COMPACT ROTARY PLATFORM AS A UNIVERSAL LABORATORY STAND

A single axis rotary platform is distinguished among the laboratory equipment for testing gyroscopic devices and systems and their sensitive elements. An overview of the design principles of industrially developed stands for the study of static and dynamic characteristics of gyroscopic devices and systems is provided. The scheme of design of the universal laboratory stand is suggested as the compact rotary platform for research of static and dynamic characteristics of micromechanical gyroscopes and accelerometers as sensors of angular speed. The physical components of such a stand and technical and technological problems of its practical implementation are reviewed. The proposed laboratory stand is considered as a cyberphysical system where computing components play a crucial role in determining the parameters of the system and the studied micromechanical sensors. For this purpose, in addition to the physical control loop of the electric drive to ensure the stability of the angular velocity of the platform, an independent measuring loop is considered for analytical determination of system parameters, including the studied micromechanical sensors. The versatility of the stand is ensured by solving the inverse problems, namely determining in the process of testing static and dynamic characteristics of the electric drive and measuring sensors that work on various physical principles. It is assumed that, in addition to solving practical problems of micromechanical sensors in the development of the appropriate information interface of the virtual device, a compact laboratory stand can be effectively used in the educational process during laboratory work in relevant disciplines of instrument making direction.

Laboratory markers of premature aging and metabolic syndrome in liquidators of consequences of Chernobyl accident

In this paper, the metabolic syndrome (MS) is considered as a manifestation of an excessive adaptive response of the body, which underlies premature aging. It is relevant to search for new early markers of MS formation in LPA in the context of modern ideas about the role of universal mechanisms of adaptation and stress-induced premature aging in its pathogenesis. The data obtained by the authors allow us to consider the relative androgen deficiency as a predictor of the formation of MS in LPA. The results of the study demonstrate that the levels of triiodothyronine and DHEAS serve as early markers of the formation of MS, while the testosterone/estradiol ratio is a universal laboratory indicator of accelerated aging of the body and MS.

Housing, Husbandry, and Clinical Techniques for Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) used in Biomedical Research

Crayfish (Decapoda: Astacoidea & Parastacoidea), are amongst the few animals that have stem cells within hemolymph, with the capacity to continuously produce differentiated neuronal structures throughout life. As crayfish and other invertebrates continue to become common models in research to study human disease, it is vital that we develop universal laboratory standards and guidelines on housing and husbandry practices. This publication presents introductory data on housing, husbandry, hemolymph collection and statistically supported anesthesia trials, to support future research endeavors. Evaluation of housing, husbandry, clinical and anesthetic techniques in Procambarus clarkii maintained in a biomedical research setting were performed. An option for hemolymph collection, in the area termed, the Ventral Coelomic Hemolymph Collection Zone (VCHCZ) is presented as a technique to assess hemocytes. Additionally, Wright Giemsa stained slides of crayfish hemolymph were evaluated by a board-certified veterinary clinical pathologist for interpretation and confirmation of hemolymph collection. The housing and husbandry experiments were performed over a duration of 37 days. Mortality rates and physical health assessments were performed. The following water quality parameters were concurrently evaluated: temperature, light cycle, pH, KH, GH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, salinity, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Anesthetic techniques were evaluated between four experimental groups: (A) immersion in buffered MS-222 (50 mg/L), (B) immersion in buffered MS-222 (150 mg/L) (C) immersion in Propofol (65 mg/L) and (D) Propofol injection (100 mg/kg) into VCHCZ. Housing and husbandry techniques were validated with 0% mortality and normal species-specific behaviors were observed. MS-222 immersion had no observable effect on crayfish. Propofol immersion (65 mg/L) created sedative effects allowing for appropriate handling. Propofol injection (100 mg/kg) into VCHCZ successfully created a deep anesthetic plane that would allow for more invasive or surgical procedures, without adverse effects during or after recovery.

Systematic screening for SARS-CoV-2 in pregnant women admitted for delivery in a Portuguese maternity

ObjectivesThe burden of undocumented SARS-Cov-2 infections in Portuguese pregnant women is unknown. At our institution, routine COVID-19 testing was implemented from 19th of March on to all pregnant women who were admitted for delivery. The purpose of the study was to estimate the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate in our obstetric population admitted for delivery.MathodsBetween 19th March and May 4th, 184 pregnant women were screened for SARS-CoV-2 infection upon admission.ResultsEleven women were positive for SARS-CoV-2, corresponding to a global prevalence of 6.0%. Of these, only two reported symptoms at admission. The prevalence of asymptomatic infection was 4.9%. We report a lower rate of positive cass than other studies. Eighty-two percent of our cases had no symptoms at admission.ConclusionsThe proportion of asymptomatic infection highlights the importance of universal laboratory screening for all women admitted for delivery as opposed to symptom-based screening.

Obstetrical Unit Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: OUR Study

Objective This study aimed to describe the response of labor and delivery (L&D) units in the United States to the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and determine how institutional characteristics and regional disease prevalence affect viral testing and personal protective equipment (PPE). Study Design A cross-sectional survey was distributed electronically through the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine e-mail database (n = 584 distinct practices) and social media between April 14 and 23, 2020. Participants were recruited through “snowballing.” A single representative was asked to respond on behalf of each L&D unit. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. Multivariable regression was performed to explore characteristics associated with universal testing and PPE usage. Results A total of 301 surveys (estimated 51.5% response rate) was analyzed representing 48 states and two territories. Obstetrical units included academic (31%), community teaching (45%) and nonteaching hospitals (24%). Sixteen percent of respondents were from states with high prevalence, defined as higher “deaths per million” rates compared with the national average. Universal laboratory testing for admissions was reported for 40% (119/297) of units. After adjusting for covariates, universal testing was more common in academic institutions (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23–2.42) and high prevalence states (aOR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.37–5.28). When delivering asymptomatic patients, full PPE (including N95 mask) was recommended for vaginal deliveries in 33% and for cesarean delivery in 38% of responding institutions. N95 mask use during asymptomatic vaginal deliveries remained more likely in high prevalence states (aOR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.29–5.09) and less likely in hospitals with universal testing (aOR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.24–0.73). Conclusion Universal laboratory testing for COVID-19 is more common at academic institutions and in states with high disease prevalence. Centers with universal testing were less likely to recommend N95 masks for asymptomatic vaginal deliveries, suggesting that viral testing can play a role in guiding efficient PPE use. Key Points

Changing the Composition of Water Using an Universal Electro-Hydraulic Installation

Electro-hydraulic water treatment has a large number of factors. We considered two factors, nitrate increase and disinfection. Theoretically this process is described due to the fact that electro-hydraulic shock in water is accompanied by x-ray and ultraviolet radiation, all this causes a chemical process. The article proposes a method for increasing of nitrates in water and decontamination by electro-hydraulic impacts. (Research purpose) The research purpose is in searching for the optimal parameters and operating modes of a universal laboratory installation for the transformation of water into a nutrient solution. (Materials and methods) The EnSURE (Hygiena) luminometer was used to measure microbiological contamination of water, and the ETHAN PH meter/ionometer was used to measure nitrates in water. (Results and discussion) The article presents the existing electrohydraulic devices and showes their shortcomings. Author made the conclusion that there is no universal installation in which it would be possible to get a double effect (activation and disinfection). The article presents a developed universal laboratory unit, which was used to perform disinfection and increase nitrates. The article presents the operation modes in which the effect is observed. The article presents the photo of the laboratory installation. (Conclusions) It was found that for economic reasons it is advisable to choose the first mode for water treatment. Author have identified an organic method for increasing nitrates in water and decontamination, which can be used in greenhouse complexes for growing vegetables and fruits. Pond water was treated for conversion to a nutrient solution by changing the amount of nitrates. It was found that the amount of nitrates increased by 0.86 milligrams per liter, which indicates that the water passed into a nutrient solution.

Universal LIMS based platform for the automated processing of cell-based assays

Nowadays, cell-based assays are an elementary tool for diagnostics, animal-free substance testing and basic research. Depending on the application, the spectrum ranges from simple static cell cultures in microtiter plates to dynamic co-cultures in complex micro physiological systems (organ-on-a-chip). Depending on the complexity of the assay, numerous working steps have to be performed and the data from different analysis systems have to be processed, combined and documented. A universal platform has been developed for the automated handling of cell-based assays, which combines a laboratory information management system (LIMS) with a laboratory execution system (LES), a universal laboratory automation platform and established laboratory equipment. The LIMS handles the administration of all laboratory-relevant information, the planning, control and monitoring of laboratory processes, as well as the direct and qualified processing of raw data. Using a kidney-on-achip system as an example, the realization of complex cellbased assays for the animal-free characterization of the toxicity of different antibiotics will be demonstrated. In the kidney-on-a-chip system the artificial proximal tubular barrier was formed by seeding human immortalized proximal tubule cells (RPTEC) and human blood outgrowth endothelial cells (BOEC) on ThinCert™ membranes. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) was measured daily to evaluate the barrier function of the cellular layers. Fluid handling and TEER measurements were performed using a laboratory automation platform that communicates directly with the LIMS. The LES supports laboratory assistants in executing the manual handling steps of the experiments.