Hematologists/Physicians Need to Be Aware of Pseudohypercalcemia in Monoclonal Gammopathy: Lessons from a Case Report.

We present a patient at risk of misdiagnosis with multiple myeloma due to pseudohypercalcemia. Examinations showed monoclonal protein, 50% monoclonal plasma cells in bone marrow, and hypercalcemia but no osteolytic bone lesions. Follow-up tests revealed pseudohypercalcemia, with elevated total calcium, but normal ionized calcium: a discrepancy due to calcium binding to monoclonal paraprotein (confirmed by laboratory experiments).

Glow-in-the-Dark Infectious Disease Diagnostics Using CRISPR-Cas9-Based Split Luciferase Complementation.

Nucleic acid detection methods based on CRISPR and isothermal amplification techniques show great potential for point-of-care diagnostic applications. However, most current methods rely on fluorescent or lateral flow assay readout, requiring external excitation or postamplification reaction transfer. Here, we developed a bioluminescent nucleic acid sensor (LUNAS) platform in which target dsDNA is sequence-specifically detected by a pair of dCas9-based probes mediating split NanoLuc luciferase complementation.

What extreme laboratory values can be obtained that (some) patients can survive with?

Objectives: We wanted to have a more substantiated idea about the extreme values which are possible in patients not dying or being moribund.

Methods: for nine regular analytes the five most extreme results registered between 2014 and 2018 in our database were searched. Results had to have been confirmed by multiple analyses in different samples.

Accuracy of Bioimpedance Spectroscopy in the Detection of Hydration Changes in Patients on Hemodialysis.

Objectives: The body composition monitor (BCM) is a bioimpedance spectroscopy device, specifically developed for patients on hemodialysis (HD) to improve ultrafiltration (UF) programming, based on an objective assessment of the degree of overhydration (OH) at the start of HD. However, its acceptance in clinical practice remains limited because of concerns about the accuracy at the individual level. The aim of this study is to examine the performance of the BCM and to identify means of improvement.

Radiofrequency ablation for symptomatic, non-functioning, thyroid nodules: a single-center learning curve.

Objective: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is increasingly considered the prime option for treating symptomatic, benign, non-functioning thyroid nodules (NFTN). However, little is known about the degree of operator experience required to achieve optimal results. This study describes the RFA learning curve of a single-center team.