Performance Evaluation of the CLINITEK Novus Automated Urine Chemistry Analyzer

Background: We aimed to evaluate the performance of the CLINITEK Novus urine chemistry analyzer (Siemens, UK). Methods: The precision, correlation, and carryover study were performed using two kinds of commercial quality control materials and 40-55 freshly collected patient specimens. We calculated exact and within-1-block agreement, along with kappa agreement, to compare the semi-quantitative results between urine chemistry analyzers. The urine specific gravity taken by a refractometer was compared with the analyzer results. Moreover, we analyzed additional urine specimens for protein to evaluate the agreement of results between those of the CLINITEK Novus and the AU680 analyzers (Beckman Coulter, Japan). Results: The precision study showed acceptable results; within-1-block agreement was 100% in all tested items. The urine chemistry results from the CLNITEK Novus analyzer demonstrated ≥85.1% within-1-block agreements with those of the Uriscan Super, and the kappa test results were ≥0.81. The comparison of specific gravity with manual refractometer showed a good correlation (r=0.991), and the protein comparison with the AU680 analyzer also showed a good correlation (with exact and within-1-block agreements being 75.9% and 100.0%, respectively). The carryover rates were 0% in all tested items, except specific gravity and heavy blood tests. Conclusions: The CLINITEK Novus analyzer showed good performance in terms of precision, comparison, and carryover in this study. Therefore, the CLINITEK Novus automated urine analysis is expected to be useful for routine urinalysis in a clinical laboratory.ope

Influence of Vitamin C and Maltose on the Accuracy of Three Models of Glucose Meters.

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Ascorbate Oxidase Minimizes Interference by High-Concentration Ascorbic Acid in Total Cholesterol Assays

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Establishment of muscle mass-based indications for the cystatin C test in renal function evaluation

Background: We aimed to suggest muscle mass-based criteria for using of the cystatin C test for the accurate estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Materials and methods: We recruited 138 Korean subjects and evaluated eGFRcr (derived from Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) based on creatinine) was compared to eGFRcys based on cystatin C as the reference value. The skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was used as representative of muscle mass. Calf circumference (CC) was also evaluated. We defined the patients by eGFRcr as those with values of eGFRcr ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 but eGFRcys < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 as the detection of hidden renal impairment (DHRI). Cut-off values were determined based on muscle mass for the cases of DHRI suggesting the criteria of cystatin C test in renal function evaluation. Results: We confirmed significant negative correlation between %difference of eGFRcr from eGFRcys and SMI (r, -0.592 for male, -0.484 for female) or CC (r, -0.646 for male, -0.351 for female). SMI of 7.3 kg/m2 for males and 5.7 kg/m2 for females were suggested to be significant cutoffs for indication of cystatin C test. We also suggested CC would be valuable for cystatin C indication. Conclusion: We suggested the muscle mass-based objective criteria relating to SMI and CC that would indicate the use of cystatin C to evaluate renal function test in sarcopenic cases. Our results highlight the importance of muscle mass-based selection of renal function.ope

노년기의 자기고양적 편향, 생애사건 해석과 주관적 행복감의 관계

이 연구는 급격히 증가하는 노년 인구의 삶의 질을 향상시키기 위한 상담에 기여하기 위해서, 노년기의 자기고양적 편향 정도와 주관적 행복감의 관계, 생애사건을 해석하는 태도와 주관적 행복감의 관계를 살펴보았다. 연구문제는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 노년기의 성격에 대한 자기고양적 편향과 주관적 행복감은 어떠한 관계에 있는가? 둘째, 생애사건에 대한 해석과 주관적 행복감은 어떤 관계에 있는가? 이 연구의 가설은 다음과 같다. 첫째, 노년기의 성격에 대한 자기고양적 편향은 주관적 행복감과 정적 상관이 있을 것이다. 둘째, 노인들의 생애사건 해석에 있어서 사건의 종류와 주관적 행복감은 상호작용이 있을 것이다. 즉 긍정적 생애사건을 해석하는 데는 상대적으로 행복감이 높은 노인과 낮은 노인 간에 차이가 없으나, 부정적 생애사건에 대해서는 행복감이 상대적으로 더 낮은 노인들이 행복감이 상대적으로 높은 노인들에 비하여 더 부정적으로 해석할 것이다. 이를 위해 서울시에 거주하는 60세 이상의 노인 140명을 대상으로 설문을 실시하였다. 성격의 자기고양적 편향 정도를 측정하기 위해서는 Lee, Park 및 Uhlemann(2001)이 번안하고 김혜영(2001)이 수정하여 사용했던 긍정적 착각척도(Positive Illusion Questionnaire) 중 성격의 자기고양적 편향에 관한 하위 질문지를 사용하였고, 긍정적·부정적 생애사건을 해석하는 태도를 보기 위해서는 Seidlitz와 Diener(1993)의 생애사건 검사를 연구자가 노인에 맞도록 재구성하여 사용하였다. 그리고 주관적 행복감 정도를 측정하기 위해서는 Lyubomirsky와 Lepper(1999)의 주관적 행복감 척도(Subjective Happiness Scale)를 번안하여 사용하였다.;The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships of a self-enhancement bias, life events and subjective well-being in old-adults. Research participants were 140 old-adults from social welfare facilities located in Seoul. Instruments used in the study were as follows: Rating of Self and Others in Positive Illusion Questionnaire (Lee, Park, &amp;amp; Uhlemann, 2001), Adjusted Objective and Subjective Event Checklist Items (Seidlitz &amp;amp;Diener, 1993)by an author of this study , and Subjective Happiness Scale (Lyubomirsky &amp;amp; Lepper, 1999). Correlation and repeated two-way ANOVA were used to analyze data. The results indicated the significant positive correlation between self-enhancement bias about personality and subjective well-being. Also, this study found a interaction between life events and subjective well-being. Concretely, in analyzing of positive life events, old-adults who have high subjective well-being accepted positive life events more positively, however, in analyzing of negative life events, there weren&amp;apos;t differences of interpretation between old-adults who have high subjective well-being and old-adults who have low subjective well-being.그림 및 표 목차 = 6 요약 = 7 Ⅰ. 서론 = 1 A. 문제제기 = 1 B. 연구문제 및 가설 = 3 Ⅱ. 이론적 배경 = 5 A. 성격에 대한 자기고양적 편향 = 5 B. 생애사건(life events) = 8 C. 주관적 행복감(subjective well-being) = 11 D. 노년기의 특성 = 15 Ⅲ. 연구방법 = 19 A. 연구대상 = 19 B. 연구도구 = 21 1. 성격의 자기고양적 편향에 관한 질문지(Rating of Self and Otbers:RSo) = 21 2. 생애사건 검사(Objective and Subjective Event Checklist Items) = 22 3. 주관적 행복감 척도(Subjective Happiness Scale) = 23 C. 연구절차 = 24 D. 자료처리 = 24 Ⅳ. 연구결과 = 26 A. 노년기의 성격에 대한 자기고양적 편향과 주관적 행복감의 관계 = 26 B. 주관적 행복감 정도에 따른 생애사건의 해석 = 26 C. 인구·사회학적 변인에 따른 자기고양적 편향, 생애사건 해석, 주관적 행복감 = 30 Ⅴ. 논의 = 43 A. 연구결과의 요약 및 논의 = 43 B. 연구의 의의, 제한점과 후속연구를 위한 제언 = 45 참고문헌 = 48 부록 = 60 Abstract = 6

국내 임상검체 분리 Bacteroides fragilis 군의 항균체 내성 연구(2009-2012)

Dept. of Medicine/석사Periodic monitoring of antimicrobial resistance trends of clinically important anaerobic bacteria such as Bacteroides fragilis group organisms is required, because the resistance patterns may vary greatly depending on regions and routine susceptibility is often not determined. We determined the antimicrobial susceptibilities of clinical isolates of B. fragilis group organisms recovered in 2009-2012 in South Korea.B. fragilis group isolates were recovered from blood, body fluid and abscess specimens at a tertiary-care hospital. The species were identified by conventional methods, the ATB 32A system and MALDI-TOF MS. A total of 180 nonduplicate isolates used in this study were: 86 B. fragilis, 46 B. thetaiotaomicron, 20 B. vulgatus, 13 B. ovatus, 13 Parabacteroides distasonis and 2 B. uniformis. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the CLSI agar dilution method. The MIC was defined as the concentration at which there was a marked reduction in growth: such as from confluent growth to a haze, less than 10 tiny colonies, or several normal-sized colonies. B. fragilis ATCC 25285 and B. thetaiotaomicron ATCC 29741 were used as controls.Cefoxitin, imipenem, and meropenem were highly active against all isolates, with resistance rates of less than 8%. The rate of resistance to piperacillin-tazobactam was 2% for B. fragilis and 0% for other Bacteroides species, but 13% for B. thetaiotaomicron isolates. High resistance rates were observed to piperacillin (67% and 63%), cefotetan (37% and 31%), and clindamycin (78% and 67%) for B. thetaiotaomicron isolates and other Bacteroides spp., respectively. The moxifloxacin resistance rates were 25% for other Bacteroides spp. The MIC range of tigecycline was 0.12-16 μg/mL for all B. fragilis group isolates and MIC50 and MIC90 were 1-2 μg/mL and 8 μg/mL, respectively. No isolates were resistant to chloramphenicol and metronidazole.Piperacillin-tazobactam, cefoxitin, imipenem, meropenem, chloramphenicol, and metronidazole remain active against B. fragilis group isolates. Continuous monitoring is necessary to demonstrate changes in antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of B. fragilis group isolates.ope

Pricing European Call Options by The Inverse Laplace Transform and Finite Difference Methods

Maste

Understanding Latent Sub-groups of College Students Based on the Level of Ego-identity

이 연구의 목적은 자아정체감 수준 따른 대학생 내의 잠재 하위집단을 탐색하고 이와 같은 잠재집단을 분류하 는데 영향을 주는 예측요인들을 알아보는 것이다. 이를 위해 전국 23개 대학교에 재학 중인 남녀 대학생 980명 을 대상으로 잠재집단분석을 실시한 후, 성별, 연령, 부모의 지지가 자아정체감 집단 분류와 어떤 관련이 있는가 를 탐색하였다. 연구 결과 첫째, 자아정체감의 잠재적 하위 유형은 추정된 평균점수에 따라 4개의 이질적인 하위 집단으로 분류되는데, 자아정체감의 모든 하위 요인이 가장 낮게 나타나는 정체감-하 집단, 하위요인의 수 준이 전체집단의 평균 수준과 유사하게 나타나는 정체감-평균 집단, 모든 하위요인이 평균보다 유의하게 높은 수준인 정체감-상 집단, 모든 하위요인에서 가장 높은 수치를 보이며 정체감-상 집단보다 유의하 게 높은 수치를 보이는 정체감-최상 집단으로 나뉘었다. 둘째, 성별, 연령, 지각된 부모의 지지 수준에 따라 각 하위집단에 속할 확률이 차이남을 알 수 있었다. 즉 남학생일수록 연령이 높을수록 정체감이 높은 집단에 속할 확률이 높고, 부모의 지지가 높을수록 정체감이 높거나 정체감 수준이 최상인 집단에 속할 확률이 높아졌 다. 이러한 배경변수는 집단에 속할 확률을 서로 달리 예측하고 있었는데, 특히 성별과 어머니의 지지가 집단분 류에 미치는 영향력이 상대적으로 크다는 것을 알 수 있었다. 이러한 결과가 청년기 자아정체감 발달에 주는 시사점을 중심으로 논의하고, 이 연구의 제한점과 가능한 후속연구에 대하여 제안하였다. The purpose of this study was to identify latent/unobserved sub-groups in emerging adults' ego-identity and to test effects of several variables in determining latent groups. A Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was utilized to analyze data collected from Korean senior college students. First, we examined whether there exist multiple latent groups based on indicators of ego-identity, in relation to gender, age and parental support. Results showed that four subgroups within the sample were found to be qualitatively different as they presented average identity group, low identity group, high identity group and very-high identity group. The four groups were identified based on the levels of 6 indicators (e.g. initiativeness, self-receptiveness, confirmativeness for future, goal orientedness, subjectivity, and intimacy) of ego-identity. Next, we investigated whether background variables significantly predicted class membership. Covariates such as gender, age, and parental support (e.g. instrumental, emotional, evaluative, and informational support) contributed to classification. Considering the effect of variables, men were more likely to belong to high and very-high identity group while women were more likely to belong to average and low identity group. Also, older students tended to belong to high identity group than younger students. Students who perceived higher parental support were likely to belong to average and high identity group. However, gender, age, parental support didn't predict classification significantly for very-high identity group as compared to other groups. Suggestions and implications for understanding the types of subgroups in emerging adults' ego-identity were discussed

Characterization of circulating antibodies with affinity to an epitope used in antibody-conjugated magnetic immunoassays from a case of falsely elevated cyclosporine A.

BACKGROUND: We report a case demonstrating falsely elevated cyclosporine A (CsA) levels by using the antibody-conjugated magnetic immunoassay (ACMIA). To determine the cause of the false positive result, we examined the presence of an interferent in the patient's sample. METHODS: A 26-year-old male patient displayed a high CsA concentration eight weeks after discontinuation of CsA treatment when measured by ACMIA. The possibility of assay interference was examined using serial dilution tests, heterophilic blocking tubes, erythrocyte washing, polyethylene glycol (PEG) protein precipitation, and a Protein A sepharose bead immunoabsorption assay. RESULTS: The serial dilution test showed nonlinearity, suggesting the presence of an interferent. CsA concentrations in the patient's plasma pre- and post-heterophilic blocking tube treatment were similar. Erythrocyte washing and PEG protein precipitation tests indicated the existence of a protein interferent in the plasma. Moreover, the Protein A bead immunoabsorption assay identified the interferent as antibodies against a unique epitope on the monoclonal antibody-β-galactosidase (mAb-β-gal) enzyme conjugate used in CsA ACMIA. CONCLUSIONS: We identified a circulating antibody against the unique epitope of the CsA ACMIA mAb-β-gal conjugate that induces falsely high CsA concentrations. These findings suggest that clinically aberrant CsA levels require immediate re-measurement by reference methods such as mass spectrometry.restrictio

Application of the Analytical Performance Specification for Quality Management of Clinical Chemistry Tests

임상 검사실에서 품질관리 시스템의 구현은 환자 진료를 위한 다양한 검사결과의 품질관리에 필수적이다. 분석수행사양(analytical performance speci cation)은 임상적 요구사항이 충족되었는지를 평가하는 중요한 기준이 되며, 품질관리 결과를 효과적으로 평가하기 위해서 적절한 근거에 기반한 판정기준을 설정하는 것이 중요하다. 본 종설에서는 각 평가 지침에 대한 일련의 판정기준으로 분석수행사양의 목표를 제공하여 검사실에서 이를 보다 쉽게 활용할 수 있도록 하고자 하였다. 이를 위해 정밀도, 직선성 검정, 측정 방법 또는 검체 간의 비교, 시약 로트 간 비교, 변화치검색, 검사방법의 바이어스 평가를 포함하여 임상 검사실의 품질관리에 사용되는 CLSI (임상 및 검사실 표준 연구소) 평가 지침을 조사하였다. ‘대한임상학회 검사표준화및질향상위원회’의 토의를 거쳐 각 지침에서 제시하는 평가기준의 정의와 각 지침과 관련된 비정밀도, 바이어스, 총허용오차 등 분석수행사양의 종류를 제안하였다. 또한, 각 임상화학검사에 대하여 다양한 근거를 기반으로 한 복수의 분석수행사양 목표를 제시함으로써 임상 검사실이 목표로 설정해야 할 검사 성능 수준에 대한 일반적인 범위를 제공하고자 하였다. 본 종설에서 제안된 자료를 통하여 다양한 임상화학검사에 대한 효과적인 품질관리를 촉진하고 각 검사실의 고유한 상황에 맞는 분석수행사양 목표 선택 및 적용 과정을 용이하게 할 것으로 기대된다. In the realm of clinical laboratories, the implementation of a quality management system is vital for the quality management of various test results for patient treatment. Analytical performance specifications (APS) serve as the critical criteria for assessing whether clinical requirements have been fulfilled, and ensuring that these standards are based on appropriate evidence is crucial to effectively estimate the processes and outcomes of the quality management system. Our aim was to define practical APS goals as acceptability criteria for evaluating test quality. This would make it straightforward for laboratories to apply these guidelines. To this end, we examined relevant Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines employed in the quality management of clinical laboratories, such as encompassing precision, linearity, comparison between measurement procedures or samples, comparison between reagent lots, delta check of patients’ results, bias evaluation of test methods, among others. Furthermore, after discussion with the Committee on Standardization and Quality Improvement of Korean Society of Clinical Chemistry, we proposed definitions on the evaluation criteria provided in each guideline and the types of APS such as imprecision, bias, and the total allowable error corresponding to them. Setting multiple evidence-based APS goals for each clinical chemistry test would assist in establishing a range of performance levels that clinical laboratories should aim for. We expect the data suggested in this review to facilitate effective quality management for various clinical chemistry tests and simplify the selection and application of APS for the unique circumstances of each laboratory