Apolipoprotein J protects cardiomyocytes from lipid-mediated inflammation and cytotoxicity induced by the epicardial adipose tissue of diabetic patients.

Diabetic patients present increased volume and functional alterations in epicardial adipose tissue (EAT). We aimed to analyze EAT from type 2 diabetic patients and the inflammatory and cytotoxic effects induced on cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, we analyzed the cardioprotective role of apolipoprotein J (apoJ).

Variations in tumor growth, intra-individual biological variability, and the interpretation of changes.

Objectives: The identification of changes in tumor markers (TMs) in cancer patients that indicate response to treatment, stabilization or disease progression is a challenge for laboratory medicine. Several approaches have been proposed: assessing percentage increases, applying discriminant values, and estimating half-life (t) or doubling time (DT). In all of them it is assumed that the TM is a surrogate of the variation in tumor size.

Clinical and outcome comparison of genetically positive vs. negative patients in a large cohort of suspected familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia.

Objective: Biochemical suspicion of familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) might provide with a negative (FHH-negative) or positive (FHH-positive) genetic result. Understanding the differences between both groups may refine the identification of those with a positive genetic evaluation, aid management decisions and prospective surveillance. We aimed to compare FHH-positive and FHH-negative patients, and to identify predictive variables for FHH-positive cases.

Increased sLRP1 and decreased atrial natriuretic peptide plasma levels in newly diagnosed T2DM patients are normalized after optimization of glycemic control.

Background: Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) negatively modulates circulating atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels. Both molecules are involved in the regulation of cardiometabolism.

Objectives: To evaluate soluble LRP1 (sLRP1) and ANP levels in people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and determine the effects of metabolic optimization.

Presence of Ceramidase Activity in Electronegative LDL.

Electronegative low-density lipoprotein (LDL(-)) is a minor modified fraction of human plasma LDL with several atherogenic properties. Among them is increased bioactive lipid mediator content, such as lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), ceramide (Cer), and sphingosine (Sph), which are related to the presence of some phospholipolytic activities, including platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH), phospholipase C (PLC), and sphingomyelinase (SMase), in LDL(-). However, these enzymes' activities do not explain the increased Sph content, which typically derives from Cer degradation.

Apolipoprotein and LRP1-Based Peptides as New Therapeutic Tools in Atherosclerosis.

Apolipoprotein (Apo)-based mimetic peptides have been shown to reduce atherosclerosis. Most of the ApoC-II and ApoE mimetics exert anti-atherosclerotic effects by improving lipid profile. ApoC-II mimetics reverse hypertriglyceridemia and ApoE-based peptides such as Ac-hE18A-NH2 reduce cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels in humans.

Comprehensive Genetic Testing of : A Retrospective Analysis in Patients with Suspected Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.

The most common form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) results from a deficiency of the 21-hydroxylase enzyme (21-OHD), presenting with a broad spectrum of clinical phenotypes according to the gene mutations. Of the 59 patients with suspected CAH, 62.7% presented a positive genetic result.

Evaluation of biochemical and hematological parameters in adults with Down syndrome.

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common worldwide cause of intellectual disability of genetic origin and the most common chromosomal disorder affecting live-born infants. In addition to intellectual disability, individuals with DS have other comorbidities and complex medical conditions. The increase in the life expectancy of patients with DS requires expanding the knowledge about their clinical characteristics and related laboratory parameters.