Gene expression profiling of colon cancer by DNA microarrays and correlation with histoclinical parameters.

Different diagnostic and prognostic groups of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) have been defined. However, accurate diagnosis and prediction of survival are sometimes difficult. Gene expression profiling might improve these classifications and bring new insights into underlying molecular mechanisms.

Identification and validation of an ERBB2 gene expression signature in breast cancers.

ERBB2 is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor encoded by a gene located in chromosome region 17q12. Overexpression of ERBB2, generally by way of gene amplification, plays a role in mammary oncogenesis. This alteration can be overcome by use of the humanized monoclonal antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin).

[Analytical performances of the i-STAT portable clinical analyzer for the measurement of PO2 and PCO2].

Aware of some limitations on blood gas results, we performed an extensive evaluation before introducing i-STATs in our hospitals. Three i-STATs were tested in parallel with an ABL-520, on three types of cartridges (EG7, EG6 and EG3), using tonometered whole blood (9 gas levels, n = 720) and aqueous QC solutions (3 levels, n = 600). Reference systems were the theoretical calculated values from gas composition used for tonometry and results given by the ABL-520, respectively.

[Performance limiting causes in single use unit systems for the measurement of PO2 and PCO2 in blood].

Having had the opportunity of testing two of the three commercially available single use unit systems (i-STAT and OPTI-1), we have listed a series of performance limiting factors which they share, even though, their detectors being based on different methodologies, they have specific causes of dysfunction. PO2 detectors face the worse problems for different reasons. Temperature control is critical: the cassette or at last the detectors, the internal solution and the specimen have to be heated to 37 C, thermostabilisation to one tenth of degree centigrade is a must.

Testing of the AVL OPTI 1 portable blood gas analyzer during inflight conditions.

The "AVL OPTI 1" (AVL Medical Instruments, Saint-Ouen l'Aumone, France), a completely automated portable blood gas analyzer, was chosen because of its accuracy under usual sea-level conditions and because of its new technology which broadens the possibilities for in-flight blood determinations: a) a single use cassette made of plexyglass containing the measurement chamber and the aligned sensors required for pO2, pcO2 and pH determination; b) calibration coefficients memorized in a bar code label fixed on the packing material; c) a quality control of each individual cassette prior to the measurement and at least once a day by two standard reference cassettes simulating high and low levels of pH, pcO2 and pO2; and d) a fully automatic introduction of the blood sample. The complete analytical cycle requires about 3 min with a sample volume of 80 microL of whole blood. After the measurement, the cassette containing blood sample is destroyed.

Lack of evidence of hepatitis C infection in 290 blood component recipients, demonstrated by several single-antigen research immunoassays.

Background: A group of 290 transfusion recipients enrolled in a prospective study of posttransfusion hepatitis was studied to determine the possibility of previously unrecognized hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission.

Study Design And Methods: Before and after transfusion, blood specimens that were negative in first-generation enzyme immunoassay (EIA) were tested by current commercial EIAs, several single-antigen research EIAs, and supplemental tests.

Results: Current second- and third-generation EIAs identified five subjects (1.

[Correlation between hepatitis C virus (HVC) RNA and anti-HVC antibodies in a hemodialysis population].

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to detect HCV-RNA in 75 hemodialyzed patients. Anti-HCV status was determined by ELISA-2 and by RIBA-2 for reactive samples by ELISA. ALT levels were monthly determined during the year preceding the end of the study.

Impact of screening donor blood for alanine aminotransferase and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen on the risk of hepatitis C virus transmission.

The transfusion-related risk of transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) was evaluated in France for the periods before and after exclusion of donor blood units with the surrogate markers elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). A total of 1,412 blood recipients undergoing surgery were followed up prospectively in the period from 1986 to 1989. The stored serum samples were tested for antibodies to HCV by an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and the result in reactive sera confirmed by a recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA).

[Thrombo-embolism in urologic surgery. Prevention by heparin of antiprothrombic drugs. A retrospective report of 2,657 cases (author's transl)].

Three groups of patients undergoing urological operations were given a prophylactic regimen of either subcutaneous heparin (n = 1143), antiprothrombics (n = 944) or no medication (n = 570). Results were deemed through simple clinical criteria. They were similar for the whole of patients and for some types of surgery, pecularly protatic: Anticoagulation induced a significant lowering of the frequency of thromboembolism, heparin being more efficient than antiprothrombics.