Use of a single method in the extraction of the seed storage globulins from several legume species. Application to analyse structural comparisons within the major classes of globulins

In this study, a single, improved methodology was used to extract, fractionate and purify the 11S (legumin-type or related to the α-conglutin from Lupinus albus L.), 7S (vicilin-type or related to the β-conglutin from L. albus) and 2S (related to the γ-conglutin from L. albus) families of proteins from eight legume species: L. albus, Glycine max (L.) Merr., Pisum sativum L., Vicia faba L., Cicer arietinum L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Lens culinaris Med. and Arachis hypogaea L. The sedimentation coefficients obtained varied from 1.9 to 8.1 for the γ-conglutinrelated proteins, from 5.1 to 10.5 for the β-conglutin-related proteins and from 12.0 to 14.9 for the α-conglutin-related globulins. The γ-conglutin-related proteins is the most heterogenous group. Antibodies produced against each type of γ-conglutin polypeptide chain recognize the other polypeptide chain as well as other polypeptides in the corresponding globulins from all species examined. The 7S globulins are typically composed of a large number of polypeptides, covering a wide range of molecular masses (10 to 70 kD). The presence of disulphide bonds is apparently absent and the occurrence of glycopolypeptides is not widespread. Finally, the 11S globulins are characteristically formed by a limited number of polypeptides that may be divided into a lighter group (20-25 kD) and a heavier group (35-50 kD). The presence of disulphide bonds is apparently widespread but the occurrence of glycopolypeptides seems to be relatively rare. Both the 7S family and the 11S globulins studied by immunoblotting exhibit a low level of structural similarity.     

Application of selective extraction to the study of iron species present in diet and rat gastrointestinal tract contents.

Iron speciation in rodent diet and rat gastrointestinal tract lumen during dietary digestion and absorption was investigated with a novel selective extraction technique. Five Fe fractions were identified, namely exchangeable (soluble in 1 M-magnesium chloride), carbonate-bound (soluble in mild acid), oxide-bound (soluble in hydroxylamine-acetic acid), organic-bound (soluble after treatment with peroxide in nitric acid) and residual. Fe from the pelleted diet was mobilized by rat stomach to the exchangeable fraction, then redistributed to the carbonate- and oxide-bound fractions on passage through the proximal small intestine. In vitro incubation of diet with hydrochloric acid failed to mimic the in vivo effect of the stomach. In vitro neutralization of stomach contents with bicarbonate was found to produce a similar effect on Fe speciation to that seen when diet passed the proximal small intestine in vivo. Comparison of 59Fe speciation in extrinsically labelled diet with endogenous Fe speciation showed that extrinsic labelling does not uniformly label all endogenous species. The experiments suggest that selective extraction may provide a useful approach to the study of Fe species present in diets, in vitro digestions and gastrointestinal contents.     

Combining different phases in the development of medical treatments within a single trial.

In the development of medical treatments, identification of promising therapies and inference on selected treatments are usually performed in subsequent separate trials. An adaptive two-stage design is proposed for the situation of multiple treatments to be compared with a control, allowing integration of both steps within a single confirmatory trial controlling the multiple level alpha. After the interim analysis, the trial may be terminated early or is continued with a second stage, where the set of treatments may be reduced due to lack of efficacy or to safety problems. The procedure is highly flexible with respect to the distributional assumptions, stopping rules and selection criteria and allows a completely free recalculation of the sample size for the second stage. Simulations show that the method may be substantially more powerful than classical one-stage multiple treatment designs with the same total sample size. As in conventional strategies with a series of separate experiments, a reasonable selection strategy has to be applied in order to prevent proceeding with non-optimal treatments.     

Use of a four-parameter logistic model to evaluate the quality of the protein from three insect species when fed to rats

The quality of three insect protein sources [Mormon cricket meal (MCM), house cricket meal (HCM) and Eastern tent caterpillar meal (TCM)] was evaluated relative to that of lactalbumin (LA) and soy protein (SP) by using both amino acid analysis and a rat bioassay. The amino acid pattern of the three insect meals indicated that methionine should be the first limiting amino acid for growing rats. In the rat bioassay, weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were fed graded levels of the five proteins in purified diets and the response (weight or nitrogen gain) evaluated as a function of nitrogen intake. The individual nitrogen intake-animal response results could be described by a series of curves using a four-parameter logistic model. The use of parameter sharing permitted the full range of responses to be described so that statistical differences between the dose-response curves could be identified. When used for either weight maintenance, nitrogen equilibrium, maximum weight gain or maximum nitrogen retention, the five protein sources could be ranked in the following order: LA greater than HCM greater than MCM = SP greater than TCM. Relative to lactalbumin, the value of all four protein sources decreased with increasing nitrogen intake. The low values obtained for TCM may have been related to factors other than protein quality. The results of this study indicate that some insect proteins are equivalent or superior to soy protein as a source of amino acids for growing rats.     

Capture-recapture method to determine the best design of a surveillance system. Application to a thyroid cancer registry

The capture-recapture method is often confronted, when assessing completeness of surveys, to problems of dependence of data sources. The objective of this paper is to discuss the application of capture-recapture methods to choose the optimal combination of sources for a surveillance system. Our approach is based on: (1) using multiple sources, (2) assessing dependence between sources and between pools of dependent sources and other sources, (3) ruling out combinations that yield biased estimates, and (4) choosing the combinations of sources that have the best ratio between precision and applicability. We studied the independence for each pair of sources by computing the capture-recapture odds ratio. We characterized all combinations of sources by their sensitivity, coefficient of variation of the estimated number of cases, and level of resources needed to ascertain cases. Application of the approach is illustrated by data from a survey of thyroid cancer in New Caledonia, where five sources were used to estimate the incidence. The five sources provided 119 cases; the exhaustivity of sources and combinations of sources varied from 27.1 to 99.2%. Determination of dependence revealed ten dependencies out of 22 combinations. Coefficients of variation of the estimated number of cases varied from 0.83 to 27.79. The preferred combination included four sources and had a sensitivity of 97.5 and a coefficient of variation of 0.94. An assessment of dependence, based on simple criteria, can be used to choose the best combination of sources for a registry or a surveillance system.     

Use of a marginal structural model to determine the effect of aspirin on cardiovascular mortality in the Physicians' Health Study

The 1982-1988 aspirin component of the Physicians' Health Study, a randomized trial of aspirin and beta-carotene in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer among 22,071 US male physicians, was terminated early primarily because of a statistically extreme 44% reduction in first myocardial infarction, with inadequate precision and no apparent effect on the primary endpoint, cardiovascular death. Because of the demonstrated efficacy of aspirin in secondary prevention of cardiovascular death, nonfatal cardiovascular events may simultaneously be time-dependent confounders and intermediate variables. Aspirin use is strongly influenced by these as well as other diseases, side effects, and cardiovascular risk factors. The authors used a marginal structural model with time-dependent inverse probability weights to estimate the underlying causal effect of aspirin on cardiovascular mortality. Although intention-to-treat analyses found no effect (rate ratio = 1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.72, 1.38), the estimated causal rate ratio was altered to 0.75 but remained nonsignificant (95% CI: 0.48, 1.16). As-treated analyses suggested a more modest effect of aspirin use (rate ratio = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.65, 1.25). Although the numbers of cardiovascular deaths were insufficient to evaluate this endpoint definitively, use of such methods holds much potential for controlling time-varying confounders affected by previous exposure.     

A method for monitoring a process from an out of control to an in control state: Application to the learning curve

The cumulative summation (CUSUM) test is increasingly being used in medicine to monitor a wide variety of processes such as cardiac surgery or disease outbreaks. The CUSUM sequentially tests the null hypothesis that the process is in control, i.e. its mean is equal to a given target. Thus, it detects when the process changes to an out of control state. Conversely, monitoring the learning curve requires detecting the time when the process reaches an in control state. In this work we develop an alternative to the CUSUM, the learning curve CUSUM (LC‐CUSUM), that serves to detect when a process deviates from an out of control state to an in control state. The test is based on a two one‐sided tests procedure where the null hypothesis is that the process is out of control. This can be written as H₀: |µ?µ₀|?δ tested against H₁: |µ?µ₀|< δ. The null hypothesis is thus the union of two one‐sided hypotheses and is rejected when both are rejected. A CUSUM test statistic is then constructed for each hypothesis in a traditional way. The properties of the test are investigated through numerical simulations, and are illustrated on the learning curve of an endoscopist performing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies for biliary tract disorders. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Association of death or illness from COVID-19 among family and friends on vaccine uptake within four months of the Emergency Use Authorization. Findings from a national survey in the United States

ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between knowing that a friend or family member became ill with, or died from, COVID-19 and receiving a vaccine dose within four months of the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization.MethodsA national sample of 1,517 respondents were surveyed from April 7 to April 12, 2021, 1,193 of whom were eligible for the vaccine when the data were collected.ResultsRespondents who knew someone who became ill with COVID-19 (AOR = 2.32, 95 % CI 1.74–3.09) or knew someone who died (AOR = 2.29, 95 % CI 1.32–3.99) from COVID-19 were more likely to receive at least a single COVID-19 vaccine dose.ConclusionEncouraging people to share their COVID-19 illness and bereavement experiences with their local network such as friends, families, social-networks and via social media might help increase vaccine uptake.     

Development of a sampling and analytical method for measuring the epoxy content of aerosols: II. Application of the method to epoxy-containing aerosols

Aerosols generated by epoxy spray painting consist of droplets containing partially-cured mixtures of epoxy resins and curing agents, as well as pigments, solvents and diluents. A sampling and analytical method has been developed to measure the epoxy content of these aerosols. The method collects the aerosol in a midget impinger containing dimethyl formamide, which inhibits the curing reaction between the epoxy and curing agent, preserving the unreacted epoxy functional groups present in the aerosol. The impinger contents are analyzed by reacting the epoxy with an excess of bromide generated in situ from tetraethylammonium bromide, and measuring the unreacted bromide in the reaction mixture by normal pulse polarography. The precision and accuracy of the method have been evaluated using a pure epoxy resin as a model compound. The method was applied to aerosols containing mixtures of epoxy resin and amine curing agents in various degrees of cure, to aerosols containing large quantities of nonepoxy compounds, and to aerosols of epoxy surface coatings. The method is capable of precise and accurate measurement of epoxide functionality, and it applicable to the measurement of epoxy-containing aerosols in spray finishing operations.     

Use of a clinical data registry to evaluate medical technologies. Experience from the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry

We reviewed the 18 disease-specific evaluations that used the data base of the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry to determine the effectiveness of alternative strategies for bone marrow transplant. We identify 17 treatment variables that physicians can control and report the associations between these variables and five clinical endpoints: stable engraftment, graft-versus-host disease, development of interstitial pneumonia, relapse, and disease-free survival. We also suggest policies to promote active participation in establishing and operating a registry.     

Outcomes from the Use of Targeted Interventions to Increase Meningococcal Vaccination Rates in a Pediatric Clinic

Background

Meningococcal disease is a life-threatening illness that can cause sequelae such as neurological impairment, hearing loss, seizures, limb amputations, and scarring. Adolescents and young adults are at highest risk for contracting this disease which comes with a case-fatality ratio of 10–15%. Common serogroups in the United States are B, C, W, and Y, which are covered by two separate vaccines administered in a two-dose series. While MenACWY is routinely administered, the booster dose is often missed. Only 21.8% of teens reported receiving the MenB vaccine. While it is not currently part of routine care, recent outbreaks have been caused by serogroup B, prompting the need for increased vaccination rates.

Methods

MenACWY and MenB vaccination rates and demographic information were collected for 16–19-year-old patients in a pediatric clinic. Interventions including staff education, call logs, EMR communications to parents/guardians, and careful chart review were employed.

Results

At the time of baseline MenACWY data collection, there were N?=?333 subjects between 16 and 19 years of age and N?=?335 subjects between 16 and 19 years of age provided for MenB data. Upon completion, there were N?=?319 subjects. Comparison of pre- and post-intervention data demonstrated a statistically significant increase in MenACWY series completion from 67.3 to 76.2% (p?=?0.035) and a non-statistically significant increase in MenB completion from 6.9 to 10.3% (p?=?0.197).

Conclusions

There was a statistically significant improvement in MenACWY but not MenB vaccination rates, indicating a need for more effective measures in addressing low MenB coverage.

     

肥胖儿童代谢综合征临床特征及其代谢异常情况分析

目的 分析肥胖儿童代谢综合征发生过程的临床特征及代谢异常发生情况。方法 以本院儿科门诊2008-2010年确诊为单纯性肥胖症的患者为研究对象, 检测空腹血糖、空腹血脂, 计算胰岛素抵抗指数。采用我国2012年6月最新制定的中国儿童青少年代谢综合征定义及诊断建议, 根据满足上述指标数量的不同, 将患者分为单一指标组、两项指标组和代谢综合征组进行分析比较。结果 共88例肥胖儿童, 其中63例≥10岁, 平均年龄(11.60±1.47)岁, 患代谢综合征者8例, 占12.70 %, 伴有1项代谢综合征指标者28例, 占44.44%;伴2项代谢综合征指标者24例, 占38.09%。代谢综合征组患儿FPG、HOMA-IR水平均比单一指标组和两项指标组明显升高(P均<0.05 )。三组患者检出率最高者均为中央型肥胖。代谢综合征组和两项指标组TG水平无明显差异, 但均比单一指标组高(P均<0.01), 6岁≤年龄＜10岁肥胖儿童共25例, 其中男性11例, 女性14例, 平均年龄(7.81±0.8)岁, 11例(44%)具备2项心血管疾病危险因素。结论 肥胖儿童患者代谢综合征的检出率高。脂代谢紊乱和胰岛素抵抗导致的糖代谢异常是肥胖儿童代谢综合征的突出表现。中央型肥胖可能是引起其他代谢异常的主要原因。高TG血症可能是中央型肥胖引起糖代谢异常的中间环节。