Circulating Biomarkers and their Possible Role in Pathogenesis of Chronic Hepatitis B and C Viral Infections

The present study evaluated the plausible role of circulating biomarkers in immune pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis considered a priority in clinical hepatology. Total viral load of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients was quantified and correlation studies were performed with circulating levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines; C reactive protein and circulating nucleosomes; glutathione reductase (GR) and superoxide dismutase. To our knowledge, the study is first among its kind that validates strong positive correlation of viral load with IL-4, IL-6, GR in HBV and IL-6, IL-10, GR in HCV infections. Although, multi-centric studies including large cohorts are required for translating our findings to clinical practice, however, role of these biomarkers with potential diagnostic or prognostic significance might be helpful in clinical assessment of high-risk individuals, thereby, designing interventional strategies, towards development of personalized medicare. The results of our study also offer valuable insights of immune signaling mediators engaged in development of hepatocellular carcinoma.     

Myeloperoxidase in Chronic Kidney Disease

Numerous lines of evidence implicate a role of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is a well accepted fact that patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at an increased risk for CVD. MPO is a pro-oxidant enzyme which could be involved in the increased susceptibility of these patients to CVD. Hence, the levels of plasma MPO was determined in healthy controls as well as in patients with CKD [stratified with the level of their kidney failure as CKD stages II–V (end stage renal disease)]. Plasma MPO was assayed by a spectrophotometric method. Serum urea and creatinine were estimated on a clinical chemistry analyzer using standard laboratory procedures. The mean plasma MPO levels were significantly lower with advancing stages of renal failure (P < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between MPO and GFR (r = +0.89, P < 0.001) and a negative correlation with urea (r = −0.85, P < 0.001) and creatinine (r = −0.82, P < 0.001). While an inverse association was observed between plasma MPO and urea in CKD patients, such an association was not observed in control subjects (P = 0.43). In conclusion, the decline in plasma MPO levels may be due to the inhibitory effect of uraemic toxins on the enzyme.     

Biochemistry of Nitric Oxide

Nitric oxide (NO) a free radical having both cytoprotective as well as tumor promoting agent is formed from l-arginine by converting it to l-citrulline via nitric oxide synthase enzymes. The reaction product of nitric oxide with superoxide generates potent oxidizing agent, peroxynitrite which is the main mediator of tissue and cellular injury. Peroxynitrite is reactive towards many biomolecules which includes amino acids, nucleic acid bases; metal containing compounds, etc. NO metabolites may play a key role in mediating many of the genotoxic/carcinogenic effects as DNA damage, protein or lipid modification, etc. The basic reactions of nitric oxide can be divided as direct effect of the radical where it alone plays a role in either damaging or protecting the cell milieu and an indirect effect in which the byproducts of nitric oxide formed by convergence of two independent radical generating pathways play the role in biological reactions which mainly involve oxidative and nitrosative stress. Nitric oxide is also capable of directly interacting with mitochondria through inhibition of respiration or by permeability transition. Reaction of nitric oxide with metal ions include its direct interaction with the metals or with oxo complexes thereby reducing them to lower valent state. Excessive production of nitric oxide can be studied by inhibiting the synthetic pathway of nitric oxide using both selective or specific nitric oxide synthase inhibitor or non-selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor with respect to isoforms of nitric oxide.     

The public understanding of nanotechnology in the food domain: the hidden role of views on science, technology, and nature

In spite of great expectations about the potential of nanotechnology, this study shows that people are rather ambiguous and pessimistic about nanotechnology applications in the food domain. Our findings are drawn from a survey of public perceptions about nanotechnology food and nanotechnology food packaging (N = 752). Multinomial logistic regression analyses further reveal that knowledge about food risks and nanotechnology significantly influences people's views about nanotechnology food packaging. However, knowledge variables were unrelated to support for nanofood, suggesting that an increase in people's knowledge might not be sufficient to bridge the gap between the excitement some business leaders in the food sector have and the restraint of the public. Additionally, opposition to nanofood was not related to the use of heuristics but to trust in governmental agencies. Furthermore, the results indicate that public perceptions of nanoscience in the food domain significantly relate to views on science, technology, and nature.     

Are we using Thyroid Function Tests Appropriately?

Thyroid function tests are very important for the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with thyroid dysfunction. The guidelines recommend serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) as the single most reliable test to diagnose all common forms of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. The aim of this study was to analyze the ordering pattern for thyroid function tests by physicians and the analysis of results based on the clinical history. The mean age of the patients was 32.5 ± 6.5 years. Majority of samples (87.7% of total) were received from the departments of Medicine and Gynae. Thyroid profiles (47.5%) were ordered more frequently as compared to TSH only (46%). There was no significant difference in the percentage of normal reports for both types of tests. 77.8% of TFT and 76.6% of TSH samples had results within the reference range. The percentage of abnormal results was 13.7% in the patients who were screened for thyroid disorders. There is a need to redefine the case definition for thyroid dysfunction and order the appropriate test in a rational and cost effective manner.     

离开地球

“我不明白,为了一艘愚蠢的飞船,我们为什么要离开地球？”我10岁大的女儿特洛伊抱怨道。在我们把财产装上分配给我们的穿梭机的过程中,她一直都在发牢骚,破坏了所有的喜悦气氛。     

通过牙齿听广播？

在都市奇谈中,有一种说法是人们有时候能通过牙齿听到广播。虽然这种故事常常被认为是异想天开虚构出来的,但美国牙科协会说,那些年,几乎每个月都有人向他们咨询这个问题,从此类似传闻就接连不断,屡屡出现。     

一只羱羊

我小时候,家住在村头。我很喜欢睡在房顶上,在这里什么都可以听得见,还可以看得很远。村子左边是一片光秃秃的荒沙地;右边和后面都是果园;正面是一条很深的山沟,山沟里奔流着—道溪水。 一天,天还不亮流水声就把我唤醒了。我望着外面,忽然发现山沟那边有什么东西闪了一下。     

浅谈科学发展观视野的循环经济模式构建

贯彻落实科学发展观的首要任务是保护环境与资源,实现经济社会发展和生态建设、资源节约、环境保护的统一,因而与构建循环经济模式之间具有密切的协同关系。主要分析和探讨了科学发展观视野下的循环经济模式构建方法。     

提高高校辅导员综合素质与能力的对策建议

抓好高校辅导员队伍建设对加强和改进大学生思想政治教育工作具有重要的现实意义。当前高校辅导员队伍普遍存在配备欠合理、非专业化程度高、思想不稳定等问题,为改变这一现状,提高辅导员的综合素质和能力,高校应不断完善辅导员队伍建设、完善辅导员绩效考评及考核机制、重视对辅导员的培训等。