Network Canvas: Key decisions in the design of an interviewer assisted network data collection software suite.

Self-reported social network analysis studies are often complex and burdensome, both during the interview process itself, and when conducting data management following the interview. Through funding obtained from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA/NIH), our team developed the Network Canvas suite of software - a set of complementary tools that are designed to simplify the collection and storage of complex social network data, with an emphasis on usability and accessibility across platforms and devices, and guided by the practical needs of researchers. The suite consists of three applications: Architect: an application for researchers to design and export interview protocols; Interviewer: a touch-optimized application for loading and administering interview protocols to study participants; and Server: an application for researchers to manage the interview deployment process and export their data for analysis. Together, they enable researchers with minimal technological expertise to access a complete research workflow, by building their own network interview protocols, deploying these protocols widely within a variety of contexts, and immediately attaining the resulting data from a secure central location. In this paper, we outline the critical decisions taken in developing this suite of tools for the network research community. We also describe the work which guides our decision-making, including prior experiences and key discovery events. We focus on key design choices, taken for theoretical, philosophical, and pragmatic reasons, and outline their strengths and limitations.

Multi-layer graphene as a selective detector for future lung cancer biosensing platforms.

Highly selective, fast detection of specific lung-cancer biomarkers (CMs) in exhaled human breath is vital to the development of enhanced sensing devices. Today, e-nose is a promising approach for the diagnosis of lung cancer. Nevertheless, considerable challenges to early-stage disease diagnostics still remain: e.g. decrease in sensor sensitivities in the presence of water vapor, sensor drift leading to the inability to calibrate exactly, relatively short sensor lifetimes, and difficulty discriminating between multiple diseases. However, there is a wide scope for breath diagnostics techniques, and all advanced electrodes applicable to e-nose devices will benefit them. Here, we present the promising sensing capabilities of bare multi-layer graphene (MLG) as a proof of concept for advanced e-nose devices and demonstrate its utility for biomolecule discrimination of the most common lung CMs (ethanol, isopropanol, and acetone). We report on a comparative study involving exposure of the three CM solutions on flat MLG (f-MLG) and patterned MLG (p-MLG) electrodes, where the electrical conductivity of p-MLG is significantly increased while applying acetone. Based on sensitivity tests, we demonstrate the ability to monitor the electrical response of graphene electrodes employing graphene of various wettabilities. Specifically, the f-MLG electrode displays almost 2 times higher sheet resistance (30 Ω sq-1) compared to the hydrophilic p-MLG (12 Ω sq-1). We show significant sensitivity to selected specific molecules of pristine f-MLG and p-MLG while applying CM solutions with a 1.4 × 105 ppm concentration. Finally, we show the selectivity of f-MLG and p-MLG-based sensors when exposed to 2.0 × 105 ppm solutions containing different CM combinations. Both sensors were selective in particular to acetone, since the presence of acetone leads to a sheet resistance increase. We demonstrate that an advanced e-nose approach integrated with MLG electrodes has significant potential as a design concept for utilization of molecular detection at variable concentrations such as in early-stage disease diagnosis. This early-stage approach will provide convenient and reusable complex monitoring of CMs compared to typical contact sensors which require target analysis and are limited by disposable measuring. Moreover, further integration of the Internet of Things will introduce advanced e-nose devices as a biotechnological innovation for disease resilience with the potential for commercialization.

Chlamydiae in febrile children with respiratory tract symptoms and age-matched controls, Ghana.

Members of the Chlamydiales order are obligate intracellular pathogens causing acute and chronic infectious diseases. Chlamydiaceae are established agents of community- and zoonotically acquired respiratory tract infections, and emerging pathogens among the Chlamydia-related bacteria have been implicated in airway infections. The role of both in airway infections in Africa is underexplored. We performed a case -control study on the prevalence of Chlamydiaceae and Chlamydia-related emerging pathogens in children with febrile respiratory tract infections in West Africa, Ghana. Using a pan-Chlamydiales broad-range real-time PCR, we detected chlamydial DNA in 11 (1.9%) of 572 hospitalized febrile children with respiratory tract symptoms and in 24 (4.3%) of 560 asymptomatic age-matched controls (p 0.03). Chlamydiaceae were found to be common among both symptomatic and healthy Ghanaian children, with Chlamydia pneumoniae being the most prevalent species. Parachlamydiaceae were detected in two children without symptoms but not in the symptomatic group. We identified neither Chlamydia psittaci nor Simkania negevensis but a member of a new chlamydial family that shared 90.2% sequence identity with the 16S rRNA gene of the zoonotic pathogen Chlamydia pecorum. In addition, we found a new Chlamydia-related species that belonged to a novel family sharing 91.3% 16S rRNA sequence identity with Candidatus Syngnamydia venezia. The prevalence and spectrum of chlamydial species differed from previous results obtained from children of other geographic regions and our study indicates that both, Chlamydiaceae and Chlamydia-related bacteria, are not clearly linked to clinical symptoms in Ghanaian children.

Exploring an alternative approach to Lyme disease surveillance in Maryland.

In Maryland, Lyme disease (LD) is a reportable disease and all laboratories and healthcare providers are required to report to the local health department. Given the volume of LD reports and effort required for investigation, surveillance for LD is burdensome and subject to underreporting. We explored the utility of International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (administrative) codes for use with LD surveillance. We aimed to collect the administrative codes for a 10% sample of 2009 LD reports (n = 474) from 292 facilities stratified by case classification (confirmed, probable, suspected and not a case). Sixty-three per cent (n = 184) of facilities responded to the survey, and 341 different administrative codes were obtained for 91% (n = 430) of sampled reports. The administrative code for Lyme disease (088.81) was the most commonly reported code (133/430 patients) among sampled reports; while it was used for 62 of 151 (41%) confirmed cases, it was also used for 48 of 192 (25%) not a case reports (sensitivity 41% and specificity 73%). A combination of nine codes was developed with sensitivity of 74% and specificity of 37% when compared to not a case reports. We conclude that the administrative code for LD alone has low ability to identify LD cases in Maryland. Grouping certain codes improved sensitivity, but our results indicate that administrative codes alone are not a viable surveillance alternative for a disease with complex manifestations such as LD.

Chain conformation in polymer nanocomposites with uniformly dispersed nanoparticles.

The effect of nanoparticles (NP) on chain dimensions in polymer melts has been the source of considerable theoretical and experimental controversy. We exploit our ability to ensure a spatially uniform dispersion of 13 nm silica NPs miscible in polystyrene melts, together with neutron scattering, x-ray scattering, and transmission electron microscopy, to show that there is no measurable change in the polymer size in miscible mixtures, regardless of the relative sizes of the chains and the nanoparticles, and for NP loadings as high as 32.7 vol%. Our results provide a firm basis from which to understand the properties of polymer nanocomposites.

[ENT emergency treatment and alcohol related head and neck injuries]. / HNO-Notfallversorgung mit besonderem Blick auf die Gruppe alkoholisierter Patienten.

The spectrum of ENT-diseases can differ widely among emergency departments (ED) of different geographic regions. Especially in terms of head and neck trauma a higher number of injuries can be expected in large cities due to alcohol related violence.The ED of a large hospital situated in the center of Hamburg Germany was analysed for ENT-emergency treatments in 2011 retrospectively. Beside usual patient statistics, the study focused on alcohol related injuries with an ENT-surgeon involved. All data were compared to reports by other EDs in Germany and alcohol related costs were approximated for initiation of prevention programs in the future.2 339 ENT-patients were admitted to the ED. 19% of all patients used an ambulance whereas 80% reached the ED by private transportation. The majority of patients were between 21 and 30 years of age. For 143 of all trauma cases alcohol involvement was documented. Subanalysis revealed male dominance and a high use of ambulance transportation.The high number of traumata differs considerably from other ENT studies. One reason is the hospital's close proximity to all time party districts like "Reeperbahn" and the "Port of Hamburg". In those areas high amounts of alcohol ingestion takes place leading to more injuries at the head- and neck region. Theoretically financial resources would be plenty after the initiation of those programs as the severe costs for alcohol related medical treatment would decline.

[Hospital surveillance during major outbreaks of community-acquired diseases. Pandemic Influenza Hospital Surveillance (PIKS) 2009/2010 and Surveillance of Bloody Diarrhea (SBD) 2011]. / Krankenhaus-Surveillance während großer Ausbrüche ambulant erworbener Erkrankungen. Die Pandemische-Influenza-Krankenhaus-Surveillance (PIKS) 2009/2010 und die Surveillance blutiger Durchfälle (SBD) 2011.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: During the influenza pandemic 2009/2010 and the outbreak of entero-haemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC)/hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) 2011, the statutory reporting system in Germany was complemented by additional event-related surveillance systems in hospitals. The Pandemic Influenza Hospital Surveillance (PIKS) and the Surveillance of Bloody Diarrhea (SBD) were evaluated, to make experiences available for similar future situations. METHODS: The description and evaluation of our surveillance systems is based on the "Updated Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems" published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2001. RESULTS: PIKS and SBD could be implemented quickly and were able to capture resilient data in a timely manner both on the severity and course of the influenza pandemic 2009/2010 and the outbreak of EHEC and HUS 2011. Although lacking in representativeness, sensitive and useful data were generated. CONCLUSION: In large outbreaks of severe diseases, the establishment of specific hospital surveillance should be considered as early as possible. In Germany, the participating hospitals were able to rapidly implement the required measures.

Systematic review of maritime field studies about stress and strain in seafaring.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to summarize and evaluate the current scientific literature on stress and strain on seafarers on board as defined by maritime field surveys. METHODS: Using a systematic review, 109 studies on the stress and strain experienced by seafarers were identified for the period January 1990 to January 2012. RESULTS: Only 13 of the identified maritime studies were conducted as field studies, and in 10 of these studies, the focus was on the watch system and/or on fatigue. According to the study results, sleepiness tends to be stronger in the 2-watch system than in the 3-watch system (particularly between 4:00 and 6:00 a.m.). Occasional short sleep episodes appear to provide adequate recovery. Fatigue does not appear to depend on the seafarers' age and is often associated with poor sleep quality; noise and night shifts are also considered to contribute to fatigue. Stress among the seafarers was primarily recorded in sleep diaries (9 times) and with devices for measuring physical activity (4 times). As a rule, a questionnaire was used to assess the strain on the crew on board; 7 studies also additionally recorded biometrical parameters. Only in 6 cases were several groups with different ranks on board investigated. CONCLUSION: The conducted literature review makes it clear that most maritime field studies have focused on fatigue and watch systems in the shipping industry--in each case as univariate parameters. Thus, scientific field studies with comprehensive multivariate stress and strain analyses on board are required.

Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 antibodies after pandemic and trivalent seasonal influenza vaccination as well as natural infection in November 2010 in Hamburg, Germany.

The 2009 influenza pandemic has introduced the new re-assorted influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus which recirculated during the 2010/11 influenza season. Before that season, it was possible to acquire protective immunity either by pandemic or seasonal influenza vaccination against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 or by natural infection. To obtain data on vaccination coverage and antibody levels in a reference population and to calculate whether or not the herd immunity threshold (HIT, calculated as 33% given an R0 of 1.5) was reached at the beginning of the 2010/11 season we performed a seroprevalence study in November 2010 in Hamburg, Germany. Antibody titres were assessed applying a haemagglutination inhibition test. Vaccination coverage was very low: 14% for pandemic and 11% for seasonal 2010/11 vaccinations. Even in those with underlying risk factors, vaccination coverage was not much higher: 17% for both vaccines. Serological analysis revealed antibody titres of ≥1:10 in 135 of 352 (38%) and of ≥1:40 in 61 of 352 study participants (17%). Specific antibodies were measurable in 26% of those without history of vaccination or natural infection, indicating a high proportion of subclinical and mild influenza disease. Nevertheless, the HIT was not reached, leaving the majority of the population susceptible to influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and its potential complications.

Double-bundle depiction of the anterior cruciate ligament at 3 Tesla.

INTRODUCTION: Magnetic resonance imaging on 3 Tesla (3T MRI) with arthroscopic correlation has proven to adequately identify the anteromedial bundle (AMB) and posterolateral bundle (PLB) in cadaver knees. The purpose of this study was to describe the depiction of ACL bundle anatomy on 3T MRI in daily practice. METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study, we included 50 consecutive patients who underwent standard 3T MRI of the knee and had an intact ACL. Two musculoskeletal radiologists independently reviewed all scans for depiction of ACL bundle anatomy using standardized forms. Descriptive statistics were used. RESULTS: Twenty-three right knees (46%) and 27 left knees (54%) were included in the study. Mean age of the patients was 35 years (range 12 to 68 years); 37 patients were male (74%). ACL bundle anatomy was best depicted in the axial plane in 44 knees (88%) and in the coronal plane in six knees (12%). Two bundles were seen in 47 knees (94%). The AMB was completely seen in 45 knees (90%). The PLB was completely seen in 40 knees (80%). Both bundles were completely seen in 37 knees (76%). CONCLUSIONS: The double-bundle anatomy of the ACL is visualized in 94% of patients on 3T MRI. Because of potentially associated clinical benefits, we advocate to report separately on the anteromedial bundle and posterolateral bundle in case of anterior cruciate ligament injury of the knee.

The cervical spine of professional front-row rugby players: correlation between degenerative changes and symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Injuries to the cervical spine (C-spine) are among the most serious in rugby and are well documented. Front-row players are particularly at risk due to repetitive high-intensity collisions in the scrum. AIM: This study evaluates degenerative changes of the C-spine and associated symptomatology in front-row rugby players. MATERIALS AND METHODS: C-spine radiographs from 14 professional rugby players and controls were compared. Players averaged 23 years of playing competitive rugby. Two consultant radiologists performed a blind review of radiographs evaluating degeneration of disc spaces and apophyseal joints. Clinical status was assessed using a modified AAOS/NASS/COSS cervical spine outcomes questionnaire. RESULTS: Front-row rugby players exhibited significant radiographic evidence of C-spine degenerative changes compared to the non-rugby playing controls (P < 0.005). Despite these findings the rugby players did not exhibit increased symptoms. CONCLUSION: This highlights the radiologic degenerative changes of the C-spine of front-row rugby players. However, these changes do not manifest themselves clinically or affect activities of daily living.

Epithelial stem/progenitor cells in lung postnatal growth, maintenance, and repair.

The adult lung consists of a trachea leading into a system of branched airways ending in millions of alveolar sacs. It contains many different epithelial cell types arranged in precise patterns along the proximodistal axis. Each region of the lung has the capacity to repair through the proliferation of different epithelial cell types. However, the precise identity of the cells mediating repair is not fully resolved. To address this problem, we are using genetic lineage-labeling techniques in the mouse. The tools we have made will also be useful for understanding how progenitor cell behavior is regulated under normal and pathological conditions.

Pharmacokinetics of a controlled-release liposome-encapsulated hydromorphone administered to healthy dogs.

The purpose of the study was to assess the pharmacokinetics of liposome-encapsulated (DPPC-C) hydromorphone administered intravenously (IV) or subcutaneously (SC) to dogs. A total of eight healthy Beagles aged 12.13 +/- 1.2 months and weighing 11.72 +/- 1.10 kg were used. Dogs randomly received liposome encapsulated hydromorphone, 0.5 mg/kg IV (n = 6), 1.0 mg/kg (n = 6), 2.0 mg/kg (n = 6), or 3.0 mg/kg (n = 7) SC with a 14-28 day washout between trials. Blood was sampled at serial intervals after drug administration. Serum hydromorphone concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. Serum concentrations of hydromorphone decreased rapidly after IV administration of the DPPC-C formulation (half-life = 0.52 h, volume of distribution = 12.47 L/kg, serum clearance = 128.97 mL/min/kg). The half-life of hydromorphone after SC administration of DPPC-C formulation at 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 mg/kg was 5.22, 31.48, and 24.05 h, respectively. The maximum serum concentration normalized for dose (C(MAX)/D) ranged between 19.41-24.96 ng/mL occurring at 0.18-0.27 h. Serum hydromorphone concentrations fluctuated around 4.0 ng/mL from 6-72 h after 2.0 mg/kg and mean concentrations remained above 4 ng/mL for 96 h after 3.0 mg/kg DPPC-C hydromorphone. Liposome-encapsulated hydromorphone (DPPC-C) administered SC to healthy dogs provided a sustained duration of serum hydromorphone concentrations.

Summary: present and future challenges for stem cell research.

Stem cell research is being driven forward at an intense pace by creative interactions among scientists working in different fields. These include developmental and reproductive biology, regeneration, genomics, live cell imaging, RNA biology, and cancer biology, to name a few. Numerous model systems and techniques are being exploited, and lab scientists are teaming up with bioengineers and clinicians. The ferment of ideas that makes the field so exciting was in full evidence throughout the Symposium. However, many challenges still need to be overcome to translate basic discoveries into therapeutic outcomes that will save lives and fulfill the promises that have been made. This chapter summarizes some of the highlights of the Symposium and indicates future directions that are being taken by leaders in the field.