Pioneering molecular screening for cervical precursor lesions and cervical cancer in sera.

Cervical cancer is a significant public health issue in Mexico and many developing countries. Early detection is crucial for combating this disease. The official screening test for cervical cancer is cytology, but this technique faces several barriers, including methodological, educational, and sociocultural challenges.

Circulating cervical cancer biomarkers potentially useful in medical attention (Review).

Cervical cancer (CC) is a public health problem worldwide, including Mexico. This type of cancer is the fourth most frequent in women worldwide; in Mexico it is the second most common type in women after breast cancer. The diagnosis of CC is based mainly on Pap smears and colposcopy and the identification of molecular tools that serve as a support for these methods is urgent.

Effect of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass on Lipoprotein Metabolism and Markers of HDL Functionality in Morbid Obese Patients.

Purpose: Morbid obesity represents the most severe form of obesity and surgical intervention would be its only successful treatment. Bariatric surgery could generate modifications in carbohydrate metabolism and in lipid profile plus lipoprotein-associated proteins and enzymes, such as lipoprotein-associated phoslipase A (Lp-PLA), cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), and paraoxonase (PON) 1. The aim of the present study was to analyze changes in inflammation markers, carbohydrate metabolism, and lipid parameters in patients who underwent bariatric surgery.

Perceptions of Barriers and Benefits of HCV Treatment and Correlates to Treatment Intention in Methadone Patients.

While most methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) patients have hepatitis C (HCV), less than 11% initiate treatment. The objective of this study was to assess this population's perceptions of HCV treatment. We surveyed 100 HCV+ MMT patients from four urban programs, asking scaled attitude scores about factors that may affect treatment decisions.

Primitive Old World monkey from the earliest Miocene of Kenya and the evolution of cercopithecoid bilophodonty.

Old World monkeys (Cercopithecoidea) are a highly successful primate radiation, with more than 130 living species and the broadest geographic range of any extant group except humans. Although cercopithecoids are highly variable in habitat use, social behavior, and diet, a signature dental feature unites all of its extant members: bilophodonty (bi: two, loph: crest, dont: tooth), or the presence of two cross-lophs on the molars. This feature offers an adaptable Bauplan that, with small changes to its individual components, permits its members to process vastly different kinds of food.

Mapping the Barriers and Facilitators of HCV Treatment Initiation in Methadone Maintenance Therapy Patients: Implications for Intervention Development.

An estimated 70-90% of current methadone users have Hepatitis C (HCV). Current treatments have few side effects and can cure infection in 8-12 weeks, but less than 10% of methadone patients initiate treatment. Engaging this group in treatment is an important strategy to lower both morbidity and mortality from liver disease and eliminate a significant reservoir of HCV in communities.

Ten years of preanalytical monitoring and control: Synthetic Balanced Score Card Indicator.

Introduction: Preanalytical control and monitoring continue to be an important issue for clinical laboratory professionals. The aim of the study was to evaluate a monitoring system of preanalytical errors regarding not suitable samples for analysis, based on different indicators; to compare such indicators in different phlebotomy centres; and finally to evaluate a single synthetic preanalytical indicator that may be included in the balanced scorecard management system (BSC).

Materials And Methods: We collected individual and global preanalytical errors in haematology, coagulation, chemistry, and urine samples analysis.

Customising turnaround time indicators to requesting clinician: a 10-year study through balanced scorecard indicators.

Aim: The purpose of this study is, first to present a 10-year monitoring of postanalytical turnaround time (TAT) adapted to different clinicians and patient situations, second to evaluate and analyse the indicators results during that period of time, and finally to show a synthetic appropriate indicator to be included in the balanced scorecard management system.

Methods: TAT indicator for routine samples was devised as the percentage of certain key tests that were verified before a specific time on the phlebotomy day. A weighted mean synthetic indicator was also designed.

Patient identification errors: the detective in the laboratory.

Background: The eradication of errors regarding patients' identification is one of the main goals for safety improvement. As clinical laboratory intervenes in 70% of clinical decisions, laboratory safety is crucial in patient safety. We studied the number of Laboratory Information System (LIS) demographic data errors registered in our laboratory during one year.

Should we customise critical value procedure according to patient origin and laboratory turnaround time?

Introduction: Our routine laboratory critical value notification procedure is based on a short list of six fundamental critical values. The report system for our Stat laboratory is not based on this 'short list'; instead, critical values are always reported according to the patient clinical context and the previous laboratory results. The aim of our work is to show how a critical value notification procedure based on a rigid list of values and thresholds can result in completely different results depending on whether the tests are requested in a stat or a routine manner.

Alert value reporting: a new strategy for patient safety.

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to introduce the "alert value reporting" concept in primary care setting, to propose a list of chemistry and hematology alert limit tests that can be chosen for that strategy, to show how this notification procedure can be designed and established, and finally to evaluate the effectiveness and physicians' satisfaction regarding the proposed approach. In contrast to critical value reporting, alert value reporting would not allude to a result that may imply a life-threatening situation, but would indicate that an early diagnostic/therapeutic action would improve the patient's management and quality of life.

Design And Methods: A list of chemistry and hematology alert limit tests to be used for the strategy was agreed upon between laboratory professionals and general practitioners.

Reducing preanalytical laboratory sample errors through educational and technological interventions.

Background: A correct preanalytical phase procedure is critical to get an adequate sample and consequently to achieve the most reliable laboratory results, promoting patient safety. Continuous laboratory staff changes create the need to establish improvement strategies to reduce the error risk. The objective was to show how the numbers of preanalytical errors related to unsuitable samples in a hospital setting decrease following two improvement strategies related to new technology and educational actions and how their effects were measured by monitoring indicators.

Diagnostic accuracy of icteric index to detect abnormal total bilirubin values.

Aims: Total bilirubin tests are individually inexpensive but can result in huge costs to healthcare systems worldwide, because they are very commonly requested. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the icteric index, a test with zero reagent cost, as a preliminary biomarker to decide when total bilirubin measurement is necessary.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all the requested total bilirubin values and their corresponding icteric index results in a 2-year period (2010-11).

Faunal change in the Turkana Basin during the late Oligocene and Miocene.

Faunal evolution over the last 65 million years of earth's history was dominated by mammalian radiations, but much of this era is poorly represented in Africa. Mammals first appeared early in the Mesozoic, living alongside dinosaurs for millions of years, but it was not until the extinction of dinosaurs 65 myr ago that the first major explosion of mammalian taxa took place. The Cenozoic (65 Ma to Recent) witnessed repeated and dynamic events involving the radiation, evolution, and extinction of mammalian faunas.

Three years of preanalytical errors: quality specifications and improvement through implementation of statistical process control.

Background: The objectives of this research were to show the most frequent preanalytical sample errors from two distinct patient populations and blood-drawing personnel, to calculate preanalytical quality specifications, and to demonstrate an improvement strategy for patients whose samples have been drawn in the primary health care center by means of a monthly preanalytical quality control report based on statistical process control (SPC).

Material And Methods: We collected preanalytical errors from the tests requested for hematology, coagulation, chemistry, and urine samples in both populations. To monitor an improvement strategy, we designed a set of indicators.

Achieving continuous improvement in laboratory organization through performance measurements: a seven-year experience.

Background: Laboratory performance can be measured using a set of model key performance indicators (KPIs). The design and implementation of KPIs are important issues. KPI results from 7 years are reported and their implementation, monitoring, objectives, interventions, result reporting and delivery are analyzed.

Aromatase expression in endometriotic tissues and its relationship to clinical and analytical findings.

Objective: To study the relationship between aromatase expression in endometriotic tissues and clinical and laboratory findings.

Design: Prospective basic and clinical research.

Setting: University hospital.

GnRH analogues, transvaginal ultrasound-guided drainage and intracystic injection of recombinant interleukin-2 in the treatment of endometriosis.

We performed a double-blind, randomised controlled trial to evaluate the results of ultrasound-guided aspiration of endometriomas under the effect of GnRH analogues and a possible additional beneficial effect by leaving 600000 IU of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) in the cysts. Twenty-four women with endometriosis-related symptoms, increased values of CA-125 and transvaginal ultrasonography showing endometriomas >3 cm who were initially sent to us for laparotomy and conservative surgery for endometriosis were included. Main outcome measures were severity of symptoms, size and percentage of echographical reduction of endometriomas and CA-125 levels after 2 menses post-GnRH analogues.

Use of intraperitoneal interferon alpha-2b therapy after conservative surgery for endometriosis and postoperative medical treatment with depot gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog: a randomized clinical trial.

Objective: To evaluate the possible therapeutic effects of interferon alpha-2b left in the peritoneum after surgery, followed by or not followed by treatment with GnRH analogs.

Design: A prospective, randomized clinical trial.

Setting: University hospital.