Overweight, obesity, and cardiovascular disease in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: the EAS FH Studies Collaboration registry.

Background And Aims: Overweight and obesity are modifiable risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the general population, but their prevalence in individuals with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and whether they confer additional risk of ASCVD independent of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) remains unclear.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 35 540 patients with HeFH across 50 countries, in the EAS FH Studies Collaboration registry. Prevalence of World Health Organization-defined body mass index categories was investigated in adults (n = 29 265) and children/adolescents (n = 6275); and their association with prevalent ASCVD.

Long-Term Pulmonary Sequelae and Immunological Markers in Patients Recovering from Severe and Critical COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Comprehensive Follow-Up Study.

: Severe and critical COVID-19 pneumonia can lead to long-term complications, especially affecting pulmonary function and immune health. However, the extent and progression of these complications over time are not well understood. This study aimed to assess lung function, radiological changes, and some immune parameters in survivors of severe and critical COVID-19 up to 12 months after hospital discharge.

A Prospective Study of Nephrocalcinosis in Very Preterm Infants: Incidence, Risk Factors and Vitamin D Intake in the First Month.

: Nephrocalcinosis (NC) is a common condition characterized by the deposition of calcium salts in the kidneys of very preterm infants due to tubular immaturity, intensive treatment and nutritional supplements. However, optimal vitamin D supplementation remains unclear. In most patients, NC spontaneously resolves within the first year of life, but long-term kidney function data are lacking.

The Effect of Maternal Diet and Lifestyle on the Risk of Childhood Obesity.

: Childhood obesity is a global health problem that affects at least 41 million children under the age of five. Increased BMI in children is associated with serious long-term health consequences, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and psychological problems, including depression and low self-esteem. Although the etiology of obesity is complex, research suggests that the diet and lifestyle of pregnant women play a key role in shaping metabolic and epigenetic changes that can increase the risk of obesity in their children.

Impact of Bifurcation Lesions on Outcomes After FFR-Guided PCI or CABG.

Background: In the era of first-generation drug-eluting stents and angiography-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the presence of a bifurcation lesion was associated with adverse outcomes after PCI. In contrast, the presence of a bifurcation lesion had no impact on outcomes following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Therefore, the presence of a coronary bifurcation lesion requires special attention when choosing between CABG and PCI.

Generation of a genetically encoded voltage indicator MARINA reporter human iPS cell line using Cas9 (VULSCi002-A-2).

Fluorescent protein-based Genetically Encoded Voltage Indicators (GEVI) offer a remarkable system for high-throughput screening of membrane potential phenotypes. The GEVI MARINA is a derivative from ArcLight, which conversely to ArcLight increases its fluorescence intensity alongside depolarization. Here we created knock-in reporter human iPS cell lines carrying the MARINA reporter using SpCas9 programmable nuclease and characterize a heterozygous clone.

Uncomplicated Type B Aortic Dissection: A European Multicentre Cross-Sectional Evaluation.

Background: A multicentre European randomized control trial - European Uncomplicated Type B Aortic Repair (EU-TBAR) is being developed to compare pre-emptive thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with custom-made devices versus conventional optimal medical therapy. The pretrial set-up is confluent on different pillars, including evaluation of 1) European activity, trends, and governance; 2) outcome reporting; and 3) cost evaluation. This article aimed to demonstrate the observational cross-sectional survey results from participating centers and highlight the risk assessment, activity, practices, and governance of uncomplicated type B aortic dissection (uTBAD).

Is it the right time to promote competency-based European Training Requirements in Ophthalmology? A European Board of Ophthalmology survey.

Purpose: To report national practices and recent progress in competency-based medical education (CBME) implementation in ophthalmology across European countries.

Methods: A 30-question online survey was emailed to European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) ophthalmology section delegates, European Board of Ophthalmology Diploma (EBOD) examiners and presidents of ophthalmology societies affiliated with UEMS/EBO.

Results: A total of 230 ophthalmologists with an average age of 54.

BAY 81-8973 Demonstrates Long-Term Safety and Efficacy in Children With Severe Haemophilia A: Results From the LEOPOLD Kids Extension Study.

Objectives: To report the long-term safety and efficacy of BAY 81-8973 in the LEOPOLD Kids extension phase.

Methods: Patients received BAY 81-8973 (25-50 IU/kg) at least twice weekly. The primary endpoint was safety, assessed in all patients who entered the extension phase (n = 82).

Cataract surgical training: Analysis of the results of the European Board of Ophthalmology survey in the Swiss cohort.

Introduction: This study, part of a series, analyses the Swiss cohort from an EBO survey on cataract surgery training in Europe, focusing on Switzerland's unique program. The survey identifies two models: training all residents in surgery, and a "high-volume surgeon" model where only some learn CS post-residency.

Methods: This study analyses the survey results of Swiss participants in the EBO examinations (2018-2022) and compared them with the most important cohorts (Germany, France and Spain).

Prolonged antithrombotic treatment after de-escalation of dual antiplatelet therapy in patients after acute coronary syndrome - which strategy should be applied? The ELECTRA-SIRIO 2 investigators standpoint.

De-escalation of dual antiplatelet (DAPT) intensity may be considered in patients with high risk of bleeding after acute coronary syndrome. Some high risk patients after de-escalation may require antithrombotic therapy prolonged over 12 months. With the current guideline recommended strategies, there are some doubts and uncertainties with respect to the transition period.

Aortic pulse wave velocity predicts cardiovascular mortality among middle-aged metabolic syndrome subjects without overt cardiovascular disease.

Background: The objective of this cohort study was to assess the predictive value of main arterial markers for cardiovascular death in middle-aged subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods: This prospective longitudinal study analyzed data from 5829 metabolic syndrome subjects without overt cardiovascular disease aged between 40 and 64 years and enrolled in the Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk primary prevention program. Initial assessment comprised the evaluation of aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), carotid stiffness index, cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), ankle-brachial index (ABI), aortic augmentation index adjusted for a heart rate of 75 bpm (AIXHR75), and endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilatation (FMD).

Rapidly Progressing and Early-Onset Forms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Caused by a Novel Variant in a Lithuanian Family.

Objectives: To describe a novel familial variant of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1)-associated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in a Lithuanian family, highlighting its variable progression and implications for treatment inclusion criteria.

Methods: This study presents the clinical and genetic findings of a family with the novel variant, including one member diagnosed with early-onset ALS (onset <40 years) and one with a particularly rapidly progressing course of ALS.

Results: The variant NM_000454.

Effects of Short-Term Treatment with α-Lipoic Acid on Neuropathic Pain and Biomarkers of DNA Damage in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus.

Background/objectives: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex and heterogenous disease classified as a group of metabolic disorders characterized by chronic hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. It leads to various complications, some of which are macrovascular or microvascular complications, like diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN), having a profound impact on patients' quality of life. Oxidative stress (OS) is one of the significant mechanisms in the development and progression of DPN.

CCL2-CCR2 Axis Inhibition in Osteosarcoma Cell Model: The Impact of Oxygen Level on Cell Phenotype.

Treatment of osteosarcoma is hampered by tumor hypoxia and requires alternative approaches. Although the CCL2-CCR2 axis is indispensable in tumor-induced inflammation and angiogenesis, its blockade has not been effective to date. This study aimed to characterize how CCR2 inhibition affects the crosstalk of osteosarcoma cells with immune cells to better delineate tumor resistance mechanisms that help withstand such treatment.

Insights into respiratory microbiome composition and systemic inflammatory biomarkers of bronchiectasis patients.

Unlabelled: The human microbiomes, including the ones present in the respiratory tract, are described and characterized in an increasing number of studies. However, the composition and the impact of the healthy and/or impaired microbiome on pulmonary health and its interaction with the host tissues remain enigmatic. In chronic airway diseases, bronchiectasis stands out as a progressive condition characterized by microbial colonization and infection.

Concizumab prophylaxis in people with haemophilia A or haemophilia B without inhibitors (explorer8): a prospective, multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 3a trial.

Background: Concizumab is an anti-tissue factor pathway inhibitor monoclonal antibody in development as a once-daily, subcutaneous prophylaxis for patients with haemophilia A or haemophilia B with or without inhibitors. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of concizumab in patients with haemophilia A or B without inhibitors. Here we report the results from the confirmatory analysis cutoff.

Detection of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Using CNN with Dynamic Factor and Wandering Strategy-Based Feature Selection.

: Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious neurological emergency case with a higher mortality rate. An automatic SAH detection is needed to expedite and improve identification, aiding timely and efficient treatment pathways. The existence of noisy and dissimilar anatomical structures in NCCT images, limited availability of labeled SAH data, and ineffective training causes the issues of irrelevant features, overfitting, and vanishing gradient issues that make SAH detection a challenging task.

Pediatric kidney transplantation in Europe, a clinical snapshot pilot.

Background: Pediatric kidney transplantations are rarely performed, and there is limited knowledge about the diversity in current clinical practices across Europe. This study aims to explore the utility of clinical snapshot studies in identifying these disparities, establishing a foundation for future snapshot studies and standardization efforts.

Methods: A pilot clinical snapshot study was conducted, with invitations extended to all 109 pediatric kidney transplant centres in Europe.

Utilization of Microfluidic Droplet-Based Methods in Diagnosis and Treatment Methods of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Review.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. One of the main challenges in the management of HCC is late clinical presentation and thus diagnosis of the disease, which results in poor survival. The pathogenesis of HCC is complex and involves chronic liver injury and genetic alterations.