{"title":"Comparison of student perception and performance between case-based learning and lecture-based learning in a clinical laboratory immunology course","authors":"Xingming Ma, Yanping Luo, Jingqiu Wang, Li-feng Zhang, Yaling Liang, Yufeng Wu, Hongjuan Yu, Mingqiang Cao","doi":"10.1515/labmed-2016-0026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/labmed-2016-0026","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Background: Case-based learning (CBL), an educational method of problem-based learning, provides students with a venue to relate content learned in the classroom to performance in professional practice. This study compared CBL in the teaching of a clinical laboratory immunology (CLI) course to lecture-based learning (LBL), and evaluated the effect on students regarding the CBL. Methods: Data were collected from senior students (n=85; 46% males, 54% females) at Lanzhou University in China. The students were divided into two groups, one group was offered CBL, while the other LBL as a teaching instrument. After intervention, perceptions of both the groups about their respective teaching method were evaluated using questionnaires, the resulting scores were compared to those obtained in the LBL group. Results: The CBL group showed significantly better scores in course examination (p<0.05) as compared to the LBL group. Seventy-seven (90.6%) students in the CBL group opined that CBL improved their learning and clinical problem-solving skills. CBL also provided them with better understanding (90.6%) and preparation for examinations (90.6%). CBL group improved markedly in comparison to the LBL group with regard to learning motivation (p=0.040), clinical reasoning ability (p=0.023) and clinical problem-solving ability (p=0.022). Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that CBL is a more effective teaching strategy as compared to LBL in a CLI course. Consequently, the implementation of CBL in teaching a CLI course helps students to improve their learning motivation, problem solving abilities and mastery of knowledge.","PeriodicalId":49926,"journal":{"name":"Laboratoriumsmedizin-Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":" 602","pages":"283 - 289"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1515/labmed-2016-0026","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72378465","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Orth, J. Aufenanger, G. Hoffmann, R. Lichtinghagen, Yuriko Stiegler, D. Peetz, für die Sektion Labormanagement der Deutschen Vere
{"title":"Chancen und Risiken von e-Health in der Labormedizin","authors":"M. Orth, J. Aufenanger, G. Hoffmann, R. Lichtinghagen, Yuriko Stiegler, D. Peetz, für die Sektion Labormanagement der Deutschen Vere","doi":"10.1515/labmed-2016-0040","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/labmed-2016-0040","url":null,"abstract":"Zusammenfassung Aus dem Lifestyle- und Wellnessbereich werden den Kunden vielfältige Apps angeboten, die die Kundendaten ansprechend digital präsentieren. Auch der politische Wille fordert die Digitalisierung in der Medizin mit dem sog. „E-Health-Gesetz“. In der nationalen elektronischen Patientenakte sollen dazu auch Laborbefunde gespeichert werden. Dafür notwendig ist allerdings eine ausreichende Harmonisierung von Prä-Präanalytik (Terminologie, Testprofile, Testungsintervalle), Präanalytik (Abnahmezeiten, Patientenvorbereitung, Probentransport und Probenlagerung), Analytik (Probenqualität, Methode, Kalibration, Qualitätssicherung) bis hin zur Postanalytik (Einheiten, Datenformate, Referenzintervalle, Entscheidungswerte). Diese Harmonisierung kann aufgrund der vielen verschiedenen Laboruntersuchungen und parameterspezifischen Besonderheiten trotz weitreichender nationaler und internationaler Aktivitäten noch nicht als abgeschlossen gelten. Andere Herausforderungen elektronischer Patientenakten liegen bei der Datensicherheit (d.h. der Integrität der Laborbefunde) und dem Datenschutz unter Berücksichtigung der informationellen Selbstbestimmung der Patienten und weiterer Gesetze wie dem Gendiagnostikgesetz (GenDG). Empfehlung: Wir empfehlen aus Gründen der Patientensicherheit, sich bei der nationalen elektronischen Patientenakte auf wenige ausgewählte Laborbefunde zu beschränken, die unmittelbar zur Dosisanpassung von Medikamenten notwendig sind und die so den elektronischen Medikationsplan unterstützen.","PeriodicalId":49926,"journal":{"name":"Laboratoriumsmedizin-Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"161 1","pages":"227 - 237"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80164675","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Permissible measurement uncertainty in the lower part of measurement intervals","authors":"R. Haeckel, E. Gurr, T. Keller","doi":"10.1515/labmed-2016-0006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/labmed-2016-0006","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Many laboratories observe that requirements of the Guideline of the German Medical Association RiliBÄK for the internal quality assurance are difficult to fulfill in the lower part of the measurement interval (e.g. thrombocyte count at 50·109/L). With 10 measurands, the RiliBÄK contain special limits for lower measurement quantities. But, these limits lead to artificial “jumps” and even may be too stringent in the very low region of the measurement interval. Requirements which are too stringent usually lead to repeats and unnecessary costs, and to unnecessary time delay. The DGKL working group Guide Limits proposes variable permissible limits depending on the measurand concentration applied in the control material. Then, in the 10 critical cases, higher permissible limits are obtained in the very low part of measurement intervals. The control materials used in ring trials should contain concentrations close to the lower decision limits. Then, the permissible limits provided by the RiliBÄK also appear too stringent in the lower part of the measurement intervals of many measurands.","PeriodicalId":49926,"journal":{"name":"Laboratoriumsmedizin-Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"26 3","pages":"271 - 276"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1515/labmed-2016-0006","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72425085","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marina Pijanović, A. Stefanović, M. Miljkovic, Snežana Marić-Krejović, S. Spasić
{"title":"Association of osteocalcin, insulin resistance and oxidative stress during noncomplicated pregnancy","authors":"Marina Pijanović, A. Stefanović, M. Miljkovic, Snežana Marić-Krejović, S. Spasić","doi":"10.1515/labmed-2016-0024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/labmed-2016-0024","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to explore longitudinal changes of serum osteocalcin during normal, uncomplicated pregnancy and after delivery, and its correlations with parameters of glucose homeostasis, lipid status, and oxidative status in late pregnancy. Methods: Osteocalcin, glucose, insulin, lipid status parameters, total oxidative status (TOS), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured in sera of 38 healthy pregnant women. The sera were collected at the midpoint of the 1st, in the 2nd and 3rd trimester, and after delivery. Homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) indices were calculated and used as surrogate markers of insulin resistance. Results: Repeated measures analysis of variance showed a progressive increase in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, with a postpartum decrease. High density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol increased in the 2nd trimester and decreased after delivery. Total oxidative status (TOS) increased significantly in the 3rd trimester (p<0.001). TAC showed a significant increase after delivery (p<0.05). Insulin showed a significant increase in the 3rd trimester (p<0.05). Homeostatic model assessment (HOMA)-%B increased significantly in the 3rd trimester (p<0.001). Osteocalcin showed a decrease in the 2nd trimester, and a marked increase in the 3rd trimester and postpartum (p<0.001). Osteocalcin was significantly positively correlated with BMI, insulin, HOMA of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), HOMA-%B, TAC (p<0.05), triglycerides and uric acid (p<0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that TAC is independently associated with osteocalcin level during 3rd trimester (p<0.05). Conclusions: We observed the changes in pregnancy that may lead towards atherogenic, prooxidant and insulin resistant state, which are possibly counterbalanced by various protective systems, one of which might be osteocalcin.","PeriodicalId":49926,"journal":{"name":"Laboratoriumsmedizin-Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"31 1","pages":"247 - 253"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73583209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Normal and abnormal vaginal microbiota","authors":"W. Mendling","doi":"10.1515/labmed-2016-0011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/labmed-2016-0011","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: The normal and abnormal vaginal microbiome are an ecosystem of up to 200 species influenced by genetic, ethnic, environmental and behavioral factors. Cultural methods release only a small clinically unimportant spectrum. Lactobacilli are the most dominant and maintain a pH value between 3.8 and 4.5. They support a defense system against dysbiosis and infections to care for a healthy outer and inner genital tract, a balanced restitution after intercourse and normal pregnancy and childbirth. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most frequent dysbiosis with a lack of lactobacilli and an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria. Special Gardnerella vaginalis strains work together with Atopobium vaginae, Clostridiales and others, but also Lactobacillus iners in a vaginal polymicrobial biofilm, which is sexually transmitted and cannot be destroyed by the recommended antibiotics.","PeriodicalId":49926,"journal":{"name":"Laboratoriumsmedizin-Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"28 1","pages":"239 - 246"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81895266","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cerebrospinal fluid cytology: a highly diagnostic method for the detection of diseases of the central nervous system","authors":"M. Torzewski, K. Lackner","doi":"10.1515/labmed-2016-0044","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/labmed-2016-0044","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Cytologic examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a technically simple, yet productive diagnostic procedure. The cytocentrifuge technique is the most commonly utilized method to concentrate the generally scant cellular components of CSF. There are several preanalytical and analytical pitfalls causing artefacts and making proper assessment of the CSF cell preparation more difficult or even impossible. The common cell types of CSF are lymphocytes and monocytes including their activated forms. Cytologic examination of inflammatory conditions puts emphasis on the cellular composition of CSF caused by bacterial infections compared to viral infections and noninfectious inflammatory diseases of the brain. Concerning non-neoplastic disorders, diagnosis of subarachnoidal hemorrhage is of special interest and a main field of application of CSF cytology. The cytology of neoplastic disorders encounters three typical constellations the investigator is usually confronted with: either a primary malignancy is already known and dissemination to the meninges shall be evaluated or clinical and neuroradiological findings are suggestive of neoplastic meningitis though without sufficient evidence of the primary tumor. And third, a spinal tap is performed for other reasons and malignant cells are an incidental finding.","PeriodicalId":49926,"journal":{"name":"Laboratoriumsmedizin-Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"5 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79787494","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"An update on therapeutic drug monitoring and pharmacogenetic testing for the optimization of therapy with psychiatric medication","authors":"K. Rentsch","doi":"10.1515/labmed-2014-0032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/labmed-2014-0032","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Therapeutic drug monitoring of psychiatric medication as well as pharmacogenetic testing is performed more and more frequently in numerous laboratories. In this review, a summary of the literature in the years 2011 and 2012 has been completed. The guidelines of the German AGNP (Association for Neuropsychopharmacology and Pharmacopsychiatry) contain all the information needed for the interpretation of drug concentrations. The determination of serotonin in urine could be a marker for the assessment of the response of antidepressants, and correlations between the occupancy of the target receptors in the brain and drug concentration have been established using positron emission tomography. The influence of age on drug concentrations has been controversially described, and additionally females have always showed a slower metabolism and higher serum concentrations. Several liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)/MS multi-analyte procedures for the quantification of psychiatric medication have been described. All methods showed good validation data, but there have always been some compounds with less good validation results due to the fact that not all compounds of a multi-analyte procedure can be analyzed optimally. Pharmacogenetic testing is not routinely performed prior to the prescription of psychiatric medication. This relies, among other things, on missing large randomized trials and the absence of standardized analytical methods, which allow the identification of the whole genetic variability.","PeriodicalId":49926,"journal":{"name":"Laboratoriumsmedizin-Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72707954","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Improvement in detecting bacterial infection in lower respiratory tract infections using the Intensive Care Infection Score (ICIS)","authors":"M. Kaeslin, Saskia Brunner, J. Raths, A. Huber","doi":"10.1515/labmed-2016-0021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/labmed-2016-0021","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Background: Immediate treatment of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) caused by bacteria is important to reduce pneumonia and other complications such as systemic inflammatory response syndrome and sepsis. Nowadays procalcitonin (PCT) is the gold standard to differentiate between bacterial and non-bacterial infections in LRTI. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the new Intensive Care Infection Score (ICIS) which is a combination of various cellular measurements made on hematology analyzers could be a potential method to differentiate between bacterial and non-bacterial infections in LRTI. Methods: The ICIS is composed of five blood-cell derived parameters characterizing the early innate immune response; (1) mean fluorescence intensity of mature (segmented) neutrophils; (2) the difference in hemoglobin concentration between newly formed red blood cells and the mature ones; (3) absolute number of segmented neutrophils; (4) absolute count of antibody secreting lymphocytes and (5) absolute count of number of granulocytes. Results: The discriminative power of ICIS to differentiate between patients with LRTI of bacterial and non-bacterial origin is as good or even better as the commonly used infection biomarkers PCT, CRP and IL-6. Conclusions: Beside PCT, CRP and IL-6, ICIS could be used as infection marker in LRTI.","PeriodicalId":49926,"journal":{"name":"Laboratoriumsmedizin-Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"55 1","pages":"175 - 182"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89012908","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comparison of the novel Maglumi ferritin immunoluminometric assay with Beckman Coulter DxI 800 ferritin","authors":"M. Dipalo, Cecilia Gnocchi, R. Aloe, G. Lippi","doi":"10.1515/labmed-2016-0003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/labmed-2016-0003","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Background: The demand for routine measurement of ferritin is constantly increasing in clinical laboratories due to the clinical value of this biomarker for diagnosing anemia. Therefore, this study was aimed to compare the newly commercialized Maglumi ferritin immunoluminometric assay with a validated commercial and fully automated technique. Methods: The comparison study included 95 consecutive inpatient serum samples referred to the local laboratory for routine ferritin measurement. Serum was separated, divided in two paired aliquots and immediately analyzed with both Beckman Coulter DxI 800 and Maglumi 2000. Correlation was assessed with Deming fit and Spearman’s correlation, the mean bias was estimated with Bland-Altman plot. The concordance between methods was calculated as percentage agreement and κ coefficient. Results: An excellent correlation was observed between Maglumi and DxI (r=0.997). The mean bias was 34 ng/mL and the strength of agreement between values obtained with Maglumi and DxI was 98% and 100% at the lower and upper limits of the reference range. The agreement was also 98% for diagnosing iron deficiency and 94% for diagnosing iron overload. Conclusions: Maglumi immunoassay may be regarded as a suitable alternative for routine and fully-automated assessment of ferritin in clinical laboratories.","PeriodicalId":49926,"journal":{"name":"Laboratoriumsmedizin-Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"46 1","pages":"221 - 223"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89762972","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
C. Çelik, E. Uysal, Uğur Tutar, Rahşan Erturk, M. Z. Bakıcı, M. G. Gozel
{"title":"Evaluation of the compatibility of Phoenix 100 and Microflex LT MALDI-TOF MS systems in the identification of routinely isolated microorganisms in the clinic microbiology laboratory","authors":"C. Çelik, E. Uysal, Uğur Tutar, Rahşan Erturk, M. Z. Bakıcı, M. G. Gozel","doi":"10.1515/labmed-2015-0105","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/labmed-2015-0105","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Background: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a quick, reliable, and efficient system for identifying microorganisms. Many centers that use the Phoenix 100 system today may adopt a MALDI-TOF MS system in the future. Our laboratory recently undertook this pivot. The present study evaluates the reproducibility of species identifications made by the Phoenix 100 and MALDI-TOF MS systems, during a period of transitioning laboratory instrumentation. Methods: Eight hundred and twelve microbial isolates, from aerobic cultures of different clinical samples, were identified simultaneously with Phoenix 100 (Becton Dickinson, Sparks, MD, USA) and a Microflex LT MALDI-TOF MS (Bruker Daltonics, Bremen, Germany) devices. Results: Both systems made identical species assignments for 98.9%, 92.1%, 95.1%, and 93.1% of Gram-negative isolates, catalase-positive Gram-positive cocci isolates, catalase-negative Gram-positive cocci isolates, and Candida isolates, respectively. Conclusions: Identifications made by two instruments commonly used in microbiology laboratories, the Phoenix 100 and the Microflex LT MALDI-TOF MS, are highly consistent.","PeriodicalId":49926,"journal":{"name":"Laboratoriumsmedizin-Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"105 1","pages":"183 - 189"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85895855","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}