scholarly journals Use of predictive tools in the management of COVID-19 patients: a key role of clinical laboratories

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Martín Grau ◽  
Clara Benavent Bofill ◽  
Ester Picó-Plana ◽  
Gemma Recio Comí ◽  
Margarida Terrón-Puig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leukocyte Count ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Gold Standard Method ◽  
Inflammatory Parameters ◽  
Emergency Units ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Clinical Illness ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic Test

AbstractObjectivesCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is widely spreading and represents a critical threat to global health. In the fight against this pandemic, provincial hospitals urgently need rapid diagnostic of COVID-19 infected patients to avoid collapsing of emergency units. However, the high demand of patients with severe acute respiratory symptoms limits the fast delivery of results by the gold standard method reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction real time (rRT-PCR) for the identification of COVID-19 positive pneumonia. The principal aim is to find other useful laboratory indicators to assist rRT-PCR tests and to help controlling of this outbreak.MethodsBlood, coagulation and inflammatory parameters were collected from a total of 309 patients classified as negative (128) and positive (181) rRT-PCR test groups. Patients were classified as positive by molecular diagnostic test.ResultsLeukocyte count (WBC), neutrophils count, lymphocytes count and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were statistically different between both groups of patients. The use of LDH/WBC ratio increases the diagnostic performance with the best area under the curve (0.783), sensibility (82%) and the best percentage (80.5%) of correctly identified COVID-19 positive patients.ConclusionsThe combination of predictive LDH/WBC ratio with clinical illness features could help in medical management of patients and improve the technical resources of hospitals, especially in a critical scenario with a large shortage of medical equipment and lack of reagents for performing rRT-PCR.

Late Identification of Chikungunya Virus in the Central Nervous System of a 2-Month-Old Infant: Persistence of Maternal-Neonatal Infection?

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 374-377
Author(s):  
Fátima C P A Di Maio Ferreira ◽  
Anamaria S V da Silva ◽  
Ana M Bispo de Filippis ◽  
Patrícia Brasil
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Transmission ◽  
Chikungunya Virus ◽  
Severe Infection ◽  
Neonatal Infection ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Cutaneous Lesions ◽  
Probable Case ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic Test

Abstract We report here a probable case of vertical transmission of chikungunya infection with confirmed maternal viremia close to labor that led to severe infection in the newborn. The newborn progressed with cutaneous lesions and irritability 2 months after vertical transmission, when chikungunya virus was detected in the infant’s CSF by a molecular diagnostic test (real-time polymerase chain reaction).

scholarly journals Application of droplet digital polymerase chain reaction of plasma methylated septin 9 on detection and early monitoring of colorectal cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi Yao Ma ◽  
Cherry Sze Yan Chan ◽  
Kam Shing Lau ◽  
Lui Ng ◽  
Yuen Yee Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Quantitative Detection ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Septin 9 ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction

AbstractMethylated septin 9 (SEPT9) has been approved for non-invasive screening of colorectal cancer (CRC), but data on monitoring of CRC is sparse. Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR), with higher detection precision and simpler quantification than conventional PCR, has not been applied in SEPT9 detection. We explored the role of SEPT9 ddPCR for CRC detection and to measure serial SEPT9 levels in blood samples of CRC patients before and 3-month after surgery. SEPT9 methylated ratio, methylated abundance, and CEA levels were all higher in CRC patients than normal controls (all P < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) for methylated ratio and abundance to detect CRC was 0.707 and 0.710, respectively. There was an increasing trend for SEPT9 methylated abundance from proximal to distal cancers (P = 0.017). At 3-month after surgery, both methylated abundance and ratio decreased (P = 0.005 and 0.053, respectively), especially methylated abundance in stage III and distal cancer (both P < 0.01). We have developed a ddPCR platform for the quantitative detection of plasma SEPT9 in CRC patients. SEPT9 methylated abundance had an early post-operative decline, which may be useful in monitoring of treatment response.

scholarly journals Cyclo-oxygenase 2, a putative mediator of vessel remodeling, is expressed in the brain AVM vessels and associates with inflammation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Keränen ◽  
Santeri Suutarinen ◽  
Rahul Mallick ◽  
Johanna P. Laakkonen ◽  
Diana Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Vessel Remodeling ◽  
Brain Avm ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Cox2 Expression

Abstract Background Brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVM) may rupture causing disability or death. BAVM vessels are characterized by abnormally high flow that in general triggers expansive vessel remodeling mediated by cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX2), the target of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. We investigated whether COX2 is expressed in bAVMs and whether it associates with inflammation and haemorrhage in these lesions. Methods Tissue was obtained from surgery of 139 bAVMs and 21 normal Circle of Willis samples. The samples were studied with immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Clinical data was collected from patient records. Results COX2 expression was found in 78% (109/139) of the bAVMs and localized to the vessels’ lumen or medial layer in 70% (95/135) of the bAVMs. Receptors for prostaglandin E2, a COX2-derived mediator of vascular remodeling, were found in the endothelial and smooth muscle cells and perivascular inflammatory cells of bAVMs. COX2 was expressed by infiltrating inflammatory cells and correlated with the extent of inflammation (r = .231, p = .007, Spearman rank correlation). COX2 expression did not associate with haemorrhage. Conclusion COX2 is induced in bAVMs, and possibly participates in the regulation of vessel wall remodelling and ongoing inflammation. Role of COX2 signalling in the pathobiology and clinical course of bAVMs merits further studies.

scholarly journals Using advanced analysis of multifocal visual-evoked potentials to evaluate the risk of clinical progression in patients with radiologically isolated syndrome

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Miguel ◽  
M. Roldán ◽  
C. Pérez-Rico ◽  
M. Ortiz ◽  
L. Boquete ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evoked Potentials ◽  
Visual Evoked Potentials ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Multifocal Visual Evoked Potentials ◽  
Radiologically Isolated Syndrome ◽  
Advanced Analysis ◽  
The Time Domain ◽  
Visual Evoked

AbstractThis study aimed to assess the role of multifocal visual-evoked potentials (mfVEPs) as a guiding factor for clinical conversion of radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS). We longitudinally followed a cohort of 15 patients diagnosed with RIS. All subjects underwent thorough ophthalmological, neurological and imaging examinations. The mfVEP signals were analysed to obtain features in the time domain (SNRmin: amplitude, Latmax: monocular latency) and in the continuous wavelet transform (CWT) domain (bmax: instant in which the CWT function maximum appears, Nmax: number of CWT function maximums). The best features were used as inputs to a RUSBoost boosting-based sampling algorithm to improve the mfVEP diagnostic performance. Five of the 15 patients developed an objective clinical symptom consistent with an inflammatory demyelinating central nervous system syndrome during follow-up (mean time: 13.40 months). The (SNRmin) variable decreased significantly in the group that converted (2.74 ± 0.92 vs. 4.07 ± 0.95, p = 0.01). Similarly, the (bmax) feature increased significantly in RIS patients who converted (169.44 ± 24.81 vs. 139.03 ± 11.95 (ms), p = 0.02). The area under the curve analysis produced SNRmin and bmax values of 0.92 and 0.88, respectively. These results provide a set of new mfVEP features that can be potentially useful for predicting prognosis in RIS patients.

scholarly journals Type III Collagen is Required for Adipogenesis and Actin Stress Fibre Formation in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 156
Author(s):  
Mohammad Al Hasan ◽  
Patricia E. Martin ◽  
Xinhua Shu ◽  
Steven Patterson ◽  
Chris Bartholomew
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Type Iii Collagen ◽  
Type Iii ◽  
Actin Stress Fibre ◽  
Matrix Gene ◽  
Gene Transcripts ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Oil Red O Staining ◽  
Oil Red O

GPR56 is required for the adipogenesis of preadipocytes, and the role of one of its ligands, type III collagen (ColIII), was investigated here. ColIII expression was examined by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting and immunostaining, and its function investigated by knockdown and genome editing in 3T3-L1 cells. Adipogenesis was assessed by oil red O staining of neutral cell lipids and production of established marker and regulator proteins. siRNA-mediated knockdown significantly reduced Col3a1 transcripts, ColIII protein and lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 differentiating cells. Col3a1−/− 3T3-L1 genome-edited cell lines abolished adipogenesis, demonstrated by a dramatic reduction in adipogenic moderators: Pparγ2 (88%) and C/ebpα (96%) as well as markers aP2 (93%) and oil red O staining (80%). Col3a1−/− 3T3-L1 cells displayed reduced cell adhesion, sustained active β-catenin and deregulation of fibronectin (Fn) and collagen (Col4a1, Col6a1) extracellular matrix gene transcripts. Col3a1−/− 3T3-L1 cells also had dramatically reduced actin stress fibres. We conclude that ColIII is required for 3T3-L1 preadipocyte adipogenesis as well as the formation of actin stress fibres. The phenotype of Col3a1−/− 3T3-L1 cells is very similar to that of Gpr56−/− 3T3-L1 cells, suggesting a functional relationship between ColIII and Gpr56 in preadipocytes.

scholarly journals Spontaneous Retroperitoneal Hematoma in COVID-19 Severe Pneumonia–Dual-phase Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) Angiogram and Role of Radiologist

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikash Kumar Gupta ◽  
Buthaina Mohammad Alkandari ◽  
Wasif Mohammed ◽  
Mohsen Ahmed Abdelmohsen ◽  
Mohammad Gaber Abdullah Mohammad
Keyword(s):  
Significant Risk ◽  
Severe Pneumonia ◽  
Retroperitoneal Hematoma ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Prophylactic Dose ◽  
Therapeutic Anticoagulation ◽  
Coagulation Tests ◽  
Polymerase Chain

AbstractStudies available in the literature have shown alterations in blood coagulation tests in severe cases of COVID-19 pneumonia, with a significant risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Since microvascular thrombosis is a well-known fact in COVID-19 disease, requiring therapeutic anticoagulation, low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in prophylactic dose is a part of the clinical management of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. In this scenario, we describe three cases of abdominal spontaneous retroperitoneal hematoma (SRH) in hospitalized reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 patients.

scholarly journals High Frequency of Cryptosporidium hominis Infecting Infants Points to A Potential Anthroponotic Transmission in Maputo, Mozambique

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 293
Author(s):  
Idalécia Cossa-Moiane ◽  
Hermínio Cossa ◽  
Adilson Fernando Loforte Bauhofer ◽  
Jorfélia Chilaúle ◽  
Esperança Lourenço Guimarães ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
P Value ◽  
Cryptosporidium Hominis ◽  
Cryptosporidium Spp ◽  
Pcr Rflp ◽  
Maputo City ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Cryptosporidium is one of the most important causes of diarrhea in children less than 2 years of age. In this study, we report the frequency, risk factors and species of Cryptosporidium detected by molecular diagnostic methods in children admitted to two public hospitals in Maputo City, Mozambique. We studied 319 patients under the age of five years who were admitted due to diarrhea between April 2015 and February 2016. Single stool samples were examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts, microscopically by using a Modified Ziehl–Neelsen (mZN) staining method and by using Polymerase Chain Reaction and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique using 18S ribosomal RNA gene as a target. Overall, 57.7% (184/319) were males, the median age (Interquartile range, IQR) was 11.0 (7–15) months. Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were detected in 11.0% (35/319) by microscopy and in 35.4% (68/192) using PCR-RFLP. The most affected age group were children older than two years, [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 5.861; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.532–22.417; p-value < 0.05]. Children with illiterate caregivers had higher risk of infection (aOR: 1.688; 95% CI: 1.001–2.845; p-value < 0.05). An anthroponotic species C. hominis was found in 93.0% (27/29) of samples. Our findings demonstrated that cryptosporidiosis in children with diarrhea might be caused by anthroponomic transmission.

scholarly journals Genomic Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Madrid, Spain, during the First Wave of the Pandemic: Fast Spread and Early Dominance by D614G Variants

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 454
Author(s):  
Esther Viedma ◽  
Elias Dahdouh ◽  
José González-Alba ◽  
Sara González-Bodi ◽  
Laura Martínez-García ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Transportation ◽  
European Population ◽  
Viral Population ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Viral Genomes ◽  
Genomic Epidemiology ◽  
International Transport ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Phylodynamic Analysis

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first detected in Madrid, Spain, on 25 February 2020. It increased in frequency very fast and by the end of May more than 70,000 cases had been confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). To study the lineages and the diversity of the viral population during this first epidemic wave in Madrid we sequenced 224 SARS-CoV-2 viral genomes collected from three hospitals from February to May 2020. All the known major lineages were found in this set of samples, though B.1 and B.1.5 were the most frequent ones, accounting for more than 60% of the sequences. In parallel with the B lineages and sublineages, the D614G mutation in the Spike protein sequence was detected soon after the detection of the first coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) case in Madrid and in two weeks became dominant, being found in 80% of the samples and remaining at this level during all the study periods. The lineage composition of the viral population found in Madrid was more similar to the European population than to the publicly available Spanish data, underlining the role of Madrid as a national and international transport hub. In agreement with this, phylodynamic analysis suggested multiple independent entries before the national lockdown and air transportation restrictions.

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