Optimizing a Diagnostic Model of Periodontitis by Using Targeted Proteomics.

Periodontitis (PD), a widespread chronic infectious disease, compromises oral health and is associated with various systemic conditions and hematological alterations. Yet, to date, it is not clear whether serum protein profiling improves the assessment of PD. We collected general health data, performed dental examinations, and generated serum protein profiles using novel Proximity Extension Assay technology for 654 participants of the Bialystok PLUS study. To evaluate the incremental benefit of proteomics, we constructed two logistic regression models assessing the risk of having PD according to the CDC/AAP definition; the first one contained established PD predictors, and in addition, the second one was enhanced by extensive protein information. We then compared both models in terms of overall fit, discrimination, and calibration. For internal model validation, we performed bootstrap resampling (n = 2000). We identified 14 proteins, which improved the global fit and discrimination of a model of established PD risk factors, while maintaining reasonable calibration (area under the curve 0.82 vs 0.86; P < 0.001). Our results suggest that proteomic technologies offer an interesting advancement in the goal of finding easy-to-use and scalable diagnostic applications for PD that do not require direct examination of the periodontium.

Targeted proteomics in a population-based study identifies serum PECAM-1 and TRIM21 as inflammation markers for periodontitis.

OBJECTIVES: Periodontitis (PD) can cause systematic inflammation and is associated with various metabolic processes in the body. However, robust serum markers for these relationships are still lacking. This study aims to identify novel circulating inflammation-related proteins associated with PD using targeted proteomics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used population-based, cross-sectional data from 619 participants of the Polish Longitudinal University Study (Bialystok PLUS). Mean pocket probing depth (mPPD) and proportion of bleeding on probing (pBOP) served as exposure variables. Fifty-two inflammation-related proteins were measured using the Olink Target 96 Cardiovascular III and the Olink Target 96 Immune Response panels. Associations between periodontal measures and proteins were tested using covariate-adjusted linear regression models. RESULTS: At a false discovery rate of < 0.05, we identified associations of mPPD and pBOP with platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) and tripartite motif-containing protein 21 (TRIM21). CONCLUSION: This study revealed novel associations between PD and serum levels of PECAM-1 and TRIM21. Our results suggest that these proteins might be affected by molecular processes that take place in the inflamed periodontium. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Novel associations of PECAM-1 and TRIM21 with PD indicate promising serum markers for understanding the disease's pathophysiological processes and call for further biomedical investigations.

Alterations of soluble TWEAK and CD163 concentrations in patients with chronic heart failure.

UNLABELLED: Inflammatory activation plays a pivotal role in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HF-REF). A novel mediator from TNF family: soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) along its soluble decoy receptor CD163 (sCD163) recently has been investigated in other cardiovascular pathologies. We aimed to evaluate sTWEAK and sCD163 concentrations in HF-REF patients. The study enrolled 79 patients with stable HF-REF, EF < 35%. The control population without history of heart failure included two groups: 26 comorbidities matched patients and 27 healthy volunteers. sTWEAK and sCD163 serum concentrations were determined using ELISA kits. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to assess variables affecting concentration of sTWEAK and sCD163. HF-REF patients were characterized by higher sTWEAK (median 374 IQR: 321-429 vs 201 IQR: 145-412pg/ml, P=0.005), sCD163 (median 744 IQR: 570-1068 vs 584 IQR: 483-665pg/ml, P=0.03) concentrations and sTWEAK/sCD163 ratio (median 0.53 IQR: 0.32-0.7 vs 0.3 IQR: 0.22-0.37, P=0.001) comparing to healthy volunteers. Comparing to comorbidities matched controls, HF-REF patients had lower sTWEAK levels (median 374 IQR: 321-429 vs 524 IQR: 384-652pg/ml; P=0.002), while sCD163 and sTWEAK/sCD163 ratio didn't differ. Concentration of sTWEAK in HF-REF was affected by white blood cell count and aspirin intake, while sCD163 by exercise capacity, LV diastolic volume, CRP and presence of arterial hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: HF-REF patients present increased sTWEAK and sCD163 levels as well as sTWEAK/sCD163 ratio when compared to healthy subjects, however CHF itself appears to be associated with down-regulation of sTWEAK.

The 9p21 polymorphism is linked with atrial fibrillation during acute phase of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

The aim of the study was to find whether patients carrying polymorphic allele of the rs10757278 polymorphism from 9p21 locus have changed risk of arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation, AF; sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, sVT/VF) during acute phase of myocardial infarction. Retrospective analysis of data collected prospectively from two independent centers was performed. The clinical data were pooled from two independent cardiac registries: (1) the Warsaw ACS genetic registry (STEMI and NSTEMI/UA patients hospitalized in the years 2008-2011; only STEMI patients were analyzed); (2) the Bialystok STEMI genetic registry (STEMI patients hospitalized in years 2001-2005, who survived the first 48 h from hospital admission). Data regarding sVT/VF and AF within first 24 h were analyzed. The patients were genotyped with rs10757278 polymorphism. 1083 patients were included in the analysis; 62 (5.7 %) patients had sVT/VF during acute phase and 78 (7.2 %) patients had AF, 46 (4.2 %) patients had new-onset AF. Minor allele frequency in all patients with AF was significantly different from those without AF (0.40 vs 0.51, p = 0.0096). When only new-onset AF was analyzed, the trend was the same, with significant protective effect in recessive model [OR 0.41 (95 % CI 0.17-0.97), p = 0.025]. The effect was independent of age and GRACE score. No relationship was found between sVT/VF and rs10757278. Patients with STEMI, who survived until hospitalization with polymorphic allele of 9p21 rs10757278 SNP have less AF during acute phase of STEMI. SNP rs10757278 is not linked with sVT/VF in acute phase of STEMI.

Enhanced IL-6 trans-signaling in pulmonary arterial hypertension and its potential role in disease-related systemic damage.

BACKGROUND: The role of IL-6 in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has been reported but the prevalence of soluble receptors for IL-6: sIL-6R and sgp130 and its potential role in PAH have not been studied.Our aim was to examine the IL-6 together with the soluble receptors and to assess its relationship with clinical status of PAH patients as well as to assess its potential prognostic significance. METHODS: Serum concentrations of IL-6, sIL-6R and sgp130 were quantified by ELISA in 26 patients with PAH and 27 healthy controls and related to functional and biochemical parameters and clinical outcome in PAH group. The PAH patients were followed up for 1 year, noting the end point of clinical deterioration (WHO class change, the need for escalation of therapy) or death. RESULTS: The PAH group was characterized by higher median serum IL-6 [2.38 (IQR 1.56-3.75) vs 0.87 (0.63-1.3) pg/ml, p=0.000003] and sIL-6R concentrations [69.7 (IQR 60.4-84.4 vs 45.7 (34.6-70.3) ng/ml, p=0.0036] compared to control subjects. Both groups did not differ in sgp130 concentrations. There were significant correlations in PAH group between IL-6 levels and uric acid, parameters of ventilatory efficiency in cardiopulmonary exercise testing: VE/VO2, VE/VCO2, VE/VCO2 slope and peak PetCO2. sIL-6R levels inversely correlated with LDL cholesterol. After 1 year the clinical deterioration occurred in 11 patients, 15 remained stable. Patients in whom the clinical deterioration occurred showed significantly higher baseline concentrations of IL-6 [3.25 (IQR 2.46-5.4) pg/ml vs 1.68 (1.38-2.78) pg/ml, p=0.004], but not sIL-6R. Median IL-6 ⩾ 2.3 pg/ml (91% sensitivity, 73% specificity) identified subjects with worse clinical course. In the univariate analysis, higher IL-6 level at baseline was associated with increased risk and earlier occurrence of clinical deterioration (HR 1.42, 95%CI 1.08-1.85, p=0.015). CONCLUSIONS: IL-6 trans-signaling is enhanced in PAH. Elevated concentration of sIL-6R suggests its potential unfavorable role in systemic amplification of IL-6 signaling in PAH. Levels of IL-6 are associated with clinical indicators of disease severity as well as indirectly with systemic metabolic alterations. IL-6 shows prognostic value regarding predicting clinical deterioration.

Serum levels of CD163 and TWEAK in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We evaluated the concentrations of serum sTWEAK, its scavenger receptor sCD163 and sTWEAK/sCD163 ratio in patients with PAH. DESIGN: The study enrolled 26 stable patients with PAH confirmed by right heart catheterization and 24 healthy volunteers matched for age, sex and body weight. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise test, 6-min walk test, measurement of lung diffusing capacity for the carbon monoxide (DLCO) and venous blood tests. Concentrations of sTWEAK and sCD163 were determined using ELISA kits. RESULTS: The PAH patients were characterized by significantly higher median serum sCD163 levels (1072 vs 890ng/ml, p=0.04) together with lower serum sTWEAK concentrations (200 vs 278.1pg/ml, p=0.003) comparing to control subjects. sTWEAK/sCD163 ratio was therefore significantly lower in PAH group (0.18 vs 0.33, p=0.0005). No correlation was found between sTWEAK and sCD163 concentrations in both groups. We observed statistically significant inverse correlation between peak VO2 consumption and sCD163 concentrations (r=-0.52, p<0.05) and positive with sTWEAK/sCD163 ratio (r=0.45, p<0.05) in PAH group. Moreover, sTWEAK/sCD163 ratio positively correlated with % of predicted values of DLCO (r=0.42, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PAH present altered serum sTWEAK and sCD163 levels. The sTWEAK/sCD163 ratio appears to be a better indicator of the severity of PAH as compared to sTWEAK or sCD163 alone. The exact role of sCD163 or interaction between CD163 and sTWEAK in the initiation or progression of PAH as well as their potential prognostic significance remains to be established.

Detraining among Athletes-Is Withdrawal of Adaptive Cardiovascular Changes a Hint for the Differential Diagnosis of Physically Active People?

An athlete's training aims to achieve the highest possible sports results by improving physical dispositions which lead to cardiac adaptive changes. The annual training cycle is divided into periods. The preparatory period begins with gradually increasing training intensity and volume until the competitive period occurs, when the athlete's maximum performance is expected. Finally, the athlete enters a phase of loss of fitness, which is called detraining. Detraining is a time of resting both physically and mentally from the training regime and usually lasts about 4 weeks for endurance athletes. We collected data from much research on athletes' detraining. According to these data, the earliest change after detraining seems to be a decrease in left ventricular wall thickness and left ventricular mass, followed by decreased performance parameters, diastolic diameter of the left ventricle and size of the left atrium. A reversal of adaptive changes affects the left heart chamber first, then the right atrium and, finally, the right ventricle. Training reduction is often proposed as a method of differentiating an athlete's heart from cardiomyopathies. The aim of this study is to consider the diagnostic value of detraining in differentiating athletes' hearts from cardiomyopathies. We suggest that detraining cannot be conclusive in differentiating the disease from adaptive changes. Although a withdrawal of the characteristic morphological, functional and electrocardiographic changes occurs in healthy athletes during detraining, it can also concern individuals with cardiomyopathies due to the lower expression of abnormal features after decreased training loads. Therefore, a quick diagnosis and individual assessments using imaging and genetic tests are essential to recommend a proper type of activity.

Alteration in kynurenine pathway metabolites in young women with autoimmune thyroiditis.

The kynurenine pathway (KP) of tryptophan degradation includes several compounds that reveal immunomodulatory properties. The present study aimed to investigate the alteration in KP metabolites in young women with autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) and their associations with thyroid function. The thyroid function tests, antithyroid antibodies measurement and ultrasonography of the thyroid gland have been performed in 57 young women with AIT and 38 age-matched healthy controls. The serum levels of tryptophan, kynurenine (KYN) and its metabolites were determined, and the activity of KP enzymes was calculated indirectly as product-to-substrate ratios. KP was activated and dysregulated in AIT, along with significantly elevated levels of KYN and anthranilic acid (AA), at the expense of the reduction of kynurenic acid (KYNA), which was reflected by the increase in the AA/KYNA ratio (p < 0.001). In univariate and multiple regression analyses, peripheral deiodinase (SPINA-GD) activity in AIT was positively associated with KYNA, AA, and quinolinic acid (QA). The merger of AA, AA/KYNA ratio, QA and SPINA-GD exhibited the highest sensitivity and specificity to predict AIT (p < 0.001) in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. In conclusion, the serum KYN metabolite profile is dysregulated in young women with AIT and could serve as a new predictor of AIT risk.

Inflammation and Neurodegeneration in Glaucoma: Isolated Eye Disease or a Part of a Systemic Disorder? - Serum Proteomic Analysis.

Introduction: Glaucoma is the most common optic neuropathy and the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, which affects 3.54% of the population aged 40-80 years. Despite numerous published studies, some aspects of glaucoma pathogenesis, serum biomarkers, and their potential link with other diseases remain unclear. Recent articles have proposed that autoimmune, oxidative stress and inflammation may be involved in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. Methods: We investigated the serum expression of 92 inflammatory and neurotrophic factors in glaucoma patients. The study group consisted of 26 glaucoma patients and 192 healthy subjects based on digital fundography. Results: Patients with glaucoma had significantly lower serum expression of IL-2Rß, TWEAK, CX3CL1, CD6, CD5, LAP TGF-beta1, LIF-R, TRAIL, NT-3, and CCL23 and significantly higher expression of IL-22Rα1. Conclusion: Our results indicate that patients with glaucoma tend to have lower levels of neuroprotective proteins and higher levels of neuroinflammatory proteins, similar to those observed in psychiatric, neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases, indicating a potential link between these conditions and glaucoma pathogenesis.

Assessment of smell disturbances 6 months after COVID-19 in Polish population.

Considering the frequency and severity of olfactory disorders associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, attention to the olfactory loss has expanded. The aim of our study was to assess of smell disturbances 6 months after COVID-19. The study population consisted of 2 groups: 196 Post-COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized because of COVID-19, control sample-130 patients without reported smell disorders from general population-Bialystok PLUS study. People from both groups were asked to participate in the Sniffin Sticks Test (half year after the disease). Sniffin Sticks Test consisted of 12 standardized smell samples. The participant's test score was counted based on correct scent recognition. Middle/older age was related with lower likelihood of olfaction recovery. The biggest differences in recognition of particular fragrances were observed for: orange and lemon, lemon and coffee (p.adj < 0.001). Patients had the greatest problem in assessing smell of lemon. The comparison of scores between Delta, Omicron, Wild Type, Wild Type Alpha waves showed statistically significant difference between Delta and Wild Type waves (p = 0.006). Duration of the disease (r = 0.218), age (r = -0.253), IL-6 (r = -0.281) showed significant negative correlations with the score. Statistically significant variables in the case of smell disorders were Omicron wave (CI = 0.045-0.902; P = 0.046) and Wild Type wave (CI = 0.135-0.716; P = 0.007) compared to Delta wave reference. Moreover, patients with PLT count below 150 000/µl had greater olfactory disorders than those with PLT count over 150 000/µl. There are: smell differences between post-COVID-19 patients and healthy population; statistically significant difference between Delta and Wild Type waves in Post-COVID-19 group in score of the Sniffin Sticks Test. Smell disturbances depend on the age, cognitive impairments, clinical characteristics of the COVID-19 disease and sex of the patient.

The FCGR2A Is Associated with the Presence of Atherosclerotic Plaques in the Carotid Arteries-A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerotic plaques in carotid arteries (APCA) are a prevalent condition with severe potential complications. Studies continuously search for innovative biomarkers for APCA, including those participating in cellular metabolic processes, cell adhesion, immune response, and complement activation. This study aimed to assess the relationship between APCA presence and a broad range of cardiometabolic biomarkers in the general population. METHODS: The study group consisted of consecutive participants of the population study Bialystok PLUS. The proximity extension assay (PEA) technique from the Olink Laboratory (Uppsala, Sweden) was used to measure the levels of 92 cardiometabolic biomarkers. RESULTS: The study comprised 693 participants (mean age 48.78 ± 15.27 years, 43.4% males, N = 301). APCA was identified in 46.2% of the participants (N = 320). Of the 92 biomarkers that were investigated, 54 were found to be significantly linked to the diagnosis of APCA. After adjusting for the traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis in multivariate analysis, the only biomarker that remained significantly associated with APCA was FCGR2A. CONCLUSION: In the general population, the prevalence of APCA is very high. A range of biomarkers are linked with APCA. Nonetheless, the majority of these associations are explained by traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis. The only biomarker that was independently associated with APCA was the FCGR2A.

Spot Urinary Creatinine Concentration in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure Identifies a Distinct Muscle-Wasting Phenotype with a Strikingly Different Risk of Mortality.

BACKGROUND: There is a raising awareness that heart failure (HF) is a highly heterogeneous, multiorgan syndrome with an increasing global prevalence and still poor prognosis. The comorbidities of HF are one of the key reasons for presence of various phenotypes with different clinical profile and outcome. Heterogeneity of skeletal muscles (SMs) quantity and function may have an impact on patient's phenotype. AIM: We intended to compare clinical characteristics of phenotypes defined by a combination of various SM mass taken as a fat-free compartment from DEXA scans and different levels of SUCR (Spot Urinary Creatinine). All-cause mortality with mortality predicted by MAGGIC in such phenotypes were compared. METHODS: In 720 HF patients with reduced ejection fraction (age: 52.3 ± 10 years, female: 14%, NYHA: 2.7 ± 0.7, LVEF: 24.3 ± 7.3%), admitted to the hospital for heart transplantation candidacy assessment, morning SUCR along with body composition scanning (DEXA) was performed. All study participants were dichotomized twice, first by low or normal appendicular muscle mass index (ASMI) and second by SUCR (Spot Urinary Creatinine) < and ≥of 1.34 g/L. Four study groups (phenotypes) were created as combinations of lower or higher SUCR and low or normal ASMI. RESULTS: Low ASMI was found in 242 (33.6%) patients, while the remaining 478 had normal muscle mass. In 446 patients (61.9%), SUCR was <1.34 g/L. During 3 years of follow-up, 223 (31.0%) patients died (all-cause). The phenotype of lower both ASMI and SUCR was associated with the highest mortality. The death rate in phenotype with both low ASMI and SUCR exceeded by 70% the risk estimated by MAGGIC. This difference was significant as judged by the 95% confidence interval for MAGGIC estimation. In Cox regression analysis adjusted for MAGGIC and parameters known to increase risk, the relative risk of patients with phenotype of low both ASMI and SUCR was elevated by 45-55% as compared to patients with all other phenotypes. The protective role of higher SUCR in patients with muscle wasting was, therefore, confirmed in Cox analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of SUCR in HF patients can identify clinical phenotypes with skeletal muscle wasting but strikingly different risk of death that is actually not captured by MAGGIC score. The higher level of SUCR was associated with similar risk independently of presence of muscle wasting. As the analysis of SUCR is cheap and easy to perform, it should be further tested as a potentially useful biomarker, which may precisely phenotype HF patients independently of their skeletal muscle status.

Voice changes in reproductive disorders, thyroid disorders and diabetes: a review.

The subject of vocal changes accompanying pathological conditions, although still not well explored, seems to be promising. The discovery of laryngeal receptors for sex hormones and thyroid hormones can strongly support the hypothesis of changes in voice due to various endocrinopathies. On the other hand, the impairment of the proper function of the vocal apparatus can also be caused in the process of the microvasculature complications of diabetes mellitus. This review was a comprehensive summary of the accessible literature concerning the influence of selected endocrinopathies on subjective and objective voice parameters. We analysed a total number of 16 English-language research papers from the PubMed database, released between 2008 and 2021, describing vocal changes in reproductive disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome and congenital adrenal hyperplasia, thyroid disorders in shape of hypo- or hyperthyroidism and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The vast majority of the analysed articles proved some changes in voice in all mentioned conditions, although the detailed affected vocal parameters frequently differed between research. We assume that the main cause of the observed conflicting results might stem from non-homogeneous methodology designs of the analysed studies.

Why Do These Microbes Like Me and How Could There Be a Link with Cardiovascular Risk Factors?

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of hospitalization, death, and disability in Europe. Due to high prevalence and ensuing clinical complications, they lead to very high social and economic costs. Despite the knowledge of classical cardiovascular risk factors, there is an urgent need for discovering new factors that may play a role in the development of cardiovascular diseases or potentially influence prognosis. Recently, particular attention has been drawn to the endogenous microflora of the human body, mostly those inhabiting the digestive system. It has been shown that bacteria, along with their host cells, create an interactive ecosystem of interdependencies and relationships. This interplay could influence both the metabolic homeostasis and the immune processes of the host, hence leading to cardiovascular disease development. In this review, we attempt to describe, in the context of cardiovascular risk factors, why particular microbes occur in individuals and how they might influence the host's cardiovascular system in health and disease.

Dietary Total Antioxidant Capacity Is Inversely Associated with Prediabetes and Insulin Resistance in Bialystok PLUS Population.

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) and occurrence of prediabetes, diabetes and insulin resistance in the Bialystok PLUS (Polish Longitudinal University Study) population. Daily food consumption was estimated by 3-days 24-h dietary recalls. DTAC was calculated using the date of food consumption and antioxidant potential of foods measured by FRAP (ferric ion reducing antioxidant potential) method. The following measurements were performed to identify prediabetes, diabetes and HOMA-IR: fasting glucose (FG), 2h postprandial glucose level (2h-PG), fasting insulin (FI), glycated hemoglobin HbA1c. Logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between DTAC and prediabetes and diabetes. This study demonstrated that higher quartile of DTAC, after adjustment for confounding variables, was significantly associated with a reduced odds ratio for the prevalence of prediabetes in Bialystok PLUS population aged 35-65 years. DTAC was also significantly inversely associated with HOMA-IR in multivariate linear regression model. DTAC was positively related to individual dietary antioxidants (polyphenols, antioxidant vitamins and minerals). Reduced DTAC may be considered as an additional risk factor for the development of diabetes. Therefore, dietary recommendations for prevention and therapy of diabetes should take into account the high DTAC.

How Unawareness of Weight Excess Can Increase Cardiovascular Risk?

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a chronic disease with high prevalence in all age groups. Many overweight and obese people seem to be unaware of excess body weight. AIM: Analysis of people affected by the misperception of excess body weight and their eating behaviors simultaneously with selected health parameters. METHODS: The study was conducted in 2017-2019 among 658 participants aged 20-79 from the population study-Bialystok PLUS (Poland). Results were based on clinical examinations and questionnaires. RESULTS: Unawareness of overweight and obesity is common among adults (21.7%). Participants unaware of their overweight and obesity presented much higher risk factors. A high cardiovascular risk profile was observed more often among people not aware of overweight and obesity than among normal weight people (23.0% vs. 10.0%) as well as more common asymptomatic carotid artery atherosclerosis (49.7% vs. 31.3%). The subjective perception of overweight and obesity based on BMI (body mass index) was equal to 26.4 kg/m2 in women and 27.9 kg/m2 in men. The assessment of their diet was less favorable than that of people with normal weight. CONCLUSIONS: Unawareness of one's excessive weight and its health consequences may lead to hesitancy to apply a healthy lifestyle and hence increase the cardiovascular risk in a substantial part of society. Therefore, it should be considered a part of the cardiovascular disease risk spectrum. Measurement of BMI and discussion about its health implications should be a routine procedure during healthcare contacts.

Angiopoietin-Like 4 (ANGPTL4) in Patients with Psoriasis, Lichen Planus and Vitiligo-A Pilot Study from the Bialystok+ Polish Longitudinal University Study.

Psoriasis, vitiligo and lichen planus (LP) are autoimmune skin diseases associated with metabolic syndrome. Angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) is a member of angiopoietin-like proteins, which play an important role in lipid metabolism, and its serum concentration has been proposed as a biomarker of cardiometabolic complications, especially coronary artery disease (CAD). The study involved 56 patients with abovementioned dermatoses and 29 sex- and age-matched volunteers without dermatoses. ANGPTL4 serum concentration was measured by ELISA. ANGPTL4 concentration was statistically significantly higher in patients with LP compared to the control group (p < 0.01); moreover, it was significantly higher than in patients with psoriasis and vitiligo (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in ANGPTL4 concentration between patients with psoriasis or vitiligo and controls. There was no correlation between ANGPTL4 concentration and age or BMI in all study groups. There was a positive correlation between ANGPTL4 concentration and fasting glucose (R = 0.43) and AST activity (R = 0.39) in psoriatic patients and ALT activity in patients with vitiligo (R = 0.44). ANGPTL4 could be a potential marker of metabolic complications in patients with LP, especially CAD. Perhaps patients with LP are more prone to CAD compared to the other two dermatoses, which requires further research.

Elevated Plasma Levels of C1qTNF1 Protein in Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Glucose Disturbances.

In recent years, research has provided increasing evidence for the importance of inflammatory etiology in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) pathogenesis. This study assessed the profile of inflammatory cytokines in the serum of patients with AMD and coexisting glucose disturbances (GD). This prospective population-based cohort study addressed the determinants and occurrence of cardiovascular, neurological, ophthalmic, psychiatric, and endocrine diseases in residents of Bialystok, Poland. To make the group homogenous in terms of inflammatory markers, we analyzed only subjects with glucose disturbances (GD: diabetes or prediabetes). Four hundred fifty-six patients aged 50-80 were included. In the group of patients without macular degenerative changes, those with GD accounted for 71.7%, while among those with AMD, GD accounted for 89.45%. Increased serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines were observed in both AMD and GD groups. C1qTNF1 concentration was statistically significantly higher in the group of patients with AMD, with comparable levels of concentrations of other proinflammatory cytokines. C1qTNF1 may act as a key mediator in the integration of lipid metabolism and inflammatory responses in macrophages. Moreover, C1qTNF1 levels are increased after exposure to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), which plays a key role in atherosclerotic plaque formation and is also a major component of the drusen observed in AMD. C1qTNF1 may, therefore, prove to be a link between the accumulation of oxLDL and the induction of local inflammation in the development of AMD with concomitant GD.

Body Composition and Serum Concentration of Thyroid Hormones in Euthyroid Men and Women from General Population.

Body composition, especially an increased amount of fat mass and decreased lean body mass, is connected with metabolic complications. Thyroid hormones can influence body composition pattern. To date, scarce data defining the relationships between thyroid hormones and parameters of body composition using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), especially in cohort studies, are available. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships among serum concentrations of (thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid hormones, and distribution of fat tissue assessed using the DXA method in a euthyroid cohort from the Bialystok PLUS study. We examined 582 euthyroid subjects who were divided into lean (body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m2) and overweight/obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) (84 lean men, 182 overweight/obese men, 160 lean women, and 156 overweight/obese women). Serum concentrations of TSH, free T3 (fT3), and free T4 (fT4) were assessed, and DXA was performed. We observed lower serum levels of fT4 (p = 0.03) and higher serum levels of fT3 (p = 0.04) in overweight/obese vs. lean men, whereas serum levels of TSH did not differ between these groups (p = 0.38). In lean men, we only observed a relationship between serum levels of TSH and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) (r = −0.24, p = 0.02). In overweight/obese men, we found that serum levels of fT3 were positively connected with total fat mass (r = 0.16, p = 0.02), android fat mass (r = 0.15, p = 0.03), and gynoid fat mass (r = 0.17, p = 0.01), but not with VAT (r = 0.03, p = 0.63). We did not observe differences in serum levels of TSH, fT3, and fT4 between lean and overweight/obese women. Additionally, we did not notice relationships between serum levels of thyroid hormones and fat in different regions estimated by DXA in lean and overweight/obese women (all p > 0.05). We concluded that the serum concentration of TSH is connected with VAT in lean men, whereas, in overweight/obese men, higher fT3 is connected with an increased fat amount. These associations are absent in women.

Factors Associated with Tooth Loss in General Population of Bialystok, Poland.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess risk factors for tooth loss in the population of the city of Bialystok, in north-eastern Poland, taking into account the entire population and different age groups. The study included 1138 subjects divided into three subgroups: 20-44 years, 45-64 years, and 65-79 years. Participants were classified according to the number of teeth lost (0-8 vs. 9-28). Socio-economic variables, smoking history, and dental habits were collected through a questionnaire. Medical examinations provided data on the body mass index and the fasting blood glucose level. Data were statistically analysed using Mann-Whitney U, Student's t, chi2 tests, and binary logistic regression, p < 0.05. RESULTS: For the general population, being female (OR 1.38, 1.07-1.79, p = 0.015), having secondary education (OR 4.18, Cl 2.97-5.87, p < 0.000), higher body mass index (OR 1.13, Cl 1.10-1.17, p < 0.000), higher fasting blood glucose level (OR 1.03 1.03-1.04, p < 0.000), being former smoker (OR 1.72, Cl 1.29-2.31, p < 0.000), ever smoker (OR 1.69, Cl 1.29-2.20, p < 0.000), current smoker (OR 1.62, Cl 1.15-2.29, p < 0.006), longer smoking period (OR 1.11, Cl 1.09-1.14, p < 0.000), last visit to the dentist over a year ago (OR 1.92, Cl 0.44-2.58, p < 0.000) and tooth brushing less than two times a day (OR 1.6, Cl 1.14-2.23, p < 0.006) were associated with losing more than 8 teeth. In the subgroup aged 20-44 years, only smoking duration was a risk factor for tooth loss (p = 0.02). For the middle-aged and oldest groups, education level (respectively p < 0.001, and p = 0.001), body mass index (respectively, p < 0.001, and p = 0.037), smoking status ever/former/current (respectively p < 0.001 and p = 0.002), smoking status never/ever (respectively p < 0.001 and p = 0.009), smoking duration (p < 0.001) were related to tooth loss. Additionally, in the elderly group, fasting blood glucose level (p = 0.044) and frequency of dental visits (p = 0.007) were related to tooth loss. We concluded that in the evaluated population, tooth loss was associated with socio-demographic, medical, and behavioural factors.