Biochemia medica : časopis Hrvatskoga društva medicinskih biokemičara
-
Neutrophilic granulocytes express their Fcgamma receptor, also known as the CD64 antigen, predominantly when they are activated. This makes neutrophil CD64 a potential biomarker for infection and sepsis. Indeed there is ample literature on the diagnostic utility of neutrophil CD64 in a variety of diseases. ⋯ Nevertheless, neutrophil CD64 appears to be a better diagnostic test than traditional hematological assays, C-reactive protein and probably even procalcitonin. Application of neutrophil CD64 in other conditions than sepsis is briefly presented. Finally, future clinical studies are discussed which are needed in order to confirm the diagnostic performance of this promising biomarker.
-
Neonatal sepsis is the most common cause of neonatal deaths with high mortality despite treatment. Neonatal sepsis can be classified into two subtypes depending upon onset of symptoms. There are many factors that make neonates more susceptable to infection. ⋯ Diagnostic approach mostly focuses on history and review of non specific signs and symptoms. Antibiotic treatment is the mainstay of treatment and supportive care is equally important. The aim of this review is to give an overview of neonatal sepsis, including incidence, etiology, clinical picture, diagnostics and therapy.
-
Accumulating evidence shows that chronic inflammation is associated to increased risk of cancer. An inflammatory component is present also in the microenvironment of tumours epidemiologically unrelated to inflammation. Extensive investigations over the past decade have uncovered many of the important mechanistic pathways underlying cancer-related inflammation. ⋯ NFKB aids in the proliferation and survival of malignant cells, promotes angiogenesis and metastasis, subverts adaptive immunity, and alters responses to hormones and chemotherapeutic agents. Emerging evidence also suggests that persistent inflammation promotes genetic instability. Thus, cancer-related inflammation represents a target for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
-
Biochem Med (Zagreb) · Jan 2011
Impaired oxidative balance and association of blood glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR index in migraine.
The nature of the relationship between glucose metabolism and occurrence of migraine has not been elucidated precisely. This study investigated the status of oxidative/antioxidative balance and its relationship with the glucose metabolism in migraineurs to get new points of view for the underlying oxidative mechanisms. ⋯ This preliminary study shows that oxidative/antioxidative balance shifts towards the oxidative status in migraine. Higher total oxidant status and elevated HOMA-IR index might play a role in the potential early pathogenesis for migraine.
-
Biochem Med (Zagreb) · Jan 2011
ReviewFaecal calprotectin in the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease.
Suspicion of inflammatory bowel disease should be raised in any patient with chronic or recurrent abdominal pain and diarrhoea. However, symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) overlap with functional gastrointestinal disorders and those patients may not need endoscopy. Currently, colonoscopy with multiple biopsies is considered the gold standard to establish the diagnosis of IBD. ⋯ Testing of faecal calprotectin has been highly useful to distinguish organic from functional intestinal disorders in patients with abdominal complaints. Additionally, faecal calprotectin has reliably identified colonic inflammation in patients with suspected IBD. The use of this inexpensive and widely available test in the evaluation and risk stratification in patients with abdominal complaints is likely to increase in the future.