15 +/- 12.23 years with different kidney diseases over three years after kidney biopsy. Materials and

Methods. Tissue KIM-1 expression was determined immunohistochemically and KIM-1 staining was scored semiquantitatively, as well as tubulointerstitialis (TIN), inflammation, atrophy, and fibrosis. Kidney function (MDRD formula) and proteinuria/day were evaluated at the time of biopsy (GFR0) and 6, 12, 24, and 36 months later Results. Significantly positive correlations between tissue KIM-1 expression and age (r = 0.313), TIN inflammation (r = 0.456), fibrosis (r = 0.317), and proteinuria AZD1152 mw at 6 months (r = 0.394) as well as negative correlations with GFR0 (r = -0.572), GFR6 (r = -0.442), GFR24 (r = -0.398), and GFR36 (r DZNeP ic50 = -0.412) were found. Meanwhile, TIN inflammation was the best predictor of all measured kidney functions during three years, while tissue KIM-1 expression (p = 0.016) was a predictor only at 6 months after biopsy. Conclusion. Tissue KIM-1 expression significantly predicts kidney function solely at 6 months after biopsy, when the effects of immune and nonimmune treatments are the strongest.”
“Establishing efficacy relative to placebo is no longer sufficient for payers to agree

to cover new interventions. Evidence from comparisons of competing interventions is increasingly important, although head-to-head studies are seldom available to inform decisions In this article, we describe the simulated treatment comparison (STC) approach to incorporating ‘missing arms’ into an existing trial.

This approach yields a simulated head-to-head trial and can address many of the differences among source trials It provides inputs for economic models and can inform decision makers until actual RG-7112 trial data are available

A simulation is constructed to replicate an index trial, including enrolment, randomization and follow-up of patients The simulation is driven by predictive equations derived from the index trial Separate data for the comparators are used to calibrate the index equations to reflect the alternative interventions. The simulation is used to add the missing arms to the index trial and estimate the results that would have been obtained in a head-to-head trial. The STC can also be used to estimate results in various settings and populations and to explore variations in the trial design

An STC offers a way to derive comparative effectiveness in the absence of direct trial evidence and a platform to test design features that may help in planning future head-to-head studies”
“Methods and Results: This was a randomized study of 72 patients with high risk of sudden cardiac death, ejection fraction (EF) < 35%, mild-to-moderate heart failure symptoms, and QRS > 120 ms. Patients received a CRT defibrillator and were randomized to CRT turned ON or OFF. Objective and subjective measures were performed at baseline and after 6 months.