External evaluation of LIAISON tumour marker assays on the fully automated chemiluminescent LIAISON immunoassay analyser.

The LIAISON immunoassay analyser was tested in a multicentre evaluation performed by 8 laboratories. The analytes evaluated were CA 15-3, CA 19-9, CA 125II, AFP, CEA, NSE and PSA. Excellent results were obtained for within-run and between-run precision with most assays showing within-run CVs < 5% and between-run CVs between 4 and 8%. The linearity of all assays was acceptable, however, for PSA, NSE and CA 19-9 a recovery > 110% was obtained for some of the samples tested. None of the assays revealed a high-dose hook effect. Method comparisons were performed by using the routine method of the respective study centre. Results generally showed an acceptable agreement between the LIAISON system and the different methods of comparison. The reference ranges for all assays were found to be in accordance with data known from the literature. All assays showed similar results for serum, heparinised plasma and EDTA plasma. Additionally, two experiments were performed with only one of the analytes tested: the sample-to-sample carry-over, using the CA 19-9 assay (3.3 x 10(-6)-2.3 x 10(-5)) and the functional sensitivity for the PSA assay (0.2 ng/ml).

Immunoheterogeneity of serum calcitonin in heroin addicts.

Serum calcitonin (CT) concentrations were determined in 96 heroin addicts. CT levels were assayed by radioimmunological method employing two antisera, one vs. the 17-32 fraction (IMN) of the human CT, the other vs. the 11-32 fraction (B7). In heroin addicts the CT mean values were significantly higher (P less than 0.001) than in normal subjects (141 +/- 16.0 and 292 +/- 21.7 pg/ml with IMN-antiserum and with B7-antiserum, respectively, in heroin addicts; 64 +/- 7.8 and 189 +/- 21.7 pg/ml in controls). Serum CT levels assayed with B7-antiserum were notably higher (P less than 0.001) both in controls and in heroin addicts. Our results draw attention to the heterogeneity of high ICT values found in heroin addicts.

[A study of biochemical parameters in 94 athlets of Marcialonga (author's transl)]. / Studio di alcuni parametri biochimici in atleti della Marcialonga.

Twenty biochemical parameters have been studied in 94 athlets of Marcialonga in basic conditions and after 30 min from the end of the competition. Urea, uric acid, creatinin, total proteins, albumin, sodium, calcium, phosphorus and several enzymes (AST, ALT, LAD, CK and ALP) have shown statistically significant increasings. It is, above all, clear the increasing of CK. On the contrary triglycerides have undergone a significant decreasing. The AA. try to explain the results obtained, considering some pathogenetic theories.