Letter to the Editor on: Prostate-specific antigen density is predictive of outcome in suboptimal prostate seed brachytherapy

In this study, a novel method was developed to measure acidic and basic drugs in biological and wastewater samples. The method used magnetic nanoparticles based on Vortex-Assisted Dispersive Micro-Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) and then identifying with HPLC-UV. The magnetic nanoparticle (Fe3O4@SiO2@Kit-6@NH2) has been used as an efficient adsorbent for the extraction of acidic and basic drugs ibuprofen (IFB), fenoprofen calcium (FPC), methocarbamol (MTC), and clonazepam (CZP). The magnetic nanoparticle was characterized by techniques including SEM, XRD, EDX, and FT-IR. The effect of various parameters in the V-D-μ-SPE method was studied completely through the design of the response surface methodology (RSM) of the Box–Behnken design (BBD) based response method and the utility function. The parameters affecting the extraction efficiency were optimized including sample pH, adsorbent amount, absorption time, the salt concentration in the sample solution, CTAB of concentration, desorption time, and the volume of an eluent. After optimization, the limit of detection and calibration curve in the linear range were obtained 0.062–0.32 μg L−1 and 0.1–800 μg L−1, respectively. Its linear correlation was R2> 0.9951. The relative standard deviation (n = 5) was between 2.4 and 5.1. Finally, this method was used to determine target analytes in human serum, urine, and wastewater. • In this study, for the first time, a novel method for the determination of some drugs from human serum, urine, and wastewater samples. • The Synthesized Fe3O4@SiO2@Kit-6@NH2 NPs based V-D-μ-SPE was characterized by techniques including SEM, XRD, EDX, and FT-IR. • The effects of various parameters in the V-D-μ-SPE methods were studied through the design of the RSM of BBD. © 202

Quantifying early COVID-19 outbreak transmission in South Africa and exploring vaccine efficacy scenarios

The emergence and fast global spread of COVID-19 has presented one of the greatest public health challenges in modern times with no proven cure or vaccine. Africa is still early in this epidemic, therefore the extent of disease severity is not yet clear. We used a mathematical model to fit to the observed cases of COVID-19 in South Africa to estimate the basic reproductive number and critical vaccination coverage to control the disease for different hypothetical vaccine efficacy scenarios. We also estimated the percentage reduction in effective contacts due to the social distancing measures implemented. Early model estimates show that COVID-19 outbreak in South Africa had a basic reproductive number of 2.95 (95% credible interval [CrI] 2.83-3.33). A vaccine with 70% efficacy had the capacity to contain COVID-19 outbreak but at very higher vaccination coverage 94.44% (95% Crl 92.44-99.92%) with a vaccine of 100% efficacy requiring 66.10% (95% Crl 64.72-69.95%) coverage. Social distancing measures put in place have so far reduced the number of social contacts by 80.31% (95% Crl 79.76-80.85%). These findings suggest that a highly efficacious vaccine would have been required to contain COVID-19 in South Africa. Therefore, the current social distancing measures to reduce contacts will remain key in controlling the infection in the absence of vaccines and other therapeutics

A framework for applying natural language processing in digital health interventions

BACKGROUND: Digital health interventions (DHIs) are poised to reduce target symptoms in a scalable, affordable, and empirically supported way. DHIs that involve coaching or clinical support often collect text data from 2 sources: (1) open correspondence between users and the trained practitioners supporting them through a messaging system and (2) text data recorded during the intervention by users, such as diary entries. Natural language processing (NLP) offers methods for analyzing text, augmenting the understanding of intervention effects, and informing therapeutic decision making. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to present a technical framework that supports the automated analysis of both types of text data often present in DHIs. This framework generates text features and helps to build statistical models to predict target variables, including user engagement, symptom change, and therapeutic outcomes. METHODS: We first discussed various NLP techniques and demonstrated how they are implemented in the presented framework. We then applied the framework in a case study of the Healthy Body Image Program, a Web-based intervention trial for eating disorders (EDs). A total of 372 participants who screened positive for an ED received a DHI aimed at reducing ED psychopathology (including binge eating and purging behaviors) and improving body image. These users generated 37,228 intervention text snippets and exchanged 4285 user-coach messages, which were analyzed using the proposed model. RESULTS: We applied the framework to predict binge eating behavior, resulting in an area under the curve between 0.57 (when applied to new users) and 0.72 (when applied to new symptom reports of known users). In addition, initial evidence indicated that specific text features predicted the therapeutic outcome of reducing ED symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The case study demonstrates the usefulness of a structured approach to text data analytics. NLP techniques improve the prediction of symptom changes in DHIs. We present a technical framework that can be easily applied in other clinical trials and clinical presentations and encourage other groups to apply the framework in similar contexts

Identification of native fishes of western Azarbaijan province - phase 1: northern water source

The aim of this research was to identify fish species distributed in the water resources located at West- Azarbaijan province. Sampling was done seasonally, from 14 sampling sites in main branches of different rivers including Aras, Zangmar, and Ghator. Fish samples caught with different tools, fixed in 10 % formalin, and finally transferred to the laboratory for biological investigations. The identified fish were 25 species belonging to 8 fish family comprising of Cyprinidae, Balitoridae, Cobitidae, Siluridae, percidae, poecilliidae, Gobiidae, Salmonidae. Among them, cyprinidae family had the highest percentage of diversity. There were 2 species from Balitoridae and 1 species from the rest of other family

Limnological study on Zarrineh River

Limnological studies of the Zarrineh River have been performed in order to identify physicochemical and biological characteristics of this river. Water samples from 14 sites along the river length were examined monthly during a year. The results indicated the river was polluted by Saghez and Miandoab Cities sewage to the extent of poly saprob, the extent of pollution at other sites was within the limits of oligo saprob or meso saprob. The results also showed that all dissolved and mineral compositions in this river was safe for drinking but iron concentration and water hardness in the terminal sites near the Urmia Lake are higher than EPA standards for drinking . This cannot, however, pose serious problem for warm water fish culture activities. Domestic sewage seem to be the most important pollution source to this river. Although the self-purification capacity of this river seem to be high but large number of polluting sites along the river exceed this capacity

Identification of native fishes of west Azarbaijan province phase 2

The aim of this research was to identify the species of freshwater fishes in the water rssoureces located at Urmieh Lake and Zagros catchment area of West Azarbaiigan Province. Sampling was done seasonally with the determination and selection of sampling station on main and secondary branches of different rivers including; Zarineh rud, Simineh rud, Mahabad chay, Shahr chay, Nazlu chay, Baranduz chay, Godar and Zab river. Fish samples catched with different tools include Electroshoker, Cast net and buy from local fisherman, fixed in 10 % formalin and transferred to the laboratory for biological and identify hnvestigation. 42 fish species belonging to 7 family comprising of Syprinidae, Balitoridae, Cobitidae, Siluridae, Poeciliidae, Salmonidae and Mastacembelidae have been identified. Among them Syprinidae family with 32 species had a highest diversity

Simplicial quantum dynamics

Present-day quantum field theory can be regularized by a decomposition into quantum simplices. This replaces the infinite-dimensional Hilbert space by a high-dimensional spinor space and singular canonical Lie groups by regular spin groups. It radically changes the uncertainty principle for small distances. Gaugeons, including the gravitational, are represented as bound fermion-pairs, and space-time curvature as a singular organized limit of quantum non-commutativity. Keywords: Quantum logic, quantum set theory, quantum gravity, quantum topology, simplicial quantization.Comment: 25 pages. 1 table. Conference of the International Association for Relativistic Dynamics, Taiwan, 201

Cryptococcal Meningitis Screening and Community-based Early Adherence Support in People With Advanced Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Starting Antiretroviral Therapy in Tanzania and Zambia: A Cost-effectiveness Analysis

BACKGROUND: A randomized trial demonstrated that among people living with late-stage human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection initiating antiretroviral therapy, screening serum for cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) combined with adherence support reduced all-cause mortality by 28%, compared with standard clinic-based care. Here, we present the cost-effectiveness. METHODS: HIV-infected adults with CD4 count <200 cells/μL were randomized to either CrAg screening plus 4 weekly home visits to provide adherence support or to standard clinic-based care in Dar es Salaam and Lusaka. The primary economic outcome was health service care cost per life-year saved as the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), based on 2017 US dollars. We used nonparametric bootstrapping to assess uncertainties and univariate deterministic sensitivity analysis to examine the impact of individual parameters on the ICER. RESULTS: Among the intervention and standard arms, 1001 and 998 participants, respectively, were enrolled. The annual mean cost per participant in the intervention arm was US$339 (95$331-$347), resulting in an incremental cost of the intervention of US$77 (95% CI, $66-$88). The incremental cost was similar when analysis was restricted to persons with CD4 count <100 cells/μL. The ICER for the intervention vs standard care, per life-year saved, was US$70 (95$43-$211) for all participants with CD4 count up to 200 cells/μL and US$91 (95% CI, $49-$443) among those with CD4 counts <100 cells /μL. Cost-effectveness was most sensitive to mortality estimates. CONCLUSIONS: Screening for cryptococcal antigen combined with a short period of adherence support, is cost-effective in resource-limited settings

Proximal wrist extensor tendinopathy

Proximal wrist extensor tendinopathy, which is also known as tennis elbow, is pain at or just distal to the lateral humeral epicondyle within the proximal wrist extensor tendon. It occurs commonly in certain athletes but can also occur in people with jobs that require repetitive movements of the hand and upper limb. In most cases the tendon involved shows no signs of inflammation or tendonitis, but instead shows fibroblasts, vascular hyperplasia, and disorganized collagen. Diagnosis is often made by history and physical exam alone. Most people respond to conservative measures including activity modification, analgesics, manipulation of tissue, and exercise. In some cases, an injection of corticosteroid or botulinum toxin may be used. Surgery is rarely needed