scholarly journals The effect of vitamin C on procalcitonin biomarker in community‐acquired pneumonia

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahsa Nikzad ◽  
Hamid Reza Banafshe ◽  
Mansooreh Momen-Heravi ◽  
Hamed Haddad Kashani ◽  
Maryam Shiehmorteza
Keyword(s):  
Serum Level ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Community Acquired Pneumonia ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Pneumonia Patient ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Larger Sample

Abstract Introduction Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a prevalent low respiratory infection. Diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms, radiologic evidence and culture. Biomarkers such as IL6, CRP and procalcitonin are helpful in diagnosis. Procalcitonin is a soluble biomarker in serum that increase in systemic inflammation and bacterial infections. People with normal procalcitonin have low risk to infect pneumonia. Patient with CAP have more oxidative stress than normal people. Studies show that receiving vitamin C can reduce incidence of pneumonia. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of vitamin C supplement on procalcitonin biomarker in patient with CAP. Methods Patients with CAP who passed inclusion and exclusion criteria after obtaining informed consent, were assigned randomly in two groups of drug and placebo. The drug group received vitamin C (1000 mg/d) daily and medications that physician prescribed for treating CAP for 10 days and placebo group received placebo and medications that physician prescribed. The serum level of procalcitonin was measured at the beginning of the study and after 10 days of intervention. Results 35 patients finished the study. Serum level of procalcitonin on the first and tenth day did not show any significant difference between drug and placebo groups. Conclusions To clarify the relationship between the effects of vitamin C on procalcitonin in CAP, a larger sample size is required.

scholarly journals Decision making under ambiguity and risk in adolescent-onset schizophrenia

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dandan Li ◽  
Fengyan Zhang ◽  
Lu Wang ◽  
Yifan Zhang ◽  
Tingting Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Iowa Gambling Task ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Syndrome Scale ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Abnormal Pattern ◽  
Negative Syndrome ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Objective Numerous studies have identified impaired decision making (DM) under both ambiguity and risk in adult patients with schizophrenia. However, the assessment of DM in patients with adolescent-onset schizophrenia (AOS) has been challenging as a result of the instability and heterogeneity of manifestations. The Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and Game of Dice Task (GDT), which are frequently used to evaluate DM respectively under ambiguity and risk, are sensitive to adolescents and neuropsychiatric patients. Our research intended to examine the performance of DM in a relatively large sample of patients with AOS using the above-mentioned two tasks. We also aimed to take a closer look at the relationship between DM and symptom severity of schizophrenia. Methods We compared the performance of DM in 71 patients with AOS and 53 well-matched healthy controls using IGT for DM under ambiguity and GDT for DM under risk through net scores, total scores and feedback ration. Neuropsychological tests were conducted in all participants. Clinical symptoms were evaluated by using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) in 71 patients with AOS. Pearson’s correlation revealed the relationship among total score of DM and clinical and neuropsychological data. Results Compared to healthy controls, patients with AOS failed to show learning effect and had a significant difference on the 5th block in IGT and conducted more disadvantageous choices as well as exhibited worse negative feedback rate in GDT. Apart from DM impairment under risk, diminished DM abilities under ambiguity were found related to poor executive function in AOS in the present study. Conclusions Our findings unveiled the abnormal pattern of DM in AOS, mainly reflected under the risky condition, extending the knowledge on the performance of DM under ambiguity and risk in AOS. Inefficient DM under risk may account for the lagging impulse control and the combined effects of developmental disease. In addition, our study demonstrated that the performance on IGT was related to executive function in AOS.

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PROLACTIN AND FOLLICLE-STIMULATING HORMONE DURING EARLY PREGNANCY AND THE PUERPERIUM

1978 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Y. KHATTAB ◽  
ANNE M. JEQUIER
Keyword(s):  
Serum Level ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Suppressive Effect ◽  
Subsequent Increase ◽  
Initial Reduction ◽  
Breast Feed ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Substantial Rise

This investigation studies the relationship between the concentrations of prolactin and FSH in the serum during pregnancy and the puerperium. A single dose of 5 mg bromocriptine during early pregnancy induced a profound fall in the serum level of prolactin with a substantial rise 20 h later. During the initial reduction in the concentration of prolactin, no alteration was noted in the level of FSH but during the subsequent increase in the prolactin concentration, there was a significant (P<0·05) decrease in the concentration of FSH. During week 1 of the puerperium, the concentrations of FSH and prolactin were significantly lower in lactating women than in women who were not breast feeding, but there was no significant difference between the concentrations of FSH in women who had suppressed lactation with bromocriptine and in those whose lactation was suppressed by non-hormonal methods. When the concentration of FSH was measured every 10 min during a 30 min breast feed, there was a marked but short-lived rise in the serum concentration of prolactin but no change in the level of FSH. These results suggest that an increase in the serum level of prolactin in pregnancy can have a suppressive effect on the production of FSH. Although acute suckling-induced hyperprolactinaemia in the puerperium has no such effect, the maintenance of lactation in the long term does suppress the concentration of FSH in the serum.

scholarly journals Parkinson's disease and the welding job: are both related?

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 63
Author(s):  
Iqbal Mochtar ◽  
Muchtaruddin Mansyur
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Search And Selection ◽  
The Relationship

<p class="MDPI17abstract"><strong></strong>Up to the present, there has been a controversy on the relationship between Parkinson’s disease and the welding job. The aim of this study was to obtain evidence-based information regarding the relationship between Parkinson’s disease and the welding job through an evidence-based case report derived from a literature review. The review was conducted through a method of search and selection of articles in the Pubmed, Cochrane Library and JSTOR databases aimed at answering the study question. The process of searching articles used the keywords “Welding” OR “Welder” AND “Parkinson”. Article selection was performed using the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. At the initial search, 117 articles were retrieved from the three databases. Following the selection process, three articles remained, which consisted of one systematic review and two observational studies. Comparing the selected articles, the systematic review of Mortimer et al. is more relevant and appropriate for answering the clinical question. Mortimer et al. used a meta-analytical method, applied strict inclusion and exclusion criteria and excluded studies that potentially led to bias effects, lack of validity or inadequate statistical methods. Based on the selected evidence-based resources, Parkinson’s disease is not related to the welding job. The welding job, however, may produce clinical symptoms and signs resembling Parkinson’s disease, known as manganism.</p>

scholarly journals Interferon gamma, interleukin 8 and interleukin 10 in serum of patients with the cervical infection and symptoms of the imminent preterm delivery

2013 ◽  
Vol 141 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 623-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirjana Bogavac ◽  
Snezana Brkic ◽  
Dejan Celic ◽  
Natasa Simin ◽  
Jovan Matijasevic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Preterm Delivery ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Interleukin 10 ◽  
Interleukin 8 ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cervical Infection ◽  
Significant Difference

Introduction. Preterm delivery (PTD), defined as a delivery between 24th and 37th completed week, increases the risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality. There is a growing body of evidence that the intrauterine infection as well as cervicovaginal bacterial infections and Chlamydia infections are possible causes of preterm delivery. Host response to cervicovaginal and/or intrauterine infections is coupled with a release of various inflammatory mediators, many of which are cytokines. Objective. The aim of the study was to find out if cervical infection influenced the serum levels of interferon-? (IFN-?), interleukin 8 (IL-8) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) in patients with the clinical symptoms of the imminent preterm delivery. Methods. A total of 128 pregnant women (from 24 to 30 weeks of gestation) with the clinical symptoms of the imminent preterm delivery were divided in: study group - 85 patients with the cervical infection, and control group - 43 patients without the cervical infection. The level of cytokines in the serum was measured with commercial ELISA tests. Results. No significant difference could be found in serum levels of IFN-? (p=0.632), IL-8 (p=0.712) and IL-10 (p=0.676) between these two investigated groups. Conclusion. The results of our study suggest that there is no significant difference in serum IFN-?, IL-8 and IL-10 concentrations between pregnant women with the symptoms of the imminent preterm delivery who had and had no cervical infection.

scholarly journals mRNA Biomarkers for Detection of Oral Squamous Cell Cancer

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Rashid ◽  
Tahereh Naji ◽  
Abdolreza Mohamadnia ◽  
Naghmeh Bahrami
Keyword(s):  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Tumor Staging ◽  
Cell Cancer ◽  
Normal Group ◽  
Normal Individuals ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Oral Squamous Cell Cancer ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Larger Sample

Objectives: Cancer is one of the main causes of death in the world. Changes in the expression of CK19 and CEA genes in peripheral blood of OSCC patients were examined for early diagnosis. Methodology: The participants were 36 patients and 36 normal individuals. CK19 and CEA of blood serum were measured through Real-Time PCR. The relationship of the biomarkers with tumor staging and cancer development was examined. Results: Comparison of the two groups of participants using t-test indicated no significant difference in terms of mean age. CK19 marker was positive in 19 participants of the patients group (n=36), which meant the sensitivity of the marker was 53%. In addition, the marker was positive in eight participants of the normal group (n=36). CEA marker was positive in 26 participants of the patients group (n=36), which meant the sensitivity of the marker was 72%. Moreover, the marker was positive in 11 participants in the normal group (n=36). Conclusion: In general, the study introduced a screening test for early diagnosis of OSCC. To have evidences with more reliability, future studies should be carried out with larger sample groups.

scholarly journals Is There Any Relationship Between Maternal Vitamin D and Thyroid Function in Pregnancy With Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes? A Cross-sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salma Ahi ◽  
Iman Fereydooni²
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Serum Level ◽  
Thyroid Function ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Maternal Age ◽  
Vitamin D Status ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
In Pregnancy

Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women to investigate the relationship between vitamin D level and thyroid function.Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, a total number of 90 patients during the three trimesters of pregnancy were investigated, 30 pregnant women were studied in each trimester of pregnancy. We evaluated thyroid function test and thyroid auto-antibodies (TPO Ab, Tg Ab) also serum level of 25OHD, to determine the relationship between vitamin D level and autoimmune or non-autoimmune thyroid disease in pregnancy. Results: Pearson correlation in all subjects showed that vitamin D levels did not have a significant relationship with maternal age. Only in the third trimester, there was a significant difference in maternal age based on their vitamin D status. The mean age of patients with a sufficient level of vitamin D (29.29 ± 3.87) was higher than the moderate vitamin D deficient patient’s age (23.4 ± 1.51). There was no significant difference between the trimesters of pregnancy and vitamin D status (P>0.05). Also, there were no significant differences between serum levels of vitamin D within three trimesters. Regarding the pregnancy outcomes, two newborns were admitted to NICU, Meconium Aspiration in one case, and IUFD in another case leads to pregnancy termination. These four cases were related to maternal history of hypothyroidism. Conclusion: There was no significant relationship between vitamin D and pregnancy trimester. The serum level of vitamin D had no particular effect on the outcome of pregnancy and the thyroid gland function.

scholarly journals Selenium dan Vitamin C Sebagai Pengobatan Pencegahan Pada Keracunan Pestisida (Studi Eksperimen Pada Petani Penyemprot di Temanggung Jawa Tengah)

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-9
Author(s):  
Ari Suwondo
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Control Group Design ◽  
Central Java ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
People First ◽  
Vit C

Latar belakang: Gejala keracunan organofosfat adalah hasil dari menghalangi aktivitas enzim cholinesterase darah (ChEA). Kemampuan hati untuk melakukan de toxin menggunakan jalur O-Dealchylation pada organofosfat dan cholinesterase yang diikat dan dibantu oleh enzim Glutathione peroxides (GPX) memiliki peran penting dalam mengembalikan level ChEA ke level normal. GPX tergantung pada keberadaan selenium. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mendapatkan manfaat yang lebih dimengerti dari penambahan selenium dan vitamin C terhadap tingkat ChEA, GPX dan hemoglobin dari para petani yang bekerja sebagai penyemprot pestisida.Metode: Merupakan penelitian eksperimental menggunakan Desain Kelompok Kontrol pretest-posttest. Sembilan puluh sembilan responden di desa Pasuruan, Kecamatan Bulu, Temanggung yang memenuhi kriteria inklusi dan eksklusi dipilih sebagai sampel penelitian. Sampel dibagi menjadi 3 kelompok yang terdiri dari 33 orang. Kelompok pertama hanya menerima Selenium, kelompok kedua menerima Selenium dan Vitamin C dan kelompok ketiga adalah kelompok kontrol (tidak diberikan suplemen). Sampel darah dari semua sampel penelitian diambil untuk mengidentifikasi tingkat ChEA, GPX dan hemoglobin sebelum dan sesudah percobaan  Hasil: Tingkat ChEA pada kelompok pertama dibandingkan dengan kelompok ketiga berbeda nyata (p = 0,05). Temuan serupa juga ditemukan untuk tingkat ChEA pada kelompok kedua dibandingkan dengan kelompok ketiga (p = 0,014). Suplementasi Selenium 200 μg selama 7 hari di antara petani penyemprot pestisida meningkatkan kadar ChEA 1,85% dan kadar hemoglobin 2,66%.Simpulan: Terdapat perbedaan yang significant antara tingkat ChEA pada kelompok pertama dibandingkan dengan kelompok lainnya.   Kata kunci: Selenium, Vit C, tingkat GPX, ChEA dan HemoglobinABSTRACT Title: Selenium and Vitamin C As a Preventive Medicine for Pesticide Poisoning (Experimental Study on Spraying Farmers in Temanggung, Central Java) Background: Symptoms of organophosphate intoxication are a result of blocking the activity of blood cholinesterase enzyme (ChEA).   The ability of liver to do de toxification using pathway of O-Dealchylation on organophosphate and cholinesterase bound and helped out by Glutathione peroxides enzyme (GPX) has important role in returning the level of ChEA to the normal level. GPX is dependent on the presence of selenium. The objective of this study is to obtain more understandable benefit of adding selenium and vitamin C towards the ChEA, GPX and hemoglobin level of farmers worked as pesticide sprayers.Method: This is an experimental study using Pretest-posttest Control Group Design.  Ninety nine respondents in Pasuruan village, sub district of Bulu, Temanggung  who fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected as study samples. Samples were divided into 3 groups of 33 people. First group received only Selenium, second group received Selenium and Vitamin C and third group is a control group (no supplementation given). Blood samples of all study samples were taken to identify the level of ChEA, GPX and hemoglobin before and after experimentResult: Level of ChEA in the first group compared with the third group was significantly different (p=0.05). Similar finding was also found for the level of ChEA in second group compared with third group (p= 0.014). Supplementation of Selenium 200 µg for 7 days among pesticides sprayers farmers increase 1.85% level of ChEA and 2.66% level of hemoglobin.Conclusion: There is a significant difference between ChEA levels in the first group compared to other groups Keywords: Selenium, vit C, level of GPX, ChEA and Hemoglobin.

scholarly journals Serum Procalcitonin Levels in Patients with Acute Central Nervous System Infections

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (B) ◽  
pp. 1251-1255
Author(s):  
Yordan Kalchev ◽  
Tsetsa Petkova ◽  
Ralitsa Raycheva ◽  
Bothwell Kabayira ◽  
Tanya Deneva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Discriminatory Power ◽  
Cns Infection ◽  
Microbiological Analysis ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Serum Crp ◽  
The Brain

BACKGROUND: Bacterial infections of the brain are associated with high mortality and neurological sequelae, whereas viral diseases are usually self-limiting. A fast and easy-to-perform biomarker is needed to improve management in these patients. AIM: Procalcitonin (PCT) testing has already been implemented in many laboratories for evaluating septic patients and it is an easily accessible biomarker, so we aimed to examine its role specifically in discriminating acute bacterial from viral infections of the central nervous system (CNS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 80 patients with both clinical symptoms and laboratory findings suggesting acute CNS infection. The microbiological analysis included direct microscopy, culturing, latex-agglutination test, and multiplex polymerase chain reaction. PCT levels were measured by enzyme-linked fluorescent assay technology. RESULTS: Following the results of the microbiological analysis, the cases were divided into three groups – bacterial 26.3% (n = 21), viral 17.5% (n = 14), and unidentified neuroinfections – 56.2% (n = 45). A statistically significant difference in the median serum PCT was observed between the bacterial and viral neuroinfections (p = 0.004) as well as between bacterial and unidentified infections of the brain (p = 0.000). No significant difference was found (p = 1.000) when comparing viral and unidentified neuroinfection. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for serum PCT was 0.823 but could be increased to 0.929 when combining serum PCT and C-reactive protein (CRP). CONCLUSION: Serum PCT levels are significantly higher in patients with acute bacterial infections of the brain. As a stand-alone biomarker, its discriminatory power is not superior to the classical laboratory parameters in the cerebrospinal fluid and serum CRP. However, when combined with serum CRP, excellent discriminatory power is observed.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Relationship Between Celiac Disease and Refractory Epilepsy in Patients Referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital of Urmia

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Hanieh Mollazadeh ◽  
◽  
Surena Nazarbaghi ◽  
Mohammad Reza Pashaei ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Celiac Disease ◽  
Serum Level ◽  
Refractory Epilepsy ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Statistical Population ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Relationship

Objective: Celiac disease can be associated with other diseases, including neurological disorders. In this study, the relationship between celiac disease and refractory epilepsy was evaluated in patients referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital of Urmia. Material & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, patients with refractory epilepsy referred to the neurology clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital of Urmia, during the second half of 2019 and controlled epilepsy were studied as a control group. The statistical population of the present study included 50 patients with refractory seizures and 50 patients with controlled seizures. The mean age of patients was 32.96 ± 11.35 years. Five ml blood samples were taken from the patients, and a serum anti-tTG test was performed using the ELISA kit. Then, in patients with positive anti-tTG, a duodenal biopsy sample was prepared using an endoscopy. Results: This study showed that the mean serum level of anti-tTG in patients with refractory epilepsy was higher than in patients with controlled epilepsy. Anti-tTG test results were positive in five of fifty patients with refractory epilepsy, and it was positive in two of fifty patients with controlled epilepsy. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of serum levels anti-tTG (p=0.14). Also, there was no significant relationship between serum level anti-tTG, age and genus (p>0.05). Biopsy results in three patients in the refractory epilepsy group and one patient in the controlled epilepsy group was in favor of a definitive diagnosis of the celiac disease. Patients in whom the celiac disease was confirmed by endoscopy had higher anti-tTG levels (p=0.006). Conclusion: There was no significant difference between the celiac disease in the group with refractory epilepsy and controlled epilepsy.

scholarly journals Bacterial and viral etiology in hospitalized community acquired pneumonia with molecular methods and clinical evaluation

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (04) ◽  
pp. 510-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derya Çağlayan Serin ◽  
Hüsnü Pullukçu ◽  
Candan Çiçek ◽  
Oğuz Reşat Sipahi ◽  
Sezai Taşbakan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Culture Method ◽  
Community Acquired Pneumonia ◽  
Human Bocavirus ◽  
Viral Agent ◽  
Viral Etiology ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Identification Rate ◽  
Atypical Pathogens ◽  
Significant Difference

Introduction: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method has improved the diagnosis rates for patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). We aimed to evaluate the bacterial and viral etiology of hospitalized CAP cases and compare clinical and laboratory findings of patients with pure bacterial and bacterial and viral (mixed) infections. Methodology: A total of 55 patients hospitalized with CAP were enrolled into the prospective study between February 2010 and December 2010. Clinical and laboratory follow-up were performed on days 0, 7 and 14. Deep tracheal aspiration samples were examined for bacterial and viral pathogens by multiplex PCR, and standard bacteriological culture method. Results: The etiological identification rate in 50 patients for bacteria, viruses and mixed virus–bacteria combination by PCR were 62%, 4%, 32%, respectively and 60% in 55 patients by bacterial culture method. Streptococcus pneumoniae concomitant with Haemophilus influenzae (36%) and rhinovirus (16%) was very common, whereas atypical pathogens (only Mycoplasma pneumoniae) were rare (6%). Rhinovirus was the most common viral agent (20%). Recently identified viruses, human coronavirus HKU1 and human bocavirus were not detected except for human metapneumovirus (one case). There was no significant difference in terms of mean age, immune status, leukocyte count, C-reactive protein (CRP) values, hospitalization duration and CURB-65 score between bacterial and mixed viral-bacterial detections. Advanced age (p < 0.01) and higher CURB-65 score (p = 0.01) were found to be associated with increased mortality. Conclusion: Concomitance of bacterial and viral agents is frequent and resemble with bacterial infections alone. Further studies are needed for the clinical significance of mixed detections.

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