Persistent T-Cell Reactivity in a Seronegative Patient after SARS-CoV-2 Infection and One Vaccination

We present here a 64-year-old male participant of the CoNAN study who experienced a PCR-confirmed mild SARS-CoV-2 infection but did not develop any measurable antibody response. Additionally, after vaccination with ChAdOx1 (AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK) 11 months later, no antibodies were detected in six serological tests three weeks after the vaccination. When we assessed T-helper (Th) cell immunity, SARS-CoV-2-specific Th cells produced detectable amounts of IFNγ and TNF six weeks after the infection. A robust T-cell immunity remained detectable at least until six months after the infection and was boosted by the vaccination thereafter. This case report points out that an assessment of a prior infection or a vaccine response based solely on antibody detection might have limitations in individual patients.

Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened or Artificially Sweetened Beverages and Semen Quality in Young Men: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Existing literature suggests that frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks may be associated with lower semen quality. Studies performed in mice suggest a dose-response relationship between intake of saccharin or aspartame, two artificial sweeteners, and sperm and testis function. Methods: A cross-sectional study based on data from The Fetal Programming of Semen Quality (FEPOS) Cohort, including 1047 young men (mean age = 19 years) was performed. Each male participant completed an online questionnaire on health, health behavior and diet, and provided a semen sample. The associations between consumption of sugar-sweetened or artificially sweetened beverages (moderate ≥ 3 days/week; infrequent < 3 days/week) and semen quality were analyzed using a multivariable, negative, binomial regression model. Results: Sugar-sweetened or artificially sweetened beverage consumption was not strongly associated with either semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count or total motility in young men. The proportion of morphologically normal sperm was 11% lower (0.89 (95% CI 0.76, 1.04)) for moderate (≥3 days/week) consumption of artificially sweetened beverages relative to infrequent (<3 days/week). Conclusion: Consumption of sugar-sweetened or artificially sweetened beverages, at the levels present in this study had limited effect on the measured markers of semen quality in young men.

Where the Skin Meets

Over the last half century, the analysis of homoerotic themes present in the author’s novels has been a particularly generative subset of Melville studies. Among this body of research, the relationship between Ishmael and Queequeg in Moby-Dick has proven to be a compelling avenue of research regarding modes of queer representation in an historical period wherein the open discussion of homosexuality was viewed as anywhere from taboo to illegal. This paper builds on the work of other Melville scholars, such as Caleb Crain and Kellen Bolt, in examining the ways in which 19th century ideas of race intersect with the representation of an eroticized male relationship between Ishmael and Queequeg. I suggest that the particular lens of racialized eroticism through which 19th century white observers viewed Polynesian men inherently denies the potential for disavowal of same-gender attraction to the non-White subject. This denial necessarily reifies racial hierarchy by giving a White male participant in a homoerotic relationship the ability to dictate its boundaries. I argue that even if, as Bolt suggests, Ishmael’s relationship with Queequeg represents a rejection of 19th century American nativist sentiment, Ishmael retains the ability to distance himself from accusations of homoeroticism in a way that is not possible for Queequeg and his exoticized body. I conclude with an exploration of how the Victorian freak-show archetype of the tattooed man connects with Ishmael’s decision to tattoo himself and thus voluntary take on racializing signifiers within his contemporary context.

Passive Infrared Motion Sensors Improved the Detection Accuracy of Nocturnal Agitation

Actigraphy has been used to detect agitation in persons with dementia, although this technology must be worn by participants. Another promising sensing methodology is passive infrared (PIR) motion, which provides continuous, low-cost, and unobtrusive data, and may also improve the detection of agitated periods. Using data from the MODERATE (Monitoring Dementia-Related Agitation Using Technology Evaluation) study, we compared the predictive value of detecting agitation in a male participant, who was 64 years old with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), living in a memory care unit, and monitored with actigraphy on his wrist and four PIR motion sensors within his living quarters. The participant’s medical record indicated that he experienced agitation during 17 nights over 96 consecutive days. 929,037 data points were captured for analysis. From each night, the features extracted from the actigraphy wearable included total and standard deviation of activity counts, activity counts in the most and the least active hours, and median activity counts in one hour. Features extracted from the PIR motion sensors included dwell durations in the areas around bed, sofa, front door and bathroom, and the number of transitions between these areas. Using logistic regression to predict agitated periods, comparable classification performances were achieved using these two sets of features (AUC = 0.74 for wearable and AUC = 0.71 for PIR motion sensors). When these two sets of features were combined, the classification performance showed notable improvement (AUC = 0.83). This study points to the value of utilizing PIR motion sensors for detecting dementia-related agitation.

Penerapan Media Audio-Visual dalam Meningkatkan Hasil Latihan Teknik Dasar Dollyo Chagi pada Peserta Ekstrakurikuler Taekwondo di SMA

The purpose of this study is to examine and description the application of audio-visual media and enhance the basic training result of dollyo chagi in application audio-visual media for extracurricular participant taekwondo in SMA. This research is sport action study (PTO). This research use descriptive qualitative and quantitative method. The sample of this study has 11 participant with 6 male participant and 5 female participant category. The instrument used is observing guidelines for activities extracurricular participants for qualitative data and assessment basic training dollyo chagi for quantitative data. The results of show percentage whole participants before action is 3 percent. After that cycle I be an 81 percent and cycle II to 91 percent. Unfortunately, participant’s activity before action reach 81 percent and include to category “Cukup”. Thus, it can be concluded that audio-visual media can enhance basic training result of dollyo chagi for extracurricular participant taekwondo in SMA. Audio-visual media can be helper for extracurricular activity for coach to be enhanced training result. Abstrak: Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengkaji dan mendeskripsikan penerapan media audio-visual dan peningkatan hasil latihan teknik dasar dollyo chagi dalam penerapan media audio-visual pada peserta ekstrakurikuler taekwondo di SMA. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian tindakan olahraga (PTO). Penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif kualitatif kuantitatif. Sampel penelitian ini berjumlah 11 peserta dengan kategori 6 peserta laki-laki dan 5 peserta perempuan. Instrumen tes yang digunakan adalah kisi-kisi pedoman observasi aktivitas latihan peserta ekstrakurikuler untuk data kualitatif dan rubrik penilaian teknik dasar dollyo chagi untuk data kuantitatif. Hasil data penelitian menunjukkan persentase hasil latihan peserta secara keseluruhan sebelum tindakan berada pada 3 persen. Setelah dilakukan tindakan pada siklus I menjadi 82 persen dan pada siklus II sebesar 91 persen. Sedangkan untuk aktivitas peserta sebelum tindakan mencapai angka 81 persen yang dikategorikan cukup. Dengan demikian dapat disimpulkan bahwa media audio-visual dapat meningkatkan hasil latihan teknik dasar dollyo chagi peserta ekstrakurikuler taekwondo di SMA. Media audio-visual disarankan dapat dijadikan media bantu kegiatan ekstrakurikuler oleh pelatih untuk mengoptimalkan hasil latihan.

Sense of Coherence in Managers during COVID-19 and the New World of Work: A Mixed-Method Study

During COVID-19, the working world has changed inevitably, and many managers experience extreme strain and stress. This study determines how managers cope with the changes during COVID-19 from a positive psychology and salutogenic perspective. It employs a hermeneutical research design and an interpretivist paradigm by using a mixed-method research approach in which managers’ sense of coherence (SOC) is investigated quantitatively through the 29-item Life-Orientation scale and qualitatively through semi-structured interviews. Purposeful and snowball sampling techniques are used. The sample consists of 17 managers. Data were collected in different organizations within South Africa and analysed through content analysis, linking quantitative and qualitative data in a holistic, integrated and complex way. In terms of the quantitative findings, the managers scored at the medium and higher end of the SOC-scale in comprehensibility, followed by manageability and finally meaningfulness. Male managers in the age group 47–57 scored highest. Female and younger managers scored lower on average. Lowest scores in comprehensibility and manageability were scored by a young female manager, while in meaningfulness the oldest male participant scored lowest. The qualitative findings show that high scoring SOC managers apply complex thoughts to the present and future workplace scenario. Individuals with lower SOC scores do not present as much knowledge, complex thinking and argumentation structures during the interview in comprehensibility scores as high scoring SOC managers, yet still acquire resources to manage the workplace (manageability). High meaningfulness scores are associated with creating meaningful workplace interaction (human–human and machine–human), knowledge distribution through technology, impactfulness, experiencing the job as meaningful, including helping others, and achievements. Managers have a complex view of the world and findings show the complex connections of a high/low SOC scores and the managers’ explorations and systemic understanding regarding their managerial world. Conclusions and recommendations for theory and practice are given.

Problem-solving by total productive maintenance swift teams: communication network structure, media choice and team effectiveness

PurposeThis study aims to look at the performance, communication structure and media choice for swift teams (STs) formed with the purpose of recovering from operational emergencies in manufacturing. The problem-solving process associated with these ad hoc teams include an early stage, where the main goal is to restore the process to working conditions, and a later stage, longer in duration, where the root cause of the problem is found and eliminated.Design/methodology/approachBased on field data from an industrial manufacturing operation, the authors test hypotheses by means of regression models.FindingsIt was found that in the evolution from early to later stage, media usage shifts from highly synchronous to asynchronous and the structural characteristics of the teams' collaboration networks mutate as well. These effects are different when comparing high- vs low-performing teams.Research limitations/implicationsThe study contains data for only one company, limiting the external validity of the conclusions. The sample was predominantly male. Participant attrition and other potential covariates not included in the study can be additional limitations.Practical implicationsMore successful teams adapt their communication patterns more rapidly, going from an initially decentralized organization to a more centralized one. These changes in network patterns open a new view of ST’s success, based on network characteristics rather than on aggregate measures. The conclusions yield insights for interventions that may increase the success rates of these teams and reduce production line downtime.Originality/valueThe two stages in the operational emergency problem-solving process have to the authors’ knowledge not been addressed simultaneously in previous research, which is attempted in this paper as its main theoretical contribution. Moreover, previous studies dealing with ST’s success have only looked at aggregated measures impacting effectiveness and never to how their communication networks evolve along the path to problem resolution. The network view of the evolution of the ST from a relatively disorganized impromptu agglomeration of individuals to an effective problem-solving organization is to the authors’ knowledge first presented.

STUDY OF INCIDENCE OF THE CORONAL APPROACH IN CRANIOFACIAL TRAUMA AND ADVANTAGEOUS OF TITANIUM MESH IN RECONSTRUCTION OF CRANIOFACIAL DEFECTS.

INTRODUCTION: The coronal approach gives a broad exposure to the frontal bone, the calvaria, the nasal bones, the orbits, the subcondylar region, the zygoma and the zygomatic arch and gives ideal aesthetic results with less complication. The common craniofacial fractures are Nasal bones (45%), cranial bones (24%), Mandible (13%), Zygoma (13%), Orbital blowout (3%), Maxilla (2%). Common causes of fractures are Road trafc accident, Assault, Industrial accidents, Recreational accidents, Frontal bone fracture. METHOD: The study was carried out for a period of one year from March 2020 to March 2021. The study conducted in St Joseph dental college ELURU in the department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. The age limit for this study was below 30 years. The number of subjects involved in this study was 5. Number of females was 3 and males were 2 in this study. RESULT: Number of female participants in this study was 3 and number of male participants was 2.Number of male participants with coronal incision were 1 and number of participants with pretrichial incision were 2.Out of 2 one for male participant and one for female participant. CONCLUSION: The coronal ap has recently become a preferred approach for access to the craniofacial skeleton and orbit. This method of exposure has become particularly useful with increased indications for rigid internal xation and primary bone grafting in the management of complex facial fractures.

Perfil neuropsicológico de um adolescente com síndrome de potocki-lupski (duplicação 17p11. 2 p11. 2): estudo de caso

A síndrome de Potocki-Lupski (PTLS), ou trissomia 17p11.2, caracteriza-se por microduplicação da banda 11.2 do cromossomo 17. Trata-se de uma síndrome recém descoberta, associada à síndrome de Smith-Magenis - SMS e caracteriza-se pela presença de sintomas dos transtornos do espectro do autismo, comprometimentos cognitivos, dificuldades na fala e aprendizagem, hipotonia e alterações cardíacas congênitas. O objetivo desse estudo foi estabelecer o perfil cognitivo de um adolescente diagnosticado com PTLS. O participante, do sexo masculino, tinha 19 anos, cursando o nono ano do ensino fundamental, e foi diagnosticado nesta mesma idade, antes desta avaliação, solicitada devido às suas dificuldades de aprendizagem. Foram realizadas entrevista anamnésica, entrevista semi-estruturada com o adolescente, cinco sessões em que foram administrados testes de inteligência (WAIS-III, Raven), de habilidades cognitivas (RAVLT, TDE, D2, FAS) e de personalidade (HTP) e, ao final, realizou-se a entrevista devolutiva com o adolescente e a mãe. Identificaram-se prejuízos importantes de atenção e funções executivas e déficits relacionados à linguagem, com relativa preservação da organização perceptiva-visual e da velocidade de processamento. O atraso cognitivo e as dificuldades de aprendizagem, sobretudo relacionadas à aquisição de habilidades escolares, corroboram dados da literatura. Por outro lado, foram observadas pontuações próximas à média em provas de inteligência, o que não reflete sua real funcionalidade, indicando que resultados majorados em testes padronizados podem ser efeito de supertreino ou podem refletir os déficits executivos, usualmente não identificáveis em testes de inteligência. A avaliação neuropsicológica possibilitou o estabelecimento do perfil cognitivo, indicando forças e fraquezas, fornecendo subsídios ao projeto terapêutico no âmbito clínico e educacional. Introduction: Potocki-Lupski syndrome (PTLS), or trisomy 17p11.2, is characterized by microduplication of band 11.2 of chromosome 17. It is a newly discovered syndrome, associated with Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) and presents symptoms of the autism spectrum disorders, cognitive impairments, speech and learning difficulties, hypotonia and congenital heart alterations. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the cognitive profile of an adolescent with PTLS. Method: The male participant was 19 years of age, enrolled in the ninth year of elementary education, and was diagnosed at this age, prior to this evaluation, due to his learning difficulties. An anamnesis interview, a semi-structured interview, five sessions in which intelligence tests (WAIS-III, Raven), cognitive ability tests (RAVLT, TDE, D2, FAS) and personality tests (HTP) were administered, and a return interview with the adolescent and the mother were carried out. Results: Significant impairments in attention and executive functions and language-related deficits were identified, with relative preservation of the perceptual-visual organization and processing speed. The cognitive delay and learning difficulties, especially related to the acquisition of academic skills, corroborate data from the literature. Scores close to the average in intelligence tests were observed, which did not reflect the real functionality. Conclusions: Higher scores in the standardized tests may have been an effect of intensive training or may reflect executive deficits that are usually unidentifiable in intelligence tests. The neuropsychological evaluation established the cognitive profile, indicating strengths and weaknesses, providing support for the therapeutic project in the clinical and educational context.

Cortical Re-organization After Traumatic Brain Injury Elicited Using Functional Electrical Stimulation Therapy: A Case Report

Functional electrical stimulation therapy (FEST) can improve motor function after neurological injuries. However, little is known about cortical changes after FEST and weather it can improve motor function after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Our study examined cortical changes and motor improvements in one male participant with chronic TBI suffering from mild motor impairment affecting the right upper-limb during 3-months of FEST and during 3-months follow-up. In total, 36 sessions of FEST were applied to enable upper-limb grasping and reaching movements. Short-term assessments carried out using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) showed reduced cortical silent period (CSP), indicating cortical and/or subcortical inhibition after each intervention. At the same time, no changes in motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were observed. Long-term assessments showed increased MEP corticospinal excitability after 12-weeks of FEST, which seemed to remain during both follow-ups, while no changes in CSP were observed. Similarly, long-term assessments using TMS mapping showed larger hand MEP area in the primary motor cortex (M1) after 12-weeks of FEST as well as during both follow-ups. Corroborating TMS results, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data showed M1 activations increased during hand grip and finger pinch tasks after 12-weeks of FEST, while gradual reduction of activity compared to after the intervention was seen during follow-ups. Widespread changes were seen not only in the M1, but also sensory, parietal rostroventral, supplementary motor, and premotor areas in both contralateral and ipsilateral hemispheres, especially during the finger pinch task. Drawing test performance showed improvements after the intervention and during follow-ups. Our findings suggest that task-specific and repetitive FEST can effectively increase cortical activations by integrating voluntary motor commands and sensorimotor network through functional electrical stimulation (FES). Overall, our results demonstrated cortical re-organization in an individual with chronic TBI after FEST.