D-dimer-An International Assessment of the Quality of Laboratory Testing: Implications for D-dimer Use in the Real World.

D-dimer assessment has several established roles in venous thromboembolism (VTE) and disseminated intravascular coagulation diagnosis, and recently the risk stratification of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). D-dimer assays are neither standardized nor harmonized, use varying methodologies, and use different reporting units, all resulting in a lack of interchangeability and generalizability of assays. Using large multiyear datasets from an international laboratory quality assurance program, we assessed (1) common D-dimer assays in use worldwide, (2) differences in analytical performance between different methods, and (3) interlaboratory variability between positive samples.

Recurrence after stopping anticoagulants in women with combined oral contraceptive-associated venous thromboembolism: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The risk of recurrence after discontinuation of anticoagulation for a combined oral contraceptive (COC)-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) is unclear. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the incidence of recurrent VTE among women with COC-associated VTE, unprovoked VTE and to compare the incidence of recurrent VTE between the two groups. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase Classic +Embase and Medline ALL to July 2020 and citations from included studies were searched.

Safety of idarucizumab in the reversal of dabigatran at six tertiary care Ontario hospitals.

Background: Idarucizumab, a monoclonal antibody fragment that reverses the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran, was approved for use in Canada in 2016.

Objective: Our objective was to assess the safety of idarucizumab among patients who received the drug within the first 3 years of its use in Canada.

Patients/methods: We performed a retrospective health records review of all idarucizumab use, excluding use in those <18 years of age, between May 16, 2016, and August 1, 2019, at six Ontario tertiary care hospitals.

An illustrated review of bleeding assessment tools and common coagulation tests.

Recognizing the complexity of coagulation tests and currently used anticoagulants, we developed this illustrated review on bleeding assessment tools and common coagulation screening tests. Quantitative bleeding assessment tools (BATs) are available to standardize the bleeding history and improve the pretest probability prior to coagulation testing. We describe use of BATs and the principles, indications, and limitations of the prothrombin time (PT)/International Normalized Ratio, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and 50:50 mix.

New mutation found to cause hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in a patient presenting with seizures in adulthood.

We present a case of hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (hTTP) caused by a previously undescribed mutation in a 36-year-old woman who presented with seizures in the context of a possible infection. Her hematologic manifestations were mild, despite undetectable ADAMTS13 (A Distintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motifs 13) activity. Genetic analysis showed a homozygous variant in ADAMTS13 gene which was not previously reported but predicted to be associated with disease.

Predictive gene signature of response to the anti-TweakR mAb PDL192 in patient-derived breast cancer xenografts.

Purpose: (1) To determine TweakR expression in human breast cancers (BC), (2) evaluate the antitumor effect of the anti-TweakR antibody PDL192, used alone or after chemotherapy-induced complete remission (CR), on patient-derived BC xenografts (PDX) and (3) define predictive markers of response.

Experimental Design: TweakR expression was analyzed by IHC on patients and PDXs BC samples. In vivo antitumor effect of PDL192 was evaluated on eight TweakR-positive BC PDXs alone or after complete remission induced by a combination of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide.

Modeling of response to endocrine therapy in a panel of human luminal breast cancer xenografts.

Resistance to endocrine therapy is a major complication of luminal breast cancer and studies of the biological features of hormonal resistance are limited by the lack of adequate preclinical models. The aim of this study is to establish and characterize a panel of primary human luminal breast carcinoma xenografts, and to evaluate their response to endocrine therapies. Four hundred and twenty-three tumor fragments obtained directly from patients have been grafted in the interscapular fatpad of Swiss nude mice.

Accelerated intestinal transit in inbred mice with an increased number of interstitial cells of Cajal.

The interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) play an important role in coordinating intestinal motility, and structural alterations in ICC are found in several human digestive diseases. Mouse models with defects in ICC allow a better understanding of their functions. We investigated the pattern of intestinal motility and the distribution of ICC in the PRM/Alf inbred mouse strain, characterized by a selective intestinal lengthening.

Twister mutant mice are defective for otogelin, a component specific to inner ear acellular membranes.

Deafness is a common sensory defect in human. Our understanding of the molecular bases of this pathology comes from the study of a few genes that have been identified in human and/or in mice. Indeed, deaf mouse mutants are good models for studying and identifying genes involved in human hereditary hearing loss.

Survival of patchwork melanoblasts is dependent upon their number in the hair follicle at the end of embryogenesis.

The recessive patchwork (pwk) mutation in mice is associated with a unique hair follicle phenotype. Mice homozygous for patchwork exhibit a variegated coat containing a mixture of white and fully pigmented hairs, but no partially pigmented hairs. We have investigated the etiology of this mutation.

Spatial and temporal patterns of c-kit-expressing cells in WlacZ/+ and WlacZ/WlacZ mouse embryos.

In the mouse, the Kit receptor and its ligand, the stem cell factor (SCF), are encoded at the W/Kit and Steel loci, respectively. The Kit/SCF transduction pathway is involved in promoting cellular migration, proliferation and/or survival of melanoblasts, hematopoietic progenitors and primordial germ cells. Furthermore, a functional Kit/SCF pathway is required for the development of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the small intestine.

[Acute trauma to the popliteal artery].

In spite of the advances in reconstructive vascular surgery, acute trauma of the popliteal artery still results in a high percentage of amputations, around 30%. In a series of 33 traumas of the popliteal artery, at la Salpetriere Hospital, a marked predominance of contusions (28 cases) was recorded, with osteoarticular lesions representing the most frequent cause of these contusions. Two injured patients died at an early stage and 9 underwent an amputation.

[Pavlik's method of reduction treatment of congenital hip dislocation].

In 68 patients with 101 congenital dysplasias of the hip results of treatment by Pavlik harness were retrospectively analysed. Of the 101 there were 61 dislocations. After six weeks of treatment with the Pavlik harness reduction was achieved in 48 of the 61 dislocated hips (80%).

[Thrombopenia caused by pentosan polysulfate].

Two case-reports of thrombopenias induced by pentosane polysulfate (PSP) are reported. PSP may play a direct role in the genesis of the thrombopenia appearing between the 5th and 15th day of treatment, or a sensitizing role where the thrombopenia occurs quite rapidly following heparin treatment. The clinical complications are haematomas, arterial or venous thromboses and haemorrhages.

[Cutaneous ulcerations and osteolysis in the carpal tunnel syndrome].

A case of carpal tunnel syndrome with skin ulcerations and osteolysis is reported. Such cases are unusual. There was a sensory and motor deficit with chronic ulcerations on the palmar surface of the third phalanx of the medius.

[Surgery of the external saphenous vein].

The role played by the short saphenous vein in varicose disorders is more significant than is commonly believed: about 30% in our experience of surgery. Its termination is much more variable than that of the long saphenous vein. Its precise location must be ascertained by means of detailed clinical examination.

[Perforating veins].

The role of the perforating veins in the physiopathology and treatment of varicose disorder and of post-phlebitic syndromes is the subject of this study, based on the results of 5 000 observations of surgery of the veins in the lower limbs. Neglect of the perforators is responsible for a sizeable percentage of relapse after the simple stripping of the saphenous axes. In post-phlebitic syndrome and, more particularly, in trophic disorders, they play a major part, and ought to be the object of thorough investigation, using clinical examination, the Doppler and phlebography.

[Cockett's syndrome].

Two personal cases from the pretext for a short discussion on the syndrome defined by Cockett in 1965. The condition is a post-phlebitic syndrome localised to the left common iliac vein. This vein, which is crossed by the right common iliac artery, is in fact the site, at the level of this crossing, of intraluminal and extraluminal lesions whose nature and significance are controversial.

[Repeated surgery in recurrences following operation for essential varices].

Among 2,129 patients operated on between 1964 and 1976, we found 109 postoperative recurrences requiring a repeated operation. The causes of recurrence are various, but in the majority of cases, it results from an operative mistake. Most commonly (69 cases) there is a defective removal of the arch of the internal saphenous vein.