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We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at estimating the association between perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) and some of the cardiovascular risk factors. A systematic search was conducted from January 1980 up to and including 2022 to identify studies that examined the relationship between PVAT and cardiovascular risk factors as obesity and its indices, hypertension, lipids, and glucose intolerance/diabetes. The Medline and Embase databases were searched using the PubMed and Scopus. Data were extracted from 23 studies that fit the criteria. To conduct meta-analysis, we used an approximation of equating the method of correlating assessment because different authors used either Pearson or Spearman correlation. Interrelations of PVAT and body mass index were analyzed in eight studies. Most studies revealed reliable direct correlation; the results of the meta-analysis also showed a significant ( P  = 0.37, P  < 0.01, n  = 12,346) correlation. PVAT and waist circumference were analyzed in six studies. Meta-analysis on the selected sample ( n  = 10,947) showed a significant ( r  = 0.45, P  < 0.01) correlation. Relationship between PVAT and hypertension was revealed in three studies. Direct correlations were found in all studies. Meta-analysis showed the reliability of the correlation dependence ( r  = 0.21, P  < 0.01, n  = 3996). PVAT and blood glucose was evaluated in three studies ( n  = 3689). In each study a reliable ( P  < 0.05) direct correlation was obtained. Meta-analysis showed a significant correlation of weak strength ( r  = 0.24, P  < 0.01). We demonstrated significant positive correlations of PVAT with the levels of total cholesterol ( r  = 0.05, P  < 0.01), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( r  = 0.13, P  < 0.01), and triglycerides ( r  = 0.29, P  < 0.01), and a negative relationship with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( r  = -0.18, P  < 0.01) in this meta-analysis. Despite some limitations, the findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis confirmed that PVAT significantly correlates with studied cardiovascular risk factors. Because PVAT presents a great interest in terms of cardiovascular remodeling and cardiovascular disease, its assessment in patients with and without cardiovascular pathology needs further research.

Background: COVID-19 is characterized by an acute inflammatory response with the formation of endothelial dysfunction and may affect arterial stiffness. Studies of cardio-ankle vascular index in COVID-19 patients with considered cardiovascular risk factors have not been conducted., Objective: The purpose of our study was to assess the association between cardio-ankle vascular index and COVID-19 in hospitalized patients adjusted for known cardiovascular risk factors., Methods: A cross-sectional study included 174 people hospitalized with a diagnosis of moderate COVID-19 and 94 people without COVID-19. Significant differences in the cardio-ankle vascular index values measured by VaSera VS - 1500N between the two groups were analyzed using parametric (Student's t-criterion) and nonparametric (Mann-Whitney) criteria. Independent association between COVID-19 and an increased cardio-ankle vascular index ≥ 9.0 adjusted for known cardiovascular risk factors was assessed by multivariate logistic regression., Results: There were significantly higher values of the right cardio-ankle vascular index 8.10 [7.00;9.40] and the left cardio-ankle vascular index 8.10 [6.95;9.65] in patients undergoing inpatient treatment for COVID-19 than in the control group - 7.55 [6.60;8.60] and 7.60 [6.60;8.70], respectively. A multivariate logistic regression model adjusted for age, hypertension, plasma glucose level, glomerular filtration rate and diabetes mellitus showed a significant association between increased cardio-ankle vascular index and COVID-19 (OR 2.41 [CI 1.09;5.30])., Conclusion: Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 had significantly higher cardio-ankle vascular index values compared to the control group. An association between an increased cardio-ankle vascular index and COVID-19 was revealed, independent of age, hypertension, plasma glucose level, glomerular filtration rate and diabetes mellitus., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Vaping, i.e. the use of electronic nicotine/other substances delivery systems, increases a risk of vaping-associated lung injury. The review describes clinical manifestation, methods of diagnosis and diagnostic criteria, treatment of patients with this disease as well as risk stratification of vapers and approaches to their management based on Worchester classification and clinical guidance. The pathogenetic mechanisms of vaping-associated lung injury have been analyzed.

Printable and flexible Cu-Ag alloy electrodes with high conductivity and ultrahigh oxidation resistance have been successfully fabricated by using a newly developed Cu-Ag hybrid ink and a simple fabrication process consisting of low-temperature precuring followed by rapid photonic sintering (LTRS). A special Ag nanoparticle shell on a Cu core structure is first created in situ by low-temperature precuring. An instantaneous photonic sintering can induce rapid mutual dissolution between the Cu core and the Ag nanoparticle shell so that core-shell structures consisting of a Cu-rich phase in the core and a Ag-rich phase in the shell (Cu-Ag alloy) can be obtained on flexible substrates. The resulting Cu-Ag alloy electrode has high conductivity (3.4 μΩ·cm) and ultrahigh oxidation resistance even up to 180 °C in an air atmosphere; this approach shows huge potential and is a tempting prospect for the fabrication of highly reliable and cost-effective printed electronic devices.

Comparative analysis of the hormonal profile was performed in 12 and 16 patients with mild and moderately severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) respectively, in 25 patients with chronic bronchitis, 13 smokers without respiratory symptoms and dysfunction of external respiration, and in healthy non-smokers. Patients with moderately severe COPD had lower concentrations of total and free testosterone and DHEA than smokers with chronic bronchitis and mild COPD. Blood androsterone level positively correlated with the forced expiratory volume during the first second and inversely related to the duration of smoking and severity of coughing.

At present chronic obstructive lung diseases (COLD) occupy a prominent place in the morbidity and mortality of the adult population, with regarding the more and more increasing influence of aggressive environmental factors (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen, ozone, black smog and smoking). Due to the fact that clinical symptoms develop in patients with COLD at its late stages when there are irreversible changes in not only the bronchopulmonary apparatus, but, to a greater extent, the cardiovascular system; the efficiency of performed therapy is rather little. This shows it necessary to diagnose myocardial contractile disorders in such patients as soon as possible as the routine accessible cardiac study techniques (ECG, EchoCG) are of low informative value due to significant emphysema. In this view, of particular value is the use of radionuclide studies, including biventricular equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography that provides adequate information on the status of both ventricles.

Positive clinical changes were found in 28 (64%) of 44 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) treated with olesan-oil as aerophytotherapy. These patients improved also external respiration function.

Aim: To compare clinical response to intravenous laser radiation of blood (ILRB), plasmapheresis (PA) and ILRB + PA in patients with bronchial asthma (BA)., Materials and Methods: 122 patients with endogenic BA of moderate severity were divided into four groups: group 1 was exposed to ILRB, group 2--to PA, group 3--to ILRB + PA, group 4 received only chemotherapy. The effect was assessed by body plethismography, peak flowmetry, NBT-test, LCP-test., Results: Patients of group 1-3 vs group 4 demonstrated earlier disappearance of cough and normalization of lung auscultative picture, lower demand of oral glucocorticosteroids, 2 times longer remission, better external respiration function, earlier normalization of peak expiration flow. ILRB, PA and ILRB + PA activate function of oxygen-dependent bactericidal system of blood neutrophils and inhibited activity of non-oxygen-dependent system., Conclusion: Combined treatment of moderate severity BA with ILRB, PA alone and in combination is more effective than conventional drug therapy, the highest effect by remission terms being achieved in combination of ILRB with PA.