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* Context.--Body fluid specimens are regularly submitted to the hematology laboratory for cell count and differential. Unless there is high clinical suspicion for malignancy, most cases lack concurrent cytology review and may not benefit from more focused examination for malignancy. Objective.--To compare rates of malignancy detection before and after fluid-focused training for hematology technologists as part of a quality improvement initiative. Design.--During an 8-week pretraining period, body fluids submitted to the cytology laboratory were correlated with concurrent hematology specimens. After slide review and training sessions for the hematology technologists, the same data were collected for a 4-week period. Discrepant cases were reviewed by hematology laboratory supervisors and pathologists. Results.--We collected 465 pretraining and 249 post-training body fluids with concurrent cytology and hematology evaluation. In the pretraining cohort, 48 cases (10.3%) were diagnosed as malignant by cytology; of those, 33 were detected by hematology. In the posttraining cohort, 30 cases (12.0%) were diagnosed as malignant by cytology of which 27 were detected by hematology. Of the 18 discrepant cases (all carcinomas), hematology slide review showed definite features of malignancy in 15 and no tumor cells in 3. The malignancy detection rate by the hematology laboratory significantly improved after training (68.8% versus 90.0%, P = .01). Conclusions.--We demonstrate the comparatively lower malignancy detection rate for body fluid specimens processed in our hematology laboratory, particularly for carcinomas. Hematology technologist education/training improved the malignancy detection rate, an important quality improvement given the large proportion of body fluids undergoing hematology evaluation without concurrent cytology reviews. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2019-0617-OA, Body fluid specimens are regularly submitted to the hematology laboratory for cell count and differential. A concurrent cytology specimen may also be submitted, particularly if there is clinical suspicion for [...]

Byline: Pankaj. Kundra, Shreya. GoswamiEndothelial glycocalyx layer (EGL) coating the luminal surface of vascular endothelium plays an essential role in maintaining the normal fluid homeostasis of the body. This highly [...]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.09.005 Byline: Kelly Virkler, Igor K. Lednev Keywords: Raman spectroscopy; Semen; Principal components; Statistical analysis; Forensic science; Body fluid identification Abstract: A great potential of Raman spectroscopy for non-destructive, confirmatory identification of body fluids at the crime scene has been reported recently (Virkler and Lednev, Forensic Sci. Int. 2008). However, that analysis was carried out on only one sample of each body fluid and did not take into account any variations that might occur between different donors of the same fluid. This paper reports on the role of heterogeneity within a sample as well as among multiple donors for human semen. Near-infrared (NIR) Raman spectroscopy was used to measure spectra of pure dried human semen samples from multiple donors in a controlled laboratory environment. The major chemical components that contributed to the Raman spectrum of semen were determined and used to tentatively identify the principal spectral components. The issue of potential spectral variations that could arise between different donors of semen was also addressed. Advanced statistical analysis of spectra obtained from multiple spots on dry samples showed that dry semen is heterogeneous and its Raman spectra could be presented as a linear combination of a fluorescent background and three spectral components. The relative contribution of each of the three components varies with donor, so no single spectrum could effectively represent an experimental Raman spectrum of dry semen in a quantitative way. The combination of the three spectral components could be considered to be a spectroscopic signature for semen. This proof-of-concept approach shows the potential for Raman spectroscopy to identify an unknown substance to be semen during forensic analysis. Author Affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, SUNY, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222, United States Article History: Received 25 June 2009; Revised 9 September 2009; Accepted 10 September 2009

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.05.015 Byline: Antonia Gronewold, Andrea Dettling, Hans T. Haffner, Gisela Skopp Keywords: Doxepin; Nordoxepin; Combined concentration; Concentration ratio; LC-MS/MS; Postmortem Abstract: Body fluids and tissues in eight doxepin (Dox)-related deaths were investigated in order to prove whether the individual concentration of Dox, the concentration sum of parent drug and its active metabolite N-desmethyldoxepin (NDox) or the concentration ratio Dox/Ndox valuably contribute to making a cause of death determination. Individual case histories were shortly described. Dox and NDox concentrations were determined by LC-MS/MS. Dox concentration measured from two cases was well within a concentration range considered therapeutic, whereas subtherapeutic dosing may have occurred in another two cases. There were two cases of fatal Dox ingestion, as well as a case of high dosage and advanced putrefaction, respectively. The liver concentration sum may be more useful if a fatal ingestion cannot be clearly separated from a person's medication usage. High concentrations could be observed in lung tissue, and combined concentrations of Dox and NDox may also be helpful in making a cause of death determination. There was a trend to a higher concentration sum in the brain with increasing combined levels in blood. Overall, the sum of the absolute figures allows a more accurate interpretation in Dox-related deaths as compared to the molar concentration ratio which may be helpful in acute ingestion. Determination of the N-desmethyl metabolite along with its parent is recommended and analysis should include more than a single specimen. Author Affiliation: Institute of Legal and Traffic Medicine, University Hospital, Voss-Str. 2, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany Article History: Received 13 February 2009; Revised 17 May 2009; Accepted 20 May 2009

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.02.013 Byline: Kelly Virkler, Igor K. Lednev Keywords: Body fluid identification; Forensic biology; Non-destructive analysis; Raman spectroscopy; Biospectroscopy; Portable spectrometer Abstract: Body fluid traces recovered at crime scenes are among the most important types of evidence to forensic investigators. They contain valuable DNA evidence which can identify a suspect or victim as well as exonerate an innocent individual. The first step of identifying a particular body fluid is highly important since the nature of the fluid is itself very informative to the investigation, and the destructive nature of a screening test must be considered when only a small amount of material is available. The ability to characterize an unknown stain at the scene of the crime without having to wait for results from a laboratory is another very critical step in the development of forensic body fluid analysis. Driven by the importance for forensic applications, body fluid identification methods have been extensively developed in recent years. The systematic analysis of these new developments is vital for forensic investigators to be continuously educated on possible superior techniques. Significant advances in laser technology and the development of novel light detectors have dramatically improved spectroscopic methods for molecular characterization over the last decade. The application of this novel biospectroscopy for forensic purposes opens new and exciting opportunities for the development of on-field, non-destructive, confirmatory methods for body fluid identification at a crime scene. In addition, the biospectroscopy methods are universally applicable to all body fluids unlike the majority of current techniques which are valid for individual fluids only. This article analyzes the current methods being used to identify body fluid stains including blood, semen, saliva, vaginal fluid, urine, and sweat, and also focuses on new techniques that have been developed in the last 5-6 years. In addition, the potential of new biospectroscopic techniques based on Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy is evaluated for rapid, confirmatory, non-destructive identification of a body fluid at a crime scene. Author Affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, SUNY, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222, United States Article History: Received 16 December 2008; Revised 2 February 2009; Accepted 8 February 2009

The present study investigated the role of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) in the behavioral control of body fluid homeostasis by determining the effect of bilateral injections of the CRH receptor antagonist, [alpha]-helical corticotropin-releasing factor [(CRF).sub.9-41], and the CRH receptor agonist, CRH, on sodium chloride (salt appetite) and water (thirst) intake. Groups of adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats had stainless-steel cannulas implanted bilaterally into the LPBN and were sodium depleted or water deprived. Bilateral injections of [alpha]-helical [CRF.sub.9-41] into the LPBN significantly potentiated water and salt intake in the sodium-depleted rats when access to fluids was restored. Bilateral injections of [alpha]-helical [CRF.sub.9-41] into the LPBN (1.0 [micro]g) also increased sodium appetite in water-deprived rats. Conversely, in sodium-depleted animals, bilateral injections of CRH inhibited sodium chloride intake. These results suggest that there is an endogenous CRH inhibitory mechanism operating in the LPBN to modulate the intake of sodium (salt appetite). This mechanism may contribute to the behavioral control of restoration of body fluid homeostasis in sodium-deficient states. water intake; [alpha]-helical corticotropin-releasing factor

This article investigates the impact of post exercise fluid consumption on body weight and dehydration. An analysis of hemoglobin, urine loss, sodium balance, and body water is presented.

The presence of HIV-1 RNA in cervical fluid can be used to evaluate an HIV-infected woman's response to treatment. In a study of 56 such women, over half had HIV-1 RNA in their cervical fluid. Women with low CD4 counts and high blood viral levels were most likely to have HIV-1 RNA in cervical fluid.

Background. Multifrequency Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (MFBIA) is a novel method to assess body composition in elderly subjects. However, it is unclear whether MFBIA can detect changes in body water compartments in elders. We aimed to determine the within-subject variability of MFBIA and the responsiveness to a diuretic intervention in aged subjects with a stable fluid balance. Methods. We selected 12 healthy active elderly subjects (5 male, 7 female) with a mean age of 75 years. Total body water and extracellular fluid (ECF) were measured by deuterium oxide- and potassium bromide-dilution techniques. Within-subject variability in total body MFBIA was assessed by performing four measurements at 1, 5, 50, and 100 kHz within a 2-month period. Subsequently, responsiveness of MFBIA to the ECF loss caused by oral administration of 40 mg of furosemide was determined. Results. Within-subject variability in MFBIA at 1, 5, 50, and 100 kHz expressed as standard deviations was 21, 19, 14, and 14 Ohm ([Omega]), respectively. Furosemide caused a mean weight loss of 1.8 [+ or -] 0.6 kg, which resulted in significant increases in impedance of 57 [+ or -] 24 [Omega] at 1 kHz and 37 [+ or -] 12 [Omega] at 100 kHz (p < .001). The responsiveness of MFBIA for the diuretic intervention was best at 5 kHz (responsiveness index = 1.98). Conclusions. Within-subject variability of MFBIA was small in healthy elderly subjects with stable fluid balance. Responsiveness of MFBIA to 9% furosemide-induced ECF loss was excellent. These data support the necessity for further clinical assessment of the value of MFBIA in monitoring fluid balance in geriatric patients.

Small interlobular bile ducts isolated from rat liver can be used to study transport properties of small bile duct segments. These comprise the primary site of injury in cholestatic liver disorders, called vanishing bile duct syndromes. Secretion is revealed by studies using video imaging techniques. Application of these results in studies of characteristics of bile duct secretions is discussed.

Examination of different analytical procedures for the estimation of Se in human body fluids indicates that type of fluid decides the sampling and storage technique. Voltalization is minimum during acid digestion. Various techniques, including modern spectroscopic techniques, chromatographic techniques, neutron activation analysis and electrochemical methods, help estimate the level of Se in body fluids. Advantages of each method are discussed.

The coelomic and blood CO2 concentrations in the body fluids of hydrothermal vent Riftia pachyptila, observed on the East Pacific Rise at the 13 degrees site, show extraordinary levels up to 50 mmol/l. Gel filtration analysis reveals major CO2 retention by the protein-free fractions. The nature of such base excess in the protein-free fractions may be attributed to 3 functions: CO2 retention in the body fluids during low external partial pressures P(sub CO2), buffer action during high P(sub CO2) and to provide a CO2 store for carbon fixation by symbiotic bacteria during variations in CO2 supply.

A flexible sensor constructed in a sandwich configuration with a hydrophilic poly(tetrafluoroethylene) membrane placed between two gold deposited layers was evaluated for use as a conductimetric sensor in biologic fluids. The conductivity was measured using the device at frequencies ranging from 100 Hz to 100 kHz, and the device was calibrated at 100 kHz against sodium chloride solutions over the range of 0.1-50.0 g/L, which includes physiologic ion concentrations. Attached to a contact lens, the flexible conductimetric sensor can be placed directly onto the surface of the rabbit eye to monitor the electrical conductivity of tear fluids. Osmolarity obtained from the sensor data was consistently lower than previously reported values, perhaps indicating the effects of protein and lipid deposition. Tear flow with a mean turnover rate of 64.9%/min was elicited by eye drops of high concentration sodium chloride and distilled water.

Until recently it was practical to divide body weight into only two or three chemical compartments in living subjects due to an inability to quantify directly total body mineral, protein, and fat in vivo. The six-compartment chemical model is now the cornerstone of research in human body composition. Advanced technologies, including neutron activation analysis systems and dual photon absorptiometry, now enable investigators to extend body composition estimates and to construct near-complete chemical models in vivo. These new or refined approaches will advance our knowledge of human body composition and will also improve our accuracy in calibrating simpler epidemiologic and bedside body-composition techniques.