Predictive value of levels of 25(OH)D and Vitamin D binding protein on subsequent yearly exacerbation rate in the 397 COPD patients (Incidence rate ratio with 95% confidence intervals) for whom we had follow-data on exacerbations.

<p>Predictive value of levels of 25(OH)D and Vitamin D binding protein on subsequent yearly exacerbation rate in the 397 COPD patients (Incidence rate ratio with 95% confidence intervals) for whom we had follow-data on exacerbations.</p

Scatterplot of measured 25(OH)D and Vitamin D binding protein in 426 and 424 COPD patients respectively.

<p>Scatterplot of measured 25(OH)D and Vitamin D binding protein in 426 and 424 COPD patients respectively.</p

Predictive value of levels of 25(OH)D and Vitamin D binding protein on yearly change in lung function in 397 COPD patients estimated by generalized estimating equations (GEE).

<p>Predictive value of levels of 25(OH)D and Vitamin D binding protein on yearly change in lung function in 397 COPD patients estimated by generalized estimating equations (GEE).</p

Baseline characteristics of the COPD patients in the study sample categorized by measured levels of serum vitamin D (25(OH)D) and Vitamin D binding protein (VDBP).

<p>* ttest for age, chi square for all other variables</p><p>** ANOVA for age, chi square for all other variabels.</p><p>Baseline characteristics of the COPD patients in the study sample categorized by measured levels of serum vitamin D (25(OH)D) and Vitamin D binding protein (VDBP).</p

Predictive value of levels of 25(OH)D and Vitamin D binding protein on 5 years all-cause mortality (69 events) in 426^* COPD patients (Hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals).

<p>* the analyses including vitamin DBP includes 424 COPD patients, of which 68 were later deceased.</p><p>Predictive value of levels of 25(OH)D and Vitamin D binding protein on 5 years all-cause mortality (69 events) in 426^{<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0121622#t002fn001" target="_blank">*</a>} COPD patients (Hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals).</p

Yearly estimated change in FVC and FEV₁ in percent predicted by levels of measured vitamin D at baseline.

<p>Yearly estimated change in FVC and FEV₁ in percent predicted by levels of measured vitamin D at baseline.</p

Predictive value of levels of Vitamin D3 (25OH) and Vitamin D binding protein on yearly change in fat free mass index (FFMI) in 397 COPD patients estimated by generalized estimating equations (GEE).

<p>Predictive value of levels of Vitamin D3 (25OH) and Vitamin D binding protein on yearly change in fat free mass index (FFMI) in 397 COPD patients estimated by generalized estimating equations (GEE).</p

Association between plasma levels of MMP-7 and adverse outcome in patients with carotid atherosclerosis.

<p>Panel <b>A</b> shows Kaplan–Meier curve with the cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality during the entire study (mean follow-up 3.5 years) according to dichotomized MMP-7 levels (Cut-off median: 1.96 ng/mL). Panel <b>B</b> shows multi-variable analyses of predictors of all-cause mortality (direct entry). CRP and MMP-7 show expressed per SD change.</p

Baseline variables in patient groups according to symptomatology (n = 182).

<p>Clinical symptoms include stroke, TIA or amaurosis fugax ipsilateral to the stenotic internal carotid artery. BMI, body mass index. Numbers are given as percentage (numbers), *mean (SD), or **median (min–max). Cholesterol, HDL, LDL and Triglycerides levels were obtained in respectively 122, 110, 109, and 118 patients.</p

Immunostaining of MMP-7 within atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic vessels.

<p>Immuhistochemistry of MMP-7 in carotid atherosclerotic plaques (n = 8, symptoms within the recent 2 months) shows strong immunostaining. Representative images obtained with 100× <b>A</b> and 400× magnification (highlighted, with arrows on positive cells). Panel <b>B</b> shows no or weak immunostaining of MMP-7 in non-atherosclerotic carotid artery obtained from autopsies (n = 5). Panel <b>C</b> shows double immunofluorescent staining of MMP-7 (green fluorescence), CD68 (macrophages, red fluorescence) and nucleus (DAPI, blue fluorescence) from carotid atherosclerotic plaques (n = 4). The lower right panel is a merge of the three pictures.</p