Are Tubes Containing Sodium Fluoride Still Needed for the Measurement of Blood Glucose in Hospital Laboratory Practice?

Objectives: To compare glucose values obtained using sodium flouride (NaF) tubes and serum separation tubes (SST) in a tertiary care hospital laboratory setting.  Methods: This study was conducted at the Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory, Royal Hospital, Oman. During the study period (1 September–30 November 2013), 50 pairs (one NaF tube and one SST) of patient’s blood specimens were randomly collected. Following separation of plasma (NaF tubes) and serum (SST), glucose concentrations were measured by hexokinase assay using the Architect c8000. Fifteen pairs of these tubes were kept in the refrigerator at 4°C and plasma/serum glucose concentrations were measured daily up to seven days after collection.  Results: Comparing plasma (NaF) and serum (SST) results of glucose values (n=50) showed an average difference of 0.00mmol/L (range -0.60 to +0.60mmol/L). Bland Altman analysis gave a non-significant constant bias of 0.10 ±0.195mmol/L (bias ±SD). Pearson correlation between plasma (NaF) and serum (SST) glucose concentrations revealed a significant correlation approaching unity with r2= 0.9991. No significant differences in glucose values were noted for both plasma and serum in 15 pairs of NaF and SST tubes when analyzed seven days following refrigeration. Hemolysis was observed in five (10%) NaF tubes compared with two (4%) SST.  Conclusion: There is no difference in glucose values collected from plasma NaF tubes or serum SST, and so SST can be used in hospital laboratory settings as there are practical advantages, including cost-effectiveness and reduction in blood volume drawn when utilizing these tubes for glucose and other tests from a single blood collection tube

Encouraging Sustainable Use of RAP Materials for Pavement Construction in Oman: A Review

The Sultanate of Oman has experienced rapid development over the last thirty years and has constructed environmentally friendly and sustainable infrastructure while it continues to find economical alternative resources to achieve the goals of the Oman 2040 vision. The primary concerns are preserving natural resources and reducing the impact of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions on the environment. This review aims to encourage the sustainable use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) materials in pavement construction and focuses primarily on employing RAP materials in new pavement projects. Currently, new construction projects utilise a significant percentage of demolished asphalt pavement to save costs and natural resources. The key issue that arises when mixing RAP into new asphalt mixtures is the effects on the mixtures’ resistance to permanent disfigurements, such as fatigue cracks, that influence asphalt mixture performance. Numerous studies have assessed the impact of using RAP in asphalt mixtures and found that RAP increases the stiffness of asphalt mixtures, and thus improves rutting resistance at high temperatures. Nevertheless, the findings for thermal and fatigue cracking were found to be contradictory. This review will address the primary concerns regarding the use of RAP in asphalt pavements, and aims to encourage highway agencies and academic researchers in the Gulf countries to develop frameworks for the practical usage of RAP in the construction of sustainable pavement systems

Encouraging Sustainable Use of RAP Materials for Pavement Construction in Oman: A Review

The Sultanate of Oman has experienced rapid development over the last thirty years and has constructed environmentally friendly and sustainable infrastructure while it continues to find economical alternative resources to achieve the goals of the Oman 2040 vision. The primary concerns are preserving natural resources and reducing the impact of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions on the environment. This review aims to encourage the sustainable use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) materials in pavement construction and focuses primarily on employing RAP materials in new pavement projects. Currently, new construction projects utilise a significant percentage of demolished asphalt pavement to save costs and natural resources. The key issue that arises when mixing RAP into new asphalt mixtures is the effects on the mixtures’ resistance to permanent disfigurements, such as fatigue cracks, that influence asphalt mixture performance. Numerous studies have assessed the impact of using RAP in asphalt mixtures and found that RAP increases the stiffness of asphalt mixtures, and thus improves rutting resistance at high temperatures. Nevertheless, the findings for thermal and fatigue cracking were found to be contradictory. This review will address the primary concerns regarding the use of RAP in asphalt pavements, and aims to encourage highway agencies and academic researchers in the Gulf countries to develop frameworks for the practical usage of RAP in the construction of sustainable pavement systems