Neutrophil Reactivity Intensity and misclassification of immature granulocytes.

Introduction: Immature granulocyte percentage (IG%) is an important biomarker for infection control. We observed spurious cases where the IG% was dramatically underestimated on the automated Sysmex XN-series hehmatology analyzer compared with manual differential. These cases were associated with high values of "Neutrophil Reactivity Intensity" (NEUT-RI), which should reflect the metabolic activity of the neutrophils.

Interchangeability of multiple Sysmex XN10 and XN20 modules for six types of leukocytes.

Introduction: Differential counts of leukocytes are frequent, and often several automated blood cell counters are needed in contemporary laboratories. However, these modules are often individually quality assured. Our aim was therefore to validate the interchangeability of five hematology modules in a large modern laboratory and to compare them with our gold standard (GS) manual white blood cell differential count.

Improving access to healthcare for paediatric sickle cell disease patients: a qualitative study on healthcare professionals' views.

Background: In well-resourced countries, comprehensive care programs have increased life expectancy of patients with sickle cell disease, with almost all infants surviving into adulthood. However, families affected by sickle cell disease are more likely to be economically disenfranchised because of their racial or ethnic minority status. As every individual child has the right to the highest attainable standard of health under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, it is essential to identify both barriers and facilitators with regard to the delivery of adequate healthcare.

Sickle cell disease: Clinical presentation and management of a global health challenge.

Sickle cell disease is an autosomal recessive, multisystem disorder, characterised by chronic haemolytic anaemia, painful episodes of vaso-occlusion, progressive organ failure and a reduced life expectancy. Sickle cell disease is the most common monogenetic disease, with millions affected worldwide. In well-resourced countries, comprehensive care programs have increased life expectancy of sickle cell disease patients, with almost all infants surviving into adulthood.

Trails of meaning construction: Symbolic artifacts engage the social brain.

Symbolic artifacts present a challenge to theories of neurocognitive processing due to their hybrid nature: they are at the same time physical objects and vehicles of intangible social meanings. While their physical properties can be read of their perceptual appearance, the meaning of symbolic artifacts depends on the perceiver's interpretative attitude and embeddedness in cultural practices. In this study, participants built models of LEGO bricks to illustrate their understanding of abstract concepts.