Aptamer Sandwich Assay for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Antigen.

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) emerged at the end of 2019, resulting in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The high transmissibility of the virus and the substantial number of asymptomatic individuals have led to an exponential rise in infections worldwide, urgently requiring global containment strategies. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction is the gold standard for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Modifies Serum Iron-Related Variables in Patients with Morbid Obesity.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is frequently associated with severe obesity. The liver is the principal storage repository for iron, and the excessive accumulation of this metal may promote hepatic inflammation. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) results in weight loss and improvement in comorbidities such as NASH.

Interaction between the functional SNP rs2070951 in NR3C2 gene and high levels of plasma corticotropin-releasing hormone associates to postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common mood disorder that occurs after delivery with a prevalence of approximately 10%. Recent reports have related placental corticotropin-releasing hormone (pCRH) to postpartum depressive symptoms. The aim of this study was to determine whether pCRH, ACTH, and cortisol (measured 48 h after delivery) and glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptor genotypes (NR3C1 and NR3C2) and their interaction are associated with PPD.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and paraoxonase-1 and 3 levels in patients with sepsis treated in an intensive care unit: a preliminary report.

Background: There is considerable interest in the research of molecules modulating the acute inflammatory response in patients with sepsis. Paraoxonases (PON) are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory enzymes that inhibit the production of the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). This preliminary study investigated changes in PON status and MCP-1 concentrations in critically ill patients with severe sepsis treated in an ICU and their relationship with the evolution of disease.

Serum fatty acid synthase concentration is increased in patients with hepatitis viral infection and may assist in the prediction of liver steatosis.

Background: Liver steatosis is frequent in patients with chronic hepatitis viral infections. Intracellular fatty acid synthase (FASN) seems to play a substantial role in its pathogenesis. FASN can also be found in circulation and is significantly increased in HIV-infected individuals, especially if they are co-infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV).