scholarly journals The long pentraxin PTX3: a novel serum marker to improve the prediction of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis bone-related phenotypes

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia Veronica Visconti ◽  
Chiara Greggi ◽  
Simona Fittipaldi ◽  
Donato Casamassima ◽  
Maria Grazia Tallarico ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The long pentraxin PTX3 is generating great interest given the recent discovery of its involvement in bone metabolism. This study investigates the role of circulating PTX3 as a marker of bone-related phenotypes in patients with osteoporosis (OP) and osteoarthritis (OA). Methods Serum PTX3 levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a total of OP (n=32), OA (n=19) patients and healthy controls (CTR; n=25). ROC curve analysis was carried out to evaluate the potential of PTX3 for the diagnosis of bone-related phenotypes. In addition, the association between PTX3 serum levels and biochemical markers was estimated by Spearman correlation analysis. Results Serum analysis reveals a statistically significant increase of PTX3 levels in OP and OA patients, compared to CTR subjects (**** p < 0.0001, **** p < 0.0001). ROC curve of PTX3 levels exhibits an excellent sensitivity and specificity for OP and OA diseases (**** p < 0.0001 and **** p < 0.0001, respectively). Moreover, serum PTX3 levels are positively associated with ALP (r = − 0.5257, p = 0.0083) and PTH levels (r = 0.4704, p = 0.0203) in OP patients. Conclusions These results confirm the pivotal role of PTX3 in bone metabolism and suggest its potential use as a predictor of OP and OA bone-related phenotypes.

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiajia Liu ◽  
Xiaoyi Tian ◽  
Yan Wang ◽  
Xixiong Kang ◽  
Wenqi Song

Abstract Background The cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) is widely considered as a pivotal immune checkpoint molecule to suppress antitumor immunity. However, the significance of soluble CTLA-4 (sCTLA-4) remains unclear in the patients with brain glioma. Here we aimed to investigate the significance of serum sCTLA-4 levels as a noninvasive biomarker for diagnosis and evaluation of the prognosis in glioma patients. Methods In this study, the levels of sCTLA-4 in serum from 50 patients diagnosed with different grade gliomas including preoperative and postoperative, and 50 healthy individuals were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). And then ROC curve analysis and survival analyses were performed to explore the clinical significance of sCTLA-4. Results Serum sCTLA-4 levels were significantly increased in patients with glioma compared to that of healthy individuals, and which was also positively correlated with the tumor grade. ROC curve analysis showed that the best cutoff value for sCTLA-4 for glioma is 112.1 pg/ml, as well as the sensitivity and specificity with 82.0 and 78.0%, respectively, and a cut-off value of 220.43 pg/ml was best distinguished in patients between low-grade glioma group and high-grade glioma group with sensitivity 73.1% and specificity 79.2%. Survival analysis revealed that the patients with high sCTLA-4 levels (> 189.64 pg/ml) had shorter progression-free survival (PFS) compared to those with low sCTLA-4 levels (≤189.64 pg/ml). In the univariate analysis, elder, high-grade tumor, high sCTLA-4 levels and high Ki-67 index were significantly associated with shorter PFS. In the multivariate analysis, sCTLA-4 levels and tumor grade remained an independent prognostic factor. Conclusion These findings indicated that serum sCTLA-4 levels play a critical role in the pathogenesis and development of glioma, which might become a valuable predictive biomarker for supplementary diagnosis and evaluation of the progress and prognosis in glioma.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. e39-e41
Author(s):  
Lilian Kebaya ◽  
Mong Tieng Ee ◽  
Michael Miller ◽  
Soume Bhattacharya

Abstract Primary Subject area Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Background Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is the standard of care for neonates with moderate to severe HIE. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the imaging modality of choice for confirmation of HIE, assessment of injury severity, and prognostication. Reliable, inexpensive and widely available laboratory measures for early identification of risk for neurological injury can play a critical role in the optimal management of neonatal HIE, especially in the resource-limited setting. Our study examined whether derangements in early routine laboratory measures (acid-base, haematological, metabolic) were worse in neonates with MRI findings of neurological injury. Objectives Primary objective: To evaluate the role of early laboratory measures in predicting neurological injury as detected by MRI at 72 hours. Secondary objective: To evaluate the role of early laboratory measures in predicting survival to NICU discharge in patients with HIE. Design/Methods This single-centre, retrospective cohort study included neonates ≥ 35 weeks gestation with moderate to severe HIE, who had undergone therapeutic hypothermia. Based on findings of brain MRI completed within 72 hours of life, our cohort was divided into 2 groups: neonates with, and without, evidence of neurological injury consistent with HIE. Baseline characteristics, as well as laboratory measures, were compared between groups, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was conducted to determine the cut-off for prediction of neurological injury based on the highest sensitivity and specificity values. Results 104 neonates were analyzed. Baseline characteristics (Table 1) were similar between both groups, except for cord venous pH and base excess (BE), which were significantly lower in the abnormal MRI group (p = 0.02). In bivariate analysis, pH (at 1 h of age, p = 0.027), BE (at 1 h, p = 0.001, and 6 h of age, p = 0.004), ionized calcium (at 6 h of age, p = 0.02), and platelets (at 1 h of age, p = 0.004) were significantly different in neonates with abnormal MRI. In ROC curve analysis, BE at 1 h of life was the best predictor of abnormal MRI (AUC = 0.71, p = 0.002), with a cut-off value of ≤ -14.95, sensitivity of 67% and specificity of 66% (Figure 1). Conclusion Among neonates with HIE undergoing TH, early laboratory measures such as acid-base status, ionized calcium, and platelet count were worse in neonates with abnormal MRI, in comparison to neonates with normal MRI. Base excess at 1 h of life is a good predictor of abnormal MRI. Future prospective studies to validate these findings are needed


2011 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. BIC.S7154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veyis Itik ◽  
Ozgur Kemik ◽  
Ahu Kemik ◽  
A. Cumhur Dulger ◽  
Aziz Sümer ◽  
...  

Aims and background YKL-40 is secreted by several types of tumors. Increased serum YKL-40 levels have been reported in prostate, glioblastoma, breast and colorectal cancers. Determination of YKL-40 levels may serve as a valuable biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine the serum YKL-40 levels expressed in gastric carcinomas. Methods Between 2009 and 2011, we retrospectively reviewed 100 patients with gastric cancer and compared their serum samples to 75 healthy volunteers. YKL-40 levels were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results We found significantly higher serum levels of YKL-40 in patients with gastric cancer compared to the healthy population ( P < 0.0001). We also found significant differences in serum YKL-40 levels between female and male patients with gastric cancer ( P < 0.01). Conclusions YKL-40 is over-expressed in gastric cancer, suggesting a more aggressive phenotype. YKL-40 may be a useful serum biomarker for gastric cancer identification, and future studies should focus on the role of YKL-40 in the tumorigenesis of gastric cancer and responsiveness toward treatment.


2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (06) ◽  
pp. 378-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalpana Singh ◽  
Bhawna Singh ◽  
Prakash Ray

Background: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease primarily affecting the peripheral nervous system and skin. Multibacillary leprosy is associated with nerve damage which could contribute to myelin alteration. As ceramide is a constituent of myelin sheath, the present study aimed to compare anti-ceramide antibody titre in paucibacillary and multibacillary leprosy patients with controls. Methodology: Serum levels of anti-ceramide antibody were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in 50 leprosy patients (25 paucibacillary and 25 multibacillary) and 25 healthy controls. Results were reported in OD units as mean ± SD and analyzed by Chi square test (significance at p < 0.05). Results: Patients suffering from multibacillary leprosy had significantly higher anti-ceramide antibody serum levels compared to paucibacillary leprosy patients and healthy controls (p < 0.005). Conclusions: Since nerve damage is the most debilitating effect of leprosy, the search for a serum marker for assessing nerve damage is required in countries where leprosy is still widespread. In multibacillary leprosy patients, the role of anti-ceramide antibody as a marker for nerve damage should be explored.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 205873922094234
Author(s):  
Heng Xue ◽  
Hui Liu ◽  
Liangpu Xu ◽  
Qiaoling Liu ◽  
Bimin Zhuo ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase NIMA-interacting 1 (Pin1) with C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) count for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in infants. A total of 84 hospitalized infants with CAP and 69 healthy infants were included in this study. The clinical manifestations and laboratory assay results of infants were recorded. Serum Pin1 level was estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The median serum Pin1 concentration in infants with CAP was significantly higher than that in controls (1.44 vs. 0.21 ng/mL, P < 0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the combination Pin1, CRP and WBC (Pin1 + CRP + WBC, 0.943) was higher than Pin1, CRP, WBC alone or the combination of Pin1 and CRP ( P < 0.05). The sensitivity of Pin1 + CRP + WBC (94.0%) was higher than that of Pin1, CRP, WBC alone, or any two combined ( P < 0.05). Pin1 + CRP + WBC also had a high negative predictive value (91.4%). Moreover, serum Pin1 alone had a high specificity (97.0%) and excellent positive predictive value (96.6%) for infants with CAP, which were higher than WBC, Pin1 and WBC in combination, CRP and WBC in combination, and Pin1 + CRP + WBC ( P < 0.05). Therefore, serum Pin 1 was highly expressed in infants with CAP and can singly or in combination with CRP and WBC represent promising novel predictors for infants with CAP.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunsheng Zhao ◽  
Lina Zhang ◽  
Lijing Huo ◽  
Liu Pei ◽  
Qiuping Li ◽  
...  

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of fucosylated GP73 (Fuc-GP73) levels for differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma from other liver diseases. Methods: Serum specimens were collected from 50 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, 60 patients with other digestive system diseases (ODSD), and 40 normal controls. Lectin affinity chromatography column combining with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the ELISA index was utilized to measure the level of Fuc-GP73. By receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis its sensitivity and specificity were used to evaluate the diagnostic significance of Fuc-GP73 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Results: The median serum Fuc-GP73 level of hepatocellular carcinoma (20.4 μg/L) was much higher than that of ODSD patients (1.8 μg/L) and the normal controls group (0.3 μg/L), significantly ( P <0.01). There was no significant correlation between serum Fuc-GP73 level and sex, age, and tumor size in the hepatocellular carcinoma group ( P > 0.05); however, it was related to tumor, node, metastasis stage and lymph node metastasis ( P <0.05). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of Fuc-GP73 to detect hepatocellular carcinoma alone was 0.885; with the prespecified specificity of 95%, the sensitivity and the cutoff value were 82% and 3.1 μg/L. In addition, the combined test of Fuc-GP73 with other biomarkers can improve the clinical diagnostic efficiency; the AUC can reach to 0.983; and with the prespecified specificity of 95% its sensitivity increased to 94%. Conclusion: Fuc-GP73 can act as a superior glycobiomarker for the differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma; its combined detection with other biomarkers can improve diagnostic accuracy.


2015 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 891-901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Muschitz ◽  
Roland Kocijan ◽  
Christina Marterer ◽  
Arastoo Rahbar Nia ◽  
Gabriela Katharina Muschitz ◽  
...  

Context: The role of sclerostin as a key regulator of bone formation remains unknown after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Objectives: The study objectives were evaluation of sclerostin and Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) serum levels after surgery and correlations with bone turnover markers (P1NP, CTX), parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and areal bone mineral density (BMD), changes at total body, lumbar spine and total hip. Design and Setting: This was a prospective observational single-center two-arm study in premenopausal women with acute adipositas over 24 months. Participants: Participants were 52 premenopausal women (40 ± 8 years, BMI 43.4) after RYGB and 38 premenopausal women (41 ± 7 years, BMI 45.7) after SG. Main Outcome Measures: Prior to surgery and 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months after surgery sclerostin, DKK-1, CTX, P1NP levels and BMD were measured. Results: Sclerostin, CTX and (to a lesser extent) P1NP increased after surgery and remained elevated during the entire study period (P &lt; 0.001). DKK-1 declined during months 3–9 (P &lt; 0.005) and then remained unchanged, serum phosphate continuously increased (P &lt; 0.001), iPTH remained within the upper normal limit. Sclerostin increases were significantly positively correlated with CTX and P1NP increases and negatively correlated with BMD loss. BMD independently declined regardless of RYGB and SG. Elevations of sclerostin, CTX, P1NP, and phosphate, but not DKK-1 and iPTH, were significant discriminating factors for BMD loss (AUC 0.920). Conclusion: Rapid and sustained increases of sclerostin, CTX, and to a lesser extent, P1NP cause an increase in bone metabolism and result in BMD loss at all skeletal sites.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Wang ◽  
Ming-ming Li ◽  
Ye Niu ◽  
Xin Zhang ◽  
Ji-bin Yin ◽  
...  

Background. The gut microbiota is involved in the occurrence and development of chronic liver diseases. Zonulin is considered a marker of intestinal permeability. The purpose of this study was to assess zonulin levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), HBV-associated liver cirrhosis (LC), and HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods. The study population consisted of 90 HBV-associated HCC patients, 90 HBV-associated LC patients, 90 CHB patients, and 90 healthy subjects. Serum levels of zonulin and AFP were determined. The diagnostic accuracy of each marker was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis (AUC). Results. Serum zonulin levels were significantly higher in patients with HCC than in patients with LC or CHB or healthy subjects (p<0.001). Moreover, the zonulin levels were increased in the advanced stage of LC and HCC. ROC curve analysis revealed that serum zonulin could be used to differentiate CHB from cirrhosis. In addition, the combination of zonulin and AFP exhibited a significantly larger AUC compared with zonulin or AFP alone. Conclusions. Serum zonulin levels were significantly increased both in LC and in HCC and correlated with the advanced stage of LC and HCC. Moreover, the combination of zonulin and AFP confers significant benefit to diagnostic accuracy in differentiating LC from HCC.


Lupus ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (14) ◽  
pp. 1494-1500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z Rezaieyazdi ◽  
M Sahebari ◽  
MR Hatef ◽  
B Abbasi ◽  
H Rafatpanah ◽  
...  

The role of C-reactive protein (CRP) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as an inflammatory marker is still controversial. Recently, more sensitive methods, such as high sensitive CRP (hs-CRP) have been used to detect micro-inflammation. The role of hs-CRP in lupus flare has not been documented well. We conducted this study to examine the correlation between hs-CRP serum concentrations and disease activity in lupus. Ninety-two SLE patients and 49 healthy controls contributed to our study. Most confounding factors influencing the hs-CRP values were excluded. Disease activity was estimated using the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI-2K). hs-CRP values were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Serum values of hs-CRP were significantly higher ( p < 0.001, z = 3.29) in patients compared with healthy controls. The cutoff point for hs-CRP between patients and controls was 0.93 mg/L (Youden’s Index = 0.39). There was no correlation between hs-CRP serum levels and disease activity. Furthermore, hs-CRP values did not correlate with any of the laboratory parameters, except for C3 ( p = 0.003, rs = −0.2) and C4 ( p = 0.02, rs = −0.1). Although hs-CRP serum levels were significantly higher in lupus patients compared with healthy controls, it seems that this marker is not a good indicator for disease activity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-38
Author(s):  
Mohammad Moniruzzaman ◽  
Ashesh Kumar Chowdhury ◽  
ASM Areef Ahsan ◽  
Md Zakiur Rahman ◽  
Saimun Nahar Rumana ◽  
...  

Background: Rapid diagnosis is essential for effective therapy among the patients with sepsis. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship of serum levels of IL-6, IL-8 in patients with various stages of sepsis. Methodology: This case control study was conducted in the Department of Immunology at Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM), Dhaka from January 2015 to December 2015 for a period of one (01) year. All patients had been selected from the ICU of BIRDEM General Hospital with known clinicopathological parameters of sepsis. Serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were assessed using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Results: In this study, a total of 80 subjects was enrolled of which 60 patients were with at least 2 SIRS criteria and 20 healthy age matched controls without SIRS. Significant difference was found in IL-6 and IL-8 values in the patients with bacteriological culture positive and negative group (p<0.05). AUC for IL-6 was 0.710 (95% CI 0.580-0.840), sensitivity 54.16%, specificity 59.09%, PPV 74.28% and NPV 52% with cutoff value >177pg/ml. Conclusion: Elevated levels of serum IL-6 and IL-8 is found in the patients with sepsis Bangladesh Journal of Infectious Diseases 2019;6(2):34-38


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