Rethinking risk prediction: The role of albumin and other parameters in implant-associated complications after hip or knee arthroplasty.

Background: Total hip (THA) or knee (TKA) arthroplasty is still a traumatic and challenging operation that induces inflammation, with a particularly high risk of acute-phase reaction. The aim of this study was to predict the likelihood of implant-associated complications during the preoperative and postoperative course.

Methods: The prospective observational, non-interventional study of patients diagnosed with primary knee or hip osteoarthrosis undergoing THA or TKA during the study period was conducted.

Reference values of parathyroid hormone in very low birth weight infants.

Purpose: The primary goal was to estimate reference values of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in very low birth weight infants without severe neonatal morbidity. A secondary objective was to assess the relationship between PTH serum levels and selected laboratory markers of bone metabolism.

Methods: Ninety two infants with birth weight less than 1500 g met the inclusion criteria of the study.

Transforming growth factor serum concentrations in patients with proven non-syndromic aortopathy.

Background: The mechanism underlying aortic dilatation is still unknown. Vascular dilatation is thought to be the result of progressive aortic media degeneration caused by defective vascular matrix hemostasis, including TGF-β1 dysregulation. The goal of this study is to draw attention to the potential utility of TGF-β1 as a diagnostic marker in non-syndromic patients with aortic dilatation.

Myocardial injury in stress echocardiography: Comparison of dobutamine, dipyridamole and dynamic stressors-single center study.

Objectives: In stress echocardiography (SE), dipyridamole (DIP) and dynamic stress (ExSE) are reported as being safer than dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). We investigated whether these commonly used stressors cause myocardial injury, measured by high sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT).

Methods: One hundred and thirty five patients (DSE n = 46, ExsE n = 46, DIP n = 43) with negative result of SE were studied.

Higher Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Without Methotrexate Treatment.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) lead to higher morbidity and mortality in rheumatoid arthritis; thus, we aimed to determine whether patients who had discontinued methotrexate treatment before the study enrollment (group MTX 0) were at a higher risk of CVD than patients treated with methotrexate at the time of the data collection (group MTX 1). A retrospective, prospective, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 125 patients were enrolled in the study.

Histopathological changes in dilated ascending aorta associated with aortic valve cuspidity.

Objectives: Patients with a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) often present with a dilated ascending aorta. However, the underlying pathogenesis for the observed changes in the aortic wall and the resulting aneurysmal dilation remains a subject of debate. This study aims to compare the histological abnormalities of the ascending aorta in BAV and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) patients and their correlation with aortic diameter and patient age.

Different Forms of Ursolic Acid and Their Effect on Liver Regeneration.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of natural and encapsulated sources of ursolic acid on liver regeneration. Four ursolate sources were tested. Two forms of ursolic acid encapsulates were combined with cyclodextrins, i.

Goeckerman Therapy of Psoriasis: Genotoxicity, Dietary Micronutrients, Homocysteine, and Gene Polymorphisms.

Goeckerman therapy (GT) of psoriasis vulgaris is based on the application of crude coal tar and ultraviolet radiation. We investigated DNA damage by the number of micronucleated binucleated cells (MNBC) in lymphocytes, serum homocysteine, vitamin B12, folic acid, and two polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C) in the gene in 35 patients with exacerbated psoriasis vulgaris classified according to the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score and treated by GT. The median of PASI score decreased from nineteen to five, and MNBC increased from 10 to 18‰ after GT ( < 0.

Vitamin D status of very low birth weight infants at birth and the effects of generally recommended supplementation on their vitamin D levels at discharge.

To evaluate vitamin D status in mothers and their very low birth weight infants (VLBW) at birth (umbilical cord blood) and at discharge with currently recommended supplementation of vitamin D. Ninety-four infants with birth weight less than 1500 g completed the study. The total daily vitamin D intake was 800-1000 IU.

Modulation of Rat Liver Regeneration after Partial Hepatectomy by Dietary Cholesterol.

Introduction: The aim of study was to evaluate impact of long-term dietary cholesterol overload on the cholesterol homeostasis and liver regeneration.

Material And Methods: Serum lipid parameters, 14C-cholesterol incorporation, liver DNA synthesis and protein expression was determined in partially hepatectomized (PH) rats fed with a standard (SLD) or hypercholesterolemic (CHOL) diet.

Results: 29-day intake of CHOL diet before PH produced increase in serum total cholesterol, LDL lipoprotein, and triglyceride concentration.

Parathyroid hormone - reference values and association with other bone metabolism markers in very low birth weight infants - pilot study.

The aim of this pilot study was to estimate physiological parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and their relationship with bone metabolism parameters in otherwise healthy preterm newborns with birth weight 1000-1500 g. PTH, 25(OH)D, S-Ca, S-P, and ALP were analysed from blood samples obtained from 20 preterm infants once a week up to the 36th gestational week. Of the total 134 examined serum samples for PTH levels, the estimated range was 1.

Markers of Perioperative Bowel Complications in Colorectal Surgery Patients.

Colorectal cancer is a clinical condition whose treatment often involves intestinal resection. Such treatment frequently results in two major gastrointestinal complications after surgery: anastomotic leakage and prolonged ileus. Anastomotic leakage is a serious complication which, more often than not, is diagnosed late; to date, C-reactive protein is the only available diagnostic marker.