Dietary antioxidants and fat are associated with plasma antibody titers to heat shock proteins 60, 65, and 70 in subjects with dyslipidemia.

Background: The heat shock proteins (HSPs) are protein chaperones. Higher titers of antibody to HSPs (anti-HSPs) have been reported in atherosclerosis, which may contribute to immunoactivation in this process.

Objective: We investigated whether dietary antioxidants and fat intake are associated with changes in anti-HSP titers in dyslipidemic subjects.

Genetic cause of hyperglycaemia and response to treatment in diabetes.

Background: Type 2 diabetes shows evidence of underlying heterogeneity. No studies have assessed whether different causes for diabetes change the response to oral hypoglycaemic therapy. In a few cases, patients with diabetes caused by mutations in the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1alpha (HNF-1alpha) gene have been described as sensitive to the hypoglycaemic effects of sulphonylureas.

Screening for colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) causes 20 000 deaths per annum in the UK alone. Screening has been shown to reduce mortality but debate exists as to which approach to use. Direct visualization of the colorectum has the advantage that it detects lesions most effectively and is required at less frequent intervals, but the procedure is invasive and at present too costly for screening purposes.