Biochemistry tests in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: Experience from a Canadian tertiary care centre

BackgroundCoronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has variable clinical presentation, from asymptomatic to severe disease leading to death. Biochemical markers may help with management and prognostication of COVID-19 patients; however, their utility is still under investigation.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted to evaluate alanine aminotransferase, C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, lactate, and high sensitivity troponin T (TnT) levels in 67 patients who were admitted to a Canadian tertiary care centre for management of COVID-19. Logistic, cause-specific Cox proportional-hazards, and accelerated failure time regression modelling were performed to assess the associations of initial analyte concentrations with in-hospital death and length of stay in hospital; joint modelling was performed to assess the associations of the concentrations over the course of the hospital stay with in-hospital death.ResultsInitial TnT and CRP concentrations were associated with length of stay in hospital. Eighteen patients died (27%), and the median initial TnT concentration was higher in patients who died (55 ng/L) than those who lived (16 ng/L; P < 0.0001). There were no survivors with an initial TnT concentration > 64 ng/L. While the initial TnT concentration was predictive of death, later measurements were not. Only CRP had prognostic value with both the initial and subsequent measurements: a 20% increase in the initial CRP concentration was associated with a 14% (95% confidence interval (CI): 1–29%) increase in the odds of death, and the hazard of death increased 14% (95% CI: 5–25%) for each 20% increase in the current CRP value. While the initial lactate concentration was not predictive of death, subsequent measurements were.ConclusionCRP, lactate and TnT were associated with poorer outcomes and appear to be useful biochemical markers for monitoring COVID-19 patients.     

Evaluation of the relationship between chronotype and biochemical findings,nutrition and gastrointestinal symptoms in inflammatory bowel patients

This study was conducted with 39 inpatients diagnosed with IBD in the gastroenterology department of Samsun Ondokuz Mayis University Health Application and Research Center to evaluate the relationship between chronotype and biochemical findings, nutrition, and gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The data were collected using a general information form, Food Frequency Questionnaire, Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale, and Morning-Evening Questionnaire. The biochemical findings of the patients were obtained from the medical records. Statistical analysis of the patients included in the study was performed with the SPSS package program. For all analyses, p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Twenty-eight patients were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and 11 with Crohn's disease. There was a significant relationship between chronotype and daily polyunsaturated fatty acid and vitamin B₆ intake in female subjects (p < 0.05). There was also a significant relationship between chronotype and percentage of carbohydrate consumed, polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acid intake in male subjects (p < 0.05). A significant relationship was found between chronotype and serum glucose, hematocrit, magnesium, and iron levels (p < 0.05). It was determined that while E-type had higher glucose and magnesium levels; M-type had higher hematocrit and iron levels. It was observed that there was a relationship between chronotype and biochemical findings and nutrition in patients with IBD. Chronotype is easy to determine and these results show that it should be considered as a factor when evaluating nutrition and clinical status in patients with IBD.     

Onion and garlic extracts as potential antidotes for cadmium‐induced biochemical alterations in prostate glands of rats

Cadmium (Cd) has been implicated in increased prostate gland malignancy risk in both wildlife and humans. This study examines the chemoprotective roles of onion and garlic extracts on Cd‐induced biochemical alterations in the prostate glands of rats. Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into nine groups: control group received double distilled water; Cd group received Cd alone (1.5 mg/100 g bwt per day); extract‐treated groups were pre‐treated with varied doses of onion and/or garlic extract (0.5 ml and 1.0 ml/100 g bwt per day) for 1 week and then co‐treated with Cd (1.5 mg/100 g bwt per day) for additional 3 weeks. Oxidant/antioxidant status and acid phosphatase (ACP_total and ACP_prostatic) activity were examined in prostate glands. Cd intoxication caused a marked (P < 0.001) increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and glutathione S‐transferase (GST) levels, whereas glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase and catalase levels were markedly (P < 0.001) decreased. We also observed significant (P < 0.001) decrease in ACP_total and ACP_prostatic activities in prostate glands and a concomitant significant (P < 0.001) increase in the plasma. However, treatment of Cd‐intoxicated rats with onion and/or garlic extract significantly minimised these alterations. The onion extract offered a dose‐dependent protection. Our findings suggest a chemoprotective capability for onion and garlic extracts against Cd‐induced biochemical alteration in the prostate glands.     

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts acute appendicitis and distinguishes between complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectivesto investigate whether Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can predict acute appendicitis and whether it can distinguish between uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis.MethodsA search of electronic information sources was conducted to identify all studies reporting NLR in patients with clinical suspicion or confirmed diagnosis of acute appendicitis. We considered two comparisons:1) appendicitis versus no appendicitis; 2) uncomplicated appendicitis versus complicated appendicitis. ROC curve analysis was performed to determine cut-off values of NLR for appendicitis and complicated appendicitis.ResultsSeventeen studies, enrolling 8,914 patients were included. NLR of 4.7 was cut-off value for appendicitis with sensitivity of 88.89% and specificity of 90.91% with AUC of 0.96. NLR of 8.8 was cut-off value for complicated appendicitis with sensitivity of 76.92% and specificity 100% with AUC of 0.91. NLR >4.7 was predictor of acute appendicitis (OR:128,P < 0.0001) and, NLR >8.8 was predictor of complicated appendicitis (OR:43,P < 0.0001).ConclusionsNLR predicts both diagnosis and severity of appendicitis. This may have implications for prioritising cases for surgery, for monitoring conservatively treated patients and for patients who do not routinely undergo CT scan (pregnant or paediatric patients).     

Evaluation of biochemical variables in patients with trigeminal neuralgia

The aim of this study was to evaluate the calcium, sodium, potassium, serum iron, vitamin B12, and albumin concentrations, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, in samples of serum from patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia (TN), and investigate the associations between them. Results from 73 patients who had been diagnosed with primary TN between December 2015 and 2017 were compared with those of 70 healthy subjects. Calcium (p = 0.013), iron (p = 0.004), and albumin (p = 0.001) concentrations in the primary TN group were significantly lower than those in the control group, whereas the ALP activity was significantly higher in the TN group than in the control group (p = 0.007). However, there was no significant difference in the sodium, potassium, or vitamin B12 concentrations. Biochemical variables have a role in the pathogenesis and treatment of primary TN, but there are few studies that characterise the relations between the condition and the biochemical changes. Further studies are therefore necessary to gain more information.     

溶血、温度以及储存时间对肝功能生化检测的影响

目的评价标本溶血、温度以及储存时间对肝功能生化检测效果的影响。方法选取2011年3月～2013年7月来我中心进行健康体检的正常人群90例,随机平均分为A、B、C三组,研究溶血、温度以及储存时间对ALT（谷丙转氨酶）、AST（谷草转氨酶）、TBiL（总胆红素）和DBiL（直接胆红素）的影响。结果A组中比较发现溶血组与不溶血组AST、TBiL和DBiL差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,ALT比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;B组与C组中比较差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论在肝功能生化检测中,溶血能影响AST、TBiL和DBiL水平,温度以及储存时间对检验结果无影响,所以在检验过程中应注意防止样本溶血。     

血清生化指标与冠心病患者冠状动脉狭窄程度的相关性

目的探讨血清生化指标与冠心病患者冠状动脉狭窄程度的相关性。方法选取上海市、武汉市和福州市3家三级甲等综合性医院临床诊断为冠心病且接受冠状动脉造影检查的患者574例,记录患者在经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)术中得到的冠状动脉狭窄程度数据,量化后计算Gensini积分,同时收集患者临床资料并检测血清生化指标,项目包括总胆红素(TB)、直接胆红素(DBil)、总蛋白(TP)、白蛋白(Alb)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、γ-谷氨酰基转移酶(GGT)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、空腹血糖(FPG)、总胆固醇(TC)、三酰甘油(TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、脂蛋白(a)[Lp(a)]、载脂蛋白A1(apo A1)、载脂蛋白B(apo B)、高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)。采用Logistic回归分析评估各项指标与冠状动脉狭窄程度的相关性。结果高Gensini积分组男性所占比例及TP、Alb、ALT、AST、FPG、HDL-C、Lp(a)、apo A1、apo B、hs-CRP水平与低Gensini积分组比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。其他项目2个组之间差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。Logistic回归分析结果显示,Alb降低、AST升高、FPG升高、HDL-C降低、Lp(a)升高及男性为冠状动脉狭窄程度增加的危险因素[比值比(OR)值分别为0.932、1.011、1.121、0.299、1.015、1.753,95%可信区间(CI)分别为0.886~0.98、1.002~1.02、1.024~1.227、0.143~0.624、1.002~1.008、1.110~2.767]。结论FPG和Lp(a)是预测冠心病患者冠状动脉狭窄程度的重要风险因素,可用于冠心病患者冠状动脉病变情况的初步判断。AST、Alb和HDL-C能否作为冠状动脉狭窄程度的预测指标仍需进一步研究。     

Corrective Effect of Verbascoside on Histomorphological Differences and Oxidative Stress in Colon Mucosa of Rats in Which Colon Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury was Induced

BackgroundThis study aims to show the corrective effect of verbascoside on histomorphological and biochemical differences in the colon mucosa of rats in which colon ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury was induced.Methods: Fifty Sprague Dawley male rats were divided into 5 groups, of control, sham, ischemia (I), I/R, and I/R+verbascoside.Ischemia and reperfusion were applied to the suitable groups for 30 minutes and 120 minutes respectively, and 10 mg/kg verbascoside was administered intraperitoneally. Histomorphological assessment was done in the colon tissues obtained, and the goblet cells were assessed using the Alcian blue method. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), TUNEL, and hypoxia-induced factor 1 (HIF-1α) assays were used to assess oxidative stress with the immunohistochemical method. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and total thiol (TT) levels were checked, for a biochemical analysis of oxidative stress.Results: Compared with the I/R group, histomorphological differences were seen to be corrected in colon epithelium in the I/R+verbascoside group. The goblet cell number increased and cell proliferation was increased, as seen with the PCNA assay; and apoptosis was decreased, as seen with the TUNEL assay. HIF-1α expression also decreased in the drug group. In the drug group, SOD, GSH-Px, TAS, and TT levels increased, but TOS, OSI, and MDA levels decreased.Conclusion: It was seen that verbascoside had a corrective effect on histomorphological and biochemical differences caused by I/R injury.