Factors associated with potentially inappropriate prescribing in elderly patients with various degrees of chronic kidney disease.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to compare the prevalence of potentially inappropriately prescribed drugs in hemodialysis patients and patients with chronic kidney disease who did not require renal replacement therapy, as well as to identify risk factors associated with potentially inappropriate prescribing. METHODS: The study was designed as a cross-sectional study conducted at the Department of Nephrology, Clinical Center in Nis, Serbia. The patients were divided into two groups: (1) patients on hemodialysis treatment and (2) patients with various degrees of chronic kidney disease without renal replacement therapy. The presence or absence of potentially inappropriate prescribing was determined using the 2015 AGS Beers criteria. FINDINGS: The study included a total of 218 patients aged 65 years and over. The number of patients with potentially inappropriate prescribed drugs did not differ significantly (chi-square = 0.000, p = 1.000) between patients on hemodialysis (27 of 83, i.e., 32.5%) and patients with various degrees of chronic kidney disease without renal replacement therapy (44 of 135, i.e., 32.6%). Factors associated with potentially inappropriate prescribing in hemodialysis patients were the number of drugs (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.919, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.325-2.780) and number of comorbidities (HR = 1.743, 95% CI: 1.109-2.740). The number of drugs (HR = 1.438, 95% CI: 1.191-1.736) was the only independent factor associated with increased risk of potentially inappropriate prescribing in patients without renal replacement therapy. DISCUSSION: Our study showed that potentially inappropriate prescribing is a relatively frequent phenomenon present in about a third of patients in both study groups. The number of prescribed drugs was the main factor associated with the increased risk of potentially inappropriate prescribing in both groups.

Factors contributing to variability in metformin concentration in polycystic ovary syndrome.

AIM: To investigate the factors affecting metformin concentrations after chronic administration in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), focusing on the pharmacokinetic variability and its implications for personalized therapy. METHODS: This study enrolled 53 PCOS patients undergoing long-term metformin treatment at the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics in Nis, Serbia, from February to December 2019. Pharmacokinetic parameters were measured from blood samples, and metformin concentrations were determined with validated analytical techniques. RESULTS: There was a significant variability in metformin concentrations among PCOS patients, with body mass index (BMI) identified as a major influencing factor. Higher BMI was associated with lower plasma metformin levels, a finding suggesting an altered pharmacokinetic profile in obese patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the critical role of BMI in influencing metformin pharmacokinetics in PCOS patients and underscores the need for personalized treatment strategies in patients with PCOS.

Chloroquine and cinchonine affect rat vascular smooth muscle tonus through calcium channels - in silico and in vitro approaches.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, two structurally similar alkaloids from trees of Cinchona genus, chloroquine and cinchonine, were examined for their vasorelaxant effects in a model of phenylephrine-induced smooth muscle contractions. METHODS: Potential mechanisms of action associated with endothelial vasorelaxant compounds, voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (LTCCs), and inositol triphosphate receptors were examined in isolated rat aortic rings. Also, an in silico approach was used to predict the activity of the two test compounds. RESULTS: Experimental results revealed that both chloroquine and cinchonine significantly decrease phenylephrine-induced smooth muscle contractions, although to a different extent. Evaluated mechanisms of action indicate that endothelium is not involved in the vasorelaxant action of the two tested alkaloids. On the other hand, voltage-gated Ca2+ channels were found to be the dominant way of action associated with the vasorelaxant action of chloroquine and cinchonine. Finally, IP3R is found to have only a small impact on the observed activity of the tested compounds. CONCLUSION: Molecular docking studies predicted that chloroquine possesses a significant activity toward a suitable model of LTCCs, while cinchonine does not. The results of the present study point to the fact that great caution should be paid while administering chloroquine to vulnerable patients, especially those with cardiovascular disorders (Tab. 3, Fig. 3, Ref. 28).

The Impact of Opioid Receptor Gene Polymorphism on Fentanyl and Alfentanil's Analgesic Effects in the Pediatric Perioperative Period.

Introduction: The polymorphism of the gene coding mu-opioid receptor (OPRM1) is one of the factors contributing to the variability in the response to opioid analgesics in children. The goal of this study is to investigate its role in association with postoperative acute pain in children of various ages. Methods: This prospective study analyzed 110 pediatric patients, after plastic or orthopedic surgery, who were genotyped and randomly assigned to receive fentanyl or alfentanil. Postoperative pain was rated using Numerical Rating Scale (0-10). All the patients were genotyped forOPRM1 118A>G (rs1799971) gene polymorphism. Results: School children under the age of 11 with the OPRM1 AA genotype were shown to have a higher BMI (p<0.05). Children over the age of 12 carrying G allele OPRM1, had increased postoperative pain sensitivity and intensity (3.28±1.95 vs 4.91±2.17; p<0.05), as compared to AA allele carriers. Discussion: OPRM1 118A>G polymorphism may explain the variation in the perception of postoperative pain in children over the age of 12 and may be a useful predictor for adjusting the dose of analgesics, but the dose is relative to the patient's needs regardless of his genetic characteristics. In younger children, carriers of polymorphic OPRM1 118G allele may be protected from obesity, due to diminished MOP expression.

Galectin-3 as a Prognostic Biomarker in Patients with First Acute Myocardial Infarction without Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a biomarker involved in a wide range of diseases including cardiac remodeling following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Identification of prognostic markers in patients with AMI can guide strategies towards improved survival and quality of life. METHODS: Our study included 59 patients with AMI and a preserved ejection fraction. We determined the Gal-3 plasma concentration within 24 h of chest pain onset from the aortic root, femoral/radial artery, coronary sinus and cubital vein. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) were evaluated at six months follow-up. RESULTS: MACE at six months post-AMI was recorded in 20 patients (34%). The Gal-3 plasma concentration from the aortic root and the femoral/radial artery were independent predictors of MACE at six months follow-up after the first AMI (OR 1.228; 95%CI: 1.011-1.491; p = 0.038; OR 3.438; 95%CI: 1.275-9.265; p = 0.015). ROC analysis identifies the Gal-3 plasma concentration from the aortic root as a better predictor of MACE or death (cut-off ≥ 10.86 ng/mL; AUC 0.858; 95%CI: 0.744-0.973; p < 0.001) than Gal-3 plasma concentration from the femoral/radial artery (cut-off ≥ 10.18 ng/mL; AUC 0.742; 95%CI: 0.596-0.888; p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: the Gal-3 plasma concentration in patients with AMI determined during coronary angiography, especially from the aortic root, within 24 h after chest pain onset is a valuable biomarker of prognosis at six months follow-up.

Monitoring the Coagulation Profile of COVID-19 Patients Using Standard and ClotPro® Hemostasis Tests.

Background and Objectives: Coagulation disorders during COVID-19 infection are associated with a poorer prognosis and higher disease severity because thrombosis and inflammation are two processes that interfere with each other. A very important issue for clinicians is timely and adequate hemostasis and inflammation monitoring to prevent and treat potentially lethal consequences. The aim of this study was to identify specific hemostatic parameters that are associated with a higher risk of intrahospital mortality. Materials and Methods: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Clinical Center Nis in Serbia. One hundred and forty-two patients presented with COVID-19 ARDS and were admitted to the ICU in the Clinic for Anesthesiology at the Clinical Center Nis from 14 April 2020 to 25 May 2020. Upon admission, blood was collected for biochemical and coagulation testing. The data obtained were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v. 25, Chicago, IL, USA). Results: Among all the parameters assessed, older age; increased levels of fibrinogen, INR, D-dimer, and presepsin; and higher results in the platelet aggregation tests (aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate based on the ADP test (AU/min), aggregation induced by arachidonic acid based on the ASPI test (AU/min), and aggregation induced by thrombin based on the TRAP test (AU/min)) and some assays of the viscoelastic test (clot amplitude after 5 min in the extrinsic coagulation pathway based on the A5 EX-test (mm), clot amplitude after 10 min in the extrinsic coagulation pathway based on the A10 EX-test (mm), clot amplitude after 5 min regarding functional fibrinogen based on the A5 FIB-test (mm), clot amplitude after 10 min regarding functional fibrinogen based on the A10 FIB-test (mm), and maximum clot firmness based on the MCF FIB-test (mm)); and lower values of viscoelastic clotting time in the extrinsic coagulation pathway based on the CT EX-test (s) were significantly correlated with mortality. In the multivariate analysis, D-dimer levels above 860 ng/mL, higher TRAP test value bins, and values above the normal reference range of the A10 FIB test were found to be independent predictors of mortality. Conclusions: Sophisticated hemostasis parameters can contribute to early risk assessment, which has initially been performed only on the basis of patients' clinical status. Hypercoagulability is the main coagulation disorder in COVID-19 infection.

Trend of Galectin-3 Levels in Patients with Non-ST-Elevation and ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Background and Objectives: Given the fact that galectin-3 has a predictive significance on the development of myocardial dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction, the aim of our study was to examine potential factors that could be important for the dynamics of the concentration of this biomarker in the early postinfarction period. Materials and Methods: This study included 89 patients with a diagnosis of stable angina pectoris (SAP) or the first non-ST elevation (NSTEMI) or ST-elevation (STEMI) myocardial infarction, who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The study group included 23 patients with the first NSTEMI and 42 patients with STEMI, while the control group consisted of 24 patients with SAP hospitalized for elective PCI without a previous MI. All patients had preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. Galectin-3 levels were determined on days 1, 5, and 30 after PCI. The significance of various independent variables as predictors of galectin-3 concentration was analyzed after a series of univariate linear regression modeling in a multivariate linear regression model. Results: The average patients' age was 63.99 ± 9.13 years. Statistically significantly higher values of C-reactive protein were established in STEMI compared to SAP (p < 0.01) or NSTEMI (p < 0.001), whereas WBC count was significantly lower in SAP than in STEMI (p < 0.001) and NSTEMI (p < 0.01) group. Although there were no statistically significant differences in measured galectin-3 concentrations between the examined groups on days 1, 5, and 30 after PCI, HTA, triglyceride level, LA size, treatment with trimetazidine and long-acting nitrates, as well as percentage of LM stenosis and E/A ratio were identified as independent predictors of galectin-3 concentration. Conclusions: In the post-MI period, very early values of galectin-3 correlate mostly with atherosclerosis factors, while on day 30 this biomarker correlates with diastolic dysfunction and "announces" left ventricular remodeling.

The association between NOTCH3 expression and the clinical outcome in the urothelial bladder cancer patients.

Disrupted NOTCH activity is a driving event in urothelial bladder cancer (UBC). After activation by hypoxia, the NOTCH3 receptor participates in tumor cell proliferation, acquisition of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotype, and angiogenesis. The aim was to analyze the association of NOTCH3 expression with histopathological and clinical parameters, and to determine its predictive impact on the clinical outcome in UBC patients. The present research included 614 UBC samples incorporated in paraffin tissue microarrays, evaluated by immunohistochemistry for NOTCH3 expression. The accrual period was four years, while the follow-up period was two years. The membranous expression was semi-quantified (0-3), and the mean degree was 1.81±0.94. Criteria for semi-quantification the NOTCH3 expression were the intensity of the staining and the percentage of positive cells. The samples with negative (0) and weak (1) NOTCH3 immunohistochemical (IHC) score were considered negative, while the samples that showed moderate (2) and strong (3) expression were considered positive. Higher degree of positivity was associated with higher risk of cancer-specific mortality (p<0.001). Independent predictors for cancer-specific mortality were NOTCH3 expression and high stage (p<0.001). NOTCH3 expression was not a statistically significant predictor of recurrence-free survival (p=0.816). This study indicated that NOTCH3 is a predictor of poor outcome, suggesting that the NOTCH3 could be potentially reliable IHC marker for selecting the UBC patients that would require more intensive follow-up, especially if they diagnosed in higher stage, with divergent differentiation in pathological report, and without recurrences which would lead them to more frequent medical assessments.

Predictive potential of biomarkers and risk scores for major adverse cardiac events in elderly patients undergoing major elective vascular surgery.

Elderly patients scheduled for major elective vascular surgery are at high risk for a major adverse cardiac events (MACE). The objectives of the study were: (1) To determine the individual discriminatory ability of four risk prediction models and four biomarkers in predicting MACEs in elderly patients undergoing major elective vascular surgery; (2) to find a prognostic model with the best characteristics; (3) to examine the significance of all preoperative parameters; and (4) to determine optimal cut-off values for biomarkers with best predictor capabilities. We enrolled 144 geriatric patients, aged 69.97 ± 3.73 years, with a 2:1 male to female ratio. Essential inclusion criteria were open major vascular surgery and age >65 years. The primary outcome was the appearance of MACEs within 6 months. These were noted in 33 (22.9%) patients. The most frequent cardiac event was decompensated heart failure, which occurred in 22 patients (15.3%). New onset atrial fibrillation was registered in 13 patients (9%), and both myocardial infarction and ventricular arrhythmias occurred in eight patients each (5.5%). Excellent discriminatory ability (AUC >0.8) was observed for all biomarker combinations that included the N-terminal fragment of pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). The most predictive two-variable combination was the Geriatric-Sensitive Cardiac Risk Index (GSCRI) + NT-proBNP (AUC of 0.830 with a 95% confidence interval). Female gender, previous coronary artery disease, and NT-proBNP were three independent predictors in a multivariate model of binary logistic regression. The Cox regression multivariate model identified high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and NT-proBNP as the only two independent predictors.

The Effect of UGT1A9, CYP2B6 and CYP2C9 Genes Polymorphism on Propofol Pharmacokinetics in Children.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the effect of UGT1A9 98T>C, CYP2B6 516G>T and CYP2C9 430C>T genetic polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics of propofol in children of different sexes and ages who undergone total intravenous anesthesia (ТIVA) and deep sedation during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The prospective study included 94 children, ASA I-II status, 1 to 17 years of age, who undergone standard anesthetic protocol for TIVA, which implied the continuous use of propofol. Before the administration of propofol, venous blood was sampled to determine the presence of genetic variations in UGT1A9, CYP2B6 and CYP2C9 gene using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). From each patient included in the study blood samples were taken: 10 mins after the induction of anesthesia, immediately before the discontinuation of the propofol infusion, 10 mins after discontinuation of the propofol infusion and 20 mins after discontinuation of the propofol infusion to determine the pharmacokinetics of the drug in the plasma of the subjects The plasma propofol concentration was determined by HPLC analytical technique. RESULTS: UGT1A9 genotype is an independent predictor of the propofol concentration in children immediately after the end of the continuous infusion and 10 mins afterwards. In the carriers of the polymorphic UGT1A9 C allele, the propofol distribution constant was higher. The carriers of the polymorphic CYP2B6 T allele received a significantly lower overall and initial dose of propofol. Unlike polymorphism of the UGT1A9 gene, the tested CYP2C9 and CYP2B6 gene polymorphisms are not independent predictors of the pharmacokinetics of propofol. CONCLUSION: Further investigations of UGT1A9, CYP2B6 and CYP2C9 and other genes that participate in propofol metabolism as well as detailed analyses of the general conditions, administered therapies and associated diseases could explain the large interindividual variability of propofol metabolism in children.

Association between Galectin-3 levels within central and peripheral venous blood, and adverse left ventricular remodelling after first acute myocardial infarction.

Our study investigates association between Galectin-3 levels and adverse left ventricular remodelling (LVR) at six months. Fifty-seven patients following first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were enrolled in this study and blood samples collected on day 1 from the femoral vein and artery, the right atrium near the coronary sinus and the aortic root, and on day 30, from the cubital vein. Patients with LVESV ≥20% at six months, were included in the LVR group. On day 1, Galectin-3 plasma levels in the femoral vein (10.34 ng/ml ± 3.81 vs 8.22 ng/ml ± 2.34, p = 0.01), and near coronary sinus (10.7 ng/ml ± 3.97 vs 8.41 ng/ml ± 2.56, p = 0.007) were higher in the LVR group. Positive correlations between Galectin-3 levels from aortic root and coronary sinus, aortic root and femoral vein, and coronary sinus and femoral vein, were observed in both groups. On day 30, Galectin-3 concentration in the cubital vein was an independent risk factor of LVR six months post-AMI, demonstrating 1.5-fold increased risk. Day-30 Galectin-3 also showed positive correlations with echocardiography parameters indicative of diastolic and systolic dysfunction. Determining Galectin-3 plasma concentration on day 30 following AMI could have beneficial prognostic value in predicting LVR.

Galectin-3 in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and galectin-3 is possibly involved in its occurrence. Galectin-3 has been shown to play a central role in fibrosis and tissue remodeling and has a role in inflammatory and proliferative responses. The aim of our study was to measure galectin-3 levels in patients with myocardial infarction and to compare its levels in patients with or without AF, in order to investigate the potential predictive role of galectin-3 in this setting. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 51 consecutive AMI patients with AF; 27 AMI patients (52.9%) had permanent/persistent AF, and 24 patients (47.1%) had paroxysmal AF. Thirty-eight consecutive AMI patients without AF were used as a control group. Blood samples were obtained from venous blood on the third day after reperfusion. RESULTS: Patients with AF had higher levels of C-reactive protein (p < 0.01) and galectin-3 (p < 0.05) than those without AF. Patients with high galectin-3 had 4.4 times greater odds of having AF. Galectin-3 levels were lower in patients without AF (p < 0.01) than in those with permanent/persistent AF. CONCLUSION: AMI patients with AF had higher levels of galectin-3 than those without this arrhythmia. This biomarker of inflammation and fibrosis could be a potential target for treating AMI patients at high risk.

The association between clopidogrel and 2-oxo-clopidogrel plasma levels and the long-term clinical outcome after acute myocardial infarction
.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A significant number of ischemic events occur after acute myocardial infarction (MI), even when adhering to dual antiplatelet therapy including aspirin and clopidogrel. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between the concentration of the prodrug clopidogrel and its intermediary metabolite 2-oxo-clopidogrel plasma as well as demographic and clinical factors, and the long-term clinical outcome in patients with their first acute MI, ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction NSTEMI, treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 172 consecutive patients with their first acute MI, 88 STEMI, and 84 NSTEMI, treated with PCI. On the third day of hospitalization, blood samples were collected from each patient to measure the concentration of clopidogrel and its metabolite 2-oxo-clopidogrel using the UHPLC-DAD-MS method. The following clinical outcomes were registered during the 28-month follow-up: mortality from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke, and hospitalization for urgent myocardial revascularization or heart failure. RESULTS: Lower dose-adjusted clopidogrel concentrations (p < 0.05) were measured in NSTEMI patients with a composite of the hard clinical endpoint events of cardiovascular mortality, non-fatal MI, or a nonfatal stroke. During the follow-up, there was a 3.4 times higher risk of hard clinical endpoint events (p < 0.05) for each unit decrement of the dose-adjusted clopidogrel plasma concentration. Lower dose-adjusted concentrations of clopidogrel in these patients were associated with lower left ventricular ejection fraction (p < 0.001), and fentanyl (p < 0.001) and pantoprazole administration (p < 0.01) during the acute phase of MI. CONCLUSION: In patients with acute MI treated with PCI, lower dose-adjusted clopidogrel and dose-adjusted 2-oxo-clopidogrel plasma concentrations were associated with an increased risk of ischemic events.
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The association of clopidogrel and 2-oxo-clopidogrel plasma levels and the 40 months clinical outcome after primary PCI.

Background A significant number of ischemic events occur even when adhering to dual antiplatelet therapy including aspirin and clopidogrel. Objectives The aim of our study was to determine predictors of long-term patient clinical outcome, among variables such as prodrug clopidogrel and intermediary metabolite 2-oxoclopidogrel concentrations, as well as patients' clinical characteristics. Setting Department for the Treatment of Acute Coronary Syndrome in tertiary teaching hospital, Serbia. Methods This study enrolled 88 consecutive patients with first STEMI, treated with primary PCI, within 6 h of the chest pain onset and followed them 40 months. On the third day of hospitalization, blood samples were collected from each patient to measure clopidogrel and its metabolite 2-oxo-clopidogrel concentration by UHPLC-DAD-MS method. Main outcome measure Mortality from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke or hospitalization for urgent myocardial revascularization or heart failure. Results The composite clinical outcome of cardiovascular mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for urgent myocardial revascularization or heart failure, was registered in 31 patients (35.2%) during the 40-month follow-up. Lower clopidogrel (p < 0.05) and dose-adjusted clopidogrel concentrations (p < 0.05) were associated with the higher incidence of composite outcome events. Their low plasma concentrations may be predicted by fentanyl administration (p < 0.001) and creatinine clearance (p < 0.01). The decrease in dose-adjusted clopidogrel unit for each ng/ml/mg increases the risk 21.7 times (p < 0.05). Conclusion Clopidogrel dose-adjusted plasma concentration in STEMI patients, as well as multivessel coronary artery disease, showed significance in predicting an unfavorable composite clinical outcome after 40-month follow-up.

Potentially inappropriate prescribing of drugs in elderly patients on chronic hemodialysis treatment
.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of potentially inappropriate drug prescription (PIP) in older patients who were on chronic hemodialysis treatment and to explore the factors that lead to PIP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed at the Department of Nephrology, Clinical Center Nis, Serbia. It included patients who were 65 years old and older who suffered from the end-stage of kidney failure and were treated by hemodialysis. Univariate and subsequent multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors for PIP or omission (PPO) according to the STOPP and START criteria. RESULTS: The study included 83 patients. According to the START criteria, PPO was found in 18 (22%) patients, and 32 (39%) patients experienced PIPs according to the STOPP criteria. The following factors were associated with PIP according to the START criteria: a number of comorbidities, reading the patient leaflet, and having the habit of drinking coffee. According to the STOPP criteria, polypharmacy was associated with PIP (OR = 1.287, p = 0.021): each additional drug increased the risk of potentially inadequate medications (PIM) by 28.7%. CONCLUSION: Adequate consideration of potential risk factors, as well as the implementation of valid criteria for assessment of PIP, are just some of the measures that would contribute to solving complex therapeutic problems and designing strategies for rational prescribing according to the individual characteristics of patients.
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Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Bisoprolol in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Bisoprolol is a selective beta adrenergic antagonist commonly used in treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of our analysis was to estimate and identify different factors that could affect bisoprolol clearance (CL) and develop a population pharmacokinetic model in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed by using sixty-six plasma concentrations from the same number of patients (mean age 60.26 ± 9.68 years; mean total body weight 80.37 ± 12.93 kg) with CAD. We examined the effects of various clinical and demographic parameters using nonlinear mixed-effect modeling (NONMEM) with ADVAN1 with TRANS2 subroutine. The pharmacokinetics of bisoprolol in patients with CAD were suitably defined by an oral one-compartment model. RESULTS: The typical mean value for bisoprolol CL, estimated by the base model, in the target population was 6.76 l/h. The only demographic covariate which affected bisoprolol pharmacokinetic variability was creatinine clearance (CLcr). The final model of bisoprolol clearance was described by following equation: CL (l/h) = 2.83 + 0.0385 × CLcr (ml/min). Validation of the final model was performed in a group of 17 patients using the validation set and bootstrapping analysis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that one of the causes of clearance of bisoprolol variability in patients with CAD is the difference in renal function.

The Association between Galectin-3 and hs-CRP and the Clinical Outcome after Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction with Preexisting Atrial Fibrillation.

Increased galectin-3 plasma concentration has been linked to an unfavorable outcome in patients with heart failure or atrial fibrillation (AF). There are no published data about the prognostic utility of galectin-3 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) for long-term clinical outcome in the Non-ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients with preexisting AF. Thirty-two patients with the first acute NSTEMI and preexisting AF and 22 patients without preexisting AF, were prospectively followed for fifteen months. Patients with AF had significantly higher galectin-3 plasma levels (p < 0.05) and hs-CRP concentration (p < 0.01), compared with patients without AF. Galectin-3 plasma concentration was not a significant covariate of the composite outcomes (p = 0.913). Patients with high hs-CRP (above 4.55 mg/L) showed 2.5 times increased risk (p < 0.05) of the composite outcome occurrence (p < 0.05). Besides, three-vessel coronary artery disease, creatinine serum level, and creatinine clearance were significant covariates (p < 0.05; p < 0.05; p < 0.01) of the composite outcome, respectively. Creatinine clearance, solely, has been shown to be an independent predictor of unfavorable prognosis after a 15-month follow-up. Galectin-3 and hs-CRP plasma levels were elevated in NSTEMI patients with AF, but with differential predictive value for an unfavorable clinical outcome. Only hs-CRP was associated with increased risk of composite outcome occurrence.

P-Glycoprotein Polymorphism C3435T Is Associated with Dose-Adjusted Clopidogrel and 2-Oxo-Clopidogrel Concentration.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: One of the most common polymorphisms of ABCB1 gene, a synonymous mutation C3435T (rs1045642), is associated with increased in vivo activity. The main goal of this study was to determine the association of C3435T polymorphism with clopidogrel and 2-oxo-clopidogrel concentrations in plasma. METHODS: The patients were recruited upon acute myocardial infarction diagnosis. They were all tested for ABCB1 C3435T polymorphism. In plasma, drawn 1 h after the drug administration, concentrations of clopidogrel and 2-oxo-clopidogrel were measured using UHPLC-DAD-MS analysis. RESULTS: Due to differences in the maintenance doses, we have calculated the dose-adjusted concentrations of clopidogrel (0.2 ng/ml/mg (0.1-0.4)) and 2-oxo-clopidogrel (2.1 ng/ml/mg (0.5-4.6)). Patients carrying at least one C allele achieved significantly higher serum concentration of clopidogrel (p < 0.001), as well as dose-adjusted clopidogrel (p < 0.001) and 2-oxo-clopidogrel concentrations (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The ABCB1 3435CC genotype is associated with increased clopidogrel and 2-oxo-clopidogrel dose-adjusted concentrations. Therefore, the ABCB1 C3435T genotyping should be one of the parameters taken into account when deciding about the dosing regimen of clopidogrel.

Oxidant and antioxidant status in experimental rat testis after testicular torsion/detorsion.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine oxidative stress (OS) parameters after testicular torsion/detorsion in adult rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, male adult Wistar rats were divided into four groups, each consisting of seven animals: group I-one hour right testicular torsion with subsequent orchiectomy, group II-one hour right testicular torsion followed by detorsion, group III-unilateral right-sided orchiectomy without previous torsion and group IV-control. After 30 days, bilateral orchiectomies were performed in rats with both testes and unilateral orchiectomies in rats with single testicles. Parameters of OS were determined in testicular tissue and in plasma. RESULTS: Plasma concentrations of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were higher (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively), whilst the plasma concentration of the total sulfhydryl (T-SH)-groups was lower (p<0.05) in group I compared to the control group. Group II had higher plasma concentrations of AOPP compared to group IV (p<0.05), as well as significantly increased TBARS and decreased T-SH-group levels compared to groups III (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively) and IV (p<0.01, for both parameters). There were significant differences in OS markers between the ipsilateral and contralateral testis, as well as significant correlations among levels of both plasma and tissue markers of OS. CONCLUSION: The increase in TBARS levels seen throughout the experimental period indicated that OS development was caused by ischemia/reperfusion in the testicular tissue. The oxidant-antioxidant system of the testicular tissue was altered during torsion as well as detorsion.

Impact of Ki-67 and E-cadherin expression on lymphovascular invasion in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma.

BACGROUND/AIM: Upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UUT-UC) constitutes 5% of malignant neoplasms arising from transitional epithelium, but is more invasive than bladder cancer. Lzmphovascular invasion (LVI) is associated with biologically aggressive carcinoma and with occult metastases. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between LVI and immunohistochemical expression of two frequently routinely applied immunohistochemical biomarkers, Ki-67 and E-cadherin, in UUT-UC. METHODS: The specimens from 106 patients with UUT-UC who had undergone nephroureterectomy were analyzed for pathologic parameters and LVI, while Ki-67 and E-cadherin expression were assessed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Ki-67 was overexpressed in 38% of the cases, while 45% of tumors demonstrated aberrant E-cadherin staining. The presence of LVI was significantly associated with tumor stage, grade, non-papillary growth, nodular invasion pattern, high Ki-67 labeling index and altered E-cadherin expression. Analyzing logistic regression models, we have shown that tumor properties such as stage, grade, growth and invasion pattern (p < 0.001), as well as the expression of Ki-67 and E-cadherin (p < 0.001) significantly predicted the presence of LVI. In the first model, only solid tumor architecture (p < 0.05) and nodular invasion pattern (p < 0.05) were significant predictors of LVI. In the second model, Ki-67 expression was found to improve the prediction of LVI (p < 0.05). CONSLUSION: Our results suggest that Ki-67 overexpression is an independent predictor of LVI in UUT-UC, indicating the progression of the disease. E-cadherin staining adds no valuable information to LVI probability assessment. This emphasizes the importance of Ki-67 staining of UUT-UC sections in routine pathological practice. Patients with Ki-67 overexpression, especially in solid tumors with nodular invasion, should be monitored more closely after surgery.