The New England journal of medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
High-dose intravenous immune globulin for stiff-person syndrome.
Stiff-person syndrome is a disabling central nervous system disorder with no satisfactory treatment that is characterized by muscle rigidity, episodic muscle spasms, high titers of antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65), and a frequent association with autoimmune disorders. Because stiff-person syndrome is most likely immune-mediated, we evaluated the efficacy of intravenous immune globulin. ⋯ Intravenous immune globulin is a well-tolerated and effective, albeit costly, therapy for patients with stiff-person syndrome and anti-GAD65 antibodies.
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It is probable but unproven that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has a role in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. We determined whether antibodies against EBV are present before the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. ⋯ IgA antibodies against EBV capsid antigen and neutralizing antibodies against EBV DNase are predictive of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Cyclooxygenase inhibitors and the antiplatelet effects of aspirin.
Patients with arthritis and vascular disease may receive both low-dose aspirin and other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. We therefore investigated potential interactions between aspirin and commonly prescribed arthritis therapies ⋯ The concomitant administration of ibuprofen but not rofecoxib, acetaminophen, or diclofenac antagonizes the irreversible platelet inhibition induced by aspirin. Treatment with ibuprofen in patients with increased cardiovascular risk may limit the cardioprotective effects of aspirin.