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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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It would be fair to say that nearly all formal clinical research begins before it is even recognized as such. Observant clinicians note patterns, or what appear to be patterns, in those they treat.
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Death by suicide is a significant occupational hazard for physicians. This is strongly associated with professional burnout, which is characterized by a loss of emotional, mental, and physical energy due to continued job-related stress. Studies have identified three factors that are independently associated with burnout for both surgeons and internal medicine physicians hours worked per week, experiencing a work/home conflict within the last three weeks, and how the most recent work/home conflict was resolved.
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The oral administration of 500,000 IU cholecalciferol in fall or winter resulted in a slightly higher risk of falls and fractures vs placebo in 2,256 community-dwelling women aged 70 and above.
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In a lengthy intervention trial, antibiotic prophylaxis against recurrent urinary tract infections in premenopausal women was more effective than a cranberry extract; however, development of antibiotic resistance was significant.
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The term "reiki" (pronounced "ray-key") comes from two Japanese words, rei, meaning universal spirit, and ki, meaning life energy. Therapies based on this non-physical, vibrational life energy are known as biofield therapies, which include therapeutic touch and healing touch.
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This blinded, randomized, controlled trial found that a biofield therapy and a mock treatment did not differ in their effectiveness in relieving cancer-related fatigue, although they both were significantly better than control. The biofield therapy did lead to significantly greater cortisol variability, which is associated with fatigue.
