Background and AimsSuboptimal vitamin D status was recently acknowledged as an independent predictor of cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality in several clinical settings, and its serum levels are commonly reduced in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Patients affected by RA present accelerated atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality with respect to the general population. In RA, it has been reported an impairment of the number and the activity of circulating proangiogenic haematopoietic cells (PHCs), including CD34+, that may play a role in endothelial homeostasis. The purpose of the study is to investigate the association between vitamin D levels and PHCs, inflammatory markers, and arterial stiffening in patients with RA.Methods and ResultsCD34+ cells were isolated from 27 RA patients and 41 controls. Vitamin D levels, C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) were also evaluated. CD34+ count and vitamin D levels were lower in RA patients as compared to controls, while fibrinogen, CRP, PWV and cIMT were higher in RA patients. CD34+ cell number appeared to be associated with vitamin D levels, and negatively correlated to fibrinogen and early atherosclerosis markers (PWV and cIMT); vitamin D levels appear also to be inversely associated to fibrinogen.ConclusionsRA patients with moderate disease activity presented with low vitamin D levels, low CD34+ cell count, increased PWV and cIMT; we found that vitamin D deficiency is associated to CD34+ cell reduction in peripheral blood, and with fibrinogen levels. This suggests that vitamin D might contribute to endothelial homeostasis in patients with RA.
ObjectiveSystemic sclerosis (SSc) mortality is extremely variable in its internal organ involvement. Pulmonary fibrosis occurs in up to 30% of the cases. Animal models provide evidence that IL-33 is able to induce both cutaneous and pulmonary fibrosis via increased IL-13 and in SSc patients the levels of IL-33 correlate with skin fibrosis. Our aim was to test whether both IL-33 and IL-13 are higher in patients with diffuse SSc and interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) compared to SSc patients without ILD and healthy controls.MethodsSerum levels of IL-13 and IL-33 were measured in 30 SSc patients with diffuse disease and 30 healthy controls by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The extent of pulmonary fibrosis was assessed according to HRCT Warrick score. Pulmonary function tests included lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide, forced vital capacity and total lung capacity.ResultsBoth IL-13 and IL-33 levels were increased in SSc patients compared to controls and significantly associated each other. DLco, FVC and TLC scores were inversely associated with IL-33 and IL-13 levels. Both IL-33 and IL-13 levels were significantly associated with the Warrick severity score and higher in the group of SSc patients with reduced pulmonary function compared to SSc patients with normal pulmonary function tests.ConclusionThe IL-13/IL-33 axis needs to be further explored in longitudinal studies of SSc-ILD patients to assess its validity as a biomarker and future treatment target, as does downstream mediator ST2.
Estimating early postmortem interval (EPI) is a difficult task in daily forensic activity due to limitations of accurate and reliable methods. The aim of the present work is to describe a novel approach in the estimation of epi based on quantitative magnetic resonance molecular imaging (qMRMi) using a pig phantom since post-mortem degradation of pig meat is similar to that of human muscles. on a pig phantom maintained at 20° degree, using a 1.5 T MRI scanner we performed 10 scans (every 4 hours) monitoring apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), fractional anisotropy (FA) magnetization transfer ration (MTR), tractography and susceptibility weighted changes in muscles until 36 hours after death. cooling of the phantom during the experiment was recorded. Histology was also obtained. pearson's test was carried out for time correlation between post-mortem interval and MRi data. We found a significative inverse correlation between ADC, FA, MT values and PMI. Our preliminary data shows that post-mortem qMRMi is a potential powerful tool in accurately determining epi and is worth of further investigation.
Gastrointestinal angiodysplasia (GIAD) represents one of the most frequent causes of recurrent lower gastrointestinal bleeding in the elder population. Clinical manifestations are highly variable, diagnosis is done with colonoscopy or CT and management consists of either endoscopic or, more conservatively, endovascular approach. Trans-arterial embolization (TAE) reduces blood flow into the lesion and may complicate with perforation, dissection, vasospasm and bowel ischaemia. To date, coils and Gelfoam represent the most employed embolizing agents, followed by PVA and onyx. We report the successful embolization of GIADs in four patients with n-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) and Lipiodol Ultra-Fluid (LUF): despite the reported higher risk of bowel infarction when compared with the other agents, no major complication or short-term recurrence occurred in Our series.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.