Search

In recent years, there have been an increasing number of studies on the Delta Neutrophil Index — DNI, C Reactive Protein – CRP and Interleukin 8 – IL8 as early markers for developing sepsis and risk of death. The study aimed to examine DNI, CRP and IL-8 in septic and non-septic patients and determine their predictive value as markers for sepsis. A prospective non-interventional single-centre clinical follow-up was performed. The study was conducted from January 2017 to July 2018 in a Bulgarian ICU in the city of Varna. DNI is a significantly critical marker for developing sepsis (Exp (B)=1.329, p= 0.007). DNI has an association with developing sepsis (r=0.363, p=0.001). ROC analysis showed a DNI value of 1.4(the bestcut-off value 1.4), with 73% sensitivity and 87% specificity (AUC 0.764, 95% CI 0.650-0.878, p=0.0001). CRP is a significant marker for severity of infection and shows the likelihood of sepsis events (Exp(B)=1.016, p=0.0001). The ROC curve results demonstrate that CRP, with 82% sensitivity and 76% specificity, predict sepsis development (AUC 0.885, 95% CI 0.813-0.956, p -0.0001). There is a correlation, indicating an IL-8 increase as a marker for sepsis (r = 0.461. P = 0.0001). IL8 was significantly higher in sepsis groups than in the control group (t=3,537, р

IntroductionProcalcitonin (PCT) increases its serum levels in bacterial infections and this justifies its introduction into clinical practice as a specific biomarker in inflammation. So far it has not been studied in the surgery of inflammatory diseases of the head and neck.Materials and MethodsThe study included 80 patients with head and neck abscesses over the age of 18 who were tested for C-reactive protein (CRP) and PCT. They were divided into two groups—50 (28 men and 22 women) with odontogenic and 30 (20 men and 10 women) with non-odontogenic abscesses.The control group consisted of 51 age- and gender-matched healthy people.CRP and PCT were determined by latex-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay—CRP with COBAS 6000 biochemical analyzer and PCT with Advia 1800 biochemical analyzer (Siemens).Results and DiscussionIn the group with odontogenic abscesses, the average value of CRP was 104.94 ± 110.63 mg/L and that of PCT was 0.84 ± 1.01 ng/mL.In the group with non-odontogenic abscesses, the mean value of CRP was 36.85 ± 5.34 mg/L and of PCT was 1.36 ± 1.55 ng/mL.In the control group, the mean value of CRP was 0.806 ± 0.95 mg/L and that of PCT was 0.16 ± 0.13 ng/mL.Significantly higher CRP values were observed in the group with odontogenic abscesses compared to the values of the same indicator in the group with non-odontogenic abscesses. At the same time, the PCT values were higher in the group with non-odontogenic abscesses compared to the same marker in the studied group with odontogenic abscesses.Statistically significantly (p < 0.05) higher values of CRP and PCT were observed in the studied group with odontogenic abscesses compared to the same in the control group.The values of CRP and PCT in the studied group with non-odontogenic abscesses were statistically significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the same marker in the control group.ConclusionAccording to the analysis of the obtained data we can conclude that PCT can be used as a potential laboratory marker in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with odontogenic and non-odontogenic abscesses of the head and neck. It corresponds equally well to CRP values in the clinical diagnosis of these nosological units.

Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature. The Feel4Diabetes-study was funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement n degrees 643708. The funding body did not have any role in the design of the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and in writing the manuscript. The content of this article reflects only the authors' views and the European Community is not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained therein., A family meal is defined as a meal consumed together by the members of a family or by having ≥ 1 parent present during a meal. The frequency of family meals has been associated with healthier food intake patterns in both children and parents. This study aimed to investigate in families at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes across Europe the association (i) between family meals’ frequency and food consumption and diet quality among parents and (ii) between family meals’ frequency and children’s food consumption. Moreover, the study aimed to elucidate the mediating effect of parental diet quality on the association between family meals’ frequency and children’s food consumption. Food consumption frequency and anthropometric were collected crosssectionally from a representative sample of 1964 families from the European Feel4Diabetes-study. Regression and mediation analyses were applied by gender of children. Positive and significant associations were found between the frequency of family meals and parental food consumption (β = 0.84; 95% CI 0.57, 1.45) and diet quality (β = 0.30; 95% CI 0.19, 0.42). For children, more frequent family meals were significantly associated with healthier food consumption (boys, β = 0.172, p < 0.05; girls, β = 0.114, p < 0.01). A partial mediation effect of the parental diet quality was shown on the association between the frequency of family meals and the consumption of some selected food items (i.e., milk products and salty snacks) among boys and girls. The strongest mediation effect of parental diet quality was found on the association between the frequency of family breakfast and the consumption of salty snacks and milk and milk products (62.5% and 37.5%, respectively) among girls. Conclusions: The frequency of family meals is positively associated with improved food consumption patterns (i.e., higher intake of fruits and vegetables and reduced consumption of sweets) in both parents and children. However, the association in children is partially mediated by parents’ diet quality. The promotion of consuming meals together in the family could be a potentially effective strategy for interventions aiming to establish and maintain healthy food consumption patterns among children., CRUE-CSIC, Springer Nature, European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme 643708

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most frequent metabolic diseases and is characterized by increased coronary risk. Data from epicardial fat quantification in long-term type 1 diabetes patients with poor control and healthy volunteers, performed with computed tomography and magnetic resonance tomography, is analyzed in relation to biochemical and anthropometric indicators. Statistically significant correlations are established between epicardial fat volume and body mass index in diabetic men, as well as between epicardial fat volume and dyslipidemic markers.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a disease with constantly increasing incidence. Acquiring knowledge and diabetes skills is an invariable and important part of the disease treatment during all life cycles. The association between socioeconomic status and, in particular, the level of educational qualification and the metabolic control in patients with long-duration of T1DM is not enough studied. The results received in the current study show that there is, although weak, association between the level of education and the glycaemic control, the presence of dyslipidaemia, and obesity in patients with T1DM with long duration.

Background: Serum amyloid A (SAA) protein is a major acute phase protein. Increased concentrations have been reported in many inflammatory diseases. In bacterial infections, high levels correlate with those of C-reactive protein (CRP). In viral infections, where CRP changes are weaker, SAA is of value for establishing early diagnosis, monitoring the severity, and the evolution of the disease. Objective: Evaluation of SAA as a marker for diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis, including severe forms. Material and methods: A total of 31 patients with non-complicated and severe, complicated infectious mononucleosis were examined. SAA and CRP were measured by immuniturbidimetric assays at the day of admission and 4.97 ± 1.35 days later. Results: SAA increases significantly than those in a control group, without correlation with the etiologic agent. It decreases when full recovery appears. In the subgroup of subjects with complications, we observed significant increased SAA when Epstein-Barr virus /EBV/ was the etiologic agent, in the course of bacterial and viral secondary infection. SAA is higher than CRP in non-complicated group. In cases of bacterial superinfections, both increase simultaneously and treatment have to be adapted. Second, serum sample for CRP is normal in patients without full recovery where SAA stay increased. Conclusion: In viral infections, high SAA concentrations are indicative for early diagnosis, severe course of the diseases, effect of the treatment, early recovery, and disease outcome. When SAA and CRP increase simultaneously, bacterial co-infection is suspected, and relevant antibiotic treatments have to be initiated.