Evaluation of lipoprotein(a) in the prevention and management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: A survey among the Lipid Clinics Network.

Background And Aims: The European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) Lipid Clinics Network promoted a survey in order to identify and understand how and when lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is tested and clinically evaluated in lipid clinics throughout Europe, and the challenges that may prevent evaluation from being carried out.

Methods: This survey was divided into three areas of inquiry: background and clinical setting information of clinicians, questions for doctors who claimed not to measure Lp(a), in order to understand what were the reasons for not ordering the test, and questions for doctors who measure Lp(a), to investigate the use of this value in the management of patients.

Results: A total of 151 centres clinicians filled in the survey, out of 226 invited.

Twenty-Three Months Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation of the Primary Motor Cortex for Refractory Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Single-Case Study.

Treatment refractory or recurrent trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a severe chronic pain illness. Single-session repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been shown to elicit analgesic effects in several craniofacial pain syndromes, including TN. However, the safety and long-term effect of multi-session rTMS for TN have yet to be fully explored.

The impact of COVID-19 on adult cardiac surgery.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the impact of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on cardiac surgery in a single cardiac surgery center in Lithuania.

Methods: Between November 2018 and March 2021, the data of male COVID-19-negative patients (n=81; mean age: 65.5±8.

A Review of Neovascular Glaucoma: Etiology, Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment.

Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is a rare, aggressive, blinding secondary glaucoma, which is characterized by neovascularization of the anterior segment of the eye and leading to elevation of the intraocular pressure (IOP). The main etiological factor is retinal ischemia leading to an impaired homeostatic balance between the angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors. High concentrations of vasogenic substances such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induce neovascularization of the iris (NVI) and neovascularization of the angle (NVA) that limits the outflow of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber and increases the IOP.

A prospective observational study on impact of epinephrine administration route on acute myocardial infarction patients with cardiac arrest in the catheterization laboratory (iCPR study).

Background: Epinephrine is routinely utilized in cardiac arrest; however, it is unclear if the route of administration affects outcomes in acute myocardial infarction patients with cardiac arrest.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of epinephrine administered via the peripheral intravenous (IV), central IV, and intracoronary (IC) routes.

Methods: Prospective two-center pilot cohort study of acute myocardial infarction patients who suffered cardiac arrest in the cardiac catheterization laboratory during percutaneous coronary intervention.

The contribution of edible cricket flour to quality parameters and sensory characteristics of wheat bread.

This study evaluated the influence of edible cricket flour (ECF) on the quality parameters and sensory characteristics of wheat bread (WB), including the formation of volatile compounds (VC) and their relationship with emotions (EM) induced for consumers. ECF reduced dough pH, redness, and yellowness. At 5%, ECF increased the porosity of WB (by 7.

Familial Hypercholesterolemia and Its Current Diagnostics and Treatment Possibilities: A Literature Analysis.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common, inherited disorder of cholesterol metabolism. This pathology is usually an autosomal dominant disorder and is caused by inherited mutations in the APOB, LDLR, and PCSK9 genes. Patients can have a homozygous or a heterozygous genotype, which determines the severity of the disease and the onset age of cardiovascular disease (CVD) manifestations.

Perceived Stress in Relation to Demographics and Clinical Forms among Patients with Infective Endocarditis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

(1) Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a disease of the endocardial surface of the heart, caused by infection of the native or prosthetic valve or an indwelling cardiac device. Apart from IE predisposing risk factors that include heart conditions and medical procedures, the novel trajectories from demographic factors to perceived stress conditions have been under investigation in recent years. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the associations between perceived stress and demographic characteristics as well as clinical forms of IE among survivors of IE in Kaunas, Lithuania.

Management of allergic rhinitis symptoms in the pharmacy Pocket guide 2022.

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) management requires a coordinated effort from healthcare providers and patients. Pharmacists are key members of these integrated care pathways resolving medication-related problems, optimizing regimens, improving adherence and recommending therapies while establishing liaisons between patients and physicians.

Methods: Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) first published a reference document on the pharmacist's role in allergic rhinitis management in 2004.

Atrial Pacing Affects Left Atrial Morphological and Functional Parameters Early after Pacemaker Implantation.

: Chronic atrial stimulation might impair left atrial (LA) function. We aimed to assess the impact of atrial pacing burden on LA volumetric and functional parameters after implantation of a dual-chamber pacemaker. : The prospective study included 121 subjects with sinus node disease (SND) or atrioventricular block (AVB) that received a dual-chamber pacemaker.

Potential of FX06 to prevent disease progression in hospitalized non-intubated COVID-19 patients - the randomized, EU-wide, placebo-controlled, phase II study design of IXION.

Background: More than 2.7 million hospitalizations of COVID-19-infected patients have occurred in Europe alone since the outbreak of the coronavirus in 2020. Interventions against SARS-CoV-2 are still in high need to prevent admissions to ICUs worldwide.

MRI abnormalities in a severe cognitive impairment mimicking a forebrain lesion in a geriatric dog.

Canine Cognitive Dysfunction is a neurological condition, that causes dogs to experience a wide variety of clinical signs. On rare occasions the symptoms may be unusual and severe, therefore they reminiscent of another disease. In this case report a 16 year and 8-month-old intact female poodle presented with circling, head pressing, and generalized ataxia.

Impact of breed lamb gender on carcass traits and meat quality parameters including biogenic amines and malondialdehyde changes during storage.

The present study aims to evaluate the effect of breed lamb gender on carcass traits and meat quality parameters, as well as on the formation of biogenic amines (BAs) and malondialdehyde during meat storage. Obtained results revealed that lamb gender had a significant influence on sternum/breastbone, ribs, right shoulder, and bones of the back leg. Significantly higher lightness (by 3%) was found for male meat; however, higher redness of female meat was observed (by 7.

Mini Review: Co-Existing Diseases and COVID-19-A One Way Ticket?

. Many patients with SARS-CoV-2 virus infection have various comorbidities. Their presence in the background of coronavirus has a tendency to worsen the course of the disease and increase the risk of unfavorable outcomes.

Correction: Vabalaite et al. Effects of High-Frequency (HF) Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) on Upper Extremity Motor Function in Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review. 2021, , 1215.

In the original publication [...

Intramuscular myxoma of the biceps brachii muscle: a case report.

Intramuscular myxoma (IM) is a rare benign tumour. It may occur at any age but most commonly occurs among older women. The preoperative diagnosis of IM is complicated.

Treatment of Large Cartilage Defects in the Knee by Hydrogel-Based Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation: Two-Year Results of a Prospective, Multicenter, Single-Arm Phase III Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcome of a hydrogel-based autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) for large articular cartilage defects in the knee joint.

Design: Prospective, multicenter, single-arm, phase III clinical trial. ACI was performed in 100 patients with focal full-thickness cartilage defects ranging from 4 to 12 cm in size.

Effects of High-Frequency (HF) Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) on Upper Extremity Motor Function in Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is being widely used for treating upper extremity paresis after stroke, however, evidence of applying high-frequency rTMS (HF-rTMS) on the ipsilesional hemisphere for upper extremity motor recovery remains limited. This systematic review aimed to investigate the effect of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for upper extremity motor function recovery after a first-time ischaemic stroke. This systematic review was prepared according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Establishing prognostic significance of hypoxia predictors in patients with acute cerebral pathology.

Objectives: This research aims to study the prognostic role of serum S100 as a predictor of mortality in vascular and traumatic brain injuries.

Methods: This prospective cohort study involved 219 patients. In the blood serum, neuron-specific markers (S100, NSE) and glucose, acid-base state and gas composition of arterial blood were obtained at admission, on the 3rd, 5th and 7th days of patients' stay in the intensive care unit.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation following air embolism during orthotropic liver transplantation: is this just a coincidence?

Background: During orthotopic liver transplantation, venous air embolism may occur due to iatrogenic injury of the inferior vena cava. However, venous air embolism followed by coagulopathy is a rare event. In this case report, we discuss a possible connection between venous air embolism and disseminated intravascular coagulation.

The regulation of actin dynamics during cell division and malignancy.

Actin is the most abundant protein in almost all the eukaryotic cells. Actin amino acid sequences are highly conserved and have not changed a lot during the progress of evolution, varying by no more than 20% in the completely different species, such as humans and algae. The network of actin filaments plays a crucial role in regulating cells' cytoskeleton that needs to undergo dynamic tuning and structural changes in order for various functional processes, such as cell motility, migration, adhesion, polarity establishment, cell growth and cell division, to take place in live cells.

Fatty acid profile and safety aspects of the edible oil prepared by artisans' at small-scale agricultural companies.

The aim of this study was to analyze the fatty acid (FA) profiles and mycotoxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in sea buckthorn (SB1, SB2), flaxseed (FL3, FL4, FL5), hempseed (HE6, HE7, HE8), camelina (CA9, CA10), and mustard (MU11) edible oils, prepared by artisans' by artisanal at small-scale agricultural companies in Lithuania. The dominant FAs were palmitic and oleic acids in SB; palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and α-linolenic acids in FL; palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and α-linolenic acids in HE; palmitic, oleic, linoleic, α-linolenic, eicosenoic, and erucic acids in CA; and oleic, linoleic, α-linolenic, eicosenoic, and erucic acids in MU. In SB2 oil samples, T-2 toxin and zearalenone concentrations higher than 1.

Risk Factors Associated with an Increased Risk of Deep Sternal Wound Infections in Patients After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Heart Defect Surgery.

Background: Despite improvements over time with regard to morbidity, mortality, and long-term survival, deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) continues to be a major complication after open-heart surgery. This is why it is important to identify possible risk factors for postoperative development of DSWI in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and valve replacement. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for postoperative development of deep sternal wound infection in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting and heart defect surgery at the Department of Thoracic, Cardiac, and Vascular Surgery of the Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease with neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare rapidly progressive fatal neurodegenerative disease. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a complication of antipsychotic medications which may be used to treat neuropsychiatric symptoms of CJD. We present a case of a 51‐year‐ old woman with CJD who developed NMS after being prescribed quetiapine.