Specific GAG ratios in the diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidoses.

Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) screening is tedious and still performed by analysis of total glycosaminoglycans (GAG) using 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue (DMB) photometric assay, although false positive and negative tests have been reported. Analysis of differentiated GAGs have been pursued classically by gel electrophoresis or more recently by quantitative LC-MS assays. Secondary elevations of GAGs have been reported in urinary tract infections (UTI).

Automated Thrombin Generation Assay for Rivaroxaban, Apixaban, and Edoxaban Measurements.

The thrombin generation assay (TG) is a promising approach to measure the degree of anticoagulation in patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC). A strong association with plasma drug concentrations would be a meaningful argument for the potential use to monitor DOAC. We aimed to study the correlation of TG with rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban drug concentrations in a large, prospective multicenter cross-sectional study.

Prevalence and genotyping of tick-borne encephalitis virus in questing Ixodes ricinus ticks in a new endemic area in western Switzerland.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is the causative agent of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and causes neurological disease in humans in Eurasia. TBEV is transmitted by ticks of the genus Ixodes. Currently 10,000-12,000 clinical cases are reported annually in approximately 30 TBE endemic countries.

Microclimate and the zoonotic cycle of tick-borne encephalitis virus in Switzerland.

The focal distribution of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV; Flaviviridae, Flavivirus) appears to depend mainly on cofeeding transmission between infected Ixodes ricinus L. nymphs and uninfected larvae. To better understand the role of cofeeding ticks in the transmission of TBEV, we investigated tick infestation of rodents and the influence of microclimate on the seasonality of questing I.

Upregulation of IFN-gamma receptor expression by proinflammatory cytokines influences IDO activation in epithelial cells.

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) induces the enzyme indoleamine dioxygenase (IDO) in a variety of human cell types. Furthermore, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) synergistically increase IFN-induced IDO activity. Inasmuch as cytokines can upregulate cytokine receptor expression, one mechanism of cytokine synergy may be at the level of receptor expression.