European journal of clinical investigation
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Jan 2018
Cytokine responses, microbial aetiology and short-term outcome in community-acquired pneumonia.
The inflammatory response to community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is orchestrated through activation of cytokine networks and the complement system. We examined the association of multiple cytokines and the terminal complement complex (TCC) with microbial aetiology, disease severity and short-term outcome. ⋯ In this CAP cohort, admission levels of IL-6, IL-8 and MIP-1β were associated with disease severity and/or adverse short-term outcome. Still, for most mediators, only nonsignificant variations in inflammatory responses were observed for groups of microbial aetiology, disease severity and short-term outcome.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Jan 2018
Review Meta AnalysisPolypoidal choroidal vasculopathy treatment options: A meta-analysis.
Combined treatment with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) and verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) is widely used for patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), although clinical evidence regarding the therapeutic efficacy and safety of such treatment remains lacking. ⋯ Combined therapy involving anti-VEGF agents and PDT may be more effective in improving long-term outcomes for patients with PCV than monotherapy.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Jan 2018
Decreased platelet inhibition by P2Y12 receptor blockers in anaemia.
Anaemic patients undergoing angioplasty and stenting are at an increased risk of ischaemic events, which may be caused by an inadequate response to antiplatelet therapy with adenosine diphosphate (ADP) P2Y12 inhibitors. In the current study, we investigated the associations between anaemia and on-treatment platelet reactivity in clopidogrel-treated (group 1, n = 306) and prasugrel-/ticagrelor-treated (group 2, n = 109) patients undergoing elective and acute angioplasty with stent implantation, respectively. ⋯ Anaemia is associated with decreased platelet inhibition by ADP P2Y12 receptor antagonists after elective and acute percutaneous interventions with stent implantation. However, due to inconsistencies between different platelet function tests additional data are needed to clarify the role of anaemia for platelet inhibition.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Jan 2018
Angiotensin 1-7 modulates electrophysiological characteristics and calcium homoeostasis in pulmonary veins cardiomyocytes via MAS/PI3K/eNOS signalling pathway.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia, and pulmonary veins (PVs) play a critical role in triggering AF. Angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7) regulates calcium (Ca2+ ) homoeostasis and also plays a critical role in cardiovascular pathophysiology. However, the role of Ang-(1-7) in PV arrhythmogenesis remains unclear. ⋯ Ang-(1-7) regulates PV electrophysiological characteristics and Ca2+ homoeostasis via Mas/PI3K/eNOS signalling pathway.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Jan 2018
MicroRNA-145 regulates disabled-2 and Wnt3a expression in cardiomyocytes under hyperglycaemia.
MicroRNA-145 (miR-145) could protect cardiomyocyte apoptosis against oxidative stress and repair infarcted myocardium. Angiotensin II (Ang II), a pro-inflammatory cytokine could modulate myocardial remodelling. However, the role of hyperglycaemia on miR-145 expression in cardiomyocyte or diabetes is not known. The effect of Ang II on miR-145 expression under hyperglycaemia in cardiomyocytes remains unknown. We sought to investigate the effect of hyperglycaemia and Ang II on miR-145 expression in cardiomyocytes. ⋯ Ang II downregulates miR-145 to regulate Dab2 and Wnt3a/ß-catenin expression in cardiomyocytes under high glucose concentration. Ang II plays a critical role in the regulation of miR-145 in cardiomyocytes under hyperglycaemic conditions.