Cholesterol Gallstones and Long-Term Use of Statins: Is Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis Bridging over Uncertainties?

A total of 300 research participants-200 consecutive patients diagnosed with dyslipidemia (100 statin (+), treated for at least five years, and 100 statin (-)) and 100 healthy controls-were included in this observational study. The aim of the study was to deliver insights into the relationship between the long-term use of statins for dyslipidemia and gallstone disease (GSD), as well as insights into the background particularities of the gut microbiota. All study participants underwent clinical examination, laboratory workups, stool microbiology/stool 16S r RNA, next-generation sequencing, and abdominal ultrasound/CT exams. Results: The research participants presented with similarities related to age, gender, and location. Patients displayed comparable heredity for GSs, metabolic issues, and related co-morbidities. Gut dysbiosis (DB) was present in 54% of the statin (-) patients vs. 35% of the statin (+) patients (p = 0.0070). GSs were present in 14% of patients in the statin (-) group vs. 5% of patients in the statin (+) group (p = 0.0304). Severe dysbiosis, with a significant reduction in biodiversity, an increase in LPS (+) bacteria, and a notable decrease in mucin-degrading bacteria, mucosa-protective bacteria, and butyrate-producing bacteria were observed in the statin (-) group. Strong positive correlations between GSD and diabetes/impaired glucose tolerance (r = 0.3368, p = 0.0006), obesity (r = 0.3923, p < 0.0001), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (r = 0.3219, p = 0.0011), and DB (r = 0.7343, p < 0.0001), as well as significant negative correlations between GSD and alcohol use (r = -0.2305, p = 0.0211), were observed. The multiple regression equation demonstrated that only DB (95% CI: 0.3163 to 0.5670; p < 0.0001) and obesity (95% CI: 0.01431 to 0.2578; p = 0.0289) were independent risk factors predicting GSD in the group of patients treated with statins. Conclusion: The long-term use of statins in dyslipidemic patients was associated with a low risk of developing GSs. The gut microbiota associated with a long-term use of statins in dyslipidemic patients was characterized by a low risk of developing an imbalance of various functional bacteria and alterations in the metabolic microbiota. DB and obesity were found to be independent risk factors predicting GSD in statin (+) patients.

Portal Vein Thrombosis in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: What Went Wrong?

Purpose: This study aimed to explore inflammatory biomarkers, stool's functional bacterial groups and their possible link to portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). Materials and Methods: An observational study of 300 participants: 200 inhospital cirrhotic patients, who met inclusion criteria, equally assigned into two groups, based on the presence or absence of PVT and 100 healthy controls was carried out. Results: The PVT group displayed significant differences related to older age, cigarettes smoking history, emergency admission, higher Child-Pugh score, metabolic related disorders and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, as well as non-obstructive aspects, with chronic thrombi. The PVT group exhibited significant differences related to biomarkers such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimers (D-D), as well as gut overall dysbiosis (DB) and alteration of different functional bacterial groups of the gut microbiota. Strong positive correlations were observed between PVT severity, and TNF-alpha, CRP, D-D as well as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) positive bacteria. Esophageal varices, age and abdominal pain were independent predictors for PVT severity as well as CRP, TNF-alpha and D-D. Conclusion: Patients with LC and PVT displayed elevation of TNF-alpha, CRP, D-D alterations of the functional gut microbiota, as well as several morphological and clinical particularities. Although the LPS positive gut microbiota was linked to inflammatory biomarkers and PVT severity, it was not proven to be an independent predictor of the PVT severity like CRP, TNF-alpha and D-D.

Metabolic Syndrome: A Strange Companion of Atrial Fibrillation; A Blessing in Disguise from the Neuropsychiatric Point of View.

Background: The concept of metabolic syndrome (MetSy) brings together components that individually represent a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, which over time can prove to be more harmful if a combined effect of these is exhibited. Method: A single-centre retrospective study in an academic medical unit was conducted. We analysed the link between the MetSy and the occurrence of neuropsychic complications among atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. We sifted through the files of the patients admitted during 2015-2016 to the Municipal Emergency University Hospital Timisoara, Romania, with the diagnosis of AF. We divided these AF patients into two groups: the first group comprised patients with atrial fibrillation and MetSy (267 patients), while the second group comprised AF patients without MetSy (843 patients). We analysed the occurrence of neuropsychic changes (stroke, Parkinson's disease, dementia, cognitive impairment, and silent lacunar infarction) among the two groups. Results: Cognitive impairment (p-value = 0.0081) and dementia (p-value < 0.0001) were less frequent in patients with AF and MetSy than in those with AF without MetSy. Regarding the presence of stroke and Parkinson's disease (PD), we could not demonstrate the existence of any statistically significant difference between the two groups. Using logistic regression (enter test), we found that MetSy might have a protective effect (OR = 0.4040, 95% CI [0.2132; 0.7654], p-value = 0.0054) for the occurrence of dementia in those patients. Furthermore, obesity was the only factor with a possible protective effect from all the constituents of the MetSy when analysed together (with a significance level of p-value = 0.0004 for the logistic regression). The protective effect of MetSy against stroke occurrence was supplementarily proven by a longer period of survival without stroke from the AF diagnosis (3.521 years, p = 0.0304) compared to patients with AF without MetSy (3.286 years to first stroke occurrence). Conclusions: Metabolic syndrome might offer protection against the occurrence of dementia among patients with AF, but no effect was noted when compared with the presence of stroke. Further studies on larger cohorts can help us reach a conclusion regarding the positive effects of the metabolic syndrome.

Rhythm Disturbances in Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome in Young Men without Pre-Existing Known Cardiovascular Disease-A Case Series.

Current data indicate the existence of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome frequently expressing as cardiovascular and respiratory health issues. The long-term evolution of these complications is not yet fully known or predictable. Among the most common clinical manifestations of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome are dyspnea, palpitations, and fatigue, in most cases being transient and without underlying any morphological or functional changes. A single-center retrospective observational study was performed on cases that had presented with new-onset cardiac symptoms post-COVID-19 infection. Records of three male patients without pre-existing chronic cardiovascular pathology who had presented for dyspnea, fatigue, and palpitations around four weeks post-COVID-19 acute phase were studied in detail. The three post-COVID-19 cases exhibited arrhythmic complications after completely healing from the acute phase of the infection. Palpitations, along with chest pain, and possible aggravation or appearance of dyspnea, with syncopal episodes, were found to be present. All the three cases were non-vaccinated against COVID-19 infection. Isolated case reports showing arrhythmic complications such as atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia on a small number of patients with these complications indicate the need for arrhythmic evaluation of large groups of patients in the post-acute stage of the COVID-19 syndrome for a better understanding of the phenomenon and implicitly better care of these patients. It would also be useful to evaluate large groups of patients divided into vaccinated/non-vaccinated against COVID-19 categories to determine whether vaccination per se can provide protection in the occurrence of these types of complications.

Prevalence of Cardio-Embolic Brain Complications in Permanent and Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Patients.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent of all cardiac arrhythmias, with an increasing prevalence in the last 20 years. Cardio-embolic brain complications (CEBC) related to AF often occur or recur, even following appropriate treatment. Method: We conducted a retrospective study and analyzed the presence of stroke, dementia, and Parkinson's disease (PD) in both paroxysmal and permanent AF patients. The records of 1111 consecutive admitted patients with primary diagnosis of AF at the Municipal Emergency University Hospital, Timisoara, between 2015 and 2016 were examined. Statistical analysis was performed on the patients included in the study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: A significant statistical difference was noted among the permanent AF group for stroke (48.75% vs. 26.74%, p < 0.001) and dementia (10.25% vs. 3.86%, p < 0.001) compared to paroxysmal AF patients. Permanent AF patients presented a higher risk of developing stroke, dementia, and PD compared to patients with paroxysmal AF. Meanwhile, male gender and an increase in age showed an increase in the odds of having cardio-embolic brain complications in patients with paroxysmal AF. Conclusion: Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that the risk of cardio-cerebral embolic complications is greater in permanent AF patients compared to paroxysmal AF cases. Ischemic stroke and dementia are more frequent in the permanent AF group, but analyzing the data regarding the age of onset paroxysmal AF is critical due to the fact that it involves a younger population. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help significantly in saving stroke patients.

NASH/NAFLD-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Added Burden.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequently found primary malignancy of the liver, showing an accelerated upward trend over the past few years and exhibiting an increasing relationship with metabolic syndrome, obesity, dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The connection between these risk factors and the occurrence of HCC is represented by the occurrence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) which later, based on genetic predisposition and various triggers (including the presence of chronic inflammation and changes in the intestinal microbiome), may evolve into HCC. HCC in many cases is diagnosed at an advanced stage and can be an incidental finding. We present such a scenario in the case of a 41-year-old male patient who had mild obesity and mixed dyslipidemia, no family or personal records of digestive pathologies and who recently developed a history of progressive fatigue, dyspepsia and mild upper abdominal discomfort initially thought to be linked to post-COVID syndrome, as the patient had COVID-19 pneumonia a month prior. The abdominal ultrasound revealed a mild hepatomegaly with bright liver aspect of the right lobe (diffuse steatosis), a large zone of focal steatosis (segments IV, III and II) and a left lobe tumoral mass, highly suggestive of malignancy. Point shear wave elastography at the right lobe ruled out an end-stage chronic liver disease. Additional laboratory investigations, imaging studies (magnetic resonance imaging) and histopathological examination of liver fragments confirmed a highly aggressive HCC, with poorly differentiation-G3, (T4, N 1M 0) and stage IVA, associated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). A sorafenib course of treatment was attempted, but the patient discontinued it due to severe side effects. The subsequent evolution was extremely unfavorable, with rapid degradation, a few episodes of upper digestive bleeding, hepatic insufficiency and mortality in a couple of months. Conclusions: Diagnosis of NASH-related HCC is either an accidental finding or is diagnosed at an advanced stage. In order to earn time for a proper treatment, it becomes important to diagnose it at an early stage, for which regular check-ups should be performed in groups having the risk factors related to it. Patients suffering from obesity and mixed dyslipidemia should undergo periodic abdominal ultrasound examinations. This should be emphasized even more in the cases showing NASH. Complaints of any kind post-COVID-19 should be dealt with keenly as little is yet known about its virulence and its long-term side effects.

A Review of the Role of Transthoracic and Transesophageal Echocardiography, Computed Tomography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Cardioembolic Stroke.

Stroke is a major source of morbidity and mortality worldwide, accounting for the second largest cause of mortality and the third greatest cause of disability. Stroke is frequently preceded by a transient ischemic attack (TIA). The etiologies of 20-30% of ischemic strokes are unknown, and thus are termed "cryptogenic strokes". About 25% of ischemic strokes are cardioembolic. Strokes occur at a rate of around 2% per year in individuals with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), with a strong correlation between stroke risk and the degree of ventricular impairment. Furthermore, stroke risk is augmented in the absence of anticoagulation therapy. Cardioembolic strokes, when treated inadequately, have a greater predilection for recurrences than atherothrombotic strokes, both early and late in life. The role of a patent foramen ovale in strokes, specifically in "cryptogenic strokes", is a matter of concern that deserves due attention. The use of tissue-engineered heart valves and aspirin for minimizing the risk of stroke is recommended. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is advantageous for assessing heart function in the acute phase of ischemic stroke. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is considered the criterion standard procedure for detecting LAA thrombi. Computed tomography (CT) scans are good imaging modalities for identifying and excluding bleeding. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images are by far the most effective imaging technique available for assessing the brain parenchymal state. We conducted a thorough review of the literature on the use of imaging modalities, highlighting the important contribution of TTE, TEE, CT, and MRI in the evaluation of cardioembolic stroke.

COVID-19 and the Human Eye: Conjunctivitis, a Lone COVID-19 Finding - A Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVES: COVID-19 has varied clinical manifestations, from asymptomatic to severe cases, and conjunctivitis is one of them, but sometimes a lone initial symptom is found to be present. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of conjunctivitis as the first symptom in COVID-19 patients in a primary healthcare unit. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study was conducted, analyzing the presenting complains/symptoms and results of COVID-19-confirmatory tests. RESULTS: Out of the 672 cases that were sent for RT-PCR testing, only 121 (18%) were found to be positive. Among these, 2.67% patients had both conjunctivitis and COVID-19, 77.77% patients had unilateral eye affected, while 22.22% had bilateral conjunctivitis of varying degrees. Fifteen patients diagnosed to have both acute conjunctivitis and COVID-19 presented other symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection. Three patients had only acute conjunctivitis during their entire course of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Conjunctivitis is a symptom of COVID-19 and may be the first sign of the infection, until the onset of the classical manifestations; such patients may continue to be a viral reservoir. Physicians should not miss unilateral conjunctivitis as it can be the only presenting complaint of COVID-19 during the initial phase, which might worsen if undetected and can aid in the spread of the contagion.

Identification of Heavy Tobacco Smoking Predictors-Influence of Marijuana Consuming Peers and Truancy among College Students.

BACKGROUND: Poorly informed college students tend to adopt the habit of cigarette smoking. This habit often continues into their adulthoods, adversely affecting the population's health and increasing the burden on healthcare systems. AIM: We aimed at exploring the predictors of the avoidable habit of smoking. We performed an analysis of the correlation between the potential predictors (marijuana use among peers and truancy) and the tobacco smoking statuses of the students. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Our study sample included 2976 students from colleges in Timis County, Romania, during the 2018-2019 period. The gender distribution of the participants was 62.5% girls and 37.5% boys, between the ages 18 and 25 years. A logistic regression test was performed to determine the impact of some personal and environmental factors, which are responsible for heavy smoking in this population. RESULTS: Our findings suggest that the degree of marijuana smoking among friends and the frequency of college truancy are meaningful predictors of heavy smoking among young adults. The students with higher cigarette smoking rates had significantly more marijuana-smoking friends when compared to the students with average smoking rates. The truancy was higher among the students with higher cigarette smoking rates, compared to the students with average smoking rates.

Benefits of prescribing low-dose digoxin in atrial fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION: The role of digoxin (cardiac glycoside) in controlling the heart rate (HR) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients has not been explored in depth. METHODS: To contribute to the limited data, our team conducted retrospective analysis of the clinical records of 1444 AF patients. We divided the AF patients into two groups, wherein group 1 patients were treated with beta-blockers (BB), low-dose digoxin, and an anticoagulant (vitamin K antagonist/factor-IIa inhibitor/factor-Xa inhibitor), and group 2 patients were treated with just BB and an anticoagulant. Our objectives were to compare the impact of combination therapy of BB and digoxin on the resting HR in patients with permanent AF and the patients' quality of life (QOL) at periodic intervals. RESULTS: The findings of our study showed a better control of the resting HR rate (<110bpm) and an improved QOL among the group 1 patients when compared with group 2 patients. CONCLUSION: Our findings are indicative of the favorable clinical outcomes that resulted from the addition of a low-dose of digoxin to the AF treatment regimen. However, larger studies/trials elucidating the outcomes of AF patients treated with the dual rate control therapy are required, to clarify the role of digoxin, guide the choice of agents, and standardize the AF treatment protocol.