Serum Hsp70 antigen: Early diagnosis marker in perinatal asphyxia

BACKGROUND: Perinatal asphyxia is an important cause of mortality and permanent neurological and developmental deficit. Early and accurate diagnosis would help to establish the likely prognosis and may also help in determining the most appropriate treatment. Studies in experimental animal models suggest that a protein called Hsp70 may be a good and potentially useful marker of cellular stress that may be clinically useful in determining the presence of neonatal asphyxia. OBJECTIVES: Regarding the importance of early and accurate diagnosis of asphyxia, we conducted this study, which is the first investigation of the comparison of the serum Hsp70 antigen level between asphyxiated and healthy infants. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this observational study, the serum concentrations of Hsp70 antigen were compared between neonates suffering from perinatal asphyxia (n = 50) and normal neonates (n = 51). The inclusion criteria for the cases were neonates who had reached term and had at least two clinical criteria of asphyxia. Exclusion criteria were babies with gestational age < 37 weeks, infants with congenital abnormalities or positive blood culture. Exclusion criteria in this group were the requirement to hospital stay during first week of the life or babies whose mothers had difficulties during pregnancy or delivery. Term neonates without major anomalies who had asphyxia during delivery were enrolled in the first six hours after delivery, and control group consisted of healthy term neonates without problems and normal delivery process in the first week of life. The cord blood was taken during labor to measure Hsp70 antigen level by using an in-house ELISA (The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). RESULTS: The median values of serum anti Hsp70 titers were significantly higher in asphyxiated neonates compared with non-asphyxiated neonates (0.36 [0.04 - 1.14] vs 0.24 [0.01 - 0.63]). At cutoff point = 0.3125 ng/mL, sensitivity was 58% and specificity 76% based on ROC curve. CONCLUSIONS: A significant difference between the serum concentrations of Hsp70 of the control and patient group was observed in this study. It is inferred serum concentrations of Hsp70 antigen may be a useful marker for the early diagnosis of that prenatal hypoxia

Toll-like receptors signaling pathways as a potential therapeutic target in cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality, and associated with an important economic burden globally. Over the last decade, the prevalence of CVD has been rising globally, and is now associated with millions of death annually in both developed and developing countries. There is good evidence that the immune system is involved in the pathophysiology of CVD. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and their down-stream signaling pathways play an important role in the immune system. Recent studies have suggested that the TLRs are involved in atherogenesis, including stroke, myocardial infarction, ischemia-reperfusion injury, cardiac remodeling and development of heart failure (HF). In this review we have summarized the recent studies investigating the role of TLRs in CVD and the potential for using TLRs signaling pathways as a therapeutic target in CVD

Epigenetic drug therapy in the treatment of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers with a high rate of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The incidence of CRC is similar in men and women but is distributed uniformly globally. It has been demonstrated that epigenetic alterations which may cause changes in the expression of microRNA, DNA methylation and histone acetylation that results in inheritable modifications in gene expression in colorectal epithelial cells, plays a crucial role in the development of CRC. Recently, targeting epigenetic modification has emerged as a potentially important treatment approach in CRC. The US Food and Drug Association has approved the use of some epigenetic drugs that may be able to inhibit or reverse these alterations and also enhance sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents and radiotherapy in CRC. In this review we have summarized the recent pre-clinical and clinical trial studies investigating the therapeutic value of using epigenetic drugs as novel therapeutic approach in CRC treatment. Keywords: epigenetic, colorectal cancer, drug, DNA methylation, histone acetylatio

Nutritional status and oxidative stress on admission and discharge of myocardial infarction patients

Introduction: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of hospitalization on the nutritional status and prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) of the patients with myocardial infarction (MI).Methods: This study was conducted on 57 patients diagnosed with MI with the mean age of 58.44±12.80 years. The patients were admitted to the cardiac care unit (CCU) of Ghaem Hospital in Mashhad, Iran. Nutritional status of the patients was assessed using the nutritional risk screening (NRS-2002) questionnaire. In addition, anthropometric and biochemical parameters and their changes were evaluated. PAB was also assessed as an oxidative stress marker. In total, 15 patients stayed in the hospital for more than one week. The measurements were performed upon admission and discharge.Results: Upon admission, 49.1% of the patients were well-nourished, and 50.9% were at nutritional risk. As expected, the patients were overweight (36.8%) or obese (19.2%), and all the measures of adiposity were high. Well-nourished patients had lower serum PAB comparatively, while the difference was not statistically significant. The prevalence of the suboptimal nutrition index increased from 46.7% upon admission to 53.3% upon discharge. However, the increase was not considered significant due to the small sample size. Serum PAB increased within one week after admission, while the change was not significant (P=0.249).Conclusion: According to the results, the prevalence of suboptimal nutrition was high in the MI patients in Iran and increases during hospitalization

Anatomical distribution and demographic data of gastric cancer in Mashhad, Iran

Introduction: The global incidence of gastric cancer (GC) has been decreased dramatically in recent decades and characteristics of this cancer has been changed. Most of these changes can be resulted from changes in dietary and nutritional habits. This cancer is the most common cancer in north and northeast of Iran. In present report we will briefly summaries the gastric tumor location in a population from north east of Iran. Methods: We have evaluated the stomach tumors location according to patient’s gender and age. Among 212 Iranian patients who were lived in Mashhad, Iran, the cardia was the most common involved anatomic location. There wasn’t any significant relation between patient gender and tumor location as well as patient age and tumor location. Results: According to our results, the incidence of gastric cancer in patients who are aged between 60 to 69 years is decreasing in our population while the most common anatomic site of tumor remains the same. Conclusion: By knowing the most prevalent tumor site and related risk factors, more precise diagnostic and preventing programs can be established. Increasing global awareness about the risk factors of GC seems to be the main reason and efforts should be made to speed up this issue

Lipid-modifying effect of vitamin D fortified products: A systematic review and meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objectives: Various fortification strategies have been proposed to account to treat or prevent vitamin D deficiency. However, the optimum fortification approach, and the effect of these on health is not widely understood. There have been controversial reports regarding the effect of vitamin D fortification on the lipid profile. The aim of present review is the evaluation of administration of vitamin D fortified products on lipid profile.Methods: We used databases including PubMed/Medline, ISI Web of Knowledge, Science Direct, Scopus and Cochrane Library. A search was conducted until 2020 Randomized controlled trials that have assessed the relationship between consumption of vitamin D fortified products and serum lipid profile were included. The relationship between fortification dose, dairy or non-dairy fortification as well as duration of intervention and plasma lipid profiles evaluated in separate sub-groups.Results: Among serum lipids including total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), low density lipoprotein(LDL) and high density lipoprotein(HDL), fortification of vitamin D was reported to have a significant effect on reducing total cholesterol (pooled estimate: -0.089 mmol/L, 95%CI: -0.134 to -0.044, p<0.001). Its effect on other lipid profiles were not significant (LDL pooled estimate:-0.115 mmol/L, 95%CI:-0.238 to 0.008; HDL pooled estimate:0.024 mmol/L, 95%CI:-0.024 to 0.071; TG pooled estimate:-0.176mmol/L, 95%CI:-0.499 to 0.148).Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrated that vitamin D fortification could significantly reduce TC both in long and short term interventions and in different products. However this reduction, whilst statistically significant, may not be clinically important. The effect of fortification on other lipid profile components vary depending on dose and duration

Association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and colorectal cancer

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy and ranking fourth among the causes of cancer-related deaths globally. Its incidence has increased in recent decades, and now more than one million CRC patients are diagnosed and thousands die annually. The 5-year survival rate varies with the stage at diagnosis, being approximately 90% in the early stages of disease, and less than 10% in advanced disease. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is a major cause of chronic liver disease, and characterized by the accumulation of fat in hepatocytes, has also emerged as a risk factor for CRC, and to be related with the development of colorectal polyps. Areas covered: The purpose of this current review is to summarize the main findings of studies that have investigated the role of NAFLD in development of CRC. Expert commentary: Various molecular pathways, are altered during the development of NAFLD, which are also important in CRC tumorigenesis. There is growing body of evidence showing the potential role of activation of pro-inflammatory, disruption of antiinflammatory pathways, increasing the activity of pathways involved in cell proliferation/survival. Thus targeting these deregulated pathways via novel inhibitors can be a potential therapy for CRC prevention in cases with NAFLD

Association between obesity categories with cardiovascular disease and its related risk factors in the MASHAD cohort study population

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Obesity is an important CVD risk factor and is increasing in prevalence. Methods In this study, 3829 men and 5720 women (35‐65 years) were enrolled as part of the MASHAD cohort study. Four categories were identified according to body mass index and waist circumference that was defined by the World Health Organization. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for the occurrence of CVD, and Cox regression model was used to evaluate the association of obesity with CVD incidence. Results We found that the higher risk groups defined by categories of adiposity were significantly related to a higher prevalence of a high serum total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TG), and lower high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and higher fasting blood glucose (FBG) in both genders and a higher low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) in women (P < .001). Additionally, a high percentage of participants with dyslipidemia, high LDL, high TC, and low HDL and a high percentage of participants with metabolic syndrome, diabetes, hypertension, and a high serum TG were observed across obesity categories (P < .001). Moreover, women with the very high degrees of obesity had a greater risk of CVD (HR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.06‐3.43, P = .03). Conclusion Obesity strongly predicts several CVD risk factors. Following 6 years of follow‐up, in individuals within increasing degrees of obesity, there was a corresponding significant increase in CVD events, rising to approximately a twofold higher risk of cardiovascular events in women compared with men

Personalized peptide-based vaccination for treatment of colorectal cancer: rational and progress

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers globally and is associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. A large proportion of patients with early stage CRC who undergo conventional treatments develop local recurrence or distant metastasis and in this group of advanced disease, the survival rate is low. Furthermore there is often a poor response and/or toxicity associated with chemotherapy and chemo-resistance may limit continuing conventional treatment alone. Choosing novel and targeted therapeutic approaches based on clinicopathological and molecular features of tumors in combination with conventional therapeutic approach could be used to eradicate residual micrometastasis and therefore improve patient prognosis and also be used preventively. Peptide-based vaccination therapy is one class of cancer treatment that could be used to induce tumor-specific immune responses, through the recognition of specific antigen-derived peptides in tumor cells, and this has emerged as a promising anti-cancer therapeutic strategy. The aim of this review was to summarize the main findings of recent studies in exciting field of peptide-based vaccination therapy in CRC patients as a novel therapeutic approach in treatment of CRC

Effects of Ramadan Fasting on the Regulation of Inflammation

The month of Ramadan, as a model of intermittent fasting, is a valuable opportunity to investigate the effects of dietary modifications on human metabolism. Fasting improves insulin sensitivity, reduces atherogenic risk, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of different disorders including atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. Ramadan fasting can positively modulate cardiovascular risks and improves the metabolic syndrome features through suppression of inflammatory responses. In this review we attempt to present recent studies that addressed the regulatory role(s) of this nutritional status on inflammation in patients with inflammatory diseases. These studies suggest that the anti-inflammatory effect of fasting is significant and could be considered as a complementary therapeutic approach in treatment of inflammatory disorders in patients.Keywords: Ramadan fasting, Inflammation, Metabolic syndrome, Cardiovascular diseaseAbstract Abstract Abstract Abstract Abstract Abstract Abstract Abstract Abstract Abstract Abstract Abstract Abstract Abstract Abstract Abstract Abstract Abstract Abstrac