INTRODUCTION: The gold standard for serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) determination is the single molecule array (SIMOA), the use of which is limited by availability and cost. The VEUS method is a fully automated, user-friendly diagnostic system requiring no sample preparation, with high reported sensitivity, multiplexing capability, and rapid diagnostics. The aim of this study was to compare the SIMOA and VEUS methods for determining sNfL levels in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODOLOGY: A single-centre cross-sectional study was conducted at the MS Centre of University Hospital Ostrava. Patients were enrolled in the study from January 18 to January 31, 2024. Inclusion criteria were: 1) diagnosis of MS according to the revised 2017 McDonald criteria, 2) age ≥18 years, and 3) signed informed consent. The NF-light V2 diagnostic kit (SIMOA, Quanterix) and the Singleplex Neurology assay kit (VEUDx, EZDiatech) were used to determine sNfL concentrations. The two methods were compared by use of Spearman correlation, Passing-Bablok regression, and Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: A total of 49 patients were included in the study, of whom 39 (79.6 %) were female. The median sNfL concentration was 7.73 (IQR 5.80-9.93) ng/L determined by SIMOA and 1.31 (IQR 1.18-1.65) ng/L by VEUS. We did not find a correlation between SIMOA and VEUS (rs = 0.025, p = 0.866). Passing-Bablok regression demonstrated a systematic and proportional difference between the two methods. A significant disagreement between them was also confirmed by the Bland-Altman plots. On average, sNfL values measured by SIMOA were 3.56 ng/L (95 % CI 0.78 to 6.34) higher than those measured by VEUS. CONCLUSION: Our investigation uncovered noteworthy disparities between the SIMOA and VEUS techniques in determining sNfL levels. Specifically, the VEUS technique systematically produces lower estimates of sNFL levels. This substantial variance emphasizes the importance of carefully evaluating assay methods when quantifying sNfL.

• MeSH
• biologické markery krev   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• neurofilamentové proteiny * krev   MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• roztroušená skleróza * krev   diagnóza   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH

BACKGROUND: Serum neurofilaments (sNfs), especially the most investigated serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL), are promising biomarkers in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, their clinical utility is still limited, given the availability and costs of accessible analytical methods. The gold standard for the detection of sNfs is represented by the single molecule arrays (SIMOA). Recently, a high sensitivity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (hsELISA) has also been introduced. The objective of the study was to compare both assays for the determination of sNfL and neurofilament heavy chain (sNfH) concentrations in a defined MS cohort. The second objective was to identify contributing factors to sNfs concentrations determined by hsELISA. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from MS patients attending the MS Centre, University Hospital Ostrava, Czech Republic. The levels of sNfs were detected using SIMOA and hsELISA assays. RESULTS: The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient between the sNfL SIMOA and sNfL hsELISA and between the sNfH SIMOA and sNfH hsELISA was moderate rs= 0.543 (p = 0.001) and rs= 0.583 (p = 0.001), respectively. The Passing-Bablok regression analysis demonstrated bias between both methods. Equally significant bias between the methods was confirmed by the Bland-Altman plots. Furthermore, confounding factors affecting the sNfL levels were glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; 95% CI -2.34 to -0.04) and sex (95% CI -2.38 to -0.10). The sNfH levels were affected by age (95% CI 0.01 to 0.07), eGFR (95% CI -2.45 to -0.02), body mass index (BMI; 95% CI -0.31 to -0.05), and blood volume (95% CI 0.69 to 3.35). CONCLUSION: This analytical study showed significant differences between hsELISA and SIMOA methods, especially for the sNfH concentrations. We identified confounding factors for sNfs levels determined by hsELISA. The sNfs levels were influenced by renal function and sex, whilst sNfH levels were affected by age, BMI, and total blood volume.

• MeSH
• biologické markery MeSH
• ELISA MeSH
• intermediární filamenta * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• roztroušená skleróza * diagnóza   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

Tento přehled si klade za cíl seznámit klinické a laboratorní pracovníky s nejdůležitějšími preanalytickými a analytickými aspekty stanovení lehkých řetězců neurofilament (NfL) v biologických tekutinách. NfL představují perspektivní nespecifický biomarker poškození neuronů a axonů, k němuž dochází u celé řady neurologických onemocnění. Před zavedením vyšetřování NfL do širší klinické praxe je nutné charakterizovat preanalytické a analytické stránky stanovení, které mohou významným způsobem ovlivnit správnost výsledku analýzy. Při hodnocení koncentrací NfL je zapotřebí brát v úvahu věk pacienta a vliv může mít i body mass index. Výhodou NfL je jejich dlouhodobá stabilita při různých teplotách skladování i odolnost vůči opakovaným cyklům zmrazování a rozmrazování. Koncentrace NfL v klinických studiích se stanovují především imunoanalytickými metodami, které se liší citlivostí. Pro stanovení NfL existuje několik imunoanalytických přístupů vhodných pro spolehlivé vyšetření v mozkomíšním moku (MMM) i v séru/plazmě. Volba optimálního analytického přístupu závisí mimo jiné na koncentracích NfL v biologických tekutinách. Pro stanovení NfL v MMM lze využít metod ELISA, které vykazují dostačující citlivost pro vyšší koncentrace NfL vyskytující se v této biologické tekutině. Postupně zaváděné nové technologie charakterizované výrazně vyšší citlivostí ve srovnání s metodou ELISA umožnily spolehlivé vyšetřování NfL i v séru či plazmě. Podrobněji jsou zmiňovány principy metod postavené na technologii Simoa®, SimplePlexTM a imunomagnetické redukce.

The aim of this review is to inform clinical and laboratory workers about the most important pre-analytical and analytical aspects of neurofilament light chain (NfL) determination in biological fluids. NfLs represent a promising nonspecific biomarker of neuronal and axonal damage that occurs in a variety of neurological diseases. Before introducing NfL determination into routine clinical practice, it is necessary to characterize the pre-analytical and analytical aspects of the assays, which can significantly affect the accuracy of the analysis results. When evaluating NfL concentrations, the patient‘s age should be taken into account and body mass index may also have an effect. The advantages of NfLs are their long-term storage stability at different temperatures as well as resistance to repeated freezing and thawing cycles. NfL concentrations in clinical trials are determined primarily by immunoassay methods that vary in sensitivity. There are several immunoassay technologies for the determination of NfL suitable for reliable determination in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum/plasma. The choice of the optimal analytical approach depends, among other things, on the concentration of NfL in biological fluids. ELISA methods can be used to determine NfL in CSF, which show sufficient sensitivity for higher concentrations of NfL occurring in this biological fluid. Newly introduced technologies characterized by significantly higher sensitivity in comparison with the ELISA methods enabled reliable examination of NfL also in serum/plasma. The principles of methods based on Simoa® technology, SimplePlexTM, and immunomagnetic reduction are mentioned in more detail.

• MeSH
• biologické markery analýza   chemie   MeSH
• intermediární filamenta * chemie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mozkomíšní mok chemie   MeSH
• preanalytická fáze metody   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Melanoma is a skin cancer with permanently increasing incidence and resistance to therapies in advanced stages. Reports of spontaneous regression and tumour infiltration with T-lymphocytes makes melanoma candidate for immunotherapies. Cytokines are key factors regulating immune response and intercellular communication in tumour microenvironment. Cytokines may be used in therapy of melanoma to modulate immune response. Cytokines also possess diagnostic and prognostic potential and cytokine production may reflect effects of immunotherapies. The purpose of this review is to give an overview of recent advances in proteomic techniques for the detection and quantification of cytokines in melanoma research. Approaches covered span from mass spectrometry to immunoassays for single molecule detection (ELISA, western blot), multiplex assays (chemiluminescent, bead-based (Luminex) and planar antibody arrays), ultrasensitive techniques (Singulex, Simoa, immuno-PCR, proximity ligation/extension assay, immunomagnetic reduction assay), to analyses of single cells producing cytokines (ELISpot, flow cytometry, mass cytometry and emerging techniques for single cell secretomics). Although this review is focused mainly on cancer and particularly melanoma, the discussed techniques are in general applicable to broad research field of biology and medicine, including stem cells, development, aging, immunology and intercellular communication.

• MeSH
• čipová analýza proteinů MeSH
• cytokiny analýza   MeSH
• hmotnostní spektrometrie MeSH
• imunoanalýza MeSH
• imunoterapie MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• melanom diagnóza   metabolismus   terapie   MeSH
• nádorové mikroprostředí MeSH
• nádory kůže diagnóza   metabolismus   terapie   MeSH
• proteomika MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

BACKGROUND: Neurofilament light chain is a promising biomarker of disease activity and treatment response in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). Its role in progressive MS is less clear. AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between plasma neurofilament light chain (pNfL) and disease activity as defined by the concept NEDA-3 (No Evident Disease Activity), and brain volumetry, in a cohort of patients with the progressive disease form (PMS). METHODS: Levels of pNfL (SIMOA technology) were examined in 52 PMS patients and analysed in relationship to NEDA-3 status and annual brain volume loss (BVL) during the last 12 months. The statistical model was developed using logistic regression analysis, including demographic, clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data as independent variables. Dependent variables were NEDA-3 status and BVL. RESULTS: The mean age of the study participants (n=52, 50% females) was 45.85 (SD, 9.82) and the median disability score was 5.0 (IQR: 5.0-5.5). ROC analysis showed that pNfL predicts NEDA-3 (the sensitivity and specificity of the model were 77.8% and 87.6%, respectively, P<0.001) and abnormal BVL (the sensitivity and specificity were 96.6% and 68.2%, respectively, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results show that pNfL levels are a useful biomarker of disease activity determined by NEDA-3 status, including brain MRI-volumetry, in patients with the progressive form of MS.

• MeSH
• atrofie MeSH
• biologické markery MeSH
• intermediární filamenta MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• magnetická rezonanční tomografie metody   MeSH
• mozek diagnostické zobrazování   patologie   MeSH
• nemoci centrálního nervového systému * MeSH
• progrese nemoci MeSH
• relabující-remitující roztroušená skleróza * diagnostické zobrazování   farmakoterapie   patologie   MeSH
• roztroušená skleróza * diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Neurodegenerative disorders affecting the brain and spinal cord are caused by a large number of factors. More recently, imbalances in gut microbiota are found to be one factor linked directly to neurological dysfunction. Probiotics prevent cognitive decline. For the first time, the effect of probiotics was assessed by monitoring the concentrations of the neurodegeneration biomarker neurofilament light chains (NfL) in a well-defined group of community-dwelling individuals. The aim of this study was to determine whether administration of our new probiotics could reduce NfL concentrations. METHODS: The serum NfL concentrations were measured in total of 190 serum samples of 85 older community-dwelling individuals. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: the PROPLA group and the PLAPRO group. Individuals in the PROPLA group started with a three-month use of probiotics and continued with a three-month use of placebo while the order was reversed in the PLAPRO group. The participants underwent detailed examinations at three time points: at baseline, in three and six months. The serum NfL concentrations were determined using ultrasensitive single-molecule array (SIMOA) assay. RESULTS: Longitudinal comparisons of NfL concentrations between samplings at different time points in the PROPLA and PLAPRO groups showed no statistically significant differences. Baseline NfL concentrations at the beginning of the study and in the succeeding samplings were not significantly different for the two groups in cross-sectional comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: Serum NfL concentrations were not influenced by the three-month use of probiotics.

• MeSH
• biologické markery krev   MeSH
• dvojitá slepá metoda MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• neurofilamentové proteiny * krev   MeSH
• probiotika * terapeutické užití   MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• střevní mikroflóra MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• multicentrická studie MeSH
• randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH

BACKGROUND: The research is focused on sensitive biomarkers in multiple sclerosis (MS). OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between plasma neurofilament light chain (pNfL) and disease activity as defined by the concept NEDA (no evident disease activity), including brain volumetry, in a cohort of MS patients treated with disease-modifying treatment (DMT). METHODS: Levels of pNfL (Single Molecule Array (SIMOA) technology) were examined in 95 RRMS (relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis) patients and analyzed in relationship to NEDA-3 status and NEDA-BVL (brain volume loss; NEDA-3 extended by brain volumetry) during the last 12 months. The statistical model was developed using logistic regression analysis, including the independent variables: demographic, clinical, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. Dependent variables were NEDA-3 and NEDA-BVL status. RESULTS: The mean age of the study participants (n = 95, 62% females) was 37.85 years (standard deviation (SD) = 9.62) and the median disability score was 3.5 (2.5-4.1). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis showed that pNfL predicts NEDA-3 (the sensitivity and specificity of the model were 92% and 78%, respectively, p < 0.001) and NEDA-BVL status (the sensitivity and specificity were 80% and 65%, respectively, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results show that pNfL levels are a useful biomarker of disease activity determined by NEDA-BVL status, including brain MRI-volumetry in patients with RRMS.

• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• intermediární filamenta MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• magnetická rezonanční tomografie MeSH
• mozek diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• relabující-remitující roztroušená skleróza * diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• roztroušená skleróza * diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

BACKGROUND: Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) is a marker of neuroaxonal injury. There is a lack of studies investigating the dynamics of relationships between sNfL levels and radiological disease activity over long-term follow-up in multiple sclerosis (MS). OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship among repeated measures of sNfL, lesion burden accumulation, brain volume loss and clinical measures. METHODS: We investigated 172 patients in the early stages of MS (McDonald 2017 criteria). Clinical exams were performed every 3 months and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were collected annually over 48 months. sNfL levels were measured in serum by Simoa assay at the time of treatment initiation and then annually over 36 months. RESULTS: In repeated-measures analysis, considering all time points, we found a strong relationship between percentage changes of sNfL and lesion burden accumulation assessed by T1 lesion volume (p < 0.001) and T2 lesion number (p < 0.001). There was no relationship between percentage changes of sNfL and brain volume loss over 36 months (p > 0.1). Early sNfL levels were associated with delayed brain volume loss after 48 months (p < 0.001). Patients with No Evidence of Disease Activity (NEDA-3) status showed lower sNfL levels compared with active MS patients. CONCLUSIONS: sNfL is associated with ongoing neuroinflammation and predictive of future neurodegeneration in early MS.

• MeSH
• biologické markery MeSH
• intermediární filamenta MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• magnetická rezonanční tomografie MeSH
• mozek diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• neurofilamentové proteiny MeSH
• roztroušená skleróza * diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• zánět diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Vysokoškolská praktická cvičení, která se zaměřují na mikrobiologii.

• MeSH
• mikrobiologické techniky MeSH
• mikrobiologie MeSH

• Konspekt
• Mikrobiologie
• Učební osnovy. Vyučovací předměty. Učebnice
• NLK Obory
• mikrobiologie, lékařská mikrobiologie
• NLK Publikační typ
• učebnice vysokých škol
• praktická cvičení

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether tau phosphorylated at Thr217 (p-tau T217) assay in CSF can distinguish patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) from patients with other dementias and healthy controls. METHODS: We developed and validated a novel Simoa immunoassay to detect p-tau T217 in CSF. There was a total of 190 participants from 3 cohorts with AD (n = 77) and other neurodegenerative diseases (n = 69) as well as healthy participants (n = 44). RESULTS: The p-tau T217 assay (cutoff 242 pg/mL) identified patients with AD with accuracy of 90%, with 78% positive predictive value (PPV), 97% negative predictive value (NPV), 93% sensitivity, and 88% specificity, compared favorably with p-tau T181 ELISA (52 pg/mL), showing 78% accuracy, 58% PPV, 98% NPV, 71% specificity, and 97% sensitivity. The assay distinguished patients with AD from age-matched healthy controls (cutoff 163 pg/mL, 98% sensitivity, 93% specificity), similarly to p-tau T181 ELISA (cutoff 60 pg/mL, 96% sensitivity, 86% specificity). In patients with AD, we found a strong correlation between p-tau T217 and p-tau T181, total tau and β-amyloid 40, but not β-amyloid 42. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that p-tau T217 displayed better diagnostic accuracy than p-tau T181. The data suggest that the new p-tau T217 assay has potential as an AD diagnostic test in clinical evaluation. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class III evidence that a CSF immunoassay for p-tau T217 distinguishes patients with AD from patients with other dementias and healthy controls.

• MeSH
• Alzheimerova nemoc mozkomíšní mok   diagnóza   MeSH
• amyloidní beta-protein mozkomíšní mok   MeSH
• diferenciální diagnóza MeSH
• frontotemporální demence mozkomíšní mok   diagnóza   MeSH
• imunoanalýza metody   normy   MeSH
• kohortové studie MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• neurodegenerativní nemoci mozkomíšní mok   diagnóza   MeSH
• peptidové fragmenty mozkomíšní mok   MeSH
• prediktivní hodnota testů MeSH
• primární progresivní afázie mozkomíšní mok   diagnóza   MeSH
• progresivní supranukleární obrna mozkomíšní mok   diagnóza   MeSH
• proteiny tau mozkomíšní mok   MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• senzitivita a specificita MeSH
• tauopatie mozkomíšní mok   diagnóza   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• hodnotící studie MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH