Genetic association of single nucleotide polymorphisms of FZD4 and BDNF genes with retinopathy of prematurity.

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a multifactorial disease occurring in preterm neonates, caused by incorrect development of retinal blood vessels. It has been suggested that, in addition to gestational age, weight, and oxygen supplementation, genetic factors can play a role in the pathogenesis of ROP.

Methods: In the present prospective study, 97 neonates were enrolled based on the gestational age and weight, and genomic DNA from patients diagnosed with ROP and premature newborns without ROP was collected.

A porcine model of skin wound infected with a polybacterial biofilm.

A clinically relevant porcine model of a biofilm-infected wound was established in 10 minipigs. The wounds of six experimental animals were infected with a modified polymicrobial Lubbock chronic wound biofilm consisting of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis. Four animals served as uninfected controls.

Anti-IL-8 antibody potentiates the effect of exogenous surfactant in respiratory failure caused by meconium aspiration.

Aim: Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is life-threatening respiratory failure of newborns which can be treated by exogenous surfactant. In response to meconium, increased levels of chemokine IL-8 (CXCL8) stimulate massive neutrophil infiltration of the lungs. Local accumulation and activation of neutrophils, on-going inflammation, lung edema, and oxidative damage contribute to inactivation of endogenous and therapeutically given surfactants.

Improved assessment of arterial stiffness using corrected cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in overweight adolescents with white-coat and essential hypertension.

Arterial stiffness is a marker of vascular damage. Although adiposity increases cardiovascular risk, the relationship between paediatric overweight and arterial stiffness is unclear. The study aimed to evaluate the simultaneous effect of hypertension and overweight on arterial stiffness using cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and related novel, theoretically blood pressure (BP)-independent, index CAVI.

Expression of classical mediators in hearts of rats with hepatic dysfunction.

Liver cirrhosis is associated with impairment of cardiovascular function including alterations of the heart innervation, humoral and nervous dysregulation, changes in systemic circulation and electrophysiological abnormalities. Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), enzyme forming acetylcholine, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH), enzymes participating in noradrenaline synthesis, are responsible for the production of classical neurotransmitters, and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is produced by cardiomyocytes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of experimentally induced hepatic dysfunction on the expression of proANP, ChAT, TH, and DBH in the heart.

Effect of Pioglitazone on Serum Uric Acid Levels in Newly Diagnosed, Drug-Naïve Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pioglitazone on serum uric acid (UA) levels and several diabetic parameters in drug-naïve subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Patients And Methods: The patients (n = 68) received 7.5-30 mg/day pioglitazone monotherapy.