Clinical biochemistry
-
Clinical biochemistry · Oct 2013
Procalcitonin as a diagnostic marker in differentiating parapneumonic effusion from tuberculous pleurisy or malignant effusion.
Differential diagnosis of exudative pleural effusions can be difficult, despite the use of several biomarkers. Serum procalcitonin (s-PCT) is a well-known biomarker for systemic bacterial infections. However, the usefulness of pleural fluid procalcitonin (pf-PCT) in clinical practice has not been established. This study evaluated the usefulness of PCT measurements in differentiating parapneumonic effusion (PPE) from tuberculous (TB) pleurisy or malignant effusion. ⋯ Measurement of s-PCT and pf-PCT is useful in differentiating PPE from TB pleurisy and malignant effusion. Both s-PCT and pf-PCT may be useful biomarkers in the differential diagnosis of exudative pleural effusions.
-
Clinical biochemistry · Oct 2013
Serum sAPRIL: a potential tumor-associated biomarker to colorectal cancer.
The purpose of our study was to investigate the serum levels of soluble a-proliferation-inducing ligand (sAPRIL) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), benign intestinal disease and healthy volunteers and explore the potential possibility of sAPRIL severing as a CRC biomarker. ⋯ The results indicated that serum sAPRIL, as a potential biomarker, had a positive diagnostic value for colorectal cancer.
-
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a significant problem in children undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The aims of this study were to assess the diagnostic validity of serum CysC (sCysC), serum neutrophil gelatinase lipocalin (sNGAL), urine neutrophil gelatinase lipocalin (uNGAL), urine kidney injury molecule (uKIM)-1, and urine liver fatty acid-binding protein (uL-FABP) to predict AKI presence and severity in children undergoing CPB. ⋯ sCysC, uNGAL and uL-FABP are reliable early predictors for AKI after CPB. By allowing earlier timing of injury and earlier intervention, they could improve AKI outcome.
-
There are a substantial number of unnecessary urine culture requests. We aimed to investigate whether urine dipstick and microscopy results could accurately rule out urinary tract infection (UTI) without urine culture. ⋯ Most of the samples have no or insignificant bacterial growth. Urine dipstick and microscopy can accurately rule out UTI. Automated urinalysis is a practicable and faster screening test which may prevent unnecessary culture requests for majority of patients.
-
Clinical biochemistry · Sep 2013
Reliable laboratory urinalysis results using a new standardised urine collection device.
While urine sampling is necessary in the diagnosis of urinary tract infection and electrolyte disturbances, the collection of urine in neonates and non-toilet-trained children is often difficult. A universal urine collection method providing representative urinalyses results is needed. The objective of this study is to evaluate the applicability of the currently used urine collection pads (gauze compresses) and a new urine collection device (Peespot). ⋯ Urine collection pads are non-invasive methods useful in the collection of urine in non-toilet-trained children. Because of better practical standardisation and more reliable (semi-) quantitative urinalysis results, the Peespot urine collection device is preferred for the collection of urine.