Clinical biochemistry
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Clinical biochemistry · Sep 2009
Macrophage-inhibitory cytokine-1 (mic-1) in differential diagnosis of dyspnea--a pilot study.
Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1) has recently been associated with markers of heart function. ⋯ MIC-1 is a new diagnostic marker in the differential diagnosis of dyspnea.
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Clinical biochemistry · Aug 2009
An episode of increased hemolysis due to a defective pneumatic air tube delivery system.
To study an episode of excessive sample hemolysis associated with a recently installed pneumatic tube system from the Accident and Emergency Department. ⋯ Laboratories should be aware that defects may arise in tube systems that may result in rapid sample deceleration and excessive hemolysis.
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Clinical biochemistry · Jul 2009
Serum procalcitonin at the time of admission to the ICU as a predictor of short-term mortality.
This purpose of this study was to determine if serum procalcitonin (PCT) concentration at the time of admission to the ICU is a predictor of all-cause short-term mortality. ⋯ A PCT-Q value > or = 10 ng/mL obtained at the time of admission to the ICU is a strong predictor of short-term mortality.
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The USA uniquely does not use quantitative urine human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) tests despite being invaluable in pregnancy testing and in monitoring cancer patients. We look at current hCG tests and their detection of the degraded forms of hCG predominant in urine. We examine levels of urinary hCG, its usefulness in pregnancy testing, and advantages of urine testing in false positive hCG cases and cancer cases. ⋯ The need for a quantitative urine hCG assay is undeniable and we invite manufacturers to produce a quantitative urine hCG test.
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Clinical biochemistry · May 2009
Association between ischemia-modified albumin, lipids and inflammation biomarkers in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), lipids and inflammation biomarkers in patients with hypercholesterolemia, and the possible involvement of IMA in atheromatous plaque development and oxidative stress. ⋯ Hypercholesterolemia is associated with an increase in inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers, and it also reduces the capacity of albumin to bind cobalt owing to ischemia, resulting in an increased IMA. IMA formation appears to be associated with oxidative stress and atheromatous plaque development.