BACKGROUND: We evaluated the performance of the Rapidlab 860 (Chiron Diagnostics, Medfield, MA, USA), the newly introduced automated blood gas&electrolytes analyzer, according to the guidelines of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. METHODS: The tested analytes were pH (hydrogen ion activity), PCO(2) (carbon dioxide pressure or tension), PO(2) (oxygen pressure or tension), Na(+) (sodium), K(+) (potassium), Ca(++) (ionized calcium), Cl(-)(chloride), HCO(3)(-)(bicarbonate), ctCO(2) (concentration of total carbon dioxide). Within-day precision, between-day precision, and sample-related carryover were analyzed using quality control materials at three different concentration levels for each analyte. Correlation was compared with the routinely used NOVA-Stat Profile 5 (Nova Biomedical, Waltham, MA, USA) with patient's whole blood samples. RESULTS: The within-day coefficients of variations (CVs) for pH, PCO(2), Na(+), K(+), Ca(++), HCO(3)(-), and ctCO(2) were less than 5.0%. The within-day CVs for PO(2) and Cl(-) at low concentration levels were 7.128% and 5.065%, respectively. The between-day CVs for each group were less than 5.0% in all analytes. Sample-related carryover was less than 5.0% in all items. Coefficients of correlation exceeded 0.950 except for PCO(2) and HCO(3)(-). CONCLUSIONS: Rapidlab 860 showed good precision, close correlation with NOVA-Stat Profile 5 and sample-related carryover was barely present for pH, PCO(2), PO(2), Na(+), K(+), Ca(++), Cl(-), HCO(3)()-ctCO(2).
Carbon ; Electrolytes* ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Quality Control

At least three major antigenic dengue 2 virus proteins were recognized by pooled dengue fever patients' sera in infected Aedes albopictus (C6/36) mosquito cells. Dengue virus envelope (E), premembrane (PrM) and non-structural protein 1 (NS 1) dimer were detected beginning on day 3 postinfection in both the cell membrane and cytosolic fractions. Using the patients' sera, the presence of antigenic intermediate core protein (C)-PrM and NS1-non-structural protein 2a (NS2a) in the cytoplasmic fraction of dengue 2 virus infected cells was revealed. The presence of a approximately 92 and approximately 84 kDa NS 1 dimer in the membrane (NS 1m) and cytosolic (NS 1c) fractions of C6/36 cells, respectively, was also recognized. Using individual patient's serum, it was further confirmed that all patients' sera contained antibodies that specifically recognized E, NS 1 and PrM present in the dengue 2 virus-infected cell membrane fractions, suggesting that these glycosylated virus proteins were the main antigenic proteins recognized in vivo. Detection of dengue 2 virus C antibody in some patients further suggested that C could be antigenic if presented in vivo.
Dengue ; seconds ; Viral Proteins ; Proteins ; Carbon ion

Tonsillectomy is performed for several indications, the two commonest in practice are infective (chronic tonsillitis) and obstructive symptoms such as sleep apnea. The objective of this study is to determine the necessity of routinely performed histopathological examination of fonsillectomy specimens. In this paper, a retrospective evaluation of 480 specimens from 241 patient who had undergone tonsillectomies in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia between January 2004 and October 2005 was done. It was found that 462 (96.25 %) were reactive lymphoid hyperplasia and 18 (3.75 %) were follicular hyperplasia. None of them were found to be malignant. The result of this study indicates that routine histopathological examination of tonsillectomy specimens are unnecessary and results only in added cost and a loss of man hours.
Tonsillectomy ; Retrospective Studies ; Malaysia ; Hospitals ; Carbon ion

Objectives: This study was performed to determine the effects of decreasing ambient temperature on peripheral blood flow and body temperature of males and females in a thermal neutral zone for references to the thermal standard of office workers. Methods: Peripheral blood flows of the hand and feet, and body temperatures and so on of male and female subjects were measured in a climatic chamber. Air temperature was maintained at 28.5°C at the beginning. After this, air temperature was decreased linearly to 21.0°C over a period of 60 minutes. Finally, air temperature was maintained at 21.0°C. Results: Blood flows and skin temperatures of male and female subjects became similar or showed no significant difference at beginning and the end of the experiment. Skin blood flow of the hand and skin temperatures of the hand and fingers decreased, and these values in females were lower than in males, when air temperature was decreased linearly in a thermal neutral zone. However, there were no remarkable differences between males and females in sublingual and mean skin temperatures during the experiment. Conclusion: Minimum air temperature at the thermal standard for offices in Japan is 17°C, which may be too low to be comfortable or neutral. Even in a neutral thermal condition, it is better that office workers are provided some protection such as a blanket or clothing, to protect peripheral body parts from cooling in winter, as there are individual differences in physiological thermal reactions.
Temperature ; Carbon ion ; seconds ; Integumentary system ; Hand

A total of 206 residents (76 males and 130 females) of a rural area of Hokkaido, Japan, attending a health check in August, 1997, were studied to assess the relationship between serum carotenoids and atrophic gastritis (AG). Of the participants, 91 had AG, as indicated by their serum levels of pepsinogen I and pepsinogen II. Logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for gender and age, revealed that the odds ratios for serum carotenoid levels were lower for subjects with high serum levels of α-carotene (odds ratio, 0.41; 95% C.I., 0.19−0.88) and β-carotene (odds ratio, 0.41; 95% C.I., 0.18−0.91) than for those with low serum carotenoid levels. In addition, the odds ratios of subjects with high serum levels of β-cryptoxanthin (odds ratio, 0.60; 95% C.I., 0.28−1.31), provitamin A (odds ratio, 0.38; 95% C.I., 0.17−0.85), and retinol (odds ratio, 0.67; 95% C.I., 0.31−1.48) were found to be lower than the odds ratios for those with low serum levels. Odds ratios for subjects with high serum zeaxanthin/lutein levels were higher than odds ratios for those with low serum levels. These results suggest that frequent intake of foods rich in carotenoids with provitamin A activity may reduce the risk of AG.
Serum ; Carotenoids ; Carbon ion ; Hokkaido ; Silver

A 43 year-old man presented with pain on the right tooth for three days duration. Computed tomography showed left orbital cellulitis and right parapharyngeal abscess. There was also evidence suggestive of a dental abscess over right upper alveolar region. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed left superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis. Emergency drainage of the right parapharyngeal abscess was performed. Right maxillary molar extraction revealed periapical abscess. Left eye proptosis markedly reduced after initiating heparin.
Abscess ; Orbital cellulitis ; Carbon ion ; Ipsilateral ; Contralateral

The principal objective of this study was to acquire basic data regarding the mycelial growth characteristics for the artificial cultivation of Coprinus comatus. 12 URP primers were employed to evaluate the genetic relationships of C. comatus, and the results were divided into three groups. Among six kinds of mushroom media, MYP medium was selected as the most favorable culture medium for C. comatus. The optimal temperature and pH ranges for the mycelial growth of C. comatus were 23~26degrees C and pH 6~8, respectively. The carbon and nitrogen sources for optimal mycelial growth were sucrose and tryptone, respectively.
Agaricales ; Carbon ; Coprinus ; Cultural Characteristics ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Nitrogen ; Sucrose

The effect of fermentation parameters and medium composition on the simultaneous mycelial growth and exo-polymer production from submerged cultures of Ganoderma applanatum was investigated in shake-flask cultures. The optimum initial pH for mycelial growth and exo-polymer production was 5.0 and 6.0, respectively. The optimum temperature was 25degrees C and the optimum inoculum content was 3.0% (v/v). The optimal carbon and nitrogen sources were glucose and corn steep powder, respectively. After 12 days fermentation under these conditions, the highest mycelial growth was 18.0 g/l and the highest exo-polymer production was 3.9 g/l.
Carbon ; Fermentation ; Ganoderma ; Glucose ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Nitrogen ; Zea mays

To obtain basic information on the detection of cellulolytic activity in Auricularia auricula-judae, the influences of dye reagent, pH, and temperature were assessed. Chromogenic dye (congo red, phenol red, remazol brilliant blue, and trypan blue) was individually incorporated into a medium containing either carboxymethyl-cellulose, Avicel, or D-cellobiose as a polysaccharide carbon substrate. The other assessments utilized pHs ranging from 4.5 to 8.0 and temperatures from 15~35degrees C. Overall, when A. auricula-judae species were transferred onto media contained Congo red and adjusted pH 7.0 and then incubated at 25degrees C for 5 days, the clear zone indicative of cellulolytic activity was more pronounced.
Benzenesulfonates ; Carbon ; Cellulose ; Congo Red ; Diminazene ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Phenolsulfonphthalein

Carbon ion ; Therapeutic procedure ; Kidney Diseases ; Hepatitis, Chronic