1. (Professions) a. a young foreigner, usually a girl, who undertakes housework in exchange for board and lodging, esp in order to learn the language. b. (as modifier): an au pair girl. 2. a young person who lives temporarily with a family abroad in exchange for a reciprocal arrangement with his or her own family.
Atherosclerotic Disease Heredity Mapped. Posted on June 17, 2013, 6 a.m. in Cardio-Vascular Genetics in Disease. People with a parent who has early atherosclerosis of the aorta have a significantly increased risk of developing the disease.
Atherosclerosis is a form of chronic inflammation associated with the secretion of many cytokines, which are produced by T cells, macrophages, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells. Smooth muscle cells in particular produce cytokines that attract and activate leukocytes, induce proliferation of SMCs, promote endothelial cell dysfunction, and stimulate production of extracellular matrix components.