scholarly journals Diagnostic value of IL-17 in neurointoxication with mercury

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 395-400
Author(s):  
B. G. Michailovna ◽  
B. E. Valerevna
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Mediators ◽  
Statistical Processing ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Interleukin 17 ◽  
Metallic Mercury ◽  
Early Signs ◽  
Mercury Intoxication ◽  
Quantitative Changes ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Effective Diagnosis

It is known that sufficient changes are observed in cellular and humoral links of immune system upon chronic exposure vapors of metallic mercury. In previous studies, upon development and in the course of the chronic mercury intoxication (CMI) we revealed pronounced regular changes of inflammatory mediators (IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNFα), and showed an important role of autoimmune reactions affecting nervous tissue proteins. Over last 20 years, an increased interest was shown for interleukin 17 (IL-17) and its role in a number of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. However, there is no data on its role in neurointoxication with mercury. Considering that IL-17 has proinflammatory activity and stimulates production of the individual cytokines, the goal of our work at the next stage of research, was to identify quantitative changes of serum IL-17 in patients with mercury neurointoxication of various severity, aiming to substantiate additional criteria for early and effective diagnosis of the disease.The study was performed in males chronically exposed to metallic mercury vapors with early signs of neurointoxication (n = 37), individuals diagnosed with CMI (n = 40), and “conditionally healthy” men (n = 34). Proper diagnosis confirmed by history of working contacts with a harmful industrial factor, and absence of comorbid pathologies served as inclusion criteria. Statistical processing of the results was carried out using the STATISTICA 6.0 application package (StatSoft, USA). The study has revealed a statistically significant increase in serum IL-17 concentrations, both in the patients with early signs of neurointoxication with metallic mercury vapors, and individuals with CMI, when compared with the comparison group, thus indicating its activation, and being consistent with results of several workers who showed an IL-17 increase in immunoinflammatory diseases. Correlation analysis has shown an association between IL-17 and inflammatory mediators, i.e., the patients with early signs of neurointoxication had an increased production of IL-17 accompanied by an increase in anti-inflammatory IL-10, whereas the CMI patients with an increase in IL-17 concentration showed a decrease in pro-inflammatory TNFα, thus confirming its role in immunopathogenesis of mercury neurointoxication. Further study of IL-17 involvement in the initiation and maintenance of chronic inflammation will not only contribute to better understanding of the disease origin, but also, most importantly, implication of novel, more effective treatments. 

scholarly journals Comparing the Diagnostic Value of Serum D-Dimer to CRP and IL-6 in the Diagnosis of Chronic Prosthetic Joint Infection

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 2917
Author(s):  
Thomas Ackmann ◽  
Burkhard Möllenbeck ◽  
Georg Gosheger ◽  
Jan Schwarze ◽  
Tom Schmidt-Braekling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Joint Infection ◽  
Revision Arthroplasty ◽  
Preoperative Assessment ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Musculoskeletal Infection ◽  
Prosthetic Joint ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Low Sensitivity ◽  
D Dimer

Introduction: D-dimer is a diagnostic criterion for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) of the Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) in 2018. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum D-dimer values in comparison to C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) for the diagnosis of PJI. Materials and Methods: We included 119 patients (50 women, 69 men; 71 knees, 48 hips) undergoing revision arthroplasty with preoperative assessment of CRP, IL-6, and serum D-dimer. Cases were classified as infected or aseptic based on the MSIS criteria of 2018. Receiver operating curves and Youden’s index were used to define an ideal cut-off value and sensitivity and specificity for the individual parameters, and respective combinations were calculated using cross-tables. Results: The median D-dimer level (2320 vs. 1105 ng/mL; p < 0.001), the median CRP level (4.0 vs. 0.5 mg/dL; p < 0.001), and the median IL-6 level (21.0 vs. 5.0 pg/mL; p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the group of PJI compared to the group with aseptic failure. The calculated optimal cut-off values were 2750 ng/mL (AUC 0.767) for D-dimer, 1.2 mg/dL (AUC 0.914) for CRP, and 10.0 pg/mL (AUC 0.849) for IL-6. D-dimer showed a sensitivity of 38% and specificity of 94%, whereas the CRP and IL-6 had sensitivities of 88% and 76%, and specificities of 87% and 92%, respectively. Conclusion: In comparison with CRP and IL-6, serum D-dimer showed low sensitivity and specificity in our cohort. While CRP and IL-6 combination had the highest sensitivity, a combination of Il-6 and D-dimer or CRP and IL-6 had the highest specificity.

The Diagnostic Value of MRI in Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury

1994 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. OCHI ◽  
Y. IKUTA ◽  
M. WATANABE ◽  
K. KIMOR ◽  
K. ITOH
Keyword(s):  
Brachial Plexus ◽  
Nerve Root ◽  
Brachial Plexus Injury ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Nerve Roots ◽  
Surgical Exploration ◽  
Nerve Root Avulsion ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽  
The Individual

Findings in 34 patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury documented by surgical exploration and intra-operative somatosensory-evoked potentials were correlated with findings on myelography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine whether MRI can identify nerve root avulsion. The coronal and sagittal planes were not able to demonstrate avulsion of the individual nerve roots. The axial and axial oblique planes did provide useful information to determine which nerve root was avulsed in the upper plexus, although it was difficult to clearly delineate the lower cervical rootlets. The accuracy of MRI was 73% for C5 and 64% for C6 and that of myelograpby 63% for C5 and 64% for C6. Thus, the diagnostic accuracy of MRI for upper nerve roots was slightly superior to myelography. Although its primary diagnostic value is limited to the upper nerve roots whose avulsion is relatively difficult to diagnose by myelography, MRI can provide useful guidance in the waiting period prior to surgical exploration after brachial plexus injury.

Difficulties in the Use of Everyday Technology among Older Adults with Subjective Memory Complaint and Cognitive Decline

Gerontology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Yuriko Ikeda ◽  
Michio Maruta ◽  
Suguru Shimokihara ◽  
Atsushi Nakamura ◽  
Gwanghee Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Subjective Memory Complaints ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Memory Complaint ◽  
Social Lives ◽  
Early Signs ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
The Individual

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The ability to use everyday technology (ET) is becoming increasingly necessary for maintaining domestic and social lives. For older adults, difficulties with using ETs can begin at the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) state and may indicate increasing cognitive decline. The aim of this study was to conduct a detailed investigation into the ability to use ETs among Japanese older community-dwelling adults at 3 stages of cognitive function and the ability to carry out daily activities. <b><i>Method:</i></b> We analyzed family members’ responses to questions about older adults with cognitive decline in their families. A total of 168 older adults with subjective memory complaints (SMC) or cognitive decline and inconvenience in daily life were analyzed. A questionnaire was used to assess the characteristics, ability to use ETs, and ability to manage refrigerator contents, all of which can be early signs of dementia. Participants were divided 3 groups by the type of dementia: SMC (<i>n</i> = 77), MCI (<i>n</i> = 36), and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) (<i>n</i> = 55) for comparison. <b><i>Result:</i></b> The observation list of early signs of dementia (OLD) total score indicated a significant positive correlation with the number of ET errors (<i>r</i> = 0.37, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) and number of difficulties with refrigerator management (<i>r</i> = 0.18, <i>p</i> = 0.031). Regarding number of ET errors, there was a significant main effect for the 3 groups, and the SMC group made significantly fewer errors than the AD group (<i>p</i> = 0.02). In 7 of the 11 ET categories, errors with using ETs were associated with all 3 groups, with the SMC group making fewer errors, and the AD group making more. Regarding difficulties with refrigerator management, 2 out of 9 problems were associated with the 3 groups, with the SMC group having fewer difficulties and the AD group having more. <b><i>Discussion/Conclusion:</i></b> The results indicated that the ability to use ETs and to manage refrigerator contents begins to decline at the SMC stage. Further evaluation of the ability to use ETs is needed for older adults with SMC so that adequate support in the context of the individual can be provided.

scholarly journals Can Serum Glypican-3 Be a Biomarker for Effective Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma? A Meta-Analysis of the Literature

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheng-Li Yang ◽  
Xiefan Fang ◽  
Zao-Zao Huang ◽  
Xiang-Jie Liu ◽  
Zhi-Fan Xiong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Liver Cirrhosis ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Subgroup Analyses ◽  
Effective Diagnosis ◽  
Diagnostic Index

Objective. This review is to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum GPC3 for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to conflicting results reported.Methods. NCBI PubMed and Embase were comprehensively searched for studies that have used serum GPC3 level as a diagnostic index for HCC. The quality of the included studies was assessed. Subgroup analyses were conducted to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of GPC3 as a HCC marker. Statistical analysis was performed with the software STATA version 12.0.Results. A total of 22 studies were included. The qualities of included studies were relatively poor. Among them, 18 studies have shown that serum GPC3 is a specific biomarker for HCC, and the pooled sensitivity and specificity of these studies were 69 and 93%, respectively. The other 4 studies have reported conflicting results, which were not caused by races, infection status of HBV and HCV, or assay reagents but due to one common experimental design of enrolling liver cirrhosis patients as control subjects.Conclusions. This meta-analysis indicates that serum GPC3 is elevated in HCC patients compared with healthy individuals, but more studies are needed to evaluate its effectiveness to differentially diagnose HCC and liver cirrhosis.

scholarly journals Utilization of factor analysis in waterworks engineering

2004 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-128
Author(s):  
Petra Nováková
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Water Reservoir ◽  
Statistical Processing ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Water Quality Indicators ◽  
Quality Of Water ◽  
The Individual

The aim of the work was to elaborate and evaluate the water quality of water reservoir Vranov nad Dyjí. Fresh water was sampled in five different locations of the reservoir (three important tributaries, dam and water captation locality). Ten, the most essential water quality indicators were selected. From the point of view of water quality indicators complexity the most integrated samples were taken in the water captation locality (period 1984 – 2002). At other locations, there were missing dates from the eightieth, but their volume was sufficient for statistical processing.Correlation analyses for the individual locations and dimensions were done as so as determination coefficients for all localities during the time period of 1994 – 2002. The results demonstrate very good allocation of the water captation from the point of view of the water flow.Multiples and factor analysis was done for the period of 1984 – 2002 in the locality Jelení zátoka where the object of water captation is situated. The results of the analysis are nine factors, which influence the water quality of the reservoir. From the point of view of the importance three factors were interpreted.The analyses and results are part of my Ph.D. thesis. The results will be used for other evaluations of the water quality in the reservoir and tributaries, for activities in the catchment’s area and for proposal processing other zones of second level of protected areas.

scholarly journals Possibilities of Application of Modern Neurophysiological Methods in Diagnosis of Vibration Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 82-87
Author(s):  
L. S. Vasileva ◽  
N. V. Slivnitsyna ◽  
O. L. Lakhman ◽  
O. I. Shevchenko
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Sensitivity ◽  
Statistical Processing ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Pathological Process ◽  
Cold Sensitivity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Vibration Disease ◽  
Equilibrium Function ◽  
Constant Potential

Vibration disease is one of the leading in the structure of occupational diseases. A more detailed study of the pathogenesis, expanding the possibilities of diagnosis of vibration disease, is necessary. The aim of the study is to determine the diagnostic value of stabilometry, quantitative sensory testing and neuroenergocarting in vibration disease associated with the combined effects of local and general vibration. Materials and methods. Two groups of patients were examined: with the diagnosis of vibration disease associated with the combined effect of local and general vibration – 50 people (age 48.7 ± 3.1 years), not in contact with vibration – 30 people (age 49.1 ± 2.8 years). The study of the equilibrium function, the determination of the level of the constant potential of the brain by 12 standard leads and the determination of temperature and pain sensitivity. Statistical processing of the results was carried out using the software package “Statistica 6.0” (StatSoft Inc., USA). Differences were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05. Results. In vibration disease, the vertical stance of patients is more unstable than in patients with no contact with vibration. In patients with vibration disease, there is a decrease in the threshold of cold sensitivity and an increase in the threshold of thermal sensitivity and thermal pain compared to the control group. According to our data, the increased level of permanent potential in patients with vibration disease is observed in the central (22.7 (12.6; 30.7) mV) and right central (20.4 (11.5; 27.1) mV), also the average level of permanent capacity in this group is increased – 17.1 (8.4; 25.8) mV.Conclusion. The results obtained indicate the involvement of the neurosensory complex united by single thalamic and cortical centers in the pathological process and confirm the diagnostic value of the methods used.

scholarly journals Relationship of representations about the object of activity and time perspectives for teachers of different ages

2020 ◽  
Vol 210 ◽  
pp. 18079
Author(s):  
Lyudmila Zheldochenko ◽  
Oksana Nikolenko
Keyword(s):  
Work Experience ◽  
Time Perspective ◽  
Statistical Processing ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Professional Activity ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Time Perspectives ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Different Ages ◽  
The Individual

The article analyzes the problem of professionalization of the individual in pedagogical activity. The results of an empirical study of the ideas of teachers of different ages about the object of their professional activity are presented. It is shown that at each stage of professionalization, with an increase in the length of teaching experience, the assessment of the attitude to time changes, and through this – the assessment of the individual's attitude to the surrounding reality in General, as well as to himself, his experience and future prospects. Significant relationships between indicators of teachers ' perceptions of the object of professional activity and indicators of the time perspective of teachers of different ages are shown. The study involved 148 College teachers. Work experience varies from 1 year to 40 years. Age limits from 20 to 63 years. To confirm the research hypothesis that there may be significant relationships between professional ideas and time perspectives among teachers of different ages, we used a set of methods, including: "Questionnaire aimed at the study of ideas about the object of activity (E. I. Rogova)," F. Zimbardo's time perspective Questionnaire (ZTPI)". Methods of mathematical and statistical processing, presentation of the obtained data: descriptive statistics, determination of the reliability of differences: according to the Kruskal-Wallace criterion. Empirically, it is established that there are significant relationships between the assessment of attitudes to time and ideas about the object of activity in teachers of different ages.

Laboratory predictors of pregnancy in vitro fertilization

2021 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
pp. 291-296
Author(s):  
A. V. Lapshtaeva ◽  
I. V. Sychev ◽  
L. N. Goncharova
Keyword(s):  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Prognostic Markers ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Polymorphic Marker ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Its Gene ◽  
The Individual

Identification of factors determining both of favorable and unfavorable outcome of IVF will increase the effectiveness of this method and optimize infertility treatment. The aim of the research is to analyze the correlation between serum IL-1α concentration, its gene rs1800587 (C/T) genotype carrier and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid hormones (triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4)), and evaluate the prognostic significance of their combinations in women with tube-peritoneal infertility under the IVF program. 120 patients with tube-peritoneal infertility who applied for an IVF program were examined. Depending on the outcome of the procedure, 2 groups of patients were allocated: 1 group - 40 women who had a pregnancy after IVF, 2 group - 80 patients who did not have a pregnancy. The content of IL-1α, TSH, T3, T4 was determined in blood by ELISA. Genotyping was performed on the rs1800587 (C/T) polymorphic marker of the IL-1α gene. TSH, T3, T4 were within the norm for both groups. In our study, women with a TSH concentration of 0.23 to 1.7 nmol/L had a chance of a favorable IVF outcome 1.4 times higher than with other TSH levels (p = 0.042901); with a T3 level of 1.0 to 1.8 nmol/L had a chance of becoming pregnant 5.7 times higher than with other levels of T3 (p = 0.00002). For T4 concentration, the confidence test was not achieved (p = 0.068505). The individual indicators of IL-1α, TSH, T3 and carrier of the genotype of the gene IL-1α at the preconceptive stage have lower diagnostic value than their combined combination. Three combinations have maximum predictive value: a combination of the T/T genotype of the IL-1α gene and the TSH level of 0.23 to 1.7 nmol/l - OR = 8.1 (p = 0.000048); combination of IL-1α of 28.7 to 85.1 pg/ml, T/T gene genotype IL-1α and TSH level of 0.23 to 1.7 nmol/l - OR = 8.1 (p = 0.000048); combination of IL-1α of 28.7 to 85.1 pg/ml, T/T gene genotype IL-1α, TSH level of 0.23 to 1.7 nmol/l and T3 level of 1.0 to 1.8 nmol/l - OR = 8.1 (p = 0.000146). Thus, proposed new prognostic markers of IVF program effectiveness.

More than a cell biosensor: aryl hydrocarbon receptor at the intersection of physiology and inflammation

2020 ◽  
Vol 318 (6) ◽  
pp. C1078-C1082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiziana Guarnieri ◽  
Provvidenza Maria Abruzzo ◽  
Alessandra Bolotta
Keyword(s):  
Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor ◽  
Inflammatory Mediators ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Downstream Target ◽  
Aryl Hydrocarbon ◽  
Inflammatory State ◽  
A Cell ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Inflammatory Molecules

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a highly conserved intracellular transcription factor, is activated by a plethora of ligands of both exogenous and endogenous nature. Besides activating xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes, it is involved in the differentiation and development of hematopoietic, hepatic, nervous and immune systems. More and more data describe its role in the regulation of immune responses and in the onset and progression of inflammation. Particularly, established results view AhR as a downstream target of inflammatory molecules, since its transcription is regulated by the inflammatory cascade. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) has been described to sustain early stages of inflammation and to influence the expression of AhR either directly, following signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation, or in combination with other inflammatory mediators, e.g., transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). In selected inflammatory milieus, once activated, AhR interacts with its targets including the IL-6 promoter, thus originating an autoinflammatory loop. This perspective review brings together evidence that, in some IL-6-driven pathways, AhR is a downstream target that amplifies the duration and extent of inflammation. Considering that many inflammatory mediators can also trigger the activities of AhR as biosensor and activator of xenobiotics metabolism, this issue is of pivotal importance. The individual susceptibly to some environmental ligands of AhR can be probably explained by considering the individual inflammatory state, which could additionally fuel the proinflammatory activity of AhR. Thus, AhR could be considered a transductor of a dynamic, bidirectional connection between internal and external environmental stimuli and the inflammatory response.

scholarly journals Thrombosis in Psoriasis: Cutaneous Cytokine Production as a Potential Driving Force of Haemostatic Dysregulation and Subsequent Cardiovascular Risk

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria J. E. Visser ◽  
Gareth Tarr ◽  
Etheresia Pretorius
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Mediators ◽  
Interleukin 17 ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Inflammatory Disorder ◽  
Prothrombotic State ◽  
Platelet Activity ◽  
Cutaneous Lesions ◽  
Erythematous Plaques ◽  
Inflammatory Milieu

Psoriasis (PsO) is a common T cell-mediated inflammatory disorder of the skin with an estimated prevalence of 2%. The condition manifests most commonly as erythematous plaques covered with scales. The aetiology of PsO is multifactorial and disease initiation involves interactions between environmental factors, susceptibility genes, and innate and adaptive immune responses. The underlying pathology is mainly driven by interleukin-17. In addition, various inflammatory mediators from specific T helper (TH) cell subsets, namely TH1, TH17, and TH22, are overexpressed in cutaneous lesions and may also be detected in the peripheral blood of psoriatic patients. Moreover, these individuals are also at greater risk, compared to the general population, of developing multiple comorbid conditions. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been recognised as a prominent comorbidity of PsO. A potential mechanism contributing to this association may be the presence of a hypercoagulable state in these individuals. Inflammation and coagulation are closely related. The presence of chronic, low-grade systemic inflammation may promote thrombosis – one of the major determinants of CVD. A pro-inflammatory milieu may induce the expression of tissue factor, augment platelet activity, and perturb the vascular endothelium. Altogether, these changes will result in a prothrombotic state. In this review, we describe the aetiology of PsO, as well as the pathophysiology of the condition. We also consider its relationship to CVD. Given the systemic inflammatory nature of PsO, we evaluate the potential contribution of prominent inflammatory mediators (implicated in PsO pathogenesis) to establishing a prothrombotic state in psoriatic patients.

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