Evaluation of pooled screening for anti-HCV in two blood services set-ups.

Objective: Screening blood donations for anti-HCV is only partially performed in many developing countries due to the relatively high costs of testing. The screening expenditures can be reduced by testing donations in pools. This study evaluates the accuracy and feasibility of pooled screening procedure for anti-HCV in blood banks in Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Accuracy of hepatitis C virus core antigen testing in pools among seroconverters.

Background: Screening blood units for hepatitis C virus (HCV) with nucleic acid testing (NAT) reduces the risk associated with the long "window period" (8-9 weeks) after HCV infection. The feasibility of adding the HCV core antigen assay in pools to the existing anti-HCV individual screening was examined as an alternative of NAT, for early detection of HCV.

Study Design And Methods: Eighteen HCV seroconversion panels were tested for HCV antibodies, HCV antigen, and HCV RNA.

Use of seroconversion panels to estimate delay in detection of anti-human immunodeficiency virus antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of pooled compared to singleton serum samples.

The transfusion of unsafe blood worldwide accounts for 5 to 15% of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections, most of which occur in sub-Saharan Africa. While developed countries now apply PCR testing of pooled samples, some developing countries still do not have universal screening policies. More efficient low-cost procedures for the screening of pooled samples have the potential to encourage mass screening efforts in resource-poor settings.

Psammomys obesus (sand rat), a new animal model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background/aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasingly recognized condition that includes a spectrum of clinicopathologic conditions ranging from steatotosis to cirrhosis and liver failure. NAFLD is usually associated with features of the metabolic syndrome. No established therapies can be offered to patients with NAFLD.

Academic stress, immunological reaction, and academic performance among students of nursing and physiotherapy.

The associations among health status, health behavior, and changes in human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) specific salivary antibodies during academic stress were investigated in relation to academic achievement among nursing and physiotherapy students. Fifty-four first year students donated saliva samples and completed a pencil and paper questionnaire before (t1), during two term examinations (t2 and t3), and after grades were posted (t4). An increase in the level of specific salivary HCMV IgG and IgA antibodies from t1 to t2, and a decrease from t2 to t4 were related to academic success.

Late hemodynamic changes following controlled hemorrhage and volume restitution with blood or Haemaccel in anesthetized portal hypertensive rats.

Background And Aim: In portal hypertensive rats, hemorrhage and acute volume restitution with Haemaccel induced increased cardiac output and portal venous inflow. In the present study, the late hemodynamic effects of this procedure were explored.

Methods: Portal hypertension was induced by portal vein constriction.