eGFR: Is It Ready for Early Identification of CKD?

vertical gastric plication: is it ready for prime-time?

Is it ready for clinical application?

Pharmacogenetics is the search for heritable genetic polymorphisms that influence responses to drug therapy. The most important application of pharmacogenetics is to guide choosing agents with the greatest potential of efficacy and smallest risk of adverse drug reactions. Many studies focussing on drug-gene interactions have been published in recent years, some of which led to adaptation of FDA...

FGF23: is it ready for prime time?

Since the identification of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) more than a decade ago, interest in this hormone has grown dramatically among both nephrologists and endocrinologists. FGF23, initially identified in patients with rare forms of hypophosphatemia, is also increased in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). A handful of studies have suggested that increased circulating concentra...

Ginger: is it ready for prime time?

On the basis of substantial preclinical data showing the preventive efficacy of ginger and its constituents in vitro and in animal models, as well as a phase I pilot trial indicating that ginger extract is well tolerated in humans, Citronberg and colleagues conducted a pilot trial of ginger extract (2 g/day for 28 days) on biomarkers of cell proliferation [human telomerase reverse transcriptase...

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy for early-stage breast cancer: is it ready for prime time?

Whole breast external beam radiotherapy (WBEBRT) is commonly used as an essential arm in the treatment management of women with early-stage breast cancer. Dosimetry planning for conventional WBEBRT typically involves a pair of tangential fields. Advancement in radiation technology and techniques has the potential to improve treatment outcomes with clinically meaningful long-term benefits. Howev...