C-Reactive Protein and Brain Natriuretic Peptides Harmonization.

The harmonization of laboratory biomarkers is pivotal in ensuring consistent and reliable diagnostic outcomes across different clinical settings. This systematic review examines the harmonization of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and N-Terminal Prohormone of Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP) measurements, both of which are jointly utilized in the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular diseases. To identify relevant studies, we searched the PubMed electronic database using specific medical subject headings and keywords such as C-Reactive Protein, CRP, high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP), N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide, and NT-proBNP, focusing on publications from June 1 to September 26, 2021.

Prevalence of parvovirus B19 antibodies in pregnant women in northern Benin.

Objectives: Parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection in pregnancy is generally asymptomatic, but in about 3% it can cause complications, including miscarriage, severe foetal anaemia and foetal hydrops. The seroprevalence in pregnancy ranges from 20% to 82% in Africa, but there are no data for Benin. We therefore retrospectively assessed the seroprevalence of B19V in pregnant women attending the Saint Jean de Dieu Hospital in Tanguiéta, a rural district of Atacora, in northern Benin.

Early intravenous iron administration in the Emergency Department reduces red blood cell unit transfusion, hospitalisation, re-transfusion, length of stay and costs.

Background: Moderate to severe iron deficiency anaemia is a common finding in patients admitted to the Emergency Department (ED). According to Patient Blood Management principles, intravenous iron should be the therapy of choice instead of blood transfusion for selected cases affected by chronic iron deficiency anaemia. However, this option is only rarely taken into account by physicians in the ED.

NT pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels are related to microvascular reperfusion in patients undergoing direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the time course of NT pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT pro-BNP) levels in patients with large anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary angioplasty (PPCI) and to investigate the relationship between these values and both microvascular reperfusion and left ventricular (LV) function.

Background: The clinical efficacy of PPCI is largely dependent on the achievement of microvascular reperfusion. Myocardial blush is an angiographic method to evaluate the presence of effective reperfusion after PPCI.

Prognostic role of clinical and laboratory criteria to identify early ventilator-associated pneumonia in brain injury.

Background: We investigated the role of the clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS), serum levels of procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum amyloid A (SAA) in the detection of patients with early ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Methods: Observational study in a university hospital. In 58 patients with severe brain injury receiving mechanical ventilation, CPIS, PCT, CRP and SAA were evaluated at ICU entry and at days 3 to 4 of hospital stay for VAP diagnosis (confirmed by endotracheal aspirate or BAL cultures).

Fecal calprotectin and elastase 1 determinations in patients with pancreatic diseases: a possible link between pancreatic insufficiency and intestinal inflammation.

Background: Fecal calprotectin determination has been demonstrated to be useful in diagnosing various inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract; however, data available for patients with pancreatic diseases are scarce. Our aim was to assess fecal calprotectin in order to evaluate the presence of intestinal inflammation in patients with pancreatic disease.

Methods: Eligible patients with suspected pancreatic illness were enrolled, and in all of them fecal calprotectin and elastase-1, as well as serum amylase and lipase activities, were assayed using commercially available kits.

Fecal calprotectin levels in patients with colonic polyposis.

Context: The usefulness of stool calprotectin determination in diagnosis of inflammatory disease of the colon has been reported; information about its usefulness for patients with polyposis are scarce, however.

Objective: To evaluate the significance of stool calprotectin concentrations for patients affected by colonic polyposis.

Patients: Sixty-three consecutive patients (35 males, 28 females, mean age 60.

Prevalence of undiagnosed celiac disease in the parents of preterm and/or small for gestational age infants.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of undiagnosed celiac disease (CD) in the parents of preterm and/or small for gestational age (SGA) infants.

Methods: A sample of 1,714 parents (868 women, 846 men) of 905 preterm (<37 wk of gestational age) and/or SGA (<10th percentile of birthweight) infants consecutively born in Lombardy, Northern Italy, and not diagnosed with CD prior to pregnancy, were tested for CD. Diagnosis was based on antitissue transglutaminase and anti-endomysial antibodies and confirmed by duodenal biopsy.

D-dimer is not a long-term prognostic marker following acute cerebral ischemia.

Recent evidence indicates a possible role of D-dimer in the early diagnosis of ischemic stroke subtypes. Whether D-dimer can also predict the long-term outcome following ischemic stroke is controversial. To define the prognostic role of D-dimer, patients hospitalized after an acute ischemic cerebrovascular event underwent D-dimer measurement (Liatest D-D; normal level < 0.

Comparison of three strategies for myocardial protection during coronary artery bypass graft surgery based on markers of cardiac damage.

Objectives: To evaluate myocardial damage during coronary artery bypass grafting using three different intermittent cardioplegia and then measuring cTnI and CKMBm release.

Design And Methods: Forty-two patients belonging to the hypothermic crystalloid (n = 16), hypothermic (n = 13), and normothermic blood (n = 13) groups were collected when removing the aortic cross-clamp (t = 0) and after 4, 12, 24 and 48 h. For each patient, cumulative cTnI and CKMBm release was calculated as the five measurement mean.

Low fecal elastase: potentially related to transient small bowel damage resulting from enteric pathogens.

Unlabelled: Fecal elastase is considered to be a highly sensitive and specific non-invasive exocrine pancreatic function test. However, enteropathy may theoretically cause decreased exocrine pancreatic enzyme secretion through alteration of enteric hormone release.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible influence of transient small bowel damage on pancreatic elastase secretion.

Plasma measurement of D-dimer levels for the early diagnosis of ischemic stroke subtypes.

Background: Different coagulation abnormalities according to stroke subtypes have been reported. We have assessed the clinical utility of D-dimer, a product of fibrin degradation, in the early diagnosis of stroke subtypes.

Methods: Patients hospitalized after an acute ischemic cerebrovascular event underwent D-dimer assay (STA Liatest D-Dimer) (reference level, <0.