scholarly journals Soluble CD27 and MIF as possible serum biomarkers of vitiligo activity in Egyptian patients in Sharkia Governorate

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Ibrahim El-Ghareeb ◽  
Sahar ElMokadem ◽  
Basma Elsayed ◽  
Naglaa Khalifa
Keyword(s):  
Disease Activity ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Egyptian Patients ◽  
Accurate Treatment ◽  
Group A ◽  
European Task

Contrary to other inflammatory skin disorders like psoriasis or atopic dermatitis, vitiligo does not present with distinct inflammatory symptoms that can be easily evaluated by clinical examination. Identification of a putative biomarker to inform early and accurate treatment responses could be of considerable value. This study aims to validate levels of serum soluble CD27 (sCD27) and macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) as biomarkers of vitiligo to improve the quality of disease management. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 32 vitiligo patients, stratified into two subgroups of 22 active and 10 stable vitiligo patients; the stable group containing 1 segmental and 9 non-segmental presentations, and 32 matched healthy individuals as the control group. Of the 32 patients in the study, 21 were female and 11 were male with a median age of 30 years. The measurements of the study parameters of sCD27 and MIF in the serum were carried out through blood sampling and followed up for three months at one-month intervals for stable vitiligo cases. Mean serum levels of sCD27 and MIF were significantly higher in vitiligo patients than in the control group. A positive correlation was observed in active vitiligo cases between both serum MIF and sCD27 levels and the spreading item of Vitiligo European Task Force (VETF) score as an indicator of disease activity. Serum sCD27 and MIF levels in vitiligo patients were observed to be higher than that of controls with greater correlation found for sCD27 with disease activity.

scholarly journals Hypoactive sexual desire in transsexual women: prevalence and association with testosterone levels

2008 ◽  
Vol 158 (3) ◽  
pp. 393-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Els Elaut ◽  
Griet De Cuypere ◽  
Petra De Sutter ◽  
Luk Gijs ◽  
Michael Van Trotsenburg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Desire ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Oestrogen Treatment ◽  
Testosterone Levels

ObjectiveAn unknown proportion of transsexual women (defined as post-operative male-to-female transsexuals on oestrogen replacement) experience hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). It has been suggested that the absence of ovarian androgen production together with oestrogen treatment-related increase in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels could be leading to HSDD, due to low levels of biologically available testosterone. This study wishes to document the HSDD prevalence among transsexual women and the possible association to androgen levels.DesignCross-sectional study.MethodsTranssexual women (n=62) and a control group of ovulating women (n=30) participated in this study. Questionnaires measuring sexual desire (sexual desire inventory) and relationship and sexual satisfaction (Maudsley Marital Questionnaire) were completed. Serum levels of total testosterone, LH and SHBG were measured in blood samples obtained at random in transsexual women and in the early follicular phase in ovulating women.ResultsThe transsexual group had lower levels of total and calculated free testosterone (both P<0.001) than the ovulating women. HSDD was reported in 34% of the transsexual and 23% of the ovulating women (P=0.30). Both groups reported similar levels of sexual desire (P=0.97). For transsexual women, no significant correlation was found between sexual desire and total (P=0.64) or free testosterone (P=0.82). In ovulating women, these correlations were significant (P=0.006, resp. P=0.003).ConclusionsHSDD is reported in one-third of transsexual women. This prevalence is not substantially different from controls, despite markedly lower (free) testosterone levels, which argues against a major role of testosterone in this specific group.

scholarly journals Influence of Insulin Resistance and TNF-αon the Inflammatory Process, Oxidative Stress, and Disease Activity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neide Tomimura Costa ◽  
Tatiana Mayumi Veiga Iriyoda ◽  
Ana Paula Kallaur ◽  
Francieli Delongui ◽  
Daniela Frizon Alfieri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Inflammatory Process ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Stress Index ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Clinical Trials Registry

The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of TNF-αand insulin resistance (IR) in the inflammatory process, oxidative stress, and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This cross-sectional study included 270 subjects (control group,n=97) and RA patients (n=173). RA patients were divided into four groups: the first group without IR and not using antitumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-) (G1, IR− TNF−); the second group without IR and using anti-TNF-α(G2,IR-TNF+); the third group with IR and not using anti-TNF-α(G3, IR+TNF-); and the fourth group with IR and using anti-TNF-α(G4, IR+ TNF+). G3 and G4 had higher (p<0.05) advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) and oxidative stress index (OSI) compared to G1. G4 group presented higher (p<0.05) AOPPs and OSI than G2. TRAP was significantly lower in G3 compared to G1. Plasma TNF-αlevels were significantly higher in G4 and G2 compared to G1 (p<0.0001) and G3 (p<0.0001andp<0.01, resp.). The presence of insulin resistance was robustly associated with both oxidative stress and TNF-αlevels. More studies are warranted to verify if IR can be involved in therapeutic failure with TNF-αinhibitors. This trial is registered with Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry Register numberRBR-2jvj92.

scholarly journals EVALUATION OF D-DIMER SERUM LEVELS AMONG PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC SPONTANEOUS URTICARIA AND ITS CORRELATION WITH DISEASE SEVERITY.

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Aditi Jaiswal ◽  
Kiran Godse
Keyword(s):  
Disease Activity ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Tertiary Referral Centre ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
D Dimer

Aims: To evaluate D-Dimer serum levels in patients with chronic urticaria and its correlation with disease activity. Settings and Design: Single centre Cross sectional prospective observational age & sex matched case-control study at Dermatology OPD of a tertiary referral centre. Methods and Material: This study was conducted from January 2018 to June 2019. We in-cluded 33 patients with CU and 30 controls . They were recruited from urticaria clinic. All cases were subjected to history taking, general and dermatological examination. The serum levels of D-Dimer were measured by Semiquantitative, immunofiltration kits. Statistical analysis: Data was analysed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) ver-sion 21.0. Tests used were Independent t test/Mann-Whitney Test, Chi-Square test/Fisher’s Exact test, Spearman rank correlation coefficient, Kolmogorov- Smirnov test.. Results: Patients with active CU had elevated D-Dimer serum levels (p<0.0001) when com-pared with the control group (papulo-squamous disorder). Of 33 CSU patients, D-dimer level was elevated in 19 patients (57.58%). There was statistically significant positive correlation between disease severity (UAS7) and plasma D-dimer level (p <.0001, r =0.935). Conclusions: This study showed elevated D-dimer levels in more than half of Indian patients with CSU. There was a positive correlation between plasma D-dimer levels and the severity of disease activity. Investigation for plasma D-dimer level may be an alternative objective way to evaluate disease severity in patients with CSU. Limitations: Low sample size . Semi quantitative method was used instead of ELISA for D-Dimer.

scholarly journals Can Rheumatoid factor and Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides predict true remission in rheumatoid arthritis patients? Study of relationship between autoantibodies levels and muskuloskelatal ultrasound findings in a sample cohort of Egyptian patients in clinical remission

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eman Hassan Al Sayed ◽  
Doaa Shaker Amin
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Rheumatoid Factor ◽  
Clinical Remission ◽  
Power Doppler ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Gray Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract BackgroundTrue remission is the ultimate goal for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapy. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between serum levels of rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides (Anti-CCP) and ultrasonographic (US) findings in Egyptian RA patients in clinical remission.MethodsUsing data from a cross-sectional study on 50 RA patients in clinical remission or low disease activity (LDA) as defined by disease activity score (DAS28-ESR) cutoff points, performed in Alexandria University Hospital; we analyzed statistical relationships and correlations between RF, Anti-CCP) and Gray Scale (GS) and Power Doppler (PD) US using US7 score. US remission was defined as on a GS ≤ 1 and PD = 0. ResultsAmong 34 patients in clinical remission, 61.8% (21) of patients in clinical remission were in ultrasonographic remission, and 38.2% (13) of patients in clinical remission had subclinical ultrasonographic activity. Patients in clinical remission with US remission had significantly higher Anti-CCP (p= 0.006) but not RF (p= 0.086), than those in clinical remission with US subclinical activity. Anti-CCP positively correlated with synovitis score by power Doppler US (PDUS) (rs= 0.553, p= 0.001), and tenosynovitis/paratenonitis score by gray scale US(GSUS) (rs=0.389, p= 0.023).ConclusionWe demonstrated that patients in clinical RA remission with subclinical US activity had higher serum levels of Anti-CCP, but not RF. Such an association should guide further treatment decisions for those patients.

Serum levels of ARMS2, COL8A1, RAD51B, and VEGF and their correlations in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priya Battu ◽  
Kaushal Sharma ◽  
Manjari Rain ◽  
Ramandeep Singh ◽  
Akshay Anand
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Statistical Correlation ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Study Results

Background: Many factors including genetic and environmental are responsible for the incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, its pathogenesis has not been clearly elucidated yet. Objective: This study aimed to estimate the Age-Related Maculopathy Susceptibility 2 (ARMS2), Collagen type VIII Alpha 1 chain (COL8A1), Rad 51 paralog(RAD51B), and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) protein levels in serum of AMD and control participants and to further investigate their correlation to understand AMD pathogenesis. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, 31 healthy control and 57 AMD patients were recruited from Advanced Eye Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. A blood sample was taken and serum was isolated from it. ELISA(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)was used for the estimation of proteins in the serum of patients. Results: ARMS2 and COL8A1 levels were significantly elevated in the AMD group than in the control group. The highest levels of ARMS2, COL8A1, and VEGF proteins were recorded for the wet AMD sub-group. The study results endorsed significant positive correlation between these following molecules; ARMS2 and COL8A1 (r=0.933, p<0.0001), ARMS2 and RAD51B (r=0.704, p<0.0001), ARMS2 and VEGF (r=0.925, p<0.0001), COL8A1 and RAD51B (r=0.736, p<0.0001), COL8A1 and VEGF (r=0.879, p<0.0001),and RAD51B and VEGF (r=0.691, p<0.0001). Conclusion: The ARMS2 and COL8A1 levels were significantly higher and RAD51B was significantly lower in the AMD group than controls. Also, a significant statistical correlation was detected between these molecules, indicating that their interaction may be involved in the pathogenesis of AMD.

3D Assessment of Nasolabial Appearance in Patients With Complete Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate

2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 220-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ieva Bagante ◽  
Inta Zepa ◽  
Ilze Akota
Keyword(s):  
Cleft Lip ◽  
Cleft Lip And Palate ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Group A ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
The Difference

Objective: Rhinoplasty in patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) is challenging, and the surgical outcome of the nose is complicated to evaluate. The aim of this study was to assess the nasolabial appearance of patients with UCLP compared with a control group. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Riga Cleft Lip and Palate Centre, Latvia. Participants: All consecutive 35 patients born between 1994 and 2004 with nonsyndromic complete UCLP were included. Of 35 patients, 29 came for checkup; the mean age was 14.7 years (range 10-18). In the control group, 35 noncleft participants at 10 years of age were included. Interventions: Nasolabial appearance was evaluated from 3-dimensional images using a 3-dimensional stereo-photogrammetric camera setup (3dMDface System), the results being analysed statistically. Results: In UCLP group, a statistically significant difference between cleft and noncleft side was found only in alar wing length ( P < .05). The difference of nasolabial anthropometric distances in the control group between the left and right side was not significant. The difference between the UCLP group and the control group was significant in all anthropometric distances except the lateral lip length to cupid’s bow. Conclusions: The nasolabial appearance with acceptable symmetry after cleft lip and reconstructive surgery of the nose was achieved. Symmetry of the nasolabial appearance in patients with UCLP differed from those in the control group. The 3D photographs with a proposed set of anthropometric landmarks for evaluation of nasolabial appearance seems to be a convenient, accurate, and noninvasive way to follow and evaluate patients after surgery.

scholarly journals The effect of gamma radiation on plasma levels of zinc and selenium in nuclear medicine staff

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-56
Author(s):  
Mahdiyeh Mirnam Niha ◽  
Mehdi Salehi Barough
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Medicine ◽  
Gamma Radiation ◽  
Graphite Furnace ◽  
Serum Zinc ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean

Background and aims: Gamma radiation is widely being used in medical-imaging centers. The aim of this study was to measure possible alterations in serum zinc and selenium levels among nuclear medicine staff. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 30 nuclear medicine staff as well as on 10 individuals as the control group. Blood samples (20 mL) were obtained from the participants and the serum specimens were isolated by centrifugation at 4000 rpm for 7 minutes. The samples were then used for measurement of zinc and selenium levels. Zinc and selenium levels were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) with a graphite furnace. The mean serum levels of zinc and selenium were compared using SPSS. Results: The mean level of zinc in the radiated group (70.91±14.46 μmol/L) was significantly lower than that in the control group (89.75±17.35 μmol/L) (P=0.002). A negative significant correlation was found between the duration of exposure to radiation and zinc levels (P=0.005). Furthermore, a negative significant relationship was observed between the mean radiation dose after 5 years and zinc concentration (P=0.019). Non-significant difference was found in the mean level of selenium between control (1.71±0.35 μmol/L) and radiation (2.13±1.12 μmol/L) groups. Furthermore, no significant correlation was found between selenium level and exposure time. Conclusion: Based on the results, declined level of zinc can be considered as one of the possible mechanisms caused by gamma radiation on cells which may be associated with oxidative damage. Therefore, zinc therapy can be helpful for those who work at medical radiation centers; however, it merits further studies.

scholarly journals Serum Levels of Zinc and Copper in Cases of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Hala Salah El Din Talaat ◽  
Mohamed Farouk Mohamed ◽  
Asmaa Ismael Ahmed ◽  
Eman Shafik Shafie
Keyword(s):  
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis ◽  
Serum Level ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Serum Copper ◽  
Copper Level ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
Significant Difference

Background: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) represents a heterogeneous group of autoimmune diseases that arises before the age of 16 years and lasts more than 6 months. During acute inflammation of the disease, serum copper concentration increases and zinc decreases, that could point to the possible pharmacological properties of these trace elements. Aim: To measure the serum level of zinc and copper in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) with different subtypes and correlate the levels of zinc and copper with the disease activity. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 40 patients already diagnosed clinically with JIA; patients were followed-up at the Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic, Children's Hospital, Cairo University. Results: Out of forty patients, 16 were males (40%) and 24 were females (60%) with a male to female ratio (M: F) of 1:1.5. Out of the forty patients 17 were in activity and 23 were without activity. Thirty age and sex matched controls were included for comparison. Serum copper level was significantly higher in patients with JIA than those of the controls (P= 0.017) while there were no significant difference in serum level of zinc between JIA patients and that of the controls. Conclusion: Alteration of serum copper and zinc probably is a defense response against JIA; increased copper may be due to inflammation associated, these elements could serve as biomarkers for the disease activity.

Behavior of free Testosterone in Patients with Prostate Cancer on Androgen Deprivation Therapy

2005 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Morote ◽  
S. Esquena ◽  
J.M. Abascal ◽  
E. Trilla ◽  
L. Cecchini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Androgen Deprivation Therapy ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Androgen Deprivation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Cross Sectional

Objectives Determination of free testosterone (FT) serum level is an efficient method to evaluate bioavailable testosterone. We analyzed the behavior of serum FT in patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and correlated FT with total testosterone (TT). We also analyzed the efficiency of both isoforms in the evaluation of the ADT. Methods Serum levels of TT and FT were determined in 191 patients with prostate cancer in a cross-sectional study. A subset of 56 patients submitted only to radical prostatectomy served as control group. The remaining 135 patients with advanced prostate cancer on three-month LHRH agonist treatment comprised the study group. The median age of the population was 73 years (range, 53–86 years) and the median time on ADT was 42 months (6–198). Results A significant correlation and linear regression between TT and FT was observed (r2 0.948). The efficiency of TT and FT to discriminate patients with and without ADT was similar (AUC: 0.993 and 0.995, respectively, p>0.05). A castration level of serum FT established at 1.7 pg/mL had a sensitivity of 85.9% and a specificity of 100%, which are similar to the sensitivity and specificity of 50 ng/dL of TT. All patients without ADT had levels of serum TT and FT above the castration level. In 19 of the 135 (14.1%) patients on ADT serum TT was above 50 ng/dL. In 12 of these 19 patients (63.2%) serum FT was below 1.7 pg/mL while in seven patients (5.2%) FT was also above the castration level. Conclusions The castration level of FT was established at 1.7 pg/mL. Serum TT and TF correlated very well; however, they seemed to provide complementary information in the evaluation of ADT efficiency. 14.1% of the patients on ADT failed to reach the castration level of serum TT; determination of serum FT in these patients would reduce this rate to 5.2%.

scholarly journals The Association of Disease Activity, BMI and Phase Angle with Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients with IBD

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Chiara Mentella ◽  
Franco Scaldaferri ◽  
Marco Pizzoferrato ◽  
Antonio Gasbarrini ◽  
Giacinto Abele Donato Miggiano
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Phase Angle ◽  
Alimentary Tract ◽  
Hypovitaminosis D ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel

Hypovitaminosis D is frequently present in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with a higher incidence in Crohn’s disease (CD) than in Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Given the involvement of the alimentary tract, many factors can contribute to hypovitaminosis D. The aim of the study was to investigate the association of disease activity, body mass index (BMI) and phase angle with vitamin D deficiency in patients with IBD. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a cohort of 206 IBD patients (October 2016–September 2018). Of these patients, 32.6% were affected by hypovitaminosis D (CD: 38.6%; UC: 25.6%; p < 0.01). Negative and significant associations (p < 0.01) were found between BMI and vitamin D serum levels both in CD and UC patients. BMI represented a determinant of hypovitaminosis D (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.12, p < 0.01) only in UC patients; phase angle was associated to hypovitaminosis D in both groups (CD: OR = 0.64, p < 0.05; UC: OR = 0.49, p < 0.01). Results of the present study confirm a higher incidence of hypovitaminosis D in patients with CD than in those with UC, and show that nutritional status plays a crucial role in the incidence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with IBD.

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