European journal of clinical investigation
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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
Endoscopic Endoclip Papilloplasty Preserves Sphincter of Oddi Function.
Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) can destroy sphincter of Oddi (SO) structure and function. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of endoscopic endoclip papilloplasty (EEPP) in restoring SO function after EST. ⋯ In this porcine study, EEPP accelerated and improved papillary healing after EST, further preserved SO function.
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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.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Mar 2021
Observational StudyDiagnostic accuracy of infrared thermal imaging for detecting covid-19 infection in minimally symptomatic patients.
Despite being widely used as a screening tool, a rigorous scientific evaluation of infrared thermography for the diagnosis of minimally symptomatic patients suspected of having COVID-19 infection has not been performed. ⋯ Among adults with a history of COVID-19 exposure and mild respiratory symptoms, a temperature asymmetry of ≥ 0.55°C between the lacrimal caruncle and the forehead is highly suggestive of COVID-19 infection. This finding questions the widespread use of the measurement of absolute temperature values of the forehead as a COVID-19 screening tool.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Mar 2021
Observational StudyQuality of life primary aldosteronism: A prospective observational study.
Previous studies suggested that patients affected by primary aldosteronism (PA) have impaired quality of life (QOL) compared to the general population, but a direct comparison with patients affected by essential hypertension (EH) has never been performed. The aim of the study was to compare the QOL of patients affected by PA to the QOL of patients affected by EH. ⋯ Patients with PA have impaired QOL, which is likely caused by uncontrolled hypertension and the effects of intensive antihypertensive treatment. Surgical and medical treatment of PA allows a significant improvement of QOL, by amelioration of blood pressure control and, after surgical treatment, by reduction of antihypertensive treatment.