bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous Determination of Phosphorus, Iron, and Aluminum in Phosphate Rock and Fertilizer Systems by Automated Colorimetric Analysis
Authors: Hoyt Jack L , Jordan Donald E
Published: February 2020

An automated colorimetric method is used to simultaneously determine phosphorus, iron, and aluminum in phosphate rock and various solid and liquid fertilizer systems. Combination of an in situ dilution technique for phosphorus with a sample splitting technique results in an effective analysis rate of 60, 90, or 120 determinations/hr (20, 30, or 40 samples/hr, 3 elements/sample). Phosphorus is determined as the molybdovanadophosphate complex at 420 mμ; iron and aluminum are both determinated as “Ferron” (8-hydroxy-7-iodo-5-quinoline sulfonic acid) complexes with the iron complex determined at 610 mμ and combined iron and aluminum complexes determined at 366 mμ. The precision and accuracy are better than ±1% relative throughout the total range of 0.1 to 75% P2O5, and up to 10% Fe2O3 and 10% AL2O3.
Determination of Free and Total Water in Fertilizers by Karl Fischer Titration
Authors: Duncan R D , Brabson J A
Published: February 2020

Free water in fertilizers is determined by extraction of the sample with 1,4-dioxane and titration of the extract with Karl Fischer reagent. Total water is determined by distillation of n-amyl alcohol from its mixture with the sample and titration of the distillate with Karl Fischer reagent. Hydrate water is taken as the difference between the total water and the free water.
Collaborative Study of a Method for Determination of MVIalic Acid in Grapes and Grape Products
Authors: Fernandez-Flores E , Johnson Arthur R , Blomquist Victor H
Published: February 2020

The polarimetric method for the determination of l-malic acid in grape juice and grape products has been further modified by increasing the amount of potassium acetate used, adjusting the alcohol wash concentration, and utilizing a more efficient filtration for the removal of interfering tartrate salts. Collaborators reported acceptable results and no difficulties were reported. It is recommended that the method as modified be adopted as official first action for the determination of l-malic acid in grape juice and grape products.
Determination of Total Solids in Frozen Spinach
Authors: Winter F H
Published: February 2020

The frozen contents of the package, including frost crystals, are first thawed in warm water and then blended. A portion of the blended sample is mixed with dried diatomaceous earth and then dried at 105°C to constant weight in an oven with mechanical air circulation or gravity convection. The results give total solids present, including water picked up by blanching, and are a measure of efficiency of draining before freezing. The method was applied to over 100 samples of commercially frozen spinach with standard deviations ranging from ±0.03 to ±0.13 within replications.
Studies on the Possible Formation of Azo Compounds in Rumen Fluid
Authors: Katz Stanley E , Fassbender Carol A , Strusz Richard F
Published: February 2020

Studies of the transformations of substituted urea herbicides in rumen fluid, using metobromuron as a pilot compound, indicated that one of the products is the corresponding aniline. Because it was possible for a diazotization reaction to take place from the reduction of nitrate to hydroxylamine and ammonia through a transient nitrite step, the formation of azo compounds in rumen fluid was investigated. Incubation of 3,4-dichloroaniline with rumen fluid did not result in t he formation of any measurable azo compounds. The stability in rumen fluid of a known azo compound, 3,3’,4,4’-tetrachloroazobenzene, was also studied. Evidence is presented to show that azo compounds can break down in rumen fluid.
GLC Determination of Dichlorvos in Milk, Eggs, and Various Body Tissues of Cattle and Chickens
Authors: Ivey M C , Claborn H V
Published: February 2020

A gas chromatograph equipped with a flame photometric detector provided a highly sensitive method of determining residues of dichlorvos in milk, eggs, and various body tissues of cattle and chickens. Extraction and cleanup makes possible the detection of 0.003 ppm dichlorvos in milk and 0.002 ppm in body tissues and eggs. Recoveries of 79–87% are obtained from fat, muscle, and chicken skin, 93–97% from milk, and 77% from eggs.
Evaluation of Eight Gas Chromatographic Columns for Chlorinated Pesticides
Authors: Thompson John F , Walker Annita C , Moseman Robert F
Published: February 2020

Eight single and mixed polarity column packings were prepared and optimum operating parameters were determined for each column. Data were obtained for efficiency, effect on detector sensitivity, absolute retention times, and peak elution patterns. Retention and peak height response values, both relative to aldrin, are reported for 50 chlorinated pesticides and related compounds on the eight columns. The column of 3% diethylene glycol succinate and the mixed liquid phase columns of 2% OV-1/3% QF-1 and 1.5% OV-17/1.95% QF-1 performed very well by virtue of their capacity for high efficiency, response, practical retention times, and compound separation characteristics.
Modification of the AOAC Method for Multiple Pesticide Residues in Nonfatty Foods for Samples of High-Sugar Content
Authors: Porter Mildred L , Burke Jerry A
Published: February 2020

Data are presented which illustrate a tendency to high results by the AOAC method for multiple pesticide residues with samples containing sugar. Addition of 50 ml water to 200 ml acetonitrile before sample extraction reduces sugar concentration and overcomes separation of water and acetonitrile which concentrates pesticides in the acetonitrile phase; this is suitable for fruit and other samples containing about 5–15% sugar. For samples with a higher sugar content the extractant requires heating. Recoveries from a variety of fruits, using the proposed method, range from 87–100%. Extraction of residues of aldrin, dieldrin, and methoxychlor, resulting from foliar spraying, shows that extraction efficiency is 91, 94, and 99%,respectively, of a Soxhlet extraction with chloroform-methanol. The relatively simple modification is easily incorporated into the AOAC method without further change of the basic approach.
Collaborative Study of Nonaqueous Titration Method for Dodine in Formulations
Authors: Pasarela N Robert
Published: February 2020

A nonaqueous titration method for the determination of dodine in 65% wettable powder formulations was studied by ten collaborators. The dodine is extracted from the formulation with acetic acid-acetic anhydride (10 + 90). The extract is filtered, and the resultant acetylated compound in solution is basic enough to be titratable with perchloric acid at a relatively low potential. The titration is carried out potentiometrically or visually, using metanil yellow as an indicator. The coefficients of variation for re-dodecylguanidine acetate standard and the 65% wettable powder formulation were 0.24 and 0.55%, respectively. The method is recommended for adoption as official first action.
Collaborative Study on a Method for Detection of Aflatoxin B1 in Green Coffee Beans
Authors: Levi Colette P
Published: February 2020

Nine laboratories collaboratively studied a method for the detection of aflatoxin B1 in green coffee beans. The method investigated incorporates a Florisil column cleanup step, followed by visual estimation of aflatoxin. The method is recommended for adoption as official first action for semiquantitative determination of aflatoxin B1. Further study is required on the Florisil cleanup step.
Enhancing evacuation response to extreme weather disasters using public transportation systems: a novel simheuristic approach
Authors: Yazdani Maziar , Mojtahedi Mohammad , Loosemore Martin
Published: February 2020

In recent years, there have been an increasing number of extreme weather events that have had major impacts on the built environment and particularly on people living in urban areas. As the frequency and intensity of such events are predicted to increase in the future, innovative response strategies to cope with potential emergency conditions, particularly evacuation planning and management, are becoming more important. Although mass transit evacuation of populations at risk is recognized to play a potentially important role in reducing injury and mortality rates, there is relatively little research in this area. In answering the need for more research in this increasingly important and relatively new field of research, this study proposes a hybrid simulation–optimization approach to maximize the number of evacuees moved from disaster-affected zones to safe locations. In order to improve the efficiency of the proposed optimization approach, a novel multipopulation differential evolution approach based on an opposition-based learning concept is developed. The results indicate that even for large populations the proposed approach can produce high-quality options for decision makers in reasonable computational times. The proposed approach enables emergency decision makers to apply the procedure in practice to find the best strategies for evacuation, even when the time for decision making is severely limited.
Improved stomatal opening enhances photosynthetic rate and biomass production in fluctuating light
Authors: Kimura Haruki , Hashimoto-Sugimoto Mimi , Iba Koh , Terashima Ichiro , Yamori Wataru
Published: February 2020

It has been reported that stomatal conductance often limits the steady-state photosynthetic rate. On the other hand, the stomatal limitation of photosynthesis in fluctuating light remains largely unknown, although in nature light fluctuates due to changes in sun position, cloud cover, and the overshadowing canopy. In this study, we analysed three mutant lines of Arabidopsis with increased stomatal conductance to examine to what extent stomatal opening limits photosynthesis in fluctuating light. The slac1 (slow anion channel-associated 1) and ost1 (open stomata 1) mutants with stay-open stomata, and the PATROL1 (proton ATPase translocation control 1) overexpression line with faster stomatal opening responses exhibited higher photosynthetic rates and plant growth in fluctuating light than the wild-type, whereas these four lines showed similar photosynthetic rates and plant growth in constant light. The slac1 and ost1 mutants tended to keep their stomata open in fluctuating light, resulting in lower water-use efficiency (WUE) than the wild-type. However, the PATROL1 overexpression line closed stomata when needed and opened stomata immediately upon irradiation, resulting in similar WUE to the wild-type. The present study clearly shows that there is room to optimize stomatal responses, leading to greater photosynthesis and biomass accumulation in fluctuating light in nature.
Use of a Digital Cognitive Aid in the Early Management of Simulated War Wounds in a Combat Environment, a Randomized Trial
Authors: Truchot Michael , Balança Baptiste , Wey Pierre François , Tazarourte Karim , Lecomte François , Le Goff Arnaud , Leigh-Smith Simon , Lehot Jean Jacques , Rimmele Thomas , Cejka Jean Christophe
Published: February 2020

Introduction

The French army has implemented an algorithm based on the acronym “MARCHE RYAN,” each letter standing for a key action to complete in order to help first care providers during emergency casualty care. On the battlefield, the risk of error is increased, and the use of cognitive aids (CAs) might be helpful to avoid distraction. We investigated the effect of using a digital CA (MAX, for Medical Assistance eXpert) by combat casualty care providers on their technical and nontechnical performances during the early management of simulated war wounds, compared to their memory and training alone.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a randomized, controlled, unblinded study between July 2016 and February 2017. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Ethical Board of Desgenettes Army Training Hospital (14.06.2017 n°385) and was registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03483727). It took place during medicalization training in hostile environment (“MEDICHOS”) in Chamonix Mont-Blanc and in the first aid training center in La Valbonne military base (France). Each participant had to deal with two different scenarios, one with MAX (MAX+) and the other without (MAX−). Scenarios were held using either high-fidelity patient simulators or actors as wounded patients. The primary outcome was participants’ technical performance rated as their adherence to the MARCHE RYAN procedure (maximum 100%). The secondary outcome was the nontechnical performance according to the Ottawa crisis resource management Global Rating Scale (maximum 42).

Results

Technical performance was significantly higher in the MAX+ scenarios (70.60 IQR [63.70–73.56] than in the MAX− scenarios (56.25 IQR [52.88–62.09], p = 0.002). The Ottawa scores were significantly higher in the MAX+ scenarios (31.50 IQR [29.50–33.75]) than in the MAX− scenarios (29.50 IQR [24.50–32.00], p = 0.031).

Conclusions

The use of a digital CA by combat casualty care providers improved technical and nontechnical performances during field training of simulated crises. Following recommendations on the design and use of CA, regular team training would improve fluidity in the use and acceptance of an aid, by a highly drilled professional corporation with a strong culture of leadership. Digital CA should be tested at a larger scale in order to validate their contribution to real combat casualty care.
Afterglow light curves from misaligned structured jets
Authors: Beniamini Paz , Granot Jonathan , Gill Ramandeep
Published: February 2020

GRB 170817A/GW 170817 is the first gamma-ray burst (GRB) clearly viewed far from the GRB jet’s symmetry axis. Its afterglow was densely monitored over a wide range of frequencies and times. It has been modelled extensively, primarily numerically, and although this endeavour was very fruitful, many of the underlying model parameters remain undetermined. We provide analytic modelling of GRB afterglows observed off-axis, considering jets with a narrow core (of half-opening angle θc) and power-law wings in energy per unit solid angle (ϵ = ϵcΘ−a where Θ = [1 + (θ/θc)2]1/2) and initial specific kinetic energy (Γ0 − 1 = [Γc, 0 − 1]Θ−b), as well as briefly discuss Gaussian jets. Our study reveals qualitatively different types of light curves that can be viewed in future off-axis GRBs, with either single or double peaks, depending on the jet structure and the viewing angle. Considering the light-curve shape rather than the absolute normalizations of times and/or fluxes, removes the dependence of the light curve on many of the highly degenerate burst parameters. This study can be easily used to determine the underlying jet structure, significantly reduce the effective parameter space for numerical fitting attempts and provide physical insights. As an illustration, we show that for GRB 170817A, there is a strong correlation between the allowed values of Γc, 0 and b, leading to a narrow strip of allowed solutions in the Γc, 0–b plane above some minimal values Γc, 0 ≳ 40, b ≳ 1.2. Furthermore, the Lorentz factor of the material dominating the early light curve can be constrained by three independent techniques to be Γ0(θmin, 0) ≈ 5–7.
Intra-locked G-quadruplex structures formed by irregular DNA G-rich motifs
Authors: Maity Arijit , Winnerdy Fernaldo Richtia , Chang Weili Denyse , Chen Gang , Phan Anh Tuân
Published: February 2020

G-rich DNA sequences with tracts of three or more continuous guanines (G≥3) are known to have high propensity to adopt stable G-quadruplex (G4) structures. Bioinformatic analyses suggest high prevalence of G-rich sequences with short G-tracts (G≤2) in the human genome. However, due to limited structural studies, the folding principles of such sequences remain largely unexplored and hence poorly understood. Here, we present the solution NMR structure of a sequence named AT26 consisting of irregularly spaced G2 tracts and two isolated single guanines. The structure is a four-layered G4 featuring two bi-layered blocks, locked between themselves in an unprecedented fashion making it a stable scaffold. In addition to edgewise and propeller-type loops, AT26 also harbors two V-shaped loops: a 2-nt V-shaped loop spanning two G-tetrad layers and a 0-nt V-shaped loop spanning three G-tetrad layers, which are named as VS- and VR-loop respectively, based on their distinct structural features. The intra-lock motif can be a basis for extending the G-tetrad core and a very stable intra-locked G4 can be formed by a sequence with G-tracts of various lengths including several G2 tracts. Findings from this study will aid in understanding the folding of G4 topologies from sequences containing irregularly spaced multiple short G-tracts.
Rare cause of emergency in the first week of life: congenital hepatoblastoma (case report)
Authors: Yoo Gloria Ha Young , Mugarab-Samedi Veronica , Hansen Gregory , Miller Grant , Givelichian Laurence , Kalaniti Kaarthigeyan , Daspal Sibasis
Published: February 2020

During the first week of life, a sudden deterioration in a newborn commonly includes investigations to rule out infections, lung pathologies, cardiac lesions, neurological insults, metabolic disorders or gastrointestinal emergencies. It is unusual, however, to consider malignancy as the primary causative factor. In this case report, we describe a rare and unusual presentation of congenital hepatoblastoma, its complications and management in a neonate with multi-organ dysfunction. A term infant presented with sudden deterioration, hemodynamic instability and an acute abdomen on his 4th day of life. Surgical exploration revealed a ruptured neoplasm that pathology diagnosed as a congenital hepatoblastoma. After the patient was stabilized, chemotherapy was initiated. At present, the patient is 8 months old and under continuous follow-up of oncology service. This case highlights the importance of considering rare diagnoses including congenital malignancy when investigating and managing a sick newborn with multi-organ dysfunction.
49 years of normal functioning Starr–Edwards aortic valve prosthesis
Authors: Sabouni Mouhamed Amr , Baumeister Robin H , Traverse Paul
Published: February 2020

Although it is no longer in production, the Starr–Edwards valve has successfully replaced hundreds of thousands of heart valves in the past 50 years of its use. We report on the case of a valve in the aortic position still functioning 49 years after implantation without replacement, showcasing the valve’s durability.
Investigation of Fluid-driven Carbonation of a Hydrated, Forearc Mantle Wedge using Serpentinite Cores in High-pressure Experiments
Authors: Sieber Melanie J , Yaxley Gregory M , Hermann Jörg
Published: February 2020

High-pressure experiments were performed to investigate the effectiveness, rate and mechanism of carbonation of serpentinites by a carbon-saturated COH fluid at 1·5–2·5 GPa and 375–700 °C. This allows a better understanding of the fate and redistribution of slab-derived carbonic fluids when they react with the partially hydrated mantle within and above the subducting slab under pressure and temperature conditions corresponding to the forearc mantle. Interactions between carbon-saturated CO2–H2O–CH4 fluids and serpentinite were investigated using natural serpentinite cylinders with natural grain sizes and shapes in piston-cylinder experiments. The volatile composition of post-run fluids was quantified by gas chromatography. Solid phases were examined by Raman spectroscopy, electron microscopy and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Textures, porosity and phase abundances of recovered rock cores were visualized and quantified by three-dimensional, high-resolution computed tomography. We find that carbonation of serpentinites is efficient at sequestering CO2 from the interacting fluid into newly formed magnesite. Time-series experiments demonstrate that carbonation is completed within ∼96 h at 2 GPa and 600 °C. With decreasing CO2,aq antigorite is replaced first by magnesite + quartz followed by magnesite + talc + chlorite in distinct, metasomatic fronts. Above antigorite stability magnesite + enstatite + talc + chlorite occur additionally. The formation of fluid-permeable reaction zones enhances the reaction rate and efficiency of carbonation. Carbonation probably occurs via an interface-coupled replacement process, whereby interconnected porosity is present within reaction zones after the experiment. Consequently, carbonation of serpentinites is self-promoting and efficient even if fluid flow is channelized into veins. We conclude that significant amounts of carbonates may accumulate, over time, in the hydrated forearc mantle.
Resolving a spacetime singularity with field transformations
Authors: Naruko Atsushi , Yoo Chul-Moon , Sasaki Misao
Published: February 2020

It is widely believed that classical gravity breaks down and quantum gravity is needed to deal with a singularity. We show that there is a class of spacetime curvature singularities which can be resolved with metric and matter field transformations. As an example, we consider an anisotropic power-law inflation model with scalar and gauge fields in which a space-like curvature singularity exists at the beginning of time. First, we provide a transformation of the metric to the flat geometry, i.e. the Minkowski metric. The transformation removes the curvature singularity located at the origin of time. An essential difference from previous work in the literature is that the origin of time is not sent to past infinity by the transformation but it remains at a finite time in the past. Thus the geometry becomes extensible beyond the singularity. In general, matter fields are still singular in their original form after such a metric transformation. However, we explicitly show that there is a case in which the singular behavior of the matter fields can be completely removed by a redefinition of matter fields. Thus, for the first time, we have resolved a class of initial cosmic singularities and successfully extended the spacetime beyond the singularity in the framework of classical gravity.
Thermal state of transiently accreting neutron stars with additional heating beyond deep crustal heating
Authors: Liu Helei , Hashimoto Masa-aki , Lü Guoliang , Matsuo Yasuhide , Wen Dehua , Noda Tsuneo
Published: February 2020

As some neutron star transients require an additional unknown heat source (referred to as “shallow heating”) to explain their high temperatures at the beginning of quiescence, we investigate the effect of shallow heating as well as compressional heating on the thermal state of transiently accreting neutron stars with the use of evolutionary calculations in the present work. Through comparing our theoretical predictions of the equilibrium redshifted luminosities $(L_{\gamma}^{\infty})$ produced by both deep crustal heating and shallow heating/compressional heating for different time-averaged mass-accretion rates $\langle\dot{M}\rangle$ with 35 updated observations of soft X-ray transients, the results show that both shallow heating and compressional heating make significant contributions to the equilibrium redshifted luminosity. The hotter sources (XTE J1701, MAXI J0556, EXO 0748, Aql X-1 etc.) with higher accretion rates are more likely to be explained with the effect of shallow heating or compressional heating. In addition, for a proper shallow heat $q_\mathrm{sh}$ and mass-accretion rate $\dot{M}$, the effect of shallow heating could be simulated by compressional heating.
Significance of Ethnic Factors in Immunosuppressive Therapy Management After Organ Transplantation
Authors: Yamada Takaaki , Zhang Mengyu , Masuda Satohiro
Published: February 2020

Clinical outcomes after organ transplantation have greatly improved in the past 2 decades with the discovery and development of immunosuppressive drugs such as calcineurin inhibitors, antiproliferative agents, and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors. However, individualized dosage regimens have not yet been fully established for these drugs except for therapeutic drug monitoring-based dosage modification because of extensive interindividual variations in immunosuppressive drug pharmacokinetics. The variations in immunosuppressive drug pharmacokinetics are attributed to interindividual variations in the functional activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes, UDP-glucuronosyltransferases, and ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (known as P-glycoprotein or multidrug resistance 1) in the liver and small intestine. Some genetic variations have been found to be involved to at least some degree in pharmacokinetic variations in post-transplant immunosuppressive therapy. It is well known that the frequencies and effect size of minor alleles vary greatly between different races. Thus, ethnic considerations might provide useful information for optimizing individualized immunosuppressive therapy after organ transplantation. Here, we review ethnic factors affecting the pharmacokinetics of immunosuppressive drugs requiring therapeutic drug monitoring, including tacrolimus, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, sirolimus, and everolimus.
Optimizing pre-Descemet endothelial keratoplasty technique
Authors: Ross Andrew R. , Said Dalia G. , Colabelli Gisoldi Rossella A. M. , Nubile Mario , El-Amin Abdalla , Gabr Ahmed F. , Abd Ed-Moniem Mohamed , Mencucci Rita , Pocobelli Augusto , Mastropasqua Leonardo , Dua Harminder S.
Published: February 2020

Pre-Descemet endothelial keratoplasty (PDEK) is an alternative technique to Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). The preparation of PDEK tissue by pneumatic dissection is simple and reproducible. The PDEK clamp helps to consistently obtain a type 1 big bubble. The mean size of type 1 big bubble is 7.255 ± 0.535 × 6.745 ± 0.668 mm. The volume of air required to obtain type 1 big bubble is 0.14 to 0.37 mL. Dissection of PDEK tissue can be achieved by trephination or manual excision. Insertion of tissue into the recipient eye can be by injection or pulling. Unfolding techniques used for PDEK are similar to those used in DMEK. Unlike DMEK, PDEK tissue is easier to handle and unscroll and allows use of younger donors. It could help surgeons converting to endothelial keratoplasty, with significant advantages in preparation, handling, and unscrolling in the eye.
Triamcinolone acetonide for remnant lenticule identification in small incision lenticule extraction
Authors: Sachdev Gitansha Shreyas , Ramamurthy Shreyas , Dandapani Ramamurthy
Published: February 2020

Lenticule fragments retained postoperatively are a unique complication of small incision lenticule extraction. Large or central remnants with pursuant complications, including irregular astigmatism, induced corneal aberrations, and reduction in visual acuity, warrant surgical removal. Currently described modalities to delineate lenticule remnants include the use of anterior segment optical coherence tomography or CIRCLE software. However, the incurred cost and restricted availability of the described techniques limit their widespread use. The intraoperative administration of diluted triamcinolone acetonide into the intrastromal pocket to delineate lenticule edges, aiding subsequent removal is shown here.
Teaching Those Who Care How to Care for a Person With Substance Use Disorder
Authors: Dion Kimberly , Griggs Stephanie
Published: February 2020

Background

Substance use disorder (SUD) is on the rise globally, and nurses are not prepared to care for this population.

Purpose

The purpose was to determine if a 4-hour antistigma intervention improved prelicensure student nurse attitudes and perceived stigma toward people with SUD.

Methods

This was a nonrandomized quasi-experimental survey study. Participants completed the 20-item Drug and Drug Problems Perception Questionnaire (DDPPQ), the 8-item Perceived Stigma of Substance Abuse Scale (PSAS), and the 13-item Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale at baseline and repeated the DDPPQ and PSAS postintervention. Paired t tests were used to determine the mean differences in the total DDPPQ and total PSAS scores.

Results

After the antistigma intervention, there was a significant improvement in overall therapeutic attitudes (t = 8.4, df = 108, P < .001) and perceived stigma (t = −2.5, df = 108, P = .01) in undergraduate nursing students (n = 126).

Conclusions

Incorporating antistigma educational approaches may lead to more involvement and compassionate care for people with SUD.
Report From the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) Consultation Conference on Molecular Pathology of Urogenital Cancers. I. Molecular Biomarkers in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Lotan Tamara L. , Tomlins Scott A. , Bismar Tarek A. , Van der Kwast Theodorus H. , Grignon David , Egevad Lars , Kristiansen Glen , Pritchard Colin C. , Rubin Mark A. , Bubendorf Lukas
Published: February 2020

The combined clinical and molecular heterogeneity of prostate cancer necessitates the use of prognostic, predictive, and diagnostic biomarkers to assist the clinician with treatment selection. The pathologist plays a critical role in guiding molecular biomarker testing in prostate cancer and requires a thorough knowledge of the current testing options. In the setting of clinically localized prostate cancer, prognostic biomarkers such as Ki-67 labeling, PTEN loss or mRNA-based genomic signatures can be useful to help determine whether definitive therapy is required. In the setting of advanced disease, predictive biomarkers, such as the presence of DNA repair deficiency mediated by BRCA2 loss or mismatch repair gene defects, may suggest the utility of poly-ADP ribosylase inhibition or immune checkpoint blockade. Finally, androgen receptor–related biomarkers or diagnostic biomarkers indicating the presence of small cell neuroendocrine prostate cancer may help guide the use of androgen receptor signaling inhibitors and chemotherapy. In this review, we examine the current evidence for several prognostic, predictive and diagnostic tissue-based molecular biomarkers in prostate cancer management. For each assay, we summarize a recent survey of the International Society of Urology Pathology (ISUP) members on current testing practices and include recommendations for testing that emerged from the ISUP Working Group on Molecular Pathology of Prostate Cancer and the 2019 Consultation Conference on Molecular Pathology of Urogenital Cancers.
General theory of topological explanations and explanatory asymmetry
Authors: Kostić Daniel
Published: February 2020

In this paper, I present a general theory of topological explanations, and illustrate its fruitfulness by showing how it accounts for explanatory asymmetry. My argument is developed in three steps. In the first step, I show what it is for some topological propertyAto explain some physical or dynamical propertyB. Based on that, I derive three key criteria of successful topological explanations: a criterion concerning the facticity of topological explanations, i.e. what makes it true of a particular system; a criterion for describing counterfactual dependencies in two explanatory modes, i.e. the vertical and the horizontal and, finally, a third perspectival one that tells us when to use the vertical and when to use the horizontal mode. In the second step, I show how this general theory of topological explanations accounts for explanatory asymmetry in both the vertical and horizontal explanatory modes. Finally, in the third step, I argue that this theory is universally applicable across biological sciences, which helps in unifying essential concepts of biological networks.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Unifying the essential concepts of biological networks: biological insights and philosophical foundations'.
Influence of physical activity and sleep duration on the retinal and choroidal structure in diabetic patients: An SS-OCT study
Authors: Liu Sen , Wang Wei , Qiu Zihan , He Miao , Huang Wenyong
Published: February 2020

Purpose

To assess the association between physical activity, sleep duration, sitting time, and alterations of posterior segment structures with swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT).

Methods

Patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) were recruited, and diabetic patients without retinopathy (non-DR) who matched for age and duration of diabetes were used as control. The physical activity, siting time, and sleep duration were obtained by using standardized questionnaire. OCT parameters included: retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness, ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thickness, retinal thickness, and choroidal thickness (CT). Linear regression was conducted to analyse the association.

Results

Each group included 116 diabetic patients. Average macular CT was positively correlated with metabolic equivalents (MET) only in the DR group, independent of age, gender, and other potential confounding factors (β = 1.163, P = 0.006). Average macular CT was also positively correlated with sleep duration only in the non-DR group, independent of age, gender, and other potential confounding factors (β = 10.54, P = 0.031). No correlation was found between MET, sleep duration, and other OCT parameters. Sitting time was not significantly correlated with OCT parameters either.

Conclusions

Physical activity and sleep duration are both positively correlated with macular choroidal thickness; this suggests that more time in physical activity and sleep benefit the retina, while there was no association between sedentary time and OCT parameters. Further studies are warranted to clarify the underlying mechanisms and the role of physical activity and sleep in CT alterations and DR.
Postprandial changes in gastrointestinal function and transit in cystic fibrosis assessed by magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Ng C. , Dellschaft N. S. , Hoad C. L. , Marciani L. , Ban L. , Prayle A. P. , Barr H. L. , Jaudszus A. , Mainz J. G. , Spiller R. , Gowland P. , Major G. , Smyth A.R.
Published: February 2020

Background and Aims

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multi-system genetic disorder affecting >72,000 people worldwide. Most people with CF experience gastrointestinal symptoms and some will develop complications such as distal intestinal obstruction syndrome. However the mechanisms of symptoms and complications are not understood. We evaluated gut function and transit of CF using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Our hypotheses were: oro-caecal transit time (OCTT) is longer in CF, with lower small bowel water content (SBWC).

Methods

Twelve people with CF at a tertiary centre and 12 age and sex-matched controls underwent serial MRIs over 1 day, with meals at set times. The primary endpoint was OCTT, assessed by the appearance of a food bolus in the caecum. Other measures included SBWC, colonic volume, gastric half-emptying time and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Results

OCTT was longer in CF (controls 210 minutes [173, 315] vs. CF 330 minutes [270, >360], p=0.04). There was no difference in gastric half-emptying times (controls 80 minutes [66, 88] vs. CF 97 [71, 128], p=0.3). Corrected SBWC was higher in CF (controls 34 L.min/m2[28, 41] vs. CF 63 L.min/m2[36, 80], p=0.021), with minimal second post-prandial decrease suggesting impaired ileal emptying. Corrected colonic volumes were higher in CF (controls 123 L.min/m2[89, 146] vs. CF 186 L.min/m2[166, 209], p=0.012). There were no differences in gastrointestinal symptoms.

Conclusions

Significant differences in gut function and transit exist between CF and controls. Our methodology provides a platform for studying gastrointestinal function in CF and has identified new potential mechanisms of dysfunction.

ClinicalTrials.govNCT03566550
PERFORMANCE OF GOOGLE TRENDS FOR EARLY DETECTION OF DENGUE INFECTION EPIDEMICS IN JAKARTA AND YOGYAKARTA
Authors: Husnayain Atina , Lestari Setyarini Hestu , Tarmizi Siti Nadia , Fuad Anis
Published: February 2020

Background

Early detection of disease outbreak is among the most critical role of the sub-national authorities as mandated by the health decentralization policy. Given the continuous growth of Internet penetration and dependencies of the society on the digital ecosystem, it is essential to investigate the potential innovations to improve the existing surveillance system using digital epidemiology. Several studies, including in Indonesia, have assessed the roles of Google Trends (GT) to improve dengue surveillance systems. However, they were mostly located in specific areas or national level only. No reports are available to compare the performance of GT for early detection of dengue outbreak among high burdened provinces.

Aims

This study aimed to examine the correlation between GT data on dengue-related query terms with the official dengue surveillance reports in Jakarta and Yogyakarta Province.

Methods

Relative Search Volume of GT data for dengue were collected from the area of Jakarta and Yogyakarta between 2012 to 2016. Those data were compared with the official dengue reports from the Indonesian Ministry of Health using Pearson’s correlation and Time-lag correlation, performed with Stata version 13.

Results

GT data are positively correlated with the routine surveillance report in Jakarta (r = 0.723, p-value= 0.000) and Yogyakarta Province (r = 0.715, p-value= 0.000). In Jakarta, search term of ‘DBD’ demonstrated a very strong correlation for lag-1 (r =0.828, p-value= 0.000). This finding indicates that GT data could possibly detect the dengue outbreak a month earlier, especially in Jakarta. Hence, GT data can be used to monitor disease dynamics and improve the public awareness of a potential outbreak in near-real-time.

Conclusion

GT data were positively correlated with the routine surveillance report in Jakarta and Yogyakarta Province. Early warning system utilizing GT data is potentially more accurate in Jakarta than in Yogyakarta. We assume that it is related with the larger population as well as the Internet use activities that drives the higher volume of Google search on dengue in Jakarta compared to Yogyakarta. Further studies involving other digital data sources, for example, Twitter, online news, and administrative data from the national health insurance are essential to strengthen the current surveillance system with the new digital epidemiology approach.
Early Phylogenetic Estimate Of The Effective Reproduction Number Of 2019-nCoV
Authors: Lai Alessia , Bergna Annalisa , Acciarri Carla , Galli Massimo , Zehender Gianguglielmo
Published: February 2020

To reconstruct the evolutionary dynamics of the 2019 novel coronavirus, 52 2019-nCOV genomes available on 04 February 2020 at GISAID were analysed.

The two models used to estimate the reproduction number (coalescent-based exponential growth and a birth-death skyline method) indicated an estimated mean evolutionary rate of 7.8 × 10−4 subs/site/year (range 1.1×10−4–15×10−4).

The estimated R value was 2.6 (range 2.1-5.1), and increased from 0.8 to 2.4 in December 2019. The estimated mean doubling time of the epidemic was between 3.6 and 4.1 days.

This study proves the usefulness of phylogeny in supporting the surveillance of emerging new infections even as the epidemic is growing.
The serial interval of COVID-19 from publicly reported confirmed cases
Authors: Du Zhanwei , Xu Xiaoke , Wu Ye , Wang Lin , Cowling Benjamin J. , Meyers Lauren Ancel
Published: February 2020

Short Abstract

We estimate the distribution of serial intervals for 468 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in 93 Chinese cities by February 8, 2020. The mean and standard deviation are 3.96 (95% CI 3.53-4.39) and 4.75 (95% CI 4.46-5.07) days, respectively, with 12.6% of reports indicating pre-symptomatic transmission.

One sentence summary

We estimate the distribution of serial intervals for 468 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in 93 Chinese cities by February 8, 2020.
Application of the Adaptive Validation Design to estimate the association between transmasculine/transfeminine status and self-inflicted injury among transgender and gender-nonconforming children and adolescents
Authors: Collin Lindsay J. , MacLehose Richard F. , Ahern Thomas P. , Goodman Michael , Lash Timothy L.
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background

An internal validation substudy compares an imperfect measurement of a variable with a gold standard measurement in a subset of the study population. Validation data permit calculation of a bias-adjusted estimate, expected to equal the association that would have been observed had the gold standard measurement been available for the entire study population. Guidance on optimal sampling of participants to include in validation substudies has not considered monitoring validation data as they accrue. In this paper, we develop and apply the framework of Bayesian monitoring to determine when sufficient validation data have been collected to yield a bias-adjusted estimate of association with a prespecified level of precision.

Methods

We demonstrate the utility of this method using the Study of Transition, Outcomes and Gender—a cohort study of transgender and gender non-conforming children and adolescents. Transmasculine and transfeminine status were determined from the gender code in the electronic medical record at cohort enrollment. This status is known to be misclassified because it can indicate either gender identity or sex recorded at birth. Our interest is in the association between transmasculine and transfeminine status and self-inflicted injury. To address possible exposure misclassification, we demonstrate the method’s ability to determine when sufficient validation data have been collected to calculate a bias-adjusted estimate of association that is less than 80% greater than the precision of the conventional estimate.

Results

In the conventional age-adjusted analysis, we observed that transmasculine children and adolescents were 1.80-fold more likely to inflict self-harm than transfeminine youths (95%CI 1.27, 2.55). Using the adaptive validation approach, 200 cohort members were required for validation to yield a bias-adjusted estimate of OR=3.03 (95%CI 1.76, 5.56), which was similar to the bias-adjusted estimate using complete validation data (OR=2.63, 95%CI 1.67, 4.23).

Conclusions

Our method provides a novel approach to effective and efficient estimation of classification parameters as validation data accrue. This method can be applied within the context of any parent epidemiologic study design, and modified to meet alternative criteria given specific study or validation study objectives.
Mapping of yaws endemicity in Ghana; Lessons to strengthen the planning and implementation of yaws eradication
Authors: Basing Laud Anthony Wihibeturo , Djan Moses , Simpson Shirley Victoria , Adu-Sarkodie Yaw
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Yaws caused by Treponema pallidum subsp pertenue is a disease of poverty and affects communities where basic socio-economic amenities are lacking. With results showing that single dose azithromycin is effective in the treatment of yaws, the World Health Organisation introduced the Morges strategy with the intent to eradicate yaws by 2020. Ghana is one of the countries with the most yaws cases globally, and the National Yaws Eradication Program in Ghana intends to conduct Mass Drug Administration (MDA) of endemic communities in line with the Total Community Treatment plan of the Morges strategy. It is therefore important to map out endemic communities to ensure that MDA is both effective and financially efficient.

Methods

Children with suspected yaws lesions were actively selected from the recruitment sites (schools and communities). A full medical history, study site information including GPS coordinates, demographic data including communities of residence and clinical assessment were taken. Each of the clinically diagnosed children were screened using the DPP® Syphilis Screen & Confirm Assay (DPP). Samples for PCR were collected by swabbing ulcerative lesions of participants and tested for Treponema pallidum subsp pertenue and Haemophilus ducreyi DNA

Results

In all, 625 children with a median age of 10 years were recruited into the study. While 401(64.2%) were DPP positive, only 141 of them had Treponema pallidum subsp pertenue DNA (TPE_DNA) accounting for 22.6% of those who were clinically diagnosed. Based on the DPP results, yaws was endemic in all the 4 study sites with participants from 88 communities in 13 districts in 4 regions in Ghana. There was no statistically significant difference between the various districts in terms of DPP results (x2=0.9364, p= 0.817) and 154 (24.6%) of those clinically diagnosed as yaws were positive for Haemophilus ducreyi i DNA.

Conclusion

Our study shows that communities endemic for yaws are also endemic for Haemophilus ducreyi i. Most yaws endemic communities were found at the border of other districts and regions. It is recommended that MDA should not only target endemic communities, it should target entire endemic districts as well as neighbouring districts in order to be effective.
The clinical outcomes and effectiveness of mHealth interventions for diabetes and hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: yaqian mao , Lin Wei , Wen Junping , Chen Gang
Published: February 2020

Background: With the development of technology, mobile health (mHealth) intervention has been proposed as a treatment strategy for chronic diseases that could improve the quality of chronic care and outcomes in some developed countries. However, the effectiveness of mHealth intervention in developing countries is not clear.
Purpose: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to study the clinical outcomes and effectiveness of mHealth interventions for diabetes and hypertension in countries with different levels of economic development.
Methods: Pubmed, ResearchGate, Embase and Cochrane documents were searched by computer, and the retrieval period was from 2008 to June 2019. All studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing mHealth treatments to other traditional treatments. Meta-analysis was conducted using stata software.
Results: 51 RCTs (N=13,054 participants) were eligible for this systematic review and meta-analysis. Compared with the usual care, the mHealth interventions yielded significant mean differences in clinical outcomes, and had a positive effect on countries at different levels of economic development. It is reassuring that we found mHealth interventions combined with human intelligence could significantly improve clinical outcomes more than mHealth interventions alone [WMD (95%Cl)=-6.75 (-9.98, -3.52)] VS [WMD (95%Cl)=-2.53 (-4.99, -0.07)]. The main secondary outcomes showed that mHealth interventions could also improve quality of life, satisfaction and self-efficacy, etc.
Conclusion: This review shown that mHealth interventions as a therapeutic strategy could improve the management of diabetes and hypertension in countries with different levels of economic development.