Nationwide Harmonization Effort for Semi-Quantitative Reporting of SARS-CoV-2 PCR Test Results in Belgium.

From early 2020, a high demand for SARS-CoV-2 tests was driven by several testing indications, including asymptomatic cases, resulting in the massive roll-out of PCR assays to combat the pandemic. Considering the dynamic of viral shedding during the course of infection, the demand to report cycle threshold (Ct) values rapidly emerged. As Ct values can be affected by a number of factors, we considered that harmonization of semi-quantitative PCR results across laboratories would avoid potential divergent interpretations, particularly in the absence of clinical or serological information.

Plasma amyloid-beta forms in Alzheimer's disease and non-Alzheimer's disease patients.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of full-length and N-truncated plasma amyloid-beta (Abeta) forms in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and non-Alzheimer's disease dementia (non-AD) as compared to healthy control subjects. Plasma samples from 50 AD, 50 non-AD, and 47 control subjects were included and analyzed using a multiparameter fluorimetric bead-based immunoassay for the simultaneous quantification of different Abeta forms. No significant differences in Abeta isoforms were detected between dementia and controls; or AD, non-AD, and controls.

No correlation between time-linked plasma and CSF Abeta levels.

Plasma beta-amyloid protein (Abeta) isoforms are considered potential biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia. The relation between plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of Abeta isoforms remains unclear. In order to identify possible correlations between Abeta levels in plasma and CSF we determined Abeta levels in time-linked plasma and CSF samples.

Carboxypeptidase U (TAFIa): a metallocarboxypeptidase with a distinct role in haemostasis and a possible risk factor for thrombotic disease.

Since the discovery of Carboxypeptidase U (CPU) in 1988, considerable information has been gathered about its biochemistry and function in physiological and pathophysiological circumstances. A variety of tools such as assays to measure proCPU and CPU, antibodies raised against (pro)CPU, selective CPU inhibitors and knock-out mice have been developed and are currently being used to explore the role of this metallocarboxypeptidase in different in vivo and in vitro settings. The knowledge that proCPU can be activated by thrombin and plasmin, enzymes with a key function in coagulation and fibrinolysis, and the ability of CPU to remove C-terminal lysine residues has led to the hypothesis that the proCPU/CPU pathway plays a role in the balance between coagulation and fibrinolysis.