Clinical biochemistry
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Clinical biochemistry · Jun 2011
Angiopoietin-2: a potential novel diagnostic marker in multiple myeloma.
Multiple myeloma (MM) was the first hematological malignancy in which a prognostic relevance of bone marrow (BM) angiogenesis was reported. Microenvironment formed by reactive oxygen species, growth factors and chemokines initiates the process of BM angiogenesis. Among the angiopoietins, angiopoietin-1 is involved in vessel stability, whereas angiopoietin-2 is involved in vessel sprouting. ⋯ Significant elevation in angiopoietin-2 and VEGF levels and their correlation with severity of the disease indicate their utility as potential tumor markers along with β(2)- microglobulin and might also suggest new therapeutic target for anticancer treatment.
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Clinical biochemistry · Apr 2011
Comparative StudyQuantitative indices of dynamics in concentrations of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) as prognostic factors in severe sepsis/septic shock patients--comparison with CRP and procalcitonin.
To devise and evaluate quantitative indices of dynamics in lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), CRP, and procalcitonin concentrations as prognostic markers in sepsis. ⋯ For outcome prediction, the evaluation of dynamics of sepsis mediators, expressed by simple or relative rates, is a more suitable alternative to markers' peak values.
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Clinical biochemistry · Sep 2010
Case ReportsMitochondrial dysfunction in skin biopsies and blood mononuclear cells from two cases of fibromyalgia patients.
Coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) is an essential electron carrier in the mitochondrial respiratory chain and a strong antioxidant. Signs associated with skin alteration and mitochondrial dysfunction have been observed in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). The aim of this study was to analyze CoQ(10) levels, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress in plasma, blood mononuclear cells, and skin biopsies from FM patients. ⋯ In our patients, mitochondrial dysfunction and CoQ(10) deficiency are present in several tissues. These results may contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiology of FM, and, moreover, CoQ(10) deficiency could represent a good marker for the diagnosis of FM.