Browsing by Subject "Serum"

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    Biomarkers and proteomic analysis of osteoarthritis.
    (Matrix Biol, 2014-10) Hsueh, Ming-Feng; Önnerfjord, Patrik; Kraus, Virginia Byers
    Our friend and colleague, Dr. Dick Heinegård, contributed greatly to the understanding of joint tissue biochemistry, the discovery and validation of arthritis-related biomarkers and the establishment of methodology for proteomic studies in osteoarthritis (OA). To date, discovery of OA-related biomarkers has focused on cartilage, synovial fluid and serum. Methods, such as affinity depletion and hyaluronidase treatment have facilitated proteomics discovery research from these sources. Osteoarthritis usually involves multiple joints; this characteristic makes it easier to detect OA with a systemic biomarker but makes it hard to delineate abnormalities of individual affected joints. Although the abundance of cartilage proteins in urine may generally be lower than other tissue/sample sources, the protein composition of urine is much less complex and its collection is non-invasive thereby facilitating the development of patient friendly biomarkers. To date however, relatively few proteomics studies have been conducted in OA urine. Proteomics strategies have identified many proteins that may relate to pathological mechanisms of OA. Further targeted approaches to validate the role of these proteins in OA are needed. Herein we summarize recent proteomic studies related to joint tissues and the cohorts used; a clear understanding of the cohorts is important for this work as we expect that the decisive discoveries of OA-related biomarkers rely on comprehensive phenotyping of healthy non-OA and OA subjects. Besides the common phenotyping criteria that include, gender, age, and body mass index (BMI), it is essential to collect data on symptoms and signs of OA outside the index joints and to bolster this with objective imaging data whenever possible to gain the most precise appreciation of the total burden of disease. Proteomic studies on systemic biospecimens, such as serum and urine, rely on comprehensive phenotyping data to unravel the true meaning of the proteomic results.
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    Elevated Serum Chymase as a Risk Factor for Severe Dengue
    (2016) Farouk, Farouk Shihab

    Dengue Virus (DENV) is one of the major viral diseases that has a high burden in Southeast Asia and the Americas. Despite advances in supportive care for mild Dengue Fever (DF) and the more severe Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF), little is known about how to identify the progression to DHF before it occurs. The purpose of our retrospective study is to assess whether there is an association between the concentration of a serum protein, chymase, with DHF (and the symptoms, pre-existing conditions, and comorbidities associated with it).

    Data from 291 dengue-confirmed patients were collected from a surveillance study conducted in Sri Lanka. We selected a series of demographic, symptom, and pre-existing condition variables to see if there was an association between these, elevated chymase levels, and a DHF diagnosis. Our results confirmed that the correlation between a DHF diagnosis and increased chymase levels was statistically significant (p = <0.001). Furthermore, the negative correlation between a DF diagnosis and increased chymase levels was significant (p = <0.001). Obesity was also significantly predictive of increased chymase levels (p = <0.001). Elevated chymase levels correlated with (and predicted) a DHF diagnosis between ages 9 and 44, with those under age 9 having the strongest correlation.

    Overall, an increased chymase level was associated with a DHF diagnosis. The identification of chymase as a biomarker for severe dengue may lead to improved diagnostic and surveillance systems that can identify and treat patients at risk for developing DHF.

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    Investigating Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in Indoor Environments
    (2016-04-28) Siebenaler, Rebecca; Cameron, Rochelle
    Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a class of chemicals used as stain and water repellents in consumer products and are prevalent in human tissues. However, they are also associated with adverse health effects and exposure pathways are not well understood. We recruited a cohort of 40 adults to determine if specific exposure pathways (inhalation, dermal absorption or dust exposure) or personal behaviors were predictive of serum levels. We detected six PFAS metabolite compounds in serum, as well as a range of precursor molecules in hand wipes, silicone wristbands, and dust. A number of personal behaviors were significantly associated with serum levels, including hand washing, water filtration, vacuuming, and microwavable food intake. Overall, our data suggest that certain cleaning behaviors can modulate exposure to PFASs, and that hand washing may be an effective way to minimize exposure.
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    The Aspergillus Lateral Flow Assay for the Diagnosis of Invasive Aspergillosis: an Update.
    (Current fungal infection reports, 2020-01) Jenks, Jeffrey D; Miceli, Marisa H; Prattes, Juergen; Mercier, Toine; Hoenigl, Martin

    Purpose of review

    To review the data on the Aspergillus lateral flow assay for the diagnosis of invasive Aspergillosis.

    Recent findings

    Aspergillus spp. cause a wide spectrum of disease with invasive aspergillosis (IA) as its most severe manifestation. Early and reliable diagnosis of disease is crucial to decrease associated morbidity and mortality, and enable prompt initiation of treatment for IA. Most recently, non-culture-based tests, such as Aspergillus galactomannan (GM), have been useful in early identification and treatment of patients with IA. However, cost, turnaround time, and variable performance indifferent populations at risk for IA remain significant drawbacks to the use of this test. Several diagnostic tests for IA have been developed, including the sōna Aspergillus GM Lateral flow assay (GM-LFA) rapid test.

    Summary

    The GM-LFA has shown excellent performance for the diagnosis of IA in patients with hematologic malignancy and may be a viable option for settings where ELISA GM testing is not feasible. Further evaluation of the GM-LFA in the non-hematology setting is ongoing, including in solid organ transplant recipients and patients in the intensive care unit.