The HemoCue®, a point of care B-hemoglobin photometer, measures hemoglobin concentrations accurately when mixedin vitro with canine plasma and three hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOC)

PURPOSE: Accuracy of measurement of low hemoglobin concentrations using the HemoCue, a B-hemoglobin photometer (HemoCue AB, Angelholm, Sweden) may exhibit significant variability. Infusion of hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOC) results in low concentrations of plasma hemoglobin. Our study assessed B-hemoglobin photometer measurement accuracy of three HBOC: (hemoglobin glutamer-200 (bovine; Oxyglobin, Biopure Corp., Cambridge, MA, USA); hemoglobin glutamer-250 (bovine; Hemopure, Biopure Corp, Cambridge, MA, USA), and hemoglobin-raffimer, (human; Hemolink, Hemosol, Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada). METHODS: In the laboratory, 45 split canine plasma samples were mixed with hemoglobin glutamer-200 (8.13, 16.25, 32.5 g x L(-1) concentrations), 45 samples were mixed with hemoglobin glutamer-250 (8.13, 16.25, 32.5 g x L(-1) concentrations), 45 with hemoglobin-raffimer (12.5, 25.0, 50.0 g x L(-1) concentrations), and measured. Plasma samples without HBOC served as control. Hemoglobin concentration was determined by a laboratory analyzer (Coulter Corporation, Hiafeah, FL, USA) and B-hemoglobin photometer (HemoCue, Angelholm, Sweden). Two independent technicians performed blinded sample measurements and randomly tested each sample five times. Results were analyzed according to Bland and Altman analysis. RESULTS: B-hemoglobin photometer demonstrated high repeatability for all three HBOCs. Repeatability coefficients were 0.37 g x L(-1) and 0.48 g x L(-1) for hemoglobin glutamer-200, 0.39 g x L(-1) and 0.4 g x L(-1) for hemoglobin glutamer-250 and 1.07 g x L(-1) and 0.85 g x L(-1) for hemoglobin-raffimer. An acceptable agreement was found between the B-hemoglobin photometer and the laboratory analyzer for all three HBOCs tested. CONCLUSION: The B-hemoglobin photometer accurately determined the concentration of three HBOC solutions dissolved in canine plasma.     

Expression pattern of the CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein C/EBP-beta in gestational trophoblastic disease.

The CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) family consists of several factors that are important regulators of intracellular processes and hormone action. C/EBP-beta, the most important member of the C/EBP family, was shown recently to be expressed in the normal human placenta where it is localized in villous syncytiotrophoblast and in the extravillous (intermediate) trophoblast but not the villous cytotrophoblast. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression pattern of C/EBP-beta in gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) which has not been studied so far. We used immunohistochemistry on a total of 15 cases of GTD including nine complete hydatidiform moles, one placental site nodule (PSN), one placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT), and four choriocarcinomas. All our tested specimens showed positivity for C/EBP-beta. The strongest C/EBP-beta expression could be observed in villous syncytiotrophoblast and in the trophoblast proliferations on the villous surface of hydatidiform moles; villous cytotrophoblast was negative. The PSN also showed positive nuclear staining but the expression was not as strong as it was in the hydatidiform moles and the total amount of stained cells was the lowest of all GTD. The PSTT also showed immunoreactivity but with a weaker and more heterogeneous staining than in the choriocarcinomas. The specific expression pattern of C/EBP-beta in GTD indicate that C/EBP-beta could potentially be an additional marker of such lesions.     

The effect of transportation between the recovery room and intensive care unit on postoperative acoustic tumor patients

Cardiovascular changes have been noted to occur during movement from the operating room or recovery room (RR) to the intensive care unit (ICU). This study examined blood pressure changes and related variables during transport from the RR to the ICU in 135 postoperative acoustic tumor patients. Although there was no significant change in blood pressure values from the RR to the ICU, patients with pre-existing hypertension and elevated RR blood pressures were noted to have an increased frequency of postoperative complications. In addition, a relationship was noted between administration of halothane and frequency of postoperative complications. Results highlight the need for nurses not only to monitor, but also closely control postoperative blood pressure in this population.     

A cytoskeletal actin gene in the mosquito Anopheles gambiae

Five actin genes have been identified in the mosquito Anopheles gambiae , and a constitutively expressed actin gene has been chosen for detailed analysis. We have physically mapped and sequenced this gene and six associated cDNAs, including translated coding regions, as well as the 5 and 3 flanking sequences. Analysis of stage-specific RNA shows this gene to be present in all stages of mosquito development and in an established A. gambiae cell line, thus indicating a cytoskeietal actin. In the sequence of the translated coding region and in pattern of expression, this gene is very similar to the cytoskeietal actin genes of Droso-phila melanogaster , and in sequence, equally similar to the Artemia cytoskeietal actin gene 403 (99.2% identity among the three amino acid sequences). Sequencing of this A. gambiae actin gene (designated actWior its location in chromosome division 1D) and selected cDNAs shows that it possesses three alternative leader sequences; thus the gene appears to have three alternative promoters. These promoters should ultimately prove useful in the production of transgenic constructs for constitutive expression.     

Heroin-Induces Differential Protein Expression by Normal Human Astrocytes (NHA)

Heroin use is postulated to act as a cofactor in the neuropathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection. Astrocytes, integral components of the CNS, are reported to be susceptible to HIV-1 infection. Upon activation, astrocytes release a number of immunoregulatory products or modulate the expression of a number of proteins that foster the immunopathogenesis of HIV-1 infection. However, the role of heroin on HIV-1 infectivity and the expression of the proteome of normal human astrocytes (NHA) have not been elucidated. We hypothesize that heroin modulates the expression of a number of proteins by NHA that foster the neuoropathogenesis of HIV-1 infection. We utilized LTR amplification and the p24 antigen assay to quantitate the effect of heroin on HIV-1 infectivity while difference gel electrophoresis (DIGE) combined with protein identification through high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) to analyze the effects of heroin on the proteomic profile of NHA. Results demonstrate that heroin potentiates HIV-1 replication in NHA. Furthermore, heroin significantly increased protein expression levels for protein kinase C (PKC), reticulocalbin 1 precursor, reticulocalbin 1, tyrosine 3-monooxgenase/tryptophan 5-monooxgenase activation protein, chloride intracellular channel 1, cathepsin D preproprotein, galectin 1 and myosin light chain alkali. Heroin also significantly decreased protein expression for proliferating cell nuclear antigen, proteasome beta 6 subunit, tropomyosin 3, laminin receptor 1, tubulin alpha 6, vimentin, EF hand domain family member D2, Tumor protein D54 (hD54), ATP synthase, H+ transporting, mitochondrial F1 complex and ribosomal protein S14. Identification of unique, heroin-induced proteins may help to develop novel markers for diagnostic, preventative and therapeutic targeting in heroin using subjects.     

Partial replication of a DRD4 association in ADHD individuals using a statistically derived quantitative trait for ADHD in a family-based association test.

BACKGROUND: Previous research found an association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of DRD4 and statistically derived phenotypes generated from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. We sought to replicate this finding by using the same methodology in an independent sample of ADHD individuals. METHODS: Four SNPs were genotyped in and around DRD4 in 2631 individuals in 642 families. We developed a quantitative phenotype at each SNP by weighting nine inattentive and nine hyperactive-impulsive symptoms. The weights were selected to maximize the heritability at each SNP. Once a quantitative phenotype was generated at each SNP, the screening procedure implemented in PBAT was used to select and test the five SNPs/genetic model combinations with the greatest power to detect an association for DRD4. RESULTS: One of the four SNPs was associated with the quantitative phenotypes generated from the ADHD symptoms (corrected p-values = .02). A rank ordering of the correlation between each of the ADHD symptoms and the quantitative phenotype suggested that hyperactive-impulsive symptoms were more strongly correlated with the phenotype; however, including inattentive symptoms was necessary to achieve a significant result. CONCLUSIONS: This study partially replicated a previous finding by identifying an association between rs7124601 and a quantitative trait generated from ADHD symptoms. The rs7124601 is in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with the SNPs identified previously. In contrast to the previous study, this finding suggests that both hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive symptoms are important in the association.     

Exanthematous infantile psoriasis

Childhood psoriasis is a disease with manifold clinical presentations which can make the correct diagnosis sometimes difficult. In a female infant, slightly itching, erythematous papules and plaques with discrete scaling spread over large parts of the integument starting from age three months. Histological examination supported the diagnosis of exanthematous infantile psoriasis. Topical treatment with dithranol in petrolatum led to slow clearance of the skin lesions.     

A large mediastinal tumour?

A 72-year-old man with increasing shortness of breath and atypicalangina pectoris received a chest radiograph     

Schadensersatzanspruch eines Kassenpatienten wegen Mehrkosten durch privatärztliche Behandlung nach Behandlungsfehler

Abstrakt Besteht zwischen Sch?diger und Gesch?digtem Streit über eine genau beschriebene, auch in der Zukunft m?glicherweise wiederkehrende einzelne Schadensposition, so besteht für die Feststellung der Einstandspflicht des Sch?digers hinsichtlich dieser konkret bezeichneten Position auch dann ein Feststellungsinteresse, wenn seine Einstandspflicht für zukünftige (materielle) Sch?den bereits zuvor allgemein rechtskr?ftig festgestellt wurde. Wird wegen der Folgen eines Behandlungsfehlers ein Patient nicht in eine private Krankenversicherung aufgenommen, so umfasst der vom Sch?diger zu leistende Schadensersatz auch die Verpflichtung, dem gesch?digten Patienten die Mehrkosten einer privat?rztlichen Behandlung zu ersetzen. Dabei sind die ersparten Versicherungsbeitr?ge abzuziehen. (Leits?tze des Bearbeiters)     

Retinal degeneration associated with RDH12 mutations results from decreased 11-cis retinal synthesis due to disruption of the visual cycle

Human Molecular Genetics