[Motivational factors for early option choice by laboratory medicine residents in France].

In France, both students from medicine and pharmacy background can have access to the residency in laboratory medicine (LM). The current curriculum of LM residency includes an early choice of option after the first two years of residency, which subsequently guides the rest of the training. This study aimed to analyze these choice and motivational factors, since its implementation in 2017.

Association between Routine Laboratory Parameters and the Severity and Progression of Systemic Sclerosis.

(1) Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a heterogeneous connective tissue disease with a high mortality and morbidity rate. Identification of biomarkers that can predict the evolution of SSc is a key factor in the management of patients. The aim of this study was to assess the association of routine laboratory parameters, widely used in practice and easily available, with the severity and progression of SSc.

Antioxidants other than vitamin C may be detected by glucose meters: Immediate relevance for patients with disorders targeted by antioxidant therapies.

Owing to their ease of use, glucose meters are frequently used in research and medicine. However, little is known of whether other non-glucose molecules, besides vitamin C, interfere with glucometry. Therefore, we sought to determine whether other antioxidants might behave like vitamin C in causing falsely elevated blood glucose levels, potentially exposing patients to glycemic mismanagement by being administered harmful doses of glucose-lowering drugs.

Severe SARS-CoV-2 patients develop a higher specific T-cell response.

Objectives: Assessment of the adaptive immune response against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is crucial for studying long-term immunity and vaccine strategies. We quantified IFNγ-secreting T cells reactive against the main viral SARS-CoV-2 antigens using a standardised enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISpot).

Methods: Overlapping peptide pools built from the sequences of M, N and S viral proteins and a mix (MNS) were used as antigens.

Calcium state estimation by total calcium: the evidence to end the never-ending story.

Background Total blood calcium (TCa) is routinely used to diagnose and manage mineral and bone metabolism disorders. Numerous laboratories adjust TCa by albumin, though literature suggests there are some limits to this approach. Here we report a large retrospective study on agreement rate between ionized calcium (iCa) measurement and TCa or albumin-adjusted calcium measurements.

Knockout of receptor for advanced glycation end-products attenuates age-related renal lesions.

Pro-aging effects of endogenous advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) have been reported, and there is increasing interest in the pro-inflammatory and -fibrotic effects of their binding to RAGE (the main AGE receptor). The role of dietary AGEs in aging remains ill-defined, but the predominantly renal accumulation of dietary carboxymethyllysine (CML) suggests the kidneys may be particularly affected. We studied the impact of RAGE invalidation and a CML-enriched diet on renal aging.

Benefit of point of care testing in patient with major hyperleukocytosis.

We report a case of a child with major leukocytosis (800 × 10/L) leading to a false increase in plasma potassium and an unexpected spurious decrease in sodium. To suppress interferences due to hyperleukocytosis, our laboratory protocol consists of collecting blood on Clotting Activator/Serum tubes (CAS) and/or carrying samples by human courier. CAS tube analysis showed a decreased level of hyperkalemia and sodium within the reference range (consistent with point of care measurements).

Relationship between salivary/pancreatic amylase and body mass index: a systems biology approach.

Background: Salivary (AMY1) and pancreatic (AMY2) amylases hydrolyze starch. Copy number of AMY1A (encoding AMY1) was reported to be higher in populations with a high-starch diet and reduced in obese people. These results based on quantitative PCR have been challenged recently.

Metabolomic Profile of Low-Copy Number Carriers at the Salivary α-Amylase Gene Suggests a Metabolic Shift Toward Lipid-Based Energy Production.

Low serum salivary amylase levels have been associated with a range of metabolic abnormalities, including obesity and insulin resistance. We recently suggested that a low copy number at the AMY1 gene, associated with lower enzyme levels, also increases susceptibility to obesity. To advance our understanding of the effect of AMY1 copy number variation on metabolism, we compared the metabolomic signatures of high- and low-copy number carriers.

Gentle blood aspiration and tube cushioning reduce pneumatic tube system interference in lactate dehydrogenase assays.

Background: Use of a hospital pneumatic tube system may be associated with measurement errors.

Methods: A venous blood sample was collected from 79 patients into a pair of lithium heparin tubes; one tube was sent to the laboratory by porter and the other was sent via the pneumatic tube system. Plasma lactate dehydrogenase concentrations were then assayed.

A study on the polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system pathway genes for their effect on blood pressure levels in males from Algeria.

Introduction: Several studies have assessed the relationship between blood pressure (BP) and polymorphisms within the genes encoding angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). However, considering the relatively large discrepancy in frequency and impact of these variants between ethnic groups and populations, still unavailable data from Algerian population are needed.

Objective: Our purpose is to evaluate the association between the AGT M235T, AT1R +1166A/C and ACE I/D polymorphisms and variations in systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and pulse pressure (PP) values.

Association of ornithine transcarbamylase gene polymorphisms with hypertension and coronary artery vasomotion.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that the activity of enzymes involved in the urea cycle may modulate nitric oxide (NO) production, arterial vasomotion, and hypertension. Our aim was to determine whether hypertension and coronary vasomotion could be associated with polymorphisms within the ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) gene, located on chromosome X and coding for a key-enzyme of the urea cycle.

Methods: Among 11 OTC polymorphisms that were originally selected from databases, the tag single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs5963409 and the independent SNP rs1800321 were tested for association with hypertension in two independent population samples recruited in Northern (Multinational MONItoring of trends and determinants in CArdiovascular disease (MONICA) study, n = 1,138) and Western (Etude du Vieillissement Artériel (EVA) study, n = 1,166) France.

Characterization of arginase 1 gene polymorphisms in the Algerian population and association with blood pressure.

Objectives: (i) To characterize the polymorphism of arginase 1 (ARG1), a new candidate gene in coronary heart disease (CHD), in the Algerian population; (ii) To evaluate the effect of common ARG1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on blood pressure (BP) values; and (iii) To compare the data with those previously obtained in French populations.

Methods: Eleven ARG1 SNPs selected from databases were characterized in a representative sample of 117 Algerian and 92 French males free of CHD. Relevant SNPs for association studies with BP were selected on the basis of their allele frequencies and pairwise linkage disequilibrium.

Association of OAZ1 gene polymorphisms with subclinical and clinical vascular events.

Objective: Proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are striking features shared by vascular ageing, atherosclerosis, and in-stent restenosis. VSMC biology depends in part on polyamines whose metabolism is closely regulated by ornithine decarboxylase antizyme 1 (OAZ1). Therefore, we sought for association between OAZ1 gene polymorphisms and various outcomes involving VSMC proliferation.

Association of arginase 1 gene polymorphisms with the risk of myocardial infarction and common carotid intima media thickness.

Background: Recently, it was suggested that arginase (ARG)1 plays an important role in atherogenesis. However, because of its complex functions depending on vascular cell type, its impact on atherogenesis remains unclear.

Objective: To evaluate the association between ARG1 polymorphisms and phenotypes related to atherosclerosis.

Newborn emergencies: the first 30 days of life.

The evaluation and appropriate management of the critically ill neonate requires knowledge of the physiologic changes and life-threatening pathologies that may present during this time period. A broad systematic approach to evaluating the neonate is necessary to provide a comprehensive yet specific differential diagnosis for a presenting complaint or symptom. Efficient recognition and prompt management of illness in the neonatal period may be life saving.

Genes encoding endothelin-converting enzyme-1 and endothelin-1 interact to influence blood pressure in women: the EVA study.

Background: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoactive peptide that has been implicated in the regulation of basal vascular tone. Endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1), the main enzyme responsible for ET-1 generation, may contribute to blood pressure (BP) control. A possible association between a polymorphism of the gene encoding ECE-1 (ECE1B C-338A) and BP values in untreated hypertensive women was recently reported.

[Genetics and dyslipidemias].

The intense search which has developed around understanding the pathological mechanisms of atherosclerosis has underlined the complexity of a process which involves very many proteins, the products of genetic information. This observation, combined with genetic epidemiological data, has introduced the notion of familial susceptibility applicable to atherogenic dyslipidaemia. This susceptibility relies on the presence of mutations, more or less frequent in the population, affecting the key genes in plasmatic lipid transport.

Acute esophageal coin ingestions: is immediate removal necessary?

Aims: Coins are the most commonly encountered foreign body ingestions presenting to the emergency department (ED). The purpose of our study was to retrospectively evaluate a new institutional protocol implemented in 1998, in which healthy patients with acute (less than 24 h) coin ingestions located below the thoracic inlet, were observed at home with next-day follow-up. If repeat radiographs revealed a persistent esophageal foreign body, then the coin was removed.