European journal of clinical investigation
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Jan 2019
Observational StudyADMA and NT pro-BNP are associated with overall mortality in elderly.
Increased asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) and NT pro-BNP concentrations have been associated with mortality in patients with cardiovascular (CV) disease and the general population. The use of these prognostic markers in an older population is not established yet. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic value of age, sex, BMI, co-medication and CV laboratory risk markers in geriatric care patients. ⋯ The concentration of ADMA and NT pro-BNP may be used as an early risk marker for overall mortality in geriatric care. Neuroleptic medicine is associated with increased mortality in this population.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Jan 2019
ReviewFunctional and phenotypic heterogeneity of Th17 cells in health and disease.
Th17 cells have nonredundant roles in maintaining immunity, particularly at mucosal surfaces. These roles are achieved principally through the production of cytokines and the recruitment of other immune cells to maintain the integrity of mucosal barriers and prevent the dissemination of microorganisms. Th17 cells are heterogeneous and exhibit a considerable degree of plasticity. This allows these cells to respond to changing environmental challenges. However, Th17 cells also play pro-inflammatory roles in chronic autoimmune diseases. The trigger(s) that initiate these Th17 responses in chronic autoimmune diseases remain unclear. ⋯ This article provides an overview of the distinct roles Th17 cells play in maintaining immunity at mucosal surfaces and in skin mucosa and how their functional flexibility could be linked with chronic inflammation in autoimmune rheumatic diseases.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Jan 2019
Leptin and the vasculature in young adults: The African-PREDICT study.
Information regarding the effect of leptin on the vasculature in young healthy adults at risk for cardiovascular disease development is limited. We therefore examined the associations between measures of subclinical atherosclerosis (carotid intima-media thickness, carotid cross-sectional wall area), large artery stiffness (pulse wave velocity) and a measure of endothelial dysfunction (von Willebrand factor [vWF]) with leptin in young healthy men and women. ⋯ In young healthy men, we found a beneficial inverse association between measures of carotid wall thickness and circulating leptin, thereby supporting a potential vascular protective role of leptin.