Recommendations on whole blood sampling, transport, and storage for simultaneous determination of pH, blood gases, and electrolytes. International Federation of Clinical Chemistry Scientific Division.

Pre-analytical variables, e.g., specimen collection, transport, and storage, can contribute significantly to inaccurate pH, blood gas, and electrolyte values. The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC), through its Committee on pH, Blood Gases and Electrolytes, has developed specific recommendations to minimize the undesirable effects of pre-analytical variables. The Committee has drawn upon the experiences of its own members as well as published data by others. Specifically, the Committee has included pertinent guidelines and suggestions by the IFCC Working Group on Selective Electrodes (WGSE), the National Committee on Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS), and the Electrolyte/Blood Gas Division of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC). This paper will familiarize the reader with the effect of different types of specimen containers and anticoagulants. It discusses important aspects of specimen collection procedures including patient status and special precautions during specimen collection from indwelling catheters or cannulae. The paper also identifies different requirements in storage and transport of specimens for blood gas and electrolyte analysis.     

Multiplicity distributions and double-scattering effects in π−d interactions at 360 GeV/c

Double-scattering effects are studied in π^?d interactions at 360 GeV/c. The partial cross sections $\text{σ}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>N</mtext>}}\text{(π}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{d}\text{), σ}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>N</mtext>}}\text{(“π}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{p}\text{”)}\text{and}\text{σ}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>N</mtext>}}\text{(“π}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{n}\text{”)}$ are presented. The double-scattering probability per πd collision is found to be $\text{? = 0.15 ± 0.02}$. We have extracted the partial cross section X_N of the double-scattering plus interference contributions, and find that X_N obeys KNO scaling. The data are compared with various theoretical predictions.     

Small molecule inhibitors as countermeasures for botulinum neurotoxin intoxication

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most potent of known toxins and are listed as category A biothreat agents by the U.S. CDC. The BoNT-mediated proteolysis of SNARE proteins inhibits the exocytosis of acetylcholine into neuromuscular junctions, leading to life-threatening flaccid paralysis. Currently, the only therapy for BoNT intoxication (which results in the disease state botulism) includes experimental preventative antibodies and long-term supportive care. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify and develop inhibitors that will serve as both prophylactic agents and post-exposure 'rescue' therapeutics. This review focuses on recent progress to discover and develop small molecule inhibitors as therapeutic countermeasures for BoNT intoxication.     

Compton suppressed gamma-spectrometry for Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty samples

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is supported by a network of certified laboratories that perform high-resolution gamma-spectrometry on global air filter samples for the identification of 85 radionuclides. At the UK CTBT Radionuclide Laboratory (GBL15), the use of advanced Compton suppressed systems has been investigated to reduce the Compton continuum and improve detection sensitivity. Samples collected from the Philippines and during the Fukushima incident have been measured, demonstrating Compton continuum reductions of 28–59 % with suppression factors of 0.1–147.0. Detection sensitivity has been improved with typically 40 % lower MDAs, including ¹⁴⁰Ba to meet CTBT requirements. True coincidence summing effects have been considered, including the application to remove interferences by the elimination of gamma-rays in cascade. This has been demonstrated for the removal of ¹³⁴Cs allowing improved ¹³¹I measurement.     

Using high-resolution in situ radon measurements to determine groundwater discharge at a remote location: Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia

Tonle Sap Lake (Cambodia) is the largest freshwater lake in SE Asia, and is reported to have one of the highest freshwater fish productions anywhere. During the dry season (November–April) the lake drains through a tributary to the Mekong River. The flow in the connecting tributary completely reverses during the wet monsoon (May–October), adding huge volumes of water back to the lake, increasing its area about fourfold. We hypothesize that nutrients are at least partially delivered via groundwater discharge, especially during the draining portion of the annual flood cycle. We surveyed over 200 km in the northern section of the lake using a customized system that measures natural ²²²Rn (radon), temperature, conductivity, GPS coordinates and water depth while underway. Results showed that there were portions of the lake with significant enrichments in radon, indicating likely groundwater inputs. These same areas were generally characterized by lower electrical conductivities. Samples collected from nearby wells also showed a general inverse relationship between radon and conductivity. Our data suggest that groundwater pathways are important, accounting for roughly 10–20 % of the freshwater flow of the Tonle Sap tributary (connection to the Mekong River), the largest single source of fresh water to the lake. Nutrient inputs from these inputs, because of higher concentrations in groundwater, will be correspondingly higher.     

Dual-fluorophore ratiometric pH nanosensor with tuneable pKa and extended dynamic range

Ratiometric pH nanosensors with tuneable pK(a) were prepared by entrapping combinations of two pH-sensitive fluorophores (fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (FITC-D) and Oregon Green(?) dextran (OG-D)) and a reference fluorophore (5-(and-6)-carboxytetramethylrhodamine dextran (TAMRA-D)), in a biocompatible polymer matrix. Dual-fluorophore pH nanosensors permit the measurement of an extended dynamic range, from pH 4.0 to 7.5.     

Raman spectral analysis of renal tissue: a novel application

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for 85% of all primary renal cancers. The definitive diagnosis of RCC relies exclusively on the subjective pathological interpretation of the surgical specimen. In this study, we aimed to analyze renal tissue using objective Raman spectroscopy (RS). We obtained 15 pairs of RCC (T) and corresponding normal renal parenchymal tissues (N) from our biobank. There are three subtypes of RCC: clear cell RCC (ccRCC), papillary RCC (pRCC), and chromophobe RCC (cRCC). Five pairs of tissue of each subtype were enrolled. Fresh‐frozen sliced tissues were used for the RS detection. The Raman spectra between T and N were compared and analyzed using partial least squares (PLS) regression. Data for a total of 55 T and 58 N analyzable RS samples were obtained. The spectra were normalized by dividing the intensity of the characteristic peak at 1003 cm⁻¹ using phenylalanine's Raman peak. After further analysis with PLS, the sensitivity and specificity for discriminating T from N were 95% and 93%, respectively. The RCC subtypes can be discriminated at an accuracy of 72% for ccRCC, 88% for cRCC, and 86% for pRCC. This study demonstrates the feasibility of analyzing renal tissue using RS. RS, with its advantages of easy and objective tissue assessment, may be applied to aid intraoperative decision making and pathological tissue assessment. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.