Reduced increase of calcium scores using breath-hold in left-sided whole breast irradiation.

Purpose: In this prospective longitudinal study, Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) scores determined before the start of whole breast irradiation were compared with those determined 7 years afterwards. The aim was to examine whether the use of a breath-hold (BH) technique is associated with less increase of CAC scores.

Methods And Materials: Changes in CAC scores were analysed in 87 breast cancer patients.

Outcomes of visceral leishmaniasis in pregnancy: A retrospective cohort study from South Sudan.

Introduction: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic in South Sudan, where outbreaks occur frequently. Because of changes in the immune system during pregnancy, pregnant women are considered particularly vulnerable for developing complications of VL disease, including opportunistic infections. There is limited evidence available about clinical aspects and treatment outcomes of VL in pregnancy.

[Thrombosis in ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome].

Background: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is a rare complication of IVF treatment. In severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome there is an increased risk of thrombo-embolic events. Venous thrombotic complications tend to occur several weeks after the resolution of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Comparison between thromboelastography and conventional coagulation tests after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery in the paediatric intensive care unit.

Introduction: Following paediatric cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), there is a risk of significant postoperative bleeding. A number of risk factors are associated with postoperative bleeding including; age, complexity of the surgery, dilution and consumption of clotting factors. We conducted a prospective audit comparing different coagulation tests used following paediatric CPB to determine whether thromboelastography (TEG) on the intensive care unit or routine laboratory coagulation assays including fibrinogen are better at assessing bleeding and bleeding risk.

[A man with a contorted knee].

A patient presented with an isolated anterolateral dislocation of the proximal tibiofibular joint. Closed reduction under general anaesthesia was performed by external rotation of the lower leg with the knee in 90 degrees of flexion and the ankle dorsiflexed with an audible pop.

Screening for metabolic vitamin B12 deficiency by holotranscobalamin in patients suspected of vitamin B12 deficiency: a multicentre study.

Background: Vitamin B(12) deficiency occurs frequently, especially among the elderly. However, screening for vitamin B(12) deficiency is hampered by poor sensitivity of the existing total vitamin B(12) assay. Methylmalonic acid (MMA) is considered as the most representative indicator of metabolic vitamin B(12) deficiency and is used as such in this study.

Intra-operative parathyroid hormone measurements - experience of a non-academic hospital.

Background: Surgery is the treatment of choice for symptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism. The majority of research concerning intra-operative parathyroid hormone (ioPTH) measurements is conducted in university hospitals. Whether ioPTH measurements are feasible and useful in predicting the presence of remaining hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue in a non-academic hospital remains uncertain.

[Diagnosis and treatment of rotator cuff tears].

A rotator cuff tear is a highly prevalent disorder, occurring in 25% of people over 60 years of age. In two thirds of patients the tear is small and asymptomatic. Acute, symptomatic cuff tears may occur in active sportsmen and women aged 30-50.

Development and multicenter evaluation of the N latex CDT direct immunonephelometric assay for serum carbohydrate-deficient transferrin.

Background: Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) is a promising biomarker of alcohol abuse. We describe the development and multicenter evaluation of N Latex CDT (Dade Behring), an automated, particle-enhanced, homogeneous immunonephelometric assay for directly determining CDT.

Methods: N Latex CDT uses a monoclonal antibody that recognizes the structure of transferrin glycoforms lacking 1 or 2 complete N-glycans [i.

Alterations in carbohydrate composition of serum IgG from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and from pregnant women.

The carbohydrate composition of IgG purified from serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), pregnant women, and blood donors has been determined by gas-liquid chromatography. Comparison of the results indicates that IgG from patients with RA contains significantly less galactose but more N-acetylglucosamine than normal IgG, whereas the fucose and sialic acid contents are not changed. The carbohydrate content of IgG in RA is reduced.

Lectin-enzyme immunoassay of transferrin sialovariants using immobilized antitransferrin and enzyme-labeled galactose-binding lectin from Ricinus communis.

A heterologous lectin-enzyme immunoassay is described. Microtiter plate wells were coated with affinity-purified antibodies to human transferrin. After incubation with transferrin sialovariants, prepared by limited neuraminidase treatment and separated with chromatofocusing, a lectin-enzyme-streptavidin complex was added.

Absence of IgA nephropathy in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

In 40 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) no evidence for IgA nephropathy was obtained. This conclusion was based on the absence of hematuria and on the inability to find an increased incidence of IgA-containing immunoglobulin deposits in skin biopsies. Increased Clq binding assay was only found in those AS patients with anterior uveitis.

Influence of zinc ions addition to different lots of 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) buffer on the alkaline phosphatase activities.

The influence of Zn2+ on the inactivation of alkaline phosphatase [orthophosphoric monoester phosphohydrolase (alkaline optimum), EC 3.1 3.1] in serum during preincubation with 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) buffers was investigated.

Initial activity and inactivation of alkaline phosphatase in different lots of buffer.

Alkaline phosphatase activities were determined in six lots of 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) and in six lots of diethanolamine (DEA) buffers without preincubation of the sample. There appeared to be differences between the lot numbers in both cases, resulting in a variation in initial activity. When serum samples are preincubated with buffer a loss of activity was observed in 4 out of the 6 AMP buffers.