Evaluation of peripheral serotonin content and α-adrenergic receptor function as potential markers for life-long recurrent depressive disorder by using methodological improvements.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the role and the relations between peripheral platelet serotonin content, blood plasma serotonin concentration and the function of platelet α-adrenergic receptors (α-AR) as potential state or trait biomarkers for recurrent depressive disorder (RDD).

Methods: 26 drug-free patients with life-long RDD and 31 healthy controls were included in the study. Several methodological improvements in blood collection and platelet isolation were implemented following the present standards in Haematology and Light transmission aggregometry.

Voiding Urosonography with Second-Generation Ultrasound Contrast Agent for Diagnosis of Vesicoureteric Reflux: First Local Pilot Study.

Background: Vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) is an important association of paediatric urinary tract infection (UTI) found in 30-50% of all children presenting with first UTI. Contrast-enhanced voiding ultrasonography (ceVUS) has become an important radiation-free method for VUR detection in children. Its sensitivity in detecting VUR has greatly improved due to the development of the contrast-specific ultrasound techniques and the introduction of the second-generation ultrasound contrast agent, superseding the diagnostic accuracy of standard radiological procedures.