The pleiotropic effects of statins do not seem to contribute an additional cardiovascular risk reduction benefit beyond that expected from the degree of LDL-C lowering observed in other trials that primarily lowered LDL-C.

We have been able to isolate the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa from water samples of ponds and river where patients of rhinosporidiosis were bathing. It is likely that this cyanobacterium is the causative agents of this disease. The bluish-green cells of M. aeruginosa also have a colorless small cell stage called nanocyte which has been detected in clear waters of all the pond and river samples studied. Both large cells and nanocytes of M. aeruginosa could be recognized inside the round bodies of rhinosporidiosis by light and electron microscopy. Further work on culturing this organism from excised samples and evaluation for drug therapy are in progress. It is hoped that, if therapy becomes available, no surgery would be required for this disease. It is suggested that the waters from ponds and lakes, as well as municipal and recreational waters, be checked for the nanocyte stage of M. aeruginosa. Etiological controversies of rhinosporidiosis have been reasonably solved. The new findings justify a change in the name "rhinosporidiosis" that had been associated with the fungus Rhinosporidium Seeberi.

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Short stature is a common concern in pediatrics. Several ambiguities and controversies persist, especially with regard to criteria, cost, medical necessity and outcomes of growth hormone (GH) therapy for idiopathic short stature (ISS). Due to these ambiguities and controversies, a series of decisions by primary care physicians (whether to refer the short child to a pediatric endocrinologist), pediatric endocrinologist (whether to recommend GH treatment), families (whether to raise concern about short stature and whether to agree to undertake treatment), and third party payers (whether to cover the costs of GH therapy) influence which individual short children will receive GH in the US. Together, these decisions determine overall GH use. Apart from child's growth characteristics, several non-physiological factors drive the critical decisions of these stakeholders. This article focuses on current ambiguities and controversies regarding GH therapy in ISS, discusses the decision-makers involved in GH therapy, and explores the factors influencing their decisions.