COVID-19 waves in an urban setting 2020-2022: an electronic medical record analysis.

Background: Global and national surveillance efforts have tracked COVID-19 incidence and clinical outcomes, but few studies have compared comorbid conditions and clinical outcomes across each wave of the pandemic. We analyzed data from the COVID-19 registry of a large urban healthcare system to determine the associations between presenting comorbidities and clinical outcomes during the pandemic.

Methods: We analyzed registry data for all inpatients and outpatients with COVID-19 from March 2020 through September 2022 ( = 44,499).

Validation of the novel GLAS algorithm as an aid in the detection of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis based on GP73, LG2m, age, and sex.

Background: Diagnosis of liver disease at earlier stages can improve outcomes and reduce the risk of progression to malignancy. Liver biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis of liver disease, but is invasive and sample acquisition errors are common. Serum biomarkers for liver function and fibrosis, combined with patient factors, may allow for noninvasive detection of liver disease.

Kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 Serum Antibodies Through the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron Surges Among Vaccinated Health Care Workers at a Boston Hospital.

Background: Longitudinal serology studies can assist in analyzing the kinetics of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, helping to inform public health decision making. Our study aims to characterize circulating antibody trends over 18 months in vaccinated participants with and without evidence of COVID-19 infection.

Methods: A cohort of health care workers employed at Boston Medical Center was followed to collect serum samples and survey data over 6 time points from July 2020 through December 2021 (N = 527).

Optimizing Screening for Colorectal Cancer: An Algorithm Combining Fecal Immunochemical Test, Blood-Based Cancer-Associated Proteins and Demographics to Reduce Colonoscopy Burden.

Background: Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) is widely used in population-based screening for colorectal cancer (CRC). This had led to major challenges regarding colonoscopy capacity. Methods to maintain high sensitivity without compromising the colonoscopy capacity are needed.

Case Studies for Overcoming Challenges in Using Big Data in Cancer.

The analysis of big healthcare data has enormous potential as a tool for advancing oncology drug development and patient treatment, particularly in the context of precision medicine. However, there are challenges in organizing, sharing, integrating, and making these data readily accessible to the research community. This review presents five case studies illustrating various successful approaches to addressing such challenges.

Challenges to Using Big Data in Cancer.

Big data in healthcare can enable unprecedented understanding of diseases and their treatment, particularly in oncology. These data may include electronic health records, medical imaging, genomic sequencing, payor records, and data from pharmaceutical research, wearables, and medical devices. The ability to combine datasets and use data across many analyses is critical to the successful use of big data and is a concern for those who generate and use the data.

Evaluation of hepatitis C virus antibody assay using dried blood spot samples.

Early diagnosis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is essential for prompt initiation of treatment and prevention of transmission, yet several logistical barriers continue to limit access to HCV testing. Dried blood spot (DBS) technology involves a simple fingerstick that eliminates the need for trained personnel, and DBS can be stored and transported at room temperature. We evaluated the use of DBS whole blood samples in the modified Abbott ARCHITECT anti-HCV assay, comparing assay performance against the standard assay run using DBS and venous plasma samples.

Early detection of colorectal neoplasia: application of a blood-based serological protein test on subjects undergoing population-based screening.

Background: Blood-based biomarkers used for colorectal cancer screening need to be developed and validated in appropriate screening populations. We aimed to develop a cancer-associated protein biomarker test for the detection of colorectal cancer in a screening population.

Methods: Participants from the Danish Colorectal Cancer Screening Program were recruited.

Instability of corticotropin during long-term storage - myth or reality?

Objectives: Corticotropin is notorious for its instability. Whereas several studies have investigated its short-term stability in plasma following venous blood sampling, studies on long-term stability are lacking. Here we investigated the long-term storage stability of corticotropin in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid containing plasma.

Serum biomarkers that predict lean mass loss over bed rest in older adults: An exploratory study.

Background: Lean mass (LM) loss during extended bed rest contributes to long term functional decline in older adults. Identifying blood biomarkers that predict a hospitalized individual's risk of losing LM could allow for timely intervention.

Methods: LM from 19 healthy subjects (age 60-76 y, 4 males, 15 females), who were confined to 10 days of complete bed rest, was measured pre- and post-bed rest.

Evaluation of algorithm development approaches: Development of biomarker panels for early detection of colorectal lesions.

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the U.S. Early detection of CRC can substantially increase survival rates.

Validation of a novel model for the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: The biomarkers alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and protein induced by vitamin K absence/antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) may be useful for detecting early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We evaluated the performance of AFP and PIVKA-II levels, alone and in combination with clinical factors, for the early detection of HCC.

Methods: In a case-control study, serum AFP and PIVKA-II were measured using the ARCHITECT immunoassay analyzer system in a cohort of 119 patients with HCC, 215 patients with non-malignant liver disease, and 34 healthy subjects.

Incidence and Prevalence of Achalasia in Central Chicago, 2004-2014, Since the Widespread Use of High-Resolution Manometry.

Background & Aims: Reported global incidence and prevalence values for achalasia vary widely, from 0.03 to 1.63 per 100,000 persons per year and from 1.

BioFire FilmArray Respiratory Panel for Detection of Enterovirus D68.

During the enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) outbreak of 2014, the BioFire FilmArray (FA) respiratory panel was used to detect rhinovirus/enterovirus in respiratory specimens; suspected EV-D68-positive specimens were sent to CDC for confirmation. Positive rhinovirus/enterovirus FA targets revealed patterns loosely associated with EV-D68 that may be useful for confirmation triaging.

Plasma biomarker signature associated with improved survival in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients on linifanib.

Objectives: Linifanib, a potent and selective inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase activity of vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor receptors, has clinical activity in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) both as monotherapy in the relapsed setting or with carboplatin and paclitaxel in the first-line setting. Though benefit was observed in unselected patient populations, identification of predictive biomarkers is critical for further development of this novel agent.

Materials And Methods: Data from 4 randomized studies in relapsed NSCLC with linifanib (n=116) or other treatments (n=125) were examined in an exploratory analysis to identify a biomarker profile predictive of favorable survival.

Trends in mortality and causes of death among women with HIV in the United States: a 10-year study.

Background: To assess trends in mortality and cause of death for women with HIV, we studied deaths over a 10-year period among participants in the Women's Interagency HIV Study, a representative US cohort.

Methods: Deaths were ascertained by National Death Index Plus match, and causes of death determined by death certificate.

Results: From 1995 through 2004, 710 of 2792 HIV-infected participants died.

Analysis of standard methods for diagnosing vaginitis: HIV infection does not complicate the diagnosis of vaginitis.

Objective: We sought to determine whether the standard diagnostic methods for vaginitis behave similarly among HIV-infected and at-risk seronegative women.

Materials And Methods: We performed pairwise comparisons over time (1994-2003) for the different diagnostic methods for bacterial vaginosis (BV) (Nugent score and Amsel criteria), vulvovaginal candidiasis (potassium hydroxide smear and Pap smear), and trichomoniasis (culture, wet mount, and Pap smear) among HIV-infected and at-risk HIV seronegative women in the Women's Interagency HIV Study cohort. We stratified subjects by HIV status and among the HIV-infected women by CD4+ cell count strata.