European journal of clinical investigation
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Often differential diagnosis between AL and ATTR amyloidosis is difficult. Concerning ATTR, sensitive diagnostic tool, as diphosphonate scintigraphy, was validated, instead of no imaging approach is as accurate in AL. Cardiac ultrasound and circulating biomarkers may raise the clinical suspicion but biopsy remains the only option for diagnosis. We aimed to explore the sensitivity of 18F-Florbetaben PET respect to blood tests or periumbilical fat (POF), cardiac, bone marrow (BM) or other tissues biopsies in a cohort of 33 patients.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Oct 2024
ReviewEmerging clinical role of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibition-Part one: Pleiotropic pro-atherosclerotic effects of PCSK9.
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is primarily recognized for its role in lipid metabolism, but recent evidence suggests that it may have broader implications due to its diverse tissue expression. ⋯ PCSK9 exhibits diverse roles beyond lipid metabolism, potentially contributing to atherosclerosis through multiple pathways. Understanding these mechanisms could offer new insights into therapeutic strategies targeting PCSK9 for cardiovascular disease management.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Oct 2024
ReviewTracing the influence of prenatal risk factors on the offspring retina: Focus on development and putative long-term consequences.
Pregnancy represents a window of vulnerability to fetal development. Disruptions in the prenatal environment during this crucial period can increase the risk of the offspring developing diseases over the course of their lifetime. The central nervous system (CNS) has been shown to be particularly susceptible to changes during crucial developmental windows. To date, research focused on disruptions in the development of the CNS has predominantly centred on the brain, revealing a correlation between exposure to prenatal risk factors and the onset of neuropsychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, some studies indicate that the retina, which is part of the CNS, is also vulnerable to in utero alterations during pregnancy. Such changes may affect neuronal, glial and vascular components of the retina, compromising retinal structure and function and possibly impairing visual function. ⋯ Appropriate recognition of the prenatal risk factors that negatively impact the developing retina may provide critical clues for the design of preventive strategies and for early therapeutic intervention that could change retinal pathology in the progeny.