scholarly journals In search of an evidence-based strategy for quality assessment of human tissue samples: report of the tissue Biospecimen Research Working Group of the Spanish Biobank Network

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Margalida Esteva-Socias ◽  
María-Jesús Artiga ◽  
Olga Bahamonde ◽  
Oihana Belar ◽  
Raquel Bermudo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Human Tissue ◽  
Working Group ◽  
Tissue Sample ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The purpose of the present work is to underline the importance of obtaining a standardized procedure to ensure and evaluate both clinical and research usability of human tissue samples. The study, which was carried out by the Biospecimen Science Working Group of the Spanish Biobank Network, is based on a general overview of the current situation about quality assurance in human tissue biospecimens. It was conducted an exhaustive review of the analytical techniques used to evaluate the quality of human tissue samples over the past 30 years, as well as their reference values if they were published, and classified them according to the biomolecules evaluated: (i) DNA, (ii) RNA, and (iii) soluble or/and fixed proteins for immunochemistry. More than 130 publications released between 1989 and 2019 were analysed, most of them reporting results focused on the analysis of tumour and biopsy samples. A quality assessment proposal with an algorithm has been developed for both frozen tissue samples and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples, according to the expected quality of sample based on the available pre-analytical information and the experience of the participants in the Working Group. The high heterogeneity of human tissue samples and the wide number of pre-analytic factors associated to quality of samples makes it very difficult to harmonize the quality criteria. However, the proposed method to assess human tissue sample integrity and antigenicity will not only help to evaluate whether stored human tissue samples fit for the purpose of biomarker development, but will also allow to perform further studies, such as assessing the impact of different pre-analytical factors on very well characterized samples or evaluating the readjustment of tissue sample collection, processing and storing procedures. By ensuring the quality of the samples used on research, the reproducibility of scientific results will be guaranteed.

scholarly journals High-Throughput Simultaneous Analysis of RNA, Protein, and Lipid Biomarkers in Heterogeneous Tissue Samples

2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (11) ◽  
pp. 1545-1555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimír Reiser ◽  
Ryan C Smith ◽  
Jiyan Xue ◽  
Marc M Kurtz ◽  
Rong Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Throughput ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Biomarker Discovery ◽  
Tissue Sample ◽  
Protein Composition ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Heterogeneous Tissue

BACKGROUND With expanding biomarker discovery efforts and increasing costs of drug development, it is critical to maximize the value of mass-limited clinical samples. The main limitation of available methods is the inability to isolate and analyze, from a single sample, molecules requiring incompatible extraction methods. Thus, we developed a novel semiautomated method for tissue processing and tissue milling and division (TMAD). METHODS We used a SilverHawk atherectomy catheter to collect atherosclerotic plaques from patients requiring peripheral atherectomy. Tissue preservation by flash freezing was compared with immersion in RNAlater®, and tissue grinding by traditional mortar and pestle was compared with TMAD. Comparators were protein, RNA, and lipid yield and quality. Reproducibility of analyte yield from aliquots of the same tissue sample processed by TMAD was also measured. RESULTS The quantity and quality of biomarkers extracted from tissue prepared by TMAD was at least as good as that extracted from tissue stored and prepared by traditional means. TMAD enabled parallel analysis of gene expression (quantitative reverse-transcription PCR, microarray), protein composition (ELISA), and lipid content (biochemical assay) from as little as 20 mg of tissue. The mean correlation was r = 0.97 in molecular composition (RNA, protein, or lipid) between aliquots of individual samples generated by TMAD. We also demonstrated that it is feasible to use TMAD in a large-scale clinical study setting. CONCLUSIONS The TMAD methodology described here enables semiautomated, high-throughput sampling of small amounts of heterogeneous tissue specimens by multiple analytical techniques with generally improved quality of recovered biomolecules.

scholarly journals Ageratina adenophora Inhibits Spleen Immune Function in Rats via the Loss of the FRC Network and Th1–Th2 Cell Ratio Elevation

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 309
Author(s):  
Zhihua Ren ◽  
Pei Gao ◽  
Samuel Kumi Okyere ◽  
Yujing Cui ◽  
Juan Wen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Expression ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Tissue Sample ◽  
Th2 Cells ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Functional Protein ◽  
Th2 Cell ◽  
Ageratina Adenophora ◽  
Mrna And Protein Expression ◽  
The Impact

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of Ageratina adenophora (A. adenophora) on splenic immune function in a rat model. Rats were fed with 10 g/100 g normal feed and an experimental feed, which was composed of 3:7 A. adenophora powder and normal feed for 60 days. On days 14, 28, and 60, subsets of rats (n = 8 rats/group/time point) were selected for blood and spleen tissue sample collection. The results showed that the proportion of CD3+ T cells in the spleen was decreased at day 60 (vs. control). Also, mRNA and protein expression of chemokines CCL21 and CCL19 and functional protein gp38 in spleen decreased significantly versus the control at day 60. In addition, ER-TR7 antigen protein expression was also decreased at day 60. Levels of T-helper (Th)1 cells significantly increased, whereas those of Th2 cells decreased significantly versus the control at day 60 in spleen. The finding revealed that A. adenophora could affect splenic immune function in rats by altering the fibroblast reticulocyte (FRC) network, as well as by causing an imbalance in Th1/Th2 cell ratios. This research provides new insights into potential mechanisms of spleen immunotoxicity due to exposures to A. Adenophora.

scholarly journals Development of a Best Practice Statement on the Use of Ankle-Foot Orthoses Following Stroke in Scotland

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy Bowers ◽  
Karyn Ross
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Working Group ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Foot Orthoses ◽  
Ankle Foot Orthoses ◽  
Expert Working Group ◽  
Health Service Quality ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Successes And Challenges

A National Health Service Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS) scoping exercise in 2007 identified the use of ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) following stroke as a clinical improvement priority, leading to the development of a best practice statement (BPS) on AFO use after stroke. This paper outlines the development process of the BPS which is available from NHS QIS. The authors were involved as part of a working group that included practitioners from the fields of orthotics, physiotherapy, stroke nursing and bioengineering, staff of NHS QIS and a patient representative. In consultation with an NHS QIS health services researcher, the authors undertook a systematic literature review to evidence where possible the recommendations made in the BPS. Where evidence was unavailable, consensus was reached by the expert working group. As the BPS was designed for the non-specialist and non-orthotic practitioner the authors also developed educational resources which were included within the BPS to aid the understanding of the principles underpinning orthotic design and prescription. The BPS has been widely distributed throughout the health service in Scotland and is available electronically at no cost via the NHS QIS website. As part of an ongoing evaluation of the impact of the BPS on the quality of orthotic provision, NHS QIS has invited feedback regarding successes and challenges to implementation.

scholarly journals The Impact of the Quality Assessment of Optimal Assignment for Data Association in a Multitarget Tracking Context

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 88-98
Author(s):  
J. Dezert ◽  
A. Tchamova ◽  
P. Konstantinova
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Data Association ◽  
New Method ◽  
Multitarget Tracking ◽  
Belief Functions ◽  
Tracking Systems ◽  
Optimal Assignment ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The main purpose of this paper is to apply and to test the performance of a new method, based on belief functions, proposed by Dezert et al. in order to evaluate the quality of the individual association pairings provided in the optimal data association solution for improving the performances of multisensor-multitarget tracking systems. The advantages of its implementation in an illustrative realistic surveillance context, when some of the association decisions are unreliable and doubtful and lead to potentially critical mistake, are discussed. A comparison with the results obtained on the base of Generalized Data Association is made.

The Need for Quality Assessment of mHealth Interventions

2021 ◽  
pp. 89-113
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Medication Management ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Target Drug ◽  
Need To Evaluate ◽  
Mhealth Apps

With growing numbers of mHealth interventions, there is a need to evaluate the quality of existing apps based on quality assessment criteria that are grounded in published literature and health behavior research. These criteria can help identify the quality of mHealth apps from the perspectives of reliability, feature usefulness and feature convenience. This chapter will discuss the various quality criteria that are relevant for mHealth apps that target drug-related problems, as well as for medication management, through the development of two quality assessment tools. In addition to reliability, usability and privacy criteria, other feature criteria related to tele-monitoring, interaction checkers, dose calculators, medication information provision, medication records, as well as tele-support, tele-collaboration and personalization/contextualization, will be discussed. This chapter aims to provide guidance to mobile app developers, clinicians and patients on the types of quality parameters to consider in apps that are designed for pharmaceutical care and medication management.

INFORMATION AND ANALYTICAL SYSTEM FOR OBTAINING AN INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT OF THE QUALITY OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FROM THE POSITION OF CONSUMERS

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Azarnova ◽  
Sergey Barkalov ◽  
Yulia Bondarenko ◽  
Natalia Kalinina
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
Educational Services ◽  
Quality Of Services ◽  
Processing Technologies ◽  
Algorithmic Support ◽  
Analytical System

The aim of the research study is the description of the information analytical system developed by the authors for the formation of an integral linguistic assessment of the quality of educational services from the perspective of three main groups of consumers: employers, students and young professionals. The computation of the integral linguistic quality assessment is based on specially structured information obtained in the course of a voluntary online survey of consumers on specialized quality criteria for groups. A site has been developed for the online survey. The algorithmic support of the information-analytical system is based on the methods SERVQUAL, SWOT-analysis and fuzzy linguistic information processing technologies. The tools of the information analytical system allow us to obtain: linguistic assessments of the quality of services from the perspective of each group of consumers, an integral quality assessment for all consumers and automatically build a SWOT analysis matrix to develop a strategy to improve the quality of the analysed services. In accordance with modern standards of quality management, the approach to quality assessment laid down in the methodology for generating results uses the assumption that the consumer assesses the quality of services based on a comparison of his/her expectations and perceptions of the service during its receipt.  

Preoperative Insight Into the Quality of Radial Artery Grafts

Angiology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (9) ◽  
pp. 790-794 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petar Vukovic ◽  
Miodrag Peric ◽  
Sandra Radak ◽  
Nikola Aleksic ◽  
Dragana Unic-Stojanovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radial Artery ◽  
Neointimal Hyperplasia ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
Rejection Rate ◽  
Allen Test ◽  
Forearm Circulation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Artery Conduit

We investigated the impact of preoperative ultrasonography of the forearm circulation on radial artery conduit selection. Preoperative ultrasound of the forearm circulation was performed routinely in 536 patients planned for radial artery harvesting. The safety assessment of the harvest included the following algorithm of tests: the ultrasound, the Allen test, and pulse oximetry. The quality criteria that were used to exclude a radial artery from harvesting were small size of the artery, diffuse atherosclerosis, calcifications, and severe neointimal hyperplasia. The overall rejection rate due to safety reasons was 16.4%. Seventy-one (13.2%) radial arteries did not fulfill the conduit quality criteria and consequently these arteries were not harvested. In 13.4% of radial arteries, localized arterial wall disease was found in the distal third of the artery. The distal part of the artery was discarded and the rest was used as a conduit. Our results indicate that the ultrasound provides an accurate preoperative insight into the radial artery morphology, enabling selection of the arteries with favorable morphological features.

scholarly journals Impact of Hemolysis on Multi-OMIC Pancreatic Biomarker Discovery: Derisking Precision Medicine Biomarker Development

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Searfoss ◽  
Punit Shah ◽  
Kennedy Ofori-Mensa ◽  
Valerie Bussberg ◽  
Vladimir Tolstikov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biomarker Discovery ◽  
Hemoglobin Concentration ◽  
Cancer Biomarker ◽  
Buffy Coat ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Analyte Detection ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Cancer biomarker discovery is critically dependent on the integrity of biofluid, and tissue samples acquired from study participants. Multi-omic profiling of candidate protein, lipid, and metabolite biomarkers is confounded by timing and fasting status of sample collection, participant demographics and treatment exposures of the study population. Contamination by hemoglobin, whether caused by hemolysis during sample preparation or underlying red cell fragility, contributes 0 – 10 g/L of extraneous protein to plasma, serum, and Buffy coat samples and may interfere with biomarker detection and validation. We analyzed 617 plasma, 701 serum, and 657 buffy coat samples from a 7 year longitudinal multi-omic biomarker discovery program evaluating 400+ participants with or at risk for pancreatic cancer, known as Project Survival™. Hemolysis was undetectable in 93.1% of plasma and 95.0% of serum samples, whereas only 37.1% of Buffy coat samples were free of contamination by hemoglobin. Regression analysis of multi-omic data demonstrated a statistically significant correlation between hemoglobin concentration and the resulting pattern of analyte detection and concentration. Although hemolysis had the greatest impact on identification and quantitation of the proteome, distinct differentials in metabolomics and lipidomics were also observed and correlated with severity. We conclude that quality control is vital to accurate detection of informative molecular differentials using OMIC technologies and that caution must be exercised to minimize the impact of hemolysis as a factor driving false discovery in large cancer biomarker studies.

scholarly journals The role of safety in service quality in the opinion of traditional and digital customers of postal service

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Kamila Kowalik
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Postal Service ◽  
Perception Of Safety ◽  
Postal Services ◽  
Safety Attributes ◽  
The Impact

AbstractOne of the factors allowing to shape safety and quality of a postal service is an opinion of its customer. In the following paper, the analysis of the impact of a customer’s perception of safety on the service quality assessment has been presented. Research results presented in the paper refer to opinions of traditional and digital customers of postal services. The presented analysis is enriched by a theoretical framework of service quality, the explanation of the concept of safety, and a complementary characteristics of traditional and digital postal services. Afterwards, safety attributes of the postal services have been proposed, explained and highlighted. Subsequently, the results presented in the paper refer to the validity of particular chosen safety attributes of postal services.

scholarly journals NO-REFERENCE IMAGE QUALITY ASSESSMENT FOR ZY3 IMAGERY IN URBAN AREAS USING STATISTICAL MODEL

2016 ◽  
Vol XLI-B3 ◽  
pp. 949-954 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Zhang ◽  
W.H. Cui ◽  
F. Yang ◽  
Z.C. Wu
Keyword(s):  
Image Quality ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Satellite Images ◽  
Image Quality Assessment ◽  
Reference Image ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
Natural Scene Statistics ◽  
The Impact

More and more high-spatial resolution satellite images are produced with the improvement of satellite technology. However, the quality of images is not always satisfactory for application. Due to the impact of complicated atmospheric conditions and complex radiation transmission process in imaging process the images often suffer deterioration. In order to assess the quality of remote sensing images over urban areas, we proposed a general purpose image quality assessment methods based on feature extraction and machine learning. We use two types of features in multi scales. One is from the shape of histogram the other is from the natural scene statistics based on Generalized Gaussian distribution (GGD). A 20-D feature vector for each scale is extracted and is assumed to capture the RS image quality degradation characteristics. We use SVM to learn to predict image quality scores from these features. In order to do the evaluation, we construct a median scale dataset for training and testing with subjects taking part in to give the human opinions of degraded images. We use ZY3 satellite images over Wuhan area (a city in China) to conduct experiments. Experimental results show the correlation of the predicted scores and the subjective perceptions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document