False positive result of human chorionic gonadotropin caused by human anti-mouse antibodies

Immunochemical reactions are fast, can be automated, and generally do not require pretreatment of biological material. Based on these advantages, they are widely used. On the other hand, they are susceptible to analytical interference that can lead to inaccurate results. These factors include the presence of anti-mouse antibodies, causing false positive (or sometimes false negative) results. Although the anti-mouse antibodies over many decades have been repeatedly identified to be the causative source but due to the rarity of such encounters they remain insufficiently considered. Here we show a case, a 45 year-old female who was mis-diagnosed with pregnancy due to falsely elevated human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) due to anti-mouse antibodies. This led to the patient undergoing two ultrasound examinations and laparoscopy before the hCG was repeated on alternative assays which showed negative results, preventing the patient from methotrexate treatment. Here we describe the details of the case, outline the assay principal, supporting the finding from literature and outlining a process on how to identify such interferences in timely manner

Metabolic disorders in patients with chronic kidney failure

Summary This review article summarizes the problems of metabolic disorders and nutrition imbalances that often occur in chronic kidney failure or following regular dialysis treatment. In this paper, we cover the pathogenesis of these disorders, their clinical consequences, and their association with the most severe complications of chronic kidney failure and dialysis treatment. These complications are primarily atherosclerosis, malnutrition, anemia, hyperparathyroidism, and other serious problems that markedly and negatively affect prognosis and the quality of life of uremic patients. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease are discussed in-depth because cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in patients with chronic kidney failure. It is important to give attention to the development of these complications because early diagnosis and therapy can improve prognosis for these patients and reduce treatment costs

The European Register of Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine

In 1997, the European Communities Confederation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EC4) set up a Register for European Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. The operation of the Register is undertaken by a Register Commission (EC4RC). During the last 10 years, more than 2000 specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine have joined the Register. In 2007, EC4 merged with the Federation of European Societies of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (FESCC) to form the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFCC). A Code of Conduct was adopted in 2003 and a revised and updated version, taking account particularly of the guidelines of the Conseil Européen des Professions Libérales (CEPLIS) of which EFCC is a member, is presented in this article. The revised version was approved by the EC4 Register Commission and by the EFCC Executive Board in Paris on 6 November, 2008.Peer Reviewe

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.peer-reviewe

Antioxidanty a ovlivneni oxidativniho stresu.

Available from STL Prague, CZ / NTK - National Technical LibrarySIGLECZCzech Republi

Model-based development of Java embedded applications: technical report no. DCSE/TR-2004-03

This paper presents a model based method of testing and verification of Java concurrent control programs aimed for embedded devices. Threads of the control program are mapped onto simulation processes that can be executed using discrete model-time concept. The computer surrounding environment, including the controlled device itself, is represented by a simulation model as well. Both the control program model and the device model are written as well as executed using the J-Sim simulation tool. The method allows development of the control program even before the HW platform is developed, including tests of its behavior that can be difficult to perform using a real controlled device