Clin Chem Lab Med
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Splanchnic ischemia plays a major role in the development of organ failure during septic shock. Plasma D-lactate has been proposed as a better marker of splanchnic hypoperfusion than L-lactate. We studied the prognostic ability of plasma D- and L-lactate levels. ⋯ A rapid decrease in plasma D-lactate during the course of septic shock could indicate reduced 28-day mortality.
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In this study the analytical performance of eight glucose point-of-care testing (POCT) devices was evaluated. For this purpose, POCT measurement of glucose in heparinized blood collected from patients was paralleled by determination of the glucose concentration in the respective plasma by an analyzer (Hitachi 917) in the central laboratory, providing traceable results. ⋯ In conclusion, this study shows an insufficient trueness of glucose measurements by POCT devices in the normo- and hypoglycemic range. To improve quality assessment, sample splitting and simultaneous measurement of blood glucose concentration every 4 weeks by POCT devices and of plasma glucose concentration by a reliable TMP is recommended.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Multicentre evaluation of a new point-of-care test for the determination of NT-proBNP in whole blood.
The Roche CARDIAC proBNP point-of-care (POC) test is the first test intended for the quantitative determination of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in whole blood as an aid in the diagnosis of suspected congestive heart failure, in the monitoring of patients with compensated left-ventricular dysfunction and in the risk stratification of patients with acute coronary syndromes. ⋯ The POC NT-proBNP test showed good analytical performance and excellent agreement with the laboratory method. The POC NT-proBNP assay is therefore suitable in the POC setting.
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Bullous skin diseases represent a group of organ-specific autoimmune disorders characterised by binding of circulating autoantibodies to adhesion molecules of the epidermis and the dermo-epidermal basement membrane zone. Binding of these autoantibodies to their antigenic targets results in loss of adhesion between epidermal keratinocytes and at the level of the basement membrane zone. Chronic blisters and secondary painful erosions are the clinical hallmark of autoimmune bullous disorders. ⋯ Tissue-bound autoantibodies are detected by direct immunofluorescence of perilesional skin. Circulating autoantibodies can be visualised by indirect immunofluorescence using tissue substrates such as monkey oesophagus and sodium chloride-split human skin. Most of the autoantigens are available as recombinant proteins, which allows for autoantibody screening by ELISA or immunoblot analysis to confirm the primary diagnosis and, importantly, for immunoserological follow-up of patients.
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Comparative Study
Drug screening in urine by cloned enzyme donor immunoassay (CEDIA) and kinetic interaction of microparticles in solution (KIMS): a comparative study.
Two commercially available drug-screening assays were evaluated: the Roche kinetic interaction of microparticles in solution (KIMS) assay and the Microgenics cloned enzyme donor immunoassay (CEDIA). Urine samples from known drug-abuse patients were analyzed for amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, benzoylecgonine, cannabinoids, LSD, methadone and opiates. Samples with discordant findings for the two assays were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) or gas chromatography/electron capture detection (GC/ECD). ⋯ Methadone showed 97.5% concordant results, with two false positives by CEDIA, and one false positive and one false negative by KIMS. Opiates showed 96.9% concordant results, with no false KIMS results, but four false positives by CEDIA. The results indicate that the agreement of the CEDIA and KIMS results for the eight drugs is rather good (93.3-100%).