Polymorphisms in Human , , and Genes Are Associated with an Increased Risk of Developing NSAID-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease.

Background: The role of genetics in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) exacerbated respiratory disease (NERD) is unclear, with different candidates involved, such as genes, genes related to leukotriene synthesis, and cytokine genes. This study aimed to determine possible associations between 22 polymorphisms in 13 cytokine genes.

Methods: We included 195 patients (85 with NERD and 110 with respiratory disease who tolerate NSAIDs) and 156 controls (non-atopic individuals without a history of asthma, nasal polyposis (NP), or NSAID hypersensitivity).

Etiologic spectrum and clinical features of mitral regurgitation in a Spanish population.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The study aim was to investigate the etiologic spectrum of at least moderate mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients at a tertiary care center in a Spanish region.

Methods: All patients referred for echocardiography with moderate or severe MR, assessed according to the guidelines of the American Society of Echocardiography, were included prospectively in the study.

Results: Between October 2006 and February 2008, a total of 276 patients (157 females, 119 males; mean age 61 +/- 20 years) were enrolled into the study.

An electrocardiographic sign of tumor invasion of the myocardium.

Lung cancer is one of the most common neoplasms associated with cardiac metastasis, and the pericardium is often affected. However, isolated myocardial involvement in these patients is very uncommon. Most tumor invasions into the heart are nonspecific and clinically silent.