Publications

Abstract BACKGROUND Non-invasive tests (NITs) are central to diagnosing and stratifying risk in steatotic liver disease (SLD). However, it remains unclear whether guideline-recommended NIT cut-offs apply to metabolic and alcohol-related liver disease (MetALD). AIM Evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic performance of five NITs in patients with MetALD. METHODS Single-centre study with 423 SLD patients, of […]

Abstract The aim of this international meta-analysis was to quantify the predictive value of BMI for incident fracture and relationship of this risk with age, sex, follow-up time, and BMD. A total of 1 667 922 men and women from 32 countries (63 cohorts), followed for a total of 16.0 million person-years were studied. 293 325 had FN […]

Abstract BACKGROUND While coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is primarily a respiratory infection, few studies have characterised the immune response to COVID-19 in lung tissue. We sought to understand the pathogenic role of microenvironmental interactions and the extracellular matrix in post-mortem COVID-19 lung using an integrative multi-omic approach. METHODS Post-mortem formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded lung tissue from fatal […]

Abstract UNLABELLED In the largest meta-analysis of international cohorts to date, a family history of fracture is confirmed as a significant BMD-independent predictor of future fracture risk. Parental and sibling histories of fracture carry the same significance for future fracture, including the impact of family hip fracture on future hip fracture risk. PURPOSE We have […]

Abstract OBJECTIVES In systemic sclerosis patients (SSc), we aimed at exploring the potential of serum biomarkers of fibrosis and immune-cell activity to detect subclinical heart involvement determined by electrocardiographic (ECG) alterations. METHODS A panel of extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover biomarkers quantifying type III and VI collagen formation (PRO-C3 and PRO-C6), type IV collagen turnover (PRO-C4), […]

Abstract Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory disease predominantly of the small airways and parenchyma. COPD lungs exhibit an influx of circulating innate immune cells, which, when isolated, display impaired functions, including imbalanced protease secretion. In addition to immune cells, the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a crucial role in COPD pathology. Remodeling […]

Abstract OBJECTIVES To investigate whether serum C1M and C2M, biochemical markers of synovial and cartilage tissue destruction, were associated with progression of joint damage in patients with early arthritis. METHODS 813 early arthritis patients (<6 months of symptoms, 82% with rheumatoid arthritis, 18% undifferentiated arthritis) from the prospective ESPOIR study were followed for 5 years. […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Given the heterogeneity of advanced chronic liver disease, assessing disease activity-related biomarkers could aid in classifying cirrhosis endotypes for better patient monitoring and treatment selection. AIM To investigate cirrhosis endotypes described by disease activity biomarkers related to fibrogenesis, immune cell activity, apoptosis, and systemic inflammation. METHODS The study included plasma EDTA samples from […]

Abstract Impaired gut barrier function may lead to progression of liver fibrosis in people with alcohol-related liver disease. The postbiotic ReFerm® can lower gut barrier permeability and may thereby  reduce fibrosis formation. Here, we report the results from an open-labelled, single centre randomized controlled trial where 56 patients with advanced, compensated, alcohol-related liver disease were assigned […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Adjunctive host-directed therapies that modulate host immune responses to reduce excessive inflammation and prevent tissue damage in tuberculosis are being investigated. Macrolides, including azithromycin, were shown to possess anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory effects in addition to their antibacterial effects. In the current trial, we investigated whether azithromycin enhances resolution of systemic and pulmonary inflammation […]