scholarly journals Production location of the gelling agent Phytagel has a significant impact on Arabidopsis thaliana seedling phenotypic analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin N. Jacques ◽  
Anna K. Hulbert ◽  
Shelby Westenskow ◽  
Michael M. Neff
Keyword(s):  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
The United States ◽  
Gelling Agent ◽  
Response Analysis ◽  
Root Penetration ◽  
Phenotypic Analysis ◽  
Production Location ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Alternative Gelling Agent ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackgroundRecently, it was found that 1% Phytagel plates used to conduct Arabidopsis thaliana seedling phenotypic analysis no longer reproduced previously published results. This Phytagel, which is produced in China (Phytagel C), has replace American-made Phytagel (Phytagel), which is no longer commercially available. In this study, we present the impact of Phytagel produced in the United States vs. China on seedling phenotypic analysis. As a part of this study, an alternative gelling agent has been identified that is capable of reproducing previously published seedling morphometrics.ResultsPhytagel and Phytagel C were investigated based on their ability to reproduce the subtle phenotype of the sob3-4 esc-8 double mutant. Fluence-rate-response analysis of seedlings grown on 1% Phytagel C plates failed to replicate the sob3-4 esc-8 subtle phenotype seen on 1% Phytagel. Furthermore, root penetrance analysis showed a significant difference between sob3-4 esc-8 seedlings grown on 1% Phytagel and 1% Phytagel C. It was also found that 1% Phytagel C was significantly harder than 1% Phytagel. As a replacement for Phytagel C, Gellan was tested. 1% Gellan was able to reproduce the subtle phenotype of sob3-4 esc-8. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in root penetration of the wild type or sob3-4 esc-8 seedlings between 1% Phytagel and 1% Gellan. This may be due to the significant reduction in hardness in 1% Gellan plates compared to 1% Phytagel plates. Finally, we tested additional concentrations of Gellan and found that seedlings on 0.6% Gellan looked more uniform while also being able to reproduce previously published results.ConclusionsPhytagel has been the standard gelling agent for several studies involving the characterization of subtle seedling phenotypes. After production was moved to China, Phytagel C was no longer capable of reproducing these previously published results. An alternative gelling agent, Gellan, was able to reproduce previously published seedling phenotypes at both 1% and 0.6% concentrations. The information provided in this manuscript is beneficial to the scientific community as whole, specifically phenomics labs, as it details key problematic differences between gelling agents that should be performing identically (Phytagel and Phytagel C).

scholarly journals Production location of the gelling agent Phytagel has a significant impact on Arabidopsis thaliana seedling phenotypic analysis

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. e0228515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin N. Jacques ◽  
Anna K. Hulbert ◽  
Shelby Westenskow ◽  
Michael M. Neff
Keyword(s):  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
Gelling Agent ◽  
Phenotypic Analysis ◽  
Production Location

Abstract 257: Urban Teaching and Non-Teaching Hospitals Outcomes: Myocardial Infarction

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscilla O Okunji ◽  
Johnnie Daniel
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Income Group ◽  
The United States ◽  
Teaching Hospitals ◽  
Age Difference ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Urban Teaching ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Background: Patients with myocardial infarction reportedly have different outcomes on discharge according to hospital characteristics. In the present study, we evaluated the differences between urban teaching hospitals (UTH) and non-teaching hospitals (NTH), discharged in 2012. We also investigated on the outcomes. Methods: Sample of 117,808 subjects diagnosed with myocardial infarction were extracted from a nationwide inpatient stay dataset using the International Classification Data, ICD 9 code 41000 in the United States, according to hospital location, size, and teaching status. Results: The analysis of the data showed that more whites were admitted to both teaching and non teaching hospitals with more males (~24%) admitted than their female counterparts. However, blacks were admitted more (~15%) in urban teaching hospitals than medium urban non teaching hospitals. Age difference was noted as well, while age group (60-79 years) were admitted more in UTH, inversely urban non-teaching hospitals admitted more older (80 years or older) age group. A significant difference (~28%) was observed in both hospital categories with UTH admitting more patients of $1.00 - $38,999.00 income group than other income categories. In addition, it was observed that patients with MI stayed more (~5%) for 14 or more days, and charged more especially for income group of $80,000 or above in UTH than NTH. No significant difference was found in the mortality rate for both hospital categories. Conclusion: The overall outcomes showed that the mortality rate between urban teaching and non-teaching hospitals were non significant, though the inpatients MI stayed longer and were charged more in UTH than NTH. The authors call for the study to be replicated with a higher level of statistical measures to ascertain the impact of the variables on the outcomes for a more validated result.

Evolving oncology provider perspectives on care delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e18609-e18609
Author(s):  
Divya Ahuja Parikh ◽  
Meera Vimala Ragavan ◽  
Sandy Srinivas ◽  
Sarah Garrigues ◽  
Eben Lloyd Rosenthal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Care ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
The United States ◽  
Advanced Practice ◽  
Curative Surgery ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Provider Perspectives ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

e18609 Background: The COVID-19 pandemic prompted rapid changes in cancer care delivery. We sought to examine oncology provider perspectives on clinical decisions and care delivery during the pandemic and to compare provider views early versus late in the pandemic. Methods: We invited oncology providers, including attendings, trainees and advanced practice providers, to complete a cross-sectional online survey using a variety of outreach methods including social media (Twitter), email contacts, word of mouth and provider list-serves. We surveyed providers at two time points during the pandemic when the number of COVID-19 cases was rising in the United States, early (March 2020) and late (January 2021). The survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-squared tests to evaluate differences in early versus late provider responses. Results: A total of 132 providers completed the survey and most were white (n = 73/132, 55%) and younger than 49 years (n = 88/132, 67%). Respondents were attendings in medical, surgical or radiation oncology (n = 61/132, 46%), advanced practice providers (n = 48/132, 36%) and oncology fellows (n = 16/132, 12%) who predominantly practiced in an academic medical center (n = 120/132, 91%). The majority of providers agreed patients with cancer are at higher risk than other patients to be affected by COVID-19 (n = 121/132, 92%). However, there was a significant difference in the proportion of early versus late providers who thought delays in cancer care were needed. Early in the pandemic, providers were more likely to recommend delays in curative surgery or radiation for early-stage cancer (p < 0.001), delays in adjuvant chemotherapy after curative surgery (p = 0.002), or delays in surveillance imaging for metastatic cancer (p < 0.001). The majority of providers early in the pandemic responded that “reducing risk of a complication from a COVID-19 infection to patients with cancer” was the primary reason for recommending delays in care (n = 52/76, 68%). Late in the pandemic, however, providers were more likely to agree that “any practice change would have a negative impact on patient outcomes” (p = 0.003). At both time points, the majority of providers agreed with the need for other care delivery changes, including screening patients for infectious symptoms (n = 128/132, 98%) and the use of telemedicine (n = 114/132, 86%) during the pandemic. Conclusions: We found significant differences in provider perspectives of delays in cancer care early versus late in the pandemic which reflects the swiftly evolving oncology practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future studies are needed to determine the impact of changes in treatment and care delivery on outcomes for patients with cancer.

scholarly journals Emergency Medical Services vs. Police: Impact of Pre-Hospital Transportation Method on Outcomes of Trauma Patients with Firearm Injuries

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Wohler ◽  
Rachel Denneny ◽  
Allegra Bermudez ◽  
Robert Wilson ◽  
Douglas Gouchoe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
The United States ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Hospital Treatment ◽  
Firearm Injuries ◽  
Patient Demographics ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Firearms are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Few studies exist to investigate the impact of pre-hospital transportation methods on trauma patient outcomes. Methods Patients with firearm injuries were identified using an institutional trauma registry (2008 to 2017). Data on patient demographics, hospital transportation, treatments, and outcomes was collected and analyzed. Patient characteristics between Emergency Medical Services (EMS) vs. police transport groups were compared using Kruskal-Wallis, chi-square, or Fisher’s exact tests as appropriate. Results Of 224 patients identified, 147 (66%) were transported by EMS and 77 (34%) were transported by police. There was no significant difference in patient demographics between groups. Most patients were male (94.2%) and African American (69.2%), with a mean age of 27.1 years. 84.4% of patients suffered from an externally-inflicted gunshot wound, while 9.4% of patients had inflicted the wound themselves. Handguns were the weapon most commonly used. There was no significant difference in in-hospital treatments or mortality between patients transported by EMS vs. police. 44.1% of patients underwent surgery, and 34.8% required specialist consultation. The mean hospital length of stay for all patients was 1 day, and 27.7% of all patients expired during admission. Conclusions There is no difference in hospital treatment or mortality between firearm victims transported by EMS vs. police.

Effect of Electronic Prescribing Compared to Paper-Based (Handwritten) Prescribing on Primary Medication Adherence in an Outpatient Setting: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (04) ◽  
pp. 845-855
Author(s):  
David Aluga ◽  
Lawrence A. Nnyanzi ◽  
Nicola King ◽  
Elvis A. Okolie ◽  
Peter Raby
Keyword(s):  
Medication Adherence ◽  
Randomized Study ◽  
The United States ◽  
Outpatient Setting ◽  
Electronic Prescribing ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Medical Subject Headings ◽  
Keywords And Phrases ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Electronic prescriptions are often created and delivered electronically to the pharmacy while paper-based/handwritten prescriptions may be delivered to the pharmacy by the patients. These differences in the mode of creation and transmission of the two types of prescription could influence the rate at which outpatients fill new prescriptions of previously untried medications. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate literatures to determine the impact of electronic prescribing compared with paper-based/handwritten prescribing on primary medication adherence in an outpatient setting. Methods The keywords and phrases “outpatients,” “e-prescriptions,” “paper-based prescriptions,” and “primary medication adherence” were combined with their relevant synonyms and medical subject headings. A comprehensive literature search was conducted on EMBASE, CINAHL, and MEDLINE databases, and Google Scholar. The results of the search were screened and selected using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) was used for quality appraisal of included studies. Data relevant to the objective of the review were extracted and analyzed through narrative synthesis. Results A total of 10 original studies were included in the final review, including 1 prospective randomized study and 9 observational studies. Nine of the 10 studies were performed in the United States. Four of the studies indicated that electronic prescribing significantly increases initial medication adherence, while four of the studies suggested the opposite. The remaining two studies found no significant difference in primary medication adherence between the two methods of prescribing. The variations in the studies did not allow the homogeneity required for meta-analysis to be achieved. Conclusion The conflicting findings relating to the efficacy of primary medication adherence across both systems demonstrate the need for a standardized measure of medication adherence. This would help further determine the respective benefits of both approaches. Future research should also be conducted in different countries to give a more accurate representation of adherence.

Risk of Mortality and Leukemic Transformation in Primary Myelofibrosis before and after Ruxolitinib Approval

Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 28-28
Author(s):  
John William Thomas ◽  
Mithun Vinod Shah ◽  
Pankit Vachhani ◽  
Omer Jamy ◽  
Ronald S. Go ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Board Of Directors ◽  
Myeloproliferative Neoplasms ◽  
Primary Myelofibrosis ◽  
Hematologic Malignancies ◽  
The United States ◽  
Symptom Improvement ◽  
Advisory Committees ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Background: Primary myelofibrosis (PMF) has the worst prognosis of the classical BCR-ABL1 negative myeloproliferative neoplasms, with a median overall survival of six years. Factors affecting survival include age, symptom burden, cytopenias, mutation profile, and development of second malignancies including transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Ruxolitinib, a selective JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor, was granted approval by the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration for treatment of intermediate and high-risk PMF in November 2011 based on reduction in spleen volume and demonstration of symptom improvement. The impact of ruxolitinib on PMF survival is unknown. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether there has been a change in survival and patterns of second primary malignancies (SPMs) including AML transformation among PMF population in US after ruxolitinib approval. Methods: Using the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-18 survival and Multiple Primary Standardized Incidence Ratio (MP-SIR) registries, we conducted a retrospective study with patients diagnosed with PMF between the years of 2007 and 2016. We divided these patients into two five-year cohorts, pre-ruxolitinib approval (2007-2011) and post-ruxolitinib approval (2012-2016), and compared relative survival rates (RSRs) and standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of SPMs between the cohorts. SIRs were calculated as the ratio of observed to expected malignancy cases over the specified time periods. Median follow-up duration was five years for each cohort. RSRs and SIRs were compared between cohorts using two-proportion Z-tests. Results: We included 2164 patients diagnosed with PMF between 2007 and 2016 with data available in the SEER-18 survival and MP-SIR registries. Of these, 1051 (49%) patients were included in the pre-ruxolitinib cohort and 1113 (51%) patients were included in the post-ruxolitinib cohort. There was no significant difference in the four-year RSRs between the pre-ruxolitinib and post-ruxolitinib cohorts (55% vs. 56%, p = 0.719). A higher proportion of SPMs occurred in the post-ruxolitinib cohort when compared with the pre-ruxolitinib cohort (60% vs. 40%, p &lt; 0.001). Hematologic malignancies comprised a majority of all SPMs (AML 39% and non-Hodgkin lymphoma 16%). A higher incidence of AML transformation occurred in the post-ruxolitinib cohort when compared with the pre-ruxolitinib cohort (SIR 121.48 vs. 72.22, p = 0.037). Non-hematologic malignancies were also more common in the post-ruxolitinib cohort when compared with the pre-ruxolitinib cohort (SIR 1.09 vs. 0.94, p &lt; 0.001). The most common non-hematologic malignancies were cancers of the respiratory tract, urinary tract, and prostate gland, though their SIRs were not significant in either cohort. Conclusions: Our study results suggest that despite improvements in prognostication and the approval of ruxolitinib, the prognosis of PMF remains poor in the US. These results may be due to low uptake of ruxolitinib in practice or a lack of benefit from the drug itself. Additionally, for reasons that are unclear, SPM incidence has increased in the five years following the approval of this drug. Further studies should be conducted to determine the cause of these findings. Figure Disclosures Shah: Dren Bio: Consultancy. Vachhani:astellas: Speakers Bureau; agios, blueprint medicines, jazz pharmaceuticals, daiichi sankyo: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau.

Abstract MP05: Impact of Gentrification on Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Outcomes in England: 2004-2018

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nrupen A Bhavsar ◽  
Danying Li ◽  
Miguel Ramos ◽  
Laura Richman
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk Factors ◽  
The United States ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Length Of Residence ◽  
Lower Odds ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: Dynamic changes to neighborhoods due to forces such as gentrification impact the health of residents. Much of this research has been conducted within the United States, where racial disparities and access to healthcare impact risk for health outcomes. Internationally, other factors may play a more prominent role in the association between gentrification and cardiovascular risk factors and outcomes. Hypothesis: Residents living in gentrified vs. non-gentrified neighborhoods will have lower odds of diabetes (DM), hypertension (HTN), depression and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: We defined gentrification using changes in domains of the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) at the level of the Lower Layer Super Output Areas (LSOA) in England from 2004-2010. We used all IMD domains (income, employment, education, crime, barriers to housing, and living environment), except the health domain, from 2004 and 2010 to define LSOA deprivation. The IMD for each LSOA was standardized to the mean IMD of England using z-scores. LSOAs were eligible to be gentrified if they had a positive z-score in 2004 and were considered to gentrify if they had a negative change in the transformed IMD from 2004 to 2010. We linked these data to individual participants in the Understanding Society Study (USS). The USS is a nationally representative cohort study of 60,000 United Kingdom residents started in 2009 with follow-up ongoing. We limited the analysis to residents in England who lived in top and bottom 25% deprived LSOAs (n=8782). We used multivariable logistic regression to calculate the odds ratio for self-reported DM, HTN, depression, and CVD in residents in neighborhoods that did and did not gentrify, adjusting for race, sex, length of residence (LOR), baseline IMD score, and baseline prevalence of health conditions. Results were stratified by age (<65 & >=65 years) and median LOR (<13 & >=13 years). Results: At baseline, 8782 participants had a median age of 43 years, 4% were black and 55% were female. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of DM, HTN, depression, or CVD at baseline. At follow-up, overall, there were no significant difference in the odds of DM, HTN, or CVD between residents living in gentrified vs. non-gentrified neighborhoods. Residents in neighborhoods that gentrified had a 39% lower odds of depression as compared to participants living in neighborhoods that did not gentrify (p=0.01). Results were not significantly modified by age or length of residence. Conclusions: Residents living in gentrified neighborhoods did not have differential risk for most CVD risk factors and outcomes as compared to residents living in neighborhoods that did not gentrify. However, the impact of gentrification on health is not uniform across all conditions. The positive health impact seen may suggest gentrification increases access to resources not present prior to gentrification.

Assessment of Quality of Life in MA.17: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Letrozole After 5 Years of Tamoxifen in Postmenopausal Women

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (28) ◽  
pp. 6931-6940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy J. Whelan ◽  
Paul E. Goss ◽  
James N. Ingle ◽  
Joseph L. Pater ◽  
Dongsheng Tu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Bodily Pain ◽  
Response Analysis ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Change Scores ◽  
Estrogen Synthesis ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Purpose To evaluate the impact of letrozole compared with placebo after adjuvant tamoxifen on quality of life (QOL) in the MA.17 trial. Methods Patients completed the Short Form 36-item Health Survey (SF-36) and the Menopause Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL) at baseline, 6 months, and annually. Mean change scores from baseline were compared between groups for summary measures and domains. A response analysis compared the proportion of patients who demonstrated an important change in QOL. Results Of 5,187 randomly assigned women in the trial, 3,612 (69.9%) participated in the QOL substudy: 1,799 were allocated to placebo and 1,813 were allocated to letrozole. No differences were seen between groups in mean change scores from baseline for the SF-36 physical and mental component summary scores at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. Small (< 0.2 standard deviations) but statistically significant differences in mean change scores from baseline were seen for the SF-36 domains of physical functioning (12 months), bodily pain (6 months) and vitality (6 and 12 months), and the MENQOL vasomotor (6, 12, and 24 months) and sexual domains (12 and 24 months). On the response analysis, a significant difference was seen between groups for the bodily pain domain (percentage of patients reporting a worsening of QOL, 47% placebo v 51% letrozole; P = .009) and the vasomotor domain (22% placebo v 29% letrozole; P = .001). Conclusion Letrozole did not have an adverse impact on overall QOL. Small effects were seen in some domains consistent with a minority of patients experiencing changes in QOL compatible with a reduction in estrogen synthesis.

Who is ‘Molly’? MDMA adulterants by product name and the impact of harm-reduction services at raves

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 1056-1060 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Saleemi ◽  
Steven J Pennybaker ◽  
Missi Wooldridge ◽  
Matthew W Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Legal Protection ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Testing Methods ◽  
Music Festivals ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Intent To Use ◽  
Colorimetric Reagent ◽  
The Impact

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), often sold as ‘Ecstasy’ or ‘Molly’, is commonly used at music festivals and reported to be responsible for an increase in deaths over the last decade. Ecstasy is often adulterated and contains compounds that increase morbidity and mortality. While users and clinicians commonly assume that products sold as Molly are less-adulterated MDMA products, this has not been tested. Additionally, while pill-testing services are sometimes available at raves, the assumption that these services decrease risky drug use has not been studied. This study analyzed data collected by the pill-testing organization, DanceSafe, from events across the United States from 2010 to 2015. Colorimetric reagent assays identified MDMA in only 60% of the 529 samples collected. No significant difference in the percentage of samples testing positive for MDMA was determined between Ecstasy and Molly. Individuals were significantly less likely to report intent to use a product if testing did not identify MDMA (relative risk (RR) = 0.56, p = 0.01). Results suggest that Molly is not a less-adulterated substance, and that pill-testing services are a legitimate harm-reduction service that decreases intent to consume potentially dangerous substances and may warrant consideration by legislators for legal protection. Future research should further examine the direct effects of pill-testing services and include more extensive pill-testing methods.

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