Nurcan Kilic Baygutalp

Comparison of Cobas 6500 and Iris IQ200 fully-automated urine analyzers to manual urine microscopy.

Introduction Urine screening is achieved by either automated or manual microscopic analysis. The aim of the study was to compare Cobas 6500 and Iris IQ200 urine analyzers, and manual urine microscopic analysis. Materials and methods A total of 540 urine samples sent to the laboratory for chemical and sediment analysis were analyzed on Cobas 6500 and Iris IQ200 within 1 hour from sampling. One hundred and fifty three samples were found to have pathological sediment results and were subjected to manual microscopic analysis performed by laboratory staff blinded to the study. Spearman’s and Gamma statistics were used for correlation analyses, and the McNemar test for the comparison of the two automated analyzers. Results The comparison of Cobas u701 to the manual method yielded the following regression equations: y = - 0.12 (95% CI: - 1.09 to 0.67) + 0.78 (95% CI: 0.65 to 0.95) x for WBC and y = 0.06 (95% CI: - 0.09 to 0.25) + 0.66 (95% CI: 0.57 to 0.73) x for RBC. The comparison of IQ200 Elite to manual method the following equations: y = 0.03 (95% CI: - 1.00 to 1.00) + 0.88 (95% CI: 0.66 to 1.00) x for WBC and y = - 0.22 (95% CI: - 0.80 to 0.20) + 0.40 (95% CI: 0.32 to 0.50) x for RBC. IQ200 Elite compared to Cobas u701 yielded the following equations: y = - 0.95 (95% CI: - 2.13 to 0.11) + 1.25 (95% CI: 1.08 to 1.44) x for WBC and y = - 1.20 (95% CI: - 1.80 to -0.30) + 0. 80 (95% CI: 0.55 to 1.00) x for RBC. Conclusions The two analyzers showed similar performances and good compatibility to manual microscopy. However, they are still inadequate in the determination of WBC, RBC, and EC in highly-pathological samples. Thus, confirmation by manual microscopic analysis may be useful.

Paracetamol-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats: the protective role of Nigella sativa

Abstract Context Nigella sativa L. (Ranunculaceae) (NS) is traditionally used to treat many conditions such as inflammation. Objective This study evaluates the effects of NS seeds ethanol extract in paracetamol-induced acute nephrotoxicity in rats. Materials and methods Forty-eight female Wistar Albino rats were divided into eight groups: I = sham; II = sham + 1000 mg/kg NS; III = sham + 140 mg/kg (N-acetyl cysteine) NAC; IV = 2 g/kg paracetamol; V = 2 g/kg paracetamol + 140 mg/kg NAC; VI, VII and VIII = 2 g/kg paracetamol + 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg NS, respectively. Paracetamol administration (oral) was carried out 1 h after NS and NAC administrations (oral), and all animals were sacrificed 24 h later. Results Paracetamol administration significantly increased serum urea (88.05 U/L) and creatinine (0.80 U/L) when compared with the sham group (49.80 and 0.31 U/L, respectively). However, serum urea level was reduced to 65.60, 56.00 and 54.18 U/L, with 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg doses of the extract, respectively. Also, serum creatinine level was reduced to 0.64, 0.57 and 0.52 U/L with 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg doses of the extract, respectively. NS administration increased superoxide dismutase and glutathione, and decreased malondialdehyde levels in the kidneys. Kidney histopathological examinations showed that NS administration antagonized paracetamol-induced kidney pathological damage. Discussion and conclusions The results suggest NS has a significant nephroprotective activity on paracetamol-induced nephrotoxicity. It may be suggested that the antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects of NS ethanolic extract originated from different compounds of its black seeds.

Endothelin Receptor Inhibition with Bosentan Delays Onset of Liver Injury in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Condition

BACKGROUND This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of bosentan an orally active non-peptide mixed ETA/ETB receptor antagonist, on liver injury in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. METHODS 24 Albino-Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: healthy (Group 1), diabetic (Group 2) (60 mg/kg of streptozotocin i.p.), diabetic treated with bosentan 50 mg/kg (Group 3) and diabetic treated with bosentan 100 mg/kg (Group 4). The treatment of bosentan was initiated after streptozocin injection and continued for 60 days. RESULTS Liver from diabetic rats showed significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) level and significant decrease in glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Endothelin (ET-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) gene expression significantly increased in the diabetic groups in the rat liver tissue. Bosentan treatment showed a significant up-regulatory effect on ET-1, TNF-α and TGF-β mRNA expression. Results from histopathological evaluation of the liver were in accordance with our biochemical and molecular results. CONCLUSIONS These data provide clear evidence that bosentan treatment is associated with promising hepatoprotective effect against diabetes-induced liver damage via reduction of cell inflammation and oxidative damage. These data suggest that ET receptors may be an important actor in diabetes-related liver damage, and blockage of these receptors may become a target for preventing diabetic complications in the future.

A reference interval study for common biochemical analytes in Eastern Turkey: a comparison of a reference population with laboratory data mining

Introduction The aim of this study was to define the reference intervals (RIs) in a Turkish population living in Northeast Turkey (Erzurum) for 34 analytes using direct and indirect methods. In the present study, the regional RIs obtained were compared with other RI studies, primarily the nationwide study performed in Turkey. Materials and methods For the direct method, 435 blood samples were collected from a healthy group of females (N = 218) and males (N = 217) aged between 18 and 65 years. The sera were analysed in Ataturk University hospital laboratory using Roche reagents and analysers for 34 analytes. The data from 1,366,948 records were used to calculate the indirect RIs using a modified Bhattacharya method. Results Significant gender-related differences were observed for 17 analytes. There were also some apparent differences between RIs derived from indirect and direct methods particularly in some analytes (e.g. gamma-glutamyltransferase, creatine kinase, LDL-cholesterol and iron). The RIs derived with the direct method for some, but not all, of the analytes were generally comparable with the RIs reported in the nationwide study and other previous studies in Turkey.There were large differences between RIs derived by the direct method and the expected values shown in the kit insert (e.g. aspartate aminotransferase, total-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and vitamin B12). Conclusions These data provide region-specific RIs for 34 analytes determined by the direct and indirect methods. The observed differences in RIs between previous studies could be related to nutritional status and environmental factors.

Serum Zinc, Copper, Magnesium and Selenium Levels in Children with Helicobacter Pylori Infection.

OBJECTIVE Helicobacter pylori infection can cause disease from mild to severe that may be accompanied by micronutrient deficiencies. We aimed to investigate serum zinc, copper, magnesium and selenium levels in Helicobacter pylori positive children. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-four children, with chronic abdominal pain and diag-nosed to be Helicobacter pylori-positive and 20 healthy children with the same demo-graphic characteristics were included in the study. Serum zinc, copper and magnesium levels were measured in the flame unit of atomic absorption spectrophotometer, selenium levels were measured in the graphite unit of the same atomic absorption spectrophotometer. RESULTS Serum zinc levels were significantly higher and serum magnesium levels were significantly lower (p<0.05) in Helicobacter pylori positive children than those of the control group. Although copper levels were lower in patient group than in control group, this difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). There was no significant difference between serum selenium levels of two groups. CONCLUSION We concluded that in Helicobacter pylori-positive children, many trace elements and mineral metabolism may change.

Evaluation of Circulating Nitric Oxide Levels in Patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type

Objectives: Proinflammatory mediators play an important role in the pathophysiology and development of complex regional pain syndrome type 1. Elevated cytokine production is suggested to increase nitric oxide production by activating the inducible nitric oxide synthase pathway. In this study, we aimed to determine the circulating nitric oxide concentrations in complex regional pain syndrome type 1 patients, and to compare them with those of healthy controls. Methods: Serum circulating nitric oxide concentrations were measured in twenty-five patients (15 female and 10 male) with complex regional pain syndrome type 1 who fulfillied the criteria of the modified International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) and compared those of twentyfive (15 female and 10 male) age, gender matched healthy subjects. Nitric oxide concentration is estimated indirectly based on Greiss method by measuring the combined oxidation products of nitric oxide (total nitrites and nitrates). Results: There was no significant difference in the demographic data among two groups (p>0.05). The mean serum nitric oxide concentration (39.50±13.26 μmol) was significantly higher in the complex regional pain syndrome type 1 patients group compared to those of controls (27.15±11.90 μmol) (p<0.001). Conclusions: We suggest that nitric oxide levels play an important role on inflammatory reactions in CPRS 1 patients.

Serum vitamin D seviyelerinin fibromiyalji sendromunun klinik bulguları ile ilişkisi

2 Ataturk University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Erzurum, Turkey Yazışma Adresi /Correspondence: Nurcan Kılıc Baygutalp, Ataturk University Faculty of Medicine, Dept. Medical Biochemistry, Erzurum, Turkey Email: eczbaygutalp80@gmail.com Geliş Tarihi / Received: 02.06.2014, Kabul Tarihi / Accepted: 14.07.2014 Copyright

A nationwide multicentre study in Turkey for establishing reference intervals of haematological parameters with novel use of a panel of whole blood

Introduction A nationwide multicentre study was conducted to establish well-defined reference intervals (RIs) of haematological parameters for the Turkish population in consideration of sources of variation in reference values (RVs). Materials and methods K2-EDTA whole blood samples (total of 3363) were collected from 12 laboratories. Sera were also collected for measurements of iron, UIBC, TIBC, and ferritin for use in the latent abnormal values exclusion (LAVE) method. The blood samples were analysed within 2 hours in each laboratory using Cell Dyn and Ruby (Abbott), LH780 (Beckman Coulter), or XT-2000i (Sysmex). A panel of freshly prepared blood from 40 healthy volunteers was measured in common to assess any analyser-dependent bias in the measurements. The SD ratio (SDR) based on ANOVA was used to judge the need for partitioning RVs. RIs were computed by the parametric method with/without applying the LAVE method. Results Analyser-dependent bias was found for basophils (Bas), MCHC, RDW and MPV from the panel test results and thus those RIs were derived for each manufacturer. RIs were determined from all volunteers’ results for WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, MCV, MCH and platelets. Gender-specific RIs were required for RBC, haemoglobin, haematocrit, iron, UIBC and ferritin. Region-specific RIs were required for RBC, haemoglobin, haematocrit, UIBC, and TIBC. Conclusions With the novel use of a freshly prepared blood panel, manufacturer-specific RIs’ were derived for Bas, Bas%, MCHC, RDW and MPV. Regional differences in RIs were observed among the 7 regions of Turkey, which may be attributed to nutritional or environmental factors, including altitude.

The comparison of two glucose measurement systems: POCT devices versus central laboratory

Abstract Background: Glucose meters are used for two purposes: point-of-care testing and the self-monitoring of glucose, both of which are very important in the management of diabetes, hypoglycemia, or hyperglycemia and in therapeutic decisions. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the test reliability of glucose meters and to compare their results with those of the clinical laboratory method. Material and methods: Evaluation was made of five different types of glucose meters which are generally used for hospitalized patients. Capillary and venous specimens were obtained concurrently from each patient. The former were analyzed in the glucose meters, and the latter in the laboratory analyzer. Results: Of 1837 glucose meters read-outs, 1748 capillary and venous comparisons were evaluated. The majority of the glucose meter measurements were within acceptable limits. The error percentage distribution of glucose meters indicated that the accuracy of glucose meters is higher in the prediabetic/diabetic measurement range than at normo-/hypoglycemic levels. Conclusion: In general, the glucose meters and laboratory method were observed to be compatible. However, health care professionals and self-monitoring diabetic patients should be aware of the evaluation of glucose meter results, and should cross-check, as frequently as possible, with laboratory values.

Changes in platelet parameters in leukocytosis

Introduction In recent years, platelets are known to have a large variety of functions in many pathophysiological processes and their interaction with endothelial cells and leukocytes is known to play an important role in the pathophysiology of vascular inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between white blood cell count in conditions resulting in leukocytosis and platelet count and platelet parameters including mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, and plateletcrit. Methods White blood cell counts count and all platelet parameters were evaluated in 341 results of normal complete blood count (of which the white blood cell counts were within reference range, group 1) and 327 results of elevated white blood cell counts count (group 2). Results There was a significant difference between these two groups in PLT counts and PCT values, being higher in Group 2. However, there was no statistically significant difference between two groups in MPV and PDW values. On the other hand, there were statistically significant, but weak, correlations between the WBC and platelet counts in both groups (p<0.01, r=0.235 for group 1, p<0.05, r=0.116 for group 2). Conclusion As a conclusion PLT count and PCT values increase in infectious conditions. This study and previous studies show that PLTs are employed in infectious conditions but the exact mechanism and the exact clinical importance of this response remains to be cleared by further studies.