Interlaboratory study comparing the microbiological potency of spiramycins I, II and III36687

An interlaboratory study has been performed to determine the relative potencies of spiramycins (SPMs) I, II and III by diffusion or/and turbidimetric assays with Bacillus subtilis or Staphylococcus aureus as the test organisms. Six laboratories from three countries participated. Experimental procedures were according to the European Pharmacopoeia, 3rd ed. The activity of SPM I is markedly higher than that of SPM II and III. By diffusion, the activities of SPM II and III relative to SPM I were found to be 57 and 72%, respectively. The interlaboratory relative standard deviations (RSD) varied from 3.6 to 16.3%. By turbidimetry, the activities of SPM II and III relative to SPM I were found to be 45 and 52%, respectively. The interlaboratory RSD values varied from 2.6 to 7.7%. The results of the study were analyzed according to the ISO 5725-2 guidelines to determine the repeatability, the between-laboratory and the reproducibility variances of both methods</p

Interlaboratory study comparing the microbiological potency of spiramycins I, II and III36687

An interlaboratory study has been performed to determine the relative potencies of spiramycins (SPMs) I, II and III by diffusion or/and turbidimetric assays with Bacillus subtilis or Staphylococcus aureus as the test organisms. Six laboratories from three countries participated. Experimental procedures were according to the European Pharmacopoeia, 3rd ed. The activity of SPM I is markedly higher than that of SPM II and III. By diffusion, the activities of SPM II and III relative to SPM I were found to be 57 and 72%, respectively. The interlaboratory relative standard deviations (RSD) varied from 3.6 to 16.3%. By turbidimetry, the activities of SPM II and III relative to SPM I were found to be 45 and 52%, respectively. The interlaboratory RSD values varied from 2.6 to 7.7%. The results of the study were analyzed according to the ISO 5725-2 guidelines to determine the repeatability, the between-laboratory and the reproducibility variances of both methods</p

Time-resolved and continuous wave NIR reflectance spectroscopy to predict soluble solids content and firmness of pear

Continuous wave (CW) and time-resolved (TRS) near infrared (NIR) reflectance measurements were carried out on 'Conference' pear fruit. While the absorption coefficient spectra obtained from the TRS measurements were dominated by the overtone of the hydroxyl moiety at 975 nm, the scattering coefficient spectra were almost flat. The spectral data were used to construct calibration models for the soluble solids content (SSC) and Magness Taylor firmness of 'Conference' pear fruit. Reasonable models for SSC (RMSEP = 0.44 °Brix) were obtained when the CW spectra in the range 780-1700 nm were used, but not when the range was limited to that of the TRS equipment (875-1030 nm). No satisfactory calibration model could be established between the TRS absorption coefficient spectrum and SSC. With none of the spectroscopic techniques could significant calibration models for firmness be constructed, although a highly nonlinear relationship between scattering coefficients at 900 nm and firmness was observed

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF PERIPHERAL T-CELL LYMPHOMAS: UPDATE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BELGIAN HEMATOLOGY SOCIETY (BHS)

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a heterogeneous group of aggressive diseases associated with poor outcomes. Recent progress in understanding of the biology and pathogenesis based on molecular profiling and next-generation sequencing has led to the introduction of new provisional entities in the World Health Organization (WHO) classification system of 2017 and to the emergence of new drugs.1 Previous Belgian guidelines were published in 2013.2 This review will discuss the diagnosis, work-up and treatment of PTCL including these advances as well as the limitation of the availability of drugs according to the Belgian reimbursement rules

Development of clinical pharmacy services in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Canada, Germany, Japan, Kosovo, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Thailand, USA and correlation with educational standards, level of research, and implementation practices

© 2018 Dustri-Verlag Dr. Karl Feistle. All rights reserved. Objective: This study aimed to compare determinants of professional development between different countries to identify barriers and facilitators of development towards clinical pharmacy services and stimulate discussion of under-used potential and opportunities. Materials: The study was conceived as a survey. The questionnaire was administered to a group of experts. Methods: The survey was conducted as a cross-sectional study with descriptive and correlation analysis. A questionnaire was developed and adjusted to the study focus, covering aspects on general regulations for community pharmacies, professional education, implementation of clinical pharmacy services, and research in patient care. Results were compared for analyses. Results: A total of twelve countries were included in this survey. Pharmacy studies took between 4 and 6 years plus residency in most countries. Curricula remained drug-oriented only in Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Germany; these three countries had the least pharmacotherapy content in their curricula. Canada, the USA, and Australia have established clinical pharmacy services in almost all fields of practice. Most other countries have implemented at least some clinical services, with the exception of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Germany, and Kosovo. The correlation coefficient between education, research, and implementation was 0.91. Conclusion: The results of the survey show that clinical pharmacy services are established to very different extents among the participating countries. The strong correlation suggests that achieving a successful transition in professional practice needs to address several aspects of education and research to reach progress. The collected data might help to identify potential areas of improvement to foster implementation of clinical pharmacy services

Interlaboratory studies on two high-performance liquid chromatographic assays for tylosin (tartrate)

An interlaboratory study was performed on two high-performance liquid chromatographic methods to determine tylosin. The first method is a reversed-phase HPLC on a C-18 column, while the second is a method using a polymeric stationary phase. The first method is described in several pharmacopoeia monographs on tylosin, to determine the composition of a tylosin mixture, while the second method is recently proposed to determine both the composition and the contents in such a mixture. The interlaboratory studies were set-up and interpreted according to ISO guidelines. This paper is written as a tutorial type of article explaining the principles and methods of these guidelines. The results of both methods were compared. Both were found to have disadvantages but in general the old method is still preferred, both for composition determination and to assay the components. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved

EPOS2020:development strategy and goals for the latest European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis

BACKGROUND: The European Position Papers on Rhinosinusitis from 2005, 2007 and 2012 have had a measurable impact on the way this common condition with high impact on quality of life is managed around the world. EPOS2020 will be the latest iteration of the guideline, addressing new stakeholders and target users, presenting a summary of the latest literature and evolving treatment modalities, and formulating clear recommendations based on all available evidence. METHODOLOGY: Based on the AGREE II framework, this article demonstrates how the EPOS2020 steering group will address six key areas to ensure consistency in quality and presentation of information in the latest rhinosinusitis clinical practice guideline: scope and purpose; stakeholder involvement; rigour of development; clarity of presentation; recommendations and applicability; editorial independence. RESULTS: By analysing the guidance from AGREE II, we formulated a detailed development strategy for EPOS2020. We identify new stakeholders and target users and ratify the importance of patient involvement in the latest EPOS guideline. New and expanded areas of research to be addressed are highlighted. We confirm our intention to use mixed methodologies, combining evidence-based medicine with real life studies; when no evidence can be found, use Delphi rounds to achieve clear, inclusive recommendations. We also introduce new concepts for dissemination of the guideline, using Internet and social media to improve accessibility. CONCLUSION: This article is an introduction to the EPOS2020 project, and presents the key goals, core stakeholders, planned methodology and dissemination strategies for the latest version of this influential guideline