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23 Vitamin K Deficiency Protein Marker For Invasive Liver Cancer: In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) is high in specificity of HCC and means a higher risk of future portal venous invasion by the cancer. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is low in specificity and is not correlated with PIVKA-II. Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive fraction of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP-L 3) is high in HCC specificity, and after treatment it is used for malignancy when AFP-L3 is positive. Tumor markers of hepatocellular carcinoma. Kubo S, Matsukawa M. Showa University, Tokyo. Gan To Kagaku Ryoho. 2004 Dec;31(13):2203-6 Vitamin K Deficiency Protein Big Factor in Liver Cancer: Des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin (DCP), also known as a protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II, is an abnormal prothrombin. The level of serum DCP is used in clinical diagnosis and prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A retrospective study was performed of 132 patients each with a single primary HCC nodule. Expression of DCP in tissues was evaluated with immunohistochemical staining using anti-DCP antibody (MU-3). DCP expression, even if it was observed only in non-cancer tissues, was related to poorer prognosis. The combined evaluation of tissue DCP expression and serum DCP levels showed that prognosis was poorest for patients showing positive tissue DCP expression and high levels of serum DCP. Des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin expression in cancer and/or non-cancer liver tissues: association with survival of patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Tang W, Kokudo N, et al. University of Tokyo. Oncol Rep. 2005 Jan;13(1):25-30 Crohn's Disease Patients Need Vitamin K: There is a high prevalence of osteopenia among patients with Crohn's disease (CD). In a study of 44 CD patients and 44 controls, vitamin K(1) intake in CD patients tended to be lower (117 vs. 148 mug/d; p= 0.059). Glu and NTx concentrations in CD patients were higher (mean, 5.1 vs. 3.9 ng/ml; p= 0.03 for Glu; and 49 vs. 26 nM BCE/mM creatinine; p= 0.001 for NTx). In CD patients, Glu was significantly correlated with NTx (r= 0.488; p < 0.001), even after controlling for age, gender, vitamin D status, calcium intake, and corticosteroid use. The rate of bone resorption in the CD inversely correlated with vitamin K status, suggesting that it is an etiological factor for CD-related osteopenia. Vitamin K status in patients with Crohn's disease and relationship to bone turnover. Duggan P, O'Brien M, et al. University College, Cork, Ireland. Am J Gastroenterol. 2004 Nov;99(11):2178-85. For more, see Vitamin K. Tramadol-LP Minimal Benefit for Arthritis but Causes Addiction and Side-Effects: In a short 14-day DB PC industry-funded study of 230 adults with chronic hip or knee osteoarthritis using tramadol LP 200 mg, a new once-daily, sustained-release formulation, pain was somewhat reduced in the tramadol LP group compared with the placebo group on day 7 (P = 0.002) and day 14 (P = 0.010), although the benefit was getting less with the passing of time. Patient assessment found 77% of the tramadol LP group reporting improvement by day 14, vs. 60% of the placebo group; One or more adverse event was reported by 45% of the tramadol LP group, compared with 19% of the placebo group (P < 0.001)(nausea, 22%; vomiting, 17% and somnolence, 12%). Efficacy and tolerability of sustained-release tramadolin the treatment of symptomatic osteoarthritis of the hip or knee: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Malonne H, Coffiner M, et al. Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium. Clin Ther. 2004 Nov;26(11):1774-82. Ed: Generic tramadol costs $47/month. What a rip. The new long acting variety will cost still more and patients won't be able to substitute. The idea of using highly addictive opiates for a chronic illness is insane. In this study, tramadol made a very small difference at two weeks and even this small difference was fading away. The individuals must not have had too much pain, since the placebo helped 60%. Opiates don't slow disease progression like glucosamine and chondroitin do. They just turn the arthritis victim into a drug addict. Arthritis is a chronic condition, not a 14-day bout of pain. In this highly irresponsible study motivated by greed, six people had to be put on a highly addictive medication for one person to experience any short-term benefit. For more, see Arthritis. Magnesium Intake May Protect Against Colon and Rectal Cancers: Using data from the 14.8-year follow-up Swedish Mammography Cohort, a population-based prospective study of 61,433 women ages 40 to 75 and the 805 colorectal cancer cases diagnosed, there was a strong inverse association of magnesium intake with the risk of colorectal cancer (P= .006). Compared with women in the lowest fifth of magnesium intake, the multivariate rate ratio (RR) was 0.59 for those in the highest fifth or 41% lower. This was true for both colon (RR, 0.66) and rectal cancer (RR, 0.45). Magnesium intake in relation to risk of colorectal cancer in women. Larsson SC, Bergkvist L, Wolk A. Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. JAMA. 2005 Jan 5;293(1):86-9 Magnesium, Potassium, Fluid Help Prevent Kidney Stones: In an average of 10 years of follow-up of 45,619 men without a history of kidney stones, there were a total of 1473 symptomatic kidney stones documented. For men under age 60, but not for those over 60, the multivariate relative risk (RR) for stone formation in the highest fifth of dietary calcium as compared with the lowest quintile was 0.69 (P = 0.01). The multivariate RR for 1000 mg or greater of vitamin C per day vs. less than 90 mg/d was 1.41 (P = 0.01). Other dietary factors showed the following multivariate RR among men in the highest quintile of intake compared with those in the lowest: magnesium, 0.71 (P = 0.01); potassium, 0.54 (P <0.001); and fluid, 0.71 (P < 0.001). Animal protein was associated with risk only in men with a body mass index <25 kg/m(2) (RR, 1.38; P = 0.03). Sodium, phosphorus, sucrose, phytate, vitamin B(6), vitamin D, and supplemental calcium were not independently associated with risk. Dietary factors and the risk of incident kidney stones in men: new insights after 14 years of follow-up. Taylor EN, Stampfer MJ, Curhan GC. Brigham and Women's Hospital-Harvard. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2004 Dec;15(12):3225-32 Magnesium Helped Diabetics in Very Small Study: Magnesium 300 mg/day in the form of mineral water was given to nine mild type 2 diabetic patients for 30 days. Fasting serum immunoreactive insulin level decreased significantly ( p < 0.05). There was a marked decrease of the triglyceride levels after supplementation. The patients with hypertension showed significant reduction of systolic (p < 0.01), diastolic (p = 0.0038), and mean (p < 0.01) blood pressure. Clinical efficacy of magnesium supplementation in patients with type 2 diabetes. Yokota K, Kato M, et al. Jikei University , Japan. J Am Coll Nutr. 2004 Oct;23(5):506S-509S. For more, see Magnesium. White Bread Increases Diabetes; Magnesium, Whole Grain Bread Decrease: In a 4-year follow-up study of 36,787 adults ages 40-69 without diabetes, 365 developed diabetes. The odds ratio (OR) for the highest fourth in consumption of white bread vs. the lowest was 1.37 (P = 0.001), intake of carbohydrate (OR per 200 g/day 0.58), sugars (OR per 100 g/day 0.61), and magnesium (OR per 500 mg/day 0.62) were inversely associated with incidence of diabetes, whereas intake of starch (OR per 100 g/day 1.47) and dietary Glycemic Index (OR per 10 units 1.32) were positively associated with diabetes. These relationships were lessened by adjustment for BMI and waist-to-hip ratio. Glycemic index and dietary fiber and the risk of type 2 diabetes. Hodge AM, English DR, et al. Melbourne, Australia. Diabetes Care. 2004 Nov;27(11):2701-6. For more, see Diabetes. Vitamin D Helped Senile Warts: Vitamin D(3) ointment is widely used for the therapy of inflammatory keratotic dermatoses such as psoriasis. Senile wart (seborrheic keratosis) is a benign tumor, which occurs mainly in the elderly. It has been treated with surgical procedures, freezing with liquid nitrogen, or laser therapy. In a study of topical vitamin D(3) ointments applied on senile warts once or twice a day, out of 116 cases treated for more than three months, 30% showed more than 80% of decreasing of tumor volume, 47% showed a 40-80% decrease, while 23% showed less or no decrease. The warts disappeared without any inflammatory change such as erythema or swelling and with no side-effects. New aspects on vitamin D3 ointment; treatment of senile warts with topical application of active forms of vitamin D3. Mitsuhashi Y. Yamagata University. Clin Calcium. 2004 Oct;14(10):141-4 Diabetes: Low Vitamin D Strongly Linked to Diabetes: Using nationwide U.S. Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data of 6,228 adults, after djusting for sex, age, BMI, leisure activity, and quarter of year, the odds ratios for diabetes varied inversely (OR 0.25 for European-Americans and 0.17 for Mexican Americans) in the highest vitamin D quartile (25OHD > or =81.0 nmol/l) compared with the lowest (< or =43.9 nmol/l). This inverse association was not observed in African-Americans. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, diabetes, and ethnicity in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Scragg R, Sowers M, Bell C. University of Auckland. Diabetes Care. 2004 Dec;27(12):2813-8 Vaginal Atrophy Helped by Vitamin D: In a study of 60 women with vaginal atrophy, those given vitamin D treatment had fewer signs of atrophy than those without treatment. Cell maturation index also favored vitamin D. The effects of postmenopausal Vitamin D treatment on vaginal atrophy. Yildirim B, Kaleli B, et al. Pamukkale University, Turkey. Maturitas. 2004 Dec 10;49(4):334-7. Ed: I couldn't tell if a cream or pills were used. Vitamin is a great supplement that should be taken by everyone. For more, see Vitamin D. B-12 Low in Osteoporosis: Vitamin B(12) is important to DNA synthesis. In a study of bone mineral density (BMD) and B-12 levels in 2576 adults, men with plasma B(12) less than 148 pM had significantly lower BMD at the hip, and women at the spine (p < 0.05). Low Plasma Vitamin B(12) Is Associated With Lower BMD: The Framingham Osteoporosis Study. Tucker KL, Hannan MT, et al. Tufts University. J Bone Miner Res. 2005 Jan;20(1):152-8. Ed: B-12 500 mcg every other day is on my list of recommended vitamins for adults over age 45. It's very cheap. For more, see Osteoporosis. Folic Acid Supplements Lower Hypertension Risk: In two 8-year prospective studies of 93,803 younger women ages 27-44 in the Nurses' Health Study II (1991-1999) and 62,260 older women ages 43-70 in the Nurses' Health Study I (1990-1998) without hypertension, 7373 younger women and 12,347 older women developed hypertension. After adjusting for multiple potential confounders, younger women who consumed at least 1000 microg/d of total folate (dietary plus supplemental) had a decreased risk of hypertension (relative risk [RR], 0.54; P <.001) compared with those who consumed less than 200 microg/d. The multivariable RR for the same comparison in older women was 0.82 (P = .05). Among women who did not take folic acid supplements, dietary folate intake of 400 microg/d or more was not significantly associated with risk of hypertension. Folate intake and the risk of incident hypertension among US women. Forman JP, Rimm EB, et al. Harvard. JAMA. 2005 Jan 19;293(3):320-9. For more, see Folic Acid and Hypertension. Uric Acid Levels Reflect Meat Intake: Using data from 14,809 adults in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the serum uric acid level increased with increasing total meat or seafood intake and decreased with increasing dairy intake. After adjusting for age, the differences in uric acid levels between the extreme quintiles of intake were 0.48 mg/dl for total meat; P < 0.001, 0.16 mg/dl for seafood; P = 0.005, and -0.21 mg/dl for total dairy; P = 0.02. Total protein intake was not associated with the serum uric acid level. Intake of purine-rich foods, protein, and dairy products and relationship to serum levels of uric acid: The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Choi HK, Liu S, Curhan G. MGH-Harvard. Arthritis Rheum. 2005 Jan;52(1):283-9. For more, see Meat. No Difference Between Popular Diets: Weight Loss Modest and Good for Heart: In a study of 160 obese adults randomly assigned to the Atkins, Zone, Weight Watchers, or Ornish for one year at an academic medical center in Boston, Mass, of overweight or obese (body mass index: mean, 35; range, 27-42) adults aged 22 to 72 years with known hypertension, weight loss was moderate and similar for all four diets: 4.6 pounds for Atkins, 7.0 pounds for Zone, 6.6 pounds for Weight Watchers, and 7.2 pounds for Ornish with dropouts ranging from 35% (Zone and Weight Watchers) to 50% (Atkins and Ornish). Decreasing levels of total/HDL cholesterol, C-reactive protein, and insulin were significantly associated with weight loss but with no significant difference between diets. Comparison of the Atkins, Ornish, Weight Watchers, and Zone diets for weight loss and heart disease risk reduction: a randomized trial. Dansinger ML, Gleason JA, et al. Tufts-New England Medical Center. JAMA. 2005 Jan 5;293(1):43-53. For more, see Obesity. Blood Pressure 110/75 Best: In a nationwide Chinese study of 31,728 adults ages 35-64, compared with BP < 110/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease increased 1 time (RR = 2.09), 2 times (RR = 3.23), and 10 times (RR = 11.81) when BP was 120 - 129/80 - 84 mm Hg, 140 - 149/90 - 94 mm Hg, and >/= 180/110 mm Hg, respectively. A prospective study of relationship between blood pressure and 10-year cardiovascular risk in a Chinese cohort aged 35 - 64 years. Wang W, Zhao D, et al. Capital Medical University Affiliated Anzhen Hospital, Beijing. Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi. 2004 Oct;43(10):730-4. For more, see High Blood Pressure. Airborne Cold Remedy: No Independent or Published Research: A new, heavily promoted cold remedy with endorsements by paid Hollywood stars including Kevin Costner, is expensive yet has no independent research to support its effectiveness. Each tablet contains a combination of sodium 230 mg, vitamin A 5,000 I.U., vitamin C 1,000 mg, vitamin E 30 I.U., magnesium 40 mg, zinc 8 mg, selenium 15 mcg, manganese 3 mg, potassium 75 mg, herbal extracts (lonicera, forsythia, schizonepeta, ginger, Chinese vitex, isatis root, echinacea) 350 mg, and amino acids glutamine, and lysine (50 mg). The only study is one funded by the manufacturer and done by a company which reports only to the manufacturer. That reportedly double-blind study claimed to find 79% improving on Airborne vs. 21% on placebo over the five day study. www.airbornehealth.com. Such a wonderful result makes one question the honesty of the research. Also, one study by a research-team-for-hire is hardly enough. Vitamin C, zinc, and echinacea have all been reported in multiple studies to be of some marginal value. At 70 cents per tablet, the treatment (6-7 tablets per day) costs about $25 per cold. I prefer individual vitamin C, and echinacea along with zinc lozenges, gargling with mildly hot salt water, a long-acting decongestant when necessary, sage, and sympathy. For more, see Common Cold. Chemotherapy Helped Surgery Survival of Breast Cancer: In a 28.5 year follow-up of three randomized studies by the Istituto Nazionale Tumori in Milan, Italy, researchers found that the use of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil (CMF) in patients with operable breast cancer significantly reduced the risk of relapse. Adjuvant CMF was found to reduce the relative risk of relapse (HR 0.71, P = 0.005) and death (0.79, P = 0.04). Administration of CMF for 12 cycles does not seem superior to a shorter administration of six cycles. In the node negative and oestrogen receptor negative trial, intravenous CMF significantly reduced the relative risk of relapse of disease (0.65, P = 0.009) and death (0.65, P = 0.01) at a median follow up of 20 years. 30 years' follow up of randomised studies of adjuvant CMF in operable breast cancer: cohort study. Gianni Bonadonna et al. BMJ 1/29/2005;330:217. Mammograms Every Two Years After Age 50 Help: In a study of breast cancer mortality during the first 10 years of a mammography screening program in Copenhagen vs. parts of the country without screening, breast cancer mortality was reduced by 25% (RR 0.75) vs. other areas. For women actually participating in screening, breast cancer mortality was reduced by 37%. In a review of other European studies, mammograms every two to five years after age 50 appear helpful in reducing mortality. Breast cancer mortality in Copenhagen after introduction of mammography screening: cohort study. Anne Helene Olsen et al. BMJ 1/29/2005;330:220. For more, see Breast Cancer. Beans and Lentils Helped Lower Breast Cancer Risk in Large Prospective Study: In an 8 year follow-up of 90,630 women in the Nurses Health Study II, researchers found no benefit from flavonols and there were no associations seen between individual flavonols such as kaempferol, quercetin and myricetin and breast cancer risk. Among the major food sources of flavonols, they found a significant inverse association with intake of beans or lentils (0.76 for 2 or more servings per week vs. less than 1/month) but not with tea, onions, apples, string beans, broccoli, green pepper and blueberries. Dietary flavonols and flavonol-rich foods intake and the risk of breast cancer. Adebamowo CA, Cho E, et al. Harvard. Int J Cancer. 2004 Dec 17. For more, see Breast Cancer. Radon Gas Especially Harmful to Smokers: An analysis of 13 case-control studies of residential radon and lung cancer from nine European countries covering 7148 cases of lung cancer and 14 208 controls found that the risk of lung cancer increased by 8.4% per 100 Bq/m3 increase in measured radon (P = 0.0007). In the absence of other causes of death, the absolute risks of lung cancer by age 75 years at usual radon concentrations of 0, 100, and 400 Bq/m3 would be about 0.4%, 0.5%, and 0.7% for lifelong non-smokers, and about 25 times greater (10%, 12%, and 16%) for cigarette smokers. This means that radon in responsible for about 2% of all deaths from cancer in Europe, although getting rid of smoking would also eliminate most of the radon deaths. Radon in homes and risk of lung cancer: collaborative analysis of individual data from 13 European case-control studies. S Darby et al. BMJ 1/29/2005;330:223. For more, see Lung cancer. Selegiline Helpful for Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia: In a 12-week, DB PC study of the MAO Inhibitor anti-depressant selegiline vs. placebo added to antipsychotic medication for outpatients with schizophrenia with negative symptoms and no severe positive symptoms and no major depression, negative symptoms were found to be significantly more improved in the patients who received selegiline. Global improvement scores also favored selegiline. Double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial of selegiline augmentation of antipsychotic medication to treat negative symptoms in outpatients with schizophrenia. Bodkin JA, Siris SG, et al. McLean Hospital, Harvard. Am J Psychiatry. 2005 Feb;162(2):388-90. Ed: It has been known for many years that a wide variety of anti-depressants achieve the same benefits that selegiline did in this apparently industry-funded study, but at a much lower cost. For more, see Other Medications for Schizophrenia. Low Calcium Intake Linked to Increased Colorectal Cancer Risk: In a 8.5 year follow-up study of 45,354 women from the Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project, women in the lowest fifth consumed less than 412.3 mg of calcium from diet each day. Compared to the low-consuming group, women in the four higher groups (412.4-528.9 mg/d; 529.0-656.2 mg/d; 656.3-830.9 mg/d; and greater than 830.9 mg/d) all showed reduced risk of developing colorectal cancer. Women in the highest group of dietary calcium intake, i.e. greater than 830 mg/d, had a 26 percent lower risk of developing colorectal cancer compared to women in the lowest group. Women who consumed more than 412.4 mg/d of calcium from diet and also consumed more than 800 mg/d from supplements had a 46% lower risk of colorectal cancer than women who consumed less than 412 mg/d from diet and less than 800 mg/d from supplements. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, Andrew Flood, University of Minnesota 1/05. For more, see Colon Cancer.
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