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Test Protocol (test + protocol)
Selected AbstractsCyst-based toxicity tests XII,Development of a short chronic sediment toxicity test with the ostracod crustacean Heterocypris incongruens: Selection of test parametersENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 6 2002Belgis Chial Abstract Experiments were carried out with neonates of the freshwater ostracod Heterocypris incongruens hatched from cysts in order to develop a new culture/maintenance-free solid-phase microbiotest for the toxicity assessment of contaminated sediments. Based on preliminary investigations, a number of test parameters were investigated for a short-chronic assay: hatching time, size of the cups of the multiwell test plates, feeding of the test organisms prior to the test, amount of supplemental algal food, volume of sediment, and duration of the test. On the basis of the findings, a test protocol was formulated for a 6-day assay in 12-cup multiwell plates with 10 organisms per cup and 3 replicates. The test organisms were collected 52 h after the start of the incubation of the cysts in standard freshwater at 25°C under continuous illumination after a 4-h prefeeding with 1.3 mg/mL Spirulina. The test biota in the cups were exposed to 300 ,L of test sediment in 2 mL of standard freshwater with 3 × 107 live algal cells (Raphidocelis subcapitata) as food supplement. Calibrated sand was used as a reference sediment. Mortality and growth of the ostracods were determined after 6 days' incubation at 25°C in darkness. The selected test parameters for the new microbiotest were found adequate for toxicity determination of natural sediments compared with the 10-day contact test with the amphipod Hyalella azteca. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 17: 520,527, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/tox.10085 [source] Cyst-based toxicity tests XIII,Development of a short chronic sediment toxicity test with the ostracod crustacean Heterocypris incongruens: Methodology and precisionENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 6 2002Belgis Chial Abstract Experiments were carried out with neonates of the freshwater ostracod Heterocypris incongruens to verify and complete previous choices of test parameters for a new culture/maintenance-free solid-phase microbiotest for freshwater sediments. From trials with increasing volumes of reference sediment, it was concluded that 300 ,L was the most appropriate amount of substrate to be put in 12-cup multiwell plates with 2 mL of standard freshwater. Tests in 3,9 replicates eventually showed that six parallels were needed to have good assay precision (repeatability). Application of the final test protocol to oil-contaminated sediments from the St. Lawrence River in Canada revealed that the 6-day chronic ostracod microbiotest had less variation in repeated tests than did the 10-day contact assay with Hyalella azteca and hence can be considered more precise. Based on the 95% confidence intervals for mortality and growth of the ostracods in the controls (reference sediment) of the 56 tests carried out for the Canadian project, a validity threshold of 20% for mortality was eventually selected, in analogy with the acceptability limits applied in many chronic bioassays. A minimum length of 600 ,m in the control sediment after 6 days' exposure was also taken as the threshold for good health of the test organisms and for reliable test conditions. The new microbiotest has been tailored in a handy and user-friendly new toxkit, the Ostracodtoxkit, which is particularly suited for cost-effective routine monitoring. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 17: 528,532, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/tox.10086 [source] Statistical tests and power analysis for three in-vivo bioassays to determine the quality of marine sedimentsENVIRONMETRICS, Issue 3 2002Nelly van der Hoeven Abstract Statistical tests are recommended for three marine sediment in-vivo bioassays. In two bioassays (Corophium volutator and Echinocardium cordatum), the mortality in the sediment is compared with that in a control. An unconditional 2,×,2 test is recommended. For one bioassay (Rotoxkit MTM with Brachionus plicatilis), mortality in a dilution series of pore water is compared with the mortality in a control. The Williams test for trends is recommended. For each of these tests the power to assess an effect has been calculated. The number of replicates recommended in the standardized test protocol only allows large effects to be observed in almost all (95 per cent) of the experiments. Given the control mortality rates estimated from a large set of controls, a power of 95 per cent will only be reached if the mortality rate in the tested sediment is over 30 per cent for C. volutator and almost 60 per cent for E. cordatum. To reach this power for bioassays with B. plicatilis, where five concentrations are compared with a control, the mortality rate in the lowest effect concentration should be about 35 per cent. As an alternative to no effect testing, it is suggested that whether the effect of a treatment remains below some chosen minimal relevant effect (MRE) should be tested. Given an MRE at a fixed mortality rate of 25 per cent and ,,=,0.05, at least 55 individuals are necessary to be reasonably sure (95 per cent) that a mortality of 10 per cent will not be declared toxic incorrectly. The tests for mortality are based on the assumption that the survival probabilities of individuals within a test vessel are independent. We have described a method to test this assumption and applied it to the data on C. volutator. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Screening of plenum cables using a small-scale fire test protocolFIRE AND MATERIALS, Issue 1 2006Mohammed M. Khan Abstract The extent of flame propagation of electric cables in the FM Global intermediate-scale parallel panel test (PPT) using a 60 kW sand burner has been correlated with a dimensional fire propagation index (FPI,)[(m/s1/2)/(kW/m)2/3] derived from ignition and vertical propagation tests in small-scale ASTM E-2058 Fire Propagation Apparatus (FPA). Two distinct types of fire behavior were observed in the PPT. The cables that did not propagate beyond the vicinity of the ignition burner flames have a FPI equal to or less than 7 [(m/s1/2)/(kW/m)2/3], whereas cables that propagated to the top of the 4.9 m parallel panels had a FPI equal to or greater than 14 [(m/s1/2)/(kW/m)2/3]. All the plenum rated (Ul-910 or NFPA 262 tested) cables tested in this study did not exhibit flame propagation in the PPT, had FPI values of 7 [(m/s1/2)/(kW/m)2/3] or less and generated considerably lower smoke than those cables that propagated in the PPT. Based on this study, it is suggested that FPI measured in ASTM E-2058 FPA may be used for screening cables for UL-910 or NFPA262 tests, thus requiring substantially less cable to be supplied for testing. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Diagnosis of Helicobacter pyloriHELICOBACTER, Issue 2008Marta Granstrom Abstract The different invasive and noninvasive diagnostic tests for Helicobacter pylori have been applied mainly in emerging countries. Molecular methods have been developed, especially a test for detection of H. pylori and its clarithromycin resistance directly from stools. The long-term effects of eradication on histologic lesions have been studied in a meta-analysis and the prognostic value of post-treatment in gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma has been assessed. An operating link for gastritis assessment (the OLGA staging) has also been published. Attempts to simplify the urea breath test protocol have been made, and new stool antigen tests have been proposed and compared to those previously available. [source] A novel genotypic test for rapid detection of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates by a multiplex probe arrayJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2007S.-L. Zhang Abstract Aims:, To develop and evaluate a novel genotypic test for rapid detection of rifampicin and isoniazid resistance of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates by a multiplex probe array. Methods and Results:, A multiplex probe array was designed for genotypic test to simultaneously screen the mutations of rpoB, katG, inhA and ahpC genes, associated with rifampin and isoniazid resistance in M. tuberculosis, with a probe detecting one of the recently confirmed genetic markers of isoniazid resistance ahpC -6 and -9 locus added. By using the genotypic test developed, 52 MDR isolates were identified, among which 46 isolates had mutations in rpoB (88·5%) and 45 at codon 315 of katG, regulatory region of inhA and oxyR - ahpC intergenic region (86·5%), whereas all 35 susceptible isolates identified showed a wild-type hybridization pattern. The sensitivity and specificity were 88·5% and 100% for rifampicin resistance, and 86·5% and 100% for isoniazid resistance, respectively. Conclusion:, A rapid and simultaneous detection of rifampicin and isoniazid resistance caused by the mutations of rpoB, katG, inhA and ahpC genes in M. tuberculosis isolates could be achieved by a multiplex probe array developed. Significance and Impact of the Study:, This genotypic test protocol has the potential to be developed on clinical application for the rapid detection of drug resistant M. tuberculosis isolates before an efficient chemotherapy is initiated. [source] Correction of a bootstrap approach to testing for evolution along lines of least resistanceJOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 12 2009D. BERNER Abstract Testing for an association between the leading vectors of multivariate trait (co)variation within populations (the ,line of least resistance') and among populations is an important tool for exploring variational bias in evolution. In a recent study of stickleback fish populations, a bootstrap-based test was introduced that takes into account estimation error in both vectors and hence improves the previously available bootstrap method. Because this test was implemented incorrectly, however, I here describe the correct test protocol and provide a reanalysis of the original data set. The application of this new test protocol should improve future investigations of evolution along lines of least resistance and other vector comparisons. [source] Measurement of the setting expansion of phosphate-bonded investment materials: Part II , An evaluation of the Casting-Ring Test at 10 laboratoriesJOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 7 2004C. H. Lloyd summary, The Casting-Ring Test has the potential to fulfil the requirement for a reliable ,Standard' test to measure the setting expansion of phosphate-bonded investment materials. The purpose of this study was to investigate the reproducibility of the measurements and the value that is produced at 10 test sites. The Casting-Ring Test apparatus, three phosphate-bonded investment products and one ring liner product were sent to the 10 participants, together with a detailed test protocol. Participants were asked to use their normal vacuum mixers. Reproducibility at individual sites was good. However, there were significant differences between test sites for the mean setting expansions, attributed to the range of vacuum mixers employed. From these results, the Casting-Ring Test appears to satisfy the requirements for adoption as an ISO standard test. The effect produced by different vacuum-mixer models would be manifest in any test. Not only does this have implications when determining the value of setting expansion for product information, but such a range of setting expansions will also be reproduced during production of moulds in commercial dental laboratory practice. However, for any specific product and vacuum-mixer combination, the setting expansion will be consistent and will not vary from mould to mould. [source] Comparison of effects and plasma concentrations of opioids between elderly and middle-aged patients after cardiac surgeryACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2009A. PESONEN Background: In elderly patients, opioids may cause prominent postoperative sedation and respiratory depression. We evaluated the influence of age on the effects of opioids and plasma concentrations of fentanyl and oxycodone in cardiac surgery patients. Methods: Thirty (,75 years, gender M9/F21) and 20 (,60 years, gender M20/F0) patients scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery. A standard anesthesia with fentanyl as an opioid was used. Fentanyl plasma concentrations were measured at the end of surgery and 2 h later. After tracheal extubation, when the pain intensity was at least moderate, blood samples for fentanyl and oxycodone plasma concentration measurements were taken. Thereafter, oxycodone hydrochloride 0.05 mg/kg i.v. was administered. After 15 and 45 min, pain intensity, sedation and oxycodone plasma concentration were determined. This test protocol was repeated twice. Results: The elderly had a higher plasma concentration of fentanyl at the end of surgery than younger patients (5.7±2.2 vs. 3.8±1.2 ng/ml, P=0.001). The plasma concentrations of oxycodone were comparable between the groups. The interval between the second and the third oxycodone dose was longer in the elderly patients (P=0.036). Pain intensity on the verbal rating scale was lower at the 45-min assessment point after all three oxycodone test doses (P=0.008) and sedation scores were significantly higher after the third dose in the elderly patients (P=0.035). Conclusions: In elderly patients, the plasma concentration of fentanyl was higher but plasma levels of oxycodone were at a similar level compared with middle-aged patients. However, the elderly patients had less pain and were more sedated after doses of oxycodone. [source] TEXTURE PROFILE ANALYSIS , HOW IMPORTANT ARE THE PARAMETERS?JOURNAL OF TEXTURE STUDIES, Issue 5 2010ANDREW J. ROSENTHAL ABSTRACT A starch-glycerol gel was subjected to a two-bite compression test using two sample-instrument geometries, various speeds of compression and strain levels, both with lubrication or not. Results were interpreted using the primary characteristic terminology previously defined in Texture Profile Analysis. Compression speeds from 0.1 to 10 m/s showed a logarithmic relationship with hardness, cohesiveness, corrected cohesiveness and adhesiveness. Gels survived compression to strains of 0.90 without failing, strain levels from 0.25 to 0.90 resulted in an exponential rise in hardness with increasing strain and linear reduction in corrected cohesiveness. Lubrication had no significant influence on any of the measured parameters and an application of force with different sample-instrument geometry revealed that parallel plates and plungers only had an influence on gel hardness. Caution is urged when researchers modify the test protocol from 75% deformation with parallel plates. A minimum crosshead speed of 2 mm/s is recommended. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Texture Profile Analysis has been widely applied to test solid and semisolid foods; however, some researchers deviate from the original test protocol. This article attempts to show how modifying the parameters in the test protocol can influence the apparent properties of the sample. [source] Corrosion of Ceramics in Aqueous Hydrofluoric AcidJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 5 2000Kurt R. Mikeska A variety of commercially available ceramic-based oxides, carbides, nitrides, and borides were evaluated for chemical attack in an azeotropic aqueous hydrofluoric acid (HF) test protocol at 90°C. Weight change measurements and microstructure analysis showed that HF corrosion in polycrystalline ceramics generally occurred at grain boundaries by the dissolution of grain boundary phases although the bulk single crystal may inherently resist attack. Virtually all commercially prepared polycrystalline oxide ceramics (i.e., Al2O3, TiO2, ZrO2) and nonoxide ceramics (i.e., Si3N4, AlN, BN) were extensively corroded while polycrystalline pure carbides (i.e., SiC, TiC, B4C, WC) resisted corrosion. Equilibrium thermodynamic calculations show that these materials are soluble in HF; however, the kinetics of dissolution are slow enough in some cases to permit useful engineering lifetimes. [source] Sensitivity and specificity of a visual acuity screening protocol performed with the Lea Symbols 15-line folding distance chart in preschool childrenACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 6 2006Francesca Bertuzzi Abstract. Purpose:, The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a visual acuity (VA) test using the Lea Symbols 15-line folding distance chart and its diagnostic validity in detecting VA deficiency in preschool children. Methods:, A group of 149 children aged 38,54 months underwent VA examination performed with the Lea 15-line folding optotype at a distance of 3 metres, according to a test protocol described in the Methods section. After the VA test, a complete ophthalmological examination, including cycloplegic retinoscopy, a cover test and examination of the anterior and posterior segments, was performed on each child in order to detect any VA-threatening ocular abnormality. The Lea Symbols test's sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR +, LR ,) and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were calculated by means of standard procedures using each VA level of the chart from 0.1 to 1 (1,0 logMAR) as a cut-off point. Results:, The Lea Symbols test could be successfully used in 95.9% of the population. The most useful cut-off points for screening preschool children were found to be 0.8 (LR +,5.73, LR ,,0.05) or 0.63 (LR +,11.7, LR ,,0.23). Conclusion:, The Lea Symbols test proved to be clinically useful in detecting VA deficiency in preschool children. The choice between the two best performing cut-off levels should be made according to the expected cost-effectiveness of the screening programme. [source] Is ventilatory efficiency dependent on the speed of the exercise test protocol in healthy men and women?CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY AND FUNCTIONAL IMAGING, Issue 2 2006James A. Davis Summary Indices of ventilatory efficiency have proven useful in assessing patients with heart and lung disease. One of these indices is the slope of the ventilation (V,E) versus carbon dioxide output (V,CO2) relationship during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) for work rates where the relationship is linear. However, this relationship is defined not only by the slope but also by the y -intercept. To examine whether this relationship is dependent on the speed of the CPET protocol, 30 healthy subjects (16 males) were administered a rapid CPET with 1-min increment duration (1-min CPET) to the limit of tolerance and a slow CPET with 4-min increment duration (4-min CPET) to the lactate threshold. Ventilation and the gas fractions for oxygen and CO2 were measured with a Vacumed metabolic cart. The average increment size of both protocols for both sexes was not significantly different (P>0·05). For the males, the mean (SD) slope for the 1- and 4-min CPET was 20·12 (2·61) and 20·37 (2·41), respectively. The corresponding values for the y -intercept were 4.·89 (2·08) and 5.·10 (2·00) l min,1. For the females, the mean (SD) slope for the 1- and 4-min CPET was 23·90 (2·38) and 24·16 (2·55), respectively. The corresponding values for the y -intercept were 3·93 (0·39) and 3·77 (0·71) l min,1. Paired t -test analysis demonstrated for both sexes that the slopes and y -intercepts were not different for the two protocols (P>0·05). The results of this study demonstrate that the V,E versus V,CO2 relationship is not dependent on the speed of the CPET protocol. [source] Hypersensitivity to local anaesthetics , update and proposal of evaluation algorithmCONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 2 2008Jacob Pontoppidan Thyssen Local anaesthetics (LA) are widely used drugs. Adverse reactions are rare but may be caused by delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions and probably also immediate-type reactions. As it is not always easy to clinically differ between these subtypes, allergy skin testing should be considered. Although numerous test protocols have been published, how patients with hypersensitivity reactions to LA are ideally evaluated remains a topic of discussion. This review attempts to generate a comprehensive update on allergic reactions to LA and to present an algorithm that can be used for the evaluation of patients suspected with immediate- and delayed-type immune reactions. Literature was examined using PubMed-Medline, EMBASE, Biosis and Science Citation Index. Based on the literature, the proposed algorithm may safely and rapidly distinguish between immediate-type and delayed-type allergic immune reactions. [source] What level of effect is a no observed effect?ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2000Mark Crane Abstract The no observed effect concentration (NOEC) is currently a major summary statistic in ecotoxicity testing. Its use is heavily criticized, partly because it is a poor estimator of "safe" chemical concentrations. In this short communication, we review the limited information available on the percentage effect that corresponds with the NOEC, a value designated the ECNOEC, and calculate ECNOEC values for fish growth data. The average ECNOEC for different test protocols was found to vary widely, with values for chronic studies ranging from 10 to 34%. Individual results varied even more widely. This analysis suggests that the NOEC is neither a consistent summary statistic nor an indicator of safe concentrations of toxic chemicals. [source] 004 Validation of in vivo and in vitro methods to measure UVA protectiveness of sunscreenPHOTODERMATOLOGY, PHOTOIMMUNOLOGY & PHOTOMEDICINE, Issue 2 2002C. Cole Standard methods for measuring the sunburning protection of sunscreens (SPF) are globally established. In vivo methods of determining UVA protectiveness of sunscreens have been reduced to either a Persistent Pigment Darkening (PPD) or Protection Factor A (PFA-either persistent pigment darkening or erythema endpoints) test protocols. Both of these techniques require human exposure to UVA radiation that can be time consuming and do not benefit the human subject. Validated methodologies that would minimize the UVA exposure, or could be performed in vitro would simplify the determination of UVA protectiveness and assist product optimization. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy of sunscreens on human skin was utilized to evaluate a series of seven model sunscreen systems that were previously evaluated in vivo by both PPD and PFA testing. Correlation of the values found with this technique correlated highly with the in vivo test results, with 1:1 correspondence of protection values. Separately, an in vitro test model was assessed on these same model sunscreens. Sunscreen was applied to roughened surface quartz plates, and the absorbance of the sunscreens was measured before and after UV exposure. The absorbance was mathematically forced to fit the in vivo SPF value and the UVA protectiveness was calculated using both erythema and pigment darkening action spectra. The in vitro predictions of UVA was highly correlated with the in vivo PPD and PFA values. It was determined that preirradiation of the sunscreen samples is needed to accurately predict the protection provided by sunscreens that are not photostable. Both of these techniques provide new ways to accurately predict sunscreen UVA protectiveness. [source] Getting the problem of endocrine disruption into focus: The need for a pause for thoughtAPMIS, Issue 12 2000JOHN ASHBY The study of chemically-induced endocrine disruption in mammals is a relatively new field of endeavour, and it has been assailed by an unusual level of disagreement among investigators regarding the developmental effects produced by chemicals in animals. This article discusses the several sources of uncertainty in endocrine toxicity studies, and the intrinsic variability of many of the key experimental parameters. It is concluded that current uncertainties are due to the absence of an extensive agreed control database for the developmental parameters under study, coupled to the established intrinsic variability of these parameters between strains/species of test animals and test protocols. Only when these factors are generally accepted and well studied will it be possible to design studies capable of distinguishing the possible subtle endocrine toxicity of chemicals and chance observations that cannot be independently reproduced. [source] | |||||||||||||