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Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) have revolutionized MRIs by increasing the clinical utility and detection sensitivity of these exams. GBCAs also contain gadolinium, a rare earth metal with unique chemical properties. This article discusses the recent discovery that small amounts of gadolinium remain in human brain tissue following intravenous administration of GBCAs.

There have been concerns in the U.S. recently about the possible harmful side effects from absorbing gadolinium-based contrast agents into the body during some MRI exams. To address some of the anxiety and concerns over this issue, Paul Jannetto, Ph.D., DABCC, FAACC, and Joshua Bornhorst, Ph.D., DABCC, FAACC, Co-Directors of the Mayo Clinic Metals Laboratory and leading experts in this field, have compiled the following list of the most up-to-date information.

By taking into account an individual’s genes, lifestyle, and environment, precision medicine offers the prospect of finding individualized therapies that might ultimately cure diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Yet, as with other technological revolutions, precision medicine’s quest for innovation bumps up against a host of legal issues—for patients as well as laboratories and providers of care.

A recent Mayo Clinic study has found that many U.S. health care providers are habitually ordering a mostly unnecessary, and quite expensive, genetic test to identify a patient’s hereditary risk of venous thromboembolism.

Mayo Clinic has launched a first-in-the-U.S. clinical test that will help patients who recently have been diagnosed with an inflammatory demyelinating disease but may be unsure of the exact disorder.

In the war against microbes, human beings are vastly outnumbered—and losing the weapons race.

Blood transfusion is the most common procedure performed in hospitals in the U.S. Yet published evidence shows significant gaps in clinicians' knowledge of this critical aspect of patient care, including possible adverse reactions that can occur after blood transfusion. James Stubbs, M.D.; Daryl Kor, M.D.; and Justin Kreuter, M.D., offer five steps for improving the safety and efficacy of the transfusion-medicine practice.

Laboratories face increasing pressure to automate their operations as they are challenged by a continuing increase in workload, a need to reduce expenditure, and a demand for accuracy and improved turnaround time—essentially doing more with less. Mayo Medical Laboratories implemented a sort automation system to ensure continuous testing operations while improving turnaround time, decreasing laboratory errors, and increasing accuracy and throughput.

Greg Widseth was suddenly hit by a rare disease that prompted his immune system to attack his brain cells, resulting in as many as 60 seizures a day. Special blood and spinal fluid tests developed by Mayo Medical Laboratories confirmed that Widseth had antibodies known to target certain brain cells.