Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0004153 (atherosclerosis)
 77,401 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) claim 1.5 million lives each year in industrialized countries; in developing countries, estimates suggest the same distressing trends. CVD rank as the third leading cause of death after ischaemic heart disease and cancer. Surviving patients are left disabled and paralysed, dependent on their families and on society. Lifestyle, an issue of concern both for the individual and the community, can play an important role in the primary prevention of CVD when combined with dietary adjustments and appropriate drug therapy; it can prevent and slow down the development of atheroma, help to regulate blood pressure and contribute to the prevention of heart diseases likely to cause embolic strokes. The preventive treatment and management of other conditions, such as rheumatic heart disease, coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction and cardiac arrhythmias (embolic strokes), combined with healthy eating habits that tend to reduce the intake of saturated fats (atherosclerosis) and salt (high blood pressure) and the avoidance of smoking and alcohol (ischaemic and haemorrhagic strokes) will help to lower the incidence of mortality and morbidity due to CVD.
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PMID:[Life style and prevention of cerebrovascular accidents]. 192 96

Xanthomas are important clinical manifestations of a variety of disorders, including lipoprotein abnormalities, hypothyroidism, diabetes and certain forms of cancer. Many patients with these lesions are also at risk for premature atherosclerosis. Family physicians are often the first to recognize xanthomas. Early detection and identification of the lesions leads to appropriate diagnosis and treatment of the related diseases.
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PMID:Clinical significance and treatment of xanthomas. 192 35

Clostridial bacteremia is rare and has a variable presentation from asymptomatic to septic shock with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), red cell hemolysis, and rapid death. In order to delineate the predisposing and prognostic factors in these patients, the authors reviewed 47 cases of clostridial bacteremia presenting over a seven year period at a major metropolitan teaching hospital. Predisposing factors included locally decreased oxidation reduction potential (Eh) in 43 per cent (including atherosclerosis, diabetes, and radiation therapy), systemic immunosuppression in 53 per cent (including alcohol abuse, chemotherapy, steroids, and malignancy), and a site of epithelial barrier disruption. The sites of clostridial invasion included: gastrointestinal tract (GI) (n = 22), pulmonary (n = 7), cutaneous (n = 7), undetermined (n = 7), and female genital tract (n = 4). Seven patients were found to have malignancy. Seventy-nine per cent of the blood culture isolates were histotoxic species (Clostridia perfringens and C. septicum). The overall mortality was 47 per cent. Significant differences between survivors and deaths included DIC, new onset renal failure, severe atherosclerotic disease, and age (P less than .05). The authors conclude that clostridial bacteremia is uncommon but highly lethal and may occur when decreased tissue Eh, systemic immunosuppression, and an epithelial barrier disruption are present. Poor outcome appears to be a reflection of advanced age, underlying illness, and presence of a histotoxic species.
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PMID:Clostridial bacteremia: implications for the surgeon. 204 53

Werner syndrome (WS) is a recessive genetic condition associated with markedly reduced replicative lifespans of cells in culture, high chromosomal instability in vivo and in vitro, and premature appearance of many characteristics of normal aging, including an increased incidence of cancer. We have monitored plasmid homologous recombination frequencies in diploid fibroblasts from 6 Werner or Werner-like syndrome patients, following transfection with a plasmid substrate containing 2 overlapping fragments of the TN5 Neor gene. Plasmid DNA recovered from these cells was then assayed for homologous recombination by (a) transformation of recA- bacteria to Ampr (indicating total viable plasmid) or Neor (indicating viable recombinant plasmid), and (b) by limited-cycle polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to co-amplify a recombinant fragment containing the overlap region, and a control region of the same plasmid, without bacterial transformation. Bacterial assay data indicated that recombination rates in 3 of the 6 WS strains were significantly elevated above normal controls; 4 of 6 appeared elevated by PCR assay. The highest-recombination WS strain showed evidence of reduced degradation of transfected plasmid DNA. For this small sample of WS strains, clinical severity of WS was not well correlated with recombination rate as determined by either assay (Pearson r = 0.78, not significant, for PCR assay); elevated recombination may, however, define a subset of WS at greatest risk for cancer and/or atherosclerosis. PCR assay of a hyperoxia-resistant HeLa cell line, displaying substantially increased chromosome breakage, indicated increased recombination between direct-repeat fragments. Nevertheless, elevated recombination in WS strains is unlikely to be secondary to impaired replicative capacity characteristic of WS cells, or to defective repair of chromosome damage which is increased in WS, since recombination in non-WS strains was unaffected by passage level or repeated UV irradiation.
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PMID:Homologous recombination is elevated in some Werner-like syndromes but not during normal in vitro or in vivo senescence of mammalian cells. 207 65

Current findings and controversies between oral contraceptives (OCs) and cardiovascular disease and cancers. Specifically, venous thromboembolism, stroke, myocardial infarction, (MI), atherosclerosis, breast cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer are reviewed. The concentration in the literature is on higher dose estrogen (at least 50 mg) studies which suggest that there is with current users, particularly older women who smoke, a risk of myocardial infarction, venous thrombosis, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Of the 11 case control studies and 4 cohort studies it appears that venous thrombosis increases in risk with an increase in estrogen content and remains constant for duration of use. However, definitive studies have not been completed on 50 mg doses of ethinyl estradiol (EE) and mestranol (ME). The actual individual risk may be small, 1/1000 current users/year. Thrombotic and hemorrhagic stroke in the 1970s had a risk of 37/100,000 users per year, mostly among smokers 35 years and older with predisposing medical conditions. It is suggested that although there were mixed findings between current and past users in the 1970s low dose current or past users are not substantially at risk. The pre-mid 1970 risk of MI was 7 and 67 cases/100,000 current users ged 30-39 respectively per year. The risk group is similar to stroke. Thrombosis seems to be responsible for the increased risk, rather than atherosclerosis. More data are needed on low preparations; however limited findings suggest little if any risk. There is no available data on the risk for coronary artery atherosclerosis due to OC use, even though 50% of all women die from atherosclerosis-related processes regardless of OC use. Non human primate studies, however, suggest that there may be a reduced risk, perhaps due to the presence of estrogen receptors in arterial endothelium and smooth muscles. Data clearly indicate that the overall risk of breast cancer pre and post 1950 is the same, but age may be a factor with younger OC users at risk; parity protects. The association for lifetime risk, however, cannot be determined since most use occurred in the 1960s. For cervical cancer, 8 found no increased risk and 9 did, and the suggestion is the 5 years use is related to increased risk. Biases related to sexual behavior confound control and analysis of data. The most common cancer in developing countries is cervical, which warrants greater Pap smear screening to reduce this preventable cancer. Protection from cancer of the endometrium occurs for 15 years following 12 months of OC use at a 40% reduced risk. A protected effect is also found for epithelial ovarian cancer, with a 40% risk reduction. It is concluded that health benefits of OCs far exceed the health risks.
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PMID:Long-term health risks and benefits of oral contraceptive use. 209 41

This paper review the actual knowledges about the physiological role of nitric oxide, sintetized from amino acid L-arginine. The nitric oxide sintetized in the vascular endothelium has a fundamental role in vascular tone, blood flow and arterial pressure control, acting stimulating guanylate cyclase on vascular smooth muscle. Nitric oxide could be considered the endogenous nitrovasodilator. Its action on the cardiovascular system are imitated by nitroglycerine, sodium nitroprusside and related compounds. Probably the disturbance in the synthesis or release of nitric oxide may be involved in the pathophysiology of hypertension, vasospasm and atherosclerosis. Recently has been shown that nitric oxide synthesis from L-arginine also occurs in other different cells like macrophages, central nervous system, liver, neutrophils, adrenal glands, playing different biological effects. Changes in nitric oxide synthesis or action in those systems, could be related to different pathological disorders as inflammation, atherosclerosis and cancer. The found of a substance as simple as nitric oxide, let suppose that we are in the presence of a biological mediator with a very early evolutionary origin, probably widespread in all the animal kingdom, and which represents the universal transduction system for activation of the soluble guanylate cyclase enzyme.
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PMID:[Nitric oxide: from endogenous vasodilator to biologic mediator]. 209 54

This paper reviews the literature on somatic and psychological consequences of vasectomy published in the past 10 years. Although there is some evidence in animal studies of harmful effects, these findings are not supported in the epidemiological and clinical studies. The somatic aspects are discussed in terms of hormonal and accessory gland function consequences, immunological data on animals and men (clinical studies of cancer, atherosclerosis, and urolithiasis, and epidemiological studies). Psychological aspects are viewed in terms of the effects on sex life, attitude toward family and children, repercussions on mental health, and second thoughts after vasectomy (displeasure, dissatisfaction, and regrets). The summary of clinical and large scale epidemiological studies indicates that there aren't any long term side effects of vasectomy on the health of individuals examined. The results are considered valid and reliable and a complete confirmation of long term safety of vasectomy. That some evidence was produced clinically on side effects may mean the results reflect methodological or experimental conditions, or the need for case control studies among male high risk groups. 2 points are made about the lack of statistical power and selection bias. Vasectomy may act as a co-risk factor. The risk is low and only appears in some groups of already high risk men with hypercholesterolemia and familial hypertension. The total number of high risk men is low, which means lack of statistical power. The 2nd point is that accessibility may present a selection bias, where patients elect not to have a vasectomy because of bad health or doctors may reject individuals in bad health or long term risk factors. The psychological aspects as reported show 90% of men satisfied with having has a vasectomy. There is not notable change in frequency of sexual relations or sexual desire. Studies have not been done which take into account cultural differences, and do not reflect comparisons with the before period. Interpretations and cross study comparisons lack uniformity and clarity. Reduced sexual relations could be considered appropriate for a couple requesting sterilization, and frequent sexual activity post operation could mean insecurity. Future studies might monitor closely the real life experiences to answer the why vasectomy, how adjusted, and so on. All the studies are restricted by limited options questions. Of concern is whether the man selected the right choice. Compared to costs, failure rate, and complications of tubal ligation, it is hoped that vasectomy continues as a viable and available method for couples.
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PMID:Does vasectomy have long-term effects on somatic and psychological health status? 209 10

A recombinant beta-galactosidase gene has been expressed in a specific arterial segment in vivo by direct infection with a murine amphotropic retroviral vector or by DNA transfection with the use of liposomes. Several cell types in the vessel wall were transduced, including endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells. After retroviral infection, a recombinant reporter gene was expressed for at least 5 months, and no helper virus was detected. Recombinant gene expression achieved by direct retroviral infection or liposome-mediated DNA transfection was limited to the site of infection and was absent from liver, lung, kidney, and spleen. These results demonstrate that site-specific gene expression can be achieved by direct gene transfer in vivo and could be applied to the treatment of such human diseases as atherosclerosis or cancer.
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PMID:Site-specific gene expression in vivo by direct gene transfer into the arterial wall. 211 55

We reviewed the toxicologic, clinical, and epidemiologic evidence on the health effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). For each type of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke we have sought articles in the English language reporting studies of effects on human health. Formal criteria that stressed study design, quality of execution and generalizability of results were used to select 116 scientifically admissible reports from over 2,900 articles. We concluded that: (a) there is strong evidence of an association between residential exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and both respiratory illness and reduction of lung function, and also between maternal smoking and reduced birth weight; (b) the weight of evidence is compatible with an association between active maternal smoking during pregnancy and increased infant mortality, and also between residential exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (primarily spousal smoking) and the risk of lung cancer; (c) there is evidence consistent with a relationship between exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in the workplace and respiratory symptoms, (d) the evidence is insufficient to implicate residential exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in relation to other forms of malignant disease or congenital malformations; (e) there is no evidence in the literature of an association between nonresidential exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and any form of cancer. Further studies are required to address the effects of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, especially nonresidential exposure, in carcinogenesis and as a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Further work is also needed to improve measurement of exposure in such studies and to assess the importance of confounding factors.
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PMID:Links between passive smoking and disease: a best-evidence synthesis. A report of the Working Group on Passive Smoking. 174 24

The concept that lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a surrogate for ascorbate is suggested by the fact that this lipoprotein is found generally in the blood of primates and the guinea pig, which have lost the ability to synthesize ascorbate, but only rarely in the blood of other animals. Properties of Lp(a) that are shared with ascorbate, in accordance with this hypothesis, are the acceleration of wound healing and other cell-repair mechanisms, the strengthening of the extracellular matrix (e.g., in blood vessels), and the prevention of lipid peroxidation. High plasma Lp(a) is associated with coronary heart disease and other forms of atherosclerosis in humans, and the incidence of cardiovascular disease is decreased by elevated ascorbate. Similar observations have been made in cancer and diabetes. We have formulated the hypothesis that Lp(a) is a surrogate for ascorbate in humans and other species and have marshaled the evidence bearing on this hypothesis.
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PMID:Hypothesis: lipoprotein(a) is a surrogate for ascorbate. 214 82


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