A study of the relationship between albuminuria, proteinuria and urinary reagent strips.

Background: The aims of this study were to examine the relationship between proteinuria and albuminuria and to assess the equivalence between the albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) and the protein to creatinine ratio (PCR) at the cut-offs recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance on chronic kidney disease. The sensitivity and specificity of the reagent strips used in our laboratory for the detection of clinical proteinuria was also assessed.

Methods: Urine samples (n = 117) were screened for protein using the Bayer Multistix 10SG and read manually.

Evaluation of the albumin cobalt binding (ACB) assay for measurement of ischaemia-modified albumin (IMA) on the Beckman Coulter LX-20.

Background: In the presence of ischaemia, albumin undergoes changes resulting in the formation of ischaemia-modified albumin (IMA). Increased serum concentrations of IMA have been found in patients with myocardial ischaemia. The purpose of this study was threefold: to evaluate the albumin cobalt binding (ACB) assay for measurement of IMA on the Beckman Coulter LX-20; to establish a reference range for IMA; and to investigate the relationship between IMA and total albumin concentrations.

Evaluation of three different specimen types (serum, plasma lithium heparin and serum gel separator) for analysis of certain analytes: clinical significance of differences in results and efficiency in use.

Background: There is a lack of consensus regarding the most appropriate specimen type for analysis of many biochemistry analytes. The aim of this study was to compare renal and lipid analyte profiles and phenytoin values in plain serum (S), serum gel (G) and plasma (lithium heparin, P) tubes and to investigate the stability of these analytes after prolonged contact with cells or gel at room temperature (RT, 20 degrees C) and as aliquoted and stored at 4 degrees C.

Methods: Primary specimens were centrifuged once, maintained at RT and analysed within 2 h (T(0)) and after 24 h (T(24)) and 48 h (T(48)).

Differential production of adrenal steroids by purified cells of the human adrenal cortex is relative rather than absolute.

Objectives: The adrenal cortex produces aldosterone, cortisol and androgens in response to ACTH and angiotensin II. To define the differential response of morphologically distinct cells of the adrenal cortex, we examined the phenotypical and functional characteristics of human adrenocortical cells.

Results: Tumour growth factor-beta receptor-1 (TGFbeta-R1) and CYP-11 were found to be expressed predominantly in the zona fasciculata, whereas human leukocyte antigen (HLA-DR) and CYP-17 were localised to the zona reticularis.