ABSTRACT
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants can affect their detection via RT-qPCR. The Omicron variant has a greater affinity for the upper respiratory system and causes clinical conditions similar to bronchitis, as opposed to the pneumonitis-like conditions caused by other SARS-CoV-2 variants. This characteristic increases the viscosity of clinical samples collected for diagnosis. Coinciding with the arrival of the Omicron variant, we observed a failure in control gene expression in our laboratory. In this report, we have optimized a rapid nucleic acid extraction step to restore gene expression and detect the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. We reevaluated 3000 samples, compared variant types occurring in different time periods, and confirmed that the presence of the Omicron variant was responsible for changes observed in the characteristics of these clinical samples. For samples with large amounts of mucus, such as those containing the Omicron variant, a modification to the nucleic acid extraction step was sufficient to restore the quality of RT-qPCR results.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Nucleic Acids , Humans , Brazil , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , COVID-19/diagnosis , RNAABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the intestinal barrier function in leukemia patients before the start of the chemotherapy with an intestinal permeability test using lactulose and mannitol as markers. METHODS: The study enrolled 20 patients diagnosed with leukemia (acute and chronic). Ten healthy volunteers were also submitted to the test as a control group. RESULTS: The median lactulose/mannitol ratio was 0.019 for the Leukemia Patient Group, whereas in healthy controls the median was 0.009 (p-value=0.244). The median lactulose/mannitol ratio in acute leukemia patients was 0.034 giving a p-value of 0.069 when compared to healthy controls. This same comparison was made between acute myeloid leukemia patients and healthy controls with a p-value of 0.149. There was no significant difference in the intestinal permeability between acute and chronic leukemia patients (p-value=0.098). CONCLUSION: The intestinal barrier function measured using the intestinal permeability test was similar in leukemic patients overall and healthy controls, but a tendency toward a different pattern was found in the intestinal barrier function of acute leukemia patients.
ABSTRACT
Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the intestinal barrier function in leukemia patients before the start of the chemotherapy with an intestinal permeability test using lactulose and mannitol as markers. Methods: The study enrolled 20 patients diagnosed with leukemia (acute and chronic). Ten healthy volunteers were also submitted to the test as a control group. Results: The median lactulose/mannitol ratio was 0.019 for the Leukemia Patient Group, whereas in healthy controls the median was 0.009 (p-value = 0.244). The median lactulose/mannitol ratio in acute leukemia patients was 0.034 giving a p-value of 0.069 when compared to healthy controls. This same comparison was made between acute myeloid leukemia patients and healthy controls with a p-value of 0.149. There was no significant difference in the intestinal permeability between acute and chronic leukemia patients (p-value = 0.098). Conclusion: The intestinal barrier function measured using the intestinal permeability test was similar in leukemic patients overall and healthy controls, but a tendency toward a different pattern was found in the intestinal barrier function of acute leukemia patients...
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Infant , Child, Preschool , Child , Adolescent , Drug Therapy , Intestines , Lactulose , Leukemia , Mannitol , PermeabilityABSTRACT
Objective To investigate superior mesenteric artery flow measurement by Doppler ultrasonography as a means of characterizing inflammatory activity in Crohn's disease. Materials and Methods Forty patients were examined and divided into two groups – disease activity and remission – according to their Crohn's disease activity index score. Mean superior mesenteric artery flow volume was calculated for each group and correlated with Crohn's disease activity index score. Results The mean superior mesenteric artery flow volume was significantly greater in the patients with active disease (626 ml/min ± 236 × 376 ml/min ± 190; p = 0.001). As a cut off corresponding to 500 ml/min was utilized, the superior mesenteric artery flow volume demonstrated sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 82% for the diagnosis of Crohn's disease activity. Conclusion The present results suggest that patients with active Crohn's disease have increased superior mesenteric artery flow volume as compared with patients in remission. Superior mesenteric artery flow measurement had a good performance in the assessment of disease activity in this study sample. .
ABSTRACT
Os marcadores tumorais são macromoléculas presentes no tumor, no sangue ou em outros líquidos biológicos,cujo aparecimento e/ou alterações em suas concentrações estão relacionados com a gênese e o crescimento de células neoplásicas. Este trabalho apresenta uma revisão da literatura nacional e internacional sobre o papel dos marcadores tumorais no manejo clínico de pacientes com câncer, desde o auxílio no diagnóstico e estadiamento até a avaliação da resposta terapêutica, detecção de recidivas e prognóstico, além de auxiliar na decisão da terapia a ser utilizada, bem como terapias adjuvantes. De todo o levantamento bibliográfico realizado, pode-se dizer que pacientes que inicialmente apresentam um marcador tumoral em nível elevado, e que se normaliza com a intervenção terapêutica invariavelmente têm uma resposta favorável; já aqueles que apresentam um marcador tumoral persistentemente elevado ou em ascensão apresentam alta probabilidade de doença recorrente ou progressiva e devem ser vistos como suspeitos de doença metastática.
