36 research outputs found

    EBF recommendation on practical management of critical reagents for antidrug antibody ligand-binding assays

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    Immunogenicity assays are required to measure antidrug antibodies that are generated against biotherapeutic modalities. As for any ligand-binding assays, critical reagents (CR) play a crucial role in immunogenicity assays, as the robustness and reliability of an assay are defined by the quality and long-term availability of these reagents. The current regulatory guidelines do not provide clear directions on how to implement and verify lot-to-lot changes of CR during an assay life cycle, or the acceptance criteria that should be used when implementing new lots of CR. These aspects were extensively discussed within the European Bioanalysis Forum community. In this paper, CR for immunogenicity assays are identified and the minimum requirements for introducing new lots of CR in immunogenicity assays are described

    Distribution, structure and function of Nordic eelgrass (Zostera marina) ecosystems: implications for coastal management and conservation

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    This paper focuses on the marine foundation eelgrass species, Zostera marina, along a gradient from the northern Baltic Sea to the north-east Atlantic. This vast region supports a minimum of 1480 km2 eelgrass (maximum >2100 km2), which corresponds to more than four times the previously quantified area of eelgrass in Western Europe. Eelgrass meadows in the low salinity Baltic Sea support the highest diversity (4–6 spp.) of angiosperms overall, but eelgrass productivity is low (<2 g dw m-2 d-1) and meadows are isolated and genetically impoverished. Higher salinity areas support monospecific meadows, with higher productivity (3–10 g dw m-2 d-1) and greater genetic connectivity. The salinity gradient further imposes functional differences in biodiversity and food webs, in particular a decline in number, but increase in biomass of mesograzers in the Baltic. Significant declines in eelgrass depth limits and areal cover are documented, particularly in regions experiencing high human pressure. The failure of eelgrass to re-establish itself in affected areas, despite nutrient reductions and improved water quality, signals complex recovery trajectories and calls for much greater conservation effort to protect existing meadows. The knowledge base for Nordic eelgrass meadows is broad and sufficient to establish monitoring objectives across nine national borders. Nevertheless, ensuring awareness of their vulnerability remains challenging. Given the areal extent of Nordic eelgrass systems and the ecosystem services they provide, it is crucial to further develop incentives for protecting them

    Sensitive Assessment of Acute Optic Neuritis by a New Digital Flicker Test (.pdf)

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    ON is primarily a clinical diagnosis but clinical tests with increased sensitivity, and tests which predict MS risk in the ON patients, are needed. The Aulhorn flicker test was shown in the 1980's to effectively diagnose acute ON1. The aim of this study was to examine the applicability of a new, digitalized version of the analog test for examination of acute optic neuritis (ON)
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