Biologic Specimen Bank Research Articles

Biological Specimen Banking as a Time Capsule to Explore the Temporal Dynamics of Norovirus Epidemiology.

Norovirus is recognised as a major cause of epidemic and sporadic acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in all age groups. Information on the genetic diversity of the noroviruses circulating in the 1980s and 1990s, before the development and adoption of dedicated molecular assays, is limited compared with the last decades. Between 1986 and 2020, uninterrupted viral surveillance was conducted in symptomatic children hospitalized with AGE in Palermo, Italy, providing a unique time capsule for exploring the epidemiological and evolutionary dynamics of enteric viruses. A total of 8433 stool samples were tested using real-time RT-PCR. All samples were stored at -20 or -80 °C until processing. In this 35-year long time span, noroviruses of genogroup II (GII) were detected in 15.6% of AGE requiring hospitalization, whilst GI noroviruses were detected in 1.4% of AGE. Overall, the predominant norovirus capsid (Cap) genotype was GII.4 (60.8%), followed by GII.3 (13.3%) and GII.2 (12.4%). Temporal replacement of the GII.4 Cap variants associated with different polymerase (Pol) types were observed over the study period. The chronology of emergence and circulation of the different GII.4 variants were consistent with data available in the literature. Also, for GII.3 and GII.2 NoVs, the circulation of different lineages/strains, differing in either the Cap or Pol genes or in both, was observed. This long-term study revealed the ability of noroviruses to continuously and rapidly modify their genomic makeup and highlights the importance of surveillance activities in vaccine design.

Cohort Profile Update: the China Metal-Exposed workers Cohort Study (Jinchang Cohort).

The Jinchang Cohort was an ongoing 20-year ambispective cohort with unique metal exposures to an occupational population. From January 2014 to December 2019, the Jinchang Cohort has completed three phases of follow-up. The baseline cohort was completed from June 2011 to December 2013, and a total of 48 001 people were included. Three phases of follow-ups included 46 713, 41 888, and 40 530 participants, respectively. The death data were collected from 2001 to 2020. The epidemiological, physical examination, physiological, and biochemical data of the cohort were collected at baseline and during follow-up. Biological specimens were collected on the baseline to establish a biological specimen bank. The concentrations of metals in urine and serum were detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The new areas of research aim to study the all-cases mortality, the burden of diseases, heavy metals and diseases, and the course of the chain from disease to high-risk outcomes using a combination of macro and micro means, which provided a scientific basis to explore the pathogenesis of multi-etiology and multi-disease and to evaluate the effects of the intervention measures in the population.

A Comparison of Recruitment Methods for a Prospective Cohort Study of Perinatal Psychoneuroimmunology among Black American Women.

Improved understanding of perinatal psychoneuroimmunology is needed, particularly to combat the high rates of maternal and infant mortality witnessed among Black Americans. We compared the success of recruitment by advertisement, in person, or by phone during the course of a prospective cohort study of perinatal psychoneuroimmunology among Black American women. Over 24 months, 363 women were assessed and 96 were enrolled. Women recruited by phone were less likely to complete full screening than women recruited by advertisement (OR = 0.32, p < 0.01) or in person (OR = 0.19, p < 0.01). Women recruited by advertisement were less likely to complete full screening than women recruited in person (OR = 0.60, p = 0.05). Odds of unsuccessful contact were 13.2 and 11.5 times greater among women recruited by phone versus by advertisement or in person, respectively (p values ≤ 0.01). Women recruited by advertisement and in person showed similar odds of unsuccessful contact (OR = 0.87, p = 0.76). Odds of screening decline were similar following recruitment in person or by phone when contact was successful (OR = 0.85, p = 0.76). Focusing on eligible women (n = 142), those recruited in person were significantly less likely to enroll than those recruited by advertisement (OR = 0.28, p < 0.01; Fig. 4). Considering all women (n = 363), odds of enrollment did not significantly differ among the recruitment groups (p values ≥ 0.09). Most (93.8%) enrolled women consented to biological specimen banking. Findings from this brief report provide a starting point for perinatal scientists to critically consider not only how to maximize research efforts but also how research team actions may perpetuate or assuage the research mistrust introduced by long-standing social inequities.

Vitamin D concentrations from neonatal dried blood spots and the risk of early-onset type 2 diabetes in the Danish D-tect case-cohort study.

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of neonatal vitamin D concentration on the development of early-onset type 2 diabetes in a large population sample. We conducted a case-cohort study utilising data from the Danish biobank and registers. Neonatal vitamin D was assessed measuring 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] concentrations on the dried blood spot samples from the Biological Specimen Bank for Neonatal Screening. Cases of type 2 diabetes (n = 731) were retrieved from the Danish National Patient Register for all individuals born in Denmark between 1 May 1981 and 31 December 1992. The sub-cohort (n = 1765) was randomly selected from all children born in the same period. We used a weighted Cox proportional hazard model assessing the hazard of first type 2 diabetes diagnoses by quintiles of 25(OH)D3 and restricted cubic spline. The median 25(OH)D3 concentration (IQR) among cases was 21.3nmol/l (13.3-34.1) and 23.9nmol/l (13.7-35.7) in the sub-cohort. There was no indication of a potential lower risk of early-onset type 2 diabetes among individuals in the higher quintile of vitamin D concentration compared with the lowest (HRcrude 0.97 [95% CI 0.71, 1.33] p = 0.85; HRadjusted 1.29 [95% CI 0.92, 1.83] p = 0.14). The results of this study do not support the hypothesis that higher neonatal vitamin D concentrations are associated with a lower risk of early-onset type 2 diabetes in adulthood.

Study protocol for the Sino-Canadian Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (SCHeLTI): a multicentre, cluster-randomised, parallel-group, superiority trial of a multifaceted community-family-mother-child intervention to prevent childhood overweight and obesity

IntroductionChildhood overweight and obesity (OWO) is a primary global health challenge. Childhood OWO prevention is now a public health priority in China. The Sino-Canadian Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (SCHeLTI), one...

Differential expression of genes associated with T lymphocytes function in septic patients with hypoxemia challenge.

This study aimed to assess gene expression alterations related to T lymphocytes function and explore their potential association with hypoxemia among septic patients. This is a retrospective cohort clinical study with laboratory investigations. We studied patients enrolled in sepsis biological specimen bank from Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, fulfilling consensus criteria for sepsis without any documented immune comorbidity admitted in ICU within 48 h after onset with whole blood samples drawn within 24 h of admission. Whole genome expression by microarray assay (Human LncRNA Microarray V4.0) was compared in hypoxemia cohort versus without. Differentially expressed (DE) genes with >1 log2[fold change (FC)] and false discovery rate (FDR) <0.20 that enriched in T cell related biological process entered the adjusted analysis to identify the candidate genes. The correlation analysis within candidate genes or with clinical parameters were performed. We assessed candidate expression ex vivo in co-culture system with RAW246.7 cells and validated genes identified in prior studies of sepsis-ARDS/hypoxemia within our present study. Septic patients (n=9) with hypoxemic phenotype held higher illness severity, serum lactate and creatine, and incidence of lymphopenia compared with non-hypoxemic group (n=6). Several gene signatures related to apoptosis, inhibitory receptors, T cell immunoreceptor, transcriptions factors, toll-like receptors and cytokine and effector molecules were upregulated in hypoxemic group. Candidate genes were identified after adjustment for age, sex and presence of lymphopenia with significantly negative correlations with partial pressure of O2 in an arterial blood (PaO2) and fraction of inspiration O2 (FiO2) ratio, among which NLRP3, SOS1, ELF1 and STAT3 held an increasing expression in ex vivo validation while the others, PSMA5, CLEC4D, CD300A, PRKD2 and PSMA2 showed the opposite alteration from those in vivo. Higher illness severity and incidence of lymphopenia was observed following hypoxemia in sepsis and T cell-related gene signatures were associated with hypoxemia during sepsis.

The natural course of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in a Chinese cohort: protocol of a multi-center registration study in CIAP

BackgroundSubarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) accounts for 4.4% of cerebral vascular disease, which is one of the leading causes of death in China. Rupture of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) is the most common cause of SAH. The natural history of unruptured IAs (UIAs) and the risk factors for rupture are among the key issues regarding the pathogenesis of IA and SAH that remain unclear in the Chinese population.MethodsThe China Intracranial Aneurysm Project (CIAP) is a prospective, observational, multicenter registry study of the natural courses, risk factors for the onset and rupture, treatment methods, comorbidity management and other aspects of intracranial aneurysms. To date, there are five studies in the CIAP. CIAP-1 is a prospective observational cohort study of UIAs. More than 5000 patients who will be followed for at least 1 year are expected to be enrolled in this cohort. These participants come from more than 20 centers that represent different regions in China. Enrollment began on May 1, 2017, and will take approximately 5 years. A nationwide online database of UIAs will be built. Participants’ basic, lifestyle, clinical and follow-up information will be collected. The blood samples will be stored in the Central Biological Specimen Bank. Strict standards have been established and will be followed in this study to ensure efficient implementation.DiscussionThe natural course of UIAs in the Chinese population will be explored in this registry study. In addition, the risk factors for the rupture of the UIAs and the joint effect of those factors will be analyzed. The present study aims to create a nationwide database of UIAs and investigate the natural course of UIAs in China.Trial registration The Natural Course of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms in a Chinese Cohort (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03117803). Registered: July 5, 2017

Cancer screenee cohort study of the National Cancer Center in South Korea.

The Cancer Screenee Cohort Study was first established in 2002 by the National Cancer Center in South Korea to investigate all possible risk factors related to cancers and to expand biological specimen banking for the development of effective methodologies for cancer detection, diagnosis, and prevention. As of July in 2014, total 41,105 participants were enrolled in this cohort. Data were collected via questionnaire, clinical examination, cancer screening, and biological specimen testing including blood, urine, and exfoliated cervical cells. The highest incidence was found to be thyroid cancer, according to a nested case-control study that was linked to the National Cancer Registry information as of December 31, 2011. Case-control, cross-sectional, and cohort studies have been published using these data since 2009. Diet and nutrition was the most published topic, followed by genetics, hepatitis B virus and liver cancer screening, methodologies, physical activity, obesity, metabolic syndrome, smoking and alcohol consumption, and blood type. Evidence from the Cancer Screenee Cohort Study is highly anticipated to reduce the burden of cancer in the Korean population and aid in the detection, diagnosis, and prevention of cancer.

Cohort Profile: The Maternal‐Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals Research Platform

The Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) Study was established to obtain Canadian biomonitoring data for pregnant women and their infants, and to examine potential adverse health effects of prenatal exposure to priority environmental chemicals on pregnancy and infant health. Women were recruited during the first trimester from 10 sites across Canada and were followed through delivery. Questionnaires were administered during pregnancy and post-delivery to collect information on demographics, occupation, life style, medical history, environmental exposures and diet. Information on the pregnancy and the infant was abstracted from medical charts. Maternal blood, urine, hair and breast milk, as well as cord blood and infant meconium, were collected and analysed for an extensive list of environmental biomarkers and nutrients. Additional biospecimens were stored in the study's Biobank. The MIREC Research Platform encompasses the main cohort study, the Biobank and follow-up studies. Of the 8716 women approached at early prenatal clinics, 5108 were eligible and 2001 agreed to participate (39%). MIREC participants tended to smoke less (5.9% vs. 10.5%), be older (mean 32.2 vs. 29.4 years) and have a higher education (62.3% vs. 35.1% with a university degree) than women giving birth in Canada. The MIREC Study, while smaller in number of participants than several of the international cohort studies, has one of the most comprehensive datasets on prenatal exposure to multiple environmental chemicals. The biomonitoring data and biological specimen bank will make this research platform a significant resource for examining potential adverse health effects of prenatal exposure to environmental chemicals.

Canada's national aquatic biological specimen bank and database

Long-term systematic storage of environmental specimens has become an important component of formal environmental monitoring programs in many countries. In 1977, the Contaminants Surveillance Program (CSP) began in the Great Lakes Basin. In support of the CSP, Fisheries and Oceans Canada began archiving fish tissue samples and created the Great Lakes Fisheries Specimen Bank (GLFSB). In 2006, responsibility for the GLFSB was transferred to Environment Canada and it was renamed the National Aquatic Biological Specimen Bank (NABSB). The new name better reflects the current contents and purpose of the specimen bank which now supports Canada's Chemicals Management Plan (CMP). The NABSB employs standardized banking protocols, computerized sample tracking, maintenance of all data and metadata associated with each specimen, and modern storage equipment situated in a dedicated facility at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters in Burlington, Ontario. Since 1977, specimens from the NABSB have contributed to more than 60 scientific publications, reports, and/or book chapters on the status, trends, and bioaccumulation of metals and various organic contaminants such as PCBs, dioxins, furans, and aromatic hydrocarbons, in aquatic ecosystems. Collection and archiving of specimens in the NABSB continues such that the specimen bank currently holds more than 52,000 samples from 18,749 specimens of top predator fish, forage fish, plankton, and other invertebrates collected over 32 years of environmental monitoring in the Canadian waters of the Great Lakes and beyond.

Endocrine-Related Resources from the National Institutes of Health

Endocrine-Related Resources from the National Institutes of Health

Endocrine-Related Resources from the National Institutes of Health

Endocrine-Related Resources from the National Institutes of Health

Endocrine-Related Resources from the National Institutes of Health

Endocrine-Related Resources from the National Institutes of Health

Endocrine-Related Resources from the National Institutes of Health

Endocrine-Related Resources from the National Institutes of Health

Endocrine-Related Resources from the National Institutes of Health

Endocrine-Related Resources from the National Institutes of Health

Endocrine-Related Resources from the National Institutes of Health

Endocrine-Related Resources from the National Institutes of Health

Endocrine-Related Resources from the National Institutes of Health

Endocrine-Related Resources from the National Institutes of Health

Endocrine-Related Resources from the National Institutes of Health

Endocrine-Related Resources from the National Institutes of Health

Type 1 diabetes risk analysis on dried blood spot samples from population‐based newborns: design and feasibility of an unselected case–control study

Development of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) may be triggered pre- or perinatally by multiple factors. Identifying new predisposing T1D markers or combinations of markers in a large, well-characterised case-control collection may be important for future T1D prevention. The present work describes the design and feasibility of a large and unselected case-control study, which will define and evaluate prediction criteria for T1D at the time of birth. Danish registries (Biological Specimen Bank for Neonatal Screening, and the National Discharge Registry) made it possible to identify and collect dried blood spots (DBS) from newborns who later developed T1D (cases) born 1981-2002. DBS samples from 2086 cases and two matching control subjects per case were analysed for genetic and immune factors that are associated with T1D: (a) candidate genes (HLA, INS and CTLA4), (b) cytokines and inflammatory markers, (c) islet auto-antibodies (GAD65A, IA-2A). The objective of the study was to define reliable prediction tools for T1D using samples available at the time of birth. In a unique approach, the study linked a large unselected and population-based sample resource to well-ascertained clinical databases and advanced technology. It combined genetic, immunological and demographic data to develop prediction algorithms. It also provided a resource for future studies in which new genetic markers can be included as they are identified.

Endocrine-Related Resources from the National Institutes of Health

Endocrine-Related Resources from the National Institutes of Health