Genetic data for PowerPlex 21™ autosomal and PowerPlex 23 Y-STR™ loci from population of the state of Uttar Pradesh,India

International Journal of Legal Medicine - In the present study, the statistical forensic parameters were evaluated for the loci present in PowerPlex 21 autosomal and PowerPlex 23 Y-STR multiplex...     

Efficiency analysis of VersaPlex™ 27PY system in Central Indian Population: First report from Indian population

In the current scenario, DNA typing is the need of forensic science field due to its ability to provide results in much shorter time. In view of advancement of forensic DNA typing and incensement in the number of STRs markers, Promega offered a new VersaPlex™ 27PY system with 27 loci (23 autosomal STR loci, Amelogenin, DYS391 and two rapidly mutating Y-STR loci (DYS570 and DYS576)). In this study, the efficacy of “23 autosomal STR loci” for paternity testing and personal identification was demonstrated in Indian population. For this, 217 central Indians were tested and all the statistical parameters of forensic and population genetic interest were calculated. In addition, sensitivity of the kit was also tested for forensic casework. During investigation with VersaPlex™ 27PY system, allele 11 at locus TPOX was observed to be most frequent with the highest allelic frequency 0.432. Studied 23 loci showed valuable together with highest value of combined power of discrimination (CPD = 1), combined power of exclusion (CPI = 0.9999999989) and lowest value of combined matching probability (CPM = 7.92x10^-28).     

An evaluation of the PowerSeq™ Auto System: A multiplex short tandem repeat marker kit compatible with massively parallel sequencing

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) and multiplex amplification with fluorescent tagging have been routinely used for STR typing in forensic genetics. However, CE-based methods restrict the number of markers that can be multiplexed simultaneously and cannot detect any intra-repeat variations within STRs. Several studies already have indicated that massively parallel sequencing (MPS) may be another potential technology for STR typing. In this study, the prototype PowerSeq™ Auto System (Promega) containing the 23 STR loci and amelogenin was evaluated using Illumina MiSeq. Results showed that single source complete profiles could be obtained using as little as 62 pg of input DNA. The reproducibility study showed that the profiles generated were consistent among multiple typing experiments for a given individual. The mixture study indicated that partial STR profiles of the minor contributor could be detected up to 19:1 mixture. The mock forensic casework study showed that full or partial profiles could be obtained from different types of single source and mixture samples. These studies indicate that the PowerSeq Auto System and the Illumina MiSeq can generate concordant results with current CE-based methods. In addition, MPS-based systems can facilitate mixture deconvolution with the detection of intra-repeat variations within length-based STR alleles.     

Validation and assessment of the Investigator® 24plex QS kit for forensic casework application: Comparison with the PowerPlex® fusion system and GlobalFiler™ PCR amplification kits

Casework evidence samples are likely to be placed under diverse and harsh environments as compared to quantified DNA samples including serial-diluted standard DNA samples. Internal validation of a novel STR kit using casework evidence sample, which is conducted according to various conditions such as DNA contamination and degradation, is crucial before being used as a forensic application. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the reliability of the Investigator® 24plex QS kit through DNA derived from casework evidence and to assess whether it is applicable to STR analysis together with PowerPlex® Fusion System and GlobalFiler™ PCR Amplification Kit. DNA was extracted from 189 casework evidence samples in a total of 77 cases. The mismatch of the allelic size of this kit through allelic sizing precision test, was suitable according to ENFSI guidelines. All heterozygous balance of the three kits were above 0.6 recommended value of ENFSI guideline. The number of allele drop-in was most frequent in the GlobalFiler™ PCR Amplification Kit. In addition, the number of allele drop-out was most frequent in the Investigator® 24plex QS kit. The cutoff concentration of DNA detected in three kits of one complete STR was approximately 45 pg/μL on average. Despite of several limitations, the Investigator® 24plex QS kit is considered to have the capability to be used for STR analysis of casework evidence samples.     

Magnetic resonance coronary angiography with vasovist™: in-vivo T 1 estimation to improve image quality of navigator and breath-hold techniques

The purpose of the study was to estimate T ₁ values of blood and myocardium after a single injection of Vasovist™ and to assess Vasovist™ for magnetic resonance coronary angiography (MRCA). For all exams 0.05 mmol/kg of Vasovist™ was injected. T ₁ values of blood and myocardium were estimated over 30 min after injection. Twelve volunteers were examined on a 1.5-T Siemens system using a SSFP sequence with incrementally increasing inversion times for T ₁-estimation and a breath-hold 3D IR-FLASH sequence for MRCA. Eleven examinations were performed on 1.5-T Philips system using the Look-Locker approach for T ₁ estimation and a whole-heart inversion-prepared, 3D SSFP sequence for MRCA. SNR, CNR and image quality were assessed. T ₁ values of blood (5 min: 230 ms vs. 30 min: 275 ms) and myocardium (5 min: 99 ms vs. 30 min: 130 ms) increased over time. Whereas the blood SNR (1 min: 23.6 vs. 30 min: 21.2) showed no significant differences, the blood-to-myocardium CNR (1 min: 18.1 vs. 30 min: 13.8) and the image quality (1 min: 2.9 vs. 30 min: 3.8) degraded over time. Due to long plasma half-time the T1-shortening effect of Vasovist™ remains effective over 30 min, which allows for multiple breath-hold or high-resolution MRCA.     

Correction to: Does plain radiography still have a role in cases of fish bone ingestion in emergency rooms? A retrospective analysis

Emergency Radiology - A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-021-01913-6     

Fatal intoxication with 1,1-difluoroethane (DFE) due to inhalation of a spray cleaner: analysis by GC–MS

Forensic Toxicology - Animal studies suggested that halogenated hydrocarbons such as 1,1-difluoroethane (DFE) sensitized myocardial tissues to catecholamines and might cause fatal arrhythmia. In...     

Correction to: Investigation of perfusion defects by Q‑SPECT/CT in patients with mild‑to‑moderate course of COVID‑19 and low clinical probability for pulmonary embolism

Annals of Nuclear Medicine -     

Gray scale histogram analysis of solid breast lesions with ultrasonography: can lesion echogenicity ratio be used to differentiate the malignancy?

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic performance of lesion echogenicity ratios (LER) calculated by image histogram analysis for distinction of malignant and benign breast lesions.Material and methodsA total of 55 patients (mean age, 44 years) with 59 lesions were included. Ultrasound images were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsMean LER values in benign and malignant lesions were 1.63±0.41 and 3.1±0.87, respectively. The difference between LER values of benign and malignant breast lesions was statistically significant (P<.001).ConclusionLER can be used as an adjunct ultrasound parameter to differentiate between benign and malignant breast lesions.     

Once-daily radiotherapy to ≥59.4 Gy versus twice-daily radiotherapy to ≥45.0 Gy with concurrent chemotherapy for limited-stage small-cell lung cancer: a comparative analysis of toxicities and outcomes

Purpose  

The aim of this study was to compare toxicities, disease control, survival outcomes, and patterns of failure between groups of limited-stage small-cell lung cancer patients treated with once-daily versus twice-daily radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy.     

Effect of adding androgen deprivation therapy to permanent iodine-125 implantation with or without external beam radiation therapy on the outcomes in patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer: A propensity score–matched analysis

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of adding androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) to brachytherapy with or without external beam radiation therapy on oncological outcomes in prostate cancer.Methods and MaterialsOverall, 1,171 patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer treated with brachytherapy with or without external beam radiation therapy with or without ADT between 2003 and 2013 were identified. Propensity score matching was used to counter biases between the ADT and non-ADT groups. The biochemical failure-free rate (bFFR), local recurrence-free rate, and overall survival rate were evaluated using Kaplan–Meier curves, and predictors were identified using Cox proportional hazards regression models.ResultsAfter propensity score matching, 405 patients were included in each group. The median followup duration was 9.1 years; the median ADT duration was 6 months. In the ADT versus non-ADT groups, the 9-year bFFR, local recurrence-free rate, and overall survival rate were 93.4% versus 87.8% (p = 0.016), 96.9% versus 98.1% (p = 0.481), and 88.1% versus 90.4% (p = 0.969), respectively. On multivariate analyses, Gleason score (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.58–4.03) and ADT use (HR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.34–0.89) were associated with biochemical failure. Supplemental external beam radiation therapy use (HR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.16–0.91) was associated with lower local recurrence rates. Age (HR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.08–1.16) and comorbidities (HR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.04–2.34) were associated with all-cause mortality.ConclusionsA risk-benefit assessment between bFFR improvement and the potential side effects of adding ADT to brachytherapy-based radiotherapy is warranted before incorporating ADT as routine practice.     

False positives in breast cancer screening with one-view breast tomosynthesis: An analysis of findings leading to recall,work-up and biopsy rates in the Malmö Breast Tomosynthesis Screening Trial

Objectives

To analyse false positives (FPs) in breast cancer screening with tomosynthesis (BT) vs. mammography (DM).

Methods

The Malmö Breast Tomosynthesis Screening Trial (MBTST) is a prospective population-based study comparing one-view BT to DM in screening. This study is based on the first half of the MBTST population (n?=?7,500). Differences in FP recall rate, findings leading to recall, work-up and biopsy rate between cases recalled on BT alone, DM alone and BT+DM were analysed.

Results

The FP recall rate was 1.7 % for BT alone (n?=?131), 0.9 % for DM alone (n?=?69) and 1.1 % for BT?+?DM (n?=?81). The FP recall rate for BT alone was halved after the initial phase of the trial, stabilising at 1.5 %. BT doubled the recall of stellate distortions compared to DM (n?=?64 vs. n?=?33). There were fewer fibroadenomas and cysts, and the biopsy rate was slightly lower for FP recalled on BT alone compared to DM alone (15.3 % vs. 27.6 %: p?=?0.037 and 33.8 % vs. 36.2 %; p?=?0.641, respectively).

Conclusions

FPs increased with BT screening mainly due to the recall of stellate distortions. The FP recall rate was still well within the European guidelines and showed evidence of a learning curve. Characterisation of rounded lesions was improved with BT.

Key Points

? Tomosynthesis screening gave a higher false-positive recall rate than mammography ? There was a decline in the false-positive recall rate for tomosynthesis ? The recall due to stellate distortions simulating malignancy was doubled with tomosynthesis ? Tomosynthesis found more radial and postoperative scar tissue than mammography ? Tomosynthesis is better at characterising rounded lesions

     

Quantification of [<Superscript>11</Superscript>C]GB67 binding to cardiac α<Subscript>1</Subscript>-adrenoceptors with positron emission tomography: validation in pigs

INTRODUCTION: An increase in human cardiac alpha(1)-adrenoceptor (alpha(1)-AR) density is associated with various diseases such as myocardial ischemia, congestive heart failure, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and hypertension. Positron emission tomography (PET) with an appropriate radioligand offers the possibility of imaging receptor function in the normal and diseased heart. [(11)C]GB67, an analogue of prazosin, has been shown in rats to have potential as a PET ligand with high selectivity to alpha(1)-AR. However, alpha(1)-AR density is up to ten times higher in rat heart compared to that in man. The aim of the present preclinical study was to extend the previous evaluation to a large mammal heart, where the alpha(1)-AR density is comparable to man, and to validate a method for quantification before PET studies in man. METHODS: Seven [(11)C]GB67 PET studies, with weight-adjusted target dose of either 5.29 MBq kg(-1) (pilot, test-retest and baseline-predose studies) or 8.22 MBq kg(-1) (baseline-displacement studies), were performed in four anaesthetised pigs (39.5 +/- 3.9 kg). Total myocardial volume of distribution (V (T)) was estimated under different pharmacological conditions using compartmental analysis with a radiolabelled metabolite-corrected arterial plasma input function. A maximum possible blocking dose of 0.12 mumol kg(-1) of unlabeled GB67 was given 20 min before [(11)C]GB67 administration in the predose study and 45 min after administration of [(11)C]GB67 in the displacement study. In addition, [(15)O]CO (3,000 MBq) and [(15)O]H(2)O, with weight adjusted target dose of 10.57 MBq kg(-1), were also administered for estimation of blood volume recovery (RC) of the left ventricular cavity and myocardial perfusion (MBF), respectively. RESULTS: [(11)C]GB67 V (T) values (in ml cm(-3)) were estimated to be 24.2 +/- 5.5 (range, 17.3-31.3), 10.1 (predose) and 11.6 (displacement). MBF did not differ within each pig, including between baseline and predose conditions. Predose and displacement studies showed that specific binding of [(11)C]GB67 to myocardial alpha(1)-ARs accounts for approximately 50% of V (T). CONCLUSION: The present study offers a methodology for using [(11)C]GB67 as a radioligand to quantify human myocardial alpha(1)-ARs in clinical PET studies.