tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Placement of intra-articular injections verified by mini air-arthrography
Authors: H. Bliddal
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1999)

To develop and assess a simple, inexpensive method for ascertaining the placement of intra-articular injections for knee osteoarthritisDuring a one year period patients with "dry" osteoarthritis of the knee who received intra-articular therapy were tested by air-arthrography. Along with triamcinolone and lignocaine (lidocaine), 5 ml of air was injected into the joint. On subsequent lateral and anterior-posterior radiographs a correct placement was verified by a sharply defined shadow of air in the suprapatellar pouch, while extra-articular air was diffusely spread in the surrounding tissue.In 51 of 56 cases the injection was correctly placed. In the remaining five cases the injection was immediately repeated and positioned within the joint. No adverse events were seen that could be ascribed to the use of air during the study, although bleeding in the quadriceps was seen one week after an extra-articular injection.With mini-air arthrography, it is possible to test the placement of intra-articular injections in knee joints. The method is proposed as a learning tool as well as providing a means of quality assurance in studies involving intra-articular injections.
Gamma Ventral Capsulotomy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Antonio C. Lopes, Benjamin D. Greenberg, Miguel M. Canteras, Marcelo C. Batistuzzo, Marcelo Q. Hoexter, André F. Gentil, Carlos A. B. Pereira, Marinês A. Joaquim, Maria E. de Mathis, Carina C. D’Alcante, Anita Taub, Douglas G. de Castro, Lucas Tokeshi, Leonardo A. N. P. C. Sampaio, Cláudia C. Leite, Roseli G. Shavitt, Juliana B. Diniz, Geraldo Busatto, Georg Norén, Steven A. Rasmussen, Eurípedes C. Miguel
Journal: JAMA Psychiatry (2014)

Select cases of intractable obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have undergone neurosurgical ablation for more than half a century. However, to our knowledge, there have been no randomized clinical trials of such procedures for the treatment of any psychiatric disorder. To determine the efficacy and safety of a radiosurgery (gamma ventral capsulotomy [GVC]) for intractable OCD. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial, 16 patients with intractable OCD were randomized to active (n = 8) or sham (n = 8) GVC. Blinding was maintained for 12 months. After unblinding, sham-group patients were offered active GVC. Patients randomized to active GVC had 2 distinct isocenters on each side irradiated at the ventral border of the anterior limb of the internal capsule. The patients randomized to sham GVC received simulated radiosurgery using the same equipment. Scores on the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) Scale. Response was defined as a 35% or greater reduction in Y-BOCS severity and "improved" or "much improved" CGI-I ratings. Three of 8 patients randomized to active treatment responded at 12 months, while none of the 8 sham-GVC patients responded (absolute risk reduction, 0.375; 95% CI, 0.04-0.71). At 12 months, OCD symptom improvement was significantly higher in the active-GVC group than in the sham group (Y-BOCS, P = .046; Dimensional Y-BOCS, P = .01). At 54 months, 2 additional patients in the active group had become responders. Of the 4 sham-GVC patients who later received active GVC, 2 responded by post-GVC month 12. The most serious adverse event was an asymptomatic radiation-induced cyst in 1 patient. Gamma ventral capsulotomy benefitted patients with otherwise intractable OCD and thus appears to be an alternative to deep-brain stimulation in selected cases. Given the risks inherent in any psychiatric neurosurgery, such procedures should be conducted at specialized centers. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01004302.
Should patients with recent onset rheumatoid arthritis be offered genetic screening?
Authors: D P Symmons, W E Ollier, P Brennan, A J Silman
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1996)

Advances in molecular based technology and their application to the study of disease aetiology and pathology are having a significant and increasing impact on the practice of clinical medicine.This methodology can be applied not only to single gene disorders such as cystic fibrosis, but also to complex polygenic disorders such as ischaemic heart disease, certain cancers, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Some of the genetic factors identified may prove useful in screening for disease risk or indicating prognosis.A recent Government document' summarised how the application of genetics may be increasingly useful in medicine, and suggested that it may soon be appropriate to screen patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for HIA genotypes associated with a poor prognosis in order to guide treatment decisions.A similar recommendation was made in a recent paper by Emery and Salmon.2Here, we review the evidence that has led to this suggestion and discuss the factors that need to be considered before genetic screening of patients with recent onset RA could be recommended as a routine pro- cedure.
Neoadjuvant Docetaxel before Radical Prostatectomy in Patients with High-Risk Localized Prostate Cancer
Authors: Phillip G. Febbo, Jerome P. Richie, Daniel J. George, Massimo Loda, Judith Manola, Sridhar Shankar, Agnieska Szot Barnes, Clare Tempany, William Catalona, Philip W. Kantoff, William K. Oh
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2005)

To determine the clinical, pathologic, and molecular effects of neoadjuvant docetaxel chemotherapy in high-risk localized prostate cancer.Patients with biopsy Gleason scores of 8 to 10, serum prostate-specific antigen levels >20 ng/mL, and/or clinical stage T3 disease received weekly docetaxel (36 mg/m2) for 6 months, followed by radical prostatectomy, and were monitored with weekly visits, serum prostate-specific antigen measurements, and endorectal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Frozen tumor specimens were collected for microarray analysis.The 19 patients enrolled received 82% of the planned chemotherapy. Toxicity was mild to moderate; fatigue and taste disturbance were common. Prostate-specific antigen declines of >50% were seen in 11 of 19 patients (58%; 95% confidence interval, 33-80%) and endorectal MRI showed maximum tumor volume reduction of at least 25% in 13 of 19 patients (68%; 95% confidence interval, 47-85%) and at least 50% in 4 patients (21%; 95% confidence interval, 6-46%). Sixteen patients completed chemotherapy and had radical prostatectomy; none achieved pathologic complete response. Microarray analysis identified coordinate up-regulation of genes involved in androgen metabolism associated with docetaxel therapy. Specifically, RNA expression for genes that decrease cellular levels of bioactive androgens was coordinately increased in response to chemotherapy.Neoadjuvant docetaxel administered for 6 months before radical prostatectomy is feasible, well tolerated, and often results in prostate-specific antigen declines of >50% and decreased tumor volume on endorectal MRI. No pathologic complete responses were observed. Altered androgen metabolism may partially account for the noted declines in prostate-specific antigen and be a mechanism for chemotherapy resistance.
Late-breaking abstract: Comparative studies on bronchus wall thickness in frozen and paraffin sections of porcine lungs
Authors: Christoph Brochhausen, Christine Tapprich, Volker H. Schmitt, David Hollemann, Oliver Weinheimer, Andreas Mamilos, C. James Kirkpatrick
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Aims  Airway morphology shows characteristic changes in airway diseases,e.g. inflammation and remodelling in COPD can lead to wall thickening. Fixation and processing cause tissue shrinkage or expansion. Knowledge of the degree of shrinkage within different processing procedures is important for clinical diagnostics and comparative studies with different section types. Here, the thickness of bronchus walls obtained from paraffin and frozen sections was compared.  Methods  4 pig lungs were frozen in ventilated condition in liquid nitrogen. Of 36 bronchi frozen and paraffin sections were performed from the same cutting edge. After hematoxylin/eosin staining in each slide 40 measurements of the bronchus wall thickness were performed at different wall positions in 400-fold magnification. Wilcoxon test and t-test were performed with a significance level at 0.05.  Results  Bronchial wall thickness was significantly (p  Conclusions  The bronchus wall thickness differs by nearly 14% between paraffin and frozen sections. This is essential regarding histological evaluation of bronchus tissue by different methods in clinical diagnostics and in comparison with x-ray analyses on airway geometry. To detect the method with minimal shrinkage or to develop mathematical conversion formulae, further studies will be performed comparing histological data with prior collected in situ measurements e.g. using MRI.
Guide wire inducable reopening of the infarct related artery in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous intervention: a marker of low mortality
Authors: Volkhard Kurowski, Dirk P. Killermann, Deepak Jain, Uwe K. Wiegand, Evangelos Giannitsis, Ralph Toelg, Franz Hartmann, Hugo A. Katus, Gert Richardt
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2002)
Quantitative analysis of pulmonary cysts and emphysema on computed tomography: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis, Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome and chronic obstructive lung disease
Authors: Kazunori Tobino, Toyohiro Hirai, Takeshi Johkoh, Kiminori Fujimoto, Masatoshi Kurihara, Kuniaki Seyama
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Rationale: The method of characterizing fractals has been successfully applied to pulmonary physiology. Mishima and colleagues analyzed the number and size of low attenuation area (LAAs) in patients with COPD and determined that LAAs on CT scans display fractal properties. However, there is no report that assessed the usefulness of the methods of characterizing fractals of LAAs to analyze the pathophysiology in cystic lung diseases.  Objectives: To characterize the pulmonary cysts in patients with cystic lung diseases (i.e. Lymphangioleiomyoma [LAM] and Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome [BHDS]) and emphysema in patients with COPD by quantification of LAAs on CT and to assess the usefulness of the methods of characterizing fractals of LAAs to analyze the pathophysiology in these diseases.  Methods: This study included 52 LAM patients, 18 BHDS patients and 40 COPD patients. The number and size of discrete continuous low attenuation areas (CLA) on CT were quantitatively assessed by computer software, and then the fractal properties of LAAs were evaluated in these diseases.  Results: The characteristics of LAAs differed between these diseases, and the fractal properties of CLA varied with a value of LAA% in LAM (0.963-0.973) and BHDS (0.849-0.998), but in COPD (0.982-0.996). By comparing these results, the way of the development of LAAs in these diseases were suggested.  Conclusion: The computer-assisted, quantitative analysis of LAAs on CT images is useful to elucidate the pathogenesis of cystic lung diseases including LAM, BHDS, and COPD.
Interpreting laboratory results
Authors: R J Lilford
Journal: BMJ (1989)

26%) would be reluctant, and 31 (21%) would refuse to give blood.For statistical evaluation the patients expressing reluctance or refusal were categorised together as unwilling and compared with those who were willing.A X2 test with Yates's correction was applied to the difference between the replies given to the two questions, and the observed difference was found to be significant (x2=3.9,p<O05).It is obviously important that more information is gained concerning the epidemiology of HIV infection in the general population.Lessons appro- priate to high risk groups, however, may well not apply more widely.Anonymous testing may appeal to those who have a greater risk of contracting HIV infection and may enable better data on incidence to be gathered, but from our results autonomy seems more important to the low risk patient.Only two patients out of the 150 in our sample would refuse consent to be tested.This suggests that anonymous testing without feedback of results is not only unnecessary but also likely to produce poorer results than if the full, informed coopera- tion of the patient is sought.
Hypoxia-Independent Overexpression of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α as an Early Change in Mouse Hepatocarcinogenesis
Authors: Hiroki Tanaka, Masahiro Yamamoto, Norikazu Hashimoto, Masaaki Miyakoshi, Susumu Tamakawa, Masumi Yoshie, Yoshihiko Tokusashi, Kazunori Yokoyama, Yuji Yaginuma, Katsuhiro Ogawa
Journal: Cancer Research (2006)

Abstract Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is involved in tumor progression/metastasis and activated in various cancers. Here we show that HIF-1α, which plays a major role in HIF-1 activation, is overexpressed in preneoplastic hepatocytic lesions from a very early stage during hepatocarcinogenesis in mice and man. Transcriptional targets of HIF-1, such as vascular endothelial growth factor, glut-1, c-met, and insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II), were also overexpressed in mouse lesions. Oxygen tension within the lesions was not different from that of the normal hepatic tissues, indicating that HIF-1α expression was independent of hypoxia. On the other hand, Akt, the pathway of which can up-regulate HIF-1α expression, was activated in the mouse lesions, whereas HIF-1α was markedly down-regulated in the mouse hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines after treatment with a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, LY294002, indicating that HIF-1α expression is dependent on PI3K/Akt signaling. Conversely, HIF-1α knockdown by short interfering RNA in the HCC cell line resulted in decreased expression of activated Akt together with the HIF-1 target genes, indicating that Akt activation is reversely dependent on HIF-1 activation. Treating the HCC cells with IGF-II or epidermal growth factor (EGF) up-regulated both phospho-Akt and HIF-1α, whereas inhibition of IGF-II or EGF signaling down-regulated them both, suggesting that IGF-II and EGF can, at least in part, mediate the activation of Akt and HIF-1α. However, Akt was not activated by IGF-II or EGF in the HIF-1α knockdown cells, indicating that expression of the HIF-1 target genes is necessary for the Akt activation. These findings suggest that the reciprocal activation of PI3K/Akt signaling and HIF-1α may be important in the progression of hepatocarcinogenesis. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(23): 11263-70)
Homozygous hemoglobin E mimics β‐thalassemia minor without anemia or hemolysis: Hematologic, functional, and biosynthetic studies of first north American cases
Authors: Virgil F. Fairbanks, Rhaiza Oliveros, Joseph H. Brandabur, Richard R. Willis, Richard F. Fiester
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (1980)

Abstract A young American woman of Thai ancestry living in Ohio and a man of Vietnamese origin living in Iowa are believed to be the first recognized hemoglobin E homozygotes residing in the western hemisphere. Both were clinically well and exhibited neither pallor nor icterus nor splenomegaly. Their blood exhibited marked microcytosis and mild erythrocytosis. Hemoglobin was 99% E and 1% F, 97% E and 3% F, respectively. These features were similar to those previously reported from Southeast Asia and Madagascar in the few well‐documented reports of homozygous hemoglobin E. A 51 Cr erythrocyte survival study indicated a normal t 1/2 of 28 days. Also demonstrated were minimal decrease in whole blood O 2 affinity and increased ratio of α/non‐α globin chain synthesis. Mild hemolytic anemia is not, as usually stated, a feature of this condition, which closely mimics a very mild thalassemia minor. Anemia, when found with high proportions of hemoglobin E, should not be attributed to the homozygous hemoglobinopathy. Persons with homozygous hemoglobin E should be reassured as to its benign implications.
Trusts forced to cut services because of costs of swine flu
Authors: A. O'Dowd
Journal: BMJ (2010)

Some primary care trusts have had to cut spending on their regular services because of the costs of the recent A/H1N1 flu pandemic, it has been shown. A Freedom of Information Act request by GP newspaper showed that the cost of dealing with the pandemic forced one in six trusts to cut other services.

On average, each trust spent around £340 000 (€391 400; $520 400)to respond to the cost of the pandemic and some trusts did that by using contingency funds or reducing services.

The level of cost for providing equipment, staff, and communications during the pandemic varied substantially across trusts, the investigation showed, ranging from £11 100 to £1.7m.

The …
Cardiac events in genotyped long QT syndrome patients
Authors: W. Zareba, A.J. Moss, J. Robinson, P.J. Schwart, G.M. Vincent, S.G. Priori, J. Benhorin, E.H. Locati, J.A. Towbin, M.T. Keating, M.H. Lehmann, W.J. Hall, C. Napolitano, M. Andrews
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (1998)
Signal Transduction by Cxc Chemokine Receptor 4
Authors: Bettina Tilton, Liza Ho, Estelle Oberlin, Pius Loetscher, Françoise Baleux, Ian Clark-Lewis, Marcus Thelen
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (2000)

We report that stromal cell–derived factor (SDF)-1 has the remarkable capacity to induce sustained signaling through CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). In contrast to other chemokines, such as monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (CC chemokine receptor 2 [CCR2]), macrophage inflammatory protein 1β (CCR5), liver and activation-regulated chemokine (LARC [CCR6]), Epstein-Barr virus–induced molecule 1 ligand chemokine (ELC [CCR7]), and IP10 (CXCR3), SDF-1 stimulates the prolonged activation of protein kinase B and extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK)-2. Activation of protein kinase B is reversed by displacement of SDF-1 from CXCR4 or inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Although increasing concentrations of SDF-1 enhance CXCR4 internalization, kinase activation is prolonged. In addition, restimulation yields &amp;gt;60% of initial protein kinase B activity, indicating that the remaining receptors are not desensitized. Furthermore, activation is prolonged by inhibiting SDF-1 degradation. The sustained activation of cell survival and mitogenic pathways may account for the unique role of SDF-1 and CXCR4 in embryogenesis and lymphopoiesis.
Activated Platelets Induce Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 Secretion and Surface Expression of Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 on Endothelial Cells
Authors: Meinrad Gawaz, Franz-Josef Neumann, Timm Dickfeld, Werner Koch, Karl-Ludwig Laugwitz, Helmut Adelsberger, Kirsten Langenbrink, Sharon Page, Dieter Neumeier, Albert Schömig, Korbinian Brand
Journal: Circulation (1998)

Background —Platelet/endothelium interaction plays an important role in the pathophysiology of inflammation and atherosclerosis. The role of platelets for monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) secretion and surface expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on endothelial cells has been assessed. Methods and Results —Monolayers of human umbilical vein endothelial cells were incubated with nonstimulated or ADP-activated platelets for 6 hours, and secretion of MCP-1 and surface expression of ICAM-1 were determined by ELISA and flow cytometry, respectively. In the presence of ADP-activated platelets, both MCP-1 secretion and ICAM-1 surface expression were significantly increased compared with nonstimulated platelets ( P &lt;0.02). Activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and κB-dependent transcriptional activity was enhanced in the presence of activated platelets. In addition, ADP-activated platelets induced MCP-1 and ICAM-1 promoter–dependent transcription. Liposomal transfection of a double-stranded κB phosphorothioate oligonucleotide, but not of the mutated form, inhibited MCP-1 secretion and surface expression of ICAM-1 on activated endothelium ( P &lt;0.05). Conclusions —The present study indicates that activated platelets modulate chemotactic (MCP-1) and adhesive (ICAM-1) properties of endothelial cells via an NF-κB–dependent mechanism. Platelet-induced activation of the NF-κB system might contribute to early inflammatory events in atherogenesis.
Psychological Distress in Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer: The Swiss Childhood Cancer Survivor Study
Authors: Gisela Michel, Cornelia E. Rebholz, Nicolas X. von der Weid, Eva Bergstraesser, Claudia E. Kuehni
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2010)

To evaluate the degree of psychological distress in adult childhood cancer survivors in Switzerland and to characterize survivors with significant distress.Childhood cancer survivors who were age younger than 16 years when diagnosed between 1976 and 2003, had survived more than 5 years, and were currently age 20 years or older received a postal questionnaire. Psychological distress was assessed using the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Raw scores were transformed into T scores according to the German norm sample, and the proportion of participants being at increased risk for psychological distress was calculated (case rule: T > or = 63). t tests and univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were used for statistical analyses.One thousand seventy-six survivors (63.% of eligible survivors, 71.9% of contacted survivors) returned the questionnaire, 987 with complete data on BSI. Comparison with the norm populations showed lower T scores (T < 50) in the Global Severity Index (GSI; T = 46.2), somatization (T = 47.6), obsessive-compulsive tendencies (T = 46.9), and anxiety (T = 48.4). However, more childhood cancer survivors (especially women) had increased distress for GSI (14.4%), interpersonal sensitivity (16.5%), depression (13.4%), aggression (16.9%), and psychotic tendencies (15.6%) than the expected 10% from the norm population. Caseness was associated with female sex, being a single child, older age at study, and self-reported late effects, especially psychological problems.Results show that childhood cancer survivors, on average, have less psychological distress than a norm population but that the proportion of survivors at risk for high psychological distress is disproportionally large. Monitoring psychological distress in childhood cancer survivors may be desirable during routine follow-up, and psychological support should be offered as needed.
A study of the pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori negative chronic duodenal ulceration.
Authors: K E McColl, A M el-Nujumi, R S Chittajallu, S W Dahill, C A Dorrian, E el-Omar, I Penman, E J Fitzsimons, J Drain, H Graham
Journal: Gut (1993)

In the past five years 12 patients have been identified presenting with chronic duodenal ulcer (DU) disease and with no evidence of current or recent Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection.Four of them were taking on July 22, 2023 by guest.