Value Of Test Research Articles

Study on Bonding Behavior between High Toughness Resin Concrete with Steel Wire Mesh and Concrete

This paper investigates the interfacial bonding behavior between high toughness resin concrete with steel wire mesh (HTRCS) and concrete. A total of five sets of fifteen double shear specimens were tested for parameters including concrete strength and material properties of HTRCS composites. The test results showed that the failure mode of DS1 specimens was partial debonding and fracture, and the rest of the specimens were the fracture of HTRCS. The concrete strength and reinforcement ratios of HTRCS composites were positively correlated with interfacial adhesion properties. When the concrete strength was increased from C30 to C40 and C50, the ultimate load increased by 43.4% and 43.2%, respectively. The ultimate load capacity increased by 32.1%, with the reinforcement ratio of HTRCS composites increasing from 1.05% to 1.83%. Moreover, the bonding slip model and the bearing capacity formula for the interface between HTRCS composites and concrete were proposed, and the calculation values were in good agreement with the test values, with an average value of 0.978.

Design and Parameter Optimization of Rotary Double-Insertion Device for Small Arched Insertion Machine

China’s small arched shed-building machinery suffers from a low degree of mechanization, building efficiency, and qualification rate for frame insertion. Therefore, we designed a rotary double-insertion device and established the equation for its motion trajectory. The analysis shows that in the rotary insertion process, a better point of entry into the soil exists. A simulation model was constructed in ADAMS, and the static and dynamic trajectories were analyzed. Additionally, the optimal planting and insertion speed ratios were determined. Considering the qualified rate of the insertion frame as the evaluation index to establish a regression model, we adopted a three-factor three-level experimental design and established the planting speed ratio, center distance of the planting arm, and length of the pressing rod arm as the main influencing factors. We used Design-Expert 13 to perform the analysis of variance and determined the optimal parameter combinations. The experimental results show that the planting speed ratio was 0.7, the center distance of the planting arm group was 554 mm, the length of the pressing rod arm was 923 mm, and the qualification rate of trellis planting at this time was 98.05%. The bench was adjusted and tested based on the optimal parameter combination. The average value of the measured trellis qualification rate was 96.73%, and the relative error between the test value and the theoretical optimization value was 1.32%, thereby verifying the reliability of the optimal parameter combination. Field verification test results show that the rotary double-insertion device had a planting speed ratio of 0.7 and a trellis qualified rate of 95.74% compared with the theoretical optimization value of 2.31%. Conforming to the design requirements of small arch shed-building machinery, the prototype operation performance was stable.

Correlation of alanine aminotransferase levels and a histological diagnosis of steatohepatitis with ultrasound-diagnosed metabolic-associated fatty liver disease in patients from a centre in Nigeria

BackgroundMetabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is defined as the occurrence of hepatic fat accumulation in patients with negligible alcohol consumption or any other cause of hepatic steatosis. This study aimed to correlate the ultrasound-based diagnosis of MAFLD with the histological diagnosis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in patients with MAFLD.MethodsThis was a hospital-based cross-sectional study of 71 patients with MAFLD diagnosed by ultrasound. Percutaneous liver biopsy was performed for histological evidence of NASH in all patients, regardless of liver function test (LFT) values, provided that they had no contraindications. Liver histology was graded using the NASH Clinical Research Network MAFLD Activity Score. The data obtained were entered into SPSS version 21 and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The significance level was set at < 0.05.ResultsA total of 71 patients (26 males and 45 females) with MAFLD were included. Thirty-nine (76.5%) patients with MAFLD and normal ALT levels had NASH, while 14 (82.4%) had elevated ALT levels. There was no statistically significant difference in the histological grade of NASH between patients with normal and elevated ALT levels. A weak correlation was found between the severity of steatosis on ultrasound scan and NASH incidence (p = 0.026). The sensitivity and specificity of ALT levels for predicting NASH according to the area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC 0.590) at an ALT cut-off value of 27.5 IU/L were 55.8% and 64.7%, respectively.ConclusionNASH can occur in patients with MAFLD, irrespective of alanine transaminase (ALT) levels, and ultrasound grading of the severity of steatosis cannot accurately predict NASH. Liver biopsy remains the investigation of choice.

Development and validation of a predictive model for the risk of sarcopenia in the older adults in China

BackgroundSarcopenia is a progressive age-related disease that can cause a range of adverse health outcomes in older adults, and older adults with severe sarcopenia are also at increased short-term mortality risk. The aim of this study was to construct and validate a risk prediction model for sarcopenia in Chinese older adults.MethodsThis study used data from the 2015 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), a high-quality micro-level data representative of households and individuals aged 45 years and older adults in China. The study analyzed 65 indicators, including sociodemographic indicators, health-related indicators, and biochemical indicators.Results3454 older adults enrolled in the CHARLS database in 2015 were included in the final analysis. A total of 997 (28.8%) had phenotypes of sarcopenia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that sex, Body Mass Index (BMI), Mean Systolic Blood Pressure (MSBP), Mean Diastolic Blood Pressure (MDBP) and pain were predictive factors for sarcopenia in older adults. These factors were used to construct a nomogram model, which showed good consistency and accuracy. The AUC value of the prediction model in the training set was 0.77 (95% CI = 0.75–0.79); the AUC value in the validation set was 0.76 (95% CI = 0.73–0.79). Hosmer–Lemeshow test values were P = 0.5041 and P = 0.2668 (both P > 0.05). Calibration curves showed significant agreement between the nomogram model and actual observations. ROC and DCA showed that the nomograms had good predictive properties.ConclusionsThe constructed sarcopenia risk prediction model, incorporating factors such as sex, BMI, MSBP, MDBP, and pain, demonstrates promising predictive capabilities. This model offers valuable insights for clinical practitioners, aiding in early screening and targeted interventions for sarcopenia in Chinese older adults.

A Nomogram Prediction Model for Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn in Neonates Hospitalized for the First Time After Birth.

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is one of the critical neonatal diseases associated with high morbidity and mortality. This study attempted to conduct a nomogram prediction model for performing early identification of PPHN and providing effective information for clinical practice. A total of 456 newborns who first admitted to the hospital after birth were included in the analysis, including 138 newborns with PPHN and 318 newborns without PPHN (as controls). The optimal predictive variables selection was performed based on LASSO (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) regression and multivariate logistic regression. Using the selected variables, a nomogram prediction model was developed. To validate the model, the model was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration plot, and clinical impact curve. Six predictors, namely, gestational age, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, the levels of hemoglobin and creatine kinase-MB, gestational thyroid dysfunction, and Pao2, were identified by LASSO and multivariate logistic regression analysis from the original 30 variables studied. The constructed model, using these predictors, exhibited favorable predictive ability for PPHN, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic of 0.897 (sensitivity = 0.876, specificity = 0.785) in the training set and 0.871 (sensitivity = 0.902, specificity = 0.695) in the validation set, and was well calibrated, as indicated by the PHosmer-Lemeshow test values of 0.233 and 0.876 for the training and validation sets, respectively. The model included gestational age, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, the levels of hemoglobin and creatine kinase-MB, gestational thyroid dysfunction, and Pao2 had good prediction performance for predicting PPHN among newborns first admitted to the hospital after birth.

Observations on the Tritiated Water and TEWL Skin Integrity Tests: Relevance to In Vitro Permeation Testing (IVPT).

The in vitro permeation test (IVPT) using ex vivo human skin is a sensitive and robust model system that has been vital in elucidating the fundamental parameters surrounding the absorption of both therapeutic agents and industrial chemicals through skin. FDA and OECD IVPT Guidances recommend that each skin section selected for study should be screened prior to use to ensure that the stratum corneum integrity is retained. Three methods are currently considered acceptable: 1) transepidermal water loss (TEWL), 2) electrical resistance, and 3) tritiated water (3H2O) absorption. A retrospective analysis of data from the authors' laboratory has been performed with the objective of addressing a number of questions regarding the 3H2O and TEWL integrity tests, and the population attributes of a large database consisting of 17,330 individual skin sections obtained from 459 skin donors. The applicability and usefulness of these tests, when compared to companion permeation data obtained from 25 topical drug products, has also been examined. Both integrity tests found water permeability to be equal in White and Hispanic races but higher than in Blacks, 3H2O being more discriminating than TEWL. Male skin is more permeable than female and there is a slight decrease in permeability with advancing age in both groups. Correlation between 3H2O absorption and drug absorption revealed a minimal relationship between the two in most cases, the Pearson correlation coefficient ranging from -0.417 to 0.953. Additionally, drug outliers were not always identified with a failing integrity test. The results call for a critical reexamination of the value of the 3H2O integrity test, and by extension, TEWL, for use in IVPT studies.

Effect of layup sequence on cure deformation and accurate prediction of composite pressure vessels

The application of composite winding pressure vessels is becoming more and more widespread, and the magnitude of deformation during curing can have a significant impact on service performance, but there are fewer studies on the accurate prediction of the numerical and experimental validation of the deformation during the curing process of pressure vessels. To accurately predict the effect of different angles of layup on the curing deformation of high-pressure hydrogen storage vessels made of T700S-12 K/4251A4B2 carbon fiber/epoxy composites in cylindrical and dome sections. In this paper, WCM-ABAQUS segmented pressure vessel accurate modeling method is proposed for the first time, using the method of converting the chemical shrinkage coefficient of epoxy resin into thermal expansion coefficient equivalently, the finite element prediction of the deformation of the pressure vessel during the curing process in different layup sequences was carried out, and the deformation values of the pressure vessel in different layup sequences were analyzed comparatively. Finally, the winding curing experiments were carried out on pressure vessels with different layup sequences, and the curing deformation values of the experimental tests on pressure vessels with different layup sequences were compared with the finite element simulation values, respectively, and the minimum error value 13.07%. It provides a reliable basis for accurately predicting the deformation value of the pressure vessel curing process, and also provides a reference for subsequent experiments to reduce the curing deformation value.

Plasma mtDNA as a possible contributor to and biomarker of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis

ObjectivesNeutrophil extracellular trap formation and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) contribute to the inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but it is unknown if mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or nuclear DNA (nDNA) is more abundant in the circulation. It is unclear if DNA concentration measurements may assist in clinical decision-making.MethodsThis single-center prospective observational study collected plasma from consecutive RA patients and healthy blood donors. Platelets were removed, and mtDNA and nDNA copy numbers were quantified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).ResultsOne hundred six RA patients and 85 healthy controls (HC) were recruited. Circulating median mtDNA copy numbers were increased 19.4-fold in the plasma of patients with RA (median 1.1 x108 copies/mL) compared to HC (median 5.4 x106 copies/mL, p<0.0001). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis of mtDNA copy numbers identified RA patients with high sensitivity (92.5%) and specificity (89.4%) with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.97, p <0.0001 and a positive likelihood ratio of 8.7.Demographic, serological (rheumatoid factor (RF) positivity, anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) positivity) and treatment factors were not associated with DNA concentrations. mtDNA plasma concentrations, however, correlated significantly with disease activity score-28- erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) and increased numerically with increasing DAS28-ESR and clinical disease activity index (CDAI) activity. MtDNA copy numbers also discriminated RA in remission (DAS28 <2.6) from HC (p<0.0001). Also, a correlation was observed between mtDNA and the ESR (p = 0.006, R= 0.29). Similar analyses showed no significance for nDNA.ConclusionIn contrast to nDNA, mtDNA is significantly elevated in the plasma of RA patients compared with HC. Regardless of RA activity, the abundance of circulating mtDNA is a sensitive discriminator between RA patients and HC. Further validation of the diagnostic value of mtDNA testing is required.

Independent and Added Value of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing to New York Heart Association Classification in Patients With Heart Failure.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the independent and added value of a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) to New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional analysis in patients with heart failure (HF) and ejection fraction (EF) <50%. Patients (n = 613) with HF and EF < 50% underwent CPX and were followed for 28 ± 17 mo with respect to primary outcomes (death or heart transplantation). Mean patient age was 57 ± 12 yr and 64% were male. Most patients were classified as NYHA class II (41%). The composite rate of primary outcomes was 12%; death occurred in 9% and heart transplant in 4%. Independent predictors of primary outcomes were: EF (HR = 0.95: 95% CI, 0.92-0.98; P = .001) and NYHA (HR = 2.06: 95% CI, 1.54-2.75; P < .0001). When added to the model, peak oxygen uptake (peak) was an independent predictor (HR = 0.90: 95% CI, 0.84-0.96; P = .001), as was the percentage of predicted peak (HR = 0.03: 95% CI, 0.007-0.147; P < .001), minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production slope (HR = 1.02: 95% CI, 1.01-1.04; P = .012), and CPX score (HR = 1.16: 95% CI, 1.06-1.27; P = .001). CPX variables were independent predictors of HJ prognosis, even when controlled by NYHA functional class. Despite being independent predictors, the value added to NYHA classification was modest and lacked statistical significance.

Vibration Characteristic Research of 100 m New Polar Exploration Cruise Based on Finite Element Modeling

Luxury cruise ships are high-end passenger ships with facilities on board for the leisure and entertainment of passengers, so the comfort of luxury cruise ships is a matter of great concern. In this paper, a finite element model of a new polar exploration cruise ship is established, and the wet modes of the whole ship are calculated using the virtual mass method and compared with the principal frequencies of the excitation forces to initially verify the rationality of the design of the structural vibration characteristics of the whole ship. The admittance matrix of the vibration velocity to excitation force was calculated by a frequency response analysis, and the vibration velocities at the stern plate and main engine foundations were tested during sailing. Then, the obtained propeller and main engine excitation forces were loaded into the finite element model; the vibration velocities of each compartment were calculated and compared with the compartment vibration velocity test values. The errors were within the engineering allowable range, verifying the accuracy of the excitation forces. The propeller and main engine excitation forces were loaded separately on the finite element model to calculate the vibration velocity of each cabin, and the contribution of the two excitation sources to the vibration velocity of each cabin was analyzed. It was found that the contribution of the excitation source to the cabin response was related to the relative position between the cabin and the excitation source. When the cabin was located in the cabin adjacent to or directly above a certain excitation source, the contribution of the excitation source to the cabin response was greater. When the cabin was farther away from both excitation sources, the contribution of the propeller excitation was greater. This provides a targeted reference for the preliminary vibration assessment and later vibration control of the new polar expedition cruise ship.

Pozzolanic potential of sustainable precursors for engineered geopolymer composites (EGC)

Confirming the pozzolanic activity is crucial to ensure their compatibility and performance in geopolymer composite (GC) applications, as it improves the geopolymerization process and optimizes the strength characteristics of GCs. This work evaluates the pozzolanic properties of Fly ash (FA), Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) slag, and Iron Ore Tailings (IOT) for their potential use in the development of Engineered Geopolymer Composites (EGC). IOT partially substitutes fine aggregate, while FA and BOF slag are the major precursors. Pozzolanic properties of the aforementioned materials were assessed through the Frattini, saturated lime test (SLT), and strength activity index (SAI). The Frattini test values recorded were 90, 47, and 30% of CaO removal, denoting their degree of pozzolanicity respectively for BOF Slag, FA, and IOT. In the SLT, the formation of stable calcium silicate hydrates and aluminates are verified by the reaction of the test pozzolans with lime, thereby conforming their pozzolanicity. The results from the Frattini and SAI tests showed a significant correlation, indicating an effective pozzolanicity measure of the test materials. However, the results from the SLT did not align with the outcomes from the Frattini and SAI tests. This contradiction suggests that the SLT is ineffective compared to the other two test methods in measuring the pozzolanic activity of the test materials. The research findings provide valuable insights into the potential usage of these materials (pozzolans) as sustainable building materials in the construction industry.

Features of diagnostics and treatments of the patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic ischtmia with threating lower limb loss

The article presents the result of our own observation of the patient with a poor control of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) for a long period, complicated by obliterating atherosclerosis of the arteries of the lower extremities, Menckeberg’s sclerosis and chronic ischemia threatening loss of the lower extremity (CLLI). A feature of the clinical manifestation are complications associated with potentially regional (angiosomal) ischemia of the foot, as well as variant anatomy, represented by hypoplasia of the vascular lower leg in the patient. The clinical consequences of vascular calcification due to long-term decompensation of carbohydrate metabolism and the development of diabetic distal polyneuropathy (DDP) led to falsely high values of the cuff test in the patient. Disadvantages of non-invasive methods for diagnosing limb ischemia and advantages of the complex application of tests for diseases of the arteries of the lower extremities are discussed. Using WIFI classification according to the degree of ulceration, the degree of ischemia, and the degree of infection on the foot (Wound, Ischemia and Foot Infection), the tactics of managing the patient are presented. The important role of ultrasonic duplex scanning (USDS) in the visualization of the arteries of the legs and feet in patients with DM is substantiated. The importance of a multidisciplinary approach in the management of a comorbid patient with type 2 diabetes and CLTI is emphasized.

Value of low-dose short synacthen test (1μg) vs high-dose synacthen test (250 μg) for assessment of the adrenal axis

Value of low-dose short synacthen test (1μg) vs high-dose synacthen test (250 μg) for assessment of the adrenal axis

Ribosome-binding protein-1 (RRBP1) expression in prostate carcinomas and its relationship with clinicopathological prognostic factors.

Studies in recent years have shown that ribosome-binding protein-1 (RRBP1) is expressed at high rates in many cancers and that it may be a potential prognostic biomarker. The objective of the present study is to determine the RRBP1 expression level in prostatic carcinoma and neighboring non-neoplastic prostate tissue, the relationship between its expression level with prognostic factors, and the role of RRBP1 in the development of prostate cancer. The study included 45 patients who were diagnosed with prostatic carcinoma and underwent radical prostatectomy in our center between the years 2010 and 2021. Pathology reports were reviewed. Mann-Whitney U test was used for the comparison of RRBP1 and GADPH values of the cases (control and tumoral tissue) between the primary tumor stage (pT) and Gleason score (GS) groups. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to explain the effective variables in explaining the RRBP1 value of the research cases. According to the Mann-Whitney U test, mean and median RRBP1-T values of the cases with GS ≥ 8 were detected to be statistically significantly higher than the mean and median RRBP1-T values of the cases with GS < 8. We found out that RRBP1 was expressed at higher rates in patients with high GS and advanced-stage patients. This result indicated that RRBP1 expression may be important in predicting the prognosis of prostate carcinoma.

Finite element analysis of modified Slongo's external fixation in the treatment of supracondylar humeral fractures in older children.

Older children over 8 years old are at higher risk of elbow joint stiffness after treatment of supracondylar humeral fractures. The objective of this study was to improve the Slongo's external fixation system for treating supracondylar humeral fractures in older children. This would be achieved by increasing fixation strength and providing a theoretical basis through finite element analysis and mechanical testing. A 13-year-old female patient with a history of previous fracture was selected for CT data processing to create a three-dimensional model of the distal humerus fracture. Two internal fixation models were established, using the Slongo's external fixation method with Kirschner wire (Group A) and modifying the Slongo's external fixation (Kirschner wire tail fixation) (Group B). The fracture models were then subjected to mechanical loading analysis using Finite Element Analysis Abaqus 6.14 software to simulate separation, internal rotation, and torsion loads. A PVC humeral bone model was used to create a supracondylar fracture model, and the A and B internal fixation methods were applied separately. The anterior-posterior and torsional stresses were measured using the Bose Electroforce3510 testing system, followed by a comparative analysis. The finite element simulation results showed that under the same tensile, torsion, and inversion forces, the osteotomy model fixed with Kirschner wire at the distal end in Group B exhibited smaller tensile stress and deformation compared to the unfixed osteotomy model in Group A. This indicated that the fixation strength of Group B was superior to that of Group A. According to the test results of the Bose Electroforce3510 testing system, a simple linear regression analysis was conducted using SPSS software. The K values of rotation angle-torque tests and front and rear displacement-stress tests were calculated for Groups A and B, with Group B showing higher values than Group A. The results of this study supported the significantly enhanced biomechanical reliability and stability of fracture fixation in Group B, which utilized the modified Slongo's external fixation (Kirschner wire tail fixation). This optimized method provides a new choice for the clinical treatment of supracondylar humeral fractures in older children, backed by both clinical evidence and theoretical basis.

Shift in SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern from Delta to Omicron was associated with reduced hospitalizations, increased risk of breakthrough infections but lesser disease severity

BackgroundCOVID-19 epidemiology changed with the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC). Pakistan administered mostly inactivated vaccines. We investigated the association between VOC and breakthrough infections in a mixed-vaccination-status population of Karachi. MethodsWe investigated SARS-CoV-2 VOC tested in 392 respiratory specimens collected between May and December 2021. Data for age, sex, hospital admission, vaccinations, together with CT values of the diagnostic PCR test were analyzed. ResultsThe median age of COVID-19 cases tested was 40 (27−57) years and 43.4% were female. Delta variants were most common (56.4%) followed by Alpha (15.9%), Omicron (12.2%), Beta/Gamma (11.3%), and others (4.3%). Eighteen percent of cases were hospitalized whereby, predominant VOC were Beta/Gamma (40.8%), Alpha (35.2%) and Delta (22.5%). Overall, 55.4% of individuals were fully vaccinated, 7.4% were partially vaccinated and 37.2% were unvaccinated. Most (74.6%) inpatients were unvaccinated. Vaccines comprised inactivated (85.34%), single-shot vector (8.62%), two-shot vector (3.02%) and mRNA (3.02%) types. Omicron variants showed lower viral loads as compared to Alpha, Beta/Gamma, and Delta (p = 0.017). The risk of infection with Delta and Omicron variants was higher, 8 weeks after vaccination. The majority of those with breakthrough infections after receiving inactivated vaccines acquired COVID-19 within 4 months of vaccination. ConclusionOur data highlights the shifting of VOC from Delta to Omicron during 2021 and that COVID-19 vaccinations reduced both hospitalizations and viral transmission. It informs on the increased risk of breakthrough infection within 8 weeks of vaccination, indicating the need for booster vaccinations.

Abstract PO3-08-05: Prognostic value of multigene test to the patients with Hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer based on special histologic subtypes

Abstract Background: Special histologic subtypes of breast cancer, including mucinous and tubular, account for 25% of all invasive breast cancers. Multigene tests (MGT) play a crucial role in guiding adjuvant chemotherapy and predicting prognosis for the patients with Hormone receptor-positive HER2-negative breast cancer. This research aims to examine the results of multigene tests for special histologic subtype patients and review the prognosis of each group. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 133 patients with special histologic subtypes of breast cancer who underwent surgery at Severance Hospital between November 2013 and December 2022. Each patient underwent one type of MGT, including Oncotype Dx, MammaPrint, or EndoPredict. Patients were grouped in two groups according to histologic types, based on WHO classification. Favorable types consist of type A mucinous carcinoma, pure tubular carcinoma, invasive solid papillary carcinoma, encapsulated papillary carcinoma with invasion, invasive cribriform carcinoma, secretory carcinoma, and invasive carcinoma with apocrine differentiation. Unfavorable types included type B mucinous carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma with micropapillary feature or neuroendocrine differentiation, mixed IDC, ILC or invasive micropapillary carcinoma, mixed invasive solid papillary carcinoma, mixed invasive papillary carcinoma, and mixed invasive cribriform carcinoma with IDC. Results: Patients with favorable types accounted for 42.86% (57 patients), while patients with unfavorable types accounted for 57.14% (76 patients). Patients with unfavorable histologic subtypes of breast cancer tended to have a higher incidence of high-risk results in MGT, as well as a greater prevalence of multiple (multifocal, multicentric) cancer and higher histologic grade. In multivariate analysis using logistic regression, unfavorable types showed a significantly high ratio of having high risk on MGT compared to the favorable type (OR = 4.327, 95% CI 1.210 – 15.475, p-value = 0.024). Moreover, overall survival in unfavorable histologic types showed a statistically significant difference between high-risk and low-risk in Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (p-value = 0.001). Conclusions: Unfavorable subtypes have shown a significantly higher-risk result of MGT, and patients with unfavorable types of breast cancer and high-risk MGT results have exhibited the worst prognosis. Consequently, we can suggest that MGT can be used as a prognosis evaluation tool for certain special subtypes of breast cancer and further utilized to aid in treatment decisions. Citation Format: Seung Hye Yang, Jee Hyun Ahn, Suk Jun Lee, Jee Ye Kim, Hyung Seok Park, Seung Il Kim, Byeong Woo Park, Seho Park. Prognostic value of multigene test to the patients with Hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer based on special histologic subtypes [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO3-08-05.

The prognostic value of the Merkel cell polyomavirus serum antibody test: A dual institutional observational study.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive cancer with often poor outcomes. Limited biomarkers exist for predicting clinical outcomes. The Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) serum antibody test (AMERK) has shown potential for indicating better recurrence-free survival in a single-institution study. The study aimed to evaluate the link between initial AMERK serostatus and survival. Secondary objectives included examining the relationship between initial AMERK titer levels and tumor burden. A retrospective cohort study across two institutions analyzed patients tested with AMERK within 90 days of MCC diagnosis. Regression models assessed the association of survival outcomes with serostatus, considering various factors. The relationship between AMERK titer and tumor burden indicators was evaluated using ANOVA. Significance testing was exploratory, without a fixed significance level. Of 261 MCC patients tested, 49.4% were initially seropositive (titer ≥75). Multivariable analysis showed that seropositivity improved recurrence, event-free, overall, and MCC-specific survival rates. Strong associations were found between initial AMERK titer and clinical, tumor, and nodal stages, tumor size, and disease extent. Notably, improved survival with seropositivity was observed only in patients with localized disease at initial presentation. Circulating antibodies to MCPyV oncoproteins, as indicated by the AMERK test, are linked with better survival in MCC patients with localized disease at presentation. This could enhance patient risk profiling and treatment personalization. The study's retrospective nature and exploratory analysis are key limitations. Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a potentially aggressive skin cancer, and tools to predict patient outcomes are limited. A blood test called anti-Merkel cell panel (AMERK), which checks for specific antibodies related to this cancer, might give us some clues. In this study, we looked at 261 MCC patients who took the AMERK test within 90 days of diagnosis. We found that patients with an initial positive AMERK result tended to have better outcomes, especially if their cancer was in the early stages. However, it is important to note that this study has limitations, including using retrospective data and exploratory analyses.

Prognostic value of EndoPredict test in patients with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative primary breast cancer screened for the randomized, double-blind, phase III UNIRAD trial

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of the multigene EndoPredict test in prospectively collected data of patients screened for the randomized, double-blind, phase III UNIRAD trial, which evaluated the addition of everolimus to adjuvant endocrine therapy in high-risk, hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative early breast cancer. Patients were classified into low or high risk according to the EPclin score, consisting of a 12-gene molecular score combined with tumor size and nodal status. Association of the EPclin score with disease-free survival (DFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier estimates. The independent prognostic added value of EPclin score was tested in a multivariate Cox model after adjusting on tumor characteristics. EndoPredict test results were available for 768 patients: 663 patients classified as EPclin high risk (EPCH) and 105 patients as EPclin low risk (EPCL). Median follow-up was 70 months (range 1-172 months). For the 429 EPCH randomized patients, there was no significant difference in DFS between treatment arms. The 60-month relapse rate for patients in the EPCL and EPCH groups was 0% and 7%, respectively. Hazard ratio (HR) supposing continuous EPclin score was 1.87 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4-2.5, P < 0.0001]. This prognostic effect remained significant when assessed in a Cox model adjusting on tumor size, number of positive nodes and tumor grade (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.09-2.13, P= 0.0141). The 60-month DMFS for patients in the EPCL and EPCH groups was 100% and 94%, respectively (adjusted HR 8.10, 95% CI 1.1-59.1, P < 0.0001). The results confirm the value of EPclin score as an independent prognostic parameter in node-positive, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer patients receiving standard adjuvant treatment. EPclin score can be used to identify patients at higher risk of recurrence who may warrant additional systemic treatments.

Enhancing resource utilization: A novel method for effective separation of residual film and impurities in cotton fields

This study addresses the challenge of incomplete separation of mechanically recovered residual films and impurities in cotton fields, examining their impact on resource utilization and environmental pollution. It introduces an innovative screening method that combines pneumatic force and mechanical vibration for processing crushed film residue mixtures. A double-action screening device integrating pneumatic force and a key-type vibrating screen was developed. The working characteristics of this device were analyzed to explore the dynamic characteristics and kinematic laws of the materials using theoretical analysis methods. This led to the revelation of the screening laws of residual films and impurities. Screening tests were conducted using the Central Composite Design method, considering factors such as fan outlet, fan speed, vibration frequency of the screen, and feeding amount, with the impurity-rate-in-film (Q) and film-content-in-impurity (W) as evaluation indexes. The significant influence of each factor on the indexes was determined, regression models between the test factors and indexes were established, and the effect laws of key parameters and their significant interaction terms on the indexes were interpreted. The optimal combination of working parameters for the screening device was identified through multivariable optimization methods. Validation tests under this optimal parameters combination showed that the impurity-rate-in-film was 3.08% and the film-content-in-impurity was 1.94%, with average errors between the test values and the predicted values of 3.36% and 5.98%, respectively, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed method. This research provides a novel method and technical reference for achieving effective separation of residual film and impurities, thereby enhancing resource utilization.