Reticulated platelets are a fraction of newly released circulating elements characterized by a residual amount of RNA. It has been suggested that the reticulated platelet count, providing an estimate ...of thrombopoiesis in the same way as erythrocyte reticulocyte count is a measure of erythropoiesis, may be useful in the study of thrombocytopenic disorders. Reticulated red cells and platelets can be analyzed by flow cytometry using specific stains for nucleic acids such as Thiazole Orange and Auramine-O. The aim of our work was to perform the simultaneous evaluation of reticulated elements in whole blood using a standard flow cytometer and to correlate the results obtained with a dedicated cytometer. A group of 14 patients with abnormal absolute reticulocyte counts (range 1.1–11%) and a group of 41 patients showing a platelet discrimination error when analyzed with a dedicated flow cytometer (Sysmex R1000) were enrolled. Linear amplification of both scatter and fluorescence was used to perform reticulocyte count. A gate was set on platelet dimensions, and logarithmic amplification of scatter and fluorescence was used to count reticulated platelets. A good correlation was obtained both for results of reticulocyte count (r2 = 0.9825) and for reticulated platelets (r2 = 0.8717) between our method and those using dedicated instruments. These data show that reticulated platelet count may be easily introduced in clinical laboratories that routinely perform reticulocyte count by flow cytometry.
A quantum illumination protocol exploits correlated light beams to enhance the probability of detection of a partially reflecting object lying in a very noisy background. Recently a simple ...photon-number-detection based implementation of a quantum illumination-like scheme has been provided in Lopaeva {\it et al,}, Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 101}, 153603 (2013) where the enhancement is preserved despite the loss of non-classicality. In the present paper we investigate the source for quantum advantage in that realization. We introduce an effective two-mode description of the light sources and analyze the mutual information as quantifier of total correlations in the effective two-mode picture. In the relevant regime of a highly thermalized background, we find that the improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio achieved by the entangled sources over the unentangled thermal ones amounts exactly to the ratio of the effective mutual informations of the corresponding sources. More precisely, both quantities tend to a common limit specified by the squared ratio of the respective cross-correlations. A thorough analysis of the experimental data confirms this theoretical result.
A simple assay format was developed for the direct detection ofC. trachomatisrRNA utilizing ligation of recombinant MDV-1 probe RNA fragments hybridized to 23S rRNA after capture and release from a ...solid support. Assay background (equivalent to 104targets) was suppressed by blocking sequences in the 5′ MDV reporter probe fragment complementary to the 3′ fragment by prehybridization of a DNA oligonucleotide. A pair of reporter fragments bearing a deletion within the region, obtained by a hydrid–selection–amplification protocol, yielded a low level of assay background which was reduced to <2% with a blocker directed against the remaining pairing sequence. This probe set showed a sensitivity of 103molecules of 23S rRNA (>95% responding) and could detect a single elementary body (EB) ofChlamydia trachomatisor 1–10 EB added to a clinical matrix of pooled negative human cervical swab samples. The time of first appearance of amplification products by real-time fluorescence detection showed a linear response to log increases in the target level over a 105-fold range, permitting the determination of target level within an order of magnitude. The assay showed 109-fold discrimination overChlamydia pneumonae(TWAR) rRNA. High levels of culturedC. albicans,E. coli,S. aureus, orN. gonorrhoeaehad no detectable effect on assay background or the ability to detect a single elementary body.
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IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Phlebology is not a specialty for its own in Italy. Phlebological patients are treated by vascular and general surgeons, dermatologists, phlebologists, angiologists, internists and even general ...practitioners. Even tough guidelines present a series of recommendations based on evidence-based medicine, guidelines may also be a tool to unify the diagnostic and therapeutic approach in a vast medical field like phlebology. Since vascular surgeons and phlebologists are particularly involved in phlebology-related pathologies the scientific societies of the Italian Society of Phlebology (SIF) and the Italian Society for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (SICVE) decided to cooperate for the preparation of phlebo-lymphological guidelines. These guidelines comprehend also an important chapter dealing with the lymphology of the lower extremities; phlebological active physicians are often faced with lymphatic pathologies and a good differential diagnosis can be sometimes very helpful. Sclerotherapy and Surgery as the major therapeutical alternatives are extensively analyzed, but also the compression therapy, the medical and physical therapy are presented under the critical view of evidence based analyses. Separate chapters deal with the treatment alternatives for superficial and deep venous thromboses and the recommendations for the treatment of venous ulcers. The current scientific evidences were confronted with the experiences of Italian specialists and the particular practice and reality in Italy. They represent therefore the actual valid positions and recommendations in Italy which shall be updated regularly.
5'-N-ethylcarboxamideadenosine (NECA) greater than 2-chloroadenosine greater than adenosine greater than N6-(R-phenyl-isopropyl)-adenosine (R-PIA) inhibited in vitro anti-IgE-induced histamine and ...peptide leukotriene C4 (LTC4) release from human basophils in a concentration-dependent fashion. Micromolar concentrations of adenosine, NECA and R-PIA potentiated the anti-IgE-stimulated release of histamine and LTC4 from human lung parenchymal mast cells. Submillimolar concentrations of adenosine, NECA and R-PIA inhibited in a concentration dependent manner the release of histamine and prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) from skin mast cells challenged with anti-IgE. These results demonstrate marked heterogeneity of the modulatory effect exerted by adenosine on mediator release from human basophils and mast cells.
The complete loss or weakening of anatomically defined muscular structures may be determined by many pathological states and may lead to high morbidity and clinical expense. Attempts to functionally ...correct them have encountered limited success. On the account of more demanding requirements of materials for the myofascial repair, we evaluated a bioabsorbable polymer mimicking, at the structural level, the characteristics of the native extracellular matrix (ECM). A described model of muscle injury was used, consisting in the generation of a large abdominal wall defect in 20 Wistar rats. Ablated rectus abdominis was repaired with electrospun poly-L-lactide (PLLA) acellullar patch. Evaluation of the newly developed ECM showed a more delicate fibrillar and organized collagen network in the PLLA group in comparison to control indicating a more advanced process of wound remodeling and a more controlled and modulated tissutal reaction. Scaffold elicited a potent angiogenic response with the appearance of CD31 positive vessels. Additionally, the graft hosted CD34 positive cells, reliable sign of organism response to muscle injury. The biomimesis principle inspiring the structure of this scaffold guided a reparative processes and modulated the microenvironment of the damaged tissue, favoring the regenerative drive over the inflammatory reaction.
The observation of a number of cases of intestinal carcinoid tumours prompted the authors to review the literature in order to define the principal biological and anatomopathological aspects and the ...current therapeutic choices. The diagnosis is often obtained on the basis of anatomopathological examination. The kind of surgical treatment is still a matter of controversy: minimal or extended resection? A number of criteria may orient the surgeon towards major surgery, such as tumour size, node involvement, infiltration of the serous membrane, and liver metastases.
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