Misleading Data Research Articles

The role of the angle of the ascending aortic curvature on the development of type A aortic dissection: ascending aortic angulation and dissection.

Type A aortic dissection (TAD), which consists of an intimal tear in the aorta, necessitates emergency surgery. Various risk factors related to aortic dissection have been defined in the literature. According to our hypothesis, a narrower angle of ascending aortic curvature (AAAC) may be an additional risk factor in relation to aortic dissection due to the increased force applied to the aortic wall. Patients undergoing ascending aortic surgery due to an ascending aortic aneurysm (AsAA) (n = 105) and patients undergoing such surgery because of the occurrence of TAD (n = 101) were enrolled in this study. The AAAC was measured using Cobb's method; the measurements were made on all patients by just 1 cardiovascular radiologist using 3-dimensional computerized tomographic imaging. This measurement was made indirectly by using the aortic valve and brachiocephalic artery to avoid obtaining misleading data as a result of distortions due to dissection. A statistical comparison was also performed relating the traditional risk factors for TAD to other clinical and echocardiographic parameters: the diameter of the ascending aorta and the AAAC. The AAAC was found to be narrower statistically in the TAD group (α = 76.2° ± 17.5°) than it was in the AsAA group (α = 92.9° ± 13°) (P < 0.001). Furthermore, mean ascending aortic diameter (P = 0.019), the presence of a bicuspid aorta (P = 0.007) and aortic valve stenosis (P = 0.005) were higher in the AsAA group. According to multivariable analyses, a narrower AAAC is a significant predictor for the development of TAD (odds ratio 0.93, 95% confidence interval 0.91-0.95; P < 0.001). Overall hospital mortality from various causes including stroke, myocardial infarction, bleeding or renal failure was 13% in the TAD group and 7% in the AsAA group. According to this study, the AAAC was significantly smaller in aortic dissection patients than in aortic aneurysm patients. This may be related to higher shear stress and elevated pressure on the ascending aorta in patients with a narrower AAAC. Thus, a narrower AAAC may be an additional risk factor in the development of TAD. Therefore, we may need to be more careful in terms of looking for the development of aortic dissection in patients with narrower AAAC.

The Influence of Creative Accounting to the Formation of the Accounting Policy and Accounting’s Results

The accounting's policy choice and creating is influenced by accounting theory, impact factors, each company's objectives, and this makes company unique. Legislation for businesses in creating accounting policies allow to choose the following accounting methods and techniques that are most revealing aspects of the activities of the enterprise. In cases where the situation is not exactly to regulate the law is left to creativity. There is a need to apply creative accounting, which is identified as a factor influencing the choice of accounting policy. Taking into account the environmental factors of the company, creative accounting is applying in different accounting areas and in different volumes, while the accounting policy structure is forming. The main source of information about the company's financial position and the results are financial statements. On financial statements basis, information users make decisions. In order to influence information users decision's, company starts to manipulate financial data. In order to influence consumer decisions, creative accounting is used to manipulate financial data, which results in higher or lower company profits and distorts other financial information. On misleading data basis made financial statements not reflect a true and fair view of the company. The size of the distortion of information's, investigations are not carried out In Lithuania. The purpose of the study is analysis of the relationship of creative accounting and accounting policy and determinate the creative accounting impact to the formation of the accounting policy and accounting's results. Methods of analysis, data systematization, comparative, grouping and modeling were used during the research.&#x0D; JEL classification: M41

Right to be Wrong: Examining the (Im) possibilities of Regulating Fake News while Preserving the Freedom of Expression in Kenya

With the proliferation of peer-to-peer networks as a source of information, concerns on the accuracy of information shared have been raised, necessitating attempts by governments to regulate fake news. Kenya’s Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, for instance, criminalises the intentional dissemination of false or misleading data. However, such regulation has resulted in a different set of concerns, particularly its potential to bring about undue limitation on the freedom of expression. In appraising the approach taken in Kenya of imposing liability on perpetrators, and that taken in some jurisdictions of imposing intermediary liability, the article posits that similar difficulties are faced in regulating fake news – the freedom of expression could be curtailed. This is fuelled by ambiguity in the definition of ‘fake news’. Consequently, this article seeks to find out if indeed, it is possible to regulate fake news while preserving the freedom of expression in Kenya. Further, the article delves into some of the effects the proliferation of fake news has had on the democratic process in Kenya, thereby requiring regulation. In doing so, it tackles fake news from two general conceptions: fake news as calculated disinformation campaigns by individuals for certain purposes, and fake news as an overarching culture of misinformation that enables the spread of false information. Regarding the former, it finds that legislative measures may prove sufficient. However, the latter requires a combination of non-legislative measures such as collaborative measure, awareness initiatives and fact-checking.

Precision Technique for Splenectomy Limits Mouse Stress Responses for Accurate and Realistic Measurements for Investigating Inflammation and Immunity.

Splenectomy in an animal model requires a standardized technique utilizing best practice to avoid variability which can result in adverse impact to the animal resulting in flawed physiologic responses simply due to technique rather than to the studied variables. In the case of the spleen, often investigators are analyzing the animal immune or inflammatory responses. Surgical splenectomy involves many variables from the training and expertise of the surgeon, which directly correlates to surgical technique to the length of operation and ease of the procedure. This operation, in turn, impacts blood loss and insensible fluid losses, sterile technique, unintended trauma to the spleen and surrounding organs, the length of the incision and the duration of the operation with more prolonged exposure to anesthetic agents. All these variables ultimately play a significant role in the experiment since they directly affect the response of the model in terms of inflammation, immune activation, or even suppression. Undesired variables such as these go unnoticed and lead to inaccurate and misleading data.

Scientific Evidence for Breastfeeding.

The global drive to promote breastfeeding targeted at all 134 million infants born/year on the planet is one of the most pervasive public health interventions. It is, therefore, critical that the breastfeeding field is rooted in sound evidence. Three important scientific pillars of breastfeeding have been: (1) that human milk (HM) is the product of 200 million years of mammalian evolution; (2) that HM composition should be seen as the gold standard for infant nutritional requirements; and (3) that HM has numerous clinical benefits for the infant. I shall look carefully at these areas to help pave the way to a more solid basis for modern breastfeeding medicine. Firstly, I shall look at evolutionary theory for human breastfeeding and consider in general terms the implications for optimal nutritional care of breastfed infants. Secondly, I shall show how HM composition has been incorrectly translated into dietary intake in a large body of past flawed work that resulted in misleading data. Implementing such data as a model for infant formula appears to have increased the risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in formula-fed infants. Finally, most studies that examine the benefits of HM are observational and potentially confounded. So, this body of data needs to be backed by experimental evidence. Here, I shall use preterm infants as a model, since numerous RCTs and physiological studies over 40 years have compared exclusive HM feeding versus cow's milk exposure. Unexpectedly diverse immediate beneficial effects span the field of neonatology, and long-term programmed effects have been shown for cognition, brain structure, risk factors for CVD, structural development of the heart and lungs, bone health, and atopy. These data add much weight to the evidence, obtained in full-term infants using observational study designs, that HM feeding in early life may fundamentally and permanently change the biology of the organism. Breastfeeding is emerging as a major evidence-based field of medical and public health practice.

“Flying under the radar” – how misleading distributional data led to wrong appreciation of knotweeds invasion (Reynoutria spp.) in Croatia

“Flying under the radar” – how misleading distributional data led to wrong appreciation of knotweeds invasion (Reynoutria spp.) in Croatia

An Improved Earned Value Analysis Tool for Mitigating Progress Risks in Long Duration Projects

As a risk control tool, earned value analysis is crucial for identifying risky trends in the budget or schedule of a project. This tool relies on earned value management, a method for calculating cost and schedule variances. However, this method does not take into account the time value of money. This in itself is a threat that could lead to misleading data and eventually wrong decisions. This paper explores the risk management process, the earned value management method, and proposes a methodology that compliments the earned value management method with net present value calculations. This will allow project managers to take sound decisions based on more accurate information.

Statistical analysis of proteomics data: A review on feature selection

The spread of “-omics” strategies has strongly changed the way of thinking about the scientific method. Indeed, managing huge amounts of data imposes the replacement of the classical deductive approach with a data-driven inductive approach, so to generate mechanistical hypotheses from data. Data reduction is a crucial step in the process of proteomics data analysis, because of the sparsity of significant features in big datasets. Thus, feature selection methods are applied to obtain a set of features based on which a proteomics signature can be drawn, with a functional significance (e.g., classification, diagnosis, prognosis). In this frame, the aim of the present review article is to give an overview of the methods available for proteomics data analysis, with a focus on biomedical translational research. Suggestions for the choice of the most appropriate standard statistical procedures are presented to perform data reduction by feature selection, cross-validation and functional analysis of proteomics profiles. SignificanceThe proteome, including all so-called “proteoforms”, represents the highest level of complexity of biomolecules when compared to the other “-omes” (i.e., genome, transcriptome). For this reason, the use of proper data reduction strategies is mandatory for proteomics data analysis. However, the strategies to be employed for feature selection must be carefully chosen, since many different approaches exist based on both input data and desired output. So far, a well-established decision-making workflow for proteomics data analysis is lacking, opening up to misleading and incorrect data analysis and interpretation. In this review article many statistical approaches are described and compared for their application in the field of biomedical research, in order to suggest the reader the most suitable analysis pathway and to avoid mistakes.

3-D Marine Controlled-Source Electromagnetic Modeling in Electrically Anisotropic Formations Using Scattered Scalar–Vector Potentials

Marine controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) method has become a popular technique for offshore hydrocarbon exploration. It has been well recognized that marine CSEM data are strongly affected by electrical anisotropy of geologic formations in practice. Here, we present a robust and efficient finite volume algorithm for simulating marine CSEM responses in 3-D arbitrarily anisotropic formations. The algorithm is based on scattered scalar–vector potentials which improve the ill-conditioning of the resulting linear system by deflating the null space of the curl operator, and a conservative volume averaging scheme is utilized for the discretization of arbitrary electrical anisotropy. The accuracy of our algorithm is validated against quasi-analytic solutions for a layered vertical transverse isotropic reservoir model. It is then demonstrated by numerical results that the marine CSEM fields are significantly affected by the anisotropic conductivity tensor, and neglect of the full anisotropy of geologic formations may cause misleading data interpretation.

The Application of Commercially Available Mobile Cigarette Topography Devices for E-cigarette Vaping Behavior Measurements.

The ability to reliably measure real-world vaping behavior is critical to understand exposures to potential toxins. Commercially available mobile topography devices were originally designed to measure cigarette puffing behavior. Information regarding how applicable these devices are to the measurement of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) vaping topography is needed. Clinical Research Support System (CReSS; Pocket) and Smoking Puff Analyzer Mobile (SPA-M) topography devices were tested against the calibrated laboratory-based smoking puff analyzer duplicator (SPA-D) device combined with an analytical smoking machine that generates programmable puffs with high precision. Puff topography of e-cigarettes was measured over a range of puff volumes (10-130 mL) at 2 and 5 s puff durations (using bell- and square-shaped puffs). "Real-world" topography data collected from 10 participants during 1 week of at-home vaping were also analyzed. Recording anomalies and limitations of the devices, such as accuracy of detection of the puff end, flow rate dropouts, unreported puffs, and abandoned vaping sessions for the CReSS, and multi-peak puffs for the SPA-M were defined. The accuracy of puff volumes and durations was determined for both devices. The error for SPA-M was generally within ±10%, whereas that for the CReSS varied more widely. The CReSS consistently underestimated puff duration at higher flow rates. CReSS and SPA-M topography devices can be used for real-world e-cigarette topography measurements, but researchers have to be aware of the limitations. Both devices can provide accurate measurements only under certain puff parameter ranges. The SPA-M provided more accurate measurements under a wider range of puffing parameters than the CReSS. Summary data reported by both devices require thorough analysis of the raw data to avoid misleading data interpretation. Results of this study provide researchers with valuable information about the capability of commercially available cigarette topography devices to measure real-world vaping behaviors. The differing measurement ranges of the two devices and puff recording limitations and anomalies should be taken into account during analysis and interpretation of real-world data.

In vitro Models for Seizure-Liability Testing Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.

The brain is the most complex organ in the body, controlling our highest functions, as well as regulating myriad processes which incorporate the entire physiological system. The effects of prospective therapeutic entities on the brain and central nervous system (CNS) may potentially cause significant injury, hence, CNS toxicity testing forms part of the “core battery” of safety pharmacology studies. Drug-induced seizure is a major reason for compound attrition during drug development. Currently, the rat ex vivo hippocampal slice assay is the standard option for seizure-liability studies, followed by primary rodent cultures. These models can respond to diverse agents and predict seizure outcome, yet controversy over the relevance, efficacy, and cost of these animal-based methods has led to interest in the development of human-derived models. Existing platforms often utilize rodents, and so lack human receptors and other drug targets, which may produce misleading data, with difficulties in inter-species extrapolation. Current electrophysiological approaches are typically used in a low-throughput capacity and network function may be overlooked. Human-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a promising avenue for neurotoxicity testing, increasingly utilized in drug screening and disease modeling. Furthermore, the combination of iPSC-derived models with functional techniques such as multi-electrode array (MEA) analysis can provide information on neuronal network function, with increased sensitivity to neurotoxic effects which disrupt different pathways. The use of an in vitro human iPSC-derived neural model for neurotoxicity studies, combined with high-throughput techniques such as MEA recordings, could be a suitable addition to existing pre-clinical seizure-liability testing strategies.

Oxygen diffusivity and permeation through polymers at elevated temperature

Oxygen permeability (P), diffusivity (D) and solubility (S) properties are representative of gaseous diffusion in polymers and required for the understanding of polymer physics driven phenomena as well as the quantification of mass transport or polymer degradation processes when diffusion limited oxidation effects result in spatially dependent oxidation behavior. Precise P, D, S characterization data for O2 in polymeric materials at elevated temperatures have not been reported due to instrumental challenges and competitive reactively driven oxygen loss (oxidation reactions), although estimations have been accomplished from indirect measurements of oxidation depths when analyzed with theoretical degradation models. This study offers an overview on experimental approaches which have been applied to the characterization of a range of thin polymer films. As an overview, the O2 permeation features of three epoxy thermo-set materials, polyimides (Kapton and bismaleimides), and polypropylene for 25–140 °C were investigated with time-dependent flux measurements and yield permeation data which so far have not been available in the literature. Arrhenius plots of P for two epoxies (828/D230 and 828/D400) show the influence of the glass transition temperature, and intriguingly a transition originates mostly through noticeable changes in S but not D. Multiple material behaviors demonstrating the influence of reactive oxygen loss are discussed. Polymer oxidation chemistry will often interfere with physical permeation measurements at elevated temperatures, in conflict with perhaps the expectation for simple non-reactive O2 transport. Misleading data may result unless the underlying reactive oxidative loss is considered and compensated for, or permeation data are compared at multiple O2 partial pressures to validate non-reactive experimental conditions.

A literature review of anthropometric studies of school students for ergonomics purposes: Are accuracy, precision and reliability being considered?

Despite offering many benefits, direct manual anthropometric measurement method can be problematic due to their vulnerability to measurement errors. The purpose of this literature review was to determine, whether or not the currently published anthropometric studies of school children, related to ergonomics, mentioned or evaluated the variables precision, reliability or accuracy in the direct manual measurement method. Two bibliographic databases, and the bibliographic references of all the selected papers were used for finding relevant published papers in the fields considered in this study. Forty-six (46) studies met the criteria previously defined for this literature review. However, only ten (10) studies mentioned at least one of the analyzed variables, and none has evaluated all of them. Only reliability was assessed by three papers. Moreover, in what regards the factors that affect precision, reliability and accuracy, the reviewed papers presented large differences. This was particularly clear in the instruments used for the measurements, which were not consistent throughout the studies. Additionally, it was also clear that there was a lack of information regarding the evaluators' training and procedures for anthropometric data collection, which are assumed to be the most important issues that affect precision, reliability and accuracy. Based on the review of the literature, it was possible to conclude that the considered anthropometric studies had not focused their attention to the analysis of precision, reliability and accuracy of the manual measurement methods. Hence, and with the aim of avoiding measurement errors and misleading data, anthropometric studies should put more efforts and care on testing measurement error and defining the procedures used to collect anthropometric data.

Migration Crisis Deepens in the Indian State of Assam: Is Another Myanmar Style 'Ethnic Cleansing' Imminent?

The present context of crisis in the Indian State of Assam, has been developed out of a fear of a possibility for development of an assimilated or integrated society with changes in linguistic and religious composition. The current ruling party has been supporting a rise in mono-cultural society-based purely on a religious ideology of Hinduism. They expect to see Assam as a pure Hindu state by expelling the entire Muslim population currently living in Assam - including the permanent Muslim residents. A new citizenship registry (NRC) threatens to evict over five million of Bengali Muslims who have always called the state of Assam home. In order to materialize their long standing plan, they are making various allegations against the Muslim population of Assam - based on grounds of false and misleading data and fabricated information. Most of the Bengali Muslim citizens, it is feared, would not be able to retain their citizenship in Assam and become stateless persons as that happened to the Rohingya minorities in Myanmar's Rakhine province and could end up in a similar humanitarian crisis. This research has deployed three fundamental questions in relation to residential status and religious ethnicity of the Muslim population of Assam. This article has proved that the estimated number of so called Bengali Muslims in Assam, as being claimed by the local political leaders and their agitated followers, is totally based on false and misleading data and information. The findings of this research have also unveiled the nature of conspiracy that associates with the planned evictions of the Muslim residents of Assam to neighbouring Bangladesh in near future. This research has also highlighted the possible consequences out of a massive 'ethnic cleansing' and its effects on the political stability in South Asia.

Transcriptional noise in intact and TGF-beta treated human kidney cells; the importance of time-series designs.

The transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling pathway plays a key role in various cellular processes. However, insufficient knowledge about the complex and sometimes paradoxical functions of this pathway hinders its therapeutic targeting. In this study, the transcriptional profile of seven mediators and downstream elements of the TGF-β pathway were assessed in TGF-β treated and untreated human kidney derived cells for 2 weeks in a time course manner. As expected the up-regulation of ACTA2 and COL1A2 was evident in the treated cells. However, we observed remarkable fluctuations in gene expression, even in the supposedly steady states. The magnitude of noise was diverse in the examined genes. Our findings underscore the significance of time-course designs for gene expression analyses and clearly show that misleading data can be obtained in single point measurements. Furthermore, we propose specific considerations in the interpretation of time-course data in the context of noisy gene expression.

The Production of Corporate Research to Manufacture Doubt About the Health Hazards of Products: An Overview of the Exponent Bakelite® Simulation Study.

Although corporate sponsorship of research does not necessarily lead to biased results, in some industries, it has resulted in the publication of inaccurate and misleading data. Some companies have hired scientific consulting firms to retrospectively calculate exposures to hazardous products during use that are no longer manufactured or sold. As an example, this paper reviews one such study-a litigation-generated study of Union Carbide Corporation's asbestos-containing product, Bakelite®. This analysis is based on previously secret documents, produced as a result of litigation. The study generated asbestos fiber exposure measurements which resulted in underestimates of actual exposures to create doubt about the hazards associated with manufacture and manipulation of Bakelite®.

Editorial

IIUM ENGINEERING JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA  CHIEF EDITORAhmad Faris Ismail, IIUM, Malaysia                                                                                                              TECHNICAL EDITORErry Yulian Triblas Adesta, IIUM, MalaysiaEXECUTIVE EDITORAHM Zahirul Alam, IIUM, MalaysiaASSOCIATE EDITORAnis Nurashikin Nordin, IIUM, MalaysiaLANGUAGE EDITOR Lynn Mason, MalaysiaCOPY EDITORHamzah Mohd. Salleh, IIUM, MalaysiaEDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERSAbdullah Al-Mamun, IIUM, MalaysiaAbdumalik Rakhimov, IIUM, MalaysiaAmir Akramin Shafie, IIUM, MalaysiaErwin Sulaeman, IIUM, Malaysia aHanafy Omar, Saudi ArabiaHazleen Anuar, IIUM, MalaysiaKonstantin Khanin, University of Toronto, CanadaMa'an Al-Khatib, IIUM, MalaysiaMd. Zahangir Alam, IIUM, MalaysiaMeftah Hrairi, IIUM, MalaysiaMohamed B. Trabia, United StatesMohammed Konneh, IIUM, MalaysiaMohammad S. Alam, Texas A&amp;M University-Kingsville, United StatesMustafizur Rahman, National University Singapore, SingaporeNor Farahidah Za bah, IIUM, MalaysiaOssama Abdulkhalik, Michigan Technological University, United StatesTeddy Surya Gunawan, IIUM, MalaysiaWaqar Asrar, IIUM, Malaysia AIMS &amp; SCOPE OF IIUMENGINEERING JOURNALThe IIUM Engineering Journal, published biannually, is a carefully refereed international publication of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Contributions of high technical merit within the span of engineering disciplines; covering the main areas of engineering: Electrical and Computer Engineering; Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering; Automation and Mechatronics Engineering; Material and Chemical Engineering; Environmental and Civil Engineering; Biotechnology and Bioengineering; Engineering Mathematics and Physics; and Computer Science and Information Technology are considered for publication in this journal. Contributions from other areas of Engineering and Applied Science are also welcomed. The IIUM Engineering Journal publishes contributions under Regular papers, Invited review papers, Short communications, Technical notes, and Letters to the editor (no page charge). Book reviews, reports of and/or call for papers of conferences, symposia and meetings, and advances in research equipment could also be published in IIUM Engineering Journal with minimum charges.REFEREES’ NETWORKAll papers submitted to IIUM Engineering Journal will be subjected to a rigorous reviewing process through a worldwide network of specialized and competent referees. Each accepted paper should have at least two positive referees’ assessments.SUBMISSION OF A MANUSCRIPTA manuscript should be submitted online to the IIUM-Engineering Journal website:http://journals.iium.edu.my/ejournal. Further correspondence on the status of the paper could be done through the journal website and the e-mail addresses of the Executive Editor: zahirulalam@iium.edu.my Faculty of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Jan Gombak, 53100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Phone: (603) 6196 4529, Fax:(603) 6196 4488. INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE A. Anwar, United StatesAbdul Latif Bin Ahmad, MalaysiaFarzad Ismail, USM, Pulau Pinang, MalaysiaHanafy Omar, Saudi ArabiaHany Ammar, United States  K.B. Ramachandran, IndiaKunzu Abdella, CanadaLuis Le Moyne, ISAT, University of Burgundy, FranceM Mujtaba, United KingdomMohamed AI-Rubei, IrelandMohamed B Trabia, United StatesMohammad S. Alam, Texas A&amp;M University-Kingsville, United StatesNazmul KarimOssama Abdulkhalik, Michigan Technological University, United StatesRazi Nalim, IUPUI, Indianapolis, Indiana, United StatesSyed Kamrul Islam, United StatesTibor CziganyYiu-Wing Mai  Published by:IIUM Press, International Islamic University MalaysiaJalan Gombak, 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Phone (+603) 6196-5014, Fax: (+603) 6196-6298 Website: http://iiumpress.iium.edu.my/bookshop  Whilst every effort is made by the publisher and editorial board to see that no inaccurate or misleading data, opinion or statement appears in this Journal, they wish to make it clear that the data and opinions appearing in the articles and advertisement herein are the responsibility of the contributor or advertiser concerned. Accordingly, the publisher and the editorial committee accept no liability whatsoever for the consequence of any such inaccurate or misleading data, opinion or statement. IIUM Engineering JournalISSN: 1511-788X  E-ISSN: 2289-7860

PCR testing of single tissue samples can result in misleading data on gill-associated virus infection loads in shrimp

In shrimp aquaculture, the ability to reliably test for the presence and load of pathogens is vital for managing disease. As pathogen infection loads are not distributed homogenously throughout different tissues, detection by PCR can vary based on what tissue type is tested. Moreover, there is potential for infection loads to vary within the same tissue type depending on infection severity and nature of the tissue. This study used reverse transcriptase real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) to examine the sensitivity and variability in gill-associated virus (GAV) detection levels within and between different tissue types sampled from individual black tiger (Penaeus monodon) shrimp. From the group of juvenile shrimp (Group 1 - 10.9 ± 1.4 g, n = 10) with low-level GAV infection, eight gill filaments and eight pleopods were tested from each individual, and from another group of adult shrimp (Group 2 - 40.4 ± 2.3 g, n = 12) with higher-level GAV infection, 10 gill filaments, 10 pleopods and both lymphoid organ lobes were tested from each individual. For Group 1, 69/80 gill and 67/80 pleopod samples tested PCR-positive, and for Group 2, all samples tested PCR-positive. In some shrimp from each group, GAV detection levels among gill filaments or pleopods varied by up to ~3000-fold, highlighting the variability that is present in infection load among these tissues within individual shrimp. Statistical analyses used to determine the most sensitive and consistent tissue type to test identified no significant differences between mean GAV infection loads detected, either in gill or pleopod tissue, within each group (Group 1, p = 0.852; Group 2, p = 0. 146). Similarly, variability in GAV detection levels among individual gill filaments and pleopods did not differ between either tissue for each group (Group 1, p = 0.922; Group 2, p = 0.151). The mean GAV infection load (GAV RNA copies μg−1 TNA) detected in lymphoid organ lobes tested from Group 2 adult shrimp (5.96 × 107 ± 8.67 × 107 copies), was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) compared to either gill (1.37 × 105 ± 4.07 × 105 copies) or pleopod (6.97 × 104 ± 2.50 × 105 copies), confirming the value of testing lymphoid organ when destructive sampling is an option. When it is not an option, or when industrial scale high-throughput PCR screening for GAV is desired, the data reported here indicate that gill or pleopod tissue are equally suitable. However, processing more than a single gill filament or pleopod would most likely provide more accurate data on GAV presence and relative infection loads.

Initial Evaluation of Antibody-conjugates Modified with Viral-derived Peptides for Increasing Cellular Accumulation and Improving Tumor Targeting

Antibody-conjugates (ACs) modified with virus-derived peptides are a potentially powerful class of tumor cell delivery agents for molecular payloads used in cancer treatment and imaging due to increased cellular accumulation over current ACs. During early AC in vitro development, fluorescence techniques and radioimmunoassays are sufficient for determining intracellular localization, accumulation efficiency, and target cell specificity. Currently, there is no consensus on standardized methods for preparing cells for evaluating AC intracellular accumulation and localization. The initial testing of ACs modified with virus-derived peptides is critical especially if several candidates have been constructed. Determining intracellular accumulation by fluorescence can be affected by background signal from ACs at the cell surface and complicate the interpretation of accumulation. For radioimmunoassays, typically treated cells are fractionated and the radioactivity in different cell compartments measured. However, cell lysis varies from cell to cell and often nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments are not adequately isolated. This can produce misleading data on payload delivery properties. The intravenous injection of radiolabeled virus-derived peptide-modified ACs in tumor bearing mice followed by radionuclide imaging is a powerful method for determining tumor targeting and payload delivery properties at the in vivo phase of development. However, this is a relatively recent advancement and few groups have evaluated virus-derived peptide-modified ACs in this manner. We describe the processing of treated cells to more accurately evaluate virus-derived peptide-modified AC accumulation when using confocal microscopy and radioimmunoassays. Specifically, a method for trypsinizing cells to remove cell surface bound ACs. We also provide a method for improving cellular fractionation. Lastly, this protocol provides an in vivo method using positron emission tomography (PET) for evaluating initial tumor targeting properties in tumor-bearing mice. We use the radioisotope 64Cu (t1/2 = 12.7 h) as an example payload in this protocol.

Notes on the hatching phases and the size of the juveniles in the Snake-eyed skink Ablepharus kitaibelii (Bibron &amp; Bory de Saint-Vincent, 1833)

Abstract Most of the studies dealing with the Snake-eyed skink (Ablepharus kitaibelii) treat predominantly aspects of the distribution and taxonomy of the species. In the present study we provide information concerning the mechanism of hatching in the Snake-eyed skink and the dimensions of the hatched specimens. We collected data from wild animals, as well as from indoor incubated juveniles. The present study provides the first data concerning the weight of the newly hatched juveniles of the species and discuss on potential misleading data concerning the size of the juveniles in A. kitaibelii.