Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease: Epidemiological Analysis in a NorthEastern District of Italy Focusing on Access to Nephrological Care.

Background: We conducted a retrospective epidemiological study about the prevalence of stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a high-income district, comparing some demographic characteristics and outcomes of those patients who had nephrological consultations and those who had not.

Results: In a district of 400,000 adult subjects in 2020, 925 patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) under 15 mL/min and CKD. In the same period, 747 (80.

Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin in Peritoneal Dialysis-Related Peritonitis: Correlation with White Blood Cells over Time and a Possible Role as the Outcome Predictor.

Introduction: The present study aimed to monitor peritoneal neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (pNGAL) during peritonitis episodes and to enhance its diagnostic value by evaluating pNGAL at scheduled times in parallel with white blood cell (WBC) count. In addition, we investigated possible correlations between pNGAL and the etiology of peritonitis, evaluating it as a possible marker of the clinical outcome.

Methods: Twenty-two patients with peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis were enrolled.

Analysis of annual distributions of hemoglobin A values as a method to test for HbA standardization.

Background And Aims: The monitoring of yearly distributions of HbA measured has been indicated as a reliable indicator of worldwide standardization.

Materials And Methods: Measurements/year of HbA have been collected over three consecutive years in 15 Italian laboratories each using the same analytical method over three years period. HbA distributions, cleaned of replicated measurements, were compared by the overlapping area of the raw probability density functions expressed by coefficient eta (η), and by comparing the reference intervals for the central part of each distribution estimated by the indirect method refineR using the R package "refineR".

Pilot study on the probability of drug-drug interactions among direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and antiseizure medications (ASMs): a clinical perspective.

Background: There is little and controversial information about changes in plasma concentrations (PCs) or clinical events during coadministration of antiseizure medications (ASMs) and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). We aimed to explore possible determinants of dosage class among DOACs trough PCs when ASMs are co-administered and the relative risks. We also provided some clinical examples of patients' management.

Improvements and limits of anti SARS-CoV-2 antibodies assays by WHO (NIBSC 20/136) standardization.

Objectives: A few CLIA automated immunoassays for the recognition of anti S1-RBD SARS-CoV-2 antibodies have recently been placed on the market. Preliminary data demonstrate a high correlation between methods but wide differences in absolute concentrations. A new WHO international standard for anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin, NIBSC code 20/136, has been recently introduced to reduce the differences.

Hemoglobin A and Heterogeneous Diagnostic Relevance Observed in Eight New Variants of the Delta Globin Gene.

Background: Hemoglobin A (Hb A) (αβ) in the normal adult subject constitutes 96-98% of hemoglobin, and Hb F is normally less than 1%, while for hemoglobin A (Hb A) (αδ), the normal reference values are between 2.0 and 3.3%.

Comparison of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1 Receptor-Binding Domain Antibody Immunoassays in Health Care Workers Before and After the BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccine.

Objectives: The Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infection is now available. This vaccine induces antibody production against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike glycoprotein S1 (S1-RBD). This study evaluated the performance of new immunoassays to measure this type of antibody.

Gadolinium-based contrast media exposure and the possible risk of subclinical kidney damage: a pilot study.

Purpose: We performed a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility of future research about the presence of subclinical kidney damage after Gadolinium-based contrast media exposure. The future study aims to understand which are the behaviors of two markers of kidney damage, such as urinary NephroCheck (NC) and/or neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). Specifically, after GBCM exposure, NC urinary detection should identify proximal tubule damage while NGAL urinary detection should be related to distal tubule damage.

Clinical adoption of Nephrocheck® in the early detection of acute kidney injury.

Acute kidney injury is a common complication of acute illnesses and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Over the past years several acute kidney injury biomarkers for diagnostication, decision-making processes, and prognosis of acute kidney injury and its outcomes have been developed and validated. Among these biomarkers, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7), the so-called cell cycle arrest biomarkers, showed a superior profile of accuracy and stability even in patients with substantial comorbidities.

Evaluation of STA-NeoPTimal, an extraction thromboplastin reagent with ISI close to 1.

Introduction: The prothrombin time (PT) is the most requested test to investigate patients with congenital or acquired coagulopathies or to monitor oral anticoagulant therapy. However, thromboplastins can show markedly different responsiveness to the defects induced by vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy and are thus characterized by their ISI (International Sensitivity Index). INR results are optimal for patients under VKA but for patients screened for other reasons expressing PT results as ratio can be more appropriate.

Influence of patients' clinical features at intensive care unit admission on performance of cell cycle arrest biomarkers in predicting acute kidney injury.

Objectives: Identification of acute kidney injury (AKI) can be challenging in patients with a variety of clinical features at intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and the capacity of biomarkers in this subpopulation has been poorly studied. In our study we examined the influence that patients' clinical features at ICU admission have over the predicting ability of the combination of urinary tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP2) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7).

Methods: Urinary [TIMP2]•[IGFBP7] were measured for all patients upon admission to ICU.

Anti SARS-CoV-2 antibodies monitoring in a group of residents in a long term care facility during COVID-19 pandemic peak.

Objectives Clinical laboratories plays a key role in screening, diagnosis and containment of the Coronavirus 2019 infection epidemic. The etiological diagnosis presupposes the isolation of virus genetic material in the patient's biological sample but laboratory diagnostics also make use of searching possibility for immunoglobulin (Ig)G, IgM classes antibodies. The characteristics of the antibody response are not yet completely clear.

Glucose meters: What's the laboratory reference glucose?

Background: The accuracy of glucose meters is evaluated by comparing their results with those from a reference laboratory glucose analyser. The main scientific societies recommend the use of a prompt glycolysis inhibitor such as citrate for an accurate glucose determination. In the present preliminary study, we discuss the bias between capillary and plasma glucose measured concentrations, determined in two Italian clinical laboratories, using tubes containing an NaF and citrate mixture in liquid and granular form.

Subclinical Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing Cerebral Computed Tomography.

Introduction: The nephrotoxicity of modern contrast media remains controversial. Novel biomarkers of kidney damage may help in identifying a subclinical structural renal injury not revealed by widely used markers of kidney function.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate clinical (contrast-induced acute kidney injury [CI-AKI]) and subclinical CI-AKI (SCI-AKI) after intra-arterial administration of Iodixanol and Iopamidol in patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥60 mL/min/1.

Clinical impact of citrate-containing tubes on the detection of glucose abnormalities by the oral glucose tolerance test.

Background Plasma glucose levels provide the cornerstone of diabetes evaluation, and so it is crucial that clinical laboratories provide accurate and reliable plasma glucose results. To prevent in vitro glycolysis, citrate is used. Here, we present the first study on the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) using the currently available new citrate-containing tubes in liquid and granular forms and the previous sodium fluoride (NaF) for the diagnosis of carbohydrate metabolism disorders and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines.

Presepsin and Procalcitonin Levels as Markers of Adverse Postoperative Complications and Mortality in Cardiac Surgery Patients.

Unlabelled: Backgound: This study was aimed at evaluating the presepsin and procalcitonin levels to predict adverse postoperative complications and mortality in cardiac surgery patients.

Methods: A total of 122 cardiac surgery patients were enrolled for the study. Presepsin and procalcitonin levels were measured 48 h after the procedure.

Predicting Acute Kidney Injury in Intensive Care Unit Patients: The Role of Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases-2 and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-Binding Protein-7 Biomarkers.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) diagnosis is based on a rise in serum creatinine and/or fall in urine output. It has been shown that there are patients that fulfill AKI definition but do not have AKI, and there are also patients with evidence of renal injury who do not meet any criteria for AKI. Recently the innovative and emerging proteomic technology has enabled the identification of novel biomarkers that allow improved risk stratification.

The new Greiner FC-Mix tubes equal the old Terumo ones and are useful as glucose stabilizer after prolonged storage of samples.

Introduction: The aim of our study is to compare new Greiner tubes containing granulated citrate buffer with the Terumo ones and to verify if they are suitable for glucose stabilization after prolonged storage.

Materials And Methods: In Study 1, blood was collected in two Terumo and two Greiner tubes from 40 healthy volunteers. Samples were stored at room temperature (RT) for 1 and 2 hours, respectively.

Multicenter evaluation of an enzymatic method for glycated albumin.

Background: The use of glycated albumin (GA) has been proposed as an additional glycemic control marker particularly useful in intermediate-term monitoring and in situation when HbA test is not reliable.

Methods: We have performed the first multicenter evaluation of the analytical performance of the enzymatic method quantILab Glycated Albumin assay implemented on the most widely used clinical chemistry analyzers (i.e.

Procalcitonin and Interleukin-6 Levels: Are They Useful Biomarkers in Cardiac Surgery Patients?

Background/aim: Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury is an independent predictor of chronic renal disease and mortality. The scope of this study was to determine the utility of procalcitonin (PCT) and plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in predicting renal outcome and mortality in these patients.

Methods: PCT and plasma IL-6 levels of 122 cardiac surgery patients were measured at 48 h after the surgical procedure.

Effectiveness of citrate buffer-fluoride mixture in Terumo tubes as an inhibitor of in vitro glycolysis.

Introduction: Glycolysis affects glucose determination in vitro. The placement of sample tubes in ice-water slurry with plasma separation within 30 minutes is recommended, or alternatively the use of a glycolysis inhibitor. The aim of our two-steps study was to evaluate which Terumo tube is best for glucose determination in routine clinical setting.