Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aris Katzourakis
Summary: This article highlights the dangers of overly optimistic assumptions on public health and urges policymakers to take immediate action in shaping the future.
Article
Immunology
Madhusudhanan Narasimhan, Lenin Mahimainathan, Ellen Araj, Andrew E. Clark, Kathleen Wilkinson, Sruthi Yekkaluri, Jasmin Tiro, Francesca M. Lee, Jyoti Balani, Ravi Sarode, Amit G. Singal, Alagarraju Muthukumar
Summary: The study evaluated the utility of a combination orthogonal serological testing (COST) algorithm alongside RT-PCR to quantify infection prevalence, with the aim of identifying patient clusters for single dose and/or delayed vaccination. The results showed that IgG(NC) serology could identify twice the number of COVID-positive cases compared to RT-PCR alone, and COST further increased the number of detected positive cases, demonstrating its potential as an effective tool for vaccination prioritization.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Mario Luciano de Melo Silva Junior, Livia Maria Alves de Souza, Renata Ellen Maria Carvalho Dutra, Ramon Goncalves de Melo Valente, Thayanara Silva Melo
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 has unique mechanisms of transmission and pathogenesis, leading to cytokine storm through various pathways. Current therapeutic strategies in clinical trials mainly focus on blocking viral entry and controlling cytokine storm response.
POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Ahmadreza Niavarani, Hossein Poustchi, Amaneh Shayanrad, Maryam Sharafkhah, Zahra Mohammadi, Fariborz Mansour-Ghanaei, Farahnaz Joukar, Gholamreza Roshandel, Ahmad Hormati, Reza Ghadimi, Khosro Sadeghniiat-Haghighi, Alireza Abdollahi, Masoud Mardani, Ayad Bahadorimonfared, Shahla Ghanbari, Alireza Delavari, Abbas Vosoogh-Moghaddam, Mohammad Zamani, Farzin Roozafzai, Saba Alvand, Maryam Darvishian, Reza Malekzadeh
Summary: Our study explored the relationship between serologic responses to COVID-19 and clinical presentations in a cohort of 472 adults over a 3-month follow-up period. Results showed associations between blood type A and gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms, as well as associations between IgM levels, pre-existing cirrhosis, and certain symptoms. Furthermore, IgG levels were strongly linked to age, gender, and lung involvement, with differences observed in anosmia, body mass index, and diarrhea duration among antibody sustainers compared to decayers.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Philip C. Robinson, David F. L. Liew, Helen L. Tanner, John R. Grainger, Raymond A. Dwek, Ronald B. Reisler, Lawrence Steinman, Marc Feldmann, Ling-Pei Ho, Tracy Hussell, Paul Moss, Duncan Richards, Nicole Zitzmann
Summary: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and the resulting COVID-19 pandemic have had a significant impact on global society. While substantial investment in life sciences has led to rapid advancements in viral characterization, testing, and the development of highly effective vaccines, drug treatments for COVID-19 have been limited. Innovative approaches in clinical trials and repurposing existing drugs have saved lives, but there is still a need for further development of therapeutics. It is important to address the challenges and unmet needs in order to prepare for future pandemics and ensure the cost-effective development and equitable distribution of new therapeutics.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Farrell A. Tobolowsky, Michelle A. Waltenburg, Erin D. Moritz, Melia Haile, Juliana C. DaSilva, Amy J. Schuh, Natalie J. Thornburg, Adrianna Westbrook, Susannah L. McKay, Stephen P. LaVoie, Jennifer M. Folster, Jennifer L. Harcourt, Azaibi Tamin, Megan M. Stumpf, Lisa Mills, Brandi Freeman, Sandra Lester, Elizabeth Beshearse, Kristin D. Lecy, Laura G. Brown, Geroncio Fajardo, Jeanne Negley, L. Clifford McDonald, Preeta K. Kutty, Allison C. Brown
Summary: Limited data are available regarding SARS-CoV-2-specific immune responses and their durability in nursing home residents following infection and vaccination. This study found that nursing home residents exhibited robust immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 both post-infection and post-vaccination. The post-vaccination antibody responses were significantly higher than those post-infection, indicating enhanced protection among previously infected individuals.
Article
Virology
Ozgur M. Koc, Eva van Oorschot, Lloyd Brandts, Astrid Oude Lashof
Summary: This study evaluated the optimal timing of primary three-dose hepatitis B vaccination and postvaccination serologic testing (PVST) among a large group of healthy naive adults in the Netherlands. The results showed that PVST should be obtained 1-2 months after the last vaccination, and a delayed PVST was the main factor for lower seroprotection rates after the primary vaccination schedule. Furthermore, the hepatitis B vaccination allows flexibility for the second and third dose without restarting the vaccination series or confirmation of immune response.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Sabrina E. Racine-Brzostek, Jim K. Yee, Ashley Sukhu, Yuqing Qiu, Sophie Rand, Paul D. Barone, Ying Hao, He S. Yang, Qing H. Meng, Fred S. Apple, Yuanyuan Shi, Amy Chadburn, Encouse Golden, Silvia C. Formenti, Melissa M. Cushing, Zhen Zhao
Summary: Longitudinal study investigated SARS-CoV-2 antibody response in individuals with different vaccination and infection status. It was found that individuals without prior COVID-19 infection took longer to generate antibodies after the first vaccine dose, while those previously infected had higher and more persistent antibody levels.
News Item
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Roxanne Khamsi
Summary: Evidence suggests that self-attacking autoantibodies may be crucial in understanding some of the most severe cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Farrell A. Tobolowsky, Michelle D. Waltenburg, Erin Moritz, Melia C. Haile, Juliana J. DaSilva, Amy J. Schuh, Natalie Thornburg, Adrianna L. Westbrook, Susannah P. McKay, Stephen M. LaVoie, Jennifer L. Folster, Jennifer Harcourt, Azaibi M. Tamin, Megan Stumpf, Lisa Mills, Brandi Freeman, Sandra Lester, Elizabeth D. Beshearse, Kristin G. Lecy, Laura Brown, Geroncio Fajardo, Jeanne Negley, L. Clifford K. McDonald, Preeta C. Kutty, Allison Brown
Summary: This study evaluated the immune responses of nursing home residents following infection with SARS-CoV-2 and subsequent COVID-19 vaccination. The results showed that the residents mounted robust immune responses both after infection and vaccination, with higher antibody levels observed after vaccination.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Mai N. Vu, Hannah G. Kelly, Stephen J. Kent, Adam K. Wheatley
Summary: COVID-19 has caused massive health and economic disruptions globally, and mass vaccination is the most efficient way to end the pandemic. Nanoparticle-based vaccines are becoming increasingly important in extending or improving vaccination outcomes against COVID-19, with over 26 candidates in clinical testing and around 60 more in pre-clinical development. The emerging promise of nanotechnology in vaccine design and manufacturing to combat SARS-CoV-2 presents both opportunities and challenges.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Anant Parasher
Summary: COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has rapidly spread globally and presents in a spectrum of mild, moderate, and severe illness. Diagnosis is currently based on reverse-transcription PCR of nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab samples, with treatment including ventilation, antipyretics, antivirals, antibiotics, and steroids.
POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pavlo Gilchuk, Isaac Thomsen, Sandra Yoder, Eric Brady, James D. Chappell, Laura J. Stevens, Mark R. Denison, Rachel E. Sutton, Rita E. Chen, Laura A. VanBlargan, Naveenchandra Suryadevara, Seth J. Zost, Jonathan Schmitz, Jill M. Pulley, Michael S. Diamond, Jillian P. Rhoads, Gordon R. Bernard, Wesley H. Self, Todd W. Rice, Allison P. Wheeler, James E. Crowe, Robert H. Carnahan
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for rapid evaluation of neutralizing antibody responses and the development of antibody-based treatments. The currently approved serological tests do not measure antibody-mediated viral neutralization, and there is a need for standardized quantitative neutralization assays. This study presents a high-throughput two-step profiling approach for identifying neutralizing convalescent plasma. Additionally, the researchers introduce a neutralizing antibody standard reagent to calibrate antibody neutralizing activity in convalescent plasma.
Article
Medicine, Legal
Paul Baldrick
Summary: In the past few years, therapies have been developed for COVID-19 vaccination and treatment. Nonclinical studies were conducted to obtain authorization, and it was found that the number and types of studies required for regulatory agency authorization have not been reduced.
REGULATORY TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Moriah Bergwerk, Tal Gonen, Yaniv Lustig, Sharon Amit, Marc Lipsitch, Carmit Cohen, Michal Mandelboim, Einav Gal Levin, Carmit Rubin, Victoria Indenbaum, Ilana Tal, Malka Zavitan, Neta Zuckerman, Adina Bar-Chaim, Yitshak Kreiss, Gili Regev-Yochay
Summary: Among fully vaccinated health care workers, breakthrough infections with SARS-CoV-2 were correlated with neutralizing antibody titers during the peri-infection period. Most breakthrough infections were mild or asymptomatic, although persistent symptoms did occur.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Daniela Karnutsch, Francesca Occhipinti, Daniel Tumiatti, Thomas Mueller
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate if interventions changing the internal quality control strategy would influence the risk management index for various laboratory parameters. The results showed that the interventions did not significantly improve the RMI values. Further interventional studies are needed to explore ways to measurably enhance patient safety in clinical routines.
LABORATORY MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Maja Schlittler, Hannes Gatterer, Rachel Turner, Ivo B. Regli, Simon Woyke, Giacomo Strapazzon, Peter Rasmussen, Michael Kob, Thomas Mueller, Jens P. Goetze, Marc Maillard, Gerrit van Hall, Eric Feraille, Christoph Siebenmann
Summary: Acclimatization to hypoxia leads to a reduction in plasma volume, which is driven by oncotically redistributing fluid from the intravascular to extravascular space rather than fluid loss.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2021)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Wouter C. Meijers, Antoni Bayes-Genis, Alexandre Mebazaa, Johann Bauersachs, John G. F. Cleland, Andrew J. S. Coats, James L. Januzzi, Alan S. Maisel, Kenneth McDonald, Thomas Mueller, A. Mark Richards, Petar Seferovic, Christian Mueller, Rudolf A. de Boer
Summary: This review examined the most promising emerging biomarkers for the clinical assessment and management of patients with heart failure, including high-sensitivity cardiac troponins, procalcitonin, novel kidney markers, sST2, galectin-3, GDF-15, CD146, neprilysin, and ADM. Analytical considerations, diagnostic and prognostic performance, potential implementation in clinical algorithms, and ongoing clinical trials were discussed for each biomarker.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HEART FAILURE
(2021)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Thomas Mueller, Julia Kompatscher, Mario La Guardia
Summary: This study found that the Elecsys SARS-CoV-2 antigen assay has low sensitivity for detecting SARS-CoV-2 from nasopharyngeal swabs, leading to the decision not to use this assay in the clinical routine of the hospital.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Katharina Thuile, Katia Giacomuzzi, Erika Jani, Peter Marschang, Thomas Mueller
Summary: This study evaluated the in vitro stability of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in blood samples under different storage conditions. It found that DOACs were stable for up to 24 hours at room temperature and 4 degrees C, with acceptable recovery rates even after freezer storage and multiple freeze-thaw cycles. Therefore, transportation and storage of blood samples for DOAC measurements in clinical practice are unlikely to be problematic.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL & LABORATORY INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Niina Pitkanen, Armin Finkenstedt, Claudia Lamina, Markus Juonala, Mika Kahonen, Kari-Matti Makela, Benjamin Dieplinger, Andre Viveiros, Andreas Melmer, Isabella Leitner, Ludmilla Kedenko, Ilkka Seppala, Jorma S. A. Viikari, Thomas Mueller, Florian Kronenberg, Bernhard Paulweber, Terho Lehtimaki, Heinz Zoller, Olli T. Raitakari, Hans Dieplinger
Summary: This study found that afamin concentrations are significantly higher in patients with NAFLD and independently predict the development of NAFLD. In a population-based cohort followed for 10 years, afamin concentrations were positively associated with the development of NAFLD.
CLINICAL CHEMISTRY AND LABORATORY MEDICINE
(2022)
Letter
Medical Laboratory Technology
Thomas Mueller
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Martin Ioculano, Francesca Occhipinti, Daniel Tumiatti, Stefan Platzgummer, Christina Troi, Brigitte Wierer, Thomas Mueller
Summary: The study found significant differences in proficiency testing results among the seven medical laboratories in South Tyrol, with laboratories 1-3 outperforming laboratories 4-7. The lack of participation in several PT cycles by laboratories 4-7 in 2018 and registration in the wrong homogeneous group for some analytes by laboratories 4 and 5 seem to be responsible for the poorer results.
CLINICAL LABORATORY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Denise Traxler, Matthias Zimmermann, Elisabeth Simader, Elisa Einwallner, Dragan Copic, Alexandra Graf, Thomas Mueller, Cecilia Veraar, Mitja Lainscak, Robert Marcun, Mitja Kosnik, Matjaz Flezar, Ales Rozman, Peter Korosec, Walter Klepetko, Bernhard Moser, Hendrik J. Ankersmit
Summary: The study investigated the trajectory of fractional HSP27 urine excretion after acute exacerbation in COPD patients. It found that HSP27 urine excretion increased after exacerbation, especially in severe cases, and was associated with disease severity. Patients with lower HSP27 urine excretion levels showed significantly worse short-term survival outcomes.
ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Jiansheng Lin, Weihua Lin, Yiming Lin, Weilin Peng, Zhenzhu Zheng
Summary: This study retrospectively analyzed the cases of Chinese infants with NICCD and identified multiple genetic mutations. The study also found comorbidity of NICCD and other inborn errors of metabolism in some patients.
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Review
Medical Laboratory Technology
Lihua Guan, Wei Su, Jian Zhong, Ling Qiu
Summary: Multiple myeloma is characterized by excessive production of monoclonal immunoglobulins. Routine screening methods are insufficient for detecting low levels of M proteins, but advances in mass spectrometry enable reliable detection of low abundance serum biomarkers for minimal residual disease assessment in multiple myeloma.
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Liya Zhu, Chao Zhu, Jialie Jin, Jinxin Wang, Xiaojing Zhao, Rongxi Yang
Summary: This study found an association between blood-based ITGB2 methylation and coronary heart disease (CHD), with hypomethylation of ITGB2 being a risk factor for CHD. Additionally, the combination of ITGB2 methylation and conventional CHD risk factors could efficiently discriminate CHD patients from controls.
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
H. Al Habobe, E. B. Haverkort, K. Nazmi, A. P. Van Splunter, R. H. H. Pieters, F. J. Bikker
Summary: Saliva diagnostics have become popular due to their non-invasive nature and patient-friendly collection process. However, the choice of saliva collection method can affect the measured levels of various biomarkers.
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Abdurrahman Coskun, Anna Carobene, Ozlem Demirelce, Michele Mussap, Federica Braga, Ebru Sezer, Aasne Karine Aarsand, Sverre Sandberg, Pilar Fernandez Calle, Jorge Diaz-Garzon, Metincan Erkaya, Cihan Coskun, Esila Nur Erol, Hunkar Dag, Bill Bartlett, Mustafa Serteser, Niels Jonker, Ibrahim Unsal
Summary: In this study, BV estimates for 22 AAs were provided based on a large sample size, and it was found that there are differences in CVI estimates between males and females for most AAs, which has implications for the clinical interpretation and use of AAs.
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Review
Medical Laboratory Technology
Valentinus Besin, Farizky Martriano Humardani, Trilis Yulianti, Matthew Justyn
Summary: The study of Parkinson's Disease in Asian populations has revealed the impact of genetic variants on multiple biological pathways and highlighted shared genetic susceptibility with other diseases. These findings emphasize the importance of personalized treatment based on individual genetic profiles.
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Review
Medical Laboratory Technology
Simona Ferraro, Sara Benedetti, Savina Mannarino, Santica Marcovina, Elia Mario Biganzoli, Gianvincenzo Zuccotti
Summary: Risk stratification for cardio-vascular disease should be implemented in childhood to promote early prevention strategies, as atherosclerotic lesions can be present even in very young individuals. Evaluating pediatric CV risk factors/clinical conditions and conducting lipid profile and genetic testing can help identify children at risk of future CV events and guide appropriate therapeutic options.
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Review
Medical Laboratory Technology
Ahmad Mobed, Bita Abdi, Sajjad Masoumi, Mohammad Mikaeili, Elham Shaterian, Hamed Shaterian, Esmat Sadat Kazemi, Mahdiye Shirafkan
Summary: Reproductive biomarkers play important regulatory roles in women. The discovery and quantification of these biomarkers are clinically significant. Various detection strategies, including nanotechnology-based methods, have been developed. This article provides an in-depth introduction to the latest advances in biosensor and nanosensor research for detecting and quantitatively identifying reproductive biomarkers.
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Chengfang Tang, Fang Tang, Yanna Cai, Minyi Tan, Sichi Liu, Ting Xie, Xiang Jiang, Yonglan Huang
Summary: This study proposes an effective method for screening X-ALD and evaluates the performance of newborn screening for X-ALD in Guangzhou. The LC-MS/MS method can accurately identify X-ALD through analysis of C26:0-LPC.
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Lan Liu, Jiamin Wang, Xijing Liu, Jing Wang, Lin Chen, Hongmei Zhu, Jingqun Mai, Ting Hu, Shanling Liu
Summary: The 16p11.2 deletion is a common genetic cause of neurodevelopmental disorders, with prenatal and postnatal presentations including vertebral malformations and language impairment. The majority of deletions are de novo and may be associated with MAPK3 and histidine-associated metabolism.
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Sneha Venkatesalu, Shanmugapriya Dilliyappan, Avanthika Satish Kumar, Thirunavukkarasu Palaniyandi, Gomathy Baskar, Maddaly Ravi, Asha Sivaji
Summary: Microfluidics is a science and technology that deals with less sample-to-more precision in vitro analysis. It has wide applications in cancer theranostics, enabling precise diagnosis and personalized treatment.
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Review
Medical Laboratory Technology
Yuanqin Zhao, Wei Deng, Zhaoyue Wang, Yanxia Wang, Hongyu Zheng, Kun Zhou, Qian Xu, Le Bai, Huiting Liu, Zhong Ren, Zhisheng Jiang
Summary: The cardiovascular system and the central nervous system exhibit a coordinated developmental process during embryonic development. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital disorder, and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) are common complications in CHD patients. Both genetic and non-genetic factors contribute to the co-occurrence of CHD and NDD. Further research should focus on identifying common molecular mechanisms underlying this co-occurrence and promoting the research and treatment of developmental disorders related to the cardiovascular and central nervous systems.
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Karol Gostomczyk, Ewelina Lukaszewska, Jedrzej Borowczak, Anita Bator, Marek Zdrenka, Magdalena Bodnar, Lukasz Szylberg
Summary: Flow cytometry improves the detection of epithelial cancer cells in peritoneal and pleural fluids compared to conventional cytology. Due to similar speciflcity and higher sensitivity, flow cytometry offers a promising alternative to cytology for patient screening.
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Heping Tian, Genghuan Wang, Qi Zhong, Haihang Zhou
Summary: This study found that the decline of serum ITIH4 concentrations during the early phase after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) was closely related to the severity and poor prognosis of the disease. Serum ITIH4 may represent a promising prognostic biomarker of aSAH.
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Xueting Zhu, Yang Yu, Jun Zhang, Yuxia Zhan, Guanghua Luo, Lu Zheng
Summary: This study successfully established a 2D-PCR method for identifying HLA-B*15:02 through a two-tube reaction. This method can distinguish HLA-B*15:02 from 16 highly homologous HLA-B*15 alleles. Among 1830 samples from the clinical general population, 3 HLA-B*15:02 homozygotes and 84 HLA-B*15:02 heterozygotes were detected.
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)