Mayo Clinic

About: Mayo Clinic is a healthcare organization based out in Rochester, Minnesota, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Transplantation. The organization has 63387 authors who have published 169578 publications receiving 8114006 citations.

Targeting apoptosis pathways in cancer therapy.

Abstract: Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a mechanism by which cells undergo death to control cell proliferation or in response to DNA damage. The understanding of apoptosis has provided the basis for novel targeted therapies that can induce death in cancer cells or sensitize them to established cytotoxic agents and radiation therapy. These novel agents include those targeting the extrinsic pathway such as tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 1, and those targeting the intrinsic Bcl-2 family pathway such as antisense bcl-2 oligonucleotides. Many pathways and proteins control the apoptosis machinery. Examples include p53, the nuclear factor kappa B, the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase pathway, and the ubiquitin/proteosome pathway. These can be targeted by specific modulators such as bortezomib, and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors such as CCI-779 and RAD 001. Because these pathways may be preferentially altered in tumor cells, there is potential for a selective effect in tumors sparing normal tissue. This article reviews the current understanding of the apoptotic pathways, including the extrinsic (cytoplasmic) and intrinsic (mitochondrial) pathways, and the agents being developed to target these pathways.

Trends in the incidence of venous thromboembolism during pregnancy or postpartum: a 30-year population-based study.

Abstract: The incidence of venous thromboembolism during pregnancy has remained constant in the past 30 years. While the incidence of pulmonary embolism has been much higher in the postpartum period, it has ...

Association of perceived medical errors with resident distress and empathy: a prospective longitudinal study.

Abstract: ContextMedical errors are associated with feelings of distress in physicians, but little is known about the magnitude and direction of these associations.ObjectiveTo assess the frequency of self-perceived medical errors among resident physicians and to determine the association of self-perceived medical errors with resident quality of life, burnout, depression, and empathy using validated metrics.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsProspective longitudinal cohort study of categorical and preliminary internal medicine residents at Mayo Clinic Rochester. Data were provided by 184 (84%) of 219 eligible residents. Participants began training in the 2003-2004, 2004-2005, and 2005-2006 academic years and completed surveys quarterly through May 2006. Surveys included self-assessment of medical errors and linear analog scale assessment of quality of life every 3 months, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and personal accomplishment), Interpersonal Reactivity Index, and a validated depression screening tool every 6 months.Main Outcome MeasuresFrequency of self-perceived medical errors was recorded. Associations of an error with quality of life, burnout, empathy, and symptoms of depression were determined using generalized estimating equations for repeated measures.ResultsThirty-four percent of participants reported making at least 1 major medical error during the study period. Making a medical error in the previous 3 months was reported by a mean of 14.7% of participants at each quarter. Self-perceived medical errors were associated with a subsequent decrease in quality of life (P = .02) and worsened measures in all domains of burnout (P = .002 for each). Self-perceived errors were associated with an odds ratio of screening positive for depression at the subsequent time point of 3.29 (95% confidence interval, 1.90-5.64). In addition, increased burnout in all domains and reduced empathy were associated with increased odds of self-perceived error in the following 3 months (P=.001, P<.001, and P=.02 for depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and lower personal accomplishment, respectively; P=.02 and P=.01 for emotive and cognitive empathy, respectively).ConclusionsSelf-perceived medical errors are common among internal medicine residents and are associated with substantial subsequent personal distress. Personal distress and decreased empathy are also associated with increased odds of future self-perceived errors, suggesting that perceived errors and distress may be related in a reciprocal cycle.

Lenalidomide plus Dexamethasone for Relapsed Multiple Myeloma in North America

Abstract: Background Lenalidomide, an oral immunomodulatory drug that is similar to thalidomide but has a different safety profile, has clinical activity in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Methods Patients in the United States and Canada who had received at least one previous therapy for multiple myeloma but who required additional treatment were randomly assigned to receive either 25 mg of lenalidomide or placebo on days 1 to 21 of a 28-day cycle. Both groups also received 40 mg of oral dexamethasone on days 1 to 4, 9 to 12, and 17 to 20 for the first four cycles. After the fourth cycle, 40 mg of dexamethasone was administered only on days 1 to 4. Safety, clinical response, time to progression, and overall survival were assessed. Results We assigned 177 patients to the lenalidomide group and 176 to the placebo group. Complete, near-complete, or partial responses occurred in 108 patients (61.0%) in the lenalidomide group and in 35 patients (19.9%) in the placebo group (P<0.001); complete responses occurred...