ABSTRACT
This study examined the T helper [Th] 1/Th17-related cytokines, interferon [IFN]- gamma and interleukin [IL]-17 in the serum of biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis C patients before and after IFN and ribavirin therapy to address whether or not viral clearance is related to Th1/Th17 cytokines. The serum levels of IFN-gamma and IL-17 were assayed by ELISA on 26 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection before the start and 3 months after treatment with pegylated IFN-alpha plus ribavarin and compared with sera from 15 normal control subjects. IFN- gamma and IL-17 levels are higher in the serum of patients with chronic hepatitis than in normal controls and these elevated levels were not directly correlated [r = -0.01, p = 0.96 for IFN-gamma and r= - 0.08, p= 0.66 for IL-17] to the viremic state of the HCV infection. In contrast to IL-17, IFN-gammas showed significant reduction after 12 weeks of treatment with pegylated IFN plus ribavirin. However, IFN-gamma and IL-17 serum levels were not significantly [p= 0.19 and =0.70, respectively] different among responders are nonresponders for pegylated IFN plus ribavirin therapy. Our finding suggest that the combined treatment with pegylated IFN-alpha and ribavirin downmodulates the secretion of key cytokine IFN-gammas as early as 12 weeks after treatment in infected patients. These findings could encourage new exciting possibilities for immune-based interventions with the aim of restoring functional antiviral T cell responses combined with improved viral clearance
ABSTRACT
Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy [HIE] is a significant cause of neonatal mortality and neurodevelopment impairments. Previous works have attempted to find a sensitive parameter that will accurately predict outcome in infants with perinatal asphyxia. The aim of this study was to whether or not the serum total magnesium [Mg],ionized Ca [iCa], and other electrolytes concentrations in neonate with[HIE] in umbilical cord blood and 48 hours serum samples could be used to predict their outcome. Hospital-based prospective study of admission to newborn intensive care unit between 2001-2004.A total of 60 term neonates fulfilling the criteria for HIE were included in the study. HIE was classified according to the criteria of Sarnat and Sarnat, mild moderate and sever. Twenty full term healthy newborns were chosen as control. Umbilical cord blood on delivery and after 48 hours was collected for the measurement of total Mg, iCa, and Na. Infants was followed by a pediatrician and neurological examination Was done at the age of 6 and 12 month. In the group of normal infants there was a significant increase in serum total Mg and Na concentrations and decrease in iCa concentration by the second day of life compared with umbilical cord blood values. Infant with mild HIE had significantly higher umbilical cord blood total Mg concentrations compared with moderate and severe HIE groups. Infant with severe HIE had significantly lower mean umbilical cord blood total Mg concentration compared with other groups. On the second day of life infants with severe HIE had significantly higher serum concentration of total Mg and lower concentrations of iCa and Na compared with other groups. The serum cord and 48 hour ionized calcium concentrations were significantly lower in HIE group who had a poor outcome. cord serum and 48 hours level of ionized calcium and 48hr Na were predicting variable for poor outcome in HIE group
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Magnesium/blood , Calcium/blood , Electrolytes , Infant, Newborn/blood , Fetal Blood , Intensive Care, Neonatal , PrognosisABSTRACT
To evaluate serum level of cystatin C, as early predictor for renal dysfunction in pregnant women developing preeclampsia, and to compare it as a new marker for preeclampsia with the use of serum creatinine or urate for the same diagnostic purpose. One hundred fifteen pregnant women were followed from the 12[th] week of pregnancy to full term. From whom, we got only ten preeclamptic women, and randomly eighteen normal pregnant women as a control group. Serum creatinine, urate and cystatin C were measured. Serum cystatin C, creatinine and urate were significantly increasing progressively in the 20[th] 28[th] and 36[th] weeks samples compared to the 12[th] weeks samples of the preeclamptic group only. The area under curve [AUC] in ROC analysis of cystatin C [0.76,0.79, and 0.95] was significantly greater than that of urate [0.62,0.67 and 0.76] and creatinine [0.43,0.38and 0.63]. Serum cystatin C was an early predictive marker for renal dysfunction in pregnant women developing preeclampsia, better than urate and creatinine. It has a superior diagnostic accuracy for preeclampsia compared to that of serum urate or creatinine in the 36th week sample. Also it has a superior prognostic accuracy in the 20th and 28th week samples as well [comparing AUC in ROC curves]