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Objective: To determine whether microcytic erythrocytes influence the accuracy of automated platelet (PLT) counting. Methods: We divided a total of 206 K2 ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-anticoagulated blood samples into 4 groups, as follows: In group 1 (control group), normal mean corpuscular volume (MCV > 80 fL) and PLT count equal or greater than 140,000/μL (n = 45); group 2, normal MCV, reduced PLT count (< 140 x 103 /μL, n = 41); group 3, microcytic samples with normal PLT count (n = 68); and group 4, microcytic samples with reduced PLT count (n = 49). We also compared the platelet counting using electroimpedance (PLT-EI), platelet count using fluorescent optical (PLT-FO), and platelet-count manual (PLT-M) methods, using the Sysmex XE 2100 automatic analyzer. Results: Despite highly significant overall correlations between PLT-EI and PLT-FO, PLT-EI and PLT-M, and PLT-FO and PLT-M (r = 0.95 [all P <.001]), use of the PLT-EI method resulted in widely overestimated PLT counts in microcytic samples (MCV <80 fL), compared with use of PLT-FO and PLT-M. Our results identify an MCV of 70 fL as the critical threshold below which PLT-EI became unreliable. Conclusion: The PLT-EI mode overestimated PLT counts compared with PLT-FO and PLT-M modes in microcytic blood. Therefore, PLT-FO is the preferred method for PLT counting in patients with microcytic anemia when using an automated analyzer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A continuing education unit multiple-choice test for laboratory studies is presented on the subject of accuracy in optical platelet counts and microcytic anemia.

Background: Biliary atresia (BA) is a typical cholestatic neonatal disease, characterized by obliteration of intra- and/or extra-hepatic bile ducts. However, the mechanisms contributing to the pathogenesis of BA remain uncertain. Because of decreased bile flow, infectious complications and damaging endotoxemia occur frequently in patients with BA. The aim of this study was to investigate endotoxin levels in patients with BA and the relation of these levels with the expression of the endotoxin receptor, CD14. Methods: The plasma levels of endotoxin and soluble CD14 were measured with a pyrochrome Limulus amebocyte lysate assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in patients with early-stage BA when they received the Kasai procedure (KP), in patients who were jaundice-free post-KP and followed-up at the outpatient department, in patients with late-stage BA when they received liver transplantation, and in patients with choledochal cysts. The correlation of CD14 expression with endotoxin levels in rats following common bile duct ligation was investigated. Results: The results demonstrated a significantly higher hepatic CD14 mRNA and soluble CD14 plasma levels in patients with early-stage BA relative to those with late-stage BA. However, plasma endotoxin levels were significantly higher in both the early and late stages of BA relative to controls. In rat model, the results demonstrated that both endotoxin and CD14 levels were significantly increased in liver tissues of rats following bile duct ligation. Conclusions: The significant increase in plasma endotoxin and soluble CD14 levels during BA implies a possible involvement of endotoxin stimulated CD14 production by hepatocytes in the early stage of BA for removal of endotoxin; whereas, endotoxin signaling likely induced liver injury and impaired soluble CD14 synthesis in the late stages of BA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is to determine the impact of virus in surgical outcomes among patients of head and neck cancer with N3 lymph node metastasis. A retrospective analysis was conducted for 32 patients with operable N3 neck metastasis undergoing surgical treatment between January 1987 and October 2006. The nuclei of the tumor cells were investigated for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNAs and were taken into account as the variable for survival analysis. The primary sites were oropharynx in 11 patients, tongue in 3, buccal mucosa in 1, hypopharynx in 8 and unknown primary in 9. The five-year cumulative overall survival rate was 40.7% and 5-year cumulative regional control rate was 55.8%. The 5-year cumulative overall survival rate of patients with unknown primary site (72.9%) and HPV or EBV positive in the tumor (77.8%) were significantly higher than those patients with known primary site (31.3%) and HPV or EBV negative in the tumor (27.4%), respectively ( P = 0.0335 and P = 0.0348, log rank test). In conclusion, surgery with adjuvant therapy offers reasonable outcomes for operable N3 node in head and neck cancer in our cohort. In addition, patients with HPV or EBV positive in the tumor have a better survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explores the role of tumor susceptibility gene TSG101 in thyroid tumorigenesis. Information on the screening of human papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) by immunohistochemical staining and in situ hybridization analysis on paraffin-embedded tissues; Demonstration of the specificity of anti-TSG101 antiserum; Detection of increased TSG101 expression in PTC specimens by immunohistochemistry; Overexpression of TSG101 protein not caused by mutation of C-terminal steadiness box.