Two cases with discrepancy in the quantitative cytological assessment of cerebrospinal fluid in neonatal samples using light microscopy in comparison with Sysmex XN-1000.

We present two cases from the neonatal department with cerebrospinal fluid examination. We revealed a striking discrepancy in polymorphonuclear (PMN) and mononuclear (MN) cell counts using conventional light microscopy in comparison with automated analyzer Sysmex XN-1000 (PMNs - 13 . 173x10/L, MNs - 200 .

Comparison of two methods for dimethylarginines quantification.

Objectives: Both dimethylarginines are widely bound to chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study was focused to validate published LC-MS/MS method and compared the measured data with an immunoassay.

Design And Methods: The analysis was performed on a Dionex UltiMate 3000 UHPLC-Standard (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA) with an amaZon SL ion trap (Bruker, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA).

False positive result of human chorionic gonadotropin caused by human anti-mouse antibodies.

Immunochemical reactions are fast, can be automated, and generally do not require pretreatment of biological material. Based on these advantages, they are widely used. On the other hand, they are susceptible to analytical interference that can lead to inaccurate results.

Macrotroponins cause discrepancy in high-sensitivity examination.

Aim: We present two cases with clearly discrepant results of clinical examination and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) concentrations. In similar cases with discrepant results, the possibility of interference should be considered.

Methods: Due to the suspicion of the presence of macrotroponin I in both of the presented cases, the patients were invited to our laboratory and both cTnI (Architect i1000, Abbott) and cTnT (Cobas 8000, Roche) concentrations were analysed.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapy in Novel Porcine Model of Diffuse Liver Damage Induced by Repeated Biliary Obstruction.

In liver surgery, biliary obstruction can lead to secondary biliary cirrhosis, a life-threatening disease with liver transplantation as the only curative treatment option. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have been shown to improve liver function in both acute and chronic liver disease models. This study evaluated the effect of allogenic MSC transplantation in a large animal model of repeated biliary obstruction followed by partial hepatectomy.

The Academy of the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine and the European Register of Specialists in Laboratory Medicine: guide to the Academy and the Register, version 4 - 2020.

The 4th version of the guide to the Register for European Specialists in Laboratory Medicine (EuSpLM) established by the European Communities Confederation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine describes the transfer of the register to the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) in 2016, the extension in 2018 of the Register beyond the European Union to Europe and the benefits of membership of the EFLM Academy to which the Register transferred on the Academy's launch in 2019. The Academy offers EuSpLM registrants access to benefits that include reduced registration rates at selected conferences and free subscription to . With effect from 2020 eligibility was extended to anyone with an interest in laboratory medicine.

Scanning electron microscopy in analysis of urinary stones.

Urolithiasis is a frequent and in many cases serious disease. Proper analysis of kidney stone composition is crucial for appropriate treatment and prevention of disease recurrence. In this work, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy was applied for a study of 30 samples covering the most common types of human kidney stones.

High-sensitivity Troponins after a Standardized 2-hour Treadmill Run.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine high-sensitivity troponin T and I (hsTnT and hsTnI) after a treadmill run under laboratory conditions and to find a possible connection with echocardiographic, laboratory and other assessed parameters.

Methods: Nineteen trained men underwent a standardized 2-hour-long treadmill run. Concentrations of hsTnT and hsTnI were assessed before the run, 60, 120 and 180 minutes after the start and 24 hours after the run.

The European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine syllabus for postgraduate education and training for Specialists in Laboratory Medicine: version 5 - 2018.

Although laboratory medicine practise varies across the European Union's (EU) member states, the extent of overlap in scope is such that a common syllabus describing the education and training associated with high-quality, specialist practise can be identified. In turn, such a syllabus can help define the common set of skills, knowledge and competence in a Common Training Framework (CTF) for non-medical Specialists in Laboratory Medicine under EU Directive 2013/55/EU (The recognition of Professional Qualifications). In meeting the requirements of the directive's CTF patient safety is particularly enhanced when specialists seek to capitalise on opportunities for free professional migration across EU borders.

Serum Concentration of Erlotinib and its Correlation with Outcome and Toxicity in Patients with Advanced-stage NSCLC.

Background: Erlotinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR); it is used in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We focused on the role of serum concentration of erlotinib and its association with outcome and toxicity in patients with advanced NSCLC harbouring the wild-type EGFR gene or squamous histology.

Patients And Methods: Clinical data of 122 patients were analyzed.

Chromium Supplementation Reduces Resting Heart Rate in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome and Impaired Glucose Tolerance.

Chromium (Cr) is considered as an important mineral, involved in biochemical reactions in human metabolic pathways. Organically bound Cr supplementation has been suggested to improve glycemia especially in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, but there are conflicting reports on efficacy. Effect of Cr is not clear in prediabetes status.

Influence of pneumatic tube system transport on routinely assessed and spectrophotometric cerebrospinal fluid parameters.

Background: Pneumatic tube systems (PTS) are widely used in many hospitals. Using PTS reduces turnaround time (TAT) and can improve patients' outcome.

Methods: We investigated whether clinically significant differences could be observed in CSF samples transported by pneumatic tube in comparison with samples transported by hand.

Change in Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase Is Associated with Outcome of Patients with Advanced-stage NSCLC Treated with Erlotinib.

Background: Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) has been reported as a prognostic biomarker in malignant diseases. However, little is known on the dynamics of serum LDH levels during systemic treatment. We focused on the association of changes in serum LDH with outcome of patients with advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with erlotinib.

Effects of Icodextrin and Glucose Bicarbonate/Lactate-Buffered Peritoneal Dialysis Fluids on Effluent Cell Population and Biocompatibility Markers IL-6 and CA125 in Incident Peritoneal Dialysis Patients.

Icodextrin peritoneal dialysis (PD) solution has been shown to increase interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in PD effluent as well as leukocyte and mesothelial cell count. Mesothelial cells release cancer antigen 125 (CA125), which is used as a marker of mesothelial cell mass. This 1-year prospective study was designed to compare peritoneal effluent cell population, its inflammatory phenotype and biocompatibility biomarkers IL-6 and CA125 between icodextrin (E) and glucose bicarbonate/lactate (P) based PD solutions.

Previous Vaccination and Age are More Important Predictors of Immune Response to Influenza Vaccine than Inflammation and Iron Status in Dialysis Patients.

Background/aims: The immune response to influenza vaccine may be influenced by many factors, e.g. age, comorbidities or inflammation, and iron status.

Effect of Folic Acid, Betaine, Vitamin B₆, and Vitamin B12 on Homocysteine and Dimethylglycine Levels in Middle-Aged Men Drinking White Wine.

Unlabelled: Moderate regular consumption of alcoholic beverages is believed to protect against atherosclerosis but can also increase homocysteine or dimethylglycine, which are putative risk factors for atherosclerosis. We aimed (1) to investigate the effect of alcohol consumption on vitamins and several metabolites involved in one-carbon metabolism; and (2) to find the most effective way of decreasing homocysteine during moderate alcohol consumption.

Methods: Male volunteers (n = 117) were randomly divided into five groups: the wine-only group (control, 375 mL of white wine daily for one month) and four groups combining wine consumption with one of the supplemented substances (folic acid, betaine, and vitamins B12 or B₆).

High serum level of C-reactive protein is associated with worse outcome of patients with advanced-stage NSCLC treated with erlotinib.

Erlotinib is a low molecular weight tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) directed at epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), widely used in the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although introduction of EGFR-TKIs have significantly extended survival of advanced-stage NSCLC patients, their efficacy in the entire patient population is relatively low. Aside from activating EGFR mutations, no reliable biochemical or molecular predictors of response to erlotinib have been established.

Endothelial progenitor cells and asymmetric dimethylarginine after renal transplantation.

Levels of the endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) are elevated and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) decreased in patients undergoing renal transplantation (Tx) and may contribute to cardiovascular complications. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that elevated ADMA and decreased EPC can be positively influenced with regular physical exercise early after Tx. Blood samples for analysis of ADMA and EPC were obtained from randomly selected 64 patients after Tx who agreed to participate in a supervised aerobic exercise program for 6 months (group I).

Predictive and prognostic significance of sodium levels in patients with NSCLC treated by erlotinib.

Background: Hyponatremia is a well-known phenomenon in cancer patients. The aim of our retrospective study was to assess the relationship of natremia levels to predict treatment with erlotinib and also to assess the prognosis of patients with hyponatremia.

Patients And Metods: We analyzed data of 544 patients with advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with erlotinib.

Early exercise training after renal transplantation and asymmetric dimethylarginine: the effect of obesity.

Background/aims: To assess, in a prospective cohort study of 238 renal transplant patients, our hypothesis that elevated ADMA levels may be influenced by physical exercise and obesity.

Methods: Blood samples before and after six months were obtained from 116 transplant patients participating in an aerobic exercise (Group I). A control group consisted of 122 matched transplant patients who did not exercise regularly (Group II).

Healthy lung tissue response to mechanical ventilation in an experimental porcine model.

Background: The aim of this comparative study was to assess the impact of two different settings of tidal volume (Vt) on the function and morphology of the mechanically ventilated lungs during a 12-h period.

Materials And Methods: A total of 32 animals were randomly divided into two groups. Group A included piglets ventilated with a Vt of 6 ml/kg and group B piglets ventilated with a Vt of 10 ml/kg.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine and progression of chronic kidney disease: a one-year follow-up study.

Background/aims: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a prognostic factor in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the relationships among factors influencing the metabolism of ADMA and the CKD progression are not fully understood.

Methods: Serum ADMA, and variables related to the metabolism of ADMA were measured in 181 non-dialysis patients (CKD stages 3-5) and in 46 controls.

[Orthodontic anomalies and secular trend in formation of the orofacial cranium].

BACKGROUND. The aim of the study was to compare craniofacial and dental characteristics of contemporary and historical populations and elucidate some etiological aspects of malocclusion. METHODS AND RESULTS.