Results: Plasma fractionated metanephrines were measured in 78 normotensive children (age range, 1.5-17 years) and in 38 children with suspected catecholamine-secreting tumors. Of the 38 children (age range, 6-17 years) with suspected pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma, 17 had a histopathologically proven catecholamine-secreting tumor. The newly derived pediatric upper reference, limit for metanephrine (128 pg/mL) was higher than in adults (90 pg/mL), whereas the pediatric upper reference limit for normetanephrine

(149 pg/mL) was lower than in adults (180 pg/mL). The manufacturer’s reference range for plasma fractionated metanephrines yielded a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 85.7%. Use of newly established pediatric Evofosfamide reference ranges increased the specificity to 95.2% without altering the sensitivity

(100%).

Conclusions: Plasma fractionated metanephrines by EIA provide an accurate test with good sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma in children. Use of pediatric reference ranges improves accuracy of the test. (Endocr Pract. 2012;18:694-699)”
“Mass spectrometry has become the method of choice for proteome characterization, including multicomponent protein complexes (typically tens to hundreds of proteins) and total protein expression (up to tens of thousands of proteins), in biological samples. Qualitative sequence assignment based on MS/MS spectra is relatively well-defined, while statistical metrics for relative Selonsertib purchase quantification have not completely stabilized. Nonetheless, proteomics studies have progressed to the point whereby various gene-, pathway-, or network-oriented computational frameworks may be used to place mass spectrometry data into biological context. Despite this progress, the dynamic range of protein expression remains

a significant hurdle, and AP24534 concentration impedes comprehensive proteome analysis. Methods designed to enrich specific protein classes have emerged as an effective means to characterize enzymes or other catalytically active proteins that are otherwise difficult to detect in typical discovery mode proteomics experiments. Collectively, these approaches will facilitate identification of biomarkers and pathways relevant to diagnosis and treatment of human disease. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2012, 4:141162. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.166″
“Biomarkers are a useful tool for the investigation of chronic kidney disease (CKD), although the design, analytical tools and outcomes used in many biomarker studies are suboptimal. In part, this situation might reflect a lack of appreciation of the nature of different biomarkers.