Key Points This chapter discusses the use of proteins, whose serum levels are often elevated in patients with malignancies, in the diagnosis and management of cancer. Many of these are so-called oncofetal antigens —that is, proteins that are expressed in…
Key Points Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on neuropsychiatric disorders have been expanding to increasingly large populations and are now including multiethnic groups. These studies are aimed at identifying specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that may be associated with specific diseases…
Key Points The revolution in molecular biology continues to have a profound impact on the field of anatomic and clinical pathology (diagnostic medicine). Techniques, including polymerase chain reaction and other amplification and hybridization methods, are capable of detecting DNA in…
Key Points The clinical chemistry metabolic profile gives important quantitative information for over 25 serum analytes, often facilitating diagnosis of disease. Serum electrolyte concentrations for sodium, potassium, chloride, and sometimes calcium are most commonly assayed using ion-selective electrodes. Assays for…
Key Points Testing for the presence of drugs in the blood and other body fluids of patients has undergone a vast increase over the past 20 years. Testing for the presence of drugs of abuse and/or poisons in patients has…
Key Points The liver is composed of three systems: the hepatocyte, concerned with metabolic reactions, macromolecular (especially protein) synthesis, and degradation and metabolism of xenobiotics (e.g., drugs); the biliary system, involved with the metabolism of bilirubin and bile salts; and…
Key Points Enzymes are protein catalysts utilized by essentially all mammalian cells in specific biochemical reactions in different organs of the body, which may also be physically located in different organelles and structures within a cell. Enzymes lower the activation…
Introduction Laboratory tests for evaluation of disorders of renal, water, electrolyte, and acid-base status are the most common procedures performed in clinical chemistry laboratories. Screening tests in most laboratories are often grouped together in a basic metabolic panel because acid-base…
Key Points Ethical behavior in professional affairs is essential to maintain trust of patients and physicians. Conflicts of interest can arise when transparency of motives and rewards is not practiced. Privacy of protected health information is mandated by the U.S.…
Key Points Accurate differential diagnoses can be made from a systematic study of the laboratory profiles of patients in a large majority of cases. There are basically four types of anemia: iron deficiency, anemia of chronic disease, hemolytic anemia, and…