This study sought to determine the association of abdominal aortic calcium (AAC) with coronary artery calcium (CAC) and obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). We included 58 patients (mean age 54.4 years, 40% males) without known CAD who underwent a non-contrast abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan and 64-slice coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) within 2 years. A total AAC score using Agatston method was calculated in the abdominal aorta from the takeoff of the celiac artery to the aortic bifurcation. A total of 43/58 patients had AAC. Patients with AAC were older with no differences in other baseline characteristics. None of the patients with a zero AAC score had obstructive CAD. Thus, an AAC score of zero had a 100% negative predictive value (NPV) and 23% positive predictive value (PPV) for the detection of obstructive CAD and an 80% NPV and 79% PPV for detection of any coronary plaque. Using multivariate linear regression, AAC score was an independent predictor of CAC score after adjusting for age (P < 0.001). In our analysis, AAC score correlates with CAC score and has a high NPV to rule out CAD. The absence of AAC may help exclude obstructive coronary disease and improve the selection of patients that may benefit from further risk stratification.

In the human epidermis, the cells most at risk for the development of cancer due to sunlight exposure are the keratinocytes. In animal models, ultraviolet-B is a complete carcinogen, capable of inducing and promoting the development of malignant cells. A key element of ultraviolet-B-induced carcinogenesis is the ability of ultraviolet-B to induce the expression of a number of cellular proteins and activate growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases, including the erbB receptor family. Keratinocytes express the erbB1 (also called EGF-R, HER1), the erbB2 (also known as neu or HER2), and the erbB3 (HER3) subtypes. In general, activation of the erbB receptor family leads to a cellular proliferative response. In certain instances, however, activation of an erbB receptor can induce differentiation, cell cycle arrest, and even apoptosis. The inhibition of tyrosine kinase activity in rodent models and human skin has been shown to inhibit some ultraviolet-B response pathways. We have shown that the inhibition of erbB receptors, by both pharmaceutical and immunologic means, will inhibit ultraviolet-B-induced apoptosis in the HaCaT human keratinocyte cell line. This inhibition was specific for the erbB receptor family and specific for ultraviolet-B-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that, in certain instances, ultraviolet-B-induced apoptotic signaling requires erbB family receptor activity.

Background SARS-CoV-2 is a novel viral illness originating out of Wuhan China in late 2019. This global pandemic has infected nearly 3 million people and accounted for 200 000 deaths worldwide, with those numbers still climbing. Case summary We present a 54-year-old patient who developed respiratory failure requiring endotracheal intubation from her infection with SARS-CoV-2. This patient was subsequently found to have a right ventricular thrombus and bilateral pulmonary emboli, likely contributing to her respiratory status. On the 14th day of hospitalization, the patient was successfully extubated, and 5 days later was discharged to the rehabilitation unit. Discussion SARS-CoV-2 presents primarily with pulmonary symptoms; however, many patients, particularly those who are severely ill, exhibit adverse events related to hypercoagulability. The exact mechanism explaining this hypercoagulable state has yet to be elucidated, but these thrombotic events have been linked to the increased inflammation caused by SARS-CoV-2. This novel viral illness is still largely misunderstood, but the hypercoagulable state, seen in severely ill patients, appears to play a major role in disease progression and prognosis.

Magnesium is the second most common intracellular cation and serves as an important metabolic cofactor to over 300 enzymatic reactions throughout the human body. Among its various roles, magnesium modulates calcium entry and release from sarcoplasmic reticulum and regulates ATP pumps in myocytes and neurons, thereby regulating cardiac and neuronal excitability. Therefore, deficiency of this essential mineral may result in serious cardiovascular and neurologic derangements. In this case, we present the clinical course of a 76-year-old woman who presented with marked cardiac and neurological signs and symptoms which developed as a result of severe hypomagnesemia. The patient promptly responded to magnesium replacement once the diagnosis was established. We herein discuss the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of severe hypomagnesemia and emphasize the implications of magnesium deficiency in the cardiovascular and central nervous systems. Furthermore, this case highlights the importance of having high vigilance for hypomagnesemia in the appropriate clinical setting.

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