Abnormal Esophageal Scintigraphy Associates With a Distinct Clinical Phenotype in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis.

Objective: In systemic sclerosis (SSc), absent contractility (AC) rather than ineffective esophageal motility on manometry is associated with a severe esophageal and extraintestinal phenotype. We sought to determine whether slow esophageal transit on scintigraphy associates with a comparable clinical phenotype to that of AC on manometry, as scintigraphy may serve as a noninvasive approach to risk-stratify patients with SSc.

Methods: Clinical, demographic, and serologic features were compared between patients with and without delayed esophageal transit on scintigraphy.

Predictors of specialist care referrals (SCR) following emergency department review or hospital admission in adults with previous acute COVID-19: a prospective UK cohort study.

Background: Long-COVID research to date focuses on outcomes in non-hospitalised vs. hospitalised survivors. However Emergency Department attendees (post-ED) presenting with acute COVID-19 may experience less supported recovery compared to people admitted and discharged from hospital (post-hospitalised group, PH).

Comparative analysis of biodiversity, physiology, and anatomical adaptations in riparian flora exposed to industrial pollution stress.

Anthropogenic activities such as industrial pollution of water bodies possess threat to floras leading to extinction and endangerment. This study investigates the impact of industrial pollution on vegetation along River Chenab and its associated drains. Rivers and channels transporting industrial effluents have been determined to be significantly contaminated.

Elevated Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Prognosis in Acute Myocarditis.

Background: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an easy-to-use inflammatory biomarker. Baseline NLR is independently associated with incident cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. However, whether this applies to acute myocarditis (AM) has not been evaluated.

Cardiovascular Reactivity to Mental Stress and Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Acute psychological stress may induce physiological changes predisposing individuals to adverse health outcomes through hemodynamic and vascular effects. We studied the association between the aggregated stress-induced changes in hemodynamic and vascular function tests with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease, after adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical factors.

Methods And Results: Individuals with stable coronary artery disease from 2 prospective cohort studies were studied.