Beyond brain injury biomarkers: chemoattractants and circulating progenitor cells as biomarkers of endogenous rehabilitation effort in preterm neonates with encephalopathy.

Introduction: Preclinical work and studies in adults have shown that endogenous regeneration efforts that involve mobilization of progenitor cells take place after brain injury. However, kinetics of endogenous circulating progenitor cells (CPCs) in preterm neonates is not well described, particularly their possible role regarding brain injury and regeneration. We aimed to assess the kinetics of CPCs in neonates with encephalopathy of prematurity in relation to brain injury biomarkers, chemoattractants and relevant antenatal and postanal clinical factors, in an effort to outline the related pathophysiology.

Can we delineate brain injury in full-term neonates using serum biomarkers?

: Early identification of neonates at risk of neurological impairment is particularly important for the bedside clinician. Clinical value of S100b and neuron-specific enolase in neonates has not been yet established. We investigated their kinetics and possible early clinical utility in neonatal encephalopathy (NE).

Cortisol Levels in Glucagon Stimulation Test in Children Assessed for Short Stature: Clinical and Laboratorial Correlations.

To assess total cortisol levels in children being evaluating for short stature with normal cortisol reserve and to correlate this response to clinical and laboratory data. Children assessed with glucagon test in our department were recruited in this study retrospectively. Inclusion criteria were: i) age>1 year, ii) absence of chronic illness or medication interfering with ACTH-cortisol axis, iii) GH stimulation levels>3ng/mL at least in one provocation test (glucagon or clonidine), iv) absence of multiple pituitary growth hormone deficiencies, v) normal short Synacthen test in cases of low cortisol response in glucagon test.

TIMING OF GH PEAK IN BOTH GLUCAGON AND CLONIDINE TESTS IS OF MAJOR CLINICAL IMPORTANCE.

To detect a possible correlation between timing of the peak value of growth hormone (GH) during stimulatory tests (STs) and the effectiveness of treatment with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in children with idiopathic GH deficiency (iGHD). We retrospectively studied 92 patients with iGHD (57 boys; mean age at diagnosis: 9.93 years).

Noninvasive Liver Fibrosis Tests in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: An External Validation Cohort.

The main aim of this study was the comparative evaluation of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) fibrosis score (NFS), fibrosis 4 index (FIB-4), AST-to-Platelet Ratio Index (APRI), and enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) test in distinguishing none/early (F0/F1) from significant/advanced (F2/F3) fibrosis in NAFLD patients, thereby providing an external validation cohort. Thirty-one patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and 10 matched controls without NAFLD were prospectively enrolled. Serum hyaluronic acid (HA), aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP), tissue inhibitor of metallo-proteinases (TIMP)-1, and biochemical tests were measured.

Thyroid function and autoimmunity during ovarian stimulation for intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

The aim of the present study was to assess changes in thyroid function and thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) throughout ovarian stimulation (OS) for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and the association of these changes with ICSI outcome. A flexible gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol was used in 42 women and their thyroid function and TAI were assessed at baseline and five times during OS (Days 3 and 5 of the menstrual cycle, the day of hCG administration, the day of ovum pick-up and the day of the pregnancy test). The primary outcome measure was the change in thyroid function throughout OS.

Mobilization of circulating progenitor cells following brain injury in premature neonates could be indicative of an endogenous repair process. A pilot study.

Background: Preclinical data and adult studies have showed an endogenous regeneration process following brain damage that involves mobilization of progenitor cells. This process is not well described in preterm neonates. The present study aims to investigate the mobilization of Circulating Progenitor Cells (CPCs) and their relation to biomarkers of brain injury in preterm neonates.

Comparative Effect of Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin on 25-hydroxy-Vitamin D Levels in Non-diabetic Patients with Dyslipidaemia: A Prospective Randomized Open-label Pilot Study.

Aims: Low 25-hydroxy-vitamin D [25(ΟΗ)D] levels have been associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Conflicting data exist regarding the effect of statins on [25(OH)D] levels. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin on 25(OH)D levels in non-diabetic patients with dyslipidaemia.

The effect of L-thyroxine substitution on lipid profile, glucose homeostasis, inflammation and coagulation in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.

Aims: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is associated with increased risk for atherosclerosis, mainly attributable to dyslipidaemia and hypercoagulability. However, conflicting data exist regarding the effect of L-thyroxine substitution on these parameters. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of L-thyroxine therapy on lipidaemic profile, coagulation markers, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and glucose homoeostasis in SH patients.

A novel noninvasive index for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: a pilot study.

Objective: The potential development of a noninvasive marker predicting nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Methods: Thirty patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease were evaluated by numerous anthropometric, clinical and biochemical parameters.

Results: Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT; p = 0.

Comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of ischemia-modified albumin and echocardiography in patients with acute chest pain.

Background: Several imaging tests and biomarkers have been proposed for the identification of patients with unstable angina among those presenting to the emergency department with acute chest pain. Preliminary data suggest that ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) may represent a potentially useful biomarker in these patients.

Objective: To compare IMA and echocardiography in excluding unstable angina in patients with acute chest pain.

Clonidine and glucagon stimulation for testing growth hormone secretion in children and adolescents: can we make it with fewer samples?

Background: Our aim was to retrospectively evaluate the possibility to reduce the number of GH analyses during clonidine and glucagon tests without compromising accuracy.

Subjects And Methods: Two hundred and forty-five tests were performed in a total of 188 children and adolescents with a mean age of 9.93 ± 2.

Sex steroids and sex hormone-binding globulin in postmenopausal women with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Objective: The evaluation of serum sex steroids and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels in postmenopausal women with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and their association to the disease severity.

Design: Twenty-two postmenopausal women with biopsy-proven NAFLD and 18 matched controls were recruited. Blood samples for serum SHBG, total testosterone, estradiol levels and standard biochemical tests were obtained after overnight fasting.

Reduced bone mineral density in patients with haemophilia A and B in Northern Greece.

Haemophilia A and B has been associated with increased prevalence of low bone mass (67-86%). The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of bone disease in haemophiliacs and its association with potential risk factors. Adult patients with haemophilia A and B followed-up in the Haemophilia Centre of Northern Greece were included.

Serum vitamin B12 and folate levels in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

The aim of the study was the evaluation of serum vitamin B12 and folate levels in patients with biopsy-proven non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and their association with the disease severity. Thirty patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and 24 healthy controls matched for gender, age, body mass index and waist circumference were recruited. Blood samples for vitamin B12, folate, insulin and standard biochemical tests were obtained after overnight fasting.

Serum homocysteine levels in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background and rational for the study. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is regarded as the hepatic component of insulin resistance (IR) syndrome, but data on serum homocysteine (HCY) are limited. The aim of the study was the evaluation of serum HCY levels in patients with NAFLD.

Thyroid dysfunction and long-term outcome during and after interferon-alpha therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Introduction: Thyroid dysfunction (TD) is a well-established adverse effect in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients, treated with interferon-alpha (IFN-α), with or without ribavirin. However, the long-term outcome is not well-studied. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and long-term outcome of TD after HCV-therapy.

Acromegaly: presentation, morbidity and treatment outcomes at a single centre.

Objective: Analysis of patients with acromegaly followed-up at a single centre, focusing on baseline characteristics, morbidity and efficacy of treatment.

Design And Methods: Retrospective review of electronic medical records of acromegalics from 1987 to 2009.

Results: One hundred and fifteen patients (45 men), aged 47 ± 14 years, with a mean follow-up of 8.

Comparative effects of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin on glucose metabolism and adipokine levels in non-diabetic patients with dyslipidaemia: a prospective randomised open-label study.

Aims: The impact of statins on glucose metabolism and adipokines remains controversial. We compared the effects of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin on glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity (IS), adiponectin and leptin levels as well as systemic inflammation in non-diabetic patients with dyslipidaemia.

Methods: Thirty-six patients were randomly assigned to 10 mg/day of rosuvastatin (n = 18) or 20 mg/day of atorvastatin (n = 18) for 12 weeks.

Effect of spironolactone and vitamin E on serum metabolic parameters and insulin resistance in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Aim: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system has been implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The beneficial effect of spironolactone in a mouse model with diabetes and NAFLD has recently been reported. The main aim was assessment of the effect of spironolactone on serum metabolic parameters and insulin resistance in patients with NAFLD.

Effect of exogenous intermittent recombinant human PTH 1-34 administration and chronic endogenous parathyroid hormone excess on glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity.

We aimed to evaluate the effects of exogenous intermittent teriparatide (rhPTH 1-34) administration versus the chronic exposure to excess endogenous parathyroid hormone (PTH), as in pHPT, on glucose homeostasis. Two patient groups were studied: Group 1 included 25 normocalcemic women with postmenopausal osteoporosis (age 65.2+/-1.