Proven Marker Research Articles

How should the management of ovarian masses in children?

Introduction: Prevalence of ovarian masses in children increase due to easy access to imaging techniques. There are conflicting views about evaluation and classification of ovarian masses for neoplasia in such age group in the literature. Material and methods: The patients who were monitored and treated because of ovarian mass in pediatric surgery and obstetrics and gynaecology clinics were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic data, symptoms, dimensions and lateralization of the mass, serum tumour markers, histopathological evaluation results, and treatment outcomes of the patients enrolled in were recorded. Ovarian masses of the participants were divided into two groups as non-neoplastic group (NNG) and neoplastic group (NG) depending on imaging techniques, serum tumour markers and histopathological analysis results. Results were statistically reviewed. Results: There was not any statistical difference between NG and NNG for age, body mass index, mass diameter, initial symptoms, and mass lateralization (p>0.05). Review of ovarian masses reported by imaging techniques revealed that pure cystic appearance was statistically significant for NNG (p=0.012). Duration of the surgery and hospitalization were detected shorter in NNG treated laparoscopically (p=0.023). Conclusion: Surgical treatment of ovarian masses in children should be ovarian protective as much as possible. However, there is not any reliable and proven marker that may differentiate a benign ovarian mass from a malignant ovarian mass in paediatric patients like adult population. A detailed medical history, physical examination, imaging methods, and adequate tumour markers should be used for preoperative evaluation of adnexial masses.

Sleep-related breathing disorders in patients with pulmonary hypertension

Abstract Introduction There are some evidences of sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) association with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Only limited information regarding the SRBD prevalence in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) patients, is available. Purpose To estimate the features of SRBD and the asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) level in PAH and CTEPH patients and their relationship with the severity of PH. Methods There were included 31 patients (45% male; 55% female) with a verified diagnosis of precapillary PH: 22.6% – with PAH; 9,7% with PAH associated with adult congenital heart disease; 64.5% – with CTEPH; 3.2% with PAH associated with connective tissue disease. Patients underwent a general clinical examination, questionnaires, a comprehensive assessment of respiratory function, a complete polysomnographic study, ECG and ECHO studies, assessment of clinical and biochemical blood tests, including an assessment of ADMA and NT-proBNP levels. Results SRBD of a predominantly obstructive nature were found in 74.2% of the examined: 38.7% were mild, 22.6% were moderate, 12.9% were severe. In 35% of patients, episodes of periodic breathing during sleep were recorded. There was no association SRBD with PH functional class and hemodynamic parameters. Moderate correlation was observed between the apnea-hypopnea index and remodeling indices of the heart chambers according to ECHO: for the end-diastolic size of the left ventricle (ρ=0.54; p=0.005); for an indicator of the ratio of the size of the ventricles (RV/LV) (ρ=−0.41, p=0.05). The presence of SRBD wasn't associated with the level of peripheral blood saturation according to pulse oximetry in sleep and during wakefulness. Negative moderate correlation was observed between NT-proBNP level and the average peripheral blood saturation at night in the entire examined group (ρ=−0.40; p=0.035). All patients showed an increase in ADMA, with no association between ADMA and SRBD severity. Conclusions The incidence of SRBD is extremely high in PAH and CTEPH patients. However, there no association between presence and severity of PH, including with right heart remodeling. But the severity of nocturnal hypoxemia is associated with an increase in NT-proBNP level, a proven marker of poor prognosis in PAH and CTEPH groups of patients. SRBD severity indices (apnea-hypopnea index and desaturation index) are associated with ECHO parameters characterizing remodeling of left heart chambers. Increasing ADMA level as a marker of endothelial dysfunction was related with PH severity, but not with SRBD. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Almazov National Medical Research Centre

AUTOIMMUNE MYOPATHIES: P.299 Distinct disease-activity markers between inflammatory and dystrophic myopathies revealed by the multi-exponential behaviour of water T2-relaxation

The mono-exponential water T2 (T2H2O) is a proven marker of disease activity in neuromuscular diseases. Although sensitive, T2H2O lacks specificity, being elevated in the presence of different pathological processes. Here, we investigated the multi-exponential behavior of the water T2-relaxation, aiming to identify more sensitive and specific biomarkers of disease activity. A total of 114 inclusion body myositis (IBM) and 30 Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients and 55 control subjects underwent proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) and imaging (MRI) of the thigh or the leg on a clinical 3-T system.

Mutations in an Aquaglyceroporin as a Proven Marker of Antimony Clinical Resistance in the Parasite Leishmania donovani.

Antimonial drugs have long been the mainstay to treat visceral leishmaniasis. Their use has been discontinued in the Indian subcontinent because of drug resistance, but they are still clinically useful elsewhere. The goal of this study was to find markers of antimony resistance in Leishmania donovani clinical isolates and validate experimentally their role in resistance. The genomes of sensitive and antimony-resistant clinical isolates were sequenced. The role of a specific gene in contributing to resistance was studied by CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene editing and intracellular drug sensitivity assays. Both gene copy number variations and single nucleotide variants were associated with antimony resistance. A homozygous insertion of 2 nucleotides was found in the gene coding for the aquaglyceroporin AQP1 in both resistant isolates. Restoring the wild-type AQP1 open reading frame re-sensitized the 2 independent resistant isolates to antimonials. Alternatively, editing the genome of a sensitive isolate by incorporating the 2-nucleotide insertion in its AQP1 gene led to antimony-resistant parasites. Through genomic analysis and CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing we have proven the role of the AQP1 mutations in antimony clinical resistance in L. donovani.

Geochemical markers of paleoenvironments, weathering, and provenance in Permian–Triassic terrestrial sediments

ABSTRACTThis study compares several geochemical factors (major and minor rare earth elements, Ti/Al ratios, and chemical index of alteration, CIA, values) in the Early Triassic Cañizar Formation (Fm) (Buntsandtein facies) of E Iberia with those of adjacent Middle Permian and Middle Triassic units (Alcotas and Eslida fms, respectively). According to significant differences detected, it seems that most geochemical perturbation occurred during the Early Triassic. Variations in Ti/Al ratios suggest changes in source areas between the studied units and even within the Cañizar Fm. These provenance changes correlate with successive tectonic pulses during the opening and development of the Iberian Basin, as they can be linked to major sedimentary surfaces and unconformities, as well as major sedimentological variations. Ti enrichment in the lower and middle part of the Cañizar Fm, together with high Sr and P concentrations, may be indicative of environmental alterations related to acid meteoric waters. Moreover, this acid alteration took place under arid conditions as reflected by CIA values, indicating that during the deposition of the Cañizar Fm, variable but predominantly physical weathering prevailed in contrast to the chemical weathering that took place when the Alcotas and Eslida formations were deposited. Our data along with the known fossil record of the study area indicate that during the Middle–Late Permian and Early Triassic, conditions in this tectonically active area changed from humid to arid-acid, hampering biotic recovery. Then, during late Early–Middle Triassic times, the return of more humid and less acid environments promoted biotic development. Geochemical markers emerged as useful tools complementary to sedimentological, paleontological, and tectonic data for unveiling paleoenvironmental events, especially in a setting of significant regional change.

Molecular Characterization of African Swine Fever Virus Isolates in Estonia in 2014-2019.

After the extensive spread of the African swine fever virus (ASFV) genotype II in Eastern Europe, the first case of African swine fever (ASF) in Estonia was diagnosed in September 2014. By the end of 2019, 3971 ASFV-positive wild boars were found, and 27 domestic pig outbreaks were reported. A selection of ASFV isolates from wild boar and domestic pigs (during the period of September 2014–2019) was molecularly characterized using standardized genotyping procedures. One of the proven markers to characterize this virus is the central variable region (CVR) within the B602L gene. In summer 2015, a new ASFV genotype II CVR variant 2 (GII-CVR2) was confirmed in Estonia. The results suggest that the GII-CVR2 variant was only confirmed in wild boar from a limited area in southern Estonia in 2015 and 2016. In addition to GII-CVR2, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that resulted in amino acid change was identified within the genotype II CVR variant 1 (GII-CVR1). The GII-CVR1/SNP1 strain was isolated in Estonia in November 2016. Additional GII-CVR1/SNP1 cases were confirmed in two neighbouring counties, as well as in one outbreak farm in June 2017. Based on the available data, no GII-CVR2 and GII-CVR1/SNP1 have been reported by other affected European countries. The spread of variant strains in Estonia has been limited over time, and restricted to a relatively small area.

Detection of Omic Markers of the Nervous System Adverse Effects in Children with a Combined Exposure to Airborne Chemicals and Conditions of Educational Environment

Introduction: The rationale of prognostic and predictive molecular biomarkers of malfunctioning of homeostatic control mechanisms is important for solving the tasks of early diagnosis and prevention of priority noncommunicable diseases. Our objective was to detect omic markers of adverse effects of a combined exposure to airborne contaminants and factors of educational environment on the nervous system of children. Materials and methods: We studied school outdoor and indoor concentrations of certain air pollutants, the intensity of the educational process, and plasma proteins characterizing nervous system adverse effects in children aged 7–10 with a combined exposure to various factors of educational environment in the primary school with various types of educational programs and hygienic conditions. Results: We established that blood manganese, nickel, lead, chromium, benzene, xylene, and phenol levels among the schoolchildren of the study group were 1.2–2.4 times higher than those in the control group. The phenol concentration in blood is a proven marker of the inhalation exposure. We also identified such violations of the educational process as uneven distribution of study loads, an increase in the maximum permissible load, a 1.2-fold increase in intellectual loads, shortening of the break between basic and optional classes, and a 1.5-fold increase in intensity of the training mode. We obtained mass spectra of the peptides reflecting changes in homeostasis on the molecular level. As a result of establishing a direct causal relationship between the increase in the relative mass of a Kazal-type 5 serine protease inhibitor, the increased blood phenol level, effects of intellectual loads, routine and distribution of the training load, the Kazal-type 5 serine protease inhibitor was proved to be an omic marker of the combined exposure to ambient phenol and the factors of educational environment. Conclusions: An increase in the relative mass of the Kazal-type 5 serine protease inhibitor following the combined exposure to airborne phenol and educational factors is a molecular indicator of its prognostically unfavorable involvement into the pathogenesis of functional disorders of the nervous system in the form of vegetative-vascular dystonia.

Petrographic Markers for Archaeometric Identification of Montjuïc Sandstone, the Flagship Stone of Barcelona (NE Spain)

The present study deals with a particular clastic rock from the Montjuïc hill exploited since Roman times in Barcino (present-day Barcelona (NE Spain)). Polarized and cathodoluminescence microscopies have been used to describe the main petrographic features of Montjuïc sandstones. Several characteristic provenance markers have been identified; among them the most specifically restricted to Montjuïc sandstone are the K-feldspar clasts with authigenic overgrowths. A petrographic survey oriented to the detection of such markers has been fruitfully applied to sculptures, architectural elements, mosaics, and pottery. The petrographic approach has demonstrated that some Roman heritage materials had been erroneously assigned to Montjuïc sandstone and the revision of all the pieces macroscopically assigned to this provenance is advised. The use of Montjuïc sandstone in Roman tesserae has been reported for the first time with interesting implications on previously unreported evidence of Roman extraction at the bottom part of the Montjuïc cliff. Finally, Montjuïc crushed sandstone used as pottery temper has been also reported in the productions of a medieval (12–13th century) workshop in Barcelona. This encourages the study of the distribution of pottery with this particular temper.

Analysing Sr isotopes in low‐Sr samples such as single insects with inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry using N2O as a reaction gas for in‐line Rb separation

RationaleStrontium isotopes are valuable markers of provenance in a range of disciplines. Limited amounts of Sr in low‐mass samples such as insects mean that conventional Sr isotope analysis precludes their use for geographic origins in many ecological studies or in applications such as biosecurity. Here we test the viability of using inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS/MS) with N2O as a reaction gas for accurately determining Sr isotopes in insects with Sr < 100 ng.MethodsStrontium isotopes were determined in solution mode using ICP‐MS/MS with 0.14 L/min N2O as a reaction gas to convert Sr+ into SrO+ for in‐line separation of 87Sr from 87Rb. The Sr isotope reference standards NIST SRM 987, NIST SRM 1570a and NIST SRM 1547 were used to assess accuracy and reproducibility. Ten insect species collected from the wild as a proof‐of‐principle application were analysed for Sr concentration and Sr isotopes.ResultsUsing ICP‐MS/MS we show for the first time that internal mass bias correction of 87Sr16O/86Sr16O based on 88Sr16O/86Sr16O works to give for NIST SRM 987 a 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.7101 ± 0.012 (RSD = 0.17%) and for NIST SRM 1570a a 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.7100 ± 0.009 (RSD = 0.12%), which are within error of the accepted values. The first 87Sr/86Sr ratio of NIST SRM 1547 is 0.7596 ± 0.0014. Strontium analyses were run on 0.8 mL of 0.25–0.5 ppb Sr, which equates to 2–4 ng of Sr. Strontium isotope analysis with a precision of >99.8% can be achieved with in‐line separation of 87Sr from 87Rb at least up to solutions with 25 ppb Rb.ConclusionsA minimum of 5 mg of insect tissue is required for Sr isotope analysis. This new ICP‐MS/MS method enables Sr isotope analysis in single insects, allowing population‐scale studies to be feasible and making possible applications with time‐critical uses such as biosecurity.

Panpipes as units of cultural analysis and dispersal.

The panpipe is a musical instrument composed of end-blown tubes of different lengths tied together. They can be traced back to the Neolithic, and they have been found at prehistoric sites in China, Europe and South America. Panpipes display substantial variation in space and time across functional and aesthetic dimensions. Finding similarities in panpipes that belong to distant human groups poses a challenge to cultural evolution: while some have claimed that their relative simplicity speaks for independent inventions, others argue that strong similarities of specific features in panpipes from Asia, Oceania and South America suggest long-distance diffusion events. We examined 20 features of a worldwide sample of 401 panpipes and analysed statistically whether instrument features can successfully be used to determine provenance. The model predictions suggest that panpipes are reliable provenance markers, but we found an unusual classification error in which Melanesian panpipes are predicted as originating in South America. Although this pattern may be signalling a diffusion event, other factors such as convergence and preservation biases may play a role. Our analyses show the potential of cultural evolution research on music that incorporates material evidence, which in this study includes both archaeological and ethnographic samples preserved in museum collections.

Microtubule-Associated Protein 2 Expression in Canine Glioma.

Canine glioma is considered a potential model for human glioma, with recent studies of occurrence, therapy, and reclassification supporting the value of the canine model. The current diagnosis of canine glioma is based on morphologic criteria and immunohistochemistry (IHC), including oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 (Olig2), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and 2′, 3′ cyclic nucleotide phosphatase (CNPase). Microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) is a proven marker of human glioma and is used to complement the diagnosis and its specific immunoreactivity pattern contributes to the differentiation of astrocytomas from other glial tumors. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether canine gliomas express MAP2 and to explore differences in the pattern of immunolabeling between different gliomas. Seventy-eight cases of canine glioma were evaluated for MAP2 expression by immunohistochemistry. A glial origin was supported by Olig2 IHC in all cases. MAP2 immunolabeling was evaluated on a semi-quantitative basis, including the percentage of immunolabeled neoplastic cells, as well as the signal intensity, distribution, and pattern of immunolabeling. MAP2 was expressed in all cases, with significant correlation between diagnosis and signal intensity (P = 0.04). MAP2 immunolabeling distribution was dominated by diffuse (34/78; 44%), followed by patchy (20/78; 26%), multifocal to coalescing (16/78; 21%), and scattered (8/78; 10%). All oligodendrogliomas (53/53; 100%) and undefined gliomas (12/12; 100%) revealed a combination of perinuclear and cytoplasmic immunolabeling, and all but 3 astrocytomas had a combination of perinuclear and cytoplasmic processes immunolabeling (10/13; 77%). Significant correlation between immunolabeling pattern and diagnosis was obtained (P = 0.001). The study demonstrates that MAP2 is expressed in canine gliomas and the pattern of expression can also be applied to help distinguish astrocytomas from oligodendrogliomas and undefined gliomas.

Tracing clinothem geometry and sediment pathways in the prograding Holocene Po Delta system through integrated core stratigraphy

AbstractThough clinothem geometry represents a key control on fluid flow in reservoir modelling, tracing clinothem boundaries accurately is commonly limited by the lack of sufficiently precise outcrop or subsurface data. This study shows that in basin systems with strongly heterogeneous compositional signatures, the combination of bulk‐sediment geochemistry and benthic foraminiferal distribution can help identify clinothem architecture and generate realistic models of 3D deltaic upbuilding and evolution. Middle‐late Holocene deposits in the Po Delta area form an aggradational to progradational parasequence set that reveals the complex interaction of W–E Po Delta progradation, S‐directed longshore currents (from Alpine rivers) and Apennines rivers supply. Unique catchment lithologies (ophiolite rocks and dolostones) were used to delineate basin‐wide geochemical markers of sediment provenance (Cr and Mg) and to assess distinctive detrital signatures. The geochemical characterization of cored intervals across different components of the sediment routing system enabled a direct linkage between clinothem growth, transport pathways and provenance mixing to be established. On the other hand, abrupt microfaunal variations at clinothem boundaries were observed to reflect the palaeoenvironmental response to sharp changes in sediment flux and fluvial influence. This study documents the ability of an integrated geochemical and palaeoecological approach to delineate three distinct sources (Po, Alps and Apennines) that contributed to coastal progradation and to outline the otherwise lithologically cryptic geometries of clinothems that using conventional sedimentological methods it would be virtually impossible to restore.

Interregional traceability of Tunisian olive oils to the provenance soil by multielemental fingerprinting and chemometrics

The aim of this study was to prove the usefulness of multielements as provenance markers of olive oils by evaluating their link with soil composition and their discriminatory power. Eleven elements in twenty-one olive oils and their paired soils from four Tunisian regions were characterized. Chemometrics have been implemented for ICP-MS data processing. Principal component analysis identified the predominant geochemical source of the elements in the oils based on their associations according to Goldschmidt’s rule. Although a clear correlation was not proven, correspondence was identified between the discriminating elements for both the soils and olive oils, which included Fe, Rb, Mg, and Pb. Linear discriminant analysis achieved classification and prediction rates of 92.1% and 87.3%, respectively. Our study substantiates the validity of multielements as markers of the olive oils’ provenance, and that an elemental fingerprinting approach can be successfully applied in the construction of a database of Tunisian olive oils.

Niveau de consommation en acides gras polyinsaturés de la femme allaitante en France : étude de consommation INCA 2 et évolution du contenu en acides gras essentiels du lait maternel de 1997 à 2014

Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) composition data of the breast milk are rare but essential for assessing the adequate intake of fatty acids in the newborn and possibly directing the mother to a suitable diet or even supplementation with essential fatty acids. The raw data for lactating women from the national study on individual food consumption 2006-2007 (INCA 2) were combined with the French food composition table (Ciqual 2013) to assess their fatty acid intakes. Although this is a limited number of subjects, these data are still interesting to analyze and compare with current Anses recommendations. According to these results, omega 3 PUFA consumption is not sufficient for the purposes of the Recommended Dietary Intakes (RDI). In addition, it has been shown that the fatty acid composition of breast milk is a proven marker of dietary lipid consumption and a good reflection of the consumption's level of omega-6 and omega-3 PUFAs. Epidemiological data on quantity and quality of lipids consumed in France are rare. In the context of different observational and interventional studies conducted on breast milk, ITERG has been able to estimate the evolution of French food habits for nearly 17 years. A synthesis work has taken over all the data acquired during 3 clinical studies carried out between 1997 and 2014. This synthesis showed a positive evolution of the proportions in omega-3 PUFA in 17 years (1997-2014). However, the proportions of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in breast milk remain below nutritional recommendations for the newborn.

Analysis of scopoletin and mangiferin in botanicals and formulations of Shankhpushpi by HPLC

Summary Introduction: Shankhpushpi has been widely used in traditional Indian systems of medicine as a brain and memory boosting tonic. There are a variety of botanicals reported to be used as sources of Shankhpushpi in various parts of India. For instance, Canscora decussata Schult, Clitorea ternatea Linn., Convolvulus pluricaulis Choisy. and Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. are most commonly used as sources of Shankhpushpi by practitioners of Ayurveda in different parts of the country. Objective: When it comes to using Shankhpushpi in herbal formulations, qualitative and quantitative analysis of the correct botanicals in the formulation decides its pharmacological effectiveness. Scopoletin and mangiferin are proven bioactive markers identified in Shankhpushpi botanicals in our previous studies. Hence the study is aimed at providing a simple analytical method for the identification of the correct variety of Shankhpushpi using proven markers. Methods: In this study, a High Performance Liquid Chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed for the estimation of scopoletin and mangiferin levels in four botanicals of Shankhpushpi and their marketed formulations. Result: A simple analytical method was developed which proved to be very crucial in estimating concentrations of mangiferin and scopoletin in various test samples. This method can be used to identify the correct botanicals of Shankhpushpi present in any Ayurvedic formulation or raw material or processed powder by evaluating the content of scopoletin or mangiferin as markers. Conclusion: The developed HPLC method is a quick and reliable method for the quantitative monitoring of mangiferin and scopoletin in herbal extracts and marketed formulations of Shankhpushpi.

Mineralogical and Chemical Records of Icelandic Dust Sources Upon Ny-Ålesund (Svalbard Islands)

This work aims to identify the geochemical and mineralogical markers of Icelandic dust and to differentiate it from the dust of local origin deposited at the Ny-Alesund station. We characterized representative sediment samples from Iceland and Svalbard and compared them to a set of aerosol samples collected in Ny-Alesund to check the existence and type of the mineralogical markers. The sediment samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) to detect the mineralogical constrain of the geochemical markers. Both aerosol and sediment samples were examined by scanning electron microscopy coupled with EDS microanalysis (SEM-EDS) and image analysis to detect and to provide a morpho-chemical characterization of the mineralogical markers of dust provenance. Comparison between local and Icelandic sediments reveals the metal oxide particles as the most representative and distinguishing mineralogical/phase markers for Iceland dust sources. In particular, we have considered the magnetite-chromite and the magnetite-ulvospinel associations as marker facies of the tholeiitic magmatic series and the presence of volcanic glass as a further indicator of provenance from Iceland. The morphochemical characteristics of the metal oxide particles in the aerosol samples compared to those of the sediment samples have proved to be a powerful tool to separate Icelandic dust from other sources for dust. In particular, the small size, higher grain boundary complexity and lower Fe/Cr ratios suggest the influence of anthropogenic sources, well in accordance with the results of air mass backward trajectories which reveal a main contribution from industrialized areas in Eurasia. This study shows the reliability of the geochemical characterization of the metal oxide particles for the identification of the source regions of dust. In addition it provides an evidence that Icelandic dust can be transported long range to Svalbard confirming the importance of High Latitude Dust sources.

ASSESSMENT OF TOXIC ACTION OF VARIOUS TREATMENT REGIMENS FOR TUBERCULOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH HIV INFECTION

The Russian Federation is among the countries with a high burden of tuberculosis and the worsening epidemiological situation of HIV. In patients with HIV infection mortality from TB reaches 43-89%. The incidence of tuberculosis in patients with HIV infection is 21-37 times higher than in people without HIV infection, and in some studies, the risk of developing tuberculosis in the early stages of HIV infection is 113 times higher. The aim of this work is to determine the toxic effect of different treatment regimens for tuberculosis in patients with HIV infection. Patients (total number 200) with tuberculosis and HIV infection with different treatment regimens for tuberculosis were examined. Clinical and laboratory data were studied. It was established that the first standard treatment of tuberculosis had a more pronounced toxic effect on patients, which was manifested by a decrease in appetite, nausea, in some cases vomiting and febrile feverish reaction; had a greater damaging effect on cell membranes, which led to an increase in the activity of alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase. However, this regimen of chemotherapy contributes to a reduction in cough with mucus and mucopurulent sputum secretion, dyspnea with physical activity, pain in the chest during breathing that had a more pronounced therapeutic effect. Increase in the level of phosphatidylethanolamine can be considered as a proven marker of the toxic effect of tuberculosis treatment under the first standard regimen.

Field deployable platform for prognostic hepatic cancer screening.

267 Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence rates are increasing in many parts of the world particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Although treatable if identified in the early stages in many LMICs patients are identified later in disease. A low cost point of care system that could identify patients at a higher risk of having HCC could be used as a screening tool to identify patients at an earlier stage. We are currently developing a low cost point of care hand held platform that can simultaneously evaluate the blood levels of common HCC markers. We present our preliminary findings on the limit of detection (LOD) of our system. Methods: Our device combines the rapid but qualitative results of a vertical flow assay with the quantitative capabilities of surface enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy. Our final product will be able to simultaneously measure the blood levels of the five most proven markers of HCC: alphafetoprotein (AFP), lens-culinaris agglutinin binding alphafetoprotein (AFP-L3), des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP), core antibodies to hepatitis B virus (HBV), and core antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV). In this pilot study we initially evaluated the LOD of our system by evaluating known concentrations of AFP in human serum samples. We then evaluated serum levels of AFP in HCC patient samples (n = 5) with our device and compared with values obtained using a standard ELISA. Results: The LOD of our system for the detection of AFP in spiked serum samples was 1 ng/mL. Our quantitative lateral flow assay measured AFP within 10% of the values of obtained by standard ELISA, with serum values ranging from 10-900 ng/mL. The quantitative vertical flow assay was able to provide results within 5 minutes at a cost of approximately $2/sample. Conclusions: Our inexpensive, portable and rapid test was able to measure serum levels of AFP at values comparable to standard clinical methods. Importantly, one blood marker would be insufficient to identify high risk patients, so further research will be required to expand the number of markers within the panel. The end goal will be to evaluate the ability of our point of care system to screen high risk population in LMICs, thereby identifying at risk patients earlier in disease progression.

Study of High Sensitive C-Reactive Protein (HS-CRP) After Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in Patients Undergoing Isolated CABG

Introduction: Although cardiac rehabilitation is known as a tool to reduce the overall risk of cardiovascular complications, its specific role in the reduction of hs-CRP as a marker of inflammation and a proven marker of cardiovascular risk needs further investigation. Aim: The present study aims at elucidating the effects of a full course of conventional cardiac rehabilitation program for the period of eight weeks, on the levels of hs-CRP in patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass surgery. Material and Methods: In this case study, 30 consecutive patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass surgery (isolated CABGS), and a full 8-week cardiac rehabilitation program in Tehran Heart Center, were investigated. A group of 30 similar patients, who enrolled in the same period of rehabilitation program but did not participate in practice, was considered as a control group. Serum levels of hs-CRP in both groups were measured retrospectively and in similar days before the start of rehabilitation program and at the end of it (or 8 weeks after initial registration for the control group). Results: Levels of hs-CRP in the rehabilitation group and control group were 5.9 7.7 and 6.3 6.9 respectively before start of the program which was not statistically meaningful (P-Value = 0.833). However, after the program, level of hs-CRP in the two tested groups changed to 2.3 5.1 and 5.7 6.1 respectively which showed a meaningful correlation (P-Value = 0.023). These results also showed that decrease in hs-CRP level in the rehabilitated group but not in the control group was statistically meaningful (with P-Value of 0.037 and 0.0723 respectively). Conclusion: In patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery, participating in a full course of cardiac rehabilitation for 8 weeks has resulted in a significant reduction in hs-CRP levels as a marker of cardiovascular risk.

Reconstruction of North American drainage basins and river discharge since the Last Glacial Maximum

Abstract. Over the last glacial cycle, ice sheets and the resultant glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) rearranged river systems. As these riverine threads that tied the ice sheets to the sea were stretched, severed, and restructured, they also shrank and swelled with the pulse of meltwater inputs and time-varying drainage basin areas, and sometimes delivered enough meltwater to the oceans in the right places to influence global climate. Here I present a general method to compute past river flow paths, drainage basin geometries, and river discharges, by combining models of past ice sheets, glacial isostatic adjustment, and climate. The result is a time series of synthetic paleohydrographs and drainage basin maps from the Last Glacial Maximum to present for nine major drainage basins – the Mississippi, Rio Grande, Colorado, Columbia, Mackenzie, Hudson Bay, Saint Lawrence, Hudson, and Susquehanna/Chesapeake Bay. These are based on five published reconstructions of the North American ice sheets. I compare these maps with drainage reconstructions and discharge histories based on a review of observational evidence, including river deposits and terraces, isotopic records, mineral provenance markers, glacial moraine histories, and evidence of ice stream and tunnel valley flow directions. The sharp boundaries of the reconstructed past drainage basins complement the flexurally smoothed GIA signal that is more often used to validate ice-sheet reconstructions, and provide a complementary framework to reduce nonuniqueness in model reconstructions of the North American ice-sheet complex.