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Biomedical subjects

Cinzia Colombo

Publications and source records attributed to Cinzia Colombo.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Effects of fenofibrate and simvastatin on HDL-related biomarkers in low-HDL patients.

The objective of the present study was to compare the effects of fenofibrate versus simvastatin on various HDL-related biomarkers in dyslipidemic patients with low HDL-C, in whom it is as yet unclear whether a statin or a fibrate is the most appropriate treatment. Fifty-two patients received either fenofibrate (160 mg/day) or simvastatin (40 mg/day) for 8 weeks in a randomized, double-blind, parallel group trial. Simvastatin effectively lowered plasma LDL-C and apoB levels, but did not change plasma HDL levels and HDL-related biomarkers, except for a small, significant increase in the capacity of plasma to promote SR-BI mediated cholesterol efflux. Fenofibrate did not affect plasma LDL-C levels but lowered triglycerides, and exerted a remarkable HDL-C raising activity (+22%), with patients in the lowest range of HDL-C getting the maximal benefit. The HDL-C raise was associated with a shift of HDL from large to small particles, and from LpA-I to LpA-I:A-II, which might explain the observed increase in the plasma capacity to promote ABCA1 mediated efflux with no changes in SR-BI efflux. The distinct and complementary effects of fenofibrate and simvastatin on lipid parameters and HDL-related biomarkers suggest that a combination therapy with the two drugs in dyslipidemic patients with low HDL would be fully justified.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1↗
PubMed2006

Oncologists' opinions about research ethics committees in Italy: an update, 2004.

While there is general consensus about the basic features of ethical research, the explosion of information from technology, genetics and clinical research, and the desire to accelerate the translation of preliminary findings into clinical research and practice have created space for conflicts between the aims of research, medical ethics and human rights. Research ethics committees (RECs) play a crucial role. In 2004, a short standardized questionnaire was sent to 110 Italian oncologists. The questionnaire explored aspects of the interaction between oncologists and RECs, including reports on personal experience with RECs, and the oncologists' opinions and level of satisfaction with important functions of RECs, such as bureaucratic, ethics, scientific, and educational and training aspects. The findings are compared with those from the previous surveys. Eighty-three out of the 91 oncologists returned the questionnaire. Responders were working in 67 hospitals (60 RECs). The level of satisfaction with REC activities was high for ethical and scientific aspects (87 and 80% were satisfied or very satisfied, respectively); somewhat lower for bureaucratic and secretarial aspects (61%); and much lower for educational and formation activities (33%). Comparison with other surveys does not show any important difference. The main findings of this survey are the stable figures concerning oncologists' opinions and the low ratings given to education and training aspects. This latter finding clearly identifies the need for educational activities, and the possibility of using this approach to foster interactions between RECs and researchers.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗