The red blood cell distribution width(RDW) is a simple, rapid, inexpensive and straightforward hematological parameter, reflecting the degree of anisocytosis in vivo. The currently available scientific evidence sugges...The red blood cell distribution width(RDW) is a simple, rapid, inexpensive and straightforward hematological parameter, reflecting the degree of anisocytosis in vivo. The currently available scientific evidence suggests that RDW assessment not only predicts the risk of adverse outcomes(cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, hospitalization for acute decompensation or worsened left ventricular function) in patients with acute and chronic heart failure(HF), but is also a significant and independent predictor of developing HF in patients free of this condition. Regarding the biological interplay between impaired hematopoiesis and cardiac dysfunction, many of the different conditions associated with increased heterogeneity of erythrocyte volume(i.e., ageing, inflammation, oxidative stress, nutritional deficiencies and impaired renal function), may be concomitantly present in patients with HF, whilst anisocytosis may also directly contribute to the development and worsening of HF. In conclusion, the longitudinal assessment of RDW changes over time may be considered an efficient measure to help predicting the risk of both development and progression of HF.展开更多
The measurement of procalcitonin has recently become a mainstay for the diagnosis and therapeutic management of severe bacterial infections, especially those sustained by Gram-negative bacteria. Therefore, the aim of ...The measurement of procalcitonin has recently become a mainstay for the diagnosis and therapeutic management of severe bacterial infections, especially those sustained by Gram-negative bacteria. Therefore, the aim of this article is to provide a narrative overview on the potential role of procalcitonin measurement in patients with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD). According to the available scientific literature, the clinical significance of procalcitonin for diagnosing IBD or monitoring disease activity remains elusive, and its association with disease severity is confined to a limited number of case-control studies, with low sample size. Nevertheless, literature data also suggests that a supranormal procalcitonin serum concentration(i.e., > 0.5 ng/m L) may reflect the presence of a number of infective complications in IBD, especially bacterial enterocolitis, bacterial gastroenteritis, intraabdominal abscess, postsurgical infection and sepsis. Rather than for diagnosing or assessing disease activity, the measurement of this biomarker may hence retain practical clinical significance for early prediction, timely diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of many IBDassociated infections and complications.展开更多
The incorporation of biomarkers in the actually used risk scores seem to be helpful for early identifying atrial fibrillation(AF)patients at higher risk.The aim of this critical review of the scientific literature is ...The incorporation of biomarkers in the actually used risk scores seem to be helpful for early identifying atrial fibrillation(AF)patients at higher risk.The aim of this critical review of the scientific literature is to investigate the potential clinical significance of red blood cell distribution width(RDW)in AF.A systematic electronic search was carried out to identify all articles describing an epidemiological association between RDW and AF in adult human populations.Data abstraction was conducted on a final number of 35 articles(13 crosssectional,12 prospective and 10 retrospective studies).The results of these epidemiological investigations were all virtually concordant to emphasize that an enhanced RDW value is not only a predictive factor and a marker of AF but its measurement may also be helpful for predicting the risk of developing many adverse complications in patients with AF,such as recurrence and duration of AF,hospitalization for heart failure,bleeding,left atrial thrombosis and stasis,thromboembolic events and mortality.AF patients with RDW values exceeding the local reference range may be more aggressively investigated and managed,in order to identify and attenuate the impact of possible underlying disorders causing both anisocytosis and AF.展开更多
The many important benefits of physical exercise also encompass maintenance or improvement of cognitive functions. Among the variousmechanisms underlying the association between physical exercise and brain health, rec...The many important benefits of physical exercise also encompass maintenance or improvement of cognitive functions. Among the variousmechanisms underlying the association between physical exercise and brain health, recent evidence attests that neurotrophin receptor signalingmay have an important role, because the activation of this pathway leads to growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses, supportsaxonal and dendritic growth, fosters synaptic plasticity, and preserves survival of existing neurons. In this review of published evidence, we highlightthat a positive relationship exists between physical exercise and circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and that the postexercisevariation of this molecule is associated with improvement of neurocognitive functioning. Less clear evidence has instead been published forother neurotrophins, such as nerve growth factor, neurotrophin-3, and neurotrophin-4. Overall, promotion of adequate volumes and intensities ofphysical exercise (i.e., approximately 3 months of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, with 2—3 sessions/week lasting not less than 30 min)may hence be regarded as an inexpensive and safe strategy for boosting brain-derived neurotrophic factor release, thus preserving or restoringcognitive functions.展开更多
文摘The red blood cell distribution width(RDW) is a simple, rapid, inexpensive and straightforward hematological parameter, reflecting the degree of anisocytosis in vivo. The currently available scientific evidence suggests that RDW assessment not only predicts the risk of adverse outcomes(cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, hospitalization for acute decompensation or worsened left ventricular function) in patients with acute and chronic heart failure(HF), but is also a significant and independent predictor of developing HF in patients free of this condition. Regarding the biological interplay between impaired hematopoiesis and cardiac dysfunction, many of the different conditions associated with increased heterogeneity of erythrocyte volume(i.e., ageing, inflammation, oxidative stress, nutritional deficiencies and impaired renal function), may be concomitantly present in patients with HF, whilst anisocytosis may also directly contribute to the development and worsening of HF. In conclusion, the longitudinal assessment of RDW changes over time may be considered an efficient measure to help predicting the risk of both development and progression of HF.
文摘The measurement of procalcitonin has recently become a mainstay for the diagnosis and therapeutic management of severe bacterial infections, especially those sustained by Gram-negative bacteria. Therefore, the aim of this article is to provide a narrative overview on the potential role of procalcitonin measurement in patients with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD). According to the available scientific literature, the clinical significance of procalcitonin for diagnosing IBD or monitoring disease activity remains elusive, and its association with disease severity is confined to a limited number of case-control studies, with low sample size. Nevertheless, literature data also suggests that a supranormal procalcitonin serum concentration(i.e., > 0.5 ng/m L) may reflect the presence of a number of infective complications in IBD, especially bacterial enterocolitis, bacterial gastroenteritis, intraabdominal abscess, postsurgical infection and sepsis. Rather than for diagnosing or assessing disease activity, the measurement of this biomarker may hence retain practical clinical significance for early prediction, timely diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of many IBDassociated infections and complications.
文摘The incorporation of biomarkers in the actually used risk scores seem to be helpful for early identifying atrial fibrillation(AF)patients at higher risk.The aim of this critical review of the scientific literature is to investigate the potential clinical significance of red blood cell distribution width(RDW)in AF.A systematic electronic search was carried out to identify all articles describing an epidemiological association between RDW and AF in adult human populations.Data abstraction was conducted on a final number of 35 articles(13 crosssectional,12 prospective and 10 retrospective studies).The results of these epidemiological investigations were all virtually concordant to emphasize that an enhanced RDW value is not only a predictive factor and a marker of AF but its measurement may also be helpful for predicting the risk of developing many adverse complications in patients with AF,such as recurrence and duration of AF,hospitalization for heart failure,bleeding,left atrial thrombosis and stasis,thromboembolic events and mortality.AF patients with RDW values exceeding the local reference range may be more aggressively investigated and managed,in order to identify and attenuate the impact of possible underlying disorders causing both anisocytosis and AF.
基金supported by a postdoctoral contract granted by Subprograma Atraccio de Talent-Contractes Postdoctorals de la Universitat de Valencia
文摘The many important benefits of physical exercise also encompass maintenance or improvement of cognitive functions. Among the variousmechanisms underlying the association between physical exercise and brain health, recent evidence attests that neurotrophin receptor signalingmay have an important role, because the activation of this pathway leads to growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses, supportsaxonal and dendritic growth, fosters synaptic plasticity, and preserves survival of existing neurons. In this review of published evidence, we highlightthat a positive relationship exists between physical exercise and circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and that the postexercisevariation of this molecule is associated with improvement of neurocognitive functioning. Less clear evidence has instead been published forother neurotrophins, such as nerve growth factor, neurotrophin-3, and neurotrophin-4. Overall, promotion of adequate volumes and intensities ofphysical exercise (i.e., approximately 3 months of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, with 2—3 sessions/week lasting not less than 30 min)may hence be regarded as an inexpensive and safe strategy for boosting brain-derived neurotrophic factor release, thus preserving or restoringcognitive functions.
基金supported by grants SAF2010-19498 from the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science(MEC(gsl))ISCIII2006-RED13-027 from the Red Tematica de investigacion cooperativa en envejecimiento y fragilidad (RETICEF(gs2))+3 种基金P2011/02 RM from Catedra Real Madrid-UEM (gs3)PROMETEO2010/074 from Conselleria de Sanitat de la Generalitat Valenciana(gs4)35NEURO Gentx Gent from Fundacio Gent Per Gent de la Comunitat Valenciana(gs5) and EU(gs6) Funded COSTB35 and CM 1001co-financed by funds from the European Union
