Commercial nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) have become one of the most frequently used tests for detecting Chalmydia trachomatis. However, published studies have raised important concerns regarding the NAAT evaluation process in general and their reproducibility and clinical specificity in particular. This is because for many infectious diseases including chlamydia, a true gold standard simply does not exist and, as a result, estimation of test performance parameters in the absence of a gold standard is a difficult and challenging task. In this manuscript, we will attempt to address some issues pertaining to the evaluation of NAATs including NAAT reproducibility, test validity, and the manner in which positive NAAT results are confirmed. Finally, we will discuss some of the potential clinical and public health implications of testing by NAATs.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10096-008-0586-3 | DOI Listing |
Nucleosides Nucleotides Nucleic Acids
January 2025
Urology & Nephrology Center, Department of Nephrology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.
In the early stages, chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be asymptomatic, marking diagnosis difficult. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic role and potential regulatory mechanisms of nucleolar protein 14 (NOP14) -antisense RNA 1 (AS1) in patients with CKD. Herein, 68 patients with CKD, 65 patients with CKD undergoing peridialysis, and 80 healthy adults were included.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMol Biol Rep
January 2025
Department of Integrative Biology, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India.
Telomerase, constituted by the dynamic duo of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), the catalytic entity, and an integral RNA component (TERC), is predominantly suppressed in differentiated human cells due to postnatal transcriptional repression of the TERT gene. Dysregulation of telomerase significantly contributes to cancer development via telomere-dependent and independent mechanisms. Telomerase activity is often elevated in advanced cancers, with TERT reactivation and upregulation of TERC observed in early tumorigenesis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAppl Microbiol Biotechnol
January 2025
Key Laboratory of Marine Ranching, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, 510300, China.
The construction of artificial reefs (ARs) is an effective way to restore habitats and increase and breed fishery resources in marine ranches. However, studies on the impacts of ARs on the structure, function, and assembly patterns of the bacterial community (BC), which is important in biogeochemical cycles, are lacking. The compositions, diversities, assembly patterns, predicted functions, and key environmental factors of the attached and free-living microbial communities in five-year ARs (O-ARs) and one-year ARs (N-ARs) in Fangchenggang, China, were analyzed via 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlanta
January 2025
School of Life Sciences and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl. Ganesha No. 10, Bandung, 40132, Indonesia.
The exogenous application of RNAi technology offers new promises for crops improvement. Cell-based or synthetically produced strands are economical, non-transgenic and could induce the same responses. The substantial population growth demands novel strategies to produce crops without further damaging the environment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInflamm Res
January 2025
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
Background: Sclerostin (SOST) is traditionally regarded as an osteocyte-derived secreted glycoprotein that regulates bone mineralization. Recent studies reported that SOST is also released from non-skeletal sources, especially during inflammation. However, the cellular source and regulatory mechanisms governing SOST generation in inflammation remain unclear.
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