Objective: Recent reports of animal models have shown that growth factors have stimulating effect on brain perfusion via the development of blood vessels. However, studies on the effect of growth factors on brain perfusion in humans are lacking. The aim of our study was to prospectively investigate in humans the relation between growth factors and brain perfusion.
Methods: We analyzed circulating levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating growth factor (GM-CSF), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in 121 consecutive patients (99 men and 22 women, age 58+/-10 years) who were enrolled in a prospective cohort study of patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic disease. In all patients regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF; in mL/min/100g) measurements were performed with arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging. Cerebrovascular risk factors were assessed by means of a questionnaire and physical, ultrasonographic and laboratory examination.
Results: Increasing levels of TNFalpha were significantly associated with a higher rCBF (beta=7.0; 95% confidence interval 0.7; 13.9), independent of the presence of cerebrovascular risk factors. No significant association was found for VEGF, GM-CSF and bFGF.
Conclusions: Increasing levels of TNFalpha are associated with increased rCBF, independent of the presence of cerebrovascular risk factors.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2006.11.041 | DOI Listing |
Med Sci Monit
December 2024
Department of Neurology, HangZhou Third People's Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
BACKGROUND This study aimed to analyze the risk factors of central nervous system (CNS) infection caused by reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV) and provide reference for the prevention and early diagnosis of VZV-associated CNS infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS A prospective study was conducted on 1030 patients with acute herpes zoster (HZ) admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to June 2023. According to clinical manifestations and auxiliary examinations, they were divided into HZ group of 990 patients and VZV-associated CNS infection group of 40 patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
December 2024
Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
Globally, the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) is increasing, accounting for a third of all deaths worldwide including myocardial infarctions (MIs) which represent the most severe clinical manifestation of CAD and are among the most dangerous coronary events. Therefore, this study aims to assess the knowledge of symptoms and risk factors of MIs, as well as attitudes and beliefs regarding MIs and confidence in recognizing CAD symptoms in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among individuals living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between November 2023 and April 2024 to assess their knowledge and beliefs about CAD and MIs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRheumatol Int
December 2024
Department of General Practice N2, South Kazakhstan Medical Academy, Shymkent, Kazakhstan.
We discuss the paper recently published in Rheumatology Internationa. This article reflects on the prevalence of autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2023) and compares the same with the pre-pandemic period (2016-2019). We assume that SARS-CoV-2 triggers ARD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
December 2024
Postgraduate Program in Health and Nutrition, School of Nutrition, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, 35400-000, Brazil.
Atherosclerotic vascular changes can begin during childhood, providing risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adulthood. Identifiable risk factors such as dyslipidemia accelerate this process for some children. The apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene could help explain the inter-individual variability in lipid levels among young individuals and identify groups that require greater attention to prevent CVD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Cardiovasc Transl Res
December 2024
Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
Bufalin, which is isolated from toad venom, exerts positive effects on hearts under pathological circumstance. We aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of bufalin on myocardial I/R injury. In vivo, bufalin ameliorated myocardial I/R injury, which characteristics with better ejection function, decreased infarct size and less apoptosis.
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