European journal of clinical investigation
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Jul 2021
Tumor markers with clinically controlled cutoffs for suspected cancer.
Due to insufficient scientific evidence, panels of tumour markers (TMs) are currently not recommended for use in suspected cancer. However, recent well-designed studies have revealed a potential clinical value in lung cancer. We analysed the diagnostic accuracy of a panel of 11 circulating TMs with clinically controlled thresholds in the differentiation of cancer from nonmalignant diseases. ⋯ By using clinically controlled cut-offs, the combined panel demonstrated an excellent ability to discriminate epithelial cancers from nonmalignant diseases. However, its use in clinical practice would need formal validation through a multicentre controlled trial assessing a panel-guided strategy vs. standard diagnosis.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Jul 2021
Identification of Genes and Pathways Related to Breast Cancer Metastasis in an Integrated Cohort.
Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease in women. Metastasis is the most common cause of death from this cancer. Screening genes related to breast cancer metastasis may help elucidate the mechanisms governing metastasis and identify molecular targets for antimetastatic therapy. The development of advanced algorithms enables us to perform cross-study analysis to improve the robustness of the results. ⋯ Our study analysed multiple cross-platform data sets using two different algorithms, helping elucidate the molecular mechanisms and identify several potential therapeutic targets of metastatic breast cancer. In addition, several genes exhibited promise for applications in targeted therapy against metastasis in future research.
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Gremlin-1 is a cystine knot protein and is expressed in organs developing fibrosis. Transient ischaemia leads to myocardial fibrosis, a major determinant of impaired myocardial function. ⋯ The present data disclose Gremlin-1 as an antagonist of TGF-β and presume a role for Gremlin-1/TGF-β interaction in myocardial remodelling following myocardial ischaemia.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Jul 2021
Multiplying effects of COVID-19 lockdown on metabolic risk and fatty liver.
Social containment measures imposed in Europe during the lockdown to face COVID-19 pandemic can generate long-term potential threats for metabolic health. ⋯ Strict measures of social containment-even short-term-pave the way to the increased risk of metabolic abnormalities in the medium-long term. In this context, adherence to Mediterranean diet and regular physical activity play a protective role both in terms of weight gain and fatty liver development/progression, with implication for primary and secondary prevention. When adopting measures imposing social containment, intensive educational campaigns must increase public awareness about beneficial effects of healthy lifestyles.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Jul 2021
Observational StudySex bias in admission to tertiary-care centers for acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock.
There are limited data on sex-specific outcomes and management of cardiogenic shock complicating ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (CS-STEMI). We investigated whether any sex bias exists in the admission to revascularization capable hospitals (RCH) or intensive cardiac care units (ICCU) and its impact on in-hospital mortality. ⋯ Women with CS-STEMI were less referred to tertiary-care centres and had a higher adjusted in-hospital mortality than men.