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This study evaluated relationships between serum Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) levels in dyslipidemic patients and assessed the possibility of modeling intima media thickness of common carotid artery by A-FABP levels and other observed characteristics. The data revealed higher A-FABP levels and C- IMT in dyslipidemic individuals with metabolic syndrome. In contrast to these findings A-FABP did not confirm its importance as a predictor of C-IMT in dyslipidemic patients. An interesting secondary finding is revealing of ApoB/ApoA1 ratio as an independent predictor of common C-IMT in dyslipidemic patients without metabolic syndrome.

This paper provides valuable information on 735 HFrEF patients who achieved LV recovery with a favorable long term prognosis. Established pharmacotherapy with the achievement of target medication doses is unique in daily clinical practice. A disease management program, heart failure nurses and telemedicine support play a key role in this regard.

In multiple sclerosis, deep grey matter (DGM) atrophy is recognised as a crucial component of the disease that presents early and is associated with disability. The authors found that metabolomics of hypothalamus using 1H-Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) together with simple planimetry of the third ventricular width at the hypothalamic level (3VW) in T1 weighted MRI pictures reliably detect neurodegeneration of the DGM. The ratio of Glutamate to N-acetylaspartate and 3VW were the only relevant predictors of severity of MS. Glutamate-related 1H-MRS parameters seem to be superior to other metabolites in determining disease burden, independently of otherwise powerful 3VW planimetry.

In diabetic patients, the authors studied screening test parameters of the ankle brachial index (ABI) for detection of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) calculated using systolic blood pressure of the individual arteries at the ankle level, lower and higher than the pressures. The calculation using lower ankle pressure provided the best test parameters, especially where negative predictive value and sensitivity is concerned. However, specificity and positive predictive values were not very high, which indicates that this method is suitable rather for identification of patients who do not need any further examination than for a reliable identification of patients with PAD. Diabetic patients with any ABI abnormality (1.4 or measurement failure) should be referred for further examination.

This is the first prospective study that compares the results (neurological deterioration, overall survival time) of resection and biopsy of glioblastoma (GBM) in eloquent brain areas (EBA). For patients in good clinical condition and for tumors in or near EBA, resection of the GBM (as radical as possible) is recommended.

This paper summarises recent evidence on of the structure and functions of tissue factor. It covers the role of tissue factor and its inhibitor in blood coagulation, the inflammatory response, angiogenesis and cell migration. The paper is specifically aimed at the role of tissue factor in the uteroplacental vessel network during physiological pregnancy and pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia

This study relates to the current topic of imaging methods in supporting ablation of atrial fibrillation. From the literature, no prior study has compared the clinical outcomes of ablation procedures using 3D rotational angiography as a substitute for cardiac CT. The clinical results of this study demonstrate the utility of 3D rotation angiography as an adequate alternative to a commonly performed CT scan.

This paper describe a patient with a rare chromosomal aberration - a pure de novo subtelomeric 17p13.2-pter duplication. Despite known facial features, the proband presented with oculocutaneous albinism which has not been reported previously. The authors discuss in detail the genotype-phenotype correlations of the aberration as well as the possible molecular etiology of albinism apropos the mode of inheritance.

This paper describes research based on quantum dots between human amniotic membrane mesenchymal stem cells. The observed compatibility of the two and the changes in cell growth, provide a new approach to cell markers

Two sides of the miRNA29 family. Are they suppressors or promoters in hematooncology?

The text presents comprehensive information concerning the issue of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The text is summarizing current knowledge of epidemiology of the OHCA and describing the mechanisms of loss of effective circulation. The attention is paid to the circumstances of circulation arrest as well as to relationship between first recorded rhythm and clinical patient outcome. The paper is based particularly on synthesis of large registers' results, dealing with patients resuscitated outside of the hospital environment.

This case report describes an interesting case of overt hyperthyroidism in a thyroidectomised patient. It illustrates the clinical search for functional ectopic thyroid tissue utilizing a multidisciplinary clinical approach.

This study showed that patients with premature manifestation of coronary artery disease had significantly lower Omentin-1 serum levels than patients with metabolic syndrome and healthy subjects. To the best of their knowledge, the authors report that this is the first study to assess omentin-1 levels in younger patients with premature manifestations of atherosclerosis. Serum omentin-1 appears to be a useful biomarker of coronary artery disease across the whole age spectrum.

Arterial blood lactate levels were regularly monitored in 51 newborns who were undergoing therapeutic hypothermia for neonatal asphyxia. The results show that persistently high levels of lactate in the early stages of treatment for hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy are an indicator of possible adverse psychomotor development at 2 years of age.

The presence of gasping at the time of EMS arrival on the scene is associated with improved chance of return of spontaneous circulation and six-month survival. The latter is a new finding. EMS dispatchers and the EMS ambulance teams should recognize and understand this phenomenon as it can have impact on medical care provided to OHCA patients.

This article provides an updated overview of the structural and functional changes in normotensive glaucoma and its divergence from hypertensive glaucoma. The authors point out the less familiar facts in which the diagnostic groups differ.

The optimal treatment for paroxysmal hypertension or pseudopheochromocytoma has not been established. We added sertraline, 50 mg once daily, to the current medication of 64 patients with symptomatic paroxysmal hypertension. Within 3 months of treatment, sertraline effectively removed or reduced symptoms of paroxysmal hypertension in the majority (75%) of patients. Symptoms of paroxysmal hypertension fully subsided in 50% and were partially reduced in 25% of patients.

Clinical monitoring during volatile anesthesia provides adequate protection during surgery. However, during intravenous anesthesia, the observation of clinical parameters is insufficient for stable maintenance of anesthesia and does not prevent intraoperative awareness. Clinical monitoring itself does not exclude periods of too deep anesthesia. The AAI index is a useful tool in monitoring patients' level of conscience during anesthesia.

The authors found that the diaphragm is present in the region of conventional lung monitoring using electrical impedance tomography. During capnoperitoneum, the thoraco-abdominal configuration changes with confounding effects of the diaphragm on the EIT image. This may reduce the use of this method during laparoscopic surgeries. For this reason, the authors assume that for lung monitoring using EIT during capnoperitoneum, the manufacturer's recommendation of electrode belt position are unsuitable.

This article provides new data on related autoimmune comorbidities and thyroid carcinoma in autoimmune thyreopathies in a large group of children and adolescents in the Czech Republic.

Insomnia affects a large percentage of cystic fibrosis patients and reduces the quality of life. Anxiety and depression are factors that increase the risk of insomnia. Steps should be taken to identify predictors of insomnia such as anxiety and depression and implement appropriate remedial measures.

In Ewing sarcoma, little is known about molecular markers that could be used for prognostic risk stratification at the time of diagnostic biopsy, i.e. prior to treatment. This is the first study to quantify CD163 expression in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in Ewing sarcoma. This study found an association between CD163 expression and lower ES stage. The results suggest a possible relationship between markers of TAMs and prognosis of patients with Ewing sarcoma. The authors believe that more detailed information about TAMs could contribute to a better understanding of the biological behavior of this sarcoma.

ECT-gating during the CT scan prior to prior to catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation can be replaced by non-gated helical CT protocol. Such non-gated CT protocol provided image quality comparable to ECG-gated protocol while the radiation dose was reduced more than four times.

Vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque is currently a highly debated topic in cardiology, particularly in the field of coronary and carotid interventions. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive overview of the most up-to-date information on this topic with a focus on advanced imaging.

Methylation of tumor suppressor genes in sinonasal carcinoma is an important event and it has the potential to serve as a prognostic biomarker.

Based on a literature search, we identified three features of the retina that appear to show characteristic changes in schizophrenia - microvasculature, electroretinogram and optical coherence tomography. These novel findings may serve as biomarkers and help to address the diagnostic, predictive, preventative, prophylactic and therapeutic aspects of schizophrenia.

Hemodiafiltration may be considered a risk factor for underdosing and the drug dosage of axitinib should be monitored and if needed also corrected, based on the actual plasma levels.

The search for and research of new compounds with antimicrobial properties is mandatory in the current situation of worldwide bacterial resistance. Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) constituents and metabolites have been determined to act as anti-infective agents. The authors tested the antimicrobial properties of hop components humulone, lupulone and xanthohumol against reference and resistant bacterial strains such as VRE and MRSA. Hop substances had antimicrobial effects against tested Gram-positive bacteria and these effects were displayed even at concentrations well below those of determined MICs.

Mucosal administration systems offer an alternative to the oral route when the latter is not tolerated, contraindicated or refused. Perindopril arginine and Amlodipine besylate are registered in the EU in the form of orodispersible tablets for mucosal delivery, however, they are not available in all countries. Antihypertensive drugs Captopril and Nitrendipine administered sublingually are commonly used in hypertensive urgencies. Metoprolol tartrate suppositories have only been tested in pharmacokinetic studies in humans. Propranolol suppositories have been reported clinically in a case report. Furosemide suppositories have been tested in animals, but there are no reports of their use in humans. New insights into a practical approach: a) First use of Furosemide-containing suppositories in a human subject. b) A successful regimen of four different antihypertensive drugs administered long-term via the mucosal route (rectal Furosemide and Metoprolol tartrate combined with sublingual Captopril and Nitrendipine).

The significance of the paper is in the fact that it includes the most relevant and the latest information on this very common functional syndrome. The aim of the authors is to provide both comprehensive and concise data which will be of value to doctors whose clinical practice brings them into contact with patients with the clinical picture of this syndrome.