MicroRNA-21 and MicroRNA-125b expression in skin tissue and serum as predictive biomarkers for psoriasis

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory, and hyperproliferative skin disease. We have investigated the role of miR-21 and miR-125b in the development of psoriasis and atopic eczema and their relation with the severity of the diseases.

METHODS

Participants included 40 psoriasis patients, 40 healthy controls, and 40 atopic eczema patients as a positive control group. In addition, analysis of mRNA expression of miR-125b and miR-21 was carried out utilizing quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in serum samples and skin tissue.

RESULTS

Our results have demonstrated that miR-21 was significantly overexpressed in the psoriatic and atopic eczema skin tissue and serum samples compared to controls, whereas miR-125b was significantly down-expressed in psoriatic and atopic eczema skin tissues and serum samples. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score and miR-21 among the studied groups in both serum and tissue samples. In contrast, there was a statistically significant negative association between the miR-125b and PASI score. On the other hand, there was no significant relation between the extent of body surface area (BSA), intensity, and subjective symptoms using visual analog scale (VAS) of atopic eczema disease and miRNA-21 and miRNA-125b in both tissue and serum.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, miR-21 gene expression was significantly increased in psoriatic and atopic eczema skin samples and serum samples, whereas miR-125b was statistically lowered in psoriatic and atopic eczema patient samples. The miR-21 and miR-125b expression level has a possible predictive value as a marker for psoriasis severity but not for atopic eczema severity.

Infliximab abrogates adenine-induced chronic kidney disease via modulation of the MAPK/JNK/ASK signaling pathway in rats

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a prominent cause of death worldwide. Infliximab is one of the anti-TNF-α; herein, we studied the effect of infliximab on adenine-induced CKD. To inspect the role of infliximab, either ameliorative or curative, on CDK induced with adenine. Thirty Wistar albino rats were separated into five groups of 6 rats' each: rats of group Ι were kept as control given saline, rats of group II were treated with infliximab (5 mg/kg, i.p.) for 5 weeks, rats of group ΙΙΙ (the diseased group) had an adenine containing diet (0.25% W/W in feed) for 5 weeks, rats of group ΙV (the ameliorative group) had an adenine-containing diet and infliximab (5 mg/kg, i.p.) for 5 weeks simultaneously, and rats of group V (the curative group) had adenine containing diet then a single dose of infliximab (5 mg/kg, i.p.) was given in the 6th week. Infliximab treatment revealed a decrease in the plasma levels of urea, creatinine, NGAL, and MDA with a substantial increase in TAC. Also, inflammatory mediators such as IL-6 and NF-κB were significantly decreased with the down-regulation of the ASK1/MAPK/JNK pathway. Caspase 3 was downregulated. Also, infliximab treatment exhibited improvement in the histological and immunohistochemical kidney changes. Through its involvement in reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, infliximab has an ameliorative and curative effect on CKD induced with adenine.

The protective effect of allium cepa against ethylene glycol-induced kidney stones in rats

1Background

Kidney stones is one of the serious medical conditions affecting populations worldwide. So, we aimed in this study to investigate the protective effect of allium cepa administration against KSD.

2Methods

24 adult male albino rats were assigned into 3 groups; group I: control group; group II: received ethylene glycol (EG) in the drinking water for 4 weeks; and group III received EG in the drinking water plus freshly prepared allium cepa extract (ACE) for 4 weeks. Renal function tests and urine analysis were done. Tissue oxidative stress markers (SOD and MDA) were assessed, and kidney expression of SIRT-1, Beclin, LC3, osteopontin, and Regucalcin were measured by RT-qPCR. Histopathological assessment and immunohistochemistry for Bax, Beclin-1 and TNF-α were performed.

3Results

There was a significant improved kidney function tests in the ACE received group compared to EG group (P < 0.001). The present study showed less stones formation and apoptosis with decreased osteopontin and autophagy genes expression in the ACE received group compared to EG group (P < 0.001). While, regucalcin and SIRT-1 genes showed higher expression in the former group than the later group (P < 0.001).

4 Conclusion

Alium Cepa extract administration has a significant protective effect against kidney stones formation.

The possible ameliorative role of Lycopene on Tributyltin induced thyroid damage in adult male albino rats (histological, immunohistochemical and biochemical study)

Tributyltin is used in industrial applications. This current research aimed to study the effect of Tributyltin on the thyroid gland structure and function of adult male albino rats and the protective effect of Lycopene. Twenty-one male adult albino rats were classified into three groups: Control, treated that received Tributyltin, and protective that received Lycopene with Tributyltin. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected and T4, T3, and (TSH) were measured. Tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were estimated. Thyroid gland specimens were processed for histological and immunohistochemical examination. Then morphometric and statistical analyses were done. The treated group showed affection in thyroid function and histological structure as vacuolated colloid and cytoplasm and dark nuclei. Ultrastructurally, follicular cells showed irregular shrunken nuclei, atrophied apical microvilli, vacuoles, multiple lysosomal granules, mitochondria with destructed cristae, and extensively dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum. There was increase in Caspase-3 immunoexpression and decrease in Beclin-1 immunoexpression. The thyroid structure and biochemical markers improved after Lycopene administration. The thyroid gland damage caused by Tributyltin is ameliorated by Lycopene.

Role of Circ-ITCH Gene Polymorphisms and Its Expression in Breast Cancer Susceptibility and Prognosis

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE

Breast cancer (BC) is the first leading cause of cancer-related mortality in females worldwide. We have investigated the correlation between circ-ITCH gene polymorphisms, circ-ITCH expression, and their effect on β-catenin levels and BC development.

METHODS

Participants included 62 BC and 62 controls matched in terms of age. The circ-ITCH polymorphisms rs10485505 and rs4911154 were genotyped using whole blood samples. In addition, mRNA expression analysis of circ-ITCH was performed on BC tissues. The β-catenin levels in serum samples were measured using ELISA.

RESULTS

The qRT-PCR results demonstrated that circ-ITCH was significantly downregulated in BC compared to normal healthy tissues. The genotype distribution of rs10485505 and rs4911154 were significantly associated with BC risk. For rs10485505, genotype CT and TT were significantly associated with an increased BC risk. In contrast, there was a significant association between rs4911154, genotypes GA and AA, and an increased BC risk. Regarding the rs10485505 genotype, carriers of the T allele frequently have a poor prognosis compared to carriers of the CC genotype. Serum β-catenin in the BC patients' group was significantly higher than in the control group. The relative expression levels of circ-ITCH were remarkably decreased in the BC samples of patients carrying the A allele at rs4911154 compared to patients with a GG genotype. Conversely, β-catenin protein levels were increased in patients carrying the A allele, while rs10485505 genotype carriers of the CT and TT genotypes showed downregulation of circ-ITCH expression fold compared to the CC genotype. Contrarily, β-catenin levels markedly increased in TT and CT genotypes compared with the CC genotype.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research showed that the rs10485505 polymorphism (T allele) and the rs4911154 polymorphism (A allele) are associated with the risk and prognosis of BC. This finding may be due to the effect on the level of circ-ITCH mRNA expression in BC tissues as well as the level of β-catenin in BC patients.

Evaluation of miRNA-21 and CA-125 as a promising diagnostic biomarker in patients with ovarian cancer

Introduction/objective

Ovarian cancer is the 6th leading cause of mortality in women, killing more women than any other reproductive system cancer. We studied the expression of serum micro-ribonucleic acid-21 (miRNA-21) in ovarian cancer patients and explored associations with diagnosis, clinicopathological parameters, and prognosis.

Methods

Real-time fluorescence-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to examine the relative expression of miRNA-21 in serum. Cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) levels were measured using an enzyme immunoassay test kit (ELISA).

Results

Serum miR-21 expression was significantly elevated in ovarian cancer patients compared to controls (p < 0.001). The same was true for CA-125 serum levels, which were also significantly in cancer patients (p < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of miR-21 detection in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer were 96%, 88% versus 74%, and 80% for CA-125.

Conclusions

miR-21 is highly expressed in the serum of ovarian cancer patients and may be important in the development and progression of ovarian cancer, with more sensitivity and specificity than CA-125. Our results suggest that circulating serum miRNA-21 is a promising tumor marker for use in the diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian cancer.

Ghrelin polymorphism/TRPV1 receptor expression in Egyptian IBS patients

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE

Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional gastrointestinal disorder. Ghrelin is a peptide hormone which affects gastrointestinal motility. We have studied the association between ghrelin gene polymorphism, ghrelin expression, and their effect on TRPV1 correlating this with IBS manifestations in the Egyptian patients.

METHODS

Participants included 60 IBS patients meeting the Rome III criteria and 60 controls similar in age and gender were recruited. Whole blood samples were used for genotyping of Ghrelin polymorphisms rs696217. Colonic biopsies were processed for mRNA expression analysis of ghrelin and TRPV1.

RESULTS

The rs696217 GG genotype frequency was higher in patients (78.3%) compared to controls (57%). According to GT\TT genotype there was significant difference between IBS and control group: 21.7%, 43% respectively (p = 0.0126). In allele frequency distribution, G allele in the IBS group was 87.5% while in the control group was 74%.T allele presents in 12.5% of IBS patients and 26% in the control group (p = 0.010). The genotype frequencies did not significantly differ between IBS subtypes. TRPV1 mRNA levels in were significantly increased in IBS patients than in controls (p < 0.05), while GHRL mRNA expression was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The IBS-C group showed significantly higher levels of TRPV1 and lower levels of GHRL mRNA expression (p < 0.05) CONCLUSIONS: we showed that ghrelin rs696217 might have a role in IBS, as those patients carrying the GG genotype showed a significant decrease in ghrelin mRNA expression, with a subsequent significant increase in TRPV1 gene expression, and could explain some of the IBS manifestations.

The ESC ACCA EAPCI EORP acute coronary syndrome ST-elevation myocardial infarction registry

Aims 

The Acute Cardiac Care Association (ACCA)–European Association of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (EAPCI) Registry on ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) of the EurObservational programme (EORP) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) registry aimed to determine the current state of the use of reperfusion therapy in ESC member and ESC affiliated countries and the adherence to ESC STEMI guidelines in patients with STEMI.

Methods and results 

Between 1 January 2015 and 31 March 2018, a total of 11 462 patients admitted with an initial diagnosis of STEMI according to the 2012 ESC STEMI guidelines were enrolled. Individual patient data were collected across 196 centres and 29 countries. Among the centres, there were 136 percutaneous coronary intervention centres and 91 with cardiac surgery on-site. The majority of centres (129/196) were part of a STEMI network. The main objective of this study was to describe the demographic, clinical, and angiographic characteristics of patients with STEMI. Other objectives include to assess management patterns and in particular the current use of reperfusion therapies and to evaluate how recommendations of most recent STEMI European guidelines regarding reperfusion therapies and adjunctive pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments are adopted in clinical practice and how their application can impact on patients’ outcomes. Patients will be followed for 1 year after admission.

Conclusion 

The ESC ACCA-EAPCI EORP ACS STEMI registry is an international registry of care and outcomes of patients hospitalized with STEMI. It will provide insights into the contemporary patient profile, management patterns, and 1-year outcome of patients with STEMI.

Ferromagnetic glass-coated microwires with good heating properties for magnetic hyperthermia

The heating properties of Fe_71.7Si₁₁B_13.4Nb₃Ni_0.9 amorphous glass-coated microwires are explored for prospective applications in magnetic hyperthermia. We show that a single 5 mm long wire is able to produce a sufficient amount of heat, with the specific loss power (SLP) reaching a value as high as 521 W/g for an AC field of 700 Oe and a frequency of 310 kHz. The large SLP is attributed to the rectangular hysteresis loop resulting from a peculiar domain structure of the microwire. For an array of parallel microwires, we have observed an SLP improvement by one order of magnitude; 950 W/g for an AC field of 700 Oe. The magnetostatic interaction strength essential in the array of wires can be manipulated by varying the distance between the wires, showing a decreasing trend in SLP with increasing wire separation. The largest SLP is obtained when the wires are aligned along the direction of the AC field. The origin of the large SLP and relevant heating mechanisms are discussed.

The use of the LARS artificial ligament to augment a short or undersized ACL hamstrings tendon graft

The aim of this study is to evaluate the midterm results of using Ligament Advanced Reinforcement System (LARS) artificial ligament for augmentation of the short (<15 cm length) and small-sized (3-4 mm) diameter for the gracilis and (4-5 mm) for the semitendinosus harvested hamstring tendons in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, and to assess the knee stability, patient satisfaction and early- and midterm complications following surgery. A total of 112 patients were included in this study and were operated with arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using (augmented hamstring tendon graft with LARS) between January 2004 and December 2006. Assessment before and after the surgery include the history, clinical examination, modified international knee documentation committee score (IKDC), KT1000 measurements for clinical knee stability and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) for patient satisfaction. Clinical results measured by IKDC evaluation, KT1000 and Lysholm scores showed significant postoperative values compared with the preoperative ones. Our findings suggest that at the end of a 5-year follow-up, augmented hamstring tendon graft with LARS artificial ligament is a useful, safe and satisfactory treatment option for ACL reconstruction in deficient knees with short- and small-sized harvested hamstring tendons, especially when an early return to high levels of sport activity is needed.

Performance of ultrasound as a second line test to serum CA125 in ovarian cancer screening

OBJECTIVE

To assess the performance of ultrasonography in a multimodal ovarian cancer screening strategy.

DESIGN

Prospective ovarian cancer screening trial between December 1986 and June 1993.

SETTING

General practice, occupational health departments and an ovarian cancer screening clinic at a London teaching hospital.

POPULATION

Postmenopausal women, > or = 45 years with a raised CA125.

METHODS

Volunteers with a CA125 > or = 30 U/mL underwent a pelvic ultrasound. Scans were classified as normal, abnormal (ovarian volume > or = 8.8 mL) or equivocal (normal volume with abnormal morphology). Abnormal ovarian morphology was subclassified as simple cyst (single, thin walled cyst with no septa or papillary projections) or complex (all other abnormalities). Volunteers with abnormal scans were referred for a gynaecological opinion. Follow up was via the cancer registry and postal questionnaires.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of different ultrasound criteria for detection of index cancer (e.g. primary invasive epithelial carcinoma of the ovary and fallopian tube).

RESULTS

Seven hundred and forty-one women underwent 1,219 scans and 20 index cancers occurred during a median follow up of 6 x 8 years. The sensitivity for detection of ovarian cancer of different ultrasound criteria was 100% for abnormal morphology, 89 x 5% for abnormal volume and 84% for complex morphology. The highest specificity (97%) and positive predictive value (37 x 2%) was achieved using complex morphology.

CONCLUSION

A variety of ultrasound criteria can achieve high sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value for index cancers in postmenopausal women with an elevated CA125. Use of ovarian morphology to interpret ultrasound may increase sensitivity and use of complex ovarian morphology may increase the positive predictive value.

Ultrasound assessment of ovarian cancer risk in postmenopausal women with CA125 elevation

We have previously shown that, in asymptomatic post-menopausal women, serum CA125 elevation is associated with a 36-fold increase in risk of ovarian cancer. This study was undertaken to assess the value of pelvic ultrasound for further stratification of ovarian cancer risk. Of 22,000 post-menopausal women, aged > or = 45 participating in an Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial, 741 with a CA125 > or = 30 U ml(-1) underwent pelvic ultrasonography. Twenty index cancers (primary invasive epithelial carcinomas of the ovary and fallopian tube) were diagnosed amongst these 741 women during a median follow-up of 6.8 years. Ultrasound results separated the women with CA125 elevation into two groups. Those with normal ovarian morphology had a cumulative risk (CR) of index cancer of 0.15% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.02-1.12) which is similar to that of the entire population of 22,000 women (0.22%, 95% CI 0.18-0.30). In contrast, women with abnormal ovarian morphology had a CR of 24% (15-37) and a significantly increased relative risk (RR) of 327 (156-683). Ultrasound can effectively separate post-menopausal women with raised CA125 levels into those with normal scan findings who are not at increased risk of index cancer and those with abnormal findings who are at substantially increased risk of index cancer.

Multidisciplinary management of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The continuing poor prognosis for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma drives a search for new adjuvant therapies. Targeted locoregional immuno-chemotherapy is one of the most promising.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 1990 to 1996, 193 patients who were not eligible for liver resection were treated in a prospective randomized study. Ninety-one patients received locoregional targeted chemotherapy only via an arterial catheter (Group A), and 102 received combined locoregional immuno-chemotherapy via two arterial catheters (Group B).

RESULTS

Overall survival was significantly different (10.2 months vs 22.3 months), favoring Group B. Complications and side effects of treatment were minimal in Group B and easily handled. Even in Group A, side effects were less severe than effects normally associated with systemic chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Even though the current prognosis for patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma remains poor, targeted locoregional immuno-chemotherapy has proven to be of benefit in terms of quality of life and survival.