The Role of Nitric Oxide, Lipocalin-2, and Proinflammatory Cytokines on Proteinuria and Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Subgroups.

Background: Nitric oxide (NO) is a bioactive signaling molecule that mediates various physiological and biological processes. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) can be categorized into several subgroups according to fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels. Few studies have closely examined the effect of NO and lipocalin-2 on albuminuria and insulin resistance in T2DM subgroups.

Lipocalin-2 Levels, Insulin Resistance, and Urinary Albumin Excretion in Type 2 Diabetes Subgroups.

Background: Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) level in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subgroups has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate LCN2 levels, insulin resistance, urinary albumin excretion, and inflammation status in T2DM subgroups.

Methods: A total of 251 patients with newly diagnosed T2DM were evaluated.

Lipocalin-2, Soluble Transferrin Receptor, and Erythropoietin in Anemia During Mild Renal Dysfunction.

Background: Mild renal dysfunction (MRD) is a common condition often associated with diabetes or inflammation and regarded as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in patients with hypertension. Few studies have examined the role of lipocalin-2 (LCN2) as a regulator of iron and a contributor to anemia in MRD. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between LCN2, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), erythropoietin (EPO), reticulocyte production, and the prevalence of anemia in MRD.

Insulin Resistance and Microalbuminuria in Patients with Impaired Fasting Glucose versus Hemoglobin A1c-Defined Prediabetes.

Objective: This study investigated differences among patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)-defined prediabetes (A1c-PDM); we compared insulin resistance and the prevalence of microalbuminuria (MAU) in these individuals.

Methods: A total of 982 patients with newly diagnosed PDM and 455 non-PDM healthy individuals were evaluated. Serum insulin, HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and urine albumin excretion (UAE) levels were measured.

Relationship between Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin, Eosinophil Cationic Protein, Cytokines, and Atopic Sensitization in Patients with Allergic Diseases.

The effect of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) on eosinophil activation, atopic sensitization, and systemic inflammation in allergic diseases has rarely been investigated. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between NGAL, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), cytokines, and allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) in allergic diseases. A total of 136 patients with allergies and 58 healthy individuals were evaluated.

Association between Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin and Fetal Hemoglobin Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

The effect of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) on fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels in diabetic patients is rarely investigated. This study is aimed at investigating the possible association between NGAL and HbF levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A total of 160 patients with T2DM and 61 healthy individuals were evaluated.

Association of a Tobacco-specific Nitrosamine Carcinogen with Urinary Cotinine, Urinary Sodium Excretion, and Total Energy Intake in Adolescents and Children.

This study investigated the association of a tobacco-specific nitrosamine carcinogen, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) with urinary cotinine (uCot), urinary sodium (uNa) excretion, systolic blood pressure (sBP), and total energy intake in adolescents and children in relation to the subjects' age. A total of 790 subjects aged 6-19 years were evaluated. NNAL, uCot, corrected NNAL (cNNAL), the NNAL/uCot ratio, uNa, sBP, and nutrient intake were measured.

A Novel Mutation in Gene Identified through Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing in a Neonate with Hereditary Spherocytosis.

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is a congenital disorder of the red blood cell membrane and is characterized by hemolytic anemia, variable jaundice, and splenomegaly. In neonates, the diagnosis of HS can be difficult in the absence of family history. Herein, we describe clinical and molecular genetic findings in a Korean neonate with HS.

The Prevalence of Low Plasma Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Level in Systemic Inflammation and its Relationship with Proinflammatory Cytokines, Procalcitonin, Nutritional Status, and Leukocyte Profiles.

Background: The significance of low plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) level in systemic inflammation has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate low plasma NGAL level in systemic inflammation and its relationship with proinflammatory cytokines, procalcitonin (PCT), leukocyte profiles, nutritional status, and kidney function.

Methods: Patients with systemic inflammation were evaluated by measuring NGAL, PCT, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), serum creatinine (sCr), and clinical scores.

Fas and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand Are Closely Linked to the Levels of Glycated and Fetal Hemoglobin in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between apoptotic markers and the levels of glycated and fetal hemoglobin (HbA1c and HbF) in diabetes.

Methods: The levels of Fas, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), HbF, and HbA1c were measured in 112 patients with type 2 diabetes.

Results: Diabetic patients with microalbuminuria had an elevated Fas level and a decreased TRAIL level, compared to healthy controls.

Elevated Plasma Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Level as a Risk Factor for Anemia in Patients with Systemic Inflammation.

Studies on neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) as an iron-regulatory protein are limited. This study investigated the relationships between plasma NGAL levels and indices of anemia in 187 patients with systemic inflammation. Plasma NGAL levels were significantly higher in patients with anemia versus in patients without anemia (185 ng/mL versus 98 ng/mL; < 0.

Significance of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Level-to-Serum Creatinine Ratio for Assessing Severity of Inflammation in Patients with Renal Dysfunction.

The aim of this study was to assess the significance of the neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin/serum creatinine ratio (NGAL/sCr ratio) in patients with renal dysfunction. The percent difference between plasma NGAL level and the NGAL/sCr ratio was 36.7% (95% CI, 18.

Corrected Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) Level Adjusted by the Scoring System of an Inflammation Index for Screening Renal Dysfunction in Patients with Systemic Inflammation.

This study investigated the use of corrected neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (cNGAL) values to screen renal dysfunction in patients with systemic inflammation. Plasma NGAL concentrations were measured using a fluorescent immunoassay in 259 patients with inflammatory diseases. An inflammation index was calculated using a scoring system based on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and corrected erythrocyte sedimentation rates.

Association of the urine homocysteine/creatinine ratio to proinflammatory cytokine, natural anticoagulant, and nitric oxide levels in cerebrovascular disease.

This study investigated the relationship between the urine homocysteine/creatinine (uHcy/Cr) ratio and the levels of natural anticoagulants, proinflammatory cytokines, and nitric oxide (NOx) metabolites in cerebrovascular diseases. No significant differences were observed in protein C, protein S, and antithrombin III levels among subjects with serum Hcy (sHcy) >15.0 μmol/L and ≤15.

The ratio of estimated average glucose to fasting plasma glucose level is superior to glycated albumin, hemoglobin A1c, fructosamine, and GA/A1c ratio for assessing β-cell function in childhood diabetes.

Objective: This study investigated the use of the estimated average glucose to fasting plasma glucose ratio (eAG/fPG ratio) to screen for β-cell function in pediatric diabetes.

Methods: Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), glycated albumin (GA), fructosamine, insulin, and C-peptide levels were measured. The ratio of GA to HbA1c (GA/A1c ratio) was calculated, and the homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β) was determined.

Serum glycated albumin as a new glycemic marker in pediatric diabetes.

Purpose: Serum glycated albumin (GA) has been recently used as another glycemic marker that reflects shorter term glycemic control than glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Insulin secretory function and glycemic fluctuation might be correlated with the ratio of GA to HbA1c (GA/HbA1c) in diabetic adult patients. This study investigated the association of GA and GA/HbA1c ratio with the levels of fasting C-peptide, fasting plasma glucose in type 1 and type 2 pediatric diabetes.

Klebsiella pneumoniae associated extreme plasmacytosis.

Infection-associated plasmacytosis is not uncommon; however, marked plasmacytosis in both peripheral blood and bone marrow that mimicks plasma cell leukemia is a very rare condition. We encountered a case of extreme plasmacytosis associated with Klebsiella pneumoniae sepsis in an aplastic anemia patient. A 42-year-old man presented with high fever of 5 days' duration.

Relationships of Fetal-Type Erythropoiesis versus Nitric Oxide Production and Glycated Hemoglobin Levels in Diabetics.

This study investigated the potential contribution of nitric oxide (NOx) production to enhanced fetal hemoglobin (HbF) synthesis in patients with diabetes. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), HbF, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), plasma glucose levels, and serum NOx concentrations were measured in 350 diabetics and 125 healthy subjects. There were no significant correlations between HbF and HbA1c levels, nor between HbF and plasma glucose levels.

Thrombin-antithrombin III complex, proinflammatory cytokines, and fibrinolytic indices for assessing the severity of inflammation in pleural effusions.

This study investigated coagulation-related variables, proinflammatory cytokines, and fibrinolytic indices to assess the severity of inflammation in patients with pleural effusions. Tuberculous pleural fluids revealed significantly higher concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type I (PAI-1) than did malignant and pneumonic pleural fluids. Among the coagulation-related variables, thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT) exhibited the largest difference in mean values between pleural fluids and blood samples (125.

Delta neutrophil index in automated immature granulocyte counts for assessing disease severity of patients with sepsis.

This study investigated the relationship between calculated immature granulocyte (IG) counts and the severity of sepsis. Coagulation parameters, fibrinolytic indices, bacterial isolation rates in blood cultures, and mortality were observed in 237 patients with suspected sepsis. The difference in leukocyte subfractions (delta neutrophil index; DN) identified by a cytochemical myeloperoxidase reaction and by a nuclear lobularity assay was determined with a blood cell analyzer (ADVIA 120, Siemens, Inc.

Corrected 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone values adjusted by a scoring system for screening congenital adrenal hyperplasia in premature infants.

This study investigated the use of corrected 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) values to detect congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in newborn infants. 17-OHP concentrations in blood spots from 913 neonates were measured using a neonatal screening test. A prematurity index was calculated using a scoring system based on gestational age and birth weight.