Role of plasma asymmetric dimethyl-L-arginine levels in detection of pulmonary hypertension in children with CHD

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (9) ◽  
pp. 1163-1168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marwa Farag ◽  
Doaa El Amrousy ◽  
Hesham El-Serogy ◽  
Amr Zoair

AbstractObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to evaluate the plasma levels of asymmetric dimethyl-L-arginine in children with pulmonary hypertension due to CHD before and after treatment with sildenafil and to evaluate its diagnostic and prognostic value as a biomarker in such children.MethodsA total of 60 children with CHD and 30 healthy control children matched for age and sex were recruited. Children with CHD were divided into two equal groups: the normal pulmonary pressure group (n=30) and the pulmonary hypertension group (n=30). Children with pulmonary hypertension were treated with sildenafil and were followed up for 6 months. Clinical data, haemodynamic parameters, echocardiographic examination, and asymmetric dimethyl-L-arginine levels were evaluated before and after treatment.ResultsAsymmetric dimethyl-L-arginine levels were significantly higher in patients with pulmonary hypertension than in those with CHD-only or the control group, and this increase was positively correlated with increased severity of pulmonary hypertension. Asymmetric dimethyl-L-arginine levels, mean pulmonary artery pressure, and pulmonary vascular resistance were significantly decreased after treatment with sildenafil. Moreover, asymmetric dimethyl-L-arginine level was significantly lower in patients who responded to sildenafil treatment compared with those who did not. At a cut-off point of more than 0.85 nmol/ml, asymmetric dimethyl-L-arginine has a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 80% to diagnose pulmonary hypertension-CHD. Asymmetric dimethyl-L-arginine has a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 94% to predict poor prognosis in pulmonary hypertension-CHD children at a cut-off point of 1.3 nmol/ml.ConclusionAsymmetric dimethyl-L-arginine level has a good diagnostic and prognostic value as a biomarker in children with pulmonary hypertension-CHD and can be used for following up patients with pulmonary hypertension and predicting response to treatment.

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shymaa Kamal El Din Abed El Rahman ◽  
Sanaa Sayed Abd Elshafy ◽  
Mohamed Samra ◽  
Hala Mohammed Ali ◽  
Rabab Afifi Mohamed

Abstract Background The relation between PIM2 and the transcriptional factor NF κβ have been controversial in literature. The significance of PIM2 and NF-κβ genes expression on the incidence of acute leukemia (AML and ALL) and its relevance to the response rate was evaluated. Sixty de novo acute leukemia patients were stratified in 2 groups: 30 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 30 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients and compared to 30 sex- and age-matched controls. The expression level of PIM2 and NF κβ genes was measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR). The patients were followed with clinical examination and complete blood counts. Results The expression level of PIM2 gene was significantly higher in AML patients (P<0.001) compared to the control group. The mean expression level of NF κβ gene was significantly high in AML and ALL patients compared to the healthy control group (P=0.037 and P<0.001; respectively). The overall survival in AML patients was higher in NF κβ gene low expressers compared to high expressers (P=0.047). The number of AML patients who achieved complete remission was significantly higher in PIM2 gene low expressers in comparison to PIM2 gene high expressers (P=0.042). Conclusion PIM2 and NF κβ genes might have a role in the pathogenesis of acute leukemia, poor overall survival, and failure of response to induction therapy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-60
Author(s):  
Mohammed Abbas Fadil ◽  
Raya Ezat Maroof ◽  
Moayed Abbas Fadil

Obesity and severe obesity are increasing serious health problems with an epidemic percentage in most countries. In Sleeve gastrectomy, a part of the stomach structure is removed, limiting its capacity by about two to three. A total of thirty blood samples were collected from patients with obesity and the result was compared with healthy person throughout the time from November 2019 to September 2020. Before sleeve gastrectomy and after more than 6 months of sleeve surgery, the sample was collected from the Medical City/Baghdad Teaching Hospital, the withdrawal was again taken at home to have pre and post sleeve gastrectomy, Patient age ranged between [20-46] years for obese patients and healthy control. Then the serum samples were obtained from patients and control group to screen for C-reactive protein by agglutination method. The result of the present study found that the positivity of CRP in pre-operation is higher than that of post-operative with high significance [P<0.005].


Biology ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 88
Author(s):  
Anna Baran ◽  
Paulina Kiluk ◽  
Julia Nowowiejska ◽  
Tomasz W. Kaminski ◽  
Magdalena Maciaszek ◽  
...  

Galectin-3 (gal-3) is a multifunctional regulator of various biological processes and diseases, which are common comorbidities in psoriasis. Data regarding potential diagnostic role of gal-3 in psoriasis are insufficient. Serum gal-3 levels were evaluated before and after twelve weeks of treatment with acitretin or methotrexate in 31 patients with plaque-type psoriasis and compared to 11 healthy control group. The mean serum galectin-3 level in patients with psoriasis was significantly higher compared to the control group (p < 0.01). In patients with obesity and long-lasting psoriasis (>20 years) positive relations of gal-3 and PASI were noted. In psoriatics with low gal-3 levels, positive correlations between the gal-3 and BMI, glucose level, and with the latter in short-lasting psoriasis (<20 years) were noted. In the long history of psoriasis, gal-3 was negatively correlated with lipids levels. The Gal-3 level might be a multifaceted modulator of the course of psoriasis and predictive factor of cardiometabolic comorbidities’ development, especially in patients with a long history of the disease or obesity. Patients with low serum gal-3 and short history of psoriasis are presumably at greater risk of diabetes. In patients with long-lasting psoriasis and concomitant obesity, gal-3 may exert a protective role against dyslipidemia or perhaps further CMD development.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (01) ◽  
pp. 120-124
Author(s):  
Shahbaz Ahmad Khilji ◽  
Shuja Tahir ◽  
Shahid Abbas

Objective: To determine the role of perioperative milrinone on pulmonary hypertension in patients with mitral valve disease undergoing mitral valve replacement surgery. Study Design: Randomized Control Trial. Setting: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology, Faisalabad. Period: June 2019 to June 2020. Material & Methods: A total of 80 patients with mitral valve disease who underwent mitral valve replacement were included. The patients were divided into a control group of 40, who were not administered milrinone, and a study group of 40 who received milrinone perioperatively. TVPG, LVEF and NYHA class were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively and were compared. Results: In the study group, postoperative LVEFs and NYHA class were not statistically significant in both groups while postoperative TVPG was significantly lower in study group as compare to control group and is statistically significant (P<0.001). Conclusion: Our study concludes that milrinone can be used as an effective therapy to reduce pulmonary pressure in patients with pulmonary hypertension undergoing mitral valve replacement surgery.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atta Mohammad Dost ◽  
Mehmet Gunata ◽  
Onural Ozhan ◽  
Azibe Yildiz ◽  
Nigar Vardi ◽  
...  

Abstract Amikacin (AK) is frequently used in the treatment of gram-negative and some gram-positive infections. However, its use is limited due to nephrotoxicity due to the increase in reactive oxygen radicals. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of carvacrol (CAR) against AK-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Thirty-two Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups as control (Vehicle), AK (400 mg/kg), CAR + AK (80 mg/kg CAR + 400 mg/kg AK), and AK + CAR (400 mg/kg AK + 80 mg/kg CAR) groups. AK and CAR were administered via intramuscular and per-oral for 7 days, respectively. Blood and kidney tissue samples were taken at the end of the experiment. Renal function and histopathological changes were compared, and the relevant parameters of oxidative stress and inflammation were detected. Histopathological findings (necrotic changes and dilatation and inflammatory cell infiltration) significantly increased in the AK group compared to the control group. Also, the rats in the AK group lost weight significantly. It was found that CAR treatment before and after AK significantly improved nephrotoxicity histopathologically (p < 0.05). However, this improvement was not detected biochemically. These results show that CAR treatment before and after AK improves nephrotoxicity in the histopathological level.


Epigenomics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1209-1231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin-Liang Ming ◽  
Yan-Lin Feng ◽  
Ding-Dong He ◽  
Chang-Liang Luo ◽  
Jia-Ling Rong ◽  
...  

Aim: This study aimed to excavate the roles of BCYRN1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: A comprehensive strategy of microarray data mining, computational biology and experimental verification were adopted to assess the clinical significance of BCYRN1 and identify related pathways. Results: BCYRN1 was upregulated in HCC and its expression was positively associated with both tumor, node, metastasis and worse survival rate in patients with HCC. Through combing plasma BCYRN1 with alpha fetoprotein, the diagnosis of HCC was remarkably improved. BCYRN1 may regulate some cancer-related pathways to promote HCC initiation via an lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA network. Conclusion: Our results propose BCYRN1 as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and offer a novel perspective to explore the etiopathogenesis of HCC.


2019 ◽  
Vol 119 (03) ◽  
pp. 384-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziane Elaïb ◽  
Jose Lopez ◽  
Muriel Coupaye ◽  
Kevin Zuber ◽  
Yann Becker ◽  
...  

AbstractIn obesity, platelets are described as hyperactive, mainly based on increased platelet size and presence of pro-thrombotic plasmatic molecules. We explored platelet functions, including calcium signalling in obesity, and the effect of weight loss. We included 40 obese patients (women with body mass index [BMI] of ≥ 35 kg/m2) who were to undergo gastric bypass surgery and 40 healthy lean subjects (women with BMI of < 25 kg/m2) as a control group. Approximately 1 year after surgery, the obese patients lost weight (75% had a BMI < 35 kg/m2). They were explored a second time with the same healthy control for the same platelet experiments. Compared with controls, obese patients' platelets displayed reduced sensitivity to thrombin (aggregation EC50 increased by 1.9 ± 0.3-fold, p = 0.005) and a lower Ca2+ response (70 ± 7% decrease, p < 10−4). In 17 pairs of patients, we performed additional experiments: in obese patients' platelets, thrombin-induced αIIbβ3 activation was significantly lower (p = 0.003) and sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ATPase (SERCA3) expression was decreased (48 ± 6% decrease, p < 10−4). These differences were abolished after weight loss. Interestingly, pharmacological inhibition of SERCA3 activity in control group's platelets mimicked similar alterations than in obese patients' platelets and was associated with defective adenosine diphosphate (ADP) secretion. Addition of ADP to agonist restored platelet functions in obese patients and in SERCA3-inhibited control platelets (five experiments) confirming the direct involvement of the SERCA3-dependent ADP secretion pathway. This is the first study demonstrating that platelets from obese patients are hypo-reactive, due to a deficiency of SERCA3-dependent ADP secretion. Weight loss restores SERCA3 activity and subsequent calcium signalling, αIIbβ3 activation, platelet aggregation and ADP secretion.


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 5428-5428
Author(s):  
Duran Canatan ◽  
Seref Olgar ◽  
Aslihan Kara ◽  
Hicran Hicyilmaz ◽  
Nihal Balta

Abstract Introduction: Thalassemia major (TM) is an important cause of severe anemia that necessitates regular blood transfusion to prevent the profound weakness and cardiac decompensation caused by the anemia. However, iron overloading is an inevitable consequence of prolonged transfusion therapy. In addition, extramedullary hematopoiesis and hemosiderosis cause spleen, liver and marrow enlargement. In recent years the role of angiogenesis has been investigated in physiologic and pathologic conditions. However, it is known that angiogenetic factors, especially vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cause differentiation of the hemangioblast. The role of angiogenesis has been investigated in different kinds of anemia, such as malignancy related anemia and sickle cell anemia. However, the role of angiogenesis has not been investigated in thalassemia major (TM) patients. In this study the angiogenesis was researched in thalassemic patients by serum VEGF measurement. Material and method: Forty-four consecutive patients with TM were included in this prospective study. TM patients’ findings were compared with those of a healthy control group (n=12). Blood samples were analyzed using commercially available ELISA kits for VEGF Results: VEGF levels were not affected by hemoglobin levels, ferritin levels, or chelation type (p&gt;0.05). However, VEGF was positively affected by chelation starting age and negatively affected by yearly blood transfusion rate (p&lt;0.05). In addition, VEGF of patients who underwent splenectomy was higher than those who didn’t undergo splenectomy (p&lt;0.05). In conclusion, VEGF causes differentiation of hemangioblasts, however, early starting transfusion age and regular blood transfusion decrease angiogenesis in thalassemic patients. The besides regular blood transfusion and effective chelation therapy, splenectomy decreases angiogenesis in this group of patients.


2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 695-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Swift ◽  
Smitha Rajaram ◽  
Helen Marshall ◽  
Robin Condliffe ◽  
Dave Capener ◽  
...  

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