Abstract Objective High-risk (HR) human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is important in cervical cancer screening for triage to colposcopy. This study evaluated the clinical performance of the Cervista® ...HPV HR and 16/18 genotyping tests for detection of HPV in cervical cytology specimens. Methods The tests were prospectively evaluated in a multicenter clinical study. DNA was extracted from approximately 4000 residual liquid-based cytology specimens collected during routine liquid-based Papanicolaou tests at standard of care visits and was assessed for the presence of HR HPV and/or HPV types 16 and 18. All women with cytology results of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) or greater underwent colposcopic examination and biopsies were collected. Test results were compared with local colposcopy and histology results from a central pathology review panel. Results There were 1347 subjects with complete data sets of cytology, HR HPV, colposcopy, and histology included in the analysis of the HPV HR test. Sensitivity of the HPV HR test for detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2+ among women with ASC-US cytology was 92.8% (95% confidence interval CI: 84.1–96.9) and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 99.1% (95% CI: 98.1–99.6). Sensitivity for detection of ≥ CIN 3 in women with ASC-US was 100% (95% CI: 85.1–100) and the NPV was 100% (95% CI: 99.4–100). The specificity of the test for detection of ≥ CIN 2 and ≥ CIN 3 was 44.2% (95% CI: 41.5–46.9) and 43% (95% CI: 40.3–45.7), respectively. The HPV 16/18 genotyping test also performed as expected in women with ASC-US cytology who were positive for HR HPV. Conclusion The Cervista® HPV HR test can be clinically used for detecting HR HPV types in conjunction with cervical cytology for use in triage of women with ASC-US cytology during routine cervical cancer screening.
ABSTRACT
We present reconstructed convergence maps, mass maps, from the Dark Energy Survey (DES) third year (Y3) weak gravitational lensing data set. The mass maps are weighted projections of the ...density field (primarily dark matter) in the foreground of the observed galaxies. We use four reconstruction methods, each is a maximum a posteriori estimate with a different model for the prior probability of the map: Kaiser–Squires, null B-mode prior, Gaussian prior, and a sparsity prior. All methods are implemented on the celestial sphere to accommodate the large sky coverage of the DES Y3 data. We compare the methods using realistic ΛCDM simulations with mock data that are closely matched to the DES Y3 data. We quantify the performance of the methods at the map level and then apply the reconstruction methods to the DES Y3 data, performing tests for systematic error effects. The maps are compared with optical foreground cosmic-web structures and are used to evaluate the lensing signal from cosmic-void profiles. The recovered dark matter map covers the largest sky fraction of any galaxy weak lensing map to date.
Abstract Objective In vitro data and pilot data suggest that green tea catechins may possess chemopreventive activity for cervical cancer and precursor lesions. We conducted a randomized, ...double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Polyphenon E (decaffeinated and enriched green tea catechin extract) in women with persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN1) to evaluate the potential of Polyphenon E for cervical cancer prevention. Methods Ninety-eight eligible women were randomized to receive either Polyphenon E (containing 800 mg epigallocatechin gallate) or placebo once daily for 4 months. The primary study outcome was oncogenic HPV clearance and clearance of CIN1. Results Polyphenon E was shown to be acceptable, safe and well tolerated. There was no difference in the response rate by treatment allocation. Complete response, defined as negative for high-risk HPV and normal histopathology, was noted in 7 (17.1%) and 6 (14.6%) women in the Polyphenon E and placebo arms, respectively. Progression, defined as persistent oncogenic HPV with histopathologic evidence of progression, was more common in the Polyphenon E group than in the placebo group 6 (14.6%) vs. 3 (7.7%). Conclusion Based on the largest randomized placebo-controlled trial of a green tea extract for HPV related cervical disease, we conclude that 4 months of Polyphenon E intervention did not promote the clearance of persistent high-risk HPV and related CIN1. Further studies may be necessary to better delineate the risk factors for persistent HPV infection and biology of the disease to facilitate the evaluation of chemopreventive strategies.
The change in nitrogen balance causes many environmental and socioeconomic impacts. In relation to food production and nitrogen release in wastewater systems, wastewater and sludge discharge and ...mineral fertilizer use intensify nitrogen imbalance of a region. The replacement of mineral fertilizer by nitrogen from treated wastewater, biosolids, and treated urine is a promising alternative. This work presents a model to support decision taking for the management of reactive nitrogen flows in wastewater systems based on system dynamics. Six scenarios were simulated for nitrogen flows in wastewater systems and related components.
Background: There have been measurements on roughly 230 nuclei that are β-delayed neutron emitters. They range from 8He up to 150La . Apart from 210Tl, with a branching ratio of only 0.007%, no other ...neutron emitter has been measured beyond A = 150 . Therefore, new data are needed, particularly in the region of heavy nuclei around N = 126 , in order to guide theoretical models and help understand the formation of the third r-process peak at A ~ 195. Purpose: To measure both β-decay half-lives and neutron branching ratios of several neutron-rich Au, Hg, Tl, Pb, and Bi isotopes beyond N = 126 . Method: Ions of interest were produced by fragmentation of a 238U beam, selected and identified via the GSI-FRS fragment separator. A stack of segmented silicon detectors (SIMBA) was used to measure ion implants and β decays. An array of 30 3He tubes embedded in a polyethylene matrix (BELEN) was used to detect neutrons with high efficiency and selectivity. A self-triggered digital system is employed to acquire data and to enable time correlations. The latter were analyzed with an analytical model and results for the half-lives and neutron-branching ratios were derived by using the binned maximum-likelihood method. Results: Twenty new β-decay half-lives are reported for 204-206Au, 208 – 211Hg, 211 – 216Tl , 215 – 218Pb, and 218 – 220Bi, nine of them for the first time. Neutron emission probabilities are reported for 210, 211Hg and 211 – 216Tl . Conclusions: The new β-decay half-lives are in good agreement with previous measurements on nuclei in this region. Lastly, the measured neutron emission probabilities are comparable to or smaller than values predicted by global models such as relativistic Hartree Bogoliubov plus the relativistic quasi-particle random phase approximation (RHB + RQRPA).
Un Abrazo Para La Familia
™ (Abrazo) is a 3-h modular preventive intervention designed for low-income caregivers who are co-survivors of cancer. Here we (1) consider the benefit to survivors of ...cancer, that is, the care recipients who participate in Abrazo; (2) summarize the literature specific to research outreach to low-income, underserved populations when they are faced with cancer; and (3) describe current steps being taken in Southern Arizona to reach these populations via Abrazo. Specific to considering the benefit to care recipients, we analyzed care recipient data derived from three existing cohorts of Abrazo participants. Analyses of the combined cohorts of these data demonstrate that Abrazo is effective with care recipients given statistically significant higher cancer knowledge and self-efficacy scores, pre- vs. post-intervention. We can now report benefit to care recipients who participate in Abrazo. This allows us, with confidence, to expand research recruitment efforts to include care recipients as part of the Abrazo intervention in our efforts to serve low-income, underserved populations when faced with cancer.
A
bstract
Four decay modes of the
B
c
+
meson into a
J/ψ
meson and multiple charged kaons or pions are studied using proton-proton collision data, collected with the LHCb detector at centre-of-mass ...energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb
−
1
. The decay
B
c
+
→ J/ψK
+
K
−
π
+
π
+
π
−
is observed for the first time, and evidence for the
B
c
+
→ J/ψ
4
π
+
3
π
−
decay is found. The decay
B
c
+
→ J/ψ
3
π
+
2
π
−
is observed and the previous observation of the
B
c
+
→ ψ
(2
S
)
π
+
π
+
π
−
decay is confirmed using the
ψ
(2
S
) →
J/ψπ
+
π
−
decay mode. Ratios of the branching fractions of these four
B
c
+
decay channels are measured.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical performance of the Cervista HPV 16/18 genotyping test for detection of human papilloma virus (HPV) 16 and 18 in cervical cytology specimens in ...women stratified by age.
In a multicenter, prospective clinical study, ThinPrep specimens were tested for the presence of HPV 16 and 18 using the HPV 16/18 genotyping test. Genotyping results from women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance or greater cytology were compared with local colposcopy and/or histology results. Sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values (NPV and PPV) were determined.
The prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2(+) in subjects positive for HPV 16/18 was 6.6% and 4.1% for women <30 and ≥30 years of age, respectively. The sensitivity of the test was 70.0% (95% CI: 54.6-81.9) and 66.7% (95% CI: 46.7-82.0) in women <30 and ≥30 years, respectively. The NPV was 95.5% (95% CI: 93.4-97.6) in women <30 years and 96.6% (95% CI: 94.8-98.5) in women ≥30 years. Specificity was higher in women ≥30 years (79.9%; 95% CI: 74.9-84.2) than women <30 years (61.9%; 95% CI: 57.1-66.4). The PPV was 15.2% (95% CI: 12.7-19.1) in women <30 years and 21.9% (95% CI: 17.0-30.7) in women ≥30 years.
The performance of the Cervista HPV 16/18 genotyping test for predicting ≥CIN 2 is what would be expected across the key ≥CIN 2 age strata.
HPV 16/18 genotyping may help further stratify women with a greater potential to develop cervical cancer.
A
bstract
A precision measurement of the
Z
boson production cross-section at
s
= 13 TeV in the forward region is presented, using
pp
collision data collected by the LHCb detector, corresponding to an ...integrated luminosity of 5.1 fb
−
1
. The production cross-section is measured using
Z → μ
+
μ
−
events within the fiducial region defined as pseudorapidity 2
.
0
< η <
4
.
5 and transverse momentum
p
T
>
20 GeV
/c
for both muons and dimuon invariant mass 60
< M
μμ
<
120 GeV
/c
2
. The integrated cross-section is determined to be
σ
Z
→
μ
+
μ
−
=
196.4
±
0.2
±
1.6
±
3.9
pb
,
where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third is due to the luminosity determination. The measured results are in agreement with theoretical predictions within uncertainties.
A
bstract
A first search for the lepton-flavour violating decays
B
0
→
K
*0
τ
±
μ
∓
is presented. The analysis is performed using a sample of proton-proton collision data, collected with the LHCb ...detector at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8 and 13 TeV between 2011 and 2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb
−
1
. No significant signal is observed, and upper limits on the branching fractions are determined to be
B
B
0
→
K
∗
0
τ
+
μ
−
<
1.0
1.2
×
10
−
5
and
B
B
0
→
K
∗
0
τ
−
μ
+
<
8.2
9.8
×
10
−
6
at the 90% (95%) confidence level.
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