Infection by CagA-Positive Helicobacter pylori Strains and Bone Fragility: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is a common and persistent disorder acting as a major cofactor for the development of upper gastrointestinal diseases and several extraintestinal disorders including osteoporosis. However, no prospective study assessed the effects of HP on bone health and fracture risk. We performed a HP screening in a population-based cohort of 1149 adults followed prospectively for up to 11 years.

Infectious Burden and Semen Parameters.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between chronic infections detected in serum and semen quality. The pathogen burden is a concept consisting in the observation that, in patients with heart disease, damaging effects of the coronary arteries increase concomitantly with the number of agents responsible for chronic infections to which patients mounted a serological response. Previous observations that Helicobacter pylori infection may reduce the semen quality prompted us to perform the present study.

Sperm Parameters and Semen Levels of Inflammatory Cytokines in Helicobacter pylori-infected Men.

Objective: To explore the relationships between seminal interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) with semen parameters, sperm apoptosis, and necrosis in subjects infected by Helicobacter pylori (HP) expressing and not expressing CagA.

Methods: In 109 selected patients, HP infection and seminal levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Western blotting was used to detect antibodies to CagA.

Continuous versus bolus intermittent loop diuretic infusion in acutely decompensated heart failure: a prospective randomized trial.

Introduction: Intravenous loop diuretics are a cornerstone of therapy in acutely decompensated heart failure (ADHF). We sought to determine if there are any differences in clinical outcomes between intravenous bolus and continuous infusion of loop diuretics.

Methods: Subjects with ADHF within 12 hours of hospital admission were randomly assigned to continuous infusion or twice daily bolus therapy with furosemide.

The associations of body composition and fat distribution with bone mineral density in elderly Italian men and women.

This study aimed to investigate the associations of body composition and fat distribution with bone mineral density (BMD) in elderly Italian subjects. In 866 women (age 64.2±6.

Circulating sclerostin levels and bone turnover in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Context: Previous observations showed a condition of low bone turnover and decreased osteoblast activity in both type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus (DM1 and DM2). Sclerostin is a secreted Wnt antagonist produced by osteocytes that regulates osteoblast activity and thus bone turnover. Its levels increase with age and are regulated by PTH.

Influence of Helicobacter pylori infection on levels of ghrelin and obestatin in human semen.

Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection might have negative effects on the semen parameters of infertile men. We explored the possibility that this infection can influence systemic and seminal levels of ghrelin and obestatin, hormones mainly produced by the stomach. Ghrelin and obestatin exert many activities, including the regulation of reproductive biology, and are present in many organs and fluids, including human semen.

Comparison of intravenous and intramuscular neridronate regimens for the treatment of Paget disease of bone.

Aminobisphosphonates actually represent the most common treatment for Paget disease of bone (PDB). In a previous study we demonstrated that either zoledronic acid (4 mg) or neridronate (200 mg) given as a single intravenous infusion showed a similar short-term efficacy in achieving biochemical remission in up to 90% of patient nonresponders to pamidronate. In this study we compared the long-term (36 months) effects of a same neridronate dose (200 mg) given as an intravenous (100-mg infusion for 2 consecutive days) or intramuscular (25-mg injection weekly for 2 months) regimen in 56 patients with active PDB.

Anemia correction by erythropoietin reduces BNP levels, hospitalization rate, and NYHA class in patients with cardio-renal anemia syndrome.

Little is known about the effect of anemia correction with erythropoietin (EPO) on B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, NYHA class, and hospitalization rate. The aim of the study was to investigate, in patients with cardio-renal anemia syndrome, the effects of EPO on hemochrome and renal function parameters and BNP levels. We also analyzed the effect of EPO therapy on hospitalization rate and NYHA class after 12 months in comparison with a population undergoing to standard therapy.

Beta-erythropoietin effects on ventricular remodeling, left and right systolic function, pulmonary pressure, and hospitalizations in patients affected with heart failure and anemia.

Anemia in heart failure is related to advanced New York Heart Association classes, severe systolic dysfunction, and reduced exercise tolerance. Although anemia is frequently found in congestive heart failure (CHF), little is known about the effect of its' correction with erythropoietin (EPO) on cardiac structure and function. The present study examines, in patients with advanced CHF and anemia, the effects of beta-EPO on left ventricular volumes, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left and right longitudinal function mitral anular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE), tricuspid anular plane excursion (TAPSE), and pulmonary artery pressures in 58 patients during 1-year follow-up in a double-blind controlled study of correction of anemia with subcutaneous beta-EPO.

Infection by CagA-positive Helicobacter pylori strains may contribute to alter the sperm quality of men with fertility disorders and increase the systemic levels of TNF-alpha.

This study was aimed to address the possibility that Helicobacter pylori infection may play a detrimental role in semen quality of men with idiopathic infertility. Infection by H. pylori and by strains expressing CagA was determined in 80 male infertile patients by Western blotting and ELISA.

Prevalence of risk factors, coronary and systemic atherosclerosis in abdominal aortic aneurysm: comparison with high cardiovascular risk population.

Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is considered a manifestation of atherosclerosis, however there are epidemiologic, biochemical, and structural differences between occlusive atherosclerosis and AAA. The pathogenesis of AAA involves several factors, first of all destruction of collagen and elastin in the aortic wall. Classical risk factors may influence the evolution and development of AAA, though no consistent association has been found.

The effects of zoledronic acid on serum lipids in multiple myeloma patients.

Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs) inhibit osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and are widely used for tumor-associated osteolysis. The mechanism of action of these drugs has not been completely clarified, but it has been observed that N-BPs may inhibit squalene synthase or farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase. Zoledronic acid (ZA) represents a novel N-BP which also has antitumor activity.

Osteoprotegerin and B-type natriuretic peptide in non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes: relation to coronary artery narrowing and plaques number.

Background: To analyse osteoprotegerin (OPG), and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS), in relation to clinical presentation and to coronary atherosclerosis diffusion. OPG has been found in several tissues, including the cardiovascular system, BNP is selectively produced by myocardial cells.

Methods: 178 consecutive patients were classified in three groups: stable angina (SA), unstable angina/non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTE-ACS) and control group, measuring OPG and BNP at hospital admission.

Calcium bioavailability from a new calcium-fortified orange beverage, compared with milk, in healthy volunteers.

The recommended dietary calcium intake may be difficult to reach using dairy products only. This study aimed to evaluate the absorbability of calcium of a new orange beverage in comparison with that of milk. Ten healthy adults, 5 males and 5 females, were randomly divided to receive, under fasting conditions, an orange beverage enriched either with calcium or milk.

Effects of beta-erythropoietin treatment on left ventricular remodeling, systolic function, and B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients with the cardiorenal anemia syndrome.

Background: Although anemia is frequently found in congestive heart failure (CHF), little is known about the effect of its correction with erythropoietin (EPO) on cardiac structure and function.

Objectives: The present study examines in patients with advanced CHF, chronic renal insufficiency, and anemia the effects of beta-EPO on left ventricular (LV) systolic diameter and volume (LVSD and LVSV), LV diastolic diameter and volume (LVDD and LVDV), LV mass, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels.

Methods: Fifty-one consecutive subjects affected with advanced CHF and anemia were studied.

Brain natriuretic peptide and other risk markers for outcome assessment in patients with non-ST-elevation coronary syndromes and preserved systolic function.

Several emerging cardiac markers constitute strong predictors among patients with coronary artery disease. In particular, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), troponin T (TnT), and C-reactive protein (CRP) are related to increased risk of recurrent ischemic events and death. However, little is known about the utility of these biomarkers in combination.

Rise and fall of B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients with coronary artery disease and normal left ventricular function after cardiac revascularization.

Background: Recently, it was shown that B-type natriuretic peptide levels are increased in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Aims: To assess the relation between B-type natriuretic peptide and ischemia in patients with stable and unstable angina pectoris with normal left ventricular function in relation to the extent of ischemia and response to revascularization.

Methods: Fifty-nine consecutive patients were enrolled in the study, patients were divided into two groups: stable angina patients (group I, n=18), and unstable coronary patients (group II, n=41).

Relation of plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels in non-ST-elevation coronary disease and preserved systolic function to number of narrowed coronary arteries.

Elevated plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels have been described in patients with acute myocardial infarction and left ventricular dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate circulating BNP levels in patients with coronary artery disease without ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction and preserved systolic function and to evaluate the BNP levels in relation to the number of involved coronary vessels. We studied 88 patients with coronary artery disease: group 1 had stable angina, group 2 had unstable angina (UA), group 3 had non-Q-wave myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and group 0 consisted of 15 healthy subjects.

Brain natriuretic peptide levels during cardiac reperfusion: comparison between percutaneous coronary angioplasty and aorto-coronaric bypass.

Background: Several studies have documented brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) behavior during cardiac ischemia and after myocardial necrosis. Peptide levels have been shown to be increased during acute phase of cardiac ischemia and during late ventricular remodelling; however, there are fewer data about hormone levels during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and aorto-coronaric by pass (CABG).

Methods: Aim of this study was to investigate plasma BNP during acute or sub-acute myocardial ischemia in patients undergoing to PTCA or CABG, taking blood samples before and after both procedures.