Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry
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Viscoelastic diagnostics that monitor the hemostatic function of whole blood (WB), such as thromboelastography, have been developed with demonstrated clinical utility. By measuring the cumulative effects of all components of hemostasis, viscoelastic diagnostics have circumvented many of the challenges associated with more common tests of blood coagulation. ⋯ Sonorheometry is a non-contact method for precise assessment of WB coagulation.
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There have been an increasing number of reports on false increase of lactate in ethylene glycol poisoning. We recently encountered two cases of ethylene glycol poisoning with very high blood lactate concentrations on ABL blood gas analyzers. ⋯ False increase of blood lactate by blood gas analyzers may occur but true increase of lactate can also be observed in ethylene glycol poisoning. Elevated lactate concentrations on blood gas analyzers should be confirmed by a chemistry analyzer in the differential diagnosis of ethylene glycol poisoning.
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Increased cytokine and chemokine levels are associated with cardiovascular events in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (ACS), but the incremental prognostic value of these inflammatory markers is not known. We determined if cytokine and chemokine assessment adds prognostic information to the GRACE Score in patients with ACS. ⋯ Cytokines and chemokines measured at admission add prognostic information to the GRACE Score in patients admitted with ACS.
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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating neurological disease, which is presumed to be a consequence of infiltrating lymphocytes that are autoreactive to myelin proteins. ATP and adenosine contribute to fine-tuning immune responses and NTPDase (CD39) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) are important enzymes in the control of the extracellular levels of these molecules at the site of inflammation. We evaluated the activity and expression of NTPDase and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in lymphocytes from patients with the relapsing-remitting form of MS (RRMS). ⋯ The regulation of ATP and adenosine levels by NTPDase and ADA activities may be important to preserve cellular integrity and to modulate the immune response in MS.
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Unregulated hemostasis represents a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the developed world. Being able to recognize and quantify defects of the hemostatic process is critical to reduce mortality and implement appropriate treatment. ⋯ These data indicate that sonorheometry accurately quantifies the functional role of the components of hemostasis in vitro.