Inflammation markers in cutaneous melanoma - edgy biomarkers for prognosis.

There is a fine balance between inflammation and tumorigenesis. While environmentally induced inflammatory condition can precede a malignant transformation, in other cases an oncogenic change of unknown origin can induce an inflammatory microenvironment that promotes the development of tumors. Regardless of its origin, maintaining the inflammation milieu has many tumor-promoting effects.

High rate of levofloxacin resistance in a background of clarithromycin- and metronidazole-resistant Helicobacter pylori in Vietnam.

Antimicrobial resistance in Helicobacter pylori has increased worldwide and has become a major cause of treatment failure in many countries, including Vietnam. It is advisable to perform an antibiogram to provide optimal regimens for H. pylori eradication.

Proteome analysis of heart biopsies using a TRIzol-based protein extraction.

Background: When dealing with rare samples of which only minute amounts are available, e.g. human heart tissue, simultaneous extraction of DNA, RNA, and proteins from the same sample is crucial for a comprehensive analysis on the physiological or pathological state of such precious tissue.

A novel large deletion and single nucleotide insertion in the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein gene.

Deletion mutations of WAS are relatively rare and the precise localization of large deletions in the genome has rarely been described in previous studies. We report here a 5-month-old boy with a large deletion mutation in WAS that completely abolished protein expression. To localize the deletion, a 2816-bp-length sequence that spans between exons 9 and 12 was amplified.

Serum levels of the soluble IL-1 receptor family member ST2 and right ventricular dysfunction.

Aims: We aimed to assess the relationship between right ventricle (RV) dysfunction parameters and the soluble IL-1 receptor family member (sST2) in patients with secondary pulmonary hypertension owing tochronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Materials & Methods: A total of 36 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and secondary pulmonary hypertension (mean age: 59 ± 7 years) and 36 healthy volunteers (mean age: 59 ± 8 years) were enrolled in the study. sST2 and NT-proBNP levels, as well as specific echocardiographic parameters were measured.

Proteomics focusing on immune markers in psoriatic arthritis.

The immune-pathogenesis of psoriatic arthritis represents a subject of intense research, as a still unknown factor can trigger the chronic inflammation that, upon a defective immune terrain, generates this auto-immune/auto-inflammatory condition. The pathogenesis complexity of psoriatic arthritis resides in the psoriatic synovitis milieu, where intricate immune relations are emerging during disease development. Innate immune response generates inflammatory cytokines driving effectors functions for immune and non-immune cells that sustain the chronical character of the synovitis.

Chemical functionalization of hyaluronic acid for drug delivery applications.

Functionalized hyaluronic acid (HA) derivatives were obtained by ring opening mechanism of maleic anhydride (MA). FTIR and H(1) NMR spectroscopy were used to confirm the chemical linkage of MA on the hyaluronic acid chains. Thermal analysis (TG-DTG and DSC) and GPC data for the new products revealed the formation of new functional groups, without significant changes in molecular weight and thermal stability.

Role of secretory phospholipase A₂ in women with metabolic syndrome.

Background & Objectives: Secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2), a member of the phospholipase A2 superfamily of enzymes that hydrolyses phospholipids, is a potentially useful plasma biomarker for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality in women. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between cardiovascular risk factors and the sPLA2 levels in women with metabolic syndrome as compared to women without metabolic syndrome and men with metabolic syndrome.

Detection of volatile malodorous compounds in breath: current analytical techniques and implications in human disease.

For the last few decades intense scientific research has been placed on the relationship between trace substances found in exhaled breath such as volatile organic compounds (VOC) and a wide range of local or systemic diseases. Although currently there is no general consensus, results imply that VOC have a different profile depending on the organ or disease that generates them. The association between a specific pathology and exhaled breath odor is particularly evident in patients with medical conditions such as liver, renal or oral diseases.

What is to be expected from an ethics audit integrated within the accreditation process of hospitals from romania?

Background: We aimed to verify the issue of the ethics audit and its use in the system of accreditation of hospitals. It presents the results of a survey conducted among hospital managers from Romania.

Methods: Our article highlights the results of the second part of a research carried out in 2012 on the pertinence and the structure of the ethics audit integrated within the accreditation process of hospitals, according the opinion of the 47 executives and managers involved in the quality management of Romania hospitals.

Relationship between VKORC1 single nucleotide polymorphism 1173C>T, bone mineral density & carotid intima-media thickness.

Background & Objectives: The effects of vitamin K-dependent proteins in bone mineralization and vascular calcification and the implication of vitamin K epoxide reductase gene (VKORC1) 1173C>T polymorphism in warfarin sensitivity are well known. The main objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between VKORC1 1173C>T polymorphism, bone mineral density (BMD), and atherosclerosis (evaluated by intima-media thickness of the carotid artery and the presence of calcified plaques) in patients suspected to have osteoporosis or osteopenia and referred for BMD determination.

Methods: VKORC1 1173C>T polymorphism was evaluated in 239 consecutive patients referred by their physicians for BMD measurement (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at L2-L4 lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip).

LC-MS/MS approaches for the assay of bis-quaternary pyridinium oximes used as AChE reactivators in biological matrices.

Background: Extreme efforts are made for the structural diversification of oximes used as AChE reactivators. Co-administration of different oximes should also be considered as a solution in therapy. Consequently, development of selective assays of oximes in biological matrices is of major importance.

Inhaled ciprofloxacin for chronic airways infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Chronic infection of the airways with Pseudomonas aeruginosa represents a therapeutic challenge. Currently existing approaches are particularly based on systemic approaches and this increases the risk of strain resistance selection and is frequently associated with side effects. Therefore, local delivery of antibiotics may reduce these risks and may provide sustained sterilization of the respiratory tract.

The dual action of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the main constituent of green tea, against the deleterious effects of visible light and singlet oxygen-generating conditions as seen in yeast cells.

Green tea extracts (GTEs) as well as their main component, the polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), are known for their versatile antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumoral or anti-inflammatory effects. In spite of the huge beneficial action, there is increasing evidence that under certain conditions green tea and its components can be detrimental to living organisms. Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains with various defects in the response to oxidative stress, we found that GTEs or EGCG act in synergy with visible light, exhibiting either deleterious or protective effects depending on the solvent employed.

Roflumilast as add-on therapy to conventional inhalers in COPD: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive inflammatory disease that is mainly linked to smoking and is associated with significant medical and economic burdens. For example, in the USA the estimated direct costs are US$29.5 billion, whereas at the EU level these costs are estimated to amount to approximately 56% of the costs related to respiratory diseases.

Conference scene: Summary of the 6th Conference of the Romanian Association of Medical Laboratories with international participation.

The Romanian Association of Medical Laboratories (RAML) conferences have acquired a reputation for standing out as the most prominent and efficient meetings in the national community of laboratory medicine, being a landmark of the development in this field in Romania and an active affiliation to international forums. This year, the conference setting was Piatra Neamt, in the northeast part of Romania, which produced a friendly and stimulating professional environment. As in previous years, leading experts in the fields of laboratory medicine attended the event.

Incurred sample reanalysis: different evaluation approaches on data obtained for spironolactone and its active metabolite canrenone.

Background: The inherent reproducibility of a bioanalytical approach is usually sustained through incurred sample reanalysis (ISR). Questions relating to the number of ISRs, the right moment for performing reanalysis, the way of performing an appropriate statistical refinement of experimental data and actions to be taken in the case of failure are frequently raised.

Results: Data resulting from ISR following a bioequivalence study for spironolactone formulations are discussed.

Eating habits in an adolescent population from Timiş county.

Unlabelled: Dietary patterns during adolescence may contribute to eating disorders and may increase the risk for several important chronic diseases later in life.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to analyze eating behaviours among high school students residing in Timis county area.

Material And Method: We conducted a cross sectional study using a stratified cluster sample design to produce a representative sample of students for the Timis county.

Repeated teaching courses of the modified Rodnan skin score in systemic sclerosis.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of a repeated teaching process of the modified Rodnan skin score (MRSS) in systemic sclerosis (SSc). The question is whether a repeated teaching course is required to maintain good results after a first, successful teaching process.

Methods: Two consecutive teaching courses were organised by two Romanian EUSTAR centres for the same rheumatologists, to evaluate and compare the inter-observer variability.

Paradoxical adverse events of anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy for spondyloarthropathies: a retrospective study.

Objectives: Several paradoxical adverse events (PAEs), e.g. IBDs, acute anterior uveitis (AAU) and psoriasis, have been described in patients taking anti-TNF drugs.

Restless legs syndrome--relevant aspects for internal medicine specialists.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Ekbom's syndrome, is a fairly common complaint which is not widely recognised by medical professionals, although it seems to affect 1-10% of the population. Despite recent attempts to better characterize RLS, this neurologic disorder remains poorly understood. Idiopathic RLS frequently follows an autosomal dominant inheritance with a variable clinical expressivity of symptoms.