Ethical and Bias Considerations in Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning.

As artificial intelligence (AI) gains prominence in pathology and medicine, the ethical implications and potential biases within such integrated AI models will require careful scrutiny. Ethics and bias are important considerations in our practice settings, especially as increased number of machine learning (ML) systems are being integrated within our various medical domains. Such machine learning based systems, have demonstrated remarkable capabilities in specified tasks such as but not limited to image recognition, natural language processing, and predictive analytics.

A Prospective Cohort Protocol for the Remnant Investigation in Sepsis Study.

Background: Sepsis is a common and deadly syndrome, accounting for more than 11 million deaths annually. To mature a deeper understanding of the host and pathogen mechanisms contributing to poor outcomes in sepsis, and thereby possibly inform new therapeutic targets, sophisticated, and expensive biorepositories are typically required. We propose that remnant biospecimens are an alternative for mechanistic sepsis research, although the viability and scientific value of such remnants are unknown.

The salivary microbiota of patients with acute lower respiratory tract infection-A multicenter cohort study.

The human microbiome contributes to health and disease, but the oral microbiota is understudied relative to the gut microbiota. The salivary microbiota is easily accessible, underexplored, and may provide insight into response to infections. We sought to determine the composition, association with clinical features, and heterogeneity of the salivary microbiota in patients with acute lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI).

Associations between type 1 diabetes and educational outcomes: an Aotearoa/New Zealand nationwide birth cohort study using the Integrated Data Infrastructure.

Aims/hypothesis: Type 1 diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. It is hypothesised that the metabolic and psychosocial consequences of type 1 diabetes may affect educational outcomes; however, existing literature presents conflicting results. This study aimed to assess whether educational outcomes differ for young people with and without type 1 diabetes in Aotearoa/New Zealand (NZ).

Do-it-yourself continuous glucose monitoring in people aged 16 to 69 years with type 1 diabetes: A qualitative study.

Aims: In many countries, real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rt-CGM) is not funded, and cost presents a barrier to access. A do-it-yourself conversion of intermittently scanned CGM (DIY-CGM) is a cheaper alternative. This qualitative study aimed to explore user experiences with DIY-CGM in people aged 16 to 69 years with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

AACC/NKF Guidance Document on Improving Equity in Chronic Kidney Disease Care.

Background: Kidney disease (KD) is an important health equity issue with Black, Hispanic, and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals experiencing a disproportionate disease burden. Prior to 2021, the commonly used estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equations incorporated coefficients for Black race that conferred higher GFR estimates for Black individuals compared to non-Black individuals of the same sex, age, and blood creatinine concentration. With a recognition that race does not delineate distinct biological categories, a joint task force of the National Kidney Foundation and the American Society of Nephrology recommended the adoption of the CKD-EPI 2021 race-agnostic equations.

Hydroxocobalamin infusion in a patient monitored for plasma free hemoglobin levels.

Hemolysis is one of the most common preanalytical concerns in the clinical laboratory. Hydroxocobalamin administration causes red pigmentation of plasma that may mimic hemolysis and may interfere with chemistry assays. A male patient in his sixties was placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridge to transplantation.

CSF lipocalin-2 increases early in subarachnoid hemorrhage are associated with neuroinflammation and unfavorable outcome.

Lipocalin-2 mediates neuro-inflammation and iron homeostasis in vascular injuries of the central nervous system (CNS) and is upregulated in extra-CNS systemic inflammation. We postulate that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood lipocalin-2 levels are associated with markers of inflammation and functional outcome in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We prospectively enrolled 67 SAH subjects, serially measured CSF and plasma lipocalin-2, matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) on post-SAH days 1-5 and assessed outcome by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) every 3 months.

Clinical laboratory verification of thyroglobulin concentrations in the presence of autoantibodies to thyroglobulin: comparison of EIA, radioimmunoassay and LC MS/MS measurements in an Urban Hospital.

Objective: Thyroglobulin (Tg) measurements assess recurrence in post-thyroidectomy thyroid cancer patients. Tg measurements by enzyme immunoassays (EIA) can be falsely elevated by interference from Tg autoantibodies (TgAb). Radioimmunoassay (RIA) is less susceptible to TgAb interference and has been the standard-of-care test for TgAb positive patients.

Effects of Transport Temperature on the Stability of Inflammatory, Hemostasis, Endothelial Function, and Oxidative Stress Plasma Biomarker Concentrations.

Background: A number of studies in critically ill patients are conducted outside the hospital. Specimens should ideally be transported from out-of-hospital setting to a laboratory using dry ice, but this approach is expensive and may not be feasible in some circumstances. We, therefore, examined the impact of temperature during transport of specimens on the precision of biomarker concentrations.