Epicatechin attenuates lead(Pb)-induced cognitive impairment in mice:regulation on Nrf2 signaling pathway,and interference on the interaction between Pb with albumin

Epicatechin(EC)was used in this study to antagonize the cognitive dysfunction caused by lead(Pb)exposure in mice.Eight-week-old male Kunming mice were treated with PbCl_(2)(20 mg/kg)and/or EC(50 mg/kg)by gavage administration for 4 weeks.Morris water maze test showed that EC could improve memory dysfunction induced by Pb.EC antagonized Ca^(2+)overload,activated Nrf2 signaling pathway and reduced the accumulation of Pb in the brain and serum,which suggested that EC might alter Pb distribution in mice.In vitro,spectroscopic analysis,potentiometric titration and docking studies were applied to inquiry into the interaction between bovine serum albumin(BSA)and Pb^(2+)in presence or absence of EC.EC was proved to chelate Pb^(2+)and reduced the interaction between BSA and Pb^(2+).In summary,EC might protect Pb-induced cognitive impairment by activating Nrf2 signaling pathway,and suppressing Pb accumulation via interference on the binding of Pb to albumin.

Red cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio is a simple promising prognostic marker in acute cholangitis requiring biliary drainage

Background: It is crucial to assess the severity of acute cholangitis(AC). There are currently several prognostic markers. However, the accuracies of these markers are not satisfied. The present study aimed to investigate the predictive value of the red cell distribution width(RDW)-to-albumin ratio(RAR) for the prognosis of AC. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated consecutive patients diagnosed with AC between May 2019 and March 2022. RAR was calculated, and its predictive ability for in-hospital mortality, intensive care unit(ICU) admission, bacteremia, and the length of hospitalization were analyzed. Results: Out of 438 patients, 34(7.8%) died. Multivariate analysis showed that malignant etiology [odds ratio(OR) = 4.816, 95% confidence interval(CI): 1.936-11.980], creatinine(OR = 1.649, 95% CI: 1.095-2.484), and RAR(OR = 2.064, 95% CI: 1.494-2.851) were independent risk factors for mortality. When adjusted for relevant covariates, including age, sex, malignant etiology, Tokyo severity grading(TSG), Charlson comorbidity index, and creatinine, RAR significantly predicted mortality(adjusted OR = 1.833, 95% CI: 1.280-2.624). When the cut-off of RAR was set to 3.8, its sensitivity and specificity for mortality were 94.1% and 56.7%, respectively. Patients with an RAR of > 3.8 had a 20.9-fold(OR = 20.9, 95% CI: 4.9-88.6) greater risk of mortality than the remaining patients. The area under the curve value of RAR for mortality was 0.835(95% CI: 0.770-0.901), which was significantly higher than that of TSG and the other prognostic markers, such as C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio, and procalcitonin-to-albumin ratio. Lastly, RAR was not inferior to TSG in predicting ICU admission, bacteremia, and the length of hospitalization. Conclusions: RAR successfully predicted the in-hospital mortality, ICU admission, bacteremia, and the length of hospitalization of patients with AC, especially in-hospital mortality. RAR is a promising marker that is more convenient than TSG and other prognostic markers for predicting the prognosis of patients with AC.

Combined preoperative albumin bilirubin score and hepatectomy percentage for evaluate the liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy

Surgical resection is a pivotal therapeutic approach for addressing hepatic space-occupying lesions,with liver volume restoration and hepatic functional recovery being crucial for assessing surgical prognosis.The preoperative albumin-bilirubin(ALBI)score,encompassing serum albumin and bilirubin levels,can be determined via blood analysis,effectively mitigating human error and providing an accurate depiction of liver function.The hepatectomy ratio,which is the proportion of the liver volume removed to the total liver volume,is critical in preserving an adequate liver tissue volume to ensure postoperative hepatic functional compensation,minimize surgical complications,and reduce mortality rates.Incorporating the preoperative ALBI score and hepatectomy ratio aids surgeons in assessing the optimal timing and extent of partial hepatectomy.The introduction of preoperative albumin bilirubin score and hepatectomy percentage is beneficial for the surgeons to evaluate the timing and magnitude of partial liver resection.

Combining systemic inflammatory response index and albumin fibrinogen ratio to predict early serious complications and prognosis after resectable gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer has a high incidence and fatality rate,and surgery is the preferred course of treatment.Nonetheless,patient survival rates are still low,and the incidence of major postoperative complications cannot be disregarded.The systemic inflammatory response,nutritional level,and coagulation status are key factors affecting the postoperative recovery and prognosis of gastric cancer patients.The systemic inflammatory response index(SIRI)and the albumin fibrinogen ratio(AFR)are two valuable comprehensive indicators of the severity and prognosis of systemic inflammation in various medical conditions.AIM To assess the clinical importance and prognostic significance of the SIRI scores and the AFR on early postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing radical gastric cancer surgery.METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of the clinicopathological characteristics and relevant laboratory indices of 568 gastric cancer patients from January 2018 to December 2019.We calculated and compared two indicators of inflammation and then examined the diagnostic ability of combined SIRI and AFR values for serious early postoperative complications.We scored the patients and categorized them into three groups based on their SIRI and AFR levels.COX analysis was used to compare the three groups of patients the prognostic value of various preoperative SIRI-AFR scores for 5-year overall survival(OS)and disease-free survival(DFS).RESULTS SIRI-AFR scores were an independent risk factor for prognosis[OS:P=0.004;hazards ratio(HR)=3.134;DFS:P<0.001;HR=3.543]and had the highest diagnostic power(area under the curve:0.779;95%confidence interval:0.737-0.820)for early serious complications in patients with gastric cancer.The tumor-node-metastasis stage(P=0.001),perioperative transfusion(P=0.044),positive carcinoembryonic antigen(P=0.014)findings,and major postoperative complications(P=0.011)were factors associated with prognosis.CONCLUSION Preoperative SIRI and AFR values were significantly associated with early postoperative survival and the occurrence of severe complications in gastric cancer patients.

Circulating glycated albumin levels and gestational diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND Gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)is characterized by glucose intolerance that is first diagnosed during pregnancy,making it the most common complication associated with this period.Early detection and targeted treatment of GDM can minimize foetal exposure to maternal hyperglycaemia and subsequently reduce the associated adverse pregnancy outcomes.Previous studies have inconsistently suggested that the level of glycated albumin(GA)might predict GDM.AIM To review and synthesize existing evidence to evaluate the relationship between GA levels and the development of GDM.METHODS We sought to compare GA levels between GDM and control groups in this metaanalysis by systematically searching the Web of Science,PubMed,Cochrane Library,and Embase databases for articles published up to June 2023.The analysis utilized the weighted mean difference(WMD)as the primary metric.The data were meticulously extracted,and the quality of the included studies was assessed.Additionally,we conducted a subgroup analysis based on study region and sample size.We assessed heterogeneity using I2 statistics and evaluated publication bias through funnel plots.Additionally,trim-and-fill analysis was employed to detect and address any potential publication bias.RESULTS The meta-analysis included a total of 11 studies involving 5477 participants,comprising 1900 patients with GDM and 3577 control individuals.The synthesized results revealed a notable correlation between elevated GA levels and increased susceptibility to GDM.The calculated WMD was 0.42,with a 95%confidence interval(95%CI)ranging from 0.11 to 0.74,yielding a P value less than 0.001.Concerning specific GA levels,the mean GA level in the GDM group was 12.6,while for the control group,it was lower,at 11.6.This discrepancy underscores the potential of GA as a biomarker for assessing GDM risk.Moreover,we explored the levels of glycated haemoglobin(HbA1c)in both cohorts.The WMD for HbA1c was 0.19,with a 95%CI ranging from 0.15 to 0.22 and a P value less than 0.001.This observation suggested that both GA and HbA1c levels were elevated in individuals in the GDM group compared to those in the control group.CONCLUSION Our meta-analysis revealed a substantial correlation between elevated GA levels and increased GDM risk.Furthermore,our findings revealed elevated levels of HbA1c in GDM patients,emphasizing the significance of monitoring both GA and HbA1c levels for early GDM detection and effective management.

C-reactive protein to albumin ratio predict responses to programmed cell death-1 inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma patients

BACKGROUND Over the years,programmed cell death-1(PD-1)inhibitors have been routinely used for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)treatment and yielded improved survival outcomes.Nonetheless,significant heterogeneity surrounds the outcomes of most studies.Therefore,it is critical to search for biomarkers that predict the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors in patients with HCC.AIM To investigate the role of the C-reactive protein to albumin ratio(CAR)in evaluating the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors for HCC.METHODS The clinical data of 160 patients with HCC treated with PD-1 inhibitors from January 2018 to November 2022 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University were retrospectively analyzed.RESULTS The optimal cut-off value for CAR based on progression-free survival(PFS)was determined to be 1.20 using x-tile software.Cox proportional risk model was used to determine the factors affecting prognosis.Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status[hazard ratio(HR)=1.754,95%confidence interval(95%CI)=1.045-2.944,P=0.033],CAR(HR=2.118,95%CI=1.057-4.243,P=0.034)and tumor number(HR=2.932,95%CI=1.246-6.897,P=0.014)were independent prognostic factors for overall survival.CAR(HR=2.730,95%CI=1.502-4.961,P=0.001),tumor number(HR=1.584,95%CI=1.003-2.500,P=0.048)and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio(HR=1.120,95%CI=1.022-1.228,P=0.015)were independent prognostic factors for PFS.Two nomograms were constructed based on independent prognostic factors.The C-index index and calibration plots confirmed that the nomogram is a reliable risk prediction tool.The ROC curve and decision curve analysis confirmed that the nomogram has a good predictive effect as well as a net clinical benefit.CONCLUSION Overall,we reveal that the CAR is a potential predictor of short-and long-term prognosis in patients with HCC treated with PD-1 inhibitors.If further verified,CAR-based nomogram may increase the number of markers that predict individualized prognosis.

Preoperative Serum Albumin Levels and Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury in Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: A Single-Center Study in Bangladesh

Background: Serum albumin, a vital plasma protein, helps maintain intravascular colloidal osmotic pressure, cardiac output, and renal function. Low preoperative serum albumin is linked to poor outcomes, including acute kidney injury (AKI), after off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery. This study aimed to assess the relationship between preoperative serum albumin levels and early postoperative renal injury. Methods: This prospective comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2019 to February 2021 at the National Heart Foundation Hospital & Research Institute, Bangladesh. It included 160 adult patients with normal preoperative renal function undergoing OPCAB. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (serum albumin ≥ 4.0 gm/dl) and Group B (serum albumin Results: Preoperative serum albumin was significantly different between groups (Group A: 4.21 ± 0.05 gm/dl, Group B: 3.69 ± 0.04 gm/dl, p = 0.028). Group B had a higher incidence of hypertension (71.25% vs. 51.25%, p st and 3rd postoperative days were higher in Group B (p th day. Postoperative AKI occurred in 18.75% of Group A and 36.25% of Group B. Multivariate regression indicated that low preoperative serum albumin is an independent risk factor for postoperative AKI (p = 0.012, OR = 1.815, CI: 0.675 - 1.162). Conclusion: Preoperative serum albumin level is a valuable predictor of postoperative renal function. Ensuring high normal serum albumin levels before surgery can help minimize the risk of postoperative AKI.

The Use of Glycated Albumin in the Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disorder in pregnancy and a cause of maternal and fetal morbidities and mortalities. The oral glucose tolerance test is the gold standard for diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus. Nevertheless, the oral glucose tolerance test is time-consuming and requires patient preparation. On the contrary, Glycated albumin does not require patient preparation or administration of any substance. Most studies on glycated albumin in pregnancy were among the non-African population, and black Americans have higher glycated albumin levels than Caucasians. This study determined the use of glycated albumin in diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus among pregnant women. The study was a prospective study of 160 pregnant women between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. The diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus was based on the World Health Organization 2013 criteria. The diagnostic value of glycated albumin was determined using the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve. The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus was 9.4% and the mean glycated albumin was 16.91% (±2.77). The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve for glycated albumin was 0.845 (95% CI 0.733 - 0.956;p = 0.0001). The optimal cut-off value of glycated albumin in the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus was 18.9%. Glycated albumin was useful in the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus at 24 to 28 weeks of gestation.

The Effectiveness of Albumin Combined with Diuretics in Treating Ascites in Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis often leads to various complications during its progression,with ascites being one of the most common.Among these cases,5%to 10%are classified as refractory ascites.In recent years,clinical research on the treatment of cirrhotic ascites has yielded increasingly enriched results.In this paper,a large number of clinical data on the treatment of ascites using albumin combined with diuretics were collected,and it was found that there were more results in group control studies.It was believed that albumin combined with diuretic therapy could effectively improve symptoms,reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions,ensure the safety of patients,and have a good clinical application prospect.This paper reviews the efficacy of albumin combined with diuretics in the treatment of ascites in cirrhosis.

Study on the Clinical Application of Nutritional Management Combined with Clinical Monitoring of Glycated Albumin in Diabetic Nephropathy Dialysis Patients

Objective:To explore the clinical application of nutritional management combined with clinical monitoring of glycated albumin(GA)in diabetic nephropathy(DN)dialysis patients.Methods:A total of 20 diabetic nephropathy dialysis patients admitted to the People’s Hospital of Guandu District from January 2022 to February 2023 were included in the study.They were randomly divided into a conventional group(n=10)and an observation group(n=10).The study evaluated the blood glucose control,nutritional status,dialysis efficacy,and quality of life scores of both groups.Results:Before the intervention,there were no significant differences in fasting plasma glucose(FPG),GA,serum albumin,body mass index(BMI),dialysis efficiency values,urea clearance rate,or quality-of-life scores between the two groups(P>0.05).After the intervention,the observation group showed significantly lower FPG and GA levels,higher serum albumin,dialysis efficiency values,urea clearance rate,and improved quality-of-life scores compared to the conventional group(P<0.05),with no difference in BMI(P>0.05).Conclusion:Nutritional management combined with clinical monitoring of glycated albumin has a significant effect on the clinical application of diabetic nephropathy dialysis patients.It can effectively improve patients’blood glucose control and nutritional status,reduce the risk of complications,and enhance the quality of life,demonstrating clinical value for broader application.

Association between serum albumin levels and disease severity in adult patients with dengue: A 7-year retrospective cohort study in China's Mainland

Objective:To identify the association between serum albumin levels and disease severity among adult patients with dengue in China's Mainland.Methods:This retrospective cohort study analyzed the data of adult patients(aged≥18 years)hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed dengue in a tertiary center for infectious diseases from 2013 to 2019 in China's Mainland.Serum albumin levels were estimated and compared between patients with severe dengue and non-severe dengue.Additionally,the association between serum albumin levels and severe dengue was evaluated using a generalized linear model[relative risks(RR)].Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the potential predictors of severe dengue.Results:Overall,1568 patients were included in this study.Of these patients,34(2.17%)developed severe dengue.The median serum albumin levels were significantly lower in patients with severe dengue than that in those with non-severe dengue(33 g/L vs.37 g/L,P<0.001).After adjustment for age,sex,and comorbidities,hypoalbuminemia(RR 4.877,95%CI 2.193-11.461,P<0.001)was found to be a predictor of severe dengue.Serum albumin levels(OR 1.303,95%CI 1.161-1.462,P<0.001)and age(OR 1.038,95%CI 1.017-1.061,P<0.001)were significant risk factors for severe dengue.The area under the curve for serum albumin levels to distinguish severe dengue was 0.787.Conclusions:Lower serum albumin levels were significantly associated with disease severity in adult patients with dengue.Hypoalbuminemia on admission resulted in at least a four-fold increased risk of severe dengue.

Hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet score as a predictor of prognosis in metastatic gastric cancer

BACKGROUND The hemoglobin,albumin,lymphocyte,and platelet(HALP)score,derived from a composite evaluation of markers reflecting the tumor-inflammation relationship and nutritional status,has been substantiated as a noteworthy prognostic determinant for diverse malignancies.AIM To investigate how the HALP score relates to prognosis in patients with metastatic gastric cancer.METHODS The cutoff values for the HALP score,neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio,and platelet/lymphocyte ratio were determined using receiver operating characteristic analysis.Low HALP scores were defined as those less than 24.79 and high HALP scores as those greater than 24.79.RESULTS The study cohort comprised 147 patients and 110 of them(74.8%)were male.The patients'median age was 63(22-89)years.The median overall survival was significantly superior in the patients with high HALP scores than in those with low HALP scores(10.4 mo vs 7.5 mo,respectively;P<0.001)CONCLUSION The HALP score was found to be a prognostic factor in patients with metastatic gastric cancer.

C-reactive Protein/Albumin Ratio as a Prognostic Indicator in Posttraumatic Shock and Outcome of Multiple Trauma Patients

Objective C-reactive protein(CRP)/albumin ratio(CAR)is a new inflammation-based index for predicting the prognosis of various diseases.The CAR determined on admission may help to predict the prognostic value of multiple trauma patients.Methods A total of 264 adult patients with severe multiple trauma were included for the present retrospective study,together with the collection of relevant clinical and laboratory data.CAR,CRP,albumin,shock index and ISS were incorporated into the prognostic model,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn.Then,the shock index for patients with different levels of CAR was analyzed.Finally,univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the independent risk factors for the 28-day mortality of multiple trauma patients.Results A total of 36 patients had poor survival outcomes,and the mortality rate reached 13.6%.Furthermore,after analyzing the shock index for patients with different levels of CAR,it was revealed that the shock index was significantly higher when CAR was≥4,when compared to CAR<2 and 2≤CAR<4,in multiple trauma patients.The multivariate logistic analysis helped to identify the independent association between the variables CAR(P=0.029)and shock index(P=0.019),and the 28-day mortality of multiple trauma patients.Conclusion CAR is higher in patients with severe multiple trauma.Furthermore,CAR serves as a risk factor for independently predicting the 28-day mortality of multiple trauma patients.The shock index was significantly higher when CAR was≥4 in multiple trauma patients.

Correlation of serum albumin level on postoperative day 2 with hospital length of stay in patients undergoing emergency surgery for perforated peptic ulcer

BACKGROUND Perforated peptic ulcer(PPU)is a common emergency surgical condition and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.While advances in surgical techniques have improved outcomes for patients with PPU,many factors still affect postoperative hospital stay and overall prognosis.One potential factor is the serum albumin(SA)level,a widely utilized marker of nutritional status that has been associated with length of stay and complications in various surgical procedures.AIM To clarify the correlation of SA level on postoperative day 2 with hospital length of stay(HLOS)in patients undergoing emergency surgery for perforated peptic ulcer(PPU).METHODS We retrospectively collected and analyzed clinical baseline data,including blood routine and SA levels,of patients who underwent emergency PPU surgery and postoperative treatment at the Lingnan Hospital,the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between December 2012 and September 2021.Patients were grouped according to HLOS with 7 d as the cut-off value,and relevant indicators were analyzed using SPSS 26.0.RESULTS Of the 37 patients undergoing emergency surgery for PPU referred to our department,33 had gastric and 4 had duodenal ulcer perforation.The median HLOS was 10 d.There were 8 patients in the≤7-d group(median HLOS:7 d)and 29 patients in the>7-d group(median HLOS:10 d).The≤7-d group had markedly higher SA on postoperative day 2 than the>7-d group(37.7 g/L vs 32.6g/L;P<0.05).The SA level on postoperative day 2 was a protective factor for patients with HLOS>7 d(Odds ratio=0.629,P=0.015).The cut-off of SA on postoperative day 2 was 30.6g/L,with an area under the curve of 0.86 and a negative predictive value of 100%for the prediction of HLOS≤7 d.CONCLUSION The SA level on postoperative day 2 was associated with the HLOS in patients undergoing emergency surgery for PPU.The pre-and post-operative albumin levels should be monitored,and infusion of human SA should be considered in a timely manner.

Serum albumin as a prognostic predictor reflecting host immunity in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Objective:Serum albumin(ALB)can transport nutrients to circulating and local immune cells by passing through blood vessels and has attracted attention as a prognostic predictor of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)because it reflects the host immunity from peripheral blood(PBL)to the tumor microenvironment. Methods:Clinical data regarding the PBL and tumor tissues were obtained at The First Hospital of Jilin University between February 2009 and March 2017.We detected indices of glucose and lipid metabolism,classified and counted PBL lymphocytes using flow cy-tometry,determined the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes by quantitative immunofluorescence,and analyzed the T-cell receptor(TCR)rep-ertoire by high-throughput sequencing of the TCR β-chain.The correlations between ALB and metabolic immune indices were analyzed by t tests and Pearson chi-square test. Results:A total of 211 enrolled NSCLC patients were divided into a relatively high-ALB group(>41.75 g/L,n = 56)and a low-ALB group(≤41.75 g/L,n = 155);patients with high ALB had lower Treg cells(P<0.05)and more CD8+ cytotoxic T cells in the PBL(P<0.01)and a higher proportion of stromal CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes(P = 0.047)than patients with low ALB.High ALB was also significantly related to more diversity in the TCR repertoire(P = 0.0021,r2 = 0.5481).Moreover,ALB was identified as an in-dependent prognostic factor based on a multivariate Cox regression analysis(P = 0.032;hazard ratio(HR)= 1.804;95%confidence interval(CI)= 1.035-3.146).The median overall survival in patients with low ALB vs high ALB was 28.2 vs 42.2 months(P=0.0142),respectively.Among patients with nonmetastatic NSCLC(stage Ⅰ-Ⅲ),there was a higher incidence of distant metastasis in the low-ALB group than that in the high-ALB group(41.3%and 22.2%,P=0.043).A low ALB also had a strong association with a higher risk for disease progression(P<0.001)and death(P<0.01;HR = 0.555;95%CI= 0.312-0.988). Conclusions:Albumin could affect the host immunity,and high ALB predicted a reduced risk of distant metastasis and improved the prognosis in NSCLC patients.

基于榛子过敏原2S albumin基因的实时荧光聚合酶链式反应检测方法开发

目的开发一种基于2Salbumin基因的实时荧光聚合酶链式反应检测方法(real-timefluorescent polymerase chain reaction,qPCR)用于检测食品中的榛子成分。方法从美国国家生物技术信息中心数据库中检索并选取具有高特异性的榛子2S albumin基因序列的DNA片段进行引物探针设计,建立一种新的用于检测微量榛子成分的实时荧光PCR方法,并对建立的方法的特异性、扩增效率、检出限和稳健性进行验证。结果本方法对检测目标呈现出高特异性,与其余12种非目标样品无交叉反应。扩增效率为99.42%,相关系数r2为0.9941,两者均符合实时荧光PCR方法验证指南要求。该方法检出限(limit of detection,LOD)为每个反应5拷贝(2.5copies/μL),可检测出食品中含有的微量榛子成分。使用正交实验设计评估该方法具有很好的稳健性(P=0.07),可转移到其他实验室及常规分析中使用。结论基于2S albumin基因组分的qPCR检测方法可用于识别食品中潜在的榛子成分,对于预防榛子过敏及开发减敏脱敏榛子食品研究具有很好的技术支撑。

Novel Pectin/Chia-Mucilage Membranes:Human Serum Albumin Adsorption,Biocompatibility,and Physical-Chemical Properties

This study aimed to characterize the physical-chemical and biological properties of pectin(PC)/chia seed mucilage(CM)membranes.PC/CM[100/0(control),80/20%,60/40%,and 40/60%w/w]membranes were prepared using the casting method.The membranes(PC/CM)were thin,yellow,lightly opaque(≈10%)and capable of blocking light UVB(between 66 at 52%).SEM analysis showed the presence of aggregates in the shape of a sphere(≈13μm)and ovoid(≈25μm).The proportion of 80/20 showed an increase in tensile strength(29%)and elastic modulus(19%)when compared to the control.FTIR analysis exhibited intermolecular interactions between PCPC,PC-CM,and CM-CM in the membranes.The thermal analysis(600°C)showed a slight improvement in the percentage of residual mass-loss of 3.31%(80/20)that control.The 40/60 membrane showed the lowest percentage of hemolysis(2.94%)but limited human albumin adsorption capacity.These results suggested that the blend PC/CM may be considered as a biomaterial for medical applications.

Study on the secondary structure and hydration effect of human serum albumin under acidic pH and ethanol perturbation with IR/NIR spectroscopy

Human serum albumin(HSA)is the most abundant protein in plasma and plays an essential physiological role in the human body.Ethanol precipitation is the most widely used way to obtain HSA,and pH and ethanol are crucial factors affecting the process.In this study,infrared(IR)spectroscopy and near-infrared(NIR)spectroscopy in combination with chemometrics were used to investigate the changes in the secondary structure and hydration of HSA at acidic pH(5.6-3.2)and isoelectric pH when ethanol concentration was varied from 0%to 40%as a perturbation.IR spectroscopy combined with the two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy(2DCOS)analysis for acid pH system proved that the secondary structure of HSA changed significantly when pH was around 4.5.What's more,the IR spectroscopy and 2DCOS analysis showed different secondary structure forms under different ethanol concentrations at the isoelectric pH.For the hydration effect analysis,NIR spectroscopy combined with the McCabe-Fisher method and aquaphotomics showed that the free hydrogen-bonded water fluctuates dynamically,with ethanol at 0-20%enhancing the hydrogen-bonded water clusters,while weak hydrogen-bonded water clusters were formed when the ethanol concentration increased continuously from 20%to 30%.These measurements provide new insights into the structural changes and changes in the hydration behavior of HSA,revealing the dynamic process of protein purification,and providing a theoretical basis for the selection of HSA alcoholic precipitation process parameters,as well as for further studies of complex biological systems.

Role of fibrinogen,albumin and fibrinogen to albumin ratio in determining angiographic severity and outcomes in acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic unmasked the huge deficit in healthcare resources worldwide.It highlighted the need for efficient risk stratification in management of cardiovascular emergencies.AIM To study the applicability of the old,available and affordable nonconventional biomarkers:albumin and fibrinogen in their ability to predict angiographic severity and clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS).METHODS In this prospective,observational study,166 consecutive patients with ACS were enrolled.Fibrinogen,albumin and their ratio were determined from serum.Patients with underlying chronic liver disease,active malignancy,autoimmune disease,active COVID-19 infection and undergoing thrombolysis were excluded.RESULTS Mean age of the population was 60.5±1.5 years,74.1%being males.ST elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)was most common presentation of ACS seen in 57%patients.Fibrinogen albumin ratio(FAR)≥19.2,had a sensitivity of 76.9%and specificity of 78.9%[area under the receiver operating characteristic curves(AUROC)=0.8,P=0.001]to predict≤thrombolysis in myocardial infarction(TIMI)1 flow in culprit artery in STEMI patients.Even in non-STEMI patients,FAR≥18.85 predicted the same with 80%sensitivity and 63%specificity(AUROC=0.715,P=0.006).CONCLUSION Novel biomarkers,with their high cost,lack of availability and long turn over time are impractical for real-world use.Identifying≤TIMI 1 flow in the culprit artery has significant impact of management and outcome.Our study has shown that readily available biomarkers like fibrinogen and albumin can help identify these high-risk patients with good accuracy.This allows risk-stratification and individualization of treatment in ACS.

环氧虫啶与人血清白蛋白的相互作用

新烟碱类杀虫剂环氧虫啶对非靶标生物具有潜在危害,但对其毒理机理、其在人体内的运输机制等方面缺乏研究。本研究运用荧光光谱法、分子对接、分子动力学、结合自由能计算和丙氨酸扫描等方法,研究了环氧虫啶与人血清白蛋白(HSA)的结合模式。结果表明:1)环氧虫啶能有效猝灭HSA荧光,不同温度下环氧虫啶与HSA的结合常数在0.76×10^(5)~1.57×10^(5)L/mol之间,具有较强的结合能力;2)环氧虫啶结合在HSA的IIA疏水腔内,有1个结合位点;3)结合自由能分析和热力学参数计算显示,环氧虫啶和HSA结合的主要作用力是范德华力和氢键作用;4)分子动力学模拟结果显示,二者结合自由能为-25.90 kJ/mol,形成了相对稳定的复合物;5)丙氨酸突变扫描结果显示,氨基酸残基Gln459是环氧虫啶与HSA结合的关键氨基酸。该研究结果可为阐明环氧虫啶在人体内的毒性机理提供理论依据。