Single and multilevel decompression alone in patients with multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a prevalent degenerative condition characterized by lower back pain, intermittent claudication, and radicular leg pain. It ranks as one of the primary indications of spinal surgery in patients aged 65 and older. In this study, we aim to compare single-level and multilevel approaches for decompression alone in LSS considering the incidence of complications, reduction in pain score, and rates of surgical revisions.

Overweight, obesity, and cardiovascular disease in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: the EAS FH Studies Collaboration registry.

Background And Aims: Overweight and obesity are modifiable risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the general population, but their prevalence in individuals with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and whether they confer additional risk of ASCVD independent of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) remains unclear.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 35 540 patients with HeFH across 50 countries, in the EAS FH Studies Collaboration registry. Prevalence of World Health Organization-defined body mass index categories was investigated in adults (n = 29 265) and children/adolescents (n = 6275); and their association with prevalent ASCVD.

Magnetic field in the extreme low frequency band protects neuronal and microglia cells from oxygen-glucose deprivation.

Ischemic stroke consists of rapid neural death as a consequence of brain vessel obstruction, followed by damage to the neighboring tissue known as ischemic penumbra. The cerebral tissue in the core of the lesions becomes irreversibly damaged, however, the ischemic penumbra is potentially recoverable during the initial phases after the stroke. Therefore, there is real need for emerging therapeutic strategies to reduce ischemic damage and its spread to the penumbral region.

Can family structure and contact with natural resources influence young people's knowledge about medicinal plants? An approach in the Northeast of Brazil.

Background: Individuals develop crucial survival knowledge in the juvenile phase, including understanding medicinal plants. The family context or contact with resources can influence this dynamic knowledge. By investigating the influence of these factors on young people's understanding of medicinal plants, we aimed to enhance our understanding of the knowledge-building process.

Total Cholesterol Determination Accuracy in Dried Blood Spots.

Background Detecting total cholesterol in dried blood spots could aid in identifying individuals with a high likelihood of familial hypercholesterolemia and could be used as a screening measure. This study aims to assess the diagnostic accuracy of dried blood spots on Whatman 903 paper cards using a manual enzymatic technique. Methods: A total of 394 samples were collected as serum and dried blood spots were compared.

Preclinical modeling of metabolic syndrome to study the pleiotropic effects of novel antidiabetic therapy independent of obesity.

Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health reflects the interactions between metabolic risk factors, chronic kidney disease, and the cardiovascular system. A growing body of literature suggests that metabolic syndrome (MetS) in individuals of normal weight is associated with a high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and an increased mortality. The aim of this study was to establish a non-invasive preclinical model of MetS in support of future research focusing on the effects of novel antidiabetic therapies beyond glucose reduction, independent of obesity.

Coronary artery event-free or resilient familial hypercholesterolemia: what's in a name?

Purpose Of Review: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal semi-dominant condition, characterized by excessive circulating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from birth that substantially accelerates the onset and progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), classically coronary artery disease (CAD). Elevated plasma LDL-C integrated over time is unequivocally the major determinant of ASCVD in heterozygous FH (HeFH); however, the wide variation in incidence and progression of ASCVD suggests a role for a wide spectrum of risk modifiers. We reviewed recent evidence describing the features of an ASCVD-free entity referred to as resilient FH among patients with HeFH.

Characteristics of Coronary Atherosclerosis Related to Plaque Burden Regression During Treatment With Alirocumab: The ARCHITECT Study.

Background: Intensive lipid-lowering therapy may induce coronary atherosclerosis regression. Nevertheless, the factors underlying the effect of lipid-lowering therapy on disease regression remain poorly characterized. Our aim was to determine which characteristics of atherosclerotic plaque are associated with a greater reduction in coronary plaque burden (PB) after treatment with alirocumab in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.

Age- and sex-based heterogeneity in coronary artery plaque presence and burden in familial hypercholesterolemia: A multi-national study.

Objectives: Individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) are at an increased risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). While prior research has shown variability in coronary artery calcification (CAC) among those with FH, studies with small sample sizes and single-center recruitment have been limited in their ability to characterize CAC and plaque burden in subgroups based on age and sex. Understanding the spectrum of atherosclerosis may result in personalized risk assessment and tailored allocation of costly add-on, non-statin lipid-lowering therapies.

Transfusion-transmission of hepatitis E virus through red blood cell transfusion but not through platelet concentrates: A case report from Spain.

Background: Few cases of transfusion-transmitted hepatitis E virus (HEV) have been published in Spain. Here, we describe a well-characterized lookback investigation of a transfusion-transmitted HEV case at the Community Centre for Blood and Tissues of Asturias (Spain).

Case Report: A female patient with chronic myeloid leukemia underwent an allogeneic bone marrow transplant in March 2019 and showed alterations in liver function shortly afterwards.

Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) for Seaweed Conservation: Impact on Physicochemical Characteristics and Microbiological Activity.

Conventional conservation techniques such as drying, salting or freezing do not allow for preserving the original characteristics of seaweeds. The present work aims to study the impact of minimal processing, in particular "Modified Atmosphere Packaging" (MAP), on the physicochemical characteristics and food safety of two seaweed species, "laver" () and "sea-lettuce" (), stored at 6 °C for 15 days. Different parameters were evaluated using analytical methods, namely the composition of headspace gases, color, texture, microorganisms, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Alirocumab and Coronary Atherosclerosis in Asymptomatic Patients with Familial Hypercholesterolemia: The ARCHITECT Study.

Background: The effect of alirocumab, a PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) inhibitor, on coronary plaque burden in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia has not been addressed. Our aim was to assess changes in coronary plaque burden and its characteristics after treatment with alirocumab by quantification and characterization of atherosclerotic plaque throughout the coronary tree on the basis of a noninvasive analysis of coronary computed tomographic angiography in asymptomatic subjects with familial hypercholesterolemia receiving optimized and stable treatment with maximum tolerated statin dose with or without ezetimibe.

Methods: This study is a phase IV, open-label, multicenter, single-arm clinical trial to assess changes in coronary plaque burden and its characteristics after 78 weeks of treatment with alirocumab in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia without clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Risk factors for cardiovascular events in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: protocol for a systematic review.

Introduction: Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (heFH) is the most common monogenic cause of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The precise diagnosis of heFH is established by genetic testing. This systematic review will investigate the risk factors that predict cardiovascular events in patients with a genetic diagnosis of heFH.

Proximate Composition, Physicochemical and Microbiological Characterization of Edible Seaweeds Available in the Portuguese Market.

Background: The aim of this work was the study of the proximate composition and profile of fatty acids, minerals, and some microbiological aspects of four edible seaweed species (, , sp., and sp.) available in the Portuguese market for food consumption, and produced in a national Integrated Multi-Trophic System (IMTA).

Dietary benzoic acid and supplemental enzymes alter fiber-fermenting taxa and metabolites in the cecum of weaned pigs.

Inclusion of enzymes and organic acids in pig diets is an important strategy supporting decreased antibiotic usage in pork production. However, limited knowledge exists about how these additives impact intestinal microbes and their metabolites. To examine the effects of benzoic acid and enzymes on gut microbiota and metabolome, 160 pigs were assigned to one of four diets 7 days after weaning: a control diet or the addition of 0.

Predicting resilience in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: A cohort study of octogenarian patients.

Defining patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) destined not to develop clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) has significant implications for precision and discovery medicine. We investigated the predictors of resilience to ASCVD in a cohort of 248 octogenarian patients with FH enrolled in the SAFEHEART study. Median age at the time of analysis was 84.

Familial Hypercholesterolemia and Elevated Lipoprotein(a): Cascade Testing and Other Implications for Contextual Models of Care.

Elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], a predominantly genetic disorder, is a causal risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and calcific aortic valvular disease, particularly in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a Tier I genomic condition. The combination from birth of the cumulative exposure to elevated plasma concentrations of both Lp(a) and low-density lipoprotein is particularly detrimental and explains the enhanced morbidity and mortality risk observed in patients with both conditions. An excellent opportunity to identify at-risk patients with hyper-Lp(a) at increased risk of ASCVD is to test for hyper-Lp(a) during cascade testing for FH.