SpringerPlus
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The initial evaluation of patients with suspected deep vein thrombosis includes the use of biomarkers reflecting activation of the coagulation system. However, the thromboembolic process and neighboring inflammatory responses also affect endothelial cells, and endothelial cell markers may therefore be altered by the disease. In the present population-based single-center study, we investigated the plasma levels of the endothelium-specific biomarkers soluble E-selectin and endocan in a consecutive and unselected group of 120 patients admitted to hospital for suspected deep vein thrombosis. ⋯ Plasma endocan and E-selectin levels did not differ between patients with thrombosis, healthy controls and the patients without verified thrombosis (i.e. patients with other causes of their symptoms, including various inflammatory and non-inflammatory conditions). However, the combined use of endothelial biomarkers, C-reactive protein and D-dimer could be used to identify patient subsets with different frequencies of venous thrombosis. Thus, analysis of plasma biomarker profiles including endothelial cell markers may be helpful in the initial evaluation of patients with deep vein thrombosis.
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Traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a common intracranial lesion after traumatic brain injury (TBI). As in aneurysmal SAH, cerebral vasospasm is a common cause of secondary brain injury and is associated with the thickness of traumatic SAH. Unfortunately, there is limited literature on an effective treatment of this entity. The vasodilatory and inotropic agent, Milrinone, has been shown to be effective in treating vasospasm following aneurysmal SAH. The authors hypothesized that this agent could be useful and safe in treating vasospasm following tSAH. ⋯ This is the first report of the use of intravenous Milrinone to treat cerebral vasospasm following traumatic SAH. This treatment option appeared to be safe and potentially useful at treating post-traumatic vasospasm. Prospective studies are necessary to establish Milrinone's clinical effectiveness in treating this type of cerebral vasospasm.
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In this paper we are proposing a general framework for the analysis of the complete set of log Odds Ratios (ORs) generated by a two-way contingency table. Starting from the RC (M) association model and hypothesizing a Poisson distribution for the counts of the two-way contingency table we are obtaining the weighted Log Ratio Analysis that we are extending to the study of log ORs. Particularly we are obtaining an indirect representation of the log ORs and some synthesis measures. ⋯ We also expect to get summary measures of association too. We have considered the matrix of complete set of ORs, because, it is linked to the two-way contingency table in terms of variance and it allows us to represent all the ORs on a factorial plan. Finally, a two-way contingency table, which crosses pollution of the Sarno river and sampling points, is to be analyzed to illustrate the proposed framework.
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Data regarding the ventilatory response to exercise in adolescents with mild-to-moderate cystic fibrosis (CF) are equivocal. This study aimed to describe the ventilatory response during a progressive cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) up to maximal exertion, as well as to assess the adequacy of the ventilatory response for carbon dioxide (CO2) exhalation. Twenty-two adolescents with CF (12 boys and 10 girls; mean ± SD age: 14.3 ± 1.3 years; FEV1: 78.6 ± 17.3% of predicted) performed a maximal CPET. ⋯ VE/VCO2-slope and PETCO2 values differed not between the two groups throughout the CPET. VE/WR ratio values were significantly higher in CF during the entire range of the CPET (P < 0.01). This study found an exaggerated ventilatory response (high VE/WR ratio values), which was adequate for CO2 exhalation (normal VE/VCO2-slope and PETCO2 values) during progressive exercise up to maximal exhaustion in CF patients with mild-to-moderate airway obstruction.
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6% Hydroxyethyl Starch 130/0.4 in 0.9% Sodium Chloride (Voluven®; 6% HES 130/0.4) is a colloid often used for fluid resuscitation in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), despite a lack of safety data for this use. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of 6% HES 130/0.4 on major complications associated with SAH. ⋯ We observed increased complications after SAH with 6% HES 130/0.4 (Voluven®) administration. An adequately powered prospective randomized controlled trial into the safety of 6% HES 130/0.4 in this patient population is warranted.