Knowledge of ghostwriting and financial conflicts-of-interest reduces the perceived credibility of biomedical research

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>While the impact of conflicts-of-interest (COI) is of increasing concern in academic medicine, there is little research on the reaction of practicing clinicians to the disclosure of such conflicts. We developed two research vignettes presenting a fictional antidepressant medication study, one in which the principal investigator had no COI and another in which there were multiple COI disclosed. We confirmed the face validity of the COI vignette through consultation with experts. Hospital-based clinicians were randomly assigned to read one of these two vignettes and then administered a credibility scale.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Perceived credibility ratings were much lower in the COI group, with a difference of 11.00 points (31.42%) on the credibility scale total as calculated through the Mann-Whitney U test (95% CI = 6.99 - 15.00, <it>p </it>< .001). Clinicians in the COI group were also less likely to recommend the antidepressant medication discussed in the vignette (Odds Ratio = 0.163, 95% CI = .03 = 0.875).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In this study, increased disclosure of COI resulted in lower credibility ratings.</p

Transcription Factor NF-κB Is Transported to the Nucleus via Cytoplasmic Dynein/Dynactin Motor Complex in Hippocampal Neurons

Mikenberg I, Widera D, Kaus A, Kaltschmidt B, Kaltschmidt C. Transcription Factor NF-kappa B Is Transported to the Nucleus via Cytoplasmic Dynein/Dynactin Motor Complex in Hippocampal Neurons. PLOS ONE. 2007;2(7):e589.Background. Long-term changes in synaptic plasticity require gene transcription, indicating that signals generated at the synapse must be transported to the nucleus. Synaptic activation of hippocampal neurons is known to trigger retrograde transport of transcription factor NF-kappa B. Transcription factors of the NF-kappa B family are widely expressed in the nervous system and regulate expression of several genes involved in neuroplasticity, cell survival, learning and memory. Principal Findings. In this study, we examine the role of the dynein/dynactin motor complex in the cellular mechanism targeting and transporting activated NF-kappa B to the nucleus in response to synaptic stimulation. We demonstrate that overexpression of dynamitin, which is known to dissociate dynein from microtubules, and treatment with microtubule-disrupting drugs inhibits nuclear accumulation of NF-kappa B p65 and reduces NF-kappa B-dependent transcription activity. In this line, we show that p65 is associated with components of the dynein/dynactin complex in vivo and in vitro and that the nuclear localization sequence (NLS) within NF-kappa B p65 is essential for this binding. Conclusion. This study shows the molecular mechanism for the retrograde transport of activated NF-kappa B from distant synaptic sites towards the nucleus

Mittelfristige Ergebnisse nach mediokarpaler Teilarthrodese mit kortikospongiösem Beckenkammspan bei SLAC/SNAC-wrist Grad II/III

Purpose: The four-corner-fusion is an option for grade II/III SNAC-/SLAC-wrists. The case-control study evaluates the results of a four-corner-fusion with a screw-fixed iliac crest cortical chip. Methods: Ten patients with SNAC/SLAC-wrist >= grade II were treated. The evaluation occurred after 24 months using a standard study protocol. Results: The mean postoperative active range of motion were 46% (extension/flexion) and 52% (radial/ulnar deviation) of the contralateral wrist respectively. The postoperative mean grip strength was 43% of the contralateral side, and 84% compared to the preoperative values. The mean Cooney-Bussey Score was 63 and the mean DASH score was 25 (p<=0.05). Four of the patients (40%) had to undergo a partial removal of the osteosynthetic material because of radiodorsal impingement. Conclusions: The four-corner fusion using an iliac crest cortical chip represents an alternative operating procedure for treatment, even though the period of immobilisation cannot be reduced.Hintergrund: Die mediokarpale Teilarthrodese stellt eine anerkannte Behandlungsmethode bei karpalen Kollaps nach Skaphoidpseudarthrose (SNAC-wrist) oder nach Ruptur des skapholunären Bandes (SLAC-wrist) dar. Anhand der vorliegenden Fall-Kontrollstudie wurden die Ergebnisse nach mediokarpaler Teilarthrodese unter Verwendung eines kortikospongiösen Beckenkammspanes evaluiert. Material und Methoden: Zehn Patienten wurden 24 Monate nach mediokarpaler Teilarthrodese bei mit SLAC/SNAC-wrist Grad II/III mit einem kortikospongiösen Beckenkammspan nachuntersucht. Ergebnisse: Das mittlere postoperative Bewegungsausmaß des Handgelenkes betrug für Extension/Flexion 46% und für Radial-/Ulnaradduktion 52% im Vergleich zur unbehandelten Gegenseite. Die postoperative Griffstärke betrug im Mittel 43% der Gegenseite und 84% der präoperativen Werte. Der mittlere Cooney-Bussey-Score lag bei 63, der mittlere DASH-Score bei 25 (p<=0.05). Bei vier Patienten (40%) erfolgte eine partielle Entfernung des Osteosynthesematerials aufgrund eines radiodorsalen Impingements. Schlussfolgerung: Die mediokarpale Teilarthrodese mit einem kortikospongiösen Beckenkammspan stellt eine mögliche Behandlungsalternative dar, obwohl die Dauer der Immobilisation nicht reduziert werden kann