Patient experience and burden of haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn: a systematic review.

Background: Haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn (HDFN) is an immune disorder driven by maternal alloimmunisation against foetal/newborn red blood cell antigens. HDFN can cause significant morbidity and mortality, with symptoms in the foetus ranging from mild anaemia to hydrops fetalis. While in newborns, HDFN can lead to severe forms of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia and kernicterus.

Vascular Endothelial Effects of Sacubitril/Valsartan in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The mechanism of how sacubitril/valsartan improves outcomes in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is still incompletely understood.

Objectives: The aim of this trial was to delineate the effects of sacubitril/valsartan on endothelial function, retinal microvascular function, and arterial stiffness in HFrEF.

Methods: This double-blind controlled trial randomized 79 stable HFrEF patients with NYHA class II-IV on guideline-recommended therapy (mean age: 59.

Modelling Treatment Sequences in Immunology: Optimizing Patient Outcomes.

Introduction: For some immune-mediated disorders, despite the range of therapies available there is limited evidence on which treatment sequences are best for patients and healthcare systems. We investigated how their selection can impact outcomes in an Italian setting.

Methods: A 3-year state-transition treatment-sequencing model calculated potential effectiveness improvements and budget reallocation considerations associated with implementing optimal sequences in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), Crohn's disease (CD), non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (NR-AxSpA), plaque psoriasis (PsO), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and ulcerative colitis (UC).

Burden of disease among patients with prevalent Crohn's disease: results from a large German sickness fund.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the burden of disease among a real-world cohort of patients with prevalent Crohn's disease (CD) in Germany.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis using administrative claims data from the German AOK PLUS health insurance fund. Continuously insured patients with a CD diagnosis between 01 October 2014 and 31 December 2018 were selected and followed for at least 12 months or longer until death or end of data availability on 31 December 2019.

Real-world outcomes associated with switching to anti-TNFs other biologics in Crohn's Disease patients: A retrospective analysis using German claims data.

Background: The positioning of new biologic agents for the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD) following failure of initial anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy remains a challenge in the real world.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the real-world outcomes associated with the sequential use of biologics in CD patients that newly initiate anti-TNFs, specifically comparing those that switch to another anti-TNF biologics with other modes of action.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Endocrine hormone imbalance in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: A cross-sectional study.

Background And Aims: Sustained neurohormonal activation plays a central role in the progression of heart failure (HF). Other endocrine axes may also be affected. It was the aim of this study to examine the endocrine profile (thyroid, parathyroid, glucocorticoid, and sex hormones) in a contemporary sample of patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (EF) on established disease-modifying therapy.

Eyes on amyloidosis: microvascular retinal dysfunction in cardiac amyloidosis.

Aims: Cardiac involvement in systemic amyloidosis is a marker of particularly poor prognosis. Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is characterized by extracellular amyloid deposits inducing heart failure and symptoms of cardiac microvascular disease. While amyloid deposition is most common in the myocardium but also seen in pericardium and endocardium, atria, and vasculature, the role of (micro-)vascular dysfunction in CA pathophysiology remains still elusive.

Does an undetected obstructive sleep apnea influence the natural course and success of cardiac rehabilitation after cardiac surgery?

Background: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is common in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and can negatively impact the course of CVD. However, scarce data are available for patients before or after cardiac surgery (CS) in the context of OSA.

Aim: This study investigated the impact of an undetected OSA on the results of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in patients after CS.

Effects of hemodialysis on blood volume, macro- and microvascular function.

Background: Vascular dysfunction is considered to spur the progression of cardiovascular disease in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Whether the HD procedure itself contributes to vascular dysfunction remains incompletely investigated. The present study sought to comprehensively assess the effects of HD on arterial and venous function along with concomitant changes in blood volume (BV).

Hypovolemia and reduced hemoglobin mass in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction.

A fundamental tenet of heart failure (HF) pathophysiology hinges on a propensity for fluid retention leading to blood volume (BV) expansion and hemodilution. Whether this can be applied to heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains uncertain. The present study sought to determine BV status and key hormones regulating fluid homeostasis and erythropoiesis in HFpEF patients.

Retinal microvascular dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease with and without heart failure: a continuum?

Aims: Dynamic retinal vessel analysis is a novel, non-invasive method to assess microvascular function. The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether retinal microcirculation is impaired in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) compared to patients with heart failure due to CAD (ischaemic heart failure, IHF).

Methods And Results: A total of 150 adults were enrolled to prospectively assess micro- and macrovasculature.

Comprehensive cardiac phenotyping in large animals: comparison of pressure-volume analysis and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in pig post-myocardial infarction systolic heart failure.

Large animal ischemic cardiomyopathy models are widely used for preclinical testing of promising novel therapeutic approaches. Pressure volume (PV) loop analysis and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) allow functional and morphological phenotyping. In this study we performed a comparative analysis of both methods highlighting the strength of each and their synergistic potential.

In vitro evaluation of a self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) for nasal administration of dimenhydrinate.

The objective of the study was the development and in vitro characterization of a self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) for the nasal application of dimenhydrinate. Final composition of SEDDS was established based on drug solubility and stability studies. Dimenhydrinate was loaded into the SEDDS pre-concentrates to 7.

Age-dependent impairment of the erythropoietin response to reduced central venous pressure in HFpEF patients.

Despite growing research interest in the pathophysiology of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), it remains unknown whether central hemodynamic alterations inherently present in this condition do affect blood pressure and blood volume (BV) regulation. The present study sought to determine hemodynamic and endocrine responses to prolonged orthostatic stress in HFpEF patients. Central venous pressure (CVP) assessed via the internal jugular vein (IJV) aspect ratio with ultrasonography, arterial pressure and heart rate were determined at supine rest and during 2 hours of moderate (25-30°) head-up tilt (HUT) in 18 stable HFpEF patients (71.

Role of ceramide synthase 2 in G-CSF signaling and G-CSF-R translocation into detergent-resistant membranes.

Ceramides are sphingolipids with defined acyl chain lengths, which are produced by corresponding ceramide synthases (CerS1-6). In experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), the ablation of CerS2 suppresses EAE-pathology by reducing neutrophil migration into the central nervous system. This migration is induced by granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) signaling.

Probing the gas-phase structure of charge-tagged intermediates of a proline catalyzed aldol reaction - vibrational spectroscopy distinguishes oxazolidinone from enamine species.

An l-proline based catalyst with a charged phenyl-pyridium substituent (1) was used to analyze intermediates of an organocatalyzed aldol reaction by infrared multi-photon dissociation (IRMPD) mass spectrometry after transfer into the gas phase via electrospray ionization (ESI). IRMPD spectra were interpreted with the aid of density functional theory (DFT) computations. A structurally restricted enamine species was used as a reference molecule for the calculated vibrational frequencies.

Retinal microvascular dysfunction in hypercholesterolemia.

Background: Hypercholesterolemia is one of the most important contributors to atherosclerosis. Whether hypercholesterolemia also affects the retinal microcirculation is unclear.

Objective: The goal of our study was to assess the association of cholesterol levels with retinal microvascular function using dynamic and static retinal vessel analysis (RVA) in a primary prevention setting.

Polyphenols: Anti-Platelet Nutraceutical?

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a disease progressing over many years. Genetic factors, as well as the exposure to risk factors, are continuously leading to endothelial dysfunction, vascular alterations and, eventually, organ damage, major cardiovascular events and deaths. Oxidative stress, platelet hyperactivity and low-grade inflammation are important modulators in this context, contributing to plaque formation.

Retinal microvascular dysfunction in heart failure.

Aims: Retinal vessel analysis (RVA) represents a novel, non-invasive, and reliable method to study the microcirculation in the eye. The goal of this study was to assess the extent of retinal microvascular dysfunction in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) compared to controls and established measures of vascular function.

Methods And Results: In this prospective, single-centre, observational study, 74 patients with compensated CHF (mean age 63.

Cocoa, Blood Pressure, and Vascular Function.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) represents the most common cause of death worldwide. The consumption of natural polyphenol-rich foods, and cocoa in particular, has been related to a reduced risk of CVD, including coronary heart disease and stroke. Intervention studies strongly suggest that cocoa exerts a beneficial impact on cardiovascular health, through the reduction of blood pressure (BP), improvement of vascular function, modulation of lipid and glucose metabolism, and reduction of platelet aggregation.

Endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular disease and Flammer syndrome-similarities and differences.

The endothelium has increasingly been recognized as a smart barrier and a key regulator of blood flow in micro- and macrovascular beds. Endothelial dysfunction marks a stage of atherosclerosis and is an important prognostic marker for cardiovascular disease. Yet, some people who tend to be slim and physically active and with rather low blood pressure show a propensity to respond to certain stimuli such as emotional stress with endothelial-mediated vascular dysregulation (Flammer syndrome).

Impact of Surfactants on Skin Penetration of Dexpanthenol.

Objective: It was the aim of this study to evaluate the impact of nonionic and ionic surfactants on skin penetration of dexpanthenol.

Methods: The relative potency of three surfactants (two nonionic and one ionic) as enhancers in the permeability of a series of compounds was investigated. The influence of the enhancers was also studied.