Lower concentration of vitamin D is associated with lower DAS28 and VAS-pain scores in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases treated with infliximab: a pilot study.

Vitamin D is beneficial in patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases as it has been shown that it lowers the incidence risk and the level of inflammation. To examine the association between clinical outcomes and initial 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations in patients with the immune-mediated rheumatic diseases treated with infliximab for 9 months. This study was performed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) treated with infliximab for at least 38 weeks.

CHOLESTEROL AND CHLORIDE IN ACUTE HEART FAILURE.

Detecting predictors of poor outcome is crucial for understanding the underlying pathophysiology of heart failure (HF) and thus creating new therapeutic concepts. It is well established that low serum lipid levels are associated with unfavorable outcomes in HF patients. Several studies examined the association between serum lipids and established predictors of mortality in HF patients.

Relevance of KFLC quantification to differentiate clinically isolated syndrome from multiple sclerosis at clinical onset.

Objective: The objective of the research was to evaluate diagnostic and predictive value for determination of KFLC in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compared to the qualitative procedure of OCB determination in patients with CIS who converted to MS during a two-year period.

Patients And Methods: KFLC, total immunoglobulin G (IgG), serum albumin and CSF albumin were determined with an immunonephelometric method in 151 patients with suspected MS who were admitted to the Neurology Clinic while CSF/serum quotients (QKFLC, QIgG and QAlb) and indexes were calculated with regards to albumin (QCSF/Qserum). Presence of OCBs was determined by isoelectric focusing with immunofixation.

Ascorbic acid-A black hole of urine chemistry screening.

Background: Study was performed in order: (i) to assess the comparability of glucose, bilirubin, hemoglobin, leukocyte esterase, and protein; (ii) to assess accuracy of glucose, bilirubin, hemoglobin, leukocyte esterase, and protein; and (iii) to evaluate interference of ascorbic acid on the glucose, bilirubin, hemoglobin, and nitrite determination using 2 different dipsticks: iChem Velocity, Iris Diagnostics and Combur-10M, Roche Diagnostics.

Methods: Random urine specimens were included in the study. Comparability, accuracy, and ascorbic acid interference testing were performed.

Kappa Free Light Chains in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Identified Oligoclonal Immunoglobulin G.

Background: Production of kappa free light chains (KFLC) represents a part of humoral immune response, along with the synthesis of intrathecal immunoglobulins. Increased concentrations of immunoglobulin G light chains, kappa and lambda chains, were identified through research of numerous diseases of central nervous system. The qualitative method of isoelectric focusing (IEF) followed by immunofixation currently represents the accepted standard in identifying oligoclonal bands (OCB), but establishing a sensitive immunonephelometric method for quantification of kappa free light chains (KFLC) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has paved a way for new diagnostic possibilities.

Hypochloraemia as a predictor of developing hyponatraemia and poor outcome in acute heart failure patients.

Aims: Heart failure (HF) is a major public health issue currently affecting more than 23 million patients worldwide. Hyponatraemia has been shown to be a predictor of poor outcome in patients with acute and chronic HF. Therefore, we aimed at finding a marker for early detection of patients at risk for developing hyponatraemia.

Increased calcium-independent lipoprotein phospholipase A2 but not protein S100 in patients with schizophrenia.

Background: The aim of this paper was to investigate serum concentrations of calcium-independent lipoprotein phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and protein S100 in schizophrenia patients in comparison to healthy controls and correlate them with the clinical severity, duration, and number of schizophrenia relapses.

Subjects And Methods: This study included 65 schizophrenia patients and 70 controls. Schizophrenia was diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR criteria.

Effects of simvastatin on malondialdehyde level and esterase activity in plasma and tissue of normolipidemic rats.

Background: We investigated the possible non-lipid effects of simvastatin (SIMV) on paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activity, as well as on malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in normolipidemic rats.

Methods: Two experimental groups of Wistar rats (10mg/kg/day of SIMV) and two control groups (saline) underwent a 21-day treatment period (TP). On the 22nd day one experimental and one control group of rats were sacrificed.

Effect of Extra Virgin Olive Oil on Biomarkers of Inflammation in HIV-Infected Patients: A Randomized, Crossover, Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Premature atherosclerosis in HIV-infected patients is associated with chronic infection by itself and adverse effects of antiretroviral treatment (ART). Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system because of its anti-inflammatory properties. The objective of this study was to determine whether the consumption of EVOO improves inflammation and atherosclerosis biomarkers in HIV-infected patients receiving ART.

Markers of coagulation activation, endothelial stimulation, and inflammation in dogs with babesiosis.

Background: Babesia infections in dogs can result in a wide range of clinical and laboratory presentations, including coagulopathy. Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) in dogs with babesiosis is unknown.

Objectives: Whether inflammation in babesiosis triggers activation of ICAM-1 and the coagulation system.

Folic acid and vitamin B(12) supplementation lowers plasma homocysteine but has no effect on serum bone turnover markers in elderly women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

An elevated homocysteine level is a newly recognized risk factor for osteoporosis. Older individuals may have elevated homocysteine levels due to inadequate folate intake and/or lower absorption of vitamin B(12). The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an impact of folic acid and vitamin B(12) supplementation on homocysteine levels and, subsequently, on bone turnover markers in older women with mildly to moderately elevated homocysteine levels.

[Compensated creatinine method and glomerular filtration rate estimation in a heterogeneous population of patients].

Creatinine is a metabolite excreted mainly by glomerular filtration, which makes it an important endogenous indicator of kidney function. Creatinine clearance is defined as the ratio of the concentration of creatinine in serum and urine. It assesses glomerular filtration.

Diagnostic accuracy of serum brain derived neurotrophic factor concentration in antidepressant naïve patients with first major depression episode.

Diagnosing major depressive disorder (MDD) continues to be based on meeting phenomenological and descriptive criteria. As of yet, there is still no non-invasive, peripheral biomarker that would allow for a certain diagnosis of MDD. The objective of this paper is to use the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to test the diagnostic value of serum concentrations of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in diagnosing the first episode of MDD.

Impact of admission anemia, C-reactive protein and mean platelet volume on short term mortality in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty.

Objectives: To investigate admission anemia, C-reactive protein (CRP) and mean platelet volume (MPV) together as prognostic markers in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Design And Methods: Baseline hemoglobin, CRP and MPV were determined in 543 patients with acute STEMI to whom primary angioplasty was performed and evaluated for short term mortality (30 days).

Results: After multivariate analysis anemia (odds ratio 2.

Reference intervals for reproductive hormones in prepubertal children on the automated Roche cobas e 411 analyzer.

Objectives: To establish reference intervals for luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), total and free testosterone (T) and sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in prepubertal children and to assess age- and gender-related differences.

Design And Methods: A total of 948 subjects, 480 girls and 468 boys, between 1 and 11 years of age, were included in this study. All assays were performed on a Roche cobas e 411 immunoassay analyzer.

Differential diagnostic performance of Rose Bengal Score Test in Sjøgren's syndrome patients.

Aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the Rose Bengal score test for Sjøgren's syndrome (SS), and to explore differences between other tests and examinations. All participants were examined, including (but not limited to) unstimulated (UWS) and stimulated (SWS) whole saliva, labial gland biopsy (LGB or focus score), ophthalmologic questionnaire (ocular surface disease index OSDI) and objective tests: Schirmer test 1 (Sch. 1), Schirmer test 2 (Sch.

Serum Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF): the severity and symptomatic dimensions of depression.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the concentration of serum Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) considering the severity of MDD episode defined by the Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD-17). The other aim was to research the connection between serum BDNF and the symptomatic dimensions of MDD.

Subjects And Methods: The study includes 139 participants with major depressive disorder (MDD).

The influence of gemfibrozil on malondialdehyde level and paraoxonase 1 activity in wistar and fisher rats.

There are diverse experimental data about the influence of gemfibrozil (GEM) on the production of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and antioxidant enzymes. We investigated the influence of GEM treatment on the production of malondialdehyde (MDA) level in tissues of normolipidaemic Wistar and Fisher rats which is an index of lipid peroxidation. Because serum paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is an important enzyme with specific protective function on metabolism of lipid peroxides, we examined the influence of GEM on PON1 activity in liver and serum.

Effect of non-genetic factors on paraoxonase 1 activity in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Objectives: Hemodialyzed patients have lower paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity. Higher mortality risk from cardiovascular disease observed in these patients could be due to the low antiathetrogenic activity of PON1. Understanding the mechanism that causes lower PON1 activity could provide the possibility for modulation of enzyme activity in purpose of preventing and/or decreasing development of atherosclerosis.

Effects of high sucrose diet, gemfibrozil, and their combination on plasma paraoxonase 1 activity and lipid levels in rats.

We investigated the influence of high sucrose diet (HSD) after 3 or 5 weeks of administration on paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity in plasma of normolipidemic rats and the relationship between serum PON1 activity, triacylglycerides (TGs), HDL and total cholesterol vs. the control group of rats fed normal, control diet (CD). Because the data about the influence of gemfibrozil (GEM) on PON1 activity are controversial, we also investigated its effects (administration in the 4th and 5th week in rats on HSD and CD) on plasma PON1 activity and lipid levels in normolipidemic rats, and in rats with hypertriglyceridemia caused by HSD.

Subclinical neurocognitive dysfunction after carotid endarterectomy-the impact of shunting.

Background: Subclinical neurocognitive deficit after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been reported in 25% of patients. The influence of the type of anesthesia and shunting on early postoperative neurocognitive function remains unclear. Therefore, we analyzed the cognitive function after CEA using a battery of psychometric tests before surgery and on the first postoperative day.