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Zajicek M, Berkowitz E, Yulzari V, Kassif E, Burke Y, Elizur S, Inbar Y, Zolti M, Weisz B, Soriano D. Ultrasound appearance of decidualized non-ovarian endometriotic lesions during pregnancy and after delivery. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2024; 63:258-262. [PMID: 37740663 DOI: 10.1002/uog.27484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the changes in the ultrasound characteristics of decidualized non-ovarian endometriotic lesions that occur during pregnancy and after delivery. METHODS This was a prospective observational cohort study carried out at a single tertiary center between December 2018 and October 2021. Pregnant women with endometriosis underwent a standardized transvaginal ultrasound examination with color Doppler imaging once in every trimester and after delivery. Non-ovarian endometriotic lesions were measured and evaluated by subjective semiquantitative assessment of blood flow. Lesions with moderate-to-marked blood flow were considered decidualized. The size and vascularization of decidualized and non-decidualized lesions were compared between the gravid state and after delivery. Only patients with non-ovarian endometriotic lesion(s) who underwent postpartum examination were included in the final analysis. RESULTS Overall, 26 pregnant women with a surgical or sonographic diagnosis of endometriosis made prior to conception were invited to participate in the study, of whom 24 were recruited. Of those, 13 women with non-ovarian endometriosis who attended the postpartum examination were included. In 7/13 (54%) cases, the lesion(s) were decidualized. In 4/7 (57%) women with decidualized lesion(s), the size of the largest lesion increased during pregnancy, while in 3/7 (43%), the size was unchanged. The size of non-decidualized lesions did not change during pregnancy. On postpartum examination, only seven lesions were observed, of which three were formerly decidualized and four were formerly non-decidualized. Lesions that were detected after delivery appeared as typical endometriotic nodules and were smaller compared with during pregnancy. The difference in maximum diameter between the gravid and postpartum states was statistically significant in decidualized lesions (P < 0.01), but not in non-decidualized lesions (P = 0.09). The reduction in mean diameter was greater in decidualized compared with non-decidualized lesions (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Decidualization was observed in 54% of women with non-ovarian endometriotic lesion(s) and resolved after delivery. Our findings suggest that the sonographic features of decidualization, which might mimic malignancy, are pregnancy-related and that expectant management and careful monitoring should be applied in these cases. Clinicians should be aware of the changes observed during pregnancy to avoid misdiagnosing decidualized lesions as malignancy and performing unnecessary surgery. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Zajicek
- Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecological Imaging and Fetal Therapy, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - E Berkowitz
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Endometriosis Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - V Yulzari
- Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecological Imaging and Fetal Therapy, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - E Kassif
- Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecological Imaging and Fetal Therapy, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Y Burke
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Endometriosis Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - S Elizur
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Endometriosis Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Y Inbar
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Radiology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - M Zolti
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Endometriosis Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - B Weisz
- Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecological Imaging and Fetal Therapy, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - D Soriano
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Endometriosis Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
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Berkowitz E, Trevick S. Non-Psychiatric Treatment Refusal in Patients with Depression: How Should Surrogate Decision-Makers Represent the Patient's Authentic Wishes? HEC Forum 2024:10.1007/s10730-024-09522-9. [PMID: 38280180 DOI: 10.1007/s10730-024-09522-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Patients with mental illness, and depression in particular, present clinicians and surrogate decision-makers with complex ethical dilemmas when they refuse life-sustaining non-psychiatric treatment. When treatment rejection is at variance with the beliefs and preferences that could be expected based on their premorbid or "authentic" self, their capacity to make these decisions may be called into question. If capacity cannot be demonstrated, medical decisions fall to surrogates who are usually advised to decide based on a substituted judgment standard or, when that is not possible, best interest. We propose that in cases where the patient meets the widely accepted cognitive criteria for capacity but is making decisions that appear inauthentic, the surrogate may best uphold patient autonomy by following a "restorative representation" model. We see restorative representation as a subset of substituted judgement in which the decision-maker retains responsibility for deciding as the patient would have, but discerns the decision their "truest self" would make, rather than inferring their current wishes, which are directly influenced by illness. Here we present a case in which the patient's treatment refusal and previously undiagnosed depression led to difficulty determining the patient's authentic wishes and placed a distressing burden on the surrogate decision-maker. We use this case to examine how clinicians and ethicists might better advise surrogates who find themselves making these clinically and emotionally challenging decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Berkowitz
- Ascension Holy Family, 100 North River Rd, Des Plaines, IL, 60016, USA.
| | - Stephen Trevick
- Northwest Neurology, Ltd., 22285 North Pepper Rd #401, Barrington, IL, 60010, USA
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3
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Rogosnitzky M, Berkowitz E, Jadad AR. Delivering Benefits at Speed Through Real-World Repurposing of Off-Patent Drugs: The COVID-19 Pandemic as a Case in Point. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2020; 6:e19199. [PMID: 32374264 PMCID: PMC7224168 DOI: 10.2196/19199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Real-world drug repurposing-the immediate "off-label" prescribing of drugs to address urgent clinical needs-is a widely overlooked opportunity. Off-label prescribing (ie, for a nonapproved indication) is legal in most countries and tends to shift the burden of liability and cost to physicians and patients, respectively. Nevertheless, health crises may mean that real-world repurposing is the only realistic source for solutions. Optimal real-world repurposing requires a track record of safety, affordability, and access for drug candidates. Although thousands of such drugs are already available, there is no central repository of off-label uses to facilitate immediate identification and selection of potentially useful interventions during public health crises. Using the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic as an example, we provide a glimpse of the extensive literature that supports the rationale behind six generic drugs, in four classes, all of which are affordable, supported by decades of safety data, and targeted toward the underlying pathophysiology that makes COVID-19 so deadly. This paper briefly summarizes why cimetidine or famotidine, dipyridamole, fenofibrate or bezafibrate, and sildenafil citrate are worth considering for patients with COVID-19. Clinical trials to assess efficacy are already underway for famotidine, dipyridamole, and sildenafil, and further trials of all these agents will be important in due course. These examples also reveal the unlimited opportunity to future-proof our health care systems by proactively mining, synthesizing, cataloging, and evaluating the off-label treatment opportunities of thousands of safe, well-established, and affordable generic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alejandro R Jadad
- Program in Impactful Giving, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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4
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Rogosnitzky M, Berkowitz E, Jadad AR. No Time to Waste: Real-World Repurposing of Generic Drugs as a Multifaceted Strategy Against COVID-19. JMIRx Med 2020; 1:e19583. [PMID: 33724265 PMCID: PMC7954442 DOI: 10.2196/19583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Real-world drug repurposing-the immediate "off-label" prescribing of drugs to address urgent clinical needs-is an indispensable strategy gaining rapid traction in the current COVID-19 crisis. Although off-label prescribing (ie, for a nonapproved indication) is legal in most countries, it tends to shift the burden of liability and cost to physicians and patients, respectively. Nevertheless, in urgent public health crises, it is often the only realistic source of a meaningful potential solution. To be considered for real-world repurposing, drug candidates should ideally have a track record of safety, affordability, and wide accessibility. Although thousands of such drugs are already available, the absence of a central repository of off-label uses presents a barrier to the immediate identification and selection of the safest, potentially useful interventions. Using the current COVID-19 pandemic as an example, we provide a glimpse at the extensive literature that supports the rationale behind six generic drugs, in four classes, all of which are affordable, supported by decades of safety data, and pleiotropically target the underlying pathophysiology that makes COVID-19 so dangerous. Having previously fast-tracked this paper to publication in summary form, we now expand on why cimetidine/famotidine (histamine type-2 receptor antagonists), dipyridamole (antiplatelet agent), fenofibrate/bezafibrate (cholesterol/triglyceride-lowering agents), and sildenafil (phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor) are worth considering for patients with COVID-19 based on their antiviral, anti-inflammatory, renoprotective, cardioprotective, and anticoagulation properties. These examples also reveal the unlimited opportunity to future-proof public health by proactively mining, synthesizing, and cataloging the off-label treatment opportunities of thousands of safe, well-established, and affordable generic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alejandro R Jadad
- Program in Impactful Giving Dalla Lana School of Public Health University of Toronto Toronto, ON Canada
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5
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Nicholson A, Berkowitz E, Monge-Camacho H, Brantley D, Garron N, Chang CC, Rinaldi E, Clark MA, Joó B, Kurth T, Tiburzi BC, Vranas P, Walker-Loud A. Heavy Physics Contributions to Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay from QCD. Phys Rev Lett 2018; 121:172501. [PMID: 30411940 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.121.172501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Observation of neutrinoless double beta decay, a lepton number violating process that has been proposed to clarify the nature of neutrino masses, has spawned an enormous world-wide experimental effort. Relating nuclear decay rates to high-energy, beyond the standard model (BSM) physics requires detailed knowledge of nonperturbative QCD effects. Using lattice QCD, we compute the necessary matrix elements of short-range operators, which arise due to heavy BSM mediators, that contribute to this decay via the leading order π^{-}→π^{+} exchange diagrams. Utilizing our result and taking advantage of effective field theory methods will allow for model-independent calculations of the relevant two-nucleon decay, which may then be used as input for nuclear many-body calculations of the relevant experimental decays. Contributions from short-range operators may prove to be equally important to, or even more important than, those from long-range Majorana neutrino exchange.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Nicholson
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27516-3255, USA
- Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - E Berkowitz
- Institut für Kernphysik and Institute for Advanced Simulation, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 54245 Jülich, Germany
| | - H Monge-Camacho
- Department of Physics, The College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23187, USA
- Nuclear Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - D Brantley
- Department of Physics, The College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23187, USA
- Nuclear Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
- Physics Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - N Garron
- Theoretical Physics Division, Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, United Kingdom
| | - C C Chang
- Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
- Nuclear Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
- Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences Program (iTHEMS), RIKEN 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - E Rinaldi
- Nuclear Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
- RIKEN-BNL Research Center, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, USA
| | - M A Clark
- NVIDIA Corporation, 2701 San Tomas Expressway, Santa Clara, California 95050, USA
| | - B Joó
- Scientific Computing Group, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, Newport News, Virginia 23606, USA
| | - T Kurth
- NERSC Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - B C Tiburzi
- Department of Physics, The City College of New York, New York, New York 10031, USA
- Graduate School and University Center, The City University of New York, New York, New York 10016, USA
| | - P Vranas
- Nuclear Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
- Physics Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - A Walker-Loud
- Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
- Nuclear Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
- Physics Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
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6
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Shukla P, Zybulewski A, Kolber M, Berkowitz E, Silberzweig J, Hayim M. Eliminating the need for mesenteric angiography after negative CTA: negative predictive value of CTA in obscure GI bleeding. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jvir.2016.12.1083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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7
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Appelquist T, Berkowitz E, Brower RC, Buchoff MI, Fleming GT, Jin XY, Kiskis J, Kribs GD, Neil ET, Osborn JC, Rebbi C, Rinaldi E, Schaich D, Schroeder C, Syritsyn S, Vranas P, Weinberg E, Witzel O. Detecting Stealth Dark Matter Directly through Electromagnetic Polarizability. Phys Rev Lett 2015; 115:171803. [PMID: 26551103 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.115.171803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
We calculate the spin-independent scattering cross section for direct detection that results from the electromagnetic polarizability of a composite scalar "stealth baryon" dark matter candidate, arising from a dark SU(4) confining gauge theory-"stealth dark matter." In the nonrelativistic limit, electromagnetic polarizability proceeds through a dimension-7 interaction leading to a very small scattering cross section for dark matter with weak-scale masses. This represents a lower bound on the scattering cross section for composite dark matter theories with electromagnetically charged constituents. We carry out lattice calculations of the polarizability for the lightest "baryon" states in SU(3) and SU(4) gauge theories using the background field method on quenched configurations. We find the polarizabilities of SU(3) and SU(4) to be comparable (within about 50%) normalized to the stealth baryon mass, which is suggestive for extensions to larger SU(N) groups. The resulting scattering cross sections with a xenon target are shown to be potentially detectable in the dark matter mass range of about 200-700 GeV, where the lower bound is from the existing LUX constraint while the upper bound is the coherent neutrino background. Significant uncertainties in the cross section remain due to the more complicated interaction of the polarizablity operator with nuclear structure; however, the steep dependence on the dark matter mass, 1/m(B)(6), suggests the observable dark matter mass range is not appreciably modified. We briefly highlight collider searches for the mesons in the theory as well as the indirect astrophysical effects that may also provide excellent probes of stealth dark matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Appelquist
- Department of Physics, Sloane Laboratory, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA
| | - E Berkowitz
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - R C Brower
- Department of Physics, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - M I Buchoff
- Institute for Nuclear Theory, Box 351550, Seattle, Washington 98195-1550, USA
| | - G T Fleming
- Department of Physics, Sloane Laboratory, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA
| | - X-Y Jin
- Argonne Leadership Computing Facility, Argonne, Illinois 60439, USA
| | - J Kiskis
- Department of Physics, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | - G D Kribs
- Department of Physics, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA
| | - E T Neil
- Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA
- RIKEN-BNL Research Center, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, USA
| | - J C Osborn
- Argonne Leadership Computing Facility, Argonne, Illinois 60439, USA
| | - C Rebbi
- Department of Physics, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - E Rinaldi
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - D Schaich
- Department of Physics, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, USA
| | - C Schroeder
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - S Syritsyn
- RIKEN-BNL Research Center, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, USA
| | - P Vranas
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - E Weinberg
- Department of Physics, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - O Witzel
- Center for Computational Science, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
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8
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Rombauts L, Motteram C, Berkowitz E, Fernando S. Risk of placenta praevia is linked to endometrial thickness in a retrospective cohort study of 4537 singleton assisted reproduction technology births. Hum Reprod 2014; 29:2787-93. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deu240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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9
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File TM, Lode H, Kurz H, Kozak R, Xie H, Berkowitz E. Double-blind, randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral pharmacokinetically enhanced amoxicillin-clavulanate (2,000/125 milligrams) versus those of amoxicillin-clavulanate (875/125 milligrams), both given twice daily for 7 days, in treatment of bacterial community-acquired pneumonia in adults. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2004; 48:3323-31. [PMID: 15328092 PMCID: PMC514768 DOI: 10.1128/aac.48.9.3323-3331.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This randomized, double-blind, noninferiority trial was designed to demonstrate that pharmacokinetically enhanced amoxicillin-clavulanate (2,000/125 mg) was at least as effective clinically as amoxicillin-clavulanate 875/125 mg, both given twice daily for 7 days, in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in adults. In total, 633 clinically and radiologically confirmed community-acquired pneumonia patients (intent-to-treat population) were randomized to receive either oral amoxicillin-clavulanate 2,000/125 mg (n = 322) or oral amoxicillin-clavulanate 875/125 mg (n = 311). At screening, 160 of 633 (25.3%) patients had at least one typical pathogen isolated from expectorated or invasive sputum samples or blood culture (bacteriology intent-to-treat population). Streptococcus pneumoniae (58 of 160, 36.3%), methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (34 of 160, 21.3%), and Haemophilus influenzae (33 of 160, 20.6%) were the most common typical causative pathogens isolated in both groups in the bacteriology intent-to-treat population. Clinical success in the clinical per protocol population at test of cure (days 16 to 37), the primary efficacy endpoint, was 90.3% (223 of 247) for amoxicillin-clavulanate 2,000/125 mg and 87.6% (198 of 226) for amoxicillin-clavulanate 875/125 mg (treatment difference, 2.7; 95% confidence interval, -3.0, 8.3). Bacteriological success at test of cure in the bacteriology per protocol population was 86.6% (58 of 67) for amoxicillin-clavulanate 2,000/125 mg and 78.4% (40 of 51) for amoxicillin-clavulanate 875/125 mg (treatment difference, 8.1%; 95% confidence interval, -5.8, 22.1). Both therapies were well tolerated. Amoxicillin-clavulanate 2,000/125 mg twice daily was shown to be as clinically effective as amoxicillin-clavulanate 875/125 mg twice daily for 7 days in the treatment of adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia, without a noted increase in the reported rate of adverse events.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M File
- Summa Health System, Akron, OH 44304, USA.
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10
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Finegold SM, Flynn MJ, Rose FV, Jousimies-Somer H, Jakielaszek C, McTeague M, Wexler HM, Berkowitz E, Wynne B. Bacteriologic findings associated with chronic bacterial maxillary sinusitis in adults. Clin Infect Dis 2002; 35:428-33. [PMID: 12145727 DOI: 10.1086/341899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2001] [Revised: 04/01/2002] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
An open-label, multicenter study was performed to assess bacteriologic findings associated with chronic bacterial maxillary sinusitis in adults. Seventy aerobic (52.2%) and 64 anaerobic (47.8%) pathogens were recovered from clinically evaluable patients at baseline (before therapy). The most commonly isolated anaerobes were Prevotella species (31.1%), anaerobic streptococci (21.9%), and Fusobacterium species (15.6%). The aerobes most frequently recovered included Streptococcus species (21.4%), Haemophilus influenzae (15.7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.7%), and Staphylococcus aureus and Moraxella catarrhalis (10.0% each). Recurrences of signs or symptoms of bacterial maxillary sinusitis associated with anaerobes were twice as frequent as were those associated with aerobes when counts of anaerobes were > or =10(3) cfu/mL. A pathogenic role for Granulicatella species in cases of chronic sinusitis was documented for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Finegold
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center West Los Angeles, and University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, CA 90073, USA.
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11
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Schenke R, Berkowitz E, Ludden JM, Gaintner JR, Hickey ME, Hodge RH, Randolph LM. Leading beyond the bottom line, Part 4. The questions it has raised. Physician Exec 2001; 27:8-11. [PMID: 11291227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
The Leading Beyond the Bottom Line article series has received an overwhelming response from ACPE members, mostly in enthusiastic support of this new leadership concept. Some of the important questions raised by members are presented with answers from the authors. This article also explores the moral challenge of leadership and why health care is more than a business. In recent years, there's been confusion about the role of the health care enterprise, its leadership and its management. We have lost our way about the "moral" thing, the "right" thing, because we have no philosophy to guide us. To manage or lead in this "business" of health care, a philosophy is required that recognizes the multiple elements to which the leader has responsibility and obligations: the customers, community, employees, and, certainly, the financial assets.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Schenke
- American College of Physician Executives, Tampa, Florida, USA.
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12
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Schenke R, Berkowitz E, Gaintner JR, Hickey ME, Hodge RH, Ludden J, Randolph LM. Leading beyond the bottom line: organizational assets for the new economy. 2. Physician Exec 2000; 26:6-9. [PMID: 11187410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Organizations are created to aggregate resources to accomplish some purpose, be it to provide health care, raise a family, or build cars. These resources are assets. A manager has a fiduciary responsibility, by practice, and, in many cases, by law, to make the best use of those assets. Traditionally, we've evaluated the use of assets through financial statements. The troublesome aspect of these financial statements is that they were designed to measure only those things that can be counted simply--financial and physical assets. But our world has moved from an industrial, manufacturing age to an information, service economy and we are learning that intangible assets are as powerful--potentially more powerful--in creating value as are tangible assets. Recognizing the intangible asset value of employees, customers, and the community is the challenge in this new service economy. Effective health care leaders need to leverage and manage all of an organization's assets.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Schenke
- American College of Physician Executives, Tampa, Florida, USA.
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13
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Kauer RT, Berkowitz E. Strategic positioning. Part 2: Positioning challenges in an evolving health care marketplace. Physician Exec 1997; 23:46-51. [PMID: 10176687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Why is strategic positioning so important to health care organizations struggling in a managed care environment and what are the sources of value? In Part 1 of this article, entitled "The Sources of Value under Managed Care," the authors presented four sources of value relative to the evolution of the market from fee-for-service to managed care. These value sources are: (1) assets, (2) price/performance, (3) distribution, and, ultimately, (4) capabilities and brand equity. In this article, the authors further elaborate on the sources of value as the market moves beyond the historical fee-for-service position to a managed care marketplace. Part 2 presents the marketing and financial challenges to organizational positioning and performance across the four stages of managed care.
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Affiliation(s)
- R T Kauer
- Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Kauer RT, Berkowitz E. Strategic positioning. Part 1: The sources of value under managed care. Physician Exec 1997; 23:6-12. [PMID: 10169353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Part 1 of this series organizes and discusses the sources of value against a background of an evolving managed care market. Part 2 will present, in more detail, the marketing and financial challenges to organizational positioning and performance across the four stages of managed care. What are the basic principles or tenets of value and how do they apply to the health care industry? Why is strategic positioning so important to health care organizations struggling in a managed care environment and what are the sources of value? Service motivated employees and the systems that educate them represent a stronger competitive advantage than having assets and technology that are available to anyone. As the health care marketplace evolves, organizations must develop a strategic position that will provide such value and for which the customer will be willing to pay.
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Affiliation(s)
- R T Kauer
- Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Berkowitz E. Emergent Maladies: Occupation and Disease. Science 1996. [DOI: 10.1126/science.273.5281.1513a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Magill MK, Berkowitz E. Not just teaching, not quite therapy. Fam Med 1993; 25:653-5. [PMID: 8288069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Zapka JG, Berkowitz E. A qualitative study about breast cancer screening in older women: Implications for research. J Gerontol 1992; 47 Spec No:93-100. [PMID: 1430891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Focus groups were used to explore a range of issues concerning breast cancer screening in elderly women and to contribute to defining a research agenda. Two groups consisted of women aged 65-75 and 75 and older, and one group consisted of primary care physicians. Predominant topic areas were women's awareness of breast cancer and screening information, attitudes and perceived barriers to screening (including those related to women themselves, to the health care system, and to physicians), issues related to relationships within the medical community, and opinions about and priorities for change.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G Zapka
- School of Public Health, University of Massachusetts/Amherst
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Carsons SE, Schwartzman S, Diamond HS, Berkowitz E. Interaction between fibronectin and C1q in rheumatoid synovial fluid and normal plasma. Clin Exp Immunol 1988; 72:37-42. [PMID: 3135129 PMCID: PMC1541486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The interaction between fibronectin and C1q was studied in the presence of normal human plasma and rheumatoid synovial fluid by solid phase binding assay. Fibronectin-C1q binding occurred in the presence of rheumatoid synovial fluid but not in the presence of normal plasma. Binding was strongest at 4 degrees C and in the presence of EDTA. Fibronectin-C1q binding could be induced in the presence of normal plasma by hypotonicity, augmentation of the concentration of solution-phase fibronectin or by the addition of heat-aggregated IgG. The C1q present in rheumatoid synovial fluid bound to both aminoterminal collagen-binding and carboxyterminal noncollagen binding fibronectin fragments although binding to the aminoterminal fragment was stronger. The interaction between fibronectin and C1q in rheumatoid synovial fluid may modulate immune-complex deposition and complement activation in the inflamed joint.
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Carsons S, Lavietes BB, Slomiany A, Diamond HS, Berkowitz E. Carbohydrate heterogeneity of fibronectins. Synovial fluid fibronectin resembles the form secreted by cultured synoviocytes but differs from the plasma form. J Clin Invest 1987; 80:1342-9. [PMID: 3680500 PMCID: PMC442389 DOI: 10.1172/jci113211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Large quantities of fibronectin (Fn) are present in inflammatory synovial fluid. Inflammatory synovial fluid Fn, while indistinguishable from plasma Fn on the basis of reactivity to polyclonal antibodies, displays alterations in molecular size and charge. Since biochemical differences between plasma and synovial fluid fibronectins might be in part due to differences in glycosylation we have compared the carbohydrate composition of plasma Fn, synovial fluid Fn, and Fn from synoviocyte conditioned medium by biochemical assay, glycopeptide analysis, and binding to a series of lectins. Synovial fluid Fn has a greater carbohydrate content but contains less sialic acid when compared with plasma Fn. Glycopeptides formed from synovial fluid Fn are smaller than plasma Fn glycopeptides. These data suggest the presence of an additional N-linked oligosaccharide chain on synovial fluid Fn. In addition, synovial fluid Fn contains N-acetyl galactosamine indicating the presence of O-linked oligosaccharides. Synovial fluid Fn and Fn isolated from rheumatoid synoviocyte-conditioned medium display strong reactivity with the lectins wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and peanut agglutinin (PNA), whereas normal and rheumatoid plasma Fn react weakly. The PNA reactivity of synovial fluid Fn is mediated by terminal beta-galactose residues on the gelatin-binding domain, whereas the enhanced WGA reactivity of synovial Fn is mediated by a sialic acid containing oligosaccharide located on a 27-kD C-terminal fragment. These data demonstrate domain-specific biochemical differences between plasma and synovial fluid fibronectins. These differences suggest a local origin for synovial fluid Fn and may contribute to functional differences between these forms of the protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Carsons
- Department of Medicine, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York 11042
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Berkowitz E. Marketing gives ambulatory surgery units competitive edge. Same Day Surg 1982; 6:13-5. [PMID: 10317182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
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Berkowitz E, McQuaid K. Welfare reform in the 1950s. Soc Serv Rev 1980; 54:45-58. [PMID: 10297797 DOI: 10.1086/643803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Contrary to the impression left by historians, neither welfare expansion nor welfare reform died in the 1950s. Even conservatives believed in the necessity of federal spending for welfare. Disagreements came over the proper ways to spend federal money. The Eisenhower administration propagated a rehabilitation approach in an attempt to use federal money to end individual, state, and local dependence on the federal government. The administration's 1954 social security and vocational rehabilitation laws reflected this approach. Bureaucrats in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, working with a Democratic Congress, managed to extend the 1954 laws into a major expansion of federal power, as the passage of disability insurance in 1956 demonstrated. Institutional continuity, not heroic individual effort, provided the dynamic for welfare reform in the 1950s.
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Troll W, Belman S, Berkowitz E, Chmielewicz ZF, Ambrus JL, Bardos TJ. Differential responses of DNA and RNA polymerase to modifications of the template rat liver DNA caused by action of the carcinogen acetylaminofluorene in vivo and in vitro. Biochim Biophys Acta 1968; 157:16-24. [PMID: 5656834 DOI: 10.1016/0005-2787(68)90259-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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