Clinical implications of placenta-derived angiogenic/anti-angiogenic biomarkers in pre-eclampsia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirim Hong ◽  
Hee J Park ◽  
Dong H Cha
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Disease ◽  
Clinical Syndrome ◽  
Angiogenic Factors ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Maternal Hypertension ◽  
Maternal And Neonatal Outcomes ◽  
Angiogenic Biomarkers

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a devastating systemic disease which results in maternal hypertension with multi-organ failure due to angiogenic imbalance, characterized by lack of circulating pro-angiogenic factors and excess of anti-angiogenic factors. These factors are crucial for understanding the pathophysiology of PE since they serve as a critical link from placental dysfunction to the clinical syndrome of systemic endothelial dysfunction in the disease. Moreover, utilizing these angiogenic/anti-angiogenic biomarkers can be helpful in risk stratifying and the early detection of PE, which allows for timely intervention to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. In this review, we summarize updated perspectives of the angiogenic imbalance in PE with detailed characterization of key factors involved in the pathogenesis and how the developed biomarkers can be used in clinical settings as diagnostic tools and as possible therapeutic targets of PE.

scholarly journals Biofilm Formation in Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni: Structure and Development

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 546
Author(s):  
Pilar Sabuquillo ◽  
Jaime Cubero
Keyword(s):  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Extracellular Polymeric Substances ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Infection Process ◽  
Bacterial Attachment ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Cell Structures ◽  
Microscopy Techniques

Xanthomonasarboricola pv. pruni (Xap) causes bacterial spot of stone fruit and almond, an important plant disease with a high economic impact. Biofilm formation is one of the mechanisms that microbial communities use to adapt to environmental changes and to survive and colonize plants. Herein, biofilm formation by Xap was analyzed on abiotic and biotic surfaces using different microscopy techniques which allowed characterization of the different biofilm stages compared to the planktonic condition. All Xap strains assayed were able to form real biofilms creating organized structures comprised by viable cells. Xap in biofilms differentiated from free-living bacteria forming complex matrix-encased multicellular structures which become surrounded by a network of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Moreover, nutrient content of the environment and bacterial growth have been shown as key factors for biofilm formation and its development. Besides, this is the first work where different cell structures involved in bacterial attachment and aggregation have been identified during Xap biofilm progression. Our findings provide insights regarding different aspects of the biofilm formation of Xap which improve our understanding of the bacterial infection process occurred in Prunus spp and that may help in future disease control approaches.

scholarly journals Analysis of Antioxidant and Antiallergic Active Components Extracted From the Edible Insect Oxya yezoensis

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 1934578X2110233
Author(s):  
Masahiro Saiki ◽  
Naomichi Takemoto ◽  
Maki Nagata ◽  
Masako Matsumoto ◽  
Yhiya Amen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Phenolic Compounds ◽  
Unsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Soluble Fraction ◽  
Total Phenolic ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Active Components ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Food And Agriculture Organization

In recent years, entomophagy has attracted increased attention, as it was recommended as a potential source of food by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. In Japan, Oxya yezoensisis one of the most widely eaten insect species, but studies of its functionality as a food are limited. In this study, we reported the optimal characterization of the total phenolic compounds in methanolic extract (OME) and different fractions of OME. Additionally, the antioxidant and antiallergic activities of the OME fractions were evaluated. The results showed that the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of OME has potential antioxidant activity, whereas the n-hexane-soluble fraction showed the strongest inhibition of β-hexosaminidase, which is one of the key factors in allergic reactions. It was concluded that phenolic compounds might contribute to the antioxidant activity while unsaturated fatty acids contribute to the antiallergy activity.

scholarly journals How to deal with low-flow low-gradient aortic stenosis and reduced left ventricle ejection fraction: from literature review to tips for clinical practice

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Contorni ◽  
M. Fineschi ◽  
A. Iadanza ◽  
A. Santoro ◽  
G. E. Mandoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aortic Valve ◽  
Left Ventricle ◽  
Aortic Stenosis ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Transcatheter Aortic Valve ◽  
Valve Implantation

AbstractLow-flow low-gradient aortic stenosis (LFLG AS) with reduced left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) is still a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The aim of this paper is to review the latest evidences about the assessment of the valvular disease, usually difficult because of the low-flow status, and the therapeutic options. Special emphasis is given to the available diagnostic tools for the characterization of LFLG AS without functional reserve at stress echocardiography and to the factors that clinicians should evaluate to choose between surgical aortic valve repair, transcatheter aortic valve implantation, or medical therapy.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of mcr-1-Positive Salmonella Strains Recovered from Clinical Specimens in China

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingquan Cui ◽  
Jinfei Zhang ◽  
Zhen Gu ◽  
Ruichao Li ◽  
Edward Wai-chi Chan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Colistin Resistance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transmission Potential ◽  
Conjugative Plasmids ◽  
Plasmid Analysis ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance Genes ◽  
Pfge Profiles

ABSTRACT The recently discovered colistin resistance element, mcr-1, adds to the list of antimicrobial resistance genes that rapidly erode the antimicrobial efficacy of not only the commonly used antibiotics but also the last-line agents of carbapenems and colistin. This study investigated the prevalence of the mobile colistin resistance determinant mcr-1 in Salmonella strains recovered from clinical settings in China and the transmission potential of mcr-1-bearing mobile elements harbored by such isolates. The mcr-1 gene was recoverable in 1.4% of clinical isolates tested, with the majority of them belonging to Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium. These isolates exhibited diverse pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles and high resistance to antibiotics other than colistin and particularly to cephalosporins. Plasmid analysis showed that mcr-1 was carried on a variety of plasmids with sizes ranging from ∼30 to ∼250 kb, among which there were conjugative plasmids of ∼30 kb, ∼60 kb, and ∼250 kb and nonconjugative plasmids of ∼140 kb, ∼180 kb, and ∼240 kb. Sequencing of representative mcr-1-carrying plasmids revealed that all conjugative plasmids belonged to the IncX4, IncI2, and IncHI2 types and were highly similar to the corresponding types of plasmids reported previously. Nonconjugative plasmids all belonged to the IncHI2 type, and the nontransferability of these plasmids was attributed to the loss of a region carrying partial or complete tra genes. Our data revealed that, similar to the situation in Escherichia coli, mcr-1 transmission in Salmonella was accelerated by various plasmids, suggesting that transmission of mcr-1-carrying plasmids between different species of Enterobacteriaceae may be a common event.

scholarly journals CRYOGLOBULIN TEST AND CRYOGLOBULINEMIA HEPATITIS C-VIRUS RELATED

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e2017007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umberto Basile
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Confounding Factor ◽  
Underlying Disease ◽  
Clinical Syndrome ◽  
Laboratory Techniques ◽  
Preanalytical Phase ◽  
Wide Range

Cryoglobulins are immunoglobulins that precipitate in serum at temperatures below 37°C and resolubilize upon warming. The clinical syndrome of cryoglobulinemia usually includes purpura, weakness, and arthralgia, but the underlying disease may also contribute other symptoms. Blood samples for cryoglobulin are collected, transported, clotted and spun at 37°C, before the precipitate is allowed to form when serum is stored at 4°C in a Wintrobe tube for at least seven days. The most critical and confounding factor affecting the cryoglobulin test is when the preanalytical phase is not fully completed at 37°C. The easiest way to quantify cryoglobulins is the cryocrit estimate. However, this approach has low accuracy and sensitivity. Furthermore, the precipitate should be resolubilized by warming to confirm that it is truly formed of cryoglobulins. The characterization of cryoglobulins requires the precipitate is several times washed, before performing immunofixation, a technique by which cryoglobulins can be classified depending on the characteristics of the detected immunoglobulins. These features imply a pathogenic role of these molecules which are consequently associated with a wide range of symptoms and manifestations. According to the Brouet classification, Cryoglobulins are grouped into three types by the immunochemical properties of immunoglobulins in the cryoprecipitate. The aim of this paper is to review the major aspects of cryoglobulinemia and the laboratory techniques used to detect and characterize cryoglobulins, taking into consideration the presence and consequences of cryoglobulinemia in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection.

scholarly journals ROLE OF IMMATURE/TOTAL NEUTROPHIL RATIO, LEUKOCYTE COUNT AND PROCALCITONIN IN DIAGNOSING NEONATAL SEPSIS

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 169
Author(s):  
I A Putri Wirawati1 ◽  
Aryati Aryati ◽  
A A Wiradewi Lestari
Keyword(s):  
Likelihood Ratio ◽  
Neonatal Sepsis ◽  
Leukocyte Count ◽  
Systemic Disease ◽  
Clinical Syndrome ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Bacteria Growth ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Cross Sectional Design

Neonatal sepsis is a clinical syndrome of systemic disease, accompanied by bacteremia that occurs during infants in the first month of life. A late diagnosis might increase mortality. The presence of bacteria growth in blood cultures is a definitive diagnosis. Unfortunately, culture results are usually obtained of a long time. The study aimed to analyze sensitivity and specificity of the manual I/T ratio, automatic I/T ratio, leukocyte count and procalcitonin (PCT) to diagnose neonatal sepsis. This study used a cross-sectional design, from the NICU room in Sanglah General Hospital, Denpasar. There were 59 patients who met the study criteria. Along with blood culture as the gold standard in determining diagnosis of sepsis and with I/T ratio cut-off of 0.2, the sensitivity of manual I/T ratio was 69.2%, specificity 83.9%, PPV 63.9%, NPV 87% and likelihood ratio was 3.06. While the sensitivity of automatic I/T ratio was 47.6%, specificity 85.8%, PPV 55.1%, NPV 81.4% and likelihood ratio was 2.25. Based on the normal range of leukocyte count (9.1 - 34 x 103/μl), sensitivity of leukocyte count was 59%, specificity 71.5%, PPV 46.7%, NPV 80.9% and likelihood ratio was 1.59. With PCT cut-off 0.5 ng/mL, the obtained sensitivity of PCT was 64.3%, specificity 85.8%, PPV 64.3%, NPV 85.8% and likelihood ratio was 3.13. 

scholarly journals Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): An Overview

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (20) ◽  
pp. 4786
Author(s):  
Undine-Sophie Deumer ◽  
Angelica Varesi ◽  
Valentina Floris ◽  
Gabriele Savioli ◽  
Elisa Mantovani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Systemic Disease ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Non Coding Rna

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic systemic disease that manifests via various symptoms such as chronic fatigue, post-exertional malaise, and cognitive impairment described as “brain fog”. These symptoms often prevent patients from keeping up their pre-disease onset lifestyle, as extended periods of physical or mental activity become almost impossible. However, the disease presents heterogeneously with varying severity across patients. Therefore, consensus criteria have been designed to provide a diagnosis based on symptoms. To date, no biomarker-based tests or diagnoses are available, since the molecular changes observed also largely differ from patient to patient. In this review, we discuss the infectious, genetic, and hormonal components that may be involved in CFS pathogenesis, we scrutinize the role of gut microbiota in disease progression, we highlight the potential of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) for the development of diagnostic tools and briefly mention the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 infection causing CFS.

scholarly journals From genomics to the clinic: biological and translational insights of mutant IDH1/2 in glioma

2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. E2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin P. Dunn ◽  
Ovidiu C. Andronesi ◽  
Daniel P. Cahill
Keyword(s):  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Isocitrate Dehydrogenase 1 ◽  
Treatment Algorithms ◽  
Recurrent Mutations ◽  
Molecular Landscape ◽  
Mutant Idh1 ◽  
And Function

The characterization of the genomic alterations across all human cancers is changing the way that malignant disease is defined and treated. This paradigm is extending to glioma, where the discovery of recurrent mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) gene has shed new light on the molecular landscape in glioma and other IDH-mutant cancers. The IDH1 mutations are present in the vast majority of low-grade gliomas and secondary glioblastomas. Rapidly emerging work on the consequences of mutant IDH1 protein expression suggests that its neomorphic enzymatic activity catalyzing the production of the oncometabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate influences a range of cellular programs that affect the epigenome, transcriptional programs, hypoxia-inducible factor biology, and development. In the brief time since its discovery, knowledge of the IDH mutation status has had significant translational implications, and diagnostic tools are being used to monitor its expression and function. The concept of IDH1-mutant versus IDH1-wild type will become a critical early distinction in diagnostic and treatment algorithms.

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