The Science Performance of JWST as Characterized in Commissioning

This paper characterizes the actual science performance of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), as determined from the six month commissioning period. We summarize the performance of the spacecraft, telescope, science instruments, and ground system, with an emphasis on differences from pre-launch expectations. Commissioning has made clear that JWST is fully capable of achieving the discoveries for which it was built. Moreover, almost across the board, the science performance of JWST is better than expected; in most cases, JWST will go deeper faster than expected. The telescope and instrument suite have demonstrated the sensitivity, stability, image quality, and spectral range that are necessary to transform our understanding of the cosmos through observations spanning from near-earth asteroids to the most distant galaxies.Comment: 5th version as accepted to PASP; 31 pages, 18 figures; https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1538-3873/acb29

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

How to write an article: Preparing a publishable manuscript!

Most of the scientific work presented as abstracts (platforms and posters) at various conferences have the potential to be published as articles in peer-reviewed journals. This DIY (Do It Yourself) article on how to achieve that goal is an extension of the symposium presented at the 36th European Congress of Cytology, Istanbul, Turkey (presentation available on net at http://alturl.com/q6bfp). The criteria for manuscript authorship should be based on the ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors) Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts. The next step is to choose the appropriate journal to submit the manuscript and review the \u27Instructions to the authors\u27 for that journal. Although initially it may appear to be an insurmountable task, diligent organizational discipline with a little patience and perseverance with input from mentors should lead to the preparation of a nearly perfect publishable manuscript even by a novice. Ultimately, the published article is an excellent track record of academic productivity with contribution to the general public good by encouraging the exchange of experience and innovation. It is a highly rewarding conduit to the personal success and growth leading to the collective achievement of continued scientific progress. Recent emergences of journals and publishers offering the platform and opportunity to publish under an open access charter provides the opportunity for authors to protect their copyright from being lost to conventional publishers. Publishing your work on this open platform is the most rewarding mission and is the recommended option in the current modern era

Cytological analysis of small branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms provides a more accurate risk assessment of malignancy than symptoms

The Sendai guidelines for management of patients with clinically suspected intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) recommend resection of cysts > 30 mm, a dilated main pancreatic duct (MPD) > 6 mm, a mural nodule (MN), symptoms or positive cytology. Although sensitive, asymptomatic cysts, nonspecific symptoms, and a high threshold for positive cytology limit the specificity of the guidelines. We have assessed the value of cytology relative to symptom for predicting malignancy in IPMNs without high-risk imaging features

Performance of the Roche cobas 4800 high‐risk human papillomavirus test in cytologic preparations of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

BACKGROUND Determining high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV) status of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) defines a tumor subset with important clinical implications. Cytologic sampling often provides the sentinel or sole diagnostic specimen. The authors assessed the performance characteristics for the Roche cobas 4800 HPV real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based system (cobas) on cytologic specimens of HNSCC compared with standard methods of in situ hybridization (ISH) for HR‐HPV and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for p16 on formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tissue. METHODS Samples of HNSCC were collected by fine‐needle aspiration and from surgical biopsies or resections, fixed, and processed with the cobas system. Available corresponding FFPE samples were synchronously evaluated for HR‐HPV using ISH and IHC. Discrepant cases underwent additional PCR studies for adjudication. RESULTS Thirty‐six samples from 33 patients were analyzed. Forty‐two percent (n = 15) of tumors were positive for HR‐HPV according to cobas. Corresponding histology with ISH (n = 30) was concordant in 91% of samples. Compared with the adjudication PCR standard, there were 3 false‐positive cases according to cobas. Ninety‐two percent (n = 12) of cases were the HPV16 subtype. The overall sensitivity for the cobas system was 100%, and the specificity was 86%. CONCLUSIONS Concordance in HNSCC HR‐HPV status between cobas and ISH/IHC was > 90%, and cobas demonstrated a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 86%, broadening options for HR‐HPV testing of fine‐needle aspiration samples. Advantages for this system include subtyping of HR‐HPV and the ability to discern HR‐HPV status earlier in a patient's treatment course. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2014;122:167–174. © 2013 American Cancer Society. The performance characteristics of the Roche cobas 4800 human papillomavirus (HPV) real‐time polymerase chain reaction‐based system (cobas) were assessed on cytologic specimens of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC). Concordance in HNSCC high‐risk HPV status between cobas and in situ hybridization/immunohistochemistry is >90%, and the cobas demonstrates a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 86%, broadening options for high‐risk HPV testing of fine‐needle aspiration samples