Pre-analytical stability and physiological fluctuations affect plasma steroid hormone outcomes: A real-world study.

Since steroids are crucial for diagnosing endocrine disorders, the lack of research on factors that affect hormone levels makes interpreting the results difficult. Our study aims to assess the stability of the pre-analytical procedure and the impact of hormonal physiological fluctuations using real-world data. The datasets were created using 12,418 records from individuals whose steroid hormone measurements were taken in our laboratory between September 2019 and March 2024.

Coupled photothermal vortices for capture, sorting, and transportation of particles.

Optofluidic techniques have evolved as a prospering strategy for microparticle manipulation via fluid. Unfortunately, there is still a lack of manipulation with simple preparation, easy operation, and multifunctional integration. In this Letter, we present an optofluidic device based on a graphite oxide (GO)-coated dual-fiber structure for multifunctional particle manipulation.

Asymptomatic elevation of parathyroid hormone levels by antibodies against reagent alkaline phosphatase.

Context: Although immunoassay interference is a well-known phenomenon, its detection in routine clinical practice remains challenging. Most immunoassay interference can be attributed to the presence of heterophilic or anti-hormone antibodies. However, reports on immunoassay interference specifically related to parathyroid hormone (PTH) are scarce.

Molecular characterization and functional roles of circulating cell-free extrachromosomal circular DNA.

Circular DNA segments isolated from chromosomes are known as extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA). Its distinct structure and characteristics, along with the variations observed in different disease states, makes it a promising biomarker. Recent studies have revealed the presence of eccDNAs in body fluids, indicating their involvement in various biological functions.

A comprehensive LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous measurement of 24 adrenal steroids: From research to clinical practice.

Steroids are essential in the differential diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) subtypes; however, they may confuse physicians with multifarious results. In this study, we established a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous measurement of 24 steroids and developed a steroid metabolite pathway-based report to aid physicians in understanding these results. Solid-phase extraction was used to concentrate and purify target plasma steroids.

Utilization of five data mining algorithms combined with simplified preprocessing to establish reference intervals of thyroid-related hormones for non-elderly adults.

Background: Despite the extensive research on data mining algorithms, there is still a lack of a standard protocol to evaluate the performance of the existing algorithms. Therefore, the study aims to provide a novel procedure that combines data mining algorithms and simplified preprocessing to establish reference intervals (RIs), with the performance of five algorithms assessed objectively as well.

Methods: Two data sets were derived from the population undergoing a physical examination.

Reference intervals for LC-MS /MS measurements of plasma renin activity, aldosterone, angiotensin II, and 24-hour urinary aldosterone in Northern Chinese Han population.

Background: Examination of aldosterone to Renin Ratio (ARR) and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) or 24-h urinary aldosterone excretion (24-h UALD) was the necessary tests in confirmatory tests for primary aldosteronism (PA). We developed a combined liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method (LC-MS/MS) for plasma renin activity (PRA), PAC, and angiotensin II (Ang II) and investigated their reference intervals (RIs) in northern Chinese Han population. The RIs of 24-h UALD excretion were also studied using LC-MS/MS.

Validation and comparison of five data mining algorithms using big data from clinical laboratories to establish reference intervals of thyroid hormones for older adults.

Aim: To establish Reference intervals (RIs) of thyroid-related hormones in older adults using five data mining algorithms and to assess the applicability of each algorithm.

Methods: RIs for thyroid-related hormones in older adults were established using five data mining algorithms based on physical examination and patient data. The results of these algorithms were compared to those of RIs established using healthy older adults recruited following strict inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Establishment of Reference Interval and Aging Model of Homocysteine Using Real-World Data.

Objective: The level of Homocysteine (Hcy) in males is generally higher than that of females, but the same reference interval (RI) is often used in clinical practice. This study aims to establish a sex-specific RI of Hcy using five data mining algorithms and compare these results. Furthermore, age-related continuous RI was established in order to show the relationship between Hcy concentration distribution and age.

A robust method for simultaneous measurement of serum 25(OH)D, 1,25(OH) D, and 24,25(OH) D by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with efficient separation of 3-epi analogs, 23R,25(OH) D , and 4β,25(OH) D.

Background: This study aimed to establish a robust, simple method to detect 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D ), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D ), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH) D ), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH) D ), 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25(OH) D ), and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25(OH) D ) simultaneously with efficient separation of 3-epi 25(OH)D , 3-epi 24,25(OH) D , 23R,25(OH) D , and 4β,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (4β,25(OH) D ) by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Method: This method was validated according to procedures established by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and then applied in healthy population to determine the distribution of the vitamin D metabolites by LC-MS/MS.

Results: The total-run CV% of 25(OH)D , 25(OH)D , 24,25(OH) D , 24,25(OH) D , 1,25(OH) D , and 1,25(OH) D were 6.

Consideration triggered by the choice of heterophilic antibody interference detection tests in measuring ACTH for a teenager boy with a rare adrenal disease.

Background: Plasma ACTH is an important marker for Cushing syndrome; inaccurate measurement of ACTH concentrations due to the serum heterophile antibody may mislead diagnosis by physicians. We describe the case of a teenage boy with a rare adrenal disease who presented falsely increased ACTH concentrations (20.3 pg/ml; Siemens Immulite).

Establishment of Early Pregnancy Related Thyroid Hormone Models and Reference Intervals for Pregnant Women in China Based on Real World Data.

Thyroid hormone reference intervals are crucial for diagnosing and monitoring thyroid dysfunction during early pregnancy, and the dynamic change trend of thyroid hormones during pregnancy can assist clinicians to assess the thyroid function of pregnant women. This study aims to establish early pregnancy related thyroid hormones models and reference intervals for pregnant women. We established two derived databases: derived database* and derived database#.

Plasma or serum, which is the better choice for the measurement of metanephrines?

Measurement of metanephrines (MNs: metanephrine [MN] and normetanephrine [NMN]) is recommended for the initial biochemical diagnosis of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. Despite some drawbacks, plasma is commonly used for sampling. Here, we determined the feasibility of using serum, as an alternative to plasma, by comparing MNs in plasma and serum and evaluating the stability of MNs in serum.

Establishing reference intervals for vitamins A and E in Chinese elderly people using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Background: Vitamins A and E play important roles in sustaining life activities and maintaining a good physical condition. However, most people, particularly the elderly, experience micronutrient deficiencies. This study aimed to establish reference intervals (RIs) for vitamins A and E in Chinese elderly people using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method.

The effect of ALDH2 rs671 gene mutation on clustering of cardiovascular risk factors in a big data study of Chinese population: associations differ between the sexes.

Background: The ALDH2 rs671 genetic polymorphism has been linked with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), but comprehensive epidemiological studies are lacking. An observational, retrospective big data study was carried out to evaluate the associations between this polymorphism and clustering cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) in a Chinese population.

Methods: A total of 13,101 individuals (8431 males and 4670 females) were enrolled.

An evaluation of urine and serum iodine status in the population of Tibet, China: No longer an iodine-deficient region.

Objectives: Iodine is a critical trace element for the synthesis of thyroid-related hormones, and either low or high iodine status can lead to thyroid dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate the iodine status of the Tibetan population.

Methods: From September 2016 to August 2018, we enrolled 1499 healthy adults from three areas of varying altitudes in Tibet.

Reference Intervals for Thyroid-Associated Hormones and the Prevalence of Thyroid Diseases in the Chinese Population.

Background: Thyroid diseases are highly prevalent worldwide, but their diagnosis remains a challenge. We established reference intervals (RIs) for thyroid-associated hormones and evaluated the prevalence of thyroid diseases in China.

Methods: After excluding outliers based on the results of ultrasound screening, thyroid antibody tests, and the Tukey method, the medical records of 20,303 euthyroid adults, who visited the Department of Health Care at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2014 to December 2018, were analyzed.

Short-term biological variation and Reference change values of urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine.

Aim: The DNA and RNA oxidative damage products urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-odGsn) and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine (8-oGsn) have potential use in clinical practice. However, biological variation (BV) and reference change values (RCVs) have not been established. The aim of this study was to establish the short-term between-subject BV(CV ) within-subject BV(CV ), and RCVs for urinary 8-odGsn and 8-oGsn.

Establishment of variation source and age-related reference interval models for 22 common biochemical analytes in older people using real-world big data mining.

Background: the ageing population has increased in many countries, including China. However, reference intervals (RIs) for older people are rarely established because of difficulties in selecting reference individuals. Here, we aimed to analyse the factors affecting biochemical analytes and establish RI and age-related RI models for biochemical analytes through mining real-world big data.

Rapid inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method to determine iodine in amniotic fluid, breast milk and cerebrospinal fluid.

Background: Given that both insufficient and excess maternal iodine have adverse consequences such as poor cognitive performance, delayed physical development and increased fetal and infant mortality, the determination of maternal iodine status is very important. In this study, we established and verified a method involving inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technology for the rapid determination of the amniotic fluid iodine concentration (AFIC), breast milk iodine concentration (BMIC) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) iodine concentration (CSFIC).

Method: Amniotic fluid, breast milk and CSF were collected from residual samples at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH).

Establishing reference intervals for urine and serum iodine levels: A nationwide multicenter study of a euthyroid Chinese population.

Context: Urinary iodine (UI) is commonly used for evaluating iodine status, whereas serum iodine (SI) is more closely correlated with bioavailable iodine. However, no reliable reference intervals (RIs) for clinical use are available. We aimed to establish RIs for SI, UI, and a ratio of UI to urinary creatinine (U-Cre) applicable to the Chinese population.