Metanephrine and normetanephrine are breakdown products (metabolites) of the catecholamines epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine. This test measures the amounts of metanephrine and normetanephrine that are released into the urine over a 24-hour period.

Catecholamines are produced by the adrenal glands (as hormones), small triangular organs located on top of each kidney, and by cells of the sympathetic nervous system (called neurotransmitter substances or neurotransmitters). The primary catecholamines are dopamine, epinephrine (adrenaline), and norepinephrine. Catecholamines are released in response to physical or emotional stress. They help transmit nerve impulses in the brain, increase glucose and fatty acid release for energy, dilate small air passages in the lungs called bronchioles, and dilate the pupils. Norepinephrine also constricts blood vessels, which increases blood pressure, and epinephrine increases heart rate and the rate at which the body uses energy (metabolism).

Normetanephrine is an important metabolite of norepinephrine and serves as a marker for the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Measuring normetanephrine levels can provide valuable information for diagnosing and managing certain medical conditions associated with sympathetic nervous system dysfunction.

Norovirus affects people of all ages causing 19 to 21 million illnesses in the US per year. It is the leading contributor to acute gastroenteritis (AGE) across all age groups. While infections can occur year-round, Norovirus outbreaks tend to peak in cold weather. Norovirus infection symptoms include vomiting with watery, non-bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps; occasionally fever, headache, muscle aches, or fatigue.

Norovirus GI & GII, or Norwalk virus, is the most common cause of non-bacterial gastroenteritis in the world. It is widely known for causing the stomach flu on cruise ships. Three genotypes of this diverse virus, GI, GII, and GIV, can infect humans.

NT-proBNP is a diagnostic screening tool to differentiate between people with normal and reduced left ventricular systolic function.

- N-terminal (NT)-pro hormone BNP (NT-proBNP) is a non-active prohormone that is released from the same molecule that produces BNP.

- B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a hormone produced by your heart.

- Both BNP and NT-proBNP are released in response to changes in pressure inside the heart. These changes can be related to heart failure and other cardiac problems.

Levels goes up when heart failure develops or gets worse, and levels goes down when heart failure is stable. In most cases, BNP and NT-proBNP levels are higher in patients with heart failure than people who have normal heart function.

NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide) is a protein released by the heart when it is under strain, often due to conditions like heart failure. Normally, only small amounts are found in the blood, but levels rise when the heart struggles to pump effectively, making NT-proBNP a valuable marker for diagnosing and monitoring heart failure. Doctors may order this test if you have symptoms such as shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, fatigue, or unexplained coughing. It can also help assess the severity of heart failure, guide treatment decisions, and track how well therapies are working.

NT-proBNP results vary with age and kidney function. In general, values below 300 pg/mL make heart failure unlikely, while higher levels suggest the heart may not be pumping properly (cutoffs are 450 pg/mL for people under 50, 900 pg/mL for ages 50–75, and 1,800 pg/mL for those over 75). Levels can also be influenced by obesity, kidney disease, and certain medications. Unlike BNP, NT-proBNP is more stable in the blood, making it a reliable test for evaluating heart function. If elevated, your doctor may order additional tests, such as an echocardiogram or ECG, to confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment.

The Nuclear Dot Pattern, observed in Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) testing, is a distinctive immunofluorescence pattern characterized by discrete speckles or dots within the cell nucleus. This pattern emerges when specific autoantibodies in the patient's serum react with nuclear proteins, most notably Sp100 and promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein. The presence of a Nuclear Dot Pattern is of clinical significance as it is often associated with certain autoimmune conditions.

The nucleated cell count in CSF is a vital marker of immune system activity within the brain and spinal cord. Elevated levels often point to infection, inflammation, malignancy, or other CNS pathology, and always require interpretation in the context of other laboratory findings and clinical symptoms. A normal count generally suggests no active CNS inflammation or infection, but results must be considered alongside the patient’s overall clinical picture.

Nucleated Red Blood Cells (NRBCs) are immature red blood cells that have not yet expelled their nucleus. In a typical Complete Blood Count (CBC) test, the presence of NRBCs is significant and can provide valuable insights into a patient's health. While NRBCs are common in the bone marrow, where red blood cells are produced, they usually do not circulate in peripheral blood. Therefore, the appearance of NRBCs in a CBC test panel is noteworthy and often indicates an abnormality or a stress response within the body.

The percentage of NRBCs in blood can be crucial for diagnosing various conditions. Normally, these cells are filtered out of the bloodstream as they mature in the bone marrow, so their presence in a CBC indicates that the bone marrow is releasing cells into the bloodstream prematurely. This can occur due to several reasons, such as severe anemia, hypoxia, bone marrow disorders, or other conditions that disrupt normal red blood cell production. In such cases, the bone marrow may be overactive or under stress, leading to the premature release of these immature cells.

The term 'NRBC' – 'nucleated red blood cells' – refers to precursor cells of the red blood cell lineage which still contain a nucleus.

The presence of antibodies to Oats is an indication of food immune reactivity. The offending food and its known cross-reactive foods should be eliminated from the diet. Adverse reactions to Oat have been reported. Genetically speaking, Oats do not contain gluten and thereby should be safe to eat for the celiac or non-celiac gluten-sensitive patient. However, due to cross-contamination of Oats during transportation and food processing, they may become harmful to the gluten-reactive population. Some varieties of Oats have been shown to cross-react with gliadin.

The Occludin IgG1-4+C3d test on a gut barrier panel detects immune responses against occludin, a key protein in gut lining integrity. Positive results indicate autoimmune reactions, potentially leading to "leaky gut" and related gastrointestinal issues. A negative result suggests a healthy gut barrier. This test is vital for assessing and managing gut health conditions.

Occludin and Zonulin are proteins of the tight junctions found between epithelial cells of the intestinal barrier. These proteins are gate keepers of the body, allowing only small amino acid nutrients to pass into the blood stream.

Occludin and Zonulin are proteins of the tight junctions found between epithelial cells of the intestinal barrier. These proteins are gate keepers of the body, allowing only small amino acid nutrients to pass into the blood stream. When tight junction proteins are functioning properly, they prevent large molecules from crossing the intestinal barrier into the blood stream, where they can elicit an immune response.