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A well-done meta-analysis showed that green tea, either as a beverage or as a supplement, could help lower total and LDL cholesterol levels in a statistically significant manner, but has no effect on HDL. The degree of clinical impact is debatable; what is not debatable is the poor quality of most studies on green tea and cholesterol.
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This basic science paper explores the role of the tumor microenvironment in the development of tumor resistance to chemotherapy. Two distinct fatty acid molecules, endogenously produced by cancer cells in response to platinum-based chemotherapy drugs, were found to confer significant tumor chemoresistance. Remarkably, these two fatty acids also were shown to be present in several commercial fish oil products, and, of potential import to clinicians, the oral administration of small amounts of these fish oils induced tumor resistance to cisplatin in a mouse tumor model.
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In postmenopausal women, constipation is associated with having major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and increased cardiovascular risk.
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This is the second in a three-part series about the design and conduct of clinical research.
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Sickle cell disease celebrated its 100th anniversary last year, prompting consideration of what has transpired for those with the disease since its description by Dr. James Herrick in 1910.
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The FDA has approved the first fixed-dose combination product for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. This tablet combines a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (sitagliptin) and a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (simvastatin).
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In a large randomized trial of healthy men, dietary supplementation with vitamin E (400 IU/day) significantly increased the risk of prostate cancer.
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In a large community-based cohort of older women, those who self-reported use of multivitamins, vitamin B6, folate, iron, magnesium, zinc, and copper were more likely to die than those who do not. Calcium use, however, was associated with reduced risk.
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The presence of any observed hostility at baseline was associated with a two-fold increased risk of incident ischemic heart disease over a 10-year period of observation.
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The lead II rhythm strip shown above was obtained from a woman with new-onset palpitations. How would you interpret this tracing? How certain are you of your answer? Clinically what would you do?
