Indirect estimation of reference intervals for thyroid parameters.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this work was to determine indirect reference intervals from patients' results obtained during routine laboratory work. This could be an accurate alternative to the laborious and expensive job of producing reference intervals for populations according to international recommendations. METHODS: All the results for thyrotropin (TSH), total and free thyroxine, and triiodothyronine (T4, fT4, T3, and fT3) stored in our laboratory information system between 2008 and 2011 were included in this study. We used logarithmic transformation of the raw data to exclude outliers. After visual observation of the data distribution, we estimated non-parametric reference intervals. A standard normal deviation test was performed to test the significance of differences between subgroups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the serum levels of the analyzed thyroid parameters, so we calculated combined reference values. However, we found a significant difference in TSH values between ambulatory and hospitalized patients, but only in 2011. Indirect reference values for TSH, T4, fT4, T3 and fT3 were 0.42 - 3.67 mIU/L, 66.0 - 136.10 nmol/L, 10.20 - 18.40 pmol/L, 1.10 - 2.39 nmol/L, and 3.17 - 5.59 pmol/L, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The indirect determination of laboratory-specific reference intervals using patients' laboratory data is a relatively easy and inexpensive method. Also, indirect reference limits will be more precise and true if skewness and kurtosis of the distribution are not too large.

Indirect estimation of age-related reference limits of thyroid parameters: a cross-sectional study of outpatients' results.

OBJECTIVES: Defining adequate reference limits (RLs) for thyroid hormones is an important task for support monitoring and the treatment of subclinical thyroid disease. We determined whether there are age-related RLs for thyroid parameters in male and female outpatients free of overt thyroid disease. DESIGN: We analyzed 22,860 results (11,440 male and 11,420 female outpatients above the age of 18) for thyrotropin (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4) and total triiodothyronine (T3) that were stored in our laboratory information system between 2008 and 2011. We calculated the 2.5th and 97.5th centiles for the analyzed thyroid parameters. RESULTS: Our results indicate higher TSH levels with ageing, with a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the 97.5th centiles for males and females older than 70 (5.07 mIU/L and 4.10 mIU/L), but also a significant difference between male and female fT4 from 31 to 40 and from 41 to 50 years old (18.4 vs 14.9 pmol/L and 19.0 vs 15.9 pmol/L, p < 0.05), respectively. Overall indirect estimates of the 97.5th centiles for TSH for males and females were not significantly different and were below the generally recommended upper limit (4.01 mIU/L and 4.20 mIU/L, respectively). In addition, we found no statistically significant change in mean T3 values in the analyzed population. CONCLUSIONS: This cross-sectional study indicates change in TSH and fT4 levels with ageing and gender-related upper limits. This suggests that by using indirect estimation a laboratory could provide clinicians with more accurate gender- and age-specific RLs for thyroid parameters.

Presepsin (sCD14-ST) in preoperative diagnosis of abdominal sepsis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to identify the diagnostic significance of presepsin in acute abdominal conditions and also to examine the correlation between presepsin, procalcitonin (PCT) and other parameters. METHODS: To detect presepsin we used a new rapid method based on a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay. The clinical usefulness of presepsin to differentiate bacterial and non-bacterial infection [including systemic inflammation response syndrome (SIRS)] was studied and compared with PCT, C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cells (WBC). RESULTS: The presepsin values in different conditions were (mean±standard deviation): healthy group (n=70) 258.7±92.53 pg/mL; SIRS (n=30) 430.0±141.33 pg/mL; sepsis (n=30) 1508.3±866.6 pg/mL. The presepsin values were significantly higher in patients with sepsis than the SIRS group (p<0.0001, Mann-Whitney U-test). The area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve (AUC) for discriminating of the SIRS from the sepsis patients was 0.996 for presepsin and it was greater than the AUC of PCT (0.912), CRP (0.857) or WBC (0.777). CONCLUSIONS: The ROC curve of the SIRS patient without infection and the sepsis patient showed that the presepsin concentration was a significantly sensitive indicator of sepsis and useful marker for the rapid diagnosis of sepsis.

Association of PRDM16 rs12409277 and CtBP2 rs1561589 gene polymorphisms with lipid profile of adolescents.

Introduction: Positive regulatory domain containing 16 (PRDM16) protein represents the key regulator of brown adipose tissue (BAT) development. It induces brown fat phenotype and represses white adipose tissue specific genes through the association with C-terminal binding co-repressor proteins (CtBP1 and CtBP2). In healthy adults presence of BAT has been associated with lower glucose, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. Our aim was to analyze the association of PRDM16 gene (rs12409277) and CtBP2 gene (rs1561589) polymorphisms with body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose level and lipid profile of adolescents. Material and methods: Our study included 295 healthy school children, 145 boys (49.2%) and 150 girls (50.8%), 15 years of age. Genotypes for the selected polymorphisms were detected by the real-time PCR method. Age, gender, height, weight, lipid profile (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides) and fasting glucose levels were recorded. Results: We did not find a statistically significant association of rs12409277 and rs1561589 polymorphisms with BMI, fasting glucose and lipid profile of adolescents. We further analyzed the combined effect of the two SNPs and the statistical analysis showed that carriers of CT genotype of rs12409277 polymorphism and GG genotype of rs1561589 polymorphism had significantly lower total cholesterol (p = 0.001) and LDL cholesterol (p = 0.008) levels compared to all other groups of genotypes. Conclusions: Our study suggests that rs12409277 and rs1561589 polymorphism might have an influence on total and LDL cholesterol levels in adolescents. Larger studies should be performed in order to confirm our results.

The EC4 European syllabus for post-graduate training in clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine: version 4--2012.

Laboratory medicine's practitioners across the European community include medical, scientific and pharmacy trained specialists whose contributions to health and healthcare is in the application of diagnostic tests for screening and early detection of disease, differential diagnosis, monitoring, management and treatment of patients, and their prognostic assessment. In submitting a revised common syllabus for post-graduate education and training across the 27 member states an expectation is set for harmonised, high quality, safe practice. In this regard an extended 'Core knowledge, skills and competencies' division embracing all laboratory medicine disciplines is described. For the first time the syllabus identifies the competencies required to meet clinical leadership demands for defining, directing and assuring the efficiency and effectiveness of laboratory services as well as expectations in translating knowledge and skills into ability to practice. In a 'Specialist knowledge' division, the expectations from the individual disciplines of Clinical Chemistry/Immunology, Haematology/Blood Transfusion, Microbiology/ Virology, Genetics and In Vitro Fertilisation are described. Beyond providing a common platform of knowledge, skills and competency, the syllabus supports the aims of the European Commission in providing safeguards to increasing professional mobility across European borders at a time when demand for highly qualified professionals is increasing and the labour force is declining. It continues to act as a guide for the formulation of national programmes supplemented by the needs of individual country priorities.

Deterioration of thromboses in primary antiphospholipid syndrome: TNF-alpha and anti-annexin A5 antibodies.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the association between clinical and serological features of patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) and TNF-alpha, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R). METHODS: ELISA was used for measurement of antibodies (Abs) and TNF-alpha, while IL-6 and sIL-2R were measured by chemiluminescence. RESULTS: PAPS patients with pulmonary emboli showed positive correlation between IgM isotype of anti-annexin A5 antibodies and TNF-alpha (r = 0.894, p = 0.041) and IgM class of anticardiolipin antibodies and sIL-2R (r = 0.900, p = 0.037). In PAPS with cerebrovascular insults, positive correlation was noticed between TNF-alpha and IgG isotype of anticardiolipin (r = 0.624, p = 0.040) and anti-annexinA5 Abs (r = 0.768, p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Isotype analysis of antiphospholipid and anti-annexin A5 Abs and investigation of their association with TNF-alpha is important for differentiation of PAPS patients that are prone to further deterioration of arterial and venous thromboses.

Utility of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 for prediction of 30-day major adverse coronary event in patients with the first anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) has been suggested as an inflammatory marker of cardiovascular risk. The predictive value of Lp-PLA2 in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not been established. The aim of this study was to determine whether plasma Lp-PLA2 is a predictor of a major adverse cardiac event (MACE) in patients with the first anterior STEMI treated by primary PCI. METHODS: This study consisted of 100 consecutive patients with first anterior STEMI who underwent primary PCI within 6 hours of the symptom onset. Plasma Lp-PLA2 level was measured on admission using a turbidimetric immunoassay (diaDexus, Inc., USA). The Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis was performed to identify the most useful Lp-PLA2 cut-off level for the prediction of MACE. The patients were divided into two groups according to the cut-off Lp-PLA2 level: high Lp-PLA2 group (> or = 463 ng/mL, n = 33) and low Lp-PLA2 group (< 463 ng/mL, n = 67). MACE was defined as cardiac death, non-fatal reinfarction, and target vessel revascularization. RESULTS: Patients in the high Lp-PLA2 group had significantly higher total-, LDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein B levels, and significantly lower estimated glomerular filtration rates compared with the low Lp-PLA2 group. The incidence of 30-day mortality was 18.2% (6/33) in high Lp-PLA2 group, while in the low Lp-PLA2 group no patient died (p < 0.001). The 30-day MACE occurred in 24.2% of the high Lp-PLA2 group and 3% of the low Lp-PLA2 group (p = 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis identified the plasma Lp-PLA2 level as an independent predictor of MACE (OR 1.011, 95%CI 1.001 - 1.013, p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with first anterior STEMI treated by primary PCI, the plasma Lp-PLA2 level is an independent predictor of 30-day MACE.

Correlation of bone alkaline phosphatase and iPTH with some basic biochemical markers in predialysis and dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) is a direct and independent indicator of impaired bone turnover. We intended to find out whether there are any significant changes in BALP and iPTH levels, in comparison to total Ca, total Mg, inorganic P, total alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) in predialysis and dialysis patients. METHODS: Out of 266 patients investigated, 114 were on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, 112 were on maintenance haemodialysis, while 40 predialysis patients had end stage renal disease. The parameters were analysed according to the manufacturers' instructions. RESULTS: Correlations were established for the bone marker concentrations analysed among the studied groups. The largest ranges were determined for BALP and iPTH. Predialysis and dialysis patients showed very low levels of BALP. Dialysis patients had lower levels of iPTH (p < 0.001), while in predialysis patients the levels were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than recommended for low bone turnover, according to K/DOQI. CONCLUSIONS: The observations made in this study identify BALP as a good indicator of decreased bone turnover in predialysis and dialysis patients. However, in order to reveal a difference between bone activity and the level of parathyroid activity and its effect on bone turnover, it is always necessary to observe both BALP and iPTH levels.

The usefulness of myeloperoxidase in prediction of in-hospital mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: The predictive value of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not been established. The aim of the present study was to investigate MPO as a predictor of in-hospital mortality in STEMI patients treated by primary PCI. METHODS: Study population consisted of 189 STEMI patients having undergone primary PCI. Plasma MPO level was measured 24 hours after symptom onset using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (Abbott Diagnostics, Germany). The Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis was performed to identify the most useful MPO cut-off level for the prediction of in-hospital mortality. The patients were divided into two groups according to the cut-off MPO level: high MPO group (> or = 840 pmol/L, n = 65) and low MPO group (< 840 pmol/L, n = 124). RESULTS: The high MPO group had significantly more frequent anterior wall infarctions (p < 0.001) and Killip class > 1 on admission (p = 0.013) as well as lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (p = 0.011) and higher B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) (p = 0.029) than the low MPO group. The incidence of in-hospital mortality was 5.8% and was significantly higher in the high MPO group (13.8%) than in the low MPO group (1.6%) (p = 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis identified the plasma MPO level as an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (OR 3.88, 95% CI 1.13 - 13.34, p = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma MPO level independently predicts in-hospital mortality in STEMI patients treated by primary PCI.

The impact of inflammation to the antioxidant defense parameters in AMD patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Oxidative stress and inflammation are postulated to be involved in the pathogenesis of the age-related macular degeneration (AMD) although the mechanism linking the oxidation and inflammation is still unknown. The aim of this study was the analysis of the antioxidant capacity measured by levels of the antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and total antioxidant status (TAS) along with the inflammatory markers such as Creactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and fibrinogen in AMD patients in order to analyze the relationship of the inflammatory markers with the antioxidant parameters and their association with AMD. METHODS: The cross-sectional study, carried out in the University clinical setting, included 84 patients with the age-related macular degeneration, aged 71.25±7.14 years and 84 aged-matched control subjects (CG). RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed significantly lower GR (p=0.007) and TAS (p<0.000) values in the group of AMD patients compared to the controls. Logistic regression analysis showed that higher values of inflammatory markers (CRP>3 mg/L, IL>4.9 pg/mL, fibrinogen>3.8 g/L) and lower values of antioxidative parameters (SOD<900 U/gHb, GR<55 U/L and TAS<1.15 mmol/L) were significantly associated with AMD (ORCRP: 1.29, 95% CI 0.54-3.12, p<0.05; ORIL-6: 3.53, 95% CI 1.16-10.75, p=0.024; ORFIB: 3.06, 95% CI 1.78-7.92, p=0.019; ORSOD: 2.39, 95% CI 0.78-7.35, p<0.05; ORGR: 4.04, 95% CI 1.28-12.73, p=0.013; ORTAS: 2.9, 95% CI 1.4- 6.3, p=0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results obtained, it may be concluded that the antioxidant defense system was significantly reduced in patients with AMD and the probability to develop AMD was higher in older individuals with lower values of antioxidant parameters and higher values of inflammatory markers.

Significant association of antiphospholipid antibodies and TNF-alpha: marker of severe atherogenic profile of patients with type II diabetes mellitus without micro and/or macrovascular complications.

OBJECTIVE: In vitro, stimulation of monocytes with antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies resulted in increased secretion of TNF-alpha, but association of aPL with features of diabetes mellitus is not clarified yet. Therefore, we investigated the distribution of anticardiolipin (aCL), anti-ß2gpI (aß2gpI), anti-annexin A5 (aannxA5), and anti-oxLDL (aoxLDL) antibodies, and TNF-alpha in well-formed group of 78 patients with type II diabetes mellitus without vascular complications. METHODS: Investigated antibodies and TNF-alpha concentrations were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Antiphospholipid antibodies were in positive correlation with TNF-alpha concentrations: aCL IgG (r=0.303, p=0.007), aCL IgM (r=0.386, p=0.000), aß2gpI IgG (r=0.499, p=0.000), aß2gpI IgM (r=0.462, p=0.000), aanxA5 IgG (r=0.479, p=0.000), aanxA5 IgM (r=0.641, p=0.000), aoxLDL (IgG+IgM, r=0.279, p=0.000). Anticardiolipin-positive and aCL-negative subgroups differed in TNF-alpha concentrations (Mann-Whitney, p=0.032). Significantly elevated LDL concentrations were noticed in aCL-positive patients with disease duration 10-15 years (χ(2)=15.000, p=0.000) and apoB concentrations were elevated in aoxLDL-positive patients with disease duration 7-10 years (χ(2)=3.938, p=0.047). CONCLUSION: Significant association of antiphospholipid antibodies and TNF-alpha might be a marker of severe atherogenic profile (suggested by increased levels of lipids in aPL-positive subgroups) and should be used for the stratification of patients with an increased risk for future deterioration of the disease.

Evaluation of renal damage by urinary beta-trace protein in patients with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Beta-trace protein (BTP) was found to be increased in the serum and urine of patients with renal diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the urinary levels of beta-trace protein with levels of other urinary proteins: albumin, beta2-microglobulin (B2M), alpha1-microglobulin (A1M), and cystatin C and to determine its clinical usefulness for detection of renal dysfunction in chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: These markers were measured in 24-hour urine samples from 134 patients with CKD. RESULTS: BTP correlated significantly with A1M (r = 0.871), cystatin C (r = 0.759), total protein (r = 0.684), B2M (r = 0.497), and albumin (r = 0.448) in 24-hour urine samples (P < 0.05). Urinary BTP concentrations in patients with albuminuria below 30 mg/day were significantly lower than in patients with albuminuria above 30 mg/day (P < 0.0001). ROC analysis showed high diagnostic accuracy of BTP for detection of > 30 mg/day albuminuria (AUC 0.908). Urinary BTP was also in significant correlation with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (r = -0.580). CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggest that BTP may be a useful and reliable urinary marker of renal dysfunction and may have a place in addition to urinary alpha1-microglobulin and albumin as an alternative marker for tubular damage and the magnitude of renal impairment in patients with chronic kidney disease.

The association of lipoprotein parameters and C-reactive protein in patients with age-related macular degeneration.

BACKGROUND: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of visual impairment in individuals over 50 years of age, with the prevalence of 0.05% before the age of 50 rising to 30% after 74 years of age. An elevated concentration of plasma lipoproteins is considered to be one of the risk factors of AMD development. The aim of our study was to analyze the concentration of serum lipoproteins - total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), non-LDL cholesterol and triglycerides - as well as apolipoproteins - apoA1, apoB and Lp(a) - along with C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with AMD in order to explore the possible association of lipid and inflammatory parameters with the pathogenesis of AMD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the cross-sectional study in the University clinical setting, 79 patients with AMD, aged 71.47 ± 7.02 years, and 84 aged-matched control subjects were included. The patients underwent complete ophthalmological examination including visual acuity assessment, color fundus photography and fluorescein angiography. RESULTS: Statistical processing data revealed significantly higher total (p = 0.0002), LDL (p = 0.023), non-HDL cholesterol (p = 0.0014) and CRP (p = 0.049) values in AMD patients compared to control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the obtained results, it may be concluded that lipid status disorder and inflammation could play an important role in the development of AMD in elderly people.

Genetic aspects of ischemic stroke: coagulation, homocysteine, and lipoprotein metabolism as potential risk factors.

Stroke is one of the most common causes of death and long term disability throughout the world. It may be the outcome of a number of monogenic disorders or, more commonly, a polygenic multifactorial disease. Numerous studies have investigated the role of genetics in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke, with varied and often contradictory results. The candidate 'stroke risk' genes affecting haemostasis (F5, F2, FGA/FGB, F7, F13A1, vWF, F12, SERPINE1, ITGB3/ITGA2B, ITGA2, GP1BA, TPA, TAFI, THBD, PZ, ANX5), homocysteine metabolism (MTHFR, CBS, MTR), and lipid metabolism (apo E, LPL, CETP, ABCA1, apo AI, apo CIII, apo AIV, apo AV, apo B, apo H, apo(a), PON1/2/3, LDLR/LOX-1) are evaluated in this review. By examining meta-analyses and case-control studies, we made a classification of gene/gene polymorphisms according to the degree of association with ischemic stroke risk. The data assembled could be very useful for further meta-analysis and for future clinical applications.

Utility of placental growth factor for prediction of 30-day adverse event in emergency department population with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Placental growth factor (PIGF) belongs to the vascular endothelial growth factor family and seems to be an independent biomarker for plaque disruption, ischemia, and thrombosis. Plasma PIGF is rapidly produced in infarcted myocardial tissue during the acute phase of myocardial infarction. In this study, the relevance of PIGF was analyzed at the admission of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) without ST elevation for the prognosis of fatal outcome after 30 days. METHODS: We collected blood samples from 102 ACS patients admitted to the coronary unit with manifesting acute chest pain within the previous 12 hours and measured the levels of PIGF, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and cardiac markers: troponin T (cTnT), B-type natriuretic peptide, creatine kinase-MB (CKMB) and CK activity. RESULTS: PIGF, troponin T, and hsCRP levels were significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors. ROC analysis showed that PIGF had the highest area under ROC curve (AUC, 0.713), but it was not significantly different from AUCs for cTnT and hsCRP. Higher values of PIGF (>13.2 ng/L) pointed towards a higher risk of fatal outcome (HR 2.28; 95 % CI 1.21-4.76; P=0.0125). The multivariable proportional hazards analysis, which had involved other statistically significant markers of relative risk (age and gender), showed that PIGF was an independent prognostic marker (adjusted HR 2.14; 95 % CI 1.08-4.22). CONCLUSIONS: These results confirmed that PIGF is an independent biomarker of short-term adverse outcome in patients with ACS without ST elevation and that plaque instability, represented by PIGF elevation, has an important role in the pathogenesis of future coronary events.

Placental growth factor as short-term predicting biomarker in acute coronary syndrome patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: The relevance of placental growth factor was analyzed at the admission of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) without ST elevation in prognosis of fatal outcome after 30 days. METHODS: We collected blood samples from 102 ACS patients admitted to the coronary unit with acute chest pain manifesting within the last 12 hours. RESULTS: In all 102 admitted patients, higher values of placental growth factor (PLGF; >13.2 ng/L, average value) indicated a higher risk of fatal outcome (hazard ratio [HR] 2.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21- 4.76, P = 0.0125). PLGF is an important independent prognostic marker (adjusted HR 2.35, 95% CI 1.98-4.61, P = 0.1338), and this was shown in a multiparameter model, which involved other statistically important markers of relative risk (age >65, gender, and estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]). CONCLUSION: PLGF levels measured at 12 hours of symptom onset and 30 days later may independently predict fatal outcome in patients with ACS without ST elevation.

Beneficial effects of cellular stress response in traditional spa treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis often conduct bathing in hot mineral water with a high concentrations of sulfate compounds in the water and ambient air. We investigated the effect of hyperthermia and sulfur as possible stress factors at transcriptional level in several proinflammatory genes in fibroblast like synoviocytes. We mimicked the classical balneological treatment. Cells were exposed to 30 minutes of hyperthermia (41-42 degrees C) or sulfur (2 mM NaHS). Indeed, both factors were acting as stressors, inducing a profound expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). Stimulation of the cells with IL1beta induced a series of proinflammatory genes (IL1alpha, IL1beta, TNFalpha, IL8, monocyte chemoattractant peptide-1 and COX-2), but if the cells were treated with hyperthermia prior to IL1beta expression, gene expressions were significantly decreased up to 8 h. Treatment with sulfur alone induced expression of observed genes up to 12 h. We may conclude that hyperthermia as a balneological mean has indeed a protective effect on cells, but sulfur, which at first we considered as an antiinflammatory mean, had actually an opposite effect and induced expression of proinflammatory genes. Our data confirmed that the effect of hyperthermia as balneological mean treatment is beneficial, but sulfur treatment must be taken in reconsideration.

Association of lipid and inflammatory markers with C-reactive protein in cardiovascular risk assessment for primary prevention.

BACKGROUND: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) has been recognized as an independent marker of cardiovascular risk. Since atherosclerosis is a multifactorial disease, the aim of this study was to determine association between hsCRP and other markers of inflammation and dyslipidemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 242 healthy volunteers, total cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), nonHDL-C, triglycerides (TG) and hsCRP were measured using Olympus AU2700. Apolipoprotein A-I (apoAI), apolipoprotein B (apo B), lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)), haptoglobin, alpha1-acid glycoprotein (A1AGP), C3 and C4 complement components were determined on Architect c8000, and serum amyloid A (SAA) and fibrinogen on BN II nephelometer and ACL 7000, respectively. RESULTS: Significant (P < 0.05) partial Pearson's correlation coefficients were found between hsCRP and TC (r = 0.172), nonHDL-C (r = 0.182), LDL-C (r = 0.154), apoB (r = 0.167), fibrinogen (r = 0.411), SAA (r = 0.493), A1AGP (r = 0.462), haptoglobin (r = 0.310), C3 (r = 0.349) and C4 (r = 0.371). In multiple regression analysis, BMI, SAA, A1AGP, fibrinogen and nonHDL-C showed independent correlation with hsCRP. Multinomial logistic regression analysis demonstrated that BMI, nonHDL, fibrinogen and SAA were strong predictors of hsCRP concentration. Odds ratios for intermediate and high risk categories compared with the low risk category were 1.177 (1.033-1.341) and 1.289 (1.091-1.523), 1.515 (1.021-2.249) and 2.062 (1.246-3.411), 2.241 (1.268-3.959) and 7.123 (3.259-15.568), and 1.387 (1.179-1.632) and 1.691 (1.397-2.047), for BMI, nonHDL-C, fibrinogen and SAA, respectively. CONCLUSION: The prediction of risk for future cardiac events based on hsCRP concentration, which is the recommended parameter for improving cardiovascular risk stratification, might be complemented with the information about BMI, nonHDL-C, fibrinogen and SAA.

Relation between 25(OH)-vitamin D deficiency and markers of bone formation and resorption in haemodialysis patients.

Deficient serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] may contribute to the impaired bone turnover of end stage renal disease patients. In 112 hemodialysed patients we analysed the relation between 25(OH)D and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), beta-CrossLaps (beta-CTx) and iPTH. We analysed parameters according to the manufacturers' instructions. We found potentially significant vitamin D deficiency: 71% of patients had 25(OH)D levels below 50 nmol/L. In patients with iPTH below 150 pg/mL (n = 57), we observed significantly low 25(OH) (p < 0.01). In addition, patients with iPTH above 300 pg/mL had higher BALP levels (p < 0.05). There were negative correlations between serum 25(OH)D and both BALP and iPTH (r = -0.225, p < 0.05 and r = -0.331, p < 0.05). Beta-CTx levels were significantly higher in patients who did not receive vitamin D supplementation (p < 0.01). In addition, reduced BALP and iPTH levels indicate decreased bone turnover. Recorded data could signify that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to the impaired bone metabolism of hemodialysis patients.

Neighboring Countries: The Same Professional Aim in Development Laboratory Medicine.

During 15th Belgrade Symposium for Balkan Region (April 11 and 12, 2019, Belgrade, www.dmbj.org.rs) Society of Medical Biochemists of Serbia organized scientific and professional program with aim to discuss laboratory medicine topics of mutual interest for all the countries of the Region, such as: Laboratory Medicine Planning and OrganizationType of Medical Laboratory and StrategyLaboratory Medicine ManagementLeadership SkillsAccreditation and CompetencesEnvironmental Health and SafetyLaboratory Standards in Balkan CountriesExperiences of Young ScientistsStudents Achievements Together with the countries from Balkan Region the countries from our neighborhood as Italy, Austria, Hungary, Cyprus and Israel have been invited to discuss this important topics and exchange the mutual experiances with aim to improve the laboratory medicine in our countries and to help our colleagues to improve daily laboratory practice in our countries. Also participation in the Symposium took colleagues from France and Belgium.