CoMA: A high resolution Time-Of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer (TOF-SIMS) for in situ analysis of cometary matter

A lot of clues concerning the origin of the solar system can be found by sending an exploring spacecraft to a rendezvous with a comet. The space experiment CoMA, which will measure the elemental, isotopic, and molecular composition of cometary dust grains is described. It will be flown on NASA's Comet Rendezvous Asteroid Flyby (CRAF) mission

Translation, adaptation and validation of the Roland-Morris questionnaire - Brazil Roland-Morris

The purpose of the present study was to translate the Roland-Morris (RM) questionnaire into Brazilian-Portuguese and adapt and validate it. First 3 English teachers independently translated the original questionnaire into Brazilian-Portuguese and a consensus version was generated. Later, 3 other translators, blind to the original questionnaire, performed a back translation. This version was then compared with the original English questionnaire. Discrepancies were discussed and solved by a panel of 3 rheumatologists and the final Brazilian version was established (Brazil-RM). This version was then pretested on 30 chronic low back pain patients consecutively selected from the spine disorders outpatient clinic. In addition to the traditional clinical outcome measures, the Brazil-RM, a 6-point pain scale (from no pain to unbearable pain), and its numerical pain rating scale (PS) (0 to 5) and a visual analog scale (VAS) (0 to 10) were administered twice by one interviewer (1 week apart) and once by one independent interviewer. Spearman's correlation coefficient (SCC) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were computed to assess test-retest and interobserver reliability. Cross-sectional construct validity was evaluated using the SCC. In the pretesting session, all questions were well understood by the patients. The mean time of questionnaire administration was 4 min and 53 s. The SCC and ICC were 0.88 (P<0.01) and 0.94, respectively, for the test-retest reliability and 0.86 (P<0.01) and 0.95, respectively, for interobserver reliability. The correlation coefficient was 0.80 (P<0.01) between the PS and Brazil-RM score and 0.79 (P<0.01) between the VAS and Brazil-RM score. We conclude that the Brazil-RM was successfully translated and adapted for application to Brazilian patients, with satisfactory reliability and cross-sectional construct validity.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Disciplina de ReumatologiaUNIFESP, EPM, Disciplina de ReumatologiaSciEL

BLINDED VS ULTRASOUND-GUIDED CORTICOSTEROID INJECTIONS for the TREATMENT of the GREATER TROCHANTERIC PAIN SYNDROME (SDPT): A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Rheumatol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Rheumatol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

ARTICULAR SONOGRAPHY in HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS: COMPARISON AMONG SMALL, MEDIUM and LARGE JOINTS

Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

The Effect of Neutrophil-lymphocyte Ratio on 10-year Survival Outcomes Following Elective Open and EVAR Procedures

Objectives: The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a useful and inexpensive inflammatory marker associated with surgical outcomes. This study evaluates the effects of NLR on survival after elective endovascular (EVAR) and open aortic repair (OAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients from 1989 to 2019 who underwent elective OAR or EVAR at two separate academic centers. Baseline comorbidities were assessed. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine a cutoff point where NLR was associated with outcome. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare survival through 10-year follow-up. Results: Overall, 437 patients (mean age, 72.0 6 10.1 years; 74.1% male) underwent 213 EVARs and 224 OARs. Median duration of follow-up was 4.55 years. The analysis of the ROC curve yielded an NLR of 3.94 with the highest specificity and sensitivity for 10-year survival. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, except for an increased age in the group with NLR \u3e3.94 (73.5 vs 70.9 years; P ¼ .008) (Table). KaplanMeier analysis revealed that patients with NLR \u3e3.94 had decreased 10-year survival (37.2% vs 54.2%; P ¼ .0001) (Fig). By univariate analysis, NLR \u3e3.94 (P ¼ .0001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P ¼ .006), and increased age (P ¼ .0001) were associated with increased mortality. On multivariable cox regression analysis, an NLR \u3e3.94 (odds ratio [OR], 1.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19-2.40), increased age (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.03-1.07), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.01-2.07) were associated with increased risk of mortality. Between OAR and EVAR, no difference in late survival was noted (49.9% vs 43.5%; P ¼ .24). Conclusions: An NLR \u3e3.94 is associated with increased mortality over a 10-year follow-up period after open and endovascular aortic repair. Future studies to further understand the driving force between an elevated NLR and increased mortality are warranted

ARTICULAR PAIN IS CORRELATED WITH ULTRASOUND POWER DOPPLER FINDINGS?

Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Rheumatol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Radiol, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Politecn Marche, Div Rheumatol, Jesi, ItalyUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Rheumatol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Radiol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

A connectivity mapping approach predicted acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) to induce osteo/odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp cells

International audienc

Eimeria species occurrence varies between geographic regions and poultry production systems and may influence parasite genetic diversity

Coccidiosis is one of the biggest challenges faced by the global poultry industry. Recent studies have highlighted the ubiquitous distribution of all Eimeria species which can cause this disease in chickens, but intriguingly revealed a regional divide in genetic diversity and population structure for at least one species, Eimeria tenella. The drivers associated with such distinct geographic variation are unclear, but may impact on the occurrence and extent of resistance to anticoccidial drugs and future subunit vaccines. India is one of the largest poultry producers in the world and includes a transition between E. tenella populations defined by high and low genetic diversity. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with the prevalence of Eimeria species defined by high and low pathogenicity in northern and southern states of India, and seek to understand factors which vary between the regions as possible drivers for differential genetic variation. Faecal samples and data relating to farm characteristics and management were collected from 107 farms from northern India and 133 farms from southern India. Faecal samples were analysed using microscopy and PCR to identify Eimeria occurrence. Multiple correspondence analysis was applied to transform correlated putative risk factors into a smaller number of synthetic uncorrelated factors. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify poultry farm typologies, revealing three distinct clusters in the studied regions. The association between clusters and presence of Eimeria species was assessed by logistic regression. The study found that large-scale broiler farms in the north were at greatest risk of harbouring any Eimeria species and a larger proportion of such farms were positive for E. necatrix, the most pathogenic species. Comparison revealed a more even distribution for E. tenella across production systems in south India, but with a lower overall occurrence. Such a polarised region- and system-specific distribution may contribute to the different levels of genetic diversity observed previously in India and may influence parasite population structure across much of Asia and Africa. The findings of the study can be used to prioritise target farms to launch and optimise appropriate anticoccidial strategies for long-term control

Addressing COVID-19 in the surgical ICU: Incidence of antibodies in healthcare personnel at a quaternary care center

Background: There is concern that frontline healthcare personnel (HCP) are at increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 compared to the general population. Multiple studies have demonstrated significant seroprevalence of COVID-19 antibodies in HCP. Increased seropositivity has been associated with reduced use of personal protective equipment (PPE) along with reported PPE shortages. This investigation aims to determine the seroprevalence of COVID-19 in frontline HCP working at a quaternary care center that was heavily impacted by the initial surge of COVID-19, while also identifying underlying factors associated with increased seropositivity. Methods & Materials: HCP who participated in the management of COVID-19 patients were recruited from April 27 to May 13 of 2020. Unidentifiable demographic data was collected, including a questionnaire to identify potential exposure, symptoms, medical comorbidities, and adherence to PPE usage on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being always, 5 being never). Serological testing was performed using CMC-19D SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Rapid Antibody Test manufactured by Audacia Bioscience. Seropositivity was captured by formation of a dark band at the G (IgG) and C (control) positions on the test device, while IgM alone was considered a false positive. Pearson chi-squared and Fisher exact tests were performed to analyze categorical variables. SPSS version 27.0 was used for statistical analysis (SPSS, Armonk, NY). Conclusion: Overall seropositivity of IgG antibodies was 10.6%. Non-ICU personnel showed higher seroprevalence compared to ICU personnel, this may be attributed to decreased reported adherence to strict PPE usage in non-ICU areas compared to ICU areas during patient contact. Compared to MICU, SICU personnel appeared to be less compliant with frequency of PPE use outside patient rooms. Adherence to PPE usage outside patient contact was a predictor of seropositivity, and non-ICU personnel had a tendency toward high seroprevalence.https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/sarcd2021/1003/thumbnail.jp