169 research outputs found
Frequency of Sexual Problems and Related Psychosocial Characteristics in Cancer Patients—Findings From an Epidemiological Multicenter Study in Germany
Background: Multimodal cancer treatments are often associated with sexual problems.
Identifying patients with sexual problems could help further elucidate serious issues with
their sexuality and thus promote or maintain patients’ sexual health. We aimed to assess
the occurrence of sexual problems in patients across different tumor locations and to
explore associated sociodemographic, medical and psychosocial factors.
Methods: We included 3,677 cancer patients (mean age 58 years, age range 18–
75 years, 51.4% women) from a large epidemiological multicenter study in Germany on
average 13.5 months after cancer diagnosis. The occurrence and frequency of sexual
problems were assessed via a binary item on the problem checklist of the Distress
Thermometer (DT). Controlled associations of these problems with sociodemographic,
medical and psychosocial factors including distress (DT), anxiety (GAD-7), depression
(PHQ-9), quality of life (EORTC-QLQ-C30), and social support (SSUK-8) are analyzed
using logistic regression analysis.
Results: We found that 31.8% of patients reported sexual problems, with a significant
higher proportion in men (40.5%) compared to women (23.7%), OR 2.35, 95% CI [1.80–
3.07] and a higher proportion in patients with a partner (35.6%) compared to those
without a partner (3.5%), OR 2.83, 95% CI [2.17–3.70]. Tumor location was associated
with occurrence of sexual problems: patients with cancer, affecting the male genital
organs had the highest chance for sexual problems, OR 2.65, 95% CI [1.18–3.95].
There was no significant difference in the occurrence of sexual problems between age
groups OR 0.99, 95% CI [2.13–3.53] and type of therapy (e.g., operation OR 0.91, 95%
CI [0.72–1.15]). Sexual problems were further associated with elevated levels of anxiety,
OR 1.05, 95% CI [1.02–1.10], less social support, OR 0.93, 95% CI [0.90–0.97] and
lower quality of life in terms of impaired functioning (e.g., social function, OR 0.99, 95%
CI [0.99–1.00]).
Conclusions: Sexual problems are commonly reported by patients. Male patients and
those living with a partner are more likely to report sexual problems. Sexual problems are
associated with different aspects of well-being. The findings imply the practical relevance
to screen for sexual problems among patients and identified groups that should be
particularly monitored
Energetski učinkovita proizvodnja – interdisciplinarni, sistemski pristup kroz integralnu simulaciju
If the main concern of manufacturing companies was increasing the productivity, reliability, flexibility, and quality of the industrial process, more recently the energy efficiency of the production process and facilities has come under scrutiny. To enhance the energy-efficiency of production facilities, detailed information regarding the production processes, heat emissions from machines, operation level and occupancy analysis are necessary. In this context, the present paper describes an ongoing research effort that aims to develop a systemically integrated model of an energy efficient production facility. In this context we demonstrate the initial results of the implementation of an integrated simulation approach for a specific industrial facility. On the case study of an existing facility the different levels of energy in-and outputs were analysed; starting from machines and production systems, user behaviour and building services related requirements, to the building envelope of the facility. The collected information was further processed to develop a new building design. This layout provides the basis of an initial building performance simulation model. The generated model is part of the integrated simulation approach and used as a starting point to address the impact of different design and building operation options on the indoor climate and energy performance of the industrial facility. The goal of the integrated simulation approach is to evaluate a production facility not separately for individual mandates pertaining to production process, building envelope, and systems, but in a coupled and integrated fashion. Based on the results of thermal simulation, a first life-cycle costs model is developed, upon which the crucial points for the decision-making process in the planning of an energy-efficient industrial facility can be identified.Među glavnim interesima proizvodnih poduzeća do sada su bili povećanje produktivnosti, pouzdanosti, fleksibilnosti i kvalitete industrijskog procesa, a nedavno se pod povećalom našla i energetska učinkovitost proizvodnog procesa i pogona. U cilju poboljšanja energetske učinkovitosti proizvodnih pogona potrebne su detaljnije informacije o procesu proizvodnje, izmjeni topline u strojevima i analiza učinka i zastupljenosti pogona u radu. U tom kontekstu, ovaj rad opisuje istraživanje koje je u tijeku i teži razvoju sustavno integriranog modela energetski učinkovite proizvodnje u pogonu. U tom kontekstu prikazani su početni rezultati provedbe integriranog simulacijskog pristupa za određeni industrijski pogon. U početnoj studiji slučaja postojećeg pogona analizirane su različite razine ulaznih i izlaznih podataka o energiji; uključujući strojeve i proizvodne sustave, ponašanja korisnika, učinkovitosti kućne tehnike te ovojnice zgrade pogona. Prikupljeni podaci dodatno su obrađeni u cilju razvoja novog građevinskog projekta. Prijedlog koncepcije novog pogona pruža osnovu za prikaz početnog učinka simulacijskog modela na zgradi. Razvijeni model je dio integriranog simulacijskog pristupa te se koristi kao početna točka u simulaciji utjecaja različitih koncepata organizacije prostora i volumena zgrade, kvalitete ovojnice zgrade i kućne tehnike na energetsku učinkovitost industrijskog pogona. Cilj integriranog simulacijskog pristupa je procijeniti energetske performanse proizvodnog pogona, ali ne za pojedine zadaće koje se odnose na proces proizvodnje, ovojnicu zgrade i sustave, nego na povezani i integrirani način. Razvijen je prvi modela troška vijeka trajanja koji se temelji na toplinskim simulacijama, koji je presudan u procesu donošenja odluka u planiranju energetske učinkovitosti industrijskog pogona
Impact of initial solvent on thermal stability and mechanical properties of recombinant spider silk films
Psychosocial Long-Term Effects of Young Adult Cancer Survivors: Study Protocol of the Longitudinal AYA-LE Long-Term Effects Study
Background: About 3% of new cancer cases affect young adults aged between 15 and
39 years. The young age, the increasing incidence and the relatively good prognosis of
this population lead to the growing importance to investigate the psychosocial long-term
and late effects. The aims of the AYA-LE long-term effects study are: first, to assess
the temporal course and related factors of life satisfaction and psychological distress of
adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors; and second, to examine a specific
topic in each of the yearly surveys in a more differentiated way.
Methods: This study represents a continuation of the longitudinal AYA-LE study. The
existing sample of AYA cancer patients (t1: N = 577; t2: N = 514; aged between 18
and 39 years at diagnosis; all major tumor entities) was extended by four further survey
points (t3: 2018, t4: 2019, t5: 2020, t6: 2021). In addition, a comparison sample of young
adults without cancer was collected. We measured longitudinal data for outcomes such
as quality of life, psychological distress, and fatigue with standardized questionnaires.
Furthermore, each survey point included a different cross-sectional topic (e.g., health
behavior, occupational situation, and compliance).
Discussion: The AYA-LE long-termeffects study will show the long-termconsequences
of cancer in young adulthood. We expect at least complete data of 320 participants to
be available after the sixth survey, which will be completed in 2021. This will provide a
comprehensive and differentiated understanding of the life situation of young adults with
cancer in Germany. The findings of our study enable a continuous improvement of the
psychosocial care and specific survivorship programs for young cancer patients
Influence of the substrate temperature on the layer properties made by an atmospheric plasma jet using different precursors
In this work the surface temperature of porous polymer scaffolds treated with an atmospheric plasma jet was determined by theoretical estimations and infrared was measurements. Based on these results the scaffolds were coated with functional plasma polymer layers using this plasma jet and different precursors. The influence of the substrate temperature on the plasma polymer layer properties like thickness and chemical reactivity was investigated
Health Behavior and Associated Factors in Young Adult Cancer Patients
Objectives: Having cancer in young adulthood increases the risk of adverse long-term
health effects. These risks can be influenced by one’s health behavior (HB). The aim of
this study is therefore to investigate the presence of health behavior in adolescents and
young adults (AYAs) and to identify associated factors.
Design: Young cancer patients (18–39 years old at time of diagnosis) were surveyed at
baseline and 12 months later via online or as a paper-pencil version.
Methods: A spectrum of indicators for HB was assessed via seven items from the
Questionnaire of Multiple Health Behavior (MHB). Multiple linear regression analyses
were conducted to determine factors associated with patients’ HB indicators.
Results: Five-hundred and fourteen AYAs (75% women) reported the highest level of
health-conscious behavior for “avoidance of consumption of nicotine,” “follow medical
recommendations,” and “being considerate in road traffic.” Less health-conscious
behavior was reported for “keeping an appropriate and balanced diet” and “physical
activity.” Significant improvements from baseline to the follow-up were observed
for “regularly attending health screening” (Hedges’ g = 0.44). The analyzed factors
explained up to 10% of the HB indicators. Women reported significantly more healthconscious
behavior than men in four out of seven HB indicators. Higher quality of life
(QoL) was associated with more health behavior in three out of seven HB indicators.
Conclusion: Findings show a predominantly health-conscious lifestyle in AYA
cancer patients, though we also found harmful behavior which needs to be better
approached—e.g., through improving AYAs’ health education. AYA men should be
particularly targeted in specific prevention and health promotion measures. Future work
should identify other factors associated with HB to evaluate targets for intervention
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Miscarriage and stillbirth following maternal Zika virus infection in nonhuman primates.
Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is associated with congenital defects and pregnancy loss. Here, we found that 26% of nonhuman primates infected with Asian/American ZIKV in early gestation experienced fetal demise later in pregnancy despite showing few clinical signs of infection. Pregnancy loss due to asymptomatic ZIKV infection may therefore be a common but under-recognized adverse outcome related to maternal ZIKV infection
Negative Regulation of Bone Formation by the Transmembrane Wnt Antagonist Kremen-2
Wnt signalling is a key pathway controlling bone formation in mice and humans. One of the regulators of this pathway is Dkk1, which antagonizes Wnt signalling through the formation of a ternary complex with the transmembrane receptors Krm1/2 and Lrp5/6, thereby blocking the induction of Wnt signalling by the latter ones. Here we show that Kremen-2 (Krm2) is predominantly expressed in bone, and that its osteoblast-specific over-expression in transgenic mice (Col1a1-Krm2) results in severe osteoporosis. Histomorphometric analysis revealed that osteoblast maturation and bone formation are disturbed in Col1a1-Krm2 mice, whereas bone resorption is increased. In line with these findings, primary osteoblasts derived from Col1a1-Krm2 mice display a cell-autonomous differentiation defect, impaired canonical Wnt signalling and decreased production of the osteoclast inhibitory factor Opg. To determine whether the observed effects of Krm2 on bone remodeling are physiologically relevant, we analyzed the skeletal phenotype of 24 weeks old Krm2-deficient mice and observed high bone mass caused by a more than three-fold increase in bone formation. Taken together, these data identify Krm2 as a regulator of bone remodeling and raise the possibility that antagonizing KRM2 might prove beneficial in patients with bone loss disorders
A combined rocket-borne and ground-based study of the sodium layer and charged dust in the upper mesosphere
The Hotel Payload 2 rocket was launched on January 31st 2008 at 20.14 LT from the Andøya Rocket Range in northern Norway (69.31° N, 16.01° E). Measurements in the 75–105 km region of atomic O, negatively-charged dust, positive ions and electrons with a suite of instruments on the payload were complemented by lidar measurements of atomic Na and temperature from the nearby ALOMAR observatory. The payload passed within 2.58 km of the lidar at an altitude of 90 km. A series of coupled models is used to explore the observations, leading to two significant conclusions. First, the atomic Na layer and the vertical profiles of negatively-charged dust (assumed to be meteoric smoke particles), electrons and positive ions, can be modelled using a self-consistent meteoric input flux. Second, electronic structure calculations and Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Markus theory are used to show that even small Fe–Mg–silicates are able to attach electrons rapidly and form stable negatively-charged particles, compared with electron attachment to O2 and O3. This explains the substantial electron depletion between 80 and 90 km, where the presence of atomic O at concentrations in excess of 1010 cm−3 prevents the formation of stable negative ions
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