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Elevated serum uric acid (SUA) concentrations have been suggested to associate with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components. However, limited information is available regarding the relationship between SUA and MetS in subjects with normal glucose levels. A total of 501 subjects with normal fasting glucose and normal glucose tolerance were included in the study. Anthropometrical and biochemical parameters were examined using standard methods. The updated NECP criteria were used to define the MetS. Values of SUA above the sex-specific percentile 75 were used to define hyperuricemia. The prevalence of general and abdominal obesity, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, low-HDL, smokers, MetS and insulin resistance was significantly greater in the fourth SUA quartile. Multiple regression indicated that SUA was independently predicted by BMI, triglyceride and 2 h glucose in women, and BMI, triglyceride, 2 h glucose and cholesterol in men. Logistic regression analysis showed that the obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, MetS and insulin resistance were independent determinants of hyperuricemia in women. In men, hyperuricemia was associated with the obesity, hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia. Factor analysis yielded three factors interpreted as weight/waist, blood pressure and lipid/glucose. Including SUA in the model did not affect total variance of factor analysis. Our results indicate that SUA is associated with MetS and its components even in subjects with normal glucose levels. General obesity was the major determinant of hyperuricemia in this population. The data from this study do not show the contribution of SUA as an additional component of the MetS.

Non–small‐lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer death. Early detection of NSCLC could pave the way for effective therapies. Analysis of molecular genetic biomarkers in biological fluids has been proposed as a useful tool for cancer diagnosis. Here, we aimed to develop a panel of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in sputum for NSCLC early detection. Expression of 11 ncRNAs were analyzed by real–time polymerase chain reaction in sputum samples of 30 NSCLC patients and 30 sex‐ and age‐matched cancer‐free controls. Stability of endogenous microRNAs (miRNAs) in sputum was evaluated after 3 and 6 days at 4°C, 6 months, and 1 year at −80°C. Nine ncRNAs showed significant differences of their expression in sputum between NSCLC patients and controls. A logistic regression model with the best prediction was built based on miR‐145, miR‐126, and miR‐7. The composite of the three miRNAs produced 90% sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing NSCLC patients from the controls. Results indicate that miRNAs could be useful biomarkers based on their stability under various storage conditions and maintain differential changes between cancer and control groups. Moreover, measurement of miRNAs in sputum could be a noninvasive approach for detection of lung cancer.

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Background:Free radical induced damages are thought to be involved in chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially in patients who are on hemodialysis (HD) for prolonged periods. Hemodialysis can influence multiple biochemical factors, several of which are useful, although the rest can be harmful and increase the severity of disease.Objectives:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the HD membrane polysulfone on oxidative stress markers, by measuring the level of lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant activity (TAC), in the blood of HD patients.Patients and Methods:This study was carried out on 31 HD patients and 31 healthy persons, matched for age and sex, as control group. Blood samples were drawn before and after HD from arteriovenous fistulas, and once from the controls. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) in blood hemolyzate, Glutathione peroxidase (GpX) of whole blood and TAC of plasma were measured, respectively. Then, we investigated the association between TAC of plasma, measured by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and lipid peroxidation level with its related parameters, in HD patients.Results:The SOD, GpX and CAT were decreased after HD (P < 0.05). Also, FRAP was shown to decrease after HD (P < 0.05). However, erythrocyte TBARS levels (μmol/gr of Hb) were increased after HD, in comparison with controls, and before HD (P < 0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between TBARS and antioxidant indices, such as SOD (r = -0.67, P = 0.001), GpX (r = -0.76, P = 0.001), CAT (r = -0.63, P = 0.001) and FRAP (r = -0.84, P = 0.001). The FRAP was significantly and directly correlated with uric acid (r = +0.62, P = 0.001), SOD (r = +0.72, P = 0.001), GpX (r = +0.87, P = 0.001) and CAT (r = +0.84, P = 0.001).Conclusions:The results of our study proposed that there is a loss or inactivation of antioxidant factors, coupled with increased lipid peroxidation during the procedure of HD, possibly through the dialyzer membrane, with probable consequences on the severity of illness.

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