To assess if SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) systemic disease can be determined by available nucleoprotein assays, we compared the performance of three commercial SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein (N) assays in plasma. ...A total of 272 plasma samples collected in the period November-December 2021 were analyzed by the methods Simoa SARS CoV-2 N Protein Advantage Kit Quanterix Simoa, Solsten SARS-CoV-2 Antigen enzyme immunosorbent assay (ELISA) Solsten ELISA, and Elecsys SARS-CoV-2 Antigen electrochemiluminescence immunoassay Elecsys ECLIA. Additionally, a dilution series of inactivated virus culture was analyzed by the three assays. The SARS CoV-2 PCR-status was not known for the patients. Linear correlation in the pairwise correlation between assays as well as linearity of dilution series of inactivated virus culture was estimated by Spearman score. Sensitivity and specificity were estimated by pairwise comparison. The three assays showed poor agreement on patient samples with regards to concentration. Performance on virus culture was excellent but with different level of detection (LOD). Positive vs negative results show comparable sensitivity and specificity of Quanterix Simoa and Solsten ELISA, with a higher LOD in Elecsys ECLIA and thus lower sensitivity and high specificity. N by all tested assays can be used as a marker for systemic COVID-19 disease.
•A novel antithrombotic formulation blood collection tube allows simultaneous analysis of thirty-two blood analytes.•The hematological, biochemical and d-dimer measurands can be measured in a single ...blood collection tube.•A new formulation has a potential to allow measurements of glucose and homocysteine due to stabilized blood cell metabolism.
The objective of our study was to evaluate a single blood collection tube with a novel antithrombotic formulation to measure both hematological, biochemical, and d-dimer analytes.
Paired samples of gold standard blood tubes (EDTA, lithium heparin, sodium citrate) and a new antithrombotic formulation blood tube were collected from 187 patients. The new antithrombotic tube is a lithium heparin tube preloaded with a liquid form of prostacyclin analog. The novel tube was tested on seventeen hematological parameters and smears against EDTA, on fourteen biochemical parameters against lithium heparin and on d-dimer against sodium citrate.
All correlation coefficients were close to 0.99. The Bland-Altman analyses presented a satisfactory correspondence for all analytes. All the hematological examinations demonstrated comparable results between EDTA and the novel formulation, except for platelet counts analyzed by impedance method, but not by fluorescence. We detected lower mean platelet volume with/without outliers (5.06%)/(5.13%) in the novel formulation and increased mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (2.55%). All the biochemistry analytes demonstrated comparable results between lithium heparin and the novel tube. d-dimer showed comparable results between citrated blood and the novel formulation after dilution correction.
We describe a novel antithrombotic formulation tube with the potential to be introduced into clinical laboratories for simultaneous analysis of thirty-two blood analytes.
The interaction of the solar wind with Earth's magnetosphere gives rise to the bright polar aurorae and to geomagnetic storms, but the relation between the solar wind and the dynamics of the outer ...planets' magnetospheres is poorly understood. Jupiter's magnetospheric dynamics and aurorae are dominated by processes internal to the jovian system, whereas Saturn's magnetosphere has generally been considered to have both internal and solar-wind-driven processes. This hypothesis, however, is tentative because of limited simultaneous solar wind and magnetospheric measurements. Here we report solar wind measurements, immediately upstream of Saturn, over a one-month period. When combined with simultaneous ultraviolet imaging we find that, unlike Jupiter, Saturn's aurorae respond strongly to solar wind conditions. But in contrast to Earth, the main controlling factor appears to be solar wind dynamic pressure and electric field, with the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field playing a much more limited role. Saturn's magnetosphere is, therefore, strongly driven by the solar wind, but the solar wind conditions that drive it differ from those that drive the Earth's magnetosphere.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Evaluation of NGAL TestTM on Cobas 6000 Hansen, Young B. L.; Damgaard, Anette; Poulsen, Jørgen H.
Scandinavian journal of clinical and laboratory investigation,
01/2014, Letnik:
74, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Abstract
Background. Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) is a promising biomarker for acute kidney injury (AKI). Our objectives were to evaluate the NGAL TestTM from Bioporto for both ...urine NGAL and plasma NGAL on the Cobas 6000 c501 (Roche Diagnostics, Rotkreuz, Switzerland) with matched measurements run on Hitachi 917, the method's linearity on the Cobas 6000 in urine, EDTA and Lithium-Heparin (Li-Hep), the influence of using EDTA or Li-Hep tubes and, finally, the impact of freezing and thawing on the sample. Methods. Forty matched samples of Li-Hep and EDTA plasma and 40 urine samples were analyzed for method, anticoagulant, and freeze-thaw comparisons. Linearity was assessed using high NGAL samples diluted in urine, EDTA, and Li-Hep plasma. Commercial internal controls were used for the imprecision study. Results. The Cobas 6000 measured identically with the Hitachi 917, however, not in EDTA plasma (MedianDifference = 17.50 μg/L, p < 0.0001). Freeze-thaw process reduced NGAL ((EDTA: MeanDifference = = 15.13 μg/L, p = 0.0014)(Li-Hep: MedianDifference = = 6.5 μg/L, p = 0.0129)). NGAL results were higher in Li-Hep plasma than in EDTA plasma ((Non-thawed: MedianDifference = = 14.5 μg/L, p < 0.0001), (Thawed: MedianDifference = = 21.5 μg/L, p = 0.0003)). Linearity agreements were observed in all three specimens. Imprecision (CV%) was below 3%. Conclusion. The NGAL TestTM can be applied on the Cobas 6000 with acceptable performance, although the Cobas 6000 measured higher than the Hitachi 917 in EDTA plasma. Though clinically insignificant, we found that the freeze-thaw process had a reduced effect. NGAL results were higher in Li-Hep tubes than in EDTA tubes. Thus, for blood samples we recommend use of EDTA tubes for NGAL measurements.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
A selection experiment was conducted over a 25-yr period to measure long-term responses to selection of AI sires based on milk alone. An unselected control line was maintained as part of the ...experimental design. The four highest sires available from active AI sire lists for PTA of milk were mated each year to successive generations of a selection line. Selection and control lines were compared for milk and fat yields and conformation traits. Animal models were demonstrated to be particularly preferable to sire models for analysis of data from designed selection experiments. Genetic trend from 1967 to 1988 for the selection line was estimated to be approximately 125 kg/yr. Furthermore, selection cows received higher genetic evaluations than control cows for most conformation traits recorded from 1983 to 1989. Before young bulls are allowed to enter AI progeny-testing programs, their pedigrees are scrutinized heavily for conformation traits. Selection for secondary traits by dairy producers may be justifiable; however, commercial dairy producers may select AI sires that have highest PTA for yield, disregarding other traits, without concern for deterioration of conformation
Measurements of hydroxyl (OH) and hydroperoxy (HO2*) radical concentrations were made at the Pasadena ground site during the CalNex‐LA 2010 campaign using the laser‐induced fluorescence‐fluorescence ...assay by gas expansion technique. The measured concentrations of OH and HO2* exhibited a distinct weekend effect, with higher radical concentrations observed on the weekends corresponding to lower levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx). The radical measurements were compared to results from a zero‐dimensional model using the Regional Atmospheric Chemical Mechanism‐2 constrained by NOx and other measured trace gases. The chemical model overpredicted measured OH concentrations during the weekends by a factor of approximately 1.4 ± 0.3 (1σ), but the agreement was better during the weekdays (ratio of 1.0 ± 0.2). Model predicted HO2* concentrations underpredicted by a factor of 1.3 ± 0.2 on the weekends, while measured weekday concentrations were underpredicted by a factor of 3.0 ± 0.5. However, increasing the modeled OH reactivity to match the measured total OH reactivity improved the overall agreement for both OH and HO2* on all days. A radical budget analysis suggests that photolysis of carbonyls and formaldehyde together accounted for approximately 40% of radical initiation with photolysis of nitrous acid accounting for 30% at the measurement height and ozone photolysis contributing less than 20%. An analysis of the ozone production sensitivity reveals that during the week, ozone production was limited by volatile organic compounds throughout the day during the campaign but NOx limited during the afternoon on the weekends.
Key Points
Measurements of OH and HO2 during CalNex‐LA displayed a weekend effect
Modeled OH and HO2 agreed with measurements after accounting for missing OH reactivity
Ozone production was VOC limited on the weekdays but NOx limited on the weekends
Genetic groups of Holsteins selected for large size or small size were compared for health care needs. Two groups were formed from a paired foundation population. Large group was mated to sires with ...extreme estimates of transmitting ability for tall height and deep and wide bodies. Small group was similarly mated to extreme sires but to those transmitting short height and shallow and narrow bodies. Predicted Differences for milk and fat of sires were above breed average. Actual expenses for veterinary treatment, health supplies and drugs, and value of labor required of animal attendants were evaluated. Large cows required significantly more health care than small cows. Digestive disorders accounted for much of the group difference, and displaced abomasums were more frequent among large cows. Small cows may have economic advantages over large cows of the same breed.
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