A Stepwise Screening Protocol for Multiple Myeloma.

Background: Monoclonal gammopathies and multiple myeloma should be screened in the primary care setting.

Methods: The screening strategy consisted of an initial interview supported with the analysis of basic laboratory test results and the increasing laboratory workload in the following steps was developed based on characteristics of patients with multiple myeloma.

Results: The developed 3-step screening protocol includes evaluation of myeloma-related bone disease, two renal function markers, and three hematologic markers.

Ethical issues in biomedical research using electronic health records: a systematic review.

Digitization of a health record changes its accessibility. An electronic health record (EHR) can be accessed by multiple authorized users. Health information from EHRs contributes to learning healthcare systems' development.

Selection of Endpoints in Clinical Trials: Trends in European Marketing Authorization Practice in Oncological Indications.

Objectives: To determine the types of endpoints that were the basis for efficacy assessment of medicines used in particular groups of oncological indications. Changes in the endpoints applied in marketing authorization practice were also considered.

Methods: The analysis included marketing authorization applications (MAAs) for medicines used in oncological indications that were first-time approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) between 2009 and 2017, and the extensions of the analyzed medicines.

Isolation frequency of Candida present on the surfaces of mobile phones and handsx.

Background: It is known that mobile phones may play a role in microorganism transmission. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between the number of Candida genera/species isolated from samples collected from the surfaces of mobile phones and the hands of the staff as well as the preferred health-related behavior.

Methods: The mycological evaluation included 175 mobile telephones and the hands of staff members at the University Hospital in Białystok, Poland.

Separation methods for isolation of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes affect their motile activity.

Five commonly used methods for the isolation of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) from blood and their subsequent effect on cell motile activity were compared. Although all methods (isolation from blood clots, hemolysis of erythrocytes in hypotonic solutions, and sedimentation with the use of Percoll, Ficoll 400 or Dextran T 500 solutions) preserved cell viability, they demonstrated different effects on cell spreading and the speed of spontaneous cell movement. The highest motile activity was shown by PMNLs separated from blood clots and Percoll solutions.