Upsala journal of medical sciences
-
Obesity in adolescents is increasing worldwide and associated with an elevated cardiovascular risk later in life. In a group-comparative study, we investigated the association between adiposity in adolescents and signs of vascular aging and inflammation. ⋯ Adolescents with obesity had significantly more extensive vascular aging in the muscular RA, than normal-weight peers. The findings support an inflammatory link between obesity and vascular aging in adolescents.
-
Wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis is a systemic disease with predominantly cardiac symptoms. The aim of this study was to assess the short-term prognosis of these patients through contractile reserve measured by stress echocardiography, given the usefulness that this parameter has demonstrated in other populations. We considered major events as death from any cause and hospitalization for heart failure. ⋯ Contractile reserve assessed by right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain is a predictor of major events in patients with wild-type transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis.
-
The aims of this study are to 1) determine the scope of musculoskeletal (MSK)-related clinical research in Sweden; 2) collate the amount of first-tier funding received; 3) discuss strategies and infrastructure supporting future MSK clinical trials in Sweden. ⋯ Swedish-affiliated MSK disorder research 2010-2020 was predominantly observational cohort rather than RCT based. There was skewed first-tier funding allocation considering prevalence/incidence and burden of disease. Use of infrastructure supporting register-based RCTs, placebo-controlled RCTs, and hybrid effectiveness-implementation studies on prevention and clinical intervention is important strategies for the future in all healthcare sectors.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of spironolactone on vascular stiffness in hemodialysis patients: a randomized crossover trial.
The role of spironolactone treatment in hemodialysis patients is debated, but a survival benefit is suggested. Mineralocorticoids and chronic kidney disease have been linked to cardiovascular fibrosis. Therefore, we hypothesized that spironolactone would affect vascular stiffness, cardiac systolic, and diastolic function in hemodialysis patients. ⋯ We found no evidence supporting an effect of 12-week administration of spironolactone 50 mg daily on vascular stiffness, cardiac systolic, or diastolic function in hemodialysis patients.
-
The small tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitor imatinib mesylate (Gleevec, STI571) protects against both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but as it inhibits many TKs and other proteins, it is not clear by which mechanisms it acts. This present review will focus on the possibility that imatinib acts, at least in part, by improving beta-cell function and survival via off-target effects on beta-cell signaling/metabolic flow events. Particular attention will be given to the possibility that imatinib and other TK inhibitors function as inhibitors of mitochondrial respiration. A better understanding of how imatinib counteracts diabetes will possibly help to clarify the pathogenic role of beta-cell signaling events and mitochondrial function, and hopefully leading to improved treatment of the disease.