European journal of clinical investigation
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Nov 2001
Postnatal increase of procalcitonin in premature newborns is enhanced by chorioamnionitis and neonatal sepsis.
To determine the influence of chorioamnionitis and neonatal sepsis on procalcitonin (PCT) levels in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants within the first week of life. ⋯ In the group of VLBW infants the PCT level within 72 h of delivery was markedly increased in patients with chorioamnionitis. Compared with I : T and CRP, PCT appears to be a more sensitive marker of neonatal sepsis.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Sep 2001
Damaged myocytes as detected by the colocalization of DNA fragmentation and tissue transglutaminase and their prognostic significance in enterovirus-associated dilated cardiomyopathy.
Apoptotic cardiac myocytes have been described in chronic heart failure, but no data exist on the relationship between these 'damaged' myocytes and myocardial detection of enterovirus RNA often associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). ⋯ Our results favour the view that enterovirus-positive patients with DCM have less damaged myocytes and a better haemodynamic course than enterovirus-negative patients.
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An A54T polymorphism of the fatty acid binding protein 2 (FABP2) gene was found to be associated with insulin resistance in nondiabetic Pima Indians. Design This is a cross-sectional study to examine the role of this polymorphism in insulin resistance in 71 healthy and normotensive Caucasian subjects with normal glucose tolerance. Insulin sensitivity (%S, ISI(M), ISI(S)) and beta-cell function (%B, dI/dG, 1stPHS, 2ndPHS) were estimated based on published models. Their genotypes were determined using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. The relationship between genotypes and phenotypes was examined. ⋯ We demonstrated that the A54T polymorphism at the FABP2 locus is a risk factor for insulin resistance in a Caucasian population.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Feb 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialOral supplementation with whey proteins increases plasma glutathione levels of HIV-infected patients.
HIV infection is characterized by an enhanced oxidant burden and a systemic deficiency of the tripeptide glutathione (GSH), a major antioxidant. The semi-essential amino acid cysteine is the main source of the free sulfhydryl group of GSH and limits its synthesis. Therefore, different strategies to supplement cysteine supply have been suggested to increase glutathione levels in HIV-infected individuals. ⋯ Therapy was well tolerated. In glutathione-deficient patients with advanced HIV-infection, short-term oral supplementation with whey proteins increases plasma glutathione levels. A long-term clinical trial is clearly warranted to see if this "biochemical efficacy" of whey proteins translates into a more favourable course of the disease.