Orbital inflammatory tumor, another common
feature was rather specific to GPA (23/349, 6.6% (P=0.0001)) compared to other SNV. The literature on ophthalmologic manifestations of SNV is limited to case reports except for GPA, in which the eye involvement frequency ranged from 29% to 57%.
Conclusions: Eye manifestations were more common in GPA than MPA, PAN and EGPA, but can be sight-threatening in any SNV. Given the heterogeneity of ophthalmologic involvement in SNV, close collaboration between the ophthalmologists and internists is critical. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Semin Arthritis Rheum 42:507-514″
“Traditionally, the incidence of testicular cancer (TCa) has shown a remarkable geographical variation.
To examine whether the rates of TCa varied within Ireland itself and to find
possible explanations for any observations made.
We observed the incidence of TCa in counties in Ireland between January 1994 and December 2007. The rate of cryptorchidism over the same time was calculated. Incidence of TCa by socio-economic status was reviewed. The role of environmental pollutants was explored. We analysed teenage obesity data as a risk factor for the development of TCa in adulthood.
Cork had a significantly higher rate of TCa than any other county in Ireland. Cork also had high rates of cryptorchidism, but interestingly not the highest nationwide. In Cork County specifically, least deprived areas had significantly higher rates of TCa. Organic pollutants previously linked to the development of TCa have been identified in large industries located only in Cork. Teenage obesity rates in Cork were not higher than elsewhere.
There is a higher incidence rate of TCa in Cork than any other county. High rates of cryptorchidism alone cannot explain this. There appears to be a link with higher
socio-economic status and possibly industrial pollutants. The association between sedentary lifestyle and the development of TCa is unproven.”
“Study Design. We collected the specimens of lumbar intervertebral discs from patients with discogenic low back pain, to study the histopathological features and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expressions.
Objective. To study the expression and role of CTGF in fibrosis and degeneration of painful disc tissue.
Summary of Background Data. Previous studies have demonstrated that degenerative disc commonly showed fibrosis in histology. CTGF, a downstream effector mediated by transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), is commonly related to tissue fibrosis. We do not know whether CTGF is expressed in painful disc, and related to painful disc degeneration and fibrosis.
Methods.