MOESM1 of Low circulating pentraxin 3 levels in pregnancy is associated with gestational diabetes and increased apoB/apoA ratio: a 5-year follow-up study

Additional file 1: Table S1. Plasma levels of PTX-3 and CRP during and after pregnancy in normal and GDM pregnancy according to IADSPSG criteria. Table S2. Univariate associations for increased CV risk as reflected by the apoB/apoA, LDL and TG/HDL-C ratios by PTX3, CRP and other CV risk factors at 5 years follow-up. Table S3. Multivariable adjusted models for increased CV risk as reflected by the apoB/apoA, LDL and TG/HDL-C ratios by PTX3 during pregnancy. The adjusted analysis included BMI and systolic BP acquired at the same time as the PTX3 measurement. Figure S1.  ROC curves of  ApoB/apoA and LDL/HDL-C during various time-points in pregnancy and CV risk at 5 years after pregnancy as reflected by the apoB/apoA ratio at 5 years follow-up

Additional file 1: of Associations between circulating endostatin levels and vascular organ damage in systemic sclerosis and mixed connective tissue disease: an observational study

Previous studies of endostatin and/or vascular endothelial growth factor in SSc and MCTD. Listing of previous studies of endostatin and/or vascular endothelial growth factor levels in SSc and/or MCTD including methods and main results. (PDF 241 kb

Additional file 3: of Associations between circulating endostatin levels and vascular organ damage in systemic sclerosis and mixed connective tissue disease: an observational study

Results of logistic regression analyses. Known risk factors and endostatin in predicting pulmonary arterial hypertension and scleroderma renal crisis. (PDF 282 kb

Efficacy of High Intensity Exercise on Disease Activity and Cardiovascular Risk in Active Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

<div><p>Background</p><p>Physical therapy is recommended for the management of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and flexibility exercises have traditionally been the main focus. Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are considered as a major health concern in axSpA and there is strong evidence that endurance and strength exercise protects against CV diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of high intensity endurance and strength exercise on disease activity and CV health in patients with active axSpA.</p><p>Methods</p><p>In a single blinded randomized controlled pilot study the exercise group (EG) performed 12 weeks of endurance and strength exercise while the control group (CG) received treatment as usual. The primary outcome was the Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) Disease Activity Score (ASDAS). Secondary outcomes included patient reported disease activity (Bath AS Disease Activity Index [BASDAI]), physical function (Bath AS Functional Index [BASFI]), and CV risk factors measured by arterial stiffness (Augmentation Index [Alx]) and Pulse Wave Velocity [PWV]), cardiorespiratory fitness (VO₂ peak) and body composition. ANCOVA on the post intervention values with baseline values as covariates was used to assess group differences, and Mann Whitney U-test was used for outcomes with skewed residuals.</p><p>Results</p><p>Twenty-eight patients were included and 24 (EG, n = 10, CG, n = 14) completed the study. A mean treatment effect of −0.7 (95%CI: −1.4, 0.1) was seen in ASDAS score. Treatment effects were also observed in secondary outcomes (mean group difference [95%CI]): BASDAI: −2.0 (−3.6, −0.4), BASFI: −1.4 (−2.6, −0.3), arterial stiffness (estimated median group differences [95% CI]): AIx (%): −5.3 (−11.0, −0.5), and for PVW (m/s): −0.3 (−0.7, 0.0), VO₂ peak (ml/kg/min) (mean group difference [95%CI]: 3.7 (2.1, 5.2) and trunk fat (%): −1.8 (−3.0, −0.6). No adverse events occurred.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>High intensity exercise improved disease activity and reduced CV risk factors in patients with active axSpA. These effects will be further explored in a larger trial.</p><p>Trial Registration</p><p>ClinicalTrials.gov <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01436942" target="_blank">NCT01436942 </a></p></div

Effects of high intensity exercise on disease activity, inflammatory markers and cytokines.

<p>Differences between the groups in post intervention (3 months) values, analyzed with ANCOVA with baseline values as covariates.</p><p>All BAS-instruments 0–10, 10 =  worst.</p><p>ASDAS, Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score; BASDAI, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index; BASFI, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index; BASMI, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index; CRP, C-reactive protein; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; IL, interleukin; sTNFR, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor.</p>a<p>Estimated regression coefficients,</p>b<p>Hodges-Lehman median estimator,</p>c<p>Mann-Whitney U-test.</p><p>Effects of high intensity exercise on disease activity, inflammatory markers and cytokines.</p

Baseline descriptive of all patients, exercise group and control group.

<p>ASDAS, Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score; BASDAI, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (0–10, 10 =  worst); CRP, C-reactiv protein; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; TNF, tumor necrosis factor, SD; standard deviation.</p>a<p>Statistically significant differences between groups. Analysed with bivariate test as appropriate.</p><p>Baseline descriptive of all patients, exercise group and control group.</p

Median change in arterial stiffness after 3 months intervention of high intensity exercise, compairsons between control group and exercise group using Mann-Whitney U-test.

<p>Median change in arterial stiffness after 3 months intervention of high intensity exercise, compairsons between control group and exercise group using Mann-Whitney U-test.</p

Flow of participants through the randomized controlled pilot study.

<p>EG: exercise group. CG: control group.</p