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Biomedical subjects

A Jager

Publications and source records attributed to A Jager.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

von Willebrand factor, C-reactive protein, and 5-year mortality in diabetic and nondiabetic subjects: the Hoorn Study.

Increased levels of von Willebrand factor (vWf) and C-reactive protein (CRP) predict cardiovascular mortality in selected populations. It is uncertain whether vWf and CRP predict mortality in a general population and whether vWf and CRP predict mortality through similar pathways. This study investigated the association of vWf and CRP with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality among diabetic and nondiabetic subjects. An age-, sex-, and glucose tolerance-stratified sample (n=631) of a population-based cohort aged 50 to 75 years was followed prospectively for 5 years. After 5 years of follow-up, 58 subjects had died (24 of cardiovascular causes). vWf (>1.56 IU/mL) and CRP (>2.84 mg/L) levels in the upper tertile were associated with, respectively, a 3- and 2-fold increase in cardiovascular mortality after adjustment for age, sex, and glucose tolerance status. Analyses in nondiabetic and diabetic subjects separately gave similar results. After further adjustment for hypertension, levels of HDL cholesterol and triglyceride, smoking habits, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral arterial disease, the relative risks (RRs) were 3.0 (95% CI 1.2 to 7.9) for vWf and 1.4 (95% CI 0.6 to 3.5) for CRP. When both vWf and CRP were included in the latter multivariate analysis, the RRs were 3.0 (95% CI 1.1 to 7.9) for vWf and 1.3 (95% CI 0.5 to 3.4) for CRP. The association between vWf and risk of cardiovascular mortality was independent of blood group (O versus non-O) and, moreover, similar among subjects with different blood groups. Repeating the analyses for all-cause mortality gave similar results for CRP. For vWf, the RR was 2.0 (95% CI 1.1 to 3.5) after adjustment for all other risk factors. Increased levels of vWf are independently associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in both diabetic and nondiabetic subjects. The association between increased levels of CRP and cardiovascular mortality was partly explained by other risk factors. Mutual adjustment of vWf and CRP did not markedly change the results, favoring the hypothesis that vWf and CRP predict mortality through different pathways.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗

Microalbuminuria and peripheral arterial disease are independent predictors of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, especially among hypertensive subjects: five-year follow-up of the Hoorn Study.

Microalbuminuria (MA) is associated with increased cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. It has been proposed that MA reflects generalized atherosclerosis and may thus predict mortality. To investigate this hypothesis, we studied the associations between, on the one hand, MA and peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a generally accepted marker of generalized atherosclerosis, and, on the other hand, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in an age-, sex-, and glucose tolerance-stratified sample (n=631) of a population-based cohort aged 50 to 75 years followed prospectively for 5 years. At baseline, the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) was measured in an overnight spot urine sample; MA was defined as ACR >2.0 mg/mmol. PAD was defined as an ankle-brachial pressure index below 0.90 and/or a history of a peripheral arterial bypass or amputation. After 5 years of follow-up, 58 subjects had died (24 of cardiovascular causes). Both MA and PAD were associated with a 4-fold increase in cardiovascular mortality. After adjusting for age, sex, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, levels of total and HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride, body mass index, smoking habits, and preexistent ischemic heart disease, the relative risks (RR) (95% confidence intervals) were 3.2 (1.3 to 8.1) for MA and 2.4 (0.9 to 6.1) for PAD. When both MA and PAD were included in the multivariate analysis, the RRs were 2.9 (1.1 to 7.3) for MA and 2.0 (0.7 to 5.7) for PAD. MA and PAD were both associated with an about 2-fold increase in all-cause mortality. The RRs of all-cause mortality associated with MA and PAD were about 4 times higher among hypertensive than among normotensive subjects. We conclude that both MA and PAD are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. MA and PAD are mutually independent risk indicators. The associations of MA and PAD with all-cause mortality are somewhat weaker. They are more pronounced in the presence of hypertension than in its absence. These data suggest that MA affects mortality risk through a mechanism different from generalized atherosclerosis.

Age Factors↗

Amadori albumin in type 1 diabetic patients: correlation with markers of endothelial function, association with diabetic nephropathy, and localization in retinal capillaries.

Nonenzymatic glycation is increased in diabetes. Most studies so far have focused on the role of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in vascular complications, whereas the role of early glycation Amadori-modified proteins, which is the predominant form of glycated proteins, has not been systemically investigated in humans. We developed an antiserum against glycated human serum albumin (HSA) and used this to study the role of early glycation products in vascular complications in type 1 diabetic patients. Amadori albumin was determined to be the recognition epitope of the antiserum. The antibody recognized a specific glucose adduct and a conformational component specific for human albumin in Amadori albumin, with no recognition of AGEs. Plasma Amadori albumin levels were significantly higher in type 1 diabetic patients (n = 55) than in healthy control subjects (n = 60) (39.2+/-9.9 vs. 20.9+/-4.0 U/ml, P < 0.0005). Amadori albumin correlated with levels of plasma markers of endothelial function von Willebrand factor (r = 0.29, P < 0.05) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (r = 0.41, P < 0.005), but not soluble E-selectin. In addition, Amadori albumin immunoreactivity was detected in the capillaries of retinas of diabetic patients. Plasma levels of Amadori albumin were determined in a second group of type 1 diabetic patients with long-standing diabetes with (n = 199) or without (n = 192) diabetic nephropathy. Patients with nephropathy had higher Amadori albumin levels than did those without it (50.9+/-9.5 vs. 45.1+/-6.3 U/ml, P < 0.0005). Age-, sex-, and diabetes duration-adjusted analyses showed that nephropathy was significantly associated with Amadori albumin with an odds ratio (OR [95% CI]) of 1.11 [1.08-1.15] per U/ml increase. After additional adjustment for levels of creatinine, glycated hemoglobin, cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, preexistent retinopathy, and cardiovascular disease, Amadori albumin continued to be significantly associated with nephropathy (OR 1.06 [1.01-1.11]) per U/ml increase. Our results are consistent with a proposed pathophysiological role of Amadori albumin in microvascular complications of type 1 diabetic patients.

Adult↗

Microalbuminuria is strongly associated with NIDDM and hypertension, but not with the insulin resistance syndrome: the Hoorn Study.

Microalbuminuria is a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate whether microalbuminuria is part of a cluster of risk factors, the insulin resistance syndrome (IRS), or whether it is only associated with, and presumably a complication of, hypertension and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). An age-, sex- and glucose tolerance-stratified random sample from a 50-75 year old general population (n = 622) was investigated. The urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio was measured in an early morning spot urine sample. Microalbuminuria was defined as an albumin-to-creatinine ratio greater than 2.0 mg/ mmol. We considered, as IRS-related variables, fasting hyperinsulinaemia, insulin resistance (IR; calculated from the formula of the homeostasis model assessment), dyslipidaemia, glucose intolerance, hypertension and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Dyslipidaemia was defined as levels of HDL-cholesterol in the lowest and/or levels of triglyceride in the highest tertile. Fasting insulin levels, IR and WHR were divided into tertiles; the highest tertiles were compared to the lowest tertiles. Age-, sex- and glucose tolerance-adjusted analyses showed microalbuminuria to be significantly associated with hypertension, NIDDM and WHR. In multiple logistic regression analyses, microalbuminuria showed independent associations with hypertension, NIDDM and WHR, with odds ratios (ORs [95% confidence interval]) of 3.33 (1.86-5.96), 2.26 (1.14-4.48) and 2.49 (1.09-5.70), respectively. No associations were found with impaired glucose tolerance, hyperinsulinaemia, IR or dyslipidaemia. Multiple logistic regression analyses in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects separately showed that microalbuminuria was independently associated only with hypertension (ORs 4.31 and 2.69). In this Caucasian population, microalbuminuria was associated with hypertension, NIDDM and WHR and not with other variables of the IRS. It is therefore likely that microalbuminuria is a complication of hypertension and NIDDM, and not an integral part of the IRS.

Age Factors↗

Serum homocysteine level and protein intake are related to risk of microalbuminuria: the Hoorn Study.

BACKGROUND: Microalbuminuria (MA) is a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease, but its causes are incompletely understood. Hyperhomocysteinemia is a recently recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease independent of established risk factors. It is not known whether hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with MA, and thus could be a possible cause of microalbuminuria. METHODS: We studied an age-, sex- and glucose-tolerance-stratified random sample of a 50- to 75-year old general Caucasian population (N = 680). The urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) was measured in an early morning spot urine sample. MA was defined as an ACR > 3.0 mg/mmol. RESULTS: The prevalence of MA was 4.3% (13 of 304) in subjects with normal glucose tolerance, 9.2% (17 of 185) in impaired glucose tolerance and 18.3% (30 of 164) in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM); it was 3.7% (15 of 402) in subjects without hypertension and 17.9% (45 of 251) in those with hypertension. After adjusting for age, sex, glucose tolerance category, hypertension, dyslipidemia and smoking, the odds ratio [OR; 95% confidence interval (95%CI)] for MA per 5 mumol/liter total homocysteine increment was 1.33 (1.08 to 1.63). Additional adjustment for HbA1c, waist-hip ratio, protein intake and serum creatinine did not attenuate the association between MA and total homocysteine. A 0.1 g/kg.day increment of protein intake was also associated with an increased risk for MA after adjustment for age, sex, classical risk factors and serum total homocysteine [OR (95% CI); 1.20 (1.08 to 1.32)]. CONCLUSION: Both hyperhomocysteinemia and protein intake are related to microalbuminuria independent of NIDDM and hypertension. Hyperhomocysteinemia may partly explain the link between MA and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Aged↗

[Microalbuminuria in essential hypertension: of limited value as an indicator of patients with a high risk for complications].

Microalbuminuria is usually defined as a urinary albumin excretion of 30-300 mg/24 h (i.e. 20-200 micrograms/min) measured, in view of the short-term variation of 15-30%, in at least 2 out of 3 urine samples. An alternative definition is: an albumin-creatinine ratio of 2-20 mg/mmol creatinine. Microalbuminuria is an indicator of an enhanced risk of chronic kidney failure and cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients and of cardiovascular disease in the elderly general population. It is not known whether these relationships exist in essential hypertension as well. In essential hypertension there is, however, a relationship between microalbuminuria and endothelial dysfunction, impaired regulation of renal haemodynamics and an increased risk of left ventricular hypertrophy and hypertensive retinopathy. By screening for microalbuminuria a group of patients can be distinguished who have a relatively high risk for the presence of complications of hypertension. It is not certain, however, that more intensive treatment of such patients (e.g. with ACE inhibitors) is useful. Consequently, for the time being, screening of patients with essential hypertension for microalbuminuria is of little practical importance.

Adult↗

Proteolysis of classic anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (C-ANCA) by neutrophil proteinase 3.

C-ANCA, which are directed against neutrophil proteinase 3 (PR3), are specific markers for the diagnosis of active Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). The correlation between C-ANCA titre and WG disease activity suggests that these autoantibodies are involved in the development of WG. We have previously observed that C-ANCA interfere with PR3 proteolytic activity and with complexation of PR3 with its major physiologic inhibitor alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT). The possible pathogenic importance of C-ANCA may be related to the stability of C-ANCA IgG-PR3 complexes. In the present study we tested proteolysis by PR3 of human IgG and proteolysis of C-ANCA IgG complexed to the enzyme. All human IgG subclass proteins were cleaved by PR3. Digestion products were compared with those obtained by human neutrophil elastase (HNE)-mediated proteolysis of human IgG subclass proteins. Although cleavage products of similar size could be identified, the proteolytic activity of both enzymes towards human IgG differed. Furthermore, inhibiting C-ANCA IgG were cleaved into small peptides when complexed to PR3. The possible pathogenic consequences of these findings will be discussed.

Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic↗

[Periodontal-orthodontic treatment possibilities for migrated front teeth--case selection and theoretical concept].

Migration of maxillary incisors caused by advanced periodontal disease induces functional, periodontal and esthetical problems to the patient. Under certain conditions a combined periodontal-orthodontal treatment should be considered. A successful treatment result depends on the selection of the patients. The presented concept offers good long-term results for a combined periodontal-orthodontal therapy.

Dental Plaque↗

[Digital image processing in endodontics].

Digital image processing methods were applied to improve the analysis of endodontic follow-up radiographs. After the individual radiographs had been digitized with a videocamera, different standard image processing procedures, such as histogram-equilisation, histogram-matching and noise reduction were performed. In some cases the use of those techniques facilitated the comparison of radiographs taken at long intervals under nonstandardized conditions. As a result, diagnosis of the development of periapical lesions or hard tissue formation in teeth with incomplete root formation was improved.

Dental Pulp Cavity↗

Vestibular shield.

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Equipment Design↗

3'-O-methylated analogs of 2-5A as inhibitors of virus replication.

We have explored analogs of 2'-5'-linked andeylic acid trimer (2-5A): 3'-O-methylated 2-5A, 2'-end modified adenylate trimer with deoxyadenosine or araadenine, methyl phosphonate and methyl phosphorotriester analogs as potential antiviral agents. For the treatment of virus infections, 2-5A and its analogs may serve in lieu of interferon, however, the use of 2-5A has two serious limitations: it is presumed to be impermeable to most cells, and moreover, cellular enzymes rapidly degrade it. Methylated analogs of 2-5A core strongly inhibited virus growth when added directly to cells in culture. 2'-End modified adenylate trimer with araadenine also inhibited virus growth, however, neither 2-5A nor other analogs showed any significant antiviral activity. The inhibition of virus growth was not due to the toxic effect of these compounds on cell growth as they had no inhibitory effect on the growth of uninfected cells.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗

[Incomplete chronic duodenal stenosis caused by compression by the aorta and mesenteric artery].

In the light of data from the literature, as well as on the personal observations made in 5 cases of chronic, imcomplete duodenal stenosis through aortic-mesenteric pincers that have been hospitalized and operated, the authors stress: the complexity of the syndrome, the difficulties encountered in the establishment of the diagnosis, the severe consequences of the evolution, the necessity to apply surgical treatment as soon as possible.

Adolescent↗