Intron 4 VNTR (4a/b) polymorphism of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene is associated with breast cancer in Mexican women.

The endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene plays an important role in several biological functions. Polymorphisms of the eNOS gene have been associated with cancer. It has been suggested that the VNTR 4 a/b polymorphism may affect the expression of eNOS and contributes to tumor promotion in the mammary gland.

Relapsing massive metal bezoar: a case report.

Introduction: Bezoars are uncommon findings in the gastrointestinal tract and are composed of a wide variety of materials. We report a case of a relapsing metal bezoar in a man with schizophrenia.

Case Presentation: A 34-year-old man presented with a history of sub-acute onset of mild diffuse abdominal pain and abdominal distention.

Usefulness of four prognostic indices in differentiated thyroid cancer.

Objective: To report the follow up of 82 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer in order to evaluate patients' clinical and tumor characteristics of prognostic value.

Patients And Methods: A prospective and comparative study was performed in 82 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer followed for a mean of 84 months. They were classified and included into four prognostic indices (pTNM, DeGroot's, AGES and NTCTCS) stages I and II were considered as a low risk ones and stages III and IV as a high risk group.

Effects of weight loss on insulin secretion and in vivo insulin sensitivity in obese diabetic and non-diabetic subjects.

To investigate the effects of caloric restriction and weight loss program on insulin sensitivity, acute insulin secretion and glucose effectiveness in 2 obese groups with different beta-cell function, we performed a longitudinal clinical intervention study with a 60 week weight loss program (20-25 kcal/kg ideal weight/day) in 44 obese subjects, 20 with Type 2 diabetes (OD) and 24 non-diabetic (OND). Body mass index (BMI) and metabolic parameters were determined at baseline and every 15 weeks during the intervention study. Insulin sensitivity index (Si) [10(-4) min(-1) x (mU/ml)(-1)], acute insulin response to glucose (AIRg) [pm] and glucose effectiveness (Sg) [x10(-2)/min(-1)] were assessed using the Bergman's minimal model (MINMOD).

Insulin sensitivity and sex steroid hormone levels during the menstrual cycle in healthy women with non-insulin-dependent diabetic parents.

Objective: To identify the effect of the menstrual cycle and sex steroid hormone levels on insulin sensitivity in healthy women with non-insulin-dependent diabetic parents.

Methods: A clinical trial was realized in 6 healthy women with non-insulin-dependent diabetic parents and in 6 control subjects. In both phases of the menstrual cycle the following tests were made: insulin tolerance test, metabolic profile, and sex steroid hormone levels.