One-minute sit-to-stand test cut-offs for risk stratification based on six-minute walk test thresholds in pulmonary hypertension.

Aims: We aimed to establish one-minute sit-to-stand test (1-min STST) cut-off values that align with the guideline-recommended six-minute walk test (6MWT) thresholds (165m and 440m) for one-year mortality risk stratification in pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients. Furthermore, we aimed to compare clinical characteristics and long-term mortality among patients stratified by these proposed 1-min STST cut-offs.

Methods: All patients performed the 1-min STST and 6MWT.

Correction: Functional capacity testing in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) using the one-minute sit-to-stand test (1-min STST).

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

The one-minute sit-to-stand-test performance is associated with health-related quality of life in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Introduction: Patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) have an impaired functional capacity and poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The one-minute sit-to-stand test (1-min STST) can be used for the assessment of functional capacity.

Aims: Our aim was to evaluate the 1-min STST performance and its association with patient-reported HRQoL in patients with PH.

Effects of cardiovascular risk factors and pre-existing diseases on the short-term outcome of Takotsubo syndrome.

Background: The effects of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) on the development of most acute cardiac conditions are well established; however, little is known about the frequency and effects of CVRF in Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) patients.

Objective: The aim of our study was to compare the frequency of CVRF and pre-existing diseases (PD) of TTS patients to ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients and analyze their effects on short-term outcome.

Methods: We analyzed the frequency of CVRF (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, type II diabetes mellitus, smoking, chronic kidney disease, family history) as well as somatic and psychiatric PD at admission in TTS patients and compared them with STEMI patients.

Functional capacity testing in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) using the one-minute sit-to-stand test (1-min STST).

Background: The one-minute sit-to-stand-test (1-min STST) is a quick, space saving test to evaluate functional capacity. Exercise testing plays an important role in the long-term follow-up of pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients and is currently evaluated using the six-minute-walk-test (6MWT). The aim of the study was to assess the convergent validity of the 1-min STST in patients with PH and its association with markers of PH severity.

Antibiotic prescription after tooth extraction in adults: a retrospective cohort study in Austria.

Background: Broad spectrum antibiotics are often used for the prophylaxis of infectious endocarditis and treatment of odontogenic infections, but there are limited data related to antibiotic use and adherence to prescription guidelines.  METHODS: Data from patients with tooth extraction between 2014 and 2018 were selected from a database of a regional health insurance fund. We created three data sets, one based on all tooth extractions, one on multiple teeth extractions, and one including only single tooth extraction.

Cardiovascular risk and mortality in patients with hyperuricemia treated with febuxostat or allopurinol: a retrospective nation-wide cohort study in Austria 2014-2017.

Patients with hyperuricemia and gout are at an increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) disease. Inhibition of the xanthine oxidase with allopurinol or febuxostat have become the mainstay for urate lowering therapy. However, it has been suggested that febuxostat increases the risk for CV mortality as compared to allopurinol.

Exercise capacity assessed with the one-minute sit-to-stand test (1-min STST) and echocardiographic findings in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Precise risk stratification remains challenging. The one-minute sit-to-stand-test (1-min STST), a quick, objective test of functional capacity may be helpful for stratification of clinical profile in HFpEF patients.

Changes in Skin Barrier Function after Repeated Exposition to Phospholipid-Based Surfactants and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate In Vivo and Corneocyte Surface Analysis by Atomic Force Microscopy.

(1) Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of pure lecithins in comparison to a conventional surfactant on skin in vivo. (2) Methods: Physiological skin parameters were evaluated at the beginning and the end of the study (day 1 and day 4) ( = 8, healthy forearm skin) with an Aquaflux, skin-pH-Meter, Corneometer and an Epsilon sensor. Confocal Raman spectroscopy was employed to monitor natural moisturizing factor, urea and water content of the participants' skin.

Dose-dependent naloxone-induced morphine withdrawal symptoms in opioid-dependent males-a double-blinded, randomized study.

Aims: Oral opioid preparations combined with naloxone are intended to induce a transient acute withdrawal syndrome to avoid intravenous misuse. This trial aimed to establish an appropriate morphine-naloxone dose ratio for an abuse-deterrent oral opioid formulation.

Methods: In a randomized, double-blinded, 2 × 2 cross-over trial, 43 patients with opioid use disorder were challenged with intravenous morphine HCl Ph.

Case-based blended eLearning scenarios-adequate for competence development or more?

Background: Learning, competence development and scientific thinking in medicine need several strategies to facilitate new diagnostic and therapeutic ways. The optimal collaboration between creative thinking and biomedical informatics provides innovation for the individual patient and for a medical school or society. Utilizing the flexibilities of an e‑learning platform, a case based blended learning (CBBL) framework consisting of A) case based textbook material, B) online e‑CBL with question driven learning scenarios and C) simulated patient (SP) contact seminars was developed and implemented in multiple medical fields.

New Cardiovascular Biomarkers in Ischemic Heart Disease-GDF-15, A Probable Predictor for Ejection Fraction.

Background: Various biomarkers have been associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) and ischemic heart failure. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of serum levels of soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP), and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) with left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) in CAD patients and controls.

Methods And Results: CAD patients were divided into three groups according to their EF as measured by the biplane Simpson method (53-84%, 31-52%, ≤30%).

Serum heart-type fatty acid-binding protein decreases and soluble isoform of suppression of tumorigenicity 2 increases significantly by long-term physical activity.

The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the influence of long-term physical activity on biomarkers for myocyte ischemia (heart-type fatty acid-binding protein, H-FABP), matrix remodelling/vascular stress (soluble isoform of suppression of tumorigenicity 2, sST2) and inflammation (soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor, suPAR). In this prospective observational study 109 subjects were recruited, 98 completed the study. Subjects were asked to perform exercise within the calculated training pulse for 8 months.

ADMA and NT pro-BNP are associated with overall mortality in elderly.

Background: Increased asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) and NT pro-BNP concentrations have been associated with mortality in patients with cardiovascular (CV) disease and the general population. The use of these prognostic markers in an older population is not established yet. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic value of age, sex, BMI, co-medication and CV laboratory risk markers in geriatric care patients.

Cardiovascular Effects of Stress During Acutely Increased Free Fatty Acids in a Randomized, Double-Blind, Cross-Over Study in Humans.

Increased free fatty acids stimulate sympathetic nervous system activity, impair endothelium-dependent vasodilation, and increase regional blood flow. The aim of this study was to assess if fatty acids acutely elevated by infusion of intralipid/heparin affect cardiovascular reactivity employing two stressors eliciting either a cardiac (Stroop test) or vascular (Cold Face test) dominated pressor response. Two stress tasks were performed in 20 healthy subjects (10 women, 10 men) before and during a 180-min intralipid/heparin or saline infusion as placebo on alternate trial days in a randomized crossover study design.

Long-term physical activity leads to a significant increase in serum sRAGE levels: a sign of decreased AGE-mediated inflammation due to physical activity?

There is growing evidence that low levels of the circulating soluble receptor of advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) are a valuable predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the influence of long-term physical activity on serum sRAGE levels. 109 subjects were recruited, and 98 completed the study.

Atorvastatin combined with ticagrelor prevent ischemia-reperfusion induced vascular endothelial dysfunction in healthy young males - A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study.

Background: Atorvastatin and ticagrelor have been shown to prevent against tissue injury in animals. It is unclear if these beneficial effects are also detectable in humans. We studied the effect of high-dose atorvastatin combined with ticagrelor loading on endothelial dysfunction in a model of forearm vascular ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury.

Long-term endurance training increases serum cathepsin S levels in healthy female subjects.

Background: Circulating cathepsin S (CS) has been associated with a lower risk for breast cancer in a large Swedish cohort. Long-term physical activity has been shown to have beneficial effects on the development of various cancer subtypes, in particular breast and colorectal cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of long-term endurance sport on CS levels in females.

Sports and HDL-Quality Reflected By Serum Amyloid A and Surfactant Protein B.

: The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the influence of long-term physical activity on HDL quality, reflected by serum amyloid A (SAA) and surfactant protein B (SPB). : 109 healthy subjects were recruited, 98 completed the study. Participants perform within the calculated training pulse for 8 months.

Ticagrelor mitigates ischaemia-reperfusion induced vascular endothelial dysfunction in healthy young males - a randomized, single-blinded study.

Aims: Animal data suggest that ticagrelor but not clopidogrel protects against tissue injury. It is unclear if this effect of ticagrelor is also detectable in humans. We studied the effect of ticagrelor and clopidogrel at standard clinical doses on endothelial dysfunction in an experimental model of forearm vascular ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) injury.

Effect of long-term physical activity on PCSK9, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lipoprotein(a) levels: a prospective observational trial.

INTRODUCTION    Since proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors were introduced to the market, the interest in PCSK9 metabolism has increased dramatically. OBJECTIVES    We investigated prospectively the influence of long-term physical activity on PCSK9, highand low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C and LDL-C, respectively), and lipoprotein(a) levels [Lp(a)]. PATIENTS AND METHODS    A total of 109 participants were recruited and instructed to increase their sport pensum by 75 min/wk of vigorous-intensity or 150 min/wk of moderate-intensity endurance training (or a mixture) within the calculated training pulse for 8 months.

Endurance training significantly increases serum endocan but not osteoprotegerin levels: a prospective observational study.

Background: Endocan (EN) was suggested a potential inflammatory and cardiovascular disease (CVD) marker which might also be involved in renal failure and/or renal failure-associated vascular events. It is not clear whether osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a pro- or anti-atherogenic factor, however, it is agreed upon that OPG is elevated in subjects with increased calcification status. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of long-term physical activity on serum endocan (EN) and osteoprotegerin-levels.

Long-term endurance training increases serum cathepsin S and decreases IL-6 and hsCRP levels.

Cathepsin S (CS) was shown to play a key role in cancer progression, atherosclerosis, heart valve disease, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus. The present prospective study aimed to investigate the influence of sports on CS, interleukin-6 (Il-6) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels. Ninety-eight of 109 participants completed the study.

The effect of a dual or a triple antithrombotic therapy with apixaban on thrombus formation in vivo and in an ex vivo perfusion chamber model: An open-label, controlled, sequential study.

Background: There is a need to optimize pharmacological treatment in patients with acute coronary syndrome and concomitant atrial fibrillation, in particular with newer antithrombotic medicines. We have therefore studied if dual or triple combination of antithrombotic agents exert similar effects on coagulation activation in an in vivo model in the skin microvasculature and in an ex vivo perfusion chamber.

Methods And Results: Shed blood platelet activation (β-thromboglobulin [β-TG]), thrombin generation (thrombin-antithrombin complex [TAT]) and volume as well as markers of thrombus size (D-dimer) and its platelet content (P-selectin) in a perfusion chamber were studied in a sequential, open-label, parallel group trial in 40 healthy male volunteers (n = 20 per group).