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Editor-in-chief
Maria Stella Graziani

Deputy Director
Martina Zaninotto

Associate Editors
Ferruccio Ceriotti
Davide Giavarina
Bruna Lo Sasso
Giampaolo Merlini
Martina Montagnana
Andrea Mosca
Paola Pezzati
Rossella Tomaiuolo
Matteo Vidali

EIC Assistant
Francesco Busardò

International Advisory Board Khosrow Adeli Canada
Sergio Bernardini Italy
Marcello Ciaccio Italy
Eleftherios Diamandis Canada
Philippe Gillery France
Kjell Grankvist Sweden
Hans Jacobs The Netherlands
Eric Kilpatrick UK
Magdalena Krintus Poland
Giuseppe Lippi Italy
Mario Plebani Italy
Sverre Sandberg Norway
Ana-Maria Simundic Croatia
Tommaso Trenti Italy
Cas Weykamp The Netherlands
Maria Willrich USA
Paul Yip Canada


Publisher
Biomedia srl
Via L. Temolo 4, 20126 Milano

Responsible Editor
Giuseppe Agosta

Editorial Secretary
Chiara Riva
Biomedia srl
Via L. Temolo 4, 20126 Milano
Tel. 0245498282
email: biochimica.clinica@sibioc.it

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ISSN print: 0393 – 0564
ISSN digital: 0392- 7091



BC: Articoli scritti da M. Berardi

Il Laboratorio nella valutazione della funzione renale in gravidanza
Laboratory medicine for the assessment of kidney function during pregnancy
M. Berardi  |  A. Noto  |  M. Mussap  | 
<p><span style="color:#221E1F; font-size:9.0pt">The early identification of kidney function impairment during pregnancy is crucial to prevent the onset of severe maternal diseases, such as hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, preeclampsia, urinary tract infections, and neonatal adverse outcomes, such as prematurity and intrauterine growth restriction. In pregnant women who developed chronic kidney disease before gestation, the weekly monitoring of serum/plasma creatinine and albuminuria allows the timely identification of kidney function worsening, considerably reducing the risk of an abrupt onset of acute kidney injury. Serum creatinine remains the most popular and used biomarker for assessing kidney function worldwide. However, during pregnancy the physiological hyperfiltration significantly influences plasma creatinine concentration, especially during the first trimester; even the physiological hemodilution, originating from the maternal plasma volume expansion, significantly contributes to the reduction of creatinine plasma levels. Creatinine clearance is considered the standard method for assessing glomerular filtration during pregnancy; however, creatinine tubular secretion and the inaccuracy in 24-h urine collection considerably affect results reliability. In addition, to avoid the urine retention in the dilated collecting system due to the physiological hydronephrosis during pregnancy, women should rest theoretically on their left side for one hour before starting and completing the 24-h urine collection. As a result, creatinine clearance is cumbersome and time-consuming, and can be performed only in selected, critical cases. The utilization of serum biomarkers-based equations for the estimation of glomerular filtration rate is strongly discouraged during pregnancy. Cystatin C is an effective biomarker for predicting gestational diabetes mellitus and preeclampsia but less effective for mirroring kidney function, being affected by extra-renal factors especially during the third trimester. Albuminuria is crucial for the early diagnosis and monitoring of gestational diabetes and hypertension. The measurement of urine albumin is by far more desirable than that of urine total proteins, being the latter affected by various analytical drawbacks; the first morning void urine specimen is recommended for the accurate measurement of albuminuria, and results should be expressed as albuminuria to creatininuria ratio, to minimize the intra-individual variability. In conclusion, plasma creatinine and albuminuria should be considered the most appropriate laboratory tests for the early identification and monitoring of kidney dysfunction during pregnancy.</span></p>
Biochimica Clinica ; 46(3) S042-S054
Rassegne - Reviews
 
Labtestonline nel 2021
Labtestonline nel 2022
Biochimica Clinica ; 46(1) 086-087
Notizie SIBioC - SIBioC News
 
Comunicare nell’infosfera: sfide e opportunità per la Medicina di Laboratorio
Communicating in the infosphere: challenges and opportunities for Laboratory Medicine
<p>Communication is becoming more important than ever for health care and health care professionals, as the recent COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically highlighted. The fast evolution of the mass and social media and the continuous development of new health-related platforms and applications are imposing new challenges that involve also laboratory medicine and that need to be carefully considered. In fact, these novel, fast and effective strategies of communication are inherently prone to the risk of publishing misleading, incorrect or fake information which can spread uncontrollably and diffuse all over the world in a very short time. However, social media are undoubtedly a great opportunity to communicate, in a responsible and credible way, health-related data and scientific updates and discoveries. As for the therapeutic alliance, it is now required to establish an &ldquo;information alliance&rdquo; between different healthcare professionals which, based on a trustworthy relationship, will allow the correct diffusion of health-related information and will contribute to citizens&rsquo; education.</p>
Biochimica Clinica ; 45(3) 290-298
Opinioni - Opinions
 
Inspiegabili alterazioni di esami coagulativi
Unexpected coagulation test abnormalities
<p>A 72 year-old female was screened before a minor orthopaedic surgery with routine coagulation tests, that resulted highly altered. Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time (PT and aPTT) could not be calculated because the system registered a biphasic curve, protein C and protein S (PC and PS) levels were not measurable and antiphospholipid antibodies were highly positive. Reviewing previous laboratory findings, a serum protein electrophoresis showing the presence of a monoclonal peak in the gamma region was retrieved. A serum immunofixation was then performed, and an IgM kappa monoclonal component was typed; a cryoglobulin test was positive for cryoglobulin type II. To investigate the possible relationship between these laboratory findings, a pool of normal plasma was spiked with the patient IgM monoclonal component at progressively higher concentrations registering a prolongation of PT and aPTT and a slight reduction of PC and PS. The presence of an IgM paraprotein, although not quantitatively relevant, was therefore functionally able to interfere with the coagulation time calculation system. Although coagulation abnormalities in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance are uncommon, these should be attentively investigated, to guarantee a correct laboratory report.</p>
Biochimica Clinica ; 45(1) e7-e10
Casi clinici - Case report
 
Lab Tests Online Italia. Attività del 2020
Biochimica Clinica ; 45(1) 100
Notizie SIBioC - SIBioC News
 
Rischio clinico ed ematologia di Laboratorio: è possibile affidarsi al solo Volume Corpuscolare Medio per scoprire l’errata identificazione del paziente?
Clinical risk management in laboratory haematology: is Mean Corpuscular Volume a reliable marker to recognize identification errors?
M. Berardi  |  F. Balboni  |  S. Buoro  | 
<p>Identification errors in laboratory medicine are a major issue. Delta checks rules have a fundamental function to identify this type of errors. In the haematology section of the laboratory, the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is one of the parameters which delta checks rely on. Unfortunately, this approach is sub-optimal since many patients show similar MCV. We present here a case illustrating the problem and the potential drawbacks for patient safety.</p>
Biochimica Clinica ; 45(1) e4-e6
Casi Clinici - Case Report
 
Il “Libro Bianco” dei Giovani Professionisti di Medicina di Laboratorio in Italia: risultati dell’indagine del Gruppo di Studio SIBioC Young Scientists
The "white paper" of young Laboratory Medicine professionals in Italy: results from a survey by the SIBioC - Young Scientists Working Group
<p>Introduction: Laboratory Medicine is continuously changing because of the advent of new technologies and perspectives, such as automation, Big Data and omics sciences. Professionals&rsquo; profiles are changing concurrently, developing the new technological, clinical and management skills required nowadays. In order to assess training needs as well as education and working conditions, the SIBioC Young Scientists Working Group (YS-WG) promoted a questionnaire directed to professionals &le;40 years old.<br />Methods: the questionnaire was prepared using Survey Monkey and was sent to the 587 SIBioC members &le;40 years old; it was also diffused via the YS-WG social media pages, and through personal e-mails with the help of Specialty School Offices. The questionnaire included 54 questions examining different aspects: participation in SIBioC activities, scientific interests, working conditions, evaluations of training and education experiences, expectations for the future professional life.<br />Results: during three months, 282 responses have been collected. The most represented professionals are Biologists (PhD) (46%), followed by Medical Doctors (24%). 33% of participants has an open-ended contract, 15% temporary, 17% freelance and 17% has a scholarship/research grant; 46% of them do not receive any remuneration. Around 60% work in public institutions (Universities or Hospitals); 52% are involved in clinical area, 29% in research. Residents&rsquo; evaluation on educational quality of Specialty Schools is rather heterogeneous. Among the 193 SIBioC members, 35% is actively participating in at least one of the society&rsquo;s Working Group. Most of the participants are regular readers of the SIBioC official journal (Biochimica Clinica), consult LabTestsOnline web site, and participate to SIBioC scientific events and/or to the Society e-learning courses.<br />Conclusions: the results of the survey are a key point for the Society, allowing to understand the young laboratory professionals needs, so that they can be accompanied and encouraged in a full development of their future professional life.</p>
Biochimica Clinica ; 44(4) 351-358
Contributi Scientifici - Scientific Paper
 
Lab Tests Online Italia, oggi
M. Berardi  |  G. Messeri  | 
Biochimica Clinica ; 44(1) 106-107
Notizie SIBioC - SIBioC News
 
Lab Tests Online: un successo che parte da lontano
M. Berardi  | 
Biochimica Clinica ; 43(2) 245-247
Notizie SIBioC - SIBioC News
 
Un caso di mieloma multiplo IgG kappa in cui la misura delle catene leggere libere ha evidenziato precocemente una ripresa di malattia di tipo “light chain escape”
A case of IgG kappa multiple myeloma where the measurement of the free light chains was an early marker of a “light chain escape” relapse
<p>Light chain escape (LCE) is a type of relapse where a serum free light chains (FLC) increase is observed, in the absence of a parallel increase of the original monoclonal component; this particular kind of relapse seems to be influenced by new therapeutic regimens. We present a case of a 55-years old man with a IgG kappa multiple myeloma (MM), who underwent double autologous bone marrow transplantation as first line therapy; after relapse, the patient was treated with lenalidomide/dexamethasone (LD). After more than three years of LD treatment, in September 2014, an increase of FLCs was observed, while serum and urine immunofixations remained negative until January and February 2015 respectively, when a LCE was diagnosed. Despite the new treatment, the patient died in June 2016. The FLCs measurement, although not reaching the IMWG criteria, detected relapse earlier than immunofixation. This case indicates that FLCs should be routinely performed during follow up of MM patients to ensure that LCE is not missed.</p>
Biochimica Clinica ; 41(3) e22-e24
Casi clinici - Case report
 
Armonizzazione in Medicina di Laboratorio
Harmonization in Laboratory Medicine
F. Ceriotti  |  M. Panteghini  |  A. Tosetto  |  V. Valentini  |  L. Politi  |  R. Rolla  |  T. Guastafierro  |  T. Köken  |  E. Capoluongo  |  C. Mazzaccara  |  V. D'Argenio  |  V. D'Argenio  |  G. Lippi  |  M. Plebani  |  D. Giavarina  |  M. Berardi  |   A survey on sample matrix and preanalytical management in clinical laboratories  |  D. Bozzato  |  G. Messeri  |  M. Zaninotto  |  M. Vidali  |  A. Padoan  |  G. Parigi  |  A. Clerico  |  L. Sciacovelli  |  M. Ciaccio  |  G.L. Salvagno  |  G. Barberio  |  G. Barberio  |  G.L. Salvagno  |  M. Pepe  |  M. Panteghini  |  F. Braga  |  G. Gessoni  |  M. Montagnana  |  N. Doğan  |  M. Barberis  |  M. Barberis  |  A. Marchetti  |  F. Borrillo  |  L. Bonfanti  |  P.M. Ness  |  G. Messeri  |  S. Nannini  |  J. Queraltò  |  M. Zaninotto  |  A. Mosca  |  BM. Henry  |  G. Santini  |  A. Coglianese  |  V. D'Argenio  |  E. Fiorio  |  L. Crinò  |  M. A. V. Willrich  |  A. Modenese  |  M. Berardi  |  G. Nordera  |  M. Girelli  |  R. Tomaiuolo  |  D. Giavarina  |  R. Dittadi  |  L. Pighi  |  V. Guaraldo  |  G. Bambagiotti  |  E. Franceschini  |  R. Danesi  |  M. Locatelli  |  F. Balboni  |  D. Cosseddu  |  M. Savoia  |  S. Bernardini  |  C. Domenichini  |  M. Lamonaca  |  M. Perrone  |  M. Perrone  |   per il Gruppo di Studio Intersocietario SIBioC-SIPMeL Diabete Mellito  |  P. Pradella  |  A. Padoan  |  M.T. Sandri  |  L. Belloni  |  A. D'Avolio  |  T. Trenti  |  A. Fortunato  |  T. Trenti  | 
Biochimica Clinica ; 39(6) 546-547
Editoriale - Editorial
 
Armonizzazione in Medicina di Laboratorio
Harmonization in Laboratory Medicine
F. Ceriotti  |  M. Panteghini  |  A. Tosetto  |  V. Valentini  |  L. Politi  |  R. Rolla  |  T. Guastafierro  |  T. Köken  |  E. Capoluongo  |  C. Mazzaccara  |  V. D'Argenio  |  V. D'Argenio  |  G. Lippi  |  M. Plebani  |  D. Giavarina  |  M. Berardi  |   A survey on sample matrix and preanalytical management in clinical laboratories  |  D. Bozzato  |  G. Messeri  |  M. Zaninotto  |  M. Vidali  |  A. Padoan  |  G. Parigi  |  A. Clerico  |  L. Sciacovelli  |  M. Ciaccio  |  G.L. Salvagno  |  G. Barberio  |  G. Barberio  |  G.L. Salvagno  |  M. Pepe  |  M. Panteghini  |  F. Braga  |  G. Gessoni  |  M. Montagnana  |  N. Doğan  |  M. Barberis  |  M. Barberis  |  A. Marchetti  |  F. Borrillo  |  L. Bonfanti  |  P.M. Ness  |  G. Messeri  |  S. Nannini  |  J. Queraltò  |  M. Zaninotto  |  A. Mosca  |  BM. Henry  |  G. Santini  |  A. Coglianese  |  V. D'Argenio  |  E. Fiorio  |  L. Crinò  |  M. A. V. Willrich  |  A. Modenese  |  M. Berardi  |  G. Nordera  |  M. Girelli  |  R. Tomaiuolo  |  D. Giavarina  |  R. Dittadi  |  L. Pighi  |  V. Guaraldo  |  G. Bambagiotti  |  E. Franceschini  |  R. Danesi  |  M. Locatelli  |  F. Balboni  |  D. Cosseddu  |  M. Savoia  |  S. Bernardini  |  C. Domenichini  |  M. Lamonaca  |  M. Perrone  |  M. Perrone  |   per il Gruppo di Studio Intersocietario SIBioC-SIPMeL Diabete Mellito  |  P. Pradella  |  A. Padoan  |  M.T. Sandri  |  L. Belloni  |  A. D'Avolio  |  T. Trenti  |  A. Fortunato  |  T. Trenti  | 
Biochimica Clinica ; 39(6) 546-547
Editoriale - Editorial
 
Un caso di gammopatia monoclonale di significato renale in un paziente con glomerulopatia immunotattoide
A case of monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance in a patient affected by immunotactoid glomerulopathy
<p>Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance is defined by the causal relationship between a small&nbsp;B-cell clone and the renal disease. Immunotactoid glomerulopathy is a rare glomerular disease characterized by<br />highly organized crystalline structure of Congo Red-negative immune deposits in the absence of systemic disease.&nbsp;We describe a 54 years-old man with non-nephrotic proteinuria and chronic renal failure. Laboratory findings revealed&nbsp;a serum monoclonal component. Renal histology showed a morphological pattern of membrano-proliferative&nbsp;glomerulonephritis; electron microscopy evidenced micro tubular structures within the mesangium measuring&nbsp;approximately 20 nm in thickness, similar to cryoglobulins. Renal immunofluorescence demonstrated in the deposits&nbsp;the same monoclonal component observed in serum, leading to a final diagnosis of immunotactoid glomerulopathy.</p>
Biochimica Clinica ; 39(6) e22-e24
Casi clinici - Case report
 
Valutazioni preliminari per la proposta di un unico dispositivo di campionamento per la ricerca dell’emoglobina su materiale fecale
Preliminary assessments for a standard sampling device for fecal hemoglobin detection
S. Rapi  |  C.G. Fraser  |  F. Cellai  |  M. Berardi  |  T. Rubeca  | 
<p>Sampling of feces is&nbsp;strongly affected by the lack of harmonisation, with differences up to 20 times in the mass collected for immunological&nbsp;tests for fecal hemoglobin (Hb) used in colorectal cancer screening. Aim of this study was to acquire information on&nbsp;fecal sampling and on the interaction between feces and analytical methods to obtain a reference design for a&nbsp;sampling dipstick. Bias and imprecision of sample collection dipsticks were estimated using gravimetry. Dissolution&nbsp;times of feces were monitored throughout the study. The effect of increasing amount of feces on Hb concentrations&nbsp;was investigated in saline and buffers of different manufacturers using a single analytical method (OC-Sensor, Eiken&nbsp;Chemical Co.). Fecal mass recovered with different devices ranged from 56 to 121% of declared amount (CV range:&nbsp;8.6&divide;31.1%). Time of dissolution up to 2 h was observed when lumps of materials were collected. In saline a rapid&nbsp;decrease of Hb values was observed, which was related to the overall amount of feces. Increased Hb values were<br />observed by adding feces to manufacturers&rsquo; buffers. Solubilisation time, bias and imprecision of sampling of feces&nbsp;were related to device design. Analytical methods are designed to use specific ratios between feces and buffers. The&nbsp;introduction of a standard dipstick design to reduce preanalytical variability may represent a crucial step for fecal test&nbsp;harmonization.</p>
Biochimica Clinica ; 39(6) 563-567
Contributi scientifici - Scientific Papers