A Risk Score Derived from the Analysis of a Cluster of 27 Serum Inflammatory Cytokines to Predict Long Term Outcome in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: a Pilot Study.

Background: The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical utility and prognostic significance of a cluster of 27 serum cytokines for risk stratification after myocardial infarction.

Materials And Methods: We enrolled 33 consecutive patients admitted to our institution for acute myocardial infarction and prospectively followed. We evaluated traditional cardiovascular risk factors and assayed, during the acute phase, 27 serum cytokines (IL-1, IL-1ra, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL -7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-15, IL-17, EOTAXIN, FGF, G-CSF, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, PDGF, RANTES, TNF-α, VEGF) potentially associated with cardiovascular risk.

Early subclinical ventricular dysfunction in patients with insulin resistance.

Aims: The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between insulin resistance and the detection of precocious echocardiographic signs of heart failure in patients with cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods: We enrolled 34 consecutive patients with cardiovascular risk factors. All patients underwent coronary angiography, echocardiography, and laboratory tests.

Biochemical analysis of TEM-134, a new TEM-type extended-spectrum beta-lactamase variant produced in a Citrobacter koseri clinical isolate from an Italian hospital.

Objectives: Kinetic characterization of TEM-134, a new TEM-type extended-spectrum beta-lactamase variant isolated from Citrobacter koseri during an Italian nationwide survey. TEM-134 is a natural derivative of TEM-2 with the following substitutions: E104K, R164H and G238S.

Methods: Recombinant TEM-134 was purified from Escherichia coli HB101 (pMGP-134) by three chromatographic steps (cation-exchange chromatography, gel permeation and fast chromatofocusing).

Novel TEM-type extended-spectrum beta-lactamase, TEM-134, in a Citrobacter koseri clinical isolate.

A new natural TEM derivative with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase activity, TEM-134, was identified in a ceftazidime-resistant clinical isolate of Citrobacter koseri. Compared to TEM-1, TEM-134 contains the following mutations: Q39K, E104K, R164H, and G238S. The bla(TEM-134) gene was not transferable by conjugation and, apparently, was chromosomally encoded.