Does Variability Affect the Performance of Front-Face Fluorescence Spectroscopy? A Study Case on Commercial Lebanese Olive Oil.

The potential of front-face fluorescence spectroscopy coupled with chemometric techniques, namely multiple linear regression (MLR) applied on parallel factor (PARAFAC) scores and partial least squares (PLS), was tested on Lebanese olive oil samples possessing natural variability within their chemical parameters. Ninety-six olive oil samples have been harvested at different dates and from two seasons, processed using different extraction methods, collected from different altitudes and other factors that can increase the variability of the samples' chemical composition. Fluorescence excitation-emission matrices (EEM) of the collected samples were measured, and the relationship between them and the chemical parameters was examined. Twenty-two MLR regression models based on PARAFAC scores were generated, the majority of which showed a good correlation coefficient (R > 0.7 for ten predicted variables). A second model using PLS on the unfolded EEM was also conducted to improve the regression and to assess if it can handle the variability in hand. However, similar results, with a slight improvement over the MLR model, were obtained. In a non-experimental design, such variability may hinder the potentials of front-face fluorescence; however average to good MLR and PLS models were obtained, predicting the Lebanese olive oil deterioration quality parameters and fatty acid content.

Testing patient-reported outcome measurement equivalence in multinational clinical trials: An exemplar using the 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale.

BACKGROUND: Although multinational clinical trials frequently use patient-reported outcomes to measure efficacy, measurement equivalence across cultures and languages, a scientific requirement, is rarely tested. Clinically accessible accounts are rare; exemplars are needed. OBJECTIVE: To develop and test a Turkish version of the Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12v2) as a clinical exemplar for examining measurement equivalence. METHODS: The MSWS-12v2 Turkish (MSWS-12v2T) was developed using recognised methods for linguistic equivalence. Rasch measurement theory was used to examine measurement performance (multiple tests of targeting, scale performance, and person measurement) and measurement equivalence (differential item functioning). UK data (n = 3310) were used for comparisons and differential item functioning testing. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-four people from two Turkish centres completed the MSWS-12v2T. Rasch measurement theory evidence supported MSWS-12v2T as reliable (person separation = 0.96) and valid (thresholds ordered; no concerning item misfit, bias, or person misfit). However, four items demonstrated significantly different performance between UK and Turkish samples. These item differences significantly affected scores (person measurements) at the group-level (p < 0.001). Individual person differences were less pronounced. CONCLUSIONS: Linguistic equivalence does not guarantee measurement equivalence; independent testing is required. Rasch measurement theory enables sophisticated and unique examinations of cross-cultural measurement equivalence and we recommend this be tested routinely in pivotal multiple sclerosis clinical trials.

Dynamic of Campylobacter Species Contamination Along a Poultry Slaughtering Chain.

The prevalence of Campylobacters was studied in a poultry farm and along the slaughtering chain. Fifteen swabs from a farm and 75 samples (swabs and rinsates) from its slaughterhouse were collected. All the faecal and cloacal farm swabs were contaminated by Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli against 50% for breast swabs. C. jejuni had a concentration of 6.26, 6.34 and 5.38 Log10 CFU/mL in faecal, cloacal and breast swabs respectively. Rinsates showed an almost constant concentration of Campylobacters (6 Log10 CFU/mL) with a predominance of the presumptive C. jejuni. C. lari was found in 22% of eviscerated samples. Faecal coliforms and E. coli, used as indicators, were detected in all samples (5.46 and 5.15 Log10 CFU/mL, respectively). Final chilling and chlorine (50 ppm) treatments decreased them to acceptable levels, unlike for Campylobacters. Further investigation of the dynamics of Campylobacters and their response to prevention and treatment measures is required.

Anti-JC virus antibody prevalence in a multinational multiple sclerosis cohort.

JC virus (JCV) is an opportunistic virus known to cause progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Anti-JC virus (Anti-JCV) antibody prevalence in a large, geographically diverse, multi-national multiple sclerosis (MS) cohort was compared in a cross-sectional study. Overall, anti-JCV antibody prevalence was 57.6%. Anti-JCV antibody prevalence in MS patients ranged from approximately 47% to 68% across these countries: Norway, 47.4%; Denmark, 52.6%; Israel, 56.6%; France, 57.6%; Italy, 58.3%; Sweden, 59.0%; Germany, 59.1%; Austria, 66.7% and Turkey, 67.7%. Prevalence increased with age (from 49.5% in patients < 30 years of age to 66.5% in patients ≥ 60 years of age; p < 0.0001 comparing all age categories), was lower in females than in males (55.8% versus 61.9%; p < 0.0001) and was not affected by prior immunosuppressant or natalizumab use.

[Social phobia in essential tremor]. / Essansiyel Tremorda Sosyal Fobi.

OBJECTIVES: This study is aimed to determine the frequency of social phobia among a group of subjects with essential tremor, to compare subject groups with and without social phobia with regard to the level of social phobia and disability, and to study the effect of the severity of social phobia on disability in essential tremor. METHOD: 45 subjects, diagnosed with essential tremor were included in the study, and their severity of tremor and essential tremor-related functional impairment were determined. Subjects were evaluated in 2 groups; those with a social phobia diagnosis and those without, as determined with the SCID-I interview. Additionally, the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) and the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) were administered to both groups and the findings were statistically compared. RESULTS: Social phobia was observed in 19 subjects (42.2%) with essential tremor. While no difference was found between the groups in terms of tremor severity scores, the mean score of tremor-related functional disability in the social phobia group was found to be higher. Among subjects with social phobia, the mean fear and avoidance scores on LSAS were higher, whereas social lives and leisure activities of the same group were observed to have been affected more, according to SDS scores. Social avoidance and tremor severity were predictive for the difference on SDS. A significant and positive correlation between fear and avoidance, and disability in the group with social phobia was established. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that essential tremor patients diagnosed with social phobia demonstrated higher social anxiety and disability compared to those without social phobia, and that social avoidance contributed to disability. Identifying social phobia in essential tremor patients and diagnosing these patients with social phobia, contrary to DSM's restrictive approach, would be appropriate and beneficial in terms of providing sufficient treatment.