scholarly journals Combined test of serum CgA and NSE improved the power of prognosis prediction of NF-pNETs

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 169-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Lv ◽  
Xu Han ◽  
Chunyan Zhang ◽  
Yuan Fang ◽  
Ning Pu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuroendocrine Tumors ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Neuron Specific Enolase ◽  
Tumor Grade ◽  
Clinical Value ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Individual Values ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Combined Test ◽  
The Mean

Purpose Chromogranin A (CgA) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) are important markers for neuroendocrine tumors; however, the clinical value of combining these markers has not been well studied. In this study, we investigated the utility of each marker individually and in combination for patients with nonfunctional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NF-pNETs). Patients and Methods In this study, NF-pNET patients and controls were recruited from December 2011 to March 2016; 784 serum samples from peripheral vein were collected. The clinical characteristics and biomarker values of all the individuals were recorded and analyzed. Tumor burdens were calculated by CT/MRI scan. Receiver-operating characteristic curves were constructed to assess the diagnostic predictive values; sensitivity and specificity were calculated to determine the cut-off value. Therapeutic responses reflected on the changes of the biomarkers’ concentration were assessed by the RECIST criterion. Clinical relations between the prognosis and the biomarker values were also analyzed. Statistical significance was defined as P value less than 0.05. Results Among the 167 NF-pNETs patients, 82 were males (49.1%) and the mean age was 50.0 (17.4). The mean CgA values of G1, G2 and G3 NF-pNENs were 75, 121 and 134 μg/L (P < 0.05), respectively. In NF-pNETs, CgA correlated with the WHO tumor grade (WHO G1 vs G2, P < 0.05); the linear regression relationships were found between the tumor burdens (both in pancreas and liver) and CgA concentration (P < 0.001); changes in CgA and NSE concentrations also reflect treatment response (P < 0.001). Conclusion CgA and NSE are important diagnostic and follow-up markers in patients with NF-pNETs. The combined monitoring of CgA and NSE possesses more accuracy than individual values of CgA and NSE at predicting prognosis and disease progression.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Serum CA 125 Levels in Patients with Pelvic Pain Related to Endometriosis

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 200-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Maiorana ◽  
C. Cicerone ◽  
M. Niceta ◽  
L. Alio
Keyword(s):  
Pelvic Pain ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Ca 125 ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Clinical Value ◽  
Operative Laparoscopy ◽  
Patient Series ◽  
The Mean

The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical value of the serum CA 125 level for diagnosing and determining the severity of endometriosis and pelvic pain associated with endometriosis. Eighty-six women who underwent operative laparoscopy were enrolled. Sixty-nine women with endometriosis and 17 without endometriosis participated in this study. In all of the patients, endometriosis was diagnosed and classified into stages according to the Revised American Fertility Society (R-AFS) classification. The mean serum CA 125 levels were determined in each patient. We also investigated the relationship between serum CA 125 concentration and the intensity of dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia in the study group. The mean serum CA 125 levels of women with endometriosis were higher than those of the control group (p<0.050). However, the mean serum CA 125 levels were higher in stage IV than in other stages of endometriosis according to the R-AFS classification. On the other hand, the percentage of patients with serum CA 125 levels >35 U/mL was elevated in the subgroups with severe dyspareunia and severe dysmenorrhea versus the asymptomatic subgroup but the differences had no statistical significance. In conclusion, CA 125 serum levels were related to endometriosis and R-AFS score in the evaluated patient series. No correlation was found between serum levels of CA 125 and pelvic pain in patients with endometriosis.

scholarly journals Validation of a Cytotechnologist Manual Counting Service for the Ki67 Index in Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Pancreas and Gastrointestinal Tract

2018 ◽  
Vol 142 (3) ◽  
pp. 402-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennielee Cottenden ◽  
Emily R. Filter ◽  
Jon Cottreau ◽  
David Moore ◽  
Martin Bullock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuroendocrine Tumors ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor ◽  
Tumor Grade ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Ki67 Index ◽  
Perfect Agreement ◽  
Manual Count ◽  
Manual Counting ◽  
The Mean

Context.— Pathologists routinely assess Ki67 immunohistochemistry to grade gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Unfortunately, manual counts of the Ki67 index are very time consuming and eyeball estimation has been criticized as unreliable. Manual Ki67 counts performed by cytotechnologists could potentially save pathologist time and improve accuracy. Objective.— To assess the concordance between manual Ki67 index counts performed by cytotechnologists versus eyeball estimates and manual Ki67 counts by pathologists. Design.— One Ki67 immunohistochemical stain was retrieved from each of 18 archived gastrointestinal or pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor resections. We compared pathologists' Ki67 eyeball estimates on glass slides and printed color images with manual counts performed by 3 cytotechnologists and gold standard manual Ki67 index counts by 3 pathologists. Results.— Tumor grade agreement between pathologist image eyeball estimate and gold standard pathologist manual count was fair (κ = 0.31; 95% CI, 0.030–0.60). In 9 of 20 cases (45%), the mean pathologist eyeball estimate was 1 grade higher than the mean pathologist manual count. There was almost perfect agreement in classifying tumor grade between the mean cytotechnologist manual count and the mean pathologist manual count (κ = 0.910; 95% CI, 0.697–1.00). In 20 cases, there was only 1 grade disagreement between the 2 methods. Eyeball estimation by pathologists required less than 1 minute, whereas manual counts by pathologists required a mean of 17 minutes per case. Conclusions.— Eyeball estimation of the Ki67 index has a high rate of tumor grade misclassification compared with manual counting. Cytotechnologist manual counts are accurate and save pathologist time.

scholarly journals Serum long noncoding RNA urothelial carcinoma-associated 1: A novel biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 348-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi-kun Zheng ◽  
Cui Pang ◽  
Yang Yang ◽  
Qiong Duan ◽  
Ju Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Urothelial Carcinoma ◽  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
Tumor Grade ◽  
High Serum ◽  
Clinicopathological Parameters ◽  
Clinical Value ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Large Tumor ◽  
Noninvasive Biomarker

Objective Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) offer great potential as cancer biomarkers. This study was performed to assess the applicability of serum lncRNA urothelial carcinoma-associated 1 (UCA1) as a diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods We examined UCA1 expression in serum samples from 105 patients with HCC, 105 patients with benign liver disease (BLD), and 105 healthy volunteers using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and analyzed the relationship between serum UCA1 and clinicopathological parameters of HCC as well as survival. Results Expression of serum UCA1 was significantly higher in patients with HCC and allowed for discrimination of HCC from BLD and healthy controls. High expression of serum UCA1 was significantly associated with a high tumor grade, large tumor size, positive vascular invasion, and advanced TNM stage. Multivariate analysis revealed that a high serum UCA1 level was an independent unfavorable prognostic factor for HCC. Conclusions Our results confirm the upregulation of serum UCA1 expression in HCC and indicate its clinical value as a noninvasive biomarker for HCC screening and prognostic prediction.

Comparison of the novel Maglumi ferritin immunoluminometric assay with Beckman Coulter DxI 800 ferritin

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariella Dipalo ◽  
Cecilia Gnocchi ◽  
Rosalia Aloe ◽  
Giuseppe Lippi
Keyword(s):  
The Novel ◽  
Clinical Value ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
Clinical Laboratories ◽  
Upper Limits ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Automated Technique ◽  
Spearman’S Correlation ◽  
Local Laboratory

AbstractThe demand for routine measurement of ferritin is constantly increasing in clinical laboratories due to the clinical value of this biomarker for diagnosing anemia. Therefore, this study was aimed to compare the newly commercialized Maglumi ferritin immunoluminometric assay with a validated commercial and fully automated technique.The comparison study included 95 consecutive inpatient serum samples referred to the local laboratory for routine ferritin measurement. Serum was separated, divided in two paired aliquots and immediately analyzed with both Beckman Coulter DxI 800 and Maglumi 2000. Correlation was assessed with Deming fit and Spearman’s correlation, the mean bias was estimated with Bland-Altman plot. The concordance between methods was calculated as percentage agreement and κ coefficient.An excellent correlation was observed between Maglumi and DxI (r=0.997). The mean bias was 34 ng/mL and the strength of agreement between values obtained with Maglumi and DxI was 98% and 100% at the lower and upper limits of the reference range. The agreement was also 98% for diagnosing iron deficiency and 94% for diagnosing iron overload.Maglumi immunoassay may be regarded as a suitable alternative for routine and fully-automated assessment of ferritin in clinical laboratories.

Immunologic Assessment of Patients Treated with Bovine Fibrin as a Hemostatic Agent

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (06) ◽  
pp. 0925-0931 ◽  
Author(s):  
John F Carroll ◽  
Keith A Moskowitz ◽  
Niloo M Edwards ◽  
Thomas J Hickey ◽  
Eric A Rose ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coagulation Factors ◽  
Allergic Reactions ◽  
Factor V ◽  
Normal Range ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Human Fibrinogen ◽  
Bovine Thrombin ◽  
Thrombotic Complications ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Clinically Significant

SummaryTwenty-one cardiothoracic surgical patients have been treated with fibrin as a topical hemostatic/sealing agent, prepared from bovine fibrinogen clotted with bovine thrombin. Serum samples have been collected before treatment with fibrin and postoperatively between 1 and 9 days, 3 and 12 weeks, and 6 and 8 months. The titers of anti-bovine fibrinogen antibodies, measured by ELISA specific for immunoglobulins IgG or IgM, increased to maximal values after about 8 or 6 weeks, respectively. After 8 months, IgG titers were on average 20-fold lower than the mean maximal value, while IgM titers returned to the normal range. IgG was the predominant anti-bovine fibrinogen immunoglobulin as documented by ELISA, affinity chromatography and electrophoresis. Anti-bovine fibrinogen antibodies present in patients reacted readily with bovine fibrinogen, but did not cross-react with human fibrinogen as measured by ELISA or by immunoelectrophoresis. A significant amount of antibodies against bovine thrombin and factor V has been found, many cross-reacting with the human counterparts. No hemorrhagic or thrombotic complications, or clinically significant allergic reactions, occurred in any patient, in spite of antibody presence against some bovine and human coagulation factors. The treatment of patients with bovine fibrin, without induction of immunologic response against human fibrinogen, appeared to be an effective topical hemostatic/sealing measure.

Autoantibodies to Thrombomodulin: Development of an Enzyme Immunoassay and a Survey of their Frequency in Patients with the Lupus Anticoagulant

1992 ◽  
Vol 67 (05) ◽  
pp. 507-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Gibson ◽  
Margaret Nelson ◽  
Ross Brown ◽  
Hatem Salem ◽  
Harry Kronenberg
Keyword(s):  
Enzyme Immunoassay ◽  
Lupus Anticoagulant ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Technical Problem ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Citrate Buffer ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Sample Dilution ◽  
Negative Population ◽  
Serum Components

SummaryIn order to investigate the possibility that autoantibodies to thrombomodulin (TM) may exist in patients with the lupus anticoagulant (LA) and perhaps be implicated in the pathogenesis of recurrent thrombosis seen in such patients, we developed an enzyme-immunoassay to screen serum samples for anti-human TM activity. The major technical problem encountered in developing this assay was to reduce the non-specific binding of serum components from both the LA positive and the negative population. Considerable reduction of non-specific binding was achieved by use of a phosphate/citrate buffer at pH 8.0 and the use of an optimal sample dilution of 1/40. In addition, samples were always tested in parallel in blank wells and results are expressed as an OD ratio. Samples from 113 patients with the LA were assayed and compared to 78 patients referred for LA testing but found to be negative. The mean OD values for the LA positive patients (± SD) was 1.36 (0.44) with a range of 0.78-2.57. This was virtually identical to the values for the LA negative population (1.38 ± 0.40, range 0.76-2.77). The results of this study indicate that there is no evidence for the presence of a significant autoantibody activity to TM in patients with the LA when compared to LA negative patients. If such autoantibodies do exist their frequency must be quite low.

Overexpression of microRNA-21 in the Serum of Breast Cancer Patients

MicroRNA ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-63
Author(s):  
Batool Savari ◽  
Sohrab Boozarpour ◽  
Maryam Tahmasebi-Birgani ◽  
Hossein Sabouri ◽  
Seyed Mohammad Hosseini
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Tumor Grade ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Post Surgery ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women worldwide. So it seems that there's a good chance of recovery if it's detected in its early stages even before the appearances of symptoms. Recent studies have shown that miRNAs play an important role during cancer progression. These transcripts can be tracked in liquid samples to reveal if cancer exists, for earlier treatment. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) has been shown to be a key regulator of carcinogenesis, and breast tumor is no exception. Objective: The present study was aimed to track the miR-21 expression level in serum of the breast cancer patients in comparison with that of normal counterparts. Methods: Comparative real-time polymerase chain reaction was applied to determine the levels of expression of miR-21 in the serum samples of 57 participants from which, 42 were the patients with breast cancer including pre-surgery patients (n = 30) and post-surgery patients (n = 12), and the others were the healthy controls (n = 15). Results: MiR-21 was significantly over expressed in the serum of breast cancer patients as compared with healthy controls (P = 0.002). A significant decrease was also observed following tumor resection (P < 0.0001). Moreover, it was found that miR-21 overexpression level was significantly associated with tumor grade (P = 0.004). Conclusion: These findings suggest that miR-21 has the potential to be used as a novel breast cancer biomarker for early detection and prognosis, although further experiments are needed.

Gingival Health of Porcelain Laminate Veneered Teeth: A Retrospective Assessment

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 452-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Arif ◽  
JB Dennison ◽  
D Garcia ◽  
P Yaman
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Gingival Crevicular Fluid ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Fluid Collection ◽  
Gingival Recession ◽  
Gingival Health ◽  
Long Term Effect ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Crevicular Fluid

SUMMARY Statement of Problem: The long-term effect of the presence of porcelain laminate veneers (PLVs) on the health of the surrounding gingival issues is not available in the restorative literature. Purpose: To assess the long-term effect of PLVs on the health of the surrounding gingival tissues. A secondary aim was to correlate gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) scores with clinical parameters used for gingival health assessment in teeth treated with PLVs. Methods and Materials: Patients who received PLVs placed at the Graduate Restorative Clinic within a seven- to 14-year period were recalled for clinical evaluations. Periodontal measurements including gingival index (GI), periodontal pocket depth (PPD), gingival recession (GR), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were measured using a standard probe and indices. Gingival Crevicular Fluid (GCF) was measured with a Periotron machine (Periotron 8000, Oraflow Inc), using Periopaper (Periopaper Gingival Fluid Collection Strip, Oraflow Inc.) for fluid collection. Photographs of any observed clinical defect were taken. Data were tabulated using Excel 2010 (Microsoft Corp). Statistical analysis for all descriptive statistics was performed using SPSS 21 (SPSS Software, IBM Corp.) and Stata SE 13 (Stata Software, StataCorp). Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was done to test for statistical significance of the mean pocket depths between the restored and unrestored surfaces of the veneered teeth. The significance level for all tests was p&lt;0.05. Pearson's correlation coefficient was performed for testing statistical significance between GCF and GI and between GCF and PPD. Results: The frequency distribution of the GI included 47 PLVs (43%) with normal gingiva, 16 (15%) with mild inflammation, and 46 (42%) with moderate inflammation and bleeding on probing. The average PPD on the facial surface of the maxillary and mandibular PLVs was 2.17 mm and 2.16 mm, respectively. On the lingual surface, the average PPD was 2.10 mm for maxillary and 2.22 mm for mandibular PLVs. Gingival recession was seen in 27% of the evaluated PLVs. The repeated-measures ANOVA revealed p≥0.136, showing no statistical difference in the mean pocket depths between restored facial and unrestored lingual surfaces of the veneered teeth. A moderate correlation (r=0.407) was found between GCF and GI, which was significant at p&lt;0.001. No correlation (r=0.124) was found between GCF and PPD, which was not significant at p=0.197. Conclusions: Gingival response to the evaluated PLVs was in the satisfactory range, with overall GI scores ranging between normal and moderate inflammation, pocket depths ranging from 1 to 2 mm, and recession present in 27% of the evaluated PLVs. No statistically significant difference was found between the mean pocket depths of the restored and unrestored surfaces of veneered teeth (p≥0.136). A moderate correlation was found between GCF and GI.

scholarly journals Higher Caloric Refeeding Is Safe in Hospitalised Adolescent Patients with Restrictive Eating Disorders

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth K. Parker ◽  
Sahrish S. Faruquie ◽  
Gail Anderson ◽  
Linette Gomes ◽  
Andrew Kennedy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Caloric Intake ◽  
Tube Feeding ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Refeeding Syndrome ◽  
Restrictive Eating ◽  
Weight Restoration ◽  
The Mean

Introduction. This study examines weight gain and assesses complications associated with refeeding hospitalised adolescents with restrictive eating disorders (EDs) prescribed initial calories above current recommendations.Methods. Patients admitted to an adolescent ED structured “rapid refeeding” program for >48 hours and receiving ≥2400 kcal/day were included in a 3-year retrospective chart review.Results. The mean (SD) age of the 162 adolescents was 16.7 years (0.9), admission % median BMI was 80.1% (10.2), and discharge % median BMI was 93.1% (7.0). The mean (SD) starting caloric intake was 2611.7 kcal/day (261.5) equating to 58.4 kcal/kg (10.2). Most patients (92.6%) were treated with nasogastric tube feeding. The mean (SD) length of stay was 3.6 weeks (1.9), and average weekly weight gain was 2.1 kg (0.8). No patients developed cardiac signs of RFS or delirium; complications included 4% peripheral oedema, 1% hypophosphatemia (<0.75 mmol/L), 7% hypomagnesaemia (<0.70 mmol/L), and 2% hypokalaemia (<3.2 mmol/L). Caloric prescription on admission was associated with developing oedema (95% CI 1.001 to 1.047;p=0.039). No statistical significance was found between electrolytes and calories provided during refeeding.Conclusion. A rapid refeeding protocol with the inclusion of phosphate supplementation can safely achieve rapid weight restoration without increased complications associated with refeeding syndrome.

scholarly journals Prospective Analysis of Coagulopathy Associated with Isolated Traumatic Brain Injury and Clinical Outcome

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gopal Krishna ◽  
Varun Aggarwal ◽  
Ishwar Singh
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Head Injury ◽  
Clinical Outcome ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Platelet Counts ◽  
Coagulation Abnormalities ◽  
The Mean ◽  
D Dimer

Abstract Introduction Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects the coagulation pathway in a distinct way than does extracranial trauma. The extent of coagulation abnormalities varies from bleeding diathesis to disseminated thrombosis. Design Prospective study. Methods The study included 50 patients of isolated TBI with cohorts of moderate (MHI) and severe head injury (SHI). Coagulopathy was graded according to the values of parameters in single laboratory. The incidence of coagulopathy according to the severity of TBI and correlation with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) score, platelets, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), D-dimer, and fibrinogen was observed. The comparison was also made between expired and discharged patients within each group. It also compared coagulation derailments with clinical presentation (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS]) and outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale [GOS]). Results Road traffic accident was the primary (72%) mode of injury. Fifty-two percent had MHI and rest had SHI. Eighty-four percent of cases were managed conservatively. The mean GCS was 12.23 and 5.75 in MHI and SHI, respectively. Sixty-two percent of MHI and 96% of the patients with SHI had coagulation abnormalities. On statistical analysis, DIC score (p < 0.001) strongly correlated with the severity of head injury and GOS. PT and APTT were also significantly associated with the severity of TBI. In patients with moderate TBI, D-dimer and platelet counts showed association with clinical outcome. Fibrinogen levels did not show any statistical significance. The mean platelet counts remained normal in both the groups of TBI. The mean GOS was 1.54 and 4.62 in SHI and MHI, respectively. Conclusion Coagulopathy is common in isolated TBI. The basic laboratory parameters are reliable predictors of coagulation abnormalities in TBI. Coagulopathy is directly associated with the severity of TBI, GCS, and poor outcome.

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