Global Task Force Research Articles

Model consent clauses for rare disease research

BackgroundRare Disease research has seen tremendous advancements over the last decades, with the development of new technologies, various global collaborative efforts and improved data sharing. To maximize the impact of and to further build on these developments, there is a need for model consent clauses for rare diseases research, in order to improve data interoperability, to meet the informational needs of participants, and to ensure proper ethical and legal use of data sources and participants’ overall protection.MethodsA global Task Force was set up to develop model consent clauses specific to rare diseases research, that are comprehensive, harmonized, readily accessible, and internationally applicable, facilitating the recruitment and consent of rare disease research participants around the world. Existing consent forms and notices of consent were analyzed and classified under different consent themes, which were used as background to develop the model consent clauses.ResultsThe IRDiRC-GA4GH MCC Task Force met in September 2018, to discuss and design model consent clauses. Based on analyzed consent forms, they listed generic core elements and designed the following rare disease research specific core elements; Rare Disease Research Introductory Clause, Familial Participation, Audio/Visual Imaging, Collecting, storing, sharing of rare disease data, Recontact for matching, Data Linkage, Return of Results to Family Members, Incapacity/Death, and Benefits.ConclusionThe model consent clauses presented in this article have been drafted to highlight consent elements that bear in mind the trends in rare disease research, while providing a tool to help foster harmonization and collaborative efforts.

Responding to epidemics in large-scale humanitarian crises: a case study of the cholera response in Yemen, 2016–2018

BackgroundLarge epidemics frequently emerge in conflict-affected states. We examined the cholera response during the humanitarian crisis in Yemen to inform control strategies.MethodsWe conducted interviews with practitioners and advisors on preparedness;...

Multicenter Evaluation of a High-Sensitivity Troponin I Assay and Verification of an Early Rule-Out Algorithm

The objectives of this study were to independently evaluate the analytical performance of the STAT high-sensitivity troponin I (hs-cTnI) assay on a recently launched and CE-marked integrated chemistry and immunoassay system, confirm acceptable performance of the assay in line with The Third Global MI Task Force recommendations, and confirm suitability of the assay for continued use of an early rule-out algorithm for acute coronary syndrome at our Trust. A multicenter evaluation of the analytical performance characteristics of the hs-cTnI assay on the Abbott Alinity ci series was performed in 5 clinical laboratories across Europe. Comparison studies were performed vs the existing Abbott ARCHITECT hs-cTnI assay. Passing and Bablok regression analysis revealed a slope of 0.99 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.98-1.00] and an intercept of -0.09 ng/L (95% CI, -0.21-0.11). Intermediate imprecision ranged from 3.7% to 5.4%, 2.6% to 4.5%, and 2.0% to 6.1% at concentrations of 19.1-21.1 ng/L, 196.6-205.5 ng/L, and 15229-16265 ng/L, respectively. There was good concordance between the 2 assays at the early rule-out cutoff. Comparable analytical performance of the hs-cTnI assay on new Abbott Alinity ci series supports the continued use of the early rule out algorithm for patients with suspected ACS at our Trust.

A protocol for the systematic review and meta-analysis of studies in which cannabinoids were tested for antinociceptive effects in animal models of pathological or injury-related persistent pain.

Introduction:The International Association for the Study of Pain has established a global task force to comprehensively investigate the use of cannabinoids and cannabis-based medicines for pain management. This systematic review, the first in this field, will assess the preclinical literature that investigates the antinociceptive effects of cannabinoids, cannabis-based medicines, and endocannabinoid system modulators in animal models of tissue damage, inflammation, or neuropathy.Methods:A systematic electronic search of 3 online databases will identify relevant studies in which cannabinoids, cannabis-based medicines, and endocannabinoid system modulators have been tested in animal models of injury-related or pathological persistent pain. Data will be extracted for pain-associated behavioural outcomes, study design, and the reporting of measures to avoid bias. Standardised mean difference meta-analysis will be used to provide summary estimates of efficacy, with the effects of study quality and study design explored using stratified meta-analysis.Perspective:The evaluation of the preclinical evidence will quantify the antinociceptive effects of cannabinoids on pain behaviour in animal models of pathological pain in an effort to quantify the presence and prevalence of analgesic efficacy. It will also provide an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the preclinical field and inform an agenda for future research.

Opportunities and challenges for cholera control in India

The Indo Gangetic delta is homeland for cholera for almost two centuries now and there is evidence of global spread from this area. With migration of people to more urban areas within the country and increase in international travel, it is time for action against cholera in India, given its capacity to present itself in epidemic proportions. The Global roadmap to end cholera by 2030 was launched by the WHO Global Task force for Cholera Control which has led to renewed vigor and convergence of stakeholders across the world against the disease. There is also an emphasis on cleanliness and improved sanitation by the current government. The article discusses the unique opportunity for India in the current scenario, to act against diseases like cholera and challenges that are anticipated in deployment of interventions due to suboptimal surveillance and shortage of vaccines.

Cholera prevention and control in refugee settings: Successes and continued challenges.

Cholera has long been viewed as a serious threat for refugee populations [1, 2]. In the 1980s and 90s, refugee camps proliferated in Africa and Asia as a result of large civil wars and environmental disasters. These camps experienced large-scale cholera outbreaks with regularity because of overcrowding, scarce clean water, and poor sanitation and hygiene practices [2–4]. Death rates were often high because of preexisting malnutrition, comorbidities, and limited access to medical care. With appropriate clinical management, cholera mortality can be well below 1%, but it can be as high as 50%–60% without proper care [3, 5–7]. During this time, humanitarian organizations developed a variety of guidelines and standards to reduce morbidity and mortality during cholera outbreaks in these populations [8, 9]. Mobilization around these issues was greatly accelerated in 1994, when a particularly massive outbreak occurred among Rwandan refugees in the Lake Kivu region of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), and approximately 42,000 people died [10]. In response to this unprecedented tragedy, the humanitarian community developed and adopted the Sphere standards for the minimum acceptable living conditions and availability of health services in refugee camps and other humanitarian responses [11]. Since this time, the Sphere standards have been updated, and additional coordinating systems have been developed, including the cluster approach to humanitarian response, the Transformative Agenda, and the adaptation of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) refugee coordination in the context of the Transformative Agenda [12–14]. With the recent goal to reduce cholera deaths 90% by 2030 set by the Global Task Force on Cholera Control, there is a renewed urgency to examine successes and address remaining gaps in cholera control [15]. Although refugee camps continue to experience many vulnerabilities, the increased focus on improved camp coordination, preparedness, timely multisectoral response, and adherence to minimum standards has resulted in a notable decrease in the number and size of camp-based cholera outbreaks and associated mortality.

Scale-up of radiotherapy for cervical cancer in the era of human papillomavirus vaccination in low-income and middle-income countries: a model-based analysis of need and economic impact.

Radiotherapy is standard of care for cervical cancer, but major global gaps in access exist, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries. We modelled the health and economic benefits of a 20-year radiotherapy scale-up to estimate the long-term demand for treatment in the context of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. We applied the Global Task Force on Radiotherapy for Cancer Control investment framework to model the health and economic benefits of scaling up external-beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy for cervical cancer in upper-middle-income, lower-middle-income, and low-income countries between 2015 and 2035. We estimated the unique costs of external-beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy and included a specific valuation of women's caregiving contributions. Model outcomes life-years gained and the human capital and full income net present value of investment. We estimated the effects of stage at diagnosis, radiotherapy delivery system, and simultaneous HPV vaccination (75% coverage) up to a time horizon set at 2072. For the period from 2015 to 2035, we estimated that 9·4 million women in low-income and middle-income countries required treatment with external-beam radiotherapy, of which 7·0 million also required treatment with brachytherapy. Incremental scale-up of radiotherapy in these countries from 2015 to meet optimal radiotherapy demand by 2035 yielded 11·4 million life-years gained, $59·3 billion in human capital net present value (-$1·5 billion in low-income, $19·9 billion in lower-middle-income, and $40·9 billion in upper-middle-income countries), and $151·5 billion in full income net present value ($1·5 billion in low-income countries, $53·6 billion in lower-middle-income countries, and $96·4 billion in upper-middle-income countries). Benefits increased with advanced stage of cervical cancer and more efficient scale up of radiotherapy. Bivalent HPV vaccination of 12-year-old girls resulted in a 3·9% reduction in incident cases from 2015-2035. By 2072, when the first vaccinated cohort of girls reaches 70 years of age, vaccination yielded a 22·9% reduction in cervical cancer incidence, with 38·4 million requiring external-beam radiotherapy and 28·8 million requiring brachytherapy. Effective cervical cancer control requires a comprehensive strategy. Even with HPV vaccination, radiotherapy treatment scale-up remains essential and produces large health benefits and a strong return on investment to countries at different levels of development. None.

Clinical utilization of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cells (CAR-T) in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)–an expert opinion from the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) and the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT)

On August 30, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA) approved tisagenlecleucel (KYMRIAH, Novartis, Basel, Switzerland), a synthetic bioimmune product of anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor-T cells (CAR-T), for the treatment of children and young adults with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). With this new era of personalized cancer immunotherapy, multiple challenges are present ranging from implementation of a CAR-T program to safe delivery of the drug, long-term toxicity monitoring and disease assessments. To address these issues, experts representing the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplant (ASBMT), the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT), the International Society of Cell and Gene Therapy (ISCT), and the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT), formed a global CAR-T task force to identify and address key questions pertinent for hematologists and transplant physicians regarding the clinical use of anti CD19 CAR-T therapy in patients with B-ALL. This article presents an initial roadmap for navigating common clinical practice scenarios that will become more prevalent now that the first commercially available CAR-T product for B-ALL has been approved.

Psychiatric Genetics Around The Globe - Chances And Challenges: An Update From The Global Diversity Task Force Of The ISPG

Overall Abstract One of the primary missions of the ISPG is to spread state-of-the-art research into the genetics of mental illness around the globe. In so doing, we strive to adhere to the highest standards of scientific practice, to learn about regional chances and challenges, and to foster collaborations across continents. To this end, the ISPG has established a standing committee, the Global Diversity Task Force, bringing together researchers from all continents. A major focus of the Task Force's work lies on the empowerment of early career investigators. Furthermore, the Task Force aims at identifying obstacles that impede researchers' access to funding and other resources needed for successful research. In this symposium, we will learn about the latest developments on these frontiers' from researchers from Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Asia.

A Brief Review on Acne Vulgaris

Acne Vulgaris is one of the most common skin disorders which dermatologists have to treat. It mainly affect adolescent, though may present at any age. In recent years, due to better understanding of the pathogenesis of acne, new therapeutic modalities and various permutation and combinations have been designed. In topical agents; benzyl peroxide, antibiotics, retinoids, etc are the mainstay of treatment; can be given in combinations. While systemic therapy includes oral antibiotics, hormonal therapy, and isotretinoin, depending upon the need of patients it has to be selected. Physical treatment in the form of lesion removal, photo-therapy is also helpful in few of them. Since various old and new topical and systemic agents are available to treat acne, it sometime confuse treating dermatologist. To overcome this, panel of physicians and researchers worked together as a global alliance and task force to improve outcomes in acne treatment. They have tried to give consensus recommendation for the treatment of acne. Successful management of acne needs careful selection of anti-acne agents according to clinical presentation and individual patient needs.

Effectiveness of Case-Area Targeted Response Interventions Against Cholera: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Haiti

Background - Case-area targeted interventions (CATIs) conducted by rapid response teams are recommended by the Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC) to contain cholera outbreaks. They may include various combinations of water, sanitation, and hygiene measures, prophylactic antibiotics, and/or oral cholera vaccine. However, their effectiveness has never been established in a real-world setting. Haiti has implemented CATIs as a national coordinated strategy against cholera since July 2013. Methods - We thus conducted a quasi-experimental study from January 2015 to December 2017 in the Centre department of Haiti. Using case and stool cultures records, together with daily CATI reports of mobile teams, we identified and characterized cholera outbreaks at the locality scale, and then studied the outcome of outbreaks according to the response promptness. First, we compared the number of cases from the 4th day of outbreak between classes of time to the first complete CATI using generalized linear mixed models. Second, we compared the duration of outbreaks using Cox models for Andersen-Gill counting process. CATI effectiveness estimates were adjusted for potential confounders. Findings - We identified 456 cholera outbreaks across 290 different localities, including 176 responded to by at least one complete CATI. Compared to a first complete CATI >7 days after outbreak onset, a first complete CATI ≤1 day reduced accumulated cases by 74% (58 to 84), and outbreak duration by 64% (42 to 78). Interpretation - These results strongly suggest that a coordinated CATI strategy was significantly effective in mitigating and shortening cholera outbreaks in Haiti. Further research is required to confirm such findings, to study the respective effectiveness of each CATI component, to economically evaluate CATI efficiency and to better position CATI with other cholera control tools in a multi-sectoral approach. Funding - United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)-Haiti and Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Marseille (APHM). Declaration of Interest: Authors working for the United Nations Children's Fund, Haiti (UNICEF-Haiti): SB, GB UNICEF-Haiti worked with the Haitian Ministry of Health and Population (MSPP) to implement the CATI response strategy against cholera in Haiti. For this, UNICEF-Haiti received funds from ECHO (European Commission Humanitarian Office), DFID (UK Government's Department for International Development) and CERF (Central Emergency Response Funds of United Nations). These three institutions had no involvement in study design, collection analysis and interpretation of data, in the writing of the report, and in the decision to submit the paper for publication. Authors working for Assistance Publique – Hopitaux de Marseille (APHM): JG, SR, RP (until 2017) Authors working for Assistance Publique – Hopitaux de Paris (AP-HP): RP (since 2017) AP-HP, a French university-hospital, has been mandated by the Haitian Ministry of Health and UNICEF-Haiti, and granted by UNICEF-Haiti, to provide the CATI response strategy against cholera with prospective epidemiological analyses and evaluations. Authors working for Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP): EM, JB, PD To implement the CATI response strategy against cholera in Haiti, MSPP has received material and financial support from UNICEF-Haiti. This study aimed to present and assess this strategy. Author with 335 no competing interest: MP Ethical Approval: The study protocol received authorization #1718-24 from the National Bioethics Committee of Haiti MSPP

Developing Young Leaders in Global Radiation Oncology: Results of a Pilot Program for a Global Oncology Scholarship for Radiation Oncology Trainees

Surveys conducted by the International Communications Workgroup of the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology (CIC) revealed that half of radiation oncology residents were interested in Global Health electives, yet only one resident had completed such an elective between 2007 and 2013. Studies on Global Health electives frequently identify a lack of financial resources and difficult-to-find information on placements as two important barriers to address. In order to promote personal and professional development, provide trainees with a unique perspective on global cancer control, and foster international collaboration, our objective was to increase the number of radiation oncology trainees completing electives in Global Health. The CIC created a Radiation Oncology Global Health Scholarship, available to residents (PGY 2-5) and fellows. It provides $2500 in travel and lodging expenses for oncology-related Global Health electives, requires applicants to reflect on CanMEDS competencies acquired on elective, supports pre-departure training, and encourages familiarity with the ethics of Global Health. Recipients are encouraged to present their experience at the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology annual meeting and must complete an exit evaluation. The scholarship is supported by an industry- supported unrestricted educational grant. Potential applicants are provided with resources to find opportunities, including a network of previous participants, and access to a worldwide elective database through GlobalRT.org, an initiative of the Young Leaders Program of the Global Task Force on Radiotherapy for Cancer Control. Three scholarships were awarded from 2014-2017. A PGY-3 resident traveled on elective to Accra, Ghana, collaborating on cervical cancer research and helping establish a distance-learning program with The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. A PGY-3 traveled to Zambia for a clinical elective focused on gynecological malignancies, and a PGY-2 is conducting research on access to radiotherapy in the territory of Nunavut. Preliminary data from exit evaluations suggest electives have contributed to personal and professional development, provided unique perspectives on global cancer control, developed CanMEDS competencies, and fostered international collaboration. Between 2014 and 2017, the CIC Radiation Oncology Global Health Scholarship has increased the number of radiation oncology trainees completing Global Health electives in Canada and abroad. In exit evaluations, electives have met defined goals for the Scholarship.

Global Cholera Epidemiology: Opportunities to Reduce the Burden of Cholera by 2030.

While safe drinking water and advanced sanitation systems have made the Global North cholera-free for decades, the disease still affects 47 countries across the globe resulting in an estimated 2.86 million cases and 95,000 deaths per year worldwide. Cholera impacts communities already burdened by conflict, lack of infrastructure, poor health systems, and malnutrition. In October 2017, the Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC) launched an initiative titled Ending Cholera: A Global Roadmap to 2030, with the objective to reduce cholera deaths by 90% worldwide, and eliminate cholera in at least 20 countries by 2030. The GTFCC is working to position cholera control not as a vertical programme but instead using cholera as a marker of inequity and an indicator of poverty, linking the objectives of the Roadmap to the SDGs. The roadmap consists of targeted multi-sectoral interventions, supported by a coordination mechanism, along 3 axes: (1) early detection and quick response to contain outbreaks; (2) a multisectoral approach to prevent cholera recurrence in hotspots; (3) an effective partnership mechanism of coordination for technical support, countries capacity building, research and M&E, advocacy and resource mobilization. Every case and every death from cholera is preventable with the tools we have today.

Establishing the global working group on Reproductive and Developmental Environmental Health (RDEH): practicum of a global resource.

Advocacy, training, and research for the prevention of adverse health effects from environmental exposure are the major foci of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Reproductive and Developmental Environmental Health (RDEH) Working Group. A critical need for a consistent global effort to address these threats to human reproductive and developmental health was identified after the publication of influential committee opinions (ACOG, Obstet Gynecol, 2013; FIGO, Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 2015) and the assembling of the FIGO 2015 Pre-Congress Workshop, “Summit on Shaping Our Planetary Legacy: Setting an Agenda for Environmental Reproductive Health.” RDEH’s goals are to convene experts of diverse backgrounds to generate evidence-based knowledge and propose solutions to the increasing threats of harmful environmental chemicals to global human reproduction and development by prevention of harm through education, research, and advocacy. This practicum is a guide for establishing a global task force, such as FIGO RDEH, for developing collaboration among experts across disciplines and time zones, and for building accessible and vital databases.

P066] History of medical physics – A project tracing the development of the profession

Purpose The International Organization for Medical Physics (IOMP) exists over 50 years. It collects information from all medical physics societies, thus collating a picture of the professional global development. While during the mid-1960 there were c.6000 medical physicists in the world, in 2017 these are c.26,000. However there is a huge challenge in front of the profession. The recently published report of the Global Task Force on Radiotherapy for Cancer Control predicts that by 2035 the existing number of medical physicists has to triple in order to support the needs of the global healthcare provision. The lessons from the past 20 years show that to achieve such goal the profession has to firmly invest in education and training activities, with special emphasis on e-learning and international collaboration. In order to support this global effort of the profession, IOMP launched a new project “History of Medical Physics”, which will trace the professional development in various countries, showing specific models which could be useful for other countries. Methods This large international project will not only focus on the medical physics professional development. It will also show the development of the various branches in our profession. This way the project will create a Compendium of independent Volumes/Parts, which will reflect the main areas of development of medical physics, including: Diagnostic Radiology (X-ray) Imaging; Computed Tomography; Radiotherapy (External beam); Radiotherapy (Brachytherapy); Nuclear Medicine Imaging; Ultrasound Imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Optical Systems and NIR in Medicine; Medical Informatics; Radiation Measurement and Protection in Medicine; Professional Development; EducationT EducationT Diagnostic Radiology (X-ray) Imaging. These will be presented at ECMP together with their outcomes, aiming to expand the project and invite more colleagues from EFOMP to take part in this unique international activity. Conclusions The project results will be a very useful source of information for future new developments and will provide a canvas for future updates. Very importantly, the project results will be a written proof of the significant role played by medical physicists in contemporary medicine.

I172] IOMP project ‘history of medical physics’ – Objectives and first results

Purpose The International Organization for Medical Physics (IOMP) exists over 50 years. It collects information from all medical physics societies, thus collating a picture of the professional development. While during the mid-1960 there were c.6,000 medical physicists in the world, in 2017 these are c.26,000. However recently published report of Global Task Force on Radiotherapy for Cancer Control predicts that by 2035 the existing number of medical physicists has to triple. The lessons from the past 20 years show that to achieve such goal the profession has to invest in education and training activities, with emphasis on e-learning and international collaboration. In order to support this global effort, IOMP launched a new project “History of Medical Physics”, which will trace the professional development in various countries, showing specific models which could be useful for other countries. Methods This large international project will not only focus on the medical physics professional development. It will also show the development of the various branches in our profession. This way the project will create a Compendium of independent Volumes/Parts, which will reflect the main areas of development of medical physics. Results Three of the first chapters from two volumes have now been completed (c. 110 pages). The chapters are on the History of X-ray Tubes development (R Behling), the History of Film-Screen Receptors development (P Sprawls) and the History of e-Learning development (S Tabakov). These were published (as samples) in first Special Issue of the IOMP Journal Medical Physics International (April 2018) – www.mpijournal.org . The Journal also published a large material about the professional development in Middle-East (led by Niroomand-Rad and MEFOMP). Questionnaires have now been sent to all IOMP member societies, hoping the second stage to be completed by mid-2019. The presentation will focus on the current results and the future coordination of the project. Conclusions The project results will be a very useful source of information for future new developments in the profession and will provide a canvas for future updates. Very importantly, the project results will be a written proof of the significant role played by medical physicists in contemporary medicine.

Evaluation of the SD bioline cholera rapid diagnostic test during the 2016 cholera outbreak in Lusaka, Zambia.

To assess the performance of the SD Bioline Cholera Ag O1/O139 rapid diagnostic test (RDT) compared to a reference standard combining culture and PCR for the diagnosis of cholera cases during an outbreak. RDT and bacterial culture were performed on site using fresh stools collected from cholera suspected cases, and from stools enriched in alkaline peptone water. Dried stool samples on filter paper were tested for V.cholerae by PCR in Lusaka (as part of a laboratory technology transfer project) and at a reference laboratory in Paris, France. A sample was considered positive for cholera by the reference standard if any of the culture or PCR tests was positive for V.cholerae O1 or O139. Among the 170 samples tested with SD Bioline and compared to the reference standard, the RDT showed a sensitivity of 90.9% (95% CI: 81.3-96.6) and specificity of 95.2% (95% CI: 89.1-98.4). After enrichment, the sensitivity was 95.5% (95% CI: 87.3-99.1) and specificity 100% (95% CI: 96.5-100). The observed sensitivity and specificity were within recommendations set by the Global Task Force for Cholera Control on the use of cholera RDT (sensitivity=90%; specificity=85%). Although the sample size was small, our findings suggest that the SD Bioline RDT could be used in the field to rapidly alert public health officials to the likely presence of cholera cases when an outbreak is suspected.

PENILAIAN UJI TROPONIN I DENGAN POINT OF CARE TESTING

Troponin I is a cardiac biomarker recomended by The Third Global Myocardial Infarction Task Force World Health Organisation(WHO). Troponin plays a central role as a relevant biomarker that require reliable samples, methods, device and efficiency of time.Selecting the device, methods and sample used in the assay may affect the results and turn arround time. The aim of this study is toknow troponin I result using Point of care Testing device with a flourescence immunoassay methods using whole blood and laboratorybasedanalysis device with Enzyme-Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA) methods using serum by evaluation. Cross sectional study was heldon 50 subjects in Wahidin Sudirohusodo hospital during the period between July-August 2015, those who suspected suffering acutecoronary syndome (ACS) and underwent troponin I test ordered by the physician and also had whole blood sample. The subjects arearound 51.96±12.80 year old and most of them are men (62%). The mean consentration of troponin I with laboratoric-based analysis is0.50±1.69 μg/L and with POCT is 0.51±1.77. The Pearson correlation test shows the correlation (r) is 0.99 with the p value is <0.001.Bland and Altman methods show the mean difference between two assays is 0.014μg/L (95% confidence interval, -0.015; 0.043) withthe limit of agreement -0.19 to 0.22. Based on this study, it can be concluded that troponin I assay using POCT device can be used tosupport ACS diagnosis precisely and rapidly. It is suggested to perform futher study with concern on the patient's clinical condition aswell as the diagnosis, so it can evaluate the device performance to measure troponin I levels consistently with the clinical condition.

Commentary on the Usage of Journal Rankings: An International Perspective

Established by the Global Engagement Task Force, this committee was charged with examining the usage of journal rankings internationally. Through questionnaires, literature review, and discussions with various international accounting organizations we gain a better understanding of the uses and challenges of journal rankings. Journal rankings are used by governments, professional accounting bodies, university organizations, individual universities, schools, and departments to evaluate the quality and quantity of faculty research productivity. Rewards for journal publications differ around the world, but can range from promotion and tenure to monetary rewards. Publishing in a journal that is on a journal list does provide some weight or legitimacy to the publication, and thereby assists in promoting the academic's career, yields monetary awards or is in other ways beneficial to the academic. However, there is a danger in using a one-size-fits-all model. We caution strongly against using journal rankings to...

Usage of Journal Rankings: An International Perspective

ABSTRACT Established by the Global Engagement Task Force, this committee was charged with examining the usage of journal rankings internationally. Through questionnaires, literature review, and discussions with various international accounting organizations we gain a better understanding of the uses and challenges of journal rankings. Journal rankings are used by governments, professional accounting bodies, university organizations, individual universities, schools, and departments to evaluate the quality and quantity of faculty research productivity. Rewards for journal publications differ around the world, but can range from promotion and tenure to monetary rewards. Publishing in a journal that is on a journal list does provide some weight or legitimacy to the publication and thereby assists in promoting the academic's career, yields monetary awards, or is in other ways beneficial to the academic. However, there is a danger in using a one-size-fits-all model. We caution strongly against using journal rankings to primarily assess the research quality of individuals or even small groups, because rankings are by design unsuited for this purpose. When journal rankings are used, they should be used in conjunction with other metrics. It is highly unlikely that a single solution with regard to the usage of journal ranking lists can be proposed. Rather, different accounting schools and/or departments need to set up their own guidelines as to how journal ranking lists can be used in decision making. The balance of the evidence suggests that journal ranking lists should be used with caution, and should not be used to assess individuals or small groups, or to assess research quality across disciplines.