Racial and ethnic differences in perceptions of campus climate related to sexual violence

Objective: To assess perceptions of university institutional climate related to sexual violence and whether these differed by race/ethnicity. Participants: Matriculated undergraduates > age 18 (n = 1028). Methods: Students were invited via campus email to participate in an online survey. Results: Overall, only 20% agreed that the university is creating an environment in which unwanted sexual experiences seemed common or normal, but these findings differed by race. Black students were more likely than their white peers to feel the university is creating an environment in which unwanted sexual experiences seem common or normal (37.3% vs. 19.7%, p < .001) and creating an environment in which such instances were more likely to occur (33.3% vs. 13.4%, p < .001). Conclusions: Data suggest that while students generally perceive that the university is working to create a positive and safe climate, these perceptions vary by race. Further investigation is necessary to better understand the concerns of students of color.

Impact of industrial air pollution on the quality of atmospheric water production

The atmospheric water generator (AWG) is a commercially available device that produces water from the air in large volumes over short times. This method can be applied in most regions of the world to solve chronic and acute drinking water scarcity. However, knowledge of the effects of air chemical composition on AWG-produced water quality is still very limited. In this study, a comprehensive survey of AWG-produced water quality was conducted in a heavily polluted industrial environment; 83 AWG water samples were analyzed for 99 different quality parameters, including organic, inorganic, and microbial contamination. Two parameters-nickel (15 samples) and dichloromethane (2 samples)-exceeded sporadically their drinking water standards of EPA, EU and IL. Ammonia was the only parameter consistently above standard limits of 0.5 mg/L (61% of samples, relevant to 47 countries) and even higher than 1.5 mg/L. Comparison to real air concentrations of volatile pollutants in the same environment did not reveal any significant correlations; while some pollutants were found at high concentrations in the air, this was not reflected by their presence in the produced water. The findings show that even in areas that are considered excessively polluted relative to the natural environment, the water produced from the air by AWG could be considered suitable for drinking, with careful attention to very specific contaminants.

A study on the cross-section data of 43,44m,46,47Sc isotopes via (d,x) reactions on natural abundance targets under the effects of deuteron optical models

Many studies have investigated the influence of theoretical models and factors involved in the acquisition of cross-section data of a nuclear reaction. The implications of different models of various variables such as level density, gamma strength function, and optical potentials on cross-section calculations whether used solo or jointly are investigated in a significant portion of the works conducted in this perspective. The aim of this particular study is to investigate the influence of different optical models on the cross-section calculations in production of several scandium isotopes, known for various medical uses, from several targets with natural abundances by (d,x) reactions. For this purpose, the cross-section calculations using five available deuteron optical models of TALYS code in ^natTi(d,x)⁴³Sc, ^natTi(d,x)^44mSc, ^natTi(d,x)⁴⁶Sc, ^natTi(d,x)⁴⁷Sc, ^natV(d,x)⁴⁷Sc and ^natCr(d,x)⁴⁷Sc reactions were performed and the obtained calculation results were compared with the experimental cross-section data gathered from the literature. To understand whether there is a significant and consistent relationship between the experimental data and the calculation results, both have been plotted together and analyzed with the naked-eye. In addition, the calculations of the mean standardized deviation, the mean relative deviation, the mean ratio and the mean square logarithmic deviation were performed in order to evaluate the results numerically.

Assessing Knee Stability in Adolescent Athletes with Osgood-Schlatter Disease Using the Y-Balance Test

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Osgood-Schlatter disease develops secondary to chronic patellar tendon overloading. The present study was designed to determine whether athletes with Osgood-Schlatter disease perform significantly worse in the Y-Balance Test compared to healthy subjects in a control group. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study involved ten boys (average age 13.7 years). Seven participants had bilateral knee pain, swelling and tenderness whereas three had unilateral knee pain, swelling and tenderness (left knee in two cases, and right knee in one). Overall, 17 knees were assessed (left knee in nine cases and right knee in eight).Ten healthy adolescent professional football players (mean age 14.6 years) were selected as a control group. In both groups, complex knee stability was assessed using the Y-Balance Test and their data were analyzed using the methodology developed by Plisky et al. The test outcome was expressed in indexed (normalized) values for the right and left lower extremities, and averaged values for the individual directions were compared. RESULTS Significant differences between both groups were shown in the posteromedial and posterolateral directions. CONCLUSIONS Using the Y-Balance Test, our study documented reduced performance in the above directions in patients with OsgoodSchlatter disease. Key words: Osgood-Schlatter disease, knee, balance test, movement patterns patellar tendon overload.

Removal of carbamazepine, venlafaxine and iohexol from wastewater effluent using coupled microalgal-bacterial biofilm

We evaluated the removal capacity of a coupled microalgal-bacterial biofilm (CMBB) to eliminate three recalcitrant pharmaceuticals. The CMBB's efficiency, operating at different biofilm concentrations, with or without light, was compared and analyzed to correlate these parameters to pharmaceutical removal and their effect on the microorganism community. Removal rates changed with changing pharmaceutical and biofilm concentrations: higher biofilm concentrations presented higher removal. Removal of 82-94% venlafaxine and 18-51% carbamazepine was obtained with 5 days of CMBB treatment. No iohexol removal was observed. Light, microorganism composition, and dissolved oxygen concentration are essential parameters governing the removal of pharmaceuticals and ammonia. Chlorophyll concentration increased with time, even in the dark. Three bacterial phyla were dominant: Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. The dominant eukaryotic supergroups were Archaeplastida, Excavata and SAR. A study of the microorganisms' community indicated that not only do the species in the biofilm play an important role; environment, concentration and interactions among them are also important. CMBB has the potential to provide low-cost and sustainable treatment for wastewater and recalcitrant pharmaceutical removal. The microenvironments on the biofilm created by the microalgae and bacteria improved treatment efficiency.

Strategic management to optimize response to cardiac resynchronization therapy registry

Background

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is guideline-recommended for the treatment of symptomatic heart failure (HF) in patients (pts) with reduced LVEF and prolonged QRS. Clinical trials report Clinical Composite Score (CCS) response rates from 60 to 75%. However, patients with common comorbidities, such as atrial fibrillation, are often under-represented in clinical trials. The Strategic MAnagement to optimize response to cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (SMART) Registry (NCT03075215) was designed to examine outcomes in CRT patients in the real world.

Methods

The SMART Registry was a global, multicenter, prospective, clinical registry that enrolled subjects undergoing a de novo CRT-D implant or upgrade from pacemaker to CRT-D using a quadripolar LV lead. CCS was assessed at 12 months post-implant.

Results

For study design and CCS outcomes see Figure 1. CCS at 12 months showed that 58.8% of pts improved and 20.1% stabilized. Of the 21.1% of pts that worsened, 8.4% were due to death, 7.8% non-fatal heart failure event, and 5% worsening of NYHA or patient global assessment. Notably, this registry had a high prevalence of pts with NYHA I/II (51%), Non-LBBB (50%), AF (37%), diabetes (35%), and bradycardia (31%) at baseline. Age (&gt;65), diabetes, ischemia, non-LBBB, atrial fibrillation (AF) and renal dysfunction correlated with worsened CCS outcomes. NYHA III/IV patients had significantly higher HF hospitalization (HFH) rates than NYHA I/II (P-value &lt;0.001) (Figure 2a) and patients with AF had higher HFH rates than those without (P-value &lt;0.001) (Figure 2b). Similar effects of NYHA score and AF were seen on mortality. The use of ACE/ARB, or ARNI, and MRA correlated with better outcomes, whereas diuretics and anticoagulants correlated with poorer outcomes.

Conclusions

In this large registry, clinical outcomes across important sub-populations are in line with expectations, with older age, ischemia, renal dysfunction, AF, non-LBBB, and diabetes associated with a lower likelihood of response to CRT. By including these patients, this study provides a clearer picture of the effectiveness of CRT in the real world. Future studies should examine optimization approaches to facilitate CRT effectiveness in these under studied patient populations.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): This registry was funded by Boston Scientific (BSC)

The effect of distinct dietary interventions on proximal aortic stiffness; the DIRECT-PLUS randomized controlled trial

Background

Proximal aortic stiffness (PAS) reflects arterial aging and is strongly associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Plant-rich, specifically Mediterranean-style, diets are associated with reduced cardiovascular risk. The effect of dietary interventions on PAS remains unclear.

Methods

We randomized participants with abdominal-obesity/dyslipidemia to healthy-dietary-guidelines (HDG), Mediterranean, or green-Mediterranean diets combined with physical activity (PA). Both Mediterranean diets were similarly hypocaloric and included 28g/day walnuts. The green-Mediterranean group also consumed green tea (3–4 cups/day) and a Wolffia-globosa (Mankai) plant green-shake. PAS was estimated based on aortic-arch pulse-wave-velocity using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline and after 18-months.

Results

Among 294 participants [age=51±10.6 years, body-mass-index 31.3±4.0 kg/m2, PAS = 6.1±2.7 m/sec, retention rate = 89.8%], 281 had valid PAS measurements. Higher PAS was mostly associated with aging, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and increased visceral adiposity (p&lt;0.05 for all). After 18-months of intervention, all diet groups significantly reduced their PAS ([HDG: −4.8% (interquartile-range [IQR]: −22.3 to 8.7); Mediterranean: −7.3%, IQR (−20.8 to 11.9); green-Mediterranean: −14.0%, IQR (−27.0 to 2.4); p&lt;0.05 for within-groups changes).

Green-Mediterranean dieters had significantly greater PAS reduction than HDG dieters (p=0.007), also after controlling for age, sex, baseline-PAS, and Δweight. Further adjustment to baseline dyslipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension also revealed significant differences in PAS reduction between green-Mediterranean and Mediterranean groups (p=0.027). Specifically, greater green tea consumption was associated with greater PAS regression (p=0.04). ΔPAS was significantly associated with improvements in Δlow-density-lipoprotein cholesterol and Δtotal-cholesterol (p&lt;0.05, multivariable models). All lifestyle intervention showed aortic age regression as compared to the expected (1.8±0.14 years vs.: HDG: −2.9±7.5 years; MED: −4.1±7.4 years; green-MED:-4.9±8.0 years; p&lt;0.001).

Conclusions

Higher PAS is strongly related to aging and is associated with traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Lifestyle intervention promotes PAS reduction. Green-Mediterranean diet may be associated with more remarkable aortic rejuvenation.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation); the Israel Ministry of Health

Serum uric acid levels significantly improve the accuracy of cardiovascular risk score models

Background

This study evaluated the impact of serum uric acid (sUA) on the accuracy of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) pooled cohort equations (PCE) model, Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation score 2 (SCORE2) and SCORE2-Older Persons (OP).

Methods

We evaluated 19,789 asymptomatic self-referred adults aged 40–79 years who were screened annually in a preventive healthcare setting. All subjects were free of cardiovascular disease and diabetes at baseline. sUA levels were expressed as a continuous as well as dichotomous variable (categorized into sex-specific tertiles, with the upper tertiles defined as high sUA). Mortality and cancer data were available for all subjects from nationwide registries. The primary endpoint was the composite of death, acute coronary syndrome and stroke, after excluding subjects diagnosed with lymphatic spread cancer during follow up.

Results

Mean age of study population was 50±8 years and 69% were men. During median follow up of 6 years [2.0–13.1], 1,658 (8%) subjects reached the study endpoint. ASCVD, SCORE2 risk and high sUA were all independently associated with the study endpoint in the multivariable Cox regression model (p&lt;0.001 for all). Continuous net reclassification improvement analysis showed an improvement of 13% in the accuracy of classification when high sUA was added to the PCE and SCORE2 models (p&lt;0.001 for both). sUA remained independently associated with the study endpoint among normal-weight subjects in the SCORE 2 model (HR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.6) but not among overweight individuals (p for interaction = 0.01). Addition of sUA to the models in normal-weight subgroup (N=6,624) resulted in a significant 20% improvement in the model performance for both SCORE2 and ASCVD when sUA was incorporated as dichotomous variable (p&lt;0.001 for ASCVD and p=0.026 for SCORE2 model).

Conclusions

sUA significantly improves classification accuracy of PCE and SCORE 2 models. This effect is especially pronounced among normal weight subjects.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Decreasing albumin within normal range is associated with increased likelihood of ischemic heart disease

Background

Albumin (ALB) is a known biomarker of frailty, and cardiovascular disease and frailty are interdependent. Epidemiological evidence demonstrates that low serum albumin levels are linked to events of ischemic heart disease (IHD), venous thromboembolism, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and stroke.

Purpose

We aimed to investigate the association of variations in ALB levels that are within normal range with IHD events among apparently healthy adults.

Methods

A case-control retrospective study of self-referred adults participating in an executive screening program between 2002 and 2017. All subjects were free of IHD and diabetes at baseline and had their ALB documented in each visit. Only subjects with at least two ALB measurements and whose ALB levels were within the normal range at all visits were included. Relationships between ALB trend and occurrence of IHD (acute coronary syndrome or percutaneous coronary intervention) within 2 years from the last visit were investigated.

Results

The final study cohort included 16,386 subjects. Median age was 53 (IQR 45–60), 11,461 (70%) were men. Analysis included a total of 99,127 visits. Median number of visits per subject was 5 (IQR 3–9, median inter-visit time 1.02 years) and median ALB level was 4.4 (IQR 4.2–4.6). IHD within 2 years was diagnosed in 545 (3%) subjects. Of those, only 36 were female and they tended to have lower variations in ALB throughout the years. Hence, we conducted an analysis of the 509 males only, and created an equal-size age-matched cohort of IHD-free subjects. Our analysis demonstrated a progressive and significant decrease in ALB levels among IHD cases, but not among controls (mean decrease of 0.021 g/DL vs. 0.004 g/DL per year, p&lt;0.01; OR [CI] = 0.82 [0.72–0.93]; Figure 1). Similar results were found among subjects with at least 3 or 4 visits (0.015 g/DL vs. 0.006 g/DL per year, p=0.027, and 0.009 g/DL vs. 0.003 g/DL per year, p=0.045, respectively).

Conclusions

Kinetics of ALB within the normal range can identify men at risk for IHD in preventive healthcare screening programs.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Effects of combining some theoretical models in the cross-section calculations of some alpha-induced reactions for natSb

In cases where it is not possible to obtain the cross-section values experimentally due to various factors, the importance of obtaining them with theoretical models has been explained in many studies available in the literature. In this context, the comparison of the cross-section values obtained by using the theoretical models with the experimental data will also be very beneficial for updating and developing these models. Existing studies, which also serve this purpose, have given inspiration to this study and it is aimed to examine the effects of the simultaneous use of the alpha optical model potentials and the level density models on the cross-section calculations for some alpha-particle-induced reactions on natural antimony. The effects of theoretical models on the cross-section calculations were investigated by comparing the obtained calculation results with the experimental data taken from the literature. The TALYS code, which is frequently preferred in the literature, was used in all calculations within the scope of this study. For the comparison of the calculated results with the experimental data, not only a visual analysis by graphing the outcomes, but also a mean-weighted-deviation calculation was used, and the findings were interpreted by accounting for both of them.

Incident cardiovascular events among middle-age men are associated with increased risk of subsequent prostate cancer diagnosis

Introduction

Prostate cancer is the second most common malignancy in men worldwide, but incidence is highly dependent on screening.

Purpose

We aimed to examine whether incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) events are associated with increased risk of future prostate cancer in middle-aged men.

Methods

We evaluated asymptomatic self-referred men who participated in a screening program. All subjects were free of CVD and cancer at baseline. CVD was defined as the composite of acute coronary syndrome, percutaneous coronary intervention, or stroke. Study endpoint was the development of cancer during follow up. Cancer and mortality data were available for all subjects from national registries. Cox regression models were applied with CVD as a time-dependent covariate and death as a competing risk event.

Results

Final study population included 18,282 subjects. Median age was 47 years (Interquartile range [IQR] 41–54). During median follow up time of 12 years (IQR 4–17) 2,047 (11%) subjects developed CVD, 406 (2.2%) developed prostate cancer and 694 (4%) died. Compared with patients who were free of CVD or prostate cancer during follow up, risk of death was 4, 6 and 15 times higher for patients who developed CVD event, prostate cancer, or both during follow up, respectively (p &lt;.001 for all). Time dependent survival analysis showed that subjects who developed CVD during follow up were 60% more likely to develop prostate cancer (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.2–2.1, p=.001). However, after multivariable adjustment, this association was no longer significant. Interaction analysis demonstrated that the association of incident CVD with the risk of future cancer diagnosis was age dependent such that in middle-aged men (age≤55 years; N=14,473) incident CVD was associated with a significant 70% increased risk of subsequent cancer diagnosis in multivariable model (95% CI 1.13–2.6, p=.011, p for interaction=.002). Exploratory analysis of men younger than 55 showed that independent association of incident CVD with subsequent cancer diagnosis was different among subjects with normal body mass index (BMI) (≤25 kg/m2) compared with those with increased BMI (HR 0.55; 95% CI [0.22–1.42]; p value=0.23 vs. 1.6; 95% CI [1.007–2.54]; p value=.047; p for interaction=.058, respectively).

Conclusion

Incident CVD is independently associated with increased risk of subsequent prostate cancer diagnosis among men ≤55 years. Routine prostate cancer surveillance should be considered after CVD event in this population.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Predictors of deterioration in cardiorespiratory fitness among healthy adults: the importance of sex and obesity

Introduction

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with cardiovascular co-morbidities and is a strong predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, data on the natural history of cardiorespiratory fitness among healthy subjects is limited.

Purpose

This study investigated what are the predictors of deterioration in CRF over time.

Methods

We investigated 36,239 men and women who were annually screened in a tertiary medical center and completed an exercise stress test in all visits, with a total of 175,596 annual visits. Subjects who failed to complete maximal exercise stress test according to the Bruce protocol at their first baseline visit were excluded. In addition, subjects with less than five visits to the center or those who developed ischemic heart disease during follow-up were excluded. Fitness was categorized into age- and sex-specific quintiles (Q) according to Bruce protocol treadmill time. Change in CRF between the first baseline visit and the fifth visit was used to calculate fitness deterioration. The primary study endpoint was defined as the lower sex-specific quintile of change in metabolic equivalents (METS) between visits 1 and 5. Logistic regression models were applied.

Results

Final study population included 10,841 subjects. The mean age of the study population was 49±10 years, the mean BMI was 26±4, and 8107 (75%) were men. Median METS at baseline were 10.8 (IQR 9–12.6) and 11.1 (IQR 9.4–13) at the first and fifth visit, respectively (p&lt;0.001 for METS between visits). Overall, 2189 (20%) subjects met the study endpoint. CFR deterioration was higher among women as compared to men (p=0.023). Out of obesity, hypertension, fasting blood glucose, LDL, and HDL cholesterol, after adjustments for age, sex, and baseline CFR, only obesity was independently associated with fitness deterioration in the multivariate model (OR=1.4 95% CI 1.2–1.5, p&lt;0.001). The association of obesity with fitness deterioration was modified by sex such that the risk of CRF deterioration was more pronounced in women (OR=1.6 95% CI 1.3–2, p&lt;0.001) than in men (OR=1.3 95% CI 1.1–1.4, p&lt;0.001).

Conclusion

Obesity is an independent predictor of future CRF deterioration. The effect of obesity on future CRF deterioration is more pronounced among women as compared to men.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Incident cardiovascular events among healthy subjects are associated with increased risk of subsequent cancer diagnosis

Introduction

While Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer share common risk factors, data on the temporal association between the occurrence of CVD and cancer is limited.

Purpose

This study investigated the association between incident CVD events future cancer among apparently healthy subjects.

Methods

We evaluated asymptomatic self-referred adults who participated in a screening program. All subjects were free of CVD and cancer at baseline. CVD was defined as the composite of acute coronary syndrome, percutaneous coronary intervention, or stroke. Study endpoint was the development of cancer during follow up. Cancer and mortality data were available for all subjects from national registries. Cox regression models were applied with CVD as a time-dependent covariate and death as a competing risk event.

Results

Final study population included 26,574 subjects. Median age was 46 years (Interquartile range [IQR] 40–53) and 69% were men. During median follow up time of 10 years (IQR 3–16) 2,463 (9%) subjects developed CVD, 2,040 (8%) developed cancer and 869 (3%) died. Most common cancer types were prostate among men (N=406, 2.2%) and breast among women (N=283, 3.4%). Compared with patients who were free of CVD and cancer during follow up, risk of death was 5, 34 and 54 times higher for patients who developed CVD event, cancer, or both during follow up, respectively (p &lt;.001 for all). Time dependent survival analysis showed that subjects who developed CVD during follow up were 50% more likely to develop cancer in a univariate model (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.3–1.7, p&lt;.001). Interaction analysis demonstrated that the association of incident CVD with the risk of future cancer diagnosis was age dependent such that in younger subjects (≤52 years; N=19,052) incident CVD was associated with a significant 30% increased risk of subsequent cancer diagnosis (95% CI 1.03–1.67, p=.027) while in older subjects incident CVD was not associated with increased risk of cancer in the multivariable model (p for interaction =.018).

Conclusion

Incident CVD is independently associated with increased risk of subsequent cancer diagnosis among young adults. Active cancer surveillance should be considered among young patients recovering from a CVD event.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

UV-LED Combined with Small Bioreactor Platform (SBP) for Degradation of 17α-Ethynylestradiol (EE2) at Very Short Hydraulic Retention Time

Degradation of 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) and estrogenicity were examined in a novel oxidative bioreactor (OBR) that combines small bioreactor platform (SBP) capsules and UV-LED (ultraviolet light emission diode) simultaneously, using enriched water and secondary effluent. Preliminary experiments examined three UV-LED wavelengths-267, 279, and 286 nm, with (indirect photolysis) and without (direct photolysis) H₂O₂. The major degradation wavelength for both direct and indirect photolysis was 279 nm, while the major removal gap for direct vs. indirect degradation was at 267 nm. Reduction of EE2 was observed together with reduction of estrogenicity and mineralization, indicating that the EE2 degradation products are not estrogens. Furthermore, slight mineralization occurred with direct photolysis and more significant mineralization with the indirect process. The physical-biological OBR process showed major improvement over other processes studied here, at a very short hydraulic retention time. The OBR can feasibly replace the advanced oxidation process of UV-LED radiation with catalyst in secondary sedimentation tanks with respect to reduction ratio, and with no residual H₂O₂. Further research into this OBR system is warranted, not only for EE2 degradation, but also to determine its capabilities for degrading mixtures of pharmaceuticals and pesticides, both of which have a significant impact on the environment and public health.

Arsenate reducing bacteria isolated from the marine sponge Theonella swinhoei: Bioremediation potential

Arsenic (As) contamination of freshwater resources constitutes a major environmental issue affecting over 200 million people worldwide. Although the use of microorganisms for the bioremediation of As has been well studied, only very few candidates have been identified to date. Here, we investigated bacteria associated with the Red Sea sponge Theonella swinhoei and their potential to reduce As in a low-salinity liquid medium. This Indo-Pacific common sponge has been shown to hyper-accumulate As, at an average concentration of 8600 mg/g^-1 in an environment uncontaminated by arsenic or barium. Four isolated strains of bacteria exhibited arsenic reduction potential by transforming inorganic As in the form of arsenate (iAs^V) to arsenite (iAs^III). Two of these isolates were identified as Alteromonas macleodii and Pseudovibrio ascidisceicola, and the other two isolates, both belonging to the same species, were identified as Pseudovibrio denitrificans. The four isolates were then cultured in a low-salinity iAs^V-rich medium (5 mM) and As concentration was measured over time using a specifically designed high-performance liquid chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer (HPLC-MS). Out of the four isolates, A. macleodii and P. ascidisceicola grew successfully in a low-salinity liquid medium and reduced As^V to As^III at an average rate of 0.094 and 0.083 mM/h, respectively, thereby demonstrating great potential for the bioremediation of As-contaminated groundwater.

Effects of deuteron optical models on the cross-section calculations of deuteron induced reactions on natural germanium

A common feature of scientific studies is that when experimental observation data are not available, theoretical calculations are used to obtain information about the subject under investigation. In this context, many parameters and theoretical models have been developed that can be used in nuclear physics studies just as it is in other branches of sciences. It is intended that by doing so, theoretical models can be improved using recent experimental data while also learning about outcomes where experimental data is unavailable or difficult to access. Among the many theoretical models available, there are also deuteron optical models whose effects are examined in this study. The objective of this study is to examine the effects of different deuteron optical models on the cross-section calculations of deuteron induced reactions on natural germanium. The cross-section values of ^natGe(d,x)⁷⁰As, ^natGe(d,x)⁷¹As, ^natGe(d,x)⁷²As, ^natGe(d,x)⁷³As, ^natGe(d,x)⁷⁴As and ^natGe(d,x)⁷⁶As reactions were calculated using five deuteron optical models in the TALYS code's v1.95 for this aim, and the results were compared to the experimental data available in the database known as Experimental Nuclear Reaction Data (EXFOR) library. Graphics and quantitative analyses were also used to present the findings and interpretations of the outcomes.

Metabolic determinants of proximal aortic stiffness among healthy people with abdominal obesity

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): (1) the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft; (2) Israel Ministry of Health

Background

Increased proximal aortic stiffness (PAS) is directly associated with cardiovascular risk. Likewise, metabolic syndrome (MS) and abdominal obesity are associated with cardiovascular risk. The direct association between MS determinants and PAS among a healthy population with abdominal obesity remains to be examined.

Purpose

To examine the association between MS determinants and PAS among healthy participants with abdominal obesity.

Methods

We utilized the cross-sectional baseline data of the DIRECT-PLUS study (clinicaltrials.gov NCT03020186), where we recruited healthy participants with abdominal obesity/dyslipidemia. Along with anthropometric measurements and blood tests, all participants underwent magnetic-resonance-imaging from which PAS we assessed by calculating the aortic arch pulse-wave-velocity (from the ascending to the descending aorta). We defined MS according to the NCEP-ATP-III criteria.

Results

Of 282 participants who had a valid PAS estimation [mean-age: 51.0, 88.3% male, mean-body-mass-index: 31.2kg/m2, mean-waist circumference (WC): 109.5cm] 171 (60.9%) had MS. PAS was mainly associated with age (r = 0.735, p &lt; 0.001). PAS was associated with an increased 10-year Framingham Risk Score (β=0.165,p = 0.008 after adjustment for age and gender). Participants with MS had higher PAS than non-MS participants (6.6m/sec vs. 5.4m/sec, p = 0.002 after adjusting for age and gender). PAS increased along with cumulative number of MS criteria (p-of-trend &lt; 0.001). In multivariate models, adjusted for gender, age, and dichotomous-components of the MS, worse PAS remained significantly associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c; β=0.-116,p = 0.007) and increased blood-pressure (β=0.165,p &lt; 0.001), but not with fasting-glucose, waist-circumference or plasma-triglycerides (p &gt; 0.05 for all). In models adjusted for age, gender, and continuous determinants of MS, worse PAS remained associated with mean-arterial pressure (β=0.218,p &lt; 0.001) and HDL-c (β=0.-126,p = 0.004).

Conclusions

Among a healthy population with abdominal obesity, reduced HDL-c levels and increased blood pressure might be the more dominant predictors of poor PAS state, out of the MS components.

Detection of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and its formation potential in hospital wastewater

Hospital wastewaters contain high concentrations of pharmaceutical residues and other chemicals, and may present an important source for NDMA (N-nitrosodimethylamine) and its precursors in the aquatic environment. The present study evaluates the contribution of hospital wastewater to NDMA environmental load and identifies important sources within the hospital itself. For this purpose, wastewaters from five large hospitals in Israel were analyzed, and concentrations of NDMA were found in the range of 20.7-56.7 ng/L, which are similar to NDMA concentrations typically detected in domestic wastewater. The relative contribution of day surgery, oncology, laboratories, and central kitchen (in Sheba hospital) to the daily load of NDMA was calculated as 20.2%, 8.2%, 10%, and 43.2%, respectively. In addition, NDMA concentration in Sheba's mixed wastewater stream, measured throughout a complete working day, was highest at 14:00. This suggests the possible impact of lunchtime on NDMA concentration, and emphasizes the dominant contribution of central kitchen waste. Finally, formation potential of NDMA in the mixed stream was 7300 ng/L, in the upper range of domestic wastewater, but could be decreased by 70% during subsequent aerobic biological wastewater treatment.

Solid phase extraction based on trimethylsilyloxy silica aerogel

Solid-phase extraction (SPE) based on trimethylsilyloxy-modified silica aerogel was developed for extraction of chemotherapeutic drugs from water. The developed method is easy and affordable, can be performed in separating funnel and does not require a vacuum and SPE manifold. The extraction and recovery of cyclophosphamide (CYP), dexamethasone (DEX), and paclitaxel (TAX) by the aerogel from water were investigated. The factors governing the extraction efficiency such as sample pH, sample volume, volume of eluent and concentration of analytes were studied. The LOD and LOQ of the developed method were calculated and linearity was found in the range of 4–100 μg L⁻¹. The extraction efficiency of the aerogel was compared to that of other SPE cartridges, Oasis HLB, Strata-X-C, C18 and polymeric reversed phase, and the aerogel showed similar or better performance than the other commercial cartridges available on the market. The developed method was also used to extract chemotherapeutic drugs spiked in hospital wastewater.

Solid-phase extraction (SPE) based on trimethylsilyloxy-modified silica aerogel was developed for extraction of chemotherapeutic drugs from water.

Deep learning analysis provides accurate COVID-19 diagnosis on chest computed tomography

INTRODUCTION

Computed Tomography is an essential diagnostic tool in the management of COVID-19. Considering the large amount of examinations in high case-load scenarios, an automated tool could facilitate and save critical time in the diagnosis and risk stratification of the disease.

METHODS

A novel deep learning derived machine learning (ML) classifier was developed using a simplified programming approach and an open source dataset consisting of 6868 chest CT images from 418 patients which was split into training and validation subsets. The diagnostic performance was then evaluated and compared to experienced radiologists on an independent testing dataset. Diagnostic performance metrics were calculated using Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analysis. Operating points with high positive (>10) and low negative (<0.01) likelihood ratios to stratify the risk of COVID-19 being present were identified and validated.

RESULTS

The model achieved an overall accuracy of 0.956 (AUC) on an independent testing dataset of 90 patients. Both rule-in and rule out thresholds were identified and tested. At the rule-in operating point, sensitivity and specificity were 84.4 % and 93.3 % and did not differ from both radiologists (p > 0.05). At the rule-out threshold, sensitivity (100 %) and specificity (60 %) differed significantly from the radiologists (p < 0.05). Likelihood ratios and a Fagan nomogram provide prevalence independent test performance estimates.

CONCLUSION

Accurate diagnosis of COVID-19 using a basic deep learning approach is feasible using open-source CT image data. In addition, the machine learning classifier provided validated rule-in and rule-out criteria could be used to stratify the risk of COVID-19 being present.

Assessing pharmaceutical contamination along the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts of Israel: Ascidians (Chordata, Ascidiacea) as bioindicators

Global increase in the use of pharmaceutically-active compounds (PhACs), and their insufficient removal in wastewater treatment plants, have resulted in their continuous release into the marine environment. We investigated the use of the solitary ascidians Herdmania momus, Microcosmus exasperatus, and Styela plicata as bioindicators of three common PhACs in the Israeli coastal waters: Bezafibrate, carbamazepine and diclofenac. Both the Mediterranean and the Red-Sea coasts were found contaminated with PhACs, detected at all 11 sampling sites, with four sites contaminated with all three studied PhACs. Diclofenac was most frequent, present in nine of the 11 sites with concentrations reaching 51.9 ng/g of dry weight sample (dw). Bezafibrate and carbamazepine reached concentrations of 47.8 ng/g dw and 14.3 ng/g dw, respectively. The alarming detection of such high concentrations of PhACs in ascidians along Israel's coasts demonstrates both the extent of PhACs contamination in the region, and the potential of ascidians as bioindicators, and emphasizes the urgent need for additional research into PhAC contamination sources and effects.

Right ventricular strain for prediction of mortality in patients with preserved ejection fraction

Introduction

Right Ventricular (RV) dysfunction is highly prevalent and has major prognostic implication in patients with Heart Failure (HF) with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF). Different functional indices have been proposed to evaluate RV function, most common are TEI-index, TAPSE and RVFAC%. Recent works suggested that 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) for RV global longitudinal strain (RVGLS) and free wall strain (RVFWS) are more sensitive in evaluating RV (dys)function than other functional and hemodynamic parameters in specific populations, such as HF with reduced EF.

Purpose

We aimed to assess if endocardial RVGLS, RVFWS, and RV Septal Wall Strain (RVSWS), might have a prognostic and additive value (on top of the conventional measurements) on the outcome of patients with preserved EF.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of RV parameters including Peak and End Systolic Strain of RVGLS, RVFWS and RVSWS, RV functional indices (RVFAC% and Machine like TAPSE), Systolic Pulmonary Artery Pressure, in 375 consecutive patients with Preserved Ejection Fraction (EF ≥50%; age 69.1±19; 51% female; Co-morbidity Charlson index 1 (3)). Multivariate Cox regression hazards model was used to determine the association between RV strain parameters to all-cause mortality.

Results

RVFWS, RVSWS and RVFAC% were strong predictors of mortality in univariate analysis (HR 1.07 [1.03–1.1]; p≤0.0001, HR 1.08 [1.05–1.12]; p≤0.0001, HR 0.97 [0.95–0.99]; p≤0.0002, respectively). Moreover, after adjustment for clinical (age, gender, Charlson index) and echocardiographic parameters (LA volume, E/e' average, systolic pulmonary pressure), all three parameters remained statistically significant predictors of all-cause mortality (p=0.004, p=0.024, p=0.026, respectively).

The best strain univariate predictor of mortality was RVGLS (HR 1.09 [1.05–1.13]; p≤0.0001), being superior to other RV functional indices and systolic pulmonary pressure. Also, after multivariate analysis it remained a statistically significant predictor of mortality (p=0.007).

All measurements had good intra-observer and inter-observer reproducibility (Single Measures ICC = 0.90 and ICC = 0.88, respectively).

Conclusions

2DSTE of RVGLS, RVFWS, RVSWS provides significant prognostic value to predict overall mortality in patients with Preserved Ejection Fraction with excellent reproducibility, incremental to routine clinical, hemodynamic and diastolic parameters.

Moreover, the strain results of the septal wall showed to be significant, thereover challenging the known hypothesis that the septal wall is mainly influenced by LV function.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None