Transcriptomic analyses of lung tissues reveal key genes associated with progression of systemic sclerosis-interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD).

OBJECTIVE: Systemic sclerosis-interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) is the leading cause of death in SSc, affecting around 50 % of the patients. Lung tissue of patients with early-stage SSc-ILD is characterized by a predominant inflammatory response with inconspicuous fibrosis, which may progress to honeycombing fibrosis. Hence, a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning SSc-ILD pathogenesis is needed to improve treatment options and progression prediction. This transcriptomic study aims to reveal the differential gene expression between control (ctrl) lung tissue and inflammatory, prefibrotic and fibrotic lung tissue to capture progression of early to late phase SSc-ILD. METHODS: Twelve explanted lungs from patients with SSc-ILD were used to analyze gene expression from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded lung tissues with varying stages of ILD (n = 18) and control lung tissue (n = 6). The SSc-ILD tissues were stratified into three ROIs: inflammatory, prefibrotic, and fibrotic using histological assessments to define a longitudinal simulation of early to late phases of SSc-ILD. The nanoString (nS) nCounter Human Fibrosis Panel was used to profile the transcriptome in the regions of interest. Validation of potential targetswas performed with immunohistochemistry in the same tissues that were used for transcriptome analysis. RESULTS: To validate our simulation model, we performed subgroup analysis that showed an incremental increase in pathway scores related to the severity of fibrosis. Ctrl vs SSc-ILD comparison demonstrated 24 differentially expressed genes, two of which had the most pronounced p-values. Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (cdkn2c) was overexpressed (P = 0.00052) in SSc-ILD compared to ctrl, while expression of Pellino E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase 1 (peli1) showed lower expression (P = 0.0012). Additionally, in all four groups, cdkn2c and peli1 gene expression showed an incremental increase and decrease, respectively. Immunohistochemistry of cdkn2c showed consistent results with the nS analysis. CONCLUSION: More cdkn2c and less peli1 expression were associated with more advanced stages of SSc-ILD on histologic assessment. We report the potential of the cell cycle inhibitor and senescence marker, cdkn2c (p18) to be associated with fibrosis progression.

Regenerative treatments for scleroderma in cutaneous manifestations of the face: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: Scleroderma is a heterogeneous chronic autoimmune disease affecting connective tissue, characterised by chronic inflammation and fibrosis, particularly affecting internal organs and skin. Orofacial involvement is common, leading to facial atrophy, mask-like appearance and difficulties in function that significantly impact patients' quality of life. This systematic review evaluates different autologous regenerative treatments of facial manifestations of scleroderma, aiming to provide comprehensive understanding of their effectiveness in reducing fibrosis, and thereby improving function and skin quality. METHODS: A search in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane CENTRAL, and CINAHL was conducted. Studies assessing autologous regenerative treatments in cutaneous manifestations of the face in scleroderma patients were included. Outcomes of interest were treatment characteristics, characterisation of biomaterials, outcome measurements and patient satisfaction. Methodological quality was assessed with the Effective Public Health Practice Project tool. RESULTS: In total 18 studies were included. Methodological quality of studies was weak (n=15) and moderate (n=3). Treatments consisted of autologous fat grafting, platelet-rich plasma, stromal vascular fraction, and adipose-derived stem cells. In general, most studies showed improvements of symptoms, but no treatment was considered superior. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous regenerative treatments hold potential for alleviating cutaneous manifestations of the face in scleroderma. Further clinical trials should be well-designed to improve the quality of clinical evidence.

Higher levels of markers for early atherosclerosis in anti-citrullinated protein antibodies positive individuals at risk for RA, a cross sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify differences in levels of serum biomarkers associated with atherosclerosis between anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) positive groups. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were used from the Dutch Lifelines Cohort Study combined with data derived from RA risk and early RA studies conducted at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG). Serum biomarkers of inflammation, endothelial cell activation, tissue remodeling and adipokine, which were previously associated with atherosclerosis, were measured with Luminex in four ACPA positive groups with different characteristics: without joint complaints, with joint complaints, RA risk and early RA groups. RESULTS: Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 1 (TNFR1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were significantly higher in the RA risk and early RA groups compared to the joint complaints and the no joint complaints groups. The difference remained statistically significant after correcting for renal function, smoking and hypertension in multivariate logistic regression analysis, with focus on ACPA positive with joint complaints group versus RA risk group: CRP OR = 2.67, p = 0.033; IL-6 OR = 3.73, p = 0.019; TNFR1 OR = 1.003, p < 0.001; VGEF OR = 8.59, p = 0.019. CONCLUSION: Individuals at risk for RA have higher levels of inflammatory markers and VEGF, which suggests that they might also have a risk of higher cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, this does not apply to individuals with ACPA positivity with self-reported joint complaints or without joint complaints only. Therefore, it is important that individuals with RA risk are referred to a rheumatologist to rule in or out arthritis/development of RA and discuss CVD risk.

Macrophages as determinants and regulators of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis.

SSc is a multiphase autoimmune disease with a well-known triad of clinical manifestations including vasculopathy, inflammation and fibrosis. Although a plethora of drugs has been suggested as potential candidates to halt SSc progression, nothing has proven clinically efficient. In SSc, both innate and adaptive immune systems are abnormally activated fuelling fibrosis of the skin and other vital organs. Macrophages have been implicated in the pathogenesis of SSc and are thought to be a major source of immune dysregulation. Due to their plasticity, macrophages can initiate and sustain chronic inflammation when classically activated while, simultaneously or parallelly, when alternatively activated they are also capable of secreting fibrotic factors. Here, we briefly explain the polarization process of macrophages. Subsequently, we link the activation of macrophages and monocytes to the molecular pathology of SSc, and illustrate the interplay between macrophages and fibroblasts. Finally, we present recent/near-future clinical trials and discuss novel targets related to macrophages/monocytes activation in SSc.

Higher skin autofluorescence in individuals at risk for rheumatoid arthritis: results from a large population-based cohort.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate skin autofluorescence (SAF) levels, an early indicator for cardiovascular disease, in relation to the presence of anticitrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), joint complaints and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a large population-based cohort. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were used from 17346 participants of the Dutch Lifelines Cohort Study, of whom baseline SAF and ACPA levels were available. Individuals were divided into four groups: ACPA-negative controls (n=17211), ACPA-positive without joint complaints (n=49), ACPA-positive RA risk (n=31) and defined RA (n=52). Multinomial regression was used to compare SAF levels and correct for potential confounders. RESULTS: SAF levels were higher in the ACPA-positive RA risk group (OR 2.04, p=0.034) and the defined RA group (OR 3.10, p<0.001) compared to controls, but not in the ACPA-positive without joint complaints group (OR 1.07, p=0.875). The difference in SAF levels remained statistically significant in the defined RA group after adjusting for age (OR 2.09, p=0.011), smoking status, renal function or HbA1c. In the ACPA-positive RA risk group, the effect was found to be comparable (corrected for age: OR 2.09). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that ACPA-positive individuals with RA risk have elevated SAF levels, which is regarded as a non-invasive marker for oxidative stress and a possible indicator for development of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is important to conduct further studies to explore if, in ACPA-positive individuals with RA risk and no diagnosis of RA, cardiovascular risk management should be considered in future clinical practice.

COVID-19: immunopathology, pathophysiological mechanisms, and treatment options.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), continues to spread globally despite the worldwide implementation of preventive measures to combat the disease. Although most COVID-19 cases are characterised by a mild, self-limiting disease course, a considerable subset of patients develop a more severe condition, varying from pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) to multi-organ failure (MOF). Progression of COVID-19 is thought to occur as a result of a complex interplay between multiple pathophysiological mechanisms, all of which may orchestrate SARS-CoV-2 infection and contribute to organ-specific tissue damage. In this respect, dissecting currently available knowledge of COVID-19 immunopathogenesis is crucially important, not only to improve our understanding of its pathophysiology but also to fuel the rationale of both novel and repurposed treatment modalities. Various immune-mediated pathways during SARS-CoV-2 infection are relevant in this context, which relate to innate immunity, adaptive immunity, and autoimmunity. Pathological findings in tissue specimens of patients with COVID-19 provide valuable information with regard to our understanding of pathophysiology as well as the development of evidence-based treatment regimens. This review provides an updated overview of the main pathological changes observed in COVID-19 within the most commonly affected organ systems, with special emphasis on immunopathology. Current management strategies for COVID-19 include supportive care and the use of repurposed or symptomatic drugs, such as dexamethasone, remdesivir, and anticoagulants. Ultimately, prevention is key to combat COVID-19, and this requires appropriate measures to attenuate its spread and, above all, the development and implementation of effective vaccines. © 2021 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Patient-Tailored Approach for Diagnostics and Treatment of Mycotic Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: The existing literature on mycotic aortic aneurysm is scarce and focuses on treatment. This study evaluates the clinical characteristics, diagnostics, treatment and outcome of patients with a mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm treated in a tertiary referral center. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted including all patients with a proven mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm admitted between May 2010 and July 2020. Primary outcome was mortality and secondary outcome included complications such as vascular graft/endograft infection. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients with a mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm were included. Patients had a mean age of 68 ± 9 years and 20 (83%) were male. Thirteen patients (57%) had positive preoperative blood cultures. Streptococcus pneumoniae was most frequently isolated by blood culturing, pus, and vascular, or perivascular tissue cultures (17%). In 19 (83%) patients the mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm was located infrarenally, in three (13%) patients suprarenally, and in one (4%) patient juxtarenally. Median follow-up was 20 (7-42) months. In 8 patients (33%) vascular graft and or endograft infection was diagnosed after surgical repair. Ten (42%) patients died during the follow-up period. The main causes of death were vascular graft/endograft infection-related (n = 4) and rupture of the mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm (n = 3). No patient characteristics could be identified as predictive for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a large variation in presentation, diagnostic approaches, and surgical and antibiotic treatment of mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm. The detailed information about the diagnostic approaches to this rare disease and its antibiotic and/or other treatment contributes to existing knowledge of mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm. Because of the individual variation patients should be discussed in a multidisciplinary team with a vascular surgeon, infectious disease specialist, and clinical microbiologist.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), SARS-CoV-2 and the pathophysiology of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has been established as the functional host receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for the current devastating worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). ACE2 is abundantly expressed in a variety of cells residing in many different human organs. In human physiology, ACE2 is a pivotal counter-regulatory enzyme to ACE by the breakdown of angiotensin II, the central player in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and the main substrate of ACE2. Many factors have been associated with both altered ACE2 expression and COVID-19 severity and progression, including age, sex, ethnicity, medication, and several co-morbidities, such as cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Although ACE2 is widely distributed in various human tissues and many of its determinants have been well recognised, ACE2-expressing organs do not equally participate in COVID-19 pathophysiology, implying that other mechanisms are involved in orchestrating cellular infection resulting in tissue damage. Reports of pathologic findings in tissue specimens of COVID-19 patients are rapidly emerging and confirm the established role of ACE2 expression and activity in disease pathogenesis. Identifying pathologic changes caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection is crucially important as it has major implications for understanding COVID-19 pathophysiology and the development of evidence-based treatment strategies. Currently, many interventional strategies are being explored in ongoing clinical trials, encompassing many drug classes and strategies, including antiviral drugs, biological response modifiers, and RAAS inhibitors. Ultimately, prevention is key to combat COVID-19 and appropriate measures are being taken accordingly, including development of effective vaccines. In this review, we describe the role of ACE2 in COVID-19 pathophysiology, including factors influencing ACE2 expression and activity in relation to COVID-19 severity. In addition, we discuss the relevant pathological changes resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Finally, we highlight a selection of potential treatment modalities for COVID-19. © 2020 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Serum free thiols predict cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in the general population: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Serum free thiols (R-SH, sulfhydryl groups) reliably reflect systemic oxidative stress. Since serum free thiols are rapidly oxidized by reactive species, systemic oxidative stress is generally associated with reduced serum free thiol levels. Free thiols associate with favorable disease outcomes in many patient cohorts, and the current hypothesis is that oxidative stress might also play an important role in cardiovascular disease. In this study, we aimed to establish the role of serum free thiols in the general population by investigating their relationship with the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events and all-cause mortality. METHODS: Participants (n = 5955) of the Prevention of REnal and Vascular ENd-stage Disease (PREVEND) cohort study from the general population were included. At baseline, serum levels of free thiols were quantified and adjusted to total protein levels. Protein-adjusted serum free thiol levels were studied for their associations with clinical and biochemical parameters, as well as with the risk of CV events and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: The mean protein-adjusted serum free thiol level was 5.05 ± 1.02 µmol/g of protein. Protein-adjusted serum free thiols significantly predicted the risk of CV events, even after adjustment for potential confounding factors (hazard ratio [HR] per doubling 0.68 [95% confidence interval [CI] 0.47-1.00], P = 0.048). Similarly, protein-adjusted serum free thiols were significantly predictive of the risk of all-cause mortality (HR per doubling 0.66 [95% CI 0.44-1.00], P = 0.050). Stratified analyses revealed lower HRs for subjects with a lower body mass index (BMI), without hypertension, and without diabetes. Conversely, HRs were lower in subjects with albuminuria. CONCLUSIONS: In this large population-based cohort study, serum free thiols significantly predicted the risk of CV events and all-cause mortality. Our results highlight the potential significance and clinical applicability of serum free thiols since they are amendable to therapeutic intervention.

Diagnostic value of axillary artery ultrasound in patients with suspected giant cell arteritis.

OBJECTIVES: To compare colour duplex ultrasonography (CDU) findings with axillary 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT findings and to compare the diagnostic performance of temporal and axillary artery CDU with temporal artery CDU alone. METHODS: Patients suspected of GCA were retrospectively included. Presence of a halo or occlusion was considered a positive CDU finding. FDG-PET/CT-assessed axillary artery involvement was defined as axillary artery FDG uptake higher than liver uptake. The reference was the clinical diagnosis after 6 months, which was based on symptomatology and additional diagnostic tests, with the exception of CDU. RESULTS: Of the 113 included patients, GCA was diagnosed in 41. Twenty-eight out of 41 GCA patients underwent a FDG-PET/CT. FDG-PET-assessed extra-cranial GCA was present in 20/41 patients, of which 13 showed axillary involvement on FDG-PET/CT. An axillary halo was found in eight of these 13 patients. Six out of the 20 patients with FDG-PET-assessed GCA showed no axillary involvement on CDU or FDG-PET/CT. Five of them had single artery involvement on FDG-PET/CT (two aorta; three vertebral artery). One patient had an axillary occlusion on CDU, consistent with FDG-PET/CT results. Overall, sensitivity and specificity of temporal artery CDU was 52% (95% CI: 35, 67) and 93% (95% CI: 84, 97), respectively. Adding axillary artery results improved sensitivity to 71% (95% CI: 55, 84), while specificity did not change. CONCLUSION: Presence of an axillary halo or occlusion on CDU is consistent with axillary artery FDG-PET/CT results, but a negative CDU does not rule out axillary involvement. Adding axillary artery assessment to temporal artery assessment may substantially increase the diagnostic performance of CDU.

Treatment of resistant Raynaud's phenomenon with single-port thoracoscopic sympathicotomy: a novel minimally invasive endoscopic technique.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the minimally invasive single-port thoracoscopic sympathicotomy feasibility and efficacy in patients with treatment-resistant RP. METHODS: Single-port thoracoscopic sympathicotomy was performed unilaterally on the left side in eight patients with RP (six males, two females, with a median age of 45.2 years). Five patients had primary and three had secondary RP. Perfusion effects in the hands were assessed at baseline and after 1 month by using a cooling and recovery procedure, and by using laser speckle contrast analysis. Number and duration of RP attacks were reported over a 2-week period. RESULTS: Patient satisfaction was 100% after surgery. After surgery, a unilateral improvement in perfusion was observed in the left hand compared with the right hand, with cooling and recovery (P = 0.008) and with laser speckle contrast analysis (P = 0.023). In addition, the number and duration of the attacks in the left hand decreased compared with the right hand (both P = 0.028). No serious adverse events occurred in a follow-up period of at least 10 months. CONCLUSION: Single-port thoracoscopic sympathicotomy is feasible and can be effective in improving hand perfusion in patients with RP. However, long-term efficacy needs to be established. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02680509.

Angiogenic T cells are decreased in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and recruited by the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor Linagliptin: A subanalysis from a randomized, placebo-controlled trial (RELEASE study).

Angiogenic T (Tang) cells are mediators of vascular repair, and are characterized by surface expression of CXCR4. This receptor for stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) is cleaved by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4). Tang cell levels were investigated in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compared with matched healthy controls and after treatment with the DPP-4 inhibitor Linagliptin. People with T2DM were randomized to 5 mg/day Linagliptin (n = 20) or placebo (n = 21) for 26 weeks. Tang cell frequency was identified in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (CD3+ CD31+ CXCR4+ ) and levels of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) (CD34+ CD133+ KDR+ ) were also assessed in whole blood. Circulating Tang cell levels were significantly lower in people with T2DM compared with the healthy control group. SDF-1α levels increased significantly in Linagliptin-treated people with T2DM compared to placebo, and a trend was observed in change of Tang cell levels, while EPC count did not change. In conclusion, circulating Tang cell levels were considerably lower in people with T2DM, while a trend was observed in recruitment of Tang cells after 26 weeks of treatment with Linagliptin. These data suggest that DPP-4 inhibitors may potentially exert beneficial effects on bone marrow-driven vascular repair.

Systemic Oxidative Stress Is Increased in Postmenopausal Women and Independently Associates with Homocysteine Levels.

Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Postmenopausal women have an increased risk of developing CVD due to decreased estrogen availability, which is accompanied by increased oxidative stress. Serum free thiols (R-SH) provide a robust and powerful read-out of systemic oxidative stress. In this study, we aimed to establish serum levels of free thiols and explore associations between free thiols and demographic, clinical, and biochemical parameters related to obesity and the risk for developing CVD in both pre- and postmenopausal women. Serum free thiols were measured in a cohort consisting of healthy pre- (n = 223) and postmenopausal (n = 118) Omani women. Postmenopausal women had significantly lower levels of serum free thiols as compared to premenopausal women (762.9 ± 85.3 vs. 780 ± 80.9 µM, age-adjusted p < 0.001). Women's age was positively associated with serum free thiol levels in premenopausal women (ß = 0.36, p = 0.002), whereas an inverse association was observed in postmenopausal women (ß = -0.29, p = 0.002). Homocysteine levels were significantly inversely associated with serum free thiol levels in both pre- (ß = -0.19, p = 0.005) and postmenopausal (ß = -0.20, p = 0.032) women, independent from known cardiovascular risk factors. In this study, we show that postmenopausal women are affected by increased systemic oxidative stress, which independently associates with homocysteine levels.

Correction: Abdulle, A.E., et al. Hydrogen Sulfide: A Therapeutic Option in Systemic Sclerosis. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19, 4121.

The authors wish to make the following correction to this paper [...].

Hydrogen Sulfide: A Therapeutic Option in Systemic Sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a lethal disease that is characterized by auto-immunity, vascular injury, and progressive fibrosis of multiple organ systems. Despite the fact that the exact etiology of SSc remains unknown, oxidative stress has been associated with a large range of SSc-related complications. In addition to the well-known detrimental properties of reactive oxygen species (ROS), gasotransmitters (e.g., nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S)) are also thought to play an important role in SSc. Accordingly, the diverse physiologic actions of NO and CO and their role in SSc have been previously studied. Recently, multiple studies have also shown the importance of the third gasotransmitter H2S in both vascular physiology and pathophysiology. Interestingly, homocysteine (which is converted into H2S through the transsulfuration pathway) is often found to be elevated in SSc patients; suggesting defects in the transsulfuration pathway. Hydrogen sulfide, which is known to have several effects, including a strong antioxidant and vasodilator effect, could potentially play a prominent role in the initiation and progression of vasculopathy. A better understanding of the actions of gasotransmitters, like H2S, in the development of SSc-related vasculopathy, could help to create early interventions to attenuate the disease course. This paper will review the role of H2S in vascular (patho-)physiology and potential disturbances in SSc. Moreover, current data from experimental animal studies will be reviewed. Lastly, we will evaluate potential interventional strategies.

Skin accumulation of advanced glycation end products is increased in patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

OBJECTIVE: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Accumulation of AGEs is driven by oxidative or glycemic stress and can be assessed by skin autofluorescence (SAF). SAF is increased in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and independently associated with mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events in these patients. PAD and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) share several risk factors. Inflammation is an important process in AAA formation and increases levels of oxidative stress. We therefore hypothesized that SAF would be increased in AAA patients compared with controls. METHODS: A case-control study was performed in 248 AAA patients and 124 controls without AAA or PAD matched for age and presence of diabetes mellitus. SAF was noninvasively assessed with the AGE Reader (Diagnoptics Technologies BV, Groningen, The Netherlands). RESULTS: SAF was higher in AAA patients than in controls: 2.89 ± 0.63 vs 2.68 ± 0.63 arbitrary units (P = .003). PAD comorbidity was associated with increased SAF within the AAA patient group (P = .01). After correction for known factors influencing SAF (age, current smoking, hypertension, and estimated glomerular filtration rate), PAD comorbidity remained an independent determinant of SAF. Logistic regression analysis of the total cohort showed an unadjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.74 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-2.51) for the presence of AAA with each unit increase of SAF and an adjusted OR of 1.78 (95% CI, 1.22-2.60) after correction for cardiovascular comorbidity (cerebrovascular disease and coronary artery disease). After additional correction for sex, current smoking, hypertension, and use of lipid-lowering drugs, this significance was lost (adjusted OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 0.94-2.48). CONCLUSIONS: Skin accumulation of AGEs, measured by SAF, is increased in patients with AAA compared with controls without AAA or PAD, independent of the presence of coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease. In AAA patients, SAF is closely associated with the presence of PAD and cardiovascular risk factors.

Cardiovascular health of 9-year-old IVF offspring: no association with ovarian hyperstimulation and the in vitro procedure.

STUDY QUESTION: Are the in vitro procedure, ovarian hyperstimulation or a combination of these two associated with blood pressure (BP) of 9-year-old IVF children born to subfertile couples? SUMMARY ANSWER: Our study demonstrates that ovarian hyperstimulation and the in vitro procedure are not associated with BP values in 9-year-old children born to subfertile couples. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Possible long-term effects of IVF on child health and development have been studied relatively little. This is surprising, as it is known that environmental conditions may influence embryonic and foetal development which may result in health related problems in later life. Some studies suggested that IVF is associated with higher BP at pre-school age. Yet, it is unclear whether this may be also true for older children and if so, which component of IVF, i.e. the ovarian hyperstimulation, the embryo culture or a combination of these, attributes to this potentially less favourable BP. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: The Groningen Assisted Reproductive Technology cohort-study is a prospective assessor-blinded study of children followed from before birth onwards. In total, 170 children were assessed at the age of 9 years. The attrition rate up until the 9-year-old assessment was 21%. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: We evaluated cardiovascular health, focusing on BP (in mmHg and the internationally recognized percentiles of the US National High BP Education Program), heart rate and anthropometrics of 57 children born following controlled ovarian hyperstimulation-IVF/ICSI (COH-IVF/ICSI); 47 children born after modified natural cycle-IVF/ICSI (MNC-IVF/ICSI); and 66 children who were conceived naturally by subfertile couples (Sub-NC). Cardiovascular parameters were measured multiple times on one day. In addition, anthropometric data, including BMI and skinfold thickness, were collected. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Systolic BP in mmHg did not differ between the COH-IVF/ICSI (mean 106.9, SD 6.7), MNC-IVF/ICSI (mean 104.8, SD 5.9) and Sub-NC (mean 106.3, SD 5.3) groups. In addition, systolic BP percentiles did not differ between the groups: COH-IVF/ICSI (mean 62.4, SD 20.2); MNC-IVF/ICSI (mean 56.3, SD 19.3); and Sub-NC (mean 62.3, SD17.8). Also, after adjustment for confounders BP in the three groups was similar. Heart rate and anthropometric values in the three groups did not differ. For instance, BMI values in the COH-IVF/ICSI-children were 16.3 (median value, range 13.0-24.7), in MNC-IVF/ICSI-children 16.1 (range 12.7-22.5) and in Sub-NC children 16.3 (range 12.7-24.0). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The size of our study groups does not allow for pertinent conclusions on the effect of ovarian hyperstimulation and the in vitro procedure. The lack of a fertile control group may be regarded as another limitation. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Our study suggests that ovarian hyperstimulation and in vitro procedures are not associated with cardiovascular health in 9-year-old. Yet, BP percentiles of the three groups were higher than the expected 50th percentile. This might indicate that children of subfertile couples have a higher BP than naturally conceived children. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): The study was financially supported by the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), the two graduate schools of the UMCG, BCN, SHARE and the Cornelia Stichting. The sponsors of the study had no role in study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation or writing of the report. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Effect of linagliptin on pulse wave velocity in early type 2 diabetes: A randomized, double-blind, controlled 26-week trial (RELEASE).

AIMS: To evaluate the effects of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor linagliptin on aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) as a surrogate marker of arterial stiffness and early atherosclerosis in people with early type 2 diabetes. METHODS: A total of 45 people with type 2 diabetes (median [interquartile range] age 63 [54-66] years, 61% men, mean ± standard deviation glycated haemoglobin [HbA1c] 6.3% ± 0.4% [45 ± 4.6 mmol/mol]), without cardiovascular disease and naïve to antidiabetic treatment, were randomized (1:1) to treatment with linagliptin 5 mg once daily or placebo for 26 weeks in a double-blind fashion. PWV was assessed at baseline, 4 and 26 weeks of treatment, and again at 30, 4 weeks after treatment. The primary endpoint was between-group difference in PWV (corrected for systolic blood pressure [SBP]) at week 26. Secondary endpoints included differences in central SBP and augmentation index (AIx). RESULTS: Compared with placebo, 26 weeks of linagliptin decreased PWV by an average of 0.91 m/s (95% confidence interval -1.76 to -0.06; P = .035). PWV returned to baseline after 4 weeks washout. Differences in central SBP and AIx were not different between linagliptin and placebo. Linagliptin decreased HbA1c (-0.4%; P < .001), fasting plasma glucose (-0.7 mmol/L; P = .002) and triglycerides (-0.49 mmol/L; P = .019) as compared with placebo. The changes in body weight, cholesterol and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Linagliptin decreased aortic PWV in people with early-stage type 2 diabetes as compared with placebo after 26 weeks of treatment. These results suggest that linagliptin has a favourable effect on arterial stiffness.

Digital ischaemia during cooling is independently related to nailfold capillaroscopic pattern in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the association between plethysmographically measured vasospasms during stepwise cooling and recovery, as an index for digital ischaemia, and nailfold capillaroscopic pattern (NCP) severity in patients with primary or secondary RP, including SSc. METHODS: In 381 consecutive patients with suspected RP without a history of digital ulcers, NCP (assessed by widefield videocapillaroscopy), fingertip photoelectric plethysmography during cooling and recovery and clinical characteristics were analysed. NCPs were graded as follows: normal, non-specific, early and active. The mean ischaemic time was defined as the mean time of perfusion loss during cooling and recovery of five fingers. RESULTS: In the patients with loss of perfusion during cooling and recovery, the NCP was normal in 152, non-specific in 96, early in 61 and active in 39 patients. The mean ischaemic time was positively associated with the severity of NCP, with P < 0.05 for each two- or three-grade increase and independent of underlying SSc. The difference was most pronounced during recovery. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that the degree of vasospasm and ischaemia provoked by stepwise cooling and recovery are positively associated with NCP in patients with RP of different aetiologies and without a history of digital ulcers.

Skin autofluorescence as a measure of advanced glycation end products deposition predicts 5-year amputation in patients with peripheral artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with peripheral artery disease are at risk for critical limb ischemia and amputation. Accumulation of advanced glycation end products is increased and predictive for coronary and cerebrovascular events in several high cardiovascular risk groups. We hypothesized that accumulation of tissue advanced glycation end products, measured by skin autofluorescence (SAF), predicts amputation in patients with peripheral artery disease. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Between October 2007 and June 2008, 252 patients with peripheral artery disease were included at the outpatient clinic. During a 5-year follow-up, 22 (9%) had an amputation because of critical limb ischemia. Competing risks regression analysis showed a subproportional hazard ratio of 3.05 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.87-4.96); P<0.0001 for amputation per unit incease of SAF. After correction for diabetes mellitus and Fontaine stage, subproportional hazard ratio was 2.72 (95% CI, 1.38-5.39); P=0.004. In patients with Fontaine stage I and II only (n=215), SAF was the only predictor for amputation, subproportional hazard ratio 4.05 (95% CI, 2.09-7.83); P<0.0001. Fontaine stage multiplied by SAF resulted in a significant increase of the area under the curve for prediction of amputation when compared with Fontaine stage only: area under the curve increased from 0.74 (95% CI, 0.63-0.86) to 0.83 (95% CI, 0.74-0.92); P=0.003. CONCLUSIONS: Skin autofluorescence, as a measure of tissue advanced glycation end products deposition, predicts amputation in patients with peripheral artery disease during a 5-year follow-up, independent from the presence of diabetes mellitus and Fontaine stage. Even at lower Fontaine stage (I or II), SAF is a strong predictor of amputation. The multiplication of Fontaine stage by SAF results in a good prediction model of amputation.