Short and Extended Provocation Tests Have Similar Negative Predictive Value in Non-Immediate Hypersensitivity to Beta-Lactams in Children

Drug provocation tests (DPTs) are the gold-standard method to diagnose non-immediate hypersensitivity reactions (NIHSR) to beta-lactam antibiotics (BL) in children. Our aim was to compare the negative predictive value (NPV) of one-day (short) DPT versus 3-7 days (extended) DPT for the diagnosis of NIHSR to BL in paediatric age. A secondary aim was to compare confidence on drug re-exposure after short and extended negative DPTs.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Iterative algorithm versus analytic solutions of the parametrically driven dissipative quantum harmonic oscillator

We consider the Brownian motion of a quantum mechanical particle in a one-dimensional parabolic potential with periodically modulated curvature under the influence of a thermal heat bath. Analytic expressions for the time-dependent position and momentum variances are compared with results of an iterative algorithm, the so-called quasiadiabatic propagator path integral algorithm (QUAPI). We obtain good agreement over an extended range of parameters for this spatially continuous quantum system. These findings indicate the reliability of the algorithm also in cases for which analytic results may not be available a priori.Comment: 15 pages including 11 figures, one reference added, minor typos correcte

Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Marsypianthes sp. essential oil.

Poster 126. SBOE 2015

Mass spectrometry screening of Arabica coffee roasting: A non-target and non-volatile approach by EASI-MS and ESI-MS.

Coffee roasting needs precise control and innovative techniques that are economically viable to monitor and improve its consistency. In this study, mass spectrometry was used as a tool to screen chemical markers that appear on the surface of coffee beans (whole bean) along the roasting process. A non-target and non-volatile approach was used with an ambient technique (EASI) coupled to a single quadrupole mass analyzer to monitor roasting chemical changes in the coffee bean. Green (raw), soft, medium, dark and very dark roasted coffee beans showed a decrease in ions in the range of m/z 500–600, whereas an increase in abundance in the m/z 800–900 range was clearly observed in the most roasted coffees. A multivariate approach through PCA separated the different roasts in 70% of the variance using PC1 and PC2. The major ions in the range of m/z 500–600 were characterized by ESI-MS and also HPLC-fluorescence as the N-alkanoyltryptamides, surface constituents of coffee wax layer which are almost fully degraded in darker roasts. The ions in the range of m/z 800–900 were characterized as di-and triacylglicerols and its increase during the roasting process was systematically observed. For these classes of chemical markers of the roasting process, ESI-MS showed also the sodium and potassium adducts with good relative abundances

Manejo integrado de pragas de grãos armazenados: implantação e monitoramento de pragas na unidade armazenadora.

Título em inglês: Integrated management of stored grain pests: implementation and monitoring of pests in the storage unit

Reliability and validity of three questionnaires measuring context-specific sedentary behaviour and associated correlates in adolescents, adults and older adults

BACKGROUND: Reliable and valid measures of total sedentary time, context-specific sedentary behaviour (SB) and its potential correlates are useful for the development of future interventions. The purpose was to examine test-retest reliability and criterion validity of three newly developed questionnaires on total sedentary time, context-specific SB and its potential correlates in adolescents, adults and older adults. METHODS: Reliability and validity was tested in six different samples of Flemish (Belgium) residents. For the reliability study, 20 adolescents, 22 adults and 20 older adults filled out the age-specific SB questionnaire twice. Test-retest reliability was analysed using Kappa coefficients, Intraclass Correlation Coefficients and/or percentage agreement, separately for the three age groups. For the validity study, data were retrieved from 62 adolescents, 33 adults and 33 older adults, with activPAL as criterion measure. Spearman correlations and Bland-Altman plots (or non-parametric approach) were used to analyse criterion validity, separately for the three age groups and for weekday, weekend day and average day. RESULTS: The test-retest reliability for self-reported total sedentary time indicated following values: ICC = 0.37-0.67 in adolescents; ICC = 0.73-0.77 in adults; ICC = 0.68-0.80 in older adults. Item-specific reliability results (e.g. context-specific SB and its potential correlates) showed good-to-excellent reliability in 67.94%, 68.90% and 66.38% of the items in adolescents, adults and older adults respectively. All items belonging to sedentary-related equipment and simultaneous SB showed good reliability. The sections of the questionnaire with lowest reliability were: context-specific SB (adolescents), potential correlates of computer use (adults) and potential correlates of motorized transport (older adults). Spearman correlations between self-reported total sedentary time and the activPAL were different for each age group: rho = 0.02-0.42 (adolescents), rho = 0.06-0.52 (adults), rho = 0.38-0.50 (older adults). Participants over-reported total sedentary time (except for weekend day in older adults) compared to the activPAL, for weekday, weekend day and average day respectively by +57.05%, +46.29%, +53.34% in adolescents; +40.40%, +19.15%, +32.89% in adults; +10.10%, -6.24%, +4.11% in older adults. CONCLUSIONS: The questionnaires showed acceptable test-retest reliability and criterion validity. However, over-reporting of total SB was noticeable in adolescents and adults. Nevertheless, these questionnaires will be useful in getting context-specific information on SB

Brain Structure and Degeneration Staging in Friedreich Ataxia: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Volumetrics from the ENIGMA-Ataxia Working Group

open48siThe method harmonization and multisite data analysis elements of this work were supported by the NIH BD2K (Big Data to Knowledge) program (grant U54 EB020403) and the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (fellowship 1106533, grant 1184403).Objective: Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is an inherited neurological disease defined by progressive movement incoordination. We undertook a comprehensive characterization of the spatial profile and progressive evolution of structural brain abnormalities in people with FRDA. Methods: A coordinated international analysis of regional brain volume using magnetic resonance imaging data charted the whole-brain profile, interindividual variability, and temporal staging of structural brain differences in 248 individuals with FRDA and 262 healthy controls. Results: The brainstem, dentate nucleus region, and superior and inferior cerebellar peduncles showed the greatest reductions in volume relative to controls (Cohen d = 1.5–2.6). Cerebellar gray matter alterations were most pronounced in lobules I–VI (d = 0.8), whereas cerebral differences occurred most prominently in precentral gyri (d = 0.6) and corticospinal tracts (d = 1.4). Earlier onset age predicted less volume in the motor cerebellum (rmax = 0.35) and peduncles (rmax = 0.36). Disease duration and severity correlated with volume deficits in the dentate nucleus region, brainstem, and superior/inferior cerebellar peduncles (rmax = −0.49); subgrouping showed these to be robust and early features of FRDA, and strong candidates for further biomarker validation. Cerebral white matter abnormalities, particularly in corticospinal pathways, emerge as intermediate disease features. Cerebellar and cerebral gray matter loss, principally targeting motor and sensory systems, preferentially manifests later in the disease course. Interpretation: FRDA is defined by an evolving spatial profile of neuroanatomical changes beyond primary pathology in the cerebellum and spinal cord, in line with its progressive clinical course. The design, interpretation, and generalization of research studies and clinical trials must consider neuroanatomical staging and associated interindividual variability in brain measures. ANN NEUROL 2021;90:570–583.openHarding I.H.; Chopra S.; Arrigoni F.; Boesch S.; Brunetti A.; Cocozza S.; Corben L.A.; Deistung A.; Delatycki M.; Diciotti S.; Dogan I.; Evangelisti S.; Franca M.C.; Goricke S.L.; Georgiou-Karistianis N.; Gramegna L.L.; Henry P.-G.; Hernandez-Castillo C.R.; Hutter D.; Jahanshad N.; Joers J.M.; Lenglet C.; Lodi R.; Manners D.N.; Martinez A.R.M.; Martinuzzi A.; Marzi C.; Mascalchi M.; Nachbauer W.; Pane C.; Peruzzo D.; Pisharady P.K.; Pontillo G.; Reetz K.; Rezende T.J.R.; Romanzetti S.; Sacca F.; Scherfler C.; Schulz J.B.; Stefani A.; Testa C.; Thomopoulos S.I.; Timmann D.; Tirelli S.; Tonon C.; Vavla M.; Egan G.F.; Thompson P.M.Harding I.H.; Chopra S.; Arrigoni F.; Boesch S.; Brunetti A.; Cocozza S.; Corben L.A.; Deistung A.; Delatycki M.; Diciotti S.; Dogan I.; Evangelisti S.; Franca M.C.; Goricke S.L.; Georgiou-Karistianis N.; Gramegna L.L.; Henry P.-G.; Hernandez-Castillo C.R.; Hutter D.; Jahanshad N.; Joers J.M.; Lenglet C.; Lodi R.; Manners D.N.; Martinez A.R.M.; Martinuzzi A.; Marzi C.; Mascalchi M.; Nachbauer W.; Pane C.; Peruzzo D.; Pisharady P.K.; Pontillo G.; Reetz K.; Rezende T.J.R.; Romanzetti S.; Sacca F.; Scherfler C.; Schulz J.B.; Stefani A.; Testa C.; Thomopoulos S.I.; Timmann D.; Tirelli S.; Tonon C.; Vavla M.; Egan G.F.; Thompson P.M