Quantifying sampling method-induced imprecision in user-friendly lateral upper arm blood collection: Introducing σ-methodology for the verification of alternative sampling methods with TAP® II as a use case.

Background: Alternative means of blood sampling continue to grow due to the scarcity of phlebotomists and the need for person-centered care. It is crucial to consistently support these alternative blood sampling innovations with scientific evidence to guarantee the quality of care, especially when implementing for instance Lateral Upper-arm Blood Collection (LUBC) for non-trained professionals at home. Knowledge gaps remain in how to quantify imprecision introduced by the collection method and its impact on clinical use.

Performance of commercially-available cholesterol self-tests.

Background: Hypercholesterolemia (plasma cholesterol concentration ≥5.2 mmol/L) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Many different cholesterol self-tests are readily available at general stores, pharmacies and web shops.

Differential leucocyte RNA expression in the coronary arteries compared to systemic circulation discriminates between patients with and those without coronary artery disease.

Aims: To test the hypothesis that the pattern of gene expression in circulating leukocytes may differ between vascular compartments, depending on the presence or absence of atherosclerosis, we evaluated the regional vascular differences in patterns of inflammatory cell activation.

Methods: Patients (n=8) with angiographically-established coronary artery disease (CAD+) and 8 without (CAD-) had blood samples taken from a peripheral vein as well as from left and right coronary arteries. Samples were pooled resulting in 4 CAD+ samples versus 4 CAD- samples and hybridised to a Whole Human Genome Microarray 4×44K.

Evaluation of the performance of a point-of-care method for total and differential white blood cell count in clozapine users.

Introduction: We evaluated the performance of the HemoCue WBC DIFF, a point-of-care device for total and differential white cell count, primarily to test its suitability for the mandatory white blood cell monitoring in clozapine use.

Method: Leukocyte count and 5-part differentiation was performed by the point-of-care device and by routine laboratory method in venous EDTA-blood samples from 20 clozapine users, 20 neutropenic patients, and 20 healthy volunteers. From the volunteers, also a capillary sample was drawn.

Evaluation of new laboratory tests to discriminate bacterial from nonbacterial chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations.

Introductions: Discriminating bacterial from nonbacterial acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is difficult, causing antibiotics overuse and bacterial resistance. Sputum cultures are of limited use because results take time. In our hospital, only leukocyte concentration and CRP are laboratory parameters evaluated in AECOPD.

Glucose-dependent leukocyte activation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, familial combined hyperlipidemia and healthy controls.

Background: Leukocyte activation has been associated with vascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Hyperglycemia may be involved in this leukocyte activation. Our aim was to investigate the role of elevated glucose concentrations on leukocyte activation in patients with a wide range of insulin sensitivity.

Differential complement activation pathways promote C3b deposition on native and acetylated LDL thereby inducing lipoprotein binding to the complement receptor 1.

Lipoproteins can induce complement activation resulting in opsonization and binding of these complexes to complement receptors. We investigated the binding of opsonized native LDL and acetylated LDL (acLDL) to the complement receptor 1 (CR1). Binding of complement factors C3b, IgM, C1q, mannose-binding lectin (MBL), and properdin to LDL and acLDL were investigated by ELISA.

Postprandial inflammation: targeting glucose and lipids.

Many risk factors have been identified as being responsible for the process of atherogenesis. Several of these risk factors are related to inflammation, which is an obligatory feature of the atherosclerotic plaque. Increasing evidence suggests that postprandial lipoproteins and glucose may be involved in the inflammatory process preceding the development of atherosclerosis.

A new flow cytometric method for differential cell counting in ascitic fluid.

Background: Cell counts in bodyfluids such as ascitic fluid can be difficult to perform and report rapidly. The current gold standard for cell counting in body fluids is a suitable automated cell counter or a manual counting chamber, combined with differential counting on a cytospin. This technique has several disadvantages, so we designed a new flow cytometric test for cell counting in ascites.

Vitamin D3 mediated effects on postprandial leukocyte activation and arterial stiffness in men and women.

Postprandial inflammation is considered to be pro-atherogenic. Vitamin D can reduce inflammation and arterial stiffness. We hypothesized that vitamin D3 improves postprandial arterial elasticity by the modulation of leukocyte activation.

A new flow cytometric method for differential cell counting in ascitic fluid.

Background: Cell counts in bodyfluids such as ascitic fluid can be difficult to perform and report rapidly. The current gold standard for cell counting in body fluids is a suitable automated cell counter or a manual counting chamber, combined with differential counting on a cytospin. This technique has several disadvantages, so we designed a new flow cytometric test for cell counting in ascites.

Automated screening for myelodysplastic syndromes through analysis of complete blood count and cell population data parameters.

The diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) requires a high clinical index of suspicion to prompt bone marrow studies as well as subjective assessment of dysplastic morphology. We sought to determine if data collected by automated hematology analyzers during complete blood count (CBC) analysis might help to identify MDS in a routine clinical setting. We collected CBC parameters (including those for research use only and cell population data) and demographic information in a large (>5,000), unselected sequential cohort of outpatients.

Erythrocyte-bound apolipoprotein B in relation to atherosclerosis, serum lipids and ABO blood group.

Introduction: Erythrocytes carry apolipoprotein B on their membrane, but the determining factors of erythrocyte-bound apolipoprotein B (ery-apoB) are unknown. We aimed to explore the determinants of ery-apoB to gain more insight into potential mechanisms.

Methods: Subjects with and without CVD were included (N = 398).

Trans-vessel gradient of myeloperoxidase in coronary artery disease.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) may reflect generalized inflammation. We evaluated leucocyte activation in subjects with and without CAD in different vascular compartments.

Materials And Methods: Patients were divided in two groups; subjects without CAD (controls; n = 25) and with stable CAD (n = 52) based on coronary angiography.

Underdiagnosis and overdiagnosis of asthma in the morbidly obese.

Background: The prevalence of obesity and asthma has increased concurrently over the last decades, suggesting a link between obesity and asthma. However, asthma might not be adequately diagnosed in this population.

Aim: To investigate whether not only overdiagnosis but also underdiagnosis of asthma is present in an obese population.

Leukocyte cell population data (volume conductivity scatter) in postprandial leukocyte activation.

Introduction: Changes in leukocyte cell population data have been reported in various infectious diseases, but little is known in other inflammatory conditions such as the postprandial state. We investigated whether leukocyte cell population data change during postprandial leukocyte activation.

Methods: Healthy volunteers underwent a standardized oral fat loading test (OFLT).

Systemic inflammation and lung function impairment in morbidly obese subjects with the metabolic syndrome.

Background: Obesity and asthma are associated. There is a relationship between lung function impairment and the metabolic syndrome. Whether this relationship also exists in the morbidly obese patients is still unknown.

Sunitinib-associated pseudothrombocytopenia induced by IgM antibody.

Thrombocytopenia is a well-documented adverse reaction of sunitinib. Thrombocytopenia was observed in a patient with metastatic renal clear-cell carcinoma undergoing sunitinib treatment. Platelet count in an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) sample was 19 × 10(9)/l.

Exploring the value of apoB48 as a marker for atherosclerosis in clinical practice.

Background:   Postprandial accumulation of atherogenic remnants has been described in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), familial combined hyperlipidaemia (FCH), familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) and coronary artery disease (CAD). Scarce data are available on fasting plasma apolipoprotein (apo) B48 levels in relation to these conditions and atherosclerosis.

Design:   Treated patients with FCH (18), FH (20), T2DM (26), CAD (65), T2DM with CAD (T2DM/CAD) (28) and 33 healthy controls were included.

Cell-mediated lipoprotein transport: a novel anti-atherogenic concept.

Lipoprotein transport is thought to occur in the plasma compartment of the blood, where lipoproteins are modulated by various enzymatic reactions. Subsequently, lipoproteins can migrate through the endothelial barrier to the subendothelial space or are taken up by the liver. The interaction between pro-atherogenic (apoB-containing) lipoproteins and blood cells (especially monocytes and macrophages) in the subendothelial space is well known.

Four patients with hypothyroid Graves' disease.

In autoimmune hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's disease), TPO (thyroid peroxidase) antibodies may be detected, while in autoimmune hyperthyroidism (Graves' disease) thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH ) receptor antibodies (TSH -R-AB s) are frequently present. Less well known is the fact that autoimmune hypothyroidism can present with TSH-R-ABs and ophthalmic Graves' disease (OGD). This condition is also known as hypothyroid Graves' disease.

Abrupt versus gradual withdrawal of vitamin K antagonist treatment in patients with venous thromboembolic disease: assessment of hypercoagulability and clinical outcome.

Background: It is yet unclear whether vitamin K antagonist treatment should be stopped abruptly or gradually after an episode of venous thromboembolism. The mode of withdrawal might influence a potential development of a hypercoagulable state, which could influence the risk for recurrent disease.

Methods: We prospectively studied 37 consecutive patients in whom acenocoumarol was discontinued either abrupt (18) or gradually (19) (2/3 and 1/3 of the initial dose for one week).