MedWorm: Laboratory Medicine Top 20

Perspectives on Targeted Therapies for Treatment of Human Cancers: Predictors of Response to Targeted Therapies for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors.

Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions.-In gastrointestinal stromal tumors, the strongest predictor of response to targeted therapies is the mutational status of KIT or PDGFRA. Patients whose tumors harbor a KIT exon 11 mutation benefit the most from imatinib mesylate therapy, in terms of response rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival. Conversely, tumors without detectable mutations in either gene ("wild-type" gastrointestinal stromal tumors) are generally not responsive to imatinib mesylate. PMID: 22229850 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine)

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Mild hypothermia reduces ventilator-induced lung injury, irrespective of reducing respiratory rate.

Translational Research : the journal of laboratory and clinical medicine — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:36:51 +0100

In conclusion, hypothermia protected from lung injury in a physiologic VILI model by reducing inflammation. Decreasing the respiratory rate mildly did not enhance protection. PMID: 22243795 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Translational Research : the journal of laboratory and clinical medicine)

Evaluating the Value of uPAR of Serum and Tissue on Patients With Cervical Cancer

Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We investigated the relationship between the urokinase type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) in sera and tissues of patients with cervical cancer and the clinical and pathological features of the cancer. Immunohistochemistry (SABC method) was used to detect uPAR expression in cervical cancer and normal tissues; ELISA was employed to assay the uPAR levels in cervical cancer and normal tissues and the corresponding sera. The immunohistochemistry results showed that there were 37 cases of uPAR expression in 56 patients of cervical cancer with a positive expression rate of 66%, whereas there was no uPAR expression in normal cervical tissues. The uPAR levels in cancer tissue from patients with cervical cancer (70.92 ± 28.55 ng/100 mg protein) were significantly higher than those of adjace...

Predictors of Response to Targeted Therapy in Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion.-Emerging evidence shows promise that biomarkers will be useful for predicting an individual patient's response to targeted therapy, leading to a more personalized approach to treating renal cell carcinoma. PMID: 22229848 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine)

Sox4 functions as a positive regulator of β-catenin signaling through upregulation of TCF4 during morular differentiation of endometrial carcinomas

Laboratory Investigation AOP — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Sox4 functions as a positive regulator of β-catenin signaling through upregulation of TCF4 during morular differentiation of endometrial carcinomas Laboratory Investigation advance online publication, January 9, 2012. doi:10.1038/labinvest.2011.196 Authors: Makoto Saegusa, Miki Hashimura & Takeshi Kuwata (Source: Laboratory Investigation AOP)

Career research opportunities for the medical laboratory scientist.

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 23:44:02 +0100

This article details the advantages of working in a variety of research laboratory settings. These include public institutions, federal laboratory workplaces, private facilities, and industry settings. A view of the different research laboratory settings such as public institutions, federal laboratory workplaces, private facilities, and industry settings will be provided. An assessment on how MLS professionals can prepare for a career in research is outlined and the report concludes with a brief summary of the various aspects of the research setting. PMID: 21905577 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical Laboratory Science : Journal of the American Society for Medical Technology)

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Two Studies Find that Patients Want Access to their Health Records, Including Clinical Pathology Test Data

Dark Daily — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:00:27 +0100

Patients are ready to ready access to their medical records; but physicians are wary Data from two studies here in the United States affirms that patients want access to their health records. Consequently, health systems are increasingly making it easier for patients to get access to prescription lists, medical laboratory test results and now even [...] (Source: Dark Daily)

Photoconversion of DAPI following UV or violet excitation can cause DAPI to fluoresce with blue or cyan excitation

Journal of Microscopy — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Summary4’‐6‐Diamidino‐2‐phenylindole is a fluorescent dye commonly used to visualize deoxyribonucleic acid or cell nuclei in fixed cell preparations, and is often used together with fluorescein or green fluorescent protein, which can be excited without exciting 4’‐6‐Diamidino‐2‐phenylindole. It is assumed that when using typical fluorescein or green fluorescent protein filter cubes, 4’‐6‐Diamidino‐2‐phenylindole will not be observed. In this paper, we show that following observation of 4’‐6‐Diamidino‐2‐phenylindole using UV or violet excitation, it may become sensitive to the blue/cyan excitation used in fluorescein/green fluorescent protein filter cubes. This has serious implications for the use of 4’‐6‐Diamidino‐2‐phenylindole together wi...

Silica–rubber microstructure visualised in three dimensions by focused ion beam–scanning electron microscopy

Journal of Microscopy — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:36:41 +0100

SummaryA focused ion beam–scanning electron microscope (FIB–SEM) technique for three‐dimensional reconstruction and representation of material microstructures was applied to a silica‐filled synthetic rubber for the first time. Backscattered electron imaging allowed differentiation between rubber matrix, silica filler and zinc oxide (used as an activator for the sulphur vulcanisation reaction). Subsequent image processing allowed three‐dimensional isosurface model generation of the particulate structure within the rubber composite and separation of zinc oxide from the silica filler. The potential for development and application of this technique using finite element analysis modelling is also highlighted. (Source: Journal of Microscopy)

SSeCKS sequesters cyclin D1 in glomerular parietal epithelial cells and influences proliferative injury in the glomerulus

Laboratory Investigation AOP — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Bettina Burnworth, Jeff Pippin, Prasanthi Karna, Shin Akakura, Ron Krofft, Guoqiang Zhang, Kelly Hudkins, Charles E Alpers, Kelly Smith, Stuart J Shankland, Irwin H Gelman & Peter J Nelson (Source: Laboratory Investigation AOP)

More Use of Whole Gene Sequencing Poised to Play Important New Roles in Microbiology and Medical Laboratory Testing

Dark Daily — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:57:04 +0100

Cheaper, faster, and more accurate rapid gene sequencing technologies show great promise in identifying infectious disease agents In clinical laboratories across the nation, microbiology has greatly benefited from the introduction of molecular diagnostics in clinical practice. Now the field of microbiology is poised to undergo a more profound transformation of clinical practice, due to advances [...] (Source: Dark Daily)

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Clinical Pathology Labs Take Note! Six ACO Early Adopters Seek Accreditation from NCQA

Dark Daily — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:00:31 +0100

Clinical laboratory managers and pathologists can expect ACOs to impact competition for laboratory services Six accountable care organizations (ACO) stepped up and applied for accreditation through the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). In many ways, this marks the beginning of the ACO era in American healthcare. These six intrepid first-mover organizations will be familiar [...] (Source: Dark Daily)

Shigellosis with resultant septic shock and renal failure.

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 23:44:02 +0100

Discussion of disease pathogenesis and treatment are provided. PMID: 21905580 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical Laboratory Science : Journal of the American Society for Medical Technology)

Molecular diagnostics in the public health laboratories.

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:40:06 +0100

Authors: Josko D At the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services laboratory, clinical laboratory scientists receive specimens from various health care facilities and clinics in the state, and identify and confirm organisms of particular health concern in a rapid and timely manner. Most of the assays performed are specialized tests that are not done routinely in the clinical laboratories. Identifying and monitoring infectious agents such as West Nile virus, Influenza 2009 A (H1N1) pdm, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, enteric organisms, etc. is part of the daily workload in the Public Health Laboratories. In addition, surveillance programs are in place to control the spread of various infectious agents and to aid in investigative epidemiologic purposes. The volume of samples and w...

Prematurity in mice leads to reduction in nephron number, hypertension, and proteinuria.

Translational Research : the journal of laboratory and clinical medicine — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:38:01 +0100

In this report, we describe the development of a mouse model of prematurity-induced reduction of nephron number. Premature mice, delivered 1 and 2 days early, have 17.4 ± 2.3% (n = 6) and 23.6 ± 2% (n = 10) fewer nephrons, respectively, when compared with full-term animals (12,252 ± 571 nephrons/kidney, n = 10). After 5 weeks of age, the mice delivered 2 days premature show lower real-time glomerular filtration rate (GFR, 283 ± 13 vs 389 ± 26 μL/min). The premature mice also develop hypertension (mean arterial pressure [MAP], 134 ± 18 vs 120 ± 14 mm Hg) and albuminuria (286 ± 83 vs 176 ± 59 μg albumin/mg creatinine). This mouse model provides a proof of concept that prematurity leads to reduced nephron number and hypertension, and this model will be useful in studying the pathop...

Enhanced induction of heme oxygenase-1 suppresses thrombus formation and affects the protein C system in sepsis.

Translational Research : the journal of laboratory and clinical medicine — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:37:15 +0100

Authors: Fei D, Meng X, Zhao M, Kang K, Tan G, Pan S, Luo Y, Liu W, Nan C, Jiang H, Krissansen GW, Zhao M, Sun X Abstract Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) displays anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective activities in sepsis. Here, we investigated the effects of HO-1 on thrombus formation and the protein C system in a septic C57BL/6 mouse model induced by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP). Septic mice were either preinjected with the vehicle, pretreated with hemin (an HO-1 inducer) or zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP, an HO-1 inhibitor), or given a combination of hemin + ZnPP. CLP increased significantly the hepatic expression of HO-1; increased thrombosis in livers, kidneys, and lungs; shortened the prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT); elevated the levels of ...

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The combined ratios of L-arginine and asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginine as biomarkers in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Translational Research : the journal of laboratory and clinical medicine — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:37:39 +0100

In conclusion, the AAR and ASR may serve as better markers for disease activity and progression than each individual parameter. Clinical use of these ratios to elucidate the role of ADMA in hypertension awaits further validation. PMID: 22243793 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Translational Research : the journal of laboratory and clinical medicine)

In the United Kingdom, Pathology and Medical Laboratory Testing Face Tough Challenges as the NHS Implements Reforms and Budget Cuts

Dark Daily — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:00:24 +0100

Innovative pathology laboratory organizations in the UK and Europe will come together at the Frontiers in Laboratory Medicine (FiLM) conference on January 31-February 1, 2012 For decades, the pathology and medical laboratory service in the United Kingdom has been the envy of many developed nations. But times change and the National Health Service (NHS) finds [...] (Source: Dark Daily)

Changing Role for Pathology and Clinical Laboratory Testing Discussed at Personalized Medicine World Conference in Silicon Valley

Dark Daily — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:46:40 +0100

Genetic testing and molecular diagnostics will be essential to wider adoption of personalized medicine by nation’s physicians MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA—Here in Silicon Valley at the Personalized Medicine World Conference (PMWC), the role of clinical laboratory testing and anatomic pathology services was consistently recognized as essential in advancing this important healthcare trend. Yet, at the same [...] (Source: Dark Daily)

Novel combination of orientation measurements and transmission microscopy for experimental determination of grain boundary miller indices in silicon and other semiconductors

Journal of Microscopy — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

SummaryThe determination of grain boundary planes in multicrystalline material has only been restricted to transmission electron microscope investigations (Jang et al., 1992; Elgat et al., 1985) or to metallograpical investigations of the grain boundary (Randle et al., 1993). The first method is expensive, and both are complex and time consuming in grain boundary preparation. This paper proposes the determination of grain boundary planes in semiconductor wafer by a combined application of Electron Back Scatter Diffraction and Infrared Transmission Microscopy. In particular, the new method is demonstrated with directional solidificated multicrystalline silicon. (Source: Journal of Microscopy)