Cardio-microcurrent device treatment for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: Results from the C-MIC II open-label randomized controlled trial.

Aims: In patients with heart failure, alterations in electrical fields generated within the myocardium have been associated with myocardial oedema which can act as a substrate for left ventricular dysfunction. Safety and efficacy of a direct microcurrent therapy using an implanted generator (C-MIC) remain uncertain.

Methods And Results: Ambulatory patients with non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 25% to 35% and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III-IV were randomized to C-MIC (device) or control group in addition to guideline-directed medical therapy.

Which people with severe asthma attend pulmonary rehabilitation? Insights from the German Asthma Net.

https://bit.ly/4fjzoo1.

Lumbar spinal stenosis and surgical decompression affect sleep quality and position in patients. A prospective cross-sectional cohort study.

Introduction: It is reasonable to assume that lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) affects the cauda nerve roots also at night.

Research Question: Does microsurgical decompression influence sleep quality and position?

Materials And Methods: A study nurse interviewed 140 patients scheduled for LSS decompression using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Spinal Stenosis Measure (SSM), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for back and leg pain, Douleur Neuropathique (DN4), and Charlson Comorbidity Index. Epidemiologic and MRI data were collected along with self-reported rankings of preferred sleep positions (prone, supine, side, and fetal).

Clinical Signs in 166 Beagles with Different Genotypes of Lafora.

Lafora disease (LD) is a genetic disease affecting beagles, resulting in seizures in combination with other signs. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical signs of LD in beagles with different NHLRC1 genotypes. One hundred and sixty-six beagles were tested for an NHLRC1 gene defect: L/L ( = 67), N/L ( = 32), N/N ( = 67).

Molecular detection of Babesia spp. in dogs in Germany (2007-2020) and identification of potential risk factors for infection.

Background: In Europe, canine babesiosis is most frequently caused by Babesia canis and Babesia vogeli, and occasionally by Babesia gibsoni.. In Germany, B.

Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 (FGF-23) in Dogs-Reference Interval and Correlation with Hematological and Biochemical Parameters.

Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) is a phosphaturic hormone used to monitor chronic kidney disease (CKD) in humans. The aims of this study were (1) to determine the intra- and interassay precision of the FGF-23 concentrations in dogs as measured via the Kainos ELISA FGF-23 kit, (2) to calculate a reference interval, and (3) to assess the correlation of the FGF-23 concentration with the hematological and biochemical parameters. The coefficient of variation was below 15% for both the intra- and interassay precision, indicating good reproducibility.

Comparison of Three Different Diagnostic Assays for Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 (FGF-23) Measurements in Cats: A Pilot Study.

Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) is a phosphaturic hormone used to monitor chronic kidney disease (CKD) in humans. The aim of this pilot study was to compare three diagnostic assays and to assess how the results correlate with parameters of renal dysfunction in cats. Four groups of 10 cats each were formed retrospectively according to creatinine, based on IRIS staging.

Response to Biologics and Clinical Remission in the Adult German Asthma Net Severe Asthma Registry Cohort.

Background: Recently, criteria for evaluation of response to biologics have been proposed and the concept of clinical remission has gained attention as a possible goal even in severe asthma.

Objective: To analyze the response and remission in the German Asthma Net severe asthma registry cohort.

Methods: We included adults not using a biologic at baseline (V0) and compared patients treated between V0 and 1-year visit (V1) without using a biologic (group A) to patients starting with a biologic after V0 and continuing it up to V1 (group B).

Diagnostic cut-off values for the urinary corticoid:creatinine ratio for the diagnosis of canine Cushing's syndrome using an automated chemiluminescent assay.

Background: Cushing's syndrome is one of the most common endocrinopathies in dogs. The preferred screening test for spontaneous Cushing's syndrome is the low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST). The diagnostic value of urinary cortisol:creatinine ratios (UCCR) is questionable.

Intake of Acetylsalicylic Acid and High Age Are Risk Factors for Iron Deficiency Anemia in Patients with Large Diaphragmatic Hernias.

Introduction: In 15% of patients with iron deficiency anemia, large diaphragmatic hernias are found as the cause of chronic iron loss. Conversely, iron deficiency anemia is present in 10-40% of diaphragmatic hernia patients. However, it is unclear why some patients with large diaphragmatic hernias develop anemia and others do not.

The prevalence of redundant nerve roots in standing positional MRI decreases by half in supine and almost to zero in flexed seated position: a retrospective cross-sectional cohort study.

Purpose: This retrospective cross-sectional cohort study investigated the influence of posture on lordosis (LL), length of the spinal canal (LSC), anteroposterior diameter (APD L1-L5), dural cross-sectional area (DCSA) of the lumbar spinal canal, and the prevalence of redundant nerve roots (RNR) using positional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (0.6 T).

Methods: Sixty-eight patients with single-level degenerative central lumbar spinal stenosis (cLSS) presenting with RNR in the standing position (STA) were also investigated in supine (SUP) or neutral seated (SIT) and flexed seated (FLEX) positions.

The German severe asthma patient: Baseline characteristics of patients in the German Severe Asthma Registry, and relationship with exacerbations and control.

Introduction: The German Asthma Net Severe Asthma Registry is collecting long-term data from a large cohort of patients aged ≥6 years with severe asthma. This manuscript presents their baseline characteristics, and identifies relationships with exacerbations and/or poor asthma control.

Methods: The registry is collecting routine clinical parameters including: demographics and medical history; disease characteristics (Asthma Control Questionnaire [ACQ]-5, forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV]); exacerbations; and biomarkers (eosinophils, immunoglobulin E [IgE], fractional exhaled nitric oxide [FeNO]).

Non-interventional observational study broadens positive benefit-risk assessment of an immunomodulating herbal remedy in the common cold.

The unique extract of a mixture of radix, radix and herba alleviates the typical symptoms of the common cold and shortens the duration of the disease. The risk-benefit ratio of a concentrated formulation of this herbal extract was investigated under everyday conditions. Pharmacy-based, non-interventional, multicenter, open, uncontrolled study registered at DRKS00011068.