A Perspective on Bone Morphogenetic Proteins: Dilemma behind Cancer- related Responses.

Bone morphogenetic proteins are a center of serious concern and are known to execute various cancer-related issues. The BMP signaling cascades have become more unpredictable as a result of their pleiotropic and risky characteristics, particularly when it comes to cancer responses. This perspective discusses the current therapeutic implications, emphasizes different cellular aspects that impact the failures of the current drug treatments, and speculates on future research avenues that include novel strategies like metabolomic studies and bio-mimetic peptide therapeutics to mitigate cancerous outcomes.

Duality of bone morphogenetic proteins in cancer: A comprehensive analysis.

Over 20 different growth factors belonging to the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) family have been identified, that were initially discovered as growth factors that promote osteogenesis, and play a vital role in bone remodeling and various developmental processes. Numerous studies have explored the aberrance level of BMPs in various cancer types, questioning their role in tumorigenesis. These growth factors have been studied extensively over the decades to define their function during cancer progression and metastasis.

The efficacy of tiotropium as a steroid-sparing agent in severe asthma.

People with severe asthma account for 5% to 10% of all asthmatic patients; however, this small group uses the majority of health care resources. Novel methods are needed to cope with the burden that this minority of patients places on the health care system. A severe asthma clinic patient, who was monitored through the University of Alberta's Virtual Asthma Clinic (Edmonton, Alberta) is presented.

Preoperative statin use and infection after cardiac surgery: a cohort study.

Background: It has been suggested that the routine use of statins preoperatively would reduce the risk of postoperative infection. We conducted this study to explore whether preoperative statin use was associated with infection after cardiac surgery (recipients of which have a higher-than-average risk of postoperative infection).

Methods: We performed secondary analysis of data collected in a prospective cohort study of adults who underwent nontransplant cardiac surgery in a university hospital during the period January 1999 through December 2005.

Strength of evidence for perioperative use of statins to reduce cardiovascular risk: systematic review of controlled studies.

Objective: To determine the strength of evidence underlying recommendations for use of statins during the perioperative period to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.

Design: Systematic review of studies with concurrent control groups.

Data Sources: Four electronic databases, the references of identified studies, international experts on perioperative medicine, and the authors of the primary studies.