Interassay variation of antibody-based routine tests hampers comparability of measurement results for growth hormone (GH) between different laboratories and decision making in clinical practice. Here it is demonstrated that quantification of GH by isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) constitutes a way to obtain precise and reliable results that can be referred to in evaluation of performan...

In patients with advanced stages of cancer, severe pain is commonly encountered and is very difficult to treat. It affects the quality of life of the patient and the families involved. Pain can be managed using analgesics and adjuvant therapy. However, studies have shown that at least 10%-15% of patients fail to control pain adequately and will experience severe pain. We discuss the case of a 6...

BACKGROUND Lower thoracic epidural anaesthesia and analgesia (EDA) has gained increasing importance in perioperative pain therapy. The loss-of-resistance technique used to identify the epidural space is thought to rely on the penetration of the ligamentum flavum. Investigations at the cervical and lumbar regions have demonstrated that the ligamentum flavum frequently exhibits incomplete fusion ...

Weight gain and related metabolic syndrome (MS) are major current issues in public health. MS consists of abdominal fat, atherogenic dyslipidemia, hypertension, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic state, and accounts for both cardiovascular diseases and type II diabetes mellitus risk factors. Patients affected by psychiatric illness present a prevalence of 35-...

Beetroot cultivation is benefited from the use of both organic and inorganic fertilizers. Organic fertilizers such as compost or manure improve soil fertility, enhance nutrient availability, promote microbial activity. Inorganic provide precise ratios are readily available for immediate plant uptake. Combining ensures a balanced supply, promoting healthy growth, improved yield, nutrient-rich be...

PURPOSE It has been hypothesized that the biosynthesis of O-linked glycans on proteins, particularly on the highly O-glycosylated mucins, by the corneal and conjunctival epithelium is necessary for the protection and maintenance of a healthy ocular surface. The initial step in O-glycosylation is the enzymatic addition of N-acetyl galactosamine (GalNAc) to serine and threonine residues by a larg...

BACKGROUND Living kidney donors (LKDs) experience reduction in kidney function, however serum phosphate (sPi) levels are lower compared to patients with chronic kidney disease matched for reduced kidney function. Mineral metabolism adaptations that occur in LKDs have not been adequately investigated. To evaluate the effect of nephrectomy on markers of mineral metabolism in LKDs compared to heal...

Figure 1 Lumbar sagittal T2-weighted (A) and post-contrast fat-suppressed T1-weighted (B) imaging shows a heterogeneous intradural mass within the conus medullaris, with a central bright signal on T2-WI and lack of contrast enhancement. Note, at the same T12—L1 level, the herniated disc that is contiguous with the mass. Figure 1 Coupes sagittales pondérées en T2 (A) et en T1 après pidermoid-cys...

BACKGROUND In this study, the effects of olmesartan therapy on asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), L-arginine and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels were investigated in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS Patients were randomly allocated to two groups, control and olmesartan. Olmesartan was administered 30 mg once a day beginning ...

BACKGROUND Highly sensitive troponin T (hs-TnT) assay has improved clinical decision-making for patients admitted with chest pain. However, this assay's performance in detecting myocardial ischaemia in a lowrisk population has been poorly documented. PURPOSE To assess hs-TnT assay's performance to detect myocardial ischaemia at positron emission tomography/CT (PET-CT) in low-risk patients adm...