IGFBP-4: A promising biomarker for lung cancer

Background: Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4), a member of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) family, transports, and regulates the activity of IGFs. The pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) has proteolytic activity towards IGFBP-4, and both proteins have been associated with a variety of cancers, including lung cancer. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the use of IGFBP-4 and PAPP-A as potential biomarkers for lung cancer. Methods: Eighty-three volunteers, including 60 patients with lung cancer and 23 healthy individuals, were included in this study. The patients with lung cancer were selected based on their treatment status, histological subgroup, and stage of the disease. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to assess the serum levels of IGFBP-4 and PAPPA, whereas the IGF-1 levels were measured using a chemiluminescent immunometric assay. Results: The serum IGFBP-4 levels in all patient groups, regardless of the treatment status and histological differences, were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.005). However, the serum PAPP-A levels in the untreated patient group were found to be higher than those in the control group, but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.086). Conclusions: The serum PAPP-A and IGFBP-4 levels are elevated in lung cancer. However, IGFBP-4 may have better potential than PAPP-A as a lung cancer biomarker.

Evaluation of automated hematology analyzer DYMIND DH76 compared to SYSMEX XN 1000 system

Background: DYMIND DH76 (DYMIND BIOTECH, China) is a new automated hematology system designed to provide CBC count, including a 5-part WBC differential count, and its analytical performance should be assessed before adoption for clinical use. Methods: The analyzer was evaluated according to the International Council for Standardization in Haematology guideline. The purposes of this study were to assess its analytical performance in comparison to SYSMEX XN 1000 hematology analyzer currently used in our laboratory, as well as to compare the automated and manual WBC differential. Results: Within-run precision in all concentration ranges was very good with coefficients of variation (CVs) between 0.02% and 2.5% except for platelets over 500×109/L (CV 9.5%). Within-batch imprecision showed CVs lower the declared deviation ranges. Accuracy (defined as trueness) was excellent for all CBC and white cell differential parameters, compared with the state of the art%. Linearity was confirmed with excellent regression coefficients (0.999-1.000), even in the lowest values, and carryover was ≤ 1%. Comparison between DYMIND DH76 and SYSMEX XN 1000 was also very good with correlation coefficients (R2) for WBC (1.000), RBC (0.999), hemoglobin (0.999) and PLT over 50×109/L (0.994) and R2 was lower but still acceptable (0.910) for PLT<50×109/L. R2 for neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and monocytes were 0.974, 0.982, 0.957, 0.625, and 0.836, respectively, in the comparison between the manual and DYMIND DH76 automated differential WBC counts. Conclusions: With excellent analytical performance and acceptable comparative analysis, DYMIND DH76 hematology analyser covered the predefined international standards and requirements and is fully appropriate for clinical application.

Influence of lipid metabolism disorders on venous thrombosis risk

Background: To investigate the influence of lipid metabolism disorders on the risk of deep vein thrombosis. Methods: A total of 200 subjects participated in the study, 100 of whom experienced DVT with or without PTE, and 100 healthy subjects representing the control group. We classified patients and controls in terms of serum concentrations of chylomicrons, LDL, IDL, VLDL, and HDL particles, as those with or without hyperlipoproteinemia and in terms of serum Lp (a) lipoprotein levels, as those with hyperLp (a) lipoproteinemia (serum Lp (a) values > 0.3 g/L) and those without hyperLp (a) lipoproteinemia (serum Lp (a) values <0.3 g/L). Based on the modified and supplemented Fredrickson classification, participants with verified existences of hyperlipoproteinemia were classified into subgroups based on the type of hyperlipoproteinemia. Unconditional logistic regression was used to calculate ORs with 95% CIS as a measure of the relative risks for venous thrombosis in participants with hyperlipoproteinemia compared with those without hyperlipoproteinemia. The analysis was adjusted for all potential confounders (age, sex, obesity) related to the functionality of the lipid metabolism, and at the same time, may have an impact on the risk of venous thrombosis. Results: The results of the comparison of the mean values of individual lipid status parameters between the patient group and the control group clearly indicate higher concentrations of total cholesterol (5.93 mmol/L vs. 5.52 mmol/L), total triglycerides (1.58 mmol/L vs. 1.50 mmol/L), and LDL-cholesterol (3.83 mmol/L vs. 3.44 mmol/L) in the patient group relative to the control group, with a statistically significant difference observed only in the case of LDL-cholesterol concentrations. We have found that type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia is associated with a nearly double increased risk for deep vein thrombosis (OR 1.99; Cl 1.01-3.90), while type IIb, IV, or hyperLp (a) lipoproteinemia did not influence the risk (OR 1.22; 95% Cl 0.79-1.84; OR 0.89; 95% Cl 0.52-1.54 OR 1.85; 95% CI 0.84-4.04). Conclusions: Hypercholesterolemia doubles the risk of deep vein thrombosis development.

Thiol/disulfide homeostasis impaired in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome

Background: Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a disease associated with the overexpression of proinflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress is one of the factors responsible for its etiopathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the thiol/disulphide homeostasis in pSS patients. Methods: The study included 68 pSS patients and 69 healthy controls. Thiol/disulphide homeostasis (total thiol, native thiol, and disulphide levels) was measured using the automatic spectrophotometric method developed by Erel and Neselioglu, and the results of the 2 groups were compared. Results: The gender and age distributions of the pSS and control groups were similar (P = 0.988 and P = 0.065). Total thiol and native thiol levels were lower in the pSS group than in the control group (470.08 ± 33.65 mmol/L vs. 528.21 ± 44.99 mmol/L, P < 0.001, and 439.14 ± 30.67 mmol/L vs. 497.56 ± 46.70 mmol/L, P < 0.001, respectively). There were no differences in disulphide levels between groups 17.00 (range 0.70-217.0) mmol/L vs. 14.95 (range 2.10-40.10) mmol/L, P = 0.195. Conclusions: It was concluded that the thiol/disulphide balance shifted towards disulphide in patients with pSS.