Normal Healthy Subjects Research Articles

Study of lipid profile in patients of psoriasis with relation to lifestyle factors

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease. The chronic inflammation was also observed to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular episodes as a result of dyslipidemia. Thus, psoriasis and dyslipidemia may share a common causative mechanism. Lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcoholism may further deteriorate the condition. Objective: The objective of this study was to study the lipid profile pattern in psoriasis with relation to lifestyle factors. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with comparison groups. Fifty diagnosed cases of psoriasis were chosen, out of that 16 were smoker and 12 were alcoholic, and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy normal subjects as controls were also selected for the study. In this study, we measured total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and very LDL cholesterol (VLDL-C) with relation to lifestyle factors, i.e. smoking and alcoholism. Results: The mean levels of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, and VLDL-C were 213.5 ± 39.56 mg%, 223.94 ± 34.74 mg%, 136.42 ± 29.1 mg%, and 44.8 ± 6.95 mg% in cases, respectively, and 157.96+ 24.71 mg%, 142.98 ± 21.87 mg%, 80.6 ± 16.79 mg%, and 28.6 ± 4.30 mg% in controls, respectively (P < 0.0001); HDL-C levels were 42.64 ± 6.92 mg% in case and 48.8 ± 8.46 mg% in controls (P = 0.0001). Moreover, levels of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, and VLDL-C were significantly increased and HDL-C level was significantly decreased in cases with smoking and alcohol habits compared to the cases without smoking and alcoholism. This change indicates dyslipidemia in psoriasis. Conclusions: Lipid profile may be monitored in the psoriasis cases to minimize the severity of disease and modification in lifestyle factors may be suggested to improve clinical condition.

Normal tension glaucoma versus primary open-angle glaucoma - The autonomic perspective

Background: Dissimilarities in the risk factors concerned with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal tension glaucoma (NTG) suggest these two forms of glaucoma to be separate clinical entities, each having their own pathogenesis, yet the relationship between them is not clear convincing. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare the autonomic activity between healthy controls, POAG, and NTG patients by heart rate variability (HRV). Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (Group І), 30 patients with NTG (Group ІІ), and 30 patients with POAG (Group ІІІ) of age between 45 and 65 years. The basal HRV was analyzed at rest followed by stress tests, handgrip testing (HGT) and passive head-up tilt (HUT), and post recovery. Data obtained were statistically analyzed using SPSS 20. Results: Significant raised values of low frequency variables (LF [nu] [58.94 ± 6.556] and [73.39 ± 4.04]) in Group ІІ and Group ІІІ, respectively, as compared to Group І (52.13 ± 2.97). LF/HF ratio was significantly rise in Groups ІІ and ІІІ with P < 0.000 during HGT. LF/HF ratio was significantly high (P < 0.006) and (P < 0.004) in Groups ІІ and ІІІ, respectively, as compared to Group І during HUT. Conclusion: The above findings of HRV suggested greater withdrawal of vagal tone and persistently overdrive of sympathetic activity due to sympathovagal imbalance indicated ocular vascular alterations more in NTG than in POAG as compared to normal healthy subjects.

Autonomic function test in chronic renal failure patients

Background: Autonomic dysfunction has been recognized as an important contributor to the poor outcome in chronic kidney disease patients. Several studies have reported abnormalities in autonomic function tests in chronic renal failure. Objectives: To study the effect of chronic renal failure on autonomic function tests and to compare the difference in autonomic function test between normal versus chronic renal failure patients, Material and methods: This is a comparative case control study undertaken by me in the Department of physiology, cardiovascular autonomic function tests were performed for Thirty cases of chronic renal failure patients and thirty matched controls of both the genders after obtaining informed written consent and then compared, which include deep breathing test, valsalva maneuver, diastolic pressure response to cold pressor test, response to standing on heart rate and hand grip test. Result: A total of 60 respondent are available for data analysis and the normal healthy subjects values are correlated with the chronic renal failure patients, for valsalva ratio (p=0.0001), deep breathing test (p=0.0003), response to standing in heart rate (p=0.0124) rise in diastolic blood pressure in hand grip test (p=0.001) and rise in diastolic Blood pressure in cold pressor test p=0.001) respectively. Conclusion: This study concludes both parasympathetic and sympathetic dysfunction is seen chronic renal failure patients.

Identification of Abnormal Circuit Dynamics in Major Depressive Disorder via Multiscale Neural Modeling of Resting-State fMRI.

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) studies have focused primarily on characterizing functional or effective connectivity of discrete brain regions. A major drawback of this approach is that it does not provide a mechanistic understanding of brain cognitive function or dysfunction at cellular and circuit levels. To overcome this limitation, we combined the methods of computational neuroscience with traditional macroscale connectomic analysis and developed a Multiscale Neural Model Inversion (MNMI) framework that links microscale circuit interaction with macroscale network dynamics and estimates both local coupling and inter-regional connections via stochastic optimization based on blood oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) rs-fMRI. We applied this method to the rs-fMRI data of 66 normal healthy subjects and 66 individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) to identify potential biomarkers at both local circuit and global network level. Results suggest that the recurrent excitation and inhibition within the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) might be disrupted in MDD, consistent with the commonly accepted hypothetical model of MDD. In addition, recurrent excitation in the thalamus was found to be abnormally elevated, which may be responsible to abnormal thalamocortical oscillations often observed in MDD. Overall, our modeling approach holds the promise to overcome the limitation of traditional large-scale connectome modeling by providing hidden mechanistic insights into neuroanatomy, circuit dynamics and pathophysiology.

Expression Level of Circulating Cell Free miR-155 Gene in Serum of Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide. Several factors are known to contribute to the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy. Different microRNAs have been shown to contribute in the pathogenesis of DN. This study, aimed to evaluate the expression level of circulating miR-155 in patients with diabetic nephropathy. In this case-control study, 83 diabetic patients and normal subjects were evaluated in four groups of normal healthy subjects without diabetes and nephropathy, diabetes without nephropathy, diabetes with microalbuminuria, and diabetes with macroalbuminuria. After RNA extraction from serum and cDNA synthesis, the expression of circulating miR-155 was evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Expression level of cell-free miR-155 was significantly lower in diabetics compared to the normal healthy controls (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was found in miR-155 expression level between different diabetes groups with different conditions of kidney function. Furthermore, we detected a significant negative correlation between cell-free miR-155 expression and GFR only in patients with microalbuminuria (r = -0.70, p = 0.001). It seems that miR-155 can discriminate diabetic and nondiabetic status, but is not an appropriate biomarker for tracking of macroalbuminuria.

Assessment of oxidative damage and lipid profile levels in tobacco chewers with Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objectives: To assess oxidative damage and lipid profile levels in Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with or without tobacco chewing habit.&#x0D; Methods: Total of 141 newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with tobacco chewing habit from past &gt;18 years were included, 136 Type 2diabetes mellitus without any tobacco chewing habit, 140 normal healthy subjects without any tobacco chewing habit were included in the study. Blood sample was collected after 8-12 hours fasting from each subject to estimate glucose and cholesterol. The plasma was used for estimation of total antioxidant (TAA) activity, Vitamin C and thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) by standard methods. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS version 16.&#x0D; Results: The glucose, cholesterol and TBARS levels were found to be increased significantly (p&lt;0.001) in diabetic patients with tobacco chewing habit, as well as TAA, Vitamin C levels decreased significantly (p&lt;0.001) when compared with healthy individuals.&#x0D; Conclusion: We observed increased oxidative stress and declined levels of antioxidants in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients with tobacco chewing habit. It is known that hyperglycemia induces oxidative stress and further facilitate the progression of diabetic complications.&#x0D; Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.18(1) 2019 p.78-82

DIABETIC PATIENTS

Objectives: Inflammation is the one of the major causes for development of type 2diabetes mellitus and its complications. In this study, association between inflammation and type2 diabetes mellitus was studied by measuring various inflammatory markers (soluble vascularcell adhesion molecules type – 1, Interleukin – 6 and C- reactive protein) between healthy anddiabetic patients. Study Design: A cross sectional comparative study. Place and Duration ofStudy: The study was conducted at Department of Biochemistry &amp; Molecular Biology, ArmyMedical College, Rawalpindi in collaboration with Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi andCentre for Research in Experimental and Applied Medicine (CREAM), Army Medical College,Rawalpindi for blood sampling and biochemical assays respectively. Material and Methods:The study was performed in 40 human subjects divided into two groups containing 20 subjectseach. One group was designated as control while the other was diseased (diabetic) group.Glycemic status was measured to confirm their normal and diabetic state. Inflammatory markerswere measured by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Results: Levels of allinflammatory markers (soluble vascular cell adhesion molecules type – 1, Interleukin – 6 and Creactiveprotein) were found to be raised in the experimental diabetic groups; 1991.5 ± 201.97ng/ml, 24.99 ± 1.366 pg/ml and 2931 ± 168.319 respectively compared to the control group;570.2 ± 16.526 ng/ml, 6.64 ± 0.3516 pg/ml and 1806.6 ± 183.32 respectively. Conclusions:Inflammatory markers were significantly elevated in patients with diabetes mellitus as comparedto normal healthy control subjects.

Circulating levels of IL-1 family cytokines and receptors in Alzheimer\u2019s disease: new markers of disease progression?

BackgroundAlthough the mechanisms underlying AD neurodegeneration are not fully understood, it is now recognised that inflammation could play a crucial role in the initiation and progression of AD neurodegeneration. A neuro-inflammatory network, based on the anomalous activation of microglial cells, includes the production of a number of inflammatory cytokines both locally and systemically. These may serve as diagnostic markers or therapeutic targets for AD neurodegeneration.MethodsWe have measured the levels of the inflammation-related cytokines and receptors of the IL-1 family in serum of subjects with AD, compared to mild cognitive impairment (MCI), subjective memory complaints (SMC), and normal healthy subjects (NHS). Using a custom-made multiplex ELISA array, we examined ten factors of the IL-1 family, the inflammation-related cytokines IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-18, and IL-33, the natural inhibitors IL-1Ra and IL-18BP, and the soluble receptors sIL-1R1, sIL-1R2, sIL-1R3, and sIL-1R4.ResultsThe inflammatory cytokines IL-1α and IL-1β, their antagonist IL-1Ra, and their soluble receptor sIL-1R1 were increased in AD. The decoy IL-1 receptor sIL-1R2 was only increased in MCI. IL-33 and its soluble receptor sIL-1R4 were also significantly higher in AD. The soluble form of the accessory receptor for both IL-1 and IL-33 receptor complexes, sIL-1R3, was increased in SMC and even more in AD. Total IL-18 levels were unchanged, whereas the inhibitor IL-18BP was significantly reduced in MCI and SMC, and highly increased in AD. The levels of free IL-18 were significantly higher in MCI.ConclusionsAD is characterised by a significant alteration in the circulating levels of the cytokines and receptors of the IL-1 family. The elevation of sIL-1R4 in AD is in agreement with findings in other diseases and can be considered a marker of ongoing inflammation. Increased levels of IL-1Ra, sIL-1R1, sIL-1R4, and IL-18BP distinguished AD from MCI and SMC, and from other inflammatory diseases. Importantly, sIL-1R1, sIL-1R3, sIL-1R4, and IL-18BP negatively correlated with cognitive impairment. A significant elevation of circulating sIL-1R2 and free IL-18, not present in SMC, is characteristic of MCI and disappears in AD, making them additional interesting markers for evaluating progression from MCI to AD.

A comparative study of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 in sickle cell disease subjects and controls in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria

Sickle cell disease is characterized by chronic complications that affect almost all body organs. Pancreatic disease is rare in SCD. CA 19-9 is a non-specific surrogate marker for pancreatic disease especially carcinoma. CA 19-9 levels have not been evaluated in SCD patients in our environment. The study aimed to compare the levels of CA 19-9 in homozygous sickle cell disease subjects in steady state with those of (Hb AS) and normal healthy subjects (Hb AA). Seventy nine subjects including 39 Hb SS, 19 Hb AS and 21 Hb AA subjects were recruited in a cross-sectional study in Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Teaching Hospital. Haemoglobin genotype and CA 19-9 estimation were done using Hb electrophoresis and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay respectively. Data was analyzed with IBM SPSS 21. P value was set at 0.05. The mean CA 19-9 (U/ml) level in Hb SS, Hb AS and Hb AA were 13.6 ± 7.6, 15.3 ± 9.9, and 20.0 ± 15.9 respectively. [Reference value <37U/ml] CA 19-9 was significantly lower in Hb SS compared to Hb AA subjects (p = 0.035). Low levels of CA 19-9 in Hb SS may suggest reduced pancreatic disorders in SCA.

A Proinflammatory Invariant Natural Killer T Cells Phenotypic State Associates with Human Graft-Versus-Host Disease Onset and Response

Human invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT) are a rare population of lymphocytes that bridges innate and adaptive immune functions. iNKT cells have different potent effector functions and subsets, but this heterogeneity is mostly understood by a superimposed framework of classic T cell markers. This may help explain contradictory studies of iNKT cells in diseases for which they are thought to play a pathogenic role. In this study, we present data suggesting new markers to understand human iNKT cell heterogeneity and function, as well as monitoring this in the clinical context of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).In both preclinical murine models and in correlative clinical studies, iNKT cells are associated with less GVHD and better immune reconstitution following ASCT. We performed bulk whole transcriptome sequencing on iNKT cells from patients at day +30 after ASCT, some who developed and some who did not develop GVHD. Gene expression signatures of the iNKT cells from each individual are grouped based on a transcriptome library of reference cell types (CIBERSORT). Using this approach, we distinguished patients who will develop GVHD as predominately having an activated cytotoxic cell gene signature, whereas patients without GVHD had a CD4+ T cell gene signature within purified peripheral blood iNKT cells.Using two different high throughput single-cell RNA sequencing (sc-seq) platforms to determine differential gene expression on the single cell level, we first examined the gene expression signatures of primary human iNKT cells from healthy donors. Activation with CD3/28 microbeads of primary iNKT cells promoted two main differential transcriptional profiles in iNKT cells. One profile resembles conventional CD4+ T cells and associated Th2 cytokine profile (IL2, IL4), whereas the other profile has genes associated with cytotoxicity and inflammation (TNF, IFNG, GZMB). Confirmation by flow cytometry showed that while CD8 surface expression did not well differentiate the pro-inflammatory and cytotoxic subsets, but both CD94 and KLRG1 better associate with Th1 and cytotoxic responses. CD94+ iNKT are restricted to CD4- cells and KLRG1 expressed in both CD4+ and CD4- populations.By comparison, the analysis of sc-seq of normal healthy subjects and post-transplant patients with and without GVHD resulted in the identification of three major iNKT populations. The population most associated with GVHD showed expression of a pro-inflammatory profile enriched for CXCR4,CD94, HLA-DRB1/A1 and decreased KLRB1. Whereas, post-transplant patients with healthy GVHD-free and relapse free immune reconstitution showed a more T cell like profile but with increased expression of CXCR4, CD94, KLRB1 and decreased HLA-DRB1/A1. Using flow cytometry of ex vivo expanded iNKT cells, we found the expansion of CXCR4+HLA-DR+ that can be CD4+ or CD4- and that these cells produce high levels of the cytokine TNF-a, IFN-g and IL-4. Importantly, iNKT cells that are CXC4+HLA-DR+KLRB1low make significantly less IL-4 and these are enriched in the GVHD setting.Using flow cytometry, we measured iNKT cell phenotypes in a pilot cohort of 48 individuals; 10 healthy controls, 10 patients with no complications or relapse after ASCT and 18 patients with GVHD of which 9 were steroid refractory. In addition, we evaluated 11 patients with new onset T1D. The frequency of the cytotoxic CD94+ iNKT cells were significantly increased in all patients following and in T1D compared to healthy controls. Whereas, patients with GVHD showed an increase in HLA-DR+CXCR4+KLRB1low iNKT cells. Increases in the late activation marker HLA-DR distinguished corticosteroid refractory (HLA-DR++) from steroid responsive patients at the time of initial GVHD diagnosis. For patients who responded to steroids or further therapy, we found that a reduction in HLA-DR associated with treatment response. In a second 24 patient cohort, we found that the presence HLA-DR+CXCR4+CD161low cells at day +30 was statistically greater in patients who would go on to develop GVHD as compared as those who did not (student T test, p<0.01)To conclude, we have used different methods to discover and validate groups of iNKT cells with distinct functions, and the associated phenotype correlate with clinical inflammation both following ASCT and in T1D. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Spectroscopic determination of intracellular quercetin uptake using erythrocyte model and its implications in human aging.

The present study was carried out to detect intracellular quercetin uptake by RBCs during human aging. The study was carried out on 95 normal healthy subjects of both the sexes. Intracellular quercetin uptake was estimated by performing ethyl acetate extraction. A significant (p < 0.001) decline in intracellular quercetin uptake by human RBCs was observed in elderly as compared to young population, while plasma membrane redox system (PMRS) activity was significantly decreasing as a function of human age. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to present quercetin uptake by erythrocytes during aging in humans with this study. It is hypothesized that intracellular uptake of quercetin may serve as an intracellular electron donor for plasma membrane redox system in red blood cells during cellular aging which plays an important role in extracellular dehydroascorbate reduction and ascorbate recycling.

Normal patterns of regional brain 18F-FDG uptake in normal aging.

Normal aging alters the brain function even in the absence of recognizable structural changes, which can be detected using modern in vivo functional imaging modalities such as fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) scan. It is highly important to recognize normal age-dependent changes in order to correctly diagnose pathologic states. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the age-related changes in regional brain 18F-FDG uptake in normal healthy population. This study was part of the cardiovascular molecular calcification assessed by 18F-sodium fluoride (NaF) (CAMONA) PET/computed tomography (CT) study. This study was approved by the Danish National Committee on Health Research Ethics registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01724749). Forty normal healthy subjects were prospectively recruited in group A (22-32 years) and B (56-75 years) and underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT. Static images were obtained 180 minutes following 18F-FDG injection. Supratentorial (including individual measurements for frontal, parieto-occipital and temporal lobes) and cerebellar 18F-FDG uptakes were measured by manual placement of region of interest (ROI) over these regions based on predefined criteria for each and standardized uptake value (SUVmean) values were calculated using OsiriX software. The mean ages of the patients in group A was 26.1±3.4 versus 61±4.4 for group B. There were 10 females in group A and 10 females in group B. Mean SUV of cerebellum was 6.80±1.21 for the young subjects compared to 6.08±0.7 among old subjects (independent t-test, P=0.028). Mean SUV of supratentorial brain was 9.14±1.83 for the young subjects compared to 6.92±072 among old subjects (P<0.001). Mean SUV of frontal (9.72±1.97 vs. 7.03±0.69), temporal (7.37±1.52 vs. 5.65±0.68) and parieto-occipital region (10.7±2.28 vs. 7.41±0.79) was higher among young patients (P<0.001). More interestingly, SUVmean of supratentorial brain was significantly higher among female healthy volunteers in both groups (P= 0.025 and 0.047 for group A and B, respectively). In conclusion, these findings confirm a significant age dependent reduction of supratentorial 18F-FDG uptake among healthy individuals. However, cerebellum 18F-FDG uptake reduction was not so redundant. Fluorine-18-FDG uptake of all cerebral lobes including frontal, parieto-occipital and temporal decreases with normal aging in a same fashion. Interestingly, among both young and old female subjects, higher uptake was seen in supratentorial brain.

A Higher Preoperative Glycemic Profile Is Associated with Rapid Gastric Emptying After Sleeve Gastrectomy for Obese Subjects.

Recent reports have shown that sleeve gastrectomy (SG) accelerates gastric emptying (GE), but the etiology remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting GE before and after SG. We enrolled 35 normal weight healthy subjects and 23 obese patients receiving SG. The normal individuals and obese patients before and 3months after SG received oatmeal-based scintigraphy to measure GE. Gastrointestinal symptoms and circulating levels of peptide YY (PYY) were also measured. There were no differences in the GE parameters, including simple half-time at 3h and percentage of gastric retention at 0.5, 1, 2, and 3h between healthy controls and pre-SG obese subjects. SG led to accelerated GE, more gastrointestinal symptoms, and increased fasting PYY levels postoperatively. Based on our previously established normal GE values, 18 (78.3%) obese patients with rapid postoperative GE had higher levels of preoperative fasting glucose and glycated hemoglobin, and homeostasis model assessment of the insulin resistance index than those with normal postoperative GE. Twelve (52.2%) obese patients had preoperative diabetes mellitus (DM), and only four (17.4%) remained diabetic after SG. The post-SG gastric retention at 0.5 and 1h was lower in patients with preoperative DM than in those without preoperative DM. Neither severity of gastrointestinal symptoms nor fasting PYY levels were associated with postoperative GE alterations. Most of the obese patients had accelerated GE after SG. A higher preoperative glycemic profile was associated with rapid post-SG GE.

Where to "cut-off"?

Where to "cut-off"?

Gut-Skin Connection: Role of Intestinal Biome in Rosacea

Introduction: We hypothesized that gut flora may play a role in skin disorders either directly or through effects on the immune system and inflammatory response. To explore this theory, we performed a study in patients with rosacea comparing groups provided with standard of care treatment (SOC) to an experimental cohort (E) who received SOC and probiotics. Methods: 60 patients aged 30 to 59 years old diagnosed with rosacea and 10 healthy normal comparative subjects were identified. Patients with rosacea were randomly divided into 2 groups. The first group received SOC which included 7 days of oral antibiotics, vitamins, antihistamine, and topical permethrin. The second group (E) received SOC and a probiotic containing Bifidobacterium 50 x106 CFU three times a day and an immunomodulator Polioxidonium for 21 days. The following studies were performed before and after therapeutic intervention: stool culture, examination of the skin, and scrapings of their skin pustules for presence of the mite D. folliculorum. These 2 groups were also compared before starting the study to the normal control subjects. Standard statistical comparisons and analysis were made using statistical software. Results: There were 21 male and 39 female patients studied: 30 in SOC and 30 in E. The following clinical improvement was observed in the experimental versus control groups: complete skin remission 56.7% versus 28.3%, significant improvement 38.3% versus 33.7%, minimal improvement 5% versus 24.7% respectively. No improvement was seen in 0% of experimental group and 11.3% of control group (Table I). Compared to the normal subjects there was significantly fewer colony forming units of Lactobacilus and Bifidobacterium in the patients with rosacea pretreatment. In contrast, post therapy stool studies revealed a significant increase in CFU of these microorganisms in the experimental group but not in SOC group controls (Tables 2&3). Conclusion: Gut flora may play a role in the development and clinical course of rosacea and inflammatory acne. Probiotics might be a beneficial adjunct to treatment of these patients. Additional studies are warranted to explore further connections between the gut microbiome and skin diseases.216_A Figure 1. Clinical response to the therapy in patients with rosacea who received SOC therapy and E therapy216_B Figure 2. Indicators of gut biome in patients with rosacea before therapy and healthy controls216_C Figure 3. Indicators of gut flora in patient with rosacea after SOC and E therapy

A14264 Circulating Plasma DNA as Potential Markers for Pregnancy Associated Metabolic Complications

Objectives: To assess circulating plasma DNA (pDNA) as a possible predictive factor for pregnancy associated metabolic complications. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 200 subjects, in the second trimester of pregnancy from Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic, KGMU, Lucknow, India. pDNA from all samples was quantified spectrophotometrically and in real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), using β-actin and GAPDH housekeeping gene primers. Statistics was applied using SPSS (ver. 21.0). Results: The qPCR analysis for β-actin and GAPDH at II trimester of pregnancy demonstrated a significant increase (P = 0.001) in concentration of pDNA in pre-eclamptic cases as compared with normal healthy pregnant subjects. Similarly, significant increase (P = 0.003 and 0.002) was observed in gestational diabetes (GDM) cases for β-actin and GAPDH gene primers respectively. Conclusion: Our results confirmed that concentrations of circulating plasma DNA may be used as a possible early predictive marker for pregnancy associated metabolic complications.

Choroidal Thickness in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema and its Correlation to Macular Thickness and Vision

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between subfoveal choroidal thickness, central macular thickness, visual acuity and the presence of diabetic macular edema (DME) using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Methods:A prospective, nonrandomized case control study of 124 eyes was included in the study and divided into three groups: Group I: 56 eyes having NPDR without macular edema, Group II: 27 eyes having NPDR with DME, Group III: 41 eyes of normal healthy subjects. Central macular thickness (CMT) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) were measured on the OCT images and statistically compared. Pearson correlation analysis used to evaluate the relationships between choroidal thickness, macular thickness and visual acuity. Results: A total of 124 eyes of 76 patients; mean age 52.56 ±8.91years were included in the study. Mean bestcorrected visual acuity LogMAR was better in the control group (0.20 ± 0.40) than diabetic groups (0.42 ± 0.40 in group I, 0.80 ± 0.45 in group II) and the difference was significant among the groups (P= 0.01). Mean CMT was thicker in DME group (374.63μm ± 105.43) than the other 2 groups (246.66± 24.85 μm in group I, 227.05 μm ± 21.97 in group III) and the difference was significant among the groups (P= 0.00). Mean SFCT was thinner in DME group (234.93 μm ± 42.68) than d the other 2 groups (246.41 μm ± 44.37 in group I, 250.20 μm ± 53.10 in group III) but the difference was not statistically significant (P= 0.41). A significant correlation was found between LogMAR and CMT in group II (r=0.391, P=0.044) indicating that the vision may decrease as the central macular thickness increases in diabetic groups. A weak inverse correlation was found between LogMAR and SFCT in all groups indicating that the vision may decrease as the choroidal thickness decrease. A weak negative correlation was found between CMT and SFCT in diabetic groups (r=-0.142 in group I, r=-0.152 in group II) indicating that the choroidal thickness may decrease as the central retinal thickness increases in diabetic groups. Conclusion: In diabetic eyes, there is an overall thinning of the choroid. SFCT is directly related to vision and macular thickness.

Choroidal Thickness in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema and its Correlation to Macular Thickness and Vision

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between subfoveal choroidal thickness, central macular thickness, visual acuity and the presence of diabetic macular edema (DME) using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Methods:A prospective, nonrandomized case control study of 124 eyes was included in the study and divided into three groups: Group I: 56 eyes having NPDR without macular edema, Group II: 27 eyes having NPDR with DME, Group III: 41 eyes of normal healthy subjects. Central macular thickness (CMT) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) were measured on the OCT images and statistically compared. Pearson correlation analysis used to evaluate the relationships between choroidal thickness, macular thickness and visual acuity. Results: A total of 124 eyes of 76 patients; mean age 52.56 ±8.91years were included in the study. Mean bestcorrected visual acuity LogMAR was better in the control group (0.20 ± 0.40) than diabetic groups (0.42 ± 0.40 in group I, 0.80 ± 0.45 in group II) and the difference was significant among the groups (P= 0.01). Mean CMT was thicker in DME group (374.63μm ± 105.43) than the other 2 groups (246.66± 24.85 μm in group I, 227.05 μm ± 21.97 in group III) and the difference was significant among the groups (P= 0.00). Mean SFCT was thinner in DME group (234.93 μm ± 42.68) than d the other 2 groups (246.41 μm ± 44.37 in group I, 250.20 μm ± 53.10 in group III) but the difference was not statistically significant (P= 0.41). A significant correlation was found between LogMAR and CMT in group II (r=0.391, P=0.044) indicating that the vision may decrease as the central macular thickness increases in diabetic groups. A weak inverse correlation was found between LogMAR and SFCT in all groups indicating that the vision may decrease as the choroidal thickness decrease. A weak negative correlation was found between CMT and SFCT in diabetic groups (r=-0.142 in group I, r=-0.152 in group II) indicating that the choroidal thickness may decrease as the central retinal thickness increases in diabetic groups. Conclusion: In diabetic eyes, there is an overall thinning of the choroid. SFCT is directly related to vision and macular thickness.

Evaluation of UHRF1 and P16INK4A expression levels in newly diagnosed AML patients

Introduction: Gene mutation is an infrequent cause of tumor suppressor gene (TSG) defect in de novo AML patients. Instead, it seems that leukemic cells employ epigenetic tricks to attenuate the negative impacts of intact TSGs. Ordinarily, critical TSGs, such as p16INK4A, is hyper-methylated in AML blasts under the impact of master epigenetic regulators, such as UHRF1. In this study, we investigated the correlation between UHRF1 and p16INK4A gene expression levels in newly diagnosed AML patients.&#x0D; Methods: Bone marrow and peripheral blood samples were obtained from 50 newly diagnosed AML patients and 18 healthy normal control subjects. Gene expression levels of UHRF1 and P16INK4A were surveyed using SYBR Green Quantitative Real-time PCR. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS statistical software 21.0.&#x0D; Results: P16INK4A gene expression showed reduced levels in 80.64% of patients above 45 years of age, while only 32% of patients below 45 years had reduced expression levels. The Spearman correlation test also demonstrated a significant negative correlation between UHRF1 and p16INK4A gene expression levels in AML patients, which was not observed in the control group (r=0.343 and P= 0.015).&#x0D; Conclusion: Regarding the age-related patterns of UHRF1 and p16INK4A gene expression, and also the presence of negative correlation between them, we conclude that UHRF1 may potentially be involved in p16INK4A down-regulation in elderly AML patients, which may subsequently facilitate the progression of AML in older ages.&#x0D;

Noninvasive Monitoring of Dynamic Cerebrovascular Autoregulation and 'Optimal Blood Pressure' in Normal Adult Subjects.

Cerebrovascular autoregulation can be continuously monitored from slow fluctuations of arterial blood pressure (ABP) and regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the index of dynamic cerebrovascular autoregulation (TOx) and the associated 'optimal' ABP in normal adult healthy subjects. Twenty-eight healthy volunteers were studied. TOx was calculated as the moving correlation coefficient between spontaneous fluctuations of ABP and rSO2. ABP was measured with the Finometer photoplethysmograph. The ABP with optimal autoregulation (ABPOPT) was also determined as the ABP level with the lowest associated TOx (opt-TOx). Average rSO2 and TOx was 72.3 ± 2.9% and 0.05 ± 0.18, respectively. Two subjects had impaired autoregulation with a TOx > 0.3. The opt-TOx was - 0.1 ± 0.26. ABPOPT was 87.0 ± 16.7mmHg. The difference between ABP and ABPOPT was - 0.3 ± 7.5mmHg. In total, 44% of subjects had a deviation of ABP from ABPOPT exceeding 5mmHg. ABPOPT ranged from 57 to 117mmHg. TOx in healthy volunteers on average displays intact autoregulation and ABP close to ABPOPT. However, some subjects have possible autoregulatory dysfunction or a significant deviation of ABP from ABPOPT, which may confer a susceptibility to neurological injury.