tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Studying a Study and Testing a Test: How to Read the Medical Evidence
Authors: Helen K. Delichatsios
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2000)

Medical Writings: Book Notes7 November 2000Studying a Study and Testing a Test: How to Read the Medical EvidenceHelen K. Delichatsios, MDHelen K. Delichatsios, MDHarvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Boston, Massachusetts. (Delichatsios)Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-133-9-200011070-00040 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Fourth edition. Riegelman RK. 356 pages. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000. $32.95. ISBN 0781718600. Order phone 800-638-0672.Field of medicine: Evidence-based medicine.Format: Softcover book and CD-ROM.Audience: Practicing physicians, physician assistants, nurses, trainees, public health professionals, and administrators.Purpose: To offer a practical, enjoyable, step-by-step approach to thoughtful, critical, and ultimately more efficient reading of the medical literature.Content: The book comprises five sections and a comprehensive glossary. The first two sections on study design and diagnostic and screening tests provide a uniform framework with which to evaluate different types of studies and properties of tests. A brief ... Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Boston, Massachusetts. (Delichatsios) PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 7 November 2000Volume 133, Issue 9Page: 760KeywordsClinical epidemiologyDecision analysisDecision treesEvidence based medicineExerciseHealth careMedical educationPrevention, policy, and public healthQuality adjusted life yearsSoftware tools ePublished: 7 November 2000 Issue Published: 7 November 2000 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2000 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...
Between and Within: International Perspectives on Cancer and Health Disparities
Authors: Lovell A. Jones, Janice A. Chilton, Richard A. Hajek, Nicholas K. Iammarino, Larry Laufman
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2006)

The purpose of this article is to compare reasons for cancer health disparities in developing and developed countries. By 2010, approximately 60% of new cancer cases will occur in the developing world, higher than rates developed countries. However, disparities exist not only between countries but also within countries. Cancer epidemiology in developing countries is paradoxical: Increased incidence is partially due to increased development resulting in longer life expectancy and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. Reduced mortality from infectious diseases results in relatively greater mortality from chronic diseases. However, infectious diseases are also risk factors for the leading causes of cancer mortality in these countries. While health disparities in developing versus developed countries are quantitatively worlds apart, they are qualitatively rather similar. They share common causes, such as environmental pollution, the need for social justice, large gaps between the rich and the poor, lack of access to cancer resources, and health services that are available to some but not to all. While industrialization and urbanization elevate a country's economic base while contributing to cancer incidence and mortality. Strategies to reduce international cancer disparities include country- and regional-level interventions, utilizing nongovernmental organizations, and developing long-term inter-institutional partnerships. Although economic aid is undoubtedly necessary, it is not sufficient to control cancer in the developing world. To address these problems, it will be necessary to focus attention on what can be done locally-within countries, not only between countries.
Hyposensitization with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus Antigen: Trial in Asthma Induced by House Dust
Authors: A. P. Smith
Journal: BMJ (1971)

A double-blind clinical trial of hyposensitization with aqueous extracts of <i>Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus</i> (the house-dust mite) and human skin scales showed a substantial improvement in symptoms in 11 asthmatics allergic to house dust treated with the <i>D. pteronyssinus</i> extract and a reduction in their need for other therapy. Five patients were well for a year but six relapsed. These results contrasted with the generally unfavourable course of the patients treated with the extract of human skin scales. Asthma due to house-dust allergy may be substantially improved by hyposensitization with <i>D. pteronyssinus</i> extract.
Playing Antibiotic Pool: Time to Tally the Score
Authors: Stuart B. Levy
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1984)

For more than 30 years in this country, subtherapeutic amounts of broad-spectrum antibiotics have been added to animal feeds to promote growth. The practice followed the discovery that the "growth factor" in chicken mash made from Streptomyces aureofaciens after extraction of chlortetracycline was residual antibiotic itself.1 This unexpected finding drastically changed livestock production and produced an economic boon to pharmaceutical companies. The amount of feed additive in the United States has risen from thousands of pounds of antibiotics in the 1950s to millions of pounds today. But concern has been mounting about the relation of this use to the emergence . . .
Reversible male subfertility due to hyperthyroidism.
Authors: I A O'Brien, I G Lewin, J P O'Hare, R J Corrall
Journal: BMJ (1982)

Reversible male subfertility due to hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism in women may cause oligomenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, and failure of ovulation.In men gonadal dysfunction is less apparent, though loss of libido, reduced potency,' and gynaecomastia2 may occur.We describe a man who presented with subfertility due to thyrotoxicosis and in whom normal fertility was restored with antithyroid drug treatment. Case reportA 26-year-old man with a one-year history of attempted conception was referred to a male subfertility clinic.Two previous semen analyses had disclosed oligospermia with sperm counts of 11 x 109/1 on both occasions (figure).He had had classical symptoms of thyrotoxicosis for five years and 18 months earlier had been investigated for palpitations.Examination showed a diffuse goitre, tremor, and tachycardia; vitiligo was present on the arms, trunk, and penis.There was no gynaecomastia and the testes were normal.Hyperthyroidism was confirmed biochemically: serum thyroxine concentration was 267 mmol/l (20-7 4g/100 ml) (normal
A Randomized Phase IIIB Trial of Chemotherapy, Bevacizumab, and Panitumumab Compared With Chemotherapy and Bevacizumab Alone for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Authors: J. Randolph Hecht, Edith Mitchell, Tarek Chidiac, Carroll Scroggin, Christopher Hagenstad, David Spigel, John Marshall, Allen Cohn, David McCollum, Philip Stella, Robert Deeter, Seta Shahin, Rafael G. Amado
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2008)

Panitumumab, a fully human antibody targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor, is active in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). This trial evaluated panitumumab added to bevacizumab and chemotherapy (oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based) as first-line treatment for mCRC.Patients were randomly assigned within each chemotherapy cohort to bevacizumab and chemotherapy with or without panitumumab 6 mg/kg every 2 weeks. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS) within the oxaliplatin cohort. Tumor assessments were performed every 12 weeks and reviewed centrally.A total of 823 and 230 patients were randomly assigned to the oxaliplatin and irinotecan cohorts, respectively. Panitumumab was discontinued after a planned interim analysis of 812 oxaliplatin patients showed worse efficacy in the panitumumab arm. In the final analysis, median PFS was 10.0 and 11.4 months for the panitumumab and control arms, respectively (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.52); median survival was 19.4 months and 24.5 months for the panitumumab and control arms, respectively. Grade 3/4 adverse events in the oxaliplatin cohort (panitumumab v control) included skin toxicity (36% v 1%), diarrhea (24% v 13%), infections (19% v 10%), and pulmonary embolism (6% v 4%). Increased toxicity without evidence of improved efficacy was observed in the panitumumab arm of the irinotecan cohort. KRAS analyses showed adverse outcomes for the panitumumab arm in both wild-type and mutant groups.The addition of panitumumab to bevacizumab and oxaliplatin- or irinotecan-based chemotherapy results in increased toxicity and decreased PFS. These combinations are not recommended for the treatment of mCRC in clinical practice.
BODILY CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENT OF PULMONARY RESISTANCE IN RATS LIVING UNDER COMPRESSED AIR CONDITIONS
Authors: F. J. C. Smith, J. W. Heim, R. M. Thomson, C. K. Drinker
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1932)

1. 244 albino rats from standard Wistar Institute stock have been kept for periods up to 72 days under the following conditions. (a) Barometric pressure: 3040 mm. Hg. This means a partial pressure of oxygen of 635 mm. Hg and is equivalent to an 83.6 per cent oxygen mixture at normal barometric pressure. (b) Temperature: 28 degrees C. (c) Humidity: 50 per cent relative. (d) Rate of ventilation: 2660 liters per minute for all animals. (e) Food and daily care were provided which induced normal growth in rats in the usual laboratory quarters. 2. The harmful factor in this environment was the increased oxygen tension. In our experiments the acute effects were active hyperemia and edema of the lungs, just as have been described by many investigators. 3. Only a small percentage of rats die from acute oxygen poisoning at the pressure employed. The majority return to good health objectively and survive several months of exposure. 4. Rats under 1 month of age display no clinical signs of acute oxygen poisoning, while in older animals the severity of the reaction and the mortality is directly proportional to the advance in age. 5. The symptoms of acute oxygen poisoning appear on the 3rd day of exposure in adults and reach maximum intensity during the 4th day, all deaths occurring at this time. 6. A continued weight loss is found in old rats, while the young gain weight, but not with normal vigor. 7. Adaptation to this toxic oxygen tension occurs in the albino rat during the first exposure, so that on reexposure acute oxygen poisoning does not develop. 8. Respiratory infection occurred sporadically in roughly 20 per cent of the normal adult rats in our laboratory colony. About the same incidence was found in the experimental rats during exposure; in most of these, chronic bronchiectasis and bronchopneumonia followed and proved fatal, indicating a lowered resistance in exposed animals. 9. Most rats exposed to an 80 per cent oxygen tension late in pregnancy have premature litters and die of acute oxygen poisoning, but if exposed early in pregnancy the majority survive. 10. Litters born during the first exposure of the mother are approximately 50 per cent underweight and die during the first 24 hours after birth. 11. A female, rendered resistant by a first exposure, produced a healthy litter during second exposure. 12. The continuous failure of adults to gain in weight and the fact that young animals grow slowly, together with the slowly progressing pulmonary pathology (11), indicate that high oxygen tensions not only produce acute changes in the lungs but also some alteration in the normal physiological processes, which may be termed "chronic oxygen poisoning."
The Transcription Factor Evi-1 Is Overexpressed, Promotes Proliferation, and Is Prognostically Unfavorable in Infratentorial Ependymomas
Authors: Björn Koos, Sebastian Bender, Hendrik Witt, Sonja Mertsch, Jörg Felsberg, Rudi Beschorner, Andrey Korshunov, Barbara Riesmeier, Stefan Pfister, Werner Paulus, Martin Hasselblatt
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2011)

Ependymomas are glial tumors of presumably radial glial origin that share morphologic similarities with ependymal cells. The molecular genetics of ependymomas of supratentorial, infratentorial, and spinal location is heterogeneous. We aimed at identifying pathways operative in the development of infratentorial ependymomas.To do so, gene expression profiles of tumor cells laser microdissected from infratentorial ependymomas (n = 15) were compared with that of nonneoplastic ependymal cells laser microdissected from autopsy tissue (n = 7).Among 31 genes significantly overexpressed (>5-fold) in ependymomas, transcription factor EVI1 (ecotropic viral integration site 1) showed the highest overexpression (35-fold). Evi-1 protein expression could be confirmed in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples of 26 of 28 infratentorial ependymomas but only in 7 of 47 nonependymal glial tumors (P < 0.001). Furthermore, MDS1/EVI1 fusion transcripts were detectable in 17 of 28 infratentorial ependymomas and significantly correlated with MGMT (O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase) promoter hypermethylation (P < 0.05). In primary infratentorial ependymoma cells, transfection with EVI1-specific siRNAs resulted in significant growth inhibition [48 hours: 87% ± 2% and 74% ± 10% as compared with control (mean ± SD; P < 0.001)]. The prognostic role of EVI1 could further be validated in an independent cohort of 39 infratentorial and 26 supratentorial ependymomas on the basis of mRNA expression profiling. Although in supratentorial ependymomas EVI1 expression status had no prognostic impact, in infratentorial ependymomas, high EVI1 expression was associated with shorter overall survival and progression-free survival.To conclude, the transcription factor Evi-1 is overexpressed in infratentorial ependymomas, promotes proliferation of ependymal tumor cells, and is prognostically unfavorable.
Classified advertisements in the BMJ
Authors: K Cleary
Journal: BMJ (1995)

EDITOR,--I wish to comment on a decline in the standards of the appointments section of the BMJ's classified supplement. Not long ago, all advertisements for jobs were identical in layout; alas, no more. At first I viewed the change in format with amusement, but now I believe that this nonsense should not be allowed to progress further. I do …
Age limits on infertility treatment and adoption
Authors: R. Joyce, J. Hildebrand
Journal: BMJ (1994)

EDITOR,—C J Redgment and colleagues highlight the fact that older women face obstacles if they wish to conceive by gamete intrafallopian transfer or in vitro fertilisation.1 Other obstacles may also be placed in the way of older women who wish to become mothers. Two recent cases have highlighted the discrimination practised against older women with regard to their wish to conceive or adopt children. In one a woman was apparently denied in vitro fertilisation solely because she was over 35 and this was the cut off age for this procedure in the health authority concerned. In the other case a couple in their 40s, considered to be too old …
THREE-YEAR CLINICAL RESULTS OF PATIENTS RANDOMIZED TO 3 OR 12 MONTHS OF DUAL ANTIPLATELET AFTER ENDEAVOR ZOTAROLIMUS-ELUTING STENT IMPLANTATION IN OPTIMIZE
Authors: Fausto Feres, Ricardo Costa, Alexandre Abizaid, Jose Marin-Neto, Roberto Botelho, Joao De Paula, José Mangione, George Meireles, Helio Castello, Eduardo Nicolela, Marco Perin, Fernando Devito, Andre Labrunie, Decio Salvadori, Deepak Bhatt
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2016)
France needs to clarify how important genetic information is passed to patients' relatives, agency says
Authors: P. Benkimoun
Journal: BMJ (2008)

France’s Biomedicine Agency has called for the government to draw up guidance on giving genetic information to relatives after a patient has been given a diagnosis of a serious genetic abnormality.

The regulatory agency, which was set up under the 2004 Bioethics Act, was presenting evidence to an inquiry to review the working of the act. The inquiry was established at the request of the French health minister, Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin.

Although the agency concluded that overall the act was working well, it expressed regret that the government had not yet drawn up practical guidance to implement one section of it relating to the question of how information can be passed to relatives of someone with a genetic disorder without a doctor breaching the patient’s confidentiality.

The act says that when a severe genetic abnormality is diagnosed, the doctor must give the patient a written summary of …
Immunohistology of skin pathergy reaction in Behçet's disease
Authors: A. GÜL, S. ESIN, N. DILSEN, M. KONIÇE, H. WIGZELL, P. BIBERFELD
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2010)

The immunophenotypic characteristics of the skin pathergy reaction (SPR) at 48 h in Behçet's disease (BD) were investigated in 12 patients with BD and in five controls. The findings in 11 positive and one negative SPR lesions of patients with BD were evaluated in comparison with those of normal adjacent skin and with the negative pathergy biopsies from the controls. Positive SPR biopsies showed variable epidermal thickening and cell vacuolization, as well as subcorneal pustule formation. In the SPR dermis, a variable dense focal mononuclear cell (MNC) infiltrate was seen around vessels and skin appendages, extending into the deep dermis. The MNC infiltrate was predominantly composed of T lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages. The majority of the T lymphocytes were CD4+, and almost all expressed CD45RO. Approximately half of the infiltrating cells strongly expressed HLA‐DR. Neutrophils constituted less than 5% of the infiltrating cells, but were present as clusters of elastase‐positive cells at the needle‐prick sites. Vessels within the lesion showed marked congestion and endothelial swelling. The endothelial cells expressed ICAM‐1 strongly, and E‐selectin moderately. VCAM‐1 was not expressed on endothelial cells. The basal and mid‐epidermal layers of keratinocytes expressed HLA‐DR and ICAM‐1 strongly, particularly so in areas close to the dermal MNC infiltrates. In negative pathergy biopsies, there were increased numbers of neutrophils and a few small clusters of macrophages and T lymphocytes only at the needle‐prick site, and the endothelial cells of vessels close to these areas expressed E‐selectin weakly. The immunohistological findings of the SPR appear to indicate an augmented antigen‐independent non‐specific induction phase of the inflammatory response. Absence of VCAM‐1 expression by endothelial cells suggests that direct epidermal injury is the cause of the cutaneous inflammation.
Allergic rhinitis: prevalence and possible risk factors in a Gulf Arab population
Authors: S. Alsowaidi, A. Abdulle, A. Shehab, T. Zuberbier, R. Bernsen
Journal: Allergy (2009)

To cite this article: Alsowaidi S, Abdulle A, Shehab A, Zuberbier T, Bernsen R. Allergic rhinitis: prevalence and possible risk factors in a Gulf Arab population. Allergy 2010; 65 : 208–212 DOI: 10.1111/j.1398‐9995.2009.02123.x. Abstract Background: Epidemiological studies mainly from Europe, the USA and Asia indicate a high prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) in modern societies. However, little is known about AR among the heterogeneous population of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of AR and its independent risk factors in Al‐Ain City, UAE. Methods: We used a validated, self‐administered questionnaire modified from the ISAAC study to collect data from a two stage randomly selected sample of 10 000 school children. Overall, 7550 subjects (aged 13 years and above, siblings, and their parents) responded. We assessed the prevalence of AR (both crude and standardized prevalence of previous 12 months) as well as the independent relationship of AR with age, gender, education, nationality and family history by means of logistic regression. Results: The response rate was 76%. A total of 6543 subjects (median age 30 years) were included in the final analysis. Self‐reported prevalence of AR (having symptoms in the past 12 months) was 36%, while adjusted values for sex/age yielded a prevalence of 32%. Regression analysis revealed that AR was independently associated with family history, Arab origin, younger age, female gender and higher education. Conclusions: The relatively high prevalence of AR found in this study may be attributable to modernization and genetic factors. Further studies on the impact of rapid environmental and cultural changes on AR in the Arab countries are needed and currently planned in conjunction with GA 2 LEN (Global Allergy and Asthma European Network).
Aortic Arteriosclerosis in the Dog After Localized Aortic X-lrradiation
Authors: Stuart Lindsay, Henry I. Kohn, Richard L. Dakin, Jack Jew
Journal: Circulation Research (1962)

Localized segments of the abdominal aortas of 18 dogs were irradiated with 50-kv. x-rays in doses ranging from 1,500 to 5,500 r (at the ventral surface of the aorta), and were examined histologically at intervals ranging from 2 to 48 weeks after irradiation. Arteriosclerosis developed at the irradiated sites and was significantly more severe than that which occurred in nonirradiated control sites in the abdominal aorta. There was evidence that severity of arteriosclerosis increased with time following irradiation of the aorta. There was less pronounced arteriosclerosis after 3,000 to 5,500 r than after 1,500 to 2,500 r. It appeared that the larger doses of x-rays inhibited the full development of the late lesions, although presumably causing more initial primary damage. X-irradiation appeared to be followed by the development of arteriosclerotic lesions similar to those that occur naturally in old dogs. It is proposed that irradiation may selectively cause injury of the internal elastic membrane, and that this degenerative phenomenon is followed by the development of intimal fibrosis and plaque formation.
Improved efficacy of radiation in combination with TGFβ inhibition in a colorectal cancer mouse model
Authors: Kristina H Young, Benjamin Cottam, Talicia Savage, Jason Baird, David Friedman, Emmanuel Akporiaye, Michael J Gough, Marka Crittenden
Journal: Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (2013)

Meeting abstracts Colorectal cancer patients with high levels of tumor-infiltrating T cells have better survival than patients with low levels. It is not clear whether the T cells are directly responsible for improved prognosis or are a sign of a tumor that is more responsive to conventional cancer
Cystatin M / E expression in inflammatory and neoplastic skin disorders
Authors: P.L.J.M. Zeeuwen, I.M.J.J. Van Vlijmen-Willems, H. Egami, J. Schalkwijk
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2002)

Journal Article Cystatin M / E expression in inflammatory and neoplastic skin disorders Get access P.L.J.M. Zeeuwen, P.L.J.M. Zeeuwen Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center St Radboud, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands Patrick L.J.M.Zeeuwen. E‐mail: p.zeeuwen@derma.azn.nl Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar I.M.J.J. Van Vlijmen‐Willems, I.M.J.J. Van Vlijmen‐Willems Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center St Radboud, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar H. Egami, H. Egami Department of Surgery II, Kumamoto University Medical School, Japan Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar J. Schalkwijk J. Schalkwijk Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center St Radboud, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 147, Issue 1, 1 July 2002, Pages 87–94, https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2133.2002.04785.x Published: 01 July 2002 Article history Accepted: 07 January 2002 Published: 01 July 2002