Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Healthcare Workers of a German COVID-19 Treatment Center.

To date, more than 160 million people have been infected with COVID-19 worldwide. In the present study, we investigated the history of SARS-CoV-2 infection among 3067 healthcare workers (HCW) in a German COVID-19 treatment center during the early phase of the pandemic (July 2020) based on the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and self-reported previous PCR results. The results demonstrate a low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection ( = 107 [3.

Beta-trace protein in ascites and pleural effusions: limits of CSF leakage detection.

Rhino- and/or otoliquorrhea can be diagnosed by detecting beta-trace protein (β-TP) in nasal or ear secretions, as β-TP is found in high concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) but not in serum. CSF fistulae following trauma or surgery can also occur at other anatomical sites, resulting in CSF leakage into the thoracic and abdominal cavities. By analogy, determination of ß-TP has also been used to diagnose CSF admixture in pleural effusions and ascites.

Outcome of severe lactic acidosis associated with metformin accumulation.

Introduction: Metformin associated lactic acidosis (MALA) may complicate metformin therapy, particularly if metformin accumulates due to renal dysfunction. Profound lactic acidosis (LA) generally predicts poor outcome. We aimed to determine if MALA differs in outcome from LA of other origin (LAOO).

Reference intervals for eight measurands of the blood count in a large population based study.

Background: The blood count is widely used in clinical practice. Well defined reference intervals for each measurand are essential for correct clinical interpretation of results. Most previous studies have not been population-based.

Thyroid disorders in employees of a nuclear power plant.

Background: The thyroid gland is a potential target organ for radiation-related damage. The aim of this analysis was to investigate the association between occupational exposure to ionizing radiation and the risk of autoimmune thyroid disease as well as thyroid nodules and dysfunction in workers of a former nuclear power station.

Methods: Seventy-one male power station workers 38 to 57 years of age who had been exposed to a lifetime dose in the upper allowed range (accumulated lifetime dose 70 to 400 mSv) were compared to a population-based sample of 670 males who were not exposed to occupational radiation.

Bilirubin measurement for neonates: comparison of 9 frequently used methods.

Objective: High blood concentrations of bilirubin are toxic to the brain and may cause kernicterus. Therefore, determination of bilirubin levels is performed for many newborns, and several different methods are available. We compared 9 frequently used methods for bilirubin determination among newborns under routine conditions, to define their sequence of use.

Methods for the monitoring of direct thrombin inhibitors.

Direct thrombin inhibitors are available for prophylactic as well as therapeutic purposes. Application of hirudin in therapeutic doses has been shown to require drug monitoring. Currently, most experience is available for recombinant hirudin, but the principle aspects of drug monitoring are the same for all direct thrombin inhibitors.