Aging is a major risk factor of atherosclerosis through different complex pathways including replicative cellular senescence and age-related clonal hematopoiesis. In addition to aging, extracellular ...stress factors, such as mechanical and oxidative stress, can induce cellular senescence, defined as premature cellular senescence. Senescent cells can accumulate within atherosclerotic plaques over time and contribute to plaque instability. This review summarizes the role of cellular senescence in the complex pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and highlights the most important senotherapeutics tested in cardiovascular studies targeting senescence. Continued bench-to-bedside research in cellular senescence might allow the future implementation of new effective anti-atherosclerotic preventive and treatment strategies in clinical practice.
This review discusses the evolving topic of atrial cardiomyopathy concerning valvular heart disease. The pathogenesis of atrial cardiomyopathy involves multiple factors, such as valvular disease ...leading to atrial structural and functional remodeling due to pressure and volume overload. Atrial enlargement and dysfunction can trigger atrial tachyarrhythmia. The complex interaction between valvular disease and atrial cardiomyopathy creates a vicious cycle of aggravating atrial enlargement, dysfunction, and valvular disease severity. Furthermore, atrial remodeling and arrhythmia can predispose to atrial thrombus formation and stroke. The underlying pathomechanism of atrial myopathy involves molecular, cellular, and subcellular alterations resulting in chronic inflammation, atrial fibrosis, and electrophysiological changes. Atrial dysfunction has emerged as an essential determinant of outcomes in valvular disease and heart failure. Despite its predictive value, the detection of atrial fibrosis and dysfunction is challenging and is not included in the clinical routine. Transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging are the main diagnostic tools for atrial cardiomyopathy. Recently published data have revealed that both left atrial volumes and functional parameters are independent predictors of cardiovascular events in valvular disease. The integration of atrial function assessment in clinical practice might help in early cardiovascular risk estimation, promoting early therapeutic intervention in valvular disease.
Our purpose was to prospectively analyze the age-related changes of corneal Scheimpflug parameters in healthy subjects. Thirty-five eyes of 35 volunteers (age 14-67 years) were investigated with an ...average interval of 3.6 years. Changes of corneal parameters (flattest keratometric reading at anterior (K1F) and posterior surface (K1B), steepest keratometric reading at anterior (K2F) and posterior surface, anterior astigmatism, posterior astigmatism (AstigB), flat axis of anterior and posterior astigmatism (AxisB), thinnest pachymetric value (PachyMin), corneal volume (CV10-mm)) were analyzed. K1F and K2F decreased significantly during observation and showed stronger decrease in younger than in older individuals. Higher values proved to be more stable. K1B decreased significantly and the degree of decrease was dependent on its baseline value and age: in young subjects low values increased, high values decreased. AstigB decreased significantly and showed a baseline-dependent significant increase from lower and a significant decrease from higher initial values. Over time, the mean AxisB shifted significantly. PachyMin and CV decreased significantly with age, especially from higher baseline values in younger subjects. The results of this longitudinal study suggest that both corneal surfaces change significantly with age. We demonstrate for the first time that age and baseline values influence age-related changes of corneal parameters.
Hypertension is a major public health problem, thus, its timely and appropriate diagnosis and management are crucial for reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of the new Hungarian ...Hypertension Registry is to evaluate the blood pressure measurement practices of general practitioners (GPs), internists and cardiologists in outpatient clinics, as well as to assess the seasonal variability of blood pressure.
Omron M3 IT devices were used during four-month periods between October 2018 and April 2023 in GP practices and in hypertension clinics. The blood pressure data were then transmitted online from the monitors' cuffs to a central database using the Medistance system of Omron.
Family physicians (
= 2491), and internists/cardiologists (
= 477) participated in the study. A total of 4804 821 blood pressure measurements were taken during 10 four-month evaluation periods. In the ten periods, the daily average number of measurements was between 3.0 and 5.6. Following ESH diagnostic criteria, the proportion of subjects in optimal, normal and high-normal blood pressure categories were 14, 13.4 and 16.7%, respectively. Altogether 56% of the measurements belonged to stage 1, stage 2 or stage 3 hypertension categories (31.6, 17.1 and 7.4%, respectively). On average, a difference of 5/2 mmHg was observed between winter and summer data in systolic and diastolic blood pressures, respectively. The average systolic blood pressure values were higher in GP practices with more than 2000 patients than in the ones with less than 1500 patients (141.86 mmHg versus 140.02 mmHg,
< 0.05).
In conclusion, the low daily average number of blood pressure measurements indicates a limited blood pressure screening awareness/capacity in the case of Hungarian family physicians. In GP practices with more patients, blood pressure is usually less well-controlled. These results suggest that the further promotion of home blood pressure monitoring is necessary.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Aortic valve stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular heart disease. The incidence of AS increases with age, however, a significant proportion of elderly people have no significant AS, indicating ...that both aging and nonaging pathways are involved in the pathomechanism of AS. Age-related and stress-induced cellular senescence accompanied by further active processes represent the key elements of AS pathomechanism. The early stage of aortic valve degeneration involves dysfunction and disruption of the valvular endothelium due to cellular senescence and mechanical stress on blood flow. These cells are replaced by circulating progenitor cells, but in an age-dependent decelerating manner. When endothelial denudation is no longer replaced by progenitor cells, the path opens for focal lipid deposition, initiating subsequent oxidation, inflammation and micromineralisation. Later stages of AS feature a complex active process with extracellular matrix remodeling, fibrosis and calcification. Echocardiography is the gold standard method for diagnosing aortic valve disease, although computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance are useful additional imaging methods. To date, no medical treatment has been proven to halt the progression of AS. Elucidation of differences and similarities between vascular and valvular calcification pathomechanisms may help to find effective medical therapy and reduce the increasing health burden of the disease.
Purpose: To find immunomediator combinations which could sensitively indicate keratoconus progression.
Methods: Tear samples of 42 patients with keratoconus were collected at baseline and at the end ...of a one-year follow-up. The concentrations of 13 mediators were measured by CBA. Based on Pentacam HR examination, eyes were divided into a non-progressive and a progressive group.
Results: At the end of the follow-up, significant differences were observed in the release of IFNγ, IL-13, IL-17A, CCL5, MMP-13 and PAI-1 between the two groups. Changes in five Pentacam parameters correlated positively with changes in IFNγ, IL-13, IL-17A, CXCL8, CCL5, TIMP-1 and t-PA. We found that tear level of IL-13 in combination with NGF can predict the progression of keratoconus with 100% specificity and 80% sensitivity.
Conclusion: The findings of our longitudinal study may underscore the importance of NGF and IL-13 tear levels in the prediction of keratoconus progression.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
To compare the concentrations of 11 tear mediators in order to reveal the biochemical difference between pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD) and keratoconus (KC).
We have designed a cross-sectional ...study in which patients with corneal ectasia based on slit-lamp biomicroscopy and Pentacam HR (keratometry values (K1, K2, Kmax), astigmatism, minimal radius of curvature (Rmin), corneal thickness (Apex and Min), indices (surface variation, vertical asymmetry, keratoconus, central keratoconus, height asymmetry and decentration)) were enrolled. Eyes of keratoconic patients were similar to the PMD patients in age and severity (K2, Kmax and Rmin). Non-stimulated tear samples were collected from nine eyes of seven PMD patients, 55 eyes of 55 KC patients and 24 eyes of 24 healthy controls. The mediators' (interleukin -6, -10, chemokine ligand 5, -8, -10, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -9, -13, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1, tissue plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor, nerve growth factor) concentrations were measured using Cytometric Bead Array.
MMP-9 was the only mediator which presented relevant variances between the two patient groups (p = 0.005). The ratios of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were 2.45, 0.40 and 0.23 in PMD, KC and the controls, respectively.
As far as we are aware, this is the first study that aims to reveal the biochemical differences between PMD and KC. Further studies of biomarkers to investigate the precise role of these mediators need to be defined, and it is important to confirm the observed changes in a larger study to gain further insights into the molecular alterations in PMD.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Objective:
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is recommended by current European guidelines for the early diagnosis of hypertension and to monitor the efficacy of antihypertensive ...treatments. The Hungarian Society of Hypertension has initiated a 5-year, nationwide program in 2021 to promote the routine use of ABPM and to improve the motivation of doctors and patients. This is an updated report on the Hungarian ABPM Registry.
Design and method:
This is an ongoing, multicenter, open-label, observational study. Adult (age >18 years) patients with known hypertension(HT), or with suspected/newly diagnosed hypertension(nHT) can be involved in the study. ABPM monitoring is performed by GPs, internists, and cardiologists using validated Meditech ABPM-06 monitors. Current report analyzed ABPM data between 21.02.2021-16.11.2023, that were collected into an electronic case report. Overall, 40621 ABPMs were performed, due to protocol deviation 1901 patients were excluded from the analysis.
Results:
26315 patients were HTs(68.3%), 12193 patients were nHTs(31.5%). In the HT group 95.5%, in the nHT group 21.5% were treated. 63.6% of all patients were hypertensives according to the 24-hour average blood pressure(BP) values. Mean 24-hour systolic and diastolic BP was 133.84±14.5 mmHg and 79.2±10.3 mmHg, respectively. There was no difference in the 24-hour mean systolic BP between HT and nHT patients (133.75±13.96mmHg vs. 133.86±14.72mmHg, respectively, p=NS). Obesity(BMI >30 kg/m2) increased the risk of hypertension(OR=1.821.73;1.92for 24-hour average). Coffee consumption(more than 3/day)(OR=1.221.16;1.29for 24-hour average), snoring(OR=1.391.33;1.46for 24-hour average)and smoking(OR=1.101.03;1.18for 24-hour average)all increased the risk of hypertension, primarily affecting more the daytime BP values(OR=1.241.18;1.31for daytime in coffee consumption, OR=1.131.07;1.19for nighttime in coffee consumption; OR=1.421.36;1.49for daytime in snoring, OR=1.311.25;1.38for nighttime in snoring; OR=1.091.01;1.16for daytime in smoking, OR=1.010.94;1.08for nighttime in smoking (NS)). Lack of regular sport(less than 3x30 minutes weekly)increased the risk of hypertension(OR=1.111.05;1.18for 24-hour average), primarily affecting more the nighttime values(OR=1.191.12;1.26for nighttime, OR= 1.020.96;1.07for daytime(NS)).
Conclusions:
Hypertension is highly prevalent in both HT and nHT patients, irrespectively of gender or treatment. Obesity, lack of regular sport, coffee consumption, snoring and smoking are all significant risk factors in developing hypertension, latter ones affecting more the daytime BP values, whereas lack of regular sport affects more the nighttime BP values.
In this study, we present a case of a 58-year-old male patient with oculocutaneous albinism, keratoconus, total cataract, and glaucoma originating from father-daughter incest. He underwent ...femtosecond laser-assisted keratoplasty with "open-sky" cataract extraction and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. One week after surgery his uncorrected visual acuity improved from hand motion to 20/200. Six months later corneal K values were 49.1 D in the flat and 50.0 D in the steep meridian. The graft had a central corneal thickness of 488 µm and was well fitted. The patient's quality of life improved substantially due to the surgery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the association of albinism with advanced keratoconus, total cataract, and glaucoma. Moreover, no previous report on femtosecond laser-assisted keratoplasty using VisuMax femtosecond laser system with "open-sky" cataract extraction is available in the literature. The VisuMax femtosecond laser-assisted keratoplasty ensures fast patient rehabilitation in such challenging cases.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation can be an effective method for correcting corneal astigmatism in patients with vitreoretinal diseases and cataract. Our purpose is to report the outcome of ...toric IOL implantation in two cases - a patient with scleral-buckle-induced regular corneal astigmatism and a patient with keratoconus following pars plana vitrectomy. As far as we are aware, there are no reported cases of toric IOL implantation in a vitrectomized eye with keratoconus nor of toric IOL implantation in patients with scleral-buckle-induced regular corneal astigmatism.
Two patients with myopia and high corneal astigmatism underwent cataract operation with toric IOL implantation after posterior segment surgery. Myopia and high astigmatism (>2.5 diopter) were caused by previous scleral buckling in one case and by keratoconus in the other case. Pre- and postoperative examinations during the follow-up of included uncorrected and spectacle corrected distance visual acuity (UCDVA/CDVA), automated kerato-refractometry (Topcon), Pentacam HR, IOL Master (Zeiss) axial length measurements and fundus optical coherence tomography (Zeiss). One year postoperatively, the UCDVA and CDVA were 20/25 and 20/20 in both cases, respectively. The absolute residual refractive astigmatism was 1.0 and 0.75 Diopters, respectively. The IOL rotation was within 3° in both eyes, therefore IOL repositioning was not necessary. Complications were not observed in our cases.
These cases demonstrate that toric IOL implantation is a predictable and safe method for the correction of high corneal astigmatism in complicated cases with different origins. Irregular corneal astigmatism in keratoconus or scleral-buckle-induced regular astigmatisms can be equally well corrected with the use of toric IOL during cataract surgery. Previous scleral buckling or pars plana vitrectomy seem to have no impact on the success of the toric IOL implantation, even in keratoconus. IOL rotational stability and refractive predictability in patients with a previous vitreoretinal surgery can be as good as in uncomplicated cases.
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