Assessment Of Other Factors Research Articles

Point-of-care β-hydroxybutyrate measurement predicts adequate glucose metabolism suppression in cardiac FDG-PET/CT.

The aims of our study were to evaluate whether point-of-care β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) measurement can be used to identify patients with adequate cardiac glucose metabolism suppression for cardiac[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose-positron emission tomography with computerized tomography(FDG-PET/CT) and to develop a pretest probability calculator of myocardial suppression using other metabolic factors attainable before imaging. We recruited 193 patients with any clinical indication for whole body [18F]-FDG-PET/CT. BHB level was measured with a point-of-care device. Maximal myocardial standardized uptake value using lean body mass (SULmax) was measured from eight circular regions of interest with 1 cm circumference and background from left ventricular blood pool. Correlations SULmax and point-of-care measured BHB were analysed. The ability of BHB test to predict adequate suppression was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic analysis. Liver and spleen attenuation in computed tomography weremeasured to assess the presence of fatty liver. BHB level correlated with myocardial uptake and, using a cut-off value of 0.35 mmol/L to predict adequate myocardial suppression, we reached specificity of 90% and sensitivity of 56%. Other variables to predict adequate suppression were diabetes, obesity, ketogenic diet and fatty liver. Using information attainable before imaging, we created a pretest probability calculator of inadequate myocardial glucose metabolism suppression. The area under the curve for BHB test alone was 0.802 and was 0.857 for the pretest calculator (p = 0.319). BHB level measured with a point-of-care device is useful in predicting adequate myocardial glucose metabolism suppression. More detailed assessment of other factors potentially contributing to cardiac metabolism is needed.

Methodology for zoning the Northern Sea Route water area during salvage and rescue operations and oil spill response

A methodology for assessing the possibility of ensuring salvage and rescue operations and oil and oil product spills response throughout the entire water area of the Northern Sea Route has been proposed. From 2024, it is planned to systematically develop year-round navigation along the Northern Sea Route, which will be associated with the need to ensure safety. At the moment, this possibility is severely limited due to the lack of multifunctional vessels of high ice class and technical means for spills response in ices. The methodological basis for determining the response time to marine oil spills in the Polar waters is laid down in the Polar Code, documents of the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization and documents of the Arctic Council, but their application is determined only by the hydrometeorological and geographical conditions at the place of the accident liquidation. Despite their broad and practical focus, the proposed approaches are only of a general methodological nature, which does not take into account the peculiarities of navigation in the waters of the Northern Sea Route, its length and zoning. The developed methodology largely overcomes these limitations and allows, at a qualitative level, to zone the waters of the Northern Sea Route according to three classification criteria. Two model examples are provided in the paper. The first example assumes that shipping occurs only in the western part of the Northern Sea Route, i. e. in the Kara Sea, the Ob Bay and the Yenisei Gulf, and in the eastern sector, shipping is completely absent; the second example assumes that navigation occurs throughout the entire water area. For each option under study, the entire water area is zoned according to the level of readiness, which is assessed as “high”, “medium” and “low” and depends on the presence of icebreakers and multifunctional vessels in the area. In the future, this methodology can be supplemented by an assessment of other factors, such as the influence of hydrometeorological conditions, ice conditions, navigation risks, forecasting the intensity of shipping and the selection of the necessary technical means for oil and petroleum product spills response.

Impact of dose and storage duration of platelet concentrates on platelet recovery between ABO identical and ABO non-identical random donor platelet transfusions in hemato-oncology patients

Introduction and objectivesIt is challenging to adopt a policy of ABO identical platelet transfusion in hemato-oncological patients because of the high demand. Moreover, there are no global standards for the management of ABO non-identical platelet transfusions due to limited evidence. The current study compared the impact of dose and storage duration of platelets on percent platelet recovery (PPR) at 1 h and 24 h between ABO identical and ABO non-identical platelet transfusions in hemato-oncological conditions. The other objectives were to assess the clinical efficacy and compare adverse reactions between the two groups. MethodsA total of 130 random donor platelet transfusion episodes (81 ABO identical and 49 ABO non-identical) were evaluated in 60 eligible patients with different malignant, as well as non–malignant, hematological conditions. All analysis was performed using two-sided tests, and p-values <0.05 were considered significant. ResultsThe PPR at 1 h and 24 h was significantly higher in ABO identical platelet transfusion. Platelet recovery and survival were not affected by the gender, dose or storage duration of platelet concentrate. Aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) disease conditions were observed to be independent risk predictors for 1-h post-transfusion refractoriness. ConclusionABO identical platelets have higher platelet recovery and survival. Both ABO identical and ABO non-identical platelet transfusions have similar efficacy in controlling bleeding episodes up to World Health Organization (WHO) grade two. Assessment of other factors, such as platelet functional properties in the donor, anti-HLA and anti-HPA antibodies, may be needed to better understand the platelet efficacy of platelet transfusions.

Role of low dose computed tomography on lung cancer detection and mortality - an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Chest low dose computed tomography (LDCT) is reported to be a sensitive tool for the detection of lung cancer at asymptomatic stage, thus reducing mortality. The review assesses the effect of LDCT screening on all-cause mortality, lung cancer mortality and incidence rates. We conducted literature searches of PubMed, SCOPUS, and the Cochrane Library from inception through January 2020 to identify relevant studies assessing the diagnostic accuracy of LDCT for lung cancer. We used Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines for reporting this meta-analysis and review. The inclusion criteria were a) Randomized control trials, b) Comparing LDCT to any other form of screening or standard of care, and (c) Primary outcome studied: all-cause mortality, lung cancer-specific mortality, rate of early detection of lung cancer. A total of 11 studies encompassing 97,248 patients were included. When compared with controls (no screening or CXR), LDCT screening was associated with statistically significant reduction in lung cancer mortality (pooled RR 0.86; 95% CI 0.75-0.98); low heterogeneity was observed (I2= 27.86). However, LDCT screening was not associated with statistically significant reduction in all-cause mortality (RR =0.96; 95% CI: 0.92 -1.01). Notably, the LDCT screening was associated with statistically significant increase in lung cancer detection (RR =1.76; 95% CI: 1.14-2.72). LDCT screening has the potential to reduce mortality due to lung cancer among high-risk individuals. LDCT could be considered as a screening modality after careful assessment of other factors like prevalence of TB, proportion of high-risk population, cost, access and availability of LDCT.

Investigating the association between subjective and objective performance-based cognitive function among former collegiate football players

Objective Studies have observed variable associations of prior contact sport participation with subjective and objective measures of cognitive function. This study directly investigated the association between subjective self-report and objective performance-based cognition among former collegiate football players, as well as its relationship to self-reported concussion history. Methods Former collegiate football players (N = 57; mean age = 37.9 years [SD = 1.49]) retired from sport 15-years prior were enrolled. Linear regression models examined associations between subjective cognition (Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders Cognitive Functioning-Short Form), and performance on a neuropsychological battery. Domain specific (executive function) metrics of subjective (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult) and objective cognition were also exclusively examined. Associations between self-reported concussion history with subjective and objective measures were tested. Potential influential factors (sleep quality and distress) were included as covariates. Results Subjective cognition was not significantly associated with any objective measures of cognitive functioning (p’s > .05). Greater self-reported concussion history was inversely associated with subjective cognition (B = −2.49, p = .004), but not objective performance-based cognition (p’s > .05). Distress was significantly related to all metrics of subjective cognition (p’s < .001) as well as performance on delayed recall and verbal fluency (p’s < .05). Sleep quality was only significantly related to timed visuospatial sequencing (p = .033). Conclusions Reliance on self-reported measures of cognitive functioning alone is insufficient when assessing cognition in former contact sport athletes. Assessment of other factors known to influence subjective cognitive complaints should also be examined in determining the presence of cognitive deficits.

Optimization of energy cogeneration processes of district heating systems based on biogas sources – case study of a municipal area

Purpose: The aim of this article is to present selected research results in the field of optimization of energy cogeneration processes of heating systems based on biogas sources, in terms of the possibility of obtaining ecological and energy benefits in the municipal area. Design/methodology/approach: The considerations are a case study, including an analysis of the choice of the optimal variant of agricultural biogas construction in the Łobez Municipality in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship from the point of view of both the substrate used in biogas and the proposed technological solutions. The subject matter focuses on comparing the estimated ecological effect of biogas with different powers and choosing the optimal model solution. The research process used secondary and statistical data and the selected comparative method to calculate the carbon dioxide emission reduction factor. Findings: The authors indicate which technology of obtaining energy should be dominant in the field of optimization of energy cogeneration processes of heating systems in Poland in areas dominated by agricultural economy. Research limitations/implications: The presented research concerns the assessment of one of the parameters (substrate used in biogas) affecting the optimization of biogas production. Future research in this area should focus on the assessment of other factors determining the validity of the discussed solutions in relation to the adopted state policy in the field of development of renewable energy sources and agricultural economy. Practical implications: The results of the research are the first approach to indicate the government and regional administration the type of energy that may form the basis of the future strategy of changes in the field of energy cogeneration of heating systems in municipal and agricultural areas in Poland. Social implications: The description of the agricultural biogas model, which served as an example, can be helpful in the process of identifying benefits not only for the environment but also as an element stimulating economic and social development at the local and regional level.

COVID-19 prevention and control interventions: What can we learn from the pandemic management experience in Morocco?

SUMMARYCOVID‐19 is one of the worst outbreaks in infectious disease history. Through a succession of significant preventative and control interventions, Morocco has accumulated pandemic control experience. This study examines the available evidence on lessons learnt from the COVID‐19 pandemic management experience in Morocco. Social lockdown measures have helped restrain the exponential spread of new cases. These interventions appear to be reasonably successful. Their effectiveness must be confirmed by an assessment of other factors. This experience can help all countries develop effective pandemic prevention and control measures.

Plasma Concentration of Risperidone: Correlation with Clinical Response in Patients with Schizophrenia

Background: Determination of plasma concentration of antipsychotic drug may provide a valuable tool in dose adjustment and therapeutic efficacy but studies in this area are limited and controversial. Purpose: To assess the relation between plasma concentration of Risperidone and its active metabolite (Paliperidone) and clinical response in Egyptian patients with schizophrenia. Patients and methods: One hundred inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia were enrolled in the study. Fifty inpatients (33 males, 17 females, with age between 20- 60) completed the study. Risperidone was given in two fixed dose: 6 mg daily (Group I) and 8 mg daily (Group II) for three months. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scales (PANSS) were used for determination of psychopathological state and High- performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for measurement of plasma concentration. These assessments were performed at 1 and 3 months. Results: A highly significant decrease was found in PANSS subscales and total score at 1 and 3 months (P 0.05). Conclusion: Measuring plasma concentration of Risperidone is not useful to enhance efficacy of treatment at 1 or 3 months. More research is required for assessment of other factors affecting the efficacy of Risperidone e.g., receptor occupancy and pharmacogenetics.

New and Worsening Long-term Immune-Related Adverse Events with PD-1/PD-L1 Pathway Agents in Patients with Cancer.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have produced durable responses across a variety of cancers. Although programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) inhibitors activate T cells against tumor cells, they may also cause autoimmune-like toxicities termed immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Although much is known regarding irAEs that occur early during treatment, data on the long-term toxicity profile of these agents are more limited. Our primary objective was to evaluate the frequency of patients receiving anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy for at least 6 continuous months who experienced new or worsening irAEs requiring clinical interventions. Secondary objectives included assessment of other factors associated with clinically significant irAEs after at least 6months of therapy. Retrospective chart review. Large university-affiliated National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. A total of 159 adults diagnosed with any malignancy who received a PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-nivolumab, pembrolizumab, or atezolizumab-as monotherapy or with concurrent cytotoxic agents, for at least 6months, between January 1, 2014, and September 1, 2017. We collected information on the incidence and timing of irAEs, along with patient demographics and other treatment outcomes. Thirty-eight patients (24%) experienced clinically significant, new, or worsening irAEs after 6months of treatment with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. Hypothyroidism was the most common irAE experienced (20 patients [12.6%]), followed by pneumonitis (5 patients [3%]); 2 patients died due to pneumonitis. Four patients (2.5%) had a deepened disease response beyond 6months of treatment. Our results revealed that a significant proportion of patients continue to experience irAEs with long-term use of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. These results further contribute to the risk-benefit understanding of chronic PD-1/PD-L1 antagonism and support discontinuation of these agents following deepest response.

Urinary adiponectin as a new diagnostic index for chronic kidney disease due to diabetic nephropathy

ObjectiveThe chronic kidney disease (CKD) is widely diagnosed on the basis of albuminuria and the glomerular filtration rate. A more precise diagnosis of CKD, however, requires the assessment of other...

FARMERS’ SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO LOCAL COMMUNITY: DOES EDUCATION MATTER?

The agrarian discourse of social responsibility as a scientific paradigm is rarely addressed in research. Thus the problem arise how to apply the paradigm of social responsibility to the agrarian discourse so that it could help disclose farmers’ social responsibility to local community and it’s affecting factors. The aim of this study is to propose a methodology for assessing the social responsibility of farmers to local communities with regard to education and to explore further possibilities of its application. The research is based on original empirical data collected through structured telephone interviews from 1108 Lithuanian farmers in January-February 2017. The results of the study confirm that the agrarian discourse of social responsibility as a scientific paradigm is applicable to disclose farmer’s social responsibility to local community with regard to education. Assessment of other factors affecting farmer’s social responsibility is on demand for future research.

Minimally Invasive Ponto Surgery compared to the linear incision technique without soft tissue reduction for bone conduction hearing implants: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundOver the last years, less invasive surgical techniques with soft tissue preservation for bone conduction hearing implants (BCHI) have been introduced such as the linear incision technique combined with a punch. Results using this technique seem favorable in terms of rate of peri-abutment dermatitis (PAD), esthetics, and preservation of skin sensibility. Recently, a new standardized surgical technique for BCHI placement, the Minimally Invasive Ponto Surgery (MIPS) technique has been developed by Oticon Medical AB (Askim, Sweden). This technique aims to standardize surgery by using a novel surgical instrumentation kit and minimize soft tissue trauma.MethodsA multicenter randomized controlled trial is designed to compare the MIPS technique to the linear incision technique with soft tissue preservation. The primary investigation center is Maastricht University Medical Center. Sixty-two participants will be included with a 2-year follow-up period. Parameters are introduced to quantify factors such as loss of skin sensibility, dehiscence of the skin next to the abutment, skin overgrowth, and cosmetic results. A new type of sampling method is incorporated to aid in the estimation of complications. To gain further understanding of PAD, swabs and skin biopsies are collected during follow-up visits for evaluation of the bacterial profile and inflammatory cytokine expression.The primary objective of the study is to compare the incidence of PAD during the first 3 months after BCHI placement. Secondary objectives include the assessment of parameters related to surgery, wound healing, pain, loss of sensibility of the skin around the implant, implant extrusion rate, implant stability measurements, dehiscence of the skin next to the abutment, and esthetic appeal. Tertiary objectives include assessment of other factors related to PAD and a health economic evaluation.DiscussionThis is the first trial to compare the recently developed MIPS technique to the linear incision technique with soft tissue preservation for BCHI surgery. Newly introduced parameters and sampling method will aid in the prediction of results and complications after BCHI placement.Trial registrationRegistered at the CCMO register in the Netherlands on 24 November 2014: NL50072.068.14. Retrospectively registered on 21 April 2015 at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02438618. This trial is sponsored by Oticon Medical AB.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1662-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Childhood Tuberculosis in a Sub-Saharan Tertiary Facility: Epidemiology and Factors Associated with Treatment Outcome.

Childhood tuberculosis (TB) is a diagnostic challenge in developing countries, and patient outcome can be influenced by certain factors. We report the disease course, clinical profile and factors associated with treatment outcome in a tertiary facility of Kinshasa. Documentary and analytical studies were conducted using clinical and exploratory data for children aged up to 15 years who were admitted to the University Clinics of Kinshasa for TB. Data are presented as frequencies and averages, and binary and logistic regression analyses were performed. Of 283 children with TB, 82 (29.0%) had smear-negative TB, 40 (14.1%) had smear-positive TB, 159 (56.1%) had extra-pulmonary TB (EPTB), 2 (0.7%) had multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), 167 (59.0%) completed treatment, 30 (10.6%) were cured, 7 (2.5%) failed treatment, 4 (1.4%) died, 55 (19.4%) were transferred to health centers nearest their home, and 20 (7.0%) were defaulters. In the binary analysis, reported TB contacts (p = 0.048), type of TB (p = 0.000), HIV status (p = 0.050), Ziehl-Nielsen test result (p = 0.000), Lowenstein culture (p = 0.004) and chest X-ray (p = 0.057) were associated with outcome. In the logistic regression, none of these factors was a significant predictor of outcome. Tertiary level care facilities must improve the diagnosis and care of patients with childhood TB, which justifies the development of alternative diagnostic techniques and the assessment of other factors that potentially affect outcome.

Mapping irrigation potential from renewable groundwater in Africa – a quantitative hydrological approach

Abstract. Groundwater provides an important buffer to climate variability in Africa. Yet, groundwater irrigation contributes only a relatively small share of cultivated land, approximately 1% (about 2 × 106 hectares) as compared to 14% in Asia. While groundwater is over-exploited for irrigation in many parts in Asia, previous assessments indicate an underutilized potential in parts of Africa. As opposed to previous country-based estimates, this paper derives a continent-wide, distributed (0.5° spatial resolution) map of groundwater irrigation potential, indicated in terms of fractions of cropland potentially irrigable with renewable groundwater. The method builds on an annual groundwater balance approach using 41 years of hydrological data, allocating only that fraction of groundwater recharge that is in excess after satisfying other present human needs and environmental requirements, while disregarding socio-economic and physical constraints in access to the resource. Due to high uncertainty of groundwater environmental needs, three scenarios, leaving 30, 50 and 70% of recharge for the environment, were implemented. Current dominating crops and cropping rotations and associated irrigation requirements in a zonal approach were applied in order to convert recharge excess to potential irrigated cropland. Results show an inhomogeneously distributed groundwater irrigation potential across the continent, even within individual countries, mainly reflecting recharge patterns and presence or absence of cultivated cropland. Results further show that average annual renewable groundwater availability for irrigation ranges from 692 to 1644 km3 depending on scenario. The total area of cropland irrigable with renewable groundwater ranges from 44.6 to 105.3 × 106 ha, corresponding to 20.5 to 48.6% of the cropland over the continent. In particular, significant potential exists in the semi-arid Sahel and eastern African regions which could support poverty alleviation if developed sustainably and equitably. The map is a first assessment that needs to be complimented with assessment of other factors, e.g. hydrogeological conditions, groundwater accessibility, soils, and socio-economic factors as well as more local assessments.

A practical approach to glare assessment for train cabs

The assessment of glare is a key consideration in the design of a railway driver's cab. However, unlike assessment of other factors, such as forward visibility, there are no standardised approaches for performing assessments of glare. This paper describes an approach for assessing the impact of glare in a full size mock-up of a railway cab. While it is unrealistic to evaluate every possible lighting condition that may potentially occur in the vehicle cab in service, a pragmatic and practical approach is taken to provide a good level of indicative information about the cab design's likely glare performance. This involves assessing internal light sources, such as internal lights and illuminated controls, and simulating external light sources (e.g. the sun, other trains' headlights) by illuminating the cab mock up windscreen, side and door windows with a single light source manually located in a sequence of discrete positions and orientations and assessing the resulting glare impacts. The paper describes a structured process for assessing and recording the impact of glare and recommending mitigations.

Accuracy and Precision of Species Trees: Effects of Locus, Individual, and Base Pair Sampling on Inference of Species Trees in Lizards of the Liolaemus darwinii Group (Squamata, Liolaemidae)

Molecular phylogenetics has entered a new era in which species trees are estimated from a collection of gene trees using methods that accommodate their heterogeneity and discordance with the species tree. Empirical evaluation of species trees is necessary to assess the performance (i.e., accuracy and precision) of these methods with real data, which consists of gene genealogies likely shaped by different historical and demographic processes. We analyzed 20 loci for 16 species of the South American lizards of the Liolaemus darwinii species group and reconstructed a species tree with *BEAST, then compared the performance of this method under different sampling strategies of loci, individuals, and sequence lengths. We found an increase in the accuracy and precision of species trees with the number of loci, but for any number of loci, accuracy substantially decreased only when using only one individual per species or 25% of the full sequence length (∼ 147 bp). In addition, locus "informativeness" was an important factor in the accuracy/precision of species trees when using a few loci, but it became increasingly irrelevant with additional loci. Our empirical results combined with the previous simulation studies suggest that there is an optimal range of sampling effort of loci, individuals, and sequence lengths for a given speciation history and information content of the data. Future studies should be directed toward further assessment of other factors that can impact performance of species trees, including gene flow, locus "informativeness," tree shape, missing data, and errors in species delimitation.

Utility of magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of patients with ST segment elevation on an electrocardiogram

ST segment elevation is an important electrocardiographic (ECG) change that is typically found in acute myocardial infarction, but may also be seen in a variety of other conditions. MRI plays an important role in the evaluation of these patients. MRI not only establishes the diagnosis, which is essential for appropriate management, but also helps in the assessment of other factors that are important for risk stratification. In this review, we discuss the common and uncommon causes of ST segment elevation and the role of MRI in the evaluation of these disease processes.

Identifying people with metabolic syndrome in primary care by screening with a mailed tape measure: A survey of 14,000 people in the Netherlands

Objectives To determine the feasibility of population-based screening for metabolic syndrome (MetS) in primary care with self-measurement of waist circumference (WC) as first step, and the prevalence of MetS in a Dutch city. Methods A survey of 14,000 people on the list of primary care physicians in the city of IJsselstein. All adults between 20 and 70 years on July 1st, 2006 were asked to measure their WC using a mailed tape measure. Participants with a high WC (> 88/102 cm for women/men) were invited for assessment of other factors defining MetS. For patients already known with cardiovascular risk factors, these data were collected from medical records. Results 11,862 subjects were invited, of whom 6843 (58%) measured their WC. 2004 had a WC > 88/102 cm and 1721 participated in all examinations. In 473 MetS was detected. The sensitivity of the screening was 77%, the negative predictive value 96%. The prevalence of MetS, including patients known with cardiovascular risk factors, was 15.5%. Conclusions A primary care physician-driven population screening with self-measurement of WC can identify adults with MetS. The estimated prevalence of MetS is 15.5%. This procedure creates possibilities for targeted screening, prevention and treatment of people who are at increased cardiovascular risk.

Effets de certaines mesures de la deuxième entente des médecins omnipraticiens sur leur activité dans le cadre du régime d’assurance-maladie

Designed to contribute to an assessment of the effects of the second agreement with general practitioners, the study analyzes the effects produced on the medical practices of general practitioners by pay range of a) the individual income ceiling and b) various types of fee restrictions on supplementary medical procedures provided under the agreement. The methodology used consisted basically in analyzing the variations of selected indicators of professional activity and medical practice among general practitioners by pay range following the implementation of the second agreement. Control groups were used to facilitate the assessment of other factors that may have influenced the variations referred to. The study shows that the income ceiling has resulted in a significant slowdown in the professional activity of general practitioners whose income had been in excess of the income ceiling in the year preceding the agreement. The shorter work period was accompanied by a longer vacation period. From the second part of the study it appears that the implementation of the second agreement has also appreciably reduced differences in medical procedures by pay range. The fee restrictions on supplementary procedures have produced a very considerable drop in the number of supplementary procedures performed by general practitioners in the top pay ranges, whereas in the past such procedures had been particularly prevalent in those pay ranges.

Review of Studies on Oil Damage To Prince William Sound Pink Salmon

ABSTRACT In the tenth year following the Exxon Valdez oil spill, differences of opinion still exist about injuries to pink salmon. It was alleged that exposure to oil reduced growth of fry and induced mortality in eggs. The authors reexamined the allegation that injury occurred and have concluded that insufficient consideration was given to other factors that affected results in the studies from which these allegations were drawn. The inability to track temperature differences and the unknown ages of fry precluded assessment of oil effects on growth during early marine residence. Reported higher egg mortality and long-term injury alleged to have resulted from oil exposure during incubation were confounded by the mortality of eggs that occurred as an artifact of the sampling procedure, unrelated to oil effects. The authors concluded that injury to incubating pink salmon embryos and reduced fry growth were based on an incomplete assessment of other factors that influenced these results. This evidence is supported by other research that has disclosed no oil effects on incubating eggs. Among these were studies that showed measured oil concentrations reaching the incubation substrate were 14 to 7,600 times below the lethal threshold. The seven largest runs in the history of Prince William Sound (PWS), Alaska have returned in the 10 years following the spill, which ultimately demonstrated the lack of measurable effect of the oil spill on pink salmon. The authors suggest that the allegation of oil-induced injury to PWS pink salmon needs to be reconsidered in light of these analyses.