European journal of clinical investigation
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Sep 2021
ReviewVascular growth factors as potential new treatment in cardiorenal syndrome in diabetes.
Cardiorenal syndrome in diabetes is characterised by alterations of the cardiovascular system paralleled by kidney disease with progressive renal function decline. In diabetes, chronic metabolic and haemodynamic perturbations drive endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress and progressive tissue fibrosis which, in turn, lead to heart and renal anatomo-functional damage. In physiology, vascular growth factors have been implicated in vascular homeostasis; their imbalance, in disease setting such as diabetes, leads to vascular dysfunction and cardiorenal damage. ⋯ Future studies will establish the translatability of therapies targeting vascular growth factors for heart and kidney disease in patients with diabetes.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Sep 2021
Meta AnalysisColchicine use might be associated with lower mortality in COVID-19 patients: A meta-analysis.
Colchicine was recently repurposed for the management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This rapid review and meta-analysis aimed to assess colchicine's impact on mortality outcomes in COVID-19 patients. ⋯ This meta-analysis suggests a mortality benefit with colchicine when used in the treatment of COVID-19 patients. The majority of included studies were observational; thus, the findings of this review need to be further supported by the results of ongoing trials.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Sep 2021
ReviewPolycystic ovary syndrome revisited: an interactions network approach.
The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has genetic, epigenetic, metabolic and reproductive aspects, while its complex pathophysiology has not been conclusively deciphered. ⋯ A metabolic dominance was inferred and discussed herein with its implications in puberty, obesity, infertility and cardiovascular function. This study, thus, may contribute to the resolution of a scientific conflict between the USA and EU definitions of the syndrome and/or provide a new P4 medicine approach.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Sep 2021
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyEffects of vegetarian versus Mediterranean diet on kidney function: Findings from the CARDIVEG study.
The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet (VD), compared to a Mediterranean diet (MD), on kidney function in a group of subjects with medium-to-low cardiovascular risk profile. ⋯ In a selected group of subjects with medium-to-low cardiovascular risk profile, a 3 month VD period determined significant improvements in kidney function markers. Further trials are needed to confirm these results.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Sep 2021
Prognostic parameters of in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients-An Italian experience.
Background During COVID-19 outbreak, Italy was the first country in Europe to be heavily affected with an intensive care unit mortality of 26%. In order to reduce this percentage, physicians should establish clear and objective criteria to stratify COVID-19 patients at high risk of in-hospital death. Thus, the aim has been to test a large spectrum of variables ranging from clinical evaluation to laboratory biomarkers to identify which parameter would best predict all-cause in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients. ⋯ Results Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that each 5 years of increase in age corresponded to a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.28 (95% CI 1.00-1.65, P = .050); each increment of 803 ng/L of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) corresponded to a HR of 1.24 (95% CI 1.11-1.39, P < .001); each increment of 58 ng/L of interleukin (IL)-6 corresponded to a HR of 1.23 (95% CI 1.09-1.40, P < .001), and each increment of 250 U/L of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) corresponded to a HR of 1.23 (95% CI 1.10-1.37, P < .001). According to the calculated cut-points for age (≥70 years), NT-proBNP (≥803 ng/L), IL-6 (≥58 ng/L) and LDH (≥371 U/L) when 2 out of these 4 were overcome, the HR was 2.96 (95% CI 1.97-4.45, P < .001). Conclusion In COVID-19 patients, besides age, the evaluation of three biochemical parameters, available in few hours after hospital admission can predict in-hospital mortality regardless of other comorbidities.