Surface plasmon polariton-enhanced upconversion luminescence for biosensing applications.

Upconversion luminescence (UCL) has great potential for highly sensitive biosensing due to its unique wavelength shift properties. The main limitation of UCL is its low quantum efficiency, which is typically compensated using low-noise detectors and high-intensity excitation. In this work, we demonstrate surface plasmon polariton (SPP)-enhanced UCL for biosensing applications.

Graft Neutrophil Sequestration and Concomitant Tissue Plasminogen Activator Release During Reperfusion in Clinical Kidney Transplantation.

Background: Inflammation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis are tightly linked together. Reperfusion after transient ischemia activates both neutrophils, coagulation, and fibrinolysis. Experimental data suggest that tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) regulates renal neutrophil influx in kidney ischemia and reperfusion injury.

Coordinated responses of natural anticoagulants to allogeneic stem cell transplantation and acute GVHD - A longitudinal study.

Background: Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) enhances coagulation via endothelial perturbation and inflammation. Role of natural anticoagulants in interactions between coagulation and inflammation as well as in acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) are not well known. The purpose of this study was to define changes in natural anticoagulants over time in association with GVHD.

Propensity score method for analyzing the effect of labor induction in prolonged pregnancy.

Introduction: There is an ongoing debate on the optimal time of labor induction to reduce the risks associated with prolonged pregnancy.

Material And Methods: Registry-based study of 212 716 term, singleton cephalic deliveries between 2006 and 2012 in Finland comparing the outcomes of labor induction with those of expectant management in five, three-day gestational age periods between 40 and 42 weeks (group 1: 40 -40 ; group 2: 40 -40 ; group 3: 40 -41 ; group 4: 41 -41 ; group 5: 41 -42 ). Using Poisson regression, induced deliveries in each of the gestational age periods were compared with all ongoing pregnancies.

Activated protein C retards recovery from coagulopathy in severe acute pancreatitis.

Objectives: Activated protein C (APC), an endogenous anticoagulant, has antithrombotic, fibrinolytic and anti-inflammatory properties. We recently conducted a controlled study (APCAP, activated protein C in severe acute pancreatitis) of APC treatment of patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Here we studied the effect of APC on the pivotal coagulation parameters of the surviving patients in the APCAP study.

Multi-level single mode 2D polymer waveguide optical interconnects using nano-imprint lithography.

Single and multi-layer passive optical interconnects using single mode polymer waveguides are demonstrated using UV nano-imprint lithography. The fabrication tolerances associated with imprint lithography are investigated and we show a way to experimentally quantify a small variation in index contrast between core and cladding of fabricated devices. 1x2 splitting devices based on directional couplers and multimode interference interferometers are demonstrated to have less than 0.

Determining obstetric patient safety indicators: the differences in neonatal outcome measures between different-sized delivery units.

Objective: To study the differences in neonatal outcome and treatment measures in Finnish obstetric units.

Design: A registry study with Medical Birth Register data.

Setting And Population: All births (n = 2 94 726) in Finland from 2006 to 2010 with a focus on term, singleton non-university deliveries.

Antenatal betamethasone associates with transient immunodepression in very low birth weight infants.

Background: Antenatal betamethasone (BM) treatment for mothers at risk for premature delivery is effective in reducing neonatal morbidity. Immunodepression, defined as monocyte human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR expression <60%, is common in patients in intensive care. In very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, immunodepression correlates with gestational age and may predispose to infections.

Coordinated release of tissue factor and tissue factor pathway inhibitor in VLBW infants.

Aim: Tissue factor (TF), a mediator between coagulation and inflammation, is upregulated in alveolar compartment and circulation in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants. We investigated the contribution of TF to systemic regulation of coagulation in VLBW infants.

Methods: We measured TF, total and free tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPIt, TFPIf), prothrombin fragment (F1 + 2), and thrombin-antithrombin complexes (TAT) in plasma from 51 VLBW infants during their first week of life.

Low monocyte HLA-DR expression as an indicator of immunodepression in very low birth weight infants.

Background: As a protective response to an inflammatory stimulus, the antigen-presenting molecules (human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR)) on monocytes are downregulated. If severe, the response may lead to immunodepression or immunoparalysis, associated with an increased rate of morbidity and mortality in adults. In very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, birth and intensive care present major immunological challenges.

Polymeric slot waveguide at visible wavelength.

Polymeric slot waveguide structure, which pushes the mode field toward the surrounding media, was designed and characterized. The slot waveguide was fabricated by using nanoimprint lithography, and the operation of the slot was demonstrated at 633 nm wavelength with an integrated Young interferometer. The experimental result shows that the nanolithography method provides possibilities to fabricate disposable slot waveguide sensors.

Thrombin formation and effect of unfractionated heparin during pediatric cardiac catheterization.

Objectives: To assess the strength of thrombin formation and determine the effects of unfractionated heparin (UFH) in children during cardiac catheterization.

Background: UFH reduces the thrombotic risk related to catheterization but the effects of UFH on the coagulation system in children, and proper monitoring of UFH remain unclear.

Methods: We studied 42 patients aged 3-12 years undergoing catheterization.

Enhanced thrombin generation and depressed anticoagulant function in children with pneumonia.

Aims: To clarify the status of the coagulation system in children with community-acquired pneumonia.

Methods: Coagulation activation markers (prothrombin fragment F1 + 2, thrombin-antithrombin complexes, D-dimer), the natural anticoagulants (antithrombin, protein C and S) and tissue factor were measured in 28 consecutive children with pneumonia on admission to the hospital. Patients were divided into those with either bacterial-type pneumonia (at least two of the following three criteria: plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) >80 mg/L, white blood cell count >15 × 10(9) /L and alveolar infiltrates on the chest radiograph) or viral-type pneumonia.

Thrombin generation in vitro and in vivo, and disturbed tissue factor regulation in patients with acute pancreatitis.

Background: Being a central link between inflammation and coagulation, tissue factor (TF) and its inhibitor (TFPI) might be associated with the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP) and the development of organ failure (OF).

Methods: The study comprises 9 severe AP patients with OF and 24 reference patients (11 mild AP and 13 severe AP without OF). Plasma samples were collected on admission.

High tissue factor in lungs and plasma associates with respiratory morbidity in preterm infants.

Aim: In preterm infants, inflammation and intra-alveolar fibrin formation characterize respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Tissue factor (TF) is a link between inflammation and coagulation pathways. We investigated the relationship between TF and cytokines in preterm infants to gain information of the role of TF in the inflammatory response.

Inflammation and coagulation. An overview.

Inflammation and coagulation are two main host-defence systems that interact with each other. Inflammation activates coagulation and coagulation modulates the inflammatory activity in many ways. The contributing molecular pathways are reviewed.

Increased preoperative thrombin generation and low protein S level associated with unfavorable postoperative hemodynamics after coronary artery bypass grafting.

In a previous study, preoperative levels of activated protein C (APC) were associated with unfavorable postoperative hemodynamics after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Protein C is activated by thrombin. Protein S, the cofactor of activated protein C, has activated protein C-independent anticoagulant activity and cytoprotective effects.

Thrombin in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion during cardiac surgery.

Thrombin is a multifunctional protease with procoagulant, pro-inflammatory, and pro-apoptotic effects. Thrombin has direct potentially adverse effects on the endothelium and on cardiomyocytes, which are independent of its procoagulant effects, and it has emerged as a possible mediator of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Several lines of experimental evidence specifically implicate thrombin to be involved in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Ischemic intestinal injury during cardiopulmonary bypass does not show an association with neutrophil activation: a porcine study.

Background: Neutrophil activation and tissue sequestration are crucial events in intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury, but their role in the gut wall after clinical cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) remains unclear. We tested whether local post-CPB inflammatory response in the gut wall would be associated with intestinal mucosal perfusion.

Methods: Twenty pigs underwent 60 min of aortic clamping and 75 min of normothermic perfusion.

Intragraft coagulation events and delayed graft function in clinical renal transplantation.

Background: Cold preservation, reperfusion damage, immunosuppressive drugs, and uremia-induced acquired thrombophilias increase the risk of thrombotic complications in renal transplantation. Intragraft fibrin deposition may be associated with delayed graft function.

Methods: We studied coagulation and fibrinolysis in 45 patients of a larger trial in renal transplantation: perioperative antithymocyte globulin (group A, n=15), perioperative basiliximab (group B, n=16), and conventional triple therapy (group C, n=14).

Monitoring high-dose heparinization during cardiopulmonary by-pass--a comparison between prothrombinase-induced clotting time (PiCT) and two chromogenic anti-factor Xa activity assays.

Heparinization requires monitoring, but optimal methods for measuring the anticoagulant effects of heparin remain to be determined. We compared prothrombinase-induced clotting time (PiCT) and two chromogenic anti-factor Xa activity (anti-Xa) assays in monitoring high-dose heparinization during cardiopulmonary by-pass (CPB). Heparin effects were serially measured with PiCT and two anti-Xa assays in 100 patients.