TFF2 and Sepsis: First, we have not determined serum SP levels in healthy volunteers, septic patients without criteria of severe sepsis, and other critically ill patients; however, the objective of our study was not to determine whether severe sepsis influenced serum SP levels, but rather was to determine whether there is an association between serum SP levels during the first week and sepsis mortality, and whether serum SP levels during the first week could be used as a biomarker of sepsis mortality.