Current medical research and opinion
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Meta Analysis
The impact of VKORC1-1639G > A genetic polymorphism upon warfarin dose requirement in different ethnic populations.
Published data on the association between vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1 (VKORC1)-1639G > A polymorphism and warfarin dose requirement are inconclusive. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. ⋯ This meta-analysis indicated that the VKORC1-1639G > A genetic polymorphism is associated with the variation of interindividual warfarin dose requirement in different ethnic populations.
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Controlled Clinical Trial
Corticotropin-releasing hormone expression in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy after ursodeoxycholic acid treatment: an initial experience.
Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is one of the most potent vasodilatory factors in the human feto-placental circulation. The expression of CRH was significantly down-regulated in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). ⋯ Maternal serum and placental CRH expression in ICP patients were up-regulated after treatment of UDCA. The up-regulation of CRH expression after UDCA treatment may play an important role in the therapeutic mechanism of ICP. All patients recruited in this study had severe cholestasis (TBA ≥ 40 µmol/L). Further studies are warranted in different gestational weeks and TBA levels to provide more evidence for the correlation between UDCA treatment and CRH expression in ICP patients.
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5% lidocaine medicated plasters are a topical option in the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain, as monotherapy or as an adjunct to systemic medication. This study sought to determine the impact of lidocaine plaster use on self-reported pain, functioning and patient satisfaction within a large teaching hospital. ⋯ The results of this study need to be considered within the context of a self-reported survey. However, pain, functioning and patient satisfaction were significantly improved in current users of 5% lidocaine medicated plasters.
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To identify the relationship between glycemic indices and β cell function in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. ⋯ A1C and glycemic variability were both associated with β cell function in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. The main limitations of the present study are the cross-sectional design in nature and the limited sample size.
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Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Indirect comparison of bazedoxifene vs oral bisphosphonates for the prevention of vertebral fractures in postmenopausal osteoporotic women.
Compare the efficacy of bazedoxifene with oral bisphosphonates for reduction of vertebral fracture risk in postmenopausal osteoporotic (PMO) women and in higher-risk patients based on evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). ⋯ The analyses only considered vertebral fractures for oral bisphosphonates versus bazedoxifene, and IPD was available only for bazedoxifene. In light of this, bazedoxifene is comparable to bisphosphonates in the overall PMO population and at least as effective as bisphosphonates for preventing vertebral fractures among higher-risk PMO patients. The findings suggest bazedoxifene performs better in higher-risk PMO than in the overall PMO.