Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift
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ATP-Citrate-Lyase is a key enzyme of cholesterol biosynthesis. Its liver-specific inhibition by the bempedoic acid opens new possibilities to effectively escalate a cholesterol-lowering therapy while avoiding muscle-related side effects. Herein, we present the properties of this new first-in-class pharmaceutical agent and discuss potential consequences for pharmacotherapy.
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Apr 2021
[Banks, archives or libraries? Models for the ethical foundation of biobanks].
At present, when it comes to research with biomedical data, research interests and data protection seem to be irreconcilable. Such differences are best mediated by an institution. The presuppositions of biobanking can be productively questioned with respect to public libraries. These represent a successful combination of knowledge and power, security and freedom.
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Apr 2021
Review[SARS-CoV-2 vaccines - what the nephrologist should know].
Only fifteen months after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, several vaccines are already available for clinical use. While the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 constitutes the main target of all predominant SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, they work by different mechanisms (mRNA-based vaccines vs. vector-based vaccines vs. protein-based vaccines). Though there are slight differences regarding the level of protection against mild COVID-19, all five vaccines that have been through phase 3 trials were nearly 100 % effective in preventing severe or fatal cases of COVID-19. ⋯ Patients with chronic kidney disease (or other significant comorbidities) were largely excluded from Phase 3 trials, which makes definite recommendations concerning their vaccination difficult. The vaccine's effectiveness may be reduced in that population due to a uremic immune defect and/or immunosuppressive medication. However, these patients have an increased risk for severe or fatal COVID-19, so that they may particularly benefit from the vaccine.
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Apr 2021
Review[Acute ischemic stroke and elevated troponin: Diagnostic work-up and therapeutic consequences].
Elevated troponin values are frequently detected in patients with acute ischemic stroke, requiring adequate diagnostic work-up due to the high cardiac mortality after stroke. Since dual platelet inhibition can cause secondary intracerebral hemorrhage careful consideration of invasive coronary intervention is mandatory. Based on three case reports, this review article presents a diagnostic algorithm taking into account latest findings from the literature.
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Polyarthritis is defined by the palpable synovitic swelling of more than 4 joints. Polyarthritis is always due to a systemic disease and not a local process. ⋯ It is also important to differentiate arthritis from osteoarthrosis. The objective of this paper is to give an overview on patient history, clinical presentation, diagnostic investigations and the differential diagnosis of the most common diseases that present as polyarthritis.