Assessment of the Impact of Alcohol Consumption Patterns on Heart Rate Variability by Machine Learning in Healthy Young Adults.

Background and Objectives: Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction is present in early stages of alcohol abuse and increases the likelihood of cardiovascular events. Given the nonlinear pattern of dynamic interaction between sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and para sympathetic nervous system (PNS) and the complex relationship with lifestyle factors, machine learning (ML) algorithms are best suited for analyzing alcohol impact over heart rate variability (HRV), because they allow the analysis of complex interactions between multiple variables. This study aimed to characterize autonomic nervous system dysfunction by analysis of HRV correlated with cardiovascular risk factors in young individuals by using machine learning. Materials and Methods: Total of 142 young adults (28.4 ± 4.34 years) agreed to participate in the study. Alcohol intake and drinking patterns were assessed by the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) questionnaire and the YAI (Yearly Alcohol Intake) index. A short 5-min HRV evaluation was performed. Post-hoc analysis and machine learning algorithms were used to assess the impact of alcohol intake on HRV. Results: Binge drinkers presented slight modification in the frequency domain. Heavy drinkers had significantly lower time-domain values: standard deviation of RR intervals (SDNN) and root mean square of the successive differences (RMSSD), compared to casual and binge drinkers. High frequency (HF) values were significantly lower in heavy drinkers (p = 0.002). The higher low-to-high frequency ratio (LF/HF) that we found in heavy drinkers was interpreted as parasympathetic inhibition. Gradient boosting machine learner regression showed that age and alcohol consumption had the biggest scaled impact on the analyzed HRV parameters, followed by smoking, anxiety, depression, and body mass index. Gender and physical activity had the lowest impact on HRV. Conclusions: In healthy young adults, high alcohol intake has a negative impact on HRV in both time and frequency-domains. In parameters like HRV, where a multitude of risk factors can influence measurements, artificial intelligence algorithms seem to be a viable alternative for correct assessment.

Benefits of multiple micronutrient supplementation in heart failure: A comprehensive review.

BACKGROUND: Multiple micronutrient supplementation has been suggested to have a role on health outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF), but the evidence is inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the role of multiple micronutrient supplementation in heart failure we performed a comprehensive review of the literature. METHODS AND RESULTS: The search in databases included PUBMED (until June 2018) to detect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyzes that investigated the impact of micronutrient supplementation in HF. RESULTS: With more than 2357 titles and abstracts reviewed, we included only the studies suitable for the final review. Whether alone or in combination, micronutrients have been found to improve the health outcomes of patients with HF by improving symptoms, work capacity and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), thus increasing the quality of life in these patients. CONCLUSION: Future studies are needed to document the effects of multiple micronutrient associations in order to include them in nutritional guidelines to increase survival and to improve quality of life in patients with heart failure.

The Importance of DS-14 and HADS Questionnaires in Quantifying Psychological Stress in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background and Objectives: The comorbid association between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and a psychological profile characterized by depression and/or anxiety has been reported to increase the risk of coronary heart disease (CAD), the most striking macrovascular complication of diabetes. The purpose of the present study was to quantify anxiety, depression and the presence of type D personality, and to correlate the scores obtained with cardiovascular risk factors and disease severity in diabetic patients. Materials and methods: The retrospective study included 169 clinically stable diabetic patients divided into two groups: group 1 without macrovascular complications (n = 107) and group 2 with CAD, stroke and/or peripheral vascular disease (n = 62). A biochemical analysis and an assessment of psychic stress by applying the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)and the Type D scale (DS-14) to determine anxiety, depression and D personality scores were done in all patients. Statistical analysis was made using SPSSv17 and Microsoft Excel, non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Results: Following application of the HAD questionnaire for the entire group (n = 169), anxiety was present in 105 patients (62.2%), and depression in 96 patients (56.8%). Group 2 showed significantly higher anxiety scores compared to group 1 (p = 0.014), while depression scores were not significantly different. Per entire group, analysis of DS-14 scores revealed social inhibition (SI) present in 56 patients (33%) and negative affectivity (NA) in 105 patients (62%). TheDS-14 SI score was significantly higher in group 2 compared to group 1 (p = 0.036). Type D personality, resulting from scores above 10 in both DS-14 parameter categories, was present in 51 patients of the study group (30%). There was a direct and significant correlation (r = 0.133, p = 0.025) between the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety (HAD-A) score and the LDL-c values. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrated that more than a half of patients with diabetes had anxiety and/or depression and one third had Type D personality, sustaining that monitoring of emotional state and depression should be included in the therapeutic plan of these patients. New treatment strategies are needed to improve the well-being of diabetic patients with psychological comorbidities.

Importance of H-FABP in Early Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Over the years, troponins have aced the para-clinical tests for confirming the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. However, the rise in their levels is entirely time-dependent, which can cause a delay in the initiation of treatment protocols. Heart fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) can serve comparatively as a better biological marker for overcoming this flaw of troponins, as it is quickly released into the bloodstream once the myocardial injury occurs due to decreased blood supply. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of this marker as well as establish the specificity and sensitivity of testing the H-FABP, if it adds to early diagnosis and can be relied upon in the future. Material and Methods: We evaluated 83 patients and their H-FABP levels, along with the standard cardiac markers like hsTni and CK-MB, in patients presenting with symptoms indicating an ongoing coronary event, who had presented to our hospital between August 2020 and June 2021. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 comprised patients who had first medical contact within 4 hours of the onset of chest pain, and group 2 patients who had first medical contact after 4 hours of the appearance of symptoms. Statistical analysis was performed using MedCalc v20.023, considering statistical significance values of p <0.05. Results for targeted variables are presented using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, range, median, and associated interquartile range) for continuous data, and counts with associated percentages for categorical data. Results: H-FABP was found to have better sensitivity and specificity of 89.67 and 95.65 in group 1 patients and 86.73 and 49.84, respectively, in group 2 patients. The other two cardiac biomarkers evaluated had lower values in response to H-FABP in the first 4 hours of presentation. Results for group 2 showed that specificitivity for hsTni is higher than that of H-FABP, that is, 69.98. Conclusion: Heart fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) should be included in the protocol for biochemical evaluation of all patients presenting to the emergency services with a suspicion of possible myocardial infarction. Early detection of this protein can help in effective and timely management of myocardial infarction, thus further decreasing mortality rates and the financial burden on healthcare systems worldwide.

Increased Susceptibility for Thromboembolic Events versus High Bleeding Risk Associated with COVID-19.

The infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus is associated with numerous systemic involvements. Besides the severe respiratory injuries and cardiovascular complications, it became obvious early on that this disease carries an increased risk of thromboembolic events, but a higher propensity for bleedings as well. We researched the medical literature over significant PubMed published articles debating on the prevalence, category of patients, the moment of occurrence, and evolution of venous thromboembolism (VTE), but also of venous and arterial "in situ" thrombosis (AT), and hemorrhagic events as well. Most researchers agree on an increased prevalence of thromboembolic events, ranging between 25 and 31% for VTE, depending on the analyzed population. For AT and hemorrhagic complications lower rates were reported, namely, about 2-3%, respectively, between 4.8 and 8%, occurring mostly in older patients, suffering from moderate/severe forms of COVID-19, with associated comorbidities. It is important to mention that patients suffering from hemorrhages frequently received thromboprophylaxis with anticoagulant drugs. As a consequence of thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications which are both important negative prognostic factors, the evolution of patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus is aggravated, determining an augmented morbidity and mortality of this population.

COVID-19 Related Myocarditis and Myositis in a Patient with Undiagnosed Antisynthetase Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The clinical presentation of SARS-CoV-2 varies from patient to patient. The most common findings noted were respiratory tract infections, of different severity grades. In some cases, multi-organ damage was noted. Due to its high potential for causing severe systemic inflammation such as myositis and myocarditis, patients should be properly investigated, which carries high chances of SARS-CoV-2 being easily missed if not investigated on time and which can result in more fatal outcomes. CASE REPORT: We present a case of COVID-19 infection in a non-vaccinated male patient, who presented to our clinic with no symptoms of respiratory involvement but with severe muscle aches. Cardiac markers and procalcitonin levels were high, and concentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle, severe hypokinesia of the interventricular septum and of the antero-lateral wall, hypokinesia of the inferior and posterior wall and an ejection fraction of the left ventricle being around 34% was noted. Coronary angiography showed no lesions. Corticosteroids and antibiotics were instituted which showed improvement. A possible link to an autoimmune process was suspected, due to the presence of anti-PL-7 antibody, suggesting an antisynthetase syndrome. CONCLUSION: Each and every patient should be thoroughly investigated, and presently little is known in regards to this virus. Studies focusing on possible relationships between the COVID-19 and autoimmune disease can help to potentially generate better outcomes.

Evaluation of Psychological Stress Parameters in Coronary Patients by Three Different Questionnaires as Pre-Requisite for Comprehensive Rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Negative psychological conditions are common in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Although depression has been scrutinized over the years in these patients, only recently has anxiety emerged as another important risk factor. The purpose of this study was to compare the parameters of psychological stress in a population of coronary patients with and without myocardial revascularization procedures and to analyze lifestyle and socio-economic contributors to the state of health of these patients before inclusion in a comprehensive individualized rehabilitation program. METHODS: This study included 500 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) in stable condition divided in 2 groups: 200 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) (Group 1) and 300 patients without myocardial revascularization (Group 2) with stable angina or thrombolyzed myocardial infarction. The protocol included screening for anxiety/depression after procedure using three different scales: Duke Anxiety-Depression Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Type D Personality Scale (DS-14) scale that evaluates negative affectivity (NA) and social inhibition (SI). RESULTS: Significant differences between groups were observed for HAD-A (9.1 ± 4.18 for Group 1 vs. 7.8 ± 4.03 for Group 2, p = 0.002) and DUKE scores (30.2 ± 12.25 for Group 1 vs. 22.7 ± 12.13 for Group 2, p < 0.001). HAD-A scores (p = 0.01) and DUKE scores (p = 0.04) were significantly higher in patients who underwent PTCA vs. CABG. CAD patients without myocardial revascularization (Group 2, n = 300) presented anxiety in proportion of 72.3% (n = 217) out of which 10.7% (n = 32) had severe anxiety, and 180 patients had depression (a proportion of 60%) out of which 1.3% (n = 4) presented severe depression. The correlation between the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and type D personality in revascularized patients (n = 200) was significant (Chi2 test, p = 0.010). By applying multinomial regression according to the Cox and Snell R-square model and multivariate linear regression by the Enter method, we demonstrated that male gender, age and marital status proved significant predictors for psychological stress in our study population. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in this study provide a framework for monitoring anxiety, depression and type D personality in coronary patients before inclusion in comprehensive rehabilitation programs. Behavioral and psychological stress responses in patients with CAD significantly correlate with risk factors, and could influence the evolution of the disease. Moreover, other factors like gender, income and marital status also seem to play a decisive role. Evaluation of psychological stress parameters contributes to a better individualization at the start of these programs, because it allows adjusting of all potential factors that may influence positive outcomes.

[Gram-positive cocci isolated from urocultures of ambulatory and hospitalized patients with surgical risk]. / Coci Gram-pozitivi izolati din uroculturi provenite din ambulator si sectii cu risc chirurgical.

OBJECTIVES: We propose a comparative study of sensitivity to antibiotics of Gram-positive germs isolated in urocultures from patients in ambulatory and two wards with surgical risk (urology and obstetrics-gynaecology), and also to establish the resistance phenotypes of these strains. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 124 strains of Gram-positive cocci were studied: 28 S. aureus strains, 24 strains of coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CNS), 23 Streptococcus aglactiae strains, 1 Streptococcus anginosus strain and 48 Enterococcus spp. strains. The isolated strains came from 4398 urocultures (1889--ambulatory, 1871--urology, 629--obstetrics-gynaecology). Testing of antibiotic sensitivity was performed through Kirby-Bauer disk-diffusion method, with automatic phenotyping (Osiris Evolution system). RESULTS: In ambulatory, the wild phenotype was predominant in all isolated strains (33.33% S. aureus, 50% CNS, 100% Streptococcus aglactiae, 60% Enterococcus spp.). In the urology ward, the following multiresistant strains were isolated: 9 MRSA strains (47.36%), 1 MRSE strain (100%), 1 VRE strain (4.34%). In the obstetrics-gynaecology ward, 7 strains showed multiple antibiotic resistance: 4 MRSA strains (66.66%), 2 MRSE strains (50%), 1 VRE strain (6.66%). CONCLUSIONS: Multiresistant strains were isolated in hospital environment, which can be explained by the improper use of antibiotics, the instrumental approach of the urinary tract, and the existence of risk factors in the patients admitted in the above-mentioned wards. Enforcement of efficient nosocomial infection control measures is advisable, as well as a policy for rational antibiotic use.

[Antibiotic resistance patterns in Acinetobacter spp. strains isolated from hospital environment]. / Pattern-uri de rezistenta la antibiotice ale unor tulpini de Acinetobacter spp. izolate din mediul spitalicesc.

INTRODUCTION: The Acinetobacter species are ubiquitary germs isolated more and more frequently, Acinetobacter baumannii being currently considered the second strictly aerobic microorganism involved in the ethiology of severe nosocomial infections. Acinetobacter baumannii is usually encountered in surgery and intensive care units, especially in patients with depressed immunity, in which various locations are possible, the most frequvent being the respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections and bacteriemia. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study used 52 strains of Acinetobacter spp. isolated from 1131 biological samples (bronchial aspirat, urine, wound secretion, blood, pus, CFS) obtained from the patients of the Timisoara Country Hospital. Identification of germs was performed using the API (BioMerieux) system, and the antibiotics sensitivity testing was made by disk diffusion testing (Kirby-Bauer), with automatic reading and phenotyping through the Osiris Evolution (BioRad) system. RESULTS: The study of resistance to beta-lactamines has pointed out the predominance of penicillinase and cephalosporinase producing strains, 55.77% of the tested ones being part of this phenotype. 90.38% of the strains were resistant to one or more aminoglycosides. Of the tested strains 76.93% were resistant to fluoroquinolones, 86.54% to trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole, and only 21.15% to tethracycline. CONCLUSIONS: Among the emerging pathogens involved in the nosocomial infections, Acinetobacter baumannii strains have become, in the past decades, a real health issue, due to the variety and seriousness of clinical symptoms. Through the constant increase of the cases number, and the difficulty of applying an effective treatment, the above-mentioned strains showed a multiple resistance to antibiotics.

[Phenotype characterisation of Enterococcus spp. strains isolated from urocultures]. / Caracterizarea fenotipica a unor tulpini de Enterococcus spp. izolate din uroculturi.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim is to comparatively study the susceptibility to antibiotics of Enterococcus spp. strains isolated from urocultures of patients admitted in the urology department, as well as from ambulatory patients, and also to establish the resistance phenotypes of these strains. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 33 strains of Enterococcus spp.: 10 isolated from a total of 1889 urocultures from ambulatory patients (of which 431 positive) and 23 isolated from 1871 urocultures from patients admitted in the urology department (of which 462 positive). The antibiotic susceptibility was realised by Kirby-Bauer disk-diffusion tests. Statistical analysis of the antibiograms and determining of the resistance phenotypes were performed with automatic reading methods (Osiris--Bio Rad Laboratories), according to the CLSI/NCCLS standard. RESULTS: The wild phenotype was present in 60% of the strains isolated from ambulatory patients, and only in 39.13% in patients admitted in the urology department. In the urology department a multiresistant strain was isolated, displaying Van A (VRE) phenotype, to which was added resistance to beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, macrolides, tetracycline and nitrofurans. CONCLUSIONS: In the past decades urinary tract infections with Enterococcus spp., especially the nosocomial ones, have become serious health issues because of the increasing number of cases and the difficulty of treatment of infections caused by multi-resistant strains. In order to limit the spread of these strains, especially VRE strains, in the hospital environment, efficient measures must be instituted for the control of nosocomial infections, accompanied by policies for the rational use of antibiotics.

[Monitoring of resistance to chemotherapeutics of enterobacteria strains isolated from urocultures from out-patients]. / Monitorizarea rezistentei la chimioterapicele antiinfectioase a enterobacteriilor izolate din uroculturi provenite de la pacienti din ambulator.

The importance of urinary tract infections relies in their relatively high incidence, as well as in their numerous and complicated problems of diagnosis and treatment. Considering the high incidence of urinary infections we made a study in order to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of Enterobacteriaceae strains isolated from urocultures of ambulatory patients and to precise the resistance phenotypes of these strains. We studied enterobacteriaceae strains isolated from 1889 urocultures of ambulatory patients between January - December 2004. From 1889 urocultures 431 were positive, the most common strains were E. coli - 350 strains (81.21%). We observed a constant lowering of the sensitivity of E. coli strains to many antimicrobial agents which draws attention to on the importance of monitoring antibiotics prescriptions. We must draw a signal about the presence of some ESBL (beta-lactamase with extended spectrum) strains (1 E. coli strain and 3 Klebsiella pneumoniae strains), which are usually isolated in hospital, due to empiric, irrational and abusive usage of antibiotics, without doing the antibiograms.

[A comparative study of resistance phenotypes in E. coli strains isolated in urine from hospitalized and ambulatory patients]. / Studiu comparativ al fenotipurilor de rezistenta a tulpinilor de E. coli izolate din uroculturi provenite de la pacienti internati si din ambulator.

112 strains of E coli from 620 urocultures of hospitalized and ambulatory patients where isolated between March-June 2002. Our purpose was to make a comparative study of the susceptibility to antibiotics of 31 strains of E coli isolated in hospital (County Clinical Hospital Nr. 1 Timisoara--Urology Clinic and Intensive Care Unit) and 81 strains collected from ambulatory patients. Identification of germs was performed using the automatic API system, and the susceptibility tests were performed using disc-diffusion and the agar dilution test. By analyzing the extended antibiograms we categorized the germs considering their phenotypes of resistance and remarked a high percentage of E coli strains from hospitalized showing multiple resistance to antibiotics.

Lifestyle, cardio-metabolic risk and arterial stiffness.

UNLABELLED: HDL-cholesterol plays a key role defining the functional state of the arteries and the relation to cardiovascular risk. AIM: To assess the degree of arterial stiffness in asymptomatic subjects with and without cardiovascular risk, depending on lipidic parameters behavior and on the insulin resistance state. METHODS: Arterial stiffness was assessed using the carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (PWV-CR) measured with Complior; cardiovascular risk was calculated using the SCORE chart; metabolic risk was quantified by assessing fasting lipidic (TC, TG, HDL, LDL) and glycemic parameters (HOMA-IR >1 defines the insulin resistance state). RESULTS: 58 asymptomatic subjects, 57.62 +/- 14.40 years: 46.55% with (SCORE > or = 5%) and 53.45% without (SCORE < 5%) cardiovascular risk. In subjects with SCORE < 5% and low HDL (< 40 mg/dL), PWV-CR is influenced by the TG/HDL ratio (R2=0.27, p=0.04); LDL < 115 mg/dL has a powerful influence on PWV-CR (R2=0.58, p=0.02); the association of lipidic alterations is predictive for increased PWV-CR (> or = 9.5 m/s) (R2=0.85, p=0.008). In subjects with SCORE > or = 5%, protective HDL level (> or = 40 mg/dL) and HOMA-IR > 1, PWV-CR is strongly related to the insulin resistance state (R2=0.74, p=0.02), also to the association with LDL levels (R2=0.92, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The association between low HDL levels and other lipidic alterations in asymptomatic subjects with low cardiovascular risk influences the degree of arterial stiffness. Increased HDL levels and the presence of insulin resistance syndrome in high risk asymptomatic subjects are predictive for arterial stiffness. This prediction is amplified by LDL association to the metabolic state of the insulin resistance syndrome. It is necessary to establish target levels for HDL and TG in the cardiovascular disease prevention guidelines.