Clinical Laboratory Medical Journal Abstracts
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Merkel cell carcinoma with divergent differentiation: histopathological and immunohistochemical study of 15 cases with pcr analysis for merkel cell polyomavirus
Histopathology
Dec 2012
Merkel cell carcinoma with divergent differentiation: histopathological and immunohistochemical study of 15 cases with pcr analysis for merkel cell polyomavirus
Aims: We report 15 cases of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) with divergent differentiation to characterise its clinico-pathological spectrum and its relationship with the Merkel cell Polyomavirus (MCV). Methods and Results: Fifteen patients with a mean age of 81 were included. Follow-up was available in 13 cases (range 12..A PRC2 Dependent Repressive role of PRDM14 in Human Embryonic Stem Cells and iPSC Reprogramming
Stem Cells
Dec 2012
A PRC2 Dependent Repressive role of PRDM14 in Human Embryonic Stem Cells and iPSC Reprogramming
PRDM14 is an important determinant of the human embryonic stem cell (ESC) identity and works in concert with the core ESC regulators to activate pluripotency associated genes. PRDM14 has been previously reported to exhibit repressive activity in mouse ESCs and primordial germ cells (PGC); and while PRDM14 has been..Thymosin Β4 Protects C57bl/6 Mice From Bleomycin-Induced Damage In The Lung
European Journal of Clinical Investigation
Dec 2012
Thymosin Β4 Protects C57bl/6 Mice From Bleomycin-Induced Damage In The Lung
Background: Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) was recently found at high concentration in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of scleroderma patients with lung involvement. It has been hypothesized that Tβ4 may exert a cyto-protective effect during lung injury since lower Tβ4 levels were associated with interstitial lung disease..Microparticle-associated tissue factor activity in patients with pancreatic cancer: Correlation with clinicopathological features
European Journal of Clinical Investigation
Dec 2012
Microparticle-associated tissue factor activity in patients with pancreatic cancer: Correlation with clinicopathological features
Background: Patients with pancreatic cancer have an unfavorable prognosis. A central role in pancreatic cancer progression has been suggested for tissue factor (TF), the main initiator of the blood coagulation cascade. We hypothesized that elevated levels of plasma microparticle (MP)-associated TF activity might..Pertinence of the Sysmex XE-5000™ parameters: rule of slide review in a context of ‘normal’ lymphocyte count (defined from control and mantle cell lymphoma blood specimens)
International Journal of Laboratory Hematology
Dec 2012
Pertinence of the Sysmex XE-5000™ parameters: rule of slide review in a context of ‘normal’ lymphocyte count (defined from control and mantle cell lymphoma blood specimens)
Introduction: As most hematology cell analyzers, the different parameters of Sysmex XE-5000™ are little informative in the qualitative analysis of lymphoid cells, and especially when the lymphocyte count is below 4 × 109/L (i.e., ‘normal’). The aim of our study was to investigate whether some parameters and/or ‘flags’..Performance evaluation of the Abbott CELL-DYN Emerald for use as a bench-top analyzer in a research setting
International Journal of Laboratory Hematology
Dec 2012
Performance evaluation of the Abbott CELL-DYN Emerald for use as a bench-top analyzer in a research setting
Introduction: The CELL-DYN Emerald is a compact bench-top hematology analyzer that can be used for a three-part white cell differential analysis. To determine its utility for analysis of human and mouse samples, we evaluated this machine against the larger CELL-DYN Sapphire and Sysmex XT2000iV hematology analyzers...Human pluripotent stem cell models of Fanconi Anaemia deficiency reveal an important role for Fanconi Anaemia proteins in cellular reprogramming and survival of haematopoietic progenitors
Stem Cells
Dec 2012
Human pluripotent stem cell models of Fanconi Anaemia deficiency reveal an important role for Fanconi Anaemia proteins in cellular reprogramming and survival of haematopoietic progenitors
Fanconi anemia (FA) is a genomic instability disorder caused by mutations in genes involved in replication-dependant-repair and removal of DNA crosslinks. Mouse models with targeted deletions of FA genes have been developed; however none of these exhibit the human bone marrow aplasia. Human embryonic stem cell (hESC)..Alcam Regulates Long-term Hematopoietic Stem Cell Engraftment and Self-Renewal
Stem Cells
Dec 2012
Alcam Regulates Long-term Hematopoietic Stem Cell Engraftment and Self-Renewal
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) reside in a specialized bone marrow (BM) microenvironment that supports the maintenance and functional integrity of long-term (LT)-HSCs throughout postnatal life. The objective of this work is to study the role of activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (Alcam) in HSC differentiation..An in vitro model of mesenchymal stem cell targeting using magnetic particle labelling
Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
Dec 2012
An in vitro model of mesenchymal stem cell targeting using magnetic particle labelling
The specific targeting of cells to sites of tissue damage in vivo is a major challenge precluding the success of stem cell-based therapies. Magnetic particle-based targeting may provide a solution. Our aim was to provide a model system to study the trapping and potential targeting of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)..Short-term evaluation of electromagnetic field pretreatment of adipose-derived stem cells to improve bone healing
Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
Dec 2012
Short-term evaluation of electromagnetic field pretreatment of adipose-derived stem cells to improve bone healing
An electromagnetic field is an effective stimulation tool because it promotes bone defect healing, albeit in an unknown way. Although electromagnetic fields are used for treatment after surgery, many patients prefer cell-based tissue regeneration procedures that do not require daily treatments. This study addressed the..Auricular cartilage repair using cryogel scaffolds loaded with BMP-7-expressing primary chondrocytes
Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
Dec 2012
Auricular cartilage repair using cryogel scaffolds loaded with BMP-7-expressing primary chondrocytes
The loss of cartilage tissue due to trauma, tumour surgery or congenital defects, such as microtia and anotia, is one of the major concerns in head and neck surgery. Recently tissue-engineering approaches, including gene delivery, have been proposed for the regeneration of cartilage tissue. In this study, primary..Occupational exposures to aluminum and iron and risk of lung epithelium atypia in sudan
Diagnostic Cytopathology
Dec 2012
Occupational exposures to aluminum and iron and risk of lung epithelium atypia in sudan
This study investigated the risk of lung cytological atypical changes in regards to occupational exposure to aluminum and iron. Detailed job histories were elicited from 130 incident cases with confirmed exposure to aluminum (50) or iron (80) and 157 population controls (nonexposed). Cytological atypia in sputum..Umbilical cord blood therapy potentiated with erythropoietin for children with cerebral palsy: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Stem Cells
Dec 2012
Umbilical cord blood therapy potentiated with erythropoietin for children with cerebral palsy: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Allogeneic umbilical cord blood (UCB) has therapeutic potential for cerebral palsy (CP). Concomitant administration of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) may boost the efficacy of UCB, as it has neurotrophic effects. The objectives of this study were to assess the safety and efficacy of allogeneic UCB potentiated..The impact of gender and serum estradiol levels on HDL-mediated reverse cholesterol transport
European Journal of Clinical Investigation
Dec 2012
The impact of gender and serum estradiol levels on HDL-mediated reverse cholesterol transport
Objective: Premenopausal women have a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease compared to men of the same age. Endogenous estrogens, especially estradiol, presumably protect against atherosclerosis by a variety of mechanisms. Reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) mechanisms also provide protection against this disease...Epigenetic Regulation of Nanog by miR-302 cluster-MBD2 Completes iPS Cell Reprogramming
Stem Cells
Dec 2012
Epigenetic Regulation of Nanog by miR-302 cluster-MBD2 Completes iPS Cell Reprogramming
While most somatic cells undergoing iPS cell reprogramming with Yamanaka factors accumulate at stable partially reprogrammed stages, the molecular mechanisms required to achieve full reprogramming are unknown. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) fine-tune mRNA translation and are implicated in reprogramming, but miRNA functional..ALK5 Inhibition Reverses Impairment of Endothelial Cell Viability by Endogenous Islet Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Stem Cells
Dec 2012
ALK5 Inhibition Reverses Impairment of Endothelial Cell Viability by Endogenous Islet Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Following islet transplantation, islet graft revascularization is compromised due to loss of endothelial cells (ECs) during islet culture. TGF-β signaling pathways are essential for vascular homeostasis but their importance for islet EC function is unclear. We have identified a population of multipotent mesenchymal..Induction of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Primordial Germ Cells by Single Reprogramming Factors
Stem Cells
Dec 2012
Induction of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Primordial Germ Cells by Single Reprogramming Factors
Germ cells are similar to pluripotent stem cells in terms of gene expression patterns and the capacity to convert to pluripotent stem cells in culture. The factors involved in germ cell development are also able to reprogram somatic cells. This suggests that germ cells are useful tools for investigating the mechanisms..Medical Service Encounters and Payments Associated with Topical Adjunctive Therapy Use of Timolol for Glaucoma
Clinical Drug Investigation
Nov 2012
Medical Service Encounters and Payments Associated with Topical Adjunctive Therapy Use of Timolol for Glaucoma
Background: Topical [beta]-blockers are commonly prescribed for primary open-angle glaucoma. Existing research is limited regarding respiratory or cardiovascular events that may result from using these topical [beta]-blockers. Objective: To evaluate inpatient and outpatient service encounters and payments associated..Tumor necrosis factor alpha antagonist drugs and leishmaniasis in Europe
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Oct 2012
Tumor necrosis factor alpha antagonist drugs and leishmaniasis in Europe
Leishmaniasis is endemic in Europe and the prevalence of latent infection in the Mediterranean region is high. Reports describing opportunistic leishmaniasis in European patients treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha antagonist drugs are rapidly accumulating. For other granulomatous infections, risk of..Microarray evaluation of specific IgE to allergen components in elite athletes
Allergy
Oct 2012
Microarray evaluation of specific IgE to allergen components in elite athletes
Background: Allergic sensitization and diseases have been reported to have a very high and increasing prevalence in elite athletes. Over 80% of allergic athletes are poly-sensitized. Objective: This study aims at evaluating the potential diagnostic added value of a microarray technology (ImmunoCAP ISAC, Phadia AB [at..Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus clone related to the early pandemic phage type 80/81 causing an outbreak among residents of three occupational centres in Barcelona, Spain
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Oct 2012
Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus clone related to the early pandemic phage type 80/81 causing an outbreak among residents of three occupational centres in Barcelona, Spain
In the 1950s an unusually virulent and transmissible penicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clone harbouring Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes, known as phage type 80/81 and subsequently identified as multilocus sequence type (ST) 30, emerged and caused serious infections in hospitals and the community. We..Emergence of MRSA of unknown origin in the Netherlands
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Oct 2012
Emergence of MRSA of unknown origin in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is known for its low methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) prevalence. Yet MRSA with no link to established Dutch risk factors for acquisition, MRSA of unknown origin (MUO), has now emerged and hampers early detection and control by active screening upon hospital admittance. We assessed the..Acute toxoplasmoses in immunocompetent patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit in French Guiana
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Sep 2012
Acute toxoplasmoses in immunocompetent patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit in French Guiana
Atypical Toxoplasma gondii strains, unrelated to archetypal clonal lineages (I, II, III), have been reported more frequently over the last decade in areas other than Europe and North America. A newly described form of toxoplasmosis, ‘Amazonian toxoplasmosis’ (AT), has been reported since 2002 in French Guiana. It is..Gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 and mammaglobin A expression determined by immunohistochemistry is of limited utility in triple-negative breast cancer
Histopathology
Sep 2012
Gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 and mammaglobin A expression determined by immunohistochemistry is of limited utility in triple-negative breast cancer
Aims: In addition to oestrogen and progesterone receptors, gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 (GCDFP-15) and mammaglobin A (MAM) are the most common markers used to identify breast origin by immunohistochemistry. GCDFP-15 expression has been reported in approximately 60% of breast carcinomas and MAM expression in..Borrelia hispanica in Ornithodoros erraticus, Portugal
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Aug 2012
Borrelia hispanica in Ornithodoros erraticus, Portugal
Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) is a spirochetal infection caused by the genus Borrelia. The disease is distributed in the Old and New World with many different species reported. In Europe, TBRF is caused by B. hispanica transmitted to man by Ornithodoros erraticus, a soft tick usually found in old premises to..Invasive group A streptococcal infections in adults, France (2006–2010)
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Aug 2012
Invasive group A streptococcal infections in adults, France (2006–2010)
Severe invasive group A streptococcal diseases have re-emerged during the past 10–20 years. In order to provide a better insight into the current epidemiological situation in France, we analysed the questionnaires regarding all invasive strains received at the National Reference Center for Streptococci (CNR-Strep)..Antimicrobial treatment of invasive non-perinatal human listeriosis and the impact of the underlying disease on prognosis
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Aug 2012
Antimicrobial treatment of invasive non-perinatal human listeriosis and the impact of the underlying disease on prognosis
Listeriosis is a resurgent foodborne disease in European countries. Benefits of combined β-lactam-aminoglycoside treatment remain controversial and the impact of the underlying disease on prognosis has not been fully assessed. We conducted a retrospective review of cases of sporadic listeriosis in adults from 1995 to..Time to liquid culture positivity can substitute for colony counting on agar plates in early bactericidal activity studies of antituberculosis agents
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Aug 2012
Time to liquid culture positivity can substitute for colony counting on agar plates in early bactericidal activity studies of antituberculosis agents
The measurement of early bactericidal activity (EBA) is the first step in the clinical investigation of antituberculosis agents. EBA is determined by quantifying the viable sputum mycobacterial load on consecutive days of treatment. To investigate whether time to positivity (TTP) in mycobacterial liquid culture can..The undiagnosed cases of Clostridium difficile infection in a whole nation: where is the problem?
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
May 2012
The undiagnosed cases of Clostridium difficile infection in a whole nation: where is the problem?
Underdiagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) because of lack of clinical suspicion or the use of non-sensitive diagnostic techniques is a known problem whose real magnitude has not yet been quantified. In order to estimate the extent of this underdiagnosis, we performed C. difficile cultures on all unformed..Smartphone apps in microbiology—is better regulation required?
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
May 2012
Smartphone apps in microbiology—is better regulation required?
Increasing diversity of available medical applications (apps) has led to their widespread use in healthcare delivery. However, app involvement in diagnosis and patient management has raised concerns, specifically regarding accuracy and reliability of content. Here, we report on the contemporary range of..Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among companion and food-chain animals: impact of human contacts
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
May 2012
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among companion and food-chain animals: impact of human contacts
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), one of the major pathogens in humans, is a cause of infection and colonization among animals. The increasing number of companion animals and antibiotic use have made this population a reservoir of MRSA. In parallel, the evolution of new MRSA clones and mec homologues..Clostridium difficile infection in the community: a zoonotic disease?
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Apr 2012
Clostridium difficile infection in the community: a zoonotic disease?
Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs) are traditionally seen in elderly and hospitalized patients who have used antibiotic therapy. In the community, CDIs requiring a visit to a general practitioner are increasingly occurring among young and relatively healthy individuals without known predisposing factors. C...Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing and AmpC-producing Escherichia coli from livestock and companion animals, and their putative impact on public health: a global perspective
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Apr 2012
Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing and AmpC-producing Escherichia coli from livestock and companion animals, and their putative impact on public health: a global perspective
The possible zoonotic spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria is controversial. This review discusses global molecular epidemiological data combining both analyses of the chromosomal background, using multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and analyses of plasmid (episomal) extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)/AmpC..Enterococci of animal origin and their significance for public health
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Apr 2012
Enterococci of animal origin and their significance for public health
Enterococci are commensal bacteria in the intestines of humans and animals, but also cause infections in humans. Most often, Enterococcus faecium isolates from clinical outbreaks belong to different types than E. faecium from animals, food, and humans in the community. The same variants of the vanA gene cluster..First detection of VIM-4 metallo-β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in Russia
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Apr 2012
First detection of VIM-4 metallo-β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in Russia
An Escherichia coli isolate co-producing VIM-4 metallo-β-lactamase and CTX-M-15 extended spectrum β-lactamase was recovered from the urine of a patient with head trauma in Moscow, Russia. The blaVIM-4 and blaCTX-M-15 genes were carried, respectively, by transmissible plasmids of IncW and IncI1 groups. The nucleotide..Anidulafungin for the treatment of candidaemia/invasive candidiasis in selected critically ill patients
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Mar 2012
Anidulafungin for the treatment of candidaemia/invasive candidiasis in selected critically ill patients
A prospective, multicentre, phase IIIb study with an exploratory, open-label design was conducted to evaluate efficacy and safety of anidulafungin for the treatment of candidaemia/invasive candidiasis (C/IC) in specific ICU patient populations. Adult ICU patients with confirmed C/IC meeting ≥1 of the following criteria..Stratified scaffolds for osteochondral tissue engineering applications: Electrospun PDLLA nanofibre coated Bioglass®-derived foams
Journal of Biomaterials Applications
Nov 2011
Stratified scaffolds for osteochondral tissue engineering applications: Electrospun PDLLA nanofibre coated Bioglass®-derived foams
This work focuses on designing bilayered constructs by combining electrospun poly-DL-Lactide (PDLLA) fibers and Bioglass®-derived scaffolds for development of osteochondral tissue replacement materials. Electrospinning was carried out using a solution of 5 wt/v% PDLLA in dimethyl carbonate. The PDLLA layer thickness..Investigation of Platelet Responses and Clotting Characteristics of in Situ Albumin Binding Surfaces
Journal of Biomaterials Applications
Nov 2011
Investigation of Platelet Responses and Clotting Characteristics of in Situ Albumin Binding Surfaces
The response of biomaterial surfaces when exposed to blood is in part dependent upon the nature and composition of the adsorbed layer of proteins. Surfaces passivated with albumin have been shown to reduce platelet adhesion and activation. In an attempt to develop surfaces that can selectively and specifically bind..Composite membranes of poly(lactic acid) with zinc-added bioactive glass as a guiding matrix for osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
Journal of Biomaterials Applications
Nov 2011
Composite membranes of poly(lactic acid) with zinc-added bioactive glass as a guiding matrix for osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
This study aims to produce a degradable and bone-bioactive membrane for guiding bone regeneration by combining a degradable polymer, poly(lactic acid) (PLA), with a bioactive inorganic zinc-containing bioactive glass (ZnBG). The in vitro osteogenic development of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) upon..Biomechanical and angiogenic properties of tissue-engineered rat trachea using genipin cross-linked decellularized tissue
Biomaterials
Oct 2011
Biomechanical and angiogenic properties of tissue-engineered rat trachea using genipin cross-linked decellularized tissue
In this study, the obtainment and characterization of decellularized rat tracheal grafts are described. The detergent-enzymatic method, already used to develop bioengineered pig and human trachea scaffolds, has been applied to rat tracheae in order to obtain airway grafts suitable to be used to improve our knowledge on..Cardiac differentiation of embryonic stem cells by substrate immobilization of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 4 with elastin-like polypeptides
Biomaterials
Oct 2011
Cardiac differentiation of embryonic stem cells by substrate immobilization of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 4 with elastin-like polypeptides
The establishment of cardiomyocyte differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) is a useful strategy for cardiovascular regenerative medicine. Here, we report a strategy for cardiomyocyte differentiation of ESCs using substrate immobilization of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 4 (IGFBP4) with elastin-like..The use of BDNF to enhance the patency rate of small-diameter tissue-engineered blood vessels through stem cell homing mechanisms
Biomaterials
Oct 2011
The use of BDNF to enhance the patency rate of small-diameter tissue-engineered blood vessels through stem cell homing mechanisms
The patency rate of small-diameter tissue-engineered blood vessels is the determinant for their application in coronary artery bypass grafting. The coronary artery is innervated by vagus nerves. The origin of vagus nerves is rich in brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF). We have investigated whether BDNF could..Co-Circulation HIV-1 Subtypes B, C, and CRF31_BC in a Drug-Naive Population From Southernmost Brazil: Analysis of Primary Resistance Mutations
Journal of Medical Virology
Aug 2011
Co-Circulation HIV-1 Subtypes B, C, and CRF31_BC in a Drug-Naive Population From Southernmost Brazil: Analysis of Primary Resistance Mutations
In Southernmost Brazil HIV-1 subtypes B, C, and CRF31_BC co-circulates and, since 1996 with the implementation of free access to highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART), this epidemic is under a quite characteristic selective pressure. The profile of mutations and polymorphisms in the protease (PR) and reverse..Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus Genotypes and Associated Cervical Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions in HIV-Infected Women in Botswana
Journal of Medical Virology
Aug 2011
Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus Genotypes and Associated Cervical Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions in HIV-Infected Women in Botswana
Human papillomaviruses (HPV) constitute one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections and are the etiological agents for invasive cervical cancer, the predominant cancer among women in Botswana. However, the prevalence of HPV genotypes in Botswana has yet to be reported. One hundred thirty-nine endocervical..C-reactive protein (CRP): An important diagnostic and prognostic tool in nursing-home-associated pneumonia
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
Mar 2011
C-reactive protein (CRP): An important diagnostic and prognostic tool in nursing-home-associated pneumonia
Pneumonia is the second most common infection in long term care (LTC) residents and is a leading cause of death from infection in those groups of patients. Atypical presentations and fewer presenting signs and symptoms in older patients complicate diagnosis and delay initiation of adequate treatment. The aim of this..
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