Recent
reports in Science and Medicine for March 2006
Some
of these links are very transient and may expire within days of posting.
Some may require prior registration. Check-in and view frequently to
avoid missing great news items. I welcome any suggested articles. (email
link). An "*" indicates
a recommended article.
| :::::::::: March 31 |
::::::::: Weekend Reading
- Basic Science and general interest articles ::::::::: |
- FDA
- FDA Approvals: [Medscape]
- Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa injection) approval
of an extended dosing regimen allowing the use of a 500-µg
dose once every 3 weeks for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced
anemia in patients with nonmyeloid malignancies.
- Taxotere (docetaxel) allowing its use in combination
with cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil (CF) for the treatment of
advanced gastric cancer, including cancer of the gastroesophageal
junction, in patients who have not received prior chemotherapy
for advanced disease.
- Leukine (sargramostrim) new formulation to
deliver extended shelf-life.
- Prograf (
(tacrolimus) for the prevention of graft rejection in the recipients
of heart transplants.
- Relenza (zanamivir
for inhalation) for prevention (prophylaxis) of influenza (flu)
in adults and children 5 years of age and older.
- The FDA has warned of flagrant violations of donor
screening regulations by BioMedical Tissue Services, Inc. which have
brought the safety of implanted tissues into question. [Medscape]
- DRUG TRIALS:
- Increasingly Irritable and Close to Tears: TRPA1 in Inflammatory Pain. Cell
124: 1-14 (March 23, 2006) [Eurekalert]
- Stem cells found in adult mouse testes. Nature
Published online: 24 March 2006.
- Avian flu: Influenza virus receptors in the human airway. Nature
Brief Communications: 23 March 2006. [Science
Daily]
- Time for the renaissance of medicine in the Middle East. The
Lancet 2006; 367:959
- Obituary:
- Dr. Robin Coombs, a British immunologist who in the 1940's invented
a blood test used to diagnose some kinds of anemia and to prevent
negative reactions to transfusions. NYTimes
| :::::::::: March 30 :::::::::: |
|
- Education and rates of cognitive decline in incident Alzheimer’s
disease. J
Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2006; 77: 308-316. [Medscape]
- * Intramuscular
gluteal injections in the increasingly obese population: retrospective
study. BMJ
published online 8 March 2006.
- Recovery of Olfactory Function Following Closed Head Injury or Infections
of the Upper Respiratory Tract. Arch
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2006;132:265-269. [Medscape]
- New
England Journal of Medicine Volume
354 March 23, 2006 Number 12
| :::::::::: March 29 :::::::::: |
|
- Risks and benefits of omega 3 fats for mortality, cardiovascular disease,
and cancer: systematic review. BMJ
(published 24 March 2006). Editorial: Oily fish and omega 3 fat supplements. BMJ
(published 24 March 2006). [Medscape]
- * Bias
in published cost effectiveness studies: systematic review. BMJ
2006;332:699-703.
- Annals
of Internal Medicine 21
March 2006 Volume 144 Issue 6
- Smoking and Deaths between 40 and 70
Years of Age in Women and Men. S.E.
Vollset, and Others.
- Pulmonary Embolism in Patients with Unexplained
Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Prevalence
and Risk Factors. I.
Tillie-Leblond, and Others.
- * Cost-Effectiveness
of Preventive Strategies for Women with a BRCA1 or a BRCA2 Mutation. K.
Anderson, and Others. [Medscape]
- A Risk Score for Mortality after Allogeneic
Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. T.
Parimon, and Others.
- Brief Communication: Severe Hepatotoxicity
of Telithromycin: Three Case Reports and Literature Review. K.
D. Clay, and Others.
- Academia and Clinic: Evaluation of the Quality
of Prognosis Studies in Systematic Reviews. J.
A. Hayden, and Others.
- Update in Neurology. R.G.
Holloway, and R. F. Józefowicz
- Viewpoint: Limiting Prostate Cancer Screening. R.
M. Hoffman
- Viewpoint: Expanding Prostate Cancer Screening. W.
J. Catalona, and Others.
- Editorials: Measuring the Health Impact of
Smoking and Health Care Providers' Performance in Addressing
the Problem. R.
M. Davis
- Telithromycin. M.
Turner, and Others.
- On Being a Doctor: "Teach Me, and I
Will Be Silent; Make Me Understand How I Have Erred." (Job
6:24). M.
Seton
- Getting Out of Greasewood. J.
Coulehan
- Current Clinical Issues: The Pain Divide between
Men and Women. J.
Fisher Wilson
| :::::::::: March 28 :::::::::: |
|
- Motor Cortex Stimulation for the Enhancement of Recovery from Stroke:
A Prospective, Multicenter Safety Study. Neurosurgery.
2006; 58(3): 464-473. Eurekalert]
- Accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis of multiple
sclerosis: systematic review. BMJ
(24 March 2006). [Medscape]
- Recurrent stroke and cardiac risks after first ischemic stroke. Neurology
2006;66:641-646. [Medscape]
- JAMA Vol.
295 No. 12, pp. 1339-1474, March 22/29, 2006
| :::::::::: March 27 :::::::::: |
|
- Recent News in Cardiology
- American Journal of Medicine Volume
119, Issue 3, March 2006
| :::::::::: March 24 :::::::::: |
::::::::: Weekend Reading
- Basic Science and general interest articles ::::::::: |
- FDA
- Medwatch Alert: Mifeprex (mifepristone)
Notification of two additional deaths following medical abortion
with mifepristone. [Medscape]
- Medscape Alert:
Donors of Tissue Implants Improperly Screened for Disease
- Nature Medicine: Scientists one step closer to cancer vaccine [Eurekalert]
- Patients’ Perspectives on Ideal Physician Behaviors. Mayo
Clin Proc. 2006;81(3):338-344. [LiveScience:
Top 7 Things Patients Expect from Doctors]
- American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session 2006:
- Low-Tech Device Beats Out IV Diuretics for Heart
Failure. Medscape report
Abstract 418-7.
- Do Statins Have Effects Beyond Lipid-Lowering? [Cardiosource]
- U.S. Physician Charity
Care Continues Decade-Long Decline. Report form Center for Studying
Health System Change. [ScienceDaily]
| :::::::::: March 23 :::::::::: |
|
- Mortality associated with delay in operation after hip fracture: observational
study. BMJ
(published 22 March 2006).
- *Origin and funding of the most frequently cited papers in medicine:
database analysis. BMJ
online 17 March 2006. Commentary: Is society losing control of the
medical research agenda? BMJ
online 17 March 2006. [Medscape]
- New
England Journal of Medicine Volume 354 March 16, 2006 Number
11
| :::::::::: March 22 :::::::::: |
|
- Exercise-induced rhinitis: a common disorder that adversely affects allergic
and nonallergic athletes. Ann
Allergy, Asthma and Immun 2006; 96: 334 - 340. [Medscape]
- * Impact
of a Scientific Presentation on Community Treatment Patterns for Primary
Breast Cancer . J
Natl Cancer Inst 2006; 98: 382-388. [Medscape]
- JAMA Vol.
295 No. 11 March 15, 2006
- * Paclitaxel-Eluting
Stents vs Vascular Brachytherapy for In-Stent Restenosis Within
Bare-Metal Stents: The TAXUS V ISR Randomized Trial. JAMA.
2006;295:1253-1263.
- * Sirolimus-Eluting
Stents vs Vascular Brachytherapy for In-Stent Restenosis Within Bare-Metal
Stents: The SISR Randomized Trial. JAMA.
2006;295:1264-1273.
- Controlled Delivery of High vs Low Humidity vs
Mist Therapy for Croup in Emergency Departments: A Randomized Controlled
Trial. JAMA.
2006;295:1274-1280.
- * Transition
From Meeting Abstract to Full-length Journal Article for Randomized
Controlled Trials. JAMA.
2006;295:1281-1287.
- Reviews: Sex Differences of Endogenous Sex Hormones
and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA.
2006;295:1288-1299.
- Commentaries: Status Syndrome: A Challenge to Medicine. JAMA.
2006;295:1304-1307.
- Editorials: Brachytherapy for In-Stent Restenosis:
A Distant Second Choice to Drug-Eluting Stent Placement. JAMA.
2006;295:1307-1309.
- From the Archives Jounals: Prevention of Osteoporosis
Associated With Chronic Glucocorticoid Therapy. JAMA.
2006;295:1300-1303.
| :::::::::: March 21 :::::::::: |
|
- Maternal Depressive Symptoms at 2 to 4 Months Post Partum and Early Parenting
Practices. Arch
Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2006;160:279-284.
- Depressive Symptoms, Vascular Disease, and Mild Cognitive Impairment.
Findings From the Cardiovascular Health Study. Arch
Gen Psychiatry. 2006;63:273-279.
- Prevalence, Heritability, and Prospective Risk Factors for Anorexia Nervosa. Arch
Gen Psychiatry 2006;63:305-312. [Medscape]
- Binge-Eating Disorder as a Distinct Familial Phenotype in Obese Individuals. Arch
Gen Psychiatry 2006;63:313-319.
- * Suicidality in
Pediatric Patients Treated With Antidepressant Drugs. Arch
Gen Psychiatry. 2006;63:332-339. [Medscape]
- Archives
of Internal Medicine Vol. 166 No. 5, pp. 484-587, March 13, 2006
| :::::::::: March 20 :::::::::: |
|
- * Association of
chronic inflammation, not its treatment, with increased lymphoma risk in
rheumatoid arthritis. Arth
& Rheum 2006; 54:692-701. [Science
Daily]
- * Noble metals strip
peptides from class II MHC proteins. Nature
Chemical Biology Published online: 26 February 2006. [ScienceDaily:
Mystery Solved: Gold's Power Against Autoimmune Diseases Defined]
- Gestational Diabetes Identifies Women at Risk for Permanent Type 1 and
Type 2 Diabetes in Fertile Age: Predictive role of autoantibodies. Diabetes
Care 2006 29: 607-612.
- New
England Journal of Medicine Volume 354 March 9, 2006
Number 10
| :::::::::: March 17 :::::::::: |
::::::::: Weekend Reading
- Basic Science and general interest articles ::::::::: |
- FDA
- Medwatch: FDA Safety Changes - Ontak (denileukin
diftitox) changes to the WARNINGS section of the prescribing information.
Loss of visual acuity, usually with loss of color vision, following
administration of Ontak. While recovery was reported in some of the
affected patients, most patients reported persistent visual impairment.
[Medwatch]
- USDA
Announcement of Positive BSE Test Result.
- Low-Tech Device Beats Out IV Diuretics for Heart Failure. Medscape report
from ACC 55th Annual Scientific Session: Abstract 418-7.
- Medscape Alert:
Donors of Tissue Implants Improperly Screened for Disease
| :::::::::: March
14 :::::::::: |
|
- MR Imaging Evaluation of Acute Appendicitis in Pregnancy. Radiology
2006 238: 891-899. [Medscape]
- Drug-induced liver injury: Summary of a single topic clinical research
conference. Hepatology
2006; 43: 618 - 631. [Eurekalert]
- JAMA Vol.
295 No. 10, pp. 1095-1208, March 8, 2006
| ::::::::: March
10 ::::::::: |
::::::::: Weekend Reading
- Basic Science and general interest articles ::::::::: |
- FDA
- Medwatch: FDA Safety Changes:
[Medscape]
- Tracleer (bosentan)
warning of the need for monthly liver-function monitoring associated
with its use.
- Norvir (Norvir) warning
of multiple drug interactions associated with its use. Because
ritonavir is an inhibitor of cytochrome P-450 3A (CYP3A), coadministered
agents that are extensively metabolized by this hepatic enzyme
and have high first-pass metabolism are the most susceptible
to large increases in area under the curve (AUC; > 3-fold).
Ritonavir also inhibits CYP2D6 to a lesser extent, and concurrent
use of CYP2D6 substrates could result in up to 2-fold increases
in AUC of the other agent, potentially requiring a proportional
reduction in dosage. In addition, ritonavir appears to induce
CYP3A and other enzymes, including glucoronosyl transferase,
CYP1A2, and possibly CYP2C9.
- FDA
Warns Manufacturers About Illegal Steroid Products Sold as
Dietary Supplements
- FDA
News: FDA Initiative Helps Expedite Development of Seasonal
and Pandemic Flu Vaccines
- A regulatory role for the C5a anaphylatoxin in type 2 immunity in asthma. J.
Clin. Invest. 2006 116: 783-796. [ScienceDaily:
Antibody Therapy Reduces Asthma In Mice]
- Pneumococcal Conjugate to H. influenzae Vaccine May Help Prevent Acute Otitis Media [Medscape report from Lancet]
- * Effects of Decreasing Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption on Body Weight in Adolescents:
A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study. Pediatrics
2006; 117: 673-680. [Eurekalert]
- Limb Salvage Following Laser-Assisted Angioplasty for Critical Limb Ischemia: Results of the LACI Multicenter Trial. J Endovascular Ther: 2006; 13: 1–11. [Medscape]
- Annals of Internal Medicine
7 March 2006 Volume 144 Issue 5
- * Emergence of Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA 300 Clone as the Predominant Cause of Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections. M. D. King, and Others.
- * A
U.S. Population-Based Survey of Staphylococcus aureus Colonization. P. L. Graham, and Others
- Aspirin, Statins, or Both Drugs for the Primary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease Events in Men: A Cost–Utility
Analysis. M. Pignone, and Others. [Medscape]
- Adding Chloroquine to Conventional Treatment for Glioblastoma Multiforme: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled
Trial. J. Sotelo, and Others
- Fatal Human Metapneumovirus Infection in Stem-Cell
Transplant Recipients. J. A. Englund, and Others.
- Academia and Clinic: Reporting Randomized, Controlled Trials of Herbal Interventions: An Elaborated CONSORT Statement. The CONSORT Group*
- Update in Pulmonary Medicine. S. E. Weinberger
- Narrative Review: Ketosis-Prone Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. G.
E. Umpierrez, and Others
- Editorial: The Growing Menace of Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. R. C. Moellering, Jr. [Medscape]
- Editorial: New Treatments for Malignant Gliomas:
Careful Evaluation and Cautious Optimism Required. M. R. Gilbert
- Editorial: Human Metapneumovirus: Important but Not Currently Diagnosable. J
-A. H. van Burik
| :::::::::: March
8 :::::::::: |
|
- Recent News in Cardiology:
- New
England Journal of Medicine Volume 354 March 2, 2006 Number 9
| ::::::::: March
6 :::::::::: |
|
- Early Access to Prenatal Care: Implications for Racial Disparity in
Perinatal Mortality. Obstet
Gynecol 2006 107: 625-631. [Medscape]
- JAMA
Vol. 295 No. 9, pp. 967-1088, March 1, 2006
- Stem Cell Mobilization by Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating
Factor in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized
Controlled Trial. JAMA.
2006;295:1003-1010.
- Radiation Dose-Response Relationships for Thyroid
Nodules and Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases in Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Atomic Bomb Survivors 55-58 Years After Radiation Exposure. JAMA.
2006;295:1011-1022.
- Mental Health Problems, Use of Mental Health Services,
and Attrition From Military Service After Returning From Deployment
to Iraq or Afghanistan. JAMA.
2006;295:1023-1032.
- Thyroid Status, Cardiovascular Risk, and Mortality
in Older Adults. JAMA.
2006;295:1033-1041.
- Shortages of Medical Personnel at Community Health
Centers: Implications for Planned Expansion. JAMA.
2006;295:1042-1049.
- Clinical Review: Management of Antiphospholipid
Antibody Syndrome: A Systematic Review. JAMA.
2006;295:1050-1057.
- Editorials: Attempts to Recruit Stem Cells for
Repair of Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Dose of Reality. JAMA.
2006;295:1058-1060.
- Editorials: Thyroid Disease 60 Years After Hiroshima
and 20 Years After Chernobyl. JAMA.
2006;295:1060-1062.
- Strengthening Primary Care to Bolster the Health
Care Safety Net. JAMA.
2006;295:1062-1064.
| ::::::::: March
3 ::::::::: |
::::::::: Weekend Reading
- Basic Science and general interest articles ::::::::: |
- FDA Approvals:
- Emsam (Selegiline)
the first skin (transdermal) patch for use in treating major depression.
The once a day patch works by delivering selegiline, a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor or MAOI, through the skin and into the bloodstream.
At its lowest strength, Emsam can be used without the dietary restrictions
that are needed for all oral MAO inhibitors that are approved for
treating major depression.
- Erbitux (cetuximab)
approved for use in combination with radiation therapy to treat patients
with squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (SCCHN) that can not
be removed by surgery (unresectable SCCHN).
- HepaGam B (hepatitis B immune globulin [human])
for the treatment of acute exposure to blood containing hepatitis
B surface antigen (HBsAg), perinatal exposure of infants born to
HBsAg-positive mothers, sexual exposure to HBsAg-positive persons,
and household exposure to persons with acute hepatitis B viral (HBV)
infection. [Medscape]
- Xibrom (bromfenac ophthalmic solution) supplemental
indication for the reduction of ocular pain in patients who have
undergone cataract extraction. [Medscape]
- Proair HFA expanded indication for albuterol sulfate
inhalation aerosol (Proair HFA, made by Ivax Pharmaceuticals, Inc),
allowing its use for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm
in adolescents and adults aged 12 years and older. [Medscape]
- Medwatch: Safety Changes: [Medscape]
- DDAVP (desmopressin injection, nasal spray, rhinal
tube, and tablets) contraindication in patients with moderate to
severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance [CrCl], <50-mL/minute)
because of the increased risk for toxic reactions.
- Norvir (ritonavir) warning of drug interactions
and the risk for immune reconstitution syndrome associated with its
use.
- Cipro (ciprofloxacin) warninf that its use is
contraindicated in patients receiving tizanidine (Zanaflex)
- * Long-term
survival of neonatal porcine islets in nonhuman primates by targeting costimulation
pathways. Nature:
Medicine Published online: 26 February 2006. [Eurekalert]
- Brain activity before an event predicts later recollection. Nature
Neuroscience Published online: 26 February 2006; | doi:10.1038/nn1663 .
[Eurekalert]
- Particularities of the vasculature can promote the organ specificity
of autoimmune attack. Nature
Immunology 7, 284 - 292 (2006) .
- Social isolation and the inflammatory response: sex differences in the
enduring effects of a prior stressor . Am
J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 290: R273-R282, 2006. [ Eurekalert:
Isolated female rats subjected to a stressor heal faster than males]
- * American
College of Cardiology: CardioSource - Slide Set: Heart Disease in Women
- Primary Prevention. Created by Roger Blumenthal,MD, et al.
- Medscape: Clinical
Reviews: Update for Primary Healthcare Providers: Recent Statin Trials
and Revised National Cholesterol Education Program III Guidelines.
- Archives of
Internal Medicine Vol. 166 No. 4, pp. 382-472, February 27,
2006