1,104 research outputs found
Towards Resolving the Gallium Anomaly
A series of experiments studying neutrinos from intense radioactive sources
have reported a deficit in the measured event rate which, in combination, has
reached a statistical significance of . In this paper, we explore
avenues for explaining this anomaly, both within the Standard Model and beyond.
First, we discuss possible biases in the predicted cross section for the
detection reaction , which
could arise from mismeasurement of the inverse process, decay,
or from the presence of as yet unknown low-lying excited states of
. The latter would imply that not all decays
go to the ground state of , so the extraction of the ground
state-to-ground state matrix element relevant for neutrino capture on gallium
would be incorrect. Second, we scrutinize the measurement of the source
intensity in gallium experiments, and we point out that a error in
the branching ratios for decay would be enough to explain the
anomaly. Third, we investigate the calibration of the radiochemical germanium
extraction efficiency as a possible origin of anomaly. Finally, we outline
several new explanations beyond the Standard Model, including scenarios with
sterile neutrinos coupled to fuzzy dark matter or to dark energy, as well as a
model with decaying sterile neutrinos. We critically assess the viability of
these scenarios, and others that have been proposed, in a summary table.Comment: 19 pages, 5 figure
Young people's trauma-related cognitions before and after cognitive processing therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder
Objectives:
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a psychotherapy for postâtraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with a broad evidence base. Change in traumaârelated cognitions is considered its primary working mechanism. When trying to integrate a traumatic event into existing cognitive schemas, the adaptive mechanism is changing the schema (accommodation). However, PTSD patients frequently either change their schemas too much (overâaccommodation), or cognitively distort the event (assimilation). We aimed to test the hypothesized connections between the three types of cognition and symptom load.
Design:
This study adds to the literature using âimpact statementsâ, essays on their traumaârelated thoughts written by patients at the beginning and end of CPT, to investigate cognitive change and its relationship to symptomatic outcome.
Methods:
We analysed statements written by 31 adolescents and young adults who received developmentally adapted CPT (a longer treatment where CPT is the core component) in a randomized controlled trial.
Results:
As expected, postâCPT statements contained more accommodated and fewer overâaccommodated and assimilated clauses than preâCPT statements. Correlations between cognition frequencies and concurrent symptom load were as expected for assimilation, and, in part, overâaccommodation and accommodation. Decreased PTSD and depressive symptoms were correlated with increased accommodated thoughts. For overâaccommodation and assimilation, however, expected correlations could not be shown.
Conclusions:
Our results support the notion that cognitive change is an important mechanism of change in CPT in a sample of younger, nonâEnglishâspeaking clients
Prediction of clinical response to drugs in ovarian cancer using the chemotherapy resistance test (CTR-test)
Background In order to validate if the test result of the Chemotherapy
Resistance Test (CTR-Test) is able to predict the resistances or sensitivities
of tumors in ovarian cancer patients to drugs, the CTR-Test result and the
corresponding clinical response of individual patients were correlated
retrospectively. Results were compared to previous recorded correlations.
Methods The CTR-Test was performed on tumor samples from 52 ovarian cancer
patients for specific chemotherapeutic drugs. Patients were treated with
monotherapies or drug combinations. Resistances were classified as extreme
(ER), medium (MR) or slight (SR) resistance in the CTR-Test. Combination
treatment resistances were transformed by a scoring system into these
classifications. Results Accurate sensitivity prediction was accomplished in
79% of the cases and accurate prediction of resistance in 100% of the cases in
the total data set. The data set of single agent treatment and drug
combination treatment were analyzed individually. Single agent treatment lead
to an accurate sensitivity in 44% of the cases and the drug combination to 95%
accuracy. The detection of resistances was in both cases to 100% correct. ROC
curve analysis indicates that the CTR-Test result correlates with the clinical
response, at least for the combination chemotherapy. Those values are similar
or better than the values from a publication from 1990. Conclusions
Chemotherapy resistance testing in vitro via the CTR-Test is able to
accurately detect resistances in ovarian cancer patients. These numbers
confirm and even exceed results published in 1990. Better sensitivity
detection might be caused by a higher percentage of drug combinations tested
in 2012 compared to 1990. Our study confirms the functionality of the CTR-Test
to plan an efficient chemotherapeutic treatment for ovarian cancer patients
Sharing more than friendship - nasal colonization with coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS) and co-habitation aspects of dogs and their owners
Background Since the relationship between dogs and their owners has changed,
and dogs moved from being working dogs to family members in post-industrial
countries, we hypothesized that zoonotic transmission of opportunistic
pathogens like coagulase positive staphylococci (CPS) is likely between dogs
and their owners. Methodology/Principal Findings CPS- nasal carriage,
different aspects of human-to-dog relationship as well as potential
interspecies transmission risk factors were investigated by offering nasal
swabs and a questionnaire to dog owners (108) and their dogs (108) at a dog
show in 2009. S. aureus was found in swabs of 20 (18.5%) humans and two dogs
(1.8%), and spa types which correspond to well known human S. aureus lineages
dominated (e.g. CC45, CC30 and CC22). Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of the
two canine strains revealed ST72 and ST2065 (single locus variant of ST34).
Fifteen dogs (13.9%) and six owners (5.6%) harboured S. pseudintermedius,
including one mecA-positive human isolate (MRSP). Pulsed field gel
electrophoresis (PFGE) revealed that one dog/owner pair harboured
indistinguishable S. pseudintermedius- isolates of ST33. Ten (48%) of the 21
S. pseudintermedius-isolates showed resistance towards more than one
antimicrobial class. 88.9% of the dog owners reported to allow at least one
dog into the house, 68.5% allow the dog(s) to rest on the sofa, 39.8% allow
their dogs to come onto the bed, 93.5% let them lick their hands and 52.8% let
them lick their face. Bivariate analysis of putative risk factors revealed
that dog owners who keep more than two dogs have a significantly higher chance
of being colonized with S. pseudintermedius than those who keep 1â2 dogs
(p<0.05). Conclusions/Recommendations In conclusion, CPS transmission between
dog owners and their dogs is possible. Further investigation regarding
interspecies transmission and the diverse adaptive pathways influencing the
epidemiology of CPS (including MRSA and MRSP) in different hosts is needed
Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, associated factors, experiences and attitudes of nursing home and home healthcare employees in Switzerland
BACKGROUND
Many studies in hospital settings exist and have shown healthcare employees to be particularly exposed to SARS-CoV-2. While research focused on hospital staff, little evidence exists for employees in nursing homes and home care. The aims of this study were to assess the seroprevalence in nursing homes and home care employees in the Canton of Zurich, compare it to the general population, assess factors associated with seropositivity and explore the perspective of the employees regarding how the pandemic changed their daily work.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study is part of the national Corona Immunitas research program of coordinated, seroprevalence studies in Switzerland. Six nursing homes and six home healthcare organizations providing at home care services in Zurich were selected and 296 and 131 employees were recruited, respectively. Assessments included standardized questionnaires, blood sampling for antibodies, and additional work-specific questions. All participants were recruited between 21st September and 23rd October 2020, before the second wave of the pandemic hit Switzerland, and were possibly exposed to SARS-CoV-2 at their work during the first wave in spring 2020.
RESULTS
Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was 14.9% (95% CI 11.1%-19.6%; range 3.8% to 24.4%) for nursing home employees and 3.8% (95% CI 1.4-9.1%; range 0% to 10%) for home healthcare employees, compared to the general population of Zurich at 3.5% in September 2020 for those aged 20-64. Nurses were 2.6 times more likely to have SARS-CoV-2 antibodies than those employees who were not nurses (95% CI 1.1-6.2). The employees (nursing homes vs. home healthcare) perceived the implementation of general safety measures (44.9% vs. 57.3%) and wearing masks during work (36.8% vs. 43.5%), especially due to the limited communication with residents/clients, as the most crucial changes.
CONCLUSIONS
Nursing home employees who worked through SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks at their work were substantially more affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to the general population and to home healthcare employees who similarly worked through outbreaks in their communities. Employees reported that important resources to cope with the burdensome changes they perceived in their daily work were personal resources and team support.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN18181860 dated 09/07/2020. Retrospectively registered
Wer organisiert die "Entbehrlichen"? Viertelgestalterinnen und Viertelgestalter in benachteiligten Stadtquartieren
Auch wenn die Zivilgesellschaft in sozial benachteiligten Stadtvierteln hĂ€ufig kaum sichtbar ist, gibt es wichtige Ausnahmen: Viertelgestalter_innen sind mit unermĂŒdlicher Tatkraft bĂŒrgerschaftlich aktiv. Im Buch werden acht dieser auĂergewöhnlichen Menschen in ausfĂŒhrlichen Portraits vorgestellt. Wie kamen sie zu ihrer Rolle, welche Motive treiben sie in ihrem Engagement an, welche Wertvorstellungen vertreten sie? Die Studie ermöglicht detaillierte Einblicke in die Funktionsweise von Zivilgesellschaft in sozial schwachen Stadtteilen. Sie benennt Hindernisse und Schwierigkeiten fĂŒr die Aktiven - zeigt aber auch Perspektiven, wie das partizipative Versprechen der modernen BĂŒrgergesellschaft fĂŒr sozial Benachteiligte eingelöst werden könnte.Civil engagement on the fringe of society - this volume shows what brings people in socially disadvantaged urban districts to engage in the civil society
The Effect of Biochemical Remission on Bone Metabolism in Cushing's Syndrome: A 2âYear FollowâUp Study
Endogenous Cushing's syndrome (CS) is a rare cause of secondary osteoporosis. The longâterm consequences for bone metabolism after successful surgical treatment remain largely unknown. We assessed bone mineral density and fracture rates in 89 patients with confirmed Cushing's syndrome at the time of diagnosis and 2âyears after successful tumor resection. We determined five bone turnover markers at the time of diagnosis, 1 and 2âyears postoperatively. The bone turnover markers osteocalcin, intact procollagenâINâpropeptide (PINP), alkaline bone phosphatase, CTXâI, and TrAcP 5b were measured in plasma or serum by chemiluminescent immunoassays. For comparison, 71 sexâ, ageâ, and body mass index (BMI)âmatched patients in whom Cushing's syndrome had been excluded were studied. None of the patients received specific osteoanabolic treatment. At time of diagnosis, 69% of the patients had low bone mass (mean Tâscore = â1.4â±â1.1). Two years after successful surgery, the Tâscore had improved in 78% of patients (mean Tâscore 2âyears postoperatively â1.0â±â0.9). The bone formation markers osteocalcin and intact PINP were significantly decreased at time of diagnosis (p â€â0.001 and p =â0.03, respectively), and the bone resorption marker CTXâI and TrAcP 5b increased. Postoperatively, the bone formation markers showed a threeâ to fourfold increase 1âyear postoperatively, with a moderate decline thereafter. The bone resorption markers showed a similar but less pronounced course. This study shows that the phase immediately after surgical remission from endogenous CS is characterized by a high rate of bone turnover resulting in a striking net increase in bone mineral density in the majority of patients
Wer organisiert die "Entbehrlichen"?
Auch wenn die Zivilgesellschaft in sozial benachteiligten Stadtvierteln hĂ€ufig kaum sichtbar ist, gibt es wichtige Ausnahmen: Viertelgestalter_innen sind mit unermĂŒdlicher Tatkraft bĂŒrgerschaftlich aktiv. Im Buch werden acht dieser auĂergewöhnlichen Menschen in ausfĂŒhrlichen Portraits vorgestellt. Wie kamen sie zu ihrer Rolle, welche Motive treiben sie in ihrem Engagement an, welche Wertvorstellungen vertreten sie? Die Studie ermöglicht detaillierte Einblicke in die Funktionsweise von Zivilgesellschaft in sozial schwachen Stadtteilen. Sie benennt Hindernisse und Schwierigkeiten fĂŒr die Aktiven - zeigt aber auch Perspektiven, wie das partizipative Versprechen der modernen BĂŒrgergesellschaft fĂŒr sozial Benachteiligte eingelöst werden könnte
Consensus Minimal Dataset for Pediatric Emergency Medicine in Switzerland.
OBJECTIVES
Standardized, harmonized data sets generated through routine clinical and administrative documentation can greatly accelerate the generation of evidence to improve patient care. The objective of this study was to define a pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) minimal dataset for Switzerland (Swiss PEM minimal dataset) and to contribute a subspecialty module to a national pediatric data harmonization process (SwissPedData).
METHODS
We completed a modified Delphi survey, inviting experts from all major Swiss pediatric emergency departments (PEDs).
RESULTS
Twelve experts from 10 Swiss PEDs, through 3 Delphi survey rounds and a moderated e-mail discussion, suggested a subspecialty module for PEM to complement the newly developed SwissPedData main common data model (CDM). The PEM subspecialty CDM contains 28 common data elements (CDEs) specific to PEM. Additional CDEs cover PEM-specific admission processes (type of arrival), timestamps (time of death), greater details on investigations and treatments received at the PED, and PEM procedures (eg, procedural sedation). In addition to the 28 CDEs specific to PEM, 43 items from the SwissPedData main CDM were selected to create a Swiss PEM minimal dataset. The final Swiss PEM minimal dataset was similar in scope and content to the registry of the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network.
CONCLUSIONS
A practical minimal dataset for PEM in Switzerland was developed through recognized consensus methodology. The Swiss PEM minimal dataset developed by Swiss PEM experts will facilitate international data sharing for PEM research and quality improvement projects
Mutational Spectrum of the ABCA12 Gene and Genotype-Phenotype Correlation in a Cohort of 64 Patients with Autosomal Recessive Congenital Ichthyosis
Autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI) is a non-syndromic congenital disorder of cornification characterized by abnormal scaling of the skin. The three major phenotypes are lamellar ichthyosis, congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma, and harlequin ichthyosis. ARCI is caused by biallelic mutations in ABCA12, ALOX12B, ALOXE3, CERS3, CYP4F22, NIPAL4, PNPLA1, SDR9C7, SULT2B1, and TGM1. The most severe form of ARCI, harlequin ichthyosis, is caused by mutations in ABCA12. Mutations in this gene can also lead to congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma or lamellar ichthyosis. We present a large cohort of 64 patients affected with ARCI carrying biallelic mutations in ABCA12. Our study comprises 34 novel mutations in ABCA12, expanding the mutational spectrum of ABCA12-associated ARCI up to 217 mutations. Within these we found the possible mutational hotspots c.4541G>A, p.(Arg1514His) and c.4139A>G, p.(Asn1380Ser). A correlation of the phenotype with the effect of the genetic mutation on protein function is demonstrated. Loss-of-function mutations on both alleles generally result in harlequin ichthyosis, whereas biallelic missense mutations mainly lead to CIE or LI
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