Use of blood biomarkers to screen for obstructive sleep apnea.

Purpose: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent disorder associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. Unfortunately, up to 90% of individuals with OSA remain without a diagnosis or therapy. We assess the relationship between OSA and blood biomarkers, and test the hypothesis that combinations of markers provide a characteristic OSA signature with diagnostic screening value.

Comparison of Digital Rectal Examination and Serum Prostate Specific Antigen in the Early Detection of Prostate Cancer: Results of a Multicenter Clinical Trial of 6,630 Men.

To compare the efficacy of digital rectal examination and serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the early detection of prostate cancer, we conducted a prospective clinical trial at 6 university centers of 6,630 male volunteers 50 years old or older who underwent PSA determination (Hybritech Tandom-E or Tandem-R assays) and digital rectal examination. Quadrant biopsies were performed if the PSA level was greater than 4 μg./l.

Blood biomarkers of endocrine, immune, inflammatory, and metabolic systems in obstructive sleep apnea.

Objective/background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder, affecting over 100 million adults. Untreated OSA leads to serious health consequences and perturbations in endocrine, immune, inflammatory, and metabolic systems. Study objectives are to evaluate the association between OSA and biomarkers, and to test the hypothesis that a combination of markers may be useful in screening for OSA.

Absolute and relative changes (delta) in troponin I for early diagnosis of myocardial infarction: Results of a prospective multicenter trial.

Objectives: We investigated absolute and relative cardiac troponin I (TnI) delta changes, optimal sampling protocols, and decision thresholds for early diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI). Serial cardiac biomarker values demonstrating a rise and/or fall define MI diagnosis; however the magnitude of change, timing, and diagnostic accuracy of absolute versus relative (percentage) deltas remains unsettled.

Methods: We prospectively measured TnI (AccuTnI+3™, Beckman Coulter) at serial time intervals in 1929 subjects with chest pain or equivalent symptoms of acute coronary syndrome at 14 medical centers.

Diagnostic performance of cardiac Troponin I for early rule-in and rule-out of acute myocardial infarction: Results of a prospective multicenter trial.

Objectives: To compare emergency department TnI serial sampling intervals, determine optimal diagnostic thresholds, and report representative diagnostic performance characteristics for early rule-in and rule-out of MI.

Methods: We prospectively measured TnI (AccuTnI+3™, Beckman Coulter) at serial time intervals in 1929 subjects with chest pain or equivalent ischemic symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndromes at 14 medical centers. Diagnosis was adjudicated by an independent central committee.