Search

IntroductionThe accumulation of tissue-advanced glycation end products in skin results from complex and consecutive reactions and can be measured by skin autofluorescence (SAF) reader devices. This overview discusses studies evaluating the utilization of SAF in screening renal and cardiac disease.Materials and methodsLiterature search was performed using Google Scholar, PubMed, Springer, Ovid, and ScienceDirect.ResultsSAF was an independent predictor of progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and was elevated in subjects on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Furthermore, SAF was significantly associated with cardiovascular events, cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality in CKD patients. Other studies revealed a correlation between SAF and arterial stiffness, vascular damage, and subclinical atherosclerosis. A vegetarian diet was associated with lower SAF levels, whereas malnutrition was correlated with higher levels and increased mortality.ConclusionsSAF measurement may be useful in managing renal and cardiac disease. Future studies are needed to clarify the specific role of SAF in the management of CKD and its noninvasive office utilization to identify comorbidities in inflammatory diseases, such as psoriasis.

Background: The most common cardiac arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation (AF), has been associated in prior research with a worse prognosis, both short-and long-term. Although the thickness of the epicardial fat tissue has been associated with the development of AF in earlier clinical trials, little is known about the association between the development of AF and the thickness of the epicardial adipose tissue (EAFT) in the setting of acute coronary syndrome. So we aimed to investigate the relationship between epicardial fat tissue thickness and new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) development in patients with acute coronary syndrome during in-hospital follow-up. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the cardiology department at Zagazig University Hospitals on 100 patients with acute coronary syndrome who were divided into two groups: group (A) patients who didn’t develop new-onset AF and group (B) those who developed new-onset AF. EAFT was measured in all patients. Results: Epicardial adipose fat tissue thickness was statistically significantly higher in ACS patients who developed new-onset AF compared to those who didn’t develop AF. Multivariate logistic regression analysis proved that EFT and troponin peak levels were the independent predictors of new-onset AF. Conclusions: Increased epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness is associated with a higher risk of developing new-onset atrial fibrillation in patients with acute coronary syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the effects and consequences of police checks in Swiss cities. In our participatory and collaborative research, we focus on the perspectives of those for whom racial profiling is part of everyday life. Using a theoretical perspective of subjectivation, we draw on thirty qualitative interviews with members of racialized minorities. We analyse not only the immediate effects of stop and searches such as feelings of humiliation, powerlessness and self-accusation but also long-term consequences such as the restriction of one's own movement in public spaces, fear of police, social withdrawal and loss of trust in state authorities. Ultimately, we examine the tactics and forms of resistance comprising elements of specific subjectivities that individuals use to deal with racial profiling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) people are exposed to increased risk of death that can be predicted by several factors, one of which is increased vascular stiffness. Sacubitril-valsartan has not been thoroughly investigated in this population to determine its effects on vascular function and structure. Based on the vasodilatory features of sacubitril–valsartan, we expected that fractional area change (AFAC) as well as aortic distensibility (AD), when measured through 2D transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), should enhance with treatment course in HFrEF patients. Objective: This review article aimed to determine whether aortic stiffness can be measured by echocardiography in heart failure patients receiving sacubitril-valsartan medication or not. Methods: Search terms for the study included echocardiography, HFrEF, sacubitril-valsartan, aorta, and entresto in PubMed and Google Scholar. After the writers carefully analysed references from the relevant literature, including all the acknowledged research and reviews, only the most recent or complete studies between February 1995 and July 2021 were included. Since no sources for interpretation could be found, non-English language documents have been ignored. Dissertations, discussions, abstract papers from conferences, and everything else that wasn't a fundamental scientific research had been excluded. Conclusion: The positive benefits of sacubitril–valsartan on AD and AFAC as evaluated by TTE are increasing gradually from baseline to six months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: C-reactive protein (CRP) has come to prominence in the cardiovascular field with the inflammatory hypothesis of atherosclerosis. Many studies evaluated the role of CRP as a prognostic marker in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of our work was to study the relation between admission CRP level and the angiographic severity of coronary artery disease in patients presenting with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction. Patients and Methods: Admission CRP was measured for 100 STEMI patients before primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Complexity of coronary lesion was assessed using both Syntax score and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow. Results: Syntax score was significantly higher in the 3rd CRP tertile (20.24 ± 5.6 and P = 0.000), TIMI 0 flow was the highest in the 3rd tertile (24% and P = 0.001). We found a significant positive correlation between Syntax score and CRP and a significant negative correlation between CRP and TIMI flow (P = 0.001 and 0.005, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic curve constructed to determine the sensitivity of admission CRP to determine intermediate to high risk SYNTAX score showed a level =8.4 mg/dl as 71% sensitive (area under the curve [AUC] =0.65 and a P = 0.02) and an admission CRP of =4.8 mg/dl to be 81% sensitive in determining no or faint antegrade flow (TIMI 0 and 1) (AUC = 0.71. P =0.001). Conclusion: There is a strong positive correlation between admission CRP and the syntax score and TIMI flow in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI, thus adding CRP to the risk scoring systems used to assess STEMI patients before PPCI can help better risk stratify patients before going into the cath laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]