Reference data on estrogen metabolome in healthy pregnancy.

Introduction: Estrogen hormones and their metabolites are implicated in the maintenance of healthy pregnancy and adequate fetal development. Abnormal levels were related to increased risk of pregnancy complications, particularly preeclampsia. Our aims were (1) to develop a methodological platform for the comprehensive assessment of estrogen metabolome in pregnancy; (2) to collect healthy reference data for relevant elements of estrogen metabolome in each trimester; (3) to assess unconjugated fractions of the estrogen metabolome, (4) to assess the dominant metabolic pathways of estrogen compounds.

Interrelationship of hemoglobin A1c level lipid profile, uric acid, C-reactive protein levels and age in a large hospital database.

Introduction: Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is used to monitor glucose homeostasis and to identify risk for diabetes. As diabetic patients are frequently present with dyslipidaemia, low-grade inflammation and hyperuricemia, we tested whether HbA1c levels can be estimated having the information about lipid profile, uric acid (UA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. We developed formulas to describe the association of these parameters with HbA1c levels.

Short term ciprofloxacin and clindamycin combination antibiotic therapy before and after transrectal ultrasound scan and prostate biopsy: Its impact on major components of gut microbiome.

The perturbation of gut microbiome is a risk factor for a number of adverse conditions. Among other factors antibiotic therapy is a common culprit. We characterized the short-term alteration of gut microbiome after antibiotic therapy.

Vitamin D Deficiency has no Impact on PSA Reference Ranges in a General University Hospital - A Retrospective Analysis.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a higher risk of prostate cancer. We tested the hypothesis that vitamin D levels would have an impact on prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels.

Methods: From our laboratory database we selected 5136 male patients with simultaneously determined vitamin D and PSA levels.

[An inverse significant association between thyroid stimulatory hormone (TSH) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood levels in males 40-75 years of age 40-75 years of age].

Recent experiments and clinical studies indicate the contribution of thyroid hormones to prostate pathology. In our retrospective analyzis of university patient population, we evaluated the association between thyroid stimulatory hormone (TSH) and prostate specific antigen (PSA). From the Laboratory Information System we retrieved the data of male patients between 40 and 75 years of age who had been subjected to simultaneous TSH and PSA measurements during the last 12 years (n = 7279).

[Estrogen metabolism during pregnancy].

The extensive metabolism of estrogen hormones, where oxidized forms, structural isomers and conjugated products appear in many tissues locally as well as in systemic circulation, is believed to be associated with a number of diseases. Targeted estrogen metabolomic studies have been largely associated with postmenopausal, malignant advert immune conditions. Although the role of estriol in maintaining pregnancy and the biological activity of estrogen metabolites is known, a relatively small number of publications have addressed the formation and transformation of these compounds during pregnancy.

B7 costimulation and intracellular indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase expression in umbilical cord blood and adult peripheral blood.

Alterations in the expression of B7 costimulatory molecules and their receptors, as well as differences in the tryptophan (TRP) catabolic pathway, may influence immunological reactivity of umbilical cord blood (UCB) compared with adult peripheral blood (APB) T lymphocytes. We determined the frequency of activated (CD11b(+)) monocytes expressing B7-1, B7-2, B7-H1, and B7-H2, and that of T cells and CD4(+) T helper cells expressing CD28, cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4), programmed death-1 receptor, and inducible costimulator of T cells in UCB and APB samples using flow cytometry. We also examined the intracellular expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) applying flow cytometry and plasma levels of TRP, kynurenine (KYN), and kynurenic acid using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Serum maternal hepcidin levels 3 days after delivery are higher compared to those measured at parturition.

Aim: Our aim was to investigate the levels of hepcidin at parturition and 3 days after delivery and to relate hepcidin levels to parameters of iron homeostasis.

Materials And Methods: We measured hepcidin levels with mass spectrometry in serum samples of 38 term pregnant women taken just prior to and 3 days after vaginal delivery (n = 23) or cesarean section (CS) (n = 15). Hepcidin levels were related to iron homeostasis parameters and interleukin (IL)-6 levels.

[Increased hepcidin levels three days after gynecological interventions].

Unlabelled: Hepcidin is an endogenous substance that inhibits iron absorption and plasma iron levels. Due to technical reasons its levels are not routinely assessed and data regarding its clinical relevance are limited. We analyzed the alteration of hepcidin levels following gynecological interventions.

T-lymphocyte calcium influx characteristics and their modulation by Kv1.3 and IKCa1 channel inhibitors in the neonate.

Cytokine production in activated T lymphocytes of the term neonate is reduced compared with adults. We aimed to characterize the calcium influx kinetics of activated T lymphocytes in the neonate and to test the functionality and expression of Kv1.3 and IKCa1 lymphocyte potassium channels, important regulators of calcium influx.