Assessment of the diagnostic value of serum cathepsin S and its correlation with HDL subclasses in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Background: Recent findings point to the key role of cathepsin S (CTSS) in the survival of malignant cells, as well as the significance of the anti-apoptotic properties of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) that contribute to enhanced cell survival. The purpose of this study is to analyse CTSS as a potential biomarker in lymphoma. Also, in order to better understand the role of CTSS in the origin and development of lymphoma, its association with cystatin C (Cys C), lipids, and inflammatory markers was analysed.

The predictive role of biochemical markers on outcomes of severe COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care unit.

Background: The pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome by coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a multi-system disease caused by a diffuse systemic process involving a complex interaction of the inflammatory, immunological and coagulative cascades. This study aims to identify the most effective biomarkers to predict poor outcome in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with severe COVID-19 disease.

Methods: A single-centre retrospective observational study enrolled 69 deceased and 20 recovered patients treated in the ICU of the General Hospital Gradiska in the period from March 1, 2021.

rs8177412 Polymorphism Modifies Risk of Upper Urothelial Tumors in Patients with Balkan Endemic Nephropathy.

Current data suggest that aristolochic acid (AA) exposure is a putative cause of Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN), a chronic kidney disease strongly associated with upper tract urothelial carcinoma. The cellular metabolism of AA is associated with the production of reactive oxygen species, resulting in oxidative distress. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze individual, combined and cumulative effect of antioxidant gene polymorphisms ( rs6721961, rs1048290, rs1695, rs1138272, rs8177412 and rs1045642), as well as haplotypes with the risk for BEN development and associated urothelial cell carcinoma in 209 BEN patients and 140 controls from endemic areas.

Indirect estimation of reference intervals for thyroid parameters using advia centaur XP analyzer.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the reference intervals (RIs) for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and FT3/FT4 ratio using indirect methods.

Methods: We analyzed 1256 results TSH, FT4 and FT3 collected from a laboratory information system between 2017 and 2021. All measurements were performed on a Siemens ADVIA Centaur XP analyzer using the chemiluminescent immunoassay.

Thyroid stimulating hormone values of clinical decisions of hypothyroidism measurement by three different automated immunoassays.

An accurate measurement of serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is crucial for a thyroid disorder diagnosis and management. We compared the values of TSH between three automated immunoassays with aims to provide insights into variations in TSH levels that are important for a clinical decision: 2.50 mIU/L, 4.

Plasma Cathepsin S is Associated with High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Bilirubin in Patients with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

Background: Cathepsin S (CTSS) is a cysteine protease involved in atherogenesis. We compared the plasma CTSS as well as other biomarkers of atherosclerosis in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and aortoiliac occlusive disease (AOD), aiming to identify the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of the disease development. Also, we hypothesised that the level of plasma CTSS simultaneously increases with a decrease of plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) values.

Direct Estimation of Reference Intervals for Thyroid Parameters in the Republic of Srpska.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the reference values for thyrotropin (TSH), thyroid hormones (total and free thyroxine, T4 and fT4; total and free triiodothyronine, T3 and fT3), thyroglobulin (Tg) and thyroid antibodies (thyroid peroxidase, TPOAb and thyroglobulin antibody, TgAb) in the population of the Republic of Srpska.

Methods: A total of 250 euthyroid subjects were enrolled in this study. A direct method for choosing reference subjects was used to establish reference intervals.

The impact of time of sample collection on the measurement of thyroid stimulating hormone values in the serum.

Objective: The aim of our research is to determine whether the time of blood sampling and fasting of patients have an impact on TSH values.

Design And Methods: A total of 198 participants were enrolled in this study and classified into five groups: A--the first sample collection for TSH measurement was taken between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m.

The Pleiotropic Effects of Atorvastatin on Stable Angina Patients: Evidence by Analysis of High-Density Lipoprotein Size and Subclasses, and Plasma mRNA.

Background: High-density lipoproteins (HDL) have athero-protective biological properties: antioxidative, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and they have the efflux capacity of cellular cholesterol. Plasma mRNA analysis can be used to investigate statin pleiotropy as a new analytical tool for non-invasive assessment of gene expression in vascular beds. The aim of this study was to assess the pleiotropic effects of atorvastatin in stable angina patients with high-risk values (group A) as compared with patients who had borderline and desirable HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) values (group B).

Atorvastatin treatment increases plasma bilirubin but not HMOX1 expression in stable angina patients.

Background: In vitro and animal studies indicate that statins increase heme oxygenase-1 gene (HMOX1) expression, which then, presumably, increases plasma bilirubin concentration. However, clinical confirmation that statins concomitantly increase HMOX1 expression and plasma bilirubin concentration is lacking. We hypothesized that in patients with stable angina atorvastatin therapy (20 mg/day for 10 weeks) concomitantly increases total bilirubin concentration and HMOX1 expression, as assessed non-invasively by plasma analysis.

Interrelated cathepsin S-lowering and LDL subclass profile improvements induced by atorvastatin in the plasma of stable angina patients.

Aim: We hypothesized that, in stable angina patients, atorvastatin therapy lowers the cathepsin S (CTSS) concentrations, as assessed non-invasively according to a plasma analysis. In addition, the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) size and subclasses in the plasma were analysed to establish the association between CTSS and lipoprotein metabolism and determine whether this association is atorvastatin-sensitive.

Methods: A total of 43 patients with stable angina received atorvastatin therapy (20 mg/day, 10 weeks).

Atorvastatin in stable angina patients lowers CCL2 and ICAM1 expression: pleiotropic evidence from plasma mRNA analyses.

Objective: Statin pleiotropy is still an evolving concept, and the lack of clarity on this subject is due at least in part to the lack of a definitive biomarker for statin pleiotropy. Using plasma mRNA analysis as a novel research tool for the non-invasive in vivo assessment of gene expression in vascular beds, we hypothesised that atorvastatin lowers the plasma mRNA level from statin pleiotropy-target genes, and the reduction is independent of the reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).

Design And Methods: Forty-four patients with stable angina received atorvastatin therapy (20 mg/day, 10 weeks).

[Correlation between C-reactive protein levels with leading risk factors for cardiovascular disease in men].

Introduction: The aim of this study was to estimate the correlation between C-reactive protein levels and leading risk factors for cardiovascular disease in men.

Material And Methods: The study included 183 working capable men chosen randomly from the regular systematical check-up in Health Centre Banja Luka in 2006. Standard laboratory methods were used to establish the following: total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL-cholestreol level and LDL-cholesterol level was calculated.

[The correlation between lifestyle and lipid profile].

Introduction: The aim of this study was to estimate if negative lifestyle habits such as alcohol consumption, smoking and physical inactivity affect the lipid profile values.

Material And Methods: The study included 250 workers on regular examination in the Gradiska Health Center in the period from 2001 to 2002. There were 113 (45.

[Analysis of lipid status parameters in relation to gender and age in the working population of district of Gradiska].

Introduction: The aim of this investigation was to establish the frequency of hyperlipoproteinemias, as well as the distribution of desired, elevated and high risk values of certain lipid status parameters among working population of the Gradiska municipality with age and sex distribution.

Material And Methods: This investigation included 250 workers, 109 male and 141 female, 25-60 years of age of the Gradiska municipality on a regular checkup. Standard biochemical methods were used to determine values of total serum cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL cholesterol.