Value of drug level concentrations of brivaracetam, lacosamide, and perampanel in care of people with epilepsy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether clinical efficacy and reported adverse effects (AEs) of the newer antiseizure medications (ASMs) brivaracetam (BRV), lacosamide (LCM), and perampanel (PER) have been associated with plasma levels of these ASMs. We also investigated whether plasma levels outside the reference range has led to dose adjustments.

Methods: Plasma levels of 300 people with epilepsy (PWE) seen at our tertiary epilepsy center were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Changes in PUFA and eicosanoid metabolism during/after apnea diving: a prospective single-center study.

Background: The popularity of apneic diving is continually growing. As apnea diving substantially burdens the cardiovascular system, special focus is warranted. Regarding inflammation processes and associated inflammatory-related diseases (e.

Hematologic changes after short term hypoxia in non-elite apnea divers under voluntary dry apnea conditions.

Purpose: This study investigated the acute changes in full spectrum differential blood cell count including reticulocytes and immature reticulocytes after a voluntary maximal dry apnea in non-elite divers. Aim of the present study is to obtain information on important regulatory compensation mechanisms and to provide insights into apneic regulatory processes.

Methods: Ten apnea divers performed a voluntary dry mean apnea time of 317 sec [SD ±111 sec].

Haematopoietic alterations in neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support.

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation procedure (ECMO) has been established in the therapy of respiratory insufficient infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. In congenital diaphragmatic hernia newborns, a delay in transfer to an ECMO centre is associated with a sharp increase in mortality. Predictive factors for ECMO support are urgently needed.

Validity of the Manchester Triage System in emergency patients receiving life-saving intervention or acute medical treatment-A prospective observational study in the emergency department.

Rationale, Aims, And Objectives: The spectrum of cases seen by emergency departments ranges from minor illnesses or injuries to complex diseases with high mortality. Some patients require life-saving interventions (LSIs) or therapeutic treatment for an acute illness to prevent an expected imminent life-threatening condition immediately upon arrival. No published study has evaluated the validity of the Manchester Triage System (MTS) in the context of immediate LSI or acute emergency treatment (AET).

Thrombolysis in stroke patients: Comparability of point-of-care versus central laboratory international normalized ratio.

Background: In acute stroke patients, thrombolysis is one gold standard therapy option within the first four hours after the ischemic event. A contraindication for thrombolysis is an International Normalized Ratio (INR) value >1.7.

Clinical performance of LOCI™-based tumor marker assays for tumor markers CA 15-3, CA 125, CEA, CA 19-9 and AFP in gynecological cancers.

Evidence is sparse regarding the clinical performance of luminescent oxygen channeling immunoassays-based tumor marker assays in gynecological cancer. Analyzing serum samples of 336 patients with Dimension™Vista1500, we investigated the diagnostic power of carbohydrate antigen 15-3, carbohydrate antigen 125, carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 19-9, and alpha-fetoprotein in patients suffering from different types of gynecological cancer and precancerous gynecological diseases and compared findings to appropriate control groups. The cohort comprised 177 female patients with gynecological cancers (73 breast, 22 cervical, 16 endometrial, 17 vulva, and 49 ovarian cancers), 26 patients with precancerous gynecological diseases (11 vulva, 4 cervical, and 10 breast), 109 patients with benign gynecological diseases, and 24 healthy controls.

Clinical Performance of CEA, CA19-9, CA15-3, CA125 and AFP in Gastrointestinal Cancer Using LOCI™-based Assays.

Background/aim: Few data are available regarding the clinical performance of LOCI™-based tumor marker assays. We investigated the diagnostic power of carcinogenic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 19-9, carbohydrate antigen 15-3, carbohydrate antigen 125 and alpha-fetoprotein for detection of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer.

Patients And Methods: We analyzed sera from 204 patients (107 with GI cancer, 73 with benign GI diseases and 24 healthy controls) using the Dimension™ Vista1500 analyzer.

Validity of the Manchester Triage System in patients with sepsis presenting at the ED: a first assessment.

Background: The Manchester Triage System (MTS) does not have a specific presentational flow chart for sepsis. The goal of this investigation was to determine adequacy of acuity assignment for patients with sepsis presenting at the ED and triaged using the MTS.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective analysis included patients >16 presenting to an ED in Bonn, Germany, on the first 12 days of each month between June 2012 and March 2014.

Comparability of Point-of-Care versus Central Laboratory Hemoglobin Determination in Emergency Patients at a Supra-Maximal Care Hospital.

Fulfilling the requirements of point-of-care testing (POCT) training regarding proper execution of measurements and compliance with internal and external quality control specifications is a great challenge. Our aim was to compare the values of the highly critical parameter hemoglobin (Hb) determined with POCT devices and central laboratory analyzer in the highly vulnerable setting of an emergency department in a supra maximal care hospital to assess the quality of POCT performance. In 2548 patients, Hb measurements using POCT devices (POCT-Hb) were compared with Hb measurements performed at the central laboratory (Hb-ZL).

Influence of Apnea-induced Hypoxia on Catecholamine Release and Cardiovascular Dynamics.

Prolonged breath-hold causes complex compensatory mechanisms such as increase in blood pressure, redistribution of blood flow, and bradycardia. We tested whether apnea induces an elevation of catecholamine-concentrations in well-trained apneic divers.11 apneic divers performed maximal dry apnea in a horizontal position.

Psychosocial assessment of living kidney donors: What implications have temperament and character for decision-making?

Objective: We compared the personality of kidney donor candidates to non-donor controls and analyzed the personality profile of candidates psychosocially at risk.

Methods: 49 consecutive living kidney donor candidates underwent an extensive psychosocial evaluation. Psychosocial risk factors concerning knowledge of donation risks (1), donor-recipient-relationship (2), and/or mental health (3) were rated on a 3-point rating scale (0=high risk, 2=no risk).

Evaluation of the appropriate time period between sampling and analyzing for automated urinalysis.

Introduction: Preanalytical specifications for urinalysis must be strictly adhered to avoid false interpretations. Aim of the present study is to examine whether the preanalytical factor 'time point of analysis' significantly influences stability of urine samples for urine particle and dipstick analysis.

Materials And Methods: In 321 pathological spontaneous urine samples, urine dipstick (Urisys™2400, Combur-10-Test™strips, Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) and particle analysis (UF-1000 i™, Sysmex, Norderstedt, Germany) were performed within 90 min, 120 min and 240 min after urine collection.

Impact of carbamylation on three different methods, HPLC, capillary electrophoresis and TINIA of measuring HbA1c levels in patients with kidney disease.

Aims: Aim of this study was to investigate whether established IFCC traceable routine measurements of HbA1c levels in patients with kidney diseases result in comparable and valid results. Additionally, the influence of carbamylation as a marker of uremia on the measurement methods was assessed.

Methods: We compared three different measurement methods (high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), capillary electrophoresis and turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay (TINIA)) based on 407 nephrology samples for HbA1c determination with specific analysis of the threshold areas where different HbA1c measurements could result in different diagnoses (diabetes mellitus vs prediabetes and prediabetes vs non-diabetes).