Fingertip Blood Samples Research Articles

Acute responses of comprehensive gonadosteroids and corticosteroids to resistance exercise before and after 10weeks of supervised strength training.

What is the central question of this study? Although acute responses of the principal gonadosteroid and corticosteroid hormones to resistance exercise are well documented, there is no information regarding how the key lower-concentration intermediary hormones respond and potentially influence these hormonal pathways. What is the main finding and its importance? This study provides evidence for cascading conversions of some gonadosteroids, and the data suggest that the testosterone concentration increases independently of these hormones. These findings challenge future studies to determine the exact physiological roles of the lower-concentration gonadosteroids and corticosteroids during and immediately after resistance exercise. Resistance training is a potent stimulus for muscle growth, and steroid hormones are known to play a role in this adaptation. However, very little is known about the acute exercise-induced gonadosteroid and corticosteroid hormone responses, including those of key lower-concentration intermediate hormones. The present study determined the acute responses of these steroid hormone families using quantitative ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry after resistance exercise in strength-trained men. Venous and fingertip blood samples were obtained pre-, mid-, 5min post- and 15min post-resistance exercise, both before and after 10weeks of supervised resistance training. The experimental resistance exercise sessions consisted of three sets of 10 repetitions of bilateral leg-press exercise and three sets of 10 repetitions of unilateral knee-extension exercise, with 2 and 1min recovery between sets, respectively. Statistically significant (P<0.05) increases in the concentration of hormones in the gonadosteroid [including dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione, testosterone and estrone] and the corticosteroid (including cortisol, corticosterone and cortisone) families were demonstrated after both experimental resistance exercise sessions, irrespective of training status. Correlation analyses revealed relationships between the following hormones: (i) DHEA and androstenedione; (ii) DHEA and cortisol; (iii) androstenedione and estrone; and (iv) 11-deoxycortisol and cortisol. Testosterone appears to increase acutely and independently of other intermediary hormones after resistance exercise. In conclusion, lower-concentration intermediary gonadosteroids (e.g. estrone) and corticosteroids (e.g. corticosterone) respond robustly to resistance exercise in strength-trained men, although it seems that testosterone concentrations are regulated by factors other than the availability of precursor hormones and changes in plasma volume.

A Rapid Chemiluminescence Immunoassay for Total Vitamin D Status Assessment in Fingertip Blood.

Almost all the automated chemiluminescence analyzers in the market cannot detect total 25-hy-droxyvitamin D (25-OH VD) in fingertip blood sample due to the limited volume. This study aimed to develop a relatively simple pretreatment method to obtain plasma from the fingertip blood samples with limited volume and to establish and evaluate the performance of a chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) for detecting 25-OH VD in plasma. Fixed volume of plasma was obtained using a special glass capillary to pretreat the fingertip blood. The coated microwells were inserted and the reagents were dispensed into wells in the test strips which can be continuously tested on a small automated chemiluminescence analyzer. The performance of the developed method was evaluated, and the method comparison studies were conducted. The limit of detection (LOD) was 1.38 ng/mL. The intra-assay precision of the anticoagulant whole blood samples with low, medium, high concentrations of 25-OH VD were 5.45%, 8.20%, 4.97%, respectively. Different metabolic forms of vitamin D have different degrees of cross-interference with antibodies used in the developed method, especially the active metabolites. The cross reactivity (CR) values of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2 (1,25-(OH)2 VD2) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2 VD3) were 5.83% and 9.13%, respectively. The method comparison results of plasma from the venous blood samples showed that correlation coefficient (R2) is 0.94, with a slight positive bias of +1.1% [95% limits of agreement (± 1.96 SD); -25.8% to 28.1%]. Comparing the results detected by the developed method (plasma from fingertip blood samples) with Roche (plasma from anticoagulant venous blood), good linear relativity was noted, with a slight negative bias of -1.2% [95% limits of agreement (± 1.96 SD); -28.7% to 26.4%]. The developed pretreatment method for fingertip blood and the CLIA method can be used to assess the vitamin D status. The correlation of performance and method with the Roche test was good, and the whole test needs only 30 minutes. The developed method can fully satisfy very busy clinical labs.

Evaluasi Penularan Filariasis Limfatik di Provinsi Riau dan Bangka Belitung: Parasit pada Manusia dan Reservoir

Mass treatment and evaluation surveys of filariasis transmission were strategies in the control of lymphatic filariasis. Mass Drug Administration (MDA) stop period surveillance is required for five years before obtaining a lymphatic filariasis elimination certificate. The aim of conducting the study was to evaluate the activities of lymphatic filariasis elimination in areas that have been doing MDA for five years. During July-November 2017, fingertip blood samples of people aged five years and examination of reservoir animals was done in Riau and Bangka Belitung Province. The results of the study found that in Kuatan Singingi and Pelalawan district Mf rate was &lt;1%, in West Bangka and Belitung districts Mf rate&gt; 1% with all specied identified as Brugia malayi. Survey of animal reservoir obtained positive of B. malayi on two cats (Felis attus), one dog (Canis familiaris), and one monkey (Macaca fascicularis). Riau Province was not a filariasis endemic area (Mf rate &lt;1%), while Bangka Belitung Province Mf rate was still &gt;1%. The risk of transmission in Kuantan Singingi District was already low, while in Pelalawan regency, West Bangka and Belitung were still high.

Current situation and prospect of clinical application of blood glucose monitoring

Blood glucose monitoring is clinically used to assess the degree of glucose metabolism disorders in diabetic patients, reflect the efficacy of the antidiabetic medications and to guide the adjustment of the hypoglycemic regimens. The technology of blood glucose monitoring is changing with each passing day, from frequently fingertip blood sampling to subcutaneous continuous blood glucose monitoring; from invasive to minimally invasive, and non-invasive development. At the same time, blood glucose monitoring information is analyzed from simple numerical values, to visual charts, to trend judgments. Unlike venous plasma glucose measurements, the results of blood glucose monitoring are always considered in terms of accuracy and precision. Newer, more accurate non-invasive blood glucose monitoring devices are looking forward to being applied soon. Key words: Blood glucose monitoring; Diabetes mellitus

Comparison of venous and fingertip plasma using non-targeted proteomics and metabolomics

Blood tests, which are used to evaluate health status, are relatively non-invasive and provide a great deal of health-related information. Blood is usually collected using a standard venous blood sampling protocol, but it is possible to collect blood from a subject's fingertip, and previous studies have investigated whether fingertip-derived blood can be used for various blood tests. In this study, the proteomes and metabolomes of venous and fingertip plasma were analyzed using non-targeted proteomics and metabolomics, respectively. In proteomics, the levels of 523 proteins were compared between venous and fingertip plasma. The correlation coefficient (r) for the relationship between protein levels of venous and fingertip plasma was 0.9999. Some proteins had high fingertip to venous plasma level ratios (finger:venous ratios), whereas others had low finger:venous ratios, and the mean±standard deviation (SD) finger:venous ratio was 0.994 ± 0.304. In metabolomics, 40, 33, and 216 cationic metabolites, anionic metabolites, and lipids, respectively, were detected in venous plasma, and the equivalent figures for fingertip plasma were 40, 35, and 216, respectively. Regarding the correlations between metabolite levels in venous and fingertip plasma, the correlation coefficients (r) for cationic metabolites, anionic metabolites, and lipids were 0.9952, 0.9699, and 0.9980, respectively. The mean±SD finger:venous ratio was 1.19 ± 0.584 for cationic metabolites, 1.23 ± 0.548 for anionic metabolites, and 1.00 ± 0.245 for lipids. Our study suggests that it might be possible to use fingertip plasma to measure plasma protein and metabolite levels, and will contribute to development of a fingertip blood sampling procedure for measuring blood biomarker levels.

A New Hepatitis Virus Test with Microliter-scale Fingertip Blood Collection in Japan.

We investigated whether a small amount of blood collected by fingertip blood sampling would be adequate in a mass examination for hepatitis virus infection in Japan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at health fairs in Kasaoka City and Shodoshima Island, where participants took the hepatitis screening test. A total of 114 consecutive individuals who took the hepatitis screening test were enrolled. Twenty microliters of plasma was successfully obtained from all participants. Among the participants, two had positive results for HBs antigen and two were positive for anti-HCV; all four were > 60 years old and rarely visited the hospital. Thirty-three and 38 patients chronically infected with HBV and HCV, respectively, were examined for confirmatory assays at participating hospitals. All subjects with undetectable serum levels of HBs antigen and anti-HCV had undetectable levels of both markers in fingertip blood, and the levels in serum and fingertip blood were significantly correlated (p<0.01). The lower detection limit of HBs antigen was defined as 0.005 IU/ml, and the cut-off value of anti-HCV was 1.0 by using 10-μl fingertip blood samples. The fingertip blood sampling described herein may be adequate in mass examinations for hepatitis virus testing in Japan.

Accuracy Beyond ISO: Introducing a New Method for Distinguishing Differences Between Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems Meeting ISO 15197:2013 Accuracy Requirements.

Diabetes treatment is intended to maintain near-normal glycemic levels. Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) allows patients to track their BG levels compared with glycemic targets and is associated with improved health outcomes. Because of the importance of SMBG, it is essential that results are accurate to prevent errors in nutritional intake and drug dosing. This study presents a new methodology to evaluate the accuracy of BG monitoring systems (BGMSs). Sensitivity analyses were performed using real and simulated BGMS data to compute probabilities that, for any BG value, the BGMS result would be within prescribed error bounds and confidence limits compared with laboratory reference values. Multiple BG value ranges were used. Probability curves were created using data from 3 simulated BGMSs and anonymized data from 3 real-world BGMSs. Accuracy probability curves from capillary fingertip blood samples (actual clinical data) showed that all 3 real-world BGMSs met EN ISO 15197:2015 accuracy criteria, since 99.63%, 99.63%, and 99.81% of results from the 3 BGMSs were within ±15 mg/dL or ±15% of reference for BG <100 mg/dL and ≥100 mg/dL, respectively. However, there was identifiable variability between BGMSs if BG was <70 mg/dL; one BGMS showed further reductions in accuracy if BG was <50 mg/dL. Probability curves highlight the importance of BGMS accuracy to help achieve optimal glycemic control while avoiding hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. This may be especially significant in very low BG ranges where small errors in BGMS measurements can have substantial impacts on patient-related outcomes, including hypoglycemia risk.

Relationships between older adults’ use of time and cardio-respiratory fitness, obesity and cardio-metabolic risk: A compositional isotemporal substitution analysis

ObjectiveOlder adults’ health has been linked with time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and recent studies suggest time in sedentary behaviour may also be important. Time-use behaviours (MVPA, light physical activity, sedentary time and sleep) are co-dependent, and therefore their associations with health should be examined in an integrated manner. This is the first study to investigate the relationship between older adults’ reallocation of time among these time-use behaviours and markers of cardio-respiratory fitness, obesity and cardio-metabolic risk. Study designCross-sectional study of 122 Australians (65 ± 3 y, 61% female). Main outcome measuresDaily time use: average daily minutes spent in MVPA, light physical activity, sedentary time and sleep derived from 24-h, 7-day accelerometry, were conceptualised as a time-use composition. Cardio-respiratory fitness: graded submaximal cycle ergometer test. Obesity: objectively measured body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Cardio-metabolic risk: sphygmomanometer-measured resting blood pressure and fingertip blood sampling for fasting total cholesterol and glucose. ResultsTime-use composition was significantly associated with obesity markers (BMI, p = 0.001; WHR, p < 0.001). The reallocation of 15 min to MVPA from any of the other behaviours was associated with approximately +1.1 (95% confidence interval 0.2; 1.9) ml/kg−1 min−1 VO2max, −0.7 (−1.0; −0.3) BMI units and −1.2 (−1.8; −0.7) WHR percentage points, while the opposite reallocation (15 min from MVPA to other behaviours) was associated with larger difference estimates of −1.8 (−3.2; −0.4) ml/kg−1 min−1 VO2max, +1.2 (0.5; 1.9) BMI units and +2.1 (1.2; 3.1) WHR percentage points. ConclusionThese findings reinforce the importance of MVPA for health among older adults. Interventions to maintain MVPA, even without increasing it, may be valuable.

A hook effect-free immunochromatographic assay (HEF-ICA) for measuring the C-reactive protein concentration in one drop of human serum

The immunochromatographic (ICA) assay is a highly promising platform for rapid and simple detection of C-reactive protein (CRP) which is an indicator of the different phases of various diseases, as well as of inflammation and infection. However, the hook effect in the ICA assay limits the quantification of CRP levels at high CRP concentrations.Methods: In this study, we developed a hook effect-free immunochromatographic assay (HEF-ICA) to detect CRP over a wide concentration range. The hook effect results from the simultaneous reaction of an excess target antigens with both immobilized and labeled antibodies respectively. To reduce the potential occurrence of this simultaneous reaction, we separated the migration of the target antigen and gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-labeled antibodies on a nitrocellulose membrane and analyzed the time profiles by modifying the ICA structure.Results: The signal intensity of HEF-ICA was saturated at high CRP concentrations, without decreasing. The titration curve of HEF-ICA was adjusted with the Hill equation, and HEF-ICA was performed with the following parameters: limit of detection, 43 ng mL-1; dynamic range, 119 ng mL-1 to 100 µg mL-1. The accuracy of the newly developed assay was evaluated using 33 clinical samples via comparison with a clinical chemistry analyzer.Conclusion: HEF-ICA enabled the measurement of a wide range of CRP concentrations without the hook effect, and was suitable for point-of-care testing with fingertip blood sampling, as only a minute sample volume (2.5 µL) was required.

WITHDRAWN: A novel non-invasive glucose monitoring system based on microwave biosensor

Abstract Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder disease due to insulin deficiency and glucose monitoring technology has been used for diabetes control. We have been trying to find a low profile, easy fabrication, low cost sensor system for non-invasive monitoring blood glucose. In this paper, we constructed a microwave-based non-invasive monitoring system consisting of a microstrip patch antenna and a TSA spectrum analyzer. In the frequency range of 0.8-3.8 GHz, the non-invasive detection system can effectively detect the concentration of glucose. The minimum detectible glucose concentration was about 0.1 mg/dL (0.0056 mmol/L). Both the result of human blood glucose concentration measured by non-invasive monitoring system and the human blood glucose level measured by fingertip blood sampling were fitted, and the goodness of fit (R 2 ) was 0.93. The results clearly verified the sensitivity and usefulness of the microwave sensing system for non-invasive glucose monitoring. This proposed system provides a unique approach for real contactless glucose monitoring and it may serve as a bloodless glucometer for the calibration of different glucose levels.

手指採血希釈血漿検査法の開発と健康管理への貢献

手指採血希釈血漿検査法の開発と健康管理への貢献

Çocuklarda 5000 m Açık Su Yüzme Egzersizine Fizyolojik Cevaplar

Objective: Open water swimming (OWS) is an endurance sport. Nitric oxide (NO) is a vasodilator gas, therefore it is related to endurance. Physiological stress levels of OWS on children are unknown. The purposes of this study were to investigate the physiological responses to 5000 m OWS and its relation with serum NOx (nitrite plus nitrate) levels in children. Material and Methods: Trained OWS athletes (9 males and 5 females; age=13.8±1.12 years) participated in the study. Serum NOx, oxidative stress index (OSI): total antioxidant status (TAS)/total oxidant stress status (TOS) ratio, muscle damage markers (MDM): serum creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, leucocyte counts and serum glucose (GLU) levels were determined before and after the OWS. Lactate (La), whole blood glucose (WGLU) analyses were done from the fingertip blood samples and heart rate (HR) was measured after every 1000 m. Results: After 5000 m OWS, HR and La levels were recorded as 166 beat/min and 2.95 mM. The results indicated that MDM significantly increased (p<0.01), and OSI significantly decreased however there were no significantly changes in TAS, NOx and serum glucose (GLU) values. Basal NOx levels was only related to CK (r=-0.529, p=0.052), but not other parameters. Conclusion: 5000 m OWS exercise induced a moderate physiological stress without any oxidative stress, hypoglycemia and health risk for the investigated parameters risk. Although this exercise did not increase blood NOx levels, the negative relationship between basal NOx and CK parameters may show the anti-inflammatory role of NO during OWS exercises in the children.

Glycaemic and Insulin Response to Equi-Quantity of Selected Common Indian Staples in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Diet therapy is one of the corner stone's in the management of diabetes. Keeping the blood sugar level as close to normal is the main focus of dietary management of diabetes. A typical Indian meal is largely composed of Carbohydrates (CHO). Consumption of staple cereals, forms the major source of CHO in the Indian diet. However, CHO metabolism is seen to be completely deranged in a person with type 2 diabetes. It is necessary to select the cereal which has lower postprandial glycaemic impact for subjects with compromised metabolic status. Preference between two main staple cereals rice and wheat as staple food, especially for diabetic group, will depend on the equi-quantity based postprandial glycaemic impact of these cereals. To identify the cereals, better suited for individuals with diabetes (based on postprandial glycaemic and insulinemic impact of rice and whole wheat Indian flat bread i.e., chapatti). After an overnight fast and upto 2 hours for every half an hour, finger tip blood samples for fasting and postprandial blood sugar was assessed. Venous blood for estimation of insulin levels were also collected from enrolled diabetic individuals and paired normal subjects. About 50 gm of test food like boiled rice, whole wheat chapatti and white bread as standard food were given on different occasions. Glucose and insulin levels were measured using glucometer and ECLIA method. Contrary to the popular belief, it was seen that rice exerted a lower peak and lower postprandial glycaemic and insulinemic response in both the study groups. Factors such as co-nutrient, moisture and fiber content all exert an impact on the postprandial glucose and insulin levels. With this the grain structure, particle size and amylose: amylopectin ratio are also important determinants. When foods are considered as a whole and not a single nutrient, rice proves to be a better product for effective management of blood sugars in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Correlation of the Blood Test Results Obtained between Assays Using Microliter-scale Fingertip Blood Samples Collected with a Novel Blood Collection Device and Conventional Venous Blood Assays: a Secondary Publication in English.

In this study, we investigated the correlations between biochemical and hematological test results obtained using microliter-scale fingertip blood samples collected with a newly developed blood collection device and those obtained using conventional venous blood. Eighty volunteer subjects were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were drawn from the fingertip of the ring finger by a single puncture, and 60-µL samples were promptly and accurately aspirated into a blood collection chip. Then the chip was tightly sealed in a chip container and was shaken to mix the contents without dispersion. For biochemical tests other than that for HbA1c, blood was collected without anticoagulant and centrifuged to obtain 15 µL of serum which was then diluted with 190 µL of physiological saline for the assay. For hematological tests and the test for HbA1c, the sample was assayed with blood collected using EDTA-2 K. Good correlations were obtained between the test results of the assay using fingertip blood and that using venous blood. The correlation coefficients were ≥0.97 for TG, T-CHO, HDL-C, LDL-C, GLU, ALT, γ-GTP, UA, BUN, and HbA1c and ≥0.95 for WBC, RBC, Hgb, and Hct. These results suggest that our microliter-scale blood testing system is comparable to assays using venous blood and may be useful as a rapid and simple test to determine basic clinical parameters that are close to the reference intervals.

Pseudohyperglycemia: Effects of Unwashed Hand after Fruit Peeling or Handling on Fingertips Blood Glucose Monitoring Results.

Background:Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is an important component of management for diabetes mellitus (DM), especially in T1DM and T2DM patients who are on insulin therapy. Adequate blood glucose monitoring and prompt intervention are necessary to prevent blood glucose (BG) fluctuation and delay long-term diabetes complications. People with DM are advised to clean their hands before SMBG to remove any dirt or food residue that might affect the reading.Aim:The study tested the hypothesis that falsely elevated BG levels from fingertip occur after peeling or handling fruits in an unwashed hand.Methods:Fifty apparently healthy nondiabetes volunteers were enrolled. Capillary BG samples were collected from the fingertips after peeling or handling apple, orange, banana, watermelon, and pawpaw, followed by no hand washing for 1 h, cleaning the fingertip with alcohol swab once, five times, and washing hand thoroughly with tap water and drying. These samples were then analyzed with two different glucose meters.Results:The mean BG values, measured from fingertip blood samples after peeling, and handling any of the fruits followed by no hand washing were significantly high, even after cleaning fingertip with a swab of alcohol once. However, there were no significant difference in BG levels measured after peeling and handling fruits followed by hand washing and the level of BG before peeling and handling fruits.Conclusion:Handling of peeled fruits with no hand washing with tap water is associated with overestimation of capillary BG (Pseudohyperglycemia) monitored with glucose meters.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid blood biomarkers increase linearly in men and women after tightly controlled intakes of 0.25, 0.5, and 1 g/d of EPA + DHA

Blood levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been related to coronary heart disease risk. Understanding the response of EPA + DHA in blood to dietary intake of EPA + DHA would facilitate the use of blood measures as markers of adherence and enable the development of dietary recommendations. The objective of this study is examine the blood response to intakes of EPA + DHA ≤1 g/d with an intervention designed for dietary adherence. It was hypothesized this relationship would be linear and that intakes of EPA + DHA <1 g/d would result in blood levels below those associated with the highest level of protection for cardiovascular events. Background EPA + DHA intake of men and women (n = 20) was determined by food frequency questionnaire and adherence was monitored by weekly fingertip blood sampling for fatty acid determinations. Participants consumed nutraceuticals to achieve intakes of 0.25 g/d and 0.5 g/d EPA + DHA for successive four-week periods. A subgroup (n = 5) had intakes of 1.0 g/d EPA + DHA for an additional 4 weeks. Fatty acid composition of whole blood, erythrocytes, and plasma phospholipids were determined at each time point. Blood levels of EPA and DHA increased linearly in these pools. A comprehensive review of the literature was used to verify the blood-intake relationship. Blood levels of long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reached blood levels associated with the highest levels of primary cardiac arrest reduction and sudden cardiac death risk only with intakes of 1.0 g/d of EPA + DHA. The blood biomarker response to intakes of EPA + DHA ≤1 g/d is linear in a small but highly adherent study sample and this information can assist in determining adherence in clinical studies and help identify dietary intake targets from associations between blood and disease.

Accuracy and user performance evaluation of the Contour® Next Link 2.4 blood glucose monitoring system

BackgroundThe Contour® Next Link 2.4 blood glucose monitoring system (BGMS), which communicates wirelessly exclusively with a Medtronic insulin pump, was assessed in 2 separate studies. MethodsIn the laboratory study (N=100), subject capillary fingertip samples were tested in duplicate using 3 test strip lots; accuracy was assessed based on ISO 15197:2013 section 6.3 accuracy criteria (95% within ±15mg/dl or ±15% of reference for glucose <100 and ≥100mg/dl, respectively). In the clinical trial (N=219), untrained subjects with diabetes tested capillary fingertip and palm blood samples and completed an ease-of-use questionnaire. BGMS and YSI glucose analyzer results were compared based on ISO 15197:2013 section 8 accuracy criteria. ResultsIn the laboratory study, 100% of results met ISO 15197:2013 section 6.3 accuracy criteria. In the clinical trial, 98.6% of capillary fingertip and 97.2% of palm results from subjects met ISO 15197:2013 section 8 accuracy criteria. By Parkes-Consensus Error Grid analysis, 100% of subject capillary fingertip results were within Zone A. Based on questionnaire results, the majority of subjects found the BGMS easy to use. ConclusionsThe BGMS exceeds ISO 15197:2013 section 6.3 and section 8 accuracy criteria in the laboratory and in the hands of untrained users with diabetes.

Pay Attention while Taking Fingertip Blood Sample in Neutropenic Patients

A 12 year-old male patient was treated because of bladder rhabdomyosarcoma relaps in our oncology department. He has a residuel disease on the primary region and distant metastasis on the liver. Due to the tumor, he had taken four cyles of ICE chemotherapy which includes carboplatin, ifosfamide and etoposide. As it known, ICE protocol is expected to give rise to severe neutropeni in solid tumor patients so the eighth day of last cycle of chemotherapy we checked his blood results as usual. In our clinic we use finger tip blood sample method as a practical method and we have never seen any complications up to day. However, in this patient accidentaly after two days taking of blood sample erythema, pain and swelling started around the blood taken region. Although we used antiseptic solution before taking blood we could not prevent infection of the finger. As expected leukocyte value was found very low (200 mm3). We thought that distrupting of skin surface and neutropenia caused to cellulite appearing. As it seen in Figures 1 and 2, it progressed rapidly. The image of the deteriorated bone periost of distal phalanges alerted us on the X-Ray and we started broad-spectrum antibiotics showing gram-positive activity in order not to exclude osteomyelitis (Figure 3). As it seen in the figure, neutropenic patient’s finger was getting more and more about pain and swelling. In the next step demarcation line observed but fortunately patient’s capillary circulation time was normal. We started G-CSF and IVIG infusion to increase leukocyte and limit the spread of infection. We supported the finger with splint. One week later the fingertip lesion began to heal. We want to underline that any attempt in neutropenic patients could increase the risk of infection so even seemingly simple process be careful and think several times.

Size-based cell sorting with a resistive pulse sensor and an electromagnetic pump in a microfluidic chip.

An electrokinetic microfluidic chip is developed to detect and sort target cells by size from human blood samples. Target-cell detection is achieved by a differential resistive pulse sensor (RPS) based on the size difference between the target cell and other cells. Once a target cell is detected, the detected RPS signal will automatically actuate an electromagnetic pump built in a microchannel to push the target cell into a collecting channel. This method was applied to automatically detect and sort A549 cells and T-lymphocytes from a peripheral fingertip blood sample. The viability of A549 cells sorted in the collecting well was verified by Hoechst33342 and propidium iodide staining. The results show that as many as 100 target cells per minute can be sorted out from the sample solution and thus is particularly suitable for sorting very rare target cells, such as circulating tumor cells. The actuation of the electromagnetic valve has no influence on RPS cell detection and the consequent cell-sorting process. The viability of the collected A549 cell is not impacted by the applied electric field when the cell passes the RPS detection area. The device described in this article is simple, automatic, and label-free and has wide applications in size-based rare target cell sorting for medical diagnostics.

Cyclical variation of leucocyte profile in healthy females: a comparison with males

Aim of our study is to observe the cyclical variation of total WBC count in women and between men and women as sex hormones are having effect on these counts. Methods- A total of 56 girls and 74 boys have participated in the study, fingertip blood sample was taken to count total and differential WBC count, for boys only one sample was taken, for girls three sample at different phases like first sample on 2 nd or 3 rd day of menstruation, second during proliferative phase (around 8 th to 10 th day ) and third during secretory phase( around 22 nd to 24 th day). statistical analysis - Mann Whitney U test was used for comparing two independent groups. Comparison of study variables between different phases in girls was done by using Kruskal Wallis test. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant results. Results- Among women there is a significant high Total WBC count during proliferative phase compared to menstrual phase(p=0.002) and secretory phase(p=0.000). There is a significant high total WBC count and Lymphocytes in all the phases of women compared to men. Conclusion- there is a physiological variation of WBC count among women and also our study showed that significant variation of total WBC count among men and women can be attributed to the female sex hormones.