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Objective: Erythropoietin (EPO) improves cardiac function and induces neovascularisation in post-myocardial infarction heart failure. The aim of this study was to analyse the association between the serum erythropoietin level and coronary collateral development in patients with coronary artery disease and chronic total occlusion. Methods: A total of 168 patients consisting of 117 with coronary artery disease (CAD, (62 with chronic total occlusion (CTO), 55 without CTO)) and 51 with healthy coronary arteries were included in the study. The patients were assigned as coronary artery disease without CTO (group 0), CAD with CTO (group 1: poor collateral development, group 2: good collateral development) and normal coronary arteries (group 3). Results: There was a significant positive correlation between serum EPO levels and the Rentrop scores in angiography (r = 0.243, p = 0.001). Similarly, a positive correlation was found between serum EPO levels and the Syntax scores (r = 0.253, p = 0.001). Echocardiography revealed a negative correlation between serum EPO levels and the cardiac ejection fraction (r = −0.210, p = 0.006). Conclusions: Serum EPO is a useful biomarker for coronary collateral development in patients with CTO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There have been a few studies that examined the oxidative stress effects of nicotine during pregnancy and lactation. We aimed to determine the adverse effects of maternal nicotine exposure during pregnancy and lactation on oxidant-antioxidant system, and to determine a protective effect of ascorbic acid (Asc). Gravid rats were assigned into four groups. In Group 1, pregnant rats received 6-mg/kg/day nicotine subcutaneously during pregnancy from 1 to 21 days of gestation and lactation (until postnatal day 21). Group 2 received nicotine and Asc for the same period. In Group 3, the rats received nicotine during lactation. Control pregnant rats (Group 4) received only saline subcutaneously. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were determined at 21 days of age. Nicotine exposure decreased birth weight and pregnancy weight gain. MDA values of the rat pups exposed to nicotine in both Groups 1 and 2 were higher than those of control and Group 3. SOD and MPO values of the groups were similar. Mean birth weight and serum MDA levels of Groups 1 and 2 were similar. Nicotine exposure via placental transfer increases oxidative stress as manifested by an increase in MDA level. Asc supplementation does not prevent the adverse effects of maternal nicotine exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Lipid metabolism has an important role in fetal development during the late stage of gestation, including growth and fat accretion in utero, increasing amniotic fluid lecithin levels with maturation of pulmonary function and changes in the levels of minor phospholipids in amniotic fluid.Objective:The aim of this study was to compare the maternal and cord lipid profiles of preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and a control group without RDS.Method:The study groups consisted of 166 preterm infants with gestational ages ranging from 25 to 36 weeks, and birth weights ranging from 748 to 2495 g. Of these infants, 57 developed RDS and 109 infants served as controls. The infants were divided into four gestational age groups (34 to 36, 31 to 33, 28 to 30 and 25 to 27 weeks). Stepwise linear regression analyses were performed to determine independent contribution of each lipid parameter of the infants to their characteristics and mothers' variables.Result:Total cholesterol, high-density and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterols levels were lower in infants with RDS and in their mothers than in controls, and maternal lipid profile was related to those of their infants (P<0.05). Pregravid body mass index (BMI) was related to triglyceride levels of the infants, and weight gain during pregnancy was related to LDL cholesterol levels of the infants (P<0.05).Conclusion:RDS is accompanied with lipid alteration in infants and their mothers. Pregravid BMI and weight gain during pregnancy might have a prognostic significance in the prediction of respiratory distress in early neonatal period.Journal of Perinatology (2007) 27, 415–421; doi:10.1038/sj.jp.7211775; published online 7 June 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertrichosis in a newborn girl infant of a diabetic mother with congenital hypothyroidism is reported. Both neonatal hyperinsulism and increased testosterone levels were documented. The hypertrichosis resolved after 3 months’ of thyroxine replacement treatment. The possible causal association between hypothyroidism, and hypertrichosis has not been previously reported in neonatal period. Thyroid function should be evaluated in all newborn babies with hypertrichosis or abnormal distribution of body hair.Journal of Perinatology (2006) 26, 256–258. doi:10.1038/sj.jp.7211461 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented that assesses the thyroid volumes in newborn infants of different gestational ages.