Annals of medicine
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Abstract Suicide is a major public health concern. The etiology and pathogenic mechanisms associated with suicidal behavior are poorly understood. Recent research on the biological perspective of suicide has gained momentum and appears to provide a promising approach for identifying potential risk factors associated with this disorder. ⋯ Recent studies also demonstrate abnormalities in the functioning of BDNF, because its cognate receptors (tropomycin receptor kinase B and pan75 neurotrophin receptor) are abnormally active and/or expressed in the post-mortem brains of suicide subjects. There is further evidence of the role of BDNF in suicide as numerous studies show a strong association of suicidal behavior with BDNF functional polymorphism. Overall, it appears that abnormalities in BDNF signaling may serve as an important biological risk factor in the etiology and pathogenesis of suicide.
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by an uncontrolled spread of destructive joint inflammation resembling malignancy. Epidemiological studies have established strong correlation between inflammation and predisposition for cancer. Here we assess the predictive role of the circulating proto-oncogene survivin for clinical and radiological outcome of early RA. ⋯ Detection of survivin in early RA predicted joint destruction and failure of achieving remission after 5 years in patients with early RA.
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We aimed to characterize the expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) or IDO-induced tryptophan degradation-dependent pathways, which may lead to suppression of T cells and possible protection against atherosclerosis. ⋯ IDO and the IDO-related pathway are important mediators of the immunoinflammatory responses in advanced atherosclerosis offering new viable therapeutic targets for the development of antiatherogenic immunosuppressive therapies.
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The increasing awareness of cost issues in health care has led to the increasing use of policy-driven substitution of branded for generic medications, particularly relative to statin treatment for cardiovascular diseases. While there are potential short-term health care savings, the consequences for primary care are under-researched. Our objective was to review data on intensive statin therapy and generic substitution in patients at high cardiovascular risk. ⋯ Substitution of generic statins may be cost-saving, particularly at the primary prevention level. However, statin substitution policies have not been adequately studied on a population level. Data raise concern that mandated statin substitution may lead to unfavourable treatment choices at the level of the individual high-risk patient.
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Comparative Study
Effects of weight loss on visceral and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue blood-flow and insulin-mediated glucose uptake in healthy obese subjects.
Rapid weight loss with very-low-calorie diet (VLCD) is known to improve insulin sensitivity and decrease adipose tissue masses. The aim was to investigate the effects of VLCD on adipose tissue regional glucose uptake (rGU) and perfusion and their association with adipokines. ⋯ Abdominal adipose tissue perfusion and rGU are not related in obesity. Rapid weight loss decreases perfusion through adipose tissue depots but has no influence on rGU demonstrating the 'sink' role of adipose tissue.