European journal of clinical investigation
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Oct 2010
ReviewStandard treatment of Ph+ CML in 2010: how, when and where not to use what BCR/ABL1 kinase inhibitor?
Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is a haematopoietic neoplasm characterised by the BCR/ABL1 oncoprotein. In chronic phase CML, the neoplastic clone exhibits multilineage differentiation and maturation capacity. The BCR/ABL1 kinase blocker imatinib shows major antileukaemic effects in most patients and is considered standard frontline therapy. ⋯ For highly resistant patients, haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an alternative option. Treatment decisions and the selection of drugs are based on the presence and type of BCR/ABL1 mutation(s), phase of disease, other disease-related variables and patient-related factors including age, compliance and co-morbidity. The current review provides an overview on standards in the diagnosis and therapy in CML, with special reference to novel BCR/ABL1 inhibitors.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Oct 2010
ReviewChrousos syndrome: a seminal report, a phylogenetic enigma and the clinical implications of glucocorticoid signalling changes.
Glucocorticoids regulate a broad spectrum of physiologic functions and play important roles in resting and stress homeostasis. Their actions are mediated by the nuclear glucocorticoid receptor (GR). ⋯ In recognition of Professor George P. Chrousos' extensive ground-breaking research in this field, and for the sake of brevity, we propose that 'Chrousos syndrome' is used instead of 'Primary Generalized Familial or Sporadic Glucocorticoid Resistance'.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Oct 2010
Effect of acute hyperglycaemia on sensory processing in diabetic autonomic neuropathy.
Acute hyperglycaemia is known to increase gastrointestinal (GI) sensitivity in healthy subjects and may contribute to the increased prevalence of GI symptoms in diabetes patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of acute hyperglycaemia on perception and brain responses to painful visceral and somatic stimuli in diabetic patients. ⋯ Acute hyperglycaemia itself does not contribute to the sensations in patients with longstanding diabetes and autonomic neuropathy. Any potential sensory effects of acute hyperglycaemia can likely be blurred by the neuropathic-like changes in the sensory nervous system.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Oct 2010
ReviewThe recent breakthroughs in the understanding of host genomics in hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is spontaneously resolved in about 30% of acutely infected individuals. In those who progress to chronic hepatitis C, HCV therapy permanently eradicates infection in about 40% of cases. It has long been suspected that host genetic factors are key determinants for the control of HCV infection. ⋯ These findings provide strong genetic evidence for the influence of interferon-λ for both the natural and treatment-induced control of HCV infection, and support the further investigation of interferon-λ for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Furthermore, genetic testing before HCV therapy could provide important information towards an individualized HCV treatment.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Aug 2010
Structural changes in exon 11 of MEF2A are not related to sporadic coronary artery disease in Han Chinese population.
A mutation in MEF2A (myocyte enhancer factor-2A) had been reported to be the first gene linked directly to coronary artery disease (CAD). However, an opposing opinion was proposed recently that MEF2A mutations are not a common cause of sporadic CAD. In this study, we screened exon 11 of the MEF2A gene in people of the Han nationality in China and finished some functional analysis of found variations. ⋯ Our results reveal that structural changes of exon 11 in MEF2A are not involved in sporadic CAD in the Han population of China.