The 11th edition of Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine welcomes Anthony Fauci to its editorial staff, in addition to more than 85 new contributors. While the organization of the book is similar to previous editions, major emphasis has been placed on disorders that affect multiple organ systems. Important advances in genetics, immunology, and oncology are emphasized. Many chapters of the book have been rewritten and describe major advances in internal medicine. Subjects that received only a paragraph or two of attention in previous editions are now covered in entire chapters. Among the chapters that have been extensively revised are the chapters on infections in the compromised host, on skin rashes in infections, on many of the viral infections, including cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus, on sexually transmitted diseases, on diabetes mellitus, on disorders of bone and mineral metabolism, and on lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. The major revisions in these chapters and many

Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine

https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.0040297&type=printable

Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE): Explanation and elaboration

Efforts to reduce global cancer disparities begin with an understanding of geographic patterns in cancer incidence, mortality, and prevalence. Using the GLOBOCAN (2002) and Cancer Incidence in Five Continents databases, we describe overall cancer incidence, mortality, and prevalence, age-adjusted temporal trends, and age-specific incidence patterns in selected geographic regions of the world. For the eight most common malignancies-cancers of lung, breast, colon and rectum, stomach, prostate, liver, cervix, and esophagus-the most important risk factors, cancer prevention and control measures are briefly reviewed. In 2002, an estimated 11 million new cancer cases and 7 million cancer deaths were reported worldwide; nearly 25 million persons were living with cancer. Among the eight most common cancers, global disparities in cancer incidence, mortality, and prevalence are evident, likely due to complex interactions of nonmodifiable (ie, genetic susceptibility and aging) and modifiable risk factors (ie, tobacco, infectious agents, diet, and physical activity). Indeed, when risk factors among populations are intertwined with differences in individual behaviors, cultural beliefs and practices, socioeconomic conditions, and health care systems, global cancer disparities are inevitable. For the eight most common cancers, priorities for reducing cancer disparities are discussed.

Patterns of Cancer Incidence, Mortality, and Prevalence Across Five Continents: Defining Priorities to Reduce Cancer Disparities in Different Geographic Regions of the World

Much medical research is observational. The reporting of observational studies is often of insufficient quality. Poor reporting hampers the assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of a study and the generalizability of its results. Taking into account empirical evidence and theoretical considerations, a group of methodologists, researchers, and editors developed the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) recommendations to improve the quality of reporting of observational studies. The STROBE Statement consists of a checklist of 22 items, which relate to the title, abstract, introduction, methods, results, and discussion sections of articles. Eighteen items are common to cohort studies, case-control studies, and cross-sectional studies, and 4 are specific to each of the 3 study designs. The STROBE Statement provides guidance to authors about how to improve the reporting of observational studies and facilitates critical appraisal and interpretation of studies by reviewers, journal editors, and readers. This explanatory and elaboration document is intended to enhance the use, understanding, and dissemination of the STROBE Statement. The meaning and rationale for each checklist item are presented. For each item, 1 or several published examples and, where possible, references to relevant empirical studies and methodological literature are provided. Examples of useful flow diagrams are also included. The STROBE Statement, this document, and the associated Web site (www.strobe-statement.org) should be helpful resources to improve reporting of observational research.

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Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE): Explanation and Elaboration

1described the presence of cell-free nucleic acid (cfNA) in human blood for the first time. This attracted little attention in the scientific community and it was not until 1994 that the importance of cfNA was recognized as a result of the detection of mutated RAS gene fragments in the blood of cancer patients 2,3 (TIMELINE). In 1996, microsatellite alterations on cell-free DNA (cfDNA) were shown in cancer patients 4

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Cell-free nucleic acids as biomarkers in cancer patients

In an historical cohort of 21,967 workers ever employed in 13 European factories manufacturing various types of man-made mineral fibres (MMMF), 2.719 deaths occurred (Standardised Mortality Ratio (SMR) = 111) of which 189 were from lung cancer (SMR = 125). No excess mortality from mesothelioma or non-malignant respiratory diseases was found. For the glasswool and rockwool/slagwool production subcohorts the lung cancer SMRs rose with time since first exposure, exceeding 170 for the period of 30 or more years. Adjustment for regional variations in mortality substantially reduced the excess in the glasswool group, but not in the rockwool/slagwool. In neither subgroup was there any relationship of lung cancer mortality with length of employment. The highest lung cancer SMRs were found for workers employed during the early years of rockwool/slagwool production when a batch process was in use involving high fibrous dust exposure and widespread use of slag as a raw material. This group accounted for most of the absolute excess of lung cancer for the rockwool plants.

Mortality among a Cohort of Man-Made Mineral Fibres (MMMF) Production Workers in Seven Countries: Extension of the Follow-Up Until 1982

[Death caused by the heat wave: epidemic that should not be forgotten].

Occupational exposure to chlorophenoxy herbicides and chlorophenols.

[Electromagnetic fields from wireless phones declared «possibly carcinogenic»].

What Is a Soft Tissue Sarcoma? Cancer starts when cells start to grow out of control. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer and can spread to other areas. To learn more about how cancers start and spread, see What Is Cancer?1 There are many types of soft tissue tumors, and not all of them are cancerous. Many benign tumors are found in soft tissues. The word benign means they're not cancer. These tumors can't spread to other parts of the body. Some soft tissue tumors behave

Rodolfo Saracci

Papers

Mortality among a Cohort of Man-Made Mineral Fibres (MMMF) Production Workers in Seven Countries: Extension of the Follow-Up Until 1982

[Death caused by the heat wave: epidemic that should not be forgotten].

Occupational exposure to chlorophenoxy herbicides and chlorophenols.

[Electromagnetic fields from wireless phones declared «possibly carcinogenic»].

Soft-tissue sarcoma.