tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Phase II Study of Imatinib in Patients With Recurrent Gliomas of Various Histologies: A European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Brain Tumor Group Study
Authors: Eric Raymond, Alba A. Brandes, Christian Dittrich, Pierre Fumoleau, Bruno Coudert, Paul M.J. Clement, Marc Frenay, Roy Rampling, Roger Stupp, Johan M. Kros, Michael C. Heinrich, Thierry Gorlia, Denis Lacombe, Martin J. van den Bent
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2008)

To evaluate the safety and the efficacy of imatinib in recurrent malignant gliomas.This was a single-arm, phase II study. Eligible patients had recurrent glioma after prior radiotherapy with an enhancing lesion on magnetic resonance imaging. Three different histologic groups were studied: glioblastomas (GBM), pure/mixed (anaplastic) oligodendrogliomas (OD), and low-grade or anaplastic astrocytomas (A). Imatinib was started at a dose of 600 mg/d with dose escalation to 800 mg in case of no toxicity; during the trial this dose was increased to 800 mg/d with escalation to 1,000 mg/d. Trial design was one-stage Fleming; both an objective response and 6 months of progression-free survival (PFS) were considered a successful outcome to treatment.A total of 112 patients (51 patients with GBM, 25 patients with A, and 36 patients with OD) were enrolled. Imatinib was in general well tolerated. The median number of cycles was 2.0 (range, 1 to 43 cycles). Five patients had an objective partial response, including three patients with GBM; all had 6 months of PFS. The 6-month PFS rate was 16% (95% CI, 8.0% to 34.0%) in GBM, 4.0% (95% CI, 0.3% to 15.0%) in OD, and 9% (95% CI, 2.0% to 25.0%) in A. The exposure to imatinib was significantly lower in patients using enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs. The presence of ABCG2 point mutations were not correlated with pharmacokinetic findings. No somatic activating mutations of KIT or platelet-derived growth factor receptor-A or -B were found.In the dose range of 600 to 1,000 mg/d, single-agent imatinib is well tolerated but has limited antitumor activity in patients with recurrent gliomas.
Medical editors pledge support for African journals
Authors: T. Richards
Journal: BMJ (2002)

A group of African medical editors has set up a forum to support and strengthen medical journals in Africa.

The forum, known as FAME, will be chaired by Dr James Tumwine of Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, who is editor of the journal African Health Sciences . FAME was set up last week at a meeting in Geneva convened by the World Health Organization to discuss how information published in African journals can be disseminated more widely.

Currently, most of the medical literature published in Africa is not widely “visible.” Difficulties in journal production, coupled with huge distribution problems, mean that dissemination within individual countries is poor and across the continent as …
Inadvertent Aluminum Administration during Plasma Exchange Due to Aluminum Contamination of Albumin-Replacement Solutions
Authors: Dawn S. Milliner, James H. Shinaberger, Patty Shuman, Jack W. Coburn
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1985)

ALUMINUM can accumulate in patients with reduced renal function due to impaired excretion of aluminum1 , 2 and in patients with normal renal function who receive large parenteral amounts of aluminum.3 Manifestations of aluminum toxicity include vitamin D–refractory osteodystrophy, hypercalcemia, anemia, and severe progressive encephalopathy.4 5 6 Aluminum-related osteodystrophy is characterized by increased bone aluminum content, with aluminum deposits along the mineralization front, impaired mineralization, and a reduced rate of bone formation.7 Clinical correlates of the bone abnormalities include bone pain, proximal myopathy, and in some patients pathologic fractures.8 Aluminum-related encephalopathy is frequently fatal.9 Recognized sources of aluminum include water used for dialysis, solutions . . .
Unsuccessful treatment of alopecia areata with dapsone
Authors: P.S. F riedmann
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1981)

Journal Article Unsuccessful treatment of alopecia areata with dapsone Get access P.S. riedmann F P.S. riedmann F Department of Dermatology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle on Tyne NE1 4LP Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 104, Issue 5, 1 May 1981, Page 597, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.1981.tb08179.x Published: 01 May 1981
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Over-expressing Hepatocyte Growth Factor Improve Small-for-size Liver Grafts Regeneration
Authors: Yue Yu, Ai-Hua Yao, Nian Chen, Li-Yong Pu, Ye Fan, Ling Lv, Bei-Cheng Sun, Guo-Qiang Li, Xue-Hao Wang
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2007)

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) associated with small-for-size liver transplantation (SFSLT) impairs liver graft regeneration. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the capability, under specific conditions, of differentiating into hepatocytes. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has potent anti-apoptotic and mitogenic effects on hepatocytes during liver injury, and has been utilized in many experimental and clinical applications. In this study, we implanted HGF-expressing MSCs into liver grafts via the portal vein, using a 30% small-for-size rat liver transplantation model. HGF, c-met expression, hepatic injury and liver regeneration were assessed after liver transplantation. Our study demonstrated that MSCs over-expressing HGF prevented liver failure and reduced mortality in rats after SFSLT. These animals also exhibited improved liver function and liver weight recovery during the early post-transplantation period. Using green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene as a marker, we demonstrated that the engrafted cells and their progeny incorporated into remnant livers and produced albumin. These findings suggest that MSCs genetically modified to over-express HGF and implanted in the liver graft, may offer a novel approach to promoting liver regeneration after small-for-size transplantations. Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) associated with small-for-size liver transplantation (SFSLT) impairs liver graft regeneration. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the capability, under specific conditions, of differentiating into hepatocytes. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has potent anti-apoptotic and mitogenic effects on hepatocytes during liver injury, and has been utilized in many experimental and clinical applications. In this study, we implanted HGF-expressing MSCs into liver grafts via the portal vein, using a 30% small-for-size rat liver transplantation model. HGF, c-met expression, hepatic injury and liver regeneration were assessed after liver transplantation. Our study demonstrated that MSCs over-expressing HGF prevented liver failure and reduced mortality in rats after SFSLT. These animals also exhibited improved liver function and liver weight recovery during the early post-transplantation period. Using green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene as a marker, we demonstrated that the engrafted cells and their progeny incorporated into remnant livers and produced albumin. These findings suggest that MSCs genetically modified to over-express HGF and implanted in the liver graft, may offer a novel approach to promoting liver regeneration after small-for-size transplantations.
Cigar and pipe smoking and myocardial infarction in young men.
Authors: D W Kaufman, J R Palmer, L Rosenberg, S Shapiro
Journal: BMJ (1987)

The effect of cigar and pipe smoking on the risk of myocardial infarction was evaluated in an interview study of 572 men with non-fatal first myocardial infarctions and 934 hospital controls. The study was conducted in the north eastern United States from 1980 to 1983. All subjects were 40-54 years of age, and none had smoked cigarettes for at least two years. Among men who had never smoked cigarettes the relative risk of myocardial infarction for those who smoked at least five cigars a day, compared with not smoking cigars and pipes and allowing for other risk factors, was estimated to be 1.7 (95% confidence interval 0.6 to 4.8). Among ex-smokers of cigarettes the corresponding estimate for those who smoked at least five cigars a day was 4.5 (2.2 to 9.2). The estimates for men who smoked fewer cigars, or pipes, were closer to 1.0 and not significant. Men who stop smoking cigarettes and switch to at least five cigars a day apparently continue to have an increased risk of myocardial infarction, possibly because they continue to inhale the smoke.
Who pays for the pizza? Redefining the relationships between doctors and drug companies. 2: Disentanglement
Authors: R. Moynihan
Journal: BMJ (2003)

If the American Medical Student Association has anything to do with it, relations between doctors and the pharmaceutical industry will soon look considerably different. Representing 30 000 students, interns, and residents throughout the United States, the association is running a campaign—PharmFree—calling for an end to gift giving, free lunches, sponsored education, and paid speaking.1 Students are being urged to sign a PharmFree pledge to seek out unbiased sources of healthcare information and to take a recently revised Hippocratic oath, called a "model oath for the new physician," which includes the commitments: "I will make medical decisions… free from the influence of advertising or promotion. I will not accept money, gifts, or hospitality that will create a conflict of interest in my education, practice, teaching, or research." The American Medical Student Association's campaign is inspired in part by the work of the New York based No Free Lunch, which boasts the motto "Just say no to drug reps," hosts a pen amnesty,2 and, together with an Australian group called Healthy Skepticism, is urging doctors to turn away from industry backed education and information, towards independent materials.3 According to No Free Lunch, "Our quarrel is not with the pharmaceutical industry but with pharmaceutical industry promotion. The time has come to eliminate its influence from our practices." These small campaigns are indications of a fundamental redefinition of the relationships between doctors and drug companies, as professional associations, standard setting bodies, and individual institutions around the world begin to disentangle some of the unhealthy flows of money and influence (box). #### Moves towards disentanglement
Pharmacogenetics of drug-induced liver injury
Authors: Stefan Russmann, Alexander Jetter, Gerd A. Kullak‐Ublick
Journal: Hepatology (2010)

Recent progress in research on drug-induced liver injury (DILI) has been determined by key developments in two areas. First, new technologies allow the identification of genetic risk factors with improved sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency. Second, new mechanistic concepts of DILI emphasize the importance of unspecific "downstream" events following drug-specific initial "upstream" hepatocyte injury and of complex interactions between environmental and genetic risk factors. The integration of genetic and mechanistic concepts is essential for current research approaches, and genetic studies of DILI now focus on targets that affect the function and transcriptional regulation of genes relating not only to drug metabolism but also to human leukocyte antigens (HLAs), cytokines, oxidative stress, and hepatobiliary transporters. Risk factors affecting unspecific downstream mechanisms may be identified using pooled DILI cases caused by various drugs. The power to detect variants that confer a low risk can be increased by recruitment of strictly selected cases through large networks, whereas controls may also be obtained from genotyped reference populations. The first genomewide studies of DILI identified HLA variants as risk factors for hepatotoxicity associated with flucloxacillin and ximelagatran, and their design has defined a new standard for pharmacogenetic studies. From a clinical and regulatory point of view, there is a need for genetic tests that identify patients at increased hepatotoxic risk. However, DILI is a rare complex disease, and pharmacogenetic studies have so far not been able to identify interactions of several risk factors defining a high population-attributable risk and clinically relevant absolute risk for DILI. (HEPATOLOGY 2010)
Usefulness of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes.
Authors: L Flores, I Levy, E Aguilera, S Martinez, R Gomis, E Esmatjes
Journal: Diabetes Care (1999)

Pregnancy in type 1 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of developing pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) has been used to screen for preeclampsia in nondiabetic pregnancy. To date, there are no data regarding ABPM during pregnancy in normotensive type 1 diabetic women. This study sought to establish blood pressure (BP) profiles for pregnant type 1 diabetic women using ABPM and determine whether the BP pattern can define a population at risk for developing PIH.ABPM was carried out for one 24-h period during each trimester--in the first trimester between weeks 7 and 12, in the second trimester between weeks 20 and 24, and in the third trimester between weeks 30 and 34--in 22 normotensive pregnant type 1 diabetic and 10 pregnant nondiabetic women.The incidence of PIH was fourfold greater in type 1 diabetic women than in control subjects. Diabetic women showed higher daily diastolic BP in the third trimester compared with nondiabetic pregnant women. Diabetic women who developed PIH in the third trimester showed significantly higher BP profiles throughout gestation than those who remained normotensive. Receiver operator characteristics curves for nighttime systolic BP showed the best predictive capacity for PIH, with a cutoff > 105 mmHg (85% sensitivity and 92% specificity).Our study confirms the early increase of BP in patients who will develop PIH and suggests that nighttime systolic BP >105 mmHg in the second trimester is a useful predictor of PIH. ABPM may be useful in screening for PIH in pregnant diabetic women.
Quantifying the burden of injuries in temporary labour migrants: an analysis from the United Arab Emirates
Authors: K A Allen, A Hyder, W Robinson
Journal: The Lancet Global Health (2015)

BackgroundTemporary labour migration is a global trend whereby individuals from one country move temporarily to another for employment. These populations are sometimes vulnerable groups with limited rights and resources during their migration experience. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE) more than 80% of the population are non-citizen temporary workers, mostly from low-income and middle-income south Asian and southeast Asian countries. With extremely restricted rights, they are mostly young men, who work predominately as unskilled or semi-skilled labourers in the construction, manufacturing, and oil sectors. Injuries incurred in the course of work are of concern in this population. To better understand the health and occupational risks facing these migrant workers, we aimed to systematically quantify the burden of injuries among temporary migrants in the UAE and compare it with the estimated injury burden for UAE citizens.MethodsWe followed WHO and Global Burden of Disease Study protocols, to conduct a national burden of disease analysis for the UAE with a focus on quantifying the injury burden. We used local mortality and morbidity data sources from the Ministry of Health, Health Authority-Abu Dhabi, and Dubai Health Authority. Years of life lost (YLLs) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were calculated by age, sex, and nationality.FindingsWe estimate that, in 2010, migrants lost 448 584 DALYs to disease and injuries. For migrants, injuries were the leading cause of lost DALYs, irrespective of sex, and accounted for 27% (121 915 DALYs) of the total. Among UAE citizens, injuries were also the leading cause of DALYs lost, representing 22% of the national-specific total (216 301 DALYs). Cause-specific analysis of YLLs shows that road traffic injuries are the main cause of premature death for both migrants and nationals. Suicides (10 392 YLLs; 4·9%), other adverse events (6824 YLLs; 3·5%) and falls (5554 YLLs; 2·6%) are also important causes of total YLLs for all migrants, but in migrant men account for 5·2% and 3·4%, respectively, of the total YLL burden.InterpretationThis study highlights the high burden of road traffic injuries in the UAE and the need for national efforts to reduce deaths from this cause. Furthermore, it shows that the injury burden is higher for migrants. It highlights the need for an increased focus on injury prevention for migrants—especially suicide prevention—and efforts to reduce occupational falls. Despite the limitations associated with using secondary data, we provide a systematic assessment of the burden of injuries in temporary migrants working in the UAE.FundingFrom the Baker, Taylor, Reinke Scholarship.
Wanted: A reconciliation of rationality with determinism
Authors: Joachim I. Krueger
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2003)

In social dilemmas, expectations of reciprocity can lead to fully determined cooperation concurrent with the illusion of choice. The choice of the dominant alternative (i.e., defection) may be construed as being free and rational, but only at the cost of being incompatible with a behavioral science claiming to be deterministic.
Endovascular repair is not worse than open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms
Authors: Jeremy Crane, Meryl Davies, Nick Cheshire
Journal: BMJ (2005)

Endovascular repair is not worse than open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysmsEditor-The title and interpretation of the EVAR trial results in the POEM are misleading and incorrect. 1Mortality figures were quoted both as aneurysm related and all cause deaths.The 30 day mortality was 1.7% in the EVAR group, which is significantly lower than 4.7% in the open repair group.Surprisingly, the POEM somehow interpreted 30 day mortality to be less than 1% for both groups, which is clearly an error.The confidence intervals (odds ratio 0.35, 95% confidence interval 0.16 to 0.77, P = 0.009) make type I error unlikely.If preintervention deaths are added to the figures 30 day mortality was calculated at 3.5% for endovascular repair and 7.1% for open surgery. 2 The advantage of endovascular repair is sustained at four years, with 4% aneurysm related deaths in the EVAR group compared with 7% in the open repair group.This confers a 3% absolute reduction in aneurysm related mortality.The all cause mortality rate was comparable in both groups at four years.Endovascular repair offers a 30 day lower risk treatment compared with open surgery in patients who are medically fit with an abdominal aortic aneurysm.Compared with open repair, endovascular repair offers no advantage with respect to all cause mortality and health related quality of life; and is more expensive; however, it confers a 3% improved aneurysm related survival which persists at four years.The POEM's message that endovascular repair is worse than open repair is inaccurate and not evidence based.
The ART of decision making: Retreatment with transarterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wolfgang Sieghart, Florian Hucke, Matthias Pinter, Ivo Graziadei, Wolfgang Vogel, Christian Müller, Harald Heinzl, Michael Trauner, Markus Peck-Radosavljevic
Journal: Hepatology (2013)

Abstract We aimed to establish an objective point score to guide the decision for retreatment with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In all, 222 patients diagnosed with HCC and treated with multiple TACE cycles between January 1999 and December 2009 at the Departments of Gastroenterology/Hepatology of the Medical Universities of Vienna (training cohort) and Innsbruck (validation cohort) were included. We investigated the effect of the first TACE on parameters of liver function and tumor response and their impact on overall survival (OS, log rank test) and developed a point score (ART score: Assessment for Retreatment with TACE) in the training cohort (n = 107, Vienna) by using a stepwise Cox regression model. The ART score was externally validated in an independent validation cohort (n = 115, Innsbruck). The increase of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) by &gt;25% (hazard ratio [HR] 8.4; P &lt; 0.001), an increase of Child-Pugh score of 1 (HR 2.0) or ≥2 points (HR 4.4) ( P &lt; 0.001) from baseline, and the absence of radiologic tumor response (HR 1.7; P = 0.026) remained independent negative prognostic factors for OS and were used to create the ART score. The ART score differentiated two groups (0-1.5 points; ≥2.5 points) with distinct prognosis (median OS: 23.7 versus 6.6 months; P &lt; 0.001) and a higher ART score was associated with major adverse events after the second TACE ( P = 0.011). These results were confirmed in the external validation cohort and remained significant irrespective of Child-Pugh stage and the presence of ascites prior the second TACE. Conclusion: An ART score of ≥2.5 prior the second TACE identifies patients with a dismal prognosis who may not profit from further TACE sessions.
ANEMIA CORRECTION IMPROVES PROGNOSIS IN ADVANCED HEART FAILURE PATIENTS REFRACTORY TO STANDARD MEDICAL TREATMENT
Authors: John Terrovitis, Eilsavet Kaldara, Argyrios Ntalianis, Christos Kapelios, Lampros Katsaros, Vassilios Sousonis, Nickolaos Michelinakis, Dimitrios Anagnostou, Michael Bonios, George Sainis, John Nanas
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2012)
Pulmonary side effects of interferon‐α therapy in patients with hematological malignancies
Authors: Patrik Anderson, Martin Höglund, Stig Rödjer
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (2003)

Several side effects of interferon-alpha-2b (IFN-alpha) therapy have been described. Pulmonary side effects have seldom been reported. The four patients we describe all developed respiratory disorders while being treated with IFN-alpha for hematological malignancies. We point out the similarities and differences noticed concerning the clinical course, pathological findings, and prognosis in the four different cases. Also, in addition to our review of the literature, we discuss the possible mechanisms involved in development of lung symptoms. In three patients the pulmonary disorder seems to have been caused by a cell-mediated immunological side effect in the form of interstitial pneumonitis. In one patient the symptoms were most likely caused by an autoimmunologic reaction, primarily engaging the vascular system, initially in the lungs. The single pathological finding existing in all four cases was the marked decrease in carbon monoxide diffusion capacity when performing spirometry. This was not necessarily associated with the existence of radiological findings. The decrease in diffusion capacity and the clinical symptoms were completely reversible in three of the patients, either spontaneously after the withdrawal of IFN-alpha or after treatment with corticosteroids. Our conclusion is that IFN-alpha, on rare occasions, can cause serious pulmonary side effects when used to treat both lympho- and myeloproliferative hematological malignancies. When pulmonary symptoms are evaluated during IFN-alpha therapy, spirometry, including estimation of carbon monoxide diffusion capacity, high-resolution computerized tomography, and ultracardiography should be used.