Can multi-cropping affect soil microbial stoichiometry and functional diversity, decreasing potential soil-borne pathogens? A study on European organic vegetable cropping systems.

Crop diversification in spatial and temporal patterns can optimize the synchronization of nutrients plant demand and availability in soils, as plant diversity and soil microbial communities are the main drivers of biogeochemical C and nutrient cycling. The introduction of multi-cropping in organic vegetable production can represent a key strategy to ensure efficient complementation mediated by soil microbiota, including beneficial mycorrhizal fungi. This study shows the effect of the introduction of multi-cropping in five European organic vegetable systems (South-West: Italy; North-West: Denmark and Belgium; North-East: Finland and Latvia) on: (i) soil physicochemical parameters; (ii) soil microbial biomass stoichiometry; (iii) crop root mycorrhization; (iv) bacterial and fungal diversity and composition in crop rhizosphere; (v) relative abundance of selected fungal pathogens species.

Artificial intelligence for diagnosis and Gleason grading of prostate cancer: the PANDA challenge.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has shown promise for diagnosing prostate cancer in biopsies. However, results have been limited to individual studies, lacking validation in multinational settings. Competitions have been shown to be accelerators for medical imaging innovations, but their impact is hindered by lack of reproducibility and independent validation.

Reproductive Endocrinology Reference Intervals for Transgender Men on Stable Hormone Therapy.

Background: Gender-affirming therapy with testosterone is commonly prescribed to aid in the masculinization of transgender men. Sex-hormone concentrations are routinely measured, but interpretation of results can be difficult due to the lack of published reference intervals.

Methods: Healthy transgender individuals who had been prescribed testosterone (n = 82) for at least a year were recruited from internal medicine and primary care clinics that specialize in transgender medical care.

Reproductive Endocrinology Reference Intervals for Transgender Women on Stable Hormone Therapy.

Background: Transgender women and nonbinary people seeking feminizing therapy are often prescribed estrogen as a gender-affirming hormone, which will alter their reproductive hormone axis. Testosterone, estradiol, and other reproductive hormones are commonly evaluated to assess therapy, but reference intervals specific to transgender women have not been established. The objective of this study was to derive reference intervals for commonly measured analytes related to reproductive endocrinology in a cohort of healthy gender nonconforming individuals on stable feminizing hormone therapy.

Hematology reference intervals for transgender adults on stable hormone therapy.

Background: The complete blood count (CBC) is a cornerstone of patient care. Several of the normal values for the components of the CBC differ by sex and, therefore, male-specific and female-specific reference intervals are required to interpret these laboratory results. Transgender individuals are often prescribed hormone therapy to affirm their gender, with resulting serum hormone concentrations similar to those of cisgender individuals.

A case study: Effects of foot reflexotherapy on ADHD symptoms and enuresis nocturia in a child with ADHD and enuresis nocturia.

Background And Purpose: Symptoms of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can occur in association with enuresis nocturia. Alternative therapies may be effective in addressing the maladies of children with ADHD comorbidities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of foot reflexotherapy in a child with ADHD and enuresis nocturia.

Ageing well in a foreign land as a process of successful social identity change.

Purpose: Over and above the risks associated with ageing, older migrants are also at risk of social isolation. The social identity approach, and the Social Identity Model of Identity Change (SIMIC) in particular, provides a theoretical basis from which to understand the factors contributing to social isolation and how this then impacts on older migrants' capacity to age well in a foreign land. Building on the recognition that migration involves a major life change, we explore this transition qualitatively focusing specifically on social connectedness and adjustment.

The Effects of Wet Cupping Therapy on the Blood Levels of Some Heavy Metals: A Pilot Study.

Background And Aim: Heavy metals have been recognized as toxins for centuries. Cupping therapy has been shown to aid in the excretion of accumulated fluids and toxins from the interstitial fluid. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of wet cupping therapy on blood levels of heavy metals.

The effect of foot reflexotherapy on the dynamics of cortical oscillatory waves in healthy humans: An EEG study.

Background: Foot reflexotherapy is a noninvasive complementary therapy that has gained considerable application in several fields of human endeavor. The therapy is used to relieve the symptoms of several ailments. For instance, foot reflexotherapy when applied to the cortical areas of the left or right foot relieves pain and stress.

Implementation of Epic Beaker Anatomic Pathology at an Academic Medical Center.

Background: Beaker is a relatively new laboratory information system (LIS) offered by Epic Systems Corporation as part of its suite of health-care software and bundled with its electronic medical record, EpicCare. It is divided into two modules, Beaker anatomic pathology (Beaker AP) and Beaker Clinical Pathology. In this report, we describe our experience implementing Beaker AP version 2014 at an academic medical center with a go-live date of October 2015.

Evaluation of vegetable-faba bean (Vicia faba L.) intercropping under Latvian agro-ecological conditions.

Background: Monoculture is used mostly in conventional agriculture, where a single crop is cultivated on the same land for a period of at least 12 months. In an organic and integrated growing approach, more attention is paid to plant-environment interactions and, as a result, diverse growing systems applying intercropping, catch crops, and green manure are being implemented. Thus, field experiments for evaluation of vegetable/faba bean full intercropping efficiency, in terms of vegetable and faba bean yield and protein content, were set up during two consecutive growing seasons (2014 and 2015).

The Potential Beneficial Effects Of Hand And Foot Bathing On Vital Signs In Women With Caesarean Section.

Purpose: Hand-foot bathing therapy is a simple technique to induce sensations of comfort and relaxation. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of hand and foot bathing therapy on vital signs in women following caesarean section.

Methods: Participants were sixty women with caesarean section.

Autonomic Cardiac Activity in Patients with Smoking and Alcohol Addiction by Heart Rate Variability Analysis.

Purpose: Smoking and alcohol addictions are common and worldwide. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of these addictions on cardiac rhythm using heart rate variability (HRV) analysis.

Methods: Addicts (n=42 men: 22 cigarette; 20 cigarette and alcohol) and age-matched controls (n=34 men) were included in the study.

Right-sided lateralization of skin temperature in healthy young persons.

Purpose: Previous studies reported a peripheral immune asymmetry and lateralization of different paired organ cancers. Because of the close relationship of immune system with body temperature, the aim of the study was to test the possible lateralization of skin temperature.

Materials And Methods: Four hundred sixty three healthy subjects (325 women, 138 men) with an average age of 23.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on brain oxidative condition after cisplatin exposure.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on oxidative events of brain in cisplatin-administrated rats.

Methods: Rats were divided into four experimental groups: 1) control (n=6); 2) cisplatin (8 mg/kg, intraperitoneally one dose, n=6); 3) EGb 761 (100 mg/kg intraperitoneally for 15 days, n=6); and 4) cisplatin + EGb 761 (n=6). After drug administration, rats were sacrificed and brain tissues were removed.

Potential beneficial effects of foot bathing on cardiac rhythm.

Purpose: Foot bathing therapy is a simple technique that induces sensations of comfort and relaxation. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of foot bathing therapy on heart rate variability (HRV) parameters in a healthy population.

Methods: Participants were twenty healthy female subjects (median age=20.

Effects of Long-Term Training Program on Static and Dynamic Balance in Young Subjects.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of a long-term training program of 10 weeks on static and dynamic balance parameters in a young healthy population.

Methods: Participants were 35 young healthy female subjects. Balance measurements were done using the Flamingo Balance Test (FBT) for static balance and the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) for dynamic balance.

Effects of neurofeedback therapy in healthy young subjects.

Purpose: Neurofeedback refers to a form of operant conditioning of electrical brain activity, in which desirable brain activity is rewarded and undesirable brain activity is inhibited. The research team aimed to examine the efficacy of neurofeedback therapy on electroencephalogram (EEG) for heart rate, electrocardiogram (ECG) and galvanic skin resistance (GSR) parameters in a healthy young male population.

Methods: Forty healthy young male subjects aged between 18 to 30 years participated in this study.

The effect of traditional wet cupping on shoulder pain and neck pain: A pilot study.

Objectives: Wet cupping therapy (WCT) is a traditional complementary method recommended to decrease the symptoms of a lot of diseases and used in the treatment of pain syndromes. In this pilot study, the possible effects of wet cupping therapy on nonspecific neck and upper shoulder pain were investigated.

Methods: Sixty one eligible volunteer participants with nonspecific neck and upper shoulder pain for at least 3 months were allocated.

Implementation of Epic Beaker Clinical Pathology at an academic medical center.

Background: Epic Beaker Clinical Pathology (CP) is a relatively new laboratory information system (LIS) operating within the Epic suite of software applications. To date, there have not been any publications describing implementation of Beaker CP. In this report, we describe our experience in implementing Beaker CP version 2012 at a state academic medical center with a go-live of August 2014 and a subsequent upgrade to Beaker version 2014 in May 2015.

When "In Your Face" Is Not Out of Place: The Effect of Timing of Disclosure of a Same-Sex Dating Partner under Conditions of Contact.

In a series of experiments we examined heterosexuals' reactions to the timing of disclosure of a gender-matched confederate's same-sex dating partner. Disclosure occurred in a naturalistic context-that is, it occurred when meeting, or expecting to soon meet, a same-sex attracted individual, who voluntarily shared this information with the participant as a natural part of a broader topic of discussion. The confederate, when disclosing early rather than later, was approached more closely (Prestudy) and liked more (Studies 1-2).

Wet-cupping removes oxidants and decreases oxidative stress.

Objectives: Wet-cupping therapy is one of the oldest known medical techniques. Although it is widely used in various conditions such as acute\chronic inflammation, infectious diseases, and immune system disorders, its mechanism of action is not fully known. In this study, we investigated the oxidative status as the first step to elucidate possible mechanisms of action of wet cupping.