Journal of internal medicine
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Abnormal thyroid function is common in takotsubo syndrome and depends on two distinct mechanisms: results of a multicentre observational study.
Several reports have described Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) secondary to thyrotoxicosis. A complex interaction of central and peripheral catecholamines with thyroid homeostasis has been suggested. In this study, we analysed sequential thyroid hormone profiles during the acute phase of TTS. ⋯ Abnormal thyroid function is frequent in patients with TTS. Primary hyperthyroidism and an elevated set point of thyroid homeostasis are common in TTS, suggesting a stress-dependent endocrine response or type 2 thyroid allostasis. Thyroid function may be a worthwhile target in treating or preventing TTS.
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Observational Study
Estimated salt intake and risk of atrial fibrillation in a prospective community-based cohort.
Hypertension predisposes to atrial fibrillation (AF) - a major risk factor for ischaemic stroke. Since a high dietary salt consumption is associated with hypertension, we investigated the association between urinary sodium excretion as a marker for dietary sodium intake and risk of new-onset AF in community-dwelling adults. ⋯ We found evidence for a U-shaped association between estimated daily salt intake and AF risk amongst men. A suggestive J-shaped association in women was not statistically confirmed, but analyses were likely underpowered. Our results suggest that above a certain physiological minimum level progressively higher salt intake is associated with increasing risk of AF.
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Whilst the COVID-19 diagnostic test has a high false-negative rate, not everyone initially negative is re-tested. Michigan Medicine, a primary regional centre, provided an ideal setting for studying testing patterns during the first wave of the pandemic. ⋯ Whilst most patients were tested once and received a negative result, a meaningful subset underwent multiple rounds of testing. These results shed light on testing patterns and have important implications for understanding the variation of repeated testing results within and between patients.
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Healthy tissues harbour a surprisingly high number of cells that carry well-known cancer-causing mutations without impacting their physiological function. In recent years, strong evidence accumulated that the immediate environment of mutant cells profoundly impact their prospect of malignant progression. ⋯ It's the same cells, however, that can drive carcinogenesis. Therefore, understanding the abundance and molecular variation of cell types in health and disease, and how they interact and modulate the local signalling environment will thus be key for new therapeutic avenues in our battle against cancer.
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Haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) are defined as unspecialized cells that give rise to more differentiated cells. In a similar way, leukaemic stem and progenitor cells (LSPCs) are defined as unspecialized leukaemic cells, which can give rise to more differentiated cells. Leukaemic cells carry leukaemic mutations/variants and have clear differentiation abnormalities. ⋯ The combination of these attributes will define the LSPC phenotype, frequency, differentiation capacity and evolutionary trajectory. Importantly, as LSPCs are leukaemia-initiating cells that sustain clinical remission and are the source of relapse, an improved understanding of LSPCs phenotype would offer better clinical opportunities for the treatment and hopefully prevention of human leukaemia. The current review will focus on LSPCs attributes in the context of human haematologic malignancies.