A new method of monitoring catheter-directed thrombolysis for deep venous thrombosis-application of D-dimer and fibrinogen testing.

Background: Catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) is one of the main treatment methods for acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT), which has the characteristics of long treatment time and large dosage of thrombolytic drugs. In the absence of good monitoring methods, problems such as low thrombolytic efficiency and high risk of bleeding are easy to occur.

Objective: To evaluate the value of D-dimer (D-D) and fibrinogen (FIB) testing as a thrombolysis-monitoring method during CDT for acute DVT.

Enumeration and viability of rare cells in a microfluidic disk via positive selection approach.

Recent studies have shown that specific rare cells in the blood can serve as an indicator of cancer prognosis, among other purposes. This article demonstrates the concept of separating and detecting rare cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells via an economical microfluidic disk with a model system. MCF7, labeled with magnetic beads, was used to simulate circulating tumor cells as a target.

Detection of circulating endothelial cells via a microfluidic disk.

Background: Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) in the blood are rare but have been shown to be associated with various diseases. With the ratio of CECs to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) less than 1 part per thousand, their separation from PBMCs and detection are challenging. We present a means of detecting CECs from PBMCs via an economical microfluidic disk with a model cell system [human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in PBMCs], along with demonstration of its efficacy clinically.

Separation and detection of rare cells in a microfluidic disk via negative selection.

Cyto-analysis of rare cells often requires separation and detection with each procedure posing substantial challenges. This paper presents a disk-based microfluidic platform for both procedures via an immunomagnetic negative selection process. The microfluidic platform's unique features include a multistage magnetic gradient to trap labeled cells in double trapping areas, drainage of fluid to substantially shorten detection time, and a bin-like regions to capture target cells to facilitate a seamless enumeration process.

[Comparative study of the parameters related to type I thyroplasty measured by laryngeal specimens and computed tomography].

Objective: To determine the consistence of the parameters related to type I thyroplasty measured by laryngeal specimens and CT scan.

Methods: The related parameters of 50 laryngeal specimens (unilateral) obtained following total laryngectomy were measured postoperative immediately, and compared with those measured by spiral CT scan with multiple plain reconstructive (MPR) technique preoperatively. Comparative results were analyzed to evaluate the statistical significance between these two methods.