Non-specific symptoms, as well as the lack of a cost-effective test to triage patients in primary care, has resulted in increased time-to-diagnosis and a poor prognosis for brain cancer patients. A ...rapid, cost-effective, triage test could significantly improve this patient pathway. A blood test using attenuated total reflection (ATR)-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for the detection of brain cancer, alongside machine learning technology, is advancing towards clinical translation. However, whilst the methodology is simple and does not require extensive sample preparation, the throughput of such an approach is limited. Here we describe the development of instrumentation for the analysis of serum that is able to differentiate cancer and control patients at a sensitivity and specificity of 93.2% and 92.8%. Furthermore, preliminary data from the first prospective clinical validation study of its kind are presented, demonstrating how this innovative technology can triage patients and allow rapid access to imaging.
Globalization—the increasing interconnectedness of societies, economies, and cultures—is a defining feature of contemporary social life. Paradoxically, it underlies both the dynamics of global crises ...(e.g., rising inequality, climate change) and the possibilities for ameliorating them. In this review, we introduce globalization as a multifaceted process and elaborate its psychological effects with respect to identity, culture, and collective action. Using a social identity approach, we discuss three foci of identification: local culture, globalized Western culture, and humanity in its entirety. Each source of identification is analyzed in terms of its psychological meaning and position vis-à-vis the global power structure. Globalized Western culture forms the basis for an exclusive globalized identity, which privileges only some cultures and ways of life. We conceptualize reactions to its core values in terms of cultural identification and rejection and acceptance of, or opposition to, its global social order. Opposition to this inequitable global order is central to inclusive globalized identities (e.g., identification with humanity). These identities may encourage globally minded collective action, even as more research is needed to address their potential caveats. We consider possibilities for social change and action and conclude that a focused application of psychological science to the study of these issues is overdue.
We determine the homological residue fields, in the sense of tensor-triangular geometry, in a series of concrete examples ranging from topological stable homotopy theory to modular representation ...theory of finite groups.
Community mitigation strategies in a pandemic rely largely on individuals' voluntary compliance with public health measures (e.g., social and physical distancing). That these measures are crucial ...from a societal and community perspective-not just as means of self-protection-suggests that a sense of solidarity encourages their adoption by individuals. We conceptualized Canadians' responses early in the COVID-19 crisis as a form of collective action motivated by the perceived threat of the novel coronavirus, national identification, and efficacy beliefs (e.g., people's sense that their actions would make a difference in "flattening the curve" of infections). Analyses of responses of a cross-sectional sample of Canadians (N = 499) in April 2020 provided support for effects derived from this social identity account: perceived threat predicted Canadian national identification, and both threat and identification were positively associated with efficacy beliefs, which in turn predicted endorsement of public health measures. We highlight the roles of social identification and efficacy beliefs with a focus on how they might be incorporated into public health messaging.
Les stratégies communautaires d'atténuation des effets d'une pandémie reposent en grande partie sur l'adhésion de la population aux mesures de santé publique (par exemple, la distanciation sociale et physique). Le fait que ces mesures soient cruciales d'un point de vue sociétal et communautaire - et pas seulement comme moyen d'autoprotection - suggère qu'un sentiment de solidarité favorise leur adoption par les individus. Nous avons conceptualisé les réponses des Canadiens au début de la crise de la COVID-19 comme une forme d'action collective motivée par la menace perçue du nouveau coronavirus, l'identification nationale et les sentiments d'auto-efficacité (par exemple, le sentiment des gens que leurs actions feraient une différence pour « aplanir la courbe » des infections). Les analyses des réponses d'un échantillon transversal de Canadiens (N = 499) en avril 2020 ont confirmé les effets dérivés de ce concept d'identité sociale : la menace perçue a prédit l'identification nationale canadienne, et la menace et l'identification ont été positivement associées aux sentiments d'auto-efficacité, qui à leur tour ont prédit l'adoption des mesures de santé publique. Nous soulignons les rôles de l'identification sociale et des sentiments d'auto-efficacité en nous concentrant sur la façon dont ils pourraient être incorporés dans les messages de santé publique.
Public Significance Statement
Successful responses to the COVID-19 crisis required widespread acceptance of public health measures such as social distancing. This study showed that Canadians' endorsement of these measures was related to the perceived threat of the novel coronavirus, their national identification, and their sense that their own behaviours would make a difference in "flattening the curve" of infections. Thus, public health messages that highlight solidarity and collective responsibility may be effective means of encouraging compliance.
Cancer is a worldwide pandemic. The burden it imposes grows steadily on a global scale causing emotional, physical, and financial strains on individuals, families, and health care systems. Despite ...being the second leading cause of death worldwide, many cancers do not have screening programs and many people with a high risk of developing cancer fail to follow the advised medical screening regime due to the nature of the available screening tests and other challenges with compliance. Moreover, many liquid biopsy strategies being developed for early detection of cancer lack the sensitivity required to detect early-stage cancers. Early detection is key for improved quality of life, survival, and to reduce the financial burden of cancer treatments which are greater at later stage detection. This review examines the current liquid biopsy market, focusing in particular on the strengths and drawbacks of techniques in achieving early cancer detection. We explore the clinical utility of liquid biopsy technologies for the earlier detection of solid cancers, with a focus on how a combination of various spectroscopic and -omic methodologies may pave the way for more efficient cancer diagnostics.
Severe aortic stenosis induces abnormalities in central aortic pressure, with consequent impaired organ and tissue perfusion. Relief of aortic stenosis by transcatheter aortic valve replacement ...(TAVR) is associated with both a short- and long-term hypertensive response. Counterintuitively, patients who are long-term normotensive post-TAVR have a worsened prognosis compared with patients with hypertension, yet the underlying mechanisms are not understood. We investigated immediate changes in invasively measured left ventricular and central aortic pressure post-TAVR in patients with severe aortic stenosis using aortic reservoir pressure, wave intensity analysis, and indices of aortic function. Fifty-four patients (mean age 83.6±6.2 years, 50.0% female) undergoing TAVR were included. We performed reservoir pressure and wave intensity analysis on invasively acquired pressure waveforms from the ascending aorta and left ventricle immediately pre- and post-TAVR. Following TAVR, there were increases in systolic, diastolic, mean, and pulse aortic pressures (all P<0.05). Post-TAVR reservoir pressure was unchanged (54.5±12.4 versus 56.6±14.0 mm Hg, P=0.30) whereas excess pressure increased 47% (29.0±10.9 versus 42.6±15.5 mm Hg, P<0.001). Wave intensity analysis (arbitrary units, au) demonstrated increased forward compression wave (64.9±35.5 versus 124.4±58.9, ×10 au, P<0.001), backward compression wave (11.6±5.5 versus 14.4±6.9, ×10 au, P=0.01) and forward expansion wave energies (43.2±27.3 versus 82.8±53.1, ×10 au, P<0.001). Subendocardial viability ratio improved with aortic function effectively unchanged post-TAVR. Increased central aortic pressure following TAVR relates to increased transmitted power and energy to the proximal aorta with increased excess pressure but unchanged reservoir pressure. These changes provide a potential mechanism for the improved prognosis associated with relative hypertension post-TAVR.
Despite the importance of the social identification construct in research and theory on group processes and intergroup relations, the issue of its dimensionality remains unresolved. It is proposed ...that social identity can be represented in terms of three factors: centrality; ingroup affect; and ingroup ties. I examined the efficacy of this model in five studies involving a total of 1078 respondents, one nonstudent sample, and three group memberships (university, gender, and nationality). Results of confirmatory factor analyses support the acceptability of the tripartite model, which fits the data significantly better than one- or two-dimensional (cognition/affect) alternatives. Correlations with theoretically relevant variables provide support for the convergent and discriminant validity of the three factors. Advantages and implications of the three-factor model are considered, with particular reference to social identity theory.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
BFBNIB, DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The derivation and application of estimates of central blood pressure continues to generate discussion and debate with published commentaries expressing a range of views regarding the use of central ...blood pressure (BP) in the management of hypertension. Possibly the main hindrance to proposing any need for general usage of non-invasive central BP are the recent and substantive population studies and individual patient meta-analysis showing that major cardiovascular outcomes have similar strengths of association with central and brachial cuff BPs 5, 6. 4 acknowledge, studies of central BP (relatively small, retrospective and usually in samples of convenience) have varied in relative prognostic result; however, in no study has traditional brachial BP not shown the expected prognostic benefit. There would need to be good evidence to introduce further “black-box” influences and since it is well established that non-invasive central BP results are device-dependent 11, 12, this additional level of variability without any evidence of benefit would be poor practice.
Victorian laws limit who may be a surrogate in an arrangement that uses assisted reproductive treatment and so restrict infertile people's ability to create a family. These restrictions arose because ...of concern about protecting surrogates from harm. The restrictions are inconsistent with other laws and with the principles on which a harm-based approach to regulation relies. The harm-based approach fails to describe surrogacy accurately because it fails to account for the interdependence of those involved. An ethics of care approach allows recognition of this interdependence and provides a more appropriate framework for regulation. An ethics of care approach to surrogacy would allow less prescriptive regulation, which focused on fostering caring relationships. This could be achieved by formally recognising the role of the surrogate in the formation of the family and by dispensing with attempts to replicate "traditional" heteronormative families.
To assess the suitability of retinal images held in the UK Biobank--the largest retinal data repository in a prospective population-based cohort--for computer assisted vascular morphometry, ...generating measures that are commonly investigated as candidate biomarkers of systemic disease.
Non-mydriatic fundus images from both eyes of 2,690 participants--people with a self-reported history of myocardial infarction (n=1,345) and a matched control group (n=1,345)--were analysed using VAMPIRE software. These images were drawn from those of 68,554 UK Biobank participants who underwent retinal imaging at recruitment. Four operators were trained in the use of the software to measure retinal vascular tortuosity and bifurcation geometry.
Total operator time was approximately 360 hours (4 minutes per image). 2,252 (84%) of participants had at least one image of sufficient quality for the software to process, i.e. there was sufficient detection of retinal vessels in the image by the software to attempt the measurement of the target parameters. 1,604 (60%) of participants had an image of at least one eye that was adequately analysed by the software, i.e. the measurement protocol was successfully completed. Increasing age was associated with a reduced proportion of images that could be processed (p=0.0004) and analysed (p<0.0001). Cases exhibited more acute arteriolar branching angles (p=0.02) as well as lower arteriolar and venular tortuosity (p<0.0001).
A proportion of the retinal images in UK Biobank are of insufficient quality for automated analysis. However, the large size of the UK Biobank means that tens of thousands of images are available and suitable for computational analysis. Parametric information measured from the retinas of participants with suspected cardiovascular disease was significantly different to that measured from a matched control group.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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