Annals of Laboratory Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Diagnostic Accuracy of Eight Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Equations for Assessing Kidney Function in Korean Pediatric Patients.","authors":"Hyorin Kim,Donghyeok Lee,Yuna Choi,Tae-Dong Jeong,Sollip Kim,Woochang Lee,Sail Chun","doi":"10.3343/alm.2025.0327","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2025.0327","url":null,"abstract":"BackgroundEstimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in children is typically calculated using the Schwartz equation. Recently developed equations, such as the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children Under 25 (CKiD U25) and the European Kidney Function Consortium (EKFC) formulas are increasingly used; however, validation studies in Korean pediatric populations remain limited. We compared the performance of eight eGFR equations (including the CKiD U25, EKFC, updated bedside Schwartz, and Schwartz cystatin C equations) using data from Korean children.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed data from 221 pediatric patients (aged 2-18 yrs) who underwent 51Cr-EDTA-based measured GFR (mGFR) assessment, along with serum creatinine and cystatin C testing, at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, between 2010 and 2019. Eight eGFR equations were evaluated. Performance metrics assessed included bias, accuracy [mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and percentage of estimates within 30% (P30), 20% (P20), and 10% (P10) of mGFR], precision (root mean square error), correlation coefficients (r), and agreement (overall concordance rate and Lin's concordance correlation coefficient).ResultsBias (mL/[min · 1.73 m2]) was lowest for CKiD U25_cys (1.6), EKFC_cys (-1.8), and CKiD U25_cr-cys (2.3). EKFC_cr showed the highest P30 (81.0%); however, the combined equations (EKFC_cr-cys, 80.5%; CKiD U25_cr-cys, 74.7%) demonstrated comparable P30 values with lower bias and more consistent performance across subgroups. Under stricter accuracy thresholds (P10, P20, and MAPE), the combined equations outperformed the other formulas. Correlation and concordance with mGFR were also highest with the combined equations.ConclusionsCreatinine-cystatin C-based equations can aid in providing more accurate kidney function assessments in Korean children.","PeriodicalId":8421,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"25 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147731479","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"First Case of Bloodstream Infection by Candida auris (Candidozyma auris) Resistant to Three Major Antifungal Classes in Korea.","authors":"Yong Jun Kwon,Hyun Soo Kim,So Jeong Kim,Jong Hee Shin,Soo Hyun Kim","doi":"10.3343/alm.2025.0664","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2025.0664","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8421,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147726069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advances in HLA and Non-HLA Immune Profiling: Integrating Next-Generation Sequencing and Artificial Intelligence in Transplantation.","authors":"Eunji Shin,Eun Young Song,Eun-Suk Kang,Minjeong Nam","doi":"10.3343/alm.2025.0636","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2025.0636","url":null,"abstract":"Understanding transplantation outcomes requires an integrated view of immunological, genetic, and clinical determinants that collectively shape graft function over time. Although HLA mismatches are primary drivers of graft injury, emerging evidence highlights the critical contributions of non-HLA antibodies and both T-cell-mediated and antibody-mediated rejections to acute and chronic allograft dysfunction. Advances in molecular immunology and high-resolution next-generation sequencing, including HLA typing, genome-wide variant analysis, and transcriptomic profiling, now enable comprehensive pre- and post-transplant assessment. Donor-derived cell-free DNA and RNA sequencing have further enhanced the ability to monitor graft injury dynamically and noninvasively. The integration of multi-omics data with artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches helps predict immune activation, refine risk stratification, and guide individualized immunosuppressive therapy. Together, these developments represent a transition from descriptive to predictive and personalized transplantation medicine aimed at improving long-term graft survival and patient outcomes following solid organ transplantation.","PeriodicalId":8421,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147695249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Caspase-1 Activation in Monocyte Subsets Is Associated with Monocyte Distribution Width.","authors":"Yin Liu,Fei Pei,Dong Wang","doi":"10.3343/alm.2025.0643","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2025.0643","url":null,"abstract":"BackgroundMonocyte distribution width (MDW) is a robust early sepsis biomarker. However, the mechanism underlying MDW elevation remains unclear. We evaluated the associations of MDW with monocyte subset proportions (based on CD14/CD16 expression) and caspase-1 activation levels.MethodsIn total, 98 adults (22 healthy controls, 25 patients with mild infection, 16 non-sepsis intensive care unit patients, and 35 patients with sepsis) were included in this prospective observational study. MDW was measured alongside routine complete blood count (CBC) using a UniCel DxH 800 analyzer (Beckman Coulter). Caspase-1 activity in monocyte subsets was assessed using flow cytometry with Fluorescent Labeled Inhibitor of Caspase- 1 (Immunochemistry Technologies) and quantified as geometric mean fluorescence intensity.ResultsCompared with healthy controls, all patient groups showed reduced classical monocyte frequencies and increased intermediate monocyte frequencies; these variations were moderately associated with elevated MDW. Caspase-1 activity was elevated in all three monocyte subsets across patient groups; patients with sepsis showed significantly higher non-classical monocyte activity than the other two patient cohorts. MDW correlated positively with caspase-1 activity in all subsets, with the strongest correlation in non-classical monocytes (Spearman's ρ=0.762, P <0.001).ConclusionsElevated MDW correlates with altered monocyte subset proportions and enhanced in vivo caspase-1 activation, with a particularly strong association with non-classical monocyte caspase-1 activity. Given that non-classical monocyte caspase-1 activity is markedly increased in patients with sepsis, our results suggest a potential clinically relevant association linking MDW to sepsis-associated monocyte dysfunction, which may inform the interpretation of MDW in clinical practice.","PeriodicalId":8421,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"94 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147695206","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrating Rapid Lymphoma Next-Generation Sequencing Panel-Based Testing into Routine Genomic Diagnostics.","authors":"Saeam Shin,Seung-Tae Lee","doi":"10.3343/alm.2026.0150","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2026.0150","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8421,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"46 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147625671","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Novel Pathogenic CHD7 Splice-Site Variant in a Neonate with CHARGE Syndrome Identified by Blood RNA Analysis.","authors":"Sooho Yu,Ja-Hyun Jang,Misun Yang,Yun Sil Chang,Hyeseon Kim,Mi-Ae Jang","doi":"10.3343/alm.2025.0581","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2025.0581","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8421,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"06 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147585581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification of Metabolic Biomarkers in Bone Marrow Aspirate for Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Therapeutic Monitoring in Pediatric Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis.","authors":"Xiaodan Liu,Jiayi Wang,Yali Wang,Huilin Lin,Qingqing Zheng,Mansi Cai,Xinxin Cao,Hua Jiang,Xinliang Mao","doi":"10.3343/alm.2025.0536","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2025.0536","url":null,"abstract":"BackgroundMetabolic reprogramming is frequently observed but poorly understood in Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), a rare inflammatory myeloid neoplasm. To improve molecular classification, treatment monitoring, and prognosis, we comparatively analyzed metabolite alterations in bone marrow aspirates (BMAs) from patients with various subtypes of LCH and healthy individuals.MethodsMetabolite alterations in BMAs were identified using untargeted metabolomic profiling and quantified using targeted metabolomics. ROC curve and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were used to identify potential metabolic biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic monitoring in pediatric LCH.ResultsThe major metabolites altered in LCH included lipid/lipid-like molecules and organic acids and their derivatives, primarily involved in pathways related to choline metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis. Nine metabolites were identified as potential diagnostic biomarkers. 1-Heptadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PC[17:0/0:0]) levels varied significantly among LCH clinical subtypes. L-kynurenine and betaine aldehyde levels helped in effectively distinguishing inflammatory from cancer-like LCH, and increased L-kynurenine and 2-arachidonoyl-1-stearoyl-snglycero-3-phosphoethanolamine levels and reduced PC(17:0/0:0) levels predicted poor prognosis. Several metabolites, including dodecanoic acid and inosine, may serve as indicators for treatment efficacy assessment in LCH with multisystem and risk organ involvement. L-kynurenine and betaine aldehyde levels were verified using targeted quantitative metabolomics, and their clinical significance was assessed.ConclusionsAlterations in BMA metabolic profiles within the LCH population and in specific metabolites may provide valuable insights into LCH pathogenesis and serve as biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic response assessment.","PeriodicalId":8421,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147585580","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advances and Challenges in Fusion Gene Detection in Acute Leukemia.","authors":"Seon Young Kim","doi":"10.3343/alm.2026.0135","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2026.0135","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8421,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"18 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147585582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of Bruker Biotyper Sirius, VITEK MS PRIME, and ASTA MicroIDSys MALDI-TOF MS Systems for Cryptococcus Species Identification Across Protein Extraction Protocols.","authors":"Bosung Park,Eunsang Suh,Eun Jeong Won,Tae Yeul Kim,Hee Jae Huh,Heungsup Sung,Mi-Na Kim","doi":"10.3343/alm.2025.0497","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2025.0497","url":null,"abstract":"BackgroundAccurate and rapid identification of Cryptococcus spp. is critical for patient care. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is increasingly used for yeast identification; however, its performance varies with instrument and database coverage. We compared the performance of three MALDI-TOF MS systems-Bruker Biotyper Sirius (Sirius; Bruker Daltonics), bioMérieux VITEK MS PRIME (PRIME; bioMérieux), and ASTA MicroIDSys (ASTA; ASTA Inc.)-for detecting Cryptococcus spp. across protein-extraction protocols.MethodsWe analyzed 51 C. neoformans, two C. deuterogattii, five Vanrija humicola, and one Naganishia liquefaciens clinical isolates. Each isolate was tested after on-plate formic acid extraction; isolates failing identification were retested after repeat on-plate and intube extractions. The results were categorized as correct, incomplete, incorrect, or no identification against ribosomal DNA sequencing results.ResultsAfter initial on-plate extraction, correct identification rates were 86.4%, 88.1%, and 69.5% for Sirius, PRIME, and ASTA, respectively. After repeat on-plate extraction, ASTA accuracy increased to 81.4% (P =0.016). Additional in-tube extraction did not significantly improve identification across platforms, although PRIME outperformed ASTA (P =0.012). All platforms reliably classified C. neoformans (correct identification rates: 94%-96%) after additional on-plate extraction; discrepancies occurred mainly in uncommon species, possibly owing to gaps in database coverage.ConclusionsSirius and PRIME demonstrated robust performance for C. neoformans identification and C. gattii complex differentiation, outperforming ASTA for relatively rare species. Single on-plate extraction is sufficient in clinical practice. However, continued database expansion is essential for maximizing MALDI-TOF MS performance and accurately identifying Cryptococcus spp., thereby informing antifungal therapy and improving patient outcomes.","PeriodicalId":8421,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"9 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147585579","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Natural Killer Cell Assays: Clinical Applications and Future Directions.","authors":"Minjeong Nam,Wooseok Park,Hyun-Young Kim,Duck Cho","doi":"10.3343/alm.2025.0508","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2025.0508","url":null,"abstract":"Natural killer (NK) cells play critical roles in immune surveillance and homeostasis maintenance through cytotoxicity and cytokine release. The ability of NK cells to eliminate target cells without the need for prior antigen recognition or antibody involvement has drawn considerable attention for translational and clinical applications. As clinical applications continue to broaden, interest in NK cell assays has been growing markedly. This review provides an in-depth discussion of current clinical applications of NK cell assays, including NK cell phenotype, frequency, and functional activity assessments. This review further highlights the diagnostic potential of these assays in terms of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and potential NK cell biomarker candidates in diverse pathological contexts, such as cancer, infection, autoimmune diseases, and other diseases. By integrating clinical insights with technological advancements, NK cell assays can serve as valuable tools for disease diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic monitoring.","PeriodicalId":8421,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147502514","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}