Annals of clinical and laboratory science
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Ann. Clin. Lab. Sci. · May 2020
ReviewCoagulation Panel in Patients with SARS-CoV2 Infection (COVID-19).
The 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) is the causal agent of the newly-termed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). In January 2020, the World Health Association (WHO) declared the CO-VID-19 as an epidemic. Abnormal coagulation parameters in COVID-19 patients currently are considered as prognostic factors of severity. Our aim is to summarize the current data available in the literature.
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Ovarian cancer remains a leading cause of death from gynecological malignancy. Early diagnosis is the most important determinant of survival. ⋯ Numerous proteomics-based molecular biomarkers/panels have been identified and hold great potential for diagnostic applications, but they need further development and validation. This article reviews recently published data on the diagnosis of ovarian cancer with proteomics, including the major proteomics technologies and promising strategies for biomarker discovery and development.
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Ann. Clin. Lab. Sci. · Jan 2007
ReviewRational use and interpretation of urine drug testing in chronic opioid therapy.
Urine drug testing (UDT) has become an essential feature of pain management, as physicians seek to verify adherence to prescribed opioid regimens and to detect the use of illicit or unauthorized licit drugs. Results of urine drug tests have important consequences in regard to therapeutic decisions and the trust between physician and patient. ⋯ These factors include metabolic conversion between drugs, genetic variations in drug metabolism, the sensitivity and specificity of the analytical method for a particular drug or metabolite, and the effects of intentional and unintentional interferants. In this review, we focus on the technical features and limitations of analytical methods used for detecting drugs or their metabolites in urine, the statistical constructs that are pertinent to ordering UDT and interpreting test results, and the application of these concepts to the clinical monitoring of patients maintained on chronic opioid therapy.
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Granulocytic fragments have been described in the peripheral blood of patients with sepsis and the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Although initially proposed as a morphologic clue for distinguishing the leukoerythroblastosis of sepsis from that of myelophthisis or marrow replacement by tumor, granulocyte-derived fragments may be part of a spectrum of cellular fragmentation associated with pathological inflammation and thrombosis, and thus play an important role in the pathophysiology of sepsis and SIRS. Pathologists, hematologists, and medical technologists should be aware of their existence, the morphologic features that distinguish them from macrothombocytes and schistocytes, and their potential significance.
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Cancer is a major disease entity and cause of death in the human population. The discovery of cisplatin has revolutionized the chemotherapy of human cancer. The full therapeutic potential of cisplatin has not been realized due to the serious side effects and emergence of cisplatin-resistant tumor cells associated with its usage. ⋯ Incorporation of cisplatin into a number of cisplatin-based anti-cancer drug combinations has enhanced its effectiveness and allowed the use of lower doses of cisplatin, thus reducing its toxic side effects. Finally, the availability of cisplatin analogues, such as carboplatin and others with reduced toxicity, but increased effectiveness against cisplatin-resistant tumors, has expanded the potential scope and therapeutic promise of the platinum anti-cancer agents. The evolution of chemotherapy with the platinum antitumor compounds is ongoing.