Human Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay Kit Research Articles

Correlation between the middle phalanx of the third finger skeletal maturation staging system and insulin-like growth factor-1 levels among Indian children - A 3-year longitudinal study.

Tracking insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) level alongside the middle phalanx of the third finger (MP3) staging modification could provide valuable insights into the relationship between hormonal factors and skeletal maturation during different stages of growth. Longitudinal studies indeed play a crucial role in understanding these complex relationships over time, allowing for a more comprehensive assessment of how IGF-1 might serve as a marker for pubertal growth stages. The present longitudinal prospective cohort study was done among 26 boys and 26 girls. For each child, once in every 6 months for 3 years, blood samples (to estimate IGF-1 level) and X-rays of the left hand middle finger were taken. DRG IGF-1 600 Human Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay kit was used for the quantitative measurement of IGF1 from serum. The MP3 stages of the middle phalanx of the middle finger were evaluated using a modified MP3 system. The collected data were subjected to suitable descriptive and inferential statistics. The mean IGF1 levels were significantly higher in girls compared to boys across all the stages of MP3 skeletal maturity indicators. However, in both boys and girls, IGF-1 levels showed increasing trends from Stage F to H where it peaked and showed deceleration to Stage I (P < 0.05). The observed increase in serum IGF-1 levels during pubertal stages, followed by a decline in late puberty, aligning with the stages of skeletal maturation, suggests a close relationship between hormonal changes and bone development.

Are maternal serum subfatin levels altered in women with one abnormal glucose tolerance test value?

Subfatin, a newly discovered adipokine, plays a pivotal role in the regulation of glucose metabolism. The relationship between gestational diabetes mellitus and maternal dyslipidemia is well-documented. This study aims to assess serum subfatin levels and the triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio in women with one abnormal glucose tolerance test value and those with gestational diabetes mellitus. In this case-control study, 105 pregnant women were categorized into three groups: women with normal 3-h oral glucose tolerance test results (n=35), women with one abnormal 3-h oral glucose tolerance test result (n=35), and women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (n=35). Serum subfatin levels were measured using human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Serum subfatin levels were significantly lower in the gestational diabetes mellitus group (0.94±0.15 ng/mL) compared to the normal oral glucose tolerance test group (1.48±0.55 ng/mL) and the group with one abnormal oral glucose tolerance test result (1.50±0.59 ng/mL). The triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio was also lower in the healthy control group than in the gestational diabetes mellitus and one abnormal oral glucose tolerance test result groups. Serum subfatin levels in women with one abnormal abnormal glucose tolerance test value are compared to those in the control group, while the triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio is significantly altered in women with one abnormal abnormal glucose tolerance test value when compared to the control group.

Assessment of Salivary MMP-8 and IL-1β for the Diagnosis of Periodontal Diseases in Pakistani Population.

Clinical methods use the subjective diagnosis of periodontal diseases by visual observation that could result in differences and variability of diagnosis. The addition of specific markers could aid in the accurate diagnosis of the local population. The objective of the study was to target two of the major proteins for possible significance in such an approach. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected from 60 participants aged between 18 and 70 years. Three groups each with twenty participants were recruited into periodontitis, gingivitis, and healthy control. The samples were analyzed using human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits for matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). SPSS version 20 was used to analyze the result. Posthoc analysis by Tukey's test revealed that MMP-8 levels were higher in gingivitis and periodontitis groups as compared with healthy controls. The test also revealed that IL-1β levels were higher in the periodontitis group compared with the healthy control and gingivitis group. Additionally, one-way analysis of variance analysis showed a significant effect on probing depth in gingivitis and periodontitis patients. The mean age of periodontitis group was significantly higher than other groups. Salivary biomarkers may provide useful diagnostic information and could be utilized as tests for periodontal disease screening, prognosis, and prediction.

Effect of VEGF on neurological impairment and prognosis of acute cerebral infarction patients: A retrospective case-control study.

Due to the complex pathological mechanism of acute cerebral infarction, the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the disease is not clear. Therefore, a retrospective case-control study was performed to explore the effect of VEGF on neurological impairment and prognosis of acute cerebral infarction patients. A total of 100 patients with acute cerebral infarction admitted to our hospital from April 2021 to April 2022 were selected. Blood samples from all patients would be routinely collected to detect the expression of serum VEGF. Pearson chi-square, Spearman correlation and univariate Logistic regression were used to analyze the clinical data to explore the relationship between VEGF expression and basic information, stroke degree, quality of life, and prognosis of patients. To determine whether VEGF can provide relevant basis for the early prevention and prognostic treatment of acute cerebral infarction. And multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio between each variable and VEGF expression. Pearson chi-square test and Spearman correlation coefficient showed that sex, degree of stroke, limb convulsions, loss of consciousness, hemiplegia, aphasia, mental functioning score, overall quality of life score, and short-term prognosis were significantly correlated with VEGF expression in 100 patients. Univariate logistic regression was used to describe the ORs and 95% confidence interval of subjects at the univariate level, and the degree of stroke (OR = 83.333, P < 0.001), tic of limbs (OR = 26.316, P < 0.001), loss of consciousness (OR = 23.256, P < 0.001), hemiplegia (OR = 62.500, P < 0.001), aphasia (OR = 76.923, P < 0.001), mental functioning score (OR = 7.937, P < 0.001), overall quality of life score (OR = 5.464, P < 0.001), short-term prognosis (OR = 37.037, P < 0.001) was significantly correlated with the high expression of VEGF. The level of serum VEGF was positively correlated with neurological impairment degree and prognosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction, the more severe the degree of stroke and the worse the prognosis.

Association of Serum Apelin levels with Peripheral Neuropathy in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objectives: To determine serum levels of Apelin in healthy individuals, type-2 diabetic patients and diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients (DPN) and to find the correlation with serum Apelin levels and serum fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin.&#x0D; Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Physiology Department and Centre for Research in Experimental and Analytical Medicine (CREAM) lab of the Army Medical College/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jan to Dec 2021.&#x0D; Methodology: A total of 90 individuals comprising three Groups having 30 subjects in each were recruited. Group-I included thirty healthy subjects, and Group-II consisted of thirty newly diagnosed patients having T2DM, Group-III consisted of thirty T2DM patients with DPN. We used Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI) to assess neuropathy. Serum Apelin and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels were recorded from the blood samples of all subjects by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using human serum Apelin and TNF-alpha ELISA kit catalogue no. E2014Hu (bio-assay technology) and E0082Hu (Bio-assay technology), respectively.&#x0D; Results: The mean values of serum Apelin were higher in Group-III compared to Group-II and Group-I, and a statisticallysignificant difference was found (p value=0.001). The serum Apelin levels showed a strong negative correlation with Group-III serum FBG, HbA1c and TNF-alpha with r value -0.728, -0.79, and -0.95, respectively.&#x0D; Conclusion: Serum Apelin has a beneficial role in DPN in T2DM, with reduced TNF-alpha levels as one of the possible mechanisms.Keywords: Apelin, Diabetic peripheral neuropathy, TNF-alpha, Type-2 diabetes mellitus.

Ендогенні поліпептидні фактори росту в дітей, хворих на виразку дванадцятипалої кишки

Currently, the attention of many researchers is drawn to determine the features of the regeneration of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract in ulcers, as one of the most important protective factors in this pathology. Purpose - to investigate the indicators of endogenous polypeptides (epidermal growth factor - EGF and transforming growth factor α-TGF-α) in the serum of children with duodenal ulcers. Materials and methods. The study included 56 children aged 7-18 years (36 children with duodenal ulcer - the main group and 20 healthy children (comparison group). The content of endogenous polypeptides in serum was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the Human EGF ELISA Kit (Invitrogen, USA) for EGF and R&amp;D system (USA) for TGF-α according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Statistical processing of the obtained results was carried out using parametric and non-parametric methods of evaluation of the obtained results. Results. Slightly higher levels of EGF and TGF-α were found in boys of both subgroups of the main group (EGF: 561.45 [391.81-699.34] pg/ml and 544.67 [411.23-569.77] pg/ml, p&gt;0.05; TGF-α: 47.91 [21.41-29.69] and 42.56 [35.45-49.21] pg/ml, p&gt;0.05). Concentrations of endogenous factors in exacerbation of ulcerative process are higher than in remission (p&lt;0.001) and in remission does not reach that in healthy children, p&lt;0.01). In patients with severe duodenal ulcers, EGF and TGF-α concentrations are higher (p&lt;0.01), which may be due to the maximum degree of inflammatory-destructive process. Conclusions. The course of duodenal ulcer leads to disorders in the regulation of proliferative processes in the mucous membrane, which is manifested by increased levels of EGF and TGF-α in the serum of sick children, the more severe the course, the higher process. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local ethics committee of the participating institution. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interest was declared by the authors. Key words: children, duodenal ulcer, epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor α (TGF-α).

Interleukin-29 profiles in COVID-19 patients: Survival is associated with IL-29 levels.

Interleukin-29 profiles in COVID-19 patients: Survival is associated with IL-29 levels.

An investigation of the association between lipoxin A4 levels and metabolic syndrome parameters in patients with metabolic syndrome

Aim: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a significant public health problem and has the potential to increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD), the risk of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), the risk of stroke and the risk of a heart attack. MS has recently been considered an inflammatory disease. Lipoxins (LXs) are, on the other hand, bioactive lipid molecules synthesized from arachidonic acid (AA) and show potent anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving activities in vivo and in vitro conditions. In this study, we aimed to evaluate serum levels of LXA4 in MS patients and explore the relationship of serum LXA4 levels with MS components [waist circumference, blood pressure, serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglyceride (TG) levels]. Material and Method: In this study, the sample was composed of 39 patients diagnosed with MS and 32 healthy age- and sex-matched individuals. We measured serum LXA4 levels adopting the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method with “Human Lipoxin A4 ELISA Kit”. While collecting the blood samples from the subjects, we noted their ages, sex, physical examination findings, and anthropometric measurements [height, weight, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI)]. Additionally, we obtained their serum TG, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), HDL, glucose, and cholesterol levels. Results: While we could not find any significant differences between the groups by age and sex (p&gt;0.05), the groups significantly differed by weight, waist circumference, BMI, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, TG, HDL, and FBG (p&lt;0.05 for TG; p&lt;0.001 for others). Moreover, serum levels of LXA4 significantly differed between the groups (p&lt;0.05). Within-group comparisons showed that while serum levels of LXA4 significantly differed between male subjects (p=0.01), it was not the case for females (p&gt;0.05). In both groups, there were negative correlations between serum LXA4 levels and waist circumference (r=-0.368 p=0.02). Yet, we found such an association only among male patients (r=-0.516 p=0.02). Conclusion: Overall, we found serum LXA4 levels to be significantly low in MS patients (p&lt;0.05). Yet, it still needs to be elucidated whether this impairment is a cause or a result of MS. Finally, we discovered this impairment and its significant correlations with some MS parameters to be only in male patients, suggesting that serum LXA4 levels may vary by sex in MS patients.

Novel Serum Biomarkers of Neurovascular Unit Associated with Cortical Amyloid Deposition.

Whether blood biomarkers of neurovascular unit are associated with cortical amyloid deposition on positron emission tomography (PET) imaging remains unclear. To investigate the association between novel serum biomarkers of neurovascular unit, such as protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type B (PTPRB), gap junction protein alpha-5 (GJA5), adenosine triphosphate-sensitive inward rectifier potassium channel-8 (KCNJ8), and von Willebrand factor (vWF), and cortical amyloid deposition. Between 2012 and 2018, 68 elderly individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (32 men and 36 women; mean age 75.2 years) were enrolled. All participants underwent 11C-Pittsburgh compound-B (PiB)-PET, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-PET, and measurement of serum PTPRB, GJA5, KCNJ8, and vWF levels using commercially available human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Based on the mean cortical standardized uptake value ratio, the participants were divided into two groups: PiB-negative group and PiB-positive group. Serum levels of PTPRB, GJA5, KCNJ8, and vWF were compared between the two groups. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between serum PTPRB, GJA5, KCNJ8, and vWF levels and cortical amyloid deposition. PTPRB and GJA5 levels were significantly lower and KCNJ8 and vWF levels were significantly higher in the PiB-positive group than in the PiB-negative group. PTPRB and GJA5 levels inversely correlated with mean PiB uptake, whereas KCNJ8 and vWF levels positively correlated with mean PiB uptake. Serum levels of PTPRB, GJA5, KCNJ8, and vWF correlate with cortical amyloid deposition. These novel blood biomarkers of neurovascular unit are useful for identifying elderly individuals at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Association between Serum Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor and 25-OH Vitamin D Levels with Vitamin D Receptors Gene Polymorphism (rs2228570) in Patients with Autoimmune Thyroiditis and Hypothyroidism

BACKGROUND: Different polymorphisms in Vitamin D receptors (VDRs) have an important role in autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) risk. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is the most recurrent autoimmune thyroid disorder. Patients with HT may suffer from cognitive impairment brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which has been identified as an important growth factor that is involved in learning and memory. AIM: This study examined the linkage of VDR gene polymorphism (rs2228570) with blood serum levels of BDNF and 25-OH Vitamin D in thyroid pathology of patients in the West Ukrainian population. METHODS: This research is a case–control study was performed in HSEEU “Bukovinian State Medical University,” Chernivtsi Regional Endocrinology Center, and I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, Ukraine, from September 2017 to December 2020. The study involved a total of 153 patients with post-operative hypothyroidism, hypothyroidism induced by AIT, and patients with both AIT and elevated serum antibodies anti-thyroglobulin (anti-Tg) and anti-thyroid peroxidase. BDNF levels in the sera of the patients and healthy individuals were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with highly sensitive Human BDNF ELISA Kit. Genotyping of the VDR (rs2228570) gene polymorphism using TaqMan probes and TaqMan Genotyping Master Mix (4371355) on CFX96™ Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Detection System (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., USA). PCR for TaqMan genotyping was carried out according to the kit instructions (Applied Biosystems, USA). RESULTS: Our study revealed a significant decrease in the BDNF level in the study group in carriers of the AA and AG genotypes by 1.58 and 2.39 times, corresponding, compared with carriers of the AA genotype in the control group. Concurrently, there was no significant difference in the BDNF level between different genotypes of VDR rs2228570 in the research group. In our study, analysis of the correlation between serum BDNF levels and 25-OH Vitamin D concentration shows a moderate direct relationship (r = 0.4) between BDNF and 25-OH Vitamin D (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: The rs2228570 VDR polymorphism is not a risk factor for decreased serum BDNF levels. At the same time, our study found a moderate direct relationship between serum BDNF levels and 25-OH Vitamin D.

A possible issue of articular cartilage degeneration in acute phase after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

A possible issue of articular cartilage degeneration in acute phase after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Study of serum Netrin-1 level in prediabetics and type 2 diabetic Egyptian patients

Background: Netrin-1 is a laminin-related protein that has anti-inflammatory, tissue-regenerating, and immune-modulating abilities. While inflammation is important in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, the possible association between netrin-1 and type 2 diabetes remains poorly understood. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between netrin-1 and prediabetes or newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, and the role of netrin-1as a novel biomarker in the pathogenesis of early-stage type 2 diabetes. Subjects and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Al-Hussein University Hospital of Al-Azhar University. Ninety Egyptian participants were enrolled and equally divided into three groups (prediabetes, recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes, and healthy controls). All participants aged30–65 years.Netrin-1 levels were measured using an available commercially human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Results: The type 2 diabetes and prediabetes groups had significantly higher serum netrin-1 levels than the healthy control group (488.6, 408.4, and 228.6 pg/ml, respectively; p < 0.001). Additionally, netrin-1 demonstrated a highly statistically significant positive association with body mass index, fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, hemoglobinA1c, and Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance in all studied groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Serum netrin-1 levels were higher in people with prediabetes and recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes and were linked to higher body mass index, insulin resistance, and glucose homeostasis. Future research exploring the exact mechanism may provide new insights into diabetes prevention and treatment.

The role of serum podocalyxin levels in recurrent pregnancy loss

ObjectiveTo measure serum levels of podocalyxin (PODXL) in recurrent miscarriages as a marker of vascular endothelial dysfunction. Study designIn this case-control study, women who were hospitalized for singleton first-trimester pregnancy terminations due to missed abortion, anembryonic pregnancy, and inevitable abortion were included. There were 24 patients who were admitted for the first pregnancy termination, 39 patients who were admitted for recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), and 25 fetal cardiac activity positive patients as the control group. Demographic features, medical and obstetric histories were recorded. The measurements of serum PODXL were done by a human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. ResultsSerum PODXL levels were found to be significantly higher in the RPL group than the control group and the first time miscarriage group (13.82 [10.09−113.54] vs. 11.78 [9.25−48.80], p = 0.016 and 13.82 [10.09–113.54] vs. 11.99 [8.20–20.47], p = 0.003; respectively). Serum PODXL levels were not statistically significantly different between the first miscarriage and the control group (p = 0.62). There were positive correlation between serum PODXL levels and the number of gravida and the number of miscarriages (r = 0.217, p = 0.042, and r = 0.291, p = 0.006; respectively). ConclusionRecurrent miscarriage patients had higher serum levels of PODXL than both normal pregnancies and first-time miscarriages. Our results suggest that maternal endothelial dysfunction might have a role in recurrent pregnancy losses.

Neopterin in the Evolution from Obesity to Prediabetes and Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes.

Background: Neopterin, marker of cellular immunity and oxidative stress, is mainly produced by activated macrophages. It could play a crucial role in the development of insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The aim of this study was to investigate the circulating levels of neopterin in different stages of glucose dysregulation from obesity through prediabetes to newly diagnosed diabetes. Methods: Neopterin levels were determined using a commercially available human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The homeostasis model assessment of IR was used as an index to assess IR. Results: The sample consisted of 163 subjects with mean age 52.5 ± 11.3 years, divided in three age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched groups-obesity, prediabetes, and diabetes. The control group consisted of 42 healthy individuals. Neopterin levels were significantly higher in patients with obesity and/or prediabetes and newly diagnosed diabetes than those in the control group, respectively (4.14 ± 2.51; 4.04 ± 2.80 and 2.17 ± 1.93 vs. 0.87 ± 0.84; P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the level of neopterin positively correlated with BMI, waist, waist-to-stature ratio, waist-to-hip ratio, fasting glucose, and triglycerides. Receiver operating characteristic analysis established neopterin suitable for distinguishing subjects with obesity [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.83; P < 0.001] and carbohydrate disturbances (AUC = 0.59; P < 0.05) from those without these conditions. Neopterin ≥0.47 ng/mL have an odds ratio (OR) of 2.71 for development of dysglycemia, whereas threshold value of neopterin ≥0.56 ng/mL shows an OR of 5.94 for development of obesity. Conclusion: The levels of neopterin were increased in patients with obesity and carbohydrate disturbances. Further studies will elucidate the role of the biomarker in development of T2D and its complications.

Assessment of serum level of interferon gamma in patients of lupus nephritis and without nephritis

Background: One of the major immunological problems is SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus)and lupus nephritis is one of the main complications, INF (interferon) plays an important role in disease pathogenesis Aim of the work: The aim of this work to assess the level of INF gamma in sufferers with lupus nephritis in comparison to patients with non-nephritis lupus and their correlation to the disease activity. Patients and methods: This research was conducted on 60 persons divided into two groups: group I (group SLE) comprising 40 patients, 20 patients with nephritis and 20 patients without nephritis, and group II (control group) comprising 20 age-matched normal control persons. Disease activity assessed in patients' SLEDAI (SLE Disease Activity Index) and sera and controls were tested for the INF gamma level measured in the Human INF GAMMA ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) kits. Results: In the SLE group, serum levels of INF gamma were substantially higher than in the control group and also higher in patients with nephritis than in non-nephritis group and had direct correlation with SLEDAI score, level of anti-ds DNA(anti double stranded DNA) and proteinuria. Conclusion: For SLE patients, INF gamma may be used as a biomarker, and it is higher in renal activity .

Biomarkers associated with poor prognosis in patients with end-stage heart failure

Abstract Background Despite advances in the treatment, end-stage heart failure (HF) is a disease with a severe prognosis, showing an annual mortality rate of 30 to 50%. Due to a poor prognosis in this population of patients, it is necessary to accurately stratify the risk of death, including simple and effective prognostic markers. Objective This study aimed to determine biomarkers associated with mortality in patients with end-stage HF. Material and methods The study was a prospective analysis of optimally treated patients with end-stage HF, who were hospitalised at the Cardiology Department between 2016 and 2018. At the time of enrollment to the study routine laboratory tests, cardiopulmonary exercise tests, echocardiography and right heart catheterization were performed in all patients. Human Interleukin 33 (IL-33) and IL-1 Receptor Like 1 (IL1RL1) were measured by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with the commercially available kit (Human Il-33 and IL1RL1 ELISA kit, SunRedBio Technology Co, Ltd, Shanghai, China). Plasma concentration of N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was measured using a commercially available kit (Human NTproBNP ELISA kit, Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany). The endpoint was all-cause mortality during a one-year follow-up. The Medical University of Silesia's local Institutional Review Board approved the study protocol, and all patients provided informed consent. Results The final study group consisted of 282 patients (87.6% males, median age 57.0 years). One-year mortality rate in the analysed population was 28%. In a multivariate analysis, independent risk factors of death included NT-proBNP [Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.056 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.024–1.089); P&amp;lt;0.001], sodium [HR 0.877 (95% CI: 0.815–0.944); p&amp;lt;0.001], IL33 [HR 0.977 (95% CI: 0.965- 0.989); p&amp;lt;0.001] and IL1RL1 [HR 1.015 (95% CI: 1.008–1.023); p&amp;lt;0.001) serum levels. Conclusions Our study showed that lower sodium and IL-33 levels, as well as higher NT-proBNP and IL1RL1 levels are associated with an increased risk of death in patients with end-stage HF during a one-year follow-up. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Medical University of SIlesia, Katowice, Poland

Study of serum zonulin level as an early predictor for gestational diabetes in Egyptian females

Background Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is any degree of abnormal glucose tolerance first recognized in the period of pregnancy, and is detected in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Its incidence has paralleled the epidemic of obesity. It also leads to increasing the risk for glucose intolerance, macrosomia, and development type 2 diabetes mellitus after pregnancy. Many markers were tested for the ability of early diagnosis of GDM. Zonulin is the basic protein that modulates tight junctions to regulate intercellular passage. Zonulin was found to be positively correlated with increased markers of inflammation and with insulin resistance in nonpregnant populations. Objective To assess serum zonulin level in pregnant women and to evaluate whether it could be an early predictor for development of GDM. Patients and methods The study included 80 pregnant females in the first trimester who were recruited from the obstetrics outpatient clinic at Al-Shatby University Hospital, Alexandria University. Basic data, clinical examination, and laboratory analysis were obtained from all the cases. Serum zonulin level was measured using human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results The median level of early serum zonulin level in the females who did not develop GDM was statistically significantly lower than the levels in the females who developed GDM. The best cut-off point to identify the diabetic females in pregnancy was more than 30 ng/ml with 97.22% sensitivity and 100% specificity. There was a highly significant association between the BMI and risk of GDM. Conclusion This study revealed that gestational diabetes is a common complication of pregnancy in the middle-aged females. Increasing BMI is associated with high incidence of GDM and high serum zonulin level in the first trimester. It is a sensitive predictor for development of GDM later during pregnancy.

Study of association of varicose veins and inflammation by inflammatory markers.

In varicose veins, increased levels of inflammatory markers are indicators of endothelial damage and increased procoagulant activity. These findings support the assumption that the constitution of blood in varicose veins differs from that of systemic blood. The purpose of the study was a correlative study of blood constituents in varicose veins and peripheral veins (normal vein) in same individual with varicose vein which was done by comparing the level of concentration of interleukin-6, fibrinogen, haemoglobin from blood of varicose veins and normal peripheral vein (antecubital vein). Using citrated plasma samples withdrawn from arms and legs of same patient and plasma obtained by centrifugation of citrated venous blood at 5000 r/min for 10 min was used for correlation. Serum concentration of interleukin-6 and fibrinogen were determined by human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay Kit for both interleukin-6 and fibrinogen, which is based on the standard sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technology. This assay employs a monoclonal antibody specific for human interleukin-6 coated on a 96-well plate. Expressed as median (interquartile range) in pg/mL, leg samples from patient having varicose vein has significantly increased interleukin-6 in cases as compared to controls (p value of <0.001). Leg samples from patient having varicose vein has significantly increased fibrinogen concentration than their arm samples (p value of <0.001). Concentration of haemoglobin significantly increased in leg samples as compared to blood withdrawn from arms (p value of 0.012). Blood withdrawn from the site of varicose vein appears to have significantly increased concentration of interleukin-6, fibrinogen and haemoglobin when compared to same patient's antecubital blood sample supporting the hypothesis that inflammation is increased in tissues drained by varicose vein.

Association of Body Mass Index with Activin-A and Inhibin-A in Gestational Diabetic Women

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the association of body mass index (BMI) with Activin-A and Inhibin-A (biomarkers) irrespective to age in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Methods: This study was a case-controlled study, in which sixty (60) diagnosed cases of gestational diabetic women with and without obesity and thirty (30) pregnant women without diabetes or any other complications were included in the study after taking informed written consent. The duration of the study was from January 2018 to June 2018. The enrolled participants were ninety (90) who were fulfilling the criteria in the duration of the study. Participants were placed into three groups A, B and C. In group A, thirty (30) pregnant females without complications, in group B thirty (30) non-obese pregnant women with gestationaldiabetes and in group C thirty (30) obese pregnant females with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The biophysical parameters including weight, height and blood pressure were measured through standard protocols. Blood tests for biomarkers Activin-A and Inhibin-A levels were measured through Human Activin-A enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) kit and Human Inhibin-A ELISA kit respectively.Results: The results of the study revealed that the biophysical markers Actin-A and Inhibin-A had associations with gestational diabetes, the significant (p-value&lt;0.05) association was observed between Activin-A and body mass index but Inhibin-A had an insignificant association with it. However, the levels of bothbiomarkers (Activin-A and Inhibin-A) were found to be raised in both obese and non-obese gestational diabetic women when compared with normal pregnant women. The secondary outcome of the study is, there is significant (p-value&gt;0.05) relation between age and body mass index of obese GDM.Conclusion: The study concluded that the level of Activin-A was raised significantly (p-value&gt;0.05) in obese and non-obese gestational diabetic women as compared to normal pregnant women and non-significant increases in inhibin-A were observed in obese and non-obese gestational diabetic women as compared to normal pregnant women. A secondary outcome was, that there is significant (p-value&gt;0.05) association found between body mass index and age of the pregnant women.

PR3 levels are impaired in plasma and PBMCs from Arabs with cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks persist in patients despite treatment. CVD susceptibility also varies with sex and ethnicity and is not entirely explained by conventional CVD risk factors. The aim of the present study was to identify novel CVD candidate markers in circulating Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma from Arab obese subjects with and without CVD using proteomic approaches. Human adults with confirmed CVD (n = 208) and matched non-CVD controls (n = 152) living in Kuwait were examined in the present cross-sectional study. Anthropometric and classical biochemical parameters were determined. We employed a shotgun proteomic profiling approach on PBMCs isolated from a subset of the groups (n = 4, each), and differentially expressed proteins selected between the two groups were validated at the mRNA level using RT-PCR (n = 6, each). Plasma levels of selected proteins from the proteomics profiling: Proteinase-3 (PR3), Annexin-A3 (ANX3), Defensin (DEFA1), and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), were measured in the entire cohort using human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits and were subsequently correlated with various clinical parameters. Out of the 1407 we identified and quantified from the proteomics profiling, 47 proteins were dysregulated with at least twofold change between the two subject groups. Among the differentially expressed proteins, 11 were confirmed at the mRNA levels. CVD influenced the levels of the shortlisted proteins (MMP9, PR3, ANX3, and DEFA1) in the PBMCs and plasma differentially. Despite the decreased levels of both protein and mRNA in PBMCs, PR3 circulating levels increased significantly in patients with CVD and were influenced by neither diabetes nor statin treatment. No significant changes were; however, observed in the DEFA1, MMP9, and ANX3 levels in plasma. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that only PR3 was independently associated with CVD. Our results suggest that the dysregulation of PR3 levels in plasma and PBMCs reflects underlying residual CVD risks even in the treated population. More prospective and larger studies are required to establish the role of PR3 in CVD progression.