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Patients with hematologic malignancies have impaired humoral immunity secondary to their malignancy and its treatment, placing them at risk of severe coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) infection and reduced response to vaccination.The authors retrospectively analyzed serologic responses to initial and booster COVID-19 vaccination in 378 patients with hematologic malignancy and subsequently tracked COVID-19-related outcomes.Seroconversion occurred in 181 patients (48%) after initial vaccination; patients who had active malignancy or those who were recently treated with a B-cell-depleting monoclonal antibody had the lowest rates of seroconversion. For initial nonresponders to vaccination, seroconversion after a booster dose occurred in 48 of 85 patients (56%). The seroconversion rate after the booster was similar for patients on (53%) and off (58%) active therapy (p = .82). Thirty-three patients (8.8%) developed a COVID-19 infection, and there were three COVID-19-related deaths (0.8%). Although no significant association was observed between postvaccination seroconversion and the incidence of COVID-19 infection, no patient with seroconversion died from COVID-19, and no patient who received tixagevimab/cilgavimab (N = 25) was diagnosed with a COVID-19 infection.Booster vaccinations can promote seroconversion in a significant proportion of patients who are seronegative after the initial vaccination course regardless of the specific vaccine or on/off treatment status at the time of revaccination. Although postvaccination seroconversion may not be associated with a decrease in any (including asymptomatic) COVID-19 infection, the authors' experience suggested that effective vaccination (including a booster), supplemented by passive immunization using tixagevimab/cilgavimab in case of lack of seroconversion, effectively eliminated the risk of COVID-19 death in the otherwise high-risk population.Patients with hematologic malignancy, especially lymphoma, have an impaired response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. In this single-institution review, less than one half of the patients studied made detectable antibodies. For those who did not make detectable antibodies after initial vaccination, over one half (65%) were able to produce antibodies after booster vaccination. By the end of February 2022, 33 of the original 378 patients had a documented COVID-19 infection. The only deaths from COVID-19 were in those who had undetectable antibodies, and no patient who received prophylactic antibody therapy developed a COVID-19 infection.

We used data from the 2016 Nepal National Micronutrient Status Survey to evaluate factors associated with anaemia (World Health Organization cut‐points using altitude‐ and smoking‐adjusted haemoglobin [Hb]) among nationally representative samples of adolescents 10–19 years. Hb, biomarkers of micronutrients, infection and inflammation were assessed from venous blood. Sociodemographic and household characteristics, dietary diversity, pica and recent morbidity were ascertained by interview. We explored bivariate relationships between candidate predictors and anaemia among boys (N = 967) and girls (N = 1,680). Candidate predictors with P < 0.05 in bivariate analyses were included in sex‐specific multivariable logistic regression models. Anaemia prevalence was 20.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] [17.1, 24.1]) among girls and 10.9% (95% CI [8.2, 13.6]) among boys. Among girls, living in the Mountain and Hill ecological zones relative to the Terai (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.28, 95% CI [0.15, 0.52] and AOR 0.42, 95% CI [0.25, 0.73], respectively), ln ferritin (μg/L) (AOR 0.53, 95% CI [0.42, 0.68]) and ln retinol binding protein (RBP) (μmol/L) (AOR 0.08, 95% CI [0.04, 0.16]) were associated with reduced anaemia odds. Older age (age in years AOR 1.19, 95% CI [1.12, 1.27]) and Janajati ethnicity relative to the Muslim ethnicity (AOR 3.04, 95% CI [1.10, 8.36]) were associated with higher anaemia odds. Among boys, ln RBP [μmol/L] (AOR 0.25, 95% CI [0.10, 0.65]) and having consumed flesh foods (AOR 0.57, 95% CI [0.33, 0.99]) were associated with lower anaemia odds. Open defecation (AOR 2.36, 95% CI [1.15, 4.84]) and ln transferrin receptor [mg/L] (AOR 3.21, 95% CI [1.25, 8.23]) were associated with increased anaemia odds. Anaemia among adolescents might be addressed through effective public health policy and programs targeting micronutrient status, diet and sanitation.

This paper describes and compares methods and analyzers used to measure hemoglobin (Hb) in clinical laboratories and field settings. We conducted a literature review for methods used to measure Hb in clinical laboratories and field settings. We described methods to measure Hb and factors influencing results. Automated hematology analyzer (AHA) was reference for all Hb comparisons using evaluation criteria of ±7% set by College of American Pathologists (CAP) and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). Capillary fingerprick blood usually produces higher Hb concentrations compared with venous blood. Individual drops produced lower concentrations than pooled capillary blood. Compared with the AHA: (1) overall cyanmethemoglobin (1.0-8.0 g/L), WHO Colour Scale (0.5-10.0 g/L), paper-based devices (5.0-7.0 g/L), HemoCue® Hb-201 (1.0-16.0 g/L) and Hb-301 (0.5-6.0 g/L), and Masimo Pronto® (0.3-14.0 g/L) overestimated concentrations; (2) Masimo Radical®-7 both under- and overestimated concentrations (0.3-104.0 g/L); and (3) other methods underestimated concentrations (2.0-16.0 g/L). Most mean concentration comparisons varied less than ±7% of the reference. Hb measurements are influenced by several analytical factors. With few exceptions, mean concentration bias was within ±7%, suggesting acceptable performance. Appropriate, high-quality methods in all settings are necessary to ensure the accuracy of Hb measurements.This paper describes and compares methods and analyzers used to measure hemoglobin (Hb) in clinical laboratories and field settings. With few exceptions, mean concentration bias was within ±7%, suggesting acceptable performance. Appropriate, high-quality methods in all settings are necessary to ensure the accuracy of Hb measurements.

We use the surface temperature response to Phobos transits as observed by a radiometer on board of the InSight lander to constrain the thermal properties of the uppermost layer of regolith. Modeled...

Orbital and surface observations demonstrate that aeolian activity is occurring on Mars. Here we report the aeolian changes observed in situ by NASA's InSight lander during the first 400 sols of op...

We used cross‐sectional data from the 2016 Nepal National Micronutrient Status Survey to evaluate factors associated with anaemia among a nationally representative sample of nonpregnant women 15– 49 years (n = 1, 918). Haemoglobin, biomarkers of iron status and other micronutrients, infection, inflammation, and blood disorders were assessed from venous blood. Soil‐transmitted helminth and Helicobacter pylori infections were assessed from stool. Sociodemographic, household, and health characteristics and diet were ascertained by interview. We conducted bivariate analyses between candidate predictors and anaemia (haemoglobin

Large‐scale programmes using micronutrient powders (MNPs) may not achieve maximum impact due to limited/inappropriate MNP coverage, consumption, and use. We identify predictors of MNP coverage, maternal knowledge of appropriate use, and child MNP consumption in Nepal. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in 2,578 mother–child pairs representative of children 6–23 months in two districts that were part of the post‐pilot, scale‐up of an integrated infant and young child feeding‐MNP (IYCF‐MNP) programme. Children aged 6–23 months were expected to receive 60 MNP sachets every 6 months from a female community health volunteer (FCHV) or health centre. Outcomes of interest were MNP coverage (ever received), maternal knowledge of appropriate use (correct response to seven questions), repeat coverage (receipt ≥ twice; among children 12–23 months who had received MNP at least once, n = 1342), and high intake (child consumed ≥75% of last distribution, excluding those with recent receipt/insufficient time to use 75% at recommended one‐sachet‐per‐day dose, n = 1422). Multivariable log‐binomial regression models were used to identify predictors of the four outcomes. Coverage, knowledge of appropriate use, and repeat coverage were 61.3%, 33.5%, and 45.9%, respectively. Among MNP receivers, 97.9% consumed MNP at least once and 38.9% of eligible children consumed ≥75% of last distribution. FCHV IYCF‐MNP counselling was positively associated with knowledge, coverage, repeat coverage, and high intake; health worker counselling with knowledge and coverage indicators; and radio messages with coverage indicators only. FCHV counselling had the strongest association with knowledge, coverage, and high intake. Community‐based counselling may play a vital role in improving coverage and intake in MNP programmes.

Integrating small‐quantity lipid‐based nutrient supplements (SQ‐LNS) into infant and young child feeding (IYCF) programmes can increase consumption of essential nutrients among children in vulnerable populations; however, few studies have assessed the impact of integrated IYCF–SQ‐LNS programmes on IYCF practices. A 2‐year, enhanced IYCF intervention targeting pregnant women and infants (0–12 months) was implemented in a health zone in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The enhanced IYCF intervention included community‐ and facility‐based counselling for mothers on handwashing, SQ‐LNS, and IYCF practices, plus monthly SQ‐LNS distributions for children 6–12 months; a control zone received the national IYCF programme (facility‐based IYCF counselling with no SQ‐LNS distributions). Cross‐sectional preintervention and postintervention surveys (n = 650 and 638 in intervention and control areas at baseline; n = 654 and 653 in each area at endline, respectively) were conducted in mothers of children 6–18 months representative of both zones. Difference in differences (DiD) analyses used mixed linear regression models. There were significantly greater increases in the proportion of mothers in the intervention (vs. control) zone who reported: initiating breastfeeding within 1 hr of birth (Adj. DiD [95% CI]: +56.4% [49.3, 63.4], P

Background: Low rainfall is a major limitation to expanding the dairy industry in semi-arid environments in East Africa. In such dry areas, plants need to keep their tissues hydrated and stomata open for carbon exchange and to grow. On this basis, we assessed the productivity of 10 lines of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.), which formed three yield clusters: low yielding (LYC), moderate yielding (MYC), and high yielding (HYC), in a wet highland (Muguga) and semi-arid lowland (Katumani) of Kenya. Stomatal conductance (gs ), leaf water potential (LWP) and relative water content (RWC) were monitored, and water use simulated, over four growth cycles in 2012. These were used with measurements of leaf area index (LAI) and plant dry weight to explore the possible use of these physiological parameters for assessing productivity potential of Napier grass accessions.; Results: The plants were less stressed at Muguga, where gs was 700-1000 mmol m-2 s-1 , LWP -0.4 to -0.9 MPa and RWC was 82-95%; these values at Katumani were 450-750 mmol m-2 s-1 , -0.7 to -1.4 MPa and 74-93%, respectively. Total water use at Katumani was of the order HYC ≈ MYC (390 mm) > LYC (370 mm), and water use efficiency (WUE, kg ha-1 mm-1 ) followed the same order HYC (34.3) > MYC (32.6) > LYC (24.9); whereas at Muguga water use averaged 710 mm for HYC and MYC, greater than 676 mm for LYC, and WUE (kg ha-1 mm-1 ) averaged 29.2 for HYC and MYC, and 19.4 for LYC.; Conclusions: The three water stress indices were poor, whereas vigorous early canopy development (determined as LAI) was a more reliable predictor of productivity potential of Napier grasses. In these dry environments, therefore, early rapid canopy development can be an effective indicator of yield potential and a credible selection criterion. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.; © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Background Airborne fiber size has been shown to be an important factor relative to adverse lung effects of asbestos and suggested in animal studies of carbon nanotubes and nanofibers (CNT/CNF). Materials and Methods The International Standards Organization (ISO) transmission electron microscopy (TEM) method for asbestos was modified to increase the statistical precision of fiber size determinations, improve efficiency, and reduce analysis costs. Comparisons of the fiber size distributions and exposure indices by laboratory and counting method were performed. Results No significant differences in size distributions by the ISO and modified ISO methods were observed. Small but statistically-significant inter-lab differences in the proportion of fibers in some size bins were found, but these differences had little impact on the summary exposure indices. The modified ISO method produced slightly more precise estimates of the long fiber fraction (>15 μm). Conclusions The modified ISO method may be useful for estimating size-specific structure exposures, including CNT/CNF, for risk assessment research. Am. J. Ind. Med. 58:494–508, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Summary. Aerosoldrug delivery viahighflow nasal cannula(HFNC),bubblecontinuouspositive airway pressure (CPAP), and synchronized inspiratory positive airway pressure (SiPAP) has not been quantified in spontaneously breathing premature infants. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare aerosol delivery via HFNC, bubble CPAP, and SiPAP in a model of a simulated spontaneously breathing preterm infant. Working hypothesis: The types of CPAP systems and nebulizer positions used during aerosol therapy will impact aerosol deposition in simulated spontaneously breathing infants. Study design: Quantitative, comparative, in-vitro study. Methodology: A breath simulator was set to preterm infant settings (VT :9 ml, RR: 50bpm and Ti: 0.5sec) and connected to the trachea of an anatomical upper airway model of a preterm infant via collecting filter distal to the trachea. The HFNC (Optiflow; Fisher & Paykel), Bubble CPAP (Fisher & Paykel), and SiPAP (Carefusion) were attached to the nares of the model via each device’s proprietary nasal cannula and set to deliver a baseline of 5cm H2 Op ressure. Albuterol sulfate (2.5mg/0.5ml) was aerosolized with a mesh nebulizer (Aeroneb Solo) positioned 1 proximal to the patient and 2 prior to the humidifier (n ¼5). The drug was eluted from the filter with 0.1N HCl and analyzed via spectrophotometry (276nm). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), with P

Heparanase is an endoglucuronidase that cleaves heparan sulfate chains of proteoglycans. In many malignancies, high heparanase expression and activity correlate with an aggressive tumour phenotype. A major consequence of heparanase action in cancer is a robust up-regulation of growth factor expression and increased shedding of syndecan-1 (a transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan). Substantial evidence indicates that heparanase and syndecan-1 work together to drive growth factor signalling and regulate cell behaviours that enhance tumour growth, dissemination, angiogenesis and osteolysis. Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that therapies targeting the heparanase/syndecan-1 axis hold promise for blocking the aggressive behaviour of cancer.

© 2015 The Authors. Journal of Industrial Ecology, published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc., on behalf of Yale University. The extraction, transformation, use, and disposal of materials can be represented by directed, weighted networks, known in the material flow analysis (MFA) community as Sankey or flow diagrams. However, the construction of such networks is dependent on data that are often scarce, conflicting, or do not directly map onto a Sankey diagram. By formalizing the forms of data entry, a nonlinear constrained optimization program for data estimation and reconciliation can be formulated for reconciling data sets for MFA problems where data are scarce, in conflict, do not directly map onto a Sankey diagram, and are of variable quality. This method is demonstrated by reanalyzing an existing MFA of global steel flows, and the resulting analytical solution measurably improves upon their manual solution.

Neurons in visual cortex exhibit two major types of stimulus elicited suppression. One, cross-orientation suppression, occurs within the classical receptive field (CRF) when an orthogonal grating is superposed on one at optimal orientation. The second, surround suppression, occurs when the size of an optimally oriented grating extends beyond the CRF. Previous proposals suggest that intracortical inhibition is responsible for surround suppression whereas feedforward processes may underlie cross-orientation suppression. To gain more insight concerning these types of suppression, we have included measurements of metabolic function in addition to neural responses. We made co-localized measurements of multiple unit neural activity and tissue oxygen concentrations in the striate cortex of anaesthetized cats while using visual stimuli to activate the two kinds of suppression. Results show that the amplitude of the initial negative oxygen response increases with stimulus size but neural responses decrease as size extends beyond the CRF. This shows that oxygen consumption increases with stimulus size regardless of reduced neural response. On the other hand, amplitudes of both the initial negative oxygen component and the neural responses are simultaneously attenuated by the orthogonal mask in cross-orientation suppression. These different neurometabolic response patterns are consistent with suggestions that the two types of suppressive processes arise from different neural mechanisms.

There is limited research on integrated infant and young child feeding (IYCF) and micronutrient powders (MNPs) programmes operating at scale, despite widespread implementation. This study uses cross‐sectional baseline (n = 2,542) and endline (n = 2,578) surveys representative of children 6–23 months in two districts in Nepal that were part of a post‐pilot scale‐up of a IYCF–MNP programme. Multivariable log‐binomial regression models were used to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) for stunting (length‐for‐age z‐score 1× per month or monthly vs.

Heparanase is an endo-β-D-glucuronidase capable of cleaving heparan sulfate side chains at a limited number of sites, yielding heparan sulfate fragments of still appreciable size. Importantly, heparanase activity correlates with the metastatic potential of tumor-derived cells, attributed to enhanced cell dissemination as a consequence of heparan sulfate cleavage and remodeling of the extracellular matrix and basement membrane underlying epithelial and endothelial cells. Similarly, heparanase activity is implicated in neovascularization, inflammation and autoimmunity, involving the migration of vascular endothelial cells and activated cells of the immune system. The cloning of a single human heparanase cDNA 10 years ago enabled researchers to critically approve the notion that heparan sulfate cleavage by heparanase is required for structural remodeling of the extracellular matrix, thereby facilitating cell invasion. Progress in the field has expanded the scope of heparanase function and its significance in tumor progression and other pathologies. Notably, although heparanase inhibitors attenuated tumor progression and metastasis in several experimental systems, other studies revealed that heparanase also functions in an enzymatic activity-independent manner. Thus, inactive heparanase was noted to facilitate adhesion and migration of primary endothelial cells and to promote phosphorylation of signaling molecules such as Akt and Src, facilitating gene transcription (i.e. vascular endothelial growth factor) and phosphorylation of selected Src substrates (i.e. endothelial growth factor receptor). The concept of enzymatic activity-independent function of heparanase gained substantial support by the recent identification of the heparanase C-terminus domain as the molecular determinant behind its signaling capacity. Identification and characterization of a human heparanase splice variant (T5) devoid of enzymatic activity and endowed with protumorigenic characteristics, elucidation of cross-talk between heparanase and other extracellular matrix-degrading enzymes, and identification of single nucleotide polymorphism associated with heparanase expression and increased risk of graft versus host disease add other layers of complexity to heparanase function in health and disease.