Point-of-care testing: state-of-the art and perspectives.

Point-of-care testing (POCT) is becoming an increasingly popular way to perform laboratory tests closer to the patient. This option has several recognized advantages, such as accessibility, portability, speed, convenience, ease of use, ever-growing test panels, lower cumulative healthcare costs when used within appropriate clinical pathways, better patient empowerment and engagement, and reduction of certain pre-analytical errors, especially those related to specimen transportation. On the other hand, POCT also poses some limitations and risks, namely the risk of lower accuracy and reliability compared to traditional laboratory tests, quality control and connectivity issues, high dependence on operators (with varying levels of expertise or training), challenges related to patient data management, higher costs per individual test, regulatory and compliance issues such as the need for appropriate validation prior to clinical use (especially for rapid diagnostic tests; RDTs), as well as additional preanalytical sources of error that may remain undetected in this type of testing, which is usually based on whole blood samples (i.

Metabolic and Molecular Rearrangements of Sauvignon Blanc ( L.) Berries in Response to Foliar Applications of Specific Dry Yeast.

Dry yeast extracts (DYE) are applied to vineyards to improve aromatic and secondary metabolic compound content and wine quality; however, systematic information on the underpinning molecular mechanisms is lacking. This work aimed to unravel, through a systematic approach, the metabolic and molecular responses of Sauvignon Blanc berries to DYE treatments. To accomplish this, DYE spraying was performed in a commercial vineyard for two consecutive years.

Conjugated linoleic acid trans-10, cis-12 increases the expression of genes from cell cycle progression and cis-9, trans-11 stimulates apoptotic genes in different mammary tumor explants of female dogs.

Background: The conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomer cis-9, trans-11 is an anticarcinogen that inhibits cell proliferation and/or induces apoptosis of tumor cells. The objective of this study was to evaluate the expression of genes responsible for cell cycle regulation and apoptosis in tumor explants of mammary anaplastic carcinoma (AC) and mammary tubulopapillary carcinoma (TC) cultured in vitro with the CLA isomers cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12.

Methods: In this study we used mammary explants from two adult female dogs that revealed two types of malignant tumors: (a) anaplastic mammary carcinoma (AC) and (b) mammary tubulopapillary carcinoma (TC).

Molecular detection of vector-borne agents in wild boars (Sus scrofa) and associated ticks from Brazil, with evidence of putative new genotypes of Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and haemoplasmas.

The present study aimed to investigate, by molecular techniques, the occurrence of Anaplasmataceae, Bartonellaceae, Rickettsiaceae, Mycoplasmataceae, Coxiellaceae, and Babesiidae/Theileriidae agents in blood samples of free-living wild boars (Sus scrofa) and associated ticks in south-eastern Brazil. For this purpose, 67 blood samples and 265 ticks (264 Amblyomma sculptum and one Amblyomma ovale) were analysed. In the screening for Anaplasmataceae agents by a PCR assay based on the 16S rRNA gene, 5.

Seropositive Wild Boars Suggesting the Occurrence of a Wild Cycle of spp. in Brazil.

is a zoonotic nematode traditionally detected worldwide in both domestic and wild animals. In South America, along with the occurrence of this parasite in domestic pigs and wild boars, there are reports of infection in wild carnivores. Brazil is considered free of the domestic cycle of , but there is unpublished serological evidence of infection in wild boars, which changed the Brazilian status in OIE regarding the disease after an official communication.

Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Time Course in Patients and Vaccinated Subjects: An Evaluation of the Harmonization of Two Different Methods.

The time course of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 is not yet well elucidated, especially in people who underwent a vaccination campaign. In this study, we measured the antibodies anti-S1 and anti-RBD with two different methods, both in patients and in vaccinated subjects. One hundred and eight specimens from 48 patients with COVID-19 (time from the onset of symptoms from 3 to 368 days) and 60 specimens from 20 vaccinated subjects (collected after 14 days from the first dose, 14 days and 3 months after a second dose of Comirnaty) were evaluated.

Corneal transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic: An operational guide.

Purpose: To provide an operational guide for corneal transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic aimed to maintain surgery and avoid spreading of SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: Prospective observational case series study in patients requiring corneal graft manage toward separate free and restricted pathways for those COVID-19 negative or positive, respectively.

Results: During the national lockdown, 30 consecutive patients underwent endothelial ( = 16), penetrating ( = 9), and anterior lamellar keratoplasty ( = 5).

Two SARS-CoV-2 IgG immunoassays comparison and time-course profile of antibodies response.

Introduction: The persistence of circulating antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 infection is not yet well known. We compare the results of 2 automated systems for the determination of IgG against SARS CoV-2 and assess the time-course of the IgG response.

Methods: IgG were measured in 103 specimens of 55 patients with COVID-19 (time from the symptoms' onset: 3-187 days) using the automated tests "Abbott SARS-COV-2 IgG" and "MAGLUMI 2019-nCoV IgG".

Eco-friendly synthesis of nanostructured mesoporous materials from natural source rice husk silica for environmental applications.

Nanostructured mesoporous materials of MCM-41 type were synthesized using a natural, non-toxic, and cheap source of silica from rice husk. Then, this pure silica was modified with several Fe loadings by a wet impregnation method. The chemical and physic properties of MCM-41 solids obtained were similar to those of MCM-41 synthesized from commercial silica by conventional method.

Stevia residue as new precursor of CO-activated carbon: Optimization of preparation condition and adsorption study of triclosan.

The present work reports the preparation of CO-activated carbon (AC) using Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) residue as a new carbon precursor. The experimental parameters were optimized via chemometrics tools to obtain an AC with high BET surface area (S). The found optimum condition was: activation temperature of 900 °C, CO flow of 165 cm g and activation time of 60 min, providing an AC with S of 874 m g.

Nanostructured catalysts applied to degrade atrazine in aqueous phase by heterogeneous photo-Fenton process.

SBA-15 and KIT-6 materials have been synthesized and modified with iron salts by the wet impregnation method with different metal loadings. The different mesostructures obtained were characterized by N adsorption-desorption at 77 K, X-ray diffraction, temperature-programmed reduction, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. These iron-containing mesostructured materials have been successfully tested for the heterogeneous photo-Fenton degradation of aqueous solutions of dangerous herbicides, such as atrazine, using UV-visible light irradiation, at room temperature and close to neutral pH.

Multidimensional Prognostic Index and pro-adrenomedullin plasma levels as mortality risk predictors in older patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia: a prospective study.

Background: To evaluate the prognostic accuracy of proadrenomedullin (proADM) in comparison with and in addition to the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI), a validated predictive tool for mortality derived from a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) to predict one-month mortality risk in older patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

Methods: All patients aged 65 years and older, consecutively admitted to an acute geriatric ward with a diagnosis of CAP from February to July 2012. At admission and at discharge they were submitted to a standard CGA in order to calculate MPI.

Point of Care Testing (POCT) to assess drug concentration in patients treated with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs).

Background: Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) do not need routine laboratory monitoring but measurement of drug concentration is important in emergency conditions. Specific laboratory tests are not readily available or not implemented in every hospital. Point-of-Care Tests (POCT) may bridge this gap and be used as a bedside solution.

Abnormalities in the 24-hour rhythm of skin temperature in cirrhosis: Sleep-wake and general clinical implications.

Background & Aims: Sleep preparation/onset are associated with peripheral vasodilatation and a decrease in body temperature. The hyperdynamic syndrome exhibited by patients with cirrhosis may impinge on sleep preparation, thus contributing to their difficulties falling asleep. The aim of this study was the assessment of skin temperature, in relation to sleep-wake patterns, in patients with cirrhosis.

Combined use of the multidimensional prognostic index (MPI) and procalcitonin serum levels in predicting 1-month mortality risk in older patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP): a prospective study.

Background: Several scores and biomarkers, i.e., procalcitonin (PCT), were proposed to stratify the mortality risk in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

Poor comparability of coagulation screening test with specific measurement in patients receiving direct oral anticoagulants: results from a multicenter/multiplatform study.

Unlabelled: Essentials Prothrombin and partial thromboplastin time (PT/PTT) measure direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). PT, PTT and specific tests for DOACs were performed on patients treated for atrial fibrillation. Normal PT/PTT don't exclude DOAC activity and their prolongation doesn't confirm DOAC action.

Is D-dimer used according to clinical algorithms in the diagnostic work-up of patients with suspicion of venous thromboembolism? A study in six European countries.

Introduction: Clinical algorithms consisting of pre-test probability estimation and D-dimer testing are recommended in diagnostic work-up for suspected venous thromboembolism (VTE). The aim of this study was to explore how physicians working in emergency departments investigated patients suspected to have VTE.

Materials And Methods: A questionnaire with two case histories related to the diagnosis of suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) (Case A) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) (Case B) were sent to physicians in six European countries.

Plasma levels of direct oral anticoagulants in real life patients with atrial fibrillation: Results observed in four anticoagulation clinics.

Introduction: Direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) intra- and inter-individual variability was previously reported, but its magnitude is still considered negligible for patient management.

Objective: To evaluate inter- and intra-individual variability in real-world atrial fibrillation patients on dabigatran, rivaroxaban or apixaban in four Italian anticoagulation clinics and to assess the correlation between DOAC plasma concentration and creatinine-clearance (CrCl).

Materials And Methods: A total of 330 consecutive patients were enrolled, of which 160 were on dabigatran (70 and 90 taking 150 mg or 110 mg twice-daily, respectively), 71 on rivaroxaban (37 and 34 taking 20mg or 15 mg once-daily) and 99 on apixaban (73 and 26 taking 5mg or 2.

Urgent Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Testing in Emergency Medicine: A Useful Tool?

Background: Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) has recently been introduced among the tests available to the Emergency Department (ED) of our hospital.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of TSH-level-dependent thyroid dysfunction and to assess the usefulness of urgent TSH testing in a series of emergency patients.

Methods: We planned a single-center observational cross-sectional clinical study.