Calcified meningiomas have a slower growth rate and a better outcome than non-calcified meningiomas. Matrix Gla Protein (MGP) acts as an inhibitor of soft tissue calcification. Depending on its carboxylation status MGP may occur in two... more
Calcified meningiomas have a slower growth rate and a better outcome than non-calcified meningiomas. Matrix Gla Protein (MGP) acts as an inhibitor of soft tissue calcification. Depending on its carboxylation status MGP may occur in two conformations: uncarboxylated (ucMGP) or carboxylated (cMGP). Low levels of serum ucMGP have been described to be a sign of tissue calcification. In calcified tumoral tissue samples we identified both ucMGP (r = 0.957, p[0.001) and cMGP (r = 1, p[0.001), while non-calcified tumors were negative for both MGP conformation deposits. The concentration of serum t-ucMGP in patients with calcified and non-calcified meningiomas were not significantly different (3499�1388 vs. 3882�2558).
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The purpose of the study was to evaluate the lipid profile and the prevalence of dyslipidaemia and other risk factors in subjects with and without coronary heart disease. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in 1519 subjects,... more
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the lipid profile and the prevalence of dyslipidaemia and other risk factors in subjects with and without coronary heart disease. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in 1519 subjects, admitted in Internal Medicine and Cardiology Department, Cluj-Napoca between January 2003 and December 2004. The first group consisted of 760 patients with coronary heart disease and the second group including 759 subjects in which coronary heart disease was excluded based on standard criteria. The cardiovascular risk factors and the serum lipid fractions were analyzed in order to test their relationship with the demographic characteristics and clinical forms of coronary heart disease. Results: The mean values of lipid fractions were lower in subjects with coronary heart disease than in subjects without coronary heart disease: total cholesterol (204.44 +/- 43.07 vs. 224.51 +/- 51.73 mg/dl, p = 0.0001), LDL-cholesterol (132.69 +/- 34.77 vs. 148.76 +/- 48.72 mg/dl, p = 0.0001), HDL-cholesterol (39.72 +/- 10.02 vs. 44.33 +/- 11.95 mg/dl, p = 0.0001), triglycerides (156.81 +/- 70.84 vs. 159.99 +/- 115.3 mg/dl, p = 0.517), non-HDL-cholesterol (164.72 +/- 39.9 vs. 180.19 +/- 51.58 mg/dl, p = 0.0001). The prevalence of dyslipidaemia was higher in group 1 than in group 2 (91.2% vs. 85.3%; p = 0.01). The most common lipid abnormalities in patients with coronary heat disease were increased LDL-C (84.22% vs. 81.21%, p = 0.09), followed by low HDL-C (55.26% vs. 35.57%, p = 0.001). The multivariate analysis showed that LDL-C (OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.01-1.88, p = 0.004), TC/HDL-C > 4.5 (OR 3.62; 95% CI 2.85-8.86, p = 0.001) and LDL-C/HDL-C > 3.5 (OR 4.21; 95% CI 1.89-4.66, p = 0.001) ratio, as being strongly associated with coronary events. Conclusion: The study found a high prevalence of dyslipidaemia in Romanian patients with coronary heart disease. The most frequent lipid disorders were increased LDL-C, and low HDL-C. According to our results more than 90% of the patients with coronary heart disease are dyslipidaemic, and require non-pharmacological or pharmacological therapy.
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Objectives: To investigate if apoB, apoA-I and apoB/apoA-I ratios are independent risk factors for coronary heart disease and to determine their value in relationship with serum lipid fractions in evaluating the risk of coronary events.... more
Objectives: To investigate if apoB, apoA-I and apoB/apoA-I ratios are independent risk factors for coronary heart disease and to determine their value in relationship with serum lipid fractions in evaluating the risk of coronary events. Materials and methods: We carried out a comparative observational study on 289 subjects divided into two groups: 144 subjects with old myocardial infarction, and 145 subjects without coronary heart disease, but with cardiovascular risk factors. None of the subjects received lipid-lowering drugs in the previous 3 months. Results: The mean values of lipid fractions were lower in subjects with myocardial infarction than in subjects without coronary heart disease: total cholesterol (186.06 +/- 48.11 vs. 206.93 +/- 42.28 mg/dl, p = 0.0001), LDL-cholesterol (118.57 +/- 42.95 vs. 129.53 +/- 39.75 mg/dl, p = 0.023), HDL-cholesterol (43.64 +/- 12.32 vs. 50.48 +/- 21.09 mg/dl, p = 0.0008) and triglycerides (145.38 +/- 62.74 vs. 167.56 +/- 82.11 mg/dl, p = 0.01). The plasmatic levels of apoB were higher in subjects with myocardial infarction (1.12 +/- 0.57 vs. 0.86 +/- 0.27 g/l, p = 0.0001), but the apoA-I was lower (1.31 +/- 0.47 vs. 1.40 +/- 0.39 g/l, p = 0.101). The multivariate analysis indicated that plasmatic concentrations of apoB over 1.7 g/l are closely correlated with myocardial infarction (OR 3.96; 95% CI 2.87-5.02, p = 0.001) independent of other covariables such as age, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, lipid CT/HDL-C and the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio. The protective effect of apolipoprotein A1 against cardiovascular events after the adjustment for other cardiovascular risk factors (OR 0.72; 95% CI 0.57-0.83, p = 0.004) was also independent in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: These results highlight the significance of apoA-I and apoB in the evaluation of the cardiovascular risk. From this point of view, their predictive value is superior to that of serum lipid fractions. The data suggest that the determination of apoA-I and apoB is useful enough to be introduced in current clinical practice.
Research Interests: Cardiology, Risk assessment, Medicine, Humans, Internal Medicine, and 15 moreCholesterol, Female, Pubmed, Male, Risk factors, Apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein A-I, LDL-cholesterol, Myocardial Infarction, Coronary heart disease, Biological markers, Risk Factors, Risk Assessment, Coronary Artery Disease, and Predictive value of tests
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Abstract Our prospective study involved 54 patients with RA Serum level of acute phase reactants: erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), reactive C protein (CRP), and ferritin were measured, and correlation of these parameters with disease... more
Abstract Our prospective study involved 54 patients with RA Serum level of acute phase reactants: erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), reactive C protein (CRP), and ferritin were measured, and correlation of these parameters with disease activity score, including a 28-...
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Chemerin is a chemokine known to be increased in morbidly obese (MO) patients and correlated with markers of inflammation and nitrooxidative stress. We aimed to evaluate the changes of serum chemerin six months after laparoscopic sleeve... more
Chemerin is a chemokine known to be increased in morbidly obese (MO) patients and correlated with markers of inflammation and nitrooxidative stress. We aimed to evaluate the changes of serum chemerin six months after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and to asses if these changes are accompanied by variations of inflammatory and nitrooxidative stress markers. We investigated the levels of chemerin, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-), nitrite and nitrate (NOx), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant response (TAR), and oxidative stress index (OSI) in a group of 24 MO patients submitted to SG before and six months after surgery. The MO group was compared with 20 controls. hsCRP ( < 0.001), NOx ( < 0.001), TOS ( < 0.001), TAR ( = 0.007), and OSI ( = 0.001) were significantly different between the two groups. Six months after surgery, we noticed significant changes (42.28% decrease) of hsCRP ( = 0.044) and OSI ( = 0.041) (31....
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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... more
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. Arthritis patients (n=26) with knee joint effusion and controls (n=30) underwent an ultrasonographic knee examination for articular calcifications assessment. Patients were divided into inflammatory and non-inflammatory groups. ucMGP levels were determined in serum and SF using a competitive ELISA assay. Within the arthritis patients, the inflammatory group had the lowest ucMGP serum levels, and the highest levels of synovial ucMGP. Furthermore, the inflammatory group had significantly (p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05) higher RucMGP (synovial ucMGP/serum ucMGP*100) than the non-inflammatory group [36 (17-69) vs. 24 (5-55)], and this parameter positively correlated (r=0.4; p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05) with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). No correlation was found between age and local or circulating ucMGP in patients and controls. The ucMGP assay can be used for determination of MGP in SF, and combined assessment of ucMGP in serum and SF could potentially serve as a joint inflammatory marker in arthritis patients.
Research Interests: Cognitive Science, Inflammation, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Medicine, Humans, and 15 moreInternal Medicine, Cartilage, Female, Male, Arthritis, Clinical Sciences, Aged, Middle Aged, Adult, Age Factors, Biological markers, Calcium Binding Proteins, Cross Sectional Studies, Extracellular Matrix Proteins, and Musculoskeletal diseases
Background Osteopontin (OPN) has been implicated in bone remodeling by activating the resorption process. We aimed to study the relationship between OPN, bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover markers, vitamin D, and osteoporotic... more
Background Osteopontin (OPN) has been implicated in bone remodeling by activating the resorption process. We aimed to study the relationship between OPN, bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover markers, vitamin D, and osteoporotic vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods Serum levels of OPN, osteocalcin, collagen type 1 cross-linked C-telopeptide (CTX), bone alkaline phosphatase, and vitamin D were assessed in 214 postmenopausal women. Bone mineral density was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in lumbar spine and femoral neck, and osteoporotic vertebral fractures by radiographs. Results Osteopontin levels were significantly higher in osteoporosis group versus osteopenic and normal group (all P &lt; 0.05). The cutoff values of OPN for osteoporosis diagnosis were of 9.47 μg/L at the lumbar spine (area under the curve, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.58–0.75; P &lt; 0.001) and 10.15 μg/L at the femoral neck (area under the curve, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.624–0.77; P = 0.0001), respectively. Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis-related vertebral fractures had significantly higher levels of OPN than those without vertebral fractures (15.69 ± 13.26 vs 12.63 ± 12.46 μg/L; P = 0.02). Significant negative correlations were found between OPN and BMD, which persisted after the adjustment for age at the lumbar spine. Osteopontin levels were directly correlated with bone turnover markers (osteocalcin, bone alkaline phosphatase, and CTX). No significant correlation was found between OPN and vitamin D. Multiple regression analysis showed that age, waist circumference, and CTX were independent predictors of serum OPN levels. Conclusions High levels of OPN in postmenopausal women are associated with low BMD, increased levels of bone turnover markers, and osteoporotic vertebral fractures. These findings suggest that OPN might play some role in the pathophysiology of postmenopausal osteoporosis and warrant further clinical investigations.
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In female elite athletes strenuous exercise may result in hypoestrogenism and amenorrhoea. As a consequence a low peak bone mass and rapid bone loss are often seen in relatively young athletes. In postmenopausal women, increased intake of... more
In female elite athletes strenuous exercise may result in hypoestrogenism and amenorrhoea. As a consequence a low peak bone mass and rapid bone loss are often seen in relatively young athletes. In postmenopausal women, increased intake of vitamin K may result in an increase of serum markers for bone formation, a decrease of urinary markers for bone resorption, and a decrease in urinary calcium loss. In the present paper we report an intervention study among eight female athletes, four of whom had been amenorrhoeic for more than one year, whereas the others had been using oral contraceptives. All participants received vitamin K supplementation (10 mg/day) during one month, and various bone markers were measured before and after treatment. At baseline the athletes not using oral contraceptives were biochemically vitamin K-deficient as deduced from the calcium binding capacity of the circulating bone protein osteocalcin. In all subjects increased vitamin K was associated with an increased calcium-binding capacity of osteocalcin. In the low-estrogen group vitamin K supplementation induced a 15-20% increase of bone formation markers and a parallel 20-25% decrease of bone resorption markers. This shift is suggestive for an improved balance between bone formation and resorption.
Research Interests: Mechanical Engineering, Endocrinology, Sports Medicine, Bone Metabolism, Running, and 15 moreMedicine, Humans, Internal Medicine, Female, Exercise, Dietary Supplements, Osteocalcin, Adult, Biological markers, Bone remodeling, Luteinizing Hormone, Bone and Bones, Estradiol, Follicle stimulating hormone, and Bone Resorption
Research Interests: Endocrinology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Nutrition, Biology, Medicine, and 15 moreAnimal Production, Osteoporosis, Humans, Internal Medicine, Female, Animals, Osteocalcin, Bioavailability, Vitamin, Food Sciences, Bone remodeling, Biological Availability, Bone and Bones, Bone Resorption, and Vitamin K
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Several studies showed that elevated plasma levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] represent a predictor for cardiovascular risk. Based on already existing literature data, we aim to study the relationship between Lp(a), lipids and other... more
Several studies showed that elevated plasma levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] represent a predictor for cardiovascular risk. Based on already existing literature data, we aim to study the relationship between Lp(a), lipids and other cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with or without coronary heart disease. We performed a cross-sectional transversal study on 208 patients (100 men and 108 women) aged between 37-75, with or without old myocardial infarction. In all the patients were evaluated the cardiovascular risk factors, the plasma level of the lipid fractions and Lp(a). The relationship between Lp(a) and the lipid and non-lipid risk factors were evaluated by the logistic regression method. The myocardial infarction group had higher values of plasma levels of Lp(a) (0.37 +/- 0.28 vs. 0.29 +/- 0.23 g/L, p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05), and LDL-C (125.66 +/- 41.21 vs. 113.44 +/- 46.64 mg/dL, p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05), than the group without coronary heart disease, as well as higher values of plasmatic TC/HDL-C ratio (4.31 +/- 1.55 vs. 4.08 +/- 1.29, p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05), with significantly decreased plasmatic levels of HDL-C (45.88 +/- 12.04 vs. 53.22 +/- 23.12 mg/dL, p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). The association between the high Lp(a) plasma levels and the severity of coronary vessels number involved was significant. Multivariate analysis performed with adjustments for cardiovascular risk factors showed that the Lp(a), LDL-C and CT/HDL-C ratio levels are significant and independent predictive markers of coronary heart disease. The results show that the high Lp(a) plasma levels represent an independent cardiovascular risk factor, with superior risk prediction than the conventional lipid fractions. Our results confirm the Lp(a) as a marker for cardiovascular risk assessment in clinical practice.
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Dry eye syndrome remains a constant health problem while more and more patients are being involved and final data concerning the etiopathology is still missing. This study investigates the hypothesis that ocular surgery inflicts damage on... more
Dry eye syndrome remains a constant health problem while more and more patients are being involved and final data concerning the etiopathology is still missing. This study investigates the hypothesis that ocular surgery inflicts damage on the tear production (regarding quantity, quality or the compositional aspect). Ocular symptoms were registered with the help of a questionnaire. Lacrimal tests were applied before and after surgery at 6 weeks. Basic and reflex tear secretion was differentiated through Schirmer tests and tear quality was assessed with BUT. Proteomic analysis (global proteins, electrophoresis) and conjunctival biopsy was realized before surgery. Open eye surgery altered tear secretion in 91% of the 22 patients examined.
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Recent changes in society might increase stress perception in physicians. The Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) is a widely used self-reported instrument to measure psychosocial characteristics of jobs. The biological pathways through which... more
Recent changes in society might increase stress perception in physicians. The Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) is a widely used self-reported instrument to measure psychosocial characteristics of jobs. The biological pathways through which professional stress might increase cardiovascular disease risk are better explained nowadays. The objectives of this study were: to determine the connection between professional stress evaluated with Job Content Questionnaire, in a group of physicians, and some bioumoral markers, including cortisol, and to analyse gender differences. Material and methods: There were included 118 presumed healthy physicians from Cluj county, aged between 30 and 60 years, with medical specialites. All the results were analyzed and compared by means, standard deviations and alpha coefficients of validity. Were measured the following bioumoral markers: total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, fibrinogen, high sensitivity-CRP, and serum cortisol. Serum cortisol levels were measured in the morning (between 8.00-9.00 am). Results and discussion: 12% of the total group had fasting plasma glucose over the normal range, 26% had total cholesterol over 200 mg/dl, 8% had triglycerides over 150 mg/dl, 6% had HDL-cholesterol under the protection limits, 24% had elevated fibrinogen values, 14% had elevated hs-CRP, and 20% had slightly elevated morning cortisol levels. We found that low coworker support affects more men than women, and that there are positive correlations between depression and serum cortisol both in men and in women, and also in the total group. There are no significant correlations in total group between depression and other inflamatory markers; only in women there are some positive correlations with fibrinogen and CRP. Conclusion: Professional stress is connected with inflammation and this could be a pathway through cardiovascular disease. There are some gender differences in stress perception which should be taken into account.
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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... more
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. 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. Disease activity was evaluated using Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Functional status was assessed by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Function Index (BASFI) and measures of spinal mobility. Sclerostin levels were more elevated in axSpA patients with high disease activity than in those with low disease activity and in controls. They were significantly correlated with BASFI values (r = 0.29, p = 0.03) and measures of spinal mobility, but not with the classical markers of disease activity (BASDAI, ASDAS, CRP, and ESR). Although both MMP-3 and IL-17 levels were elevated in patients with active disease, they were not correlated with markers of disease activity or with functional disability. The levels of sclerostin, MMP-3, IL-17, and IL-23 were similar in axSpA patients and healthy controls. Elevated levels of sclerostin, MMP-3, and IL-17 were observed in axSpA patients with active disease, suggesting their potential role in assessing disease activity. In axSpA patients, sclerostin levels might be equally influenced by inflammation and level of physical activity. Further studies are required to confirm our findings in order to understand their clinical value.