Tumor necrosis factor-α soluble receptor p55 (sTNFp55) and risk of preeclampsia in Peruvian women
Abstract We conducted a large case-control study to assess the risk of preeclampsia with elevated sTNFp55 concentrations (markers of excessive TNF-α release) in Peruvian women. A total of 125 women with preeclampsia and 179 normotensive women were included in a study conducted during the period, June 1997 through January 1998. Antepartum (third-trimester) plasma sTNFp55 was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Mean plasma sTNFp55 concentrations were 32.4% higher among preeclampsia cases (920.1±30.4 pg/ml) as compared with controls (694.8±15.0 pg/ml, Student's t -test P P -value
We report on a PCR-based assay we have developed for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum samples. One hundred sputum specimens, which included 34 culture-positive and 66 culture-negative specimens, were evaluated with this system. Of the 34 culture-positive specimens, 31 were PCR positive, and 60 of the culture-negative specimens were PCR negative. An internal standard has been included in the assay system to monitor PCR inhibition and to confirm the reliability of the PCR assay.