The human blood proteome provides a holistic readout of health states through the assessment of thousands of circulating proteins. In this study, we present a pan-disease resource to enable the study of diverse disease phenotypes within a harmonized proteomics dataset. By profiling protein concentrations across 59 diseases and healthy cohorts, we identified proteins associated with age, sex, and body mass index, as well as disease-specific signatures. This study highlights shared and distinct protein patterns across conditions, demonstrating the power of a unified proteomics approach to uncover biological insights. The dataset, covering 8262 individuals and up to 5416 proteins, serves as an online resource for exploring disease-specific protein profiles and advancing precision medicine research.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the predictive power of a high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) assay for cardiovascular events and mortality in a large population of older community dwellers. METHODS: Blood was collected from 5764 individuals (age 66–98 years) during the period of 2002–2006 and the outcome as to all-cause death and incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD) followed up to 10 years. hs-cTnI (Abbott) was measured in serum to assess the association of this marker with CVD, CHD and death, and finally, to compare the results with conventional risk factors by multivariable statistical analysis. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) concentrations of hs-cTnI were 8.4 ng/L (5.6–14.2 ng/L) and 5.3 ng/L (3.8–8.1 ng/L) in men (2416) and women (3275), respectively, and the concentrations increased linearly with age. Outcomes as to all-cause death and incidence of CVD and CHD were significantly associated with increasing concentrations of hs-cTnI beginning well below the 99th percentile concentrations. The associations with outcome remained after adjustments for conventional risk factors and were similar in men and women. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that hs-cTnI reflects the status of the myocardium even in seemingly healthy individuals and that the measurements of hs-cTnI may be useful for primary prediction of heart disease; this should form the basis for future prospective clinical trials for determining whether measuring hs-cTnI can be used in the prevention of CVD/CHD.

Objectives:  Eosinophils are common findings cells in allergic asthma as is sub‐base membrane thickening of the airways. The objective of this review was to summarise some recent findings linking the activities of eosinophils to airways remodelling.Data Source and Study Selection:  The study used a review of current literature with emphasis on our own recent findings.Results:  Eosinophils are found at increased numbers in asthma and more so in allergic as compared with non‐allergic asthma. A link has been found in several clinical studies on allergic asthmatics, but not in studies on non‐allergic asthma, between the presence of eosinophils and signs of airways remodelling. The eosinophil contains and secretes several pro‐fibrogenic molecules such as eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β). Genetic studies on subjects developing liver fibrosis as a consequence of Schistosoma mansoni infection show close relationships to ECP genotypes.Conclusion:  Several clinical and experimental studies indicate that eosinophils contribute to airways remodelling not only through their secretion of cationic proteins such as ECP and cytokines such as TGF‐β1, but also through interactions with mast cells and epithelial cells.Please cite this paper as: Venge P. The eosinophil and airway remodelling in asthma. Clin Respir J 2010; 4 (Suppl. 1): 15–19.

Patients with unstable coronary artery disease (CAD), i.e., unstable angina or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction, vary widely in clinical presentation, prognosis and response to treatment. To select appropriate therapy, early risk stratification has become increasingly important. This review focuses on the emerging role of natriuretic peptides in the early assessment of patients with unstable CAD. We conclude that levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are strongly associated to mortality and the risk of future congestive heart failure, and carry important prognostic information independent from previously known risk factors in unstable CAD. There are some data indicating that these markers can also be helpful in the selection of appropriate therapy in these patients but further studies are needed. Before a routine use of BNP or NT-proBNP in unstable CAD can be recommended, the cost-effectiveness of adding these new markers to the currently routine markers and their impact on selection of treatment needs further evaluation.