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1852. From crisis to routine – standardization of SARS-CoV-2 genome detection by enhanced EQA schemes in a scientific pandemic networkMartin Kammel, Hans-Peter Grunert, Anika Zimmermann, Annemarie Martin, Vanessa Lindig, Mojca Milavec, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: In the beginning of 2020, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a crisis in which diagnostic methods for the genome detection of SARS-CoV-2 were urgently needed. Based on the very early publication of the basic principles for a diagnostic test for the genome detection of SARS-CoV-2, the first noncommercial laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) and commercial tests were introduced. As there was considerable uncertainty about the reliability and performance of different tests and different laboratories, INSTAND established external quality assessment (EQA) schemes for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 starting in April 2020. In close partnership in a scientific network, the EQA schemes were enhanced, especially the April, June and November 2020 terms. The enhancement included: (i) immediate provision of suitable virus including variants of concern at the beginning of the pandemic outbreak, (ii) short frequency of EQA schemes, (iii) concentration dependency of the testing and sensitivity check, achieved by using SARS-CoV-2-positive samples from a 10-fold dilution series of the same starting material, (iv) specificity check of the testing, achieved by using SARS-CoV-2-negative samples containing human coronaviruses or MERS CoV, (v) revealed samples for orientation on test performance during an ongoing or at the start of an EQA scheme using a pre-quantified SARS-CoV-2-positive EQA sample with a low viral RNA load of only 1 570 copies/mL assigned by digital PCR (dPCR) in June 2020 and (vi) quantified reference materials based on the experiences of the first two EQA schemes with dPCR-assigned values in copies/mL beginning in November 2020 for self-evaluation of the applied test system. This manuscript summarizes the results of a total of 13 EQA schemes for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 between April 2020 and June 2023 in which a total of 1 413 laboratories from 49 countries participated. The qualitative results for the detection of SARS-CoV-2-positive samples were between 95.8 % and 99.7 % correct positive, excluding extremely low concentration samples. For all SARS-CoV-2-negative EQA samples, the qualitative success rates ranged from 95.1 % to 99.4 % correct negative results. The widely varying values for the cycle threshold (Ct)/crossing point (Cq) reported for the different target genes and test systems were striking. A few laboratories reported quantitative results in copies/mL for several VOCs with an acceptable rate of over 93 % correct positive results in the majority of cases. The description of the enhanced EQA schemes for SARS-CoV-2 detection in terms of timing and scope can serve as a blueprint for the rapid development of a quality assessment of diagnostics for an emerging pathogen.
Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2, virus genome detection tests, reference materials, external quality assessment, laboratory medicine, epidemiology
Published in DiRROS: 18.06.2025; Views: 525; Downloads: 462
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1853. Hereditary α-tryptasemia is associated with anaphylaxis to antibiotics and monoclonal antibodiesPeter Korošec, Jonathan J. Lyons, Manca Svetina, Monika Koudová, Martina Bittóová, Mihaela Zidarn, Lenka Sedláčková, Matija Rijavec, Peter Kopač, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Background
Hereditary α-tryptasemia, a genetic trait caused by increased α-tryptase copy number, is associated with idiopathic and venom anaphylaxis.
Objective
We aimed to determine the impact of tryptase genotypes on drug-induced anaphylaxis.
Methods
A prospective discovery cohort of 99 patients from a referral center in Slovenia with acute anaphylaxis to drugs underwent tryptase genotyping by droplet digital PCR. For validation, we included a cohort of 26 patients from the Czech Republic. Associated inciting agents and the severity of the reactions were subsequently examined.
Results
Hereditary α-tryptasemia was associated with drug-induced anaphylaxis with a prevalence of 13% (n = 13 of 99) in the discovery cohort and 15% in the validation cohort (n = 4 of 26). Hereditary α-tryptasemia was identified in every individual with elevated basal serum tryptase levels (11.6-21.9 ng/mL; n = 14) within both cohorts of patients. Hereditary α-tryptasemia was more prevalent in individuals with antibiotic- or mAb-induced anaphylaxis in both the discovery and validation cohorts (n = 13 of 51; 26%) compared to those with anaphylaxis resulting from neuromuscular blocking agents, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, contrast, chlorhexidine, or other drugs (n = 5 of 74; 7%; P = .02; odds ratio = 4.1; 95% CI, 1.3-11.1). Overall, we found fewer individuals with no ⍺-tryptase than in the general population, and there was a trend for subjects with more ⍺-tryptase copies to have more severe reactions. Thus, among subjects with three ⍺-tryptase copies, the prevalence of severe anaphylaxis was 73%, compared with 59% with one to two ⍺-tryptase copies and 58% for subjects without ⍺-tryptase.
Conclusions
Risk for anaphylaxis to antibiotics and biologics is associated with inherited differences in α-tryptase–encoding copies at Tryptase α/β1 .
Keywords: immunology, drug allergy, anaphylaxis, antibiotics, monoclonal antibodies, α-tryptase, hereditary α-tryptasemia
Published in DiRROS: 18.06.2025; Views: 489; Downloads: 262
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1856. Dataset used for the paper »Surface modification of magnesium for biomedical applications: comparative analysis of plasma treatment, laser texturing and sandblasting«Marjetka Conradi, complete scientific database of research data Abstract: Magnesium and its alloys have emerged as promising materials for biomedical applications due to their light weight, mechanical compatibility with bone, biodegradability, and excellent biocompatibility. However, their rapid degradation in physiological environments remains a critical challenge. To address this, a range of surface-modification techniques have been explored to tailor the surface properties while preserving the bulk characteristics of magnesium. This paper provides an overview of surface-engineering methods aimed at enhancing the corrosion resistance, mechanical performance and bioactivity of magnesium. Three key surface-modification approaches are presented: plasma treatment, laser texturing and sandblasting. Plasma treatment resulted in the formation of a stable, protective oxide layer with significantly improved corrosion resistance and hydrophilicity. Laser texturing generated hierarchical microstructures yielding superhydrophobic surfaces with an enhanced hardness, though slightly reduced corrosion resistance. Sandblasting led to an increased surface roughness and mechanical stiffness, but also introduced microstructural defects that are detrimental to the corrosion stability. Overall, the study demonstrates how tailored surface modifications can effectively balance the mechanical integrity and degradation behavior of magnesium, paving the way for its optimized use in biomedical applications.
Keywords: magnesium, surface modification, biomaterial
Published in DiRROS: 18.06.2025; Views: 550; Downloads: 253
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1860. Pythagorean linguistic information-based green supplier selection using quantum-based group decision-making methodology and the MULTIMOORA approachPrasenjit Mandal, Leo Mršić, Antonios Kalampakas, Tofigh Allahviranloo, Sovan Samanta, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The selection of environmentally sustainable suppliers has been a significant challenge in management decision-making (DM). Multicriteria group decision-making (MCGDM) is a ranking methodology used to select suppliers, but it is complex and influenced by the different opinions of decision-makers. Once again, extensive research on MCGDM has exposed inadequacies in the trustworthiness of experts’ judgements, which profoundly impact the ultimate ranking results. The Pythagorean linguistic number (PLN) concept has been used to address MCGDM by considering experts’ confidence levels and real-world scenarios. This study introduces an extensive technique using a quantum scenario-based Bayesian network (QSBN) and Deng entropy-based belief entropy to account for the interference of beliefs. The goal is to replicate the subjectivity of experts’ opinions during different stages of DM, including the accumulation of experts’ weights and alternative probabilities. The correlation coefficient of PLNs is introduced for determining criterion weights and employing new techniques based on entropy methods for experts’ weights. The MULTIMOORA approach consolidates the probability of alternatives in QSBN among all experts, and the interference value is computed using belief entropy, an index for quantifying the probability of uncertainty. The study provides a numerical example to illustrate the proposed methodology, pecifically focusing on selecting environmentally sustainable suppliers, and demonstrates its applicability and effectiveness
Keywords: Pythagorean linguistic set, MULTIMOORA, Quantum probability theory, MCGDM
Published in DiRROS: 18.06.2025; Views: 401; Downloads: 209
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