In humans, low serum HSP27 levels are associated with the presence of coronary artery disease and prognostic of future adverse clinical events. In mouse models of atherosclerosis, increasing HSP27 levels reduced lesion progression and promoted features of plaque stability. Serum HSP27 levels may represent a potential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.
Numerous clinical trials have demonstrated early reductions in cardiovascular events occurring independently of the lipid-lowering effects of statins. These pleiotropic effects have been attributed to antiinflammatory properties, to atherosclerotic plaque stabilization, and more recently to mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Our aim was to evaluate the evidence supporting statin-induced EPC mobilization in humans. We, therefore, performed a computerized literature search and systematic review of randomized trials to determine the effect of statin therapy and statin dosing on circulating EPC numbers. Our literature search identified 10 studies including 479 patients which met inclusion criteria with publication dates ranging from 2005 to 2011. Seven studies compared statin to nonstatin regimens whereas 3 studied low versus high-dose statin therapy. Reported increases in EPC number ranged from 25.8% to 223.5% with a median reported increase of 70.2% when compared to nonstatin regimens with 7 of 10 studies reporting significant increases. Considerable heterogeneity exists in regard to patient population, statin regimens, and the definition of an EPC within the identified studies. In conclusion, randomized studies in humans suggest that statin therapy mobilizes EPCs into the circulation. Larger randomized studies using uniform definitions are needed to definitively establish this effect.
Background
We aim to describe the general characteristics of how the Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail reports on opioid-related news, the opioid crisis and its victims, and explore how Canadians’ perceptions of the opioid crisis could have developed over time from this reporting. The Globe and Mail has the highest circulation among Canadian newspapers and is Canada’s newspaper of record.
Methods
Reviewers performed independent, blinded bibliometric searches of all The Globe and Mail articles archived in the Canadian Periodicals Index Quarterly spanning an 18-year period (1 January 2000–1 June 2018) related to the keywords “opioids” or “drugs and opioids” and “opiates”. Independently and in duplicate, reviewers manually extracted qualitative data from articles and identified emergent themes. Articles were screened independently by both reviewers based on the inclusion criteria. Conflicts were resolved by discussion and consensus. Social representation theory was used as a framework for describing how the opioid crisis is portrayed in Canada.
Results
Our search yielded 650 relevant opioid articles. The number of articles peaked in 2009, 2012, and in 2016, coinciding with major developments in the epidemic. The language used in this discourse has evolved over the years and has slowly shifted towards less stigmatizing language. Content analysis of the articles revealed common social representations attributing responsibility to pharmaceutical companies, physicians, and foreign countries.
Conclusions
The Globe and Mail’s coverage of the opioid crisis is focused on basic social representations and attributed responsibility for the crisis to a few collectives. A shift toward coverage of the root causes of the opioid epidemic could positively influence the general public’s perception of the opioid crisis and promote deeper understanding of the issue. Journalists face several obstacles to achieve greater focus and framing of the opioid crisis; a closer working relationship between the media and the research community is needed.
1. Isolated renal tubules were prepared from vitamin D-deficient chicks. The effects of added prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and agents which modify prostaglandin metabolism on the metabolism of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 were studied. 2. Frusemide (0.1 mmol/l) raised the prostaglandin E (PGE) content of the tubule incubation medium; it significantly increased 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] production from 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 [25-(OH)D3] and significantly inhibited the net production of 24,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 [24,25-(OH)2D3]. 3. Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin; 0.1 mmol/l) decreased the PGE content of the tubule incubation medium and significantly inhibited 1,25-(OH)2D3 production. 4. In the presence of 1,25-(OH)2D3, 4 h exposure of tubules from vitamin D-deficient chicks to concentrations of PGE2 between 2.8 X 10(-6) and 2.8 X 10(-8) mol/l significantly enhanced 1,25-(OH)2D3 production. 5. It is concluded that, in view of the effects of modulation of endogenous prostaglandin levels by frusemide in aspirin, and the stimulatory effect of exogenous PGE2, prostaglandins should be considered potential regulators of the renal 25-hydroxy-vitamin D-1 alpha-hydroxylase [25-(OH)D-1 alpha-hydroxylase] enzyme.
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