Postgraduate medical journal
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Circulating nitric oxide (NO) and lipid levels are closely associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). It is unclear whether the rs1799983 polymorphism in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) gene is associated with plasma levels of NO and lipids. This systematic review and meta-analysis (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) aimed to clarify the relationships between the rs1799983 polymorphism and plasma levels of NO and lipids. ⋯ The association between the NOS3 rs1799983 polymorphism and CAD may be partly mediated by abnormal NO and lipid levels caused by the T allele.
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Aspergillus is a rare but important opportunistic pathogen to invade the central nervous system (CNS). It is a significant pathogen of not only immunocompromised but also immunocompetent patients. Its manifestations are pleiotropic, reflecting multiple mechanisms of pathogenesis and host interactions. ⋯ Several advances have been made in medications and surgical management, yet, current treatment practices lack uniformity. Patient woes are further heightened by the high costs of treatment and prolonged duration of therapy. In view of the challenging aspects of this disease, we present a short review of four challenging cases touching on the varied aspects of management of CNS aspergillosis covering pathogenesis, diagnostic pitfalls, surgical and medical options and evidence-based guidelines for the management of the same.
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Observational Study
TIMI risk score for secondary prevention of recurrent cardiovascular events in a real-world cohort of post-non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients.
Patients who survive non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) are at heightened risk of recurrent cardiovascular events. Data on long-term secondary atherothrombotic risk stratification are limited. ⋯ The TRS 2°P score stratified post-NSTEMI patients for risk of future cardiovascular events and potentially help guide the selection of more aggressive secondary prevention therapy.
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To search out whether or not years of education is causally related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ⋯ The MR analysis supported a potential inverse causative relationship between years of education and development of RA.