Immature platelets (IP) are the youngest circulating platelets, released from megakaryocytes, and demonstrating increased dimensions, significant RNA content, and enhanced activity. Immature platelet ...research focuses on a differential diagnostic help in patients with thrombocytopenia. The objectives of this study were to compare the variability of IP in citrate and EDTA samples, and to determine stability over time.
Fifty-six patients were included for comparison between EDTA and citrate whole blood sample collection. Among the patients, 28 had thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 150G/L). Platelet measurement impedancemetry and fluorimetry were performed with Sysmex XN-9000. The immature platelet fraction (IPF) and absolute immature platelet count (A-IPC) were determined with a fluorescent method.
The mean value of platelet count with fluorescence was, in EDTA sample, 215 ± 171 and, in citrate sample, 153 ± 118 G/L. No significant difference was observed between IPF between EDTA and citrate (7.74 ± 6.68% vs. 8.45 ± 7.37%, p = 0.69), respectively. With the Bland-Altman analysis, the mean difference in the EDTA sample, between 1 and 24 h, was 8.06 ± 6.96% and 8.73 ± 7.12% for IPF, whereas in the citrate sample, between 1 and 6 h, it was 8.60 ± 7.29% and 7.54 ± 6.97%, for IPF. Comparing 1 h EDTA sample with 6 h citrate sample, the variance ratio was 0.974 (95% CI: 0.864-1.084) in IPF.
We confirmed the potential to conduct IP measurements up to 24 h in the EDTA sample and IPF measurements in the citrate sample for up to 6 h. These results may be useful for the use of IPF, which is a promising parameter whose interest in clinical practice and standardization is not yet well defined.
The diagnosis of hypercortisolism requires multiple biochemical investigations, due to variations in cortisol production during the 24-hour circadian cycle. Midnight serum cortisol is difficult to ...interpret since the threshold value is dependent on the analytical method used and is often not provided by the manufacturer. Second-generation assays are more specific than first-generation assays and may have lower threshold values.
The aim of this study was to determine a novel threshold value of midnight serum cortisol for the biochemical diagnosis of hypercortisolism, using the Roche Cobas Cortisol® second-generation assay.
This study was performed in adult patients hospitalized in the endocrinology unit of a university hospital. Patients had a complete assessment of their 24-hour cortisol cycle, i.e., a serum cortisol test every four hours and at least two first-line tests: late night salivary cortisol, dexamethasone suppression test and/or 24-hour urinary free cortisol. First-line tests were used to identify patients with hypercortisolism. Serum samples were analyzed by second-generation electrochemiluminescence immunoassays (ECLIA) from Roche Cobas Cortisol®.
Midnight serum cortisol samples were obtained from 175 hospitalized patients. The novel threshold value obtained was 157 nmol/L with a sensitivity of 82.9% (68.6 to 94.3%) and a specificity of 90.0% (85.0 to 95.0%).
Our study confirms that the threshold value of midnight serum cortisol is not comparable between first- and second-generation Roche Cobas Cortisol® assays and that the threshold value is lower with the second-generation assay.
The purpose of this paper is to compare the European Union (EU) and United States (U.S.) securities regulations. In November 2007, the market in financial instruments directive 2004/39/EC (MiFID) ...came into force in the EU, and brought about deep changes in the market infrastructure. The same year regulations National Market System (NMS) in the U.S. was fully enacted and reformed equities markets. This study compares MiFID with the corresponding U.S. regulations, and primarily focuses on the regulatory and supervisory framework, trading venues, and the provision of investment services. Implementation of the rules enforcement and right to redress are beyond the scope of this paper. Likewise, the paper does not intend to judge the effectiveness of the two regulatory systems.
Polish Fixed-income Securities Market Noel, Michel; Akamatsu, Noritaka; Brzeski, Wladyslaw Jan ...
2006, 11-29-2006, 2007, 20070101, Letnik:
91
eBook, Book
Odprti dostop
This book analyzes the recent evolution of the Polish fixedincome securities market, including the money market, the government bond market, and the non-government bond market, focusing in particular ...on the sub-national bond market. The book examines key policy challenges facing the development of the sector, including policies to: stimulate the development of the classic repo market, increase the reliability of the government bond yield curve, stimulate the overall development of the non-government bond market, and reform the legal and regulatory framework for local government borrowing.
This study reviews the recent developments in capital markets and institutional investors in Russia, and examines the policy challenges ahead for the development of the sector. The analysis covers ...key impediments for further development and policy challenges for securities markets, in particular legal and regulatory framework, market infrastructure, government bonds, sub-sovereign bonds, corporate bonds, and equities. The analysis also covers key impediments for further development and policy challenges for mutual funds, pension funds, and insurance companies.
The prospect of European integration presents huge opportunities and challenges for the development of non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) in Ukraine. By most measures, the development of the ...NBFI sector in Ukraine lags far behind that of recent accession countries in Central Europe. To address the main impediments facing the development of the sector, the Ukrainian authorities need to implement a strategy based on six main pillars: 1) strengthen the capacity, independence, funding, and accountability of the NBFI regulators; 2) develop money markets, government bond markets, and municipal bond markets; 3) restructure equity markets; 4) accelerate the introduction of funded pension schemes, and improve transparency and consumer protection in the insurance industry; 5) radically transform corporate governance; and 6) broaden access of NBFI finance.
In recent years, the countries of the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Region have experienced a marked decline in the interest of international private operators and investors in municipal ...infrastructure projects, in line with the trend experienced in other emerging markets. The objective of this paper is to explore the possible innovative elements of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in an effort to rekindle the sagging private finance interest in municipal infrastructure in the ECA Region. The contemplated PPP model would involve government, municipalities, Local Infrastructure Investment Trusts, private equity funds and/or turnaround advisors, and International Financial Institutions.
Capital Markets and Non-bank Financial Institutions in Romania is part of the World Bank Working Paper series. These papers are published to communicate the results of the Bank’s ongoing research and ...to stimulate public discussion. With only three years remaining before joining the European Union, Romania is working hard to improve its capital markets and non-bank financial institutions, which remain less developed than those in other accession countries. Strengthening these sectors has become a top priority for policymakers, whose primary objective is to ensure that the financial system is sufficiently developed to serve the growing demands of the Romanian economy. During 2003 and 2004, the Romanian authorities made significant efforts to draft, adopt, and enact new legislation to align Romania with EU financial directives. Despite these efforts, however, challenges remain in the area of supervisory capacity and the implementation of laws and regulations. This study assesses key issues and recommendations for development, and reviews the specific changes which are necessary in four areas: structural reforms, market institutions, and infrastructure; accounting, transparency, and disclosure; market infrastructure; and credit enhancements.
PDF