Preanalytical considerations for clinical assays of circulating human miRNA-451a, miRNA-423-5p and miRNA-199a-3p for diagnostic purposes.

Circulating miRNA has recently emerged as important biomolecules with potential clinical values as diagnostic markers for several diseases. However, to be used as such, it is critical to accurately quantify miRNAs in the clinic. Yet, preanalytical factors that can affect an error-free quantification of these miRNAs have not been explored.

A novel approach to stabilize fetal cell-free DNA fraction in maternal blood samples for extended period of time.

This study was undertaken to evaluate a novel method for stabilizing and preserving the original proportion of cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) in maternal blood for extended periods of time without using crosslinking agents, such as formaldehyde, which compromise DNA integrity and extraction efficiency. Blood was drawn from pregnant donors into K3EDTA and Blood Exo DNA ProTeck® (ProTeck) tubes. Blood drawn into both tubes were aliquoted and stored at three different temperatures.

Analysis of human blood plasma cell-free DNA fragment size distribution using EvaGreen chemistry based droplet digital PCR assays.

Background: Plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragment size distribution provides important information required for diagnostic assay development. We have developed and optimized droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assays that quantify short and long DNA fragments. These assays were used to analyze plasma cfDNA fragment size distribution in human blood.

New evidence that a large proportion of human blood plasma cell-free DNA is localized in exosomes.

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in blood is used as a source of genetic material for noninvasive prenatal and cancer diagnostic assays in clinical practice. Recently we have started a project for new biomarker discovery with a view to developing new noninvasive diagnostic assays. While reviewing literature, it was found that exosomes may be a rich source of biomarkers, because exosomes play an important role in human health and disease.

[The correlation between testosterone levels and C-reactive protein in acute bacterial epididymo-orchitis].

Unlabelled: Acute bacterial epididymo-orchitis is common urological condition that usually originates from ascending infection of lower urinary tract. It is characterized by infection of testis combined with spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis impairment. There is also a component of local and systemic inflammation.

Stabilization of cellular RNA in blood during storage at room temperature: a comparison of cell-free RNA BCT(®) with K3EDTA tubes.

Background: Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels in blood cells are important in disease diagnosis, prognosis and biomarker discovery research. Accurate measurements of intracellular mRNA levels in blood cells depend upon several pre-analytical factors, including delays in RNA extraction from blood after phlebotomy. Dramatic changes in mRNA expression levels caused by delays in blood sample processing may render such samples unsuitable for gene expression analysis.

Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of formaldehyde free preservatives.

Preservation of biomolecules is pivotal in increasingly important molecular diagnostics. Traditionally, formaldehyde is employed for such biomolecular preservation in spite of its carcinogenicity. Moreover, formaldehyde induced cross-linking during fixation is reported to alter structural and functional properties of the preserved biomolecules.

A new methodology to preserve the original proportion and integrity of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma during sample processing and storage.

Objective: To develop a standardized blood collection device that preserves fetal cell-free DNA and minimizes the cell-free DNA background in maternal plasma.

Methods: Blood samples were drawn from healthy pregnant donors into K(3)EDTA (BD vacutainer) and Cell-free DNA BCT tubes (Streck, Inc.) and kept at ambient temperature.