Standardization of Flow Cytometric Immunophenotyping for Hematological Malignancies: The FranceFlow Group Experience.

Flow cytometry is broadly used for the identification, characterization, and monitoring of hematological malignancies. However, the use of clinical flow cytometry is restricted by its lack of reproducibility across multiple centers. Since 2006, the EuroFlow consortium has been developing a standardized procedure detailing the whole process from instrument settings to data analysis.

Can intrapleural C-reactive protein predict VATS pleurodesis failure?

Background: Intrapleural inflammatory reaction after surgery for spontaneous pneumothorax is a key indicator whether an effective pleurodesis has been achieved. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that intrapleural C-reactive protein (CRP) might precisely quantify the postoperative pleural inflammation, offering potentially useful information for patient management.

Methods: The study population consisted of 75 consecutive patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic pleurectomy or pleural abrasion for spontaneous pneumothorax between April 2003 and August 2004.

Independent prospective multicenter validation of biochemical markers (fibrotest-actitest) for the prediction of liver fibrosis and activity in patients with chronic hepatitis C: the fibropaca study.

Objectives: Fibrotest (FT) and Actitest (AT) are biochemical markers of fibrosis and activity for use as a non-invasive alternative to liver biopsy in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). The aim of this study was to perform an external validation of FT and AT and to study the discordances between FT/AT and liver biopsy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Methods: A total of 519 consecutive patients with chronic HCV were prospectively included in five centers, with liver biopsy and biochemical markers taken at the same day.