A filtration-based protocol to isolate human plasma membrane-derived vesicles and exosomes from blood plasma.

The methods of Plasma Membrane-derived Vesicle (PMV) isolation and quantification vary considerably in the literature and a new standard needs to be defined. This study describes a novel filtration method to isolate PMVs in plasma, which avoids high speed centrifugation, and to quantify them using a Becton Dickinson (BD) FACS Calibur™ flow cytometer, as annexin V-positive vesicles, larger than 0.2 μm in diameter.

Comparison of a novel surgical approach for radical hysterectomy: robotic assistance versus open surgery.

To report the learning curve and perioperative outcomes for robotic radical hysterectomy using a unilateral surgical approach transferred directly from one surgeon's open radical hysterectomy experience, thirty-two consecutive robotic radical hysterectomy cases (10/2006-1/2009) were contrasted to a cohort of 20 consecutive open radical hysterectomies (2/2005-2/2008). Perioperative characteristics compared included operative time, number of nodes, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, and complications. Robotic operative times were significantly longer than for open (122.

Improving diabetic control in adverse social conditions. A home blood glucose monitoring study in Soweto, South Africa.

In order to explore the feasibility of home blood glucose monitoring (HBGM) in Type 1 diabetics in developing countries, we introduced the technique to Type 1 patients below the age of 30 yr attending the Diabetic Clinic serving Soweto in South Africa. Despite initial problems, HBGM with visually-read strips was applied to 45 of the 64 young Type 1 diabetics identified ("HBGM group"). The remaining 19 were continued on urine glucose monitoring only ("HUGM group"), usually because of attendance and compliance problems.

Intensive health screening of young black diabetics.

Black-insulin-dependent diabetics under the age of 30 years attending a busy South African diabetic clinic were intensively screened for a 4-month period. In the 66 patients studied, the following previously undiagnosed conditions were discovered: cataract (1), peripheral neuropathy (16), retinopathy (8), tuberculosis (4) and anaemia (3). In addition, 29 (43,9%) were on insulin regimens that were not ideal.

The use of technetium-99m-di-isopropyl-iminodiacetic acid imaging in the demonstration of a biliary-bronchial fistula.

A case is described in which technetium-99m-di-isopropyl-iminodiacetic acid imaging was used to trace the passage of bile from its site of leakage into an amoebic liver abscess, through a fistulous tract connecting the liver abscess with an abscess in the right lower lobe of the lung, and into the upper respiratory tract.