MALDI-TOF-MS for rapid screening analysis of M-protein in serum.

Monoclonal immunoglobin (M-protein) is a serum biomarker for the diagnosis of plasma cell dyscrasias. Despite limitation of analytical sensitivity and resolution, serum protein electrophoresis and immunofixation electrophoresis are still the front-line tests for the detection of M-proteins. Herein, we developed a MALDI-TOF Mass spectrometry-based method for the screening test of M-proteins in human serum.

The Treatment Effect of Protamine on Severe Coagulopathy in Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: Case Reports and Literature Review.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare and life-threatening disease, which is characterized by severe systemic inflammation with cytokine storm as well as histologic evidence of hemophagocytosis. Besides, coagulopathy and hemorrhages are two common severe complications in HLH patients. Recent literatures indicate that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is one of the important triggers for the disease.

Risk assessment of the total testing process based on quality indicators with the Sigma metrics.

Background Evidence-based evaluation of laboratory performances including pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical stages of the total testing process (TTP) is crucial to ensure patients receiving safe, efficient and effective care. To conduct risk assessment, quality management tools such as Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) and the Failure Reporting and Corrective Action System (FRACAS) were constantly used for proactive or reactive analysis, respectively. However, FMEA and FRACAS faced big challenges in determining the scoring scales and failure prioritization in the assessment of real-world cases.

Risk analysis and assessment based on Sigma metrics and intended use.

Introduction: In order to ensure the quality in clinical laboratories and meet the low risk requirements of patients and clinicians, a risk analysis and assessment model based on Sigma metrics and intended use was constructed, based on which differential sigma performance () expectations of 42 analytes were developed.

Materials And Methods: Failure mode and effects analysis was applied to produce an analytic risk rating based on three factors, each test of which was graded as follows: 1) Sigma metrics; 2) the severity of harm; 3) intended use. By multiplying the score of Sigma metrics by the score of severity of harm by the score of intended use, each was assigned a typical risk priority number (RPN), with RPN ≤ 25 rated as low risk.

Age-associated developmental changes in the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and causes of prolonged APTT values in healthy Chinese children.

Background: The concept of developmental hemostasis has been universally accepted. Physiological reference ranges for coagulation tests are available for infants and children of different ages. However, on Oriental children they are rare.

Evaluation of analytic and motion-resistant performance of the Mindray 9006 pulse oximeter.

Background: The Mindray 9006 is a newly developed pulse oximeter. The performance of noninvasive monitoring of arterial oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry (SpO(2)) and pulse rate (PR) with the Mindray 9006 was evaluated.

Material/methods: Twenty healthy volunteers participated in this study.

Effects of Astragalus membranaceus in promoting T-helper cell type 1 polarization and interferon-gamma production by up-regulating T-bet expression in patients with asthma.

Objective: To explore the effect of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) on T-helper cell type 1 (Thl) specific transcription factor T-box expressed in T cells (T-bet) expression and Thl/Th2 equilibrium.

Methods: The levels of T-bet mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 15 patients with asthma and 15 healthy subjects were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). PBMCs in asthma patients were incubated with AM and then the concentration of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in the supernate before and after AM intervention were determined by ELISA.

Antisense oligonucleotides-induced local blockade of T-bet expression leads to airway inflammation in rats.

Aim: To explore whether local blockade of T-box expressed in T cells (T-bet) expression in the lungs could lead to airway inflammation.

Methods: Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: saline group, ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized group, nonsense group, and the antisense group. The OVA-sensitized rats were sensitized and challenged with OVA, and the rats in the nonsense and antisense groups were subjected to an aerosol delivery of the nonsense and antisense oligonucleotides (AS-ODN) of T-bet (0.