Volume 6, Issue 1

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an essential water-soluble nutrient that primarily exerts its effect on a host defense mechanisms and immune homeostasis and is the most important physiological antioxidant. Stable intake of vitamin C is essential for life in humans because the body does not synthesize it. Even the numerous studies have demonstrated that vitamin C supplementation stimulates the immune system, prevents DNA damage and significantly decreases the risk of a wide range of pathologies; the potential protective mechanisms are still largely unknown. This review summarizes the recently known facts about the role of vitamin C on the selected cells of the immune system and potential molecular mechanisms involved. Further, in this review, many new data about the positive effects of vitamin C on the immune system, potential toxicological effects, vitamin C supplementation in disease development, as well as some proposed mechanisms of vitamin C activity, are discussed.

Anaemia is one of the most frequent co-morbidities in patients with heart failure. Its prevalence increases from 4% to7% in subjects with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction to >30% in patients with severe heart failure. Renal insufficiency, activation of inflammatory mediators and treatment with renin-angiotensin antagonists seem to be its main determinants. The results of many studies agree in providing evidence that anaemia is a powerful independent determinant of survival in patients with heart failure. However, the mechanisms of this relation are still not fully understood. Moreover a favourable effect of the correction of anaemia on prognosis has not yet been shown. Also In addition to this, controlled studies assessing its effects on exercise tolerance have yielded controversial results. Further research is needed to assess the effect of correcting anaemia in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients; ongoing reduction of events with RED-HF (Darbepoetin alpha in heart failure) trial will help define the role.

Patients suffering from both sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a more severe form of sleep apnea. Knowing all pathophysiological aspects that mutually interact in sleep disorders and COPD, we aimed to investigate if the introduction of long-acting β2 agonists (LABA) during the night could improve overnight oxygenation and the ability to perform daily activities in stage I COPD patients with mild SAHS. We conducted a prospective study of 22 patients with stage I COPD and SAHS confirmed by overnight polygraph screening, without nocturnal CPAP treatment. During twelve weeks, all patients used LABA (salmeterol 50 mcg) with a metered dose inhaler before bedtime. The levels of apnea hypopnea index, oxygen saturation, heart rate, and Epworth daytime sleepiness scale (ESS) were recorded before and after the treatment. There was a significant improvement of lowest and average overnight oxygenation compared to baseline (mean difference 2.1±0.42, p<0.0001; 1.7±0.3, p<0.0001, respectively). In addition, patients reported reduction in daytime sleepiness according to ESS (mean difference 1.23±0.51; p=0.03). Fewer patients exhibited tachycardia when on salmeterol (68 vs. 41%; p=0.01). Use of inhaled salmeterol improves overnight oxygenation in patients with stage I COPD and SAHS. Future prospective studies are warranted to confirm this potentially beneficial effect of long-acting β2 agonists.

Cardiopulmonary bypass is usually associated with an increased risk of post-operative infections and systemic inflammatory response syndrome. This is accompanied by a neutrophil leucocytosis and lymphopenia. Less is known about the role of monocytes and markers of monocyte activity. This study focuses on the changes of Fc-gamma receptors on monocytes in patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).The surface expression of CD64, CD32 and CD16 were studied using flow cytometry in 37 patients scheduled for CABG. The antigen density and the percentage positive cells were monitored preoperatively and on day 1, 2, 3 and 7 postoperatively. CD64 and CD32 antigen density were significantly increased from day 1 to day 7(p<0.0001). A significant increase (p<0.0001) in the percentage CD16+ monocytes was detected at day 1,2,and 3. The downregulation of CD16 expression on day 1 was followed be elevation at days 2,3(p<0.01). On day 7th percentage CD16+ monocytes and density were not returned to baseline values. Only the baseline levels of CD64 was lower compared to controls(p<0.05). The results suggest that on-pump CABG induces dynamic changes in the expression of Fc-gamma receptors on monocytes as late as 7 days. We observed significant upregulation in the expression of CD64 and CD32 and “to phases” distribution of CD16 in the post-CABG period.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the pattern of utilization of systemic drugs used in the management of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) leading to hospitalization. A prospective pharmacovigilance study was carried out among patients admitted to the Clinic of Dermatology and Venereology in Stara Zagora (July 1999–June 2009). ADRs were classified by type, severity and causality. Casecausality was scored according to Naranjo et al. (1981). Drug utilization was measured in defined daily doses (DDDs) per 100 hospital bed days. A total of 144 cutaneous ADRs, predominantly “type B” were the reason for hospitalization. Highest utilization for the management of ADRs was found for the drug groups “Blood and blood forming organs” (406.08 DDDs/100 bed days) and “Respiratory system” (111.15 DDDs/100 bed days). The use of DDD for measuring drug utilization reveals the importance of drug-induced exacerbations of chronic skin diseases like psoriasis which were associated with significant utilization of drugs belonging to the group “Blood and blood forming organs”. Considering the low preventability of “type B” ADRs, our findings suggest that potential reduction of drug-related hospitalizations may be achieved through the rational use of drugs in patients with comorbidities.

Central venous cannulation is a widely used procedure in clinical medicine. Central venous catheters are inserted most often via the internal jugular and subclavian veins. One of the complications is malpositioning of the catheter, and some insertion sites carry a higher risk for that occurrence. We report a case of a malpositioned central venous catheter inserted via the left internal jugular vein in a patient with a ruptured diaphragm. Our objectives were to review the venous anatomy of the chest and the literature reporting malpositioned central venous catheters and to discuss the approach through the left internal jugular vein. Left internal jugular cannulation could carry a higher rate of malposition than reported, and anatomy gives a possible, simple answer. Contrast enhancement, although central venous catheters are radiopaque, is helpful when an approach through the left internal jugular vein is used and difficulties are encountered during insertion.

Hungarian Preconceptional Care includes the preconceptional screening of sexually transmitted infections/disorders (STD) and vaginal candidosis of potential mothers and pyospermia of potential fathers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of this screening and treatment for the rate of preterm births. Clinical and subclinical vaginal candidiasis (asymptomatic candida colonisation), combination of STD and vaginal candidiasis, STD without vaginal candidiasis, finally women without STD and vaginal candidiasis as references were evaluated in 4,672 pregnant women. The association of STD in pregnant women with higher risk of preterm birth was confirmed. However, an association was also found between clinically diagnosed vaginal candidiasis, asymptomatic candida colonisation, and a higher risk for preterm births. This risk was reduced with clotrimazole treatment. However, pregnant women without recognized STD and/or vaginal candidiasis had a higher risk for preterm birth than pregnant women with STD or vaginal candidiasis after appropriate treatment. Thus the conclusion of the study is that the preconceptional screening of STD and vaginal candidiasis followed by appropriate treatment is important to prevent a certain part of preterm birth but it is necessary to improve the efficacy of the previously used methods for this screening.

Although, the antiarrhythmic effect of amiodarone (AMD) is well characterized, the mechanism of its toxicity on extracardiac tissues is still poorly understood. Several antioxidants have been shown to prevent AMD-induced toxicity by antioxidant and/or non-antioxidant mechanisms. In the current study, we evaluated the possible protective effect, in vitro, of vitamin C on AMD-induced toxicity in rat thymocytes. Rat thymocytes were cultured with increasing AMD concentrations (1–20 μM) with or without vitamin C (1000 μg/ml), for 24 hours. Cells treatment with AMD resulted in a concentration-dependent increase of hypodiploid cells and a significant decrease in cellular glutathione content. Vitamin C combined with AMD significantly decreased the proportion of hypodiploid cells and markedly increased the cellular glutathione content, compared with AMD treatment alone. These results suggest that treatment with vitamin C may prevent AMD-induced toxicity in rat thymocytes by restoring cellular glutathione content.

The study investigated the presence of early vascular damage and chronic inflammation, and their relationships with hormonal and metabolic parameters in 45 young women with PCOS in comparison with thirty-two healthy age-matched controls. Hormonal and metabolic profiles, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), tumoral necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), endothelin-1 (ET-1), brachial flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) were determined in both groups. Compared with the controls, women with PCOS had significantly lower FMD and respectively higher ET-1 levels (p=0.001). No differences were observed between the groups in terms of CIMT or inflammatory markers. In the PCOS group, ET-1 levels were significantly correlated with only testosterone concentrations (r = 0.31, p = 0.037), whereas the hsCRP levels were independently predicted only by body mass index (BMI). Within the total group, the PCOS status was the sole significant predictor of ET-1 levels and the only independent predictor of FMD. In conclusion, there is evidence of endothelial dysfunction associated with increased levels of androgen hormones in young women with PCOS. The combination of endothelial dysfunction and coexistent obesity promoting inflammation contributes to the progression of atherogenesis in PCOS. The PCOS status should be regarded as a predictor marker of cardiovascular risk, along with well-known cardiovascular risk factors.

In the majority of recent textbooks of obstetrics, a routine follow-up examination at the end of the postpartum period is recommended. To date, no studies have been done in the Czech Republic addressing use of contraception and follow-up care in the postpartum period. Questionnaires were sent to 672 participants who gave birth in the year 2008, inquiring about follow-up examinations in the postpartum period and use of contraception. In total, 458 (68.2%) questionnaires were returned. 430 women (93.9%) underwent routine examinations at 6 weeks into the postpartum period. At the time of examination, 36 women were asked about their particular health problems (8.4%). In 130 instances, the question most often addressed by the outpatient gynecologist concerned use of contraception (30.2%). However, only 34 physicians expressed concern about changes in sexual life or other sexually related problems. 426 women (93.0%) were sexually active and 310 women (72.8%) did not use any contraception with the exception of breastfeeding. The current practice of outpatient gynecological visits at 6 weeks postpartum and advice on contraception both seem inadequate.

The purpose of this study was to describe the demographic and clinical features of hospitalized patients with the pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus infection in a tertiary care hospital in Central Anatolia, Turkey. The patients, all over 16 years of age and hospitalized for influenza-like symptoms between 1 November 2009 and 31 December 2009, were retrospectively identified from the records of the Infectious Diseases Department. Eighty patients whose diagnoses were confirmed by real-time PCR were included in this study. The median age of the patients was 27 years; 41 of them were male. Thirty-seven of the patients had a radiologically proven pneumonia. Eighteen of 37 (48.6%) patients with pneumonia had an underlying co-morbid medical condition, and 14 required intensive care unit admission. Patients with pneumonia had higher levels of C-reactive protein. All patients but one received oseltamivir treatment. Six patients with pneumonia received only antiviral therapy, while 31 of the patients with pneumonia received concomitant antibiotic therapy. Three patients who required mechanical ventilatory support died due to respiratory insufficinency. Although our study implicates the later periods of the pandemic, there were no significant differences for patients’ characteristics between our study and previous reports from the countries where the pandemic first occurred.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ventilation on electrocardiographic time intervals as a function of the light-dark (LD) cycle in an in vivo rat model. RR, PQ, QT and QTc intervals were measured in female Wistar rats anaesthetized with both ketamine and xylazine (100 mg/15 mg/kg, i.m., open chest experiments) after adaptation to the LD cycle (12:12h) for 4 weeks. Electrocardiograms (ECG) were recorded before surgical interventions; after tracheotomy, and thoracotomy, and 5 minutes of stabilization with artificial ventilation; 30, 60, 90 and 120 seconds after the onset of apnoea; and after 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes of artificial reoxygenation. Time intervals in intact animals showed significant LD differences, except in the QT interval. The initial significant (p<0,001) LD differences in PQ interval and loss of dependence on LD cycle in the QT interval were preserved during short-term apnoea-induced asphyxia (30–60 sec) In contrast, long-term asphyxia (90–120 sec) eliminated LD dependence in the PQ interval, but significant LD differences were shown in the QT interval. Apnoea completely abolished LD differences in the RR interval. Reoxygenation restored the PQ and QT intervals to the pre-asphyxic LD differences, but with the RR intervals, the LD differences were eliminated. We have concluded that myocardial vulnerability is dependent on the LD cycle and on changes of pulmonary ventilation.

Only few studies have reported that bone fracture risk is decreased in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women treated with statin therapy. Because of a lack of longitudinal studies on the effect of statins on bones, the aim of our investigation was to estimate the simvastatin therapy effects on bone mineral density in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women. Our investigation was carried out on 53 postmenopausal women with hypercholesterolemia. The women included in the study were divided into two groups. Group 1 was comprised of women with two or more (n=32) atherosclerosis risk factors, whereas group 2 had women with less than two (n=21) of these risk factors. All the women included in the study were placed on a hypocholesterolemic diet and the women in group 1 were additionally treated with 20 mg of simvastatin daily. The parameters of lipid status, body mass index, and L2–L4 densitometry were determined at baseline and then after one year. The simvastatin-treated group showed significant improvement of lipid parameters and increased bone mineral density. Finally, changes in bone mineral density between the groups showed significant differences (p<0.05). Although our investigation was carried out on a small group, our results showed a positive effect of the simvastatin therapy on the bone mineral density of postmenopausal women.

The evaluation of liver lesions in patients with chronic hepatopathy is mandatory for assessing prognosis and sometimes for making treatment decisions. The liver biopsy (LB) is still considered the gold standard for the evaluation of chronic hepatopathy, despite the fact that noninvasive methods (serologic markers and transient elastography or real-time elastography) are being used more often. The quality of the hepatic tissue sample obtained at biopsy is important for the correct diagnosis. Usually, a liver specimen is considered to be adequate for pathological examination if it is no less than 20 mm and preferably more than 25 mm and if it includes 8 to 11 portal tracts. To improve the quality of the tissue sample obtained by percutaneous LB, we believe it is optimal for the operator to use the Menghini needle technique with two intrahepatic passages (specimens up to 4 cm in length can be obtained), to use echo guidance or ultrasonographic assistance, to have extensive personal experience (defined as having performed between 50 and 100 biopsies), and to assess the length of the tissue sample immediately after the LB, and, in the event the specimen is inadequate in length, to rapidly perform another passage.

The high prevalence of both Helicobacter.pylori infection and coronary atherosclerosis in our country prompted us to assess the probable association between both conditions. This cross-sectional study recruited 153 patients scheduled to undergo coronary artery angiography. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of coronary angiography results. Sixty-nine patients had coronary atherosclerosis and the 84 remaining patients were normal. Characteristics and pre-angiographic serum levels of triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and Helicobacter.pylori IgG antibody were assessed in the patients and compared between the groups. Helicobacter.pylori infection occurred in 88 (57.51%) patients: 40 (58%) in the atherosclerotic group and 48 (57.1%) in the control group with no significant differences (P=0.918). Our multivariable analysis revealed that Helicobacter.pylori infection was not an independent predictive factor for coronary artery disease (P =0.915). Also, the prevalence of atherosclerosis risk factors with respect to the seropositive and seronegative Helicobacter.pylori infection was assessed in the case group, which showed no significant difference. Furthermore, the prevalence of seropositive Helicobacter.pylori infection in terms of the number of diseased coronary vessels was evaluated, this demonstrated no significant association between the number of the diseased vessels and Helicobacter.pylori infection. This study demonstrated that Helicobacter.pylori infection was not an independent predictive factor of atherosclerosis.

A 39-year-old female presented to the nephrology clinic emergency department with a complaint of muscle weakness and stomach pain. A detailed personal history revealed ingestion of 50–100 g herbal products which contained licorice, every day for 8 weeks to treat sterility. The herbal product was studied and determined to contain ‘licorice’ containing glycyrrhizic acid. Licorice (a plant which contains glycyrrhizic acid) induced hypokalemia which usually has a mild progression. However, it may cause critical failure in physical action by means of weakness followed by paralysis and may cause rhabdomyolysis, acute renal failure and hyperaldosteronism. This report presents the first case with acute renal failure due to licorice consumption from Serbia. In addition, the report aims to emphasize the importance of obtaining the detailed personal history of a patient for precise diagnosis.

The relationship of sinusitis and paranasal sinus mucoceles to optic neuritis (ON) remains a challenge for both the otolaryngologist and the ophthalmologist. Currently, ON is assumed to be a rare complication of paranasal sinus diseases. Three new cases of ON associated with paranasal sinus diseases are described. We postulate different pathophysiologic mechanisms of ON in our three patients: compression of optic nerve due to sphenoid mucocele in the first patient; extension of bacterial infection to the optic nerve in the second patient; and invasion of aspergillosis to the orbital apex in the third patient. We assume that the complete recovery of the patient’s vision in the second case resulted from surgery, which had been performed immediately. A timely operation could possibly have prevented permanent blindness in cases 1 and 3 as well. Optic neuritis can occasionally be a complication of bacterial and mycotic sinusitis or paranasal sinus mucoceles, especially if located in the sphenoid sinus and posterior ethmoids. The evaluation of paranasal sinuses using imaging techniques is necessary to diagnose the problem, and immediate surgery can prevent permanent sequelae in indicated cases.

We report a case of an occult synchronous adrenal metastasis of rectal cancer. A left adrenal mass was found by computed tomography (CT) 6 months after low anterior resection for rectal cancer. This lesion was growing during adjuvant systemic chemotherapy. The level of serum carcinoembryonic antigen and that of adrenal hormones were within the normal range. Radical left adrenalectomy was performed, and histopathological examination revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma compatible with rectal cancer. Adrenal metastasis is not rare in autopsy series. The possibility of adrenal metastasis should be considered in the follow-up of rectal cancer patients. Surgery may be the treatment of choice in occult synchronous metastasis of adrenal gland in rectal cancer.

Laparoscopic splenectomy is considered as a second step treatment for ITP patients. The purpose of this study was to determine efficiency of laparoscopic splenectomy for ITP patients and to identify the independent prognostic factors that may predict the positive outcome. Two hundred and thirty nine patient medical records were analyzed retrospectively. The special questionnaire, which included present platelet count, the steroid usage and its dosage, was sent to all patients. The complete response (CR) was defined, when the platelet count was above 130 × 109 /L. The 239 adult patients with a median age of 51.3 (16–93 years) were included in this cohort. The median follow up period was 75 months. 49 patients, who relapsed after steroid treatment, underwent laparoscopic splenectomy. The short term postoperative CR was 71.4% after laparoscopic splenectomy compared to 38.1% in non-splenectomized patients (p < 0.000). The long term CR was 79.5 % in patients after splenectomy compared to 47.4% in non-splenectomized patients (p < 0.018). After univaried analysis three clinical variables were found to be significantly related to splenectomy outcome: disease duration (p<0.007), preoperative platelet count (p<0.049) and platelet count on the third postoperative day (p<0.000). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated, that only platelet count on the 3rd postoperative day > 129 × 109 /L; RR=53.3 95% (CI, 1.888–1517.98) was significant predictor for long-term positive ITP outcome after laparoscopic splenectomy. Splenectomy is effective treatment for ITP. Platelet count > 129 × 109/L on the third postoperative day is the significant predictor of positive long-term outcome after laparoscopic splenectomy.

Congenital Morgagni hernia is a rare entity, accounting for less than 1,5% of all types of congenital diaphragmatic hernias. The majority of Morgagni hernias are diagnosed late because patients can be asymptomatic or present with non-specific respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms and signs. The medical records of all patients diagnosed with CMH and treated in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed for age at diagnosis, sex, site of hernia, clinical symptoms, associated anomalies, operative findings and treatment. Over a 20-year period, 5 cases with CMH diagnoses were hospitalized and operated. The age of diagnosis ranged from nine months to 11 years. Male to female ratio was 3:2. Associated anomalies were seen in 2 patients (40%). Most patients had transabdominal operations. There were no complications in the postoperative period. Morgagni hernia is a rare condition. The rarity is due to the nonspecific presentation of symptoms, which contributes to a delay in diagnosis. We advocate surgical repair even in asymptomatic patients, because of the risk of strangulation. There is a low rate of complications.