MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 112 samples of CATS/ METS received by the laboratory over a two-year period, from patients with acute cerebrovascular disease. CATS/METS were measured using LC/MS/MS method. Clinical details and CATS/METS level were obtained from the database. Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis test were used for statistical analysis. These statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v.20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).
RESULTS: Of the 112 patients, 39% had HS, 54% had IS and 7% had TIA. A total of 29% of patients had elevated CATS/ METS. Elevated levels of CATS/METS were noted in 41% and 25% of HS and IS patients, respectively (p=0.53). Median norepinephrine, epinephrine and metanephrine levels in HS were significantly higher than IS (p< 0.05). Systolic blood pressure was higher in those who had elevated CATS/ METS (p=0.04). Only for two patients with elevated CATS/METS repeat testing was performed. Age, diastolic blood pressure and the time of sample collection in relation to the presentation, for CATS/METS were not significantly different between groups that had elevated levels of CATS/ METS versus those who did not.
CONCLUSION: We noted that CATS/METS were elevated in one-third of patients, especially in patients with high systolic blood pressure. Increase in CATS/METS should be appropriately followed up with repeat testing. Since false elevation in CATS/METS has been reported in cerebrovascular disease, screening for phaeochromocytoma is best deferred for a month.
METHODS: C. elegans was aliquoted onto the center of assay plates and allowed to migrate towards sepsis (T) or control (C) urine samples spotted on the same plate. The number of worms found in either (T) or (C) was scored at 10-minute intervals over a 60-minute period.
RESULTS: The worms were able to identify the urine (<48 hours) of sepsis patients rapidly within 20 minutes (AUROC=0.67, p=0.012) and infection within 40 minutes (AUROC=0.80, p=0.016).
CONCLUSIONS: CESDA could be further explored for sepsis diagnosis.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review is to examine studies that focused on the different types of samples which may serve as a good and promising biomarker for early diagnosis of CKD or to detect rapidly declining renal function among CKD patient.
METHOD: The review of international literature was made on paper and electronic databases Nature, PubMed, Springer Link and Science Direct. The Scopus index was used to verify the scientific relevance of the papers. Publications were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
RESULT: 63 publications were found to be compatible with the study objectives. Several biomarkers of interest with different sample types were taken for comparison.
CONCLUSION: Biomarkers from urine samples yield more significant outcome as compare to biomarkers from blood samples. But, validation and confirmation with a different type of study designed on a larger population is needed. More comparison studies on different types of samples are needed to further illuminate which biomarker is the better tool for the diagnosis and prognosis of CKD.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the organophosphorus pesticide urinary metabolite levels and its predictors among Orang Asli children of the Mah Meri tribe living in an agricultural island in Kuala Langat, Selangor.
METHODS: Data collection was carried out at an island in Kuala Langat, Selangor, where a total of 180 Orang Asli children of the Mah Meri tribe voluntarily participated in the study. Data were collected via a validated, modified questionnaire. Urinary organophosphate metabolites, namely dimethylphosphate, diethylphosphate, dimethylthiophosphate, dimethyldithiophosphate, diethylthiophosphate, and diethyldithiophosphate were measured to assess organophosphate pesticide exposure in children.
FINDINGS: Eighty-four (46.7%) of the respondents were positive for urine dialkyl phosphate metabolites. In multivariable analysis, children who frequently consumed apples had 4 times higher risk of pesticide detection than those who consumed apple less frequently. In addition, those who frequently ate cucumbers had 4 times higher risk for pesticide detection than those who ate cucumbers less frequently. Children with a father whose occupation involved high exposure to pesticides (agriculture) had 3 times higher risk of pesticide detection than those with a father in a low-risk occupation (nonagriculture).
CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of the children (46.7%) in the study area tested positive for urinary dialkyl phosphate metabolite levels. Most of the metabolite levels were equal to or higher than that reported in other previous studies. Major factors associated with pesticide detection in children in this study were frequent intake of apple and cucumber and fathers who are working in an agricultural area.