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Background: Diagnosis of upper urinary tract infections (UTI) is challenging. We evaluated the analytical and diagnostic performance characteristics of renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) and transitional epithelial cells (TECs) on the Sysmex UF-5000 urine sediment analyzer. Methods: Urinary samples from 506 patients presenting with symptoms of a UTI were collected. Only samples for which a urinary culture was available were included. Analytical (imprecision, accuracy, stability and correlation with manual microscopy) and diagnostic performance (sensitivity and specificity) were evaluated. Results: The Sysmex UF-5000 demonstrated a good analytical performance. Depending on the storage time, storage conditions (2–8 °C or 20–25 °C) and urinary pH, RTECs and TECs were stable in urine for at least 4 h. Using Passing-Bablok and Bland-Altman analysis, an acceptable agreement was observed between the manual and automated methods. Compared to TECs, RTECs demonstrated an acceptable diagnostic performance for the diagnosis of upper UTI. Conclusions: While TECs do not seem to serve as a helpful marker, increased urinary levels of RTECs add value in the diagnosis of upper UTI and may be helpful in the discrimination between upper and lower UTIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: alternative pathway activity; reference interval; total hemolytical complement activity EN alternative pathway activity reference interval total hemolytical complement activity e7 e9 3 11/26/21 20220101 NES 220101 To the Editor, Total hemolytical complement activity (CH50) and alternative pathway activity (AP50) are the most widely used tests to assess complement system functionality. For CH50, however, a left-sided 97.5% RI was determined, given the issues surrounding CH50 values above the measurement range and the fact that mainly decreased CH50 activities are clinically relevant. C3c and C4 concentrations were determined in all spiked samples on Cobas c502 using Roche assays, along with CH50 and AP50 (Figure 2). [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: chylomicrons; C-reactive protein; point of care testing; triglycerides EN chylomicrons C-reactive protein point of care testing triglycerides e141 e143 3 03/13/21 20210401 NES 210401 To the Editor, C-reactive protein (CRP) is an important analyte for assessing inflammation. The first phenomenon is the phospholipid induced agglutination of CRP resulting in lesser CRP molecules available for binding with anti-CRP antibodies in the assay [[2]]. [Extracted from the article]

Vitamin D binding protein polymorphism and COVID-19 With interest, we read the paper of Batur et al.,1 which investigated the influence of the vitamin D binding protein ( I DBP i ) gene polymorphisms on the prevalence and mortality rate of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D are related to the phenotype of Gc (vitamin D-binding protein): a cross-sectional study on 595 early postmenopausal women. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: albuminuria; proteinuria; urinalysis EN albuminuria proteinuria urinalysis e1 e2 2 11/28/22 20230101 NES 230101 To the Editor, With interest, we read the recent publication on estimating urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) from proteinuria to creatinine ratio (PCR) using same-day measurements [[1]]. In conclusion, care should be taken when estimating albuminuria out of proteinuria data, in particular in the case of low-range proteinuria or in patients presenting with Bence Jones proteinuria. When using economic arguments to avoid testing for albuminuria (proteinuria tests are less expensive than immunochemical albuminuria tests), it should be noted that quantitative albuminuria can be achieved using inexpensive common urine test strips in conjunction with a sensitive urine test reader [[8]]. [Extracted from the article]

Vitamin D-binding protein (DBP), also known as Gc-globulin, is a protein that affects several physiological processes, including the transport and regulation of vitamin D metabolites. Genetic polymorphisms in the DBP gene have a significant impact on vitamin D levels and may have implications for disease risk. DBP polymorphisms are linked to differential immune responses, which could influence the onset of juvenile diseases. This narrative review examines the various roles of DBP, with a focus on bone health, immunological regulation, and lipid metabolism in children. Chronic disorders affected by DBP polymorphisms include bone abnormalities, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular issues, childhood asthma, allergies, cystic fibrosis, acute liver failure, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and chronic kidney disease. Future research should focus on identifying the processes that underpin the many roles that DBP plays and developing customized therapeutics to improve health outcomes in the juvenile population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colorimetric albumin assays based on binding to bromocresol purple (BCP) and bromocresol green (BCG) yield different results in chronic kidney disease. Altered dye binding of carbamylated albumin has been suggested as a cause. In the present study, a detailed analysis was carried out in which uremic toxins, acute phase proteins and Kt/V, a parameter describing hemodialysis efficiency, were compared with colorimetrically assayed (BCP and BCG) serum albumin. Methods: Albumin was assayed using immunonephelometry on a BN II nephelometer and colorimetrically based on, respectively, BCP and BCG on a Modular P analyzer. Uremic toxins were assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Acute phase proteins (C-reactive protein and α1-acid glycoprotein) and plasma protein α2-macroglobulin were assayed nephelometrically. In parallel, Kt/V was calculated. Results: Sixty-two serum specimens originating from hemodialysis patients were analyzed. Among the uremic toxins investigated, total para-cresyl sulfate (PCS) showed a significant positive correlation with the BCP/BCG ratio. The serum α1-acid glycoprotein concentration correlated negatively with the BCP/BCG ratio. The BCP/BCG ratio showed also a negative correlation with Kt/V. Conclusions: In renal insufficiency, the BCP/BCG ratio of serum albumin is affected by multiple factors: next to carbamylation, uremic toxins (total PCS) and α1-acid glycoprotein also play a role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fourier transform mid-infrared (MIR-FTIR) spectroscopy is a nondestructive, label-free, highly sensitive and specific technique that provides complete information on the chemical composition of biological samples. The technique both can offer fundamental structural information and serve as a quantitative analysis tool. Therefore, it has many potential applications in different fields of clinical laboratory science. Although considerable technological progress has been made to promote biomedical applications of this powerful analytical technique, most clinical laboratory analyses are based on spectroscopic measurements in the visible or ultraviolet (UV) spectrum and the potential role of FTIR spectroscopy still remains unexplored. In this review, we present some general principles of FTIR spectroscopy as a useful method to study molecules in specimens by MIR radiation together with a short overview of methods to interpret spectral data. We aim at illustrating the wide range of potential applications of the proposed technique in the clinical laboratory setting with a focus on its advantages and limitations and discussing the future directions. The reviewed applications of MIR spectroscopy include (1) quantification of clinical parameters in body fluids, (2) diagnosis and monitoring of cancer and other diseases by analysis of body fluids, cells, and tissues, (3) classification of clinically relevant microorganisms, and (4) analysis of kidney stones, nails, and faecal fat. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background Populations at increased risk for chronic kidney disease should be screened for albuminuria. Possibilities of advanced urine strip readers based on complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor technology were investigated for obtaining quantitative albuminuria results. Methods Reflectance data of test strips (Sysmex UFC 3500 reader + CMOS) were compared with albuminuria (BNII) and with proteinuria (Cobas 8000). Urinary creatinine was assayed using a Jaffe-based creatinine assay (Cobas 8000). Results Calibration curve was made between 11.5 and 121.5 mg/L with detection limit of 5.5 mg/L. Within-run CV values of reflectance data were 0.21% (UC-Control L; 10 mg/L) and 0.37% (UC-Control H; > 150 mg/L) for albumin, and 0.71%/3.97% for creatinine. Between-run CV values were 0.24%/0.42% for albumin and 0.93%/5.13% for creatinine. A strong correlation ( r = 0.92) was obtained between albuminuria (BNII) and protein strip reflectance data. Creatinine reflectance data correlated well with Jaffe-based urinary creatinine data ( r = 0.90). Albumin:creatinine ratio obtained by test strip and by wet chemistry showed a good correlation ( r = 0.59). Carbamylated, glycated and partially hydrolyzed isoforms of albumin could be detected by test strip. Conclusions Dye-binding based albumin test strip assay in combination with a CMOS based reader would potentially allow quantitative analysis of albuminuria and determination of albumin:creatinine ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]