Crohn's disease patients have more IgG-binding fecal bacteria than controls.

In Crohn's disease (CD), chronic gut inflammation leads to loss of mucosal barrier integrity. Subsequent leakage of IgG to the gut could produce an increase of IgG coating of intestinal bacteria. We investigated if there is more IgG coating in patients than in volunteers and whether this is dependent on the host IgG response or on the gut bacteria.

Use of proton pump inhibitors and risk of hip/femur fracture: a population-based case-control study.

Unlabelled: Previous studies evaluated the association between proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use and subsequent fracture risk, but they showed ambiguous results. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate this association in a different study population. Our findings show that there is probably no causal relationship between PPI use and hip fracture risk.

Longitudinal right ventricular function as a predictor of functional capacity in patients with mitral stenosis: an exercise echocardiographic study.

Background: The influence of right ventricular (RV) function on exercise capacity has been poorly explored in mitral stenosis (MS). The objective of this study was to assess the determinants of functional status with exercise echocardiography in MS.

Methods: Thirty-nine patients (55 +/- 12 years, 29 female) with MS (1.

Use of organic nitrates and the risk of hip fracture: a population-based case-control study.

Context: Use of organic nitrates has been associated with increased bone mineral density. Moreover, a large Danish case-control study reported a decreased fracture risk. However, the association with duration of nitrate use, dose frequency, and impact of discontinuation has not been extensively studied.

Risk of hip/femur fracture after stroke: a population-based case-control study.

Background And Purpose: Stroke increases the risk of hip/femur fracture, as seen in several studies, although the time course of this increased risk remains unclear. Therefore, our purpose is to evaluate this risk and investigate the time course of any elevated risk.

Methods: We conducted a case-control study using the Dutch PHARMO Record Linkage System database.

Effects of oxygen on exercise-induced increase of pulmonary arterial pressure in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Introduction: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a severe disease with no known effective therapy. Patients with IPF may develop severe increase of pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) on exercise, the mechanisms of which is not clearly identified.

Objectives: To determine whether oxygen may correct the increase of PAP developed during exercise in patients with IPF.

Use of anti-depressants and the risk of fracture of the hip or femur.

Summary: Anti-depressants are used largely, but have serious side effects. We show that both selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic anti-depressants (TCAs) increase the risk of hip/femur fracture and that this risk is time related and depends on the degree of serotonin transporter inhibition. This should be considered when prescribing anti-depressants to patients.

Antipsychotic use and the risk of hip/femur fracture: a population-based case-control study.

Unlabelled: This case-control study showed that current use of conventional antipsychotics, but not atypical antipsychotics, seems to be associated with an increased risk of a hip/femur fracture, possibly related to the pharmacological properties of conventional antipsychotics. Furthermore, no evidence for a dose effect was found.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the risk of hip/femur fracture associated with antipsychotic use, with particular reference to any difference in risk with conventional versus atypical antipsychotics, dose, and pharmacological properties.

Assessment of papillary fibroelastomas with live three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography.

Seven consecutive patients presenting with typical echocardiographic features of papillary fibroelastoma requiring surgery were studied. All patients underwent standard two-dimensional (2D) transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) followed by live three-dimensional (live 3D) echocardiography with data set storage allowing analysis with systematic cropping of the acquired 3D data and volume measurement of the lesions. Assessment of papillary fibroelastoma by 2D and live 3D TTE was compared to operative findings.

Use of beta2 agonists and risk of acute myocardial infarction in patients with hypertension.

What Is Already Known About This Subject: * Use of beta(2) agonists has been associated with tachycardia, an abnormal ECG and atrial fibrillation. * Previous observational studies of the association between use of beta(2) agonists and the risk of acute myocardial infarction (MI) have demonstrated conflicting results. * Instead of a causal effect, the positive association between beta(2) agonist use and MI may be explained by latent ischaemic heart disease, which has symptoms that appear similar to respiratory complaints in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Use of inhaled corticosteroids and the risk of non-fatal acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Use of inhaled corticosteroids may reduce the risk of acute myocardial infarction (MI) through reductions in systemic inflammation and C-reactive protein.

Objectives: To examine the association between the use of inhaled corticosteroids and the risk of non-fatal acute MI.

Methods: In the Dutch PHARMO record linkage system database, we conducted a case-control study (2476 MI cases), nested in a cohort of antihypertensive drug users.

[Inspiratory muscle myopathy and antisynthetase syndrome].

Respiratory muscle involvement is a rarely reported manifestation of inflammatory myopathies. We report the case of a 38-year-old woman with antisynthetase syndrome who presented with inflammatory myopathy and acute pulmonary interstitial involvement that initially improved with corticosteroids and immunoglobulins. A few months later dyspnoea resumed despite the absence of evidence of interstitial deterioration or other common diagnosis including vascular or infectious disorders.

Use of inhaled and oral glucocorticoids, severity of inflammatory disease and risk of hip/femur fracture: a population-based case-control study.

Background: Patients using higher dosages of inhaled or oral glucocorticoids (GCs) have an increased risk of hip/femur fractures. The role of the underlying disease in the aetiology of this increased risk has not been widely studied.

Objective: To evaluate the contribution of the underlying disease to the risk of hip/femur fracture in patients using inhaled or oral GCs.

Use of beta-2 agonists and risk of hip/femur fracture: a population-based case-control study.

Introduction: Administration of beta-2 agonists decreased bone mineral density in rats. But the association between bronchodilators and fracture risk has not been studied in humans.

Objectives: To examine the association between use of beta-2 agonists and risk of hip/femur fracture.

Acute coronary syndromes associated with thrombus in the sinus of valsalva and normal coronary arteriography: the pivotal role of transesophageal echocardiography in the intensive care unit.

We describe 4 patients with thrombus in nonaneurysmal sinus of Valsalva. The diagnosis was made with transesophageal echocardiography performed in the Intensive care unit, in the setting of acute coronary syndromes. Coronary arterlography showed normal coronary arteries in each patient.