-
Clinical Biochemistry Mar 2024An analytical benchmark for high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) assays is to achieve a coefficient of variation (CV) of ≤ 10.0 % at the 99th percentile upper...
BACKGROUND
An analytical benchmark for high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) assays is to achieve a coefficient of variation (CV) of ≤ 10.0 % at the 99th percentile upper reference limit (URL) used for the diagnosis of myocardial infarction. Few prospective multicenter studies have evaluated assay imprecision and none have determined precision at the female URL which is lower than the male URL for all cardiac troponin assays.
METHODS
Human serum and plasma matrix samples were constructed to yield hs-cTn concentrations near the female URLs for the Abbott, Beckman, Roche, and Siemens hs-cTn assays. These materials were sent (on dry ice) to 35 Canadian hospital laboratories (n = 64 instruments evaluated) participating in a larger clinical trial, with instructions for storage, handling, and monthly testing over one year. The mean concentration, standard deviation, and CV for each instrument type and an overall pooled CV for each manufacturer were calculated.
RESULTS
The CVs for all individual instruments and overall were ≤ 10.0 % for two manufacturers (Abbott CV = 6.3 % and Beckman CV = 7.0 %). One of four Siemens Atellica instruments yielded a CV > 10.0 % (CV = 7.7 %), whereas 15 of 41 Roche instruments yielded CVs > 10.0 % at the female URL of 9 ng/L used worldwide (6 cobas e411, 1 cobas e601, 4 cobas e602, and 4 cobas e801) (CV = 11.7 %). Four Roche instruments also yielded CVs > 10.0 % near the female URL of 14 ng/L used in the United States (CV = 8.5 %).
CONCLUSIONS
The number of instruments achieving a CV ≤ 10.0 % at the female 99th-percentile URL varies by manufacturer and by instrument. Monitoring assay precision at the female URL is necessary for some assays to ensure optimal use of this threshold in clinical practice.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Prospective Studies; Canada; Myocardial Infarction; Biological Assay; Troponin; Troponin T; Biomarkers; Reference Values
PubMed: 38360198
DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2024.110731 -
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces... Feb 2024Fluid-infused (or swollen) elastomers are known for their antiadhesive properties. The presence of excess fluid at their surface is the main contributor to limiting...
Fluid-infused (or swollen) elastomers are known for their antiadhesive properties. The presence of excess fluid at their surface is the main contributor to limiting contact formation and minimizing adhesion. Despite their potential, the mechanisms for adhesion and contact aging to fluid-infused elastomers are poorly understood beyond contact with a few materials (ice, biofilms, glass). This study reports on adhesion to a model fluid-infused elastomer, poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), swollen with silicone oil. The effects of oil saturation, contact time, and the opposing surface are investigated. Specifically, adhesion to two different adherents with comparable surface energies but drastically different mechanical properties is investigated: a glass surface and a soft viscoelastic acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive film (PSA, modulus ∼25 kPa). Adhesion between the PSA and swollen PDMS [with 23% (w/w) silicone oil] retains up to 60% of its value compared to contact with unswollen (dry) PDMS. In contrast, adhesion to glass nearly vanishes in contact with the same swollen elastomer. Adhesion to the PSA also displays stronger contact aging than adhesion to glass. Contact aging with the PSA is comparable for dry and unsaturated PDMS. Moreover, load relaxation when the PSA is in contact with the PDMS does not correlate with contact aging for contact with the dry or unsaturated elastomer, suggesting that contact aging is likely caused by chain interpenetration and polymer reorganization within the contact region. Closer to full saturation of the PDMS with oil, adhesion to the PSA decreases significantly and shows a delay in the onset of contact aging that is weakly correlated to the poroelastic relaxation of the elastomer. Additional confocal imaging suggests that the presence of a layer of fluid trapped at the interface between the two solids could explain the delayed (and limited) contact aging to the oil-saturated PDMS.
PubMed: 38359377
DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03413 -
Optics Express Jan 2024Atmospheric transport processes and conditions can cause primary aerosols to interact, giving rise to secondary aerosols with unique chemical and physical properties....
Atmospheric transport processes and conditions can cause primary aerosols to interact, giving rise to secondary aerosols with unique chemical and physical properties. These new species of aerosols can potentially influence the light-scattering properties of the aerosol ensemble and thus the climate system in ways that are not yet fully understood. In this study, the effects of different aerosol types on the scattering of incident solar radiation are modeled and the contribution of secondary aerosols to the aerosol scattering ensemble is highlighted. Using the discrete dipole approximation method, the scattering properties of freshwater droplets, sea salts (liquid, dry, and wet solids), ice crystals, clay minerals, clay particles coated with a thin film of water and sea salt droplets, black carbon (BC), and a complex particle of clay, sea salt, and BC with sulphate coating are calculated and compared. The calculations assume a spherical particle shape model for marine aerosols, a distorted cube for wet salts and ice, and a distorted ellipse with an induced surface roughness length for terrestrial aerosols at a size parameter of x=5 and a wavelength range of 400 to 750 nm. The results show that tiny ice crystals trapped in freshwater droplets are the most efficient atmospheric scatterers, followed by sea salt droplets, while BC absorbs the most compared to other aerosols studied. On average, the atmospheric interaction between marine and terrestrial aerosols is able to enhance atmospheric light scattering and polarisation by aerosols compared to terrestrial aerosols. This study suggests that the scenario in which there are many freshwater aerosols in the atmosphere can be very healthy for the Earth's system compared to other aerosols. Therefore, we suggest that when formulating the radiative properties of aerosols in climate models, the scenarios of dominant freshwater aerosols and the contribution of secondary aerosols should not be ignored. The results presented here may be useful in the fields of Geoengineering and Aerosol-cloud microphysics.
PubMed: 38297658
DOI: 10.1364/OE.514164 -
Cryobiology Mar 2024Cryopreserved semen is routinely shipped in liquid nitrogen. Dry ice could serve as an alternative coolant, however, frozen storage above liquid nitrogen temperatures...
Cryopreserved semen is routinely shipped in liquid nitrogen. Dry ice could serve as an alternative coolant, however, frozen storage above liquid nitrogen temperatures (LN2, -196 °C) may negatively affect shelf-life and cryosurvival. In this study, we determined critical temperatures for storage of cryopreserved stallion sperm. We evaluated: (i) effects of cooling samples to different subzero temperatures (-10 °C to -80 °C) prior to storing in LN2, (ii) stability at different storage temperatures (i.e., in LN2, dry ice, -80 °C and -20 °C freezers, 5 °C refrigerator), and (iii) sperm cryosurvival during storage on dry ice (i.e., when kept below -70 °C and during warming). Furthermore, (iv) we analyzed if addition of synthetic polymers (PVP-40, Ficoll-70) modulates ice crystallization kinetics and improves stability of cryopreserved specimens. Sperm motility and membrane intactness were taken as measures of cryosurvival, and an artificial insemination trial was performed to confirm fertilizing capacity. We found that adding PVP-40 or Ficoll-70 to formulations containing glycerol reduced ice crystal sizes and growth during annealing. Post-thaw sperm viability data indicated that samples need to be cooled below -40 °C before they can be safely plunged and stored in LN2. No negative effects of relocating specimens from dry ice to LN2 and vice versa became apparent. However, sample warming above -50 °C during transport in dry ice should be avoided to ensure preservation of viability and fertility. Moreover, addition of PVP-40 or Ficoll-70 was found to increase sperm cryosurvival, especially under non-ideal storage conditions where ice recrystallization may occur.
Topics: Male; Animals; Horses; Cryopreservation; Semen; Dry Ice; Ice; Polymers; Crystallization; Ficoll; Semen Preservation; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa; Nitrogen; Povidone
PubMed: 38295927
DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2024.104852 -
Journal of the American Mosquito... Mar 2024The BG Sentinel-2 (BGS-2) and BG-Pro traps (BGS-2 configuration) were compared for their effectiveness to collect Aedes vectors and related nuisance mosquitoes in north...
The BG Sentinel-2 (BGS-2) and BG-Pro traps (BGS-2 configuration) were compared for their effectiveness to collect Aedes vectors and related nuisance mosquitoes in north central Florida during 2022. Traps were baited with either dry ice pellets, pressurized carbon dioxide (CO2) gas, or the novel BG yeast-derived CO2 generator. Additionally, each trap was fitted with the BG Sweetscent lure. Sixteen species were collected including Aedes albopictus and Ae. aegypti, which accounted for about 20% of the collections. The BGS-2 collected more mosquitoes compared to the BG-Pro, but the relative percent abundance of each species to total collection from each trap type was similar. Overall mosquito abundance was significantly greater in both trap types baited with dry ice compared with the other CO2 sources. Significantly more Ae. albopictus were collected from BGS-2 traps baited with dry ice than all other CO2 and trap configurations. Lastly, we did not observe any significant differences in Ae. aegypti abundance between trap type or CO2 source.
Topics: Animals; Aedes; Carbon Dioxide; Dry Ice; Mosquito Vectors; Mosquito Control; Saccharomyces cerevisiae
PubMed: 38243833
DOI: 10.2987/23-7144 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Jan 2024The central component of mosquito and vector surveillance programs globally is the adult mosquito trap, which is intended to collect host-seeking mosquitoes. The...
The central component of mosquito and vector surveillance programs globally is the adult mosquito trap, which is intended to collect host-seeking mosquitoes. The miniature CDC trap is a widely distributed trap style in part due to its relative affordability and compact nature. Despite already being a simple trap, in-house production methods, such as 3D printing, could improve the accessibility of the CDC trap by eliminating some of the supply chain variables. We present here several trials with the Salt Lake City (SLC) trap, a three-dimensional (3D) printed trap design. Functional assessments were made on secondary components and found no statistically significant differences when comparing CO2 line height (above vs. below fan), battery types (sealed lead acid vs. USB battery pack), and trap body collection shape (funnel body vs. simple/straight body). The SLC trap was compared directly to a commercial equivalent, the ABC trap, with comparative assessment on species diversity and evenness in collections and found to be statistically equivalent on all metrics. Methods also detail an accompanying optional transport system for a pressurized CO2/regulator set-up, should a practitioner elect not to use dry ice. Our final design is presented here with the publicly published stereolithography (STL) files and a detailed outline of the transport container system. Alternative models are available for in-house manufacture of mosquito traps, and we contribute these designs in an effort to stimulate further growth in vector surveillance.
Topics: Animals; United States; Culicidae; Carbon Dioxide; Mosquito Vectors; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; Mosquito Control
PubMed: 38198453
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011899 -
Research Square Dec 2023Lipids play many important physiological roles in mammalian reproduction, being essential for the acquisition of oocyte competence and post-fertilization embryonic...
Lipids play many important physiological roles in mammalian reproduction, being essential for the acquisition of oocyte competence and post-fertilization embryonic development. Lipid profiling in samples of minute size, such as oocytes, is challenging but has been achieved by mass spectrometry technologies such as multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) profiling. With the goals of further simplifying sample workflow and investigating the influence of pre-analytical conditions, we have evaluated how different extraction methods and transportation of lipid extracts in vacuum and at room temperature impacted the lipid profile of bovine oocytes. Using a comprehensive method, 316 MRMs associated with lipids of 10 different classes were screened in oocyte lipid extracts prepared by 2 extraction methods (one-step methanol addition or Bligh and Dyer) and transporting them in dry ice or at room temperature inside vacuum packages. No changes in the multivariate analysis (PCA) were noticeable due to transportation temperature, while lipid profiles were more affected by the lipid extraction protocol. Sample extraction using pure methanol favored the detection of phospholipids uniformly, while Bligh and Dyer favored the detection of neutral intracellular lipids. Triacylglycerol lipids and free fatty acids yielded decreased abundances when samples were transported at room temperature. We conclude that if samples are submitted to the same lipid extraction protocol and same transportation batch at room temperature coupled with vacuum conditions it is possible to analyze lipid extracts of bovine oocytes and still obtain informative lipid profiling results.
PubMed: 38196623
DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3788683/v1 -
Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences Jan 2024L. is an annual halophyte that originated from southern Africa. However, little has been reported about factors that modulate the quantity of secondary metabolites in...
L. is an annual halophyte that originated from southern Africa. However, little has been reported about factors that modulate the quantity of secondary metabolites in the plant. In this study, the twin effect of different nitrogen concentrations (0.36, 0.6, 0.8 g/L) and growing media (LECA clay, peat, vermiculite and silica sand) on plant growth, chlorophyll contents, minerals, proximate and antioxidant metabolites in hydroponically cultivated was investigated. This is important to determine the dosage of N fertilizer that will optimize the bio-productivity and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and antioxidants in grown in a hydroponic system. The untreated plant (0 g/L N) was taken as the control. At the end of the experiment, optimum yields in leaf number (9.2), fresh weight (50.40 g), Ca, N, and Protein (34.04 %) were recorded in grown with peat enhanced with different dosages of N-fertilizer. Likewise, chlorophyll level, dry weight, ABTS/TEAC, FRAP, ADF and NDF contents were optimized in LECA clay treated with N-fertilizer. Silica sand with 0.36 g/L dosage of nitrogen fertilizer optimized P, Mn and Zn levels, so also the moisture (9.83 % at 0.8 g/L N), fat (2.38 %, 0 g/L N) and carbohydrates (44.98 and 44.95 %). The highest ash content, Mg and Fe were recorded in the untreated vermiculite as well as polyphenols and K, at 0.6 g/L; Cu and root length (14.60 cm), at 0.8 g/L. In conclusion, different dosages of nitrogen fertilizer and growing media could enhance the growth potential, chlorophyll, phytochemicals, and nutritional properties of .
PubMed: 38161387
DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103876 -
Beijing Da Xue Xue Bao. Yi Xue Ban =... Dec 2023Sjögren's syndrome(SS)is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects exocrine glands, especially salivary and lacrimal glands. The main clinical manifestations are dry...
Sjögren's syndrome(SS)is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects exocrine glands, especially salivary and lacrimal glands. The main clinical manifestations are dry mouth and dry eyes, but also multi-organ and multi-system can be involved. Cold agglutinin disease(CAD)is an autoimmune disease characterized by red blood cell agglutination in the blood vessels of extremities caused by cold agglutinin at low temperature, resulting in skin microcirculation disturbance, or hemolytic anemia. Cold agglutinin disease is divided into two categories, primary cold agglutinin disease and secondary cold agglutinin disease. Primary cold agglutinin disease is characterized with cold agglutinin titer of 1 ∶4 000 or more and positive Coomb's test. However, the Coomb's test is not necessarily positive and the cold agglutinin titer is between 1 ∶32 and 1 ∶4 000 in secondary cold agglutinin disease. Here, we reported an elderly patient admitted to hospital due to fever. He was diagnosed with respiratory infection, but he showed incompletely response to the anti-infection treatment. Further laboratory tests showed the patient with positive ANA and anti-SSA antibodies. Additionally, the patient complained that he had dry mouth and dry eyes for 1 year. Schirmer test and salivate gland imaging finally confirmed the diagnosis Sjogren's syndrome. During the hospital stay, the blood clots were found in the anticoagulant tubes. Hemolytic anemia was considered as the patient had anemia with elevated reticulocytes and indirect bilirubin. In addition, further examination showed positive cold agglutination test with a titer of 1 ∶1 024, and cold agglutinin disease was an important type of cold-resistant autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Furthermore, the patient developed cyanosis after ice incubating at the tip of the nose. Hence, the patient was diagnosed as CAD and he was successfully treated with glucocorticoids instead of anti-infection treatments. Hence, the patient was diagnosed with SS combined with secondary CAD. SS combined CAD are rarely reported, and they are both autoimmune diseases. The abnormal function of B lymphocytes and the production of autoantibodies might be the common pathogenesis of them. Cold agglutinin disease can lead to severe hemolytic anemia, even life-threatening. In clinical practice, timely recognizing and dealing with CAD might promote the prognosis of the patient.
Topics: Male; Humans; Aged; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune; Sjogren's Syndrome; Anemia, Hemolytic; Dry Eye Syndromes; Autoantibodies
PubMed: 38101800
DOI: 10.19723/j.issn.1671-167X.2023.06.027 -
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences May 2024Development of novel pharmaceutical drug modalities has created a need for frozen storage and transportation. Accurate and easy assessment of container closure integrity...
Development of novel pharmaceutical drug modalities has created a need for frozen storage and transportation. Accurate and easy assessment of container closure integrity (CCI) in frozen conditions remains a challenge. Thus, container closure systems (CCS) suitable for low temperatures have been primarily restricted to vials despite the growing popularity of prefillable syringes (PFS) for parenteral administration. A new dye ingress test method, suitable for testing at low temperatures, was developed and applied to PFS across a range of deep-frozen temperatures. The method is versatile and can easily be extended to other common CCS formats over a wide range of temperatures including storage on dry ice (-80 °C). This new method was paired with an orthogonal technique, laser-based CO headspace gas analysis, to evaluate the CCI of a glass PFS at temperatures from -50 °C to -80 °C. Both test methods showed comparable results and consistent CCI failure below a temperature of -70 °C. The primary mode of failure was the plunger-to-barrel interface, likely attributable to dimensional changes and loss of elasticity. This study demonstrates the temperature dependent CCI behavior of glass PFS and underscores the importance of thorough characterization of package integrity for deep frozen drug products.
Topics: Drug Packaging; Drug Storage; Syringes; Cold Temperature; Freezing; Glass
PubMed: 38070774
DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2023.11.033