Abstract
The aim of this prospective study was to verify normal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in jaundiced breastfed infants with indirect hyperbilirubinemia.
Methods
The study was conducted in clinically jaundiced breastfed infants, 20, or more, days old, referred to our outpatient ambulatory. Inclusion criteria were: birth at term after a physiologic pregnancy, with an Apgar score > 7 at 1 and 5 min, no evidence of congenital anomalies or diseases, direct bilirubin < 1 mg/dl, normal values of alpha-1-antitrypsin, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, thyroid stimulating hormone, triiodothyronine, tyroxine, and normal growth. 30 non-jaundiced breastfed infants age–weight-matched, were used as control group.
Results
98 jaundiced breastfed infants satisfied inclusion criteria. Their mean serum concentration of AFP was significantly higher than control infants (3548 vs 1095 ng/ml, p < 0.001). Serum AFP levels of jaundiced infants were directly associated with serum indirect bilirubin and γ-glutamyltranspeptidase concentrations.
Conclusions
The most probable explanation of elevated AFP in jaundiced breastfed infants may be the presence in human milk of one or more factors which affect hepatocyte growth and/or function. Based on our finding we demonstrated that in jaundiced breastfed infants normal range of serum AFP levels are higher than previously published data for healthy infants. Our data can be useful for a right interpretation of AFP levels in breastfed infants with prolonged jaundiced and may be used to avoid unnecessary investigations.
Rosa Manganaroa, Lucia Marsegliaa, Carmelo Mamìa, Giuseppe Saittaa, Romana Garganob and Marina Gemellia, ,
ARTICLE
Monday
Wednesday
ANENCEPHALY - Birth Defect
What is Anencephaly?
Anencephaly is a defect in the closure of the neural tube during fetal development. The neural tube is a narrow channel that folds and closes between the 3rd and 4th weeks of pregnancy to form the brain and spinal cord of the embryo. Anencephaly occurs when the "cephalic" or head end of the neural tube fails to close, resulting in the absence of a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp. Infants with this disorder are born without a forebrain (the front part of the brain) and a cerebrum (the thinking and coordinating part of the brain). The remaining brain tissue is often exposed--not covered by bone or skin. A baby born with anencephaly is usually blind, deaf, unconscious, and unable to feel pain. Although some individuals with anencephaly may be born with a rudimentary brain stem, the lack of a functioning cerebrum permanently rules out the possibility of ever gaining consciousness. Reflex actions such as breathing and responses to sound or touch may occur.
An alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) blood test checks the level of AFP in a pregnant woman's blood. AFP is a substance made in the liver of a unborn baby (fetus). The amount of AFP in the blood of a pregnant woman can help see whether the baby may have such problems as spina bifida and anencephaly. An AFP test can also be done as part of a screening test to find other chromosomal problems, such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21) or Edward syndrome (trisomy 18). An AFP test can find an omphalocele, a congenital problem in which some of the baby's intestines stick out through the belly wall.
Normally, low levels of AFP can be found in the blood of a pregnant woman. No AFP (or only a very low level) is generally found in the blood of healthy men or healthy, nonpregnant women.
Anencephaly is a defect in the closure of the neural tube during fetal development. The neural tube is a narrow channel that folds and closes between the 3rd and 4th weeks of pregnancy to form the brain and spinal cord of the embryo. Anencephaly occurs when the "cephalic" or head end of the neural tube fails to close, resulting in the absence of a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp. Infants with this disorder are born without a forebrain (the front part of the brain) and a cerebrum (the thinking and coordinating part of the brain). The remaining brain tissue is often exposed--not covered by bone or skin. A baby born with anencephaly is usually blind, deaf, unconscious, and unable to feel pain. Although some individuals with anencephaly may be born with a rudimentary brain stem, the lack of a functioning cerebrum permanently rules out the possibility of ever gaining consciousness. Reflex actions such as breathing and responses to sound or touch may occur.
An alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) blood test checks the level of AFP in a pregnant woman's blood. AFP is a substance made in the liver of a unborn baby (fetus). The amount of AFP in the blood of a pregnant woman can help see whether the baby may have such problems as spina bifida and anencephaly. An AFP test can also be done as part of a screening test to find other chromosomal problems, such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21) or Edward syndrome (trisomy 18). An AFP test can find an omphalocele, a congenital problem in which some of the baby's intestines stick out through the belly wall.
Normally, low levels of AFP can be found in the blood of a pregnant woman. No AFP (or only a very low level) is generally found in the blood of healthy men or healthy, nonpregnant women.
Monday
Single nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter region of human alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) gene and its significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
Variations of serum alpha fetoprotein afp levels in hepatocellular carcinoma patients and cell lines are likely due to the differential activity of enhancer/silencer elements that control AFP. To understand the potential mechanism underlying the differential expression of AFP, we have examined the sequence of the AFP promoter in HCC.
Results
Three novel SNPs in the promoter region of the AFP gene , which have not been previously reported, were found at positions −330, −401 and −692. The level of serum alpha fetoprotein was significantly higher in HCC patients with the CT genotype of 330 SNP or the AG genotype of the 401 SNP. The genotype of CG in 692 SNP was also associated with a significant elevated level of serum alpha fetoprotein , and further this genotype appeared to be associated with the high risk of HCC development. 401 SNP and 692 SNP were located at the positions of known binding sites for transcription factors that have a role in the production of alpha fetoprotein and the growth of tumors .
Conclusions
The novel polymorphisms identified in the promoter region of the AFP gene may be pathologically significant in HCC.
Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
Results
Three novel SNPs in the promoter region of the AFP gene , which have not been previously reported, were found at positions −330, −401 and −692. The level of serum alpha fetoprotein was significantly higher in HCC patients with the CT genotype of 330 SNP or the AG genotype of the 401 SNP. The genotype of CG in 692 SNP was also associated with a significant elevated level of serum alpha fetoprotein , and further this genotype appeared to be associated with the high risk of HCC development. 401 SNP and 692 SNP were located at the positions of known binding sites for transcription factors that have a role in the production of alpha fetoprotein and the growth of tumors .
Conclusions
The novel polymorphisms identified in the promoter region of the AFP gene may be pathologically significant in HCC.
Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
Thursday
Pediatric liver tumors: Initial presentation, image finding and outcome
Results: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with 91% hepatitis B virus-related, constituted 23 of 33 primary malignant liver tumors and had the poorest survival rate. Initially, 70% of patients with primary malignant liver tumors were at disseminated stages. All of HCC and 88% of hepatoblastoma had elevated serum levels of alpha fetoprotein. However, abnormal liver function tests as alanine aminotransferase , total bilirubin , albumin and alkaline phosphatase were uncommon in patients with pediatric liver tumors. Metastatic liver tumors compared with primary malignant liver tumors showed hypo-echogenicity in abdominal ultrasound (US) exam and a lesser presence of vessel invasion and contrast enhancement in computed tomography studies (P < 0.01).
Conclusions: It is important to diagnose primary malignant liver tumors before their clinical symptoms and signs develop. Children with chronic hepatitis B virus infection must be followed every 6 months by serum alpha-fetoprotein and abdominal US even when their liver function tests are normal. Image studies with abdominal US and computed tomography scan can differentiate between primary and metastatic liver tumors . Background and Methodology in their abstract by: JIAAN-DER WANG, TE-KAU CHANG, HOU-CHUAN CHEN, SHENG-LING JAN, FANG-LIANG HUANG, CHING-SHIANG CHI, CHIEH-CHUNG LIN (2007) Pediatric liver tumors: Departments of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery, Taichung Veterans General Hospital and Institute of Clinical Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University , Taichung, Taiwan
Conclusions: It is important to diagnose primary malignant liver tumors before their clinical symptoms and signs develop. Children with chronic hepatitis B virus infection must be followed every 6 months by serum alpha-fetoprotein and abdominal US even when their liver function tests are normal. Image studies with abdominal US and computed tomography scan can differentiate between primary and metastatic liver tumors . Background and Methodology in their abstract by: JIAAN-DER WANG, TE-KAU CHANG, HOU-CHUAN CHEN, SHENG-LING JAN, FANG-LIANG HUANG, CHING-SHIANG CHI, CHIEH-CHUNG LIN (2007) Pediatric liver tumors: Departments of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery, Taichung Veterans General Hospital and Institute of Clinical Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University , Taichung, Taiwan
Monday
Human Alpha Fetoprotein not AFP Apple Filing Protocol
I know this is a burning question that everyone has on their mind such as where does AFP come from, what is it exactly and I'm not talking about "Apple Filing Protocol" but alpha fetoprotein AFP which is protein used in a number of blood tests for screening.
Lee Biosolutions is a major supplier of tumor markers such as alpha fetoprotein for the clinical diagnostic . We also specialize in the development and purification of cardiac markers , tumor markers , acute phase proteins , coagulation proteins and immunoassay biomarkers .
Now What is AFP exactly? Human AFP , is a major serum protein of 590 amino acids and a carbohydrate moiety that is normally produced by the fetal yolk sac, the fetal gastrointestinal tract, and eventually by the fetal liver. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has a molecular weight of about 69 kDa. According to an article in Tumor Biology there have been at least 4 subfractions expressing different epitopes that were found in native alpha fetoprotein.
Published reports indicate that alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) , expression in adults is often associated with hepatoma or teratoma . The protein is thought to be the fetal counterpart of serum albumin. The alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) , and albumin genes are present in tandem in the same transcriptional orientation on chromosome 4. In addition Alpha fetoprotein binds copper, nickel, fatty acids and bilirubin . The level of alpha fetoprotein in amniotic fluid is used to measure renal loss of protein to screen for spina bifida and anencephaly. Expression has been documented in human adrenal, liver, ovary, testis, and pancreas .
According to WebMDonline an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) blood test is used to check the level of AFP in a pregnant woman's blood to help see whether the baby may have such problems as spina bifida or anencephaly and chromosomal problems, such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21) or Edward syndrome (trisomy 18).
According to the American Pregnancy association the Triple Test is to determine any potential genetic disorders. The triple test involves testing for Alpha feto protein , Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and unconjugated estriol.
Lee Biosolutions is a major supplier of tumor markers such as alpha fetoprotein for the clinical diagnostic . We also specialize in the development and purification of cardiac markers , tumor markers , acute phase proteins , coagulation proteins and immunoassay biomarkers .
Now What is AFP exactly? Human AFP , is a major serum protein of 590 amino acids and a carbohydrate moiety that is normally produced by the fetal yolk sac, the fetal gastrointestinal tract, and eventually by the fetal liver. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has a molecular weight of about 69 kDa. According to an article in Tumor Biology there have been at least 4 subfractions expressing different epitopes that were found in native alpha fetoprotein.
Published reports indicate that alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) , expression in adults is often associated with hepatoma or teratoma . The protein is thought to be the fetal counterpart of serum albumin. The alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) , and albumin genes are present in tandem in the same transcriptional orientation on chromosome 4. In addition Alpha fetoprotein binds copper, nickel, fatty acids and bilirubin . The level of alpha fetoprotein in amniotic fluid is used to measure renal loss of protein to screen for spina bifida and anencephaly. Expression has been documented in human adrenal, liver, ovary, testis, and pancreas .
According to WebMDonline an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) blood test is used to check the level of AFP in a pregnant woman's blood to help see whether the baby may have such problems as spina bifida or anencephaly and chromosomal problems, such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21) or Edward syndrome (trisomy 18).
According to the American Pregnancy association the Triple Test is to determine any potential genetic disorders. The triple test involves testing for Alpha feto protein , Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and unconjugated estriol.
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