Serum VEGF--as a prognostic factor of atherosclerosis.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been noted in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. To examine the usefulness of the serum concentration of VEGF as an index of atherosclerosis, we analyzed the serum VEGF concentrations in 443 adults who underwent a medical checkup. The mean serum VEGF concentration of men (229+/-147 pg/ml) was significantly higher than that of women (182+/-112 pg/ml).

[A case of pseudothrombocytopenia during antibiotic administration].

A 70 year-old woman was prescribed of levofloxacin and ceftriaxone for acute bronchitis. On the seventh day of administration she was hospitalized with a dry cough and a decreased platelet count(2.1 x 10(4)/microliter).