Association between symptom characteristics and disease severity in patients suspected of coronary artery disease.

Background: Discrepancies often exist between patient-reported symptoms and diagnostic test findings in patients with suspected obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).

Objectives: To quantify the association between patient-reported symptoms and the diagnosis of severe stenosis in patients with suspected obstructive CAD.

Methods: Two large-scale cohorts of patients with new-onset symptoms suggestive of obstructive CAD were evaluated.

Gene expression profiling in PBMCs for acute rejection in lung transplant recipients reveals myeloid responses.

The acute rejection (AR) diagnosis depends on transbronchial biopsy, which is semi-invasive and not easily performed Our study used the Nanostring gene expression technology on PBMCs obtained from lung transplant recipients (LTRs) to search for biomarkers. We identified distinct differential gene profiles between patients with stable status (STA) and AR. Subsequently, we independently evaluated monocyte compositions in PBMCs using flow cytometry and assessed the levels of 7 chemokines in serum using Luminex.

Effect of Guiding Catheter Extubation During Physiological Assesment of Stenosis.

Background: Extubation of the coronary guiding catheter may affect flow and pressure measurements in the coronary vessel during invasive coronary angiography (ICA).

Aim: This study aims to investigate the impact of guiding catheter extubation on fractional flow reserve (FFR), coronary flow reserve (CFR), and the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR).

Methods: This predefined subgroup analysis of the Dan-NICAD 2 study included patients with chronic coronary syndrome referred to ICA based on a coronary computed tomography angiography.

Neutrophil extracellular traps and oxidative stress in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with and without renal involvement.

Objectives: To investigate the levels of plasma neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and free thiols, the latter reflecting systemic oxidative stress (OS), and to explore the relationship between NETs and OS in quiescent systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with and without renal involvement.

Methods: Plasma levels of NETs and free thiols were measured cross-sectionally in 100 SLE patients with low disease activity (SLEDAI < 5), of whom 73 patients had no renal involvement (non-LN) and 27 patients had lupus nephritis (LN). Additionally, 22 healthy controls (HCs) were included.

Cross-sectional analysis of plasma n-3 fatty acid levels and self-reported hearing difficulty in the UK Biobank Cohort.

Background: Disabling hearing loss affects ∼430 million people globally. Fish consumption and long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake were inversely associated with risk of hearing loss, but the association of plasma n-3 PUFAs and hearing loss is unclear.

Objective: To examine the associations between plasma n-3 PUFA fractions (as % of total fatty acids), i.

Quantitative flow ratio versus fractional flow reserve for coronary revascularisation guidance (FAVOR III Europe): a multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority trial.

Background: Fractional flow reserve (FFR) or non-hyperaemic pressure ratios are recommended to assess functional relevance of intermediate coronary stenosis. Both diagnostic methods require the placement of a pressure wire in the coronary artery during invasive coronary angiography. Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) is an angiography-based computational method for the estimation of FFR that does not require the use of pressure wires.

The Role of Antioxidant Transcription Factor Nrf2 and Its Activating Compounds in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease in which kidney involvement, so-called lupus nephritis (LN), is common and one of the most severe manifestations. Oxidative stress (OS) may play a role in the pathogenesis of LN through the exacerbation of inflammation and immune cell dysfunction/dysregulation. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), also known as nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2, is a transcription factor that in humans is encoded by the NFE2L2 gene and is regarded as a central regulator of the antioxidative response.

Higher docosahexaenoic acid proportions in blood are inversely associated with the prevalence of prediabetes: Evidence from the UK Biobank.

Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus are growing global health concerns, predisposing individuals to various vascular complications. Lifestyle modifications, including dietary interventions, offer promising avenues for prevention and management. Using a multivariable-adjusted model, we analyzed the cross-sectional associations between plasma proportions (% of total fatty acids) of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3 PUFA, including total n3 PUFA, docosahexaenoic acid [DHA], non-DHA n3 PUFA), and glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) as well as the prevalence of prediabetes in a sample from the UK Biobank cohort.

Transcriptomic analyses of lung tissues reveal key genes associated with progression of systemic sclerosis-interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD).

Objective: Systemic sclerosis-interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) is the leading cause of death in SSc, affecting around 50 % of the patients. Lung tissue of patients with early-stage SSc-ILD is characterized by a predominant inflammatory response with inconspicuous fibrosis, which may progress to honeycombing fibrosis. Hence, a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning SSc-ILD pathogenesis is needed to improve treatment options and progression prediction.

Diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal carcinoma through office-based flexible laryngoscopy as a reliable alternative for biopsies under general anesthesia: Faster diagnostics with equal oncological outcome.

Purpose: Diagnostic endoscopy with biopsy under general anesthesia (DE-GA) is still considered as the established standard to assess laryngopharyngeal cancer patients. Office-based flexible laryngoscopic biopsy (FLB) offers an alternative, but the effect on oncological outcome remains uncertain. Therefore, the diagnostic process and survival of patients undergoing FLB, compared to those undergoing DE-GA were evaluated.

Higher levels of markers for early atherosclerosis in anti-citrullinated protein antibodies positive individuals at risk for RA, a cross sectional study.

Objective: To identify differences in levels of serum biomarkers associated with atherosclerosis between anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) positive groups.

Methods: Cross-sectional data were used from the Dutch Lifelines Cohort Study combined with data derived from RA risk and early RA studies conducted at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG). Serum biomarkers of inflammation, endothelial cell activation, tissue remodeling and adipokine, which were previously associated with atherosclerosis, were measured with Luminex in four ACPA positive groups with different characteristics: without joint complaints, with joint complaints, RA risk and early RA groups.

Cervical Cancer Screening Utilization among Kidney Transplant Recipients, 2001 to 2018.

Background: Kidney transplant recipients (KTR) have elevated risks of cervical precancers and cancers and guidelines recommend more frequent cervical cancer screening exams. However, little is known about current trends in cervical cancer screening in this unique population. We described patterns in the uptake of cervical cancer screening exams among female KTRs and identified factors associated with screening utilization.

Central nervous system active medication use in Medicare enrollees receiving home health care: association with chronic pain and anxiety level.

No comparative effectiveness data exist on nonopioid analgesics and nonbenzodiazepine anxiolytics to treat pain with anxiety. We examined the relationship between drug class and central nervous system (CNS) active drug polypharmacy on pain and anxiety levels in Medicare enrollees receiving home health (HH) care. This retrospective cohort study included enrollees with diagnoses and 2+ assessments of pain and anxiety between HH admission and discharge.

Patterns of gabapentinoid use among long-term opioid users.

Objective: Understanding the clinical and demographic profile of patients on gabapentinoids can highlight areas of prescribing disparities, inform clinical practice, and guide future research to optimize effectiveness and safety of gabapentinoids for pain management. We used a national sample of Medicare beneficiaries to examine trends, patterns, and patient-level predictors of gabapentinoid use among long-term opioid users.

Methods: Using a national Medicare sample between 2014 and 2020, we examined factors associated with gabapentinoid use among long-term opioid users.

Myocardial Blood Flow by Magnetic Resonance in Patients With Suspected Coronary Stenosis: Comparison to PET and Invasive Physiology.

Background: Despite recent guideline recommendations, quantitative perfusion (QP) estimates of myocardial blood flow from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) have only been sparsely validated. Furthermore, the additional diagnostic value of utilizing QP in addition to the traditional visual expert interpretation of stress-perfusion CMR remains unknown. The aim was to investigate the correlation between myocardial blood flow measurements estimated by CMR, positron emission tomography, and invasive coronary thermodilution.

A simple angio-based coronary flow assessment of culprit vessels in primary percutaneous coronary intervention is associated with long-term prognosis after ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Despite prompt reperfusion, the risk of adverse clinical outcomes following ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains pronounced, owing partly to suboptimal reperfusion. However, coronary functional evaluation is seldom feasible during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). We aimed to examine the clinical implication of a simple coronary assessment based on single-angiographic view (μQFR) during PPCI in discriminating impaired coronary flow and adverse outcomes for STEMI.

Design and quality control of large-scale two-sample Mendelian randomization studies.

Background: Mendelian randomization (MR) studies are susceptible to metadata errors (e.g. incorrect specification of the effect allele column) and other analytical issues that can introduce substantial bias into analyses.

Association of Plasma n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Levels and the Prevalence of Frailty in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of UK Biobank.

Background: Circulating levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been associated with frailty among Koreans (a population with a high intake of fish), but whether this association exists in Western populations with low fish intake is unknown. The present study examined the hypothesis that the prevalence of frailty was inversely associated with plasma levels of n-3 PUFAs, with the intake of oily fish, and with fish oil supplementation in older adults in the United Kingdom.

Methods: UK Biobank including 79 330 adults aged ≥65 years with dietary data, and 18 802 participants with plasma fatty acid data were used.