The effect of various doses of infusion solutions on the endothelial glycocalyx layer in laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients.

Background: The endothelial glycocalyx is located on the luminal side of blood vessels and maintains vessel integrity. This study analysed how various dosages of infusion affected the secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and potential glycocalyx damage in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We hypothesised that the liberal administration of Ringer's solution during the operation can cause iatrogenic hypervolemia with releasing of ANP and glycocalyx damage.

Prenatal mercury exposure, neurodevelopment and apolipoprotein E genetic polymorphism.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between prenatal exposure to mercury (Hg) and neurodevelopment of the child, taking into account genetic polymorphism of apolipoprotein E (Apoe) and other relevant confounders. Six hundred and one mother-child pairs were recruited from the central Slovenia region and 243 from Rijeka, on the Croatian coast of the northern Adriatic. The total Hg in cord blood, Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III) assessment at 18 months of age and Apoe genotyping was performed on 361 children; 237 of them were from Slovenia and 124 from Croatia.

Concurrent Elevations of VEGF, Osteopontin and MCP-1 Serum Levels Are Independent Predictors of Survival in Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

Background: Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL) are heterogeneous diseases, and the identification of additional DLBCL risk factors is especially important.

Methods: In this pilot study, we determined pretreatment serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), osteopontin (OPN) and macrophage chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in 67 newly diagnosed DLBCL patients before treatment with standard chemoimmunotherapy and in 30 healthy persons.

Results: Serum levels of all three cytokines were significantly elevated in untreated patients compared to controls.

Preoperative oral feeding reduces stress response after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Background/aims: Fasting period before surgery may change metabolic status of the patient and have influence on perioperative stress response. The aim of the study was to investigate effects of preoperative carbohydrate-rich beverage on stress response after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methodology: Patients admitted for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included into study and they were randomized into a group that was fed prior to surgery and in a group that was in the regime of nothing by mouth from the evening one day before surgery.

Diagnostic accuracy of heart fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) and glycogen phosphorylase isoenzyme BB (GPBB) in diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess whether heart fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) and glycogen phosphorylase isoenzyme BB (GPBB) could be used for the accurate diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients.

Materials And Methods: The study included 108 ACS patients admitted to a coronary unit within 3 h after chest pain onset. AMI was distinguished from unstable angina (UA) using a classical cardiac troponin I (cTnI) assay.

Influence of preoperative oral feeding on stress response after resection for colon cancer.

Background/aims: Preoperative management involves patients fasting from midnight on the evening prior to surgery. Fasting period is often long enough to change the metabolic condition of the patient which increases perioperative stress response. That could have a detrimental effect on clinical outcome.

Validation of methods performance for routine biochemistry analytes at Cobas 6000 analyzer series module c501.

Introduction: Cobas 6000 (Roche, Germany) is biochemistry analyzer for spectrophotometric, immunoturbidimetric and ion-selective determination of biochemical analytes. Hereby we present analytical validation with emphasis on method performance judgment for routine operation.

Materials And Methods: Validation was made for 30 analytes (metabolites, enzymes, trace elements, specific proteins and electrolytes).

[C-reactive protein and lactate dehydrogenase as single prognostic factors of severity in acute pancreatitis].

Ranson and Glasgow scores are routinely used for prediction of severity in acute pancreatitis. We undertook a prospective study to investigate the role of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and C-reactive protein (CRP) as potential single predictors of severity in acute pancreatitis. In our study we included 100 patients with diagnosis of acute pancreatitis admitted to our hospital during last two years.

Prognostic values of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 in acute pancreatitis.

Goals: The prognostic importance of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, and IL-10 in the prediction of acute pancreatitis severity.

Background: Early assessment of severity in acute pancreatitis could help the patients who are at risk of developing complications. Unfortunately, the used prognostic scoring systems generally are only moderately accurate in assessing disease severity.