Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Biomarkers in People with Methamphetamine Use Disorder.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the blood serum levels of biomarkers specifying oxidative stress status and systemic inflammation between people using methamphetamine (METH) and the control group (CG). Serum thiol/disulfide balance and ischemia-modified albumin levels were studied to determine oxidative stress, and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and complete blood count (CBC) were to assess inflammation.

Methods: Fifty patients with METH use disorder (MUD) and 36 CG participants were included in the study.

Dislodgement Resistance of Zirconia Copings Cemented onto Zirconia and Titanium Abutments.

Purpose: To determine the effect of the cement type and abutment material on the tensile strength required to dislodge zirconia copings.

Materials And Methods: Two experimental groups of abutments were prepared: (1) titanium abutments (n = 30) and (2) zirconia abutments (n = 30). Sixty zirconia copings (custom designed) were fabricated using 3-dimensional computer-assisted design to have a 6-mm projection above the abutment to accommodate a hole, through which a wire was inserted to attach the zirconia coping to a universal testing machine.

The use of platelet indices, plateletcrit, mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width in emergency non-traumatic abdominal surgery: a systematic review.

Platelet indices (PI) -- plateletcrit, mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) -- are a group of derived platelet parameters obtained as a part of the automatic complete blood count. Emerging evidence suggests that PIs may have diagnostic and prognostic value in certain diseases. This study aimed to summarize the current scientific knowledge on the potential role of PIs as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in patients having emergency, non-traumatic abdominal surgery.

Evaluation of CareSens POCT Devices for Glucose Testing in the Routine Hospital Setting.

Introduction: Glucose meters are used routinely in hospital wards to manage blood glucose levels in patients requiring frequent monitoring of blood glucose.

Objective: Our institution has 50 POC instruments utilized by diverse population of all ages and medical conditions. The primary objective of our study was to investigate whether all these CareSens glucose meters (I-sense Inc, Seoul, South Korea) results in hospitalized patients during routine clinical care jointly satisfy the specified quality specifications, as defined by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guideline POCT12-A3.

Application of sigma metrics for the assessment of quality assurance using the MQ-2000 PT HbA1c analyzer.

Introduction: Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) concentrations measured in clinical chemistry laboratories show large differences between their interlaboratory reported values. Laboratory measurements of quality performance should be based on quantitative data. The sigma metrics model provides an objective method for the assessment of current HbA1c assays and is useful in quality management planning.

Correlation between mean platelet volume and B-type natriuretic peptide concentration in emergency patients with heart failure.

Background: In heart failure patients, mean platelet volume (MPV) may reflect increased platelet activation or increased numbers of large, hyper-aggregable platelets. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentration in blood is a sensitive and specific marker of heart failure, correlating with the severity and prognosis of illness, in patients presenting with acute dyspnea to the emergency department. This study evaluated the correlation between BNP concentration and MPV.

Effect of mixing techniques on bacterial attachment and disinfection time of polyether impression material.

Objective: The aim of this study was 2-fold. The first aim was to evaluate the effects of mixing technique (hand-mixing or auto-mixing) on bacterial attachment to polyether impression materials. The second aim was to determine whether bacterial attachment to these materials was affected by length of exposure to disinfection solutions.

Urinary 6-sulphatoxymelatonin levels in patients with senile cataracts.

Background: The antioxidant melatonin effectively scavenges highly toxic hydroxyl radicals. Decreases in circulating melatonin levels have been reported in patients with diseases that become more serious with advancing age. The purpose of the present study was to explore the relationship between circulatory melatonin level and the extent of senile cataracts.

Diagnostic accuracy of uriSed automated urine microscopic sediment analyzer and dipstick parameters in predicting urine culture test results.

Introduction: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common types of infection. Currently, diagnosis is primarily based on microbiologic culture, which is time- and labor-consuming. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of urinalysis results from UriSed (77 Electronica, Budapest, Hungary), an automated microscopic image-based sediment analyzer, in predicting positive urine cultures.

Evaluation in an emergency department of rapid separator tubes containing thrombin for serum preparation prior to hs-cTnT and CK-MB analyses.

Background: In our emergency department, we collect blood in Rapid Serum Tubes (RSTs; Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, NJ), in which clotting times are reduced. We investigated the influence of RST use on cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) test results, in comparison with the use of tubes featuring a separator gel containing a clotting activator (SSTs; Green-vac, Yongin, Korea).

Methods: Samples from 60 patients were divided into equal aliquots and placed into RSTs and SSTs; hs-cTnT and CK-MB concentrations were determined using an autoanalyzer (Elecsys 2010) running commercial assays (Roche Diagnostics, Penzberg, Germany).

Use of a blood gas analyzer and a laboratory autoanalyzer in routine practice to measure electrolytes in intensive care unit patients.

Background: Electrolyte values are measured in most critically ill intensive care unit (ICU) patients using both an arterial blood gas analyzer (ABG) and a central laboratory auto-analyzer (AA). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether electrolyte levels assessed using an ABG and an AA were equivalent; data on sodium and potassium ion concentrations were examined.

Methods: We retrospectively studied patients hospitalized in the ICU between July and August 2011.

Evaluation of the Steelex M600H coagulometer prothrombin time-international normalized ratio assay with Steelex test reagents.

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to validate prothrombin time (PT) international normalized ratio (INR) results obtained using Steelex test reagents and a Steelex coagulometer (Steelex Scientific Instrument Company, Beijing, China), in comparison with use of a well-established standard test employing Pacific Hemostasis reagents (Fisher Diagnostics, Middletown, VA, USA) and Teco Coatron A4 coagulometer (Teco Medical Instruments GmbH, Neufahrn, Germany).

Materials And Methods: Between- and within-day coefficients of variation (CVs) of both assays were calculated using control samples provided by the test manufacturers. Samples from 90 subjects were collected and INR values were determined in a double-blind parallel manner employing both systems.

Randomized crossover comparison of tamsulosin and alfuzosin in patients with urinary disturbances caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of alfuzosin (Alf) and tamsulosin (Tam) in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Materials And Methods: One hundred men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who were admitted to our urology department with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were enrolled in this randomized cross-over study. At enrollment, detailed medical history was recorded, and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), digital rectal examination, urinary ultrasound, prostate specific antigen (PSA) level, and uroflowmetry were determined.

Comparison of three automated systems for urine chemistry and sediment analysis in routine laboratory practice.

Background: Urine analysis is an essential component of patient assessment, used in screening, diagnosis, and the planning of care. Automated urinalysis systems can save labor and time, and are valuable in high-volume laboratories. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance of three automated urinalysis systems--Iris iQ200 (AX-4280), the Sysmex UF-1000i (Urisys 2400), and the UriSed LabUMat.

Urinary glycosaminoglycan excretion in patients with primary nocturnal enuresis.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) leads to alterations in glycosaminoglycan (GAG) excretion.

Methods: Twenty subjects (mean age 8.7 years, M/F 15/5) with PNE were included in the study.

Aqueous humor level of sCD44 in patients with degenerative myopia and primary open-angle glaucoma.

Background: The transmembrane glycoprotein CD44 is a major hyaluronan cell surface receptor widely distributed in eye tissues and fluids. The shed ectodomain of CD44 is termed soluble CD44 and is toxic to human retinal ganglion cells in cell culture. The purpose of this study was to investigate the concentration of sCD44 in the aqueous humor (AH) of normal subjects, patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, and patients with degenerative myopia but without glaucoma, to determine if the molecule might serve as a protein marker of glaucoma.

Erytrocyte membrane anionic charge in type 2 diabetic patients with retinopathy.

Background: The Steno hypothesis states that changes in basement membrane anionic charge leads to diabetic microvascular complications. In diabetic nephropathy, loss of basement membrane glycosaminoglycans and the association between glomerular basement membrane heparan sulphate and proteinuria has been documented. A correlation between erythrocyte surface and the glomerular capillary wall charges has also been observed.