Search

Forensic examinations can assist in crimes such as stabbings and shootings. The investigation of ballistic and edged weapon penetration events often requires a substrate to replicate the effects of human tissue and skin. Textile damage examinations can test weapons to determine whether they could have caused evidential damage such as stab and slash cuts. Currently when weapons such as knives and screw drivers are tested in the forensic laboratory, pork belly is used as the skin simulant. A synthetic skin simulant was developed for use in casework to address the concerns of the PCAST report regarding method accuracy. A layered silicone foam simulant was developed, and factors affecting the preparation and use of the simulant will be reported. Use of the foam silicone simulant achieved higher accuracy above the use of traditionally used pork belly for testing stabbing actions, and it is recommended for use in forensic testing laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ergot alkaloids (EAs) formed by Claviceps fungi are one of the most common food contaminants worldwide, affecting cereals such as rye, wheat, and barley. To accurately determine the level of contamination and to monitor EAs maximum levels set by the European Union, the six most common EAs (so-called priority EAs) and their corresponding epimers are quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The quantification of EAs in complex food matrices without appropriate internal standards is challenging but currently carried out in the standard method EN 17425:2021 due to their commercial unavailability. To address the need for isotopically labeled EAs, we focus on two semi-synthetic approaches for the synthesis of these reference standards. Therefore, we investigate the feasibility of the N6-demethylation of native ergotamine to yield norergotamine, which can subsequently be remethylated with an isotopically labeled methylating reagent, such as iodomethane (13CD3-I), to yield isotopically labeled ergotamine and its C8-epimer ergotaminine. Testing the isotopically labeled ergotamine/-inine against native ergotamine/-inine with HPLC coupled to high-resolution HR-MS/MS proved the structure of ergotamine-13CD3 and ergotaminine-13CD3. Thus, for the first time, we can describe their synthesis from unlabeled, native ergotamine. Furthermore, this approach is promising as a universal way to synthesize other isotopically labeled EAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Article Highlights A development perspective of each of the techniques is shown over the years The relation between COD, BOD and TOC is presented In COD, it was observed that modifications are related to the change of reagents looking for faster oxidation Changes in BOD focus on reducing response time and measuring the response to biodegradation TOC exhibited modifications in obtaining a more sensitive and precise response

Ergot alkaloids (EAs) formed by Claviceps fungi are one of the most common food contaminants worldwide, affecting cereals such as rye, wheat, and barley. To accurately determine the level of contamination and to monitor EAs maximum levels set by the European Union, the six most common EAs (so-called priority EAs) and their corresponding epimers are quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The quantification of EAs in complex food matrices without appropriate internal standards is challenging but currently carried out in the standard method EN 17425:2021 due to their commercial unavailability. To address the need for isotopically labeled EAs, we focus on two semi-synthetic approaches for the synthesis of these reference standards. Therefore, we investigate the feasibility of the N6-demethylation of native ergotamine to yield norergotamine, which can subsequently be remethylated with an isotopically labeled methylating reagent, such as iodomethane (13CD3-I), to yield isotopically labeled ergotamine and its C8-epimer ergotaminine. Testing the isotopically labeled ergotamine/-inine against native ergotamine/-inine with HPLC coupled to high-resolution HR-MS/MS proved the structure of ergotamine-13CD3 and ergotaminine-13CD3. Thus, for the first time, we can describe their synthesis from unlabeled, native ergotamine. Furthermore, this approach is promising as a universal way to synthesize other isotopically labeled EAs.

Monitoring spatial and temporal changes of marine benthic communities using standardized procedures is essential to take necessary steps towards conservation of marine ecosystems. In this study we combined Artificial Substrate Units (ASUs) for sampling of benthic communities, with integrative taxonomy approach that incorporated morphological identification of organisms and COI DNA metabarcoding, to characterize the diversity of communities at three locations across the Central Mediterranean Sea (Livorno and Palinuro, Italy; Rovinj, Croatia) in 2019 and 2020. Significant differences in the communities’ structure were observed both at large spatial scale between sampled locations, and at small spatial scale (less than ten kilometers) between sites. Moreover, significant temporal variability in species richness and structure of benthic assemblages was detected, with higher richness in 2020. Revealed variability can probably be attributed to the peculiar geomorphological, oceanographical, and ecological features of locations, but also to the influence of interplaying local chemical and physical factors and biological processes such as species settlement, competition, and migration that can act at small spatial and temporal scales. The similarity in the species composition and community structure accessed by morphological and metabarcoding approaches was low, with only 16% of the species (out of 133 species identified overall) commonly detected by both approaches. This is mostly both due to a lack of data on COI sequences of numerous benthic invertebrates in the public barcoding databases on the one hand, and difficulties in detecting small and cryptic taxa through morphological analyses on the other. This suggests that combining of two approaches is required to fully describe the biodiversity of benthic assemblages. Finally, comparison of the spatial variability of the benthic communities’ structure with two approaches at different taxonomic levels, indicated that genus and family levels give results that are consistent to those obtained by the species level. This suggests that family level might be satisfactory in monitoring the spatial-temporal variability of Mediterranean hard bottom benthic communities.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) on non-contrast CT (NCCT) is often challenging to detect. We retrospectively selected 41 children and 36 adults with confirmed CVST and two age-matched control groups with comparable initial symptoms. We evaluated NCCT placing four small circular ROIs in standardized regions of the cerebral dural venous system. The mean and maximum HU values were considered from each ROI, and the relative percentage variations were calculated (mean % variation and maximum % variation). We compared the highest measured value to the remaining three HU values through an ad-hoc formula based on the assumption that the thrombosed sinus has higher attenuation compared with the healthy sinuses. Percentage variations were employed to reflect how the attenuation of the thrombosed sinus deviates from the unaffected counterparts. The attenuation of the affected sinus was increased in patients with CVST, and consequently both the mean % and maximum % variations were increased. A mean % variation value of 12.97 and a maximum % variation value of 10.14 were found to be useful to distinguish patients with CVST from healthy subjects, with high sensitivity and specificity. Increased densitometric values were present in the site of venous thrombosis. A systematic, blind evaluation of the brain venous system can assist radiologists in identifying patients who need or do not need further imaging.

Although some methods for measuring bioadhesion/mucoadhesion have been proposed, a standardized method is not yet available. This is expected to hinder systematic comparisons of results across studies. This study aimed to design a single/systematic in vitro method for measuring bioadhesion/mucoadhesion that is applicable to various pharmaceutical dosage forms. To this end, we measured the peak force and work of adhesion of minitablets, pellets, and a bioadhesive emulsion using a texture analyzer. Porcine tissue was used to simulate human stomach/skin conditions. The results of these formulations were then compared to those for formulations without the bioadhesive product. We conducted a case study to assess the stability of a bioadhesive emulsion. The results for the two parameters assessed were contact time = 60 s and contact force = 0.5 N at a detachment speed of 0.1 mm/s. Significant differences were observed between the bioadhesive and control formulations, thus demonstrating the adhesive capacity of the bioadhesive formulations. In this way, a systematic method for assessing the bioadhesive capacity of pharmaceutical dosage forms was developed. The method proposed here may enable comparisons of results across studies, i.e., results obtained using the same and different pharmaceutical formulations (in terms of their bioadhesion/mucoadhesion capacity). This method may also facilitate the selection of potentially suitable formulations and adhesive products (in terms of bioadhesive properties). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) on non-contrast CT (NCCT) is often challenging to detect. We retrospectively selected 41 children and 36 adults with confirmed CVST and two age-matched control groups with comparable initial symptoms. We evaluated NCCT placing four small circular ROIs in standardized regions of the cerebral dural venous system. The mean and maximum HU values were considered from each ROI, and the relative percentage variations were calculated (mean % variation and maximum % variation). We compared the highest measured value to the remaining three HU values through an ad-hoc formula based on the assumption that the thrombosed sinus has higher attenuation compared with the healthy sinuses. Percentage variations were employed to reflect how the attenuation of the thrombosed sinus deviates from the unaffected counterparts. The attenuation of the affected sinus was increased in patients with CVST, and consequently both the mean % and maximum % variations were increased. A mean % variation value of 12.97 and a maximum % variation value of 10.14 were found to be useful to distinguish patients with CVST from healthy subjects, with high sensitivity and specificity. Increased densitometric values were present in the site of venous thrombosis. A systematic, blind evaluation of the brain venous system can assist radiologists in identifying patients who need or do not need further imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have suggested that vertebrate and invertebrate species may possess a number sense, i.e. an ability to process in a non-symbolic and non-verbal way the numerousness of a set of items. However, this hypothesis has been challenged by the presence of other non-numerical continuous physical variables, which vary along with numerosity (i.e., any change in the number of visual physical elements in a set naturally involves a related change in visual features such as area, density, contour length and convex hull of the stimulus). It is therefore necessary to control and manipulate the continuous physical information when investigating the ability of humans and other animals to perceive numerousness. During decades of research, different methods have been implemented in order to address this issue, which has implications for experiment replicability and inter-species comparisons, since no general standardized procedure is currently being used. Here we present the 'Generation of Numerical Elements Images Software' (GeNEsIS) for the creation of non-symbolic numerical arrays in a standardized and user-friendly environment. The main aim of this tool is to provide researchers in the field of numerical cognition a manageable and precise instrument to produce visual numerical arrays controlled for all the continuous variables. Additionally, we implemented the ability to actively guide stimuli presentation during habituation/dishabituation and dual-choice comparison tasks used in human and comparative research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Juvenile pyroclasts, especially in the ash size range, provide important information on primary fragmentation processes, i.e., initial explosive magma fragmentation, and on the state of the magma both prior to and at the point of fragmentation and quenching. There exists an extensive body of literature focusing on the quantification of juvenile particle morphology (shape), internal textures, and surface features spanning several decades; however, a standardized method has yet to emerge for comparative studies. No community-wide consensus currently exists (i) regarding the most representative size fraction(s) to be examined, (ii) on sample preparation procedures (such as whether to use whole-particle silhouettes or 2D cross-sections), (iii) on imaging techniques and image acquisition parameters, or (iv) on the optimal morphometric parameters to measure. Lack of a standardized method precludes robust comparison between different studies and laboratories. We propose here a preliminary "best practices" and workflow for characterization of juvenile pyroclasts, for comparative studies of primary fragmentation. If the community follows such a standardized method, it will become possible to accumulate a large volume of consistent data on juvenile pyroclasts from a range of eruption styles, fragmentation mechanisms, and magma compositions. This will ultimately allow deeper insights into the full panoply of magma-to-pyroclast processes that drive particle-producing volcanic eruptions. One or more "fragmentation diagrams" may eventually be developed to allow different types of magmatic and phreatomagmatic explosive eruptions to be distinguished based on their products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Khaled Ezzedine, 1 Anne Claire Fougerousse, 2, 3 Roberte Aubert, 4 Jean-Benoît Monfort, 5 Ziad Reguiaï, 3, 6 Jason Shourick, 7 Charles Taieb, 8, 9,* François Maccari 3, 10,* 1Private Pratice, La Varenne Saint Hilaire, France; 2Hôpital d’instruction des armées, Saint-Mandé, France; 3Resopso, Paris, France; 4France Psoriasis, Association de Patients, Paris, France; 5Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France; 6Service de Dermatologie, Polyclinique Courlancy-Bezannes, Reims, France; 7Université Paris Sud, Paris, France; 8Santé Publique, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France; 9European Market Maintenance Assessment, Fontenay-sous-Bois, France; 10EA EpiDermE UPEC-Université Paris-Est Créteil, Creteil, France*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Charles Taieb Tel +33 771 772 100Email charles.taieb@emma.clinicBackground: Psoriasis impacts independently of its severity on patients’ lifestyle and quality of life (QoL).Aim: To build a tool for assessing the patient-reported psoriasis burden.Methods: An expert group created a questionnaire using a standardized methodology building questionnaires assessing quality of life issues. The questionnaire was translated from French into a cultural and linguistically validated US English version.Results: A conceptual questionnaire of 54 questions was created. The confirmatory analyses resulted in a 10-feature questionnaire divided into 4 internally consistent domains with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.9. It was reproducible and highly reliable. It correlated well with the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and SF-12 mental and SF12 physical scores.Conclusion: This tool allows for the first time to assess the burden of psoriasis patients. Its use may allow improving medical and nonmedical patient care, thus improving their daily life.Keywords: disease burden, psoriasis, quality of life, questionnaire, standardized method

Although some methods for measuring bioadhesion/mucoadhesion have been proposed, a standardized method is not yet available. This is expected to hinder systematic comparisons of results across studies. This study aimed to design a single/systematic in vitro method for measuring bioadhesion/mucoadhesion that is applicable to various pharmaceutical dosage forms. To this end, we measured the peak force and work of adhesion of minitablets, pellets, and a bioadhesive emulsion using a texture analyzer. Porcine tissue was used to simulate human stomach/skin conditions. The results of these formulations were then compared to those for formulations without the bioadhesive product. We conducted a case study to assess the stability of a bioadhesive emulsion. The results for the two parameters assessed were contact time = 60 s and contact force = 0.5 N at a detachment speed of 0.1 mm/s. Significant differences were observed between the bioadhesive and control formulations, thus demonstrating the adhesive capacity of the bioadhesive formulations. In this way, a systematic method for assessing the bioadhesive capacity of pharmaceutical dosage forms was developed. The method proposed here may enable comparisons of results across studies, i.e., results obtained using the same and different pharmaceutical formulations (in terms of their bioadhesion/mucoadhesion capacity). This method may also facilitate the selection of potentially suitable formulations and adhesive products (in terms of bioadhesive properties).

Per‐ and polyfluorinated alkyl substances are large class of man‐made compounds known in the media as "forever chemicals". In 2015, ASTM International published ASTM D7979, for the analysis of per‐ and polyfluorinated alkyl substances in non‐potable water samples. This method extracts the substances by co‐solvation with methanol and measures targeted compounds using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. ASTM D7979 is a performance‐based method that analyzes 31 compounds plus 14 isotopically labeled surrogates. The minimum reporting limit is approximately 10 ng/L with an analytical range of 10–200 ng/L for most compounds. Expected recovery of surrogates and spiked matrices is 70–130%. Samples containing high suspended solids can be analyzed with minimal interferences and potential loss of analyte. The method is consistent with ASTM and EPA's sustainable development goals by using reduced volumes of sample, solvent, and minimizing hazardous solvents and sample preparation materials while maintaining data quality and detection limits that are suitable for the intended use. This paper covers the rationale, outlines some of the challenges associated with analysis of per‐ and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, and describes the steps taken by the ASTM Committee D19 task group to develop, optimize, and validate this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To ensure standardized, quantitative and repeatable methodologies, marine ecologists have engineered a range of artificial units to survey benthic communities with varying designs depending on target taxa, life history stage and habitat. In tropical ecosystems, autonomous units have typically lacked microhabitat complexity (e.g. planar tiles), short‐term efficacy (<1 year deployment) and/or a truly standardized design to sample cryptobenthic diversity.Coral rubble is characterized by high microhabitat complexity, which is unresolved in sampling efforts. Yet, rubble can support the greatest density and diversity of metazoan taxa.We engineered RUbble Biodiversity Samplers (RUBS) as a dismantlable lightweight 3D‐printed model to standardize cryptobenthic biodiversity sampling.We demonstrate the effectiveness of RUBS with preliminary results from short‐term (1–14 days) deployments in Palau, Western Micronesia.RUbble Biodiversity Samplers uphold the microhabitat complexity inherent in coral rubble (~50% interstitial space) and provide an effective and efficient methodology to sample cryptobenthic fauna, which could be applied in comparative studies.The RUBS concept provides a platform for the broader implementation of 3D‐printed models in marine ecology to overcome issues of standardization regardless of habitat type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article aims to present the comparison between the core approaches of Basel I and Basel II Agreements, focusing on the impact of regulations upon the management of financial assets portfolio held by banks in a globally diversified environment. It takes into account three methods (standardized, internal ratings and advanced) to estimate the minimum requirements for capitalization, in order to better respond to global financial risks exposures. The coefficients that are used to mitigate risks in balance sheets of banks need to reflect the realities of the risks in financial markets and this implies that banks will adjust to tighter prudential supervision.

In view of the role of foxes as a reservoir for Angiostrongylus vasorum, a nematode of the heart and lungs of dogs and foxes, its occurrence across Switzerland was investigated in foxes applying a standardized sampling scheme for fox fecal samples. In 72 study areas, which consisted of three 1-km2 grid cells, a total of 1481 samples were collected by walking transects following linear features in the terrain, and analyzed by a flotation-sieving method. The overall prevalence rate of A. vasorum in fecal samples was 8.8% (95% confidence interval, CI 7.4–10.3%), being significantly higher in the Swiss Plateau (11.4%, CI. 9.4–13.8%) compared with other bioregions, and more prevalent in areas with less than 50% of cultivated land (p = 0.043). Prevalence rates increased with decreasing altitudes being significantly higher below 400 m above sea level (20.6%, 95% CI 15.2–26.9%), while all samples collected above 900 m asl were negative. Eggs of Toxocara sp. (12.1%), Taeniidae (10.5%), Capillaria spp. (8.3%), Trichuris vulpis (5.5%), hookworms (5.3%), Toxascaris leonina (1.3%) and Strongyloides sp. (0.4%) were furthermore identified. Taeniid eggs were positively and Capillaria spp. negatively associated with the amount of cultivated land. The prevalence rates based on our fecal analyses were generally lower compared with previous studies from Switzerland which were based on fox necropsies. However, the grid cell–based sampling scheme with replicable transects for fox feces collection proved to be a suitable, non-invasive method for parasitic large-scale surveys providing information on the relative infectious pressure for the local dog population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Hungarian Medical Journal / Orvosi Hetilap is the property of Akademiai Kiado and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article aims to present the comparison between the core approaches of Basel I and Basel II Agreements, focusing on the impact of regulations upon the management of financial assets portfolio held by banks in a globally diversified environment. It takes into account three methods (standardized, internal ratings and advanced) to estimate the minimum requirements for capitalization, in order to better respond to global financial risks exposures. The coefficients that are used to mitigate risks in balance sheets of banks need to reflect the realities of the risks in financial markets and this implies that banks will adjust to tighter prudential supervision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) is considered a safe procedure; however, infective complications are potentially serious postoperative complications. The aim of this multicentre study was to evaluate prospectively the prevalence of infective complications after RIRS and identify risk factors. Methods: Baseline data were collected, and patients were questioned regarding postoperative infective complications following RIRS. The Fisher exact test, Student t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and multivariate regression analysis were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 403 patients from five European centers were included. Antibiotic prophylaxis was administered prior to RIRS in 100 %. Infection complications were recorded in 31 patients (7.7 %), consisting of fever in 18 (4.4 %), SIRS in 7 (1.7), and sepsis in 3 (0.7 %). Three required hospitalization for non-obstructive pyelonephritis (0.7 %). Univariate analysis revealed that coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease, alteration of lipid metabolism, anticoagulant therapy, past surgery for renal stone, presence of residual fragments were predictors of infective complications. Multivariate analysis did not identify any patient subgroups at a significantly higher risk of infection. The low rate of complications may have limited the conclusions from our study. Conclusion: Using a standardized method for the definition and classification of infective complication from a multicentre prospective large database, we find a prevalence of 7.7 % of infective complication among patients undergoing RIRS for renal stone. However, to predict which patients will develop infective complications still remains a clinical challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spring frost is a significant production hazard in nearly all temperate fruit-growing regions. Sweet cherries are among the first fruit varieties starting their development in spring and therefore highly susceptible to late frost. Temperatures at which injuries are likely to occur are widely published, but their origin and determination methods are not well documented. In this study, a standardized method was used to investigate critical frost temperatures for the sweet cherry cultivar 'Summit' under controlled conditions. Twigs were sampled at four development stages ('side green,' 'green tip,' 'open cluster,' 'full bloom') and subjected to three frost temperatures (−2.5, −5.0, −10.0 °C). The main advantage of this method, compared to other approaches, was that the exposition period and the time interval required to reach the target temperature were always constant (2 h). Furthermore, then, the twigs were placed in a climate chamber until full bloom, before the examination of the flowers and not further developed buds started. For the first two sampling stages (side green, green tip), the number of buds found in open cluster, 'first white,' and full bloom at the evaluation date decreased with the strength of the frost treatment. The flower organs showed different levels of cold hardiness and became more vulnerable in more advanced development stages. In this paper, we developed four empirical functions which allow calculating possible frost damages on sweet cherry buds or flowers at the investigated development stages. These equations can help farmers to estimate possible frost damages on cherry buds due to frost events. However, it is necessary to validate the critical temperatures obtained in laboratory with some field observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article includes a summary of the development of existing standardized methods to test cigarette smoke, and a review of both the capability of current methods for testing cigarette-smoke constituents and current performance standards relevant to regulatory testing. There is a comparison of the reproducibility of some currently approved methods to determine volatile constituents and tobacco-specific nitrosamines in cigarette smoke with the Horwitz prediction of reproducibility. There is discussion of appropriate activities to support the development and the implementation of more reproducible testing methods and an indication of the tasks that should be prioritized to achieve optimal inter-laboratory agreement of data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recognition of the need for a standardization of the measurement of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), the International Council for Standardization in Haematology makes the following recommendations: (i) The reference method for measurement of the ESR should be based on the Westergren method, which is a specific test for the ESR, with modifications, (ii) The reference method for measurement of the ESR should use either whole blood anticoagulated with EDTA and later diluted with sodium citrate or saline (4 : 1) or whole blood anticoagulated with sodium citrate (4 : 1) in Westergren pipettes, (iii) The ESR pipettes can be of glass or plastic (with specific characteristics). It must be colourless; a minimum sedimentation scale of 200 mm, a minimum bore of 2.55 mm, which should be constant within 5%. A protocol for the evaluation of alternative methodologies against the reference method is outlined: The new technologies must be tested over a range of ESR values of 2-120 mm. In this comparison, 95% of the differences should be 5 mm or less, with larger differences associated with higher ESR values. A minimum of 40 samples should be tested in 3 different groups of values: 1-20, 21-60 and more than 60 mm. The statistical methods recommended for ESR evaluations are the coefficient of correlation, the Passing-Bablock regression and the Bland-Altman statistical method. This reference method replaces all earlier standardized and reference methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To develop a simple and practical formula for quantifying breast cancer-related lymphedema, accounting for both the asymmetry of upper extremities'' volumes and their temporal changes. Methods and Materials: We analyzed bilateral perometer measurements of the upper extremity in a series of 677 women who prospectively underwent lymphedema screening during treatment for unilateral breast cancer at Massachusetts General Hospital between August 2005 and November 2008. Four sources of variation were analyzed: between repeated measurements on the same arm at the same session; between both arms at baseline (preoperative) visit; in follow-up measurements; and between patients. Effects of hand dominance, time since diagnosis and surgery, age, weight, and body mass index were also analyzed. Results: The statistical distribution of variation of measurements suggests that the ratio of volume ratios is most appropriate for quantification of both asymmetry and temporal changes. Therefore, we present the formula for relative volume change (RVC): RVC = (A2U1)/(U2A1) − 1, where A1, A2 are arm volumes on the side of the treated breast at two different time points, and U1, U2 are volumes on the contralateral side. Relative volume change is not significantly associated with hand dominance, age, or time since diagnosis. Baseline weight correlates (p = 0.0074) with higher RVC; however, baseline body mass index or weight changes over time do not. Conclusions: We propose the use of the RVC formula to assess the presence and course of breast cancer–related lymphedema in clinical practice and research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of Psychosomatik und Konsiliarpsychiatrie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

• Strategies to improve the universality of prediction model for G s was proposed. • Standardization of acoustic signals could significantly reduce the prediction error. • Methods to obtain the standardization factor was proposed based on process analysis. This work proposed a series of generalized strategies to establish a machine learning prediction model for solid mass flow rate in horizontal pneumatic conveying using acoustic emission detection. The strategies included adding flow regime parameters to the inputs for different flow regimes and standardizing the inputs for different conveying setups and different conveying materials. To the most important, the standardization of inputs could be evaluated primarily based on theoretical analyses of the generation and propagation mechanisms of acoustic signals. Finally, the strategies were tested by experiments. Adding flow regime parameters reduced the prediction error under different flow regimes by 8.9%. After the standardization of acoustic signals, the prediction errors under different conveying setups (conveying pipes with different diameters) and different conveying materials (polypropylene and polyethylene particles) were significantly reduced by 159.8% and 198.0%. This work may supply a bridge between the lab-scale experiments and real application in commercial plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global prevalence of microplastics (MPs) poses a potential threat and unpredictable risk to the function and health of environmental systems. However, the research progress of soil MPs is restricted by the inherent technical inconformity and difficulties in analyzing particles in complex matrices. Here, we reviewed a selection of papers and then extrapolated a tentative standardized method for such analyses. The multiple sources of soil MPs in soil need to be quantified. Global monitoring data of soil MPs is far from sufficient. The interaction between MPs and different properties and environmental factors controls the migration and retention of MPs in soil. The migration behavior and key mechanisms of MPs in real-world environments remain to be determined. The presence of MPs threatens soil microbial-plant-animal ecosystem function and health, and may enter the human body through the food chain, although the extent of these hazards is currently debated. In particular, attention should be paid to the potential transport and ecotoxicological mechanisms of contaminants derived and adsorptive from MPs and of harmful microorganisms (such as pathogens) attached as biofilms. Although there exist preliminary studies on soil MPs, it is urgent to consider the diversity of MPs as a suite of contaminants and to systematically understand the sources, flux and effects of these artificial pollutants in time and space from the perspective of plastic environmental cycle. More comprehensive quantification of their environmental fate is undertaken to identify risks to global human and ecological systems. From the perspective of controlling soil MP pollution, the responsibility assignment of government manage-producer-consumer system and the strategy of remediation should be implemented. This review is helpful for providing an important roadmap and inspiration for the research methods and framework of soil MPs and facilitates the development of waste management and remediation strategies for regional soil MP contamination. Unlabelled Image • We extrapolate a standardized protocol for soil MPs based on meta-analysis. • Data on the global distribution of soil MP pollution, including in China, are scarce. • Microplastics pose potential impacts on soil ecosystems and human food chains. • It is necessary to further improve soil MPs research framework and control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the era of quantitative proteomics, where mass spectrometry plays a pivotal role, in particular associated with the use of data-independent acquisition, it is time to perform an overview of this growing field with special focus on one of the most promising approaches: SWATH-MS, and to present future perspectives for its application as a translational tool. Therefore, a summary of this technique is presented focusing on two key relevant concepts associated with its application in biomarker discovery: the protein library and the individual digital maps concepts. It is also the purpose of this review to document the likely impact of SWATH-MS in both fundamental and translational research including biomarker identification and creation of diagnostic tools. To that end, the two concepts referred above were integrated with ongoing technical developments. Finally, some of the current restrictions for the implementation of SWATH-MS on a large scale are identified, and potential solutions presented, namely protocol standardization combined with the use of the proper standards., (© 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Introduction: Hysterectomy is one of the most frequently performed gynecological operations worldwide. Due to patient perceived advantages of technical development laparoscopic hysterectomy has become a widely used method. The attitude of patients, surgeons and service providers to laparoscopic procedures is not uniform, but total laparoscopic hysterectomy has prevailed due to its advantages from other types of laparoscopic hysterectomies. Coagulation of the uterine arteries at their origin during the standardized method of total laparoscopic hysterectomy provides further benefits for this procedure., Aim: Our aim was the presentation of our experience together with a review of the relevant literature., Method: Operations were performed with the coagulation of the uterine arteries at their origin right at the beginning of the procedure. Inclusion criteria were the use of the standardized method, video documentation of the surgery, and pre- and postoperative haemostatus results., Results: Our results confirm that the procedure involves an acceptable operating time that is comparable to that of open abdominal and vaginal hysterectomies, minimal blood loss that is far less than that in open procedures, a much shorter duration of hospitalization and a low complication rate., Conclusion: In skilled hands with proper knowledge of the anatomy the standardized method of total laparoscopic hysterectomy with the coagulation of the uterine arteries at their origin is a safe and reproducible technique which suitably utilizes the advantages of minimally invasive surgery. Orv. Hetil., 2017, 158(8), 298-303.