Seroprevalence and assessment the associated risk factors for Fasciola hepatica infection in water buffaloes in Egypt.

Fasciolosis is a zoonotic neglected parasitic disease that affects a variety of hosts, resulting in substantial economic losses. The epidemiological information about fasciolosis in water buffaloes in Egypt is very scarce. Hence, the present study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of F. hepatica in water buffaloes using commercial ELISA kits in three governorates at north of Egypt and to estimate the associated risk factors for F. hepatica infection. The total seroprevalence of F. hepatica in buffaloes was 15.4% (63/410), with a higher seroprevalence in Kafr Elsheikh governorates 17.9% (25/140) than in other areas. Fasciolosis was more likely in older buffaloes (OR = 3.4, 95%CI:1.5-7.8), throughout the winter season (OR = 5.3, 95%CI:1.9-14.7). Moreover, the absence of prophylactic treatment (OR = 2.3, 95%CI:1.2-4.2) increased the risk of F. hepatica infection in buffaloes, particularly in animals suffered from diarrhea (OR = 3.8, 95%CI:1.4-10.6). The present study confirmed the prevalence of F. hepatica in water buffaloes in north of Egypt. Consequently, the implementation of preventive and control for the parasite and its intermediate host are very necessary to decrease the economic losses and public health hazard.

Molecular characterization of Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) in sheep and goats and risk factors associated with it in selected districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is an economically significant transboundary viral disease of sheep and goats caused by the PPRV virus, affecting annual losses of 1.45-2.10 billion US dollars globally. We designed the current study to evaluate the positive cases, molecular characterization, phylogenetic analysis, and risk factors correlated with the disease in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, with the aim of contributing to these strategies. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 384 samples from three selected districts, i.e., Peshawar, Charsadda and Chitral (n = 128 each), were collected, and the virus was investigated by using the sandwich ELISA, while the N gene of the virus was used as a target for molecular detection via RT-PCR. The confirmed samples were then sequenced, and phylogenetic analysis was performed. According to our findings, the highest positive cases was found in district Peshawar (50.87%), followed by Charsadda and Chitral (24.56%), respectively, while risk factor analysis showed that certain categories, such as species, sex, and age less than two years, have higher risk (P < 0.05) in contrast to their respective categories. Furthermore, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of representative samples showed that the PPRV strains in the current study clustered in lineage IV, which is circulating in the small ruminant population of Asia, the Middle East, and African countries. Comparative residue analysis highlighted the mutation by representing 242 variable sites out of 371 locations. CONCLUSIONS: PPRV has foremost importance in Pakistan because the virus was detected in a considerable number of samples, and most of which were sourced from subsidiary areas where veterinary services are not prioritized.

Development of an indirect ELISA for the serologic detection of bovine viral diarrhea virus based on E2 antigen sub-genotypes 1b, 1e, and 1d.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) causes ongoing economic losses to cattle industries, directly through reduced herd performance or indirectly through control program costs. ELISA assays, one of the most widely used techniques due to their ease of implementation, have been a valuable tool for mass surveillance and detection of BVDV. In this study, we developed a new indirect ELISA (rE2-ELISA) for serologic detection of BVDV. The assay considers three recombinant E2 protein subtypes as antigens, allowing serologic diagnosis of BVDV-1b (high prevalence worldwide), BVDV-1d and 1e (high prevalence in southern Chile) sub-genotypes. Recombinant E2 (rE2) proteins were successfully expressed in stably transfected CHO cells. Conditions for rE2 ELISAs were established after determining appropriate concentrations of antigen, blocking agent, secondary antibody, and serum dilutions to achieve maximum discrimination between positive and negative serum samples. The developed rE2-ELISA showed a sensitivity of 92.86% and a specificity of 98.33%. Clinical testing of 180 serum samples from herds in southern Chile showed high accuracy (kappa > 0.8) compared to the commercial BVDV Total Ab kit (IDEXX), with 95.37% positive and 87.5% negative predictive value. In addition, the rE2 ELISA has shown the capability to detect anti-BVDV antibodies from naturally infected animals with sub-genotypes 1b, 1e, or undetermined. These results indicate that the developed indirect ELISA could serve as a valid, and efficient alternative for identifying BVDV-infected animals, thus contributing to the success of disease control and eradication programs.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) levels in pre-treatment plasma identifying breast cancer: A case control study.

Background: Diabetes (primarily type 2) is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) is one of the most important factors that affects mitosis and thus inhibits apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to compare the pre-treatment insulin-like growth factor (IGF) levels in breast cancer against normal population. Methods: In this case-control study, 60 patients with breast cancer and 60 healthy controls were enrolled in 2017 and 2018 at Tehran's Shahid-Modarres Hospital. In this study, the blood sugar of the patients was examined before entering the study, and the age of the patients was also within the age limit of 18 to 70 years. They were studied to determine the relationship between insulin-like growth factor (ELISA method) and breast cancer. Results: Both groups have similar IGF-1 levels (Ctrl and Case) (P= 0.188). But, IGF-2 levels were significantly higher in breast cancer patients (373.4 vs. 317.3 ng/ml), (P=0.0001). Conclusion: According to our study, IGF-2 may serve as a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for breast cancer. However, further investigation is needed to validate this claim.

Two metabolic enzymes, LDH and FASN, serum levels in Bladder cancer patients.

Background: Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world and is associated with high treatment costs and mortality. The role of different enzymes and molecules in this cancer has been the subject of extensive research in recent years. Among these, the role of metabolic enzymes such as FASN and LDH has been studied less than others. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the role of FASN and LDH in bladder cancer patients. Methods: One hundred cases diagnosed with bladder cancer and 50 sex-age- matched healthy individuals as control were examined. FASN and LDH serum levels in both patients and controls were determined by human-specific sandwich ELISA kits. Results: Serum levels of FASN and LDH elevated in bladder cancer patients in comparison to healthy individuals (P= 0.03, P= 0.01, respectively). We also found that than higher stages of bladder cancer (III-IV) had higher serum levels of LDH and FASN compared to early stages (I-II) (P= 0.007 and P= 0.006, respectively). Moreover, there was a statistically significant association between smoking history and serum FASN levels in bladder cancer patients (P=0.015). However, there were no remarkable associations between the serum levels of LDH and FASN with other clinicopathological features including sex, age, tumor grade, and tumor size. Conclusion: The data indicate that LDH and FASN may be good and useful biomarkers in the diagnosis and clinical management of bladder cancer. However, further studies are needed.

Serosurvey and associated risk factors for bovine viral diarrhea virus infection in cattle in Egypt.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), is widely spread, poses a considerable risk of infection in the majority of dairy farms, causing respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive problems. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and the risk variables associated with the seroprevalence of BVDV infection in cattle in four Egyptian governorates. A total of 680 blood samples were collected from cattle and examined for the presence of antibodies against BVDV using indirect ELISA (iELISA). Reproductive and management factors were considered, and epidemiological surveys were conducted. The total seroprevalence of BVDV in cattle was 18.24% (124/680) and it was significantly higher in females 19.66% (116/590), cattle older than 8 years 22.14% (62/280), dairy animals 22.65% (94/514), introduction of new animals to herd 21.39% (89/416), breeding with artificial insemination 28.46% (74/260), animals with history of abortion 28.76% (49/357), or during lactation stage 23% (89/387). The present findings suggest that BVD is prevalent in Egyptian dairy cattle and has an impact on farm productivity and production. Therefore, older, lactating, and aborted animals should also be identified for the disease, pose a risk of infection, and be handled appropriately.

Early antibody responses to lipid antigens in red deer infected with Mycobacterium bovis.

THE PROBLEM: Early and rapid diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis remains an issue of great interest. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of synthetic lipid antigens for diagnosis of tuberculosis in red deer (Cervus elaphus). The proposition: Synthetic mycolic acid derivatives, identical to components of mycobacterial cells, bind to antibodies to lipids produced in active human tuberculosis. Experimental infection studies in red deer (Cervus elaphus) allow the evaluation of such antigens for the serodiagnosis of bovine tuberculosis. RESULTS: Antibody levels in plasma from deer experimentally infected with Mycobacterium bovis were evaluated in ELISA using synthetic antigens based on several classes of mycolic acid, using protein G as conjugate. All antigens gave significantly increased responses 60 days post-infection, when all animals had active disease. A significantly increased response was also observed with four antigens 15 days after infection. CONCLUSION: ELISA using synthetic lipid antigens not only detects antibodies in the plasma of deer experimentally infected with M. bovis, but a strong response occurs early in the infection. With a full analysis of responses with naturally infected animals, this may offer a useful supplement to current diagnostic methods.

Characterization of the immunodominant regions of Senecavirus A-VP1 structural protein via ELISA epitope mapping.

Senecavirus A (SVA) is an RNA virus in the family Picornaviridae that has been detected in swine-production systems and is associated with vesicular disease and neonate mortality. The viral capsid is composed of four structural proteins: VP1-VP4. Although the VP1 protein has been reported to be the most immunogenic protein in vivo, no information on the immunodominant regions of the SVA polyprotein is available. The objective of this study was to identify the immunodominant regions of SVA polyprotein using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) epitope-mapping approach. The binding effect of SVA polyclonal antibody (SVA-pAb), SVA-VP1 monoclonal antibodies (SVA-mAb), and SVA-positive sera from clinically affected animals were characterized using a set of 18 overlapping SVA VP1-derived peptides by indirect and blocking ELISAs. All VP1 peptides yielded significant signal against SVA-pAb and SVA-VP1-mAb upon indirect ELISA. One peptide (aa 1-20) showed significantly high optical density on SVA recombinant VP1 protein (rVP1) and whole-virus-based indirect ELISAs. The blocking ELISA results demonstrated that peptides spanning aa 165-185 and 225-245 had a 50 % or greater inhibitory effect on SVA-pAb, while six groups of overlapping peptides spanning aa 1-35, 45-80, 90-140, 150-170, 195-230, and 240-264 and two groups of overlapping peptides spanning aa 1-50 and 60-264 showed a 50 % inhibitory effect or greater on swine VP1-mAb and SVA-seropositive swine serum, respectively, against SVA rVP1. Three-dimensional protein homology modeling showed that the peptides binding SVA-pAb are located on the outer surface of the viral capsid, while SVA mAbs and swine-positive sere can bind to epitopes located in both the inner and outer surfaces of the capsid. These linear epitopes showed differential binding and inhibitory activity on mAb and pAb; however, further studies will be necessary to evaluate whether they can act as decoy or neutralizing epitopes. Because mAb antibodies demonstrated a high binding affinity for this set of peptides, this information could lay the foundation for generating and screening specific antibodies for therapeutic potential.

Frequency and genotyping of group A rotavirus among Egyptian children with acute gastroenteritis: a hospital-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This hospital-based cross-sectional study aims to investigate the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of rotavirus group A (RVA) infection among children with acute gastroenteritis and to detect the most common G and P genotypes in Egypt. METHODS: A total of 92 stool samples were collected from children under five who were diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis. RVA in stool samples was identified using ELISA and nested RT-PCR. Common G and P genotypes were identified utilizing multiplex nested RT-PCR assays. RESULTS: RVA was detected at a rate of 24% (22 /92) using ELISA and 26.1% (24 /92) using VP6 nested RT-PCR. The ELISA test demonstrated diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 91.7%, 100%, and 97.8%, respectively. G3 was the most prevalent G type (37.5%), followed by G1 (12.5%), whereas the most commonly detected P type were P[8] (41.7%) and P[6] (8.2%). RVA-positive samples were significantly associated with younger aged children (p = 0.026), and bottle-fed (p = 0.033) children. In addition, RVA-positive samples were more common during cooler seasons (p = 0.0001). Children with rotaviral gastroenteritis had significantly more frequent episodes of diarrhea (10.87 ± 3.63 times/day) and vomiting (8.79 ± 3.57 times/day) per day (p = 0.013 and p = 0.011, respectively). Moreover, they had a more severe Vesikari clinical score (p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: RVA is a prevalent cause of acute gastroenteritis among Egyptian children in our locality. The discovery of various RVA genotypes in the local population, as well as the identification of common G and P untypeable strains, highlights the significance of implementing the rotavirus vaccine in Egyptian national immunization programs accompanied by continuous monitoring of strains.

Protection efficacy and immunogenicity of Clostridium chauvoei proteins as a subunit blackleg vaccine or an adjuvant for Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxoid.

Potential application of Clostridium chauvoei proteins was studied as a subunit blackleg vaccine or a biological adjuvant for Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxoid vaccine. Extracellular and cell surface proteins were extracted from C. chauvoei culture, and their protective efficacy was evaluated by potency test in guinea pigs. In order to investigate the effect of cell surface proteins on C. perfringens epsilon toxoid immunogenicity, rabbits were inoculated subcutaneously twice with: C. perfringens type D toxoid supernatant + 200 µg C. chauvoei cell surface proteins (PR-200), toxoid supernatant + 400 µg cell surface proteins (PR-400), inactivated C. perfringens type D vaccine (Vac), toxoid supernatant (Tox), or PBS. Isolation of cell surface proteins yielded about 2.5 mg/L culture protein with a sharp band at 43 kDa probably corresponding to flagellin. Potency test demonstrated the protection ability of both cellular and extracellular proteins of C. chauvoei. ELISA showed that the highest antibody titers against epsilon toxoid belonged to PR-400 and Vac groups. The effect of days post immunization on antibody response was not significant. No significant difference was observed between PR-400 and Vac, as well as PR-200 and Tox groups. Clostridium chauvoei cell surface proteins may have the potential for application as a blackleg disease vaccine and an adjuvant for clostridial toxoids.

A longitudinal study of the dynamics of Mycoplasma bovis antibody status in primiparous cows and bulk tank milk in Swedish dairy herds.

Mycoplasma (M.) bovis is an important pathogen causing pneumonia, mastitis, and arthritis in cattle all over the world entailing reduced animal welfare and economic losses. In this longitudinal study, we investigated the presence of M. bovis antibodies in bulk tank milk (BTM) and in milk from primiparous (PP) cows at 4 sampling occasions over 2 years. Herd characteristics associated with a positive antibody test result in PP cows were investigated. The participating dairy herds (n = 149) were situated in southern Sweden, samples were collected and analyzed with ID Screen antibody ELISA. Information on herd characteristics was retrieved from the national Dairy Herd Improvement database. To identify herd characteristics associated with the presence of antibodies in PP cows, mixed linear regression with herd and sample as random factors were used. The apparent herd-level prevalence of M. bovis infection based on antibodies in BTM was 17% but with the addition of PP cows the prevalence increased to 28%. The results showed that larger herds and introduction of cattle was associated with higher antibody levels in PP cows. In conclusion, this study showed a clear difference in the apparent prevalence of M. bovis infection based on antibodies in BTM or in PP cows, the no. of positive herds were almost doubled when including PP cows. This motivates repeated sampling of a few PP cows to find newly infected herds in an early stage. Finally, the results showed that introduction of cattle influences the level of M. bovis antibodies. This is important in the control and prevention of further spread of the infection. It is essential for free herds to know their M. bovis status and antibody testing is highly recommended if introducing cattle.

GD2 and GD3 gangliosides as prognostic biomarkers in high grade serous ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Gangliosides GD2 and GD3 have been proposed to be of significance in diagnosis of ovarian masses. We aim to study serum GD2 and GD3 gangliosides as predictors of oncological outcomes among high grade serous (HGS) ovarian cancer (OC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study including biobanked serum samples of HGS OC treated between 2005 and 2016. Serum GD2 and GD3 concentrations were quantified using indirect ELISA and analyzed with respect to survival. RESULTS: Sixty patients were included. Patients with GD3>12.8 ng/mL had shorter PFS when compared to patients with lower level; median 31 vs. 67 months, p = 0.005. Patients with GD2> 7.1 ng/mL had shorter median PFS than those with lower level of (23 vs. 52 months, p = 0.024.) Patients with GD3>14.5 ng/mL had shorter OS vs. patients with lower level (median 31 vs. 70 months, p = 0.002). In a Cox regression, following adjustment for age, CA-125, disease stage and age, serum elevated GD3 was independently associated with short PFS (adjusted hazard ratio 2.0, 95 % CI 1.1-3.8, p=.024). In a separate Cox regression, elevated GD2 was independently associated with PFS (adjusted hazard ratio3.0 (1.2-7.7). p=.019. High serum GD3 and GD2 were independently associated with short OS as well. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of serum GD2 and GD3 in HGS OC were associated with shorter PFS and OS. GD3 is superior to GD2 as a biomarker for prognosis.

The isolation and serotyping of foot-and-mouth disease virus in Iran during 2019-2022.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a significant transboundary animal disease that has a considerable economic impact on livestock systems worldwide. In order to determine the presence and type of FMD virus in Iran, a total of 90 samples of vesicular fluid and epithelial tissue were collected from the tongues, tooth pads, and hooves of clinically suspect cattle on 40 vaccinated farms in 9 provinces of Iran. These samples were collected during four years, from January 2019 to December 2022, and the vaccine was a locally produced polyvalent inactivated vaccine. The collected samples were analyzed using ELISA and isolation methods to identify and characterize the FMD virus. The results of the ELISA tests revealed that 66.66% of the samples were positive for FMD, and the serotypes of the virus were determined. Considering ELISA reslut, 62% of the samples were assigned to serotype O, 33% to serotype A, and 5% to serotype Asia-1. Furthermore, 90% of the positive samples were inoculated onto monolayer cultures of pig kidneys (IB-RS2) for isolation and antigen detection by serotype-specific ELISA kit. The great majority of detected serotype O viruses were from Esfahan province, while the most detected serotype A and serotype Asia-1 viruses were from Qom and Tehran provinces, respectively. These findings indicate that the ELISA and isolation methods are suitable for identifying and typing FMD viruses. The vaccination program in Iran, which includes three serotypes (O, A, and Asia-1), appears to be effective in controlling the spread of the disease. However, the continued circulation of these serotypes in most provinces suggests that ongoing surveillance and vaccination efforts are necessary.

Lateral flow test versus enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure infliximab trough concentrations: A head-to-head comparison.

OBJECTIVES: Infliximab is an antitumour necrosis factor agent used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Measurement of infliximab trough concentrations (C-troughs) are used to optimize drug exposure and improve outcomes. Currently, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are used predominantly for this purpose. Novel lateral flow immunoassays provide a rapid result. METHODS: We collected 100 paired serum samples of adolescents and young adults with IBD, who were treated with infliximab maintenance infusions. C-troughs were measured with the Quantum Blue® lateral flow test (QB) with ELISA. Results were categorized as low-range (mean C-trough ≤5 µg/mL) or high-range (>5 µg/mL). A Bland-Altman plot was created with limits of clinical acceptability set at ≤2 µg/mL for low-range and ≤40% for high-range C-troughs. A concordance matrix was created to evaluate the C-trough-based clinical scenario (whether or not to escalate infliximab) using a cutoff value of 5 µg/mL. RESULTS: Agreement between QB and ELISA was good (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.85). In the low-range, 90% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 79-96) of measurements were within the limits of clinical acceptability. In the high-range this was 67% (95% CI: 53-79). QB provided higher results than ELISA. The concordance matrix showed 81% agreement (95% CI: 72-88, κ: 0.62). CONCLUSIONS: Lateral flow- and ELISA-based infliximab C-trough measurements were in agreement. The swift establishment of infliximab C-troughs matters for patients experiencing increased disease activity. In the event of a low C-trough, prompt dose escalation can be initiated.

Repurposing simvastatin for treatment of Klebsiella pneumoniae infections: in vitro and in vivo study.

Simvastatin had minimum inhibitory concentrations of 32 to 128 µg/mL against Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates and hindered the biofilm-formation ability of 58.54% of the isolates. It considerably diminished the bacterial cell counts in the biofilms as revealed by scanning electron microscope. Also, qRT-PCR revealed a downregulation of the biofilm genes (bcsA, wza, and luxS) by simvastatin in 48.78% of the isolates. Moreover, simvastatin has significantly improved the survival of mice and decreased the burden of bacteria in the infected lungs. Also, the histological architecture was substantially improved in the simvastatin-treated group, as the alveolar sacs and bronchioles appeared normal with minimal collagen fiber deposition. The immunohistochemical studies exposed that the TNF-α, NF-kß, and COX-2 immunostaining considerably declined in the simvastatin-treated group. Furthermore, ELISA exposed that both IL-1ß and IL-6 were considerably diminished in the lungs of the simvastatin-treated group.

Serum Concentration of MMP-9 as a Predictive Biomarker for the Progression of Oral Cancer.

Background: Oral cancer is the most prominent cancer subtype among all head and neck cancers, the incidence and prevalence of which has been consistently increasing in past years around the globe. At advanced stages, oral cancer imparts significant mortality, morbidity, and mutilation among the patients, and therefore, diagnosis and treatment of the disease at early stages are considered the optimum strategy for the management of the disease. Since molecular changes appear earlier than physical symptoms, several molecular biomarkers are currently being investigated for their role in diagnosing and treating disease. MMP-9 belongs to the family of proteinases that are involved in cytoskeletal degradation, which is a crucial phase of cancer progression. Objective: In the present study, we analyzed the serum concentration of MMP-9 in oral cancer patients and tried to establish MMP-9 as a predictive biomarker for the progression of oral cancer. We also correlated the clinical, sociodemographic and biochemical parameters with the serum concentration of MMP-9 in oral cancer patients. Methods: Serum was extracted from the blood sample of 38 oral cancer patients and was analyzed for the concentration of MMP-9 using sandwiched ELISA. Predesigned proforma was used to capture the clinical, sociodemographic and biochemical parameters. Unpaired t-test was used to compare two means, one way ANOVA was used to compare more than two means and Pearson's correlation was used to correlate the variables. Results: The mean concentration of MMP-9 in patients of oral cancer was 816.9 ± 236.1 ng/mL. The MMP-9 expression level was higher at advanced oral cancer stages than in the early stages. No significant difference in the MMP expression was found in terms of sociodemographic risk factor and tumor site. MMP-9 exhibit significant negative correlation with the HDL and significantly positive correlation with the PTI. Rest of the biochemical parameters does not exhibit significant correlation. Conclusion: The present study suggests that serum concentration of MMP-9 can be a predictive biomarker for the progression of oral cancer, which needs to be validated by performing further longitudinal cross-sectional studies by taking ample sample size.

Quantifying allergenic proteins using antibody-based methods or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry: A review about the influence of food matrix, extraction, and sample preparation.

Accurate quantification of allergens in food is crucial for ensuring consumer safety. Pretreatment steps directly affect accuracy and efficiency of allergen quantification. We systematically reviewed the latest advances in pretreatment steps for antibody-based methods and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) protein quantification methods in food. For antibody-based methods, the effects induced by food matrix like decreased allergen solubility, epitope masking, and nonspecific binding are of the upmost importance. To mitigate interference from the matrix, effective and proper extraction can be used to obtain the target allergens with a high protein concentration and necessary epitope exposure. Removal of interfering substances, extraction systems (buffers and additives), assistive technologies, and commercial kits were discussed. About LC-MS/MS quantification, the preparation of the target peptides is the crucial step that significantly affects the efficiency and results obtained from the MS detector. The advantages and limitations of each method for pre-purification, enzymatic digestion, and peptide desalting were compared. Additionally, the application characteristics of microfluidic-based pretreatment devices were illustrated to improve the convenience and efficiency of quantification. A promising research direction is the targeted development of pretreatment methods for complex food matrices, such as lipid-based and carbohydrate-based matrices.

The effect of periodontal health and disease on interleukin 1ß and nesfatin-1 levels in gingival crevicular fluid: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease associated with dental biofilm, poses a significant threat to oral health. This study explores the roles of interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß) and nesfatin-1 in periodontal diseases, aiming to contribute to the molecular understanding of their pathogenesis. Material and methods: A diverse cohort of 62 participants was recruited, spanning ages 20 to 60, and categorized into healthy, gingivitis, and periodontitis groups. Clinical measurements, including plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, and bleeding on probing, were conducted. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were collected for IL-1ß and nesfatin-1 analysis using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis employed Kruskal-Wallis and Spearman correlation tests. Results: Significant differences in oral hygiene habits were observed among groups, particularly in the 40-60 age range. Clinical indices showed variations, with the highest IL-1ß levels in the periodontitis group and the lowest nesfatin-1 levels. Correlation analysis revealed positive associations between IL-1ß, nesfatin-1, and oral indices. Conclusions: While providing valuable insights, we acknowledge this study's limitations, including a cross-sectional design and a specific age range. Future research should employ longitudinal designs and larger cohorts, and explore broader inflammatory markers, genetic influences, and confounding variables for a more comprehensive understanding of periodontal diseases. The findings underscore the complex interplay between inflammatory markers and periodontal health.

Neurofilament heavy chain and chitinase 3-like 1 as markers for monitoring therapeutic response in multiple sclerosis.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of serum neurofilament heavy chain (sNfH) and chitinase 3-like 1 (sCHI3L1) with treatment response and disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: This single-center, prospective, observational cohort study was conducted at the MS Centre, University Hospital Ostrava, Czech Republic, from May 2020 to August 2023. sNfH and sCHI3L1 were determined using ELISA. A mixed-effects linear model with a log-transformed outcome variable was applied. RESULTS: We analyzed 459 samples from 57 people with MS. Patients were sampled an average of 8.05 times during 21.9 months of follow-up. Those experiencing a relapse at sampling had a sNfH concentration 50 % higher than those in remission (exp(ß) 1.5, 95 % CI 1.15-1.96). A longer duration of treatment was associated with lower sNfH (exp(ß) 0.95, 95 % CI 0.94-0.96). Patients switched from low- to high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) had higher sNfH than patients treated with low-efficacy DMTs only (exp(ß) 1.95, 95 % CI 1.35-2.81). Higher sCHI3L1 was associated with older age (exp(ß) 1.01, 95 % CI 1.00-1.02) and longer DMT use (exp(ß) 1.01, 95 % CI 1.00-1.02). sCHI3L1 values were not associated with relapse at the time of sampling, renal function, sex, or type of DMT. CONCLUSION: In contrast to sCHI3L1, sNfH may be a potential biomarker for monitoring treatment response and confirming clinical relapse in MS. Further research is needed to determine the long-term dynamics of sNfH and develop related treatment strategies.