Pulmonary Involvement in Sjögren's Syndrome: Correlations with Biomarkers of Activity and High-Resolution Computer Tomography Findings.

(1) Background: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) represents a systemic autoimmune disease whose pathophysiology has yet to be elucidated, though it is known that the inflammatory process encountered in SS is of a systemic nature, with cytokines representing the main mediators for tissue damage. (2) Aim of the study: The aim of the present study is to further the understanding of the link between interleukin serum levels, cytokine serum levels, HRCT findings and the Warrick score (as tools for the evaluation of pulmonary involvement) in patients with pSS. (3) Methods: The present study is a retrospective, observational one aimed at ascertaining the link between SS activity and its clinical implications, as well as how interleukin and TNF-α levels correlate with systemic changes.

Endothelial Dysfunction in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome: Correlation with Serum Biomarkers of Disease Activity.

To assess the relationship between endothelial dysfunction and serum cytokines, anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies, beta-2 microglobulin levels, focus score and EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI) in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) patients. The study included 90 patients with pSS and 45 healthy subjects, matched for age and gender, as controls. Serum beta-2 microglobulin, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, TNF-α, and IL-6 were analyzed in both the groups.

Dyspepsia and Gut Microbiota in Female Patients with Postcholecystectomy Syndrome.

Background: Gallstone disease (GSD) represents one of the most frequent digestive disorders, highly reported in female gender. The purpose of the study was to explore the clinical and gut microbiota particularities of female patients with postcholecystectomy syndrome (PCS) and the possible relationship between gut dysbiosis (DB) and abdominal complaints.

Patients And Methods: In total, 129 female participants: 104 outpatients divided into two equal groups, 52 PCS (+), 52 PCS (-) and 25 healthy controls were consecutively enrolled in this observational study.

Hyponatremia and Renal Venous Congestion in Heart Failure Patients.

Objective: The interrelationship between the heart and kidneys has a great importance in the homeostasis of the cardiovascular system. Heart failure patients present intrarenal arterial hypoperfusion and intrarenal venous congestion due to reduced left ventricle ejection fraction, which triggers numerous neurohormonal factors. The aim of this study was to investigate intrarenal vascularization (arterial and venous), as well as the links between it and systemic congestion and, on the other side, with the mortality in patients with heart failure.

The Utility of Major Salivary Gland Ultrasonographic Parameters in the Diagnosis of Sjögren Syndrome.

Objective: To investigate ultrasonographically the salivary glands and to correlate ultrasonographic parameters with focus score, serum beta-2-microglobulin, and stimulated salivary flow rate.

Material And Methods: 32 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and 32 healthy controls were enrolled in this case-control study, performed in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, "Victor Babeș" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania. All the patients and controls were examined by salivary gland ultrasonography (B-mode, color and spectral Doppler, and sonoelastography), determining the following parameters: salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS) score, resistive index (RI) of transverse facial artery, and shear wave velocity (SWV).

Correlations between Vascular Stiffness Indicators, OPG, and 25-OH Vitamin D3 Status in Heart Failure Patients.

: The purpose of the study is to correlate vascular calcification biomarkers osteoprotegerin (OPG) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D), indicators of arterial stiffness carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (c-f PWV) and renal resistive index (RRI), with parameters of left ventricular function in heart failure patients versus control. : Our case-control study compared 60 patients with ischemic heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (<40%) with a control group of 60 healthy age-matched subjects (CON). Serum levels of OPG and 25-OH-D were determined by ELISA.

Heart Involvement in Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases: A Systematic Literature Review.

: Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular manifestations. The high risk of cardiovascular pathology in these patients is not only due to traditional cardiovascular risk factors (age, gender, family history, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, cholesterol), but also to chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. In this review, we present the mechanisms of cardiovascular comorbidities associated with inflammatory rheumatic diseases, as they have recently been reported by different authors, grouped in electrical abnormalities, valvular, myocardial and pericardial modifications and vascular involvement.

Bone turnover markers in postmenopausal osteoporosis and their correlation with bone mineral density and menopause duration.

Background: Biochemical bone turnover markers (BTMs) estimates the bone remodeling process, being valuable in the personalized approach of osteoporotic patients.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between biochemical BTMs and bone mineral density (BMD), depending on menopause period, in postmenopausal osteoporotic women, compared to postmenopausal women without osteoporosis.

Patients, Materials And Methods: The study included 149 untreated postmenopausal women, divided into three groups: group 1 (65 osteoporotic women with less than 10 years of menopause), group 2 (44 osteoporotic patients, with over 10 years of menopause), and the control group with 40 postmenopausal women without osteoporosis.

Lycopene and Vascular Health.

Lycopene is a lipophilic, unsaturated carotenoid, found in red-colored fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, watermelon, papaya, red grapefruits, and guava. The present work provides an up to date overview of mechanisms linking lycopene in the human diet and vascular changes, considering epidemiological data, clinical studies, and experimental data. Lycopene may improve vascular function and contributes to the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disorders.

Vitamin D Status, Disease Activity, and Endothelial Dysfunction in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.

Cardiovascular diseases represent important complications in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, generated by an accelerated atherosclerosis. The aim of this study is represented by the assessment of the correlations between serum levels of vitamin D, disease activity, and endothelial dysfunction in patients with early RA. .

Arterial stiffness in hematologic malignancies.

Malignant and cardiovascular disorders are the top causes of mortality worldwide. This article reviews the main literature data and mechanisms linking hematologic malignancies and arterial stiffness, focusing on recent experimental and clinical results. Several links were found in hematologic malignancies between complete blood count and arterial stiffness.

Electrocardiographic Predictors of Cardiovascular Mortality.

Cardiovascular diseases are the main causes of mortality. Sudden cardiac death may also appear in athletes, due to underlying congenital or inherited cardiac abnormalities. The electrocardiogram is used in clinical practice and clinical trials, as a valid, reliable, accessible, inexpensive method.