Impact of creatinine production on the agreement between glomerular filtration rate estimates using cystatin C-derived, and 4- and 6-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations.

Background: It has recently been reported that patient selection has a strong impact on the agreement between glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimates from serum cystatin C and creatinine. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of creatinine production rate (CPR) on this subject.

Material And Methods: GFR was estimated from serum cystatin C and from creatinine using the 4- and 6-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations in 50 healthy subjects, 43 patients with renal failure, 794 kidney and 104 liver transplant recipients, 61 patients with heart failure, 59 patients with biliary obstruction, and 113 critically ill patients.

Association between butyrylcholinesterase activity and low-grade systemic inflammation.

Background: Pro-inflammatory cytokine production is directly inhibited by acetylcholine (ACh), and a relationship between total circulating ACh hydrolytic capacity and inflammatory reactions has been previously reported. Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is the major ACh hydrolyzing enzyme in plasma, and the aim of our study was to evaluate its association with low-grade systemic inflammation.

Material And Methods: A total of 4,077 patients clinically managed in the Cardiology, Hypertension, and Digestive Medicine Units were included in our study.

Determination of everolimus in blood samples from kidney and liver transplant recipients using the sirolimus chemiluminescence magnetic microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) on the Architect-i1000® system.

Background: There is significant immunoassay cross-reactivity between everolimus and sirolimus, and their routine determination using a common method may reduce the reagent costs.

Methods: In 122 blood samples from kidney (n = 30) and liver (n = 92) transplant recipients, everolimus concentrations were determined using the Abbott IMx® microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) as previously described, and the Abbott sirolimus chemiluminescence magnetic microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) on the Architect-i1000® system.

Results: A high correlation coefficient (r = 0.

Interference of circulating endogenous antibodies on the Dimension® DGNA digoxin immunoassay: elimination with a heterophilic blocking reagent.

Only two cases have been previously described about circulating endogenous antibodies interference on the immunochemical determination of digoxin. In an elderly patient with history of social cat handling was observed a moderate positive interference (about 0.8 ng/mL) on the Dimension® DGNA digoxin immunoassay (capture rabbit antibody), which was eliminated treating the serum samples with a heterophilic blocking reagent.