Benchmarking nanopore sequencing and rapid genomics feasibility: validation at a quaternary hospital in New Zealand.

Approximately 200 critically ill infants and children in New Zealand are in high-dependency care, many suspected of having genetic conditions, requiring scalable genomic testing. We adopted an acute care genomics protocol from an accredited laboratory and established a clinical pipeline using Oxford Nanopore Technologies PromethION 2 solo system and Fabric GEM™ software. Benchmarking of the pipeline was performed using Global Alliance for Genomics and Health benchmarking tools and Genome in a Bottle samples (HG002-HG007).

Enhanced ethanol production from paper sludge waste under high-solids conditions with industrial and cellulase-producing strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Reported ethanol titres from hydrolysis-fermentation of the degraded fibres in paper sludge (PS) waste, generally obtained under fed-batch submerged conditions, can be improved through fermentation processes at high solids loadings, as demonstrated in the present study with two industrial PS wastes at enzyme dosages appropriate for solids loadings up to 40% (w/w). The industrial yeast,Saccharomyces cerevisiaestrain Ethanol Red®, was compared to two genetically engineeredS. cerevisiaestrains, namely Cellusec® 1.

Breastfeeding and Antepartum Breast Milk Expression (): A Randomized Control Trial Utilizing an Electric Breast Pump and its Effect on Postpartum Breastfeeding.

To evaluate the effect of antenatal breast milk expression (ABE) on exclusive breastfeeding. A randomized control study was performed with the primary outcome being formula use during the postpartum hospital stay. Secondary outcomes were the exclusive breastfeeding rate at 6 months postpartum and peripartum safety outcomes.

Does a Split-Week Gestational Age Model Provide Valuable Information on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Extremely Preterm Infants?

Our primary objective for this follow-up study was to compare the neurodevelopmental outcomes of a surviving cohort of infants using a split-week gestational model (early versus late) gestational age (GA) and the standard completed GA categorization. Neurodevelopmental outcomes using a split-week GA model defined as early (X, 0-3) and late (X, 4-6), with X being 23-26 weeks GA, were compared to outcomes using completed weeks GA. In total, 1012 infants were included in the study.

Environmental DNA Metabarcoding as a Means of Estimating Species Diversity in an Urban Aquatic Ecosystem.

Adaptation to environments that are changing as a result of human activities is critical to species' survival. A large number of species are adapting to, and even thriving in, urban green spaces, but this diversity remains largely undocumented. In the current study, we explored the potential of environmental DNA (eDNA) to document species diversity in one of the largest green spaces in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Split-week gestational age model provides valuable information on outcomes in extremely preterm infants.

Aim: To compare composite outcomes of neonatal mortality or morbidity using a split-week gestational age (GA) model to completed weeks GA maturity at 23-26 weeks gestation.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of infants born at 23-26 weeks GA. Outcomes using a split-week GA model defined as early (X, 0-3) and late (X, 4-6) with X being 23-26 weeks GA were compared to outcomes using completed weeks GA, with a similar comparison between the late split of the preceding week (X, 4-6) and early split of the subsequent week (X + 1, 0-3).

Identification of a subgroup of black South Africans with type 1 diabetes who are older at diagnosis but have lower levels of glutamic acid decarboxylase and islet antigen 2 autoantibodies.

Aims: To compare the age at diagnosis and prevalence of islet autoantibody [glutamic acid decarboxylase (65 kDa) 65 and islet antigen 2] positivity in black and white participants with type 1 diabetes in South Africa, and to analyse the relationship between age at diagnosis and the presence of autoantibodies.

Methods: Participants were recruited from diabetes outpatient departments and autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (65 kDa) and islet antigen 2 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: We recruited 472 (353 black and 119 white) participants with type 1 diabetes.

IAEA methodology for on-site end-to-end IMRT/VMAT audits: an international pilot study.

The IAEA has developed and tested an on-site, end-to-end IMRT/VMAT dosimetry audit methodology for head and neck cases using an anthropomorphic phantom. The audit methodology is described, and the results of the international pilot testing are presented. The audit utilizes a specially designed, commercially available anthropomorphic phantom capable of accommodating a small volume ion chamber (IC) in four locations (three in planning target volumes (PTVs) and one in an organ at risk (OAR)) and a Gafchromic film in a coronal plane for the absorbed dose to water and two-dimensional dose distribution measurements, respectively.

Prediction of long-term neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants using trajectories of general movement assessments.

Objective: To assess the predictive value of trajectories and individual assessment of quality of general movements (AQGM) for identification of neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) at 18-24 months corrected age (CA) in infants <30 weeks gestational age and/or birth weight <1500 g.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, AQGM at 6 weeks and 3 months CA were scored and categorized as normal (N) or abnormal (A). AQGM measures were compared with degree of NDI and Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Third Edition (BSID-III) composite motor and cognitive scores.

Members of the Arabidopsis FORKED1-LIKE gene family act to localize PIN1 in developing veins.

The reticulate leaf vein pattern typical of angiosperms is proposed to have been a driving force for their evolutionary success. Vein pattern is established through auxin canalization via the auxin efflux protein PINFORMED1 (PIN1). During formation of vein loops, PIN1 cellular localization is increasingly restricted to either the basal side of cells in the lower domain or to the apical side in the upper domain.

Protein and fat meal content increase insulin requirement in children with type 1 diabetes - Role of duration of diabetes.

Background And Objective: Hyperglycaemia remains a challenge in type 1 diabetes since current regimes used to determine meal insulin requirements prove to be ineffective. This is particularly problematic for meals containing high amounts of protein and fat. We aimed to determine the post-prandial glycaemic response and total insulin need for mixed meals, using sensor-augmented insulin pumps in children with type 1 diabetes.

Cost evaluation to optimise radiation therapy implementation in different income settings: A time-driven activity-based analysis.

Background: With increasing recognition of growing cancer incidence globally, efficient means of expanding radiotherapy capacity is imperative, and understanding the factors impacting human and financial needs is valuable.

Materials And Methods: A time-driven activity-based costing analysis was performed, using a base case of 2-machine departments, with defined cost inputs and operating parameters. Four income groups were analysed, ranging from low to high income.

Formulation of an optimized synergistic enzyme cocktail, HoloMix, for effective degradation of various pre-treated hardwoods.

In this study, two selected hardwoods were subjected to sodium chlorite delignification and steam explosion, and the impact of pre-treatments on synergistic enzymatic saccharification evaluated. A cellulolytic core-set, CelMix, and a xylanolytic core-set, XynMix, optimised for glucose and xylose release, respectively, were used to formulate HoloMix cocktail for optimal saccharification of various pre-treated hardwoods. For delignified biomass, the optimized HoloMix consisted of 75%:25% protein dosage, CelMix: XynMix, while for untreated and steam exploded biomass the HoloMix consisted of 93.

Workplace Bullying and Turnover Intention: Exploring Work Engagement as a Potential Mediator.

Employees' turnover intentions may entail expensive consequences for companies. The study examined the mediating effect of work engagement in the relationship between workplace bullying and turnover intention. Using a cross-sectional sample of 373 employees, structural equation modeling and mediation analysis showed that perceptions of work- and person-related bullying were linked to low levels of vigor and dedication which in turn were associated with high turnover intention.

Using an artificial neural network to predict the optimal conditions for enzymatic hydrolysis of apple pomace.

The enzymatic degradation of lignocellulosic biomass such as apple pomace is a complex process influenced by a number of hydrolysis conditions. Predicting optimal conditions, including enzyme and substrate concentration, temperature and pH can improve conversion efficiency. In this study, the production of sugar monomers from apple pomace using commercial enzyme preparations, Celluclast 1.

Time dependence of enzyme synergism during the degradation of model and natural lignocellulosic substrates.

Cellulosic ethanol production relies on the biochemical (enzymatic) conversion of lignocellulose to fermentable sugars and ultimately to bioethanol. However, the cost of lignocellulolytic enzymes is a limiting factor in the commercialisation of this technology. This therefore necessitates the optimisation of lignocellulolytic enzyme cocktails through the elucidation of synergistic interactions between enzymes so as to improve lignocellulose hydrolysis and also lower protein loadings in these reactions.

Radiation Oncology Quality and Safety Considerations in Low-Resource Settings: A Medical Physics Perspective.

The past few years have seen a significant growth of interest in the global radiation therapy (RT) crisis. Various organizations have quantified the need and are providing aid in support of addressing the shortfalls existing in many low-to-middle income countries. With the tremendous demand for new facilities, equipment, and personnel, it is very important to recognize the quality and safety challenges and to address them directly.

Mobilising Expertise and Resources to Close the Radiotherapy Gap in Cancer Care.

Closing the gap in cancer care within low- and middle-income countries and in indigenous and geographically isolated populations in high-income countries requires investment and innovation. This is particularly true for radiotherapy, for which the global disparity is one of the largest in healthcare today. New models and paradigms and non-traditional collaborations have been proposed to improve global equity in cancer control.

Analysis of Global Radiotherapy Needs and Costs by Geographic Region and Income Level.

Recent years have seen various reviews on the lack of access to radiotherapy often based on geographic regions of the world such as Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America. Countries are often defined by their national income per capita levels based on World Bank definitions of high income, upper middle income, lower middle income and low income. Within the world regions, there are significant variations in gross national income (GNI) per capita among the different countries, and even within similar income levels, large variations exist.

Accuracy requirements and uncertainties in radiotherapy: a report of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Background: Radiotherapy technology continues to advance and the expectation of improved outcomes requires greater accuracy in various radiotherapy steps. Different factors affect the overall accuracy of dose delivery. Institutional comprehensive quality assurance (QA) programs should ensure that uncertainties are maintained at acceptable levels.

Use of naloxone to minimize extubation failure after premedication for INSURE procedure in preterm neonates.

Objectives: A new guideline for the early respiratory management of preterm infants that included early nCPAP and INSURE was recently introduced in our NICU. This case series describes the clinical courses of a group of preterm infants managed according to this guideline, and reports the rates of successful extubation within 30 minutes of surfactant administration with and without the use of naloxone and adverse events encountered.

Study Design: Descriptive case series of all preterm babies admitted to our unit who were candidates for INSURE procedure with premedication from August 2012 to August 2013.

A Leadership Education and Development Program for Clinical Nurses.

Objective: The Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) Program was designed to transform care at the bedside by empowering clinical nurses as leaders.

Background: The heart of LEAD was enhancing communication skills of clinical nurses with clinical colleagues and, most importantly, patients and families. Key concepts of leadership/management were included: personal awareness, personal leadership skills/abilities, leading change, leading others individually and in teams, enhancing the patient/provider experience, and the leadership role in outcomes management.