Identification of hemostatic markers that define the pre-DIC state: A multi-center observational study.

Background: A limitation of diagnostic scoring systems for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is that once DIC is identified, it may be in a state of irreversible deterioration.

Objectives: To identify hemostatic markers that can identify the pre-DIC state.

Methods: This was a multi-center observational study of 357 septic patients.

Blood loss from laboratory testing, anemia, and red blood cell transfusion in the intensive care unit: a retrospective study.

Background: Anemia is common in critically ill patients and associated with adverse outcomes. Phlebotomy associated with laboratory testing is a potentially modifiable contributor. This study aims to 1) characterize the blood volume taken for laboratory testing, and 2) explore the effect of blood loss on red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and anemia in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Comparison of the source and prognostic utility of cfDNA in trauma and sepsis.

Background: Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) may contribute to the pathophysiology of post-injury inflammation and coagulation in trauma. However, the source and mechanism of release of cfDNA in trauma is not well understood. One potential source of cfDNA is from Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs), released by activated neutrophils during the process of NETosis.

Risk of venous and arterial thrombosis in non-surgical patients receiving systemic tranexamic acid: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Antifibrinolytic agents such as tranexamic acid (TXA) are commonly used as adjunctive therapies to prevent and treat excessive bleeding. In non-surgical settings, TXA is known to reduce bleeding related mortality. However, impact of TXA use on thrombosis is uncertain.

Assessing the Quality of Evidence Presented at Annual General Meetings: A 5-Year Retrospective Study.

Introduction: Health care professionals rely on annual general meetings (AGMs) to obtain up-to-date information and practice guidelines relevant to their specialty. The majority of such information at meetings is presented through abstract sessions. However, the quality of the evidence presented during such abstract sessions is unclear.

Devices to Reduce the Volume of Blood Taken for Laboratory Testing in ICU Patients: A Systematic Review.

Background: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are at high risk of anemia, which is associated with adverse clinical outcomes and death. Blood sampling for diagnostic testing is a potentially modifiable contributor to anemia.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review by searching MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to October 5, 2017, for studies reporting the volume of blood taken for laboratory testing using blood sampling conservation devices compared to standard care or another intervention in adult ICU patients.

The real-world outcomes of treating Polycythemia Vera: Physician adherence to treatment guidelines.

Therapy in Polycythemia Vera (PV), a myeloproliferative neoplasm, focuses on reducing cardiovascular (CV) risk without increasing bleeding or hematological progression. However, the real-world practice of treating PV in North America is understudied. We performed a retrospective cohort study of newly diagnosed PV (JAK2V617F mutation positive) patients in Hamilton, Canada to fill this knowledge gap.

The adult foraging assay (AFA) detects strain and food-deprivation effects in feeding-related traits of Drosophila melanogaster.

We introduce a high-resolution adult foraging assay (AFA) that relates pre- and post-ingestive walking behavior to individual instances of food consumption. We explore the utility of the AFA by taking advantage of established rover and sitter strains known to differ in a number of feeding-related traits. The AFA allows us to effectively distinguish locomotor behavior in Fed and Food-Deprived (FD) rover and sitter foragers.

Coordination of Myeloid Differentiation with Reduced Cell Cycle Progression by PU.1 Induction of MicroRNAs Targeting Cell Cycle Regulators and Lipid Anabolism.

During macrophage development, myeloid progenitor cells undergo terminal differentiation coordinated with reduced cell cycle progression. Differentiation of macrophages from myeloid progenitors is accompanied by increased expression of the E26 transformation-specific transcription factor PU.1.