associated with increased endothelial expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase and circulating interleukin-6.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) may present with various concomitant diseases. This study aims to evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients with FMF with Juvenile Spondyloarthropathy (jSpA).

Thirty-two patients diagnosed with FMF/jSpA, sixty-four with FMF, and fifty-four with jSpA were included in this retrospective study. Three patient groups were compared in terms of clinical and laboratory features.

The mean ages of patients in the FMF/jSpA, FMF and jSpA groups were 15.75(11.50-19.83), 15,41(6.83-21.50), and 16(9-22) years, respectively. Chronic arthritis (OR 0.11,

 = .049), erythrocyte sedimentation rate values (OR1.07,

 = .011), and C-reactive protein values (OR1,08,

.039) of the patients in remission period were found higher, the international severity scores for FMF (ISSF) before and after colchicine treatment (OR 1.16,

.021, OR 2,21,

.012) were higher in the FMF/jSpA group compared to FMF. Plantar fasciitis was more common and HLA-B27 positivity rate was lower in the FMF/jSpA group (OR0.08,

 = .024), (OR4.71,

 = .002) compared to jSpA. FMF/jSpA patients were divided as previous diagnosed FMF and jSpA.The diagnosis of jSpA was at a younger age(

 = .002), Juvenile arthritis damage index-articular(p = 0.022) and extraarticular(

 = .026), and the rate of biologic drug usage(

 = .015) were higher in the previous jSpA group. The number of FMF attacks before colchicine was lower in the previous jSpA group(

 = .02).

Our findings suggest that both classical FMF and jSpA findings were lower in patients with FMF/jSpA. Patients who were diagnosed with jSpA at an early age and who had enthesitis and plantar fasciitis should also be evaluated in terms of FMF.

Our findings suggest that both classical FMF and jSpA findings were lower in patients with FMF/jSpA. Patients who were diagnosed with jSpA at an early age and who had enthesitis and plantar fasciitis should also be evaluated in terms of FMF.

This study aimed to determine the importance of biomarkers of chronic heart failure (CHF) for assessing disease severity in euvolemic stable patients.

N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15, galectin-3, cystatin-C, soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2), tissue type inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, and ceruloplasmin levels were measured in euvolemic patients with stable CHF. Severity of CHF was defined by echocardiographic and biochemical parameters.

In 160 patients (123 men and 37 women, mean age 65.8±12.2 years), we found strong associations between NT-proBNP and bilirubin levels (

 = 0.434) and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (

 = -0.321). GDF-15 and cystatin-C levels were significantly correlated with parameters of kidney function. In multivariable regression analysis, NT-proBNP levels were associated with the left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular end-systolic volume (coefficient of determination R

 = 0.777). Additionally, GDF-15 levels were correlated with urea levels (R

 = 0.742), and cystatin C levels were correlated with urea and bilirubin levels (R

 = 0.732).

Besides NT-proBNP, GDF-15 and cystatin C are promising biomarkers for establishing the severity of disease in euvolemic patients with stable CHF.

Besides NT-proBNP, GDF-15 and cystatin C are promising biomarkers for establishing the severity of disease in euvolemic patients with stable CHF.Background Numerous reports have shown that inferior vena cava filters are associated with clinically significant adverse events. Complicating factors, such as caval incorporation, may lead to technical challenges at retrieval. The use of advanced techniques including the laser sheath have increased technical success rates; however, the data are limited on which filter types necessitate and benefit from its use. Methods and Results From October 2011 to September 2019, patients with inferior vena cava filter dwell times >6 months or with prior failed retrievals were considered for laser sheath-assisted retrieval. Standard and nonlaser advanced retrieval techniques were attempted first; if the filter could not be safely or successfully detached from the caval wall using these techniques, the laser sheath was used. Technical success, filter type, necessity for laser sheath application based on “open” versus “closed-cell” filter design, dwell times, and adverse events were evaluated. A total of 441 patients (216 men; mean age, 54 years) were encountered. Mean dwell times for all filters was 56.6 months, 54.4 among closed-cell filters and 58.5 among open-cell filters (P=0.63). Technical success of retrieval was 98%, with the laser sheath required in 143 cases (40%). read more Successful retrieval of closed-cell filters required laser sheath assistance in 60% of cases as compared with 7% of open-cell filters (odds ratio, 20.1; P6 months (P=0.01). One major adverse event occurred among laser sheath retrievals when a patient required a 2-day inpatient admission for a femoral access site hemorrhage. Conclusions Closed-cell filters may necessitate the use of the laser sheath for higher rates of successful and safe retrieval.The recent and unfortunate death of George Floyd in the United States (U.S.) has sparked the age-old debate and discourse on racism. The discrimination, stereotyping and othering based on skin color, ethnicity, caste, etc. have given rise to the ‘social evil’ of racism throughout the evolution of humankind. Irrespective of the numerous legal petitions, organizational and personal protests, media uproar and globalization, racism has continued to perpetuate in various communities across the world, amplifying the ‘we versus they’ dichotomy. The racist ‘identity’, the racist ‘constructs’, within group favoritism, stigma based on physical attributes, self-stigma and administrative apathy help in maintaining the vicious cycle of racist discrimination. The implications are immense and can be transgenerational, in socioeconomic, biological and psychological dimensions. Public awareness about the presence and effects of racism are still overshadowed by myths and misinformation. Several questions have been theorized in available literature, namely what leads to the perpetuation of racism and how does it affect generations altogether, in spite of the constant proponents of collectivism and humanity that try to fight it.