Clinical biochemistry of dihydrotestosterone
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the most potent natural androgen in humans. There has been an increasing interest in this androgen and its role in the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics as well as its potential roles in diseases ranging from prostate and breast cancer to Alzheimer's disease. Despite the range of pathologies shown to involve DHT there is little evidence for measurement of serum DHT in the management of these diseases. In this review we describe the physiology of DHT production and action, summarize current concepts in the role of DHT in the pathogenesis of various disorders of sexual d...
Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry - March 19, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Marchetti, P. M., Barth, J. H. Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research
Lipoprotein X: clinical implications
(Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry)
Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry - March 19, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Crook, M. Tags: Editorial Source Type: research
Observations from the archives: the evolution of point-of-care testing
(Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry)
Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry - February 15, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: O'Kane, M. J. Tags: Observations from the Archives Source Type: research
Chronic kidney disease may be differentially diagnosed from pre-eclampsia by serum biomarkers
(Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry)
Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry - February 15, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Davies, S. Tags: Journal Watch Source Type: research
Estimating baseline kidney function in hospitalized patients with impaired kidney function
(Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry)
Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry - February 15, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Flynn, N. Tags: Journal Watch Source Type: research
Journal Editors' requirements for full descriptions of laboratory methods need to include information on metrological traceability and analytical specificity
(Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry)
Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry - February 15, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Middle, J. G. Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research
Identification of a rare variant haemoglobin (Hb Sinai-Baltimore) causing spuriously low haemoglobin A1c values on ion exchange chromatography
We report a patient with a rare haemoglobin variant (Hb Sinai-Baltimore) that resulted in spuriously low values of HbA1c when assayed using ion exchange chromatography, and the steps taken to elucidate the nature of the variant. (Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry)
Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry - February 15, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Smith, G., Murray, H., Brennan, S. O. Tags: Case Reports Source Type: research
'Sweet Dreams', 'Happy Days' and elevated 24-h urine 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid excretion
We report two patients with markedly elevated 24-h urine 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) excretion due to over-the-counter (OTC) self-medication with 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). It is important to recognize that OTC medication may cause increased ‘false-positive’ 5-HIAA excretion to prevent undue patient anxiety and unnecessary further investigation for carcinoid disease. Discordance between chromogranin A and 24-h urine 5-HIAA results should alert to the possibility of false-positive or -negative laboratory results. (Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry)
Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry - February 15, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Hallin, M. L. P., Mahmoud, K., Viswanath, A., Gama, R. Tags: Case Reports Source Type: research
Iron autointoxication in a 16-year-old girl: a protective role for hepcidin?
We present a case of iron overdose in a 16-year-old girl who was found unconscious in her bed and brought to our emergency department. The most remarkable diagnostic findings were the patient's comatose condition, divergent eye position and positive Babinski foot pad reflexes. Laboratory tests showed hyperglycaemia and mild metabolic acidosis. A computed tomography scan of the cerebrum showed no signs of intracerebral haemorrhage or elevated intracerebral pressure. Toxicology screening showed no use of acetaminophen, ethanol or drugs of abuse. The patient was stabilized and monitored on the intensive care ward. When she wo...
Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry - February 15, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Simonse, E., Valk-Swinkels, C. G. H., van 't Veer, N. E., Ermens, A. A. M., Veldkamp, E. J. M. Tags: Case Reports Source Type: research
Consideration of the degree of increase in urine metadrenalines provides superior specificity in the diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma than additional urine catecholamine measurement
Conclusions
Consideration of the degree of increase in urine metadrenalines is a superior method of determining the likelihood of phaeochromocytoma than measurement of urine catecholamines. (Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry)
Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry - February 15, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Scargill, J. J., Reed, P., Kane, J. Tags: Short Reports Source Type: research
Interference of ethylene glycol with L-lactate measurement is assay-dependent
Conclusion
The EG metabolites glycolate and glyoxylic acid were shown to falsely elevate l-lactate results with most of the currently used methods due to cross-reactivity with the oxidase enzyme. Falsely elevated l-lactate results can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate management of patients with EG intoxication. (Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry)
Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry - February 15, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Tintu, A., Rouwet, E., Russcher, H. Tags: Short Reports Source Type: research
Reference intervals for plasma free metanephrines with an age adjustment for normetanephrine for optimized laboratory testing of phaeochromocytoma
Conclusions
These data establish age-adjusted cut-offs of reference intervals for plasma normetanephrine and optimized cut-offs for metanephrine useful for minimizing false-positive results. (Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry)
Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry - February 15, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Eisenhofer, G., Lattke, P., Herberg, M., Siegert, G., Qin, N., Darr, R., Hoyer, J., Villringer, A., Prejbisz, A., Januszewicz, A., Remaley, A., Martucci, V., Pacak, K., Ross, H. A., Sweep, F. C. G. J., Lenders, J. W. M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Between-assay variability of faecal calprotectin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits
Conclusions
Laboratories should be aware of the lack of the assay standardization, as demonstrated by the between-assay variability. A comparison between f-Cp concentrations reported by these assays and clinical markers of disease severity is required in order to determine their diagnostic accuracy. The EQA scheme represents the first available programme for f-Cp. (Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry)
Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry - February 15, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Whitehead, S. J., French, J., Brookes, M. J., Ford, C., Gama, R. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Which point-of-care creatinine analyser for radiology: direct comparison of the i-Stat and StatStrip creatinine methods with different sample types
Conclusions
The findings indicated there are differences offered by the two systems. The StatStrip requires a very small finger prick capillary sample, calculates estimation of the glomerular filtration rate and has an adjustment option to improve correlation with the local method. The i-Stat offers better analytical imprecision and patient comparison with the laboratory method with the three sample types but showed significant interference from dopamine. A final consideration was the availability of middleware to capture patient results with the i-Stat. Based on all the study data, the i-Stat was recommended. (Source: Ann...
Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry - February 15, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Dimeski, G., Tilley, V., Jones, B. W., Brown, N. N. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
The relative effects of fat versus muscle mass on cystatin C and estimates of renal function in healthy young men
Conclusions
Body fat is a significant determinant of cystatin C while creatinine concentration is highly affected by muscle mass and age. Body composition plays an important role in the interpretation of renal function. Cystatin C equations are still accurate in predicting GFR in our healthy male group without chronic kidney disease. (Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry)
Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry - February 15, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Chew-Harris, J. S. C., Florkowski, C. M., George, P. M., Elmslie, J. L., Endre, Z. H. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
