Diurnal triglyceridemia in relation to alcohol intake in men.

Fasting and postprandial triglyceride concentrations largely depend on dietary and lifestyle factors. Alcohol intake is associated with triglycerides, but the effect of alcohol on diurnal triglyceridemia in a free living situation is unknown. During three days, 139 men (range: 18-80 years) measured their own capillary triglyceride (cTG) concentrations daily on six fixed time-points before and after meals, and the total daily alcohol intake was recorded.

Erythrocyte-bound apolipoprotein B in relation to atherosclerosis, serum lipids and ABO blood group.

Introduction: Erythrocytes carry apolipoprotein B on their membrane, but the determining factors of erythrocyte-bound apolipoprotein B (ery-apoB) are unknown. We aimed to explore the determinants of ery-apoB to gain more insight into potential mechanisms.

Methods: Subjects with and without CVD were included (N = 398).

Trans-vessel gradient of myeloperoxidase in coronary artery disease.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) may reflect generalized inflammation. We evaluated leucocyte activation in subjects with and without CAD in different vascular compartments.

Materials And Methods: Patients were divided in two groups; subjects without CAD (controls; n = 25) and with stable CAD (n = 52) based on coronary angiography.

Dyslipidemia in obesity: mechanisms and potential targets.

Obesity has become a major worldwide health problem. In every single country in the world, the incidence of obesity is rising continuously and therefore, the associated morbidity, mortality and both medical and economical costs are expected to increase as well. The majority of these complications are related to co-morbid conditions that include coronary artery disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, respiratory disorders and dyslipidemia.

Effects of metformin on the regulation of free Fatty acids in insulin resistance: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Introduction. Impaired free fatty acid (FFA) metabolism is closely linked to insulin resistance. Our aim was to evaluate plasma FFA changes in insulin resistance in a physiological situation after improvement of insulin sensitivity by metformin.

Exploring the value of apoB48 as a marker for atherosclerosis in clinical practice.

Background:   Postprandial accumulation of atherogenic remnants has been described in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), familial combined hyperlipidaemia (FCH), familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) and coronary artery disease (CAD). Scarce data are available on fasting plasma apolipoprotein (apo) B48 levels in relation to these conditions and atherosclerosis.

Design:   Treated patients with FCH (18), FH (20), T2DM (26), CAD (65), T2DM with CAD (T2DM/CAD) (28) and 33 healthy controls were included.

Erythrocyte-associated apolipoprotein B and its relationship with clinical and subclinical atherosclerosis.

Background: Apolipoprotein (apo) B-containing lipoproteins are closely linked to atherogenesis. These lipoproteins are transported in plasma and are also associated with blood leucocytes. Our aim was to investigate whether apoB-containing lipoproteins are also present on the surface of erythrocytes and investigate the relationship with the presence of atherosclerosis in a cross-sectional study.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with an extensive posterior mobilization: technique and preliminary results.

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is becoming increasingly popular as a stand-alone procedure for the treatment of morbidly obese patients. A direct posterior approach to the angle of His was developed at our department to improve visualization of the difficult dissection of the short gastric vessels and to facilitate proper mobilization of the stomach around the left crus enabling safe realization of a tight sleeve. The technique and its preliminary results are described.

[Cholesterol homeostasis and enterohepatic connection: new insights in cholesterol absorption].

The intestines have been proposed as the 'new player' in the field of atherosclerosis as a result of recent discoveries on intestinal cholesterol absorption and excretion. 'Niemann-Pick C1-like 1' is one of the most important transport proteins in the process of intestinal and biliary cholesterol absorption. Cholesterol is not only excreted via the hepato-biliary route but is also excreted directly into the intestinal lumen; this transintestinal cholesterol excretion is particularly important in mice.

Mannose binding lectin 2 haplotypes do not affect the progression of coronary atherosclerosis in men with proven coronary artery disease treated with pravastatin.

Objective: Mannose binding lectin (MBL) is one of the three initiators of complement activation. Polymorphisms of the MBL2 gene and its promoter, and especially haplotypes, determine MBL plasma levels. MBL deficiency has been associated with the development of atherosclerosis.

Leukocyte activation by triglyceride-rich lipoproteins.

Objective: Postprandial lipemia has been linked to atherosclerosis and inflammation. Because leukocyte activation is obligatory for atherogenesis, leukocyte activation by triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs) was investigated.

Methods And Results: The expression of CD11b and CD66b after incubation with glucose and native and artificial TRLs (NTRL and ATRL) in vivo and in vitro was evaluated by flowcytometry.

The history of the (Young) AEMI(E) and the EFIM.

The European Federation of Internal Medicine (EFIM) was formed in 1996 through a merger between the Association Européenne de Médicine Interne (d' Ensemble) (AEMI(E)) and the Forum of Presidents of National Societies of Internal Medicine (IM). It arose as a result of ideas from Carcassi (Rome/Cagliari) and Merino (Alicante) to transform the largely French-speaking and rather elitist AEMI into a more easily accessible and English-speaking federation of national societies. The founding meeting of the General Assembly of the EFIM took place in May 1996 in Paris.