In a study of 2511 patients that switched from atorvastatin to simvastatin, after they had used atorvastatin for at least 6 months, were compared to a control group of 9009 patients who had made no switch. There was a statistically significant increase in the risk of death, as well as of stroke and major cardiovascular events associated with the switch to a different statin. This finding may...read

The discovery of penicillin is associated to the name of Alexander Fleming, who in 1928 noticed the inhibition of growth of a bacterium from a mold. But it was not until 1940 that the studies by Fleming, Florey and Chain allowed the isolation of Penicillin, which was later successfully used to help the many wounded soldiers during the Second World War. In 1945 Fleming, Florey and Chain were...read

Melatonin is a neuroendochrine hormone regulating biological rhythms, secreted from the pituitary at night, in proportion to the duration of darkness. The actions of melatonin are mediated by specific membrane receptors, MT1 and MT2, expressed in the CNS (hippocampus, cerebellum, pars tuberalis of the pituitary gland) and in some peripheral organs (mammary epithelium, uterine myometrium, ovarian...read

The management oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT) is of great importance for family doctors, because there are many people with venous thromboembolism, or various cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction and stroke, who are at great risk for embolism. Oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT), is designed to depress in a controlled and reversible manner blood coagulability, which is measured...read

Endometriosis is a common and complex gynecological condition, yet little known, despite involving 150 million women worldwide (14 million in Europe and 3 million in Italy). In addition to interfering with the physical well being, it can also have important repercussions on the psyche, on the couple's relationship, and on the social and working life of those affected. It is estimated that...read

The use of psychotropic drugs in children has long been a subject of debate in the medical field, particularly regarding the use of SSRI(Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) antidepressants, considering that they could increase the risk and suicidal behavior. The FDA in USA has compiled a study covering all the risks due to the utilization of this class of drugs: despite the wariness,the...read

Exacerbations are the basis for the mortality and morbidity of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). A study was carried out to compare the quality and effectiveness to prevent exacerbations and assessment of outcomes in patients with severe and with very severe COPD, between a long-acting inhaled bronchodilator combined with an anti-inflammatory agent (Salmeterol/Fluticasone...read

In recent decades, many researchers throughout the scientific world have focused their studies on gene therapy. Gene therapy involves the insertion of healthy genes in the body of a patient to compensate for the loss of functionality of altered genes that are responsible for a disease, with the purpose of restoring the proper function of genes, and thus halting the disease. This approach is...read

A team of researchers from The Imperial College of London has discovered a hormone that can restore ovulation and increase fertility, allowing women to receive a more effective, and less risky, therapy than the ovarian hyperstimulation that many women, whishing to become pregnant, are presently undergoing. This protein, called Kisspeptin, plays a key role in the early stages of puberty....read

CLINICAL PHARMACOKINETICS Detemir Insulin is the first acylated protein that was used for therapeutic purposes. Pharmacokinetic studies have confirmed that the acylation of insulin is a safe procedure effective in prolonging the hypoglycemic action of insulin through a delay in its absorption into the circulation from the subcutaneous injection site. The lower affinity of detemir insulin for...read

The new oral drug for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis called STRONTIUM RANELATE (OSSEOR), finds its rationale in the reduction of bone reabsorption and stimulation of bone formation. Given the current increasing incidence of osteoporosis, because of longer life expectancy, and the place of occurrence of the disease (vertebral fractures), it is important to find the right treatment,...read

INSULIN DETEMIR: a modern concept of basal insulinization The main objective of insulin therapy in diabetic patients is the maintenance of a nearly normal blood glucose level. The introduction of fast-acting insulin analogs (Aspart, Lispro and Glulisine) in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, has resulted in improved control of postprandial blood glucose with lower risk of hypoglycemia after...read

Modern genetic engineering techniques have helped revolutionize insulin therapy, that since the early 80s' was based on the use of animal insulins, first with the introduction of human insulin (regular and protamin) perfectly identical to the native insulin, and subsequently in the 90s', with rapid-acting analogues, namely insulin modified with amino acid residues (lysine and aspartic acid) that...read

What's the hardest thing in taking care of people suffering from diabetes? Many doctors would answer that the greatest problem is that patients with diabetes not always do what they say they do: they often do not follow the diet and physical activity programs, they do not control their blood sugar, and, maybe, they do not take the prescribed medicines. Results? Complications of diabetes,...read

DISCUSSION Compliance with the diet is critical to achieving and maintaining a good result, and is based on several factors; the choice of a diet very close to the habits of patients and the whole family, can lead to greater diet adherence over time. It is also important not to underestimate the interval of time between meals which is about 7 hours in the lifestyles of our population. herefore,...read

There are over 200 varieties of Aloe, but among them all the Aloe Barbadensis, commonly called Aloe Vera, contains the greatest medicinal properties. This plant prefers the hot and dry climates so that the many mistake it for a cactus, but it belongs to the family of Liliaceae. According to some totally contrary views, the Aloes belong to a family of their own, known as Aloaceae. Blenderized...read