Evaluation of an automatic HPLC analyser for thalassemia and haemoglobin variants screening

In this paper the authors report the evolution of a new automatic HPLC analyser for screening haemoglobinopathies. HbA₂ and F determinations are accurate and reproducible. The analysis time is short (6.5 min) and there is a good separation between the HbA₂ values of β-thalassemia carriers from normals and α-thalassemia carriers, with no overlap between these groups. In addition, the system is also able to detect and quantitate most of the haemoglobin variants, particularly those (HbS, HbC, HbE and Hb Lepore) able to interact with β-thalassemia and could make haemoglobin electrophoresis unnecessary in all samples. The ease of operation and the limited technical work make this system especially suitable for laboratories with a high workload and allow the cost of screening to be reduced.     

Determinants of Gd-enhanced MRI response to IFN-beta-1a treatment in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND: With the prevalence of antibiotic use, the diagnosis and management of Clostridium difficile disease requires assessment. METHODS: In a retrospective review, patients with a positive culture, toxin, or both during 1 year were identified. Recent literature was reviewed. Results of culture and toxin, prior antibiotic use, antibiotic treatment history and cost were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 592 patients tested, 101 were positive; 96 of 101 were available for review. Of those positive tested for both, 45% were positive for toxin and culture. Sixty-two of 96 were treated with antibiotics; metronidazole was used in 90%. Ten of 62 antibiotic treatments were changed (mean 3 days). Ten days of metronidazole is 1/200th the cost of vancomycin. CONCLUSIONS: In 55% of the positive cases in which culture and toxin were obtained, one test was negative. As metronidazole's efficacy and cost compares favorably with vancomycin, metronidazole is the drug of choice. Any changes made to antibiotic regimens occurred prior to the 6 days recommended in the literature.     

Benzene exposure in a sample of population residing in a district of Florence, Italy

OBJECTIVE: Personal exposure to airborne benzene is influenced by various outdoor and indoor sources. The first aim of this study was to assess the benzene exposure of a sample of urban inhabitants living in an inner-city neighborhood of Florence, Italy, excluding exposure from active smoking. The secondary objective was to differentiate the personal exposures according to personal usage patterns of the vehicles. METHODS: A sample of 67 healthy non-smokers was monitored by passive samplers during two 4-weekday campaigns in winter and late spring. Simultaneously, benzene measurements were also taken for a subset of participants, inside and outside their houses. A 4-day time microenvironment activity diary was completed by each subject during each sampling period. Other relevant exposure data were collected by a questionnaire before the sampling. Additional data on urban ambient air benzene levels were also available from the public air quality network. The passive samplers, after automated thermal desorption, were analyzed by GC-FID. RESULTS: Benzene personal exposure levels averaged 6.9 (SD=2.1) and 2.3 (SD=0.7) microg/m(3) in winter and spring, respectively. Outdoor and indoor levels showed high correlation in winter and poor in spring. In winter the highest benzene personal exposure levels were for people traveling by more public transport, followed by users of only car and by users of only bus respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The time spent in-transport for work or leisure makes a major contribution to benzene exposure among Florentine non-smoking citizens. Indoor pollution and transportation means contribute significantly to individual exposure levels especially in winter season.     

Phosphorus Acids as Highly Efficient Promoters for the Palladium-Phenanthroline Catalyzed Carbonylation of Nitrobenzene to Methyl Phenylcarbamate†

A new family of promoters, based on phosphorus acids, is reported for the catalytic carbonylation of nitrobenzene to methyl phenylcarbamate by palladium-phenanthroline complexes. With the new promoters, unprecedented reaction rates (TOF up to 6000/h) and catalyst stability (TON up to 10⁵) could be reached. The best promoter is phosphoric acid, which is also very cheap, nontoxic and easily separable from the reaction products.     

Natural polymers for the microencapsulation of cells

The encapsulation of living mammalian cells within a semi-permeable hydrogel matrix is an attractive procedure for many biomedical and biotechnological applications, such as xenotransplantation, maintenance of stem cell phenotype and bioprinting of three-dimensional scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this review, we focus on naturally derived polymers that can form hydrogels under mild conditions and that are thus capable of entrapping cells within controlled volumes. Our emphasis will be on polysaccharides and proteins, including agarose, alginate, carrageenan, chitosan, gellan gum, hyaluronic acid, collagen, elastin, gelatin, fibrin and silk fibroin. We also discuss the technologies commonly employed to encapsulate cells in these hydrogels, with particular attention on microencapsulation.     

An epidemiologic summary of the AIDS/HIV epidemic in Minnesota

Health care is seeing a revival of customer service, driven by cost pressure, competition, and a nagging conscience to do the right thing. In some markets, health systems no longer compete on prices. They're already cut to the bone. Service is how they aim to set themselves apart.