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Detection of disease biomarkers from whole blood is very important in disease prevention and management. However, new generation assays like point-of-care or mobile diagnostics face a myriad of challenges in detecting proteins from whole blood. In this research, we have designed, fabricated, and characterized a portable biomedical sensor for the detection of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) directly from whole blood, without sample pretreatments. The sensing methodology is based on an extended gate electrical double layer (EDL) gated field effect transistor (FET) biosensor that can offer very high sensitivity, a wide dynamic range, and high selectivity to target analyte. The sensing methodology is not impeded by electrostatic screening and can be applied to all types of FET sensors. A portable biomedical system is designed to carry out the diagnostic assay in a very simple and rapid manner, that allows the user to screen for target protein from a single drop of blood, in 5 min. This biomedical sensor can be used in hospitals and homes alike, for early detection of cTnI which is a clinical marker for acute myocardial infarction. This sensing methodology could potentially revolutionize the modern health care industry.

Aims/Introduction: Admission hyperglycemia is associated with poor outcome in patients with myocardial infarction. The present study evaluated the relationship between admission glucose level and other clinical variables in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Materials and Methods: The 959 consecutive STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI were divided into five groups based on admission glucose levels of <100, 100-139, 140-189, 190-249 and ≥250 mg/dL. Their short-and long-term outcomes were compared. Results: Higher admission glucose levels were associated with significantly higher inhospital morbidity and mortality, the overall mortality rate at follow up, and the incidence of reinfarction or heart failure requiring admission or leading to mortality at follow up. The odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for in-hospital morbidity, in-hospital mortality, mortality at follow up and re-infarction or heart failure or mortality at follow up of patients with admission glucose levels ≥190 mg/dL, compared with those with admission glucose levels <190 mg/dL, were 2.12 (1.3-3.4, P = 0.001), 2.74 (1.4-5.5, P = 0.004), 2.52 (1.2-5.1, P = 0.01) and 1.70 (1.03-2.8, P = 0.04), respectively. Previously non-diabetic patients with admission glucose levels ≥250 mg/dL had significantly higher in-hospital morbidity or mortality (44 vs 70%, P = 0.03). Known diabetic patients had higher rates of reinfarction, heart failure or mortality at follow up in the 100-139 mg/dL (8 vs 27%, P = 0.04) and 140-189 mg/dL (11 vs 26%, P = 0.02) groups. Conclusions: Admission hyperglycemia, especially at glucose levels ≥190 mg/dL, is a predictor of poor prognosis in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI.

ObjectivesTo develop the Chinese version of the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Health-related Quality of Life Questionnaire (Chi-PCOSQ).Research Design and MethodThis cross-sectional study was conducted in a medical center in Taiwan. Eighty women who met the criteria were enrolled: female, age range of 18–45 years, competent in the Chinese language, had been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and were regularly followed at outpatient clinics (defined as at least two outpatient visits before enrollment). The PCOSQ was translated and culturally adapted according to standard procedures. A semi-structured interview was applied to assess face validity. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was applied to determine scale constructs. Measurements of internal consistency via Cronbach’s α, test-retest reliability via intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), construct validity, and discriminative validity were performed.ResultsFive additional items, representing the issues of acne, hair loss, and fear of getting diabetes, were incorporated into the original scale. A six-factor structure emerged as a result of the EFA, explaining 71.9% of the variance observed. The reliability analyses demonstrated satisfactory results for Cronbach’s α ranging from 0.78–0.96, and for ICC ranging from 0.73–0.86. Construct validity was confirmed by significant correlation between the domains of the Chi-PCOSQ and generic health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures (WHOQOL-BREF, EQ-5D) and clinical parameters (body mass index, waist-hip ratio, blood pressure). The known-group analysis indicated that the Chi-PCOSQ is a discriminative tool that differentiates patients according to their HRQoL.ConclusionThe Chi-PCOSQ seems internally consistent, culturally acceptable, and our preliminary evidence suggests that it may be reliable and valid. The Chi-PCOSQ is a promising assessment tool to address the HRQoL of women affected by PCOS in Chinese-speaking countries and to further identify ethnic/cultural differences in the HRQoL of women with PCOS.