Indian J Med Res
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Primary or idiopathic osteonecrosis of femur head (ONFH) is the second most commonly observed cause among Indian patients suffering from ischemic ONFH. Although a number of genetic polymorphisms have been associated with idiopathic ONFH pathogenesis in Korean and Chinese populations, there are no studies in the Indian population. This is an exploratory study designed to implicate in promoter sequence polymorphisms of a critical fibrinolytic system regulator, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) gene, in cases of idiopathic osteonecrosis. Promoter sequence variations can affect expression levels of PAI-1 gene and may disrupt the coagulation/fibrinolytic equilibrium, which may finally culminate into osteonecrosis. Hence, the aim of the study was to investigate the role of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of PAI-1 gene and osteonecrosis development. ⋯ Our findings demonstrate that the minor alleles of promoter region sequences of the PAI-1 gene do not contribute to an increase in ONFH predisposition. However, this is a preliminary study and its findings should be considered as suggestive for studies to be done in a larger sample size.
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Drospirenone (DRSP) is a progestin with antimineralocorticoid and anti-androgenic activity. When administered in combination with estradiol (E2), it relieves menopausal symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of DRSP/E2 on the reduction of cardiovascular risk factors in menopausal women with hypertension. ⋯ Continuous long-term therapy with DRSP 2 mg/E2 1 mg significantly lowered 24 h systolic and diastolic BPs and reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease in early menopausal women with stage 1 hypertension. Timely initiated menopausal hormone therapy can have beneficial effects on BP and can reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease in menopausal women.
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Editorial Comment
Health-related quality of life in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
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Elevated soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL2R) is a diagnostic criterion for haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). International guidelines propose a 2400 U/ml cut-off or individual laboratory-defined cut-off. However, sIL2R normal values are so far not known in Indians. So, this study was undertaken to measure sIL2R in healthy children and adults to establish age-related reference values. ⋯ Paediatric controls in India showed higher sIL2R levels than most studies conducted in other countries, except for some reports in Chinese and Russian populations. Age-appropriate reference values of sIL2R in a specific population may be considered to determine elevated sIL2R as a marker of HLH.