Effect of exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in utero on fetal growth: potential role for the IGF-I and HPA axes.

To investigate the possible effect of fetal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on somatic growth and on hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I axes, we compared the anthropometric parameters and hormonal profile of 21 SSRI-exposed infants and 20 matched controls. The SSRI group was characterized by lower crown-heel length (p < 0.01), smaller head circumference (p = 0.

Repeated low-dose of erythropoietin is associated with improved left ventricular function in rat acute myocardial infarction model.

Objective: To evaluate the potential protective affects of Epo on left ventricular (LV) function and remodeling after acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: Epo was injected into the peritoneum of male Wistar rats (250 g) during 6 weeks post induction of MI. Rats were divided into five groups: MI treated with single high dose (MT1, 5,000 U/kg, n=10), single high dose (5,000 U/kg) and repeated high doses (MTHi, 1,000 U/kg twice a week; n=8), or single high dose (5,000 U/kg) and repeated low doses (MTLo, 750 U/kg once a week, n=10), MI non-treated (MNT, n=10), sham (S, n=5).

Dynamics of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level and cosmophysical activity.

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP), an acute phase reactant, plays an important part in the investigation of the role of inflammation in pathology. Many cardiovascular events show significant associations with various cosmophysical parameters. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the level of CRP and the levels of solar, geomagnetic (GMA), and cosmic ray activity.

Serum NT-proBNP concentrations in the early phase do not predict the severity of systolic or diastolic left ventricular dysfunction among patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction.

The cohort included 55 consecutive patients with first ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEAMI) who underwent reperfusion. Blood samples were drawn for N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), highly-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), creatinine kinase (CK), cardiac troponin l (cTnl), and white blood cell (WBC) count within 24 hours of admission. Transthoracic echocardiography, performed within the same time frame, assessed left ventricular (LV) systolic function, as well as diastolic function.

Family history, plasma homocysteine, and age at onset of symptoms of myocardial ischemia in patients with different methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genotypes.

A high plasma homocysteine level is associated with early onset of coronary artery disease (CAD), particularly in homozygotes for the C677T mutation in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene. Family history is a predictor of increased plasma homocysteine and may be involved in early-onset CAD. This study examined the relations among family history, plasma homocysteine, and age at onset of CAD, and the role of the MTHFR genotype in this context.

Body temperature - a marker of infarct size in the era of early reperfusion.

We measured body temperature in 40 consecutive patients treated for a first ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with primary percutaneous coronary interventions. Left ventricular function was assessed by echocardiography, and blood samples were drawn for highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), white blood cell (WBC) count, fibrinogen, creatine kinase (CK), and cardiac troponin I levels (cTnI). The median (25th, 75th quartiles) peak 24-hour temperature was 37.

Association of CagA+ Helicobacter pylori infection with aortic atheroma.

Background: To investigate possible association between infection with CagA(+) strains of Helicobacter pylori and aortic atheroma diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography.

Methods And Results: One hundred and eighty-eight consecutive subjects prospectively examined for presence of aortic atheroma (localized intimal thickening of >/=3mm) by transesophageal echocardiography were tested for serum IgG antibodies against H. pylori (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and CagA protein (Western blot assay).

Effect of different LDL-apheresis methods on parameters involved in atherosclerosis.

LDL-apheresis lowers the LDL level in patients with severe hypercholesterolemia. The present study compared three apheresis methods--DSA, DALI, and plasma exchange--for effectiveness in removal of LDL and effect on various blood parameters involved in atherogenesis. The study group included 6 patients with primary hypercholesterolemia unresponsive to maximal drug therapy.

Can salivary composition and high flow rate explain the low caries rate in children with familial dysautonomia?

Purpose: Extremely low caries rate and increased major salivary gland flow rare have been previously reported in children with familial dysautonomia (FD). The purpose of this study was to explore the possibility that, in addition to increased salivary flow, children with FD have alterations in their salivary components, which may suggest an explanauon to their low caries rate.

Methods: Whole unstimulated and stimulated saliva samples were collected from 13 children with FD who were found to be caries free, and from 28 age- and ethnic-matched healthy children, 15 caries-free children and 13 caries-affected children.

Submandibular and sublingual salivary gland function in familial dysautonomia.

Objective: Drooling in familial dysautonomia (FD) has been attributed to denervation supersensitivity. The aim of this study was to investigate submandibular and sublingual (SM/SL) gland function in FD.

Study Design: SM/SL saliva was collected from 15 children with FD and from 31 healthy control subjects.

Plasma levels of vitamin E in pregnant women prior to the development of preeclampsia and other hypertensive complications.

Our aim was to investigate whether decreased levels of vitamin E can be measured during the early stages of pregnancy in women at risk of developing preeclampsia or other associated complications before the onset of the clinical syndrome. We prospectively measured the plasma concentrations of vitamin E in 62 pregnant women at 7-32 weeks of gestation who were at risk of developing preeclampsia and other complications, before the appearance of clinical signs. The results were compared with those of 16 healthy controls.

The elevated plasma lipoprotein(a) concentrations in preeclampsia do not precede the development of the disorder.

We sought to determine whether maternal plasma lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels are elevated in the second trimester, before the development of preeclampsia and other obstetrical complications, in women at risk. In the first part of the study (cross-sectional), plasma concentrations of Lp(a) were compared among 16 women with preeclampsia, 35 normotensive pregnant women and 18 healthy nonpregnant women. In the second part (nested case-control), blood samples were collected prospectively from 82 women at risk of preeclampsia, at 14-24 weeks of gestation, and Lp(a) levels were compared between those in whom preeclampsia or other obstetrical complications developed and those in whom they did not.

Effects of vasoactive substances released from ischemic reperfused liver on the isolated rat heart.

Background: Cardiovascular dysfunction frequently occurs after major vascular surgery or liver transplantation.

Objective: To evaluate the effects on myocardial activity of vasoactive agents released from ischemic-reperfused liver.

Animals And Methods: Isolated rat livers were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution (KH), propranolol 10(-5) M, losartan 2x10(-5) M and indomethacin 10(-5) M, then made globally ischemic for 120 min (37 degrees C) and reperfused.

The influence of aprotinin on myocardial function after liver ischemia-reperfusion.

Background: The beneficial effect of aprotinin, a naturally occurring protease inhibitor, on preservation of organs such as the liver, kidney and lung has been documented.

Objective: To explore the effects of hepatic ischemia and reperfusion on both liver and myocardial function, using a dual isolated perfused organ model with and without aprotinin.

Methods: Isolated rat livers were stabilized for 30 minutes with oxygenated modified Krebs-Henseleit solution at 37 degrees C.

Renal effects of moderate hypercholesterolaemia in uninephrectomized rats.

Animal studies have shown that a 4-6-fold increase in serum cholesterol aggravates pre-existing renal injury. We studied the renal effects of moderate hypercholesterolaemia over a period of 18 weeks in uninephrectomized rats. Animals were allocated to two groups; the group 1 rats were fed a normal diet, as controls, and the group 2 rats were fed a high cholesterol diet containing 3% cholesterol and 1% sodium cholate by weight.

Influence of diabetes mellitus and glycaemic control on the characteristics and outcome of common infections.

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effect of diabetes and metabolic control on the presentation, sources, pathogens and outcome of common infections. Of 515 patients admitted to three departments of internal medicine because of a suspected acute infection, 132 (26%) had diabetes mellitus. Osteomyelitis was diagnosed in 3% of the diabetic patients and in 1% of patients without diabetes, and infection of the extremities in 7% and 0%, respectively (p = 0.

Are bilirubin and plasma lipid profiles of premature infants dependent on the lipid emulsion infused?

The effect of a lipid emulsion containing long-chain triglycerides (LCT) and supplemented with L-carnitine on plasma lipids and bilirubin in premature neonates on total parenteral nutrition was compared to that of lipid emulsions containing either LCT or a mixture of LCT and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). In a double-blind randomized study 49 premature neonates received one of the three fat emulsions, given intravenously, over 16-20 h daily for 6 days. Plasma carnitine levels increased significantly in the supplemented group only; the addition of carnitine did not seem to affect any of the parameters studied.

Diurnal rhythm of prostanoid secretion from bone/marrow organ in the rat.

The secretion of prostanoids from an adult diaphysial rat bone organ was assessed throughout a 24 h period at 4 h intervals as well as the 24 h activities of bone alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme and serum corticosterone levels. Femurs were removed from 16 rats at each interval and incubated in the absence or presence of indomethacin (100 micrograms). The levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), and the stable metabolites of thromboxane and prostacyclin, thromboxane B2 (TxB2), and 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto PGF1 alpha) were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA).

Sweat electrolytes in patients with advanced renal failure.

The sweat gland has some similarity with the convoluted tubules of the kidney. Little is known about sweat secretion and electrolyte content of sweat in the uremic gland. A pilocarpine ionotophoresis sweat test was performed in 40 patients with advanced renal failure (RF).

Lactic acid as a predictor for erythrocyte transfusion in healthy preterm infants with anemia of prematurity.

Elevated blood lactate levels that declined to normal after erythrocyte transfusion were observed in 17 of 37 otherwise healthy infants with anemia of prematurity (26.1 +/- 2.1 mg/dl vs 12.

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor and interleukin-2 in human amniotic fluid of normal and abnormal pregnancies.

In the present study, 63 specimens of human amniotic fluid were tested for the presence of free soluble interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R). Thirty-two of these were also tested for the presence of IL-2. Significant reduction in free soluble IL-2R (IU/ml) or free IL-2R (IU/mg albumin) levels were found in the amniotic fluid obtained from pregnant women with Down's syndrome fetuses as compared with normal pregnancies.

[Transient hyperphosphatasemia of infancy].

Transient hyperphosphatasemia of infancy was diagnosed in 4 children hospitalized during a 6-month period (0.3% of all hospitalized children). The characteristic features of this disorder are: 1.

Lipid infusion with different triglyceride cores (long-chain vs medium-chain/long-chain triglycerides): effect on plasma lipids and bilirubin binding in premature infants.

The possible beneficial effects of infusing a lipid emulsion containing 50% by weight of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) compared with a standard long-chain triglyceride (LCT) emulsion were studied in 18 premature neonates (gestational age less than 34 weeks) requiring parenteral nutrition. The infants were assigned in a double-blind manner to receive one of the two lipid emulsions over 17 hours a day as a supplemental regimen for total parenteral nutrition. A lipid load of 1 g/kg per day was initiated on the third day of life and was increased at the rate of 1 g/kg per day until a maximal dose of 3 g/kg per day was obtained on the fifth day of life and maintained thereafter.