Highly sensitive H2O2-scavenging nano-bionic system for precise treatment of atherosclerosis

In atherosclerosis, chronic inflammatory processes in local diseased areas may lead to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we devised a highly sensitive H2O2-scavenging nano-bionic system loaded with probucol (RPP-PU), to treat atherosclerosis more effectively. The RPP material had high sensitivity to H2O2, and the response sensitivity could be reduced from 40 to 10 μmol/L which was close to the lowest concentration of H2O2 levels of the pathological environment. RPP-PU delayed the release and prolonged the duration of PU in vivo. In Apolipoprotein E deficient (ApoE‒/‒) mice, RPP-PU effectively eliminated pathological ROS, reduced the level of lipids and related metabolic enzymes, and significantly decreased the area of vascular plaques and fibers. Our study demonstrated that the H2O2-scavenging nano-bionic system could scavenge the abundant ROS in the atherosclerosis lesion, thereby reducing the oxidative stress for treating atherosclerosis and thus achieve the therapeutic goals with atherosclerosis more desirably.

Highly Sensitive C Reactive Protein as a Predictor of in Hospital Outcome in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background: C-reactive (CRP) protein is a well-studied inflammatory factor whose prognostic value in cardiovascular diseases in recent years has become increasingly important. Assesses of prognostic value of highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) wasthe aim of this work. Methods: This observational research was conducted on 50 individuals had ACS admitted to CCU and indicated for invasive coronary angiography. Cases were classified in 2 groups depending on the level of hs-CRP: group A included (14) cases with hs-CRP > (2) and group B involved (36) cases with hs-CRP ? (2). All patients were subjected to: laboratory investigations (creatinine, urea, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), troponin, creatine kinase myocardial band (CKMB), hs-CRP, HbA1C, lipid profile, twelve lead surface ECG, echocardiography and coronary angiography. Results: Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglyceride were significantly higher in group B compared to group A(P=0.001). Stent implantation was significantly higher in group 2 compared to group 1 (P=0.040) Conclusions: There were correlation between hs CRP and lipid profile as a risk factor and there was no correlation between in hospital outcome and hs CRP in ACS patients due to small sized study.

Evaluation of serum and salivary C-reactive protein for diagnosis of late-onset neonatal sepsis: A single center cross-sectional study

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic utility of salivary C-reactive protein (CRP) and its potential correlation with serum CRP levels in full-term neonates with late-onset sepsis (LOS). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 90 neonates assigned to three equal groups: culture proven LOS, clinical LOS and a control group. Clinical findings and routine laboratory data including complete blood pictures and blood culture results were documented. Highly sensitive serum CRP was measured according to hospital protocol, while salivary CRP levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The median serum CRP was significantly higher in septic neonates compared to controls (p < 0.001). For serum CRP, the optimum cut-off value for LOS diagnosis was found to be 7.2 mg/L with sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of 91, 100, 100, and 85.7%, respectively. No significant difference was observed in levels of salivary CRP among the 3 study groups (p = 0.39). No correlation was found between the levels of salivary and serum CRP (r = 0.074, p = 0.49). Conclusion: Serum CRP, at a cut-off value of 7.2 mg/L, exhibited a high specificity and positive predictive value in LOS diagnosis, whereas salivary CRP levels weren't significantly different between the 3 study groups nor did they predict abnormal serum CRP thresholds in newborns with sepsis.

Relationship between highly sensitive cardiac troponin T and sepsis and outcome in critically ill patients / 中华内科杂志

Objective To investigate the prognostic value of highly sensitive cardiac Troponin T (hs-cTn T) for sepsis in critically ill patients.Methods Patients estimated to stay in the ICU of Fuxing Hospital for more than 24h were enrolled at from March 2014 to December 2014.Serum hs-cTn T was tested within two hours.Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were used to determine the association of variables with the hs-cTn T.Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors of 28-day mortality.Results A total of 125 patients were finally enrolled including 68 patients with sepsis and 57 without.The levels of hs-cTn T in sepsis and non-sepsis groups were significantly different[52.0(32.5,87.5) ng/L vs 14.0(6.5,29.0) ng/L respectively,P ＜0.001].In sepsis group,hs-cTn T among common sepsis,severe sepsis and septic shock were similar.Hs-cTn T was significantly higher in non-survivors than survivors [27 (13,52) ng/L vs 44.5 (28.8,83.5) ng/L,P ＜ 0.001].Age,sepsis,serum creatinine were independent risk factors affecting hs-cTn T by multivariate linear regression analyses.But hs-cTn T was not a risk factor for death.Conclusion Patients with sepsis had higher serum hs-cTn T than those without sepsis.but it was not found to be associated with the severity of sepsis.

Relationship between highly sensitive cardiac troponin T and sepsis and outcome in critically ill patients / 中华内科杂志

Objective To investigate the prognostic value of highly sensitive cardiac Troponin T (hs-cTn T) for sepsis in critically ill patients.Methods Patients estimated to stay in the ICU of Fuxing Hospital for more than 24h were enrolled at from March 2014 to December 2014.Serum hs-cTn T was tested within two hours.Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were used to determine the association of variables with the hs-cTn T.Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors of 28-day mortality.Results A total of 125 patients were finally enrolled including 68 patients with sepsis and 57 without.The levels of hs-cTn T in sepsis and non-sepsis groups were significantly different[52.0(32.5,87.5) ng/L vs 14.0(6.5,29.0) ng/L respectively,P ＜0.001].In sepsis group,hs-cTn T among common sepsis,severe sepsis and septic shock were similar.Hs-cTn T was significantly higher in non-survivors than survivors [27 (13,52) ng/L vs 44.5 (28.8,83.5) ng/L,P ＜ 0.001].Age,sepsis,serum creatinine were independent risk factors affecting hs-cTn T by multivariate linear regression analyses.But hs-cTn T was not a risk factor for death.Conclusion Patients with sepsis had higher serum hs-cTn T than those without sepsis.but it was not found to be associated with the severity of sepsis.

What will Change with Highly Sensitive Troponin Assays.

In the not too distant future, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays will be introduced for use in the United States. They bring with them many exciting new opportunities within cardiovascular practice including the ability to confirm or refute a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction more rapidly as well as the ability to risk stratify and guide treatment decisions in patients with a variety of acute and chronic noncoronary diseases. However, clinicians and researchers must be aware of the new facets introduced with troponin testing and, in particular, the new issues that will arise with high sensitivity assays. Emphasis must also be placed on reiterating the same principles of the effective use of troponin testing that applied to conventional assays, as these are likely to become even more important. This review outlines a number of important issues related to high sensitivity assays with a focus on their use in acute hospital settings.

Development, characterization and clinical validation of new sensitive immunofluorometric assay for the measurement of serum thyroglobulin / Desenvolvimento, caracterização e validação clínica de um novo ensaio sensível para a dosagem da tiroglobulina sérica

OBJECTIVE: In the last decade, data published stressed the role of highly-sensitive thyroglobulin (Tg) assays in the follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients. The present study describes a new, highly-sensitive Tg assay, compares it with an available commercial assay, and validates it in the follow-up of DTC patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The immunofluorometric high-sensitivity Tg assay is based on monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies produced at our laboratories. It was validated in 100 samples of 87 patients with DTC submitted to total thyroidectomy, 87% of whom also received radioiodine. For correlation, all samples were also tested using a commercial Tg assay (Beckman Access) with functional sensitivity (FS) of 0.1 ng/mL. RESULTS: The new method showed FS of 0.3 ng/mL. The correlation between the two methods was good (r = 0.74; p < 0.0001). The diagnostic sensitivity was 88.9%, and it was increased to 100% when combined with neck US. CONCLUSION: This new, high-sensitivity Tg assay presented a good correlation with Beckman Access assay and with the clinical outcome of the patients. The continuous availability of a validated assay is an additional advantage for long term follow-up of DTC patients. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012;56(9):658-65.

OBJETIVO: Na última década, estudos mostraram a importância dos ensaios de tiroglobulina (Tg) com melhor sensibilidade funcional no seguimento dos pacientes com carcinoma diferenciado de tiroide (CDT). Neste estudo, descrevemos o desenvolvimento de um novo ensaio de Tg de alta sensibilidade, que foi validado no seguimento de pacientes com CDT e correlacionado com um ensaio comercialmente disponível. SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: O ensaio imunofluorométrico de Tg baseia-se em anticorpos, um monoclonal e um policlonal desenvolvidos em nosso laboratório. Avaliamos 100 amostras de soro de 87 pacientes com CDT submetidos à tiroidectomia total, sendo que 87% deles também receberam 131I. A Tg foi dosada também em ensaio comercial (Beckman Access). RESULTADOS: A correlação entre os dois métodos foi de 0,74 (p < 0,0001). O novo ensaio mostrou uma sensibilidade funcional de 0,3 ng/mL. A sensibilidade diagnóstica foi de 88,9%, que aumentou para 100% quando associada ao ultrassom cervical (US). CONCLUSÃO: O novo método de dosagem de Tg mostra boa correlação com o ensaio comercial Beckman Access e com a evolução clínica dos pacientes. O novo ensaio será fundamental no seguimento dos nossos pacientes com CDT. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012;56(9):658-65.

Maternal serum highly sensitive C-reactive protein as a predictive marker of tocolytic success in preterm labor patient / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether maternal serum highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) could be use as a marker of prediction of tocolytic success in preterm labor pregnancy, and was more useful in comparison with other inflammatory factors. METHODS: Maternal serum white blood cell (WBC) count, C-reactive protein (CRP), and hsCRP were determined in 87 patients in preterm labor and 68 controls. Preterm labor group was divided into tocolytic success group (n=44) and failure group (n=43). The levels of maternal serum WBC count, CRP, and hsCRP were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC) to evaluate the relative value as prediction marker of tocolytic success in two preterm labor groups. The data were analyzed using student t-test. RESULTS: There was no significant difference for maternal age, body mass index (BMI), gestational age, and parity between normal group and preterm labor group. But, WBC count and hsCRP were significantly higher in preterm labor group in comparison to normal group (p<0.001). In preterm labor group, there was no significant difference in maternal age, BMI, gestational age, and parity between tocolytic success group and failure group. But, WBC count, CRP, and hsCRP were significantly lower in tocolytic success group. In the prediction of tocolytic success, the AUCs of WBC count, CRP, and hsCRP were 0.65, 0.77, and 0.82, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study showed that serum levels of hsCRP may be used as a marker of prediction of tocolytic success in preterm labor pregnancy.