Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Sputum by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry of Methyl Mycocerosates Released by Thermochemolysis

Tuberculosis requires rapid diagnosis to prevent further transmission and allow prompt administration of treatment. Current methods for diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis lack sensitivity are expensive or are extremely slow. The identification of lipids using gas chromatography- electron impact mass spectrometry (GC-EI/MS) could provide an alternative solution. We have studied mycocerosic acid components of the phthiocerol dimycocerosate (PDIM) family of lipids using thermochemolysis GC-EI/MS. To facilitate use of the technology in a routine diagnostic laboratory a simple extraction procedure was employed where PDIMs were extracted from sputum using petroleum ether, a solvent of low polarity. We also investigated a method using methanolic tetramethylammonium hydroxide, which facilitates direct transesterification of acidic components to methyl esters in the inlet of the GC-MS system. This eliminates conventional chemical manipulations allowing rapid and convenient analysis of samples. When applied to an initial set of 40 sputum samples, interpretable results were obtained for 35 samples with a sensitivity relative to culture of 94% (95%CI: 69.2,100) and a specificity of 100% (95%CI: 78.1,100). However, blinded testing of a larger set of 395 sputum samples found the assay to have a sensitivity of 61.3% (95%CI: 54.9,67.3) and a specificity of 70.6% (95%CI: 62.3,77.8) when compared to culture. Using the results obtained we developed an improved set of classification criteria, which when applied in a blinded re-analysis increased the sensitivity and specificity of the assay to 64.9% (95%CI: 58.6,70.8) and 76.2% (95%CI: 68.2,82.8) respectively. Highly variable levels of background signal were observed from individual sputum samples that inhibited interpretation of the data. The diagnostic potential of using thermochemolytic GC-EI/MS of PDIM biomarkers for diagnosis of tuberculosis in sputum has been established; however, further refinements in sample processing are required to enhance the sensitivity and robustness of the test

Body Mass Index Profile and Its Association with Social Determinants Among Adolescents from Jazan, Saudi Arabia

Ibrahim M Gosadi,1 Mohammed M Abualgasem,2 Yasser A Sultan,3 Mohammed Y Bakri,3 Amal M Ageeli,4 Abdulaziz A Kaal,5 Rola A Khmees6 1Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 2Abu Arish General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 3Prince Mohammed Bin Nasser Hospital, Ministry of Health, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 4Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Radiology, King Fahd Central Hospital, Ministry of Health, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 6Department of Family and Community Medicine, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Ibrahim M Gosadi, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, P.O. Box: 2349, Jazan, 82621, Saudi Arabia, Tel +966562137711, Email [email protected]: Assess adolescents’ body mass index (BMI) profile and the association between BMI category and social determinants.Methods: This cross-sectional study targeted adolescents aged between 12 and 19 from Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Data was collected via an online self-administered questionnaire during 2023. The tailored questionnaire measured items related to student demographics, their history of diagnosed chronic conditions, their familial history of chronic diseases, and their eating behavior. A standard chi-square test investigated the relationship between BMI category and social determinants.Results: Five hundred and seventy students completed the study’s questionnaire. The mean age of the sample was 16 (SD: 1.9), and most of the respondents were female (60%). Among the recruited sample, 107 students (20%) are categorized as underweight, while 121 students (22%) are classified as either overweight or obese according to their age. The respondents’ eating behavior indicated that the most frequently consumed meal was dinner, and the majority skipped breakfast some days of the week. Nearly one-third of the sample exhibited emotional eating. Low consumption of healthier food options, such as fruits, vegetables, low-fat products, and whole grain products among the adolescents was noted. An assessment of BMI level distribution among the respondents according to their demographic characteristics indicated a higher frequency of overweight and obesity among male adolescents, students in the secondary level, students living with a lower number of siblings, and students with a parental history of diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemia (p values < 0.05).Conclusion: A high frequency of BMI abnormality among adolescents was detected. Dietary behavior among the respondents suggests the presence of several unhealthy behaviors. The results of the current study detected an important influence of the family on weight status among these adolescents.Keywords: BMI, adolescents, underweight, overweight, obesit

Soft tissue and visceral sarcomas: ESMO-EURACAN Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up (vol 29, pg 51, 2018)

© The Author(s) 2018. Ann Oncol 2018; 29: iv51-iv67 (doi:10.1093/annonc/mdy096) The following corrections have been made under authorship: The author R.L. Haas has been added with the corresponding affiliation and author disclosure statement. The author name P. Rutkovski has been replaced with: P. Rutkowski Under authorship, the author name: A. Hannu has been replaced with: H.T. Aro. Under authorship, A. A. Safwat s affiliation: Finland has been replaced with: Denmark. Under authorship, the author name: W. Van der Graaf has been replaced with: W.T.A. van der Graaf. W.T.A. van der Graaf s institution: 30 has been replaced with: 30, 33, 51.status: publishe

Correction to: Gastrointestinal stromal tumours:ESMO-EURACAN Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up

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Gastrointestinal stromal tumours: ESMO-EURACAN Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up (vol 29, pg 68, 2018)

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Gastrointestinal stromal tumours: ESMO-EURACAN Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

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