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Dennis J O'Kane

Publications and source records attributed to Dennis J O'Kane.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Measurement of plasma free metanephrine and normetanephrine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.

BACKGROUND: Quantification of plasma free metanephrines is usually accomplished by HPLC with electrochemical detection, but sample preparation is labor-intensive and time-consuming, run times are long, and interfering substances sometimes obscure the relevant peaks. The aim of this study was to develop a sensitive and specific LC-MS/MS method for plasma free metanephrines. METHODS: After solid-phase extraction, chromatographic separation of normetanephrine (NMN) and metanephrine (MN) was accomplished by use of a cyano analytical column. NMN, MN, d(3)-NMN, and d(3)-MN positive ions were detected in the multiple-reaction monitoring mode using the specific transitions m/z 166-->134, 180-->148, 169-->137, and 183-->151, respectively, with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source. RESULTS: Multiple calibration curves exhibited consistent linearity and reproducibility. Interassay imprecision values (CV; n = 20) for NMN at 0.64, 1.9, and 2.7 nmol/L were 6.6%, 7.8%, and 13%, respectively. Interassay CV for MN at 0.60, 1.2, and 2.1 nmol/L (n = 20) were 9.2%, 6.8%, and 9.8%, respectively. The mean recoveries of NMN and MN relative to the internal standard were 100% and 96%, respectively. The assays were linear between 0.20 and 10.0 nmol/L. Deming regression of HPLC and LC-MS/MS results yielded slopes of 0.93 (95% confidence interval, 0.89-0.98) and 0.89 (0.85-0.93) and y-intercepts of -0.16 and 0.03 nmol/L for NMN (n = 132) and MN (n = 92), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This novel LC-MS/MS approach provides a precise, rapid, and specific alternative method to HPLC for the quantification of the low nanomolar concentrations of free metanephrines in plasma.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed2004

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms predict susceptibility to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and cerebral vasospasm.

Rupture of an intracranial aneurysm (subarachnoid hemorrhage) is a potentially devastating condition frequently complicated by delayed cerebral ischemia from sustained contraction of intracranial arteries (cerebral vasospasm). There is mounting evidence linking the formation of intracranial aneurysms and the pathogenesis of post-subarachnoid hemorrhage vasospasm to aberrant bioavailability and action of the vasodilator molecule nitric oxide generated by isoforms of nitric oxide synthase. In humans, the gene encoding the endothelial isoform of nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is known to be polymorphic, with certain polymorphisms associated with increased cardiovascular disease susceptibility. In this prospective clinical study involving 141 participants, we used gene microarray technology to demonstrate that the eNOS gene intron-4 27-base pair variable number tandem repeat polymorphism (eNOS 27 VNTR) predicts susceptibility to intracranial aneurysm rupture, while the eNOS gene promoter T-786C single nucleotide polymorphism (eNOS T-786C SNP) predicts susceptibility to post-subarachnoid hemorrhage vasospasm. We believe that genetic information such as this, which can be obtained expeditiously at the time of diagnosis, may be used as a helpful adjunct to other clinical information aimed at predicting and favorably modifying the clinical course of persons with intracranial aneurysms.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase T-786C single nucleotide polymorphism: a putative genetic marker differentiating small versus large ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Anecdotal evidence exists for at least 2 subpopulations of intracranial saccular aneurysms, namely, those that may form rapidly and rupture when small versus those that enlarge slowly and may rupture particularly when > or =10 mm in diameter. We sought to determine whether the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) T-786C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), implicated in cardiovascular disease susceptibility, could facilitate differentiation between small (< or =5 mm) versus large (> or =10 mm) ruptured aneurysms. METHODS: In accordance with institutional guidelines, clinical data were recorded prospectively and genomic DNA was isolated from blood samples obtained from 52 aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients (cases) and 90 randomly selected controls. Samples were assayed for eNOS gene promoter T-786C SNP with the use of gene microarray technology. Statistical analyses included multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Although there was no difference in genotype distributions between cases and controls, all 13 patients with large aneurysms were (T/C) heterozygous for the polymorphism, while 9 of 22 patients (41%) with small aneurysms were (T/T or C/C) homozygous (P=0.01). The mean (+/-SD) ruptured aneurysm diameter among all heterozygotes (8.5+/-5.2 mm) was significantly greater than that for C/C (6.0+/-2.3 mm) or T/T (4.7+/-1.8 mm) homozygotes (P=0.04). With the use of multivariate analysis, heterozygosity remained significantly associated with aneurysm size > or =10 mm (P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The eNOS T-786C SNP distinguishes genetically between small and large ruptured aneurysms. Although not predictive of SAH in the population at large, our data suggest that among persons with known intracranial aneurysms, eNOS T-786C genotype may be a factor influencing the size at which an aneurysm ruptures, a finding that should be taken into consideration along with other anatomic features of the aneurysm.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2003

Performance characteristics of multiple urinary tumor markers and sample collection techniques in the detection of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

BACKGROUND: The optimal management of bladder cancer requires early detection of both primary tumor as well as recurrences. This study compared the methodologies of the following tumor markers and diagnostic tools: telomerase, bladder tumor-associated analytes (BTA stat), nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP22), the hemoglobin (Hb) dipstick and chemiluminometric red cell assays, and determined their respective sensitivity and specificity in detection of bladder cancer along with urine cytology. METHODS: Different sample collection techniques were used including bladder tissue from radical cystectomy or transurethral resection, voided and cystoscopically collected urine and bladder washes. Results of these techniques were compared for some of these markers. RESULTS: The first study utilizing cystoscopically collected urine and bladder washes, the sensitivity of telomerase in detecting bladder cancer was 92% and 87%, respectively, whereas for bladder tissue it was 93%. The sensitivities of cytology, NMP22 and original BTA, however, were 62%, 54% and 49%, respectively. In the second study using first single voided urine from patients with bladder cancer and non-bladder cancer controls, the greatest sensitivity (overall 77%) and specificity (overall 98%) was exhibited with telomerase. The combined sensitivity of telomerase with that of either the hemoglobin dipstick or chemiluminometric red cell assays, showed that the overall sensitivity was increased to 89% and specificity to 98%. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity and specificity of telomerase activity in conjunction with chemiluminometric red cell or hemoglobin dipstick assay may be considered as an alternative to urinary cytology. It can also supplement cystoscopy for monitoring recurrence of bladder cancer.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed2003

Microfluidic chip-based method for genotyping microsatellites, VNTRs and insertion/deletion polymorphisms.

We have developed a method to genotype variable number of tandem repeats (VNTRs) and insertion/deletion polymorphisms using an integrated microfluidic chip-based system. We used this method to analyze a) a highly polymorphic pentanucleotide repeat (CCTTT)(n) locus within the 5'-putative promoter region of the human inducible nitric oxide synthase gene (iNOS5) which is associated with diabetic complications and infectious diseases; b) a bi-allelic 27 bp VNTR region within intron 4 of endothelial nitric oxide gene (eNOS27) which is associated with hypertension in type 2 diabetes patients with coronary heart disease and excess risk of advanced diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetes patients and c) an insertion/deletion polymorphism within the gene encoding angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE/ID) which is associated with cardiovascular pathology and nitric oxide activity, and is in strong linkage disequilibrium with functional variants. Following amplifications, samples were mixed with gel-dye and markers and loaded into commercially available microfluidic chips designed for DNA sizing applications. In the study (N = 230), 95 (41%) of the DNA samples were homozygous and 135 (59%) were heterozygous for the iNOS5 repeats. For eNOS27, 173 (75%) of the genotyped DNA samples were homozygous for the larger 4b allele and the remaining 57 samples (25%) were heterozygous (4b/4a). No DNA samples were homozygous for the shorter 4a allele with four 27 bp repeats. In case of ACE/ID, 47 (20%) of the DNA samples were homozygous for the insertion, 65 (28%) were homozygous for the deletion and the remaining 118 (51%) were heterozygous. The results obtained were verified by analyzing random amplicons using bi-directional sequencing and GeneScan 3.0 analyses with 100% concordance being observed. Using the microfluidic chip-based method, separation and DNA sizing and genotyping are rapidly accomplished. The DNA fragments are resolved clearly and the system allows quantitation. Finally, the microfluidic chip-based method may be used for both large- and small-scale genotyping studies.

Alleles↗
PubMed2003

Phantoms in the assay tube: heterophile antibody interferences in serum thyroglobulin assays.

Serum thyroglobulin (Tg) measurement is a major means of detecting thyroid cancer recurrence. Unlike anti-Tg autoantibody interferences, heterophile antibody (HAB) immunoassay interferences are not well recognized by laboratorians or clinicians as a Tg assay problem. When HAB interferences occur, they usually result in false positive test results. With the current trend to treat some thyroid cancer patients with radioiodine on the basis of an elevated serum Tg result alone, this has the potential to result in unwarranted therapy. We evaluated the prevalence of HAB interference in a commonly used automated immunoassay in 1106 consecutive specimens with Tg values greater than 1 ng/ml. All Tg measurements were repeated after sample incubation in heterophile-blocking tubes (HBT). Results, which showed a more than 3 SD percentage difference from the original result, were considered to suffer from HAB interference. All possible interferences were confirmed by dilution testing. After HBT treatment, Tg levels dropped to less than 1 ng/ml in 32 specimens (P < 0.0000001), 20 of which fell to less than 0.1 ng/ml (P < 0.00002). Of these 20, 17 were anti-Tg autoantibody negative, and all 32 showed a fall of greater than 3 SD percentage (>56.91%) compared with the original result. There were also two samples that showed a significant increase of greater than 56.91% after HBT treatment. HAB interference is relatively prevalent (1.5-3%) in a commonly used automated Tg assay and can lead to clinically significant artifacts. It is currently unknown, but possible, that other immunometric Tg assays suffer from similar problems. Unless a Tg assay is confirmed to be free of HAB interference or uses additional blocking steps, as ours now does, HAB interference should be suspected if Tg results do not fit the clinical picture.

Antibodies, Blocking↗
PubMed2002

A comparison of BTA stat, hemoglobin dipstick, telomerase and Vysis UroVysion assays for the detection of urothelial carcinoma in urine.

PURPOSE: We determine the sensitivity and specificity of various assays for the detection of urothelial carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 280 voided urine specimens from 265 patients were obtained immediately before cystoscopy for BTA stat, (Bard Diagnostic, Redmond, Washington) hemoglobin dipstick, (Bayer, Elkhart, Indiana) telomerase and UroVysion (Vysis, a wholly owned subsidiary of Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Illinois) analysis. RESULTS: Of the 265 patients 75 had biopsy proven urothelial carcinoma, and the sensitivity of the assays was determined from these patients. From most sensitive to least sensitive, the overall sensitivity of UroVysion (73 cases), BTA stat (72), hemoglobin dipstick (73) and telomerase (70) was 81%, 78%, 74%, and 46%, respectively. Each of the first 3 tests was statistically significantly more sensitive than the telomerase assay (p <0.05). However, the differences in overall sensitivity of UroVysion, BTA stat and hemoglobin dipstick were not statistically significant. The specificity of the tests was calculated for 80 of the 265 patients in this study who had no history of urothelial carcinoma and negative cystoscopy findings despite common urological complaints. From most specific to least specific, the specificity of UroVysion, telomerase, BTA stat and hemoglobin dipstick was 96%, 91%, 74% and 51%, respectively. UroVysion and telomerase were statistically significantly (p <0.01) more specific than the BTA stat and hemoglobin dipstick assays, and all of the assays were more specific than hemoglobin dipstick testing (p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study reveals that UroVysion is the most sensitive and specific assay among those tested for the detection of urothelial carcinoma. Telomerase testing had good specificity but poor sensitivity. The BTA stat and hemoglobin dipstick tests had good sensitivity but relatively poor specificity. UroVysion is a promising new assay for the detection of urothelial carcinoma in urine specimens. However, further studies are needed to explore the role of the various assays in the treatment of patients with superficial urothelial carcinoma.

Adult↗