Procalcitonin Value Is an Early Prognostic Factor Related to Mortality in Admission to Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Introduction. Procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are already known predictive markers in serious bacterial infections, and it is emphasized that these biomarkers can be used as a marker of increased mortality in critically ill patients. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the initial serum PCT and CRP levels on the outcome of patients in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) and find out if these biomarkers can be used to predict mortality. Materials and Methods. The relationship between the initial serum PCT and CRP levels and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) support, inotropic drug need, acute renal kidney injury (AKI), continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), mortality, and hospitalization period was investigated retrospectively. Results. In total, 418 suitable patients (226 males and 192 females) were included in the study. Age distributions of patients ranged from 1 month to 17 years. There was a statistically significant relationship between PCT levels in the first biochemical analysis performed during admission and MV support, inotropic drug use, mortality, ARF, hospitalization in the intensive care unit, CRRT and blood component transfusion. There was a statistically significant relationship between CRP levels and MV support, NIV, inotropic drug use, mortality, AKI, hospitalization in the intensive care unit, CRRT, and blood component transfusion. Conclusion. We suggest that the initial PCT and CRP levels during admission can be used to predict the outcome of patients in PICU.

Gamma Glutamyl Transferase and Uric Acid Levels Can Be Associated with the Prognosis of Patients in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Introduction: Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and uric acid (UA) are reported to be predictive markers in various disorders. It has been reported that these biomarkers can be used to indicate increased risk of mortality in critically ill patients. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the effects of the initial serum GGT and UA levels on the outcomes of patients in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and to investigate if these biomarkers can be used to predict pediatric mortality. Materials and Methods: The relationship between the initial GGT and UA levels and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) support, inotropic drug need, acute renal kidney injury (AKI), continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), presence of sepsis, mortality, and hospitalization period were investigated retrospectively. Results: In all, 236 patients (117 males and 119 females) were included in the study. The age distribution of the patients was 1–12 years. There was a statistically significant relationship between GGT levels in the first biochemical analysis performed during admission and inotropic drug use, AKI, duration of hospitalization in intensive care unit, and sepsis. There was a statistically significant relationship between initial UA levels and inotropic drug use, AKI, CCRT, and sepsis. Conclusion: We suggest that initial GGT and UA levels during admission could be used to predict the outcomes of patients in PICU.

Real-time monitoring of contractile properties of H9C2 cardiomyoblasts by using a quartz crystal microbalance

A QCM was used for the study of the contractility of H9C2 cells and assessment of the inotropic drug–cell interactions based on changes in the cells' viscoelasticity and cell adhesion strength.