Aging parameters of the accelerated aging procedure through D-Galactose induction

Background and Objectives@#Intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of D-galactose (D-gal) accelerates aging and develops aging models. A low dose of long-term use and a high dose of short-term use of D-gal can induce natural aging in mice, like brain, cardiac, liver, renal, and skin aging, and erectile dysfunction. Our research aims to determine whether a high dose of short-term use of D-gal. i.p. in rats can induce natural aging and affect the following parameters: body weight (BW), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), C-reactive protein (CRP), and myostatin.@*Methods@#A daily D-gal i.p. dose of 300 mg/ml/kg for seven days was carried out to induce aging parameters in the rats. After seven days, the body and gastrocnemius circumference of the rats were weighed, and biochemical analysis for SOD, VEGF, CRP, and myostatin in the blood plasma was done.@*Results@#The data obtained were analyzed using nonparametric statistics Friedman test and Mann-Whitney test. After the seven day-intervention, both the control (NaCl 0.9% i.p.) and the high dose of short-term use of D-gal i.p. groups showed no significant difference in the body weight and gastrocnemius circumference. However, D-gal administration could increase the blood plasma level of SOD, VEGF, CRP, and myostatin.@*Conclusion@#We conclude that a high dose of short-term intraperitoneal D-galactose can be administrated to induce aging in rat models. The SOD, VEGF, CRP and myostatin can be used as aging parameters.

Influence of Qishen Yiqi Guttate Pills on the Clinical Efficacy of Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To observe the influence of Qishen Yiqi Guttate Pills(mainly composed of Astragali Radix,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma,and Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum)on the clinical efficacy of patients with acute myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods Sixty post-PCI patients with acute myocardial infarction of qi deficiency and blood stasis type who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group,with 30 patients in each group.The control group was treated with conventional western medicine,and the treatment group was treated with Qishen Yiqi Guttate Pills on the basis of treatment for the control group.The course of treatment for the two groups lasted for 3 months.The changes of cardiac function indicators and serum levels of hypersensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)and N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide precursor(NT-pro BNP)were observed before and after the treatment in the two groups,and the incidence of cardiovascular adverse events during the treatment in the two groups were also compared.Results(1)After treatment,the serum hs-CRP and NT-pro BNP levels of patients in the two groups were significantly decreased(P＜0.05)and the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)was significantly increased(P＜0.05)compared with those before treatment.And the effects on lowering the levels of serum hs-CRP and NT-pro BNP and on increasing LVEF of the treatment group were significantly superior to those of the control group,the differences being statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)During the treatment period,the incidence of cardiovascular adverse events in the treatment group was 6.67%(2/30),which was significantly lower than 26.67%(8/30)of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant when comparing the two groups(P＜0.05).Conclusion Qishen Yiqi Guttate Pills can effectively improve cardiac function,decrease serum hs-CRP and NT-pro BNP levels,and reduce the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events in post-PCI patients with acute myocardial infarction of qi deficiency and blood stasis type.

The predictive value of serum hs-CRP and sFlt-1 levels for fetal growth restriction in patients with ges-tational hypertension / 现代医院

Objective To investigate the changes in the levels of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1(sFlt-1)in hypertensive disorder of pregnancy(HDP)patients with fetal growth restriction(FGR),and to evaluate their predictive value for FGR.Methods A total of 137 HDP patients admitted to the Obstetrics De-partment of Ganzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital from December 2021 to May 2023 were selected as the study subjects.According to whether their fetuses had growth restriction,they were divided into the restricted group(n=46)and the non-re-stricted group(n=91).The general information and serum levels of hs-CRP and sFlt-1 were collected and analyzed.Multiple lo-gistic regression analysis was used to identify the influencing factors for fetal growth restriction in HDP patients,and receiver oper-ating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted to evaluate the predictive value of serum hs-CRP and sFlt-1 levels for fetal growth restriction in HDP patients.Results Univariate analysis showed that the serum levels of folic acid(FA),vitamin B12(VitB12),and placental growth factor(PIGF)in the restricted group were lower than those in the non-restricted group,while the serum lev-els of hs-CRP and sFlt-1 were higher than those in the non-restricted group,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that serum hs-CRP,sFlt-1,and PIGF levels were independent risk factors for fetal growth restriction in HDP patients.The H-L test of the model showedx2=7.014,P=0.535,indicating a good fit.The area under the ROC curve(AUC)was 0.932,with a 95％CI of 0.889-0.975(P＜0.05),a sensitivity of 93.50％,and a specificity of 89.00％.Conclusion Serum hs-CRP and sFlt-1 levels are upregulated in HDP patients with fetal growth restriction,indicating their good predictive value for the occurrence of fetal growth restriction.

Application of anesthesia management plan based on ERAS concept in thoracoscopic surgery / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To investigate the application of anesthesia management plan based on the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS)in thoracoscopic surgery.Methods From December 2021 to December 2022,100 patients underwent thoracoscopic surgery were randomly divided into control group and observation group with 50 patients in each.The control group received routine anesthesia management,and the observation group received anesthesia management based on ERAS concept.The two groups were compared in terms of clinical indicators,the degree of incision pain on day 1,3,5 and 7 after surgery,the levels of inflammatory factors on day 1 and 3 after surgery.The incidence rates of pulmonary complications,nausea and vomiting,and respiratory depression in the two groups were calculated.Results Awakening and extubation time and hospital stay of observation group were shorter than those of control group,the treatment costs of observation group was less than that of control group,the visual analogue scale(VAS)of observation group at each time point after surgery were lower than those of control group,the levels of C-reactive protein(CRP)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)of observation group on day 1 and 3 after surgery were lower than those of control group,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The total incidence of pulmonary complications of observation group was lower than that of control group(6.00%vs 22.22%),the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The incidence rates of respiratory depression and nausea and vomiting in the observation group were 0.00%and 2.00%,respectively,while the incidence rates of respiratory depression and nausea and vomiting in the control group were 4.00%and 6.00%,respectively.There was no statistically significant difference in the total incidence rates of other complications between the two groups of patients(P>0.05).Conclusion Applying the anesthesia management plan based on ERAS concept in thoracoscopic surgery can promote postoperative recovery,reduce pain and pulmonary complications,and save treatment costs.It is worthy of clinical application.

Assessment value of echocardiogram combined with serum hs-CRP and NT-proBNP levels on cardiac function of patients with coronary heart failure / 中国医学装备

Objective:To explore the assessment value of echocardiogram combined with serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs CRP)and N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide(NT proBNP)levels on cardiac function of patients with coronary heart failure.Methods:A total of 306 patients with coronary heart failure admitted to Beijing Daxing District People's Hospital from November 2021 to November 2022 were selected as the study group.Among of them,144 cases were grade Ⅱ,103 cases were grade Ⅲ and 59 cases were grade Ⅳ as the classification of New York Heart Association(NYHA)for cardiac function.A total of 108 healthy examinees who underwent physical examinations in our hospital during the same period were selected as the healthy control group.All examinees were classified as the NYHA for cardiac function,and left ventricular end diastolic volume(LVEDV),left ventricular end systolic volume(LVESV),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),peak ejection rate(PER)and peak filling rate(PFR)of them were measured by echocardiogram.The NT proBNP and hs CRP levels of all examinees were measured.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the values of single LVEDV,LVESV,LVEF,PER,PFR,hs CRP and NT-proBNP,and the combination of them.Results:LVEDV(122.69±18.24)ml and LVESV(70.79±10.03)ml of the study group were significantly higher than(92.27±15.22)ml and(33.16±7.22)ml of the healthy control group,and the LVEF(42.26±5.13)％,PER(2.49±0.22)EDV/s and PFR(1.79±0.26)EDV/s of the study group were significantly lower than(69.34±5.27)％,(3.56±0.27)EDV/s,and(2.59±0.23)EDV/s of the healthy control group,with statistical significances(t=15.526,35.837,46.828,40.825,28.302,P<0.05),respectively.The levels of hs CRP and NT proBNP of the study group were significantly higher than those of the healthy control group,with statistical significance(t=88.000,29.099,P<0.05),respectively.The LVEDV and LVESV of grade Ⅱ/Ⅲ patients were significantly lower than those of grade Ⅳ patients,while LVEF,PER and PFR of grade Ⅱ/Ⅲ patients were significantly higher than those of grade Ⅳ patients,with statistically significant differences(t=53.391,92.658,32.140,240.474,116.921,P<0.05),respectively.The levels of hs CRP and NT proBNP of grade Ⅱ/Ⅲ patients were significantly lower than those in grade Ⅳ patients,with statistical significance(t=41.037,5.955,P<0.05),respectively.The results of ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivities of single LVEDV,LVESV,LVEF,PER,PFR,hs CRP,NT proBNP and the combined examination of them were respectively 45.00％,50.00％,70.00％,70.00％,75.00％,70.00％and 90.00％,and the specificities of them were respectively 76.70％,57.00％,82.60％,44.20％,58.10％,52.30％and 96.50％.The area under curve(AUC)values of LVEDV,LVESV,LVEF,PER,PFR,hs CRP,NT proBNP and the combined examination of them were 0.592(95％CI:0.441-0.743),0.615(95％CI:0.468-0.761),0.766(95％CI:0.634-0.899),0.717(95％CI:0.575-0.860),0.674(95％CI:0.536-0.812),0.734(95％CI:0.592-0.876),0.581(95％CI:0.469-0.694)and 0.978(95％CI:0.947-1.000),respectively.Conclusion:The serum hs CRP,NT proBNP levels and function parameters of left heart in patients with coronary heart failure have occurred corresponding changes,and the above indicators have higher assessment value for the heart function of coronary heart failure,and the value of combined assessment is higher.

Profil lipoprotéique et risque athérogène chez les drépanocytaires majeurs au CHU de Cocody / Lipid Profile and Atherogenic Risk of Major Sickle Cell Disease Patients in Abidjan

Introduction.Les formes majeures dedrépanocytose sont une source de perturbation des paramètres lipidiques. Cette perturbation est impliquée dans l'apparition de nombreuses maladies cardiovasculaires telles que les accidents vasculaires cérébraux. Cette étude avait pour but d'établir la relation entre les formes majeures de la drépanocytaire, le risque athérogène et l'état inflammatoire des sujets. Méthodologie. Il s'agit d'une étude transversale à visé analytique qui s'est déroulée dans les services d'hématologie du CHU de Cocody et dans le laboratoire de biochimie de l'UFR des Sciences Médicales d'Abidjan portant sur les sujets drépanocytaires majeurs et de sujets apparemment sains admis au CHU de Cocody pendant la période de l'étude. Résultats.Nous avons recrutéun total de 57 sujets drépanocytaires (SS, SC, Sß0,Sß+) et 44 sujets apparemment sains sur la base d'une électrophorèse de l'hémoglobine.L'âge moyen des sujets drépanocytaires était de 17,77 ans avec des extrêmes de 2 et 67 ans. On notait une prédominance féminine avec un sex-ratio de 1,48.Les cholestérolémies totales moyennes des drépanocytaires SS et SC étaient plus faibles comparativement à celles des drépanocytaires Sß0, Sß+et de la population témoin avec une différence statistiquement significative (p= 0,0031).Les triglycéridémies moyennes des drépanocytaires (SS et SC) étaient plus basses en comparaison à celles des témoins et des drépanocytaires Sß0et Sß+. Les valeurs moyennes de l'indice d'athérogénicité des sujets drépanocytaires étaient élevées que chez les témoins avec une différence statistiquement significative(p = 0,001). les drépanocytaires avaient des concentrations de CRP significativement plus élevée avec p = 0, 0015.Conclusion.Chez les sujets drépanocytaires, les valeurs augmentées de l'indice d'athérogénicité, des triglycérides, de la CRP et la baisse de la concentration du cholestérol HDL expliqueraient un risque athérogène plus élevé. Il est importantd'introduire le bilan lipidique dans le suivi du patient drépanocytaire

Introduction.The major forms of sickle cell disease are a source of disruption to lipid parameters. This disruption is implicated in the development of many cardiovascular diseases such as strokes. The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between the major forms of sickle cell disease, atherogenic risk, and the inflammatory state of subjects. Methodology.This was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted in the hematology departments of the Cocody University Hospital and the biochemistry laboratory of the Faculty of Medical Sciences in Abidjan, focusing on major sickle cell subjects and apparently healthy subjects admitted to the Cocody University Hospital during the study period. Results.A total of 57 sickle cell subjects (SS, SC, Sß0, Sß+) and 44 apparently healthy subjects were recruited based on hemoglobin electrophoresis. The average age of sickle cell subjects was 17.77 years with a range of 2 to 67 years. There was a female predominance with a sex ratio of 1.48. The mean total cholesterol levels of SS and SC sickle cell subjects were lower compared to those of Sß0, Sß+ sickle cell subjects and the control population with a statistically significant difference (p=0.0031). The mean triglyceride levels of sickle cell subjects (SS and SC) were lower compared to controls and Sß0 and Sß+ sickle cell subjects. The mean atherogenicity index valuesof sickle cell subjects were higher than in controls with a statistically significant difference (p=0.001). Sickle cell subjects had significantly higher CRP concentrations with p=0.0015. Conclusion.In sickle cell subjects, increased values of the atherogenicity index, triglycerides, CRP, and decreased HDL cholesterol levels would explain a higher atherogenic risk. It is important to include lipid profile assessment in the treatmentent of sickle cell disease

Assessing Value of CRP/Alb and Pan-immune-inflammation Value in the Prognosis of PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors in the Treatment of Pa-tients with Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer / 医学研究杂志

Objective To investigate the assessing value of C-reactive protein to serum albumin ratio(CRP/Alb)and pan-im-mune-inflammation value(PIV)in the prognosis of advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)before receiving first-line PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy.Methods The clinical data of 85 patients diagnosed with advanced NSCLC in the Affili-ated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from November 2018 to December 2021 who received first-line treatment with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy regimens were retrospectively analyzed.The receiver operator characteristic curve(ROC curve)was used to determine the optimal cut-off value of CRP/Alb and PIV,and univariate and multivariate analysis were performed on the COX proportional risk regression model.Results In this study,a total of 85 patients were included,and the optimal cut-off value of CRP/Alb was 0.38,and the difference between the advanced NSCLC patients in the high and low CRP/Alb groups in the history of smok-ing and hypertension was statistically significant(P＜0.05);the optimal cut-off value of PIV was 666.77,and the difference in ECOG-PS scores between the advanced NSCLC patients in the high and low PIV groups was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The dis-ease control rate(DCR)and progression-free survival(PFS)of patients in the high CRP/Alb group and the high PIV group were lower than those in low CRP/Alb and low PIV groups,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Univariate and multivariate COX regression analysis showed that high CRP/Alb and high PIV were predictors of poor prognosis of PFS in patients with advanced NSCLC in the first-line treatment of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and chemotherapy regimens.Conclusion High CRP/Alb and high PIV are associated with poorer PFS in patients with advanced NSCLC,and may be potentially valuable prognostic factors for patients with ad-vanced NSCLC treated with first-line immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy.

Mechanism of transcriptional regulator CRP in regulating carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae entC / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective:To investigate the mechanism of cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP) in regulating the siderophore enterobactin-related gene entC of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP). Methods:A mutant strain with crp gene deletion strain (Δ crp) and a complementary strain (c-Δ crp) were constructed using CRKP-27 as the wild-type strain. The influence of CRP on the secretion of siderophore by CRKP was analyzed by chrome azurol sulfonate (CAS) quantitative assay. RT-qPCR and lacZ reporter gene fusion assay were used to detect the regulatory effect of CRP on entC gene expression and its promoter. Electric mobility shift assay (EMSA) was performed to detect the binding of CRP to the entC promoter region and the binding sequence was analyzed by DNase Ⅰ footprinting assay. Results:The Δ crp and c-Δ crp strains were successfully constructed. Compared with the wild-type and c-Δ crp strains, the Δ crp strain could secrete more siderophore under both normal and iron-deficient conditions, but the difference was statistically significant only under normal condition ( P<0.05). The relative expression of entC gene at mRNA level was significantly lower in the Δ crp strain than that in the wild-type and c-Δ crp strains under both normal and iron-deficient conditions (both P<0.05). The promoter of entC gene in the Δ crp strain was less active than that in the wild-type and c-Δ crp strains under both normal and iron-deficient conditions (both P<0.05). EMSA showed that with the increase of CRP protein, the distance of entC probe from the positive pole was shortened and blocked. DNase Ⅰ footprinting assay further identified the specific binding site of the entC promoter region to CRP as 5′-AAGGTGATAAATGCGTCTCATTTTCAA-3′. Conclusions:The CRP protein in CRKP could specifically bind to the entC promoter region and directly promote its expression at transcriptional level.

Association of Circulating Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 and the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in Young Smokers

@#Introduction: Smoking causes cardiovascular risk which may alter the stability between the production and degradation of the extracellular matrix. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is a zinc-containing endopeptidase that degrades the extracellular matrix and plays a vital role in tissue remodeling. As a result, elevated serum MMP-9 levels produced by smoking, particularly at young age, raise the risk of future CHD. So this study aims to find out the possible relationship between circulating MMP-9 and the risk of cardiovascular disease in young smokers. Methods: The study was conducted on smokers with CHD subjects attending cardiology and medicine OP of the SRM Medical College Hospital and research center Tamil Nadu, India. The study group was divided into three groups. Group 1 includes 120 healthy controls as nonsmokers, Group 2 includes 120 smokers with Coronary heart disease (CHD), and Group 3 includes 120 smokers with diabetes and CHD subjects in the age group of 20-55 years. Serum MMP-9, hs-CRP, and APO-E levels were measured using the ELISA method and the lipid level was measured enzymatically using AU480 automatic analyzer (back man coulter). Results: The mean serum MMP-9, hs-CRP, and APO-E levels were significantly higher in both groups (p<0.05) when compared to controls. The study also shows a significant positive association between MMP-9 with hs-CRP, APO-E, smoking burden, and smoking intensity. Conclusion: The study concludes a significant association exists between cigarette smoking with MMP-9 and also relative exposure to circulating inflammation markers plays a potential role in the pathogenesis of CHD.

Changes of FeNO, CRP and PCT levels in patients with bronchial asthma complicated with sleep apnea syndrome in Shanghai / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective The changes and risk factors of FeNO, CRP and PCT in patients with bronchial asthma complicated with sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) in Shanghai area were analyzed to provide theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of SAS in patients with bronchial asthma. Methods A total of 436 patients with bronchial asthma admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to June 2022 were selected and divided into control group and experimental group according to whether SAS occurred during hospitalization. The experimental group was divided into three subgroups according to the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) values: mild group (AHI>15 times /h or 15 times /h or 28 kg/m2(OR=5.629),allergic rhinitis(OR=6.166)and neck circumference>40 cm(OR=5.265)were independent risk factors for SAS in patients with bronchial asthma(P<0.05);Pearson correlation analysis showed that AHI was positively correlated with serum FeNO,CRP and PCT levels in patients with bronchial asthma and SAS(r=0.471,0.436,0.502,P<0.05). Conclusions Patients with old bronchial asthma in Shanghai area have a higher risk of SAS, and the severity of the disease is positively correlated with the levels of FeNO, CRP and PCT. In particular, obese patients with allergic rhinitis should be given early intervention to reduce the risk of SAS.

C-reactive Protein, Albumin, Urea, CRP/Albumin Ratio, and Urea/Albumin Ratio: A Retrospective Evaluation in COVID-19 Patients

@#Introduction: C-reactive protein (CRP), urea, albumin, CRP/albumin ratio (CAR) and urea/albumin ratio (UAR) could be valuable biomarkers for determining the severity of illness in patients with COVID-19. This study aimed to determine the association between these markers and disease severity in COVID-19 patients on admission and days five to seven after admission. Methods: This retrospective study includes 153 adult COVID-19 patients admitted to Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II and Hospital Ampang from January 2021 to December 2021. Patients’ serum CRP, urea, albumin and creatinine levels were recorded on admission and on days five to seven after admission. The patients were categorised based on the Annex 2e guidelines published by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia and further classified as mild to moderate disease (stages 1-3) and severe to critical illness (stages 4-5). Results: On admission, urea, creatinine, CRP, UAR and CAR were significantly higher in the severe to critical group (p<0.001). The optimal cut-off value for the UAR was 0.16; the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.760, and sensitivity and specificity were 63.6% and 85.7%, respectively. The AUC of the CAR was 0.752, with 54.2% sensitivity and 91.4% specificity at an optimal cut-off value of 1.63. In severe to critical COVID-19 patients, albumin levels decreased significantly on days five to seven after admission, while urea levels remained significantly higher in this group (p<0.001, p<0.05, respectively). Conclusion: CRP, urea, albumin, CAR and UAR are promising biomarkers for predicting the severity of disease in COVID-19 patients.

Bioactive ingredients in activated platelet-rich plasma derived from cord blood and adult blood via Luminex technology: a comparative study / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To compare the bioactive ingredients in activated platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from cord blood and adult blood, explore its reasonable indicators reflecting the inflammatory regulation ability, in order to guide the preparation. 【Methods】 PRP was prepared and activated from 63 healthy adults (31 males, 32 females) and 61 neonates (30 males, 31 females), and 20 cytokines were measured using Luminex technology for assessing the age- and sex-based bioactive differences of PRP. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP), procalcitonin and MMPs/TIMPs from each sample were measured for their correlations with the 10 inflammation-related cytokines. 【Results】 The activated cord blood PRP released 10 growth factors and chemokines more than the adult blood PRP, whereas IGF-1, HGF and 8 pro-inflammatory cytokines lower than the latter. Most cytokines of adult PRP were more in females than in males (P<0.05), except for IGF-1 and HGF, which showed no difference by gender. Compared with hs-CRP and PCT, MMPs/TIMPs ratio was more closely related with the inflammation-related cytokines, which can reflect the inflammatory regulation of PRP. 【Conclusion】 Due to the lower immunocompetence and no age or gender disturbance, cord blood PRP has the rational MMPs/TIMPs ratio and more cytokines which promote the inflammation and wound healing.

Association of cognitive function,plasma C-reactive protein level in patients with treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder / 中国心理卫生杂志

Objective:To evaluate the association of cognitive function,clinical symptoms,and plasma C-reac-tive protein(CRP)level in patients with treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder(trOCD).Methods:Fif-ty-five patients with trOCD,45 patients with non-trOCD,and 65 normal controls were enrolled.The Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale(YBOCS),Hamilton depression scale,Hamilton anxiety scale,MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery(MCCB)were used to evaluate the OCD,depressive or anxious clinical symptoms,as well as cognitive function,in above-mentioned subjects.The plasma CRP level were examined by using the latex-enhanced immunoturbidimetry methods in three groups.Results:Compared with the other two groups,the MCCB cognition scores,especially information processing speed,working memory,inferential knowledge and problem-solving skills were higher in the trOCD group,respectively(Ps＜0.05).The plasma CRP level and percentage of cases with high CRP level(≥3 mg/L)in the trCOD group were higher than those in other two groups(P＜0.05).However,difference of MCCB and its factorial scores revealed no statistical significances in non-trOCD group(Ps＞0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that potential risk factors of treatment-resistant OCD including,more obsessive-compulsive symptoms(OR=2.01),higher severity of OCD(OR=2.29),lower MCCB total scores(OR=4.01),higher plasma CRP level(OR=4.24),and longer disease course of OCD(OR=3.23)(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Impaired cognitive function,high plasma C-reactive protein level,may be associated with more obsessive-compul-sive symptoms,higher severity of OCD,as well as long disease course of OCD.

Effectiveness and safety of secukinumab in ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis: a 52-week real-life study in an Italian cohort

Abstract Background Secukinumab has shown high efficacy in randomized controlled trials in both ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Here, we investigated its real-life effectiveness and tolerability in a cohort of AS and PsA patients. Methods We retrospectively analyzed medical records of outpatients with AS or PsA treated with secukinumab between December 2017 and December 2019. ASDAS-CRP and DAS28-CRP scores were used to measure axial and peripheral disease activity in AS and PsA, respectively. Data were collected at baseline and after 8, 24, and 52 weeks of treatment. Results Eighty-five adult patients with active disease (29 with AS and 56 with PsA; 23 males and 62 females) were treated. Overall, mean disease duration was 6.7 years and biologic-naïve patients were 85%. Significant reductions in ASDAS-CRP and DAS28-CRP were observed at all time-points. Body weight (in AS) and disease activity status at baseline (particularly in PsA) significantly affected disease activity changes. ASDAS-defined inactive disease and DAS28-defined remission were achieved in comparable proportions between AS and PsA patients, at both 24 weeks (45% and 46%) and 52 weeks (65.5% and 68%, respectively); male sex was found an independent predictor of positive response (OR 5.16, P = 0.027). After 52 weeks, achievement of at least low disease activity and drug retention were observed in 75% of patients. Secukinumab was well-tolerated and only mild injection-site reactions were recorded in 4 patients. Conclusion In a real-world setting, secukinumab confirmed great effectiveness and safety in both AS and PsA patients. The influence of gender on treatment response deserves further attention.

Prediction of coronary artery lesions based on C-reactive protein levels in children with Kawasaki Disease: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract Objective Since coronary artery lesions (CALs) are the most severe complication of Kawasaki disease (KD), clinically speaking, early prediction of CALs is crucial. The authors aimed to investigate the predictive value of C-reactive protein (CRP) in predicting CALs in KD patients. Methods KD patients were divided into the CALs group and the non-CALs group. The clinical and laboratory parameters were collected and compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors of CALs. The receiver operating characteristic curve was applied to determine the optimal cut-off value. Results 851 KD patients who met the inclusion criteria were studied, including 206 in the CALs group and 645 in the non-CALs group. Children in the CALs group had significantly higher CRP levels than the non-CALs group (p< 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that incomplete KD, male, lower hemoglobin, and higher CRP were independent risk factors for predicting CAL (all p< 0.05). The optimal cut-off value of initial serum CRP for predicting CALs was 105.5 mg/L, with a sensitivity of 47.57% and a specificity of 69.61%. In addition, KD patients with high CRP (≥105.5 mg/L) had a higher occurrence of CALs than those with low CRP (<105.5 mg/L) (33% vs 19%, p< 0.001). Conclusion The incidence of CALs was significantly higher in patients with high CRP. CRP is an independent risk factor for CALs formation and may be useful for predicting CALs in KD patients.

EVALUATION OF CRP (C-REACTIVE PROTEIN) AND PROCALCITONIN AS DIAGNOSTIC MARKERS IN ACUTE APPENDICITIS

Background: One of the most prevalent abdominal crises is acute appendicitis. Many efforts have been directed towards early diagnosis and intervention. Delay in diagnosis leads to increase morbidity and costs. Present study was aimed to evaluate the correlation of CRP and PCT with perioperative ?ndings in suspected cases of acute appendicitis and to ?nd whether they can aid in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Present Material and Methods: study was hospital based screening test study, conducted patients of age > 18 years, either gender, who presented with right iliac fossa pain lasting < 48 hours and were tentatively diagnosed with acute appendicitis, underwent surgery. Among Results: 115 patients with acute appendicitis, most of patients belong to age group of 21 to 30 years (45.2 %) followed by 31 to 40 and 10 to 20 years (18.3 %). Out of 115 patients 40 (34.8%) patients were females and 75 (65.2%) patients were males. CRP was positive in 84 (73.04%) and procalcitonin was positive in 66 (57.39%) patients with acute appendicitis. CRP had a sensitivity of 72.82%, a speci?city of 25%, a positive predictive value of 89.29%, and a negative predictive value of 9.68 %. Procalcitonin had a sensitivity of 57.28 %, a speci?city of 41.67 %, a positive predictive value of 89.39 %, and a negative predictive value of 10.20%. Conclusion: Elevation in CRP as well as procalcitonin levels only cannot be used for ?nal diagnosis of acute appendicitis, but it can act as an adjunct when evaluating the available clinical and laboratory

Comparison of Serum Homocysteine and Highly Sensitive C- reactive protein Levels in Patients of Acute Coronary Syndrome with and without Type-2 Diabetes

Background: The association of high serum homocysteine concentration and C- reactive protein as a risk factor for the acute coronary syndrome. The aim of study was to evaluate serum homocysteine and hs-CRP level in newly diagnosed ACS patients together with comparison of homocysteine and hs-CRP level in ACS patients with & without type 2 diabetes and also to find out the correlation between serum homocysteine and hs- CRP level among the ACS patient with and without type 2 DM.Material & Methods:This was a cross sectional study and total of 260 patients with new onset of ACS admitted in the CCU, Department of Cardiology, DMCH were included in the study during Jan, 2011 to Feb, 2012. Among them 72 ACS patients with type 2 diabetes was considered as group I and 188 ACS patients without diabetes was considered as group II. Serum total homocysteine level, hs-CRP level and traditional risk factors for ACS were documented from all the study population.Results:Most of the patients were found in 4th decade in both groups. Acute STEMI was more common clinical feature in both groups. The mean serum homocysteine level in all groups of ACS patients were significantly higher in patients without DM in comparison to type 2 DM. Similarly, the mean hs-CRP level in all groups of ACS patients were significantly higher in patients without type 2 DM. The mean serum homocysteine and hs-CRP level were significantly higher in nondiabetic ACS patients. However, dyslipidaemia was significantly higher in patients with type 2 DM. Hypertension, obesity and family history of ACS were not significant between two groups. There was no correlation found between serum homocysteine with serum hs-CRP in ACS patients with type 2 DM and ACS patients without DM respectively.Conclusion: So, both serum homocysteine and hs-CRP level in ACS patients were significantly higher in patients without DM. In ACS, C-reactive protein elevation was a better marker of extension of myocardial damage than homocyesteine. No correlation was found between serum homocysteine with hs-CRP level in ACS patients with and without type 2 DM respectively.

Correlation of C-Reactive Protein, Low Total Leucocyte Count and Platelet Count with Blood Culture in Neonates With Sepsis

Background: Neonatal sepsis is characterized by systemic signs and symptoms of generalised bacterial infection in the first four weeks of life. Early recognition and diagnosis of neonatal sepsis remains a challenge because of the variable and nonspecific clinical presentation. A combination of haematological and biochemical tests may provide a more rapid diagnosis of sepsis than blood culture which takes at least 24 to 48 hours for the results. Objectives: To study the correlation of parameters of sepsis screen with blood culture in neonates with clinical sepsis and or having significant risk factors for sepsis and To study the outcome of neonatal sepsis was our secondary aim.Material & Methods:The descriptive prospective study with cross sectional design was conducted on 100 neonates admitted with signs and symptoms of sepsis in the nursery ward and NICU of paediatric department of BebeNanki Hospital, GMC, Amritsar. Sepsis screen and blood culture (gold standard for neonatal sepsis diagnosis) and other relevant investigations were sent under strict aseptic conditions and treatment was started. S.CRP levels >1mg/dl, total leukocyte count < 5000 cells/cumm, platelets count < 1.5 lakhs/ µL were taken as positive significant (P <0.005) markers for neonatal sepsis. The data was tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis.Results:Positive CRP (>1mg/dl) were found to be highly significant (p<0.0001), Sensitivity, Specificity, PPV, NPV and Diagnostic accuracy were 93.33%,16.00%,76.92%,44.44% and 74.00% respectively. TLC <5000 were found to be significant (p<0.0001), Sensitivity, Specificity, PPV, NPV and Diagnostic accuracy were 65.33%,44.00%,77.78 %,29.73% and 60.00% respectively. Platelet count < 1.5 lakhs/ µL was found to be significant (p<0.0091), Sensitivity, Specificity, PPV, NPV and Diagnostic accuracy were 68.00%, 16.00%,70.83%,14.29% and 55.00% respectively.Conclusions:In developing countries like India, where blood culture investigations are limited, altered haematological parameters such as CRP, TLC, and Platelets counts can serve as quick, simple, economical methods to diagnose neonatal sepsis. Further studies with larger sample size are required to substantiate the results.

Microbial Profile of Neonatal Septicemia and its Antibiogram Prevalent in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Western Odisha

Introduction : A disseminated disease with positive Blood Culture during the first month of life and encompasses various systemic infections of the newborn such as septicemia, meningitis, pneumonia, arthritis, osteomyelitis and Urinary Tract Infection is defined as Neonatal Sepsis. It is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality amongst neonates of developing countries. Aim : To determine the microbial profile of Blood Culture-positive Septicemia cases and study their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. Materials and Methods : Blood Culture and C-reactive Protein (CRP) estimation were done for all 220 clinically suspected neonates. All the pure Bacterial and Candida isolates were identified using standard biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done for all bacterial isolates using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method as per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Results : Out of 220 cases, 68.2% were culture positive. Early-onset Neonatal Septicemia (EONS) cases were 74% and Late-onset Neonatal Septicemia (LONS) 26%. The male to female ratio was 1.9:1. Bacterial cases were 66% and 34% were due to Candida. Gram-negative isolates predominated, with Klebsiella pneumonia being the most common one. In the case of Gram-positive isolates, Staphylococcus aureus was most common. The best overall sensitivity of Gram-negative isolates was to Amikacin (100%), Colistin (100%), and Imipenem (96%). Grampositive isolates reported 100% sensitivity to Vancomycin, Teicoplanin and 97.4% to Linezolid. Conclusion : Gram-negative isolates were the leading cause of Sepsis in our study. Strict antimicrobial stewardship should be implemented to prevent the emergence of multi-drug resistant strains.

Role Of Raised C-Reactive Protein (CRP) As the Indicator for Surgical Intervention in Clinically Diagnosed Acute Appendicitis

Background: The diagnosis of acute appendicitis relies more on the clinical acumen of the surgeon than on the investigations. As the condition is associated with an acute-phase reaction the analysis of WBC, neutrophil percentage and serum level of CRP has been demonstrated to be important diagnostic tools. Surprisingly the level of CRP becomes proportionately raised with increasing severity of the histopathological variety of the appendix. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to compare the preoperative CRP level with postoperative histological findings and find out a predictive value of CRP as an indicator for surgical intervention in acute appendicitis.Material & Methods:It was a prospective, cross-sectional, observational study executed in the Department of Surgery, Dhaka Medical College Hospital from January to December of 2015 where 107 patients were included in this study. Preoperative level of CRP and WBC count was done in all selected patients. Histopathological severity of the resected specimen of the appendix was determined postoperatively. The correlation between preoperative clinical factors and the actual histological severity and identification of surgical indication markers was assessed to determine whether only the CRP level significantly differs between the surgical treatment necessary group and the possible non-surgical treatment group.Results:54% (58) of the patients were female out of a total of 107. Peak incidence (25.2%) was in the 16-20 years age group. Neither age nor gender had any significance with the type of appendicitis. Among the patients 28.1% (30) had gangrenous appendicitis. In patients with histopathologically proven acute appendicitis, both the WBC count and serum CRP level were raised. But only the CRP level significantly differs between gangrenous appendicitis and uncomplicated appendicitis (p-value<0.0001). The specificity and sensitivity of serum CRP for gangrenous appendicitis were 97% and 71% respectively. The ROC curve indicated that the cutoff value of CRP for gangrenous appendicitis is 6.2 mg/dl. Conclusions:A normal pre-operative serum CRP measurement in patients with suspected acute appendicitis is most likely associated with a normal or uncomplicated inflammation of the appendix. The rate of unnecessary appendectomies would probably reduce in this patient group by deferring surgery. Only the CRP level is consistent with the severity of appendicitis and can be considered to be a surgical indication marker for acute appendicitis.