The novel IMAGE001 genotyping array as a valuable alternative for genetic diversity screening in chicken: a demonstration in a local chicken breed in Belgium.

Screening for genetic diversity in livestock species breeds is of utmost importance, especially for local, small populations that are at the risk of extinction. Luckily, recent developments in technology increase access to genotyping, also for numerically small breeds. One of these new technologies is the IMAGE001 single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping array that includes markers for 6 different species (cow, pig, sheep, chicken, horse and goat).

A Revised Phylogeny of the Clade Reveals Cryptic Species.

The genus is taxonomically and phylogenetically challenging due to complex genomes, polyploidization and an extensive historical nomenclature, potentially hiding cryptic taxa. A straightforward interpretation of phylogenetic relationships within the section is further hindered by dominant but outdated concepts on historically identified hybrid taxa. is traditionally considered to be of hybrid origin, but the evidence for this is weak.

Lethal Injection of a Castor Bean Extract: Ricinine Quantification as a Marker for Ricin Exposure Using a Validated LC-MS/MS Method.

Ricin is a highly toxic agent derived from the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis). Poisoning occurs commonly by oral ingestion of the beans. Injection of ricin is believed to be more lethal.

Performance Evaluation of Serum Free Light Chain Analysis: Nephelometry vs Turbidimetry, Monoclonal vs Polyclonal Reagents.

Objectives: Free light chain (FLC) measurement gained a lot of interest for diagnostic workup of monoclonal gammopathy.

Methods: We evaluated the performance of turbidimetric polyclonal Freelite (The Binding Site, Birmingham, UK) assays on Cobas 6000 (Roche Diagnostics, Rotkreuz, Switzerland) and nephelometric monoclonal N Latex (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Marburg, Germany) assays on BN ProSpec (Dade Behring, Deerfield, IL) vs established nephelometric Freelite assays on BN ProSpec.

Results: Analytical performance was acceptable.

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), an unusual cause of high anion gap metabolic acidosis.

The causes of high anion gap metabolic acidosis (HAGMA) are well described in the literature. However, sometimes more frequent causes of HAGMA cannot explain its occurrence.In the case of HAGMA and severe neurological depression in the absence of other causes of HAGMA, clinicians should consider an intoxication with gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) as a possible cause.

Antithrombin heparin binding site deficiency: A challenging diagnosis of a not so benign thrombophilia.

Background: Hereditary antithrombin (AT) deficiency is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterised by decreased AT activity in plasma and predisposition to recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE). Thrombotic risk is thought to vary according to the subtype of deficiency, with Heparin Binding Site (HBS) deficiencies being the less thrombogenic.

Objectives And Methods: The study population consisted of 82 genetically confirmed HBS deficient patients sharing six different mutations.

Evaluation of the Sebia CAPILLARYS 2 flex piercing for the measurement of HbA(1c) on venous and capillary blood samples.

Objectives: We evaluated the Sebia CAPILLARYS 2 Flex Piercing (Cap 2FP; Sebia, Lisses, France) for measurement of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) on venous and capillary blood samples.

Methods: We analyzed whole-blood samples and control materials with the Cap 2FP and Tosoh G8 (Tosoh Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). Capillary blood samples were analyzed on the Cap 2FP on different storage conditions and were compared with venous samples.

Diagnostic potential of CD34+ cell antigen expression in myelodysplastic syndromes.

The World Health Organization introduced flow cytometry as an additional criterion for diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Aberrant antigen expression on bone marrow (BM) blasts may identify "low-grade MDS." This study aimed to examine differences in antigen expression on CD34+ BM cells between patients with MDS and those with secondary cytopenia.

Use of likelihood ratios improves interpretation of laboratory testing for pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Laboratory tests for pulmonary sarcoidosis (percentage lymphocytes and CD4/CD8 ratio in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum angiotensin-converting enzyme activity) lack sensitivity and specificity. In a retrospective study of 153 subjects under suspicion of pulmonary sarcoidosis (36 cases and 117 patients with other diseases [control patients]), we defined likelihood ratios (LRs) for rationally selected result intervals of these tests, which improve clinical interpretation as compared with dichotomous interpretation based on a single cutoff value. By using logistic regression analysis, we further integrated the 3 individual tests into a unified algorithm that could rule out diagnosis in 57 (48.