Academic Research Facilities Research Articles

Juxtacortical chondrosarcoma: An NCDB analysis of demographics and socioeconomic factors.

e23505 Background: Juxtacortical chondrosarcoma (JCC) is a rare cartilaginous tumor—accounting for less than 2% of all chondrosarcomas—and typically appears on the external surfaces of long bones. The prognosis of JCC is relatively promising compared to other chondrosarcomas, with the current therapy of choice being en-bloc resection. However, a significant amount of information regarding JCC remains unknown. Therefore, exploring diagnostic trends may provide greater insight into this cancer’s epidemiology and potential forms of treatment. The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was assessed to uncover the demographic factors in patients diagnosed with JCC. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis utilizing the 2004–2020 National Cancer Database (NCDB) included 131 subjects with a histologically-confirmed diagnosis of JCC (ICD-0-3 code 9221). Demographic factors (age, sex, race, Hispanic status, insurance status, facility type, distance from facility, and Charleson-Deyo comorbidity score) were analyzed by descriptive statistics and incidence trends were interpreted in regression analysis. Results: Between 2004 and 2020, the NCDB reported a total of 131 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of JCC. This data indicated a rising incidence of patients diagnosed per year (R² = 0.0855), with an average age of diagnosis of 45 years (SD = 18, range = 8-88). Patients with JCC were more likely to be White (82%), of non-Hispanic origin (86%), and male (63%). The tumor was most commonly found in the long bones of the lower limbs (35%). Surgical removal was the primary treatment for the majority of patients (95%), while others received radiation (7%) or chemotherapy (4%). Most patients (83%) had a Charlson-Deyo comorbidity score of 0. Patients were commonly treated at academic and research facilities (61%), and no patients received palliative care. More than half of individuals were privately insured (57%) and resided in a metropolitan area with a population size of at least 1 million (59%). The mean distance between patient residence and treatment site was 104.1 miles (SD = 221, range = 11-1194 miles). Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on juxtacortical chondrosarcoma utilizing NCDB data to address the significant lack of research on this subject. The majority of JCC patients are non-Hispanic, White, and have a primary site of diagnosis at the long bones of the lower limbs. This paper is the first to describe the socioeconomic factors of patients diagnosed with JCC: patients tend to be privately insured, live in large metropolitan areas, and are mostly treated in academic research facilities. Additional research is necessary to comprehend how socioeconomic and demographic factors influence the manner in which JCC patients are diagnosed and treated.

Safety, tolerability, and efficacy of zavegepant 10 mg nasal spray for the acute treatment of migraine in the USA: a phase 3, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled multicentre trial

Intranasal formulations can provide treatment options for people with migraine in whom oral drugs are ineffective, slow-acting, or intolerable because of nausea and vomiting. Zavegepant, an intranasally administered small molecule calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist, was previously assessed in a phase 2/3 trial. This phase 3 trial aimed to compare the efficacy, tolerability, safety, and timecourse of response for zavegepant nasal spray with placebo in the acute treatment of migraine. This double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, multicentre phase 3 trial, conducted at 90 academic medical centres, headache clinics, and independent research facilities in the USA, recruited adults (aged ≥18 years) with a history of two to eight moderate or severe migraine attacks per month. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to zavegepant 10 mg nasal spray or matching placebo and self-treated a single migraine attack of moderate or severe pain intensity. Randomisation was stratified by the use or non-use of preventive medication. Study centre personnel entered eligible participants into the study using an interactive web response system that was operated and managed by an independent contract research organisation. All participants, investigators, and the funder were masked to group assignment. The coprimary endpoints, freedom from pain and freedom from the most bothersome symptom at 2 h after the treatment dose, were assessed in all randomly assigned participants who took the study medication, had a migraine attack of moderate or severe pain intensity at baseline, and provided at least one evaluable post-baseline efficacy datapoint. Safety was analysed in all randomly assigned participants who received at least one dose. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT04571060, and is closed to accrual. Between Oct 27, 2020, and Aug 20, 2021, 1978 participants were recruited and assessed for eligibility. 1405 participants were eligible (703 were assigned to zavegepant and 702 to placebo), and 1269 were included in the efficacy analysis set (623 in the zavegepant group and 646 in the placebo group). 2 h after the treatment dose, more participants in the zavegepant group than in the placebo group had pain freedom (147 [24%] of 623 participants vs 96 [15%] of 646 participants, risk difference 8·8 percentage points, 95% CI 4·5-13·1; p<0·0001) and freedom from their most bothersome symptom (247 [40%] vs 201 [31%], risk difference 8·7 percentage points, 3·4-13·9; p=0·0012). The most common adverse events in either treatment group (≥2%) were dysgeusia (129 [21%] of 629 in the zavegepant group vs 31 [5%] of 653 in the placebo group), nasal discomfort (23 [4%] vs five [1%]), and nausea (20 [3%] vs seven [1%]). No signal of hepatotoxicity due to zavegepant was identified. Zavegepant 10 mg nasal spray was efficacious in the acute treatment of migraine, with favourable tolerability and safety profiles. Additional trials are needed to establish the long-term safety and consistency of effect across attacks. Biohaven Pharmaceuticals.

Implementation of Chemical Health, Safety, and Environmental Risk Assessment in Laboratories: A Case-Series Study.

IntroductionCharacterizing risks associated with laboratory activities in universities may improve health, safety, and environmental management and reduce work-related diseases and accidents. This study aimed to develop and implement a chemical risk assessment method to determine and prioritize more hazardous chemicals in the academic laboratories.MethodsA case-series study was conducted at five academic laboratories and research facilities of an Iranian medical sciences university in 2021. A risk assessment was developed and implemented in three phases to identify, evaluate, and classify potential risks and hazards. The approach provided an innovative tool for evaluating and prioritizing risks in chemical laboratories. Hazards were classified on a five-level scale. The technique reviewed both quantitative and qualitative data and pieces of evidence using Laboratory Safety Guidance (OSHA), Occupational Hazard Datasheet (ILO), the standards of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) codes.ResultsOverall, the frequency of risks rated from “moderate” to “very high” levels was determined for the health hazards (9.3%), environmental hazards (35.2%), and safety hazards (20.4%). Hydrochloric acid had a high consumption rate in laboratory operations and received the highest risk levels in terms of potential hazards to employees' health and the environment. Nitric acid, Sulfuric acid, Formaldehyde, and Sodium hydroxide were assessed as potential health hazards. Moreover, Ethanol and Sulfuric acid were recognized as safety hazards. We observed adequate security provisions and procedures in academic laboratory operations. However, the lack of awareness concerning health, safety, environmental chemical hazards, and inappropriate sewage disposal systems contributed to the increasing levels of laboratory risk.ConclusionsChemicals used in laboratory activities generate workplace and environmental hazards that must be assessed, managed, and risk mitigated. Developing a method of rating health, safety, and environmental risks related to laboratory chemicals may assist in defining and understanding potential hazards. Our assessment suggested the need for improving the risk perception of individuals involved in handling chemicals to prevent exposure from workplace duties and environmental pollution hazards.

Results of the 2017 inspection campaign of French phase I/II research sites in Île-de-France following the BIA 10-2474 accident: Medical vs. regulatory relevance

Following the serious adverse events that occurred in January 2016 during the BIA10-2474 First-in-Human study, the French Ministry of Health asked the Regional Health Agencies to inspect operations at all research sites conducting phase I/II clinical trials of experimental drugs. The aim of this study was to assess the medical relevance of the inspections made in Île-de-France (Paris region) in 2017. All 30 sites of Île-de-France region fully authorized to perform phase I/II trials were inspected by a public health physician and a public health pharmacist. Their reported list of observations was submitted to three physicians with longstanding experience of early pharmacology studies performed in academic or private research facilities. These physicians were asked to adjudicate each observation according to their perceived medical importance regarding safety. Adjudications were first performed separately and disagreements were later settled during a final adjudication meeting. At least one disagreement occurred initially among the 3 adjudicators for 84 of the 120 observations (70%) reported by the inspectors. Following reconciliation, the 3 physicians agreed that 20% of the observations were likely to have potentially serious medical consequences. These observations mainly concerned the management of emergencies and of serious adverse events and the continuity of care. Maintenance of on-site inspections periodically carried out by regulatory authorities granting authorisations to perform phase I/II trials are justified. However, the medical relevance of these inspections can be improved with more emphasis on factors affecting the safety of research participants than on administrative or purely regulatory issues.

Változások 1990 és 2017 között a magyar biológiai antropológiában

The author introduces changes and novelties occurring between 1990 and 2017 in Hungarian university departments, academic research facilities and national human biology research centres. Biological anthropology research projects of non-anthropology research institutions are also mentioned from the period of concern. Scientific congresses and conferences are enumerated, and the current problems of Hungarian scientific journals are mentioned. All those professionals are shortly introduced along with the title of their theses who obtained their PhD or other academic degree within this timespan. All those members of the community of Hungarian anthropological research are also mentioned who were awarded with prizes, retired or deceased, and those who have been employed as researchers or professors of human biology in this time period.

Impact of environmental microbiota on human microbiota of workers in academic mouse research facilities: An observational study

ObjectivesTo characterize the microbial environment of workers in academic mouse research facilities using endotoxin, 16S qPCR, and 16S amplicon sequencing. To determine whether the work microbiome contributes to the human microbiome of workers.MethodsWe performed area air sampling from the animal rooms, dirty, middle, and setup cage wash locations in four academic mouse research facilities. 10 workers in the dirty cage wash area underwent personal air sampling as well as repeated collection of nasal, oral, and skin samples before and after the work shift. Environmental samples underwent measurement of endotoxin, mouse allergen, bacteria copy number via 16S qPCR, and microbial identification via 16S rDNA sequencing. 16S rDNA sequencing was also performed on human samples before and after the work shift. SourceTracker was used to identify the contribution of the work microbiome to the human microbiome.ResultsMedian endotoxin levels ranged from undetectable to 1.0 EU/m3. Significant differences in mouse allergen levels, bacterial copy number, microbial richness, and microbial community structure were identified between animal, dirty, middle, and setup cage wash locations. Endotoxin levels had only a moderate correlation with microbial composition. Location within a facility was a stronger predictor of microbial community composition (R2 = 0.41, p = 0.002) than facility. The contribution of the work microbiome to the pre-shift human microbiome of workers was estimated to be 0.1 ± 0.1% for the oral microbiome; 3.1 ± 1.9% for the nasal microbiome; and 3.0 ± 1.5% for the skin microbiome.ConclusionsThe microbial environment of academic animal care facilities varies significantly by location rather than facility. Endotoxin is not a proxy for assessment of environmental microbial exposures using 16S qPCR or 16S rDNA sequencing. The work microbiome contributes to the composition of the nasal and skin microbiome of workers; the clinical implications of this observation should be further studied.

Implementation of picoSpin Benchtop NMR Instruments into Organic Chemistry Teaching Laboratories through Spectral Analysis of Fischer Esterification Products

1H NMR analysis is an important analytical technique presented in introductory organic chemistry courses. NMR instrument access is limited for undergraduate organic chemistry students due to the size of the instrument, price of NMR solvents, and the maintenance level required for instrument upkeep. The University of Georgia Chemistry Department recently acquired three picoSpin desktop 1H NMR instruments for the undergraduate organic laboratories. These instruments can sit on a standard lab bench, can analyze samples without NMR solvents, and are easily maintained. In this Fischer esterification experiment, students used unknown starting alcohols to synthesize esters through Fischer esterification. Upon completion of the reaction, students identified the unknown starting alcohol via spectral analyses of the products. Over the course of 4 semesters, 704 out of 940 students (75%) correctly identified the starting alcohol and 71% of students surveyed indicated that 1H NMR spectrum was the most helpful identification tool in their analyses. This experiment established for students the utility of NMR spectral analysis and provided them with the opportunity to employ technology commonly used in academic research facilities.

Back reflected laser tomography

An optical imaging model has been studied. Monte Carlo Modeling of Light Transport (MCMLT) has been run for the head model and photon fluencies have been generated. Multi-layered head model has seven different layers which are hair, epidermis, dermis, skull, cerebrospinal fluid, white matter, and gray matter with consecutive order from surface to deeper tissues. Back-reflected laser imaging geometry has been selected. Geometric multi source-detector positions are on the flat imaging surface. Source-detector matches are creating optode array on the imaging tissue surface. Each source-detector coupling is representing one single equation for diffuse optical tomography (DOT) system. In this work we had 64 sources and 64 detectors which makes 4096 equations. The equation system is building forward model. Forward model has independent equations which are equal to source-detector couplings. Our back-reflected continuous wave (CW) laser DOT model has been tested with simulation data by using the Tikhonov inverse problem solution algorithm. Forward model transport functions have been calculated. It has been built according to source-detector positions and grids. The Tikhonov inverse problem solution algorithm has been tested with different λ regularization parameters. The best parameter has been used for image reconstruction algorithm. One inclusion has been put into deeper voxels then image has been reconstructed. The result has been illustrated in xy, xz, and xyz coordinate grids with different angles. It has been reconstructed successfully with the correct position and concentration as well. This work gave an idea about how source-detector matches are important for back reflected DOT devices. As long as source-detector numbers are more than enough, reconstructed images are becoming more realistic as compared to the real inclusion location. This work encouraged us to design new laser tomography devices for near future. The algorithm has been tested with simulation data. Image reconstruction algorithms are important part of DOT devices. Progressive efforts are being made in academic research institutes and facilities. Algorithmic modeling is becoming very important and researchers are working to explore mathematical and philosophical ways to get better results. This work is presenting a new algorithmic approach to the laser imaging devices.

Adjuvant therapy (AT) following resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC): Are patients from rural, remote areas disadvantaged?

373 Background: AT with chemotherapy (CT) + radiation (RT) has been shown to improve PDAC survival over surgery alone. Although race and socioeconomic status can affect outcomes in PDAC, the impact of rural or remote residence on the delivery and effect of AT has not been studied. Methods: Patients undergoing pancreatectomy for PDAC were identified from the National Cancer Data Base between 2006 and 2013. Individuals were classified as living in a metro area, urban/rural adjacent to metro area (URA), and urban/rural remote area (URR). Patients with less than 6 months follow-up were excluded. Logistic regression was performed to assess residence as a predictor of receiving AT. Overall survival (OS) as a function of inhabitance was estimated by the method of Kaplan and Meier and prognostic factors were identified by Cox regression. Results: A total of 32,521 individuals underwent pancreatectomy for PDAC. The majority of AT was delivered in academic research facilities in 56% of patients while only 29% of patients received both CT and RT. Univariate analysis demonstrated individuals in URR were less likely to receive CT (55% vs 58%, p &lt; 0.01) but not RT (30% vs 31%, p &lt; 0.261) and had a longer interval to AT (82 vs 75 days, p &lt; 0.009) than those in metro areas. However on multivariate analysis URR inhabitance was no longer predictive of any form of AT (OR = 0.892, 95% CI: 0.792-1.006, p = 0.062). Hispanic ethnicity, Medicaid insurance, uninsured status, and lower education were all predictive of decreased likelihood of receiving AT. Median OS was inferior for URR dwellers with pathologic T2 and T3 tumors compared to those in metro areas (19.8 vs. 24.4 months, p = 0.044 and 17.5 vs. 19.4 months, p &lt; 0.001). Cox regression revealed URR location remained independently associated with poorer OS (HR 1.076, 95% CI: 1.008-1.149, p &lt; 0.029). Conclusions: While living in a URR does not lead to reduced access to AT, it is associated with a worse OS in resected PDAC. This may be due to inadequate AT or other socioeconomic factors present in URR patients. Attention must be focused on improving oncologic care for groups susceptible to treatment disparities.

Uwarunkowania zewnętrzne powstawania i rozwoju klastrów w województwie małopolskim

Given Małopolska's strategic location, good transport infrastructure and plan to support clusters, it is a perfect location for future cluster initiatives and clusters themselves. Małopolska has a vibrant academic culture and excellent research facilities, and, further, boasts land characterised by a high concentration of industrial enterprises, information technology and outsourcing services that prioritise innovation and increasing efficiency. The high concentration of business competition in the area sharpens and stimulates the growth of entrepreneurship, which can certainly be achieved in a cluster that favours the formation of cluster initiatives while new economic clusters with high growth potential are also identified. The development of clusters may well be stimulated by broad access to external sources of business financing that significantly support the initial phase of growth. Unfortunately, all is not perfect ‒ spending on research and development remains relatively low, as does the interest small businesses show in cooperating with the research community.

A University-Government Partnership for Oceanographic Research

After 44 years of coordinating the U.S. academic research fleet and facilities, the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) gears for the future.

A Brief Look at the History and Future of the School of Mathematics, Physics and Technology

This paper provides a brief history and overview of the development of the School of Mathematics, Physics and Technology at the College of The Bahamas from the College’s inception in 1974 to 2014. It charts the evolution of the School out of two major departments within the College, highlighting the development of the School’s academic courses, programs and research facilities, in the context of the College’s overall strategic plan toward attaining university status. The paper also chronicles the present and past chairpersons and discusses briefly the significance of Mathematics, Physics and Technology in the context of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education within the grander framework of the role of COB in providing widespread tertiary education in The Bahamas. The paper celebrates and analyzes the progress of the School in its various earlier incarnations, and its programs over the past 40 years, and provides some thoughts about the directions in which it should go in helping to fulfill the College’s mandate to transition to a university in 2015.

International experts meet in Germany to discuss trends in anion exchange membranes

Alkaline membranes and their applications were the main topic of the Workshop on Ion Exchange Membrane Applications, held in June 2014 in Bad Zwischenahn, Germany. The workshop saw 35 experts from nine nations listen to 19 talks given by membrane specialists from academic research facilities and professionals from industry. To give an impression of the workshop programme, this article presents four excerpts from the scientific talks.

Collaborative Information Seeking in Professional Work-Settings: A Study of Equipment Utilization

In various work domains, the collaborative performance of a work-task by a team can lead to a shared information need required to fulfill this task. Many empirical studies identified collaborative information seeking and searching (IS&S) as everyday work patterns in order to solve a shared information need and to benefit from the diverse expertise and experience of the team members. This paper presents first empirical results in an ongoing research project: We report on a pilot user study that investigates the collaborative IS&S practices of three work groups in academic and industrial research facilities. The aim of the conducted pilot study was to capture the use of software technologies for realizing collaboration, information seeking and sharing in real-world work settings. We discuss resulting design implications as guideline for extending the ezDL (ezDL: Easy Access to Digital Libraries, www.ezdl.de) system towards supporting collaborative IS&S activities.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Helicobacter Infection Among Laboratory Animals and Animal Research Workers

A Cross-Sectional Study of Helicobacter Infection Among Laboratory Animals and Animal Research Workers

Dongguk–Royal University

Dongguk–Royal University

Funding science in America: Congress, universities, and the politics of the academic pork barrel

Preface 1. The politics of academic earmarking 2. The incentives to earmark 3. AAU and the fight against earmarking 4. The struggle to fund academic research facilities 5. Lobbyists, lobbying, and the pursuit of academic earmarks 6. Congress and the distribution of academic earmarks 7. Congress, and the president, and the fight against earmarking 8. The future of academic earmarking Notes Selected bibliography.

O impacto do PADCT na química brasileira: uma visão acadêmica

An appraisal has been conducted of the impact PADCT (Support Program for Scientific and Technological Development) has caused on brazilian Chemistry and Chemical Engineering over a ten years period (1985-1995). During this time PADCT invested US$ 87.5 million dollars to support both scientific and technolgical development of chemistry. The main results, from an academic point of view, has been the strengthening of support services for academic research, including libraries and analytical facilities, and a consequent increase of the number and quality of human resources trained at the graduate level as well as a significant increase in the number of scientific publications.

A survey of current object-oriented databases

Object-oriented concepts form a good basis for the data models required for next-generation database applications such as CAD/CAE/CASE/CAM systems, knowledge-based systems, multimedia, etc. Many object-oriented databases are available commercially or are being developed by industry or academic research facilities. This paper attempts to compare some of these products using fourteen criteria. The selected criteria are major factors required for the successful design of an object-oriented database system. They are grouped into five different categories. The result of the survey is summarized in a table.

Subcommittee on science reviews NSF

With most attention focused on the appropriations legislation funding the National Science Foundation next year, less notice has been given to the agency's reauthorization legislation. During the last few months, the House Subcommittee on Science has held two hearings on this legislation to solicit views about the agency.Nine witnesses testified at a May 20 hearing. They were asked to address six questions, including some dealing with the balance between curiosity‐driven research and strategic research, and between research and education activities. Views were also solicited on the modernization of academic research facilities, inadequately funded fields, international involvement in NSF‐supported research, and academic block grants.