Vitamin d deficiency with high parathyroid hormone levels is related to late onset SEPSIS among preterm infants.

Preterm infants (PTs) are at greater risk for vitamin D deficiency, which relates to the possibility of a higher incidence of comorbidities. Our goal was twofold, 1) to monitor vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) serum levels at three-time points during hospitalization, and 2) to assess the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels and outcomes in PTs. METHODS: We carried out a follow-up on 50 Caucasian PTs ≤ 32 weeks of gestational age (GA) and/or ≤ 1500 g birth weight at 28 days and at 4 months. PTs were divided into two subgroups for tests of association with clinical outcomes based on vitamin D deficient infants 25(OH) D cord blood levels: ≤ 20 ng/ml). At an initial stage, 25(OH) D levels were determined in maternal/preterm blood samples and were compared to full term delivery infants. RESULTS: There were no differences in 25(OH) D serum levels at birth when comparing PTs to term infants, or regarding maternal levels. A strong positive correlation was detected between maternal and neonatal 25(OH) D serum levels among PTs and term infants (r: 0.466; p < 0.001). Neonates with vitamin D deficiency did not present a higher incidence of comorbidities. PTs were classified in two subgroups based on vitamin D and PTH (group 1: vitamin D < 20 ng/mL and PTH > 60 pg/mL; group 2: vitamin D > 20 and PTH < 60 pg/mL). The PTs in group 1 showed a higher incidence of LOS (RR: 2; 95% CI: 1.31-3.55). No relationship was observed between MMP-8 serum levels and the incidence of sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: This study did not find any evidence of an increase in preterm birth risk related to vitamin D level at birth. Vitamin D deficiency by itself is not associated with a higher incidence of comorbidities. However, the binomial vitamin D-PTH must be taken into consideration.

Protective effects of melatonin on changes occurring in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model of multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Melatonin has been related to the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS), and its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties have been proved in numerous neurodegenerative diseases. This study aimed to find out whether a melatonin supplement in MS is able to act as a benefit to its clinical status, i.e. oxidative stress, inflammation and indirect biomarkers of bacterial dysbiosis, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and LPS-binding protein (LBP), verifying its therapeutic potential and its possible clinical use in patients with MS. METHODS: The animal MS model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), was employed whereby 25 male Dark Agouti rats (5 animals per group) were divided into: a control group (not manipulated); a control+vehicle group; a control+melatonin group; an EAE group; an EAE+melatonin group. Melatonin was administered daily for 51 days, at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight/i.p., once a day, five days a week. RESULTS: The results from the administration of melatonin demonstrated an improvement in clinical status, a diminution in oxidative stress and inflammation, as well as in bacterial dysbiosis. CONCLUSION: Melatonin could play an effective role against MS, either alone or as a therapy combined with traditional agents.

Cryopreserved human bone marrow mononuclear cells as a source of mesenchymal stromal cells: application in osteoporosis research.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are an invaluable tool for research and therapeutic application regarding degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis. METHODS: Human MSC from cryopreserved mononuclear (c-MSC) cell populations were isolated from bone marrow (BM) and compared with MSC isolated directly from the same BM for immunophenotype, differentiation capacity and Parathormone (PTH) response. RESULTS: c-MSC showed a similar immunophenotype, division and differentiation capacity as standard MSC obtained from the same BM. This capacity was maintained during various culture-growing passages. Treatment with PTH(1-34) from days 6 to 24, after c-MSC induction to osteoblasts and adipocytes, had no significant effect on osteoblastogenesis yet inhibited adipogenesis. This effect was similar in MSC from the same BM. DISCUSSION: We propose cryopreservation of mononuclear cells obtained from BM as a simple and convenient means for routine storage of MSC to be used for therapeutic and research applications.

Short-Term Evaluation of Left Ventricular Mass and Function in Children With Growth Hormone Deficiency After Replacement Treatment.

Background: Our study was designed to assess the effects of GHD on nutritional and metabolic parameters, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, and left ventricular mass (LVM) in prepubertal children and after short-term GH replacement therapy. Materials and Methods: This prospective study enrolled 81 children. We compared 40 GHD children (16 males and 24 females) to 41 healthy children (control group) (18 males and 23 females). All subjects were at Tanner Stage I (aged 7-11 years). At the baseline, a blood sample was drawn and echocardiographic images were obtained. These tests were repeated on the GHD subjects after 6 months of GH replacement therapy. Body surface, weight, size, blood pressure, heart rate, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, HOMA-ß, QUICKI, cholesterol, HDLc, LDLc, triglycerides, IGF1, and IGFBP3 were measured. Indexed LVM, diastolic and systolic diameter (dD-sD), diastolic and systolic LV function, isovolumic relaxation time, right ventricle function, and BNP levels were obtained through echocardiography. These parameters were correlated to growth factors. Data were analyzed using Student's t-test or U-Mann-Whitney-test and Pearson's correlation, considering p < 0.05 to be significant. Results: Indexed LVM was smaller in GHD patients than in controls, whereas diastolic and systolic functions, BNP, metabolic, and nutritional profiles were similar. After treatment, nutritional and metabolic profiles significantly improved, though diastolic and systolic functions did not seem to have changed. There was a significant increase in LVM. Indexed LVM was similar to that of controls. Significant correlations were obtained between LVM-IGF1 and sD-IGFBP3. Conclusions: GHD in childhood is associated with a lower indexed LVM. In the short-term, GH increases the indexed LVM, while maintaining normal systolic and diastolic functions, BNP, and an improved lipid profile.

Dose-dependent S-allyl cysteine ameliorates multiple sclerosis disease-related pathology by reducing oxidative stress and biomarkers of dysbiosis in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Garlic is a component of the Mediterranean diet. S-allyl cysteine (SAC), the most common organosulphur present in garlic, possesses neuroprotective properties. This investigation was performed to evaluate the dose-dependent protective action of SAC on oxidative damage, inflammation and gut microbiota alterations biomarkers. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as a model of multiple sclerosis (MS) was induced by the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), whose effects were quantified by examining the changes in: clinical score, lipid peroxidation products, carbonylated proteins, glutathione system, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), and lipopolysaccharide membrane bacteria (LPS). Our results reveal that MOG induces paralysis, oxidative damage and increases in LPS binding protein (LBP) and LPS levels. In this work, two doses of SAC were compared with two dose of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). SAC was more effective than NAC and it prevented the harmful effects induced by MOG more effectively at the dose of 50mg/kg than that of 18mg/kg. Surprisingly, NAC increases LBP levels while SAC had not such negative effect. In conclusion the data show the ability of SAC to modify EAE evolution.

[Quality of life in patients treated for early laryngeal cancer, in healthy people and in those with other associated pathologies]. / Calidad de vida en pacientes tratados por un cáncer de laringe inicial y en personas sanas y con otras patologías.

Nowadays there are different non aggressive treatment options for early laryngeal cancer. However, they are not free of undesirable effects. We have studied this patients' quality of life, by comparing it with that obtained from healthy population and other illness groups (post-AMI patients, Chronic Kidney patients). We have studied 62 T1-T2NoMo laryngeal carcinoma diagnosed at the "Virgen de la Victoria" clinical hospital from Malaga, Spain, between 1990 and 1998. We used the Quality of Life in Málaga (QLM), general QL questionnaire which was developed and validated at the Department of Preventive Medicine of the University of Málaga, Spain. The results were compared with those obtained from ramdom samples in healthy population from Málaga and from various pathology groups. The global QOL of our patients treated for an early glottic cancer (Index Quality of life 29.4%) was better than almost all the other ones.

[Quality of life in patients treated for head and neck cancer]. / Calidad de vida en pacientes tratados por un cáncer de cabeza y cuello.

In this paper we have studied the quality of life of patients that underwent treatment for an early laryngeal carcinoma in comparison to others with an advanced head and neck cancer. We have studied 62 patients (T1N0M0, T2N0M0) with laryngeal carcinoma diagnosed between 1990 and 1998. We have applied the European EORTC QOL C-30 questionnaire, and more specifically its head and neck module (H&N 35). The results were compared with a heterogeneous group of 48 patients with different degrees of head and neck cancers. The quality of life of our patients who were treated for an early glottic cancer was better in many functional scales of the EORTC and in many specific symptom scales of the H&N 35, but not in global cancer symptoms.

[Applications of proteomic techniques in clinical practice: present situation and perspectives]. / Aplicaciones de las técnicas proteómicas en medicina asistencial: situación actual y perspectivas.

Study of the human proteome has given rise to the appearance of abundant and increasing scientific literature. This has resulted in the proposal to use proteomic techniques in the management of some diseases and the suggestion of its future use in clinical laboratories. In order to identify which proteomic techniques are being used or may be used in the near future in the clinical practice, a survey was made to experts in proteomics and the bibliometric study was done. Concordance between this study and a survey was observed. However, in general, standardized uses of proteomic techniques in the current clinical practice were not found. In regards to possible applications in the short-middle term, the experts have different opinions, from those who mention specific techniques (coinciding with the most repeated aspects of the bibliometric study) to those who think that its use in a near future is unlikely.