Quality control for serological testing.

Objectives: The quality control of serological assays remains controversial. The aim of this project was to describe the problems associated with a working model for controlling these assays and solutions, including using a source of well-defined targets and acceptable limits, a process to identify lot-to-lot reagent variation and an interpretation of the result that accounted for the clinical situation. False-negative results are problematic but can be reduced by identifying and comparing reagent lot variation with previous results.

[Use of LDBIO Diagnostics TOXOPLASMA ICT IGG-IGM in association with Siemens Atellica IM in toxoplasmosis serological screening].

According to French recommendations for serological screening of toxoplasmosis, some profiles must be confirmed by additional methods, extending the time taken to produce results. Thus, the Laborizon Bretagne technical platform in Nantes studied the place of the LDBIO Diagnostics® TOXOPLASMA ICT IGG-IGM (ICT) test in addition to Siemens Atellica® serology. IgG-/IgM+ and equivocal or weak positive IgG/IgM- (IgGEq/IgM-) profiles on Atellica® will be confirmed by ICT, Alinity® Abbott and Platelia® Biorad.

Missing patients in "Major Trauma Registry" of Navarre: incidence and pattern.

Background: Trauma registries (TR) collect information about trauma patients according to inclusion criteria, and it helps to establish protocols to improve care. However, all TR deal with incompleteness. The aim of this study is to assess the number of patients not included despite fulfilling inclusion criteria in our regional TR and identifying the predictors for being missing.

Asthma, culture, and cultural analysis: continuing challenges.

Recent research indicates that asthma is more complicated than already recognized, requiring a multilateral approach of study in order to better understand its many facets. Apart from being a health problem, asthma is seen as a knowledge problem, and as we argue here, a cultural problem. Employing cultural analysis we outline ways to challenge conventional ideas and practices about asthma by considering how culture shapes asthma experience, diagnosis, management, research, and politics.

Major trauma registry of Navarre (Spain): the accuracy of different survival prediction models.

Objective: To determine which factors predict death among trauma patients who are alive on arrival at hospital.

Methods: Design prospective cohort study method. Data were collected on 378 trauma patients who were initially delivered by the emergency medical services of Navarre (Spain) with multiple injuries with a new injury severity score of 15 or more in 2011-2012.