scholarly journals Serum Neopterin Levels among Hepatitis C-Positive Living-Donor Renal Transplant Recipients

2015 ◽  
Vol 10s2 ◽  
pp. BMI.S26156
Author(s):  
Shivali Justa ◽  
Ranjana W. Minz ◽  
Shashi Anand ◽  
Mukut Minz

Background The role of neopterin as a marker of cell-mediated immunity for immunological monitoring after transplantation is of great potential interest. Neopterin levels among hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive recipients of living-donor renal transplantation (LDRT) have not been previously described. Methods Twenty-two HCV-positive (group I) and 10 HCV-negative (group II) recipients of LDRT were serially monitored for serum neopterin levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Group I patients were monitored thrice, ie, before transplantation, day 10, and 6 months post transplantation, while group II patients were monitored twice (day 10 and 6 months post transplantation). Peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subsets (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4+CD25+, CD16+56) and Thl/Th2 cytokines were monitored concomitantly by flow cytometry. Results Ten days post transplantation, there was a significant increase in neopterin and neopterin/creatnine levels among group I patients. There was a positive correlation between activated T-lymphocyte (CD4+CD25+) and neopterin early post transplantation (day 10). Th2 cytokines IL-10 and IL-5 showed a positive correlation with neopterin levels on day 10 and 6 months post transplantation, respectively. Neopterin levels did not show association with either HCV viral load or allograft rejection among our study cohort. Conclusion Increased monocyte/macrophage activation with elevated serum neopterin was detected among group I patients on day 10 post transplantation, but it could not predict rejection. It appears that IL-10 either from a regulatory or nonregulatory source helps in the maintenance of stable graft early post transplantation. Further, it would be of interest to assess the role of neopterin in chronic allograft nephropathy and long-term graft outcome.

2004 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 413-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cetin Kaymak ◽  
Ela Kadioglu ◽  
Hulya Basar ◽  
Semra Sardas

In this study, genotoxic effects of repeated sevoflurane anaesthesia were investigated in rabbits with or without antioxidant supplementation. Twenty-one New Zealand male rabbits were included in the study and randomized into three groups as: placebo treated (Group I), vitamin E supplemented (Group II) and selenium supplemented (Group III). Vitamin E and selenium were given intraperitoneally for 15 days before anaesthesia treatment. Anaesthesia was administered using 3% sevoflurane in 4 L/min oxygen for a 3-hour period and continued for 3 days. Blood samples were collected before anaesthesia (Sample 1), after the first, second and third days of sevoflurane administration (Sample 2, Sample 3 and Sample 4 respectively) and the last samples were taken 5 days after the last sevoflurane administration (Sample 5). Genotoxic damage was examined using the comet assay. The degree of damage is assessed by grading the cells into three categories of no migration (NM), low migration (LM) and high migration (HM) depending on the fraction of DNA pulled out into the tail under the influence of the electric field. The number of comets in each sample was calculated (1 × number of comets in category NM + 2 × number of comets in category LM + 3 ×number of comets in category HM) and expressed as the total comet score (TCS), which summarizes the damage frequencies. In Group I, a significant increase in the mean TCSs was observed for Samples 3 and 4 as compared with Sample 1. However, there were no significant differences between Samples 1, 2 and 5. The mean TCS of Sample 4 was significantly higher than Sample 1, 2 and 3 in Group II. Group III demonstrated no significant mean TCSs for any experimental conditions. Statistical differences were also observed between the groups with significant P values. This experimental study points out the presence of DNA damage with repeated sevoflurane anaesthesia and the genoprotective role of antioxidant supplementation on DNA damage in mononuclear leukocytes of rabbits by highly sensitive comet assay.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 93 (4) ◽  
pp. 660-662
Author(s):  
Margaret J. Strieper ◽  
Debbie O. Auld ◽  
J. Edward Hulse ◽  
Robert M. Campbell

Objective. To determine the current practice and effectiveness of evaluating recurrent syncope in pediatric patients, and to establish the role of tilt table testing in the evaluation. Design. Retrospective analysis of 54 pediatric patients with the history of syncope referred to cardiologists. Group I consisted of 27 patients examined without tilt table testing group II consisted of 27 patients whose examination included tilt table testing. Results. Group I had an average of 5.4 studies and group II, 6.6 studies performed per patient. Studies included chest radiograph (16 vs 13), electrocardiogram (24 vs 27), echocardiography (21 vs 27), 24-hour electrocardiogram (14 vs 16), transtelephonic monitor (7 vs 8), electrophysiology study (1 vs 3), complete blood cell counts (11 vs 12), chemistries (10 vs 11), thyroid function test (3 vs 3), neurology consult (12 vs 6), electroencephalogram (12 vs 5), and head computed tomographic scan (5 vs 3). Of the 298 non-tilt studies, the results of only 5 (1.6%) were abnormal. Diagnoses were made in 5 (18.5%) of 27 group I patients (Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, 1; conversion reaction, 2; hyperventilation, 1; migraines, 1), whereas diagnosis was made in 27 (100%) of 27 group II patients (neurocardiogenic syncope, 25; conversion reaction, 2). Conclusion. An extensive workup is not routinely indicated in syncopal patients with a history consistent with neurocardiogenic syncope. Tilt table testing performed early in the evaluation will increase the probability of a diagnosis, and will often prevent the need for further extensive, expensive anxiety-producing tests.


QJM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
H R Elareny ◽  
A I Ahmed ◽  
A F Alneklawy ◽  
M K Tawfik

Abstract Introduction Nowadays interest in aging has greatly increased, Aging is a complex natural process involving every molecule, cell, and organ in the body that is associated with tissue dysfunction in many organs. Aging of the cornea causes major eye effects and leads to substantial cost in medical and social terms. These effects include the highly prevalent dry eye disease (DED) that affects both visual function and quality of life in elderly. Symptoms of (DED) include, ocular pain, visual disturbances, and increase lacrimation. Functional foods such as Royal jelly (RJ) have a growing attention because of consumers increasing concerns about their health. Its importance not only for its nutritional properties but also for its functional and biological properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-ulcerous activities. It is used as a cheap natural source in daily life and medicine. (RJ) is a complex substance composed of proteins, sugars, lipids, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Aim The present study aimed to investigate the histological effect of aging on the cornea of male albino rat and possible therapeutic role of (RJ) on senile group. Materials and Methods Twenty-four male albino rats were used in this study divided into Group I: consisted of 6 adult male rats aged 3- 6 months. Group II: consisted of 18 senile male rats aged 18-24 months, were further subdivided into three subgroups as follows: Group II A: (n = 6) negative control senile rats, not subjected to any procedure for 4 weeks. Group II B: (n = 6) control senile rats and were given distilled water by oral gavage once daily for 4 weeks. Group II C: (n = 6) senile rats were given (RJ) by oral gavage dissolved in distilled water once daily for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed after being deeply anesthetized with ether according to the protocol of the Committee of Animal Research Ethics (CARE). The cornea of each animal was carefully dissected out after death and immediately fixed in 10% formalin for preparation of paraffin blocks 5 micrometer thickness. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (I-I&E), Masson's trichrome and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS). Statistical analysis and quantitative morphometric study were done. Results Light microscopic examination of corneas of senile rats revealed different pathological changes included irregularity in the surface epithelium as well as surface erosions and cytoplasmic vacuolations. The stroma showed widely separated collagen fibers with decreased keratocyte density. It was concluded that (RJ) supplementation to senile rats obviously unproved all layers of the cornea histologically.


1991 ◽  
Vol 261 (2) ◽  
pp. H443-H450 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Toga ◽  
J. Usha Raj ◽  
R. Hillyard ◽  
B. Ku ◽  
J. Anderson

We have determined the sites of action of endothelin-1 (ET) in the lamb pulmonary circulation. The influence of cyclooxygenase inhibition and baseline vasomotor tone on ET effects was also studied. Lungs of 14 lambs (6-9 wk of age, 12.1 +/- 0.6 kg body wt) were isolated and perfused with blood. Group I lungs (n = 5) were untreated, group II lungs (n = 5) were treated with indomethacin to inhibit cyclooxygenase, and group III lungs (n = 4) were treated with indomethacin and a thromboxane A2 analogue, U-46619, to elevate vasomotor tone. All lungs were perfused with constant flow in zone 3, with left atrial and airway pressures being 8 and 6 cmH2O, respectively. We measured pulmonary arterial pressure and, by the micropuncture servo-null method, pressures in 20- to 50-microns diameter subpleural venules, both before and after each dose of ET was infused (50, 100, 250, and 500 ng/kg). Group I lungs, with high baseline vasomotor tone, exhibited a biphasic response to ET; 50-100 ng/kg of ET dilated both arteries and veins, whereas 500 ng/kg of ET constricted both arteries and veins. In group II lungs with low vasomotor tone, all doses of ET caused constriction of arteries only. In group III lungs (indomethacin treated with elevated vasomotor tone), 50-100 ng/kg of ET caused dilation of arteries and veins, whereas 500 ng/kg of ET induced constriction, this time only in arteries. We conclude that ET has both dilator and constrictor effects in arteries and veins of isolated, perfused lamb lungs. ET-induced arterial and venous dilation is dependent on initial vasomotor tone but not on cyclooxygenase metabolites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shivkumar Gopalakrishnan ◽  
sangeetha kandasamy ◽  
S.Malini ◽  
S.Peer Mohamed ◽  
k.velmurugan

Abstract Background. Approximately 5% of COVID-19 patients suffer near fatal disease. Clinical and radiologic features may predict severe disease albeit with limited specificity and radiation hazard. Laboratory biomarkers are eyed as simple, specific and point of care triage tools to optimize management decisions.This study aimed to study the role of inflammatory markers in prognosticating COVID-19 patients.Methodology. A hospital based retrospective study was conducted on COVID-19 adult inpatients classified into three groups as mild disease-recovered [Group I], severe disease-recovered [Group II] and dead [Group III]. Categorical outcomes were compared using Chi square test. Univariate binary logistic regression analysis was performed to test the association between the explanatory and outcome variables. Unadjusted OR along with 95% CI was calculated. The utility of lab parameters (Ferritin, LDH, D dimer, N/L ratio and PLT/L ratio) in predicting severity of COVID-19 was assessed by Receiver Operative Curve (ROC) analysis. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results. The mean age was 49.32 +/- 17.1 years. Among study population, 378 were Group I, 66 Group II, and 56 Group III. Median levels of Ferritin among the 3 groups were 62ng/mL, 388.50 ng/mL and 1199.50 ng/mL. Median value of LDH were 95U/L, 720 and 982.50(p <0.001). D-dimer values of 3 groups were 23.20ng/mL, 104.30 ng/mL and 197.10 ng/mL (p <0.001). CRP done qualitatively was positive in 2 (0.53%), 30 (45.45%) and 53 (94.64%) of patients. The odds of patients suffering severe COVID-19 rose with rising values of ferritin, LDH and D-dimer [unadjusted OR 1.007, 1.004 &1.020]Conclusion. One time measurement of serum ferritin, LDH, D-dimer and CRP is promising to predict outcomes for COVID 19 inpatients. Single qualitative CRP was equally good but more cost effective than quantitative CRP. The most specific combination was NLR, Lymphocyte percentage and D-dimer levels done between 7th – 10th day of symptoms.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Shaminur Rahman ◽  
M. Nazmul Hoque ◽  
Joynob Akter Puspo ◽  
M. Rafiul Islam ◽  
Niloy Das ◽  
...  

AbstractThe microbiome of the anaerobic digester (AD) regulates the level of energy production. To assess the microbiome diversity and composition in different stages of anaerobic digestion, we collected 16 samples from the AD of cow dung (CD) origin. The samples were categorized into four groups (Group-I, Group-II, Group-III and Group-IV) based on the level of energy production (CH4%), and sequenced through whole metagenome sequencing (WMS). Group-I (n = 2) belonged to initial time of energy production whereas Group-II (n = 5), Group-III (n = 5), and Group-IV (n = 4) had 21–34%, 47–58% and 71–74% of CH4, respectively. The physicochemical analysis revealed that level of energy production (CH4%) had significant positive correlation with digester pH (r = 0.92, p < 0.001), O2 level (%) (r = 0.54, p < 0.05), and environmental temperature (°C) (r = 0.57, p < 0.05). The WMS data mapped to 2800 distinct bacterial, archaeal and viral genomes through PathoScope (PS) and MG-RAST (MR) analyses. We detected 768, 1421, 1819 and 1774 bacterial strains in Group-I, Group-II, Group-III and Group-IV, respectively through PS analysis which were represented by Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Spirochaetes and Fibrobacteres phyla (> 93.0% of the total abundances). Simultaneously, 343 archaeal strains were detected, of which 95.90% strains shared across four metagenomes. We identified 43 dominant species including 31 bacterial and 12 archaeal species in AD microbiomes, of which only archaea showed positive correlation with digester pH, CH4 concentration, pressure and temperature (Spearman correlation; r > 0.6, p < 0.01). The indicator species analysis showed that the species Methanosarcina vacuolate, Dehalococcoides mccartyi, Methanosarcina sp. Kolksee and Methanosarcina barkeri were highly specific for energy production. The correlation network analysis showed that different strains of Euryarcheota and Firmicutes phyla exhibited significant correlation (p = 0.021, Kruskal–Wallis test; with a cutoff of 1.0) with the highest level (74.1%) of energy production (Group-IV). In addition, top CH4 producing microbiomes showed increased genomic functional activities related to one carbon and biotin metabolism, oxidative stress, proteolytic pathways, membrane-type-1-matrix-metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) pericellular network, acetyl-CoA production, motility and chemotaxis. Importantly, the physicochemical properties of the AD including pH, CH4 concentration (%), pressure, temperature and environmental temperature were found to be positively correlated with these genomic functional potentials and distribution of ARGs and metal resistance pathways (Spearman correlation; r > 0.5, p < 0.01). This study reveals distinct changes in composition and diversity of the AD microbiomes including different indicator species, and their genomic features that are highly specific for energy production.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-34
Author(s):  
El-Zahraa M. Meghezel ◽  
Heba A. Ahmed ◽  
Ashraf A Askar ◽  
Emad Eldin Nabil ◽  
Ashraf Elyamany

Background Identifying biomarkers for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains quite challenging. In this study we aimed to estimate the number of TIE2-expressing monocytes (TEMs) cells, which display pro-tumoral activities and are defined as CD14+, TIE2+, and angiopoietin-2; and its potential use as a possible diagnostic marker in HCC patients complicating HCV induced cirrhosis. Methods Current study was conducted on 112 patients. They were divided into two groups: Group I (78 patients) with HCC complicating HCV induced cirrhosis; and group II chronic hepatitis C patients (34 patients). Both groups were compared to (age and sex-matched) healthy persons as group III (38 persons). Result The number of the circulating TEMs: CD14+ and TIE2+ monocytes were significantly higher in the peripheral blood of HCC patients than HCV LC patients and healthy controls, sensitivity and specificity for HCC diagnosis were respectively: CD14 (89.7%, 83.3%), TIE 2 (76.9%, 83.3%), and Ang-2 (76.9%, 66.7%). Moreover, analysis of the P-value and the odd’s ratio showed that CD14 has the highest predictive value for HCC. Conclusion Our results suggest that TEMs and Ang-2can be used as diagnostic markers for HCC, especially among the high-risk group of patients.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amany Mohamed Shalaby ◽  
Adel Mohamed Aboregela ◽  
Mohamed Ali Alabiad ◽  
Mona Tayssir Sadek

Abstract Diabetes mellitus (DM) represents a widespread metabolic disease with a well-known neurotoxicity in both central and peripheral nervous systems. Oxymatrine is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has various pharmacological activities including; anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory potentials. The present work aimed to study the impact of diabetes mellitus on the cerebellar cortex of adult male albino rat and to evaluate the potential protective role of oxymatrine using different histological methods. Fifty-five adult male rats were randomly divided into three groups: group I served as control, group II was given oxymatrine (80 mg/kg/day) orally for 8 weeks and group III was given a single dose of streptozotocin (50mg/kg) intaperitoneally to induce diabetes. Then diabetic rats were subdivided into two subgroups: subgroup IIIa that received no additional treatment and subgroup IIIb that received oxymatrine similar to group II. The diabetic group revealed numerous changes in the Purkinje cell layer in the form of multilayer arrangement of Purkinje cells, shrunken cells with deeply stained nuclei as well as focal loss of the Purkinje cells. A significant increment in GFAP and synaptophysin expression was reported. Transmission electron microscopy showed irregularity and splitting of myelin sheaths in the molecular layer, dark shrunken Purkinje cells with ill-defined nuclei, dilated Golgi saccules and dense granule cells with irregular nuclear outlines in the granular layer. In contrast, these changes were less evident in diabetic rats that received oxymatrine. In conclusion, Oxymatrine could protect the cerebellar cortex against changes induced by DM.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1397-1406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adel A Hagag ◽  
Ibrahim M Badraia ◽  
Walid A El-Shehaby ◽  
Maaly M Mabrouk

Background Leukemia is the most common pediatric malignancy. It affects bone marrow cells especially lymphoid cell precursor. Leukemia is treated mainly by chemotherapy. Doxorubicin is a well-established chemotherapeutic agent included in treatment protocols of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Its efficacy is often limited by its cardiotoxic side effects. Many studies are directed to overcome this problem. Black seed oil was found to have a potent cardioprotective effect. Aim of the study: To assess the protective role of black seed oil against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Subjects and methods This study was carried out on 40 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia including 20 patients under doxorubicin therapy and black seed oil 80 mg/kg/dose divided into 3 doses starting at the same moment of beginning of doxorubicin infusion therapy and continued for 1 week after each doxorubicin dose [group I] and 20 patients under doxorubicin and placebo for 1 week after each doxorubicin dose [group II]. They underwent conventional echo-Doppler measures of left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions and pulsed wave tissue Doppler of lateral mitral annulus. Results No significant differences were found in parameters of electrocardiograph including S-T segment and Q-T interval either before or after doxorubicin therapy. No significant differences in echocardiographic parameters were found between group I and group II before therapy. Non-significant changes in parameters of diastolic function [E/A ratio or e/a ratio] were found after doxorubicin therapy in group I and II, but there were significant reduction in parameters of systolic function [EF, FS and s wave] after doxorubicin therapy more in group II than group I. Conclusion and recommendation: From this study, we concluded that: Black seed oil improves some cardiac side effects of doxorubicin as shown by better systolic functions in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who were treated with Doxorubicin and black seed (group I) than in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who were treated with doxorubicin alone with no black seeds (group II), and therefore multi center studies is recommended to be done before we can recommend the use of black seed oil as an adjuvant therapy in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia under doxorubicin-based treatment protocol.


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