Diagnostic and prognostic value of Ischemia-modified albumin in patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic and prognostic significance of ischemia modified albumin (IMA) levels in patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). This retrospective study was conducted with patients with CCHF. IMA levels in patients with CCHF were determined using the rapid colorimetric method. IMA levels of CCHF patients were significantly higher compared with the control group (P = 0.0001). At an IMA cut-off point of 0.555 ABSU (absorbance units), sensitivity was 65.1%, specificity 82.5%, positive predictive values (PPV) 82.5%, and negative predictive values (NPV) 65.1%. IMA levels of patients with hemorrhage were significantly higher compared with patients without hemorrhage (P = 0.005). IMA has been validated as both a new and sensitive ischemia and oxidative stress biomarker. In addition to its diagnostic significance, IMA investigated in CCHF patients at time of arrival may be an important marker with its prognostic role in determining in the early stage whether the disease will follow a hemorrhagic course.

The value of signal peptide-CUB-EGF domain-containing protein 1 and oxidative stress parameters in the diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the diagnostic value of signal peptide-CUB-EGF domain-containing protein 1 (SCUBE-1) and other oxidative stress parameters in the early diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia, which has high mortality and morbidity if not identified and treated in the early period. METHODS: Thirty-six female Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this randomized, controlled study. Rats were divided into six groups: three control groups (Groups I, III, and V) and three ischemia groups (Groups II, IV, and VI). In the control groups, blood and tissue specimens were sampled at 30 minutes (Group I), 2 hours (Group III), and 6 hours (Group V), following a simple laparotomy. In the ischemia groups, the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was ligated following laparotomy, and blood and tissue samples were sampled at 30 minutes (Group II), 2 hours (Group IV), and 6 hours (Group VI). RESULTS: When comparing the ischemia and control groups, the differences in SCUBE-1, malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels in the 30-minute period were not significant (p > 0.05); at 2 hours, SCUBE-1 levels rose rapidly, and although the desired level of significance could not be obtained with Bonferroni correction, the level was significantly higher compared to the control group at the same time interval (for SCUBE-1, Group III vs. Group IV, p = 0.006). In these periods (30 minutes and 2 hours), only total oxidative status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) values were significantly higher in the ischemia group compared to the control group (for both, p = 0.004). A pronounced rise in SCUBE-1 levels was determined with 6-hour ischemia (for SCUBE-1, Group V vs. Group VI, p = 0.004). The changes in MDA, TAS, TOS, and OSI levels were not significant (p = 0.025, p = 0.321, p = 0.006, and p = 0.037, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: SCUBE-1 levels have the potential to be used as a marker of early period injury in acute mesenteric ischemia, although it is impossible to state explicitly that they can be used for early diagnosis. The same can be said for plasma MDA and TAS levels. The authors believe that TOS and OSI levels, however, can be used in early diagnosis and as an injury marker. Moreover, OSI also exhibits a medium-strong correlation with histopathologic injury.

Signal peptide-CUB-EGF domain-containing protein 1 (SCUBE1) level in hemodialysis patients and parameters affecting that level.

BACKGROUND: Signal peptide-CUB (complement C1r/C1s, Uegf, and Bmp1)-EGF (epidermal growth factor)-domain-containing protein 1 (SCUBE1) is a cell surface protein belonging to the SCUBE gene family. SCUBE1 has been shown to rise in parallel with platelet activation in acute ischemic events. However, there are no studies showing levels in the hemodialysis patient group, in which there is known to be an increase in platelet function impairment and activation. The purpose of this study was to investigate SCUBE1 levels in a hemodialysis patient group and the factors affecting those levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred three hemodialysis patients and 21 age-matched healthy controls were included. SCUBE1 and sCD40L levels were investigated from blood specimens collected on pre- and post-hemodialysis sessions. We investigated the correlation between SCUBE1 levels and sCD40L, patients' demographic data, parameters with hemodialysis treatment and routine biochemical tests. RESULT: SCUBE1 levels were significantly higher in the hemodialysis patient group compared with the controls (p=0.000). There was a significant rise in SCUBE1 levels in the post-hemodialysis session (p=0.000). We determined a positive correlation between SCUBE1 and sCD40L (p=0.016, r=0.215). Gender, blood pressure, BUN, creatinine, hematocrit and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels, hemodialysis membrane surface area, amount of ultrafiltration, blood flow rate, dialysis flow rate and carnitine use significantly affected SCUBE1 levels. CONCLUSION: We have shown, for the first time in the literature, that SCUBE1 level, a potential acute ischemia marker, is elevated in hemodialysis patients with no clinical ischemic event, and that various factors affect this elevation.

Is SCUBE 1 a new biomarker for gastric cancer?

PURPOSES: This study was intended to determine the diagnostic significance of signal peptide-CUB-EGF domain-containing protein 1 (SCUBE 1) levels in gastric cancer. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted with patients with gastric cancer. SCUBE 1 titers of plasma in patients with gastric cancer were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: SCUBE 1 titers of gastric cancer patients were significantly higher compared with the control group (P=0.0001). At a SCUBE 1 cut-off point of 43 ng/mL, sensitivity was 67%, specificity 91%, positive predictive values (PPV) 92% and negative predictive values(NPV) 63%. SCUBE 1 levels of patients with methastase were not different from patients without methastase (P> 0.05). DICUSSIONS: SCUBE 1 levels in patients with gastric cancer were found higher compared to healthy subjects.

The predictive value of ischemia-modified albumin in long-term results of ischemia-reperfusion injury in an experimental testicular torsion model.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the value of ischemia-modified albumin levels in the determination of the long-term results of testicular torsion/detorsion-associated ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS: Eighteen mature male Wistar rats were divided randomly into 3 groups (n = 6 for each group): control, acute torsion/detorsion (T/D) group, and long-term T/D. In the control group, scrotal incision only was performed; in the acute T/D group, after 4 hours of torsion, detorsion was performed and maintained for 2 hours. Blood samples and testicular tissue samples were taken after 2 hours of detorsion. The same T/D procedures were performed in the long-term T/D group. The long-term T/D groups were kept alive for 2 months, and samples were taken at 2 months post procedure. Serum ischemia-modified albumin, serum and tissue malondialdehyde levels, and histopathological damage scores were measured. RESULTS: Serum ischemia-modified albumin levels were significantly higher compared with the control group, in the acute-term T/D (P = .004). This elevation remained pronounced in the long term compared with the control group and acute period (P = .008 and P = .017, respectively). There was a significant negative correlation between serum ischemia-modified albumin levels and histopathological injury score in both the torsioned and contralateral testes (r = -.929, P < .0001 and r = -.560, P = .02, respectively). CONCLUSION: Ischemia-modified albumin is a valuable parameter in terms of reflecting testis injury in testicular torsion in both the acute period and the long term. It therefore has the potential to be used as data with predictive value regarding patients' fertility capacities.