Evaluation of AutoDELFIA and access automated immunoassay systems for third generation assays for thyrotropin.

We evaluated the technical performance of two new commercial automated immunoassay systems of third-generation assays for thyrotropin. The interassay CV was 2.8% for AutoDELFIA and 3.25% for Access at thyrotropin concentrations of approximately 1.3 mIU/l. The lower detection limits of the assays were 0.023 mIU/l for AutoDELFIA and 0.0096 mIU/l for Access, and the functional sensitivity for a CV of 20% was 0.027 mIU/l and 0.028 mIU/l, respectively. Sample to sample carry over was negligible (0.0016% for AutoDELFIA and 0.005% for Access). The range of linearity was acceptable for Access (102-115%) but not for low thyrotropin concentrations in AutoDELFIA (143% for a thyrotropin value of 0.48 mIU/l). Correlation between AutoDELFIA and Access was adequate (r = 0.999). We conclude that both automated immunoassays offer good reliability, practicability and performance characteristics.

Interleukin-1 beta in pleural fluids of different etiologies. Its role as inflammatory mediator in empyema.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To measure interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) levels in pleural effusions of different etiologies and their relationship with several pleural inflammatory parameters, and to verify whether IL-1 beta can be used as diagnostic marker in the differential diagnosis of pleural diseases. MATERIAL AND METHOD: One hundred two pleural effusions were analyzed using a monoclonal antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pleural fluids were classified as follows: transudates (n = 28), empyema (n = 14), parapneumonic (n = 13), tuberculous (n = 19), neoplastic (n = 17), and miscellaneous effusions (n = 11). RESULTS: IL-1 beta was above 200 pg/mL in all the patients with empyema but only in three patients with other etiologies. Two of those three had parapneumonic effusions and the remaining one had a tuberculous pleurisy with a previous bacterial empyema. No significant relationships were found between pleural effusion IL-1 beta levels and the different inflammatory parameters analyzed. As a diagnostic criterion for empyema, pleural IL-1 beta concentration greater than 200 pg/mL had a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 96%, and a positive and negative predictive value of 0.82 and 1, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that IL-1 beta has a significant role in pyogenic infections of the pleural space but not in effusions of other etiologies. It could be used as a diagnostic marker of empyema.

[Orange juice in the prevention of calcium oxalate lithiasis]. / Zumo de naranja en la prevención de la litiasis oxalocálcica.

From the assumption that prophylaxis of oxalocalcium lithiasis is feasible with an the intake of citrate-rich food, this paper presents a prospective, medium-term research in two groups of patients with a background of this type of lithiasis; the first group was treated with diet and increased fluid intake exclusively, while the second group had to follow similar dietetic measures and take also one litre of orange juice daily. Orange juice raises citraturia and pH, decreasing the rate of lithiasis formation and crystallization risk indicators for calcium phosphate. No significant differences are obtained in the number of relapse ratio reductions for the second group as compared to controls.