Human serum proteome analysis: new source of markers in metabolic disorders.

The prevalence of metabolic disorders (MDs), especially diabetes, is rapidly increasing worldwide, leading to an increasing risk of cardiovascular and other socially relevant complications. To boost MD biomarker discovery, advanced proteomics can harmonize metabolomics. Indeed, the rapid development of mass spectrometry (MS) has designated proteomics as an emerging platform to interrogate the plasma/serum proteome for the discovery of next-generation biomarkers exploitable for risk assessment, early detection and prognosis of MDs.

External Quality Assessment of stat test intralaboratory turnaround times. Pilot study from the Members of the Working Group for the Standardization and Promotion of Turnaround Time Control under the Auspices of the Comitato Italiano per la Standardizzazione dei Metodi Ematologici e di Laboratorio.

We describe procedures, results and prospects of a pilot program in External Quality Assessment (EQA) of the stat test intralaboratory turnaround times. Our goals are to promote quality by systematic monitoring and comparison of performances by laboratories, continuous investigation into the state of the art of the processes from receipt of sample to transmission of results and creation of a data base for standardization of measures and definition of consensus values for turnaround time. Of 30 laboratories invited to participate, 25 took part, agreeing to record times of arrival and transmission for all determinations of three analytes (blood hemoglobin, serum/plasma potassium and plasma prothrombin time) for seven consecutive days and to continue for one or more further periods of seven days as necessary if there were less than 300 determinations for each analyte.

[Measurement of glycated hemoglobin with the Abbott IMx automatic analyzer].

The Abbott IMx assay is an affinity method, based on boronate binding to glycated hemoglobin. A novel separation system, ion capture technology, is used for separation of GHb from non-GHb. Affinity-based GHb methods are reported not to be subject to interference from either aldimine intermediates (pre-Alc fraction) or Hb variants that can comigrate in ion-exchange based chromatographic methods with the HbAlc fraction or with HbAO, having, in both cases, an unreliable % HbA1c result.

Simultaneous measurement of reticulocyte and red blood cell indices in healthy subjects and patients with microcytic and macrocytic anemia.

Using the new Bayer H*3 hematology analyzer (Leverkusen, Germany), we have determined red blood cell and reticulocyte indices in 64 healthy subjects, in patients with microcytosis due to iron deficiency (58 patients) and heterozygous beta-thalassemia (40 patients), and in patients with macrocytosis (28 patients). We found in all cases that reticulocytes were larger than mature red cells by 24% to 35%, with a hemoglobin concentration 16% to 25% lower and a similar hemoglobin content. The correlation between red cell and reticulocyte indices was strikingly tight (r = .

Cardiac cachexia: preoperative and postoperative nutrition management.

The present study examined the hemodynamic and metabolic effects of nutrition support in patients with malnutrition secondary to severe mitral valve disease and congestive heart failure. Pulmonary artery pressure measurements, echocardiographic studies, gas exchange measurements, immune function tests, and clinical evaluations were made on hospitalized patients 2 weeks before and 3 weeks after surgery for valve replacement or annuloplasty. All patients received a total daily energy intake of 20 to 30 kcal/kg, four of the patients preoperatively as a combination of oral food plus parenteral nutrition and these four patients plus two additional patients as only parenteral nutrition in the early postoperative period.