Существует ли связь между средним уровнем mIDkIne и прогнозом заболевания COVID-19?

   The objective was aimed to measure plasma midkine (MK)* levels in patients with COVID-19 and assess its clinical significance.   Materials and Methods. 88 patients observed in our hospital with a diagnosis of COVID-19 were included in the study. The patients’ demographic characteristics, clinical, and laboratory data were studied, and the relationship between MK levels, prognosis, and other parameters was investigated.   Results. Of the 88 patients included in the study, 43 (48.9 %) were female and 45 (51.1%) were male. 24 (27%) patients died. The mean age of non-survivors was 70 ± 12.3 years and the survivors were 61.9 ± 18.2 years. Mortality predictors such as D-dimer, ferritin, troponin, LDH, CRP, and procalcitonin were significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors (p < 0.05). The median MK level (IR) was 152.5 ± 125 pg/ml in all patients, 143 ± 149 pg/ml in survivors, and 165.5 ± 76 pg/ml in non-survivors (p = 0.546). The difference between these two groups was not statistically significant. The area under the ROC curve was found to be 0.542 (95% CI 0.423–0.661, p = 0.546).   Conclusion. MK is not a biomarker that can replace or reinforce known predictors of mortality in COVID-19 patients.   Цель. Исследование направлено на измерение уровня Midkine (MK)* в плазме крови у пациентов с COVID-19 и оценку его клинической значимости.   Материалы и методы. В исследование включены 88 пациентов, наблюдавшихся в клинике с диагнозом COVID-19. Изучены демографические характеристики пациентов, клинические и лабораторные данные, а также исследована взаимосвязь между уровнями MK, прогнозом и другими параметрами.   Результаты. Из 88 пациентов, включенных в исследование, 43 (48,9 %) были женщинами и 45 (51,1 %) – мужчинами. 24 (27 %) пациента умерли. Средний возраст невыживших составил 70 ± 12,3 года, а выживших – 61,9 ± 18,2 года. Предикторы смертности, такие как D-димер, ферритин, тропонин, ЛДГ, СРБ и прокальцитонин, были значительно выше у умерших, чем у выживших (р < 0,05). Медиана уровня МК (IR) составила 152,5 ± 125 пг/мл у всех пациентов, 143 ± 149 пг/мл у выживших и 165,5 ± 76 пг/мл у умерших (р = 0,546). Разница между этими 2 группами была незначима. Было обнаружено, что площадь под кривой ROC составляет 0,542 (95 % ДИ 0,423–0,661, р = 0,546).   Вывод. МК не является биомаркером, который может заменить или усилить известные предикторы смертности у пациентов с COVID-19

Cotton in the new millennium: advances, economics, perceptions and problems

Cotton is the most significant natural fibre and has been a preferred choice of the textile industry and consumers since the industrial revolution began. The share of man-made fibres, both regenerated and synthetic fibres, has grown considerably in recent times but cotton production has also been on the rise and accounts for about half of the fibres used for apparel and textile goods. To cotton’s advantage, the premium attached to the presence of cotton fibre and the general positive consumer perception is well established, however, compared to commodity man-made fibres and high performance fibres, cotton has limitations in terms of its mechanical properties but can help to overcome moisture management issues that arise with performance apparel during active wear. This issue of Textile Progress aims to: i. Report on advances in cotton cultivation and processing as well as improvements to conventional cotton cultivation and ginning. The processing of cotton in the textile industry from fibre to finished fabric, cotton and its blends, and their applications in technical textiles are also covered. ii. Explore the economic impact of cotton in different parts of the world including an overview of global cotton trade. iii. Examine the environmental perception of cotton fibre and efforts in organic and genetically-modified (GM) cotton production. The topic of naturally-coloured cotton, post-consumer waste is covered and the environmental impacts of cotton cultivation and processing are discussed. Hazardous effects of cultivation, such as the extensive use of pesticides, insecticides and irrigation with fresh water, and consequences of the use of GM cotton and cotton fibres in general on the climate are summarised and the effects of cotton processing on workers are addressed. The potential hazards during cotton cultivation, processing and use are also included. iv. Examine how the properties of cotton textiles can be enhanced, for example, by improving wrinkle recovery and reducing the flammability of cotton fibre

Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction in Humans:Tale or Myth

Hypoxic Pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) describes the physiological adaptive process of lungs to preserves systemic oxygenation. It has clinical implications in the development of pulmonary hypertension which impacts on outcomes of patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery. This review examines both acute and chronic hypoxic vasoconstriction focusing on the distinct clinical implications and highlights the role of calcium and mitochondria in acute versus the role of reactive oxygen species and Rho GTPases in chronic HPV. Furthermore it identifies gaps of knowledge and need for further research in humans to clearly define this phenomenon and the underlying mechanism

Hand-foot syndrome due to sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma treated with vitamin E without dose modification; A preliminary clinical study

PubMedID: 22331734Purpose: Sorafenib has been found to have significant clinical activity against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hand-foot skin syndrome (HFS) has been described with the usage of sorafenib. It is a dose-limiting toxicity and may lead to compromised efficacy because of dose reduction. Methods: From 14 patients diagnosed with HCC 10 who developed HFS while on treatment with sorafenib were included in this study. Sorafenib was administered orally at a dose of 400 mg twice daily vitamin E usage can be effective in HFS due to sorafenib, therefore vitamin E 300 mg/day was started when HFS occurred. HFS was graded according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) criteria. Results: Grade 2-3 HFS was found in 10 of 14 patients. Vitamin E was started to all patients without using topical agents. Mean time to the appearance of HFS was 15±3 days (range 10-22) after starting sorafenib. Grade was 3 in 4 patients, 2 in 4 patients and 1 in 2 patients. Vitamin E administration had a marked effect after 10-12 days of its initiation. Skin lesions disappeared without any dose modification. Conclusion: Sorafenib is the gold standard for HCC treatment. Dose modification due to HFS decreases the effectiveness of this agent. Adding vitamin E to sorafenib is effective in HFS without dose reduction or treatment interruption. This is the first clinical study to report resolution of HFS with vitamin E due to sorafenib therapy. © 2011 Zerbinis Medical Publications

Effect of Verapamil and Lidocaine on TRPM and NaV1.9 Gene Expressions in Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion

Conclusion. Our study suggested that verapamil and lidocaine significantly reduce the degree of ischemia-reperfusion injury due to effects to TRPM and Nav1.9 genes