Determinants of selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor prescribing: are patient or physician characteristics more important?
Established risk factors for NSAID-associated gastrointestinal toxicity were poor predictors of who was prescribed a selective COX-2 inhibitor; in contrast, physician prescribing preference was an important determinant.
TGF-beta(1) produces myocardial fibrosis in vivo. This effect is not only produced by a stimulation of matrix protein formation: a complex regulation of MMP and TIMP interaction, namely decrease of expression and activity of interstitial collagenase and an enhanced inhibition by increased levels of TIMPs, are involved. These mechanisms are optional targets for therapeutic interventions in myocardial diseases.