Clinical chemistry
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Markers to better assess severity of disease in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) would help improve medical care of this condition. The hemodynamic biomarkers carboxy-terminal provasopressin (CT-proAVP; copeptin) and midregional proatrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) are increased under septic conditions, in which MR-proANP has been described as a prognostic predictor. We aimed to explore the diagnostic accuracy of MR-proANP and CT-proAVP to predict mortality in patients with CAP. ⋯ CT-proAVP and MR-proANP may be used to predict prognosis in patients with CAP.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Stability of soluble adhesion molecules, selectins, and C-reactive protein at various temperatures: implications for epidemiological and large-scale clinical studies.
We assessed the impact of sample storage conditions on soluble vascular cell adhesion molecules (sVCAM), soluble intracellular adhesion molecules (sICAM-1), soluble (s)E-selectin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and sP-selectin. ⋯ sVCAM-1, sICAM-1, and CRP are stable in plasma or whole blood at 4 and 21 degrees C for at least 3 days and sE-selectin for 2 days. sP-selectin is not stable and therefore requires immediate assay.
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Thyroid function changes during pregnancy, complicating the diagnosis of thyroid disorders. Maternal thyroid dysfunction has been associated with a variety of adverse outcomes. We evaluated thyroid function test results by ethnicity and week of gestation during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. ⋯ Blacks had lower prevalences of TgAb and TPOAb positivity and of increased serum TSH. The prevalence of TgAb and TPOAb positivity was highest in Asians. Whites had the highest prevalence of increased TSH. The lower and upper reference limits of TT3 were significantly lower for Asians. Reference intervals for women in the 2nd trimester were different from those of nonpregnant individuals.