Clin Lab
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The demonstration of the quantitative prevalence of specific cytokines in JIA formed the basis for the introduction of biological anticytokine drugs to treatment. Routine assessment of the concentration of these cytokines in blood serum may enable earlier decision making on the legitimacy of biological treatment (anti-TNF). The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic value of TNFalpha, IL-6, and IL-1beta in monitoring the course of the disease and effectiveness of treatment with etanercept of children with oligo- and polyarticular JIA. ⋯ We conclude that IL-6 may serve as a biomarker of activity of the disease in children with JIA treated with ETN.
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Beta-thalassemia causes a severe hemolytic anemia in patients necessitating frequent transfusions leading to iron overload and endocrine complications, especially diabetes mellitus. We tried to determine the change or effect on carbohydrate physiology and oxidation markers and the association of these markers in chronic transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia major and beta-thalassemia/HbE (beta-TM) patients. ⋯ Progression of iron overload, oxidative stress and hyperinsulinemia were substantially and persistently higher in beta-TM patients. We observed a positive association between oxidative stress, iron overload and insulin resistance in these beta-TM patients.
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Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is a hydrolytic enzyme involved in the deamination of adenosine to inosine. ADA is involved in T-lymphocyte differentiation and development. This study was aimed to determine the diagnostic value of the adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity test for the diagnosis of HIV positive patients in the Kurdish population. ⋯ Serum ADA was significantly increased in HIV infected patients. Therefore, because of its low cost and simplicity to perform, ADA activity might be considered a useful diagnostic tool among the other markers in this disease.
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It has been thought that neurotrophins have metabotrophic effects and take part in the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The aim of the present study is to examine the levels of neurotrophins in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and whether the levels are linked to the components of metabolic syndrome. ⋯ We thought that the changes in the serum neurotrophic factor levels were associated with metabolic syndrome components in T2DM.
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Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) belongs to the acute phase proteins; its concentration increases significantly in the early stages of inflammation. In nearly 20% of patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) escalated inflammation leads to the development of severe forms of the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of changes in PTX3 concentration in patients with AP at the early stage of the disease (first 5 days from admission) and to assess the relationship between PTX3 and other inflammatory markers. ⋯ The pattern of changes in PTX3 concentration in the early phase of AP is similar to that of IL-6, and its peak levels are achieved earlier compared to CRP. Our findings suggest that PTX3 may be useful in early evaluation and prediction of the severity of AP.