Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Correlation Of Treatment Dose Enoxaparin With Anti-Xa Concentrations In Adult Hemodialysis Inpatients, Paul E. Brumley, Miroslav A. Anguelov, Jason P. Hecht, Dane L. Shiltz

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Enoxaparin, a low-molecular-weight-heparin, is being used in hemodialysis patients despite a lack of guideline or manufacturer dose recommendations. Due to enoxaparin’s renal excretion, the possibility of accumulating anti-Xa concentrations in hemodialysis patients using enoxaparin creates a hemorrhagic risk, calling for more research. The objectives of this study are to determine the correlation between treatment dose enoxaparin use and anti-Xa concentrations within the defined therapeutic range in patients receiving chronic, scheduled hemodialysis to determine the degree of change in anti-Xa concentrations in those cases where a concentration was obtained before and after a specific hemodialysis session, and to determine if there …

A Retrospective Comparison Of Daptomycin Thrice-Weekly Versus Q48h Dosing In Hemodialysis Patients With Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus (Vre) Or Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (Mrsa) Bacteremia, Katie L. Axford, Dane L. Shiltz

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Background. Multi-drug resistant bacteria are a growing concern in healthcare. Daptomycin is being used with increasing frequency in the treatment of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremias in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Thrice-weekly dosing of daptomycin in this population would allow for coordination of dosing with common outpatient HD schedules. The aim of this study is to determine if thrice-weekly dosing of daptomycin is equivalent to dosing every 48 hours in patients receiving chronic intermittent hemodialysis. Equivalence will be assessed with regard to microbiological cure, clinical cure, hospital length of stay, and mortality. Methods. All patients with positive …

Cinacalcet Administration By Gastrostomy Tube In A Child Receiving Peritoneal Dialysis, Kristen R. Nichols, Chad A. Knoderer, Bethanne Johnston, Amy C. Wilson

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

A 2-year-old male with chronic kidney disease with secondary hyperparathyroidism developed hypercalcemia while receiving calcitriol, without achieving a serum parathyroid hormone concentration within the goal range. Cinacalcet 15 mg (1.2 mg/kg), crushed and administered via gastrostomy tube, was added to the patient’s therapy. This therapy was effective in achieving targeted laboratory parameters in our patient despite instructions in the prescribing information that cinacalcet should always be taken whole.

Association Between Applications Scores And Positive Onsite Interviews Of Pharmacy Residency Applicants, Sarah Nisly, Meredith L. Howard, Alex N. Issacs, Tate Trujillo

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Application to pharmacy residency programs has become increasingly competitive over the past several years. Although successful candidates must excel in the various stages of the application process, preparing written applications and securing onsite interviews are early and arguably the most difficult steps. Residency programs vary in the criteria used for offering onsite interviews. The majority of insight into this topic comes from surveys of residency program directors, but corresponding analyses of interview offers have been minimal...

Optimized Antimicrobial Dosing Strategies: A Survey Of Pediatric Hospitals, Chad A. Knoderer, Kristen R. Nichols, Elaine G. Cox

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Background

Extended-interval aminoglycoside (EIAG) and extended- and continuous-infusion β-lactam (EIBL and CIBL) dosing strategies are increasingly used in adults, but pediatric literature is limited.

Objective

The objective of this study was to describe the use of EIAG, EIBL, and CIBL dosing in pediatric hospitals in the USA.

Study Design, Setting, and Participants

A national survey of children’s hospitals was conducted. A single practitioner from each target hospital was identified through the Children’s Hospital Association. Practice-based survey questions identified whether hospitals utilize EIAG, EIBL, and CIBL dosing.

Main Outcome Measure

The main outcome measure was the percentage utilization of the dosing …

Ceftriaxone Potentiates Warfarin Activity Greater Than Other Antibiotics In The Treatment Of Urinary Tract Infections, Lindsay M. Saum, Ryan P. Balmat

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Background: The cephalosporin class has been associated with an increased risk of bleeding among elderly patients receiving warfarin. Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the most prevalent infection in elderly patients.

Objective: To determine the extent of interaction between antibiotics used in the treatment of UTI, particularly specific cephalosporins and warfarin.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on chronic warfarin patients with a diagnosis of UTI treated with ceftriaxone, a first-generation cephalosporin, penicillin, or ciprofloxacin. The primary outcome was the comparison of the extent of international normalized ratio (INR) change from baseline between each antibiotic group.

Results: The ceftriaxone group …

Promoting Interprofessional Education Through A Student Led Community Health Screening Event, Carrie Maffeo, Eileen Carroll, Alexandra Foster, Kelly Daneri, Isabel Hagedorn, Mary Graham, Jane Gervasio

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Published abstract from the 115th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, Grapevine, TX, July 26-30.

A.S.P.E.N. Parenteral Nutrition Safety Consensus Recommendations: Translation Into Practice, Phil Ayers, Stephen Adams, Joseph Boullata, Jane Gervasio, Beverly Holcomb, Michael D. Kraft, Neil Marshall, Antoinette Neal, Gordon Sacks, David S. Seres, Patricia Worthington, Peggi Guenter

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Parenteral nutrition (PN) serves as an important therapeutic modality that is used in adults, children, and infants for a variety of indications. The appropriate use of this complex therapy aims to maximize clinical benefit while minimizing the potential risk for adverse events. Despite being classified and acknowledged as a high-alert medication,¹ only 58% of organizations have precautions in place to prevent errors and patient harm associated with PN.² Complications can occur as a result of the therapy and as the result of the PN process. The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) Parenteral Nutrition Safety Consensus …

Drug-Drug Interaction Between Methotrexate And Levetiracetam Resulting In Delayed Methotrexate Elimination, Emily Bain, Ruemu E. Birhiray, David J. Reeves

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Objective: To report a case of delayed methotrexate (MTX) elimination while receiving concomitant levetiracetam. Case Report: A 46-year-old man with relapsed osteosarcoma of the base of the skull receiving high-dose MTX tolerated his first cycle of MTX with elimination to nontoxic MTX levels (≤0.1 µmol/L) within 90 hours. After hospital discharge, the patient experienced seizures secondary to brain metastasis and started on levetiracetam, which was continued as maintenance therapy. The patient experienced delayed MTX elimination during cycles 2, 3, and 4 while receiving levetiracetam. On average, elimination to nontoxic MTX levels took 130 hours (106-144 hours). Before the fifth cycle …

Correlation Of Adherence To The 2012 Infectious Diseases Society Of America Practice Guidelines With Patient Outcomes In The Treatment Of Diabetic Foot Infections In An Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Programme, L. M. Pence, C. M. Mock, M. B. Kays, Kendra M. Damer, E. W. Muloma, S. M. Erdman

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Aim

To evaluate adherence to the 2012 Infectious Diseases Society of America practice guidelines for the management of patients with diabetic foot infections and to determine an association between adherence and clinical outcome.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed to evaluate the management and clinical outcomes of patients with diabetic foot infections treated with outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy between 1 January 2011 and 30 June 2012 at Wishard Health Services/Eskenazi Health. Adherence to individual Infectious Diseases Society of America diabetic foot infection treatment guideline recommendations was measured, and then assessed in relation to clinical outcome.

Results

A total of …

Waveguide Evanescent Field Scattering Microscopy: Bacterial Biofilms And Their Sterilization Response Via Uv Irradiation, Qamrun Nahar, Frederik Fleiβner, Jeremiah Shuster, Michael Morawitz, Christopher Halfpap, Mihaela Stefan, Uwe Langbein, Gordon Southam, Silvia Mittler

Physiology and Pharmacology Publications

Waveguide Evanescent Field Scattering (WEFS) microscopy is introduced as a new and simple tool for label-free, high contrast imaging of bacteria and bacteria sensors. Bacterial microcolonies and single bacteria were discriminated both by their bright field images and by their evanescent scattering intensity. By comparing bright field images with WEFS images, the proportion of planktonic: sessile (i.e., ‘floating’: attached) bacteria were measured. Bacteria were irradiated with UV light, which limited their biofilm forming capability. A quantitative decrease in attachment of individual, sessile bacteria and in attached, microcolony occupied areas was easily determined within the apparent biofilms with increasing UV dose. …

Distribution Of Non-At1, Non-At2 Binding Of 125i-Sarcosine1, Isoleucine8 Angiotensin Ii In Neurolysin Knockout Mouse Brains, Robert C. Speth, Eduardo J. Carrera, Catalina Bretón, Andrea Linares, Luz Gonzalez-Reiley, Jamala D. Swindle, Kira L. Santos, Ines Schadock, Michael Bader, Vardan T. Karamyan

HPD Articles

The recent identification of a novel binding site for angiotensin (Ang) II as the peptidase neurolysin (E.C. 3.4.24.16) has implications for the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). This report describes the distribution of specific binding of 125I-Sarcosine1, Isoleucine8 Ang II (125I-SI Ang II) in neurolysin knockout mouse brains compared to wild-type mouse brains using quantitative receptor autoradiography. In the presence of p-chloromercuribenzoic acid (PCMB), which unmasks the novel binding site, widespread distribution of specific (3 µM Ang II displaceable) 125I-SI Ang II binding in 32 mouse brain regions was observed. Highest levels of binding >700 fmol/g initial wet weight were seen in …

From Listening To Experiencing: Changing Evidence-Based Pharmacy Library Instruction, Barbara A. Wright, Jennifer A. Mcdaniel

VCU Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

OBJECTIVE: Adapt bibliographic instruction from a traditional 50-minute lecture format to a hands-on, small group approach to more closely align with a team-based assignment.

METHODS: First year students in the School of Pharmacy's PharmD program are assigned to teams and work together on projects for lecture-based courses. In the second year, they are introduced to Team-Based Learning (TBL). To improve library instruction for first year students, two librarians used a team-based approach with hands-on examination of pharmacy resources to provide a better student learning experience than the traditional 50-minute lecture. Librarians led 90 minute interactive sessions for two teams for …

In Vitro Antibiofilm Efficacies Of Different Antibiotic Combinations With Zinc Sulfate Against Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Recovered From Hospitalized Patients With Urinary Tract Infection, Walid Elkhatib, Ayman Noreddin

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a serious healthcare dilemma influencing millions of patients every year and represent the second most frequent type of body infection. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a multidrug-resistant pathogen causing numerous chronic biofilm-associated infections including urinary tract, nosocomial, and medical devices-related infections. In the present study, the biofilm of P. aeruginosa CCIN34519, recovered from inpatients with UTIs, was established on polystyrene substratum and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and was utilized for visualization of the biofilm. A previously described in vitro system for real-time monitoring of biofilm growth/inhibition was utilized to assess the antimicrobial effects of ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, …

"Synthesis Of 4-Aryl-6-Indolylpyridine-3-Carbonitriles And Evaluation Of Their Antiproliferative Activity" Data Files, Naglaa Salem El-Sayed, Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi, Magda Goda El-Meligy, Ahmed Kamel El-Ziaty, Zenat Adeeb Nagib, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Data Sets

No abstract provided.

Anemia And The Role Of The Pharmacist, Ashlie Kucera, Bethany Smith, Laura V. Tsu

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

This home-study CPE has been developed to educate pharmacists and pharmacy technicians about the various types of anemia and their treatments.

In Vitro Analysis Of Nanoparticulate Hydroxyapatite/Chitosan Composites As Potential Drug Delivery Platforms For The Sustained Release Of Antibiotics In The Treatment Of Osteomyelitis, Vuk Uskoković, Tejal A. Dasai

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Nanoparticulate composites of hydroxyapatite (HAp) and chitosan were synthesized by ultrasound-assisted sequential precipitation and characterized for their microstructure at the atomic scale, surface charge, drug release properties, and combined antibacterial and osteogenic response. Crystallinity of HAp nanoparticles was reduced because of the interference of the surface layers of chitosan with the dissolution/reprecipitation-mediated recrystallization mechanism that conditions the transition from the as-precipitated amorphous calcium phosphate phase to the most thermodynamically stable one—HAp. Embedment of 5–10 nm sized, narrowly dispersed HAp nanoparticles within the polymeric matrix mitigated the burst release of the small molecule model drug, fluorescein, bound to HAp by physisorption, …

Cxcr7 Expression Disrupts Endothelial Cell Homeostasis And Causes Ligand-Dependent Invasion, Jennifer Totonchy, Lisa Clepper, Kevin G. Phillips, Owen J. T. Mccarty, Ashlee V. Moses

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The homeostatic function of endothelial cells (EC ) is critical for a number of physiological processes including vascular integrity, immunity, and wound healing. Indeed, vascular abnormalities resulting from EC dysfunction contribute to the development and spread of malignancies. The alternative SDF-1/CXCL12 receptor CXCR7 is frequently and specifically highly expressed in tumor-associated vessels. In this study, we investigate whether CXCR7 contributes to vascular dysfunction by specifically examining the effect of CXCR7 expression on EC barrier function and motility. We demonstrate that CXCR7 expression in EC results in redistribution of CD31/PECAM-1 and loss of contact inhibition. Moreover, CXCR7+ EC are deficient in …

Female Rats Are More Susceptible To Central Nervous System Oxygen Toxicity Than Male Rats, Heather E. Held, Raffaele Pilla, Geoffrey E. Ciarlone, Carol S. Landon, Jay B. Dean

Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology Faculty Publications

Tonic–clonic seizures typify central nervous system oxygen toxicity (CNS-OT) in humans and animals exposed to high levels of oxygen, as are encountered during scuba diving. We previously demonstrated that high doses of pseudoephedrine (PSE) decrease the latency to seizure (LS) for CNS-OT in young male rats. This study investigated whether female rats respond similarly to PSE and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO). We implanted 60 virgin stock (VS) and 54 former breeder (FB) female rats with radio-telemetry devices that measured brain electrical activity. One week later, rats were gavaged with saline or PSE in saline (40, 80, 120, 160, or 320 mg/kg) …

Synthesis Of 4-Aryl-6-Indolylpyridine-3-Carbonitriles And Evaluation Of Their Antiproliferative Activity, Naglaa Salem El-Sayed, Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi, Magda Goda El-Meligy, Ahmed Kamel El-Ziaty, Zenat Adeeb Nagib, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

A novel class of 6-indolypyridine-3-carbonitrile derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for antiproliferative activities to establish structure–activity relationship. The synthesis was carried out through one-pot multicomponent reaction of 3-acetylindole, aromatic aldehydes, ethyl cyanoacetate, and ammonium acetate in the presence of piperidine as a catalyst, using a microwave irradiation method or a traditional thermal method. This was followed by chlorination for compounds 13a–e and subsequent nucleophilic substitution of the chlorine group by ethylenediamine at C2 position of the pyridine ring. The antiproliferative activity of these new nicotinonitriles was evaluated against human ovarian adenocarcinoma (SK-OV-3), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), and cervix adenocarcinoma (HeLa) cells. …

Implementation Of A Pharmacy-Based Adult Vaccine Benefit: Recommendations For A Commercial Health Plan Benefit, Jeffery A. Goad, Kelly J. Ko, Rolin L. Wade, Hsing-Ting Yu, Ross M. Miller, Bruce Sherman

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

BACKGROUND: Although vaccination rates in children exceed 90% in the United States, adults are vaccinated at far lower rates. In order to address this issue, additional community immunizers are needed, and pharmacists are in an ideal position to fill this void.

OBJECTIVES: To explore issues and barriers related to implementation of a pharmacy-based adult vaccine benefit and develop recommendations supporting a pathway for benefit expansion.

METHODS: A literature review on the current environment surrounding pharmacy-based adult vaccinations and structured interviews were conducted to inform an expert panel meeting using a modified Delphi process (pre/post survey). The goal …

Facile, Regio-And Diastereoselective Synthesis Of Spiro-Pyrrolidine And Pyrrolizine Derivatives And Evaluation Of Their Antiproliferative Activities, Abdulrahman I. Almansour, Raju Suresh Kumar, Farzana Beevi, Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi, Hasnah Osman, Rusli Ismail, Tan Soo Chen, Brian Sullivan, Kellen Mccaffrey, Alaa Nahhas, Keykavous Parang, Mohamed Ashraf Ali

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

A number of novel spiro-pyrrolidines/pyrrolizines derivatives were synthesized through [3+2]-cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with 3,5-bis[(E)-arylmethylidene] tetrahydro-4(1H)-pyridinones 2a-n. Azomethine ylides were generated in situ from the reaction of 1H-indole-2,3-dione (isatin, 3) with N-methylglycine (sarcosine), phenylglycine, or proline. All compounds (50 M) were evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against human breast carcinoma (MDA-MB-231), leukemia lymphoblastic (CCRF-CEM), and ovarian carcinoma (SK-OV-3) cells. N-alpha-Phenyl substituted spiro-pyrrolidine derivatives (5a-n) showed higher antiproliferative activity in MDA-MB-231 than other cancer cell lines. Among spiro-pyrrolizines 6a-n, a number of derivatives including 6a-c and 6i-m showed a comparable activity with doxorubicin in all three cell lines. Among all compounds …

Synthesis And Evaluation Of Antiproliferative Activity Of Substituted N-(9-Oxo-9h-Xanthen-4-Yl)Benzenesulfonamides, Somayeh Motavallizadeh, Asal Fallah-Tafti, Saeedeh Maleki, Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi, Mahboobeh Pordeli, Maliheh Safavi, Sussan Kabudanian Ardestani, Shaaban Asd, Rakesh Tiwari, Donghoon Oh, Abbas Shafiee, Alireza Foroumadi, Keykavous Parang, Tahmineh Akbarzadeh

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Several novel N-(9-oxo-9H-xanthen-4-yl)benzenesulfonamides derivatives were prepared as potential antiproliferative agents. The in vitro antiproliferative activity of the synthesized compounds was investigated against a panel of tumor cell lines including breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, T-47D) and neuroblastoma cell line (SK-N-MC) using MTT colorimetric assay. Etoposide, a well-known anticancer drug, was used as a positive standard drug. Among synthesized compounds, 4-methoxy-N-(9-oxo-9H-xanthen-4-yl)benzenesulfonamide (5i) showed the highest antiproliferative activity against MDA-MB-231, T-47D, and SK-N-MC cells. Furthermore, pentafluoro derivatives 5a and 6a exhibited higher antiproliferative activity than doxorubicin against human leukemia cell line (CCRF-CEM) and breast adenocarcinoma (MDAMB- 468) cells. Structure-activity relationship studies revealed …

Effects Of Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury On The P-Glycoprotein Activity At The Liver Canalicular Membrane And Blood-Brain Barrier Determined By In Vivo Administration Of Rhodamine 123 In Rats, M. K. Miah, Imam H. Shaik, Ulrich Bickel, Reza Mehvar

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose To investigate the effects of normothermic hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury on the activity of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in the liver and at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) of rats using rhodamine 123 (RH-123) as an in vivo marker.

Methods Rats were subjected to 90 min of partial ischemia or sham surgery, followed by 12 or 24 h of reperfusion. Following intravenous injection, the concentrations of RH-123 in blood, bile, brain, and liver were used for pharmacokinetic calculations. The protein levels of P-gp and some other transporters in the liver and brain were also determined by Western blot analysis.

Results P-gp protein …

Bipolar Disorder: A Pharmacotherapy Management Overview, Huong Le, Tina Pham, Laura Tsu

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

This home-study CPE activity has been developed to educate pharmacists on bipolar disorder and its management using non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies.

An International Validation Study Of Two Achievement Goal Measures On Pharmacy Education Context, Saleh Alrakaf, Ahmed Abdelmageed, Mary Kiersma, Sion A. Coulman, Dai N. John, June Tordoff, Claire Anderson, Ayman M. Noreddin, Erica Sainsbury, Grenville Rose, Lorraine Smith

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background: Achievement goal theory helps us understand what motivates students to participate in educational activities. However, measuring achievement goals in a precise manner is problematic. Elliot and McGregor’s Achievement Goal Questionnaire (AGQ) and Elliot and Murayama’s revised Achievement Goal Questionnaire (AGQ-R) are widely used to assess students’ achievement goals. Both instruments were developed and validated using undergraduate psychology students in the USA.

Methods: In this study, our aims were to first of all, assess the construct validity of both questionnaires using a cohort of Australian pharmacy students and, subsequently, to test the generalizability and replicability of these tools …

Non-Raft Ac2 Defines A Camp Signaling Compartment That Selectively Regulates Il-6 Expression In Airway Smooth Muscle Cells, Amy S. Bogard, Anna V. Birg, Rennolds S. Ostrom

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Adenylyl cyclase (AC) isoforms differ in their tissue distribution, cellular localization, regulation, and protein interactions. Most cell types express multiple AC isoforms. We hypothesized that cAMP produced by different AC isoforms regulates unique cellular responses in human bronchial smooth muscle cells (BSMC). Overexpression of AC2, AC3, or AC6 had distinct effects on forskolin (Fsk)-induced expression of a number of known cAMP-responsive genes. These data show that different AC isoforms can differentially regulate gene expression. Most notable, overexpression and activation of AC2 enhanced interleukin 6 (IL-6) expression, but overexpression of AC3 or AC6 had no effect. IL-6 production by BSMC was …

An Analysis Of The Cause, Effect & Control Of Hyperlipidemia From A Nursing Perspective, Melissa Rodgers

Theses and Dissertations

Two of the top four causes of death worldwide, heart disease and stroke, are related to hyperlipidemia, elevated cholesterol levels; these two illnesses account for approximately seventeen million deaths each year (World Health Organization, 2014). In order to combat the prevalence of these illnesses, the National Cholesterol Educational Panel has issued guidelines regarding cholesterol management. Extensive research has been published concerning cholesterol management. However, a gap remains between evidenced-based practice and community awareness of this phenomenon. This manuscript compiles research from peer reviewed nursing journals and acclaimed government and national organizations to express the cause, effect, and control of hyperlipidemia …

Modulation Of Cns Neurotransmitter Levels And Associated Behaviors In Organic Anion Transporter 1 (Slc22a6) And Organic Anion Transporter 3 (Slc22a8) Knockout Mice, Christine Farthing

Theses and Dissertations

According to the World Health Organization, mental disorders represent the leading cause of disability in the US generating ~58 billion dollars in medical costs annually. Additionally, among the US population, ~40 million adults suffer from an anxiety disorder and ~14 million suffer from a major depressive disorder. The association between the persistence of these neurobehavioral conditions and central nervous system (CNS) levels of biogenic amines and metabolites has been studied for half a century. Further, a number of drugs interfering with neurotransmission/metabolism are used clinically for treatment of these disorders. Recently, some members of the solute carrier (SLC) superfamily, the …

Quantitative Mass Spectrometric Investigations Of Protein Biomarkers: Serum Thymidine Kinase 1 And Human Osteopontin, Morse Faria

Theses and Dissertations

Mass spectrometry is being increasingly used in biomarker research mainly due to its ability to achieve high selectivity coupled with high sensitivity. This dissertation focuses on quantitative mass spectrometric investigations of two protein biomarkers i.e. serum thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) and human osteopontin (OPN).

First part of this research was focused on developing a liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for measuring the activity of TK1 in serum by monitoring the conversion of a TK1 specific exogenous substrate, 3’-deoxy-3’-fluorothymidine (FLT), to its mono-phosphorylated form 3’-deoxy-3’-fluorothymidine monophosphate (FLT-MP). A method to quantify FLT-MP on LC-MS/MS was developed and …