Immunoglobulin D: Properties, Measurement, and Clinical Relevance

Arterial stiffness: clinical relevance, measurement and treatment.

Most traditional cardiovascular risk factors alter the structure and/or function of arteries. An assessment of arterial wall integrity could therefore allow accurate prediction of cardiovascular risk in individuals. The term 'arterial stiffness' denotes alterations in the mechanical properties of arteries, and much effort has focused on how best to measure this. Pulse pressure, pulse wave veloc...

Induction and properties of syngeneic murine anti-immunoglobulin D.

High titers of autoantibodies directed to isotypic determinants of IgD were produced by inoculation of syngeneic monoclonal IgD, conjugated covalently to keyhole limpet hemocyanin, into adult or neonatal inbred mice. Anti-idiotypic antibodies were induced at the same time. The average affinity of the mouse antibodies (Ka approximately equal to 10(7) M-1) is similar to that of rabbit anti-IgD an...

Vitamin D: clinical measurement and use.

Serum measurement of osteoprotegerin--clinical relevance and potential applications.

The tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) ligand (RANKL), its cellular receptor, receptor activator of NF-kB (RANK), and the decoy receptor, osteoprotegerin (OPG) represent a novel cytokine triad with pleiotropic effects on bone metabolism, the immune system, and endocrine functions (1). RANKL is produced by osteoblastic lineage cells an...

Loneliness in schizophrenia: Construct clarification, measurement, and clinical relevance

Loneliness is a highly prevalent experience in schizophrenia. Theoretical models developed in the general population propose that loneliness is tantamount to a feeling of being unsafe, is accompanied by enhanced environmental threat perception, and leads to poor physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning. Previous research has reported that loneliness is associated with poorer physical and ...