Wearable Light Loggers in Field Conditions: Corneal Light Characteristics, User Compliance, and Acceptance.

Understanding user challenges with light dosimeters is crucial for designing more acceptable devices and advancing light exposure research. We systematically evaluated the usability and acceptability of a light dosimeter (lido) with 29 participants who wore the dosimeter near the corneal plane of the eye for 5 days. Common reasons for not wearing the dosimeter included exercise, recharging, wet environments, public places, and discomfort.

[Influence of the Corona pandemic on cardiovascular risk factors - Data from 1775 participants of the ELITE study before and during the Corona pandemic].

Background:  The COVID-19 pandemic and its interventions have led to a deficit in medical care and changes in people's lifestyles, which has consequently changed cardio- and cerebrovascular primary and secondary prevention. The existing data are mainly based on surveys. In addition to the problem of the accuracy of self-assessments, the pandemic per se and the massive public reporting may have biased the data.

Usability and Acceptability of a Corneal-Plane α-Opic Light Logger in a 24-h Field Trial.

Introduction: Exposure to light fundamentally influences human physiology and behaviour by synchronising our biological clock to the external light-dark cycle and controlling melatonin production. In addition to well-controlled laboratory studies, more naturalistic approaches to examining these "non-visual" effects of light have been developed in recent years. As naturalistic light exposure is quite unlike well-controlled stimulus conditions in the laboratory, it is critical to measure light exposure in a person-referenced way, the "spectral diet.

The Light-Dosimeter: A new device to help advance research on the non-visual responses to light.

This article describes the development of a device to investigate the non-visual responses to light: The Light-Dosimeter (lido). Its multidisciplinary team followed a user-centred approach throughout the project, that is, their design decisions focused on researchers' and participants' needs. Together with custom-made mountings and the software Lido Studio, the lidos provide researchers with a holistic solution to record participants' light exposure in the near-corneal plane in laboratory settings and under real-world conditions.

He Kāinga Oranga: reflections on 25 years of measuring the improved health, wellbeing and sustainability of healthier housing.

This paper reflects on the influences and outcomes of He Kāinga Oranga/Housing and Health Research Programme over 25 years, and their impact on housing and health policy in Aotearoa and internationally. Working in partnership particularly with Māori and Pasifika communities, we have conducted randomised control trials which have shown the health and broad co-benefits of retrofitted insulation, heating and remediation of home hazards, which have underpinned government policy in the Warm Up NZ-Heat Smart programme and the Healthy Homes Standards for rental housing. These trials have been included as evidence in the WHO Housing and Health Guidelines and led to our designation as a WHO Collaborating Centre on Housing and Wellbeing.

Health football beats them all: subgroup analysis of the 3F (Fit&Fun with Football) study on white-coat hypertension, sustained hypertension, dippers, nondippers, and on pharmacologically un(treated) arterial hypertension.

Background: The 3F study (Fit&Fun with Football) demonstrated a significant reduction in blood pressure, antihypertensive medication, body weight, stress and depression through health football. Health football could be a popular tool to unleash the full preventive potential of physical activity. This work analyses the effect of health football on hypertensive subgroups: dipper, nondipper, white-coat hypertension (WCH), sustained hypertension, (un)treated hypertensive patients (UH, TH).

Impact of polygenic risk communication: an observational mobile application-based coronary artery disease study.

We developed a smartphone application, MyGeneRank, to conduct a prospective observational cohort study (NCT03277365) involving the automated generation, communication, and electronic capture of response to a polygenic risk score (PRS) for coronary artery disease (CAD). Adults with a smartphone and an existing 23andMe genetic profiling self-referred to the study. We evaluated self-reported actions taken in response to personal CAD PRS information, with special interest in the initiation of lipid-lowering therapy.

Regular Exercise is Associated with a More Favorable Cardiovascular Risk Profile, Better Quality of Life, Less Depression and Less Psychological Stress.

Introduction: It is well documented that insufficient physical activity (PA) contributes substantially to cardiovascular diseases. The number of physically active people in Germany is still too low.

Methods: In ELITE study in Germany, 4602 participants are regularly examined for cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF).

Influence of individualized prevention recommendations after one year on the control of hypertension in 3,868 follow-up participants of the ELITE study.

Objectives: The ELITE study (German acronym for "Nutrition, lifestyle and individual information for prevention of heart attack, stroke and dementia") prospectively collects data on hypertension, cardiovascular risk factors (RF), dietary habits, physical activity, cognitive function, and quality of life in North-West Germany, which will then be improved through targeted individual information. The aim of the study is to improve the health of the participants in the long term and to identify reasons for a lack of implementation of prevention measures.

Methods: Of 4,602 included subjects, 3,868 could be studied so far at one-year follow-up.

Relationship between Lipoprotein(a) and cardiovascular risk factors-data from 4602 participants of the ELITE study.

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is becoming increasingly important as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Since no effective therapy currently exists other than lipid apheresis, the recommendation remains to optimally adjust all other cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF). In a Northwest German population study, the frequency of elevated Lp(a) levels and all other CVRF was investigated.

Football beats hypertension: results of the 3F (Fit&Fun with Football) study.

Objectives: Football as the most popular sport could improve insufficient physical activity in patients with cardiovascular risk factors. A modified 'healthy' football training format could motivate hypertensive patients to return to sport and improve risk factors.

Methods: The 3F study: 'Fit and Fun with Football' a prospective interventional study with 1 year follow-up.

Development of a Fission Neutron Spectrum from a D-T Neutron Generator by Spectrum Subtraction Technique.

Californium-252 (252Cf) is considered essential by the National Institute of Standards and Technology for the calibration of neutron instrumentation and dosimetry. Californium-252 has a relatively short half-life of 2.645 y; consequently, it must be replaced frequently to produce an adequate neutron flux for calibration.

Influence of cardiovascular risk factors on arterial hypertension and mild cognitive impairment in 4602 participants of the ELITE study.

Background: In ELITE (Ernährung, Lebensstil und individuelle Information zur Verhinderung von Herzinfarkt, Schlaganfall und Demenz; german for: Nutrition, Lifestyle and Individual Information for the Prevention of Heart Attack, Stroke and Dementia) data on cardiovascular risk factors, cognitive function and quality of life are prospectively collected, which will be improved through targeted individual information. The aim is to improve the health of the participants and identify the reasons for the lack of implementation.

Methods: Risk factors of 4602 participants were linked to (controlled) hypertension and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Is there a clinical difference between influenza A and B virus infections in hospitalized patients? : Results after routine polymerase chain reaction point-of-care testing in the emergency room from 2017/2018.

Purpose: The clinical presentation, complications and mortality in molecularly confirmed influenza A and B infections were analyzed.

Methods: This retrospective observational single-centre study included all influenza positive patients older than 18 years who were hospitalized and treated at the flu isolation ward during 2017/2018. The diagnosis was based on point-of-care tests with the Alere.

Influenza virus infection: an approach to identify predictors for in-hospital and 90-day mortality from patients in Vienna during the season 2017/18.

Background: Seasonal influenza outbreaks are associated with increased mortality and hospitalisation rates. Herein we tried to identify predictors of mortality in hospitalised patients with influenza virus infection.

Materials/methods: In this exploratory retrospective observational single-centre-study we included all influenza-positive patients older than 18 years who were hospitalised and treated at the flu-isolation-ward during the influenza season 2017/18.

[ELITE study - Nutrition, lifestyle and individual information for the prevention of stroke, dementia and heart attack - Study design and cardiovascular status].

Background: For the prevention of cardiovascular risk factors (RF) there are numerous recommendations of professional societies, which relate to the personal way of life of individuals (for example nutrition/diet, physical activity, stress reduction etc.). The implementation of these recommendations is so far poor.

Combined accelerometer and genetic analysis to differentiate essential tremor from Parkinson's disease.

Essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are among the most common adult-onset tremor disorders. Clinical and pathological studies suggest that misdiagnosis of PD for ET, and vice versa, occur in anywhere from 15% to 35% of cases. Complex diagnostic procedures, such as dopamine transporter imaging, can be powerful diagnostic aids but are lengthy and expensive procedures that are not widely available.

Are the Mechanical or Material Properties of the Achilles and Patellar Tendons Altered in Tendinopathy? A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis.

Background: Changes in the mechanical behaviour of the Achilles and patellar tendons in tendinopathy could affect muscle performance, and have implications for injury prevention and rehabilitation strategies.

Objectives: To determine the effect of clinically diagnosed tendinopathy on the mechanical and material properties of the Achilles tendon (AT) and patellar tendon (PT).

Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis.

[New American Guidelines on Hypertension: New Consequences for German Patients?].

Following the publication of the new US guidelines, especially the new classifications of hypertension and the general reduction in treatment targets were discussed worldwide. Applying the US guidelines to a recent German cohort study would in practice lead to a significant increase in the diagnosis of "hypertension" in untreated patients. The number of under-adjusted patients would also increase sharply, increasing more than those predicted in the US Guidelines.

[Antihypertensive therapy in the elderly].

Arterial hypertension is the most common modifiable risk factor for cerebrovascular and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in old age. The prevention of cognitive brain disorders is also a therapeutic goal of long-term treatment of hypertension. Older patients also have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and therefore benefit from a relatively moderate reduction in blood pressure.

Remembering the 1918 influenza pandemic: national survey of memorials and scope for enhancing educational value around pandemic preparedness.

Aim: To systematically identify physical memorials to the 1918 influenza pandemic in an entire country.

Methods: Internet searches, contact with local historians and field expeditions were conducted.

Results: Despite the high impact of the 1918 influenza pandemic in New Zealand (~8,600 deaths), only seven publicly accessible local memorials which referred this pandemic were identified.

Providing patients with pharmacogenetic test results affects adherence to statin therapy: results of the Additional KIF6 Risk Offers Better Adherence to Statins (AKROBATS) trial.

Despite the clinical benefit of statin therapy and the numerous strategies used to improve adherence, no strategy has used direct communication of genetic test results to the patient as an adherence and persistence motivator. We investigated in a real-world setting the effect of a process of providing KIF6 test results and risk information directly to 647 tested patients on 6-month statin adherence (proportion of days covered (PDC)) and persistence compared with concurrent non-tested matched controls. Adjusted 6-month statin PDC was significantly greater in tested patients: 0.

Root morphology and anatomical patterns in forensic dental identification: a comparison of computer-aided identification with traditional forensic dental identification.

An online forensic dental identification exercise was conducted involving 24 antemortem-postmortem (AM-PM) dental radiograph pairs from actual forensic identification cases. Images had been digitally cropped to remove coronal tooth structure and dental restorations. Volunteer forensic odontologists were passively recruited to compare the AM-PM dental radiographs online and conclude identification status using the guidelines for identification from the American Board of Forensic Odontology.

GrinLine identification using digital imaging and Adobe Photoshop.

The purpose of this study was to outline a method by which an antemortem photograph of a victim can be critically compared with a postmortem photograph in an effort to facilitate the identification process. Ten subjects, between 27 and 55 years old provided historical pictures of themselves exhibiting a broad smile showing anterior teeth to some extent (a grin). These photos were termed "antemortem" for the purpose of the study.

Non-destructive NIR-FT-Raman spectroscopy of plant and animal tissues, of food and works of art.

Just after the discovery of Raman spectroscopy in 1928, it became evident that fluorescence with a quantum yield of several orders of magnitude higher than that of the Raman effect was a great and apparently unbeatable competitor. Raman spectroscopy could therefore, in spite of many exciting advantages during the last 60 years, not be applied as an analytical routine method: for nearly every sample, fluorescing impurities had to be removed by distillation or crystallisation. Purification, however, is not possible for cells and tissues, since the removal of the fluorescing enzymes and coenzymes would destroy the cells.