the LAB: Bilirubin Measurement in the Newborn: Need for a Common Reference Standard in Serum

1964 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 53-55
Author(s):  
S. Raymond Gambino
2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry L. Howell ◽  
Jaime S. Davies ◽  
A. Louise Allcock ◽  
Andreia Braga-Henriques ◽  
Pål Buhl-Mortensen ◽  
...  

AbstractVideo and image data are regularly used in the field of benthic ecology to document biodiversity. However, their use is subject to a number of challenges, principally the identification of taxa within the images without associated physical specimens. The challenge of applying traditional taxonomic keys to the identification of fauna from images has led to the development of personal, group, or institution level reference image catalogues of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) or morphospecies. Lack of standardisation among these reference catalogues has led to problems with observer bias and the inability to combine datasets across studies. In addition, lack of a common reference standard is stifling efforts in the application of artificial intelligence to taxon identification. Using the North Atlantic deep sea as a case study, we propose a database structure to facilitate standardisation of morphospecies image catalogues between research groups and support future use in multiple front-end applications. We also propose a framework for coordination of international efforts to develop reference guides for the identification of marine species from images. The proposed structure follows the Darwin Core standard to allow integration with existing databases. We suggest a management framework where high-level taxonomic groups are curated by a regional team, consisting of both end users and taxonomic experts. We identify a mechanism by which overall quality of data within a common reference guide could be raised over the next decade. Finally, we discuss the role of a common reference standard in advancing marine ecology and supporting sustainable use of this ecosystem.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Basem Al-Omari ◽  
Peter McMeekin ◽  
A. Joy Allen ◽  
Ahsan R. Akram ◽  
Sara Graziadio ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is an important diagnosis in critical care. VAP research is complicated by the lack of agreed diagnostic criteria and reference standard test criteria. Our aim was to review which reference standard tests are used to evaluate novel index tests for suspected VAP. Methods We conducted a comprehensive search using electronic databases and hand reference checks. The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, CINHAL, EMBASE, and web of science were searched from 2008 until November 2018. All terms related to VAP diagnostics in the intensive treatment unit were used to conduct the search. We adopted a checklist from the critical appraisal skills programme checklist for diagnostic studies to assess the quality of the included studies. Results We identified 2441 records, of which 178 were selected for full-text review. Following methodological examination and quality assessment, 44 studies were included in narrative data synthesis. Thirty-two (72.7%) studies utilised a sole microbiological reference standard; the remaining 12 studies utilised a composite reference standard, nine of which included a mandatory microbiological criterion. Histopathological criteria were optional in four studies but mandatory in none. Conclusions Nearly all reference standards for VAP used in diagnostic test research required some microbiological confirmation of infection, with BAL culture being the most common reference standard used.


1996 ◽  
Vol 465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary L. Smith ◽  
Dennis L. Eggett ◽  
Harry D. Smith

ABSTRACTAnalytical round robins were established to allow laboratories responsible for the analysis of (nuclear) wastes glasses to compare their analytical capabilities and techniques with one another in a non-competitive atmosphere. In addition the quality of analyses using different analytical techniques on the same materials could be compared. Analytical Round Robin 7 had two primary objectives: 1) to evaluate the effect of using the same analytical reference glass as a reference standard for bias correcting analytical results for all the participating laboratories in making the analyses; and 2) to discuss the analytical methods and results from the participating laboratories between the participants for the purpose of evaluating quality and interlaboratory consistency. This paper will primarily address the first objective.The purpose of an analytical reference material is to bring the analytical results from various laboratories into better agreement by providing them a common reference point No reference glass is likely to be ideal for each element in the glass being analyzed. Obviously, the closer the reference material is to the unknown, the more confidence there will be in the results because less judgement is called for. Use of the reference glass to bias correct analytical results for a standard set of analyses from several laboratories provides the data needed to determine the effectiveness of an Analytical Reference Glass (ARG) in producing interlaboratory agreement. Concurrently, whether or not the analytical results using ARG-1 are more valid or systematically biased can be evaluated using standard statistical methods. The conclusion is that bias correcting with a standard glass such as ARG-1 for results obtained by the inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) analytical technique produces more accurate results.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-217
Author(s):  
Jianyuan Ni ◽  
Monica L. Bellon-Harn ◽  
Jiang Zhang ◽  
Yueqing Li ◽  
Vinaya Manchaiah

Objective The objective of the study was to examine specific patterns of Twitter usage using common reference to tinnitus. Method The study used cross-sectional analysis of data generated from Twitter data. Twitter content, language, reach, users, accounts, temporal trends, and social networks were examined. Results Around 70,000 tweets were identified and analyzed from May to October 2018. Of the 100 most active Twitter accounts, organizations owned 52%, individuals owned 44%, and 4% of the accounts were unknown. Commercial/for-profit and nonprofit organizations were the most common organization account owners (i.e., 26% and 16%, respectively). Seven unique tweets were identified with a reach of over 400 Twitter users. The greatest reach exceeded 2,000 users. Temporal analysis identified retweet outliers (> 200 retweets per hour) that corresponded to a widely publicized event involving the response of a Twitter user to another user's joke. Content analysis indicated that Twitter is a platform that primarily functions to advocate, share personal experiences, or share information about management of tinnitus rather than to provide social support and build relationships. Conclusions Twitter accounts owned by organizations outnumbered individual accounts, and commercial/for-profit user accounts were the most frequently active organization account type. Analyses of social media use can be helpful in discovering issues of interest to the tinnitus community as well as determining which users and organizations are dominating social network conversations.


1963 ◽  
Vol 42 (2_Suppl) ◽  
pp. S17-S30
Author(s):  
Fred A. Kind ◽  
Ralph I. Dorfman

ABSTRACT Thirty-seven steroids have been studied as orally effective inhibitors of ovulation in the mated oestrus rabbit. Norethisterone served as the reference standard and a dose response curve was established between the 0.31 and 1.25 mg dose levels. Nine highly active anti-ovulatory compounds are described listed in a decreasing order of potency with norethisterone having the arbitrary value of one: 6-chloro-Δ6-dehydro-17α-acetoxyprogesterone (35), 6α-methyl-Δ1-dehydro-17α-acetoxyprogesterone (≥ 10), 6-fluoro-Δ6-dehydro-17α-acetoxyprogesterone(9), 6-methyl-Δ6-dehydro-17α-acetoxyprogesterone (5), Δ6-dehydro-17α-acetoxyprogesterone (≥ 3), 6α-methyl-17α-acetoxyprogesterone (2.6), 6-chloro-Δ1,6-bisdehydro-17α-acetoxyprogesterone (≥ 2), 2-hydroxymethyl-17α-methyl-17β-hydroxyandrostan-3-one (≥ 2), and 6α-fluoro-16α-methyl-17α-acetoxyprogesterone (≥ 1.25). The anti-ovulatory activity of a compound was not related necessarily to the progestational activity of a compound nor to the anti-gonadotrophic activity as measured in parabiotic rats. 6-Chloro-Δ60dehydro-17-acetoxyprogesterone was as effective by gavage as previously shown by subcutaneous injection. 2-Hydroxymethyl-17α-methyl-17β-hydroxyandrostan-3-one was at least 2.5 times more active by gavage than by injection. While 17α-acetoxyprogesterone was a very weak anti-ovulatory steroid, modifications of the structure by addition of methyl or halogen at the 6α position with or without unsaturation greatly increased the activity. 6-Chloro-Δ6-dehydro-27α-acetoxyprogesterone was the most active compound in this series showing a relative potency of 3500 times that of the parent compound 17α-acetoxyprogesterone.


1963 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-224
Author(s):  
Raymond C. Mellinger ◽  
Jalileh A. Mansour ◽  
Richmond W. Smith

ABSTRACT A reference standard is widely sought for use in the quantitative bioassay of pituitary gonadotrophin recovered from urine. The biologic similarity of pooled urinary extracts obtained from large numbers of subjects, utilizing groups of different age and sex, preparing and assaying the materials by varying techniques in different parts of the world, has lead to a general acceptance of such preparations as international gonadotrophin reference standards. In the present study, however, the extract of pooled urine from a small number of young women is shown to produce a significantly different bioassay response from that of the reference materials. Gonadotrophins of individual subjects likewise varied from the multiple subject standards in many instances. The cause of these differences is thought to be due to the modifying influence of non-hormonal substances extracted from urine with the gonadotrophin and not necessarily to variations in the gonadotrophins themselves. Such modifying factors might have similar effects in a comparative assay of pooled extracts contributed by many subjects, but produce significant variations when material from individual subjects is compared. It is concluded that the expression of potency of a gonadotrophic extract in terms of pooled reference material to which it is not essentially similar may diminish rather than enhance the validity of the assay.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 382-388
Author(s):  
Aparna Wadhwa ◽  
Faraat Ali ◽  
Sana Parveen ◽  
Robin Kumar ◽  
Gyanendra N. Singh

Objective: The main aim of the present work is to synthesize chloramphenicol impurity A (CLRMIMP- A) in the purest form and its subsequent characterization by using a panel of sophisticated analytical techniques (LC-MS, DSC, TGA, NMR, FTIR, HPLC, and CHNS) to provide as a reference standard mentioned in most of the international compendiums, including IP, BP, USP, and EP. The present synthetic procedure has not been disclosed anywhere in the prior art. Methods: A simple, cheaper, and new synthesis method was described for the preparation of CLRM-IMP-A. It was synthesized and characterized by FTIR, DSC, TGA, NMR (1H and 13C), LC-MS, CHNS, and HPLC. Results: CLRM-IMP-A present in drugs and dosage form can alter the therapeutic effects and adverse reaction of a drug considerably, it is mandatory to have a precise method for the estimation of impurities to safeguard the public health. Under these circumstances, the presence of CLRM-IMP-A in chloramphenicol (CLRM) requires strict quality control to satisfy the specified regulatory limit. The synthetic impurity obtained was in the pure form to provide a certified reference standard or working standard to stakeholders with defined potency. Conclusion: The present research describes a novel technique for the synthesis of pharmacopoeial impurity, which can help in checking/controlling the quality of the CLRM in the international markets.


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