Impact of Coffee Consumption on Subjective Perception and Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic conditions marked by persistent inflammation, impacting patients' quality of life. This study assessed differences in coffee consumption between CD and UC patients and its potential effects on the subjective perception and objective changes in inflammation markers in these two categories of patients. Using questionnaires, coffee consumption patterns, and perceived symptom effects were evaluated.

Converging Mechanisms of Vascular and Cartilaginous Calcification.

Physiological calcification occurs in bones and epiphyseal cartilage as they grow, whereas ectopic calcification occurs in blood vessels, cartilage, and soft tissues. Although it was formerly thought to be a passive and degenerative process associated with aging, ectopic calcification has been identified as an active cell-mediated process resembling osteogenesis, and an increasing number of studies have provided evidence for this paradigm shift. A significant association between vascular calcification and cardiovascular risk has been demonstrated by various studies, which have shown that arterial calcification has predictive value for future coronary events.

Low Vitamin K Status in Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris: A Pilot Study.

Psoriasis vulgaris (PV) is a disease characterized by skin manifestations and systemic inflammation. There are no published studies to date on vitamin K status assessed by extrahepatic vitamin K-dependent proteins [e.g.

Targeted EGFR Nanotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Despite advances in treatment, the prognosis remains poor, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies. The present review explores the potential of targeted epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) nanotherapy as an alternative treatment for NSCLC, showing that EGFR-targeted nanoparticles are efficiently taken up by NSCLC cells, leading to a significant reduction in tumor growth in mouse models.

Diet-Related Changes of Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Blood and Feces in Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome.

Obesity-related illnesses are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Metabolic syndrome has been associated with numerous health issues. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been shown to have multiple effects throughout the body, both directly as well as through specific G protein-coupled receptors.

Enhancing Metformin Effects by Adding Gut Microbiota Modulators to Ameliorate the Metabolic Status of Obese, Insulin-Resistant Hosts.

Obesity is a systemic disease and represents one of the leading causes of death worldwide by constituting the main risk factor for a series of non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular diseases and dyslipidemia. Lifestyle interventions have been attempting to prevent T2DM and obesity but are difficult to maintain by most patients. However, the recent focus on the intestinal microbiota and its important role in the host's metabolism provides a new key for improving metabolic health.

Assessment of Specific Tumoral Markers, Inflammatory Status, and Vitamin D Metabolism before and after the First Chemotherapy Cycle in Patients with Lung Cancer.

Background: We aimed to investigate the changes of inflammatory status reflected by serum levels of chitotriosidase (CHT) and neopterin, and how specific tumor markers such as neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA), as well as vitamin D metabolism assessed by vitamin D receptor (VDR) and 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD), were modified after the first cycle of chemotherapy in patients with lung cancer.

Methods: We performed this first pilot study on twenty patients diagnosed with lung cancer by investigating the serum concentrations of CHT, neopterin, NSE, SCCA, VDR and 25OHD before and after the first cycle of chemotherapy.

Results: The post-treatment values of NSE were significantly lower compared to the pre-treatment levels (14.

Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery: An Overview with Emphasis on Vitamin D and K Transportation.

Mounting evidence shows that supplementation with vitamin D and K or their analogs induces beneficial effects in various diseases, e.g., osteoarticular, cardiovascular, or carcinogenesis.

The First Evaluation of Serum Levels of MGP, Gas6 and EGFR after First Dose of Chemotherapy in Lung Cancer.

Background: Vitamin K-dependent proteins (VKDPs) and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are involved in lung cancer progression. Therefore, we aimed to study the serum concentration of Matrix Gla protein (MGP), Growth Arrest-specific 6 (Gas6), and EGFR before and after the first cycle of chemotherapy and to investigate how MGP, Gas6, and EGFR are modified after one cycle of chemotherapy.

Methods: We performed an observational study on twenty patients diagnosed with lung cancer, by assessing the serum concentration of vitaminK (VitK), MGP, Gas6, and EGFR using the ELISA technique before and after three weeks of the first cycle of chemotherapy.

The Active Isoforms of MGP Are Expressed in Healthy and Varicose Veins without Calcification.

Matrix Gla protein (MGP), a local inhibitor of tissue mineralization, is associated with vascular calcification. Depending on the carboxylation and phosphorylation status, MGP has active conformations, e.g.

Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) Pathways in Age-Related Cardiovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Age-associated cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases lead to high morbidity and mortality around the world. Sirtuins are vital enzymes for metabolic adaptation and provide protective effects against a wide spectrum of pathologies. Among sirtuins, mitochondrial sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) is an essential player in preserving the habitual metabolic profile.

The Nanosystems Involved in Treating Lung Cancer.

Even though there are various types of cancer, this pathology as a whole is considered the principal cause of death worldwide. Lung cancer is known as a heterogeneous condition, and it is apparent that genome modification presents a significant role in the occurrence of this disorder. There are conventional procedures that can be utilized against diverse cancer types, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, but they are hampered by the numerous side effects.

BONE MARKERS IN ARTHROPATHIES.

Bone endures a lifelong course of construction and destruction, with bone marker (BM) molecules released during this cycle. The field of measuring BM levels in synovial fluid and peripheral blood is a cardinal part of bone research within modern clinical medicine and has developed extensively in the last years. The purpose of our work was to convey an up-to-date overview on synovial fluid and serum BMs in the most common arthropathies.

Calciprotein Particles and Serum Calcification Propensity: Hallmarks of Vascular Calcifications in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Cardiovascular complications are one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide and are strongly associated with atherosclerosis and vascular calcification (VC). Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a higher prevalence of VC as renal function declines, which will result in increased mortality. Serum calciprotein particles (CPPs) are colloidal nanoparticles that have a prominent role in the initiation and progression of VC.

Vitamin K Dependent Proteins in Kidney Disease.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have an increased risk of developing vascular calcifications, as well as bone dynamics impairment, leading to a poor quality of life and increased mortality. Certain vitamin K dependent proteins (VKDPs) act mainly as calcification inhibitors, but their involvement in the onset and progression of CKD are not completely elucidated. This review is an update of the current state of knowledge about the relationship between CKD and four extrahepatic VKDPs: matrix Gla protein, osteocalcin, growth-arrest specific protein 6 and Gla-rich protein.

Serum total matrix Gla protein: Reference interval in healthy adults and variations in patients with vascular and osteoarticular diseases.

Background: Matrix Gla protein (MGP) species are inhibitors of ectopic calcification in vascular diseases (VD) and osteoarticular diseases (OD). Among the MGP assays, we aimed to establish the reference interval for serum total MGP (tMGP) in healthy adults, the variation in patients with VD and OD and the associations with common cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods: We enrolled n = 124 healthy subjects and n = 95 patients with VD and OD in a small cross-sectional study.

Matrix Gla protein in tumoral pathology.

Matrix Gla protein is a vitamin K-dependent protein secreted by chondrocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells. The presence of matrix Gla protein was reported in arterial and venous walls, lungs, kidney, uterus, heart, tooth cementum and eyes. Several studies identified matrix Gla protein in tumoral pathology.

Elevated Serum Levels of Sclerostin are Associated with High Disease Activity and Functional Impairment in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis.

Background: Recent research suggests that biomarkers may be useful in assessing disease activity, structural damage, and response to therapy in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Our study aims at evaluating the relationship between inflammation and bone remodeling markers and variables assessing disease activity and functional disability in patients with axSpA.

Methods: Serum levels of sclerostin, matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), interleukin-17 (IL-17), and IL-23 were measured in 60 patients with axSpA and 20 healthy controls.

Nitro-oxidative stress, VEGF and MMP-9 in patients with cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic portal hypertension.

Background And Aims: Nitro-oxidative stress may have pathophysiological consequences. The study aimed to assess the nitro-oxidative stress, the vascular growth factor, and metalloproteinase-9 levels in patients with noncirrohic and cirrhotic portal hypertension.

Methods: Patients with noncirrhotic portal hypertension (n=50) and cirrhotic portal hypertension (n=50) from the 3rd Medical Clinic in Cluj-Napoca Romania were prospectively enrolled between October 2004 and October 2006.

Circulating osteoprotegerin and asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis in postmenopausal non diabetic women.

Purpose: Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a bone metabolism regulator but it is also involved in vascular calcification. Its role in the development of atherosclerosis is still a subject of debate. Postmenopausal women seem to have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

Apolipoprotein E genotype may influence urinary gammacarboxyglutamate (Gla) concentrations in young individuals.

Upon degradation of vitamin K-dependent proteins (known as Gla-proteins) the free aminoacid Gla cannot be re-utilized and is excreted in the urine, where it can be used as an overall marker for vitamin K status. We report the urinary Gla excretion values in first morning void urine for healthy young Romanian subjects from birth, childhood and young adulthood. In these subjects we have evaluated age, gender and apo E genotype as potential confounders.

Circulating matrix Gla protein: a potential tool to identify minor carotid stenosis with calcification in a risk population.

Background: Carotid calcification is an independent marker for future ischemic events, which are more frequently encountered in postmenopausal women as the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension (HT) increases. Matrix Gla protein (MGP) is a major inhibitor of vascular calcification. Here, we report on the prospect of serum MGP to become an identifying tool for minor carotid stenosis (minCAS) with calcification in a risk population.

Synovial and serum levels of uncarboxylated matrix Gla-protein (ucMGP) in patients with arthritis.

Background: Matrix Gla-protein (MGP) is a calcification inhibitor produced by cartilage and vessel walls. Arthritis is defined by inflammation, cartilage and bone destruction/formation and articular calcifications. Our objectives were to evaluate ucMGP levels in synovial fluid (SF) in arthritis patients and to investigate the relationship between local and circulating ucMGP and their association with age and inflammation.