, , and Hot-Spot Mutations in Relation to Sidedness of Primary Colorectal Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Studies have shown an association between colorectal cancer (CRC) sidedness and gene mutations that may affect CRC clinical behavior. This study examined the association between specific , , and hot-spot mutations and primary CRC sidedness. We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of 722 patients diagnosed with primary CRC and tested for , , and hot-spot mutations at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) from January 2016 through July 2023.

Central Line Access Is Predictive of Diagnostic Blood Loss and Transfusion in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit.

Background: Most patients in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) have anemia and undergo extensive diagnostic laboratory testing (DLT). Consequently, patients undergo RBC transfusion, and many are discharged with anemia, both of which are associated with poorer outcomes.

Objective: To characterize DLT blood loss in the SICU.

Methods matter - Tailoring SARS-CoV-2 antibody targets to vaccination status.

Individuals who have been vaccinated for COVID19 should have IgG antibody in response to the specific antigen that is the target in the vaccine development. There are several options for targeted COVID19 antigen, but most manufacturers have focused on the spike protein. Using our understanding of the targeted antigen for vaccine development, we can develop testing algorithmic scheme for anti-spike and anti-nucleocapsid antibody assays to aid delineation of infection versus vaccination in our patient population.

Urinary NT-proBNP as a potential noninvasive biomarker for screening of pulmonary hypertension in preterm infants: a pilot study.

Objective: This pilot study aimed to determine the feasibility of urinary NT-proBNP (NT-proBNP) as a potential noninvasive screening marker for pulmonary hypertension (PH).

Study Design: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted. Preterm infants (PI) (birthweight <1500 gm and <30 weeks gestational age (GA)) were enrolled.

NTproBNP as a surrogate biomarker for early screening of pulmonary hypertension in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Objective: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a known complication of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). This study aimed to determine the utility of serial N-Terminal pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NTproBNP) levels in the screening of BPD associated PH (BPD-PH) in preterm infants.

Study Design: Infants with birth weight <1500 g and <30 week corrected gestational age (CGA) were followed with serial NTproBNP levels and echocardiograms (ECHO).

Critically low sodium levels due to concentration gradients formed in patient samples after undergoing a freeze-thaw cycle.

Background: Concentrations gradients that form in plasma as a result of freezing and thawing is a well-known phenomenon. As the water fraction converts into ice, plasma constituents diffuse from the freezing front by natural convection in the liquid phase. This process can lead to erroneous lab results, if the sample is not thoroughly mixed prior to testing.

Skin Rash and Microscopic Hematuria in a 10-Year-Old Caucasian Male.

Objective: Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is an acute, systemic, vasculitis with IgA-dominant immune deposits. With the emphasis on educational value of HSP, which is the most common form of vasculitis in children, we report an actual case from a 10-year-old boy.

Method: The patient presented with the chief complaint of a skin rash.

Comparative effects of cocaine and cocaethylene on alveolar epithelial type II cells.

Abuse of cocaine (COC) and alcohol have been among the leading causes of non-prescription drug-related deaths in the USA and are known to cause acute and chronic lung diseases. The co-abuse of COC and alcohol results in the production of an active metabolite, cocaethylene (CE). The effects of COC and its metabolites on the respiratory system have been scarcely studied.

Particles internalization, oxidative stress, apoptosis and pro-inflammatory cytokines in alveolar macrophages exposed to cement dust.

Exposure to cement dust is one of the most common occupational dust exposures worldwide, but the mechanism of toxicity has not been fully elucidated. Cement dust (N) and clinker (C) samples collected from Nigeria and another sample of cement dust (U) collected from USA were evaluated using alveolar macrophage (NR8383) cell culture to determine the contribution of different sources of cement dust in the severity of cement dust toxicity. Cement dust particles internalization and morphologic alterations using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cytotoxicity, apoptotic cells induction, intracellular reactive oxygen species generation, glutathione reduction, TNF-α, IL-1β, and CINC-3 secretion in alveolar macrophages (NR8383) exposed to cement dust and clinker samples were determined.

The potential benefits and adverse effects of phytic Acid supplement in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

In this study, the effect of phytic acid supplement on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was investigated. Diabetic rats were fed rodent chow with or without phytic acid supplementation for thirty days. Blood and organ samples were collected for assays.

Evaluation of INK4A promoter methylation using pyrosequencing and circulating cell-free DNA from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Hyper-methylation of CpG dinucleotides in the promoter region of inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase 4A (INK4A) has been reported in 60%-80% of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As INK4A promoter hypermethylation event occurs early in HCC progression, the quantification of INK4A promoter methylation in blood sample may represent a useful biomarker for non-invasive diagnosis and prediction of response to therapy.

Methods: We examined INK4A promoter methylation using circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) in a total of 109 serum specimens, including 66 HCC and 43 benign chronic liver diseases.

Lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, calcium, iron, manganese and chromium (VI) levels in Nigeria and United States of America cement dust.

This study was aimed at investigating the relative abundance of heavy metals in cement dust from different cement dust factories in order to predict their possible roles in the severity of cement dust toxicity. The concentrations of total mercury (Hg), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), iron (Fe) and chromium (VI) (Cr (VI)) levels in cement dust and clinker samples from Nigeria and cement dust sample from the United States of America (USA) were determined using graphite furnace atomic absorption (GFAAS), while Zn and Ca were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS), and Cr (VI) by colorimetric method. Total Cu, Ni and Mn were significantly higher in cement dust sample from USA (p<0.

Evaluation of the performance of urine albumin, creatinine and albumin-creatinine ratio assay on two POCT analyzers relative to a central laboratory method.

Background: The evaluation of microalbumin, creatinine and albumin-creatinine ratio is very important in patients with diabetes for the early detection of kidney disease and the identification of patients at risk for complications from diabetes or hypertension.

Methods: A total of 88 spot urine samples previously analyzed using the Vitros 5,1 FS (creatinine) and Beckman Coulter Immage (microalbumin) located in the central laboratory and having microalbumin and creatinine values within the Afinion and DCA Vantage reportable ranges were run on 2 point of care (POC) instruments (Siemens DCA Vantage and Axis-Shield Afinion).

Results: The mean values for the DCA Vantage were: 42.

Hemoglobin A1c: assessment of three POC analyzers relative to a central laboratory method.

Background: Glycosylated hemoglobin evaluation is very important for assessing the control of diabetes. Since the use of point-of-care (POC) devices for monitoring HbA1c is increasing, it is important to determine how these devices compare in relation to instrumentation used in the central laboratory (CL).

Methods: Eighty-eight randomly selected samples previously analyzed using the Bio-Rad Variant™ II Hemoglobin Testing System were run on three POC Analyzers (Siemens DCA Vantage™ Analyzer, Axis-Shield Afinion™ AS100 Analyzer, and Bio-Rad In2it™ Analyzer).

Adenosine deaminase activity in subjects with normal pregnancy, pregnancy induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia.

Background: Both pregnancy and adenosine deaminase (ADA) are associated with depressed cellular mediated immunity. There is little information on ADA activity in pregnant Africans.

Objective: To determine the serum levels of adenosine deaminase (ADA) in normal pregnancy and pregnancy complicated by hypertension in Nigerian women.

Fit-for-purpose evaluation of architect i1000SR immunoassay analyzer.

Background: Last year Abbott Laboratories introduced the Architect i1000SR modular chemiluminescent immunoassay analyzer for laboratories performing <200 test/day. The analyzer has a diverse menu of most routinely tested assays for the low to mid volume hospital laboratory. We evaluated the analytical performance, productivity and efficiency of this system for a 1-y period.

Comparison of POCT and central laboratory blood glucose results using arterial, capillary, and venous samples from MICU patients on a tight glycemic protocol.

Background: Point of care (POC) glucose meters are routinely used to monitor glucose levels for patients on tight glycemic control therapy. We determined if glucose values were different for a POC glucose meter as compared to the main clinical laboratory for medical intensive care unit patients on a tight glycemic protocol and whether the site of blood sampling had a significant impact on glucose values.

Methods: Eighty-four patients (114 paired samples) who were on a tight glycemic protocol in the period November 2005 through August 2006 were enrolled.

Plasma total and ultrafiltrable calcium in normal pregnancy, hypertension in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia.

Objective: To measure the ultrafiltrable and total plasma calcium in normal pregnancy and pregnancies complicated with hypertension and pre-eclampsia.

Patients And Methods: Total and ultrafiltrable calcium concentrations were measured in maternal plasma from non-pregnant (35), normal pregnant (35), Pregnancy induced hypertension (35) and pre-eclamptic (20) women. Plasma total calcium level was measured by the o'cresolphthalein method.

Electrolytes and pH changes in pre-eclamptic rats.

Background: Intracellular free calcium [Ca2+]i and magnesium [Mg2+]i ions play major roles in the mechanism of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) contraction. Although essential hypertension and abnormal intracellular homeostasis of these ions have long been recognized as major icons in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia, the underlying mechanism(s) remain poorly understood.

Methods: Alterations of vascular smooth muscle and platelet intracellular cations [Ca2+]i, [Mg2+]i and [H+]i relative to plasma concentrations of these ions in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) blockade-induced models of pre-eclampsia have been evaluated in the present study.