Vasopressin serum levels in patients with severe brain lesions and in brain-dead patients

INTRODUCTION: Patients with severe brain lesions (SBL) and brain-dead patients (BD) frequently present with vasopressin (AVP) secretion disorders. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate AVP serum levels in SBL and BD patients. DESIGN: Prospective, open label, observational trial. SETTING: A general teaching hospital. METHOD: Three groups of adult subjects (age> 18y) of both sexes were included in this study: control group: 29 healthy volunteers; SBL group: 17 patients with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)< 8; and BD group: 11 brain-dead patients. Samples of venous blood were collected in the morning at rest from healthy volunteers and at 8 hourly intervals over a period of 24h from SBL and BD patients for AVP determinations. Concomitantly, some clinical and laboratorial variables were also recorded. RESULTS: AVP serum levels (pg/ml) were [mean (SD); median]: control [2.2(1.1); 2.0]; SBL [5.7(6.3); 2.9]; and BD [2.6(1.0); 2.8]. AVP serum levels varied greatly in SBL patients, but without statistically significant difference in relation to the other groups (p=0.06). Hypotension (p=0.02), hypernatremia (p=0.0001), serum hyperosmolarity (p=0.0001) and urinary hypoosmolarity (p=0.003) were outstanding in BD patients when compared with SBL. CONCLUSIONS: The AVP serum levels did not demonstrate significant statistical difference between the groups, only showing a greater variability in SBL patients (manifested as serum spike levels). Hypernatremia and hyperosmolarity were present in BD patients, indicating a failure of the hypothalamic-pituitary system in AVP production and release.

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Studying the Frequency of Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases in Duhok Province

Science Journal of University of Zakho ◽

10.25271/sjuoz.2019.7.2.587 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Rozheen I. Hasan ◽

Amir H. Raziq

Keyword(s):

Venous Blood ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Control Group ◽

Thyroid Disorder ◽

Control Groups ◽

Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases ◽

Autoimmune Thyroid ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The One ◽

And Control

Thyroid disorders are one of the most frequent disorders affecting endocrine system. The present study aimed to identify the frequency of thyroid disorder in our locality at Duhok city. To do so, a total of one hundred patients and one hundred apparently healthy control individuals were enrolled in this study. Samples of venous blood (5 ml) were withdrawn from patients and control subjects and analysed. Clinical assessment was performed by a specialist and each patient provided with a document supporting preliminary clinical diagnosis. Measurements of serum TSH, T3, T4, and anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies (anti-TPO antibodies) serum levels were performed. All assays were conducted at Duhok central health laboratory. Out of the one hundred patients and the one hundred control groups, forty-two and thirty candidates were randomly selected, respectively. The mean TSH serum levels of 25.87 (uIU/ml) for the patients significantly differ from that of the control group 3.55 (uIU/ml) (p<0.001). However, T3 and T4 serum levels indicated no significant difference between the two categories. Moreover, there was statisticaly significant difference (p< 0.0001) between the patients and control groups when their mean serum anti-TPO concentrations were compared. In conclusion, considerable number of subjects appeared to be candidates for deranged thyroid functions and is susceptible to autoimmune thyroid disorder.

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Serum Prolactin Levels in Psoriasis Vulgaris

ISRN Dermatology ◽

10.1155/2014/586049 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-3 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Farhad Handjani ◽

Nasrin Saki ◽

Iman Ahrari ◽

Mehdi Ebrahimi ◽

Mohammad Mehdi Khorrami ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atopic Dermatitis ◽

Normal Population ◽

Venous Blood ◽

Human Keratinocytes ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Serum Prolactin ◽

Control Group ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Dominant Feature ◽

And Control

Background. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting approximately 1–3% of Caucasians. Prolactin has proliferative effects on human keratinocytes, a dominant feature of psoriasis, and it is thought that this hormone may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. This study was conducted to confirm or refute these findings in order to better understand the disease pathogenesis. Methods. The subjects were 90 individuals aged between 15 and 47 years. They were divided into three groups of 30 individuals each: psoriatic patients, atopic dermatitis patients, and control group. A questionnaire was filled regarding their demographic and medical history. All of the study subjects underwent venous blood sampling (5 mL), and serum TSH and prolactin levels were checked. Subjects with abnormal TSH were omitted. Results. None of the patients in the study had raised prolactin, and there was no significant difference in the serum prolactin level between patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis and the control group. There was no relationship between the severity of psoriasis and serum levels of prolactin. Conclusion. Prolactin does not seem to play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis as its serum levels are comparable with atopic dermatitis patients and that of the normal population.

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Can Cytokines be used as an Activation Marker in Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Endocrine Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets ◽

10.2174/1871530320666201019115030 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

Author(s):

Fatih Öner Kaya ◽

Yeşim Ceylaner ◽

Belkız Öngen İpek ◽

Zeynep Güneş Özünal ◽

Gülbüz Sezgin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Healthy Volunteers ◽

Venous Blood ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Joint Disease ◽

Control Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

Das 28 ◽

Tnf Α

Aims: The etiopathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is not clearly understood. However, the role of the cytokines takes an important part in this mechanism. We aimed to bring a new approach to the concept of 'remission' in patients with RA. Background: RA is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory disease that involves small joints in the form of symmetrical polyarthritis and progresses with exacerbations and remissions. Pain, swelling, tenderness and morning stiffness are typical of the joints involved. Although it is approached as a primary joint disease, a wide variety of extra-articular involvements may also occur. It is an interesting pathophysiological process, the exact cause of which is still unknown, with many environmental, genetic and potentially undiscovered possible factors in a chaotic manner. Objective: In this cross-sectional study, sedimentation rate (ESR), C- Reactive protein (CRP), Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, soluble-TNF-α receptor (TNF-R), Interleukin (IL)-1B and IL-10 were measured in three groups which were healthy volunteers, patients with RA in the active period, and patients with RA in remission. Disease activity score-28 (DAS-28) was calculated in active RA and RA in remission. Methods: This study included 20 healthy volunteers, 20 remission patients with RA and 20 active RA patients. Venous blood samples were collected from patients in both healthy and RA groups. Results: RA group consisted 43 (71.6%) female and 17 (28.4%) male. Control group consisted 11 (55%) female and 9 (45%) male. TNF-R was significantly high only in the active group according to the healthy group (p=0.002). IL-10 was significantly high in active RA according to RA in remission (p=0.03). DAS-28 was significantly high in active RA according to RA in remission (p=0.001). In the active RA group, ESR and TNF-R had a positive correlation (r:0.442; p=0.048). In the active RA group, there was also a positive correlation between TNF-R and CRP (r:0.621; p=0,003). Both healthy and active RA group had significant positive correlation between ESR and CRP (r: 0.481; p=0.032 and r: 0,697; p=0,001 respectively). Conclusion: TNF-R can be the main pathophysiological factor and a marker showing activation. TNF-R can be very important in revealing the effect of TNF on the disease and the value of this effect in the treatment and ensuring the follow-up of the disease with CRP instead of ESR in activation.

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The role of peripheral type 2 innate lymphoid cells in bronchiolitis

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-82096-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yong-Jun Tang ◽

Li-Li Xie ◽

Xiang-Rong Zheng ◽

Chen-Tao Liu ◽

Xia Wang

Keyword(s):

Statistical Significance ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Innate Lymphoid Cells ◽

Lymphoid Cells ◽

Orphan Receptor ◽

Control Group ◽

Interleukin 5 ◽

Healthy Infants ◽

Significant Difference

AbstractOur aim was to detect type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s)-related cytokines of infants with bronchiolitis by using Elisa, Liquidchip technology and RT-PCR and investigated its correlation with bronchiolitis. We recruited 26 infants with bronchiolitis and 20 healthy infants as control from Xiangya Hospital. Compared to the control group, the serum levels of interleukin-5 (IL-5) [41.99 (21.11) vs 25.70 (19.64)], IL-9 [27.04 (37.51) vs 8.30 (0.54)], IL-13 [184.05 (132.81) vs 121.75 (176.13)], IL-33 [83.70 (46.69) vs 11.23 (55.31)] and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) [31.42 (5.41) vs 28.76 (2.56)] were significantly increased in infants with bronchiolitis (P < 0.05), while the level of IgE had no significant difference between the two groups [19.05 (14.15) vs 14.85 (20.2), P > 0.05]. The mRNA expression of IL-17RB (9.83 ± 0.35 vs 9.19 ± 0.58), TSLP (16.98 ± 2.12 vs 15.07 ± 2.25), retinoid acid receptor related orphan receptor α (7.18 ± 0.71 vs 5.46 ± 1.09) and trans-acting T-cell-specific transcription factor 3 (4.86 ± 0.66 vs 4.19 ± 0.90) were significantly increased in infants with bronchiolitis versus the control group (P < 0.05), while there was no statistical significance for suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (5.59 ± 0.68 vs 5.41 ± 0.87, P > 0.05). Our findings suggested that ILC2s possibly play a specific role in immunopathology of bronchiolitis.

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Safety evaluation of an antimalarial herbal product from Andrographis paniculata (AS201-01) in healthy volunteers

Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology ◽

10.1515/jbcpp-2020-0381 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Aty Widyawaruyanti ◽

Arijanto Jonosewojo ◽

Hilkatul Ilmi ◽

Lidya Tumewu ◽

Ario Imandiri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Glucose ◽

Healthy Volunteers ◽

Day Treatment ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Andrographis Paniculata ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Human ◽

Double Blind ◽

Random Blood Glucose ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Objectives Andrographis paniculata tablets (AS201-01) have previously been shown to have potent bioactivity as an antimalarial and to produce no unwanted side effects in animal models. Here, we present the phase 1 clinical trial conducted to evaluate the safety of AS201-01 tablets in healthy volunteers. Methods The study was a randomized, double-blind controlled cross-over, a placebo-controlled design consisting of a 4-day treatment of AS201-01 tablets. A total of 30 healthy human volunteers (16 males and 14 females) were divided into two groups, and each group was given 4 tablets, twice daily for 4 days. Group 1 received AS201-01, while group 2 received placebo tablets. Volunteers were given a physical examination before the treatment. The effects of AS201-01 on random blood glucose, biochemical, and hematological as well as urine profiles were investigated. Results There were no changes in observed parameters as a result of AS201-01 being administered. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference (p>0.05) between the test and control group regarding hematology profile, biochemical profile, and random blood glucose. Increased appetite and better sleep, which categorized as grade 1 adverse event was reported after treatment with AS201-01 tablet Conclusions The outcome supports our previous observation that the AS201-01 tablet, given twice a day for 4 days, is safe and nontoxic.

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Role of vitamin D serum levels in prevention of primary and recurrent melanoma

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-85294-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

M. Lombardo ◽

A. Vigezzi ◽

G. Ietto ◽

C. Franchi ◽

V. Iori ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Mitotic Rate ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Population ◽

Histological Subtype ◽

Melanoma Diagnosis ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Tumour Location

AbstractPatients afflicted with melanoma show lower vitamin D serum levels (VDSL) than the healthy population. This hypothesis agrees with its well-known antiproliferative features. An observational study was carried out to collect VDSL in patients suffering from melanoma. Our aim was to identify a potential connection between low VDSL and the risk to incur melanoma. Furthermore, we studied the association between VDSL at the diagnosis of melanoma and other germane prognostic factors. The population held in regard was composed of 154 patients with a diagnosis of melanoma between 2016 and 2019. These patients were retrospectively collected from our follow-up storage. We compared VDSL to clinical and pathological parameters (age, sex, tumour location, Breslow’s depth, Clark’s level, histological subtype, ulceration, et aliqua). Moreover, we recruited a control group with negative melanoma history. Mean and median of VDSL were significantly lower in the melanoma group. Instead, we found a negative association between melanoma and VDSL > 30 ng/L (OR 0.11; p < 0.0001). No correlation between VDSL and both Breslow’s depth and Clark’s level was discovered, but the VDSL comparison between thin (depth ≤ 1 mm) and thick tumours (depth > 1 mm) revealed a statistically significant difference (21.1 ± 8.2 ng/L vs 17.8 ± 8.1; p = 0.01). Moreover, VDSL were significantly lower in melanomas with mitotic rate ≥ 1/mm2 (22.1 ± 8.3 ng/L; p < 0007). Nevertheless, no connection was found between VDSL and both ulceration and positive sentinel nodes (p = 0.76; p = 0.74). Besides, our study revealed no association between VDSL and histological subtype (p = 0.161). Lower VDSL correlate with thick and high mitotic rate tumours. Future prospective studies would investigate if appropriate upkeep of suitable VDSL can decrease the risk of primary and recurrent melanoma diagnosis.

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ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SERUM URIC ACID AND METABOLIC SYNDROME

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research ◽

10.22159/ajpcr.2018.v11i10.27233 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 400 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Thaslima Nandhini Js ◽

Savitha Basker G ◽

Vishnupriya V

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Uric Acid ◽

Venous Blood ◽

Fasting Blood Glucose ◽

Control Group ◽

Serum Triglycerides ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Disease Condition ◽

Student’S T ◽

Student’S T Test

Objective: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of disease condition characterized by truncal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, elevated blood pressure, and insulin resistance. An excessive circulating uric acid (UA) level even within normal range is always comorbid with metabolic syndrome and its components. The aim of the current study was to investigate the association between metabolic syndrome and serum UA level.Methods: A total of 60 subjects were divided into two groups of healthy (30 individuals) and metabolic syndrome patients (30 individuals) from dental outpatient department of Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals. 5 ml of fasting venous blood was collected in the plain collection tubes and centrifuged, and then serum was separated. Then, the serum was used to analyze the fasting blood glucose, serum triglycerides (TGLs), and serum UA by GOD-POD, enzymatic colorimetric, and uricase method, respectively. A statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-test. p<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Result: Mean body mass index (BMI), fasting blood sugar (FBS), TGL, and UA level of control group were 23.36±1.81, 84.45±13.1, 110.9±22.6, and 3.48±1.21 respectively. Mean BMI, FBS, TGL, and UA level of study group were 35.24±3.04, 122.85±23.3, 212.1±39.6 and 9.08±2.63 respectively. There is a significant difference between these two groups with p<0.0001.Conclusion: This study showed that those individuals with metabolic syndrome have higher UA level that indicates hyperuricemia which is a significant predictor of metabolic syndrome.

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Policosanol Attenuates Statin-Induced Increases in Serum Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 When Combined with Atorvastatin

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2014/926087 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Yuan-Lin Guo ◽

Rui-Xia Xu ◽

Cheng-Gang Zhu ◽

Na-Qiong Wu ◽

Zhi-Ping Cui ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthy Volunteers ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Statin Treatment ◽

Control Group ◽

Proprotein Convertase ◽

To Receive ◽

Modest Effect

Objective. Statin treatment alone has been demonstrated to significantly increase plasma proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) levels. The effect of policosanol combined with statin on PCSK9 is unknown.Methods. Protocol I: 26 patients with atherosclerosis were randomly assigned to receive either atorvastatin 20 mg/d or policosanol 20 mg/d + atorvastatin 20 mg/d for 8 weeks. Protocol II: 15 healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to either policosanol 20 mg/d or a control group for 12 weeks. Serum levels of PCSK9 were determined at day 0 and the end of each protocol.Results. Protocol I: atorvastatin 20 mg/d significantly increased serum PCSK9 level by 39.4% (256 ± 84 ng/mL versus 357 ± 101 ng/mL,P=0.002). However, policosanol 20 mg/d + atorvastatin 20 mg/d increased serum PCSK9 level by only 17.4% without statistical significance (264 ± 60 ng/mL versus 310 ± 86 ng/mL,P=0.184). Protocol II: there was a trend toward decreasing serum PCSK9 levels in the policosanol group (289 ± 71 ng/mL versus 235 ± 46 ng/mL,P=0.069).Conclusion. Policosanol combined with statin attenuated the statin-induced increase in serum PCSK9 levels. This finding indicates that policosanol might have a modest effect of lowering serum PCSK9 levels.

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Trace elements in patients with aortic valve sclerosis

Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease ◽

10.1177/1753944720985985 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

pp. 175394472098598

Author(s):

Hataw Al-Taesh ◽

Abuzer Çelekli ◽

Murat Sucu ◽

Seyithan Taysi

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Aortic Valve ◽

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Healthy Subjects ◽

Serum Zinc ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Control Group ◽

Aortic Valve Sclerosis ◽

Inductively Coupled ◽

Significant Difference

Background: Aortic valve sclerosis (AVSc) is defined as the thickening and calcification of aortic valve cusps, in the absence of obstruction of ventricular outflow. AVSc is linked with a clear imbalance in some trace elements. Aims: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between AVSc and serum levels of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and copper (Cu). Additionally, this research aimed to explore the clinical significance of human serum zinc, selenium, copper, and iron concentrations as a potential new biomarker for AVSc patients and to clarify the pathophysiological role in individuals at risk of developing AVSc. Patients and methods: The study included 40 subjects with AVSc (25% male and 75% female) who were compared with a healthy control group with the same gender ratio. AVSc was based on comprehensive echocardiographic assessments. Blood samples were taken and Zn and Cu concentrations were determined through the use of atomic absorption spectroscopy. Se was measured using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry device and Fe was measured using a Beckman Coulter instrument. Results: There was a significant difference in the prevalence of diabetes, blood pressure levels, and body mass index between the patients and the healthy subjects ( p < 0.05). The differences between the serum Fe, Se, and Cu levels of the AVSc patients and the healthy subjects ( p > 0.05) were recorded. The serum Zn of AVSc patients when compared was significantly lower compared with that of the control group ( p < 0.01). Conclusion: Patients with AVSc had an imbalance in some of the trace elements in their blood. The patient group’s valves had higher serum Cu levels and lower serum Se, Zn, and Fe concentrations compared with the healthy group’s valves. In the valve patients as compared, AVSc had a high prevalence of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.

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Exploring The Clinical Significance of Serum Angiopoietin-2 In Breast Cancer Patients

QJM ◽

10.1093/qjmed/hcab091.014 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Abeer I Abd Elmagid ◽

Hala Abdel Al ◽

Wessam El Sayed Saad ◽

Seham Kamal Mohamed

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Tnm Staging ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Female Patients ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Angiopoietin 2

Abstract Background Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and one of the most important causes of death among them.Angiogenesis is an important step for primary tumor growth, invasiveness, and metastases. Angiopoietins are well-recognized endothelial growth factors that are involved in angiogenesis associated with tumors. Aim To explore the diagnostic significance of serum angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) in breast cancer and to evaluate its prognostic efficacy through studying the degree of its association with the TNM staging of the disease. Patients and Methods This study was conducted on (35) Egyptian female patients who were diagnosed as breast cancer according to histopathological examination of breast biopsy (Group 1, Breast Cancer Patients) and (25) female patients with benign breast diseases (Group II, Pathological Control Patients), in addition to (20) age - matched apparently healthy, free mammogram, females serving as healthy controls (Group III, Healthy Controls). For all participants, measurement of serum Ang-2 was done using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Results A highly significant increased levels of Ang-2 was observed in breast cancer patients when compared to healthy control group (Z = 4.95, p < 0.01). However, no significant difference was observed in Ang-2 levels between breast cancer patients group and pathological control group (Z = 3.37, p > 0.05). No significant difference was detected in Ang-2 levels in relation to TNM stage and histological grade. No significant correlation was found between Ang-2 levels and serum levels of CA15-3, hormone receptors, HER2/new receptor status (p > 0.05, respectively). Conclusion This study revealed that Ang-2 serum levels were significantly increased in patient with breast cancer compared with healthy controls, indicating that high Ang-2 level is a promising non invasive biomarker for breast cancer diagnosis. However, no significant difference of Ang-2 levels was detected in relation of breast TNM staging in the population studied.

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