The American journal of the medical sciences
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Humans are infected with many viruses, and the immune system mostly removes viruses and the infected cells. However, certain viruses have entered the human genome. Of the human genome, ∼45% is composed of transposable elements (long interspersed nuclear elements [LINEs], short interspersed nuclear elements [SINEs] and transposons) and 5-8% is derived from viral sequences with similarity to infectious retroviruses. ⋯ Second, we review endogenous retroviruses in the human genome and diseases associated with endogenous retroviruses. Third, we discuss the biological functions of endogenous retroviruses and propose the concept of accelerated human evolution via viruses. Finally, we present perspectives of virology in the field of evolutionary medicine.
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Editorial Historical Article
Why Did the United States Medical School Admissions Quota for Jews End?
At the end of World War II anti-Semitism was pervasive in the United States. Quotas to limit the number of Jewish students were put in place at most U. S. medical schools in the 1920s and were well-entrenched by 1945. ⋯ Finally, the federal and several state governments passed nondiscrimination in higher education legislation. The quotas ended because of a combination of changing societal attitudes and government and private social action. This remarkable social change may be instructive as higher education now grapples with allegations of a quota system for Asian-Americans.
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This study analyzed multiple parameters including somatic single nucleotide variations (SNVs), Insertion/Deletions, significantly mutated genes (SMGs), copy number variations and frequently altered pathways aims to discover novel aberrances in the tumorigenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). ⋯ We frequently found novel genes ZNF717, ZNF493, CDR1, ARMC4 and SUMF2 and gains in 10q25.3, which may be functional mutation in CRC. The high-frequency private events such as SNVs confirm the highly heterogeneous mutations found in CRCs. The mutated genes sites in different patients may vary significantly, which may also be more challenging for clinical treatment.
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Case Reports
Influenza With Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Pneumonia.
Patients with community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) pneumonia have poor clinical outcomes and high frequency of mortality, especially in patents with postinfluenza infection. Herein, we report a case of community-acquired pneumonia with multiple organ failure in a 51-year-old patient with initial presentation of flu-like symptoms. The influenza rapid test from the specimen of nasopharyngeal swab was positive for type B influenza virus and was confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. ⋯ We identified the CA-MRSA was staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type IV strain carried Panton-Valentine leukocidin gene. The patient made a complete recovery following an 8-week treatment course of linezolid and was discharged with independent daily activity. According to our experience, linezolid may be a reasonable treatment choice for CA-MRSA pneumonia due to the virulence of exotoxins.
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The biguanide drug metformin is one of the most commonly used medications for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetics are at an increased risk for cancer. Previous studies have demonstrated improved outcomes in patients taking metformin suffering from prostate, colon, lung, thyroid, and esophageal cancers. Metformin's main antineoplastic mechanism of action is thought to be mediated through inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin, inhibition of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) alpha, and activation of p53. We investigated the overall survival of type 2 diabetic patients on metformin with pancreatic cancer and lymphoma using the Computerized Patient Record System at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Memphis TN. ⋯ Metformin is associated with a significant, positive effect of increased overall survival in type 2 diabetes patients with pancreatic cancer and lymphoma. These results are encouraging, and prospective studies should be done to further investigate metformin's effects in cancer.