A nationwide population-based study on therapeutic plasma exchange for 10 years in Korea using Health Insurance Review and Assessment database.

Introduction: Indications for therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) have expanded over the years, and the number of procedures is expected to have been increased. Apheresis registries can be difficult to sustain due to workload and privacy issues. This study aimed to analyze national claims data to characterize the use of TPE.

Flexible Working, Work-Life Balance, and Gender Equality: Introduction.

This special brings together innovative and multidisciplinary research (sociology, economics, and social work) using data from across Europe and the US to examine the potential flexible working has on the gender division of labour and workers' work-life balance. Despite numerous studies on the gendered outcomes of flexible working, it is limited in that the majority is based on qualitative studies based in the US. The papers of this special issue overcome some of the limitations by examining the importance of context, namely, family, organisational and country context, examining the intersection between gender and class, and finally examining the outcomes for different types of flexible working arrangements.

Author Correction: Artificial Intelligence based Models for Screening of Hematologic Malignancies using Cell Population Data.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Artificial Intelligence based Models for Screening of Hematologic Malignancies using Cell Population Data.

Cell Population Data (CPD) provides various blood cell parameters that can be used for differential diagnosis. Data analytics using Machine Learning (ML) have been playing a pivotal role in revolutionizing medical diagnostics. This research presents a novel approach of using ML algorithms for screening hematologic malignancies using CPD.

Automation of Harboe method for the measurement of plasma free hemoglobin.

Background: Although plasma free hemoglobin (fHb) test is important for assessing intravascular hemolysis, it is still dependent on the gold standard Harboe method using manual and labor-intensive spectrometric measurements at the wavelength of 380-415-450 nm. We established an automated fHb assay using a routine chemistry autoanalyzer that can be tuned to a wavelength of 380-416-450 nm.

Methods: The linearity, precision, accuracy, correlation, and sample carryover of fHb measurement using TBA200FRneo method and manual Harboe method were evaluated, respectively.

Benefits of VISION Max automated cross-matching in comparison with manual cross-matching: A multidimensional analysis.

Background: VISION Max (Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Raritan, NJ, USA) is a newly introduced automated blood bank system. Cross-matching (XM) is an important test confirming safety by simulating reaction between packed Red Blood Cells (RBCs) and patient blood in vitro before transfusion. We assessed the benefits of VISION Max automated XM (A-XM) in comparison with those of manual XM (M-XM) by using multidimensional analysis (cost-effectiveness and quality improvement).

Basic auditory processing in the children with autistic features.

This study aimed inhibition mechanisms of auditory processing in the group with autistic features. Thirty-two children (autistic group = 16, typically developing [TD] group = 16) received neuropsychological tests, IQ test and experimental tasks. Both groups showed similar performances except the processing speed index.

Strategy for performing treponemal tests in reverse-sequence algorithms of syphilis diagnosis.

Objectives: In South Korea, automated T. pallidum Latex Agglutination (TPLA) based on turbidoimmunoassays and immunochromatographic assay (ICA) are widely used for syphilis diagnosis. However, there is sparse data on the validation of these assays in the reverse-sequence algorithm setting.

Experimental fusion of different versions of the total laboratory automation system and improvement of laboratory turnaround time.

Background: Use of total laboratory automation (TLA) system has expanded to microbiology and hemostasis and upgraded to second and third generations. We herein report the first successful upgrades and fusion of different versions of the TLA system, thus improving laboratory turnaround time (TAT).

Methods: A 21-day schedule was planned from the time of pre-meeting to installation and clinical sample application.

Women's employment patterns after childbirth and the perceived access to and use of flexitime and teleworking.

This article sets out to investigate how flexitime and teleworking can help women maintain their careers after childbirth. Despite the increased number of women in the labour market in the UK, many significantly reduce their working hours or leave the labour market altogether after childbirth. Based on border and boundary management theories, we expect flexitime and teleworking can help mothers stay employed and maintain their working hours.

Implementation of biological variation-based analytical performance specifications in the laboratory: Stringent evaluation of Improvacutor blood collection tubes.

Recently, because the quality of laboratory analyses has increased along with the need for quality improvement, several external quality control bodies have adapted performance specifications using the Desirable Biological Variation Database, termed "Ricos goals"; these criteria are more stringent than those presented in CLIA 88. In this study, we aimed to validate newly introduced serum separator tubes, Improvacutor, for routine clinical chemistry testing in accordance with Ricos goals and CLIA 88. Blood samples were collected from 100 volunteers into three types of serum vacuum tubes: Greiner Vacuette, Becton Dickinson (BD) Vacutainer, and Improve Improvacutor.

Harmonization of laboratory results by data adjustment in multicenter clinical trials.

Background/aims: In multicenter clinical trials, laboratory tests are performed in the laboratory of each center, mostly using different measuring methodologies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate coefficients of variation (CVs) of laboratory results produced by various measuring methods and to determine whether mathematical data adjustment could achieve harmonization between the methods.

Methods: We chose 10 clinical laboratories, including Green Cross Laboratories (GC Labs), the central laboratory, for the measurement of total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), serum triglycerides, creatinine, and glucose.

Nanocomposite versus Mesocomposite for Osteogenic Differentiation of Tonsil-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Injectable inorganic/organic composite systems consisting of well-defined mesocrystals (4-8 μm) of calcium phosphate and polypeptide thermogel significantly enhance the osteogenic differentiation of the tonsil derived mesenchymal stem cells (TMSCs). Compared to composite systems incorporating nanoparticles (10-100 nm) or pure hydrogel systems, osteogenic biomarkers including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone morphogenetic protein 2, and osteocalcin are highly expressed at both the mRNA level and the protein level in the mesocrystal composite systems. ALP activity of differentiated cells is also significantly higher in the mesocomposite systems compared to the nanocomposite systems or the pure hydrogel systems.

Influence of Vitamin C on Urine Dipstick Test Results.

Background: Vitamin C is a strong reducing agent found at high levels in various foods, and it may influence the results of urine strip tests even at an ordinary consumption levels. After oral administration, we measured urine vitamin C levels using urine strips and evaluated whether vitamin C interfered with various test items. The utility of a urine strip with a vitamin C indicator was assessed.

Prediction of fetal lung maturity using the lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio analysis with a simplified sample preparation, using a commercial microtip-column combined with mass spectrometric analysis.

Fetal lung maturity is estimated using the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio (L/S ratio) in amniotic fluid and it is commonly measured with thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The TLC method is time consuming and technically difficult; however, it is widely used because there is no alternative. We evaluated a novel method for measuring the L/S ratio, which involves a tip-column with a cation-exchange resin and mass spectrometry.

Establishment of trimester-specific reference intervals for thyroid hormones in Korean pregnant women.

Background: Establishment of trimester- and assay-specific reference intervals for every population is recommended. The aim of this study was to establish a trimester- and assay-specific reference interval for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) in Korean pregnant women.

Methods: From April 2012 to December 2012, 531 pregnant women receiving prenatal care and 238 age-matched, non-pregnant women were enrolled in this study.

Vitamin D status and thyroid autoimmunity in Korean pregnant women.

Objective: There is increasing interest in the role of vitamin D (vitD) during pregnancy. We prospectively evaluated the vitD status in Korean pregnant women and evaluated the levels of vitD according to thyroid-specific autoimmunity during pregnancy.

Methods: We included pregnant 531 women who visited for prenatal care and 238 age-matched, non-pregnant women as a control population.

Characterization of phosphatidylethanol blood concentrations for screening alcohol consumption in early pregnancy.

Objective: Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is formed endogenously by the direct action of ethanol, and has a half-life long enough to make it a reliable biomarker of alcohol exposure in early pregnancy. In this study, we aimed to characterize PEth blood concentrations to differentiate different levels of alcohol exposure in pregnant women.

Methods: The study consisted of 305 consecutive pregnant women who had been referred to our hospital for antenatal care.

Automated quantification of mitral regurgitation by three dimensional real time full volume color Doppler transthoracic echocardiography: a validation with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and comparison with two dimensional quantitative methods.

Background: Accurate assessment of mitral regurgitation (MR) severity is crucial for clinical decision-making and optimizing patient outcomes. Recent advances in real-time three dimensional (3D) echocardiography provide the option of real-time full volume color Doppler echocardiography (FVCD) measurements. This makes it practical to quantify MR by subtracting aortic stroke volume from the volume of mitral inflow in an automated manner.

Blood levels of phosphatidylethanol in pregnant women reporting positive alcohol ingestion, measured by an improved LC-MS/MS analytical method.

Objective: A reliable biomarker of low alcohol exposure during pregnancy is needed to clarify the controversy on the teratogenicity of low-to-moderate alcohol levels.

Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 13 pregnant women who self-reported alcohol ingestion between 2.5 and 20 drinks/week, and from 26 controls.