Difference In Mean Percentage Research Articles

Comparison of Point Accuracy Between Two Widely Used Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems.

Safe and effective self-management of glucose levels requires immediate access to accurate data. We assessed the point accuracy of the Dexcom G7 Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (Dexcom, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA) and FreeStyle Libre 3 (Abbott Diabetes Care, Alameda, CA, USA) sensors in a head-to-head comparison. Multicenter, single-arm, prospective, nonsignificant risk evaluation enrolled adults (≥ 18 years) with diagnosed type 1 diabetes (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D). Accuracy was assessed by comparing sensor data to laboratory reference values Yellow Springs Instrument [YSI] and capillary blood glucose values. Outcome measures were differences in mean absolute relative difference (MARD), number and percentage of matched glucose pairs within ±20 mg/dL/±20 of reference values within glucose ranges: < 54, 54 to 69, 70 to 180, 181 to 250, > 250 mg/dL, and combined. Data from 55 adults were included in the analysis. Analysis showed significantly lower MARD with the FreeStyle Libre 3 sensor vs the Dexcom G7 sensor (8.9% vs 13.6%, respectively, P < .0001) with a higher percentage of glucose values within ±20 mg/dL/±20 of reference (91.4% vs 78.6%). The MARD values for both continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensors were similar during the first 12 hours; however, the FreeStyle Libre 3 MARD was notably lower than the Dexcom G7 MARD during the next 12 hours (10.0% vs 15.1%, respectively, P < .0001) and throughout the study period. The FreeStyle Libre 3 sensor was more accurate than the Dexcom G7 sensor in all metrics evaluated throughout the study period. This is the first head-to-head study to our knowledge that compares the flagship products currently in widespread use of the two largest CGM manufacturers.

Leaf defenses of subtropical deciduous and evergreen trees to varying intensities of herbivory.

Generally, deciduous and evergreen trees coexist in subtropical forests, and both types of leaves are attacked by numerous insect herbivores. However, trees respond and defend themselves from herbivores in different ways, and these responses may vary between evergreen and deciduous species. We examined both the percentage of leaf area removed by herbivores as well as the percentage of leaves attacked by herbivores to evaluate leaf herbivore damage across 14 subtropical deciduous and evergreen tree species, and quantified plant defenses to varying intensities of herbivory. We found that there was no significant difference in mean percentage of leaf area removed between deciduous and evergreen species, yet a higher mean percentage of deciduous leaves were damaged compared to evergreen leaves (73.7% versus 60.2%). Although percent leaf area removed was mainly influenced by hemicellulose concentrations, there was some evidence that the ratio of non-structural carbohydrates:lignin and the concentration of tannins contribute to herbivory. We also highlight that leaf defenses to varying intensities of herbivory varied greatly among subtropical plant species and there was a stronger response for deciduous trees to leaf herbivore (e.g., increased nitrogen or lignin) attack than that of evergreen trees. This work elucidates how leaves respond to varying intensities of herbivory, and explores some of the underlying relationships between leaf traits and herbivore attack in subtropical forests.

Effectiveness of Video Assisted Teaching on Knowledge Regarding Basic Life Support Among B. Sc. Nursing Students at MNR College of Nursing, Sangareddy, Telangana State

Aim: the aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of video assisted teaching on knowledge regarding basic life support among BSc nursing students of MNR college of Nursing, Sangareddy. Material and method: the research design chosen for this study is pre-experimental one group pre-test and post-test design. The setting was MNR College of nursing, Fasalwadi, Sangareddy. The intervention used for the study was video assisted teaching. A total of 60 BSc nursing students were selected for the study using disproportionate quota sampling technique. Data was collected using 44 structured knowledge questionnaires before administering the video assisted teaching and after. The post test was conducted 7 days after administering the intervention. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, results obtained were discussed and analyzed in terms of objectives and hypothesis. Results: the demographic variables were analyzed for their frequency and percentage. female students were 81.7% (49) male were 18.3 % (11), according to age 18-19myears were 35 % (21), 20-21 years were 51.7% (31) and a small group of 13.3% (8) of 22-23 years. Looking at education the distribution is equal 33.3 % (20) from the three years of BSc nursing (IInd, IIIrd, final year). As per religion Hindus were 48.3 % (29), Muslim were 11.7 % (7) and Christians were 40% (24). All the students 100% (60) have previous knowledge regarding basic life support, so the most popular source of information is media 73.3% (44), followed by teacher 23.3% (14) the doctor 3.3% (2). The pre-test score mean was 12.45, 13.26 and 2.76 according to the sections among 44 structured knowledge questionnaires. 11.7% (7) students have below average, 88.3% (53) have average knowledge and this score significantly became opposite in post-test scoring 88.3% (53) above average and 11.7% (7) average. Comparing the post-test knowledge scores with the pre-test there is a mean difference of 7.83 which indicates clear raise in the level of knowledge post intervention. the student ‘t’ test value is 19.79 calculated, were as the table value is 1.96 at ˂0.05 level of significance at 59 degrees of freedom. This shows results are highly significant. The chi – square value for association between the socio demographic variable with knowledge scores revealed there is significant association seen with age and education with level of knowledge. But there was no association between gender, religion and previous knowledge and its source of information. Conclusion: The study was concluded by assessing the knowledge level among the BSc nursing students. The overall difference in mean percentage was 64.17. The mean value is 37.43 while the standard deviation is 2.61 proving that the video assisted teaching was effective in improving the knowledge level among BSc nursing students. The association between the knowledge scores of the students with the socio demographic variables shows that there is significant association between the age and education with the knowledge levels whereas the other socio demographic variables like gender, religion, previous knowledge, and source of information did not show any association.

Evaluation of the Rheological Properties, Preclinical Safety, and Clinical Effectiveness of a New Dispersive Ophthalmic Viscoelastic Device for Cataract Surgery.

PurposeTo evaluate the rheological properties of the ophthalmic viscoelastic device (OVD) PRO-149, its preclinical safety, and its effectiveness when used during cataract surgery in patients with age-related cataract.Material and MethodsControl (HEC) and test (PRO-149) OVDs were compared through rheological measures, by two preclinical safety studies in rabbits, and under normal-use conditions during cataract removal and lens implantation in a parallel randomized clinical trial.ResultsRheological properties were determined. Preclinical studies did not find any evidence of safety issues or toxicity. In the clinical trial, 36 subjects were included. After 29 days, there were no statistically significant differences in mean percentage of endothelial cell count change or in the postoperative intraocular pressure between groups. There were no significant differences between OVDs for any safety parameter studied. Finally, PRO-149 showed a statistically significant improvement in surgeon rating for ease of use during extraction (p < 0.05).ConclusionPRO-149 is a dispersive OVD. The rabbit models did not find evidence of clinical alterations or toxicity. The results of the clinical study support that the two studied OVDs were clinically similar in terms of safety and effectiveness for cataract surgery.Trial RegistrationThe trial is registered at Clinical Trials.gov at NCT04702802 (21–01-11).

Comparative evaluation of efficacy and safety of automated versus manual red cell exchange in sickle cell disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Exchange transfusion is a valuable treatment option in sickle cell disease (SCD) and is preferred over simple transfusion as it removes abnormal haemoglobin S (HbS) levels and reduces complications. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of automated red cell exchange (aRBX) procedure over manual red cell exchange transfusion (MET) in SCD patients. A standard meta-analysis protocol was developed, and after performing a comprehensive literature search in PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane and International Clinical Trial Registry Platform (ICTRP), reviewers assessed eligibility and extracted data from nine relevant studies. A random effects model was used to estimate the pooled effect size calculated from the mean difference in HbS percentage, serum ferritin level and risk ratio for the adverse events. Quality assessment was done using the risk-of-bias assessment tool, and a summary of observations was prepared using standard Cochrane methodology with GradePro GDT. The random-model analysis revealed a mean difference of 4.10 (95% CI: -3.29-11.49;Z= 1.09;p= 0.28) for HbS percentage, mean difference of 435.29 (95% CI: -73.74-944.32;Z= 1.68;p= 0.09) for serum ferritin and pooled risk ratio of 1.35 (95% CI: 0.63-2.87; Z=0.77;p= 0.44) for adverse events. This meta-analysis did not reveal any significant benefit of aRBX in reducing HbS percentage and attenuating the serum ferritin level when compared with MET. There was also no significant increased risk of adverse events detected in association with aRBX.

A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Programme Regarding Control of Anemia and Worm Infestation among Male Adolescents at Madurai

Background: The main objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Structured TeachingProgramme regarding control of anemia and worm infestations among male adolescents at Madurai.Methods and Results : This study was employed at true experimental research design. Totally 60 maleadolescents were included in the study. The study result showed that among control group pretest meanwas 9.86 and standard deviation was 0.54. Post test mean 9.84 and standard deviation 0.60. Differencein mean percentage was 0.02. Worm infection status was same (46.7 % no worm and 53.3 moderateworm load) in pretest and post test without any change. Among experimental group pretest mean was9.84 and standard deviation was 0.60. Post test mean was 12.23 and standard deviation was 1.05.Difference in mean percentage was 2.38. Worm infection status in pretest was 60% moderate wormload and 40 % no worm infection and all participants of experimental group were free from worminfection in post test. The t value was 7.62 and p value of the study was less than 0.001.Conclusion: The structured teaching programme had highly significant on control of anemia and worminfestation among male adolescents

A study to evaluate the effectiveness of selected nursing interventions on control of anemia and worm infestation among male adolescents at Madurai

The main objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of selected nursing interventions on control of anemia and worm infestations among male adolescents at Madurai. This study was employed at true experimental research design. Totally 60 male adolescents were included in the study. The study result showed that control group pretest mean hemoglobin value was 9.86 and standard deviation 0.54. Posttest meanhemoglobin 9.84 and standard deviation 0.60. Difference in mean percentage was 0.02. Worm infection status was same (46.7 % no worm and 53.3% worm infestation) in pretest and posttest without any change. Among experimental group pretest mean hemoglobin value was 10.30 and standard deviation 0.78. Posttest mean 12.23 and standard deviation 1.05. Difference in mean percentage was 1.93. Worm infection status of pretest showed that 60% of the participants had worm load and 40 % no worm infection but in posttestall participants of experimental group were free from worm infection. The t value was 9.09 and p value of the study was less than 0.001.

Consuming a low-calorie amount of routine food and drink does not affect bioimpedance body fat percentage in healthy individuals

Objectives: Bioimpedance analysis is a simple, safe, and relatively inexpensive method to assess body composition. The bioimpedance guidelines recommend that the test be performed after fasting and avoiding the consumption of liquids. Studies have verified the effects of consuming liquids and food on bioimpedance; however, these studies used preestablished meals and hydration. The aim of the present study is to identify whether ad libitum food and liquid intake interfere with body composition parameters estimated via bioimpedance. MethodsThe evaluations were carried out over 2 d. On the first d, the hydration protocol was applied and on the second d, the food protocol. In both cases, bioimpedance was performed after an 8-h overnight fast. The test was repeated 30 min after the intake of liquids or food depending on the protocol. The reproducibility between the pre- and posttest evaluations was assessed using the Bland–Altman method. We considered deviations of up to 5% in the limits of agreement to be clinically acceptable. ResultsIn the hydration protocol, the mean difference in fat percentage (FP) was –0.50 (P = 0.05), the lower limit of agreement was –3.60%, and the upper limit of agreement was 2.61%. In the food protocol, the mean difference in FP was 0.002 (P = 0.99), the lower limit of agreement was –3.20%, and the upper limit of agreement was 3.20%. ConclusionsOur study shows that ad libitum food and liquid intake do not cause a change above clinically acceptable levels in the FP estimated by bioimpedance.

Effectiveness of Oral Sucrose on Level of Pain during DPT Immunization among Infants at selected hospital Salem, Tamil Nadu

Evidence shows that neonates feel pain. Treating pain of infants at the time of immunizations has become a crucial part of infant care. Pharmacological treatments are rarely used during procedures because of concerns about their effectiveness3 and potential adverse effects. Therefore, non-pharmacological interventions are valuable alternatives. Use of sucrose in preterm neonates has been advocated uniformly for pain relief. The present study had taken with the aim to assess the effectiveness of oral sucrose on level of pain during DPT immunizations among infants. Study design was quasi experimental method. Sample size of the study was 60 infants who were receiving DPT immunizations at Salem Poly Clinic. Data were collected from the subjects through Modified REILY pain assessment scale. Data analysis was done through descriptive and inferential statistics. Results of the study revealed the mean level of pain for experimental group 8.03+0.91 (53.53%) where as in control group it was 11.53+1.17 (77.53%) the difference in mean percentage was 24, which indicates decreased level of pain in experimental group than in control group. The researcher concluded that giving oral sucrose during the time of vaccination in infants acts as an effective non – pharmacological measure for pain management.

Characterizing the presence of neutrophil extracellular traps in neutrophilic dermatoses.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple inflammatory dermatoses. However, characterization of NETs in neutrophilic dermatoses was performed on very limited number of patients; this limitation precluded definitive conclusions. In this case series of 57 patients, we compared the amounts of neutrophils producing NETs in cutaneous lesions of different entities of neutrophilic dermatoses (17 with pyoderma gangrenosum, 37 with Sweet's syndrome and three with subcorneal pustular dermatosis). NETs were identified by double immunofluorescence on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded skin biopsies using antibodies against elastase and citrullinated histone 3. Percentages of neutrophils showing NETs were high across all three entities (62.9% in PG, 48.5% in SS and 37.8% in subcorneal pustular dermatosis). The differences in mean percentages were significant between entities, with PG showing significantly superior percentage of NETs compared with SS. In our series, 15.8% of neutrophilic dermatoses were associated with malignancies, 10.5% with autoimmune diseases and 73.7% were idiopathic. Percentages of NETs were not statistically different between aetiologies. These findings suggest that NETs are abundantly produced in the various entities and different aetiologies of neutrophilic dermatoses. In comparison with SS, the superior percentage of NETs in PG is clinically mirrored in its greater ulceronecrotic nature.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy versus endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background and study aims Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the current standard for bariatric surgery, but it is affected by several postoperative complications. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) was created as a less invasive alternative to LSG. However, its efficacy and safety compared with LSG is unclear. Materials and methods Relevant publications were identified in MEDLINE/Cochrane/EMBASE/OVID/ PROSPERO and NIH up to January 2020. Studies were selected that included obese patients with a baseline body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 40 kg/m² with a minimum of 12 months of follow-up and with reported incidence of complications. The mean difference in percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) at 12 months between LSG and ESG represented the primary endpoint. We also assessed the difference in pooled rate of adverse events. The quality of the studies and heterogeneity among them was analyzed. Results Sixteen studies were selected for a total of 2188 patients (LSG: 1429; ESG: 759) with a mean BMI 34.34 and 34.72 kg/m² for LSG and ESG, respectively. Mean %EWL was 80.32 % (± 12.20; 95 % CI; P = 0.001; I² = 98.88) and 62.20 % (± 4.38; 95 % CI; P = 0.005; I² = 65.52) for the LSG and ESG groups, respectively, corresponding to an absolute difference of 18.12 % (± 0.89; 95 % CI, P = 0.0001). The difference in terms of mean rate of adverse events was 0.19 % (± 0.37; 95 %CI; χ 2 = 1.602; P = 0.2056). Conclusions Our analysis showed a moderate superiority of LSG versus ESG. No difference in terms of safety was shown between the two groups. ESG is a less-invasive, repeatable and reversable and acceptable option for mild-moderate obese patients.

Effect of Live Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Feeding on Milk Composition and Gross Profit Margin of Crossbred Dairy Cattle at Khumaltar, Nepal

This study was carried out to assess the effect of live yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (NutrifermTM) inclusion in feed and its effects on milk composition and gross profit-margin from crossbred dairy cattle at Khumaltar, condition. An Experiment was carried out at National Cattle Research Program station of Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC), Khumaltar, Lalitpur of Nepal for 28 days from 19 March 2015 to 15 April 2015. Twenty crossbred cattle were selected randomly and divided into five treatment groups with each, group having four cows arranged in Complete Randomized Design (CRD). Five type of ration was composed to experimental animals; T1 : 0.5kg/MT, T2: 1 kg/MT, T3: 1.5 kg/MT, T4 : 2 kg/MT and T5 as control. Milk samples were collected during milking and Lactoscan auto analyzer was used to measure fat, solid not fat (SNF), lactose, protein along with the volume for four weeks’ experimental period. Data was analyzed using Split plot ANOVA method. Mean fat percentage between treatments was found non-significant but there was significant difference (P&lt;0.05) in mean fat percentage across different time periodS in day 1st and 28th day being statistically significant. In this experiment, changes SNF, protein, and lactose in milk were found to be non-significant. Gross profit-margin of the milk production was done with the market price of raw milk and it was found to be significant (P&lt;0.05) for 1st and 28th days of experiment. Supplementation of liveyeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (NutrifermTM) @ 2 kg/ 1000 kg feed with standard feeding diet enhanced the milk production, improved fat content in milk and generate profit margin.

Macrosteatotic Allografts and Obese Recipients Have Nearly Equal Negative Impact on Liver Transplant Survival.

Our aim was to evaluate liver transplant outcomes involving donors with high macrosteatosis grafts in the obese modern liver transplant recipient population. A high-steatosis graft was defined as donor graft macrosteatosis ≥30% on biopsy. Recipient obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) >35 adjusted for ascites. Raw and adjusted recipient liver transplant survival were evaluated and compared between 4 cohorts: (1) high-steatosis graft in high-BMI recipient; (2) low-steatosis graft in high-BMI recipient; (3) high-steatosis graft in normal-BMI recipient; and (4) low-steatosis graft in normal-BMI recipient. After adjustment for multiple factors, recipient high-BMI remained an independent predictor of posttransplant mortality at 30 days (P < 0.0001) and persisted at 1 year (P = 0.009). A high-steatosis graft was the strongest independent predictor of mortality at 30 days (hazard ratio 2.05, 1.66-2.53; P < 0.0001) and that effect was diminished but persistent at 1 year (1.27, 1.10-1.46; P = 0.001). Recipient high-BMI and a high-steatosis graft are both significant independent and equally powerful predictors of mortality after modern liver transplant. High-steatosis grafts transplanted into obese recipients have the highest mortality. The increase in mortality associated with a high-steatosis graft into a normal-BMI recipient is similar in magnitude to a low-steatosis graft placed into a high-BMI recipient.

Balance impairment in individuals with COPD: a systematic review with meta-analysis

BackgroundPeople with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are four times more likely to fall than healthy peers, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Poor balance is a major risk factor...

Optimization of sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) egg incubation

Sterlet Acipenser ruthenus was used to assess egg and embryo development when incubated at 17 °C in Petri dishes placed in a hatchery tank (300 L recirculating dechlorinated water) with incubation occurring in a static tabletop system in an air-conditioned laboratory, or in a 700 L Q-cell incubator. Eggs in each dish were placed in a plastic box with 300 mL dechlorinated water. Separated eggs from three individual females were fertilized using pooled sperm from four males with there being four replicates. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in mean percentages of neurulation and embryos undergoing cleavage for eggs incubated in the hatchery tank and with use of the static tabletop system. Furthermore, there were no differences (P > 0.05) in percentage of embryos undergoing cleavage, neurulation and hatching for each female when eggs were incubated using the two systems. Results indicate a Petri dish placed in a small plastic box with 300 mL of dechlorinated water was adequate for incubation of sterlet eggs. Results of the study also indicate that with the static system: 1) eggs should be fertilized from each female to retain individual identity; 2) eggs should be dispersed in Petri dishes to avoid clumping; 3) water should be changed at 24 h, but not at 48 h (neurulation) post-fertilization; and 4) embryos that do not optimally develop should be removed the day after neurulation (72 h of post-fertilization period) and water should be exchanged every day subsequent to the 48 h time-point post-fertilization.

Abstract P4-04-08: Histological and epigenetic analyses of placenta tissue from breast cancer patients and healthy participants

Abstract Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies during pregnancy. Guidelines for breast cancer treatment during pregnancy demonstrating that breast cancer during pregnancy can be treated similarly to non-pregnancy-associated breast cancer, except for hormonal and anti-HER2 therapies. Nonetheless, a decreased birth weight is often observed in newborns. Therefore, this project aims to analyze the effects of chemotherapy and the impact of cancer progression on the placenta. Methods: Placentas from breast cancer patients (n=63) and non-cancer participants (n=20) enrolled in Breast Cancer in Pregnancy (BCP) study were collected after delivery and embedded in paraffin. Sections were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) and IHC (Ki-67, cPARP, p27Kip1); trophoblast morphology was evaluated by an established scoring system and distribution of immunohistochemical markers was assessed. Additionally, epigenetic analyses (cytosine methylation) for the following genes were performed: LINE-1 (general methylation), IGF2-H19 (birth weight), EPO (hypoxia), BDNF (neurobiological development), glucocorticoid receptor, HSD11B2 (inactivation of glucocorticoids), estrogen receptor, P-glycoprotein, CYP-3A4 (drug metabolism). Results: HE staining revealed significant damage of trophoblast nuclei and membranes in placentas from breast cancer patients compared to controls (mean score of damage 1.9/1.8 vs 0.8/0.7, p&amp;lt;0.001). Simultaneously, mean proliferation index (Ki-67 positive cells/ 1000 trophoblasts) was reduced (36.3 vs 58.0, p&amp;lt;0.001). In contrast, nuclear and cytoplasmic expression of the negative cell cycle regulator p27Kip1 was reduced (mean IRS score 1.0/0.9 vs 4.3/4.8, p&amp;lt;0.001). No evidence of enhanced apoptosis was found. Epigenetic analyses showed significant differences in mean percentage of cytosine methylation of EPO (68.4% vs 71.1%, p&amp;lt;0.05) and hCyp-3A4 (87.8% vs 90.0%, p&amp;lt;0.01) gene. Altered methylation of CpG positions of LINE-1, IGF2-H19, HSD11B2, estrogen receptor and P-glycoprotein gene were found. Conclusions: Placentas from breast cancer patients seem to be harmed in contrast to placentas from normal pregnancies, shown by morphologic abnormalities and a decreased proliferation index. Nevertheless, no increase of apoptotic cells could be demonstrated. Altered expression of efflux pumps or drug-metabolizing enzymes might be a reason for good fetal tolerability of chemotherapy during pregnancy as methylation patterns were changed in P-glycoprotein and CYP-3A4 gene. Citation Format: Karolin Fröhlich, Torsten Plösch, Fenja Seither, Volkmar Müller, Thomas Karn, Elmar Stickeler, Christian Schem, Christine Solbach, Amelie Lupp, Rikst N Verkaik-Schakel, Gitta Turowski, Peter Mallmann, Marion van Mackelenbergh, Bruno Sinn, Valentina Nekljudova, Carsten Denkert, Pamela Schittler, Udo Markert, Sibylle Loibl. Histological and epigenetic analyses of placenta tissue from breast cancer patients and healthy participants [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-04-08.

1 H-guided reconstruction of 19 F gas MRI in COPD patients.

To reduce acquisition time and improve image quality and robustness of ventilation assessment in a single breath-hold using 1 H-guided reconstruction of fluorinated gas (19 F) MRI. Reconstructions constraining total variation in the image domain, L1 norm in the wavelet domain, and directional total variation between 19 F and 1 H images were compared in order to accelerate 19 F ventilation imaging using retrospectively undersampled data from a healthy volunteer. Using the optimal constrained reconstruction in 8 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (16-seconds breath-hold), ventilation maps of various acceleration factors (2-fold to 13-fold) were compared with maps of the full data set using the Dice coefficient, difference in volume defect percentage and overlap percentage, as well as hyperpolarized 129 Xe gas MRI. The reconstruction constraining total variation and directional total variation simultaneously performed best in the healthy volunteer (RMS error = 0.07, structural similarity index = 0.77) for a measurement time of 2 seconds. Using the same reconstruction in the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the Dice coefficient of defect volumes was 0.86 ± 0.05, the mean difference in volume defect percentage was -1.0 ± 1.7 percentage points, and the overlap percentage was 87% ± 2% for a measurement time of 6 seconds. Between volume defect percentage of 19 F and 129 Xe, a linear correlation (r = 0.75; P = .03) was found, with 19 F volume defect percentage being significantly higher (mean difference = 11%; P = .04). 1 H-guided reconstruction of pulmonary 19 F gas MRI enables reduction of acquisition time while maintaining image quality and robustness of functional parameters.

A real-world, comparative study of FDA-approved diagnostic assays PD-L1 IHC 28-8 and 22C3 in lung cancer and other malignancies

AimsAt the time of analysis, two widely used, drug-specific, tumour-cell programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) assays were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for anti-PD-1 therapies: the Dako...

One Size Fits (n)One: The Influence of Sex, Age, and Sexual Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Acquisition Risk on Racial/Ethnic Disparities in the HIV Care Continuum in the United States.

The United States National HIV/AIDS Strategy established goals to reduce disparities in retention in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care, antiretroviral therapy (ART) use, and viral suppression. The impact of sex, age, and sexual HIV acquisition risk (ie, heterosexual vs same-sex contact) on the magnitude of HIV-related racial/ethnic disparities is not well understood. We estimated age-stratified racial/ethnic differences in the 5-year restricted mean percentage of person-time spent in care, on ART, and virally suppressed among 19 521 women (21.4%), men who have sex with men (MSM; 59.0%), and men who have sex with women (MSW; 19.6%) entering HIV care in the North American AIDS Cohort Collaboration on Research and Design between 2004 and 2014. Among women aged 18-29 years, whites spent 12.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1%-20.2%), 9.2% (95% CI, .4%-20.4%), and 13.5% (95% CI, 2.7%-22.5%) less person-time in care, on ART, and virally suppressed, respectively, than Hispanics. Black MSM aged ≥50 years spent 6.3% (95% CI, 1.3%-11.7%), 11.0% (95% CI, 4.6%-18.1%), and 9.7% (95% CI, 3.6%-16.8%) less person-time in these stages, respectively, than white MSM ≥50 years of age. Among MSM aged 40-49 years, blacks spent 9.8% (95% CI, 2.4%-16.5%) and 11.9% (95% CI, 3.8%-19.3%) less person-time on ART and virally suppressed, respectively, than whites. Racial/ethnic differences in HIV care persist in specific populations defined by sex, age, and sexual HIV acquisition risk. Clinical and public health interventions that jointly target these demographic factors are needed.

Monocyte human leukocyte antigen - Antigen D related, neutrophil oxidative burst and cytokine analysis in patients of decompensated cirrhosis with and without acute-on chronic liver failure.

Background and aimDue to a dysregulated immune response, patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) have increased risk of infection and multi organ failure in comparison to compensated cirrhosis. The comparative data on the presence of ‘immune paresis’ in patients with ACLF and decompensated cirrhosis without ACLF is not available. Aim of the present study was to compare the immunological parameters in patients with decompensated cirrhosis with and without ACLF.MethodologyIn a prospective study, 76 patients with decompensated cirrhosis with (n = 38) and without (n = 38) ACLF and 10 healthy controls (HC) were evaluated for monocytic human leukocyte antigen–antigen D Related (HLA-DR) expression, mean density of HLA-DR expressed on the surface of these cells, neutrophil oxidative burst (NOB) capacity and serum levels of cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL10, IL-12, and TNF-α).ResultsPatients of decompensated cirrhosis with and without ACLF demonstrated significantly lower mean percentage of monocytes expressing HLA-DR and quantitative increase in the NOB after stimulation with PMA when compared to HC. However there was no difference in mean percentage of monocytes with HLA-DR expression (43.61±26.56% vs. 43.10±20.98%) (p = 0.91), mean density of HLA-DR expression on the surface (30.34±29.32 vs. 41.71±52.13) (p = 0.42) and quantitative increase in NOB after stimulation with PMA (16.55±11.91 vs. 17.24±16.18) (p = 0.47) amongst patients with decompensated cirrhosis with and without ACLF. Patients with ACLF had significantly higher pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in comparison to patients with decompensated cirrhosis without ACLF.ConclusionPatients with decompensated cirrhosis demonstrate a component of immune-paresis, however there is similar impairment in HLA–DR expression and NOB capacity in patients with and without ACLF. Both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines are increased in patients with ACLF in comparison to patients with decompensated cirrhosis without ACLF.