| 1. |
- Schael, S, et al.
(författare)
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Precision electroweak measurements on the Z resonance
- 2006
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Ingår i: Physics Reports. - : Elsevier BV. - 0370-1573 .- 1873-6270. ; 427:5-6, s. 257-454
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- We report on the final electroweak measurements performed with data taken at the Z resonance by the experiments operating at the electron-positron colliders SLC and LEP. The data consist of 17 million Z decays accumulated by the ALEPH, DELPHI, L3 and OPAL experiments at LEP, and 600 thousand Z decays by the SLID experiment using a polarised beam at SLC. The measurements include cross-sections, forward-backward asymmetries and polarised asymmetries. The mass and width of the Z boson, m(Z) and Gamma(Z), and its couplings to fermions, for example the p parameter and the effective electroweak mixing angle for leptons, are precisely measured: m(Z) = 91.1875 +/- 0.0021 GeV, Gamma(Z) = 2.4952 +/- 0.0023 GeV, rho(l) = 1.0050 +/- 0.0010, sin(2)theta(eff)(lept) = 0.23153 +/- 0.00016. The number of light neutrino species is determined to be 2.9840 +/- 0.0082, in agreement with the three observed generations of fundamental fermions. The results are compared to the predictions of the Standard Model (SM). At the Z-pole, electroweak radiative corrections beyond the running of the QED and QCD coupling constants are observed with a significance of five standard deviations, and in agreement with the Standard Model. Of the many Z-pole measurements, the forward-backward asymmetry in b-quark production shows the largest difference with respect to its SM expectation, at the level of 2.8 standard deviations. Through radiative corrections evaluated in the framework of the Standard Model, the Z-pole data are also used to predict the mass of the top quark, m(t) = 173(+10)(+13) GeV, and the mass of the W boson, m(W) = 80.363 +/- 0.032 GeV. These indirect constraints are compared to the direct measurements, providing a stringent test of the SM. Using in addition the direct measurements of m(t) and m(W), the mass of the as yet unobserved SM Higgs boson is predicted with a relative uncertainty of about 50% and found to be less than 285 GeV at 95% confidence level. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 2. |
- Mercuri, E., et al.
(författare)
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Safety and effectiveness of ataluren: comparison of results from the STRIDE Registry and CINRG DMD Natural History Study
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research. - : Becaris Publishing Limited. - 2042-6305 .- 2042-6313. ; 9:5, s. 341-360
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim: Strategic Targeting of Registries and International Database of Excellence (STRIDE) is an ongoing, multicenter registry providing real-world evidence regarding ataluren use in patients with nonsense mutation Duchenne muscular dystrophy (nmDMD). We examined the effectiveness of ataluren + standard of care (SoC) in the registry versus SoC alone in the Cooperative International Neuromuscular Research Group (CINRG) Duchenne Natural History Study (DNHS), DMD genotype-phenotype/-ataluren benefit correlations and ataluren safety. Patients & methods: Propensity score matching was performed to identify STRIDE and CINRG DNHS patients who were comparable in established disease progression predictors (registry cut-off date, 9 July 2018). Results & conclusion: Kaplan-Meier analyses demonstrated that ataluren + SoC significantly delayed age at loss of ambulation and age at worsening performance in timed function tests versus SoC alone (p <= 0.05). There were no DMD genotype-phenotype/ataluren benefit correlations. Ataluren was well tolerated. These results indicate that ataluren + SoC delays functional milestones of DMD progression in patients with nmDMD in routine clinical practice. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02369731. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02369731.
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| 3. |
- Charlesworth, A., et al.
(författare)
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Epidermolysis bullosa simplex with PLEC mutations : new phenotypes and new mutations
- 2013
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Ingår i: British Journal of Dermatology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0007-0963 .- 1365-2133. ; 168:4, s. 808-814
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Genetic mutations in the plectin gene (PLEC) cause autosomal recessive forms of epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) associated with either muscular dystrophy (EBS-MD) or pyloric atresia (EBS-PA). Phenotype-genotype analysis has suggested that EBS-MD is due mostly to genetic mutations affecting the central rod domain of plectin, and EBS-PA to mutations outside this domain. Objectives This study aimed to describe new phenotypes of patients with EBS-MD and EBS-PA, to identify novel PLEC mutations and to establish genotype-phenotype correlations. Methods Seven patients with a suspicion of EBS linked to PLEC mutations were included. A standardized clinical questionnaire was sent to the physicians in charge of each patient. Immunofluorescence studies of skin biopsies followed by molecular analysis of PLEC were performed in all patients. Results We report the first case of nonlethal EBS-PA improving with age, the first multisystemic involvement in a patient with lethal EBS-PA, and the first patients with EBS-MD with involvement of either the bladder or oesophagus. Eleven novel PLEC mutations are also reported. Conclusions Our results confirm that EBS-PA is linked to mutations in the distal exons 1-30 and 32 of PLEC. Long-term survival is possible, with skin improvement, but a delayed onset of MD is probable. While EBS-MD is linked to PLEC mutations in all exons, in most cases one of the mutations affects exon 31. The precocity of MD seems to be linked to the type and localization of the PLEC mutation(s), but no correlation with mucosal involvement has been found.
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| 4. |
- Ernst, K, et al.
(författare)
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Difficulties of tracing health research funded by the European Union
- 2010
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Ingår i: Journal of health services research & policy. - : SAGE Publications. - 1758-1060 .- 1355-8196. ; 15:3, s. 133-136
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- European Union (EU) information from research projects, including key findings, should be available on the European Commission's Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS) database. We describe the results of the Health Research for Europe (HR4E) project which aimed to synthesize results of health research from the EU's Fifth and Sixth Framework Programmes (FP5 and FP6) of research. Methods: Screening of titles and abstracts of all projects funded within FP5 and FP6 to identify health-related projects followed by allocation of such projects to one of the 47 themes of the European Union's Health Portal. Extraction of key findings relevant for policy and practice from data on the CORDIS database and, in a subset of 182 projects selected from five themes, attempted contact with project co-ordinators to obtain missing information. Results: The information held on CORDIS was inadequate, with many fields not completed. Data were rarely updated after the project had been funded. Of the 182 attempts to contact co-ordinators, useful information was obtained in only 17% of cases, with many contact details missing or unverifiable. Conclusions: CORDIS does not meet its stated objectives of facilitating and disseminating EU research. There is a clear need to review the systems designed to manage the CORDIS platform.
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| 5. |
- Metra, M., et al.
(författare)
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Influence of heart rate, blood pressure, and beta-blocker dose on outcome and the differences in outcome between carvedilol and metoprolol tartrate in patients with chronic heart failure: results from the COMET trial
- 2005
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Ingår i: European heart journal. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0195-668X .- 1522-9645. ; 26:21, s. 2259-68
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIMS: We studied the influence of heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and beta-blocker dose on outcome in the 2599 out of 3029 patients in Carvedilol Or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET) who were alive and on study drug at 4 months after randomization (time of first visit on maintenance therapy). METHODS AND RESULTS: By multivariable analysis, baseline HR, baseline SBP, and their change after 4 months were not independently related to subsequent outcome. In a multivariable analysis including clinical variables, HR above and SBP below the median value achieved at 4 months predicted subsequent increased mortality [relative risk (RR) for HR>68 b.p.m. 1.333; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.152-1.542; P<0.0001 and RR for SBP>120 mmHg 0.78; 95% CI 0.671-0.907; P<0.0013]. Achieving target beta-blocker dose was associated with a better outcome (RR 0.779; 95% CI 0.662-0.916; P<0.0025). The superiority of carvedilol as compared to metoprolol tartrate was maintained in a multivariable model (RR 0.767; 95% CI 0.663-0.887; P=0.0004) and there was no interaction with HR, SBP, or beta-blocker dose. CONCLUSION: Beta-blocker dose, HR, and SBP achieved during beta-blocker therapy have independent prognostic value in heart failure. None of these factors influenced the beneficial effects of carvedilol when compared with metoprolol tartrate at the pre-defined target doses used in COMET.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Cleland, J. G., et al.
(författare)
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A comparison of the effects of carvedilol and metoprolol on well-being, morbidity, and mortality (the "patient journey") in patients with heart failure: a report from the Carvedilol Or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET)
- 2006
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Ingår i: Journal of the American College of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1558-3597 .- 0735-1097. ; 47:8, s. 1603-11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the loss of well-being, in terms of life-years, overall and in patients randomized to metoprolol versus carvedilol in the Carvedilol Or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET). BACKGROUND: The ultimate objectives of treating patients with heart failure are to relieve suffering and prolong life. Although the effect of treatment on mortality is usually described in trials, the effects on patient well-being throughout the trials' courses are rarely reported. METHODS: A total of 3,029 patients randomized in the COMET study were included in the analysis. "Patient journey" was calculated by adjusting days alive and out of hospital over four years using a five-point score completed by the patient every four months, adjusted according to the need for intensification of diuretic therapy. Scores ranged from 0% (dead or hospitalized) to 100% (feeling very well). RESULTS: Over 48 months, 17% of all days were lost through death, 1% through hospitalization, 23% through impaired well-being, and 2% through the need for intensified therapy. Compared with metoprolol, carvedilol was associated with fewer days lost to death, with no increase in days lost due to impaired well-being or days in hospital. The "patient journey" score improved from a mean of 54.8% (SD 26.0) to 57.4% (SD 26.3%) (p < 0.0068). CONCLUSIONS: Despite treatment with beta-blockers, heart failure remains associated with a marked reduction in well-being and survival. Loss of quality-adjusted life-years through death and poor well-being seemed of similar magnitude over four years, and both were much larger than the loss that could be attributed to hospitalization.
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| 9. |
- Cleland, J. G., et al.
(författare)
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A description of the clinical characteristics at baseline of patients recruited into the Carvedilol or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET)
- 2004
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Ingår i: Cardiovascular drugs and therapy / sponsored by the International Society of Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy. - 0920-3206. ; 18:2, s. 139-52
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND & AIMS: The COMET trial was a prospective, double-blind, randomised trial comparing carvedilol, a comprehensive adrenergic receptor antagonist, with metoprolol, a beta-1-selective agent in patients with heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The trial showed a reduction in mortality with carvedilol that was consistent across subgroups. The purpose of this report is to describe in greater detail the heterogeneity of this population at baseline with particular reference to the impact of symptomatic severity, age and gender on patient characteristics. METHODS: A descriptive report using data entered in the COMET study data-base. RESULTS: The characteristics of the population studied were similar to those reported in previous trials of beta-blockers. Almost all patients were receiving diuretics and ACE inhibitors with few patients taking angiotensin receptor blockers. As expected, older patients had more co-morbidity. Older patients and women reported worse symptoms and poorer well-being despite similar ventricular dimensions and systolic dysfunction. NT-proBNP was higher in patients with more severe symptoms and older patients but not in women, although differences in NT-proBNP may have been confounded by differences in renal function. CONCLUSION: Age and gender, as well as the severity of cardiac dysfunction, appear to have an important effect on the severity of heart failure symptoms and patient 'well-being'. This could have important implications for the relationship between symptoms and prognosis and therefore the way in which patients are selected for clinical trials and the goals of treatment. This will be the subject of further analyses.
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| 10. |
- Di Lenarda, A., et al.
(författare)
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Exchange of beta-blockers in heart failure patients. Experiences from the poststudy phase of COMET (the Carvedilol or Metoprolol European Trial)
- 2005
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Ingår i: European journal of heart failure. - : Wiley. - 1388-9842. ; 7:4, s. 640-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The Carvedilol or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET) reported a significant survival benefit for carvedilol, a beta1-, beta2- and alpha1-blocker, vs. metoprolol tartrate, a beta1-selective blocker, in patients with mild-to-severe chronic heart failure (CHF). Patients on treatment with metoprolol might benefit from switching to carvedilol. AIM: To investigate the safety and tolerability of switching beta-blockers in CHF. METHODS: At the end of COMET, the Steering Committee recommended that study medication was stopped without unblinding, and patients were commenced on open-label beta-blockade at a dose equivalent to half the dose of blinded therapy, with subsequent titration to target or maximum tolerated dose. Patients were followed for 30 days. RESULTS: 1321 out of 1440 patients were transitioned to open-label treatment (76.8% to carvedilol). Serious adverse and CHF-related events were respectively 9.4% and 4.7% in those switching from carvedilol to metoprolol and 3.1% and 1.5% in patients switching from metoprolol to carvedilol. Patients who switched from carvedilol to metoprolol showed the highest mortality or hospitalisation rate (12.3%) in comparison with those who switched from metoprolol to carvedilol (3.1%, p<0.001) or who stayed on the same drug (carvedilol: 2.5%, p<0.001; metoprolol: 4.2%, p=0.04). Reducing the initial dose of the second beta-blocker maximised the safety of this strategy. Event rate was higher in patients with more severe heart failure and in those withdrawing from beta-blockade. CONCLUSION: Our data show that switching beta-blockers is a practical, safe and well-tolerated strategy to optimise treatment of CHF. Patients who switched to carvedilol showed the lowest rate of adverse events. A closer clinical monitoring is recommended during transition in high-risk patients.
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