The investigators induced muscle paralysis in patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) by administering a neuromuscular blocking agent, cisatracurium besylate. As compared with placebo, cisatracurium resulted in a lower adjusted 90-day mortality without more severe sequelae of neuromuscular blockade.

The authors report on the clinical activity of a new oral inhibitor of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) in patients with myelofibrosis. The drug improved a wide range of symptoms promptly, controlled them for >1 year, and appeared to inhibit disease progression to acute leukemia.

This study examined the rate of exacerbations among patients with COPD over a period of 3 years. The strongest predictor of an exacerbation in a given year was the presence of an exacerbation in the previous year.

This study examined the effect of legislation that banned smoking in public places in Scotland on the incidence of severe episodes of asthma among children. The rate of hospitalization for asthma decreased among both preschool and school-age children after the institution of the ban.

This study assessed the relationship between initial responsiveness to darbepoetin alfa and outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. A poor initial hematopoietic response was associated with an increased risk of death or cardiovascular events.