scholarly journals Evaluation of Plasma MMP-9 and VEGF-A mRNAs as Non-invasive Diagnostic Biomarkers in Women with Endometriosis

2021 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sepideh Abdollahi ◽  
Pantea Izadi ◽  
Shahla Noori Ardebili ◽  
Samaneh Chegeni ◽  
Mir Saead Yekaninejad

Background: Endometriosis is one of the common gynecological diseases and can lead to pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and infertility in women. Thus, accurate and early diagnosis is a pivotal issue and an essential need for managing this disorder. At the present, the gold standard diagnostic method for endometriosis is laparoscopic surgery that is an invasive method and can lead to delay in diagnosis. Thus, there is an immediate necessity to search for non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers, such as blood-based ones. Objectives: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) have essential roles in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the plasma mRNA levels of MMP-9 and VEGF-A, as potential non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers for endometriosis. Methods: This study included 48 women (24 cases and 24 controls) who underwent laparoscopy for suspected endometriosis. Preoperative plasma samples were collected, and after RNA extraction, the levels of MMP-9 and VEGF-A mRNAs were determined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results: Plasma MMP-9 mRNA level was statistically higher in endometriosis patients compared with the control group (P value = 0.01). However, plasma VEGF-A mRNA level did not show a significant difference between the two groups (P value =0.5). Conclusions: It seems that the plasma level of MMP-9 mRNA in endometriosis patients is significantly higher than in non-endometriosis women. This finding can provide new insights regarding this mRNA’s applicability as a non-invasive diagnostic biomarker for discovering new cases of endometriosis (newly diagnosed). According to our results, despite the suggested role of VEGF-A in endometriosis pathogenesis, it seems that the plasma level of VEGF-A mRNA does not have the potential to be used as a non-invasive diagnostic biomarker.

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 878-886
Author(s):  
Sobhan Helbi ◽  
Behnam Ravanbakhsh ◽  
Mohammad Karimi ◽  
Wesam Kooti ◽  
Nahid Jivad

Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. The most common disease phenotype is Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS). Beta interferons are the first line of RRMS patients’ treatment. Interferon-inducible protein 16 (IFI16) as a DNA sensing molecule and its downstream complex stimulator of interferon genes (STING) play a critical role in the activation of type I interferons. Hence we aimed to evaluate the expression rate of IFI16 and STING in RRMS patients’ blood under a different type of IFNβ treatment. Methods: In the present study, 99 individuals participated. The participants were divided into 4 groups: 28 control subjects, 25 new cases of RRMS patients, 25 RRMS patients treated with IFNβ-1a (B1a), 21 RRMS patients treated with IFNβ-1b (B1b). The EDTA-treated blood samples were taken and transferred at standard conditions to the Cellular and Molecular Research Center of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, RNA was extracted and converted into cDNA. To evaluate the expression of IFI16 and STING, the Real-Time PCR method using SYBR Green/ROX qPCR master mix was performed done. The level of genes expression was measured using 2–ΔΔCt method. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS v22 software. Results: Comparison of the IFI and STING mRNA expression in blood samples in association with gender and age showed no significant differences (p>0.05). Also, the evaluation of IFI16 mRNA level revealed that the IFI16 genes’ expressions were remarkably higher in the new case group compared to the control group, however, STING expression did not show any significant difference. The mRNA levels of IFI16 and STING in IFNβ-treated groups were significantly lower than the new case group (p<0.001). Also, the genes’ expressions in both the IFNβ-treated groups were significantly lower compared to the control group (p<0.001). In the assessment of the correlation of IFI16 and STING expressions with age and sex in different research groups, no statistically significant differences were seen (p>0.05). Conclusion: Perhaps the IFNβ therapy decreases the IFI16 and STING expression in a STINGdependent pathway as a negative feedback mechanism for regulation of the immune system and suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines production. The important role of DNA sensing molecules and STING-dependent pathway in MS gives a new insight into future treatment based on STING-direct therapies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 89-97
Author(s):  
A. Kubešová ◽  
K. Šťastný ◽  
M. Faldyna ◽  
Z. Sládek ◽  
I. Steinhauserová ◽  
...  

This study aimed to obtain a comprehensive look at the influence of castration on mRNA expression of the genes CYP2E1, CYP1A2, CYP2A19, HSD3B, SULT2A1 and SULT1A1 and their correlation with boar taint compounds (androstenone, skatole and indole) and Improvac-specific antibodies in a Czech commercial hybrid (Large White × Landrace (sow) × Duroc (boar)). Pigs were divided into groups of entire male pigs (NC), pigs castrated surgically (SC), pigs immunologically castrated and slaughtered 8 weeks (IM8) or 15 weeks (IM15) after the second dose of Improvac, and gilts (GI). Hepatic mRNA expression, measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, differed significantly between the control group (entire male pigs) and all groups of interest for CYP2E1, CYP1A2 and CYP2A19. The mRNA level of the HSD3B gene differed significantly between the control group and the IM8, IM15 and GI groups. SULT1A1 gene expression was significantly different between the control group and the SC, IM8 and GI. In the case of SULT2A1, a significant difference was observed only between the control group and IM8 pigs. For all genes and treatment groups described above, expression was increased relative to the control. Significant differences for Improvac-specific antibodies between IM8 and IM15 groups were observed, indicating decrease of antibodies over time. Moreover, negative correlations between androstenone and mRNA levels of CYP2A19, CYP2E1 and SULT1A1 suggest that gene expression is suppressed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meiyu Piao ◽  
Hailong Cao ◽  
NaNa He ◽  
Boli Yang ◽  
Wenxiao Dong ◽  
...  

Antitumor effect of berberine has been reported in a wide spectrum of cancer, however, the mechanisms of which are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that berberine suppresses tumorigenesis in the familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) by regulating the macrophage polarization in Apc (min/+) mouse model. Berberine was given to Apc (min/+) mice for 12 weeks. Primary macrophages were isolated; after berberine treatment, the change in signaling cascade was determined. The total number and size of polyps were reduced remarkably in berberine group, compared with control group. A significant decrease in protein levels of F4/80, mannose receptor (MR), and COX-2 in stroma of intestinal polyps and an increase in the level of iNOS were observed after berberine treatment. The mRNA level of MR and Arg-1 in berberine group was significantly lower than those in IL-10 or IL-4 group, while no significant difference in mRNA levels of iNOS and CXCL10 was observed. The migration and invasiveness assaysin vitroshowed that berberine could reduce the capability of migration and invasiveness. These findings suggest that berberine attenuates intestinal tumorigenesis by inhibiting the migration and invasion of colorectal tumor cells via regulation of macrophage polarization.


Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (20) ◽  
pp. 4496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia el Manouni el Hassani ◽  
Sofie Bosch ◽  
Jesse P.M. Lemmen ◽  
Marina Brizzio Brentar ◽  
Ibrahim Ayada ◽  
...  

Endoscopic evaluation is mandatory in establishing the diagnosis of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but unfortunately carries a high burden on patients. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) have been proposed as alternative, noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers for IBD. The current study aimed to assess and compare the potential of fecal and urinary VOC as diagnostic biomarkers for pediatric IBD in an intention-to-diagnose cohort. In this cohort study, patients aged 4–17 years, referred to the outpatient clinic of a tertiary referral center under suspicion of IBD, were eligible to participate. The diagnosis was established by endoscopic and histopathologic assessment, participants who did not meet the criteria of IBD were allocated to the control group. Participants were instructed to concurrently collect a fecal and urinary sample prior to bowel lavage. Samples were analyzed by means of gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry. In total, five ulcerative colitis patients, five Crohn’s disease patients, and ten age and gender matched controls were included. A significant difference was demonstrated for both fecal (p-value, area under the curve; 0.038, 0.73) and urinary (0.028, 0.78) VOC profiles between IBD and controls. Analysis of both fecal and urinary VOC behold equal potential as noninvasive biomarkers for pediatric IBD diagnosis.


Author(s):  
Zainab H El-Dahshan ◽  
Mohammed M El-Naggar ◽  
Om Ali Y El-Khawaga ◽  
Ahmed El-Waseef ◽  
 Sherin Abd El-Aziz ◽  
...  

Background and aim for the work: Bone marrow failure (BMF) is the inability of the bone marrow to produce an adequate number of peripheral blood cells. BMF included inherited and acquired conditions. The telomerase complex maintains telomere length (TL) in embryonic cells and in few adult cell types such as germ cells, stem cells, T lymphocytes, and monocytes. All the other adult cells, including blood cells, show a progressive reduction in telomere length, which correlates with the age and rate of cell proliferation. Our study aims to evaluate the utility of Real-Time Quantitative-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RQ-PCR) in measuring the relative telomere length and to investigate its correlation with the clinicopathological data of the Egyptian BMF patients. Materials and methods: The study included 3 groups: a group of inherited BMF (25 patients), a group of acquired BMF (10 patients) and a third healthy control group (15 cases). The relative telomere length (RTL) is evaluated for them using RQ-PCR. Results: We have found a significant difference in RTL between all BMF patients and healthy controls (P value= 0.001), there was a significant difference in RTL between inherited BMF patients and its age-matched controls (P value=0.009), also a significant difference between acquired BMF patients and its age-matched controls (P value= 0.034). However, there was no significant difference between inherited and acquired BMF patients (P value= 0.479). On the other hand, we find an association between RTL and lymphocyte count (P value= 0.032) in inherited BMF patients. While another association observed with RTL and red blood cell count (RBCs) in acquired BMF patients (P value= 0.048). There was no significant correlation with RTL and the overall survival or prognosis of those patients. Conclusion: We conclude that the telomere lengths are significantly altered in Egyptian BMF patients, either whether inherited or acquired compared to the control group, with some hematological changes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-77
Author(s):  
Rohimah Ismail ◽  
Chong Mei Chan ◽  
Wan Muhammad Azly W. Zulkafli ◽  
Hasnah Zani ◽  
Zainab Mohd Shafie

                The evolution of information technology has exerted great influence on nursing education via new pedagogy of knowledge delivery without time and place restriction. Mobile technology revolutionises nursing education and clinical practice via empowering skills of critical thinking and clinical decision-making through learning. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of using mobile messenger (Whatsapp) as an educational supporting tool among nursing students. The study design used is a Cluster Randomized Control Trail. Two nursing colleges were selected. Sample size was 93 participants, 48 from the Kuala Terengganu Nursing College Kuala Terengganu as the intervention group while the control group were recruited among 45 participants from UniSZA Nursing College. There is a significant difference in the level of knowledge between pre and posttest among intervention group (mean difference was -8.70 with a standard deviation 8.42, p-value< 0.001) and 93.8 percent of the respondents perceived the usefulness of using WhatsApp mobile messenger to enhance learning. This demonstrates that learning through mobile messenger (WhatsApp) enhances learning and is well received as a new method of learning by almost all students.   Keywords: Mobile learning, WhatsApp messenger, Social Interaction


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 205031212110202
Author(s):  
Rgda Mohamed Osman ◽  
Mounkaila Noma ◽  
Abdallah Elssir Ahmed ◽  
Hanadi Abdelbagi ◽  
Rihab Ali Omer ◽  
...  

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. This study aimed to determine the association of interleukin-17A-197G/A polymorphism with rheumatoid arthritis in Sudanese patients. Methods: A case–control study was conducted between March and December 2018. Clinical and demographic data of the study participants were collected and analyzed. Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism molecular technique was done to investigate interleukin-17A-197G/A polymorphisms. All statistical tests were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05. Results: The study population included 266 participants aged between 1 and 85 years, with an average of 40 years, classified into 85 (31.2%) cases (mean age 48.5 ± 11.3 years), and 181 (68.8%) controls (mean age 35.3 ± 15.9 years). The interleukin-17A homozygote AA genotype was more frequent among the control group compared to the case group; 95 (52.5%) and 7 (8.2%), respectively. The homozygote GG and the heterozygote AG genotypes were proportionally not different among the cases and control groups; 13 (54.2%) and 11 (45.8%), and 65 (46.4%) and 75 (53.6%), respectively. According to the distribution of interleukin-17A genotypes, a statistically significant difference was observed among cases with the interleukin-17A AA and AG genotypes, p values 0.001 and 0.004, respectively. For the association interleukin-17A genotypes and family history a negatively significant association was reported (95% confidence interval, –0.219, p value = 0.001). There was also a negatively significant association of interleukin-17A genotypes and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (95% confidence interval, −0.141, p value = 0.002). Conclusion: This study is the first study in Sudan established the association between interleukin-17A-197G/A (rs2275913) polymorphisms and susceptibly to rheumatoid arthritis. These findings appeal for further research in Sudan to investigate the exact role of IL-17A in immunopathology and disease severity among Sudanese rheumatoid arthritis


Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 358
Author(s):  
Javier Aragoneses ◽  
Ana Suárez ◽  
Nansi López-Valverde ◽  
Francisco Martínez-Martínez ◽  
Juan Manuel Aragoneses

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of implant surface treatment with carboxyethylphosphonic acid and fibroblast growth factor 2 on the bone–implant interface during the osseointegration period in vivo using an animal model. The present research was carried out in six minipigs, in whose left tibia implants were inserted as follows: eight implants with a standard surface treatment, for the control group, and eight implants with a surface treatment of carboxyethylphosphonic acid and immobilization of FGF-2, for the test group. At 4 weeks after the insertion of the implants, the animals were sacrificed for the histomorphometric analysis of the samples. The means of the results for the implant–bone contact variable (BIC) were 46.39 ± 17.49% for the test group and 34.00 ± 9.92% for the control group; the difference was not statistically significant. For the corrected implant–bone contact variable (BICc), the mean value of the test group was 60.48 ± 18.11%, and that for the control group, 43.08 ± 10.77%; the difference was statistically significant (p-value = 0.035). The new bone formation (BV/TV) showed average results of 27.28 ± 3.88% for the test group and 26.63 ± 7.90% for the control group, meaning that the differences were not statistically significant (p-value = 0.839). Regarding the bone density at the interthread level (BAI/TA), the mean value of the test group was 32.27 ± 6.70%, and that of the control group was 32.91 ± 7.76%, with a p-value of 0.863, while for the peri-implant density (BAP/TA), the mean value of the test group was 44.96 ± 7.55%, and that for the control group was 44.80 ± 8.68%, without a significant difference between the groups. The current research only found a significant difference for the bone–implant contact at the cortical level; therefore, it could be considered that FGF-2 acts on the mineralization of bone tissue. The application of carboxyethylphosphonic acid on the surface of implants can be considered a promising alternative as a biomimetic coating for the immobilization of FGF-2. Despite no differences in the new bone formation around the implants or in the interthread or peri-implant bone density being detected, the biofunctionalization of the implant surface with FGF-2 accelerates the mineralization of the bone–implant interface at the cortical level, thereby reducing the osseointegration period.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Jafaripour ◽  
Z Aryanian ◽  
S Hosseinzadeh ◽  
R Pourkia ◽  
MM Ansari Ramandi ◽  
...  

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Lichen planus (LP) which is a chronic inflammatory disease can cause impaired atrial electromechanical coupling, leading to increased risk of atrial fibrillation. Purpose The present study aimed to evaluate atrial electromechanical coupling in LP patients by using electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography. Methods Forty-six LP patients were investigated in this cross-sectional case-control study. The control group comprised healthy individuals selected in age and gender-matched manner. Echocardiography and ECG were done for all patients to show inter and intra-atrial electromechanical delays and P wave dispersion respectively. The electromechanical delays were calculated by using the difference between the delays from the onset of the P wave on ECG to the onset of A wave on tissue Doppler recordings of the different areas. Results The baseline characteristics of the case and control group were similar and did not differ significantly. The P wave dispersion was 45.63 ± 3.48 milliseconds in the LP group in comparison to 36.56 ± 2.87 milliseconds in the control group (p &lt; 0.001). As shown in the table, the intra and inter-atrial electromechanical delays were also significantly prolonged in LP patients when compared to the control group (p &lt; 0.001). There was no significant difference between the left and right ventricular systolic function and diastolic function of the two groups. Conclusion The results of the study indicate the presence of significant impaired atrial electromechanical coupling in patients with LP confirmed by both electrocardiographic and echocardiographic tools. Electromechanical delays Case N = 46 (mean ± SD) Control N = 46 (mean ± SD) P value Septal - PA (msec) 59.71 ± 13.24 44.39 ± 11.07 0.002 Lateral - PA (msec) 55.71 ± 13.26 48.89 ± 11.21 0.009 Tricuspid - PA (msec) 52.37 ± 13.12 43.28 ± 10.58 0.002 Inter-atrial delay (msec) (lateral PA−RV PA) 8.47 ± 1.62 6.37 ± 1.36 &lt;0.001 Intra-atrial delay (msec) (LA) [lateral PA−septal PA] 4.80 ± 1.48 3.83 ± 0.82 &lt;0.001 Intra-atrial delay (msec) (RA) [septal PA−RV PA] 3.91 ± 0.96 2.02 ± 0.71 &lt;0.001 PA Delay from the onset of the P wave on ECG to the onset of A wave on tissue Doppler, N: number, SD: Standard Deviation, LA: Left Atrium, RA: Right Atrium, RV: Right Ventricle


Author(s):  
Muhammad Kashif ◽  
Nosheen Manzoor ◽  
Rimsha Safdar ◽  
Hafsa Khan ◽  
Maryam Farooq ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is a common condition that results in significant disability. To treat this dysfunction, Mulligan described sustained natural apophyseal gliders (SNAGs) as a manual therapy approach. However, only inconclusive short-term evidence exists for treating CGH with SNAGs. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to investigate the effect of SNAGs in the treatment of CGH. METHODS: Fourty female patients ranging from 20 to 40 years with CGH were randomly assigned to two groups: 20 in a treatment group and 20 in a control group. SNAGs were applied to the treatment group while the control group received placebo treatment. Both groups received their respective treatment for 20 minutes, alternately three times per week, for a total of 12 times in four weeks. The outcome measures were the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Participants were assessed at baseline and at the end of each week. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Independent t-testing was used to reveal changes between groups. One-way ANOVA was used to determine changes within groups. The level of significance was P< 0.05. RESULTS: Twenty participants (100%) in the treatment group and 17 (85%) in the control group had a history of headache aggravation with active movements or passive head positioning. There was no significant difference at baseline (p> 0.05), indicating that both groups were homogeneous at the time of recruitment. The p value (p< 0.05) showed a significant difference in pain and level of disability at three and four weeks (p< 0.05) in patients treated with SNAGs. However, the cervical range of motion (ROM) showed a statistically significant improvement in flexion and extension in the treatment group (p< 0.05) while there was no significant improvement in side flexion and rotation ROM in both groups (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study found that SNAGs were effective in reducing pain and neck disability and improved ROM in females with CGH.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document