Hepatitis C Infection Patterns at a Tertiary Care Center in New York: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction In the United States, 2.7 to 3.9 million patients are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) with 3,500 new cases reported yearly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HCV was the underlying or contributing cause of death of 19,659 patients in 2014. These facts underscore the need for a better understanding of the scope of this disease. Our epidemiologic study aimed at analyzing the pattern of occurrence of HCV infection at Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) by evaluating the characteristics of newly infected patients with hepatitis C in 2014. The identified features served to better distinguish the targets for preventive health care in our particular population. Methodology A cross-sectional study of all newly diagnosed patients with HCV infections in the year 2014 presenting to SIUH was conducted using International Classification of Disease-9 codes (ICD-9) for hepatitis C. We included all patients with a positive HCV antibody confirmed by polymerase chain reaction testing. Patients were divided into groups according to age to simulate the age groups in the 2013 - 2014 Hepatitis B and C Annual Report of the New York City (NYC) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene published in 2016 (abbreviated to 2014 NYCDOH Report, hereafter). Gender and HCV genotypes were also collected. We compared disease frequency between age groups, gender, and genotype with the results of the 2014 NYCDOH Report. Results A total of 378 newly diagnosed HCV cases were identified; 60.05% were men, and 39.95% were women. The rate of infection with genotype 1a was the highest (36. 5%) followed by 1b (25.9%). In women, genotype 1b was predominant (13.76%) versus genotype 1a as the most common in men. The mean age was 54 years for men and 57 years for women. Most cases fell into the 60 to 69-year age group (32.28%), followed by the 50 to 59-year age group (31.48%). More so, all patients 80 years and older were exclusively women. Conclusions We found most new HCV infections at SIUH were diagnosed in patients aged 60 to 69 years, and the 2014 NYC DOH Report indicates most new HCV infections occur in patients aged 40 to 59 years. Also, all HCV infections detected in patients older than 80 years of age were found in women. These findings provide a better understanding of the patient demographics for appropriate HCV screening policies. Increased awareness and strict adherence to screening policies in baby boomers and high-risk populations are paramount in order to diagnose HCV infection early, offer therapy, and prevent HCV-related mortality and morbidity

Analysis of residual acrylamide in field crops

Polyacrylamide (PAM) is a widely used product for a large number of applications. Many of the emerging applications are in the area of agriculture. PAM is blended with pesticides as a thickening agent, added to irrigation water to minimize soil erosion, and used as a medium for hydroponically grown crops. Although PAM is stable and considered to be safe, residual acrylamide (AMD) monomer is a neurotoxin and animal carcinogen. In this work, residual AMD is analyzed in a variety of crops that were grown under PAM treatment to stabilize soil erosion. Corn, potatoes, sugar beets, and beans are analyzed for AMD. A sample of the crop is homogenized with water, and the water layer is filtered and derivatized with bromine to form 2,3-dibromopropionamide. The derivative is then extracted with ethyl acetate and converted to the more stable 2-propenamide prior to gas chromatographic analysis using an electron capture detector. Capillary Carbowax columns were used. All tested crops show < 10 ppb AMD. Furthermore, it seems that AMD is not stable when it comes in contact with the crop tissues. In the presence of plant tissues, AMD will disappear as a function of time. Beans blended with 100 ppb AMD for 10 min yield a recovery of only 22%. For a bean sample that was soaked with 500 ppb AMD solution for 18 h, the recovery is 7%. Other crops show different AMD recoveries

A study of methionine dipeptide stationary phase for gas chromatographic resolution of amino acid enantiomers

The synthesis of N-trifluoroacetyl-L-methionyl-L-methionine cyclohexyl ester has been successfully completed. A new method has been used to synthesize the dipeptide stationary phases. Direct coupling between L-amino acid esters and Li-trifluoroacetyl-L-amino acid, using 1,1 carbonyl di-imidazole as a coupling reagent, gives the dipeptide stationary phase in only three steps in good yield. In previous work, five or seven steps were required to prepare the dipeptide stationary phases. The sulfoxide and the sulfone form of the methionine phase were successfully synthesized. Two methods were used to prepare the sulfoxide and the sulfone phases. In the first method direct coupling between N-trifluoroacetyl-L-methionine sulfoxide or methionine sulfone to L-methionine sulfoxide or sulfone cyclohexyl ester was carried out. In the second method, N-trifluoroacetyl-L-methionyl-L-methionine cyclohexyl ester was oxidized to the sulfoxide and sulfone form. The properties of the new stationary phases were examined, and it was found that the methionine phase exhibited improved properties as a gas chromatographic stationary phase when compared to the previous Dipeptide stationary phases. For the first time high and low boiling point derivatives were analyzed on a 300 ft x 0.02 in ID column in a short time and with good resolution. Further, a dipeptide stationary phase was used in conjunction with temperature programming. When the sulfoxide phase was examined, it was found that it was incapable of resolving amino acid enantiomeric derivatives probably due to intra hydrogen bonding between the sulfoxide and the amide. The sulfone phase was found to be an inadequate stationary phase due to its high melting point (181-184[degrees]C) and its insolubility in conventional low boiling solvents.Chemistry, Department o

Forensic Collapse Investigation of a Concrete Bridge with Timber Piers

This report outlines the forensic investigation of the collapse of Bridge No. SN 019-5010 in DeKalb County, Illinois on August 19, 2008. The bridge consisted of three 42 feet precast prestressed concrete deck beams simply-supported by concrete pile caps with a timber pile foundation. Assessment based on site investigation, in situ readings, and analysis indicated that a geotechnical or superstructure failure may be ruled out. Samples of the oak timber piles were retrieved and tested under pure compression as well as combined compression and flexure. Laboratory testing results of these specimens were used to calibrate an analytical model of a full-scale single timber pile. The analytical model considered both symmetrical and unsymmetrical loading of the bridge. The results of the analytical model were used to determine the required live load to initiate collapse. The results of the investigation indicate that structural overload, leading to fracturing of the timber piles in combined compression and flexure, is the likely reason for the bridge failure.ICT-R27-SP12published or submitted for publicationis peer reviewe

Analysis of residual acrylamide in field crops

Polyacrylamide (PAM) is a widely used product for a large number of applications. Many of the emerging applications are in the area of agriculture. PAM is blended with pesticides as a thickening agent, added to irrigation water to minimize soil erosion, and used as a medium for hydroponically grown crops. Although PAM is stable and considered to be safe, residual acrylamide (AMD) monomer is a neurotoxin and animal carcinogen. In this work, residual AMD is analyzed in a variety of crops that were grown under PAM treatment to stabilize soil erosion. Corn, potatoes, sugar beets, and beans are analyzed for AMD. A sample of the crop is homogenized with water, and the water layer is filtered and derivatized with bromine to form 2,3-dibromopropionamide. The derivative is then extracted with ethyl acetate and converted to the more stable 2-propenamide prior to gas chromatographic analysis using an electron capture detector. Capillary Carbowax columns were used. All tested crops show < 10 ppb AMD. Furthermore, it seems that AMD is not stable when it comes in contact with the crop tissues. In the presence of plant tissues, AMD will disappear as a function of time. Beans blended with 100 ppb AMD for 10 min yield a recovery of only 22%. For a bean sample that was soaked with 500 ppb AMD solution for 18 h, the recovery is 7%. Other crops show different AMD recoveries