An unusual interference in parathormone assay caused by anti-goat IgG: a case report.

in Clinical Chemistry & Laboratory Medicine (2009), 47(1), 118

Cystatin C: current position and future prospects.

in Clinical Chemistry & Laboratory Medicine (2008), 46(12), 1664-1686

Abstract Cystatin C is a low-molecular-weight protein which has been proposed as a marker of renal function that could replace creatinine. Indeed, the concentration of cystatin C is mainly determined by ... [more ▼]

Abstract Cystatin C is a low-molecular-weight protein which has been proposed as a marker of renal function that could replace creatinine. Indeed, the concentration of cystatin C is mainly determined by glomerular filtration and is particularly of interest in clinical settings where the relationship between creatinine production and muscle mass impairs the clinical performance of creatinine. Since the last decade, numerous studies have evaluated its potential use in measuring renal function in various populations. More recently, other potential developments for its clinical use have emerged. This review summarises current knowledge about the physiology of cystatin C and about its use as a renal marker, either alone or in equations developed to estimate the glomerular filtration rate. This paper also reviews recent data about the other applications of cystatin C, particularly in cardiology, oncology and clinical pharmacology. Clin Chem Lab Med 2008;46:1664-86. [less ▲]

Evaluation of heterophile antibodies interference on Liaison PTH (Diasorin)

in Clinical Chemistry & Laboratory Medicine (2007, June), 45

Analytical validation of the new plasma calibrated Accu-Chek (R) Test Strips (Roche Diagnostics)

in Clinical Chemistry & Laboratory Medicine (2006), 44(11), 1376-1378

Background: The Accu-Chek Inform glucose monitor is a point-of-care system for testing blood glucose. New test strips, calibrated to deliver glucose plasma-like values, were launched on the market in May ... [more ▼]

Background: The Accu-Chek Inform glucose monitor is a point-of-care system for testing blood glucose. New test strips, calibrated to deliver glucose plasma-like values, were launched on the market in May 2005. The aim of our study was to perform analytical validation of these new strips. Methods: We compared the new plasma strips with whole blood strips; results for the plasma strips with plasma values obtained using a clinical analyzer and with whole blood values given by the glucose electrode of a blood gas analyzer; and the influence of the type of blood (capillary or venous) on the results obtained by the glucose monitor with the plasma calibrated strips. Results: Plasma strips give on average 7% higher results than the previous whole blood strips. However, the results given by the plasma strips on capillary whole blood, even if well correlated, are not completely comparable with those given by an analyzer for venous plasma. Nevertheless, these plasma strips and the glucose electrode of a blood gas analyzer give comparable results. Conclusions: Accu-Chek Inform plasma strips are a good method for monitoring of blood glucose values in patients with diabetes. [less ▲]

Environmental dichlorodiphenyltrichlorethane or hexachlorobenzene exposure and breast cancer: is there a risk?

in Clinical Chemistry & Laboratory Medicine (2004), 42(2), 222-227

The carcinogenic potential of environmental xenoestrogens (i.e., organochlorines) is a matter of controversy. Their pathogenic role as promoters in breast cancer has been previously suggested. In Europe ... [more ▼]

The carcinogenic potential of environmental xenoestrogens (i.e., organochlorines) is a matter of controversy. Their pathogenic role as promoters in breast cancer has been previously suggested. In Europe, despite their prohibition since the '70s, residues persist in soil and rivers resulting in a widespread contamination of the general population. In this study, we have compared the serum levels of p,p'-1,1-dichloro-2, 2-bis (4-chlorophenyl) ethylene (DDE) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in 231 women at the time of breast cancer discovery and in 290 agematched healthy controls. p,p'-DDE was found in 76.2% of cases and in 71.1% of controls but HCB was present only in 12.6% of cases (29 from 231) and in 8.9% of controls (26 from 290). Even if taking all undetectable results (recorded as "0") into consideration, mean values were significantly different in cases when compared to controls. The serum level of p,p'-DDE was 3.46+/-3.48 ppb (0.58+/-0.58 mug/g lipid) in patients and 1.85+/-2.09 ppb (0.31+/-0.35 mug/g lipid) in controls (p<0.0001). The HCB serum level was 0.66+/-1.25 ppb (0.11+/-0.21 mug/g lipid) in patients and 0.20+/-1.02 ppb (0.03+/-0.17 mug/g lipid) in controls (p<0.0001). When considering p,p'-DDE and HCB as binary variables (1 if higher than the limit of quantification, 0 if lower), the presence of both residues was significantly associated with an increased risk of breast cancer development (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.41-3.48 for p,p'-DDE and OR 4.99, 95% CI 2.95-8.43 for HCB). No excess was observed among parous women or when familial history of breast cancer was considered. In the cancer group, no differences in serum levels of p,p'-DDE or HCB were found in relation with estrogenreceptor (ER) status, Bloom stage or lymph node metastasis, but the HCB level was moderately correlated with tumor size (p=0.026). [less ▲]

Evaluation of the nex Tosoh cardiac troponin I assay on AIA-600II. Application to myocardial damage detection in semi-marathon and triathlon runners

in Clinical Chemistry & Laboratory Medicine (2003), 41

Influence of Hyperbilirubinemia on Spectrophotometric Measurement of 30 Biochemical Tests, using the Roche® Modular P-module

in Clinical Chemistry & Laboratory Medicine (2003), 41

Comparison of plasma cardiac troponins T and I in chronically hemodialyzed patients in relation to cardiac status and age

in Clinical Chemistry & Laboratory Medicine (2002), 40(3), 240-245

Association between lipoprotein (A) and cardiac troponins in PTCA patients

in Clinical Chemistry & Laboratory Medicine (2001), 39(suppl), 278

Cardiac Troponin I and Troponin T: Recent Players in the Field of Myocardial Markers

in Clinical Chemistry & Laboratory Medicine (1999), 37(1), 11-20

The troponin (Tn) complex consists of three subunits referred to as TnT, TnI and TnC. Myocardium contains TnT and TnI isoforms which are not present in skeletal muscles and which can be separated from the ... [more ▼]

The troponin (Tn) complex consists of three subunits referred to as TnT, TnI and TnC. Myocardium contains TnT and TnI isoforms which are not present in skeletal muscles and which can be separated from the muscular isoforms by immunological techniques. Using commercially available immunoassays, clinical laboratories are able to determine cardiac TnT and TnI (cTnT and cTnI) quickly and reliably as classical cardiac markers. After acute myocardial infarction, cTnT and cTnI concentrations start to increase in serum in a rather similar way than CK-MB, but return to normal after longer periods of time (approximately one week). Because of their excellent cardiac specificity, Tn subunits appear ideally suited for the differential diagnosis of myocardial and muscular damage, for example in noncardiac surgery patients, in patients with muscular trauma or with chronic muscular diseases, or after intense physical exercise. cTnT and cTnI may also be used for detecting evidence of minor myocardial damage: therefore they have found new clinical applications, in particular risk stratification in patients with unstable angina. In spite of the possible reexpression of cTnT in human skeletal muscles, and of the lack of standardization of cTnI assays, Tn subunits are not far to meet the criteria of ideal markers for acute myocardial injury. Only an insufficient sensitivity in the first hours following the acute coronary syndroms requiries to maintain an early myocardial marker in the cardiac panel for routine laboratory testing. [less ▲]