Journal Description
LabMed
LabMed
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal devoted to laboratory medicine and clinical chemistry published quarterly online by MDPI.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- Rapid Publication: first decisions in 18 days; acceptance to publication in 4 days (median values for MDPI journals in the second half of 2024).
- Recognition of Reviewers: APC discount vouchers, optional signed peer review, and reviewer names published annually in the journal.
- LabMed is a companion journal of Diagnostics.
subject
Imprint Information
Open Access
ISSN: 2813-9038
Latest Articles
Role of Windowing Image Technique to Decipher Soft Tissue Pathologies
LabMed 2025, 2(3), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/labmed2030011 (registering DOI) - 30 Jun 2025
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Background: Fluid-sensitive sequences on MRI [Magnetic Resonance Imaging] have widely been used to assess soft tissue oedema. Windowing techniques play a significant role in adjusting the contrast to highlight the pathology. Objective: The purpose of this study is to establish the impact of
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Background: Fluid-sensitive sequences on MRI [Magnetic Resonance Imaging] have widely been used to assess soft tissue oedema. Windowing techniques play a significant role in adjusting the contrast to highlight the pathology. Objective: The purpose of this study is to establish the impact of modified MRI window parameters, with a narrower window width than window level, in assessing soft tissue oedema in a plethora of musculoskeletal pathologies. Material and Methods: Fifty randomly selected patients with a range of musculoskeletal pathologies resulting in soft tissue oedema on MRI were included in the study. Two separate images of each MRI study were taken on a PD fat suppressed sequence, one with default windowing range and another with window width lower than that of window level. Both images were reviewed by two radiologists and were assessed for diagnostic effectiveness in terms of image resolution and depiction of pathology. Assessment was semi-quantitatively compared and graded on the Likert scale, from 1 to 5, with 1 indicating poor quality and 5 indicating excellent quality. Friedman’s test was then conducted to compare the scores of both images. Results: In most of the cases, the image with the modified window/level setting was significantly better in terms of depicting pathology and having better resolution, though some cases showed no clear preference. Friedman’s test showed that the score for images with modified window settings was significantly higher. Conclusions: Images with modified windowing in conjunction with standard imaging protocols help to assess soft tissue oedema.
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Open AccessArticle
Residual Direct Oral Anticoagulant Activity in the Preoperative Setting: Review of the Literature and a Pilot Study Regarding Direct Oral Anticoagulant Preoperative Interruption (Based on Guidelines) and Its Correlation with Patient Characteristics and Blood Product Transfusion
by
Eleni C. Georgiadi, Apostolos Nousias and Paraskevi Kotsi
LabMed 2025, 2(2), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/labmed2020010 - 13 Jun 2025
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Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been licensed worldwide for several years for various indications. Each year, 10–15% of patients receiving oral anticoagulants will undergo an interventional procedure, and expert groups have issued several guidelines for perioperative management in such situations. According to the
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Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been licensed worldwide for several years for various indications. Each year, 10–15% of patients receiving oral anticoagulants will undergo an interventional procedure, and expert groups have issued several guidelines for perioperative management in such situations. According to the PAUSE study, the proposed randomized strategy of stopping DOACs without bridging therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation was associated with low rates of major bleeding and arterial thromboembolism so that its implementation is increasingly safe. The present study was carried out in order to investigate the efficacy and safety of the standardized perioperative DOAC management strategy by measuring the residual activity of oral anticoagulants when stopping them preoperatively in daily practice in a regional hospital. Thirty-two patients were included in the present study. They were patients who suffered from atrial fibrillation or deep vein thrombosis and were receiving an oral anticoagulant, rivaroxaban or apixaban at the indicated dose. These patients underwent an elective surgery or invasive procedure at the Karditsa General Hospital between May 2022 and April 2023. The results showed that in a percentage of >90% of the patients on the day of surgery they had a residual anti-Xa activity below 0.5 U/mL. This rate is considered high and confirms the safety and efficacy of the guideline-recommended protocol for perioperative discontinuation of DOACs.
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Open AccessArticle
Increased Odds of Antibiotic Resistance in E. coli Isolates from Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections
by
Lauren Frisbie, Ann E. Salm, Jeff Radcliff, Scott J. Weissman, Hema Kapoor and Peter Rabinowitz
LabMed 2025, 2(2), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/labmed2020009 - 22 May 2025
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This study included deidentified antibiotic susceptibility results from outpatient urinary Escherichia coli isolates from Washington state which were tested at a large clinical laboratory during 2013–2019. Isolates were categorized as representing the first, second, third, or fourth-or-greater occurrence of infection in data from
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This study included deidentified antibiotic susceptibility results from outpatient urinary Escherichia coli isolates from Washington state which were tested at a large clinical laboratory during 2013–2019. Isolates were categorized as representing the first, second, third, or fourth-or-greater occurrence of infection in data from individual patients. We used logistic regression with the outcome of resistance, adjusting for year of antimicrobial susceptibility test, patient sex, patient age, and facility type. In cases of subsequent infection, we found a significant risk of resistance to levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, trimethoprim-sulfa, nitrofurantoin, ampicillin, gentamicin, and amoxicillin-clavulanate. Our findings suggest that Escherichia coli isolates from recurrent urinary tract infections have a higher rate of resistance to most tested antibiotics than isolates from the first urinary tract infection in a given year. However, susceptibility frequencies did not differ significantly between antibiograms constructed using only the first occurrence in a patient and those constructed using all subsequent occurrences. These findings suggest that the traditional approach of including only the first occurrence of urinary Escherichia coli in a patient may underestimate levels of antibiotic resistance in a community. Such underestimation could negatively affect empiric therapeutic choices, health outcomes, and treatment costs.
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Evaluating Interleukin-6, Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha, and Myeloperoxidase as Biomarkers in Severe Osteoarthritis Patients: A Biostatistical Perspective
by
Laura Jane Coleman, John L. Byrne, Stuart Edwards and Rosemary O’Hara
LabMed 2025, 2(2), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/labmed2020008 - 10 May 2025
Abstract
Objective: This study employed advanced biostatistical methods to investigate Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α), and Myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels in serum and plasma samples from patients with severe osteoarthritis (OA) compared to volunteers. The primary aim was to evaluate the diagnostic potential
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Objective: This study employed advanced biostatistical methods to investigate Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α), and Myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels in serum and plasma samples from patients with severe osteoarthritis (OA) compared to volunteers. The primary aim was to evaluate the diagnostic potential of these biomarkers and address statistical challenges, including non-normal data distribution and non-aged-matched groups. Design: Using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISAs), IL-6, TNF-α, and MPO concentrations were analysed in 58 OA patients and 28 volunteers. Statistical analyses included Shapiro–Wilk tests to assess normality, a Mann–Whitney U (MWU) test to compare biomarker levels, and sensitivity analyses using Rank-based ANCOVA, and regression models were used to address non-normal data distributions and to validate the findings under adjustments for age and gender. Levene’s test was used to evaluate the homogeneity of variables. Results: Serum TNF-α and plasma MPO were significantly higher in OA patients than in volunteers (p < 0.05), while IL-6 levels were non-significant (p = 0.160). MWU tests confirmed significant differences for TNF-α (p = 0.045) and MPO (p = 0.0001). Sensitivity analysis using Rank-based ANCOVA and regression models confirmed the robustness of these biomarkers, with TNF-α (p = 0.037) and MPO (p = 0.0099) retaining statistical significance after adjusting for covariates. IL-6 remained non-significant across all analyses. Conclusions: TNF-α and MPO emerged as statistically robust biomarkers for severe OA, with the serum samples better reflecting inflammation than plasma. These findings underscore the importance of using advanced biostatistical methods such as Rank-based ANCOVA and regression to validate biomarkers, particularly in heterogenous datasets. Future research should incorporate larger, more diverse cohorts and detailed demographic profiling to explore the early diagnostic potential of these biomarkers and further understand OA progression.
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(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Laboratory Medicine)
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Open AccessArticle
Performance Study of Anticoagulants and Animal Blood for Establishment of In Vitro Blood Circulation Loop System
by
Jeonghwa Kim and Taewon Kim
LabMed 2025, 2(2), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/labmed2020007 - 16 Apr 2025
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Background: In vitro blood circulation loop systems are utilized to assess the hemocompatibility and performance of medical devices that come into contact with blood, in accordance with the international standards ASTM F1830 and ASTM F1841. However, a method for evaluating the specific type
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Background: In vitro blood circulation loop systems are utilized to assess the hemocompatibility and performance of medical devices that come into contact with blood, in accordance with the international standards ASTM F1830 and ASTM F1841. However, a method for evaluating the specific type of anticoagulant and the blood characteristics of each animal species is necessary to ensure consistent and reliable results. Methods: Blood was collected from healthy rabbits, pigs, rhesus monkeys, and cynomolgus monkeys to evaluate whole blood preserved in anticoagulants (ACD-A, CPDA-1, and heparin). For each sample, red blood cells were monitored over time, and their morphological characteristics were documented. Results: The morphological grade of erythrocytes gradually decreased over time. Significant differences were observed based on the type of anticoagulant used in the experiment, and variations were noted among different animal species. Conclusions: The hemocompatibility of in vitro blood circulation loop systems may vary depending on the animal species. Observing erythrocyte morphology can serve as a control measure to ensure reproducible results.
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Open AccessArticle
Growth Media on Performance of Mycobacteria Identification Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry
by
Divya Mamilla, Stevephen Hung, Gizachew Demessie, Deneen Nault, Carla Ayala Soriano, Salome Mendoza and Rebecca Yee
LabMed 2025, 2(2), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/labmed2020006 - 9 Apr 2025
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Identification of mycobacterial infections for both Mycobacterium tuberculosis and non-tuberculosis mycobacteria is important for effective patient care. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a promising tool that is used in many clinical laboratories for the identification of bacteria
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Identification of mycobacterial infections for both Mycobacterium tuberculosis and non-tuberculosis mycobacteria is important for effective patient care. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a promising tool that is used in many clinical laboratories for the identification of bacteria and yeast. This study evaluates the impact of growth media on the performance of the MALDI Biotyper® MBT smart MS for mycobacteria identification. Increased rates of identification, particularly in non-rapid growers and pigment producers, and higher confidence scores were generated in mycobacteria isolated from solid agar, rather than liquid broth. Testing each isolate in triplicate can increase yield of detection. Using the Bruker MBT Mycobacteria Kit to process our samples for testing on the Bruker MALDI Biotyper® instrument generated precise and accurate mycobacteria identification. These findings emphasize the importance of optimizing mycobacterial specimen processing workflows to include appropriate culture media, which can enhance mycobacterial identification and improve diagnostic accuracy.
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Open AccessArticle
Evaluating the Performance of the New Sysmex XR-Series Haematology Analyser: A Comparative Study with the Sysmex XN-Series
by
Amber Coussee, Johan Robbrecht, Karel Maelegheer, Wouter Vandewal and Lisa Florin
LabMed 2025, 2(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/labmed2010005 - 14 Mar 2025
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the performance characteristics of the new automated haematology analyser from Sysmex Corporation, the Sysmex XR-Series, compare its performance to the Sysmex XN-Series through method comparison, and compare our results to previously published literature. Analytical performance
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The objective of this study was to assess the performance characteristics of the new automated haematology analyser from Sysmex Corporation, the Sysmex XR-Series, compare its performance to the Sysmex XN-Series through method comparison, and compare our results to previously published literature. Analytical performance of the new Sysmex XR-20 consisting of precision, bias, and total error, a method comparison with the Sysmex XN-2000, and the flagging performance evaluation were conducted on a Sysmex XR-20 analyser in the AZ Sint-Lucas Hospital (Bruges, Belgium) several months before its launch in Europe. We conclude that the Sysmex XR-Series is an excellent successor to the Sysmex XN-Series for routine haematology analysis. Analytical performance and flagging efficiency are comparable to the Sysmex XN-analyser.
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(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Laboratory Medicine)
Open AccessArticle
Impact of Tube Additives on Baseline Cell-Free DNA, Blood Nuclease Activity, and Cell-Free DNA Degradation in Serum and Plasma Samples: A Comparative Study
by
Gustavo Barcelos Barra, Ticiane Henriques Santa Rita, Rafael Henriques Jácomo and Lídia Freire Abdalla Nery
LabMed 2025, 2(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/labmed2010004 - 3 Mar 2025
Abstract
Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis is a pivotal tool in non-invasive diagnostics, including cancer monitoring and prenatal testing. However, the preanalytical phase, particularly the choice of anticoagulant, significantly impacts cfDNA integrity and yield. This study aims to compare cfDNA yield, stability, and DNase activity
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Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis is a pivotal tool in non-invasive diagnostics, including cancer monitoring and prenatal testing. However, the preanalytical phase, particularly the choice of anticoagulant, significantly impacts cfDNA integrity and yield. This study aims to compare cfDNA yield, stability, and DNase activity in plasma-citrate and plasma-heparin, using plasma-EDTA and serum as established controls, to explore more deeply the impact of blood DNAse activity on cfDNA in these specimens. Blood samples from 15 healthy volunteers were collected in four types of tubes (citrate, heparin, EDTA, and serum). cfDNA was extracted and quantified using qPCR, and endogenous DNase activity was assessed through hydrolysis probe assays. Samples were incubated at 37 °C for 24 h to evaluate cfDNA degradation rates. Heparin-plasma exhibited the highest DNase activity, with baseline cfDNA levels intermediate—higher than EDTA but lower than serum—leading to substantial cfDNA degradation (85.3%). Combined with its known PCR inhibition, this renders heparin-plasma unsuitable for cfDNA analysis. Citrate-plasma, with baseline cfDNA levels similar to EDTA, showed partial DNase inhibition, resulting in intermediate cfDNA degradation (13.3%), a limitation that diminishes its viability compared to EDTA-plasma. Serum, with the highest baseline cfDNA levels, exhibited high DNase activity and significant cfDNA degradation (55.6%), making it unsuitable for cfDNA preservation. EDTA-plasma demonstrated complete DNase inhibition and minimal cfDNA degradation (8%), confirming it as the most suitable specimen for cfDNA analysis. These findings emphasize the importance of anticoagulant selection, highlighting critical limitations of heparin-plasma and citrate-plasma while reinforcing EDTA-plasma as the gold standard for preserving cfDNA integrity in diagnostic applications.
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(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Laboratory Medicine)
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Optimizing Provider Test Ordering and Patient Outcomes Through Best Practice Alerts and Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Sciences (DCLS) Consultation for Urine Cultures
by
Amy Fountain, Natalie Williams-Bouyer, Ping Ren, Carol Carman, Jose H. Salazar and Rajkumar Rajendran
LabMed 2025, 2(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/labmed2010003 - 20 Feb 2025
Abstract
Recent initiatives have discouraged the treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in specific patient populations due to its lack of clinical benefit, no improvement in morbidity or mortality, and its contribution to antibiotic overuse. This study aimed to evaluate whether an intervention at order entry,
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Recent initiatives have discouraged the treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in specific patient populations due to its lack of clinical benefit, no improvement in morbidity or mortality, and its contribution to antibiotic overuse. This study aimed to evaluate whether an intervention at order entry, combined with DCLS laboratory consultation for urine cultures and urinalyses, could reduce unnecessary lab tests and inappropriate antibiotic use, thereby improving patient outcomes. Our research design was a quasi-experimental study with a retrospective and prospective chart review on non-pregnant adult patients 18 years of age and older from July 2021 to September 2022. Data collected for both reviews included patient demographics, provider demographics, patient signs and symptoms, laboratory test results, test order type, test order utilization and antibiotic prescriptions. Our study included 6372 patients, with 3408 in the retrospective review and 2964 in the prospective review. Before the intervention, 60% (n = 2053) of test orders were inappropriate, which decreased to 20% (n = 591) post-intervention. In asymptomatic patients, reflexed urine cultures decreased from 51% to 13% post-intervention. Lastly, in asymptomatic patients, antibiotic therapy at discharge dropped from 54% to 25% after the intervention. Post-intervention ordering practices improved, decreasing the number of inappropriate orders across all patient and provider types. Overall, this initiative showed a significant reduction in the treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria, which has been linked to the overuse of antibiotic therapy.
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(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Laboratory Medicine)
Open AccessCase Report
Case Report: Temporary Molecular Relapse of Myeloid Leukemias in the Setting of COVID-19 and Viral-Induced Immunosuppression
by
Ishan Bhatia, Lloyd Hutchinson and Jan Cerny
LabMed 2025, 2(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/labmed2010002 - 15 Jan 2025
Abstract
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML) is one of the most curable leukemia subtypes, where the majority of patients achieve complete remission and also deep molecular remission after therapy, characterized by a PCR-undetectable state. Similarly, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a leukemia where, thanks to
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Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML) is one of the most curable leukemia subtypes, where the majority of patients achieve complete remission and also deep molecular remission after therapy, characterized by a PCR-undetectable state. Similarly, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a leukemia where, thanks to effective targeted treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), deep remission detectable only by PCR has become part of the routine management of these patients. Here, we describe a patient who was PCR-negative after induction and consolidation with arsenic trioxide (ATO) and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and stayed PCR-undetectable for 13 months post-consolidation, later experiencing molecular relapse following mild SARS-CoV-2 infection. The patient was able to reestablish molecular remission again without anti-leukemic therapy several weeks later. She remained PCR-negative for the next 42 months. Viral infection-triggered immunosuppression, as in our case, offers a possible explanation for the temporary loss of molecular remission seen in leukemia patients monitored by PCR. Our first case illustrates this period of convalescence from viral infection, which was maybe accompanied by loss of molecular response. Viral infections and temporary immunosuppression may be a culprit in cases where molecular responses are lost temporarily. This loss of the PCR-undetectable state may have implications for other cancer patients where PCR monitoring is used. Thus, our observation may have broader implications for other patients, especially those with CML. We further enforce these findings by describing a second patient with CML who experienced temporary molecular relapse in the setting of post-viral syndrome.
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(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Laboratory Medicine)
Open AccessArticle
Validation of AIA-360 for Determination of Presepsin: A Useful Tool for the Diagnosis of Sepsis at the Emergency Department
by
Alfredo Giovannelli, Massimo Pieri, Eleonora Nicolai, Martina Pelagalli, Cinzia Calabrese, Flaminia Tomassetti, Jacopo Maria Legramante, Alessandro Terrinoni, Sergio Bernardini and Marilena Minieri
LabMed 2025, 2(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/labmed2010001 - 25 Dec 2024
Abstract
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition, and clinicians should diagnose it as soon as possible to enable rapid intervention. The study aims to validate the AIA-360 Presepsin (PSEP) test for its use in determination in the diagnosis of septic patients after admission to emergency
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Sepsis is a life-threatening condition, and clinicians should diagnose it as soon as possible to enable rapid intervention. The study aims to validate the AIA-360 Presepsin (PSEP) test for its use in determination in the diagnosis of septic patients after admission to emergency departments (ED). A total of 97 blood samples were collected from patients at the ED and from blood donors of Tor Vergata Hospital. Here, 15 samples were obtained from patients with a confirmed diagnosis of sepsis, and 44 samples with non-septic inflammatory condition. A control group of 38 samples from healthy subjects was also included. The non-septic inflammatory condition group and the confirmed sepsis group had a median of 874.40 pg/mL and 1467.10 pg/mL, respectively, while the control group showed a PSEP median value of 473.90 pg/mL, thus showing a significant statistical difference among all groups. The ROC curves highlighted a good sensitivity (93.33%) and specificity (76.19%) for PSEP values, suggesting the best cut-off point of 890 pg/mL. (p-value < 0.001; Mann–Whitney test). The PSEP test can improve and speed up the diagnosis of sepsis after admission to the ED with respect to other biomarkers, mainly due to its early kinetics.
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(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Laboratory Medicine)
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Open AccessArticle
Ciraparantag Does Not Remove Anticoagulant Activities In Vitro, but DOAC-Stop™ May Mitigate Ciraparantag-Associated Interferences in Coagulation Testing
by
James V. Harte and Gavin T. Buckley
LabMed 2024, 1(1), 33-42; https://doi.org/10.3390/labmed1010006 - 18 Nov 2024
Cited by 1
Abstract
Anticoagulants can complicate the interpretation of routine and specialised coagulation assays. Several methodologies have been developed to minimise or eliminate anticoagulant-associated interferences; however, no ‘universal methodology’ that encompasses different anticoagulant classes is currently available. Ciraparantag is a promising reversal agent that can bind
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Anticoagulants can complicate the interpretation of routine and specialised coagulation assays. Several methodologies have been developed to minimise or eliminate anticoagulant-associated interferences; however, no ‘universal methodology’ that encompasses different anticoagulant classes is currently available. Ciraparantag is a promising reversal agent that can bind both direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and heparin-like anticoagulants. As such, we aimed to investigate whether ciraparantag could be employed as a ‘universal’ anticoagulant chelator in vitro. Human plasma was spiked with ascending concentrations of ciraparantag, with or without DOACs or heparin, and assayed for routine coagulation parameters. Ciraparantag had minimal effects on coagulation testing when added to human plasma at concentrations similar to pharmacokinetic maxima; however, ciraparantag did not remove DOAC- or heparin-associated activities in vitro, which was likely due to the preferential chelation of anionic substances in the coagulation reagents. In contrast, DOAC-Stop™, a commercial activated charcoal-based adsorbent, efficiently removed both DOAC- and ciraparantag-associated interferences. In conclusion, although ciraparantag is not effective as a ‘universal’ anticoagulant chelator in vitro, we report that activated charcoal-based adsorbents may be clinically useful in situations where laboratory investigations are complicated by the presence of DOACs and/or ciraparantag.
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(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Laboratory Medicine)
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Open AccessArticle
Molecular Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Viral Particles in Exhaled Breath Condensate via Engineered Face Masks
by
Hannes Dörfler, John Daniels, Shekhar Wadekar, Quentin Pagneux, Dennis Ladage, Georg Greiner, Ojan Assadian, Rabah Boukherroub and Sabine Szunerits
LabMed 2024, 1(1), 22-32; https://doi.org/10.3390/labmed1010005 - 12 Nov 2024
Abstract
In this study, we present a novel face mask engineered for the collection of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and its application and performance in a clinical study of COVID-19 infection status assessment versus the gold standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nasopharyngeal swab testing.
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In this study, we present a novel face mask engineered for the collection of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and its application and performance in a clinical study of COVID-19 infection status assessment versus the gold standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nasopharyngeal swab testing. EBC was collected within a clinical trial of COVID-19-infected and non-infected patients and analyzed by reverse transcription quantitative (RT-q) PCR, with the results being compared with nasopharyngeal sampling of the same patient. The cycle threshold (Ct) values of the nasopharyngeal samples were generally lower than those of EBC, with viral loads in EBC ranging from 1.2 × 104 to 5 × 108 viral particles mL−1 with 5 min of breathing. From the 60 clinical patients’ samples collected, 30 showed a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of these 30 individuals, 22 (73%) had Ct values < 40 (representing the threshold for SARS-CoV-2 infectivity) using both amplification of ORF1a/b and the E-gene. The 30 EBC samples from non-infected participants were all identified as negative, indicating a 100% specificity. These first results encourage the use of the face mask as a noninvasive sampling method for patients with lung-related diseases, especially with a view to equipping the face mask with miniaturized sensing devices, representing a true point-of-care solution in the future.
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(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Laboratory Medicine)
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Open AccessArticle
Comparison of Two Different Integration Methods for Quantifying Monoclonal Proteins on Agarose Gel and Capillary Zone Electrophoresis Instruments
by
Brittany Larkin, Laura Mahaney, Samuel Abegunde and Jennifer L. Shea
LabMed 2024, 1(1), 14-21; https://doi.org/10.3390/labmed1010004 - 24 Oct 2024
Abstract
Quantifying M-proteins is an important part of diagnosing and monitoring patients with monoclonal gammopathies. Historically, laboratories use one of two methods to accomplish this. The splice method utilizes a perpendicular drop on each side of the M-protein on the electrophoretogram. In contrast, the
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Quantifying M-proteins is an important part of diagnosing and monitoring patients with monoclonal gammopathies. Historically, laboratories use one of two methods to accomplish this. The splice method utilizes a perpendicular drop on each side of the M-protein on the electrophoretogram. In contrast, the skim method applies a tangent skimming line connecting the points above the polyclonal background. In this study, we compared the bias between these two methods across two different instruments (Helena SPIFE 3000 and Sebia Capillarys 3) in 118 patients. First, we compared the splice technique on both instruments and observed a significant average bias of 58.3% (slope = 1.437, y-intercept = 0.76, and r = 0.9682). We next compared the splice technique on the SPIFE 3000 to the skim technique on the Capillarys 3 and observed an average bias of only −2.10% (slope = 1.363, y-intercept = −1.98, and r = 0.9716), although there was significant scatter along the line of best fit. Lastly, we compared splice vs. skim on the Capillarys 3 and observed an average bias of −38.2% (slope = 0.947, y-intercept = −2.65, and r = 0.9686). Based on these results, care should be taken when switching instruments or integration techniques to ensure consistent monitoring of patients.
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(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Laboratory Medicine)
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Open AccessArticle
Optimisation of Ex Vivo Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Culture and DNA Double Strand Break Repair Kinetics
by
Holly Hosking, Wayne Pederick, Paul Neilsen and Andrew Fenning
LabMed 2024, 1(1), 5-13; https://doi.org/10.3390/labmed1010003 - 28 Sep 2024
Abstract
The assessment and modelling of DNA double-strand break damage and repair is widely investigated throughout the literature. This optimisation study investigated the requirement of cell proliferation prior to treatment with chemotherapeutic agents to damage DNA and the optimal window of analysis for DNA
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The assessment and modelling of DNA double-strand break damage and repair is widely investigated throughout the literature. This optimisation study investigated the requirement of cell proliferation prior to treatment with chemotherapeutic agents to damage DNA and the optimal window of analysis for DNA double-strand break repair measurements with γ-H2AX. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from healthy volunteers and incubated with phytohaemagglutinin at final concentrations of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5 and 10 µg/mL for 0, 24, 48, 72 and 168 h at 37 °C, 5% CO2, and proliferation was measured via spectrometry (MTS assay). This study, detailed in this methodology paper, found that peripheral blood mononuclear cells must be proliferated prior to the chemical induction of DNA double-strand breaks. The window for assessment of early DNA double-strand break repair was determined to be one hour after removal of the DNA damaging agent.
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Open AccessEditorial
LabMed: A New Open Access Journal to Share Advances in Laboratory Medicine
by
Glen L. Hortin
LabMed 2024, 1(1), 3-4; https://doi.org/10.3390/labmed1010002 - 13 Sep 2024
Abstract
LabMed is a new open access electronic journal supported by one of the world’s leading electronic publishers MDPI, the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, and by an international editorial board with diverse expertise in laboratory medicine [...]
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Open AccessEditorial
Welcome to LabMed: A New Open Access Journal in Laboratory Medicine
by
Weiyong Liu
LabMed 2024, 1(1), 1-2; https://doi.org/10.3390/labmed1010001 - 6 Sep 2024
Abstract
It is my great honor and pleasure to announce the launch of LabMed (ISSN: 2813-9038) [...]
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