Air pollution influence on serum inflammatory interleukins: A prospective study in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematous patients

Objective To assess the effect of individual exposure, in real-time, to traffic-related pollutants on serum interleukin levels of childhood-onset lupus erythematous systemic (c-SLE) patients. Methods A longitudinal and observational design was conducted in 12 repeated measures of serum samples and clinical evaluations (totaling 108 measurements) of c-SLE patients over 30 consecutive months. Real-time, individual exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was measured with portable monitors. Generalized estimating equation was used to evaluate the association between exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 and the following serum cytokine levels on the 7 days preceding clinical assessment and serum collection: MCP1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, IFN-alpha, and TNF-alpha. Disease activity and other risk factors were also controlled. Results An interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM2.5 daily concentration was significantly associated with increased levels of TNF-alpha on the third, fourth, and seventh day after exposure; IL-10 on the third and fourth day after exposure; IL-17 on the third and seventh day after exposure; and INF-alpha on the third day after exposure ( p < 0.05). An IQR increase in 7-day moving average of PM2.5 was associated with a 6.2 pg/mL (95% CI: 0.5; 11.8; p = 0.04) increase in serum IFN-alpha level. An unexpected significant association was observed between an IQR increase in NO27-day cumulative concentration and a decrease of 1.6 pg/mL (95% CI: −2.6; −0.7; p < 0.001) in serum IL-17. Conclusion Real-time exposure to PM2.5 prospectively associated with increased serum TNF-alpha, INF-alpha, IL-10, and IL-17 levels in c-SLE patients.

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Initial Multitarget Approach Shows Importance for Improved Caprine Arthritis-encephalitis Virus Control Program in Russia for Hobbyist Goat Farms

10.20944/preprints202009.0270.v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Eduard A. Shuralev ◽

Nail I. Khammadov ◽

Konstantin A. Osyanin ◽

Inna A. Elizarova ◽

Gaysha R. Salmanova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Real Time ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Control Program ◽

Encephalitis Virus ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Serological Tests ◽

Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus ◽

The Third ◽

Molecular Tests ◽

The Republic

Aim: The aim of this study was to use a multi target approach to testing with both serological tests and an in-house real-time molecular test to investigate the prevalence of the caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) in goats from three hobbyist farms in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. Materials and Methods: We have approached the detection of using a multi target approach testing with both ELISA and an in-house real-time PCR test to investigate the prevalence of CAEV in goats. Animals from three hobbyist farms were used in this study. The animals from two farms (n=13 for F1 and n=8 for F2) had clinical signs of arthritis and mastitis. In the third farm (n=15 for F3), all goats were homebred and had no contact with imported animals. Results: CAEV antibodies (ELISA targets TM env and gag genes) were detected in serum samples from two farms (F1 and F2), indicating a seroprevalence 87.50-92.31%. Specific CAEV antibodies were also detected in milk samples. CAEV proviral DNA was detected in 53.85-62.50%. Results from all tests performed in the third farm (F3) were negative, indicting all tests were 100% specific.Conclusion: Results of this work show that CAEV is circulating and present in small hobbyist goat farms in Russia. Serological and molecular tests could be of importance for CAEV control and eradication programs in Russia for hobbyist goat farms.

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Rapid detection of Chlamydia/Chlamydophila group in samples collected from swine herds with and without reproductive disorders

Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences ◽

10.2478/pjvs-2014-0052 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 367-369 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

K. Rypula ◽

A. Kumala ◽

P. Lis ◽

K. Niemczuk ◽

K. Płoneczka-Janeczko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Real Time ◽

Real Time Pcr ◽

Rapid Detection ◽

Complement Fixation Test ◽

Complement Fixation ◽

Fixation Test ◽

Reproductive Disorders ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Swine Herds

Abstract The study was carried out in seven reproductive herds of pigs. In three of them reproductive disorders were observed. Three herds consisted of 10-50 and four consisted of 120-500 adult sows and they were called small and medium, respectively. Fifty-seven adult sows were randomly selected from herds. Serum samples were tested using the complement fixation test and swabs from both eyes and from the vaginal vestibule were examined using real-time PCR. All serum samples were negative. Infected sows were present in each of the study herds. In total, there were 28 positive samples (53%, 28/48) in real-time PCR in sows with reproductive disorders and 35 (53%, 35/66) in sows selected from herds without problems in reproduction. One isolate proved to be Chlamydophila pecorum, whereas all the remaining were Chamydia suis

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Investigations, actions and learning from an outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers in the United Kingdom

Journal of Infection Prevention ◽

10.1177/1757177420976798 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 175717742097679

Author(s):

Kordo Saeed ◽

Emanuela Pelosi ◽

Nitin Mahobia ◽

Nicola White ◽

Christopher Labdon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Real Time ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Healthcare Facility ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Serum Samples ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Key Issues ◽

Current Infection ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

A Current

Background: We report an outbreak of SARS coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among healthcare workers (HCW) in an NHS elective healthcare facility. Methodology: A narrative chronological account of events after declaring an outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 among HCWs. As part of the investigations, HCWs were offered testing during the outbreak. These were: (1) screening by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR) to detect a current infection; and (2) serum samples to determine seroprevalence. Results: Over 180 HCWs were tested by real-time RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The rate of infection was 15.2% (23.7% for clinical or directly patient-facing HCWs vs. 4.8% in non-clinical non-patient-facing HCWs). Of the infected HCWs, 57% were asymptomatic. Seroprevalence (SARS-CoV-2 IgG) among HCWs was 13%. It was challenging to establish an exact source for the outbreak. The importance of education, training, social distancing and infection prevention practices were emphasised. Additionally, avoidance of unnecessary transfer of patients and minimising cross-site working for staff and early escalation were highlighted. Establishing mass and regular screening for HCWs are also crucial to enabling the best care for patients while maintaining the wellbeing of staff. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first UK outbreak report among HCWs and we hope to have highlighted some key issues and learnings that can be considered by other NHS staff and HCWs globally when dealing with such a task in future.

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Myopia control effect of defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) spectacle lens in Chinese children: results of a 3-year follow-up study

British Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1136/bjophthalmol-2020-317664 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. bjophthalmol-2020-317664

Author(s):

Carly SY Lam ◽

Wing Chun Tang ◽

Paul H Lee ◽

Han Yu Zhang ◽

Hua Qi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Mean Difference ◽

Historical Control ◽

Control Group ◽

Control Effect ◽

Myopia Progression ◽

The Third ◽

Spherical Equivalent Refraction ◽

Mean Differences ◽

Myopia Control

AimsTo determine myopia progression in children who continued to wear the defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) lenses or switched from single vision (SV) to DIMS lenses for a 1-year period following a 2-year myopia control trial.Methods128 children participated in this study. The children who had worn DIMS lenses continued to wear DIMS lenses (DIMS group), and children who had worn SV lenses switched to wear DIMS lenses (Control-to-DIMS group). Cycloplegic spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and axial length (AL) were measured at 6-month interval. Historical controls were age matched to the DIMS group at 24 months and used for comparing the third-year changes.ResultsOver 3 years, SER and AL changes in the DIMS group (n=65) were −0.52±0.69D and 0.31±0.26 mm; these changes were not statistically significant over time (repeated measures analysis of variance, p>0.05).SER (−0.04±0. 38D) and AL (0.08±0.12 mm) changes in the Control-to-DIMS group (n=55) in the third year were less compared with the first (mean difference=0.45 ± 0.30D, 0.21±0.11 mm, p<0.001) and second (0.34±0.30D, 0.12±0.10 mm, p<0.001) years.Changes in SER and AL in both groups over that period were significantly less than in the historical control group (DIMS vs historical control: mean difference=−0.18±0.42D, p=0.012; 0.08±0.15 mm, p=0.001; Control-to-DIMS versus historical control: adjusted mean differences=−0.30±0.42D, p<0.001; 0.12±0.16 mm, p<0.001).ConclusionsMyopia control effect was sustained in the third year in children who had used the DIMS spectacles in the previous 2 years and was also shown in the children switching from SV to DIMS lenses.

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The Third Generation of Real-Time Virtual Sonography for Navigation in the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology ◽

10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2011.05.602 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 37 (8) ◽

pp. S136

Author(s):

Y. Eso ◽

A. Sakamoto ◽

S.G. Kim ◽

S. Saito ◽

H. Nishikawa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Real Time ◽

Third Generation ◽

The Third

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A RED modified weighted moving average for soft real-time application

International Journal of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science ◽

10.2478/amcs-2014-0051 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 697-707 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Joanna Domanśka ◽

Adam Domański ◽

Dariusz R. Augustyn ◽

Jerzy Klamka

Keyword(s):

Real Time ◽

Optimization Problem ◽

Optimality Criterion ◽

Task Force ◽

Moving Average ◽

Timing Constraints ◽

Real Time Traffic ◽

Real Time Application ◽

Weighted Moving Average

Abstract The popularity of TCP/IP has resulted in an increase in usage of best-effort networks for real-time communication. Much effort has been spent to ensure quality of service for soft real-time traffic over IP networks. The Internet Engineering Task Force has proposed some architecture components, such as Active Queue Management (AQM). The paper investigates the influence of the weighted moving average on packet waiting time reduction for an AQM mechanism: the RED algorithm. The proposed method for computing the average queue length is based on a difference equation (a recursive equation). Depending on a particular optimality criterion, proper parameters of the modified weighted moving average function can be chosen. This change will allow reducing the number of violations of timing constraints and better use of this mechanism for soft real-time transmissions. The optimization problem is solved through simulations performed in OMNeT++ and later verified experimentally on a Linux implementation

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Real-Time Harmonic Component Decomposition for LV Grids Using Heterodyne Method With Adaptive Moving Average Filters

10.1109/amps50177.2021.9586030 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tawichai Premgamone ◽

Jan Kortenbruck ◽

Egon Ortjohann ◽

Andreas Schmelter ◽

Daniel Holtschulte ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Real Time ◽

Moving Average ◽

Harmonic Component ◽

Heterodyne Method ◽

Component Decomposition ◽

Time Harmonic

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Viability of gait speed test in hospitalized elderly patients

Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia ◽

10.1590/s1806-37562015000000058 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 42 (3) ◽

pp. 196-202 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Bruno Prata Martinez ◽

Anne Karine Menezes Santos Batista ◽

Isis Resende Ramos ◽

Júlio Cesar Dantas ◽

Isabela Barboza Gomes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Elderly Patients ◽

Gait Speed ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Maximum Speed ◽

Actual Performance ◽

Physical Test ◽

Speed Test ◽

The Third ◽

Hospitalized Elderly ◽

Hospitalized Elderly Patients

ABSTRACT Objective: The gait speed test (GST) is a physical test that can predict falls and aid in the diagnosis of sarcopenia in the elderly. However, to our knowledge, there have been no studies evaluating its reproducibility in hospitalized elderly patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and reproducibility of the six-meter GST (6GST) in hospitalized elderly patients. Methods: This repeated measures study involved hospitalized elderly patients (≥ 60 years of age) who underwent the 6GST by the fifth day of hospitalization, were able to walk without assistance, and presented no signs of dyspnea or pain that would prevent them from performing the test. The 6GST was performed three times in sequence, with a rest period between each test, in a level corridor. Gait speed was measured in meters/second. Reproducibility was assessed by comparing the means, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman plots. Results: We evaluated 110 elderly patients in a total of 330 tests. All participants completed all of the tests. The comparisons between the speeds obtained during the three tests showed high ICCs and a low mean bias (Bland-Altman plots). The correlation and accuracy were greatest when the mean maximum speed was compared with that obtained in the third test (1.26 ± 0.44 m/s vs. 1.22 ± 0.44 m/s; ICC = 0.99; p = 0.001; mean bias = 0.04; and limits of agreement = −0.27 to 0.15). Conclusions: The 6GST was proven to be safe and to have good reproducibility in this sample of hospitalized elderly patients. The third measurement seems to correspond to the maximum speed, since the first two measurements underestimated the actual performance.

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Novel multiplex real-time quantitative PCR detecting system approach for direct detection ofCandida aurisand its relatives in spiked serum samples

Future Microbiology ◽

10.2217/fmb-2018-0227 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 33-45 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Amir Arastehfar ◽

Wenjie Fang ◽

Farnaz Daneshnia ◽

Abdullah MS Al-Hatmi ◽

Wanqing Liao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Real Time ◽

Quantitative Pcr ◽

System Approach ◽

Direct Detection ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Real Time Quantitative Pcr ◽

Spiked Serum

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Prion Disease Blood Test Using Immunoprecipitation and Improved Quaking-Induced Conversion

mBio ◽

10.1128/mbio.00078-11 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 78

Author(s):

Christina D. Orrú ◽

Jason M. Wilham ◽

Lynne D. Raymond ◽

Franziska Kuhn ◽

Björn Schroeder ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Real Time ◽

Blood Test ◽

Prion Diseases ◽

Proteinase K ◽

Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Spongiform Encephalopathies ◽

Jakob Disease

ABSTRACT A key challenge in managing transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases in medicine, agriculture, and wildlife biology is the development of practical tests for prions that are at or below infectious levels. Of particular interest are tests capable of detecting prions in blood components such as plasma, but blood typically has extremely low prion concentrations and contains inhibitors of the most sensitive prion tests. One of the latter tests is quaking-induced conversion (QuIC), which can be as sensitive as in vivo bioassays, but much more rapid, higher throughput, and less expensive. Now we have integrated antibody 15B3-based immunoprecipitation with QuIC reactions to increase sensitivity and isolate prions from inhibitors such as those in plasma samples. Coupling of immunoprecipitation and an improved real-time QuIC reaction dramatically enhanced detection of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) brain tissue diluted into human plasma. Dilutions of 1014-fold, containing ~2 attogram (ag) per ml of proteinase K-resistant prion protein, were readily detected, indicating ~10,000-fold greater sensitivity for vCJD brain than has previously been reported. We also discriminated between plasma and serum samples from scrapie-infected and uninfected hamsters, even in early preclinical stages. This combined assay, which we call “enhanced QuIC” (eQuIC), markedly improves prospects for routine detection of low levels of prions in tissues, fluids, or environmental samples. IMPORTANCE Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are largely untreatable and are difficult to diagnose definitively prior to irreversible clinical decline or death. The transmissibility of TSEs within and between species highlights the need for practical tests for even the smallest amounts of infectivity. A few sufficiently sensitive in vitro methods have been reported, but most have major limitations that would preclude their use in routine diagnostic or screening applications. Our new assay improves the outlook for such critical applications. We focused initially on blood plasma because a practical blood test for prions would be especially valuable for TSE diagnostics and risk reduction. Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in particular has been transmitted between humans via blood transfusions. Enhanced real-time quaking-induced conversion (eRTQ) provides by far the most sensitive detection of vCJD to date. The 15B3 antibody binds prions of multiple species, suggesting that our assay may be useful for clinical and fundamental studies of a variety of TSEs of humans and animals.

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