The role of circulating monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 as a marker of hepatic inflammation in patients with chronic liver disease.

We investigated the relationships between plasma monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, serum C-reactive protein, and the degree of hepatic inflammation in patients with chronic liver disease. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 concentration was correlated with the histological hepatic inflammation (estimated by the Knodell index) and with standard liver function tests (P<0.01).

Evaluation of a high-sensitivity turbidimetric immunoassay for serum C-reactive protein: application to the study of longitudinal changes throughout normal pregnancy.

C-Reactive protein has been associated with several complications of pregnancy. The aims of the present study were: (1) to evaluate a turbidimetric immunoassay for the measurement of C-reactive protein; and (2) to investigate the chronological changes of the levels of this protein from preconception throughout normal pregnancy and its relationship with variables associated with preconception and pregnancy outcome. Inter-assay imprecision was <5% for C-reactive protein >1 mg/L and 18% at a mean value of 0.

Diet and lifestyle are associated with serum C-reactive protein concentrations in a population-based study.

C-reactive protein (CRP) has been proposed as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In this study we sought to investigate the association between several nutritional and lifestyle factors and serum CRP concentration in a population-based study. We studied 359 individuals (172 women, 187 men; age range 18-75 years) randomly selected from the town hall's registers and assessed their daily dietary intake using a 3-day estimated-food record.

Evaluation of a particle-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay for the measurement of ferritin: application to patients participating in an autologous blood transfusion program.

Objectives: To evaluate a turbidimetric immunoassay for the measurement of ferritin, and to assay this method in a group of patients undergoing an autologous blood transfusion program.

Design And Methods: We used an ILab 900 analyzer. This instrument automates a particle-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay with an analysis time of 9 min.

[Systemic capillary leak syndrome].

The systemic capillary leak syndrome is a rare condition, with a high mortality rate, characterised by recurrent episodes of generalized edema, with hemoconcentration and hypoproteinemia, associated with paraproteinemia. Pathophysiologically, this syndrome is caused by a sudden, reversible increase in capillary permeability, with a rapid shift of plasma from the intravascular to the extravascular compartment with subsequent hypovolemic shock. We report a new patient of this unusual condition, and we review its diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.