790 research outputs found
Population differences in allele frequencies at the OLR1 locus may suggest geographic disparities in cardiovascular risk events.
Abstract
Background: Several studies have demonstrated a link between cardiovascular disease (CVD) susceptibility
and the genetic background of populations.
Endothelial activation and dysfunction induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) is one of
the key steps in the initiation of atherosclerosis. The oxidized low density lipoprotein (lectin-like)
receptor 1 (OLR1) gene is the main receptor of ox-LDL. We have previously characterized two
polymorphisms (rs3736235 and rs11053646) associated with the risk for coronary artery disease
(CAD) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
Aim: Given their clinical significance, it is of interest to know the distribution of these variants in
populations from different continents.
Subjects and methods: A total of 1229 individuals from 17 different African, Asian and European
populations was genotyped for the two considered markers.
Results: The high frequencies of ancestral alleles in South-Saharan populations is concordant with the
African origin of our species. The results highlight that African populations are closer to Asians, and
clearly separated from the Europeans.
Conclusion: The results confirm significant genetic structuring among populations and suggest a
possible basis for varying susceptibility to CVD among groups correlated with the geographical
location of populations linked with the migrations out of Africa, or with different lifestyle
Surgical Management of Inguinal Hernias at Bugando Medical Centre in Northwestern Tanzania: Our Experiences in a Resource-Limited Setting.
Inguinal hernia repair remains the commonest operation performed by general surgeons all over the world. There is paucity of published data on surgical management of inguinal hernias in our environment. This study is intended to describe our own experiences in the surgical management of inguinal hernias and compare our results with that reported in literature. A descriptive prospective study was conducted at Bugando Medical Centre in northwestern Tanzania. Ethical approval to conduct the study was obtained from relevant authorities before the commencement of the study. Statistical data analysis was done using SPSS software version 17.0. A total of 452 patients with inguinal hernias were enrolled in the study. The median age of patients was 36 years (range 3 months to 78 years). Males outnumbered females by a ratio of 36.7:1. This gender deference was statistically significant (P=0.003). Most patients (44.7%) presented late (more than five years of onset of hernia). Inguinoscrotal hernia (66.8%) was the commonest presentation. At presentation, 208 (46.0%) patients had reducible hernia, 110 (24.3%) had irreducible hernia, 84 (18.6%) and 50(11.1%) patients had obstructed and strangulated hernias respectively. The majority of patients (53.1%) had right sided inguinal hernia with a right-to-left ratio of 2.1: 1. Ninety-two (20.4%) patients had bilateral inguinal hernias. 296 (65.5%) patients had indirect hernia, 102 (22.6%) had direct hernia and 54 (11.9%) had both indirect and direct types (pantaloon hernia). All patients in this study underwent open herniorrhaphy. The majority of patients (61.5%) underwent elective herniorrhaphy under spinal anaesthesia (69.2%). Local anaesthesia was used in only 1.1% of cases. Bowel resection was required in 15.9% of patients. Modified Bassini's repair (79.9%) was the most common technique of posterior wall repair of the inguinal canal. Lichtenstein mesh repair was used in only one (0.2%) patient. Complication rate was 12.4% and it was significantly higher in emergency herniorrhaphy than in elective herniorrhaphy (P=0.002). The median length of hospital stay was 8 days and it was significantly longer in patients with advanced age, delayed admission, concomitant medical illness, high ASA class, the need for bowel resection and in those with surgical repair performed under general anesthesia (P<0.001). Mortality rate was 9.7%. Longer duration of symptoms, late hospitalization, coexisting disease, high ASA class, delayed operation, the need for bowel resection and presence of complications were found to be predictors of mortality (P<0.001). Inguinal hernias continue to be a source of morbidity and mortality in our centre. Early presentation and elective repair of inguinal hernias is pivotal in order to eliminate the morbidity and mortality associated with this very common problem
Big data: Finders keepers, losers weepers?
This article argues that big dataâs entrepreneurial potential is based not only on new technological developments that allow for the extraction of non-trivial, new insights out of existing data, but also on an ethical judgment that often remains implicit: namely the ethical judgment that those companies that generate these new insights can legitimately appropriate (the fruits of) these insights. As a result, the business model of big data companies is essentially founded on a libertarian-inspired âfinders, keepersâ ethic. The article argues, next, that this presupposed âfinder, keepersâ ethic is far from unproblematic and relies itself on multiple unconvincing assumptions. This leads to the conclusion that the conduct of companies working with big data might lack ethical justification
Platelet-rich plasma induces post-natal maturation of immature articular cartilage and correlates with LOXL1 activation
Platelet-Ârich plasma (PRP) is used to stimulate the repair of acute and chronic cartilage damage even though there is no definitive evidence of how this is achieved. Chondrocytes in injured and diseased situations frequently re express phenotypic biomarkers of immature cartilage so tissue maturation is a potential pathway for restoration of normal structure and function. We used an in vitro model of growth factorÂinduced maturation to perform a comparative study in order to determine whether PRP can also induce this specific form of remodeling that is characterised by increased cellular proliferation and tissue stiffness. Gene expression patterns specific for maturation were mimicked in PRP treated cartilage, with chondromodulin, collagen types II/X downregulated, deiodinase II and netrinÂ1 upregulated. PRP increased cartilage surface cell density 1.5Âfold (P < 0.05), confirmed by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and proportionate increases in proliferating cell nuclear antigen gene expression. Atomic force microscopy analysis of PRP and growth factor treated cartilage gave a 5Âfold increase in stiffness correlating with a 10Âfold upregulation of lysyl oxidase likeÂ1 gene expression (P < 0.001). These data show PRP induces key aspects of postÂnatal maturation in immature cartilage and provides the basis to evaluate a new biological rationale for its activity when used clinically to initiate joint repair
Prostate cancer incidence among finasteride and alpha-blocker users in the Finnish Prostate Cancer Screening Trial
- âŠ