Vitamin D Level and Immune Modulation in Children with Recurrent Wheezing.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: A direct causal relationship between vitamin D (vit D) deficiency and recurrent wheezing has not been proven. The present study investigated the role of vit D in enhancing the risk of asthma or recurrent wheezing by modifying the intensity of the inflammatory process. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Forty children with wheezing presenting at the emergency service and sixteen healthy control subjects were included in the study. Children with wheezing were either in the first episode (20) or with recurrent wheezing (20). Children with chronic diseases, and other conditions that present with acute wheezing or that might influence the vit D level, were excluded. Blood samples were taken at presentation and 3-6 months later, to evaluate the serum levels of total IgE, vit D, IL-10 and IL-31. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 25 program, with a significance level of p < 0.05. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The vit D level was lower in patients with recurrent wheezing compared with those with a single episode and with the control group, and this increased with time. IL-10 was significantly higher in children with wheezing than in the control group, with the highest values in those with an acute episode of wheezing. IL-31 was higher in children with recurrent wheezing than in those with a first episode only at the initial point, while at the final time point it was lower. Low levels of vit D appear to be detected more frequently in recurrent wheezing than in simple wheezing. Immune modulation, as measured by Th2 status reflected by IL-10 and IL-31 levels, appears to depend on the wheezing phenotype and on the general health status.

Multiple Drug-Intolerant Hypertension.

CLINICAL FEATURES: The term multiple drug intolerance (MDI) is attributed to patients who experience adverse drug reactions to more than 3 different classes of medication without a known immunological mechanism. A special attention should be given to multiple drug-intolerant hypertension (MDI-HTN) that is a cause of drop out from treatment and consequent poor blood pressure control. Patients with MDIs account for 2%-5% of all population. The patient we present is a 63-year-old man with third-degree hypertension identified with intolerance to drugs from 4 major classes of antihypertensive medication. THERAPEUTIC CHALLENGE: Patients with MDIs are difficult to treat. They frequently also have numerous comorbidities and high cardiovascular risk. It is recognized that guidelines for the management of hypertension do not include an algorithm of action in situations of MDIs to medication. SOLUTION: We chose to use a recently proposed four-step algorithm for the management of MDI-HTN. A 1-month follow-up program was established. Weekly visits were scheduled to elicit about side effects and measure blood pressure . Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed after a month. The strategy was first to reuse medication from classes the patient was intolerant to, but in smaller doses and in combinations. Among same class members, we have chosen those with less adverse effects. Not all steps within the algorithm were followed since our patient did not need alternative formulation as liquid or transdermal ones. Anxiety medication was prescribed as nonlicensed antihypertensive medication. At the end of the follow-up month, blood pressure control was satisfactory, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was 135.5/83.0 mm Hg, and the patient did not claim any adverse drug reactions.

Comparison of Linear and Non-linear Regression Analysis to Determine Pulmonary Pressure in Hyperthyroidism.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at assessing the incidence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) at newly diagnosed hyperthyroid patients and at finding a simple model showing the complex functional relation between pulmonary hypertension in hyperthyroidism and the factors causing it. METHODS: The 53 hyperthyroid patients (H-group) were evaluated mainly by using an echocardiographical method and compared with 35 euthyroid (E-group) and 25 healthy people (C-group). In order to identify the factors causing pulmonary hypertension the statistical method of comparing the values of arithmetical means is used. The functional relation between the two random variables (PAPs and each of the factors determining it within our research study) can be expressed by linear or non-linear function. By applying the linear regression method described by a first-degree equation the line of regression (linear model) has been determined; by applying the non-linear regression method described by a second degree equation, a parabola-type curve of regression (non-linear or polynomial model) has been determined. We made the comparison and the validation of these two models by calculating the determination coefficient (criterion 1), the comparison of residuals (criterion 2), application of AIC criterion (criterion 3) and use of F-test (criterion 4). RESULTS: From the H-group, 47% have pulmonary hypertension completely reversible when obtaining euthyroidism. The factors causing pulmonary hypertension were identified: previously known- level of free thyroxin, pulmonary vascular resistance, cardiac output; new factors identified in this study- pretreatment period, age, systolic blood pressure. According to the four criteria and to the clinical judgment, we consider that the polynomial model (graphically parabola- type) is better than the linear one. CONCLUSIONS: The better model showing the functional relation between the pulmonary hypertension in hyperthyroidism and the factors identified in this study is given by a polynomial equation of second degree where the parabola is its graphical representation.

Bioethical dilemmas in using animal in medical research. Challenges and opportunities.

PURPOSE: The study aims to present the main ethical dilemmas that research on animals raised for anyone involved in this process, starting from the idea that there are rights of animals to be known and respected. BACKGROUND: The evolution of medicine is inextricably linked to the production of new drugs, the occurrence of surgical techniques; none of these can be possible without the study of experimental animals, in vivo experimentation being part of the process of medical research. CONTENT: The article analyzes the main ethical dilemmas related to the use of animals in medical research, in the current legislative context and historical perspective of achieving such studies. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The use of animals in medical research must be conducted in accordance with clearly established moral rules, which facilitate reducing to the maximum the negative effects on the animals, avoiding unnecessary suffering to them and especially to facilitate progress achievement with the minimum possible animals sacrificed.

Alcoholism in Romania in the Late Nineteenth Century and at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century.

Although alcohol consumption has been described from the earliest times, alcohol abuse has grown significantly since the mid-nineteenth century as a consequence of the industrialization progress. Due to the socio-economic profile of Romania, which was considered to be agrarian, the idea of developing mainly the industry branches belonging to agriculture was considered. Amongst these branches, the production of alcohol appeared to be the most appropriate. The political state leaders from Romania enjoyed the taxes collected from alcohol commercialization, disregarding the costs involved in alcoholism which went far beyond them.