Search

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

Objectives It is clear that reproductive hormones modulate the brain activity and development in human. Studies about how the reproductive hormones fluctuations alter the brain waves during menstrual cycle are insufficient. The objective in this study to explore if reproductive hormones fluctuations in the menstrual and luteal phase of cycle alter the EEG delta response. Methods 10 healthy women participated in this study. EEG recordings on resting state and blood hormone analysis were performed in the menstrual and luteal phases. Reproductive hormone levels (estradiol, progesterone, FSH and LH) were measured with electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The delta power values were analyzed by artifact-free 45 epochs lasting 2 s. We investigated the relationship between the hormone levels and delta power values in the two phases of menstrual cycle. Results The mean of estrodiol, progesterone, FSH and LH levels in the menstrual cycle were 26.01 pg/ml; 0.15 ng/ml; 6.33 mIU/ml and 5.28 mIU/ml, while the mean of estrodiol, progesterone, FSH and LH levels in the follicular phase were 130.7 pg/ml; 8.51 ng/ml; 3.48 mIU/ml and 7.19 mIU/ml, respectively. The mean of the delta power values in occipital region was 20.42 in menstrual phase while it was 27.21 in luteal phase. Therewithal, the mean of the delta power values in frontal region was 24.96 in menstrual phase while it was 25.42 in luteal phase. The highest difference was seen in occipital region whereas the lowest difference was in frontal region. Conclusion We obtained that increased blood levels of estradiol and progesterone in luteal phase enhance the delta power values in occipital region.

Background Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a systemic relapsing autoinflammatory disorder. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is an enzyme widely distribute in tissues and body fluids. Circulating levels of ADA have been shown to increase in several inflammatory conditions. This study was designed to evaluate the serum ADA in patients with FMF during acute attacks and attack-free periods. Methods The study groups comprised 23 FMF patients in attack-free period (male/female: 11/12), 30 FMF patients in attack period (male/female: 11/19) and 20 healthy control (male/female:10/10). The groups were similar for age, gender and disease duration. Results The mean age of FMF patients in attack-free period, patient with acute attack were 34.3±11.7 and 29.4±11.1 respectively. The disease durations were 13.1±10.2 and 8.2±7.6 years for patients in attack-free periods and patients with acute FMF attack, respectively. Patients with acute attack had significantly higher ADA levels than both patients with attack-free periods and healthy controls (for each, p Conclusion In this study we demonstrated that FMF patients with acute attacks had higher serum ADA levels than attack-free periods and healthy controls. It is likely that ADA may have a role in the cytokine network of the inflammatory cascade of FMF. Also, elevated ADA levels may be a part of the activated Th1 response in the disease. ADA may be used as a supportive marker to differentiate FMF attacks from attack-free periods. Further larger-scale studies are needed to support this result.

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.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of an anti-inflammatory and capillary regulator drug, micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF), in the prevention of postoperative formation of adhesions. Design A double-blind, controlled study evaluated the efficacy of MPFF in reducing postoperative adhesion formation in a rat model. Setting Animal care facility of an academic research setting. Animal(s) Thirty Sprague-Dawley female rats randomly divided into three groups. Intervention(s) Starting on day of surgery, group 2 rats received oral MPFF (100 mg/kg per day for 7 days). Group 3 rats were intraperitoneally injected with 5 mL of saline (containing 200 mg/kg per day of MPFF for 3 days). Control rats received no medication. A standardized surgical trauma was applied in all animals. Three weeks after surgery, the rats were killed, and the adhesions were scored according to macroscopic and microscopic scales. Main Outcome Measure(s) Postoperative adhesions. Result(s) Both oral and intraperitoneal administration of MPFF reduced the scores of adhesions according to macroscopic and microscopic scales. There was no difference between the routes of administration. Conclusion(s) A statistically significant reduction in postoperative formation of adhesions was observed after oral and intraperitoneal administration of MPFF in our experimental animal model. However, further studies are required to reveal its mechanism of action.

Objectives It is known that sex hormones affect the brain in women. However, there are not enough studies that explain the relationship between sex hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycle and brain waves. Our aim in this study is to show the effects of sex hormone fluctuations on the EEG alpha response in menstrual phase and follicular phase. Methods EEG recordings on resting state was performed in 11 healthy volunteer women in two different phases (menstrual and follicular). The alpha power values were analyzed by artifact-free 45 epochs lasting 2 s. Blood samples of volunteers were drawn simultaneously and estradiol, progesterone, FSH and LH were analyzed with electrochemiluminesence immunoassay method. The assessment of alpha power values and its relationship with hormone levels were performed in two phases of menstrual cycle. Results The highest difference between the mean power value in the menstrual phase (46.06) and the follicular phase (36.08) was obtained from the parietal region of the brain. At the same time, the lowest difference between the mean power value (41.06) in the menstrual phase and the follicular phase (39.37) was obtained from the occipital region of the brain. Estrodiol, progesterone, FSH, LH mean levels were 30.2 pg/ml; 0.17 ng/ml; 6.7 mIU/ml; 5.43 mIU/ml in the menstrual cycle and 123.9 pg/ml; 0.23 ng/ml; 7.3 mIU/ml; 17.12 mIU/ml in the follicular phase, respectively. Conclusion We found that increased estradiol levels in response to the elevation of LH levels in blood during follicular phase resulted in a decrease in the power of the alpha waves from the parietal region. Sex hormone fluctuations in menstrual cycle has minimal effect on the EEG alpha response in occipital region.

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.