Laboratory Activities Research Articles

Virtual labs in life sciences education: A case study of grade 10 learners in selected South African rural schools

This study investigated the effectiveness of virtual reality lab activities in enhancing grade 10 learners’ understanding of life sciences concepts and science process skills. A quasi-experimental design was employed, with a control group using traditional teaching methods and an experimental group using virtual reality lab activities. The results showed significant improvements in the experimental group’s understanding of life sciences concepts and science process skills, including making observations, interpretation, measurement, recording data, and planning an investigation. The virtual reality lab activities were found to be effective in enhancing learners’ understanding and skills, with significant differences observed between the control and experimental groups. The study’s findings suggest that virtual reality lab activities can be a valuable tool for teaching life sciences and promoting science process skills and have implications for the integration of technology in science education.

The Utilization of Virtual Laboratories in Science Education at Junior Secondary Schools in Tangerang Regency

Virtual laboratories are seen as a promising solution to the shortcomings of conventional laboratories. This study aims to explore the use of virtual laboratory for science practicum in junior high schools, the supporting factors, the hindering factors, and perceptions of teachers and students regarding virtual laboratories. A survey were administered to five teachers and 122 students from public and private schools in Tangerang Regency. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with five teachers and 10 students who had prior experience using virtual laboratories in their learning. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data was examined through an interactive model approach. The findings reveal that virtual laboratories have been utilized by both teachers and students for laboratory activities, particularly in physics, although the usage remains infrequent. Factors such as device availability, internet connectivity, data limitations, and facility access were found to influence the extent of virtual laboratory adoption. Overall, both teachers and students perceived virtual laboratories as highly beneficial, especially for schools lacking sufficient conventional laboratory resources.

The Quality of Science Education: Viewpoints of Secondary School Science Teachers

In today’s world, the success of a society is increasingly tied to its ability to cultivate a scientifically literate population. Yet, many nations struggle to provide a solid foundation in science education, especially in under-privileged regions. Science education plays a crucial role in shaping the future of societies by fostering critical thinking, innovation, and scientific literacy among students (DepEd, 2020). This qualitative research study explores the perceptions of secondary school science teachers regarding the current state of science education in the Philippines, specifically focusing on the province of Bukidnon. The primary objectives of the study are to understand teachers’ viewpoints on science education, identify significant barriers that hinder quality instruction, and propose actionable solutions to these challenges. The thematic analysis of the data reveals a notable increase in student interest and engagement, driven by factors such as rising enrollment in STEM programs and active participation in science fairs. Despite these positive trends, ongoing concerns about teacher quality, inadequate resources, and outdated curricula continue to impede effective science instruction in the classroom. Key barriers identified include insufficient teacher preparation, foundational gaps in student comprehension, and constraints on resources, such as limited access to laboratory activities and essential equipment. The findings emphasize the pressing need for program restructuring, the early introduction of science concepts, and the integration of prerequisite courses designed to enhance the overall effectiveness of science education programs. These recommendations aim to better equip future science educators and foster a more conducive learning environment. Ultimately, this research contributes valuable insights to ongoing efforts aimed at improving science education in the Philippines, underscoring the necessity of addressing systemic issues to promote a more effective, equitable, and enriching educational experience for all students.

Active methodologies in teaching the nursing process: Scoping review.

To map the use of active methodologies in nursing education for teaching the nursing process. The nursing process is a systematic approach essential for clinical reasoning, guiding nursing diagnoses and care planning, execution and evaluation. Its teaching requires strategies that engage students in active learning to foster evidence-based practice. Scoping review performed according to the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis. The review involved seven steps: defining review questions, establishing eligibility criteria, designing search strategies, screening and selecting evidence, extracting data, analyzing results and presenting findings. Searches were conducted in July 2023 and updated in February 2024 on the databases Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences, Excerpta Medica dataBASE, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. The review targeted graduate and undergraduate nursing students (Population), the nursing process (Concept) and active teaching methodologies (Context), guided by the PCC framework. The 101 included studies present key active strategies such as clinical simulation, case-based learning, web-based learning, problem-based learning, concept mapping, virtual simulation, electronic record systems, clinical practice and laboratory activities. Nursing assessment was the most frequently taught step, followed by diagnosis, interventions, evaluation and outcomes. Active methodologies consistently demonstrated positive impacts on critical competencies, fostering critical thinking, clinical reasoning and judgment. Integrating these strategies with traditional approaches in undergraduate nursing curricula enhances the application of theoretical knowledge in clinical practice.

Critical Time Intervals in Door-to-Balloon Time Linked to One-Year Mortality in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background: Timely activation of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is crucial for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Door-to-balloon (DTB) time, representing the duration from patient arrival to balloon inflation, is critical for prognosis. However, the specific time segment within the DTB that is most associated with long-term mortality remains unclear. In this study we aimed to identify the target time segment within the DTB that is most associated with one-year mortality in STEMI patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary teaching hospital. All patients diagnosed with STEMI and activated for primary PCI from the emergency department were identified between January 2013–December 2021. Patient demographics, medical history, triage information, electrocardiogram, troponin-I levels, and coronary angiography reports were obtained. We divided the DTB time into door-to-electrocardiogram (ECG), ECG-to-cardiac catheterization laboratory (cath lab) activation, activation-to-cath lab arrival, and cath lab arrival-to-balloon time. We used Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models to determine the independent effects of these time intervals on the risk of one-year mortality. Results: A total of 732 STEMI patients were included. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that delayed door-to-ECG time (>10 min) and cath lab arrival-to-balloon time (>30 min) were associated with a higher risk of one-year mortality (log-rank test, P < .001 and P = 0.01, respectively). In the multivariable Cox models, door-to-ECG time was a significant predictor for one-year mortality, whether it was analyzed as a dichotomized (>10 min vs ≤10 min) or a continuous variable. The corresponding adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) were 2.81 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42–5.55) for the dichotomized analysis, and 1.03 (95%CI 1.00–1.06) per minute increase, respectively. Cath lab arrival-to-balloon time also showed an independent effect on one-year mortality when analyzed as a continuous variable, with an aHR of 1.02 (95% CI 1.00–1.04) per minute increase. However, ECG-to-cath lab activation and activation-to-cath lab arrival times did not show a significant association with the risk of one-year mortality. Conclusion: Within the door-to-balloon interval, the time from door-to-ECG completion is particularly crucial for one-year survival after STEMI, while cath lab arrival-to-balloon inflation may also be relevant.

An illustrative guide to a Policy Lab model: contributing to evidence-informed policies for digital technology in youth mental health care.

ObjectiveThis article provides researchers with an illustrative guide for a workshop model that facilitates evidence-informed policy. The Policy Lab model supports collaboration between experts and policymakers; in the example provided, participants considered digital technologies with near-term potential to improve youth mental health care.MethodThe Policy Lab model uses structured workshop activities to explore a policy question, before narrowing the focus on potential answers. The barriers, enablers, and implementation mechanisms of potential policies are then considered. From this data policy proposal(s) are drafted, reviewed, and reported.ResultsThrough the Policy Lab activities, participants identified two priority technologies and generated data to inform the formulation of two policies. The policies were focused on (1) using artificial intelligence to improve the personalisation and precision of youth mental health care and (2) the expanded use of integrated data to improve youth mental health service quality.ConclusionsEvidence-informed policy is a collaborative process. To potentially influence policy requires timely engagement with policymakers and an understanding of the policy context. Researchers considering using the model are encouraged to include a range of expertise.

P-1093. In Vitro Activity of Eravacycline against Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii as Evaluated by Broth Microdilution, MIC Test Strip and Disc Diffusion

Abstract Background Eravacycline is a new type of fully synthetic fluorocycline antibiotic. The Chinese Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (ChinaCAST) published the clinical breakpoints of eravacycline, including MIC breakpoints and their inhibition zone diameter correlates. MIC test strip (MTS) is a gradient diffusion method that represents a simple alternative to the broth microdilution (BMD) method for performing antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). The aim of this study was to compare the susceptible rate of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) to eravacycline by three different testing methods. Methods 587 strains of CRAB were collected from the Huashan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University from 2019 to 2023. According to the antimicrobial susceptibility test recommended by the American Society for Clinical and Laboratory Standards 2023, the activity of eravacycline was determined. In this study, the BMD was used as the reference standard, and the clinical breakpoints standard published by ChinaCAST ( Acinetobacter baumannii susceptible MIC, ≤ 1 μg / mL or inhibition zone diameter , ≥ 15 mm ) was used to detect the susceptible rate of eravacycline to CRAB. Results The MIC50/90s were as follows: BMD, 0.5/1 mg/L; MTS, 0.38/0.75 mg/L. Based on the BMD method, the susceptible rate of CRAB to eravacycline was 98.13% (576/587) according to the ChinaCAST breakpoints, while 97.96% (575/587) was observed in MTS method. The results of DD method showed that the sensitivity rate was 97.61% (573/587). Compared with the results of BMD, the essential agreement (EA) rate of MTS was 94.55%. The categorical agreement (CA) rates of MTS and DD were 99.83% and 99.49%, respectively. The total major error (ME) rate and total very major error (VME) rate of MTS were 0.17% and 0%, respectively. The total ME rate and total VME rate of DD were 0.51% and 0%, respectively. Conclusion The susceptible rate of eravacycline to CRAB is high. CA, ME or VME all met the methodological evaluation indicators. The results of the sensitivity of CRAB to eravacycline determined by MTS and DD methods were similar, and the consistency with the BMD method was good. Both of them can be used as reliable AST methods for the determination of eravacycline antibacterial activity in clinical microbiology laboratories. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Beyond the Case Study: Laboratory Activities to Complement Integumentary Education.

To present a full scope of detailed and engaging laboratory activities recommended by physical therapist clinicians and educators from across the US to assist health professions faculty to develop new or improve current integumentary/wound management (IWM) instruction. A three-round Delphi survey was conducted to update IWM curriculum recommendations for entry-level doctor of physical therapy education. First-round participants provided ideas for laboratory activities. Activity responses were discussed, edited for redundancy, and clarified. Missing information (eg, estimated cost and time required) was added to increase usability. A total of 139 laboratory activities were recommended by survey participants. Many of the suggestions included inexpensive and readily available, do-it-yourself wound models requiring food or other moulage techniques. These simulations are elucidated to facilitate translation of ideas into classroom and community laboratory activities to promote student learning. The literature supports that most entry-level healthcare profession programs report limited IWM education, emphasizing the need for effective and efficient use of IWM contact hours. Developing engaging and meaningful hands-on laboratory activities is vital to increasing student knowledge and skill in this area of clinical practice.

Teaching oral and maxillofacial pathology and oral medicine in undergraduate and postgraduate in Latin America.

Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (OP) and Oral Medicine (OM) are specialties in dentistry responsible for diagnosis and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions, and to best of our knowledge no information about teaching of OP and OM in undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Latin America have been described. The aim of the present study was to evaluate dimensions related to the teaching of OP and OM in South America and Mexico. A structured questionnaire was elaborated and sent to 10 countries, with a professional in each country responsible for answering it. The questions were related to theoretical, laboratory, clinical activities, specialization, residency, master's and PhD courses, and to information from the legislation of OP and OM in each country. 70% of the countries studied, the disciplines of OP and OM are compulsory with workload ranged from 60 to 660 hours. Seven countries have mandatory discipline of OP and 40% have laboratory activities with the study of histopathology. In the case of OM, 60% of the countries have theoretical classes and 40% have mandatory clinical practices. In all ten countries there are laws regulating the opening and operation of undergraduate courses in dentistry. Regarding to the teaching of the postgraduate, the most common was specialization, offered by seven countries, master's degree programs in six countries, while residency is offered by only two countries and the specific PhD in OP/OM offered only in Brazil. Only three countries do not offer postgraduate scholarships and two do not have a research funding agency. OP and OM are specialties offered at both undergraduate and postgraduate in Latin American countries, with small differences between teaching methodologies in undergraduate and type of training in postgraduate.

Clinical Case of a Patient with Acute Tricuspid Valve Infective Endocarditis and A Multiplex Approach to Evaluation of The Complication Risk

Infective endocarditis (IE) is characterized by the difficulty of diagnosis, treatment and risk assessment of an unfavorable prognosis. Currently there are no approved scales and calculators for the risk of complications and death that help the practitioner make decisions, especially in patients with isolated right-sided IE. For right-sided IE, the timing of successful surgical treatment remains uncertain. Previously developed risk calculators (Italian Rizzi calculator and French Hubert) are poorly validated in a wide population of patients with IE, especially for right-sided IE. One of the required parameters of calculators is the determination of etiological affiliation. However, with negative results of microbiological studies reaching 56-83 %, this parameter becomes uninformative. Moreover, existing risk assessment tools do not take into account the activity of the disease (including laboratory activity), which intuitively is an important guideline for every doctor in decision-making. At the moment, there is a great need for the introduction of molecular biological methods to improve the quality of etiological diagnosis and in-depth study of possible biomarkers from simple (neutrophil/lymphocytic, platelet/lymphocytic and systemic immuno-inflammatory index) to more complex (neutrophil extracellular traps, cytokine profile). We present a clinical case of a young patient with acute tricuspid valve IE with giant vegetation (28 mm), complicated by severe valvular insufficiency without signs of heart failure, recurrent embolic syndrome in the pulmonary artery system with the formation of pulmonary hypertension, determining indications for cardiac surgical treatment. The etiological affiliation of IE to Staphylococcus aureus was established only by PCR. The urgent timing of intervention was determined based on an increase in new markers — neutrophil/lymphocytic index ≥20.0, systemic immuno-inflammatory index ≥2314.0 and neutrophil extracellular traps ≥14.2, indicating an extremely high risk of death. A fundamental pathohistological study of the tissue material revealed a low content of intact CD86+ proinflammatory macrophages, probably associated with their excessive destruction and uncontrolled release of copious amounts of proinflammatory cytokines, which led to rapid and severe damage to the tricuspid valve. Thus, modern management of patients with IE should be multiplex using current methods of etiological and imaging diagnostics, and aimed at early detection of patients at adverse risk for a timely differentiated approach to conservative or cardiac surgical treatment tactics.

Benchmarking of proficiency tests for the fingerprint field.

Since 2015, European fingerprint service providers carrying out laboratory activities must be EN ISO/IEC 17025 accredited. Consequently, relevant and reliable proficiency tests are required by those accredited forensic laboratories to regularly assess and certify their analytical capabilities. In this context, Work package #10 of the ENFSI-EU funded project named "Competency, Education, Research, Testing, Accreditation, and Innovation in Forensic Science" (Grant #101051099) aimed at proposing guidance to forensic laboratories for the selection of proficiency tests in the fields of fingermark visualization, imaging, and comparison/identification. In this paper, the methodology that has been set and followed is described, and the resulting guidance document presented. Additionally, a critical overview of the current market of commercial proficiency tests dedicated to the fingerprint field is proposed.

Potential development of field activity design on ecology material as student learning material

This study aims to analyze the design of laboratory activities (DKL) for field trips activities in the Ranca Upas heterogeneous forest and to provide solutions through reconstruction. The significance of using the field trip method to enhance student learning outcomes and environmental awareness. The Ranca Upas heterogeneous forest was chosen as a field trip location because it has high micro-diversity and abundance. The DKL was designed to examine the interaction between biotic and abiotic factors as well as the inter-component interactions in the heterogeneous forest. This study employed a qualitative descriptive method utilizing the Analyze, Create, Try, and Reconstruct framework. A survey of the forest locations served as the basis for developing the DKL. The design of the DKL was informed by the survey results and analyzed using the Novak-Gowin Vee Diagram rubric. A trial was conducted to assess the suitability of the DKL in real field conditions. The results of this trial were then analyzed, leading to a reconstruction of the DKL based on challenges encountered during the trial. The reconstruction process included refining the tools used, preparing more structured activity steps, and developing more comprehensive practicum questions. This research has implications for the development of higher-quality and more effective field trip DKLs, ultimately aimed at improving students' science process skills and critical thinking abilities.

IVF cycle safety when a positive passive air sampling occurs under laminar flow hood in absence of a detectable contamination in the embryo culture

Microbiological contamination in the embryo culture media might affect embryo early development and clinical outcomes during IVF procedures. Infections in the genital tract represent the most common causes of culture contamination, but also environmental air quality might have a detrimental effect on reproductive outcomes of infertile couples undergoing IVF procedures. Monitoring microbiological contamination in an embryology laboratory is mandatory and daily tests are performed under laminar vertical flow hood. In this study, we investigated the IVF outcome of procedures carried out during 5 years of laboratory activity when a positive passive air sampling occurs under laminar flow hood in the absence of clear contamination in the embryo culture. We performed 570 air samplings, and we isolated at least 1 CFU of microorganisms in the TSA settle plate in 13 cases (2.28%). No infections were suspected in the culture media given the absence of detectable microorganisms under the microscope or a turbidity/color change of culture media visible to the naked eye (0% contamination rate). There were no statistically significant differences in biochemical pregnancy, live birth rate, and abortion between the “contaminated” Group P and the “negative” Group N. Surprisingly, we found a better outcome in terms of clinical pregnancy rate in Group P as compared to Group N, a finding likely due to the accidental lower age of Group P (p = 0.0133). Data showed that, in the absence of a detectable contamination in the embryo culture media, IVF cycles are safe when an air positive sample occurs in Grade A environment.

Promoting gifted students’ understanding of everyday life problems

The objective of the study is to assess the effectiveness of laboratory activities employing the Predict-Explain-Observe-Discuss-Explain (PEODE) approach in promoting gifted students’ interpretation of everyday problems related to fundamental science concepts. This quasi-experimental study involved 54 gifted students enrolled in the Science and Art Center (SAC), divided into an experimental group (EG; n = 28) and a control group (CG; n = 26). While the CG participated in traditional laboratory activities, the EG engaged in PEODE-based. Both groups underwent 16 h of laboratory sessions. An Everyday-life Problem Test (EPT), comprising nine problems, was administered as both a pretest and a post-test to assess gifted students’ interpretation of everyday life problems. Pre- and post-test scores from the EPT were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The results indicated that PEODE-based laboratory contributed to the interpretation of daily life problems among gifted students by diminishing reliance on alternative conceptions compared to traditional laboratory.

Pharmacy students' perspective on remote flipped classrooms in Malaysia: a qualitative study.

This study aimed to explore pharmacy students' perceptions of remote flipped classrooms in Malaysia, focusing on their learning experiences and identifying areas for potential improvement to inform future educational strategies. A qualitative approach was employed, utilizing inductive thematic analysis. Twenty Bachelor of Pharmacy students (18 women, 2 men; age range, 19-24 years) from Monash University participated in 8 focus group discussions over 2 rounds during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic (2020-2021). Participants were recruited via convenience sampling. The focus group discussions, led by experienced academics, were conducted in English via Zoom, recorded, and transcribed for analysis using NVivo. Themes were identified through emergent coding and iterative discussions to ensure thematic saturation. Five major themes emerged: flexibility, communication, technological challenges, skill-based learning challenges, and time-based effects. Students appreciated the flexibility of accessing and reviewing pre-class materials at their convenience. Increased engagement through anonymous question submission was noted, yet communication difficulties and lack of non-verbal cues in remote workshops were significant drawbacks. Technological issues, such as internet connectivity problems, hindered learning, especially during assessments. Skill-based learning faced challenges in remote settings, including lab activities and clinical examinations. Additionally, prolonged remote learning led to feelings of isolation, fatigue, and a desire to return to in-person interactions. Remote flipped classrooms offer flexibility and engagement benefits but present notable challenges related to communication, technology, and skill-based learning. To improve remote education, institutions should integrate robust technological support, enhance communication strategies, and incorporate virtual simulations for practical skills. Balancing asynchronous and synchronous methods while addressing academic success and socioemotional wellness is essential for effective remote learning environments.

Galaxy @Sciensano: a comprehensive bioinformatics portal for genomics-based microbial typing, characterization, and outbreak detection

The influx of whole genome sequencing (WGS) data in the public health and clinical diagnostic sectors has created a need for data analysis methods and bioinformatics expertise, which can be a bottleneck for many laboratories. At Sciensano, the Belgian national public health institute, an intuitive and user-friendly bioinformatics tool portal was implemented using Galaxy, an open-source platform for data analysis and workflow creation. The Galaxy @Sciensano instance is available to both internal and external scientists and offers a wide range of tools provided by the community, complemented by over 50 custom tools and pipelines developed in-house. The tool selection is currently focused primarily on the analysis of WGS data generated using Illumina sequencing for microbial pathogen typing, characterization and outbreak detection, but it also addresses specific use cases for other data types. Our Galaxy instance includes several custom-developed 'push-button' pipelines, which are user-friendly and intuitive stand-alone tools that perform complete characterization of bacterial isolates based on WGS data and generate interactive HTML output reports with key findings. These pipelines include quality control, de novo assembly, sequence typing, antimicrobial resistance prediction and several relevant species-specific assays. They are tailored for pathogens with active genomic surveillance programs, and clinical relevance, such as Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp. and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These tools and pipelines utilize internationally recognized databases such as PubMLST, EnteroBase, and the NCBI National Database of Antibiotic Resistant Organisms, which are automatically synchronized on a regular basis to ensure up-to-date results. Many of these pipelines are part of the routine activities of Belgian national reference centers and laboratories, some of which use them under ISO accreditation. This resource is publicly available for noncommercial use at https://galaxy.sciensano.be/ and can help other laboratories establish reliable, traceable and reproducible bioinformatics analyses for pathogens encountered in public health settings.

Students in the Wild

Exposure to nature can improve mental health and cognitive abilities, while creating enhanced engagement with biological course material through interactions with organisms and ecosystems. Remote biology education was suddenly implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic at many universities, and such distance education continues to provide broadened opportunities for active learning through hands-on lab and field activities. Remote science activities require explicit conversations and student training to address novel, off-campus safety issues. Here, we present inclusive approaches to safety instruction for incorporation into any biological undergraduate course. Remote lab learning not only develops students’ skills and self-efficacy in performing biology, but it also engages students in course content and stimulates their interest in observation-based research. This emphasis on safety will extend scientific practice into students’ lives while reducing risk during laboratory and field activities and afterward The safety considerations outlined here are designed to consider a global and diverse student population and will apply to a multitude of active-learning lab or field activities performed remotely by students.

LABORATORY ELECTROCHEMISTRY “MYSTERY BOX”: FROM PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS’ OBSERVATIONS TO INFERENCES THROUGH PREDICT-OBSERVE-EXPLAIN STRATEGY

Given the challenges associated with understanding electrochemistry content by engaging in prediction, observation, and explanation, laboratory activities can foster active participation and critical thinking, enabling individuals to proactively confront and revise their understanding. Since pre-service teachers should gain firsthand experience with predict-observe-based on a predict-observe-explain strategy, we propose a laboratory activity presented as a “mystery box” related to concentration cells coupled with an Arduino-based electronic data measurement system to identify how pre-service chemistry teachers move from observations to inferences in a qualitative research. Data was collected by written records and oral explanations during the practical interactions. Results suggest that the proposed laboratory activity allows pre-service chemistry teachers to access data and correct inferences related to electrochemistry content, promoting critical thinking. Data also showed a connection between the macroscopic and symbolic domains, and pre-service teachers recognized concepts associated with the activity, such as solution conductivity and the potential difference in chemical reactions, interpreting the system with prior knowledge, like electron flow direction and concentration cell components. However, additional strategies are needed for detailed and consistent observation and inference recording, enhancing the potential of such activities in favoring electrochemistry education in high schools.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Door-to-Device Time Segments and Clinical Outcomes for STEMI Patients in Northern Taiwan.

Prompt primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) is crucial for the prognosis and reduction of myocardial damage in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had multifaceted impacts on healthcare. This study assessed the effects of the pandemic on pPCI procedures and clinical outcomes in emergency STEMI patients. This retrospective, single-center study analyzed STEMI patients who underwent pPCI from February 2019 to January 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic was categorized into three periods: pre-COVID-19 (Period-I), early-pandemic (Period-II), and epidemic (Period-III). The impacts on Door-to-Device time, its segments, and clinical outcomes were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. A total of 404 STEMI patients were included, with a reduced number in Period-III. Compared to Period-I, the time intervals of Door-to-electrocardiogram (ECG), ECG-to-Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Activation (CCLA), and CCLA-to-Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Door in Period III were extended by 0.62 minutes (p = 0.006), 3.30 minutes (p = 0.009), and 9.65 minutes (p < 0.001), respectively. In contrast, the Angio-to-Device time was shorter in Period- II and III by 2.60 and 4.08 minutes (p < 0.001), respectively. Overall Door-to-Device time increased by 10.06 minutes (p < 0.001) in Period-III but decreased by 3.67 minutes in Period-II (p = 0.017). The odds of achieving a Door-to-Device time ≤ 90 minutes decreased by 70% in Period-III (p = 0.002). Clinical outcomes, including intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, in-hospital mortality, and 30-day readmission rate, remained stable across periods. The COVID-19 pandemic had various effects on different segments of the Door-to-Device procedure, and they were influenced by the complex interplay between infection control measures and clinical workflow. The stability of clinical outcomes reflects the resilience and effective adaptations of the healthcare system during the pandemic.

Data Processing and Reporting System for Chemical Analytical Laboratories of Environmental Control

The relevance of environmental monitoring and environmental pollution control is justified in the introduction of the article in order to monitor the state of the environment and its protection, on the basis of existing regulatory legal acts. Fundamental principles of these types of environmental activities are given. In order to justify the task, a brief description of chemical analytical laboratories (hereinafter referred to as HAL) activities and the tasks of their information systems is provided. Having analyzed a number of HAL information systems operating in the Russian Federation the authorscame to the conclusion that they mainly perform the functions of automated collecting, storing and processing information. The availability of decision-making support systems (DSS) function in the systems has not been established, for example, none of the software systems issues recommendations on changing the measurement regulations in cases of exceeding permissible values. An information system for data collection, processing and analysis from a chemical analytical laboratory with the DSS functions (monitoring changes in measurement regulations and monitoring the timing of metrologicaldevice verification) is proposed. The article describes the main functions of the proposed system available to the user and the administratorin detail. An example and a detailed description of the regulation changing process based on the MPC excess in samples are given. Regulations, the main blocks of the system, their functions and capabilities are described. The program structure and the system algorithm are presented. All system functions have been successfully tested. The figures show the algorithms of user’s and system administratoractivity when testing the database function, the function of reporting on specified parameters to obtain information about the discrepancy between samplenumbers and devices to the specified parameters, the function of automatic sampling and adding samples from the selected device and the function 'Changing the rules'. In conclusion, it is emphasized that this information system allows not only data processing from research results of chemical analytical laboratories in an automated mode, but also to perform certain functions of decision-making support systems.