Background: Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are thought to modify systemic inflammation. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between PUFA intake, lung function, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: In this study, we used the dataset of 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, in which, a total of 22,948 individuals including 573 participants with a high probability of developing COPD were enrolled. Participants with missing data for the investigated variables were excluded. Linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between PUFA intake (omega-3 [N3], omega-6 [N6], and total) with lung function, and HRQoL. HRQoL was determined according to the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D). Subgroup analysis of older patients was performed. Age, sex, body mass index, smoking, alcohol, education, residence, total calorie intake, and predicted FEV1% were adjusted in all analyses. Results: Although lung function was not associated with PUFA intake, EQ-5D index was remarkably associated with N3, N6, and total PUFA intake in a dose-dependent manner. This association was more pronounced in elderly COPD patients. Mean levels of N3, N6, and total PUFA intake were significantly higher in patients having better HRQoL with respect to mobility, self-care, and usual activities. Conclusion Our results suggest that N3, N6, and total PUFA intake are associated with HRQoL in COPD patients. This association may be attributed to mobility, self-care, and usual activities. Further longitudinal study is required to clarify this relationship.

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) is a crucial biomarker for diagnosing sepsis and managing antibiotic therapy. This study evaluated the analytical performance and comparability of the Access PCT and Elecsys BRAHMS PCT assays. Methods: The precision, detection capability, linearity, and reference range of both assays were assessed. A comparative analysis included 182 patient samples categorized into four risk groups to compare the results between Access PCT and Elecsys BRAHMS PCT assays. Results: The Access PCT assay demonstrated precision within the manufacturer’s threshold, and its detection capabilities were verified. This assay exhibited excellent linearity and appropriate reference intervals. Comparative analysis indicated that the Access PCT assay reported higher overall PCT levels than the Elecsys BRAHMS assay, with high agreement between the assays (κ=0.941). However, the biases varied across different PCT concentration intervals. Conclusions Both the Access PCT and Elecsys BRAHMS PCT assays performed robustly with notable concordance but varying biases at different concentration intervals. The observed biases require careful consideration in clinical decision-making, especially when adopting novel assay systems. Standardizing the calibration across different platforms is recommended to improve assay comparability.

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) is a crucial biomarker for diagnosing sepsis and managing antibiotic therapy. This study evaluated the analytical performance and comparability of the Access PCT and Elecsys BRAHMS PCT assays. Methods: The precision, detection capability, linearity, and reference range of both assays were assessed. A comparative analysis included 182 patient samples categorized into four risk groups to compare the results between Access PCT and Elecsys BRAHMS PCT assays. Results: The Access PCT assay demonstrated precision within the manufacturer’s threshold, and its detection capabilities were verified. This assay exhibited excellent linearity and appropriate reference intervals. Comparative analysis indicated that the Access PCT assay reported higher overall PCT levels than the Elecsys BRAHMS assay, with high agreement between the assays (κ=0.941). However, the biases varied across different PCT concentration intervals. Conclusions Both the Access PCT and Elecsys BRAHMS PCT assays performed robustly with notable concordance but varying biases at different concentration intervals. The observed biases require careful consideration in clinical decision-making, especially when adopting novel assay systems. Standardizing the calibration across different platforms is recommended to improve assay comparability.

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) is a crucial biomarker for diagnosing sepsis and managing antibiotic therapy. This study evaluated the analytical performance and comparability of the Access PCT and Elecsys BRAHMS PCT assays. Methods: The precision, detection capability, linearity, and reference range of both assays were assessed. A comparative analysis included 182 patient samples categorized into four risk groups to compare the results between Access PCT and Elecsys BRAHMS PCT assays. Results: The Access PCT assay demonstrated precision within the manufacturer’s threshold, and its detection capabilities were verified. This assay exhibited excellent linearity and appropriate reference intervals. Comparative analysis indicated that the Access PCT assay reported higher overall PCT levels than the Elecsys BRAHMS assay, with high agreement between the assays (κ=0.941). However, the biases varied across different PCT concentration intervals. Conclusions Both the Access PCT and Elecsys BRAHMS PCT assays performed robustly with notable concordance but varying biases at different concentration intervals. The observed biases require careful consideration in clinical decision-making, especially when adopting novel assay systems. Standardizing the calibration across different platforms is recommended to improve assay comparability.

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) is a crucial biomarker for diagnosing sepsis and managing antibiotic therapy. This study evaluated the analytical performance and comparability of the Access PCT and Elecsys BRAHMS PCT assays. Methods: The precision, detection capability, linearity, and reference range of both assays were assessed. A comparative analysis included 182 patient samples categorized into four risk groups to compare the results between Access PCT and Elecsys BRAHMS PCT assays. Results: The Access PCT assay demonstrated precision within the manufacturer’s threshold, and its detection capabilities were verified. This assay exhibited excellent linearity and appropriate reference intervals. Comparative analysis indicated that the Access PCT assay reported higher overall PCT levels than the Elecsys BRAHMS assay, with high agreement between the assays (κ=0.941). However, the biases varied across different PCT concentration intervals. Conclusions Both the Access PCT and Elecsys BRAHMS PCT assays performed robustly with notable concordance but varying biases at different concentration intervals. The observed biases require careful consideration in clinical decision-making, especially when adopting novel assay systems. Standardizing the calibration across different platforms is recommended to improve assay comparability.

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) is a crucial biomarker for diagnosing sepsis and managing antibiotic therapy. This study evaluated the analytical performance and comparability of the Access PCT and Elecsys BRAHMS PCT assays. Methods: The precision, detection capability, linearity, and reference range of both assays were assessed. A comparative analysis included 182 patient samples categorized into four risk groups to compare the results between Access PCT and Elecsys BRAHMS PCT assays. Results: The Access PCT assay demonstrated precision within the manufacturer’s threshold, and its detection capabilities were verified. This assay exhibited excellent linearity and appropriate reference intervals. Comparative analysis indicated that the Access PCT assay reported higher overall PCT levels than the Elecsys BRAHMS assay, with high agreement between the assays (κ=0.941). However, the biases varied across different PCT concentration intervals. Conclusions Both the Access PCT and Elecsys BRAHMS PCT assays performed robustly with notable concordance but varying biases at different concentration intervals. The observed biases require careful consideration in clinical decision-making, especially when adopting novel assay systems. Standardizing the calibration across different platforms is recommended to improve assay comparability.

PURPOSE: Benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BCECT) or benign rolandic epilepsy (BRE) is not always benign in clinical or neuroimaging features. Recent studies have reported atypical forms of rolandic epilepsy with abnormal neurologic and/or neuroimaging findings, sometimes, also with poor seizure control. We investigated whether there are any differences in linear and nonlinear EEG analysis in typical and atypical rolandic epilepsies of childhood. METHODS: Ten patients with typical BRE group and seven patients with atypical BRE group were included in this study. We selected artifact-free 10-second epochs from 19 electrodes of 10-20 international EEG system from each patient. The power spectrum was calculated in delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency ranges. The fractal dimension was analyzed as a nonlinear EEG analysis. We analyzed both EEGs with interictal spikes and without focal slowing or epileptiform activities. RESULTS: The spectral EEG analysis showed a significant increase of absolute and relative power of delta with decrease of alpha bands in atypical BRE group compared to typical group. There was no statistical difference in fractal dimension between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Atypical BRE group showed enhanced delta and decreased alpha power, suggesting a cortical dysfunction in this group with poor clinical outcome.
Electrodes ; Electroencephalography* ; Epilepsy ; Epilepsy, Rolandic* ; Fractals ; Humans ; Neuroimaging ; Seizures

BACKGROUND: To minimize the inflammatory reaction and improve healing, a new modified dermal substitute composed of an atelocollagen, chondroitin-6-sulfate, and amniotic membrane (AM) was applied to full-thickness skin defects in a pig. Atelocollagen was extracted from bovine skin, and two modified dermal substitutes were generated according to the cross-linking type. METHODS: The AM-collagen dermal substitutes were characterized and compared with currently used dermal substitutes in a pig skin defect model. There were five experimental groups: dehydrothermal (DHT) cross-linking atelocollagen with the AM on the top (AM-DHT), DHT and chemical cross-linking atelocollagen with the AM on the top (AM-DHT/chemical), Terudermis, Integra, and AlloDerm. After 3x3 cm full-thickness skin defects on the back of a pig were created, each dermal substitutes dermal substitutes was randomly grafted on the defects. Two weeks after grafting, autologous partial-thickness skin was over-grafted on the neodermis. The take rate of the dermal substitutes, skin, and histological sections were all assessed at 1, 2, and 4 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: More rapid healing and a higher take rate were evident in the AM-DHT and Terudermis groups. Histological examination revealed fewer inflammatory cells and more fibroblast hyperplasia in these two groups. Four weeks after surgery, the amount of newly formed collagen was significantly more appropriate in the AM-DHT group. CONCLUSIONS: These observations provide supporting evidence that a newly developed amniotic-collagen dermal substitute may inhibit inflammatory reactions and promote wound healing.
Amnion ; Biological Dressings ; Chondroitin Sulfates ; Collagen ; Dermis ; Fibroblasts ; Hyperplasia ; Skin ; Skin, Artificial ; Transplants ; Wound Healing