Reduction of Cardiovascular Risk Using Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 Inhibitors in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a hepatic enzyme that regulates blood cholesterol levels by degrading low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors from the surface of hepatocytes. Studies have shown that inhibiting this molecule decreases the cardiovascular risk in individuals with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) by lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Two major cardiovascular outcome trials showed that the use of the PCSK9 inhibitors (alirocumab and evolocumab) in patients with recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is associated with a lower risk of further cardiovascular (CV) events.

Fertility and Pregnancy Outcomes in Patients With Adenomyosis: Is Adenomyosis Synonymous With Infertility?

Adenomyosis is a disease related to the presence of endometrial glands and stromal cells within the uterine myometrium that used to be linked to females that are more than 40 years old and multiparous. Nowadays, females are delaying their pregnancies to their third or fourth decade, and as diagnostic approaches evolve, the disease has become a common problem for females who desire pregnancy. The aim of this study is to identify the physio-pathological factors by which adenomyosis causes infertility and pregnancy complications, as well as the possible results from infertility treatments and the most common pregnancy complications that females with adenomyosis face.

Bempedoic Acid's Use as an Adjunct in Lowering Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Atherosclerosis begins in childhood as fatty streaks, progresses with age, and lifestyle influences the progression of atherosclerotic plaque. Over time, with significant narrowing of the blood vessels, blood flow into the coronary arteries is compromised, resulting in various symptoms of coronary heart disease.

Newly Discovered Cutting-Edge Triple Combination Cystic Fibrosis Therapy: A Systematic Review.

A cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductor regulator (CFTR) gene modulating triple therapy combining elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor (Trikafta) has been recently discovered. Its approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019 has expanded the target therapy group to individuals aged twelve and up with at least one Phe508del (phenylalanine 508 deletion) mutation in the CFTR gene. This systematic review aims to assess this combination therapy's safety and efficacy.

The Role of Leptin in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Is It Still a Mystery?

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory connective tissue disease with varying clinical manifestations. Recent studies have proposed that leptin may be related to SLE development. This study aims to assess current information regarding the relationship between leptin and SLE.

A Systematic Review Comparing Digital Subtraction Angiogram With Magnetic Resonance Angiogram Studies in Demonstrating the Angioarchitecture of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations.

In brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), there is mismatched communication between arteries and veins, causing a nidal bed between them. This systematic review explores whether a magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) can be used as a diagnostic imaging tool instead of a digital subtraction angiogram (DSA). Utilizing PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar, as well as the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for article selection, a literature search was conducted over the past five years.

Clinical Validation of a 3-Dimensional Ultrafast Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Protocol Including Single Breath-Hold 3-Dimensional Sequences.

Objectives: This study sought to clinically validate a novel 3-dimensional (3D) ultrafast cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) protocol including cine (anatomy and function) and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), each in a single breath-hold.

Background: CMR is the reference tool for cardiac imaging but is time-consuming.

Methods: A protocol comprising isotropic 3D cine (Enhanced sensitivity encoding [SENSE] by Static Outer volume Subtraction [ESSOS]) and isotropic 3D LGE sequences was compared with a standard cine+LGE protocol in a prospective study of 107 patients (age 58 ± 11 years; 24% female).

Programming exercise intensity in patients on beta-blocker treatment: the importance of choosing an appropriate method.

Aim: To verify the usefulness of current recommended level of target exercise heart rate (HR) and of different HR-based methods for calculating target HR in patients with and without beta-blocker treatment.

Methods: We studied 53 patients not treated with beta-blocker and 159 patients on beta-blocker treatment. All patients underwent a maximal exercise test with gas analysis, and first ventilatory threshold (VT1 or aerobic threshold), second ventilatory threshold (VT2 or anaerobic threshold), time of exercise, maximum load, metabolic parameters, HR at rest (HRrest), HRpeak, HR at VT1 (HRVT1) and at VT2 (HRVT2), and 75, 80, and 85% of HRmax (HR75%, HR80%, HR85%) were calculated.

Effects of celecoxib on acid-challenged gastric mucosa of rats: comparison with metamizol and piroxicam.

Selective COX-2 inhibitors have been shown to produce fewer gastrointestinal adverse reactions than classical NSAIDs. Nevertheless, these new agents may worsen and delay the healing of experimentally induced gastric ulcers in animals. In this study, we compared the effects of a selective COX-2 inhibitor (celecoxib), a preferential COX-1 inhibitor (piroxicam), and a nonnarcotic analgesic (metamizol) on normal gastric mucosa of rats and, on the other hand, in a setting of preexisting acute gastric lesions induced by 0.