The relative potential contribution of volume load and vascular mechanisms to hypertension in non-dialysis and dialysis chronic kidney disease patients.

Background: Hypertension is highly prevalent and particularly difficult to treat adequately in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The relative contribution of volume overload and vascular mechanisms to blood pressure measures in CKD and whether these effects differ in non-dialysis compared to dialysis patients is unknown.

Methods: We determined the potential impact of volume load (stroke volume) and vascular mechanisms (inverse of total arterial compliance (inv TAC) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR)) on mean and brachial and aortic systolic blood pressures in 67 non-dialysis and 48 dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.

Associations of Traditionally Determined Left Ventricular Mass Indices and Hemodynamic and Non-Hemodynamic Components of Cardiac Remodeling with Diastolic and Systolic Function in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

We aimed to evaluate the extent to which different left ventricular mass parameters are associated with left ventricular function in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. We compared the associations between traditionally determined left ventricular mass indices (LVMIs) and hemodynamic (predicted LVMIs) and non-hemodynamic remodeling parameters with left ventricular function in patients with CKD; non-hemodynamic remodeling was represented by inappropriate left ventricular mass and inappropriate excess LVMIs (traditionally determined LVMIs-predicted LVMIs). Non-hemodynamic left ventricular remodeling parameters were strongly associated with impaired left ventricular systolic function ( < 0.

An Initially Missed Diagnosis of Venous Thromboembolic Phenomenon in Adult-Onset Still's Disease: A Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND Still's disease is a rare multisystemic autoinflammatory disorder. The diagnosis of adult-onset Still's disease (AoSD) can be challenging due to the rarity and overlapping features with many other systemic disorders. Complications of the illness can involve many systems in the human body.

Uric Acid, Ferritin, Albumin, Parathyroid Hormone and Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase Concentrations are Associated with Uremic Cardiomyopathy Characteristics in Non-Dialysis and Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Patients.

Introduction: Circulating uric acid, ferritin, albumin, intact parathyroid hormone and gamma-glutamyl transferase each participate in biochemical reactions that reduce or/and enhance oxidative stress, which is considered the final common pathway through which pathophysiological mechanisms cause uremic cardiomyopathy. We hypothesized that the respective biomarkers may be involved in the development of uremic cardiomyopathy characteristics and can be useful in their identification among chronic kidney disease patients.

Methods: We assessed traditional and non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors including biomarker concentrations and determined central systolic blood pressure using SphygmoCor software and cardiac structure and function by echocardiography in 109 (64 non-dialysis and 45 dialysis) patients.

A cross-sectional study of herbal medicine use and contributing factors among pregnant women on antenatal care follow-up at Dessie Referral Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia.

Background: Herbal medicines are widely used in the world especially in developing countries. Pregnant women use herbal products to treat pregnancy related illnesses due to prior experience of herbal medicine use and easy accessibility of the products with less cost. However, herbal products could affect fetal growth and contribute to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.

Extensive triple vessel coronary artery disease in a young male with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

The risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic inflammatory joint conditions is substantially increased compared to the general population. We present a case of a 27-year-old male with a chronic history of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) who presented with denovo acutely decompensated chronic heart failure. He had no traditional risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

Association of Post Transplantation Anaemia and Persistent Secondary Hyperparathyroidism with Diastolic Function in Stable Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Introduction: We hypothesized that post transplantation anaemia and persistent secondary hyperparathyroidism are potential determinants of diastolic function in stable kidney transplant recipients.

Methods: We assessed traditional and non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors and determined carotid artery intima-media thickness and plaque by ultrasound, arterial function by applanation tonometry using SphygmoCor software and diastolic function by echocardiography in 43 kidney transplant recipients with a transplant duration of ≥6 months, no acute rejection and a glomerular filtration rate of ≥15 mL/min/1.73m.

A retrospective study of drug related problems and contributing factors among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients on follow up at public health institutions of kemisse town, north east Ethiopia.

Background: Drug related problems interfere with the desired treatment outcomes of type 2 Diabetes mellitus. This study was conducted to determine prevalence of drug related problems and associated factors among patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in public health institutions of Kemisse town, northeast Ethiopia from May 01 to 30, 2019.

Methods: Institution based retrospective cross sectional study was conducted among type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patents on follow up at public health institutions of Kemisse town, northeast Ethiopia.

Evaluation of Surgical Antimicrobial Prophylaxis and Incidence of Surgical Site Infection at Borumeda Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia: Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Surgical site infections are global healthcare problems. Although surgical site infections are preventable, they still cause significant morbidity, high death rates, and financial stress on national budgets and individual patients. Inappropriate uses of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis are increasing and worsening patients' quality of life.

Points to consider in cardiovascular disease risk management among patients with rheumatoid arthritis living in South Africa, an unequal middle income country.

Background: It is plausible that optimal cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk management differs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from low or middle income compared to high income populations. This study aimed at producing evidence-based points to consider for CVD prevention in South African RA patients.

Methods: Five rheumatologists, one cardiologist and one epidemiologist with experience in CVD risk management in RA patients, as well as two patient representatives, two health professionals and one radiologist, one rheumatology fellow and 11 rheumatologists that treat RA patients regularly contributed.

And Duodenal Ulcer: Systematic Review Of Controversies In Causation.

Background: There are controversies on the causal role of in duodenal ulceration. are curved gram-negative microaerophilic bacteria found at the layer of gastric mucous or adherent to the epithelial lining of the stomach. It's a public health significance bacteria starting from discovery, and the prevalence and severity of the infection varies considerably among populations.

Early Wave Reflection and Pulse Wave Velocity Are Associated with Diastolic Dysfunction in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) impacts arterial and diastolic function. This study examined whether arterial properties can determine diastolic function in RA. In 173 RA patients, arterial function measures including carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), central systolic and pulse pressure, pulse pressure amplification, and the magnitude and timing of the forward and reflected waves were measured using applanation tonometry.

Nesfatin-1 and visfatin expression is associated with reduced atherosclerotic disease risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Nesfatin is an anti-inflammatory molecule that reduces atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk. By contrast, visfatin has pro-inflammatory properties and is pro-atherogenic. We examined the potential impact of nesfatin and visfatin on atherosclerotic disease in 232 (113 black and 119 white) consecutive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients from 2 centers.

Arterial wave reflection and subclinical atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk is increased in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Wave reflection occurs at arterial branching points, which are particularly prone to atherosclerosis. We explored the relationship of wave reflection with atherosclerosis in RA.

Outcomes among HIV-infected children initiating HIV care and antiretroviral treatment in Ethiopia.

Objective: To describe pediatric ART scale-up in Ethiopia, one of the 21 global priority countries for elimination of pediatric HIV infection.

Methods: A descriptive analysis of routinely collected HIV care and treatment data on HIV-infected children (<15 years) enrolled at 70 health facilities in four regions in Ethiopia, January 2006-September 2013. Characteristics at enrollment and ART initiation are described along with outcomes at 1 year after enrollment.

Apelin concentrations are associated with altered atherosclerotic plaque stability mediator levels and atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis.

Background And Aims: Apelin-APJ signaling reduces cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the atherosclerosis burden and plaque vulnerability to rupture are increased. We explored relationships between apelin concentrations and subclinical CVD in RA.

Metabolic abnormalities in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) experience an increased cardiometabolic risk factor burden that is substantially driven by systemic inflammation. This occurs less consistently in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Psoriatic arthritis most strongly associates with excess adiposity and metabolic risk.

Omentin concentrations are independently associated with those of matrix metalloproteinase-3 in patients with mild but not severe rheumatoid arthritis.

Omentin is an adipokine that reportedly protects against cardiometabolic risk. We investigated the relationships between omentin concentrations and subclinical cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Omentin concentrations were measured in 213 (104 black; 109 white) RA patients.

Telomere length, endothelial activation and carotid atherosclerosis in black and white African patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Our objective was to examine associations of traditional and non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors with relative leukocyte telomere length and confounder adjusted relationships of relative telomere length with endothelial activation and carotid atherosclerosis in black and white African patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Relative telomere length of leukocyte DNA in whole blood was determined using quantitative RT-PCR in 205 (101 black) African patients with RA.

Results: In demographic characteristic adjusted analysis, relative telomere length tended to be larger in black compared to white patients (median (IQR)=0.

The Framingham Score and the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation at Low Cutoff Values Are Useful Surrogate Markers of High-risk Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: We determined the performance of the Framingham score and the Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) in assessing high-risk atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We assembled 330 cases without established cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, and moderate or severe chronic kidney disease among 451 consecutive Spanish patients who underwent CVD risk screening and carotid ultrasound-determined plaque assessment. The findings were validated in 90 black and 97 white African patients.

Characteristics and outcomes of adult Ethiopian patients enrolled in HIV care and treatment: a multi-clinic observational study.

Background: We describe trends in characteristics and outcomes among adults initiating HIV care and treatment in Ethiopia from 2006-2011.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective longitudinal analysis of HIV-positive adults (≥ 15 years) enrolling at 56 Ethiopian health facilities from 2006-2011. We investigated trends over time in the proportion enrolling through provider-initiated counseling and testing (PITC), baseline CD4+ cell counts and WHO stage.