Presse Med
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OPPORTUNISTIC PARASITES: Microsporidia are primitive eukaryotic parasites widespread in a large range of animal species. These opportunistic parasites can cause infections in humans, mainly in immunocompromised patients.
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There are few data in the literature concerning care provided to very elderly subjects referred to emergency care units. The emergency room setting would not be particularly adapted to management of this rising population. The purpose of our work was to assess the frequency of referral to emergency care units, the characteristics of the elderly population, and patient management. ⋯ "Very elderly" patients are frequently addressed to emergency care units by their primary care physician. They have severe conditions with major handicaps that largely explain their hospitalization. Our results point out possible improvements for care in the emergency unit.
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KIDNEY DISEASE AND HYPERTENSION: Hypertension is increasingly associated to renal insufficiency leading to end stage renal damage (ESRD), through several mechanisms involving renal vasculature. Ten to 25% of new ESRD patients are now categorized as hypertensive nephropathy and vascular renal disease.
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ATHEROSCLEROSIS: Currently regarded as a multifactorial disease, atherosclerosis involves several factor including: oxidized LDL, endothelial cells, macrophages, immune cells, vascular smooth muscle cells. The endothelium appears to play a key role through the production of vasomotor, antiaggregate and leukocyte antiadhesion molecules. NITRIC OXIDE: NO is one of the most important mediators of endothelial antiatherothrombotic functions. Loss of endothelial production, called "endothelial dysfunction", i.e. loss of endothelial vasorelaxing, antiaggregate and leukocyte antiadhesion properties, could lead to increased fatty streak formation and acute arterial events (thrombus formation, vascular spasm).