Serum Iron and Free Hemoglobin Concentrations in Patients with Acute Ischemia Stroke

A number of evidences suggest that during ischemic stroke, serum iron and hemoglobin (Hb) levels are changed. Yet, there are few reports in the literature related to this issue and resolution of this mechanism requires further experiments. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential role of serum iron and hemoglobin levels as a  biomarker in diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke.  The sample size was  60 ischemic  stroke patients who were admitted to the Rouhhani hospital in Babol, with 60 healthy volunteers selected as control group. Clinical evaluation consisted of complete medical history and physical examination and neuro-imaging's  studies. Sampling strategy was  based on clinical characteristics, including age, gender, and history of diseases. Laboratory measurements were performed in the department of clinical biochemistry. Serum iron and plasma hemoglobin levels were measured by standard kit of iron and hemoglobin ELISA Kit, as of the manufactures' manual. Data were analyzed through statistical software SPSS version 22. The mean level of serum iron and hemoglobin in patients with acute ischemic stroke were higher than those in control group (P<0.05). However, there was no relation between these biomarkers and age and gender of subjects (P>0.05). Our results reinforce the possibility of serum iron and hemoglobin as biomarker in diagnosis of ischemic stroke patients

Serum Irisin level in patients undergoing different Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease

Background: Irisin is a myokine that regulates energy metabolism by inducing browning of adipose tissue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between irisin level and biochemical parameters of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients in stage 2 and stage 4. Methods: The research was a cross-sectional study; the study population included patients with CKD who were over 18 years of age, included 90 individuals with CKD, of these participants, 45 were in the second stage of the CKD while the other 45 subjects were in the fourth stage. Serum irisin concentration plus the level of glucose (Glu), urea, creatinine (Cr) and hemoglobin (Hb) were measured. Results: In the present study, the serum irisin level of patients in stage 4 was significantly reduced (13.00 ng / ml) compared with patients in stage 2(21.41 ng / ml). Conclusion: With the progression of CKD from stage 2 to stage 4, parameters such as serum Cr, TG, LDL, FBS, BUN and urea levels significantly increased. Inversely, factors such as irisin, GFR, Alb, HDL and Hb levels significantly decreased. These findings suggest that irisin may be involved in the regulation of biochemical factor levels in CKD patients through the progression from stage 2 to stage 4

Determination of plasma transcobalamin-II and zinc levels in newly-diagnosed and long-standing grand mal epileptic patients

Background: The changes of plasma transcobalamin-II (TCII) and Zinc (Zn) Levels in epileptic patients are not clearly understood. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the plasma contents of TCII and Zn levels in newly–diagnosed epileptic seizure patients, long-standing grand mal epileptic patients following treatment with sodium valproate and healthy control group. Methods: Thirty patients aged 36.76±12.91 years with newly–diagnosed and thirty long-standing grand mal epileptic patients aged 35.56 ±12.77 years were diagnosed based on the clinical symptoms. The control subjects were picked out from healthy individuals and matched to the patients, aged 36.30 ±12.80 years. Plasma Zn and TCN-2 was evaluated via spectrophotometry at 546 nm and 450 nm, respectively, using chimerical kits. Results: Plasma level of TCII in the newly–diagnosed epileptic seizures patients and long-standing grand mal epileptic patients were significantly increased, compared to the healthy controls 14.89 ±3.24 and 21.84± 2.73 vs. 9.55±1.24, (n=30), respectively. Plasma level of Zn was decreased in the newly–diagnosed epileptic seizure patients, while it was increased in long-standing grand mal epileptic patients compared to the control group 69.28± 6.41 and 80.56 ±6.12 and vs.75.80±1.59, (n=30), respectively. Conclusion: This study suggests that sodium valproate may disrupt the homeostatic balance of TCII and Zn, and cause abnormality of their serum level in newly–diagnosed epileptic seizure patients and long-standing grand mal epileptic patients. Further research is recommended to identify the underpinning for these changes. &#160

Tracing the success of scaling and root planning (SRP) in patients with chronic periodontitis by salivary nitric oxide

Introduction: Salivary biomarkers may elucidate orodental inflammatory processes. Nitric oxide (NO) may help us to diagnose such changes. Methods: In this case-control study, all referral patients diagnosed with 130% sites were enrolled as generalized mild to moderate periodontitis group (PG). All PG and healthy control group (CG)’ individuals underwent scaling and root planning (SRP). The periodontal indices were recorded at baseline (day0) in both PG and CG, in addition to 14 days after SRP (day 14) : salivary nitric oxide level on same occasions also recorded. Results: Twenty seven individuals were enrolled as PG and 17 individuals were assessed in CG. All indices were improved with SRP after 14 days. Except for NO, none of the periodontal indices subsided to the normal values of CG. Conclusions: Nitric oxide is a sensitive biomarker in tracing periodontal inflammation

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Relationship between serum hyaluronic acid level and stage of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis

Article retraction: Ana-Maria Simundic. Parsian H et al. Relationship between serum hyaluronic acid level and stage of liver fi brosis in patients with chronic hepatitis. Biochem Med 2009;19:154-65. Biochemia Medica 2012;22(2):259. Editor-in-chief Biochemia Medica The above stated article has been retracted from the Biochemia Medica Journal. It has been recently brought to the Editor-in-chief’s attention by Monica Acalovschi, who is the Editor-in-chief of the Journal Gastrointestinal Liver Diseases that Hadi Parsian has since 2009 published three articles with close similarities: Parsian H, Rahimipour A, Nouri M, Somi MH, Qujeq D, Fard MK, Agcheli K. Serum hyaluronic acid and laminin as biomarkers in liver fibrosis. J Gastrointestin Liver Dis. 2010;19(2):169-74. Parsian H, Rahimipour A, Nouri M, Somi MH, Qujeq D. Assessment of liver fibrosis development in chronic hepatitis B patients by serum hyaluronic acid and laminin levels. Acta Clin Croat. 2010;49(3):257-65. Parsian H et al. Relationship between serum hyaluronic acid level and stage of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis. Biochemia Medica 2009;19(2):154-65. Authors have submitted their work to Biochemia Medica along with a cover letter clearly stating that their manuscript is original, has not been published before and is not currently being considered for publication elsewhere. Unfortunately, after thourough investigation we conclude that all three published articles have close similarities and high degree of homology. They originate from the same investigation, they report same results on the same patients. This is considered as self-plagiarism and serious publication misconduct. Article published in the Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases in June 2010, has been retracted this March. Due to the above stated reasons, we therefore retract the article published in Biochemia Medica. The authors have been informed about the reasons for the retraction decision

MicroRNAs and Periodontal Disease: Helpful Therapeutic Targets?

Periodontal disease is the most common oral disease. This disease can be considered as an inflammatory disease. The immune response to bacteria accumulated in the gum line plays a key role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. In addition to immune cells, periodontal ligament cells and gingival epithelial cells are also involved in the pathogenesis of this disease. miRNAs which are small RNA molecules with around 22 nucleotides have a considerable relationship with the immune system affecting a wide range of immunological events. These small molecules are also in relation with periodontium tissues especially periodontal ligament cells. Extensive studies have been performed in recent years on the role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. In this review paper, we have reviewed the results of these studies and discussed the role of miRNAs in the immunopathogenesis of periodontal disease comprehensively. miRNAs play an important role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease and maybe helpful therapeutic targets for the treatment of periodontal disease