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At least 775 records · Page 43Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

Data management in multi-method surface analysis.

The solution of the problem of interchangeability of surface analytical data is gaining increasing importance in multi-method surface analysis. There are various surface analytical instruments in different laboratories on several automation levels. For these instruments, which are controlled by computer systems working with proprietary software under various operating systems, a standardised data format is necessary to allow an exchange of data. Therefore, a toolkit has been developed for the transfer, archiving and editing of surface analytical data in a standardised public domain format. This format contains all available and necessary information on experimental conditions and all parameters specific for a number of analytical techniques such as AES, SAM, XPS, SIMS, STM, AFM and EPMA. Additionally, all data concerning the conditions of sample-preparation and measurement history are included in order to allow a well-founded evaluation of the data and improved reproducibility of the experiment.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1990

A microplate version of the DNA-synthesis inhibition test for rapid detection of DNA-alteration potentials.

A microplate version of the DNA-synthesis inhibition test (DIT) for fast detection of DNA-alteration potentials has been developed. The DIT is based on the concept that DNA damage causes inhibition of DNA synthesis that becomes detectable some time after replicating cells have been in contact with genotoxic agents. In this test procedure human tissue culture cells (HeLa S3), prelabeled with [14C]thymidine, arfe exposed for 90 min to the substances in question. After the cells are rinsed, they are allowed to recover for 2 1/2 h in fresh culture medium, thereby unspecific interactions interfering with DNA replication are practically eliminated. Next, [3H]thymidine is added for 30 min, and then the cells are harvested and thoroughly rinsed. Finally, incorporated radioactivity is determined by liquid scintillation counting for measurement of the 3H/14C ratio. This allows for the evaluation of DNA synthesis during the 3H-labeling period and of the extent of genotoxic damage. This microplate version of the DIT can be carried out fully automated in a laboratory workstation. The test is compared to other tests for genotoxicity. Its advantages are discussed.

Autoanalysis↗

PubMed1990

Enzymatic erythrocyte creatine determinations as an index for cell age.

Creatine concentration in red blood cells was determined after ammoniumsulfate precipitation on a clear hemoglobin-free filtrate with a new enzymatic assay making use of bacterial creatinase. The method described is more specific than Griffiths' method and can easily be mechanised and adapted for use in a routine laboratory using classical automated equipment. By contrast with Griffiths' method no significant interferences of amino acids and creatine-like molecules were found. Reference values for this method were 0.379 +/- 0.076 mmol/l. In patients with high turnover of erythrocytes, e.g. haemodialysis patients (0.529 +/- 0.122 mmol/l), and renal insufficiency patients (0.565 +/- 0.145 mmol/l), significantly increased creatine concentration in erythrocytes were observed. Low erythrocyte creatine concentrations were found in chronic ambulatory dialysis patients (0.311 +/- 0.042 mmol/l).

Adult↗

PubMed1982

Schedule-induced cigarette self-administration.

Cigarette self-administration was studied in a controlled laboratory setting by automated recording of the various components of smoking behavior. The effects of intermittent scheduled monetary reinforcement presentation on cigarette smoking was determined in an attempt to demonstrate schedule-induced cigarette self-administration. Schedule-induced cigarette self-administration was indicated by changes in some of the topographical components of cigarette smoking behavior, e.g., puff frequency and mean puffs per cigarette, as a function of changes in the fixed interval value of a monetary reinforcement schedule. While the number of cigarettes smoked changed only slightly following changes in the FI value of the monetary reinforcement schedule, other components of cigarette smoking behavior, particularly puff frequency and mean puffs per cigarette, were significantly altered. Cigarette puffs were most likely to occur immediately following monetary reinforcement presentation or in the initial segment of the next fixed interval. The demonstration of schedule-induced self-administration in human adds another common factor found to influence infrahuman and human drug self-administration.

Behavior↗

PubMed1996

Determination of alosetron in human plasma or serum by high-performance liquid chromatography with robotic sample preparation.

A method of analysis for the determination of alosetron in human plasma or serum has been developed. The method was fully automated using a laboratory robot in order to improve analytical precision, efficiency and safety. The assay involved solid-phase extraction with reversed-phase HPLC separation and fluorescence detection. A validation exercise over the concentration range of 0.1 to 20 ng/ml demonstrated the selectivity, linearity, sensitivity, accuracy, precision, extraction efficiency, ruggedness and stability of the method. The method has been applied in support of numerous human pharmacokinetic/biopharmaceutic studies over the last five years.

Carbolines↗

PubMed1995

Report on the second EDNAP collaborative STR exercise. European DNA Profiling Group.

The European DNA Profiling Group (EDNAP) has previously carried out collaborative exercises to determine which STR systems will produce results that can be reproduced by different laboratories. The first EDNAP exercise involving STR systems focused on different types of loci: a simple locus with six common alleles (HUMTH01) and a complex locus with > 35 alleles (ACTBP2). Generally the simpler STR system was found to be readily amenable for use across a wide range of different technologies, whereas a more complex locus presented difficulties. The second EDNAP STR exercise was intended to take the process of investigation a stage further. Some laboratories are developing automation, coupled with fluorescent methods of detection and multiplex applications, whereas others use manual methods involving visual detection techniques such as silver staining. The purpose of this exercise was to determine whether loci amenable to multiplexing with automation (as a quadruplex reaction) could also be successfully used with manual methods, either by multiplexing in duplex reactions or alternatively by using just a single pair of PCR primers.

Alleles↗

PubMed1992

Lumen narrowing after percutaneous transluminal coronary balloon angioplasty follows a near gaussian distribution: a quantitative angiographic study in 1,445 successfully dilated lesions.

To determine whether significant angiographic narrowing and restenosis after successful coronary balloon angioplasty is a specific disease entity occurring in a subset of dilated lesions or whether it is the tail end of a gaussian distributed phenomenon, 1,445 successfully dilated lesions were studied before and after coronary angioplasty and at 6-month follow-up study. The original cohort consisted of 1,353 patients of whom 1,232 underwent repeat angiography with quantitative analysis (follow-up rate 91.2%). Quantitative angiography was carried out off-line in a central core laboratory with an automated edge detection technique. Analyses were performed by analysts not involved with patient care. Distributions of minimal lumen diameter before angioplasty (1.03 +/- 0.37 mm), after angioplasty (1.78 +/- 0.36 mm) and at 6-month follow-up study (1.50 +/- 0.57 mm) as well as the percent diameter stenosis at 6-month follow-up study (44 +/- 19%) were assessed. The change in minimal lumen diameter from the post-angioplasty angiogram to the follow-up angiogram was also determined (-0.28 +/- 0.52 mm). Seventy lesions progressed toward total occlusion at follow-up. All observed distributions approximately followed a normal or gaussian distribution. Therefore, restenosis can be viewed as the tail end of an approximately gaussian distributed phenomenon, with some lesions crossing a more or less arbitrary cutoff point, rather than as a separate disease entity occurring in some lesions but not in others.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Reticulocytes. Their usefulness and measurement in peripheral blood.

The eyecount reticulocyte count has been replaced by semi-automated and fully automated methods in laboratories of nearly all developed nations, except for small-volume laboratories and office laboratories in which they are not as cost effective. The eyecount method remains the reference method as defined in NCCLS document H44-A.

Anemia↗

PubMed1999

Interference of Hb-H disease in automated reticulocyte counting.

Hb-H disease is a form of alpha-thalassemia commonly found in south-east Asia. In this condition, numerous Hb-H bodies are found in erythrocytes using reticulocyte staining preparations. This is the first study addressing the possible interference of Hb-H inclusions in automated reticulocyte counting. In this study, seven Hb-H disease samples were tested. Results obtained by the visual method and the Technicon H*3 automated method agreed relatively well. This was in contrast to the Coulter STKS automated method which generally gave lower results. Furthermore, when the incubation time was extended to 180 min in the Coulter STKS method, two Hb-H disease samples gave results several-fold higher than those obtained using the 60 min incubation time. These discrepant results were likely to have been caused by the analyser using the wrong threshold to separate reticulocytes and mature erythrocytes. High and low interference in Hb-H disease samples was observed in the Coulter STKS automated reticulocyte method. Laboratories should be aware of this potential problem, particularly when samples are from patients of Asian origin.

Autoanalysis↗

PubMed1998

Diode laser absorption sensors for gas-dynamic and combustion flows.

Recent advances in room-temperature, near-IR and visible diode laser sources for tele-communication, high-speed computer networks, and optical data storage applications are enabling a new generation of gas-dynamic and combustion-flow sensors based on laser absorption spectroscopy. In addition to conventional species concentration and density measurements, spectroscopic techniques for temperature, velocity, pressure and mass flux have been demonstrated in laboratory, industrial and technical flows. Combined with fibreoptic distribution networks and ultrasensitive detection strategies, compact and portable sensors are now appearing for a variety of applications. In many cases, the superior spectroscopic quality of the new laser sources compared with earlier cryogenic, mid-IR devices is allowing increased sensitivity of trace species measurements, high-precision spectroscopy of major gas constituents, and stable, autonomous measurement systems. The purpose of this article is to review recent progress in this field and suggest likely directions for future research and development. The various laser-source technologies are briefly reviewed as they relate to sensor applications. Basic theory for laser absorption measurements of gas-dynamic properties is reviewed and special detection strategies for the weak near-IR and visible absorption spectra are described. Typical sensor configurations are described and compared for various application scenarios, ranging from laboratory research to automated field and airborne packages. Recent applications of gas-dynamic sensors for air flows and fluxes of trace atmospheric species are presented. Applications of gas-dynamic and combustion sensors to research and development of high-speed flows aeropropulsion engines, and combustion emissions monitoring are presented in detail, along with emerging flow control systems based on these new sensors. Finally, technology in nonlinear frequency conversion, UV laser materials, room-temperature mid-IR materials and broadly tunable multisection devices is reviewed to suggest new sensor possibilities.

Absorption↗

PubMed1991

An automated method for the determination of diclofenac sodium in human plasma.

An automated method utilizing laboratory robotics has been developed for quantifying diclofenac sodium concentrations in human plasma. The robotic system aliquots the biological sample, adds the internal standard (CGP 4287), extracts the compounds from the acidified biological matrix (pH less than 2) into an organic phase (hexane-isopropyl alcohol), and concentrates the extracts for reversed-phase, high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis. The laboratory robot is directly interfaced to the HPLC system, and the data are automatically collected and results calculated. Separation is achieved on a 3-microns ODS (6.2-mm x 8.0-cm) column with ultraviolet (UV) detection of the drug and internal standard at 280 nm. Recovery and reproducibility assessments indicate good accuracy (overall mean relative recovery of 99.8%) and precision (coefficient of variation from 0.5 to 11.1%) over the diclofenac sodium concentration range of 5.0-1000 ng/mL, with a quantification limit of 5.0 ng/mL. The method has been successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study in which normal volunteers received 150 mg of a prototype controlled-release formulation of diclofenac sodium.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Investigation of multistate foodborne disease outbreaks.

The U.S. food supply is characterized increasingly by centralized production and wide distribution of products, and more foodborne disease outbreaks are dispersed over broad geographic areas. Such outbreaks may present as a gradual, diffuse, and initially unapparent increase in sporadic cases. Recognition and reporting by clinicians and local public health officials and the ordering of laboratory tests by clinicians continue to be cornerstones of detecting all outbreaks. New methods--such as active laboratory-based surveillance, automated algorithms for detecting increases in infection rates, and molecular subtyping--facilitate detection of diffuse outbreaks. Routines have evolved for the investigation of multistate outbreaks; they are characterized by rapid communication between local, state, and federal public health officials; timely review of epidemiologic data by expert panels; collaboration on tracebacks with food safety regulatory agencies; and communication with the public and media. Rapid, efficient investigation of multistate outbreaks may result in control of acute public health emergencies, identification and correction of hazardous food production and processing practices, and consequent improvement in food safety.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.↗

PubMed2003

On-line derivatization utilizing solid-phase microextraction (SPME) for determination of busulphan in plasma using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

Busulphan (Bu) is an alkylating agent used in preparative regimen before stem cell transplantation (SCT). Bu has a narrow therapeutic window, and underdosing or overdosing may have a fatal outcome for the patient. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) combined with dose adjustment is currently used to optimize and individualize therapy with Bu. However, this approach is limited to centers with laboratory facilities. An automated and easy method for measurement of Bu plasma concentrations may facilitate TDM for Bu and thus improve the clinical outcome. A solid-phase microextraction (SPME) on line with gas chromatography (GC) and mass-spectrometric detection to quantify Bu in human plasma samples was developed using in-vial derivatization. Bu was mixed with reagent in a 2-mL vial and shaken for 15 minutes at 80 degrees C; subsequently, the SPME fiber was immersed into the vial for 15 minutes. The fiber was washed in water for 10 seconds before injection. Several parameters influencing the extraction and recovery were studied, such as absorption and desorption times, the effects of the temperature on the reaction, and the shaking time on the derivatization yield. Carbowax-divinylbenzene, polyacrylate, and polydimethylsiloxane fibers were tested. The carbowax-divinylbenzene fiber resulted in the highest recovery in plasma samples. The validation of the method showed a high chromatographic selectivity and a good sensitivity (LOQ = 20 ng/mL). Coefficient of variation for SPME was less than 15%. The results showed good correlation between Bu concentrations and response within the range of 40 to 2500 ng/mL (R2 = 0.999). The accuracy ranged from 94% to 106%. This is well in line with the international criteria for validation. The present method was applied to patient plasma. The obtained results were comparable with the results obtained from GC with electron capture detection. The authors conclude that this method has shortened the analysis time considerably and is fully automated, which benefits TDM of Bu in SCT patients.

Busulfan↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A review of strategies for enhancing the completeness of notifiable disease reporting.

Notifiable disease surveillance systems provide essential data for infectious disease prevention and control programs at the local, state, and national levels. Given that reporting completeness is known to vary considerably, this review identifies methods that can reliably enhance completeness of reporting. These surveillance-related activities include initiating active surveillance when appropriate; implementing automated, electronic laboratory-based reporting; strengthening ties with clinicians and other key partners in notifiable disease reporting; and increasing the use of laboratory diagnostic tests in identifying new cases. Despite ample data in support of these strategies, notifiable disease surveillance continues to receive insufficient attention and resources. Recent attention to public health preparedness provides an opportunity to strengthen notifiable disease surveillance and enhance completeness of reporting.

Disease Notification↗

PubMed1991

Detection of Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin genes in pig stool specimens by an immobilized, colorimetric, nested polymerase chain reaction.

A combination of selective enrichment by using immunomagnetic separation of F4 (K88)-positive Escherichia coli and a nested colorimetric polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used on crude clinical and spiked samples for determination of genes encoding heat-stable enterotoxins (STs) Ia (ST Ia) and Ib (ST Ib). The combination increased the sensitivity of the nested PCR compared with that of application onto crude samples. Dead cells were also enriched by use of this technology, giving results that are not available by traditional cultivation as enrichment before PCR. The second step in the PCR was modified to be able to differentiate between ST Ia and ST Ib genes. The colorimetric PCR was performed in a microtiter format, making it useful for automation in clinical laboratories and for the screening of large numbers of samples.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Controlled clinical evaluation of Isolator and ESP aerobic blood culture systems for detection of bloodstream infections.

A controlled clinical evaluation comparing the Isolator system (Wampole Laboratories, Cranbury, N.J.) and the ESP 80A blood culture bottle in the automated ESP system (Difco Laboratories, Detroit, Mich.) was performed with 10,535 blood culture sets from patients with suspected septicemia. Of 1,150 positive cultures, 844 positive cultures from 285 patients with 394 septic episodes fulfilled the study criteria for minimum blood sample requirements in each system and clinical significance of isolates. The Isolator system detected statistically significantly more positive cultures of Staphylococcus aureus (P < 0.001), Enterococcus spp. (P = 0.007), Escherichia coli (P = 0.001), Alcaligenes xylosoxidans (P = 0.02), Xanthomonas maltophilia (P = 0.01), Candida albicans (P < 0.001), and Candida glabrata (P = 0.05). The Isolator system detected significantly more septic episodes due to S. aureus (P < 0.001), X. maltophilia (P = 0.02), and C. albicans (P = 0.004) than did the ESP 80A bottle; however, the two systems did not otherwise significantly differ in their abilities to detect septic episodes due to other organisms.

Aerobiosis↗

PubMed2003

Evaluation of the MagNA pure LC instrument for extraction of hepatitis C virus RNA for the COBAS AMPLICOR Hepatitis C Virus Test, version 2.0.

The COBAS AMPLICOR system has played a major role in the transition of molecular diagnostics from research to routine clinical laboratory use by automating the nucleic acid amplification and detection processes. However, sample preparation remains a labor-intensive portion of the procedure. In this study, we evaluated the performance of the COBAS AMPLICOR Hepatitis C Virus Test, version 2.0 (Roche Molecular Systems, Branchburg, N.J.) following manual hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA extraction versus automated extraction with the MagNA Pure LC instrument (Roche Applied Science, Indianapolis, Ind.). Parallel replicate testing was performed with standard dilutions of 100, 75, 60, and 0 HCV IU/ml and 153 clinical specimens. An analytical sensitivity of 75 IU/ml was achieved with either the manual or the standard-volume (200 microl) automated extraction methodologies (25 of 26 [96.2%]; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 80.4 to 99.9), whereas the clinical sensitivity and specificity were both 100% with either extraction method. A large-volume (1 ml) automated extraction method was also evaluated with standard dilutions of 40, 25, 10, and 0 IU/ml and the same 153 clinical specimens. The analytical sensitivity of the COBAS AMPLICOR assay with the large-volume extraction method was 25 HCV IU/ml (26 of 26 [100%]; 95% CI, 86.8 to 100), whereas the clinical sensitivity and specificity were both 100%. The MagNA Pure LC instrument is a versatile, labor-saving platform capable of integration with minimal modification of the existing assay procedure. The increased sensitivity of the COBAS AMPLICOR Hepatitis C Virus Test, version 2.0 performed in conjunction with large-volume HCV RNA extraction may be important in HCV diagnostic testing as new therapeutic strategies evolve.

Hepacivirus↗

PubMed1988

Multicentre study of a new test for TSH-screening in blood spots.

A multicentre study for the detection of congenital hypothyroidism by enzyme-immunoassay of thyrotropin in filter paper blood spots is described. The method is accurate, with good precision and adequate sensitivity. No interference due to common blood constituents has been observed. Moreover, the TSH determination can easily be performed by photometric measurement of enzyme activity. Large series of samples can be processed by automation using common laboratory analysers. Values show good agreement with those obtained by RIA methods. We present a method for screening for congenital hypothyroidism which can be performed in all clinical laboratories.

Congenital Hypothyroidism↗