Protein content, activity and nitrosylation of the enzymes were a

Protein content, activity and nitrosylation of the enzymes were also measured. Results:  Tg mice had greater CYP2E1 activity and histological liver injury. MDA and protein carbonyls were increased, indicating insufficient anti-oxidant response. Gene expression of Nrf2, CAT, GPx, HO-1 and iNOS were significantly increased. Protein content and enzyme activities of most anti-oxidant enzymes were not correspondingly increased. iNOS activity and nitrosylation of CAT and SOD was greater in Tg mice liver. Conclusion:  Hepatocyte-specific CYP2E1 overexpression results in increased oxidative stress and nitrosative stress. Several anti-oxidant enzymes are upregulated. Failure of corresponding http://www.selleckchem.com/products/LDE225(NVP-LDE225).html increase

in total protein and activity of anti-oxidant enzymes suggests modification/degradation, possibly by nitrosylation, due to increased iNOS activity in a CYP2E1 overexpressing NAFL mouse model. “
“The plasma levels

of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) are increased in cirrhotic patients. We aimed to investigate Rucaparib concentration whether these cytokines correlate with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), the severity of liver cirrhosis and complications of cirrhosis. Sixty-three cirrhotic patients that underwent hemodynamic studies in Taipei Veterans General hospital were enrolled retrospectively. Plasma levels of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-1Ra and endotoxin were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Plasma obtained from 11 healthy subjects served as normal controls. Plasma levels of IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-1Ra were increased in cirrhotic patients compared with controls. IL-1Ra

levels significantly correlated with plasma endotoxin levels, Child–Pugh scores, Model of End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores and HVPG. On multivariate analysis, higher IL-1Ra levels (≥760 pg/mL) predicted the occurrence of portal hypertension-related complications and the development of bacterial infections independently of the MELD scores and portal pressure. Furthermore, higher IL-1Ra levels 上海皓元医药股份有限公司 also predicted the survival in patients without hepatocellular carcinoma. The plasma IL-1Ra level correlates with HVPG. Additionally, it may predict the occurrence of portal hypertension-related complications and bacterial infections in cirrhotic patients and the survival in patients without hepatocellular carcinoma. “
“Natural killer cells are a key component in the immune control of viral infections. Their functions are controlled by inhibitory receptors for major histocompatability complex (MHC) class I, including the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR). KIR2DL3 in combination with its cognate human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-C ligand has been shown to be associated with spontaneous resolution of viremia following hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

1)[18, 19] Several studies in humans and mouse models suggest th

1).[18, 19] Several studies in humans and mouse models suggest that endotoxin promotes liver disease by driving Kupffer cell activation.[20] Accordingly, endotoxin-mediated liver injury could be prevented by antibiotic treatment,[21] by eliminating Kupffer

cells,[22] or by neutralizing TNF-α with antibody[23] or by using TNF-α knockout mice.[24] In a rat model, treatment with polymyxin B, an antibiotic that directly prevents endotoxin from activating TLR4, prevented liver disease induced by ethanol treatment.[21] Moreover, absence of the TLR4 gene in bone-marrow cells (including Kupffer cells)-derived or somatic cells (including hematopoietic stem cell and hepatocytes) reduced the extent of alcohol-induced steatohepatitis in mice.[25] The mechanism by which alcohol increases gut permeability

appears to be driven by modification of tight junction protein expression during alcohol exposure, such as zona-occludens SAHA HDAC mouse protein-1 selleck kinase inhibitor (ZO-1),[26] as well as cytoskeleton protein, such as microtubule.[27] Importantly, this increased intestinal permeability is likely not specific for endotoxin but would likely increase the load of a variety of microbial products that can result in excessive activation of both TLR- and NLR-mediated pathways, suggesting a broad but central role of gut-derived microbial products in alcohol-induced liver pathology.[28] Evidence that such mechanisms are operative in humans include that intestinal permeability and LPS load were largely increased in alcohol-dependent subjects compare to controls.[29]

Interestingly, a 3-week detoxification program is sufficient to restore normal levels of intestinal permeability and LPS load.[29] Another means by which alcohol can promote activation of liver TLRs/NLRs is by altering microbiota composition. Indeed, the colonic microbiome is altered during alcoholism,[30] and alcoholic subjects exhibiting reduced abundances of Bacteroidetes and increased levels of Enterobacteriaceae and Proteobacteria.[30, 31] Proteobacteria are elevated in a variety of chronic inflammatory diseases and are thought to be potent activators of innate immunity.[32] In accordance, the observed alterations in microbiota composition 上海皓元医药股份有限公司 in alcoholic subjects correlate with endotoxemia in a subgroup of alcoholics.[30] In addition to directly promoting increased TLR/NLR activation, the increased in Proteobacteria, and gram-negative bacteria in general, promoted by alcohol also results in accumulation of acetaldehyde, leading to an increased tyrosine phosphorylation of tight junction and adherent junction proteins, that can in turn increase intestinal permeability to bacterial products.[33] Importantly, it is very difficult to define the extent to which alterations in microbiota composition associated with alcoholism are a cause of inflammation and/or are a consequence of disease.

Because rs12979860 is not located in the coding region of IFNλ3,

Because rs12979860 is not located in the coding region of IFNλ3, the mechanism underlying how this variant affects response to HCV therapies is not clear. Studies have shown that DNA methylation levels are

influenced by environmental factors and can affect gene expression. We conducted epigenetic analysis on in the IFNλ3 promoter, in order to investigate whether DNA methylation is associated with response to HCV therapy. Methods: DNA samples from HCV-infected subjects (genotypes 1-3) receiving an IFN-free Adriamycin in vivo ABT-450-containing combination regimen (N=540) or pIFN/RBV (N=18) and from HCV-uninfected, healthy controls (N=127) were analyzed for IFNλ3 methylation levels using bisulfite conversion. Results: Analysis of the IFNλ3 promoter indicated that methylation levels were strongly

associated with rs12979860 allele status. As a group, carriers of the C/C allele had significantly lower methylation levels relative to carriers of the C/T or T/T alleles (average 27% methylation see more for C/C vs 44% for T/T carriers). Methylation levels were associated with response to pIFN/RBV treatment, as subjects with lower methylation levels showed a greater mean reduction in HCV RNA within the first 9 days of treatment relative to subjects with higher levels (−1.8 vs −0.5 log, respectively). Methylation levels did not affect response to DAAs with treatment durations of 12 or 24 weeks. However, non-C/C subjects with higher methylation levels showed a greater likelihood of relapsing with an 8 week treatment duration. Discussion: Epigenetic analysis of the IFNλ3 promoter has

MCE公司 identified that methylation levels strongly associate with rs12979860 allele status. For subjects treated with a DAA regimen for 12 or 24 weeks, methylation levels did not affect treatment response. However, in subjects treated with pIFN/RBV or with a DAA regimen for only 8 weeks, subjects with lower methylation levels showed a more favorable response to treatment relative to subjects with higher methylation levels. This analysis identifies a new parameter for identifying difficult-to-treat subjects, and may provide mechanistic insight into the role of IFNX3 genetic variants in HCV treatment response. Disclosures: Jeffrey F. Waring – Employment: AbbVie Emily Dumas – Employment: AbbVie; Patent Held/Filed: AbbVie; Stock Shareholder: AbbVie Eoin Coakley – Employment: AbbVie; Stock Shareholder: AbbVie Daniel E. Cohen – Employment: AbbVie; Stock Shareholder: AbbVie Kenneth B. Idler – Employment: AbbVie, Inc.; Stock Shareholder: AbbVie, Inc. Thomas Podsadecki – Employment: AbbVie; Stock Shareholder: AbbVie Sandeep Dutta – Employment: AbbVie; Stock Shareholder: AbbVie The following people have nothing to disclose: Ujjwal Das Introduction: HCV establishes persistent infection despite triggering a robust interferon-induced anti-viral response.

Because rs12979860 is not located in the coding region of IFNλ3,

Because rs12979860 is not located in the coding region of IFNλ3, the mechanism underlying how this variant affects response to HCV therapies is not clear. Studies have shown that DNA methylation levels are

influenced by environmental factors and can affect gene expression. We conducted epigenetic analysis on in the IFNλ3 promoter, in order to investigate whether DNA methylation is associated with response to HCV therapy. Methods: DNA samples from HCV-infected subjects (genotypes 1-3) receiving an IFN-free Selleck Nutlin3 ABT-450-containing combination regimen (N=540) or pIFN/RBV (N=18) and from HCV-uninfected, healthy controls (N=127) were analyzed for IFNλ3 methylation levels using bisulfite conversion. Results: Analysis of the IFNλ3 promoter indicated that methylation levels were strongly

associated with rs12979860 allele status. As a group, carriers of the C/C allele had significantly lower methylation levels relative to carriers of the C/T or T/T alleles (average 27% methylation learn more for C/C vs 44% for T/T carriers). Methylation levels were associated with response to pIFN/RBV treatment, as subjects with lower methylation levels showed a greater mean reduction in HCV RNA within the first 9 days of treatment relative to subjects with higher levels (−1.8 vs −0.5 log, respectively). Methylation levels did not affect response to DAAs with treatment durations of 12 or 24 weeks. However, non-C/C subjects with higher methylation levels showed a greater likelihood of relapsing with an 8 week treatment duration. Discussion: Epigenetic analysis of the IFNλ3 promoter has

MCE identified that methylation levels strongly associate with rs12979860 allele status. For subjects treated with a DAA regimen for 12 or 24 weeks, methylation levels did not affect treatment response. However, in subjects treated with pIFN/RBV or with a DAA regimen for only 8 weeks, subjects with lower methylation levels showed a more favorable response to treatment relative to subjects with higher methylation levels. This analysis identifies a new parameter for identifying difficult-to-treat subjects, and may provide mechanistic insight into the role of IFNX3 genetic variants in HCV treatment response. Disclosures: Jeffrey F. Waring – Employment: AbbVie Emily Dumas – Employment: AbbVie; Patent Held/Filed: AbbVie; Stock Shareholder: AbbVie Eoin Coakley – Employment: AbbVie; Stock Shareholder: AbbVie Daniel E. Cohen – Employment: AbbVie; Stock Shareholder: AbbVie Kenneth B. Idler – Employment: AbbVie, Inc.; Stock Shareholder: AbbVie, Inc. Thomas Podsadecki – Employment: AbbVie; Stock Shareholder: AbbVie Sandeep Dutta – Employment: AbbVie; Stock Shareholder: AbbVie The following people have nothing to disclose: Ujjwal Das Introduction: HCV establishes persistent infection despite triggering a robust interferon-induced anti-viral response.

05) from control groups

Conclusions: All acrylic resins

05) from control groups.

Conclusions: All acrylic resins presented dimensional changes, and the artificial accelerated aging and storage period influenced these alterations. “
“Anterior tooth fracture is the most common type of trauma occurring to the dental tissues. Teeth fracturing at or below the gingival level usually have a poor prognosis, with extraction of the tooth being the most probable outcome. Clinical crown lengthening followed by prosthetic rehabilitation is a promising approach toward such cases. The clinical report presented here explains in detail the various INCB024360 mw treatment modalities available for such cases with special emphasis on orthodontic extrusion/forced eruption. http://www.selleckchem.com/products/Romidepsin-FK228.html
“Purpose: To explore the effect of fabrication technique, cement type, and cementation procedure on retention of cast metal dowels. Methods and Materials: Eighty intact single-rooted teeth were selected. The clinical crown was removed at the cementoenamel junction level. Each root was prepared to receive a cast metal dowel of 10-mm length and 1.45 mm in diameter. The 80 specimens were divided into two major groups of

40 based on fabrication technique (direct and indirect). Each group was further divided into four subgroups of ten based on the cement type (zinc phosphate and glass ionomer), and cementation procedure (with and without lentulo spiral). The dowels were subjected to a constantly increasing tensile force, in a universal Instron testing machine, at crosshead speed of 5 mm/min until failure. Results: The most significant factor to affect

retention was the cementation procedure, as cementation with lentulo spiral produced greater retention than cementation without the use of lentulo spiral (p < 0.05); however, there seems to medchemexpress be a close interaction between fabrication technique, cement type, and cementation procedure (p= 0.051). The least retentive group was the one fabricated by direct technique, cemented with zinc phosphate without the use of lentulo spiral. Conclusion: Fabrication technique does not affect retention of cast dowels, except when zinc phosphate was the luting agent and placed in the canal space without using a lentulo spiral. The cementation procedure had a significant effect on retention; thus, it is recommended that cementation should be done using the lentulo spiral. “
“The rehabilitation of edentulous maxillae is a complex procedure due to the involvement of esthetic and functional requirements. A trial maxillary denture can be used to identify the need for adequate upper lip support when replacing removable complete dentures by implant-fixed dental prostheses. This clinical report describes the outcome of the rehabilitation of an edentulous atrophic maxilla with unfavorable maxillomandibular relationship and deficient upper lip support.

Serum total bilirubin and cholestatic enzymes (ALP, GGT) are impo

Serum total bilirubin and cholestatic enzymes (ALP, GGT) are important

for assessing the activity and progression of PBC. Liver biochemical tests should be done every 3–6 months. In addition, thyroid hormone (every year) and bone mineral density (every 2–4 years) tests are recommended because PBC is likely to be complicated with other autoimmune diseases, such as Sjögren’s syndrome, chronic thyroiditis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Regular upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, depending on stage (1 or 2 times per year), is required because esophageal/gastric varices may develop even in patients without jaundice. Abdominal check details ultrasound (US) and serum AFP testing every 6–12 months are necessary in patients with definite or suspected liver cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis, older age, and male sex are high risk factors for developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, testing for tumor markers and imaging studies [US and computed tomography (CT)] are required for early detection of HCC in patients with advanced PBC. Management

for other complicating autoimmune diseases should be done depending on each symptom. Finally, special attention should be paid to pregnancy in PBC and patients who have a desire to bear children. The chance for pregnancy could be the same in the early stage of aPBC as in the normal population; there is no evidence to recommend this website avoidance of pregnancy in patients with aPBC. In sPBC, however, if worsening of icterus 上海皓元医药股份有限公司 or varices is reported, then avoidance of pregnancy could be justified. The impact of pregnancy on PBC is unclear because both exacerbation and improvement of cholestasis have been reported. Estrogen could potentially worsen cholestasis; pruritus may become severe in pregnancy and could be prolonged even after delivery. Conversely, it should be noted that cholestasis could be symptomatic after pregnancy. After a patient has become pregnant, monitoring for varices is necessary as in other

cirrhotic patients, especially after the second trimester, due to increase in circulating blood volume. The use of β blockers is considered to be safe. It is also advisable to shorten the second trimester of pregnancy, if possible. Recommendations: The blood and other clinical tests should be undertaken regularly to investigate complicating comorbidities, prevent complications, and detect portal hypertension and liver cancer as early as possible. (Table 13) (LE 3, GR B) It is advisable to consult with hepatologists when the diagnosis of PBC is made, or when patients with PBC become symptomatic. In patients with atypical forms of PBC such as PBC–AIH overlapping syndrome, earlier referral is recommended. (Table 14) (LE 6, GR A-B) For patients in the symptomatic stage, there is a likelihood of worsening of pruritus or icterus in the pregnancy, as well as an increased possibility of variceal rupture.

IL-22R1 has been classically thought to be expressed exclusively

IL-22R1 has been classically thought to be expressed exclusively in epithelial MAPK Inhibitor Library order cells.1-3 Interestingly, our study demonstrates the detection of high levels of IL-22R1 mRNA and protein expression in quiescent and activated primary mHSCs, primary hHSCs, and the human HSC cell line, LX2. HSCs are thought to originate from mesodermal mesothelial cells/submesothelial cells19

and differ from hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells, which are derived from the embryonic endoderm. Additionally, the expression of IL-22R1 was reported on colonic subepithelial myofibroblasts.20 Therefore, there is evidence that, in addition to epithelial cells, some nonepithelial cells, such as quiescent HSCs, activated HSCs/myofibroblasts, subepithelial myofibroblasts, and skin fibroblasts, also express IL-22R1. Upon binding to IL-22R1 and IL-10R2,

IL-22 promotes epithelial cell (e.g., hepatocyte) proliferation and survival.4 In the present article, we have demonstrated that IL-22 also promotes HSC survival, but induces HSC senescence, rather than PD0325901 order stimulating HSC proliferation. Our study shows that the overexpression of IL-22 by either gene targeting (i.e., transgenic) or the exogenous administration of Ad-IL-22 increased the number of senescent HSCs within the fibrotic scars of the livers of CCl4-treated mice. Furthermore, we show that IL-22 challenge modulates the expression of “senescence-associated secretory phenotype” genes10 by up-regulating proinflammatory genes and MMP-9 and by down-regulating TIMP1/2 genes in the liver 上海皓元医药股份有限公司 in vivo and in cultured HSCs in vitro. Finally,

in vitro IL-22 treatment increased SA-β-Gal activity and the expression of the cellular senescence-associated genes, p53 and p21. The up-regulation of these genes likely contributes to IL-22-mediated HSC senescence, because the p53-p21 axis is known to inhibit the cell cycle.21-23 Our study also provided evidence suggesting that the IL-22-dependent up-regulation of p53 and p21 is mediated through STAT3 and SOCS3, resulting in HSC senescence. Although there is no evidence suggesting that STAT3 directly promotes cellular senescence, several STAT3 downstream target genes have been shown to induce cellular senescence, including p53, p21, and the SOCS family.18, 21-24 Our data in this article showed that the deletion of STAT3 abolished the IL-22-mediated induction of p53, p21, and HSC senescence, whereas the overexpression of caSTAT3 promoted HSC senescence (Fig. 6). This suggests that STAT3 plays an important role in IL-22-mediated HSC senescence through the induction of p53 and p21. SOCS3 is an important feedback suppressor for STAT3 activation during normal cytokine signaling. Our results support another aspect of SOCS3 function, in that SOCS3 directly binds to p53, thus enhancing the expression of p53 protein and p53 target genes. The deletion of SOCS3 abolished the IL-22-mediated induction of p53 and p53-regulated genes (Fig. 7).

Of particular interest, in these patients with advanced fibrosis

Of particular interest, in these patients with advanced fibrosis who achieved SVR, platelet count and albumin continued to improve between Week 72 and the final visit approximately 5.5 years later. In the only prior report of laboratory tests among SVR patients followed for 5 years, George et al.2 were unable to demonstrate improvement in laboratory tests. Therefore, improvement in liver-related blood tests after achieving

an SVR in patients with advanced fibrosis is an original finding. One possible explanation for the difference between the prior report and ours is that the majority of patients followed by George and colleagues2 had mild liver fibrosis, with minimal changes in albumin and platelets that would not be expected to improve during follow-up monitoring. Overall, our data demonstrating Cobimetinib improvement in liver-related blood tests, when combined with prior

studies demonstrating reduction in liver http://www.selleckchem.com/products/Rapamycin.html fibrosis,1-3 suggest that liver function continues to recover in the years following an SVR in patients with advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis. This study has several limitations. A total of 17% of patients who achieved SVR were lost to follow-up and an additional 6% declined to participate. Potentially, decompensated liver disease or HCC may have developed in these patients; therefore, our results may be an underestimate of the rate of clinical outcomes in patients who achieved SVR. We were able to determine, however, that none of the 30 patients who were lost to follow-up died according to a search of the SSDI performed at the end of amended study. Another potential limitation was the fact that the patients who achieved SVR were not monitored as closely as the BT/R and NR patients and that not all SVR patients were evaluated in person. Nevertheless, medical records with physical examination, blood tests, and/or liver imaging of the patients who were interviewed by phone were reviewed and added reliability to the ascertainment of the occurrence of decompensated liver disease or HCC as of the time of their last follow-up assessment. In summary,

we found that patients with advanced chronic hepatitis C who achieved SVR had significantly lower rates of death from any cause or liver transplantation, and of liver-related morbidity and mortality, 上海皓元 compared to patients who failed to eliminate HCV with treatment (NR). Still, patients who achieved SVR remained at risk of HCC for at least 6 years after achieving SVR. Our study also showed that patients who had temporary, but complete viral suppression (BT/R) were less likely to die or undergo liver transplantation, or to experience liver-related complications than patients in the NR group, indicating that the duration of clinical benefit may outlast the period of actual viral suppression. Importantly, laboratory tests associated with liver-disease severity (e.g.

Serum levels of different

anti-inflammatory cytokines wer

Serum levels of different

anti-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated in all patients included (Table 2). IL-10 was significantly increased in patients undergoing SID, being the only factor differentially expressed among the three groups of patients. Besides, a positive correlation was established between this cytokine and norfloxacin serum levels (Fig. 1A). On the contrary, IL-4, IL-13, TGF-β, and GM-CSF serum levels were not statistically different between groups and no correlation with norfloxacin serum levels was found for any of these cytokines. HO-1 protein levels in patients with SID were significantly increased compared to patients with SBP and check details patients with noninfected AF as well (Table 2). Similar to IL-10, a positive Talazoparib correlation between HO-1 and norfloxacin was found in serum of patients with SID (Fig. 1B). IL-10 and HO-1 protein (Fig. 1C) and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels (Fig. 1D) were also represented and confirmed a correlation between these two molecules for the three groups of patients. On the other hand, the IL-10 pathway acting to counterbalance molecules such as iNOS, COX-2, and NF-κB was significantly higher in patients with ASC compared to patients with SID. Levels became significantly further up-regulated in patients with SBP

(Table 2). In the group MCE公司 of patients undergoing SID, levels of these proinflammatory mediators inversely correlated with norfloxacin serum levels (Fig. 2). The sum of NOx in serum of patients with SID was significantly lower than in patients with noninfected AF. Values positively correlated with iNOS protein levels (r = 0.92, P = 0.01) when the total series of patients from all three groups were considered. Mean arterial pressure correlated with IL-10 serum levels (Fig. 3) and IL-10 mRNA levels (r = 0.74, P = 0.01) in the overall series of patients included in the study. Total blood white blood cells inversely correlated with IL-10 both at serum and mRNA levels (r

= −0.54, P = 0.02 and r = −0.55, P = 0.02, respectively). A correlation was also observed between IL-10 and norfloxacin serum levels in patients with SID (r = 0.96, P = 0.00), as well as between IL-10 mRNA and intracellular norfloxacin levels (r = 0.89, P = 0.01). No correlations were found between IL-10 and disease clinical scores or liver function markers in blood. Mean intracellular norfloxacin concentration in patients with SID was 4.1 ± 3.7 μg/mL/107 cells, ranging from 1.0-15.2 μg/mL/107 cells. Patients with SID were further distributed according to intracellular norfloxacin concentration into three subgroups (Nflx1: 0-2.5 μg/mL/107 cells, n = 6; Nflx2: 2.

There are some standardization issues related to VWF:CB that

There are some standardization issues related to VWF:CB that PF-02341066 chemical structure may limit usefulness and cause confusion. Notably, efficacy of VWF:CB to diagnose and classify of VWD depends on methodology, including collagen used

and coating conditions [24–26]. An automated VWF:CB assay is currently not available. Limited uptake in the USA [21,26] may relate to the fact that there is no FDA approved method. Finally, several commercial and in-house methods have been described and evaluated, but require further standardization [24]. Good quality, accurate laboratory results are essential to facilitate diagnosis in patients with bleeding disorders. However, there is high variability of results reported in different centres, particularly for VWF activity assays. Improvements in accuracy and precision of laboratory assays can be achieved through standardization and external selleck inhibitor quality assessment (EQA) [27]. An EQA programme was established on behalf of the World Federation of Hemophilia in 1993 [28]. Lyophilized

plasma samples from patients with haemostatic disorders and from normal subjects are distributed to laboratories in both emerging and established heamophilia centres, and the results compared with target values obtained, using the same samples, by up to 900 centres in the United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Service (UK NEQAS) programme. Problems with diagnostic performance of individual laboratories can be identified, as well as methodological problems associated with specific assays. Interlaboratory variability for VWF activity is particularly 上海皓元 marked. Figure 2 shows CVs for assays performed on the same samples by UK NEQAS participants, WFH participants, centres in emerging countries and centres in established countries (primarily International Hemophilia Training Centres). Whilst the precision amongst emerging centres

is comparable with established centres and NEQAS laboratories for screening tests, possibly reflecting their relative simplicity, emerging centres are less able to measure coagulation factors accurately. Troubleshooting and training in the form of regional workshops can help improve laboratory performance by identifying issues, such as calibration problems and poor assay design. A questionnaire in 2007 revealed that 40% of emerging centre laboratories only used a single dilution of test plasma in their assay, an approach previously demonstrated to give inferior results [29]. Furthermore, only 5% of centres used a locally determined reference range. It is interesting to note, however, that performance of emerging centres in the measurement of FVIII and fibrinogen in cryoprecipitate is equivalent to that of established centres (Table 1), which may reflect popular usage of cryoprecipitate for treatment of haemophilia A and VWD in developing countries [30,31].