Early Prediction of Mortality after Birth Asphyxia with the nSOFA.

(1) Birth asphyxia is a major cause of delivery room resuscitation. Subsequent organ failure and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) account for 25% of all early postnatal deaths. The neonatal sequential organ failure assessment (nSOFA) considers platelet count and respiratory and cardiovascular dysfunction in neonates with sepsis.

A Flavonoid-Rich Extract of L. Reduced Lipid Peroxidation in a Rat Experimental Model of Gentamicin Nephrotoxicity.

The use of gentamicin (GM) is limited due to its nephrotoxicity mediated by oxidative stress. This study aimed to evaluate the capacity of a flavonoid-rich extract of L. elderflower (SN) to inhibit lipoperoxidation in GM-induced nephrotoxicity.

The natural drug DIAVIT is protective in a type II mouse model of diabetic nephropathy.

There is evidence to suggest that abnormal angiogenesis, inflammation, and fibrosis drive diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, there is no specific treatment to counteract these processes. We aimed to determine whether DIAVIT, a natural Vaccinium myrtillus (blueberry) and Hippophae Rhamnoides (sea buckthorn) extract, is protective in a model of type II DN.

Paraoxonase-1 activities in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Paraoxonase-1 is an HDL-associated esterase that acts as an anti-atherogenic agent by protecting LDL from oxidation. This study investigates paraoxonase-1 activities in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus and possible associations with other biochemical markers.

Patients And Methods: The study enrolled 82 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus and 41 controls with similar age and gender distribution.

Evaluation of whole blood zinc and copper levels in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are important trace elements for cognitive development and normal neurological functioning. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurological disorder, which has previously been associated with the levels of some trace elements in the blood. However, clinical data regarding the potential implication of Zn and Cu in patients with ASD are still insufficient.

Serum homocysteine levels, oxidative stress and cardiovascular risk in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Introduction: Hyperhomocysteinemia is considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Oxidative stress is one of the major pathogenic mechanisms in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and atherosclerosis.

Aim: Our study aimed to evaluate serum homocysteine levels and oxidative stress in patients with biopsy-proven non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and possible association with cardiovascular risk measured by carotid artery intima-media thickness (c-IMT).

The impact of the lacto-ovo vegetarian diet on the erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity: a study in the Romanian population.

Background/objectives: Recent studies have shown that vitamin B12 scavenges superoxide anion as effectively as superoxide dismutase (SOD), and has a key role in the defense against oxidative stress. The status of vitamin B12 is suboptimal in a substantial number of vegans and even vegetarians. We therefore evaluated in lacto-ovo vegetarians (LOVs) who did not take vitamin B12 supplements the impact of the duration of this diet on the vitamin B12 status, the erythrocyte SOD activity and the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration.

Anti-inflammatory effects of selected drugs on activated neonatal and adult neutrophils.

Aim: In view of the central role of granulocytic neutrophils in the context of inflammatory reactions, the present study focuses on anti-inflammatory effects of drugs on activated neutrophils in neonates and adults.

Methods: Sixteen blood samples of neonates and adults were investigated in a prospective study. Loss of deformability, morphological changes, and increases in neutrophil elastase were determined as measures of neutrophil activation due to incubation with the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-8.

The NO-donor FK409 improves mechanical properties of activated neonatal PMN.

Background: Activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) play an important role in the microcirculation. Nitric oxide (NO) reduces the sequestration of PMN in the narrow vessels of various organs and, therefore, may reduce organ injury during inflammation.

Objectives: Since PMN of term neonates show various functional differences compared to PMN in adults (decreased chemotaxis, decreased intracellular killing, decreased adhesion), we studied the influence of the semi-synthetical NO-donor FK-409 (4-Ethyl-2-hydroxyimino-5-nitro-3-hexenamide) on the deformability of IL-8 activated PMN in term neonates and adults.

Effects of phosphodiesterase (III/IV)-inhibitors and cytokines on mechanical properties of neutrophilic granulocytes in neonates and adults.

Sequestration of activated PMN and enrichment in tissues play a key role in tissue damage during septicaemia and after ischemia/reperfusion. Since polymorphonuclear neutrophilic granulocytes (PMN) of term neonates show various functional differences compared to PMN in adults (decreased chemotaxis, decreased intracellular killing, decreased adhesion) we studied the influence of interleukin 8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) on the reduction of deformability of PMN in neonates and adults. The following phosphodiesterase (PDE)-inhibitors were applied to ameliorate the reduction in deformability when the PMN were stimulated with fMLP or IL-8: Enoximone, Milrinone (PDE-III-inhibitors), Pentoxifylline (PTX) and Piclamilast (PDE-IV-inhibitors).

[Esophageal stenting: techniques and effectiveness].

Objective: The purpose of this study is a prospective evaluation of the ease of implantation, long-term patency, indication of good oesophageal stent placement and related complications in patients due to obstructive malignant diseases. The clinical efficacy of these techniques is also examined.

Materials And Methods: A total of 123 patients with severe oesophageal obstruction diagnosed between 1999 and 2008 were selected for stent placement.

The role of leptin and cortisol in hyperactivity in patients with acute and weight-recovered anorexia nervosa.

Introduction: In food-restricted rats, leptin as well as corticotropin releasing factor attenuate semistarvation-induced hyperactivity (SIH). Results from studies in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) showed an association between excessive physical activity (PA) and leptin. One recent report suggests a role for cortisol in PA.

One carbon metabolism disturbances and the C677T MTHFR gene polymorphism in children with autism spectrum disorders.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), which include the prototypic autistic disorder (AD), Asperger's syndrome (AS) and pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), are complex neurodevelopmental conditions of unknown aetiology. The current study investigated the metabolites in the methionine cycle, the transsulphuration pathway, folate, vitamin B(12) and the C677T polymorphism of the MTHFR gene in three groups of children diagnosed with AD (n= 15), AS (n= 5) and PDD-NOS (n= 19) and their age- and sex-matched controls (n= 25). No metabolic disturbances were seen in the AS patients, while in the AD and PDD-NOS groups, lower plasma levels of methionine (P= 0.

Effect of a dietary supplement containing blueberry and sea buckthorn concentrate on antioxidant capacity in type 1 diabetic children.

Unlabelled: Many studies have shown that oxidative stress plays an important role in the etiology of diabetes and its complications. New methods of treatment for prevention and control of this disease is a priority for the international scientific community.

Methods: We investigated the relationship between the glycated hemoglobin, C peptide and two antioxidant enzymes.

Aromatic amino acids in weight-recovered females with anorexia nervosa.

Objective: Most previous studies investigating amino acid levels in anorexia nervosa (AN) have focused on acutely underweight patients. The present study assessed the availability of aromatic amino acids in the plasma of weight-recovered outpatients with AN (recAN) in comparison to acutely underweight AN patients (acAN) and healthy control woman (HCW).

Method: Plasma tryptophan (TRP), tyrosine (TYR), and phenylalanine (PHEN) as well as leptin concentration were determined in 32 recAN, 32 acAN, and 32 HCW.

S100B in underweight and weight-recovered patients with anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) commonly arises during adolescence, leading to interruptions of somatic and psychological development as well as to cortical atrophy and reductions of brain volume. While most brain changes shift towards normal with weight restoration, it is not certain whether they are related to the loss of brain cells, neuropil or merely due to fluid shifts. We measured S100B serum concentrations and psychometric characteristics in 34 patients with acute AN, 19 weight-recovered patients and 35 healthy control women (HCW).

Glial and neuronal damage markers in patients with anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) commonly arises during adolescence leading to interruptions of somatic and psychological development as well as to atrophic brain changes. It remains unclear whether these brain changes are related to the loss of neurons, glia, neuropil or merely due to fluid shifts. We determined leptin levels and two brain-derived damage markers: glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) of 43 acute AN patients and 50 healthy control woman (HCW).

Effect of activators and the phosphodiesterase inhibitors pentoxifylline and enoximone on the deformability of neutrophils in neonates and adults.

Background: Stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) are extremely rigid compared to resting PMN. They may obstruct narrow vessels and contribute to ischaemic organ injury. Deformability is a prerequisite for both active and passive movement in the microcirculation.

[Preliminary considerations in a semiquantitative microbiological study in catheter-related infection].

In the interval September 1993-April 1994, 38 catheters from children admitted to the Children's Hospital of Iaşi were examined microscopically and by semiquantitative culture, in the children with sepsis and/or positive catheters hemocultures being performed concurrently. Twenty eight of these catheters proved to be sterile, the other 10 being positive to coagulase-negative staphylococci, gram-negative bacilli from Klebsiella-Enterobacter group, Candida species, the number of colonies/plate varying generally in concordance with the microscopic positive score. Of the 6 cases with > 50 colonies/plate, 3 progressed to septicemia, their hemocultures being positive to the same bacterial species demonstrating an identical sensitivity spectrum to antibiotics (2 cases with Enterobacter cloacae, 1 case with Klebsiella oxytoca).

The ultrasound appearances of intramural bowel gas: the bright ring appearance and the effervescent bowel. A report of three cases.

Bowel necrosis is a serious condition with a very high mortality rate. The earlier the diagnosis is made, the better chance for survival. Ultrasound is a primary imaging technique in the diagnosis of the acute abdomen.

Survival after ultrasonographic demonstration of portal venous gas due to mesenteric artery occlusion.

Portal vein gas as a result of bowel necrosis following occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery has an extremely grave prognosis. Only two previous cases have been recorded as having survived. In both those cases the diagnosis of portal vein gas was made on an abdominal radiograph.

The ultrasound spectrum of emphysematous cholecystitis.

This report presents a gamut of ultrasound signs that may be seen in emphysematous cholecystitis. These can be summarized as follows: Intraluminal gas: (a) A dense band of hyper-reflective echoes with distal reverberations when gallbladder is full of gas. (b) A band of reverberations in the gas-filled portion of the gallbladder with the usual signs of cholecystitis in the bile-filled portion when the gallbladder is partially full of gas.

Sonographic demonstration of hepatic venous gas in mesenteric arterial thrombosis.

Hepatic portal venous gas is an ominous prognostic sign in bowel necrosis from mesenteric arterial occlusion. Ultrasonic examination is a sensitive and accurate method of demonstrating portal venous gas. We describe a case where the ultrasonic diagnosis of portal venous gas led to the rapid diagnosis of bowel infarction.