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The fact that neutrinos carry a non-vanishing rest mass is evidence ofphysics beyond the Standard Model of elementary particles. Their absolute massbears important relevance from particle physics to cosmology. In this work, wereport on the search for the effective electron antineutrino mass with theKATRIN experiment. KATRIN performs precision spectroscopy of the tritium$\beta$-decay close to the kinematic endpoint. Based on the first fiveneutrino-mass measurement campaigns, we derive a best-fit value of $m_u^{2} ={-0.14^{+0.13}_{-0.15}}~\mathrm{eV^2}$, resulting in an upper limit of $m_u <{0.45}~\mathrm{eV}$ at 90 % confidence level. With six times the statistics ofprevious data sets, amounting to 36 million electrons collected in 259measurement days, a substantial reduction of the background level and improvedsystematic uncertainties, this result tightens KATRIN's previous bound by afactor of almost two.

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic involved business closures (e.g., gyms), social distancing policies, and prolonged stressful situations that may have impacted engagement in health behaviors. Our study assessed changes in cancer-related health behaviors during the pandemic, specifically physical activity, fruit/vegetable intake, smoking/tobacco use, and alcohol consumption. Methods Eight cancer centers administered mailed/web-based/telephone surveys between June 2020 and March 2021. Surveys assessed demographics, perceptions on social distancing, and self-reported changes of behaviors (less/same/more) associated with cancer prevention or risk, e.g., physical activity, fruit/vegetable intake, tobacco/smoking use, and alcohol consumption. Descriptive analyses and logistic regression models assessed association of variables with behavior change. Results Most of the 21,911 respondents reported adhering to at least 4(of 5) social distancing measures (72%) and indicated social distancing was very/somewhat important to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (91%). 35% of respondents reported less physical activity, 11% reported less fruit/vegetable intake, 27% reported more smoking/tobacco use (among those who used tobacco/smoking products in past 30 days), and 23% reported more alcohol consumption (among those who reported at least 1 drink in past 30 days) than before the pandemic. Urban residence, younger age, female gender, and worse general health were associated with less physical activity, less fruit/vegetable intake, more smoking/tobacco use, and more alcohol intake. Higher educational attainment was associated with less physical activity and fruit/vegetable intake and more alcohol consumption. Reporting social distancing as important and adhering to more COVID-19 safety practices were associated with less physical activity and more alcohol consumption. Conclusion Our findings suggest that certain demographics and those who adhered to social distancing measures were more likely to self-report unfavorable changes in health behaviors during the pandemic. Future studies should examine if the behaviors returned to baseline following relief from pandemic restrictions, and if these behavior changes are associated with increased cancer incidence and mortality.

Abstract With a 5-year survival of ˂ 10%, pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. Given the role of the distribution of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TILs) subtypes in the tumor and its microenvironment in predicting prognosis, the development of new targeted therapies based on T-cell adaptive response has gained considerable attention. This study aimed to examine the peritumoral spread of TILs and its relationship with other prognostic parameters and survival. This study included 60 patients with pancreatic cancer who had undergone surgery with follow-up between 2011 and 2021. Demographic characteristics, tumor histopathological features, peritumoral TILs counts, and intratumoral programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand − 1 (PD-L1) positivity were evaluated. Furthermore, overall survival and their efficacy in predicting survival according to TNM stage were analyzed. The number of cluster differentiation-3 positive (CD3 P) TILs increased with advancing pathological T stage. CD3 P and CD8 P TIL counts were higher in patients with peripancreatic fatty tissue invasion. Patients with PD-L1 positivity and higher TIL counts had better survival rates. PD-L1-negative patients with a low CD8 positive/total lymph node count (P/T) ratio had a longer survival. Moreover, patients with poorly differentiated tumors with low CD3 P/T and CD8 P/T ratios had a longer survival. The CD3 P/T and CD8 P/T ratios were compatible with the automatic and manual measurements. Age, tumor differentiation, N stage, and peritumoral TIL count and subtype, when evaluated together with the presence of PD-L1 in the tumor tissue, may have prognostic significance for survival in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Abstract Background Concentrations of plasma per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are elevated in the Inuit population of Nunavik and may be causing adverse health effects. Respiratory health outcomes have been associated with PFAS, but have not been explored in Inuit communities. The aim of the study was to examine the association between PFAS and respiratory health outcomes, and the moderating role of nutritional biomarkers. Methods We included up to 1298 participants of the Qanuilirpitaa? 2017 survey aged 16–80 years. Generalized regression models were used to estimate the associations between six individual PFAS congeners and four self-reported symptoms, four spirometry measures, and physician-diagnosed asthma. Outcomes associated with PFAS from single chemical models were further explored using Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR). The modifying effect of n-3 PUFA in red blood cell quartiles and vitamin D deficiency were examined on the associations between PFAS and respiratory outcomes. Results PFNA and PFOS were associated with asthma (odds ratio (OR) 1.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12, 2.32; OR 1.45 95% CI 1.04, 2.03). PFOA, PFNA, PFDA and PFHxS were associated with a decrease in the ratio between the forced expiratory volume in the first second and forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC). No associations were observed with self-reported respiratory symptoms. No associations were observed between a PFAS mixture and asthma. Some associations were modified by nutritional factors, namely, stronger associations between PFOA and PFHxS and asthma with lower n-3 PUFA levels and stronger associations between PFDA, PFUnDA and PFOS and FEV1/FVC with vitamin D deficiency. Conclusion These findings add to the growing literature on the impacts of PFAS on respiratory health, and the importance of their global regulation. Associations were modified by nutritional factors pointing to the nutritional value of traditional Inuit foods.

Objective: This qualitative study was conducted to examine the effect of social media use on women's mothering roler and childcare attitudes.Methods: The study group for this research was determined using the criterion sampling method, which is a purposeful sampling method. The sample consisted of 27 women who actively use social media and have children between the ages of 0-6. Data were collected using an “Introductory Information Form” and a “Semi-structured Interview Form”. Data analysis was conducted using Colaizzi's phenomenological interpretation method.Results: The mean age of the women who participated in the study was 32.03+4.89 years. It was determined that 96.3% of the women used Instagram, 63% used Youtube, and 40.7% used Twitter, and they spent an average of 1-3 hours daily on these sites. It was determined that the mothers who participated in the study mostly sought help from their own mothers and close environment (70.4%), web browsers (22.2%), social media (14.8%) and health personnel (7.4%), respectively, as a solution approach when they encountered a situation or problem they did not know about child care. It was determined that the working mothers (59.3%) who participated in the study had a sense of guilt and inadequacy due to the perception of super motherhood created by the social media accounts they followed, and therefore, they were more lenient, soft and ignored the error in the care approach of their own children.Conclusion: Guidance for parents on accessing reliable health information and proactive use of social media by health care providers to promote healthy decisions is an important requirement of our age.

This study examined the impact of an in-school dance curriculum on the social-emotional development of at-risk preschoolers in a southern California public preschool program. The preschoolers (N = 69) participated in dance for thirty minutes, once a week, over an entire academic year. We compared the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) scores in the Social-Emotional domain from Fall 2018 to Spring 2019 and controlled for dance by analyzing scores from four sites who received dance and two sites who did not receive any dance. Our findings included an increase in preschoolers' DRDP scores in the category of Integrating Social-Emotional Skills among those sites who received dance versus sites who did not receive dance. There were no significant changes among scores in the category of Building-Later. Through this study, dance was shown to support preschoolers' ability to integrate and build social-emotional skills, strengthen their self-identity, and establish meaningful relationships with peers and adults.

Background: Aortic stenosis (AS) is treated through transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), with diabetes being prevalent among these patients. Inflammation participates in the pathogenesis of AS, and emerging evidence suggests that TAVI may exert anti-inflammatory effects. Given the established link between diabetes and inflammation, we sought to evaluate the impact of aortic valve replacement (AVR) on glycemic control. Methods: Data from 10,129 consecutive patients undergoing either TAVI or SAVR between January 2010 and January 2022 were analyzed. Of these, 3,783 with diabetes had available pre- and post-procedural glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) measurements. Analysis of 1,284 individuals with HbA1c ≥ 7 % was conducted. Propensity-score matching produced two well-matched cohorts of 266 TAVI and SAVR patients, enabling comparison of periprocedural HbA1c. Results: In the total cohort (n = 1,284), HbA1c decreased from 8.15 ± 1.12 to 7.88 ± 1.38 (p

OBJECTIVE: Patients with advanced laryngeal cancer are typically presented with divergent treatment options, namely chemoradiation versus total laryngectomy. This study aims to understand general perspectives of the factors involved in this decision-making process. METHODS: Surveys were constructed using specialized conjoint analysis software. Seven attributes integral to the decision-making process for advanced laryngeal cancer treatment were included. RESULTS: Three hundred one healthy adult volunteers completed the decision-making program. The relative impact of each treatment attribute on decision making across all participants was scored with an average importance score (standard deviation) as follows: Lifespan 22.2% (±8.5), Voicing 21.4% (±5.9), Swallowing 19.1% (±7.3), Cancer Cure 14.9% (±6.2), Mode of Breathing 11.0% (±3.7), Self-Image 6.7% (±2.9), and Treatment Type 4.8% (±3.0). CONCLUSIONS: General public opinion ranked lifespan, voicing, and swallowing aspects as similarly important, and all were ranked more important than probability of cure. These data demonstrate a variety of priorities among participants and the need for tailored discussions when determining treatment choice for advanced laryngeal cancer. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4.

Aim: The occlusion myocardial infarction (OMI) and non-OMI (NOMI) paradigms aim to improve the quality to ensure effective diagnosis and treatment. Due to the lack of universally accepted diagnostic criteria, the study aimed to investigate the correlation between laboratory parameters commonly analyzed in the emergency department in patients with and non-segment elevation myocardial infarction and OMI/NOMI definitions. Materials and Methods: Demographic characteristics, mortality status, laboratory parameters and thrombolysis in MI (TIMI) scores of patients were recorded. Patients with TIMI scores of 0-2 and 3 were considered OMI and NOMI. Findings were considered significant when p

Polylactic acid/Polycarbonate (PLA/PC) blend was prepared via twin screw extruder by taking the bio-based content as much as possible and the better mechanical, thermal, and impact properties into consideration. Flame retardant (FR) performance of the PLA/PC blend was improved by using the mixture of ammonium polyphosphate, triphenyl phosphate, and zinc borate. FR properties of PLA/PC blend was evaluated according to the UL 94 test standard. The variations in tensile and flexural strength, and Izod-notched impact strength values were determined. In order to reduce the total amount of flame retardant additive, instead of using a mixture of TPP and APP (weight ratio of 2/1) at 21 wt% weight fraction, 1 wt% Zinc borate together with 18 wt% TPP-APP mixture was used and obtained V0 rating for the thickness of 1.5 mm. It was reported that weight fraction of flame retardant additives (APP and TPP) was successfully reduced by using a mixture of APP, TPP and ZnB without degrading the mechanical properties such as tensile and flexural strengths. Using less total FR additive weight (19 wt%) led to 15 and 24% higher tensile and flexural strength values, respectively, compared to higher FR additive weight (21 wt%).

Some extensions of the Standard Model of particle physics allow for Lorentz invariance and charge-parity-time invariance violations. In the neutrino sector strong constraints have been set by neutrino-oscillation and time-of-flight experiments. However, some Lorentz-invariance-violating parameters are not accessible via these probes. In this work, we focus on the parameters (aof(3))00, (aof(3))10, and (aof(3))11 which would manifest themselves in a nonisotropic β-decaying source as a sidereal oscillation and an overall shift of the spectral endpoint. Based on the data of the first scientific run of the KATRIN experiment, we set the first 90% confidence-level limit on |(aof(3))11| of

BackgroundPartial gland ablation (PGA) is a new option for treatment of prostate cancer (PCa). Cryotherapy, an early method of PGA, has had favorable evaluations, but few studies have employed a strict protocol using biopsy endpoints in men with clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa).Methods143 men with unilateral csPCa were enrolled in a prospective, observational trial of outpatient PGA-cryotherapy. Treatment was a 2-cycle freeze of the affected prostate part. Participants were evaluated with MRI-guided biopsy (MRGB) at baseline and at 6 months and 18 months after treatment. Absence of csPCa upon MRGB was the primary endpoint; quality-of-life at baseline and at 6 months after treatment was assessed by EPIC-CP questionnaires in the domains of urinary and sexual function.ResultsOf the 143 participants, 136 (95%) completed MRGB at 6 months after treatment. In 103/136 (76%), the biopsy revealed no csPCa. Of the 103, 71 subsequently had an 18-month comprehensive biopsy; of the 71 with 18-month biopsies, 46 (65%) were found to have no csPCa. MRI lesions became undetectable in 96/130 (74%); declines in median serum PSA levels (6.9 to 2.5 ng/mL), PSA density (0.15 to 0.07), and prostate volume (42 to 34cc) were observed (all p

The Arctic Monitoring Assessment Program (AMAP) is tasked with monitoring and assessing the status of environmental contaminants in the Arctic, documenting levels and trends, and producing science-based assessments. The objectives of this paper are to present the current levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) across the Arctic, and to identify trends and knowledge gaps as detailed in the most recent AMAP Human Health Assessment Report. Many Arctic populations continue to have elevated levels of these contaminants, and the highest levels of POPs were observed in populations from Greenland, Faroe Islands, and Nunavik (Canada), as well as populations in the coastal Chukotka district (Russia) for legacy POPs only. Concentrations of most POPs are declining in Arctic populations in regions where time trends data exist, although the declines are not consistent across all regions. The exceptions are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, with concentrations of some long-chain PFAS such as perfluorononanoic acid increasing in populations in Nunavik, Greenland and Sweden. This paper provides a more extensive summary of levels of contaminants in adults, pregnant women, and children across the Arctic than previous AMAP human health assessments, particularly for levels of long-chain PFAS, which are currently under consideration for inclusion in the Stockholm Convention.

The global use of pesticides is increasing; however, few studies have examined the exposure of current-use pesticide exposure in Inuit populations. Some current use pesticides are also capable of long-range transport, potentially increasing exposures to northern populations. The study aim was to analyse pesticide (chlorophenoxy, organophosphates, and pyrethroid pesticide) biomarker levels in pooled samples from an Inuit population in Nunavik, Quebec. Thirty pooled samples from the Qanuilirpitaa? 2017 survey (Q2017) from individuals aged 16–80 years were included. Creatinine-adjusted arithmetic (AM) were compared by sex, age, and region sub-groups, and geometric mean concentrations (GM) were compared to those in the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). Most analysed pesticide biomarkers were detected, and PNP (a metabolite of methyl and ethyl parathion), trans-DCCA (a metabolite of pyrethroids), and 3,5,6-TCP (a metabolite of chlorpyrifos) had the highest concentrations. Concentrations in Q2017 were largely similar to or less than CHMS concentrations. Although not significant, there was a general increase in 2,4-D (a chlorophenoxy biomarker), 3,5,6-TCP, 3-PBA (a metabolite of pyrethroids), and trans-DCCA with increasing age. Concentrations were also somewhat higher in females versus males, but these were not significant. Environmental exposures to current use pesticides were detected in Nunavik and concentrations were similar to or less than those in the general Canadian population. Regular monitoring of current use pesticide exposures is recommended given the increasing global use of pesticides.

IntroductionThe response to medical management of young dogs with osteoarthritis (OA) associated pain has not been evaluated. Using an open-label design, the effectiveness, over a 4-month period, of standardized management (grapiprant/fish oil/exercise) for treating OA pain in young dogs was evaluated.MethodsIncluded dogs were 9 months-4 years of age; ≥3.6 kg body weight; had ≥1 appendicular joint with radiographic OA and obvious joint pain; had a Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (LOAD) score of ≥5. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory piprant (grapiprant) was given at the recommended dose daily, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation was initiated at 100 mg/kg and then increased to 200 mg/kg daily, and leash exercise was gradually increased to a target of 60 min daily. Client-reported outcome measures (CROMs) and force plate gait analysis were collected at baseline and monthly for 4 months. The index limb was defined as the most severely affected limb at baseline.ResultsForty-eight dogs were enrolled (mean ± SD age of 30.7 ± 10.7 months). Hips, elbows, and stifles were commonly affected. Medication and supplement compliance was excellent (≥95% of target administered), and treatments were well-tolerated. CROMs showed significant improvement over time and at each time point. Overall, peak vertical force (PVF) increased significantly (

In this work we present a keV-scale sterile-neutrino search with a low-tritium-activity data set of the KATRIN experiment, acquired in a commissioning run in 2018. KATRIN performs a spectroscopic measurement of the tritium β -decay spectrum with the main goal of directly determining the effective electron anti-neutrino mass. During this commissioning phase a lower tritium activity facilitated the measurement of a wider part of the tritium spectrum and thus the search for sterile neutrinos with a mass of up to 1.6keV . We do not find a signal and set an exclusion limit on the sterile-to-active mixing amplitude of sin 2θ< 5 × 10 - 4 (95 % C.L.) at a mass of 0.3 keV. This result improves current laboratory-based bounds in the sterile-neutrino mass range between 0.1 and 1.0 keV.

Background: Infertility and its treatment can be complex, difficult, and uncomfortable, especially for women. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the quality of life and health literacy of women. Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of life and health literacy in women receiving infertility treatment and to determine the relationship between the two. Methods: The study, in which a descriptive design was used, was carried out with 186 women who received infertility treatment in Turkey between April 1 and June 30, 2022. Data were collected using a descriptive information form, the Fertility Quality of Life Questionnaire (FertiQoL), and the Turkey Health Literacy Scale-32 (THLS-32). Results: The mean scores of participants were 61.73±16.71 on the total FertiQoL and 36.46±8.45 on the total THLS-32. The level of health literacy was inadequate in 7.5% of women, problematic/limited in 28.5%, adequate in 31.7%, and excellent in 32.3%. There was no significant correlation between FertiQoL and THLS-32 scores (p>.05). Conclusions: In this study, it was determined that the quality of life and health literacy of women who received infertility treatment were not at the desired level.

Introduction: Air pollution has numerous impacts on human health on a variety of time scales. Pollutants such as particulate matter—PM1 and PM2.5, carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and nitric oxide (NO) are exemplars of the wider human exposome. In this study, we adopted a unique approach by utilizing the responses of human autonomic systems to gauge the abundance of pollutants in inhaled air. Objective: To investigate how the human body autonomically responds to inhaled pollutants in microenvironments, including PM1, PM2.5, CO2, NO2, and NO, on small temporal and spatial scales by making use of biometric observations of the human autonomic response. To test the accuracy in predicting the concentrations of these pollutants using biological measurements of the participants. Methodology: Two experimental approaches having a similar methodology that employs a biometric suite to capture the physiological responses of cyclists were compared, and multiple sensors were used to measure the pollutants in the air surrounding them. Machine learning algorithms were used to estimate the levels of these pollutants and decipher the body’s automatic reactions to them. Results: We observed high precision in predicting PM1, PM2.5, and CO2 using a limited set of biometrics measured from the participants, as indicated with the coefficient of determination (R2) between the estimated and true values of these pollutants of 0.99, 0.96, and 0.98, respectively. Although the predictions for NO2 and NO were reliable at lower concentrations, which was observed qualitatively, the precision varied throughout the data range. Skin temperature, heart rate, and respiration rate were the common physiological responses that were the most influential in predicting the concentration of these pollutants. Conclusion: Biometric measurements can be used to estimate air quality components such as PM1, PM2.5, and CO2 with high degrees of accuracy and can also be used to decipher the effect of these pollutants on the human body using machine learning techniques. The results for NO2 and NO suggest a requirement to improve our models with more comprehensive data collection or advanced machine learning techniques to improve the results for these two pollutants.