tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Abstract 11459: Is the Outcome of Surgery for Aortic Dissection Worse in Patients With Cystic Medial Necrosis Combined With Genetically Diagnosed Connective Tissue Disease?
Authors: Toshiki Fujiyoshi, Kenji Minatoya, Yoshihiko Ikeda, Hatsue Ishibashi-Ueda, Takayuki Morisaki, Hiroko Morisaki, Hiroaki Sasaki, Hiroshi Tanaka, Tatsuya Oda, Masayoshi Seike, Hitoshi Ogino
Journal: Circulation (2014)

Introduction:  A retrospective analysis was performed to determine the impact of genetically diagnosed connective tissue disease (CTD) on the early and late outcomes of surgical treatment for aortic dissection in patients having aortic disease associated with cystic medial necrosis (CMN).   Patients and Methods:  Between 2003 and 2013, 298 patients (56% male, 64.0±15.7 years) underwent initial surgical treatments for type A aortic dissection in 179 or type B in 119. In the surgical spacemen, CMN was present in 141 patients (47.3%). Of them, 43 patients (53% male, 37±12.8 years) undertook genetic examinations, which showed positive in 30 patients (CTD); FBN1 in 19, TGFBR2 in 4, ACTA2 in 3, MYH11 in 1, SMAD3 in 1, TGFB2 in 1, and COL1A1 in 1. In the other 13 patients (non-CTD), they showed negative. The aortic dissection was type A in 13 (43%, acute 7, chronic 4) and type B in 17 (1, 16) in CTD, while it was type A in 10 (77%, acute 9, chronic 1) and type B in 3 (0, 3) in non-CTD. The initial surgeries were for Ao. arch in 14 including 9 with simultaneous root repair, descending Ao. in 9, thoracoabdominal Ao. in 3, and abdominal Ao. in 4 in CTD, while they were for arch in 10 including 1 with root repair, descending Ao. in 1, and thoracoabdominal Ao. in 2 in non-CTD. The early and late outcomes of initial aortic surgery were compared between the CTD and non-CTD patient-groups. The follow-up rate was 100% for 57.1 ± 43.0 months.   Results:  There were no early and late deaths. New aortic dissection on the other aortic sites occurred at 13% only in CTD. Furthermore, the freedom from reoperation rate at 5/10 years was significant lower 20/27% in CTD, compared with 54/69% in non-CTD (P= 0.03/P= 0.02).   Conclusions:  In patients with CMN combined with genetically diagnosed CTD, new aortic dissection often occurred and the freedom from aortic reoperation was significantly worse. Closer follow-up and proper surgical treatments with adequate timing are mandatory for such a high-risk patient-group.
Phase I study of the humanized anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody EMD 72000 (matuzumab) in combination with cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin (PFL) in patients (pts) with advanced esophago-gastric (EG) adenocarcinoma
Authors: T. Trarbach, N. Schleucher, D. Weber, J. Tillner, I. Fassmann, S. Seeber, U. Vanhoefer
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2005)

3156 Background: EG cancer is diagnosed in more than 60% of patients (pts) in a locally advanced or metastatic stage. In this situation treatment options are limited; therefore exploration of a new therapeutic regimen is warranted. EGFR is expressed in a high proportion of gastric cancers associated with poor prognosis. Matuzumab, a humanized monoclonal anti-EGFR IgG1 antibody, inhibits ligand-mediated receptor signalling and has demonstrated antitumor activity in solid tumors. In a phase I study we evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of matuzumab in combination with standard chemotherapy in pts with advanced EG adenocarcinoma. Methods: Weekly doses of matuzumab (400 mg or 800 mg) were administered in addition to PFL (cisplatin [50 mg/m2] days 1, 15, 29, and leucovorin [500 mg/m2] and 5-fluorouracil [2000 mg/m2] days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36) on a 7-week cycle up to a maximum of 3 cycles. Tumor response was assessed by endoscopy and CT/MRI in the last week of each cycle. Blood samples were drawn weekly for pharmacokinetic analysis during the first cycle. Results: 9/10 (90%) screened pts were EGFR-positive. 5 male/4 female pts with a median age of 49 years (range 41–64), median performance status 100, and 1 pt stage III, 8 pts stage IV received either 400 mg (n = 7) or 800 mg (n = 2) matuzumab weekly plus PFL. No drug-related serious adverse events occurred. Desquamation of the skin (grade 3) in 1 pt (800 mg) was the only grade 3/4 drug-related event. Skin toxicities grade 1/2 were observed in 6/7 (85%) and 1/2 (50%) pts in the 400-mg and 800-mg groups, respectively. Best overall response of 8 evaluable pts: 4 PR, 1 SD, 1 PD with 400 mg and 2 PR with 800 mg. PK data will be presented. Conclusions: Preliminary results indicate that the combination of weekly matuzumab and PFL might be well tolerated in the first-line treatment of advanced EG adenocarcinoma. Further data will need to be generated to confirm definite antitumor activity. Author Disclosure Employment or Leadership Consultant or Advisory Role Stock Ownership Honoraria Research Funding Expert Testimony Other Remuneration Merck KGaA Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Ortho-Biotech Ortho-Biotech
Alopecia areata and health-related quality of life: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: F. Rencz, L. Gulácsi, M. Péntek, N. Wikonkál, P. Baji, V. Brodszky
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2016)

No systematic review has yet evaluated the available evidence on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in alopecia areata (AA).To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of HRQOL studies among patients diagnosed with AA.A systematic search was performed for papers published between 1946 and 15 December 2014 in Medline, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to pool data.Twenty-one studies were included, representing a total of 2530 adult patients with AA. Of the 14 different HRQOL measures used in the studies, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI; n = 8) and SF-36 (n = 7) were the most common. Three AA-specific HRQOL instruments were identified: Alopecia Areata Quality of Life Index, Alopecia Areata Quality of Life and Alopecia Areata Symptom Impact Scale. The mean pooled DLQI score of patients with AA was 6·3 (95% confidence interval 5·6-7·1). Comparing age- and sex-matched controls, the meta-analysis of SF-36 studies revealed significantly reduced HRQOL across the role-emotional, mental health and vitality domains (P < 0·001). Wearing a wig had a positive impact, while scalp involvement, anxiety and depression had a negative impact on HRQOL. Conflicting results were found regarding the association between HRQOL and age, sex, marital status and disease duration.Patients with AA experience significant impairment in HRQOL, especially in the area of mental health. Several generic and dermatology-specific HRQOL instruments have been used, but no validation studies have confirmed their applicability in AA. The newly developed AA-specific measures seem very promising; however, a more extensive assessment of validity and reliability is needed.
Oral contraceptives and diabetes mellitus.
Authors: S J Wingrave, C R Kay, M P Vessey
Journal: BMJ (1979)

Annual follow-up interviews with the 17000 women enrolled in the Oxford/Family Planning Association (FPA) study of contraceptive use provide a source of information on the association between oral contraceptives (Ocs) and diabetes mellitus.  56% of study subjects had used OCs at the time of their recruitment in 1968-74.  To date 45 women have been referred for the investigation or treatment of new cases of diabetes.  16 of these women were treated with insulin and 29 were treated through diet or hypoglycemic agents alone.  The development of diabetes mellitus was positively associated with social class (higher in lower classes) cigarette smoking (higher in heavy smokers) and parity (higher in parous women).  However there was no association with OC use or duration of use.  15 (47%) women with non-insulin-treated diabetes and 8 (50%) women with insulin-treated diabetes were past or present OC users.  The relative risk of diabetes in OC users compared to nonusers was 0.8 (0.4-1.6 confidence interval) overall and 1.0 (0.5-2.3) in the non-insulin-treated subgroup and 0.6 (0.2-1.8) in the insulin-treated subgroup.  Although these findings suggest that OC use is not a risk factor in the development of diabetes mellitus the number of cases was small and a failure to refer diabetic women in the cohort to the hospital could have introduced an ascertainment bias.
Ranjit Roy Chaudhury
Authors: Jeetha D’Silva
Journal: BMJ (2015)

Clinical pharmacologist, academician, and champion for the rational use of drugs



Ranjit Roy Chaudhury was the undisputed renaissance man of Indian healthcare. In a career spanning over 50 years he contributed to many areas of health, including clinical pharmacology, medical education, research, clinical trials, traditional medicine, and public health.

Born in Patna, Bihar, during the British Raj, Roy Chaudhury witnessed the final years of India’s struggle for freedom before independence in 1947. Shortly thereafter, he enrolled at the Prince of Wales Medical College, Patna. First prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru was laying the groundwork for a “new India” with science and technology at its heart, and he urged the youth of the country to join in the task of building the nation. Although he did not wear his nationalism on his sleeve, Chaudhury’s actions throughout his life indicate a deep commitment towards improving healthcare in the country.

One important contribution was the setting up of the specialised Doctor of Medicine (DM) programme in clinical pharmacology at the Post Graduate Institute …
A multi-analyte serum test for the early diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer.
Authors: M. S. Vercillo, E. C. Farlow, J. Coon, S. Basu, A. W. Kim, P. Faber, P. Bonomi, M. J. Liptay, J. A. Borgia
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2010)

1554 Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the second most diagnosed cancer in the United States and the most common cause of cancer related death. Currently, there are no screening methods that have been proven to reduce mortality, including low-dose spiral computerized tomography (CT). In this study we appraised a wide assortment of biomarkers previously demonstrated to have diagnostic or prognostic value for NSCLC with the intent of establishing a multi-analyte serum test capable of identifying patients with early-stage disease. Methods: Levels of 47 biomarkers were evaluated in serum from 92 NSCLC and 43 non-cancer controls using Luminex and ELISA-based immunoassays. Multivariate statistical methods were then used to define a diagnostic panel of biomarkers for NSCLC that we then tested on serum from a second patient cohort consisting of 33 NSCLC, 15 benign lung disease and 40 COPD patients. Results: Of the initial 47 biomarkers, 14 had an AUC greater than 0.65. Multivariate analysis of the 14 narrowed them down to a panel of 6: TNF-α, CYFRA 21.1, IL-1ra, MMP-2, MCP-1, and sE-selectin. When this panel was tested on the original cohort of patients, it correctly classified 132 of 135 patients with 99% sensitivity and 95% specificity. When tested on the second cohort, the panel successfully classified 75 of 88. The panel did very well on COPD patients, but struggled in classifying those with surgically resected benign lung nodules. Conclusions: Here we report the development of a 6-analyte serum test that possesses excellent test performance characteristics for classifying patients with NSCLC against a patient cohort comprised of various high-risk individuals. When used on the second group of patients, the test had trouble classifying patients with benign lung disorders such as caseating granulomas as benign. This may be due to a general inflammatory state of these individuals. The panel did have excellent classification in stage I lung cancer and those with COPD. With modifications and broader validation, the ultimate goal of this biomarker panel is to function either independently or in conjunction with low- dose spiral CT-based screening protocols for early detection of lung cancer. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Inverted repeats in the long-terminal repeats of the wheat retrotransposon Wis 2-1A.
Authors: H Lucas, G Moore, G Murphy, R B Flavell
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (1992)

The wheat insertion sequence Wis 2-1A possesses all the structural features characteristic of retrotransposons. Its long-terminal repeats (LTRs) are unusually long (1,755 bp) compared with those of other retrotransposons. Sequence analysis revealed that they differ from each other by only six point mutations. They contain a few tandem direct repeats, which could be explained by slippage mechanisms during replication. Almost half (44%) of the length of the LTRs is occupied by hairpin structures, which may relate to their large size. Possible origins of these inverted repeats are proposed, including the insertion and imprecise excision of transposable elements and errors when the DNA replication intermediate switches RNA template during retrotransposon replication.
Article conflates academic standards at UMST with student radicalisation
Authors: Mahir Hamad
Journal: BMJ (2015)

Gardham asserts that because it is easier to get into Sudanese medical schools academic standards are lower (even though they are endorsed by the General Medical Council) and that this draws British candidates who are then at risk of radicalisation.1 Is he suggesting that there is a conspiracy to radicalise through easy to enter medical schools?

As a …
Terms of endearment: Bacteria meet graphene nanosurfaces
Authors: Evangelia Tegou, Maria Magana, Alexandra Eleni Katsogridaki, Anastasios Ioannidis, Vasilios Raptis, Sheldon Jordan, Stylianos Chatzipanagiotou, Stavros Chatzandroulis, Catia Ornelas, George P. Tegos
Journal: Biomaterials (2016)
Content, Consistency, and Quality of Black Box Warnings
Authors: Tarig Elraiyah, Mohammad Hassan Murad
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2016)

Letters5 July 2016Content, Consistency, and Quality of Black Box WarningsTarig Elraiyah, MBBS, MSc and Mohammad Hassan Murad, MD, MPHTarig Elraiyah, MBBS, MScFrom Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.Search for more papers by this author and Mohammad Hassan Murad, MD, MPHFrom Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/L16-0071 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail IN RESPONSE:We are pleased that Dr. Cheng and Ms. DeLizza's beliefs on BBWs are consistent with ours. We wholeheartedly agree that the individual patient's baseline risk for adverse effects should be assessed to determine what action should be taken on the basis of the warning. In fact, this is one of the reasons why we called for an implementation guide to accompany such warnings. This guide can include a tool to estimate the risk in each patient (if available). Therefore, we propose that a rating of our certainty in the evidence and an implementation guide accompany each warning. Incorporating ... Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.Disclosures: Authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest. Forms can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=M15-1097. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoContent, Consistency, and Quality of Black Box Warnings: Time for a Change Tarig Elraiyah , Michael R. Gionfriddo , Victor M. Montori , and Mohammad Hassan Murad Content, Consistency, and Quality of Black Box Warnings Christine M. Cheng and Colleen DeLizza Metrics 5 July 2016Volume 165, Issue 1Page: 74-75KeywordsConflicts of interestDecision makingDisclosureElectronic medical records ePublished: 5 July 2016 Issue Published: 5 July 2016 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2016 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...
Multidisciplinary Management of Early-Stage Rectal Cancer
Authors: John G. Phillips, Theodore S. Hong, David P. Ryan
Journal: Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2012)

Because patients with locally advanced rectal cancer are at high risk for both recurrence and distant disease, they require adjuvant therapy. In the United States, the current standard of care is neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Neoadjuvant chemoradiation has been shown to improve local recurrence rates and decrease toxicity. However in the era of total mesorectal excision surgery, no study has shown a survival benefit to either chemoradiation or postoperative chemotherapy. Newer biologic therapies, although promising in initial early trials, have yet to show a significant benefit in adjuvant therapy for rectal cancer.
Effect of a topoisomerase-1 inhibitor (topotecan) on the efficacy of cisplatin in in vitro and in vivo platinum-resistant ovarian cancer models.
Authors: S. Tsunetoh, Y. Terai, H. Sasaki, Y. Tanaka, T. Sekijima, A. Tanabe, S. Fujioka, M. Kanemura, M. Ohmichi
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2010)

e13160 Background: Topotecan, a novel topoisomerase-1 inhibitor, is one of the drugs that might be effective against platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms by which topotecan treatment inhibits cancer cell proliferation are unclear. The PI3K/Akt cascade is known to be an important survival factor in the signal transduction cascades involved in the cell growth. We investigated whether topotecan increases the efficacy of cisplatin in in vitro and in vivo ovarian cancer models. Methods: Mice: BALB/c Slc-nu/nu. Caov-3 cells: The cells are cisplatin-resistant human-derived ovarian cancer cell (mucinous adenocarcinoma). 5×106 Caov-3 cells were injected i.p. into 6-week-old female athymic nude mice (n=20). Athymic nude mice were injected i.p.with Caov-3 cells. Two weeks after inoculation, athymic nude mice inoculated i.p. with Caov-3 cells were randomized into four groups treated with the following for 6 weeks: (a) vehicle (PBS) alone; (b) CDDP (cisplatin 5 mg/kg) once a week; (c) TPT (topotecan 12.5 mg/kg) once a week; (d) CDDP + TPT (cisplatin 5mg/kg + topotecan 12.5 mg/kg) once a week. Results: Topotecan significantly inhibited the cisplatin-induced Akt activation in Caov-3 cells, but not in A2780 cells. In the presence of topotecan, cisplatin-induced inhibition and apoptosis was significantly enhanced in Caov-3 cells. Moreover, treatment with topotecan increased the efficacy of the cisplatin-induced inhibition in the intraabdominal dissemination and production of ascites in athymic nude mice inoculated i.p. with Caov-3 cells. Topotecan inhibited not only the cisplatin-induced Akt activity but also VEGF transcriptional activation and HIF-1a expression which was induced by cisplatin. Conclusions: These results suggest that combination therapy by cisplatin and topotecan would increase the therapeutic efficacy of the platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Abstract 10858: High Plasma Adiponectin Level is Associated With Clinical Severity and Unexpected Clinical Events in Patients After the Fontan Operation
Authors: Hideo Ohuchi, Kenji Yasuda, Aya Miyazaki, Heima Sakaguchi, Tohru Iwasa, Osamu Yamada
Journal: Circulation (2012)

Background: A high plasma adiponectin level (APN) associates with high morbidity and mortality in heart failure patients. No data have been available for the clinical relevance of APN in patients a...
Honesty is needed on Scottish health service funding, says BMA
Authors: Bryan Christie
Journal: BMJ (2015)

Doctors are demanding higher spending on the health service in Scotland and have warned politicians about the risks of failing to come up with additional resources.

In its manifesto for the 2016 Scottish parliament elections, the BMA has called on all political parties to be honest with the public about NHS funding as they compete for votes in May. The document said that politicians needed to set out …
Evaluation of Tumor Met Expression in Chinese Patients (Pts) with Advanced Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction (G/Gej) Cancer
Authors: L. Shen, Z. Peng, Z. Li, J. Gao, M. Lu, K.S. Oliner, J. Gong, Y. Hei, H. Zhou
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2014)
Diagnostic criteria for hepatocellular carcinoma ⩽3 cm with hepatocyte-specific contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Sang Hyun Choi, Jae Ho Byun, Young-Suk Lim, Eunsil Yu, So Jung Lee, So Yeon Kim, Hyung Jin Won, Yong Moon Shin, Pyo Nyun Kim
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2016)
Abstract 292: Effectiveness of Refresher Self-Training of Chest Compression--Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Tomonari Shimamoto, Chika Nishiyama, Takashi Kawamura, Kosuke Kiyohara, Tetsuhisa Kitamura, Tetsuya Sakamoto, Taku Iwami
Journal: Circulation (2014)

Introduction:  Although refresher cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training of at least every 2 years is recommended in the 2010 Guidelines, little is known about appropriate frequency and program including self- training.   Objective:  To evaluate the effectiveness of refresher self-training course at shorter period after initial training, we compared CPR skills 6 months after the chest compression-only CPR (CC-CPR) training between those with CPR self-training (refresher group) and those without (control group).   Methods:  Designs: A randomized controlled trial. Participants: General public aged 18 years or older who attended 50-min CC-CPR training. Intervention: In the refresher group, participants underwent the 1-min self-training of chest compressions with training manikin 3 months after the initial training. Data collection: Six months after the initial training, a 2-min scenario-based test was conducted and CPR skills were automatically recorded. Outcomes: The primary outcome measure was the number of chest compressions with appropriate depth.   Results:  Among 109 participants, 52 (94.5%) in the refresher group and 46 (92.6%) in the control group completed the 6 month evaluation. The number of chest compressions with appropriate depth tended to be greater in the refresher group, but the difference was not statistically significant (122.7 ± 85.0 vs. 91.1 ± 77.1, p=0.06). The total number of chest compressions was significantly greater in the refresher group (207.9 ± 46.7 vs. 167.9 ± 58.2, p   Conclusion:  One-min refresher CPR self-training increased the number of chest compressions and reduce the time without chest compressions, but increase in the number of chest compressions with appropriate depth did not reach statistical significance.