tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Discrepancies in sample size calculations and data analyses reported in randomised trials: comparison of publications with protocols
Authors: A.-W. Chan, A. Hrobjartsson, K. J Jorgensen, P. C Gotzsche, D. G Altman
Journal: BMJ (2008)

<b>Objective</b> To evaluate how often sample size calculations and methods of statistical analysis are pre-specified or changed in randomised trials. <b>Design</b> Retrospective cohort study. <b>Data source</b> Protocols and journal publications of published randomised parallel group trials initially approved in 1994-5 by the scientific-ethics committees for Copenhagen and Frederiksberg, Denmark (n=70). <b>Main outcome measure </b>Proportion of protocols and publications that did not provide key information about sample size calculations and statistical methods; proportion of trials with discrepancies between information presented in the protocol and the publication. <b>Results</b> Only 11/62 trials described existing sample size calculations fully and consistently in both the protocol and the publication. The method of handling protocol deviations was described in 37 protocols and 43 publications. The method of handling missing data was described in 16 protocols and 49 publications. 39/49 protocols and 42/43 publications reported the statistical test used to analyse primary outcome measures. Unacknowledged discrepancies between protocols and publications were found for sample size calculations (18/34 trials), methods of handling protocol deviations (19/43) and missing data (39/49), primary outcome analyses (25/42), subgroup analyses (25/25), and adjusted analyses (23/28). Interim analyses were described in 13 protocols but mentioned in only five corresponding publications. <b>Conclusion</b> When reported in publications, sample size calculations and statistical methods were often explicitly discrepant with the protocol or not pre-specified. Such amendments were rarely acknowledged in the trial publication. The reliability of trial reports cannot be assessed without having access to the full protocols.
Radiology of the Stomach
Authors: Guillermo C. Geisse
Journal: JAMA (1984)

This is the latest addition to the already classic series of Drs Marshak, Lindner, and Maklansky on gastrointestinal (GI) tract radiology. Dr Marshak and his associates collaborated with a group of distinguished radiologists, each of whom authored chapters on subjects of special interest. Approximately one fourth of the book has been written by Dr Marshak and his associates.  If there is one thing that could be criticized about this book, it is probably the multiauthored format. This causes some unevenness of the text, with repetition in the analysis of some of the entities (for example, gastric diaphragms and ectopic pancreas). There is also overemphasis on some relatively uncommon entities (eg, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome). This does not, however, detract from the excellence of this book, which is an indepth analysis on the subject of GI tract radiology.  The quality of the photographs is superb, with large illustrations that clearly show the abnormality
The natural course of early-onset atopic dermatitis in Taiwan: a population-based cohort study
Authors: T.-C. Hua, C.-Y. Hwang, Y.-J. Chen, S.-Y. Chu, C.-C. Chen, D.-D. Lee, Y.-T. Chang, W.-J. Wang, H.-N. Liu
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2013)

Atopic dermatitis (AD) often manifests in early childhood and has variable disease course among individual patients. Previous studies regarding the natural course of AD have usually been of small sample size and were not based on nationwide populations.We aimed to find out the disease duration and remission rate of children with early-onset AD (onset in the first 2 years of life) in Taiwan, and to determine whether the presence of allergic rhinitis (AR) or asthma affects the disease course.The patients with early-onset AD in a nationally representative cohort were selected using the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan and were followed from birth to 10 years of age. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was carried out to analyse the disease duration and remission of AD. Between-group analysis using the log-rank test was carried out to analyse the influence of risk factors on the disease course.Of the 1404 children with early-onset AD, 19.4% had disease duration < 1 year and 48.7% had disease duration < 4 years. During the follow-up, 69.8% of the patients went into remission. Sex, onset age, presence of AR, presence of asthma and presence of respiratory atopy (either AR or asthma) did not show statistically significant influence on disease course.Children in Taiwan with early-onset AD had disease of variable natural course, and the median disease duration was 4.2 years. About 70% of the patients went into remission eventually. The presence of AR or asthma did not affect the disease course of AD.
Fulminating Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: J. E. Lennard-Jones, A. B. Vivian
Journal: BMJ (1960)

Significant differences in perinatal mortality among three areas of Lincolnshire over a three year period are shown to be due to variation in stillbirth rate.Investi- gation of possible causes of this showed that there was a significantly higher incidence of cytoplasm-modifying antibody to T. gondii in the women whose babies had been stillborn, when compared with a group of mothers who had been delivered of live babies in the same month and in the same place.The two groups did not differ greatly in age, parity, or in any other respect.The hypothesis that toxoplasmosis may have been the cause of these stillbirths is discussed.I am indebted to Professor C. P. Beattie, of Sheffield University, and to Dr. J. K. A. Beverley for their advice, for suggesting the method of investigating toxoplasmosis, and for doing all the serological tests.I am also indebted to Dr. C. D. Cormac, County Medical Officer, LindseyCounty Council, for access to records, for arranging for the preliminary questionaries to be completed,
Endotracheal Tube Cuff Displacement
Authors: Jose E. Coppen
Journal: JAMA (1967)

To the Editor:—  A 58-year-old female patient, with a history of pulmonary emphysema, chronic bronchitis, arteriosclerosis, angina pectoris, and compensated congestive heart-failure, was scheduled for pinning of the humerus, for nonunion of a left humerus fracture.  Induction was carried out with sodium thiopental, followed by a high flow of nitrous oxide and oxygen, supplemented with methoxyflurane. Succinlycholine was given intravenously, and orotracheal intubation was performed with an orotracheal tube (36 Collins) and replaceable cuff.  A few minutes after intubation, a progressively increasing respiratory obstruction developed, both inspiratory and expiratory. A thorough investigation of the airway and the anesthetic machine did not reveal any obvious reason for this. By auscultation, both lungs appeared to be ventilated although the breath sounds were distant.  A sinus tachycardia soon developed, followed by ventricular tachycardia. At this time the patient became slightly cyanotic. The endotracheal tube was withdrawn about 1/2 inch, at which moment complete
Immune status of children of immigrants to poliomyelitis.
Authors: E J Bell, R McDaid, R D Dewar, K M Goel, D Reid, N R Grist
Journal: BMJ (1978)

Four ethnic groups of children from the Glasgow area--155 Asians, 85 Africans, 85 Chinese, and 93 Scots--were examined for neutralising to poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3. Only seven of the 418 children had no detectable antibody, and of these, four were aged less than 7 months; none had received polio vaccine. The best-protected children were the Chinese (93% with antibody to all three poliovirus types), followed by the African (81%), Scottish (78%), and Asian children (77%). We conclude that children of immigrants are no more vulnerable to poliovirus infection than their Scottish counterparts.
Prognostic Utility of Microvolt T-Wave Alternans in Risk Stratification of Patients With Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Theodore Chow, Dean J. Kereiakes, Cheryl Bartone, Terri Booth, Edward J. Schloss, Theodore Waller, Eugene S. Chung, Santosh Menon, Brahmajee K. Nallamothu, Paul S. Chan
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2006)
Suicide-Prevention Telephone Service
Authors: Robert E. Litman
Journal: JAMA (1965)

Suicide is a serious public health problem. Recognizing this, many communities have initiated antisuicide programs. This communication describes the rationale, operation, and experiences of a suicide-prevention telephone service which functions nights, weekends, and holidays to supplement an active daytime, crisis-oriented, brieftherapy clinic. During the first year, 1,607 calls were received. Approximately two thirds of the patients concerned were women. Wednesday was the busiest night. Nearly one fifth of the calls involved persons with high suicide potentiality. A suicide attempt had been made recently by 22%. There was a history of one or more previous psychiatric contacts for 45% of the patients. Acute depressive reaction was the most frequent diagnosis.
Molecular and chromosomal mechanisms of resistance to imatinib (STI571) therapy
Authors: A Hochhaus, S Kreil, AS Corbin, P La Rosée, MC Müller, T Lahaye, B Hanfstein, C Schoch, NCP Cross, U Berger, H Gschaidmeier, BJ Druker, R Hehlmann
Journal: Leukemia (2002)
Most CML patients who have a suboptimal response to imatinib have low OCT-1 activity: higher doses of imatinib may overcome the negative impact of low OCT-1 activity
Authors: Deborah L. White, Verity A. Saunders, Phuong Dang, Jane Engler, Amity Venables, Stephanie Zrim, Andrew Zannettino, Kevin Lynch, Paul W. Manley, Timothy Hughes
Journal: Blood (2007)
Year in review in Intensive Care Medicine, 2008: III. Paediatrics, Ethics, outcome research and critical care organization, sedation, pharmacology and miscellanea
Authors: Massimo Antonelli, Elie Azoulay, Marc Bonten, Jean Chastre, Giuseppe Citerio, Giorgio Conti, Daniel De Backer, François Lemaire, Herwig Gerlach, Johan Groeneveld, Goran Hedenstierna, Duncan Macrae, Jordi Mancebo, Salvatore M. Maggiore, Alexandre Mebazaa, Philipp Metnitz, Jerôme Pugin, Jan Wernerman, Haibo Zhang
Journal: Intensive Care Medicine (2009)

Year in review in Intensive Care Medicine, 2008 : III. Paediatrics, Ethics, outcome research and critical care organization, sedation, pharmacology and miscellanea
When To Base Clinical Policies on Observational Versus Randomized Trial Data
Authors: John Hornberger
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1997)

Physicians must decide when the evidence is sufficient to adopt a new clinical policy. Analysis of large clinical and administrative databases is becoming an important source of evidence for changing clinical policies. Because such analysis cannot control for the effects of all potential confounding variables, physicians risk drawing the wrong conclusion about the cause-and-effect relation between a change in clinical policy and outcomes. Randomized studies offer protection against drawing a conclusion that would lead to adoption of an inferior policy. However, a randomized study may be difficult to justify because of the extra costs of collecting data for a randomized study and concerns that a study will not directly benefit the patients enrolled in the study. This article reviews the advantages and disadvantages of basing clinical policy on analysis of large databases compared with conducting a randomized study. A technique is described and illustrated for accessing the potential costs and benefits of conducting such a study. This type of analysis formed the basis for a physician-managed health care organization deciding to sponsor a randomized study among patients with end-stage renal disease as part of a quality-improvement initiative.
PLANTAIN HAY-FEVER AND ASTHMA
Authors: HARRY S. BERNTON
Journal: JAMA (1925)

The members of the plantain family in the United States, notably<i>Plantago lanceolata</i>, fulfil all the requirements of hay-fever plants. Despite this fact, their relationship to hay-fever has received only passing attention from American investigators. It is my purpose to record here the incidence of hay-fever in the District of Columbia and vicinity due to<i>Plantago lanceolata</i>, commonly known as rib grass or English plantain. The literature of the subject may be briefly summarized: Hall<sup>1</sup>lists<i>Plantago lanceolata</i>among the hay-fever plants of California. He adds that it is "of first rank in Oregon and Washington," and that Chamberlain, Scheppegrell and Selfridge have reported positive reactions. Likewise, Watson and Kibler<sup>2</sup>enumerate the family of<i>Plantaginaceae</i>among those plants capable of producing hay-fever in the Southwest; whereas in Scheppegrell's<sup>3</sup>revised classification the plantains constitute one of the five minor groups of hay-fever plants. Mullin<sup>4</sup>records the dates
Epidemiologic Study of Inactivated Measles Vaccine
Authors: Harold S. Medoff, Albert R. Hunt, Felix E. Karpinski, Sherwood Salitsky, James E. Wheeler
Journal: JAMA (1964)

During three successive measles seasons, measles occurred in 11 of 964 vaccinees and 188 of 965 controls, excluding cases which occurred within 14 days of the first injection. Serologic data indicated that a high degree of immunity could be produced and sustained. This immunity did not prevent viral infection and invasion of the vaccinee, as shown by marked rises in antibody titer after natural challenge, but did prevent demonstrable clinical disease. There were no local or systemic reactions. After two years the number of vaccinees in whom full serologic immunity to measles developed without morbidity was the same as the number of controls who actually contracted the disease. Use of inactivated measles-virus vaccine is recommended as a routine office procedure.
Arrector pili muscle: evidence of proximal attachment variant in terminal follicles of the scalp
Authors: C.B. Barcaui, J. Pineiro-Maceira, M.M. De Avelar Alchorne
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2002)

There is general agreement that the proximal attachment site of the arrector pili (AP) muscle, via elastic tendons, is the bulge region, where follicular stem cells are situated. A variant of this insertion, in which the AP muscle surrounds the follicle circumference, has been described in human facial vellus hair follicles.To investigate whether terminal hair follicles of the human scalp may also present this variant of proximal insertion of the AP muscle.Histological and immunohistochemical methods were used.At the bulge level, bundles of the AP muscle were seen to encircle the entire hair follicle.Terminal follicles of the human scalp may also present this variant of proximal insertion of the AP muscle.
Evaluation of a call programme for cervical cytology screening in women aged 50-60.
Authors: A. J. Robertson, G. S. Reid, C. A. Stoker, C. Bissett, N. Waugh, I. Fenton, J. Rowan, R. Halkerston
Journal: BMJ (1989)

For many years Tayside has benefited from a successful opportunistic cytology screening programme. In recent years, however, the decrease in mortality due to cervical cancer has levelled off, with most cases of severe disease arising in women who have not been screened. In view of this the health board developed a new computer system for call and recall based on the community health index. This facility allowed the unscreened population to be identified and located on an individual general practice basis. The findings of the call programme in the 3136 women aged 50-60 were studied. The 29 practices in Perth and Kinross participated in the scheme. Before the call started 4287 out of 7423 (58%) women had been screened, and after the call programme this had risen to 5109 (69%). Moreover, a further 1158 (15%) women were identified who had a valid reason for exclusion from the programme. This meant that 6267 (84%) women of the study population were accounted for by the system. The call programme in Tayside will be completed in 1989 and will include all women aged 20-60.
CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS OF INTESTINAL PARASITES.
Authors: CHARLES WARDELL STILES
Journal: JAMA (1903)

In diagnosing intestinal parasites, we may use various methods, but the best method is undoubtedly that of a microscopic examination of the feces. <h3>DIAGNOSIS BY SYMPTOMS.</h3> The practitioner who relies on symptoms alone for his diagnosis will undoubtedly often successfully recognize the true nature of the trouble, especially in severe infections. For instance, when we are in the infected area of hookworm disease and meet a typical clay-eater we note a complex of symptoms which is quite characteristic, and in most cases of this kind a microscopic examination seems unnecessary. In numerous medium cases and in practically all light cases of this disease however, a diagnosis on symptoms alone is uncertain unless we find severe cases, such as clay-eaters, in th same family. Outside of the infected area, probably few physicians would care to risk a definite diagnosis of this disease on symptoms alone even in the severe cases, while
Haemorrhagic disease of the newborn in the British Isles: two year prospective study.
Authors: A W McNinch, J H Tripp
Journal: BMJ (1991)

OBJECTIVE--To determine the incidence of haemorrhagic disease of the newborn in the British Isles, study risk factors, and examine the effect of vitamin K prophylaxis. DESIGN--Prospective survey of all possible cases of haemorrhagic disease of the newborn as reported by consultant paediatricians using the monthly notification cards of the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit and a follow up questionnaire for each case to validate the diagnosis and accrue further data. SETTING--Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) and Ireland (Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic) during December 1987 to March 1990. PATIENTS--27 infants classified as having confirmed (n = 25) or probable (n = 2) haemorrhagic disease of the newborn. RESULTS--24 of the 27 infants were solely breast fed. 10 suffered intracranial haemorrhage; two of these died and there was clinical concern about the remainder. 20 infants had received no vitamin K prophylaxis, and seven had received oral prophylaxis. Relative risk ratios for these groups compared with babies who had received intramuscular vitamin K were 81:1 and 13:1 respectively. Six infants had hepatitis (alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency in four), unsuspected until presentation with haemorrhagic disease of the newborn, of whom four had received oral prophylaxis. One other baby had prolonged jaundice. One mother had taken phenytoin during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS--All newborn infants should receive vitamin K prophylaxis. Intramuscular vitamin K is more effective than oral prophylactic regimens currently used in the British Isles.
The Chloroplast Genome Sequence of the Green Alga Pseudendoclonium akinetum (Ulvophyceae) Reveals Unusual Structural Features and New Insights into the Branching Order of Chlorophyte Lineages
Authors: Jean-François Pombert, Christian Otis, Claude Lemieux, Monique Turmel
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2005)

One major lineage of green plants, the Chlorophyta, is represented by the green algal classes Prasinophyceae, Ulvophyceae, Trebouxiophyceae, and Chlorophyceae. The Prasinophyceae occupies the most basal position in the Chlorophyta, but the branching order of the Ulvophyceae, Trebouxiophyceae, and Chlorophyceae remains unresolved. The chloroplast genome sequences currently available for representatives of three chlorophyte classes have revealed that this genome is highly plastic, with Chlamydomonas (Chlorophyceae) and Chlorella (Trebouxiophyceae) showing fewer ancestral features than Nephroselmis (Prasinophyceae). We report the 195,867-bp chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) sequence of Pseudendoclonium akinetum (Ulvophyceae), a member of the class that has not been previously examined for detailed cpDNA analysis. This genome shares common evolutionary trends with its Chlorella and Chlamydomonas homologs. The gene content, number of ancestral gene clusters, and abundance of short dispersed repeats in Pseudendoclonium cpDNA are intermediate between those observed for Chlorella and Chlamydomonas cpDNAs. Although Pseudendoclonium cpDNA features a large inverted repeat, its quadripartite structure is unusual in displaying an rRNA operon transcribed toward the large single-copy (LSC) region and a small single-copy region containing 14 genes that are normally found in the LSC region. Twenty-seven group I introns lie in nine genes and fall within four subgroups (IA1, IA2, IA3, and IB); 19 encode putative homing endonucleases, and 7 have homologs at identical insertion sites in other chlorophyte or streptophyte organelle genomes. The high similarity observed among the 14 IA1 and 7 IA2 introns and their encoded endonucleases suggests that many introns arose from intragenomic proliferation of a few founding introns in the lineage leading to Pseudendoclonium. Interestingly, one intron (in atpA) and some of the dispersed repeats also reside in Pseudendoclonium mitochondria, providing strong evidence for interorganellar lateral transfer of these genetic elements. Phylogenetic analyses of 58 cpDNA-encoded proteins and genes support the hypothesis that the Ulvophyceae is sister to the Trebouxiophyceae but cannot eliminate the hypothesis that the Ulvophyceae is sister to the Chlorophyceae. We favor the latter hypothesis because it is strongly supported by phylogenetic analyses of gene order data and by independent structural evidence based on shared gene losses and rearrangement break points within ancestrally conserved gene clusters.
Company withholds lifesaving drug in row with Australian government over its use
Authors: A. Coopes
Journal: BMJ (2014)

A lifesaving drug treatment for the ultra-rare but fatal blood disorder atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS) is at the centre of an unprecedented funding stand-off in Australia that has left patients in limbo and is being closely watched abroad, experts have said.

The global drug firm Alexion last week walked away from the Australian government’s offer of A$63m (£33.9m; €43.4m; US$55.1m) in funding over five years at full price (A$500 000 a patient each year) to subsidise its humanised monoclonal antibody, eculizumab (Soliris), under the country’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Alexion objected to the recommended terms of use, under which patients would be taken off the drug if the markers of their condition returned to normal; the company wanted patients to be put on the drug for life.

The condition of aHUS is caused by chronic, uncontrolled activation of the alternative complement pathway and results …
David Charles Herbert
Authors: P. F. S. Tatham
Journal: BMJ (2014)

David Charles Herbert was a plastic surgeon who followed an unconventional career; he was a larger than life character with an enormous range of interests. A knowledgeable antique collector, creative gardener, competent amateur artist, poetry enthusiast, and speaker of several languages, he sponsored operatic and music festivals and was a generous and active member of his local community.

Born to a close south Wales family of strict Plymouth Brethren, he overcame dyslexia to go to Newport High, his local grammar …
British ponder 'presumed consent' for organ harvesting
Authors: Charles Marwick
Journal: JAMA (1984)

In an attempt to increase the number of organs available for transplantation, the British government has begun a campaign to foster public awareness of the organ shortage and to encourage the use of donor cards. Although the successes of Britain's transplant program are expected to increase the demand for organs, the government postponed consideration of a "presumed consent" proposal that would allow the removal of organs from anyone who had not documented denial of permission while alive. Despite the fact that "presumed consent" policies are working well in several European countries, the British are presently opting for a voluntary system similar to that of the United States.