X. Fuentes-Arderiu

Clinical laboratory sciences data transmission : the NPU coding system

In health care services, technology requires that correct information be duly available to professionals, citizens and authorities, worldwide. Thus, clinical laboratory sciences require standardized electronic exchanges for results of laboratory examinations. The NPU (Nomenclature, Properties and Units) coding system provides a terminology for identification of result values (property values). It is structured according to BIPM, ISO, IUPAC and IFCC recommendations. It uses standard terms for established concepts and structured definitions describing: which part of the universe is examined, which component of relevance in that part, which kind-of-property is relevant. Unit and specifications can be added where relevant [System(spec)-Component(spec); kind-of-property(spec) = ? unit]. The English version of this terminology is freely accessible at http://dior.imt.liu.se/cnpu/ and http://www.labterm.dk, directly or through the IFCC and IUPAC websites. It has been nationally used for more than 10 years in Denmark and Sweden and has been translated into 6 other languages. The NPU coding system provides a terminology for dedicated kinds-of-property following the international recommendations. It fits well in the health network and is freely accessible. Clinical laboratory professionals worldwide will find many advantages in using the NPU coding system, notably with regards to an accreditation process.

Properties and units in the clinical laboratory sciences. Part XVIII. Properties and units in clinical molecular biology (IUPAC Technical Report)

This document describes the introduction of the concept of property in the field of molecular biology for the presentation of results of clinical laboratory investigations of genes and mutations. It follows the IUPAC–IFCC systematic rules and attempts to create a common base for communication between the clinical laboratory sciences, the medical practitioner, and the molecular biology areas of knowledge. Because of the plethora of possible structural variations in the outcome of analysis, the designation of components is restricted to the symbols of genes as identified by the Human Genome Nomenclature Database (HUGO). The listing of properties having DNA as system comprises all symbols in the HUGO database except for symbols related to mitochondrial genes, while properties having RNA as system are included only when known to be in actual use. The detailed and accurate presentation of results is made by the laboratory performing the study, and it is recommended that the explicit guidelines given by Antonarakis and den Dunnen be adhered to. For electronic communication, a code (NPU) is allocated to each property identified. The complete list of properties, which is an integral part of this report, can be accessed at .

Analytical goals for rectilinear calibration functions

Analytical goals for rectilinearity based on within-subject biological variation have not yet been advocated. On the other hand, the statistical tests to evaluate rectilinearity may be too restrictive for clinical purposes. If rectilinearity of the least-squares regression is rejected by the statistical test used, we propose to compare the systematic error introduced using such a regression line as the calibration function, with the allowable total error. Since total error ideally should be less than the within-subject biological coefficient of variation (C.V.Bw) the goal for rectilinearity we propose is that the maximum allowable systematic relative error produced by the calibration function (LoRi) when a lack of rectilinearity really occurs is: LoRi < C.V.Bw -1.96 C.V.M, where C.V.M is the between-run metrological coefficient of variation of the measurement procedure, corresponding to the value of concentration under study.

International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry Clinical Chemistry Division, Commission on Toxicology (C-TOX)1, Commission on Nomenclature, Properties and Units (C-NPU)2 and International Federation of Clinical Chemistry, Scientific Division Committee on Nomenclature, Properties and Units (C-NPU)2: Properties and Units in the Clinical Laboratory Sciences IX. Properties and Units in Trace Elements (IUPAC-IFCC Technical report 1997)

This document is the first recommendation on the presentation of trace elements and their values in clinical laboratory sciences from IFCC and IUPAC. It forms part of the ongoing effort to standardize requests and reporting of laboratory data for transmission across cultural and linguistic domains, without attempting to standardize the language used by clinicians and laboratory practitioners. Subsequent documents deal with syntax, kinds-of-property, and properties and units used in other areas of clinical laboratory sciences.

Properties and units in the clinical laboratory sciences part XXIV. Properties and units in clinical molecular genetics (IUPAC Technical Report)

Abstract This document describes the application of the syntax, semantic rules, and format of the Nomenclature for Properties and Units (NPU) terminology for coded dedicated kinds-of-property in the subject field of clinical molecular genetics. A vocabulary for NPU definitions in this field, based on international terminology and nomenclature, is introduced and examples of actual NPU definitions for different types of investigations are given and explained.

Properties and units in the clinical laboratory sciences part XXIV. Properties and units in clinical molecular genetics (technical report 2017)

This document describes the application of the syntax, semantic rules, and format of the Nomenclature for Properties and Units (NPU) terminology for coded dedicated kinds-of-property in the subject field of clinical molecular genetics. A vocabulary for NPU definitions in this field, based on international terminology and nomenclature, is introduced; examples of actual NPU definitions for different types of investigations are given and explained.