Chemical Oil Dispersion in Trials at Sea and in Laboratory Tests: The Key Role of Dilution Processes

2008 ◽  
pp. 125-125-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Bocard ◽  
G Castaing ◽  
C Gatellier
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Tests

Innovation in Laboratory Medicine

2019 ◽  
pp. 117-137
Author(s):  
Carlos Lemos
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Laboratory Medicine ◽  
Process Change ◽  
Medical Test ◽  
A Value ◽  
Improve Patient

Laboratory medicine has a unique capability to evaluate the correct management of a medical test, its results, and the decisions it can determine. Therefore, laboratory medicine should try to improve patient outcomes, while improving quality and productivity, so that innovation in healthcare may proceed. Innovation in laboratory medicine demands an adequate identification of the unmet clinical need, evidence of clinical and cost-effectiveness of laboratory tests, and a managed implementation that takes into account the process change, appropriate resource management, and monitoring of outcomes. The main objectives of this chapter are to elucidate the role of innovation in laboratory medicine, identifying its main issues and the barriers it faces; to define a value proposition for laboratory tests and to point out several outcome measures that can be adopted in laboratory medicine.

Early oligochaete science, from Aristotle to Francesco Redi

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilia Rota
Keyword(s):  
Eighteenth Century ◽  
Seventeenth Century ◽  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Habitat Requirements ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Internal Anatomy ◽  
Internal Organs ◽  
Late Renaissance ◽  
Parasitic Worms

The paper reviews knowledge on earthworms from early classical times to the end of the seventeenth century. The Aristotelian view that these “imperfect” animals developed spontaneously from mud and lacked internal organs except the gut was not challenged until the late Renaissance but, by the end of the 1600s, it was overthrown. Aldrovandi and Mouffet presented field observations of sexual reproduction and specific habitat requirements. Willis demonstrated the complex internal anatomy of an earthworm. Finally Redi, based on numberless dissections, showed the existence of variations on that basic anatomical plan, which anyway remained distinct from that of parasitic worms. Through a series of controlled laboratory tests, Redi also proved that earthworms have a physiology of their own and are most sensible to water loss. In those same years, Swammerdam investigated earthworm cocoons nursing them in his room, and Tyson discovered earthworms’ hermaphroditism. Two significant interpretations of earthworm's locomotion, by Fabrici ab Aquapendente and Borelli, also belong to this period, but were both short-lived in their influence. An awareness of the ecological role of earthworms in pedogenesis and soil fertility did not emerge until the late eighteenth century.

scholarly journals The Diagnosis of Fungal Neglected Tropical Diseases (Fungal NTDs) and the Role of Investigation and Laboratory Tests: An Expert Consensus Report

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roderick Hay ◽  
David W Denning ◽  
Alexandro Bonifaz ◽  
Flavio Queiroz-Telles ◽  
Karlyn Beer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Sampling Methods ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Specific Marker ◽  
Fungal Culture ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
Direct Microscopy ◽  
Healthcare Settings

The diagnosis of fungal Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) is primarily based on initial visual recognition of a suspected case followed by confirmatory laboratory testing, which is often limited to specialized facilities. Although molecular and serodiagnostic tools have advanced, a substantial gap remains between the desirable and the practical in endemic settings. To explore this issue further, we conducted a survey of subject matter experts on the optimal diagnostic methods sufficient to initiate treatment in well-equipped versus basic healthcare settings, as well as optimal sampling methods, for three fungal NTDs: mycetoma, chromoblastomycosis, and sporotrichosis. A survey of 23 centres found consensus on the key role of semi-invasive sampling methods such as biopsy diagnosis as compared with swabs or impression smears, and on the importance of histopathology, direct microscopy, and culture for mycetoma and chromoblastomycosis confirmation in well-equipped laboratories. In basic healthcare settings, direct microscopy combined with clinical signs were reported to be the most useful diagnostic indicators to prompt referral for treatment. The survey identified that the diagnosis of sporotrichosis is the most problematic with poor sensitivity across the most widely available laboratory tests except fungal culture, highlighting the need to improve mycological diagnostic capacity and to develop innovative diagnostic solutions. Fungal microscopy and culture are now recognized as WHO essential diagnostic tests and better training in their application will help improve the situation. For mycetoma and sporotrichosis, in particular, advances in identifying specific marker antigens or genomic sequences may pave the way for new laboratory-based or point-of-care tests, although this is a formidable task given the large number of different organisms that can cause fungal NTDs.

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Cases and Consumption of Large Quantities of Energy Drink: Related or Coincidence?

2019 ◽  
Vol 143 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-180
Author(s):  
Mesut Göçer ◽  
Utku Iltar ◽  
Fatma Aykaş ◽  
Vedat Aslan ◽  
İlknur Nizam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autoimmune Disease ◽  
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Energy Drink ◽  
Pathogenic Mechanism ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Young Females ◽  
Other Substances

The vast majority of cases of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) are the result of acquired antibodies which inhibit the activity of the ADAMTS13 enzyme. Acquired TTP is more frequently seen in young females or in individuals with autoimmune disease. The development of antibodies against ADAMTS13 may also result from the administration or consumption of drugs and other substances. However, specific laboratory tests to identify the pathogenic mechanism of a particular drug may not be available, and the role of a potentially implicated drug or other ingested substance may not be clear. In this report we present 2 acquired TTP cases involving the consumption of a large amount of energy drink.

scholarly journals Predicting the strength and maturity of hardening concrete

2018 ◽  
Vol 230 ◽  
pp. 03001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Belykh ◽  
Viktor Sopov ◽  
Larisa Butska ◽  
Lidiya Pershina ◽  
Olga Makarenko
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Heat Dissipation ◽  
Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
External Factors ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Temperature Time ◽  
Maximum Heating ◽  
Concrete Hardening

When predicting the growth of strength and maturity of hardening concrete, the role of the temperature factorshould be taken into account. Taking into account the temperature factor requires at the initial stage of hardening of concrete low positive temperatures and low speed of heating concrete. The level of maximum heating of concrete will depend not only on the exothermy of the cement, but also on the amplitude of the fluctuations in the ambient temperature. The contribution to the cracking of concrete of various types of cements from the point of view of heat release during their hydration is analyzed. The existing models for predicting the character of the set of strength and maturity of concrete on the basis of data on heat dissipation during hydration of cement in concrete structures are analyzed. It is shown that laboratory tests are insufficient to evaluate the nature of heat generation. To effectively predict the physical and mechanical properties, it is necessary to conduct temperature-time monitoring during the concrete hardening in the design to take into account the influence of external factors.

Accuracy in clinical chemistry--does anybody care?

1994 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 859-861 ◽  
Author(s):  
N W Tietz
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Serum Iron ◽  
Clinical Chemistry ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Optimal Performance ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Serum Lipase ◽  
Clinical Laboratories

Abstract The role of clinical chemistry in the diagnostic process has been enhanced by the evolution of better instrumentation and analytical techniques. The quality of some laboratory tests, however, has not kept pace with these advances. I present three examples--serum iron, serum lipase, and nonisotopic immunoassays--assays where some currently used methodologies are highly flawed. Causes for the less than optimal performance of some clinical laboratories are discussed.

Comparative Effects of Platelet Suppressant Drugs on Platelet Survival Time

1975 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Genton ◽  
J. Ellis ◽  
P. Steele
Keyword(s):  
Heart Disease ◽  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Valvular Heart Disease ◽  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Drug Effect ◽  
Platelet Reactivity ◽  
In Vitro Tests ◽  
Platelet Survival

The important role of platelets in thrombosis makes inhibitors of their reactivity potentially useful therapeutically. A number of laboratory tests have been identified which measure platelet reactivity, but it is not clear which test and which drug effect will correlate with thrombosis and thrombosis prevention. Platelet survival (SURV) correlates with thromboembolism in patients with valvular heart disease and is shortened in several other diseases. Therefore, it is of interest to identify drugs which prolong shortened SURV. Patients with arterial and venous thromboembolism and shortened SURV (51Chromium) were treated with platelet suppressants and restudied after 12 weeks. Sulfinpyrazone prolonged SURV(2.4±.04 to 3.1 ±.06 days; p < 0.001; n = 94; average ± SEM; normal, 3.7±.04 days) and 68 (72%) had some prolongation and 39 (42%) had normalization (> 3.3 days). Dipyridamole (100 mg qd) combined with aspirin (1200 mg qd) prolonged SURV (2.6±.11 to 3.2±0.12 days; p < 0.001; n = 13) and 9 of 13 (69%) had prolongation and 6 (46%) had normalization. Clofibrate altered SURV (2.6±.09 to 3.4±.14days;p < 0.001; n = 12) and 10 of 12 (83% ) had prolongation and normalization occurred in 6 (50%). Aspirin (1200 mg qd), cyproheptadine (32 mg qd) and propranolol (160 mg qd) failed to alter SURV.Thus, of drugs which alter in vitro tests of platelet reactivity, only sulfinpyrazone, dipyridamole and clofibrate improve shortened SURV.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Antinuclear Antibodies in Schoolchildren During Puberty and Possible Relationship with Musculoskeletal Pain: A Longitudinal Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (7) ◽  
pp. 1405-1408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Sperotto ◽  
Giorgio Cuffaro ◽  
Sara Brachi ◽  
Mara Seguso ◽  
Francesco Zulian
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Musculoskeletal Pain ◽  
Clinical Examination ◽  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Antinuclear Antibodies ◽  
Hormonal Changes ◽  
Pubertal Stage ◽  
Autoantibody Profile

Objective.The role of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in children has still to be elucidated. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence and persistence of ANA in schoolchildren during the puberty switch, and the possible relationship with chronic noninflammatory musculoskeletal pain (MSP).Methods.Children aged 8–13 years and attending 4 public schools underwent a clinical examination, focusing on pubertal stage and presence of chronic noninflammatory MSP. Laboratory tests to determine the autoantibody-profile were also performed. Subjects with ANA positivity (titer ≥ 1:80) and/or chronic noninflammatory MSP were re-evaluated 3 years later.Results.Two hundred sixty-one subjects enrolled in the study and 12.3% were ANA-positive, equally distributed in terms of sex and pubertal status. Three years later, in the group of patients studied for chronic noninflammatory MSP (n = 67), ANA positivity significantly increased from 13.4% to 44.8%. In the ANA-positive cohort at baseline (n = 28), 92.9% of subjects were confirmed as being ANA-positive with a significantly increased titer. No association between ANA positivity and chronic noninflammatory MSP was found.Conclusion.ANA prevalence and titers increase during puberty, especially in females, but have no relationship with chronic noninflammatory MSP. This finding may be related to the complex hormonal changes during the puberty switch period and opens new insights into autoimmunity.

Biomarkers, lactate, and clinical scores as outcome predictors in systemic poisons exposures

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 651-662 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Lionte ◽  
V Sorodoc ◽  
C Tuchilus ◽  
D Cimpoiesu ◽  
E Jaba
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Cardiac Biomarkers ◽  
Characteristic Analysis ◽  
Poor Outcome ◽  
Clinical Scores ◽  
Important Challenge ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
Mortality Predictors

Acute exposure to systemic poisons represents an important challenge in clinical toxicology. We aimed to analyze the potential role of cardiac biomarkers, routine laboratory tests, and clinical scores as morbidity and in-hospital mortality predictors in patients intoxicated with various systemic poisons. We conducted a prospective study on adults acutely exposed to systemic poisons. We determined the PSS, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and we performed electrocardiogram, laboratory tests, lactate and cardiac biomarkers (which were reassessed 4 h, respectively 6 h later). Of 120 patients included, 45% developed complications, 19.2% had a poor outcome, and 5% died. Multivariate logistic regression sustained lactate (odds ratio (OR) 1.58; confidence interval (CI) 95%: 0.97–2.59; p 0.066), MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (6h-CKMB; OR 1.08; CI 95%: 1.02–1.16; p 0.018) as predictors for a poor outcome. A GCS < 10 (OR 0.113; CI 95%: 0.019–0.658; p 0.015) and 4h-lactate (OR 4.87; CI 95%: 0.79–29.82; p 0.087) predicted mortality after systemic poisons exposure. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that brain natriuretic peptide (area under the curve (AUC), 0.96; CI 95%: 0.92–0.99; p < 0.001), lactate (AUC, 0.91; CI 95%: 0.85–0.97; p < 0.001), and 6h-CKMB have good discriminatory capacity for predicting a poor outcome. In conclusion, these biomarkers, lactate, and GCS can be used to predict morbidity and mortality after systemic poisons exposure.

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