Monitoring of the course of sepsis in hematooncological patients by extrapituitary prolactin expression in peripheral blood monocytes

Our study explored the role of extrapituitary prolactin (PRL) and toll-like receptors (TLR)2 and TLR4 in defense reaction of immune system to bacterial infection. Forty-two patients diagnosed with sepsis were recruited and blood samples were withdrawn after patients' admission to hospital, after the end of acute phase of sepsis and after the sepsis has been resolved, respectively. Seventeen patients died of sepsis; thus, only one sample collected just before death could be processed. PRL and TLR2/4 mRNA levels were measured in CD14+ blood monocytes by QPCR and PRL -1149 G/T SNP genotyped. The TLRs mRNA expression was markedly elevated in all patients groups in comparison to healthy controls mRNA levels; the highest upregulation of monocytic TLR2 in sepsis (16.4 times, P<0.0001) was detected in patients who did not survive septic complications. PRL mRNA expression in monocytes from non-survivors tended to be lower (4.5 fold decrease, P=NS) compared to control levels and it was 6.2 times reduced compared to PRL mRNA expression in second blood sample from survivors (P<0.05). The PRL -1149 G/T SNP had no effect on PRL mRNA response during sepsis. Our data suggest that increased prolactin mRNA expression in monocytes is associated with better outcome and improved survival rate in sepsis with no apparent effect of PRL -1149 G/T SNP on monocytic prolactin response.

Value of tissue Doppler echocardiography in children with pulmonary hypertension

BACKGROUND

The impact of pulmonary hypertension (PHT) on right ventricular and left ventricular (LV) function in children with PHT is unknown, and echocardiographic data combining conventional and Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) on PHT in children are sparse.

METHODS

Forty-one children (18 male; mean age, 7.9 ± 5.6 years) with PHT and structurally normal hearts (27 with idiopathic PHT, 14 with associated PHT) and 44 age-matched healthy controls were assessed using conventional echocardiography and DTI.

RESULTS

Children with PHT had enlarged tricuspid valve diameters, right atrial areas, pulmonary artery dimensions, and LV eccentricity indices. In addition, pulmonary acceleration time and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion were significantly reduced in patients compared with controls. DTI revealed that children with PHT had significantly lower systolic (S) and early diastolic (E) velocities at the tricuspid and septal levels. Despite preserved LV ejection fractions, left lateral free wall systolic velocities were significantly reduced in patients with PHT. Significantly reduced LV rapid filling velocities (E) suggested an underloaded left ventricle or LV diastolic dysfunction in children with PHT compared with controls. Pulmonary acceleration time and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion correlated best with DTI systolic tricuspid and septal velocities.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite not being evident on conventional two-dimensional echocardiography, LV systolic performance appears to be impaired in children with PHT. Quantitative DTI assessment of ventricular function and ventricular-ventricular interactions in this setting might provide further insights into the mechanisms leading to end-stage PHT and may guide clinicians to optimize antifailure treatment.

[A recommended approach to evaluate cardiovascular risk and to prevent cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus in women with polycystic ovary syndrome]

Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the most common endocrinopathy in women of fertile age. It is commnoly accompanied by an increased occurence of cardiovascular risk factors. This association led to a consensus statement of Androgen Excess Society for screening of cardiovascular risk factors. We present the recommendations of Czech Endocrine and Czech Diabetological Societies for the screening and primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus.

Origin of the magnetic field induced changes of the transverse plasma mode in the c-axis infrared response of underdoped YBa2Cu3O(7-δ)

We report on results of our theoretical study of magnetic field induced changes of the c-axis infrared response of bilayer cuprate superconductors using the phenomenological multilayer model involving the conductivity of the spacing layers and that of the bilayer units. For H perpendicular to the planes, the local conductivities have been expressed in terms of a two-fluid approximation--as weighted averages of the superconducting state ones and the normal state ones representing contributions of the vortex cores, the weight of the latter increasing linearly with the field. This allows us to reproduce and interpret the fast decrease with increasing H of the well known 400 cm(-1) peak (transverse plasma mode) in the c-axis conductivity, observed by LaForge and co-workers. For the local conductivities of underdoped YBa(2)Cu(3)O(7-δ) with T(c)=58 K reported by Dubroka and co-workers and the fraction of the normal state (T ≈ T(c)) component given by (μ(0)H/25 T), the computed field induced changes of the reflectivity are in quantitative agreement with the data. This suggests that the response at H=0 and T ≈ T(c) is close to that at H=25 T < H(c2) and T ≪ T(c), in accord with theories attributing the above T(c) state to that of a superconductor lacking long-range phase coherence. Also discussed are changes of the response induced by H parallel to the CuO(2) planes.

Impact of the permanent ventricular pacing site on left ventricular function in children: a retrospective multicentre survey

BACKGROUND

Chronic right ventricular (RV) pacing is associated with deleterious effects on cardiac function.

OBJECTIVE

In an observational multicentre study in children with isolated atrioventricular (AV) block receiving chronic ventricular pacing, the importance of the ventricular pacing site on left ventricular (LV) function was investigated.

METHODS

Demographics, maternal autoantibody status and echocardiographic measurements on LV end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions and volumes at age <18 years were retrospectively collected from patients undergoing chronic ventricular pacing (>1 year) for isolated AV block. LV fractional shortening (LVFS) and, if possible LV ejection fraction (LVEF) were calculated. Linear regression analyses were adjusted for patient characteristics.

RESULTS

From 27 centres, 297 children were included, in whom pacing was applied at the RV epicardium (RVepi, n = 147), RV endocardium (RVendo, n = 113) or LV epicardium (LVepi, n = 37). LVFS was significantly affected by pacing site (p = 0.001), and not by maternal autoantibody status (p = 0.266). LVFS in LVepi (39 ± 5%) was significantly higher than in RVendo (33 ± 7%, p < 0.001) and RVepi (35 ± 8%, p = 0.001; no significant difference between RV-paced groups, p = 0.275). Subnormal LVFS (LVFS < 28%) was seen in 16/113 (14%) RVendo-paced and 21/147 (14%) RVepi-paced children, while LVFS was normal (LVFS ≥ 28%) in all LVepi-paced children (p = 0.049). These results are supported by the findings for LVEF (n = 122): LVEF was <50% in 17/69 (25%) RVendo- and in 10/35 (29%) RVepi-paced patients, while LVEF was ≥ 50% in 17/18 (94%) LVepi-paced patients.

CONCLUSION

In children with isolated AV block, permanent ventricular pacing site is an important determinant of LV function, with LVFS being significantly higher with LV pacing than with RV pacing.

[Cardiotoxicity of cancer therapy]

Due to advances in oncological care, the number of patients exposed to and surviving after anticancer chemotherapy is steadily increasing. Anticancer agents, however, are often associated with side-effects including cardiotoxicity which has been identified as one of the most serious and potentially life threatening complications. Cardiotoxicity manifestations range from asymptomatic alterations of heart and vasculature function to arterial hypertension, myocardial ischemia, arrhythmias (including QT-prolongation) and overt heart failure. Post-chemotherapy cardiovascular impairment has been associated with increased morbidity and may also contribute to increased mortality in these patients, both early and late after chemotherapy. This review article describes pathophysiology, clinical manifestation, diagnostic algorithms, monitoring and therapy of cardiotoxicity caused by anticancer agents. We also outline and discuss a variety of problems associated with patient management from the viewpoint of clinical cardiology according to latest published findings.

Resolution of dyssynchronous left ventricular failure via cardiac resynchronization and subsequent radiofrequency ablation in an infant with pre-excitation

Ventricular pre-excitation causing reversible left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction has been reported in adults and children. We describe severe heart failure secondary to ventricular pre-excitation in a 3-month-old girl who presented with echocardiographic evidence of marked intraventricular dyssynchrony. The patient was initially considered for transplantation, but dual chamber left atrioventricular epicardial pacing initiated at 4.5 months of age resulted in a marked clinical and echocardiographic improvement. Five years later, successful radiofrequency ablation resulted in loss of pre-excitation and reversal of LV dyssynchrony, thus allowing pacemaker explantation. To our knowledge, this is one of very few reported cases of pre-excitation-induced cardiomyopathy affecting a young infant and the only case palliated with resynchronization pacing.

[Pituitary adenomas--where is the treatment heading at the beginning of the 21st century?]

To treat pituitary adenomas, three modes of treatment are usually combined: neurosurgery, radiation and pharmacological. Prolactinomas are an exception with predominantly pharmacological management. Patients with acromegaly are usually diagnosed late and thus many neurosurgeries fail to completely remove the adenoma. Any residual tumour tissue is usually irradiated with the Leksell Gamma Knife, and dopamine agonists, somatostatine analogues or growth hormone receptor antagonists are used to normalize the hormonal hypersecretion until the complete effect of the radiation. The same surgical and Gamma Knife procedures are used in patients with the Cushing's disease and TSH-secreting adenomas. Ketoconazole, metyrapone and cabergoline are used until the radiation effect in the Cushing's disease is complete, similarly, somatostatine analogues are used in TSH-secreting adenomas. Nonfunctional adenomas are less responsive to pharmacological treatment. Proautophagic cytostatic temozolamide has been used in aggressive pituitary adenomas and carcinomas.

Plasma concentrations of adipocyte fatty acid binding protein in patients with Cushing's syndrome

Serum adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (FABP-4) concentrations are linked to human obesity and other features of metabolic syndrome. Patients with Cushing´s syndrome (CS) develop numerous features of metabolic syndrome due to chronic cortisol excess. Here we tested the hypothesis that chronically increased cortisol levels in CS patients may alter circulating levels of FABP-4. Fourteen patients with CS, 19 patients with simple obesity (OB) and 36 healthy control subjects (C) were included in the study. Serum FABP-4 concentrations were significantly higher in both CS and OB patients relative to C group, but they did not differ between CS and OB groups. In a combined population of all groups, serum FABP-4 levels correlated positively with BMI, body fat content, serum glucose, triglycerides, HbA1c and HOMA index and were inversely related to HDL-cholesterol, resting energy expenditure and freeT3 levels. We conclude that FABP-4 levels are significantly increased in both patients with simple obesity and obese patients with Cushing´s syndrome. We suggest that increased FABP-4 concentrations in CS patients are rather due to their excessive fat accumulation and related metabolic abnormalities than due to a direct effect of cortisol on FABP-4 production.

Preparation of the pyridinium salts differing in the length of the N-alkyl substituent

Quaternary pyridinium salts with chains ranging from C₈ to C₂₀ belong in the large group of cationic surfactants. In this paper, the preparation of such cationic surface active agents based on the pyridinium moiety and differing in the length of the N-alkyl chain is described. Additionally, HPLC technique was established to distinguish each prepared pyridinium analogue. This study represents universal method for preparation and identification of quaternary pyridinium detergents.

Fetal cardiology in the Czech Republic: current management of prenatally diagnosed congenital heart diseases and arrhythmias

Reliable diagnosis of congenital heart defects and arrhythmias in utero has been possible since the introduction of fetal echocardiography. The nation-wide prenatal ultrasound screening program in the Czech Republic enabled detection of cardiac abnormalities in 1/3 of patients born with any congenital heart disease and up to 83 % of those with critical forms. Prenatal frequency of individual heart anomalies significantly differed from the postnatal frequency. Fetal isolated complete atrioventricular block and supraventricular tachycardia may lead to heart failure and are important causes of fetal mortality. The regression of heart failure was achieved by a conversion to the sinus rhythm in the supraventricular tachycardia and by increase of ventricular rate in the complete atrioventricular block.

Plasma concentrations of fibroblast growth factors 21 and 19 in patients with Cushing's syndrome

The objective of this study was to measure plasma fibroblast growth factor 21 and 19 (FGF21 and FGF19) levels in patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS) and to compare it with those of lean control subjects (C) and patients with obesity (OB). Fourteen untreated patients with CS, 19 patients with OB and 36 controls were included in the study. Plasma FGF21 and FGF19 levels were measured by ELISA kits, other hormonal and biochemical parameters were measured by standard laboratory methods. Plasma FGF19 did not significantly differ among the studied groups. Plasma FGF21 levels were significantly higher in both CS and OB groups relative to C group but they did not differ between CS and OB groups. In a combined population of all three groups FGF21 levels positively correlated with BMI, waist circumference and percentage of total and truncal fat mass. Less prominent inverse relationship with these parameters was found for FGF19. Neither FGF21 nor FGF19 were significantly related to cortisol concentrations. Increased FGF21 concentrations in both patients with CS and OB relative to lean subjects suggest that excessive body fat and/or related metabolic abnormalities rather than direct effects of cortisol are responsible. In contrast neither obesity nor hypercortisolism significantly affected FGF19 concentrations.

Pediatric myocardial stunning underscores the cardiac toxicity of conventional hemodialysis treatments

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

In adults, hemodialysis (HD)-induced ischemia causes reversible myocardial dysfunction (myocardial stunning) that is progressive with raised attendant mortality. Children share an increased risk for death from a spectrum of uremia-related cardiovascular abnormalities but in the absence of significant classical atheromatous coronary artery disease; therefore, we elected to assess children who were on HD for the occurrence of myocardial stunning to investigate the relative importance of characteristic uremic cardiovascular abnormalities in the development of ischemic cardiac injury.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

We included all single-center long-term HD patients (n = 12; range 2 to 17 yr), excluding those with structural cardiac disease. Patients underwent conventional thrice-weekly HD for 4 h using high-flux membranes. We measured regional left ventricle wall motion using serial echocardiography (before HD, during HD, and 15 min after HD). Significant stunning was defined as a 20% reduction in regional wall motion (RRWM) in two or more segments and hyperkinesis as an either >20 or >50% increase in shortening fraction (SF).

RESULTS

Eleven of 12 patients developed myocardial stunning with varying degrees of compensatory hyperkinesis in unaffected segments, maintaining left ventricular ejection fraction throughout HD. The mean segmental %SF([Overall]) and %SF([RRWM]) fell during HD (2.19 to 1.77 and 2.72 to 1.37, respectively). Intradialytic BP reduction was significantly associated with mean segmental %SF([RRWM]).

CONCLUSIONS

Children who receive conventional HD experience myocardial stunning. These data, in combination with previous adult studies of intradialytic myocardial blood flow, suggest a characteristic cardiovascular phenotype in HD patients that predisposes to significant demand ischemia.

Predictors of left ventricular remodelling and failure in right ventricular pacing in the young

Aims

To identify risk factors for left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in right ventricular (RV) pacing in the young.

Methods and results

Left ventricular function was evaluated in 82 paediatric patients with either non-surgical (n = 41) or surgical (n= 41) complete atrioventricular block who have been 100% RV paced for a mean period of 7.4 years. Left ventricular shortening fraction (SF) decreased from a median (range) of 39 (24–62)% prior to implantation to 32 (8–49)% at last follow-up (P < 0.05). Prevalence of a combination of LV dilatation (LV end-diastolic diameter >+2z-values) and dysfunction (SF < 0.26) was found to increase from 1.3% prior to pacemaker implantation to 13.4% (11/82 patients) at last follow-up (P = 0.01). Ten of these 11 patients had progressive LV remodelling and 8 of 11 were symptomatic. The only significant risk factor for the development of LV dilatation and dysfunction was the presence of epicardial RV free wall pacing (OR = 14.3, P < 0.001). Other pre-implantation demographic, diagnostic, and haemodynamic factors including block aetiology, pacing variables, and pacing duration did not show independent significance.

Conclusion

Right ventricular pacing leads to pathologic LV remodelling in a significant proportion of paediatric patients. The major independent risk factor is the presence of epicardial RV free wall pacing, which should be avoided whenever possible.

Improvements in antibiotic prescribing by community paediatricians in the Czech Republic

Repeated surveys among primary care paediatricians were performed annually from 1998 to 2002 in the Czech Republic. The task was to assess the prescription of antibiotics in treatment of respiratory infections in children. The results were evaluated in the light of existing guidelines and conclusions were used in a number of interventions aimed at reducing the inadequate use of antibiotics and hence preventing the potential increase of the antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In addition, data on overall consumption of antibiotics in outpatient care and trends in the prevalence of resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes are discussed.

Improvements in antibiotic prescribing by community paediatricians in the Czech Republic

Repeated surveys among primary care paediatricians were performed annually from 1998 to 2002 in the Czech Republic. The task was to assess the prescription of antibiotics in treatment of respiratory infections in children. The results were evaluated in the light of existing guidelines and conclusions were used in a number of interventions aimed at reducing the inadequate use of antibiotics and hence preventing the potential increase of the antibiotic resistant bacteria. In addition, data on overall consumption of antibiotics in outpatient care and trends in the prevalence of resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes are discussed.

The effect of HI-6 on cholinesterases and on the cholinergic system of the rat bladder

OBJECTIVES

The current standard treatment of organophosphate poisoning consists of an administration of anticholinergic drugs and cholinesterase reactivators (oximes). Oximes can react - except their reactivating effect on cholinesterases - directly with cholinoreceptors. HI-6 is an oxime that may have an inhibitory effect on the muscarinic receptors, too.

METHODS

In our work, we have investigated an influence of HI-6 on the acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and on the muscarinic receptors in vitro. The study was conducted using biosensor technique and on the rat bladder using in vitro test (tissue bath; methacholine as muscarinic agonist). IC50 for BChE from human serum was determined to be 1.01x10-6 M and for human erythrocytes AChE 3.31x10-6 M, respectively.

CONCLUSION

We assume that the demonstrated contractile response can be attributed to the inhibition of the AChE at the lower concentration and to a predominant inhibition of muscarinic receptor at higher concentration of compound tested.

B-type natriuretic peptide predicts disease severity in children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

In adults with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels correlate with dyspnoea class and other markers of disease severity. In children with HCM, symptoms are a poor guide to disease severity and no studies have evaluated the clinical utility of BNP testing.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relation of BNP levels to symptoms and markers of disease severity in children with HCM.

METHODS

Forty-four consecutive patients with HCM (27 male, age <or=17 years (median 13.6) underwent assessment of plasma BNP. Clinical evaluation of patients was carried out, including ECG, echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging.

RESULTS

BNP levels correlated with maximal left ventricular (LV) wall thickness (r(s) = 0.631, p<0.001), resting LV outflow tract gradient (r(s) = 0.611, p<0.001), transmitral E/septal Ea (E/Ea(s)) ratio (r(s) = 0.770, p<0.001) and percentage predicted maximum VO(2) (r(s) = -0.390, p = 0.025); there was no relation between BNP and heart failure symptoms. BNP levels were higher in patients who had undergone implantation of an internal cardioverter-defibrillator than in those who had not (309 (interquartile range (IQR) 181-391) vs 50 (IQR 18-188) pg/ml, p = 0.001). BNP was independently associated with E/Ea(s) (r(s) = 0.632, p<0.001) and maximal LV wall thickness (r(s) = 0.412, p = 0.008) on multivariate analysis. At a cut-off point of 50 pg/ml, BNP had a positive predictive value of 93% and a negative predictive value of 80% for predicting E/Ea(s) >10 (area under the receiver operator characteristic curve = 0.875 (p<0.001)).

CONCLUSIONS

BNP levels correlate with non-invasive parameters of disease severity in children with HCM, including measures of raised LV filling pressures. For patients in whom evaluation of symptoms is difficult, BNP may be a useful additional tool in the assessment of disease severity.

[Prolactin response to stress in patients with systemic lupus erythematodes (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in healthy controls]

Prolactin is a one of the stress hormones, like the growth hormone, ACTH, cortisol and catecholamins. Among its wide range of functions is the important role of controlling the immune response which is, unlike in the case of cortisol, of stimulatory nature. For this activity, it is monitored as a factor influencing the progress and course of autoimmune diseases. The authors of the paper monitored prolactin response to stress in a normal stress situation, i.e. blood collection. A significant difference was detected between the levels of prolactin in 3 successive blood collections in 30 minute intervals (P < 0.001). Prolactin responded by a prompt increase in the serum level, followed by a relatively fast linear decrease. There was no difference in the response between the SLE and RA patient groups and the healthy population. Therefore we conclude that this is a normal reaction of the organism because acute response to stress in patients with autoimmune diseases is the same as in healthy persons.

Hyperlipidemia is associated with altered levels of insulin-like growth factor-I

Previous studies revealed altered levels of the circulating insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and of its binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in subjects with coronary atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome and premature atherosclerosis. Hyperlipidemia is a powerful risk factor of atherosclerosis. We expected IGF-I and IGFBP-3 alterations in subjects with moderate/severe hyperlipidemia but without any clinical manifestation of atherosclerosis. Total IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were assessed in 56 patients with mixed hyperlipidemia (MHL; cholesterol >6.0 mmol/l, triglycerides >2.0 mmol/l), in 33 patients with isolated hypercholesterolemia (IHC; cholesterol >6.0 mmol/l, triglycerides <2.0 mmol/l), and in 29 healthy controls (cholesterol<6.0 mmol/l, triglycerides<2.0 mmol/l). The molar ratio of IGF-I/IGFBP-3 was used as a measure of free IGF-I. IHC subjects differed from controls by lower total IGF-I (164+/-60 vs. 209+/-73 ng/ml, p=0.01) and IGF-I /IGFBP-3 ratio (0.14+/-0.05 vs. 0.17+/-0.04, p=0.04). Compared to controls, MHL subjects had lower total IGF-I (153+/-54 ng/ml, p=0.0002) and IGFBP-3 (2.8+/-0.6 mg/ml, p<0.0001), but higher IGF-I/IGFBP-3 ratio (0.25+/-0.06, p<0.0001). Differences remained significant after the adjustment for clinical and biochemical covariates, except for triglycerides. Patients with both IHC and MHL have lower total IGF-I compared to controls. The mechanism is presumably different in IHC and MHL. Because of prominent reduction of IGFBP-3 in patients with MHL, they have reduced total IGF-I despite the actual elevation IGF-I/IGFBP-3 ratio as a surrogate of free IGF-I.