Heparin enables the reliable detection of endotoxin in human serum samples using the Limulus amebocyte lysate assay.

The determination of lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin) in serum or plasma samples using Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL)-based assays is currently not sufficiently reliable in clinical diagnostics due to numerous interfering factors that strongly reduce the recovery of LPS in clinical samples. The specific plasma components responsible for the endotoxin neutralizing capacity of human blood remain to be identified. There are indications that certain endotoxin-neutralizing proteins or peptides, which are part of the host defense peptides/proteins of the innate immune system may be responsible for this effect.

In vitro Removal of Protein-Bound Retention Solutes by Extracorporeal Blood Purification Procedures.

Introduction: When the kidneys or liver fail, toxic metabolites accumulate in the patient's blood, causing cardiovascular and neurotoxic complications and increased mortality. Conventional membrane-based extracorporeal blood purification procedures cannot remove these toxins efficiently. The aim of this in vitro study was to determine whether commercial hemoperfusion adsorbers are suitable for removing protein-bound retention solutes from human plasma and whole blood as well as to compare the removal to conventional hemodialysis.

An Electrochemical Aptasensor for the Detection of Freshwater Cyanobacteria.

is a genus of cyanobacteria that is filamentous and nitrogen-fixing and inhabits aquatic environments. This genus is known as one of the major producers of cyanotoxins that can affect water quality after the bloom period. In this study, an electrochemical aptasensor is demonstrated using a specific aptamer to detect sp.

Rapid review methods series: Guidance on the use of supportive software.

This paper is part of a series of methodological guidance from the Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group. Rapid reviews (RRs) use modified systematic review methods to accelerate the review process while maintaining systematic, transparent and reproducible methods. This paper guides how to use supportive software for RRs.

The Impact of Obesity on the Health of the Older Population: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Relationship between Health-Related Quality of Life and Body Mass Index across Different Age Groups.

Unlabelled: Obesity is strongly associated with mortality and morbidity, but there is a lack of data on its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) across different age groups. Therefore, this study's objective was to determine the association between body mass index (BMI) and HRQoL in the Austrian adult population based on age groups using the 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) survey.

Methods: The SF-36 survey was sent to 500 randomly assigned Austrian adults (response rate: 80.

Growth of freshwater cyanobacterium sp. ULC602 in different growing and nutrient conditions.

sp. ULC602, recently isolated in a Belgian lake, is a filamentous, nitrogen-fixing, freshwater cyanobacterium that is one of the primary producers of cyanotoxins following its bloom formation, causing water contamination. This study aims to evaluate the effects of growing conditions and essential nutrients on the growth of sp.

Methods proposed for monitoring the implementation of evidence-based research: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Evidence-based research (EBR) is the systematic and transparent use of prior research to inform a new study so that it answers questions that matter in a valid, efficient, and accessible manner. This study surveyed experts about existing (e.g.

Common mental disorders in Gestalt therapy treatment: a multiple case study comparing patients with moderate and low integrated personality structures.

Introduction: Empowerment is central to self-development and growth in Gestalt therapy. The self evolves through interactions with others, forming self- and object-relations, and ego-functions. Underlying structural functions build the ability to regulate, differentiate, and integrate experiences, leading to self-, and emotion-regulation.

Integrating AI tools in teacher professional learning: a conceptual model and illustrative case.

This conceptual paper aims to explore the complex nature of integrating AI technologies in teacher professional learning, highlighting the potential for AI to synergize teacher noticing and decision-making processes, support adaptive teaching, foster alignment with competence frameworks, and cultivate professional vision, thereby framing teacher practices within the framework of professional vision. We argue that rather than looking at the process of adopting AI solutions by teachers from a technology perspective or how teachers contribute to designing and developing such tools, we take the perspective of the teacher and ask how such tools are meaningfully integrated into teacher practices. In our conceptual paper, we illustrate the case of a novel approach to the teacher training model where the development of teacher' professional vision and professional learning is combined with the design of the AI solutions.

Expression of Tissue Factor and Platelet/Leukocyte Markers on Extracellular Vesicles Reflect Platelet-Leukocyte Interaction in Severe COVID-19.

Severe COVID-19 is frequently associated with thromboembolic complications. Increased platelet activation and platelet-leukocyte aggregate formation can amplify thrombotic responses by inducing tissue factor (TF) expression on leukocytes. Here, we characterized TF-positive extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their cellular origin in 12 patients suffering from severe COVID-19 (time course, 134 samples overall) and 25 healthy controls.

Artificial intelligence-based analyses of varus leg alignment and after high tibial osteotomy show high accuracy and reproducibility.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based software for fully automated analysis of leg alignment pre- and postoperatively after high tibial osteotomy (HTO) on long-leg radiographs (LLRs).

Methods: Long-leg radiographs of 95 patients with varus malalignment that underwent medial open-wedge HTO were analyzed pre- and postoperatively. Three investigators and an AI software using deep learning algorithms (LAMA™, ImageBiopsy Lab, Vienna, Austria) evaluated the hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), mechanical axis deviation (MAD), joint line convergence angle (JLCA), medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), and mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA).

Testing the Effectiveness of the "Smelly" Elephant Repellent in Controlled Experiments in Semi-Captive Asian and African Savanna Elephants.

Crop-raiding by elephants is one of the most prevalent forms of human-elephant conflict and is increasing with the spread of agriculture into wildlife range areas. As the magnitude of conflicts between people and elephants increases across Africa and Asia, mitigating and reducing the impacts of elephant crop-raiding has become a major focus of conservation intervention. In this study, we tested the responses of semi-captive elephants to the "smelly" elephant repellent, a novel olfactory crop-raiding mitigation method.

Cytotoxic-Ag-Modified Eggshell Membrane Nanocomposites as Bactericides in Concrete Mortar.

Against the backdrop of escalating infrastructure budgets worldwide, a notable portion-up to 45%-is allocated to maintenance endeavors rather than innovative infrastructure development. A substantial fraction of this maintenance commitment involves combatting concrete degradation due to microbial attacks. In response, this study endeavors to propose a remedial strategy employing nano metals and repurposed materials within cement mortar.

Determinants of trust in times of crises: A cross-sectional study of 3,065 German-speaking adults from the D-A-CH region.

Interpersonal trust declined worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic; strategies are needed to restore it. We surveyed 3,065 quota-sampled German-speaking adults residing in the D-A-CH region. Using multinomial logistic regression models and backward elimination for variable selection, we calculated multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) to appraise correlates of interpersonal trust using the Interpersonal Trust Short Scale (KUSIV3).

Noise in Preschools and its Psychological and Cardiovascular Effect on Preschool Teachers.

Purpose: Noise exposure in preschools is cited as one of the main stresses by preschool teachers in surveys worldwide. Hearing-related symptoms as well as physiological stress reactions are often mentioned in this context. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate whether the noise has an impact on the cardiovascular activity of the preschool teachers.

The impact of different distractions on outdoor visual search and object memory.

We investigated whether and how different types of search distractions affect visual search behavior and target memory while participants searched in a real-world environment. They searched either undistracted (control condition), listened to a podcast (auditory distraction), counted down aloud at intervals of three while searching (executive working memory load), or were forced to stop the search on half of the trials (time pressure). In line with findings from laboratory settings, participants searched longer but made fewer errors when the target was absent than when it was present, regardless of distraction condition.

Mincing bovine articular cartilage with commercially available shavers reduces the viability of chondrocytes compared to scalpel mincing.

Purpose: The study aimed to compare the effect of mincing bovine articular cartilage with different shaver blades on chondrocyte viability.

Methods: Bovine articular cartilage was harvested either with a scalpel or with three different shaver blades (2.5 mm, 3.

The Combination of Glucocorticoids and Hyaluronic Acid Enhances Efficacy in IL-1β/IL-17-Treated Bovine Osteochondral Grafts Compared with Individual Application.

Patients with knee osteoarthritis often receive glucocorticoid (GC) or hyaluronic acid (HA) injections to alleviate symptoms. This study evaluated the impact of Triamcinolone Hexacetonide (a GC), HA, and a combination of both on bovine osteochondral grafts exposed to IL-1β and IL-17 in an ex vivo culture. Metabolic activity increased with GC treatment.

Areas of Concern and Support among the Austrian General Population: A Qualitative Content Analytic Mapping of the Shift between Winter 2020/21 and Spring 2022.

This study aimed to analyze areas of concern and support of the Austrian general population two years into the COVID-19 pandemic. A representative sample (N = 1031) of the Austrian general population was surveyed online between 19 April 2022 and 26 April 2022. A qualitative study design was used to explore the factors of most considerable current concern (Question 1) and the most important sources of support (Question 2).

Outpatient Treatment of Confirmed COVID-19: A Living, Rapid Evidence Review for the American College of Physicians (Version 2).

Background: Clinicians and patients want to know the benefits and harms of outpatient treatment options for the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.

Purpose: To assess the benefits and harms of 22 different COVID-19 treatments.

Data Sources: The Epistemonikos COVID-19 L·OVE platform, the iSearch COVID-19 portfolio, and the World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 Research Database from 26 November 2021 to 2 March 2023.

Understanding pandemic resilience: a mixed-methods exploration of burdens, resources, and determinants of good or poor well-being among Austrian psychotherapists.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the mental health burden on the general population, resulting in increased demands on mental healthcare professionals, including psychotherapists. This cross-sectional study assessed the challenges and resources encountered by 513 psychotherapists based on an online survey conducted between April and May 2022.

Methods: Qualitative methods content analysis of written reports was employed to investigate the emerging challenges and sources of support during the pandemic.

Recent Advances in Applications of Oxidases and Peroxidases Polymer-Based Enzyme Biocatalysts in Sensing and Wastewater Treatment: A Review.

Oxidase and peroxidase enzymes have attracted attention in various biotechnological industries due to their ease of synthesis, wide range of applications, and operation under mild conditions. Their applicability, however, is limited by their poor stability in harsher conditions and their non-reusability. As a result, several approaches such as enzyme engineering, medium engineering, and enzyme immobilization have been used to improve the enzyme properties.