European journal of clinical investigation
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Apr 2010
Calcium scores and matrix Gla protein levels: association with vitamin K status.
Vascular calcification in humans is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. Carboxylated matrix Gla protein (cMGP) inhibits vascular calcification. Vitamin K is an essential cofactor for the activation of uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein (ucMGP). It has been suggested that patients on long-term treatment with vitamin K antagonists develop aortic valve calcifications because of lower levels of circulating MGP. We therefore hypothesized that arterial calcification and a low vitamin K status are associated with ucMGP. To that aim, we measured arterial calcium scores, the osteocalcin ratio (OCR), as a proxy for vitamin K status, and ucMGP. ⋯ We found a positive association of total arterial calcium score and a high OCR (reflecting low vitamin K status) with ucMGP serum levels. This warrants further studies to explore the pathophysiological background of this phenomenon.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Apr 2010
Comparative StudyLipoproteins and CETP levels as risk factors for severe sepsis in hospitalized patients.
The magnitude of lipoprotein level reduction during the acute-phase response may be associated with the severity and mortality of sepsis. However, it remains to be determined whether low lipoprotein levels can be considered a risk factor for developing sepsis. We aimed to investigate lipoprotein levels as risk factors for sepsis in hospitalized patients, and also describe sequential changes in lipoprotein and cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) levels during sepsis. ⋯ HDL cholesterol may have a protective effect against sepsis. Each 1 mg dL(-1) increase in HDL decreased the odds of severe sepsis by 3% during hospitalization. The reduction of plasma CETP was associated with mortality.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Apr 2010
Serum procalcitonin, C-reactive protein and white blood cell levels following hypothermia after cardiac arrest: a retrospective cohort study.
The aim of this study was to investigate time course of procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) levels in patients with therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest. ⋯ High initial values of PCT and high peak levels after 3-4 days of CRP were found in patients with induction of hypothermia after cardiac arrest. This increase was unspecific and mirrors rather an inflammatory reaction than true underlying infection, limiting the diagnostic potential for early antibiotic stewardship in these patients.