Endothelin-1 is not a Mechanism of IL-17 Induced Hypertension during Pregnancy.

Preeclampsia is characterized as new onset maternal hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks gestation. Studies suggest that endothelin (ET-1) is a regulator of vascular function in preeclampsia and plays a major role in mediating chronic reduction in uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP)-induced hypertension. We recently demonstrated a role for the autoimmune cytokine interleukin 17 (IL-17) in causing placental oxidative stress and hypertension during pregnancy.

Shifting into third gear: current options and controversies in third-year postgraduate family medicine programs in Canada.

Objective: To summarize current options for postgraduate third-year programs in family medicine in Canada and compile current controversies about the expanding number of programs available and the trend toward subspecialization in family medicine.

Design: A literature search was conducted by the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region Library research staff for Canadian family medicine fellowships and residency programs using MEDLINE, PubMed, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature from the beginning of 2005 to September 1, 2011. All available websites for programs offering third-year options were reviewed.

Characterization of corneal stromal stem cells with the potential for epithelial transdifferentiation.

Introduction: The corneal stroma is being increasingly recognized as a repository for stem cells. Like the limbal and endothelial niches, stromal stem cells often reside in the peripheral cornea and limbus. These peripheral and limbal corneal stromal cells (PLCSCs) are known to produce mesenchymal stem cells in vitro.

Cryoballoon ablation for iatrogenic left atrial tachycardia.

Percutaneous and surgical left atrial ablation has been widely used to treat paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation. However, left atrial ablation may result in left atrial tachycardia due to an iatrogenic substrate created by the ablation lesion sets. Ablation of these iatrogenic arrhythmias can be technically challenging, requiring prolonged procedures and the use of three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping systems.

Why we Should Not Delay Ablation in New Onset Recurrent Atrial Fibrillation.

Recurrent episodes of atrial fibrillation are associated with progressive left atrial substrate remodelling over time. We present an argument for early ablation in the treatment of recurrent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation prior to such deleterious changes in "left atrial electrical health".

Skin burns associated with radiofrequency catheter ablation of cardiac arrhythmias.

Skin burns are a rare complication associated with radiofrequency catheter ablation of cardiac arrhythmias. Burns related to the indifferent electrode patch may be severe and result in significant comorbidity. We describe our experience of skin burns and discuss potential predisposing and possible causative factors.

Thrombosis in systemic lupus erythematosus: role of impaired fibrinolysis.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body, including the skin, liver, kidneys, and blood. Thrombosis is a frequent manifestation in SLE, contributing significantly to patient morbidity and mortality, although the precise mechanism(s) of how this occurs remains unclear. Fibrinolysis is the physiologic process of thrombus digestion and provides an important balance to hemostasis.

Eigenanatomy improves detection power for longitudinal cortical change.

We contribute a novel and interpretable dimensionality reduction strategy, eigenanatomy, that is tuned for neuroimaging data. The method approximates the eigendecomposition of an image set with basis functions (the eigenanatomy vectors) that are sparse, unsigned and are anatomically clustered. We employ the eigenanatomy vectors as anatomical predictors to improve detection power in morphometry.

MicroRNA-122-dependent and -independent replication of Hepatitis C Virus in Hep3B human hepatoma cells.

The study of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) has benefitted from the use of the Huh7 cell culture system, but until recently there were no other widely used alternatives to this cell line. Here we render another human hepatoma cell line, Hep3B, permissive to the complete virus life cycle by supplementation with the liver-specific microRNA miR-122, known to aid HCV RNA accumulation. When supplemented, Hep3B cells produce J6/JFH-1 virus titres indistinguishable from those produced by Huh7.

The Haitian Health Cluster Experience: A comparative evaluation of the professional communication response to the 2010 earthquake and the subsequent cholera outbreak.

Unlabelled: The 2010 Haitian earthquake and consequent Cholera epidemic taxed the already fragile health system. A large number of humanitarian organizations participated in the disaster response and the health communication response was analysed. Health Cluster updates from both periods were analysed for contents with a World Health Organization draft check list for monitoring and evaluating the quality of epidemiological data contained in WHO and Health Cluster emergency reports.

Aspirin use after a prostate cancer diagnosis and cancer survival in a prospective cohort.

Experimental and clinical data suggest that aspirin and other nonsteroidal inflammatory drugs may delay the progression of prostate cancer through inhibition of the COX pathway and its effects on cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. Epidemiologic data support a reduced risk of prostate cancer incidence with aspirin use, yet no evidence exists about whether aspirin after diagnosis influences progression or survival. We conducted a prospective study of 3,986 participants of the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, with a prostate cancer diagnosis between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2005.

Mesenchymal stem cells in the human corneal limbal stroma.

Purpose: Peripheral and limbal corneal stromal cells (PLCSCs), which contain keratocytes, have a complex phenotype. Knowledge of keratocyte cell properties, function, and origin is limited. Evidence available thus far has suggested both mesenchymal stromal and hematopoietic characteristics.

Status of epidemiology in the WHO South-East Asia region: burden of disease, determinants of health and epidemiological research, workforce and training capacity.

Background: The South-East Asia region (SEAR) accounts for one-quarter of the world's population, 40% of the global poor and ∼30% of the global disease burden, with a disproportionately large share of tuberculosis (35%), injuries (30%), maternal (33%) and <5-year-old mortality (30%). In this article, we describe the disease burden and status of epidemiological research and capacity in the SEAR to understand, analyse and develop capacity in response to the diverse burdens of diseases in the region.

Methods: Data on morbidity, mortality, risk factors, social determinants, research capacity, health education, workforce and systems in the SEAR were obtained using global data on burden of disease, peer-reviewed journals, World Health Organization (WHO) technical and advisory reports, and where available, validated country reports and key informants from the region.

Traumatic plastic deformation of the tibia: case report and literature review.

Plastic deformation refers to the deformation of a bone, without fracture of its cortices, that persists once the deforming force has been removed. It is not a common condition but is seen more frequently in children than in adults. Of the cases published, there have been only three previous reports of tibial involvement, with the forearm being the most commonly affected site.

Increase in breast cancer incidence among older women in Mumbai: 30-year trends and predictions to 2025.

Background: Increasing trends in the incidence of breast cancer have been observed in India, including Mumbai. These have likely stemmed from an increasing adoption of lifestyle factors more akin to those commonly observed in westernized countries. Analyses of breast cancer trends and corresponding estimation of the future burden are necessary to better plan rationale cancer control programmes within the country.

Activating autoantibodies to the angiotensin II type I receptor play an important role in mediating hypertension in response to adoptive transfer of CD4+ T lymphocytes from placental ischemic rats.

Hypertension in rats with chronic placental ischemia (reduced uterine perfusion pressure, RUPP) is associated with elevated inflammatory cytokines, agonistic autoantibodies to the angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1-AA) and CD4(+) T cells; all of which are elevated in preclamptic women. Additionally, we have shown that adoptive transfer of RUPP CD4(+) T cells increases blood pressure, inflammatory cytokines, and sFlt-1. The objective of this study was to determine the long-term effects of RUPP CD4(+) T cells on AT1-AA, renal and systemic hemodynamics in pregnant rats.

Neu-Laxova syndrome: a prenatal diagnosis.

Neu-Laxova syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive congenital disorder. Prenatal diagnosis is possible via second trimester ultrasonography. Characteristic ultrasound findings include hydramnios, severe intrauterine growth restriction, craniofacial and CNS anomalies, limb contractures, skin lymphedema, skin restrictions, and akinesia.

Development of an adhesive surgical ward round checklist: a technique to improve patient safety.

Checklists have been shown to improve patient outcomes. Checklist use is seen in the pre-operative to post-operative phases of the patient pathway. An adhesive checklist was developed for ward rounds due to the positive impact it could have on improving patient safety.

Intra-isthmus reentry associated with uncorrected double inlet left ventricle and transposition of the great arteries.

A 62-year-old man with uncorrected cyanotic congenital heart disease involving double inlet left ventricle with visceral and atrial situs solitus, L-looped ventricles, L-transposed great vessels, and pulmonary stenosis, presented with recurrent atrial tachycardia. Entrainment mapping revealed the arrhythmia mechanism to be an uncommon micro-reentrant cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent circuit (intra-isthmus reentry), which was amenable to radiofrequency ablation. This uncommon right atrial arrhythmia is yet to be reported in patients with complex congenital heart disease and was amenable to radiofrequency ablation.

Common polymorphisms in the adiponectin and its receptor genes, adiponectin levels and the risk of prostate cancer.

Background: Adiponectin, an insulin-sensitizing adipokine, is inversely associated with adiposity and prostate cancer risk and progression. However, the role of genetic variation in the adiponectin (ADIPOQ) and receptor genes (ADIPOR1/R2) in prostate cancer is largely unknown.

Methods: In a nested case-control study of 1,286 cases and 1,267 controls within the Physicians' Health Study, we evaluated 29 common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in ADIPOQ (n = 13), ADIPOR1 (n = 5), and ADIPOR2 (n = 11) in relation to the risk of prostate cancer.

Health emergencies in large populations: a disaster medicine learning experience.

The Health Emergencies in Large Populations course, organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, is delivered in a decentralized manner by a number of academic centers around the world. It was one of the first formal educational opportunities developed for those in humanitarian assistance organizations, and its initial aim was to upgrade professionalism in humanitarian assistance programs conducted in emergency situations. This article summarizes the history and describes the current content, structure, and costs of the course.