Predictors of Biologic Use and Satisfaction Among Patients With Psoriasis: An Analysis and Geographic Visualization of the 2016 and 2017 National Psoriasis Foundation Annual Surveys

Background: There are an increasing number of biologic therapies approved for the treatment of psoriasis. Previous reports have identified undertreatment as a concern in the United States. Undertreatment has been associated with decreased patient satisfaction and increased morbidity. Objectives: Assess biologic use and satisfaction among respondents to the 2016 and 2017 National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) Annual Surveys. Methods: Retrospective data analysis of the 2016 and 2017 NPF Annual Survey responses from individuals with psoriasis. ArcGIS Pro software was utilized to generate maps and perform an optimized hot spot analysis of moderate-to-severe psoriasis and biologic use. Results: There were 427 patients with psoriasis involving the skin alone. Biologics were used in3%. Respondents with BSA Conclusion: Despite the increasing number of Food and Drug Administration–approved biologic medications, the proportion of respondents on biologic therapy remained small. Treatment with biologics correlated with less residual disease and increased satisfaction. Geographic variation in state legislation as well as state and federal health insurance did not impact biologic use. However, using GIS, we identify a greater burden of moderate-to severe disease among respondents in the Southeastern United States and a lack of commensurate use of biologics in those areas

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

Predictors of Response to Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study

Introduction: Lung cancer carries the highest cancer-related mortality rates worldwide. Despite all recent advances, the mortality from lung cancer is still rising. A better understanding of the risk factors may help us predict responses to chemotherapy for better management. Aim: To evaluate predictors of response to chemotherapy in advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cohort study conducted in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India. A total of 60 confirmed cases of advanced (stage IIIB and IV) NSCLC patients were enrolled consecutively for a duration of two years. Baseline clinical parameters, routine blood tests, spirometry, exercise capacity using the 6 Minute Walk Test Distance (6MWTD), and Computed Tomography (CT)-based tumour size were recorded. Certain pre-defined patient, disease, and therapy-related factors (age, gender, dyspnoea, baseline blood tests, tumour size, histology, etc.) were evaluated for their possible role as predictors of treatment response in advanced NSCLC patients. A positive response was defined if the response to chemotherapy was Complete Response (CR) or Partial Response (PR), and a negative response if the response was Progressive Disease (PD) or Stable Disease (SD) as per revised RECIST (Response evaluation criteria in solid tumors) 1.1 criteria. Variables between the two groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test. To find out the factors that may predict response to treatment, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used. Results: Out of a total of 60 confirmed cases of NSCLC patients, only 40 patients were able to complete the four cycles of chemotherapy. The mean age of the patients was 58.5±9.6 years. There were a total of 35 males (87.5%) and five females (12.5%) in the study. Out of 40 patients, 27 (67.5%) had squamous cell carcinoma and 13 (32.5%) had adenocarcinoma. On univariate analysis, Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) had a statistically significant association with tumour response (p3.81) NLR (p=0.002) were found as independent predictors of poor response to chemotherapy. Conclusion: Pre-treatment high NLR and advanced age are significant factors for a poor response to chemotherapy treatment in advanced NSCLC patients

Assessing the production potential of industrial hemp in the semi-arid west Texas

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a water-efficient crop that could fit in the declining water situation of West Texas. However, being a new crop, there is a lack of knowledge about hemp cultivation practices. Therefore, multiple experiments were conducted at Quaker Research Farm of Texas Tech University to (1) evaluate the biomass productivity potential of several imported hemp cultivars under different planting dates in field conditions, and (2) test the seed germination capacity of hemp cultivars in a range of temperatures using a growth chamber. In the field, the highest biomass yield was recorded for Jinma in 2020, which was almost 180% higher than the average biomass of two other cultivars. In 2021, early planting observed higher plant biomass, plant height, and irrigation water use efficiency compared to late planting. The highest biomass was recorded for Jinma, followed by Yuma, Eletta Campana, and Fibranova in 2021. Jinma and Yuma resulted in high Tetrahydrocannabinol content at harvesting. In the growth chamber study, percentage germination remained similar from 10 to 30 °C, but it decreased by 28% at 35 °C compared to 30 °C. The speed of germination was higher at 30 °C compared to other temperatures. The mean germination time was recorded the highest at 10−15 °C, and in Jinma among cultivars. Results indicate that Eletta campana with early planting could be more productive in West Texas. Overall, hemp germination was more sensitive to high temperatures compared to low temperatures

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Presented at International conference on “Nurturing Arid Zones for People and Environment: Issues and Agenda for the 21st Centaury”, held at Central Arid zone Research institute, Jodhpur, from November 24-28, 2009, pp.274, 362+xiiip.Not AvailableNot Availabl