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The value of serum pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance in the assessment of asphyxia in term neonates.
Boskabadi, H, Zakerihamidi, M, Heidarzadeh, M, Avan, A, Ghayour-Mobarhan, M, Ferns, GA
The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians. 2017;(13):1556-1561
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Asphyxia is a major cause of disabilities in term-born infants. Here we have explored the value in HIE (hypoxic-ischemic-encephalopathy) of using a combination of serum pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance (PAB) assay for predicting the prognosis of asphyxia. METHOD Ninety term neonates with asphyxia were enrolled and followed up for two years. Serum PAB, demographic/biochemical characteristics of mothers, and their neonates were determined. The Denver II test was used to assess outcomes. RESULTS Of the 90 asphyxiated neonates, 47 (52.2%) had a normal outcome and 43 babies (47.8%) had abnormal outcome. Serum PAB levels in neonates with normal and abnormal outcomes were 17.1 ± 9.23 and 48.27 ± 41.30 HK, respectively. A combination of HIE intensity and PAB, compared to other indicators, had a higher predictive-value (95.2%) for outcomes in asphyxiated babies. CONCLUSION We demonstrate that PAB in combination with HIE grade may have a better predictive value for the prognosis of asphyxiated babies and predicting future neurologic problems in asphyxiated term infants.
2.
Microbiota-dependent metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide is associated with disease severity and survival of patients with chronic heart failure.
Trøseid, M, Ueland, T, Hov, JR, Svardal, A, Gregersen, I, Dahl, CP, Aakhus, S, Gude, E, Bjørndal, B, Halvorsen, B, et al
Journal of internal medicine. 2015;(6):717-26
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Recent metabolomic, experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated that trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a microbiota-dependent metabolite from dietary phosphatidylcholine and carnitine, is a strong predictor of coronary artery disease (CAD). This finding suggests a link between the gut microbiota and atherosclerosis. The potential impact of TMAO in chronic heart failure (HF) is unknown. We hypothesized that TMAO levels would provide prognostic information about adverse outcomes in chronic HF. DESIGN Prospective, observational study including 155 consecutive patients with chronic HF. In addition, 100 patients with stable CAD without HF and 33 matched healthy individuals were included as controls. Plasma levels of TMAO and its precursors choline and betaine were measured, and associations with symptoms, aetiology and transplant-free survival in the patients with HF were explored. RESULTS Plasma levels of TMAO (P = 0.01), choline (P < 0.001) and betaine (P < 0.001) were elevated in patients with chronic HF compared to control subjects, with the highest levels in patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes III and IV. Furthermore, TMAO levels were highest in individuals with ischaemic HF, followed by those with stable CAD and nonischaemic HF. TMAO, but not choline or betaine, was associated with reduced transplant-free survival: approximately 50% of patients in the upper tertile of TMAO levels died or received a heart transplant during 5.2 years of follow-up (unadjusted Cox-regression: hazard ratio 2.24, 95% confidence interval 1.28-3.92, P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS TMAO levels were elevated in patients with HF and associated with NYHA class, ischaemic aetiology and adverse outcomes. Future studies should focus on gut microbiota, dietary composition and intestinal dysfunction in relation to TMAO levels and clinical outcome in HF.
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Evaluation of the effectiveness of a hyperoxidized oil-based medication in the treatment of skin lesions: observational study.
Cassino, R, Ippolito, AM, Cuffaro, P, Corsi, A, Forma, O
Minerva chirurgica. 2015;(1):23-31
Abstract
AIM: Aim of the study was to demonstrate the effectiveness, in the management of recalcitrant wounds, of a hyperoxidized oil-based gel with film-forming and protective functions. METHODS The study involved 50 patients with recalcitrant not infected and/or necrotic chronic ulcers. All patients had 0.7 minimum ABPI value; terminal and/or cancer and/or under immunosuppressive therapy patients were excluded. The dressing consisted in a uniform gel layer applied on the lesion, after cleansing with a 0.05% sodium hypochlorite chloroxidating solution. The dressing was changed every 48 hours (or every 24 hours, in case of hyperexuding wound). The effectiveness was assessed by the evaluation of the WBP score changes and area reduction (via the Visitrak™ Digital System) after an observation period of 4 weeks. RESULTS All patients achieved area improvement; WBP score improved in more than 90% of the B score patients; pain reduction was reported by all patients: more than 55% of the total number of patients limited the use of analgesic drugs and in 6 cases (12%) they discontinued the antalgic therapy. CONCLUSION The dressing showed an actual effectiveness, promoting granulation and accelerating epithelialization; no patient suffered from allergy/intolerance and all of them reported a decrease in pain, until complete relief.