Displaying publications 61 - 80 of 347 in total

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  1. Akram Z, Rahim ZH, Taiyeb-Ali TB, Shahdan MS, Baharuddin NA, Vaithilingam RD, et al.
    Arch Oral Biol, 2017 Jan;73:311-320.
    PMID: 27567495 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2016.08.016
    OBJECTIVES: To determine the serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of resistin between individuals with chronic periodontitis (CP) and those without CP, and to evaluate the role of resistin in CP.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: The addressed focused question was "Is there a difference in the resistin levels between individuals with CP and those without CP?" four electronic databases: Medline, PubMed (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda), EMBASE, and Science direct databases from 1977 up to March 2016 for appropriate articles addressing the focused question. EMBASE and Medline were accessed using OVID interface which facilitated simultaneous search of text words, MeSH or Emtree. Unpublished studies (gray literature) were identified by searching the Open-GRAY database and references of the included studies (cross referencing) were performed to obtain new studies. In-vitro studies, animal studies, studies that reported levels of other cytokines but not resistin, letters to the editor and review papers were excluded.

    RESULTS: Ten studies were included. Nine studies compared resistin levels between CP and periodontally healthy (H) individuals and reported higher mean serum and GCF levels of resistin in CP patients than the H controls. Two studies showed comparable resistin levels from GCF and serum between diabetes mellitus with CP (DMCP) and CP groups. Three studies included obese subjects and showed comparable serum and GCF resistin levels between obese subjects with CP (OBCP) and CP subjects.

    CONCLUSIONS: CP patients were presented with elevated levels of GCF or serum resistin as compared with H individuals. Resistin modulates inflammation in chronic periodontal disease and may be used as surrogate measure to identify subjects at risk for periodontitis. Resistin levels in patients with CP and systemic inflammatory disorders such as diabetes, obesity, or rheumatoid arthritis was not significantly higher than the levels in patients with only CP.

    Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers/blood
  2. Au A, Cheng KK, Wei LK
    Adv Exp Med Biol, 2017;956:599-613.
    PMID: 27722964 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2016_79
    Hypertension is a common but complex human disease, which can lead to a heart attack, stroke, kidney disease or other complications. Since the pathogenesis of hypertension is heterogeneous and multifactorial, it is crucial to establish a comprehensive metabolomic approach to elucidate the molecular mechanism of hypertension. Although there have been limited metabolomic, lipidomic and pharmacometabolomic studies investigating this disease to date, metabolomic studies on hypertension have provided greater insights into the identification of disease-specific biomarkers, predicting treatment outcome and monitor drug safety and efficacy. Therefore, we discuss recent updates on the applications of metabolomics technology in human hypertension with a focus on metabolic biomarker discovery.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers/blood
  3. Mohd Hanafiah K, Garcia ML, Barnes NC, Anderson DA
    BMC Res Notes, 2018 Oct 01;11(1):688.
    PMID: 30285838 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-018-3799-2
    OBJECTIVE: To conduct a proof-of-concept study on preferential binding of polymeric IgA (pIgA) using a novel recombinant rabbit/human chimeric secretory component (cSC) and preliminary assessment of the diagnostic potential of virus-specific pIgA in discriminating acute hepatitis A, E, and C (HAV, HEV, HCV) patients and uninfected controls using an indirect enzyme-linked immunoassay.

    RESULTS: cSC binds > 0.06 μg/ml of purified human and mouse pIgA with negligible cross-reactivity against IgM and IgA. Virus-specific pIgA was significantly higher in serum of acute HAV (n = 6) and HEV (n = 12) patients than uninfected samples (HEV: p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers/blood
  4. Giemza-Stokłosa J, Islam MA, Kotyla PJ
    Curr Pharm Des, 2019;25(27):2909-2918.
    PMID: 31686632 DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666190709202804
    BACKGROUND: Ferritin is a molecule that plays many roles being the storage for iron, signalling molecule, and modulator of the immune response.

    METHODS: Different electronic databases were searched in a non-systematic way to find out the literature of interest.

    RESULTS: The level of ferritin rises in many inflammatory conditions including autoimmune disorders. However, in four inflammatory diseases (i.e., adult-onset Still's diseases, macrophage activation syndrome, catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome, and sepsis), high levels of ferritin are observed suggesting it as a remarkable biomarker and pathological involvement in these diseases. Acting as an acute phase reactant, ferritin is also involved in the cytokine-associated modulator of the immune response as well as a regulator of cytokine synthesis and release which are responsible for the inflammatory storm.

    CONCLUSION: This review article presents updated information on the role of ferritin in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases with an emphasis on hyperferritinaemic syndrome.

    Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers/blood
  5. Fairus S, Cheng HM, Sundram K
    J Integr Med, 2020 Jan;18(1):68-79.
    PMID: 31812339 DOI: 10.1016/j.joim.2019.11.005
    OBJECTIVE: Tocotrienols (T3s) have been hypothesized to have greater antioxidant capacity than tocopherols (Ts) due to differences in biokinetics that affect their absorption and function. The present trial compares the antioxidant effectiveness following postprandial challenge of two different doses of α-T or palm T3-rich fraction (TRF) treatments and evaluates their dose-response effects on antioxidant status.

    METHODS: Ten healthy volunteers were given four different doses of vitamin E formulations (268 mg α-T, 537 mg α-T, 263 mg TRF or 526 mg TRF) in a cross-over postprandial trial. Blood was sampled at 0, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8 hours after meal consumption and plasma antioxidant status including total glutathione, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde (MDA), ferric reducing antioxidant potential and trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity, was analyzed.

    RESULTS: Supplementation with the different doses of either α-T or TRF did not significantly improve overall antioxidant status. There was no significant difference in overall antioxidant status among treatments at the different doses compared. However, a significant dose-response effect was observed for plasma MDA throughout the 8-hour postprandial period. MDA was significantly lower after the 537 mg α-T treatment, compared to the 268 mg α-T treatment; it was also lower after the 526 mg TRF treatment compared to the 263 mg TRF treatment (P blood and lipoproteins, compared to α-T.

    Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers/blood
  6. Selvaraja M, Abdullah M, Arip M, Chin VK, Shah A, Amin Nordin S
    PLoS One, 2019;14(11):e0224707.
    PMID: 31697750 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224707
    Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder that is associated with lupus nephritis, initiated by the deposition of immune complexes in the kidney; subsequently, this induces the overexpression of cytokines. Lupus nephritis is known as one of the major clinical manifestations that affect the disease severity in SLE patients. An increased number of resident periglomerular and immune cells in the kidney has the potential to affect the equilibrium of different immune cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, Th17, and Tregs, which may be central to the induction of tissue damage in kidney by exerting either proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory effects, or both. This equilibrium has yet to be confirmed, as new players such as IL-25 remain undiscovered. IL-25 is a cytokine of the IL-17 family, which stimulates Th2-mediated immune response when overly expressed. Thus, the aim of this research is to determine the plasma levels of IL-25 and Th2-associated cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, IL-13) in SLE patients with (SLE-LN) and without lupus nephritis. Sixty-four (n = 64) SLE patients and fifteen (n = 15) healthy individuals were recruited. This study demonstrated that the IL-9, IL-10 and IL-25 had significantly increased expressions in SLE-LN, followed by SLE without LN, compared to healthy controls. Meanwhile, IL-5 and IL-6 had significantly reduced. No significant difference was observed with IL-13, while the level of IL-4 was undetectable. Furthermore, IL-9 and IL-10 were significantly correlated with the IL-25, and IL-25, IL-9 and IL-10 were positively correlated with the disease severity score, SLEDAI. In conclusion, IL-25 and its associated Th2 cytokines (IL-9 and IL-10) may be involved in SLE pathogenesis. These cytokines could be potential biomarkers in monitoring and predicting the disease severity during SLE pathogenesis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers/blood
  7. Syed Mohamed Suhail SM, Nur Atiqah I, Nur Salimi Zakirah ZA, Lailatul Syazwani Z, Batis WW, Md Monoto EM, et al.
    Malays J Pathol, 2019 Dec;41(3):259-265.
    PMID: 31901910
    INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed based on the 2010 Rheumatoid Arthritis Classification Criteria whereby rheumatoid factor and anti-citrullinated protein antibody are the serological markers included in these criteria. Anti-RA33 antibody has the potential to provide additional diagnostic value in rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this study is to determine the diagnostic performance of anti-RA33 antibody as a serological marker for rheumatoid arthritis.

    MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirtyfour patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 34 non-rheumatoid arthritis individuals were included in this cross-sectional study. Anti-RA33 antibody and rheumatoid factor were performed on all samples.

    RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for anti-RA33 antibody and rheumatoid factor were 41.1%, 97.1%, 93.3%, 62.3% and 64.7%, 79.4%, 75.9%, 69.2% respectively. The overall sensitivity and specificity if either anti-RA33 antibody or rheumatoid factor are positive were 79.4% and 76.47% respectively.

    CONCLUSION: Anti-RA33 antibody showed good specificity and positive predictive value and could be considered as a potential serological marker for rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis.

    Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers/blood
  8. Muid S, Abu Bakar NA, Abdul Rahman T, Tengku Ismail TS, Kholin SF, Suvorov AV, et al.
    Malays J Pathol, 2019 Dec;41(3):283-292.
    PMID: 31901913
    INTRODUCTION: Apart from inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, other key components in the development of atherogenesis include prothrombogenesis and oxidative stress. The effects of long-term confinement and isolation, exposure to radiation and different gravity forces during space travel could potentially increase the long-term risk of atherosclerosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study determining the status of prothrombogenesis and oxidative stress in six cosmonauts subjected to the longest duration of confined isolation period of 520 days in preparation for prospective undetermined manned space travel to Mars.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: This collaborative research between the National Space Agency (ANGKASA), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia and Institute of Biomedical Problems (IBMP), Russia was conducted at the Russian Academy of Sciences IBMP, Moscow, Russia. Six multi-national cosmonauts were assigned to live in a ground-based confined module for 520 days. Standard exercise and diet regime were instituted throughout the isolation phase. Six age, ethnic and gender-matched healthy, free-living ground controls were recruited in parallel. Serial serum and whole blood were analysed for biomarkers of prothrombogenesis [plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and homocysteine] and oxidative stress [oxidised low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and malondialdehyde (MDA)].

    RESULTS: There were significantly lower concentrations of PAI-1 and homocysteine in cosmonauts during confinement compared to the controls. There were no significant differences seen in the concentrations of biomarkers of oxidative stress during confinement but there was a significant percentage change increment for serum MDA in cosmonauts.

    CONCLUSION: Long-term confinement decreased the risk of prothrombogenesis and this could be attributed to the exercise and diet regime which includes omega-3 fatty acids supplementation given to the crew members during their confinement period. However, oxidative damage could not be excluded and may be attributed to the influence of psychological stress during this prolonged confinement.

    Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers/blood
  9. Ahmad NS, Tan TL, Arifin KT, Ngah WZW, Yusof YAM
    PLoS One, 2020;15(3):e0230285.
    PMID: 32160261 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230285
    The aim of this study was to determine the association between secretory phospholipase A2 group IIA (sPLA2-IIA) and eicosanoid pathway metabolites in patients with bacterial sepsis syndrome (BSS). Levels of sPLA2-IIA, eicosanoids prostaglandin (PG)E2, PGD synthase were quantified in the sera from patients confirmed to have bacterial sepsis (BS; N = 45), bacterial severe sepsis/septic shock (BSS/SS; N = 35) and healthy subjects (N = 45). Cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 activities were analyzed from cell lysate. Serum levels of sPLA2-IIA, PGE2, and PGDS increased significantly in patients with BS and BSS/SS compared to healthy subjects (p<0.05). COX-2 activity was significantly increased in patients with BS compared to healthy subjects (p<0.05), but not COX-1 activity. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that sPLA2-IIA and PGE2 were independent factors predicting BSS severity. In conclusion, high level of sPLA2-IIA is associated with eicosanoid metabolism in patients with BSS.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers/blood
  10. Lavinya AA, Lee CS, Hashim OH, Azwa I, Rajasuriar R, Lim SK, et al.
    Clin Biochem, 2019 Nov;73:90-97.
    PMID: 31401122 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2019.08.006
    BACKGROUND: Patients treated for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are prone to developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Current methods used in assessing kidney function suffer inaccuracy in HIV-infected patients. This study aims to identify biomarkers that could complement existing methods of kidney assessment among HIV-infected subjects.

    METHODS: Plasma protein profiling was performed for HIV patients with CKD presented with negative/trace proteinuria (non-proteinuric) (n = 8) and their matched non-CKD controls, using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE); selected protein candidates were identified using mass spectrometry. Subsequently, altered plasma abundance of protein candidates were verified using Western blotting in HIV-infected subjects with non-proteinuric CKD (n = 8), proteinuric CKD (n = 5), and their matched non-CKD controls, as well as in HIV-uninfected subjects with impaired kidney function (n = 3) and their matched controls.

    RESULTS: Analysis of 2DE found significantly altered abundance of five protein candidates between HIV-infected patients with non-proteinuric CKD and without CKD: alpha-1-microglobulin (A1M), serum albumin (ALB), zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein (AZGP1), haptoglobin (HP), and retinol binding protein (RBP4). Western blotting showed an increased abundance of A1M and HP in HIV-infected patients with non-proteinuric CKD compared to their non-CKD controls, whereas A1M, AZGP1, and RBP4 were significantly increased in HIV-infected patients with proteinuric CKD compared to their non-CKD controls. Such pattern was not found in HIV-uninfected subjects with impaired kidney function.

    CONCLUSION: The data suggests four proteins that may be used as biomarkers of CKD in HIV-infected patients. Further validation in a larger cohort of HIV-infected patients is necessary for assessing the clinical use of these proposed biomarkers for CKD.

    Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers/blood
  11. Mohd Asyraf AJ, Nour El Huda AR, Hanisah MN, Norsidah KZ, Norlelawati AT
    J Neuroimmunol, 2022 02 15;363:577793.
    PMID: 34990981 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2021.577793
    Immune system dysregulation may be involved in schizophrenia, but biomarker studies have thus far reported inconsistent findings. The relationship of plasma levels of complement markers C3 and C4, with schizophrenia, sociodemographic and clinico-psychological factors were here studied in 183 patients and 212 controls. C3 and C4 levels were significantly higher in the patients and in subjects with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), and positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) (p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers/blood*
  12. Poh R, Muniandy S
    PMID: 21073045
    The role of paraoxonase 1 in cardiovascular disease complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus is not fully understood. We studied paraoxonase activity towards paraoxon in 188 non-diabetic and 140 diabetic subjects using general linear models and univariate analysis. Adjusting for age revealed a reduction in activity towards paraoxon was associated with a significant increase in risk (p = 0.023) for cardiovascular disease complications in diabetic patients. Multivariate analysis of two plasma measures of paraoxonase activity using paraoxon and diazoxon also showed reduced paraoxonase activity towards paraoxon was associated with a significant increase in risk (p = 0.045) for cardiovascular disease complications in diabetic patients. These analyses showed that a reduced paraoxonase activity towards paraoxon was associated with ethnicity. Based on multivariate analysis, subjects of Malay ethnic origin have significantly higher than expected activity (p = 0.008, compared to Indians), towards paraoxon than subjects of Chinese origin who in turn had higher than expected paraoxonase activity (p = 0.028, compared to Indians) Indian subjects.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers/blood
  13. Ahmed S, Ahmed ZA, Rashid NH, Mansoor M, Siddiqui I, Jafri L
    Malays J Pathol, 2021 Dec;43(3):375-380.
    PMID: 34958058
    INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the association of Procalcitonin (PCT) with severity in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), hospitalised patients and to test the hypothesis that it is an independent predictor of mortality.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted at Chemical Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University (AKU), Karachi Pakistan. Electronic medical records of all in-patients including both genders and all age groups with documented COVID-19 from March to August 2020 were reviewed and recorded on a pre-structured performa. The subjects were divided into two categories severe and non-severe COVID-19; and survivors and non-survivors. Between-group differences were tested using the Chi-square and Mann-Whitney's U-test. The receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted for serum PCT with severity and mortality. A binary logistic regression was used to identify variables independently associated with mortality. The data was analysed using SPSS.

    RESULTS: 336 patients were reviewed as declared COVID-19 positive during the study duration, and 136 were included in the final analysis including 101 males and 35 females. A statistically significant difference in PCT was found between severe and non-severe COVID-19 (p value=0.01); and survivors and nonsurvivors (p value<0.0001). PCT, older age and increased duration of hospital stay were revealed as variables independently associated with mortality. On ROC analysis, an AUC of 0.76 for mortality prediction was generated for PCT.

    CONCLUSION: Baseline serum PCT concentration is a promising predictor of mortality and severity in COVID-19 cases when considered in combination with clinical details and other laboratory tests.

    Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers/blood
  14. Taniselass S, Arshad MKM, Gopinath SCB, Fathil MFM, Ibau C, Anbu P
    Mikrochim Acta, 2021 07 15;188(8):257.
    PMID: 34268634 DOI: 10.1007/s00604-021-04922-x
    A label-free chemical bonding strategy mediated by reduced graphene oxide (rGO) basal plane functional groups has been developed for cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) detection. Four different chemical strategies on respective electrode sensing surface were precedingly examined using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The impedimetric assessment was carried out by sweeping frequency at the range 0.1-500 kHz perturbated at a small amplitude of AC voltage (25 mV). The chemical strategy-4 denoted as S-4 shows a significant analytical performance on cTnI detection in spiked buffer and human serum, whereby the pre-mixture of rGO and (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) creates a large number of amine sites (-NH2), which significantly enhanced the antibody immobilization without excessive functionalization. The as-fabricated immunosensor exhibited an ultra-low limit of detection of 6.3 ag mL-1 and the lowest antigen concentration measured was at 10 ag mL-1. The immunosensor showed a linear and wide range of cTnI detection (10 ag mL-1-100 ng mL-1) in human serum with a regression coefficient of 0.9716, rapid detection (5 min of binding time), and stable and highly reproducible bioelectrode response with RSD 
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers/blood*
  15. Mente A, Dehghan M, Rangarajan S, McQueen M, Dagenais G, Wielgosz A, et al.
    Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol, 2017 10;5(10):774-787.
    PMID: 28864143 DOI: 10.1016/S2213-8587(17)30283-8
    BACKGROUND: The relation between dietary nutrients and cardiovascular disease risk markers in many regions worldwide is unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of dietary nutrients on blood lipids and blood pressure, two of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease, in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries.

    METHODS: We studied 125 287 participants from 18 countries in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia in the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study. Habitual food intake was measured with validated food frequency questionnaires. We assessed the associations between nutrients (total fats, saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, carbohydrates, protein, and dietary cholesterol) and cardiovascular disease risk markers using multilevel modelling. The effect of isocaloric replacement of saturated fatty acids with other fats and carbohydrates was determined overall and by levels of intakes by use of nutrient density models. We did simulation modelling in which we assumed that the effects of saturated fatty acids on cardiovascular disease events was solely related to their association through an individual risk marker, and then compared these simulated risk marker-based estimates with directly observed associations of saturated fatty acids with cardiovascular disease events.

    FINDINGS: Participants were enrolled into the study from Jan 1, 2003, to March 31, 2013. Intake of total fat and each type of fat was associated with higher concentrations of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, but also with higher HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), and lower triglycerides, ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol, ratio of triglycerides to HDL cholesterol, and ratio of apolipoprotein B (ApoB) to ApoA1 (all ptrend<0·0001). Higher carbohydrate intake was associated with lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and ApoB, but also with lower HDL cholesterol and ApoA1, and higher triglycerides, ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol, ratio of triglycerides to HDL cholesterol, and ApoB-to-ApoA1 ratio (all ptrend<0·0001, apart from ApoB [ptrend=0·0014]). Higher intakes of total fat, saturated fatty acids, and carbohydrates were associated with higher blood pressure, whereas higher protein intake was associated with lower blood pressure. Replacement of saturated fatty acids with carbohydrates was associated with the most adverse effects on lipids, whereas replacement of saturated fatty acids with unsaturated fats improved some risk markers (LDL cholesterol and blood pressure), but seemed to worsen others (HDL cholesterol and triglycerides). The observed associations between saturated fatty acids and cardiovascular disease events were approximated by the simulated associations mediated through the effects on the ApoB-to-ApoA1 ratio, but not with other lipid markers including LDL cholesterol.

    INTERPRETATION: Our data are at odds with current recommendations to reduce total fat and saturated fats. Reducing saturated fatty acid intake and replacing it with carbohydrate has an adverse effect on blood lipids. Substituting saturated fatty acids with unsaturated fats might improve some risk markers, but might worsen others. Simulations suggest that ApoB-to-ApoA1 ratio probably provides the best overall indication of the effect of saturated fatty acids on cardiovascular disease risk among the markers tested. Focusing on a single lipid marker such as LDL cholesterol alone does not capture the net clinical effects of nutrients on cardiovascular risk.

    FUNDING: Full funding sources listed at the end of the paper (see Acknowledgments).

    Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers/blood
  16. Musthafa QA, Abdul Shukor MF, Ismail NAS, Mohd Ghazi A, Mohd Ali R, M Nor IF, et al.
    Free Radic Res, 2017 Oct;51(9-10):787-798.
    PMID: 28899235 DOI: 10.1080/10715762.2017.1379602
    Identifying patients at risk of developing premature coronary artery disease (PCAD) which occurs at age below 45 years old and constitutes approximately 7-10% of coronary artery disease (CAD) worldwide remains a problem. Oxidative stress has been proposed as a crucial step in the early development of PCAD. This study was conducted to determine the oxidative status of PCAD in comparison to CAD patients. PCAD (<45 years old) and CAD (>60 years old) patients were recruited with age-matched controls (n = 30, each group). DNA damage score, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl content were measured for oxidative damage markers. Antioxidants such as erythrocyte glutathione (GSH), oxidised glutathione (GSSG), and glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also determined. DNA damage score and protein carbonyl content were significantly higher in both PCAD and CAD when compared to age-matched controls while MDA level was increased only in PCAD (p
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers/blood
  17. Roth TL, Reinhart PR, Kroll JL
    J. Zoo Wildl. Med., 2017 09;48(3):645-658.
    PMID: 28920821 DOI: 10.1638/2017-0010.1
    The aim of this study was to determine if ferritin is a reliable biomarker of iron overload disorder (IOD) progression and hemochromatosis in the Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) by developing a species-specific ferritin assay and testing historically banked samples collected from rhinos that did and did not die of hemochromatosis. Ferritin extracted from Sumatran rhino liver tissue was used to generate antibodies for the Enzyme Immunoassay. Historically banked Sumatran rhino serum samples (n = 298) obtained from six rhinos in US zoos (n = 290); five rhinos at the Sumatran Rhino Conservation Centre in Sungai Dusun, Malaysia (n = 5); and two rhinos in Sabah, Malaysia (n = 3) were analyzed for ferritin concentrations. Across all US zoo samples, serum ferritin concentrations ranged from 348 to 7,071 ng/ml, with individual means ranging from 1,267 (n = 25) to 2,604 ng/ml (n = 36). The ferritin profiles were dynamic, and all rhinos exhibited spikes in ferritin above baseline during the sampling period. The rhino with the highest mean ferritin concentration did not die of hemochromatosis and exhibited only mild hemosiderosis postmortem. A reproductive female exhibited decreases and increases in serum ferritin concurrent with pregnant and nonpregnant states, respectively. Mean (±SD) serum ferritin concentration for Sumatran rhinos in Malaysia was high (4,904 ± 4,828 ng/ml) compared to that for US zoo rhinos (1,835 ± 495 ng/ml). However, those in Sabah had lower ferritin concentrations (1,025 ± 52.7 ng/ml) compared to those in Sungai Dusun (6,456 ± 4,941 ng/ml). In conclusion, Sumatran rhino serum ferritin concentrations are dynamic, and increases often are not associated with illness or hemochromatosis. Neither a specific pattern nor the individual's overall mean ferritin concentration can be used to accurately assess IOD progression or diagnose hemochromatosis in this rhino species.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers/blood
  18. Hamezah HS, Durani LW, Ibrahim NF, Yanagisawa D, Kato T, Shiino A, et al.
    Exp Gerontol, 2017 12 01;99:69-79.
    PMID: 28918364 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2017.09.008
    Impairments in cognitive and locomotor functions usually occur with advanced age, as do changes in brain volume. This study was conducted to assess changes in brain volume, cognitive and locomotor functions, and oxidative stress levels in middle- to late-aged rats. Forty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: 14, 18, 23, and 27months of age. 1H magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed using a 7.0-Tesla MR scanner system. The volumes of the lateral ventricles, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), hippocampus, striatum, cerebellum, and whole brain were measured. Open field, object recognition, and Morris water maze tests were conducted to assess cognitive and locomotor functions. Blood was taken for measurements of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl content, and antioxidant enzyme activity. The lateral ventricle volumes were larger, whereas the mPFC, hippocampus, and striatum volumes were smaller in 27-month-old rats than in 14-month-old rats. In behavioral tasks, the 27-month-old rats showed less exploratory activity and poorer spatial learning and memory than did the 14-month-old rats. Biochemical measurements likewise showed increased MDA and lower glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in the 27-month-old rats. In conclusion, age-related increases in oxidative stress, impairment in cognitive and locomotor functions, and changes in brain volume were observed, with the most marked impairments observed in later age.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers/blood
  19. Thambiah SC, George E, Samsudin IN, Hong LH, Chuo LL, Ramli N, et al.
    Natl Med J India, 2016 May-Jun;29(3):136-140.
    PMID: 27808061
    BACKGROUND: The principal cause of iron overload in patients with haematological malignancies is recurrent red cell transfusions for anaemia. The serum ferritin level reflects the iron burden in the body, in the absence of inflammation or liver disease. In Malaysia, data are lacking on the association between pre-transplant serum ferritin levels and outcome after allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplant.

    METHODS: We did a cross-sectional study using retrospective data of 106 post-allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplant patients (HLA-matched sibling) with haematological malignancies at Hospital Ampang to determine the relationship between pre-transplant serum ferritin levels and post-transplant outcome, post-transplant complications and survival time. Patients were divided into two groups according to the iron status: serum ferritin level >1000 μg/L (iron overload) and <1000 μg/L.

    RESULTS: The median age for patients was 30.5 (18-58) years. The median pre-transplantation serum ferritin level and the prevalence of pre-transplantation iron overload were 2423 (408.2-7664) μg/L and 87.5%, respectively. No significant association was found between iron status and demographic factors, type of haematological malignancy and post-transplant complications. Although insignificant, patients with iron overload had a shorter survival time (36 months) compared to those with no iron overload (40 months). There was also no significant association between the iron status and post-transplant outcome. Significant post-transplant complications associated with post-transplant outcome were the need for total parenteral nutrition (TPN) (p=0.014) and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (p=0.008). Similarly, significant associations were found between age group (p=0.003), TPN (p=0.035) and chronic GVHD (p=0.012) with survival time using Kaplan-Meir analysis. However, after Cox regression, only age group was found to be significantly associated with survival time (p=0.014).

    CONCLUSION: Serum ferritin is an acute phase reactant and its levels increase in the presence of tissue necrosis and inflammation. Both these events occur in haematological malignancies. Although serum ferritin level is a non-invasive, relatively cost-effective, widely available and practical indicator of iron status, it is not specific to iron overload. Therefore, a true association between the serum ferritin level and iron burden is problematic in patients with haematological malignancies.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers/blood*
  20. Vk C, Ty L, Wf L, Ywy WS, An S, S Z, et al.
    Microbiol Res, 2018 Mar;207:108-115.
    PMID: 29458845 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2017.11.015
    Leptospirosis remains one of the most widespread zoonotic diseases caused by spirochetes of the genus Leptospira, which accounts for high morbidity and mortality globally. Leptospiral infections are often found in tropical and subtropical regions, with people exposed to contaminated environments or animal reservoirs are at high risk of getting the infection. Leptospirosis has a wide range of clinical manifestations with non-specific signs and symptoms and often misdiagnosed with other acute febrile illnesses at early stage of infection. Despite being one of the leading causes of zoonotic morbidity worldwide, there is still a gap between pathogenesis and human immune responses during leptospiral infection. It still remains obscure whether the severity of the infection is caused by the pathogenic properties of the Leptospira itself, or it is a consequence of imbalance host immune factors. Hence, in this review, we seek to summarize the past and present milestone findings on the biomarkers of host immune response aspects during human leptospiral infection, including cytokine and other immune mediators. A profound understanding of the interlink between virulence factors and host immune responses during human leptospirosis is imperative to identify potential biomarkers for diagnostic and prognostic applications as well as designing novel immunotherapeutic strategies in future.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers/blood
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