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
Erythrocyte membrane fluidity as a marker of diabetic retinopathy in type 1 diabetes mellitus.
A high level of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), which is a nonenzymatic glycosylation product, is correlated with an increased risk of developing microangiopathic complications in Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Erythrocyte membrane fluidity could provide a complementary index to monitor the development of complications since it is influenced by several hyperglycaemia-induced pathways and other independent risk factors. ⋯ Altered erythrocyte membrane fluidity may therefore represent a marker of retinopathy in T1DM patients as a result of post-translational modifications of multifactorial aetiology (nonenzymatic glycosylation of proteins, generation of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation).
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · May 2021
Association of beta-hydroxybutyrate with development of heart failure: Sex differences in a Dutch population cohort.
In the failing heart, energy metabolism is shifted towards increased ketone body oxidation. Nevertheless, the association of beta-hydroxybutyrate (β-OHB) with development of heart failure (HF) remains unclear. We investigated the association between plasma β-OHB and the risk of HF in a prospective population-based cohort. ⋯ This prospective study suggests that high plasma concentrations of β-OHB are associated with an increased risk of HFrEF, particularly in women. The mechanisms responsible for the sex differences of this association warrant further study.
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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
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.