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Introduction The aim of this study was to evaluate the analytical performance of the Kite Biotechnology Oral fluid (OF) screening test device, which is used for roadside screening of cannabis, opiates, amphetamines , methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), cocaine and benzodiazepines by comparing samples with matched plasma samples, analysed via liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for confirmation. Methods OF and plasma samples were obtained simultaneously from a total of 100 subjects. OF samples were analysed by OF screening test based on immunochromatography . The OF screening test cut-off values were 50 ng/mL for amphetamines ( d -amphetamine) and methamphetamine/MDMA ( d -methamphetamine), 30 ng/mL for cocaine (benzoylecgonine), 40 ng/mL for opiates (morphine), 20 ng/mL for benzodiazepines (nordazepam), and 25 ng/mL for cannabis (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol). LC-MS/MS method validation was performed according to the CLSI C62-A recommendations with the following parameters: matrix effect, lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), linearity, intra-day and inter-day precision and accuracy. Results The overall specificity, accuracy and negative predictive values (NPV) were acceptable and met the DRUID standard of >80%. The OF screening test device showed good sensitivity for cocaine, amphetamines and opiates, whereas it indicated poor sensitivity for methamphetamine/MDMA (66.7%) and failed to detect cannabis and benzodiazepines. Conclusion The present study is the first report to evaluate the Kite Biotechnology OF screening test device. The diagnostic performance of the OF screening test device was acceptable for opiates, cocaine and amphetamines, but it was insufficient for methamphetamine/MDMA, benzodiazepines and cannabis because of sensitivity issues.

INTRODUCTION Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and generally measured after 8-12 h fasting. However, some recent studies have pointed that non-fasting lipoproteins, especially LDL concentrations, are better indicators for demonstrating CVD risk and atherosclerosis. They asserted that nutrition is a negligible factor on changes in lipoprotein concentrations and claimed this difference as a result of hemodilution effect, caused from fluid intake and can be eliminated by applying some adjustments. We aimed to compare the fasting and non-fasting LDL values of the same individuals and discuss whether non-fasting and fasting LDL results can be used in place of each other, directly or after applying hemodilution correction models. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fasting and non-fasting blood samples of 248 apparently healthy participants were collected. Lipid panel tests, albumin and hemoglobin levels were studied in each sample. Results were evaluated in seven different models which were recommended to correct the hemodilution effect on fasting and non-fasting lipid concentrations of the same individual. Concordance of fasting and non-fasting risk group of the individual were calculated according to the National Cholesterol Education Program classification. RESULTS Fasting and non-fasting LDL and non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL) concentrations were significantly different in every model (p

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are important factors in mortality and morbidity of dialysis patients. Cardiovascular risk assessment is important in order to arrange the treatment strategies. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between carotid atherosclerosis and various CVD risk factors in dialysis patients. Methods: 22 HD and 54 PD patients were included in the study. Carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT) and plaque score (PS) were obtained by B-mode ultrasonography for each participant. Uric acid, albumin, bilirubin, lipid profile, apolipoprotein A-l (apo A-l), apolipoprotein B (apo B), lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), homocysteine (Hcy), vitamin A, vitamin E, sialic acid (SA) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were determined. The differences of the cardiovascular risk factors between the patients according to the treatment modality and the comparison of the risk factors as indicators of IMT and PS were investigated. Results: There was no significant difference in IMT and PS between the two groups. SA, TBARS, hs-CRP, total, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, white blood cell (WBC) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels were significantly higher; albumin levels were significantly lower in PD group. In multiple regression analysis, only bilirubin for IMT and SA for PS were independent predictors. Conclusions: SA can be a superior marker to hs-CRP in PD patients; however, hs-CRP seems to be a more valuable marker than SA in HD patients according to the correlation analysis. This study provides information and opportunity for comparison of relatively new cardiovascular risk markers in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients using carotid atherosclerosis as an objective assessment criterion.

Background 24-h urine measurements are used in the routine diagnosis and follow-up of many diseases in the clinical laboratory. Calcium (Ca 2+ ), magnesium (Mg 2+ ), phosphate (PO 4 3− ) and uric acid are frequently requested markers in 24-h urine samples. Because of the different solubilities of these parameters, different urine collection conditions – urine in base for uric acid and urine in acid for Ca 2+ , PO 4 3− and Mg 2+ measurements – are recommended. Methods We aimed to test the effect of addition of preservatives and heating of the urine specimen on the results obtained for Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , PO 4 3− and uric acid by comparison with untreated samples results. Spot ( n = 20) and 24-h urine ( n = 50) samples were obtained from patients for routine urine analysis. A single spot urine sample was divided into five aliquots of 10 mL each: one containing 200 µL of HCl (6 N), another containing 200 µL of sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO 3 (5 g/L), two others in which the same preservative agents were added 24 h after the collection, and one without any preservative (untreated). Ca 2+ , PO 4 3− , uric acid and Mg 2+ were measured in triplicate and at three different time points during the study: at the time of sampling (0 h), 24 h after sampling, and after heating the samples. The 24-h urine samples were collected without preservatives and analytes were measured promptly before and after acidification/alkalinization. Results There was no statistically significant difference between untreated and treated samples ( p > 0.05). Heating also failed to show any difference in the results ( p > 0.05). Conclusion According to our results, addition of preservatives is not necessary for measurement of Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , PO 4 3− and uric acid in promptly assayed 24-h urine samples.

Objectives Turbidimetric urine protein methods like Benzethonium Chloride (BTC) and Benzalkonium Chloride (BC) are previously reported to give falsely low protein results in very high protein concentrations (> 2000 mg/L). Design and methods BTC and BC assays were adapted to an Olympus AU 640 analyzer in order to investigate the effect of the secondary wavelength on the linearity of the assays. Pyrogallol red (PYR) was also adapted to the same analyzer and used as the comparative method. Results The linearity of BC was increased from 1500 mg/L to 3000 mg/L and the linearity of BTC was increased from 1500 mg/L to 2500 mg/L with the omission of the secondary wavelength. Conclusions We propose single-wavelength measurements for BC and BTC methods; however, urine samples with protein concentration > 2500 mg/L for BTC and > 3000 mg/L for BC should be diluted to appropriate concentrations.

Objectives To investigate and discuss the total-, lipid-associated, and thrombocyte-sialic acid levels in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. Design and methods Thirty-one chronic heart failure patients and 38 healthy controls were included in the study. Serum total sialic acid (TSA), lipid associated sialic acid (LASA), thrombocyte sialic acid (TrSA) were determined together with the traditional inflammation and prognostic markers. Results Serum TSA levels were significantly higher in patient group (3.08 ± 0.33 mmol/L) than control group (2.60 ± 0.17 mmol/L). Serum LASA, homocysteine, high-sensitivity CRP, brain natriuretic peptide and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were also significantly higher in patient group. TrSA levels were not significant between the groups. Conclusion TSA and LASA levels increase in CHF, independent from coronary artery disease. TrSA levels were not found to be a prognostic or valuable marker for CHF patients. Acute phase response and lipid associated portions of SA are thought to be responsible for SA rise in CHF.