Annals of clinical and laboratory science最新文献

Objective: Polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA NPs) are a promising topic in the fields of drug delivery, tissue engineering, bioimaging, etc. The present study aims to explore the impact of PDA NPs carrying ferroptosis inhibitor ferstatin-1 (Fer-1) on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI).

Methods: After establishment of a rat model of MIRI and PDA NPs, the rats were divided into 4 groups: model group, sham operation group, Fer-1 group, and nano+Fer-1 group (n=8). To detect the effect of PDA NPs encapsulating Fer-1 on ferroptosis in MIRI rats, we further set up NOX4 overexpression group (pc-NOX4 group), NOX4 inhibitor group (Fulvene-5 group), nano+Fer-1+pc-NOX4 group, and nano+Fer-1+Fulvene-5 group (n=8). A CCK-8 assay was conducted to assess cell viability and staining to detect cardiomyocyte apoptosis and observe myocardial infraction.

Results: PDA NPs loaded with Fer-1 were successfully prepared with good safety and biocompatibility. Administration of PDA NPs carrying Fer-1 notably alleviated myocardial injury and hindered the process of ferroptosis in MIRI rats when inducing downregulation of NOX4 expression. Additionally, overexpression of GPX4 significantly attenuated myocardial injury in MIRI rats. While Fer-1 was shown to inhibit the expression of NOX4, the NOX4 inhibitor Fulvene-5 greatly elevated GPX4 and FTH1 expression in cardiomyocytes, and down-regulated the content of Fe²⁺, especially in the nanometer+Fer-1+Fulvene-5 group.

Conclusion: With promising safety and biocompatibility, PDA NPs encapsulated Fer-1 decrease GPX4 and FTH1 expression by inhibiting the level of NOX4 in myocardial cells of MIRI rats, thereby suppressing ferroptosis of cardiomyocytes and alleviating myocardial injury.

Objective: Testosterone is the principal male sex hormone and is secreted primarily by the testes. In most clinical laboratories testosterone is routinely measured for diagnosis of male hypogonadism or androgen excess in females using FDA approved immunoassays. We compared testosterone values measured by Beckman access immunoassay with those measured by a reference LC-MS/MS method.

Methods: Testosterone was measured in 36 patients using left over serum or plasma specimens by both Beckman immunoassay on the DXI 800 analyzer and a reference LC-MS/MS method.

Results: We observed overall significant negative bias of approximately 31.9 % when testosterone values obtained by the reference LC-MS/MS method were plotted in the x-axis and the corresponding testosterone values using the immunoassay in the y-axis, as regression equation was y=0.6887x+38.81 (n=36). The corresponding Deming regression was y=0.6639x+34.7163. However, in eight specimens with low testosterone concentrations, immunoassays significantly overestimated testosterone concentrations.

Conclusions: Immunoassays may underestimate the true testosterone concentration in males but overestimate in females with low testosterone concentration. Therefore, for diagnosis of hypogonadism in males and androgen excess in females, testosterone values obtained by Beckman Access immunoassay on the DXI 800 analyzer should be interpreted with caution.

Foreign body ingestion of sharp objects can be a striking feature of psychological dysfunction with high morbidity and mortality. While the phenomenon has been reported on, primarily from a psychiatric perspective, this report will present the effects of this behavior on the intestinal system from a pathology perspective. The report is of a 43-year-old female with a past medical history of foreign object ingestion, borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety, and prior suicidality who passed away due to bowel obstruction. Review of her history revealed an eighteen-year history of repeated foreign body ingestion with multiple surgical interventions. A particularly remarkable aspect revealed through the surgical history is the nature of the complications. They begin in 2008 with bowel perforation due to a blunt object and continue to present with perforation in the early years but show a gradual change to adhesions and obstruction as the primary concern. Her final presentation to the hospital and cause of death was due to obstruction, not perforation, even though the foreign bodies were six knives. While this case is not the only known report of foreign body ingestion, the extensive timeline and frequency allow for an examination of the gradual progression of fibrosis and adhesions within the intestines and abdominal wall, which led to the obstruction and death despite being a protective factor against further perforation.This case was presented at the annual Association of Clinical Scientists meeting (April 2-4, Jacksonville, FL).

Objective: The study investigated the association between FLG-AS1 and cervical cancer prognosis and the interaction mechanism between FLG-AS1 and miR-147b in order to identify potential therapeutic targets for cervical cancer.

Methods: In this study, tissue samples and clinicopathological characteristics were obtained from 125 cervical cancer patients. FLG-AS1 expression levels in the samples were detected by polymerase chain reaction assay. CCK-8 and Transwell assays were used to evaluate FLG-AS1's impact on cervical cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. The mechanism of action of FLG-AS1 and miR-147b was probed by a dual luciferase reporter gene assay. The prognostic nature of FLG-AS1 in cervical cancer was explored by a series of statistical approaches.

Results: In cervical cancer cells and tissues, FLG-AS1 expression is markedly downregulated. FLG-AS1 inhibits the activities of cervical cancer cells by negatively regulating miR-147b expression. Patients with cervical cancer have a poor prognosis when FLG-AS1 expression is low.

Conclusion: FLG-AS1 may be considered as a novel cervical cancer prognostic biomarker candidate, which affects cancer cell progression by negatively regulating miR-147b.

Objective: Blood donation is critical in Saudi Arabia due to high rates of sickle cell disease and thalassemia. Recent trends show a decline in the number of blood donors, threatening blood supplies for medical treatments. This study aims to identify factors that influence blood donation decisions and behaviors among young Saudi Arabian adults to develop strategies to enhance donation rates.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 407 university students in Riyadh Province (Shaqra, Riyadh City, Al-Majmaah and Al-Duwadimi) and occurred from December 2022 to May 2023, using convenience sampling. Data were collected via online questionnaires and analyzed using logistic regression.

Results: Findings revealed a significant gender disparity in donation rates with males more likely to donate. Knowledge gaps were prevalent, especially regarding eligibility criteria. Support for organ donation, prior experience of receiving blood, and high levels of self-determined motivation positively associated with donation likelihood. Conversely, amotivation was a strong negative predictor of donation.

Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of educational interventions to address misconceptions about blood donation and tailor campaigns to enhance donor motivation. Strategies focusing on these aspects could improve the donor pool and ensure a stable blood supply for patients with blood disorders in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are punctate hemorrhagic lesions within the brain parenchyma and are a classic manifestation of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). The primary objective of this study is to investigate the potential role of miR-4685-3p and underlying mechanisms by which miR-4685-3p modulates matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) in cerebral microvascular endothelial cell injury.

Methods: We employed high-throughput sequencing to screen for differentially expressed miRNAs in the peripheral blood of patients with CMBs and healthy controls. Employing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce cellular damage, we aim to establish a model of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3) injury. We also had cells transfected with miR-4685-3p mimic and MMP9 overexpression plasmid. We utilized quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to assess the expression levels of miR-4685-3p and performed Western blot analysis to examine MMP9 expression levels in the cells. We employed the CCK-8 assay, TUNEL assay, and tube formation assay to evaluate cellular viability, apoptotic rates, and angiogenic capabilities. Furthermore, dual-luciferase reporter assay analysis was conducted to confirm the relationship between miR-4685-3p and MMP9.

Results: The sequencing results indicated a downregulation of miR-4685-3p in the peripheral blood of patients with CMBs. Within the context of LPS-induced injury to hCMEC/D3 cells, miR-4685-3p exhibits reduced expression, whereas MMP9 expression levels are elevated. The elevation of miR-4685-3p expression levels attenuates LPS-induced cellular apoptosis and enhances the viability and tube-forming capacity of hCMEC/D3 cells. Concomitant transfection with MMP9 overexpression constructs effectively reversed the detrimental effects of LPS on hCMEC/D3 cell integrity. We further confirmed that miR-4685-3p overexpression directly targets MMP9, leading to negative regulation of MMP9 expression.

Conclusion: Upregulating miR-4685-3p, which targets the MMP9 axis, mitigated LPS-induced cerebral microvascular endothelial cell injury, potentially playing a protective role in the progression of CMBs.

Objective: Interferon-α (IFNα) therapy has been an integral part of the current treatment for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, the exact effect of IFNα antiviral therapy on liver function and iron metabolism in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains unclear. Here, we investigated the characteristics of changes in liver function and iron metabolism indexes in patients with chronic hepatitis B before and after IFNα treatment. Additionally, we determined their predictive value for the therapeutic response of IFNα treatment.

Methods: In this study, 34 patients with CHB before and after IFNα treatment were enrolled. Serum levels of virological indicators, liver function, and iron metabolism markers were detected and analyzed in each patient. ROC curve analysis was performed to compare the predictive value of serum liver function and iron metabolism markers for the therapeutic response of IFN α treatment.

Results: A significant decrease in serum HBV DNA (P<0.001) and HBsAg (P<0.001) was observed before and after IFNα treatment. Compared to the patients before IFNα treatment, patients after IFNα treatment showed a significant increase in serum albumin (ALB) (P<0.05) and a significant decrease in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P=0.003 and P=0.034). These findings suggested that the synthetic function of the liver was improved, and liver inflammation was alleviated. Serum HEPC and serum ferritin (SF) levels in patients after IFNα treatment were significantly higher (P<0.001, P<0.001); however, serum iron (SI) levels were significantly lower (P=0.005) than those in patients before IFNα treatment. These findings indicate that IFNα treatment regulated iron metabolism homeostasis in CHB patients. Combined liver function and iron metabolism markers, including ALB, SI, SF, and HEPC, had the highest predictive value for the therapeutic response of IFNα treatment for CHB.

Conclusion: IFNα treatment improved liver function and iron metabolism homeostasis in patients with CHB. Regular monitoring of serum ALB, SI, SF, and HEPC can help predict the therapeutic response of IFNα treatment for CHB.

Objective: The present study aims to explore the clinicopathological characteristics of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive inflammatory follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (IFDCS; EBV+ IFDCS).

Case report: The case involved a 32-year-old woman who underwent surgical resection of a splenic nodule. Histological examination and immunohistochemistry were performed using cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, and in-situ hybridization was conducted to detect EBV-encoded RNA (EBER).

Results: A microscopic analysis revealed neoplastic cells with various morphologies, including round, ovoid, or spindled shapes, dispersed within a prominent lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. The tumor cells exhibited nuclear atypia, with some resembling Reed-Sternberg cells. The immunohistochemistry demonstrated focal positivity for follicular dendritic cell markers, such as CD21, CD23 and CD35, and focal negativity for other markers, including CD3, CD34, CD20, CD79a, myeloperoxidase and HMB45. Additionally, the EBER staining showed strongly positive results. The patient showed no local recurrence or metastasis during the 13-month follow-up.

Conclusion: A comprehensive understanding of EBV+IFDCS, including its clinicopathological features and immunohistochemical characteristics, is crucial for accurate diagnosis and differential diagnosis of this rare tumor.

Objective: Serum cortisol has long been used in the assessment of disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The reference interval for cortisol in both serum and saliva depends on the analytical methodology and the population studied; hence, a locally derived population-based reference interval is recommended. To our knowledge, there are no studies on reference interval determination in the study area, raising concerns about the use of reference intervals established in European and North American populations. This work aimed to establish reference intervals for baseline serum and salivary cortisol levels among healthy adults in Kano, Nigeria, using methods available in our laboratory.

Methods: A cross-section of 148 apparently healthy reference individuals aged 16 to 67 years were recruited from a local community in Kano, Nigeria, using a systematic sampling technique. Baseline serum cortisol was analyzed using highly sensitive and specific electrochemiluminescence quantitative measurements on an automated immunology analyzer. Salivary cortisol levels were measured using Salimetrics' competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test kits. Parametric methods with a 95% confidence interval were used to calculate reference intervals.

Results: The reference intervals for cortisol in serum and saliva were 72.0 nmo/L to 554.0 nmol/L and 0.40 nmol/L to 18.0 nmol/L, respectively. There was a weak positive correlation between serum and salivary cortisol values, but this association was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: The development of locally derived adult reference intervals can improve the diagnostic utility of serum and salivary cortisol assessment and strengthen the reliability of adrenal insufficiency diagnoses in our population.