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PubMedDate not supplied

[Principles of the design of an automated system for the quantitative analysis of the action of environmental factors on the body of laboratory animals].

Complicated ecological conditions, caused by wide and active application of artificial chemicals, makes it necessary to reveal their effect on human and animal organism and take measures for protecting health. The possibility to use advanced computing and information devices in combination with specialized methodical approaches allowed to elaborate and build a model of a system for revealing fine and multi-aspect influence of various factors on organisms of experimental animals. The results obtained allow to consider creation of similar systems a necessary and feasible task.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Utilization of a computer-controlled laboratory workstation (Biomek 1000) in routine radioimmunoassay laboratory.

The suitability and performance characteristics of a recently introduced computer-controlled laboratory workstation (Biomek 1000) for use in automating sample transfer and reagent additions in radioimmunoassay techniques were assessed. The system is based on the use of disposable tips and, therefore, reduces any possible sample carry-over and eliminates the need for priming with the subsequent reduction in cost of reagents. However, the machine lacks the useful option of liquid-level sensing facility. Acceptable technical performance in terms of precision, accuracy and throughput was obtained with the Biomek 1000 which complied with international recommendations on the safety of hospital laboratory equipment.

Computer Systems↗
PubMed1999

A comparison of cardiac troponin T and cardiac troponin I in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

The majority of studies have shown that the performance of assays for cTnT and cTnI is almost identical in detecting AMI in patients with coronary artery disease. Currently cTnT may have an advantage over cTnI because available laboratory and POC platforms are standardized to a single reference material. Nevertheless, the decision to use cTnT or cTnI a given laboratory will probably be made on the basis of cost and the availability of automated instrumentation within that institution, and not necessarily on assay performance. A laboratory is unlikely to purchase an instrument to perform a single test. Because cTnI will soon be available on all commercial immunoassay analyzers, it seems likely that cTnI will become the analyte of choice.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2006

Evaluation of the Phoenix 100 ID/AST system and NID panel for identification of Enterobacteriaceae, Vibrionaceae, and commonly isolated nonenteric gram-negative bacilli.

The Phoenix 100 ID/AST system (Becton Dickinson Co., Sparks, Md.) is an automated system for the identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacterial isolates. This system with its negative identification (NID) panel was evaluated for its accuracy in the identification of 507 isolates of the family Enterobacteriaceae, 57 other nonenteric gram-negative isolates that are commonly isolated in clinical microbiology laboratories, and 138 isolates of the family Vibrionaceae. All of the isolates had been characterized by using approximately 48 conventional tube biochemicals. Of the 507 isolates of the Enterobacteriaceae, 456 (89.9%) were correctly identified to the genus and species levels. The five isolates of Proteus penneri required an off-line indole test, as suggested by the system to differentiate them from Proteus vulgaris. The identifications of 20 (3.9%) isolates were correct to the genus level but incorrect at the species level. Two (0.4%) isolates were reported as "no identification." Misidentifications to the genus and species levels occurred for 29 (5.7%) isolates of the Enterobacteriaceae. These incorrect identifications were spread over 14 different genera. The most common error was the misidentification of Salmonella species. The shortest time for a correct identification was 2 h 8 min. The longest time was 12 h 27 min, for the identification of a Serratia marcescens isolate. Of the 57 isolates of nonenteric gram-negative bacilli (Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, Burkholderia, Plesiomonas, Pseudomonas, and Stenotrophomonas spp.), 48 (84.2%) were correctly identified to the genus and species levels and 7 (12.3%) were correctly identified to the genus level but not to the species level. The average time for a correct identification was 5 h 11 min. Of the Vibrionaceae spp., 123 (89.1%) were correctly identified at the end of the initial incubation period, which averaged 4 h. Based on the findings of this study, the Phoenix 100 ID/AST system NID panel falls short of being an acceptable new method for the identification of the Enterobacteriaceae, Vibrionaceae, and gram-negative nonenteric isolates that are commonly encountered in many hospital microbiology laboratories.

Automation↗
PubMed1976

Period analysis of the electroencephalogram.

A program is described which utilizes the Digital Equipment Corporation LINC-8 computer with 4K of memory to process the electrical activity of the brin into a set of meaningful statistics. The program provides an efficient methol of obtaining spectoral information concerning the EEG without the associated cost or complexity of conventional power spectrum techniques. The combination of utilization of a small laboratory computer with an easily programmable method provides an approach for automated EEG analysis which is within the financial and technical scope of most small hospital EEG laboratories;

Computers↗
PubMed2005

Bacterial analysis by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry: an inter-laboratory comparison.

Bacterial analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry has been demonstrated in numerous laboratories, and a few attempts have been made to compare results from different laboratories on the same organism. It has been difficult to understand the causes behind the observed differences between laboratories when different instruments, matrices, solvents, etc. are used. In order to establish this technique as a useful tool for bacterial identification, additional efforts in standardizing the methods by which MALDI mass spectra are obtained and comparisons of spectra from different instruments with different operators are needed. Presented here is an extension of our previous single-laboratory reproducibility study with three different laboratories in a controlled experiment with aliquots of the same bacterial culture, matrix stock solution, and calibrant standards. Using automated spectral collection of whole-cell bacteria and automated data processing and analysis algorithms, fingerprints from three different laboratories were constructed and compared. Nine of the ions appeared reproducibly within all three laboratories, with additional unique ions observed within each of the laboratories. An initial evaluation of the ability to use a fingerprint generated within one laboratory for bacterial identification of a sample from another laboratory is presented, and strategies for improving identification rates between laboratories is discussed.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1999

[Accuracy, precision and clinically acceptable level of complete blood cell count by an automated multichannel hematology analyzer].

Measurement of complete blood cell count (CBC) is one of the essential laboratory tests. In this study, the accuracy of CBC was high, when measured by six different automated blood cell counters, including SE-9000/RAM-1, CELL-DYN 4000, ADVIA 120, VEGA RETIC-LC141 or GEN*S. The correlations of CBC counts among these instruments were also good. In contrast, the accuracy in abnormal samples depended on matching the instrument and type of clinical conditions. Internal quality control of automated multichannel hematology analyzers was recommended by the NCCLS H26-A in 1996. However, actual external quality control of the CBC count was poorly understood. We surveyed three samples from healthy volunteers for CBC values in 1997. Among six different instruments, the inter-assay of the red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin, hematocrit and MCV was fairly good, shown as < 4.2%, < 3.0%, < 4.4% and < 3.4%, respectively. In contrast, the inter-assay of the white blood cell count (WBC) and platelet (PLT) was not good, shown as < 11.4% and < 9.6%, respectively. The clinically acceptable levels for the blood cell count were reported to be 4% for RBC, 3% for hemoglobin, 4% for MCV, 5% for WBC and 7% for PLT, by JCCLS in 1994. The clinically acceptable CBC by hematologists at Keio University resembled those by councilors of The Japanese Society of Clinical Hematology, whereas, residents at Keio University and general physicians required more precise clinical CBC counts. These results indicate that a larger study is needed to clarify the accuracy, clinically acceptable level, and performance of different automated blood cell counters.

Blood Cell Count↗
PubMed2003

Automated red blood cell differential analysis on a multi-angle light scatter/fluorescence hematology analyzer.

BACKGROUND: Most hematology analyzers today are capable of performing white blood cell differential analysis but only limited red blood cell (RBC) differential parameters are available. Because of incomplete morphological information on RBC abnormalities, 5-10% of samples in hematology laboratories routinely undergo smear review. A more complete automated RBC differential capability is desired. METHODS: Abbott CELL DYN 4000 analyzer was modified to perform three-dimensional (3D) RBC differential analysis (RBC/diff) on cell-by-cell basis at 488 nm as well as at 633 nm. Immature RBCs and all nucleated cells are labeled with a fluorescent nuclear stain, prior to RBC/diff using light loss and forward scatter (FSC) signal or two FSC signals and a third side scatter signal, projecting the cytogram onto a precalibrated 3D surface containing grid lines of volume (V) and hemoglobin concentration (HC), to determine the V and HC of a cell. Abnormally shaped RBCs (AbnRBC) are quantitated by the distance of each event to the 3D surface. A total of 154 normal and 484 clinical samples with various hemoglobinopathies have been analyzed. RESULTS: The 3D cytogram and the bivariate distribution of V and HC of individual event provided information to extract quantitative data on V, HC, schistocytes, and AbnRBC of mature and immature RBCs. The accuracy level of the 3D data is difficult to assess because of the semiquantitative nature of smear review, the only available reference method. CONCLUSIONS: The 3D RBC cytograms provide a wealth of morphologic information useful for diagnosis and treatment of patients. With powerful computer programs available today, it is evident that the rate of smear review can be significantly reduced as a result.

Equipment Design↗
PubMed1980

Automated platelet counts: accuracy, precision, and range.

The automation of platelet counting is essential in laboratories performing a large number of procedures with high precision. Maintaining this precision and establishing accuracy require an understanding of the special problems of counting platelets, including: (1) the large dynamic range of the measurement, (2) the variable size and aggregability of platelets, and (3) the specific requirements of a quality-control method. In evaluating these problems, we designed experiments that measured the linearity and precision of two types of platelet counters, light scattering and electronic aperture impedance, and that evaluated the suitability of commercially available reference materials. The results show that the instrumentation is excellent and the reference materials are good; such that, given a well-planned quality-control method as presented here, the automated platelet count gives a rapid result with precision and accuracy.

Calibration↗
PubMed1975

Correlation between gait speed and spasticity at the knee.

An automated system designed and developed at this laboratory was used to measure spasticity in the thigh musculature of fifteen patients with hemiplegia. In addition, each subject was timed during a gait trial over a measured distance at maximum speed. Analysis of the data revealed no statistically significant correlation between spasticity in the thigh musculature and the gait speed of the subjects studied. Factors which may have contributed to the findings are mentioned.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

High-throughput protein purification using an automated set-up for high-yield affinity chromatography.

One of the key steps in high-throughput protein production is protein purification. A newly developed high-yield protein purification and isolation method for laboratory scale use is presented. This procedure allows fully automated purification of up to 60 cell lysates with milligram yields of pure recombinant protein in 18.5h. The method is based on affinity chromatography and has been set up on an instrument that utilizes positive pressure for liquid transfer through columns. A protocol is presented that includes all steps of equilibration of the chromatography resin, load of sample, wash, and elution without any manual handling steps. In contrast to most existing high-throughput protein purification procedures, positive pressure is used for liquid transfer rather than vacuum. Positive pressure and individual pumps for each liquid channel contribute to controlled flow rates and eliminate the risk of introducing air in the chromatography resin and therefore ensure stable chromatography conditions. The procedure is highly reproducible and allows for high protein yield and purity.

Chromatography, Affinity↗
PubMed2003

Is automated platelet counting still a problem in thrombocytopenic blood?

CONTEXT: Reliable platelet counting is crucial for indicating prophylactic platelet transfusion in thrombocytopenic patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the precision and accuracy of platelet counting for thrombocytopenic patients, using four different automated counters in comparison with the Brecher & Cronkite reference method recommended by the International Committee for Standardization in Hematology (ICSH). TYPE OF STUDY: Automated platelet counting assessment in thrombocytopenic patients. SETTING: Hematology Laboratory, Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual de São Paulo, and the Hematology Division of Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Brecher & Cronkite reference method and four different automated platelet counters. PARTICIPANTS: 43 thrombocytopenic patients with platelet counts of less than 30,000/microliter. RESULTS: The ADVIA-120 (Bayer), Coulter STKS, H1 System (Technicom-Bayer) and Coulter T-890 automatic instruments presented great precision and accuracy in relation to laboratory thrombocytopenic samples obtained by diluting blood from normal donors. However, when thrombocytopenic patients were investigated, all the counters except ADVIA (which is based on volume and refraction index) showed low accuracy when compared to the Brecher & Cronkite reference method (ICSH). The ADVIA counter showed high correlation (r = 0.974). However, all counters showed flags in thrombocytopenic samples. CONCLUSION: The Brecher & Cronkite reference method should always be indicated in thrombocytopenic patients for platelet counts below 30,000 plt/microliter obtained in one dimensional counters.

Brazil↗
PubMed1992

Automated systems for identification of microorganisms.

Automated instruments for the identification of microorganisms were introduced into clinical microbiology laboratories in the 1970s. During the past two decades, the capabilities and performance characteristics of automated identification systems have steadily progressed and improved. This article explores the development of the various automated identification systems available in the United States and reviews their performance for identification of microorganisms. Observations regarding deficiencies and suggested improvements for these systems are provided.

Bacteria↗
PubMed2003

The map to LOINC project.

We describe a pilot project to standardize local laboratory test names to Logical Observation Identifier Names and Codes (LOINC) at five Indian Health Service (IHS) medical facilities. An automated mapping tool was developed to assign LOINC codes. The laboratory test names not mapped to LOINC by the mapping tool were assigned LOINC codes manually. The results achieved matched current benchmarks.

Clinical Laboratory Techniques↗
PubMed1996

The future of clinical chemistry and its role in healthcare: a report of the Athena Society.

Given the omnipresent cost-containment environment in which clinical chemists now work, they must adapt to a host of changed conditions and new pressures. Much of the onus of adapting is on the individual who must assume a different attitude to his or her work. The American Association for Clinical Chemistry can, and should, take a leadership role in developing a new type of laboratory director by working with other professional organizations in the clinical laboratory field to create training programs and retraining programs for existing clinical laboratory scientists, which will equip them for broader scientific and managerial responsibilities than hitherto. AACC needs to develop alliances with its sister organizations so that the common issues are addressed collectively rather than competitively. The scope of clinical chemistry must expand into areas other than traditional clinical chemistry, e.g., microbiology, immunology, certain aspects of hematology (including coagulation), and even aspects of blood banking. The former clinical chemist needs to become a clinical laboratory scientist and promote him- or herself as having cross-disciplinary expertise in analytical techniques and automation, which are the common threads linking all branches of clinical laboratory science.

Canada↗
PubMed2005

McRAPD as a new approach to rapid and accurate identification of pathogenic yeasts.

Despite advances in antifungal prophylaxis and therapy, morbidity and mortality incurred by yeasts remain a significant burden. As pathogenic yeast species vary in their susceptibilities to antifungal agents, clinical microbiology laboratories face an important challenge to identify them rapidly and accurately. Although a vast array of phenotyping and genotyping methods has been developed, these are either unable to cover the whole spectrum of potential yeast pathogens or can do this only in a rather costly or laborious way. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting was repeatedly demonstrated to be a convenient tool for species identification in pathogenic yeasts. However, its wider acceptance has been limited mainly due to special expertise and software needed for analysis and comparison of the resulting banding patterns. Based on a pilot study, we demonstrate here that a simple and rapid melting curve analysis of RAPD products can provide data for identification of five of the most medically important Candida species. We have termed this new approach melting curve of random amplified polymorphic DNA (McRAPD) to emphasize its rapidity and potential for automation, highly desirable features for a routine laboratory test.

Candida↗