Determining calcium bioavailability is important in establishing dietary calcium requirements. In infants and small children, previously conducted mass balance studies have largely been replaced by stable isotope-based studies. The ability to assess calcium absorption using a relatively short 24-hour urine collection without the need for multiple blood samples or fecal collections is a major ad...

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a molecule involved in regulating phosphorus homeostasis. Although some studies indicated an association between serum FGF23 levels and sex, the association has not been fully investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether sex could influence FGF23 responsiveness to dietary phosphorus intake in healthy individuals. Thirty two healthy subje...

The increase of ageing population has raised public attention on the concept of successful ageing. Studies have shown that vitamin D, telomere length, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have been associated with cognitive function. Therefore, this study aimed to identify neuroprotective factors for cognitive decline in different ageing groups. A total of 300 older adults aged 60 years...

OBJECTIVE To determine whether canine plasma von Willebrand factor (vWf) varies between and within individuals over time and with different blood sample collection and processing procedures. ANIMALS 26 adult dogs and 6 pups. PROCEDURE Blood was obtained from the jugular or cephalic vein daily for 8 to 19 days and weekly for 9 to 23 weeks in adult dogs and periodically up to 180 days of age ...

Introduction Errors in pretransfusion specimen collection, omission of appropriate transfusion filters, or co-administration of incompatible fluids with blood products could transform blood transfusion from a lifesaving measure into a life threatening event. In this chapter, we will summarize key aspects of blood component administration, with an emphasis on processes and technologic advances t...

Diagnosing the etiologic agent of pneumonia has an essential role in ensuring the most appropriate and effective therapy for individual patients and is critical to guiding the development of treatment and prevention strategies. However, establishing the etiology of pneumonia remains challenging because of the relative inaccessibility of the infected tissue and the difficulty in obtaining sample...

The importance and severity of the childhood tuberculosis frequently present with advanced disease. Automated liquid (TB) disease burden is recognized in many developing broth cultures such as MGIT and BACTEC offer slightly countries. Of the estimated 8.3 million new TB cases reported superior sensitivity and reduced turn around time compared to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2000, 884 ...

Ammonia concentrations in plasma may increase because of contamination and deterioration of blood components during specimen handling and storage. Using replicate specimens from healthy volunteers, we studied influences of specimen processing and storage procedures on ammonia measurements made with a self-contained reagent system. Under some conditions, ammonia concentrations more than doubled....

In this study we evaluate the suitability of two methods of RNA conservation in blood samples, PAXgene and RNAlater, in combination with variable shipping conditions for their application in multicenter studies and biobanking. RNA yield, integrity, and purity as well as levels of selected mRNA and microRNA species were analyzed in peripheral human blood samples stabilized by PAXgene or RNAlater...

Background: The complexity of the preanalytical (PA) phase has precluded standardisation of PA processes, despite its impact on sample quality, laboratory effi ciency, or patient & healthcare worker safety. The BD Laboratory Consulting Services™ Preanalytical Review audits PA procedures and practices in hospitals in diff erent countries. Processes were assessed from storage of blood collection ...