Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry
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Neurological diseases are often associated with cerebrovascular dysfunction and changes in blood-brain barrier (BBB) function. This is important for two seemingly conflicting reasons. On the one hand, a leaky BBB may lead to brain disease by allowing extravasation of cells and molecules normally segregated in the periphery, while on the other hand an intact BBB may hamper drug delivery to the ailing brain. ⋯ Other markers of brain-to-blood barriers have been recently discovered by a proteomic approach. These proteins are virtually absent in normal blood, appear in serum from patients with cerebral lesions, and can be easily detected. We will present clinical and laboratory evidence supporting the use of these markers as modern neurodiagnostic tools.
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Review
Systematic reviews in laboratory medicine: principles, processes and practical considerations.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are generally accepted to represent the highest level of evidence, and are a cornerstone in practising evidence-based medicine. So far, these efforts have been largely confined to the evaluation of the efficacy and effectiveness of therapeutic and preventive interventions. Systematic reviews in laboratory medicine are scarce and many of them do not meet essential quality criteria [Clin. Chem. Lab. Med. 38 (2000) 577]. Most of these problems are related to the poor design and heterogeneity of primary research, and that there are no agreed methods or quality standards for making systematic reviews in laboratory medicine. ⋯ Systematic reviews of diagnostic interventions support clinical and policy decisions, the development of practice guidelines, clinical audit, technology assessment, economic evaluations, education and training, and identify gaps in our knowledge for future research. Systematic reviewing of laboratory data is expected to result in better, bigger and more reliable primary studies, which hopefully will support the diffusion of new diagnostic technologies with scientifically proven efficacy and effectiveness in the future.
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Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) can produce cytokines and chemokines that play an important role in the mucosal immune response. Regulation of this production is important to prevent inflammatory tissue damage. The root and stem barks of Acanthopanax species have been used as a tonic and sedative as well as in the treatment of rheumatism and diabetes. The aim of this study was to examine the inhibitory effect of acanthoic acid isolated from Acanthopanax koreanum (Araliaceae), on IL-8 production via mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) in TNF-alpha-stimulated human colon epithelial cells. ⋯ Acanthoic acid might inhibit TNF-alpha-mediated IL-8 production by blocking in both the MAPKs and NF-kappaB pathways in HT29 cells.