tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Systematic Review of Complications of Prostate Biopsy
Authors: Stacy Loeb, Annelies Vellekoop, Hashim U. Ahmed, James Catto, Mark Emberton, Robert Nam, Derek J. Rosario, Vincenzo Scattoni, Yair Lotan
Journal: European Urology (2013)

Prostate biopsy is commonly performed for cancer detection and management. The benefits and risks of prostate biopsy are germane to ongoing debates about prostate cancer screening and treatment.To perform a systematic review of complications from prostate biopsy.A literature search was performed using PubMed and Embase, supplemented with additional references. Articles were reviewed for data on the following complications: hematuria, rectal bleeding, hematospermia, infection, pain, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), urinary retention, erectile dysfunction, and mortality.After biopsy, hematuria and hematospermia are common but typically mild and self-limiting. Severe rectal bleeding is uncommon. Despite antimicrobial prophylaxis, infectious complications are increasing over time and are the most common reason for hospitalization after biopsy. Pain may occur at several stages of prostate biopsy and can be mitigated by anesthetic agents and anxiety-reduction techniques. Up to 25% of men have transient LUTS after biopsy, and <2% have frank urinary retention, with slightly higher rates reported after transperineal template biopsy. Biopsy-related mortality is rare.Preparation for biopsy should include antimicrobial prophylaxis and pain management. Prostate biopsy is frequently associated with minor bleeding and urinary symptoms that usually do not require intervention. Infectious complications can be serious, requiring prompt management and continued work into preventative strategies.
The Asian atopic dermatitis phenotype combines features of atopic dermatitis and psoriasis with increased TH17 polarization
Authors: Shinji Noda, Mayte Suárez-Fariñas, Benjamin Ungar, Soo Jung Kim, Cristina de Guzman Strong, Hui Xu, Xiangyu Peng, Yeriel D. Estrada, Saeko Nakajima, Tetsuya Honda, Jung U. Shin, Hemin Lee, James G. Krueger, Kwang-Hoon Lee, Kenji Kabashima, Emma Guttman-Yassky
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2015)
Tissue localization of transforming growth factor-beta1 in pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma.
Authors: S Asakura, T V Colby, A H Limper
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1996)

Pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma is characterized by infiltration of the lungs with fibronodular lesions containing specialized Langerhans' cells. In some patients, progressive pulmonary fibrosis leads to significant respiratory impairment. Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) promotes fibrosis by enhancing the synthesis of extracellular matrix components. The role of TGF-beta1 in promoting fibrosis in the setting of pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma is currently unknown. We used immunohistochemistry to evaluate the extent and distribution of TGF-beta1 and the extracellular matrix components type I collagen and decorin, a TGF-beta1-binding proteoglycan. Lung biopsies from 11 patients with pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma were evaluated. In biopsies with active inflammatory lesions containing Langerhans' cells, hyperplastic type 2 pneumocytes and alveolar macrophages within and surrounding the fibronodular lesions contained abundant TGF-beta1. Langerhans' cells were consistently devoid of immunoreactive TGF-beta1. Active inflammatory lesions also exhibited staining for decorin, in a loosely organized distribution. Advanced fibrotic lesions of eosinophilic granuloma, containing minimal inflammatory cells and few or no Langerhans' cells, exhibited weak or absent staining for TGF-beta1 within either hyperplastic type 2 pneumocytes or alveolar macrophages. The fibroconnective tissues of these advanced fibrotic lesions consistently revealed dense staining for decorin. Through their actions on extracellular matrix protein accumulation, TGF-beta1 and the TGF-beta1-binding proteoglycan decorin may modulate fibrotic repair accompanying pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma.
Evidence-based provisional clinical classification criteria for autoinflammatory periodic fevers
Authors: Silvia Federici, Maria Pia Sormani, Seza Ozen, Helen J Lachmann, Gayane Amaryan, Patricia Woo, Isabelle Koné-Paut, Natacha Dewarrat, Luca Cantarini, Antonella Insalaco, Yosef Uziel, Donato Rigante, Pierre Quartier, Erkan Demirkaya, Troels Herlin, Antonella Meini, Giovanna Fabio, Tilmann Kallinich, Silvana Martino, Aviel Yonatan Butbul, Alma Olivieri, Jasmin Kuemmerle-Deschner, Benedicte Neven, Anna Simon, Huri Ozdogan, Isabelle Touitou, Joost Frenkel, Michael Hofer, Alberto Martini, Nicolino Ruperto, Marco Gattorno
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2015)

The objective of this work was to develop and validate a set of clinical criteria for the classification of patients affected by periodic fevers. Patients with inherited periodic fevers (familial Mediterranean fever (FMF); mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD); tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic fever syndrome (TRAPS); cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS)) enrolled in the Eurofever Registry up until March 2013 were evaluated. Patients with periodic fever, aphthosis, pharyngitis and adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome were used as negative controls. For each genetic disease, patients were considered to be 'gold standard' on the basis of the presence of a confirmatory genetic analysis. Clinical criteria were formulated on the basis of univariate and multivariate analysis in an initial group of patients (training set) and validated in an independent set of patients (validation set). A total of 1215 consecutive patients with periodic fevers were identified, and 518 gold standard patients (291 FMF, 74 MKD, 86 TRAPS, 67 CAPS) and 199 patients with PFAPA as disease controls were evaluated. The univariate and multivariate analyses identified a number of clinical variables that correlated independently with each disease, and four provisional classification scores were created. Cut-off values of the classification scores were chosen using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis as those giving the highest sensitivity and specificity. The classification scores were then tested in an independent set of patients (validation set) with an area under the curve of 0.98 for FMF, 0.95 for TRAPS, 0.96 for MKD, and 0.99 for CAPS. In conclusion, evidence-based provisional clinical criteria with high sensitivity and specificity for the clinical classification of patients with inherited periodic fevers have been developed.
Why a massive tumour went undetected
Authors: L Farrell
Journal: BMJ (2000)

My partner and I don't socialise much together. It isn't that we dislike each other but rather because we don't feel the need. We have been watching each other's backs for so long now we can hardly remember what we look like from the front, and the bonds between us run much deeper than mere sex.

You can choose your friends, but you are stuck with your relations and, in the same way, having …
Measurement of residual renal function in patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.
Authors: R W van Olden, R T Krediet, D G Struijk, L Arisz
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (1996)

Renal function contributes markedly to the adequacy of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The best way to measure it in clinical practice has not been established. Ten stable CAPD patients with residual renal function were investigated to compare the GFR measured as inulin clearance (Cli) with the creatinine clearance (Clc), the urea clearance (Clu), and with 0.5(Clc + Clu). Thereafter, an analysis of whether the administration of cimetidine could improve the accuracy of these clearances was performed. Two clearance periods (CP) of 24 h were investigated. During CP-2, patients received 400 mg cimetidine twice daily, for a total dose of 1200 mg. Two h before the urine and dialysate collection period, inulin was administered iv. Calculations were done for each CP for Cli, Clc, Clu, Clc-Cli, the Clc/Cli ratio, and the tubular secretion of creatinine (TSc). No differences between CP-1 and CP-2 were present for urinary excretion of volume and solutes, and clearance rates of inulin and urea. The median TSc decreased from 0.71 mumol/min (range, -0.24 to 5.90) in CP-1 to 0.30 mumol/min (range, -0.18 to 0.64) in CP-2 (P < 0.05). Therefore, the median ratio of Clc/Cli decreased from 1.23 (range, 0.87 to 2.20) in CP-1 to 1.11 (range, 0.95 to 1.51) in CP-2 (P < 0.05). The median overestimation of the Cli in CP-1 by the Clc was 0.90 mL/min (range, -0.28 to 3.80) and by the 0.5(Clc + Clu) was 0.30 (range, -0.67 to 1.52). The median overestimation of Cli during cimetidine treatment in CP-2 was 0.43 mL/min (range, -0.21 to 1.20). The range, in differences between Cli and Clc, in CP-2 was smaller than that between Cli and 0.5(Clc + Clu) in CP-1. The difference between the clearance rate of inulin and creatinine or the combined clearance rate of urea and creatinine was not influenced by the magnitude of the average GFR. It can be concluded that the administration of cimetidine improved the accuracy of measuring the GFR with the Clc in CAPD patients.
Raised serum hyaluronate levels in scleroderma: an effect of growth factor induced activation of connective tissue cells?
Authors: A Engstrom-Laurent, N Feltelius, R Hallgren, A Wasteson
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1985)

The circulating levels of hyaluronate were determined in 36 patients with scleroderma and in 36 control subjects matched for age and sex. The mean serum hyaluronate concentration in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (n = 25) was 131 +/- 67 (SD) microgram/l and significantly greater (p less than 0.001) than that of the controls (mean level 49 +/- 21 (SD) microgram/l). Hyaluronate levels in patients with localised scleroderma (n = 4) were 141 +/- 47 (SEM) microgram/l and in patients with scleroderma-associated overlap syndromes (n = 7) 202 +/- 54 (SEM) microgram/l. The increase in serum hyaluronate probably reflected an enhanced synthesis or outflow of hyaluronate from the connective tissue, or both; it could not be explained by affection of the liver, which is the catabolic site of hyaluronate. The hyaluronate values were not related to certain serological indicators of inflammatory activity or to the extent of the skin lesions or the severity of internal organ manifestations. A positive correlation was noted between circulating platelet counts and hyaluronate levels (p less than 0.001). Plasma beta-thromboglobulin was measured in 15 of the patients with systemic sclerosis and found to correlate positively with platelet counts. Raised levels of beta-thromboglobulin were associated with the highest hyaluronate values. Platelet-derived growth factor, which stimulates connective tissue cells and is stored in the alpha-granules of platelets together with beta-thromboglobulin, was shown to enhance hyaluronate synthesis in fibroblast cultures. The results suggest an involvement in scleroderma of connective tissue activating substances released from platelets.
The contributions of the interdisciplinary study of language to an understanding of mind
Authors: Nancy Budwig
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2004)

Carpendale &amp; Lewis (C&amp;L) emphasize the importance of viewing language as activity. In this commentary I push further their claim by highlighting how constructions, rather than words, are the appropriate unit of analysis. In addition, I suggest how a discussion of indexicality paves the way for a better understanding of how language provides a powerful tool for children's construction of mind.
Livedo reticularis and pregnancy morbidity in patients negative for antiphospholipid antibodies
Authors: S Sangle
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2004)

Livedo may be an independent risk factor for pregnancy morbidity, additional to the known risks associated with the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL).To determine the prevalence of pregnancy related morbidity in patients with widespread livedo reticularis who are persistently negative for aPL.52 patients with widespread livedo reticularis were studied: 31 fulfilled ACR criteria for SLE, 21 had a lupus-like illness; all were negative for aPL. All patients had livedo (racemosa or reticularis type) on their extremities, trunk, and/or buttocks.33 (63%) patients had pregnancy related morbidity. 22 patients had up to 9 miscarriages, 15 patients had >3 miscarriages, 2 had 2 miscarriages, 4 had a fetal death (>10 weeks), 17 had pre-eclampsia, and 4 patients had premature delivery. 19 patients had no pregnancy related morbidity. Overall morbidity was similar in the patients with lupus and lupus-like disease.Pregnancy related morbidity in lupus is known to be associated with the presence of aPL. This study suggests that pregnancy loss may also be independently associated with widespread livedo reticularis in patients who are aPL negative. A larger study is needed.
Influence of Polymorphism in the Genes for the Interleukin (IL)-1 Receptor Antagonist and IL-1β on Tuberculosis
Authors: Robert J. Wilkinson, Punita Patel, Martin Llewelyn, Christina S. Hirsch, Geoffrey Pasvol, Georges Snounou, Robert N. Davidson, Zahra Toossi
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1999)

Several lines of evidence suggest that host genetic factors controlling the immune response influence infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β and its antagonist, IL-1Ra (IL-1 receptor agonist), are strongly induced by M. tuberculosis and are encoded by polymorphic genes. The induction of both IL-1Ra mRNA and secreted protein by M. tuberculosis in IL-1Ra allele A2–positive (IL-1Ra A2+) healthy subjects was 1.9-fold higher than in IL-1Ra A2− subjects. The M. tuberculosis–induced expression of mRNA for IL-1β was higher in subjects of the IL-1β (+3953) A1+ haplotype (P = 0.04). The molar ratio of IL-1Ra/IL-1β induced by M. tuberculosis was markedly higher in IL-1Ra A2+ individuals (P &amp;lt; 0.05), with minor overlap between the groups, reflecting linkage between the IL-1Ra A2 and IL-1β (+3953) A2 alleles. In M. tuberculosis–stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells, the addition of IL-4 increased IL-1Ra secretion, whereas interferon γ increased and IL-10 decreased IL-1β production, indicative of a differential influence on the IL-1Ra/IL-1β ratio by cytokines. In a study of 114 healthy purified protein derivative–reactive subjects and 89 patients with tuberculosis, the frequency of allelic variants at two positions (−511 and +3953) in the IL-1β and IL-1Ra genes did not differ between the groups. However, the proinflammatory IL-1Ra A2−/IL-1β (+3953) A1+ haplotype was unevenly distributed, being more common in patients with tuberculous pleurisy (92%) in comparison with healthy M. tuberculosis–sensitized control subjects or patients with other disease forms (57%, P = 0.028 and 56%, P = 0.024, respectively). Furthermore, the IL-1Ra A2+ haplotype was associated with a reduced Mantoux response to purified protein derivative of M. tuberculosis: 60% of tuberculin-nonreactive patients were of this type. Thus, the polymorphism at the IL-1 locus influences the cytokine response and may be a determinant of delayed-type hypersensitivity and disease expression in human tuberculosis.
Dexfenfluramine and neurotoxicity
Authors: G. Baumgarten, S. Garattini, S. Lorens, R. Wurtman, JohnE. Blundell, Stylianos Nicolaidis, Madhu Kalia, B. Guy-Grand, M. Apfelbaum, G. Crepaldi, A. Gries, P. Lefebvre, P. Turner, GeorgeA. Ricaurte, MarkE. Molliver, MaryB. Martello, JonathanL. Katz, MaryA. Wilson, AnneL Martello
Journal: The Lancet (1992)
Determining Maximal Tolerable Dose of the Monoclonal Antibody BR96 Labeled with 90Y or 177Lu in Rats: Establishment of a Syngeneic Tumor Model to Evaluate Means to Improve Radioimmunotherapy
Authors: Linda Mårtensson, Zhongmin Wang, Rune Nilsson, Tomas Ohlsson, Peter Senter, Hans-Olov Sjögren, Sven-Erik Strand, Jan Tennvall
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2005)

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate therapeutic strategies, it is essential to use biological models reflecting important aspects of the clinical situation. The aim of the present study was to compare the maximal tolerable dose of the monoclonal antibody BR96 labeled with 90Y or 177Lu in immunocompetent rats. Maximal tolerable dose was defined as the highest activity that allows 100% of the animals to survive without clinical signs, such as infections, bleeding, or diarrhea, and with &amp;lt;20% loss in body weight. Experimental Design: Increasing activity levels of BR96 labeled with 90Y or 177Lu were administered to groups of rats. Blood parameters, body weight, and general performance were monitored for 8 weeks. Results: Two days postinjection, all groups had decreased leukocyte counts down to 5% to 15% of initial values. Initiation of recovery (at 14-21 days) showed a dose-response relationship. All groups, except the group given the highest activity of 90Y, had complete resolution in their leukopenia. The decrease in platelets was delayed to days 7 to 14 postinjection with a dose-dependent response regarding both severity of the nadir (10-40% of initial value) and the start of recovery. Animals in the groups given the highest activities of both 90Y and 177Lu exhibited skin infections on day 21. Conclusions: The results showed good reproducibility and dose-dependent toxicity for both radionuclides, indicating that the maximal tolerable dose for 177Lu–BR96 (1,000 MBq/kg) is 1.7 times that for 90Y–BR96 (600 MBq/kg) in rats. This model makes it feasible to evaluate strategies to escalate therapeutic doses to tumors without increasing normal tissue toxicity.
Salmeterol prevents pneumonia and reduces biomarkers of inflammation/epithelial damage but not acute lung injury following oesophagectomy-the results of BALTI-prevention trial
Authors: Dhruv Parekh, Rachel Dancer, Daniel Park, Gavin Perkins, David Thickett
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

To determine if perioperative treatment with inhaled β-agonists effects the development of ALI in adult patients undergoing elective oesophagectomy we conducted a multi-centre randomized placebo controlled trial in 12 centres across the UK.Patients received inhaled salmeterol (100mcg bd, n=170) or placebo(n=171) for 3 days.53 consecutively recruited patients were enrolled in a translational sub-study.  Effects of salmeterol on rates of ALI,adverse events and pneumonia are summarized in table 1.Salmeterol had no effect on the incidence of ALI.Post-operative pneumonia was reduced in the salmeterol group (number needed to treat to prevent one infection=17).  Salmeterol treatment significantly reduced the change in PICCO measured pulmonary vascular permeability index (p=0.008).Circulating inflammatory cytokines IL1-β (p  Salmeterol had no effect on the incidence of ALI following oesophagectomy but reduced markers of inflammation and epithelial damage.Salmeterol treatment significantly reduced the number of patients developing hospital acquired pneumonia. Further studies are required to see if salmeterol can prevent other hospital acquired pneumonias.
Inhibition of allergen-induced airway obstruction and leukotriene generation in atopic asthmatic subjects by the leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitor BAYx 1005
Authors: B. Dahlen, M. Kumlin, E. Ihre, O. Zetterstrom, S. E. Dahlen
Journal: Thorax (1997)

BACKGROUND: Leukotriene receptor antagonists significantly blunt allergen-induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatic subjects. Inhibitors of leukotriene synthesis should theoretically provide similar protection, but conflicting results have been obtained when synthesis inhibitors have been tested in allergen challenge. BAYx 1005, a new inhibitor of leukotriene synthesis, was therefore evaluated in an allergen bronchoprovocation study. METHODS: Ten men with mild allergic asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to histamine were recruited. On two different occasions each subject inhaled a single dose of allergen, previously determined to cause at least a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) four hours after ingestion of 750 mg BAYx 1005 or placebo in a double blind crossover design. Urinary excretion of leukotriene E4 was measured before and during the challenges. RESULTS: The mean (SE) maximal fall in FEV1 was 7.1 (1.7)% after BAYx 1005 and 21.0 (3.0)% after placebo (p &lt; 0.001). The mean difference between treatments was 13.9 (95% CI 7.0 to 20.8) for the maximal fall in FEV1. All subjects were protected by BAYx 1005, the mean inhibition of the fall in FEV1 being 70.0 (7.0)%. The mean area under the curve (AUC) for urinary excretion of leukotriene E4 in the first two hours after the challenge was 1.7 (0.9) after placebo and 0.4 (0.6) after BAYx 1005 (difference = 1.3 (95% CI-0.1 to 2.7); p &lt; 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that BAYx 1005 is a potent inhibitor of allergen-provoked leukotriene synthesis in asthmatic subjects and lend further support to the suggestion that leukotrienes are important mediators of allergen-induced bronchoconstriction.
Thoracic infection caused by Streptococcus milleri
Authors: G Porta, M Rodriguez-Carballeira, L Gomez, M Salavert, N Freixas, M Xercavins, J Garau
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1998)

The objective of this study was to increase our understanding of the importance of members of the Streptococcus milleri (SM) group as respiratory pathogens, by studying the epidemiological and clinical features of thoracic infections caused by this group and comparing the epidemiology and prognosis of empyema caused by SM with cases of pneumococcal aetiology. The clinical histories and microbiology reports were reviewed in 27 cases of thoracic infection caused by SM over a period of 8 yrs. Cases of pneumococcal empyema that occurred during the same period were also analysed. Diagnoses were made of cases of empyema, including six with pneumonia and one with pulmonary abscess, three cases of pneumonia and two of mediastinitis. In 17 cases, SM was the only pathogen isolated. There was a history of instrument or surgical procedures on the digestive or respiratory tract in 59%. Secondary bacteraemia was documented in three cases. The treatment administered, a combination of antibiotics and surgery, was successful in 22 of 27 (81%) of cases. All strains were susceptible to penicillin. When the characteristics of the empyemas caused by monomicrobial SM infection were compared with those of pneumococcal aetiology from the same period of study, significant differences were found with respect to age, origin of the infection and the need for surgery. In conclusion, thoracic infections caused by Streptococcus milleri are largely pleural. They are polymicrobial in one-third of cases, commonly acquired in hospital and, in most patients, associated with major surgery and/or surgical procedures of the respiratory or digestive tract. The empyema frequently requires thoracotomy for complete resolution.