• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.1597-1599
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• 2013

Since renal failure causes decrease in tumor marker excretion, use of these markers in cancer care and treatment in patients with renal insufficiency or hemodialysis is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate differences of serum levels of tumor markers CA15-3, AFP, CA19-9 and CEA in patients with impaired renal function. A total of 100 patients referred to the Tabriz Immam Reza and Amiralmomenin hospital from June 2010 to November 2011 were selected for study. Subjects were divided to 3 groups of healthy, dialysis and renal failure but non hemodialysis cases, the last category being re-grouped based on creatinine clearance. No significant relationship between different groups in serum levels of CEA (P=0.99) and CA19-9 (P=0.29) tumor markers was found. A significant correlation was observed between serum levels of AFP (P<0.001) and CA15-3 (P<0.001) and also a tendency between creatinine clearance and CEA (r=0.05, P=0.625). Creatinine clearance significantly correlated with AFP (P<0.001, r=0.53) and CA15-3 (p=0.00, r=-0.412), but not CA19-9 (P=0.089, r=-0.171). According to results of this study it appears that use of tumor markers in patients with impaired renal function should be performed with special precautions.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제60권2호
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• pp.45-49
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• 2017

Purpose: Serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) is considered as the most appropriate marker of vitamin D status. However, only a few studies have investigated the relationship between 25-OHD and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in children. To this end, this study was aimed at evaluating the lowest 25-OHD level that suppresses the production of parathyroid hormone in children. Methods: A retrospective record review was performed for children aged 0.2 to 18 years (n=193; 106 boys and 87 girls) who underwent simultaneous measurements of serum 25-OHD and PTH levels between January 2010 and June 2014. Results: The inflection point of serum 25-OHD level for maximal suppression of PTH was at 18.0 ng/mL (95% confidence interval, 14.3-21.7 ng/mL). The median PTH level of the children with 25-OHD levels of <18.0 ng/mL was higher than that of children with 25-OHD levels ${\geq}$ 18.0 ng/mL (P<0.0001). The median calcium level of children with 25-OHD levels<18.0 ng/mL was lower than that of children with 25-OHD levels${\geq}18.0ng/mL$ (P=0.0001). The frequency of hyperparathyroidism was higher in the children with 25-OHD levels<18.0 ng/mL than in the children with 25-OHD levels${\geq}18.0ng/mL$ (P<0.0001). Hypocalcemia was more prevalent in the children with 25-OHD levels<18.0 ng/mL than in the children with 25-OHD levels${\geq}18.0ng/mL$ (P<0.0001). Conclusion: These data suggest that a vitamin D level of 18.0 ng/mL could be the criterion for 25-OHD deficiency in children at the inflection point of the maximal suppression of PTH.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권15호
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• pp.6239-6241
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• 2014

Purpose: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with the platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in predicting malignancy of pelvic masses which are pre-operatively malignant suspicious. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study we evaluated the clinical features of patients with ovarian masses which had pre-operatively been considered suspicious for malignancy. The patients whose intraoperative frozen sections were malign were classified as the study group, while those who had benign masses were the control group. Data recorded were age of the patient, diameter of the mass, pre-operative serum Ca 125 levels, platelet count, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and platelet/lymphocyte ratio. Results: There was statistically significantly difference between the groups in terms of age, diameter of the mass, serum Ca 125 levels, platelet number and platelet/lymphocyte ratio. Mean neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios showed no difference between the groups. ROC curve analysis showed that age, serum Ca 125 levels, platelet number and PLR were discriminative markers in predicting malignancy in adnexal masses. Conclusions: According to the current study, serum Ca 125 levels, pre-operative platelet number and PLR may be good prognostic factors, while NLR is an ineffective marker in predicting the malignant characteristics of a pelvic mass.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.605-610
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• 2014

Chronic liver diseases, including cancer, are characterized by inflammation and elevated serum ferritin (SF). However, the causal-relationship remains unclear. This study used primary rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC) as a model to investigate effects of physiological SF concentrations (10, 100 and 1000 pM) because HSCs play a central role in the development and progression of liver fibrosis. Physiological concentrations of SF, either horse SF or human serum, induced pro-inflammatory cytokine $IL1{\beta}$, IL6 and $TNF{\alpha}$ secretion in rat activated HSCs (all p<0.05). By contrast, treatment did not alter activation marker ${\alpha}SMA$ expression. The presence of SF markedly enhanced expression of Grp78 mRNA (p<0.01). Furthermore, transient knock down of Grp78 by endotoxin EGF-SubA abolished SF-induced $IL1{\beta}$ and $TNF{\alpha}$ secretion in activated HSCs (all p<0.05). In conclusion, our results showed that at physiological concentrations SF functions as a pro-inflammatory mediator in primary rat HSCs. We also provide a molecular basis for the action of SF and identified Grp78-associated ER stress pathways as a novel potential therapeutic target for resolution of fibrosis and possible prevention of liver cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권5호
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• pp.2759-2763
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• 2013

Background: Impaired oxidative/antioxidative status plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many diseases like cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of the novel marker ischemia modified albumin (IMA) and albumin adjusted-IMA (Adj-IMA) in patients with bladder cancer (BC) as well as its association with total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI). Materials and Methods: Forty male patients with BC (mean age, $67.4{\pm}12$ years) and forty age-sex matched healthy persons (mean age $56.0{\pm}1.7$ years) were included in this study. Serum levels of IMA, TAS, TOS were analyzed and Adj- IMA and OSI was calculated. Results: Serum IMA, TOS and OSI values were significantly higher in patients with BC compared to controls (p<0.0001, p=0.01 and p=0.01, respectively), whereas TAS was significantly lower in BC patients (p=0.04). There was no significant difference for serum albumin-adjusted IMA levels between groups (p=0.4). Conclusions: In this study, it was found that there was an impaired oxidative/antioxidant status in favor of oxidative stress in BC patients. This observation was not confirmed by Adj-IMA calculation. There is no published report about serum concentrations of IMA in patients with BC. Further studies are needed to establish the relationship of IMA and oxidative stress parameters in BC and the significance of IMA to other cancers.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제54권4호
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• pp.289-295
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• 2013

Objective : Cerebral vasospasm is a common and potentially devastating complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Inflammatory processes seem to play a major role in the pathogenesis of vasospasm. C-reactive protein (CRP) constitutes a highly sensitive inflammatory marker. Elevation of serum CRP levels has been demonstrated in patients with aSAH. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the possible relationship between CRP levels in the serum and transcranial Doppler (TCD) and the development of vasospasm in patients with aSAH. Methods : A total of 61 adult patients in whom aSAH was diagnosed were included in the study from November 2008 to May 2011. The patients' demographics, Hunt and Hess grade, Fisher grade, CT scans, digital subtraction angiography studies, and daily neurological examinations were recorded. Serial serum CRP measurements were obtained on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 and TCD was measured on days 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13. All patients underwent either surgical or endovascular treatment within 24 hours of their hemorrhagic attacks. Results : Serum CRP levels peaked on the 3rd postoperative day. There were significant differences between the vasospasm group and the non-vasospasm group on the 1st, 3rd and 5th day. There were significant differences between the vasospasm group and the non-vasospasm group on the 3rd day in the mean middle cerebral artery velocities on TCD. Conclusion : Patients with high levels of CRP on the 1st postoperative day and high velocity of mean TCD on the 3rd postoperative day may require closer observation to monitor for the development of vasospasm.

• 대한영양사협회학술지
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.442-451
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• 2004

Protein-calories malnutrition is common among patients in the hospital. In particular, elderly patients with neurologic disorders has more risk of nutritional deficiency due to swallowing difficulty. Enteral tube feeding is more economical, physiological and immunological than parenteral nutrition for patients who have adequate gastrointestinal function. This study was conducted patients with neurologic disorders who received enteral nutrition at Asan Medical Center from February 1 to October 10, 2002. The control group (48 patients) were given traditional feeding methods 4 times a day while the treatment group (45 patients) were given improved feeding methods 3 times a day. We assessed nutritional status of patients and compared to both groups. We investigated body weight, serum albumin, hemoglobin, total lymphocyte count by means of nutrition markers. The objectives of this study is to reduce the time needed for nutritional requirement of patients without an increase in gastrointestinal intolerances. The results of this study are as follows: 1. Nutritional status of many patients in both groups were either malnourished or at risk for malnutrition. 2. The time to arrive to the nutritional requirements were 6.21 $\pm$ 0.35 days for the control group and 4.24 $\pm$ 0.52 days for the treatment group. The treatment group showed a significantly shorter amount of time. 3. The changes of the nutritional marker in the control group showed a significant drop in body weight, serum albumin and serum hemoglobin while the treatment group experienced a significant increase in body weight, serum albumin and total lymphocyte count. 4. Feeding intolerane such as diarrhea, high residual volume, ileus, nausea and vomiting were investigated. Diarrhea found in 25.1% (12 patients) of the control group and 22.2% (10 patients) of the treatment group and these findings are not significant.

• 생물정신의학
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.161-166
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• 2007

Objectives:Recent studies have raised the possibility that nerve growth factor(NGF) is abnormally regulated in the central nervous system(CNS) of animal models with alcohol dependence. The possible alteration of NGF by prolonged alcohol intake may play an important role in alcohol-induced neurotoxicity. Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin(CDT) is regarded as a reliable biological marker of alcohol dependence. The goal of this study was to estimate the changes of %CDT and serum NGF level according to the duration of alcohol abstinence, and to identify whether %CDT level is associated with the serum NGF level in the patients with alcohol dependence. Methods:The subjects were 24 patients with alcohol dependence. We used the Axis-Shield ASA to measure the %CDT level and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) to measure the serum NGF level. %CDT and NGF levels were measured immediately after the admission and at 2 weeks after the admission. Results:Decreased %CDT were observed during the period of 2 weeks after the admission. NGF level was not significantly different after 2 weeks. The NGF levels were not correlated with %CDT. The possibility of %CDT as a predictor of alcohol-induced neurotoxicity was not confirmed. Conclusion:Serum NGF levels is not a reliable indicator of abstinence state in the patients with alcohol dependence. Further studies are needed to evaluate the relation between two indicators in regard to hematological and neurological changes in alcohol dependence.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제62권8호
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• pp.307-311
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• 2019

Purpose: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most serious complications of prematurity. Many risk factors can contribute to the development of NEC. The epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays a major role in intestinal barrier function, increases intestinal enzyme activity, and improves nutrient transport. The aim of this study was to assess the role of epidermal growth factor in the development of NEC in preterm neonates. Methods: In this study, 130 preterm neonates were included and divided into 3 groups, as follows: group 1, 40 preterm neonates with NEC; group 2, 50 preterm neonates with sepsis; and group 3, 40 healthy preterm neonates as controls. The NEC group was then subdivided into medical and surgical NEC subgroups. The serum EGF level was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Serum EGF levels (pg/dL) were significantly lower in the NEC group (median [interquartile range, IQR], 9.6 [2-14]) than in the sepsis (10.1 [8-14]) and control groups (11.2 [8-14], P<0.001), with no significant difference between the sepsis and control groups, and were positively correlated with gestational age (r=0.7, P<0.001). A binary logistic regression test revealed that low EGF levels and gestational ages could significantly predict the development of NEC. The receiver-operating characteristic curve for EGF showed an optimal cutoff value of 8 pg/mL, with 73.3% sensitivity, 98% specificity, and an area under the curve of 0.92. Conclusion: The patients with NEC in this study had significantly lower serum EGF levels (P<0.001), which indicated that EGF could be a reliable marker of NEC in preterm neonates.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.124-129
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• 2005

Background: CM1 (centrocyte/-blast marker 1) is originally defined as a germinal center B cell marker. It is known that CM1 plays a critical role on B cell development in germinal center. In addition, we have found that CM1 is expressed on lymphoma cell lines, such as Raji, Ramos and IM-9. This means that CM1 might be served as a tumor marker as well. In the present study, we examined the expression of CM1 on the surface of the other tumors and the possibility of the development of tumor screening ELISA kit by using CM1. Methods: First, we have examined the expression of CM1 on stomach cancer and hepatoma, which are predominantly (discovered) occurred in Korean, by flow cytometry analysis. After purifying of CM1 antigen from Raji and Ramos, the optimal ELISA condition was determined. And then we compared the level of CM1 between normal individuals and cancer patients by ELISA. To decrease the non-specific binding of anti-CM1 mAb with serum components except CM1 and to enhance the diagnostic accuracy, albumin depletion spin column was used. Results: CM1 was highly expressed on stomach cancer and hepatoma cell lines. In addition, we have also confirmed the increased CM1 expression on cancer patients. The difference of CM1 expression between normal individuals and cancer patients were more clearly observed, after deletion of serum albumin by using albumin depletion spin column. Conclusion: Based on the results from this study, CM1 might be a useful molecule for the early diagnosis of cancer. In addition, further studies for the increase of ELISA sensitivity and appropriate albumin depletion methods should be needed.