Subtyping primary aldosteronism by inconclusive adrenal vein sampling: A derivation and validation study in a tertiary centre.

Objective: Indices based on aldosterone/cortisol (A/C) concentration in the successfully cannulated adrenal vein (AV) and in the inferior vena cava (IVC) (AV/IVC) appear to be possible markers to verify the subtype of primary aldosteronism (PA) in the case of inconclusive results of adrenal vein sampling (AVS). The variability of results in previous studies encouraged us to calculate AV/IVC and adrenal A/C cutoff values that could predict the aetiology of PA.

Methods: This retrospective study included 96 patients who underwent AVS due to PA between 2015 and 2020.

Long-term effects of melatonin and resveratrol on aging rats: A multi-biomarker approach.

Aging-related impaired body structure and functions may be, at least partially, caused by elevated oxidative stress. Melatonin (MEL) and resveratrol (RSV) may act as antioxidant and anti-aging compounds, but these actions in experimental animals and humans are controversial. Herein, a rat model of aging was used to study the long-term sex-related effects of MEL and RSV treatment on body mass and blood/plasma parameters of DNA damage, oxidative status (glutathione and malondialdehyde levels), and concentrations of sex hormones.

Analytical validation of 39 clinical chemistry tests and 17 immunoassays on the Alinity analytical system.

The aim of this study was to perform the analytical validation of Alinity c and i analyzers (Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL, USA) for 39 clinical chemistry tests and 17 immunoassays. Precision was evaluated at least at two concentration levels for 5 days in quintuplicate, following CLSI EP15-A3. Method comparison included parallel analysis of leftover routine samples on Alinity analyzers and the previously used Cobas c501 and e601 (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany).

Impact of Preanalytical and Analytical Methods on Cell-Free DNA Diagnostics.

While tissue biopsy has for the longest time been the gold-standard in biomedicine, precision/personalized medicine is making the shift toward liquid biopsies. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) based genetic and epigenetic biomarkers reflect the molecular status of its tissue-of-origin allowing for early and non-invasive diagnostics of different pathologies. However, selection of preanalytical procedures (including cfDNA isolation) as well as analytical methods are known to impact the downstream results.

Preliminary evaluation of eight less frequent endocrine assays designed for MAGLUMI 800 chemiluminescence immunoanalyzer.

Transition to new analytical systems and methods requires end-user verification to ensure acceptability for routine use. Our aim was to verify precision of MAGLUMI 800 immunoassay analyzer for 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D), aldosterone, androstenedione, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) and renin, as well as to assess their comparability with the routinely used assays. Precision was evaluated at two levels following the CLSI EP15-A2 protocol.

The reliability of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody testing - a pilot study in asymptomatic health care workers in a Croatian university hospital.

Aim: To evaluate three fully automated serological assays in terms of reactivity to SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) and perform SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody testing among asymptomatic health care workers (HCW) at the University Hospital Center Zagreb.

Methods: Three IgG serological assays (Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG, Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2, and MAGLUMI 2019-nCoV IgG) were initially evaluated by analyzing 42 samples from confirmed COVID-19-recovered patients and 48 negative individuals. A total of 1678 HCW (~30% of all hospital employees) were screened for SARS-CoV-2 IgG with the Abbott assay, run on Abbott Architect i2000SR.

Sex-dependent expression of metallothioneins MT1 and MT2 and concentrations of trace elements in rat liver and kidney tissues: Effect of gonadectomy.

Metallothioneins (MTs) exhibit binding affinity for several essential and toxic trace elements. Previous studies in rodents indicated sex differences in the hepatic and renal expression of MTs and concentrations of various elements. The mechanism responsible for these differences has not been resolved.

Altered leptin, adiponectin, resistin and ghrelin secretion may represent an intrinsic polycystic ovary syndrome abnormality.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether altered adipose tissue secretion of various adipokines is secondary to obesity, hyperandrogenism, and hyperinsulinemia or intrinsic to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This cross-sectional study included 151 women diagnosed with PCOS by the Rotterdam criteria and 95 healthy women matched by age, body mass index (BMI), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Clinical, biochemical, and hormonal characteristics were assessed.

Testicular adrenal rest tumors in congenital adrenal hyperplasia-cross-sectional study of 51 Croatian male patients.

Unlabelled: Testicular adrenal rest tumors (TARTs) are common cause of infertility in males with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). We studied the role of genotype and disease regulation on TART development, their impact on gonadal function, and frequency in 47 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) and four 11-hydroxylase deficiency (11-OHD) male patients. Testicular ultrasound (TU), genotype, hormonal measurement in 51, and spermiogram in five patients were performed.

Association between serum levels and pentanucleotide polymorphism in the sex hormone binding globulin gene and cardiovascular risk factors in females with polycystic ovary syndrome.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of TAAAA repeat allele length on the levels of serum sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The study included 91 females with PCOS and 99 healthy controls. Phenotypic hyperandrogenism, body mass index and waist‑to‑hip ratio (WHR) were recorded.

Oral cadmium exposure during rat pregnancy: assessment of transplacental micronutrient transport and steroidogenesis at term.

Diet is the main source of cadmium (Cd) exposure. Gastrointestinal absorption increases during pregnancy. Cadmium accumulated in the placenta may interfere with nutrient transport to the foetus.

Clinical and biochemical characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome in Croatian population.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine condition affecting women of reproductive age. There are many typical signs and symptoms that allow for the diagnosis of PCOS depending on the criteria used. Interestingly, ethnicity influences the extent of these signs and symptoms; therefore, the frequency of symptoms varies between different countries and ethnic groups.