The Effects of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate on Gut Microbial Composition: A Systematic Review of Evidence from Animal and Human Studies.

Oral glucosamine sulfate (GS) and chondroitin sulfate (CS), while widely marketed as joint-protective supplements, have limited intestinal absorption and are predominantly utilized by gut microbiota. Hence the effects of these supplements on the gut microbiome are of great interest, and may clarify their mode of action, or explain heterogeneity in therapeutic responses. We conducted a systematic review of animal and human studies reporting the effects of GS or CS on gut microbial composition.

Population-Wide Associations between Common Viral Pathogens and Self-Reported Arthritis: NHANES 2009-2012.

Objective: Persistent infectious agents have been implicated in chronic and recurrent inflammation, which may trigger or worsen many types of arthritis. Our objective was to determine whether exposure to herpes simplex virus (HSV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with self-reported arthritis among US adults.

Methods: We used data from two consecutive cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2009 until 2012 (N of examined adults ages 20-69 = 9483).

Low magnesium intake is associated with increased knee pain in subjects with radiographic knee osteoarthritis: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

Objective: As magnesium mediates bone and muscle metabolism, inflammation, and pain signaling, we aimed to evaluate whether magnesium intake is associated with knee pain and function in radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: We investigated the associations between knee pain/function metrics and magnesium intake from food and supplements in 2548 Osteoarthritis Initiative cohort participants with prevalent radiographic knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence score ≥2). Magnesium intake was assessed by Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) at baseline.

Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy and Survival Following Hospitalization in Patients with Heart Failure.

Background: Modification of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) in hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF) has not been extensively evaluated.

Methods: The community surveillance arm of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study identified 6959 HF hospitalizations from 2005-2011. Predictors of GDMT modification and survival were assessed using multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models.

Estimating minimally important differences for the PROMIS pain interference scales: results from 3 randomized clinical trials.

Minimally important difference (MID) refers to the smallest meaningful difference that carries implications for patient care. Minimally important differences are necessary to help interpret patient-reported pain outcomes in research and clinical practice. The PROMIS pain interference scales were validated across diverse samples; however, more information about their MIDs could improve their interpretability.

WITHDRAWN: Value of Prostate Cancer Care: New Information on New Therapies Suggest Less is More.

The Publisher regrets that this article is an accidental duplication of an article that has already been published, http://dx.doi.org/10.

Fit for purpose: perspectives on rapid reviews from end-user interviews.

Background: There is increasing demand for rapid reviews and timely evidence synthesis. The goal of this project was to understand end-user perspectives on the utility and limitations of rapid products including evidence inventories, rapid responses, and rapid reviews.

Methods: Interviews were conducted with key informants representing: guideline developers (n = 3), health care providers/health system organizations (n = 3), research funders (n = 1), and payers/health insurers (n = 1).

Illicit Substance Use in US Adults With Chronic Low Back Pain.

Study Design: A population-based cross-sectional survey.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of illicit drug use among US adults with and without chronic low back pain (cLBP).

Summary Of Background Data: Although addictive medications, such as opioids and benzodiazepines, are frequently prescribed to patients with cLBP, little is known about illicit drug use among Americans with cLBP.

The Prostate Cancer Intervention Versus Observation Trial: VA/NCI/AHRQ Cooperative Studies Program #407 (PIVOT): design and baseline results of a randomized controlled trial comparing radical prostatectomy with watchful waiting for men with clinically localized prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common noncutaneous malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer death in men. In the United States, 90% of men with prostate cancer are more than age 60 years, diagnosed by early detection with the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, and have disease believed confined to the prostate gland (clinically localized). Common treatments for clinically localized prostate cancer include watchful waiting (WW), surgery to remove the prostate gland (radical prostatectomy), external-beam radiation therapy and interstitial radiation therapy (brachytherapy), and androgen deprivation.

Serenoa repens monotherapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): an updated Cochrane systematic review.

Unlabelled: What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? For the past 30 years Serenoa repens has become a widely used phytotherapy in the USA and in Europe, mostly because of positive comparisons to α-blockers and 5α-reductase inhibitors. During the last 4 years we have seen two very high quality trials comparing Serenoa repens to placebo and up to 72 weeks' duration. These trials found Serenoa repens no better than placebo, even (in one trial) at escalating doses.

5-α-Reductase inhibitors for prostate cancer chemoprevention: an updated Cochrane systematic review.

Objective: • To estimate the benefits and harms of 5-α-reductase inhibitors (5-α-RIs) in preventing prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: • We searched MEDLINE and the Cochrane Collaboration Library through June 2010 to identify randomized trials. • We included articles if they examined 5-α-RI vs control, were ≥ 1 year in duration and provided clinical outcomes.

Efficacy of N-acetylcysteine in preventing renal injury after heart surgery: a systematic review of randomized trials.

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess whether perioperative N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, prevents acute renal injury (ARI) after cardiac surgery.

Methods And Results: We performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of NAC in adult cardiac surgery patients. The RCTs were identified by searching MEDLINE (1960-2008), clinicaltrials.

The Prostate cancer Intervention Versus Observation Trial:VA/NCI/AHRQ Cooperative Studies Program #407 (PIVOT): design and baseline results of a randomized controlled trial comparing radical prostatectomy to watchful waiting for men with clinically localized prostate cancer.

Background: Prostate cancer is the most common noncutaneous malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer death in men. Ninety percent of men with prostate cancer are over aged 60 years, diagnosed by early detection with the prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test and have disease believed confined to the prostate gland (clinically localized). Common treatments for clinically localized prostate cancer include watchful waiting surgery to remove the prostate gland (radical prostatectomy), external beam radiation therapy and interstitial radiation therapy (brachytherapy) and androgen deprivation.