Hepcidin as a biomarker for the diagnosis of iron metabolism disorders: a review.

Introduction: Hepcidin plays a key role in the regulation of plasma iron levels through inhibition of iron export from enterocytes and macrophages. Hepcidin is considered a promising marker in the investigation of iron status, especially in patients that still pose a diagnostic challenge, such as infants and patients with chronic (kidney) disease.

Objective: To critically review the current evidence for the diagnostic utility of hepcidin, including the (pre) analytical aspects in hepcidin determination.

Cefazolin plasma protein binding and its covariates in neonates.

Cefazolin (CFZ) is highly and saturably bound to human serum albumin (HSA) in adults. We aim to describe CFZ protein binding and its covariates in neonates. In neonates to whom intravenous CFZ (50 mg/kg) was administered prior to a surgical procedure, total and unbound CFZ plasma concentrations (mg/l) were determined at 0.

Serological diagnosis of celiac disease: comparative analysis of different strategies.

Background: Different serologic tests are available for the diagnosis of celiac disease (CD).

Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTG) and anti-deamidated gliadin (DGP) for the serologic diagnosis of CD.

Methods: The study population consisted of 107 consecutive adult CD and 542 consecutive disease controls who underwent an intestinal biopsy.

Evaluation of the first commercial hepcidin ELISA for the differential diagnosis of anemia of chronic disease and iron deficiency anemia in hospitalized geriatric patients.

Introduction. Anemia is a frequent problem in hospitalized geriatric patients, and the anemia of chronic disease (ACD) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are the 2 most prevalent causes. The aim of the study was to assess the possible role of serum hepcidin in the differential diagnosis between ACD and IDA.

X-linked sideroblastic anemia and ataxia: a new family with identification of a fourth ABCB7 gene mutation.

X-linked sideroblastic anemia and ataxia (XLSA-A) is a rare cause of early onset ataxia, which may be overlooked due to the usually mild asymptomatic anemia. The genetic defect has been identified as a mutation in the ABCB7 gene at Xq12-q13. The gene encodes a mitochondrial ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter protein involved in iron homeostasis.

Antinuclear antibody detection by automated multiplex immunoassay in untreated patients at the time of diagnosis.

Fully automated multiplex immunoassays are increasingly used as first line screening for antinuclear antibodies. The diagnostic performance of such multiplex assays in untreated patients at the time of diagnosis has not been reported. Antinuclear antibodies were measured by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) (dilution 1:160) and by BioPlex 2200 ANA screen (antibodies to dsDNA, chromatin, ribosomal protein, SSA-52, SSA-60, SSB, Sm, SmRNP, RNP-A, RNP-68, Scl-70, Jo-1, and centromere B) in 236 patients with a systemic rheumatic disease at the time of diagnosis, 149 blood donors, 139 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and 134 diseased controls.

A prospective randomized open-label crossover trial of regional citrate anticoagulation vs. anticoagulation free liver dialysis by the Molecular Adsorbents Recirculating System.

Introduction: The Molecular Adsorbent Recycling System (MARS) is used to treat patients with liver failure. Observational data suggest that citrate anticoagulation during MARS is feasible. Comparative studies on the optimal anticoagulation regimen during MARS are lacking.

Fast and simple LC-MS/MS method for quantifying plasma voriconazole.

Background: An increasing number of publications point to the importance of voriconazole plasma monitoring. Our aim was to develop a fast and simple LC-MS/MS method for the quantification of plasma voriconazole.

Methods: 20 μL of plasma was extracted by adding a precipitation reagent containing the internal standard (d(3)-voriconazole).

Determination of IgG and IgA antibodies against native gliadin is not helpful for the diagnosis of coeliac disease in children up to 2 years old.

Objective: Assays for antibodies against native gliadin (anti-nGli) are still often assumed to perform better in the diagnosis of coeliac disease in young children than tests for antibodies to deamidated gliadin (anti-dGli), tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG), and endomysium (EmA). We compared the performance of assays for anti-nGli, anti-dGli, anti-tTG, and EmA in this age group.

Methods: We investigated retrospectively 184 children (42 with coeliac disease under normal diet and 142 controls) up to 2 years of age.

The role of the nurse research facilitator in building research capacity in the clinical setting.

With little guidance in the literature regarding best practices, clinical institutions have used different organizational models to meet the challenges of building research capacity. This article provides recommendations regarding the most productive models based on review of historical clinical research facilitation models and the results of a survey regarding extant models conducted among research facilitators who were members of the Midwest Nursing Research Society.

Betaine homocysteine methyl transferase 1, a novel auto-antigen associated with anti-Golgi immune reactivity.

Anti-Golgi antibodies are rare autoantibodies that have been described in systemic autoimmune diseases. Not all Golgi auto-antigens are known. The objective of this study was to identify a novel auto-antigen associated with anti-Golgi immune reactivity.

Fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli in intestinal flora of patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy--should we reassess our practices for antibiotic prophylaxis?

Although the estimate of the incidence of sepsis following transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUSPB) is low, fluoroquinolone-resistant infections after prostate biopsy are being increasingly noted. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of faecal carriage of fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli strains before TRUSPB and at evaluating potential predisposing risk factors. The incidence of sepsis after prostate biopsy was determined, and our routine practice for antibiotic prophylaxis for TRUSPB was evaluated.

Heterogeneous nuclear RNPs as targets of autoantibodies in systemic rheumatic diseases.

Objective: To investigate the abundance of autoantibodies to heterogeneous nuclear RNPs (hnRNPs) in systemic rheumatic diseases.

Methods: Recombinant human hnRNPs A1, B1, C1, E1, F, Gi, H1, I, K, and P2 were prepared. Antibodies to these antigens were determined by Western blotting and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (for hnRNPs B1, E1, F, and H1) in serum samples obtained from patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (control subjects) and from patients with various connective tissue diseases.

Saphenous vein graft intervention.

Saphenous vein grafts are commonly used conduits for surgical revascularization of coronary arteries but are associated with poor long-term patency rates. Percutaneous revascularization of saphenous vein grafts is associated with worse clinical outcomes including higher rates of in-stent restenosis, target vessel revascularization, myocardial infarction, and death compared with percutaneous coronary intervention of native coronary arteries. Use of embolic protection devices is a Class I indication according to the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines to decrease the risk of distal embolization, no-reflow, and periprocedural myocardial infarction.

Detection of antinuclear antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence and by solid phase assay.

Testing for antinuclear antibodies is useful for the diagnosis of systemic rheumatic diseases. Solid phase assays are increasingly replacing indirect immunofluorescence for detection of antinuclear antibodies. In the most recent generation of solid phase assays, manufacturers attempt to improve the performance of the assays by adding extra antigens.

Aspects of tool production, use, and hafting in Palaeolithic assemblages from Northeast Africa.

A detailed microwear study was performed on several assemblages from Northeast Africa to provide an anthropological scenario of late middle and upper Pleistocene populations in the Nile Valley and adjacent zones. Results are presented from the wear analysis of five sites, and an interpretation is provided of the keystones of MSA behaviour and its evolution throughout about 150,000 years. Locally available raw materials were predominantly used.

Evaluation of the use of a combined HCV antigen/antibody assay in routine laboratory practice.

Background: Combined hepatitis C virus (HCV) antigen/antibody (Ag/Ab) assays offer the advantage of a shorter window phase compared to traditional anti-HCV antibody assays. These assays have been extensively evaluated for the screening of healthy blood donors, but not in routine laboratory practice.

Methods: We evaluated the performance of the combined HCV Ag/Ab assay Monolisa Ultra and compared it to Monolisa anti-HCV Plus (which only detects anti-HCV antibodies) in 61 HCV RNA-positive patients (genotypes 1 to 5) and in 276 consecutive AxSYM HCV-reactive patients.

Use of likelihood ratios improves clinical interpretation of IgG and IgA anti-DGP antibody testing for celiac disease in adults and children.

Objective: To evaluate whether taking into account anti-deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP) antibody concentrations improves clinical interpretation.

Design And Methods: We calculated likelihood ratios (LR) using data from two previously published studies for assays from EUROIMMUN and INOVA.

Results: LRs markedly increased with increasing IgG anti-DGP concentrations.