Archives of Advances in Biosciences

Evaluation of laboratory diagnostic markers in patients with hypertension

2023-01-08T09:53:28+00:00

Background: Hypertension is growing as a global public health problem. It is one of the most important risk factors for various diseases including cardiovascular disease. The study of laboratory markers and early detection of complications can play an effective role in controlling the disease.

Objectives: The present study was performed to determine renal, hepatic, and blood markers in patients with hypertension in Abadan and Khorramshahr educational hospitals.

Materials and Methods: The present study was a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study that was performed from March 21, 2020, to March 19, 2021, on patients with hypertension referred to Abadan and Khorramshahr educational hospitals. Information on age, sex, and laboratory diagnostic factors of patients with hypertension admitted to HIS were received. Data were analyzed using STATA software.

Results: The study population was 1505 patients with hypertension admitted to Abadan and Khorramshahr educational hospitals (487 male (32%) and 1018 were females (68%). The average age of the patients was 61 (SD: 12). The highest frequency of patients with hypertension was in the age group of 64-55 years with a frequency of 420 (27.9%). The results showed that the mean of creatinine was higher than normal. The mean of CK-MB and INR was slightly higher than normal. The two sexes were significantly different from the mean of CK-MB, AST, ALT, Cr, Na, MCHC, HCT, HB, and RBC. According to the unadjusted and multiple logistic regression analysis, Each 1 unit increase in BUN and K+ was associated with an increase in the odds of abnormal creatinine. Each 1 unit increase in RBC, HB, HCT, MCH, and MCHC was associated with a decrease in the odds of abnormal creatinine, and Each 1 unit increase in PT was associated with an increase in the odds of abnormal creatinine.

Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that some laboratory markers in patients with hypertension were above the normal range including renal, cardiac, and coagulation diagnostic factors and some of it depends on age and sex, so it is important to pay attention to these markers in controlling high blood pressure in these patients, however, further studies in this field are recommended.

The Effect of 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Acetate Ionic Liquid on the Structural and Functional Features of a Representative α-amylase

2023-01-25T08:54:30+00:00

Introduction: α-Amylases catalyze the starch hydrolysis reaction and are widely used in starch processing industries. Despite the high demand for the use of α-amylase in various industries, most α-amylases do not have the required functional characteristics such as proper activity, temperature and pH compatibility, as well as temperature stability. In this regard, ionic liquids are widely used today as co-solvents to improve enzymes' activity, stability, and selectivity.

Materials and Methods: Activity, optimum temperature, optimum pH, and thermal stability of B. subtilis α-amylase were investigated in the presence of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate. Structural changes in the presence of [EMIm][Ac] were examined using intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy.

Results: The activity of α-amylase and Vm increased in the presence of 0.4 M of [EMIm][Ac] while Km decreased. The optimum temperature and pH did not change in the presence of [EMIm][Ac] compared to its absence. At 40 and 50 °C, the inactivation rate of α-amylase in the presence of both concentrations of 0.4 and 1 M of [EMIm][Ac] is the same as in its absence. However, the rate of inactivation at 60 and 70 °C is higher than that in the absence of [EMIm][Ac]. The results of intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy confirmed the structural changes in the presence of [EMIm][AC].

Conclusion: [EMIm][Ac] can be used to increase the activity of B. subtilis α-amylase without affecting the optimal temperature and pH parameters. Moreover, [EMIm][Ac] relatively improves the thermal stability of the α-amylase.

Evaluation of Ultrasonographic Findings in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: Correlations with Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Indexes

2023-01-03T08:53:10+00:00

Introduction: Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic joint disease that affects both the elderly and the middle-aged people. This disease is the most common cause of limitation for the elderly and middle-aged people in daily activities significantly affecting the quality of their lives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ultrasonographic findings in patients with knee osteoarthritis and its correlation with Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Indexes (WOMAC).

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, patients with knee osteoarthritis, who were referred to the rheumatology clinic of Imam Hospital from April 2020 to June 2021, were evaluated by radiographic and laboratory assessment. Laboratory tests included Rheumatoid Factor (RF), Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (Anti-CCP), Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Ratio (ESR) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP); patients with positive inflammatory and serological tests were excluded from the study. Then, patients with osteoarthritis were visited by a radiologist for ultrasound findings and underwent ultrasound. In addition, the WOMAC questionnaire was administered at the same time.

Results: 138 patients over 40 years old and 85.5% of whom being female were studied. The joint dryness score was significantly higher in patients with left synovial effusion (4.04 vs. 2.51; p = 0.001). In patients with right synovial hypertrophy, the mean overall score of WOMAC and its sub-branches was significantly higher (61.26 vs. 47.80; p = 0.001); also, mean joint dryness score in patients with left synovial hypertrophy is higher (4.15 vs. 3.17; p= 0.017).

Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that in terms of synovial inflammation, which includes hypertrophy and synovial effusion, there is a direct relationship with patients' WOMAC score, since ultrasound modality is non-invasive and available everywhere; moreover, the cheapness of this modality makes it possible to follow-up patients with osteoarthritis. This modality is also reliable in assessing synovial changes, but more accuracy is needed in assessing cases such as osteophyte.