A novel cardiac bio-marker: ST2: a review.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the major cause of death worldwide. The identification of markers able to detect the early stages of such diseases and/or their progression is fundamental in order to adopt the best actions in order to reduce the worsening of clinical condition. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and NT-proBNP are the best known markers of heart failure (HF), while troponins ameliorated the diagnosis of acute and chronic coronary artery diseases. Nevertheless, many limitations reduce their accuracy. Physicians have tried to develop further detectable molecules in order to improve the detection of the early moments of CVD and prevent their development. Soluble ST2 (suppression of tumorigenicity 2) is a blood protein confirmed to act as a decoy receptor for interleukin-33. It seems to be markedly induced in mechanically overloaded cardiac myocytes. Thus, HF onset or worsening of a previous chronic HF status, myocardial infarct able to induce scars that make the myocardium unable to stretch well, etc, are all conditions that could be detected by measuring blood levels of soluble ST2. The aim of this review is to explore the possible role of ST2 derived-protein as an early marker of cardiovascular diseases, above all in heart failure and ischemic heart diseases.

Trabeculectomy Versus Ex-Press Glaucoma Filtration Device in Silicomacrophagocytic Open Angle Glaucoma Secondary to Silicone Oil Emulsification.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of Ex-PRESS device implantation versus trabeculectomy in patients with ocular hypertension after pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil injection (SOI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six consecutive eyes with ocular hypertension after pars plana vitrectomy and SOI were included in this study and randomized to one of two groups: A group treated with Ex-PRESS (model P50) placed under a scleral flap (Ex-PRESS group), and a group treated with trabeculectomy (trabeculectomy group). Complete success (intraocular pressure [IOP] <21 mmHg without medication) and qualified success rates (IOP <21 mmHg with one or two glaucoma medications) at 2 years postoperatively were analyzed. Between-groups comparison was performed with the Mann-Whitney U-test for continuous variables, and Fischer exact test for categorical data. Success rates between groups were compared using Kaplan-Meier life analysis and the log-rank test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In the Ex-PRESS group, complete success was achieved in 73% eyes and qualified success in 81.8% of eyes. In the trabeculectomy group, complete success was achieved in 40% and qualified success was achieved in 60% of eyes. The difference in mean IOP between groups was statistically significant from the 3(rd) postoperative month onward (P = 0.007 at 3 months, P = 0.003 at 6 months, and P = 0.03 at 24 months). CONCLUSION: Ex-PRESS implantation was more effective than trabeculectomy in controlling IOP in ocular hypertensives after pars plana vitrectomy and SOI, but the surgical technique may require improvement.

Aorta structural alterations in term neonates: the role of birth and maternal characteristics.

AIM: To evaluate the influence of selected maternal and neonatal characteristics on aorta walls in term, appropriately grown-for-gestational age newborns. METHODS: Age, parity, previous abortions, weight, height, body mass index before and after delivery, smoking, and history of hypertension, of diabetes, of cardiovascular diseases, and of dyslipidemia were all assessed in seventy mothers. They delivered 34 males and 36 females healthy term newborns who underwent ultrasound evaluation of the anteroposterior infrarenal abdominal aorta diameter (APAO), biochemical profile (glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fibrinogen, and D-dimers homeostasis model assessment [HOMAIR]index), and biometric parameters. RESULTS: APAO was related to newborn length (r = +0.36; P = 0.001), head circumference (r = +0.37; P = 0.001), gestational age (r = +0.40, P = 0.0005), HOMA index (r = +0.24; P = 0.04), and D-dimers (r = +0.33, P = 0.004). Smoke influenced APAO values (odds ratio: 1.80; confidence interval 95%: 1.05-3.30), as well as diabetes during pregnancy (r = +0.42, P = 0.0002). Maternal height influenced neonatal APAO (r = +0.47, P = 0.00003). Multiple regression analysis outlined neonatal D-dimers as still significantly related to neonatal APAO values. CONCLUSIONS: Many maternal and neonatal characteristics could influence aorta structures. Neonatal D-dimers are independently related to APAO.

Cardiovascular Risk in Women With PCOS.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is a common endocrine disorder defined by two of the three following features: i) oligoovulation or anovulation, ii) clinical and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism, or iii) polycystic ovaries, once the related endocrinological and gynaecological disorders have been excluded. PCOS does not exclusively involve the reproductive apparatus , it has a complex number of systemic relevancy symptoms. It leads to Metabolic Syndrome, with severe consequences on the cardiovascular apparatus. Many clinical studies have underlined the connection between PCOS and the cardiovascular risk profile of such female patients, due to a lipid/glucose altered metabolism, hypertension, systemic inflammatory condition (assessable by markers such as VES, TNF-alfa, citokines and C-reactive protein (hsPCR) levels), and vascular injuries. Considering the early onset of the disease, PCOS could be considered as a real cardiovascular risk factor which affects the quality of life seriously. The current review aimed to point out the main connections between PCOS and cardiovascular risk factors according to the latest findings coming from literature data analysis, and try to depict the great influences that such a common disease can have on the patients' health integrity.

Occupational biological risk knowledge and perception: results from a large survey in Rome, Italy.

BACKGROUND: A cross-sectional survey on knowledge and perception of occupational biological risk among workers in several occupations was carried out in the industrial area of Rome. METHODS: The study was carried out in the period of March-April 2010 using a questionnaire with 33 items on the following areas: a) socio-demographic data; b) perception of the biological risks in ordinary occupational activity; c) knowledge about biological risks; d) biological risks in the working environment. The questionnaire was submitted to a convenience sample of workers of an industrial area in Southern Rome. RESULTS: 729 participants entered the study from the following work activities: food, catering, service, farming and breeding, healthcare, school and research (males 57.2%; mean age 37.4 years, SD = 10.9). Significant associations were found between different activity areas with respect to the relevance of the biological risk (p = 0.044) and the perception of the biological risk (p < 0.001). With respect to vehicles of infectious agents, the highest percentages of the most common biological risk exposures were: air and physical contact for the catering and food group, 66.7% and 61.90% respectively; air and blood for the health and research group, with 73.50% and 57.00% respectively; and physical contact and blood for the service group, 63.10 % and 48.30%. Significant difference of proportions were found about the prevalent effect caused by the biological agents was the occurrence of infectious diseases (59.90% food group, 91.60% health and research and 79.30% service group) (p < 0.001). The perception of knowledge resulted in a good rank (sufficient, many or complete) in the food and catering group, 78.3% with significant difference compared to other professions (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: All participants show good knowledge the effects induced by biological agents and it is significant that almost half of the respondents are aware of the risks concerning allergies. Nevertheless, it is surprising that this risk is known mainly by workers of service, farming and breeding, to a greater extent than it is known by health workers.

Carotenoids and cardiovascular risk.

Fruits and vegetables (typically associated with the Mediterranean diet) are very rich in carotenoids, i.e. fat-soluble pigments really important in human life. Structurally, carotenoids consists of eleven (beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, lycopene) or ten (alpha-carotene, lutein) conjugated double bonds, responsible for their antioxidant capability in agreement with their substituents. Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) particles oxidation process is the one of the most important first steps of atherosclerotic disease and, consequentially, the first pathogenetical step of cerebro- and cardiovascular events like myocardial infarction and stroke, which are the first cause of death in industrialized countries. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) also seem to be the target of Carotenoids main action, by scavenging singlet oxygen (1O2) and free radicals. Literature data showed that ROS increase atherosclerotic individual burden. The carotenoids scavenging action could reduce atherosclerosis progression partly due to such a decrease in ROS concentrations. Many studied demonstrated such a reduction by analyzing the relationship between carotenoids and Intima-Media Thickness of common carotid artery wall (CCA-IMT), [a well established marker of atherosclerosis evolution] reduction. Aim of this review is to evaluate actual knowledge about the importance of carotenoids molecules in slowing down the starting and the progression of atherosclerotic plaque, and to consider their implementation in everyone's diet as a tool to obtain a sharp decrease of LDL oxidation and their possible effect on endothelial function.

Trabeculectomy with double low dose of mitomycin C - two years of follow-up.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and the safety of a surgical technique in which classic trabeculectomy ab externo is performed with a double application of low-dose mitomycin C (MMC) in uncontrolled open-angle glaucoma (OAG) patients. METHOD: A consecutive series of 43 white patients (43 eyes) with uncontrolled primary OAG underwent trabeculectomy surgery. A double application of MMC (0.1%) was performed: the first under the Tenon's capsule for 3 minutes, and the second below the scleral flap for 1 or 2 minutes, according to the risk factors. Complete success was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) <14 mmHg without any additional glaucoma surgery or medication. Qualified success was defined as IOP <14 mmHg with additional needling revision. RESULTS: Mean preoperative IOP was 29.9 mmHg (SD 3.8) for all eyes evaluated. At 1 day postoperative, mean IOP was 6.7 mmHg (SD 1.26). At the end of the first 2 weeks postoperative, mean IOP was 8.6 mmHg (SD 1.7), at 12 months mean IOP was 11.3 mmHg (SD 1.4; P < 0.0001) and at 24 months mean IOP was 11.4 mmHg (SD 1.5; P < 0.0001). At 3 months, two eyes (5.4%) underwent needling of the bleb for cystic blebs formation. CONCLUSION: In this study we presented the results after 2 years of follow-up of OAG undergoing trabeculectomy with dual administration of MMC (0.1 mg/mL). After 24 months, complete success was achieved in 93% of patients and a qualified success in 100% of patients.