Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease with generally poor prognosis that selectively targets optic nerves and spinal cord. Although diagnostic criteria for NMO are available, there is still a need for biomarkers, predicting disease development and progression to improve individually tailored treatment. CSF proteins were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The interaction between these proteins was further analyzed by Pathway Studio software. Seven protein spots in CSF were significantly altered in NMO patients compared with controls. Identification made by mass spectrometry revealed that the most significant protein was haptoglobin, which was increased in the NMO gels. The subsequent ELISA test were performed to validate it, which confirmed the results of proteomic analysis. Protein network was built, which showed some biological interactions among the seven proteins. These results support a correlation between the level of haptoglobin and NMO. Haptoglobin may be a potential useful biomarker for diagnosis or a medicine target for treatment of NMO.

BackgroundInterferon-gamma release assays have not been validated in active TB among pregnant women. Therefore, the objective of this retrospective study was to estimate the diagnostic value of T-SPOT.TB in active TB among pregnant women.Material/MethodsBetween May 2012 and May 2015, 26 consecutive pregnant women with suspected TB were enrolled in our study. The clinicopathological characteristics and T-SPOT.TB results were reviewed and analyzed.ResultsPregnant patients were divided into a TB group (n=21) and a Non-TB group (n=5). In the TB group, 5 patients had pulmonary TB, 5 had pulmonary TB+ extrapulmonary TB, and 11 had exclusively extrapulmonary TB. The most common site of extrapulmonary TB was pleural (n=11). Statistical analysis showed that the lymphocyte count in the TB group was lower than in the Non-TB group (P<0.05). For detection of active TB during pregnancy, T-SPOT.TB had a high sensitivity of 100.0% (84.5%–100.0%) and a specificity of 80.0% (37.6–96.4%).ConclusionsT-SPOT.TB shows good performance in detection of active tuberculosis during pregnancy. Interferon gamma release assay for TB screening of pregnant women is recommended in clinical practice because it may be a more appropriate diagnostic tool than the tuberculin skin test.

Adiponectin gene polymorphisms have been implicated in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) development. However, results from previous studies were inconsistent and inconclusive. To shed some light on the relationship of two adiponectin gene polymorphisms, T45G and G276T, with PCOS, we conducted the current meta-analysis. PubMed was used for searching all eligible studies up to September 30, 2011. Odds ratio (OR) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was adopted to evaluate the strength of the associations. In total, ten case-control studies involving 2,821 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Results showed that the T45G polymorphism was not associated with PCOS for allelic contrast (OR = 1.10, 95%CI: 0.83-1.44, P = 0.514), with evidence of large heterogeneity (P(heterogeneity) = 0.002). Concerning G276T polymorphism, the results showed that the T allele was related to a reduced risk of PCOS compared with the G allele under allelic genetic model (OR = 0.81, 95%CI: 0.70-0.93, P = 0.003), and no significant heterogeneity (P(heterogeneity) = 0.268) was revealed. Similar results were observed under additive, dominant and recessive genetic models for both of these two polymorphisms. No publication bias was detected. Our results suggested that the T45G polymorphism of adiponectin gene was not significantly associated with PCOS, while the G276T polymorphism was related to a decreased risk of PCOS.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to calculate 95% reference intervals and double-sided limits of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) according to the CLSI EP28-A3 guideline.Material/MethodsSerum AFP and CEA values were measured in samples from 26 000 healthy subjects in the Shuyang area receiving general health checkups. The 95% reference intervals and upper limits were calculated by using MedCalc.ResultsWe provided continuous reference intervals from 20 years old to 90 years old for AFP and CEA. The reference intervals were: AFP, 1.31–7.89 ng/ml (males) and 1.01–7.10 ng/ml (females); CEA, 0.51–4.86 ng/ml (males) and 0.35–3.45ng/ml (females). AFP and CEA were significantly positively correlated with age in both males (r=0.196 and r=0.198) and females (r=0.121 and r=0.197).ConclusionsDifferent races or populations and different detection systems may result in different reference intervals for AFP and CEA. Continuous reference intervals of age changes are more accurate than age groups.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to establish the reference intervals (RIs) of total bilirubin (TBIL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and creatinine (CREA) for apparently healthy elderly (Han ethnicity) in Shuyang, China.Material/MethodsA total of 54 912 blood specimens from elderly residents age 65–104 years were collected by standard procedures in Shuyang county of Jiangsu province. TBIL, ALT, AST, and CREA for each participant were determined by automatic biochemical analyzer. Distribution and differences of TBIL, ALT, AST, and CREA were analyzed and compared between the elderly of the same age of different sexes and different ages of the same sex. RIs of TBIL, ALT, AST, and CREA were compared with the current RIs. The RIs and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using nonparametric method (2.5th–97.5th percentiles) according to the guideline of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute.ResultsRIs established for the healthy elderly include: TBIL 7.8~30.6 μmol/L for males and 7.3~26.1 μmol/L for females; ALT 8.7~47.3 U/L for males and 8.4~45.2 U/L for females; AST 15.7~46.9 U/L for males and 15.1~46.2 U/L for females; and CREA 45.1~100.9 μmol/L for males and 38.7~85.0 μmol/L for females. Reference intervals of TBIL, ALT, AST, and CREA for male elderly were higher than those of females, and values of CREA increased with increasing age.ConclusionsWe have established a panel of locally relevant RIs. It is necessary to establish scientific and reasonable RIs of TBIL, ALT, AST, and CREA for the healthy elderly in our region, which will provide a reference for clinicians and inspection officers.