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The biomedical research community addresses reproducibility challenges in animal studies through standardized nomenclature, improved experimental design, transparent reporting, data sharing, and centralized repositories. The ARRIVE guidelines outline documentation standards for laboratory animals in experiments, but genetic information is often incomplete. To remedy this, we propose the Laboratory Animal Genetic Reporting (LAG-R) framework. LAG-R aims to document animals genetic makeup in scientific publications, providing essential details for replication and appropriate model use. While verifying complete genetic compositions may be impractical, better reporting and validation efforts enhance reliability of research. LAG-R standardization will bolster reproducibility, peer review, and overall scientific rigor.

The clinical laboratory uses commercial products with limited shelf life or certain expiry dates requiring frequent lot changes. Prior to implementation for clinical use, laboratories should determine the performance of the new reagent lot to ensure that there is no significant shift in reagent performance or reporting of patient data. This guideline has been written on behalf of the International Council for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH) to provide the framework and provisional guidance for clinical laboratories for evaluating and verifying the performance of new lot reagents used for coagulation testing. These ICSH Working Party consensus recommendations are based on good laboratory practice, regulatory recommendations, evidence emerged from scientific publications, and expert opinion and are meant to supplement regional standards, regulations, or requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Unstable gait leading to falls negatively impacts the quality of life in many people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Systematic review evidence provides moderate to strong evidence of efficacy for a wide range of physiotherapybased interventions to reduce gait impairment. However, outcomes have often focused on gait assessments conducted in controlled laboratory or clinical environments. Objective: This perspective investigates the complexities and challenges of conducting real-world gait assessments in people with PD and the factors that may influence the translation from improved lab-assessed gait to improved real-world gait. Methods: Through a thorough review of current literature, we present an in-depth analysis of current methodological approaches to real-world gait assessments and the challenges that may influence the translation of an intervention's success from lab-based outcomes to improved walking during daily life. Results: We identified six key factors that may influence the translation of intervention success into real-world environments at different stages of the process. These factors comprise the gait intervention, parameters analyzed, sensor setup, assessment protocols, characteristics of walking bouts, and medication status. We provide recommendations for each factor based on our synthesis of current literature. Conclusion: This perspective emphasizes the importance of measuring intervention success outside of the laboratory environment using real-world gait assessments. Our findings support the need for future studies to bridge the gap between proven efficacy for gait as assessed in controlled laboratory environments and real-world impact for people with PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study published in the International Journal of Laboratory Hematology explores the impact of preanalytical conditions on fibrin monomers (FMs) and D-dimer biomarkers. The research involved 20 healthy volunteers and compared nine simulated conditions to a reference condition. The study found that certain preanalytical conditions significantly affected FMs levels, while D-dimer levels remained consistent across all conditions. The findings suggest that FMs assays are sensitive to preanalytical artifacts, highlighting the importance of stringent guidelines for accurate measurements. [Extracted from the article]

Exposure to chlorine dioxide by staff working in a gnotobiotic mouse facility at an Australian research institute was measured to determine whether current controls were sufficient to ensure their exposure remains below the current Australian workplace exposure standard. A combination of workplace surveys, interviews with workers, and personal sampling was undertaken to understand the workplace, identify higher-risk tasks, and measure the concentration of chlorine dioxide in the air where the workers conduct routine tasks involving the use of a chlorine dioxide-based disinfectant. Personal sampling utilized the validated Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) method ID-202, with minor alterations. The tasks identified as being associated with higher airborne exposure to chlorine dioxide were the use of an atomizer to fill isolator ports with aerosolized disinfectant and the use of a disinfectant dunk tank to submerge and surface decontaminate objects. The current work practices in the gnotobiotic facility were found to be compliant with the current 8-hr time-weighted average (TWA) limit of 0.1 ppm (0.28 mg/m3) but were not compliant with the 15-min short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 0.3 ppm (0.83 mg/m3). Improvements in exposure controls, such as implementing the use of a fume cupboard (hood) or other local ventilation when activating the disinfectant solution and improving the utilization of respiratory protective equipment, are therefore required to meet the STEL, but it is recommended that such improvements are also aimed at meeting the proposed Peak limitation of 0.1 ppm that is expected to soon be adopted by Safe Work Australia, replacing the current TWA-8hr and STEL exposure standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Tumor mutational burden (TMB) is a significant biomarker for predicting immune checkpoint inhibitor response, but the clinical performance of whole-exome sequencing (WES)–based TMB estimation has received less attention compared to panel-based methods. This study aimed to assess the reliability and comparability of WES-based TMB analysis among laboratories under routine testing conditions. Methods A multicenter study was conducted involving 24 laboratories in China using in silico reference data sets. The accuracy and comparability of TMB estimation were evaluated using matched tumor-normal data sets. Factors such as accuracy of variant calls, limit of detection (LOD) of WES test, size of regions of interest (ROIs) used for TMB calculation, and TMB cutoff points were analyzed. Results The laboratories consistently underestimated the expected TMB scores in matched tumor-normal samples, with only 50% falling within the ±30% TMB interval. Samples with low TMB score (<2.5) received the consensus interpretation. Accuracy of variant calls, LOD of the WES test, ROI, and TMB cutoff points were important factors causing interlaboratory deviations. Conclusions This study highlights real-world challenges in WES-based TMB analysis that need to be improved and optimized. This research will aid in the selection of more reasonable analytical procedures to minimize potential methodologic biases in estimating TMB in clinical exome sequencing tests. Harmonizing TMB estimation in clinical testing conditions is crucial for accurately evaluating patients' response to immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engaging relational turbulence theory (RTT), this study examined how dating partners' relationship quality predicted cognitions and communication during planning conversations. In a lab-based study, college dating partners (n  =   71 different gender couples) assessed their relational turbulence, participated in two planning activities, and then reported their perceptions of collaborative planning and relational framing for each activity. Outside observers rated the conversations for collaborative planning, dominance, and affiliation behaviors. Following RTT, we hypothesized that relational turbulence would lead to decreases in collaborative planning and engagement in more negative relational frames. Actor–partner interdependence models with repeated measures indicated differing effects on participant perception and outsider observations of the variables. Results provide support for RTT's relatively untested propositions, suggest potential gender differences among different gender dating partners' experiences, and reiterate the complexity of relational communication among dating partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to investigate clinical and laboratory characteristics of acute alcohol intoxication (AAI) in adolescents who presented to the pediatric emergency department (ED) at a tertiary referral center from 2006 to 2019. All consecutive adolescents with AAI (n = 335) and their sex- and age-matched control subjects (n = 335) with undetectable ethanol levels were included in this case-matched study. Mean serum ethanol level was 156.4 ± 58.4 (range: 50.8-341.2) mg/dL in the acute alcohol intoxication (AAI) group. Glasgow coma scores were lower in AAI group (14 [14-15] vs 15 [15-15], P <.001). Acidosis (16.3%), hyperlactatemia (60.9%), hypoglycemia (1.7%), hypernatremia (2.2%), hypokalemia (12.3%), hyperchloremia (20.4%), hypocalcemia (13.9%), hypermagnesemia (9.7%), and hyperalbuminemia (10.4%) were significantly more common in the AAI group than the control group. Blood pH, lactate, Na+, K+, Ca++, Mg++, albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and uric acid levels were correlated with serum ethanol levels. This study shows that AAI frequently leads to mild to moderate metabolic/biochemical derangements in adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The evaluation of the impact of pesticides on non-target species, like bees, is a crucial factor in registration procedures. Therefore, standardized test procedures have been developed on OECD level assessing the effects of chemicals on honey bees or bumble bees. Unfortunately, these protocols cannot directly be adapted for testing products that contain microorganisms. Interest in the use of microorganisms has increased in recent years due to their specificity to target species while not harming non-target organisms. This study aimed to evaluate optimal conditions to assess the effects of microbial plant protection products on bee species according to currently available test protocols. Some of the most commonly used microorganisms for plant protection, Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies aizawai (B. t. a. ABTS 1857) and Beauveria bassiana (B. b. ATCC 74040) were tested on Apis mellifera, Bombus terrestris, and Osmia bicornis at different temperatures (18, 26, 33 °C) under laboratory conditions. Results: Exposure to the product containing B. t. a. ABTS 1857 resulted in higher mortality compared to B. b. ATCC 74040 in all tested bee species. A temperature-dependent effect towards higher mortality at higher temperatures of 26 °C or 33 °C was observed in O. bicornis exposed to both microorganisms. A. mellifera showed variable responses, but for B. terrestris there was mostly no effect of temperature when exposed to microorganisms in high concentrations. However, temperature affected longevity of bee species in the non-exposed control group. A. mellifera mortality increased with decreasing temperatures, while B. terrestris and O. bicornis mortality increased with increasing temperatures. A test duration of 15 or 20 days was found to be suitable for testing these microorganisms. Conclusion: In conclusion, 26 °C should be considered the worst-case scenario for testing B. bassiana on all tested bee species. For testing B. thuringiensis, a temperature of 33 °C is recommended for A. mellifera, whereas B. terrestris and O. bicornis should be tested at 26 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical microbiology laboratories are responsible for confirming the aetiology of infectious diseases and providing antimicrobial susceptibility testing results. Traditional culture-based testing can be augmented by more rapid testing modalities to provide clinically actionable information as quickly as possible. Despite improvements in patient outcomes, many clinical microbiology laboratories are facing challenges to in-sourcing these technologies. Depending on a multitude of factors, including size, location and patient population served, these barriers may affect some laboratories and hospital systems to greater or lesser extents than others. It will be up to each individual facility to ascertain its ability to overcome barriers. To aid in this self-assessment, we present for thoughtful consideration a discussion of the barriers to implementation of rapid identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing technologies, with specific attention to matters of financial cost, staff expertise, operational issues and stakeholder buy-in. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detection and identification of microorganisms are the first steps to guide susceptibility testing and enable clinicians to confirm diseases and guide therapy. The faster the pathogen identification is determined, the quicker the appropriate treatment can be started. In the clinical microbiology laboratory, multiple methodologies can be used to identify organisms, such as traditional biochemical testing or more recent methods like MALDI TOF MS and nucleic acid detection/identification assays. Each of these techniques has advantages and limitations, and clinical laboratories need to determine which methodology is best suited to their particular setting in terms of clinical needs, availability of technical expertise and cost. This article presents a concise review of the history, utilization, advantages and limitations of the main methods used for identifying microorganisms in microbiology laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction It is critical to develop and implement lab-based computer experiments that simulate real-world tasks in order to characterize operational requirements and challenges or identify potential solutions. Achieving a high degree of laboratory control, operational generalizability, and ease-of-use for a task is challenging, often leading to the development of tasks that can satisfy some facets but not all. This can result in insufficient solutions that leave real-world stakeholders with unsolved problems. Materials and Methods This issue is addressed using a customized passive sonar simulator application that provides extensive researcher control over the design and manipulation of a sonar task; a visual appearance and cognitive demand similar to a true submarine-based sonar task; and a convenient and short training routine for sonar novices. The task requires participants to watch for multiple signal sources of varying appearance and salience and subsequently classify these signals into their respective categories. Results The current study investigated the effects of stimulus signal strength and signal density on sonar task performance—including metrics of classification accuracy, classification confidence, and response times—finding an interaction between signal density and signal strength that resulted in greater performance errors with high signal density at the weakest signal strength. Conclusions The lab-based sonar application provides new possibilities for research, not limited to signal intensity and signal density but also through the manipulation of parameters such as the number of unique targets, target appearance, and task duration. This application may illuminate the operational demands that each of these factors may have on operator behavior within the dynamic tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Acute Compartment Syndrome (ACS) is a severe trauma caused by elevated intra-muscle-compartment pressure (ICP). The current standard method for diagnosis is to insert a needle into the muscle sterilely under anesthesia. However, to secure the environment is sometimes not easy and leads to delays in diagnosis. Recently, we have focused on shear wave ultrasound elastography (SWE) as an alternative, which can be done concisely in unclean environment and without anesthesia. We would like to report the usefulness of SWE for ACS diagnosis using 2-pedal walking turkey model recently developed in our lab. Materials and Methods A total of 32 1-year-old Bourbon turkeys were used. 5% solution of chicken albumin was infused continuously into the tibialis cranialis (TC) muscle using IV pump. The ICP was increased stepwise from 0 to 50 mmHg. During the rising of ICP, the correlation between values of SWE (kPa) and ICP (mmHg) was measured. After the ICP reached 50 mmHg, half of the turkeys were maintained at this pressure for 2 hours and the rest for 6 hours. After infusion, a fasciotomy was performed on the half turkey. Half of the turkeys were euthanized after 2 weeks and the rest after 6 weeks. SWE of TC muscle and walking gait data on turkeys using a portable walkway system were measured weekly until euthanasia. At euthanasia, isometric tetanic muscle force (ITF) tests to TC muscle and histological evaluations were performed. Results SWE value (kPa) was highly significantly correlated to the actual ICP (mmHg) (R2 = 0.91). Stance of ACS side leg were significantly extended, and swing of the control side shortened from the second to the third week after ACS in the 6 hours infusion-no-fasciotomy group (P  < 0.05*). ITF was significantly reduced mainly in the 6 hours infusion group (P  < 0.05*). Histological evaluation revealed that in the 6 hours infusion and 6 weeks survival group, both the muscle fiber and intercellular distances were significantly expanded (P  < 0.05). Conclusion SWE seems to be a substitute measure of ICP in diagnosing ACS. With regard to our in vivo ACS model using turkey, survival at 50 mmHg ICP for 6 hours and 6 weeks post ACS would be an appropriate situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Current standards for hemoglobin monitoring during air transports of U.S. combat wounded are invasive and intermittent. Fielded pulse co-oximeters can noninvasively measure total hemoglobin, but this parameter is not currently utilized. The primary objective of this study was to assess the percentage of vital sign measurements with successful capture of total noninvasive hemoglobin measurement using spectrophotometry-based technology for Hb (SpHb) measurements in healthy participants during training flights. Secondary objectives were to assess the feasibility of a novel electronic data capture mechanism from usual patient movement items and perform a pilot analysis of SpHb changes in healthy participants during transitions from ground to air transport. Methods We conducted a feasibility study enrolling healthy participants who had hemodynamic monitoring during usual U.S. Air Force Critical Care Air Transport (CCAT) flight training exercises from 2022 to 2023. Usual CCAT monitoring equipment and currently used Masimo Rainbow® pulse co-oximeters had the capability to measure SpHb. After each training exercise, the study team wirelessly downloaded case files from patient monitors utilizing the Battlefield Assisted Trauma Distributed Observation Kit (BATDOKTM) Case Downloader application. We then calculated point and precision estimates for the percentage of time for successful SpHb capture during the exercise and compared this to pulse oximetry (SpO2) capture. An a priori precision analysis for percentage of flight-time with successful SpHb data capture and descriptive statistics were performed. This study received Exempt Determination by the 59th Medical Wing IRB. Results We analyzed 26 records with mean monitoring durations of 94.5 [59.3-119.9] minutes during ground phases and 78.0 [59.9-106.5] minutes during flight phases. SpHb measures were successfully captured for 97.7% (n  = 4,620) of possible ground measurements and 97.2% (n  = 3,973) of possible in-flight measurements compared to 99.5% ground and 98.2% in-flight capture for SpO2. Mean intervals of missing SpHb data were 2 ± 5 minutes on the ground and 4 ± 6 minutes in-flight. Mean SpHb increased by 0.93 ± 0.96 g/dL during the ground phase, but had minimal changes during ascent, cruising altitude or descent. The BATDOKTM Case downloader completed transfer for all files. Conclusion Masimo Rainbow® SpHb pulse co-oximeters reliably captured continuous, noninvasive hemoglobin measurements using usual CCAT patient movement items in healthy participants during both ground and flight training. The BATDOKTM Case Downloader successfully imported case files from CCAT patient monitors. Mean SpHb measures had a small increase during the ground phase of monitoring followed by minimal changes when transitioning to flight altitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis (TB) poses significant health challenges globally, contributing significantly to illness and mortality. Approximately one-fourth of the world's population is believed to carry the tuberculosis bacterium, with a 5-10% lifetime risk of developing active TB disease. Timely identification of TB and rapid detection of drug resistance are crucial in mitigating its global impact. Clinical, radiological, bacteriological, and molecular methods are used to screen and diagnose TB. Microscopy, culture, and immunological methods are commonly employed. Although microscopy has been used for approximately a century, it has limitations, necessitating its use and evaluation alongside other diagnostic techniques for a complete and accurate diagnosis. Bacterial culture in solid and liquid media is still the gold standard recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the diagnosis of TB, as it enables the isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) as well as the detection of drug resistance. In recent years, promising modern solutions have emerged that aim to overcome the limitations of culture and microscopic examination methods in molecular diagnostic testing. In routine laboratories in resource-wealthy countries, methods such as Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Drug Resistance Plus (MTBDRplus), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), line probe assay (LPA), GeneXpert, and whole genome sequencing are increasingly being used to diagnose and characterize TB and determine anti-TB drug susceptibilities. Our goal is to explore and assess the evolution, advancements, and future prospects in TB diagnosis, focusing particularly on the current laboratory methods used for diagnosing the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aims to comprehensively examine the employment and practices of embryologists in Japan's assisted reproductive technology (ART) laboratories, focusing on the impact of various factors such as ART cycle numbers, add‐ons, and regional differences. Additionally, it seeks to assess the extent to which Japanese ART facilities meet international minimum standards set by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Methods: A survey was conducted from December 2021 to February 2022 among 621 ART facilities in Japan. The study categorized facilities into five ART cycle groups and compared the number of embryologists across these groups. It also examined the correlation between the number of embryologists, ART cycles, add‐ons, and regional differences. Data were analyzed using linear regression and multiple linear regression analyses. Results: The study's findings revealed a significant correlation between the total number of embryologists at each facility and the ART cycles. Notably, there were significant differences in the number of embryologists across all ART cycle categories. Of the 435 facilities, only 44.6% met the ASRM minimum embryologist staffing requirement. The regression analysis further highlighted the significance of ART cycles and preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies as factors. Moreover, the number of embryologists stationed at urban facilities was significantly higher than at nonurban facilities, indicating a potential regional disparity. Conclusion: In Japan, it was first found that more than 50% of ART facilities do not have sufficient embryologists in place relative to the number of ART cycles. Furthermore, the add‐ons and regional differences affect the placement of embryologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immunoglobulin D (IgD) myeloma represents an uncommon subtype of multiple myeloma (MM), accounting for 1–2% of cases. Subjects affected by IgD MM have been demonstrated to have an inferior outcome and survival compared to those with other MM subtypes. A retrospective study was conducted on 15 patients (9 males and 6 females) diagnosed from 2008 to 2022 with IgD MM, in order to investigate the clinical and biochemical features at the moment of diagnosis, cytogenetic alterations, and survival times. The median age was 69 years, and higher frequencies of bone lesions, renal impairments, Bence–Jones proteinuria, and increased serum LDH were observed. Serum calcium levels were in the reference ranges. In the assessment of protein electrophoresis patterns, nine patients had a serum monoclonal protein that was not detectable. A cytogenetic analysis via fluorescence in situ demonstrated that the most common abnormalities were the deletion of 13q and IGH rearrangements. Patients treated with new chemotherapeutic drugs (immunomodulators, proteasome inhibitors), with or without autologous stem cell transplantation presented a higher median survival. The fundamental role of the laboratory in monoclonal IgD detection and the monitoring and studying of IgD MM cases enhances the knowledge of this disease, thus improving patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratories host a diverse array of chemicals, including a category that is particularly hazardous, often leading to various accidents yet holding crucial importance in human life-hazardous chemicals. Contact with these chemicals is unavoidable in laboratories, underscoring the need to understand their properties, accurately classify them, and ensure proper storage and safe handling. This article adopts the perspective of Peace Ambassador Qiqi, guiding readers through the various tribes of the hazardous chemicals kingdom. It introduces the classification and storage methods of these chemicals in laboratories, aiming to enhance awareness and promote safe practices to prevent laboratory accidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modifications were in response to changing constraints, including time, money, space, student background, and my knowledge and comfort. The lab went from emphasizing experiments with the attendant troubleshooting and data analysis skills to a lab focused more on giving prehealth professional students the motivation to learn physiology problem-solving skills by providing real cases. In the lab, students watched and listened to a random student try to use these problem-solving skills to solve the problem. This made them appreciate how much others also struggle in solving the problem. Some students with imposter syndrome think their classmates immediately know how to solve a problem, and therefore, seeing others also struggle has the potential to reduce imposter syndrome. Rather than having the students do experiments, they did kinesthetic activities with mechanical models to generate data without biological variation. They then graphed their data, thus improving their ability to actually read graphs rather than memorize patterns. NEW & NOTEWORTHY: I learned to explicitly recognize the current and projected constraints of instructor comfort, money, space, student background (poor graph reading and problem-solving skills), student safety, and time and energy on the possible goals and methods to attain them for an undergraduate physiology lab. I cannot decide if changing constraints allowed me to reexamine my goals or whether it forced me to reexamine my goals. In either case, the reexamination of my goals (and their priorities), within the context of the constraints, allowed me to redesign the labs to better meet my new goals within this new context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the 2000s the EU has used African conflicts as "laboratories" to develop its Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and to mature its profile as a security actor; half of all CSDP missions have been deployed on the continent. However, the ineffectiveness of these missions, accusations of neocolonialism and the increasing appeal of Russian security assistance have raised fundamental questions about the legitimacy and efficacy of the CSDP model. Using a postcolonial decentring framework, which facilitates a clearer focus on African agency, I analyse why the EU has been unable to make sense of Russia's increasingly prominent role in African security. Through interviews with EU staff, document analysis and fieldwork in Mali, this paper explores how the EU's instrumentalisation of Africa as a "laboratory" – which positioned the continent as a depoliticised testing ground, with limited regard for the effectiveness of these tests – has had counterproductive effects on its long-term influence. It has left the EU unable to fathom why its geopolitical rivals enjoy popularity in Africa or to respond appropriately. In its preoccupation with its own maturation process, the EU has disregarded the agency of Africans and this myopia has been deliberately exploited by Russia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Rainbow blood draws for add-on testing in the emergency department (ED) are a common practice at our institution. We sought to determine the prevalence of this practice among reference laboratory clients and characterize the impact of pandemic-driven supply shortages. Methods This cross-sectional study surveyed 354 client laboratories to understand specimen collection practices in specific clinical environments and how these practices may have been affected by supply chain shortages. Data analysis by descriptive statistics was performed in Qualtrics. Results A total of 138 laboratories took the survey (39% response rate) with 57% indicating that their ED performed rainbow draws. Of these, 16% have a formal policy regarding rainbow draws, and 76% of respondents indicated that their institution was required to modify practices due to pandemic-driven supply shortages. A total of 19% indicated they routinely collect multiple urine aliquots for add-on testing. Conclusion Rainbow draws and collection of urine aliquots in the ED for add-on testing are relatively common practices, with few institutions maintaining formal policies regarding the practice. Pandemic-driven supply chain shortages affected a majority of respondent laboratories and local cost-benefit analysis regarding extra specimen collection is recommended to limit waste of laboratory resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Histotechnology educational programs are accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) and currently number fewer than 50 in the United States which contributes to the shortages of laboratory personnel. A survey tool designed with REDCap software was distributed to all programs identified on the NAACLS website and consisted of three parts: a) program information, b) facility information, and c) challenges. Programs are located primarily in large urban centers where populations are most concentrated. The median class size was 6 which may explain the excellent student outcomes to include 96% graduation rates and 90.7% board of registry examination pass rates. Overall, programs had ample equipment, funding, and administrative support. Costs to attend the programs were relatively low (<$3,000 per semester) for over half of the programs. However, due to the small number of accredited education programs across the US, potential students do not often have access to an institution in their area. The programs indicated that the most common challenge was recruitment of adequate high-quality candidates which may explain, in part, the persistent shortage of personnel in the histology laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are commonly kept as pets or bred for laboratory investigation, meat, fur production, or a combination of these purposes. We conducted a retrospective study to assess the prevalence of diseases in domestic rabbits according to purpose. We retrieved results of autopsies, biopsies, and cytologies from 2,583 cases received at 4 diagnostic laboratories in California from 2013–2022. Rabbits were classified as pets (2,241; 86.8%), laboratory animals (92; 3.6%), meat-production animals (60; 2.3%), or multipurpose animals (190; 7.4%). A final diagnosis was reached in 2,360 (91.4%) cases and was classified by system, etiology, and type of process. Pet rabbits had the highest median age (5.9 y; vs. 3 y, 0.67 y, and 0.25 y in meat, multipurpose, and laboratory rabbits, respectively), and most of the neoplasms were diagnosed in this group (872 of the total 896 neoplasms in the study; 97.3%), with tumors of the skin, female reproductive tract, and hematolymphoid system being the most common. Laboratory rabbits had a high prevalence of infectious enterotyphlocolitis (40 of 92; 43.4%), and ~45% of those cases were due to opportunistic colibacillosis. Infectious and parasitic pneumonias were common in meat rabbits (18 of 60; 30%); pneumonic pasteurellosis accounted for >60% of those cases. Infectious cholangiohepatitides were common in multipurpose rabbits (61 of 110; 55.5%), with rabbit hemorrhagic disease representing the most common etiology (82.4% of those cases). Our results demonstrate that purpose of use can predict prevalence of disease in rabbits submitted to diagnostic laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratory management in Educational Institutions is important to support students' practical learning because laboratories are a means for students to delve into the material directly. An important aspect of laboratory management is budget management and consumables. Not a few Educational Institutions use spreadsheets to manage the budget and procurement of Consumables, which are often inefficient and poorly integrated. These limitations make it difficult to monitor budgets and the status of goods requests in real-time, hinder transparency, and increase the risk of human error, which can ultimately reduce accountability in laboratory management. This research aims to develop a more integrated budget management and procurement system for Consumables using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) with Odoo software, involving the Accounting and Purchase modules. The QuickStart method is used to ensure smooth implementation by actively involving users throughout the development cycle. This system includes budget creation and monitoring, purchase order creation, and validation of goods received. The results of the Black Box Testing and Expert Judgement show that the developed system has met all the testing objectives, although improvements are still needed, such as the addition of graphs for budget visualization. The implementation of this system is expected to increase transparency and accountability in budget management and procurement of consumables in educational institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Laboratory Animal Science & Practices / Laboratuvar Hayvanlari Bilimi ve Uygulamalari Dergisi is the property of Ataturk University Coordinatorship of Scientific Journals and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Experimental Technology & Management is the property of Experimental Technology & Management Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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Abstract Background The evaluation of the impact of pesticides on non-target species, like bees, is a crucial factor in registration procedures. Therefore, standardized test procedures have been developed on OECD level assessing the effects of chemicals on honey bees or bumble bees. Unfortunately, these protocols cannot directly be adapted for testing products that contain microorganisms. Interest in the use of microorganisms has increased in recent years due to their specificity to target species while not harming non-target organisms. This study aimed to evaluate optimal conditions to assess the effects of microbial plant protection products on bee species according to currently available test protocols. Some of the most commonly used microorganisms for plant protection, Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies aizawai (B. t. a. ABTS 1857) and Beauveria bassiana (B. b. ATCC 74040) were tested on Apis mellifera, Bombus terrestris, and Osmia bicornis at different temperatures (18, 26, 33 °C) under laboratory conditions. Results Exposure to the product containing B. t. a. ABTS 1857 resulted in higher mortality compared to B. b. ATCC 74040 in all tested bee species. A temperature-dependent effect towards higher mortality at higher temperatures of 26 °C or 33 °C was observed in O. bicornis exposed to both microorganisms. A. mellifera showed variable responses, but for B. terrestris there was mostly no effect of temperature when exposed to microorganisms in high concentrations. However, temperature affected longevity of bee species in the non-exposed control group. A. mellifera mortality increased with decreasing temperatures, while B. terrestris and O. bicornis mortality increased with increasing temperatures. A test duration of 15 or 20 days was found to be suitable for testing these microorganisms. Conclusion In conclusion, 26 °C should be considered the worst-case scenario for testing B. bassiana on all tested bee species. For testing B. thuringiensis, a temperature of 33 °C is recommended for A. mellifera, whereas B. terrestris and O. bicornis should be tested at 26 °C.

Hastalıkların mekanizmalarını daha iyi anlamak ve etkili tedavi yöntemleri geliştirebilmek amacıyla in vivo ve in vitro modellerin kullanımı, modern tıbbın ve biyomedikal araştırmaların temel taşlarından biri olarak kabul edilmektedir. Deney hayvanları, bilimsel araştırmalar için vazgeçilmez bir gereklilik olarak karşımıza çıkmakta ve hastalıkların patofizyolojisini anlamada kritik bir rol oynamaktadır. Nefrotoksisite, böbrek dokusunun çeşitli kimyasal maddeler veya ksenobiyotikler tarafından maruz kaldığı zararlı etkileri ifade eder. Bu durum, böbrek hasarına yol açabilecek birçok farklı madde tarafından tetiklenebilir. Örneğin, antibiyotikler (özellikle aminoglikozidler ve vankomisin), non-steroidal antiinflamatuar ilaçlar (NSAID'ler), antiviral ilaçlar, tıbbi görüntülemede kullanılan kontrast maddeler, ağır metaller (kurşun ve cıva) ve kemoterapi ilaçları, böbrek dokusu üzerinde toksik etkiye sahip maddeler arasında yer alır. Böbrekler, bu ilaçlar ve kimyasalların toksik etkilerine karşı oldukça savunmasızdır ve bu savunmasızlık, ciddi böbrek hasarlarına yol açabilir. Ksenobiyotikler, özellikle ilaçlar, akut böbrek hasarı (ABH), kronik böbrek hastalığı (KBH), akut böbrek yetmezliği (ABY) ve son dönem böbrek hastalığı (SDBH) gibi ciddi sağlık sorunlarının önde gelen nedenleri arasındadır. İlaç kaynaklı nefrotoksisite, genellikle üç ana mekanizma üzerinden incelenir: Proksimal tübüler hasar ve akut tübüler nekroz (ATN), kristal formdaki ksenobiyotik veya ilaç metabolitlerinin neden olduğu tübüler tıkanıklık ve ilaçlar ile metabolitlerinin indüklediği interstisyel nefrit. Böbrek fonksiyonlarını gösteren biyokimyasal parametrelerdeki değişiklikler, nefrotoksisitenin tanısında kritik bir rol oynar. Bu derlemede, deneysel nefrotoksisite modelleri, tanısında kullanılan biyobelirteçler ve bu biyobelirteçlerin klinik önemleri ayrıntılı olarak ele alınmıştır.

Building a diverse laboratory that is equitable is critical for the retention of talent and the growth of trainees professionally and personally. Here, we outline several strategies including enhancing understanding of cultural competency and humility, establishing laboratory values, and developing equitable laboratory structures to create an inclusive laboratory environment to enable trainees to achieve their highest success.

Immunoglobulin D (IgD) myeloma represents an uncommon subtype of multiple myeloma (MM), accounting for 1–2% of cases. Subjects affected by IgD MM have been demonstrated to have an inferior outcome and survival compared to those with other MM subtypes. A retrospective study was conducted on 15 patients (9 males and 6 females) diagnosed from 2008 to 2022 with IgD MM, in order to investigate the clinical and biochemical features at the moment of diagnosis, cytogenetic alterations, and survival times. The median age was 69 years, and higher frequencies of bone lesions, renal impairments, Bence–Jones proteinuria, and increased serum LDH were observed. Serum calcium levels were in the reference ranges. In the assessment of protein electrophoresis patterns, nine patients had a serum monoclonal protein that was not detectable. A cytogenetic analysis via fluorescence in situ demonstrated that the most common abnormalities were the deletion of 13q and IGH rearrangements. Patients treated with new chemotherapeutic drugs (immunomodulators, proteasome inhibitors), with or without autologous stem cell transplantation presented a higher median survival. The fundamental role of the laboratory in monoclonal IgD detection and the monitoring and studying of IgD MM cases enhances the knowledge of this disease, thus improving patient outcomes.

Aims: The importance of screening for hemoglobinopathies is well-documented in India. However, information on the distribution of hemoglobinopathies in Karnataka is lacking. The present study focuses on determining the spectrum of hemoglobinopathies for various districts of Karnataka. Materials and Methods and Results: A retrospective analysis of samples registered for hemoglobinopathies for a period of 5 years (2017–2021) was carried out. A total of 17066 records registered only from the Karnataka region, were anonymized and retrieved. The data included gender, age, district, and results of the tests. The results were based on complete blood count, peripheral smear, and capillary electrophoresis (CE) pattern. The data were revalidated by pathologists, and the unambiguous data were analyzed for the study. One-fourth of the records (25%) showed abnormal hematological parameters. The number of female records (66%) was twice that of males and both genders showed higher distribution of thalassemia, followed by variants and double heterozygotes (DH). Several cases of thalassemia major were identified below the age of 17 years. The majority of thalassemia cases were β thal and 93% of them were β thal trait. Among the variants, HbS was more prevalent than HbE. Among the districts, Hassan had a 35.2% thal, Mysuru had a 7.2% variant, and Chitradurga had a 5.5% DH. Thalassemia, variants, and DH were distributed across several districts of Karnataka to various levels. Conclusion: The comprehensive retrospective analysis of the spectrum of hemoglobinopathies in various districts of Karnataka serves as evidence to carry out a prospective study on population screening where the incidence of thalassemia and structural variants is high.

This study examines how physical sciences teachers in South African high schools perceive the use of practical work in chemistry instruction. The study is grounded in the framework of social constructivism. Qualitative research methods, including semi-structured interviews and classroom observations, were employed to gather insights from a purposively selected sample of four high school chemistry teachers, each from a different high school. The aim was to explore their perspectives on the incorporation of practical work in chemistry teaching. Thematic analysis of the data revealed a range of insights into teachers' perceptions. The findings indicate that teachers recognise the value of practical work in engaging students and reinforcing theoretical knowledge. However, they also face several challenges that hinder its effective implementation, such as inadequate laboratory facilities, limited access to resources, time constraints, and insufficient teacher training. Despite these obstacles, teachers demonstrate a strong commitment to integrating practical work into their teaching and employ innovative strategies to overcome these barriers. They highlight the need for increased support from educational authorities in terms of resource provision, professional development opportunities, and curriculum alignment. The study provides recommendations for educational policymakers, curriculum developers, and teacher training institutions to address these perceived challenges and enhance the quality of chemistry teaching and learning in South African high schools.

Abstract As data and protocols are increasingly generated, accessed, and manipulated electronically, many labs are shifting to storing data in electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs). ELNs provide clear advantages in readability, shareability, searchability, accessibility, and data security over their paper counterparts. Our interdisciplinary program implemented ELNs across several sections of our gateway molecular biology laboratory course and analyzed the impact on 384 students (13 sections total from Fall 2016 to Spring 2018) using surveys, focus groups, and grade data. We found that students prefer the electronic format, citing the ease of transitioning to lab reports and the longevity of their data. Course grades overall were not affected by the change. Based on our experience, we offer suggestions for smoothing the transition to an ELN system in undergraduate and graduate laboratory courses, including use during remote teaching.

Abstract Background Mind wandering is a common phenomenon in daily life. However, the manifestations and cognitive correlates of mind wandering in different subclinical populations remain unclear. In this study, these aspects were examined in individuals with schizotypal traits and individuals with depressive symptoms, i.e., subclinical populations of patients with schizophrenia and depression. Methods Forty-two individuals with schizotypal traits, 42 individuals with subclinical depression, and 42 controls were recruited to complete a mind wandering thought sampling task (state level) and a mind wandering questionnaire (trait level). Measures of rumination and cognitive functions (attention, inhibition, and working memory) were also completed by participants. Results Both subclinical groups exhibited more state and trait mind wandering than did the control group. Furthermore, individuals with schizotypal traits demonstrated more trait mind wandering than individuals with subclinical depression. Rumination, sustained attention, and working memory were associated with mind wandering. In addition, mind wandering in individuals with subclinical depression can be accounted for by rumination or attention, while mind wandering in individuals with high schizotypal traits cannot be accounted for by rumination, attention, or working memory. Conclusions The results suggest that individuals with high schizotypal traits and subclinical depression have different patterns of mind wandering and mechanisms. These findings have implications for understanding the unique profile of mind wandering in subclinical individuals.

Powassan virus is a tick-borne flavivirus that can cause severe neuroinvasive disease, with areas of endemicity in the Northeast and Midwest United States, Canada, and Russia. Diagnosis is challenging and relies on a high index of suspicion and choosing the right test based on duration of infection and the patient's immune status. This review covers laboratory testing for Powassan virus, including historical considerations, modern options, and methods being developed in the research space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the perceptions of high school students regarding the concepts of evidence related to the reproducibility of experimental data, also in addition to analyzing the evolution of these concepts over a school year, considering the implementation of a series of diverse practical activities integrated into the school curriculum. In total, 164 first-year high school students fully participated in the research, based on a quantitative approach covering a pre-experimental design with two tests, one at the beginning and another at the end of the school year. In addition to the tests, some students were interviewed. The comparison of the pre- and post-test results indicates, for the group of students surveyed, that there was a certain sophistication in thinking about the constructs researched. However, the analysis of the justifications revealed that a large portion of the participants did not understand the real reasons of the importance of working with a larger number of measurements properly. Based on the results, educational implications are discussed, and new research questions are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The laboratory is a high-risk place for scientific research and learning, and there are many risk factors and great potential for harm. Hazardous chemicals are important to consider and are the key objects to monitor in a laboratory. In recent years, hazardous chemical fire accidents have occurred in laboratories in various industries, bringing painful lessons and making it urgent to strengthen the safety management of hazardous laboratory chemicals. In this study, a semi-quantitative comprehensive risk assessment model for hazardous chemical laboratory fires was constructed by combining the bowtie model, three-dimensional risk matrix, and analytic network process (ANP). This study applied this method to the management of hazardous chemicals at the TRT Research Institute; evaluated the probability, severity, and preventive components of the corresponding indicators by constructing different index systems; and calculated the evaluation results using the weight of each index. The evaluation results show that the comprehensive likelihood level is 2, the comprehensive severity level is 3, the comprehensive preventive level is 3, and the final calculated comprehensive risk level is tolerable (II). Based on the results of the risk assessment, the corresponding control measures that can reduce the fire risk of hazardous chemicals in the laboratory are proposed according to the actual situation at the TRT Research Institute. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For antinuclear antibody (ANA) screening, the gold standard method is an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIFA) using HEp-2 cells, and a serial dilution test is needed to determine the endpoint titer. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the estimated endpoint titer (eEPT) by the NOVA View system, by comparing it with the EPT by the serial dilution method (dEPT). The endpoint titers of a total of 1518 ANA positive cases with five major patterns including speckled, homogeneous, centromere, nucleolar, and nuclear dots patterns were determined using both the estimation function and the serial dilution method by the NOVA View system. A significant correlation between the light intensity unit (LIU) values and dEPTs was identified in all five patterns with high ρ values, ranging from 0.666 to 0.832. However, the overall exact match rate between dEPT and eEPT was 22.1% (336/1518), with the ±one-titer match rate being highest in the centromere pattern (62.8%, 81/129), and lowest in the homogeneous pattern (37.6%, 200/532). This suggests that while LIU values correlate well with dEPT, there are discrepancies in numerical agreement. Most cases that did not show an exact match, showed one-to-three-titer overestimations by eEPT. Therefore, adjusting eEPT downward significantly improved the concordance rates with dEPTs. Further investigation for an appropriate cutoff of LIU values for determining eEPT should be performed for clinical application and contribution to the standardization of the ANA titer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Government of India, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), established the National Polio Surveillance Project (NPSP) in 1997 and initiated acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance to achieve the goal of polio eradication. The WHO South-East Asia Region, comprising of 11 countries, including India, was certified as polio-free in March 2014. India was also validated to have eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus in May 2015. Over the years, the surveillance of other vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) was integrated with AFP surveillance in the country. Outbreak-based measles–rubella (MR) surveillance was initiated in 2005 using AFP surveillance as a platform, case-based fever–rash (FR) surveillance started in 2021 as one of the strategies to achieve measles and rubella elimination in the country. The surveillance of diphtheria, pertussis, and neonatal tetanus was integrated with AFP surveillance in a phased manner during 2015–2022. The surveillance system for VPDs in India, supported by a laboratory network of 10 polio laboratories, 28 measles–rubella laboratories, and 20 diphtheria–pertussis laboratories, has enhanced the national health capacity and security. The setting up and expansion of the surveillance system in the country involved the important component of capacity building of personnel on various components of surveillance, including case identification, case investigation, sample collection and shipment, data analysis and public health response. These capacities have been used effectively during other emergencies, such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic, as well as during outbreaks of other diseases and natural calamities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2013–2016 Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa galvanized a quest for more knowledge with regards to the ecology of the disease. In its immediate aftermath, research initiatives, at the junction of biosecurity and One Health, were mounted to elucidate the circulation of the Ebola virus and other emergent pathogens through sampling local wildlife, in particular bats. The article investigates the knowledge, affects, and practices mitigating care and risk in encounters between human animals and potentially contaminated nonhuman animals. Grounded in an ethnography of the labor of wildlife sampling by Guinean veterinarians, it adopts an interspecies perspective on the One Health laboratory, a place where relations between animals and humans are inflected by a postcolonial, gendered, and anthropocentric imbalance of power. It argues that, rather than blurring interspecies boundaries, scientific care for sampled bats may cement hierarchies, with consequences for samplers and animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurately characterizing permanent deformation in granular materials subjected to cyclic loading is crucial for pavement design. This paper introduces an alternative approach to characterizing permanent deformation in a framework that reduces the number of load cycle repetitions by applying an alternative analytical strategy based on plastic strain rate variation over time. The methodology uses a cycle-hardening approach to establish correlations between short-term (post-compaction) and long-term (shakedown state) plastic strain accumulation. This alternative approach provides an efficient means to accelerate the characterization of permanent deformation, ensuring the integrity and validity of the assessment in a more time-efficient and resource-optimized way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health industry in Indonesia faces a variety of complex and multidimensional challenges. In the face of fierce competition from hospitals that offer self-contained laboratory services and the development of infrastructure that facilitates access to more well-equipped healthcare facilities, it is important to understand how service quality affects customer satisfaction and loyalty. This study aims to explore the influence of Service Quality on Customer Satisfaction and Customer Loyalty at the X Clinical Laboratory in Pematang Siantar City, as well as to examine the role of customer satisfaction as a mediator. The results show that Service Quality has a significant positive influence on customer satisfaction (coefficient: 0.8825), indicating that an improvement in Service Quality will increase customer satisfaction. Based on these findings, the management of Clinical Laboratory X is advised to implement several strategies to improve service quality, customer satisfaction, and loyalty to remain the top choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing body of evidence that Open Educational Resources (OERs) are a viable alternative to traditional "for cost" teaching materials. This paper provides a reflection on the process and outcomes of developing and implementing OER within an introduction Human-Environment Geography lecture-laboratory course. Evidence is further provided in support of improvements to the academic performance and completion rates of students enrolled in the course after the implementation of OERs over a period of 4–6 years. Results of the study indicate students' academic performance significantly increased once OERs were incorporated into the classroom compared to the use of traditional materials purchased by the students. The rate of student withdrawal also was significantly less once OERs were implemented. The improvements to students' academic performance and retention occurred despite OER being only used in the laboratory component of the course, suggesting that even a partial implementation of OERs can still have significant positive effects. The use of OERs can be considered as a legitimate option to increasing retention and student academic success in the Geography classroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The integration of augmented reality (AR) in spine surgery marks a significant advancement, enhancing surgical precision and patient outcomes. AR provides immersive, three-dimensional visualizations of anatomical structures, facilitating meticulous planning and execution of spine surgeries. This technology not only improves spatial understanding and real-time navigation during procedures but also aims to reduce surgical invasiveness and operative times. Despite its potential, challenges such as model accuracy, user interface design, and the learning curve for new technology must be addressed. AR's application extends beyond the operating room, offering valuable tools for medical education and improving patient communication and satisfaction. Material and methods: A literature review was conducted by searching PubMed and Scopus databases using keywords related to augmented reality in spine surgery, covering publications from January 2020 to January 2024. Results: In total, 319 articles were identified through the initial search of the databases. After screening titles and abstracts, 11 articles in total were included in the qualitative synthesis. Conclusion: Augmented reality (AR) is becoming a transformative force in spine surgery, enhancing precision, education, and outcomes despite hurdles like technical limitations and integration challenges. AR's immersive visualizations and educational innovations, coupled with its potential synergy with AI and machine learning, indicate a bright future for surgical care. Despite the existing obstacles, AR's impact on improving surgical accuracy and safety marks a significant leap forward in patient treatment and care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the growing prominence of nature-inspired design philosophies in the context of sustainability and human well-being within the built environment and focuses on their application within laboratory buildings. Biomimicry and biophilic design are highlighted as key nature-inspired design approaches, with biomimicry drawing inspiration from nature for innovations and biophilic design promoting human health through enhancing the connection with the surrounding natural elements. This paper further discusses living building strategy as an emerging method for creating dynamic and adaptable spaces by prioritizing user experience through co-creation and focusing on sustainable and regenerative structures. The potential of integrating these approaches is emphasized using laboratory buildings as an example, with nature-inspired and living laboratories serving as models for future built environments that promote both environmental responsibility and a positive human experience. Accordingly, this work aims to investigate the design and construction of laboratory buildings based on nature-inspired design strategies and the living building concept. Moreover, the paper discusses the application of biomimicry and living building concepts within laboratory buildings as a novel contribution to the body of knowledge, and concludes by proposing the Nature-inspired & Living Laboratory (NILL 1.0)TM Building Assessment index to serve as a guideline for the design and construction of laboratory buildings using nature as an inspiration and the analogy of human body systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives This article describes Pathologists Overseas (PO) experience supporting external quality assessment (EQA) programs in 10 clinical laboratories across 3 countries between 2009 and 2017. Methods Laboratories were enrolled in the condensed chemical pathology EQA program provided by the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Quality Assurance Program. Participants were given an initial 2- to 4-day in-person training, followed by 1 year of active feedback on performance via emails or phone calls by a PO volunteer. Results There were 2 performance metrics: percentage of reported results as a measure of compliance and percentage of acceptable reported results as a measure of accuracy. Laboratories demonstrated high compliance with result reporting, with medians of 69.9%, 71.7%, and 81.3% before, during, and after feedback, respectively. Concomitant medians for the percentage of acceptable reported results were 41.2%, 57.3%, and 53.5%, respectively. Six laboratories had low performance in terms of accuracy at baseline (<60%). Active feedback improved the percentage of acceptable reported results for these lower-performing laboratories. Conclusions External quality assessment programs can be successfully adopted long term by laboratories in low-resource settings. Active feedback requires significant time and effort but could be especially beneficial for laboratories with poor baseline performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbiology laboratories are pivotal hubs for exploring the potential of microorganisms and addressing global challenges. Particularly, Environmental Microbiology facilities hold substantial influence in advancing knowledge and capabilities crucial for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This raises the imperative of integrating sustainable practices to mitigate the environmental impact of research activities and foster a culture of responsibility. Such an approach not only aligns with global sustainability objectives but also catalyses innovative, eco-conscious methodologies in scientific research aimed at tackling pressing environmental issues. Concerns regarding the environmental footprint of laboratory practices have stimulated innovative improvements within the scientific community, ranging from resource-efficient initiatives to the management of essential commodities like water and energy. This perspective discusses specific areas where microbiology laboratories can enhance their sustainability efforts, drawing on reports and case studies of pioneering groups. Additionally, it explores potential collaborators to support these endeavours and emphasises the pivotal role of early career researchers in driving this transition. By initiating discussions and sparking curiosity within the environmental microbial community, this commentary seeks to propel the microbial ecology field toward a greener future, starting from within the laboratory environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the importance of quality assurance and quality control practices in the process control laboratory is key for operators to produce reliable data and make informed treatment decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]