Serotonin transporter 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and escitalopram treatment response in patients with major depressive disorder.

Background: There is no doubt that genetic factors have the potential to predict the therapeutic outcomes of antidepressants in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). This study investigated the association between genetic variants involved in serotonin signaling and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) with the response to escitalopram treatment in patients with MDD. We focused on examining the influence of 5-HTTLPR (ins/del), HTR2A rs9316233, BDNF rs962369, CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 on the clinical response to escitalopram.

Lipoprotein (a) concentration as a risk factor for ischaemic stroke and its subtypes.

Aim Of The Study: To investigate the relationship between serum lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] concentration and the risk of ischaemic stroke (IS) and its subtypes.

Clinical Rationale For The Study: Lp(a) plays a role in atherogenic, pro-thrombotic, and antifibrinolytic processes. Elevated plasma Lp(a) is a strong independent risk factor for the development and progression of atherosclerotic disease.

Characteristics of delirium among COVID-19 patients.

Objective: This study estimated delirium incidence in Slovak COVID-19 patients, explored treatment associations and examined the impact on hospitalization and mortality.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has significantly affected global health. Delirium, a severe form of acute brain dysfunction, is common in hospitalized patients, including those with COVID-19.

Decreased 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Level Is Associated with All-Cause Mortality in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes at High Cardiovascular Risk.

Cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, particularly in individuals with type 2 diabetes. There is a need for new biomarkers to improve the prediction of cardiovascular events and overall mortality. We investigated the association of selected atherosclerosis related biomarkers, specifically osteoprotegerin (OPG), 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D), C-reactive protein (CRP), lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), with the occurrence of any cardiovascular event or all-cause mortality (primary outcome) during a 5.

Treatment pattern of familial hypercholesterolemia in Slovakia: Targets, treatment and obstacles in common practice.

Background And Aims: Maximal doses of potent statins are the cornerstone of treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Despite this, a substantial proportion of FH patients are either under-treated or not treated at all. The aim of this work was to evaluate, in a retrospective study, the treatment of FH patients, the proportion of FH patients reaching low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals, and reasons for not reaching LDL-C goals, in 8 lipid clinics in Slovakia dealing with FH patients.

Risk allele of gene variant rs6584389 is associated with increased intima-media thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: Genome-wide association studies identified several gene variants associated with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Among them, rs6584389 A>C was significantly associated with PAD defined by decreased ankle-brachial index (ABI). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the rs6584389 variant is also associated with the earlier stages of atherosclerosis assessed by intima-media thickness (IMT) or pulse-wave velocity (PWV) in clinically asymptomatic subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), a group of patients with a high cardiovascular risk.

Osteoprotegerin concentration is associated with the presence and severity of peripheral arterial disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Osteoprotegerin plays a role in the development of several bone diseases. In addition, osteoprotegerin may contribute to the development of vascular disease. Little is known about the association between serum osteoprotegerin levels and the presence or severity of peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

KCNQ1 gene polymorphism is associated with glycaemic response to treatment with DPP-4 inhibitors.

Aims: Only afew gene variants were associated with the response to dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4I). KCNQ1 gene variants were previously related both to type 2 diabetes (T2D) and incretin effect. We hypothesized that T2D related KCNQ1 variants would be associated with smaller glucose-lowering effect of DDP4I.

KCNJ11 gene E23K variant and therapeutic response to sulfonylureas.

Aims: Potassium inwardly rectifier 6.2 subunit (Kir6.2) of the ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel encoded by KCNJ11 gene is a therapeutical target for sulfonylureas.

Variation in KCNQ1 is associated with therapeutic response to sulphonylureas.

Background: We aimed to analyse quantitative effects of treatment with sulphonylurea in addition to metformin on parameters of glycemic control in relation to KCNQ1 genotypes, and to identify factors predictive for the response to sulphonylurea treatment.

Material/methods: Effect of 6-month sulphonylurea therapy in addition to metformin on glycemic control according to KCNQ1 genotypes was evaluated in 87 patients with type 2 diabetes who failed to achieve glycemic control on metformin monotherapy. KCNQ1 rs163184 (T>G) polymorphism was determined by real-time PCR with melting analysis of unlabeled probe.

[Kidney diseases in pregnancy].

Knowledge of important morphological, functional and hemodynamic changes occurring in the kidneys during physiological pregnancy is a prerequisite for proper diagnostics and therapy of renal diseases in pregnancy. Kidney diseases may be kidney diseases complicating pregnancy in previously healthy women, or pre-existing or superposed kidney diseases. Knowledge of renal insufficiency management in pregnancy, including haemodialysis treatment and management of pregnancy in patients who have undergone transplantation, is also important.

Fenofibrate treatment reduces circulating conjugated diene level and increases glutathione peroxidase activity.

Aims: Treatment with fibrates showed benefit in randomized trials predominantly in subgroups of patients with dyslipidaemia of metabolic syndrome. Post hoc analyses of these trials show that the effect of fibrates on lipid levels explains only minor part of the treatment benefit. The aim of the present study was to examine effect of fenofibrate on some parameters of oxidative stress.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme genotype, albuminuria and plasma fibrinogen in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aims: Increased fibrinogen level is considered an important atherosclerosis risk factor. Patients with type 2 diabetes frequently have increased fibrinogen levels. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism and the effects of the diabetic environment on plasma fibrinogen in type 2 diabetes.

Interaction between angiotensin-converting enzyme genotype and glycaemic control influences lipoprotein levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aims: To evaluate the influence of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism on lipid levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Patients And Methods: 109 patients with Type 2 diabetes were included. The patients were not on any lipid-lowering treatment.