European journal of clinical investigation
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · May 2021
Vascular endothelial growth factor on Runt-related transcript factor-2 in aortic valve cells.
Calcific aortic valve disease is associated with ageing and high mortality. However, no effective pharmacological treatment has been developed. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor are overexpressed in the calcified aortic valve tissue. However, the role of VEGF in calcific aortic valve disease pathogenesis and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. ⋯ VEGF upregulated Runt-related transcription factor 2 expression in VICs by activating the IP3R/CaMKII/CREB signalling pathway.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · May 2021
Review Meta AnalysisThe association between serum homocysteine and depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
Hyperhomocysteinaemia is known to interfere with neurological functions; however, there is a controversy regarding the relationship between homocysteine and depression. ⋯ Homocysteinemia level is higher in individuals with depression. However, the depression diagnostic tool used is instrumental in influencing their association, and thus, future studies should focus on the tools for depression assessment.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · May 2021
Observational StudyMR-proADM as marker of endotheliitis predicts COVID-19 severity.
Early identification of patients at high risk of progression to severe COVID-19 constituted an unsolved challenge. Although growing evidence demonstrates a direct association between endotheliitis and severe COVID-19, the role of endothelial damage biomarkers has been scarcely studied. We investigated the relationship between circulating mid-regional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) levels, a biomarker of endothelial dysfunction, and prognosis of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. ⋯ Mid-regional proadrenomedullin was the biomarker with highest performance for prognosis of death and progression to severe disease in COVID-19 patients and represents a promising predictor for both outcomes, which might constitute a potential tool in the assessment of prognosis in early stages of this disease.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · May 2021
Review Meta AnalysisTooth Brushing Frequency and Gastric and Upper Aerodigestive Tract Cancers Risk: A Meta-analysis.
Results of epidemiological studies evaluating the association between toothbrushing and gastric and upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancer risk showed inconsistent results. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between toothbrushing and gastric and UADT cancer risk and quantify the dose-response association between them. ⋯ This meta-analysis suggested the negative relationship between frequency of toothbrushing and risk of gastric and UADT cancers. Toothbrushing may be a protective factor for gastric and UADT cancers. However, this association must be further validated through large prospective studies.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · May 2021
L-homoarginine is associated with decreased cardiovascular- and all-cause mortality.
Increasing evidence suggests that L-homoarginine, an endogenous analogue of the amino acid L-arginine, may have beneficial effects on vascular homeostasis. We examined whether L-homoarginine is associated with 10-year risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in a black South African population. ⋯ Higher L-homoarginine levels are associated with reduced risk of 10-year cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Regulation of L-homoarginine levels as a therapeutic target in the management of cardiovascular disease should be investigated.