Clinical biochemistry
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The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic value of the enzyme creatine kinase (CK) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of children with meningitis. ⋯ Measuring the total CK level in the CSF may be very useful in diagnosis of meningitis if only combined with other CSF markers. It is not of any much benefit if it is used solely.
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Clinical biochemistry · Jul 2008
ReviewBiological and methodological features of the measurement of S100B, a putative marker of brain injury.
The S100B astroglial protein is widely used as a parameter of glial activation and/or death in several conditions of brain injury. Cerebrospinal fluid and serum S100B variations have been proposed to evaluate clinical outcomes in these situations. Here, we briefly broach some aspects, commonly not sufficiently valorized, concerning the biology and measurements of this protein. ⋯ We discuss the extracellular origin of this protein in brain tissue, as well as extracerebral sources of this protein in serum, comparing it with other available protein markers of brain damage. The superestimation of the heterodimer S100A1-B in the current clinical literature is also analyzed. We affirm that poor dualistic views that consider S100B elevation as "bad" or "good" simplify clinical practice and delay our comprehension of the role of this protein, both in physiological conditions and in brain disorders.
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Clinical biochemistry · Jul 2008
Interleukin-6 serum level assessment using a new qualitative point-of-care test in sepsis: A comparison with ELISA measurements.
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is involved in inflammatory diseases, provides prognostical information, and allows the early identification and monitoring of septic patients. We investigated whether IL-6 can be assessed using a new densitometric point-of-care (POC) bedside assay. ⋯ Here we demonstrate significant correlations of IL-6 levels determined using a POC test and semiautomatic ELISA. ROC analyses revealed no significant differences between the two tests. With a turn-around time of 20min, the bedside IL-6 test is a new tool that may help to initiate early goal-directed therapy.
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Clinical biochemistry · Jun 2008
Comparative StudyAdvantage of salivary cortisol measurements in the diagnosis of glucocorticoid related disorders.
Salivary cortisol in the assessment of glucocorticoid related disorders. DESIGN-METHODS: Serum and salivary cortisol were measured in 189 patients (22 Cushing's syndrome, 67 pseudo-Cushing, 11 Addison's disease, 89 controls) at 8:00 and 24:00 h. ⋯ Morning salivary cortisol is as good as serum as screening test for patients with Addison's disease and nighttime salivary cortisol is more adequate than serum in the screening of Cushing's syndrome.
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Clinical biochemistry · May 2008
Comparative StudyThe levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor as an indicator of disease activity and severity in adult-onset Still's disease.
This study investigated the levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) and explored the role of this pro-inflammatory cytokine in the systemic inflammation of AOSD. ⋯ These data represent the first demonstration of increased MIF expression in AOSD, and suggest that MIF may be an important marker for disease evaluation and monitoring.