Implementing Self-Collection of Biological Specimens with a Diverse Sample

Patient self-collection of group B streptococcal specimens during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES In the United States, universal screening for group B streptococcal (GBS) colonization is recommended at 35 to 37 weeks' gestation. Previous studies have shown equivalent detection rates for GBS when women receive uniform instruction about specimen collection. It is unclear if these results would hold among patients with limited education given minimal, nonuniform instruction about c...

Biological sample collection and processing for molecular epidemiological studies.

Molecular epidemiology uses biomarkers and advanced technology to refine the investigation of the relationship between environmental exposures and diseases in humans. It requires careful handling and storage of precious biological samples with the goals of obtaining a large amount of information from limited samples, and minimizing future research costs by use of banked samples. Many factors, s...

Specimens from the Hunterian Collection.

Fixation of biological specimens

Fixation is usually the first step to prepare biological specimens for microscopy. Any treatment which will preserve cell structure and its biochemical composition can be deemed to be fixation. Of course, the quality of fixation is the key for all following steps which are necessary in histological research. Hence, preservation of cells with minimal alteration of morphology and virtually no los...

Attitudes of pregnant women towards collection of biological specimens during pregnancy and at birth.

Epidemiological investigations of maternal and child health may involve the collection of biological specimens, including cord blood and the placenta; however, the attitudes of pregnant women towards participation in the collection of biological specimens have been studied rarely. We evaluated attitudes towards collection and storage of biological specimens, and determined whether attitudes dif...