Croatian medical journal
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Croatian medical journal · Oct 2023
ReviewMarkers of cardiac injury in patients with liver cirrhosis.
Liver cirrhosis is an increasing public health problem and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Accordingly, cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, a frequently underdiagnosed condition, is becoming a growing health problem. In the last 20 years, cardioselective biomarkers have been investigated for their diagnostic and prognostic properties for numerous conditions. ⋯ Elevated plasma levels of these biomarkers have been reported in patients with liver cirrhosis, and there is mounting evidence on their predictive value for clinical outcomes in this disease. In addition, elevated plasma levels of these biomarkers have been reported in patients before, during, and after liver transplantation, but in fewer studies. Due to their predictive value for clinical outcomes, we advocate the use of these markers in patients with liver cirrhosis and cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, as well as in candidates for liver transplant.
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Croatian medical journal · Oct 2023
Does switching from coated colchicine to compressed colchicine improves treatment response in patients with familial Mediterranean fever?
To evaluate the treatment response to compressed colchicine tablets in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients with resistance or intolerance to coated colchicine. The secondary aim was to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of responders to compressed colchicine. ⋯ Compressed colchicine was shown to be a useful treatment option before initiating biological agents in non-responders to coated colchicine, especially those with side effects.
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Croatian medical journal · Oct 2023
Interleukin-2 gene methylation levels and interleukin-2 levels associated with environmental exposure as risk biomarkers for preterm birth.
To compare interleukin-2 levels (IL-2) and IL-2 gene site 1 methylation levels between preterm newborns (PN) and full-term newborns (FN) and investigate their association with the environmental exposure of their mothers during pregnancy. ⋯ IL-2 levels, hypomethylation of the IL-2 gene site 1, and the mother's rural residence (probably due to pesticide exposure) were predictive biomarkers for preterm birth. For the first time, we present the reference values for the methylation of IL-2 gene site 1 in PN and FN, which can be used in the clinical setting and biomonitoring.
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Croatian medical journal · Oct 2023
Increased carotid intima-media thickness is associated with higher odds of unfavorable outcomes in adults without advanced vascular diseases presenting with non-severe COVID-19 pneumonia: a nested case-control study.
To evaluate the association between carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) at hospital admission and unfavorable outcomes in adults without advanced vascular diseases presenting with non-severe COVID-19 pneumonia to assess the feasibility of evaluating CIMT as a risk stratification aid in this setting. ⋯ This study supports the feasibility of CIMT as a risk stratification aid in adults free of advanced vascular disease presenting with non-severe COVID-19 pneumonia.
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Croatian medical journal · Oct 2023
Observational StudyPathohistological features of the aging human lacrimal gland.
To assess sex-related differences in the pathohistological features of the human lacrimal gland and to investigate age-related and sex-related differences in stereologically measured volume density of the secretory tissue, connective tissue, and fat. ⋯ Female lacrimal glands are more susceptible to degeneration, and this susceptibility could play an important role in the higher incidence of dry eye disease in older women. A further stereological analysis using more samples from younger age groups is needed to elucidate age-related and sex-related differences in the structure of the human lacrimal gland and their impact on dry eye disease.