Journal of Medical Biochemistry最新文献

Background: The prediction of disease severity in COVID19 could be a valuable tool for providing early treatment and reducing mortality. We aimed to evaluate the predictor value of baseline cortisol values on disease severity and assess the correlation between the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and cortisol levels.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we compared the prognostic value of baseline NLR, morning cortisol, ferritin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels among patients with severe and non-severe COVID-19. The association was assessed with Spearman's correlation.

Results: 37.7% of the patients (n=63) had severe disease, and their baseline cortisol levels were higher than those in the non-severe group (522 nmol/L vs 380.7 nmol/L, p=0.011). The baseline cortisol level and NLR had area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.62 (95% confidence interval CI 0.53-0.71) and 0.70 (CI 95% 0.62-0.78) for the prediction of severe COVID-19, respectively. Severe disease was predicted in patients with a baseline cortisol cutoff ≥ 522 nmol/L with a specificity of 75.0%, a sensitivity of 50.79%. The cutoff value for the NLR on day 1 was ≥ 6.2, with a specificity of 93.27% and a sensitivity of 32.79%. Baseline cortisol levels showed a significant weakmoderate positive correlation with the NLR and levels of CRP and ferritin on day 1 (r=0.33, r=0.29, r=0.28, respectively, p<0.001 for all).

Conclusions: The baseline cortisol level in COVID-19 patients is a good predictive marker for disease severity and non-inferior to the NLR. However, it is inferior to CRP and ferritin.

Background: To explore the association of polymorphisms of apoptosis-linked genes caspase3 (CASP3), integrin a subunit 1 (ITGA1), glutathione sulfur transferase M1 (GSTM1) with susceptibility to gastric cardia carcinoma (GCC).

Methods: From February 2016 to March 2018, selection of 113 GCC patients was as the gastric cancer (GC), and selection of 75 patients without gastric disease was as the control. Detection of CASP3, ITGA1 and GSTM1 gene polymorphisms in patients' peripheral blood was to analyze their association with GC. Division of the GC was into the good prognosis and the unpleasing prognosis in the light of the survival of patients after surgery of 3 years, and the predictable value of gene polymorphisms of CASP3, ITGA1 and GSTM1 in GCC patients was analyzed.

Results: CASP3 gene rs12108497 locus, ITGA1 gene rs1862610 locus and GSTM1 genotype of the GC and the control were in accord with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05); The detection rate of CASP3 gene rs12108497 locus TC/CC type, ITGA1's gene rs1862610 locus AC/AA type and GSTM1 blank type in the GC was elevated vs. the control (P < 0.05); Logistic regression analysis manifested smoking, anxiety, helicobacter pylori infection, family history of gastrointestinal tumor, combination with chronic gastric disease, CASP3 gene and GSTM1 gene polymorphism were risk factors for GC (P < 0.05); Stratification was in the light of individual smoking status, discovering that the detection rates of CASP3 gene rs12108497 locus TC/CC type, ITGA1 gene RS1862610 locus AC/AA type and GSTM1 blank type in the smoking were crucially augmented vs. the smoking (P < 0.05); The detection rates of CASP3 gene rs12108497 locus TC/CC type, ITGA1 gene rs1862610 locus AC/AA type and GSTM1 blank type in the death were augmented vs. the survival (P < 0.05); Combined detection of CASP3, ITGA1 and GSTM1 gene polymorphisms was provided with predictive value for GCC's prognosis (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: CASP3 and GSTM1 genes are susceptibility genes for GCC, which might be associated with the occurrence of GCC in smoking patients, and the joint detection of multiple genes is provided with predictive value for patients' prognosis.

Background: To explore the biological effects of CASC11 on aggravating diabetic nephropathy (DN) by regulating FoxO1 (forkhead transcription factor O1).

Methods: Serum levels of CASC11 and FoxO1 in DN patients were detected. The possibility of CASC11 in predicting the onset of DN was analyzed by depicting ROC curves. Correlation between CASC11 and FoxO1 was evaluated by Pearson correlation test. After intervening CASC11 and FoxO1 levels, we found that changes in proliferative and migratory abilities in high glucose (HG)induced kidney mesangial cells were determined respectively. Protein levels of TGF-β1 and Smads regulated by both CASC11 and FoxO1 were examined by Western blot.

Background: This study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of pramipexole combined with ganglioside for PD treatment and pramipexole monotherapy, so as to provide reference for clinical practice.

Methods: 61 PD patients selected from June 2019 to December 2020 at our hospital were divided into two groups. The control group (n=31) was given dopasizide oral treatment, and the treatment group (n=30) was given ganglioside combined with pramipexole. The clinical efficacy, adverse reactions, motor function scores, UPDRS scores, PDQ-39 scale scores, TNF-a levels, and related serum factor levels were measured in this study.

Background: The aim was examination of the intimamedia thickness of carotid arteries in COVID-19 infection.

Methods: In 50 patients, the thickness of the intimomedial complex (IMT) in the common carotid arteries was measured. The values were compared with the control group in 2006-9. The condition of the lungs was assessed by ultrasound score (It score) (0-42) as mild (0-14) or mediumsevere (15-28) Covid. IMT thickening risk factors and the value of fibrinogen, IL-6 and CRP were recorded. Two IMT prediction models were formed. The socio-epidemiological model predicts the development of IMT based on epidemiological factors. Apart from these factors, the second model also includes the values of the mentioned biomarkers.

Results: It score 20±6, IMT values right: median 0.99 mm, p25=0.89, p75=1.14; left: 1±0.22 mm. Control: IMTright: median 0.7 mm, p25=0.68 mm; p75=0-9 mm; left: median=0.75 mm, p25=0.6 mm, p75=1.0 mm. The group/control difference is highly significant. Epide mio - logical model: logit (IMT)= 4.463+(2.021+value for GEN)+(0.055x AGE value)+(-3.419x RF value)+(-4.447x SM value)+(5.115x HTA value)+(3.56x DM value)+ (22.389x LIP value)+(24.206x CVD value)+(1.449x other value)+(-0.138x It score value)+(0.19xBMI value). Epidemiological-inflammatory model: logit (IMT)=5.204+ (2.545x GEN value)+(0.076x AGE value)+(-6.132x RF value)+(-7.583x SM value)+(8.744x HTA value)+(6.838x DM value)+(25.446x LIP value)+(28.825x CVD value)+ (2.487x other value)+(-0.218xIt score value)+(0.649x BMI value) +(-0.194x fibrinogen value)+(0.894x IL-6 value)+(0.659x CRP value). Values for both models Exp(B)=4.882; P of sample=0.83; logit=-0.19; OR= 23.84; model accuracy for the first model 87% and for the second 88%; Omnibus test of the first model c2=34.324; p=0.000; reliability coefficient -2LogLH=56.854; Omnibus test of the second model c2=39.774; p=0.000; and -2LogLH=51.403.

Conclusions: The ageing of blood vessels in COVID-19 can be predicted.

Background: Alterations of plateletcrit and mean platelet volume (MPV) and pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) have been linked to various inflammatory disorders. The prognostic impact of plateletcrit and MPV were evaluated.

Methods: MPV and plateletcrit levels of both CLL and control group were compared and then in CLL patients, additional diseases, leukocyte count, platelet count, lactate dehydrogenase, Rai stage, progression-free and overall survival, mutations, if any, and chemotherapy, if any, were recorded. Then, the relationship between MPV and plateletcrit values and these parameters were evaluated in CLL patients.

Results: Platelet and plateletcrit values were found to be significantly lower in CLL patients than the control group (p<0.001) for both. Plateletcrit and MPV values of patients who did not receive chemotherapy were higher than those who received chemotherapy (p=0.03, p=0.02, respectively). Being over 75 years old, plateletcrit value less than 0.1565 %, platelet level below 175 x 109/L, and leukocyte count greater than 53.5 x 109/L was found to significantly reduce overall survival. Male gender, each stage increase, plateletcrit less than 0.1565 % and leukocyte count greater than 53.5 x 109/L was related to reduce treatment-free survival in CLL patients.

Conclusions: Plateletcrit can be a viable prognostic marker for defining both treatment free and overall survival.

Background: The national mandatory premarital screening test is based on mean corpuscular volume (MCV) > 80 fL value for the detection of β-thalassemia to provide acceptance for marriage. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of MCV as a screening test for β-thalassemia trait in the present population.

Methods: This study was conducted on 418 blood samples collected from adult individuals. The diagnosis of β-thalassemia carrier was given to those having HbA₂ values equal to or above 3.5%. The diagnostic reliability of different RBC indices and formulas in discriminating cases of β-thalassemia trait were evaluated. Finally, a new index called "Momani" was determined based on MCV, RDW and RBC count.

Results: β-thalassemia trait was identified in 10% of the cases. The measured MCV value was significantly lower in β-thalassemia carrier group compared to non-carrier group (p = <0.001). MCV value and RBC count showed a higher diagnostic reliability than other RBC indices. We found that MCV ≤ 74.45 fL is more suitable cutoff value of MCV with 86.2% specificity, 71.4% sensitivity, 36.6% positive predictive value, and 96.4% negative predictive value. Finally, our index "Momani" was found to be useful in predicting carrier and paralleled the performance of Sirdah, Mentzer, and Ehsani indices.

Conclusions: MCV<80 is a useful but not a perfect cutoff point for the screening of β-thalassemia carriers from noncarriers. The diagnostic accuracy of MCV can be improved by selecting a new cutoff value. Moreover, "Momani" index shows good discrimination ability in diagnosing β-thalassemia carrier in our population.

Background: This study aims to establish reference intervals (RIs) for thyroid hormones in the elderly population and analyze their influence on the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism.

Methods: Thyroid hormone records of subjects who underwent routine health checkup at our hospital between 2018 and 2020 were analyzed. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total triiodothyronine, total thyroxine, free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4) levels were compared between young and elderly subjects. Thresholds of these thyroid hormones were established for elderly subjects.

Results: A total of 22,207 subjects were included. Of them, 2,254 (10.15%) were aged ≥ 65 years. Elderly subjects had higher TSH, and lower FT3 and FT4 levels when compared with young subjects. In the elderly group, the RIs for TSH, FT3 and FT4 were 0.55-5.14 mIU/L, 3.68-5.47 pmol/L, and 12.00-19.87 pmol/L, respectively. The age and sex specific RIs for TSH were 0.56-5.07 mIU/L for men and 0.51-5.25 mIU/L for women. With whole-group RIs and age and sex-specific RIs for elderly people, the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism was 9.83% and 6.29% (p < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusions: Elderly individuals had higher TSH levels than young individuals. Our study indicated that establishing specific RIs for elderly individuals is needed. This has implications for the diagnosis and management of subclinical hypothyroidism in the elderly population.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic disorder that occurs during pregnancy that increases both maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. It was investigated whether there is a change in circulating levels of preptin, a new peptide secreted from pancreatic beta cells, due to GDM in pregnant women. The relationship between serum preptin levels with insulin and other metabolic parameters was also evaluated in these subjects.

Methods: Eighty-five patients diagnosed as GDM and 89 healthy pregnant women with 75 mg oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was assessed in terms of serum preptin levels.

Results: The serum preptin levels of the GDM group were significantly higher than those of the control group (p=0.001; p < 0.01). For the cutoff value of preptin measurement of 335.3 ng/L, the sensitivity was 97.65%, specificity was 87.64%, positive predictive value was 88.3% and negative predictive value was 97.5%. The risk of developing the disease is 294.273 times higher in patients with preptin level of 335.3 and above.

Conclusions: We think that the reason for the increase in serum preptin levels in GDM is probably the response to glucose. The current results indicate that preptin plays an important role in elucidating the pathology of GDM. In addition, the search for a practical marker for the diagnosis of GDM suggests that the measurement of preptin level is promising.

Background: To figure out the clinical meaning of serum trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1a (HIF-1a) with left ventricular function and pregnancy outcome in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Methods: From January 2018 to October 2020, 117 patients with gestational hypertension were taken as the research objects and grouped into the gestational hypertension (pregnancy-induced hypertension, 55 cases), mild preeclampsia (mild PE, 43 cases) and severe preeclampsia (severe PE, 19 cases) in the light of the severity of the disease. Analysis of the relation of serum TMAO, NT-proBNP and HIF-1a with the severity of disease and cardiac function indexes in patients with gestational hypertension was conducted. All patients were followed up to the end of pregnancy, and the predictive value of serum TMAO, NT-proBNP and HIF-1a on pregnancy outcome in patients was analyzed.

Results: Serum TMAO and NT-proBNP of patients were elevated, while HIF-1a was reduced with the severity of the disease (P < 0.05). Serum TMAO and NT-proBNP in patients with gestational hypertension were positively correlated but HIF-1a was negatively correlated with the severity of the disease (P < 0.05). Left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) were elevated in gestational hypertension patients, while ejection fraction (LVEF) was reduced with the severity of disease (P < 0.05). Serum TMAO, NT-proBNP and HIF1a were associated with LVEDV, LVESV and LVEF values in patients with gestational hypertension (P < 0.05). Serum TMAO and NT-proBNP were elevated but HIF-1a was reduced in patients with a poor pregnancy outcome (P < 0.05). The AUC of the combined detection of serum TMAO, NT-proBNP and HIF-1a on pregnancy outcome was greater (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Serum TMAO, NT-proBNP and HIF-1a in patients with gestational hypertension are associated with disease severity and cardiac function, and have predictive and evaluative values for disease severity and pregnancy outcome.