tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
When I use a word: Anecdotage
Authors: Jeff Aronson
Journal: BMJ (2003)

Anecdotal reports are classified at the bottom of the recognised hierarchy of evidence that should be used to mould clinical practice, a list that is topped by large randomised clinical trials and systematic reviews. Nevertheless, I have elsewhere argued, in relation to suspected adverse drug reactions and interactions, that there are several important reasons for publishing anecdotes (BMJ 2002;326: 1346). Indeed, nearly a third of the total literature on such reactions is in the form of anecdotal reports, although such reports often fall short of the standard of reportage that they deserve. However, this is not perhaps surprising. Anecdotes were never meant to be published.

The word anecdote comes from the Greek word (anekdotos), which means unpublished, or literally “not-out-given” (an-ek-dotos). Originally, the word was used in the neuter plural form, anecdota, meaning “secret, private, or hitherto unpublished narratives or details of history” (Oxford English Dictionary).

When the sixth century gossip Procopius wrote his scurrilous memoirs of life at the court of the Roman emperor Justinian and his wife Theodora (which incidentally includes another form of the giving word, and means “gift of God”), he called them “Anekdota,” which is sometimes translated as “Secret Histories” but which might be better rendered as “Unpublished Gossip.” The title is not as oxymoronic as it appears, for it is unlikely that the memoirs were published until after Procopius had died, and certainly not in Justinian's lifetime.

And so anecdotes, which were originally unpublished, and indeed sometimes unpublishable, became gossipy stories ripe for circulation, and hence any stories, scandalous or not. This reminds me of “confidential,” which in Oxford refers to something you may reasonably tell to a roomful of people, and “strictly confidential,” which refers to something you may tell only one person—at a time.

A collection of gossip was at one time known as an ana. But this word has nothing to do with anecdotes; it comes from the neuter plural form of the Latin suffix-anus, which meant “belonging to.” This survives as a suffix in words such as Victoriana and cricketana.

However, it is not generally appreciated (and not mentioned in the dictionaries) that anekdotos had an anterior meaning in Greek. A dowry is something that is given with a girl who is getting married, from the Greek dotos (granted) via the French douaire. And anekdotos meant “not given in marriage,” usually, in the feminine form (anekdote), referring to a girl; in other words, one who has not been betrothed. Which may reflect the anecdote's position at the bottom of the evidence hierarchy.

Finally, an anekdotos was also a secret remedy. Perhaps one that had a lot of adverse effects?
AB0356 Comparison of the Clinical Characteristics of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients with and Without Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: J.A. Yang, J. Moon, S.H. Chang, S.W. Chung, J.K. Park, E.B. Lee, Y.W. Song, E.Y. Lee
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2015)

<h3>Background</h3> The clinical importance of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease has been increased because the usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) is the most common subtype of interstitial lung disease (ILD) on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)and has poor survival rate compared to other forms of ILD related to connective tissue disease. <h3>Objectives</h3> The clinical characteristics and laboratory data of RA patients with and without ILD were compared in order to clarify the risk factors for ILD in RA patients. Furthermore, risk factors of mortality in the RA patients with ILD group were analyzed. <h3>Methods</h3> A total of 77 RA patients with ILD and 231 age/sex-, and disease duration-matched RA patients without ILD who were followed from 1991 to 2011 at Seoul National University Hospital were enrolled in this study. Epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory information including rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) were obtained through medical chart review. The erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, presence of erosion on joint X-rays, and mean corticosteroid doses were examined in order to compare RA outcomes between the RA patients with and without ILD. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the risk of mortality in the RA patients with ILD. <h3>Results</h3> In the RA with ILD group, the titers of the RF and the anti-CCP were significantly higher compared with those in the RA without ILD group (p=0.001 for both). The RA patients with ILD had higher frequency of a history of tuberculosis or nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) (p=0.022). In addition, the RA with ILD group exhibited higher levels of CRP at the time of RA diagnosis (p=0.014) and higher ESR (p=0.022) and CRP levels (p&lt;0.001) throughout the 10-year follow-up period. These patients received higher mean daily dose of corticosteroid (p&lt;0.001). In the subgroup analysis of RA patients with ILD, 28 (36.4%) patients died with the mean follow-up duration of 8.7 years. Male patients, high RF titers and UIP subtype on HRCT had significantly worse survival, and those with nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) on HRCT had better survival. In the multivariate analysis, a UIP subtype on HRCT and older age at the time of ILD diagnosis were significantly associated with mortality of RA with ILD. <h3>Conclusions</h3> The RA patients with ILD had higher RF and anti-CCP titers and baseline CRP levels compared with those without ILD. A UIP subtype on HRCT and older age at the time of the diagnosis of ILD were significantly associated with mortality of RA with ILD. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared
Immunoscintigraphy With 99mTc-Nimotuzumab for Planning Immunotherapy in Patients With Bone Metastases Due to Prostate Cancer
Authors: Yamilé P. Quián, Tania Crombet, Juan F. Batista, Anaís Prats, Alejandro Perera
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2015)

Detection of bone metastases indicates poor prognosis for patients with prostate cancer. The immunotherapy with monoclonal antibody has been an important advance in the treatment of the cancer in the last years. Nimotuzumab is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody directed against epidermal growth factor receptor that has been evaluated in solid tumors. The authors show images of 2 patients with bone metastases secondary to prostate cancer, "pre-cold therapy" with nimotuzumab. Immunoscintigraphic images were acquired 4 and 24 hours after the intravenous administration of 1110 MBq (30 mCi) of Tc-labeled nimotuzumab. Bone metastases expressing the receptor are visualized.
Enhancement of the proliferation of human marrow erythroid (BFU-E) progenitor cells by prostaglandin E requires the participation of OKT8- positive T lymphocytes and is associated with the density expression of major histocompatibility complex class II antigens on BFU-E
Authors: L Lu, LM Pelus, HE Broxmeyer, MA Moore, M Wachter, D Walker, E Platzer
Journal: Blood (1986)
Increase in hepatitis A cases in Latvia, in 2008, including an ongoing outbreak associated with a restaurant in Riga – preliminary report
Authors: J Perevoščikovs, I Lucenko, S Magone, A Brila
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2008)

The Latvian Public Health Agency (PHA) is currently investigating an outbreak of at least 44 hepatitis A cases (as of 8 May) associated with a restaurant X in Riga, Latvia. Seven of the infected people were employees of the restaurant; 37 were customers, mostly employees from the nearby office buildings who had lunch at this restaurant.
PTH-156 The role of bronchoscopy and ebus in the modern multidisciplinary management of oesophageal and gastric cancer
Authors: SY Hey, GW Chalmers, C Craig, CK MacKay, GM Fullarton, MJ Forshaw
Journal: Gut (2015)

<h3>Introduction</h3> The optimal role of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and bronchoscopy in the current TNM staging protocol for oesophago-gastric (OG) cancer remains undetermined. These procedures are often used following multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussion, to circumvent the technical limitation of the gold standard endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in assessing indeterminate mediastinal nodes or the extent of tracheobronchial invasion identified on CT or PET scan. We aim to investigate the effectiveness of EBUS and bronchoscopy in our routine practice of clinical staging of OG cancers and its subsequent impact on outcome. <h3>Method</h3> Retrospective, structured review of all MDT records between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2013 was conducted from regional database. All patients who underwent either EBUS or bronchoscopy for staging of oesophageal or gastric cancers were included. The records of EBUS and bronchoscopy performed were retrospectively interrogated in the NHS Unisoft database, together with an analysis of the indication, findings in correlation with pre-procedural imaging, outcome and limitations. <h3>Results</h3> Over the 7-year period, 15 patients (12M;3F) were identified, of whom 6 underwent EBUS and 9 had bronchoscopy. All 6 EBUS were indicated for primary N staging (5 oesophageal, 1 gastric) and had successful fine needle aspirations. Of these, 4 were performed directly following PET identification of avid mediastinal nodes while 2 had unsuccessful nodal biopsy from preceding EUS. Following EBUS, 4 patients had completed clinical staging whereas 2 had required further staging laparoscopy for distal and junctional oesophageal cancer, respectively. All 9 bronchoscopies were used to assess tracheobronchial invasion or concomitant suspicious lung lesion, of which 7 were primary staging (6 oesophageal, 1 gastric) and 2 were re-staging following neoadjuvant therapy (1 oesophageal, 1 gastric). Of these, only 1/9 had pre-procedure EUS. Tracheal invasion was excluded in 7, while 2 had synchronous lung and oesophageal malignancies diagnosed from cytology outcomes. Of the 15 cases, 7 were subsequently offered curative resection, while the remaining 8 had either radical or palliative chemo- or radiotherapy. No post-procedural complications were identified. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Accurate clinical staging improves survival outcomes in OG cancer, by identifying patients potentially suitable for curative resection. Our series reveals EBUS and bronchoscopy as useful additions to conventional modalities in staging of OG cancer. With its good safety profile, it may be appropriate to consider early referral for EBUS or bronchoscopy, particularly in the radiological presence of indeterminate tracheobronchial invasion or mediastinal node involvement. <h3>Disclosure of interest</h3> None Declared.
Underlying Cause
Authors: R E Pust
Journal: JAMA (1999)

Our website uses cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing to use our site, or clicking "Continue," you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy | Continue JAMA HomeNew OnlineCurrent IssueFor Authors Publications JAMA JAMA Network Open JAMA Cardiology JAMA Dermatology JAMA Health Forum JAMA Internal Medicine JAMA Neurology JAMA Oncology JAMA Ophthalmology JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery JAMA Pediatrics JAMA Psychiatry JAMA Surgery Archives of Neurology & Psychiatry (1919-1959) Podcasts Clinical Reviews Editors' Summary Medical News Author Interviews More JN Learning / CMESubscribeJobsInstitutions / LibrariansReprints & Permissions Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement 2023 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved Search All JAMA JAMA Network Open JAMA Cardiology JAMA Dermatology JAMA Forum Archive JAMA Health Forum JAMA Internal Medicine JAMA Neurology JAMA Oncology JAMA Ophthalmology JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery JAMA Pediatrics JAMA Psychiatry JAMA Surgery Archives of Neurology & Psychiatry Input Search Term Sign In Individual Sign In Sign inCreate an Account Access through your institution Sign In Purchase Options: Buy this article Rent this article Subscribe to the JAMA journal
Case 50-1964
Authors: William F. McNeely, Robert E. Scully
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1964)

Presentation of Case First admission. A forty-seven-year-old housewife entered the hospital because of a heart murmur and dyspnea.One year previously she began to experience exertional dyspnea and mild wheezing. She was otherwise well until a month before admission, when severe pharyngitis, fever and cough developed, and she was treated with an antibiotic. Two weeks later she entered another hospital, where x-ray films of the chest were interpreted as showing congestion of the lungs and possibly pneumonia. A low-salt diet, diuretics, digitalis and supplemental potassium were given, and she was discharged. The cough and fever subsided, but she remained weak . . .
A model for ethical problem solving in medicine, with practical applications
Authors: E M Hundert
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1987)

Despite the dramatic increase over recent years in the research and teaching of medical ethics, there exists no theoretical framework within which to conceptualize ethical problems in medicine, to say nothing of solutions to these problems. The model proposed here attempts to fill this void by developing a conceptual understanding of the nature of moral dilemmas that can be applied to both theoretical and practical problems in medicine. Practical applications are demonstrated in three areas: personal ethical problem solving, hospital ethics committees, and the teaching of medical ethics. Suggestions are offered for the extension of these and other applications of the model, a model proposed as a foundation to be built upon through further research and daily experiences in a world of conflicting values.
Erythropoietin Prevents the Development of Interleukin-12–Induced Anemia and Thrombocytopenia But Does Not Decrease Its Antitumor Activity in Mice
Authors: Jakub Golab, Radoslaw Zagozdzon, Tomasz Stoklosa, Witold Lasek, Marek Jakobisiak, Zygmunt Pojda, Eugeniusz Machaj
Journal: Blood (1998)
PTH-135 Prevalence and treatment of reduced BMD and vitamin D levels in patients assessed for liver transplantation
Authors: S Dsouza, M Garner, R Westbrook
Journal: Gut (2015)

<h3>Introduction</h3> Patients with end stage liver disease are at risk of reduced BMD due to a combination of associated metabolic, endocrine and nutritional deficiencies. Liver Transplantation (LT) results in a short term further loss of BMD and patients are at risk of fractures associated with a morbidity and mortality. <h3>Method</h3> All patients admitted for a liver transplant (LT) assessment from February 2012 to March 2013 underwent BMD testing and vitamin D testing. Results were correlated with aetiology and severity of underlying liver disease. <h3>Results</h3> In total 109 patients were included. Primary disease aetiology was alcohol (33%), viral (23%), NASH (9%), cholestatic (16%), AIH (6%), and other (13%). The median UKELD score was 55 (range 42–74). Nine patients (8%) were on bone protection prior to LT assessment. At the time of LT assessment 79 (72%) patients were either osteoporotic (n = 25) or osteopenic (n = 54) based on their DEXA T score. A higher UKELD score was significantly associated with a lower T score (p &lt; 0.001). Vitamin D levels were measured in 92/109 patients, of these 79% (n = 73) of patients had vitamin D deficiency (&lt;75nmol/L) with 50% being severely deficient (Vitamin D &lt;35nmol/L). The severity of vitamin D deficiency was not associated with a higher UKELD score (p = 0.16). Disease aetiology was not significantly associated with either vitamin D deficiency or the presence of reduced bone mineral density. Thirty-four of the 73 patients with vitamin D deficiency were commenced on vitamin D therapy. Of the 25 patients with osteoporosis only 1 patient was commenced on a bisphosphonate and a further 9 patients received calcium and/or vitamin D therapy. <h3>Conclusion</h3> We conclude that Vitamin D deficiency and osteoporosis/osteopenia are both very common in patients being considered for LT. Due to the increased risk of falls in patients with CLD and the further loss of BMD at the time of transplant we propose that all patients being assessed for transplant should be screened for vitamin D deficiency and a reduced BMD during the liver transplant assessment process and treated aggressively. <h3>Disclosure of interest</h3> None Declared.
SAT0268 Gender Differences in the Response to Anti-TNF Treatment in Axial SPA
Authors: V. Hammelin, F. Faustini, F. Ometto, S. Sandström, R.F. van Vollenhoven
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2015)

<h3>Background</h3> Axial-Spondyloarthritis (ax-SpA) often shows a different clinical phenotype in females than in males. Radiographic changes are usually worse in males than in females while women report more functional limitations (1). <h3>Objectives</h3> To investigate whether changes in spinal mobility under anti-TNF therapy, differ by gender. <h3>Methods</h3> Assessment of the Bath status was performed at baseline and after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months respectively in ax-SpA patients (n=77) enrolled at the beginning of their first biologic treatment with anti-TNF. Non-parametric statistics were used. Significance represented as p&lt;0.05. <h3>Results</h3> Of the 77 ax-SpA patients 57 were males and 20 females. At baseline, no differences in mean age (37.4±10.4 vs. 35.2±9.9, p=0.352) nor in disease duration (105.9±118.9 vs. 90.9±102.0, p=0.776) were found. In addition, we did not observe differences in ESR (20.7±15.8 vs. 27.9±20.3, p=0.181) and CRP (16.2±19.2 vs. 10.3±10.6, p=0.299) values between the two groups. Disease activity (BASDAI) was high and not significantly different between groups (5.261±1.9 vs. 5.7±2.1, p=0.210). Physical function (BASFI) was moderately impaired in both groups (3.7±2.3 vs. 4.7±2.5, p=0.114). A non-significant difference in mobility of the cervical and lumbar spine and hip joints (BASMI) was present at baseline (3.7±1.8 vs. 2.8±1.6, p=0.081). At three months the average BASMI remained non-significantly different (3.1±1.9 vs. 2.4±1.4, p=0.118), but male patients had a greater improvement in BASMI score than female patients (Z=-4.3, p&lt;0.001 vs. Z=-2.1, p=0.038). Likewise, mean values at 12 and 24 months were not significantly different (2.6±1.7 vs. 2.2±1.3, p=0.5 and 2.5±1.8 vs. 2.5±1.8, p=0.9) respectively but we found a more pronounced reduction of the BASMI values in male patients after 12 months (Z=-5.0, p&lt;0.001,) and 24 months (Z=-3.6, p&lt;0.001) of treatment compared to female patients (Z=-1.8, p=0.075 and Z=-0.2, p=0.854 respectively). At 24 months, the mean improvement in BASMI score was significantly greater for male patients than for female patients (-1.0±1.2 vs. 0.1±0.6, p=0.033). Analogous results were not found considering BASDAI nor BASFI (p=0.892 and p=0.416) respectively. <h3>Conclusions</h3> In patients with ax-SpA who were treated with anti-TNF, spinal mobility according to BASMI improved more in male than in female patients. Such gender association was not found for disease activity or function. <h3>References</h3> Lee W, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2007; 66(5):633-8. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared
&lt;emph type="ital"&gt;Paquebot “Paris”&lt;/emph&gt;
Authors: Janet M. Torpy
Journal: JAMA (2011)

Our website uses cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing to use our site, or clicking "Continue," you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy | Continue JAMA HomeNew OnlineCurrent IssueFor Authors Podcasts Clinical Reviews Editors' Summary Medical News Author Interviews More Publications JAMA JAMA Network Open JAMA Cardiology JAMA Dermatology JAMA Health Forum JAMA Internal Medicine JAMA Neurology JAMA Oncology JAMA Ophthalmology JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery JAMA Pediatrics JAMA Psychiatry JAMA Surgery Archives of Neurology & Psychiatry (1919-1959) JN Learning / CMESubscribeJobsInstitutions / LibrariansReprints & Permissions Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement 2023 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved Search All JAMA JAMA Network Open JAMA Cardiology JAMA Dermatology JAMA Forum Archive JAMA Health Forum JAMA Internal Medicine JAMA Neurology JAMA Oncology JAMA Ophthalmology JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery JAMA Pediatrics JAMA Psychiatry JAMA Surgery Archives of Neurology & Psychiatry Input Search Term Sign In Individual Sign In Sign inCreate an Account Access through your institution Sign In Purchase Options: Buy this article Rent this article Subscribe to the JAMA journal
PTH-015 Safety and utility of endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ercp) in children and adolescents performed by adult gastroenterologists– a tertiary care hospital experience
Authors: R Saleem, O Raja, L Latif, A Ollerton, P Harrison, J Devlin
Journal: Gut (2015)

<h3>Introduction</h3> Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) is a technically demanding endoscopic procedure and is not widely performed in children. Limited data is available on safety and usefulness of this procedure in children. At many institutions, paediatric ERCP is performed by adult gastroenterologists not formally trained in paediatric gastroenterology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ERCP in children and adolescents with pancreaticobiliary diseases performed by adult gastroenterologists in a single tertiary care centre. <h3>Method</h3> We conducted a retrospective review on the data of all paediatric patients aged &lt;18 years who had undergone an ERCP between Jan 2009 and Dec 2013 at King’s College Hospital, London, UK. Patient’s demographics, procedural indications, outcomes, interventions, technical success and complications rates were evaluated. All procedures were performed under general anaesthesia. <h3>Results</h3> One hundred and eighty procedures were performed on 112 patients. 58 (52%) were girls, and mean age was 10.2 years (range, 1 week–18 years). Most frequent indications for ERCP were: cholestatic jaundice with abnormal imaging (n = 55), choledocholithiasis (n = 29), pancreatitis (n = 19), biliary/pancreatic duct stricture (n = 18), bile leak (n = 14) and pancreatic duct trauma (n = 9). Successful biliary cannulation was achieved in 94% (170) cases. ERCP findings were: bile duct strictures 40 (23%), bile duct stone (s) 26 (15%), choledochal anomaly 15 (8.8%), pancreatic duct strictures 10 (6%), biliary atresia 10 (6%), pancreatic divisum 8 (4.7%) and pancreatic duct stone (s) in 5 (3%) patients. Therapeutic interventions performed included biliary sphinterotomy (n = 21), precut sphinterotomy (n = 4), pancreatic sphincterotomy (n = 3), biliary stenting (n = 47), pancreatic duct stent placement (n = 25) and balloon dilation of stricture (n = 18). 30 (16.6%) cases were complicated with post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). Mild bleeding occurred in 5(2.7%) cases and none of them required blood transfusion. There was only one case of duodenal perforation following pre-cut sphincterotomy which was managed conservatively. There were no deaths reported within 30 days of the procedure <h3>Conclusion</h3> Overall ERCP in children and adolescents is a safe and reliable procedure and should be safely performed by adult gastroenterologists well-trained in advanced endoscopy. <h3>Disclosure of interest</h3> None Declared.