European journal of clinical investigation
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Mar 2021
Depression and clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: evidence from the TOPCAT trial.
Limited data have been published concerning about depression in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Besides, among HFpEF patients with depression, the efficacy of antidepressants is poorly defined. Therefore, our current study was aimed to examine the relationship between major depression and clinical outcomes in HFpEF patients and further address the effects of antidepressants on prognosis in patients with major depression and HFpEF. ⋯ In HFpEF patients, major depression at baseline did not increase mortality or rehospitalization. Additionally, treatment with antidepressants might not improve prognosis among HFpEF patients with major depression. Future studies are warranted to explore the effects of antidepressants on HFpEF patients with depression.
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Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic progressive inflammatory condition with a leading prevalence worldwide. Endothelial dysfunction leads to low-density lipoprotein trafficking into subendothelial space and the subsequent form of oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) within intimal layer, perpetuating the vicious cycle of endothelial dysfunction. K+ exerts beneficial effects in vascular wall by reducing LDL oxidization, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation, and free radical generation. K+ also modulates vascular tone through a regulatory effect on cell membrane potential. ⋯ In this review, the mechanism of different K+ channels on vascular endothelium will be summarized, mainly focusing on their pathophysiological role in atherosclerosis and potential therapeutic application.
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A major problem in quantifying symptoms of schizophrenia is establishing a reliable distinction between enduring and dynamic aspects of psychopathology. This is critical for accurate diagnosis, monitoring and evaluating treatment effects in both clinical practice and trials. ⋯ Identified dynamic symptoms are more amendable to change and should be the primary target of interventions aiming at effectively treating schizophrenia. Separating out the dynamic symptoms would increase assay sensitivity in trials, reduce the signal to noise ratio and increase the potential to detect the effects of novel therapies in clinical trials.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Mar 2021
Clinical and cardiac structural predictors of atrial fibrillation persistence.
The persistence of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been associated with differential clinical outcomes, with studies showing that persistent and permanent AF results in increased morbidity and mortality when compared to the paroxysmal subtype. Given the established prognostic implications of AF subtype, we sought to discern the clinical and structural cardiac parameters associated with persistent/ permanent AF. ⋯ The presence of heart failure, increased RA size and impaired LA function were associated with persistent/ permanent AF. These clinical and cardiac structural risk markers of AF persistence may identify a target population for early intervention to prevent adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Mar 2021
Circ_0000524/miR-500a-5p/CXCL16 axis promotes podocyte apoptosis in membranous nephropathy.
Podocytes apoptosis is a hallmark of membranous nephropathy (MN). Circ_0000524 has been reported to be associated with patients with MN, whereas the effect of circ_0000524 on podocytes apoptosis and the underlying mechanisms in MN have not been elaborated. ⋯ Circ_0000524/miR-500a-5p/CXCL16 pathway regulated podocyte apoptosis in MN.