Arch Med Sci
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The latest data support the correlation of atherosclerosis and osteoporosis, indicating the parallel progression of two tissue destruction processes with increased fatal and non-fatal coronary events, as well as higher fracture risk. Vitamin D inadequacy associated with low bone mineral density increases fall and fracture risk, leads to secondary hyperparathyroidism, calcifies coronary arteries and significantly increases cardiovascular disease. ⋯ A recent recommendation on vitamin D dietary requirements for bone health is 600 IU/d for ages 1-70 years and 800 IU/d for 71 years and older, corresponding to a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level of at least 20 ng/ml (50 nmol/l). Further large randomized controlled trials are needed to reassess laboratory ranges for 25-hydroxyvitamin D in both diseases, in order to avoid under- and over-treatment problems, and completely clarify the relationship between atherosclerosis and osteoporosis.
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There is accumulating clinical evidence that acute liver failure may be regularly associated with myocardial injury. To test this hypothesis in a standardized experimental setting, we used two porcine models of ALF. ⋯ Our study provides direct evidence of early myocardial injury in the setting of acute liver failure in pigs. The mechanism of injury remains to be elucidated.
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Antibodies to citrullinated proteins/peptides (ACPAs) are the second serological marker to have recently been included in the 2010 ACR/EULAR Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Classification Criteria, which are focused on early diagnosis and therapy. This review discusses their history and some clinical aspects of ACPAs, focusing on the diagnostic utility of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies as a marker of RA as compared to the widely used rheumatoid factor (RF). Simultaneously, this review aims to raise physician awareness and interest in anti-citrullinated vimentin antibody (anti-Sa/anti-MCV), another member of the ACPA family, which appears to have a better predictive value as a marker of RA than anti-CCP or RF and correlates closely with disease activity and therapeutic response among patients with RA.
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Obesity-related disturbances are considered to be risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Chromium is shown to improve carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Conflicting data on effects of chromium supplementation in humans are published. The aim of the study was to assess the concentrations of serum chromium during the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in obese persons. ⋯ We suggest that the studied centrally obese persons differed in chromium metabolism. In subjects "consuming" Cr during the OGTT, chromium status may be associated with increased risk for CVD.