About A Rare Cause Of Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Introduction: Primary hyperparathyroïdism is observed in 35 to 44 subjects/ 100000 persons. The increased production of parathyroid hormones is secondary to primary glandular modifications consisting mainly in adenomas. The authors report a clear-cell hyperplasia causing primary hyperparathyroidism. Observation: We report the case of a 25-year-old man who was admitted to explore pathologic fractures of the left arm and a malignant hypercalcaemia. Complementary laboratory tests revealed primary hyperparathyroidism. A multiple endocrine neoplasia was excluded by radiologic examinations. Cervical ultra-sound examination revealed 2 parathyroid adenomas and per-operative exploration showed 3 « adenomas ». Microscopic examination of the 4 parathyroid glands specimen concluded to a clear cell hyperplasia. Conclusion: Clear cell hyperplasia is a benign cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. The diagnosis is based upon histologic findings and examination of the 4 glands

Evaluation of Passing Process on Two-Lane Rural Highways in Spain with New Methodology Based on Video Data

Drivers need sufficient passing sight distance (PSD) to pass slower vehicles with safety. This distance can help to improve traffic operation on two-way, two-lane highways. Existing models propose different values of PSD because of different assumptions. In only some cases were these models based on field data of passing maneuvers. This research proposed the design of a methodology to observe passing maneuvers on existing highways with the help of six video cameras installed at a fixed point next to passing sections. The use of more cameras allows complete registration of trajectories along the entire passing zone, with uniform image resolution. The methodology was applied to register a sample of 234 maneuvers on four passing zones. Trajectories of 58 maneuvers were completely described and analyzed with specific restitution software. Results were compared with those from existing PSD models. The distances traveled proposed by the AASHTO model on the left lane were (a) similar to average observed distances when the passed vehicle was one truck and (b) between 50 and 100 m higher when one passenger car was passed. Higher differences, greater than 100 m, were found between measured data and the PSD model (published previously), especially at high design speeds. The observed average speed difference between passing and impeding vehicles was significantly higher than that in any model. Variables with the strongest influence on the time and distance traveled on the opposing lane were the type and speed of the passed vehicle and the length of the passing zone. Left-lane time and distance increase with this length.Llorca Garcia, C.; García García, A. (2011). Evaluation of Passing Process on Two-Lane Rural Highways in Spain with New Methodology Based on Video Data. Transportation Research Record. 2262:42-51. doi:10.3141/2262-05S42512262Farah, H., Bekhor, S., & Polus, A. (2009). Risk evaluation by modeling of passing behavior on two-lane rural highways. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 41(4), 887-894. doi:10.1016/j.aap.2009.05.006Rilett, L. R., Hutchinson, B. G., & Whitney, M. (1990). Mechanics of the passing maneuver and the impact of large trucks. Transportation Research Part A: General, 24(2), 121-128. doi:10.1016/0191-2607(90)90019-3Wang, Y., & Cartmell, M. P. (1998). New Model for Passing Sight Distance on Two-Lane Highways. Journal of Transportation Engineering, 124(6), 536-545. doi:10.1061/(asce)0733-947x(1998)124:6(536)Polus, A., Livneh, M., & Frischer, B. (2000). Evaluation of the Passing Process on Two-Lane Rural Highways. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 1701(1), 53-60. doi:10.3141/1701-07Carlson, P., Miles, J., & Johnson, P. (2006). Daytime High-Speed Passing Maneuvers Observed on Rural Two-Lane, Two-Way Highway: Findings and Implications. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 1961, 9-15. doi:10.3141/1961-02Harwood, D. W., Gilmore, D. K., & Richard, K. R. (2010). Criteria for Passing Sight Distance for Roadway Design and Marking. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2195(1), 36-46. doi:10.3141/2195-0

Simultaneous non-negative matrix factorization for multiple large scale gene expression datasets in toxicology

Non-negative matrix factorization is a useful tool for reducing the dimension of large datasets. This work considers simultaneous non-negative matrix factorization of multiple sources of data. In particular, we perform the first study that involves more than two datasets. We discuss the algorithmic issues required to convert the approach into a practical computational tool and apply the technique to new gene expression data quantifying the molecular changes in four tissue types due to different dosages of an experimental panPPAR agonist in mouse. This study is of interest in toxicology because, whilst PPARs form potential therapeutic targets for diabetes, it is known that they can induce serious side-effects. Our results show that the practical simultaneous non-negative matrix factorization developed here can add value to the data analysis. In particular, we find that factorizing the data as a single object allows us to distinguish between the four tissue types, but does not correctly reproduce the known dosage level groups. Applying our new approach, which treats the four tissue types as providing distinct, but related, datasets, we find that the dosage level groups are respected. The new algorithm then provides separate gene list orderings that can be studied for each tissue type, and compared with the ordering arising from the single factorization. We find that many of our conclusions can be corroborated with known biological behaviour, and others offer new insights into the toxicological effects. Overall, the algorithm shows promise for early detection of toxicity in the drug discovery process

Expansion in perfect groups

Let Ga be a subgroup of GL_d(Q) generated by a finite symmetric set S. For an integer q, denote by Ga_q the subgroup of Ga consisting of the elements that project to the unit element mod q. We prove that the Cayley graphs of Ga/Ga_q with respect to the generating set S form a family of expanders when q ranges over square-free integers with large prime divisors if and only if the connected component of the Zariski-closure of Ga is perfect.Comment: 62 pages, no figures, revision based on referee's comments: new ideas are explained in more details in the introduction, typos corrected, results and proofs unchange

ARID2 mutations may relay a distinct subset of cutaneous melanoma patients with different outcomes

ARID genes encode subunits of SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes and are frequently mutated in human cancers. We investigated the correlation between ARID mutations, molecular features, and clinical outcomes in melanoma patients. Cutaneous melanoma samples (n = 1577) were analyzed by next-generation sequencing. Samples were stratified by pathogenic/likely pathogenic mutation in ARID genes (ARID1A/2/1B/5B). PD-L1 expression was assessed using IHC (SP142; positive (+): ≥ 1%). Tumor mutation burden (TMB)-high was defined as ≥ 10 mutations/Mb. Transcriptomic signatures predictive of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors-interferon gamma and T-cell inflamed score were calculated. Real-world overall survival (OS) information was obtained from insurance claims data, with Kaplan-Meier estimates calculated from time of tissue collection until last date of contact. Mann-Whitney U, Chi-square, and Fisher exact tests were applied where appropriate, with p values adjusted for multiple comparisons. ARID2 mutations were more prevalent in cutaneous melanoma compared to ARID1A (11.0%: n = 451 vs 2.8%: n = 113), with concurrent ARID1A/ARID2 mutation in 1.1% (n = 46) of samples. ARID mutations were associated with a high prevalence of RAS pathway mutations-NF1 (ARID1A, 52.6%; ARID2, 48.5%; ARID1A/2, 63.6%; and ARID-WT, 13.3%; p \u3c 0.0001) and KRAS (ARID1A, 3.5%; ARID2, 3.1%; ARID1A/2, 6.5%; and ARID-WT, 1.0%; p = 0.018)), although BRAF mutations were less common in ARID-mutated cohorts (ARID1A, 31.9%; ARID2, 35.6%; ARID1A/2, 26.1%; and ARID-WT, 50.4%; p \u3c 0.0001). TMB-high was more common in ARID-mutated samples (ARID1A, 80.9%; ARID2, 89.9%; ARID1A/2, 100%; and ARID-WT, 49.4%; p \u3c 0.0001), while PD-L1 positivity was similar across subgroups (ARID1A, 43.8%; ARID2, 51.1%; ARID1A/2, 52.5%; and ARID-WT, 44.9%; p = 0.109). Patients with ARID1A mutations had a higher prevalence of dMMR/MSI-H compared to those with ARID-WT (2.7% vs 0.2%, p = 0.030). Median IFN-γ and T-cell signatures were higher in ARID2-mutated samples compared to ARID-WT (IFN-γ: - 0.15 vs - 0.21, p = 0.0066; T-cell: 23.5 vs - 18.5, p = 0.041). ARID2-mutated patients had improved survival compared to ARID-WT; (HR: 1.22 (95% CI 1.0-1.5), p = 0.022). No additional OS benefit was observed with anti-PD-1 therapy for ARID2 mutation compared to ARID-WT. Melanoma patients with ARID mutations exhibited higher prevalence of markers associated with ICI response, including TMB-H, and immune-related signatures. Our data also suggests improved survival outcome in patients with ARID2 mutations, irrespective of anti-PD1 therapy

Development and validation of enzymatic method for the determination of alcohol in immunoglobulin and albumin

Se desarrolló y validó un método enzimático para la cuantificación del contenido de alcohol en los IFAs de Inmunoglobulina y Albúmina. En ambos casos el procedimiento analítico resultó lineal, exacto, preciso y específico para el control de calidad. Se demostró que el método fue lineal en el rango de 6.0 a 19.0 mg de alcohol/g de proteína para la albúmina y de 9.2 a 27.6 mg de alcohol/g de proteína para la inmunoglobulina, respectivamente. El método sugerido se aplicó con éxito en la determinación del contenido de alcohol como impureza en lotes industriales.An enzymatic method for the quantification of alcohol content in immunoglobulin and albumin was developed and validated. In both materials, the analytical procedure was linear, accurate, precise and specific. The method was linear in the range from 6.0 to 19.0 mg of alcohol/g of protein to albumin and to immunoglobulin from 9.2 to 27.6 mg of alcohol/g of protein, respectively. The proposed method was applied successfully in industrial batches for the determination of the alcohol content as impurity

Influence of age, gender and delay on overtaking dynamics

"This paper is a preprint of a paper submitted to [journal] and is subject to Institution of Engineering and Technology Copyright. If accepted, the copy of record will be available at IET Digital Library"Overtaking is one of the most dangerous manoeuvres on two-lane rural highways. The most influential factors are related to drivers, so ITS and assistance systems are not yet common. This research is based on experimental data of overtaking manoeuvres collected using an instrumented passenger car, equipped with four cameras, laser rangefinders and a global positioning service (GPS) tracker. This vehicle was driven along four different road segments in the surroundings of Valencia (Spain) at a speed slightly slower than the operating speed of each segment. Overtaking time and speeds were measured. Unlike previous work, the influence of human factor was also considered. Age and gender of overtaking driver, as well as time spent following were used to characterise this influence. More than 200 manoeuvres were recorded and the influence of driver characteristics and delay on gap acceptance, manoeuvre duration and speed differences have been analysed. Results show differences in behaviour between age and gender groups, since young male overtaking drivers have shown a more aggressive behaviour. Overtaking times were around 1 s lower than other drivers, whereas average speed difference was 4 km/h higher. Collected data and their analysis have provided a basis to review design criteria and to develop future assistance systems.Authors would like to thank Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness that subsidizes the research project with reference code TRA2010-21736. Authors thank also Spanish General Traffic Directorate, Spanish Ministry of Public Works and Valencia Regional Governance for their collaboration during field study.Llorca García, C.; García García, A.; Moreno Chou, AT.; Pérez Zuriaga, AM. (2013). Influence of age, gender and delay on overtaking dynamics. IET Intelligent Transport Systems. 7(2):174-181. https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-its.2012.0147S17418172Farah, H. (2011). Age and Gender Differences in Overtaking Maneuvers on Two-Lane Rural Highways. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2248(1), 30-36. doi:10.3141/2248-04Hassan, Y., Easa, S. M., & El Halim, A. O. A. (1996). Passing sight distance on two-lane highways: Review and revision. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 30(6), 453-467. doi:10.1016/0965-8564(95)00032-1Wang, Y., & Cartmell, M. P. (1998). New Model for Passing Sight Distance on Two-Lane Highways. Journal of Transportation Engineering, 124(6), 536-545. doi:10.1061/(asce)0733-947x(1998)124:6(536)Polus, A., Livneh, M., & Frischer, B. (2000). Evaluation of the Passing Process on Two-Lane Rural Highways. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 1701(1), 53-60. doi:10.3141/1701-07Carlson, P., Miles, J., & Johnson, P. (2006). Daytime High-Speed Passing Maneuvers Observed on Rural Two-Lane, Two-Way Highway: Findings and Implications. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 1961, 9-15. doi:10.3141/1961-02Hegeman, G., Tapani, A., & Hoogendoorn, S. (2009). Overtaking assistant assessment using traffic simulation. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 17(6), 617-630. doi:10.1016/j.trc.2009.04.010El Zarif, J., Hobeika, A., & Rakha, H. (2003). Evaluating a Detection and Warning System to Deter No-Passing Zone Violations. Journal of Transportation Engineering, 129(6), 590-599. doi:10.1061/(asce)0733-947x(2003)129:6(590)Llorca, C., & García, A. (2011). Evaluation of Passing Process on Two-Lane Rural Highways in Spain with New Methodology Based on Video Data. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2262(1), 42-51. doi:10.3141/2262-0

"We don't routinely check vaccination background in adults": a national qualitative study of barriers and facilitators to vaccine delivery and uptake in adult migrants through UK primary care.

OBJECTIVES: Explore primary care professionals' views around barriers/facilitators to catch-up vaccination in adult migrants (foreign-born; over 18 years of age) with incomplete/uncertain vaccination status and for routine vaccines to inform development of interventions to improve vaccine uptake and coverage. DESIGN: Qualitative interview study with purposive sampling and thematic analysis. SETTING: UK primary care. PARTICIPANTS: 64 primary care professionals (PCPs): 48 clinical-staff including general practitioners, practice nurses and healthcare assistants; 16 administrative-staff including practice managers and receptionists (mean age 45 years; 84.4% women; a range of ethnicities). RESULTS: Participants highlighted direct and indirect barriers to catch-up vaccines in adult migrants who may have missed vaccines as children, missed boosters and not be aligned with the UK's vaccine schedule, from both personal and service-delivery levels, with themes including: lack of training and knowledge of guidance among staff; unclear or incomplete vaccine records; and lack of incentivisation (including financial) and dedicated time and care pathways. Adult migrants were reported as being excluded from many vaccination initiatives, most of which focus exclusively on children. Where delivery models existed, they were diverse and fragmented, but included a combination of opportunistic and proactive programmes. PCPs noted that migrants expressed to them a range of views around vaccines, from positivity to uncertainty, to refusal, with specific nationality groups reported as more hesitant about specific vaccines, including measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). CONCLUSIONS: WHO's new Immunization Agenda 2030 calls for greater focus to be placed on delivering vaccination across the life course, targeting underimmunised groups for catch-up vaccination at any age, and UK primary care services therefore have a key role. Vaccine uptake in adult migrants could be improved through implementing new financial incentives or inclusion of adult migrant vaccination targets in Quality Outcomes Framework, strengthening care pathways and training and working directly with local community-groups to improve understanding around the benefits of vaccination at all ages

A Measurement of the Electric Form Factor of the Neutron through d⃗(e⃗,e′n)p\vec{d}(\vec{e},e'n)p at Q2=0.5Q^2 = 0.5 (GeV/c)2^2

We report the first measurement of the neutron electric form factor $G_E^n$ via $\vec{d}(\vec{e},e'n)p$ using a solid polarized target. $G_E^n$ was determined from the beam-target asymmetry in the scattering of longitudinally polarized electrons from polarized deuterated ammonia, $^{15}$ND$_3$. The measurement was performed in Hall C at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF) in quasi free kinematics with the target polarization perpendicular to the momentum transfer. The electrons were detected in a magnetic spectrometer in coincidence with neutrons in a large solid angle segmented detector. We find $G_E^n = 0.04632\pm0.00616 (stat.) \pm0.00341 (syst.)$ at $Q^2 = 0.495$ (GeV/c)$^2$.Comment: Latex2e 5 pages, 3 figure

"We don't routinely check vaccination background in adults": a national qualitative study of barriers and facilitators to vaccine delivery and uptake in adult migrants through UK primary care

Objectives: Explore primary care professionals’ views around barriers/facilitators to catch-up vaccination in adult migrants (foreign-born; over 18 years of age) with incomplete/uncertain vaccination status and for routine vaccines to inform development of interventions to improve vaccine uptake and coverage. Design: Qualitative interview study with purposive sampling and thematic analysis. Setting: UK primary care. Participants: 64 primary care professionals (PCPs): 48 clinical-staff including general practitioners, practice nurses and healthcare assistants; 16 administrative-staff including practice managers and receptionists (mean age 45 years; 84.4% women; a range of ethnicities). Results: Participants highlighted direct and indirect barriers to catch-up vaccines in adult migrants who may have missed vaccines as children, missed boosters and not be aligned with the UK’s vaccine schedule, from both personal and service-delivery levels, with themes including: lack of training and knowledge of guidance among staff; unclear or incomplete vaccine records; and lack of incentivisation (including financial) and dedicated time and care pathways. Adult migrants were reported as being excluded from many vaccination initiatives, most of which focus exclusively on children. Where delivery models existed, they were diverse and fragmented, but included a combination of opportunistic and proactive programmes. PCPs noted that migrants expressed to them a range of views around vaccines, from positivity to uncertainty, to refusal, with specific nationality groups reported as more hesitant about specific vaccines, including measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). Conclusions: WHO’s new Immunization Agenda 2030 calls for greater focus to be placed on delivering vaccination across the life course, targeting underimmunised groups for catch-up vaccination at any age, and UK primary care services therefore have a key role. Vaccine uptake in adult migrants could be improved through implementing new financial incentives or inclusion of adult migrant vaccination targets in Quality Outcomes Framework, strengthening care pathways and training and working directly with local community-groups to improve understanding around the benefits of vaccination at all ages