Hypoalbuminaemia and heart failure: A practical review of current evidence.

Hypoalbuminaemia (serum albumin levels ≤3.5 g/dl) is associated with poor outcomes among patients with heart failure (HF). This narrative review includes original articles and reviews published over the past 20 years and retrieved from PubMed using the following search terms (or their combination): 'heart failure', 'hypoalbuminaemia', 'heart failure with reduced ejection fraction', 'heart failure with preserved ejection fraction', 'all-cause mortality', 'in-hospital mortality', 'hospitalization', 'prognosis'.

Probiotic Therapy With VSL#3 in Patients With NAFLD: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Aim: To evaluate if VSL#3 [a high-concentration multi-strain probiotic mix containing one strain of BT01, three strains of ( BB02; subspecies [subsp.] BL03, previously identified as BL03; and subsp. BI04, previously identified as BI04), and four strains of ( BA05, BP06, BP07, and BD08, previously identified as subsp.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors treatment in dyslipidemic patients: a real world prescription.

Aim: Dyslipidemia is recognized as one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. This retrospective observational study was aimed to assess the effect of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors in dyslipidemic patients with a lipid profile not well controlled by maximally tolerated statin therapy or intolerant to these lipid-lowering drugs. We enrolled 151 patients, of whom, 119 were taking evolocumab and 32 alirocumab.

High-dose dexamethasone treatment for COVID-19 severe acute respiratory distress syndrome: a retrospective study.

Low-dose dexamethasone reduces mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We retrospectively analyzed the efficacy of high-dose dexamethasone in patients with COVID-19-related ARDS and evaluated factors affecting the composite outcome (death or invasive mechanical ventilation). From March 4th to April 1st 2020, 98 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were included.

Pre-graduation medical training including virtual reality during COVID-19 pandemic: a report on students' perception.

Background: The Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic brought significant disruption to in-hospital medical training. Virtual reality simulating the clinical environment has the potential to overcome this issue and can be particularly useful to supplement the traditional in-hospital medical training during the COVID-19 pandemic, when hospital access is banned for medical students. The aim of this study was to assess medical students' perception on fully online training including simulated clinical scenarios during COVID-19 pandemic.

Optical coherence tomography angiography and arterial hypertension: A role in identifying subclinical microvascular damage?

Introduction: To evaluate retinal microvasculature modifications by means of optical coherence tomography angiography in human subjects diagnosed with arterial hypertension and to assess potential clinical relevance for early diagnosis.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 30 subjects affected by arterial hypertension compared to a matched cohort of healthy patients was conducted. Patients were evaluated by the Outpatient Clinic for Hypertension and the Retina Center, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.

Right ventricular remodelling in mild hypertensive patients: role of left ventricular morpho-functional parameters.

Previous studies suggested that hypertensive patients with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy display right ventricular (RV) remodelling. Few data are available about RV remodelling in naive hypertensives without severe cardiac organ damage. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between RV and LV morpho-functional parameters in never-treated patients with grade 1 hypertension and whether central blood pressure (CBP), inflammatory and metabolic parameters are potentially associated with RV remodelling.

sRAGE and early signs of cardiac target organ damage in mild hypertensives.

Background: Soluble Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (sRAGE) may be considered a marker inversely related to inflammation and its participation has been established in patients with advanced atherosclerotic vascular diseases. However, it is still unknown whether sRAGE reduction could be early metabolic change in the first stage of hypertension and initial hypertension-associated cardiac damage. We sought to determine the sRAGE values in otherwise healthy, untreated and recently diagnosed mild hypertensives and evaluate their association with blood pressure (BP) values, metabolic parameters, and with subclinical initial signs of cardiac target organ damage (TOD).

In vitro effects of Apixaban on 5 different cancer cell lines.

Background: Cancer is associated with hypercoagulability. However, several data suggest that anticoagulant drugs may have an effect on tumor development and progression mediated by both coagulation dependent processes and non-coagulation dependent processes. Therefore, we investigated the in vitro effects of Apixaban on cell proliferation, mortality, cell migration, gene expression and matrix metalloproteinase in 5 different cancer cell lines.

PCSK9 inhibitors for treating dyslipidemia in patients at different cardiovascular risk: a systematic review and a meta-analysis.

Statin-induced lowering of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, but many patients do not adequately reduce their LDL-C levels. Monoclonal antibodies targeting PCKS9 are currently in the advanced phase of development. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of PCSK9 inhibitors in patients at different cardiovascular risk in a systematic review.

Hypovitaminosis D and organ damage in patients with arterial hypertension: a multicenter double blind randomised controlled trial of cholecalciferol supplementation (HYPODD) : study design, clinical procedures and treatment protocol.

Introduction: At this time, good quality randomized clinical trials assessing the effects of vitamin D supplementation on cardiometabolic outcomes are lacking in the international literature.

Aim: To fill this gap, the Working Group on Vitamin D and Cardiorenal Disorders established jointly by the Italian Society of Hypertension (SIIA) and the Forum in Bone and Mineral Research conceived the HYPODD study (HYPOvitaminosis D and organ Damage).

Methods: HYPODD is a no-profit multicenter 12-month parallel-group double-blind placebo controlled randomized trial aiming to assess the effects of cholecalciferol supplementation on blood pressure control, antihypertensive drugs consumption and progression of target organ damage in patients with essential hypertension and 25-hydroxyvitamin D serum level lower than 20 ng/ml (vitamin D deficiency).

Dyslipidemia in HIV-positive patients: a randomized, controlled, prospective study on ezetimibe+fenofibrate versus pravastatin monotherapy.

Introduction: We designed a randomized, controlled prospective study aimed at comparing efficacy and tolerability of ezetimibe+fenofibrate treatment versus pravastatin monotherapy in dyslipidemic HIV-positive (HIV+) patients treated with protease inhibitors (PIs).

Methods: We consecutively enrolled 42 HIV+ dyslipidemic patients on stable PIs therapy (LDL cholesterol >130 mg/dl or triglycerides 200-500 mg/dl with non-HDL cholesterol >160 mg/dl). After basal evaluation, patients were randomized to a six-month treatment with ezetimibe 10 mg/day+fenofibrate 200 mg/day or with pravastatin 40 mg/day.

Simvastatin down-regulates the production of interleukin-8 by neutrophil leukocytes from dyslipidemic patients.

Background: Neutrophil (PMN) leukocytes participate to the initial phases of atherosclerosis through the release of Interleukin 8 (CxCL8; IL-8) that contribute to amplification of inflammation. Aim of the study is to investigate the production of IL-8 by PMN leukocytes from dyslipidemic patients treated with simvastatin.

Methods: In 15 dyslipidemic subjects with moderately increased cardiovascular risk, assessed by Framingham Risk Score, blood samples were obtain to investigate PMNs IL-8 production [at baseline and after N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) stimulation] before and after long-term (1-year) simvastatin treatment.

Blood pressure control and treatment adherence in hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome: protocol of a randomized controlled study based on home blood pressure telemonitoring vs. conventional management and assessment of psychological determinants of adherence (TELEBPMET Study).

Background: Inadequate blood pressure control and poor adherence to treatment remain among the major limitations in the management of hypertensive patients, particularly of those at high risk of cardiovascular events. Preliminary evidence suggests that home blood pressure telemonitoring (HBPT) might help increasing the chance of achieving blood pressure targets and improve patient's therapeutic adherence. However, all these potential advantages of HBPT have not yet been fully investigated.

Angiotensin II type 1 and type 2 receptor expression in circulating monocytes of diabetic and hypercholesterolemic patients over 3-month rosuvastatin treatment.

Background: In diabetes, a variety of pro-inflammatory cellular changes has been found in various cell types, including monocytes which are known to be involved in all the phases of atherogenesis. Angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor (AT1R) mediates the pro-atherogenic effects of Ang II whereas the type 2 receptor (AT2R) seems associated with atheroprotection. We sought to investigate the potential changes of AT1R-AT2R expression in human monocytes of type 2 diabetic- hypercholesterolemic patients and in hypercholesterolemic subjects, upon clinical treatment with rosuvastatin.

Plasma levels of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Hypertension is a major cause of cardiovascular remodeling. In the cardiovascular system, the remodeling of the extracellular matrix is controlled by the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs). The aim of this meta-analysis is to elucidate the behavior of plasma MMP and TIMP levels in hypertension and their relationship to cardiovascular remodeling.

OSA, metabolic syndrome and CPAP: effect on cardiac remodeling in subjects with abdominal obesity.

Background: We evaluated whether obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment influence left ventricular (LV) remodelling independently of abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods: Cardiorespiratory examination, 24-h BP monitoring and echocardiogram were performed in overweight/obese patients with increased abdominal adiposity and symptoms suggesting OSA : OSA/MetS (n.50), OSA/noMetS (n.

Effectiveness of barnidipine 10 or 20 mg plus losartan 50-mg combination versus losartan 100-mg monotherapy in patients with essential hypertension not controlled by losartan 50-mg monotherapy: A 12-week, multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-group study.

Background: Increasing the dose or adding a second antihypertensive agent are 2 possible therapeutic choices when blood pressure (BP) is poorly controlled with monotherapy.

Objective: This study investigated the effectiveness and tolerability of barnidipine 10 or 20 mg added to losartan 50 mg versus losartan 100 mg alone in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension whose BP was uncontrolled by losartan 50-mg monotherapy.

Methods: This was a 12-week, multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-group study.

Cytokine production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes in patients studied for suspected obstructive sleep apnea.

Purpose: The relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and atherosclerosis-related inflammation has been poorly investigated, particularly focusing on functional responses of immune cells playing a key role in atherogenesis and in comparison with control groups with similar cardiovascular risk factors which are known to be themselves associated with inflammation. We sought to determine cellular tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and interleukin (IL)-8 release from neutrophils (PMNs) in patients studied for suspected OSA.

Methods: Thirty-six consecutive patients who underwent a nocturnal complete cardiorespiratory evaluation for suspected OSA were initially evaluated.