Official Laboratories Research Articles

European Union Proficiency Tests for pesticide residues in cereals and feedstuff, from 2007 to 2022- Data collection experience

The European Union Reference Laboratory for pesticide residues in cereals and feeding stuff (EURL-CF) has, for 16 consecutive years since 2007, organized European Union Proficiency Tests (EUPTs) for analysis of multiple pesticide residues in various cereals and feedstuff commodities. The EUPTs are directed to National Reference Laboratories (NRLs), and official laboratories (OfLs) in European member (EU) states and in European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries. The aim of the EUPTs is to gain information regarding the quality, accuracy and comparability of pesticide residue data in cereals and feedstuff reported by different EU and EFTA laboratories, to help evaluate and improve their performance. This article summarizes 16 years’ experience in processing and analyzing results for EUPTs for pesticide residues in cereals and feedstuff. It provides an overview of the performance and development of as many as 160 laboratories throughout the years. Results are highlighted in terms of the number of participants, analytical scope, z scores, false positive and false negative reported results, and classification of laboratories. The performance of laboratories in the EUPTs has improved over time. A notable increase was observed in NRLs and OfLs classified as category A, indicating satisfactory overall performance and scope coverage for the majority of participating laboratories.

A-092 Trends in Laboratory Communications Utilized in the Implementation of the Race-Free CKD-EPI 2021 Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) Equation

Abstract Background The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) established a Laboratory Engagement Working Group (WG) that issued strategies for implementing the race-free CKD-EPI 2021 eGFR equation following the recommendation from the National Kidney Foundation/American Society for Nephrology Joint Task Force on Reassessing the Inclusion of Race in Diagnosing Kidney Diseases. These guidelines covered four areas of implementation including communication, assay selection, programming, and reporting. Regarding communication, the NKF-WG recommendations identified six categories of stakeholders that should be included in communications: physicians and advance practitioners, pharmacists, clinical researchers, patients, patient advocates, and dietitians and nutritionists. This research evaluated the alignment of laboratory communications and inclusion of specific stakeholders during implementation of the CKD-EPI 2021 equation with recommendations from the NKF Laboratory Engagement Working Group. Additionally, the research sought to identify if concerns of racial bias associated with previous equations were communicated to stakeholders. Methods An anonymous, web-based, cross-sectional survey of laboratory directors in the United States was conducted from November 1st through November 29th, 2022. The call for participants was distributed widely to the membership of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) and the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC). Participants were asked to denote if they had implemented the CKD-EPI 2021 equation, to identify communication methods utilized during implementation, and to identify key stakeholders included in communications. Participants were also asked to indicate if communications included information regarding concerns of racial bias associated with previous eGFR equations. Results In total, there were 34 survey participants, with 32 completed submissions. Participants represented 19 states, with 5 states having 2 or more participants. Of the completed submissions, 87.5% (n = 28) of respondents reported implementing the CKD-EPI 2021 equation. Of those respondents, 100% reported issuing communications to physicians and advance practitioners. 71.4% (n = 20) of respondents reported issuing communication to pharmacists, 32.1% (n = 7) included clinical researchers, and 14.3% (n = 4) included dieticians and nutritionists. The most common method of communication directed to the patient care teams was through an official laboratory memo 82.1% (n = 23), followed by direct email 64.8% (n = 18). Notably, only 10.7% (n = 3) of respondents reported issuing communication to patients, however 25.0% (n = 7) of respondents stated that the equation change was noted in the patient’s medical record upon receiving an eGFR value calculated using the updated equation. Of the participants who implemented the equation change, 64.8% (n = 18) reported addressing concerns of racial bias with previous equations in communications with physicians and advanced providers. 42.8% (n = 12) included this information in communications with pharmacists, and only 10.7% (n = 3) reported sharing this information with patients. Conclusion A majority of participating laboratories did not include patients as stakeholders in communications during CKD-EPI 2021 implementation, highlighting a lack of alignment with NKF-WG recommendations. Further, and in contrast to physician communications, a majority of laboratories declined to include information regarding potential racial bias associated with previous eGFR equations in their patient communications.

An Inter-Laboratory Comparative Study on the Influence of Reagents to Perform the Identification of the Xylella fastidiosa Subspecies Using Tetraplex Real Time PCR

In 2022, a test performance study (TPS) assessing the influence of different master mixes on the performance of the tetraplex real-time PCR (TqPCR) assay was organized. TqPCR allows for the specific detection and identification of Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) subspecies in a single reaction. Eighteen official laboratories of the Italian National Plant Protection Organization received a panel of 12 blind samples, controls, primers, probes, and different master mixes to participate in the TPS. Furthermore, the Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification of the Council for Agricultural Research and Economics performed an intra-laboratory study (ITS) on spiked plant matrices to evaluate the analytical sensitivity of TqPCR employing the selected master mixes with the best performance. Naturally infected samples were analyzed for subspecies identification via TqPCR compared with the official multilocus-sequence-typing (MLST) method. The best results in this comparative study were obtained using Fast Universal PCR Master Mix (Applied Biosystems) and Brilliant multiplex QPCR Master Mix (Agilent), and they confirmed that the TqPCR test is reliable, offering the advantage of identifying this subspecies at the same time, thus saving time and resources. The TqPCR assay is suggested among the tests to be used by laboratories performing the official diagnosis of Xf to support the activities of official monitoring.

Estratégias de inovação em medicamentos e vacinas no âmbito do Ceis – modelos, mecanismos e expectativas

ABSTRACT The article aimed to present relevant and original information about the innovation strategies used by Official Pharmaceutical Laboratories (LFO) to reduce the vulnerabilities of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) and the productive and technological capacity of the Health Economic-Industrial Complex. The methods used included a literature review and the analysis of primary data from interviews conducted in two of the largest LFOs in the country. Their efforts and results in Research and Development (R&D) and incorporation of medicines and vaccine technologies were identified and analyzed, with emphasis on Productive Development Partnerships (PDP). Although R&D activities still need to advance, benefits were brought about by technology transfer agreements, especially by PDPs. However, the industrial and technological capacity of the Institutes is still limited and lacks investments, which hinders technological accumulation and diffusion. Thus, improvements are necessary so that the innovation strategies for the SUS present more effective results and can be reversed to the welfare of society.

Comparative Assessment of Single- and Double-Interface Shear Tests of MSW Landfill Liners Using Large Direct Shear Equipment

Geosynthetics form an integral part of engineered municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill lining systems, as they provide cost saving and technical benefits. Their introduction in lining systems, however, has presented new potential interfaces for shear failure especially on bases and on side slopes of engineered MSW landfills. In the laboratory, interface shear strength parameters used in slope designs of landfill lining systems are determined through single-interface testing configurations as per ASTM D5321-20 and D6243-20 standards. However, single-interface testing configurations do not provide a clear understanding of shear strength transfers among the lining components and does not aid in pin-pointing the interface facilitating failure especially when a multi-layered lining system has been proposed. Multi-interface testing configurations present an alternative that may address such limitations. But there is minimum information available on this type of testing as it is not stipulated in any official laboratory testing standard. This study was conducted to provide an understanding of the potential use of multi-interface testing configurations of MSW landfill liners, through identifying similarities and dissimilarities to the single-interface testing configurations. These interface tests were conducted on geosynthetics and geomaterials from a proposed lining system of a new landfill cell in South Africa.

Trichinella proficiency testing in Southeastern European countries

In some Southeastern European (SEE) countries, like Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria, trichinellosis is one of the most important foodborne zoonotic diseases. In those countries, EU regulation and local authorities require the staff of laboratories performing official controls on meat to be properly trained and to check their competence by participating regularly in proficiency testing (PT). PTs are organized by National Reference Laboratories for Trichinella of each country and involve all official laboratories testing meat. In Romania and Bulgaria, the organization of PT for the detection of Trichinella larvae in meat by Magnetic Stirrer Method (MSM) started in 2012. In Croatia and Serbia PT was first organized in 2015 and 2017, respectively. This study presents data on the performance obtained by official laboratories of SEE countries that organize PT at national level and compares the performance obtained by laboratories belonging to different countries. Results suggest that the constant participation in PT leads to an increase in the performance of participating laboratories by positively affecting the staff accuracy in sample testing by MSM. Since the percentage of recovered larvae was in some cases suboptimal (<80%) and occasionally very poor (<40%), there is room for improvement. The regular participation in PT by laboratories involved in official controls on meat intended for human consumption is fundamental to guarantee consumer safety.

Ensuring vaccine safety: Case studies of falsified influenza vaccines detected in Brazil

Falsifications related to health technologies—including vaccines—are a growing threat to patient safety and health systems on a global scale and can cause serious harm to the population (especially vulnerable groups). In Brazil, the manufacturing and spread of counterfeit medicines are prevented through joint actions between different government agencies. In this study, we analyzed three cases of influenza vaccines suspected of counterfeiting. The samples were seized by officials and received by the National Institute for Quality Control in Health (INCQS), the national quality control reference laboratory of the Ministry of Health of Brazil, in 2010, 2017, and 2020. We report the results of our analytical investigations and emphasize the importance of strengthening the partnerships between various national agencies. The seized samples were visually inspected, and their information was compared with that of genuine vaccines (as recorded in the INCQS database). The specific analytical tests were based on quality control tests for biological products. Our results confirmed that all seized samples were falsified. We emphasize the importance of fostering international and intra-national collaborations between various national agencies (such as drug regulatory authorities, official laboratories, customs departments, police forces, and civil society). As demonstrated here, such collaborative actions are essential for combating the release of falsified medical products, safeguarding public health, and strengthening health systems.

Clustering of Tadalafil API Samples According to their Manufacturer in the Context of API Falsification Detection

This paper reports the results of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) fingerprint study, organised by the General European Official Medicines Control Laboratory Network (GEON), on tadalafil. A classical market surveillance study, evaluating compliance to the European Pharmacopoeia, was combined with a fingerprint study, the latter to obtain characteristic data for the different manufacturers, allowing the network laboratories to conduct authenticity tests for future samples, as well as to detect substandard and falsified samples.In total, 46 tadalafil API samples from 13 different manufacturers were collected. For all samples fingerprint data was collected through analysis of impurities and residual solvents, mass spectrometric screening, X-ray powder diffraction and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR). Chemometric analysis revealed that all manufacturers could be characterised based on the impurity, residual solvent and 1H-NMR data. Future suspicious samples in the network will therefore be analysed with these techniques in order to attribute the sample to one of the manufacturers. If the sample cannot be attributed, a more profound investigation will be necessary to reveal the origin of the sample. In cases where the suspect sample is claimed to be from one of the manufacturers included in this study, analysis can be limited to the test distinguishing that manufacturer.

Critical Evaluation of Two Qualitative Analytical Approaches for Multiclass Determination of Veterinary Drugs in Bovine Muscle Using UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap: The Wind of Change in Brazilian Monitoring.

Food safety is recognized as a main requirement for consumers, food industries, and official laboratories. Here, we present the optimization and screening qualitative validation of two multianalyte methods in bovine muscle tissues by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry with an Orbitrap-type analyzer, operated with a heated ionization source in positive and negative mode. This aims for not only the simultaneous detection of veterinary drugs regulated in Brazil but also the prospection of antimicrobials not yet monitored. Two different sample preparation procedures were applied: method A-generic solid-liquid extraction with 0.1% formic acid (v/v) in an aqueous solution of EDTA 0.1% (w/v)-acetonitrile-methanol (1:1:1, v/v/v), followed by an additional ultrasound-assisted extraction and method B-QuEChERS. In both procedures, selectivity showed satisfactory conformity. From a detection capability (CCβ) equivalent to ½ the maximum residue limit, >34% of the analyte resulted in a false positive rate of <5%, preponderant by the QuEChERS method, which exhibited a higher yield of the sample. The results showed the potential application of both procedures in the routine analysis of foods by official laboratories, enabling the expansion of this methodological portfolio as well as its analytical scopes, thus optimizing the control of residues of veterinary drugs in the country.

A collaborative study to establish the second national standard for hepatitis B immunoglobulin in Korea

This study aimed to establish a second national standard for hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) that can be used for potency assays of hepatitis B and normal immunoglobulin. The candidate material was manufactured using a process approved as Good Manufacturing Practice. The freeze-dried candidate preparation was tested for physicochemical and biological properties, including pH, residual moisture, molecular size distribution, and potency. A collaborative study was performed involving four laboratories, including the National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, as an official national control laboratory in Korea and manufacturers. The potency was calibrated against the second international standard for HBIG using two enzyme immunoassays: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Results from 240 assays were obtained from four laboratories, and combined potency estimates were obtained by calculating the geometric means. Intra- and inter-laboratory variability showed acceptable geometric coefficients of variation of 1.3–6.0 and 3.2–3.6%, respectively. The candidate preparation showed satisfactory stability in accelerated thermal degradation and real-time stability tests. Based on these results, the potency value of 105 IU/vial was assigned (95% confidence intervals: 100.0–109.2 IU/vial), and it was deemed suitable to serve as the Korean national standard for HBIG.

First worldwide report on Hugo RAS™ surgical platform in right and left colectomy.

The diffusion of robotic surgery is rapidly and constantly growing in different surgical specialties. Recently, novel robotic platforms have entered into the market. To date, however, most of the reports on their clinical use have specifically focused on gynecological and urological surgery. In this study, we present the first three robotic-assisted colectomies performed with the new Hugo RAS system (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA). The surgical team had previous robotic experience and completed simulation training and an official 2-day cadaver laboratory session. Operating room setting and trocar layout were planned and two full cadaver procedures were carried out (right and left colectomy). Onsite dry-run sessions were performed before tackling clinical cases. Three patients underwent robotic-assisted colectomies: one left colectomy, two right colectomies with complete mesocolic excision (CME) and high vascular ligation (HVL) at our Institution. Preoperative diagnosis was colonic adenocarcinoma in all cases. A description of the operative room setup, robotic arm configuration and docking angles is provided. Mean docking time and console time were 8 and 259min, respectively. All the surgical steps were completed without critical surgical errors or high-priority alarms. Neither intraoperative complications nor conversions to open surgery were recorded. Postoperative courses were uneventful with a mean length of stay of 5days. Further clinical data and experience are required for procedural standardization and potential integration of the system into robotic general surgery and colorectal programs.

GMO analysis results from official food control laboratories in Germany from 2017 to 2021

In Germany, genetically modified organisms (GMO) analysis of food samples collected within the official food control is performed by the laboratories of the Federal States. The present report shows GMO analysis results from food samples of the years 2017 to 2021, including contaminations by unauthorized GMO, as well as genetically modified (GM) plant events authorized in the European Union. In addition to previous publications, evaluation of the aggregated food samples analysed for GMO components is shown. During this timeframe, 1077 (7.1%) out of 15,145 samples contained genetic modification. In 43 samples, DNA sequences of unauthorized GM plants were found. Additionally, for food derived from soybean, evaluations according to different product categories and the agronomic production (conventional and organic farming) are shown. Whereas in products from organic farming and in conventional soybeans labelled “without genetic engineering” GM soybeans were detected in 6.1% and 8.9%, of all tested samples, respectively, nearly 30% of all conventional soy samples yielded positive results below 0.1%. However, only in 0.7% of the overall analysed 5424 soybean samples GMO percentages of more than 0.1% were obtained. Generally, authorized GM plants were only found at low contamination levels. The labelling threshold of 0.9% for GM ingredients was exceeded only in 0.2% (maize) and 0.1% (soybean) samples, respectively. For monitoring purposes and risk evaluation, the data collection shall be continued.

Experimental Comparison of Functionality between the Main Types of Methane Measurement Sensors in Mines

In recent years, coal mine methane measurement techniques in mines have been gaining importance as poor firedamp control in work can cause the interruption of production and even fatal accidents. Since there is currently a variety of methane measurement equipment with different functional characteristics and measurement principles, a study is needed to indicate which type of equipment has the highest degree of confidence. This research presents the results of a study carried out by the Official Laboratory J. M. Madariaga (LOM) of the Polytechnic University of Madrid that aims to analyze the reliability of methane detection systems used in underground mining. Therefore, a series of portable and non-portable methane detectors with different measurement principles have been selected to subject them to laboratory tests following the methods described in the applicable regulations, such as time of response, dust effect, temperature, pressure, etc. The test equipment is usually the one used in the certification and calibration of these devices, subject to the LOM quality system. The results of these tests allowed for defining a marking system that led to a ranking of the tested methane detectors in order to find the advantages and disadvantages of each type. From the performed tests, a summary of the main sources of sensor inaccuracy was reported. It was found that catalytic sensors might present significant deviations when testing high concentrations in short periods of time or low concentrations during long periods of time. On the other hand, devices with an interferometric sensor can be unreliable as the measures are very sensitive to changes in environmental conditions, and optical sensors present longer response times than catalytic sensors.

Analysis of Organochlorine Pesticides in a Soil Sample by a Modified QuEChERS Approach Using Ammonium Formate

Currently, the QuEChERS method represents the most widely used sample preparation protocol worldwide for analyzing pesticide residues in a broad variety of matrices both in official and non-official laboratories. The QuEChERS method using ammonium formate has previously proven to be advantageous compared to the original and the two official versions. On the one hand, the simple addition of 0.5 g of ammonium formate per gram of sample is sufficient to induce phase separation and achieve good analytical performance. On the other hand, ammonium formate reduces the need for maintenance in routine analyses. Here, a modified QuEChERS method using ammonium formate was applied for the simultaneous analysis of organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues in agricultural soil. Specifically, 10 g of the sample was hydrated with 10 mL of water and then extracted with 10 mL of acetonitrile. Next, phase separation was carried out using 5 g of ammonium formate. After centrifugation, the supernatant was subjected to a dispersive solid-phase extraction clean-up step with anhydrous magnesium sulfate, primary-secondary amine, and octadecylsilane. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used as the analytical technique. The QuEChERS method using ammonium formate is demonstrated as a successful alternative for extracting OCP residues from a soil sample.

Destaques históricos do mormo, de 2007 a 2017, no Estado do Maranhão, Brasil

ABSTRACT: Glanders is an infectious disease of equids caused by Burkholderia mallei, a facultative intracellular non-mobile Gram-negative bacterium that can be transmitted to other animals and humans. This study described glanders cases reported in the state of Maranhão, located within an Amazon-Cerrado transition region in northeastern Brazil, from 2007 to 2017. A database in an electronic spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel 2010) was developed containing information on the number of positive animals according to age, sex, purpose, year and month, municipality and mesoregion of origin of the animal. The descriptive analyzis was performed on data provided by the State Agency for Agricultural and Livestock Protection of the state of Maranhão (AGED), and by the official private laboratory. As the database did not have information data about negative animals, possible risk factors could not be evaluated. Among the total of 62,555 equids were evaluated by means of the complement fixation test (CFT), 59,036 were horses, 2,981 mules and 538 donkeys. Thirty-five samples (0.06%) reacted in the CFT. Five additional samples were by the western blot technique and three of them were positive. All the reactive horses (Equuscaballus) were from rural areas. Results presented here indicate that glanders may be endemic in the state of Maranhão and is a public health concern.

Human Rights and Identification of Human Skeletal Remains by Digital Skull-Photographic Comparisons in Uruguay

Scientists make unique contributions in human rights cases by applying scientific and forensic techniques to criminal investigations. In human rights cases, evidence is often based solely on the oral testimonies of victims or witnesses. There is little doubt concerning the importance of oral testimonies. However, spoken evidence is much more effective when it is corroborated by physical evidence. In Latin America countries, experts such as forensic anthropologists, pathologists, and archaeologists contribute to human rights cases by aiding in death investigations and in the identification of victims remains. Forensic anthropologists are often called on for cases in which trauma analysis and identification of human skeletal remains is necessary. After 1984, Argentina, Chile and Guatemala have developed national forensic anthropology teams but they are not part of their judicial system as they are not governmental organizations. But, since 1992 in Uruguay, there is an official Forensic Anthropology Laboratory integrated to the judicial system directed by the author. Since 1992 at the present, this Laboratory has made more than 1700 official forensic anthropology report of cases and identified more than 200 people with ages ranging from 5 to 90 years old at time of death using traditional forensic anthropology techniques.

Vulnerabilidades em saúde e a importância da integração da produção local de medicamentos estratégicos para o SUS

Abstract A strengthened local supply chain is an essential and highly relevant condition for universal access to health care. This article enables a movement towards a public policy agenda that involve the entire productive health system, including strategic components of the production chain beyond active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), without which universal health access and health sovereignty become unfeasible, leaving the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) vulnerable. Within this perspective, qualitative bibliographic research was conducted together with field observation among key informants of the drug production supply chain from Brazil’s main Official Pharmaceutical Laboratory. Results showed that in addition to active pharmaceutical ingredients, other strategic health care items in the supply chain also constitute technological bottlenecks. These findings may contribute to expand the debate on health vulnerabilities, relating the productive and economic structure to universal access, thus establishing, nationally and internationally, a theoretical link between the economy, production local and social rights.

Salmonella Serovars Isolated from Poultry Breeding Flocks under the Brazilian Official Control Programme Between 2016 and 2018

The control of Salmonella in the poultry production chain combined with biosecurity measures is an important tool to maintain and guarantee the sanitary status of Brazilian flocks. The aim of this work was to compare official laboratory data on molecular typification of Salmonella isolates from poultry breeding flocks in different Brazilian states between 2016 and 2018 and identify the production category with the most positive flocks, in light of current legislation. Surveillance data of positive samples from the official Brazilian Salmonella Control Programme sent to Federal Agricultural Defence Laboratory of São Paulo (LFDA-SP) after molecular characterization were analysed. These data were subject to an exploratory study, undergoing a descriptive statistical analysis followed by the use of frequency and non-parametric hypothesis tests. Overall, 49 serovars were detected in poultry broiler-breeder and layer-breeder flocks. Salmonella ser. Heidelberg, Salmonella ser. Anatum, Salmonella ser. Newport, Salmonella ser. Schwarzengrund and Salmonella ser. Mbandaka were the five most common isolated serovars. The data shows that there is an opportunity to improve biosecurity measures in parent breeder flocks. A total of 16 serovars were identified in turkey-breeders. Salmonella ser. Anatum, Salmonella ser. Newport, Salmonella ser. Brandenburg, Salmonella ser. Litchfield, and Salmonella ser. Livingstone were the most common ones. The four official controlled serovars represented a small part of the isolated strains. These data demonstrate the importance of an official program in Brazil for Salmonella surveillance in breeder flocks combined with biosecurity measures.

Continental-scale evaluation of three ECOSTRESS land surface temperature products over Europe and Africa: Temperature-based validation and cross-satellite comparison

High spatial resolution land surface temperature (LST, <100 m) is crucial for agricultural water management, crop water stress monitoring, fire mapping, urban heat island study and volcano eruption detection. LST retrievals from the ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) launched in June 2018, together with the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER, launched in 1999) and the Landsat series (since 1972), comprise the state-of-the-art high spatial resolution LST datasets publicly accessible. Recently, we generated the ECOSTRESS LST product over Europe and Africa using both the temperature and emissivity separation (TES) and split-window (SW) algorithms under the European ECOSTRESS Hub (EEH). Here, we validated the official Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) TES (Collection 1), EEH TES and EEH SW ECOSTRESS LST products over Europe and Africa between August 1, 2018 and December 31, 2021 by comparing against the in-situ measurements at 9 sites over a wide variety of land cover types. Meanwhile, the validation results were compared with those obtained for ASTER and Landsat LST at the same sites for a thorough understanding of the consistency among these high spatial resolution LST products. The results reveal that the three ECOSTRESS LST products have consistent performances, with an overall RMSE around 2 K. A cold bias around 1 K exists for all three ECOSTRESS LST, which is presumably originated from the radiometric calibration of the sensor in Collection 1 data. The Landsat LST shows a similar accuracy, with an RMSE of 2.20 K and bias of 0.54 K. The EEHSW LST show the highest consistency with Landsat LST, possibly due to the identical emissivity correction process. The performance of ASTER LST is also similar, with an RMSE of 1.98 K and bias of 0.9 K. The precisions of all the LST products are around 1.5 K. Future recalibration of the ECOSTRESS Level 1 radiance data in Collection 2 is expected to further improve the accuracy of ECOSTRESS LST. Overall, this study supports the adaptation of LST retrieval algorithms for the future thermal missions.

Analytical Approaches in Official Food Safety Control: An LC-Orbitrap-HRMS Screening Method for the Multiresidue Determination of Antibiotics in Cow, Sheep, and Goat Milk.

The presence of unauthorized substances, such as residues of veterinary medicines or chemical contaminants, in food can represent a possible health concern. For this reason, a complete legislative framework has been established in the European Union (EU), which defines the maximum limits allowed in food and carries out surveillance programs to control the presence of these substances. Official food control laboratories, in order to ensure a high level of consumer protection, must respond to the challenge of improving and harmonizing the performance of the analytical methods used for the analysis of residues of authorized, unauthorized, or prohibited pharmacologically active substances. Laboratories must also consider the state of the art of the analytical methodologies and the performance requirements of current legislation. The aim of this work was to develop a multiresidue method for the determination of antibiotics in milk, compliant with the criteria and procedures established by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/808. The method uses an LC-Orbitrap-HRMS for the determination of 57 molecules of antibiotic and active antibacterial substances belonging to different chemical classes (beta-lactams, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, quinolones, pleuromutilins, macrolides, and lincosamides) in bovine, ovine, and goat milk samples. It provides a simple and quick sample pretreatment and a subsequent identification phase of analytes, at concentrations equal to or lower than the maximum residual limit (MRL), in compliance with Commission Regulation (EU) 2010/37. The validation parameters: selectivity, stability, applicability, and detection capability (ccβ), are in agreement with the requirements of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/808 and demonstrated the effectiveness of the method in detecting veterinary drug residues at the target screening concentration (at the MRL level or below), with a false positive rate of less than 5%. This method represents an effective solution for detecting antibiotics in milk, which can be successfully applied in routine analyses for official food control plans.