Circulating homocysteine levels in sustained and white coat hypertension.

Although white coat hypertension has been widely studied in the last years, its risk profile is not yet completely clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate circulating homocysteine levels, an emerging cardiovascular risk factor, in subjects with white coat and sustained hypertension. We selected 31 sustained hypertensive subjects, 31 white coat hypertensive subjects and 31 normotensive subjects matched for age, gender, body mass index and occupation. Women were also matched for menopausal status. Subjects with smoking habit, dyslipidaemia and diabetes mellitus were excluded from the study. White coat hypertension was defined as clinical hypertension and daytime ambulatory blood pressure <135/85 mmHg. Blood samples were drawn after a fasting period of 12 h for routine laboratory tests and homocysteine determination. Homocysteine levels were evaluated by fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Creatinine, glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides were not different among the groups. White coat hypertensive subjects had significantly lower homocysteine levels than sustained hypertensive patients (8.2+/-2.0 vs 12.6+/-3.9 micromol/l, P=0.0003). No significant difference was observed between white coat hypertensive and normotensive subjects regarding this parameter (8.2+/-2.0 vs 7.6+/-1.9 micromol/l, P=0.9). In conclusion, our data show that middle-aged white coat hypertensive subjects without other cardiovascular risk factors have lower circulating homocysteine levels than sustained hypertensive patients suggesting that they are at lower cardiovascular risk.

[Serratia marcescens bacteremia in a neonatal intensive therapy center: epidemiological study]. / Batteriemie da @Serratia marcescens" in un centro di terapia intensiva neonatale: indagini epidemiologiche.

The Authors have isolated Serratia marcescens in nine coltures of blood, effected during the period Genuary 1 - February 28, 1979, in a newborn nursery. They have carried an epidemiologic study in immature ward, in newborn children and sanitary personnel. Extensive cultures of objects, equipment and air were negative for Serratia marcaescens. The exact mode by which Serratia was introduced into the immature ward could not be determined. The Authors point out on importance of contamination in newborn children by @opportunist" Gram-negative bacilli.