Public engagement with reproducibility is crucial for fostering trust in science. This Community Page outlines, through the example of baking Christmas tree meringues, how scientists can effectively engage and educate the public about the importance of reproducibility in research.

• MeSH
• důvěra * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• účast komunity * MeSH
• výzkum MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

• MeSH
• krevní tlak fyziologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• měření krevního tlaku metody   MeSH
• referenční hodnoty MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• dopisy MeSH
• komentáře MeSH

Many scientific disciplines are currently experiencing a 'reproducibility crisis' because numerous scientific findings cannot be repeated consistently. A novel but controversial hypothesis postulates that stringent levels of environmental and biotic standardization in experimental studies reduce reproducibility by amplifying the impacts of laboratory-specific environmental factors not accounted for in study designs. A corollary to this hypothesis is that a deliberate introduction of controlled systematic variability (CSV) in experimental designs may lead to increased reproducibility. To test this hypothesis, we had 14 European laboratories run a simple microcosm experiment using grass (Brachypodium distachyon L.) monocultures and grass and legume (Medicago truncatula Gaertn.) mixtures. Each laboratory introduced environmental and genotypic CSV within and among replicated microcosms established in either growth chambers (with stringent control of environmental conditions) or glasshouses (with more variable environmental conditions). The introduction of genotypic CSV led to 18% lower among-laboratory variability in growth chambers, indicating increased reproducibility, but had no significant effect in glasshouses where reproducibility was generally lower. Environmental CSV had little effect on reproducibility. Although there are multiple causes for the 'reproducibility crisis', deliberately including genetic variability may be a simple solution for increasing the reproducibility of ecological studies performed under stringently controlled environmental conditions.

• MeSH
• Brachypodium genetika   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• genotyp * MeSH
• Medicago truncatula genetika   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• výzkumný projekt * statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• životní prostředí MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH

There is an agreement in the field that interlaboratory reproducibility of flow cytometry measurements as well as the whole studies might be improved by a consensual use of methodological approach. Typically, a consensus is made on a crucial markers needed in the immunostaining panel, sometimes on the particular fluorochrome conjugates and rarely on a complete set of methods for sample preparation. The term "standardization" is used to describe the complete set of methodical steps, while "harmonization" is used for partial agreement on the method. Standardization can provide a platform for improved reproducibility of cytometry results over prolonged periods of time, across different sites and across different instruments. For the purpose of structured discussion, several desired aims are described: common interpretation of the immunophenotype definition of a target subset, accurate quantification, reproducible pattern of a multicolor immunophenotype, and reproducible intensity of all measured parameters. An overview of how standardization was approached by several large consortia is provided: EuroFlow, The ONE Study, Human Immunology Project Consortium (HIPC), and several other groups. Their particular aims and the tools adopted to reach those aims are noted. How those standardization efforts were adopted in the field and how the resulting outcome was evaluated is reviewed. Multiple challenges in the instrument hardware design, instrument setup tools, reagent design, and quality features need to be addressed to achieve optimal standardization. Furthermore, the aims of different studies vary, and thus, the reasonable requirements for standardization differ. A framework of reference for the reasonable outcomes of different approaches is offered. Finally, it is argued that complete standardization is important not only for the reproducibility of measurements but also for education, for quality assessment and for algorithmic data analysis. The different standardized approaches can and in fact should serve as benchmarking reference tools for the development of future flow cytometry studies. © 2019 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.

• Klíčová slova
• EuroFlow, data analysis, flow cytometry, standardization,
• MeSH
• imunofenotypizace MeSH
• indikátory a reagencie MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• průtoková cytometrie * MeSH
• referenční standardy MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• indikátory a reagencie MeSH

Hippocampal dysfunction is known to be associated with several neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, schizophrenia and depression; therefore, there has been significant clinical interest in studying hippocampal neurochemistry. However, the hippocampus is a challenging region to study using (1) H MRS, hence the use of MRS for clinical research in this region has been limited. Our goal was therefore to investigate the feasibility of obtaining high-quality hippocampal spectra that allow reliable quantification of a neurochemical profile and to establish inter-session reproducibility of hippocampal MRS, including reproducibility of voxel placement, spectral quality and neurochemical concentrations. Ten healthy volunteers were scanned in two consecutive sessions using a standard clinical 3 T MR scanner. Neurochemical profiles were obtained with a short-echo (T(E) = 28 ms) semi-LASER localization sequence from a relatively small (~4 mL) voxel that covered about 62% of the hippocampal volume as calculated from segmentation of T1 -weighted images. Voxel composition was highly reproducible between sessions, with test-retest coefficients of variation (CVs) of 3.5% and 7.5% for gray and white matter volume fraction, respectively. Excellent signal-to-noise ratio (~54 based on the N-acetylaspartate (NAA) methyl peak in non-apodized spectra) and linewidths (~9 Hz for water) were achieved reproducibly in all subjects. The spectral quality allowed quantification of NAA, total choline, total creatine, myo-inositol and glutamate with high scan-rescan reproducibility (CV ≤ 6%) and quantification precision (Cramér-Rao lower bound, CRLB < 9%). Four other metabolites, including glutathione and glucose, were quantified with scan-rescan CV below 20%. Therefore, the highly optimized, short-echo semi-LASER sequence together with FASTMAP shimming substantially improved the reproducibility and number of quantifiable metabolites relative to prior reports. In addition, the between-session variation in metabolite concentrations, as well as CRLB, was lower than the between-subject variation of the concentrations for most metabolites, indicating that the method has the sensitivity to detect inter-individual differences in the healthy brain.

• Klíčová slova
• 3 T, MRS, coefficient of variation, human hippocampus, metabolites, quantification precision, reproducibility, segmentation,
• MeSH
• algoritmy MeSH
• biopolymery metabolismus   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hipokampus anatomie a histologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• molekulární zobrazování metody   MeSH
• protonová magnetická rezonanční spektroskopie metody   MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• senzitivita a specificita MeSH
• studie proveditelnosti MeSH
• tkáňová distribuce MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Názvy látek
• biopolymery MeSH

OBJECTIVE: To determine the reproducibility of parameters estimated by pulse wave analysis (PWA), mainly of central systolic blood pressure in the aorta (CSP), central systolic pressure-time index (CSPTI, area under the systolic part of the curve in the pressure-time graph per minute), and central augmentation index (CAI, pressure peak caused by wave reflection divided by pressure peak caused by ventricular ejection). METHODS: In 88 healthy subjects, aged 19-53 years, radial pulse wave was registered by two investigators on separate visits in a random sequence, twice during each visit RESULTS: Variability within and among subjects was significantly different for peripheral systolic pressure (PSP) and for all the above-mentioned parameters (P < 0.0001 by ANOVA for all). Variability within and between observers was tested by Bland-Altman plots; they did not show any trend for the variability to be dependent on the underlying mean value. PSP, CSP and CSPTI decreased significantly during one visit (by 4.6, 4.7 and 4.2%, respectively), PSP and CSP were higher at the first than at the second visit (by 2.2, 2.2%, respectively, and not significant for CSPTI), and there were also significant interobserver differences in all the three parameters as one observer measured higher values (by 2.4, 3.2 and 6.0%, respectively). CAI did not change within and between visits; the same applied to the difference between PSP and CSP since these pressures always changed in parallel. CONCLUSIONS: PWA gives estimates of several parameters characterizing the pressure load of central circulation and the wave reflection. The reproducibility of CSP and CSPTI is similar to that of PSP. CAI and the difference between PSP and CSP is not influenced by order of measurement, of visit or by investigator. Therefore, CAI is a more stable parameter than PSP measured by an oscillometric device. Since these parameters may contribute to a better assessment of cardiovascular risk, PWA might be used in prospective studies.

• MeSH
• arteria brachialis fyziologie   MeSH
• časové faktory MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hemodynamika fyziologie   MeSH
• interpretace statistických dat MeSH
• krevní tlak fyziologie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• měření krevního tlaku statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• srdeční frekvence fyziologie   MeSH
• stárnutí fyziologie   MeSH
• systola fyziologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• klinické zkoušky MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Biomedicine today is experiencing a shift towards decentralized data collection, which promises enhanced reproducibility and collaboration across diverse laboratory environments. This inter-laboratory study evaluates the performance of biocytometry, a method utilizing engineered bioparticles for enumerating cells based on their surface antigen patterns. In centralized and aggregated inter-lab studies, biocytometry demonstrated significant statistical power in discriminating numbers of target cells at varying concentrations as low as 1 cell per 100,000 background cells. User skill levels varied from expert to beginner capturing a range of proficiencies. Measurement was performed in a decentralized environment without any instrument cross-calibration or advanced user training outside of a basic instruction manual. The results affirm biocytometry to be a viable solution for immunophenotyping applications demanding sensitivity as well as scalability and reproducibility and paves the way for decentralized analysis of rare cells in heterogeneous samples.

• MeSH
• analýza jednotlivých buněk * metody   MeSH
• imunofenotypizace metody   MeSH
• laboratoře normy   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• průtoková cytometrie metody   MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

• Klíčová slova
• acoustic analyses, dysarthria, essential tremor, machine learning, voice tremor,
• MeSH
• esenciální tremor * MeSH
• hlas * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• poruchy hlasu * MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• strojové učení MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• dopisy MeSH
• komentáře MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Microscale thermophoresis (MST), and the closely related Temperature Related Intensity Change (TRIC), are synonyms for a recently developed measurement technique in the field of biophysics to quantify biomolecular interactions, using the (capillary-based) NanoTemper Monolith and (multiwell plate-based) Dianthus instruments. Although this technique has been extensively used within the scientific community due to its low sample consumption, ease of use, and ubiquitous applicability, MST/TRIC has not enjoyed the unambiguous acceptance from biophysicists afforded to other biophysical techniques like isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) or surface plasmon resonance (SPR). This might be attributed to several facts, e.g., that various (not fully understood) effects are contributing to the signal, that the technique is licensed to only a single instrument developer, NanoTemper Technology, and that its reliability and reproducibility have never been tested independently and systematically. Thus, a working group of ARBRE-MOBIEU has set up a benchmark study on MST/TRIC to assess this technique as a method to characterize biomolecular interactions. Here we present the results of this study involving 32 scientific groups within Europe and two groups from the US, carrying out experiments on 40 Monolith instruments, employing a standard operation procedure and centrally prepared samples. A protein-small molecule interaction, a newly developed protein-protein interaction system and a pure dye were used as test systems. We characterized the instrument properties and evaluated instrument performance, reproducibility, the effect of different analysis tools, the influence of the experimenter during data analysis, and thus the overall reliability of this method.

• Klíčová slova
• Benchmark, Interaction, K D, MST, TRIC, Thermophoresis,
• MeSH
• kalorimetrie MeSH
• laboratoře * MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• teplota MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

AIMS: To assess the reproducibility of tissue Doppler myocardial velocities in patients with dilated ventricles and markedly reduced systolic function (ejection fraction <35%). METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-one patients referred for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) were evaluated using tissue Doppler echocardiography. The inter and intra-individual reproducibility of peak systolic myocardial velocities and the intra-ventricular delay in three apical projections was assessed by repeated evaluation of each registered data set. Variability (measured by the coefficient of variation) ranged between 18 and 56% for the peak systolic velocities and between 32 and 117% for the time intervals. CONCLUSION: The reproducibility of the tissue Doppler echocardiography parameters (peak systolic myocardial velocity and intra-ventricular delay) was poor in our set of patients with dilated left ventricles and low ejection fraction. The most probable causes of our poor results are discussed including the missing standardization of the TDI measurements.

• MeSH
• dilatační kardiomyopatie komplikace   patofyziologie   MeSH
• dopplerovská echokardiografie MeSH
• dysfunkce levé srdeční komory diagnostické zobrazování   etiologie   patofyziologie   MeSH
• ischemická choroba srdeční komplikace   patofyziologie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• srdeční arytmie diagnostické zobrazování   etiologie   patofyziologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH