Relation of locus 1p13 rs646776 polymorphism with the risk of preeclampsia

Objective: This study aimed to assess the relation of locus 1p13 rs646776 (T/C) polymorphism with preeclampsia in Egyptian women. Methods: The study included 100 healthy pregnant female subjects and 100 preeclampsia patients. The genotypes of the polymorphisms were assessed. Endothelin-1 level was determined in plasma. Results: The major T allele of the 1p13.3 genomic region rs646776 polymorphism had a higher frequency in preeclampsia patients. Carriers of C allele had significantly lower endothelin-1 levels, lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, decreased proteinuria, and increased HDL-C in the patients. Conclusion: The rare C allele of rs646776 polymorphism in chromosomal locus 1p13.3 is associated with decreased risk of preeclampsia.     

Doppler-derived indexes and B-type natriuretic peptide in prediction of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in essential hypertension: a prospective study

BACKGROUND: Onset of atrial fibrillation in hypertensive patients is usually associated with a high occurrence of cardiovascular complications. Despite its leading importance as a highly prevalent and modifiable risk factor, only a few data are available regarding the predictors of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) in hypertensive patients. OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to determine if PAF could be predicted in hypertensive patients while in sinus rhythm using Doppler-derived indexes and the plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentration. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 165 consecutive patients with hypertension and no known history of PAF or cardiovascular events who attended the cardiology outpatient clinic. Their mean age was 62 +/- 12, 94 male, 71 female. The conventional echocardiographic parameters were measured including: left atrial (LA) volume, mitral regurgitation (MR), left ventricular (LV) function, LV mass. The ratio of transmitral peak E-wave velocity to flow propagation velocity (E/V(p)), ratio of E-wave to mitral annular early diastolic velocity (E/E(a)) obtained by Doppler tissue at the lateral and septal corners of the mitral annulus were calculated. The plasma BNP was measured at the study entry. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 15 +/- 3 months, PAF (symptomatic attacks or documented on the ECG) occurred in 36 (21.8%) of 165 patients. The patients with PAF had significant higher BNP levels than those with sinus rhythm (160 +/- 109.8 vs. 87.9 +/- 57.7 pg/ml, P < 0.001) Also, E/E(a) and E/V(p) ratios were significantly higher in hypertensives with PAF (15.1 +/- 2.8 vs. 8.39 +/- 1.33, P < 0.001), and (1.65 +/- 1.29 vs. 1.19 +/- 1.06, P < 0.001) respectively. In univariate analysis, E/V(p), E/E(a), and BNP and LV hypertrophy were significant predictors of PAF. Barely E/V(p) and E/E(a) remained independently significant after adjustment of clinical and other echocardiographic variables by multivariate logistic regression analysis (odd ratio: 3.36, P < 0.001 and 4.93, P < 0.001 respectively). A cutoff value of > or =1.7 for E/V(p) predicted PAF with 91% sensitivity and 88% specificity; E/E(a) >12 has sensitivity 98%, specificity 89%, while BNP>170 pg/ml has 83% and 72% specificity, respectively, for prediction of PAF in hypertensive patients. CONCLUSION: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation could be predicted in hypertensive patients while in sinus rhythm using Doppler-derived indexes. Increased E/V(p), E/E(a) ratios and elevated BNP appear to be useful parameters to identify patients at heightened risk. They may reflect early left ventricular dysfunction and atrial hypertension in this population.     

Vitamin C Improves Dasatinib Concentrations Under Hypochlorhydric Conditions of the Simulated Stomach Duodenum Model

Pharmaceutical Research - pH-dependent drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with poorly soluble, weakly basic drugs may lead to clinical implications. Dasatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor with reduced...     

Prostate cancer patients’ self-reported participation in research: an examination of racial/ethnic disparities

Cancer Causes & Control - We examined prostate cancer patients’ participation in research and associated factors by race/ethnicity in a multiethnic sample. Men with a new diagnosis of...     

Effectiveness of integrated psychological therapy on cognitive function among Lebanese patients with schizophrenia: a pilot study

Abstract

Background: The integrated term emphasises the need for cognitive therapy to always be embedded into an extended treatment concept adapted to cognitive resources and deficits and to patient rehabilitation. One of the first approaches is integrated psychological therapy (IPT).

Aim: To assess the effect of the IPT Programme compared to the Treatment as Usual (TaU) in terms of cognitive performance and social skills among a group of schizophrenic patients.

Methods: This randomised controlled study enrolled 20 patients in each group. Patients attended 60-min sessions, 3?days/week.

Results: When considering the TaU group, the bivariate results showed that significantly higher means of attention scores, lower means in social dysfunction and aggression, social adaptation scores were found after IPT compared to before. The effect size for all tests was found to be weak. When considering the IPT group, significantly higher means attention score, lower means cognitive disorders, social dysfunction, aggression and social adaptation scores were found after IPT compared to before. The effect size for all tests was found to be high.

Conclusion: The therapeutic combination of the IPT programme with medical treatment has shown additional beneficial effects on the schizophrenic patients’ treatment, enabling them, as far as possible, to reintegrate into the community.

• KEY POINTS

• In cases, a significantly higher GZ-F and KL scores and a lower SDAS-9 and SDAS-6 scores were found post-IPT respectively.

• In controls, a significant increase in the GZ-F and KL subscales and a decrease in all other scales was found post-IPT respectively.

• This therapeutic combination of the integrative programme with medical treatment has shown additive beneficial effects in patients with schizophrenia

• The treatment approach would allow them, as far as possible, to reintegrate within the community.

     

Suture- or Plug-Based Large-Bore Arteriotomy Closure: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectivesThis study sought to test the superiority in terms of efficacy and safety of a dedicated plug-based vascular closure device (VCD) during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) over a suture-based VCD.BackgroundVascular complications after TAVR are relevant and often associated with VCD failure.MethodsThe MASH (MANTA vs. Suture-based vascular closure after transcatHeter aortic valve replacement) trial is an international, 2-center pilot randomized controlled trial comparing the MANTA VCD (Teleflex, Wayne, Pennsylvania) versus 2 ProGlides (Abbott Vascular, Abbott Park, Illinois). The primary composite endpoint consisted of access site–related major or minor vascular complications at 30-days’ follow-up. Secondary endpoints included clinically relevant access site bleeding, time to hemostasis, and modified VCD failure (defined as failure to achieve hemostasis within 5 min or requiring additional endovascular maneuvers such as endovascular stenting, surgical techniques, or additional closure devices). Adverse events were adjudicated by an independent clinical events committee according to the VARC-2 definitions.ResultsA total of 210 TAVR patients were included between October 2018 and January 2020. Median age was 81 years, 54% were male, and the median STS score was 2.7%. There was no significant difference in the primary endpoint of access site–related vascular complications between MANTA and ProGlide (10% vs. 4%; p = 0.16). Clinically significant access site bleedings were similar with both closure techniques (9% vs. 6%; p = 0.57). Modified VCD failure occurred less frequently in MANTA versus ProGlide (20% vs. 40%; p < 0.01). Suture-based closure required more often additional closure devices, whereas MANTA numerically needed more covered stents and surgical bailouts.ConclusionsPlug-based large-bore arteriotomy closure was not superior to suture-based closure. Plug-based closure required fewer, but a different kind of bailout maneuvers.