[Changes in PT and APTT When Administrating Rivaroxaban, a Direct Inhibitor of Activated Factor X].

The effects of oral rivaroxaban (RX), a direct inhibitor of activated factor X (Xa), on prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) were examined. PT and APTT before and after administration of 15 mg RX in 10 healthy subjects were measured by using various reagents. In addition, the blood Xa inhibitor concentration was measured and its correlation with PT and APTT, as measured by each reagent, was examined.

Validation of homogeneous assays for HDL-cholesterol using fresh samples from healthy and diseased subjects.

Background: High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) is a negative risk factor for cardiovascular events. Although several homogeneous HDL-C assays are available, their accuracy has not been validated, particularly in subjects with disease. We aimed to clarify whether HDL-C concentrations measured by homogeneous assays [HDL-C (H)] agree with those determined by the reference measurement procedures [HDL-C (RMP)] using ultracentrifugation and precipitation with heparin-manganese reagent in fresh clinical samples.

Usefulness of gram-stained sputum obtained just after administration of antimicrobial agents as the earliest therapeutic indicator for evaluating the effectiveness of empiric therapy in community-acquired pneumonia caused by pneumococcus or Moraxella catarrhalis.

We present here three cases in which morphological changes and/or a decreased number of Streptococcus pneumoniae or Moraxella catarrhalis could be observed in gram-stained sputum obtained just after the first administration of an antimicrobial agent. Case 1 was a 53-year-old man with pneumonia caused by gram-positive diplococcus, identified as S. pneumoniae, who was administered 2 g of ampicillin over a period of 1 h.

A multicenter study on the precision and accuracy of homogeneous assays for LDL-cholesterol: comparison with a beta-quantification method using fresh serum obtained from non-diseased and diseased subjects.

Background: Homogeneous assays for low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) have good precision and are pretreatment-free procedures. However, their accuracies have been questioned, especially in diseased subjects. In this study, we aimed to verify whether LDL-C levels determined by homogeneous assays [LDL-C (H)] agree with those determined by a beta-quantification method [LDL-C (BQ)] in fresh clinical samples.

Case of Mycobacterium tuberculosis meningitis: Gram staining as a useful initial diagnostic clue for tuberculous meningitis.

A 32-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of fever, headache, and loss of consciousness. Four days before admission, he had had difficulty speaking. On the day of admission, his colleague had found him to be unconscious and lying on his back.

[Consider the advantages and disadvantages of microbial examinations in a hospital, and ideal microbial laboratory].

The main benefit of carrying out microbial examinations in a hospital is that it rapidly yields information on infectious diseases. Microbiology technicians can easily communicate with the physicians and can carry out precise analyses. The disadvantages are the high costs of microbiological examinations, and the need for long training times for microbial laboratory technicians because of the highly technical nature of their duties.

[Comparison of portable apnea monitors in the detection of apnea episode during daytime rest].

Although polysomnography (PSG) is the golden standard for the diagnosis of sleep apnea syndrome (SAS), access to this procedure is limited because it requires special institution and trained technicians. Therefore, many portable recording devices have been developed for detection of SAS including home monitoring. The present study evaluated the usefulness of four portable devices in detecting apneic events.

The usefulness of changing focus during examination using Gram staining as initial diagnostic clue for infective tuberculosis.

Gram staining is a useful technique for detecting bacteria but is highly questionable in detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Its detection generally requires special staining, such as Ziehl-Neelsen staining. We experienced three cases in which tuberculosis was first suggested by Gram staining of sputum or pus, confirmed by Ziehl-Neelsen staining, and diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction or culture.

[Utilization of panic values in our institution: hematological testing].

A panic value is defined as an abnormal value indicating a life-threatening situation. Hematological examination results are sensitive to changes in treatment, and are likely to be influenced by blood collection techniques. Panic values may directly influence the diagnosis in many cases because they are treated as clinical evidence.

Screening method for severe sleep-disordered breathing in hypertensive patients without daytime sleepiness.

The high prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in hypertensive patients has been well studied. However, regular screening of SDB in these patients is not performed routinely as the diagnostic procedures are both time-consuming and labour-intensive. Overnight portable device screening is useful, but is sometimes not acceptable for asymptomatic SDB patients.

A rapid and quantitative D-Dimer assay in whole blood and plasma on the point-of-care PATHFAST analyzer.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy indices of the new rapid and quantitative PATHFAST D-Dimer assay in patients with clinically suspected deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). Eighty two consecutive patients (34% DVT, 66% non-DVT) with suspected DVT of a lower limb were tested with the D-Dimer assay with a PATHFAST analyzer. The diagnostic value of the PATHFAST D-Dimer assay (which is based on the principle of a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay) for DVT was evaluated with pre-test clinical probability, compression ultrasonography (CUS).

[Progress in assays for and new developments in autoimmune pathophysioirmen's introductory remarks].

We examined the influence of a revision of health insurance in 2004 in Teikyo University Hospital in comparison with 2003. Out to the returns of most hematological tests, especially HbA1c and TK, being included in the treatment charges of outpatients, gross laboratory test sales decreased more than expected. Increased income from judgment charges and management charges could not make up for the deficit in test sales.

Regional variation in the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing clinical isolates in the Asia-Pacific region (SENTRY 1998-2002).

We examined the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Citrobacter koseri, and Salmonella spp. that were isolated as part of the SENTRY Asia-Pacific Surveillance Program between 1998 and 2002. During the study period, a total of 6,388 strains were gathered from 17 medical centers in 7 countries and examined for ESBL production and hyperproduction of K.

Opsonic activity assessment of human intravenous immunoglobulin preparations against drug-resistant bacteria.

We have used the ability of opsonized bacteria to stimulate luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) to examine the opsonic capabilities of commercially available human intravenous immunoglobulin (i.v.Ig) preparations.

Evaluation of the contemporary occurrence rates of metallo-beta-lactamases in multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli in Japan: report from the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program (1998-2002).

Metallo-beta-lactamases (M beta L) were initially characterized in Japan, usually of the IMP-type, and found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PSA), Acinetobacter spp. (ACB), or Serratia marcescens (SM). The number of M beta L types has increased worldwide, but geographic dissemination within Japan has appeared limited.

[Basic and clinical evaluation of the new rapid diagnostic kit for detecting group A streptococci with the immunochromatographical method].

Basic and clinical performance of a new diagnostic kit that detects Group A Streptococci by an immunochromatographical method, QuickVue Dipstick Strep A (Quidel Corporation; San Diego, CA) were evaluated. In basic specificity study, the QuickVue Dipstick Strep A showed positive reaction only to group A Streptococci strains among 34 strains of 10 species of bacteria. In detection limit study, the QuickVue Dipstick Strep A had a capacity to detect Group A Streptococci in 1.

[Studies on the prognostic factors of idiopathic acute sensorineural deafness].

Acute sensorineural deafness(ASD) presents with various hearing types, and dizziness and tinnitus are accompanied in some cases. The purpose of this study was to estimate the influence of risk factors, including dizziness and tinnitus, on the recovery of hearing acuity. Eighty-three patients who visited our hospital within 1 month from its onset and who were diagnosed with ASD between October 1998 and September 1999 were retrospectively reviewed.