Continuous glucose monitoring for the routine care of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Although continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices are now considered the standard of care for people with type 1 diabetes mellitus, the uptake among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been slower and is focused on those receiving intensive insulin therapy. However, increasing evidence now supports the inclusion of CGM in the routine care of people with T2DM who are on basal insulin-only regimens or are managed with other medications. Expanding CGM to these groups could minimize hypoglycaemia while allowing efficient adaptation and escalation of therapies.

Aging affects the phase coherence between spontaneous oscillations in brain oxygenation and neural activity.

The risk of neurodegenerative disorders increases with age, due to reduced vascular nutrition and impaired neural function. However, the interactions between cardiovascular dynamics and neural activity, and how these interactions evolve in healthy aging, are not well understood. Here, the interactions are studied by assessment of the phase coherence between spontaneous oscillations in cerebral oxygenation measured by fNIRS, the electrical activity of the brain measured by EEG, and cardiovascular functions extracted from ECG and respiration effort, all simultaneously recorded.

Improving Arterial Wall Characteristics in Patients After Myocardial Infarction with a Very Low Dose of Fluvastatin and Valsartan: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

BACKGROUND We tested the concept of improving arterial wall characteristics by treatment with a very low-dose combination of fluvastatin and valsartan (low-flu/val) in stable, post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS We enrolled 36 post-MI middle-aged males in the treatment (n=20) or control (n=16) group receiving low-flu/val (10 mg/20 mg) or placebo, respectively. The parameters of endothelial function (flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), reactive hyperemia index), and arterial stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV), local carotid PWV, and beta stiffness coefficient) were measured before and after 30 days of therapy, and 10 weeks later.

Contemporary scope of inborn errors of metabolism involving epilepsy or seizures.

Many inborn errors of metabolism may present with epilepsy or seizures, however, current scope of these diseases is unknown. Due to available precision medicine approaches in many inborn errors of metabolism and sophisticated traditional diagnostics, this group of disorders is of special relevance to clinicians. Besides, as current treatment is challenging and unsuccessful in more than 30% of all epilepsy patients, these diseases may provide valuable models for ictogenesis and epileptogenesis studies and potentially pave the ways to identification of novel treatments.

The "Rise-Peak-Fall" Pattern of Time Dependency of the Cardiovascular Pleiotropic Effects of Treatment With Low-dose Atorvastatin, Losartan, and a Combination Thereof in Rats.

Treatment with low, subtherapeutic doses of statins and sartans expresses beneficial pleiotropic effects on the arterial wall. The present study explored whether these effects depend on treatment duration. Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups and received low-dose atorvastatin, low-dose losartan, their combination, or saline (control) daily.

Clinical Exome Sequencing as a Novel Tool for Diagnosing Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Type 3.

Objective/background: In rare genetic vascular syndromes the diagnosis may not be apparent from the phenotype, but might be important for proper management.

Methods: A previously healthy woman without dysmorphic features presented with pregnancy associated vascular dissections and aneurysms. Next generation clinical exome sequencing was performed.

A low-dose combination of fluvastatin and valsartan: a new "drug" and a new approach for decreasing the arterial age.

We have developed a new "drug" and approach that appear to be effective in reducing arterial age. This "drug" represents a low, subtherapeutic dose of statin and sartan and particularly their low-dose combination. The improvement of arterial wall characteristics, also reflecting in a decrease of arterial age, was achieved after a short period of treatment (one month) with the above-mentioned drugs.

Coenzyme Q10 supplementation decreases statin-related mild-to-moderate muscle symptoms: a randomized clinical study.

Background: Statin use is frequently associated with muscle-related symptoms. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation has yielded conflicting results in decreasing statin myopathy. Herein, we tested whether coenzyme Q10 supplementation could decrease statin-associated muscular pain in a specific group of patients with mild-to-moderate muscle symptoms.

The low-dose atorvastatin and valsartan combination effectively protects the arterial wall from atherogenic diet-induced impairment in the guinea pig.

New preventive strategies for atherosclerosis are needed. In this study, we tested whether a new therapeutic approach consisting of low-dose treatment with a statin and sartan combination could prevent atherogenic diet-induced impairment of the arterial wall in guinea pigs. Twenty-five Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs were randomly assigned to five experimental groups: 1) normal diet; 2) atherogenic diet (AD); 3) AD + a low-dose atorvastatin and valsartan combination (5mg/kg/day and 2.

Arterial stiffness and cardiovascular therapy.

The world population is aging and the number of old people is continuously increasing. Arterial structure and function change with age, progressively leading to arterial stiffening. Arterial stiffness is best characterized by measurement of pulse wave velocity (PWV), which is its surrogate marker.

Association of Pro12Ala polymorphism with insulin sensitivity and body mass index in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Insulin resistance is one of the key factors in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG) plays a role in the regulation of insulin sensitivity. The aim of the present study was to establish a possible association of the Pro12Ala polymorphism with PCOS and its effect on family and personal history, as well as on the metabolic and endocrine parameters in PCOS patients.

A combination of low-dose fluvastatin and valsartan decreases inflammation and oxidative stress in apparently healthy middle-aged males.

Purpose: We have previously shown that a "short-term, low-dose" treatment approach with statins, angiotensin receptor blockers, and especially their low-dose combination, is effective in improving arterial wall properties in apparently healthy middle-age men. This study was performed to expand investigation of its effects on inflammation and oxidative stress.

Methods: The study was performed supplementary to 3 previous studies, overall 65 treated participants (25 received fluvastatin 10 mg, 20 valsartan 20 mg, 20 their combination) and 65 participants placebo.

Extended-release niacin/laropiprant improves endothelial function in patients after myocardial infarction.

Raising high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is an important strategy for reducing residual cardiovascular risk. In the present study, we sought to assess the effect of extended-release niacin/laropiprant on endothelial function in patients after a myocardial infarction with target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 63 men (35-60 years of age) after a myocardial infarction were randomized to either niacin/laropiprant (1000/20 mg daily for 4 weeks and 2000/40 mg daily thereafter) or placebo.

A new anti-ageing strategy focused on prevention of arterial ageing in the middle-aged population.

Ageing is a progressive process that according to available knowledge cannot be effectively reversed, slowed or stopped. Here we propose a new anti-ageing approach that may lead to the design of effective therapeutic intervention. First, we hypothesize that the "organ system" oriented anti-ageing approach represents a better anti-ageing target than the "whole body" or "cellular ageing" concepts.

Associations among different functional and structural arterial wall properties and their relations to traditional cardiovascular risk factors in healthy subjects: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The arterial wall possesses several functional and structural properties that define arterial health. Once they become impaired, cardiovascular risk increases. We aimed to ascertain the pattern of correlations among different arterial wall properties and to explore their relations to traditional risk factors and cardiovascular risk stratification.

The effects of low-dose fluvastatin and valsartan combination on arterial function: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Ageing progressively diminishes arterial functions, even in the absence of traditional risk factors. Our aim was to explore whether age-related arterial changes in middle-aged males could be reversed using short-term, low-dose fluvastatin/valsartan combination intervention.

Methods: Forty apparently healthy, middle-aged males (43.

Prevention of ischemic events in patients with peripheral arterial disease design, baseline characteristics and 2-year results an observational study.

Aim: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is associated with frequent cardiovascular ischemic events. We followed the survival of PAD patients and tested whether PAD remains an adverse prognostic indicator in spite of treatment according to the current European guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention.

Methods: Eight hundred eleven patients with PAD and 778 control subjects, aged 65 (SD 9) years at inclusion, with a male/female ratio of 3/2 were treated according to the European guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention and evaluated yearly for occurrence of death, non-fatal acute coronary syndrome, stroke or critical limb ischemia (major events) and revascularization procedures (minor events).

Polyethylene wear is related to patient-specific contact stress in THA.

Background: General numerical models of polyethylene wear and THA simulators suggest contact stresses influence wear. These models do not account for some patient-specific factors. Whether the relationship between patient-specific contact stress and wear apply in vivo is unclear.

Infrapopliteal run-off and the outcome of femoropopliteal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

Background: The outcome of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of peripheral arterial lesions is influenced by several factors, including the haemodynamic conditions. Our study tested: (a) whether infrapopliteal run-off after completed PTA influenced the time course of restenosis/reocclusion of the femoropopliteal arterial segment, and (b) whether worsening of infrapopliteal run-off influenced the long-term femoropopliteal patency after PTA.

Patients And Methods: Among 245 patients treated by femoropopliteal PTA we enrolled 176 patients who consented to regular follow-up.

The influence of atorvastatin on walking performance in peripheral arterial disease.

Background: Recently it has been shown that statins can improve walking distance in patients with peripheral arterial disease. We examined whether statins used in moderate dosages with the aim of reaching the target levels for hypercholesterolemia could improve walking performance in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Patients And Methods: 37 patients with hypercholesterolemia (LDL cholesterol = 3.

Pharmacological prevention of atherothrombotic events in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is strongly associated with atherosclerosis in the coronary and carotid arteries, leading to a highly increased incidence of myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke and cardiovascular death. Fortunately, pharmacological interventions in large clinical trials have been as effective in subgroups of patients with PAD as in subjects with other atherosclerotic disease. Antiplatelet treatment is indicated in virtually all patients with PAD.

Lysability of arterial thrombi assessed by magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: Intravascular thrombi change in time due to retraction and organization, which is reflected in the appearance of magnetic resonance images of clots. We have hypothesized that MRI has the potential to improve patient selection for thrombolytic treatment. The aim of our study was to analyze occlusive arterial thrombi with MRI, and to correlate the MRI parameters with the therapeutic outcome in patients with occlusive atherothrombotic disease of the superficial femoral artery who were treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis by streptokinase.

Methyl-methacrylate bone cement surface does not promote platelet aggregation or plasma coagulation in vitro.

Leakage of viscous bone cement into venous blood possibly resulting in pulmonary embolism may occur during percutaneous vertebroplasty. Our aim was to study if bone cement surface or cement liquid component could induce platelet aggregation or plasma coagulation in vitro. Two types of commonly used methyl-methacrylate bone cement, Palacos (Heraeus Kulzer, Germany) and Vertebroplastic (DePuy, Acro Med, England), were smeared on thin glass slides that were inserted over the bottom of cuvettes immediately or after 24 h, and platelet aggregation was recorded over 10 min.

Turbulent axially directed flow of plasma containing rt-PA promotes thrombolysis of non-occlusive whole blood clots in vitro.

The rate of thrombolysis markedly decreases after a thrombosed vessel is partly recanalized and the remaining clot poses serious risk for rethrombosis. We studied in vitro how thrombolysis depends on penetration of plasma containing thrombolytic agents - 0.2 micro g/ml rt-PA or 250 IU/ml streptokinase (SK) - and the magnetic resonance contrast agent Gd-DTPA (at 1 mmol/l) into non-occlusive clots under conditions of fast (turbulent) or slow (laminar) axially directed flow.