A primary cutaneous carcinosarcoma of the retro auricular region, how to treat and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Carcinosarcomas are malignant biphasic tumours of epithelial and mesenchymal tissue. They are most often found in visceral organs, but also appear on the skin. Older age, male sex and chronic sun exposure are risk factors for its development. In this article we report a case and provide a review of literature regarding primary cutaneous carcinosarcoma (CCS) with special regard to its management. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A manual electronic search of the PubMed Medline and Web of Science Core Collection databases was performed encompassing all included reports until 30th November 2022 to identify studies that reported primary CCS. RESULTS: CCS is a rare and aggressive tumour. Diagnosis requires histological examination and immunoreactivity of epithelial and mesenchymal components to specific markers. On its diagnosis, possibility of metastasis of a visceral carcinosarcoma should always be excluded. Surgical excision with clear margins, including the use of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), is the primary treatment for CCS. Reconstruction the excision defect should be performed. Regular follow-up for 5 to 10 years after initial treatment is advised. CONCLUSION: Awareness for CCS is necessary in the diagnostic evaluation of skin tumours. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms of CCS and to establish optimal management strategies for this challenging malignancy. We recommend complete surgical excision using MMS as the treatment modality for this type of skin cancer. Dermatological follow-up for at least 5 years should be conducted to monitor for recurrence.

Cecal drop reflects the chickens' cecal microbiome, fecal drop does not.

Microbiota in the gastro-intestinal tract are closely related to both the intestinal and overall health of the host. Experimental chickens have always been euthanized in order to identify and quantify the bacteria in cecal content. In this study, quantification and identification of the microbial populations in cecal drop, cecal content and fecal drop samples from chickens showed that cecal drop contains a bacterial community that is very similar (concerning bacterial diversity, richness and species composition) to cecal content, as opposed to the bacterial community found in fecal drop. Cecal drop analysis thus allows for longitudinal experiments on chickens' cecal bacteria. The varying results in the analysis of fecal samples question the method's reliability in reflecting the true cecal microbiota in chickens.

Emission factors of gaseous pollutants from recent kerosene space heaters and fuels available in France in 2010.

UNLABELLED: Laboratory measurements of the gaseous emission factors (EF) from two recent kerosene space heaters (wick and injector) with five different fuels have been conducted in an 8-m(3) environmental chamber. The two heaters tested were found to emit mainly CO(2), CO, NO, NO(2), and some volatile organic compounds (VOCs). NO(2) is continuously emitted during use, with an EF of 100-450 µg per g of consumed fuel. CO is normally emitted mainly during the first minutes of use (up to 3 mg/g). Formaldehyde and benzene EFs were quantified at 15 and 16 µg/g, respectively, for the wick heater. Some other VOCs, such as 1,3-butadiene, were detected with lower EFs. We demonstrated the unsuitability of a 'biofuel' containing fatty acid methyl esters for use with the wick heater, and that the accumulation of soot on the same heater, whatever the fuel, leads to a dramatic increase in the CO EF, up to 16 mg/g, which could be responsible for chronic and acute CO intoxications. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Our results show that in spite of new technologies and emission standards for unvented kerosene space heaters, as well as for the fuels, the use of these heaters in indoor environments still leads to NO(x) levels in excess of current health recommendations. Whereas injection heaters generate more nitrogen oxides than wick heaters, prolonged use of the latter leads to a soot buildup, concomitant with high CO emissions, which could be responsible for acute and chronic intoxications. The use of a biofuel in a wick heater is also of concern. Maintenance of the heaters and adequate ventilation of the room during use of kerosene space heaters are therefore of prime importance to reduce personal exposure.

Pyrene measurements in sooting low pressure methane flames by jet-cooled laser-induced fluorescence.

This paper presents in detail the study we carried out concerning the pyrene measurement by jet-cooled laser-induced fluorescence (JCLIF) in different sooting low pressure methane flames. The aim of this paper is both to demonstrate the potentialities of this technique for the measurement of such moderately sized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons under sooting flame conditions and to provide new experimental data for the understanding and the development of chemical models of the soot formation processes. Several concentration profiles of pyrene measured in different sooting flame (various pressure and equivalence ratio) are presented. The validation of the JCLIF method for pyrene measurements is explained in detail as well as the calibration procedure, based on the standard addition method, which has been implemented for the quantification of the concentration profiles. Sensitivity lower than 1 ppb was obtained for the measurement of this species under sooting flame conditions.

Experimental study and detailed modeling of toluene degradation in a low-pressure stoichiometric premixed CH4/O2/N2 flame.

Temperature and mole fraction profiles have been measured in laminar stoichiometric premixed CH4/O2/N2 and CH4/1.5%C6H5CH3/O2/N2 flames at low pressure (0.0519 bar) by using thermocouple, molecular beam/mass spectrometry (MB/MS), and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) techniques. The present study completes our previous work performed on the thermal degradation of benzene in CH4/O2/N2 operating at similar conditions. Mole fraction profiles of reactants, final products, and reactive and stable intermediate species have been analyzed. The main intermediate aromatic species analyzed in the methane-toluene flame were benzene, phenol, ethylbenzene, benzylalcohol, styrene, and benzaldehyde. These new experimental results have been modeled with our previous model including submechanisms for aromatics (benzene up to p-xylene) and aliphatic (C1 up to C7) oxidation. Good agreement has been observed for the main species analyzed. The main reaction paths governing the degradation of toluene in the methane flame were identified, and it occurs mainly via the formation of benzene (C6H5CH3 + H = C6H6 + CH3) and benzyl radical (C6H5CH3 + H = C6H5CH2 + H2). Due to the abundance of methyl radicals, it was observed that recombination of benzyl and methyl is responsible for main monosubstitute aromatic species analyzed in the methane-toluene flame. The oxidation of these substitute species led to cyclopentadienyl radical as observed in a methane-benzene flame.

Effect of simulator training on driving after stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Neurologically impaired persons seem to benefit from driving-training programs, but there is no convincing evidence to support this notion. The authors therefore investigated the effect of simulator-based training on driving after stroke. METHODS: Eighty-three first-ever subacute stroke patients entered a 5-week 15-hour training program in which they were randomly allocated to either an experimental (simulator-based training) or control (driving-related cognitive tasks) group. Performance in off-road evaluations and an on-road test were used to assess the driving ability of subjects pre- and post-training. Outcome of an official predriving assessment administered 6 to 9 months poststroke was also considered. RESULTS: Both groups significantly improved in a visual and many neuropsychological evaluations and in the on-road test after training. There were no significant differences between both groups in improvements from pre- to post-training except in the "road sign recognition test" in which the experimental subjects improved more. Significant improvements in the three-class decision ("fit to drive," "temporarily unfit to drive," and "unfit to drive") were found in favor of the experimental group post-training. Academic qualification and overall disability together determined subjects that benefited most from the simulator-based driving training. Significantly more experimental subjects (73%) than control subjects (42%) passed the follow-up official predriving assessment and were legally allowed to resume driving. CONCLUSIONS: Simulator-based driving training improved driving ability, especially for well educated and less disabled stroke patients. However, the findings of the study may have been modified as a result of the large number of dropouts and the possibility of some neurologic recovery unrelated to training.

Measurement of the Neutron Lifetime by Counting Trapped Protons.

We measured the neutron decay lifetime by counting in-beam neutron decay recoil protons trapped in a quasi-Penning trap. The absolute neutron beam fluence was measured by capture in a thin (6)LiF foil detector with known efficiency. The combination of these measurements gives the neutron lifetime: τ n = (886.8 ± 1.2 ± 3.2) s, where the first (second) uncertainty is statistical (systematic) in nature. This is the most precise neutron lifetime determination to date using an in-beam method.

Ex vivo evaluation of a new neonatal/infant oxygenator: comparison of the Terumo CAPIOX Baby RX with Dideco Lilliput 1 and Polystan Safe Micro in the piglet model.

OBJECTIVE: A newly developed neonatal and infant oxygenator with a nonheparin biocompatible polymer coating, low priming volume (43 mL), high oxygen transfer, wide operating range (<1.5 L/min) and low pressure drop represents a promising solution for cardiac surgery in neonates and infants. We compared the new CAPIOX Baby RX, Terumo (BRX) with two commonly used neonatal oxygenators: Dideco Lilliput 1 (DL1) and Polystan Safe Micro (PSM) in a piglet model. METHODS: Fifteen piglets (5.6 +/- 1.3kg) were placed on standardized cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for 6 hours using one of the three oxygenators (n = 5 in each group). After 120 min, the system was cooled to 25 degrees C for 60 min and then returned to normothermia. Arterial and venous blood gas data and temperature were recorded continuously by a CDI500 System (Terumo). Pressure drop, FiO2 and gas flow were recorded. Blood samples were taken before CBP, after 10 min, before and after cooling, and at the end. Total blood counts, thrombin-antithrombin complex and plasma-free haemoglobin (PfHb) were measured. RESULTS: All oxygenators showed acceptable performance for the duration of CPB. The BRX had lower mean gas flow (0.33 +/- 0.05 L/min) and FiO2 (0.43 +/- 0.02%) throughout CPB than the DL1 (1.14 +/- 0.25 L/min, p = 0.006 and 0.60 +/- 0.02%, p = 0.009, respectively) or the PSM (1.47 +/- 0.87 L/min and 0.54 +/- 0.08%, p = ns). Pressure drop in the BRX group ranged from 12 to 22 mmHg. This was significantly lower than in the DL1 group (39-65 mmHg, p = 0.005). In the PSM group, values ranged between 24 and 33 mmHg (p = ns). The increase in PfHb at six hours was significantly lower in the BRX (11.3 +/- 4.2 ng/dL) versus the DL1 (42.2 +/- 6.1 ng/dL, p = 0.004) and the PSM (56.7 +/- 15.5 ng/dL, p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: The BRX is as safe as the DL1 and the PSM, with superior performance in pressure drop, efficient blood gas management and lower haemolysis. The BRX exhibited the lowest prime, hold-up volume and breakthrough time.

Certified reference materials to support a European thematic strategy for soil protection: the EUROSOILS (IRMM-443) experience.

The recent proposal of thematic strategy for soil protection by the European Commission outlines that knowledge of problems associated with soil has increased considerably based on surveys, monitoring systems and data networks. Although this information is very useful, its value for the policy-making process is limited due to a lack of comparability. From this unsatisfying situation the need arises to develop an EU-wide monitoring system accompanied by suitable matrix reference materials. Experiences gained from the development and certification of IRMM-443 (The EUROSOILS) show how to approach the complex problem of providing suitable (i.e. representative) soil CRMs for the arising analytical needs to support existing and upcoming EU legislation. This paper presents briefly the quantitative findings of a certification exercise (adsorption coefficients for atrazine, lindane and 2,4-D, as well as pH in suspension). A comparison of these results with those of an intercomparison exercise organised in 1989 by the German UBA on very similar soils shows the significant improvement in the determination of soil adsorption coefficients that was induced by the EUROSOIL project. Indicative values of total and organic carbon content and nitrogen according to ISO Standards are also presented.Furthermore, the idea of reference soils and derived reference materials (for analytical purposes) as well as reference matrices (substrates for ecotoxicological testing) is highlighted and set into the context of horizontal standardisation of methods.

Measurement of the neutron lifetime using a proton trap.

We report a new measurement of the neutron decay lifetime by the absolute counting of in-beam neutrons and their decay protons. Protons were confined in a quasi-Penning trap and counted with a silicon detector. The neutron beam fluence was measured by capture in a thin 6LiF foil detector with known absolute efficiency. The combination of these simultaneous measurements gives the neutron lifetime: tau(n)=(886.8+/-1.2[stat]+/-3.2[syst]) s. The systematic uncertainty is dominated by uncertainties in the mass of the 6LiF deposit and the 6Li(n,t) cross section. This is the most precise measurement of the neutron lifetime to date using an in-beam method.

Certification of the European reference soil set (IRMM-443--EUROSOILS). Part I. Adsorption coefficients for atrazine, 2,4-D and lindane.

The European Commission has characterised and certified a set of six European soils (the EUROSOILS) under the number IRMM-443. After a successful validation and trial period with a preliminary batch it was decided to produce a new batch of certified reference materials. Part I of this paper describes the certification of adsorption coefficients for atrazine, 2,4-D and lindane in these soils. The adsorption coefficients were determined according to OECD Test Guideline 106. Additionally, the underlying principles for the value assignment process according to the GUM and their practical application to the numerical data obtained during the certification exercise according to ISO Guide 34 and 35 are discussed.

Certification of the European Reference Soil Set (IRMM-443--EUROSOILS). Part II. Soil-pH in suspensions of water and CaCl2.

IRMM-443 re-groups a set of six European Reference Soils (EUROSOILS), which had been certified for their adsorption coefficients for atrazine, 2,4-D and lindane (Certification of the European Reference Soil Set (IRMM-443-EUROSOILS)-Part I. Adsorption coefficients for atrazine, 2,4-D and lindane. Sci Total Environ, in press). The certification of these parameters was complemented by an additional certification of pH in suspension as well by the determination of indicative values for total nitrogen, organic and total carbon content. While Part I explained the principles of the value assignment process and discussed their application to the adsorption coefficients, Part II presents the certified values for pH as well as the indicative values for N(tot), C(tot) and C(org). In addition, the assessment of uncertainty components for stability and homogeneity, which have been included in the final uncertainty budget, is discussed.

Pharmacological analysis of wild-type alpha, gamma and delta subtypes of the human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor.

Three distinct peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) cDNAs were isolated from human brain RNA. Whereas the PPARdelta subtype perfectly matched the amino acid sequences reported in the Genbank database, several differences were found for the PPARalpha (Lys(123)Met, Ala(268)Val, Gly(296)Ala and Val(444)Ala) and PPARgamma2 (Met(8)Ile, Pro(9)Ala, Met(186)Ile, Pro(187)Ala and the deletion of a Gln(213) residue) subtypes. A pharmacological analysis was undertaken by co-expressing each PPAR subtype with a reporter plasmid containing a luciferase gene under the transcriptional control of a synthetic, triplicated PPAR response element in either HepG2 or Cos-7 cells. Whereas fenofibrate unselectively activated the PPARalpha and PPARdelta subtypes, the related BM-17.0744 compound was more potent and selective for PPARalpha. The thiazolidine dione derivatives rosiglitazone and pioglitazone were potent and selective PPARgamma2 agonists. L-165041, reported as a selective and potent PPARdelta ligand, displayed in this specified transactivation system, apart from its highly efficacious PPARdelta agonist activity, partial and full agonism at, respectively, PPARalpha and PPARgamma2 subtypes. In conclusion, transcriptional control of a luciferase gene by wild-type PPAR subtypes provides powerful recombinant assays to evaluate ligand's efficacy at these nuclear receptors.

Estimation of the minimum uncertainty of DNA concentration in a genetically modified maize sample candidate certified reference material.

Homogeneity testing and the determination of minimum sample mass are an important part of the certification of reference materials. The smallest theoretically achievable uncertainty of certified concentration values is limited by the concentration distribution of analyte in the different particle size fractions of powdered biological samples. This might be of special importance if the reference material is prepared by dry mixing, a dilution technique which is used for the production of the new and third generation of genetically modified (GMO) plant certified reference materials. For the production of dry mixed PMON 810 maize reference material a computer program was developed to calculate the theoretically smallest uncertainty for a selected sample intake. This model was used to compare three differently milled maize samples, and the effect of dilution on the uncertainty of the DNA content of GMO maize was estimated as well. In the case of a 50-mg sample mass the lowest achievable standard deviation was 2% for the sample containing 0.1% GMO and the minimum deviation was less than 0.5% for the sample containing 5% GMO.

Preparation and certification of a reference material on PCBs in pig fat and its application in quality control in monitoring laboratories during the Belgian "PCB-crisis".

In this article, the production and validation of a new certified reference material "PCBs in animal fat" for the control of the maximum level of 200 ng/g setup by the European Communities for veterinary products from Belgium is described. Three materials are established: a blank, one material with about 100 ng/g and one with about 200 ng/g (sum of seven PCBs). Data on the production and certification are given. Additionally, this material was used as an unknown test material in the quality assurance program of the Belgium meat monitoring system (before the certification of the material). While the certification was performed with an uncertainty of less than 10%, the round robin exhibited larger deviations. However, these deviations were less than 20% for most of the 30 participating laboratories. Only two had significantly higher deviations.

SI-traceable certification of the amount content of cadium below the ng g(-1) level in blood samples by isotope dilution ICP-MS applied as a primary method of measurement.

The development and implementation of a method for the certification of cadmium in blood samples at low ng g(-1) and sub ng g(-1) levels is described. The analytical procedure is based on inductively coupled plasma isotope dilution mass spectrometry (ICP-IDMS) applied as a primary method of measurement. Two different sample digestion methods, an optimized microwave digestion procedure using HNO3 and H2O2 as oxidizing agents and a high-pressure asher digestion procedure, were developed and compared. The very high salt content of the digests and the high molybdenum content, which can cause oxide-based interferences with the Cd isotopes, were reduced by a chromatographic matrix separation step using an anion-exchange resin. All isotope ratio measurements were performed by a quadrupole ICP-MS equipped with an ultrasonic nebulizer with membrane desolvator. This sample introduction set-up was used to increase sensitivity and minimize the formation of oxides (less MoO+ interference with the Cd isotopes). Because of the very low Cd concentrations in the samples and the resulting need to minimize the procedural blank as much as possible, all sample-processing steps were performed in a clean room environment. Detection limits of 0.005 ng g(-1) Cd were achieved using sample weights of 2.7 g. The method described was used to recertify the cadmium content of three different blood reference materials from the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) of the European Commission (BCR-194, BCR-195, BCR- 196). Cadmium concentrations ranged between approximately 0.2 ng g(-1) and approximately 12 ng g(-1). For these materials, SI-traceable certified values including total uncertainty budgets according to ISO and Eurachem guidelines were established.

CRMs for the 21st century: new demands and challenges.

To play their role as essential tools for the achievement of comparability and traceability of measurements, the upcoming generation of certified reference materials will continue to be the subject of increased requirements related to their preparation, characterization, monitoring, documentation, and distribution. An analysis is made of the most important aspects not only related to the physical form of future CRMs, the determination of their shelf-life, and their certification, but also to increased requirements related to their distribution, including required additional documentation. Two examples of cost breakdown demonstrate the need for improved productivity of certification projects and more efficient marketing.

Recent production of candidate reference materials at IRMM.

In the execution of its mission to promote a common European measurement system in support of EU policies, IRMM's Reference Materials Unit is currently involved in preparation of proficiency-testing samples and candidate reference materials. Recent work related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cows, genetically modified organisms, and a variety of environmental materials is described.

Estimating the uncertainty of stability for matrix CRMs.

The new version of ISO Guide 34 requires producers of certified reference materials (CRMs) to include contributions of possible instability to the overall CRM uncertainty, to obtain a value for the uncertainty in compliance with the Guide to the Expression of the Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM). A pragmatic approach to estimating the uncertainty of stability is presented. It relies on regression analysis of stability data with subsequent testing of the slope of the regression line for significance. If the slope is found to be statistically insignificant, a shelf life is chosen and the uncertainty connected with this time is estimated via the standard deviation of the slope. This uncertainty is included in the overall uncertainty of the CRM. This approach is explained with examples showing its applicability to matrix CRMs.

EUROSOILS--a set of CRMs for comparability of soil-measurements.

An overview is given on the development, properties, and application of the European reference soil set--the EUROSOILS. The introduction of this new type of reference material has, for the first time, enabled comparison of data related to the interaction of chemical substances with the soil, and thus, improvement of soil quality. Because of their unforeseen success, a second generation of EUROSOILS had been produced and the range of application extended to other types of measurement related to the soil matrix--soil pH, carbon and nitrogen content, particle-size distribution and cation-exchange capacity. Other fields of application include analytical method development or testing of soil decontamination techniques. On the basis of the success of the EUROSOIL concept and the need for a common basis for comparison of soil-related data in Europe and beyond, the European Commission's Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements decided to certify several properties of the second EUROSOIL-generation, thus establishing a common QA/ QC system for soil-related data. The main features of the EUROSOILS, their origin, the necessary field and laboratory work, and some interesting background information about the project are presented in this paper.