Recent reports in Science and Medicine for February 2003

Some of these links are very transient and may expire within days of posting. Check-in and view frequently to avoid missing great news items. I welcome any suggested articles. (email link)

28 February

  1. Effect of four monthly oral vitamin D 3(cholecalciferol) supplementation on fractures and mortality in men and women living in the community: randomised double blind controlled trial Daksha P Trivedi DP, et al. BMJ 2003;326:469 ( 1 March )
  2. SCIENCE Special Issue: Aging: Research on Aging: The End of the Beginning. Martinet al.Volume 299, Number 5611, Issue of 28 Feb 2003, pp. 1339-1341. (non-subscribers can get copies of article from Dr. Holbein)
  3. Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Heart Failure Caused by a Mutation in Phospholamban. Schmitt JP, et al. Science 2003;299:1410-1413.
  4. The Relationship Between Systolic Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Risk - Results of the Brisighella Heart Study (news article on Medscape from Journal of Clinical Hypertension)

27 February

  1. A phase I/II study of nevirapine for pre-exposure prophylaxis of HIV-1 transmission in uninfected subjects at high risk:Jackson JB, et al. AIDS 2003; 17 (4) :547 -553 .
  2. Long-term follow-up of coronary artery disease presenting in young adults. Cole JH, et al. J Am C Card 2003;41:521-528
  3. Physical activity levels among the general US adult population and in adults with and without arthritis. JM, et al.Arthritis Care & Research 2003; 49:129-135. (see editiorial too)

24 February

  1. The first AIDS vaccine to be tested in a phase III trial prevented few infections (news release)
  2. Published at www.nejm.org February 24, 2003 (Early release on-line.The article and editorial will appear in the April 10, 2003, issue of the Journal .) Long-Term, Low-Intensity Warfarin Therapy for the Prevention of Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism. Ridker PM, et al.for the PREVENT Investigators N Engl J Med 2003;348.
  3. Relapse prevention with antidepressant drug treatment in depressive disorders: a systematic review Geddes JR, et al. Lancet 2003; 361: 653-51
  4. Low plasma arginine concentrations in children with cerebral malaria and decreased nitric oxide production. Lopansri BK, et al. Lancet 2003; 361: 676-78.
  5. Relation between hormone replacement therapy and ischaemic heart disease in women: prospective observational study. Løkkegaar E, et al. BMJ 2003;326:426
  6. Accuracy of Ottawa ankle rules to exclude fractures of the ankle and mid-foot: systematic review.Bachmann L, et al.BMJ 2003;326:417 .
  7. Relapse prevention with antidepressant drug treatment in depressive disorders: a systematic review Geddes JR, et al. Lancet 2003; 361: 653-51

21February

  1. Interferons in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis: a systematic review. Filippini G, et al.Lancet 2003; 361: 545-52 .
  2. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion : Atlas of Stroke Mortality
  3. Cancer in the Home: A "New Normal" Part One Interview with Dr. Wendy Harpham (ABC News - Health)
  4. Cancer in the Home: Recurring Hope, Part Two Interview with Dr. Wendy Harpham (ABC News - Health)
  5. Science - Special Issue: Obesity Science 2003 299: 781-860.(non-subscribers can get a copy from Dr Holbein)
  6. Drugs and Stress Stimulate Pleasure Center Science NOW 20 February 2003.
  7. Alcohol Researchers Identify A Genetic Basis Of Pain Response: COMT val 158 met Genotype Affects µ-Opioid Neurotransmitter Responses to a Pain Stressor. Zubieta J, et al. Science ;299:1240-1243. (Basic science link du jour.)

19 February

  1. Antibiotic Resistance Among Gram-Negative Bacilli in US Intensive Care Units: Implications for Fluoroquinolone Use. Neuhause et al. JAMA. 2003;289:885-888
  2. Association of Serum Digoxin Concentration and Outcomes in Patients With Heart Failure: Rathore et al JAMA. 2003;289:871-878
  3. The Implications of Regional Variations in Medicare Spending. Part 1: The Content, Quality, and Accessibility of Care. Pages 273–287 Part 2: Health Outcomes and Satisfaction with Care. Pages 288–298 in Ann Intern Med. 2003;138:273–287 and 288-298.
  4. Sex, Hormones & Genetics Affect Brain's Pain Control System (news release; Basic science link for the day)

18 February

  1. FDA Talk Paper: FDA Clears New Lab Test to Help Rule Out Heart Attack (news release)
  2. Hypertension and prolonged vasoconstrictor signaling in RGS2-deficient mice. Hexime SP, et al .J. Clin. Invest.2003; 111 :445-452 (Basic science article for the day)
  3. Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality in Women Diagnosed With Rheumatoid Arthritis. Solomon DH, et al. Published online before print February 17, 2003 (Circulation 2003, 10.1161/01.CIR.0000054612.26458.B2) (Accessible from terminals with THR IP.)

17 February

  1. Vision to Restore the American Health System: A Newsmaker Interview With Floyd E. Bloom, MD (Medscape 17 February)

14 February

  1. Research letters: Effect of ibuprofen on cardioprotective effect of aspirin. T M MacDonald, L Wei Lancet 2003; 361: 573-74
  2. Vaccination With Irradiated Autologous Tumor Cells Engineered to Secrete Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Augments Antitumor Immunity in Some Patients With Metastatic Non–Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma. Salgia R, et al. Journal of Clinical Oncology , Vol 21, Issue 4 (February), 2003: 624-630
  3. Information in practice: Patients' consent preferences for research uses of information in electronic medical records: interview and survey data. Willison , et al. BMJ 2003;326:373

13 February

This week's NEJM has several articles:

  1. A Comparison of Outcomes with Angiotensin-Converting–Enzyme Inhibitors and Diuretics for Hypertension in the Elderly. Wing LMH, et al . N Engl J Med 2003;348:583-592.
  2. EDITORIAL: Treating Hypertension — What Are We to Believe? Edward E.D. N Engl J Med 2003;348:639-641.
  3. CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE: Initial Treatment of Hypertension. August P. N Engl J Med 2003;348:610-617
  4. DRUG THERAPY: Selective Estrogen-Receptor Modulators — Mechanisms of Action and Application to Clinical Practice. Riggs and Hartmann,. N Engl J Med 2003;348:618-629.
  5. SOUNDING BOARD: Understanding the Divergent Data on Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy.Grodstein, F. N Engl J Med 2003:348:645-650.

12 February

  1. Predictors of Broad-Spectrum Antibiotic Prescribing for Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in Adult Primary Care.  Steinman MA, et al JAMA. 2003;289:719-725
  2. Effects of Initiating Carvedilol in Patients With Severe Chronic Heart Failure: Results From the COPERNICUS Study. Krum H, et al. JAMA. 2003;289:712-718
  3. Cardiac Resynchronization and Death From Progressive Heart Failure: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Bradley DJ, et al.. JAMA. 2003;289:730-740
  4. Prevalence of Celiac Disease in At-Risk and Not-At-Risk Groups in the United States: A Large Multicenter Study. Fasano A, et al. Arch Intern Med. 2003;163:286-292
  5. Clincal trial of melanoma therapy follow up from Resident's Conference 02-12-03.Adoptive T cell therapy using antigen-specific CD8 +T cell clones for the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma :In vivo persistence, migration, and antitumor effect of transferred T cells. Ye C, et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA , Vol. 99, Issue 25, 16168-16173, December 10, 2002.

11 February

  1. American College of Cardiology News Release: Enzyme May Explain Some Health Benefits of Red Wine: Laboratory research indicates red wines not created equal, and some French wines outperform German wines in boosting beneficial enzyme.
  2. Mild cognitive impairment in the oldest old. Boeve B, et al Neurology 2003;60:477-480
  3. EDITORIAL: Notice of Retraction: Nonsurgical Reduction of the Interventricular Septum in Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. N Engl J Med 2002;347:1326-33. A.J.S. Coats and Others
  4. American Chemical Society: Researchers Develop 'Natural Bandages' That Mimic Body's Healing Process (Interesting basic science; news release)

10 February

  1. Demonstrations of Implicit Anti-Fat Bias: The Impact of Providing Causal Information and Evoking Empathy. Teachman BA et al. Health Psychology, 2003, Vol. 22, No. 1, 68–78.

7 February

  1. Acetylcysteine for Prevention of Acute Deterioration of Renal Function Following Elective Coronary Angiography and Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Kay K, et al. JAMA. 2003;289:553-558
  2. Alcohol Consumption and Risk of Stroke: A Meta-analysis . Reynolds K, et al. JAMA. 2003;289:579-588  
  3. The JCI starts two new series: Science in Medicine and Science and Society
  4. Science in Medicine:
    New insights into the pathogenesis of asthma. Jack A. Elias, et al J. Clin. Invest. 2003 111: 291-297.
  5. CLINICAL GUIDELINES: Screening for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Adults: Recommendations and Rationale: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force* Ann Intern Med. 2003;138:212-214.
  6. Validation of the Fresno test of competence in evidence based medicine.Ramos KD,et al. BMJ 2003;326:319-321
  7. DRUG THERAPY: Pharmacogenomics — Drug Disposition, Drug Targets, and Side Effects. Evans WE and McLeod HL. N Engl J Med 2003; 348:538-549
  8. Inheritance and Drug Response. Weinshilboum R. N Eng J Med 2003;348:529-537
  9. Nephrotoxic Effects in High-Risk Patients Undergoing Angiography. Aspelin P, et al. N Engl J Med 2003;348:491-499
  10. Cocaine and the Heart. Kloner RA. N Engl J Med 2003; 348:487-488
  11. Combination treatment of angiotensin-II receptor blocker and angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor in non-diabetic renal disease (COOPERATE): a randomised controlled trial. Nakao N, et al Lancet 2003;361:117-24.
  12. Obesity Not A Personal Failing, But A Battle Against Biology (news release) and A Special Section in Science: A Clinical View of the Obesity Problem (link for subscribers)
  13. New Genetic 'Fishing Net' Harvests Elusive Autism Gene (news story)
  14. 3-D Images Show How Alzheimer's Engulfs Brain (news story)
  15. Scientists Solve Chaotic Heartbeat Mystery (news story)

6 February

  1. Increased Dietary Protein Modifies Glucose and Insulin Homeostasis in Adult Women during Weight Loss. Layman DK, et a. J. Nutr. 2003;133:405-410,
  2. A Reduced Ratio of Dietary Carbohydrate to Protein Improves Body Composition and Blood Lipid Profiles during Weight Loss in Adult Women.Layman DK, et al.J. Nutr.2003; 133:411-417,
  3. FDA PUBLISHES FINAL RULE TO REQUIRE LABELING ABOUT ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE (Press Release)

5 February

  1. Sepsis On The Rise In The United States; Study Reveals That Condition Is Also Becoming More Complex, Afflicting Older Americans (32nd Critical Care Congress) press release
  2. Variation in gene expression patterns in follicular lymphoma and the response to rituximab SP, et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA published February 5, 2003, 10.1073/pnas.0437875100 ( Medical Sciences )
  3. Reduced glucose tolerance is associated with poor memory performance and hippocampal atrophy among normal elderly. Convit A, et al.Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA published February 5, 2003 10.1073/pnas.0336073100 (Neuroscience )
  4. Alzheimer Patients Who Scored Well On Memory Tests Show Unique Compensatory Brain Activity (news release: J Neuroscience not currently posted)

4 February

  1. Screening and Surveillance for Barrett Esophagus in High-Risk Groups: A Cost–Utility Analysis. Inadomi JM, et al.Ann Intern Med. 2003;138:176-186.
  2. Complementary and Alternative Medical Therapies: Implications for Medical Education Wetzel MS et al. Ann Intern Med. 2003;138:191-196.
  3. Colorectal cancer screening and surveillance: Clinical guidelines and rationale—Update based on new evidence Gastroenterology 2003; 124:544-60.
  4. Ephedra Tied to More Adverse Effects Than Other Herbal Products (news release for early report from Annals of Int Med.)

3 February

  1. Autopsy as an Outcome and Performance Measure (Evidence Report/Technology Assessment: Number 58 from the AHCPR) Summary Report
    and the Press Release (January 15, 2003) New AHRQ Evidence Report Finds Autopsies Help To Uncover Medical Diagnostic Discrepancies
  2. Even mild concussions can be serious (news) and the Journal of Neurosurgery
  3. FDA approves new psoriasis drug: Amevive (alefacept) corporate website and news release