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Abstract Objective To describe the reference intervals of folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, and vitamin B1 by sex and age. Methods The study was performed by gathering data on 55,811 subjects from 57 medical centers. Groups were categorized based on age and grouped according to statistical significance values. The reference values for the different groups were determined using the Bhattacharya and Hoffmann methods. Results Vitamin B1 and B6 values and folate (vitamin B9) levels between the sexes were statistically significantly increased in the group aged 0 to 10 years. Likewise, we witnessed a similar increase in vitamin B12 levels in the group aged 0 to 5 years. However, low vitamin B6 levels (P <.001) were detected in nongeriatric patients (aged 0–60 years), and the reference intervals (3.4–41.9 µg/L) also were significantly different from those in the geriatric group (aged 61–100 years; 2.0–29.4 µg/L). Conclusion A lower vitamin B6 reference limit allows detection of subclinical vitamin deficiency more precisely in the geriatric group; respective reference intervals should be revised accordingly.

Background Reports of false laboratory findings due to a biotin supplementation have raised concerns about the safety of immunoassays. According to current research, biotin is known to cause interference in immunoassays. Since up to 70% of medical decisions are based on laboratory results and the significantly increased intake of biotin supplements in the recent years, the reliability of immunoassays is essential. Methods To evaluate this reliability two experiments were conducted. In the first experiment 59 interference suppressed immunoassays of the manufacturer Roche Diagnostics were examined regarding their sensitivity to a biotin interference. In the second experiment the pharmacokinetic of biotin was examined by supplementing volunteers with biotin. Results A combination of the results of both experiments suggests that a biotin interference in laboratory findings is probable. Contrary to the current state of research on sandwich immunoassays, falsely elevated test results occur more frequently than falsely low results. Conclusion The interference suppressed immunoassays have shown in the experiment that they are susceptible to a biotin interference. Therefore, laboratory institutions, medical staff and patients must be aware of the possibility of a biotin interference. As a result, Roche Diagnostics may consider reviewing the interference suppression and their indications of the tests. Biotin Interference in immunoassays. In the present study, it is shown that the interference‐suppressed immunoassays of the manufacturer Roche Diagnostics are susceptible to a biotin interference.

The aims of this study were to underline the interpretation of vitamin B1 and to evaluate whether differences in hemoglobin (Hb) levels and sex effect vitamin B1 results. Simultaneously, whole blood vitamin B1 and complete blood count were determined in 2238 individuals. Groups were categorized on the basis of sex and Hb levels. Significance and correlation between groups and reference intervals of the study group were determined. There was an 8.4% (P < 0.001) difference between vitamin B1 levels of men and women, whereas the ratio of vitamin B1 to Hb showed a 0.12% (P = 0.921) difference. The reference interval for the ratio of vitamin B1 to Hb was 268 to 675 ng/g Hb. Vitamin B1 concentrations >48 μg/L should be interpreted with Hb levels to avoid postanalytical errors that mask deficiency. Therefore, in comparative studies, researchers need to pay attention to eliminate the effect of Hb on whole blood vitamin B1 levels.

Many drug tests are carried out by means of hair analysis. The aim of the present study was to clarify if and to what extent it is possible to manipulate the results of hair analyses on tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by using various commercially available everyday products and products advertised on the internet to be able to reduce the concentrations of drugs in hair. Fifty-four THC-positive hair samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry; they were analyzed untreated or treated with Vodka Gorbatschow® (n = 19), Seborin® hair tonic (n = 11), Zydot® shampoo (n = 6), Desderman® disinfectant (n = 11) and Head and Shoulders® shampoo (n = 7). A mean reduction of 52% (Zydot® shampoo) to 65% (Desderman®) was shown. Hair treatments could not be detected visually. Hair concentrations could also be decreased to non-detectability by using these everyday hair care products. Therefore, it is recommended to complement abstinence controls using hair samples by urine analysis and to not over-interpret quantitative results of THC concentrations in hair.

The molecular mechanisms underlying the transition from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are incompletely understood. During the development of NAFLD, Perilipin 5 (PLIN5) can regulate lipid metabolism by suppressing lipolysis and preventing lipotoxicity. Other reports suggest that the lack of PLIN5 decreases hepatic injury, indicating a protective role in NAFLD pathology. To better understand the role of PLIN5 in liver disease, we established mouse models of NAFLD and NAFLD-induced HCC, in which wild-type and Plin5 null mice were exposed to a single dose of acetone or 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) in acetone, followed by a 30-week high-fat diet supplemented with glucose/fructose. In the NAFLD model, RNA-seq revealed significant changes in genes related to lipid metabolism and immune response. At the intermediate level, pathways such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and protein kinase B (AKT) were blunted in Plin5- deficient mice ( Plin5 − / − ) compared to wild-type mice (WT). In the NAFLD-HCC model, only WT mice developed liver tumors, while Plin5 −/− mice were resistant to tumorigenesis. Furthermore, only 32 differentially expressed genes associated with NALFD progession were identified in Plin5 null mice. The markers of mitochondrial function and immune response, such as the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor-γ, coactivator 1‐α (PGC-1α) and phosphorylated STAT3, were decreased. Lipidomic analysis revealed differential levels of some sphingomyelins between WT and Plin5 −/− mice. Interestingly, these changes were not detected in the HCC model, indicating a possible shift in the metabolism of sphingomelins during carcinogenesis.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a leading cause of chronic liver diseases with an increasing prevalence due to rising rates of obesity, metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes. Untreated NAFLD may progress to steatohepatitis (NASH) and ultimately liver cirrhosis. NAFLD is characterized by lipid accumulation, and when sufficient excess lipids are obtained, irreversible liver injury may follow. Perilipin 5 (PLIN5), a known lipid droplet coating protein and triglyceride metabolism regulator, is highly expressed in oxidatively modified tissues but it is still unclear how it affects NAFLD/NASH progress. We here studied how PLIN5 affects NAFLD development induced by a 30-week high-fat diet (HFD) administration in wild type and PLIN5 knock out (Plin5−/−) mice. The disruption of PLIN5 induced differences in lipid metabolism during HFD feeding and was associated with reduced hepatic fat accumulation. Surprisingly, Plin5−/− mice showed mitigated activation of the NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, leading to minor hepatic damage. We conclude that PLIN5 is a pleiotropic regulator of hepatic homeostasis in NASH development. Targeting the PLIN5 expression appears critical for protecting the liver from inflammatory activation during chronic NAFLD.

The aims of this study were to underline the interpretation of vitamin B and to evaluate whether differences in hemoglobin (Hb) levels and sex effect vitamin B results. Simultaneously, whole blood vitamin B and complete blood count were determined in 2238 individuals. Groups were categorized on the basis of sex and Hb levels. Significance and correlation between groups and reference intervals of the study group were determined. There was an 8.4% (P < 0.001) difference between vitamin B levels of men and women, whereas the ratio of vitamin B to Hb showed a 0.12% (P = 0.921) difference. The reference interval for the ratio of vitamin B to Hb was 268 to 675 ng/g Hb. Vitamin B concentrations >48 μg/L should be interpreted with Hb levels to avoid postanalytical errors that mask deficiency. Therefore, in comparative studies, researchers need to pay attention to eliminate the effect of Hb on whole blood vitamin B levels.

ABSTRACT Background Human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell lines are in vitro model systems that are widely available, easy to handle, and provide an unlimited supply of material. They also bypass ethical concerns associated with the use of primary human cells or tissue. However, many of these cell lines including 5‐8F, 6‐10B, CNE‐1, CNE‐2, HNE‐1, HONE‐1, SUNE1, SUNE2, and NPC‐TW01 have been shown to be misidentified or cross‐contaminated. While simple molecular genotyping techniques such as short tandem repeat profiling of human cell lines are available to confirm cell line identity, scientists often do not implement strategies to avoid misidentification. This has resulted in a large volume of publications containing incorrect information. Methods In this paper, we have established a cell line karyogram that contains several marker chromosomes and a set of typical aberrations characteristic of NPC/HK1. Results and Conclusions Combined with the typical multiloci short tandem repeat signature of NPC/HK1, the cytogenetic analysis provides an effective means to avoid unreliable experimental outcomes and scientific misinterpretation. Immortalized nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines in biomedical research.

Background Hypertensive urgency/emergency occurs frequently, yet no prospective data on common secondary causes, including sleep apnea (SA), renal artery stenosis (RAS), and hyperaldosteronism, are available. Methods Patients presenting to the emergency room for over 1 year with systolic blood pressure ≥180 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥100 mmHg and typical symptoms were included. RAS was diagnosed by direct duplex/Doppler ultrasound of the renal artery, resistance index, and imaging. The aldosterone/renin ratio (ARR) was determined from morning blood samples taken with the patients supine after ≥2 h of rest. A positive ARR (>50) was followed by saline infusion to exclude primary hyperaldosteronism. SA was evaluated by nasal breathing flow screening; when positive [apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) >5/h], complete polysomnography was performed. Results Of 161 patients (age, 66.0 ± 13.1 years; BMI, 28.6 ± 5.1 kg), 131 had previously identified hypertension (duration, 12.7 ± 11.5 years; 1.9 ± 1.5 antihypertensive medications). SA was found in 114 (70.8%) patients [18% mild (AHI: 5-15/h), 26.8% moderate (15.1-30/h), and 24.2% severe (>30/h)]. Aldosterone levels exceeded 160 pg/ml in 22 of 23 patients with hyperaldosteronism; 4 had primary and 12 had secondary hyperaldosteronism. Thirteen (8.1%) patients had RAS. Three secondary causes were found in 1 patient (0.6%), ≥2 in 25 (15.5%), and ≥1 in 124 patients (77.0%). Of 150 detected secondary causes, only 5 were recognized previously. Conclusions Secondary causes of hypertension are common and predominantly unrecognized in patients with hypertensive urgency/emergency. Co-prevalence of secondary causes occurs in about 15% and should be considered before therapeutic intervention.