1. A method for treating a patient with high LDL-C, the method comprising:
obtaining a sample from a patient;
conducting an assay on the sample to obtain a level of a cholesterol absorption marker and a level of a cholesterol production marker;
balancing the level of the cholesterol absorption marker against the level of the cholesterol production marker to determine whether the patient is a balanced producer, an over-producer, and an over-absorber of cholesterol; and
administering to the patient a drug that inhibits cholesterol absorption based on the balancing step, thereby treating the patient with high LDL-C.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sample is a blood sample.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the marker is a sterol.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the sterol alcohol is campesterol or \u03b2-sitosterol.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the patient is also taking a statin.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the statin is a high-potency statin.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the high-potency statin is simvastatin or atorvastatin.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the drug administered is ezetimibe.
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the balancing step comprises
comparing the levels of the cholesterol absorption and production markers to respective reference levels;
assigning values to the cholesterol absorption and production markers based on the comparison; and
balancing the value of the cholesterol absorption marker against the value of the cholesterol production marker, wherein the patient should be administered a drug that inhibits cholesterol absorption if the value of the cholesterol absorption marker exceeds the value of the cholesterol production marker.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient should be administered a drug that inhibits cholesterol absorption if the patient is a balanced producer or an over-absorber.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A socket tool comprising:
a handle;
a pivot member connected with the handle;
a threaded rod connecting the pivot member and the handle;
a quick release member mounted in the pivot member; and
a compression spring mounted on the quick release member;
wherein:
the handle has a first end provided with a grip portion and a second end provided with a mounting portion;
the mounting portion of the handle is provided with a transverse through hole;
the mounting portion of the handle has an outer periphery provided with a plurality of retaining grooves and a pressing block;
the pivot member is mounted on the mounting portion of the handle;
the pivot member has a first end provided with a screw hole and a second end provided with a connector;
the connector of the pivot member has an interior provided with a channel;
the quick release member is mounted in the channel of the connector; and
the quick release member has a first end provided with a positioning protrusion.
2. The socket tool of claim 1, wherein the channel of the connector has a stepped shape.
3. The socket tool of claim 1, wherein:
the socket tool further comprises a positioning ball mounted on the pivot member;
the quick release member has a second end provided with a shaft;
the shaft of the quick release member is provided with a limit depression and a release recess connected to the limit depression; and
the positioning ball is received in the limit depression or the release recess of the quick release member.
4. The socket tool of claim 3, wherein the compression spring is mounted on the shaft of the quick release member and received in the channel of the connector.
5. The socket tool of claim 1, wherein the pressing block of the handle is integrally formed on the mounting portion.
6. The socket tool of claim 1, wherein the pressing block of the handle consists of a bore formed in the mounting portion and a ball embedded in the bore.
7. The socket tool of claim 1, wherein the positioning protrusion of the quick release member is received in one of the retaining grooves of the handle or abuts the pressing block of the handle.
8. The socket tool of claim 1, wherein the threaded rod extends through the screw hole of the pivot member and the through hole of the handle, with the pivot member being pivotally mounted on the mounting portion of the handle and is pivotable about the threaded rod.
9. The socket tool of claim 3, wherein the positioning ball is movably mounted on the connector of the pivot member and partially extended into the channel of the connector.
10. The socket tool of claim 1, wherein the compression spring is biased between the positioning protrusion of the quick release member and the connector of the pivot member to push the positioning protrusion of the quick release member toward the mounting portion of the handle.