Abstract
The prevalence of colorectal adenoma and advanced adenoma (AA) differs between sexes. Also, the optimal age for the first screening colonoscopy is under debate. We, therefore, performed a ...sex-specific and age-adjusted comparison of adenoma, AA and advanced neoplasia (AN) rates in a real-world screening cohort. In total, 2824 asymptomatic participants between 45- and 60-years undergoing screening colonoscopy at a single-centre in Austria were evaluated. 46% were females and mean age was 53 ± 4 years. A propensity score for being female was calculated, and adenoma, AA and AN detection rates evaluated using uni- and multivariable logistic regression. Sensitivity analyses for three age groups (group 1: 45 to 49 years, n = 521, 41% females, mean age 47 ± 1 years; group 2: 50 to 54 years, n = 1164, 47% females, mean age 52 ± 1 years; group 3: 55 to 60 years, n = 1139, 46% females, mean age 57 ± 2 years) were performed. The prevalence of any adenoma was lower in females (17% vs. 30%; OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.38–0.55; p < 0.001) and remained so after propensity score adjustment for baseline characteristics and lifestyle factors (aOR 0.52, 95% CI 0.41–0.66; p < 0.001). The same trend was seen for AA with a significantly lower prevalence in females (3% vs. 7%; OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.26–0.55; p < 0.001) that persisted after propensity score adjustment (aOR 0.54, 95% CI 0.34–0.86; p = 0.01). Also, all age-group sensitivity analyses showed lower adenoma, AA and AN rates in females. Similar numbers needed to screen to detect an adenoma, an AA or AN were found in female age group 3 and male age group 1. Colorectal adenoma, AA and AN were consistently lower in females even after propensity score adjustment and in all age-adjusted sensitivity analyses. Our study may add to the discussion of the optimal age for initial screening colonoscopy which may differ between the sexes.
Full text
Available for:
IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Adenosine is an ubiquitous extracellular signaling molecule and plays a fundamental role in the regulation of coronary microcirculation through activation of adenosine receptors (ARs). Adenosine is ...regulated by various enzymes and nucleoside transporters for its balance between intra- and extracellular compartments. Adenosine-mediated coronary microvascular tone and reactive hyperemia are through receptors mainly involving A
2A
R activation on both endothelial and smooth muscle cells, but also involving interaction among other ARs. Activation of ARs further stimulates downstream targets of H
2
O
2
, K
ATP
, K
V
and K
Ca2+
channels leading to coronary vasodilation. An altered adenosine-ARs signaling in coronary microcirculation has been observed in several cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease. Adenosine as a metabolite and its receptors have been studied for its both therapeutic and diagnostic abilities. The present review summarizes important aspects of adenosine metabolism and AR-mediated actions in the coronary microcirculation.
Full text
Available for:
EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Objectives
Europe is a destination for many migrants, a group whose proportion of the overall population will increase over the next decades. The cardiovascular (CV) risk distribution and outcomes, ...as well as health literacy, are likely to differ from the host population. Challenges related to migrant health status, cardiovascular risk distribution and health literacy are compounded by the ongoing
coronavirus disease 2019
(COVID-2019) crisis.
Methods
We performed a narrative review of available evidence on migrant CV and health literacy in Europe.
Results
Health literacy is lower in migrants but can be improved through targeted interventions. In some subgroups of migrants, rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, most importantly hypertension and diabetes, are higher. On the other hand, there is strong evidence for a so-called healthy migrant effect, describing lower rates of CV risk distribution and mortality in a different subset of migrants. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CV risk factors, as well as health literacy, are key elements in optimally managing public health responses in the ongoing pandemic.
Conclusions
Migrants are both an opportunity and a challenge for public health in Europe. Research aimed at better understanding the healthy migrant effect is necessary. Implementing the beneficial behaviors of migrants could improve outcomes in the whole population. Specific interventions to screen for risk factors, manage chronic disease and increase health literacy could improve health care for migrants. This pandemic is a challenge for the whole population, but active inclusion of immigrants in established health care systems could help improve the long-term health outcomes of migrants in Europe.
Full text
Available for:
EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, VSZLJ, ZAGLJ
Nut consumption has been associated with reduced inflammation, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress. However, the influence on the prevalence and severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease ...(NAFLD) has yet to be evaluated.
4655 subjects were included as part of a colorectal carcinoma screening program (SAKKOPI) between 07/2010 and 07/2019 and analyzed 2020. Patients were characterized using biochemical and metabolic parameters, as well as a detailed questionnaire on dietary habits. The diagnosis of NAFLD was established using abdominal ultrasound. Consumption of nuts was graded as: no consumption or <1 time/week, 1-6 times/week, 1 time/day and ≥2 times/day.
Mean age was 58.5±9.8years with a mean BMI of 26.5±4.7kg/m2. 2058 (44.2%) patients suffered from the metabolic syndrome, 2407 (51.6%) had arterial hypertension, 2287 (49.1%) showed prediabetes/diabetes, 1854 (39.4%) had dyslipidemia and 1984 patients (43.5%) were diagnosed with NAFLD. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome (1219 48.7% vs. 605 40.2% vs. 189 37.4% vs. 45 31.7%, p<0.001) and NALFD (1184 48.1% vs. 594 40.7% vs. 158 31.7% vs. 48 34.0%, p<0.001). On multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusting for potential confounders and dietary patterns, nut consumption ≥1time/day was inversely associated with NAFLD in the overall cohort (adjusted Odds ratioaOR: 0.719 95%CI:0.558-0.926, p = 0.011). However, following subgroup analysis, this inverse association was only confirmed in male patients (aOR: 0.589 95%CI: 0.411-0.844, p = 0.004) but not in females (aOR: 0.886 95%CI: 0.616-1.275, p = 0.515). Moreover, patients who consumed nuts 1-6 times/week had a significantly lower prevalence of advanced fibrosis (Fib-4 score >2.67: aOR: 0.551 95%CI: 0.338-0.898, p = 0.017; Forns-Index >6.9: aOR: 0.585 95%CI: 0.402-0.850, p = 0.005).
Nut consumption might exert beneficial effects on the prevalence of NAFLD in males. The negative association with advanced fibrosis warrants further investigation.
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The optimal duration dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is subject to debate. A short-duration DAPT (one month to three months) followed by P2Y
12
...monotherapy instead of standard 6 to 12 months DAPT followed by aspirin monotherapy after PCI has been suggested. We meta-analyzed studies comparing short-term (≤ 3 months) DAPT followed by P2Y
12
monotherapy versus standard DAPT in patients after PCI. In total, 2304 studies were screened at title and abstract level. The primary endpoint was major bleeding. Secondary endpoints included myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, stroke, and all-cause mortality. Study level data were analyzed. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I
2
statistic. Risk rates (RR) were calculated using a random-effects model (DerSimonian and Laird) for clinical outcomes for each individual study and consecutive pooling. In total, 21970 patients from three studies were analyzed. Between P2Y
12
inhibitor monotherapy versus DAPT, there were similar rates of major bleeding (RR 0.67 95%CI 0.34–1.32; p = 0.25; I
2
75%), mortality (RR 0.92 95%CI 0.78–1.09; p = 0.33; I
2
0%) and stroke (RR 0.97 95%CI 0.52 − 0.18; p = 0.92; I
2
57%). Endpoints assessing thrombotic events showed no statistically significant difference including myocardial infarction (RR 0.99 95%CI 0.85–1.15; p = 0.86; I
2
0%) and stent thrombosis (RR 1.03 95%CI 0.74–1.44; p = 0.87; I
2
0%). The experimental treatment with P2Y
12
monotherapy after very short-term DAPT was not superior to standard DAPT. Our meta-analysis adds insight that DAPT might be safely shortened in selected patient strategies. However, DAPT remains the gold standard for antithrombotic treatment after PCI.
Full text
Available for:
EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Innovative new treatment options for this cardiovascular pandemic are urgently needed. Activation of purinergic receptors ...(PRs) is critically involved in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease including atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. PRs have been targeted for the treatment of several cardiovascular diseases in a clinical setting. The P2Y
12
R antagonists such as clopidogrel, ticagrelor, and others are the most successful class of purinergic drugs targeting platelets for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome. In addition to targeting platelets, ticagrelor may exert P2Y
12
R-independent effect by targeting erythrocyte-mediated purinergic activation. The partial A
1
R agonist neladenoson and the A
2A
R agonist regadenoson have been applied in cardiovascular medicine. In experimental studies, many other PRs have been shown to play a significant role in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases, and targeting these receptors have resulted in promising outcomes. Therefore, many of these PRs including A
2B
R, A
3
R, P2X
3
R, P2X
4
R, P2X
7
R, P2Y
1
R, P2Y
4
R, P2Y
6
R, and P2Y
11
R can be considered as therapeutic targets. However, the multitude of PR subtypes expressed in different cells of the cardiovascular system may constitute a challenge whether single or multiple receptors should be targeted at the same time for the best efficacy. The present review discusses the promising purinergic drugs used in clinical studies for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. We also update experimental evidence for many other PRs that can be considered as therapeutic targets for future drug development.
Abstract
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are aspiring, new technologies with increasing use in critical care medicine. While VR fully immerses the user into a virtual ...three-dimensional space, AR adds overlaid virtual elements into a real-world environment. VR and AR offer great potential to improve critical care medicine for patients, relatives and health care providers. VR may help to ameliorate anxiety, stress, fear, and pain for the patient. It may assist patients in mobilisation and rehabilitation and can improve communication between all those involved in the patient’s care. AR can be an effective tool to support continuous education of intensive care medicine providers, and may complement traditional learning methods to acquire key practical competences such as central venous line placement, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation device management or endotracheal intubation. Currently, technical, human, and ethical challenges remain. The adaptation and integration of VR/AR modalities into useful clinical applications that can be used routinely on the ICU is challenging. Users may experience unwanted side effects (so-called “cybersickness”) during VR/AR sessions, which may limit its applicability. Furthermore, critically ill patients are one of the most vulnerable patient groups and warrant special ethical considerations if new technologies are to be introduced into their daily care. To date, most studies involving AR/VR in critical care medicine provide only a low level of evidence due to their research design. Here we summarise background information, current developments, and key considerations that should be taken into account for future scientific investigations in this field.
Graphical abstract
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was reported to be associated with mortality in heart failure patients. We aimed to evaluate admission BUN concentration in a heterogeneous critically ill patient collective ...admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) for prognostic relevance.
A total of 4176 medical patients (67±13 years) admitted to a German ICU between 2004 and 2009 were included. Follow-up of patients was performed retrospectively between May 2013 and November 2013. Association of admission BUN and both intra-hospital and long-term mortality were investigated by Cox regression. An optimal cut-off was calculated by means of the Youden-Index.
Patients with higher admission BUN concentration were older, clinically sicker and had more pronounced laboratory signs of multi-organ failure including kidney failure. Admission BUN was associated with adverse long-term mortality (HR 1.013; 95%CI 1.012-1.014; p<0.001). An optimal cut-off was calculated at 28 mg/dL which was associated with adverse outcome even after correction for APACHE2 (HR 1.89; 95%CI 1.59-2.26; p<0.001), SAPS2 (HR 1.85; 95%CI 1.55-2.21; p<0.001) and several parameters including creatinine in an integrative model (HR 3.34; 95%CI 2.89-3.86; p<0.001). We matched 614 patients with admission BUN >28 mg/dL to case-controls ≤ 28mg/dL corrected for APACHE2 scores: BUN above 28 mg/dL remained associated with adverse outcome in a paired analysis with the difference being 5.85% (95%CI 1.23-10.47%; p = 0.02).
High BUN concentration at admission was robustly associated with adverse outcome in critically ill patients admitted to an ICU, even after correction for co-founders including renal failure. BUN might constitute an independent, easily available and important parameter for risk stratification in the critically ill.
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
PDF
