Handling Variables, via Inversion of Partial Least Squares Models for Class-Modelling, to Bring Defective Items to Non-Defective Ones.

In the context of binary class-modelling techniques, the paper presents the computation in the input space of linear boundaries of a class-model constructed with given values of sensitivity and specificity. This is done by inversion of a decision threshold, set with these values of sensitivity and specificity, in the probabilistic class-models computed by means of PLS-CM (Partial Least Squares for Class-Modelling). The characterization of the boundary hyperplanes, in the latent space (space spanned by the selected latent variables of the fitted PLS model) or in the input space, makes it possible to calculate directions that can be followed to move objects toward the class-model of interest. Different points computed along these directions will show how to modify the input variables (provided they can be manipulated) so that, eventually, a computed 'object' would be inside the class-model, in terms of the prediction with the PLS model. When the class of interest is that of "adequate" objects, as for example in some process control or product formulation, the proposed procedure helps in answering the question about how to modify the input variables so that a defective object would be inside the class-model of the adequate (non-defective) ones. This is the situation illustrated with some examples, taken from the literature when modelling the class of adequate objects.

Optimization of a solid-phase extraction procedure in the fluorimetric determination of sulfonamides in milk using the second-order advantage of PARAFAC and D-optimal design.

The objective of this work is to optimize a solid-phase extraction procedure for the simultaneous determination of sulfadiazine, sulfamerazine, and sulfamethazine in milk by fluorimetric detection. For this task, an alternative strategy is employed, which allows one to reduce noticeably the number of experiments without losing the quality of the estimations. It consists of the use of a D-optimal design together with PARAFAC decomposition for the calculation of the response in the experimental design. Effects of amount of cartridge sorbent, kind of milk, volume of conditioning solutions, kind of wash and elution, and kind of mixture of sulfonamides have been evaluated, for maximizing sulfonamide mean recovery and minimizing its standard deviation. Since milk without sulfonamides may give some matrix effect over the fluorescence signal, its behavior has also been studied. Optimal conditions have been selected where the ratio between sulfonamide recovery and milk without sulfonamides was the highest, which are 500 mg of cartridge sorbent, acid wash, and elution and 3 mL of conditioning solutions. The type of milk and mixture of sulfonamides not significant. This makes the procedure suitable for the combined determination of sulfadiazine, sulfamerazine, and sulfamethazine in any kind of milk. Finally, an experimental procedure is proposed, obtaining a sulfonamide mean recovery equal to 68.5% with values of standard deviation between 7 and 8 microg kg(-1).

Combining excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy, parallel factor analysis, cyclodextrin-modified micellar electrokinetic chromatography and partial least squares class-modelling for green tea characterization.

In this study, an alternative analytical approach for analyzing and characterizing green tea (GT) samples is proposed, based on the combination of excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy and multivariate chemometric techniques. The three-dimensional spectra of 63 GT samples were recorded using a Perkin-Elmer LS55 luminescence spectrometer; emission spectra were recorded between 295 and 800 nm at excitation wavelength ranging from 200 to 290 nm, with excitation and emission slits both set at 10 nm. The excitation and emission profiles of two factors were obtained using Parallel Factor Analysis (PARAFAC) as a 3-way decomposition method. In this way, for the first time, the spectra of two main fluorophores in green teas have been found. Moreover, a cyclodextrin-modified micellar electrokinetic chromatography method was employed to quantify the most represented catechins and methylxanthines in a subset of 24 GT samples in order to obtain complementary information on the geographical origin of tea. The discrimination ability between the two types of tea has been shown by a Partial Least Squares Class-Modelling performed on the electrokinetic chromatography data, being the sensitivity and specificity of the class model built for the Japanese GT samples 98.70% and 98.68%, respectively. This comprehensive work demonstrates the capability of the combination of EEM fluorescence spectroscopy and PARAFAC model for characterizing, differentiating and analyzing GT samples.

False positive galactomannan results in adult hematological patients treated with piperacillin-tazobactam.

In this prospective study including 78 adult patients with haematological malignancy (90 episodes) we performed galactomannan (GM) (Platelia Aspergillus) screening twice weekly for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis. There were five proven and four probable invasive aspergillosis cases. The sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values were 100, 88, 47 and 100%, respectively. There were eight patients with false positive GM (10.2%). In six patients the false GM reactivity was due to the administration of piperacillin-tazobactam (P-T). A significant association was found between false positive GM (= or > 0.5) and the administration of P-T (p < 0.01). Two other patients with no invasive aspergillosis (2.5%) and false GM reactivity had graft versus host disease (GVHD) and one of them had also mucositis grade IV. The kinetic patterns of false positive GM due to P-T is discussed.

Tandem transplants with different high-dose regimens improve the complete remission rates in multiple myeloma. Results of a Grupo Español de Síndromes Linfoproliferativos/Trasplante Autólogo de Médula Osea phase II trial.

Between 1994 and 1999, 88 multiple myeloma (MM) patients were included in a phase II study to evaluate a tandem autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) programme. The first was conditioned with melphalan 200 mg/m2 (MEL200-ASCT1), and the second with cyclophosphamide, etoposide and BCNU (CBV-ASCT2). All patients were in response after MEL200-ASCT1. A control group of MM patients with response to a single ASCT was selected to compare outcomes. After MEL200-ASCT1, 26 patients (30%) achieved complete remission (CR). Of the remaining 48 evaluable patients, 16 (33%) achieved CR with CBV-ASCT2. The final CR rate was 48%. The 5-year survival (OS) was 55%[95% confidence interval (CI) 43-67%] while the event-free survival (EFS) was 28% (95% CI 15-39%). CR status after CBV-ASCT2 was the most important prognostic factor for OS and EFS (P = 0.00001), although no differences in outcomes were detected when the patients in CR after MEL200-ASCT1 were compared with those who obtained CR after CBV-ASCT2. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed improved OS and EFS for the tandem series as compared with the control series treated with a single MEL200-ASCT. However, in a stratified comparison by response, there were no prognostic differences between tandem patients and control patients treated with a single ASCT. In summary, our study suggests that the benefit of a second high-dose therapy course depends on its capacity to result in CR for MM patients who have not attained CR after ASCT1.