Publications by authors named "D R Branch"

Objective: To investigate the value of anti-β2 glycoprotein-I domain 1 (aD1) and antiphosphatidylserine-prothrombin antibodies for predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes in an at-risk population and to describe the relationship among aD1, antiphosphatidylserine-prothrombin, lupus anticoagulant, and other antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL).

Methods: Data were obtained from a prospective cohort of pregnant patients with aPL, with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (n=59) or without SLE (n=106), or SLE without aPL (n=100) (PROMISSE [Predictors of Pregnancy Outcome in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Antiphospholipid Syndrome] study; NCT00198068). Levels of aD1 and antiphosphatidylserine-prothrombin were quantified with the QUANTA Flash and QUANTA Lite systems, respectively, in sera collected at less than 18 weeks of gestation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The characteristic feature of immune cytopenias involves the process of extravascular phagocytosis, wherein macrophages in the spleen and/or liver engage in the destruction of blood cells that have been opsonized by auto- or alloantibodies. Therefore, new treatments that prevent phagocytosis will be advantageous, especially for short-term usage along with alternative options.

Study Design And Methods: KB-208, a small molecule drug, previously shown to be efficacious for the in vitro inhibition of phagocytosis was synthesized.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) diagnosis is dependent on the accurate detection and interpretation of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Lupus anticoagulant (LA), anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), and anti-beta2 glycoprotein I antibodies (aβ2GPI) remain the cornerstone of the laboratory part of APS diagnosis. In the 2023 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) APS classification criteria, the type of laboratory parameters remain essentially unchanged compared with the updated Sapporo classification criteria, and aCL and aβ2GPI measurement are still restricted to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) with moderate and high titer aPL thresholds defined as 40 and 80 Units, respectively, and a cutoff calculated by the 99th percentile has been abandoned.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • - This study examined the occurrence and effects of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) but without other systemic autoimmune diseases, using data from the APS ACTION Registry.
  • - Among the 430 analyzed patients, 56% tested positive for ANA, revealing significant links between ANA positivity and various autoimmune features like hematologic issues and joint involvement.
  • - Despite the presence of these autoimmune characteristics in ANA-positive patients, the study found no connection between ANA status and complications related to thrombosis or pregnancy; interestingly, ANA-negative patients had more pregnancies and live births.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Thin-film lithium niobate is an attractive material for RF acoustic devices because of its high electromechanical coupling. However, due to the large coupling and the high anisotropy, thin-film lithium niobate resonators are prone to accidental resonances called spurious modes. These modes compromise the frequency response of the resonators, limiting their use in filter and oscillator applications.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF