Time as a significant factor in the release of potassium from lithium heparin plasma and serum.

Objectives: In most countries the majority of patients are in outpatient care. In difference to hospitalized patients, their blood samples often take hours after collection to centrifugation. The study investigates the release of potassium and the development of pseudohyperkalemia in lithium heparin (Li-Hep) and serum blood collection tubes over time.

A Modular Genetic Approach to Newborn Screening from Spinal Muscular Atrophy to Sickle Cell Disease-Results from Six Years of Genetic Newborn Screening.

Background/objectives: Genetic newborn screening (NBS) has already entered the phase of common practice in many countries. In Germany, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and sickle cell disease (SCD) are currently a mandatory part of NBS. Here, we describe the experience of six years of genetic NBS including the prevalence of those three diseases in Germany.

Quality considerations and major pitfalls for high throughput DNA-based newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency and spinal muscular atrophy.

Background: Many newborn screening programs worldwide have introduced screening for diseases using DNA extracted from dried blood spots (DBS). In Germany, DNA-based assays are currently used to screen for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and sickle cell disease (SCD).

Methods: This study analysed the impact of pre-analytic DNA carry-over in sample preparation on the outcome of DNA-based newborn screening for SCID and SMA and compared the efficacy of rapid extraction versus automated protocols.

Newborn screening for aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency - Strategies, results, and implication for prevalence calculations.

Background: Aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency (AADCD) is a rare, autosomal-recessive neurometabolic disorder caused by variants in dopa decarboxylase (DDC) gene, resulting in a severe combined deficiency of serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Birth prevalence of AADCD varies by population. In pilot studies, 3-O-methyldopa (3-OMD) was shown to be a reliable biomarker for AADCD in high-throughput newborn screening (NBS) allowing an early diagnosis and access to gene therapy.

Synthesis and import of GDP-l-fucose into the Golgi affect plant-water relations.

Land plants evolved multiple adaptations to restrict transpiration. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not sufficiently understood. We used an ozone-sensitivity forward genetics approach to identify Arabidopsis thaliana mutants impaired in gas exchange regulation.

High Throughput Newborn Screening for Sickle Cell Disease - Application of Two-Tiered Testing with a qPCR-Based Primary screen.

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of hemoglobinopathies with a common point mutation causing the production of sickle cell hemoglobin (HbS). In high-throughput newborn screening (NBS) for SCD, a two-step procedure is suitable, in which qPCR first pre-selects relevant samples that are differentiated by a second method.

Methods: Three NBS centers using qPCR-based primary screening for SCD performed a laboratory comparison.

Blue-green fluorescence during hypersensitive cell death arises from phenylpropanoid deydrodimers.

Infection of Arabidopsis with avirulent and exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO) both trigger hypersensitive cell death (HCD) that is characterized by the emission of bright blue-green (BG) autofluorescence under UV illumination. The aim of our current work was to identify the BG fluorescent molecules and scrutinize their biosynthesis, localization, and functions during the HCD. Compared with wild-type (WT) plants, the phenylpropanoid-deficient mutant developed normal HCD except for the absence of BG fluorescence.

Automated antigen assays display a high heterogeneity for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, including several Omicron sublineages.

Diagnostic tests for direct pathogen detection have been instrumental to contain the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. Automated, quantitative, laboratory-based nucleocapsid antigen (Ag) tests for SARS-CoV-2 have been launched alongside nucleic acid-based test systems and point-of-care (POC) lateral-flow Ag tests. Here, we evaluated four commercial Ag tests on automated platforms for the detection of different sublineages of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant of concern (VoC) (B.

Histone Deacetylases HD2A and HD2B Undergo Feedback Regulation by ABA and Modulate Drought Tolerance via Mediating ABA-Induced Transcriptional Repression.

Histone deacetylation catalyzed by histone deacetylase plays a critical role in gene silencing and subsequently controls many important biological processes. It was reported that the expression of the plant-specific histone deacetylase subfamily HD2s is repressed by ABA in Arabidopsis. However, little is known about the molecular relationship between HD2A/HD2B and ABA during the vegetative phase.

Cell-Free DNA in Plasma and Serum Indicates Disease Severity and Prognosis in Blunt Trauma Patients.

Trauma is still a major cause of mortality in people < 50 years of age. Biomarkers are needed to estimate the severity of the condition and the patient outcome. : Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and further laboratory markers were determined in plasma and serum of 164 patients at time of admission to the emergency room.

Immunoadsorption as maintenance therapy for refractory neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare relapsing autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, affecting mainly optic nerves and spinal cord. NMOSD pathophysiology is associated with anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibodies. Rapid extracorporeal elimination of autoantibodies with apheresis techniques, such as immunoadsorption (IA), was proven to be an effective treatment of NMOSD attacks.

Kynurenine serves as useful biomarker in acute, Long- and Post-COVID-19 diagnostics.

Introduction: In patients with SARS-CoV-2, innate immunity is playing a central role, depicted by hyperinflammation and longer lasting inflammatory response. Reliable inflammatory markers that cover both acute and long-lasting COVID-19 monitoring are still lacking. Thus, we investigated one specific inflammatory marker involved as one key player of the immune system, kynurenine (Kyn), and its use for diagnosis/detection of the Long-/Post-COVID syndrome in comparison to currently used markers in both serum and saliva samples.

Comparison of fecal calprotectin and pancreatic elastase assays based on proficiency testing results.

Background: Fecal calprotectin and fecal pancreatic elastase assays are not standardized because of a lack of suitable reference material. Laboratories may have difficulty in switching assays because different manufacturers do not compare well with each other despite having similar reference intervals. Data from proficiency testing performed in Germany (Fecal Diagnostics 01 Survey, INSTAND eV) were investigated to understand how results differed across eight calprotectin and five pancreatic elastase manufacturers.

Verification of lateral flow antigen tests for SARS-CoV-2 by qPCR directly from the test device.

Objective: Fast and reliable detection of infection is a key to control the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Lateral flow antigen tests (LFATs) are inexpensive, easy to use, but have to be verified, as they are rather unspecific and can produce both, false positive and false negative results. Our objective was to combine the speed of LFAT for SARS-CoV-2 with the reliability of qPCR tests.

Nitric oxide-releasing nanomaterials: from basic research to potential biotechnological applications in agriculture.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a multifunctional gaseous signal that modulates the growth, development and stress tolerance of higher plants. NO donors have been used to boost plant endogenous NO levels and to activate NO-related responses, but this strategy is often hindered by the relative instability of donors. Alternatively, nanoscience offers a new, promising way to enhance NO delivery to plants, as NO-releasing nanomaterials (e.

Direct and indirect eluates from bulk fill resin-based-composites.

Objectives: To compare elutable substances directly released from bulk-fill (BF) resin-based composites (RBCs) with indirect elution from teeth restored with a BF composite. In addition to (co)monomers, the analytical focus was on other potentially toxic ingredients or impurities. Furthermore, the barrier function of the residual dentin/adhesive layer was studied.

Special Teaching Formats during the COVID-19 Pandemic-A Survey with Implications for a Crisis-Proof Education.

Modern teaching formats have not been considered necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic with uncertain acceptance by students. The study's aim was to describe and evaluate all measures undertaken for theoretical and practical knowledge/skill transfer, which included objective structured practical examinations (OSPEs) covering a communication skills training. The students' performance in the OSPE as well as the theoretical knowledge level were assessed, of which the latter was compared with previous terms.

Head-to-head evaluation of seven different seroassays including direct viral neutralisation in a representative cohort for SARS-CoV-2.

A number of seroassays are available for SARS-CoV-2 testing; yet, head-to-head evaluations of different testing principles are limited, especially using raw values rather than categorical data. In addition, identifying correlates of protection is of utmost importance, and comparisons of available testing systems with functional assays, such as direct viral neutralisation, are needed.We analysed 6658 samples consisting of true-positives (=193), true-negatives (=1091), and specimens of unknown status (=5374).