Nanostructured Graphene Surfaces Promote Different Stages of Bone Cell Differentiation.

Nanostructured graphene films were used as platforms for the differentiation of Saos-2 cells into bone-like cells. The films were grown using the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition method, which allowed the production of both vertically and horizontally aligned carbon nanowalls (CNWs). Modifications of the technique allowed control of the density of the CNWs and their orientation after the transfer process. The influence of two different topographies on cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation was investigated. First, the transferred graphene surfaces were shown to be noncytotoxic and were able to support cell adhesion and growth for over 7 days. Second, early cell differentiation (identified by cellular alkaline phosphatase release) was found to be enhanced on the horizontally aligned CNW surfaces, whereas mineralization (identified by cellular calcium production), a later stage of bone cell differentiation, was stimulated by the presence of the vertical CNWs on the surfaces. These results show that the graphene coatings, grown using the presented method, are biocompatible. And their topographies have an impact on cell behavior, which can be useful in tissue engineering applications.

The combined presence of obsessive compulsive behaviors in males and females with eating disorders account for longer lengths of stay and more severe eating disorder symptoms.

The goal of this study was to analyze the impact of obsessive compulsive behaviors (OCB) in eating disorder males and females admitted for residential treatment in terms of length of stay and severity of symptoms. Patients (N=384) were separated into four groups based on gender and the score obtained for the Maudsley Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory at admission. The instrument used to assess severity of eating disorder symptoms was the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI-2) at admission and discharge. The results showed that the presence of comorbid OCB in eating disordered males and females account for longer length of stay (LOS) and an increased severity of eating disorder symptoms. Clinically, these findings point to the need for development of more targeted residential programs that are equipped for and adept at treating the comorbid eating disorder/OCB patient population.

Gender differences in the progression of co-morbid psychopathology symptoms of eating disordered patients.

This study examined the utility of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) in screening for comorbid psychopathology in eating disordered males and females undergoing residential treatment. The PAI, a self-administered screening tool containing 344 items to provide information on 11 clinical constructs, was administered at admission and discharge to 181 patients, 154 females and 27 males. Average age was 26.88 years (SD=9.35) and average length of stay was 58.31 days (SD=39.94). The results showed that both male and female patients exhibit several comorbid disorders at admission to residential treatment and the severity of these symptoms was statistically significantly reduced over the course of treatment. When comparing differences among genders, the results show that females present with more psychopathology symptoms at the start of treatment but make better progress than males in reducing these symptoms over time. When comparing patients across eating disorder diagnoses, subjects with bulimia displayed more severe comorbid symptomatology as compared to those with anorexia or other eating disorders. A thorough clinical assessment of eating disordered patients including comorbid psychopathology disorders is relevant for clinical diagnosis, treatment planning, and perhaps ultimately the outcome of treatment.

Protease inhibitor drug levels in the management of human immunodeficiency virus-1 antiretroviral therapy.

In order to evaluate the relationship between protease inhibitor (PI) plasma concentrations and viral suppression in individuals receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), plasma concentrations and area under the time concentration curve (AUC(0.5-4)) for 35 HIV-infected adults receiving their initial (or first salvage) nelfinavir- (NFV) or indinavir (IDV)-based HAART were studied. Two groups were evaluated: those who had achieved HIV-RNA suppression (HIV-RNA <500 copies/mL, group 1, n=21) and those who had achieved incomplete HIV-RNA suppression (HIV-RNA>500 copies/mL, group 2, n=14) at the time of study entry. NFV one-hour pre-dose concentrations were significantly higher in group 1 compared to group 2 (P=0.023). The NFV AUC(0.5-4) for group 1 approached significance (P=0.068). No significant differences in IDV concentrations or AUC(0.5-4) were found between group 1 and group 2. It is feasible to use PI drug level monitoring in the outpatient setting.

A new century approach for alcohol screen in the insurance industry.

Several recent studies point to the value of using combinations of biochemical markers for the identification of alcohol abuse. The Early Detection of Alcohol Consumption (EDAC) test uses a statistical method that combines the results of several routine laboratory tests to form a metabolic fingerprint for each subject. In this study, we evaluated the use of the EDAC test as a screening tool to assess heavy drinking in insurance applicants. The EDAC was calculated by linear discriminate function analysis using the results of 14 routine tests including liver enzymes, lipids, proteins, and blood sugars. We collected and analyzed 1680 random samples at Heritage Laboratories (Olathe, Kan). Alcohol Detection Services (Brookfield, Wis) and Millennium Strategies (Madison, Wis) collaborated in the data analysis and interpretation of laboratory tests results. Ninety-three percent of applicants showed a negative EDAC test. The 7% (n = 134) who screened positive for the EDAC test were then reflexed to carbohydrate deficient transferin (CDT) and whole blood associated acetaldehyde (WBAA). Sixteen percent (22/134) showed a positive confirmatory test. Among these 16% of subjects, 41% (9/22) showed no elevations in liver enzymes or HDL-C results. Four of these subjects were among the top one third with the highest elevations for the CDT test in the entire group and one of them was positive for both the CDT and WBAA tests. These results suggest that the EDAC screen may provide an efficient alternative screening tool for the identification of heavy alcohol consumption not HBA as it identifies applicants with both normal or abnormal liver enzymes and HDL-C.

Point mutation detection technology for the new-century laboratory.

The READIT system represents the newest contribution to point mutation detection technology. Specifically, the system involves hybridizing DNA or RNA probes using phosphorylation chemistry and luciferase as the detection method. The two primary features that distinguish the READIT technology from the competition are its versatility and the ability of users to design its own probes. The automated genotype assignment and statistical analysis simplify the use of this system even more. In the year 2002 more than a million tests will be performed in molecular diagnostics with significant contributions from both research and private laboratories.(1) The most important attributes for laboratorians when reviewing a new technology are cost, accuracy, automation, and ease of use. The advent of unique point mutation detection technologies will certainly assist the role of the laboratory in demonstrating the positive impact of testing on future applications of these technologies. Cost savings, accuracy, simplicity, and flexible throughput are the must-have features of successful point mutation detection technologies for the new-century laboratory.

Update on HIV patient management: latest trends in laboratory testing, immune cell reconstitution, and vaccine development.

HIV patient management requires the close interaction of clinicians and laboratorians to integrate the results obtained by emerging methodologies. Evaluation of drug susceptibility to screen for specific mutations in the HIV genome can avoid needless treatment with ineffective drugs, maximizing the benefits of costly triple-drug therapy. In addition, providing a scientific basis for the effective use of genotyping and therapeutic drug monitoring is a valuable role that laboratorians can play in optimizing patient care. The clinical utility of HIV genotyping has been defined more clearly during the last year, and pharmacokinetic profiles of the antiretrovirals are beginning to emerge in the clinical laboratory as a tool to periodically assess adherence to and efficacy of the drug regimens. However, much more work is required in this area. Switching to simpler regimens is perceived as a means to improve medication adherence, manage drug toxicity, and reduce the potential for interaction among different drugs. HIV affects the function of both cytotoxic T-cells and neutralizing antibodies. The ability to identify and quantify HIV-specific immunity may allow us to target and expand specific deficient cell clones as a means of correcting immune deficiencies and strengthening the effects of drug therapy. One such example is IL-2, shown to increase CD4 cell counts at various stages of HIV disease. Additional studies of IL-2 therapy and newer immune modulators are ongoing. Combination vaccines are being tested as a worthwhile approach to optimize induction of both CTLs and antibodies. The role of the laboratory to determine the potency of HIV vaccine candidates awaits further developments evaluating the relative importance of neutralizing and mucosal antibodies versus CTL responses and the degree of immunogenicity needed to contain the spread of infection. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention aims to reduce new HIV infections by 50% per year in the next five years, and this goal is to be achieved through selected strategies put together by the plethora of experts in this arena. The aim of this article is to update the reader on the latest trends in HIV patient management and motivate collaborations to assist in the prompt implementation of improved medical care.

Molecular principles underlying hepatitis C virus diagnosis.

Although the rate of new cases of HCV infection has decreased as a result of public health policies related to intravenous drug users, the overall rate of infection in the U.S. is still high. With an estimated 3.9 million people infected nationwide, combined with the observation that, for over 50% of all cases of HCV infection, a route of infection is unknown, HCV will continue to be a major cause of infectious disease related morbidity and mortality for years to come. The benefit of molecular assays resides in providing for more effective treatment of HCV-infected patients, which will certainly justify the expense.

The combined use of the early detection of alcohol consumption (EDAC) test and carbohydrate-deficient transferrin to identify heavy drinking behaviour in males.

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of the combined use of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) and the Early Detection of Alcohol Consumption (EDAC) test to assess heavy drinking in a population of males (n = 187) drinking an average of 20 drinks per day. Heavy drinkers (n = 138) and light drinkers (n = 49) were analysed in three ways: using the EDAC test alone, using the CDT test alone and using the EDAC and CDT tests combined. The EDAC method uses linear discriminant function to analyse a battery of routine laboratory tests that generate a score for each subject and its associated probability value. This translates into the likelihood of each individual being a heavy or a light drinker. CDT uses ion-exchange chromatography to extract CDT in the serum and quantifies it by radioimmunoassay. The EDAC alone showed 88% (122/138) sensitivity rate when identifying heavy drinking males and 98% (48/49) specificity rate when assessing light drinkers. The CDT test alone showed a sensitivity rate of 58% (80/138) and a corresponding specificity rate of 96% (47/49). When analysed in parallel, 92% (127/138) of heavy drinkers showed abnormal EDAC and/or CDT tests and 94% (46/49) of light drinkers were negative for both tests. When analysed sequentially, the CDT test confirmed 61% (75/122) of the heavy drinkers identified by the EDAC test. Specificity rate for this testing strategy was 100%, because the only false positives for EDAC tested negative for CDT. This preliminary study shows that EDAC and CDT may react independently to alcohol intake and can be combined for maximum diagnostic accuracy.