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The paper describes a complex project of flow rate measurement applied for groundwater discharge into a tunnel, for both individual seepage points and the collection channel totalizing the flow. Various standard methods are used according to a large range of flow rate magnitudes (tipping bucket, danaid, V-shaped weir) with partial improvements and technical adaptations. Data collection is provided by individual measurement units with ethernet interface sending data to a database server through the internet. Experience of 10 years with several upgrades of either individual measurement or the electronic collection and transmission system is summarized.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) represents a serious complication of heparin use. IgG antibodies binding platelet factor 4 (PF4) and heparin trigger the clinical manifestations of HIT. However, only a portion of the antibodies have the ability to activate platelets, and these can be identified by a platelet aggregation test (functional testing). Current methods -- heparin-induced platelet aggregation (HIPA) and 14C-serotonin release assay (SRA) -- are time-consuming and difficult if HIT is clinically suspected; therefore, numerous new methods have been developed recently. To determine HIT, impedance aggregometry using the Multiplate® analyzer (Verum Diagnostika, Munich, Germany) (MEA) as heparin-induced aggregation techniques and the Technozym HIT Ig ELISA test (Technoclone GmbH, Vienna, Austria) were used. The MEA method uses sensitization of donor platelets with patient plasma in the presence of heparin at a concentration of 0.5 IU/mL. MEA was performed in 300 µL of citrated whole blood with donor platelets, 150 µL of heparin (final concentration of 0.5; 100 IU/mL) and 150 µL of platelet-poor plasma (PPP) from the patient. Changes in aggregation were monitored for 20 minutes. The ELISA test results were evaluated as negative for OD <0.500 and positive for OD> 0.500 according to the manufacturer's diagnostic setup. We examined 65 patients at a clinically intermediate and higher risk of HIT according to the 4T score. All samples were examined by the ELISA test and MEA, with positive samples being further confirmed by high-concentration heparin. In the studied group, we demonstrated that MEA has sufficient sensitivity and higher specificity. In the group of patients, there were 7.8% of positive results found by MEA as compared with 10.9% determined by ELISA. Unlike the ELISA methods of the same quality, MEA is more suitable for detecting platelet-activating HIT antibodies in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The studied group comprises 80 young patients with AIM on dual antiplatelet therapy with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and thienopyridines. Antiplatelet therapy was monitored by platelet-rich plasma light transmittance aggregometry using the APACT 4004 analyser (Helena Laboratories, Austria) and by whole blood impedance aggregometry using the Multiplate analyser (Dynabyte, Germany). Platelet aggregation was detected after stimulation with arachidonic acid for the detection of aspirin resistance and with ADP and prostaglandin E1 for the detection of thienopyridine resistance. To determine the frequencies of P2Y12 (i-744T>C; rs2046934), P2Y12 (34C>T; rs6785930) and COX-1 (- 842A>G; rs10306114) polymorphisms, DNA of patients with AIM was tested by RT-PCR and melting curve analysis using the LightCycler 480 analyser (Roche Diagnostics, Germany).The cut-offs for patients with effective ASA therapy are 25% of aggregated platelets and 220 AUC/min respectively if LTA or MEA is used. The cut-offs for effective thienopyridine therapy are 45% of aggregated platelets or 298 AUC/min, respectively.The aim of our work was to use the two aforementioned functional laboratory methods to assess both aspirin and thienopyridine resistance and to determine the contribution of platelet receptor genetic polymorphisms to resistance to antiplatelet therapy in AIM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The assessment of online health-related information presents a significant challenge for today's youth. Using the Processing of Commercial Media Content (PCMC) model, we investigated the impact of advertising on the perceived credibility of informational content concerning fitness (in boys) and dietary supplements (in girls)., Methods: In a survey-based preregistered experiment, 681 Czech adolescents (aged 13-18, 52% girls) were randomly assigned to three groups and exposed to websites with a banner ad, a native ad, or simple informational text without an ad., Results: The presence of ads on websites diminishes the perceived credibility of informational content. While we did not observe the difference between banner and native advertising, we found one gender-specific difference. Specifically, boys perceive informational content linked with native ads as more credible compared to girls. Additionally, no difference was found between younger and older adolescents. Adolescents demonstrated success in identifying both types of advertisements, irrespective of their age., Conclusions: The findings are discussed in light of individual differences and various approaches to processing online content. It appears that adolescents are accustomed to native advertising, which seamlessly integrates with traditional banner ads. Moreover, it is plausible that boys assess advertising texts more heuristically and less systematically than girls. Contrary to PCMC expectations, even younger adolescents seem to possess sufficient skills to identify the advertisements., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Adolescence published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Foundation for Professionals in Services to Adolescents.)

The aim of this study was to determine the thrombogenicity of lupus anticoagulant (LA) antibodies using a modified thrombin generation assay (TGA) with the addition of activated protein C (APC) in a group of 85 patients with LA-positive samples. Of these, 58 patients had clinical manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) according to the Sydney criteria classification, i.e., each patient had thrombosis or foetal loss, and 27 patients did not show any clinical manifestations of APS. A comparison of the two groups' TGA results revealed statistically significant differences (Fisher's test p = 0.0016). The group of patients exhibiting clinical manifestations of APS showed higher thrombogenicity in 56.9% of patients, while the group of patients not yet exhibiting clinical manifestations of APS showed higher thrombogenicity in 25.9% of patients. There were no significant differences in the specificity of the TGA test between the groups of patients exhibiting similar clinical manifestations. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed a more significant relationship ( p = 0.0060) for TGA than for LA titre ( p = 0.3387). These data suggest that the determination of LA thrombogenicity with the TGA assay leads to an increased prediction of the manifestation of a thromboembolic event. Our findings appear to be particularly relevant for the prediction of thrombotic events in patients with laboratory-expressed APS and no clinical manifestations.