Sensitive Screening Tool Research Articles

High-performance thin-layer chromatography-umu combined with nontarget analysis-a sensitive genotoxicity screening tool applicable for potable water analysis.

Monitoring of genotoxic chemicals released into the water cycle or formed through transformation processes is critical to prevent harm to human health. The development of the high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC)-umu bioassay combines sample separation and detection of genotoxic substances in the low ng/L concentration range. In this study, raw, process, and drinking water samples from 11 different waterworks in Germany were analyzed using the HPTLC-umu. A genotoxic response was detected in three out of 42 samples (one raw water sample and two drinking water samples). Genotoxicity testing using the micronucleus and p53-CALUX (chemical activated luciferase gene expression) assays revealed genotoxic effects for the raw water sample and one of the drinking water samples. Fortunately, only minor genotoxic effects could be detected in the two drinking water samples, with estimated 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide equivalency concentrations of 0.12 ng/L and 0.17 ng/L, respectively. After extraction of the genotoxic zones from HPTLC plates, identification attempts were conducted with nontarget analysis (NTA). A prioritization approach based on chlorine and bromine isotope pattern revealed several halogenated features for both drinking water samples. These tentatively identified substances were previously reported in the literature as possible carcinogens. Although the detected features could not be conclusively identified, the presence of halogenated features in the genotoxic effective zone of the HPTLC-umu assay strongly suggests that the chlorine disinfection process in both waterworks was responsible for the formation of the genotoxic substances in the drinking water samples. These findings emphasize that the HPTLC-umu in combination with additional genotoxicity assays and NTA can be used to evaluate even relatively clean samples, such as drinking water.

Multi-chromatic and multi-component lateral flow immunoassay for simultaneous detection of CP4 EPSPS, Bt-Cry1Ab, Bt-Cry1Ac, and PAT/bar proteins in genetically modified crops.

A multi-chromatic and multi-component lateral flow immunoassay (MCMC-LFIA) was developed for simultaneous detection of CP4 EPSPS, Bt-Cry1Ab, Bt-Cry1Ac, and PAT/bar proteins in genetically modified (GM) crops. Captured antibodies specific to these exogenous proteins were separately immobilized on anitrocellulose membrane as test zones. Multi-colored microspheres, used as visible multi-probes, were conjugated with corresponding antibodies and sprayed on the conjugate pad. The assay results can be visually interpreted within 10min by observing the appearance of colored bands. The MCMC-LFIA demonstratedhigh sensitivity, with detection of limits of 7.8ng/mL for CP4 EPSPS and 2.5ng/mL for Bt-Cry1Ab, Bt-Cry1Ac, and PAT/bar proteins, significantly improving the performance of previously reported LFIAs. The MCMC-LFIA exhibited excellent specificity and was validated for practical use in field-based applications. The proposed MCMC-LFIA offers a rapid, sensitive, and user-friendly tool for the on-site large-scale screening of GM materials.

Comparison of nutritional screening tools in pediatric oncology patients receiving chemotherapy treatment

BackgroundMalnutrition in pediatric oncology patients is a complex and multifactorial process, and the most appropriate screening tool to determine the risk of malnutrition is not clear. The study aimed to compare the Screening Tool for Risk on Nutritional Status and Growth (StrongKids), Pediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Score (PYMS), Screening Tool for the Assessment of Malnutrition in Pediatrics (STAMP), which are commonly used in the general pediatric population, with the Nutrition Screening Tool for Childhood Cancer (SCAN), which was specifically validated for pediatric cancer, in determining the risk of malnutrition. MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 92 children aged 2–18 years who were admitted to the hematology-oncology unit and were receiving chemotherapy. The prevalence of nutritional risk was determined using the SCAN, StrongKids, PYMS, STAMP, and anthropometric assessments were performed. Sensitivity and specificity values, and the degree of agreement between screening tools were calculated. ResultThe SCAN identified nutritional risk in 69.6 % of the children. According to StrongKids, PYMS and STAMP, the high nutritional risk in children was 43.5 %, 56.5 % and 64.1 %, respectively. The sensitivity of STAMP (81.2 %) was higher than that of StrongKids (60.9 %) and PYMS (79.7 %). The specificity of StrongKids, PYMS and STAMP was 96.4 %, 96.4 %, and 75.0 %, respectively. There was substantial agreement between SCAN and PYMS. ConclusionPYMS has the best specificity and sensitivity in identifying patients at risk of malnutrition as determined by SCAN. Implications for practiceIn addition to anthropometric measurements, population-specific or highly sensitive nutritional screening tools should be used to determine the risk of malnutrition.

Plasma Metabolic Profiles via p-p Heterojunction-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Advanced Warning and Diagnosis of Epidural-Related Maternal Fever.

Epidural-related maternal fever (ERMF) heightens the risk of intrapartum fever, whereas effective prevention and treatment in clinical practice are currently lacking. Rapid and sensitive screening tools for ERMF are urgently needed to advance relevant research. In response to this challenge, we devise and craft porous Co3O4/CuO hollow polyhedral nanocages with p-p heterojunctions derived from metal-organic frameworks. We employ these p-p heterojunctions in conjunction with high-throughput mass spectrometry to conduct metabolic analysis of substantial plasma samples, with only about 0.03 μL per sample. Leveraging these p-p heterojunctions, metabolic signals from complex plasma can be amplified, with great reproducibility. By harnessing the power of machine learning on these metabolic signals, we are able to achieve advanced warning of ERMF with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.887-0.975 by the differentially metabolic analysis of plasma samples collected upon admission. Furthermore, we can accurately diagnose ERMF with an AUC of 0.850-1.000 by analyzing plasma samples collected at the time of delivery from individuals who have received epidural analgesia. These breakthroughs offer invaluable insights for clinical decision making during labor and have the potential to significantly reduce the incidence of ERMF.

Metabolomics of Papanicolaou Tests for the Discovery of Ovarian Cancer Biomarkers.

Background: Ovarian cancer (OC) remains one of the most lethal cancers among women due to most cases going undiagnosed until later stages. The early detection and treatment of this malignancy provides the best prognosis, but the lack of an accurate and sensitive screening tool combined with ambiguous symptoms hinders these diagnoses. In contrast, screening for cervical cancer via Papanicolaou (Pap) tests is a widespread practice that greatly reduces the cancer's mortality rates. Interestingly, previous studies show evidence of OC cells in Pap tests, suggesting that proteins, and potentially lipids, shed from ovarian tumors end up in the cervix. The goal of this study is to evaluate the practicality of using Pap tests as biospecimens for OC-screening-related metabolomics. Methods: To evaluate the effectiveness of using residual Pap test samples as biospecimens for potential metabolomics work, 29 Pap test samples, collected from women over the age of 50 with normal cytology and no visible blood contamination, were first obtained from the University of Minnesota, with IRB approval. These samples were centrifuged to recover the cell pellets from the supernatants. The cell pellets underwent a biphasic extraction, followed by an RP-LC-MS analysis, while the supernatants underwent two separate extractions and analyses, including RP-LC-MS and HILIC-LC-MS. Non-targeted features were detected in the range of 220-1000 m/z to determine the sensitivity and scope of the various extraction and analytical workflows, as well as evaluating residual Pap test samples as viable metabolomics biospecimens. Results: The biphasic extraction and subsequent RP-LC-MS analysis of the isolated cell pellets from all 29 samples yielded informative, exploratory data, highlighting the potential of using residual Pap test samples as biospecimens for metabolomics, specifically lipidomics, studies. Each sample was analyzed in both the positive and negative ion mode, yielding the detection of 7318 in the positive ion mode and 3733 in the negative ion mode. Using multiple reference libraries, 22.85% and 36.19% of these features were annotated in the positive and negative ion mode, respectively. Among these detected features, 453 unique lipids, representative of 20 different lipid subclasses, were annotated in all 29 samples. Of the various lipid subclasses represented from the detected lipids, ceramides, triacylglycerols, hexosylceramides, and phosphatidylcholines contributed to over half (53.3%) of the detected lipids at 16.2%, 13.0%, 12.8%, and 11.3%, respectively. Conclusions: The detection of these 453 common lipids across all patients establishes a relative lipidome baseline for women over the age of 50 with normal cervical cytology. This exploratory study is the first investigation to utilize residual Pap test samples as biospecimens in a metabolomics/lipidomics workflow.

Surface-Enhanced, Low-Frequency Raman Spectroscopy: A Sensitive Screening Tool for Structural Characterization of Pharmaceuticals.

Surface-enhanced, low-frequency Raman spectroscopy (SELFRS) was explored for its potential as a structural screening tool within pharmaceutical applications, including facile small-scale multicomponent analysis. Paracetamol was used as the model drug, and its crystallization behavior with or without the presence of a templating agent (benzoic acid) was investigated using commercial silver-based SERS substrates. The Raman imaging was carried out using two different LFR-enabled instruments employing 532 and 785 nm incident lasers, where each of the setups showed certain affinity for differentiating lattice vibrations of the polymorphic forms of interest: form I and form II. A comparison of SELFRS, SERS, and their combination using chemometrics showed the potential for the LFR spectral range to improve surface-enhanced measurements either individually or in combination with the typically-used fingerprint region without the need to alter the experimental configuration. Additionally, the use of crystallization additives that helped to drive the formation of metastable form II was shown using SELFRS to provide additional mechanistic understanding of the template-assisted crystallization processes.

Validation of Metallothionein Immunohistochemistry as a Highly Sensitive Screening Test for Wilson Disease

Wilson disease (WD) is a rare autosomal recessive condition with protean clinical manifestations that result from biallelic ATP7B mutations. However, nondestructive tissue tests to be applied clinically to tissue specimens are not widely available to effectively assess patients for possible WD. Previously, we showed that metallothionein (MTH) immunohistochemistry (IHC) has a high sensitivity and specificity for WD diagnosis and, thus, represents a potentially powerful diagnostic tool that can be used in routine histologic sections. This study aimed to validate this finding in a large cohort of bona fide patients with WD and to correlate metallothionein expression with other histologic features. We identified 91 cases of WD, which included 28 needle biopsies and 64 explants from 14 centers worldwide. Histologic features were evaluated, and a histopathological pattern was assigned to each case. All cases were evaluated with Masson trichrome and MTH IHC (clone UC1MT, Abcam) using a previously published technique. Liver tissues from chronic cholestatic diseases (n = 42) were used as controls. The median age of the cohort was 28.5 years. Of the 91 total cases, 83 were positive for MTH immunostain. In the controls, all 42 cases were negative for MTH immunostain. The sensitivity and specificity of MTH immunostain for WD were 91.20% and 100%, respectively. MTH IHC is a highly sensitive and specific cost-effective screening tool for WD. It can be used for patients across age groups, varied histologic patterns, and fibrosis stages. This marker could prove to be a valuable tool in the evaluation of patients with possible WD.

Screening tools for autism in culturally and linguistically diverse paediatric populations: a systematic review

BackgroundAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has varying prevalence rates worldwide, often higher in culturally diverse populations. Cultural differences can affect autism symptom recognition. Language barriers and differing healthcare attitudes may delay diagnosis and intervention. Most autism screening tools were developed in Western, predominantly Caucasian populations, and their appropriateness in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) contexts remains uncertain. There is a lack of comprehensive data on the accuracy of these tools in identifying autism in culturally and linguistically diverse groups. Consequently, it is unclear whether current screening tools are culturally sensitive and appropriate.MethodsA research protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022367308). A comprehensive search of literature published from inception to October 2022 was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, Medline Complete, Scopus, PsychInfo and CINAHL Complete. The articles were screened using pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data extracted included participant demographics, screening tool psychometric properties (validity, reliability, accuracy) and acceptability. A narrative synthesis approach was used.ResultsFrom the initial retrieval of 2310 citations, 51 articles were included for analysis. The studies were conducted in 32 different countries with screening tools in the following languages: Chinese, Spanish, Korean, Turkish, Arabic, Kurdish, Persian, Serbian, Italian, French, Sinhala, Taiwanese, Finnish, Northern Soho, Albanian, German, Japanese, Vietnamese, Farsi, Greek and English. There was no data on acceptability of the screening tools in CALD populations. Validity, reliability, and accuracy ranged from poor to excellent with consistently high performance by screening tools devised within the populations they are intended for.ConclusionsThe review evaluated autism screening tools in culturally diverse populations, with a focus on validity, reliability, and acceptability. It highlighted variations in the effectiveness of these tools across different cultures, with high performance by tools devised specifically for the intended population, emphasizing the need for culturally sensitive screening tools. Further research is needed to improve culturally specific, reliable autism screening tools for equitable assessment and intervention in diverse communities.

Assessing Cognitive Impairments in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients Using Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Scores.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a chronic condition associated with cognitive impairment and various comorbidities. This prospective study evaluated cognitive deficits in OSA patients and identified clinical factors affecting cognitive function. Seventy-two participants were assessed using polysomnography (PSG) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Findings revealed significantly lower MoCA scores in severe OSA patients compared to those with mild or moderate OSA. Severe OSA patients had a median MoCA score of 23.5 (20.0-25.0), indicating more significant cognitive impairment, while those with normal OSA severity had the highest median score of 28.5 (27.8-29.2). Mild and moderate OSA patients had median scores of 26.5 (21.0-28.0) and 25.0 (23.80-26.0), respectively (p < 0.008). Logistic regression showed that ex-smoking status negatively impacted MoCA scores more in the unadjusted model (p = 0.003) than in the adjusted one (p = 0.018). Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) positively correlated with MoCA scores, stronger in the unadjusted model (p < 0.001 vs. p < 0.03). Higher Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI) correlated with higher MoCA scores while increasing Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) severity correlated with lower MoCA scores in both models. A significant negative correlation was found between age and MoCA score (r = -0.473, p < 0.001), and between MoCA score and AHI (r = -0.350, p < 0.003). This study highlights the need for sensitive cognitive screening tools like MoCA inevaluating OSA patients, linking cognitive impairment closely with OSA severity and other clinical factors.

Biomarker screening for pulmonary hypertension in VLBW infants at risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants demonstrate altered alveolar and pulmonary vascular development and carry an increased risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and pulmonary hypertension (PH). Risk stratification for BPD-associated PH (BPD-PH) in at-risk infants may help tailor management, improve outcomes, and optimize resource utilization. VLBW infants were screened for PH with blood gas measurements, serum NT-proBNP and bicarbonate (HCO3) levels, and echocardiograms if they remained on respiratory support at 34 weeks corrected gestational age. We then tested 11 models using different cutoffs for NT-proBNP and HCO3 to predict infants at low risk of BPD-PH. We identified PH in 34 of 192 (17.6%) VLBW infants. The median NT-proBNP in VLBWs with PH was 2769 pg/mL versus 917 pg/mL in those without PH (p < 0.0001). A model with NT-proBNP < 950 pg/mL and HCO3 < 32 mmol/L had a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 34.2%, and negative predictive value of 100%. Using this model, 54 of 192 (28%) of the patients in this study would have been categorized as low risk for PH and could have avoided a screening echocardiogram. NT-proBNP and HCO3 together may serve as sensitive and cost-effective screening tools for BPD-PH in VLBW infants. NT-proBNP and HCO3 concentrations obtained together may help identify very low birth weight infants at risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia who should undergo screening for pulmonary hypertension with echocardiography. This large dataset demonstrates that NT-proBNP and HCO3 levels together are more sensitive than NT-proBNP alone in identifying VLBW infants to undergo echocardiography. The combination of NT-proBNP and HCO3 levels may identify VLBW infants at low risk for pulmonary hypertension and thus those who may be able to avoid screening echocardiography.

DNA-directed immobilization fluorescent immunoarray for multiplexed antibiotic residue determination in milk

The presence of antibiotic residues in cow’s milk entails high risk for consumers, the dairy industry, and the environment. Therefore, the development of highly specific and sensitive screening tools for the rapid and cost-effective identification of traces of these compounds is urgently needed. A multiplexed screening platform utilizing DNA-directed immobilization (DDI) was developed aiming to detect three classes of antibiotic residues (fluoroquinolones, sulfonamides, and tylosin) prevalently found in milk. Throughout this work, each oligonucleotide sequence was conjugated to a different hapten molecule, while the three complementary strands were immobilized in 24 independent microarray chips on a single glass slide. First, the array was incubated with the pool of hapten-oligonucleotide conjugate site encoded the signal through DNA hybridization. Next, commercial milk samples were incubated with the cocktail of monoclonal antibodies following a secondary fluorophore-labeled antibody which was required for fluorescent readout. Direct sample detection was achieved in milk diluting 20 times in assay buffer. The limits of detection (LODs) reached were 1.43 µg kg−1, 1.67 µg kg−1, and 0.89 µg kg−1 for TYLA, STZ, and CIP, respectively, which represented in raw milk 7.15 µg kg−1, 8.35 µg kg−1, and 4.45 µg kg−1 for TYLA, STZ, and CIP, respectively, that are below the EU regulatory limits. Cross-reactivity profiles were evaluated against the family of structurally related antibiotics in order to demonstrate the capability to detect antibiotics from the same family of compounds. A pre-validation study was performed by spiking 20 blind samples above and below the maximum residue limits established by the EU guidelines. The system was successfully implemented towards randomized sample classification as compliant or non-compliant. The proposed DDI-based immunoarray provides a fast and cost-effective alternative to obtain semi-quantitative information about the presence of three veterinary residues simultaneously in milk samples.Graphical Antibody fluorescent microarray based on DDI. The figure shows the main steps involved in the immunoassay. First, the printing of the oligo N4-6down probe over the glass slide, followed by an incubation with a complementary strand conjugated to the hapten and finally the selective recognition using monoclonal antibodies and fluorescent quantification.

Intimate Partner Violence Screening in a Pregnant Military Population: Implementation of the E-HITS Protocol [ID 2683442

INTRODUCTION: The military population has higher rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) compared to the civilian population. This is further exacerbated in obstetrics patients, with an estimated rate of 4–29% of pregnant women affected. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and 2018 Department of Defense Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Pregnancy recommend routine screening for IPV at obstetric visits, although a preferred screening modality has not been identified. METHODS: The prevalence of IPV in pregnancy before and after implementation of the validated Extended-Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream (E-HITS) questionnaire at a single military treatment facility was compared. Retrospective chart review was conducted between January and December 2019 of patients who had been screened using a single question (“Do you feel safe at home?”). E-HITS was implemented in the obstetrics clinic in February 2022, and data were collected prospectively for 12 months. The difference between the two IPV screening modalities was analyzed using Fisher’s exact test. RESULTS: A total of 1,627 IPV screenings were reviewed. Of the 783 IPV screenings using the single question, there were 2 positive screens (0.26%). Using greater than 7 as the positive screening cutoff, there were 24 positives (2.84%) out of the 844 E-HITS screenings. Using greater than 6 as the cutoff for E-HITS, there were 54 positive screens (6.4%). There was a statistically significant difference in the detection rate between the two modalities at both cutoff levels (P&lt;.0001). CONCLUSION: E-HITS is a more sensitive screening tool for IPV in this population, more closely mirroring previously published rates.

Optimization of Amplicon-Based Sequencing for Large-Scale Diagnostics of Known Pome Viruses and Viroids

The implementation of reliable methods for the simultaneous detection of multiple viruses is challenging in plant viral diagnosis. In the present study, we report the development and effectiveness of an optimized version of a robust multiplexed PCR (HiPlex) followed by simultaneous targeted amplicon sequencing to detect 14 viruses and 5 viroids of pome fruit trees. We used amplicon sequencing data from 1,400 pome fruit tree samples previously diagnosed with the HiPlex v.1.0, which included 290 primer pairs for pome viruses. The analysis enabled the identification of highly efficient and specific primer pairs to be assembled in a new HiPlex (dubbed HiPlex v.2.0). Additionally, newly designed primers were implemented for 30% of targeted viruses and viroids. Overall, 116 primer pairs were assembled into the HiPlex v.2.0, resulting in a reduction of the number of primers and multiplex PCR reactions needed by 60 and 50%, respectively. The new HiPlex also includes two nepoviruses, tomato ringspot virus and tobacco ringspot virus, showing flexibility at augmenting and expanding the number of targeted diagnosed viruses using this approach. This optimized set of primers increased the cost-effectiveness and sensitivity while reducing background amplification. Comparable results for virus and viroid detection were obtained using the HiPlex v.2.0 and individual RT-qPCRs, even at a 10,000-fold dilution, demonstrating similar sensitivity to standard PCR-based diagnostics. This new HiPlex-based amplicon sequencing represents a powerful, sensitive, and low-cost tool for large-scale screening of pome fruit trees for all reported viruses and viroids infecting these crops. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .

Validating the OCS-Plus against a clinical standard: A brief report.

This research aimed to determine the sensitivity and clinical validity of the OCS-Plus, a stroke-specific tablet-based cognitive screening tool, in comparison with the MoCA, a routinely used screening tool, after stroke. Eighty-six patients were recruited from Oxfordshire stroke wards over a 22-month period and completed both screens. Overall, we found that the OCS-Plus has good convergent validity and excellent sensitivity when compared with the MoCA. The OCS-Plus is therefore of potential benefit to those seeking a sensitive screening tool.

Psychometric Evaluation of a Tablet-Based Tool to Detect Mild Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults: Mixed Methods Study.

With the rapid aging of the global population, the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia is anticipated to surge worldwide. MCI serves as an intermediary stage between normal aging and dementia, necessitating more sensitive and effective screening tools for early identification and intervention. The BrainFx SCREEN is a novel digital tool designed to assess cognitive impairment. This study evaluated its efficacy as a screening tool for MCI in primary care settings, particularly in the context of an aging population and the growing integration of digital health solutions. The primary objective was to assess the validity, reliability, and applicability of the BrainFx SCREEN (hereafter, the SCREEN) for MCI screening in a primary care context. We conducted an exploratory study comparing the SCREEN with an established screening tool, the Quick Mild Cognitive Impairment (Qmci) screen. A concurrent mixed methods, prospective study using a quasi-experimental design was conducted with 147 participants from 5 primary care Family Health Teams (FHTs; characterized by multidisciplinary practice and capitated funding) across southwestern Ontario, Canada. Participants included health care practitioners, patients, and FHT administrative executives. Individuals aged ≥55 years with no history of MCI or diagnosis of dementia rostered in a participating FHT were eligible to participate. Participants were screened using both the SCREEN and Qmci. The study also incorporated the Geriatric Anxiety Scale-10 to assess general anxiety levels at each cognitive screening. The SCREEN's scoring was compared against that of the Qmci and the clinical judgment of health care professionals. Statistical analyses included sensitivity, specificity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability assessments. The study found that the SCREEN's longer administration time and complex scoring algorithm, which is proprietary and unavailable for independent analysis, presented challenges. Its internal consistency, indicated by a Cronbach α of 0.63, was below the acceptable threshold. The test-retest reliability also showed limitations, with moderate intraclass correlation coefficient (0.54) and inadequate κ (0.15) values. Sensitivity and specificity were consistent (63.25% and 74.07%, respectively) between cross-tabulation and discrepant analysis. In addition, the study faced limitations due to its demographic skew (96/147, 65.3% female, well-educated participants), the absence of a comprehensive gold standard for MCI diagnosis, and financial constraints limiting the inclusion of confirmatory neuropsychological testing. The SCREEN, in its current form, does not meet the necessary criteria for an optimal MCI screening tool in primary care settings, primarily due to its longer administration time and lower reliability. As the number of digital health technologies increases and evolves, further testing and refinement of tools such as the SCREEN are essential to ensure their efficacy and reliability in real-world clinical settings. This study advocates for continued research in this rapidly advancing field to better serve the aging population. RR2-10.2196/25520.

Adapting the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS) methodology for the Ukrainian-speaking population

The purpose of this article is to present and test an adaptation of the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS) methodology for the Ukrainian-speaking population affected by the war in Ukraine. The study focuses on developing a reliable instrument to assess trauma-induced psychopathology among children and adolescents, taking into account the unique cultural and contextual characteristics of the target population. Research methods. The study uses a combination of theoretical analysis and psychometric evaluation methods to test the reliability and validity of the adapted CATS questionnaire. Statistical analysis, including internal consistency analysis, component analysis, and factor analysis, were performed using R software version 4.2.2. Results. The adapted CATS methodology demonstrates high internal consistency (α = 0.850) and has a three-factor structure that explains various aspects of the impact of trauma and related symptoms on Ukrainian children and adolescents. Confirmatory factor analysis has indicated acceptable goodness-of-fit indices, confirming the validity of the adapted CATS questionnaire in assessing trauma-related psychopathology in the target population. Conclusions. The study concludes that the adapted CATS methodology is a valid tool for identifying traumatic psychopathology in Ukrainian children and adolescents who have suffered from war. Using it provides greater understanding of the war’s impact on mental health. In addition, analysis of the methodology points to the importance of culturally sensitive screening tools in addressing the mental health crisis among war-affected populations. By providing a reliable means of identifying psychological distress, the adapted CATS questionnaire can facilitate targeted interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of trauma and enhance resilience among Ukrainian youth. Keywords: Childhood and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS), adaptation, psychometric assessment, traumatic psychopathology, Ukrainian-speaking population, mental health crisis

DNA Damage in Bat Blood Leukocytes Using a Chromatin Dispersion Test (CDT): Biomarker of Environmental Genotoxicity.

Environmental pollutants produce adverse effects on organisms and ecosystems. Biomonitoring and biomarkers offer a reasonable approach to make these assessments. Induced genetic changes can be using as a biomarker in organisms that react to a given compound in the ecosystem. Monitoring environmental genotoxicity necessitates the choice of model animals known as "sentinels or biological monitors" and the suitability of validated tests for DNA damage evaluation. We aimed to estimate the DNA damage produced by thermal stress in the leukocytes of the Mexican free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis). The DNA damage in bat leukocytes exposed to different temperatures (35°C, 45°C, and 55°C) was evaluated by the adapted chromatin dispersion test (CDT) and the results were confirmed by the alkaline comet test. The CDT permitted a clear representation of leukocytes with fragmented DNA and of nonfragmented DNA. In addition, we detected nuclear anomalies in relation to cell death cellular swelling, nuclear fragmentation, and chromatin lysis. The alkaline comet assay revealed that the halos of diffuse chromatin include fragmented DNA. The assay of the method employing the CDT is well established, precise, and cost-effective for the routine quantitative analysis of DNA damage on the effect of the leukocytes of bats exposed to thermal stress. This could also apply as a sensitive screening tool for the evaluation of genotoxicity in environmental protection programs.

Abstract 7287: High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma detected with TP53 mutation panel and SiMSen-Seq

Abstract Background: Ovarian carcinoma (OC) has the highest mortality among gynecologic malignancies due to absent or unspecific symptoms. The high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC) accounts for over 60% of the OC associated deaths. The most frequent genetic aberrations in HGSC are mutations in the TP53 gene, detected in approximately 96% of the tumors. Previous studies have proposed potential diagnostic utility of detecting mutations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) from OC patients. However, the need for diagnostic methods capable of detecting asymptomatic HGSC is unmet. Objectives: The primary aims of this study were to design a screening tool for identification of HGSC and to evaluate the suitability of various clinical specimen types for diagnostic applications. Methods: In this study, we designed a highly sensitive and robust screening tool using the simple, multiplexed, PCR-based barcoding of DNA for sensitive mutation detection using sequencing (SiMSen-Seq) technique for identification of HGSC (n=11) by TP53 mutation profile in various clinical specimen for diagnostic applications. Specimens sampled included primary tumors, ascites, plasma, vaginal samples, and both liquid and solid samples from cyst-, endocervical-, and endometrial origin (n=94). Results: The in-house designed panel amplified 17 regions, encompassing 619 nucleotide positions within the TP53 gene. Pathogenic variants were identified in 10/11 of the primary tumors, with a VAF ≥ 9% (range: 9-91). Preliminary data indicated that all (100%) paired samples obtained corresponding somatic mutations between two or more of the different compartments from the same patient. In total 10/10 ascites-, 16/16 cyst-, 8/8 plasma-, 5/8 vaginal-, 17/22 endocervical-, and 14/19 endometrial samples showed somatic variants at a consensus read depth of 3 and a minimum VAF ≥ 0.1%. Conclusion: The present study suggests that the TP53 mutation panel can identify somatic variants in a variety of non-invasive liquid biopsies. Additionally, the assessment of the TP53 mutation panel exhibits potential for forthcoming clinical utilization as a diagnostic tool. Citation Format: Amanda Olsson Widjaja, Peter Micallef, Benjamin Ulfenborg, Maria Lycke, Ulf Gyllensten, Therese Carlsson, Tobias Österlund, Anders Ståhlberg, Anna Linder, Karin Sundfeldt. High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma detected with TP53 mutation panel and SiMSen-Seq [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 7287.

Neuropsychiatric Profiles and Cerebral Amyloid Burden in Adults without Dementia

Plain Language SummaryThis study examines how patients’ and their caregivers’ report of neuropsychiatric symptoms are associated with amyloid burden, of the primary markers of risk for amyloid burden, in older adults without dementia. Amyloid burden was measured using a PET-CT scan, and neuropsychological symptoms were measured with a self-reported and an informant-reported questionnaire. We found that neuropsychiatric symptoms were associated with amyloid burden in older adults without dementia, and these relationships were stronger in older adults with greater cognitive and functional impairment. In particular, caregivers’ report of anxiety, depression, and irritability and patients’ report of cognitive concerns were associated with greater amyloid burden. Neuropsychiatric symptoms, observed by both the patient and the informant, may be promising first identifiers of the neuropathology associated with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Although neuropsychiatric symptoms have been characterized in persons with dementia, we do not yet have a clear understanding of how neuropsychiatric symptoms appear in non-dementia stages or which instruments may be the most sensitive screening tools for neuropsychiatric symptoms in older adults without dementia. These older adults without dementia may exist in a window of opportunity for behavioral and pharmacologic interventions that may prevent or slow clinical progression.

Prevalence and Correlates of Depression Among Pregnant Women at King Abdulaziz Medical City: A Tertiary Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Women have a higher likelihood of experiencing depression during pregnancy due to the significant physiological and mental changes that occur during this critical period. The frequency of antenatal depression varies globally according to socioeconomic, healthcare, and cultural influences. The objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence of depression among pregnant women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Women who were pregnant and who had undergone screening for depression were included in this cohort study that was conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC). Using a non-probability convenience sample technique, data was obtained from the hospital record system. Statistical significance was determined using Fisher's exact test and student's t-test, which analyzed demographic, clinical, demographic,and obstetric information. Significance was determined by a P-value that was lower than 0.05. Among 367 people surveyed, the prevalence of depression was 2.5%. This is much lower than rates seen both globally and in Saudi Arabia. The majority were married and non-smokerswith a high post-delivery BMI. A significant association was observed between depression and previous psychiatric diagnoses, while no significant relationships were found with gestational age, complications, chronic illnesses, or referral sources. The research shows that the rate of perinatal depression among women in Riyadh is much lower than theaverage, highlighting the critical role of cultural factors and the need for validated, culturally sensitive screening tools. Recommendations for future research include longitudinal studies and the development of culturally tailored interventions to enhance the detection and management of depression during pregnancy, integrating mental health care into routine antenatal services.