Versican belongs to the family of the large aggregating chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans located primarily within the extracellular matrix （ECM）. Versican, like other members of its family, has unique N- and C-term...Versican belongs to the family of the large aggregating chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans located primarily within the extracellular matrix （ECM）. Versican, like other members of its family, has unique N- and C-terminal globular regions, each with multiple motifs. A large glycosaminoglycan-binding region lies between them. This review will begin by outlining these structures, in the context of ECM proteoglycans. The diverse binding partners afforded to versican by virtue of its modular design will then be examined. These include ECM components, such as hyaluronan, type Ⅰ collagen, tenascin-R, fibulin-1, and -2, fibrillin-1, fibronectin, P- and L-selectins, and chemokines. Versican also binds to the cell surface proteins CD44, integrin β1, epidermal growth factor receptor, and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1. These multiple interactors play important roles in cell behaviour, and the roles of versican in modulating such processes are discussed.展开更多
Knowledge of student smoking behaviors and attitudes was sought to inform a proposal to implement a smoke-free university campus. This study assessed prevalence of student smoking and quitting behaviors and associated...Knowledge of student smoking behaviors and attitudes was sought to inform a proposal to implement a smoke-free university campus. This study assessed prevalence of student smoking and quitting behaviors and associated demographic, contextual and attitudinal factors. A cross-sectional design using a convenience sample on a single university site was utilized. Data were collected by anonymous self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using bivariate and multivariable logistic models comparing smokers and non-smokers (Model 1) and daily with occasional smokers Model 2. Of 739 respondents, 19% of students smoked;12% occasional (non-daily) and 7% daily smokers. Smokers were more likely to be ≥22 years and to allow smoking inside their accommodation (Model 1). They were less likely to agree that tobacco was addictive and to consider those who smoked at parties and weekends to be regular smokers. In Model 2, daily smokers were older and nine times more likely to report increased difficulty in handling stress if they quit smoking. Forty-four percent of all smokers had attempted to quit in the past year, 35% of smokers intended to quit in the next 30 days and 53% in the next six months. Forty percent did not use quitting supports. Occasional rather than daily smoking was more prevalent in university students. Smokers differed from non-smokers in their perception of smoking-related health risks. Increasing age was the best predictor of regular and occasional smoking. Intentions to quit smoking and quit attempts were high among all smokers although use of on-site cessation supports was less than the optimal. These combined factors indicate a need for better targeting of our prevention strategies and the need to promote greater awareness of cessation supports for successful implementation of a smoke-free campus.展开更多
We examined the role of clindamycin prick and intradermal skin testing in a tertiary care clinic population. Experience with diagnostic modalities such as prick and intradermal testing has been limited with clindamyci...We examined the role of clindamycin prick and intradermal skin testing in a tertiary care clinic population. Experience with diagnostic modalities such as prick and intradermal testing has been limited with clindamycin. A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients with immunologic reactions temporally associated with clindamycin who were referred to the Drug Safety Clinic (Toronto, Ontario). A total of 31 patients were identified who had undergone prick and intradermal skin testing. All 31 negative immediate prick and intradermal tests were followed by a 150 mg oral dose of clindamycin. 10/31 (32% ) subjects had significant reactions to the oral clindamycin provocation. 2 patients reported delayed reactions at the clindamycin intradermal test sites. Our experience suggests that prick and intradermal skin testing is not adequate in identifying patients with previous allergic reactions associated with clindamycin. Oral provocation tests can be used in patients with histories of clindamycin adverse reactions; however, it should be offered on a risk-benefit basis.展开更多
Background: Atherosclerosis and sepsis share several pathophysiological similarities, including immune dysregulation, increased thrombogenesis, and systemic inflammation. The relation between statins and risk of sepsi...Background: Atherosclerosis and sepsis share several pathophysiological similarities, including immune dysregulation, increased thrombogenesis, and systemic inflammation. The relation between statins and risk of sepsis in patients with atherosclerosis is unknown. Methods: We did a population-based cohort analysis through linked administrative databases in Ontario, Canada, with accrual from 1997 to 2002. We identified 141 487 patients older than 65 years who had been hospitalised for an acute coronary syndrome, ischaemic stroke, or revascularisation, who survived for at least 3 months after discharge. 46 662(33% ) were prescribed a statin within 90 days of discharge, 94 825(67% ) were not. Propensity-based matching, which accounted for each individual s likelihood of receiving a statin, yielded a cohort of 69 168 patients, of whom half(34 584) received a statin and half(34 584) did not. Findings: Incidence of sepsis was lower in patients receiving statins than in controls(71.2 vs 88.0 events per 10 000 person-years; hazard ratio [HR] 0.81; 95% CI 0.72-0.91). Adjustment for demographic characteristics, sepsis risk factors, comorbidities, and health-care use gave similar results(HR 0.81; 95% CI 0.72-0.90). The protective association between statins and sepsis persisted in high-risk subgroups,including patients with diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, or a history of infections. Significant reductions in severe sepsis(HR 0.83; 95% CI 0.70-0.97) and fatal sepsis(0.75; 0.61-0.93) were also observed. No benefit was noted with non-statin lipid-lowering agents(0.95; 0.75-1.22). Implications: Use of statins in patients with atherosclerosis is associated with a reduced risk of subsequent sepsis. Randomised trials of statins for prevention of sepsis are warranted.展开更多
文摘Versican belongs to the family of the large aggregating chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans located primarily within the extracellular matrix （ECM）. Versican, like other members of its family, has unique N- and C-terminal globular regions, each with multiple motifs. A large glycosaminoglycan-binding region lies between them. This review will begin by outlining these structures, in the context of ECM proteoglycans. The diverse binding partners afforded to versican by virtue of its modular design will then be examined. These include ECM components, such as hyaluronan, type Ⅰ collagen, tenascin-R, fibulin-1, and -2, fibrillin-1, fibronectin, P- and L-selectins, and chemokines. Versican also binds to the cell surface proteins CD44, integrin β1, epidermal growth factor receptor, and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1. These multiple interactors play important roles in cell behaviour, and the roles of versican in modulating such processes are discussed.
文摘Knowledge of student smoking behaviors and attitudes was sought to inform a proposal to implement a smoke-free university campus. This study assessed prevalence of student smoking and quitting behaviors and associated demographic, contextual and attitudinal factors. A cross-sectional design using a convenience sample on a single university site was utilized. Data were collected by anonymous self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using bivariate and multivariable logistic models comparing smokers and non-smokers (Model 1) and daily with occasional smokers Model 2. Of 739 respondents, 19% of students smoked;12% occasional (non-daily) and 7% daily smokers. Smokers were more likely to be ≥22 years and to allow smoking inside their accommodation (Model 1). They were less likely to agree that tobacco was addictive and to consider those who smoked at parties and weekends to be regular smokers. In Model 2, daily smokers were older and nine times more likely to report increased difficulty in handling stress if they quit smoking. Forty-four percent of all smokers had attempted to quit in the past year, 35% of smokers intended to quit in the next 30 days and 53% in the next six months. Forty percent did not use quitting supports. Occasional rather than daily smoking was more prevalent in university students. Smokers differed from non-smokers in their perception of smoking-related health risks. Increasing age was the best predictor of regular and occasional smoking. Intentions to quit smoking and quit attempts were high among all smokers although use of on-site cessation supports was less than the optimal. These combined factors indicate a need for better targeting of our prevention strategies and the need to promote greater awareness of cessation supports for successful implementation of a smoke-free campus.
文摘We examined the role of clindamycin prick and intradermal skin testing in a tertiary care clinic population. Experience with diagnostic modalities such as prick and intradermal testing has been limited with clindamycin. A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients with immunologic reactions temporally associated with clindamycin who were referred to the Drug Safety Clinic (Toronto, Ontario). A total of 31 patients were identified who had undergone prick and intradermal skin testing. All 31 negative immediate prick and intradermal tests were followed by a 150 mg oral dose of clindamycin. 10/31 (32% ) subjects had significant reactions to the oral clindamycin provocation. 2 patients reported delayed reactions at the clindamycin intradermal test sites. Our experience suggests that prick and intradermal skin testing is not adequate in identifying patients with previous allergic reactions associated with clindamycin. Oral provocation tests can be used in patients with histories of clindamycin adverse reactions; however, it should be offered on a risk-benefit basis.
文摘Background: Atherosclerosis and sepsis share several pathophysiological similarities, including immune dysregulation, increased thrombogenesis, and systemic inflammation. The relation between statins and risk of sepsis in patients with atherosclerosis is unknown. Methods: We did a population-based cohort analysis through linked administrative databases in Ontario, Canada, with accrual from 1997 to 2002. We identified 141 487 patients older than 65 years who had been hospitalised for an acute coronary syndrome, ischaemic stroke, or revascularisation, who survived for at least 3 months after discharge. 46 662(33% ) were prescribed a statin within 90 days of discharge, 94 825(67% ) were not. Propensity-based matching, which accounted for each individual s likelihood of receiving a statin, yielded a cohort of 69 168 patients, of whom half(34 584) received a statin and half(34 584) did not. Findings: Incidence of sepsis was lower in patients receiving statins than in controls(71.2 vs 88.0 events per 10 000 person-years; hazard ratio [HR] 0.81; 95% CI 0.72-0.91). Adjustment for demographic characteristics, sepsis risk factors, comorbidities, and health-care use gave similar results(HR 0.81; 95% CI 0.72-0.90). The protective association between statins and sepsis persisted in high-risk subgroups,including patients with diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, or a history of infections. Significant reductions in severe sepsis(HR 0.83; 95% CI 0.70-0.97) and fatal sepsis(0.75; 0.61-0.93) were also observed. No benefit was noted with non-statin lipid-lowering agents(0.95; 0.75-1.22). Implications: Use of statins in patients with atherosclerosis is associated with a reduced risk of subsequent sepsis. Randomised trials of statins for prevention of sepsis are warranted.
