Genetic glucocorticoid receptor variants differ between ethnic groups but do not explain variation in age of diabetes onset, metabolic and inflammation parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Aims: The effect of excess glucocorticoid receptor (GR) stimulation through glucocorticoid medication or cortisol on glucose metabolism is well established. There are genetic GR variants that result in increased or decreased GR stimulation. We aimed to determine the prevalence of genetic GR variants in different ethnic groups in a cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes, and we aimed to determine their association with age of diabetes onset and metabolic and inflammation parameters.

Flushing of an intravenous catheter: a cause for unreliable laboratory results.

Introduction: Phlebotomy is an error-prone process in which mistakes are difficult to reveal. This case report describes the effect on laboratory results originating from a blood sample collected in close proximity to an intravenous catheter.

Materials And Methods: A 69-year-old male patient was referred to the Emergency department where pneumonia was suspected.

Dapagliflozin for prednisone-induced hyperglycaemia in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of add-on treatment with dapagliflozin to placebo in patients with prednisone-induced hyperglycaemia during treatment for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). We enrolled 46 patients hospitalized for an AECOPD in a multicentre double-blind randomized controlled study in which add-on treatment with dapagliflozin 10 mg was compared with placebo. Glycaemic control and incidence of hypoglycaemia were measured through a blinded subcutaneous continuous glucose monitoring device.

Impact of hyperglycemia on the efficacy of chemotherapy-A systematic review of preclinical studies.

Background: Antineoplastic agents can provoke hyperglycemia in cancer patients with and without diabetes mellitus. We systematically reviewed the impact of hyperglycemia on the efficacy of chemotherapy.

Methods: MEDLINE was searched for preclinical intervention studies which compared chemotherapy response in hyperglycemic and euglycemic conditions.

Physician's attitudes towards diagnosing and treating glucocorticoid induced hyperglycaemia: Sliding scale regimen is still widely used despite guidelines.

Aims: Treatment with glucocorticoids for neoplasms and inflammatory disorders is frequently complicated by glucocorticoid induced hyperglycaemia (GCIH). GCIH is associated with adverse outcomes and its treatment has short term and long term benefits. Currently, treatment targets and modalities depend on local protocols and habits of individual clinicians.

Traditional Chinese lipid-lowering agent red yeast rice results in significant LDL reduction but safety is uncertain - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To verify the safety and effectiveness of traditional Chinese red yeast rice-extract (RYR) for reduction of LDL cholesterol.

Methods: Systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Medline and EMBASE were searched until November 2014.