British medical bulletin
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British medical bulletin · Jan 2015
ReviewClinical trial transparency: many gains but access to evidence for new medicines remains imperfect.
Although selective and incomplete publication is widely acknowledged to be a problem, full access to clinical trial data remains illusive. ⋯ Documenting the effects of prospective trial registration and requirements for proactive clinical trial publication on healthcare decisions, public health and rational resource allocation.
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British medical bulletin · Jan 2015
ReviewThe development of urban community health centres for strengthening primary care in China: a systematic literature review.
This review outlines the development of China's primary care system, with implications for improving equitable health care. ⋯ Future prospective studies should aim to provide solutions for strengthening the leading role of CHCs in providing equitable care in response to population ageing and multimorbidity challenges.
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British medical bulletin · Jan 2015
ReviewEfficacy and safety of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for orthopedic conditions: a systematic review on studies listed in the PEDro database.
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is an effective and safe non-invasive treatment option for tendon and other pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. ⋯ Future randomized controlled trials should primarily address systematic tests of the aforementioned optimum treatment protocol and direct comparisons between radial and focused ESWT.
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British medical bulletin · Jan 2015
ReviewHuman embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells in clinical trials.
Human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells (hESC and hiPSC) have tremendous potential for clinical implementation. In spite of all hurdles and controversy, clinical trials in treatment of spinal cord injury, macular degeneration of retina, type 1 diabetes and heart failure are already ongoing. ⋯ Development of hESC- and/or iPSC-based cellular therapy for other diseases.
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British medical bulletin · Jan 2015
ReviewNew paradigms in hepatitis B management: only diamonds are forever.
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in ∼350 million people worldwide who have an increased risk of end-stage liver disease and/or hepatocellular carcinoma. ⋯ Potential new therapies include viral entry inhibitors, RNA interference technologies (i.e. RNAi) and small molecules that modulate cccDNA transcription, as well as novel immunomodulatory therapies to boost HBV-specific T cell responses. The ultimate goal of new tests and anti-HBV therapies is to reduce the burden and expense of life-long CHB treatment, as 'only diamonds are forever'.