Triglyceride to HDL-C Ratio Is Associated with Plasma D-Dimer Levels in Different Types of Pancreatitis: A Retrospective Single-Centered Study in China

Abstract BackgroundThis study aims to evaluate the relationship between D-dimer and dyslipidemia, especially triglyceride to HDL-C ratio (TG/HDL-C) in different types of pancreatitis. We analyzed the D-dimer and dyslipidemia levels in acute pancreatitis (AP), recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP). Material and MethodsA single-centered retrospective study was conducted on 1013 patients diagnosed with AP, RAP or CP. Only patients hospitalized within 24 h of onset were included, and 204 patients were enrolled in pancreatitis groups. 68 normal persons without pancreatitis, malignant diseases, pregnancy, or organ failure, who had health check-ups, were enrolled in the control group. Blood samples were taken within 24h of admission. The epidemiology and etiology were analyzed. D-dimer and dyslipidemia levels were compared between different types of pancreatitis. Furthermore, the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to estimate the validity of the predictor and to define optimal cut-off points for prediction.ResultsWe found that D-dimer and TG/HDL-C ratio could distinguish mild AP (MAP) and non-MAP in AP and RAP patients. The D-dimer level was related to TG/HDL-C ratio and severity of pancreatitis, with the coefficient correlation of 0.379 and 0.427(p<0.01), respectively. TG/HDL-C was related to D-dimer in different types of pancreatitis. Multivariate analysis was conducted in the parameters at admission like alcohol abuse, dyslipidemia and coagulation disturbance in distinguishing AP and RAP groups from the control group, and the parameter like diabetes in RAP and CP groups significantly increased compared with that of the control group. ConclusionsThe value of D-dimer level and TG/HDL-C ratio in predicting the severity of AP and RAP was confirmed but there was no significant difference between CP group and the control group. The D-dimer level was related to dyslipidemia and TG/HDL-C ratio.

Download Full-text

Are HE4 and CA 125 suitable to detect a Paget disease of the vulva?

10.21203/rs.3.rs-41936/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Miriam Dellino ◽

Giulio Gargano ◽

Carmine Carriero ◽

Carla Minoia ◽

Tetania Skrypets ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve ◽

Operating Characteristic ◽

Characteristic Curve ◽

The Other ◽

Ca 125 ◽

Control Group ◽

P Value ◽

Paget Disease ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Operating Characteristic Curve

Abstract Background: Paget disease is a rare neoplasia, most commonly diagnosed in postmenopausal women and which can be identified in the breast (mammary Paget disease) or in other locations (extramammary Paget’s disease) such as ano-genital skin (Paget disease of the vulva -PVD). This condition is associated with low mortality, but a late diagnosis and recurrence can negatively impact the prognosis. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to evaluate if the human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) and cancer antigen125 (CA125) can promote recognition of PVD in early stages and during the relapses.Materials and Methods: we have conducted a prospective, observational and laboratory-based study, that included 50 patients, whose 25 healthy women represented the control group and 25 PVD patients, which have been operated in our Oncology Institute, from May 2017 to September 2019. Both in control group and in PVD patients, the CA-125 and HE4 were evaluated before surgery and after 6 months. Finally, a comparison of markers serum level, both between before/after surgery and with control group, and a ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) curve were performed.Results: Dosing the markers in PVD patients, 3/25 (12%) showed a higher value of CA125 and 11/25 (44%) an increased HE4. In addition, after surgical treatment there were no statistically significant difference between levels of CA-125 (p= 0.3) and HE4 (p=0.19). On the other hand, comparing HE4 in PVD patients with the control group, a statistically significant difference was found (p-value= 0.0036). Contrary, comparing CA-125 in PVD patients with the control group (p-value= 0.1969), no statistically significant difference was evidenced. Moreover, ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) curve showed low sensitivity and specificity for CA125 with area under curve (AUC) =0.5608. Instead, the ROC curve of HE4 revealed a sensitivity and specificity of 76% and 88% respectively (AUC= 0.7408) using a cut-off at 90 pmol/L.Conclusions: Despite the limited cases, our data showed that CA125 is not a sensitive marker for PVD. On the other hand, in 44% of PVD we’ve seen an increase in HE4. So, this could be a starting point for further research that could confirm the possibility to use this marker in order to support PVD early identification.

Download Full-text

Comorbidity and COVID-19: Investigating the Relationship between Medical and Psychological Well-being

Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/ipm.2021.37 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-22

Author(s):

Owen Stafford ◽

Anna Berry ◽

Laura K. Taylor ◽

Sinead Wearen ◽

Cian Prendergast ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Vulnerable Populations ◽

Illness Perceptions ◽

Medical Condition ◽

Well Being ◽

Control Group ◽

Medical Conditions ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Objective: The unprecedented occurrence of a global pandemic is accompanied by both physical and psychological burdens that may impair quality of life. Research relating to COVID-19 aims to determine the effects of the pandemic on vulnerable populations who are at high risk of developing negative health or psychosocial outcomes. Having an ongoing medical condition during a pandemic may lead to greater psychological distress. Increased psychological distress may be due to preventative public health measures (e.g. lockdown), having an ongoing medical condition, or a combination of these factors. Methods: This study analyses data from an online cross-sectional national survey of adults in Ireland and investigates the relationship between comorbidity and psychological distress. Those with a medical condition (n128) were compared to a control group without a medical condition (n128) and matched according to age, gender, annual income, education, and work status during COVID-19. Participants and data were obtained during the first public lockdown in Ireland (27.03.202008.06.2020). Results: Individuals with existing medical conditions reported significantly higher levels of anxiety (p<.01) and felt less gratitude (p.001). Exploratory analysis indicates that anxiety levels were significantly associated with illness perceptions specific to COVID-19. Post-hoc analysis reveal no significant difference between the number of comorbidities and condition type (e.g. respiratory disorders). Conclusion: This research supports individualised supports for people with ongoing medical conditions through the COVID-19 pandemic, and has implications for the consideration of follow-up care specifically for mental health. Findings may also inform future public health policies and post-vaccine support strategies for vulnerable populations.

Download Full-text

The serum homocysteine level in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) after thrombolysis and its relationship with clinical outcomes

Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira ◽

10.1590/1806-9282.64.05.438 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 64 (5) ◽

pp. 438-442 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ling-Cong ◽

Hong-Zhao ◽

Yu-Wang ◽

Yu-Li ◽

Xin-Sui

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Operating Characteristic ◽

Characteristic Curve ◽

Thrombolytic Treatment ◽

Neurological Outcomes ◽

High Level Group ◽

Serum Homocysteine ◽

High Level ◽

The Relationship ◽

Level Group

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE The present study aims to investigate whether hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) affects the outcomes of the thrombolytic treatment for patients with AIS. METHODS A sample of 120 AIS patients were recruited and grouped according to their serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was obtained before treatment and 7 days after it to evaluate neurological outcomes; modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was obtained 12 weeks later to assess functional outcomes. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to demonstrate the relationship between serum Hcy level and the outcomes after tPA treatment. RESULTS The serum Hcy level of 120 patients was of 27.57±20.17μmol/L. The NIHSS scores of the patients in the low Hcy level group were remarkably lower compared to those in the high-level group (p<0.05), after 7 days of treatment. In addition, the mRS scores of the patients in the low Hcy level group, after 12 weeks, were remarkably lower compared to those in the high-level group (p<0.01). ROC demonstrated that the serum Hcy level is related to the clinical outcomes of thrombolytic treatment with moderate specificity (80.3%) and sensitivity (58.2%). CONCLUSION In conclusion, higher serum Hcy levels can indicate poorer clinical outcomes of thrombolytic treatment in patients with AIS.

Download Full-text

The relationship between the expression of PLIN3 and PLIN5 protein flowing endurance training in streptozotocin rats

Journal of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences ◽

10.34172/jsums.2019.34 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 194-199

Author(s):

Mahdi Ghafari ◽

Ebrahim Banitalebi ◽

Mohamad Faramarzi

Keyword(s):

Insulin Resistance ◽

Endurance Training ◽

High Intensity ◽

Training Group ◽

Control Group ◽

High Intensity Training ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Post Hoc ◽

The Relationship ◽

Intensity Training

Background and aims: Intermuscular lipolysis disorder plays an important role in insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus and perilipin PLIN5 and PLIN3 are the key proteins in regulating muscle cellular lipolysis. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the expression of PLIN3 and PLIN5 protein following endurance training in streptozotocin (STZ) rats. Methods: A number of 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into low endurance training group (n = 8), high-intensity training group (n = 8), and control group (n = 8). Diabetes was induced in every rat by STZ injection. Three days after injection, the blood samples were taken from the cut tip of the tails of the mice and animals with blood glucose greater than 300 mg/dL were considered diabetic. The training program included eight weeks of aerobic training at different intensities. Training in high- and low-intensity groups included 22-25 and 5-8 m/min of training. Finally, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and correlation was used to determine the significance of the differences between variables, followed by utilizing Tukey’s post-hoc test for significance. Results: The comparison between the groups by ANOVA showed significant differences in PLIN3 (P=0.0006) and PLIN5 (P=0.012). The results of Tukey post hoc test also demonstrated a statistical difference between the mean values of diabetic control group and high-intensity endurance group regarding PLIN3 (P=0.01) and PLIN5 (P=0.009), but no significant increase was observed in the lowintensity exercise group as compared to the control group (PLIN3, P=0.067 & PLIN5, P=0.44). As regards insulin resistance, there was a significant difference among the three groups (P=0.0001). Eventually, the result of the correlation between PLIN3 and PLIN5 showed similar enhancement by increasing the intensity (P=0.0026). Conclusion: According to research results, high-intensity endurance training increased the expression of PLIN3 and PLIN5 in diabetic specimens and PLIN3 and PLIN5 followed a similar increase pattern in high-intensity training

Download Full-text

Urine CA-2 as a biomarker for diagnosis urinary stone and prediction of its complications

10.21203/rs.3.rs-59394/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yuan-jing Leng ◽

Hai-bin Zhou ◽

Jiang-ling Fu ◽

Wen-juan Wang

Keyword(s):

Healthy Subjects ◽

Characteristic Curve ◽

Urinary Stone ◽

Urinary Stones ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Control ◽

The Mean ◽

The Difference ◽

The Relationship

Abstract PURPOSECarbonic anhydrase-2 (CA-2) plays a role in mineralization and calcification in organism. Strong evidence suggests that CA-2 is associated with urolithiasis. However, the relationship between CA-2 and urinary stone remains unclear. The study aimed to assess the association of urine CA-2 (uCA-2) level and the potential risk of urinary stone.METHODSFrom March 2017 to November 2019, a prospective cohort study was conducted on patients with urinary stones and healthy subjects to determine the pretreatment uCA-2 level detection by Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The difference of uCA-2 level between patients with urinary stones and healthy subjects was compared. Then comparison between stone patients with complications and without complications was carried out as well as correlation analysis to detect factors associated with biomarker expression.RESULTS118 patients with urinary stones were into urinary stones group and 42 healthy subjects were into healthy control group. The mean pretreatment uCA-2 level was significantly higher in patients with urinary stones group than healthy controls group (P=0.028). Furthermore, The uCA-2 level was positive correlation with urinary stones complications (R=0.379, P=0.000), especially pain complications (R=0.524, P=0.000) and hematuria complications (R=0.374, P=0.000). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis that a uCA-2 level threshold of 10.94 ng/mL had 83.67% sensitivity and 68.12% specificity for predicting urinary stones complications. CONCLUSIONSExcessive uCA-2 excretion is a major risk factor for urinary stone. Our findings suggested that uCA-2 may be used as an unappreciated biomarker for the diagnosis urinary stone in patients and to predict its complications.

Download Full-text

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratios in Patients with RetinalArtery Occlusion

Journal of Ophthalmic and Vision Research ◽

10.18502/jovr.v15i2.6737 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Mahmut Atum ◽

Gürsoy Alagöz

Keyword(s):

Retinal Artery Occlusion ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Control Group ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

Control Subjects ◽

Gender And Age ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Healthy Control ◽

Retinal Artery ◽

The Relationship

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) and plateletto- lymphocyte (PLR) ratios in patients with retinal artery occlusion (RAO) with those from a healthy control population and to identify the relationship between them. Methods: Forty-six patients with RAO and fifty-one healthy control subjects were included in this retrospective case-control study. RAO was diagnosed following an ophthalmic examination and fluorescein angiography (FA). Blood neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts were recorded for each of the 97 subjects, from which NLR and PLR values were calculated. Results: There were 46 patients (28 male [M], 18 female [F]) in the RAO group and 51 patients (27 M, 24 F) in the control group. No significant differences were found between patients with RAO and the control subjects in terms of gender and age (P > 0.05). Patients with RAO had significantly increased NLR values (2.85 ± 1.70) than the control subjects (1.63 ± 0.59, P < 0.001). The mean PLR in patients with RAO was 123.69 ± 64.98, while that in control subjects was 103.08 ± 36.95; there was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.055). A logistic regression analysis revealed that NLRs were 3.8 times higher in patients with RAO than in control subjects (odds ratio = 3.880; 95% confidence interval = 1.94 to 7.74; P < 0.001). Conclusion: NLRs were significantly increased in patients with RAO compared to the control subjects.

Download Full-text

The Optimal Cutoff Value of D-dimer Levels to Predict in Hospital Mortality in Severe Cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3889/oamjms.2021.7600 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (B) ◽

pp. 1561-1564

Author(s):

Ngakan Ketut Wira Suastika ◽

Ketut Suega

Keyword(s):

Hospital Mortality ◽

Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve ◽

Receiver Operating Characteristic ◽

Operating Characteristic ◽

Characteristic Curve ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Optimal Cutoff ◽

Cutoff Value ◽

Operating Characteristic Curve ◽

D Dimer

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) can cause coagulation parameters abnormalities such as an increase of D-dimer levels especially in severe cases. The purpose of this study is to determine the differences of D-dimer levels in severe cases of Covid-19 who survived and non-survived and determine the optimal cut-off value of D-dimer levels to predict in-hospital mortality. Method: Data were obtained from confirmed Covid-19 patients who were treated from June to September 2020. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine differences of D-dimer levels in surviving and non-surviving patients. The optimal cut-off value and area under the curve (AUC) of the D-dimer level in predicting mortality were obtained by the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) method. Results: A total of 80 patients were recruited in this study. Levels of D-dimer were significantly higher in non-surviving patients (median 3.346 mg/ml; minimum – maximum: 0.939 – 50.000 mg/ml) compared to surviving patients (median 1.201 mg/ml; minimum – maximum: 0.302 – 29.425 mg/ml), p = 0.012. D-dimer levels higher than 1.500 mg/ml are the optimal cut-off value for predicting mortality in severe cases of Covid-19 with a sensitivity of 80.0%; specificity of 64.3%; and area under the curve of 0.754 (95% CI 0.586 - 0.921; p = 0.010). Conclusions: D-dimer levels can be used as a predictor of mortality in severe cases of Covid-19.

Download Full-text

The value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a marker of renal damage in patients with H-type hypertension

Biomarkers in Medicine ◽

10.2217/bmm-2020-0638 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Zhen-Ni Chen ◽

Yi-Ran Huang ◽

Xing Chen ◽

Kun Liu ◽

Si-Jin Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

Renal Damage ◽

Operating Characteristic ◽

Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate ◽

Characteristic Curve ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Neutrophil To Lymphocyte Ratio ◽

Lymphocyte Ratio ◽

The Relationship

Aim: To explore the relationship between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and renal damage in patients with H-type hypertension. Materials & methods: A total of 618 patients between 2017 and 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: NLR was significantly correlated with renal damage in hypertension patients. Appropriate cut-off value for NLR (2.247) was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve; linear regression analysis showed that NLR and estimated glomerular filtration rate, blood urea nitrogen/creatinine has a significant negative correlation in H-type hypertension group (p < 0.05); logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of renal damage increased by 10% for each 1 umol/l increase of homocysteine, and 51% for each 1.0 increase of NLR in H-type hypertension patients. Conclusion: NLR worth popularizing in prediction of renal damage in patients with H-type hypertension.

Download Full-text

Diagnostic efficacy of serum and urinary netrin-1 in the early detection of diabetic nephropathy

Journal of Investigative Medicine ◽

10.1136/jim-2021-001785 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. jim-2021-001785

Author(s):

Rasha A Elkholy ◽

Reham L Younis ◽

Alzahraa A Allam ◽

Rasha Youssef Hagag ◽

Muhammad Tarek Abdel Ghafar

Keyword(s):

Diabetic Nephropathy ◽

Early Detection ◽

Characteristic Curve ◽

Fasting Blood Glucose ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Diagnostic Value ◽

Control Group ◽

Diagnostic Efficacy ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Patients With Diabetes

This study aimed to assess the diagnostic value of serum and urinary netrin-1 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at different stages of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and to compare its efficacy of estimation in serum with that in the urine. This study was carried out on 135 patients with T2DM and 45 healthy subjects. The patients with diabetes were divided according to urinary albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) into: T2DM with normoalbuminuria, incipient DN with microalbuminuria, and overt DN with macroalbuminuria groups. Serum and urinary levels of netrin-1 were measured by ELISA. The mean levels of serum and urinary netrin-1 were significantly higher in the microalbuminuric and macroalbuminuric patients with DN than those in the normoalbuminuric patients with T2DM, with the highest values detected in macroalbuminuric patients with DN. Urinary netrin-1 level was significantly higher in the normoalbuminuric T2DM group than control group, whereas no significant difference existed regarding serum netrin-1 level. In T2DM groups, the urinary and serum netrin-1 correlated with each other and were independently related to fasting blood glucose, UACR, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of urinary netrin-1 was 0.916 which is significantly higher than that of serum netrin-1 (0.812) for the detection of incipient DN and reached 0.938 on coestimation of both urinary and serum netrin-1. In conclusion, netrin-1 is a potential diagnostic marker for early detection of DN with its estimation in urine has higher accuracy than that of serum.

Download Full-text

Does Age Itself Have an Adverse Effect on Survivorship of Meniscal Allograft Transplantation? A Cartilage Status and Time From Previous Meniscectomy–Matched Cohort Study

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/0363546520916727 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 48 (7) ◽

pp. 1696-1701 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ju-Ho Song ◽

Seong-Il Bin ◽

Jong-Min Kim ◽

Bum-Sik Lee ◽

Dong-Wook Son

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Operating Characteristic ◽

Characteristic Curve ◽

Rank Test ◽

Meniscal Allograft Transplantation ◽

Log Rank Test ◽

Meniscal Allograft ◽

Age Related ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Operating Characteristic Curve

Background: The aging process is accompanied by several conditions that could affect the outcome of meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT). These conditions have made it difficult for clinicians to determine the effect of chronologic age on survivorship after MAT. Hypothesis: Advanced age does not have an adverse effect on survivorship of MAT when controlling for age-related factors, such as cartilage status and time from previous meniscectomy. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The records of 264 consecutive patients who underwent primary medial or lateral MAT were reviewed. To check whether there was a difference in MAT survivorship according to age, a cutoff value was calculated from a time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve. Survival rates, as well as clinical improvement as determined using the Lysholm score, were compared between groups divided by the cutoff value. Patients were matched for cartilage status and elapsed time from previous meniscectomy. Differences in survivorship and clinical outcomes were assessed between the matched groups. Results: A time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the difference in MAT survivorship was maximized with a cutoff age of 43 years. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significant difference in MAT survivorship between the older and younger groups (log-rank test, P = .01). However, after matching for cartilage status and time from previous meniscectomy, which left 56 patients per group, there was no significant difference in MAT survivorship (log-rank test, P = .10) between the groups. Regarding clinical outcomes, the mean Lysholm scores were not significantly different between the older and younger groups ( P = .19, before matching; P = .39, after matching). Conclusion: MAT survivorship was more affected by age-related prognostic factors, such as cartilage status and time from previous meniscectomy, than age itself. Clinical outcomes did not show differences according to age, either.

Download Full-text