Changes in circulating lipopolysaccharide and zonulin following acute myocardial infarction: The impact of smoking.

Background: Serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a marker of gut dysbiosis and endotoxemia is associated with myocardial infarction (MI). We investigated factors affecting LPS changes in MI patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and aimed to establish factors associated with the degree of LPS decrease following MI.

Methods: In 46 PCI-treated MI patients (mean age 57.

Blood Pressure and Blood Pressure Variability in Relation to Chronic Low Back Pain Among Patients with Hypertension.

Introduction: Chronic pain which tends to be localised particularly in the lower back and lower extremities is one of the risk factors for elevated blood pressure (BP). In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated whether chronic low back pain (cLBP) is associated with BP variability, which may be related to increased mortality and morbidity.

Methods: We included 85 consecutive hypertensive patients with a median age of 62 years (IQR, 55-67) with cLBP, for which intensity was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).

Hypertension-Mediated Organ Damage in Relation to Severity of Chronic Low Back Pain in Hypertensive Patients.

Introduction: Chronic pain triggers a stress response, which results in increased blood pressure (BP). We investigated whether chronic low back pain (cLBP) in hypertensive patients is associated with an increased risk of hypertension-related organ damage.

Methods: We studied 85 consecutive hypertensive patients with a median age of 62 years (55-67), who suffered from cLBP, the severity of which was evaluated according to the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).

Prothrombotic plasma fibrin clot phenotype is associated with spontaneous echo contrast in atrial fibrillation: The role of protein carbonylation.

Introduction: Spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) and left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) increase the risk of stroke and its severity in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Formation of denser fibrin networks and impaired fibrinolysis are associated with stroke risk in AF. This study investigated whether the prothrombotic fibrin clot phenotype characterizes patients with SEC/LAAT.