Annals of clinical and laboratory science
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Ann. Clin. Lab. Sci. · Jan 2011
Erythropoietin prevents secondary brain injury induced by cortical lesion in mice: possible involvement of Nrf2 signaling pathway.
Erythropoietin (EPO) has demonstrated neuroprotective effects against traumatic brain injury (TBI), but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The signaling pathway of an antioxidant transcription factor, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), has been shown in our previous studies to play an important role in protecting mice from TBI-induced secondary brain injury. The present study explored the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) on cerebral activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway and secondary brain injury in mice after TBI. ⋯ The treatment with rhEPO markedly up-regulated the mRNA expression and activities of Nrf2 and its downstream cytoprotective enzyme, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). Administration of rhEPO also significantly ameliorated the secondary brain injury, as shown by decreased severity of neurological deficit, brain edema, and cortical apoptosis. In summary, post-TBI rhEPO administration induces Nrf2-mediated cytoprotective responses in the injured brain, and this may be a mechanism whereby rhEPO improves the outcome following TBI.
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Ann. Clin. Lab. Sci. · Jan 2011
Algorithmic and consultative integration of transfusion medicine and coagulation: a personalized medicine approach with reduced blood component utilization.
Therapy customized for the individual patient defines personalized medicine. Current transfusion therapy is performed primarily using general guidelines such as keeping the platelet count at >100,000/μL, the INR at ≤ 1.7 and fibrinogen at >100mg/dL for patients undergoing surgery. ⋯ We report on the successful development of a model - based on the algorithmic and consultative integration of transfusion medicine and coagulation - that customizes blood component, derivative, and recombinant therapies appropriate for an individual patient's need, resulting in targeted transfusion therapy and associated with reduced blood component utilization.
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Ann. Clin. Lab. Sci. · Jan 2011
Inhibition of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway attenuates cerebral vasospasm following experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage in rabbits.
The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) plays an important role in apoptosis and is also involved in the development of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Here, we sought to examine whether inhibition of p38 MAPK could attenuate cerebral vasospasm and investigate the underlying mechanisms in a rabbit SAH model. SAH was established in rabbits (n=12/group) using the double-hemorrhage method. ⋯ Immunoblotting assays showed enhanced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and ATF2 and increased caspase-3 cleavage following SAH, which were, however, markedly suppressed by SB203580. TUNEL staining further revealed significant apoptosis in the basilar arteries of rabbits with SAH, which was scantly present in rabbits treated with SB203580. Our results demonstrated that p38 MAPK was activated in cerebral vasospasm and associated with increased apoptosis in the basilar arteries and p38 MAPK inhibition suppressed apoptosis, suggesting that p38 MAPK could be a novel therapeutic target for cerebral vasospasm.
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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.