Extracellular Vesicles (EVs), particularly exosomes, are of considerable interest as tumor biomarkers, since tumor-derived EVs contain a broad array of information about tumor pathophysiology including its metabolic and metastatic status. However, current EV based assays cannot distinguish between EV biomarker changes by altered secretion of EVs during diseased conditions like cancer, inflammation, etc. that express a constant level of a given biomarker, stable secretion of EVs with altered biomarker expression, or a combination of these two factors. This issue was addressed by developing a nanoparticle and dye-based fluorescent immunoassay that can distinguish among these possibilities by normalizing EV biomarker level(s) to EV abundance, revealing average expression levels of EV biomarker under observation. In this approach, EVs are captured from complex samples (e.g. serum), stained with a lipophilic dye and hybridized with antibodyvi

PurposeTo determine the differences in the presentation of ophthalmic giant cell arteritis between African-Americans and Caucasians.MethodsThis was a multicenter retrospective case series comparing African-American patients with ophthalmic GCA to a previously published Caucasian cohort. Neuro-ophthalmic centers across the United States were contacted to provide data on African-American patients with biopsy-proven ophthalmic giant cell arteritis. The differences between African-American and Caucasian patients with respect to multiple variables, including age, sex, systemic and ophthalmic signs and symptoms, ocular ischemic lesions, and laboratory results were studied.ResultsThe Caucasian cohort was slightly older (mean=76.1 years) than the African-American cohort (mean=72.6 years, P=0.03), and there was no difference in sex distribution between the two cohorts. Headache, neck pain, and anemia were more frequent, while jaw claudication was less frequent in African-Americans (P<0.01, <0.001, 0.02, and 0.03 respectively). Acute vision loss was the most common presentation of giant cell arteritis in both groups, though it was less common in African-Americans (78 vs 98% of Caucasians, P<0.001). Eye pain was more common in African-Americans (28 vs 8% of Caucasians, P<0.01).ConclusionsThe presenting features of ophthalmic giant cell arteritis in African-Americans and Caucasians are not markedly different, although a few significant differences exist, including higher rates of headache, neck pain, anemia, and eye pain, and lower rates of jaw claudication and acute vision loss in African-Americans. Persons presenting with suspicious signs and symptoms should undergo evaluation for giant cell arteritis regardless of race.

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Comparing the quality of life of persons who have experienced amputations and persons who have had bowel resections illustrates the impact of chronic disease upon all aspects of a patient's life. Because the purpose of nursing research is to bring about knowledge to better direct patient care, understanding the impact of chronic illness contributes to an improvement in the quality of life of these patients. By appreciating the patient's perspective concerning the illness, the nurse can better educate the patient in all aspects of the disease process. Based on Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring, this study acknowledged the need for evidence-based nursing practice to care for the well-being of the patient in a holistic manner. Our hypothesis was adult patients after Crohn disease-related bowel resection experience a better quality of life than do adult patients with peripheral vascular disease related amputation. This descriptive comparative study had a sample of patients with Crohn disease and resection (n = 28) and patients with peripheral vascular amputation (n = 16). The instrument used to measure quality of life was the RAND-36 Item Health Survey 1.0. Results revealed significant differences between the patients with bowel resection and those with peripheral vascular amputation with regard to physical functioning, general health, and role limitations related to physical health. No significant differences existed between the two groups in terms of energy/fatigue, emotional well-being, social functioning, role limitations related to emotional problems, and pain. Results from the data may indicate that the incorporation of more education regarding social, emotional, physiological, and psychological aspects of postoperative life may be of importance to evidence based nursing practice. This addition may also lead to better adjustment to postoperative life for patients and improve overall quality of life.

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