Material For Research Purposes Research Articles

Further use of data in research: Current trends, legal background, and typical problems

Over the past few years, Switzerland has seen a marked increase in the further use of routine clinical data, research data, and biological materials for research purposes. This article aims to shed some light on a few typical problems the cantonal ethics committee of Zurich encounters in the area of the further use of biological material and patient data for research with or without consent. Other difficult questions may arise in emergency situations, in the evaluation of sample size and pre-screening patients for clinical studies, and in situations when a patient revokes consent.

Animal Images Database: Validation of 120 Images for Human-Animal Studies.

Simple SummaryWith the general goal of increasing knowledge about how individuals perceive and evaluate different animals, we provide normative data on an extensive set of open-source animal images, spanning a total of 12 biological categories (e.g., mammals, insects, reptiles, arachnids), on 11 evaluative dimensions (e.g., valence, cuteness, capacity to think, acceptability to kill for human consumption). We found that animal evaluations were affected by individual characteristics of the perceiver, particularly gender, diet and companion animal ownership. Moral attitudes towards animals were predominantly predicted by ratings of cuteness, edibility, capacity to feel and familiarity. We hope this free resource may help advance research into the many different ways we relate to animals.There has been increasing interest in the study of human-animal relations. This contrasts with the lack of normative resources and materials for research purposes. We present subjective norms for a set of 120 open-source colour images of animals spanning a total of 12 biological categories (e.g., mammals, insects, reptiles, arachnids). Participants (N = 509, 55.2% female, MAge = 28.05, SD = 9.84) were asked to evaluate a randomly selected sub-set of 12 animals on valence, arousal, familiarity, cuteness, dangerousness, edibility, similarity to humans, capacity to think, capacity to feel, acceptability to kill for human consumption and feelings of care and protection. Animal evaluations were affected by individual characteristics of the perceiver, particularly gender, diet and companion animal ownership. Moral attitudes towards animals were predominantly predicted by ratings of cuteness, edibility, capacity to feel and familiarity. The Animal Images Database (Animal.ID) is the largest open-source database of rated images of animals; the stimuli set and item-level data are freely available online.

Particle sizing of pharmaceutical aerosols via direct imaging of particle settling velocities

We present a novel method for characterizing in near real-time the aerodynamic particle size distributions from pharmaceutical inhalers. The proposed method is based on direct imaging of airborne particles followed by a particle-by-particle measurement of settling velocities using image analysis and particle tracking algorithms. Due to the simplicity of the principle of operation, this method has the potential of circumventing potential biases of current real-time particle analyzers (e.g. Time of Flight analysis), while offering a cost effective solution. The simple device can also be constructed in laboratory settings from off-the-shelf materials for research purposes. To demonstrate the feasibility and robustness of the measurement technique, we have conducted benchmark experiments whereby aerodynamic particle size distributions are obtained from several commercially-available dry powder inhalers (DPIs). Our measurements yield size distributions (i.e. MMAD and GSD) that are closely in line with those obtained from Time of Flight analysis and cascade impactors suggesting that our imaging-based method may embody an attractive methodology for rapid inhaler testing and characterization. In a final step, we discuss some of the ongoing limitations of the current prototype and conceivable routes for improving the technique.

Optimization of dose and image quality of paediatric cardiac catheterization procedure

The purpose of this study is to quantify the quality of the available imaging modes for various iodine-based contrast agent concentration in paediatric cardiology. The figure of merit (FOM) was defined as the squared signal to noise ratio divided by a patient dose related parameter. An in house constructed phantom simulated a series of vessel segments with iodine concentrations from 10% or 30 mg/cc to 16% or 48 mg/cc of iodine in a blood plasma solution, all within the dimensional constraints of a paediatric patient. The phantom also used test inserts of tin (Sn). Measurements of Entrance Surface Air Kerma (ESAK) and exit dose rate were performed along with calculations of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of all the objects. A first result showed that it was favourable to employ low dose fluoroscopy mode and lower frame rate modes in cine acquisition if dynamic information is not critical. Normal fluoroscopy dose mode provided a considerably higher dose level (in comparison to low dose mode) with only a slight improvement in SNR. Higher frame rate cine modes should be used however when the clinical situation dictates so. This work also found that tin should not be intended as iodine replacement material for research purposes due to the mismatching SNR, particularly on small vessel sizes.

Regulating biobanking with children's tissue: a legal analysis and the experts' view.

Many current paediatric studies concern relationships between genes and environment and discuss aetiology, treatment and prevention of Mendelian and multifactorial diseases. Many of these studies depend on collection and long-term storage of data and biological material from affected children in biobanks. Stored material is a source of personal information of the donor and his family and could be used in an undesirable context, potentially leading to discrimination and interfering with a child's right to an open future. Here, we address the normative framework regarding biobanking with residual tissue of children, protecting the privacy interests of young biobank donors (0-12 years). We analyse relevant legal documents concerning storage and use of children's material for research purposes. We explore the views of 17 Dutch experts involved in paediatric biobank research and focus on informed consent for donation of leftover tissue as well as disclosure of individual research findings resulting from biobank research. The results of this analysis show that experts have no clear consensus about the appropriate rules for storage of and research with children's material in biobanks. Development of a framework that provides a fair balance between fundamental paediatric research and privacy protection is necessary.

Utility of FT-IR imaging spectroscopy in estimating differences between the quality of bovine blastocysts

This study was conducted to verify whether the FT-IR spectroscopy and Focal Plane Array (FPA) imaging can be successfully applied to estimate the quality of bovine blastocysts (on the basis of the concentration of nucleic acids and amides). The FT-IR spectra of inner cell mass from blastocysts of three different culture systems were examined. The spectral changes between blastocysts were analyzed in DNA (spectral range of 1240–950cm−1) and protein amides (1800–1400cm−1).Blastocyst 1 (BL1-HA) was developed from the fertilized oocyte cultured with low concentration of hialuronian (HA), Blastocyst 2 and 3 were developed from the oocytes cultured in standard conditions. Cleavage stage blastocyst 2 (BL2-SOF) has been cultured in SOF medium while blastocyst 3 (BL3-VERO) was cultured in co-culture with VERO cells.The multivariate statistical analysis (Hierarchical Cluster Analysis – HCA and Principal Component Analysis – PCA) of single cells spectra showed high similarity of cells forming the inner cell mass within single blastocyst. The main variance between the three examined blastocysts was related to amides bands. Differences in the intensities of the amides’ peaks between the bovine blastocysts derived from different culture systems indicated that specific proteins reflecting the appearance of a new phenotype were produced. However, for the three blastocysts, the α-helix typical peak was twice more intensive than the β-sheet typical peak suggesting that the differentiation processes had been started. Taking into account the quantitative and qualitative composition of the protein into examined blastocysts, it can be assumed, that the quality of the BL1-HA turned out much more similar to BL3-VERO than to BL2-SOF.FT-IR spectroscopy can be successfully applied in reproductive biology research for quality estimation of oocytes and embryos at varied stages of their development. Moreover this technique proved to be particularly useful when the quantity of the available material for research purposes is limited.

Writing as a challenge in the observer's journey through the Bick method of infant observation

This paper discusses certain challenges in the observer's journey throughout the three stages of the Bick method of infant observation (observation, written report and seminar group discussion), with special emphasis on writing. One of the biggest challenges of writing, in this context, is communicating something which was experienced in a predominantly sensory and solitary way. The observer finds him or herself exposed to a series of sensations that emerge again at the stage of the written report, and which are shared with the seminar group. In this journey, we could consider a fourth, optional stage in the method – the publication of the observational material for research purposes. As in the second stage, once again, the observer is confronted with the challenge of writing and communicating an experience. It is relevant to note that the challenge of writing is present throughout the observer's journey, especially when this writing needs to be published.

Short-term Impacts of Fish Removal from Small Amazonian Forest Streams

Collecting freshwater zoological material for research purposes is common and necessary, but its impact on biological communities is often overlooked. We tested the impacts of a conventional ichthyological collection in small forest streams and showed that fish assemblages recover after a few months. We highlight ecological traits and habitat characteristics that might exacerbate the impacts of repeated removal of fish in long-term investigations, and advocate for the use of a capture-release approach whenever possible.

Maintaining Clinical Tissue Archives and Supporting Human Research: Challenges and Solutions

The increasing number of requests for use of clinically archived tissue in translational research poses unique challenges. Conflicts may arise between pathologists who are responsible for overseeing and preserving the tissues and investigators who need these materials for research purposes. To evaluate the status of our institution's Tissue Registry Archive and to develop updated written policies and procedures to support a new modern and robust tracking system with features of a library loan system. An observational study was performed. We found the existing process for managing loans of tissue (slides and paraffin blocks) to be insufficient for the complexity and volume of this task. After extensive customization, a new tracking system was implemented in January 2008. Analysis of the first year of the system's use (2008) showed that of the 206,330 slides and 51,416 blocks loaned out in 2008, 92% and 94%, respectively, were returned by the due date. These rates were markedly improved from those before the new system: 61% and 47%, respectively, in 2005. Material permanently "lost" in 2008 represented only 0.02% of slides and 0.05% of blocks, none of which was the only diagnostic material for the case. With expanding needs for archived tissues for clinical care and growing demands for translational research, it is essential that pathology departments at institutions with large tissue-based research endeavors have a tracking and management system in place to meet clinical, educational, and research needs, as well as legal requirements.

Information‐seeking behavior of the social sciences faculty at Kuwait University

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the information‐seeking behavior of the social sciences faculty at Kuwait University.Design/methodology/approachA survey method was used for this study. The data were collected using a structured, peer‐reviewed questionnaire self‐administered to 77 faculty members, with 54 returns.FindingsIt was found that these respondents heavily depend on books and journals for teaching and on a larger variety of materials for research purposes. Their use of informal sources is comparatively less than formal sources. Journals and books are considered the most important sources to meet their needs. Among the informal sources, conferences, subject experts, and colleagues are given higher importance than librarians and government officials. Journals and books are used more frequently than raw data, technical reports, and manuscripts and primary materials. Their satisfaction level with all the sources is positive but higher for journals and books. The level of satisfaction with informal sources is slightly higher than formal sources. Their library use is very low with complaints about the quality of staff, resources, especially in Arabic, and access to international resources.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is limited to faculty in the college of Social Sciences, Kuwait University.Practical implicationsUnderstanding the information‐seeking behavior of social science scholars and developing information resources and designing systems and services that are appropriate for their needs.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the very limited research literature on the topic in the Arab countries.

The Estela Sousa e Silva Algal Culture Collection: a resource of biological and toxicological interest

The Estela Sousa e Silva Algal Culture Collection (ESSACC) is the legacy of nearly 40 years of the National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge (INSA) scientific and public activity in marine and freshwater phytoplankton biology and toxicology. The living isolates maintained in the ESSACC are mostly represented by marine dinoflagellates and freshwater cyanobacteria strains isolated from bloom occurrences in Portugal. More than 170 isolates comprising the most frequently found species have been obtained from environmental samples and are successfully cultured at INSA facilities. Moreover, new isolates are continuously being added to the collection, following new detection of natural blooms. Although not intended to represent the entire range of taxonomical different species occurring in Portuguese environments, the ESSACC includes a wide array of geographical, morphological, physiological, and ecological relevant isolates. So far, laboratory up-scaled culturing has been put in place for several purposes, including the production of secondary metabolites, purification of toxins, detection of toxin producing strains by molecular methods, screening for cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of purified compounds, testing for antialgal activity of organic compounds, and evaluating the combining effects of environmental factors on biomass and toxin production. We are disseminating information about this collection since it is an important wide source of readily available and easy to manipulate biological material for research purposes within the scientific community.

Development of a biological resource center for cellular therapy and biobanking in a public polyclinic university hospital

A model of a university hospital facility for biobanking and clinical grade cell manipulation is described. The facility is based on the model of the Biological Resource Center described by the Organisation for the Economic Cooperation and Development in 1999. This model integrates several critical aspects of collection, characterization, storage and use of biological materials for research purposes and therapeutic applications, thus providing potential advantages of optimizing the use of resources, improving standardization, protecting the rights of both donors and recipients of biological materials, and facilitating international cooperation.

Sources of Indian Legal Information

AbstractAbstract: The purpose of this paper by Uma Narayan is to provide an insight into how to use Indian legal materials for research purposes. The following subjects are covered: the evolution of the Indian legal system; systems and procedures in enacting laws in Parliament; Indian legal information sources - both government and private - as well as print and electronic sources and how to understand the method of publication of legislation.

European Plant Intellectual Property

SURMMARY This paper outlines the current level of intellectual property protection for plant material within Europe. In particular, it focuses on specific areas of concern for the plant breeder such as access to plant material for research purposes and the extension of protection to derived material.

Research on the supervision registers: Inconsistencies in local research ethics committee responses

Abstract This article examines the responses of twelve local research ethics committees to a proposal to carry out a study on the supervision registers using case-note material, and does so in the context of the controversies surrounding the supervision registers and the most recent Department of Health and professional guidelines on the ethics of using case-note material for research purposes. Local research ethics committee responses to the proposal varied starkly, and ranged from approval through chairman's action to outright refusal. The main stated reasons for refusing permission for the study were failure to obtain patient consent to use case-notes, although all guidelines recommended that case-note studies do not require patient consent. Possible reasons for refusal to approve the study are examined in the context of published ethical guidelines and specific concerns about the supervision registers themselves. It is recommended that guidelines be issued to local research ethics committees, provider...

The Child Psychiatric Patient Database System of the Chinese University of Hong Kong

SummaryAn original child psychiatric patient database system developed in Hong Kong is reported. The system was developed mainly to meet the dilemma of the local working setting, namely heavy clinical and teaching commitments on the one hand and, on the other hand, the failure to make use of the massive and invaluable clinical materials for research purposes because there was no proper collection of data. The system was designed for routine clinical purposes with strong emphasis on practicability, and yet it also allows the systematic, comprehensive and prospective collection of clinical data. The first part of the system is a semistructured interview schedule which reflects the author’s usual style of interview, especially his preference for the family approach. Data are collected in two forms - a precoded and readily analyzable form, and a descriptive and non-coded form. The second part of the system is a computer program for converting the raw data to medical records. Some preliminary experience of using the system is also discussed. The system may easily be modified to suit different clinical styles and settings.

Regulation of the use of human tissues and body fluids as research materials—Current modifications

The National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research (Commission) has made several recommendations for changes in federal regulations for the protection of human research subjects. Some of these changes will have important and felicitous consequences for biochemical pharmacologists who use human tissues and body fluids as research materials. For most—but not all—proposals to use such materials for research purposes, review at a convened meeting of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) will no longer be required. Similarly, requirements to use consent forms will be curtailed substantially; in some cases it will not even be necessary to negotiate informed consent. The recommendations of the Commission for these policy changes are grounded in recent clarifications of the following concepts: (1) the meaning of risk; (2) the purpose of informed consent; (3) the purpose of consent forms; and (4) the purpose of IRB review.

The ethical responsibilities at issue

No sooner than I had said "yes" to Carol last summer, I began to have some misapprehensions about what I had done. Particularly as time moved on, I became increasingly aware of new responsibilities which had fallen on me and made it difficult for me to find the time to meet the obligation I had incurred to Carol. I must apologize to her and to Dr. Hearn, who is to comment upon my remarks, for not providing, for his reflection, much opportunity to see my paper in advance. But I have other misapprehensions. One, I don't know enough about the activities of those of you engaged in research on human tissue and the kinds of problems you face. I'm afraid I cannot speak too pointedly to issues that may be on your minds, for I have not had the opportunity to educate myself in the area as much as I would have liked. Another ground of misapprehension is that I find it very difficult to speak on as specific a topic as this except from the background of ideas and assumptions which I can't readily put out before you. Now this is, I think, especially a problem for philosophers, particularly one like myself. We don't have as much of a shared background in our discipline from which we speak as you scientists do. Within the scientific community you share a great deal in your assumptions, your methodology and your points of view, which enables you to move toward greater agreement; whereas in philosophy, it's the very assumptions, and the most basic ones, that are at issue, so that we cannot enjoy that community of shared background, assumptions and points of view that people in other disciplines have. This makes it particularly difficult. I don't come to you as an ethicist to speak on the ethical problems, but as a philosopher. You now feel uncertainty about the ethical issues in your research; what the philosopher brings is uncertainty about the nature of ethical issues. So we compound the uncertainties, and that makes it all the more difficult. But there are some remarks I would like to share with you and I hope I can make what I want to say intelligible without having to present the whole of the background from which I speak. No one will deny that human tissue research, both in vivo and in vitro, has produced beneficial results, and that it promises to continue to be a productive field. But then neither would anyone deny that beneficial results could be obtained by experimentation on human subjects in many others ways which we consider to be morally proscribed. And it is not just a matter of harmful effects outweighing beneficial results, or at least not in any simple way of evaluating consequences. There are some things we morally don't do (or at least morally condemn) even though they would have (or do have) beneficial results. What we wish to explore is whether there are things done or likely to be done in human tissue research that fall into this category. The most controversial area seems to be the use of fetuses and fetal material for research purposes. My remarks will focus on some of the issues in this area. 595

Preparation and application of neutron transmutation doped silicon for power device research

Very uniform phosphorus-doped high resistivity silicon suitable for power device research and production can be prepared using the thermal neutron activation of Si30to produce P31[1], [2], [4]. Some aspects of this process are described here, and it is shown that the method is also suitable for rapid production of silicon with precise resistivity tolerances in relatively small quantities for R and D purposes. Some of the considerable advantages to be gained by using this material for research purposes are described. Detailed studies of blocking characteristics and of the relationship between Au concentration, carrier lifetime, and resistivity using spreading resistance are shown to be possible, whereas using standard floating zone silicon, the resistivity fluctuations present are too large to allow this.

A system for coding, filing and using bibliographical material for research purposes.

A system for coding, filing and using bibliographical material for research purposes.