Hair cortisol concentrations in clipped and combed hair and associations with characteristics, health status and stress in domestic cats.

Hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) are measured to assess long-term HPA-axis activity and may represent a valuable non-invasive tool to evaluate chronic stress in cats. This study investigated combing as a novel, low-stress method for HCC assessment, as well as possible associations between HCC and cat characteristics in 167 owned cats. Hair was sampled at veterinary clinics through clipping and/or combing the cat, or at home by the owner combing the cat.

Pregnancy-related changes in the canine serum N-glycosylation pattern studied by Rapifluor HILIC-UPLC-FLR-MS.

Canine reproduction differs from that of many other domestic animals, and increased knowledge on biochemical changes during canine pregnancy is important for investigations of infertility or subfertility. The total glycosylation pattern, i.e.

Predictors of post-pericardiotomy syndrome after native valve-sparing aortic valve surgery.

Background: We aimed to determine the rate and impact of post-pericardiotomy syndrome after native valve-sparing aortic valve surgery and the perioperative factors associated with its occurrence.

Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent native valve-sparing aortic valve surgery (i.e.

Enhancing Silicon Solar Cell Performance Using a Thin-Film-like Aluminum Nanoparticle Surface Layer.

Solar cells play an increasing role in global electricity production, and it is critical to maximize their conversion efficiency to ensure the highest possible production. The number of photons entering the absorbing layer of the solar cell plays an important role in achieving a high conversion efficiency. Metal nanoparticles supporting localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) have for years been suggested for increasing light in-coupling for solar cell applications.

Ozone stress response of leaf BVOC emission and photosynthesis in mountain birch ( spp. ) depends on leaf age.

Oxidative stress from ozone (O) causes plants to alter their emission of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) and their photosynthetic rate. Stress reactions from O on birch trees can result in prohibited plant growth and lead to increased BVOC emission rates as well as changes in their compound blend to emit more monoterpenes (MT) and sesquiterpenes (SQT). BVOCs take part in atmospheric reactions such as enhancing the production of secondary organic aerosols (SOA).

Life situation of older people living with severe mental illness - A scoping review.

An increasing number of older people with severe mental illness (SMI) poses additional challenges to healthcare and social services. This scoping review aimed to investigate the life situation of older people living with severe mental illness and identify the research gaps in the existing literature. The current review followed the methodological framework for conducting scoping reviews by Arksey and O'Malley, consisting of five main stages: (1) identifying the research question (2) identifying relevant studies, (3) selecting the studies, (4) charting the data, and (5) collating, summarising, and reporting the results.

Ambulance personnel use of coercion and use of safety belts in Norway.

Background: Providing health care in a moving vehicle requires different considerations regarding safety than in other settings. Use of seatbelts are mandatory, and during ambulance transport patients are fastened to the stretcher with safety straps. However, patients who wriggle out of, or unfasten, their safety straps pose a threat to him/herself and escorting personnel in the ambulance compartment in case of an accident.

Safety profile of herbal medicines submitted for marketing authorization in Tanzania: a cross-sectional retrospective study.

Background: The popular use of herbal medicines necessitates national regulatory authorities to have efficient mechanisms for the control of these products including marketing authorization (MA) and safety follow-up. Herbal medicines like conventional medicines require assessment of efficacy, safety and quality information before MA can be granted. However, the complete proof of safety is mainly based on the history of the long-term traditional use.

North and South: Exploring isotopic analysis of bone carbonates and collagen to understand post-medieval diets in London and northern England.

Objectives: We evaluate the potential of paired isotopic analysis of bone carbonate and collagen to examine the diet of post-medieval human and animal populations from England (17th-19th c.), including, for the first time, manufacturing towns in northern England. The potential for identifying C crop consumption is explored alongside regional and local patterning in diet by sex and socioeconomic status.

Pharmacokinetics and safety of prolonged paracetamol treatment in neonates: An interventional cohort study.

Aims: To investigate the pharmacokinetics and safety of prolonged paracetamol use (>72 h) for neonatal pain.

Methods: Neonates were included if they received paracetamol orally or intravenously for pain treatment. A total of 126 samples were collected.

Are SADI-S and BPD/DS bariatric procedures identical twins or distant relatives? - A case report.

Given the common anatomical features and similar short-term weight loss outcomes, Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS) and Single-Anastomosis Duodenoileal bypass with Sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) are considered identical bariatric procedures, apart from technical complexity being lower for SADI-S. In the absence of prospective randomized trials or long-term comparative studies the rationale for choosing between procedures is hampered. Post-bariatric hormonal profiles could contribute to understand the underlying mechanisms and potentially be used as a decision aid when choosing between procedures.

Effects of a Digital Health Literacy Intervention on Porcine Cysticercosis Prevalence and Associated Household Practices in Iringa District, Tanzania.

Digital health is considered an opportunity to engage a wider community in disease control for public health. It has been used in healthcare consultation, in medical treatments and in reporting emergencies. The current study developed digital health literacy content for public health education and assessed its effects on porcine cysticercosis prevalence, pig-keeping style and pig pen and latrine qualities.

Perspectives on weak interactions in complex materials at different length scales.

Nanocomposite materials consist of nanometer-sized quantum objects such as atoms, molecules, voids or nanoparticles embedded in a host material. These quantum objects can be exploited as a super-structure, which can be designed to create material properties targeted for specific applications. For electromagnetism, such targeted properties include field enhancements around the bandgap of a semiconductor used for solar cells, directional decay in topological insulators, high kinetic inductance in superconducting circuits, and many more.

Fecal Luminal Factors from Patients with Gastrointestinal Diseases Alter Gene Expression Profiles in Caco-2 Cells and Colonoids.

Previous in vitro studies have shown that the intestinal luminal content, including metabolites, possibly regulates epithelial layer responses to harmful stimuli and promotes disease. Therefore, we aimed to test the hypothesis that fecal supernatants from patients with colon cancer (CC), ulcerative colitis (UC) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) contain distinct metabolite profiles and establish their effects on Caco-2 cells and human-derived colon organoids (colonoids). The metabolite profiles of fecal supernatants were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and distinguished patients with CC ( = 6), UC ( = 6), IBS ( = 6) and healthy subjects ( = 6).

Digital Engagement of Older Adults: Scoping Review.

Background: Digital technologies facilitate everyday life, social connectedness, aging at home, well-being, and dignified care. However, older adults are disproportionately excluded from these benefits. Equal digital opportunities, access, and meaningful engagement require an understanding of older adults' experience across different stages of the technological engagement life cycle from nonuse and initial adoption to sustained use, factors influencing their decisions, and how the experience changes over time.

Impact of direct oral anticoagulants on bleeding tendency and postoperative complications in oral surgery: a systematic review of controlled studies.

Objective: The recommendations for the management of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in oral surgery are inconsistent. The present review evaluated whether DOACs increase the risk of bleeding during oral surgery and postoperative complications.

Study Design: The patients undergoing oral surgery and receiving a DOAC were compared with the patients receiving a DOAC different from the exposure, a vitamin K antagonist (VKA), or no anticoagulant.

Strong isoprene emission response to temperature in tundra vegetation.

Emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) are a crucial component of biosphere-atmosphere interactions. In northern latitudes, climate change is amplified by feedback processes in which BVOCs have a recognized, yet poorly quantified role, mainly due to a lack of measurements and concomitant modeling gaps. Hence, current Earth system models mostly rely on temperature responses measured on vegetation from lower latitudes, rendering their predictions highly uncertain.

Five-Year Results of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting With or Without Carotid Endarterectomy in Patients With Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis: CABACS RCT.

Background: In patients with coronary artery disease and concomitant asymptomatic severe carotid stenosis, combined simultaneous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been widely performed despite lack of evidence from randomized trials. We recently showed that the risk of stroke or death within 30 days was higher following CABG+CEA compared with CABG alone. Here, we report long-term outcomes following CABG with versus without CEA.

Bidirectional Exchange of Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds in Subarctic Heath Mesocosms During Autumn Climate Scenarios.

Biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) flux dynamics during the subarctic autumn are largely unexplored and have been considered insignificant due to the relatively low biological activity expected during autumn. Here, we exposed subarctic heath ecosystems to predicted future autumn climate scenarios (ambient, warming, and colder, dark conditions), changes in light availability, and flooding, to mimic the more extreme rainfall or snowmelt events expected in the future. We used climate chambers to measure the net ecosystem fluxes and bidirectional exchange of BVOCs from intact heath mesocosms using a dynamic enclosure technique coupled to a proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-ToF-MS).

An Osteotomy Tool That Preserves Bone Viability: Evaluation in Preclinical and Clinical Settings.

The main objectives of this work were to assess the efficiency, ease-of-use, and general performance of a novel osseoshaping tool based on first-user clinical experiences and to compare these observations with preclinical data generated in rodents using a miniaturized version of the instrument. All patients selected for the surgery presented challenging clinical conditions in terms of the quality and/or quantity of the available bone. The presented data were collected during the implant placement of 15 implants in 7 patients, and included implant recipient site (bone quality and quantity) and ridge evaluation, intra-operative handling of the novel instrument, and the evaluation of subsequent implant insertion.

Zwitterionic Amino Acid-Derived Polyacrylates as Smart Materials Exhibiting Cellular Specificity and Therapeutic Activity.

The synthesis of new amino acid-containing, cell-specific, therapeutically active polymers is presented. Amino acids served as starting material for the preparation of tailored polymers with different amino acids in the side chain. The reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization of acrylate monomers yielded polymers of narrow size distribution ( ≤ 1.

Blood-brain barrier permeable β-blockers linked to lower risk of Alzheimer's disease in hypertension.

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder in which the pathological accumulation of amyloid-β and tau begins years before symptom onset. Emerging evidence suggests that β-blockers (β-adrenergic antagonists) increase brain clearance of these metabolites by enhancing CSF flow. Our objective was to determine whether β-blocker treatments that easily cross the blood-brain barrier reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease compared to less permeable β-blockers.

Transforming growth factor-β challenge alters the N-, O-, and glycosphingolipid glycomes in PaTu-S pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by poor prognosis and high mortality. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) plays a key role in PDAC tumor progression, which is often associated with aberrant glycosylation. However, how PDAC cells respond to TGF-β and the role of glycosylation therein is not well known.

Association between myocardial fibrosis, as assessed with cardiac magnetic resonance T1 mapping, and persistent dyspnea after pulmonary embolism.

Background: Persistent dyspnea is a common symptom after pulmonary embolism (PE). However, the pathophysiology of persistent dyspnea is not fully clarified. This study aimed to explore possible associations between diffuse myocardial fibrosis, as assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) T1 mapping, and persistent dyspnea in patients with a history of PE.

Utilizing community InfoSpots for health education: perspectives and experiences in Migoli and Izazi, Tanzania.

Limited access to health education can be a barrier for reaching the Sustainable Development Goals, especially in rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa. We addressed this gap by installing community information spots (InfoSpots) with access to the internet and a locally stored digital health education platform (the platform) in Migoli and Izazi, Tanzania. The objective of this case study was to explore the perspectives and experiences of InfoSpot users and non-users in these communities.