Publications by authors named "Karen Boyle"

Male-to-female (MtF) transgender individuals are at risk for prostate cancer, although guidelines for screening and management in this population are not well established. We describe a series of 9 MtF transgender patients who underwent prostate tissue sampling and highlight histopathologic features and challenges related to pathologic interpretation of prostate tissue in this patient population. Seven of 9 total patients were diagnosed with prostate cancer and all had elevated prostate-specific antigen at the time of diagnosis.

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BackgroundIL-6 receptor (IL-6R) signaling drives development of T cell populations important to type 1 diabetes pathogenesis. We evaluated whether blockade of IL-6R with monoclonal antibody tocilizumab would slow loss of residual β cell function in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes patients.MethodsWe conducted a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial with tocilizumab in new-onset type 1 diabetes.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study examined how B cells behave in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during treatment with anti-TNF therapies (etanercept and adalimumab) over 24 weeks.
  • Despite the treatments, the overall composition of B cell subsets remained stable and did not show significant changes, indicating that neither therapy significantly altered memory B cells.
  • The research found that while certain activated B cell populations were more prevalent in patients who didn’t respond well to treatment, the type of therapy (dual vs. single TNF blockade) didn’t lead to notable differences in clinical outcomes.
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Introduction: A hidden penis can interfere with normal hygiene, prevent effective voiding, restrict sexual activity, and cause great embarrassment to the patient. The terms "hidden," "buried," and "trapped" penis are used interchangeably. To date, there is no classification system that adequately characterizes the spectrum of this condition.

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Objectives: 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A (HMG Co-A) reductase inhibitors (statins) are standard treatment for hyperlipidaemia. In addition to lipid-lowering abilities, statins exhibit multiple anti-inflammatory effects. The objectives of this study were to determine whether treatment of patients with RA with lovastatin decreased CRP or reduced disease activity.

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Objective: To address heterogeneity complicating primary SS (pSS) clinical trials, research and care by characterizing and clustering patients by their molecular phenotypes.

Methods: pSS patients met American-European Consensus Group classification criteria and had at least one systemic manifestation and stimulated salivary flow of ⩾0.1 ml/min.

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Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of baminercept, a lymphotoxin β receptor IgG fusion protein (LTβR-Ig), for the treatment of primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS), and to explore the possible mechanisms of action of this treatment.

Methods: In this multicenter trial, 52 patients with primary SS were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive subcutaneous injections of 100 mg of baminercept every week for 24 weeks or matching placebo. The primary end point was the change between screening and week 24 in the stimulated whole salivary flow (SWSF) rate.

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Article Synopsis
  • Trials of immune therapies for new-onset Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) show promise, but results vary among patients and don't last long.
  • This study tested two courses of teplizumab, an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, on 52 T1D patients to see if it slows the decline in insulin production (C-peptide levels) after 2 years.
  • Results indicated that teplizumab significantly reduced C-peptide decline by 75% compared to control, with common side effects including rash and headache, and identified specific metabolic and immunologic traits that help predict which patients respond well to the treatment.
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Rapamycin/interleukin-2 (IL-2) combination treatment of NOD mice effectively treats autoimmune diabetes. We performed a phase 1 clinical trial to test the safety and immunologic effects of rapamycin/IL-2 combination therapy in type 1 diabetic (T1D) patients. Nine T1D subjects were treated with 2-4 mg/day rapamycin orally for 3 months and 4.

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Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of sperm within post-ejaculatory urine in both fertile and infertile men.

Methods: Fifteen men of proven fertility and 66 non-azoospermic men being evaluated for infertility were recruited in two academic centers. Laboratory studies included a semen analysis and the examination of post-ejaculate urine for the presence and concentration of sperm.

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Objective: To determine whether sperm harvesting and cryopreservation at the time of vasectomy reversal is cost-effective.

Design: Model of actual costs and results at five institutions.

Setting: Multicenter study comprising five centers, including university hospitals and private practices.

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Unlabelled: Methylmalonic acidemia unresponsive to cobalamin is often fatal in infancy. Patients have been considered candidates for hepatic transplantation and experience has been that the procedure eliminates the life-threatening episodes of ketoacidosis that characterize this disease.

Conclusion: experience with a 24-year-old patient treated with hepatic transplantation indicates that this procedure does not prevent progressive renal failure and neurologic dysfunction.

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