The new corona virus SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2) causes a disease called COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), that develops mostly in subjects with already impaired ...immune system function, primarily in the elderly and in individuals with some chronic disease or condition. The reasons for this should be sought in the processes of aging and chronic latent inflammation,
immunosenescence and inflammaging. Laboratory medicine specialists are currently focused on proving the presence of the virus and defining biomarkers that would enable the prediction of disease progression. For now, it has been shown that useful biomarkers can include general biomarkers of inflammation (parameters of complete blood count, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, procalcitonin), biomarkers of myocardial damage (high sensitivity troponin I/T, B-type natriuretic peptide, and N-terminal B type natriuretic peptide), and vascular biomarkers (D-dimer, prothrombin time, fibrinogen). Their actual diagnostic specificity, sensitivity and predictive value need to be tested on a larger number of subjects. In addition, it is important to find and evaluate specific biomarkers of immunosenescence.
Premature atherosclerosis in HIV-infected patients is associated with chronic infection by itself and adverse effects of antiretroviral treatment (ART). Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has a beneficial ...effect on the cardiovascular system because of its anti-inflammatory properties. The objective of this study was to determine whether the consumption of EVOO improves inflammation and atherosclerosis biomarkers in HIV-infected patients receiving ART.
This randomized, crossover, controlled trial included 39 HIV-positive male participants who consumed 50 mL of EVOO or refined olive oil (ROO) daily. Four participants dropped out of the study. Leukocyte count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6, fibrinogen, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, malondialdehyde, glutathione-peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, oxidized LDL and von Willebrand factor were determined before the first and after each of the 2 intervention periods. Intervention and washout periods lasted for 20 and 14 days, respectively.
In participants with >90% compliance (N=30), hsCRP concentrations were lower after EVOO intervention (geometric mean GM, 1.70 mg/L; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.15-2.52) compared to ROO administration (GM, 2.92 mg/L; 95% CI, 1.95-4.37) (p=0.035). In participants using lopinavir/ritonavir, ESR and hsCRP concentrations decreased 62% and 151%, respectively, after EVOO administration. In the whole study population (N=35) we found no difference in analyzed biomarkers after EVOO administration.
Our exploratory study suggests that EVOO consumption could lower hsCRP in patients on ART.
Radiation processing of fish is recognized as a safe and effective method for reducing microorganisms and viruses as well for inactivating pathogens among the existing technologies for preservation. ...In the present study, the effect of gamma irradiation and temperature of storage on the histamine production, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant parameters in sardine (Sardina pilchardus, Walbaum, 1792) were investigated. Fish samples were irradiated with different doses (0 kGy, 1 kGy and 3 kGy) and monitored during the storage at two different temperatures (4 °C and 30 °C). The results indicate that histamine concentration was reduced by gamma irradiation and that the safe consumption can be prolongated for both temperatures of storage. However, irradiation treatment induced oxidative damage, as evidenced by changes in levels of lipid peroxidation, activity of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as in the radical kinetic rate detected by EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) spectroscopy. These results suggest that gamma radiation undoubtedly induces antioxidant defense system in sardine fish. However, further research is necessary to elucidate the precise role that the antioxidant system plays under the influence of gamma radiation and temperature.
•Antioxidant defense in γ-irradiated Sardine during storage at 4 °C and 30 °C.•γ-irradiation reducing histamine contents in Sardine.•Influence of different temperatures on the reduction of the histamine.
According to anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroresponse in patients with COVID-19 from Croatia, we emphasised the issue of different serological tests and need for combining diagnostic methods for COVID-19 ...diagnosis. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA and IgG ELISA and IgM/IgG immunochromatographic assay (ICA) were used for testing 60 sera from 21 patients (6 with severe, 10 moderate, and 5 with mild disease). The main clinical, demographic, and haemato-biochemical data were analysed. The most common symptoms were cough (95.2%), fever (90.5%), and fatigue and shortness of breath (42.9%). Pulmonary opacities showed 76.2% of patients. Within the first 7 days of illness, seropositivity for ELISA IgA and IgG was 42.9% and 7.1%, and for ICA IgM and IgG 25% and 10.7%, respectively. From day 8 after onset, ELISA IgA and IgG seropositivity was 90.6% and 68.8%, and for ICA IgM and IgG 84.4% and 75%, respectively. In general, sensitivity for ELISA IgA and IgG was 68.3% and 40%, and for ICA IgM and IgG 56.7% and 45.0%, respectively. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody distributions by each method were statistically different (ICA IgM vs. IgG,
p
= 0.016; ELISA IgG vs. IgA,
p
< 0.001). Antibody response in COVID-19 varies and depends on the time the serum is taken, on the severity of disease, and on the type of test used. IgM and IgA antibodies as early-stage disease markers are comparable, although they cannot replace each other. Simultaneous IgM/IgG/IgA anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing followed by the confirmation of positive findings with another test in a two-tier testing is recommended.
Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is an acute zoonotic disease caused by viruses of the Orthohantavirus genus. This syndrome is characterized by renal and cardiopulmonary implications ...detectable with different biomarkers. Here, we explored the role of serum and urine levels of lipocalin-2, endothelin-1 and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in HFRS pathology. A total of twenty-eight patients hospitalized due to a Puumala orthohantavirus infection were included, with serum and urine samples collected on patient admission (acute phase) and discharge (convalescent phase). In comparison to healthy individuals, patients exhibited significantly higher acute-phase serum and urine levels of lipocalin-2, serum levels of endothelin-1 and serum and urine levels of NT-proBNP. Patients in the convalescent phase showed a significant decrease in urine lipocalin-2, serum endothelin-1 and serum and urine NT-proBNP levels. We recorded a strong correlation between serum levels of lipocalin-2 and endothelin-1 and urine levels of lipocalin-2 with several kidney injury markers, such as serum creatinine, urea, urine white blood cell count and proteinuria. We also demonstrated an independent correlation of serum and urine lipocalin-2 levels with acute kidney injury in HFRS. All in all, our results show an involvement of NT-proBNP, lipocalin-2 and endothelin-1 in the renal and cardiac pathology of HFRS.
Bull spermatozoa samples contain variable portion of motile and normal morphology spermatozoa along with spermatozoa incapable of fertilization due to their pathologic changes. As semen quality is ...influenced by biochemical and morphological characteristics of all spermatozoa, the aim of the study was to separate spermatozoa in discontinuous iodixanol density gradient solution and to determine their cholesterol, phospholipid, triacylglycerol and lipid peroxide concentrations and creatine kinase activity. The study was performed in winter and included seven Simmental bulls aged 1.5–3.5years. Semen samples were collected by use of artificial vagina. Upon evaluation of semen quality (volume, concentration and progressive sperm motility), the samples were centrifuged in iodixanol density solution to obtain two sperm fractions. The two fractions included sperms with progressive motility greater than 90% and less than 20%, respectively. A statistically significantly higher lipid peroxide concentration was determined in sperm fraction with <20% progressive motility. Different sperm subpopulations can be obtained by separating bull spermatozoa in different iodixanol density gradient solutions, while monitoring their biochemical properties can help assess the sperm quality.
Background We undertook this study to analyze serum and platelet γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity and total antioxidant status (TAS) concentration during the course of pneumonia and to compare ...them between patients with normal platelet count and those who developed reactive thrombocytosis. Methods Platelet count, GGT activity and TAS concentration in serum (S) and platelet (Plt) isolates were measured in 60 patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) on admission and at discharge. Results At the end of treatment, platelet count increased significantly from the value recorded on admission. By the end of treatment, 42% of patients developed reactive thrombocytosis. Serum and platelet GGT activity was higher, whereas (S)TAS was significantly lower in CAP patients than in control subjects. On admission, (Plt)TAS was significantly higher in CAP patients as compared with control subjects; at discharge, (Plt)TAS was lower in comparison with either patient admission and control subjects. GGT activity and TAS concentration in serum and platelet isolate on admission did not differ significantly between patients with and without thrombocytosis. At discharge, (S)GGT activity showed no significant changes, whereas (Plt)GGT decreased significantly in patients with thrombocytosis as compared with those without thrombocytosis. In patients with thrombocytosis, (S)TAS concentration showed no significant difference, whereas (Plt)TAS concentration measured at discharge was significantly lower in patients with thrombocytosis as compared to those with normal platelet count. Conclusions The pattern of changes in (Plt)GGT catalytic activity and TAS concentration might be indicative of a certain role of thrombocytosis during treatment in patients with CAP. Further investigations are necessary to clarify these changes.
Cytokines are biological response modifiers involved in the pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study investigated the potential use of cytokines as disease severity ...biomarkers in COPD patients and the possible effect of statin therapy on cytokine expression. Possible associations between cytokines, body mass index (BMI) and smoking have also been studied. Cytokines IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-12 p70, TNF-α, TNF-β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β and IL-8 were measured in the plasma of 100 clinically stable COPD patients using a fluorescent bead immunoassay on a flow cytometer. When patients were grouped according to Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage (A-D), no significant differences in cytokine concentrations were found (p > .05). Significantly decreased concentrations of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70 and TNF-α were found in COPD patients receiving statin therapy in comparison with COPD patients not receiving statin therapy (p < .05). COPD patients with increased BMI (>25) had decreased IL-2 (p=.038), IL-8 (p = .039) and IL-10 (p = .005) concentrations compared to normal BMI (20-25) patients. Current COPD smokers had increased concentrations of IL-5 (p = .037) compared to former COPD smokers. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed several patterns of measured cytokines in serum of patients with stable COPD. Statin therapy is associated with decreased expression of selected Th1 and Th2 cytokines in COPD, and this effect could be of relevance in COPD patients with increased cardiovascular risk. Concentrations of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in plasma cannot be used as biomarkers of disease severity or progression of COPD.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Platelet satellitism is a phenomenon of unknown etiology of aggregating platelets around polymorphonuclear neutrophils and other blood cells which causes pseudothrombocytopenia, visible by ...microscopic examination of blood smears. It has been observed so far in about a hundred cases in the world.
Our case involves a 73-year-old female patient with a urinary infection. Biochemical serum analysis (CRP, glucose, AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, bilirubin, sodium, potassium, chloride, urea, creatinine) and blood cell count were performed with standard methods on autoanalyzers. Serum protein fractions were examined by electrophoresis and urinalysis with standard methods on autoanalyzer together with microscopic examination of urine sediment. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, blood culture and urine culture tests were performed with standard methods.
Due to typical pathological values for bacterial urinary infection, the patient was admitted to the hospital. Blood smear examination revealed phenomenon, which has persisted for three weeks after the disease has been cured. Blood smears with EDTA as an anticoagulant had platelet satellitism whereas the phenomenon was not observed in tubes with different anticoagulants (Na, Li-heparin) and capillary blood.
We hypothesize that satellitism was induced by some immunological mechanism through formation of antibodies which have mediated platelets binding to neutrophil membranes and vice versa. Unfortunately we were unable to determine the putative trigger for this phenomenon. To our knowledge this is the second case of platelet satellitism ever described in Croatia.
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