Recent reports in Science and Medicine for May 2003

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).

May 30

Friday Odds & Ends

  1. Faulty adaptor linked to leukemia: Loss of the adaptor protein SLP-65 is a primary cause of childhood pre-B leukemia New Scientist news report of Nature article (not available to nonsubscribers)
  2. Targeting Estrogen Receptor- b: A Case Study in Drug Discovery | By Jennifer Fisher Wilson New Scientist news
  3. Cyclooxygenase-2 is instrumental in Parkinson's disease neurodegeneration. Teismann P, et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA , Vol. 100, Issue 9, 5473-5478,
  4. Elevated C-reactive protein levels are associated with endothelial dysfunction in chronic cocaine users. Meng Q, et al. International Journal of Cardiology
    Volume 88, April 2003, Pages 191-198. (Full article can be accessed from ScienceDirect linked from PHS Library E-Resources )
  5. CD2-Associated Protein Haploinsufficiency Is Linked to Glomerular Disease Susceptibility. Kim JM, et al. Science May 23 2003: 1298-1300.(subscribers) (Eurekalert news report)
  6. Physical Inactivity Rapidly Increases Visceral Fat; Exercise Can Reverse Accumulation (Science Daily news) Artcle not yet online.
  7. Effects of Greek orthodox christian church fasting on serum lipids and obesity. Sarri KO, et al. BMC Public Health 2003 3:16 (published 16 May 2003) (News release). See May 7 artcile on fasting and effects on glucose metabolism.

May 29

  1. Effect of Estrogen Plus Progestin on Global Cognitive Function in Postmenopausal Women: The Women's Health Initiative Memory Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Rapp SR; et al JAMA. 2003;289:2663-2672..
  2. Effect of Estrogen Plus Progestin on Stroke in Postmenopausal Women: The Women's Health Initiative: A Randomized Trial. Wassertheil-Smoller S; et al. JAMA. 2003;289:2673-2684.
  3. Combined Cardiac Resynchronization and Implantable Cardioversion Defibrillation in Advanced Chronic Heart Failure: The MIRACLE ICD Trial. Young JB, et al. JAMA. 2003;289:2685-2694.
  4. Variation of Serum Prostate-Specific Antigen Levels: An Evaluation of Year-to-Year Fluctuations. Eastham JA, et al. JAMA. 2003;289:2695-2700.
  5. Hormone Therapy and the Brain: Déjà Vu All Over Again? Kristine Yaffe JAMA. 2003;289:2717-2719.
  6. Combining Resynchronization and Defibrillation Therapies for Heart Failure David J. Bradley JAMA. 2003;289:2719-2721.

May 28

  1. Estrogen Plus Progestin and the Incidence of Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment in Postmenopausal Women: The Women's Health Initiative Memory Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial Shumaker SA, et al. JAMA -EXPRESS JAMA.  2003;289:2651-2662
  2. Why clinical information standards matter: Because they constrain what can be described Editorial Gardner, M.. BMJ   2003;326:1101-1102 (24 May)
  3. Beta-lactam monotherapy versus beta-lactam-aminoglycoside combination therapy for fever with neutropenia: systematic review and meta-analysis. Paul M, et al. BMJ 2003; 326: 1111.
  4. Stepping down inhaled corticosteroids in asthma: randomised controlled trial.Hawkins G, et al. BMJ 2003;326:1115 (24 May)
  5. Empirical prescribing for dyspepsia: randomised controlled trial of test and treat versus omeprazole treatment. Manes G, at al. BMJ   2003;326:1118 (24 May)
  6. Restless Legs Syndrome. Earley CJ. Review N Engl J Med 2003; 348:2103-2109.
  7. Special Online Collection: The SARS Epidemic. Science (includes publicaiton of Coronavirus genome)
  8. Obstructive Sleep Apnea and the Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation Kanagala R, et al. Circulation 2003: published online before print May 12, 2003.
  9. Comparison of the Short-Term Survival Benefit Associated With Revascularization Compared With Medical Therapy in Patients With No Prior Coronary Artery Disease Undergoing Stress Myocardial Perfusion Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography Hachamovitch R, et al. Circulation 2003: published online before print (Eurekalert news report)

May 27

  1. Health Outcomes Associated With Various Antihypertensive Therapies Used as First-Line Agents: A Network Meta-analysis. Psaty BM, et al. JAMA. 2003;289:2534-2544.
  2. Analysis and Reporting of Factorial Trials: A Systematic Review McAlister FA, et al. JAMA. 2003;289:2545-2553.
  3. Composite Outcomes in Randomized Trials: Greater Precision But With Greater Uncertainty? Freemantle N, et al. JAMA. 2003;289:2554-2559.
  4. JNC 7—It's More Than High Blood Pressure EDITORIAL Kottke TE, et al. JAMA. 2003;289:2573-2575.
  5. Clinical Trials—Multiple Treatments, Multiple End Points, and Multiple Lessons Lauer MS and Topol EJ. JAMA. 2003;289:2575-2577.
  6. Assessment and Management of Insomnia (Review) Schenck CH, et al. JAMA. 2003;289:2475-2479.

May 23

  1. Interpreting Incomplete Data in Studies of Diet and Weight Loss. Ware, J. H. . N Engl J Med 2003; 348: 2136-2137
  2. A Low-Carbohydrate as Compared with a Low-Fat Diet in Severe Obesity. Samaha FF, et al. N Engl J Med 2003; 348::2074-2081
  3. Obesity, and Cardiovascular Risk. Bonow RO and Eckel RH. N Engl J Med 200; 348:2057-2058
  4. A Randomized Trial of a Low-Carbohydrate Diet for Obesity. Foster GD, et al. . N Engl J Med 200; 348::2082-2090 .
  5. Science Daily news report on the above N Engl J Med articles.

May 22

  1. Heart Failure.(Review Article) Jessup M and Brozena S. N Engl J Med 2003;348:2007-2018.
  2. Combination Therapy With Hormone Replacement and Alendronate for Prevention of Bone Loss in Elderly Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Greenspan SL, et al. .JAMA. 2003;289:2525-2533.
  3. Active Neck Muscle Training in the Treatment of Chronic Neck Pain in Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Ylinen J, et al. JAMA. 2003;289:2509-2516.
  4. Race, Quality of Care, and Outcomes of Elderly Patients Hospitalized With Heart Failure. Rathore SS, et al. JAMA. 2003;289:2517-2524.

May 21

  1. Evidence for Use of Coronary Stents: A Hierarchical Bayesian Meta-Analysis.. Brophy JM,et al. Ann Intern Med. 2003;138:777–786.
  2. The current Lancet and New England Journal of Medicine continue SARS series..
  3. Effects of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet on the Pressure-Natriuresis Relationship Akita S, et al. Hypertension published online May 19, 2003. 
  4. Low Paraoxonase Activity Predicts Coronary Events in the Caerphilly Prospective Study. Mackness B, et al. Circulation 2003: published online May 19, 2003,
  5. How Do ß-Blockers Improve Ventricular Function in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure? Barry WH and Gilbert EM. Circulation 2003 107: 2395 - 2397, [Full Text-PDF]
  6. ß-Blockers Restore Calcium Release Channel Function and Improve Cardiac Muscle Performance in Human Heart Failure. Reiken S, et al. Circulation Published online before print May 12, 2003
  7. A New Anti-herpes Drug from a Common Herb, Self-Heal 103 rd General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology

May 20

  1. Neural control of food intake: Central inhibition of fatty acid oxidation may be sufficient to suppress food intake. In the May 19 advanced online Nature Medicine (subscribers). [The Scientist news report]
  2. Mitochondrial Dysfunction in the Elderly: Possible Role in Insulin Resistance.Petersen KF, et al.(PDF of yesterday's article for those witthout access to Science)
  3. Insulin-regulated hepatic gluconeogenesis through FOXO1–PGC-1 interaction. Puigserver P, et al. Nature AOP, published online 18 May 2003; doi:10.1038/nature01667 (Mutated Protein Combination Tied To Excessive Sugar Production; Study Identifies Potential Target For Diabetes Drugs: Science Daily news release)
  4. Inhibition of hypothalamic carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 decreases food intake and glucose production Obici S, et al.Nature Medicine Published online: 18 May 2003, doi:10.1038/nm873 [Scientist news report: Neural control of food intake Central inhibition of fatty acid oxidation may be sufficient to suppress food intake ]

May 19

  1. Mitochondrial Dysfunction in the Elderly: Possible Role in Insulin Resistance Petersen KF, et al. Science 2003;300: 1140-1142 (subscribers) or Science Daily news release."Diabetes In The Elderly Linked To Fewer Cellular 'Power Plants' "
  2. Vpr R77Q is associated with long-term nonprogressive HIV infection and impaired induction of apoptosis. Lum JJ, et al. J. Clin. Invest. 2003 111: 1547-1554. (Science Daily news release)
  3. Three Risk Factors Predict Atrial Flutter in Women [Medscape report on Meeting of North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology 24th Annual Scientific Sessions]
  4. Thin-Section CT of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome: Evaluation of 73 Patients Exposed to or with the Disease. Wong KT, et al. Published online before print May 8, 2003 (Radiology 2003, 10.1148/radiol.2283030541) [Also see Medscape online reports]

May 16

  1. New Malaria Combination Treatment Promising [Medscape report of European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases].
  2. Effectiveness and safety of ICL670 in iron-loaded patients with thalassaemia: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation trial. Nisbet-Brown E, et al. Lancet 2003; 361: 1597-602 .(Medscape news)
  3. Estrogen modulates cutaneous wound healing by downregulating macrophage migration inhibitory factor Ashcroft GS, et al. J. Clin. Invest. 2003 111: 1309-1318.
  4. Use of the Internet and E-mail for Health Care Information: Results From a National Survey. Baker L, et al. JAMA.  2003;289:2400-2406.
  5. MmpL8 is required for sulfolipid-1 biosynthesis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis virulence. Converse SE, et al. PNAS 2003 100: 6121-6126; published online before print April 30 2003 [ScienceDaily news report]
  6. Differential cognitive and behavioral effects of topiramate and valproate Meador KL, et al. Neurology 2003 60: 1483-1488
  7. Relationship of Changes in Physical Activity and Mortality Among Older Women GreggEW, et al. JAMA. 2003;289:2379-2386.
  8. Free SARS text from FreeMedicalJournals.com, updated monthly

May 15

  1. From Prolonged Febrile Illness to Fever of Unknown Origin. Vanderschueren S, et al. Arch Intern Med.  2003;163:1033-1041.
  2. Effects of Blood Pressure Lowering With Perindopril and Indapamide Therapy on Dementia and Cognitive Decline in Patients With Cerebrovascular Disease
    The PROGRESS Collaborative Group* Arch Intern Med.  2003;163:1069-1075.
  3. Headache and the Risk of Stroke. Jousilahti P, et al. Arch Intern Med.  2003;163:1058-1062
  4. Comparison of 10-mg and 5-mg Warfarin Initiation Nomograms Together with Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin for Outpatient Treatment of Acute Venous Thromboembolism: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial. Kovacs MJ, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2003;138:714–719.
  5. The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure
    The JNC 7 Report JAMA.  2003;289:(DOI 10.1001/jama.289.19.2560).
  6. Hypertension Prevalence and Blood Pressure Levels in 6 European Countries, Canada, and the United States. Wolf-Maier K; et al. JAMA.  2003;289:2363-2369.
  7. Patterns of Functional Decline at the End of Life. Lunney JR, et al. JAMA.  2003;289:2387-2392.

May 14

  1. FDA Approves Velcade for Multiple Myeloma Treatment [FDA News release]
  2. Spinal manipulative therapy is an independent risk factor for vertebral artery dissection. Smith WS, et al. Neurology 2003;60:1424-1428 [MedScape CME for article]
  3. Synergistic Effect of Persistent Chlamydia pneumoniae Infection, Autoimmunity, and Inflammation on Coronary Risk. Huittinen T, et al. Published online May 12, 2003
    (Circulation 2003, 10.1161/01.CIR.0000068338.17948.22) [Science Daily: Trio Of Trouble: Infection, Autoimmunity & Inflammation Gang Up On Heart ]
  4. What Do Doctors Find Meaningful about Their Work? HorowitzCR, et al.Ann Intern Med. 2003;138:772–775.
  5. Vaccination Halts Progression Of Atherosclerosis In Animal Studies, UCSD Researchers Report (Science Daily news) Published in the June 2003 issue of Nature Medicine, not available online.
  6. American Collge of Physicialns Resource: Medicine in Quotations

May 13

  1. Association between complex coronary artery stenosis and unstable angina and the extent of plaque inflammation Meuwissen M, et al. Am J Med 2003; 114: 521-527
  2. Association between antidepressant prescribing and suicide in Australia, 1991-2000: trend analysis Hal WD, et al ,BMJ 2003;326:1008-1011
  3. Pathogenic bacteria attach to human fibronectin through a tandem -zipper. Schwarz-Linek U, et al. J Nature 423 , 177 - 181 (2003); doi:10.1038/nature01589
  4. Website of the week Antidepressants BMJ 2003;326:1042 ( 10 May )
  5. Efficacy and tolerability of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors compared with tricyclic antidepressants in depression treated in primary care: systematic review and meta-analysis. MacGillivray S, et al, BMJ 2003;326:1014 ( 10 May )
  6. Intensive smoking cessation counseling versus minimal counseling among hospitalized smokers treated with transdermal nicotine replacement: a randomized trial. Simon JA, et al , Am J Med 2003; 114:555-562
  7. Gender Differences in Muscular Protection of the Knee in Torsion in Size-Matched Athletes. Wojtys EM, et al. J Bone and Joint Surg 2003;85:782-789

May 12

  1. Potential effect of cyclooxygenase-2 specific inhibitors on the prevention of colorectal cancer: a cost-effectiveness analysis U, et al. Am J Med 2003;114: 546-554. [Colonoscopy Far More Cost-effective Against Colon Cancer Than Promising Cox II Drugs, Study Predicts (Science Daily, MedScape)]
  2. Acute Monocytic Leukemia Presenting as Acute Respiratory Failure. Azoulay E, et al. Am J Resp Cr Care Med 2003; 167:1329-1333,
  3. Bactericidal and Sterilizing Activities of Antituberculosis Drugs during the First 14 Days. Jindani A, et al. Am J Resp Crit Care Med 2003;67:1348-1354

May 9

  1. Muscle-Repair Defect Underlies Two Muscular Dystrophies [Science Daily and HHMI News Release]Defective membrane repair in dysferlin-deficient muscular dystrophy Nature 423 , 168 - 172 (2003); doi:10.1038/nature01573 (registration required)
  2. Nicotinamide and PNC1 govern lifespan extension by calorie restriction in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Anderson R, et al. Nature 423 , 181 - 185 (2003); doi:10.1038/nature01578 (registration required) [Science Daily: Gene That Extends Lifespan In Yeast Points To Paradigm Shift In Longevity Research; May Explain Life Extension Via Calorie Restriction. [Harvard News Release]
  3. Distal Airways in Humans: Dynamic Hyperpolarized 3He MR Imaging—Feasibility. Tooker AC, et al. Radiology 2003;227:575-579.)[ New Imaging Technique May Help People With Asthma (Science Daily News)]
  4. Success Of Chemotherapy Tied To Genetics (ScienceDaily). Current issue of Clinical Cancer Research not online yet.

May 8

  1. SARS  in Lancet: Early online publications

May 7

  1. It's The Prices, Stupid: Why The United States Is So Different From Other Countries Gerard F. Anderson, etal. Health Affairs 2003; 22: 89-105: (PDF)
  2. Intermittent fasting dissociates beneficial effects of dietary restriction on glucose metabolism and neuronal resistance to injury from calorie intake AnsonRM, et al. PNAS published April 30, 2003, 10.1073/pnas.1035720100 NEWS RELEASES: New Scientist news and Science News
  3. Gene Find Raises Hopes Of New Treatment For Bowel Cancer (ScienceDaily) [Nature: Genetics article not available online]
  4. Common Concerns Amid Diverse Systems: Health Care Experiences In Five Countries Health Affairs Journal 2003; 22:
  5. Molecular Diagnosis of the Hematologic Cancers. Staudt LM.N Eng J Med 2003;348:1777-1785.

May 6

  1. FDA Approves Iressa (gefitinib) for Lung Cancer (FDA press release)
  2. Update: Severe immune response kills SARS victims (NewScientist.com news service)
  3. Randomized Controlled Trial of Exercise Training in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Survivors: Cardiopulmonary and Quality of Life Outcomes Courneya KS, et al. Journal of Clinical Oncology , Vol 21, Issue 9 (May), 2003: 1660-1668.
  4. Spontaneous regression of advanced cancer: Identification of a unique genetically determined, age-dependent trait in mice Cui Z, et al. PNAS published April 30, 2003, 10.1073/pnas.1031601100 (Wake Forest scientists develop colony of mice that fight off virulent cancer ScienceDaily news release)
  5. Drugs in the news: an analysis of Canadian newspaper coverage of new prescription drugs. Cassels A, et al. CMAJ 2003; 168: (9)

May 5

  1. Dietary fibre and colorectal adenoma in a colorectal cancer early detection programme Peters U, et al. Lancet 2003; 3618     03 May 2003
  2. Dietary fibre in food and protection against colorectal cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC): an observational study. Bingham SA, et al.Lancet 2003; 361,  03 May 2003.
  3. CDC Reports the Health-Related Costs of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women Exceeds $5.8 billion each year in the United States [CDC Press Release]
  4. Genetic Mutation Ups Bacterial Infection Risk: Assay of locus-specific genetic load implicates rare Toll-like receptor 4 mutations in meningococcal susceptibility. Smirnove, I, et al. Published online before print May 2, 2003 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA , 10.1073/pnas.1031605100
  5. B-type natriuretic peptide in cardiovascular disease De Lemos JA, et al. Lancet online
  6. Heat shock proteins as regulators of the immune response Pockley AG. Lancet online

May 2

    BASIC SCIENCE FRIDAY!
  1. Derivation of Oocytes from Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells. Hübner K, et al. Science Online. [ ScienceDaily and New Scientist news releases]
  2. Vanilloid receptor-1 containing primary sensory neurones mediate dextran sulphate sodium induced colitis in rats. Kihara N, et al. Gut 2003; 52 :713-719. (ScienceDaily report)
  3. Researchers Find Viral Protein That Mimics Its Way Into Cells - Science Daily [A Conserved Calcineurin-binding Motif in Human T Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 p12 IFunctions to Modulate Nuclear Factor of Activated T Cell Activation J. Biol. Chem. 2003 278: 15550-15557. ]
  4. Researchers Discover Structure of Nature’s "Circuit Breaker" [HHMI] [ScienceDaily] Nature Focus: Ion channels: Structure and function.
  5. The Human Genome from A to Z Britain's Wellcome Trust primer on genome research and its possible impact on medicine and society. The Genome Browser profiles each chromosome and highlights its important genes. Helpful backgrounders explore the ethical implications of genome research.

May 1

  1. A Randomized Trial Comparing a Very Low Carbohydrate Diet and a Calorie-Restricted Low Fat Diet on Body Weight and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Healthy Women. Brehm BJ. et al. J Clinl Endo Met 2003;88:1617-1623 [contents of current issue with link to UpToDate]
  2. Effect of Ezetimibe Coadministered With Atorvastatin in 628 Patients With Primary Hypercholesterolemia. A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Trial. Ballantyne CM et al.
    Circulation 2003: published online 10.1161/01.CIR.0000068312.21969.C8..
  3. Physical Activity in Relation to Cardiovascular Disease and Total Mortality Among Men With Type 2 Diabetes. Tanasescu M, et al.Circulation 2003: published online 10.1161/01.CIR.0000066906.11109.1F.
  4. Serum Total Cholesterol Concentrations and Awareness, Treatment, and Control of Hypercholesterolemia Among US Adults. Findings From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999 to 2000 Ford ES, et al. Circulation 2003: published online 10.1161/01.CIR.0000066320.27195.B4.
  5. Enzyme Found In Blood Vessels Likely Target To Treat Lung Injury (ScienceDaily news release) PNAS article will be linked after it is posted.
  6. Effectiveness of Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine in Older Adults Jackson LA, et al N Eng J Med 2003;348:1747-1755
  7. Decline in Invasive Pneumococcal Disease after the Introduction of Protein–Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine CG, et al. N Engl J Med 2003;348:1737-1746 .
  8. Nitroprusside in Critically Ill Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction and Aortic Stenosis Khot UN, et al. N Engl J Med 2003;348:1756-1763