Yokota, K., Miyazaki, T., Hirano, M., Akiyama, Y. & Mimura, T. Simvastatin inhibits production of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-8 and cell proliferation induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha in fibroblast-like synoviocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol. 33, 463–471 (2006).

Although chronic cough usually is not catching, the frustration it causes to patients can be! Despite this, much can be achieved by taking a focused history, performing selective … [more]

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© Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. Introduction Sputum colour is associated with neutrophilic inflammation in chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Neutrophilia and sputum expectoration is notable in asthma, but whether sputum colour is associated with and predicts the presence of neutrophilic inflammation in asthma is unknown. The objective of the study is to assess the ability of sputum colour in distinguishing asthma inflammatory phenotypes. Methods Induced sputum samples collected from 271 adults with stable asthma were retrospectively assessed. Sputum colour was determined using the BronkoTest sputum colour chart and correlated to differential cell counts and CXCL-8 concentration. Neutrophilic inflammation was defined as an age-corrected sputum neutrophil proportion (=61.6% for age 20¿40 years; =63.2% for age 40¿60 and =67.2% for age >60 years), whereas neutrophilic bronchitis (NB) was defined as high total cell count (=5.1×106 cells/mL) plus an increased age-corrected neutrophil proportion. The optimal cut-off for sputum colour to predict neutrophilic inflammation and NB was determined using receiver operator characteristic curve analysis. Results A sputum colour score of =3 represented and predicted neutrophilic inflammation with modest accuracy (area under the curve (AUC)=0.64; p<0.001, specificity=78.4%, sensitivity=49.2%). Participants with a sputum colour score of =3 had significantly (p<0.05) higher CXCL-8, total cells and neutrophil number and proportion. Sputum colour score was also positively correlated with these factors. Sputum colour score =3 predicted NB with reasonably good accuracy (AUC=0.79, p<0.001, specificity=79.3%, sensitivity=70.7%). Conclusions Visual gradation of sputum colour in asthma relates to high total cell count and neutrophilic inflammation. Assessment of sputum colour can identify adults with asthma who are likely to have NB without the need for sputum processing and differential cell count, which may facilitate asthma management.

Steinbakk, M. et al. Antimicrobial actions of calcium binding leucocyte L1 protein, calprotectin. Lancet 336, 763–765 (1990).

I am speaking about the anecdotes I’ve been made aware of. But there is certainly data to corroborate the fact that many men experience serious harm from prostate cancer treatment. And as to the value of being told one is “cancer-free,” I think this is deceptively complicated. Most men with prostate cancer would never even know that they had cancer — and would be none the worse off — if they hadn’t been PSA tested in the first place. So how do you value the “relief” of no longer having a cancer that in most cases wouldn’t have done you any harm and you wouldn’t even have known about? That’s why I think discussions about the test need to happen before one is tested. Some men may look at the numbers and decide testing makes sense, others definitely will not. As for bean-counters, there are plenty of those at urology practices and hospitals who understand that PSA is a money-maker. You may find this Men’s Health article enlightening on that front: http://www.menshealth.com/health/prostate-cancer-testing.

What is the bottom line for the patient? Lots of expert commentary might be enlightening for some, but aggravating for others. At the end of the day a news story should lay out in clear terms the benefits for men who undergo PSA testing, as well as the not inconsequential trade-offs. This infographic produced by the US Preventative Services Task Force lays out the benefits and risks in simple terms.

Yang, H. et al. Diagnostic value of stool DNA testing for multiple markers of colorectal cancer and advanced adenoma: a meta-analysis. Can. J. Gastroenterol. 27, 467–475 (2013).

Avigail was a woman who thought she was a loner But she knew it wouldn’t last Avigail left her home in Eretz Yisrael For some Scottish grass Get back, get back Get back to where you once belonged Get back, get back Get back to where you once belonged Get back Avigail, go home

Blood was withdrawn from the rats after 24 h of reperfusion and the sample was immediately centrifuged (1409 g × 10 min). Serum levels of creatine kinase (CK) and the MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB) were analyzed using an automatic biochemistry analyzer (Automatic Clinical Chemistry Analyser, BPC Biosed, Rome, Italy).

Funny too that author uses the colonialist construct of ‘psychotherapy’ to boil all of these poor colonized people’s down to their being “raped” .(Wouldn’t be surprised if most of these colonized people thought it was more psychobabble then helpful. that’s a white persons brain, neurotic and fearful) Victimhood 101. How can anybody beat the Jews when the deck is so stacked? And besides, many Palestinians have made it very clear that they are willing to die if it would bring the Jews closer to being ousted from all the land from river to sea. Bravery, they don’t lack.*

In the P20 Pro, Huawei has arguably produced the best phone of 2018. It looks great, lasts an age per charge, the camera is a top-ranking effort, and there’s all the performance you could need. If you want a larger phone then, sure, there’s the Mate 20 Pro, but the P20 Pro still stands strong.