Blood self-sampling devices: innovation, interpretation and implementation in total lab automation.

The introduction of the vacuum tube in 1949 revolutionized blood collection, significantly improving sample quality and patient comfort. Over the past 75 years, laboratory diagnostics have evolved drastically, from manual to automated processes, reducing required test volumes by over 1,000 times. Despite these advancements, venous blood collection presents logistical challenges, including centralized scheduling and a large volume of biological waste due to the imbalance between the needed blood volume (often very little) and the collected volume (often in excess).

Coagulation and fibrinolysis in hyperparathyroidism secondary to vitamin D deficiency.

Introduction: Abnormal coagulation tests have been observed in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) suggesting a prothrombotic effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Vitamin D deficiency (VIDD) is the most frequent cause of secondary HPT. Aim of our study was to investigate the influence of HPT secondary to moderate-to-severe VIDD and vitamin D replacement on the coagulation and fibrinolysis system.

Periodontitis as a possible early sign of diabetes mellitus.

Objective: The early diagnosis of (pre)diabetes mellitus is essential for the prevention of diabetes complications. It has been suggested that gum disease (periodontitis) might be an early complication of diabetes and may be a useful risk indicator for diabetes screening. Therefore, a dental office could be a good location for screening for (pre)diabetes in patients with periodontitis using a validated glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) dry spot analysis.

Fecal Calprotectin, Elastase, and Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Levels After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass; Calprotectin Is Significantly Elevated in the Majority of Patients.

Background: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) causes several alterations in gastrointestinal function. We hypothesized that levels of three commonly used fecal tests change after RYGB.

Methods: Fecal levels of calprotectin, elastase, and alpha-1-antitrypsin were determined in 122 patients without signs of gastrointestinal disease 1 to 2 years after RYGB.

Efficacy and tolerability of a high loading dose (25,000 IU weekly) vitamin D3 supplementation in obese children with vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency.

Background: The recommended dose of vitamin D supplementation of 400 IU/day might be inadequate to treat obese children with vitamin D insufficiency. Therefore, we tested the efficacy and tolerability of a high loading dose vitamin D3 supplementation of 25,000 IU weekly in multiethnic obese children, 8-18 years of age, with vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency.

Methods: Fasting blood samples were drawn for the assessment of vitamin D.

Comparative study of blood collection tubes and thromboplastin reagents for correction of INR discrepancies: a proposal for maximum allowable magnesium contamination in sodium citrate anticoagulant solutions.

International normalized ratio (INR) discrepancies were noted between clinical laboratories using various prothrombin time (PT) systems. We studied the influence of different commercial blood collection tubes and different PT systems on INR measurements. INRs of fresh patient samples were determined by 3 laboratories, each using different PT systems.

Determination of anti-endomysium IgA antibodies in the diagnosis of celiac disease: comparison of a novel ELISA-based assay with conventional immunofluorescence.

Aim: To evaluate the novel anti-endomysium (anti-EMA) detection based on ELISA.

Methods: Anti-EMA IgA was measured by a novel ELISA in 196 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and suspected mal-absorption. Data were compared with those obtained by the conventional IF test.

Activated human PMN synthesize and release a strongly fucosylated glycoform of alpha1-acid glycoprotein, which is transiently deposited in human myocardial infarction.

Alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) is a major acute-phase protein present in human plasma as well as in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). In this report, we show that PMN synthesize a specific glycoform of AGP, which is stored in the specific and azurophilic granules. Activation of PMN results in the rapid release of soluble AGP.

alpha1-acid glycoprotein fucosylation as a marker of carcinoma progression and prognosis.

Background: Serum alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), an acute-phase protein secreted by the liver, carries alpha(1,3)-fucosylated structures on its 5 highly branched, N-linked sugar chains.

Methods: Serum AGP levels in patients with various types of malignancies (n=214 patients) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with anti-AGP antibody. To investigate glycoforms that differed in their degree of branching and extent of fucosylation, serum AGP samples were analyzed by crossed affinoimmunoelectrophoresis (CAIE) with concanavalin A, and Aleuria aurantia lectin (AAL), and anti-AGP antibody.

Distinct glycoforms of human alpha1-acid glycoprotein have comparable synthesis rates: a [13C]valine-labelling study in healthy humans.

Various alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) glycoforms are present in plasma differing in extent of branching and/or fucosylation of their 5 N-linked glycans, as well as in concentration. It is assumed that hepatic synthesis determines the relative occurrence of the AGP-glycoforms in plasma, but experimental evidence is lacking. In this study, we have investigated the contribution of fractional synthesis rates to the plasma concentration of AGP-glycoforms that differed in relative occurrence in healthy human plasma.

Alterations of branching and differential expression of sialic acid on alpha-1-acid glycoprotein in human seminal plasma.

Background: The degree of branching and types of fucosylation of glycans on alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein (AGP) have been found to be associated with alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein concentrations in human seminal plasma. The glycosylation pattern of alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein in seminal plasma obtained from men living in infertile couples can undergo alterations in relation to sperm analysis and/or alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein concentrations.

Methods: The glycosylation of alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein was studied upon the reactivity with specific lectins by crossed affinity immunoelectrophoresis (concanavalin A), and by glycoprotein lectin immunosorbent assay (Maackia amurensis and Sambucus nigra lectins), as well as high pH anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection.

High level of alpha1-acid glycoprotein in human seminal plasma is associated with high branching and expression of Lewis(a) groups on its glycans: supporting evidence for a prostatic origin.

Background: Changes in concentration of seminal plasma alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein (AGP) have been studied in detail before. However, the source of high levels of AGP as well as the glycosylation of seminal plasma AGP has not been elucidated yet.

Methods: The glycosylation of AGP was studied by crossed affinity immunoelectrophoresis using fucose-specific lectins and immunostaining.