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Biobanks produce and distribute biospecimens, ensuring their fitness for purpose and accurately qualifying them before distribution. In their efforts toward professionalization, biobanks can nowadays seek certification or accreditation. One of the requirements of these standards is regular participation in Proficiency Testing (PT) programs. An international PT program has been developed and provided to biobanks and other laboratories that perform specific tests to qualify different types of biospecimens. This PT program includes biospecimen testing schemes, as well as biospecimen processing interlaboratory exercises. This PT program supports the development of biobank quality assurance by providing the possibility to assess biobank laboratory performance and useful insights into biobank laboratory method performance characteristics and thus fulfill the demands from accreditation authorities., SCOPUS: cp.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

BRAF and MEK inhibitors are effective in BRAF mutant melanoma, but most patients eventually relapse with acquired resistance, and others present intrinsic resistance to these drugs. Resistance is often mediated by pathway reactivation through receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)/SRC-family kinase (SFK) signaling or mutant NRAS, which drive paradoxical reactivation of the pathway. We describe pan-RAF inhibitors (CCT196969, CCT241161) that also inhibit SFKs. These compounds do not drive paradoxical pathway activation and inhibit MEK/ERK in BRAF and NRAS mutant melanoma. They inhibit melanoma cells and patient-derived xenografts that are resistant to BRAF and BRAF/MEK inhibitors. Thus, paradox-breaking pan-RAF inhibitors that also inhibit SFKs could provide first-line treatment for BRAF and NRAS mutant melanomas and second-line treatment for patients who develop resistance.

The first version of the Standard PREanalytical Code (SPREC) was developed in 2009 by the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER) Biospecimen Science Working Group to facilitate documentation and communication of the most important preanalytical quality parameters of different types of biospecimens used for research. This same Working Group has now updated the SPREC to version 2.0, presented here, so that it contains more options to allow for recent technological developments. Existing elements have been fine tuned. An interface to the Biospecimen Reporting for Improved Study Quality (BRISQ) has been defined, and informatics solutions for SPREC implementation have been developed. A glossary with SPRECrelated definitions has also been added.

NEDU evaluated non-developmental explosive diver recall devices for inclusion on the Diving Equipment Authorized for Navy Use List. The devices tested were: Broco MK 2 MOD 0 and MOD 1, Hands Fireworks SC-81 and SC-810, Compact Energy, Ltd. N1 MK 1, and the military M-80. Characteristics that were evaluated include acoustic output, fragmentation production, human factors, operational reliability and end item cost. Based on the comparison of these factors, the Broco MK 2 MOD 0 is deemed most suitable for Navy SCUBA operations where an explosive type recall device is required. Also, due to safety and reliability problems, it is recommended that the M-80 (NSN 1370-00-028-5252) be removed from the ANU as soon as suitable substitutes are in the fleet.

Explosive Cutting Tape (ECT) is a flexible linear shape charge manufactured in five different explosive loads to cut various material thicknesses. ECT was tested on the surface and at 1, 33, 66, 99 and 132 FSW to determine underwater effects. Degradation of performance for the five sizes of ECT varied from 12.4% (average) at 1 FSW to 78% (average excluding 4700 gr/ft ECT) at 132 FSW compared to surface firings. 4700 gr/ft ECT performance was degraded only 47% at 132 FSW. Although ECT does suffer a performance loss in water, its capabilities at various depths can be reliably predicted. Explosive cutting tape efficiency, versatility and ease of use by divers make it an invaluable addition in the Navy's inventory. It is highly recommended that ECT be made available to the salvage community as soon as possible. (sdw)

This study served to evaluate full face masks (FFM) for use with MK 16 UBA. The five masks evaluated were separated into two groups based on capabilities of the masks. The first group included the British FFM, AGA Closed Circuit FFM and the Cressi-Sub FFM, all of which are non-developmental masks currently in use by various units world-wide. These masks simply provide facial protection (thermal and environmental) to the diver. The exception being the AGA FFM which can be modified to allow a divers communication system. The second group consisted of the AGA OC1 open/closed circuit switchover mask and the AGA FFM frame and rubber skirt incorporating an open/closed switchover mechanism developed by NCSC, Panama City, Florida. Both of these masks afford not only the inherent protection of a FFM, but also the capability of diver-to-diver, diver- to-surface communications and a safer more reliable method of providing emergency breathing gas to the divers. The Cressi-Sub FFM is recommended for immediate use as an alternative to the standard mouthpiece configuration with the MK 16 UBA where thermal or environmental protection is a requirement. Keywords: Underwater breathing apparatus; Diving equipment.

The modified Audible Recall Device (ARD) is a small explosively- loaded device designed to be used as an emergency diver recall device by the Special Warfare and Explosive Ordnance Disposal communities. The modified ARD was designed to reduce the acoustic and fragmentation hazards identified by the Navy Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU) during evaluation of the original ARD (NEDU Report 10-87). The modified ARD incorporates a 6.6 sec delay fuse and contains a sand and steel powder mixture to produce a negative buoyancy with average detonation depth approximately 3.38 m (11 ft) underwater. During evaluation of the original ARD, five U.S. Navy divers were exposed to ARD's at 7 m (21 ft) which produced a peak sound pressure level (SPL) of 186.2 dB in water, equivalent to an in-air value of 151.2 dB, 11.2 dB over the current exposure limit for impulse noise, in air. The impulse was described as very loud but not uncomfortable and none of the diver-subjects experienced any decrease in hearing sensitivity as tested by comparison audiograms. The distance for a modified ARD to produce 186.2 dB in 3.38 m (11 ft) of water was found to be 6 m (19.5 ft). The distance for a modified ARD to produce 175 dB in water, equivalent to 140 dB in air, the limit currently imposed was calculated to be 21.2 m (68.9 ft). Actual testing at this distance was not possible due to size limitations of the test facility. However, testing at 20.0 m (65 ft) produced 176.8 dB which was very close to the calculated value at that distance, lending a high degree of certainty to the formulas used. Keywords: Physiological effects, Audiometry, Underwater sound signals, Sound pressure., See also Rept. no. NEDU-10-87, ADA185728.