Return on Investment (ROI) and Development of a Workplace Disability Management Program in a Hospital-A Pilot Evaluation Study.

The progressive ageing of the working population and the increase in related chronic diseases tend to affect working capacity. The aim of this study was to evaluate a Workplace Disability Management Program (WDMP) within a pediatric hospital. Absenteeism due to healthcare workers' (HCWs) pre- and post- WDMP and the related costs were used for the program evaluation.

Functional connectivity studies in migraine: what have we learned?

Background: Resting-state functional connectivity (FC) MRI has widely been used to understand migraine pathophysiology and to identify an imaging marker of the disorder. Here, we review what we have learned from FC studies.

Methods: We performed a literature search on the PubMed website for original articles reporting data obtained from conventional resting-state FC recording in migraine patients compared with healthy controls or during and outside of migraine attacks in the same patients.

Management of Hypertension in the Elderly and Frail Elderly.

An elevated systolic but not diastolic blood pressure level represents a common finding in elderly patients and is associated with an increased risk for developing coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease, progressive cognitive decline and renal failure. Although less frequently, elderly patients manifest not only with systolic but also diastolic hypertension. Also in this case, the elderly patient will present an increased risk for developing hypertension-related abnormalities.

Regulatory T CD4 + CD25+ lymphocytes increase in symptomatic carotid artery stenosis.

Background: Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial disease characterized by an immune-inflammatory remodeling of the arterial wall. Treg and Th17 subpopulations are detectable inside atherosclerotic plaque; however, their behavior in symptomatic carotid artery stenosis (CAS) is not fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate Th17 and Treg subsets and their ratio in patients affected by symptomatic and asymptomatic CAS.

Stanford-A acute aortic dissection, inflammation, and metalloproteinases: a review.

Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a life-threatening disease with an incidence of about 2.6-3.6 cases per 100,000/year.

Cocoa, blood pressure, and cardiovascular health.

High blood pressure is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular events worldwide. Clinical and epidemiological studies suggest that cocoa-rich products reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. According to this, cocoa has a high content in polyphenols, especially flavanols.

FGF-23 levels in patients with critical carotid artery stenosis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-23 serum levels and its tissue expression in patients with critical carotid artery stenosis (CAS). We selected 35 patients with critical CAS undergoing carotid thromboendoarterectomy. In each patient, FGF-23 serum levels were evaluated just prior to the surgery (t0) and 30 min (t1) thereafter.

MMP-12 as a new marker of Stanford-A acute aortic dissection.

Background: The study evaluated macrophage cytokines and macrophage metalloprotease (MMP)-12 levels in patients with Stanford-A acute aortic dissection (AAD) and in patients with critical carotid artery stenosis (CAS) compared with patients matched for age, sex, and traditional cardiovascular risk factors (RF). The aim was to identify possible early serum markers of risk for atherosclerotic complications.

Materials And Methods: We selected 65 patients: 23 AAD patients, 21 CAS patients, 21 RF, and 10 healthy subjects (HS).

The multitasking role of macrophages in Stanford type A acute aortic dissection.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine whether the release by macrophages of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-12 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) - leading to inflammation, matrix degradation and neoangiogenesis - represents an effective pathway that underlies aortic wall remodeling in Stanford type A acute aortic dissection (AAD).

Methods: Twenty-one consecutive patients with no genetic predisposition, with Stanford type A AAD were selected. In each patient, the levels of serum VEGF, MMP-12, serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Tea, flavonoids, and cardiovascular health: endothelial protection.

Several studies have suggested that tea consumption might protect against the development and progression of cardiovascular disease, one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The endothelium plays a pivotal role in arterial homeostasis. Reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability with endothelial dysfunction is considered the earliest step in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Chronic hyperuricemia, uric acid deposit and cardiovascular risk.

Hyperuricemia is commonly associated with traditional risk factors such as dysglicemia, dyslipidemia, central obesity and abnormal blood pressure, i.e. the metabolic syndrome.

Benefits in cognitive function, blood pressure, and insulin resistance through cocoa flavanol consumption in elderly subjects with mild cognitive impairment: the Cocoa, Cognition, and Aging (CoCoA) study.

Flavanol consumption is favorably associated with cognitive function. We tested the hypothesis that dietary flavanols might improve cognitive function in subjects with mild cognitive impairment. We conducted a double-blind, parallel arm study in 90 elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment randomized to consume once daily for 8 weeks a drink containing ≈990 mg (high flavanols), ≈520 mg (intermediate flavanols), or ≈45 mg (low flavanols) of cocoa flavanols per day.

Cognitive decline as a consequence of essential hypertension.

Hypertension is a leading cardiovascular risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Age is the strongest risk factor for dementia and with the increasing life expectancy the number of patients living with dementia worldwide is estimated to progressively rise. A number of studies support an association between hypertension, particularly in midlife, and the development of cognitive disorders and dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.

Oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction: say NO to cigarette smoking!

Smoking is a significant independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is a leading cause of structural and functional alterations of the cardiovascular system. Increasing evidence supports the hypothesis that oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction are the fundamental pathophysiological mechanisms linking cigarette smoking to cardiovascular disease. The cardiovascular system is a rich source of NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species, which under pathological conditions play a fundamental role in vascular damage.

Tea, flavonoids, and nitric oxide-mediated vascular reactivity.

Epidemiological evidence supports the concept that diets rich in fruits and vegetables promote health and attenuate or delay the onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although a variety of factors contribute to the beneficial effects of plant foods, much attention has been addressed to plant polyphenols. In this regard, in the daily Western diet, both black and green teas contribute to a relevant proportion of total phenol intake.