Browsing by Subject "Clinical Laboratory science"
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Item Cardiovascular risk biomarkers among oral and vaginal hormonal contraceptive users.(2011-07) Brandy, Kyle RobertCombined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) possess an inherent risk of thrombus related events such as stroke, coronary heart disease, venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Recently, NuvaRing, a vaginal CHC, has been introduced to the market. The purpose of this study is to elucidate alterations in cardiovascular risk biomarkers among young women using combined oral contraceptives (COCs) or the NuvaRing compared to a non-CHC using control group. We observed that NuvaRing users were older (p<0.0001) and had a greater incidence of family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD)/stroke (p=0.034) when compared to the control. COC users reported having a more regular sleeping habit (p=0.010). The COC and NuvaRing groups had more white participants and they consumed alcohol more often. No significant alterations were observed in complete blood cell count with differentials, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, thrombin/antithrombin-III, D-dimer, fibrinogen or von Willebrand factor. After adjusting for age, race, alcohol consumption, sleeping habit and family history of CVD/stroke, when compared to control subjects we observed COC and NuvaRing users had elevated levels of C-reactive protein and Factor VII while having lower soluble E-selectin, soluble thrombomodulin, and Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor concentration. COC users had a significantly elevated soluble CD40 ligand level when compared to both control (p<0.0001) and NuvaRing (p<0.0001) but the NuvaRing CD40 ligand level was essentially identical to the control (p=0.5996). When compared to the control group, COC users had reduced levels of soluble P-selectin (p=0.0029) while NuvaRing users also had reduced levels but failed to reach significance (p=0.011). These results indicate significant alterations in several inflammatory and procoagulant blood biomarkers among CHC users. Larger, long-term longitudinal studies are required to further assess the effect of these biomarker alterations on vascular events.Item Comparative analysis of heparin based versus stromal cell supported methods for natural killer cell generation from umbilical cord blood stem cells.(2011-08) Dezell, Steven A.The ongoing search for a cure for leukemia has many possible paths. One of which focuses on cell therapy and the transfusion of natural killer (NK) cells into patients. The innate cytotoxicity of NK cells allows them to target and destroy leukemic cells. NK cells have already helped some patients achieve remission after failure of traditional therapies. There are at least two possible sources of NK cells. First, peripheral blood NK cells can be obtained from a related donor and second, NK cells can be differentiated and expanded from unrelated donor umbilical cord blood (UCB) hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). The later approach has the advantage of selecting donors with high cytotoxic capacity and cryopreservation of cells to be infused when needed. We previously described a method to generate NK cells from UCB-derived HSCs, using a murine fetal liver stromal cell line. However, use of murine cells is likely not allowed for human use. Thus, alternate clinical applications incorporating combinations of cytokines, additives, and procedural steps that would lead to highly cytotoxic NK cells are needed. The present research focuses on a comparison of a stromal cell supported method versus a liquid only based method for generating NK cells from UCB stem cells. Our comparative analysis focused on these two approaches in their ability to expand NK cells from stem cells and the resultant phenotypic functional capabilities of these HSC-derived NK cells. We demonstrate significant differences in absolute NK cell counts, nominal phenotypic differences, and similar functional capabilities between the two methods. Improvements in the techniques that result in NK generation will aid in the clinical use of these cells that have the potential to revolutionize leukemia treatment.