Evaluation of QuEChERS method for the determination of organochlorine pesticide residues in selected groups of fruits

This paper reports a method for organochlorine pesticide determination in selected fruit species where pesticide residues were extracted and cleaned using a buffered QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) method, followed by GC–MS analysis. The method results showed the matrix-matched calibration curve linearity was >0.99 for all target analytes. With pesticide recovery rates (spiked at 0.008 mg kg⁻¹) ranging from 70% to 120%, and RSD values <17% for most compounds, the limit of quantification ranged from 0.001–0.013 mg kg⁻¹. Finally, the method ruggedness was further demonstrated by analysis of actual commercial fruits and baby food samples.     

Antioxidant packaging development and optimization using agroindustrial wastes

The increasing use of non-biodegradable materials and the difficulty in recycling most of the available packaging have been pushing the development of biodegradable packaging. In this study, the potential uses of agroindustrial wastes to produce biodegradable films with antioxidant capacity were investigated. Starch films were produced by casting method using bran from jaboticaba peel, mango peel, and broccoli stalk. The influence of the concentration or type of bran in the properties of the films was evaluated through a central composite design. The results were analyzed by response surface and desirability function. Except for elongation and water solubility, the fitted equations were predictive in all studied properties. The films prepared from a higher concentration of mango peel exhibited better antioxidant capacity, while the broccoli stalk had no significant effect on antioxidant properties. The optimal formulation of the film (2.8% of jaboticaba peel and 20.0% of mango peel) and their predicted response variables (0.8 MPa for tensile strength, 40.0 MPa for Young's modulus, 4.5 mg/ml for IC₅₀, and 41.6% for inhibition percentage) were defined according to the results. The optimization was satisfactory and the film presented high antioxidant capacity and moderate mechanical properties, proving to be an alternative to replace plastic packaging.     

Radioimmunoassay for glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65) autoantibodies as a diagnostic aid for stiff-man syndrome and a correlate of susceptibility to type 1 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE: To establish and validate a double-antibody radioimmunoassay (RIA) for detecting serum auto-antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65). This enzyme catalyzes synthesis of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid in neurons and pancreatic islet cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We compared the frequency of GAD65 and other "thyrogastric" autoantibodies in adult patients with stiff-man (Moersch-Woltman) syndrome, type 1 diabetes, or polyendocrine disorders and in healthy subjects. The frequency of pancreatic islet cell antibody (ICA) detection was also assessed. The GAD65 RIA was validated by testing blinded samples, by confirming the specificity of low-titered positive results by "cold" antigen inhibition, and by comparing the RIA results with results of a kit assay incorporating staphylococcal protein A as immunoprecipitant. Recombinant GAD65 protein labeled with 125I was used as antigen, and a combination of anti-human IgG and IgM was used as immunoprecipitant. Seropositivity was determined for ICA and gastric parietal cell antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence assays and for thyroid peroxidase (microsome) and thyroglobulin antibodies by agglutination assays. RESULTS: We detected GAD65-specific antibodies in all but 1 of 46 local patients with stiff-man syndrome (98%); 16 had evidence of diabetes. Positive values exceeded 20 nmol/L in 96%, and 89% were ICA-positive; 76% had additional thyrogastric antibodies. Of 41 patients with type 1 diabetes (17 local and 24 workshop serum specimens), 33 were GAD65 antibody-positive (80%); 85% of these positive values were 20 nmol/L or lower. Only 18% of sera from patients with type 1 diabetes were ICA-positive, but 59% had other thyrogastric autoantibodies. Of 20 patients with autoimmune endocrinopathies without diabetes or stiff-man syndrome, 35% were GAD65 antibody-positive, 5% were ICA-positive, and 90% were thyrogastric antibody-positive. Of 117 healthy control subjects, 8% were GAD65 antibody-positive, and a third of those had other thyrogastric antibodies (14% overall); none was ICA-positive. CONCLUSION: Seropositivity in the double-antibody RIA for GAD65 autoantibody is a sensitive and specific marker of predisposition to type 1 diabetes and related organ-specific autoimmune disorders. As such, this RIA is complemented by assays for thyroid and gastric parietal cell autoantibodies.     

Assessing influenza immunization rates in Medicare managed care plans: a comparison of three methods

BACKGROUND: In an effort to improve care delivered to Medicare beneficiaries, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) has encouraged competitive Medicare risk plans to collaborate on quality improvement projects. PRO-West, a private, nonprofit quality improvement organization, fostered a collaboration of all Medicare risk plans in Washington State in order to assess and improve influenza immunization rates among seniors enrolled in managed care. METHODOLOGY: After the 1994-1995 influenza immunization season, immunization rates were determined for each participating plan from administrative data and medical record review. In the 1995-1996 season, these methods were supplemented with a telephone survey. The survey was used to identify perceived barriers to immunization and to estimate immunization rates. RESULTS: Immunization rates, as estimated by administrative data and medical record review, were similar for both years. The average immunization rate using administrative data for the 1995-1996 flu season was 60.6% (range, 42.8% to 72.3%). The estimated rate increased to 77.8% (95% confidence interval, 75.3% to 80.3%) when the telephone survey data were added. Medical record review contributed little additional information. CONCLUSIONS: Influenza immunization rates for seniors enrolled in Medicare risk plans in Washington State exceed those reported for fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries. Telephone surveys resulted in higher and probably more valid estimates of influenza immunization rates than did analysis of administrative data and medical records. Plans with lower rates can emulate "benchmark" plans that are explicit about the methods they use to achieve high coverage rates. Medicare risk health plans competing in the same markets can collaborate in quality assessment activities in an effective manner.     

Coordinate-transformed filter for shift-invariant and scale-invariant pattern recognition

A variable radial coordinate transformation of the phase-only filter (POF) that is dependent on the energy's angular distribution of the target spectrum is used to perform shift- and scale-invariant pattern recognition. The POF of a basic size target and the cumulative energy of its angular distribution are calculated. The filter function is then transformed by means of stretching along the radial coordinate so that the same energy contribution to the correlation peak is provided for any size target. The maximum ratio for recognizing scaled objects is 1:1.5. Computer simulations and optical experiments showing the performances of the filter are presented.     

Laparoscopic myomectomy. Time and cost analysis of power vs. manual morcellation

The electroimpedance indicators' dilution (EIID) technique was used to study the possibility of a simultaneous separate assessment of the biological heart and LVAD performance in the position of LVB. The experimental part of the research was performed on 5 dogs; an artificial ventricle of the pulsing type (USA) with cusps was used as a pump. The clinical part of the work was conducted on 5 patients after open-heart surgery who had the clinical picture of postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock; a centrifugal pump "Biopump" (Medtronic, USA) was used. The authors have shown a principally important possibility of applying the EIID, technique for studying the performance curves which are the integral derivatives of the work of a specific hybrid system--"the biological heart-assist device". From the practical viewpoint the EIID technique permits in the read time mode to control continuously the part of the pumping function which is assumed by the patient's own heart. This information can serve as the basis for making the prognosis and determining the further tactics of treatment; the restoration of the heart performance or its replacement by transplantation.     

A five-year study of graduates' performance on NCLEX-RN

A 5-year study of graduates' performance on NCLEX-RN was conducted using data from July 1988 through February 1994. This time frame related to the "new" test plan introduced in 1988 with pass/fail results for NCLEX analysis. Using a quota sampling technique of 188 graduates, selected admission and curriculum variables and National League for Nursing (NLN) Comprehensive Achievement Test scores were studied in relationship to NCLEX-RN examination results. The strongest indicators of success were SAT verbal scores, nursing grade point average, and NLN Comprehensive Achievement Test scores. In addition, logistic regression analyses identified three nursing courses in combination with the NLN Comprehensive Achievement Test score as a strong model for prediction. Even though pass/fail data limit statistical analyses, the predictor variables were strong at P = 0.0001. These findings are consistent with prior studies.     

ALATOP-RIA in the screening of atopy in a non Caucasian population

ALATOP is an "in vitro" radioimmunoassay screening test for atopy, previously validated in a caucasian population. The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of a screening test of atopy in a non caucasian population. We select a non caucasian population (n = 208), from hospital immunoallergy consultations, Cape Verde Republic (Africa). It was determined the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values comparing with skin prick tests (SPT) results for the 208 patients, and with clinical data (Clin) in 115 patients. It was also determined the levels of total IgE, done by IRMA. RESULTS: Using different corrections factors, 0.85 gives the best results: ALATOP/SPT-Sensitivity-88.5% +/- 4.34; Specificity-73.8% +/- 8.41; Positive predictive value-66.9%; Negative predictive value-91.4%; Efficiency of the test-79.3%. ALATOP/CLIN-Sensitivity-95.2% +/- 3.89; Specificity-71.2% +/- 12.07; Positive predictive value-65.6%; Negative predictive value-96.2%; Efficiency of the test-80.0%. The mean values of total IgE were-406 IU/ml. CONCLUSIONS: The mean value of total IgE was significantly increased even in the ALATOP-/SPT-not saw in caucasian populations. The use of a different correction factor (0.85) for ALATOP, optimize the test, showing a good negative predictive value, but raises the question of adapted compositions of screening tests for different populations.     

High Spatial Resolution Mapping of Localized Surface Plasmon Resonances in Single Gallium Nanoparticles

Plasmonics has emerged as an attractive field driving the development of optical systems in order to control and exploit light–matter interactions. The increasing interest around plasmonic systems is pushing the research of alternative plasmonic materials, spreading the operability range from IR to UV. Within this context, gallium appears as an ideal candidate, potentially active within a broad spectral range (UV–VIS–IR), whose optical properties are scarcely reported. Importantly, the smart design of active plasmonic materials requires their characterization at high spatial and spectral resolution to access the optical fingerprint of individual nanostructures, attainable by transmission electron microscopy techniques (i.e., by means of electron energy‐loss spectroscopy, EELS). Therefore, the optical response of individual Ga nanoparticles (NPs) by means of EELS measurements is analyzed, in order to spread the understanding of the plasmonic response of Ga NPs. The results show that single Ga NPs may support several plasmon modes, whose nature is extensively discussed.     

Repair of unilateral cleft lip: a comparison of five techniques

Repair of unilateral cleft lip is a challenging procedure with no single technique satisfactory for all types of unilateral cleft deformity. This study compares retrospectively five techniques of unilateral cleft lip repair in 72 children (45 boys, 27 girls). Twenty-two children had a Millard rotation-advancement repair, 5 children had a Davies Z-plasty, 22 had a modified Z-plasty, 10 had a Tennison-Randall triangular flap repair, and 13 had a Nakajima-Yoshimura straight-line repair. Assessment was performed clinically by a plastic surgeon not involved in the original surgery. Repairs were assessed objectively by measurement of the vertical length of both the repaired and normal sides of the lip with calipers. Subjective criteria used to evaluate the repair were the symmetry of Cupid's bow, the quality of scar, the alignment of white roll, the evenness of the vermilion, and the lip pout. The mean follow-up period was 5.4 years (range, 9 months-29 years). Sixty-five of the 72 repairs measured (90%) were within two standard deviations (SDs) of normal and thus were considered to be of "acceptable" length. Seven repairs were unacceptably short (>2 SDs) on measurement, six of which included a rotation-advancement repair for a complete cleft lip. Subjective results paralleled the objective results. The outcome following repair of unilateral cleft lip was similar for all five surgical methods assessed except for complete cleft lips repaired by the rotation-advancement technique, which tended to result in an unacceptably short lip as measured on the repaired side.