Clin Lab
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Aneurysm and ectasia have similar pathological pathways. TH2-associated cytokines are stimulated by aneurismal tissue and correspondingly lack mediators associated with TH1 response. In this study, we measured serum TNF-alpha and IL-18 levels which are strong TH1 stimulating cytokines and also investigated the expression of CD11a, CD11b, CD18 adhesion molecules and CD45 on leukocytes in patients with coronary artery ectasia (CAE) and controls with normal coronary arteries (NCA). ⋯ The decreased levels of TNF-alpha may indicate predominance of TH2 and lack of TH1 type immunity in CAE patients, similar to patients with aortic aneurysms. Increased levels of cell surface adhesion molecules in CAE are an indicator of activation of leukocytes for adherence and transmigration through the vessels for the initiation of inflammation.
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The enigma of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), reflected in recent scientific literature, is its uncertain consequences, variability of the final prognosis with apparently similar TBI, necessity for peripheral biomarkers, and more specific predictive models. ⋯ Significantly higher S100B levels are observed on exitus, with excellent TBI prognosis and evolution performance. Hospital stay in the NICU produces significant increases in S100B compared to healthy subjects, without invalidating it as a biomarker. Polytraumatism associated to TBI does not significantly alter S100B levels. S100B at 24 hours > or = 0.90 microg/L appears to predict unfavourable TBI evolution with a NPV: 94.2% and PPV: 54.9%. We propose a predictive model when we associate S100B at 24 hours with amnesia duration over 30 minutes with a NPV of 85.5% and a PPV of 83.3%.
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Comparative Study Controlled Clinical Trial
Correlation between rotation thrombelastometry ROTEM analysis and standard haemostatic parameters during liver transplantation.
The determination of the correlations between simultaneously performed rotation thrombelastometry ROTEM analysis and standard haemostatic analysis during liver transplantations is indispensable for performing an adequate perioperative haemostatic monitoring. ⋯ The correlations found in the present study suggest to perform the haemoststic liver transplantation monitoring through a parallel systematic analysis of both standard and rotation thrombelastometry parameters and confirm the ROTEM method as preferable and highly informative.
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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by tissue injury mediated by inflammatory mechanisms. Nonetheless, several acute-phase proteins may remain normal or are decreased. We explore the association of diverse biomarkers with selected clinical features, disease activity, and organ damage in SLE. ⋯ In patients with SLE, acute-phase proteins behave differently depending on the kind of organ damage evaluated. Serum complement proteins remained as the most reliable laboratory markers for nephritis, while CRP was determined the best in patients with arthritis. The muted CRP response seen in SLE patients with active nephritis could have important pathogenic implications.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of serum cardiac specific biomarker release after non-cardiac thoracic surgery.
The detection of postoperative myocardial infarction can be difficult in patients after lung surgery. The aim of this study was to verify the clinical significance of elevated Troponin I (cTnI), N-terminal pro-natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and CK-MB in the perioperative course. ⋯ Despite the excellent sensitivity of troponin I for detection of acute myocardial infarction the fact remains that troponin I elevations were common after intrapericardial procedures and pneumonectomies. Thus, to differentiate between cardiac ischemia provoked chest pain and wound pain related to thoracotomy remains most difficult. Patients with only marginally elevated cTnI concentrations after intrapericardial resections or pneumonectomy should remain in the intensive care unit and should be followed-up carefully by cardiologists.