Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry
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To compare epidemiological studies dealing with neurological issues (compatible with Hg toxicity) linked to exposing newborns and infants to intramuscular doses of preservative-Hg resulting from vaccination with thimerosal-containing vaccines (TCV). ⋯ Since the use of TCV is still inevitable in many countries, this increases the need to protect vulnerable infants and promote actions that strengthen neurodevelopment. Developing countries should intensify campaigns that include breastfeeding among efforts to help prime the central nervous system to tolerate exposure to neurotoxic substances, especially thimerosal-Hg.
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Comparative Study
Scientific publications in laboratory medicine from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan: A ten-year survey of the literature.
We investigated scientific publications in laboratory medicine originating from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan over the past 10 years. ⋯ Over the past 10 years, Chinese authors have been more and more active in the field of laboratory medicine. Mainland China seems to have caught up to Hong Kong and Taiwan regarding publication of papers in this field.
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We describe the validation of a novel assay for the measurement of peroxiredoxin 4 (Prx4), a potentially secreted antioxidant peroxidase, in human serum. ⋯ The newly developed assay reliably detected Prx4 in human serum of healthy and critically ill subjects. Elevated Prx4 in serum of patients with various diseases might serve as a biomarker reflecting increased oxidative stress.
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Urine culture is one of the most frequently requested tests in microbiology, and it represents the gold standard for the diagnosis of UTIs. Considering the high prevalence of negative results and the long TAT of the culture test, the use of a rapid and reliable screening method is becoming more and more important, as it reduces the workload, the TAT of negative results, and above all, unnecessary antibiotic prescription. ⋯ The Sysmex UF1000i was capable of improving the efficiency of a routine microbiology laboratory by processing 100samples/h and providing negative results in a few minutes, thus reducing unnecessary testing with an acceptable number of false negative results. In addition, the preliminary evaluation of B_FSC and B_FLH parameters from bacteria histograms seems to be useful for the distinction of bacterial strains detected (Gram-negatives versus Gram-positives). In fact when B_FSC was less than 30 ch, it allowed the distinction of Gram-negative bacteria in 97% of the samples.