Utilidad de los marcadores moleculares en el diagnóstico de nódulos tiroideos con citología indeterminada

RESUMEN Los nódulos tiroideos representan un problema clínico a nivel mundial debida a su alta prevalencia. La importancia clínica de su estudio radica en excluir malignidad, que ocurre entre el 7-15% de los mismos. El método estándar de oro para el diagnóstico de los mismos es el análisis citológico de la punción aspiración con aguja fina. Sin embargo, hasta un 30% de estos presentan citologías indeterminadas (Bethesda III o IV). Con un resultado histopatológico benigno en, aproximadamente tres de cada cuatro de estos casos, la cirugía diagnóstica (tiroidectomía parcial o lobectomía) resulta en un inconveniente ya que expone al paciente a innecesarios riesgos quirúrgicos. En el caso de lesiones malignas, una tiroidectomía en una segunda etapa es a menudo indicada, lo que se asocia con costos adicionales y mayores riesgos de complicaciones quirúrgicas. Es por esto que se requiere de una herramienta con mayor precisión para determinar la benignidad o malignidad de un nódulo tiroideo con citología indeterminada. En este contexto el análisis molecular del tejido tiroideo se convierte en un poderoso complemento para el diagnóstico preoperatorio de los nódulos tiroideos con citología indeterminada, ya que entre el 60 al 70% de los cánceres de tiroides albergan al menos una mutación genética conocida.

ABSTRACT Thyroid nodules represent a clinical problem worldwide due to its high prevalence. The clinical importance lies in excluding malignancy, which occurs between 7-15% of them. The cytological analysis is the gold standard for the diagnosis. However, up to 30% of these have indeterminate cytologies (Bethesda III or IV). In these patients, diagnostic surgeries are performed. With a benign histopathological result in approximately three out of four of these cases, surgery results in an inconvenience since it exposes the patient to unnecessary surgical risks. In the case of malignant lesions, a thyroidectomy in a second stage is often indicated, which is associated with additional costs and increased risks of surgical complications. A more precise method is needed to determine the benignity or malignancy of a thyroid nodule with indeterminate cytology. In this context, molecular analysis of thyroid tissue becomes a powerful complement for the preoperative diagnosis of thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology, since between 60 to 70% of thyroid cancers harbor at least one known genetic mutation.

Direct matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and real-time PCR in a combined protocol for diagnosis of bloodstream infections: a turnaround time approach

ABSTRACT Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are serious infections associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Every hour delay in initiation of an effective antibiotic increases mortality due to sepsis by 7%. Turnaround time (TAT) for conventional blood cultures takes 48 h, forcing physicians to streamline therapy by exposing patients to broad-spectrum antimicrobials. Our objective was (1) to evaluate the accuracy and TAT of an optimized workflow combining direct matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and in-house real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for bacterial identification and antimicrobial resistance profiling directly from positive blood bottles for diagnosing bloodstream infections and (2) to verify the effect of reporting results to medical staff. A total of 103 BSI episodes from 91 patients admitted to three hospitals in São Paulo, Brazil were included. TAT from molecular versus conventional methods was measured and compared. Our protocol showed an overall agreement of 93.5% for genus and 78.5% for species identification; 74.2% for methicillin resistance detection, 89.2% for extended-spectrum β-lactamase profiling, 77.8% for metallo-β-lactamase profiling, and 100% for carbapenemase profile and vancomycin-resistance detection when compared with conventional testing. TAT of molecular sample processing according to our protocol was 38 h shorter than conventional methods. Antimicrobial interventions were possible in 27 BSI episodes. Antimicrobial discontinuation was achieved in 12 BSI episodes while escalation of therapy occurred in 15 episodes. Antimicrobial therapy was inadequate in three (12%) BSI episodes diagnosed using results of molecular testing. Our in-house rapid protocol for identifying both bacteria and antimicrobial resistance provided rapid and accurate results, having good agreement with conventional testing results. These results could contribute to faster antimicrobial therapy interventions in BSI episodes.

Painéis de partículas elaborados do mesocarpo do dendê como alternativa ao MDF utilizado na construção civil / Particles panels prepared from dendê mesocarp as an alternative to MDF used in civil construction

RESUMO A escassez dos recursos florestais integrada à necessidade de aquisição de produtos mais ecológicos demanda o uso de outros tipos de biomassa, além da madeira no setor construtivo. Diante disso, o mesocarpo do dendê - resíduo oriundo da agroindústria e com grande potencial de utilização para desenvolvimento de novos materiais - surge como alternativa na elaboração de painéis lignocelulósicos em substituição ao MDF (medium density fiberboard) convencionalmente utilizado. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho demonstrou a viabilidade da produção e a integridade estrutural desse tipo de painel na fabricação de elementos construtivos a serem empregados na construção civil, mediante estudo comparativo entre suas propriedades com as de painéis de MDF. A metodologia consistiu na realização de ensaios de caracterização dos painéis, por meio da determinação de suas propriedades físicas (absorção de água, inchamento e densidade) e mecânicas (resistência à flexão e módulo de elasticidade), além da morfologia dos painéis produzidos, mediante a técnica de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), análise química (por meio do espectro de infravermelho com transformada de Fourier) e térmica, por meio de curvas termogravimétricas e derivada. Dos resultados obtidos, tem-se que a produção desses painéis sem aglutinantes, obtidos pela incorporação do mesocarpo de dendê, agrega valor à cadeia produtiva do dendê, além de surgir como alternativa aos desafios inerentes à produção tradicional dos painéis de madeira e, consequentemente, como opção de elemento construtivo a ser integrado à construção civil.

ABSTRACT The lack of forest resources integrated with the need of purchasing more environmentally friendly products requires the use of other types of biomass besides wood in the construction sector. Therefore, the dendê mesocarp - waste arising from the agro-industry and with great use potential in developing new materials - is an alternative in the preparation of lignocellulosic panels to replace MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard), that is conventionally used. Thus, this work demonstrated the feasibility of the production and the structural integrity of this type of panel in the manufacture of building blocks to be used in civil construction through a comparative study of their properties with the MDF panels. The methodology consists in performing characterization tests in panels through determining their physical (water absorption, swelling and density) and mechanical (flexion resistance and modulus of elasticity) properties, besides analysing the morphology of the panels produced by the Scanning Electron Microscopy (MEV) technique, performing a chemical (via infrared spectrum Fourier transform) and thermal analysis through derived thermogravimetric curves. The results obtained suggest that the production of these panels without a binder, obtained by the incorporation of dendê mesocarp, adds value to the production chain of dendê, in addition to emerge as an alternative to the challenges inherent to the traditional production of wood panels and, consequently, is considered as an option of a constructive element to be integrated with the construction.

Korean Society for Genetic Diagnostics Guidelines for Validation of Next-Generation Sequencing-Based Somatic Variant Detection in Hematologic Malignancies

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is currently used in the clinical setting for targeted therapies and diagnosis of hematologic malignancies. Accurate detection of somatic variants is challenging because of tumor purity, heterogeneity, and the complexity of genetic alterations, with various issues ranging from high detection design to test implementation. This article presents guidelines developed through consensus among a panel of experts from the Korean Society for Genetic Diagnostics. They are based on experiences with the validation processes of NGS-based somatic panels for hematologic malignancies, with reference to previous international recommendations. These guidelines describe basic parameters with emphasis on the design of a validation protocol for NGS-based somatic panels to be used in practice. In addition, they suggest thresholds of key metrics, including minimum coverage, mean coverage with uniformity index, and minimum variant allele frequency, for the initial diagnosis of hematologic malignancies.

Investigation of Skin Irritation of Essential Oils from Interior-warming Medicines / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the skin irritation of essential oils(EOs) extracted from interior-warming medicines. Method:Three EOs from interior-warming medicines(Cinnamomi Cortex, Caryophylli Flos and Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma) were selected as research objects.The in vitro skin cytotoxicity and in vivo skin irritation of these EOs were determined and compared.Moreover, the skin irritation was also predicted by the novel skin test panels. Result:Toxicity of these three EOs to human skin fibroblasts(HSF) was significantly different, half-inhibitory concentration(IC50) values of EOs from Cinnamomi Cortex, Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma and Caryophylli Flos were (11.16±0.28), (53.33±1.71), (226.70±17.61) mg·L-1, respectively.However, in vivo skin irritation evaluation showed that the local toxicity of these three EOs was in the order of EO of Cinnamomi Cortex > EO of Caryophylli Flos > EO of Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma. The evaluation results of skin test panels for these three EOs were in accordance with the results of in vivo skin irritation evaluation. Conclusion:Toxicity of these three EOs against skin cells in vitro is inconsistent with their in vivo skin irritation. Skin test panels are expected to be able to accurately predict in vivo skin irritation of EOs instead of cytotoxicity evaluation.

Converting a Conventional Vehicle into an Electric Vehicle (EV)

Abstract The electric vehicle (EV) is not a recent invention. Between the end of the XIX century and the beginning of the XX century, most motor vehicles were electric, due to their superior reliability and cleanliness, compared to that of vehicles driven by internal combustion engines (ICE). However, with the development of ICEs and the reduction of their price, electric cars were forgotten. Only almost a century later, they returned in the market due to a significant increase in fossil fuels prices, as well as to a growing environmental concern. EVs present a number of advantages over ICE vehicles: they are simpler and require less use and replacement of parts, resulting in lower maintenance costs; moreover, they do not release pollutants into the environment. However, their production cost is still much higher than that of ICE vehicles. In order to verify the possibility of converting a conventional vehicle into an electric one at a reasonable cost, achieving a good performance and a good kWh/km ratio, an ICE-powered Mercedes-Benz Class A 190 was converted into an EV. The results of several tests indicate that the conversion is feasible, as the car reached an average travelling cost of 0.16 R$/km, assuming a price for the energy of 0.63 R$/kWh. Moreover, this cost could be as low as zero if solar radiation is utilized to generate electricity through photovoltaic panels, which is an even more environmentally sustainable solution..

Technological properties of particleboards produced using mixture of pines and bamboo / Propriedades tecnológicas de painéis de partículas produzidos com pinus e bambu

ABSTRACT: This paper aimed to evaluate the technological properties of particleboards produced with particles of unconventional species, bamboo of the species Phyllostachys edulis, and of the genus traditionally used by the sector for the production of the particulate panels in Brazil, Pinus spp.The bamboo splints of 3 years old were collected in Frei Rogério, Santa Catarina, being transformed into particles in a mill hammer, while the particles of Pinus spp. were collected from the industrial process of MDP production in Bonet Madeiras e Papéis Ltda Company in Santa Cecília, Santa Catarina. The company used eight-year-old logs of P. taeda and P. elliottii from the thinning process, without distinction of the species. The experiment was composed of five compositions with mixing the bamboo and wood particles in different proportions ((T1)100:0%; (T2)75:25%; (T3)50:50%; (T4)25:75%; (T5)0:100%). The panels were produced nominal density of 700 kg / m³ and pressing cycle of 160ºC and 40 kgf/cm² for 8 minutes. Results reporting physical and mechanical properties of panels were evaluated through Analysis of Variance and Tukey´s Test at 95% probability. The results evidenced that bamboo particles presented potential for the production of particleboard. The most promising results were presented with the addition of 50% of bamboo in the panel composition (T3), mainly by means observed for dimensional stability, as for strength and stiffness. Values of internal bond presented significantly lower averages with the addition of more than 25% of bamboo.

RESUMO: Este estudo tem por objetivo avaliar as propriedades tecnológicas de painéis de madeira produzidos com partículas de bambu da espécie Phyllostachysedulis, e do gênero tradicionalmente utilizado pelo setor para a produção dos painéis particulados no Brasil, o Pinus spp. As varas de bambu com três anos de idade foram coletadas em Frei Rogério, no estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil, sendo transformadas em partículas em um moinho. As partículas de Pinus spp. foram coletadas no processo produtivo da Empresa Bonet Madeiras e Papéis Ltda em Santa Cecília, Santa Catarina. A empresa utiliza toras provenientes do desbaste de reflorestamentos de Pinus taeda e Pinus elliottii com oito anos de idade, sem distinção de espécies. O experimento foi composto por cinco tratamentos com mistura das partículas de bambu e de madeira em diferentes proporções ((T1)100:0%; (T2)75:25%; (T3)50:50%; (T4)25:75%; (T5)0:100%). Os painéis foram produzidos com densidade nominal de 700 kg / m³ e ciclo de prensagem de 160 ºC e 40 kgf/cm2 por oito minutos. Os resultados para as propriedades físicas e mecânicas dos painéis foram avaliados por meio da Análise da Variância e do Teste de Tukey a 95% de probabilidade. Os resultados evidenciaram que o bambu apresenta potencial para a produção de painéis de partículas. O resultado mais promissor foi encontrado com a adição de 50% de bambu na composição do painel (T3), principalmente quanto a estabilidade dimensional e aos valores de resistência e rigidez. Os valores para ligação interna apresentaram-se significativamente menores com adição de mais de 25% de partículas de bambu.

Sodium and Saturated Fat Levels in Meat Products in the Netherlands: An Evaluation Based on Label Information

Aim: To collate and analyse label information on nutrients for meat products (used as sandwich fillings) in the Netherlands, using a standardised methodology established by the Global Food Monitoring Group. The objective was to compare levels of saturated fat (in g/100 grams) and sodium (in mg/100 grams) from 2011-2015 and to evaluate reformulation targets for sodium and saturated fat levels that were due to be met by January 1, 2015. Study Design: Data collection study. Place and Duration: Data collection in two supermarkets in the Netherlands for one month. Methodology: Data were collected by photographing the Nutrition Information Panels (NIPs), front-of-pack communications (Guideline Daily Amounts, health logos) and other back-of-pack information from product labels of processed foods in-store using smartphone technology. Photos were uploaded to a central database where data were entered and checked and cleaned manually. Levels of sodium and saturated fat were calculated and compared with data available from reformulation monitoring reports and with the reformulation targets of the meat sector. Results: Data were collected for 911 processed meat products, with data available for 863 meat products after data cleaning, and 86% (n=745) displaying a NIP. Sodium levels in 2015 were similar compared to concentrations observed in previous years for all subcategories of meat products. For saturated fat, combined heated meat products' saturated fat content was 8 g/100g (SD=3) based on label information in 2015 compared with 10 g/100g (SD=3) based on the label and chemical analyses information of 2014: P<0.001. The percentages of products (2015) which complied with the reformulation targets ranged per product category from 14%-93% for sodium levels and 25%-88% for saturated fat levels. Only a small percentage of meats displayed a health logo (2%) or Guideline Daily Amounts (15%) on the label. Conclusion: Based on the comparison we observed no progress with sodium reductions and little progress with saturated fat reductions in the Netherlands between 2011 and 2015 in processed meat products. In light of the Netherlands’ reformulation covenant of 2014, focus on nutrient levels of meat products could contribute to help meet the national commitment to reduce sodium and saturated fat levels. This method of evaluation could also be used for other product categories to monitor progress and to ultimately decrease the burden of nutrition-associated diseases in the country.

Particle size and lime addiction on properties of wood-cement composites produced by the method of densification by vibro compaction / Granulometria das partículas e da adição de cal nas propriedades de compósitos madeira-cimento produzidos pelo método de adensamento por vibro compactação

ABSTRACT: This paper aimed to evaluate the effects of particle size and the use of lime as a pretreatment of Pinus spp wood particles on the production of wood-cement composites by vibro-compaction densification. Specimens for internal bond and static bending were produced with two different particle sizes: G1, particles that pass through a 4mm screen and were retained at 2mm screen, and G2, particles that pass through a 2mm screen and were retained at 0.84mm screen. The use of lime was also tested in two different methods as pretreatment of wood particles: carbonatation of wood particles before being used in the composite mixture; and addition of hydrated lime directly to the composite mixture. Use of larger particles (G1) presented higher values of internal bond and MOR than composites produced with smaller particles (G2). About the pretreatments, the use of hydrated lime resulted in composites with higher density and better internal bond.

RESUMO: O presente trabalho visou avaliar o efeito da granulometria e do pré-tratamento com cal das partículas de madeira de Pinus spp na confecção de compósitos madeira-cimento moldados pelo método de adensamento por vibro compactação. Foram produzidos corpos-de-prova para teste de ligação interna e flexão estática com duas diferentes granulometrias de partículas: G1, partículas passantes em uma peneira de 4mm e retidas em uma de 2mm, e G2, partículas passantes em peneira de 2mm e retidas em 0,84mm. Também foram testados o uso da cal por dois diferentes métodos como pré tratamento das partículas de madeira: a carbonatação prévia das partículas antes da confecção dos compósitos e o uso da solução de cal hidratada durante o processo de mistura dos ingredientes. O uso de partículas maiores (G1) apresentou maiores valores de ligação interna e modulo de ruptura quando comparados com compósitos produzidos com partículas menores (G2). Quanto ao pré-tratamento, o uso da cal hidratada resultou em compósitos mais densos e com melhores resultados de ligação interna em relação aos demais tratamentos.

Low density genomic data for animal breeding: critical analysis and perspectives of the GoldenGate Beadxpress technology / Utilização de dados genômicos de baixa densidade no melhoramento animal: análise crítica e perspectivas da Tecnologia GoldenGate BeadXpress

ABSTRACT: The increasing development of DNA sequencing and genotyping technologies has made possible to analyze the genomes of several species. Genomic studies of production animals have greatly increased the understanding of mechanisms that control the interactions of genetic and environmental factors involved in the expression of traits of economic importance. Several technologies have been presented by different companies for the genotyping of low-density SNP panels, which may be used in different applications with different goals, such as paternity testing, diagnosis of genetic diseases, and identification of genetically superior animals based on polymorphisms characterized in candidate genes. The present review critically analyzes the GoldenGate Beadxpress technology and puts its use in these applications into perspective.

RESUMO: A crescente evolução das tecnologias de sequenciamento e genotipagem de DNA tornaram possível analisar o genoma de várias espécies, compreender suas funções dentro dos sistemas biológicos e, sobretudo, começar a entender os mecanismos que controlam as interações entre os genótipos e os efeitos ambientais que estão envolvidos com a expressão de características de interesse econômico. Várias tecnologias foram apresentadas por diferentes empresas para a genotipagem de painéis de SNP de baixa densidade, os quais podem ser utilizados em diferentes aplicações com objetivos variados, desde testes de paternidade e diagnósticos de doenças genéticas até a identificação de animais geneticamente superiores, com base em polimorfismos caracterizados em genes candidatos. Essa revisão analisa a tecnologia Goldengate Beadxpress e coloca em perspectiva seu uso nessas aplicações.

Occupational safety indicators for forest operations, sawmilling and wood-based panels manufacture: an international benchmarking / Indicadores de seguridad ocupacional para operaciones forestales, aserraderos y fabricación de tableros en base a madera: una evaluación comparativa internacional

BACKGROUND: Given the lack of updated comparison to establish safety levels at where Chilean forestry and wood companies are facing with foreign competitors, a study of international statistical benchmarking was performed to find the rankings on occupational accidents and international excellence levels to achieve. METHOD: A survey was sent to 79 institutions and 96 contacts specialized in OHS from 37 countries to request data from years 2010 to 2012. The sample represented the workforce exposed to labor accidents that produces around 50% of roundwood and sawnwood, but 30% of wood-based panel globally. RESULTS: The study reinforces that the most accurate, reliable and easy indicator to calculate, and also, to compare the accidentability, is fatal cases per million cubic meter harvested in the forest or processed in wood industries. Zero fatality was recorded only in some activities on forest operations (Belgium and Germany) and wood-based panels manufacture (Belgium, Finland, Italy, Lithuania and Sweden). Also, all countries improved their previous results on fatalities per 1 million m3 in the forest. CONCLUSIONS: Chile exhibits an intermediate international position for Fatality rate and Production v/s fatalities in forestry & logging, sawmilling and wood-based panels operations. There are no clear trends to build reliable rankings for Frequency rate, Severity rate, Production v/s nonfatal accidents and Production v/s lost time in wood processing. Also, to make obvious the impact of labor accidents in forest and wood products, the study provides updated data and proposes to establish comparative indicators for the occupational accidents footprint between companies and/or countries.

ANTECEDENTES: Ante la falta de datos actualizados para establecer niveles referenciales de seguridad laboral a los cuales las empresas forestales y madereras chilenas se enfrentan versus sus competidores extranjeros, se realizó un estudio estadístico internacional comparativo para definir rankings y establecer niveles de excelencia a lograr en accidentalidad ocupacional. MÉTODO: Se distribuyó una encuesta a 79 instituciones y 96 contactos especializados en SST de 37 países, solicitando datos del 2010 al 2012. La muestra representó a trabajadores expuestos a accidentes laborales que producen alrededor del 50% de la madera rolliza y aserrada y el 30% de paneles en base a madera del mundo. RESULTADOS: El estudio reconfirma que el indicador más preciso, fiable y fácil de calcular, y también para comparar la accidentabilidad, es cantidad de casos fatales por millón m3 cosechados en el bosque o procesado en industrias madereras. Cero mortalidad se registró sólo en algunas operaciones forestales (Bélgica y Alemania) y fabricación de paneles de madera (Bélgica, Finlandia, Italia, Lituania y Suecia). Además, todos los países mejoraron sus resultados de trabajadores fallecidos por millón m3 en el bosque respecto a estudios previos. CONCLUSIONES: Chile exhibe una posición internacional intermedia para tasas de Fatalidad y Producción v/s Casos Fatales en cosecha forestal, aserraderos y fabricación de paneles a base de madera. No hay tendencias claras para elaborar rankings fiables con tasas de Frecuencia, Gravedad, Producción v/s Accidentes no fatales y Producción v/s Tiempo perdido en procesamiento de la madera. Para evidenciar el impacto de los accidentes de trabajo en productos del bosque y elaborados de la madera, el estudio presenta datos actualizados y propone establecer indicadores comparativos para la huella de accidentalidad laboral entre empresas y/o países.

Direct inoculation on Phoenix panels for identification and antimicrobial susceptibility from positive BACTEC cultures: First study from India.

Purpose: This was a prospective study planned in a super-specialty hospital in Delhi to reduce turnaround times of identification-susceptibility results of positive blood cultures. Materials and Methods: One hundred consecutive single morphology non-duplicate cultures were inoculated on Becton Dickinson Phoenix™ panels by growth recovered directly from liquid BACTEC™ media and after pure growth on solid media. Results: Complete concordance was observed in 72.4% of gram-negative and 45.8% of gram-positive isolates. For gram-negative isolates, categorical agreement (CA) was >83% and essential agreement (EA) was >96% among all antibiotics tested, very major errors (VME) were 0.13%, major errors (ME) 0.54%, and minor errors (MiE) were 3.01%. For gram-positive isolates, VME was 0.73%, 1.10% MiE and no ME. It was observed that average time from receipt of specimen to release of reports was 30:34 h and 32 h for gram-negative and gram-positive isolates if reports of "Direct" panels were to be released. Conclusions: By direct panel inoculation, a decrease of at least 18-20 h in turnaround time was observed compared with the standard method. This helps early change to effective antibiotic therapy and also reduces the expenditure incurred for a patient's hospital stay by average Rs 20,000 ($443) per day.

The Results of External Proficiency Tests to Prevent Transfusion-transmitted Virus Infection: There Is a Need for a Quality Assurance Program for Donor Screening Tests to Prevent Blood-borne Virus Infections / 대한수혈학회지

BACKGROUND: We analyzed the results of external proficiency tests for HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HIV, and these tests are currently used for blood donor screening in Korea. METHODS: The external proficiency testing (EPT) data was retrospectively collected from 2001 to 2009 from the Korean Association of Quality Assurance for Clinical Laboratories, and this association includes those institutes that have blood centers. The pooled patient sera or converted sera from the plasma were used for EPT. The year 2004 data includes the Recombinant HBsAg variant (Gly/Arg 145). RESULTS: A total 806 institutes participated in this evaluation. The average discordant rate for HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HIV in the blood centers was 0.2%, 0.6% and 1.0%, respectively for the years 2001~2009. For the HBsAg test, the discordant rate was less than 0.5% in 2009, yet there was a much higher rate (1.6~22.2%) in 2004 when using the recombinant HBsAg variant. CONCLUSION: HBV variants or low positive antigen or antibody titers were problematic in the current clinical laboratory, and so a systematic quality assurance program should be conducted with using control materials.

Evaluation of MicroScan Synergies plus Positive Combo 3 Panels for Identification and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus Species / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: Few studies have evaluated the performance of the recently introduced MicroScan Synergies plus Positive Combo 3 Panels (SIPC3) (Dade Behring Inc., USA). We evaluated the clinical efficacy of the panels in identification (ID) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of Staphylococcusaureus and enterococci. METHODS: To evaluate the panels' accuracy of identification, the results obtained using the test panels were compared with those obtained by using conventional biochemical tests in conjunction with VITEK 2 system (bio-Merieux, USA). In addition, the AST results obtained using the panels were compared with those obtained by performing CLSI broth microdilution. RESULTS: The overall agreement between the approaches for the ID of S. aureus and enterococci was 100% and 96%, respectively. The categorical and essential agreements (CA and EA) for S. aureus were 98%, each. Very major errors (VME), major errors (ME), and minor error (mE) for S. aureus were 0.45%, 0.3%, and 4.2%, respectively. The majority of VMEs were for oxacillin (8.6%), penicillin (2.0%), erythromycin (7.9%), clindamycin (3.8%), and tetracycline (4.1%). For enterococci, the CA, EA, VME, ME, and mE were 88.8%, 93.7%, 4.4%, 0%, and 2.8%, respectively. The 80.5% (29/36) of Enterococcus faecium had concordant ID with the reference. Most of the categorical errors (3 VMEs and 14 mEs) were observed for quinupristin/dalfopristin (Synercid; Catalytica Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA). CONCLUSIONS: The panels compared favorably with conventional methods for the ID and AST of S. aureus. However, we expected a better performance for ID of E. faecium and AST using Synercid.

Clinical laboratory test panels guided by evidence-based medicine / 中华检验医学杂志

The test panels are combined for the clinical application according to the principle of the evidence-based medicine, which involves the strict evaluation for the technical performance, diagnostic performance, the result of patients and the economic properties. The guideline for the clinical application of the test panels is established in light of different diagnostic objectives and diseases, providing the best diagnostic service for the physicians and benefiting the patients the most.

Effects of Formaldehyde Escaped From Plywood Exposure on Neurotransmitter in the Brain of Mice / 环境与健康杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of repeated exposure by inhalation to several concentrations of formaldehyde 5 hours/day 7 consecutive days  on the content of neurotransmitters in the brain of adult female BALB/c mouse. Methods The 24 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups(groups A to C) 8 in each and exposed respectively to formaldehyde of 0.02-0.07 mg/m3 controls 0.99-1.2 mg/m3(3 m2 plywood/m3 room)and 3.44-3.63 mg/m3(10 m2 plywood/m3 room). After sacrifice the brain were excised and the neurotransmitters were examined. Results Asp、NE、Glu、E and Ach in animals of the exposed groups were significantly decreased but GABA was increased. Conclusion Exposure of formaldehyde escaped from plywood may result in neurochemical change such as Asp NE GluE Ach and GABA in the brain of mouse.