Development and validation of a measure of organizational capacity for implementing youth development programs

Accumulating evidence indicates that incorporating youth development (YD) principles, strategies, and supports into an organization promotes positive adult and youth outcomes. However, few validated measures assess this type of capacity. The YMCA commissioned a study to validate its Capacity Assessment for Youth Development Programming (Y-CAP), which examines the organizational infrastructure required to implement YD programs and processes in seven areas. Survey development was an iterative process informed by existing frameworks, instruments, and pilot testing of items. The Y-CAP was reviewed and revised three times prior to this study, with a final round of revisions made at the start of the validation phase as a result of thorough content, survey methodology, and psychometrics reviews. The revised Y-CAP was completed by 123 YMCA implementation teams. Rasch analyses were used to determine the extent to which validity evidence supports the use and interpretation of the Y-CAP scores. Convergent validity was assessed by comparing Y-CAP scales to the Algorhythm staff survey for youth-serving organizations, and focus groups informed the consequential validity of the Y-CAP. The results provide strong evidence for the reliability and validity of the Y-CAP, which can be used to guide continuous quality improvement initiatives that support capacity and functioning in youth-serving organizations and programs.

Tired of feeling tired - The role of circulating inflammatory biomarkers and long-term cancer related fatigue in breast cancer survivors

BACKGROUND

Low-grade inflammation has been associated with cancer related fatigue (CRF). However, most studies focused on CRF during or shortly after treatment. Longitudinal studies are rare with inconsistent results. We assessed the association of inflammatory biomarkers with total CRF and all subdomains (physical, cognitive, affective) in long-term breast cancer survivors.

METHOD

Patients recruited between 2002 and 2005 provided information on CRF at first follow-up (FU1) (N = 1292) and second follow-up (FU2) (N = 1205), after a median of 6.2 years and 11.7 years, respectively. Associations of 11 inflammatory biomarkers with CRF at FU1 and at FU2 were assessed using linear regression models. Logistic regression models were used to compare patients fatigued at both time-points and those never fatigued (N = 932).

RESULTS

C-reactive protein (CRP) was significantly associated with total CRF at FU1 (β = 1.47, 95%CI = 0.62-2.31, p = 0.0007), at FU2 (β = 1.98, 95 %CI = 0.96-2.99, p = 0.0001) and with persistent CRF (OR = 1.29, 95%CI = 1.13-1.47, p < 0.0001). IL-6 levels were associated with total CRF at FU1 (β = 1.01, 95%CI = 0.43-1.59, p = 0.0006), but not with CRF at FU2 or persistent CRF. No association remained significant after adjustment for relevant covariates.

DISCUSSION

CRP and Il-6 were associated with risk of CRF in long-term breast cancer survivors, but were not independent of other known risk factors, suggesting that currently studied inflammatory markers are not suitable to identify patients at risk of long-term CRF.

First Measurement of Coherent Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering on Argon

We report the first measurement of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEvNS) on argon using a liquid argon detector at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Spallation Neutron Source. Two independent analyses prefer CEvNS over the background-only null hypothesis with greater than 3σ significance. The measured cross section, averaged over the incident neutrino flux, is (2.2±0.7)×10^{-39}  cm^{2}-consistent with the standard model prediction. The neutron-number dependence of this result, together with that from our previous measurement on CsI, confirms the existence of the CEvNS process and provides improved constraints on nonstandard neutrino interactions.

How relevant is the ISCHEMIA trial to a rapid access chest pain clinic cohort of patients?

Background

The ISCHEMIA trial demonstrated that optimal medical therapy (OMT) is not inferior to an early interventional approach for stable angina. This could significantly impact on clinical practice. This study aimed to check the relevance of the ISCHEMIA trial in a real-world population of patients referred to a tertiary centre with recent onset chest pain (CP).

Methods

In this registry study, electronic notes of all patients assessed in a Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic (RACPC) within a 12-month period (2018–19) were reviewed. Patients were selected if they met key ISCHEMIA trial inclusion criteria.

Results

2416 patients were assessed, 378 (15.6%) presented with typical anginal CP, 1357 (56.2%) had atypical CP and 681 (28.2%) had non anginal CP.

Of the typical CP group, 158 patients were excluded (91 known CAD, 62 ACS, 2 eGFR &lt;30mL/min, 3 severe LVSD). This resulted in 220 patients, representing 58.2% of the typical chest pain population and 9.1% of all patients seen in RACPC. These patients had a median age of 60 years, 96 (44%) female, 119 (54.1%) had high cholesterol, 44 (20%) had diabetes, 115 (52.3%) had hypertension, 104 (47.3%) had a family history of ischaemic heart disease, and 32 (14.5%) were current smokers.

Of these 220 patients, 48 (21.8%) had a CT coronary angiogram (CTCA) requested as their first line investigation (42 completed) with 1 (2.4%) patients result suggestive of significant left main stem (LMS) disease. 15 (6.8%) patients had stress echocardiography requested as their first line investigation (13 completed), 4 (31%) were positive for inducible ischaemia. 3 (1.4%) patients had stress CMR requested as their first line investigation (2 completed), both were negative. 143 (65%) patients had an invasive coronary angiogram (ICA) requested as their first line investigation (112 completed). 8 patients had severe LMS disease and were referred for surgical opinion. A further 11 patients were referred for surgical opinion due to multivessel disease or aberrant coronary anatomy. In total 24 (21.4%) patients were treated with PCI following ICA as their first line investigation.

All patients were started on medical therapy for presumed CAD with up-titration while awaiting investigations. The median wait time for a CTCA was 55 days compared to 165.5 days for ICA.

Two patients (0.9%) from the cohort of 220 patients died during the follow up period, compared to 2.5% of patients admitted from RACPC with an ACS diagnosis.

Conclusion

Patients present with undifferentiated chest pain, consequently the outcomes of the ISCHEMIA trial must be considered cautiously. Within our cohort of 2416 patients, only 9% of patients met key inclusion criteria of the trial. Ultimately, only 19.5% patients with typical chest pain were revascularised, unlike 80% of patients in the invasive arm of ISCHEMIA. It is unclear how the results of the ISCHEMIA trial will impact on UK practice, but it is clear that OMT plays a central role.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Efficient removal of bacteria from aqueous media with kaolinite and diatomaceous earth products

AIMS

To understand the relationships between physical and chemical parameters of kaolinite and diatomaceous earth, and their capacities to remove bacteria from aqueous media. To determine the optimal aqueous media parameters for use of these products in water disinfection processes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Seven kaolinite and three diatomaceous earth products were evaluated. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus megaterium were used as proxy for bacterial pathogens. Fully calcined kaolin and amorphous diatomaceous earth demonstrated the highest extent and consistency in removing all the bacteria. The removal depended on ionic strength and pH of aqueous media with 100 mmol l^-1 pH 5 potassium hydrogen phthalate buffer revealing the highest (2 log per gram) extent of the removal. Al³⁺ cations enhanced sorption up to 4 log per gram.

CONCLUSIONS

Calcined kaolin and amorphous diatomaceous earth are excellent sorbents for bacteria.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Fully calcined kaolin and amorphous diatomaceous earth are perspective tools for wastewater and water disinfection against waterborne bacterial pathogens.

Comparison of methods to determine primary tumour size in canine apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVES

To assess agreement between measurement of primary apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma tumours using digital palpation, CT and formalin-fixed tissue and to look for associations with metastasis at presentation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective study of different methods of measuring primary tumour size in histopathologically-confirmed canine apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma.

RESULTS

One hundred sixteen tumours from 107 dogs were included. There was moderate agreement between maximal dimension of the primary tumour measured by CT compared to formalin-fixed tissue and digital palpation. There was no significant difference in median maximum dimension between the measurement methods. Vascular invasion, CT stage, digital rectal examination stage and formalin-fixed tissue stage were significantly associated with metastasis at presentation, while mitotic index of the primary tumour was not. Dogs with tumours >2.5 cm (tumour-stage 2) were significantly more likely to present with metastatic disease.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

In canine apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma, primary tumour size, tumour-stage and vascular invasion are strong predictors of metastasis at presentation.

P1548 Changes in left ventricular deformation with weight loss in obese adolescents with intellectual and developmental delays (IDD)

Funding Acknowledgements

AHA Career Development grant

Background

Adolescents with IDD have twice the prevalence of obesity as their typically developed peers, leading to frequent early obesity-related subclinical cardiac dysfunction, detected by strain echo. The effects of weight loss on cardiac deformation are unknown in this population.

Purpose

To evaluate early cardiac dysfunction in overweight IDD adolescents before and after a 6-month caloric restriction-weight loss program.

Methods

Subjects with IDD co-enrolling in a weight loss program were consented for this strain imaging study, excluding those with congenital heart disease. An echo measuring LVEF (bullet), 2D speckle longitudinal LV global strain (GLS) and strain rate (GLSr) from 3 apical views and global circumferential strain from a parasternal short axis view at the paps (GCS) was performed at baseline and 6 months. Analysis included paired T-test and regression analysis, p ≤ 0.05 significant.

Results

Overweight (5) and obese (15) adolescents (40% female) had baseline LV strain measurements that were mildly diminished with increased baseline body weight predicting diminished GLS (P = 0.034) and GCS (P = 0.046) on regression modeling. After 6 months, weight and BMI decreased significantly with improvements in GLS and GCS and non-significant trends towards improvement in GLSr and early diastolic global strain rate. BMI change at 6 months predicted change in GLS (p = 0.015) and GCS (p = 0.0087) on regression modeling. At baseline, LVEF and LV end-diastolic volume were normal with no change over 6 months (p &gt; 0.55).

Conclusions

Baseline abnormalities in LV deformation with preserved LVEF are present in this young, obese IDD population with improvements in BMI predicting those in GLS and GCS after a 6-month caloric restriction-weight loss program. These data provide compelling justification for larger studies in this population.

n Baseline (mean ± SD) 6-mo. follow up 0-6 mo. change p-value Age (years) 20 17.0 ± 2.0 17.5 ± 2.1 0.5 ± 0.1 Weight (kg) 20 86.9 ± 22.2 83.1 ± 22.7 -3.7 ± 5.9 0.014 BMI (kg/m&sup2;) 20 32.2 ± 5.3 30.4 ± 5.7 -1.8 ± 2.2 0.0031 GLS (%) 20 16.9 ± 1.6 19.2 ± 2.7 2.4 ± 2.0 0.00023 GLSr 20 1.15 ± 0.018 1.22 ± 0.18 0.06 ± 0.16 0.096 EaGLSr 20 1.83 ± 0.038 2.01 ± 0.46 0.18 ± 0.45 0.098 GCS (%) 20 19.1 ± 2.3 22.0 ± 2.6 2.82 ± 2.6 0.00019 LV deformation before and after weight loss. GLS, GLSr, and GCS are reported as positive values (absolute values). Body Mass Index (BMI); Early Diastolic Global Longitudinal Strain Rate (EaGLSr)

Modeling the Effects of Future Hydroclimatic Conditions on Microbial Water Quality and Management Practices in Two Agricultural Watersheds

Anticipated future hydroclimatic changes are expected to alter the transport and survival of fecally-sourced waterborne pathogens, presenting an increased risk of recreational water quality impairments. Managing future risk requires an understanding of interactions between fecal sources, hydroclimatic conditions and best management practices (BMPs) at spatial scales relevant to decision makers. In this study we used the Hydrologic Simulation Program FORTRAN to quantify potential fecal coliform (FC - an indicator of the potential presence of pathogens) responses to a range of mid-century climate scenarios and assess different BMP scenarios (based on reduction factors) for reducing the risk of water quality impairment in two, small agricultural watersheds - the Chippewa watershed in Minnesota, and the Tye watershed in Virginia. In each watershed, simulations show a wide range of FC responses, driven largely by variability in projected future precipitation. Wetter future conditions, which drive more transport from non-point sources (e.g. manure application, livestock grazing), show increases in FC loads. Loads typically decrease under drier futures; however, higher mean FC concentrations and more recreational water quality criteria exceedances occur, likely caused by reduced flow during low-flow periods. Median changes across the ensemble generally show increases in FC load. BMPs that focus on key fecal sources (e.g., runoff from pasture, livestock defecation in streams) within a watershed can mitigate the effects of hydroclimatic change on FC loads. However, more extensive BMP implementation or improved BMP efficiency (i.e., higher FC reductions) may be needed to fully offset increases in FC load and meet water quality goals, such as total maximum daily loads and recreational water quality standards. Strategies for managing climate risk should be flexible and to the extent possible include resilient BMPs that function as designed under a range of future conditions.

Determination of Zearalenone in Barley, Maize and Wheat Flour, Polenta, and Maize-Based Baby Food by Immunoaffinity Column Cleanup with Liquid Chromatography: Interlaboratory Study

An interlaboratory study was performed on behalf of the UK Food Standards Agency to evaluate the effectiveness of an affinity column cleanup liquid chromatography (LC) method for the determination of zearalenone (ZON) in a variety of cereals and cereal products at proposed European regulatory limits. The test portion is extracted with acetonitrile:water. The sample extract is filtered, diluted, and applied to an affinity column. The column is washed, and ZON is eluted with acetonitrile. ZON is quantified by reversed-phase LC with fluorescence detection. Barley, wheat and maize flours, polenta, and a maize-based baby food naturally contaminated, spiked, and blank (very low level) were sent to 28 collaborators in 9 European countries and 1 collaborator in New Zealand. Participants were asked to spike test portions of all samples at a ZON concentration equivalent to 100 μg/kg. Average recoveries ranged from 91–111%. Based on results for 4 artificially contaminated samples (blind duplicates) and 1 naturally contaminated sample (blind duplicate), the relative standard deviation for repeatability (RSDr) ranged from 6.9–35.8%, and the relative standard deviation for reproducibility (RSDR) ranged from 16.4–38.2%. The method showed acceptable within- and between-laboratory precision for all 5 matrixes, as evidenced by HorRat values &lt;1.7.

Garnet, the archetypal cubic mineral, grows tetragonal

Garnet is the archetypal cubic mineral, occurring in a wide variety of rock types in Earth’s crust and upper mantle. Owing to its prevalence, durability and compositional diversity, garnet is used to investigate a broad range of geological processes. Although birefringence is a characteristic feature of rare Ca–Fe³⁺ garnet and Ca-rich hydrous garnet, the optical anisotropy that has occasionally been documented in common (that is, anhydrous Ca–Fe²⁺–Mg–Mn) garnet is generally attributed to internal strain of the cubic structure. Here we show that common garnet with a non-cubic (tetragonal) crystal structure is much more widespread than previously thought, occurring in low-temperature, high-pressure metamorphosed basalts (blueschists) from subduction zones and in low-grade metamorphosed mudstones (phyllites and schists) from orogenic belts. Indeed, a non-cubic symmetry appears to be typical of common garnet that forms at low temperatures (<450 °C), where it has a characteristic Fe–Ca-rich composition with very low Mg contents. We propose that, in most cases, garnet does not initially grow cubic. Our discovery indicates that the crystal chemistry and thermodynamic properties of garnet at low-temperature need to be re-assessed, with potential consequences for the application of garnet as an investigative tool in a broad range of geological environments.

Short communication: Identification of the pseudoautosomal region in the Hereford bovine reference genome assembly ARS-UCD1.2

In cattle, the X chromosome accounts for approximately 3 and 6% of the genome in bulls and cows, respectively. In spite of the large size of this chromosome, very few studies report analysis of the X chromosome in genome-wide association studies and genomic selection. This lack of genetic interrogation is likely due to the complexities of undertaking these studies given the hemizygous state of some, but not all, of the X chromosome in males. The first step in facilitating analysis of this gene-rich chromosome is to accurately identify coordinates for the pseudoautosomal boundary (PAB) to split the chromosome into a region that may be treated as autosomal sequence (pseudoautosomal region) and a region that requires more complex statistical models. With the recent release of ARS-UCD1.2, a more complete and accurate assembly of the cattle genome than was previously available, it is timely to fine map the PAB for the first time. Here we report the use of SNP chip genotypes, short-read sequences, and long-read sequences to fine map the PAB (X chromosome:133,300,518) and simultaneously determine the neighboring regions of reduced homology and true pseudoautosomal region. These results greatly facilitate the inclusion of the X chromosome in genome-wide association studies, genomic selection, and other genetic analysis undertaken on this reference genome.

An Mtb-Human Protein-Protein Interaction Map Identifies a Switch between Host Antiviral and Antibacterial Responses

Although macrophages are armed with potent antibacterial functions, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) replicates inside these innate immune cells. Determinants of macrophage intrinsic bacterial control, and the Mtb strategies to overcome them, are poorly understood. To further study these processes, we used an affinity tag purification mass spectrometry (AP-MS) approach to identify 187 Mtb-human protein-protein interactions (PPIs) involving 34 secreted Mtb proteins. This interaction map revealed two factors involved in Mtb pathogenesis-the secreted Mtb protein, LpqN, and its binding partner, the human ubiquitin ligase CBL. We discovered that an lpqN Mtb mutant is attenuated in macrophages, but growth is restored when CBL is removed. Conversely, Cbl-/- macrophages are resistant to viral infection, indicating that CBL regulates cell-intrinsic polarization between antibacterial and antiviral immunity. Collectively, these findings illustrate the utility of this Mtb-human PPI map for developing a deeper understanding of the intricate interactions between Mtb and its host.