scholarly journals Analysis of heparanase isoforms and cathepsin B in the plasma of patients with gastrointestinal carcinomas: analytical cross-sectional study

2015 ◽  
Vol 133 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carina Mucciolo Melo ◽  
Clarice Silvia Taemi Origassa ◽  
Thérèse Rachell Theodoro ◽  
Leandro Luongo Matos ◽  
Thaís Aguilar Miranda ◽  
...  

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Heparanase-1 degrades heparan sulfate and has been correlated with tumor progression. Although the isoform heparanase-2 has no catalytic activity, it seems to be important for modulating heparanase-1 activity. Cathepsin B is a proteinase involved in tumor metastasis. The aim of this study was to analyze heparanase isoform expression and cathepsin B activity in plasma samples from patients with gastrointestinal carcinomas, compared with healthy individuals (control group). DESIGN AND SETTING: This was an analytical cross-sectional study. Peripheral blood samples were collected at a Brazilian public hospital, from 21 patients with histopathological diagnoses of gastrointestinal carcinomas and from 43 healthy individuals. The analyses were performed in two Brazilian medical schools. METHODS: Heparanase isoforms were identified and quantified in plasma samples by means of Western blot. The enzymatic activities of heparanase-1 and cathepsin B were also measured. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that the expression of both heparanase isoforms was significantly greater in plasma samples from gastrointestinal carcinoma patients, compared with the control group. Logistic regression analysis showed that increased heparanase-1 and heparanase-2 expression was exclusively dependent on the tumor. There was a significant increase in heparanase-1 and cathepsin B activity in the patients' plasma. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of heparanase-1 and heparanase-2, along with increased heparanase-1 and cathepsin B activity in plasma, is associated with the diagnosis of gastrointestinal carcinoma. These findings provide support for using non-invasive assays (plasma samples) as an auxiliary method for diagnosing gastrointestinal tumors.

2022 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Khoshkhui ◽  
Maedeh Kamrani ◽  
Maryam Emadzadeh ◽  
Zahra Jafari ◽  
Farhad Faridhosseini

Background: Considering the psychobiological aspects of various dermatological diseases and the role of personality traits in the development of chronic skin diseases, the present study aimed to assess the personality traits of patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria compared to healthy individuals. Methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted during 2016 - 2018, 100 patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria were selected using the convenience sampling method. Moreover, 100 healthy participants were selected as the control group. Research instruments were Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and a demographic checklist. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, and chi-square test using SPSS Software version 23. Results: The patients had higher scores in novelty-seeking (P = 0.041) and harm avoidance (P = 0.015), while the healthy individuals had higher scores in self-directedness (P = 0.003) and cooperativeness (P = 0.001). Moreover, male patients had higher scores in novelty-seeking (P = 0.006) and rewarded dependence (P = 0.013); however, female patients had higher scores in self-transcendence (P = 0.001) and cooperativeness (P = 0.019). Furthermore, there was a correlation between the disease duration of with reward dependence, self-directedness, and self-transcendence. Conclusions: Personality traits seem to be associated with chronic spontaneous urticaria. In this regard, patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria had higher scores in novelty-seeking and harm avoidance and lower scores in self-directedness and cooperativeness than healthy individuals.


Author(s):  
Quratul-Ain Zafar

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on frontline healthcare workers in Pakistan in terms of psychological factors emotional distress, insomnia, and burnout. Study Design: Observational cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at different hospitals across Pakistan and data collection was carried out from 15th June 2020 till 15th August 2020. Material and Methods: This was a questionnaire-based study aiming to compare the levels of burnout and emotional distress between frontline COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 healthcare workers. Any physician, nurse, and other healthcare workers were recruited from emergency care units and Covid-19 care units (target group), and non-COVID-19 care units (control group). Participation was voluntary and participants had to complete self-reported questionnaires and scales. A mixed-mode data collection was carried out, either in paper or web-based form to ensure maximum participation. Results: The independent t-test showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding depression, stress, and insomnia. The study group showed higher scores for these factors than the control group. Chi-square test of association revealed significant scores of burnout and professional fulfillment in both groups. There was a higher prevalence of burnout in the study group than in the control group. Conclusion: This study concludes that there was a significant psychosocial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in the frontline healthcare workers measured in terms of emotional distress, insomnia, and burnout.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 803-808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Vimercati ◽  
Luigi De Maria ◽  
Francesca Mansi ◽  
Antonio Caputi ◽  
Giovanni M. Ferri ◽  
...  

Background: Thyroid diseases occur more frequently in people exposed to ionizing radiation, but the relationship between occupational exposure to ionizing radiation and thyroid pathologies still remains unclear. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of thyroid diseases in healthcare workers exposed to low-level ionizing radiation compared with a control group working at the University Hospital of Bari, Southern Italy, and living in the same geographical area, characterized by mild iodine deficiency. Methods: We ran a cross-sectional study to investigate whether healthcare workers exposed to ionizing radiation had a higher prevalence of thyroid diseases. Four hundred and forty-four exposed healthcare workers (241 more exposed, or “A Category”, and 203 less exposed, or “B Category”) and 614 nonexposed healthcare workers were enrolled during a routine examination at the Occupational Health Unit. They were asked to fill in an anamnestic questionnaire and undergo a physical examination, serum determination of fT3, fT4 and TSH, anti-TPO ab and anti-TG ab and ultrasound neck scan. Thyroid nodules were submitted to fine needle aspiration biopsy when indicated. Results: The prevalence of thyroid diseases was statistically higher in the exposed workers compared to controls (40% vs 29%, adPR 1.65; IC95% 1.34-2.07). In particular, the thyroid nodularity prevalence in the exposed group was approximately twice as high as that in the controls (29% vs 13%; adPR 2.83; IC95% 2.12-3.8). No statistically significant association was found between exposure to ionizing radiation and other thyroid diseases. Conclusion: In our study, mild ionizing radiation-exposed healthcare workers had a statistically higher prevalence of thyroid diseases than the control group. The results are likely due to a closer and more meticulous health surveillance programme carried out in the ionising radiation-exposed workers, allowing them to identify thyroid alterations earlier than non-exposed health staff.


2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652098781
Author(s):  
Mathias Paiva ◽  
Lars Blønd ◽  
Per Hölmich ◽  
Kristoffer Weisskirchner Barfod

Background: Tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance is often used as a measure of lateralization of the TT and is important for surgical planning. Purpose: To investigate if increased TT-TG distance measured on axial magnetic resonance images is due to lateralization of the TT or medialization of the TG. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 84 knees (28 normal [NK], 28 with trochlear dysplasia [TD], and 28 with patellar dislocation without TD [PD]) were examined. The medial border of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) was chosen as the central anatomic landmark. The distance from the TT to PCL (TT-PCL) was measured to examine the lateralization of the TT. The distance from the TG to the PCL (TG-PCL) was measured to examine the medialization of the TG. Between-group differences were investigated by use of 1-way analysis of variance. Results: The mean values for TT-TG distance were 8.7 ± 3.6 mm for NK, 12.1 ± 6.0 mm for PD, and 16.7 ± 4.3 mm in the TD group ( P < .01). The mean values for TT-PCL distance were 18.5 ± 3.6 mm for NK, 18.5 ± 4.5 mm for PD, and 21.2 ± 4.2 mm in the TD group ( P = .03). The mean values for TG-PCL distance were 9.6 ± 3.0 mm for NK, 7.1 ± 3.4 mm for PD, and 5.1 ± 3.3 mm in the dysplastic group ( P < .01). Conclusion: The present results indicate that increased TT-TG distance is due to medialization of the TG and not lateralization of the TT. Knees with TD had increased TT-TG distance compared with the knees of the control group and the knees with PD. The TT-PCL distance did not differ significantly between groups, whereas the TG-PCL distance declined with increased TT-TG.


2014 ◽  
Vol 132 (3) ◽  
pp. 152-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiane Moço Canhetti Oliveira ◽  
Paula Roberta Nogueira

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE:There have been few studies on the risk factors for subgroups of stuttering. The aim of this study was to characterize the risk factors for developmental familial stuttering among boys who stutter and who do not stutter, such as disfluency types, associated quality and communication factors, emotional and physical stress, familial attitudes and personal reactions.DESIGN AND SETTING:Analytical cross-sectional study with a control group, performed at the Fluency Studies Laboratory of the Department of Speech and Hearing Disorders of a public university.METHODS: The parents of 40 age-matched stuttering and non-stuttering boys took part in this study. The participants were divided into two groups: stuttering children (SC) and non-stuttering children (NSC), with ages between 6 years 0 months and 11 years 11 months. Initially, all of the participants underwent a fluency assessment and then data were gathered using the Protocol for the Risk of Developmental Stuttering.RESULTS:There were no differences in the physical stress distribution factors and personal reactions between the groups. Inappropriate familial attitudes were presented by 95% of the SC and 30% of the NSC. Four risk factors analyzed were not shown by the NSC, namely stuttering-like disfluency, quality factors, physical stress and emotional stresses.CONCLUSIONS:The findings suggest that the presence of stuttering-like disfluency, associated quality and communication factors, emotional stress and inappropriate family attitudes are important risk factors for familial developmental stuttering among boys.


2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-77
Author(s):  
Carla Cristina J. N. de Almeida ◽  
Paula de Oliveira Mora ◽  
Valmir Aparecido de Oliveira ◽  
Camila Aparecida Joao ◽  
Carolina Regina Joao ◽  
...  

Objective: To evaluate the presence of family breakdown factors among eutrophic and overweight/obese adolescents. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 242 students aged between 14 and 19 years old, from a public school. Each student was weighed, measured and answered a questionnaire with closed questions addressing the presence of family breakdown factors. The adolescents were divided in two groups: euthophic and overweight/obese. The answers of both groups were compared by Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney tests. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of the studied factors between the two groups. Comparing the number of positive answers (presence of family breakdown factors) and negative ones (absence of family breakdown factors), no difference was observed between the groups. Conclusions: The inclusion of a control group showed that factors of family breakdown, usually identified as associated with obesity in adolescents, may also be present in eutrophic adolescents.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 242-248
Author(s):  
Alfi Maziyah ◽  
Diyah Fatmasari ◽  
Desak Made Wenten Parwati ◽  
Rr. Sri Endang Pujiastuti

Background: C-reactive protein test is one of clinical assessments to minimize risks of infection in infants. However, its procedure may cause pain. Pain in the infant may result in negative metabolic behavior, physiology and metabolic response. Objective: This study was to describe the infant's pain response by administering a combination of breastfeeding and an effleurage massage on the blood sampling procedure of C-reactive protein examination.         Methods: This was a descriptive observational cross-sectional study. There were 30 infants selected using consecutive sampling technique, which 15 samples assigned in an intervention group (combination of breastfeeding and effleurage massage) and a control group. Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) instrument was used to measure pain. Univariate analysis was performed with the aim to describe data in mean and median.Results: The average of pain response at 1-minute observation in the combination of breastfeeding and effleurage massage group was 7.47 ± 1.356, and the average of pain response in the control group was 10.80 ± 1.897. The average pain at 5-minutes in the intervention group was 3.53 ± 1.922 and control group was 6.00 ± 1.852. Conclusions: Pain responses in the combination of breastfeeding and effleurage massage group were lower than the pain response in the control group.


Author(s):  
Rahajuningsih Dharma ◽  
Mercy T. Panjaitan ◽  
Kanadi Sumapradja ◽  
Rianto Setiabudy

Abstract Objective: To obtain the profile of D-dimer in uncomplicated pregnancy. Methods: A cross sectional study was done on 90 uncomplicated pregnant women consisted of 30 women in each trimester and 30 healthy, nonpregnant women as control group from July to August 2012. D-dimer level was measured by particle enhanced immunoturbidimetry method using Innovance D-dimer and Sysmex CA 1500 in the Department of Clinical Pathology, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta. Results: All women in the control group showed normal D-dimer level (<0.,5 mg/L FEU). The median and range of D-dimer level in the 1st trimester, 2nd trimester, and 3rd trimester were 0.42 mg/L FEU and 0.1-1.07 mg/L FEU, 0.97 mg/L FEU and  0.6-3.34 mg/L FEU, and 1.56 mg/L FEU and  0.69-3.75 mg/L FEU, respectively.  Increased D-dimer level was found in 27% of pregnant women in 1st trimester, 87% in 2nd trimester, and 100% in 3rd trimester. Conclusion: Increased D-dimer level was found in  27% of pregnant women in 1st trimester, 87% in 2nd trimester, and  100% in 3rd trimester. The range of D-dimer level in the 1st trimester was 0.1-1.07 mg/L FEU, in the 2nd trimester was 0.6-3.34 mg/L FEU, and in the 3rd trimester was 0.69-3.75 mg/L FEU. Keywords: D-dimer, trimester, uncomplicated pregnancy   Abstrak Tujuan : Untuk mendapatkan profil  D-dimer pada kehamilan tanpa komplikasi. Metode : Penelitian potong lintang dilakukan pada 90 perempuan hamil tanpa komplikasi yang terdiri atas 30 perempuan pada tiap trimester dan 30 perempuan sehat yang tidak hamil, sebagai kelompok kontrol dari bulan Juli sampai Agustus 2012. Kadar D-dimer diukur dengan cara particle enhanced immunoturbidimetry  menggunakan reagen InnovanceÒ D-dimer dan koagulometer SysmexÒ CA 1500 di  Deparemen Patologi Klinik, Rumah Sakit Umum Pusat Nasional Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo, Jakarta. Hasil: Seluruh perempuan dalam kelompok kontrol mempunyai kadar D-dimer dalam batas normal (<0.,5 mg/L FEU). Median (rentang) kadar D-dimer  pada trimester pertama, kedua, dan ketiga berturut-turut  0.42 mg/L FEU  (0.1-1.07 mg/L FEU), 0.97 mg/L FEU (0.6-3.34 mg/L FEU), dan 1.56 mg/L FEU   (0.69-3.75 mg/L FEU).  Peningkatan kadar D-dimer ditemukan pada 27% perempuan hamil trimester pertama, 87%  trimester kedua, dan pada 100%  trimester ketiga.   Kesimpulan: Peningkatan kadar  D-dimer ditemukan pada  27% perempuan hamil trimester pertama,  87% trimester kedua dan   100% pada trimester ketiga.  Rentang kadar D-dimer level pada trimester pertama adalah 0.1-1.07 mg/L FEU, pada trimester kedua  0.6-3.34 mg/L FEU, dan pada trimester ketiga  0.69-3.75 mg/L FEU. Kata kunci: D-dimer, kehamilan tanpa komplikasi, trimester


2020 ◽  
pp. 20-23
Author(s):  
Sneha Upadhyay ◽  
Jyoti Bhavthankar ◽  
Mandakini Mandale ◽  
Nivedita Kaorey

Background: Asthma and its medications have been linked to oral diseases in asthmatic children. Aim: Assessment of the dental caries status, salivary Streptococcus mutans count and S. mutans colony score in children receiving inhaled anti asthmatic medications and their comparison in healthy children Material and Method: A cross-sectional study was performed on 40 asthmatic children and 40 healthy children in the age group of 6-14 years. DMFT/deft indices were calculated and saliva samples were collected. Diluted saliva was inoculated on MSB agar plates. S. mutans count and colony score were analysed after 24-48 hours of inoculation. Results: Statistically significant difference was observed in the mean DMFT/deft index, salivary S. mutans load and S. mutans colony score in children of the asthmatic group and control group. Conclusion: Prevalence of dental caries and cariogenic bacteria is higher in asthmatic children.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 361-373
Author(s):  
Elias Ferreira Porto ◽  
Claudia Kumpel ◽  
Anselmo Cordeiro de Souza ◽  
Izabel Maria de Oliveira ◽  
Karoline Mayara de Aquiles Bernardo ◽  
...  

Avaliar o estilo de vida e percepção do estado geral de saúde em pacientes com Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2 - DM, Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica - HAS e indivíduos saudáveis. Métodos: Estudo transversal, com grupo controle. Avaliado estilo de vida com Questionário Fantástico, e percepção geral de saúde via uma pergunta âncora de diabéticos do tipo 2 (n = 37), hipertensos (n = 60), e indivíduos saudáveis (n = 43). Análise estatística descritiva, analise de variância, e razão de chance (Odds Rattio – OR). Resultados: Verificou-se diferença significante (p0,0001) na pontuação do Questionário Fantástico entre os indivíduos saudáveis em relação DM e HAS. O pior desempenho no estilo de vida para os três grupos foi nos domínios de atividade física e alimentação. O risco do indivíduo com HAS afirmar que sua saúde é pior do que indivíduos da mesma faixa etária foi OR 1.8 (1.415 a 2.419) e para os indivíduos diabéticos OR de 2.8 (1.776 a 4.579) em relação a indivíduos saudáveis. Conclusão: Diabéticos e hipertensos têm um pior estilo de vida e percepção geral de saúde do que indivíduos saudáveis. Assim o estilo de vida saudável pode reduzir a prevalência e auxiliar no controle de doenças já estabelecidas.Palavras-chave: Estilo de vida. Hipertensão Arterial. Diabetes Mellitus. ABSTRACT: To evaluate the lifestyle and perception of general health status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus - DM, systemic arterial hypertension - SAH and healthy individuals. Methods: Cross-sectional study with control group. (N = 37), hypertensive (n = 60), and healthy subjects (n = 43) were assessed using a Fantastic Questionnaire, and general health perception via an anchor question. Descriptive statistical analysis, analysis of variance, and odds ratio (Odds Rattio - OR). Results: There was a significant difference (p 0.0001) in the score of the Fantastic Questionnaire among healthy individuals in relation to DM and SAH. The worst lifestyle performance for the three groups was in the physical activity and feeding domains. The risk of the individual with SAH to state that their health is worse than individuals of the same age group was OR 1.8 (1.415 to 2.419) and for the diabetic individuals OR of 2.8 (1.776 to 4.579) in relation to healthy individuals. Conclusion: Diabetics and hypertensives have a worse lifestyle and overall health perception than healthy individuals. Thus the healthy lifestyle can reduce the prevalence and help in the control of already established diseases.Keywords: Lifestyle. Hypertension. Diabetes Mellitus.


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