Depth-Specific Hypoxic Responses to Spreading Depolarizations in Gyrencephalic Swine Cortex Unveiled by Photoacoustic Imaging.

Spreading depolarizations (SDs) are a marker of brain injury and have a causative effect on ischemic lesion progression. The hemodynamic responses elicited by SDs are contingent upon the metabolic integrity of the affected tissue, with vasoconstrictive reactions leading to pronounced hypoxia often indicating poor outcomes. The stratification of hemodynamic responses within different cortical layers remains poorly characterized. This pilot study sought to elucidate the depth-specific hemodynamic changes in response to SDs within the gray matter of the gyrencephalic swine brain. Employing a potassium chloride-induced SD model, we utilized multispectral photoacoustic imaging (PAI) to estimate regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rcSO2%) changes consequent to potassium chloride-induced SDs. Regions of interest were demarcated at three cortical depths covering up to 4 mm. Electrocorticography (ECoG) strips were placed to validate the presence of SDs. Through PAI, we detected 12 distinct rcSO2% responses, which corresponded with SDs detected in ECoG. Notably, a higher frequency of hypoxic responses was observed in the deeper cortical layers compared to superficial layers, where hyperoxic and mixed responses predominated (p < 0.001). This data provides novel insights into the differential oxygenation patterns across cortical layers in response to SDs, underlining the complexity of cerebral hemodynamics post-injury.

Evaluation of bone densitometry by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry as a fracture prediction tool in women with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: The 2017 KDIGO guidelines establish a 2B grade recommendation in favor of testing Bone Mineral Density (BMD) by DXA to assess osteoporotic fracture (OPF) risk in patients with CKD G3a-G5D. Still, controversy remains because large studies evaluating it for this particular population are lacking. AIM: To establish the clinical performance of BMD measured by DXA in the evaluation of fracture risk in women with CKD. METHODS: We conducted a 43 year retrospective cohort study with 218 women ≥18 years-old with CKD and BMD measurement by DXA of total hip and lumbar spine. Clinical (age, year of CKD onset, comorbidities, BMI, transplant status, treatment), and biochemical (PTH, corrected calcium, phosphate, vitamin D [25 (OH) D3], creatinine, and albumin), parameters were collected from hospital records. All osteoporotic fractures (as defined by the WHO) found in the clinical and radiologic files were registered. RESULTS: 218 women with a median age of 60 years (40-73 IQ range) and a CKD evolution time of 12 years (7-18 IQ range) were evaluated. Forty-eight (28.23%) presented an OPF. These women were older (57 vs 69 years, p =0.0072) and had a lower BMD. CKD stage did not influence fracture incidence. In the multivariate analysis we found that for each standard deviation decrease in hip and lumbar spine T-Score, the overall fracture risk was 2.7 and 2.04 times higher, respectively. More than 50% of fractures took place within the first ten years of follow-up, especially with GFR <30 mL/min/m2 and osteoporosis. Diabetes and hypothyroidism accelerated fracture onset, while renal transplant delayed it. In the ROC analysis, the AUC was largest with the total hip (0.7098, p = 0.000) and lumbar spine (0.6916, p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: BMD measured by DXA is a useful fracture prediction tool for women with CKD, having a sensibility and specificity similar to that in the general population. It seems to be appropriate for the diagnosis, treatment decisions, and follow-up of patients with renal failure.

Evaluation of Perioperative High-Sensitive Cardiac Troponin I as a Predictive Biomarker of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events After Noncardiac Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Various studies suggest that perioperative concentrations of high-sensitivity troponins are incremental and predictive factors of a major adverse cardiac event (MACE) and all-cause mortality. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the predictive value of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) in the development of MACE and all-cause mortality, within 30-days and 1-year follow-up after noncardiac surgery. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, we included men ≥ 45 years and women ≥ 55 years with ≥ 2 cardiovascular risk factors and undergoing intermediate or high-risk noncardiac surgery. Demographic and clinical information was collected from clinical charts. We measured baseline hs-cTnI 24 h before surgery, and its post-operative concentration 24 h after surgery. RESULTS: In the entire sample, 8 patients (8.6%) developed MACE at 30-days follow-up (4 deaths), 12 (12.9%) within the 1st year (7 deaths), and 17 (18.2%) after complete post-surgical follow-up (10 deaths). We observed higher baseline and post-operative concentrations in patients who presented MACE (12 pg/ml vs. 3.5 pg/ml; p = 0.001 and 18.3 pg/ml vs. 5.45 pg/ml; p = 0.009, respectively). The hazard ratios (HRs) calculated by Cox regression analysis between the hs-cTnI baseline concentration and the post-operative development of MACE at 30-days and 1-year were 5.70 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-29.40) with hs-cTnI > 6.2 pg/ml and 12.86 (95% CI, 1.42-116.34) with hs-cTnI > 3.3 pg/ml, respectively. The estimated post-operative HR death risk at 1-year was 14.43 (95% CI, 1.37-151.61) with hs-cTnI > 4.5 pg/ml. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-operative hs-cTnI was an independent predictive risk factor for MACE at 30-days and 1-year after noncardiac surgery and for all-cause mortality at 1-year after noncardiac surgery.

EVALUATION OF PERIOPERATIVE HIGH-SENSITIVE CARDIAC TROPONIN I AS A PREDICTIVE BIOMARKER OF MAJOR ADVERSE CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS AFTER NONCARDIAC SURGERY.

BACKGROUND: Various studies suggest that perioperative concentrations of high-sensitivity troponins are incremental and predictive factors of a major adverse cardiac event (MACE) and all-cause mortality. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the predictive value of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) in the development of MACE and all-cause mortality, within 30-days and 1-year follow-up after noncardiac surgery. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, we included men ≥ 45 years and women ≥ 55 years with ≥ 2 cardiovascular risk factors and undergoing intermediate or high-risk noncardiac surgery. Demographic and clinical information was collected from clinical charts. We measured baseline hs-cTnI 24 h before surgery, and its post-operative concentration 24 h after surgery. RESULTS: In the entire sample, 8 patients (8.6%) developed MACE at 30-days follow-up (4 deaths), 12 (12.9%) within the 1st year (7 deaths), and 17 (18.2%) after complete post-surgical follow-up (10 deaths). We observed higher baseline and post-operative concentrations in patients who presented MACE (12 pg/ml vs. 3.5 pg/ml; p = 0.001 and 18.3 pg/ml vs. 5.45 pg/ml; p = 0.009, respectively). The hazard ratios (HRs) calculated by Cox regression analysis between the hs-cTnI baseline concentration and the post-operative development of MACE at 30-days and 1-year were 5.70 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-29.40) with hs-cTnI > 6.2 pg/ml and 12.86 (95% CI, 1.42-116.34) with hs-cTnI > 3.3 pg/ml, respectively. The estimated post-operative HR death risk at 1-year was 14.43 (95% CI, 1.37-151.61) with hs-cTnI > 4.5 pg/ml. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-operative hs-cTnI was an independent predictive risk factor for MACE at 30-days and 1-year after noncardiac surgery and for all-cause mortality at 1-year after noncardiac surgery.

Association of serum vitamin D levels with chronic disease and mortality / Asociación de los niveles séricos de vitamina D con la enfermedad crónica y la mortalidad

INTRODUCTION: whether hypovitaminosis D is an overarching cause of increased mortality or a prognostic marker of poor health has not been well elucidated. OBJECTIVES: we sought to determine the association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-(OH)-D3] levels with the clinical biochemical parameters and mortality risk in chronic diseases. METHODS: we reviewed the clinical charts and collected the clinical biochemical parameters of patients diagnosed with chronic conditions who had at least one 25-(OH)-D3 determination, with or without calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and who were selected using a cluster random sampling design (n = 1,705). The analysis was focused on metabolic disorders (type-2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM] and obesity), autoimmune disorders, and mortality. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: low 25-(OH)-D3 levels were reported in 1,433 (84.0 %) patients, of which 774 (45.4 %) had insufficiency (20-29 ng/mL) and 659 (38.6 %) patients had deficiency (< 20 ng/mL). Lower 25-(OH)-D3 levels in T2DM patients were associated with higher glycosylated hemoglobin levels (p < 0.001). Patients with 25-(OH)-D3 levels < 12.5 ng/mL had a higher mortality risk than those with levels ≥ 12.5 ng/mL (HR: 3.339; 95 % CI: 1.342-8.308). We observed lower 25-(OH)-D3 levels in patients with grade-III obesity (p = 0.01). We found a higher risk of 25-(OH)-D3 deficiency in rheumatoid arthritis, type-1 diabetes, and systemic lupus erythematosus (p = 0.032, p = 0.002, p = 0.049, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: we found a significant relationship between 25-(OH)-D3 levels and glycemic control, body mass index, autoimmune disease, and mortality risk. Nevertheless, whether hypovitaminosis D plays a causal role or is a consequence of chronic disease remains controversial

INTRODUCCIÓN: si la hipovitaminosis D constituye una causa general de mayor mortalidad o un marcador de mal pronóstico para la salud no se ha dilucidado por completo. OBJETIVOS: determinar la asociación de los niveles séricos de 25-hidroxivitamina D [25-(OH)-D3] con los parámetros clínico-bioquímicos y el riesgo de mortalidad en la enfermedad crónica. MÉTODOS: se revisaron los expedientes clínicos y recopilamos los parámetros clínico-bioquímicos de pacientes diagnosticados de enfermedades crónicas que tenían al menos una determinación de 25-(OH)-D3, con o sin suplemento de calcio y vitamina D, y que se seleccionaron mediante muestreo aleatorio por grupos (n = 1705). El análisis se centró en los trastornos metabólicos (diabetes mellitus de tipo 2 [DM2] y obesidad), los trastornos autoinmunes y la mortalidad. Se realizaron análisis multivariados de regresión logística. RESULTADOS: se encontraron niveles bajos de 25-(OH)-D3 en 1433 (84,0 %) pacientes, de los cuales 774 (45,4 %) tenían insuficiencia (20-29 ng/mL) y 659 (38,6 %) tenían deficiencia (< 20 ng/mL) de esta vitamina. Los niveles más bajos de 25-(OH)-D3 en los pacientes con DM2 se asociaron a niveles más altos de hemoglobina glucosilada (p < 0,001). Los pacientes con niveles de 25-(OH)-D3 < 12,5 ng/mL tenían mayor riesgo de mortalidad que aquellos con niveles ≥ 12,5 ng/mL (HR: 3,339; IC del 95 %: 1,342-8,308). Apreciamos niveles más bajos de 25-(OH)-D3 en los pacientes con obesidad de grado III (p = 0,01). Se encontró un mayor riesgo de deficiencia de 25-(OH)-D3 en la artritis reumatoide, la diabetes de tipo 1 y el lupus eritematoso sistémico (p = 0,032, p = 0,002, p = 0,049, respectivamente). CONCLUSIONES: apreciamos una relación significativa entre los niveles de 25-(OH)-D3 y el control glucémico, el índice de masa corporal, la enfermedad autoinmune y el riesgo de mortalidad. Sin embargo, sigue siendo controvertido si la hipovitaminosis D desempeña un papel causal o constituye una consecuencia de las enfermedades crónicas

Evaluation of perioperative high-sensitive cardiac troponin i as a predictive biomarker of major adverse cardiovascular events after noncardiac surgery

ABSTRACT Background: Various studies suggest that perioperative concentrations of high-sensitivity troponins are incremental and predictive factors of a major adverse cardiac event (MACE) and all-cause mortality. Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the predictive value of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) in the development of MACE and all-cause mortality, within 30-days and 1-year follow-up after noncardiac surgery. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, we included men ≥ 45 years and women ≥ 55 years with ≥ 2 cardiovascular risk factors and undergoing intermediate or high-risk noncardiac surgery. Demographic and clinical information was collected from clinical charts. We measured baseline hs-cTnI 24 h before surgery, and its post-operative concentration 24 h after surgery. Results: In the entire sample, 8 patients (8.6%) developed MACE at 30-days follow-up (4 deaths), 12 (12.9%) within the 1st year (7 deaths), and 17 (18.2%) after complete post-surgical follow-up (10 deaths). We observed higher baseline and post-operative concentrations in patients who presented MACE (12 pg/ml vs. 3.5 pg/ml; p = 0.001 and 18.3 pg/ml vs. 5.45 pg/ml; p = 0.009, respectively). The hazard ratios (HRs) calculated by Cox regression analysis between the hs-cTnI baseline concentration and the post-operative development of MACE at 30-days and 1-year were 5.70 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-29.40) with hs-cTnI > 6.2 pg/ml and 12.86 (95% CI, 1.42-116.34) with hs-cTnI > 3.3 pg/ml, respectively. The estimated post-operative HR death risk at 1-year was 14.43 (95% CI, 1.37-151.61) with hs-cTnI > 4.5 pg/ml. Conclusions: Pre-operative hs-cTnI was an independent predictive risk factor for MACE at 30-days and 1-year after noncardiac surgery and for all-cause mortality at 1-year after noncardiac surgery.

Quality of life is significantly impaired in both secretory and non-functioning pituitary adenomas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of life (QoL) in patients with pituitary adenomas in comparison with healthy Mexican population QoL scores. DESIGN & MEASUREMENTS: Cross-sectional study using the short form 36 questionnaire (SF-36) in 175 patients with pituitary adenomas grouped by adenoma subtype and disease activity, and compared them with the healthy Mexican population normative QoL scores. PATIENTS: A total of 44 patients with non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA), 48 with acromegaly, 53 with prolactinomas and 30 with Cushing disease (CD) were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: Mental and physical components scores (MCS & PCS) of SF-36 questionnaire were lower in patients with active disease in all adenoma subtypes (P < 0.03). A significant negative relationship between prolactin levels and MCS (r = -0.30, P < 0.01) and PCS (r = -0.41, P < 0.01) were found in prolactinomas. Patients with CD showed 24 hours urine-free cortisol levels negatively correlated with MCS (r = -0.43, P < 0.01) but not with PCS. No significant correlation was found between IGF-1 ULN and QoL scores in acromegaly. NFPA patients had lower QoL scores than patients with controlled CD, acromegaly or prolactinoma (P < 0.02). Active CD and prolactinoma have lower QoL scores in comparison of NFPA (P < 0.05). Having an adenoma, secretory or non-functioning, decrease QoL scores in comparison of results in the healthy Mexican population register. Using an adjusted-multivariate model, we confirmed that disease activity in all secretory adenomas is an independent risk factor, reducing SF-36 scores significantly. CONCLUSION: Activity in all secretory pituitary adenomas' patients decrease mental and physical QoL. However, independently of disease activity, secretory and NFPA significantly decrease QoL in comparison with healthy Mexican population QoL register.

Calculated Versus Measured Urine Osmolarity: Accuracy of Estimated Urine Density.

BACKGROUND: Urine osmolarity (OsmU) is the gold standard for the evaluation of the kidney's urine concentration capacity; nevertheless, urinary density (UD) is often used as a surrogate for its estimation. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze the accuracy of UD in estimating OsmU. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A transversal study including patients with simultaneous determination of UD measured with refractometry and OsmU measured by osmometer (OsmUm). We multiplied the last two digits of the UD by 35, 30, 32, 33.5, and 40 to estimate OsmU; the estimates were considered precise if the value was ± 30 mOsm/kg from the OsmUm. A Bland-Altman analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Among 205 patients, there was no difference between OsmUm and the estimated form when using a factor of 33.5 (p = 0.578). When analyzing by the absence or presence of proteinuria and/or glycosuria, there were no differences when using the factors 35 (p = 0.844) and 32 with adjusted UD (p = 0.898). In the linear correlation analysis, values for Pearson's r = 0.788 and r2 = 0.621 were obtained (p < 0.001). The areas under the curve obtained by the receiver operating characteristics curves to estimate urine osmolarity values < 100 and > 600 mOsm/kg were > 0.90. CONCLUSION: The estimation of the OsmU from UD showed adequate performance. If an osmometer is unavailable, we recommend using the factor 35 for clean samples and 32 with adjusted UD for samples with proteinuria and/or glycosuria.