Pharmacokinetic profile and effect on bone markers and muscle strength of two daily dosage regimens of calcifediol in osteopenic/osteoporotic postmenopausal women.

Background: At present, although cholecalciferol represents the form of vitamin D of choice for the treatment of vitamin D deficiency, there is a growing interest in calcifediol.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of two different daily doses of calcifediol.

Methods: Fifty osteopenic/osteoporotic women with serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) between 10 and 20 ng/ml were randomized to a 6-month treatment with oral calcifediol 20 µg/day (n = 25) or oral calcifediol 30 µg/day (n = 25).

Ultrasound indices of congestion in patients with acute heart failure according to body mass index.

Background: The inverse relationship between body mass index (BMI) and natriuretic peptide levels complicates the diagnosis of heart failure (HF) in obese patients. Assessment of congestion with ultrasound could facilitate HF diagnosis but it is unclear if any relationship exists amongst BMI, inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter and the number of B-lines.

Methods: We performed a comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation within 24 h from hospital admission in patients with HF, including lung B-lines and IVC diameter, and studied their relationship with BMI and outcome.

Combination of ST2 and B-type natriuretic peptide in diabetic patients with acute heart failure: relation with ventricular stiffness and outcome.

Background: Diabetes is a common disease in heart failure and its prevalence ranges from 10 to 30%. ST-2 is a novel biomarker of myocardial fibrosis and remodelling in heart failure and may be involved in the inflammatory process of diabetes mellitus. In this study, we sought: to evaluate levels of ST-2 and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in groups with acute heart failure with and without diabetes; to analyse the prognostic impact of ST-2 over a 6-month follow-up period.

Vitamin D levels in cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL).

Besides its well known function on bone metabolism, vitamin D role in cerebrovascular pathologies including cerebral small vessel disease has been confirmed by recent meta-analysis. In this study, we measured vitamin D levels in 56 Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) patients (mean age 49.9) with no or minimal disability (modified Ranking Score, mRS ≤2) and in 56 age, sex and seasonality matched healthy controls.

Different trajectories and significance of B-type natriuretic peptide, congestion and acute kidney injury in patients with heart failure.

The exact relationship existing among congestion status, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) changes and acute kidney injury (AKI) has not been elucidated in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). The aims of this study are: to investigate the relation and prognostic role of BNP, AKI and clinical congestion after discharge; to define the exact BNP cut off value or a BNP in-hospital reduction to identify patients with higher risk during vulnerable post-discharge phase. We consecutively enrolled 157 patients with a diagnosis of AHF.

Additional value of Galectin-3 to BNP in acute heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction.

Background: Almost half of patients with acute heart failure have preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). HFpEF is a diagnostic challenge using traditional investigation tools; Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is an emerging biomarker useful in individuals at risk for HF. The aim of our study is to analyse the relation and prognostic value of Gal-3, BNP and renal dysfunction in patients with HFpEF compared to patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Diagnostic utility of contemporary echo and BNP assessment in patients with acute heart failure during early hospitalization.

Background: The use of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and echocardiography in acute heart failure (AHF) diagnosis is poorly employed in the Emergency Department. The aim of the present study is to evaluate relation among BNP levels systolic and diastolic dysfunction during early phases of AHF hospitalization.

Methods: We performed contemporary echocardiographic and BNP assessment in 310 patients with AHF within 12h since hospital admission.

The prognostic combined role of B-type natriuretic peptide, blood urea nitrogen and congestion signs persistence in patients with acute heart failure.

Aims: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) decrease during hospitalization has been related to reduced risk of readmission and death in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). Conversely, the exact role of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is still debated. Currently, no data have been published regarding the relation between these two biomarkers and the relation between them and clinical signs of congestion.

Comparison of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Versus B-Type Natriuretic Peptide and Cystatin C to Predict Early Acute Kidney Injury and Outcome in Patients With Acute Heart Failure.

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) has been described in chronic heart failure (HF) as marker of tubular damage and renal dysfunction; however, less data are available in patients with acute HF. Because of high rate of acute kidney injury (AKI) development, we aimed to investigate the role of NGAL in predicting early AKI development; second, we compared NGAL with respect to cystatin C, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), renal function, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) for outcome prediction. We measured admission serum NGAL, cystatin C, and BNP in 231 patients affected to acute HF; all patients were submitted to daily creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and measurement to identify inhospital AKI defined by Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End-Stage Kidney Disease and Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria.

Patients with cardiorenal syndrome revealed increased neurohormonal activity, tubular and myocardial damage compared to heart failure patients with preserved renal function.

Background: Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality; still, its biomarker pattern has been poorly evaluated so far. The aim of this study was to measure the inflammatory activation, neurohormonal status and kidney and myocardial damage in patients with CRS compared to patients with heart failure (HF) without renal impairment (RI).

Methods: We analyzed 246 patients on the basis of renal function (group 1: 120 HF patients without RI; group 2: 126 CRS patients).

Role of BNP and echo measurement for pulmonary hypertension recognition in patients with interstitial lung disease: An algorithm application model.

Background: This study evaluated the role of echocardiography and BNP in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), to identify those with PH and RV dysfunction. The aims of this study were: 1-to evaluate the accuracy of an algorithm including BNP, DLCO and echocardiographic measurements to identify PH and RV dysfunction; 2- to evaluate BNP and Echo values concordance in relation to right catheterization measurement.

Methods: We analyzed 113 patients with diagnosis of ILD.

Short and long-term effects of continuous versus intermittent loop diuretics treatment in acute heart failure with renal dysfunction.

Intravenous loop diuretics are still the cornerstone of therapy in acute decompensated heart failure, however, the optimal dosage and administration strategies remain poorly defined particularly in patients with an associated renal dysfunction. This is a single-center, pilot, randomized trial involving patients with acute HF and renal dysfunction. Patients were assigned to receive continuous furosemide infusion (cIV) or bolus injections of furosemide (iIV).

Continuous versus bolus intermittent loop diuretic infusion in acutely decompensated heart failure: a prospective randomized trial.

Introduction: Intravenous loop diuretics are a cornerstone of therapy in acutely decompensated heart failure (ADHF). We sought to determine if there are any differences in clinical outcomes between intravenous bolus and continuous infusion of loop diuretics.

Methods: Subjects with ADHF within 12 hours of hospital admission were randomly assigned to continuous infusion or twice daily bolus therapy with furosemide.

Admission plasma neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) predicts worsening renal function during hospitalization and post discharge outcome in patients with acute heart failure.

Unlabelled: Abstract Background: The role of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) has been described in chronic heart failure (HF), however less data are available in patients admitted for acute HF.

Methods: We evaluated the role of NGAL in predicting in-hospital worsening renal function (WRF) and post-discharge follow-up during six months period in patients with acute HF. All patients were submitted to creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) measurement during hospitalization and before discharge.

Long-term bone density evaluation in cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis: evidence of improvement after chenodeoxycholic acid treatment.

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is known to be associated with osteoporosis and a higher incidence of bone fractures. However, the underlying pathogenesis is still unknown, and the effects of long-term replacement therapy with chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) on bone mineral density (BMD) have not been fully investigated. We studied 11 CTX patients aged 13-43 years.

Detection of obestatin in seminal plasma and its relationship with ghrelin and semen parameters.

Objective: To investigate the occurrence of ghrelin and obestatin in human semen.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: University, center for research and therapy of male infertility.

B-type natriuretic peptide as an independent predictor of coronary disease extension in non-ST elevation coronary syndromes with preserved systolic function.

Objective: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) has been employed as a risk marker in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) with ST elevation and non-ST elevation. It is not yet established if early BNP measurements provide additional information to troponin and electrocardiographic analysis in patients without ventricular enlargement and systolic dysfunction.

Design: This study compared BNP levels in patients with stable angina (SA) and acute coronary syndromes with non-ST elevation in relation to angiographic lesions (NSTEMI-ACS).

B-type natriuretic peptide levels predict extent and severity of coronary disease in non-ST elevation coronary syndromes and normal left ventricular systolic function.

Background: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) has been used recently as a biological marker in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) with ST-elevation, as well as without ST-elevation. BNP is able to predict systolic dysfunction, adding new prognostic information to existing traditional markers. However is not known if there is a relation between the quantity of BNP levels and the severity of coronary artery disease.

Comparison of intravenous and intramuscular neridronate regimens for the treatment of Paget disease of bone.

Aminobisphosphonates actually represent the most common treatment for Paget disease of bone (PDB). In a previous study we demonstrated that either zoledronic acid (4 mg) or neridronate (200 mg) given as a single intravenous infusion showed a similar short-term efficacy in achieving biochemical remission in up to 90% of patient nonresponders to pamidronate. In this study we compared the long-term (36 months) effects of a same neridronate dose (200 mg) given as an intravenous (100-mg infusion for 2 consecutive days) or intramuscular (25-mg injection weekly for 2 months) regimen in 56 patients with active PDB.

The relationship between plasma homocysteine levels and bone mineral density in post-menopausal women.

Background: Whether or not mild hyperhomocysteinemia and low serum levels of folates or vitamin B12 are risk factors for osteoporosis in the elderly is controversial.

Aims And Methods: To investigate whether or not plasma levels of total homocysteine (tHcy) and serum levels of folates and vitamin B12 are associated with bone mineral density (BMD), we carried out a cross-sectional study on 446 post-menopausal women (mean age: 65.1+/-9.

Anemia correction by erythropoietin reduces BNP levels, hospitalization rate, and NYHA class in patients with cardio-renal anemia syndrome.

Little is known about the effect of anemia correction with erythropoietin (EPO) on B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, NYHA class, and hospitalization rate. The aim of the study was to investigate, in patients with cardio-renal anemia syndrome, the effects of EPO on hemochrome and renal function parameters and BNP levels. We also analyzed the effect of EPO therapy on hospitalization rate and NYHA class after 12 months in comparison with a population undergoing to standard therapy.

Beta-erythropoietin effects on ventricular remodeling, left and right systolic function, pulmonary pressure, and hospitalizations in patients affected with heart failure and anemia.

Anemia in heart failure is related to advanced New York Heart Association classes, severe systolic dysfunction, and reduced exercise tolerance. Although anemia is frequently found in congestive heart failure (CHF), little is known about the effect of its' correction with erythropoietin (EPO) on cardiac structure and function. The present study examines, in patients with advanced CHF and anemia, the effects of beta-EPO on left ventricular volumes, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left and right longitudinal function mitral anular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE), tricuspid anular plane excursion (TAPSE), and pulmonary artery pressures in 58 patients during 1-year follow-up in a double-blind controlled study of correction of anemia with subcutaneous beta-EPO.

Prevalence of risk factors, coronary and systemic atherosclerosis in abdominal aortic aneurysm: comparison with high cardiovascular risk population.

Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is considered a manifestation of atherosclerosis, however there are epidemiologic, biochemical, and structural differences between occlusive atherosclerosis and AAA. The pathogenesis of AAA involves several factors, first of all destruction of collagen and elastin in the aortic wall. Classical risk factors may influence the evolution and development of AAA, though no consistent association has been found.

Osteoprotegerin and B-type natriuretic peptide in acute coronary syndromes with preserved systolic function: relation to coronary artery disease extension.

Objectives: To analyze Osteoprotegerin (OPG), and BNP plasma levels in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS), in relation to clinical presentation and to coronary atherosclerosis diffusion.

Methods: 155 CAD patients were classified in four groups: stable angina (SA n=42), unstable angina (UA n=35) non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI n=45) and control group (n=33), measuring OPG and BNP at hospital admission. We compared both biomarkers in relation to the number of coronary narrowed vessels (1-,2-,3 or more vessels disease), and to the stenoses degree by Duke Jeopardy score.

The effects of zoledronic acid on serum lipids in multiple myeloma patients.

Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs) inhibit osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and are widely used for tumor-associated osteolysis. The mechanism of action of these drugs has not been completely clarified, but it has been observed that N-BPs may inhibit squalene synthase or farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase. Zoledronic acid (ZA) represents a novel N-BP which also has antitumor activity.