Multi-Modality Imaging in Caseous Calcification of the Mitral Annulus: Case Series and Clinical Implications.

BACKGROUND Echogenic masses in the mitral annulus are often incidental findings during routine echocardiography examinations. Most represent the wide spectrum of underlying mitral annular calcifications and usually do not require further diagnostic workup. However, a rare variant called "caseous calcification of the mitral annulus" (CCMA) can be challenging to diagnose and often requires an extensive workup with the use of multiple imaging studies in order to accurately confirm the pathology.

Prognostic accuracy of mean arterial pressure and serum lactate level in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Mean arterial pressure (MAP) can be used to evaluate macro-circulatory perfusion while serum lactate concentration is a marker of tissue perfusion. It is important to note that the primary objective of initial medical interventions is to restore microcirculatory perfusion rather than focusing solely on macro-hemodynamics.

Aims: We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of the combination of MAP and serum lactate levels measured on admission to the hospital in relation to patients' 30-day survival rate in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Personality and Temperamental Characteristics.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common gynaecological/endocrine disorder that affects 5%-10% of women of reproductive age. Its association with psychiatric conditions is well known. This study aimed to evaluate personality, temperamental, and stress-related characteristics among PCOS patients by comparing them with a control group.

Is the Activity-Based Anorexia Model a Reliable Method of Presenting Peripheral Clinical Features of Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa (AN) causes the highest number of deaths among all psychiatric disorders. Reduction in food intake and hyperactivity/increased anxiety observed in AN are also the core features of the activity-based anorexia animal model (ABA). Our aim was to assess how the acute ABA protocol mimics common AN complications, including gonadal and cardiovascular dysfunctions, depending on gender, age, and initial body weight, to form a comprehensive description of ABA as a reliable research tool.

Backstage of Eating Disorder-About the Biological Mechanisms behind the Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) represents a disorder with the highest mortality rate among all psychiatric diseases, yet our understanding of its pathophysiological components continues to be fragmentary. This article reviews the current concepts regarding AN pathomechanisms that focus on the main biological aspects involving central and peripheral neurohormonal pathways, endocrine function, as well as the microbiome-gut-brain axis. It emerged from the unique complexity of constantly accumulating new discoveries, which hamper the ability to look at the disease in a more comprehensive way.