Introduction IOPTH monitoring is a reliable method of predicting cure during the surgery for Primary Hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) but current methods are slow and require presence of laboratory staff. NBCL Connect is the first Analyser which can be used by theatre staff and measures whole blood PTH in 5 minutes. Aim Laboratory and Clinical validation of new IOPTH assay in patients undergoing surgery for PHPT. Methods Intra and inter assay variability using BioRad Liquichek Specialty Immunoassay, internal quality controls and serum and whole blood PTH concentrations in patients cured by parathyroidectomy for PHPT measured on NBCL and “gold standard” Future Diagnostics (FD) and Roche platforms. Pearson coefficient was used for linear correlation between measurements. Results Preliminary precision data confirms good analytical performance of NBCL Analyser which is similar to that of FD platform. Further precision, accuracy, linearity and sensitivity studies are ongoing. Plasma PTH concentration from 4 patients (5 samples each, total 20) measured on NBCL and FD platforms showed good correlation (R 0.90, slope 0.644, IC – 0.68) Whole blood PTH concentration in 2 patients (5 samples each, total 10) measured on NBCL, FD and Roche platforms showed good correlation. 50% reduction in circulating PTH, main (Miami) criteria confirming biochemical cure, were similar for all 3 platforms Conclusions NBCL Connect Analyser assay showed good laboratory and clinical performance able to predict biochemical cure in patients undergoing surgery for PHPT. Our preliminary data suggests that this straightforward to operate and fast system is a promising technology which can be used widely during parathyroid surgery.

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The increased interest and concern with physical fitness, not only from an athletic point of view, but also from an aesthetic point of view, has driven the search for new methods and technologies capable of helping to gain mass and muscle tone. Recent studies show that 81% percent of respondents reported dissatisfaction with their body image, even with 56% having a normal body mass index. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) muscle stimulation technology uses alternating magnetic fields based on the law of electromagnetic induction to promote supramaximal muscle contractions. PEMF generates impulses that are independent of brain function, and with such a fast frequency that it does not allow the muscle relaxation phase, characterizing tetanic contractions. Electric currents and electromagnetism have been used in physical therapy and rehabilitation, especially for muscle strengthening. However, the PEMF technology has emerged as a more efficient and comfortable alternative for the patient, with the primary objective of toning and strengthening muscle groups. In this work, we performed a literature review of all scientific articles available and indexed in Pubmed and Web of Science about this technology in the last 20 years and its effects on skeletal muscles. We discuss the scientific evidence available from clinical studies and discuss effects and possible mechanisms of action on muscle contraction.