[Application of Helena SAS-3 full automatic hemoglobin agarose electrophoresis].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of Halena SAS-3 full automatic hemoglobin agarose electrophoresis in the diagnosis of thalassemia. METHODS: Hemoglobin A and A2 was detected by agarose electrophoresis in 200 blood samples collected from 170 healthy subjects, 2 patients with beta-thalassemia, 12 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 12 acute myelocytic leukemia and with 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. RESULTS: The Mean+/-SD of hemoglobin A in the healthy subjects and patients with beta-thalassemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myelocytic leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma was 97.55+/-0.51, 97.01+/-0.329, 97.42+/-0.57, 97.44+/-0.55, and that of A2 was 2.44+/-0.51, 2.99+/-0.32, 2.84+/-0.28, 2.55+/-0.55, respectively. The values of electrophoresed hemoglobin F of the 2 patients with beta-thalassemia were higher than those of the normal adults. The within-run coefficient of variation (CV) and between-run CV was 0.17 and 7.76 for hemoglobin A, and 0.16 and 7.14 for hemoglobin A2, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Halena SAS-3 full automatic agarose electrophoresis system possesses strong resolving power in detecting trace abnormal hemoglobin and accurately identifies unusual evaluation of hemoglobin A2 and F to facilitate the diagnosis of thalassemia.

[Effect of silicon and latex urinary catheters: a comparative study].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of silicon and latex urinary catheters on urinary mucosa. METHODS: A randomized, controlled prospective clinical trial was carried out in 60 patients admitted in the Department of Neurosurgery, who required long-term use of an indwelling urinary catheter. The patients were divided into 2 equal groups with placement of silicon or latex urinary catheter, and routine laboratory urine test was performed on a regular basis and the patients feelings during catheter retention were recorded. RESULTS: Patients with placement of indwelling silicone catheters reported no obvious discomfort in relation to the catheter placement and had significantly lower incidence of hematuria identified microscopically than those with common latex catheters. CONCLUSION: Compared with latex catheters, silicone catheters cause less injuries and reduce substantially irritation of the urinary mucosa, and we suggest the use of silicone catheter in patients requiring long-term indwelling urinary catheters.

[Blood lipid adsorption of polyethylene glycol/montmorillonite nanocomposite].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of polyethylene glycol/montmorillonite (PEG/MMT) nanocomposite material in adsorption of triglyceride (TG), cholesterin and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C). METHODS: The structure of PEG/MMT nanocomposite was analyzed by means of X ray diffraction and its effect of blood lipid and albumin adsorption was evaluated in comparison with Na-MMT. RESULTS: The interval distance was larger when the PEG of greater molecular weight was used for preparing the nanocomposite, and PEG/MMT nanocomposite had greater adsorption rate of TG, cholesterin and LDL-C in serum than that of serum albumin. MMT material had poor adsorption effect. CONCLUSION: PEG/MMT nanocomposite possesses the potential as a novel adsorbent of blood lipid for clinical use.

[Heparin-induced extacorporeal low-density lipoprotein-lipoprotein alpha-fibrinogen precipitation in 36 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of heparin-induced extracorporeal low-density lipoprotein-lipoprotein alpha- fibrinogen precipitation (HELP) in clearing blood lipids. METHODS: Thirty-six patients were subjected to extracorporeal plasma lipid separation procedures that utilized heparin to induce the formation of the complex consisted of heparin, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), lipoprotein and fibrinogen which was precipitated and consequently separated from the plasma. Blood samples were obtained from the patients both before and after the procedures to assay serum total cholesterol (CH), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL-C, apoliprotein A (ApoA) and apoliprotein B (ApoB). RESULT: Significant differences were observed between the pre- and postoperative levels of lipoprotein (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Plasma lipoprotein can be partly cleared by way of HELP.