Maternal and umbilical cord copeptin levels in pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare maternal and fetal serum copeptin concentrations in pregnancies complicated by isolated fetal growth restriction (FGR), and uncomplicated pregnancies, and to investigate relationships between copeptin levels and clinical parameters.

Methods: Maternal and fetal serum copeptin levels were measured in 21 women with pregnancies complicated by isolated FGR and 20 women with normal pregnancies (control group). Doppler assessment of the uterine and umbilical arteries was performed in each patient.

Results: Maternal serum copeptin levels were significantly higher in women with isolated FGR compared to controls (p?=?0.042). In addition, maternal copeptin levels were inversely correlated with the uterine artery pulsatility and resistance indices and positively correlated with neonatal birth weight. Umbilical vein copeptin levels were significantly increased in neonates with adverse outcomes (p?=?0.001).

Conclusions: Increased maternal copeptin concentration may reflect a response to stress, thus serving as a compensatory mechanism in pregnancies complicated by FGR.     

Is radiological appearance of lower respiratory tract infection due to respiratory syncytial virus a predictor of clinical outcome?

Objective: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract infection is the most common viral infection in childhood. RSV-infected infants demonstrate various radiographic findings. The aim of the study is to evaluate whether assessment of radiological characteristics of lower tract infection due to RSV may be a predictor of clinical outcome in newborns.

Methods: The study included 36 newborn infants hospitalized for lower tract infection. In order to detect RSV, RSV Respi-Strip (Coris Bioconcept Organization) test kits were used on admission. Chest X-rays and clinical characteristics of the study group were reviewed.

Results: Of 36 patients hospitalized for lower tract infection from October 2012 to April 2013, 18 (50%) newborns were infected with RSV. The study included 36 neonates. Patients with RSV-positive infants at admission had greater need for respiratory support, supplemental oxygen and prolonged stay in the NICU. Newborns with an atelectasis pattern on admission chest radiograph had greater at RSV-positive infants.

Conclusion: Chest radiological patterns with lower respiratory tract infection in newborn infants due to RSV are a predictor of clinical outcome.     

Clinical and laboratory characteristics of unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning due to coal stove in children

To describe predictors for severe carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in children due to coal stove. Patients (n?=?176) were divided into two groups retrospectively: severe and mild-moderate clinical presentation. Forty-two patients received hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy. No patient died. pH?p?=?0.030; OR:1.0211), carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) (p=?0.002; OR:1.0558), and mean platelet volume (MPV) (p?=?0.004; OR:1.4695) were significantly different between the groups. COHb?>?20%, (AUC: 0.691) was comparable to those for pH (AUC: 0.536) and MPV (AUC: 0.639) (p?>?0.05) in ROC analysis. Although COHb, pH and MPV were poor predictors for severe manifestations, performance of MPV was similar to the COHb and pH levels.     

Endogenous pro-resolving and anti-inflammatory lipid mediators: a new pharmacologic genus

Complete resolution of an acute inflammatory response and its return to homeostasis are essential for healthy tissues. Here, we overview ongoing efforts to characterize cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern the resolution of self-limited inflammation. Systematic temporal analyses of evolving inflammatory exudates using mediator lipidomics-informatics, proteomics, and cellular trafficking with murine resolving exudates demonstrate novel endogenous pathways of local-acting mediators that share both anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving properties. In murine systems, resolving-exudate leukocytes switch their phenotype to actively generate new families of mediators from major omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA termed resolvins and protectins. Recent advances on their biosynthesis and actions are reviewed with a focus on the E-series resolvins (RvE1, RvE2), D series resolvins (RvD1, RvD2) and the protectins including neuroprotectin D1/protectin D1 (NPD1/PD1) as well as their aspirin-triggered epimeric forms. Members of each new family demonstrate potent stereo-specific actions, joining the lipoxins as endogenous local signals that govern resolution and endogenous anti-inflammation mechanisms. In addition to their origins and roles in resolution biology in the immune system, recent findings indicate that these new mediator families also display potent protective actions in lung, kidney, and eye as well as enhance microbial clearance. Thus, these endogenous agonists of resolution pathways constitute a novel genus of chemical mediators that possess pro-resolving, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic as well as host-directed antimicrobial actions. These may be useful in the design of new therapeutics and treatments for diseases with the underlying trait of uncontrolled inflammation and redox organ stress.     

An endogenous regulator of inflammation, resolvin E1, modulates osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption

Background and purpose:

The inflammation-resolving lipid mediator resolvin E1 (RvE1) effectively stops inflammation-induced bone loss in vivo in experimental periodontitis. It was of interest to determine whether RvE1 has direct actions on osteoclast (OC) development and bone resorption.

Experimental approach:

Primary OC cultures derived from mouse bone marrow were treated with RvE1 and analysed for OC differentiation, cell survival and bone substrate resorption. Receptor binding was measured using radiolabelled RvE1. Nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation and Akt phosphorylation were determined with western blotting. Lipid mediator production was assessed with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

Key results:

OC growth and resorption pit formation were markedly decreased in the presence of RvE1. OC differentiation was inhibited by RvE1 as demonstrated by decreased number of multinuclear OC, a delay in the time course of OC development and attenuation of receptor activator of NF-κB ligand-induced nuclear translocation of the p50 subunit of NF-κB. OC survival and apoptosis were not altered by RvE1. Messenger RNA for both receptors of RvE1, ChemR23 and BLT₁ is expressed in OC cultures. Leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄) competed with [³H]RvE1 binding on OC cell membrane preparations, and the LTB₄ antagonist {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"U75302","term_id":"1857248","term_text":"U75302"}}U75302 prevented RvE1 inhibition of OC growth, indicating that BLT₁ mediates RvE1 actions on OC. Primary OC synthesized the RvE1 precursor 18R-hydroxy-eicosapentaenoic acid and LTB₄. Co-incubation of OC with peripheral blood neutrophils resulted in transcellular RvE1 biosynthesis.

Conclusions and implications:

These results indicate that RvE1 inhibits OC growth and bone resorption by interfering with OC differentiation. The bone-sparing actions of RvE1 are in addition to inflammation resolution, a direct action in bone remodelling.     

The investigation of the effects of topiramate on the hypothalamic levels of fat mass/obesity-associated protein and neuropeptide Y in obese female rats

Objective: The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of topiramate on the fat mass/obesity-associated protein (FTO) and on the neuropeptide Y (NPY) level in the hypothalamus depending on the recently increased prevalence of obesity.

Method: In this study, twenty-four female rats were divided into four equal groups: Non-obese control, obese control, non-obese topiramate, and obese topiramate. Obese groups were fed with a 40% high-fat diet. At the end of the 9th week, the drug treatment started and the subjects were treated with topiramate once a day for 6 weeks. All animals underwent cardiac perfusion under high-dose anesthesia on the 15th week. Tissues were analyzed using biochemical, histological, and stereological methods.

Results: In terms of neuron number in the arcuate nucleus area, a significant difference was observed among all groups (P?<?0.01). The neuron number of the non-obese topiramate group was found to be significantly higher than that of the non-obese control group (P?<?0.01). In the examination of the ventromedial nucleus of the entire group, it was observed that the neuron number of the non-obese control group was significantly lower than those of the other groups (P?<?0.01). A significant increase in the NPY levels of the obese groups compared to the groups treated with topiramate was observed. Furthermore, the amount of the FTO protein increased in obese rats, while FTO and NPY levels decreased in the groups treated with topiramate.

Discussion: In conclusion, the mechanism of the effect of topiramate to create a state of obesity is thought to involve the decrease in the levels of NPY and FTO.     

Another model for the inheritance of Rett syndrome

The fact that probably less than 1% of Rett syndrome cases are familial speaks in favor of a spontaneous mutation as the most common cause of Rett syndrome. However, the few familial cases (about 10) described in the literature, the elevated consanguinity rate in parents of Rett patients (2.4% vs. 0.5%), and the existence of “formes frustes” in relatives of Rett girls, suggest that inheritance must exist. A model based on a hypothetical form of inheritance, namely allelic and non-allelic metabolic interference, fits almost all available data, as well as the exclusive occurrence in females without increased abortion rate.