Perceptions of clinical teachers acting as examiners regarding the value of Objective Structured Clinical Examinations.

Objectives: OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) is a common method of assessing clinical skills used at many universities. An important and at the same time difficult aspect of good examination preparation is obtaining a properly trained and well-motivated group of assessors. To effectively recruit and maintain cooperation with assessors, it is worth to know their opinion.

Novel antidiabetic drugs in diabetic kidney disease accompanying type 2 diabetes - a minireview.

Intensive hypoglycemic treatment is the strongest preventive strategy against the development of microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), including diabetic nephropathy. However, some antidiabetic drugs, i.e.

Clinical communication course and other factors affecting patient-centered attitudes among medical students.

Objectives: Patient-centered care (PCC) is associated with better relationships, resulting in a decrease in symptoms, hospitalizations and health costs. However, studies analyzing factors influencing patient-centered attitudes show ambiguous results. The purpose was to assess the impact of the Clinical Communication Course (CCC) in Jagiellonian University, Cracow and other factors on Patient-Centered Attitudes (PCA) and Attitude toward Clinical Skills Learning (CSLA).

Depressed systemic arterial compliance and impaired left ventricular midwall performance in aortic stenosis with concomitant type 2 diabetes: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

Background: Degenerative aortic stenosis (AS), a disease of the elderly, frequently coexists with concomitant diseases, including type 2 diabetes (T2DM) which amplifies the cardiovascular (CV) risk. T2DM affects left ventricular (LV) structure and function via hemodynamic and metabolic factors. In concentric LV geometry, typical for AS, indices of LV midwall mechanics are better estimates of LV function than ejection fraction (EF).

Association of Inadequately Low Left Ventricular Mass with Enhanced Myocardial Contractility in Severe Degenerative Aortic Stenosis.

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), traditionally considered an adaptive mechanism that is aimed at the maintenance of LV systolic function, is absent in 10%⁻35% of patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). Our aim was to estimate the clinical and hemodynamic characteristics in patients with severe AS and absent LVH, or inadequately low LV mass (i-lowLVM) relative to an individual hemodynamic load.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed in-hospital records of 100 patients with pure severe degenerative AS, preserved LV systolic function and without relevant coexistent diseases, except for well-controlled hypertension or diabetes.

How does preclinical laboratory training impact physical examination skills during the first clinical year? A retrospective analysis of routinely collected objective structured clinical examination scores among the first two matriculating classes of a reformed curriculum in one Polish medical school.

Objective: As a result of a curriculum reform launched in 2012 at our institution, preclinical training was shortened to 2 years instead of the traditional 3 years, creating additional incentives to optimise teaching methods. In accordance with the new curriculum, a semester-long preclinical module of clinical skills (CS) laboratory training takes place in the second year of study, while an introductory clinical course (ie, brief introductory clerkships) is scheduled for the Fall semester of the third year. Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) are carried out at the conclusion of both the preclinical module and the introductory clinical course.

Asymmetric Dimethylarginine versus Proton Pump Inhibitors Usage in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study.

A recent experimental study suggested that proton pump inhibitors (PPI), widely used to prevent gastroduodenal complications of dual antiplatelet therapy, may increase the accumulation of the endogenous nitric oxide synthesis antagonist asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an adverse outcome predictor. Our aim was to assess the effect of PPI usage on circulating ADMA in coronary artery disease (CAD). Plasma ADMA levels were compared according to PPI use for ≥1 month prior to admission in 128 previously described non-diabetic men with stable CAD who were free of heart failure or other coexistent diseases.

Effects of Atorvastatin Dose and Concomitant Use of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors on Renal Function Changes over Time in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease: A Prospective Observational Study.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and statins are widely used in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Our aim was to compare changes in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) over time in subjects with stable CAD according to atorvastatin dose and concomitant use of ACEI. We studied 78 men with stable CAD referred for an elective coronary angiography who attained the then-current guideline-recommended target level of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol below 2.

Depressed Systemic Arterial Compliance is Associated with the Severity of Heart Failure Symptoms in Moderate-to-Severe Aortic Stenosis: a Cross-Sectional Retrospective Study.

Background: Patients with aortic stenosis (AS) may develop heart failure even in the absence of severe valve stenosis. Our aim was to assess the contribution of systemic arterial properties and the global left ventricular afterload to graded heart failure symptoms in AS.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 157 consecutive subjects (mean age, 71±10 years; 79 women and 78 men) hospitalized owing to moderate-to-severe degenerative AS.

Predictors of coronary and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with severe degenerative aortic stenosis.

Background: Patients with degenerative aortic stenosis (AS) exhibit elevated prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and internal carotid artery stenosis (ICAS). Our aim was to investigate prevalence of significant CAD and ICAS in relation to demographic and cardiovascular risk profile among patients with severe degenerative AS.

Methods: We studied 145 consecutive patients (77 men and 68 women) aged 49-91 years (median, 76) with severe degenerative AS who underwent coronary angiography and carotid ultrasonography in our tertiary care center.

One-year observation of inflammatory markers in patients with aortic valve stenosis who expressed high or low Chlamydia pneumoniae antibody titers.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Aortic valve stenosis (AVS) and atherosclerosis can be regarded as two manifestations of the same pathological process. The study aim was to evaluate annually the plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) in AVS patients, and to compare these data in AVS patients with and without high IgG, IgM, and IgA titers against Chlamydia pneumoniae.

Methods: Sixty patients with AVS who had declined the offer of remedial surgery were allocated to groups according to their antibody titers: group A (n=30, high IgG titer), group B (n=30, low IgG titer), group C (n=22, high IgA titer), group D (n=38, low IgA titer), group E (n=7, high IgM titer), and group F (n=53, low IgM titer) Antibody titers, serum levels of inflammatory markers and echocardiographic scans were monitored at 12-month intervals.

One-year observation of inflammatory markers in patients with aortic valve stenosis.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The study aim was to conduct an annual evaluation of plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and antibodies against Chlamydia pneumoniae during a 12-month period following the natural course of aortic valve stenosis (AVS).

Methods: A total of 60 patients with AVS and 14 control subjects underwent echocardiographic examinations at the start of the study period, and again after a 12-month follow up period. Subsequently, the AVS patients were allocated retrospectively to two groups (n = 30 in each) according to their echocardiographic parameters: patients who showed a progressive deterioration of valvular function (PAVS group); and those who showed a lack of such progression (LPAVS group).

[Comparison of echocardiographic findings in AVS patients with and without high IgG, IgM, IgA titers against Chlamydia pneumoniae during 12 months' observation of AVS natural course].

Aim: Comparison of echocardiographic findings in AVS patients with and without high IgG, IgM, IgA titers against Chlamydia pneumoniae during 12 months' observation of AVS natural course.

Patients: 60 AVS patients who did not agree for operational treatment were divided into group A (30 patients with high IgG titer) group B (30 patients with low IgG titer), group C (22 patients with high IgA titer) group D (38 patients with low IgA titer), group E (7 patients with high IgM titer), group F (53 patients with low IgA titer) Antibodies titers and echocardiographic scans were carried out every 12 months.

Results: There were more (p < 0.

[Body mass index influence on aortic valve stenosis].

Aim: The 12 months' observation of body mass index (BMI) influence on natural course of aortic valve stenosis (AVS).

Patients: 60 AVS patients who did not agree for operational treatment were divided into group A (n = 15) with BMI 20-25, group B (n = 27) with BMI 25,01-30 and group C BMI > 30.

Methods: Plasma Lp(a), total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) as well as titers of immunoglobulin (Ig) class G, A, M against chlamydia pneumoniae were measured every 12 months.

[One year observation of natural course of aortic valve stenosis in patients with normal and abnormal lipoprotein (a) plasma level].

Aim: The observation of natural course of aortic valvae stenosis (AVS) in patients with high lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)].

Patients: 60 AVS patients who did not agree for operational treatment were divided into group A (n = 19) with high serum Lp(a) level and into group B (n = 41) with normal plasma Lp(a) level.

Methods: Plasma Lp(a), total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) as well as titers of immunoglobulin (Ig) class G, A, M against chlamydia pneumoniae were measured every 12 months.

[Natural course of aortic valve stenosis in patients with normal and abnormal lipid profile].

Aim: Comparison of echocardiographic findings in AVS patients with and without hypercholesterolemia during 12 months' observation of AVS natural course.

Patients: 60 AVS patients who did not agree for operational treatment were divided into group A (n = 47) with high serum total cholesterol and into group B (n = 13) with normal plasma cholesterol.

Methods: plasma total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, tri-glycerides and lipoprotein (a) were measured every 12 months and echocardiographic evaluation of aortic valve was also done every 12 months.

[Smoking, increase in plasma lipoprotein (a) and triglycerides, as well as decrease in plasma HDL-cholesterol concentrations seem to be linked with aortic valve stenosis and its progression].

Aim: Evaluation of the plasma levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglicerides, lipoprotein (a) during 12 months of the natural course of AVS.

Patients & Methods: 60 patients with AVS and 14 controls had echocardiographic examination at the beginning and at the 12th months of observation. The AVS group was divided retrospectively at 12 month of the study into 2 groups.