Statins,platelets,and the elderly

As a class of drugs, statins have gained renown for their ability to effectively reduce cardiovascular events in both patients with heart diseases (secondary prevention)and in those who, while not with manifest heart disease     

Follow-up of subjects occupationally exposed to asbestos, what are the objectives, the benefits, and the possible risks?

The follow-up of workers occupationally exposed to asbestos has two possible beneficial effects: (1) individually, both medical by screening for diseases related to asbestos and social by notification of occupational disease and/or compensation from the indemnity funds for asbestos victims; (2) collectively, by the establishment of epidemiological surveillance (follow-up of cohorts) and evaluation of the impact of follow-up in terms of health benefits and compensation. The respiratory disorders related to asbestos are: cancer (malignant pleural mesothelioma and bronchial carcinoma), asbestos-related pulmonary fibrosis, and pleural disease (plaques, pleural fibrosis and benign pleurisy). In the light of the data currently available and the effectiveness of the tools used, medical and public health benefits of screening for mesothelioma have not been demonstrated. The early diagnosis of primary bronchial carcinoma can theoretically improve the prognosis of the subjects screened, particularly by identification of stage I disease on CT (pulmonary nodules). This is a common finding but there are a large number of false-positives. While we await the results of several international randomised trials, the benefits of a screening programme for bronchial carcinoma in the population at risk have not been demonstrated. There is no effective treatment for asbestosis but this is an independent risk factor for bronchial carcinoma and it is evidence of heavy asbestos exposure. Stopping smoking in subjects suffering from asbestosis will reduce the incidence of bronchial carcinoma. There is no effective treatment for asbestos-related benign pleural diseases but these are markers of exposure. The presence of pleural plaques has not been shown to be an aetiological factor for thoracic cancers. Post-occupational follow-up may involve risks to health, particularly repeated irradiation and invasive diagnostic procedures. It is also necessary to consider the psychological consequences inherent in all screening programmes. In conclusion, post-occupational follow-up might reduce the mortality of lung cancer by screening for localised disease and its incidence by a targeted anti-smoking programme. The theoretical benefits, that have not yet been demonstrated, have to be seen in perspective with the risks to physical and psychological health related to both screening and diagnostic procedures.     

telligible principle , interesting principle ,the p

长期以来,脑出血被公认为是死亡率和致残率很高的急性脑血管疾病,传统治疗手段及理论研究相对滞后,治疗效果也不尽人意[1],早期手术治疗仍然存在较大争议[2]。近年来,重组人活性凝血因子VII(rFVIIa)治疗急性期脑出血成为一个新的研究热点,各国学者围绕rFVIIa开展了一系列临床试验,以期望在传统的脑出血治疗上取得突破,试验结果令人鼓舞。rFVIIa的概述人凝血因子VII(FVII)是由肝脏合成的一种维生素K依赖的单链糖蛋白酶原,在体内作为外源性凝血途径的启动因子,发挥着重要的作用。正常人血浆中FVII的浓度很低。血管发生病变后,组织…     

What are the influences of salt, potassium, the sympathetic nervous system, and the renin-angiotensin system on the circadian variation in blood pressure?

Nocturnal blood pressure patterns are expressed as a consequence of both intrinsic circadian rhythms and the quantity and quality of sleep. A range of neurohumoral factors have been either inferred or definitively proven to influence the circadian blood pressure pattern. In this regard, changes in atrial natriuretic peptide, plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone have been evaluated as to the influence each might have in determining diurnal blood pressure patterns. As an example, a clear pattern of nocturnal increase in plasma renin activity has been observed; however, the relationship between this change and nocturnal blood pressure remains vague. In contrast, change in sympathetic nervous system activity has most commonly been associated with the conversion of a pattern of nocturnal dips in blood pressure to one of non-dipping. Increasingly, dietary intake patterns, characterized by high sodium or low potassium content, or both, are recognized as modifiers of the normal decrease in nocturnal blood pressure, again in favor of producing a non-dipping pattern. The impact of these nutritional patterns on nocturnal blood pressure change is recognized to be most prominent in salt-sensitive individuals. Modifications of dietary sodium intake, such that it is decreased or potassium intake is increased, or both, are now recognized as means by which a nocturnal non-dipping pattern can be converted to a dipping pattern. Additional studies of an integrative nature will be necessary to obtain more complete definition of the dynamic interplay between nutrition and various neurohumoral axes in determining how nocturnal blood pressure patterns are expressed.     

Are the 50’s,the transition decade,in choroid plexus aging?

GeroScience - The choroid plexus (CP) is an important structure for the brain. Besides its major role in the production of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), it conveys signals originating from the brain,...