Interoperable Solution for Test Execution in Various I&T Environments

When there is spacecraft collaboration between several industry partners, there is an inherent difference in integration and test (I&T) methodologies, which creates a challenge for verifying flight systems during the development phase. To converge the differing I&T methodologies, considerations were required for multiple project areas such as Flight System Testbed (FST), Assembly, Test, and Launch Operations (ATLO), and Spacecraft Simulator environments. This paper details the challenges and approaches of the JPL's effort in engineering a solution to testing the flight system with the Mission Operations Ground System while maintaining the comparability with testing methods of the industry partners

Unilateral Labial Hypertrophy in Adolescents: when should we Interfere? Two Case Reports

Synopsis: Adolescent and pre-menarchal patients with symptomatic unilateral labial hypertrophy should be counselled extensively prior to surgical management regarding risks of recurrence or contralateral occurrence. Purpose: Present the management of two unique cases of adolescent girls with unilateral labial hypertrophy. Case 1: 9 year-old pre-menarchal patient with a five-month history of unilateral labial hypertrophy causing discomfort that limited daily activities. External pelvic examination revealed grossly asymmetric labia minora. The left labia minora measured 5 cm in length. After counseling, the patient underwent unilateral labioplasty with resolution of symptoms. Patient returned after two years complaining of contralateral labial hypertrophy.The patient again underwent surgical management due to discomfort and interference with normal daily activities. Case 2: 12 year-old post-menarchal patient with a history of unilateral labial hypertrophy causing irritation and discomfort starting prior to menarche. External pelvic exam revealed grossly asymmetric labia minora. The right labia minora measured 4.5cm in length. The patient underwent unilateral labioplasty with resolution of her symptoms. After 2 years of follow up, patient remained asymptomatic. Conclusion: Adolescence unilateral labial hypertrophy may represent a normal variant and surgery should be delayed until achieving full puberty. However, when it causes significant discomfort or interferes with normal daily activities, surgical management should be considered after counseling regarding recurrence or contralateral occurrence

Tracking research trends and hotspots in sperm DNA fragmentation testing for the evaluation of male infertility: a scientometric analysis

BACKGROUND: This article describes the research trends in sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) over the past 20 years (1999-2018) using a scientometric approach. METHODS: A stepwise approach was adopted to retrieve scientometric data (articles per year, authors, affiliations, journals, countries) from Scopus and analyze the publication pattern of SDF with reference to key areas of research in the field of Andrology. RESULTS: A total of 2121 articles were retrieved related to SDF. Our data revealed an increasing research trend in SDF (n = 33 to n = 173) over the past 20 years (R2 = 0.894). Most productive country in publications was the USA (n = 450), while Agarwal A. (n = 129) being the most productive author. Most of the articles in SDF were primarily focused on lifestyle (n = 157), asthenozoospermia (n = 135) and varicocele (130). Mechanistic studies on SDF were published twice as much as prognostic/diagnostic studies, with significant emphasis on oxidative stress. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) was the most widely used technique to evaluate SDF. Publications on SDF related to assisted reproductive techniques also showed a linear increasing trend (R2 = 0.933). CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis revealed an increasing trend in SDF publications predominantly investigating lifestyle, asthenozoospermia and varicocele conditions with TUNEL being the most widely used technique. A substantial increase in research is warranted to establish SDF as prognostic/diagnostic parameter to evaluate clinical scenarios and ART outcomes

Pain Associated with Radiation Treatment for Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in American women. Postsurgical adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) significantly improves local-regional recurrence and breast cancer survival, so currently most breast cancer patients receive RT after surgery. However, pain related to cancer or treatment is a critical quality of life issue for breast cancer survivors. Most of the previous studies have focused on chemotherapy-related neuropathy; however, many breast cancer patients undergoing RT experience clinically significant levels of unrelieved cancer pain despite standard pain management. Multiple risk factors contribute to pre-RT, post-RT, and RT-related pain. Considering pre-RT pain is an independent risk factor for post-RT pain, and also RT-associated pain can last for many decades, pain management during RT may be an effective preventive strategy. Furthermore, if hypo-fractionation RT can provide equivalent long-term tumor control and survival but with reduced RT-associated pain, it may present a cost-effective treatment strategy to improve RT outcomes. Lastly, compared to non-Hispanic Whites, underserved minorities are more likely to suffer worse RT-related pain. Therefore, future research is warranted to characterize the molecular mechanisms of RT-related pain disparities and identify high-risk population for precision intervention