Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, cystatin C and matrix metalloproteinase-9 as possible biomarkers in early detection of acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery

Introduction: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) often occurs after open heart surgery. Today, serum creatinine is used as an indicator for identifying AKI; however, creatinine is unreliable due to delay in its elevation. Therefore, more reliable markers are required for early diagnosis of AKI. Aim: To measure the changes in Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) and Cystatin C (Cys C) levels and Matrix Metallo Proteinase 9 (MMP-9) activity in serum of patients who underwent cardiac surgery. Materials and Methods: The present descriptive study was conducted from September to October 2015 among patients referred to Cardiovascular Surgery Center at Shahid Modarres Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Urine and serum sample from 29 candidates for cardiac surgery were collected at 6 and 12 hours after surgery. On the basis of increase in serum creatinine, the patients were divided into two groups; AKI and control group. AKI group had at least 50 increase in serum creatinine; those with less than 50 increase were considered as control group. Urine NGAL and Cys C concentrations were measured using ELISA; MMP-9 activity was determined using gel zymography. Results: The results showed an increase in Cys C concentration in AKI group compared to control group after 6 and 12 hours of surgery. The comparison of Cys C concentration in AKI group between 6 and 12 hours after surgery showed no significant difference. The comparison of NGAL at 12 hours after surgery between control and AKI groups showed no significant difference. The MMP-9 activity showed a decreasing trend in AKI group compared to control group at 12 hours after surgery. Decrease in MMP-9 activity in AKI group at 6 hours after surgery was statistically different from after 12 hours of surgery. Conclusion: Present results provide evidence that Cys C and MMP-9 can be better reliable markers for early detection of AKI as compared to serum creatinine, after cardiac surgery. NGAL did not show higher sensitivity compared to creatinine in these patients. Therefore, Cys C and MMP-9 can be suggested as biomarkers for early detection of AKI after cardiac surgery. © 2018, Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. All rights reserved

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, cystatin C and matrix metalloproteinase-9 as possible biomarkers in early detection of acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery

Introduction: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) often occurs after open heart surgery. Today, serum creatinine is used as an indicator for identifying AKI; however, creatinine is unreliable due to delay in its elevation. Therefore, more reliable markers are required for early diagnosis of AKI. Aim: To measure the changes in Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) and Cystatin C (Cys C) levels and Matrix Metallo Proteinase 9 (MMP-9) activity in serum of patients who underwent cardiac surgery. Materials and Methods: The present descriptive study was conducted from September to October 2015 among patients referred to Cardiovascular Surgery Center at Shahid Modarres Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Urine and serum sample from 29 candidates for cardiac surgery were collected at 6 and 12 hours after surgery. On the basis of increase in serum creatinine, the patients were divided into two groups; AKI and control group. AKI group had at least 50 increase in serum creatinine; those with less than 50 increase were considered as control group. Urine NGAL and Cys C concentrations were measured using ELISA; MMP-9 activity was determined using gel zymography. Results: The results showed an increase in Cys C concentration in AKI group compared to control group after 6 and 12 hours of surgery. The comparison of Cys C concentration in AKI group between 6 and 12 hours after surgery showed no significant difference. The comparison of NGAL at 12 hours after surgery between control and AKI groups showed no significant difference. The MMP-9 activity showed a decreasing trend in AKI group compared to control group at 12 hours after surgery. Decrease in MMP-9 activity in AKI group at 6 hours after surgery was statistically different from after 12 hours of surgery. Conclusion: Present results provide evidence that Cys C and MMP-9 can be better reliable markers for early detection of AKI as compared to serum creatinine, after cardiac surgery. NGAL did not show higher sensitivity compared to creatinine in these patients. Therefore, Cys C and MMP-9 can be suggested as biomarkers for early detection of AKI after cardiac surgery. © 2018, Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. All rights reserved

Monitoring of drinking water quality using automated ATP quantification

A microfluidic based system was developed for automated online method for the rapid detection and monitoring of drinking water contamination utilising microbial Adrenosine-5′-Triphosphate (ATP) as a bacterial indicator. The system comprises a polymethyl methacrylate based microfluidic cartridge inserted into an enclosure incorporating the functions of fluid storage and delivery, lysis steps and real-time detection. Design, integration and operation of the resulting automated system are reported, including the lysis method, the design of the mixing circuit, the choices of flow rate, temperature and reagent amount. Calibration curves of both total and free ATP were demonstrated to be highly linear over a range from 2.5–5000 pg/mL with the limit of detection being lower than 2.5 pg/mL of total ATP. The system was trialled in a lab study with different types of water, with lysis efficiency being found to be strongly dependent upon water type. Further development is required before online implementation

Primary subcutaneous cyst hydatic disease in proximal thigh: an unusual localisation: a case report

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal hydatidosis is very rare and represents 1% – 5.4% of all cases of echinococcosis. On clinical basis, infection mimics a soft-tissue tumor, and the preoperative radiological diagnosis is very important to avoid biopsy. CASE PRESENTATION: We report an unusual case of primary subcutaneous hydatidosis in proximity to vastus lateralis muscle. It was diagnosed according to the computed tomography appearance, clinical and pathological findings. A 43 year old female patient was admitted with a history of pain at proximal thigh for the last 30 days. On physical examination, a mass which was 4 × 5 cm in diameter, painful and erythamatous, was palpated over greater trochanter. Sedimentation rate was 40 mm in the first hour. CT (Computed Tomography) scan demonstrated, a soft tissue mass with central cystic component in the subcutaneous tissue near vastus lateralis muscle. Histopathological examination of the specimen revealed a pericystic structure, which consisted of connective tissue and scattered hyaline cells showing a necrotic basophilic structure that resembled a cuticular membrane. Treatment with high dose albendazole was conducted for 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates that echinococcal disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of every cystic mass in every anatomic location, especially when they occur in areas where the disease is endemic

Chryseobacterium indologenes infection in a newborn: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p><it>Chryseobacterium indologenes </it>is an uncommon human pathogen. Most infections have been detected in hospitalized patients with severe underlying diseases who had indwelling devices implanted. Infection caused by <it>C. indologenes </it>in a newborn has not been previously reported.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present a case of ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by <it>C. indologenes </it>in a full-term Caucasian newborn baby boy with congenital heart disease who was successfully treated with piperacillin-tazobactam.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>C. indologenes </it>should be considered as a potential pathogen in newborns in the presence of invasive equipment or treatment with long-term broad-spectrum antibiotics. Appropriate choice of effective antimicrobial agents for treatment is difficult because of the unpredictability and breadth of antimicrobial resistance of these organisms, which often involves resistance to many of the antibiotics chosen empirically for serious Gram-negative infections.</p

Muscular cystic hydatidosis: case report

BACKGROUND: Hydatidosis is a zoonosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus, and ingesting eggs released through the faeces from infected dogs infects humans. The location of the hydatid cysts is mostly hepatic and/or pulmonary, whereas musculoskeletal hydatidosis is very rare. CASE PRESENTATION: We report an unusual case of primary muscular hydatidosis in proximity of the big adductor in a young Sicilian man. The patient, 34 years old, was admitted to the Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases for ultrasonographic detection, with successive confirmation by magnetic resonance imaging, of an ovular mass (13 × 8 cm) in the big adductor of the left thigh, cyst-like, and containing several small cystic formations. Serological tests for hydatidosis gave negative results. A second drawing of blood was done 10 days after the first one and showed an increase in the antibody titer for hydatidosis. The patient was submitted to surgical excision of the lesion with perioperatory prophylaxis with albendazole. The histopathological examination of the bioptic material was not diriment in the diagnosis, therefore further tests were performed: additional serological tests for hydatidosis for the evaluation of IgE and IgG serotype (Western Blot and REAST), and molecular analysis of the excised material. These more specific serological tests gave positive results for hydatidosis, and the sequencing of the polymerase chain reaction products from the cyst evidenced E. granulosus DNA, genotype G1. Any post-surgery complications was observed during 6 following months. CONCLUSION: Cystic hydatidosis should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of any cystic mass, regardless of its location, also in epidemiological contests less suggestive of the disease. The diagnosis should be achieved by taking into consideration the clinical aspects, the epidemiology of the disease, the imaging and immunological tests but, as demonstrated in this case, without neglecting the numerous possibilities offered by new serological devices and modern day molecular biology techniques

Spatiotemporal and estimation of washed out seaweeds biomass in Sistan and Baluchistan coasts

In order to studing and determination of Seaweed biomass in the Oman Sea coast (Sistan & Baluchestan Province), according to obtained reasults and experiments and observations on seaweed studies in 15 years ego, Beris, Chabahar, Pozm and Tang were high density zones and Jood and Lipar were low density zones in west and east of chabahar respectively that were selected for study stations. Total length of sistan and balochistan coasts from Gwatr area with geografical position 25˚ 10′ N & 61˚ 30′ E to Mydani with geografical position 25˚ 24′ N & 59˚ 5′ E were 354.3 Km. Among this length, 54.6 Km were rocky coast and 299.7 Km were sandy coast. Among this, 18.2 Km were high density zone and 281.5 Km were low density zone. Washout Seaweeds area in intertidial zones determind by measuring and recording of geographic positions by meter and GPS, then were obtained 2 transects determind with equal distance in high density area and 1 transects in low density for monthly sampling. The length of these transects were 100 meter and cross of Each transects were seaweed washed out average. The transects divided to 10 bluck and sampling were done randomly monthly from 5 bluck or 50 persent. The samples were transfered to the lab and the weight of each species was obtained after being cleaned, and separating. The biomass of each species per area unit and in the total area was obtained after determing the average weight of species and also determind geografical position by GPS. In relation to this project were done water sampling for recording of fisical chemistry factors. Total data for analysis recorded in this computer. During this research 9 species were collected. Among these seaweeds, 2 species green algea (composed of 2 families and 2 orders), 6 species brown algae (composed of 3 families and 3 orders) and 1 species red algae were identified. Wet biomass of Sargassum in the total area of Sistan & Baluchestan coasts were 445.9 ton in 2012. Among this biomas, 269.1 ton (%60.35) high density area (Beris 112 ton or %25.11, Pozm 83.7 ton or %18.76, Chabahar 59 ton or %13.22 and Tang 14.5 ton or %3.26) and low density zone 176.8 ton (%39.65). Monthly average were estimated about 74.3 ton (high density zone 44.9 and low density zone 29.5 ton). The maximum biomass was obtained 270.4 ton (high density zone 155.5 and low density zone 114.9 ton) in Azar and minimum biomass was obtained 3.5 ton in Esfand. At last, were suggested, This project were done in persian gulf coasts nessesery

Multi-ancestry genome-wide association analyses improve resolution of genes and pathways influencing lung function and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk.

Lung-function impairment underlies chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and predicts mortality. In the largest multi-ancestry genome-wide association meta-analysis of lung function to date, comprising 580,869 participants, we identified 1,020 independent association signals implicating 559 genes supported by ≥2 criteria from a systematic variant-to-gene mapping framework. These genes were enriched in 29 pathways. Individual variants showed heterogeneity across ancestries, age and smoking groups, and collectively as a genetic risk score showed strong association with COPD across ancestry groups. We undertook phenome-wide association studies for selected associated variants as well as trait and pathway-specific genetic risk scores to infer possible consequences of intervening in pathways underlying lung function. We highlight new putative causal variants, genes, proteins and pathways, including those targeted by existing drugs. These findings bring us closer to understanding the mechanisms underlying lung function and COPD, and should inform functional genomics experiments and potentially future COPD therapies