Multiple sclerosis (MS) is used as the best example to illustrate the interplay between genetic endowment and environmental effects. The former is widely considered as being the more important one, although there is mounting evidence that environmental factors influence genetic predisposition. The vast majority of environmental epidemiological studies have failed for two major reasons: they have lacked biological plausibility, and they have not considered possible environmental factors operative during the putative period of acquisition of the disease. Lack of diagnostic precision in distinguishing among the inflammatory demyelinating diseases has caused confusion. The role of infectious agents remains controversial: there is little evidence in favor of MS resulting from a specific infection, but the effect of viral infections and vaccinations on the immune system of a genetically vulnerable person remains unresolved.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2007.06.029 | DOI Listing |
Histol Histopathol
January 2025
Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a globally recognized neurodevelopmental condition characterized by repetitive and restrictive behavior, persistent deficits in social interaction and communication, mental disturbances, etc., affecting approximately 1 in 100 children worldwide. A combination of genetic and environmental factors is involved in the etiopathogenesis of the disease, but specific biomarkers have not yet been identified.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Asthma
January 2025
Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India.
Objective: Asthma poses a significant health burden in South Asia, with increasing incidence and mortality despite a global decline in age-standardized prevalence rates. This study aims to analyze asthma trends from 1990 to 2021, focusing on prevalence, incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) across South Asia. The study also assesses the impact of risk factors like high body mass index (BMI), smoking, and occupational exposures on asthma outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTrans R Soc Trop Med Hyg
January 2025
Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK.
Background: Snakebite is a priority neglected tropical disease, but incidence data are lacking; current estimates rely upon incomplete health facility reports or ad hoc surveys. Spatial analysis methods harness statistical associations between case incidence and spatially varying factors to improve estimates. This systematic review aimed to identify variables associated with snakebite risk in spatial and temporal analyses for inclusion in geospatial studies to improve risk estimation accuracy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSubst Use Addctn J
January 2025
Departments of Psychiatry and Clinical and Translational Science, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Introduction: Young childbearing sexual minority (SM) people are more likely to use cannabis and to have an unintended pregnancy than their heterosexual peers; however, little is known about their perceptions and experiences of peripartum cannabis use. This qualitative study explores the relationships young pregnant and parenting SM people have with cannabis, as well as their feelings and opinions about prenatal cannabis use.
Method: Participants who identified as SM from baseline surveys of the YoungMoms study were recruited for semi-structured qualitative interviews (n = 13).
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol
January 2025
Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston. (B.C.-C., N.A.V.G., N.L.P., L.P.E., V.S.K.S., A.M.O., J.L., G.M., O.H., A.D., S.W.Y., C.A.I., K.C.O.M., S. Kotla, J.-i.A.).
Modulating immune function is a critical strategy in cancer and atherosclerosis treatments. For cancer, boosting or maintaining the immune system is crucial to prevent tumor growth. However, in vascular disease, mitigating immune responses can decrease inflammation and slow atherosclerosis progression.
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