Publications (4)7.01 Total impact
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Article: Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE)--intra- and inter-individual variability in chronic hemodialysis patients.
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ABSTRACT: Dialysis patients are at high risk of cardiovascular complications. Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) as well as sRAGE (soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products) are new biomarkers related to cardiovascular disease. The aim of our study was to describe their intra- and inter-individual variability. The studied group consisted of 21 chronic hemodialysis patients. PAPP-A, sRAGE and selected routine parameters were measured monthly during a 1-year prospective study. Our results show high intra-individual variability of both PAPP-A and sRAGE. Both PAPP-A and sRAGE were closely linked to serum transferrin levels. Additionally, sRAGE was significantly associated with leukocyte count and haemoglobin. Our study demonstrates high intra-individual variability of PAPP-A and sRAGE in stable clinical status. This finding could be helpful for further evaluation of the significance of PAPP-A and sRAGE in chronic kidney disease.Scandinavian journal of clinical and laboratory investigation 03/2012; 72(4):296-303. · 1.38 Impact Factor -
Article: EN-RAGE (extracellular newly identified receptor for advanced glycation end-products binding protein) and mortality of long-term hemodialysis patients: A prospective observational cohort study.
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ABSTRACT: EN-RAGE is extracellular newly identified receptor for advanced glycation end-products binding protein playing a role in inflammation. The aim was to test the relationship of EN-RAGE to prognosis of long-term hemodialysis patients (HD). This is a prospective observational cohort study in 261 HD patients followed up for five years. Laboratory parameters were measured at the beginning of the study. EN-RAGE was slightly but unsignificantly increased in HD patients compared with healthy controls and correlated significantly with inflammatory markers. Univariate Cox analysis demonstrated EN-RAGE as a significant predictor for mortality due to infection (HR (95%CI): 1.305 (1.063-1.602), per standard deviation, p=0.01), but this significance disappeared in multivariate Cox analysis when CRP was included into the model. Our study demonstrates EN-RAGE as an inflammatory biomarker. It is related to mortality of HD patients due to infection, but in our study, it did not provide additional information to CRP.Clinical biochemistry 02/2012; 45(7-8):556-60. · 2.02 Impact Factor -
Article: Pregnancy-associated plasma protein a as an independent mortality predictor in long-term hemodialysis patients.
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ABSTRACT: Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) is a biomarker related to vascular damage. The aim of the study was to focus on PAPP-A and related parameters and their relationship to the prognosis of long-term hemodialysis (HD) patients. This is a prospective observational cohort study which included 261 long-term HD patients followed up for 5 years and 66 healthy subjects. PAPP-A, placental growth factor (PlGF), matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 (MMP-2, MMP-9), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4), and cardiac, nutritional and inflammatory parameters were measured at the beginning of the study and tested as predictors of mortality. PAPP-A, PlGF, IGF-1, IGFBP-4 and MMP-2 were significantly increased in HD patients compared to controls (PAPP-A 27.6 ± 15.5 mIU/l in HD vs. 9.4 ± 2.5 mIU/l in controls, p < 0.001). Increased PAPP-A was a significant independent predictor of overall mortality and mortality due to infection in the multivariate Cox analysis [HR (95% CI): 1.237 (1.060-1.444), p = 0.007, and 1.416 (1.115-1.798), p = 0.004, per standard deviation, respectively]. PAPP-A was not related to cardiovascular mortality. Increased PAPP-A is a significant independent predictor of overall mortality and mortality due to infection but it was not related to cardiovascular mortality in this study.Kidney and Blood Pressure Research 11/2011; 35(3):192-201. · 1.46 Impact Factor -
Article: Interlaboratory study of free monoclonal immunoglobulin light chain quantification.
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ABSTRACT: Quantification of monoclonal immunoglobulin free light chains (FLCs) in serum is used increasingly in clinical practice for the diagnosis, prognostic assessment, and treatment monitoring of monoclonal gammopathies. It is used as an adjunct to standard serum protein electrophoresis and immunofixation. However, methods for FLC quantification need further standardization and validation. The Czech Myeloma Group and the Czech Society of Clinical Biochemistry have initiated an interlaboratory study where six laboratories collaborating with the primary myeloma treatment centres measured FLC concentrations in 12 serum samples from patients with monoclonal gammopathies. Repeatability of the measurements in five laboratories was calculated based on differences between the results of duplicate measurements. We found that repeatability depended more on the laboratory than on the device used for measurement. The study revealed several weak points in the methodology, including the need for a uniform sample dilution procedure. Interlaboratory reproducibility was comparable with values achieved in the NEQAS programme. Because the κ/λ ratio cannot be measured with high precision, κ and λ FLC concentrations should be used where possible. Due to its impact on the clinical management of patients with gammopathy, FLC quantification needs to become a part of the regular quality control cycle in myeloma centres.Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine 10/2010; 49(1):89-92. · 2.15 Impact Factor
