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This page shows you the most recent publications within this specialty of the MedWorm directory. This is page number 23.

Extreme Scale-Down Approaches for Rapid Chromatography Column Design and Scale-Up During Bioprocess Development.
Abstract : Chromatography is a ubiquitous protein purification step owing to its unparalleled ability to recover and purify molecules from highly complex industrial feedstocks. Traditionally, column development has been driven by a combination of prior experience and empirical studies in order to make the best choices for design variables. Economic constraints now demand that companies engage with a more systematic exploration of a chromatographic design space. To deliver this capability using purely conventional laboratory columns, however, would require considerable resources to identify practic...
Source: Advances in Biochemical Engineering Biotechnology - December 20, 2012 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Chhatre S Tags: Adv Biochem Eng Biotechnol Source Type: research

Emerging pathogenic mechanisms in human myxomatous mitral valve: lessons from past and novel data.
CONCLUSION: Understanding cellular alterations and molecular mechanisms involved in myxomatous mitral valve should help at identifying relevant targets for future effective pharmacological therapy to prevent or reduce its progression. PMID: 23261354 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Physiological Research - December 20, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: Hulin A, Deroanne C, Lambert C, Defraigne JO, Nusgens B, Radermecker M, Colige A Tags: Cardiovasc Pathol Source Type: research

Patient Safety & Post-analytical Error
Post-analytical laboratory processes have been considered to be less prone to error than preanalytical processes because of the widespread adoption of laboratory automation and interfaced laboratory reporting. Quality monitors and controls for the post-analytical process have focused on critical result notification, meeting established turnaround time goals, and review of changed reports. The rapid increase in the adoption of electronic health records has created a new role for laboratory professionals in the management of patient test results. Laboratory professionals must interface with the clinical side of the health ca...
Source: Clinics in Laboratory Medicine - December 20, 2012 Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: Stacy E. Walz, Teresa P. Darcy Source Type: research

Patient Data Algorithms
As the clinical laboratory attempts to manage and mitigate risk, individual patient results can be a useful complement to routine quality-control materials. Patient results can be used to detect error or identify potential testing complications at all phases of the total testing process. Patient-specific data algorithms include delta checks, tests to verify specimen or tube type, absurdity checks, and result-based reporting. Delta checks are highlighted because they can uniquely point to issues all along the testing cycle, from preanalytical to postanalytical concerns. When used properly, patient results can work to minimi...
Source: Clinics in Laboratory Medicine - December 20, 2012 Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: Joely A. Straseski, Frederick G. Strathmann Source Type: research

Patient Population Controls
Quality control (QC) procedures incorporating patient means, or average of normals (AoN) algorithms, have been used in hematology laboratories and large reference laboratories for decades to monitor analytical processes during the periods between the testing of reference sample QC materials. With the advent of middleware that includes AoN capability, these QC procedures are now available to many more laboratories, including medium-sized hospital laboratories. AoN procedures can improve the control of tests that have low “sigma-metrics,” such as electrolytes, where relatively low numbers of patient results can be averag...
Source: Clinics in Laboratory Medicine - December 20, 2012 Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: R. Neill Carey Source Type: research

Accuracy Controls: Assessing Trueness (Bias)
Testing quality control samples is routine in the clinical laboratory but typically these are precision controls that monitor only the reproducibility (random error) of an assay and not trueness/bias (systematic error). To assess bias, accuracy controls that address both systematic error (trueness) and random error (precision) are needed. A properly prepared trueness control can be used to assess both bias and precision, as accuracy is defined by both random and systematic error. Providers of reference materials, such as metrology institutes and manufacturers are best suited to provide accuracy controls.
Source: Clinics in Laboratory Medicine - December 20, 2012 Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: David Armbruster Source Type: research

Statistical Quality Control Procedures
The right quality control (QC) should ensure the detection of important errors. Statistical QC (SQC) should be included in all QC plans. The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) C24A3 provides guidance for the application of SQC in medical laboratories. It describes a QC planning process and provides an SQC selection tool that relates the sigma-metric of a testing process to the medically important systematic error and the rejection characteristics of different SQC procedures. Once the right SQC has been selected, the laboratory must implement SQC right. CLSI C24A3 also provides guidance for establishing run ...
Source: Clinics in Laboratory Medicine - December 20, 2012 Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: James O. Westgard Source Type: research

Integrated Quality Control: Implementation and Validation of Instrument Function Checks and Procedural Controls for a Cartridge-Based Point-of-Care System for Critical Care Analysis
In this article, the process used to develop and validate an integrated quality-control system for a cartridge-based, point-of-care system for critical care analysis is outlined. Application of risk management principles has resulted in a quality control system using a combination of statistical quality control with onboard reference solutions and failure pattern recognition used to flag common failure modes during the analytical phase of the testing process. A combination of traditional external quality control, integrated quality control to monitor ongoing instrument functionality, operator training, and other laboratory...
Source: Clinics in Laboratory Medicine - December 20, 2012 Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: Paul D’Orazio, Sohrab Mansouri Source Type: research

Validating the Performance of QC Procedures
A methodology for computing the maximum expected number of unreliable patient results produced because of an out-of-control condition for a given quality control strategy is presented along with strategies for changing the expected number of unreliable results produced and reported. The expected number of unreliable patient results reported before and after the last accepted quality control evaluation before the detection of an out-of-control condition are discussed and used as design criteria for quality control strategies that meet a laboratory’s risk criteria.
Source: Clinics in Laboratory Medicine - December 20, 2012 Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: John Yundt-Pacheco, Curtis A. Parvin Source Type: research

Analytical Performance Specifications: Relating Laboratory Performance to Quality Required for Intended Clinical Use
This article proposes analytic performance goals for five quality indicators: precision, trueness, linearity, detection limits, and consistency across instruments and time. We defined our goals using methods linked to clinical practice data. Goals for desirable precision and trueness are based on biological variation. Linearity goals are related to total error recommendations. Detection limit goals are derived from 0.1 percentile of patient values. Goals for consistency are derived from the variability of distributions of patient test values. Data were collected and evaluated for each of these quality indicators for 46 che...
Source: Clinics in Laboratory Medicine - December 20, 2012 Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: Daniel A. Dalenberg, Patricia G. Schryver, George G. Klee Source Type: research

Prioritizing Risk Analysis Quality Control Plans Based on Sigma-metrics
Six Sigma provides data-driven techniques that can enhance and improve the EP23 risk management approach for formulating quality control (QC) Plans. Risk analysis has significant drawbacks in its ability to identify and appropriately prioritize hazards and failure modes for mitigation of risks. Six Sigma quality management is inherently risk oriented on the basis of the required tolerance limits that define defective products. Six Sigma QC tools provide a quantitative assessment of method performance and an objective selection/design of statistical QC procedures. Furthermore, the observed sigma performance of a method is u...
Source: Clinics in Laboratory Medicine - December 20, 2012 Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: Sten Westgard Source Type: research

Satisfying Regulatory and Accreditation Requirements for Quality Control
The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) requires all US clinical laboratories that test “materials derived from the human body for the purpose of providing information for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of any disease…” to be regulated. The CLIA mandates are site neutral; based on test complexity; and focus on the three phases of the testing process (preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical). Many testing sites choose to meet the CLIA requirements by following the testing standards of a professional accreditation organization deemed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services...
Source: Clinics in Laboratory Medicine - December 20, 2012 Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: Sharon S. Ehrmeyer Source Type: research

Perspectives on Quality Control, Risk Management, and Analytical Quality Management
Quality control (QC) practices are changing in US laboratories as Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services adopts individualized QC plans as a new option for compliance with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments regulations. The Joint Commission provides general guidance for applying risk management in health care organizations. The EP23A (Evaluation Protocol 23A) document from the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute provides specific guidance on the use of risk management for developing analytical QC plans. Medical laboratories should integrate risk management tools with existing quality management tech...
Source: Clinics in Laboratory Medicine - December 20, 2012 Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: James O. Westgard Source Type: research

Preface
This issue of Clinics in Laboratory Medicine, with a focus on “Quality Control (QC) Clinic,” addresses changes that are occurring in QC in medical laboratories. In 2012, a new option for satisfying the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) requirements for QC was endorsed by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This option follows a new Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guideline EP23A, “Laboratory Quality Control Based on Risk Management,” that was published in late 2011. CLSI EP23A describes a methodology to identify failure modes, assess their risks, and develop a QC pla...
Source: Clinics in Laboratory Medicine - December 20, 2012 Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: James O. Westgard, Sten Westgard Source Type: research

Using photography in 'The Restaurant of the Future'. A useful way to assess portion selection and plate cleaning?
In this study, we scrutinised cafeteria-style meals in the 'Restaurant of the Future.' Self-selected meals were weighed and photographed, both before and after consumption. Using standard portions of the same foods, these images were independently coded to produce accurate and reliable estimates of (i) initial self-served portions, and (ii) food remaining at the end of the meal. Plate cleaning was extremely common; in 86% of meals at least 90% of self-selected calories were consumed. Males ate a greater proportion of their self-selected meals than did females. Finally, when participants visited the restaurant more than onc...
Source: Appetite - December 20, 2012 Category: Nutrition Authors: Hinton EC, Brunstrom JM, Fay SH, Wilkinson LL, Ferriday D, Rogers PJ, de Wijk R Tags: Appetite Source Type: research

Strontium Substitution for Calcium in Lithogenesis
Conclusions: Advanced x-ray fluorescence imaging identified strontium in all calcium based stones, present as strontium apatite. This finding may be critical since apatite is thought to be the initial nidus for calcium stone formation. Strontium is not identified by standard laboratory stone analyses. Its substitution for calcium can be reliably identified in stones from multiple calcium based stone formers, which may offer opportunities to gain insight into early events in lithogenesis.
Source: The Journal of Urology - December 20, 2012 Category: Urology & Nephrology Authors: Sarah D. Blaschko, Thomas Chi, Joe Miller, Lawrence Flechner, Sirine Fakra, Pankaj Kapahi, Arnold Kahn, Marshall L. Stoller Tags: Investigative Urology Source Type: research

Ectyoplasia ferox, an Experimentally Tractable Model for Vertical Microbial Transmission in Marine Sponges.
Abstract The oviparous sponge Ectyoplasia ferox is commonly found in Florida and the Bahamas. Every year in August and/or September about 6 days after a full moon, E. ferox will shed embryo-containing spawning material into the seawater from which hundreds to thousands of larvae will hatch per host individual. In order to investigate vertical microbial transmission in E. ferox, 16S rRNA gene library construction and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis was employed. Microbial symbionts from six phyla and the unknown lineage SAUL were shown to be vertically transmitted. The identification of 21 VT clusters, of w...
Source: Microbial Ecology - December 20, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Gloeckner V, Lindquist N, Schmitt S, Hentschel U Tags: Microb Ecol Source Type: research

Pasteurization of Mother's Own Milk for Preterm Infants Does Not Reduce the Incidence of Late-Onset Sepsis.
Conclusion: For preterm infants, pasteurization of mother's own milk shows a trend towards an increase in infectious morbidity, although no statistical significance was reached. Practices should focus on collection, storage and labeling procedures to ensure the safety and quality of expressed milk. PMID: 23258423 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Neonatology - December 20, 2012 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Cossey V, Vanhole C, Eerdekens A, Rayyan M, Fieuws S, Schuermans A Tags: Neonatology Source Type: research

S100B Urine Concentrations in Late Preterm Infants are Gestational Age and Gender Dependent.
CONCLUSIONS: S100B in LP infants is gestational age and gender dependent. The present reference curve, for S100B in LP period, offers additional support to protein's neurotrophic role and suggests that gestational age and gender has to be taken into the due account, whenever S100B is measured, in order to avoid bias factors. PMID: 23262371 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: International Journal of Clinical Chemistry - December 20, 2012 Category: Chemistry Authors: Sannia A, Risso FM, Zimmermann LJ, Gavilanes AW, Vles HJ, Gazzolo D Tags: Clin Chim Acta Source Type: research

Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of formaldehyde free preservatives.
In this study, we evaluated the free formaldehyde concentrations of these reagents by carbon-13 ((13)C) NMR spectroscopic analysis. Chemically non-invasive NMR analysis is more reliable than the traditional derivatization based techniques in formaldehyde detection. (13)C NMR technique can be used for quantitative measurement by using (13)C NMR-relaxation agents. In this manuscript, we report an optimized NMR analysis method using Gadolinium diethylenetriaminepentaacetate. Additionally the data reported herein provide spectral analyses that indicate Streck Cell Preservative and Cell-Free DNA BCT reagents do not contain dete...
Source: Acta Histochemica - December 20, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Das K, Dumais J, Basiaga S, Krzyzanowski GD Tags: Acta Histochem Source Type: research

Mycophenolate mofetil-induced erythroid hypoplasia in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.
We describe the case of a 19-year-old girl, who presented acutely with SLE and renal involvement. Her disease was controlled with immunosuppression but she later developed severe transfusion-dependent anaemia. Several causes were considered before a bone marrow biopsy led to the diagnosis of erythroid hypoplasia. In the absence of clinical or laboratory markers of active lupus, MMF was implicated as the cause. Its discontinuation led to a rapid and sustained correction of the anaemia. Red cell aplasia linked to the use of MMF is uncommon and the manufacturers are aware of fewer than 50 cases. This is the first case report ...
Source: Lupus - December 20, 2012 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Doherty T, Austin S, Newell B, Kiely P Tags: Lupus Source Type: research

Coronavirus infections in hospitalized pediatric patients with acute respiratory tract disease
Conclusion: The results of our study show that HCoV are frequently detected human pathogens, often associated with other respiratory viruses and acute respiratory tract infections in hospitalized children. An association between age and the viral load was found. The highest viral load was detected in children approximately 10 months of age.
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - December 20, 2012 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Monika Jev¿nikTina Ur¿i¿Nina ¿igonLara LusaUro¿ KrivecMiroslav Petrovec Source Type: research

The effect of oral‐like environment on dental implants’ fatigue performance
ConclusionsThe results of this study show that environmental conditions adversely affect implants' fatigue performance. This fact should be taken into account when evaluating the mechanical properties of dental implants.
Source: Clinical Oral Implants Research - December 20, 2012 Category: Dentistry Authors: Keren Shemtov‐Yona, Daniel Rittel, Liran Levin, Eli E. Machtei Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Carcinogenic viruses and solid cancers without sufficient evidence of causal association
Abstract Viral infections are important risk factors for tumor development in humans. Selected types of cancers, either lymphomas or carcinomas, for which there is sufficient evidence in humans of a causal association with specific viruses, have been identified. Experimental and clinical data on the possible association of other tumor types and carcinogenic viruses are presently controversial. In this article, we review the current evidence on the relationship between breast, colorectal and lung cancers and carcinogenic viruses. The majority of the publications reviewed do not provide definitive evidence that the viruses s...
Source: International Journal of Cancer - December 20, 2012 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Paolo De Paoli, Antonino Carbone Tags: Mini Review Source Type: research

Effect of Chitosan Nanoparticles and Pectin Content on Mechanical Properties and Water Vapor Permeability of Banana Puree Films
Abstract: Puree prepared from over‐ripe peeled bananas was used as raw material for films processing in a laboratory padder. Pectin and glycerol as plasticizer were added in small concentrations and chitosan nanoparticles (88.79 ± 0.42 nm medium size) incorporated at 0.2% (dry weight basis) as reinforcement material. The mechanical properties, water vapor transmission, thermal stability, and scanning electron microscopy of fractured film surfaces were characterized. Both pectin and glycerol demonstrated an important role in promoting elongation and film handability as was expected. The incorporation of nanoparticles ...
Source: Journal of Food Science - December 20, 2012 Category: Food Science Authors: Milena R. Martelli, Taís T. Barros, Márcia R. de Moura, Luiz H. C. Mattoso, Odilio B. G. Assis Source Type: research

ADAM: automated data management for research datasets
We present a storage system for heterogeneous research data that performs dynamic automated indexing to provide powerful search, discovery and collaboration features without the restrictions of a structured repository. ADAM is able to index many commonly used file formats generated by laboratory assays and therefore offers specific advantages to the experimental biology community. However, it is not domain specific and can promote sharing and re-use of working data across scientific disciplines. Availability and implementation: ADAM is implemented using Java and supported on Linux. It is open source under the GNU General P...
Source: Bioinformatics - December 20, 2012 Category: Bioinformatics Authors: Woodbridge, M., Tomlinson, C. D., Butcher, S. A. Tags: DATABASES AND ONTOLOGIES Source Type: research

In‐a‐dish: Induced pluripotent stem cells as a novel model for human diseases
Abstract Human pluripotent stem cells bring promise in regenerative medicine due to their self‐renewing ability and the potential to become any cell type in the body. Moreover, pluripotent stem cells can produce specialized cell types that are affected in certain diseases, generating a new way to study cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the disease pathology under the controlled conditions of a scientific laboratory. Thus, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) are already being used to gain insights into the biological mechanisms of several human disorders. Here we review the use of iPSC as a novel tool for di...
Source: Cytometry Part A - December 20, 2012 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: P. C. B. Beltrão‐Braga, G. C. Pignatari, F. B. Russo, I. R. Fernandes, A. R. Muotri Tags: Review Article Source Type: research

The structure of the deacetylase domain of Escherichia coli PgaB, an enzyme required for biofilm formation: a circularly permuted member of the carbohydrate esterase 4 family
Bacterial biofilm formation is an extremely widespread phenomenon involving the secretion of a protective exopolysaccharide matrix which helps the bacteria to attach to surfaces and to overcome a variety of stresses in different environments. This matrix may also include proteins, lipids, DNA and metal ions. Its composition depends on the bacterial species and growth conditions, but one of the most widely found components is polymeric β-1,6-N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (PGA). Several studies have suggested that PGA is an essential component of biofilm and it is produced by numerous bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Staphylo...
Source: Acta Crystallographica Section D - December 20, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Nishiyama, T.Noguchi, H.Yoshida, H.Park, S.-Y.Tame, J.R.H. Tags: biofilms PgaB research papers Source Type: research

Relationship of Self‐Reported and Acute Stress to Smoking in Emerging Adult Smokers
ConclusionsThese preliminary findings suggest that daily stress or responses to acute social stress are not strong predictors of progression in emerging adult smokers.
Source: Journal of Clinical Psychology - December 20, 2012 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Megan Conrad, Margaret Wardle, Andrea King, Harriet de Wit Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Effect of the bacterium Serratia marcescens SCBI on the longevity and reproduction of the nematode Caenorhabditis briggsae KT0001
Conclusion: S. marcescens SCBI is not highly pathogenic to C. briggsae KT0001 indicating that the entomopathogenicity reported for this association may be beneficial for both the nematode and bacteria. In light of the fact that hitherto conducted experimental tests conform to widely held view that Serratia are highly pathogenic to Caenorhabditis, the absence of a high fitness cost for C. briggsae we report here may indicate that this entomopathogenic association is non-transient suggesting nematode/bacterial associations in the wild may vary greatly. Consequently, broad generalizations about nematode/bacterial associations...
Source: BioMed Central - December 20, 2012 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Jeremiah D LancasterBudour MohammadEyualem Abebe Source Type: research

Occurrence of AH1N1 viral infection and clinical features in symptomatic patients who received medical care during the 2009 influenza pandemic in Central Mexico
Conclusion: This study identified various signs and symptoms for the clinical diagnosis of AH1N1 influenza and revealed that some of them can be age-specific.
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - December 20, 2012 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Juan Castillo-PalenciaLucie LaflammeJoel Monárrez-Espino Source Type: research

Removing biofilm from a endoscopic: evaluation of disinfection methods currently used
Estudo experimental laboratorial que comparou a ação de cinco métodos de desinfecção na remoção de biofilme em endoscópios gastrintestinais. Foram utilizados como corpos de prova tubos novos transparentes de politetrafluoretileno (Teflon®) simulando os canais flexíveis dos endoscópios. Após limpeza prévia os tubos foram contaminados intencionalmente com Pseudomonas aeruginosa para formação de biofilme e submetidos à desinfecção. Como resultado, nenhum deles removeu 100% dos biofilmes. O que mais removeu fisicamente o biofilme foi o glutaraldeído 2% em processadora automática, provavelmente justificado p...
Source: Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP - December 19, 2012 Category: Nursing Source Type: research

The complementary use of electron backscatter diffraction and ion channelling imaging for the characterization of nanotwins
Summary On the example of electrodeposited nickel films, it is shown that unique information on twins with dimensions on the nanoscale can be obtained by suitable combination of ion channelling imaging and electron backscatter diffraction analysis, whereas both (routine) single techniques cannot meet the requirements for analysis of these films. High‐resolution electron backscatter diffraction is inadequate for full characterization of nanotwins, but image quality maps obtained from electron backscatter diffraction at least yield a qualitative estimation of the location and number of nanotwins. Complementing this informa...
Source: Journal of Microscopy - December 19, 2012 Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: H. ALIMADADI, A.B. FANTA, K. PANTLEON Source Type: research

Clinical Scoring Tools: Which Is Best to Predict Clinical Response and Long-Term Outcomes?
This article reviews the most relevant clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with CAP and outlines the role of these scores as tools to help physicians predict these outcomes.
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - December 19, 2012 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Timothy Wiemken, Robert Kelley, Julio Ramirez Source Type: research

SURVIVAL OF LARVAL AND CYST STAGES OF GORDIIDS (NEMATOMORPHA) AFTER EXPOSURE TO FREEZING.
Abstract Abstract Hairworms infect terrestrial arthropods and are 1 of the most understudied groups of parasites. Recently, life-cycles of 2 gordiids (Paragordius varius and Paragordius obamai) have been domesticated in the laboratory. However, one problem in culturing gordiids in the laboratory is the amount of time needed to rear and maintain multiple species of hosts for infections. A solution is to develop techniques to suspend gordiid life-cycle stages until colonies of the appropriate hosts are available for infections. We tested the viability of laboratory reared and post- frozen larval and cyst stages of t...
Source: The Journal of Parasitology - December 19, 2012 Category: Parasitology Authors: Bolek MG, Rogers E, Szmygiel C, Shannon R, Doerfert-Schrader W, Schmidt-Rhaesa A, Hanelt B Tags: J Parasitol Source Type: research

[Atypical presentation of Klinefelter syndrome.]
We report two cases of SK. The first patient is a 2-year-old boy with short stature who received growth hormone therapy. Because of non-progressive puberty, an evaluation of the reproductive axis was performed, showing increased basal gonadotropins. The karyotype (48 XXYY) confirmed the presence of KS. The second patient is an 8 year-old boy in whom peripheral precocious puberty was suspected. Laboratory tests showed high chorionic gonadotropin levels, and a chest CT scan revealed a mediastinal mass. The karyotype in peripheral blood disclosed a 48 XXYY formula (KS).Short stature does not exclude SK. In patients with a med...
Source: Anales de Pediatria - December 19, 2012 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Sanz Marcos N, Turón Viñas A, Ibáñez Toda L Tags: An Pediatr (Barc) Source Type: research

Effects of a low glycemic load or a low-fat dietary intervention on body weight in obese Hispanic American children and adolescents: a randomized controlled trial.
CONCLUSIONS: We showed no evidence that an LGD and an LFD differ in efficacy for the reduction of BMI or aspects of metabolic syndrome in obese Hispanic youth. Both diets decreased the BMI z score when prescribed in the context of a culturally adapted, comprehensive weight-reduction program. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01068197. PMID: 23255569 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition - December 19, 2012 Category: Nutrition Authors: Mirza NM, Palmer MG, Sinclair KB, McCarter R, He J, Ebbeling CB, Ludwig DS, Yanovski JA Tags: Am J Clin Nutr Source Type: research

Gene transfer for congestive heart failure: update 2013.
Abstract Congestive heart failure is a major cause of morbidity and mortality with increasing social and economic costs. There have been no new high impact therapeutic agents for this devastating disease for more than a decade. However, many pivotal regulators of cardiac function have been identified using cardiac-directed transgene expression and gene deletion in preclinical studies. Some of these increase function of the failing heart. Altering the expression of these pivotal regulators using gene transfer is now either being tested in clinical gene transfer trials, or soon will be. In this review, we summarize r...
Source: Translational Research : the journal of laboratory and clinical medicine - December 19, 2012 Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: Tang T, Hammond HK Tags: Transl Res Source Type: research

Urinary steroid profiling in the diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia and disorders of sex development: Experience of a urinary steroid referral centre in Hong Kong.
CONCLUSIONS: 21-hydroxylase deficiency is the most common form of CAH while 5α-reductase 2 deficiency is the most common cause of 46,XY DSD in our population. USP is a useful tool in the investigation and diagnosis of CAH and DSD due to different steroidogenesis defects and should be included as a first-line endocrine investigation in this group of patients. PMID: 23261836 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Clinical Biochemistry - December 19, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Chan AO, Shek CC Tags: Clin Biochem Source Type: research

Quantitative assessment of anthrax vaccine immunogenicity using the dried blood spot matrix.
Abstract The collection, processing and transportation to a testing laboratory of large numbers of clinical samples during an emergency response situation present significant cost and logistical issues. Blood and serum are common clinical samples for diagnosis of disease. Serum preparation requires significant on-site equipment and facilities for immediate processing and cold storage, and significant costs for cold-chain transport to testing facilities. The dried blood spot (DBS) matrix offers an alternative to serum for rapid and efficient sample collection with fewer on-site equipment requirements and considerabl...
Source: Biologicals : Journal of the International Association of Biological Standardization - December 19, 2012 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Schiffer JM, Maniatis P, Garza I, Steward-Clark E, Korman LT, Pittman PR, Mei JV, Quinn CP Tags: Biologicals Source Type: research

Research Commentary: Association of Zoonotic Pathogens with Fresh, Estuarine, and Marine Macroaggregates.
In this study, laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate whether zoonotic pathogens (Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Salmonella) and a virus surrogate (PP7) are associated with aquatic macroaggregates and whether pathogen aggregation is enhanced in saline waters. Targeted microorganisms showed increased association with macroaggregates in estuarine and marine waters, as compared with an ultrapure water control and natural freshwater. Enrichment factor estimations demonstrated that pathogens are 2-4 orders of magnitude more concentrated in aggregates than in the estuarine and marine water surrounding the aggregates. Patho...
Source: Microbial Ecology - December 19, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Shapiro K, Miller WA, Silver MW, Odagiri M, Largier JL, Conrad PA, Mazet JA Tags: Microb Ecol Source Type: research

Plant secondary metabolite-induced shifts in bacterial community structure and degradative ability in contaminated soil.
Abstract The aim of the study was to investigate how selected natural compounds (naringin, caffeic acid, and limonene) induce shifts in both bacterial community structure and degradative activity in long-term polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated soil and how these changes correlate with changes in chlorobiphenyl degradation capacity. In order to address this issue, we have integrated analytical methods of determining PCB degradation with pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene tag-encoded amplicons and DNA-stable isotope probing (SIP). Our model system was set in laboratory microcosms with PCB-contaminated soil, whi...
Source: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - December 19, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Uhlik O, Musilova L, Ridl J, Hroudova M, Vlcek C, Koubek J, Holeckova M, Mackova M, Macek T Tags: Appl Microbiol Biotechnol Source Type: research

Methylated Trivalent Arsenicals are Potent Inhibitors of Glucose Stimulated Insulin Secretion by Murine Pancreatic Islets.
Abstract Epidemiologic evidence has linked chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs) with an increased prevalence of diabetes mellitus. Laboratory studies have identified several mechanisms by which iAs can impair glucose homeostasis. We have previously shown that micromolar concentrations of arsenite (iAs(III)) or its methylated trivalent metabolites, methylarsonite (MAs(III)) and dimethylarsinite (DMAs(III)), inhibit the insulin-activated signal transduction pathway, resulting in insulin resistance in adipocytes. Our present study examined effects of the trivalent arsenicals on insulin secretion by intact pancr...
Source: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology - December 19, 2012 Category: Toxicology Authors: Douillet C, Currier J, Saunders J, Bodnar WM, Matoušek T, Stýblo M Tags: Toxicol Appl Pharmacol Source Type: research

A review of the ecological effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF).
CONCLUSIONS: In about two third of the reviewed studies ecological effects of RF-EMF was reported at high as well as at low dosages. The very low dosages are compatible with real field situations, and could be found under environmental conditions. However, a lack of standardisation and a limited number of observations limit the possibility of generalising results from an organism to an ecosystem level. We propose in future studies to conduct more repetitions of observations and explicitly use the available standards for reporting RF-EMF relevant physical parameters in both laboratory and field studies. PMID: 23261519 [...
Source: Environment International - December 19, 2012 Category: Environmental Health Authors: Cucurachi S, Tamis WL, Vijver MG, Peijnenburg WJ, Bolte JF, de Snoo GR Tags: Environ Int Source Type: research

Specific infections as the etiology of destructive periodontal disease: a systematic review
Destructive periodontal disease has been primarily defined and investigated as an infectious disease. The aim of this study was to systematically search for cohort studies where microbiological diagnoses were performed before the onset of destructive periodontal disease and where statistically significant associations were identified. A search was executed in PubMed. The results showed that three studies published after 2005 supported the infection hypothesis for one putative periodontal pathogen: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. These three studies were conducted in predominantly non‐Caucasian pediatric population...
Source: European Journal of Oral Sciences - December 19, 2012 Category: Dentistry Authors: Philippe Hujoel, Lívia Zina, Joana Cunha‐Cruz, Rodrigo López Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Mortality predictions on admission as a context for organizing care activities
CONCLUSIONS:The probability of 30‐day mortality provides health systems with an array of prognostic information that may provide a common reference point for organizing the clinical activities of the many health professionals involved in the care of the patient. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012; © 2012 Society of Hospital Medicine
Source: Journal of Hospital Medicine - December 19, 2012 Category: Hospital Management Authors: Mark E. Cowen, Robert L. Strawderman, Jennifer L. Czerwinski, Mary Jo Smith, Lakshmi K. Halasyamani Tags: Original Research Source Type: research

MR elastography of healthy liver parenchyma: Normal value and reliability of the liver stiffness value measurement
Conclusion:The mean liver stiffness values in living donors ranged from 2.05 to 2.12 kilopascals and did not differ significantly for either gender or age. The 1cm‐S and 70% S methods were significantly more reliable compared with the 2cm‐per‐slice method. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Source: Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging - December 19, 2012 Category: Radiology Authors: Dong Ho Lee, Jeong Min Lee, Joon Koo Han, Byung Ihn Choi Tags: Technical Note Source Type: research

Evaluation of Circuit and AV Fistula Clotting and Detection of Anti-PF4/Heparin Complex Antibodies in Hemodialysis Patients Suspected of Having Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
In conclusion, while HD patients showed a drop of ≤150 x 109/L or ≥30% on days 7 to 30, unexpected clotting in the circuit and/or AVF thrombosis was considered as a sign of HIT development.
Source: Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis - December 19, 2012 Category: Hematology Authors: Matsuo, T., Wanaka, K., Walenga, J. M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Antiplatelet Therapy: Aspirin Resistance and All That Jazz!
Platelets play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and stroke. Aspirin used alone or in combination with other antiplatelet drugs has been shown to offer significant benefit to patients at high risk of vascular events. Resistance to the action of aspirin may decrease this benefit. Aspirin resistance has been defined by clinical and/or laboratory criteria; however, detection by laboratory methods prior to experiencing a clinical event will likely provide the greatest opportunity for intervention. Numerous laboratory methods with different cutoff points have been used to evaluate the resistance...
Source: Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis - December 19, 2012 Category: Hematology Authors: Divani, A. A., Zantek, N. D., Borhani-Haghighi, A., Rao, G. H. R. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Efficacy of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder previously treated with amphetamines: analyses from a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled titration study
Conclusion: In these post hoc analyses, adults with significant baseline ADHD symptoms despite adequate AMPH treatment dose showed similar improvements in ADHD symptoms with LDX treatment as the overall study population. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings. The safety profile of LDX in the overall study population was consistent with long-acting psychostimulant use.Trial Registry: Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of NRP104 in Adults With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00334880
Source: BMC Clinical Pharmacology - December 19, 2012 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Thomas BabcockBryan DirksBen AdeyiBrian Scheckner Source Type: research