Statin Effects on Vascular Calcification: Microarchitectural Changes in Aortic Calcium Deposits in Aged Hyperlipidemic Mice.

[Figure: see text].

Serotonin receptor type 2B activation augments TNF-α-induced matrix mineralization in murine valvular interstitial cells.

Calcification, fibrosis, and chronic inflammation are the predominant features of calcific aortic valve disease, a life-threatening condition. Drugs that induce serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) are known to damage valves, and activated platelets, which carry peripheral serotonin, are known to promote calcific aortic valve stenosis. However, the role of 5-HT in valve leaflet pathology is not known.

Changes in microarchitecture of atherosclerotic calcification assessed by F-NaF PET and CT after a progressive exercise regimen in hyperlipidemic mice.

Background: Despite the association of physical activity with improved cardiovascular outcomes and the association of high coronary artery calcification (CAC) scores with poor prognosis, elite endurance athletes have increased CAC. Yet, they nevertheless have better cardiovascular survival. We hypothesized that exercise may transform vascular calcium deposits to a more stable morphology.

Surveillance programs for chronic viral hepatitis in three health departments.

Although chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C are diseases of public health importance, only a few health departments nationally have chronic viral hepatitis under surveillance; these programs rely primarily on direct reporting by medical laboratories. We conducted an evaluation to determine if lessons from these programs can guide other health departments. Between December 2002 and February 2003, we visited the Connecticut Department of Public Health, the Multnomah County Health Department in Portland, Oregon, and the Minnesota Department of Health to determine the capacity of their chronic hepatitis registries to monitor trends and provide case management.

An epidemiologic summary of the hepatitis C epidemic in Minnesota.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been described as a "silent epidemic" because the majority of HCV cases are clinically asymptomatic. This presents challenges in identification and diagnosis of HCV infection. Between 1990 and 2001, the Minnesota Department of Health received 16,913 reports of HCV enzyme immunoassay (EIA) positive cases, which represent the tip of the HCV prevalence iceberg.