Annals of clinical and laboratory science
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Ann. Clin. Lab. Sci. · Jan 2010
Accuracy of CoaguChek XS for point-of-care antithrombotic monitoring in children with heart disease.
The CoaguChek XS international normalized ratio (INR) assay was compared to INR assay by a standard laboratory method in children with heart disease on anticoagulant therapy. The data comprised 120 pairs of INR values for 42 patients (age <16 yr) who attended a cardiology clinic between 1 May 2007 and 30 January 2008. Parallel INR assays by the CoaguChek XS and the standard method were performed within 1 hr by a single qualified technician and the paired results were evaluated by linear regression and Bland-Altman analysis. ⋯ The slope of the regression line was 0.98 (95% CI: 0.96 to 1.01) and the y-intercept was 0.014 (95% CI: -0.01 to 0.04). In the Bland-Altman analysis, the mean difference in INR between the two methods was 0.08 units and values for 99.4% of the patients fell within the limit of agreement (-0.17 to 0.28 units). In summary, INR assays in children by the CoaguChek XS device are as accurate as the standard method, but faster and more convenient.
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Ovarian cancer remains a leading cause of death from gynecological malignancy. Early diagnosis is the most important determinant of survival. ⋯ Numerous proteomics-based molecular biomarkers/panels have been identified and hold great potential for diagnostic applications, but they need further development and validation. This article reviews recently published data on the diagnosis of ovarian cancer with proteomics, including the major proteomics technologies and promising strategies for biomarker discovery and development.
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Ann. Clin. Lab. Sci. · Jan 2010
Hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 exerts its anti-inflammatory effect in endotoxemic rats by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-kappaB signaling pathway.
Previous studies demonstrated that hydroxyethyl starch (HES) down-regulates the inflammatory response, but the mechanism is controversial. The present study measured the effects of HES130/0.4 on plasma proinflammatory cytokines levels and the Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) signaling pathway in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated rats. ⋯ The infusion of HES130/0.4 in endotoxemic rats, especially 15 ml/kg, significantly reduced the release of plasma TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, which was consistent with the observed inhibitory effects of HES130/0.4 on NF-kappaB activation, TLR4 mRNA expression, and TLR4 protein level in monocytes. Thus, HES130/0.4 evidently exerts its anti-inflammatory effect in endotoxemic rats by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-kappaB signaling pathway, which suggests that HES130/0.4 may useful for treating early Gram-negative sepsis.