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Jones NR, de Jersey AM, Lavers JL, Rodemann T, Rivers-Auty J. Identifying laboratory sources of microplastic and nanoplastic contamination from the air, water, and consumables. J Hazard Mater 2024; 465:133276. [PMID: 38128232 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic and nanoplastic research has proliferated in recent years in response to the escalating plastic pollution crisis. However, a lack of optimised methods for sampling and sample processing has potential implications for contaminating samples resulting in an overestimation of the quantity of microplastics and nanoplastics present in environmental samples. In response, a series of recommendations have been made, but most have not been quantified or validated sources of contamination. In the present study, we investigated sources of plastic contamination in common laboratory procedures including water sources (e.g., Milli-Q), consumables (e.g., unburnt glassware), airflow (e.g., fume hood) and dust. Using flow cytometry, we identified water, air flow and dust as sources of significant contamination. Milli-Q and reverse osmosis were the least contaminated sources when compared with tap water. Interestingly, current recommendations are to use glass consumables in replacement of plastic consumables, however, we have identified glassware and glass consumables as a significant source of contamination. Current best practice is to cover the glass tube with aluminium foil to reduce airborne contamination, but we found fresh aluminium foil to be a significant source of contamination, bringing light to the limitations foil has as a contamination control measure. Lastly, we identified significant quantities of microplastics and nanoplastics present in dust collected within the laboratory, suggesting this is a widespread and underestimated source of contamination. We have provided validated sources of contamination for both consumables and common laboratory procedures and provided mitigation strategies based on these. Additional recommendations include the appropriate design of experimental controls to quantify levels of introduced contamination based on methods and the detection techniques utilised. The application of these mitigation strategies and appropriate experimental design will allow for more accurate estimations on the level of microplastic and nanoplastic contamination within environmental samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina R Jones
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, 20 Castray Esplanade, Battery Point, Tasmania 7004, Australia; Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia
| | - Alix M de Jersey
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia
| | - Jennifer L Lavers
- Bird Group, The Natural History Museum, Akeman Street, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 6AP, United Kingdom; Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales 2678, Australia.
| | - Thomas Rodemann
- Central Science Laboratory, College of Sciences and Engineering, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 74, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
| | - Jack Rivers-Auty
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia
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2
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Tsapalov A, Kovler K. Metrology for Indoor Radon Measurements and Requirements for Different Types of Devices. Sensors (Basel) 2024; 24:504. [PMID: 38257596 PMCID: PMC10821384 DOI: 10.3390/s24020504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Indoor radon measurements have been conducted in many countries worldwide for several decades. However, to date, there is a lack of a globally harmonized measurement standard. Furthermore, measurement protocols in the US (short-term tests for 2-7 days) and European Union countries (long-term tests for at least 2 months) differ significantly, and their metrological support is underdeveloped, as clear mathematical algorithms (criteria) and QA/QC procedures considering fundamental ISO/IEC concepts such as "measurement uncertainty" and "conformity assessment" are still absent. In this context, for many years, the authors have been advancing and refining the theory of metrological support for standardizing indoor radon measurements based on a rational criterion for conformity assessment within the ISO/IEC concepts. The rational criterion takes into account the main uncertainties arising from temporal variations in indoor radon and instrumental errors, enabling the utilization of both short- and long-term measurements while ensuring specified reliability in decision making (typically no less than 95%). The paper presents improved mathematical algorithms for determining both temporal and instrumental uncertainties. Additionally, within the framework of the rational criterion, unified metrological requirements are formulated for various methods and devices employed in indoor radon measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Konstantin Kovler
- National Building Research Institute, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel;
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3
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Tanoiri H, Barrientos EE, Nakano H, Arakawa H, Yokota M. The pretreatment method in marine organisms and sediment for microplastics analysis by FTIR using "Cylindrical microplastics fractionator". MethodsX 2023; 11:102396. [PMID: 37791012 PMCID: PMC10543169 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2023.102396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
For the detection of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic biota using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), the ability to remove organic matter (OM) in pretreatment steps is essential to increase the time efficiency of MPs measurement and method uniformity. In principle, decreasing OM can be achieved by increasing the number of pretreatment steps. However, MPs are lost in proportion to the number of transfers between each step. Therefore, we have created a "Cylindrical MPs Fractionator" composed of commercially available materials. This container allows for a six-step pretreatment process that is designed to increase the removal capacity of OM with only one transfer to prevent the loss of MPs.•Biological or sediment samples are placed in the extractor and subjected to chemical treatment and density separation.•Residues containing MPs are obtained on filters by vacuum filtration.•After additional chemical treatment of the obtained residue, the components of the residue are identified by microscopic FTIR.This method removed 99.3% of OM and recovered 88.5% of MPs. The presenting method confirmed that this can be used with the same process for 11 organisms and sediments from estuarine ecosystem in Japan as models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiraku Tanoiri
- Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, 4-5-7 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan
| | - Eduardo Estevan Barrientos
- Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, 4-5-7 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan
- Science Department, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Belize, Hummingbird Avenue P.O. Box 340, Belmopan, Belize
| | - Haruka Nakano
- Research Institutions of Applied Mechanics, Kyusyu University, 6-1 Kasuga-Koen, Kasuga, Fukuoka 816-8580, Japan
| | - Hisayuki Arakawa
- Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, 4-5-7 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan
| | - Masashi Yokota
- Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, 4-5-7 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan
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4
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Munno K, Lusher AL, Minor E, Gray A, Ho K, Hankett J, T Lee CF, Primpke S, McNeish RE, Wong CS, Rochman C. Patterns of microparticles in blank samples: A study to inform best practices for microplastic analysis. Chemosphere 2023; 333:138883. [PMID: 37169088 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) techniques are critical to analytical chemistry, and thus the analysis of microplastics. Procedural blanks are a key component of QA/QC for quantifying and characterizing background contamination. Although procedural blanks are becoming increasingly common in microplastics research, how researchers acquire a blank and report and/or use blank contamination data varies. Here, we use the results of laboratory procedural blanks from a method evaluation study to inform QA/QC procedures for microplastics quantification and characterization. Suspected microplastic contamination in the procedural blanks, collected by 12 participating laboratories, had between 7 and 511 particles, with a mean of 80 particles per sample (±SD 134). The most common color and morphology reported were black fibers, and the most common size fraction reported was 20-212 μm. The lack of even smaller particles is likely due to limits of detection versus lack of contamination, as very few labs reported particles <20 μm. Participating labs used a range of QA/QC techniques, including air filtration, filtered water, and working in contained/'enclosed' environments. Our analyses showed that these procedures did not significantly affect blank contamination. To inform blank subtraction, several subtraction methods were tested. No clear pattern based on total recovery was observed. Despite our results, we recommend commonly accepted procedures such as thorough training and cleaning procedures, air filtration, filtered water (e.g., MilliQ, deionized or reverse osmosis), non-synthetic clothing policies and 'enclosed' air flow systems (e.g., clean cabinet). We also recommend blank subtracting by a combination of particle characteristics (color, morphology and size fraction), as it likely provides final microplastic particle characteristics that are most representative of the sample. Further work should be done to assess other QA/QC parameters, such as the use of other types of blanks (e.g., field blanks, matrix blanks) and limits of detection and quantification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keenan Munno
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Amy L Lusher
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Oslo, Norway; University of Bergen, Department of Biological Sciences, Bergen, Norway
| | - Elizabeth Minor
- Large Lakes Observatory and Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Andrew Gray
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Kay Ho
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Atlantic Coastal Environmental Sciences Division, Narragansett, RI, 02882, USA
| | - Jeanne Hankett
- BASF Corporation, 1609 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte, MI, 48192, USA
| | - Chih-Fen T Lee
- Water Quality Laboratory, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, La Verne, CA, 91750, United States
| | - Sebastian Primpke
- Alfred-Wegener-Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Kurpromenade 201, 27498, Helgoland, Germany
| | - Rachel E McNeish
- Department of Biology, California State University, 9001 Stockdale Hwy, Bakersfield, CA, 93311, USA
| | - Charles S Wong
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority, 3535 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA, 92656, USA
| | - Chelsea Rochman
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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5
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Zoberi JE, Garcia‐Ramirez J, Luechtefeld D, Maughan NM, Amurao M, Oyama R, Baumann BC, Gay HA, Michalski JM. Logistical, technical, and radiation safety aspects of establishing a radiopharmaceutical therapy program: A case in Lutetium-177 prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) therapy. J Appl Clin Med Phys 2023; 24:e13899. [PMID: 36637862 PMCID: PMC10113704 DOI: 10.1002/acm2.13899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a cell surface protein highly expressed in nearly all prostate cancers, with restricted expression in some normal tissues. The differential expression of PSMA from tumor to non-tumor tissue has resulted in the investigation of numerous targeting strategies for therapy of patients with metastatic prostate cancer. In March of 2022, the FDA granted approval for the use of lutetium-177 PSMA-617 (Lu-177-PSMA-617) for patients with PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who have been treated with androgen receptor pathway inhibition and taxane-based chemotherapy. Therefore, the use of Lu-177-PSMA-617 is expected to increase and become more widespread. Herein, we describe logistical, technical, and radiation safety considerations for implementing a radiopharmaceutical therapy program, with particular focus on the development of operating procedures for therapeutic administrations. Major steps for a center in the U.S. to implement a new radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT) program are listed below, and then demonstrated in greater detail via examples for Lu-177-PSMA-617 therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline E. Zoberi
- Department of Radiation OncologyWashington University School of MedicineSaint LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Jose Garcia‐Ramirez
- Department of Radiation OncologyWashington University School of MedicineSaint LouisMissouriUSA
| | - David Luechtefeld
- Environmental Health and SafetyWashington University School of MedicineSaint LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Nichole M. Maughan
- Department of Radiation OncologyWashington University School of MedicineSaint LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Maxwell Amurao
- Environmental Health and SafetyWashington University School of MedicineSaint LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Reiko Oyama
- MIR Cyclotron Facility and Nuclear PharmacyWashington University School of MedicineSaint LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Brian C. Baumann
- Department of Radiation OncologyWashington University School of MedicineSaint LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Hiram A. Gay
- Department of Radiation OncologyWashington University School of MedicineSaint LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Jeff M. Michalski
- Department of Radiation OncologyWashington University School of MedicineSaint LouisMissouriUSA
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6
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Yuan C, Almuhtaram H, McKie MJ, Andrews RC. Assessment of microplastic sampling and extraction methods for drinking waters. Chemosphere 2022; 286:131881. [PMID: 34403902 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
To date, no standardized methods have been proposed for conducting microplastic analyses in treated drinking waters, resulting in challenges associated with direct comparisons among studies. This study compares known methods for collecting and extracting microplastics from drinking waters: an in-laboratory (in-lab) filtration method and an in-line filtration method (i.e., water filtered on-site without an intermediate storage and/or transportation step). In-lab methods have been the predominant method for sample collection in drinking water matrices, and in-line methods are emerging due to the potential to sample large volumes of water on site and minimize contamination from airborne particles, but the two methods have yet to be directly compared using real samples. In response, this study evaluates both methods in terms of recovering spiked reference microplastics, collecting microplastics from tap water samples using the same water volume, and quantifying the removal of microplastics through a full-scale ultrafiltration system. In-line filtration was shown to have higher recoveries for all the reference microplastics examined (+37 % for PVC fragments, +23 % for PET fragments, +22 % for nylon fibers and +7 % for PET fibers) and a greater potential to reduce microplastic contamination. It also resulted in lower standard deviations for total microplastic counts in the tap water and UF influent and effluent samples. The filtration capacity of the proposed in-line filtration method could exceed 350 L of treated water, but this is highly dependent on the water quality. This study therefore supports the use of in-line filtration methods towards the standardization of microplastic collection procedures in drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuqiao Yuan
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, 35 St. George St., Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A4, Canada
| | - Husein Almuhtaram
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, 35 St. George St., Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A4, Canada.
| | - Michael J McKie
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, 35 St. George St., Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A4, Canada
| | - Robert C Andrews
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, 35 St. George St., Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A4, Canada
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7
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Gwinnett C, Miller RZ. Are we contaminating our samples? A preliminary study to investigate procedural contamination during field sampling and processing for microplastic and anthropogenic microparticles. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 173:113095. [PMID: 34768195 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Methods for sampling, analysis and interpretation of fresh and saltwater microplastics and anthropogenic microfibers have improved since 2004, but techniques for reducing and monitoring procedural contamination are still limited. Quantifying the amount of procedural contamination introduced to samples improves the robustness of counts of microplastics and anthropogenic microfibers in the environment. This pilot study investigates procedural contamination introduced into water samples when rigorous QA/QC anti-contamination protocols are used and removed. Procedural contamination accounted for 33.8% of the total microfibers and microplastics found in samples when protocols were used (n = 81), but 70.7% when they were not (n = 8). With the use of extensive control sampling and full characterization of samples (morphological, optical and chemical) it was possible to identify the predominant sources of contamination (crew clothing) and make recommendations for anti-contamination and procedural contamination identification/reduction protocols for shoreline and small/medium sized vessel sampling for microplastics and anthropogenic microfibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Gwinnett
- Staffordshire University, Microplastic and Forensic Fibres Research Group, UK.
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8
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Cerasa M, Guerriero E, Mosca S. Evaluation of Extraction Procedure of PCDD/Fs, PCBs and Chlorobenzenes from Activated Carbon Fibers (ACFs). Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26216407. [PMID: 34770816 PMCID: PMC8587091 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Active carbon-based sorbents are well known and are used in analytical chemistry. Activated carbon fibers (ACFs) are mainly used as abatement systems in industrial emission pollution control. The objective of this study was to extend the use of ACFs in analytical chemistry for the analysis of polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDFs), dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), and chlorobenzenes (CBs). For this purpose, the extraction efficiency was evaluated based on the QA/QC criteria defined by EPA/ISO reference methods on 13C-standards recovery rates. The procedures tested were ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE), Soxhlet extraction (SE), accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). Each experiment was performed in triplicate to ensure the repeatability of the results, and a second extraction assessed the complete extraction. The comparison of the results of each set of experiments with the minimum requirements of the reference methods for each class of compounds led to SE being chosen as the best technique. SE with toluene resulted in a reduction of time and costs and with respect to the other investigated techniques. The present work demonstrated that ACFs can be used in environmental fields means of both prevention and control (exploiting the adsorbent characteristics) and for analytical purposes (exploiting the desorption) for the described chlorinated classes of pollutants.
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9
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Harrill JA, Viant MR, Yauk CL, Sachana M, Gant TW, Auerbach SS, Beger RD, Bouhifd M, O'Brien J, Burgoon L, Caiment F, Carpi D, Chen T, Chorley BN, Colbourne J, Corvi R, Debrauwer L, O'Donovan C, Ebbels TMD, Ekman DR, Faulhammer F, Gribaldo L, Hilton GM, Jones SP, Kende A, Lawson TN, Leite SB, Leonards PEG, Luijten M, Martin A, Moussa L, Rudaz S, Schmitz O, Sobanski T, Strauss V, Vaccari M, Vijay V, Weber RJM, Williams AJ, Williams A, Thomas RS, Whelan M. Progress towards an OECD reporting framework for transcriptomics and metabolomics in regulatory toxicology. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2021; 125:105020. [PMID: 34333066 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2021.105020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Omics methodologies are widely used in toxicological research to understand modes and mechanisms of toxicity. Increasingly, these methodologies are being applied to questions of regulatory interest such as molecular point-of-departure derivation and chemical grouping/read-across. Despite its value, widespread regulatory acceptance of omics data has not yet occurred. Barriers to the routine application of omics data in regulatory decision making have been: 1) lack of transparency for data processing methods used to convert raw data into an interpretable list of observations; and 2) lack of standardization in reporting to ensure that omics data, associated metadata and the methodologies used to generate results are available for review by stakeholders, including regulators. Thus, in 2017, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Extended Advisory Group on Molecular Screening and Toxicogenomics (EAGMST) launched a project to develop guidance for the reporting of omics data aimed at fostering further regulatory use. Here, we report on the ongoing development of the first formal reporting framework describing the processing and analysis of both transcriptomic and metabolomic data for regulatory toxicology. We introduce the modular structure, content, harmonization and strategy for trialling this reporting framework prior to its publication by the OECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A Harrill
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, United States.
| | - Mark R Viant
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Michabo Health Science, University of Birmingham Enterprise, Birmingham Research Park, Vincent Drive, Birmingham, B15 2SQ, United Kingdom.
| | - Carole L Yauk
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Magdalini Sachana
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Environment Health and Safety Division, Paris, France
| | - Timothy W Gant
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards (CRCE), Public Health England (PHE), Harwell Science Campus, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Scott S Auerbach
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Richard D Beger
- National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, United States
| | | | - Jason O'Brien
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Lyle Burgoon
- US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, 3909 Halls Ferry Rd, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, USA
| | - Florian Caiment
- Department of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229, ER, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Donatella Carpi
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027, Ispra, Italy
| | - Tao Chen
- National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, United States
| | - Brian N Chorley
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, United States
| | - John Colbourne
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Michabo Health Science, University of Birmingham Enterprise, Birmingham Research Park, Vincent Drive, Birmingham, B15 2SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Raffaella Corvi
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027, Ispra, Italy
| | - Laurent Debrauwer
- Toxalim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), INRAE UMR 1331, ENVT, INP-Purpan, Paul Sabatier University (UPS), Toulouse, France; MetaToul-AXIOM Platform, MetaboHUB, National Infrastructure for Metabolomics and Fluxomics, Toulouse, France
| | - Claire O'Donovan
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy M D Ebbels
- Division of Systems Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Drew R Ekman
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, GA, 30605, United States
| | | | - Laura Gribaldo
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027, Ispra, Italy
| | - Gina M Hilton
- PETA Science Consortium International e.V., Friolzheimer Str. 3, 70499, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Stephanie P Jones
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Aniko Kende
- Syngenta Jealott's Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell, RG42 6EY, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas N Lawson
- Michabo Health Science, University of Birmingham Enterprise, Birmingham Research Park, Vincent Drive, Birmingham, B15 2SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Sofia B Leite
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027, Ispra, Italy
| | - Pim E G Leonards
- Department of Environment and Health, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mirjam Luijten
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | | | - Laura Moussa
- US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Veterinary Medicine, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Serge Rudaz
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), Switzerland
| | - Oliver Schmitz
- BASF Metabolome Solutions, Metabolome Data Science, Tegeler Weg 33, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Volker Strauss
- BASF SE, Toxicology and Ecology, 67056, Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Monica Vaccari
- Center for Environmental Health and Prevention, Regional Agency for Prevention, Environment and Energy of Emilia-Romagna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Vikrant Vijay
- National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, United States
| | - Ralf J M Weber
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Michabo Health Science, University of Birmingham Enterprise, Birmingham Research Park, Vincent Drive, Birmingham, B15 2SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Antony J Williams
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, United States
| | - Andrew Williams
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Russell S Thomas
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, United States
| | - Maurice Whelan
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027, Ispra, Italy
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10
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Hildebrandt L, Zimmermann T, Primpke S, Fischer D, Gerdts G, Pröfrock D. Comparison and uncertainty evaluation of two centrifugal separators for microplastic sampling. J Hazard Mater 2021; 414:125482. [PMID: 34030400 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
For commonly applied microplastic sampling approaches based on filtration, high throughput and no size-discrimination are conflicting goals. Therefore, we propose two efficient centrifugal separators for small microplastic sampling, namely the utilization of a hydrocyclone as well as a continuous flow centrifuge. Thorough method optimization was followed by application in an extensive sampling study to investigate the separators' retention behavior for particulate plastics from estuarine waters. Microplastic concentrations ranged from 193 to 2072 particles m-3. The most dominant identified polymer types were polypropylene, acrylates, polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene. More than 95% of particles were < 100 µm. For the first time in microplastic research, an expanded uncertainty was calculated according to the "Guide to the expression of Uncertainty in Measurement" (JCGM 100:2008). Bottom-up uncertainty evaluation revealed the different sampling methods (~ 44%), sample replicates (~ 26%) and the different detection techniques (~ 16%) as the major sources of uncertainty. Depending on the number of particles detected in the samples, the relative expanded uncertainty (Urel (k = 2)) ranged from 24% up to > 200% underpinning tremendous importance of sound uncertainty evaluation. Our results indicate that scientist should rethink many "observed patterns" in the literature due to being insignificant and herewith not real.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Hildebrandt
- Department for Marine Bioanalytical Chemistry, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Centre for Materials and Coastal Research, Geesthacht, Germany; Department of Chemistry, Inorganic and Applied Chemistry, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Tristan Zimmermann
- Department for Marine Bioanalytical Chemistry, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Centre for Materials and Coastal Research, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Sebastian Primpke
- Department of Microbial Ecology, Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Helgoland, Germany
| | - Dieter Fischer
- Department Analytics - Group Microplastics, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Gunnar Gerdts
- Department of Microbial Ecology, Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Helgoland, Germany
| | - Daniel Pröfrock
- Department for Marine Bioanalytical Chemistry, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Centre for Materials and Coastal Research, Geesthacht, Germany.
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11
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Timme RE, Wolfgang WJ, Balkey M, Venkata SLG, Randolph R, Allard M, Strain E. Optimizing open data to support one health: best practices to ensure interoperability of genomic data from bacterial pathogens. One Health Outlook 2020; 2:20. [PMID: 33103064 PMCID: PMC7568946 DOI: 10.1186/s42522-020-00026-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The holistic approach of One Health, which sees human, animal, plant, and environmental health as a unit, rather than discrete parts, requires not only interdisciplinary cooperation, but standardized methods for communicating and archiving data, enabling participants to easily share what they have learned and allow others to build upon their findings. Ongoing work by NCBI and the GenomeTrakr project illustrates how open data platforms can help meet the needs of federal and state regulators, public health laboratories, departments of agriculture, and universities. Here we describe how microbial pathogen surveillance can be transformed by having an open access database along with Best Practices for contributors to follow. First, we describe the open pathogen surveillance framework, hosted on the NCBI platform. We cover the current community standards for WGS quality, provide an SOP for assessing your own sequence quality and recommend QC thresholds for all submitters to follow. We then provide an overview of NCBI data submission along with step by step details. And finally, we provide curation guidance and an SOP for keeping your public data current within the database. These Best Practices can be models for other open data projects, thereby advancing the One Health goals of Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable (FAIR) data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth E. Timme
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 5001 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20740 USA
| | | | - Maria Balkey
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 5001 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20740 USA
| | | | - Robyn Randolph
- Association of Public Health Laboratories, Silver Spring, MD USA
| | - Marc Allard
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 5001 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20740 USA
| | - Errol Strain
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Veterinary Medicine, Laurel, MD USA
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12
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Craven CB, Wawryk N, Jiang P, Liu Z, Li XF. Pesticides and trace elements in cannabis: Analytical and environmental challenges and opportunities. J Environ Sci (China) 2019; 85:82-93. [PMID: 31471034 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2019.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis is increasingly used for both medicinal and recreational purposes with an estimate of over 180 million users annually. Canada has recently legalized cannabis use in October 2018, joining several states in the United States of America (e.g., Colorado, California, and Oregon) and a few other countries. A variety of cannabis products including dry flowers, edibles, and oil products are widely consumed. With high demand for cannabis products worldwide, the quality of cannabis and its related products has become a major concern for consumer safety. Various guidelines have been set by different countries to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of cannabis products. In general, these guidelines require control of contaminants including pesticides, toxic elements, mycotoxins, and pathogens, as well as residual solvents in regard to cannabis oil. Accordingly, appropriate analytical methods are required to determine these contaminants in cannabis products for quality control. In this review, we focus on the current analytical challenges and method development for detection of pesticides and toxic elements in cannabis to meet various guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caley B Craven
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G2, Canada; Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Nicholas Wawryk
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Ping Jiang
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G3, Canada.
| | - Zhongshan Liu
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Xing-Fang Li
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G3, Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Willem A Groenewald
- Department of Medical Imaging and Clinical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University.,Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Parow, South Africa
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14
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Pierchala A, Rozanski K, Dulinski M, Gorczyca Z, Marzec M, Czub R. High-precision measurements of δ 2H, δ 18O and δ 17O in water with the aid of cavity ring-down laser spectroscopy. Isotopes Environ Health Stud 2019; 55:290-307. [PMID: 31037964 DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2019.1609959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A thorough evaluation of measurement uncertainty together with control of short-term and long-term precision of measurements should be a basis of any successful quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) strategy aimed at maintaining a high quality of the analytical process. Here we present the results of a comprehensive assessment of the analytical performance of a Picarro L2140-i CRDS laser spectrometer analysing δ2H, δ18O and δ17O in water. The assessment is based on results obtained during 15 months of continuous operation of this instrument (February 2017 to May 2018). The short-term precision of measured and derived quantities was 0.11, 0.036, 0.028, 0.23 ‰ and 11 per meg, for δ2H, δ18O, δ17O, d-excess and Δ17O, respectively, and is comparable to the precision reported by the manufacturer. The long-term precision of the L2140-i, defined as standard uncertainty of the time series of 153 analyses of a laboratory standard conducted throughout 15 months, was roughly two times lower (0.24, 0.053, 0.038, 0.37 ‰ and 21 per meg, for δ2H, δ18O, δ17O, d-excess and Δ17O). In-depth assessment of the measurement uncertainty of a single analysis revealed that assigned uncertainty of the calibration standards is an important component of the uncertainty budget, especially in case of δ2H analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pierchala
- a Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science , AGH University of Science and Technology , Krakow , Poland
| | - Kazimierz Rozanski
- a Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science , AGH University of Science and Technology , Krakow , Poland
| | - Marek Dulinski
- a Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science , AGH University of Science and Technology , Krakow , Poland
| | - Zbigniew Gorczyca
- a Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science , AGH University of Science and Technology , Krakow , Poland
| | - Michal Marzec
- a Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science , AGH University of Science and Technology , Krakow , Poland
| | - Robert Czub
- a Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science , AGH University of Science and Technology , Krakow , Poland
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15
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Sakurai Y, Uchida R. [Application of Gel Detector in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy]. Igaku Butsuri 2018; 37:190-194. [PMID: 29415963 DOI: 10.11323/jjmp.37.3_190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
At present, the development of the accelerator-based irradiation system for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is energetically performed by various groups in the world. Especially in Japan, BNCT using various accelerator-based irradiation systems may be carried out at plural facilities in the near future. Thus, it is the time when BNCT is shifting from a special particle therapy to a general therapy, now. In order to promote this shift, not only the development and improvement for the irradiation system but also the preparation and improvement in the physical engineering and medical physics, such as dosimetry system, etc., is important. Recently, as part of the improvement in the dosimetry method for BNCT, the estimation method of three-dimensional dose distribution using gel detector is focused. In this paper, the principle of BNCT, especially for dose deposition, is introduced, and the studies for gel detector in BNCT are introduced referring to the proceedings of the international symposium for BNCT.
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16
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Horn W, Richter M, Nohr M, Wilke O, Jann O. Application of a novel reference material in an international round robin test on material emissions testing. Indoor Air 2018; 28:181-187. [PMID: 28833742 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Emission testing of products is currently a rapidly increasing field of measurement activity. Labeling procedures for construction products are based on such emission test chamber measurements, and hence, measurement performance should be verified. One possible route is to conduct testing of one material in different laboratories within a round robin test (RRT), ideally using homogeneous reference materials, which can be used within interlaboratory studies or as part of the quality management system to ensure comparable results. The applicability of a lacquer system with nine added VOCs (hexanal, styrene, n-decane, limonene, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, N-methyl-α-pyrrolidone, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, dimethyl phthalate, and n-hexadecane) was evaluated in an international RRT with 55 participating laboratories. An intralaboratory quality check confirmed the homogeneity and reproducibility of the lacquer material for most of the compounds (RSD 5%-6%), which was confirmed in the RRT. However, emissions varied for the polar compound N-methyl-α-pyrrolidone and the higher boiling compounds 1,2-dimethyl phthalate, and n-hexadecane which could be traced back to analytical issues. In the RRT, the interlaboratory relative standard deviations (RSDs) ranged from 30% to 65% for all participants but for reference laboratories the range was between 20% and 45%.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Horn
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Berlin, Germany
| | - M Richter
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Berlin, Germany
| | - M Nohr
- Markes International GmbH, Neu-Isenburg, Germany
| | - O Wilke
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Berlin, Germany
| | - O Jann
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Berlin, Germany
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17
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Lardy-Fontan S, Le Diouron V, Drouin C, Lalere B, Vaslin-Reimann S, Dauchy X, Rosin C. Validation of a method to monitor the occurrence of 20 relevant pharmaceuticals and personal care products in 167 bottled waters. Sci Total Environ 2017; 587-588:118-127. [PMID: 28242224 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.02.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Revised: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Research on emerging substances in drinking water presents major interest and the possibility of trace contamination has seen increasing concern from the scientific community and the public authorities. More particularly, residues of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in bottled water are a very important issue due to societal concerns and potential media impact. In this context, it has become necessary to carry out reliable monitoring. This requires measurements of high quality with demonstration of accuracy and well-defined uncertainty. In this study, 20 pharmaceutical compounds were targeted for the first time in 167 bottled waters from France and other European countries. An isotope dilution-solid phase extraction-liquid chromatography mass spectrometry method, together with stringent quality control and quality assurance protocols, was developed and validated according to French mandatory standards. Recoveries between 87% and 112% were obtained with coefficient of variation below 20%. Operational limits of quantification (LOQ) were comprised between 5 and 30ngL-1. Expanded uncertainties (k=2) ranged between 16% and 43% and were below 35% for half of the compounds. The survey showed only four positive quantifications, thereby highlighting the rarity of contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Lardy-Fontan
- Laboratoire National de métrologie et d'Essais (LNE), 1 rue Gaston Boissier, 75724 Paris, France,.
| | - Véronique Le Diouron
- Laboratoire National de métrologie et d'Essais (LNE), 1 rue Gaston Boissier, 75724 Paris, France
| | - Catherine Drouin
- Laboratoire National de métrologie et d'Essais (LNE), 1 rue Gaston Boissier, 75724 Paris, France
| | - Béatrice Lalere
- Laboratoire National de métrologie et d'Essais (LNE), 1 rue Gaston Boissier, 75724 Paris, France
| | - Sophie Vaslin-Reimann
- Laboratoire National de métrologie et d'Essais (LNE), 1 rue Gaston Boissier, 75724 Paris, France
| | - Xavier Dauchy
- ANSES Nancy Laboratory for Hydrology, Water Chemistry Department, 40 Rue Lionnois, 54 000 Nancy, France
| | - Christophe Rosin
- ANSES Nancy Laboratory for Hydrology, Water Chemistry Department, 40 Rue Lionnois, 54 000 Nancy, France
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18
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Mammarappallil JG, Hiatt KD, Vincent W, Bettmann MA. How accurate is the label "allergic to iodinated contrast agents"? Acta Radiol 2016; 57:47-50. [PMID: 25585853 DOI: 10.1177/0284185114568049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Iodinated contrast agents (ICAs) are crucial to the use of many imaging studies. Reported allergies to ICAs in the medical record can interfere with optimal diagnostic imaging workups. PURPOSE To investigate the accuracy with which the label "allergic to ICAs" is applied. MATERIAL AND METHODS The medical records of 500 patients labeled "allergic to ICAs" at a single tertiary care hospital were reviewed. Patients were separated into three groups based on documentation in their medical records, as follows: Group 1, documented hypersensitivity reaction to ICAs; Group 2, documented ICA exposure with non-hypersensitivity adverse event (Group 2a) or without documented reaction (Group 2b); and Group 3, no documented prior exposure to an ICA. We then further reviewed the EMR to determine whether or not patients had subsequent administration of an ICA, whether or not they were given specific premedication, and whether or not they had a subsequent ICA-related event. RESULTS A total of 16.6% of patients (n = 83) listed as "allergic to ICAs" had a documented hypersensitivity reaction following ICA administration (Group 1) while 58.6% (n = 293) of patients (Group 2) had a documented exposure to ICAs with either: (i) a non-hypersensitivity adverse event (23.5%, n = 69) or (ii) no record of a reaction to ICAs (76.5%, n = 224). The remaining 24.8% (n = 124), Group 3, had no record of exposure to an ICA, yet still carried the label. CONCLUSION The majority of patients carrying the label "allergic to ICAs" had no record of a prior hypersensitivity reaction to ICAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G Mammarappallil
- Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
- Duke University Hospital, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kevin D Hiatt
- Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - William Vincent
- Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
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19
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Lauritzen PM, Hurlen P, Sandbæk G, Gulbrandsen P. Double reading rates and quality assurance practices in Norwegian hospital radiology departments: two parallel national surveys. Acta Radiol 2015; 56:78-86. [PMID: 24425793 DOI: 10.1177/0284185113519988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Double reading as a quality assurance (QA) tool is employed extensively in Norwegian hospital radiology departments. The practice is resource consuming and regularly debated. PURPOSE To investigate the rates of double reading in Norwegian hospital radiology departments, to identify department characteristics associated with double reading rates, and to investigate associations between double reading and other quality improvement. MATERIAL AND METHODS We issued two parallel national surveys to management and to consultant radiologists, respectively. Management was defined as the chief medical officer and/or the head of the radiology department. The management survey covered staffing, perceived resource situation, double reading, guidelines, and quality improvement. The radiologist survey served to validate management responses concerning double reading. Management survey items concerning practices of quality improvement were organized into three indices reflecting different quality approaches, namely: appropriateness of investigations; personal performance feedback; and system performance feedback. RESULTS The response rates of the surveys were 100% (45/45) for management and 55% (266/483) for radiologists. Of all exams read by consultants, 33% were double read. The double reading rate was highest in university hospital departments (59%), intermediate in other teaching departments (30%), and lowest in non-teaching departments (11%) (P = 0.01). Among the quality indices, mean scores were highest on appropriateness index (68%), intermediate on the person index (56%), and lowest on system index (37%). There were no correlations between double reading rates and scores on any of the quality indices. CONCLUSION The rate of double reading in Norwegian hospital radiology is significantly correlated to department teaching status, but not to other practices of quality work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Lauritzen
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Akershus University Hospital, Norway
| | - Petter Hurlen
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Akershus University Hospital, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Gunnar Sandbæk
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Imaging, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Pål Gulbrandsen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
- Health Services Research Unit, Akershus University Hospital, Norway
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20
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Tomita N, Kodaira T, Teshima T, Ogawa K, Kumazaki Y, Yamauchi C, Toita T, Uno T, Sumi M, Onishi H, Kenjo M, Nakamura K. Japanese structure survey of high-precision radiotherapy in 2012 based on institutional questionnaire about the patterns of care. Jpn J Clin Oncol 2014; 44:579-86. [PMID: 24729623 DOI: 10.1093/jjco/hyu041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to clarify operational situations, treatment planning and processes, quality assurance and quality control with relevance to stereotactic radiotherapy, intensity-modulated radiotherapy and image-guided radiotherapy in Japan. METHODS We adopted 109 items as the quality indicators of high-precision radiotherapy to prepare a questionnaire. In April 2012, we started to publicly open the questionnaire on the website, requesting every institution with radiotherapy machines for response. The response ratio was 62.1% (490 out of 789 institutions responded). RESULTS Two or more radiotherapy technologists per linear accelerator managed linear accelerator operation in ∼90% of the responded institutions while medical physicists/radiotherapy quality managers were engaged in the operation in only 64.9% of the institutions. Radiotherapy certified nurses also worked in only 18.4% of the institutions. The ratios of the institutions equipped for stereotactic radiotherapy of lung tumor, intensity-modulated radiotherapy and image-guided radiotherapy were 43.3, 32.6 and 46.8%, respectively. In intensity-modulated radiotherapy planning, radiation oncologists were usually responsible for delineation while medical physicists/radiotherapy quality managers or radiotherapy technologists set up beam in 33.3% of the institutions. The median time required for quality assurance of intensity-modulated radiotherapy at any site of brain, head and neck and prostate was 4 h. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy quality assurance activity had to be started after clinical hours in >60% of the institutions. CONCLUSIONS This study clarified one major issue in the current high-precision radiotherapy in Japan. A manpower shortage should be corrected for high-precision radiotherapy, especially in the area relevant to quality assurance/quality control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natsuo Tomita
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Aichi
| | - Takeshi Kodaira
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Aichi
| | - Teruki Teshima
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases, Osaka
| | - Kazuhiko Ogawa
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka
| | - Yu Kumazaki
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama
| | - Chikako Yamauchi
- Department of Radiotherapy, Shiga Medical Center for Adults, Shiga
| | - Takafumi Toita
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa
| | - Takashi Uno
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba
| | - Minako Sumi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo
| | - Hiroshi Onishi
- Department of Radiology, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi
| | - Masahiro Kenjo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima
| | - Katsumasa Nakamura
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Kyushu University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Fukuoka, Japan
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21
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Tanaka K, Sakurai Y, Endo S, Takada J. Study on detecting spatial distribution of neutrons and gamma rays using a multi-imaging plate system. Appl Radiat Isot 2014; 88:143-6. [PMID: 24485172 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2013.12.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2013] [Revised: 12/24/2013] [Accepted: 12/25/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In order to measure the spatial distributions of neutrons and gamma rays separately using the imaging plate, the requirement for the converter to enhance specific component was investigated with the PHITS code. Consequently, enhancing fast neutrons using recoil protons from epoxy resin was not effective due to high sensitivity of the imaging plate to gamma rays. However, the converter of epoxy resin doped with (10)B was found to have potential for thermal and epithermal neutrons, and graphite for gamma rays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenichi Tanaka
- Center of Medical Education, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan.
| | - Yoshinori Sakurai
- Research Reactor Institute, Kyoto University, Kumatori, 590-0494, Japan
| | - Satoru Endo
- Graduate School of Engineering, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, 739-8527, Japan
| | - Jun Takada
- Center of Medical Education, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan
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22
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Dewailly E, Forde M, Robertson L, Kaddar N, Laouan Sidi EA, Côté S, Gaudreau E, Drescher O, Ayotte P. Evaluation of pyrethroid exposures in pregnant women from 10 Caribbean countries. Environ Int 2014; 63:201-206. [PMID: 24317226 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2013.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2013] [Revised: 11/14/2013] [Accepted: 11/15/2013] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Pyrethroid pesticides are commonly used in tropical regions such as the Caribbean as household insecticides, pet sprays, and where malaria is endemic, impregnated into mosquito-repellent nets. Of particular concern is exposure during pregnancy, as these compounds have the potential to cross the placental barrier and interfere with fetal development, as was shown in limited animal studies. The objective of this study was to evaluate exposure to pyrethroids to pregnant women residing in 10 English-speaking Caribbean countries. Pyrethroid exposures were determined by analyzing five pyrethroid metabolites in urine samples from 295 pregnant women: cis-DBCA, cis-DCCA, trans-DCCA, 3-PBA, and 4-F-3-PBA. Pyrethroid metabolite concentrations in Caribbean pregnant women were generally higher in the 10 Caribbean countries than levels reported for Canadian and U.S. women. In Antigua & Barbuda and Jamaica participants the geometric mean concentrations of cis-DBCA was significantly higher than in the other nine countries together (p<0.0001 and <0.0012 respectively). For cis- and trans-DCCA, only Antigua & Barbuda women differed significantly from participants of the other nine Caribbean countries (p<0.0001). Urinary 4-F-3-PBA and 3-PBA levels were significantly higher in Antigua & Barbuda (p<0.0028 and p<0.0001 respectively) as well as in Grenada (p<0.0001 and p<0.007 respectively). These results indicate extensive use of pyrethroid compounds such as permethrin and cypermethrin in Caribbean households. In Antigua & Barbuda, the data reveals a greater use of deltamethrin. This study underscores the need for Caribbean public health authorities to encourage their populations, and in particular pregnant women, to utilize this class of pesticides more judiciously given the potentially adverse effects of exposure on fetuses and infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Dewailly
- Laval University CHUQ Research Center, Québec, Canada; Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Canada
| | - Martin Forde
- Department of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, St. George's University, St. George's, Grenada
| | - Lyndon Robertson
- Caribbean EcoHealth Programme (CEHP), Windward Islands Research and Education Foundation (WINDREF), St. George's, Grenada
| | - Nisrin Kaddar
- Laval University CHUQ Research Center, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Suzanne Côté
- Laval University CHUQ Research Center, Québec, Canada
| | - Eric Gaudreau
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Canada
| | | | - Pierre Ayotte
- Laval University CHUQ Research Center, Québec, Canada; Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Canada
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Abstract
Environmental toxicity is judged to be in a "dark ages" period due to longstanding limitations in the implementation of the simple conceptual model that is the basis of current aquatic toxicity testing protocols. Fortunately, the environmental regulatory revolution of the last half-century is not substantially compromised as development of past regulatory guidance was designed to deal with limited amounts of relatively poor quality toxicity data. However, as regulatory objectives have substantially increased in breadth and depth, aquatic toxicity data derived with old testing methods are no longer adequate. In the near-term explicit model description and routine assumption validation should be mandatory. Updated testing methods could provide some improvements in toxicological data quality. A thorough reevaluation of toxicity testing objectives and methods resulting in substantially revised standard testing methods, plus a comprehensive scheme for classification of modes/mechanisms of toxic action, should be the long-term objective.
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Affiliation(s)
- L S McCarty
- Scientific Research & Consulting, 1115 Quaker Trail, Newmarket, ON L3X 3E2, Canada.
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Dirtu AC, Geens T, Dirinck E, Malarvannan G, Neels H, Van Gaal L, Jorens PG, Covaci A. Phthalate metabolites in obese individuals undergoing weight loss: Urinary levels and estimation of the phthalates daily intake. Environ Int 2013; 59:344-353. [PMID: 23892227 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2013.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2013] [Revised: 06/17/2013] [Accepted: 06/21/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Human exposure to chemicals commonly encountered in our environment, like phthalates, is routinely assessed through urinary measurement of their metabolites. A particular attention is given to the specific population groups, such as obese, for which the dietary intake of environmental chemicals is higher. To evaluate the exposure to phthalates, nine phthalate metabolites (PMs) were analyzed in urine collected from obese individuals and a control population. Obese individuals lost weight through either bariatric surgery or a conservative weight loss program with dietary and lifestyle counseling. Urine samples were also collected from the obese individuals after 3, 6 and 12months of weight loss. Individual daily intakes of the corresponding phthalate diesters were estimated based on the urinary PM concentrations. A high variability was recorded for the levels of each PM in both obese and control urine samples showing the exposure to high levels of PMs in specific subgroups. The most important PM metabolite as percentage contribution to the total PM levels was mono-ethyl phthalate followed by the metabolites of di-butyl phthalate and di 2-ethyl-hexyl phthalate (DEHP). No differences in the PM levels and profiles between obese entering the program and controls were observed. Although paralleled by a significant decrease of their weight, an increase in the urinary PM levels after 3 to 6months loss was seen. Constant figures for the estimated phthalates daily intake were observed over the studied period, suggesting that besides food consumption, other human exposure sources to phthalates (e.g. air, dust) might be also important. The weight loss treatment method followed by obese individuals influenced the correlations between PM levels, suggesting a change of the intake sources with time. Except for few gender differences recorded between the urinary DEHP metabolites correlations, no other differences were observed for the urinary PM levels as a function of age, body mass index or waist circumference. Linear regression analysis showed almost no significance of the relationship between measured urinary PMs and serum free thyroxine, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) for all obese individuals participating to the study, while for the control samples, several PMs were significantly associated with the serum TSH levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alin C Dirtu
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium.
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25
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Berberat J, Eberle B, Rogers S, Boxheimer L, Lutters G, Merlo A, Bodis S, Remonda L. Anisotropic phantom measurements for quality assured use of diffusion tensor imaging in clinical practice. Acta Radiol 2013; 54:576-80. [PMID: 23474770 DOI: 10.1177/0284185113476018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is being increasingly applied in clinical practice, for example in neuronavigation and in modern radiation treatment planning. Quality assurance (QA) is therefore important to avoid clinical errors. PURPOSE To compare four analytical programs and a neuronavigation tool to evaluate our in-house diffusion-weighted imaging protocol in order to be able to implement diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) into clinical practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS A phantom containing crossing fibers was used for the QA. Fiber tracking and fractional anisotropy (FA) analyses were performed, and the geometrical resolution was verified using the phantom. RESULTS FA results were reproducible within each program and no significant differences between programs were observed. Also, no significant differences in FA values were found when comparing the results between the four software programs. Geometrical resolution of the anatomical data-set was satisfactory; however the crossing of the fibers was not accurately represented by three of the four programs. CONCLUSION Phantom QA is necessary before using DTI for novel procedures to identify the uncertainties associated with DTI data. It is important to remember that the results are software-dependent and that representation of the tracts may vary between software products. We therefore recommend caution with regard to the application of fiber tracking results intraoperatively when dealing with abnormal fiber tract anatomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jatta Berberat
- Department of Neuroradiology
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cantonal Hospital, Aarau, Switzerland
| | - Brigitte Eberle
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cantonal Hospital, Aarau, Switzerland
| | - Susanne Rogers
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cantonal Hospital, Aarau, Switzerland
| | | | - Gerd Lutters
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cantonal Hospital, Aarau, Switzerland
| | - Adrian Merlo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cantonal Hospital, Aarau, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Bodis
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cantonal Hospital, Aarau, Switzerland
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Kim YS, Jung SE, Choi BG, Shin YR, Hwang SS, Ku YM, Lim YS, Lee JM. Image quality improvement after implementation of a CT accreditation program. Korean J Radiol 2010; 11:553-9. [PMID: 20808700 PMCID: PMC2930165 DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2010.11.5.553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2010] [Accepted: 05/10/2010] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate any improvement in the quality of abdominal CTs after the utilization of the nationally based accreditation program. Materials and Methods Approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board, and informed consent was waived. We retrospectively analyzed 1,011 outside abdominal CTs, from 2003 to 2007. We evaluated images using a fill-up sheet form of the national accreditation program, and subjectively by grading for the overall CT image quality. CT scans were divided into two categories according to time periods; before and after the implementation of the accreditation program. We compared CT scans between two periods according to parameters pertaining to the evaluation of images. We determined whether there was a correlation between the results of a subjective assessment of the image quality and the evaluation scores of the clinical image. Results The following parameters were significantly different after the implementation of the accreditation program: identifying data, display parameters, scan length, spatial and contrast resolution, window width and level, optimal contrast enhancement, slice thickness, and total score. The remaining parameters were not significantly different between scans obtained from the two different periods: scan parameters, film quality, and artifacts. Conclusion After performing the CT accreditation program, the quality of the outside abdominal CTs show marked improvement, especially for the parameters related to the scanning protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Sung Kim
- Department of Radiology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Korea
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