Development of an activity-based ratiometric electrochemical probe of the tumor biomarker γ-glutamyl transpeptidase: Rapid and convenient sensing in whole blood, urine and live-cell samples.

γ-Glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) is a key biomarker for cancer diagnosis and post-treatment surveillance. Currently available methods for sensing GGT show high potential, but face certain challenges including an inability to be used to directly sense analytes in turbid biofluid samples such as whole blood without tedious sample pretreatment. To overcome this issue, activity-based electrochemical probes (GTLP and GTLPOH) were herein developed for a convenient and specific direct targeting of GGT activity in turbid biosamples. Both probes were designed to have GGT catalyze the hydrolysis of the gamma-glutamyl amide moiety of the probe, and result in a self-immolative reaction and concomitant ejection of the masked amino ferrocene reporter. The GTLPOH probe, delivered distinctive key results including high sensitivity, high affinity, a wide detection range of 2-100 U/L, and low LOD of 0.38 U/L against GGT. This probe delivered a precise target for sensing GGT and was free of interference from other electroactive biological species. Furthermore, the GTLPOH probe was employed to monitor and quantify the activity of GGT on the surfaces of tumor cells. The designed sensing method was also validated by the direct quantitative measurement of GGT activity in whole blood and urine samples, and the results were found to be consistent with those of the standard fluorometric assay kit. Thus, GTLPOH is of great significance for its promise as a point-of-care tool for early-stage cancer diagnosis as well as a new drug screening method.

Association of clinical factors to functional outcomes in patients with stroke with large-vessel occlusion after endovascular thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Multiple clinical factors have been reported to be associated with functional outcomes in patients with stroke. However, little is known about prognostic predictors of functional independence in patients with stroke undergoing endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Our study aimed to investigate the correlation between multiple prognostic variables (including EVT and rehabilitation-related parameters) and functional outcomes in patients post-EVT. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study recruited patients hospitalized between December 2018 and March 2022. Patients with stroke with large-vessel occlusion who underwent EVT were eligible for inclusion in the study. Prognostic factors, including premorbid characteristics, laboratory data, EVT- and rehabilitation-related parameters, functional activity level, balance ability, swallowing, and sphincter function, were collected. Logistic regression and generalized linear models were used to analyze their correlations with functional outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 148 patients were included. In the univariate logistic regression analysis, younger age, premorbid functional independence, higher hemoglobin (Hb) level, lower National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, absence of hemorrhagic transformation in 14 days, no nasogastric (NG) tube placement, earlier rehabilitation, frequent daily rehabilitation sessions, more out-of-bed rehabilitation, better ability of sitting up, better initial sitting balance, higher Barthel index (BI), absence of immobility, and neurological complications were associated with favorable outcomes at 3 months. In the stepwise regression model, the predictors of favorable function at 3 months included age, ability to sit up, and frequency of daily rehabilitation sessions; favorable outcomes at 6 months were associated with age, ability to sit up, and swallowing function. CONCLUSION: In patients with stroke post-EVT, better functional outcomes were associated with prognostic variables, including younger age, better ability to sit up, normal swallowing function, and frequent daily rehabilitation sessions.