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Objective: This is a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial that aimed to assess subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by measuring carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) and correlating it with disease activity and inflammatory markers (including levels of matrix metalloproteinase-3(MMP-3) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)) and to detect the effectiveness of agents that inhibit matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) as doxycycline in RA therapy.
Methods: One hundred and sixty RA patients were assigned in a randomized clinical trial (clinicaltrial. gov NCT03194204). Disease activity score 28(DAS28), laboratory markers, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), MMP-3, and MMP-9 were evaluated and mean CIMT was measured. Subjects were allocated randomly into one of two treatment arms, either methotrexate (MTX) alone or MTX with doxycycline 200mg per day orally. Follow up ESR, CRP, DAS28, MMP-3, and MMP-9 levels were re-evaluated after 3 months.
Results: There were positive significant correlations between CIMT and disease duration (r = 0.461, p = 0.001), age (r=0.459, p= 0.001), DAS28 score (r= 0.547, p = 0.001), ESR (r =0.413, p = 0.001), CRP (r = 0.281, p = 0.001), MMP-3 (r = 0.476, p = 0.001), and MMP-9 (r = 0.593, p =0.001). Patients treated with MTX and doxycycline showed lower levels of DAS28, ESR, CRP, MMP-3, and MMP-9 and this was statistically significant.
Conclusion: CIMT seems to be the ultimate method to screen for subclinical atherosclerosis in RA patients. MMP-3 and 9 play a key role in both RA synovitis and cardiovascular changes, making them important therapeutic targets, especially with safe and cost-effective agents like doxycycline. This clinical trial was carried out in Assiut University Hospital (AUH), Assiut, Egypt (Clinical Trial Registration No. clinicaltrial.gov NCT03194204).
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http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573397116666201113090145 | DOI Listing |
J Intensive Care
September 2025
German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat (LMU), University Hospital Grosshadern, Munich, Germany.
Background: Survivors of critical illness frequently face physical, cognitive and psychological impairments after intensive care. Sensorimotor impairments potentially have a negative impact on participation. However, comprehensive understanding of sensorimotor recovery and participation in survivors of critical illness is limited.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDiagn Pathol
September 2025
Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.
Background: Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with its prognosis influenced by factors such as tumor clinical stage, histological type, and the patient's overall health. Recent studies highlight the critical role of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) in the tumor microenvironment. Perturbations in LEC function in gastric cancer, marked by aberrant activation or damage, disrupt lymphatic fluid dynamics and impede immune cell infiltration, thereby modulating tumor progression and patient prognosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHead Face Med
September 2025
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
Background: The treatment of mandibular angle fractures remains controversial, particularly regarding the method of fixation. The primary aim of this study was to compare surgical outcomes following treatment with 1-plate versus 2-plate fixation across two oral and maxillofacial surgery clinics. The secondary aim was to evaluate associations between patient-, trauma-, and procedure-specific factors with postoperative complications and to identify high-risk patients for secondary osteosynthesis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNutr J
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Department of Life Sciences, Division of Food and Nutrition Science, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, 412 96, Sweden.
Background: Avenanthramides (AVAs) and Avenacosides (AVEs) are unique to oats (Avena Sativa) and may serve as biomarkers of oat intake. However, information regarding their validity as food intake biomarkers is missing. We aimed to investigate critical validation parameters such as half-lives, dose-response, matrix effects, relative bioavailability under single dose, and in relation to the abundance of Feacalibacterium prausnitzii, and under repeated dosing, to understand the potential applications of AVAs and AVEs as biomarkers of oat intake.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Health Serv Res
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Institute of General Practice, Rostock University Medical Center, Doberaner Str. 142, Rostock, 18057, Germany.
Background: Post-viral syndromes, including long- and post-COVID, often lead to persistent symptoms such as fatigue and dyspnoea, affecting patients' daily lives and ability to work. The COVI-Care M-V trial examines whether interprofessional, patient-centred teleconsultations, initiated by general practitioners in cooperation with specialists, can help reduce symptom burden and improve care for patients.
Methods: To evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention under routine care conditions, a cluster-randomised controlled trial is being conducted.