Associations between APOE genotypes, urine 8-isoprostane and blood trace elements in middle-aged mothers (CROME study).

Background: There is almost no data on the combined associations between apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) genotypes, trace elements (TEs), and lipid peroxidation in vivo. The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between APOE genotypes and TE levels in blood (B-TEs) and erythrocytes (E-TEs), and 8-isoprostane in urine (U-8-isoprostane) in women with low exposure to potentially toxic TEs and with adequate supply of essential TEs.

Methods: B-TEs, E-TEs and U-8-isoprostane were determined in 172 healthy women of childbearing age (30.

Seasonal variation of total and bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in the healthy adult Slovenian population.

The aim of our study was to compare the total 25(OH)D fraction, the bioavailable vitamin fraction, and the free vitamin D fraction in spring and fall in a group of healthy individuals. In our study, we collected blood samples from healthy participants at the end of both summer and winter, and measured serum levels of albumin, DBP, and 25(OH)D. Utilizing these data, we calculated the percentage of free and bioavailable vitamin D.

N-Acetylcysteine Ineffective in Alleviating Hangover from Binge Drinking: A Clinical Study.

Alcohol hangover (veisalgia) is a fairly common phenomenon. The pathogenesis of veisalgia is not understood and treatment has not yet been established. Occasionally, students take N-acetylcysteine (NAC) before binge drinking to alleviate hangover.

Anabolic/Catabolic Hormone Imbalance but Still Jumping Further? Negative Association of Free Testosterone With Jumping Performance in Elite Handball Players Following a Preparatory Period.

The present study investigated the effects of a 10-week preparatory training period on biomarkers and jumping performance and associations of changes in biomarkers, load, and jumping performance from the beginning (PRE) to the end of the preparatory period (POST) in elite handball players. Seventeen elite handball players competing in the first Slovenian men's League were recruited. Training, competition and academic loads were reported weekly, while biomarkers and jumping performance were assessed at PRE and POST.

No increase in GFAP and S-100B in very preterm infants with mild periventricular leukomalacia or intraventricular hemorrhage: a pilot study.

Aim: To determine the serum levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S-100B in very preterm infants with and without periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and/or intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH).

Methods: The study enrolled preterm infants born between 23 and 32 weeks of gestation admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University Medical Center Ljubljana. PVL and IVH were determined with cranial ultrasound.

Verification and Comparison of Qualitative Serological Assays for Anti-SARS-COV-2 IgM and IgG Antibodies Detection.

Background: Due to their wide application in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, we verified and compared three qualitative serological methods in order to select the most optimal that will best serve its purpose under laboratory conditions.

Methods: We assessed the diagnostic characteristics of two automated serological methods (Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 and Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG) and a POCT test (Colloidal Gold Method SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG Antibody Assay Kit). In the process of verification, analytical precision was also assessed for the automated assays.

The Significance of Blood and Peritoneal Fluid Biochemical Markers in Identifying Early Anastomotic Leak following Colorectal Resection-Findings from a Single-Center Study.

: The aim of our study was to evaluate the value of leukocyte, C reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, lactate, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in blood and peritoneal fluid in early recognition of anastomotic leak (AL) after colorectal resections. : Our pilot prospective cohort study was conducted at the abdominal surgery department at University Medical Center Ljubljana. A total of 43 patients who underwent open or laparoscopic colorectal resection because of benign or malignant etiology were enrolled.

Enhanced Detection of Cardiac Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury by a Composite Biomarker Panel in Patients with Normal Preoperative Kidney Function.

We have recently shown that minor subclinical creatinine dynamic changes enable the excellent detection of acute kidney injury (AKI) within 6-12 h after cardiac surgery. The aim of the present study was to examine a combination of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), cystatin C (CysC) and creatinine for enhanced AKI detection early after cardiac surgery. Elective patients with normal renal function undergoing cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass were enrolled.

How to Really Understand and Improve the System of Internal Quality Control and External Quality Assessment in the Accreditation Process of the Medical Laboratory?

Internal quality control (IQC) regarding process to monitor analytical stability has a long tradition in laboratory medicine. The satisfactory results with different quality specifications of the IQC ensure the acceptability of the examination results. Although the statistical IQC is satisfactory some problems exist, resulting in unreliable patients' results due several reasons (non-commutable control materials, lot to lot difference of reagents, false interpreting test results regarding autovalidation or autoverification, different analytical and clinical specifications or goals etc.

Empagliflozin-Metformin Combination Has Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties that Correlate with Vascular Protection in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes.

Methods: 40 individuals with type 1 diabetes (average age of 44.7 ± 2.5 years) were randomized into four groups: (1) control (placebo), (2) empagliflozin 25 mg daily, (3) metformin 2000 mg daily, and (4) empagliflozin-metformin combination (25 mg and 2000 mg daily, respectively).

The Impact of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux on Occurrence and Clinical Course of Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis.

Objectives/hypothesis: Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) has been proposed both as a trigger for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) onset and as a factor favoring an aggressive clinical course.

Study Design: In this prospective study, 106 participants were recruited within a period of 24 months at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervicofacial Surgery, University Medical Centre Ljubljana.

Methods: This study compared a group of RRP patients (N = 36) with a group of LPR patients (N = 28) and a group of healthy participants (N = 42) based on Reflux Symptom Index (RSI), Reflux Finding Scores (RFS), and saliva analyses (pH, pepsin concentration, bile acid concentration, and pepsin enzymatic activity).

Serum hepcidin and ferritin as markers of iron deficiency in premature infants born at less than 32 weeks of gestation: prospective observational study.

Background: Preterm infants born at less than 32 weeks of gestation are at higher risk of low total iron stores (iron deficiency). Serum ferritin is used as a valid total iron stores and iron deficiency biomarker, usually as a combination of ferritin and red blood cell counts.

Methods: Serum hepcidin and ferritin values and red blood cell counts were obtained from 37 of 40 included premature infants born at less than 32 weeks of gestation at risk of iron deficiency.

Serum Klotho as a marker for early diagnosis of acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery.

Background: Early diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery is based on serum creatinine which is neither a specific nor a sensitive biomarker. In our study, we investigated the role of serum Klotho in early prediction of AKI after cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Methods: The included patients were classified into three groups according to AKI stages using KDIGO criteria.

Association of biomarker S100B and cerebral oximetry with neurological changes during carotid endarterectomy performed in awake patients.

: This study attempted to correlate neurological symptoms in awake patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) under local anaesthesia (LA) with serum concentration of S100B protein and measurement of cerebral oximetry with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). : A total of 64 consecutive CEAs in 60 patients operated under LA during an 18-month period were prospectively evaluated. A cerebral oximeter was used to measure cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO) before and after cross-clamping along with serum concentration of the S100B protein.

Extracorporeal Hemadsorption Glucocorticoids during Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Extracorporeal hemadsorption may reduce inflammatory reaction in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery. Glucocorticoids have been used during open-heart surgery for alleviation of systemic inflammation after CPB. We compared intraoperative hemadsorption and methylprednisolone, with usual care, during complex cardiac surgery on CPB, for inflammatory responses, hemodynamics, and perioperative course.

The top-down approach to measurement uncertainty: which formula should we use in laboratory medicine?

Introduction: By quantifying the measurement uncertainty (MU), both the laboratory and the physician can have an objective estimate of the results' quality. There is significant flexibility on how to determine the MU in laboratory medicine and different approaches have been proposed by Nordtest, Eurolab and Cofrac to obtain the data and apply them in formulas. The purpose of this study is to compare three different top-down approaches for the estimation of the MU and to suggest which of these approaches could be the most suitable choice for routine use in clinical laboratories.

Thyroid stimulating hormone values of clinical decisions of hypothyroidism measurement by three different automated immunoassays.

An accurate measurement of serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is crucial for a thyroid disorder diagnosis and management. We compared the values of TSH between three automated immunoassays with aims to provide insights into variations in TSH levels that are important for a clinical decision: 2.50 mIU/L, 4.

Sub-therapeutic doses of fluvastatin and valsartan are more effective than therapeutic doses in providing beneficial cardiovascular pleiotropic effects in rats: A proof of concept study.

Background: Statins and sartans can, in therapeutic doses, induce pleiotropic cardiovascular effects. Similar has recently been shown also for sub-therapeutic doses. We thus explored and compared the cardiovascular pleiotropic efficacy of sub-therapeutic vs.

The Significance of the Sulfatase Pathway for Local Estrogen Formation in Endometrial Cancer.

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common estrogen-dependent gynecological malignancy in the developed World. To investigate the local formation of estradiol (E2), we first measured the concentrations of the steroid precursor androstenedione (A-dione) and the most potent estrogen, E2, and we evaluated the metabolism of A-dione, estrone-sulfate (E1-S), and estrone (E1) in cancerous and adjacent control endometrium. Furthermore, we studied expression of the key genes for estradiol formation via the aromatase and sulfatase pathways.

Oral health and systemic inflammatory, cardiac and nitroxid biomarkers in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Periodontal diseases have systemic inflammatory effects and have been adversely associated with cardiovascular diseases, which are also the most frequent cause of death in the end-stage renal disease. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the oral health and serum biomarkers among the hemodialysis (HD) patients in Slovenia.

Material And Methods: 111 HD patients were periodontally examined and their sera were assayed for C reactive protein (CRP), cardiac troponin T (TnT), nitrite/nitrate (NOx) and antibody levels to A.

Creatinine, Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin, and Cystatin C in Determining Acute Kidney Injury After Heart Operations Using Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) represents frequent complication after cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). In the hope to enhance earlier more reliable characterization of AKI, we tested the utility of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and cystatin C (CysC) in addition to standard creatinine for early determination of AKI after cardiac surgery using CPB. Forty-one patients met the inclusion criteria.

Higher glucose level and systemic oxidative stress decrease the mean velocity index of the retinal artery during flickering light stimulation in type 1 diabetes.

Aim: To determine whether higher glucose level and systemic oxidative stress decrease mean velocity (MV) index of the central retinal artery (CRA) during flickering light stimulation in type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Methods: The study was performed in the period from 2008 to 2015 at the University Eye Clinic in Ljubljana. 41 patients with T1D and 37 participants without diabetes were included.

Dexamethasone does not diminish sugammadex reversal of neuromuscular block - clinical study in surgical patients undergoing general anesthesia.

Background: Sugammadex reverses neuromuscular block (NMB) through binding aminosteroid neuromuscular blocking agents. Although sugammadex appears to be highly selective, it can interact with other drugs, like corticosteroids. A prospective single-blinded randomized clinical trial was designed to explore the significance of interactions between dexamethasone and sugammadex.

Validity of Klotho, CYR61 and YKL-40 as ideal predictive biomarkers for acute kidney injury: review study.

Context And Objective:: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is still a headache for clinicians and scientists as a possible reason for increased death among intensive care unit (ICU) patients after invasive cardiac surgery. Furthermore, the diagnostic process for AKI using conventional biomarkers is not sufficient to ensure early warning of this condition because of the morbid influence of non-renal factors that definitively delay the time for the prognosis. These imposed limitations have led to significant amounts of research targeted towards identifying novel biomarkers for AKI with a sustained degree of sensitivity and specificity.

Single fiber EMG as a prognostic tool in myasthenia gravis.

Introduction: Single fiber electromyography (SFEMG) is the most sensitive diagnostic tool for diagnosis of myasthenia gravis (MG). Its prognostic value is not known.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical course of 232 MG patients who presented with only mild symptoms and had SFEMG of the orbicularis oculi muscle.