Biochemia medica : časopis Hrvatskoga društva medicinskih biokemičara
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Biochem Med (Zagreb) · Jan 2013
The effect of storage time and freeze-thaw cycles on the stability of serum samples.
Optimal storage of serum specimens in central laboratories for a long period for multicenter reference interval studies, or epidemiologic studies remains to be determined. We aimed to examine the analytical stability of chemistry analytes following numerous freeze-thaw and long-term storage. ⋯ As a result, common clinical chemistry analytes, with considering the variability of unstable analytes, showed adequote stability after 3 months of storage in sera at -20 degrees C, or up to ten times of freeze-thaw cycle. All the same, such analysis can only be performed for exceptional cases, and this should be taken into account while planning studies.
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The kappa statistic is frequently used to test interrater reliability. The importance of rater reliability lies in the fact that it represents the extent to which the data collected in the study are correct representations of the variables measured. Measurement of the extent to which data collectors (raters) assign the same score to the same variable is called interrater reliability. ⋯ Judgments about what level of kappa should be acceptable for health research are questioned. Cohen's suggested interpretation may be too lenient for health related studies because it implies that a score as low as 0.41 might be acceptable. Kappa and percent agreement are compared, and levels for both kappa and percent agreement that should be demanded in healthcare studies are suggested.
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Biochem Med (Zagreb) · Jan 2012
Stability studies of common biochemical analytes in serum separator tubes with or without gel barrier subjected to various storage conditions.
The collected and shipped blood samples are exposed to a various extra-analytical factors prior to analysis. The aim of the study was to determine the stability of analytes in serum gel tubes and plain tubes exposed to a range of storage temperatures and times after centrifugation. ⋯ Serum gel or non-gel tubes might be used interchangeably for 11 analytes chilled or at 24 degrees C, whereas some restrictions must be applied for glucose, AST, BUN, HDL, and uric acid.
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Biochemia Medica has been approved for inclusion in PubMed/Medline bibliographic database, from the first issue published in 2011 year. We believe that this outstanding achievement comes as acknowledgment for many past efforts and some recent developments of the journal Editorial Board, such as recent launch of a new web page, online manuscript submission system and the implementation of the revised policy on the Statement of Conflict of Interest. We will continue our committed work to maintain the timeliness of publication, publication ethics and research integrity, and further improve the quality of content as well as the quality of the editorial work and production of the Journal. We sincerely hope that inclusion of our Journal in PubMed will enable us to increase its international visibility and the number of high-quality submissions.
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Biochem Med (Zagreb) · Jan 2012
The effects of different syringe volume, needle size and sample volume on blood gas analysis in syringes washed with heparin.
We evaluated the effect of different syringe volume, needle size and sample volume on blood gas analysis in syringes washed with heparin. ⋯ The changes in PDRs and FHCs due nonstandardized sampling in syringe washed with liquid heparin give rise to erroneous test results for pCO2 and electrolytes.