Serum cystatin C, urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase in juvenile and adult patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: Correlation with clinical manifestations, disease activity and damage

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a potentially devastating outcome of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is important to identify reliable, non-invasive methods to assess the kidneys in patients with SLE. The aim of the study was to measure the level of novel markers of renal involvement in these patients and assess their correlation with disease activity and damage. Sixtyone patients with SLE (33 adults and 28 juvenile) were included in the study. Fifty-two ageand sex-matched healthy individuals served as controls. Full history taking, thorough clinical examination and laboratory investigations were performed and disease activity and damage were assessed for all patients. Renal bio-markers including serum cystatin C, urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (UNGAL) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (UNAG) were assessed in patients and controls. There was a significant increase in serum cystatin C, UNGAL and UNAG levels in the adult SLE patients compared with controls (P = 0.000, P = 0.013 and P = 0.018, respectively); serum cystatin C and UNGAL levels were higher in the juvenile patients compared with controls (P = 0.038 and P = 0.000, respectively). Serum cystatin C significantly correlated with the damage index, renal biopsy class and negatively with the serum albumin; UNGAL correlated with albuminuria and the level of nephritis and UNAG negatively correlated with serum albumin level. Our study suggests that serum cystatin C, UNGAL and UNAG are important markers of LN and both cystatin C and UNAG would help in predicting the renal biopsy class.

Potential Role of New Anthropometric Parameters in Childhood Obesity with or Without Metabolic Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Obese children and adolescents are more prone to have metabolic syndrome (MS).MS is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors associated with insulin resistance. Body round index [BRI], visceral adiposity index [VAI] and a body shape index [ABSI] are among the new obesity anthropometric parameters.

AIM

To evaluate the new markers for obesity in children and their possible association with other laboratory and clinical variables of MS.

METHODS

Eighty nine obese children and 40 controls aged 10-18 years were recruited. Full history taking, thorough clinical examination, anthropometric and biochemical features were performed in the studied groups. Subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) and visceral fat thickness (VFT) were estimated by ultrasonography.

RESULTS

Obese children, exhibited significantly higher values in all anthropometric measurements (P < 0.001). Diastolic and systolic blood pressure were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the obese group. ABSI, BRI and VAI have been found to be significantly higher in obese subjects (P < 0.001), with no significant gender difference. BMI, WHtR, WC/HR, SBP, DBP, subcutaneous fat thickness and visceral fat thickness, Liver Span, ABSI, BRI, VAI and HOMA_IR were significantly higher among children with MS than those without MS. Positive significant correlations of VAI with BMI, WC/Ht, WC/Hip, SBP, DBP, SFT, VFT, Liver size and HOMA-IR (r = 0.384, 0.239, 0.268, 0.329, 0.516, 0.320, 0.254, 0.251, and 0.278 respectively) are shown. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of BMI, VAI, ABSI, BRI for predicting MS was 0.802 (0.701-0.902), 0.737 (0.33-0.841), 0.737 (0.620-0.855), 0.816 (0.698-0.934).

CONCLUSION

We suggest using the VAI and WHtR indexes, as they are better predictor of MS.

Life cycle assessment of energy self-sufficiency systems based on agricultural residues for organic arable farms

The agricultural industry today consumes large amounts of fossil fuels. This study used consequential life cycle assessment (LCA) to analyse two potential energy self-sufficient systems for organic arable farms, based on agricultural residues. The analysis focused on energy balance, resource use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A scenario based on straw was found to require straw harvest from 25% of the farm area; 45% of the total energy produced from the straw was required for energy carrier production and GHG emissions were reduced by 9% compared with a fossil fuel-based reference scenario. In a scenario based on anaerobic digestion of ley, the corresponding figures were 13%, 24% and 35%. The final result was sensitive to assumptions regarding, e.g., soil carbon content and handling of by-products.

MiR-375: it could be a general biomarker of metabolic changes and inflammation in type 1 diabetes patients and their siblings

PURPOSE

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic autoimmune illness that results in loss of pancreatic beta cells and insulin insufficiency. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are linked to immune system functions contributing to the pathophysiology of T1D, miRNA-375 is significantly expressed in the human pancreas and its circulatory levels might correspond to beta cell alterations. Pancreatic islet cell antibodies (ICA) and Glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADA) have roles in autoimmune pathogenesis and are predictive markers of T1D. The aim of this work was to detect serum level changes of miRNA-375, ICA, and GADA in T1D patients, and their siblings compared to healthy controls and correlate them with T1D biochemical parameters.

METHODS

The study included 66 T1D patients (32 males and 34 females; age range 3-18 years), 22 patients' siblings (13 males and 9 females; age range 4-17 years), and 23 healthy controls (7 males and 16 females; age range 4-17 years). MiRNA-375 levels were measured using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), while ICA and GADA levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data analysis was done utilizing SPSS-17 software.

RESULTS

MiR-375 levels were downregulated in T1D patients and further decreased in their siblings when compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, miR-375 exhibited inverse correlations with HbA1c levels but no correlations with Total Insulin Dose, disease duration, or autoantibodies (GADA & ICA).

CONCLUSION

Our study indicates that miR-375 is significantly downregulated in children with T1D and their siblings, suggesting its potential role as a biomarker for beta-cell function and glycemic control.