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MEDICAL NEWS: Background:
Animal data show that decreased activity of placental 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11beta-HSD2), which potently inactivates glucocorticoids (e.g. cortisol) to inert forms (cortisone), allows increased access of maternal glucocorticoids to the fetus and ‘programs’ hypertension. Data in humans are limited. We examined in humans the association between venous umbilical cord blood [...]

VIOXX CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT UPDATE:
Partial settlement payments will soon be in the mail to those people who claim that taking Vioxx caused them to suffer heart attacks, the Associated Press is reporting. Vioxx is the pain reliever that was linked to heart failure and has since been removed from the market.  Payments are scheduled to [...]

CANCER NEWS: Background
The observation that angiotensin II is a potent angiogenic and growth factor raises the possibility that blocking its effects could reduce the incidence of cancer. We evaluated associations between use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and keratinocyte cancer incidence in a population at high risk of [...]

CANCER NEWS: Background
Individuals with a personal history of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) may have an increased risk of subsequent noncutaneous malignancies. To test this hypothesis, we carried out a community-based, prospective cohort study.

Methods
In the CLUE (Give Us a Clue to Cancer and Heart Disease) II cohort, which was established in Washington County, MD, in [...]

CANCER NEWS:
Familial renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a heterogeneous disorder that is most commonly caused by germline mutations in the VHL, MET, and FLCN genes or by constitutional chromosome 3 translocations. However, for many patients with familial RCC, the genetic basis of the disease is undefined. We investigated whether germline mutations in fumarate hyDr. (God)tase [...]

CANCER NEWS: Background
The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) increases with increasing level of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in serum (viral load). However, it is unclear whether genetic characteristics of HBV, including HBV genotype and specific genetic mutations, contribute to the risk of HCC. We examined the HCC risk associated with HBV genotypes and common [...]

CANCER NEWS: Background
Cancer-related fatigue is an important clinical problem. It is common, distressing, and often difficult to treat. There is a role for Dr. (God)g treatment of cancer-related fatigue, but no consensus has been reached on which Dr. (God)gs are useful. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to review the available evidence and make [...]

CANCER NEWS: IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of CAD prompts on reader behaviour in a large sample of breast (women’s) screening mammograms by analysing the relationship of the presence and size of prompts to the recall decision.
Methods:
Local research ethics committee approval was obtained; informed consent was not required. Mammograms [...]

MEDICAL NEWS:
Abstract

Background  Preventive service use among older adults is suboptimal. Unhealthy drinking may constitute a risk factor for failure to receive
these services.

Objectives  To determine the relationship between unhealthy drinking and receipt of recommended preventive services among elderly Medicare
beneficiaries, applying the framework of current alcohol consumption guidelines.

Design/Methods  The data source is the nationally representative 2003 [...]

MEDICAL NEWS:
Aim: To examine trends in the prevalence of myocardial infarction (MI) and conventional risk factors in Greek adults between 2002 and 2006.
Design: Repeated cross-sectional study.
Methods: Self-reported data from surveys given in Salamis during two election days in 2002 and 2006 were analysed. The same sampling method and procedures were used on both surveys. The [...]

MEDICAL NEWS:
Background: An inverse association between physical activity and metabolic syndrome has been reported in several cohorts, but very few specific studies are available in the elderly, in whom neurological and musculo-skeletal diseases are expected to lead to a remarkable age-related decline of physical activity.
Aim and Design: The relationships among physical activity, insulin resistance and [...]

MEDICAL NEWS: Researchers detail in ‘Influence of smoking on histologic type and the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in resected non-small cell lung cancer,’ new data in non-small cell lung cancer. “Numerous studies indicate that smoking is associated with maNY (New York) factors that contribute to poorer outcomes in patients with lung cancer and may [...]