Could ischemia-modified albumin levels predict the severity of disease in SARS-CoV-2 infection?

INTRODUCTION: Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) level increases in inflammatory conditions. We aimed to investigate the association between IMA levels and the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in adult patients. METHODOLOGY: We grouped adult patients with COVID-19 infection: Group A - mild symptoms, but normal computed tomography (CT), Group B - mild/moderate illness, and Group C - severe or critical illness. We measured IMA levels at the time of diagnosis of COVID-19 infection. RESULTS: Mean age of the total number of patients (n = 90) was 54.43 (± 8.11) year, and 46.7% (n = 42) were female. IMA levels were highest in Group C and lowest in A (p < 0.001). The most important factor predicting COVID-19 disease severity was IMA. Type 2 diabetes was more frequent in Group C (n = 31) than in Group B (n = 30) (p = 0.042). Asthma was less frequent, and coronary artery disease was more frequent in Group C than in Group A (n = 29) and B (p = 0.009). Duration of hospitalization was highest in Group C (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We analyzed a sample of patients with COVID-19 infection and found that IMA predicted severe COVID-19 disease. Disease severity grouping was based on patients' clinical and radiological features. IMA level measured when SARS-CoV-2 infection is diagnosed may be a useful marker in predicting likely disease severity or intensive care need.

HMGB-1 Levels in Painful Knee Arthroplasty: Is it Possible to Distingue Periprosthetic Joint Infection and Aseptic Loosening?

Introduction: We investigated the efficiency of high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB-1) in differentiation of asymptomatic knee prosthesis, and periprosthetic joint infection and aseptic loosening causing painful knee prosthesis. Materials and Methods: The data of patients who consulted our clinic for checking after total knee arthroplasty surgery were recorded prospectively. Blood levels of CRP, ESR, WBC, and HMGB-1 were recorded. Patients whose examination and routine tests were within normal limits comprised group I, asymptomatic total knee arthroplasty (ATKA). Painful patients with abnormal test results underwent three phase bone scintigraphy for further investigation Patients with periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and aseptic loosening (AL) according to scintigraphy comprised group II and group III, respectively. The mean values of HMGB-1 and cut-off values according to the groups and their correlations with other inflammatory parameters were determined. Results: Seventy-three patients were included in the study. Significant differences were observed in three groups, in terms of CRP, ESR, WBC, and HMGB-1. The cut-off value of HMGB-1 was determined as 15.16 ng/ml between ATKA and PJI, 16.92 ng/ml between ATKA and AL, and 27.87 ng/ml between PJI and AL, respectively. Accordingly, the sensitivity, and specificity of HMGB-1 in differentiation of ATKA and PJI were 91%, 88%, and in differentiation of ATKA and AL were 91%, 96%, and in differentiation of PJI and AL were 81%, 73%, respectively. Conclusion: HMGB-1 may be utilized as an additional blood test in the differential diagnosis of problematic knee prosthesis patients.

Ginger for Healthy Ageing: A Systematic Review on Current Evidence of Its Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anticancer Properties.

The world's population is ageing at an accelerated pace. Ageing is a natural, physiological but highly complex and multifactorial process that all species in the Tree of Life experience over time. Physical and mental disabilities, and age-related diseases, would increase along with the increasing life expectancy. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a plant that belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, native to Southeast Asia. For hundreds of years, ginger has been consumed in various ways by the natives of Asian countries, both as culinary and medicinal herb for the treatment of many diseases. Mounting evidence suggests that ginger can promote healthy ageing, reduce morbidity, and prolong healthy lifespan. Ginger, a well-known natural product, has been demonstrated to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties, as well as an outstanding antiviral activity due to a high concentration of antiviral compounds. In this review, the current evidence on the potential role of ginger and its active compounds in the prevention of ageing is discussed.

Assessment of Antioxidant Effect of Beta-Glucan on the Whole Blood Oxidative DNA Damage with the Comet Assay in Colorectal Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to evaluate the antioxidant effect of beta-glucan on oxidative DNA damage by comet assay. METHODS: A total of 19 adult females and males diagnosed with stage 3-4 colorectal cancer and a control group of 20 age-matched healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Blood samples of the participants were analyzed using Comet Assay for the parameters of DNA damage. RESULTS: Significantly increased DNA damage was observed in patients versus the control group as indicated by greater values of tail moment, tail percent DNA and tail length. Following incubation with ß-glucan, a substantial reduction was found in the aforementioned parameters of DNA damage. Comet assay revealed significant levels of endogenous DNA damage in patients as shown by remarkable increases in the tail moment, the percentage of DNA in the tail and the tail length values, in comparison with the control group. Following treatment of fresh whole blood with ß-glucan incubation, DNA damages were significantly reduced, but lower values were observed after ß-glucan incubation in the patient group versus control group. CONCLUSION: ß-Glucan was found to reduce DNA damage substantially in colorectal cancer patients and show antimutagenic effects. Our results suggested that dietary ß-glucan intake might be important in the genesis of colorectal cancer tumors.

The role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms in patients with lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in the lung tissues. The most common causes of lung cancer include smoking, exposure to radon gas, asbestos, environmental pollutants as well as genetic factors. Nitric oxide (NO) has potential mutagenic and carcinogenic activity and may play an important role in lung cancer. Endothelial NO, synthesized from L-arginine by endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), inhibits apoptosis and promotes angiogenesis and tumor cell proliferation. The aim of the present study was to examine the possible relationship between eNOS gene intron 4 variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) and exon 7-G894T (Glu298Asp) polymorphisms and lung cancer risk. METHODS: DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes of 107 lung cancer patients and 100 control subjects. Designated polymorphisms were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). RESULTS: Our study showed that the frequencies of the b/b genotype and b allele of eNOS gene intron 4 VNTR polymorphism were significantly higher in lung cancer patients than in controls (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant association between eNOS gene G894T polymorphism and lung cancer risk (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the presence of the intron 4 VNTR* b allele and b/b genotype may be a genetic risk factor for development of lung cancer. Further larger-scale studies are needed to confirm these findings.

A novel diagnostic tool for the detection of bladder cancer: Measurement of urinary high mobility group box-1.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of urinary High Mobility Group Box-1 (HMGB1) level as a noninvasive tool that can be potentially used for diagnosis and during follow-up in patients with bladder cancer patients. METHOD: The study was conducted in a total of 121 participants including 61 patients diagnosed with primary bladder cancer, 30 patients with an acute urinary tract infection and 30 healthy controls. Age, gender and urinary HMGB1 levels of the study groups were evaluated. The association of clinical features (tumor diameter, number of foci, pathological grade, muscle invasion) with urinary HMGB1 levels was investigated in patients with bladder cancer. RESULTS: All 3 groups showed a normal age and gender distribution with no significant difference among them (P = 0.775 and P = 0.967, respectively). A significant difference was detected in urinary HMGB1 levels among the 3 groups (P < 0.001). When urinary HMGB1 levels were compared between patients with high grade vs. low grade tumors, the mean HMGB1 level was 44.39 pg/ml (12.1-505.2) in patients with low grade tumors and 280 pg/ml (18.7-2685.3) in patients with high grade tumors (P < 0.001). Patients with a greater number of tumor foci had higher HMGB1 levels in comparison to patients with a single tumor focus (P = 0.008). Urinary HMGB1 levels were higher in patients with a tumor diameter of ≥3 cm than in patients with a tumor diameter less than 3 cm (P = 0.001). Patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer exhibited higher urinary HMGB1 levels compared to patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (P = 0.033). The cut-off values derived from the ROC analysis were 63.30 pg/ml for distinguishing bladder cancer from urinary tract infection, 30.94 pg/ml for urinary tract infection versus control group and 38.70 pg/ml for bladder cancer vs. control group, respectively. Sensitivity was 59% and specificity was found 77%. CONCLUSION: In future controlled studies involving larger patient groups, urinary HMGB1 levels can be used for diagnostic and screening purposes in bladder cancer patients.

Neck pain: is it part of a migraine attack or a trigger before a migraine attack?

BACKGROUND: A migraine is a primary headache disorder characterized by recurrent headaches that are moderate to severe. Neck pain may actually be the most common migraine symptom despite the fact that it is rarely listed among usual symptoms such as nausea and light sensitivity. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between migraine and neck pain. METHODS: A total of 50 patients (41 females and 9 males) diagnosed with migraine were included in the study. 50 patients with migraine were asked about the occurrence of neck symptoms during different phases of their attacks. Patients of both sex, aged 12-61 years, diagnosed as having migraine according to the definition of the ICHD-3-ß, and having neck pain any time during the attack phase, were included in the study. Migraine severity was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). RESULTS: In our study, we compared the clinical and demographic characteristics of migraine patients. While 89.1% of the patients reported that their headache and neck pain started and ended concurrently, only 10.9% of them had neck pain starting at different times in comparison to migraine headache (30 min before headache, 2 h before or later than headache and 12 h later than headache). CONCLUSIONS: As a result of our study, we have concluded that neck pain begins simultaneously with migraine attacks and concurrently, and may be part of migraine attacks accordingly.

Childhood Obesity Risk in Relationship to Perilipin 1 (PLIN1) Gene Regulation by Circulating microRNAs.

Childhood obesity is a growing public health burden in many countries. The lipid perilipin 1 (PLIN1) gene is involved in regulation of lipolysis, and thus represents a viable candidate mechanism for obesity genetics research in children. In addition, the regulation of candidate gene expression by circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) offers a new research venue for diagnostic innovation. We report new findings on associations among circulating miRNAs, regulation of the PLIN1 gene, and susceptibility to childhood obesity. In a sample of 135 unrelated subjects, 35 children with obesity (between ages 3 and 13) and 100 healthy controls (between ages 4 and 16), we examined the expression levels of four candidate miRNAs (hsa-miR-4777-3p, hsa-miR-642b-3p, hsa-miR-3671-1, and hsa-miR-551b-2) targeting the PLIN1 as measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction in whole blood samples. We found that the full genetic model, including the four candidate miRNAs and the PLIN1 gene, explained a statistically significant 12.7% of the variance in childhood obesity risk (p = 0.0034). The four miRNAs together explained 10.1% of the risk (p = 0.008). The percentage of variation in childhood obesity risk explained by hsa-miR-642b-3p and age was 19%. In accordance with biological polarity of the observed association, for example, hsa-miR-642b-3p was upregulated, while the PLIN1 expression decreased in obese participants compared to healthy controls. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first clinical association study of these candidate miRNAs targeting the PLIN1 in childhood obesity. These data offer new molecular leads for future clinical biomarker and diagnostic discovery for childhood obesity.

Association of high mobility group box 1 protein with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Recently, the role of inflammation in coronary artery disease and the association of inflammatory biomarkers with adverse outcomes have been investigated in many studies. We investigated the relationship between high serum mobility group box 1 protein levels and established risk factors for coronary artery disease. METHODS: Fifty-five patients who presented to our Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic and subsequently underwent coronary artery bypass surgery for coronary artery disease and 50 healthy subjects presenting to the cardiology outpatient clinic without any cardiovascular problem were included in the study. The mean age was 61.47 ± 9.38 years for patients and 58.20 ± 10.15 years for controls. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between groups with respect to age or sex. Family history of coronary artery disease, aspirin use, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes were significantly more prevalent in the patient group versus the control group. A significant difference was found between patients and healthy controls with respect to high mobility group box 1 protein levels ( p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum high mobility group box 1 protein was significantly increased in patients with coronary artery disease in comparison to healthy subjects. No associations were found between high mobility group box 1 protein level and certain risk factors for coronary artery disease.

Childhood obesity and the role of dopamine D2 receptor and cannabinoid receptor-1 gene polymorphisms.

AIMS: The dopaminergic and endocannabinoid systems are involved in regulation of feeding behavior. The aim of the study is to examine the possible relation between polymorphisms of the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) and cannabinoid receptor-1 (CNR1) genes and childhood obesity. METHODS: A hundred obese children and 100 healthy controls were analyzed for DRD2 Taq1A and Taq1B and CNR1 1359G/A polymorphisms. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in DRD2 Taq1A and DRD2 Taq1B genotypes or allelic frequencies between obese children and controls (p>0.05). In patients with Taq1B2 allele, morbid obesity was less frequent (p=0.010). The frequency of the A allele of CNR1 1359G/A polymorphism was significantly higher in obese children than in controls (21.0% vs. 13.0%, p=0.0166). The frequency of genotypes AG and GG of the CNR1 1359G/A SNP was different between obese children and control subjects (for AG: 34.0% vs. 22.0%, p=0.0294; for GG: 62.0% vs. 76.0%, p=0.0162, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference was found between genotypes and alleles of DRD2 Taq1A and DRD2 Taq1B polymorphism in patients and controls, while the CNR1 receptor 1359G/A polymorphism and the presence of the A allele may be one risk factor for susceptibility to obesity.

Analysis of dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) gene polymorphisms in cannabinoid addicts.

The gene encoding the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) has been suggested as a candidate gene for substance dependence. In this study, the possible association between Taq1A and Taq1B DRD2 polymorphisms and cannabinoid dependence was investigated. One hundred and twelve cannabinoid addicted and 130 healthy control subjects were included in this study. The Taq1A and Taq1B genotypes were determined in all subjects by polymerase chain reaction. For each polymorphism (A or B), the subjects were categorized into three groups according to their genotype, that is, the subjects with alleles A1/A1, A1/A2, A2/A2; B1/B1, B1/B2, and B2/B2. A significant association was found between Taq1A gene polymorphism and cannabinoid addicts compared to the control subjects. This finding suggests that polymorphism of the Taq1A, but not the Taq1B, may be associated with the susceptibility to cannabinoid dependence. Further clinical studies are required to be carried out for confirmation and evaluation of these findings.