Leukotrienes E4 and B4 and vascular endothelium - New insight into the link between vascular inflammation and peripheral arterial.

Leukotrienes are proinflammatory mediators that participate in the process of atherogenesis and contribute to the development of symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. The aim was to evaluate the relationship between leukotriene E4 (LTE4) and B4 (LTB4) with parameters reflecting endothelial vascular function in patients with chronic lower limb ischemia. This prospective observational study enrolled 50 consecutive patients undergoing endovascular treatment due to chronic lower limb ischemia (Rutherford 3).

Autophagy and ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis processes in left ventricular mass loss in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the intensity of autophagy and ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis processes occurring in myocardium of left ventricle (LV) in subsequent stages of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) to determine mechanisms responsible for LV mass loss in a monocrotaline-induced PAH rat model. LV myocardium samples collected from 32 Wistar rats were analyzed in an early PAH group (n = 8), controls time-paired (n = 8), an end-stage PAH group (n = 8), and their controls (n = 8). Samples were subjected to histological analyses with immunofluorescence staining, autophagy assessment by western blotting, and evaluation of ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis in the LV by immunoprecipitation of ubiquitinated proteins.

Is triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell 1 (TREM-1) protein a new marker of serious infectious complications in colorectal surgery?: case-matched pilot study.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell 1 (TREM-1) protein as a marker for serious infectious complications during laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Methods: Sixty-four patients with colon or rectal cancer, who underwent an elective laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery from November 2018 to February 2020, were included in the analysis. Blood samples of the TREM-1 protein testing were collected four times from each patient: before and on three following postoperative days (PODs).

The Concentration of Pro- and Antiangiogenic Factors in Saliva and Gingival Crevicular Fluid Compared to Plasma in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease and Type 2 Diabetes.

Several studies have investigated various biomarkers in relation to peripheral artery disease (PAD) for disease stratification and early-onset detection. In PAD, angiogenesis is required for tissue restoration and tissue perfusion. Considering changes in angiogenesis in patients with PAD, angiogenic factors could be explored as one of the new prognostic molecules.

Targeted sequencing of a gene panel in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia from Southern Poland.

Introduction: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant monogenic lipid metabolism disorder characterized by a significantly elevated level of low‑density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and leading to premature ischemic heart disease. FH is caused by mutations in the LDLR, APOB, and PCSK9 genes; however, these mutations account for only about 40% of FH cases. In order to obtain a genetic diagnosis of FH, sequencing of other genes involved in the lipid metabolism might be useful.

Serum PCSK9 Correlates with PTX3 and Apolipoproteins B, A1, and C3 Concentrations in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is involved in the regulation of LDL metabolism. There is evidence that circulating PCSK9 is a cardiovascular risk factor. In this study, we determined factors associated with circulating PCSK9 in a group of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2).

Fetuin-A Deficiency but Not Pentraxin 3, FGF-21, or Irisin, Predisposes to More Serious COVID-19 Course.

Analysis of liver biopsy specimens showed that SARS-CoV-2 might have led to liver damage. This study aimed to evaluate the role of selected hepatokines and myokines in the development and progression of COVID-19. Seventy patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and 20 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study.

The Effect of Caloric Restriction with and without n-3 PUFA Supplementation on Bone Turnover Markers in Blood of Subjects with Abdominal Obesity: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Weight loss contributes to an increased risk of hip fracture, especially in postmenopausal women. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) supplementation could diminish the adverse effect of weight loss on bone health. The aim of this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind parallel trial was to investigate the effect of caloric restriction and n-3 PUFA supplement intake on osteogenic markers (carboxylated osteocalcin (Gla-OC); procollagen I N-terminal propeptide (PINP)), as well as a bone resorption marker (C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I)) in a serum of 64 middle aged individuals (BMI 25-40 kg/m) with abdominal obesity.

Diagnostic Significance of Serum Galectin-3 in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19-A Preliminary Study.

Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with hyperinflammation leading to organ injury, including respiratory failure. Galectin-3 was implicated in innate immunological response to infections and in chronic fibrosis. The aim of our preliminary study was the assessment of the diagnostic utility of serum galectin-3 in patients with COVID-19.

Complement Components in the Diagnosis and Treatment after Kidney Transplantation-Is There a Missing Link?

Currently, kidney transplantation is widely accepted as the renal replacement therapy allowing for the best quality of life and longest survival of patients developing end-stage renal disease. However, chronic transplant rejection, recurrence of previous kidney disease or newly acquired conditions, or immunosuppressive drug toxicity often lead to a deterioration of kidney allograft function over time. Complement components play an important role in the pathogenesis of kidney allograft impairment.

DNA methylation microarrays identify epigenetically regulated lipid related genes in obese patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Background: Epigenetics can contribute to lipid disorders in obesity. The DNA methylation pattern can be the cause or consequence of high blood lipids. The aim of the study was to investigate the DNA methylation profile in peripheral leukocytes associated with elevated LDL-cholesterol level in overweight and obese individuals.

Enhanced GIP Secretion in Obesity Is Associated with Biochemical Alteration and miRNA Contribution to the Development of Liver Steatosis.

Nutrient excess enhances glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) secretion, which may in turn contribute to the development of liver steatosis. We hypothesized that elevated GIP levels in obesity may affect markers of liver injury through microRNAs. The study involved 128 subjects (body mass index (BMI) 25-40).

Correlates of pentraxin 3 serum concentration in men and women with type 2 diabetes.

Elevated levels of plasma pentraxin 3 (PTX3), a marker of inflammation, are associated with the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases in the general population, as well as in patients with type 2 diabetes (DM2). In this study, we aimed to determine factors associated with PTX3 serum concentrations in men and women with DM2. The study included 116 consecutive patients (67 men and 49 women) with DM2 from an outpatient diabetic clinic.

Effect of insulin resistance on whole blood mRNA and microRNA expression affecting bone turnover.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of insulin resistance in obesity on the expression in whole blood of mRNA and miRNA affecting bone homeostasis as well as to estimate the influence of oral glucose load (OGTT) on serum osteocalcin concentration in obese individuals with and without insulin resistance.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: Carboxylated (cOC), undercarboxylated (ucOC) and total osteocalcin were measured by ELISA in the serum of obese subjects with insulin resistance (n = 41) and obese subjects without insulin resistance (n = 41) (control group) during OGTT.

Serum pentraxin 3 concentration in patients with type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Introduction: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Pentraxin 3 (PTX3), a marker of inflammation, is a cardiovascular risk factor.

Objectives: We examined clinical and biochemical factors associated with serum PTX3 concentrations in patients with T2D with and without NAFLD.

A decision algorithm to identify patients with high probability of monogenic diabetes due to HNF1A mutations.

Purpose: To investigate the utility of biomarkers of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory features to improve diagnostic accuracy and provide a diagnostic algorithm for HNF1A MODY.

Methods: We examined 77 patients with HNF1A MODY, 88 with GCK MODY mutations, 99 with type 1 diabetes, and 92 with type 2 diabetes. In addition to 1,5-AG and hsCRP, we considered body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose, and fasting serum C-peptide as potential biomarkers.

Circulating ectosomes: Determination of angiogenic microRNAs in type 2 diabetes.

Ectosomes () are a subpopulation of extracellular vesicles formed by the process of plasma membrane shedding. In the present study, we profiled ectosome-specific microRNAs (miRNAs) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and analyzed their pro- and anti-angiogenic potential. We used different approaches for detecting and enumerating , including atomic force microscopy, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, and nanoparticle tracking analysis.

Carotid artery plaques - Are risk factors the same in men and women with familial hypercholesterolemia?

Background And Aims: High low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels are a major cause of premature coronary heart disease (CHD) and death in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). It is uncertain whether these risk factors affect men and women equally. We aimed to compare the risk factors of carotid plaques, which are reliable surrogates of coronary atherosclerosis, in men and women with FH.

Serum uromodulin concentrations correlate with glomerular filtration rate in patients with chronic kidney disease.

INTRODUCTION Urinary uromodulin excretion has been associated with kidney diseases. However, serum uromodulin concentrations have not been extensively studied in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and the results of published studies are inconsistent. OBJECTIVES The aims of the study were to evaluate serum uromodulin concentrations in patients with CKD and to assess the utility of serum uromodulin measurements for diagnosing CKD stages.

Effect of caloric restriction with or without n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on insulin sensitivity in obese subjects: A randomized placebo controlled trial.

Background: Caloric restriction and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation protect from some of the metabolic complications. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of a low calorie diet with or without n-3 PUFA supplementation on glucose dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) output and insulin sensitivity markers in obese subjects.

Methods: Obese, non-diabetic subjects (BMI 30-40 kg/m(2)) and aged 25-65 yr.

Extracellular vesicles participate in the transport of cytokines and angiogenic factors in diabetic patients with ocular complications.

Introduction: Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including circulating microvesicles (MVs) or mi- croparticles (MPs) and exosomes, derived from cells or platelets are present in the peripheral blood and are important elements involved in the activation of the coagulation system, transport of macromolecules and intercellular communication. In patients with vascular complications (including diabetes), the number of EVs is significantly increased during the acute phase of the disease. However, less is known about EVs release in the chronic state of diabetes.

Carboxylated and intact osteocalcin predict adiponectin concentration in hemodialyzed patients.

Purpose Disrupted bone metabolism in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with elevated concentrations of biochemical bone markers. Recently, animal studies show the role of osteocalcin in energy metabolism, which is partially confirmed in humans. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationships between serum concentrations of bone markers and indices of energy metabolism in CKD patients on maintenance hemodialysis; in particular, the relationship between various forms of osteocalcin and adiponectin.

Relationship between fetuin-A, bone turnover and inflammatory markers concentrations in serum of maintenance hemodialyzed patients.

Introduction: Fetuin-A plays an important role in bone turnover and vascular calcification.

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between serum fetuin-A concentrations, inflammatory and bone turnover markers of patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

Materials And Methods: The study was performed in 71 patients (21 women, 40 men) aged 60 ± 12 years on chronic dialysis because of end-stage renal failure for a period of 75 ± 57.

Comparison of Glomerular Filtration Rate Estimation from Serum Creatinine and Cystatin C in HNF1A-MODY and Other Types of Diabetes.

Introduction: We previously showed that in HNF1A-MODY the cystatin C-based glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimate is higher than the creatinine-based estimate. Currently, we aimed to replicate this finding and verify its clinical significance.

Methods: The study included 72 patients with HNF1A-MODY, 72 with GCK-MODY, 53 with type 1 diabetes (T1DM), 70 with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and 65 controls.