Clinical Biochemistry
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- ItemSTATINS INHIBITS GROWTH AND METASTASIS OF MELANOMA THROUGH MIR-126/MMP-9(An-Najah National University, 2024-11-03) Nasser, RashaBackground: Melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer, with morbidity and mortality rates increasing globally. Melanoma has an elevated metastatic potential, leading to limited response to the available treatments in addition to poor prognosis. The transcription factor (NF-κB) for nuclear factor kappa B has been up-regulated in melanoma cases. Simvastatin has anticancer properties that can act as a repurposed drug for treating melanoma. Recognizing the signaling pathway and the anti-tumor properties of simvastatin is essential in discovering new kinds of tumors that might be intended by simvastatin. MicroRNA-126 is a significant microRNA family member; recent studies demonstrate its role in cancer as a new tumor suppressor gene because it can stop cancer cells from growing, migrating, and invading by suppressing important oncogenes like matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9). Here, we inspected how simvastatin can affect melanoma growth, tumor cell migration, and angiogenesis. Mechanically, Simvastatin blocks the transcription factor NF-κB, which up-regulates MIR-126 and, therefore, down-regulates the expression of MMP9 as an oncogene of melanoma cancer responsible for cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. Aims: Eliminating melanoma from our lives is our objective. The only way to accomplish this is through study, and it is pretty bold and huge. We propose that, rather than finding a new drug, it would be better to use an existing one to prevent growth and metastasis so that we can investigate the impact of statin drug on melanoma growth and metastasis using an innovative approach. This goal is supported by our unique research technique, which describes how we use the newest ideas to advance the discovery of a new treatment for melanoma. Methods: we use Simvastatin to block the transcription factor NF-κB, which then regulates the expression of MIR-126. Therefore, this micro-RNA inhibits the expression of MMP9 as an oncogene of melanoma cancer, responsible for cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Results: The results of the study demonstrate that simvastatin, via inhibiting the transcription factor NFκB; can influence the growth and spread of melanoma cancer at even low concentrations (5µM). In conclusion: Through downregulation of the transcription factor NFκB, which restores the production of miR-126 that targets the MMP-9 mRNA, simvastatin possesses anti-proliferative characteristics that limit the growth and metastasis of the B16F10 melanoma cell line dependent on dosage and time approach.
- ItemASSOCIATION BETWEEN SERUM FOLATE LEVELS AND DEPRESSION AMONG ADULT FEMALE STUDENTS AT AN-NAJAH NATIONAL UNIVERSITY IN NABLUS, PALESTINE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY(An-Najah National University, 2024-07-29) Elewi, SajaBackground: Depression is considered a major public health concern worldwide. Depression is a prevalent issue among university students compared to the general population. Folate is a B complex group water-soluble vitamin that naturally occurs in food and is essential to the brain for producing norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. Previous studies have indicated that levels of folate are crucial in the development and progression of depression. However, the research findings have been inconclusive when it comes to variations in folate levels among people with depression compared to those without the condition. Objective: This study aimed to assess the relationship between serum folate levels and depression among adult female students at An-Najah National University in Nablus, Palestine. Method: This study was conducted with a cross-sectional observational design. A questionnaire was distributed from 15th September 2023 until 20th October 2023 to participating female students from An-Najah National University. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the DASS-21 scale. The questionnaire also collected the social and demographic characteristics of the female students and several questions related to the factors that affect folate levels in the blood. The internal reliability of the DASS-21 questionnaire was tested using Cronbach's alpha. In addition, venous blood samples were collected within the same period in the scientific research laboratory at An-Najah University after overnight fasting, and serum folate levels were measured. The number of female students participating was 180, and their ages varied from 18 to 30 years old. Results: The mean of serum folate levels was 4.82 ng/ml (SD=3.38). The prevalence of depression among them was 16.7%, 47.2%, 14.4% 12.2%, and 9.4% for extremely severe, severe, moderate, mild, and normal depression, respectively. Levels of serum folate were significantly lower in patients with extremely severe and severe depression, the mean was (3.13 and 3.30 ng/ml) respectively. Additionally, there was a significant moderate inverse correlation between the levels of serum folate and depression severity (r=-0.537, P-value<0.001). Conclusion: Our findings showed that there is a connection between the levels of serum folate and depression among female Palestinian students. Folate serum levels may serve as indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of depression treatment. Measuring folate levels can assist physicians in effectively managing depression. In this regard, folate appears to play a more crucial role in the improvement outcomes of mood disorders and should be assessed more attentively. Keywords: Serum folate, depression, lifestyle, diet, clinical characteristics, An-Najah National University, Palestine.
- ItemASSOCIATION BETWEEN VITAMIN D-BINDING PROTEIN AND VITAMIN D3 LEVEL IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS(An-Najah National University, 2024-03-07) Hamadneh, AyatBackground: Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem among patients with end-stage renal failure who undergo dialysis, which requires extensive research and interventions due to its widespread repercussions in the body. Understanding the physiology of vitamin D, as well as identifying factors contributing to its deficiency, has been the focus of research. In addition, vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) and its potential role in influencing vitamin D levels have been explored, with the hope of finding therapeutic interventionsObjectives: For the time being, there is a limited research about the relationship between VDBP and other vital signs, especially among dialysis patients in Palestine. This study aimed to treat this gap by investigating the relationship between VDBP and vitamin D levels in dialysis patients. Methodology: A prospective study, conducted among hemodialysis patients at Al-Najah hospital, Nablus, Palestine, over 10 months. The patients were treated with different doses of Alfacalcidol and Cholecalciferol for a total of 17 weeks. VDBP measured by specific sandwich utilizing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELIZA) technique by R&D used polyclonal rabbit anti-VDBP antibodies, vitamin D is also measured by ELIZA technique, both of them defined before and after course of tretment. Results: The results indicated that after a course of vitamin D treatment, VDBP levels decreased significantly while vitamin D levels increased significantly, with no correlation between them. These results were consistent with previous research that showed no significant relationship between VDBP and vitamin D levels in different population groups.Demographic variables such as age and gender did not show a conclusive association with VDBP levels among dialysis patients, which is in contrast to results from other studies. In addition, there was no significant relationship between VDBP levels and the results of other laboratory tests such as albumin, calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Conclusion: Overall, this study underscores the importance of vitamin D treatment in dialysis patients and highlights the need for further research to fully understand the role of VDBP in vitamin D metabolism and its implications for clinical management. Keywords: Vitamin D, Vitamin D binding protein, End stage renal disease, Hemodialysis patients
- ItemPANCREATIC IMMUNE CELL ALTERATIONS IN AN ANIMAL MICE MODEL OF LIVER FIBROSIS(2023-10-19) Diana Abu ArraAbstract Background: Liver fibrosis is closely linked to the most common metabolic illnesses and developing acute pancreatitis (AP). Aims: This study aims to investigate the effects of liver fibrosis on modulating changes in pancreatic NK cells and involvement of molecular pathways in a mice model of liver injury. Methodology: Carbon-tetrachloride; CCl4 (i.p injected) of acute (2 weeks) and chronic (4 weeks) models of male C57/BL mice of liver injury was performed. At the end of experiments, mice were anaesthetized, and serum was collected for assessing liver enzymes, pancreatic injury of lipase and amylase. Annexin V examination of the pancreatic tissue for β-islet cell apoptosis, metabolic makers of C-peptide levels as well as for lipid and glucose profiles were performed. The livers were harvested for histological evaluations of inflammatory (H&E staining) and fibrotic (Sirius Red stain) profiles. Moreover, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for SMA and collagen III. IL-6 levels from pancreatic β-Islet cells were also evaluated. Pancreatic tissue-resident (tr)NK cells were isolated and evaluated for their activity through assessing INF- γ and IL-6 receptor by the ELISA. Results: In the chronic CCl4 induced-model histological characterization of the liver injury was deteriorated as compared to the acute model and the naïve mice. Serum ALT and AST levels, as well as metabolic evaluations of cholesterol, triglyceride, C-peptide, fasting blood sugar, and fibrotic profiles revealed a positive relationship with illness progression and severity of liver fibrosis. Pancreatic enzymes were elevated in liver fibrosis mice model and were associated with β-islet cells apoptosis. An inverse strength association between IL-6 of β-Islet cells and severities of liver fibrosis was achieved. β-Islet cells which exhibit high secretions to IL6 and caused an up-expressions of trNK IL6R, which in part, affected trNK activity and caused their inability to produce enough quantities of IFN-γ. Conclusion: Liver fibrosis induces pancreatic injury, as evidenced by elevated amylase and lipase levels and increased islet cell apoptosis. Dysregulation of lipid and glucose metabolism might have implications for pancreatic health. Antagonizing IL6 and/or IL6R could improve NK cell activity and delay progression of AP. Keywords: Pancreas; NK cells; liver fibrosis; mice model .
- ItemPREVALENCE AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF GROUP B STREPTOCOCCUS (GBS) FROM NABLUS AREA(2023-09-19) Alaa Ahmad Lottfy AwwadBackground: Group B streptococci (GBS) are gram-positive bacteria, normally colonize human's genital and gastrointestinal tract asymptomatically, they colonize 18% of women worldwide, they could be transmitted to 50% of newborns from their colonized mothers causing invasive diseases. Objectives: The objectives of this study are to find out GBS prevalence in Nablus, Palestine, the serotypes present, the antibiotics susceptibility and antibiotics resistance genes present on isolated GBS. Methodology: It is a descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted from September 2022 to January 2023 at Rafidia Governmental Surgical Hospital and Al-Itihad Hospital, a convenient sampling technique was used to study 184 pregnant women with gestational age of 33 weeks and above. Descriptive data of participants was collected using questionnaires. A total of 184 vaginal swabs were taken from participants. Swabs were cultured on Uriselect 4 chrom media, bale blue colonies were confirmed by CAMP test and by PCR. Susceptibility pattern was performed. Antibiotic resistance genes and capsular polysaccharide antigens were also tested using PCR. Results: GBS prevalence was 11.4%, a significant association had been found between GBS colonization and residency in city (P-value: 0.014). 100% of GBS isolates were sensitive to penicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, vancomycin, ceftriaxone, linezolid, cefepime, and ceftriaxone, 71.4% were resistant to tetracycline, 28.5% resistant to erythromycin, 23.8% resistance to clindamycin and 4.7% resistant to levofloxacin. ermB resistance gene presented in 19% of isolates, mefA presented in 4.7% of isolates and the majority 90% presented with the tetM gene. Serotype III accounted for 42.8% of isolates, serotype V 23.8%, 14.2% were serotype II, 9.5% were serotype Ib, 4.7% were serotype IV whereas 4.7% were non-typeable. Conclusions: This study used combined methodology comparable to the international CLSI guidelines to confirm GBS isolates, serotypes, and the antibiotics profile. GBS isolates accounted for 11.4% of screened pregnant, GBS colonization was significantly associated with living in city (P-value 0.014), 100% of isolates were sensitive to penicillin, and 71.4% were resistant to tetracycline. Most isolates possessed the tetM resistance gene. Serotype III was the predominant (42.8%). Keywords: GBS, Streptococcus agalactiae, serotypes, antibiotics resistance genes