Measurement results of biological samples are not perfect and vary because of numerous factors related to the biological samples themselves and the measurement procedures used to analyze them. The imprecision in patients’ laboratory data arising from the measurement procedure, known as analytical variation, depends on the conditions under which the data are collected. Additionally, the sample type and sampling time significantly affect patients’ laboratory results, particularly in serial measurements using samples collected at different time points. For accurate interpretation of patients’ laboratory data, imprecision—both its analytical and biological components—should be properly evaluated and incorporated into data management. With advancements in measurement technologies, analytical imprecision can be minimized to an insignificant level compared to biological imprecision, which is inherent to all biomolecules because of the dynamic nature of metabolism. This review addresses: (i) the theoretical background of variation, (ii) the statistical and metrological evaluation of measurement variation, (iii) the assessment of variation under different conditions in medical laboratories, (iv) the impact of measurement variation on clinical decisions, (v) the influence of biases on measurement variation, and (vi) the variability of analytes in human metabolism. Collectively, both analytical and biological imprecision are inseparable aspects of all measurements in biological samples, with biological imprecision serving as the foundation of personalized laboratory medicine.

Physicians increasingly use laboratory-produced information for disease diagnosis, patient monitoring, treatment planning, and evaluations of treatment effectiveness. Bias is the systematic deviation of laboratory test results from the actual value, which can cause misdiagnosis or misestimation of disease prognosis and increase healthcare costs. Properly estimating and treating bias can help to reduce laboratory errors, improve patient safety, and considerably reduce healthcare costs. A bias that is statistically and medically significant should be eliminated or corrected. In this review, the theoretical aspects of bias based on metrological, statistical, laboratory, and biological variation principles are discussed. These principles are then applied to laboratory and diagnostic medicine for practical use from clinical perspectives.

Objective: Despite being highly genetic, the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), has not yet been clarified.Recent research has focused on the role of neuroinflammation and immune system dysfunction in the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders including ASD. Galectin-1 and galactin-3 are considered among the biomarkers of neuroinflammation and there has been recent reports on the potential role of galectins in the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders. However, there has been no study examining the relationship between ASD and galectin levels. Methods: Current study aimed to investigate galectin-1 and galectin-3 serum levels in young subjects with ASD comparing with their unaffected siblings and healthy controls. Results: We found significantly higher levels of galectin-1 in case group compared to both unaffected siblings and healthy controls, and higher levels of galectin-3 in case group compared to healthy controls. However, there was no significant association between galectin-1 and galectin-3 levels with the severity of ASD. Conclusion Findings of our study may support neuroinflammation hypothesis in the etiology of ASD and the potential role of galectin-1 and galectin-3 as biomarkers.

Purpose: Obesity has become a very significant health problem in childhood. Fructose taken in an uncontrolled manner and consumed in excessive amounts is rapidly metabolized in the body and gets converted into fatty acids. This single center prospective case-control study aims to investigate the relationship between fructose consumption and obesity and the role of fructose consumption in development of atherosclerotic diseases. Methods: A total of 40 obese and 40 healthy children who were of similar ages (between 8 and 18 years) and sexes were included in the study. In the patient and control groups, the urine fructose levels, as well as the levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL), small dense LDL, Apolipoprotein A and Apolipoprotein B values, which have been shown to play a role in development of atherosclerotic diseases, were measured. Results: The levels of oxidized LDL and small dense LDL and the ratio of Apolipoprotein A/Apolipoprotein B were found to be significantly higher in the patient group. Conclusion We found that urinary fructose levels were higher in the obese children than the healthy children. Our results suggest that overconsumption of fructose in children triggers atherogenic diseases by increasing the levels of small dense LDL and oxidized LDL and the ratio of Apolipoprotein B/Apolipoprotein A.

Purpose: Obesity has become a very significant health problem in childhood. Fructose taken in an uncontrolled manner and consumed in excessive amounts is rapidly metabolized in the body and gets converted into fatty acids. This single center prospective case-control study aims to investigate the relationship between fructose consumption and obesity and the role of fructose consumption in development of atherosclerotic diseases. Methods: A total of 40 obese and 40 healthy children who were of similar ages (between 8 and 18 years) and sexes were included in the study. In the patient and control groups, the urine fructose levels, as well as the levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL), small dense LDL, Apolipoprotein A and Apolipoprotein B values, which have been shown to play a role in development of atherosclerotic diseases, were measured. Results: The levels of oxidized LDL and small dense LDL and the ratio of Apolipoprotein A/Apolipoprotein B were found to be significantly higher in the patient group. Conclusion We found that urinary fructose levels were higher in the obese children than the healthy children. Our results suggest that overconsumption of fructose in children triggers atherogenic diseases by increasing the levels of small dense LDL and oxidized LDL and the ratio of Apolipoprotein B/Apolipoprotein A.

Gynecomastia is a benign condition developing in association with localized fat deposition and glandular tissue proliferation in the breast in males, and characterized by breast growth. Drug is one of the most important factors in the etiology of gynecomastia. Methylphenidate is a commonly preferred and well-tolerated drug in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. Gynecomastia is an uncommon side-effect of methylphenidate use. We report a case of bilateral gynecomastia developing in a dose-dependent manner during methylphenidate monotherapy and resolving with discontinuation of medication in a 15-year-old patient with a history of a similar side-effect during previous use of the drug. To the best of our knowledge this is one of the few case reports of gynecomastia developing in association with methylphenidate.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies show that immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were higher in subjects with acute coronary events. However, it is unknown if the increased IgE level is a marker of future coronary incidents and whether it may be regarded as a risk factor of an ischemic heart disease. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate the relationship between IgE levels and some atherosclerotic markers in patients without known atherosclerotic disease. METHODS: Fifty patients (mean age, 40.96 ± 10.8 years) with high serum IgE levels due to various conditions who did not display evidence of an atherosclerotic disease and 30 healthy control subjects (mean age, 47 ± 8.27 years) were included in the study. Atherosclerotic disease markers including adhesion molecules like vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6, endothelin-1, and systemic inflammatory markers such as high sensitivity C-reactive protein were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Endothelial functions of the coronary arteries were determined by coronary flow reserve (CFR) measurements and carotid intima media thickness using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography.
Atherosclerosis ; C-Reactive Protein ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Coronary Vessels ; Cytokines ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Endothelin-1 ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Interleukin-6 ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Pathology ; Risk Factors ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1

Objective To determine Blastocystis frequency and subtypes (ST) in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and analyse some laboratory findings between Blastocystis positive and negative cases. Methods Faecal samples from 150 UC patients in Adnan Menderes University, Training and Research Hospital were examined by direct microscopy and cultivated in Jones medium. Blastocystis positive cultures were subjected to DNA isolation and subtypes were identified by sequencing of barcode region. A retrospective analysis was conducted on C reactive protein (CRP), leucocyte counts (WBC), neutrophil counts, and sedimentation rates. Results The overall positive rate of Blastocystis was 8% (12 patients) and the most abundant subtype was ST3 (eight isolates, 66.7%), followed by ST1, ST2 and ST7. Laboratory findings between Blastocystis infected and non-infected UC patients were not significantly different. Blastocystis frequency was 3.8% among the patients in active stage, while it was 11.8% among the patients in remission stage. Conclusions The present study confirms previous findings that have indicated the predominance of Blastocystis ST3 in humans and contributes additional evidence that suggests the low colonisation of Blastocystis infection in ulcerative colitis patients during active stage.

No abstract available.
Amniotic Fluid* ; Animals ; Female ; Fibrosis* ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid* ; Laminectomy* ; Mitomycin* ; Rats*

No abstract available.
Amniotic Fluid* ; Animals ; Female ; Fibrosis* ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid* ; Laminectomy* ; Mitomycin* ; Rats*