Investigation on Malondialdehyde, S100B, and Advanced Oxidation Protein Product Levels in Significant Hyperbilirubinemia and the Effect of Intensive Phototherapy on these Parameters

BackgroundThe parameters of oxidative stress [advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), malondialdehyde (MDA), and S100B] and the effect of intensive phototherapy (PT) on these parameters have not been studied extensively in newborns with significant hyperbilirubinemia (SH). We aimed to measure the levels of MDA, S100B, and AOPPs in newborns with SH, and to compare newborns with healthy control newborns without hyperbilirubinemia on the basis of these parameters of oxidative stress. In addition, we investigated the effect of intensive PT on these parameters during the treatment of SH and report our findings for the first time in the literature.MethodsThe study was performed in newborns (n = 62) who underwent intensive PT because of SH. Newborns without jaundice constituted the control group (n = 30). Both groups were compared with respect to demographic characteristics and biochemical (laboratory) parameters including MDA, AOPPs, and S100B. MDA, AOPPs, and S100B were also compared before and after intensive PT in the PT group. In the study group, a correlation analysis of demographic characteristics; MDA, AOPP, and S100B values; and changes occurring in MDA, AOPPs, and S100B values due to the effect of intensive PT was performed.ResultsSerum total bilirubin, S100B, and MDA levels in the PT group before performing PT were significantly higher than those in the control group. In newborns receiving PT serum total bilirubin, MDA and AOPP levels decreased significantly after intensive PT. In correlation analysis, a statistically significant negative correlation was found only between the amount of bilirubin decrease with PT and AOPP levels after PT in the study group.ConclusionWhether the significant decrease in MDA levels, which was higher prior to PT, is due to the decrease in serum bilirubin levels or due to the effect of intensive PT itself remains to be determined in further studies. The decrease in AOPP levels after PT implies that intensive PT has protective effects on oxidative stress

Free carnitine levels in respiratory distress syndrome during the first week of life

Antenatal carnitine administration has been shown to induce fetal lung maturity by increasing pulmonary surfactant in animal and human studies. The aim of this study was to investigate serum free carnitine (FC) levels in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and controls during the first week of postnatal life. The study groups consisted of 76 preterm infants with gestational ages ranging from 28 to 36 weeks, and birthweights ranging from 1046 to 2352 g. Serum FC levels were measured in preterm infants (group A, 37 with RDS; group B, 39 controls without RDS) within the first 6 hours after birth, on days 3 and 7. For specific analyses, serum FC levels were determined for gestational ages 28 to 31 weeks and 32 to 36 weeks in both groups. Initial FC levels were decreased insignificantly in group A (22.5 +/- 7.3 mu mol/L) compared with group B (23.5 +/- 6.8 mu mol/L; p > 0.05). On days 3 and 7 of life, serum FC levels were significantly lower in group A (18.3 +/- 6.1 and 10.2 +/- 3.3 mu mol/L, respectively) than in group B (23.4 +/- 7.1 and 22.8 +/- 3.7 mu mol/L, respectively; p 0.05), but it decreased significantly in the RDS group during the first week of postnatal life (P < 0.05). No differences were seen between the corresponding gestational age groups. Serum FC levels in RDS infants decreased from days 1 to 7. Decreased neonatal serum carnitine levels in preterm infants with RDS during the first week of life might be caused by increasing consumption of carnitine in lung tissue for surfactant synthesis

A review of 116 cases of breastfeeding-associated hypernatremia in rural area of central Turkey

We aimed to assess the incidence, neurologic and neurodevelopmental outcome of breastfeeding-associated hypernatremic dehydration among hospitalized neonates in rural area of central Turkey. A retrospective study was conducted at Gevher Nesibe Hospital over a 6-year period, to identify otherwise healthy term and near-term ( >= 35 weeks of gestation) breastfed neonates ( 150 mEq/l and no explanation for hypernatremia other than inadequate milk intake. The incidence of breastfeeding-associated hypernatremic dehydration among hospitalized term and near-term neonates (n = 5592) was 2.1%, occurring for 116 breastfed infants. More than one half of the infants admitted with breastfeeding-associated hypernatremia exhibited abnormal development at 12 or more months of age. Increased efforts are required to establish successful breastfeeding

Troponin-T levels in perinatally asphyxiated infants during the first 15 days of life

Aim: To measure serial cardiac troponin-T, creatine kinase, creatine kinase-MB, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase levels in asphyxiated newborn infants during the first 15 d of life

Evaluation of serum cortisol levels in a relatively large and mature group of ventilated and nonventilated preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome

Severity of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and mechanical ventilation may affect the endogenous cortisol secretion in preterm infants. The aim of this study was to compare the serum cortisol concentrations of a relatively large and mature group of preterm infants with RDS who are ventilated or nonventilated and control preterm infants without RDS. Infants (group I) of comparable gestational ages without RDS served as controls. Infants with RDS who did not need ventilator support and surfactant therapy were considered to have mild RDS (group II). Those requiring mechanical ventilation and surfactant therapy were considered to have severe RDS (group III). Serum cortisol levels were determined after birth and on day 3 of life. The study groups consisted of 79 preterm infants with gestational ages ranging from 31 to 36 weeks, and birthweights ranging from 1086 to 1685 g. All preterm infants showed high cortisol levels after delivery regardless of respiratory distress (group I, n = 25, 34.1 +/- 10.7 mu g/dL; group II, n = 23, 33.6 +/- 12.0 mu g/dL; and group III, n = 31, 36.4 +/- 12.3 mu g/dL). In group III, the cortisol levels (50.8 +/- 16.8 mu g/dL) were higher than in group II (40.4 +/- 10.5 mu g/dL) and in controls (22.0 +/- 7.2 mu g/dL), and the cortisol levels of controls were lower than in group II on day 3 of life. Although the cortisol levels in severe and mild RDS infants increased significantly from their corresponding levels on day 1, they decreased in controls. The cortisol levels on day 3 of life were not significantly different in infants with poor outcome compared with infants with better outcome. Severity of RDS and mechanical ventilation were related to serum cortisol levels of preterm infants. Our study suggests that large and mature preterm infants who are ventilated and/or more severely ill release more cortisol than those less severely ill

PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT OF THE HEAT RECOVERY UNIT WITH SEQUENTIAL TYPE HEAT PIPES USING TiO2 NANOFLUID

This paper deals with the improvement of thermal performance of the heat recovery system in air-to-air unit by using a nanofluid of TiO2 particles and distilled water. The experimental set-up equipped with 15 copper pipes of a 1000 mm length, 10.5 mm inner diameter; and 12 mm outer diameter was used. The evaporator section consists of 450 mm of heat pipes, the condenser section is 400 mm, and the adiabatic section is 150 mm. In experimental studies, 33\% of the evaporator volumes of heat pipes were filled with working fluids. Experiments were carried out at temperatures between 25 degrees C and 90 degrees C by usingfive different cooling air-flows (40, 42, 45, 61, and 84 g/s), and two different heating powers (3 kW and 6 kW) for the evaporation section, to determine heat removed from the condensation section. Trials were performed for distilled water and nanofluid respectively, and the results were compared with each other. Results revealed that a 50\% recovery in the thermal performance of the heat pipe heat recovery system was achieved in the design using TiO2 nanofluid as the working liquid, at a heating power of 3 kW, air velocity of 2.03 m/s and air-flow of 84 g/s