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Locey KJ, Webb TA, Weinstein RA, Hota B, Stein BD. Random variation drives a critical bias in the comparison of healthcare-associated infections. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2023; 44:1396-1402. [PMID: 36896667 DOI: 10.1017/ice.2022.288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate random effects of volume (patient days or device days) on healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and the standardized infection ratio (SIR) used to compare hospitals. DESIGN A longitudinal comparison between publicly reported quarterly data (2014-2020) and volume-based random sampling using 4 HAI types: central-line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, Clostridioides difficile infections, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. METHODS Using 4,268 hospitals with reported SIRs, we examined relationships of SIRs to volume and compared distributions of SIRs and numbers of reported HAIs to the outcomes of simulated random sampling. We included random expectations into SIR calculations to produce a standardized infection score (SIS). RESULTS Among hospitals with volumes less than the median, 20%-33% had SIRs of 0, compared to 0.3%-5% for hospitals with volumes higher than the median. Distributions of SIRs were 86%-92% similar to those based on random sampling. Random expectations explained 54%-84% of variation in numbers of HAIs. The use of SIRs led hundreds of hospitals with more infections than either expected at random or predicted by risk-adjusted models to rank better than other hospitals. The SIS mitigated this effect and allowed hospitals of disparate volumes to achieve better scores while decreasing the number of hospitals tied for the best score. CONCLUSIONS SIRs and numbers of HAIs are strongly influenced by random effects of volume. Mitigating these effects drastically alters rankings for HAI types and may further alter penalty assignments in programs that aim to reduce HAIs and improve quality of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth J Locey
- Center for Quality, Safety and Value Analytics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Thomas A Webb
- Center for Quality, Safety and Value Analytics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Robert A Weinstein
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Bala Hota
- Tendo Systems, Inc, Hinsdale, Illinois
| | - Brian D Stein
- Center for Quality, Safety and Value Analytics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
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Locey KJ, Webb TA, Stein B, Farooqui S, Hota B. Variation in the reporting of elective surgeries and its influence on patient safety indicators. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf 2022; 48:403-410. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcjq.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Locey KJ, Webb TA, Khan J, Antony AK, Hota B. An interactive tool to forecast US hospital needs in the coronavirus 2019 pandemic. JAMIA Open 2020; 3:506-512. [PMID: 33619466 PMCID: PMC7543612 DOI: 10.1093/jamiaopen/ooaa045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We developed an application (https://rush-covid19.herokuapp.com/) to aid US hospitals in planning their response to the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS Our application forecasts hospital visits, admits, discharges, and needs for hospital beds, ventilators, and personal protective equipment by coupling COVID-19 predictions to models of time lags, patient carry-over, and length-of-stay. Users can choose from 7 COVID-19 models, customize 23 parameters, examine trends in testing and hospitalization, and download forecast data. RESULTS Our application accurately predicts the spread of COVID-19 across states and territories. Its hospital-level forecasts are in continuous use by our home institution and others. DISCUSSION Our application is versatile, easy-to-use, and can help hospitals plan their response to the changing dynamics of COVID-19, while providing a platform for deeper study. CONCLUSION Empowering healthcare responses to COVID-19 is as crucial as understanding the epidemiology of the disease. Our application will continue to evolve to meet this need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth J Locey
- Center for Quality, Safety and Value Analytics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Thomas A Webb
- Center for Quality, Safety and Value Analytics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jawad Khan
- Knowledge Management Services, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Anuja K Antony
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Bala Hota
- Center for Quality, Safety and Value Analytics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Knowledge Management Services, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Giles W. Slocum
- Department of Pharmacy Rush University Medical Center Chicago Illinois
| | - Gary D. Peksa
- Department of Pharmacy Rush University Medical Center Chicago Illinois
| | - Thomas A. Webb
- Clinical Resource Management Rush University Medical Center Chicago Illinois
| | - Ishaq Lat
- Department of Pharmacy Shirley Ryan Abilitylab Chicago Illinois
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Huang J, Nair SG, Mahoney MR, Nelson GD, Shields AF, Chan E, Goldberg RM, Gill S, Kahlenberg MS, Quesenberry JT, Thibodeau SN, Smyrk TC, Grothey A, Sinicrope FA, Webb TA, Farr GH, Pockaj BA, Berenberg JL, Mooney M, Sargent DJ, Alberts SR. Comparison of FOLFIRI with or without cetuximab in patients with resected stage III colon cancer; NCCTG (Alliance) intergroup trial N0147. Clin Colorectal Cancer 2013; 13:100-9. [PMID: 24512953 DOI: 10.1016/j.clcc.2013.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2013] [Revised: 11/19/2013] [Accepted: 12/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Two arms with FOLFIRI, with or without cetuximab, were initially included in the randomized phase III intergroup clinical trial NCCTG (North Central Cancer Treatment Group) N0147. When other contemporary trials demonstrated no benefit to using irinotecan as adjuvant therapy, the FOLFIRI-containing arms were discontinued. We report the clinical outcomes for patients randomized to FOLFIRI with or without cetuximab. PATIENTS AND METHODS After resection, patients were randomized to 12 biweekly cycles of FOLFIRI, with or without cetuximab. KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog) mutation status was retrospectively determined in a central lab. The primary end point was disease-free survival (DFS). Secondary end points included overall survival (OS) and toxicity. RESULTS One hundred and six patients received FOLFIRI and 40 received FOLFIRI plus cetuximab. Median follow-up was 5.95 years (range, 0.1-7.0 years). The addition of cetuximab showed a trend toward improved DFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.53; 95% CI, 0.26-1.1; P = .09) and OS (HR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.17-1.16; P = .10) in the overall group, regardless of KRAS status, and in patients with wild type KRAS. Grade ≥ 3 nonhematologic adverse effects were significantly increased in the cetuximab versus FOLFIRI-alone arm (68% vs. 46%; P = .02). Adjuvant FOLFIRI resulted in a 3-year DFS less than that expected for FOLFOX. CONCLUSION In this small randomized subset of patients with resected stage III colon cancer, the addition of cetuximab to FOLFIRI was associated with a nonsignificant trend toward improved DFS and OS. Nevertheless, considering the limitations of this analysis, FOLFOX without the addition of a biologic agent remains the standard of care for adjuvant therapy in resected stage III colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelin Huang
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, MN
| | | | | | - Garth D Nelson
- Alliance Statistics and Data Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | | | - Emily Chan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Richard M Goldberg
- Department of Oncology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH
| | - Sharlene Gill
- Division of Medical Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Thomas C Smyrk
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, MN
| | - Axel Grothey
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, MN
| | | | - Thomas A Webb
- Illinois Oncology Research Association Community Clinical Oncology Program, Peoria, IL
| | - Gist H Farr
- Ochsner Community Clinical Oncology Program, New Orleans, LA
| | | | - Jeffrey L Berenberg
- University of Hawaii Cancer Center Community Clinical Oncology Program, Honolulu, HI
| | - Margaret Mooney
- Clinical Investigations Branch, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
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Webb TA, Ryan DH. A TDPAC study of static and dynamic magnetic behaviour. J Phys Condens Matter 2013; 25:306001. [PMID: 23819993 DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/25/30/306001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The a-FexHf100-x system is used to explore the application of TDPAC (the time differential perturbed γ-γ angular correlation technique) to non-trivial anisotropic magnetic relaxation. The effect of fluctuations in this system is primarily to cause a decay of the zero-frequency component, which is characterized by the phenomenological decay rate λ. The zero-field magnetic phase diagram, constructed from both static and dynamic features of the data, and the temperature dependence of λ are both fully consistent with the physics of partial bond frustration. The results demonstrate that the magnetic fluctuations are meaningfully characterized by simple spectrum features, and are not obscured by large static fields or severe disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- T A Webb
- Physics Department and Centre for the Physics of Materials, McGill University, 3600 University Street, Montreal, QC, H3A 2T8, Canada.
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Alberts SR, Sargent DJ, Nair S, Mahoney MR, Mooney M, Thibodeau SN, Smyrk TC, Sinicrope FA, Chan E, Gill S, Kahlenberg MS, Shields AF, Quesenberry JT, Webb TA, Farr GH, Pockaj BA, Grothey A, Goldberg RM. Effect of oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin with or without cetuximab on survival among patients with resected stage III colon cancer: a randomized trial. JAMA 2012; 307:1383-93. [PMID: 22474202 PMCID: PMC3442260 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2012.385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 339] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Leucovorin, fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) is the standard adjuvant therapy for resected stage III colon cancer. Adding cetuximab to FOLFOX benefits patients with metastatic wild-type KRAS but not mutated KRAS colon cancer. OBJECTIVE To assess the potential benefit of cetuximab added to the modified sixth version of the FOLFOX regimen (mFOLFOX6) in patients with resected stage III wild-type KRAS colon cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A randomized trial of 2686 patients aged 18 years or older at multiple institutions across North America enrolled following resection and informed consent between February 10, 2004, and November 25, 2009. The primary randomized comparison was 12 biweekly cycles of mFOLFOX6 with and without cetuximab. KRAS mutation status was centrally determined. The trial was halted after a planned interim analysis of 48% of predicted events (246/515) occurring in 1863 (of 2070 planned) patients with tumors having wild-type KRAS. A total of 717 patients with mutated KRAS and 106 with indeterminate KRAS were accrued. The 2070 patients with wild-type KRAS provided 90% power to detect a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.33 (2-sided α = .05), with planned interim efficacy analyses after 25%, 50%, and 75% of expected relapses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Disease-free survival in patients with wild-type KRAS mutations. Secondary end points included overall survival and toxicity. RESULTS Median (range) follow-up was 28 (0-68) months. The trial demonstrated no benefit when adding cetuximab. Three-year disease-free survival for mFOLFOX6 alone was 74.6% vs 71.5% with the addition of cetuximab (HR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.98-1.49; P = .08) in patients with wild-type KRAS, and 67.1% vs 65.0% (HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.86-1.46; P = .38) in patients with mutated KRAS, with no significant benefit in any subgroups assessed. Among all patients, grade 3 or higher adverse events (72.5% vs 52.3%; odds ratio [OR], 2.4; 95% CI, 2.1-2.8; P < .001) and failure to complete 12 cycles (33% vs 23%; OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.4-1.9; P < .001) were significantly higher with cetuximab. Increased toxicity and greater detrimental differences in all outcomes were observed in patients aged 70 years or older. CONCLUSION Among patients with stage III resected colon cancer, the use of cetuximab with adjuvant mFOLFOX6 compared with mFOLFOX6 alone did not result in improved disease-free survival. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00079274.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven R Alberts
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
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Bakkar RM, Luo G, Webb TA, Crutcher KA, de Courten-Myers GM. Down's Syndrome with Alzheimer's Disease-Like Pathology: What Can It Teach Us about the Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis? Int J Alzheimers Dis 2010. [PMCID: PMC2911583 DOI: 10.4061/2010/175818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Down's syndrome (DS, trisomy 21) represents a complex genetic abnormality that leads to pathology in later life that is similar to Alzheimer's disease (AD). We compared two cases of DS with APOE ε3/3 genotypes, a similar age at death, and comparable amyloid-beta 42 peptide (Aβ42) burdens in the brain but that differed markedly in the severity of AD-like pathology. One exhibited extensive neurofibrillary pathology whereas the other showed minimal features of this type. Comparable loads of Aβ42 could relate to the cases' similar life-time accumulation of Aβ due to trisomy 21-enhanced metabolism of amyloid precursor protein (APP). The cases' significant difference in AD-like pathology, however, suggests that parenchymal deposition of Aβ42, even when extensive, may not inevitably trigger AD-like tau pathology (though it may be necessary). Thus, these observations of a natural experiment may contribute to understanding the nuances of the amyloid cascade hypothesis of AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania M. Bakkar
- Department of Pathology, MD Anderson Cancer Institute, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Guangju Luo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, MSB, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Thomas A. Webb
- Department of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, MSB, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Keith A. Crutcher
- Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Gabrielle M. de Courten-Myers
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, MSB, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
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Rowland KM, Loprinzi CL, Shaw EG, Maksymiuk AW, Kuross SA, Jung SH, Kugler JW, Tschetter LK, Ghosh C, Schaefer PL, Owen D, Washburn JH, Webb TA, Mailliard JA, Jett JR. Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of cisplatin and etoposide plus megestrol acetate/placebo in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer: a North Central Cancer Treatment Group study. J Clin Oncol 1996; 14:135-41. [PMID: 8558188 DOI: 10.1200/jco.1996.14.1.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Megestrol acetate has been reported to improve appetite and quality of life and to decrease nausea and vomiting in patients with cancer anorexia/cachexia. The present trial was formulated to evaluate the impact of megestrol acetate on quality of life, toxicity, response, and survival in individuals with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer who received concomitant chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients were randomized to receive megestrol acetate 800 mg/d orally or placebo. In addition, all patients were scheduled to receive a maximum of four cycles of cisplatin and etoposide chemotherapy. Quality of life was self-assessed at entry onto study, with every cycle of chemotherapy, and 4 months thereafter with a linear visual analog scale. Toxicity was evaluated by patient questionnaire and investigator reports. RESULTS A total of 243 eligible patients were randomized. Those who received megestrol acetate had increased nonfluid weight gain (P = .004) and significantly less nausea (P = .0002) and vomiting (P = .02). Significant thromboembolic phenomena occurred more often in patients who received megestrol acetate versus placebo (9% v 2%, P = .01). Patients who received megestrol acetate had more edema (30% v 20%, P = .002), an inferior response rate to chemotherapy (68% v 80%, P = .03), and a trend for inferior survival duration (median, 8.2 v 10.0 months, P = .49). These findings may have been influenced by a poorer quality of life of the megestrol acetate group at study initiation. There were no significant changes in quality of life scores over time between either of the study arms. CONCLUSION Megestrol acetate cannot be routinely recommended for all patients with small-cell lung cancer at the time of chemotherapy initiation. Rather, its therapeutic ratio may be more favorable for patients with problematic cancer anorexia/cachexia.
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Webb TA, Kowalski WJ, Fluck RA. Microtubule-Based Movements During Ooplasmic Segregation in the Medaka Fish Egg (Oryzias latipes). Biol Bull 1995; 188:146-156. [PMID: 29281351 DOI: 10.2307/1542080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We used time-lapse video microscopy to monitor the effects of cytochalasin D (CCD) and demecolcine on cytoplasmic streaming toward the animal pole of the medaka egg, the formation of the blastodisc at the animal pole, the movement of oil droplets in the cytoplasm toward the vegetal pole, and the saltatory movement of small cytoplasmic parcels toward the animal pole and vegetal pole. Cytochalasin D inhibited both cytoplasmic streaming toward the animal pole and the formation of the blastodisc, suggesting a role for microfilaments in these processes. However, CCD had no apparent effect on saltatory movement or on the movement of oil droplets toward the vegetal pole. Thus, the segregation of oil droplets toward the vegetal pole is not the result of the bulk movement of ooplasm toward the animal pole. In eggs treated with demecolcine, oil droplets did not move toward the vegetal pole but instead floated to the uppermost portion of the egg, and saltatory movement was absent, suggesting that microtubules are required for these movements. The effects of demecolcine on oil droplet movement and saltatory movement could be reversed by irradiating the eggs with UV light (360 nm). Using indirect immunofluorescence, we showed that irradiation of demecolcine-treated eggs with UV light regenerated microtubules within the irradiated region. The specificity of the mechanism responsible for the vegetal poleward movement of oil droplets was assessed by microinjecting droplets of five other fluids--mineral oil, silicone oil, vegetable oil, and two fluorinated aliphatic compounds--into the ooplasm. None of these fluids segregated with the endogenous oil droplets. These results suggest that a specific mechanism, probably involving microtubules, is responsible for the segregation of oil droplets to the vegetal pole.
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Webb TA, Dick TT, Blick KE, Sinn CM. Serum creatine kinase-BB and small cell anaplastic carcinoma of the lung: two case reports. Indiana Med 1990; 83:564-7. [PMID: 2170501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Recent reports have suggested that serum creatine kinase isoenzyme BB (CK-BB) may be used as a tumor marker for a variety of malignancies, particularly prostatic carcinoma. Two cases of small cell anaplastic carcinoma of the lung (SCAC) had markedly contrasting levels of CK-BB by serum electrophoresis. Retrospective analysis of the index cases, and four additional autopsy cases of SCAC, included: 1) quantitation of CK-B in postmortem tumor and adjacent non-tumor lung tissue; 2) enzymatic and radioimmunoassay serum levels of CK-B; and 3) CK-B immunoperoxidase staining of tumor and non-tumor tissues for CK-B. Serum CK-BB is a non-specific tumor marker, but its presence, in whatever amount, should alert the clinician to the possibility of an associated malignancy, particularly SCAC or metastatic carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- T A Webb
- Department of Pathology, Methodist Hospital, Peoria, Ill
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Dick TT, Webb TA. A review of creatine kinase isoenzymes and associated variants. Indiana Med 1987; 80:532-4. [PMID: 3611720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Dick TT, Webb TA. A review of tumor associated markers for small cel anaplastic lung cancer. Indiana Med 1986; 79:598-9. [PMID: 3745894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Dick TT, Webb TA. A statistical search for a routine laboratory tumor marker for lung cancer. Clin Chem 1986; 32:391. [PMID: 3943208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Dick TT, Webb TA. A statistical search for a routine laboratory tumor marker for lung cancer. Clin Chem 1986. [DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/32.2.391a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Marty AT, Webb TA, Stubbs KG, Penkava RR. Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm infected by Campylobacter fetus. JAMA 1983; 249:1190-2. [PMID: 6823082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Abstract
Abstract
We measured serum prostatic acid phosphatase in ostensibly normal controls and a selected patient population, using both a modified radioimmunoassay and an enzymic method with thymolphthalein monophosphate as substrate. The upper limit of normal for the radioimmunoassay was 2.2 micrograms/L; its sensitivity and specificity for prostatic cancer were 71 and 95%, respectively, vs 51 and 99% for the enzymic method. For both methods the correlation between clinical staging and values for acid phosphatase was poor. Our data suggest that adjunctive use of the radioimmunoassay may help further discriminate those patients requiring needle biopsy.
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Blick KE, Dick TT, Webb TA. Radioimmunoassay for prostatic acid phosphatase helps discriminate patients with prostatic cancer. Clin Chem 1982; 28:2373-7. [PMID: 6183027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
We measured serum prostatic acid phosphatase in ostensibly normal controls and a selected patient population, using both a modified radioimmunoassay and an enzymic method with thymolphthalein monophosphate as substrate. The upper limit of normal for the radioimmunoassay was 2.2 micrograms/L; its sensitivity and specificity for prostatic cancer were 71 and 95%, respectively, vs 51 and 99% for the enzymic method. For both methods the correlation between clinical staging and values for acid phosphatase was poor. Our data suggest that adjunctive use of the radioimmunoassay may help further discriminate those patients requiring needle biopsy.
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Abstract
Systemic mast cells disease (SMCD) is an uncommon disorder that constitutes approximately 10% of all mastocytoses. Diagnosis requires a substantial degree of clinical suspicion, which may not be present if characteristic skin lesions of urticaria pigmentosa are not observed. Lack of well-defined histopathologic features for the disease have delayed or prevented the diagnosis of SMCD. An initial diagnosis of "myeloproliferative disorder," chronic granulocytic leukemia, or myelofibrosis is frequently made. Study of the clinical and pathologic features of 26 cases of SMCD indicated that affected patients are generally middle aged and may have had urticaria pigmentosa for many years. Gastrointestinal symptoms are common, and splenomegaly and hepatomegaly along with radiographic evidence of generalized bone disease are usually noted. Hematologic factors are highly variable. Characteristic histopathologic features of SMCD are described for bone marrow, lymph nodes, liver, and spleen. The authors consider tissue fixation and staining methods to help identify mast cell lesions.
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Abstract
We studied the gross and microscopic pathology of the adrenal gland in 69 cases of sporadic phenochromocytoma in order to develop a profile of the neoplasm to compare with that of pheochromocytoma observed in the syndrome of multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 2 (MEN 2). The results showed that sporadic pheochromocytoma was a unicentric (93%), unilateral (100%) neoplasm, which was associated with normal extratumoral adrenal medulla (100%). The findings contrast with those encountered in the adrenal gland in MEN 2, in which the tumor involvement is frequently multicentric, usually bilateral, and associated with extratumoral medullary hyperplasia in cases of early involvement. Therefore, the interpretation of the results of pathologic examination of a pheochromocytoma should be immediately communicated to the surgeon.
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Abstract
The mean numbers of colony-forming units of molds present on vegetables at the time of harvest were in the range of 4.2 X 10(3) to 6.7 X 10(3)/g for all vegetables except cucurbits and asparagus. The numbers were not influenced by cultivars within species, duration of the growing season, distant separation of the growing fields, or elevation above ground. Numbers increased with rainfall during either of 3 days before harvest and decreased when the mean daily temperature exceeded 24 degrees C. The most frequently isolated fungi were Aureobasidium pullulans, Fusarium species, Alternaria tenuis, Epicoccum nigrum, Mucor species, Chaetomium fimeti, Rhizopus nigricans, and Phoma species, in decreasing order. All other molds comprised less than 2% of the isolates. Aspergilli and penicillia occurred sporadically and in low numbers. Fusarium species were dominant on cucurbits.
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