Comparison of Proteomic Assessment Methods in Multiple Cohort Studies.

Novel proteomics platforms, such as the aptamer-based SOMAscan platform, can quantify large numbers of proteins efficiently and cost-effectively and are rapidly growing in popularity. However, comparisons to conventional immunoassays remain underexplored, leaving investigators unsure when cross-assay comparisons are appropriate. The correlation of results from immunoassays with relative protein quantification is explored by SOMAscan. For 63 proteins assessed in two chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cohorts, subpopulations and intermediate outcome measures in COPD Study (SPIROMICS), and COPDGene, using myriad rules based medicine multiplex immunoassays and SOMAscan, Spearman correlation coefficients range from -0.13 to 0.97, with a median correlation coefficient of ≈0.5 and consistent results across cohorts. A similar range is observed for immunoassays in the population-based Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and for other assays in COPDGene and SPIROMICS. Comparisons of relative quantification from the antibody-based Olink platform and SOMAscan in a small cohort of myocardial infarction patients also show a wide correlation range. Finally, cis pQTL data, mass spectrometry aptamer confirmation, and other publicly available data are integrated to assess relationships with observed correlations. Correlation between proteomics assays shows a wide range and should be carefully considered when comparing and meta-analyzing proteomics data across assays and studies.

Chinese guidelines for the assessment and provision of nutrition support therapy in critically ill children.

BACKGROUND: This document represents the first evidence-based guidelines to describe best practices in nutrition therapy in critically ill children (> 1 month and < 18 years), who are expected to require a length of stay more than 2 or 3 days in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit admitting medical patients domain. METHODS: A total of 25,673 articles were scanned for relevance. After careful review, 88 studies appeared to answer the pre-identified questions for the guidelines. We used the grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluation criteria to adjust the evidence grade based on the quality of design and execution of each study. RESULTS: The guidelines emphasise the importance of nutritional assessment, particularly the detection of malnourished patients. Indirect calorimetry (IC) is recommended to estimate energy expenditure and there is a creative value in energy expenditure, 50 kcal/kg/day for children aged 1-8 years during acute phase if IC is unfeasible. Enteral nutrition (EN) and early enteral nutrition remain the preferred routes for nutrient delivery. A minimum protein intake of 1.5 g/kg/day is suggested for this patient population. The role of supplemental parenteral nutrition (PN) has been highlighted in patients with low nutritional risk, and a delayed approach appears to be beneficial in this group of patients. Immune-enhancing cannot be currently recommended neither in EN nor PN. CONCLUSION: Overall, the pediatric critically ill population is heterogeneous, and an individualized nutrition support with the aim of improving clinical outcomes is necessary and important.