Protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract in rats with hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced intestinal injury.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to investigate the protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) in rat pups with hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced bowel injury. METHODS: One-day-old Wistar albino rat pups (n = 21) were randomly divided into 3 groups: group 1 (control, untreated and not exposed to H/R, n = 7), group 2 (untreated but exposed to H/R, n = 7), and group 3 (EGb 761 + H/R, n = 7). Ginkgo biloba extract was administered (100 mg/kg per day, subcutaneously) to group 3 for 3 days. On the fourth day, all animals except controls were exposed to H/R and were killed 6 hours after H/R. Histopathologic injury scores (HIS), malondialdehyde, glutathione (GSH), GSH-peroxidase (Px) activities, and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured on intestinal samples. RESULTS: Although the control group had normal HIS, group 2 had grade 3 HIS. In contrast, group 3 had minimal HIS, and these results were significantly better than those of group 2 (P < .001). Malondialdehyde and NO levels of group 3 were significantly lower than those of group 2 (P < .01). Glutathione and GSH-Px activities of group 1 were higher than those of groups 2 and 3 (P < .05). However, there were no significant differences for GSH and GSH-Px activities between groups 2 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that hypoxia and NO contributed to the pathogenesis of H/R-induced intestinal injury and that prophylactically administered EGb 761 had a protective effect on bowel injury

Acquired lung cysts in a premature neonate with congenital cytomegalovirus infection.

We report a preterm newborn diagnosed as having congenital cytomegalovirus infection who developed lung cysts during her clinical follow-up. The lung cysts were shown in chest X-ray, and confirmed by thoracic computed tomography. A few weeks after starting ganciclovir therapy, we observed that the cystic lung changes of the patient were completely improved. No adverse effects of antiviral therapy were observed. Based on this presented patient, it should be kept in mind that congenital cytomegalovirus infection may cause lung cysts

Familial mutation in Caffey disease with reduced penetrance: A case report.

Caffey disease is a rare condition of early infancy, characterized by soft tissue swelling, bone lesions, and hyperirritability. Its typical radiological finding is periosteal new bone formation. It can be sporadic or inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. There is no specific treatment. In symptomatic cases, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, indomethacin, or naproxen can be used. This is a report of an infant who presented with restlessness, irritability, and swelling over his shins, diagnosed as Caffey disease. Although there was no family history, the genetic analysis revealed heterozygous missense mutation (c.3040C > T) in type-I-collagen-alpha-1-chain gene in the patient in addition to his mother, grandmother, aunt, and cousin. After indomethacin therapy, the complaints of the patient were completely resolved and his bone lesions were significantly improved. This case report is a familial form of Caffey disease from Turkey, with proven heterozygous mutation in the patient and the family members

Assessment of novel biomarkers: sTREM-1, pentraxin-3 and pro-adrenomedullin in the early diagnosis of neonatal early onset sepsis.

BACKGROUND: Early onset bacterial sepsis in neonates (EOS) is recognized as an important health condition. Early diagnosis is crucial. However, blood culture results are released in 48-72 hours. Many biomarkers have been investigated but none have been accepted as the gold standard. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of the molecules: soluble form of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1), pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) and pro adrenomedullin (pro-ADM) in EOS and compare with currently used biomarkers. METHODS: In this multicenter prospective study, patients were enrolled from different NICUs around the Turkey. Patient data were collected via web-based registry system from attending centers. Neonates, hospitalized with a suspicion of EOS were enrolled. Blood culture and routine blood tests were collected and a serum sample was obtained and kept in - 80°C for studying the molecules. According to laboratory results, patients were divided into three groups as; proven sepsis, clinical sepsis and control group. Groups were compared in terms of demographic, clinical and laboratory findings. The primary outcome of the study was to assess any difference between groups in terms of the diagnostic value of the markers aforementioned. RESULTS: A total of 130 patients were enrolled; proven sepsis (n = 36), clinical sepsis (n = 53) and control (n = 41) groups. Groups were similar in terms of demographic findings; mean WBC (P = 0.445), procalcitonin (PCT) (P = 0.083) and IL-6 (P = 0.814) levels. Mean C-reactive protein (CRP) level was significantly higher in clinical sepsis and proven sepsis groups compared to control group (P < 0.001). Mean PTX-3 (P = 0.547), pro-ADM (P = 0.766) and sTREM-1 (P = 0.838) levels were similar between groups. CONCLUSION: These promising molecules failed to help in early diagnosis of EOS. Their relation to correlation with disease progression may make more sense as they seem to be expressed in higher amounts with the progression of the disease in previous studies. CRP was the most frequently used biomarker for detecting the sepsis in our study population