Soluble ST2 Is a Sensitive and Specific Biomarker for Fulminant Myocarditis.

Background The aim of the study was to identify biomarkers that can facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of fulminant myocarditis (FM) in order to reduce mortality. Methods and Results First, the expression profiles of circulating cytokines were determined in the plasma samples from 4 patients with FM and 4 controls using human cytokine arrays. The results showed that 39 cytokines from patients with FM were changed at admission.

Decongestion, kidney injury and prognosis in patients with acute heart failure.

Background: In patients with acute heart failure (AHF), the development of worsening renal function with appropriate decongestion is thought to be a benign functional change and not associated with poor prognosis. We investigated whether the benefit of decongestion outweighs the risk of concurrent kidney tubular damage and leads to better outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from the AKINESIS study, which enrolled AHF patients requiring intravenous diuretic therapy.

THE ROLE OF NT-PROBNP AND ST2 BIOMARKERS IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME.

Objective: The aim: To determine the diagnostic value of serum levels of ST2 in patients with the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and its correlation with NT-proBNP levels.

Patients And Methods: Materials and methods: NT-proBNP and ST2 concentration in serum of patients was measured on admission to the hospital and on the 10th day of the treatment using NT-proBNP ELISA (Biomedica, Slovakia) and Presage ST2 assay (Critical Diagnostics, USA), respectively.

Results: Results: Statistically significant direct correlations (p<0.

Association between vaccination with the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and Bell's palsy: a population-based study.

Background: An excess risk of Bell's palsy has been suggested after mRNA vaccines. We examined the association between the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and Bell's palsy.

Methods: Using the database of the largest healthcare provider in Israel, we retrieved data from different periods in 2018-2021.

Relation of Decongestion and Time to Diuretics to Biomarker Changes and Outcomes in Acute Heart Failure.

Prompt treatment may mitigate the adverse effects of congestion in the early phase of heart failure (HF) hospitalization, which may lead to improved outcomes. We analyzed 814 acute HF patients for the relationships between time to first intravenous loop diuretics, changes in biomarkers of congestion and multiorgan dysfunction, and 1-year composite end point of death or HF hospitalization. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), high sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hscTnI), urine and serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, and galectin 3 were measured at hospital admission, hospital day 1, 2, 3 and discharge.

Potential Utility of Cardiorenal Biomarkers for Prediction and Prognostication of Worsening Renal Function in Acute Heart Failure.

Background: Multiple different pathophysiologic processes can contribute to worsening renal function (WRF) in acute heart failure.

Methods And Results: We retrospectively analyzed 787 patients with acute heart failure for the relationship between changes in serum creatinine and biomarkers including brain natriuretic peptide, high sensitivity cardiac troponin I, galectin 3, serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, and urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin. WRF was defined as an increase of greater than or equal to 0.

Is Arterial Stiffness a Determinant of Hypotension?

Introduction: Previous observation identified both hypotension and arterial aging, indexed as Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV), as significant determinants of cognitive decline in older subjects.

Aim: To investigate the role of PWV as a determinant of hypotension in older patients.

Methods: A cohort of 344 subjects came to our Outpatient Clinic, free of cancer, acute myocardial infarction or stroke, atrial fibrillation, renal, hepatic or cardiac failure, secondary hypertension, or thyroid disease.

Short-term prognostic implications of serum and urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in acute heart failure: findings from the AKINESIS study.

Aims: Kidney impairment has been associated with worse outcomes in acute heart failure (AHF), although recent studies challenge this association. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a novel biomarker of kidney tubular injury. Its prognostic role in AHF has not been evaluated in large cohorts.

Impact of risk factors of ischemic heart disease on the development of acute coronary syndrome, platelet ultrastructure, and aspirin resistance.

Objective: Introduction: Risk factors of ischemic heart disease have an impact on blood cell apoptosis, platelets in particular, and their calcification. 5-40% of patients with high cardiovascular risk have anti-platelet drug resistance. The study of the morphofunctional status of platelets in patients with acute coronary syndrome is relevant and requires further research.

B-type natriuretic peptide trend predicts clinical significance of worsening renal function in acute heart failure.

Aims: In acute heart failure (AHF), relationships between changes in B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and worsening renal function (WRF) and its prognostic implications have not been fully determined. We investigated the relationship between WRF and a decrease in BNP with in-hospital and 1-year mortality in AHF.

Methods And Results: The Acute Kidney Injury NGAL Evaluation of Symptomatic heart faIlure Study (AKINESIS) was a prospective, international, multicentre study of AHF patients.

Utility of Urine Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin for Worsening Renal Function during Hospitalization for Acute Heart Failure: Primary Findings of the Urine N-gal Acute Kidney Injury N-gal Evaluation of Symptomatic Heart Failure Study (AKINESIS).

Background: Worsening renal function (WRF) during acute heart failure (AHF) occurs frequently and has been associated with adverse outcomes, though this association has been questioned. WRF is now evaluated by function and injury. We evaluated whether urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) is superior to creatinine for prediction and prognosis of WRF in patients with AHF.

A Census of Midsize to Large Supermarkets in Toronto: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Consumer Nutrition Environment.

Objective: Assess the consumer nutrition environment in midsize to large supermarkets by supermarket type and area-level socioeconomic variables.

Design: Cross-sectional census of 257 supermarkets using the Toronto Nutrition Environment Measures Survey in Stores.

Setting: Toronto, Canada.

The risk of all-cause mortality is inversely related to serum 25(OH)D levels.

Context And Objectives: Vitamin D plays a key role in maintaining bone health, but evidence for its nonskeletal effects is inconsistent. This study aims to examine the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and all-cause mortality in a large general population cohort.

Design, Participants, And Setting: Using the computerized database of the largest health care provider in Israel, we identified a cohort of subjects 20 years old or older with serum 25(OH)D levels measured between January 2008 and December 2009.

The longitudinal variability of serum 25(OH)D levels.

Background: The extent to which a single serum 25(OH)D measurement represents long-term vitamin D status remains unclear. This study aims to assess the variability of serum 25(OH)D between tests taken at different time intervals.

Methods: Using the computerized database of the largest healthcare provider in Israel, we identified subjects in whom a serum 25(OH)D test was performed on at least two different occasions between January 2008 and September 2011 (n = 188,771).

The relationship between serum 25(OH)D and parathyroid hormone levels.

Objective: Low 25(OH)D levels are associated with increased parathyroid hormone levels leading to progressive bone loss. The serum levels of 25(OH)D sufficient to keep the parathyroid hormone level at a range that will prevent bone loss are still unclear. The current study was aimed at evaluating the relationship between 25(OH)D levels and concomitant parathyroid hormone levels.

Vitamin D Status in Israeli subjects before the initiation and after the cessation of vitamin D supplements.

Vitamin D supplements are often recommended to restore sufficiency, although the adherence to treatment is low. This study assessed vitamin D status at different time intervals following the cessation of treatment. The database of Clalit-Health-Services (CHS), a not-for-profit HMO covering more than half of the Israeli population, was retrospectively searched for all members with available serum 25OHD test results in 2009 (245,493).

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy compared with standard laparoscopic myomectomy--a retrospective matched control study.

Objective: Compare robotic-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy (RALM) to a matched control standard laparoscopic myomectomy (LM).

Design: A retrospective matched control study.

Setting: Private practice setting.

Quality control in a National Program for the Early Detection of Breast Cancer: women's satisfaction with the mammography process.

Introduction: The experience of the mammography testing process and related satisfaction influence women's willingness to undergo the test again. The study goal was to assess women's overall satisfaction with the mammography examination service provided by participating units in the National Program for the Early Detection of Breast Cancer in Israel.

Methods: Between August 2003 and March 2004, a random sample of 3,295 women from 38 mammography units nationwide was drawn.

Improving pulmonary artery catheter waveform interpretation.

The pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) guides diagnosis and treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU), but studies have shown that physicians and nurses collectively have inadequate skill in interpreting PAC waveforms. We have developed a Web-based application that provides physicians and nurses with rapid access to relevant PAC-related content for use in patient care situations in real time. The application begins with a visual index that assists in the recognition of both normal and abnormal waveforms and provides waveform-specific links to concise advice on making accurate pressure measurements, troubleshooting system problems, and avoiding complications of catheter use.

Detection of TT virus among chimpanzees in the wild using a noninvasive technique.

Zoonotic transmission and emergence of pathogens are serious threats to endangered populations of free-ranging primate species. Recent discovery of a nonpathogenic yet highly prevalent virus in human populations, TT virus (TTV), has prompted studies into the presence of this virus among captive individuals of other species of nonhuman primates. In this study, we screened captive primate species for TTV.

BRCA1/2 mutation carriers: living with susceptibility.

Objectives: To examine whether being a BRCA1/2 mutation carrier affects a wide array of aspects of life, and if so, how.

Methods: Participants were grouped according to their carrier status (carrier and noncarrier status), health status (affected or unaffected by cancer), and their enrollment at the counseling service (probands and other family members). One hundred and sixty-five women completed a self-administered questionnaire following their genetic consultation session.

A COSTAR interface using WWW technology.

The concentration of industry on modern relational databases has left many nonrelational and proprietary databases without support for integration with new technologies. Emerging interface tools and data-access methodologies can be applied with difficulty to medical record systems which have proprietary data representation. Users of such medical record systems usually must access the clinical content of such record systems with keyboard-intensive and time-consuming interfaces.