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Biomedical subjects

M Ferdeghini

Publications and source records attributed to M Ferdeghini.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Analytical and clinical assessment of a commercial kit for the simultaneous determination of free thyroxine and thyrotropin.

The SimulTRAC FT4/TSH kit (Becton Dickinson), allowing a simultaneous determination of free thyroxine (FT4) and thyrotropin (TSH), was assessed in terms of analytical quality and clinical performance. The results of a multicenter trial were included in this study to obtain a more complete and reliable information. The current validation procedures (ie evaluation of analytical imprecision and sensitivity, between-kit comparison of estimates and--limited to TSH--check of response linearity on dilution) demonstrated quite acceptable analytical characteristics for both the FT4 and the TSH tests. The diagnostic sensitivity and predictive value were derived for separate and combined tests from a relatively large number of cases (ie 401 euthyroids, 127 overt and 48 subclinical hypothyroids, 205 overt and 80 compensated hyperthyroids). The TSH test proved more effective than FT4 in discriminating both overt and subclinical dysfunctions, and, in this respect, the test association was found to add a little advantage--if any. However, the extension of the concepts of diagnostic efficiency to any combination of test results--favoured by their production in a single assay--provides a basis to establish diagnostic protocols and to predict costs and benefits of medical actions.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of serum CA549, CA M26 and CA M29 levels in the post-operative follow-up of breast cancer patients.

In a group of breast cancer patients post-operatively followed-up by serum CEA, TPA, and CA15-3 level determinations, the CA549, CA M26 and CA M29 values as well were measured. In metastatic patients, CA549 and CA M26 showed a sensitivity only slightly lower (70% and 67%, respectively) than that of TPA which was the highest (78%), while CA M29 sensitivity (58%) was much lower than that of TPA and similar to CEA (57%). In non-relapsed patients, CA M26 and CA M29 showed a specificity (95% and 92% respectively) similar to CEA (86%) and CA15-3 (92%) and much higher than TPA (73%). Among the possible associations of all the studied tumor markers, the CA M26-CA M29-CEA one seems the most promising because of its high sensitivity and specificity. Benign liver diseases and/or diabetes are probably the reasons most often responsible for the aspecific increase in serum CA549 values. On the other hand, they seem to affect the CA M29 much less and the CA M26 almost not at all.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMedDate not supplied

External quality control survey for alpha-fetoprotein assay.

Starting from 1984 we organized an interlaboratory quality control (QC) survey for the tumor marker AFP in which 100-150 laboratories have been involved. Seven consecutive QC cycles have been carried out during the period 1984-1988; 15-20 samples have been prepared and sent in each cycle. The 11 kits more used in the survey, which use three different immunological methods (3 kits EIA, 3 kits RIA, and 5 kits IRMA) were evaluated. Since the results of AFP assays were expressed as ng/ml of different local standards of the various kits, the participants were asked to convert their results in UI/ml of the 1st IRP 72/225 distributed by WHO. The total variability of AFP assay resulted approximately constant (19.9-24.7 CV%) during the all QC period. The validity of the consensus mean of AFP determinations obtained in the survey and assumed as reference value has been checked by recovery experiments. Regression analysis indicates that the consensus means found in these samples are in very good agreement with the added AFP. The analytical performance achieved by the most popular methods/kits, observed in the last period, are also reported.

Italy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Platelet activation in outpatients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

To evaluate the influence of emotional stress on platelet function, we have measured by radio-immunoassay in plasma two platelet-secreted proteins, beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4, in a series of outpatients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy for upper digestive complaints. The plasma levels of beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4, determined just before the instrumental examination, were significantly more elevated as compared to basal values, checked a week later. These results provide evidence of enhanced in vivo platelet release reaction during emotional stress.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The serum concentrations of TAG-72 antigen measured with CA 72-4 IRMA in patients with ovarian carcinoma. Preliminary data.

The Authors assayed CA 125 (cut-off value: 65 and 35 U/ml), CA 19.9 (cut-off value: 40 U/ml) and CA 72.4 (cut-off value 3.8 U/ml) immunoreactivity in blood samples drawn before surgery in 34 patients with ovarian carcinoma and in 47 patients with benign ovarian pathology. With a cut-off value of 65 U/ml, CA 125 had a sensitivity (SE) for ovarian carcinoma of 85.3%, a specificity (SP) of 89.4%, a diagnostic accuracy (DA) of 87.7%; with a cut-off value of 35 U/ml CA 125 had a SE of 88.2%, a SP of 66.0%, a DA of 75.3%; CA 19.9 had a SE of 20.6%, a SP of 70.2%, a DA of 49.4%; CA 72.4 had a SE of 64.7%, a SP of 93.6%, a DA of 81.5%. CA 125 was expressed by all ovarian carcinoma histotypes. CA 72.4 seems to have a high correlation with mucinous histotype, analogously to CA 19.9. However CA 72.4 seems to be preferable to CA 19.9 for its greater sensitivity and specificity.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The trend of serum CA125 levels during the first three courses of chemotherapy as a predictor of second-look findings in patients with ovarian carcinoma.

The serum CA125 levels were monitored monthly in a group of 20 patients with ovarian carcinoma undergoing a six-month chemotherapy cycle. None of the 8 patients with serum CA125 levels higher than 65 U/ml before the third course of chemotherapy had negative second-look findings at the end of chemotherapy. Conversely, no evidence of disease at surgical re-evaluation was found in 9 out of 12 (75%) patients with antigen levels lower than 65 U/ml before the third chemotherapy course; on the other hand, none of the 4 patients of this group in whom serum CA125 values fell below 65 U/ml only after the third course, achieved a complete surgical response. Among the 9 patients in whom second-look surgery documented a complete response, 8 had CA125 levels below 35 U/ml and one had CA125 values above 35 U/ml but lower than 65 U/ml at the three-month check-point. These data suggest that the trend of serum CA125 levels during the first three courses of chemotherapy is a strong predictor of second-look findings in patients with ovarian carcinoma at the completion of treatment.

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Human seminal transferrin: correlation with seminal and hormonal parameters.

Transferrin (TF) concentrations were assessed in semen from 10 fertile controls and 79 infertile patients by a radioimmunoassay method. A positive correlation between seminal TF concentration and sperm count was found in the whole sample of patients and within the control group. A statistically significant difference was found between azoospermic and severely oligospermic patients and all the others. No correlation was found with other seminal parameters or hormonal values.

Adult↗