Time Of Testing Research Articles

Hepatitis C Virus Testing Among Perinatally Exposed Children: 2018 to 2020.

To assess the frequency of hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing among a population-based cohort of perinatally exposed children and identify factors associated with testing. Using a population-based surveillance cohort of perinatally exposed children born from 2018 to 2020 from 4 US jurisdictions (Georgia; Massachusetts; Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; and Los Angeles County, California), we describe the frequency, timing, and type of HCV testing among children and identify characteristics associated with having an HCV test result by the age of 2 to 3 years. Data were obtained from electronic laboratory reporting, vital records, and medical records. Of 803 perinatally exposed children, 7 (1%) died before the age of 24 months. Of 796 children, health departments were unable to find medical records or laboratory reports for 181 (23%). Among those with medical record abstraction at 24 months or testing reported before the age of 3 years (n = 615), 50% had an HCV test. The majority (70% of those tested) were tested for HCV antibodies at the age of 18 months or later, although 9% had an HCV nucleic acid test at ages 2 to <6 months. No characteristics examined were found to be significantly associated with having testing reported. In this surveillance report, we identify the gaps in current testing among children perinatally exposed to hepatitis C. Provider education and resources for health departments for follow-up and linkage to care can improve the identification of children requiring treatment, a vital piece of HCV elimination.

Decreased Brain pH Underlies Behavioral and Brain Abnormalities Induced by Chronic Exposure to Glucocorticoids in Mice.

Depressed patients may exhibit glucocorticoid hypersecretion, suggesting that elevated levels of glucocorticoids may play an important role in the pathophysiology of depression. Some postmortem brain studies have shown decreased pH and increased lactate levels in psychiatric patients, implying involvement of these factors in the pathogenesis. To investigate the effects of glucocorticoids on brain pH and lactate levels, and their roles in depressive symptoms, brain pH and lactate were examined in mice treated with corticosterone (CORT), the major bioactive glucocorticoid in rodents. A single administration of CORT decreased hippocampal pH after 24 h. Three weeks of CORT treatment decreased pH in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), striatum, and hippocampus (HC), whereas intake of pH 9.0 drinking water increased pH in these brain regions. pH and lactate levels were correlated in the PFC and HC of mice treated with CORT for 3 weeks. The suppression of body weight gain and decrease in adrenal weight observed after 3 weeks of CORT treatment were not alleviated by pH 9.0 water. However, an increase in immobility time in the forced swim test and a decrease in neurogenesis in the hippocampus were alleviated. The decrease in brain pH and increase in immobility time in the forced swim test and a decrease in neurogenesis in the hippocampus induced by CORT treatment were abolished by co-treatment with the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist mifepristone. These findings indicate that decreased brain pH via GRs may be related to glucocorticoid-induced depression-like behavior and decreased hippocampal neurogenesis.

Multifactor Quality and Safety Analysis of Semaglutide Products Sold by Online Sellers Without a Prescription: Market Surveillance, Content Analysis, and Product Purchase Evaluation Study.

Over the past 4 decades, obesity has escalated into a global epidemic, with its worldwide prevalence nearly tripling. Pharmacological treatments have evolved with the recent development of glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists, such as semaglutide. However, off-label use of drugs such as Ozempic for cosmetic weight loss has surged in popularity, raising concerns about potential misuse and the emergence of substandard and falsified products in the unregulated supply chain. This study aims to conduct a multifactor investigation of product quality and patient safety risks associated with the unregulated online sale of semaglutide by examining product availability and vendor characteristics and assessing product quality through test purchases. We used a complex risk and quality assessment methodology combining online market surveillance, search engine results page analysis, website content assessment, domain traffic analytics, conducting targeted product test purchases, visual quality inspection of product packaging, microbiological sterility and endotoxin contamination evaluation, and quantitative sample analysis using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. We collected and evaluated 1080 links from search engine results pages and identified 317 (29.35%) links belonging to online pharmacies, of which 183 (57.7%) led to legal pharmacies and 134 (42.3%) directed users to 59 unique illegal online pharmacy websites.Web traffic data for the period between July and September 2023 revealed that the top 30 domains directly or indirectly affiliated with illegal online pharmacies accumulated over 4.7 million visits.Test purchases were completed from6 illegal online pharmacies with the highest number of links offering semaglutide products for sale without prescription at the lowest price range. Three injection vial purchases were delivered; none of the 3 Ozempic prefilled injection pens were received due to nondelivery e-commerce scams.All purchased vials were considered probable substandard and falsified products, as visual inspection indicated noncompliance in more than half (59%-63%) of the evaluated criteria. The semaglutide content of samples substantially exceeded labeled amounts by 28.56%-38.69%, although no peptide-like impurities were identified. The lyophilized peptide samples were devoid of viable microorganisms at the time of testing; however, endotoxin was detected in all samples with levels ranging between 2.1645 EU/mg and 8.9511 EU/mg. Furthermore, the measured semaglutide purity was significantly low, ranging between 7.7% and 14.37% and deviating from the 99% claimed on product labels by manufacturers. Glucagon-like peptide 1 agonist drugs promoted for weight loss, similar to erectile dysfunction medications more than 2 decades ago, are becoming the new blockbuster lifestyle medications for the illegal online pharmacy market. Protecting the pharmaceutical supply chain from substandard and falsified weight loss products and raising awareness regarding online medication safety must be a public health priority for regulators and technology platforms alike.

Whole exome sequencing-based testing of adult epilepsy in a Polish population.

Genetic panel testing in paediatric and mixed adult and children populations has demonstrated clinical utility and provided a diagnostic yield of 18-40%. The data on adult epilepsies is limited. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic yield and analyse genetic diagnoses in whole exome sequenced adult patients with epilepsies in Poland. We recruited 151 patients from 42 clinical centres across Poland. The patients had a diagnosis of epilepsy/ seizures, were 18 or older at the time of the genetic testing, and did not have a genetic diagnosis. All patients were tested with whole exome sequencing after an initial testing with a panel of 47 epilepsy-related genes. We reached a diagnostic yield when considering pathogenic/probably pathogenic variants according to ClinVar of 8.6% (n = 13) and 17% (n = 26) when applying the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) criteria. Most patients had a pathogenic/probably pathogenic variant in epilepsy-related genes (54%), followed by potential epilepsy-related genes (19%), and neurodevelopment-associated epilepsy genes (15%). Our study shows that whole exome sequencing-based testing reaches a slightly higher diagnostic yield that the traditional 300 gene panel. Genes related to childhood onset neurodevelopmental disorders and epilepsy should be considered as well. Clinical implications/future directions. Patients may have had a diagnosis related to a childhood syndrome, but due to limited diagnostic possibilities, it was not possible to diagnose them in childhood. We would consider testing adult patients with epilepsy with whole exome or genome sequencing (or if not possible with a panel) in cases of a diagnosis of epilepsy with no hints suggesting secondary epilepsy, and especially with clinical features indicating a genetic epilepsy diagnosis, such as neurodevelopmental delay and early onset of seizures.

Timing of testing affects earwitness memory.

The present experiments investigated how interpolated testing and postevent misinformation affected earwitness memory. We examined how the number of tests and when tests occurred affected memory for an overheard event and source monitoring. Across three experiments, participants overheard a crime (i.e., the witnessed event), heard a news report summarizing the crime (postevent information), took a cued-recall test, and lastly, took a source-monitoring test. Experiment 1 compared three groups: repeated cued-recall test, repeated listen, single cued-recall test. Participants in the interpolated test group received a test after the witnessed event and again after the postevent information. Participants in the repeated listen group heard the witnessed event, and immediately relistened to the event before being presented with the postevent information. In Experiment 2 and 3, we varied the retention intervals between the witnessed event and the postevent information in a repeated test context. Our findings suggest that when participants took a test before presentation of the postevent information, they were less accurate on a final cued-recall test of the witnessed event. Importantly, the timing of the first test in relation to the witnessed event and postevent information differentially affected memory for the witnessed event and source monitoring of event and postevent details.

Node-RADS: a systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic performance, category-wise malignancy rates, and inter-observer reliability.

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate diagnostic performance, category-wise malignancy rates, and inter-observer reliability of Node Reporting and Data System 1.0 (Node-RADS). Five electronic databases were systematically searched for primary studies on the use of Node-RADS to report the possibility of cancer involvement of lymph nodes on CT and MRI from January 1, 2021, until April 15, 2024. The study quality was assessed by modified Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) and Quality Appraisal of Diagnostic Reliability (QAREL) tools. The diagnostic accuracy was estimated with bivariate random-effects model, while the pooled category-wise malignancy rates were obtained with random-effects model. Six Node-RADS-CT studies and three Node-RADS-MRI studies covering nine types of cancer were included. The study quality was mainly damaged by inappropriate index test and unknown timing according to QUADAS-2, and unclear blindness during the rating process according to QAREL. The area under hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic curve (95% conventional interval) was 0.92 (0.89-0.94) for Node-RADS ≥ 3 as positive and 0.91 (0.88-0.93) for Node-RADS ≥ 4 as positive, respectively. The pooled malignancy rates (95% CIs) of Node-RADS 1 to 5 were 4% (0-10%), 31% (9-58%), 55% (34-75%), 89% (73-99%), and 100% (97-100%), respectively. The inter-observer reliability of five studies was interpreted as fair to substantial. Node-RADS presented a promising diagnostic performance with an increasing probability of malignancy along higher category. However, the evidence for inter-observer reliability of Node-RADS is insufficient, and may hinder its implementation in clinical practice for lymph node assessment. Question Node-RADS is designed for structured reporting of the possibility of cancer involvement of lymph nodes, but the evidence supporting its application has not been summarized. Findings Node-RADS presented diagnostic performance with AUC of 0.92, and malignancy rates for categories 1-5 ranged from 4% to 100%, while the inter-observer reliability was unclear. Clinical relevance Node-RADS is a useful tool for structured reporting of the possibility of cancer involvement of lymph nodes with high diagnostic performance and appropriate malignancy rate for each category, but unclear inter-observer reliability may hinder its implementation in clinical practice.

The effects of cognitive training on driving performance.

Driving is a complex task necessitating an intricate interplay of sensory, motor, and cognitive abilities. Extensive research has underscored the role of neurocognitive functions, including attention, memory, executive functions, and visuospatial skills, in driving safety and performance. Despite evidence suggesting cognitive training's potential in enhancing driving abilities, comprehensive cognitive training's impact on driving performance in young adult drivers remains unexplored. Our study aimed to fill this gap by implementing an intensive, 8-week, multidomain computerized cognitive training program and assessing its transfer effects on the driving performance of young adult drivers, using a high-fidelity simulator. The study employed a randomized controlled trial design, with passive control group. The mixed-design analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a notable interaction between the time of testing and the respective participant groups concerning driving performance. Post hoc analyses showed that, compared to the control group, participants undergoing cognitive training demonstrated significantly fewer traffic infractions in the post-training evaluation. These findings suggest that cognitive training could be a useful tool for enhancing driving safety and performance in young adult drivers. Further research should aim to address the limitations posed by the absence of an active control group.

Strategies to Overcome Erroneous Outcomes in Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) Testing: Insights From the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test to detect SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, has been regarded as the diagnostic gold standard. However, the excessive sensitivity of RT-PCR may cause false-positive outcomes from contamination. Again, its technical complexity increases the chances of false-negatives due to pre-analytical and analytical errors. This narrative review explores the elements contributing to inaccurate results during the COVID-19 pandemic and offers strategies to minimize these errors. False-positive results may occur due to specimen contamination, non-specific primer binding, residual viral RNA, and false-negatives, which may arise from improper sampling, timing, labeling, storage, low viral loads, mutations, and faulty test kits. Proposed mitigation strategies to enhance the accuracy of RT-PCR testing include comprehensive staff training in specimen collection, optimizing the timing of tests, analyzing multiple gene targets, incorporating clinical findings, workflow automation, and implementing stringent contamination control measures. Identifying and rectifying sources of error in RT-PCR diagnosis through quality control and standardized protocols is imperative for ensuring quality patient care and effective epidemic control.

Novel HLA-DQB1, DQA1, DPA1 and DPB1 alleles identified in the Australian New South Wales tissue typing laboratory

Introduction of NGS into clinical histocompatibility laboratories has greatly increased the frequency of novel HLA allele discovery. We identified 9 DQA1, 7 DQB1, 8 DPA1 and 2 DPB1 novel alleles over the last 2 years. 92% (24 of 26) differed from their closest allele by single nucleotide substitutions detected in coding regions and 84% (22 of 26) contained polymorphism outside of exon 2. Identification of novel alleles in non-coding intronic regions were restricted to splice sites. Two novel alleles arising from nucleotide substitution affecting splicing were identified and named with questionable expression status. Novel alleles with polymorphism detected only in non-coding regions (introns and UTRs) were not reported. 21 additional DQA1, DQB1 and DPA1 alleles detected in multiple individuals as novel at the time of testing, were also detected in other laboratories. The number of novel alleles detected further emphasises the role of NGS in novel allele discovery.

Clinical Manifestations of Acute COVID-19 in Previously Healthy Pediatric Patients Diagnosed by Rapid Antigen Screening in a Community-Based, Outpatient Primary Care Pediatrics Practice

Background: The PediCenter and Niles Children’s Clinic provide pediatric primary and urgent care services in central California. We remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, providing scheduled well child-care and sick visits. Methods: Beginning in September 2020, we implemented a COVID-19 screening program. Screening was performed on all patients presenting for care and was made available to patients requiring testing for any purpose. Herein, we provide results from that program, including a description of clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in our patients. Results: Key findings: A total of 11,649 COVID-19 antigen screening tests were performed (age range 0.1 to 17.0, mean 8.7, SD 4.5). In total, 1560 pts. (13.4%) tested positive. Among these, 665 (43%) were asymptomatic, 560 (36%) had mild disease, 318 (20%) had moderate disease, and 17 (1%) had severe disease. No critical cases or transfers to the emergency room were reported. Younger patient age was associated with an increased severity of illness, as was time from the onset of the pandemic. A total of 4446 patients reported no symptoms at the time of screening, 15% of whom tested positive. In total, 7203 patients reported symptoms at the time of testing. Among these, 87.6% tested negative and 12.4% tested positive. Disease severity was similar between these two groups. COVID-19 is generally a mild respiratory tract infection in healthy children. Conclusions: Screening is effective in identifying cases, including asymptomatic cases. Statistical models further revealed associations between patient age, time from the onset of the pandemic, and disease severity.

Comparison of forced and voluntary exercise types on male rat brain monoamine levels, anxiety-like behaviour, and physiological indexes under light and dark phases

PurposePhysical exercise improves physical and mental health; however, the differences between voluntary and forced exercise protocols are unclear. In addition, knowledge regarding the consequences of differences in testing timing, such as light and dark phases, in response to exercise type is limited. We investigated the effects of chronic forced and voluntary wheel running on the changes in brain monoamine levels (5-HT: serotonin, DA: dopamine, NA: noradrenaline), anxiety-like behaviours, and physiological stress responses in the light and dark phases. MethodsAdult male Wistar rats were equally and randomly assigned to four groups: sedentary control, voluntary exercise (free running on a wheel, V-EX), voluntary limited exercise (wheel available only 1h/day, VL-EX), and forced exercise (running on a motorised wheel, F-EX). Each group was further divided into dark- or light-experimental condition groups. After 4 weeks, the rats underwent an open-field test. The monoamines and their metabolite levels were measured in the major neural cell bodies and the projection areas related to behaviour, cognition, anxiety, and stress in the brain. ResultsAdrenal hypertrophy and elevated body temperature, except during the exercise period, were observed in the F-EX rats that exhibited anxiety-like behaviour. The levels of monoamines and their metabolites, particularly the 5-HTergic and DAergic systems, in specific areas, were significantly altered in the rats in the V-EX group compared to those in the VL-EX and other groups. These differences were observed only in the dark phase. ConclusionThe results suggest that V-EX mainly stimulates the 5-HTergic and DAergic systems, while F-EX induces physiological stress and increases anxiety-like behaviour during the dark phase. This study highlights the importance of accounting for exercise types and light/dark phases in behavioural neuroscience experiments.

Echoes of a Cold War

The Kara Sea was an area of radionuclide contamination as a result of nuclear weapons testing, since it is located in close proximity to the nuclear test site on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago. The vertical distribution of 137Cs and 210Pb in 15 sediment cores from the sea made it possible to reconstruct the chronology of 137Cs entry into marine sediments. The reconstruction was based on the age-depth model RUS2023 (Rusakov et al., 2024) for 210Pbex, taking into account the grain-size composition and sorption capacity of sediments. Our study showed that higher 137Cs concentrations in sediments of the Novaya Zemlya Trough correspond to the time of active nuclear weapons testing in 1961–63 (about 9.0±1.6 Bq kg‒1), as well as in estuarine sediments of the Yenisei Bay in 1986 (85.2±3.2 Bq kg‒1). The abnormally high flux in 1980s represents the superposition of 137Cs fluxes as a result of global fallout (Chernobyl trace) and as a result of the release of radionuclide from regional source located in the Yenisei River catchment. Both of these events are associated with increased the sedimentation and mass accumulation rates of marine sediments. In 1961‒63, this was a consequence of the release of sediment into the atmosphere due to nuclear explosions, and in the 1980s, as a result of an increase in sediment supply with river runoff. Currently, against the backdrop of a decrease in sediment fluxes into the sea, Novaya Zemlya and Yenisei River remain the main sources of 137Cs supply to marine sediments. Background values for recent sediments in the Kara Sea are <2.0 Bq kg‒1.

Adjustable structures and anti-fouling covalent organic networks membranes for precise organic small molecules separation

Covalent organic networks (CONs) membranes show unprecedented potential for the separation of organic small molecules owing to their adjustable structure and surface properties. Despite the variety of methodologies available for synthesizing CONs membranes, the preparation of CONs membranes by interfacial polymerization (IP) at 25 °C in a shorter period of time remains a great challenge. In this work, a highly anti-fouling EDA-TPA CONs composite nanofiltration (NF) membrane with adjustable structure was constructed by rapid IP of amine (ethylenediamine, EDA) and aldehyde (terephthalaldehyde, TPA) at 25 °C for 3 h. EDA-TPA CONs composite membranes showed good selectivity for most common organic small molecules, achieving a permeance of 35 L h−1 m−2 bar−1. Moreover, with respect to anti-fouling properties, the EDA-TPA CONs composite membranes exhibited a 96 % flux recovery ratio (FRR) during bovine serum albumin (BSA) filtration, reflecting an 81 % improvement compared to the control membranes (hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile, HPAN). In addition, the EDA-TPA CONs composite membranes displayed robust comprehensive stability after continuous operation of 480 min, 5 times of cyclic testing, 180 min of continuous ultrasound at 16 kHZ and 24 h of mechanical agitation at 100 rpm. After these extensive evaluations, the EDA-TPA CONs composite membranes still retained their original separation efficacy. This study provides a fast and mild preparation process to fabricate the high performance CONs composite membranes with good anti-fouling performance and stability for treatment of organic small molecules in wastewater.

Prediction model for equivalent exposure time in indoor dry-wet cycling tests for concrete in marine tidal zones

Chloride ion erosion poses a major threat to the durability of concrete structures in coastal environments, particularly in tidal zones with periodic seawater exposure. This study developed a predictive model based on Fick's second law, utilizing data from over 20 coastal structures across six countries. The model, grounded in the principle of equivalent free chloride ion concentration at a certain depth after a given exposure time, estimates the number of dry-wet cycles required in accelerated laboratory testing to simulate real-world conditions. It has been validated using data from actual marine structures. Key environmental factors such as temperature and humidity, along with regional climate differences, are incorporated to predict the relative deterioration rates of concrete in various marine environments. Additionally, an accelerated indoor dry-wet cycle test was designed based on the theory of environmental similarity, tracking the performance evolution of concrete. The model was verified through experiments, showing that 30 indoor dry-wet cycles correspond to 79 years of exposure in a coastal environment. The physical property changes observed in the accelerated tests further confirmed the model’s reliability and accuracy. This research provides critical insights into the impact of environmental factors on concrete degradation and offers a scientific basis for the application of accelerated laboratory testing.

Corrigendum to “Prediction model for equivalent exposure time in indoor dry-wet cycling tests for concrete in marine tidal zones” [Constr. Build. Mater. 451 (2024) 138778

Corrigendum to “Prediction model for equivalent exposure time in indoor dry-wet cycling tests for concrete in marine tidal zones” [Constr. Build. Mater. 451 (2024) 138778

New approach to reduce analysis time of thermal response test: Active thermal response test using linear heat optical fiber sensor

New approach to reduce analysis time of thermal response test: Active thermal response test using linear heat optical fiber sensor

Fructus Arctii Mitigates Depressive Disorder via the Let-7e-Modulated Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) Signaling Pathway.

Depressive disorder is a common and serious public health challenge globally. Fructus arctii is a traditional medicinal plant ingredient with diverse pharmacological effects. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of Fructus arctii in alleviating depressive-like behaviors. We established a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression mouse model to assess the antidepressant effects of Fructus arctii. BV2 cells treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used to mimic neuronal damage. Behavioral tests, including the sucrose preference test, tail-suspension test, and forced swim test, were conducted to evaluate the impact of Fructus arctii on depressive-like behaviors. Let-7e expression was detected by RT-qPCR, and TLR4 signaling pathway activation was evaluated by western blot analysis, which also assessed the inflammatory response by measuring levels of IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1, TNF-α, and iNOS. Immunohistological analysis was conducted to detect the expression of microglia markers. Luciferase reporter assays verified the interaction between let-7e and TLR4. Fructus arctii administration effectively alleviated depressive-like behaviors induced by CUMS in mice, as evidenced by improved sucrose preference and reduced immobility time in behavioral tests. Mechanistically, Fructus arctii reversed the CUMS-induced downregulation of let-7e and upregulation of TLR4 and MyD88 protein levels in mice hippocampus tissues. In addition, Fructus arctii suppressed microglial activation and reduced the levels of inflammatory factors by upregulating let-7e. Let-7e was verified to bind to TLR4, thereby negatively regulating its expression. TLR4 overexpression reversed the suppressive effect of let-7e upregulation on inflammatory reactions and microglial activation. Furthermore, intracerebroventricular injection of let-7e agomiR alleviated depressive-like behavior and inhibited microglial activation in vivo. In summary, Fructus arctii mitigates depression by regulating the let-7e/TLR4/MyD88 pathway, offering new insights into potential depression therapies.

Ellagic acid(EA) ameliorates Alzheimer’s disease by reducing Aβ levels, oxidative stress and attenuating inflammation

BackgroundEllagic acid (EA) serves as a pivotal coenzyme for various dehydrogenases, influencing diverse biological processes. Recognized for its potential in impeding disease progression, EA's effectiveness and mechanism in treating 5xFAD remain elusive. Aim of the studyThis study aims to investigate EA's potential roles and underlying mechanisms in mitigating symptoms associated with 5xFAD. Materials and methods5×FAD mice underwent a 12-week EA treatment regimen. The efficacy of EA against 5×FAD was assessed through in vivo experiments, including Morris water maze and contextual fear conditioning tests for learning and memory abilities. Immunofluorescence (IF) and thioflavin staining examined changes in Aβ/neurons in brain tissue. RT‒qPCR evaluated inflammatory cytokine expression, while Bcl2/Bax protein levels were analyzed via western blot (WB). ResultsEA demonstrates promise in alleviating symptoms associated with 5xFAD. It significantly reduced the mice's escape latency in the Morris water maze, increased the frequency of crossings in the target quadrant, and prolonged freezing time in the contextual fear memory test. EA also improved neuronal pathology in the hippocampus and cortex, decreased neuronal loss, and reduced Aβ levels. Moreover, EA significantly increased MDA and SOD levels, effectively modulated the Bcl2/Bax ratio, and decreased the production of proinflammatory factors in brain tissue of 5xFAD model mice. In conclusionOur findings highlight the potential therapeutic efficacy of EA in addressing 5xFAD-related nervous system disorders by targeting Aβ levels, oxidative stress, and inflammation.

A Brief Review of Hemp Fiber Length Measurement Techniques

Accurate fiber length measurement is essential for the processing and quality management of textile products. This article reviews the current methods used to measure fiber length, including manual, photoelectric, capacitive, and optical techniques. Existing sample preparation processes for natural fiber characterization have been primarily developed for cotton and wool fibers. However, hemp fibers present unique challenges due to their greater length variability, high strength, and low elongation, making some traditional sample preparation methods less effective. Image processing offers a promising approach for scalable and precise measurement of hemp fiber length. Nevertheless, current image processing techniques are limited by the inability to effectively handle overlapping fibers, which increases both the time and cost of testing. Continued research into developing more advanced segmentation algorithms could lead to more widely adopted commercial methods for fiber measurement.

Performance evaluation of the Abbott Alinity Hepatitis C antigen next assay in a US urban emergency department population

IntroductionHCV antibody assays have been used to screen for HCV, but confirmation of acute infection is dependent on RNA or core antigen testing. The aim of the study was to compare the performance of five HCV test methods, including RNA testing, on a US emergency department population. MethodsClinical performance metrics were calculated on 708 consenting Johns Hopkins Emergency Department patients who self-reported an increased risk for HCV infection. Detection times of antibody, antigen, and RNA testing were compared using 89 samples from commercially available seroconversion panels. Testing was performed on the Abbott Alinity HCV Ag Next (RUO), Roche Elecsys HCV Duo, Abbott ARCHITECT Anti-HCV, and Elecsys Anti-HCV II assays. RNA testing was performed on the Abbott m2000 system. ResultsOverall, 21 (3.0%) participants tested positive for HCV on at least one test, 11 (52.4%) had chronic, 1 (4.8%) had an acute, and 3 (14.3%) had resolved infections. The Alinity HCV Ag Next assay demonstrated 99.43% specificity when compared to RNA testing. The Alinity HCV Ag Next assay also detected 91.67% of the active infections compared to RNA testing, while the Elecsys HCV Duo Ag assay detected only 58.33%. The seroconversion panel testing demonstrated that the Alinity HCV Ag Next assay detects an infection within 0.8 days of an RNA result. ConclusionThe Alinity HCV Ag Next assay demonstrated excellent concordance to RNA testing in a US urban E.D. population. This data supports the utility of Alinity HCV Ag Next in diagnosis of active HCV infections.