scholarly journals Sputum procalcitonin – a potential biomarker in stable bronchiectasis

2021 ◽  
pp. 00285-2021
Author(s):  
William Good ◽  
Gene Jeon ◽  
Irene Zeng ◽  
Louanne Storey ◽  
Helen Qiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Induced Sputum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Procalcitonin Level ◽  
Pooled Data ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
Healthy Control

Introduction/AimSputum procalcitonin has been demonstrated to be elevated in exacerbations of bronchiectasis. The primary aim was to investigate whether sputum procalcitonin levels were higher in patients with stable bronchiectasis compared with healthy-controls. We also assessed differences in procalcitonin levels in spontaneously expectorated and induced sputum samples and their repeatability one week later.MethodsParticipants included were aged over 18 years and had either radiologically confirmed bronchiectasis or were healthy-controls. Patients with bronchiectasis were clinically stable for at least six weeks and had both spontaneous and induced sputum collected at visit one and again, seven days later. Only induced sputum samples were collected from healthy-controls during visit one. Sputum procalcitonin concentrations in sputum were measured.ResultsThirty patients with bronchiectasis and 15 healthy-controls were enrolled in this observational study. In the pooled data from visit 1 and 2, the geometric mean procalcitonin level in induced sputum was significantly higher in the bronchiectasis group than in the healthy-control group (1.5 ng·mL−1 [95%CI 1.0–2.1] versus 0.4 ng·mL−1 [95%CI 0.2–0.9], mean ratio: 3.6 [95% CI 1.5–8.6], p=0.006). Mean procalcitonin level was higher in spontaneous sputum than in induced sputum at visit 1 (1.8 ng·mL−1 [95%CI 1.2–2.7] versus 1.1 ng·mL−1 [95%CI 0.7–1.8]) and visit 2 (1.5 ng·mL−1 [95%CI 1.0–2.5] versus 1.2 ng·mL−1 [95%CI 0.8–1.6], p-value=0.001). Repeating spontaneous and induced sputum procalcitonin levels one week later produced similar concentrations (p-value=0.29; intraclass correlation co-efficient (ICC)=0.76 and p-value=0.72; ICC=0.70 respectively).ConclusionSputum procalcitonin is increased in patients with stable bronchiectasis and has potential as a biomarker of airway inflammation and infection in bronchiectasis.

scholarly journals Serum AFU, 5’-NT and AFP as biomarkers for primary hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis

Open Medicine ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 354-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhu Junna ◽  
Chen Gongde ◽  
Xu Jinying ◽  
Zhou Xiu
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Serum Level ◽  
Roc Curve ◽  
Diagnostic Sensitivity ◽  
Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Clinical Value ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
Healthy Control

AbstractTo evaluate the clinical value of serum α-L-fucosidase (AFU), 5’-nucleotidase (5’-NT) and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) as biomarkers for primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) diagnosis. Methods: Thirty six primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) patients and 36 healthy controls were recruited in this study from February 2014 to January 2016 in the Second People’s Hospital of Tianjin. The serum level of AFU, 5’-NT and AFP were examined and compared between the two groups. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were calculated by STATA11.0 software. Results: The serum level of AFU, 5’-NT, AFP were 30.87±10.43(U/L), 5.58±3.89(U/L), 233.60±226.60 (μg/L) respectively for primary hepatocellular carcinoma group and 19.96±6.73 (U/L), 1.87±0.84 (U/L), 16.64±14.17 (μg/L) for healthy control groups. The serum level of AFU, 5’-NT and AFP in primary hepatocellular carcinoma group were significant higher than those of healthy control group (P<0.001). The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 0.78 (95%CI:l0.61-0.90), 0.64 (95%CI:0.46-0.79) for serum AFU, 0.75(95%CI:0.58-0.88), 0.72(95%CI:0.55- 0.86) for serum 5’-NT and 0.72 (95%CI:0.55-0.86), 0.92 (95%CI:0.78-0.98) for serum AFP respectively. The AUC under the ROC curve were 0.80 (0.69-0.90), 0.80 (0.69-0.91) and 0.87 (0.780-0.96) for serum AFU, 5’-NT and AFP respectively. Positive correlation between AFU and 5’-NT (rpearson=0.63, P<0.05), AFU and AFP (rpearson=0.49, P<0.05), 5’-NT and AFP(rpearson=0.44, P<0.05) were found in the primary hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Conclusion: Serum AFU, 5’-NT and AFP were higher in PHC patients than those of healthy controls. The difference between PHC patients and healthy controls made serum AFU, 5’-NT and AFP potential biomarker for PHC diagnosis.

Association between circulating leptin levels and multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 94 (1111) ◽  
pp. 278-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue-Feng Xie ◽  
Xiao-Hui Huang ◽  
Ai-Zong Shen ◽  
Jun Li ◽  
Ye-Huan Sun
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Random Effect Model ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sample Type ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Effect Model ◽  
Healthy Control

AimLeptin, synthesised by adipocytes, has been identified as a hormone that can influence inflammatory activity. Several studies have investigated leptin levels in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), but the results are not consistent. This study aims to derive a more precise evaluation on the relationship between circulating leptin levels and MS.DesignA comprehensive literature searched up to July 2017 was conducted to evaluate the association of circulating leptin levels and MS. The random-effect model was applied to calculate pooled standardised mean difference (SMD) and its 95% CI.Main outcome measuresCirculating leptin levels of patients with MS and healthy controls.ResultsOf 2155 studies identified, 33 met eligibility criteria and 9 studies with 645 patients with MS and 586 controls were finally included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis revealed that, compared with the healthy control group, the MS group had significantly higher plasma/serum leptin levels, with the SMD of 0.70% and 95% CI (0.24 to 1.15). Subgroup analyses suggested that the leptin levels of patients with MS were associated with region, age, study sample size, measurement type, gender and blood sample type.ConclusionOverall, our study suggests that patients with MS have a significantly higher leptin level than in healthy controls. Further mechanism studies and longitudinal large cohort studies are still needed to further reveal the role of leptin in the pathogenesis of MS.

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as a potential biomarker for pulmonary thromboembolism

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-56
Author(s):  
Songul Ozyurt ◽  
Mevlut Karatas ◽  
Medeni Arpa ◽  
Bilge Yilmaz Kara ◽  
Hakan Duman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Value ◽  
Pulmonary Thromboembolism ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Arterial Blood Gas ◽  
Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Neutrophil Gelatinase

Abstract Objective Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a clinical condition that can be lethal unless promptly diagnosed and treated. The objective was to evaluate the significance of serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in the diagnosis of PTE. Materials and methods In this study, 60 patients hospitalized for acute PTE between May 2015 and December 2016 were enrolled. PTE was diagnosed using spiral computed tomography angiography of the thorax. Cardiac enzyme levels, arterial blood gas, and echocardiography measurements were performed. Whole blood samples were drawn to measure serum NGAL before treatment. Results The PTE group comprised 34 women and 26 men, and the healthy control group included 22 women and 18 men. The mean ages of the patient and control groups were 70.3 ± 14.4 years and 69.0 ± 10.2 years, respectively. Serum NGAL was significantly higher in the patients than in the controls (88.6 ± 33.6 vs. 31.7 ± 10.0 ng/mL, p < 0.001, respectively). The optimal NGAL cut-off value was >50 ng/mL, the sensitivity was 100%, specificity was 98.3%, the negative predictive value was 100%, and the positive predictive value was 68%. Conclusion Serum NGAL is a new biomarker with high sensitivity and specificity to detect, diagnose, and exclude PTE.

scholarly journals Physical Health Profile and Associated Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Patients With Bipolar Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon Dyg Sperling ◽  
Nina Dalkner ◽  
Christina Berndt ◽  
Eva Fleischmann ◽  
Michaela Ratzenhofer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Brief Symptom Inventory ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased psychological strain on public mental health and may impact behavioral, mental, and physical health, presumably with effects on patients with severe mental disorders. This study examines pandemic-related physical and mental health and (compensatory) behavioral changes, in patients with BD as compared to healthy control individuals.Method: Physical and mental health and self-reported changes in daily structure and behavior due to the pandemic were assessed using a self-constructed questionnaire and the brief symptom inventory (BSI) in Germany, Austria, and Denmark in individuals with BD and a healthy control group.Results: The present study included 118 individuals with BD and 215 healthy controls. Individuals with BD reported statistically significant higher physical risk burden, increased weight gain, more physical comorbidities, and a decrease in physical activity and they further reported higher rates of COVID-19 testing, had more worries concerning health, and experienced more anxiety but less social distancing.Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic seems to have a greater impact on physical health in individuals with BD than in healthy controls. Individuals with BD appear to be having more difficulties compensating their behavior due to the pandemic which could amplify the effect of risk factors associated with poorer physical health. This highlights the necessity for optimizing and targeting the overall treatment of both mental and physical health in patients with BD during periods with far-reaching changes such as the COVID-19 pandemic.Limitations: Sampling issues and self-report forms, selectivity (missing elderly, and those lacking access or knowledge of technology).

scholarly journals Shortened platelet half-life in multiple myeloma

Blood ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 514-520
Author(s):  
E Fritz ◽  
H Ludwig ◽  
W Scheithauer ◽  
H Sinzinger
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Half Life ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Statistical Correlation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Platelet Factor ◽  
Healthy Control

Various defects in platelet function have been reported as being associated with multiple myeloma. In 30 myeloma patients and 15 healthy controls, we investigated platelet survival using in vitro labeling of autologous platelets with 111indium-oxine and measuring the in vivo kinetics of the radioisotope. Significantly shortened platelet half- life in patients averaged 73 hours, while platelet half-life in the healthy controls averaged 107 hours. In myeloma patients, serum levels of thromboxane B2, beta-thromboglobulin, and platelet factor 4 were significantly elevated; aggregation indices were within the pathological range; platelet counts and spleen-liver indices, however, were comparable to those of the healthy control group. No statistical correlation was found between platelet half-life and paraprotein concentrations. Our findings suggest an initial--so far unexplained-- intravascular process of platelet activation and consumption that finally manifests in shortened platelet half-life. It seems that overt thrombocytopenia develops only when the compensatory capacity of the bone marrow finally becomes exhausted. Further studies should be able to elucidate the pathophysiologic processes involved.

scholarly journals 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

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.

Elevation of inflammatory S100A8/S100A9 complexes in intracranial aneurysms

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1117-1121
Author(s):  
Antonius Mattheus de Korte ◽  
René Aquarius ◽  
Thomas Vogl ◽  
Johannes Roth ◽  
Ronald H M A Bartels ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vessel Wall ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Activated Macrophages ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Aneurysm Wall ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Insight Into

BackgroundInflammation-related factors might give further insight into the pathophysiology of vessel wall inflammation and intracranial aneurysm (IA) rupture. One of these factors is the protein complex S100A8/A9, which is released by neutrophils, monocytes, and activated macrophages and is known for its role in cardiovascular disease.ObjectiveTo determine if venous S100A8/A9 levels in patients with a ruptured IA (rIA) or unruptured IA (uIA) are elevated compared with a control group. Second, to assess differences between venous and intra-aneurysmal S100A8/A9 levels of rIA and uIA patients.MethodsA prospective case study was performed between June 2016 and May 2017 in patients harboring a ruptured or unruptured saccular IA. Primary outcome measures were individual S100A8/A9 serum concentrations as measured in venous and intra-aneurysmal blood samples during endovascular treatment. Venous serum S100A8/A9 concentrations from a healthy control group served as a reference.ResultsWe included 16 patients with either a rIA or uIA and 47 healthy controls. Venous S100A8/A9 concentrations were higher in aneurysm patients (rIA and uIA) than those of healthy controls (P≤0.001). S100A8/A9 concentrations were higher in intra-aneurysmal samples than in venous samples of rIA patients (P=0.011). This difference was not found in uIA patients (P=0.054). Intra-aneurysmal S100A8/A9 levels were higher in rIAs than in uIAs (P=0.04).ConclusionsVenous S100A8/A9 levels are elevated in patients with both rIAs and uIAs compared with healthy controls and likely represents aneurysm wall inflammation. S100A8/A9 causes macrophage-induced inflammation and degeneration of the vessel wall which might explain higher intra-aneurysmal S100A8/A9 levels found in rIAs than in uIAs.

scholarly journals Serum Apurinic/Apyrimidinic Endodeoxyribonuclease 1 (APEX1) Level as a Potential Biomarker of Cholangiocarcinoma

Biomolecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doungdean Tummanatsakun ◽  
Tanakorn Proungvitaya ◽  
Sittiruk Roytrakul ◽  
Temduang Limpaiboon ◽  
Sopit Wongkham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signal Peptide ◽  
Transmembrane Helix ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cleavage Sites ◽  
Dot Blot ◽  
Peptide Cleavage ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
Predicted Signal Peptide ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Dot Blot Analysis

Diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarkers for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) are still insufficient with poor prognosis of patients. To discover a new CCA biomarker, we constructed our secretome database of three CCA cell lines and one control cholangiocyte cell line using GeLC-MS/MS. We selected candidate proteins by five bioinformatics tools for secretome analysis. The inclusion criteria were as follows: having predicted signal peptide or being predicted as non-classically secreted protein; together with having no transmembrane helix and being previously detected in plasma and having the highest number of signal peptide cleavage sites. Eventually, apurinic/apyrimidinic endodeoxyribonuclease 1 (APEX1) was selected for further analysis. To validate APEX1 as a bio-marker for CCA, serum APEX1 levels of 80, 39, and 40 samples collected from CCA, benign biliary diseases (BBD), and healthy control groups, respectively, were measured using dot blot analysis. The results showed that serum APEX1 level in CCA group was significantly higher than that in BBD or healthy control group. Among CCA patients, serum APEX1 level was significantly higher in patients having metastasis than in those without metastasis. The higher level of serum APEX1 was correlated with the shorter survival time of the patients. Serum APEX1 level might be a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for CCA.

scholarly journals Morphogenetic Variability as Potential Biomarker of Neurogenic Lesion Degree in Children with Spina Bifida

Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 68
Author(s):  
Ivana Petronic ◽  
Dragoslav Marinkovic ◽  
Dejan Nikolic ◽  
Dragana Cirovic ◽  
Zoran Golubovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spina Bifida ◽  
Population Genetic ◽  
Genetic Differences ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Predominant Type ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Neurogenic Lesions

Aims. In this study we analyzed the degree of genetic homozygosity among spina bifida patients with different degrees of neurogenic lesion (N = 82), as well as their clinical and neurological characteristics, compared to healthy control individuals (N = 100). Methods. According to clinical and electromyographic findings, we separately assessed the type of neurogenic lesion (paresis or paralysis). Regarding the degree of neurogenic lesion, patients were classified into three groups: mild, moderate and severe. We analyzed six muscles. For assessing the degree of individual genetic homozygosity, we tested the presence and distribution of 15 homozygous recessive characteristics (HRC). Results. The predominant type of neurogenic lesion was paresis. Every third evaluated muscle was affected in the group with mild neurogenic lesion, while more than half were affected in the group with severe neurogenic lesion. The average values of HRCs among different groups of patients and the control showed the population-genetic differences that exist among them (control x ¯ HRC/15 = 3.0 ± 0.2; mild x ¯ HRC/15 = 3.6 ± 0.2; moderate x ¯ HRC/15 = 4.8 ± 0.3; severe neurogenic lesion x ¯ HRC/15 = 5.0 ± 0.3). Conclusions. Spina bifida patients have a significant increase of recessive homozygosity and a decreased variability compared to the control group. As neurogenic lesions are more severe, more affected muscles are present, as well as the increase of individual recessive homozygosity.

scholarly journals Cognitive deficits and white matter abnormalities in never-treated first-episode schizophrenia

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mi Yang ◽  
Shan Gao ◽  
Xiangyang Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Internal Capsule ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Pathophysiological Mechanism ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
First Episode Schizophrenia

Abstract Cognitive impairment is viewed as a core symptom of schizophrenia (SCZ), but its pathophysiological mechanism remains unclear. White matter (WM) disruption is considered to be a central abnormality that may contribute to cognitive impairment in SCZ patients. However, few studies have addressed the association between cognition and WM integrity in never-treated first-episode (NTFE) patients with SCZ. In this study, we used the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) to evaluate cognitive function in NTFE patients (n = 39) and healthy controls (n = 30), and associated it with whole-brain fractional anisotropy (FA) values obtained via voxel-based diffusion tensor imaging. We found that FA was lower in five brain areas of SCZ patients, including the cingulate gyrus, internal capsule, corpus callosum, cerebellum, and brainstem. Compared with the healthy control group, the MCCB’s total score and 8 out of 10 subscores were significantly lower in NTFE patients (all p < 0.001). Moreover, in patients but not healthy controls, the performance in the Trail Making Test was negatively correlated with the FA value in the left cingulate. Our findings provide evidence that WM disconnection is involved in some cognitive impairment in the early course of SCZ.

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