tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Phase I trial of iodine 131-labeled COL-1 in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies: influence of serum carcinoembryonic antigen and tumor bulk on pharmacokinetics.
Authors: B Yu, J Carrasquillo, D Milenic, Y Chung, P Perentesis, I Feuerestein, D Eggensperger, C F Qi, C Paik, J Reynolds, J Grem, G Curt, K Siler, J Schlom, C Allegra
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1996)

PURPOSE COL-1 is a high-affinity murine monoclonal antibody (MAb) specific for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). A phase I trial was conducted in which a uniform quantity of antibody labeled with escalating doses of iodine 131 (131I) was administered to patients with advanced gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies to evaluate tolerance and pharmacokinetics. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eighteen patients with advanced, assessable GI malignancies (16 colon, one pancreas, and one gastric) previously treated with conventional chemotherapy (but no pelvic radiation) received 20 mg of COL-1 labeled with 131I, with doses from 10 mCi/m2 to 75 mCi/m2. In this cohort, the baseline serum CEA level ranged from 6 to 2,739 ng/mL (mean +/- SD, 500 +/- 639). RESULTS Nuclear imaging detected at least one tumor site in all 18 patients; 82% of all tumor involved organs were positive and 58% of all lesions &gt; or = 1.0 cm were detected. Immune complexes were detected in 89% of patients 5 minutes after completion of infusion, and levels correlated with CEA levels (r = .71). Elevated CEA (&gt; 500 ng/mL) and tumor bulk (total tumor area &gt; 150 cm2) correlated directly with clearance of serum radioactivity and inversely with serum half-life and cumulative serum radioactivity parameters. Nonhematologic toxicity was mild and non-dose-limiting. Hematologic toxicity, particularly thrombocytopenia, was both dose-related and dose-limiting. The maximal-tolerated dose is 65 mCi/m2. The correlation between dose (millicuries per square meter) and thrombocytopenia was made stronger, by accounting for either variation in pharmacokinetics, or variation in serum CEA and tumor bulk. CONCLUSION 131I-COL-1 is well tolerated, except for hematologic toxicity. These data suggest that patients with highly elevated circulating CEA levels and/or increased tumor bulk may clear 131I-labeled COL-1 more rapidly from the circulation and experience less myelosuppression.
Undermining and bullying in surgical training: A review and recommendations by the Association of Surgeons in Training
Authors: J.R.L. Wild, H.J.M. Ferguson, F.D. McDermott, S.T. Hornby, V.J. Gokani
Journal: International Journal of Surgery (2015)

The 2012 General Medical Council National Trainees' Survey found that 13% of UK trainees had experienced undermining or bullying in the workplace. The Association of Surgeons in Training subsequently released a position statement raising concerns stemming from these findings, including potential compromise to patient safety. This article considers the impact of such behaviour on the NHS, and makes recommendations for creating a positive learning environment within the NHS at national, organisational, and local levels. The paper also discusses the nature of issues within the UK, and pathways through which trainees can seek help.
Occult Leydig Cell Testicular Tumour Presenting with Gynaecomastia
Authors: J J O'Donovan, T R Terry, G Williams
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1989)

Certain testicular tumours may present with gynaecomastia 1–3 . Rarely in these cases is the testicular tumour not palpable at the initial clinical examination or at follow-up examinations. To enable early detection of these occult testicular tumours a serum hormonal profile followed by high resolution ultrasound examination of the testes are necessary 3–7 . We report a case of a Leydig cell tumour in which gynaecomastia antedated the clinical presence of a testicular swelling by 7 months.
Documentation of Chemotherapy Infusion Preparation Costs in Academic- and Community-Based Oncology Practices
Authors: Diana I. Brixner, Gary M. Oderda, Nancy A. Nickman, Roy Beveridge, James A. Jorgenson
Journal: Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2006)

Significant changes in Medicare reimbursement for outpatient oncology services were proposed as part of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. The purpose of this study was to identify the "true cost" associated with drug-related handling for the preparation and delivery of chemotherapy doses to estimate the impact of changing reimbursement schema by Medicare. Two academic medical outpatient infusion centers and 2 community cancer centers provided data used to estimate all costs (excluding drug cost) associated with the preparation of chemotherapy doses. The data included both fixed costs (drug storage, space, equipment, and information resources) and variable costs (insurance management, inventory, waste management, pharmacy staff payroll, supplies, and shipping). The average cost for the preparation of chemotherapy doses across all sites was dollar 34.27 (range, dollar 32.08-dollar 41.23). A time-and-motion study was also performed to determine what tasks were conducted by pharmacy staff and how much time was spent in the preparation of the top 15 chemotherapeutic drugs and regimens used in the 4 sites. Data from the 4 centers was projected to show that if 3,990,495 million chemotherapy infusions were administered to a national Medicare population in 2003, when multiplied by the average cost of preparation for infusions determined by the current study (dollar 34.27), the estimated total annual cost to Medicare for chemotherapy preparation by pharmacists is dollar 136,754,263.65. The pharmacists spent most of their days (90% or more) performing tasks directly related to the preparation of these agents. These data provide scientific support for the consideration of appropriate reimbursement for chemotherapy services provided by pharmacists to Medicare beneficiaries.
Frequency of aquagenic palmoplantar keratoderma in cystic fibrosis: a new sign of cystic fibrosis?
Authors: N. Garçon-Michel, A.-M. Roguedas-Contios, G. Rault, J. Le Bihan, S. Ramel, K. Revert, A. Dirou, L. Misery
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2010)

Aquagenic palmoplantar keratoderma (APPK), also known as aquagenic wrinkling of the palms, is characterized by oedema of palms and/or soles, whitish papules, hyperwrinkling and sometimes pruritus or pain after water immersion. Its frequency in the general population is unknown. About 40 cases have been reported to date, including some among patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) or CF heterozygotes.To determine the frequency of APPK among patients with CF.Twenty-seven patients from the Centre of Competence on Cystic Fibrosis of Roscoff were examined by a dermatologist after immersion of the palms in water for 2-3 min.The frequency of APPK was 41% (11 of 27 patients). Some patients had not previously noticed the lesions. The frequency was higher among inpatients than outpatients. We suspect that occlusion (caused by the gloves worn by inpatients) can explain this difference. The number of patients included in this study is not sufficient to draw any conclusions concerning the type of CF mutation and its impact on the frequency of APPK.APPK is frequent among patients with CF and, thus, should be considered a sign of CF. APPK is underdiagnosed because physicians usually do not look for it. CF screening should be considered for any patient presenting with these symptoms, followed by genetic counselling if necessary.
Tumor Immunotherapy in the Mouse With the Use of&lt;sup&gt;131&lt;/sup&gt;I-Labeled Monoclonal Antibodies&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: J R Zalcberg, C H Thompson, M Lichtenstein, I F McKenzie
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1984)

This report describes the use of131I-labeled monoclonal antibodies in two experimental models for tumor immunotherapy. In vitro treatment of the radiation-induced murine thymoma ITT-1-75NS with radiolabeled anti-Ly-2.1 significantly impaired subsequent tumor growth in vivo. However, in vivo treatment of this tumor, which previously had been injected into C57BL/6 mice, was unsuccessful. By contrast, in vitro treatment of a human colorectal tumor cell line (COLO 205) with131I-labeled 250-30.6—a monoclonal antibody directed against a secretory component of normal and malignant gastrointestinal epithelium—completely inhibited subsequent tumor growth in BALB/c nude (nu/nu) mice. Furthermore, in vivo treatment of preexisting human colorectal tumor xenografts significantly impaired progressive tumor growth. Although some tumor inhibition was also produced by unlabeled 250-30.6 antibody, this response was considerably amplified by treatment with [131I]-labeled 250-30.6 (P<05), suggesting that in vivo treatment of human tumors with the use of131I-labeled monoclonal antibodies may be clinically beneficial. The antithyroid drug propylthiouracil was used to reduce dehalogenation of the radiolabeled immunoglobulins in an attempt to improve their therapeutic efficacy.
Growth and Composition of a Transplantable Murine Leydig Cell Tumor2
Authors: William B. Neaves
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1975)

C57BL/6J mice inoculated sc with 50 mg of a transplantable Leydig cell tumor (M5480) demonstrated a reproducible pattern of slow tumor growth up to day 10 followed by rapid growth at the rate of approximately 0.5 g per day through day 27. The mean survival time of tumor-bearing mice was 33 days, when tumor weight accounted for more than 25% of total body weight. The rapid increase in weight occurring around day 10 resulted largely from a 20-fold increase in the quantity of extravasated blood inside the tumor, which in turn promoted a 50% reduction in host hematocrit. Sustained enlargement of M5480 during the third and fourth weeks of growth was supported by proliferation of tumor cells. Apart from blood-filled cavities, over 90% of the tumor consisted of neoplastic Leydig cells exhibiting generalized cytoplasmic features usually associated with mitotic activity. An activated macrophage was the next most abundant cell type, accounting for 2-3% of the nucleated cell mass. The remaining 3% was occupied by vascular elements, leukocytes, and giant cells. Depending on the age of the tumor, varying proportions of the cell population showed signs of anoxic degeneration. Degenerate cells were minimal at day 14, accounting for less than 4% of the total population, and maximal beyond day 21, when they occupied more than 50% of the cell mass.
Judgments of quality of life of individuals with severe mental disorders: Patient self-report versus provider perspectives
Authors: F Sainfort, M Becker, R Diamond
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1996)

This study was an investigation of judgments regarding quality of life of individuals with severe mental disorders from two different perspectives: patient self-report versus provider.Judgments on several dimensions of quality of life were collected from a convenience sample of 37 schizophrenic patients and their primary clinicians by using the well-known Quality of Life Index of Spitzer et al. and the more recently developed Quality of Life Index-Mental Health. Both indexes capture judgments on a number of dimensions. Patterns of concordance for the patient-provider pairs were tested by using Cohen's kappa and Pearson correlation coefficients.The results suggest that patients' and providers' judgments are more likely to coincide on clinical aspects, such as symptoms and function, than on social aspects. Specifically, there was moderate agreement on symptoms and function, less agreement on physical health, and little to no agreement on social relations and occupational aspects of quality of life.Such differences support the notion that treatment strategies and mental health services should address a wide range of needs reflecting different aspects of quality of life perceived as important by different patients.
Alloantigenic Phenotype of Radiation-Induced Thymomas in the Mouse&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="fn2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="fn3"&gt;3&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: P.M. Hogarth, M.M. Henning, I.F.C. McKenzie
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1982)

The alloantigenic phenotype of 21 radiation-induced thymomas is described. Monoclonal antibodies and conventional antisera, absorbed to remove contaminating antibodies, were used to test the thymomas directly for the presence of H-2, la, Ly-1, Ly-2, Ly-4, Ly-5, Ly-6, Ly-9, Ly-15, Thy-1, TL, and Qa-2 antigens, and for surface immunoglobulin. The phenotypes obtained by direct tests were also confirmed by absorption studies. The tumors were all of T-cell origin (Thy-1+Ig−) and showed a restricted heterogeneity of their cell surface phenotype, concordant with the known alloantigenic phenotypes of functional T-cells. Thus the thymomas could be classified into 7 groups based on the differing expressions of la, Ly-1, Ly-2, Ly-4, and Ly-6 specificities; all tumors were H-2+, Ly-5+, Ly-9+, and Ly-15+. Thus a wide variety of phenotypically diverse tumors could be detected; if these represent the clonal expansion of different functional subsets, they could provide a valuable set of fu nctional T-cells.
Pleural exudate in a tropical hospital
Authors: N Sinzobahamvya, HP Bhakta
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1989)

In one hundred consecutive patients with non-purulent pleural exudates without apparent cause, the final diagnosis was tuberculosis in 58, malignancy in 20, pyogenic infection in four, cardiomyopathy in two, pulmonary infarction in one. The aetiology remained unknown in 15. The technique of "semi-open" pleural biopsy was performed under local anaesthesia. It accurately detected 70% of cancer and 69% of tuberculosis cases with a 9% complication rate and no mortality. Tuberculosis was seen at all ages but mainly between 20 and 39 yrs, where it represented 75% of cases. In this age group, malignancy was relatively rare: 10% of cases. In our environment of limited facilities, early chemotherapy trial for tuberculosis is justified for unknown pleural exudates in patients below the age of 40 yrs.
Dopaminergic Inhibition of Metoclopramide-induced Aldosterone Secretion in Man
Authors: Robert M. Carey, Michael O. Thorner, Elizabeth M. Ortt
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1980)

This study was designed to investigate the role of dopaminergic mechanisms in the control of aldosterone secretion in man. Five normal male subjects in metabolic balance at 150 meq sodium/d and 60 meq potassium/d constant intake received the specific dopamine antagonist, metoclopramide, 10 mg i.v. on 2 consecutive d. On the 1st d, the subjects received an infusion of 5% glucose solution (vehicle) from 60 min before to 60 min after metoclopramide administration; on the 2nd d, an infusion of dopamine 4 μg/kg per min was substituted for vehicle. Metoclopramide in the presence of vehicle increased plasma aldosterone concentrations from 2.4±1.1 to a maximum of 17.2±2.8 ng/100 ml (P < 0.01) and serum prolactin concentrations from 7.5±5.0 to a maximum of 82.2±8.7 ng/ml (P < 0.01). Dopamine 4 μg/kg per min did not alter basal plasma aldosterone concentrations, but blunted the aldosterone responses to metoclopramide significantly; in the presence of dopamine, plasma aldosterone concentrations increased from 3.1±0.5 to 6.2±1.4 ng/100 ml (P < 0.05) in response to metoclopramide. The incremental aldosterone responses to metoclopramide were significantly lower in the presence of dopamine than with vehicle. Dopamine 4 μg/kg per min suppressed basal prolactin to <3 ng/ml and inhibited the prolactin responses to metoclopramide; serum prolactin concentrations increased to a maximum of 8.5±2.3 ng/ml with metoclopramide in the presence of dopamine.
Adjuvant chemotherapy for high-risk clinical stage I nonseminomatous testicular germ cell cancer: long-term results of a prospective trial.
Authors: J Pont, W Albrecht, G Postner, F Sellner, K Angel, W Höltl
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1996)

PURPOSE To assess the impact of short-term adjuvant chemotherapy on relapse rates, treatment-related morbidity, and long-term toxicity in patients with clinical stage I nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumor (NSGCT I) who carry a high risk of relapse, ie, who show blood-vessel invasion (VI) by the primary tumor. PATIENTS AND METHODS From January 1985 to January 1995, 42 NSGCT I patients with VI were treated with two courses of cisplatin, etoposide, and bleomycin (PEB) after orchidectomy. Of these, 29 patients with a follow-up time of more than 2 years are the subject of this report. NSGCT I patients without VI were assigned to a surveillance program and served as controls for the assessment of long-term toxicity. RESULTS During a median follow-up time of 79 months (range, 27 to 119), two patients relapsed. One developed fully differentiated mature teratoma; the other was a true chemotherapy failure and again developed embryonal carcinoma. Twenty-seven patients (93%) are alive without evidence of disease; one patient (3%) died of progressive testicular cancer and another of lung cancer. The two courses of PEB did not cause any severe acute adverse reactions. The assessment of late sequels of adjuvant chemotherapy based on clinical and laboratory evidence of cardiovascular and pulmonary disease, fertility, and secondary neoplasms, as well as on a psychosocial questionnaire, did not show any significant disadvantages versus the control group. CONCLUSION Adjuvant chemotherapy with two courses of PEB is an effective and reasonable treatment option for patients with clinical stage I NSGCT who carry a high risk of relapse. No adverse late sequelae were detected within a median follow-up time of more than 6 years.
Reaction to cheese during TB treatment.
Authors: A C C Carvalho, M Manfrin, R P Gore, S Capone, A Scalvini, A Armellini, T Giovine, G Carosi, A Matteelli
Journal: Thorax (2004)

We describe a case of a reaction to cheese in a patient with tuberculosis (TB) while on treatment with isoniazid.

A 26 year old woman diagnosed with breast TB after isolation of drug sensitive Mycobacterium tuberculosis by breast nodule biopsy was started on treatment on 18 February 2003 with four drugs (rifampin 600 mg/day, isoniazid 300 mg/day, pyrazinamide 2 g/day, and ethambutol 1.2 g/day). On 14 April she came for the scheduled medical visit reporting episodes of facial flushing, respiratory distress (“constriction of throat”), and headache. The first episode was noticed on 30 March while dining and lasted 30 minutes. The same symptoms occurred the following day during lunch; the blood pressure measured during the episode was 110/90 (normally 85/60). A further two similar episodes occurred, one of which was not associated with eating.

The patient denied digestive symptoms, a history of atopia, or the use of …
Abstract 17863: Major ECG Abnormalities and Serum 25-OH-Vitamin D Levels: Insights from the NHANES III
Authors: Tushar A Tuliani, Apurva O Badheka, Maithili Shenoy, Abhishek Deshmukh, Nileshkumar Patel, Sony Jacob, Luis Afonso
Journal: Circulation (2012)

Introduction: Studies have demonstrated a relationship between Vitamin D (VD) deficiency and cardiovascular mortality. ECG abnormalities like the non-specific ST-T wave changes, QRS duration, QTc i...
Evaluation of the biological effective dose and schedule of fractionation in the preoperative radiotherapy for rectal cancer: A meta-analyses and metaregression
Authors: G. Viani, E. J. Stefano
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2008)

4093 Background: Evaluating whether the risk of local recurrence (LR) depends on biological effective dose (BED) in patients with resectable rectal cancer treated by preoperative radiotherapy (RT) compared to surgery alone. Secondary end-point was to explore a comparison between high or low RT dose fractionation and (BED) for survival and sphincter preservation (SP). Methods: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) was performed comparing preoperative RT for resectable rectal cancer to surgery. The MEDLINE, EMBASE, CANCERLIT and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched for evidence. To evaluate the dose-response relationship, we conducted a metaregression analysis. Four subgroups were created to analyze the effect of BED and schedule fractionation on mortality, SP and LR: Group1-RCT with BED > 30 Gy and high fractionation = 5 Gy, Group 2- RCT with BED > 30 Gy and low fractionation < 5 Gy, Group 3- RCT with BED < 30 Gy and high fractionation = 5 Gy, Group 4- RCT with BED < 30 Gy and low fractionation < 5 Gy. Results: The review identified 21 RCTs, yielding 9087 patients. Pooled results from this 21 randomized trials of preoperative RT showed a significant reduction of mortality for group 1 (p= 0.004) and group 2 (p=0.03). For LR, the results was significant in the group 1 (p=0.00001) and group 2 (p=0.00001).The only subgroup that showed higher SP rate than surgery was the group 2 (p=0.05). The dose-response curve was linear across a wide range of BED from 7.5 to 53.1Gy 10 (r = 0, 61 and R square 0, 39, p=0.006). Summarizing across studies, preoperative RT decreases the risk of LR by about 1.7% for each Gy10 BED. Conclusion: Our data show that preoperative irradiation with high BED is more efficient in reducing LR and mortality rates than low BED irradiation, independently of the schedule of fractionation used. On the other hand, conventional doses achieving high BED should be recommended, when the goal of RT is sphincter preservation. The coefficients of risk reduction obtained from this meta-analysis, can be evolved with the goal of enhancing tumor cell damage by radiation without augmenting normal tissue injury, thus, improving the therapeutic index. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
UN implores South East Asian nations to help starving migrants stranded at sea
Authors: J. Clark
Journal: BMJ (2015)

A Rohingya boy who recently arrived in Indonesia by boat has his picture taken for identification purposes at a shelter in Kuala Langsa in Aceh province

Roni Bintang/Reuters

The secretary general of the United Nations sounded the alarm on 17 May about a deepening humanitarian crisis, as thousands of migrants fleeing persecution or poverty in Myanmar and Bangladesh remained stranded in the Indian Ocean and Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand refused to allow them to land.

Ban-Ki Moon said that he had urged government leaders in South East Asia to uphold international law and …
Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: Management of Lymph Node Metastases
Authors: Jeffrey F. Moley
Journal: Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2010)

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a neuroendocrine malignancy of the thyroid C cells. Metastatic spread commonly occurs to cervical and mediastinal lymph nodes. MTC cells do not concentrate radioactive iodine and are not sensitive to hormonal manipulation. Surgery is currently the only therapy that can reliably lead to cure, reduction in tumor burden, or effective palliation. In patients with hereditary MTC, central lymph node dissection should be considered in preventative operations if the calcitonin level is elevated. Systematic surgical removal of at-risk or involved lymph node basins (compartmental dissection) should be performed in all patients with palpable primary tumors and recurrent disease. A "berry-picking" approach is discouraged. Although data are limited, standard chemotherapy and radiation therapy have not been shown to be effective in the treatment of MTC. Newer targeted drug therapies are promising and are being examined in therapeutic clinical trials.
Semiautomatic Apparatus for Milking Mice
Authors: William F. Feller, John Boretos
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1967)

The design and construction of a semiautomatic machine for milking mice are described. A procedure for its operation is reported. The apparatus was run by a regulated and constant vacuum of 10 cm Hg applied to specially designed, molded silicone rubber teat cups. The mouse was placed in a plastic holder during the milking process. Approximately 1 ml of milk per milking was obtained from each mouse.