Point-of-care testing (POCT): Current techniques and future perspectives.

Point-of-care testing (POCT) is a laboratory-medicine discipline that is evolving rapidly in analytical scope and clinical application. In this review, we first describe the state of the art of medical-laboratory tests that can be performed near the patient. At present, POCT ranges from basic blood-glucose measurement to complex viscoelastic coagulation assays.

Point-of-care testing in hospitals and primary care.

Background: Many medical laboratory tests can now be done near the patient (point-of-care testing, POCT), ranging from basic blood glucose measurement to complex coagulation testing. Switching from conventional laboratory testing to POCT shortens the time to decision-making about further testing or treatment, as delays are no longer caused by specimen transport and preparation, and the test results are rapidly available at the point of care. Better medical outcomes and lower costs may ensue.

Point-of-care determination of neonatal bilirubin with the blood gas analyzer RapidLab 1265.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the comparability of the new neonatal bilirubin method on the RapidLab 1265 blood gas analyzer. This point-of-care testing (POCT) device has the option for the determination of neonatal bilirubin, making it potentially valuable for use in neonate intensive care units or in outpatient ambulances.

Methods: We paired 240 patient samples for intermethod comparisons between the new POCT method and the routine laboratory method (Vitros 350 chemistry system with BuBc slide).

Vaccination of patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma with the anti-idiotype ACA125: immunological response and survival (phase Ib/II).

Purpose: A Phase I/IIb multicenter study was conducted to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the anti-idiotypic antibody vaccine ACA125 that functionally imitates the tumor antigen CA125 in 119 patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma. A preliminary report on the initial 42 patients demonstrated safety and immunogenicity.

Experimental Design: Using the complete intention-to-treat population (n = 119) who received a mean of 9.

Adhesion molecules, activin and inhibin--candidates for the biochemical prediction of hypertensive diseases in pregnancy?

Background: The aim of the prospective study was to compare standard parameters as Doppler ultrasound and 24-h blood pressure measurement with possible maternal serological markers regarding their prognostic value in predicting hypertensive diseases in pregnancy.

Materials: Twenty-four-hour blood pressure measurement was performed before and after 32+0 gestational week in 57 pregnant women with either chronic hypertension ( n=13), preeclampsia ( n=21), pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH; n=12) or normotension ( n=11). Blood samples were taken and the concentrations of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), activin A and inhibin A were determined as well as serum uric acid, creatinine, total serum protein and serum albumin.

Interleukin-6 fused to an anti-idiotype antibody in a vaccine increases the specific humoral immune response against CA125+ (MUC-16) ovarian cancer.

Anti-idiotypic (Id) monoclonal antibodies can serve as surrogate for tumor-associated antigens in vaccination strategies. The murine anti-Id monoclonal antibody ACA125 that mimics the CA125 carbohydrate antigen expressed on ovarian cancer cells induces an anti-anti-Id antibody (Ab3) response that is associated with prolonged survival of ovarian cancer patients. To increase the Ab3 antibody response, we evaluated two strategies in a mouse model: (a) coinjection of human interleukin (IL)-6 together with the fusion protein chACA125, which consists of the anti-Id ACA125 single-chain Fv antibody joined to the human IgG1 CH2/CH3 domain; and (b) injection of the fusion protein chACA125-IL-6, which consists of the ACA125 single-chain Fv fused to human IL-6 via the IgG1 CH2/CH3 domain.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of vitamin A and zinc supplementation in persons with tuberculosis in Indonesia: effects on clinical response and nutritional status.

Background: The results of cross-sectional studies indicate that micronutrient deficiencies are common in patients with tuberculosis. No published data exist on the effect of vitamin A and zinc supplementation on antituberculosis treatment.

Objective: Our goal was to investigate whether vitamin A and zinc supplementation increases the efficacy of antituberculosis treatment with respect to clinical response and nutritional status.

Vaccination with autologous tumour antigen-pulsed dendritic cells in advanced gynaecological malignancies: clinical and immunological evaluation of a phase I trial.

Dendritic cell (DC)-based therapy has proven to be effective in patients with malignant lymphoma, melanoma, and renal and prostate carcinoma. In this phase I clinical trial, we have shown that patients with advanced gynaecological malignancies can be effectively vaccinated with DC pulsed with keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) and autologous tumour antigens. Two patients with uterine sarcoma and six subjects with ovarian carcinoma received three to 23 intracutaneous injections of antigen-pulsed DC at 10-day or 4-week intervals.