Int J Med Sci
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The aim of this study was to determine the cause of illness in several human patients residing in Florida and Georgia, USA, with suspected Lyme disease based upon EM-like skin lesions and/or symptoms consistent with early localized or late disseminated Lyme borreliosis. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays developed specifically for Lyme group Borrelia spp., followed by DNA sequencing for confirmation, we identified Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato DNA in samples of blood and skin and also in lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum) removed from several patients who either live in or were exposed to ticks in Florida or Georgia. ⋯ Based on the findings of this study, we suggest that human Lyme borreliosis occurs in Florida and Georgia, and that some cases of Lyme-like illness referred to as southern tick associated rash illness (STARI) in the southern U. S. may be attributable to previously undetected B. burgdorferi sensu lato infections.
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Reduction in the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary emphysema. To this end, pharmacological VEGF receptor blockade, and the Cre-lox system models have been utilized to study the effects of VEGF depletion in the lung. These models generally reproduce air space enlargement resembling clinical emphysema. Here we report a potentially more readily available model of lung targeted VEGF depletion by airway administration of VEGF small inhibitory RNA oligonucleotides (siRNAs) in mice. ⋯ The pathogenesis of pulmonary emphysema is likely to be multifaceted, but the present mouse model may be useful in dissecting the involvement of VEGF in pulmonary emphysema.
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The association between a common variant of the ESR1 gene rs2234693 and rs9340799 polymorphisms with coronary heart disease (CHD) have been reported, but the available data on this relationship are inconsistent. A meta-analysis was performed to quantitative analysis the association of ESR1 gene polymorphisms and CHD risk using previous case-control studies in Chinese Han population. ⋯ Our meta-analysis of 10 studies involving Chinese Han population suggests that the CC genotype of the ESR1 rs2234693 polymorphism is significantly associated with an increased risk of CHD in males only. There was no evidence however, of a significant association between the ESR1 rs9340799 polymorphism and CHD risk.
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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS, formerly AERS) is a database that contains information on adverse event and medication error reports submitted to the FDA. Besides those from manufacturers, reports can be submitted from health care professionals and the public. The original system was started in 1969, but since the last major revision in 1997, reporting has markedly increased. ⋯ A survey of our previous reports suggested that the ROR provided the highest number of signals, and the EBGM the lowest. Additionally, an analysis of warfarin-, aspirin- and clopidogrel-associated adverse events suggested that all EBGM-based signals were included in the PRR-based signals, and also in the IC- or ROR-based ones, and that the PRR- and IC-based signals were in the ROR-based ones. In this article, the latest information on this area is summarized for future pharmacoepidemiological studies and/or pharmacovigilance analyses.
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The -159C/T polymorphism in the CD14 gene has been implicated in susceptibility to tuberculosis, but the results were inconclusive. The present meta-analysis aimed to perform a comprehensive assessment of the literature on the possible association between the -159C/T polymorphism and tuberculosis risk. ⋯ This meta-analysis suggests that the -159C/T polymorphism in the CD14 gene contributes to tuberculosis susceptibility. To further investigate gene-gene and gene-environment interactions between this polymorphism and tuberculosis risk, more studies are needed.