tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Urinary Concentrations of Parabens and Other Antimicrobial Chemicals and Their Association with Couples’ Fecundity
Authors: Melissa M. Smarr, Rajeshwari Sundaram, Masato Honda, Kurunthachalam Kannan, Germaine M. Buck Louis
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2016)

Background:Human exposure to parabens and other antimicrobial chemicals is continual and pervasive. The hormone-disrupting properties of these environmental chemicals may adversely affect human reproduction.Objective:We aimed to prospectively assess couples' urinary concentrations of antimicrobial chemicals in the context of fecundity, measured as time to pregnancy (TTP).Methods:In a prospective cohort of 501 couples, we examined preconception urinary chemical concentrations of parabens, triclosan and triclorcarban in relation to TTP; chemical concentrations were modeled both continuously and in quartiles. Cox's proportional odds models for discrete survival time were used to estimate fecundability odds ratios (FORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusting for a priori–defined confounders. In light of TTP being a couple-dependent outcome, both partner and couple-based exposure models were analyzed. In all models, FOR estimates < 1.0 denote diminished fecundity (longer TTP).Results:Overall, 347 (69%) couples became pregnant. The highest quartile of female urinary methyl paraben (MP) concentrations relative to the lowest reflected a 34% reduction in fecundity (aFOR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.45, 0.97) and remained so when accounting for couples' concentrations (aFOR = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.41, 0.96). Similar associations were observed between ethyl paraben (EP) and couple fecundity for both partner and couple-based models (p-trend = 0.02 and p-trend = 0.05, respectively). No associations were observed with couple fecundity when chemicals were modeled continuously.Conclusions:Higher quartiles of preconception urinary concentrations of MP and EP among female partners were associated with reduced couple fecundity in partner-specific and couple-based exposure models.Citation:Smarr MM, Sundaram R, Honda M, Kannan K, Buck Louis GM. 2016. Urinary concentrations of parabens and other antimicrobial chemicals and their association with couples' fecundity. Environ Health Perspect 124:730–736; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP189
Current therapies and future possibilities for drug development against liver-stage malaria
Authors: Rene Raphemot, Dora Posfai, Emily R. Derbyshire
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2016)

Malaria remains a global public health threat, with half of the world's population at risk. Despite numerous efforts in the past decade to develop new antimalarial drugs to surmount increasing resistance to common therapies, challenges remain in the expansion of the current antimalarial arsenal for the elimination of this disease. The requirement of prophylactic and radical cure activities for the next generation of antimalarial drugs demands that new research models be developed to support the investigation of the elusive liver stage of the malaria parasite. In this Review, we revisit current antimalarial therapies and discuss recent advances for in vitro and in vivo malaria research models of the liver stage and their importance in probing parasite biology and the discovery of novel drug candidates.
SAT0611 Improvement of Large-Joint Ultrasonographic Synovitis is Delayed in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results of a 12-Month Clinical and Ultrasonographic Follow-Up Study of a Local Cohort
Authors: H. Harman, I. Tekeoğlu, S. Takçı, K. Nas, A. Kamanlı
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2015)

<h3>Background</h3> Gray-scale ultrasonography (GSUS) to detect synovitis and power Doppler (PD) signals at multiple joint levels are valid disease activity markers in RA that are modified after effective therapy <h3>Objectives</h3> We analyzed the longitudinal changes in gray-scale ultrasonography (GSUS) and power Doppler ultrasonongraphy (PDUS) parameters, and correlated them with clinical, functional, and radiologic outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis (RA). <h3>Methods</h3> GSUS and PDUS examinations, 44-joint disease activity score (DAS44) calculations, measurements of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels were performed in 68 RA patients at baseline, and after 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Metacarpophalangeal joints, wrist, elbow, knee, ankle, metatarsophalangeal joints, and wrist and ankle tendons were examined by GSUS and PDUS. <h3>Results</h3> The laboratory and clinical findings began to decrease significantly at 1 month (<i>P</i> &lt;0.05). Improvement of the US variables began at 3 months. After 6 months, all of the joint synovitis scores, except those of the knee, elbow, and ankle joints, showed a statistically significant reduction compared to baseline scores (<i>P</i> &lt;0.001). DAS44 scores were lower in the very early RA group at 12 months compared to those whose symptom duration was greater than 3 months of RA (respectively, 1.53±0.34; 1.80±0.38; z = -2,501, <i>P</i> =0.012). The total modified Sharp scores at 12 months correlated with total PDUS synovitis scores at 12 months (r =0.354, <i>P</i> =0.003). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Regression of US synovitis at large joints such as the knee, elbow, and ankle tended to be delayed compared to that at small joints. PD synovitis that is persistent despite disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapy may cause radiographic bone erosions. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared
Primary Liver Carcinosarcoma and 18F-FDG PET/CT
Authors: Beilei Li, Yiqiu Zhang, Jun Hou, Haojun Yu, Hongcheng Shi
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2016)

Primary liver carcinosarcoma is a very rare, malignant neoplasm that is concomitantly composed of a mixture of sarcomatous and carcinomatous elements. In the present study, an initial staging FDG PET/CT showed intense FDG uptake in a patient with liver carcinosarcoma composed of hepatocellular carcinoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. Two months after surgical resection, a restaging PET/CT showed rapid progression of the disease with abdominal and lung metastases, indicating aggressive feature of the disease. The case shows the importance to repeat a restaging PET/CT at early time after surgery for a patient with liver carcinosarcoma to monitor disease progression.
David Oliver: Values statements aren’t worth the paper
Authors: David Oliver
Journal: BMJ (2016)

In A Sceptic’s Medical Dictionary , the great Michael O’Donnell made mischievous fun of mission statements in the NHS, calling them “pious utterances trusts print below their expensively commissioned logo.”1 Values statements are close siblings; both are ubiquitous in health and social care.2

There’s nothing wrong with publicising your guiding values. But I suspect that most patients and families would prefer to experience these in the way they’re treated rather than see them written on leaflets, posters, and letterheads.

Too often, statements are platitudinous—who could disagree with them? You can test …
Two Types of Mucous Cells in the Colon Crypt?
Authors: William W. L. Chang, M.D., Ph.D.
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1981)

Journal Article Two Types of Mucous Cells in the Colon Crypt? Get access William W. L. Chang, M.D., Ph.D. William W. L. Chang, M.D., Ph.D. Department of Pathology West Virginia University Medical CenterMorgantown, West Virginia 26506 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Volume 67, Issue 4, October 1981, Pages 746–747, https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/67.4.746 Published: 01 October 1981
Time required for initial improvement during clozapine treatment of refractory schizophrenia
Authors: W H Wilson
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1996)

To characterize better the length of time required for the onset of improvement during clozapine treatment for refractory schizophrenia, the author reanalyzed data from a naturalistic outcome study.Medical records of 100 adults sequentially treated with clozapine in a state hospital were reviewed through 18 months. A priori criteria were used to categorize change in a measure of global social functioning.Of 73 patients who met the criteria for at least some improvement during clozapine treatment, 55 demonstrated initial improvement within 6 months, and the remainder demonstrated improvement by month 11. Response at 3 months was significantly correlated with outcome at 18 months.Gross social improvement as measured in this study is likely to lag behind more sensitive indicators of clinical response. This study supports the notion that initial response to clozapine occurs within the first few months of treatment.
Lovastatin, a Cholesterol Biosynthesis Inhibitor, Inhibits the Growth of Human H-<i>ras</i> Oncogene Transformed Cells in Nude Mice
Authors: S M Sebti, G T Tkalcevic, J P Jani
Journal: Cancer Communications (1991)

Post-translational modification of oncogenic p21ras proteins with farnesyl, a lipid intermediate in cholesterol biosynthesis, is required for p21ras membrane association and for the ability of p21ras to transform cultured cells. We have tested the ability of lovastatin, a specific inhibitor of cholesterol biosynthesis, to inhibit the growth of ras oncogene-transformed cells in vivo. Balb/c mouse 3T3 cells, transfected with H-ras oncogene from human EJ bladder carcinoma, were highly tumorigenic in nude mice. Immunoprecipitation studies with transformed EJ cells showed that lovastatin (1-100 microM) inhibited p21ras membrane association in a concentration-dependent manner and that a 10 microM concentration reduced the amount of p21ras bound to the membrane by 50%. Lovastatin also inhibited EJ cell growth in a concentration range that closely paralleled that required for inhibition of p21ras membrane association. Treatment of nude mice bearing subcutaneous (s.c.) EJ tumors with lovastatin (50 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the abilities of these tumors to grow as early as four days and, by day 12, the lovastatin treated group of animals had tumors with an average size that was 3-fold smaller than those in the saline treated group. Western blotting studies showed that lovastatin (50 mg/kg) was also able to inhibit p21ras membrane association in EJ tumors implanted s.c. in nude mice. These results demonstrate that lovastatin, an inhibitor of cholesterol biosynthesis, inhibited in vivo tumor growth of H-ras oncogene transformed cells. The results also suggest that inhibition of p21ras membrane association, an essential step in ras oncogene neoplastic transformation, is one mechanism by which lovastatin may express its antitumor activity.
Thermosensitive Polypeptide Hydrogels as a Platform for ROS‐Triggered Cargo Release with Innate Cytoprotective Ability under Oxidative Stress
Authors: Qinghua Xu, Chaoliang He, Kaixuan Ren, Chunsheng Xiao, Xuesi Chen
Journal: Advanced Healthcare Materials (2016)

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play important roles in cell signaling pathways, while increased production of ROS may disrupt cellular homeostasis, giving rise to a series of diseases. Therefore, materials responding to ROS at physiological levels are of great significance. In this work, a novel ROS‐responsive thermogelling hydrogel based on methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)‐poly( l ‐methionine) diblock copolymers is designed and synthesized. The mechanism for solution‐to‐hydrogel (sol‐gel) phase transitions of the copolymer aqueous solutions is studied. Incubation of the hydrogels in the presence of peroxide hydrogen (H 2 O 2 ) displays a H 2 O 2 ‐responsive degradation process. The hydrogels containing Rhodamine 6G exhibit sustained release profiles that are accelerated in response to H 2 O 2 . An innate cytoprotective ability of the hydrogels is revealed by incubation of L929 cells with the hydrogels under oxidative stress, which reduces H 2 O 2 ‐mediated cell death. ROS produced by activated macrophages can accelerate the erosion of the hydrogel, suggesting that the hydrogel is also responsive to pathological level of H 2 O 2 . Meanwhile, the poly( l ‐methionine)‐based hydrogels degrade within 6 weeks after subcutaneous injection into rats, with a good biocompatibility in vivo. Overall, the injectable, ROS‐responsive hydrogels may serve as promising platforms for sustained drug delivery and cell‐based therapies in treatment of diseases with local oxidative stress.
Colloid Cyst of the Third Ventricle
Authors: A R Cohen
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1995)

Figure 1. A 26-year-old man admitted to the hospital because he had had headache and vomiting for two months had papilledema but otherwise normal results on neurologic examination. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed noncommunicating hydrocephalus due to occlusion of the anterior third ventricle by a cystic mass.A small rigid endoscope directed into an asymmetrically enlarged left lateral ventricle through a single coronal burr hole disclosed a colloid cyst that obliterated the left foramen of Monro and blocked the passage of cerebrospinal fluid into the third ventricle. The colloid cyst was removed endoscopically with a fiberoptic neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser . . .
OC-012 Do inflammatory polyps show features associated with the early stages of malignant progression?
Authors: N Jawad, C Johnson, E Butterworth, I Saeed, R Feakins, M Rodriguez-Justo, S McDonald, N Wright, A Silver
Journal: Gut (2015)

<h3>Introduction</h3> Inflammatory polyps (IP) are associated with chronic idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Colonoscopic surveillance programmes do not always consider IP to be important and their presence is recorded incompletely. Here, IPs were assessed for features of malignant change. The aims were to: assess the spatial and temporal relationship between IP and pre-malignant and malignant lesions; examine proliferation rates and stem cell compartment expansion of IP crypts; and compare microRNA (miRNA) profiles in inflammation, dysplasia and IP. <h3>Method</h3> A retrospective case-control observational study of IBD patients from Bart’s Health NHS Trust, Queens University, University College London and The Homerton University Hospitals assessed the spatial and temporal relationship between IP and lesions. IP crypts (n = 30) with matched normal tissue were analysed for proliferation rates and stem cell compartment expansion using immunohistochemistry (Ki67) and <i><i>in situ</i></i>hybridisation (LGR5). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) profiles for inflammation, dysplasia and IP were determined using NanoString nCounter Analysis. <h3>Results</h3> Sporadic adenoma (n = 41) was significantly associated with IP (38/41; p &lt; 0.0001). In 21% (12/58) of cases, pre-malignant lesions (sporadic adenoma, hyperplastic polyp, flat dyplasia and dysplasia associated lymphoid mass) or carcinoma developed at a recorded IP site. In 38% of cases (5/13), cancer developed in a previous IP site. The Ki67 proliferation index was significantly higher in IP (p &lt; 0.005) than controls (29.2% vs. 23%). There was a limited increase in <i>LGR5<sup>+</sup></i>stem cell numbers in IP crypts. Thirty-six differentially expressed miRNAs were identified in three groups (IBD-IP; IBD-dysplasia; IBD-inactive/active (adjusted p-value &lt;0.05). Fourteen miRNAs were upregulated in IBD-IP compared to IBD and IBD-dysplasia including miR-493, miR-29a and miR-29c all involved in cancer and/or IBD. <h3>Conclusion</h3> IP have characteristics typical of malignant progression: increased cellular proliferation and possibly limited expansion of the stem cell compartment. Microarray profiles can distinguish IBD mucosa from dysplasia and IP. Combined with our previous observation of somatic mutations in IP, these findings suggest IPs are not benign entities and may be associated with increased risk of neoplasia. IPs require investigation to identify biomarkers for stratification of cancer risk in IBD patients. <h3>Disclosure of interest</h3> None Declared.
AB1061 Interspinous Bursitis Evaluation by Ultrasound Should be Added to 2012 Provisional Classification Criteria for Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Authors: K. Kume, K. Amano, S. Yamada, T. Kanazawa, H. Ohta, K. Hatta, K. Amano
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2015)

<h3>Background</h3> Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a common inflammatory disease of the elderly, and 2012 provisional classification criteria were suggested, however it is provisional and not meant for diagnosis purpose<sup>1</sup>. Ultrasound (US), MRI and other modalities were often detected interspinous bursitis in patients with PMR<sup>2</sup>. <h3>Objectives</h3> To develop 2012 provisional classification criteria, adding interspinous bursitis evaluation by US. <h3>Methods</h3> This is a prospective cohort study. Candidate criteria were evaluated 45 patients with new onset untreated PMR, and 67 patiens non-PMR comparison subjects with conditions mimicking PMR. We compared the sensitivity and specificity of 2012 provisional classification criteria with 2012 provisional classification criteria, adding interspinous bursitis evaluation by US. US evaluation was checked cervical and lumbar spine, and if at least one interspinous bursitis was detected, it was calculated 1 point. Total score (interspinous bursitis evaluation by US score plus 2012 provisional classification criteria with US score) was 5 or more, it is categorised as PMR. <h3>Results</h3> 2012 provisional classification criteria scoring system had 71% sensitivity and 75% specificity. Adding interspinous bursitis by US had significantly increased sensitivity to 79% (p&lt;0.05), and not significantly decreased specificity to 72% (p=0.47). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Interspinous bursitis by US is very sensitive in patients with PMR. Interspinous bursitis by US should be added classification criteria for PMR. <h3>References</h3> Dasgupta B, et al. 2012 Provisional classification criteria for polymyalgia rheumatica: a European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology collaborative initiative. Ann Rheum Dis. 2012 Apr;71(4):484-92. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2011-200329. Camellino D, et al. Interspinous bursitis is common in polymyalgia rheumatica, but is not associated with spinal pain. Arthritis Res Ther. 2014 Dec 1;16(6):492. [Epub ahead of print] <h3>Acknowledgements</h3> We all thank Noriko Kuwaba for selecting and analysing data. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared
Prophylactic efficacy of carbamazepine in manic-depressive illness
Authors: R M Post, T W Uhde, J C Ballenger, K M Squillace
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1983)

Seven patients with rapidly cycling, lithium-resistant affective illness were followed for an average of 1.7 years during prophylactic treatment with carbamazepine administered on either a blind or an open basis. The number of manic and depressive episodes per year decreased significantly--from 16.4 before treatment to 5.6 during carbamazepine treatment; severity and duration of episodes were also reduced. Six of seven patients relapsed after carbamazepine dose reduction or discontinuation. These preliminary data add further support to the growing evidence that carbamazepine may be useful in the acute and prophylactic treatment of some lithium-resistant patients.
DIMA Ploidy, Gleason Score, Pathological Stage and Serum PSA Levels as Predictors of Disease-Free Survival in C-D(1) Prostatic Cancer Patients Submitted to Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy
Authors: F Di Silverio, G D'Eramo, M Buscarini, A Sciarra, P Casale, S Di Nicola, A Loreto, F Seccareccia, R De Vita
Journal: European Urology (1996)
Viral Spread to Enteric Neurons Links Genital HSV-1 Infection to Toxic Megacolon and Lethality
Authors: William Khoury-Hanold, Brian Yordy, Philip Kong, Yong Kong, William Ge, Klara Szigeti-Buck, Alexandra Ralevski, Tamas L. Horvath, Akiko Iwasaki
Journal: Cell Host & Microbe (2016)
Validation of a syndromic surveillance system using a general practitioner house calls network, Bordeaux, France
Authors: C Flamand, S Larrieu, F Couvy, B Jouves, L Josseran, L Filleul
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2008)

A new syndromic surveillance system has been developed in Bordeaux City, South West France, using a general practitioners' house calls network. Routinely collected, sociodemographic data, patients' complaints and medical diagnoses made at the end of the visit were monitored using syndrome groups such as influenza syndromes, bronchiolitis, gastrointestinal, respiratory syndromes and others, based on International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC)-2 codes. A process control chart was implemented in order to distinguish signals of interest from "background noise". In 2005 and 2006, a total of 303,936 visits were recorded. Seasonal epidemics of influenza-like illness, bronchiolitis or gastrointestinal were identified. The automated and real time nature of the system also allowed the early detection of unusual events such as an acute increase in the number of heat syndromes during the heat-wave that occurred in France in July 2006. This new system complements existing surveillance programs by assessing a large part of episodes of illness that do not require hospital admissions or the identification of an etiologic agent. Attributes and advantages of the system, such as timeliness and diagnostic specificity, demonstrated its utility and validity in term of syndromic surveillance purposes, and its extension at the national level is in process.
Comparison of efficacy of pharmacological treatments for chronic idiopathic constipation: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Alfred D Nelson, Michael Camilleri, Sakkarin Chirapongsathorn, Priya Vijayvargiya, Nelson Valentin, Andrea Shin, Patricia J Erwin, Zhen Wang, M Hassan Murad
Journal: Gut (2016)

To compare efficacy of pharmacotherapies for chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) based on comparisons to placebo using Bayesian network meta-analysis.We conducted searches (inception to May 2015) of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus and Cochrane Central, as well as original data from authors or drug companies for the medications used for CIC.Phase IIB and phase III randomised, placebo-controlled trials (RCT) of ≥4 weeks' treatment for CIC in adults with Rome II or III criteria for functional constipation; trials included at least one of four end points.Two investigators independently evaluated all full-text articles that met inclusion criteria and extracted data for primary and secondary end points, risk of bias and quality of evidence.Primary end points were ≥3 complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBM)/week and increase over baseline by ≥1 CSBM/week. Secondary end points were change from baseline (Δb) in the number of SBM/week and Δb CSBM/week.Twenty-one RCTs (9189 patients) met inclusion and end point criteria: 9 prucalopride, 3 lubiprostone, 3 linaclotide, 2 tegaserod, 1 each velusetrag, elobixibat, bisacodyl and sodium picosulphate (NaP). All prespecified end points were unavailable in four polyethylene glycol studies. Bisacodyl, NaP, prucalopride and velusetrag were superior to placebo for the ≥3 CSBM/week end point. No drug was superior at improving the primary end points on network meta-analysis. Bisacodyl appeared superior to the other drugs for the secondary end point, Δb in number of SBM/week.Current drugs for CIC show similar efficacy. Bisacodyl may be superior to prescription medications for Δb in the number of SBM/week in CIC.
The effectiveness of seasonal trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in preventing influenza hospitalisations and primary care visits in Auckland, New Zealand in 2013: provisional results
Authors: Nikki Turner, Nevil Pierse, Ange Bissielo, Q Sue Huang, Sarah Radke, Michael Baker, Marc-Alain Widdowson, Heath Kelly
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2014)

We present provisional estimates of influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) for the NZ 2013 season. A case test-negative study was used to estimate propensity adjusted vaccine effectiveness. Influenza vaccination provided 52% (95% confidence interval (CI): 27% to 68%) protection against laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalisation and 53% (95% CI: 28% to 70%) against laboratory-confirmed influenza in patients presenting to general practice.