Investigation of genetic diversity using molecular and biochemical markers associated with powdery mildew resistance in different flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) genotypes.

Under greenhouse conditions, the resistance of 18 different genotypes of flax to powdery mildew was evaluated. To investigate genetic diversity and identify the molecular and biochemical markers linked to powdery mildew resistance in the tested genotypes, two molecular marker systems-start codon targeted (SCoT) and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR)-as well as a biochemical marker (protein profiles, antioxidant enzyme activity, and secondary metabolites) were used. Based on the results, the genotypes were classified into four categories: highly susceptible, susceptible, moderately susceptible, and moderately resistant. The genotypes differed significantly in powdery mildew severity: Polk had a severity of 92.03% and Leona had a severity of 18.10%. Compared to the other genotypes, the moderately resistant genotypes had higher levels of flavonoids, antioxidant enzymes, phenolics, and straw yield; nevertheless, their hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels were lower. Protein profiles revealed 93.75% polymorphism, although the ISSR marker displayed more polymorphism (78.4%) than the SCoT marker (59.7%). Specific molecular and biochemical markers associated with powdery mildew resistance were identified. The 18 genotypes of flax were divided into two major clusters by the dendrogram based on the combined data of molecular markers. The first main cluster included Leona (genotype number 7), considered moderate resistance to powdery mildew and a separate phenetic line. The second main cluster included the other 17 genotypes, which are grouped together in a sub-cluster. This means that, besides SCoT, ISSR markers can be a useful supplementary technique for molecular flax characterization and for identifying genetic associations between flax genotypes under powdery mildew infection.

A new serum biochemical marker of synovium turnover predicts radiographic progression in patients with early arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether serum Col 3-4, a new biochemical marker of synovial tissue turnover, was associated with progression of joint damage in patients with early arthritis. METHODS: A total of 788 early arthritis patients (<6 months of symptoms, 82% diagnosis of RA, 18% undifferentiated arthritis) from the prospective ESPOIR study were investigated. Progression was defined as an increase of 1 or 5 unit(s) in radiographic van der Heijde modified Sharp score between baseline and 1 or 5 years, respectively. Associations between baseline Col 3-4 and progression were assessed by logistic regression. RESULTS: Each standard deviation increase of baseline Col 3-4 levels was associated with an increased 5-yr total damage progression with an odds ratio (OR, 95% CI) of 1.51 (1.21, 1.88), which remained significant when DAS28, C-reactive protein and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies positivity were included in the model [OR (95% CI): 1.34 (1.01, 1.76)]. Further adjustment for bone erosion did not modify the association. Patients with both Col 3-4 in the highest quintile and bone erosion had a >2-fold higher risk of progression [OR (95% CI): 7.16 (2.31, 22)] than patients with either high Col 3-4 [2.91 (1.79, 4.73)] or bone erosion [2.36 (2.38, 3.70)] alone. Similar associations were observed for prediction of 12 months progression. CONCLUSIONS: Increased serum Col 3-4 is associated with a higher risk of structural progression, independently of major risk factors. Col 3-4 may be useful in association with bone erosion to identify patients with early arthritis at higher risk.

Biochemical responses as early and reliable biomarkers of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides intoxication: A systematic literature review.

Inhibition of cholinesterase (ChE) activity has been long considered as the main diagnostic method of organophosphate (OP) and carbamate pesticides poisoning; however, it has been shown that ChE activity may also be altered due to exposure to other non-organophosphorus toxicants and variety of different medical conditions. Hence, to avoid misdiagnosis, we aimed to systematically review available documents to look for additional biomarkers of OP and carbamate poisoning. The electronic databases in addition to Google scholar were searched for eligible articles on March 2022 using "organophosphate," "carbamate," and "biomarker" including all their similar terms. After collecting the relevant documents, the data were extracted and described qualitatively. In total, data of 66 articles from 51 human and 15 animal studies were extracted. Findings demonstrated that enzymes such as ß-glucuronidase, neuropathy target esterase, amylase, and lipase, in addition to hematological indicators such as CBC, CRP, lactate dehydrogenase, and CPK have high sensitivity and accuracy in the diagnosis of OP poisoning. Findings suggest that using various markers for diagnosis of OP intoxication is helpful for appropriate management, and early identifying the patients at risk of death. The suggested biomarkers also help to avoid misdiagnosis of OP poisoning with other similar conditions.

Low serum level of citrullinated histone H3 in patients with dermatomyositis.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed at analyzing the serum levels of citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3) in patients with dermatomyositis (DM) and their association with disease activity. METHODS: Serum CitH3 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in serum samples obtained from 93 DM patients and 56 healthy controls (HCs). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the discriminant capacity of CitH3 and other disease variables. The association between CitH3 and disease variables was analyzed using Pearson's rank correlation. RESULTS: Serum CitH3 level was significantly lower in DM patients than in HCs (p < 0.001). The ROC curve analysis revealed that CitH3 strongly discriminated DM patients from HCs (area under the curve [AUC], 0.86), and a combination of CitH3 and the ratio of neutrophil to lymphocyte counts (NLR) showed a greater diagnostic value (AUC, 0.92). Serum CitH3 levels were markedly lower in DM patients with normal muscle enzyme levels than in HCs (all p < 0.001), and when compared to an elevated group, the CitH3 levels were comparable (all p > 0.05). The CitH3 levels showed no difference between DM in active and remission groups. However, in a paired test with 18 hospitalized DM patients, the CitH3 levels were higher in remission state than in active state. Moreover, the CitH3 levels showed no correlation with disease variables that were associated with the disease activity of DM. CONCLUSIONS: Serum CitH3 level may serve as a useful biochemical marker for screening patients with DM from HCs, while its role in monitoring DM disease activity requires further research.

THE IMPACT OF TOCILIZUMAB ON THE BIOCHEMICAL MARKER PROCALCITONIN DURING COVID-19 INFECTION.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: The primary objective of our study was to track the TCZ's impact on PCT levels in a cohort of COVID-19 patients who received dexamethasone daily from admission to the day of discharge. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: There were two groups: a treatment group of 40 patients who received tocilizumab and a 40-patient control group that did not receive the medication. Both groups' daily blood culture results and serum procalcitonin biochemical indicators were observed for 20 days, or until discharge or death. After 10 days, non-parametric univariate and linear mixed model analyses were used to compare the two groups' differences. RESULTS: Results: Tocilizumab is administered on Day 5 and greatly reduces procalcitonin. The two groups did not differ in the percentage of positive blood cultures. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Procalcitonin levels in COVID-19 individuals who have received tocilizumab maybe not a dependable predictor of superinfection with bacteria.

Reference intervals of 14 biochemical markers for children and adolescence in China: the PRINCE study.

OBJECTIVES: The Pediatric Reference Intervals in China (PRINCE) was initiated to establish the reference intervals (RIs) of Chinese children, as well as to make it possible to compare the variability of biochemical markers among countries internationally. METHODS: Healthy participants, aged up to 20 years, from 11 provinces across China, were enrolled in PRINCE and according to a standard screening procedure, that included a questionnaire survey, physical examinations and laboratory tests. Fasting venous blood specimens were collected. All serum specimens were analyzed with Cobas C702 in the center laboratory, i.e. clinical laboratory of Beijing Children's Hospital, with certified qualification (ISO15189). The nonparametric method recommended by Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines, was used to calculate the age- and sex-specified RIs. RESULTS: Among the 15,150 participants enrolled, 12,352 children (6,093 males and 6,259 females) were included to calculate RIs. The RIs for total protein, albumin, globulin, calcium, phosphate, potassium, sodium, chlorine, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transpeptadase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine and urea were established by age- or sex-partitions. Most biochemical markers displayed larger variability and higher dispersion during the periods between 28 days and 1 year old, and included 4-6 age partitions commonly during 1 to <20 years old. In addition, differences of RIs between sexes usually occurs around the initiation of puberty at 12-13 years old. CONCLUSIONS: The age- and sex-specified RIs of 14 biochemical markers in PRINCE study can provide a solid reference, which will be transferred into relevant RIs for other clinical laboratory's platforms according to the CLSI guidelines.

Chromogranin B in blood serum of patients with neuroendocrine tumors.

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms from cells of the diffuse neuroendocrine system. Chromogranin B (CgB) is an acidic protein of the granin family, which can be used to detect the tumours of neuroendocrine nature. Analysis of levels and evaluation of the diagnostic efficiency of CgB in the blood serum of patients with NETs of various localizations. Patients with NETs (n=121) without specific treatment were examined. In the study were presented next localizations: 74 - pancreas, 20 - stomach, 12 - large intestine, 15 - other localizations (lungs, mammary gland, prostate gland, NETs with unidentified primary). 54 practically healthy donors were examined as control group. The determination of CgB in blood serum was performed with ELISA method on BEP 2000 analyzer using a standardized test system Human Chromogranin B (USCN, China). CgB levels in common NET group (median 18.9 ng/mL) were statistically significantly higher than in the control group (8.8 ng/mL). The highest median was obtained in group of intestinal NETs (21.2 ng/ml), which exceeded the median of the control group by more than 2.4 times. According to ROC analysis in the common NET group relative to the control group, the area under the curve AUC was 0.88 (95% CI 0.83-0.929). According to cut-off level of CgB - 15.8 ng/ml, the diagnostic sensitivity was 69.4%, with a specificity of 96.3%. The highest diagnostic sensitivity was in the group of the intestinal NETs (75.0%) and pancreas (71.2%). The study showed the significance of CgB as a potential biochemical marker of NETs with various localizations, alternative to CgA.

Urinary exosomal microRNA-96-5p and microRNA-183-5p expression as potential biomarkers of bladder cancer.

Because of low sensitivity and specificity of the currently available urine biomarkers of bladder cancer (BC) detection and painful cystoscopy procedure. Our study aimed to evaluate expression of urinary exosomal miR-96-5p and miR-183-5p as probable non-invasive and accurate biomarkers for the diagnosis and follow up of BC. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction; expression of exosomal microRNA (miR)-96-5p and miR- 183-5p in the urine samples of 51 patients with BC, 21 patients with benign urinary bladder lesions and in 24 normal individuals as control group was done. Our study results showed higher expressions of both miR-96-5p and miR-183-5p in urine of BC patients in comparison with control group (P < 0.001 for each). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis showed that each microRNA had good sensitivity and specificity to differentiate BC from non-BC patients miR-96-5p 80.4% and 91.8% and miR-183-5p 78.4% and 81.6% respectively compared to cytology (37.3% and 100%). In addition, it was obvious that the sensitivity of combined miR-96-5p and miR-183-5p for the diagnosis of BC reached 88.2%% and specificity reached 87.8%, which were higher than each one alone. We also found that expression of miR-96-5p and miR-183-5p with high grade, and pathological stage was significantly increased. After surgery, collected urine samples showed significantly lower expression of miR-96-5p-: P < 0.001; and miR-183-5p: P = 0.002. In conclusion, urine miR-96-5p and miR-183-5p are promising tumor biomarkers of BC diagnosis; particularly, when they combined with each other or with urinary cytology.

Biochemical effects of intraoperative cell salvage and autotransfusion during cesarean section: A prospective pilot study.

AIM: Intraoperative cell salvage and autotransfusion (ICSA) is a useful technique for women undergoing cesarean sections who are predicted to experience significant bleeding. This method can reduce allogeneic transfusions as well as its associated risks and costs. Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is an abnormal maternal response to ICSA similar to the classic systemic inflammatory response syndrome, but its mechanism is not well understood. This study was conducted to investigate the biochemical aspects of AFE. METHODS: A prospective case-controlled pilot study was conducted in a general perinatal hospital in Japan. ICSA was performed using a two-step retransfusion process. Blood samples were collected presurgery, immediately postsurgery, and 24 h after surgery. Changes in sialyl Tn antigen (STN), complement C3 and C4, fibrinogen, and fibrin degradation product and D-dimer, C1 esterase inhibitor, and interleukin-8 (all considered AFE-related markers) activities were compared between patients who underwent cesarean sections with ICSA (ICSA group) versus without ICSA (control group). RESULTS: Fibrinogen levels were significantly lower in the ICSA group than in the control group before surgery but not immediately after or 24 h after surgery. D-dimer was significantly higher immediately after surgery but not 24 h later. STN was significantly lower only before surgery. None of the AFE-related markers showed significant differences between the groups after 24 h. No adverse events were observed in the ICSA group. CONCLUSIONS: There is no clinical evidence that ICSA alters the biochemical statuses of AFE-related markers in a manner that could lead to adverse maternal responses.

Biochemical predictors in presentations to the emergency department after a suicide attemp.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted with an aim to determine whether biochemical parameters could be used to identify the individuals at risk of suicide. METHODS: The experimental group consisted of a total of 46 patients that presented to the emergency department after a suicide attempt. 45 healthy individuals constituted the control group. All subjects were evaluated by using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSSI). All subjects were evaluated for leukocyte count, mean platelet volume (MPV), C-reactive protein (CRP), cholesterol, triglyceride levels and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). The Vitamin D levels of the subjects in the experimental group were also measured. RESULTS: The BAI (p < 0.01), BDI (p < 0.01), and BSSI (p < 0.01) scores of the two groups were significantly different. The two groups were also significantly different in terms of CRP (p < 0.01), cholesterol (p < 0.05), NLR (p < 0.01), MPV (p < 0.01), triglyceride (p < 0.01) and leukocyte (p < 0.01) results. The vitamin D levels of the experimental group were found to be below normal vitamin D levels. High CRP levels were found to be a predictor of anxiety symptoms, and MPV and triglyceride levels were found to be predictors of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: We believe that biochemical parameters can be used to identify people with increased suicide risk, and suicide rates can be reduced by ensuring that these patients receive mental health care in the early period (Tab. 5, Ref. 42).

Passiflora edulis Leaf Extract: Evidence of Antidiabetic and Antiplatelet Effects in Rats.

Different Passiflora species have been appointed as a promising herbal medicine due to antioxidant properties; however, their effect on oxidative process induced by diabetes is still controversial. We aimed to evaluate effects of hydroethanolic extract 70% from P. edulis leaf on biochemical blood markers, collagen glycation, production of oxidant species and platelet aggregation in diabetic rats. The phytochemical analysis of the extract was performed by dereplication using LC coupled to the Photodiode Array Detector and Mass Spectrometer detector. Male Wistar rats were assigned to the control group and groups treated with alloxan (150 mg/kg) intraperitoneally, extract (200 mg/kg/d, for 90 d) and combination of alloxan and extract. The phytochemical analysis suggested the presence of flavonoids C-glycosides in the extract. The diabetic animals treated with the extract presented improvement in glycaemic control, reduced glycation collagen, levels of non-high density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol, total cholesterol and creatinine, production of oxidant species and aggregation in platelet in relation to diabetic animals non-treated. Our results showed that P. edulis leaf extract presents a health benefit to the diabetic state, preventing the appearance of its complications. Its effect can be associated with flavonoids, among which is the flavonoid C-glycoside isoorientin.

Bone phenotypes in rheumatology - there is more to bone than just bone.

Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, all have one clear common denominator; an altered turnover of bone. However, this may be more complex than a simple change in bone matrix and mineral turnover. While these diseases share a common tissue axis, their manifestations in the area of pathology are highly diverse, ranging from sclerosis to erosion of bone in different regions. The management of these diseases will benefit from a deeper understanding of the local versus systemic effects, the relation to the equilibrium of the bone balance (i.e., bone formation versus bone resorption), and the physiological and pathophysiological phenotypes of the cells involved (e.g., osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteocytes and chondrocytes). For example, the process of endochondral bone formation in chondrocytes occurs exists during skeletal development and healthy conditions, but also in pathological conditions. This review focuses on the complex molecular and cellular taxonomy of bone in the context of rheumatological diseases that alter bone matrix composition and maintenance, giving rise to different bone turnover phenotypes, and how biomarkers (biochemical markers) can be applied to potentially describe specific bone phenotypic tissue profiles.

Effects of experimental periodontitis on the metabolic system in rats with diet-induced obesity (DIO): an analysis of serum biochemical parameters.

Recent studies have shown that periodontitis accelerates the progression of obesity-associated metabolic diseases. Thus, we examined the influence of periodontitis on serum biochemical parameters of metabolic disease in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) rat. First, we established the DIO model using ten male rats fed with either basal diet (lean group) or high-fat diet (DIO group) for 12 weeks. Second, to examine the interaction between periodontitis and obesity, we divided 24 DIO rats into the following four groups. (1) Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) group was applied with Pg around the maxillary first molar (M1). (2) Ligature group was applied with ligature placement around M1. (3) Ligature/Pg group was treated with both ligature placement and Pg. (4) Control was non-treatment group. Serum biochemical parameters and maxillary histopathology were evaluated at 12 weeks. The DIO model demonstrated significant increases in body weight, serum insulin, alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) levels, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) compared to the lean group. In the DIO ligature and ligature/Pg groups, alveolar bone resorption and inflammatory cell infiltration were significantly increased compared to the control. Serum levels of fasting glucose, lactate dehydrogenase, and uric acid were also significantly higher, while the liver damage markers ALT and aspartate aminotransferase were only higher in ligature/Pg group. However, we observed no significant differences between the Pg group and Control. The present study suggested a possibility that periodontitis induced by ligature placement changed serum metabolic parameter regarding organs such as the liver in DIO rat.

Association between hemostatic markers, serum lipid fractions and progression of cerebral small vessel disease: A 2-year follow-up study.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known if hemostatic markers and serum lipid fractions can predict further radiological progression beyond vascular risk factors in cerebral small vessel disease (SVD). We investigated whether they are associated with SVD radiological progression and if they are related to different SVD clinical manifestations. METHODS: A single-center, prospective, cohort study with 2 years of radiological follow-up was performed in consecutive patients with different SVD manifestations. The study group consisted of 123 patients: 49 with lacunar stroke (LS), 48 with vascular dementia (VaD) and 26 with vascular parkinsonism (VaP). We assessed SVD progression by a visual SVD scale. We determined the relationship between serum or plasma concentrations of tissue factor (TF), thrombomodulin, beta-thromboglobulin (BTG), fibrinogen, D-dimer and total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides and SVD progression by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: 34.9% patients had SVD radiological progression: 43% had isolated WMLs progression, 23.2% had new lacunes, 34.8% had both WMLs progression and new lacunes. Fibrinogen [OR 1.02 (95% CI 1.006-1.011] was significantly associated with risk of new lacunes or WMLs progression regardless of the clinical SVD manifestation. While low HDL [OR 0.96 (0.93-1)] and TF [OR 1.07 (0.99-1.1)] were marginally associated with new lacunes, BTG [OR 1.005 (0.99-1.01)] was associated with WMLs progression. CONCLUSION: We found a relationship between fibrinogen and risk of radiological progression of SVD regardless of the clinical SVD manifestation. In addition, lower HDL and increased TF predicted development of new lacunes, and higher BTG was associated with risk of WMLs progression.

[Automatic detection and clinical application of semen biochemical markers].

Human seminal plasma is rich in potential biological markers for male infertility and male reproductive system diseases, which have an application value in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility. The methods for the detection of semen biochemical markers have been developed from the manual, semi-automatic to the present automatic means. The automatic detection of semen biochemical markers is known for its advantages of simple reagent composition and small amount of reagents for each test, simple setting of parameters, whole automatic procedure with few errors, short detection time contributive to batch detection and reduction of manpower cost, simple calibration and quality control procedure to ensure accurate and reliable results, output of results in the order of the samples in favor of clinical diagnosis and treatment, and open reagents applicable to various automatic biochemistry analyzers. At present, the automatic method is applied in the detection of such semen biochemical markers as seminal plasma total and neutral alpha-glucosidase, acid phosphatase, fructose, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, zinc, citric acid, uric acid, superoxide dismutase and carnitine, sperm acrosin and lactate dehydrogenase C4, and semen free elastase, which can be used to evaluate the secretory functions of the epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate, sperm acrosome and energy metabolism function, seminal plasma antioxidative function, and infection or silent infection in the male genital tract.

Osteoarthritis Year in Review 2016: biomarkers (biochemical markers).

PURPOSE: The aim of this "Year in Review" article is to summarize and discuss the implications of biochemical marker related articles published between the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) 2015 Congress in Seattle and the OARSI 2016 Congress in Amsterdam. METHODS: The PubMed/MEDLINE bibliographic database was searched using the combined keywords: 'biomarker' and 'osteoarthritis'. The PubMed/MEDLINE literature search was conducted using the Advanced Search Builder function (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/advanced). RESULTS: Over two hundred new biomarker-related papers were published during the literature search period. Some papers identified new biomarkers whereas others explored the biological properties and clinical utility of existing markers. There were specific references to several adipocytokines including leptin and adiponectin. ADAM Metallopeptidase with Thrombospondin Type 1 motif 4 (ADAMTS-4) and aggrecan ARGS neo-epitope fragment (ARGS) in synovial fluid (SF) and plasma chemokine (CeC motif) ligand 3 (CCL3) were reported as potential new knee biomarkers. New and refined proteomic technologies and novel assays including a fluoro-microbead guiding chip (FMGC) for measuring C-telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II) in serum and urine and a novel magnetic nanoparticle-based technology (termed magnetic capture) for collecting and concentrating CTX-II, were described this past year. CONCLUSION: There has been steady progress in osteoarthritis (OA) biomarker research in 2016. Several novel biomarkers were identified and new technologies have been developed for measuring existing biomarkers. However, there has been no "quantum leap" this past year and identification of novel early OA biomarkers remains challenging. During the past year, OARSI published a set of recommendations for the use of soluble biomarkers in clinical trials, which is a major step forward in the clinical use of OA biomarkers and bodes well for future OA biomarker development.

Reference intervals for growth arrest-specific 6 protein in adults.

The objective of this study was to establish reference intervals for growth arrest-specific 6 (GAS6), a vitamin K-dependent protein, in human adult plasma according to the Guideline of Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) C28-A3. Blood samples were collected from 308 healthy volunteers aged 18-72 (157 female, 151 male). A non-parametric approach was used to calculate the reference interval. The plasma GAS6 reference interval was determined, with 90% confidence interval: the lower limit (2.5 percentile) was 2.5 (1.9-3.1) µg/L and the upper limit (97.5 percentile) = 18.8 (18.0-22.3) µg/L. Harris-Boyd's test did not suggest partitioning by age or gender: medians for males [7.8 (5.8-10.7) µg/L] and females [9.9 (7.1-13.5) µg/L]. Three age-subgroups were tested: 18-29 years (n = 168); 30-44 years (n = 73); 45-72 years (n = 67). The intra- and inter-assay variations were 12.6% (mean, 5.2 ± 0.7 µg/L) and 14.0% (mean, 9.2 ± 1.3 µg/L), respectively. The mean recovery was 104%. This study reports plasma GAS6 reference intervals established first according to the guideline of CLSI C28-A3.

Relationship between coping styles and lipid profile among public university staff.

BACKGROUND: The scarcity of data about coping styles with a biochemical marker namely lipid profile, potentially associated with cardiovascular risk factors is most striking among professionals working in public university. Hence, this research aimed to investigate the relationship between coping styles and lipid profile comprising total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), HDL-cholesterol (high density lipoprotein-cholesterol) and LDL-cholesterol (Low density lipoprotein-cholesterol) among this group of professionals. METHODS: A cross sectional survey was conducted among staff from a tertiary education centre. Subjects were contacted to ascertain their medical history. A total of 320 subjects were interviewed and 195 subjects were eligible and subsequently recruited on a suitable date for taking blood and administration of the questionnaires. The subjects completed questionnaires pertaining to demographic details and coping styles. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to measure the strength of association between lipid profile and coping styles. RESULTS: Majority of the subjects were non-academic staff (60.0%), female (67.2%), Malay (91.8%), married (52.3%) and educated until Diploma level (34.9%). Academic staff scored significantly higher mean scores in task-oriented coping styles (Mean = 64.12). Non-academic staff scored significantly higher mean scores in emotion (Mean = 48.05) and avoidance-oriented coping styles (Mean = 57.61). Malay subjects had significantly higher mean scores in emotion (Mean = 47.14) and avoidance-oriented coping styles (Mean = 55.23). Non-malay subjects (Mean = 66.00) attained significantly higher mean scores in task-oriented coping styles. Single/divorced/widowed individuals scored significantly higher mean scores in emotion (Mean = 48.13) and avoidance-oriented coping styles (Mean = 56.86). There was a significant negative correlation between TC (r = -0.162) and LDL (r = -0.168) with avoidance-oriented coping styles (p = 0.023, p = 0.019 respectively). CONCLUSION: Avoidance-oriented coping style was more likely to engender favourable lipid profile. Hence, assessment of coping styles would certainly assist health care practitioners in predicting subjects who would be at a greater risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

A prospective pilot study on serum cleaved tau protein as a neurological marker in severe traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: Neurotrauma has been labelled as a "silent epidemic" affecting both the developed and the developing nations. To date, no single brain-specific biomarker has been unanimously accepted for routine clinical use in TBI. Our study aims to determine the correlation of "cleaved-tau protein" in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at the time of admission, mode of injury, CT findings and outcome at discharge. METHODS: The study has been approved by the institutional ethical committee. 40 cases with severe TBI and 40 randomly selected healthy controls were included in this prospective study. Venous blood samples were collected and serum cleaved tau protein levels were measured and correlated with gender, mode of injury, CT findings GCS score and GOS score at discharge. RESULTS: In the severe TBI group, the mean serum cleaved tau protein levels in males were 91.65 ± 41.34 pg/ml (mean ± S.D.), and females were 104.43 ± 53.08 pg/ml (mean ± S.D.), (p = 0.27). Mean serum C-tau level in study group was 95.48 ± 44.87 pg/ml (range 36.44-192.34), 95% C.I. (81.13-109.83) and in controls was 33.82 ± 13.65 pg/ml (range 2.48-66.54), 95% C.I. (29.46-38.19) (p < 0.001). The distribution of serum C-tau was in severe TBI group varied in all categories of GCS at 0th day (p < 0.001). Serum cleaved tau protein levels in the good outcome group were 74.26 ± 25.43 pg/ml (mean ± S.D.), range 36.44-144.54, 95% C.I. (63.52-85.00) and the poor-outcome group were 127.32 ± 49.40 pg/ml, range 66.65-192.34, 95% C.I. (100.99-153.64) (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: In severe TBI, serum cleaved tau protein levels were significantly higher as compared to the controls in this prospective study. However, results of this study are preliminary in nature and there is a need to undertake larger prospective studies to reach a definitive conclusion.

Protein degradation fragments as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of connective tissue diseases: understanding the extracellular matrix message and implication for current and future serological biomarkers.

The aim of this review is to discuss the potential usefulness of novel biochemical markers of connective tissues: neo-epitopes of extracellular matrix proteins generated by post-translational modifications by tissue proteinases. As each modification results from a specific local physiological or pathobiological process, the identification of specific proteinase-mediated cleavage products of tissue-specific proteins may produce a unique disease-specific biochemical marker. The authors present a novel interpretation of the process of tissue degradation described by neo-epitope fragments of the interstitial and basement membrane matrix in fibrotic disease, and the diagnostic and prognostic potential of such markers. Moreover, the authors highlight the importance of matrix protein fragments not only as markers of tissue remodeling, but also as players in tissue remodeling, due to their signaling properties.