour models examined and is increased in lung metastases of breast cancer relative to primary orthotopic tumours. As expected, glycolysis flux is increased in tumours compared with healthy tissues (the Warburg effect2,3), but this increase is insufficient to compensate for low TCA flux in terms of ATP production. Thus, instead of being hypermetabolic, as commonly assumed, solid tumours generally produce ATP at a slower than normal rate. In mouse pancreatic cancer, this is accommodated by the downregulation of protein synthesis, one of this tissue's major energy costs. We propose that, as solid tumours develop, cancer cells shed energetically expensive tissue-specific functions, enabling uncontrolled growth despite a limited ability to produce ATP.

ObjectiveThe current study sought to clarify the role of emotion reactivity in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) by examining three forms of emotion reactivity (physiological and self-reported trait and state reactivity) among a sample of young adults with or without a history of NSSI.Materials and methodsSeventy-six adults (Mage = 20.97, 73.7% female) participated in a semi-structured clinical interview to determine NSSI history and completed a measure of trait emotion reactivity. Participants then provided state emotion reactivity ratings before and after a social rejection task, recovery period, and positive mood induction while physiological data was continuously recorded.ResultsAlthough individuals with a history of NSSI perceived themselves to be more emotionally reactive, these participants were not more physiologically reactive, nor were their state reactivity ratings significantly different from individuals without a history of NSSI.DiscussionResults suggest increased emotionality in response to a stressor is within normal bounds and not unique to individuals with a history of NSSI, and provide implications for future research on the etiology and treatment of NSSI.

AimsChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases, e.g., atherosclerosis and calcific aortic valve disease, leading inevitably to valve replacement surgery. CKD patients with bioprosthetic cardiovascular grafts, in turn, have a higher risk of premature graft degeneration. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) activation by pioglitazone has cardio-renal protective properties, and research using a heterotopic valve implantation model has shown anti-degenerative effects of PPARγ activation on bioprosthetic valved grafts (BVG) in rats. The present work aims to analyze a potential protective effect of pioglitazone treatment on BVG in an adenine-induced rat model of CKD.Methods and ResultsBVG of Sprague Dawley rats were heterotopically implanted in Wistar rats in an infrarenal position for 4 and 8 weeks. Animals were distributed into three groups for each time point: 1) control group receiving standard chow, 2) CKD group receiving 0.25% adenine and 3) CKD + pioglitazone group (300 mg per kg of 0.25% adenine chow). BVG function was analyzed by echocardiography. Plasma analytes were determined and explanted grafts were analyzed by semi-quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot analysis, histology and immunohistology.PPARγ activation significantly reduced CKD-induced calcification of aortic and valvular segments of BVG by 44% and 53%, respectively. Pioglitazone treatment significantly also reduced CKD-induced intima hyperplasia by 60%. Plasma analysis revealed significantly attenuated potassium and phosphate levels after pioglitazone treatment. Moreover, PPARγ activation led to significantly decreased interleukin-6 gene expression (by 57%) in BVG compared to CKD animals. Pioglitazone treatment leads to functional improvement of BVG.ConclusionThis study broadens the understanding of the potential value of PPARγ activation in cardio-renal diseases and delineates pioglitazone treatment as a valuable option to prevent bioprosthetic graft failure in CKD. Further mechanistic studies, e.g., using small molecules activating PPARγ signaling pathways, are necessary for the evaluation of involved mechanisms. Additionally, the translation into pre-clinical studies using large animals is intended as the next research project.

Abstract Graphene is a perfect 2D crystal of covalently bonded carbon atoms and constitutes the building block for all graphitic structures. Its superior properties make it an attractive material for a variety of technological applications. However, mass production does not meet the initial expectations. Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) is currently the only available method for large‐scale automated production, but the produced graphene sheets suffer from structural and morphological defects that degrade considerably the mechanical and other physical properties of synthesized graphene. Recently, the use of liquid metal catalysts (LMCat) has been proposed as an alternative platform for facile and high‐quality synthesis of single‐crystal graphene. Herein, simultaneous Raman spectroscopy combined with mechanical testing is adopted confirming that the reinforcing efficiency of the LMCat graphene is greatly improved. In fact, the effective Young's modulus of LMCat graphene has been found ≈630 GPa, which is significantly higher than the graphene grown on solid Cu substrate due to differences in the morphology of Cu substrate. Overall, this work paves the way for the development of defect‐free graphene of quality comparable to exfoliated flakes, and this will have a major technological impact for many applications.

IntroductionDay Medical Care Home is a care and treatment institution providing day care services for people with disabilities (mainly older adults), implemented in Poland since 2015. This study aimed to analyze the impact of the new model of day care on the mental health status and cognitive functions of older adults with disabilities treated in Day Medical Care Homes in Poland, 2017-2023.MethodsAdmission and discharge reports of 949 patients treated in Day Medical Care Homes between 2017 and 2023 were analyzed. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) were used to assess mental health. Cognitive functions were assessed using Mini–Mental State Examination (MMSE).ResultsThe mean age was 74.3 ± 8.5 years, 76.6% were women. and 62.6% lived in rural areas. The percentage of patients with moderate or severe depression measured with a GDS-15 score decreased from 58.3% on admission to 34.6% on discharge (p

During acetabular cup positioning, intraoperative measurements of cup anteversion were taken using both fluoroscopy and navigation system. With the C-arm introduced at 40°, an anteroposterior view of the pelvis is taken. The C-arm is then centered over the hip, showing an anteverted cup with an approximate inclination of 40°. The axial C-arm is tilted away until the cup opening is visualized as a straight line, indicating that the beam of the fluoroscopy is aligned with the cup’s anteversion. The tilt angle on the C-arm and anteversion reading on the navigation workstation were recorded. The high degree of agreement between fluoroscopic and navigation measurement of acetabular cup anteversion supports the use of fluoroscopy in settings with limited access to navigation systems in direct anterior total hip arthroplasty.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the awareness of genitourinary cancers risk factors among adults in Poland and to identify factors associated with public awareness of risk factors for genitourinary cancers.MethodsThis cross-sectional survey was carried out between 1 and 4 March 2024 in a nationwide sample of 2,165 adults in Poland. Quota sampling was used. Data were collected using computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) method.ResultsRegardless of the type of cancer (kidney, bladder, or prostate cancer), a family history of cancer was the most recognized risk factor indicated by over half of respondents. Over one-third were aware that chemical exposure increases the risk for bladder cancer (39.4%) or prostate cancer (34.2%). Smoking was recognized as a risk factor for kidney cancer by 40.6% of respondents. Female gender, having higher education, being occupationally active and the presence of chronic diseases were the most important factors (p < 0.05) associated with a higher level of awareness of genitourinary cancers risk factors.ConclusionThis study revealed gaps in public awareness of genitourinary cancers risk factors among adults in Poland, especially lifestyle-related and workplace-related risk factors.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) prognosis is determined by the disease stage with low survival rates for advanced stages. Current CRC screening programs are mainly using colonoscopy, limited by its invasiveness and high cost. Therefore, non-invasive, cost-effective, and accurate alternatives are urgently needed. Objective and design: This retrospective multi-center plasma proteomics study was performed to identify potential blood-based biomarkers in 36 CRC patients and 26 healthy volunteers by high-resolution mass spectrometry proteomics followed by the validation in an independent CRC cohort (60 CRC patients and 44 healthy subjects) of identified selected biomarkers. Results: Among the 322 identified plasma proteins, 37 were changed between CRC patients and healthy volunteers and were associated with the complement cascade, cholesterol metabolism, and SERPIN family members. Increased levels in CRC patients of the complement proteins C1QB, C4B, and C5 as well as pro-inflammatory proteins, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) and serum amyloid A4, constitutive (SAA4) were revealed for first time. Importantly, increased level of C5 was verified in an independent validation CRC cohort. Increased C4B and C8A levels were correlated with cancer-associated inflammation and CRC progression, while cancer-associated inflammation was linked to the acute-phase reactant leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG1) and ceruloplasmin. Moreover, a 4-protein signature including C4B, C8A, apolipoprotein C2 (APO) C2, and immunoglobulin heavy constant gamma 2 was changed between early and late CRC stages. Conclusion: Our results suggest that C5 could be a potential biomarker for CRC diagnosis. Further validation studies will aid the application of these new potential biomarkers to improve CRC diagnosis and patient care.

Imposing and controlling strain in materials such as semiconductors or ferroelectrics is a promising way to obtain new or enhance existing properties. Although the field of strain engineering has seen a rapid expansion over the last two decades, straining semiconductor membranes over large areas remains a challenge. A generic way of tuning strain and hence band structure and electric or magnetic properties of any crystalline material can be obtained by compression of a composite structure involving poorly compressible elastomers. Mechanically similar to the principle of a hydraulic press, this work proposes a device and describes analytically a methodology to easily strain macroscopic membranes up to unprecedented values. Using in-situ X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, we tuned the biaxial strain in silicon membranes up to a value of 2.1 %, paving the way for new studies in the field of strain related physics, from semiconductors to perovskite oxide multiferroics.

Background: Periprosthetic joint infection after total knee arthroplasty is commonly treated via 2-stage revision utilizing either articulating or static antibiotic cement spacers. While recent literature exhibits a slight functional advantage in favor of articulating spacers, those patients with a history of recurrent infection/multiple revision procedures are frequently excluded from these studies. The purpose of this study was to report infection eradication rates and efficacy of utilizing antibiotic-loaded locked intramedullary nail for infection for the multiply revised, infected total knee arthroplasty. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all consecutive patients receiving static spacers between 2017 and 2020 at an academic medical center. Surgical techniques for all patients included irrigation and debridement using a reamer-irrigator-aspirator, injection of antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate into the intramedullary canal, and nail placement. Antibiotic-loaded cement is then used to create a spacer block in the joint space. A Cox proportional hazard regression was run to identify risk factors for reinfection. Results: Forty-two knees in 39 patients were identified meeting inclusion criteria. Overall, there was an 68.8% infection eradication rate at an average of 46.9 months following spacer placement. The only risk factors identified on cox regression were increasing number of previous spacers, a surrogate for previous infections (hazards ratio = 14.818, P value = .021), and increasing operative time during spacer placement (hazards ratio = 1.014, P value = .039). Conclusions: Use of static spacers, in conjunction with reamer-irrigator-aspirator and antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate, can be effective in treating chronic, complex periprosthetic joint infections in the setting of bone loss and or soft-tissue compromise and produced similar results to more simple infection scenarios.

ABSTRACT: This study investigated the effects of the early administration of enrofloxacin (E) or doxycycline (D) for the first 5 consecutive days of life, or the continuous administration of the coccidiostat monensin (M) throughout the rearing period on gastrointestinal function in turkeys infected with avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) in an early or later stage of rearing. Experiment 1 lasted 21 d, and turkeys in groups E, D, and M were infected with APEC on d 15. Experiment 2 lasted 56 d, and it had a factorial arrangement of treatments where birds in groups E, D, and M were infected with APEC on d 15 or d 50. In both experiments, control groups (C) consisted of infected and uninfected birds without antibiotic or coccidiostat administration. On d 21 (Experiment 1) and d 56 (Experiment 2), 8 birds from each subgroup were killed, and the ileal and cecal digesta were sampled to analyze the activity of bacterial enzymes and the concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). The experimental treatments did not affect the final body weight or body weight gain of birds. Both experiments demonstrated that APEC contributed to an increase in ammonia levels of the cecal digesta (means from 2 experiments: 0.311 vs. 0.225 mg/g in uninfected birds) and ileal pH (6.79 vs. 6.00) and viscosity (2.43 vs. 1.83 mPa⋅s). Moreover, the E. coli challenge enhanced the extracellular activity of several cecal bacterial enzymes, especially in older turkeys infected with APEC in a later stage of life. The continuous administration of monensin throughout the rearing period resulted in a weaker gastrointestinal response in older birds, compared with the other 2 antibiotics administered for the first 5 d of life. The results of the study are inconclusive as both desirable and undesirable effects of preventive early short-term antibiotic therapy were observed in turkeys, including normalization of ileal viscosity and cecal ammonia concentration (positive effect), and disruption in cecal SCFA production (negative effect).

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) significantly increases cardiovascular risk and mortality, and the accumulation of uremic toxins in the circulation upon kidney failure contributes to this increased risk. We thus performed a screening for potential novel mediators of reduced cardiovascular health starting from dialysate obtained after hemodialysis of patients with CKD. The dialysate was gradually fractionated to increased purity using orthogonal chromatography steps, with each fraction screened for a potential negative impact on the metabolic activity of cardiomyocytes using a high-throughput MTT-assay, until ultimately a highly purified fraction with strong effects on cardiomyocyte health was retained. Mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance identified the metabolite mycophenolic acid-β-glucuronide (MPA-G) as a responsible substance. MPA-G is the main metabolite from the immunosuppressive agent MPA that is supplied in the form of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) to patients in preparation for and after transplantation or for treatment of autoimmune and non-transplant kidney diseases. The adverse effect of MPA-G on cardiomyocytes was confirmed in vitro, reducing the overall metabolic activity and cellular respiration while increasing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production in cardiomyocytes at concentrations detected in MMF-treated patients with failing kidney function. This study draws attention to the potential adverse effects of long-term high MMF dosing, specifically in patients with severely reduced kidney function already displaying a highly increased cardiovascular risk.