The current European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) texts for Interferon (IFN)-alfa-2 include a nonspecific photometric protein assay using albumin as calibrator and a highly variable cell-based assay for the potency determination of the protective effects. A request was expressed by the Official Medicines Control Laboratories (OMCLs) for improved methods for the batch control of recombinant interferon alfa-2 bulk and market surveillance testing of finished products, including those formulated with Human Serum Albumin (HSA). A HPLC method was developed at the Medical Products Agency (MPA, Sweden) for the testing of IFN-alfa-2 products. An initial collaborative study run under the Biological Standardisation Programme (BSP; study code BSP039) revealed the need for minor changes to improve linearity of the calibration curves, assay reproducibility and robustness. The goal of the collaborative study, coded BSP071, was to transfer and further validate this improved HPLC method. Ten laboratories participated in the study. Four marketed IFN-alfa-2 preparations (one containing HSA) together with the Ph. Eur. Chemical Reference Substance (CRS) for IFN-alfa-2a and IFN-alfa-2b, and in-house reference standards from two manufacturers were used for the quantitative assay. The modified method was successfully transferred to all laboratories despite local variation in equipment. The resolution between the main and the oxidised forms of IFN-alfa-2 was improved compared to the results from the BSP039 study. The improved method even allowed partial resolution of an extra peak after the principal peak. Symmetry of the main IFN peak was acceptable for all samples in all laboratories. Calibration curves established with the Ph. Eur. IFN-alfa-2a and IFN-alfa-2b CRSs showed excellent linearity with intercepts close to the origin and coefficients of determination greater than 0.9995. Assay repeatability, intermediate precision and reproducibility varied with the tested sample within acceptable ranges. Test accuracy estimated by comparing the values obtained by the participants to the declared contents determined by the manufacturers was good despite the absence of a common reference preparation. In conclusion, the present study showed that the new method is suitable, reproducible and transferable. Proposals for the revision of Ph. Eur. texts are presented.
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J Med Internet Res
January 2025
Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Institute of Collaborative Innovation, University of Macau, Macau, China.
This study provides preliminary evidence for real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback (rt-fMRI NF) as a potential intervention approach for internet gaming disorder (IGD). In a preregistered, randomized, single-blind trial, young individuals with elevated IGD risk were trained to downregulate gaming addiction-related brain activity. We show that, after 2 sessions of neurofeedback training, participants successfully downregulated their brain responses to gaming cues, suggesting the therapeutic potential of rt-fMRI NF for IGD (Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJMIR Res Protoc
January 2025
Division of Services and Interventions Research, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.
Background: Although substantial progress has been made in establishing evidence-based psychosocial clinical interventions and implementation strategies for mental health, translating research into practice-particularly in more accessible, community settings-has been slow.
Objective: This protocol outlines the renewal of the National Institute of Mental Health-funded University of Washington Advanced Laboratories for Accelerating the Reach and Impact of Treatments for Youth and Adults with Mental Illness Center, which draws from human-centered design (HCD) and implementation science to improve clinical interventions and implementation strategies. The Center's second round of funding (2023-2028) focuses on using the Discover, Design and Build, and Test (DDBT) framework to address 3 priority clinical intervention and implementation strategy mechanisms (ie, usability, engagement, and appropriateness), which we identified as challenges to implementation and scalability during the first iteration of the center.
Am J Speech Lang Pathol
January 2025
Department of Speech Pathology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH.
Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to gain insight on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) interface designs for children with cortical visual impairment (CVI). Children with CVI frequently require AAC and specific interface supports, and customization may be necessary to support access and use of speech-generating devices.
Method: A focus group methodology was selected to gain feedback from vision professionals on helpful AAC features for children with CVI.
Chronic Obstr Pulm Dis
January 2024
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
Background: The impact of iron deficiency on COPD morbidity independent of anemia status is unknown. Understanding the association between iron deficiency, anemia status, and risk of hospitalization in COPD may inform an approach to these comorbidities.
Study Design And Methods: Adults ≥40 years from the Johns Hopkins COPD Precision Medicine Center of Excellence data repository with an outpatient iron profile and 1 year of subsequent follow-up time were included in the study.
J Trauma Nurs
January 2025
Author Affiliations: Department of Management and Organization, Bayburt University, Bayburt, Turkey (Dr Koroglu Kaba); Akdağmadeni School of Health, Yozgat Bozok University, Yozgat, Turkey (Dr Bal); and Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey (Dr Ozturk).
Background: Nurse managers play a critical role in disaster response and management; yet research on their experiences in earthquakes remains limited.
Objective: This study aimed to explore the experiences of nurse managers in the Kahramanmaras, Turkey, earthquakes.
Methods: A phenomenological approach was used to guide this study, exploring the lived experiences of nurse managers who worked during the 2023 earthquakes in Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
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