Facing further challenges in cancer data quality and harmonisation.

This article highlights the recent and ongoing activities of European population-based cancer registries (PBCRs) in data quality and harmonisation in the framework of the collaboration between the European Network of Cancer Registries (ENCR) and the Directorate-General Joint Research Centre (JRC), the science and knowledge centre of the European Commission. The article concludes the Frontiers in Oncology's Research Topic "Joining Efforts to Improve Data Quality and Harmonization Among European Population-Based Cancer Registries", which has been an opportunity for several European researchers to share their experience on cancer data quality and harmonisation. Such experience will be helpful for PBCRs in view of future challenges and opportunities in cancer epidemiology, with a few examples discussed in the present article.

An agenda for future Social Sciences and Humanities research on energy efficiency: 100 priority research questions.

Decades of techno-economic energy policymaking and research have meant evidence from the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH)-including critical reflections on what changing a society's relation to energy (efficiency) even means-have been underutilised. In particular, (i) the SSH have too often been sidelined and/or narrowly pigeonholed by policymakers, funders, and other decision-makers when driving research agendas, and (ii) the setting of SSH-focused research agendas has not historically embedded inclusive and deliberative processes. The aim of this paper is to address these gaps through the production of a research agenda outlining future SSH research priorities for energy efficiency.

Variant Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Genomes from Belgian Military Personnel Engaged in Overseas Missions and Operations.

More than a year after the first identification of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as the causative agent of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in China, the emergence and spread of genomic variants of this virus through travel raise concerns regarding the introduction of lineages in previously unaffected regions, requiring adequate containment strategies. Concomitantly, such introductions fuel worries about a possible increase in transmissibility and disease severity, as well as a possible decrease in vaccine efficacy. Military personnel are frequently deployed on missions around the world.

Characterisation and validation of an in vitro transactivation assay based on the 22Rv1/MMTV_GR-KO cell line to detect human androgen receptor agonists and antagonists.

We describe the characterisation and validation of an androgen receptor (AR) transactivation assay for detection of AR agonists and antagonists using a stably transfected human prostate cancer cell line. This 22Rv1/mouse mammary tumour virus glucocorticoid knock-out cell line based AR transactivation assay was validated by criteria in Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Guidance Document 34 to determine if the assay performed equally well to the AR EcoScreen Assay included in Test Guideline for AR Transactivation (OECD TG 458). There was no Glucocorticoid Receptor (GR) crosstalk, and no changes in the AR DNA sequence in cells after the successful knock out of GR.

Study of a SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak in a Belgian Military Education and Training Center in Maradi, Niger.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) compromises the ability of military forces to fulfill missions. At the beginning of May 2020, 22 out of 70 Belgian soldiers deployed to a military education and training center in Maradi, Niger, developed mild COVID-19 compatible symptoms. Immediately upon their return to Belgium, and two weeks later, all seventy soldiers were tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA (RT-qPCR) and antibodies (two immunoassays).

Neuron-Like Cells Generated from Human Umbilical Cord Lining-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells as a New In Vitro Model for Neuronal Toxicity Screening: Using Magnetite Nanoparticles as an Example.

The wide employment of iron nanoparticles in environmental and occupational settings underlines their potential to enter the brain. Human cell-based systems are recommended as relevant models to reduce uncertainty and to improve prediction of human toxicity. This study aimed at demonstrating the in vitro differentiation of the human umbilical cord lining-derived-mesenchymal stem cells (hCL-MSCs) into neuron-like cells (hNLCs) and the benefit of using them as an ideal primary cell source of human origin for the neuronal toxicity of FeONPs (magnetite-nanoparticles).

An assessment of the impact of extraction and digestion protocols on multiplexed targeted protein quantification by mass spectrometry for egg and milk allergens.

The unintentional presence of even trace amounts of certain foods constitutes a major hazard for those who suffer from food allergies. For many food industries, product and raw ingredient surveillance forms part of their risk assessment procedures. This may require the detection of multiple allergens in a wide variety of matrices.

Measuring Progress towards a Circular Economy: A Monitoring Framework for Economy-wide Material Loop Closing in the EU28.

The concept of a circular economy (CE) is gaining increasing attention from policy makers, industry, and academia. There is a rapidly evolving debate on definitions, limitations, the contribution to a wider sustainability agenda, and a need for indicators to assess the effectiveness of circular economy measures at larger scales. Herein, we present a framework for a comprehensive and economy-wide biophysical assessment of a CE, utilizing and systematically linking official statistics on resource extraction and use and waste flows in a mass-balanced approach.

Chemometric approach for discriminating tobacco trademarks by near infrared spectroscopy.

Cigarettes are consumer products with a broad market-driven orientation. In order to satisfy the different needs of smokers, cigarette trademarks with different aroma, taste and appearance are available on the market. In this study near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy in combination with chemometrics was applied in order to distinguish cigarette trademarks by analysing the tobacco.

SUNSPACE, A Porous Material to Reduce Air Particulate Matter (PM).

The World Health Organization reports that every year several million people die prematurely due to air pollution. Poor air quality is a by-product of unsustainable policies in transportation, energy, industry, and waste management in the world's most crowded cities. Particulate matter (PM) is one of the major element of polluted air.

Current EU research activities on combined exposure to multiple chemicals.

Humans and wildlife are exposed to an intractably large number of different combinations of chemicals via food, water, air, consumer products, and other media and sources. This raises concerns about their impact on public and environmental health. The risk assessment of chemicals for regulatory purposes mainly relies on the assessment of individual chemicals.

Human 3D Cultures as Models for Evaluating Magnetic Nanoparticle CNS Cytotoxicity after Short- and Repeated Long-Term Exposure.

Since nanoparticles (NPs) can translocate to the brain and impact the highly vulnerable central nervous system (CNS), novel in vitro tools for the assessment of NP-induced neurotoxicity are advocated. In this study, two types of CNS spheroids have been developed from human D384 astrocyte- and SH-SY5Y neuronal-like cells, and optimized in combination with standard assays (viability readout and cell morphology) to test neurotoxic effects caused by Fe₃O₄NPs, as NP-model, after short- (24–48 h; 1–100µg/ml) and long-term repeated exposure (30days; 0.1–25µg/ml).

Implementation of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis to the specimens flow in a population-based colorectal cancer screening programme using immunochemical faecal occult blood tests: a quality improvement project in the Milan colorectal cancer screening programme.

Background: A multidisciplinary working group applied the Healthcare Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (HFMEA) approach to the flow of kits and specimens for the first-level test of a colorectal cancer screening programme using immunochemical faecal occult blood tests.

Methods: HFMEA comprised four steps: (1) identification and mapping of the process steps (subprocesses); (2) analysis of failure modes and calculation of the risk priority numbers (RPNs); (3) identification of corrective actions; and (4) follow-up and evaluation of corrective actions.

Results: The team identified 9 main failure modes, 12 effects and 34 associated causes.

Immittance Data Validation by Kramers-Kronig Relations - Derivation and Implications.

Explicitly based on causality, linearity (superposition) and stability (time invariance) and implicit on continuity (consistency), finiteness (convergence) and uniqueness (single valuedness) in the time domain, Kramers-Kronig (KK) integral transform (KKT) relations for immittances are derived as pure mathematical constructs in the complex frequency domain using the two-sided (bilateral) Laplace integral transform (LT) reduced to the Fourier domain for sufficiently rapid exponential decaying, bounded immittances. Novel anti KK relations are also derived to distinguish LTI (linear, time invariant) systems from non-linear, unstable and acausal systems. All relations can be used to test KK transformability on the LTI principles of linearity, stability and causality of measured and model data by Fourier transform (FT) in immittance spectroscopy (IS).

Immittance Data Validation using Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) Computation - Synthetic and Experimental Examples.

Exact data of an electric circuit (EC) model of RLC (resistor, inductor, capacitor) elements representing rational immittance of LTI (linear, time invariant) systems are numerically Fourier transformed to demonstrate within error bounds applicability of the Hilbert integral tranform (HT) and Kramers-Kronig (KK) integral tranform (KKT) method. Immittance spectroscopy (IS) data are validated for their HT (KKT) compliance using non-equispaced fast Fourier transformation (NFFT) computations. Failing of HT (KKT) testing may not only stem from non-compliance with causality, stability and linearity which are readily distinguished using anti HT (KKT) relations.

Human Co-culture Model of Neurons and Astrocytes to Test Acute Cytotoxicity of Neurotoxic Compounds.

Alternative methods and their use in planning and conducting toxicology experiments have become essential for modern toxicologists, thus reducing or replacing living animals. Although in vitro human co-culture models allow the establishment of biologically relevant cell-cell interactions that recapitulate the tissue microenvironment and better mimic its physiology, the number of publications is limited specifically addressing this scientific area and utilizing this test method which could provide an additional valuable model in toxicological studies. In the present study, an in vitro model based on central nervous system (CNS) cell co-cultures was implemented using a transwell system combining human neuronal cells (SH-SY5Y cell line) and glial cells, namely astrocytes (D384 cell line), to investigate neuroprotection of D384 on SH-SY5Y and vice versa.

Guidance for faecal occult blood testing: quantitative immunochemical method (FIT-HB) in colorectal cancer screening programmes.

Background: in Italy, colorectal cancer screening is included as part of the Italian National Health Service - SSN (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) Essential Levels of Care - LEA (Livelli Essenziali Assistenziali) and the European Guidelines, which specify quantitative FIT-Hb testing as the best strategy for organised screening programmes. To ensure consistent operating standards in Member States, European regulations require the implementation of certification and accreditation requirements for diagnostic and care-related processes. The requirement, based on ISO 17021 accreditation standards, includes ISO 9001 certification for systems and ISO 15189:2012 accreditation for laboratories.

Intensive follow-up for women with breast cancer: review of clinical, economic and patient's preference domains through evidence to decision framework.

Background: Women treated for breast cancer are followed-up for monitoring of treatment effectiveness and for detecting recurrences at an early stage. The type of follow-up received may affect women's reassurance and impact on their quality of life. Anxiety and depression among women with breast cancer has been described, but little is known about how the intensity of the follow-up can affect women's psychological status.

Quantification and size characterisation of silver nanoparticles in environmental aqueous samples and consumer products by single particle-ICPMS.

Single particle-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICPMS) is a promising technique able to generate the number based-particle size distribution (PSD) of nanoparticles (NPs) in aqueous suspensions. However, SP-ICPMS analysis is not consolidated as routine-technique yet and is not typically applied to real test samples with unknown composition. This work presents a methodology to detect, quantify and characterise the number-based PSD of Ag-NPs in different environmental aqueous samples (drinking and lake waters), aqueous samples derived from migration tests and consumer products using SP-ICPMS.

Spectroscopy applied to feed additives of the European Union Reference Laboratory: a valuable tool for traceability.

Feed additives need to be authorised to be placed on the market according to Regulation (EU) No. 1831/2003. Next to laying down the procedural requirements, the regulation creates the European Union Reference Laboratory for Feed Additives (EURL-FA) and requires that applicants send samples to the EURL-FA.

Improved Metrological Traceability of Particle Size Values Measured with Line-Start Incremental Centrifugal Liquid Sedimentation.

Line-start incremental centrifugal liquid sedimentation (disc-CLS) is a powerful method to determine particle size based on the principles of Stokes' law. Because several of the input quantities of the Stokes equation cannot be easily determined for this case of a rotating disc, the disc-CLS approach relies on calibrating the sedimentation time scale with reference particles. To use these calibrant particles for establishing metrological traceability, they must fulfill the same requirements as those imposed on a certified reference material, i.

A Spatial Data Infrastructure for Environmental Noise Data in Europe.

Access to high quality data is essential in order to better understand the environmental and health impact of noise in an increasingly urbanised world. This paper analyses how recent developments of spatial data infrastructures in Europe can significantly improve the utilization of data and streamline reporting on a pan-European scale. The Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community (INSPIRE), and Environmental Noise Directive (END) described in this manuscript provide principles for data management that, once applied, would lead to a better understanding of the state of environmental noise.