Chronic Kidney Disease with Mineral Bone Disorder and Vascular Calcification: An Overview.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health issue with a rising prevalence, affecting 697.5 million people worldwide. It imposes a substantial burden, contributing to 35.8 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and 1.2 million deaths in 2017. The mortality rate for CKD has increased by 41.5% between 1990 and 2017, positioning it as a significant cause of global mortality. CKD is associated with diverse health complications, impacting cardiovascular, neurological, nutritional, and endocrine aspects. One prominent complication is CKD-mineral and bone disorder (MBD), a complex condition involving dysregulation of bone turnover, mineralization, and strength, accompanied by soft tissue and vascular calcification. Alterations in mineral metabolism, including calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone (PTH), vitamin D, fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23), and Klotho, play pivotal roles in CKD-MBD. These disturbances, observed early in CKD, contribute to the progression of bone disorders and renal osteodystrophy (ROD). Vascular calcification (VC) is a key component of CKD-MBD, accelerated by CKD. The pathophysiology involves complex processes in vascular smooth muscle cells and the formation of calciprotein particles (CPP). VC is closely linked to cardiovascular events and mortality, emphasizing its prognostic significance. Various serum markers and imaging techniques, including lateral plain X-ray, Kauppila Score, Adragao Score, and pulse wave velocity, aid in VC detection. Additionally, pQCT provides valuable information on arterial calcifications, offering an advantage over traditional scoring systems. CKD poses a substantial global health burden, and its complications, including CKD-MBD and VC, significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality. Understanding the intricate relationships between mineral metabolism, bone disorders, and vascular calcification is crucial for effective diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.

Usefulness of early morphological ultrasound in association with cell-free DNA testing in case of atypical serum markers in first trimester of pregnancy: A retrospective study over 5 years.

BACKGROUND: Early morphologic ultrasound, generally carried out in case of atypical first trimester serum markers (PAPP-A and/or free hCGß <0.30 MoM), has not been re-evaluated since the possibility of performing a cell-free fetal DNA analysis in this indication. Our objective was to evaluate the usefulness of early morphological ultrasound in case of atypical profile of serum markers performed in association with Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT). METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study in a tertiary maternity. Between January 2017 and December 2021, women with an atypical first trimester serum markers and low/intermediate risk for trisomy 21 (<1/50) were included. The clinical data, results of first trimester serum markers, NIPT, early morphological ultrasound and subsequent ultrasounds and other investigations (amniocentesis, pregnancy outcomes) were analyzed. RESULTS: After exclusion of women with high-risk of trisomy 21 and lost to follow-up, 163 women were included. In 72 % of cases (117/163), women had a low risk of trisomy 21, and 39 % (59/163) had an early morphological ultrasound. Early morphological ultrasound was useful to detect severe IUGR leading to the suspicion of triploidy (3/163, 1.8 %). In all other situations, it did not allow earlier management. After analysis of the 3 triploidy cases, a collapsed profile for both serum markers was demonstrated (<0.25 MoM). CONCLUSIONS: Systematic early morphological ultrasound in case of an atypical serum marker profile seems useless considering the performance of NIPT. An ultrasound restricted to women with both markers below 0.25 MoM would allow the early detection of triploidy.

Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio in glaucoma: a meta-analysis.

Aim: To explore the association between two systemic inflammation markers, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), and glaucoma. Materials & methods: The authors searched PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library for eligible studies comparing PLR and LMR levels in glaucoma patients and healthy controls. Results: Analysis revealed that glaucoma patients exhibited significantly elevated PLR levels and reduced LMR compared with nonglaucoma controls. These findings were consistent across various glaucoma types, with the exception of secondary glaucoma, where the association with PLR was less significant. Conclusion: The authors found PLR and LMR to be potential valuable biomarkers for glaucoma identification and progression monitoring. These findings highlight the role of systemic inflammation in glaucoma pathogenesis.

Combination of serum alpha-fetoprotein, PIVKA-â ¡ and glypican-3 in diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis. / è¡€æ¸ å­¦æ ‡å¿—ç‰©ç”²èƒŽè›‹ç™½ã€PIVKA-â ¡å’Œç£·è„‚é °è‚Œé†‡è›‹ç™½èšç³–3联合诊断肝癌的meta分析.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the value of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-Ⅱ (PIVKA-Ⅱ) and glypican-3 (GPC-3) in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Studies of AFP, PIVKA-Ⅱ, GPC-3 or in combination for the diagnosis of HCC since 2002 were searched in PubMed, Web of Science and Embase databases. The literature was screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the quality of the included articles was evaluated by QUADAS checklist, and relevant data were extracted by Meta DiSc, Review Manager 5.4 and Stata 15.1. The diagnostic values of AFP, PIVKA-Ⅱ and GPC-3 alone or in combination for HCC were assessed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: A total of 32 articles were included in the study. Meta-analysis showed that when a single marker was used to diagnose HCC, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of PIVKA-Ⅱ was the highest (0.88, 95%CI: 0.85-0.91), followed by GPC-3 and AFP. The AUC of combination of serum markers was higher than that of a single marker, and the AUC of PIVKA-Ⅱ combined with GPC-3 was the highest (0.90, 95%CI: 0.87-0.92). When a single marker was used for diagnosis, the sensitivity of PIVKA-Ⅱ and GPC-3 were relatively high (0.75 and 0.76), while the specificity of PIVKA-Ⅱ (0.88) and AFP (0.87) were higher than that of GPC-3 (0.81). The sensitivity of the combination of serum markers was higher than that of a single marker, while the specificity was not significantly improved. When a single marker is used to diagnose HCC, the diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of PIVKA-Ⅱ was the highest (22, 95%CI: 13-36), followed by GPC-3 and AFP. The DOR of the combination of two markers in the diagnosis of HCC was higher than that of a single marker, and the DOR of AFP combined with GPC-3 was the highest (25, 95%CI: 9-67). The DOR of the combination of the three markers was significantly reduced to 10 (95%CI: 7-45). CONCLUSIONS: When a single marker is used, PIVKA-Ⅱ has a higher diagnostic value for HCC. The combination of two markers can significantly improve the diagnostic sensitivity, and AFP combined with PIVKA-Ⅱ is recommended for the diagnosis of HCC. The combination of all three markers failed to further improve the diagnostic value.

Biomarkers of transfusion transmitted occult hepatitis B virus infection: Where are we and what next?

Blood transfusion is a vital procedure, where transfusion-transmitted infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains an important issue, especially from blood donors with occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI). Occult hepatitis B virus infection is a complex entity to detect using surrogate blood biomarkers for intrahepatic viral transcriptional activity, requiring a continually refined battery of tests utilised for screening. This review aims to critically evaluate the latest advances in the current blood biomarkers to guide the identification of OBI donors and discuss novel HBV markers that could be introduced in future diagnostic practice. Challenges in detecting low HBV surface antigen levels, mutants, and complexes necessitate ultrasensitive multivalent dissociation assays, whilst HBV DNA testing requires improved sensitivity but worsens inaccessibility. Anti-core antibody assays defer almost all potentially infectious donations but have low specificity, and titres of anti-surface antibodies that prevent infectivity are poorly defined with suboptimal sensitivity. The challenges associated with these traditional blood HBV markers create an urgent need for alternative biomarkers that would help us better understand the OBI. Emerging viral biomarkers, such as pre-genomic RNA and HBV core-related antigen, immunological HBV biomarkers of T-cell reactivity and cytokine levels, and host biomarkers of microRNA and human leucocyte antigen molecules, present potential advances to gauge intrahepatic activity more accurately. Further studies on these markers may uncover an optimal diagnostic algorithm for OBI using quantification of various novel and traditional blood HBV markers. Addressing critical knowledge gaps identified in this review would decrease the residual risk of transfusion-transmitted HBV infection without compromising the sustainability of blood supplies.

Two Pathological Fractures in a Patient with Chronic Abnormalities in Serum Markers Following Two Liver Transplantations: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Bone disease is a common complication following liver transplantation, often overlooked in clinical practice. Clinical diagnosis of post-liver transplantation bone disease is challenging, and there have been few case report in the literature. This case report presents a patient who underwent two liver transplant surgeries, exhibited good daily activity, and did not display typical clinical symptoms such as fatigue, bone pain, or spinal deformities associated with prolonged sitting or standing. However, within the fifth year after the second liver transplant, the patient experienced two consecutive fractures. In March 2023, the patient underwent the first bone density test, which revealed osteoporosis. This case highlights the fact that severe fractures after liver transplantation may not necessarily be accompanied by typical symptoms of bone disease. Without timely examination and early prevention, serious consequences may arise. Therefore, this condition requires attention, proactive prevention, early detection, and timely treatment. Additionally, a retrospective analysis of the patient's previous laboratory data revealed persistent abnormalities in serum markers such as hypocalcemia and elevated alkaline phosphatase levels after liver transplantation, emphasizing the importance of monitoring these serum markers.

Evaluation of IL-8, nitric oxide and macrophage inhibitory factor as clinical circulatory markers in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis, before and during sodium stibogluconate treatment.

The clinical spectrum of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), an intracellular parasitic pathogen, ranges from a single sore healing to chronic crusty lesions with a manifestation of treatment resistance. The complicated interaction between Leishmania bodies and the early immune response, including innate and adaptive mechanisms, determines the evolution of nodules. This study examined the levels of the chemoattractant interleukin 8 (IL-8), pro-inflammatory nitric oxide (NO), and immunoregulatory macrophage inhibitory factor (MIF) in the serum of subjects recently diagnosed with cutaneous leishmaniasis, in parallel with patients being monitored during consecutive sodium stibogluconate (Pentostam) treatment. A total of 161 serum samples of newly diagnosed individuals and patients undergoing pentostam injections were collected form an endemic area of Diyala, east central of Iraq. Sandwich ELISA was used to measure the level of IL-8, NO and MIF in the studied groups. Results of circulatory markers levels showed a considerable difference in all groups, with IL-8 being exceptionally higher in the first two groups of pretreated and dose-1 (191.5, 273.64) pg/ml respectively, while NO was found to be lower than in control subjects, particularly in the pretreated group (12.08 µmol/L) and MIF level was significantly higher in the pretreated group, which was (7.18 pg/ml). These findings can provide insights for distinction of disease phase and monitoring treatment efficacy along consecutive dosages, particularly in populations where CL is endemic.

EEG Power Spectral Density in NREM Sleep is Associated with the Degree of Hypoxia in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Purpose: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep-related breathing disorder. Research conducted on patients with OSA using electroencephalography (EEG) has revealed a noticeable shift in the overnight polysomnography (PSG) power spectrum. To better quantify the effects of OSA on brain function and to identify the most reliable predictors of pathological cortical activation, this study quantified the PSG power and its association with the degree of hypoxia in OSA patients. Patients and Methods: This retrospective study recruited 93 patients with OSA. OSA patients were divided into three groups based on their apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) scores. The clinical characteristics and sleep macrostructure of these patients were examined, followed by an analysis of PSG signals. Power spectral density (PSD) in five frequency bands was analyzed during nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and wakefulness. Finally, correlation analysis was conducted to assess the relationships among PSD, PSG parameters, and serum levels of S100ß and uric acid. Results: Obstructive sleep apnea occurred during both the NREM and REM sleep phases. Except for a decrease in the duration of N2 sleep and an increase in the microarousal index, there were no significant differences in sleep architecture based on disease severity. Compared to the mild OSA group, the theta and alpha band PSD in the frontal and occipital regions during NREM sleep and wakefulness were significantly decreased in the moderate and severe OSA groups. Correlation analysis revealed that theta PSD in N1 and N3 stages were negatively correlated the AHI, oxygen desaturation index, SaO2<90% and microarousal index. Conclusion: These findings imply that patients with more severe OSA exhibited considerable NREM hypoxia and abnormal brain activity in the frontal and occipital regions. Therefore, sleep EEG oscillation may be a useful neurophysiological indicator for assessing brain function and disease severity in patients with OSA.

Identifying the link between serum VEGF and KL-6 concentrations: a correlation analysis for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis interstitial lung disease progression.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis interstitial lung disease (IPF-ILD) is a progressive lung disease characterized by excessive collagen deposition and fibrotic changes in the lungs. Identifying reliable serum markers that correlate with disease progression is crucial for diagnosis and prognosis. Objective: This study aimed to explore the association between serum markers KL-6 and VEGF and IPF-ILD. Specifically, it assessed their correlation with PaO2, a measure of pulmonary gas function, to provide diagnostic and prognostic indicators. Methods: Patients with IPF-ILD were included, and their serum levels of KL-6 and VEGF were measured. Correlations with fibrotic damage and PaO2 were analyzed using statistical methods. Results: The analysis confirmed a positive correlation between the serum marker KL-6 and the degree of fibrotic damage in IPF-ILD. On the other hand, the serum marker VEGF was found to promote disease progression. In terms of correlation with PaO2, both KL-6 and VEGF demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity. Specifically, the correlation between KL-6 and PaO2 suggests that it can be used as a reliable indicator to assess the status of pulmonary oxygenation function in patients with ILD. The correlation between VEGF and PaO2 helps to understand its role in the progression of IPF-ILD and provides an important basis for predicting patient prognosis. Conclusion: This study confirmed the correlation between KL-6 and VEGF with IPF-ILD and their association with PaO2. KL-6 and VEGF demonstrated high specificity and sensitivity in diagnosing, monitoring, and predicting prognosis in IPF-ILD. These findings contribute to our understanding of the disease and have clinical implications for diagnosis and prognostication.

Targeted proteomics in a population-based study identifies serum PECAM-1 and TRIM21 as inflammation markers for periodontitis.

OBJECTIVES: Periodontitis (PD) can cause systematic inflammation and is associated with various metabolic processes in the body. However, robust serum markers for these relationships are still lacking. This study aims to identify novel circulating inflammation-related proteins associated with PD using targeted proteomics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used population-based, cross-sectional data from 619 participants of the Polish Longitudinal University Study (Bialystok PLUS). Mean pocket probing depth (mPPD) and proportion of bleeding on probing (pBOP) served as exposure variables. Fifty-two inflammation-related proteins were measured using the Olink Target 96 Cardiovascular III and the Olink Target 96 Immune Response panels. Associations between periodontal measures and proteins were tested using covariate-adjusted linear regression models. RESULTS: At a false discovery rate of < 0.05, we identified associations of mPPD and pBOP with platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) and tripartite motif-containing protein 21 (TRIM21). CONCLUSION: This study revealed novel associations between PD and serum levels of PECAM-1 and TRIM21. Our results suggest that these proteins might be affected by molecular processes that take place in the inflamed periodontium. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Novel associations of PECAM-1 and TRIM21 with PD indicate promising serum markers for understanding the disease's pathophysiological processes and call for further biomedical investigations.

Correlation between cognitive impairment and serum markers in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have revealed that sleep structure and hypoxemia are two important environmental factors for cognitive impairment in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). We hypothesized that the pathophysiological mechanisms between these two factors may also be involved in cognitive impairment in patients with OSAHS. Previous studies have suggested that alterations in serum glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammatory responses, and astrocyte markers not only contribute to sleep structural disorders in OSAHS but also affect the occurrence and development of this disease. Therefore, we hypothesized that alterations in the abovementioned indicators may be involved in cognitive impairment in OSAHS. Additionally, obesity is an important risk factor for OSAHS. This study therefore aimed to explore the correlation between serum indicators and cognitive impairment in patients with OSAHS. METHODS: Patients with OSAHS who underwent polysomnography in our hospital were recruited in this study. The overall cognitive function of patients were evaluated using the Mini mental State Examination (MMSE). Blood biochemical indicators such as glucose (GLU), triglycerides (TG), and triglyceride glucose (TyG) index were measured. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the levels of serum glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), S100 calcium binding protein B (S100B), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), inflammatory factors such as C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine if the indicator was related to cognitive function, and backward linear regression analysis was used to identify the main risk factors for cognitive impairment in non-obese and obese patients with OSAHS. RESULTS: Among 34 patients, 19 were non-obese and 15 were obese. Obese patients exhibited higher AHI compared to non-obese individuals, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). In non-obese patients, Spearman correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between serum GLU, IL-4, and MMSE scores (p < 0.05); IL-6 was positively correlated with MMSE (p < 0.05). In addition, GLU and IL-6 were independently correlated with MMSE in non-obese patients (p < 0.05). In obese patients, serum TG and TyG were positively correlated with MMSE scores (p < 0.05); age, BMI, and IL-4 were negatively correlated with MMSE scores (p < 0.05). In addition, age and IL-4 were independently correlated with MMSE in obese patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggested that GLU and IL-6 were independently correlated with cognitive impairment in non-obese patients with OSAHS; age and IL-4 were independently correlated with cognitive impairment in obese patients. Early detection of this difference in heterogeneity may provide theoretical support for future investigations in prevention and treatment of cognitive impairment in patients with OSAHS.

The invasiveness of robot-assisted total hip replacement is similar to that of conventional surgery.

Robot-assisted total hip arthroplasty (R-THA) is increasingly being performed throughout the world. The invasiveness of this operation is unknown. We retrospectively reviewed the cohort of consecutive osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) patients who received primary R-THA or manual THA (M-THA) from January 2020 to January 2022 in our institution. One experienced surgeon performed all procedures. We calculated the propensity score to match similar patients in different groups by multivariate logistic regression analysis for each patient. We included confounders consisting of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and operation time. Preoperative serum markers and Harris hip scores (HHS), postoperative serum markers at first day and third day, complications rate, postoperative HHS and Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) at 6 months after surgery of different cohorts were compared. We analyzed 218 ONFH patients treated with THA (98 R-THA patients, and 120 M-THA patients). After propensity score matching, we generated cohorts of 95 patients in R-THA and M-THA groups. We found no significant difference in preoperative serum markers and HHS. In the R-THA cohort, the PLT count was significantly lower on the postoperative day 1 (192.36 ± 41.72 × 109/L Vs 210.47 ± 72.85 × 109/L, p < 0.05). The Hb level was significantly lower on the postoperative third day in the R-THA cohort (98.52 ± 12.99 g/L Vs 104.74 ± 13.15 g/L, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the other serum markers between the cohorts on postoperative day 1 and 3 (p > 0.05). The FJS was significantly higher in the R-THA than M-THA group (p = 0.01). There was no significant difference in the postoperative HHS or complication rate between the groups (p > 0.05). The R-THA is not associated with a serious invasiveness compared to M-THA. Patients who underwent R-THA had a better early function compared to those who underwent M-THA.

Ecotoxicology applied to conservation: Potential negative metal and metalloid contamination effects on the homeostatic balance of the critically endangered Brazilian guitarfish, Pseudobatos horkelii (Elasmobranchii: Rhinobatidae).

Metal contamination poses a significant threat to elasmobranchs, underscoring the need for targeted conservation approaches. The critically endangered Brazilian guitarfish, Pseudobatos horkelii, confronts an array of challenges, notably overexploitation, putting its survival at risk. Our study investigated the potential toxicity arising from arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) contamination across various adult guitarfish tissues from southeastern Brazil. Serological stress indicators, nutritional metabolites, and creatinine, an organ function marker, were also assessed, and Selenium (Se) levels were also investigated for possible protective effects. Our investigation unveiled significant correlations between metal concentrations and the determined physiological markers, shedding light on potential adverse effects. Remarkably, six correlations were indicative of how Hg and Pb negatively impact hepatic metabolite assimilation, while As was shown to influence renal phosphorus dynamics, Cd to affect rectal gland phosphorus regulation, and Pb to influence creatinine production in muscle tissue. Furthermore, Se demonstrated protective properties against Cd, Hg, and Pb, suggesting a role in alleviating the toxicity of these elements. Despite probable protective Se influences, the detected elemental interactions still suggest potential for organ impairment. These findings gain heightened significance within the context of the cumulative stressors faced by the Brazilian guitarfish, with metal contamination exhibiting the capacity to erode this species resilience against both anthropogenic and environmental pressures, thereby disrupting systemic equilibrium and jeopardizing wild populations. By investigating the intricate balance between metal accumulation and physiological consequences, our study contributes with crucial insights into potential conservation strategy formulations towards pollution for this critically endangered elasmobranch species.

[Detection and analysis of moving reaction boundary-based electrophoresis distance using smartphone images].

Electrophoresis titration (ET) based on the moving reaction boundary (MRB) theory can detect the analyte contents in different samples by converting content signals into distance signals. However, this technique is only suitable for on-site qualitative testing, and accurate quantification relies on complex optical equipment and computers. Hence, applying this method to real-time point-of-care testing (POCT) is challenging. In this study, we developed a smartphone-based ET system based on a visual technique to achieve real-time quantitative detection. First, we developed a portable quantitative ET device that can connect to a smartphone; this device consisted of five components, namely, an ET chip, a power module, a microcontroller, a liquid crystal display screen, and a Bluetooth module. The device measured 10 cm×15 cm×2.5 cm, weighed 300 g, and was easy to hold. Thus, it is suitable for on-site testing with a run time of only 2-4 min. An assistant mobile software program was also developed to control the device and perform ET. The colored electrophoresis boundary can be captured using the smartphone camera, and quantitative detection results can be obtained in real time. Second, we proposed a quantitative algorithm based on ET channels. The software was used to recognize the boundary migration distance of three channels, a standard curve based on two given contents of the standards was established using the two-point method, and the content of the test sample was calculated. Human serum albumin (HSA) and uric acid (UA) were used as a model protein and biosample, respectively, to test the performance of the detection system. For HSA detection, different HSA solutions were mixed with a polyacrylamide gel (PAG) stock solution, phenolphthalein was added as an indicator, and sodium persulfate and tetramethyl ethylenediamine (TEMED) were used to promote polymerization to form a gel. For UA detection, agarose gel was filled into the ET channel, the UA sample, urate oxidase, and leucomalachite green were added into the anode cell and incubated for 20 min. ET was then performed. The fitting goodness (R2) values of HSA and UA were 0.9959 and 0.9935, respectively, with a linear range of 0.5-35.0 g/L and a log-linear range of 100-4000 µmol/L. The limits of detection for HSA and UA were 0.05 g/L and 50 µmol/L, respectively, and the corresponding relative standard deviations (RSDs) were not greater than 2.87% and 3.21%, respectively. These results demonstrate that the detection system has good accuracy and sensitivity. Clinical samples collected from healthy volunteers were used as target blood samples, and the developed system was used to measure serum total protein and UA levels. Serum samples from five volunteers were selected, standard curves of total serum protein and UA were established, and the test results were compared with hospital standard testing results. The relative errors for serum total protein and UA were less than 6.03% and 6.21%, respectively, and the corresponding RSDs were less than 3.72% and 5.84%, respectively. These findings verify the accuracy and reliability of the proposed detection system. The smartphone-based ET detection system introduced in this paper presents several advantages. First, it enables the portable real-time detection of total serum protein and UA. Second, compared with traditional ET strategies based on colored boundaries, it does not rely on optical detection equipment or computers to obtain quantitative detection results; as such, it can reduce the complexity of the operation and provide portability and real-time metrics. Third, the detection of two biomarkers, serum total protein and UA, is achieved on the same device, thereby improving the multitarget detection potential of the ET method. These advantages render the developed method a promising detection platform for clinical applications and real-time POCT.

Analysis of Serum Markers of Perioperative Brain Injury and Inflammation Associated with Endovascular Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms: A Preliminary Study.

Embolization is the preferred method for treating intracranial aneurysms due to its less invasive nature. However, recent findings suggest that even uncomplicated embolization may cause structural damage to the brain through ischemic or inflammatory mechanisms. This study aimed to find possible biomarkers of brain injury and inflammation in patients suffering from intracranial aneurysms who underwent endovascular treatment by measuring serological markers indicating brain damage. The study involved 26 patients who underwent uncomplicated intravascular stenting for unruptured intracranial aneurysms between January 2020 and December 2021. Blood samples were collected before the procedure, at 6-12 h, and at 24 h after the procedure. The following protein biomarkers levels were tested with ELISA: S100B, hNSE, TNF, hsCRP, FABP7, NFL, and GP39. Statistical analysis of the results revealed significant increases in serum levels for the four biomarkers: FABP7-before 0.25 (ng/mL) vs. 6-12 h 0.26 (p = 0.012) and vs. 24 h 0.27 (p < 0.001); GP39-before 0.03 (pg/mL) vs. 6-12 h 0.64 (p = 0.011) and vs. 24 h 0.57 (p = 0.001); hsCRP-before 1.65 (µg/mL) vs. 24 h 4.17 (p = 0.037); NFL-before 0.01 (pg/mL) vs. 6-12 h 3.99 (p = 0.004) and vs. 24 h 1.86 (p = 0.033). These biomarkers are recognized as potential indicators of neurovascular damage and should be monitored in clinical settings. Consequently, serum levels of NFL, GP39, hsCRP, and FABP7 measured before and 24 h after endovascular procedures can serve as important markers for assessing brain damage and indicate avenues for further research on biomarkers of neurovascular injury.

The Effect of Vanishing Twin on First- and Second-Trimester Maternal Serum Markers and Nuchal Translucency: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of vanishing twin (VT) on maternal serum marker concentrations and nuchal translucency (NT). METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a multicenter prospective cohort study in 12 institutions. Serum concentrations of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A in the first trimester and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), total human chorionic gonadotrophin, unconjugated estriol, and inhibin A in the second trimester were measured, and NT was measured between 10 and 14 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: Among 6,793 pregnant women, 5,381 women were measured for serum markers in the first or second trimester, including 65 cases in the VT group and 5,316 cases in the normal singleton group. The cases in the VT group had a higher median multiple of the median value of AFP and inhibin A than the normal singleton group. The values of other serum markers and NT were not different between the two groups. After the permutation test with adjustment, AFP and inhibin A remained significant differences. The frequency of abnormally increased AFP was also higher in the VT group than in the normal singleton group. CONCLUSION: VT can be considered as an adjustment factor for risk assessment in the second-trimester serum screening test.

High-throughput autoantibody profiling of different stages of Schistosomiasis japonica.

Infection by the Schistosoma japonicum can result in acute, chronic and late-stage manifestations. The latter often presents with severe organ failures and premature death. Importantly, infection can also produce autoimmune phenomena reflected by the development of autoantibodies. We wished to explore and profile the presence of autoantibodies in sera of patients with different stages of S. japonicum infection with the added aim of providing a reference assisting diagnosis. Blood samples from 55 patients with chronic and 20 patients with late-stage schistosomiasis japonica together, with a control group of 50 healthy people were randomly investigated against a microarray of 121 different autoantigens. In addition, the frequency of antibodies against Schistosoma egg antigen (SEA) was examined. In the sera from patients with chronic schistosomiasis japonica, 14 different highly expressed autoantibodies were detected, while patients with late-stage schistosomiasis were found to express as many as 43 autoantibody specificities together with a significantly higher frequency of antibodies against SEA compared to the control group. The findings presented suggest that autoantibody-based classification of schistosomiasis japonica represents a promising approach for the elucidation of subtypes of the disease. This approach may reflect differential disease mechanisms, which could ultimately lead to better treatment.

Application of serum gastric function markers and digestive tumor indices to the diagnosis of early gastric cancer and precancerous lesions.

OBJECTIVES: To study the levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen (CA) 199, CA724, CA242, pepsinogen (PG) I, PGII, gastrin-17 (G-17), the PGI/PGII ratio (PGR), as well as the expression of p27 and Ki67, in patients suffering from early gastric cancer and intraepithelial neoplasia and to provide new markers for the diagnosis of early gastric cancer and precancerous lesions. METHODS: A retrospective study where the blood serum concentration of CEA, CA199, CA724, CA242, PGI, PGII, G-17 and PGR were tested and also the protein expression of p27 and Ki67 was detected in patients tissues by immunohistochemistry in the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Center of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China, from March 2018 to March 2021. RESULTS: Carbohydrate antigen 242 and CA199 levels in tumor tissue significantly differed among the groups. Pepsinogen I levels decreased with increasing disease severity, G-17 levels increased with the aggravation of severity, and p27 expression decreased with the severity. CONCLUSION: The combination of serum gastric function markers (PGI and G-17) and p27 digestive tumor indices can serve as markers for the diagnosis of early gastric cancer and intraepithelial neoplasia.

Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio and Serum Biomarkers : A Potential Tool for Prediction of Clinically Relevant Cerebral Vasospasm after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a condition characterized by bleeding in the subarachnoid space, often resulting from the rupture of a cerebral aneurysm. Delayed cerebral ischemia caused by vasospasm is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in SAH patients, and inflammatory markers such as systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), systemic inflammatory index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and derived NLR (dNLR) have shown potential in predicting clinical vasospasm and outcomes in SAH patients. This article aims to investigate the relationship between inflammatory markers and cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmatic SAH (aSAH) and evaluate the predictive value of various indices, including SIRI, SII, NLR, and dNLR, in predicting clinical vasospasm. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on a cohort of 96 patients who met the inclusion criteria out of a total of 139 patients admitted Trakya University Hospital with a confirmed diagnosis of aSAH between January 2013 and December 2021. Diagnostic procedures, neurological examinations, and laboratory tests were performed to assess the patients' condition. The Student's t-test compared age variables, while the chi-square test compared categorical variables between the non-vasospasm (NVS) and vasospasm (VS) groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of laboratory parameters, calculating the area under the ROC curve, cut-off values, sensitivity, and specificity. A significance level of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The study included 96 patients divided into two groups : NVS and VS. Various laboratory parameters, such as NLR, SII, and dNLR, were measured daily for 15 days, and statistically significant differences were found in NLR on 7 days, with specific cut-off values identified for each day. SII showed a significant difference on day 9, while dNLR had significant differences on days 2, 4, and 9. Graphs depicting the values of these markers for each day are provided. CONCLUSION: Neuroinflammatory biomarkers, when used alongside radiology and scoring scales, can aid in predicting prognosis, determining severity and treatment decisions for aSAH, and further studies with larger patient groups are needed to gain more insights.

Galectin-3 levels in school aged children with autism spectrum disorder.

Objective: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders with underlying pathogenesis and etiological factors not fully understood. We assumed that galectin-3, which is also linked with inflammatory responses, may be central to the ethiopathogenesis of ASD. Method: The current study consisted of 33 psychotropic medication-naive children with ASD and 32 control subjects. The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Aged Children, Present and Lifetime Version-DSM-5 (K-SADS-PL-DSM-5) was used to screen healthy controls for psychiatric disorders by a psychiatrist after a physical examination by a pediatrician. The clinical severity of the ASD symptoms has been assessed by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Venous blood samples were collected and serum galectin-3 levels were measured. Results: When the ASD and control groups are compared, the mean galectin-3 level is 417.77 (SD = 200.20) in the ASD group and 243.08 (SD = 64.65) in the control group, and there is a statistically significant difference between the groups (p < 0.001). When examining whether there is a correlation between galectin-3 levels and CARS total scores, no statistically significant correlation was found between them (r = 0.015, p = 0.933). Discussion: In this study, we examined whether serum galectin-3 levels have a relation with ASD in childhood or not. Our findings have indicated that the children with ASD have higher serum galectin-3 levels compared to the controls. However, no significant relationship has been found between serum galectin-3 levels and ASD symptom severity.