Potential Use of Poly-N-Acetyl-β-(1,6)-Glucosamine as an Antigen for Diagnosis of Staphylococcal Orthopedic-Prosthesis-Related Infections

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci are microorganisms most frequently isolated from orthopedic-implant-associated infections. Their capacity to maintain these infections is thought to be related to their ability to form adherent biofilms. Poly-N-acetyl-β-(1,6)-glucosamine (PNAG) is an important constituent of the extracellular biofilm matrix of staphylococci. In the present study, we explored the possibility of using PNAG as an antigen for detecting antibodies in the blood sera of patients with staphylococcal orthopedic-prosthesis-associated infections. First, we tested the presence of anti-PNAG antibodies in an animal model, in the blood sera of guinea pigs that developed an implant-associated infection caused by biofilm-forming, PNAG-producing strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis. Animals infected with S. epidermidis RP62A showed levels of anti-PNAG immunoglobulin G (IgG) significantly higher than those of the control group. The comparative study of healthy individuals and patients with staphylococcal prosthesis-related infections showed that (i) relatively high levels of anti-PNAG IgG were present in the blood sera of the healthy control group, (ii) the corresponding levels in the infected patients were slightly but not significantly higher, and (iii) only 1 of 10 patients had a level of anti-PNAG IgM significantly higher than that of the control group. In conclusion, the encouraging results obtained in the animal study could not be readily applied for the diagnosis of staphylococcal orthopedic-prosthesis-related infections in humans, and PNAG does not seem to be an appropriate antigen for this purpose. Further studies are necessary to determine whether the developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method could serve as a complementary test in the individual follow-up treatment of such infections caused by PNAG-producing staphylococci.

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Oxidative DNA Damage and NOX4 Levels in Children with Undescended Testes

European Journal of Pediatric Surgery ◽

10.1055/s-0039-1692167 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (06) ◽

pp. 545-550 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Veli Avci ◽

Kemal Ayengin ◽

Hamit Hakan Alp

Keyword(s):

Dna Damage ◽

Oxidative Dna Damage ◽

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate ◽

Assay Method ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Control Group ◽

Chromatography Method ◽

Risk Of Malignancy ◽

Healthy Control ◽

Liquid Chromatography Method

Background Undescended testis (UDT) is a common urological disorder. Patients with UDT have a risk of malignancy and infertility. The development of these conditions may be due to oxidative stress mediated by reactive oxygen species. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between these parameters by detecting oxidative DNA damage (8-hydroxy 2 deoxyguanosine/106 deoxyguanosine), ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (NOX4) levels in children with UDT and healthy control group. Materials and Methods The blood samples were obtained from 30 patients with UDT and 40 healthy male subjects. The levels of oxidative DNA damage were detected by high-pressure liquid chromatography method. We used commercially available kits that use enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method to measure IMA, MDA, and NOX4 levels. Results The levels of MDA, IMA, NOX4, and oxidative DNA damage in children with UDT were statistically significantly higher than control group. In addition, we found that the levels of NOX4, IMA, and oxidative DNA damage after 12 months of age was significantly higher than before 12 months of age. Conclusion We identified increased lipid peroxidation, oxidative DNA damage, IMA, and NOX4 levels in children with UDT. Delay in the treatment of UDT may cause oxidative damage. That is why, according to us the antioxidant treatment may be beneficial in children with UDT.

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Evaluation of plasma VEGF and sVEGFR-1 levels in patients with diabetes mellitus receiving insulin treatment

Turkish Journal of Biochemistry ◽

10.1515/tjb-2017-0348 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 44 (2) ◽

pp. 182-188

Author(s):

Ismail Erturk ◽

Erdim Sertoglu ◽

Fatih Yesildal ◽

Ramazan Acar ◽

Kenan Saglam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Insulin Treatment ◽

Assay Method ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Control Group ◽

Vegf Receptor ◽

Vascular Endothelial ◽

Patients With Diabetes ◽

Healthy Control ◽

Endothelial Growth Factor

Abstract Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multifactorial chronic disease, in which patients need to be treated with insulin in some conditions. Capillary growth is regulated by growth factors like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endogenous inhibitors such as the splice variant of VEGF receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1). We aimed to show the levels and the clinical significance of VEGF, sVEGFR-1 in patients with DM on insulin treatment. Materials and methods A total of 83 subjects consisting of patients with the diagnosis of DM (n=47) and healthy control (n=36) were included the study. Plasma levels of VEGF and sVEGFR-1, were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Results The average sVEGFR-1 levels of DM group was significantly higher than the control group (0.106±0.052 and 0.073±0.049, respectively; p=0.005). Significantly lower sVEGFR-1 levels were determined in patients receiving metformin vs. without metformin using (0.065±0.016 and 0.118±0.053, respectively; p=0.001). Conclusion This is the first study evaluating and demonstrating the importance of plasma VEGF and sVEGFR-1 levels together in DM patients receiving insulin. Using metformin may have positive effect on angiogenesis in DM. Further studies are required to understand these effects.

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Peripheral levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in youths in ultra-high risk for psychosis: a pilot study

CNS Spectrums ◽

10.1017/s1092852917000803 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 24 (03) ◽

pp. 333-337 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Maiara Zeni-Graiff ◽

Adiel C. Rios ◽

Pawan K. Maurya ◽

Lucas B. Rizzo ◽

Sumit Sethi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

At Risk ◽

Superoxide Dismutase ◽

High Risk ◽

Glutathione Peroxidase ◽

Healthy Control Group ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Control Group ◽

Ultra High Risk ◽

Healthy Control

IntroductionOxidative stress has been documented in chronic schizophrenia and in the first episode of psychosis, but there are very little data on oxidative stress prior to the disease onset.ObjectiveThis work aimed to compare serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in young individuals at ultra-high risk (UHR) of developing psychosis with a comparison healthy control group (HC).MethodsThirteen UHR subjects and 29 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in this study. Clinical assessment included the Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental States (CAARMS), the Semi-Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis-I (SCID-I) or the Kiddie-SADS-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL), and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale. Activities of SOD and GPx were measured in serum by the spectrophotometric method using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.ResultsAfter adjusting for age and years of education, there was a significant lower activity of SOD and lower GPX activity in the UHR group compared to the healthy control group (rate ratio [RR]=0.330, 95% CI 0.187; 0.584, p<0.001 and RR=0.509, 95% CI 0.323; 0.803, p=0.004, respectively). There were also positive correlations between GAF functioning scores and GPx and SOD activities.ConclusionOur results suggest that oxidative imbalances could be present prior to the onset of full-blown psychosis, including in at-risk stages. Future studies should replicate and expand these results.

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Evaluation of the Relationship between the Level of DHEA-S and Sex Hormones in Some Infertile Iraqi Men

International Journal for Research in Applied Sciences and Biotechnology ◽

10.31033/ijrasb.8.5.18 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (5) ◽

pp. 130-136

Author(s):

Khaled S. Abd ◽

Adnan F. AL-Azzawie

Keyword(s):

Sex Hormones ◽

Seminal Fluid ◽

Age Groups ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Control Group ◽

Infertile Men ◽

The Relationship

This study aims to evaluate serum levels of the Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and its relationship with some sex hormones such as Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin and testosterone hormone and the infertility type in some infertile Iraqi men. Blood and seminal fluid samples from (60) idiopathic male infertile and (60) healthful individuals as a control group aged (18 to 60 year) were collected from private clinics. Serum hormones (DHEA-S, FSH, LH, prolactin and testosterone) were measurement using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The levels of DHEA-S, FSH, LH and prolactin are significantly higher (P≤0.01) expect of the testosterone level was significantly decreased (P≤ 0.01) in the infertile men as compared with control group. High significant differences (P≤0.01) were recorded when comparing the hormonal levels (DHEA-S, FSH, LH, prolactin and testosterone) according to the age groups. There are significant differences (P≤ 0.01) in levels of (DHEA-S, FSH, LH, prolactin and testosterone) in the infertility period. Smoker infertile men have high levels (P≤ 0.05) in the DHEA-S and LH while have low levels in the prolactin hormones compared with control. Patients with family history have shown significant differences (P≤0.05) in the levels of DHEA-S, FSH, LH and prolactin. In conclusion, this study revealed significantly increase in the DHEA-S levels in the infertile men and negative correlation between DHEA-S and FSH. Therefore, DHEA-S has important role in the diagnosis and follow up of the male infertility.

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Urine CA-2 as a biomarker for diagnosis urinary stone and prediction of its complications

10.21203/rs.3.rs-59394/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yuan-jing Leng ◽

Hai-bin Zhou ◽

Jiang-ling Fu ◽

Wen-juan Wang

Keyword(s):

Healthy Subjects ◽

Characteristic Curve ◽

Urinary Stone ◽

Urinary Stones ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Control ◽

The Mean ◽

The Difference ◽

The Relationship

Abstract PURPOSECarbonic anhydrase-2 (CA-2) plays a role in mineralization and calcification in organism. Strong evidence suggests that CA-2 is associated with urolithiasis. However, the relationship between CA-2 and urinary stone remains unclear. The study aimed to assess the association of urine CA-2 (uCA-2) level and the potential risk of urinary stone.METHODSFrom March 2017 to November 2019, a prospective cohort study was conducted on patients with urinary stones and healthy subjects to determine the pretreatment uCA-2 level detection by Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The difference of uCA-2 level between patients with urinary stones and healthy subjects was compared. Then comparison between stone patients with complications and without complications was carried out as well as correlation analysis to detect factors associated with biomarker expression.RESULTS118 patients with urinary stones were into urinary stones group and 42 healthy subjects were into healthy control group. The mean pretreatment uCA-2 level was significantly higher in patients with urinary stones group than healthy controls group (P=0.028). Furthermore, The uCA-2 level was positive correlation with urinary stones complications (R=0.379, P=0.000), especially pain complications (R=0.524, P=0.000) and hematuria complications (R=0.374, P=0.000). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis that a uCA-2 level threshold of 10.94 ng/mL had 83.67% sensitivity and 68.12% specificity for predicting urinary stones complications. CONCLUSIONSExcessive uCA-2 excretion is a major risk factor for urinary stone. Our findings suggested that uCA-2 may be used as an unappreciated biomarker for the diagnosis urinary stone in patients and to predict its complications.

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The expression and significance of inflammatory cytokines and MMP-9 in the tears of the infected eye and contralateral uninfected eye in patients with fungal keratitis

10.21203/rs.3.rs-269176/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Shuang Zhang ◽

Hui-Min Wu ◽

Xiang-Ni Cao ◽

Xian-Qi Zhang ◽

Gui-ping Gao

Keyword(s):

Tear Film ◽

Fungal Keratitis ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Cytokine Levels ◽

Healthy Control ◽

The Relationship ◽

Tear Film Function

Abstract Background: We investigated bilateral tear cytokine levels including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-10, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in patients with fungal keratitis(FK). Meanwhile, we evaluated the relationship between the changes of tear cytokines with corneal perception and pain in infected eyes, and the relationship between tear cytokines and tear film function in contralateral uninfected eyes .Methods : A total of 60(20 FK, 20 contralateral, 20 healthy controls) tear samples were collected prospectively and analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Approximately 50 to 60 ul of tear samples in each case were collected. Meanwhile ,we analyzed the changes of visual analogue scale(VAS), tear breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer I test (SIT) and corneal perception compared with healthy controls. Results :The concentrations of IL-1β, IL-10 and IL-17 increased in bilateral eyes compared with healthy controls(P<0.05). The tear concentrations of MMP-9 , TNF-α only significantly increased in affected eyes (P <0.05). Patients with FK showed significant reduction in corneal perception of infected eyes compared with controls(P<0.05). Corneal perception of the normal eyes in FK patients was slightly lower than that of control group, but there was not statistical difference (P>0.05).TBUT and SIT of contralateral uninfected eyes were significantly lower than that of control group(P<0.05), which were significantly correlated with levels of IL-1β, IL-17(P<0.05). SIT were also negatively correlated with MMP-9(P<0.05), while the levels of IL-1β, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α and MMP-9 in the tears of the healthy control group had no significant correlation with TBUT and SIT indicators(P>0.05).The corneal perception and VAS score of the affected FK eyes showed correlation with IL-1β, IL-17 and TNF-α(P<0.05).In addition, concentration of IL-10 inversely was correlated with VAS (P<0.05). Conclusion: Proinflammatory tear cytokines are elevated in bilateral eyes with unilateral FK as associated with tear film function ,pain and corneal sensitivity.

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Polyclonal Antibody-Based ELISA and HPLC Methods for the Determination of Fumonisins in Corn: A Comparative Study

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/0362-028x-59.8.893 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 59 (8) ◽

pp. 893-897 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

ERIC W. SYDENHAM ◽

SONJA STOCKENSTRÖM ◽

PIETER G. THIEL ◽

JOHN P. RHEEDER ◽

M. BRUNO DOKO ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Comparative Study ◽

Polyclonal Antibody ◽

High Performance ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Hplc Method ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Regression Slopes ◽

The Individual ◽

The Comparative Study

The performance of an experimental polyclonal antibody (PAb)-based competitive direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CD-ELISA) developed for the analysis of fumonisins in corn was assessed by comparison with an established high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The comparative study was conducted using a series of 20 corn samples naturally contaminated with combined fumonisin levels ranging from <0.05 to >5 μg/g (ppm). Linear regression analysis between the results generated by HPLC and CD-ELISA provided correlation coefficients (r) and regression slopes (b) of r = 0.960, b = 1.493 (P < 0.001); r = 0.865, b = 3.903 (P < 0.001); and r = 0.832, b = 0.107 (P < 0.001) for the individual fumonisins B1 (FB1), B2 (FB2) and B3 (FB3), respectively, while corresponding values of r = 0.967, b = 1.059 (P < 0.001) were obtained for the combined FB1, FB2, and FB3 concentrations. In 3 of 18 fumonisin-positive corn samples, combined fumonisin levels determined by CD-ELISA were between 85 and 100% higher than those determined in the same extracts by HPLC, while in 13 other samples, CD-ELISA results were between 1.8 and 53% higher than those determined by HPLC. Conversely, in 2 of 18 samples, CD-ELISA results were lower than those determined by HPLC. The differences recorded between HPLC and the experimental PAb-based CD-ELISA were far less than those previously recorded for other mono- and polyclonal antibody-based CD-ELISA systems. The results indicate that the experimental PAb-based CD-ELISA may be effectively applied for the initial screening for fumonisins in corn.

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Utility of Tissue Inhibitor Metalloproteinase-1 and Osteopontin as Prospective Biomarkers of Early Cardiovascular Complications in Type 2 Diabetes

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3889/oamjms.2018.081 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 314-319 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Doaa Samir Salah El-Din ◽

Ahmed Ibrahim Amin ◽

Ahmed Osman Egiza

Keyword(s):

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Cardiovascular Complications ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Control Group ◽

Diabetic Patients ◽

Tissue Inhibitor ◽

Type 2 Diabetic Patients ◽

Healthy Control ◽

Clinical Measurements

AIM: This work investigated associations between tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-1 and diabetic cardiovascular diseases in type 2 diabetic patients; also it investigated the role of osteopontin in the diagnosis of type 2 cardiovascular diabetes complications.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: These were examined on eighty subjects, divided into three groups as follows: twenty volunteer healthy control subjects, thirty type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, and thirty cardiovascular, diabetic patients. Full clinical measurements were carried out, and the expression level of tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-1 in blood samples was analysed by real-time PCR, using gene-specific primer pairs. Also osteopontin concentrations had been measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were tested statistically by parametric tests.RESULTS: The concentrations of osteopontin and the expression levels of tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-1 were significantly increased in diabetic and cardiovascular diabetic groups compared to control group also they were significantly increased in the cardiovascular diabetic group compared to the diabetic group.CONCLUSION: Tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-1 and osteopontin concentrations were significantly increased in diabetic patients with cardiovascular complications than other groups.

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A study of vascular endothelial growth factor in the cord blood of pre-eclamptics and healthy pregnant women

Asian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3126/ajms.v8i1.15711 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 21-25

Author(s):

Anita Rawat ◽

Anil Kumar Gangwar ◽

Archana Ghildiyal ◽

Neena Srivastava ◽

Sunita Tiwari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽

Growth Factor ◽

Cord Blood ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Assay Method ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Control Group ◽

Vascular Endothelial ◽

Cord Serum ◽

Endothelial Growth Factor

Background: Pre-eclampsia(PE) is the most frequently encountered medical complication during pregnancy. In developing countries PE is a principal cause of maternal mortality. A disturbance in the angiogenic/antiangiogenic factors and in the hypoxia/placental re-oxygenation process, seems to activate a maternal endothelial dysfunction.Aims and Objective: To estimate Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ( VEGF ) level in the cord blood of healthy and Preeclamptic ( PEc ) pregnant women and to associate this with Preeclamptic pregnancy.Material and Methods: A case-control study ofUmbilical cord serum VEGF levels from women with uncomplicated pregnancies (control group, n=60) and pregnancies complicated by Pre-eclampsia (n=40). VEGF in the cord serum was estimated by SANDWICH Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay method by using ELISA Kit and then compared between the two groups.Results: The mean VEGF concentrations in the women who had pre-eclampsia (578.62±468.3) were lower than in the control group( 625.75±533.1) , but the difference was not statistically significant ( p= 0.8548). Conclusion VEGF plays a key role in the instability between endothelial dysfunction and angiogenesis that occurs during Preeclampsia. VEGF levels might be a useful tool for the early diagnosis of Pre-eclampsia.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.8(1) 2017 21-25

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Relational Memory in the Early Stage of Psychosis: A 2-Year Follow-up Study

Schizophrenia Bulletin ◽

10.1093/schbul/sbaa081 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Suzanne N Avery ◽

Kristan Armstrong ◽

Maureen McHugo ◽

Simon Vandekar ◽

Jennifer Urbano Blackford ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Early Stage ◽

Chronic Schizophrenia ◽

Early Psychosis ◽

Control Group ◽

Relational Memory ◽

Course Of Illness ◽

Memory Impairments ◽

Control Subjects ◽

Healthy Control

Abstract Background Relational memory, the ability to bind information into complex memories, is moderately impaired in early psychosis and severely impaired in chronic schizophrenia, suggesting relational memory may worsen throughout the course of illness. Methods We examined relational memory in 66 early psychosis patients and 64 healthy control subjects, with 59 patients and 52 control subjects assessed longitudinally at baseline and 2-year follow-up. Relational memory was assessed with 2 complementary tasks, to test how individuals learn relationships between items (face-scene binding task) and make inferences about trained relationships (associative inference task). Results The early psychosis group showed impaired relational memory in both tasks relative to the healthy control group. The ability to learn relationships between items remained impaired in early psychosis patients, while the ability to make inferences about trained relationships improved, although never reaching the level of healthy control performance. Early psychosis patients who did not progress to schizophrenia at follow-up had better relational memory than patients who did. Conclusions Relational memory impairments, some of which improve and are less severe in patients who do not progress to schizophrenia, are a target for intervention in early psychosis.

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