Analysis of septic biomarker patterns: prognostic value in predicting septic state.

Patients with infection, sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock were compared to each other and to healthy controls with regard to serum levels of biomarkers and clinical symptoms. Of the 15 biomarkers assayed, 9 were detectable in patients, and 4, in controls. Both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were detected in the patients.

Detection of immunoglobulin isotypes from dried blood spots.

The study was designed to determine the sensitivity and reproducibility of recovering immunoglobulin (Ig) isotypes (IgG subclasses, IgA, IgE and IgM classes) from dried blood spots (DBS), a methodologic subcomponent of the Upstate KIDS Study. A multiplexed Luminex assay was used for IgG1/2/3/4, IgA and IgM analysis; an ELISA was used for IgE. Plasma samples from de-identified patients were used to compare the Luminex assay with nephelometry, which is routinely used to quantify IgA, IgG and IgM in clinical samples.

Cytokines and chemokines as biomarkers of community-acquired bacterial infection.

Routinely used biomarkers of bacterial etiology of infection, such as C-reactive protein and procalcitonin, have limited usefulness for evaluation of infections since their expression is enhanced by a number of different conditions. Therefore, several inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were analyzed with sera from patients hospitalized for moderate bacterial and viral infectious diseases. In total, 57 subjects were enrolled: 21 patients with community-acquired bacterial infections, 26 patients with viral infections, and 10 healthy subjects (control cohorts).

Effects of anidulafungin and voriconazole, singly and in combination, on cytokine/chemokine production by human monocyte-derived macrophages infected with Candida glabrata or activated by lipopolysaccharide.

Background: Candida glabrata causes infections associated with severe sepsis, production of high concentrations of cytokines/chemokines, and high mortality. This study describes the effects of anidulafungin (ANF) and voriconazole (VRC), singly and in combination, on the production of eight cytokines/chemokines by human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) infected with C. glabrata or activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Recovery from decompensated heart failure is associated with a distinct, phase-dependent gene expression profile.

Background: Clinical and experimental studies have traditionally focused on understanding the mechanisms for why a heart fails. We hypothesize that the pathways involved with myocardial recovery are not simply the reverse of those that cause heart failure. However, determining when and how a decompensated heart can recover remains unknown.

Inhibitory kappa-B kinase-β inhibition prevents adaptive left ventricular hypertrophy.

Background: Most cardiovascular studies have implicated the central transcription factor nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) as contributing to the detrimental effects of cardiac injury. This ostensibly negative view of NF-κB competes with its important role in the normal host inflammatory and immune response. Pressure overload, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and heart failure represent a spectrum of disease that has both adaptive and maladaptive components.

Effects of echinocandins on cytokine/chemokine production by human monocytes activated by infection with Candida glabrata or by lipopolysaccharide.

Serious Candida glabrata infections, which can be difficult to treat, are often treated with echinocandins. We compared in vitro the effects of high and low concentrations of 3 echinocandins (micafungin [MCF], caspofungin [CAS], and anidulafungin [ANF]), voriconazole (VRC), and amphotericin B (AmB), singly and VRC in combination with MCF, CAS, and ANF, on the production of cytokines/chemokines by human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM). MDM were activated by infection with C.

Leucine-enriched essential amino acid supplementation during moderate steady state exercise enhances postexercise muscle protein synthesis.

Background: The effects of essential amino acid (EAA) supplementation during moderate steady state (ie, endurance) exercise on postexercise skeletal muscle metabolism are not well described, and the potential role of supplemental leucine on muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and associated molecular responses remains to be elucidated.

Objective: This randomized crossover study examined whether EAA supplementation with 2 different concentrations of leucine affected post-steady state exercise MPS, whole-body protein turnover, and mammalian target of rapamycin 1 (mTORC1) intracellular signaling.

Design: Eight adults completed 2 separate bouts of cycle ergometry [60 min, 60% VO(2)peak (peak oxygen uptake)].

Vitamin D status in female military personnel during combat training.

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for maintaining bone health. Recent data suggest that vitamin D and calcium supplementation might affect stress fracture incidence in military personnel. Although stress fracture is a health risk for military personnel during training, no study has investigated changes in vitamin D status in Soldiers during United States (US) Army basic combat training (BCT).

Periostin is a novel factor in cardiac remodeling after experimental and clinical unloading of the failing heart.

Background: Maladaptive left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) remains a prevalent and highly morbid condition associated with end-stage heart disease. Originally evaluated in the context of bone development, periostin is important in endocardial cushion formation and has recently been implicated in heart failure. Because of its potential role in cardiovascular development, we sought to establish the role of periostin after relief of pressure overload in animal and human models.

Physical activity prevents augmented body fat accretion in moderately iron-deficient rats.

Recent studies describe an association between poor iron status and obesity in humans, although the mechanism explaining this relationship is unclear. The present study aimed to determine the effect of moderate iron deficiency and physical activity (PA) on body composition in an animal model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats consumed iron-adequate (IA; 40 mg/kg) or moderately iron-deficient (ID; 9 mg/kg) diets ad libitum for 12 wk.