Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research
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This study investigated the prognostic value of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). ⋯ High NGAL levels may be associated with poor prognosis after PCI in patients with STEMI. However, further studies with larger numbers of patients and longer follow-up are required to evaluate the usefulness of plasma NGAL level for predicting prognosis of STEMI.
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The fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene has recently attracted attention as one of the obesity-related genes. Obesity-related gene polymorphisms may be associated with the development of atherothrombosis in relation to platelets. The present study investigated the association between FTO gene polymorphisms (rs1558902, T/A) and hematological parameters, in particular the platelet counts. ⋯ The subjects with the A-allele (n = 73) showed significantly higher platelet counts than those without the A-allele (mean [SD], 237 [58] vs 217 [57] × 10/L, P < 0.05). Even when multiple-adjusted analyses were performed, the platelet counts continued to differ significantly and independently of other variables, including obesity-related parameters such as the index of insulin resistance or high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, between the subjects with and without the A-allele. The FTO gene polymorphisms may be associated with the minor but significant modulation of platelet counts in this population.
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In 2005, results from the Arimidex, Tamoxifen Alone or in Combination (ATAC) trial ushered in a new era of endocrine therapy for hormone-responsive malignancies. This study demonstrated that, compared with tamoxifen (a selective estrogen receptor modulator), anastrozole (aromatase inhibitor [AI]) prolonged time to recurrence and disease-free survival for postmenopausal women with breast cancer. The advantage was even greater for those with estrogen receptor-positive (ER) tumors, and anastrozole was better tolerated than tamoxifen. ⋯ Aromatase inhibitors and CYP17A1 inhibitors will be widely used by oncologists, yet fellowship programs provide little training in steroid biosynthesis, compared with training in the biology of standard chemotherapies. Consequently, these drugs might be used without an appreciation of their caveats and pitfalls. The purpose of this review was to acquaint practicing oncologists with the fundamental principles and pathways of steroid biosynthesis, to improve their understanding of how and why these drugs work, and to alert these physicians to potential problems related to the drugs' mechanisms of action.