Development and validation of a simple and rapid way to generate low volume of plasma to be used in point-of-care HIV virus load technologies

Ovarian cancer is the second most lethal gynecological malignancy. The tumour biomarker CA125 has been used as the primary ovarian cancer marker for the past four decades. The focus on diagnosing ovarian cancer in stages I and II using CA125 as a diagnostic biomarker has not improved patients’ survival. Therefore, screening average-risk asymptomatic women with CA125 is not recommended by any professional society. The dualistic model of ovarian cancer carcinogenesis suggests that type II tumours are responsible for the majority of ovarian cancer mortality. However, type II tumours are rarely diagnosed in stages I and II. The recent shift of focus to the diagnosis of low volume type II ovarian cancer in its early stages of evolution provides a new and valuable target for screening. Type II ovarian cancers are usually diagnosed in advanced stages and have significantly higher CA125 levels than type I tumours. The detection of low volume type II carcinomas in stage IIIa/b is associated with a higher likelihood for optimal cytoreduction, the most robust prognostic indicator for ovarian cancer patients. The diagnosis of type II ovarian cancer in the early substages of stage III with CA125 may be possible using a higher cutoff point rather than the traditionally used 35 U/mL through the use of point-of-care CA125 assays in primary care facilities. Rapid point-of-care testing also has the potential for effective longitudinal screening and quick monitoring of ovarian cancer patients during and after treatment. This review covers the role of CA125 in the diagnosis and management of ovarian cancer and explores novel and more effective screening strategies with CA125.

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Risk factors for Blastocystis infection in HIV/AIDS patients with highly active antiretroviral therapy in Southwest China

Infectious Diseases of Poverty ◽

10.1186/s40249-019-0596-7 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Shun-Xian Zhang ◽

Fen-Yan Kang ◽

Jia-Xu Chen ◽

Li-Guang Tian ◽

Lan-Lan Geng

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

T Cell ◽

Cell Count ◽

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Southwest China ◽

Mammalian Species ◽

Aids Patients ◽

Virus Load ◽

Hiv Virus ◽

Hiv Aids

Abstract Background Blastocystis is a widespread zoonotic protozoan of mammalian species, especially in HIV/AIDS individuals. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence and risk factors related with Blastocystis infection among HIV/AIDS patients in Southwest China. Methods The cross-sectional study was performed in 311 HIV/AIDS cases in Tengchong City, Yunnan Province from July 2016 to March 2017. For each subject, stool specimen was collected to detect the Blastocystis, and the blood sample was used to detect HIV virus load and CD4+ T cell count, in addition, structured questionnaire was used to collect the basic information and risk factors. Findings The result showed that the detection rate of Blastocystis was 3.86% (95% CI: 2.22–6.62) among HIV/AIDS patients. Both raising animal (OR = 12.93, 95% CI: 1.54–108.36) and drinking un-boiled water (OR = 8.17, 95% CI: 1.76–37.90) were risk factors for Blastocystis infection in HIV/AIDS individuals. In addition, the interaction of CD4+ T cell count and HIV virus load was also contribution to Blastocystis infection (P = 0.007). Conclusions A high prevalence of Blastocystis infection was found in HIV/AIDS patients in Tengchong. Poor hygienic habits, the interaction of HIV virus load and CD4+ T cell count were identified as main risk factors for infection. These results will help us to develop efficient control strategies to intervene with and prevent the occurrence of Blastocystis among HIV-infected individuals.

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Variation in HIV virus load of individuals at different stages in infection

AIDS ◽

10.1097/00002030-199001001-00013 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 4 (Supp 1) ◽

pp. S85 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Peter Simmonds

Keyword(s):

Virus Load ◽

Hiv Virus

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Recent advances in nanoplasmonic biosensors: applications and lab-on-a-chip integration

Nanophotonics ◽

10.1515/nanoph-2016-0101 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 123-136 ◽

Cited By ~ 99

Author(s):

Gerardo A. Lopez ◽

M.-Carmen Estevez ◽

Maria Soler ◽

Laura M. Lechuga

Keyword(s):

Point Of Care ◽

Lab On A Chip ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Optical Biosensor ◽

Point Of View ◽

Localized Surface Plasmon ◽

Interesting Candidate ◽

Potential Benefits ◽

Increasing Demand ◽

Development And Validation

AbstractMotivated by the recent progress in the nanofabrication field and the increasing demand for cost-effective, portable, and easy-to-use point-of-care platforms, localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) biosensors have been subjected to a great scientific interest in the last few years. The progress observed in the research of this nanoplasmonic technology is remarkable not only from a nanostructure fabrication point of view but also in the complete development and integration of operative devices and their application. The potential benefits that LSPR biosensors can offer, such as sensor miniaturization, multiplexing opportunities, and enhanced performances, have quickly positioned them as an interesting candidate in the design of lab-on-a-chip (LOC) optical biosensor platforms. This review covers specifically the most significant achievements that occurred in recent years towards the integration of this technology in compact devices, with views of obtaining LOC devices. We also discuss the most relevant examples of the use of the nanoplasmonic biosensors for real bioanalytical and clinical applications from assay development and validation to the identification of the implications, requirements, and challenges to be surpassed to achieve fully operative devices.

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