Research

High-sensitivity troponin T and risk stratification in patients with atrial fibrillation during treatment with apixaban or warfarin
Levels of hs-TnT are often elevated in patients with AF. The hs-TnT level is independently associated with an increased risk of stroke, cardiac death, and major bleeding and improves risk stratification beyond the CHA2DS2VASc risk score. The benefits of apixaban as compared with warfarin are consistent regardless of the hs-TnT level. Hijazi Z, Wallentin L, Siegbahn A, Andersson U, Alexander JH, Atar D, Gersh BJ, Hanna M, Harjola VP, Horowitz JD, Husted S, Hylek EM, Lopes RD, McMurray JJ, Granger CB; ARISTOTLE Investigators. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014 Jan 7-14;63(1):52-61. Epub 2013 Sep 19. PMID: 24055845

Glucosamine and chondroitin for knee osteoarthritis: a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating single and combination regimens
Allocation to the glucosamine-chondroitin combination resulted in a statistically significant reduction in JSN at 2 years. While all allocation groups demonstrated reduced knee pain over the study period, none of the treatment allocation groups demonstrated significant symptomatic benefit above placebo. Fransen M, Agaliotis M, Nairn L, Votrubec M, Bridgett L, Su S, Jan S, March L, Edmonds J, Norton R, Woodward M, Day R; on behalf of the LEGS study collaborative group. Ann Rheum Dis. 2014 Jan 6. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24395557

Alzheimer's in a dish: Stem cells from patients offer model and drug-discovery platform for early-onset form of disease
Harvard stem cell scientists have successfully converted skins cells from patients with early-onset Alzheimer's into the types of neurons that are affected by the disease, making it possible for the first time to study this leading form of dementia in living human cells. This may also make it possible to develop therapies far more quickly and accurately than before. MedicalXpress