scholarly journals Variability of Saliva Viscosity - Potential Impact

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Eltze ◽  
Maren Eltze ◽  
Antonio Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Physicochemical Properties ◽  
Biological Sample ◽  
Saliva Sample ◽  
Patient Comfort ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Hydration State ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Saliva Composition ◽  
Disease Testing

As novel COVID-19 testing develops, saliva has become of increasing interest as an alternate biological sample for rapid testing. The appeal in saliva-based testing lies within the ease of which samples are collected, as well as patient comfort throughout the collection process. With this, it has become increasingly important to delineate the characteristics of saliva viscosity due to its effects on the movement and interactions of the substances and molecules found within it. The characteristics that affect saliva viscosity include the presence of aggregates, variations in temperature, and time elapsed between sample collection and testing. Understanding how physicochemical properties and temperature affect saliva’s viscosity are important in generating guidelines for proper sample handling in saliva testing to ensure consistent and reliable results. In this study, passive sampling of saliva was analyzed. This type of collection ensures a more uniform saliva composition, suggesting that variations in viscosity can be attributed solely to modifications in saliva handling post-collection. The data suggested that saliva viscosity is greatest immediately following collection of the saliva sample, increases with higher quantities of aggregates in saliva, and decreases tremendously when the sample has been frozen and thawed to room temperature. These findings suggest that to ensure accuracy and uniformity in quantitative saliva-based test results, protocols should favor the testing of a sample immediately following its collection. The implications of these results in optimizing saliva testing are far reaching. The value of saliva based testing extends far beyond COVID-19 or other disease testing. It is also gaining utility in understanding daily fluctuations in hydration state and in other wellness applications.

scholarly journals Clinical Evaluation of the Torq Zero Delay Centrifuge System for Decentralized Blood Collection and Stabilization

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1019
Author(s):  
Kyungjin Hong ◽  
Gabriella Iacovetti ◽  
Ali Rahimian ◽  
Sean Hong ◽  
Jon Epperson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Chemistry ◽  
Blood Collection ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Rapid Separation ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Collection Device ◽  
Precision Study ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Blood Specimens

Blood sample collection and rapid separation—critical preanalytical steps in clinical chemistry—can be challenging in decentralized collection settings. To address this gap, the Torq™ zero delay centrifuge system includes a lightweight, hand-portable centrifuge (ZDrive™) and a disc-shaped blood collection device (ZDisc™) enabling immediate sample centrifugation at the point of collection. Here, we report results from clinical validation studies comparing performance of the Torq System with a conventional plasma separation tube (PST). Blood specimens from 134 subjects were collected and processed across three independent sites to compare ZDisc and PST performance in the assessment of 14 analytes (K, Na, Cl, Ca, BUN, creatinine, AST, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin, albumin, total protein, cholesterol, and triglycerides). A 31-subject precision study was performed to evaluate reproducibility of plasma test results from ZDiscs, and plasma quality was assessed by measuring hemolysis and blood cells from 10 subject specimens. The ZDisc successfully collected and processed samples from 134 subjects. ZDisc results agreed with reference PSTs for all 14 analytes with mean % biases well below clinically significant levels. Results were reproducible across different operators and ZDisc production lots, and plasma blood cell counts and hemolysis levels fell well below clinical acceptance thresholds. ZDiscs produce plasma samples equivalent to reference PSTs. Results support the suitability of the Torq System for remotely collecting and processing blood samples in decentralized settings.

Implementation of a pharmacist-provided pharmacogenomics service in an executive health program

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ina Liko ◽  
Lisa Corbin ◽  
Eric Tobin ◽  
Christina L Aquilante ◽  
Yee Ming Lee
Keyword(s):  
Health Program ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Team Members ◽  
University Of Colorado ◽  
Academic Medical ◽  
Previous Medication ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract Disclaimer In an effort to expedite the publication of articles related to the COVID-19 pandemic, AJHP is posting these manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Purpose We describe the implementation of a pharmacist-provided pharmacogenomics (PGx) service in an executive health program (EHP) at an academic medical center. Summary As interest in genomic testing grows, pharmacists have the opportunity to advance the use of PGx in EHPs, in collaboration with other healthcare professionals. In November 2018, a pharmacist-provided PGx service was established in the EHP at the University of Colorado Hospital. The team members included 3 physicians, a pharmacist trained in PGx, a registered dietitian/exercise physiologist, a nurse, and 2 medical assistants. We conducted 4 preimplementation steps: (1) assessment of the patient population, (2) selection of a PGx test, (3) establishment of a visit structure, and (4) selection of a billing model. The PGx consultations involved two 1-hour visits. The first visit encompassed pretest PGx education, review of the patient’s current medications and previous medication intolerances, and DNA sample collection for genotyping. After this visit, the pharmacist developed a therapeutic plan based on the PGx test results, discussed the results and plan with the physician, and created a personalized PGx report. At the second visit, the pharmacist reviewed the PGx test results, personalized the PGx report, and discussed the PGx-guided therapeutic plan with the patient. Overall, the strategy worked well; minor challenges included evaluation of gene-drug pairs with limited PGx evidence, communication of information to non-EHP providers, scheduling issues, and reimbursement. Conclusion The addition of a PGx service within an EHP was feasible and provided pharmacists the opportunity to lead PGx efforts and collaborate with physicians to expand the precision medicine footprint at an academic medical center.

scholarly journals The Metabolome and Osteoarthritis: Possible Contributions to Symptoms and Pathology

Metabolites ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Rockel ◽  
Mohit Kapoor
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Synovial Fluid ◽  
Biological Sample ◽  
Response To Therapy ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Synovial Joint ◽  
Disease Pathogenesis ◽  
Potential Impact

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive, deteriorative disease of articular joints. Although traditionally viewed as a local pathology, biomarker exploration has shown that systemic changes can be observed. These include changes to cytokines, microRNAs, and more recently, metabolites. The metabolome is the set of metabolites within a biological sample and includes circulating amino acids, lipids, and sugar moieties. Recent studies suggest that metabolites in the synovial fluid and blood could be used as biomarkers for OA incidence, prognosis, and response to therapy. However, based on clinical, demographic, and anthropometric factors, the local synovial joint and circulating metabolomes may be patient specific, with select subsets of metabolites contributing to OA disease. This review explores the contribution of the local and systemic metabolite changes to OA, and their potential impact on OA symptoms and disease pathogenesis.

scholarly journals The Intergenerational Impact of Genetic and Psychological Factors on Blood Pressure (InterGEN) Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 521-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacquelyn Y. Taylor ◽  
Michelle L. Wright ◽  
Cindy A. Crusto ◽  
Yan V. Sun
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Saliva Sample ◽  
Design Procedure ◽  
Interaction Effects ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Weight Percentage ◽  
False Discovery ◽  
Gene Environment ◽  
Collection Tube

The Intergenerational Impact of Genetic and Psychological Factors on Blood Pressure (InterGEN) study aims to delineate the independent and interaction effects of genomic (genetic and epigenetic) and psychological–environmental (maternally perceived racial discrimination, mental health, and parenting behavior) factors on blood pressure (BP) among African American mother–child dyads over time. The purpose of this article is to describe the two-step genetic and epigenetic approach that will be executed to explore Gene × Environment interactions on BP using a longitudinal cohort design. Procedure for the single collection of DNA at Time 1 includes the use of the Oragene 500-format saliva sample collection tube, which provides enough DNA for both the Illumina Multi-Ethnic Genotyping and 850K EPIC methylation analyses. BP readings, height, weight, percentage of body fat, and percentage of body water will be measured on all participants every 6 months for 2 years for a total of 4 time points. Genomic data analyses to be completed include multivariate modeling, assessment of population admixture and structure, and extended analyses including Bonferroni correction, false discovery rate methods, Monte Carlo approach, EIGENSTRAT methods, and so on, to determine relationships among both main and interaction effects of genetic, epigenetic, and psychological environmental factors on BP.

scholarly journals European survey on preanalytical sample handling – Part 2: Practices of European laboratories on monitoring and processing haemolytic, icteric and lipemic samples. On behalf of the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EF

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 334-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janne Cadamuro ◽  
Michael Cornes ◽  
Ana-Maria Simundic ◽  
Barbara de la Salle ◽  
Gunn B.B. Kristensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Clinical Chemistry ◽  
Internal Quality ◽  
Therapeutic Drug ◽  
European Federation ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Sensitive Parameters ◽  
Disease Testing

Introduction: No guideline currently exists on how to detect or document haemolysis, icterus or lipemia (HIL) in blood samples, nor on subsequent use of this information. The EFLM WG-PRE has performed a survey for assessing current practices of European laboratories in HIL monitoring. This second part of two coherent articles is focused on HIL. Materials and methods: An online survey, containing 39 questions on preanalytical issues, was disseminated among EFLM member countries. Seventeen questions exclusively focused on assessment, management and follow-up actions of HIL in routine blood samples. Results: Overall, 1405 valid responses from 37 countries were received. A total of 1160 (86%) of all responders stating to analyse blood samples - monitored HIL. HIL was mostly checked in clinical chemistry samples and less frequently in those received for coagulation, therapeutic drug monitoring and serology/infectious disease testing. HIL detection by automatic HIL indices or visual inspection, along with haemolysis cut-offs definition, varied widely among responders. A quarter of responders performing automated HIL checks used internal quality controls. In haemolytic/icteric/lipemic samples, most responders (70%) only rejected HIL-sensitive parameters, whilst about 20% released all test results with general comments. Other responders did not analysed but rejected the entire sample, while some released all tests, without comments. Overall, 26% responders who monitored HIL were using this information for monitoring phlebotomy or sample transport quality. Conclusion: Strategies for monitoring and treating haemolytic, icteric or lipemic samples are quite heterogeneous in Europe. The WG-PRE will use these insights for developing and providing recommendations aimed at harmonizing strategies across Europe.

Colonization Levels of Streptococcus Mutans between Mother and Infant: A Postnatal Prospective Cohort Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Ruiz-Rodriguez ◽  
V Lacavex-Aguilar ◽  
M Pierdant-Perez ◽  
P Mandeville ◽  
M Santos-Diaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Prospective Cohort Study ◽  
Prospective Cohort ◽  
Direct Relationship ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Gram Staining ◽  
Activity Test ◽  
Oral Sample

Objective: To investigate the possible association between maternal S. mutans levels and those of the infant during the period between birth and 5 months and evaluate possible risk factors in the S mutans colonization. Study Design: A prospective cohort study was carried out comprising 62 infants and their mothers, selected at the time of childbirth. For each infant, a sample swab was taken at 0, 15, 30, 90, and 150 days postpartum; on the same days, a sample was obtained from the mothers. TYCSB medium was employed for identifying the microorganism, which was later confirmed by Gram staining, the catalase activity test, and the API strep test. Results: The final total sample consisted of 60 infants, from which S. mutans was detected in only 2 (3%) at the 150th day of oral sample collection. Of the sample of 60 mothers, 54 exhibited colonization levels. Conclusions: In the studied sample pairs up to 150 days, it was not possible to demonstrate the presence of a direct relationship between maternal S. mutans oral levels.

BACTERIAL TEST RESULTS OF GRADE-A RAW MILK SAMPLES AS A MEASURE OF FARM PRODUCTION CONDITIONS1

1968 ◽  
Vol 31 (12) ◽  
pp. 388-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Hartley ◽  
G. W. Reinbold ◽  
E. R. Vedamuthu ◽  
W. S. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Leucocyte Count ◽  
Raw Milk ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Fresh Sample ◽  
Bacterial Counts ◽  
Reduction Time ◽  
Coliform Count ◽  
Farm Production ◽  
Production Conditions

Milk from 30 grade-A farms was subjected to bacteriological tests including the Standard Plate, total, coliform, psychrophilic, thermoduric, and enterococcus count, resazurin reduction time, and leucocyte count to determine the correlation between these tests and farm production conditions. Farm conditions were evaluated at sample collection time by a farm score, which was based mainly on sanitation. After collection and immediate transportation to the laboratory, half of each sample was stored at 3.3 C for 72 hr, the remainder was preincubated at 12.8 C for 18 hr after storage at 3.3 C for 54 hr; determinations were then performed. The leucocyte count was determined on the fresh sample. The psychrophilic count was the only bacterial test that showed significant correlation with the farm score. For samples stored at 3.3 C for 72 hr, all comparisons among bacterial counts showed significant correlation except: psychrophilic count vs. resazurin reduction time; coliform count vs. resazurin reduction time; and, coliform count vs. enterococcus count. For preincubated samples, all comparisons among bacterial counts showed significant correlation except: psychrophilic count vs. resazurin reduction time; coliform count vs. resazurin reduction time; and, coliform count vs. thermoduric count. Higher correlations were obtained on the preincubated samples for all bacterial tests except the thermoduric count. Within this experimental design, preliminary incubation did not improve the ability of the bacterial tests to show statistically significant correlation with the farm score. The leucocyte count showed significant correlation with the farm score, but not with the bacterial test results. Evaluation of data shows that the bacterial test results are not highly correlated with farm production conditions as measured by farm score. Milking-time inspections are necessary to assure that recommended practices are used in grade-A milk production.

Does Casein Phosphopeptid Amorphous Calcium Phosphate Provide Remineralization on White Spot Lesions and Inhibition of Streptococcus mutans?

2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 302-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arzu Aykut-Yetkiner ◽  
Nazan Kara ◽  
Mustafa Ateş ◽  
Nazan Ersin ◽  
Fahinur Ertuğrul
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Phosphate ◽  
Streptococcus Mutans ◽  
Amorphous Calcium Phosphate ◽  
Saliva Sample ◽  
Test Group ◽  
White Spot ◽  
Control Group ◽  
White Spot Lesions ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Significant Difference

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the remineralization effect of Casein Phosphopeptid Amorphous Calcium Phosphate (CPP-ACP) on white spot lesions (WSL) and its inhibitory effect on Streptococcus mutans colonization. Study design: The study group consisted of 60 children exhibiting at least 1-WSL. Subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups: a test group of using CPP-ACP cream (Tooth Mousse, GC Europe N.V., Leuven, Belgium) and a control group using only fluoride containing toothpaste for a period of 3-months. Baseline WSLs were scored using DIAGNOdent device (KaVo Germany) and the saliva samples were collected to measure S. mutans counts. After the 3-month period the WSLs were again recorded and the saliva sample collection was repeated. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test was used for statistical analysis. Results: DIAGNOdent measurements were increased by time (p=0.002) in control group and no statistically significant difference (p=0.217) was found in test group by the 3-month period. In both groups, the mutans counts were decreased in 3-month experimental period. Conclusions: These clinical and laboratory results suggested that CPP-ACP containing cream had a slight remineralization effect on the WSL in the 3-month evaluation period however longer observation is recommended to confirm whether the greater change in WSLs is maintained.

Application of the Model of Allostasis to Older Women’s Relocation to Senior Housing

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi H. Ewen ◽  
Jennifer Kinney
Keyword(s):  
Older Women ◽  
Allostatic Load ◽  
Stress Reactivity ◽  
Saliva Sample ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Senior Housing ◽  
Detailed Picture ◽  
Analyze Data

Objectives:Adjustment to senior housing entails significant lifestyle changes and is a stressful process. The adaptation process is dynamic and has yet to be studied using the conceptual model of allostasis. This article presents exemplars of women whose profiles represent three allostatic states: successful adaptation (homeostasis), ongoing adaptation (allostasis), and maladaptation (allostatic load).Method:Older women who had relocated to senior housing participated in three interviews and monthly saliva sample collection over a 6-month period. Saliva was assayed for diurnal cortisol secretion. Triangulation of mixed methods was used to analyze data, and psychosocial data were mapped onto the cortisol graphs to illustrate changes in stress reactivity and well-being.Results:Coping abilities, perceptions of stressors, and cortisol measures provide a detailed picture of the interplay among events and perceptions and the effects of both on well-being.Discussion:The case exemplars provide detailed information on the complexity of psychosocial and physiological components of the model of allostasis. This study also fills a gap in knowledge on negative relocation outcomes using the allostatic model.

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