Machine Learning Algorithms for Predicting Urinary Tract Infections: Integration of Demographic Data and Dipstick Reflectance Results.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections encountered in healthcare settings. Current diagnostic practices often require 24-48 h due to the time needed for culture results. Given that 70%-80% of cultures return negative, there is significant interest in rapidly identifying negative samples to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.

Prediction of Lymphoma Aggressiveness Using Machine Learning Algorithms.

Introduction: Lymph nodes are essential to diagnose lymphoid neoplasms, metastases, and infections. Some lymphomas, particularly aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL), need urgent diagnosis. Combining lymph node cytology (LNC) and flow cytometry (FC) with other rapidly available parameters through multivariable predictive models could offer valuable diagnostic information while waiting for anatomopathological results.

Vaccine-induced humoral response of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 against BA.1, BA.5, and XBB.1.5. (sub)variants 6 months after a homologous booster: is immunogenicity equivalent?

Introduction: Some studies suggest that the monovalent mRNA-1273 vaccine is more effective than BNT162b2 in producing higher levels of antibodies. However, limited data are available, and the methods used are not directly comparable.

Material And Methods: Blood samples were obtained before the booster (third dose) and after 14, 90, and 180 days in two similar cohorts who received the original BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 vaccine designed to target wild type SARS-CoV-2.

Neutralizing antibody response to XBB.1.5, BA.2.86, FL.1.5.1, and JN.1 six months after the BNT162b2 bivalent booster.

Objectives: An increase evasion of the SARS-CoV-2 virus toward vaccination strategies and natural immunity has been rapidly described notably because of the mutations in the spike receptor binding domain and the N-terminal domain.

Methods: Participants of the CRO-VAX HCP study who received the bivalent booster were followed up at 6 months. A pseudovirus-neutralization test was used to assess the neutralization potency of antibodies against D614G, Delta, BA.

Reassessment of dextran sulfate in anti-Xa assay for unfractionated heparin laboratory monitoring.

Background: Anti-Xa assays are used for unfractionated heparin (UFH) monitoring. Dextran sulfate (DS) is used in some assays to overcome the artifactual preanalytical release of platelet factor 4. However, the practical implications of this test modification have not been studied extensively.

Durability of humoral and cellular immunity six months after the BNT162b2 bivalent booster.

Studies about the duration of the humoral and cellular response following the bivalent booster administration are still scarce. We aimed at assessing the humoral and cellular response in a cohort of healthcare workers that received this booster. Blood samples were collected before the administration of the bivalent booster from Pfizer-BioNTech and after 14, 28, 90, and 180 days.

Application of analytical performance specifications for urine test strip methods: Importance of reflectance signals.

Introduction: Urinalysis is essential for diagnosing kidney-related medical conditions. Urine test strip analysis serves as an initial and efficient screening method for reflex testing with accurate quantitative methods.

Materials And Methods: Freshly voided urines (n = 206) were analysed using two urine test strip brands on UC-MAX (Menarini) and cobas u 601 (Roche Diagnostics) instruments.

Peri-infection titers of neutralizing and binding antibodies as a predictor of COVID-19 breakthrough infections in vaccinated healthcare professionals: importance of the timing.

Objectives: The BNT162b2 messenger RNA vaccine is highly effective in reducing COVID-19 infection, hospitalization and death. However, many subjects developed a breakthrough infection despite a full vaccination scheme. Since the waned efficacy of mRNA vaccines is correlated with the decrease of antibodies occurring over time, we aimed at evaluating whether lower levels of antibodies were associated with an increased risk of breakthrough infection in a cohort of breakthrough subjects that received three vaccine doses.

Variability among commercial batches of normal pooled plasma in lupus anticoagulant testing.

Introduction: Lupus anticoagulant (LA) testing requires normal pooled plasma (NPP) in performing mixing studies and can be used for normalized ratios of clotting times (CTs). The aims were to demonstrate whether significant differences in clotting times between two batches of a same commercial NPP (CRYOcheck™) directly affect NPP-based cut-off values.

Methods: Diluted Russell Viper venom time (DRVVT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) were used for LA testing.