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An enzymatic biofuel cell is integrated on a screen‐printed electrode as a basis for a self‐powered biosensor. A glucose/O2 biofuel cell consisting of a pyrroloquinoline quinone‐dependent glucose dehydrogenase embedded within an Os‐complex modified redox polymer bioanode to oxidize glucose and a non‐limiting bilirubin oxidase‐based gas diffusion biocathode in the direct‐electron transfer regime for the reduction of O2 showed a glucose‐dependent current and power output. For full integration on a single screen‐printed electrode, a miniaturized agar salt bridge was introduced between the two bioelectrodes to ensure operation of the assembly in a two‐compartment configuration with each electrode operating at optimal conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using viologen‐based redox polymers to wire a variety of different hydrogenases to electrodes and gas diffusion electrodes is the basis to mitigate high potential deactivation of the enzyme, deactivation by molecular O2, as well as for high‐current density H2 oxidation bioanodes. To overcome electron transfer limitations by electron hopping within the viologen‐modified polymer film, a new redox polymer was designed with the highest possible viologen content together with monomers bearing crosslinking units. In combination with an immobilization sequence consisting of oxidative grafting of amino functions, covalent attachment of polymer units to these functionalities, and crosslinking of the polymer layers, an unprecedently fast electron transfer became possible. This enabled a very high current density normalized by the amount of the [NiFe] hydrogenase embedded within a viologen polymer on gas diffusion electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common idiopathic systemic vasculitis in the age group over 50 years. It requires prompt diagnostics and treatment to avoid severe complications, such as visual loss or stroke. The tendency to relapse makes a glucocorticoid (GC) treatment necessary for several years and sometimes lifelong, which increases the risk of GC-induced long-term side effects. Therefore, additive GC-sparing treatment is recommended in the majority of patients. For this purpose, the anti-IL‑6 receptor antibody tocilizumab is available as an approved substance for subcutaneous application; alternatively, methotrexate (MTX) can be used (off-label). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case report describes a 59-year-old man with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-positive longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) after being vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine ChAdOx1 nCoV-19. He presented with urinary retention, gait disturbance, hypoesthesia and brisk reflexes in his lower extremities without paresis. Due to the ineffectiveness of high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone, therapeutic plasma exchange was performed, gradually improving the patient's condition. Vaccination as a trigger for an excessive immunological response seems plausible, though unspecific for the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Allergic diseases pose a health problem worldwide. Pollen are widespread aeroallergens which can cause symptoms like shortness of breath, cough, itchy eyes, or rhinitis. Apart from preventive measures and pharmacological treatment, also non‐pharmacological interventions have been suggested to reduce symptoms. The objective of this work was to review studies investigating the effectiveness of non‐pharmacologic interventions to reduce allergic symptoms. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL were systematically reviewed in July 2018 and April 2020. Several authors worked on the screening of titles, abstracts, and full texts. One author for each literature search performed the data extraction and the risk of bias assessment. Studies were included if they met the inclusion criteria defined by the PECOs. Studies which investigating the effect of non‐pharmacologic interventions on patients with allergic rhinitis were included. Results: Twenty‐nine studies investigating eleven types of non‐pharmacologic interventions to avoid and reduce allergic symptoms due to pollen exposure were included in this review. Out of all studies, seven studies addressed nasal rinsing and 22 included acupuncture, air filtering, artisanal tears, individual allergen avoidance advice, various nasal applications, self‐hypnosis, rhinophototherapy, and wraparound sunglasses. Conclusion: Most studies had a high risk of bias and small sample sizes. There were only a few high‐quality studies that give hints about the effectiveness of non‐pharmacological interventions. For future research, more high‐quality studies are required to confirm the effectiveness of simple, safe, and cost‐effective interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During extinction learning (EL), an individual learns that a previously learned behavior no longer fulfills its original purpose, or is no longer relevant. Recent studies have contradicted earlier theories that EL comprises forgetting, or the inhibition of the previously learned behavior, and indicate that EL comprises new associative learning. This suggests that the hippocampus is involved in this process. Empirical evidence is lacking however. Here, we used fluorescence in situ hybridization of somatic immediate early gene (IEG) expression to scrutinize if the hippocampus processes EL. Rodents engaged in context-dependent EL and were also tested for renewal of (the original behavioral response to) a spatial appetitive task in a T-maze. Whereas distal and proximal CA1 subfields processed both EL and renewal, effects in the proximal CA1 were more robust consistent with a role of this subfield in processing context. The lower blade of the dentate gyrus (DG) and the proximal CA3 subfields were particularly involved in renewal. Responses in the distal and proximal CA3 subfields suggest that this hippocampal subregion may also contribute to the evaluation of the reward outcome. Taken together, our findings provide novel and direct evidence for the involvement of distinct hippocampal subfields in context-dependent EL and renewal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To establish a more comparable, compatible, and coherent system of higher education in Europe, the so-called Bologna Process (BP) has been adopted. As a measure to improve comparability, the BP requires that every study path, module, or course has to define a Learning Goal (LG) which is specified by the conveyed competences. Until now, the expectations towards the BP regarding comparability have not been fulfilled because competences are usually described in form offree text and not in standardized terms. The fact that since adoption of the BP more than 10.000 study programs have been created in Germany outlines a trend which demonstrates the need of improved solutions. Regarding comparability, so-called Competence Frameworks (CFs) with standardized, machine-readable competences are promising tools; therefore, they should be integrated into progressive software infrastructures concerned with creation, management, and execution of study paths, modules and courses. For this purpose, the so-called Qualifications Based Learning Model (QBLM) has been developed. In this paper, we introduce a general system architecture which is designed for realizing Competence-based Learning ITinfrastructures. Furthermore, the conceptual design and prototypical implementation of a Course Authoring Tool (CAT) is described which is based on the QBLM and the information-, content-, knowledge-, and learning management platform Knowledge Management Ecosystem Portal (KM-EP). The integration of the QBLM into Learning Management System (LMS) Moodle which is an underlying subsystem of the KM-EP platform is work in progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White matter lesions (WML) in younger patients might be due to a variety of neurological disorders. Fabry disease (FD), an x-linked inherited lysosomal storage disorder, happens to be misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis (MS). In two middle-aged female patients, presenting bilateral WML, diagnosis of MS turned out to be doubtful. Human genetic analysis presented the Fabry mutation D313Y, in which clinical impact is still unclear. Disease manifestations outside the central nervous system were not detected. Our findings support the suspicion that Fabry mutation D313Y may be involved in neural damage resulting in WML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia have a reduced life expectancy compared with the general population and cardiovascular disease is the major contributor to this early mortality. The use of second-generation antipsychotic ( SGA) medications is associated with significant weight gain and metabolic side effects; however, there is limited knowledge in certain diagnostic groups, specifically early-onset schizophrenia ( EOS). This study aimed to investigate the metabolic side effects of SGAs, specifically olanzapine, risperidone and quetiapine, in a cohort of drug-naïve children and adolescents with first-episode EOS. Method Body mass index ( BMI), serum cholesterol and triglycerides were measured at baseline and a median of 7 months of follow up in drug-naïve children and adolescents with EOS. Results A total of 49 children and adolescents received a diagnosis of first-episode EOS and we had complete follow-up data for 74% (N = 36). A significant increase in BMI, serum triglycerides and cholesterol was observed in the unselected cohort after commencement of SGAs. One-third of children and adolescents had abnormal serum triglycerides and cholesterol; however, a dose-response was not demonstrated. Olanzapine and quetiapine had a greater increase in serum triglycerides. Conclusions In addition to highlighting the need for routine screening for metabolic side effects in EOS, interventions to prevent and treat obesity and the metabolic syndrome are indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two experiments demonstrated the susceptibility of a standard personality inventory to response bias elicited by contextual cues. In Study 1, participants who completed the NEO-FFI in a simulated application for a job stereotypically associated with extraversion (a journalist) scored higher on the extraversion scale than those who completed it under standard instructions. The increase occurred in response to the job label ‘journalist’ and in response to a job description stressing extraversion-related qualities. In Study 2, a priming procedure was used to elicit cognitive response distortions. Participants exposed to an extraverted stimulus person scored higher on extraversion than participants completing the NEO-FFI under standard instructions. No effects were found on the remaining scales of the NEO-FFI. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) as a source of income is rapidly gaining importance in the economically difficult times in Zimbabwe. Small-scale miners are now responsible for over 50% of the Zimbabwean gold production. However, the sector is still characterised by high labour-intensity, low productivity and capital, limited mechanisation and outdated technologies. Since increasing efforts in recent years to improve miners' health while reducing the exposure to mercury have not been effective, a more sustainable approach is needed to identify interventions targeting the health of artisanal and small-scale miners and the mining communities. The main objective of this study was the accurate and extensive empirical identification of the determinants of health in ASGM and of the miners' health needs. In tandem with these needs, topics which generate more effective, sustainable, and feasible future health interventions targeting occupational health should be identified. Based on the identification of determinants of health, a health needs assessment (HNA) was used to conduct miners' needs by applying a mixed methods approach and triangulation. This included qualitative and quantitative interviews with individuals, group interviews, focus group discussions, observations and informal conversations. There were 85 structured and 84 semi-structured interviews, a focus group discussion, and observations conducted. Six main themes were identified around which miners' health needs can be aggregated as follows: living conditions, nutrition and hygiene; safe work environment and mining processes; financial support; health care services; formalisation and education. The following aspects were considered most important for sustainable interventions: possible health impacts, feasibility, value for miners and their willingness to adapt. Accordingly, interventions aiming at increasing education, knowledge and awareness of miners were identified as most promising in improving occupational health. [Display omitted] • Artisanal and small-scale goldmining is major source of income for many miners in Zimbabwe. • Miners need to improve their occupational health and safety. • Miners need more education and training, formalisation, access to health care services, improved safety in mining processes. • An increase in knowledge and awareness is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]