Elevated neurofilament light chain associated with cobalt/chromium metal neurotoxicity in a patient with a failed hip implant.

Background: It is known that the heavy metals cobalt and chromium are associated with neurotoxicity. Chromium (Cr) and Cobalt (Co) are both components of metal-on-metal (MoM) implants which can be degraded/fragmented and released into the bloodstream. Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) is a neuron-specific protein that increases in serum following axonal damage.

Head-to-head comparison of four plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL) immunoassays.

Background: Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) is an emerging blood biomarker of neuro-axonal injury and neurodegeneration with the potential to be used in the clinical management of various neurological conditions. Various NfL immunoassays are in development on high-throughput automated systems, but little information is available related to the comparability between assays. In this study, we performed a head-to-head comparison of four NfL immunoassays using plasma samples from individuals with various neurological conditions.

Development of a multiomics model for identification of predictive biomarkers for COVID-19 severity: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: COVID-19 is a multi-system disorder with high variability in clinical outcomes among patients who are admitted to hospital. Although some cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6 are believed to be associated with severity, there are no early biomarkers that can reliably predict patients who are more likely to have adverse outcomes. Thus, it is crucial to discover predictive markers of serious complications.

Development of a PTHrP chemiluminescent immunoassay to assess humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy.

Background: Parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP) measurements are helpful in the evaluation and management of individuals suspected of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM).

Aim: To develop a chemiluminescent assay for PTHrP quantitation, establish reference intervals, and evaluate its clinical performance.

Method: PTHrP 1-86 was measured using a polyclonal rabbit antibody (capture) and an acridinium ester labeled goat polyclonal antibody for chemiluminescent detection.

Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 in the Early Postoperative Assessment of Acromegaly.

Objectives: Assessment of surgical outcome in acromegaly is typically recommended at 3 to 6 months following surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine if insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) concentrations at 6 weeks were equally predictive of surgical outcomes compared with IGF-1 concentrations at 3 to 6 months postoperatively applying newer IGF-1 assays.

Methods: Retrospective review of patients with newly diagnosed acromegaly who had surgery between 2013 and 2020 and had postoperative IGF-1 measured by 6 weeks and 3 to 6 months.

P-tau/Aβ42 and Aβ42/40 ratios in CSF are equally predictive of amyloid PET status.

Introduction: Measurement of amyloid beta (Aβ40 and Aβ42) and tau (phosphorylated tau [p-tau] and total tau [t-tau]) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can be utilized to differentiate clinical and preclinical Alzheimer's disease dementia (AD) from other neurodegenerative processes.

Methods: CSF biomarkers were measured in 150 participants from the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging and the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. P-tau/Aβ42 (Roche Elecsys, Fujirebio LUMIPULSE) and Aβ42/40 (Fujirebio LUMIPULSE) ratios were compared to one another and to amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) classification.

Hyperphosphatemia with elevated serum PTH and FGF23, reduced 1,25(OH)D and normal FGF7 concentrations characterize patients with CKD.

Background: Hyperphosphatemia confers adverse cardiovascular outcomes, and commonly occurs in late-stage CKD. Fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) is a phosphaturic peptide which decreases renal phosphate transport in vitro and in vivo. Serum FGF7 concentrations are reduced in hyperphosphatemic patients with hypophosphatasia and are elevated in some hypophosphatemic patients with tumor-induced osteomalacia.