A Monolayer Coagglutination Microplate Technique for Typing Red Blood Cells

Background and objectives: Serologic agglutination tests have the disadvantage of lack of an objective endpoint that can be easily read and quantitated. We have developed a new method for ABO and Rh typing based on producing a red blood cell (RBC) monolayer on microplates and the mixed hemagglutination reaction. Materials and methods: We have employed a new red cell fixation buffer to prepare the RBC monolayer. As the technique for grouping, we used a mixed agglutination reaction between the RBC monolayer and the RBCs to be typed. Results: Compared with an automated hemagglutination system in 34,519 samples, the method is shown to be more sensitive, free of false positive reactions, and cost-effective. Conclusions: The microplate coagglutination method is accurate and lower in cost than conventional methods.     

The first record of American visceral leishmaniasis in domestic cats from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This paper is the first to report visceral leishmaniasis in domestic cats (Felis catus domesticus) from an endemic area in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. A relatively high seroprevalence of 25% was observed although none of them have presented any symptom. Our results support the observation of previous authors, suggesting that cats may be considered as alternative domestic hosts of visceral leishmaniasis and should be included in serological investigations performed in endemic areas.     

Exploring the utility of whole‐exome sequencing as a diagnostic tool in a child with atypical episodic muscle weakness

The advent of whole‐exome next‐generation sequencing (WES) has been pivotal for the molecular characterization of Mendelian disease; however, the clinical applicability of WES has remained relatively unexplored. We describe our exploration of WES as a diagnostic tool in a 3½‐year old female patient with a 2‐year history of episodic muscle weakness and paroxysmal dystonia who presented following a previous extensive but unrevealing diagnostic work‐up. WES was performed on the proband and her two parents. Parental exome data was used to filter potential de novo genomic events in the proband and suspected variants were confirmed using di‐deoxy sequencing. WES revealed a de novo non‐synonymous mutation in exon 21 of the calcium channel gene CACNA1S that has been previously reported in a single patient as a rare cause of atypical hypokalemic periodic paralysis. This was unexpected, as the proband's original differential diagnosis had included hypokalemic periodic paralysis, but clinical and laboratory features were equivocal, and standard clinical molecular testing for hypokalemic periodic paralysis and related disorders was negative. This report highlights the potential diagnostic utility of WES in clinical practice, with implications for the approach to similar diagnostic dilemmas in the future.     

Suppression of ongoing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in DA rats by novel peptide drug,structural part of human myelin basic protein 46–62

Previously, we demonstrated that autoantibodies (AAb) in multiple sclerosis (MS) reveal site-specific binding and cleavage toward myelin basic protein (MBP) epitope library. We have found several fragments of MBP immunodominant in terms of AAb binding. Here, we applied these peptides to DA rats with induced protracted relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) most closely related to MS. DA rats with EAE induced by syngenic spinal cord homogenate in complete Freund's adjuvant were treated by nasal route with human MBP 46–62, 81–102, 124–139, 147–170, and Copaxone®. MBP 124–139 and 147–170 displayed only mild therapeutic effects but MBP 46–62 significantly reduced EAE, reflected by lower clinical scores and shorter EAE duration compared to controls.     

Construction of an intercultural preventive strategy of alcohol use in rural Mapuche communities: A community‐based participatory research

The research presented in this paper consists of a case study that analyses the elements necessary for a culturally grounded methodological strategy for the prevention of problematic alcohol consumption in rural Mapuche communities in the Araucanía region. To do this, we proposed to answer the questions: what are the particularities that alcohol consumption adopts in the local space? And what are the elements that should be considered for an intercultural preventive strategy for alcohol consumption? Oriented to the perspective of community‐based participatory research, data were collected through group interviews with the local community, participant observation and in‐depth interviews with people who consumed alcohol, were recovering from consumption and nondrinkers. A total of 84 people participated and the information gathered was analysed using ATLAS.ti software. The results show key aspects that must be considered for the design, including: strengthening the cultural identity, providing spaces for shared reflection in places where the community converges (schools and rural health centres), and problematising alcohol consumption from their own conceptions of normal and problematic consumption. Therefore, there is a need to focus on strengthening intracultural processes in community spaces, with a preventive strategy within the logic of action research, with increasing degrees of community participation.     

Addressing critical issues in the development of an Oncology Information System

PurposesThis paper presents the experience on the design and implementation of a user-centered Oncology Information System developed for the Medical Oncology Department at the “Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria”, in Málaga, Spain. The project focused on the aspects considered in the literature as critical factors for a successful deployment and usage of a health information system.MethodsSystem usability, adequate technology, integration of clinical routines, real-time statistical analysis of data, information confidentiality and standard protocol-based external interconnection were the key aspects considered.ResultsThe developed system is based on a web application with a modular and layered architecture accounting for usability, ease of maintenance and further system development. Evaluation of system usability was carried at three and fifteen months after system deployment to analyze the advantages/disadvantages experienced by the end-users.ConclusionsA thorough prior analysis of clinical activities and workflows, the use of the adequate technology, and the availability of data analysis tools will almost guarantee success in the deployment of an Oncology Information System.