Psychological aspects of paediatric procedural pain and implementation of cognitive-behavioural approach

Medical procedures are often associated with a high degree of distress in children. Negative experience related to recurrent painful medical procedures in the childhood may have long-term negative psychological effects. Therefore, besides pharmacological interventions, different cognitive-behavioural techniques are very helpful in reducing child distress and pain perception. However, there is no standard method equally suitable for all children. The most appropriate intervention should be carefully chosen for each individual child, taking into consideration the characteristics of the medical procedure, knowledge of factors affecting pain perception and the child’s personality. Scientific research in which the effect of various psychological approaches to preparing children for (painful) medical procedures was studied shows that cognitive-behavioural interventions are the most effective in reducing pain and distress in children, and should therefore be used in clinical practice

TRY plant trait database – enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits - the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants - determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait‐based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits - almost complete coverage for ‘plant growth form’. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait–environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

Osebnostne lastnosti parov z zmanjšano plodnostjo

Z raziskavo smo želeli ugotoviti, ali se pari z zmanjšano plodnostjo razlikujejo med seboj glede na uspešnost zdravljenja neplodnosti in od običajno plodnih parov v osebni anamnezi, osebnostni strukturi, stališčih do spolnosti, nosečnosti in poroda ter doživljanju neplodnosti. Primerjali smo dve skupini parov z zmanjšano plodnostjo. V 1. skupini so bili pari, ki z metodo homologne inseminacije (AIH) niso uspeli zanositi, v 2. skupini pa pari, ki so zanosili v prvih štirih ciklusih homologne inseminacije (AIH). Kontrolna skupina so pari, ki niso imeli težav z zanositvijo. Podatke smo zbirali z anamnestičnim vprašalnikom, vprašalnikom do stališč do spolnosti, nosečnosti in poroda (S-S-G) in osebnostnim vprašalnikom (MMPI-2). Rezultati nakazujejo, da je pri shizoidno strukturirani osebnosti neplodnih parov, ki prevladujejo v 1. skupini, večja možnost neuspešnega zdravljenja z metodo homologne inseminacije (AIH). Za te pare spolnost, nosečnost, porod in otrok pomenijo tako čustveno vznemirjenje, da ga povsem izrinejo iz zavesti v podzavest in na telesni nivo delovanja, kar prispeva k ohranjanju psihogene neplodnosti. V 2. skupini so pari bolj depresivno oziroma anankastično atrukturirani, zato imajo več možnosti, da po zdravljenju zanosijo. Osebnostnastruktura ima pomembno vlogo pri uspešnosti zdravljenja neplodnosti, ki je tudi psihosomatska težava in zato zahteva celosten pristop pri obravnavi.The aim of the study was to find whether with regard to the efficient outcome of treatment infertile couples differ among themselves and from fertile couples by: personal history, personality structure, attitudes towardssexuality, pregnancy amd labour and by experiencing infertility. We compare two groups of infertile couples: in the first group there were the couples in whom artificial insemination - husband (AIH) failed and in the second the couples who achieved pregnancy in the first four AIH cycles. The control group consisted of fertile couples. We collected the data obtained from the medical history record, the questionnaire on the attitudes towards sexuality, pregnancy and labour (SSG), and the questionnaire on personality characteristics (MMPI-2). The obtained results showed that in schizoid personalities, prevailing in the first group, the unsuccessful outcome of treatment with AIH was more likely. To those couples sexuality, pregnancy, labour, and the child itself represented such an emotional excitement that they suppressed it to subconsciousness and to the somatic level of activity which contributed to infertility. In the second group the couples were more depressive and /or anancastic thus having a higher degree of possibility to conceive. Personality structure plays an important role in successful treatment of infertility which is also a psychosomatic problem and demands a holistic approach

Achieving Complete Remission of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Significant Predictor for Recurrence-Free Survival after Liver Transplantation

Background. Liver transplantation (LT) is a curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the underlying primary liver disease; however, tumor recurrence is still a major issue. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess predictors and risk factors for HCC recurrence after LT in patients within and outside the Milan criteria with a special focus on the impact of different bridging strategies. Methods. All patients who underwent LT for HCC between 07/2002 and 09/2016 at the University Hospital of Muenster were consecutively included in this retrospective study. Database research was performed and a multivariable regression analysis was conducted to explore potential risk factors for HCC recurrence. Results. A total of 82 patients were eligible for the statistical analysis. Independent of bridging strategy, achieving complete remission (CR) was significantly associated with a lower risk for tumor recurrence (p = 0.029; OR = 0.426, 95% CI 0.198-0.918). A maximal diameter of lesion < 3 cm was also associated with lower recurrence rates (p = 0.040; OR = 0.140, 95% CI 0.022-0.914). Vascular invasion proved to be an independent risk factor for HCC recurrence (p = 0.004; OR = 11.357, 95% CI 2.142-60.199). Conclusion. Achieving CR prior to LT results in a significant risk reduction of HCC recurrence after LT independent of the treatment modalities applied

Achieving Complete Remission of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Significant Predictor for Recurrence-Free Survival after Liver Transplantation

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation (LT) is a curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the underlying primary liver disease; however, tumor recurrence is still a major issue. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess predictors and risk factors for HCC recurrence after LT in patients within and outside the Milan criteria with a special focus on the impact of different bridging strategies. METHODS: All patients who underwent LT for HCC between 07/2002 and 09/2016 at the University Hospital of Muenster were consecutively included in this retrospective study. Database research was performed and a multivariable regression analysis was conducted to explore potential risk factors for HCC recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 82 patients were eligible for the statistical analysis. Independent of bridging strategy, achieving complete remission (CR) was significantly associated with a lower risk for tumor recurrence (p = 0.029; OR = 0.426, 95% CI 0.198-0.918). A maximal diameter of lesion < 3 cm was also associated with lower recurrence rates (p = 0.040; OR = 0.140, 95% CI 0.022-0.914). Vascular invasion proved to be an independent risk factor for HCC recurrence (p = 0.004; OR = 11.357, 95% CI 2.142-60.199). CONCLUSION: Achieving CR prior to LT results in a significant risk reduction of HCC recurrence after LT independent of the treatment modalities applied

A nanobody recognizes a unique conserved epitope and potently neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 omicron variants

Summary: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) Omicron variant sub-lineages spread rapidly worldwide, mostly due to their immune-evasive properties. This has put a significant part of the population at risk for severe disease and underscores the need for effective anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents against emergent strains in vulnerable patients. Camelid nanobodies are attractive therapeutic candidates due to their high stability, ease of large-scale production, and potential for delivery via inhalation. Here, we characterize the receptor binding domain (RBD)-specific nanobody W25 and show superior neutralization activity toward Omicron sub-lineages in comparison to all other SARS-CoV2 variants. Structure analysis of W25 in complex with the SARS-CoV2 spike glycoprotein shows that W25 engages an RBD epitope not covered by any of the antibodies previously approved for emergency use. In vivo evaluation of W25 prophylactic and therapeutic treatments across multiple SARS-CoV-2 variant infection models, together with W25 biodistribution analysis in mice, demonstrates favorable pre-clinical properties. Together, these data endorse W25 for further clinical development