Clinical chemistry
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Moderately increased plasma concentrations of total homocysteine (tHcy) have been shown to be an important risk factor for vascular diseases. Two common polymorphisms of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, the thermolabile C677T and a more recently reported A1298C polymorphism, may contribute to hyperhomocysteinemia. ⋯ The prevalences of the C677T and A1298C polymorphisms did not differ among individuals with CAD, DVT, or those without documented vascular disease. In contrast to the C677T polymorphism, the A1298C polymorphism is not associated with increased fasting tHcy. Although the two polymorphisms usually exist in trans configuration, crossover may occur rarely to form recombinant chromosomes.
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Proposed quality specifications for glucose meters allow results to be in error by 5-10% or more of the "true" concentration. Because meters are used as aids in the adjustment of insulin doses, we aimed to characterize the quantitative effect of meter error on the ability to identify the insulin dose appropriate for the true glucose concentration. ⋯ Glucose meters that meet current quality specifications allow a large fraction of administered insulin doses to differ from the intended doses. The effects of such dosage errors on blood glucose and on patient outcomes require study.
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Clinical Trial
Clinical evaluation of the first medical whole blood, point-of-care testing device for detection of myocardial infarction.
Validation of whole blood, point-of-care testing devices for monitoring cardiac markers to aid clinicians in ruling in and ruling out myocardial infarction (MI) is necessary for both laboratory and clinical acceptance. ⋯ The First Medical point-of-care device provides cardiac marker assays that can be used by laboratories and clinicians in a variety of hospital settings for ruling in and ruling out MI.