Determination of Positivity Cutoff for an Automated Aspergillus fumigatus-Specific Immunoglobulin-G Assay in a National Reference Laboratory.

Background: Detection of serum-specific immunoglobulin G (sIgG) to Aspergillus fumigatus traditionally relied on precipitin assays, which lack standardization and have poor analytical sensitivity. Automated quantitative immunoassays are now more widely used alternatives. A challenge, however, is determining reference interval (RI) cutoffs indicative of disease presence.

Evaluation of the clinical performance of anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin antibody and 14-3-3 eta testing in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) detection is crucial for improving patient prognosis. Anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP) and rheumatoid factors (RF) support RA diagnosis but are undetectable in ∼20 % of cases. Recently, antibodies against mutated citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV) and detection of 14-3-3 eta have emerged with implications for preclinical RA diagnosis and monitoring treatment.

Cytokines in chest tube drainage after pediatric cardiac surgery - Is chylothorax the only phenotype?

Background: Chylothorax after pediatric cardiac surgery is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Poor understanding exists regarding inflammation within the pleural fluid. Our aim was to determine the relationship between proinflammatory markers and chylothorax.

Evaluating patient immunocompetence through antibody response to pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine using a newly developed 23 serotype multiplexed assay.

Assessing T-cell independent antibody response to polysaccharide vaccines is crucial for diagnosing humoral immune deficiencies. However, immunocompetence criteria based on S. pneumoniae vaccination remain unclear.

Specimen type validation and establishment of normal cytokine reference intervals in cerebrospinal fluid.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a critical body fluid to examine in attempts to discover potential biomarkers for neuroinflammatory and other disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). Serum and/or plasma cytokine levels have been associated with a variety of inflammatory conditions, and some have been shown to be actionable therapeutic targets. Less is known, however, about cytokine levels in CSF.

Reduced quantity and function of pneumococcal antibodies are associated with exacerbations of COPD in SPIROMICS.

While hypogammaglobulinemia is associated with COPD exacerbations, it is unknown whether frequent exacerbators have specific defects in antibody production/function. We hypothesized that reduced quantity/function of serum pneumococcal antibodies correlate with exacerbation risk in the SPIROMICS cohort. We measured total pneumococcal IgG in n = 764 previously vaccinated participants with COPD.

Cytokine Deficiencies in Patients with Long-COVID.

Up to half of individuals who contract SARS-CoV-2 develop symptoms of long-COVID approximately three months after initial infection. These symptoms are highly variable, and the mechanisms inducing them are yet to be understood. We compared plasma cytokine levels from individuals with long-COVID to healthy individuals and found that those with long-COVID had 100% reductions in circulating levels of Interferon Gamma (IFNγ) and Interleukin-8 (IL-8).

Biochar: An environmentally friendly platform for construction of a SARS-CoV-2 electrochemical immunosensor.

Waste management is a key feature to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, and to combat the impacts of climate change. In this scenario, the production of biochar from different biomasses results in environmental and economic advantages. In this study, biochar was produced from sugarcane bagasse pyrolysis, to immobilize biomolecules, in order to assemble an electrochemical immunosensor to detect antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.

Plasma cytokine levels reveal deficiencies in IL-8 and gamma interferon in Long-COVID.

Up to half of individuals who contract SARS-CoV-2 develop symptoms of long-COVID approximately three months after initial infection. These symptoms are highly variable, and the mechanisms inducing them are yet to be understood. We compared plasma cytokine levels from individuals with long-COVID to healthy individuals and found that those with long-COVID had 100% reductions in circulating levels of interferon gamma (IFNγ) and interleukin-8 (IL-8).

Clinical significance of measuring serum cytokine levels as inflammatory biomarkers in adult and pediatric COVID-19 cases: A review.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a rapidly evolving infectious/inflammatory disorder which has turned into a global pandemic. With severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as its etiologic agent, severe COVID-19 cases usually develop uncontrolled inflammatory responses and cytokine storm-like syndromes. Measuring serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.

Successful transfer of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity using convalescent plasma in an MM patient with hypogammaglobulinemia and COVID-19.

A severely immunocompromised patient with MM and COVID19 who received a convalescent plasma product showed SARS-CoV-2 clearance. The convalescent plasma showed humoral immunity against all structural SARS-CoV-2 proteins, which was successfully transferred to the patient.

Comparison between flutter valve drainage bag and underwater seal device for the management of non-massive malignant and paramalignant pleural effusions.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to compare the use of flutter valve drainage bag system as an alternative to conventional underwater seal drainage bottle in the management of non-massive malignant/paramalignant pleural effusion.

Methods: Forty-one patients with non-massive malignant and paramalignant pleural effusions were randomized into two groups. Group A (21patients) had their chest tubes connected to an underwater seal drainage bottle, while group B (20 patients) had their chest tubes connected to a flutter bag drainage device.

Laboratory Evaluation of Antiphospholipid Syndrome.

Objectives: Anti-β2 glycoprotein I domain I (anti-domain I) and anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin (aPS/PT) antibodies are present in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS); however, their use in evaluation remains unclear.

Methods: Diagnostic attributes of lupus anticoagulant (LAC), anti-domain I IgG, anti-cardiolipin, anti-β2 glycoprotein I (anti-β2GPI), and aPS/PT IgG and IgM antibodies were assessed in 216 patients evaluated for APS.

Results: LAC had the best odds ratio (OR, 14.

Assessment of diagnostic methods for the detection of anticardiolipin and anti-βeta glycoprotein I antibodies in patients under routine evaluation for antiphospholipid syndrome.

Background: We assessed the performance characteristics and correlations of the traditional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and chemiluminescence immunoassay (CIA) for detecting IgG and IgM antibodies to cardiolipin (aCL) and beta glycoprotein (anti-βGPI) antibodies in patients under routine evaluation for APS.

Methods: Patients (n = 216) referred to ARUP Laboratories for lupus anticoagulant (LAC) and/or aCL or anti-βGPI IgG/IgM antibodies evaluation were assessed by ELISA and CIA methods. Diagnostic accuracies, correlations between methods and specific clinical manifestations in APS were investigated.

A pilot study evaluating biomarker development for drug-induced chronic eczematous eruptions of aging individuals.

Background: Identifying the drug(s) responsible for drug-induced chronic eczematous eruptions of aging individuals (CEEA) is a clinical challenge in patients on multiple medications. Reliable testing methods and biomarkers are needed to identify the causative agent and allow simultaneous assessment of T-cell responses to multiple drugs being taken concurrently. This study examined the feasibility of using , drug-specific T cell activation responses as a biomarker for drug-induced CEEA.

Specific Immunoglobulin (Ig) G Reference Intervals for Common Food, Insect, and Mold Allergens.

Background: The clinical utility of serum IgG measurement in the diagnosis of allergy and food-induced hypersensitivity has been largely discredited. Recent studies, however, have shown that specific IgG can inhibit IgE mediated allergies, and may play a role in allergen specific desensitization. Accurate reference intervals for IgG specific allergens have not been widely established and are needed for better interpretation of serum antibody concentrations.

(-)-Hinokinin Induces G2/M Arrest and Contributes to the Antiproliferative Effects of Doxorubicin in Breast Cancer Cells.

Breast cancer incidence rises worldwide and new chemotherapeutical strategies have been investigated to overcome chemoresistance. (-)-Hinokinin is a dibenzylbutyrolactone lignan derived from the partial synthesis of (-)-cubebin extracted from Piper cubeba seeds. Biological effects of dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans include antiviral, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and trypanocidal activities.

Poly(L-lactic acid) membranes: absence of genotoxic hazard and potential for drug delivery.

The use of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) has been considered an important alternative for medical devices once this polyester presents biomechanical, optical and biodegradable properties. Moreover, the use of PLA results in less inflammatory reactions and more recently it has been proposed its application in drug delivery systems. Genotoxicological evaluations are considered part of the battery assays in toxicological analysis.

Severely depressed interleukin-17 production by human neonatal mononuclear cells.

Background: The role of T-helper 17 cells (Th17) in neonatal host defense remains to be fully elucidated. Interleukin (IL)-17 plays an important role in the immune response to bacterial and fungal pathogens by promoting inflammation.

Methods: We examined neonatal production of IL-17 in mixed mononuclear cells (MMCs) isolated from umbilical cord blood for comparison with adult peripheral blood mononuclear cell controls.

Blood pressure, salivary cortisol, and inflammatory cytokine outcomes in senior female cancer survivors enrolled in a tai chi chih randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Older cancer survivors are a vulnerable population due to an increased risk for chronic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease) compounded with treatment late-effects and declines in physical functioning.

Vitamin D sufficiency associates with an increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines after intense exercise in humans.

The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of vitamin D status (insufficient vs. sufficient) on circulating cytokines and skeletal muscle strength after muscular injury. To induce muscular injury, one randomly selected leg (SSC) performed exercise consisting of repetitive eccentric-concentric contractions.

Identification and validation of shrimp-tropomyosin specific CD4 T cell epitopes.

Background: Shellfish allergy is an immune-mediated adverse reaction to allergenic shellfish and is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. CD4 T cell responses play an important role in the pathophysiological mechanisms of sensitization and in production of IgE.

Objective: We sought to identify and validate CD4 T cell shrimp tropomyosin-derived epitopes and characterize CD4 T cell responses in subjects with a clinical history of shellfish allergy.

Higher serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations associate with a faster recovery of skeletal muscle strength after muscular injury.

The primary purpose of this study was to identify if serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations predict muscular weakness after intense exercise. We hypothesized that pre-exercise serum 25(OH)D concentrations inversely predict exercise-induced muscular weakness. Fourteen recreationally active adults participated in this study.