The differentiation between aneurysmal bone cyst and telangiectatic osteosarcoma: a clinical, radiographic and MRI study.

Objectives: Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) and telangiectatic osteosarcoma (TOS) share several clinical and imaging features, including young presentation, long bone involvement, lytic appearance on radiography and fluid-fluid levels on MRI. Therefore, they may be difficult to differentiate. The aim of this study is to identify clinical, radiological and MRI features which aid differentiation of the two lesions.

Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup (GCIG) consensus review for high-grade undifferentiated sarcomas of the uterus.

High-grade undifferentiated sarcomas (HGUSs) are rare uterine malignancies arising from the endometrial stroma. They are poorly differentiated sarcomas composed of cells that do not resemble proliferative-phase endometrial stroma. High-grade undifferentiated sarcomas are characterized by aggressive behavior and poor prognosis.

Patient awareness and symptoms from an incisional hernia.

Incisional hernia is a common postoperative complication following open abdominal surgery with incidence varying between 3% and 20%. Approximately half of all incisional hernias are diagnosed within 1 year following surgery. In the United Kingdom alone, about 10,000 incisional hernia repairs are performed annually.

Sputum matrix metalloproteinase-9 is associated with the degree of emphysema on computed tomography in COPD.

Background: Matrix-metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of COPD, although its link to disease severity is unclear. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between disease severity assessed by lung function and computed tomography (CT) and sputum MMP-9 expression, concentration and activity in patients with COPD.

Findings: In 53 COPD subjects, smokers and ex-smokers; 46 healthy controls, smokers and never smokers, we measured sputum MMP-9 concentrations (ELISA) and enzyme activity (FRET), sputum MMP-9 mRNA expression, spirometry, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) and CT assessment of emphysema (% low attenuation areas below-950 Hounsfield units).

Sputum matrix metalloproteinase-12 in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma: relationship to disease severity.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-12 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. The influence of disease severity on sputum MMP-12 concentrations and activity is not known.

Objectives: We sought to examine the relationship between disease severity assessed by means of lung function and computed tomography (CT) and induced sputum MMP-12 concentrations and activity in patients with asthma and COPD.

Predictive response-relevant clustering of expression data provides insights into disease processes.

This article describes and illustrates a novel method of microarray data analysis that couples model-based clustering and binary classification to form clusters of `response-relevant' genes; that is, genes that are informative when discriminating between the different values of the response. Predictions are subsequently made using an appropriate statistical summary of each gene cluster, which we call the `meta-covariate' representation of the cluster, in a probit regression model. We first illustrate this method by analysing a leukaemia expression dataset, before focusing closely on the meta-covariate analysis of a renal gene expression dataset in a rat model of salt-sensitive hypertension.

Randomized clinical trial comparing consultant-led or open access investigation for large bowel symptoms.

Background: Referral of patients with large bowel symptoms is common and increasing. Currently most of these referrals are assessed at an outpatient clinic to determine the need and priority for investigation.

Methods: Over 21 months, 1131 patients referred by the general practitioner with large bowel symptoms were randomized.

Linezolid penetration into osteo-articular tissues.

Penetration of linezolid into osteo-articular tissue and fluid was studied in 10 patients undergoing primary total knee replacement. Linezolid 600 mg 12 hourly was given orally over the 48 h before operation and intravenously 1 h before induction of anaesthesia. Mean concentrations of linezolid at 90 min after the final dose, in serum, synovial fluid, synovium, muscle and cancellous bone, assayed by HPLC, were at least twice the MIC(90) for staphylococci and streptococci.

Minocycline induced lupus: case series in the West of Scotland.

Objective: To describe the clinical symptoms and serology of drug-induced lupus in patients treated with the semisynthetic tetracycline derivative, minocycline.

Methods: For a 5-year period, all consultant rheumatologists and dermatologists in the West of Scotland were asked to report any suspected cases of a lupus-like syndrome to one center. Twenty cases were identified on the basis of arthritis, positive antinuclear factor and at least one other extraarticular feature following treatment for acne with minocycline.

Comparison of the acute effects on gas exchange of nasal ventilation and doxapram in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) is useful in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) complicated by ventilatory failure. The effects of NIPPV were compared with those of the respiratory stimulant doxapram on gas exchange in patients with COPD and acute ventilatory failure.

Methods: Patients admitted with acute exacerbations of COPD and type 2 respiratory failure (Pao2 < 8 kPa and PaCO2 > 6.