Summary Background: The clinical value and the interrelationship of HDL and the metabolic syndrome were studied using plasma levels of TNF-a, IL 6, IL 10, IL 8, IL 1beta, IL 2R in patients with cardiovascular stenosis. Methods: On the basis of exclusion criteria, we recruited 198 male and female patients aged 45 to 75 years with CVD and 43 patients with MS. Patients were subdivided into %stenosis according to the CASS guidelines. Lipids were measured on an Olympus AU640 analyzer. Ox-LDL was measured by the immunosorbent assay and MDA by HPLC. Cytokines were analysed with DPC Immulite 1000. Statistical tests were performed using SPSS for Windows, 14.0 & Medcalc. Results: Ox-LDL and apoB were significantly higher in the MS(+) patient group (88.7 U/L) compared to the MS(-) group (77.5 U/L). Ox-LDL showed a positive correlation (P=0.001) with LDL-C, apoB and MDA. There was a higher concentration of HDL in the patient group MS(-), which was confirmed by a non-significant (P=0.849) change of apoA(I) from 1.267 g/L in the MS(+) to 1.275 g/L in the MS(-) group. A light significant increase of IL 10 (P=0.05) in MS(+) patients was observed, and the other analysed inflammation markers were mostly unchanged. MS has no direct association with the cytokine production. Conclusions: Ox-LDL and apoB were significantly higher in the MS(+) patient group. In a multiple regression analysis for ox-LDL, apoB (P=0.003) emerged as a strong predictor of the ox-LDL concentration, independent of age, gender, BMI and smoking.
Three historical ethnic minorities are present in Calabria: Albanians, Greeks, and Occitans. The Albanian ethnic minority is the more populous, having settled in Calabria between the 15th and 17th centuries, and these populations are now located in the provinces of Cosenza and Catanzaro. In the present study the Albanian population structure is analyzed based on the allele frequencies of six classic genetic markers: ACP, GC, PGM1, AK, ADA, and 6PGD. The results show a significant heterogeneity between the Albanian population in Calabria and the population in Molise. Therefore the cultural and reproductive isolation of the Albanian ethnic minority of Calabria is related to a great genetic peculiarity. Moreover, the frequencies of some alleles, particularly those of the PGM*1W31 variant, and the analysis of the R matrix still show the actual peculiar genetic structure of the Albanians of Calabria, although the genetic flow is evident in the decrease of endogamy and in the increase in the degree of mixing.
Introduction: The biomarkers used in COPD are many, but studies of last decades are focused on the pulmonary surfactant, which plays a crucial role in normal lung function. Aim : Evaluation of the levels of SP-A, SP-D and other markers in patients with SPOK and their relation to inflammation and smoking. Material : We studied 118 patients with COPD . 10 cases were in stage B, 24 cases in stage C and 84 cases in stage D; 113 males and 5 females , mean age 69 ± 8 years and 70 ± 8 years respectively; Methodology: The SP-A and SP-D levels were measured on admission during acute exacerbation and in the day of discharge from hospital in remission of disease. We included a healthy control group. Results: In the healthy control group mean SP-A = 22.2 +/- 16.3 ng / ml and mean SP-D=90 +/- 36.8 ng / ml . In our study group ,on admission we found mean SP-A levels 46.8 + -35.2ng / ml and SP-D 175 +/- 99 ng / ml. In COPD Stage B mean SP-A was 33.78 +/- 19.7 ng / ml, Stage C 40.7 +/- 19.5ng / ml and stage D 50.2 +/- 39 ng / ml (p = 0.0001). Mean SP-D at Stage B was 168.3 +/- 121ng / ml, Stage C 160 +/- 78 ng / ml, and Stage D 181 +/- 102ng / ml (p = 0.0001).On the last day(remission) mean SP-A 38+ /23.5ng/ml and mean SP-D 147 +/- 91 ng / ml. In COPD Stage B mean SP-A was 42.7 +/- 26.2 ng / ml, Stage C 33 +/- 15.6ng / ml and stage D 38.5 +/- 25 ng / ml (p = 0.003). Mean SP-D at Stage B was 196 +/- 157ng / ml, Stage C 130 +/- 53 ng / ml, and Stage D 137 +/- 81ng / ml (p = 0.002). In exacerbation period smoking status has significant correlations with all biomarkers presented with the Spearman coefficient: SP-A( R s = 0.249, p = 0.002); SP-D( R s = 0.264 p = 0.001), IL6( R s = 0.255, p = 0.002) and CRP ( R s = 0.231, p = 0.004). In remission state smoking has significant positive correlation with SP-D (R s = 0.282, p = 0.002) and SP-A (R s = 0.273, p = 0.003) .In both evaluations the mean values of SP-A and SP-D were significantly higher in smokers compared to nonsmokers (p<0.05). Levels of IL6 measured in first day were significantly higher in smokers p=0.025, mean CRP levels had no significant diffierencies between two groups. Conclusion: SP-A and SP-D levels were higher in COPD patients compared to healthy control group. Their level were significantly higher AECOPD than in stable state of COPD and they correlated with the gravity of the disease. In remission state SP-A and SP-D levels reflects better the gravity of COPD. SP-A and SP-D levels are better related with smoking state and their levels are more increased in smokers . Keywords: COPD, acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD), SP-A and SP-D
Summary. Genetic analysis was carried out in 37 Albanian patients with haemophilia A. The factor VIII intron 22 inversion was detected only in 2/19 (10.5%) apparently unrelated patients with severe haemophilia A, while the intron 1 inversion was absent. A total of 19 different gene mutations were identified. Ten mutations were novel: four null mutations in severe haemophilia A patients (Gln1090X, Cys1832X, 2374delT, 5676insT) and six missense mutations (five in severe haemophilia A) (Ile76Thr, Leu299Pro, Asp525Glu, Cys692Tyr, His1755Leu and Trp1835Cys). None of these novel mutations occurred at CpG hotspots. These results further emphasize the extreme heterogeneity of the molecular basis of haemophilia A. The low prevalence of intron 22 inversion in Albanian patients with severe haemophilia A should be addressed by further studies.
Abstract Background Nowadays over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and dietary supplements are widely used. Their use can have a significant impact on the validity of laboratory results. The aim of this multicenter European study was to determine the frequency of consumption of various dietary products and OTC drugs among patients and explore their level of knowledge and awareness about the potential impact of various products on laboratory test results. Methods Eighteen European countries participated in this study. The survey was carried out anonymously on a subsequent series of outpatients (n=200) in each participating country. Included were patients who were referred to the laboratory for blood sampling and who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. The survey included questions about the frequency of consumption of various products, awareness of the importance of informing physicians and laboratory staff about it and information about influence of preanalytical factors in general on laboratory test results. Results In total, 68% of patients were regularly taking at least one OTC drug or dietary supplement. The frequency of patients consuming at least one OTC drug or dietary supplement differed between countries (p=0.001). Vitamins (38%), minerals (34%), cranberry juice (20%), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) (17%) and omega fatty acids (17%) were the most commonly used in our study. Conclusions The use of various OTC drugs and dietary supplements is highly prevalent in Europe and patients are often not willing to disclose this information to the laboratory staff and ordering physician. The education of both patients and healthcare staff is needed.
BACKGROUND: Our aim was to assess the association of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with selected macronutrients including fatty acids in Albania, a post-communist country in Southeast Europe undergoing nutritional transition in the past decades. METHODS: A case-control study conducted in Tirana in 2003-2006 included 467 non-fatal consecutive ACS patients (370 men aged 59.1±8.7 years, 97 women 63.3±7.1 years; 88% rate response) and a population-based control group (469 men aged 53.1±10.4 years, 268 women aged 54.0±10.9 years; 69% rate response). A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was administered to all participants based on which the overall daily calorie intake and macronutrients were calculated. General linear model was used to assess the association of macronutrients with ACS. RESULTS: Intake of total fats as a percentage of total calories was significantly higher in cases than in controls in both sexes (39% vs. 35% in men and 42% vs. 39% in women; P CONCLUSIONS: In Albania, we obtained evidence of a deleterious effect on coronary health of total fat intake and saturated fatty acids, but not trans fatty acids, which should be adequately addressed in further prospective studies. Future studies should effectively address the extent of health effects related to dietary changes in the context of a rapid socioeconomic transition in Albania. Keywords: case control study, acute coronary syndrome, fatty acids, Albania