ObjectivesUrinalysis is one of the most commonly performed tests in the clinical laboratory. However, manual microscopic sediment examination is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and lacks standardization in high-volume laboratories. In this study, the concordance of analyses between manual microscopic examination and two different automatic urine sediment analyzers has been evaluated.Design and methods209 urine samples were analyzed by the Iris iQ200 ELITE (İris Diagnostics, USA), Dirui FUS-200 (DIRUI Industrial Co., China) automatic urine sediment analyzers and by manual microscopic examination. The degree of concordance (Kappa coefficient) and the rates within the same grading were evaluated.ResultsFor erythrocytes, leukocytes, epithelial cells, bacteria, crystals and yeasts, the degree of concordance between the two instruments was better than the degree of concordance between the manual microscopic method and the individual devices. There was no concordance between all methods for casts.ConclusionThe results from the automated analyzers for erythrocytes, leukocytes and epithelial cells were similar to the result of microscopic examination. However, in order to avoid any error or uncertainty, some images (particularly: dysmorphic cells, bacteria, yeasts, casts and crystals) have to be analyzed by manual microscopic examination by trained staff. Therefore, the software programs which are used in automatic urine sediment analysers need further development to recognize urinary shaped elements more accurately. Automated systems are important in terms of time saving and standardization.

Acromegaly was found to be associated with increased tendency to coagulation and enhanced platelet activity. This hypercoagulable state might increase the risk for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in acromegaly.

Objective: Although anemia is frequently seen in children, there isn't adequate number of study related with this issue. In this study, we aimed to investigate iron, folate and vitamin B12 status in children and adolescents in a single center in the Aegean region of our country. Method: We retrospectively evaluated the children without chronic disease who were admitted to our hospital between 2008-2016 (n=7310). Ferritin, iron and iron binding capacity were measured by Olympus 2700 analyzer. Folate and vitamin B12 were measured using Immulite 2000 and Cobas E411 analyzer, respectively. MCV and hemoglobin were measured with Beckman Coulter LH750. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for comparison between groups. Results: Children (2743 boys, and 4567 girls) aged between 1-18 years old were screened. The percentage of iron, folate, vitamin B12 and combined iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies were found to be 21.7%, 8%, 16.9%, and 4.7% respectively, while 18.8% of all children were in the anemic group. The incidence of combined iron and vitamin B12 in anemic group was found to be high (10.2%), although anemic and nonanemic groups were similar with respect to vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies. Conclusion: Iron deficiency may mask the megaloblastic anemia caused by vitamin B12 and folate deficiency. Effective preventive social nutrition programs may be useful in preventing anemia.

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