The Pleiotropic Effects of Lipid-Modifying Interventions: Exploring Traditional and Emerging Hypolipidemic Therapies.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease poses a significant global health issue, with dyslipidemia standing out as a major risk factor. In recent decades, lipid-lowering therapies have evolved significantly, with statins emerging as the cornerstone treatment. These interventions play a crucial role in both primary and secondary prevention by effectively reducing cardiovascular risk through lipid profile enhancements. Beyond their primary lipid-lowering effects, extensive research indicates that these therapies exhibit pleiotropic actions, offering additional health benefits. These include anti-inflammatory properties, improvements in vascular health and glucose metabolism, and potential implications in cancer management. While statins and ezetimibe have been extensively studied, newer lipid-lowering agents also demonstrate similar pleiotropic effects, even in the absence of direct cardiovascular benefits. This narrative review explores the diverse pleiotropic properties of lipid-modifying therapies, emphasizing their non-lipid effects that contribute to reducing cardiovascular burden and exploring emerging benefits for non-cardiovascular conditions. Mechanistic insights into these actions are discussed alongside their potential therapeutic implications.

Evaluation of ChatGPT's Real-Life Implementation in Undergraduate Dental Education: Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: The recent artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT seems to offer a range of benefits in academic education while also raising concerns. Relevant literature encompasses issues of plagiarism and academic dishonesty, as well as pedagogy and educational affordances; yet, no real-life implementation of ChatGPT in the educational process has been reported to our knowledge so far. OBJECTIVE: This mixed methods study aimed to evaluate the implementation of ChatGPT in the educational process, both quantitatively and qualitatively. METHODS: In March 2023, a total of 77 second-year dental students of the European University Cyprus were divided into 2 groups and asked to compose a learning assignment on "Radiation Biology and Radiation Protection in the Dental Office," working collaboratively in small subgroups, as part of the educational semester program of the Dentomaxillofacial Radiology module. Careful planning ensured a seamless integration of ChatGPT, addressing potential challenges. One group searched the internet for scientific resources to perform the task and the other group used ChatGPT for this purpose. Both groups developed a PowerPoint (Microsoft Corp) presentation based on their research and presented it in class. The ChatGPT group students additionally registered all interactions with the language model during the prompting process and evaluated the final outcome; they also answered an open-ended evaluation questionnaire, including questions on their learning experience. Finally, all students undertook a knowledge examination on the topic, and the grades between the 2 groups were compared statistically, whereas the free-text comments of the questionnaires were thematically analyzed. RESULTS: Out of the 77 students, 39 were assigned to the ChatGPT group and 38 to the literature research group. Seventy students undertook the multiple choice question knowledge examination, and examination grades ranged from 5 to 10 on the 0-10 grading scale. The Mann-Whitney U test showed that students of the ChatGPT group performed significantly better (P=.045) than students of the literature research group. The evaluation questionnaires revealed the benefits (human-like interface, immediate response, and wide knowledge base), the limitations (need for rephrasing the prompts to get a relevant answer, general content, false citations, and incapability to provide images or videos), and the prospects (in education, clinical practice, continuing education, and research) of ChatGPT. CONCLUSIONS: Students using ChatGPT for their learning assignments performed significantly better in the knowledge examination than their fellow students who used the literature research methodology. Students adapted quickly to the technological environment of the language model, recognized its opportunities and limitations, and used it creatively and efficiently. Implications for practice: the study underscores the adaptability of students to technological innovations including ChatGPT and its potential to enhance educational outcomes. Educators should consider integrating ChatGPT into curriculum design; awareness programs are warranted to educate both students and educators about the limitations of ChatGPT, encouraging critical engagement and responsible use.

Public perception of realtime information services for environmental monitoring and management of asthma.

A questionnaire was distributed to asthma patients and relatives of paediatric patients in the Royal Brompton Hospital outpatient clinic in London during March 2003. The aim was to determine how well informed those affected by asthma and allergic diseases were, to find out the best medium for distributing relevant information (e.g. Internet, mobile phones) and to discover the type of information they wished to receive. A total of 298 questionnaires were distributed and all were completed (100% response rate). The level of education of the respondents was high and the majority lived outside the London area. The questionnaire showed that the respondents would like to be informed about a wide range of information related to monitoring and self-management of asthma. Avoidance measurements and prevention was the first choice, followed closely by information on substances, and the environment and allergies. The Internet was the preferred means of communication with an information service provider. The telephone was also popular, and more popular than the mobile phone. The majority of participants were not willing to pay for an information service.

Health and lifestyle management via interactive TV in patients with severe chronic cardiovascular diseases.

A pilot trial of an interactive TV system took place at the Royal Brompton Hospital, involving nine hospitalized and 12 non-hospitalized patients with adult congenital heart disease. Following a short training session, patients took their measurements (blood pressure, ECG measurement, oxygen saturation, bodyweight) and submitted their data through the interactive TV system. The majority perceived the system as useful, efficient and appropriate for use with their condition (67%), and they were satisfied with the usability of the system (71%). They considered that the information provided by the system was easy to understand and they liked using the system (62%). Overall, most patients (20) were satisfied with the system. The majority of the participants did not feel that the system affected their relationship with their doctor.