European journal of clinical investigation
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Apr 2014
Inferior vena cava parameters predict re-admission in ischaemic heart failure.
The clinical history of heart failure (HF) is usually characterized by frequent hospitalizations for decompensation. Therefore, several markers of subclinical hemodynamic congestion are under investigation for predicting early rehospitalization. In this field, the potential of ultrasound inferior vena cava (IVC) assessment has been recently investigated in HF but not yet assessed in the different aetiological categories. ⋯ This pilot study showed a higher early re-admission rate in patients with HF due to IHD. In addition, the change in IVC min diameter from admission to discharge was the best predictor of re-admission in patients with IHD.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Apr 2014
Interleukin 10 and clustering of metabolic syndrome components in pediatrics.
Interleukin 10 (IL-10) has multifaceted anti-inflammatory properties that are known to regulate insulin sensitivity and atherosclerotic development. However, studies in children are limited and have yielded conflicting results. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether changes in this circulating anti-inflammatory cytokine is a marker for metabolic syndrome. ⋯ Our data indicate that changes in circulating IL-10 concentrations are marker of metabolic risk in children.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Apr 2014
Ischaemic heart disease in first-degree relatives to coeliac patients.
Coeliac disease (CD) has been linked to an increased risk of ischaemic heart disease (IHD). We examined the risk of IHD in first-degree relatives and spouses to coeliac patients to ascertain the genetic contribution to IHD excess risk. ⋯ First-degree relatives to coeliac patients seem to be at an increased risk of IHD but the excess risk is so small that it has little clinical relevance.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Feb 2014
Observational StudyHomoarginine and mortality in an older population: the Hoorn study.
Homoarginine is an amino acid that may be involved in nitric oxide and energy metabolism. Previous studies in patient populations showed that low homoarginine levels indicate an increased risk of mortality and cardiovascular disease. We evaluated whether low plasma levels of homoarginine are associated with elevated, overall and cause-specific mortality. ⋯ Low plasma concentrations of homoarginine are a risk marker for overall mortality and especially for cardiovascular mortality in the older general population. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Feb 2014
Irisin as a predictor of glucose metabolism in children: sexually dimorphic effects.
Irisin, a novel myokine, increases energy expenditure and glucose tolerance and, thus, improves carbohydrate homeostasis in humans. This hormone has potential therapeutic applications for weight loss and improvement in insulin resistance in subjects with obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM). In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to associate circulating levels of irisin and several anthropometric and metabolic parameters among Arab children. ⋯ Serum irisin levels were higher in girls than in boys and correlated negatively with HOMA-IR. They were also independently associated with FBG predominantly in girls, suggesting that this hormone may play a crucial role in glucose metabolism from an early age.