Viral Etiology, Clinical Features and Antibiotic Use in Children <5 Years of Age in the Gambia Presenting With Influenza-like Illness.

Background: Knowledge regarding the prevalence, clinical features and etiology of pediatric influenza-like illness (ILI) remains limited in African settings. Furthermore, it is likely that many children presenting with ILI receive antibiotics unnecessarily. More data are required to develop antimicrobial stewardship practice and guide effective vaccine strategies.

Sodium thiocyanate treatment attenuates atherosclerotic plaque formation and improves endothelial regeneration in mice.

Introduction: Atherosclerotic plaque formation is an inflammatory process that involves the recruitment of neutrophil granulocytes and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS formation by myeloperoxidase, a key enzyme in H2O2 degradation, can be modulated by addition of sodium thiocyanate (NaSCN). However, the therapeutic use of NaSCN to counteract atherogenesis has been controversial, because MPO oxidizes NaSCN to hypothiocyanous acid, which is a reactive oxygen species itself.

Anti-atherosclerotic effects of serelaxin in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

Background And Aims: Serelaxin (SLX) is a recombinant form of human relaxin-2, a naturally occurring peptide that regulates maternal cardiovascular adaptations to pregnancy. It is unclear whether SLX has a therapeutic effect on atherosclerosis. Therefore, we investigated direct vascular effects of SLX in a mouse model of atherosclerosis.

Neutrophil-derived myeloperoxidase promotes atherogenesis and neointima formation in mice.

Background: Myeloperoxidase (MPO), expressed mainly in neutrophils, is an enzyme linked to inflammation and oxidative stress. MPO is an independent prognostic marker in healthy individuals as well as in patients with coronary artery disease. In this present study we analyze the role of MPO in experimental atherogenesis and neointima formation after vascular injury in mice.

Impact of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ on angiotensin II type 1 receptor-mediated insulin sensitivity, vascular inflammation and atherogenesis in hypercholesterolemic mice.

Introduction: The angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. A number of studies have reported that AT1R inhibition or genetic AT1R disruption and PPARγ activation inhibit vascular inflammation and improve glucose and lipid metabolism, underscoring a molecular interaction of AT1R and PPARγ. We here analyzed the hypothesis that vasculoprotective anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects of AT1R inhibition are mediated by PPARγ.

Community-acquired Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, Montréal, 2005-2006: frequency estimates and their validity.

A retrospective search for community-acquired Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea in 15 hospitals revealed important discrepancies with numbers for the same period reported in real time to the surveillance system. Several of the observed problems could be solved by implementing case-by-case notification with subsequent investigation by local public health, as for other reportable diseases.

[Influenza prevention, surveillance, and control in long term care facilities].

Objective: Describe the implementation of various activities suggested in the guide entitled Prevention, surveillance et contrôle de l'influenza en milieu d'hébergement et de soins de longue durée (CHSLD) au Quebec, distributed in 2000 to Montréal-area CHSLD.

Method: The study was conducted in 2001 among 57 CHSLDs (39 public institutions and 18 private institutions under agreement) in Montréal. A self-administered questionnaire collected data on the characteristics of the centres and main activities recommended in the guide.