tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Preliminary validation of nCounter PanCancer immune profiling of FFPE slides and pbmc in CITN-05, a CITN study of the immunological effects of an IDO1 inhibitor in patients with ovarian carcinoma
Authors: Lucas Dennis, Steven P Fling, Joseph M Beechem, Patrick Danaher, Leonard D'Amico, Mary Disis, Nathan Elliott, Melissa Geller, Celine Jacquemont, Steven Kussick, Richard Shine, Kunle Odunsi
Journal: Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (2015)

Meeting abstracts The Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (CITN) is conducting a pilot study in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal carcinoma to determine the extent to which a regimen of an IDO1 inhibitor that normalizes Kyn/Trp ratios might be
Platypnoea syndrome caused by atrial septal aneurysm
Authors: E Frans, C Timmermans, MC Herregods, H De Geest, W Daenen, M Delanote, M Decramer
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1994)

A patient with platypnoea after right pneumonectomy and radiotherapy is described. On transoesophageal contrast echocardiography and cardiac catheterization, an atrial septal aneurysm with interatrial right-to-left shunting was detected. Symptoms disappeared after surgical correction. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with a septal aneurysm and severe platypnoea.
Abstract 19063: Risk Stratification for Life-threatening Ventricular Arrhythmias in Lamin A/C Mutation Carriers, Results of an European Registry.
Authors: Ingrid A van Rijsingen, Eloisa Arbustini, Perry M Elliott, Jens Mogensen, Johanna F Hermans-van Ast, Anneke J van der Kooi, J. Peter van Tintelen, Maarten P van den Berg, Andrea Pilotto, Michele Pasotti, Uzma Aslam, Arthur A Wilde, Andreas Perrot, Sabine Pankuweit, Koos Zwinderman, Philippe Charron, Yigal M Pinto
Journal: Circulation (2010)
The Adequacy of Cervical Spine Radiographs in the Accident and Emergency Department
Authors: C Moulton, P D Griffiths
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1993)

One hundred and twenty radiographs of the cervical spine were performed at the request of the Accident and Emergency (A & E) department over a 6 week period. These consecutive films were reviewed for adequacy of anatomical demonstration of the complete cervical spine. The initial series of three films presented to the A& E staff achieved this objective in only 55% of cases overall, although further radiographic examinations requested before the patient left the department raised this figure to 75% for the lateral view and to 70% for the combined anteroposterior (AP) views. From the data it can be predicted that if every patient whose first 3 films were inadequate had received further investigation, the cervical spine would have been well visualized on approximately 90% of radiographs in each plane. The availability of radiologists for advice and their involvement with senior A & E staff in teaching are important factors in improving this situation.
Costs of seeking ethics approval before and after the introduction of multicentre research ethics committees
Authors: N R Dunn, A Arscott, R D Mann
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (2000)

With the advent of multicentre research ethics committees in the UK, local research ethics committees (LRECs) are required to advise only on issues relating to the local acceptability of a project. We looked at the handling of two commercially sponsored studies, one initiated before the change and one after, confining the analysis to 21 LRECs approached in both. As judged by the amount of paper per application, the new system for LRECs is simpler and should be less costly. However, there was an increasing tendency for LRECs to charge for their services (30% study 1, 47% study 2) and these charges varied by more than 400%. If such fees must be levied, a common scale is desirable.
γδ T cells take on CMV
Authors: Heather L. Van Epps
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (2005)

Latent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection can reactivate in patients undergoing immunosuppression after organ transplant. But γδ T cells escape immunosuppression and are free to take control of the infection, suggest Halary and colleagues on page 1567. These CMV-reactive γδ T cells also recognized intestinal epithelial tumor cell lines, suggesting that CMV-infected cells and tumor cells may share a common, as yet undefined, γδ T cell antigen.






Figure 

A CMV-specific γδ T cell clone (4-29) produces TNF in response to tumor epithelial cell lines, but not normal epithelial cell lines.




γδ T cells are a heterogeneous population of T cells that express a restricted T cell receptor repertoire and, unlike conventional αβ T cells, can be activated in a major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-independent fashion by self-antigens. Most subsets of γδ T cells reside in epithelial tissues such as the skin and intestine. Studies in mice have suggested that these cells are required for the control of various viral and bacterial infections, but precise roles for γδ T cells in humans have been difficult to establish.

In previous work, this group noted that a subset of γδ T cells expanded in kidney transplant patients, but only in those with active CMV infections. They now find that γδ T cell lines derived from transplant patients are indeed CMV-specific, as they could kill CMV-infected cells but not cells infected with other related viruses.

In an interesting twist, many of the CMV-reactive γδ T cell lines also recognized epithelial tumor cell lines. Although the identity of the potentially shared ligand remains under investigation, the authors suspect a local stress-induced self-antigen, as CMV replication often occurs preferentially in epithelial cells.

The authors suggest that γδ T cells may be uniquely able to respond to CMV. The virus-specific αβ T cells, which are abundant during primary infections in otherwise healthy individuals, will be crippled by posttransplant immunosuppression. But γδ T cells are not immunosuppressed, and can still attack CMV-infected cells.
Analysis of exhaled breath with electronic nose and diagnosis of lung cancer by support vector machine
Authors: Maris Bukovskis, Gunta Strazda, Normunds Jurka, Uldis Kopeika, Ainis Pirtnieks, Liga Balode, Jevgenija Aprinceva, Inara Kantane, Immanuels Taivans
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background  Exhaled breath of lung cancer patients contains unique pattern of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can be distinguished by analysis with electronic nose.  Objective  We hypothesized that electronic nose can discriminate exhaled air of patients with lung cancer from healthy controls and other lung diseases.  Methods  Exhaled breath of morphologically verified lung cancer patients (cancer group) and mixed group of patients with COPD, asthma, pneumonia, bronchiectasis and healthy volunteers (no cancer group) was examined. Subjects inspired VOC-filtered air by tidal breathing for 5 minutes, and a single expiratory vital capacity was collected that was sampled by electronic nose (Cyranose 320) within 5 minutes. Smellprints were analyzed by support vector machine. Age, smoking history (pack years) and ambient temperature °C were included as continuous predictors of the diagnosis. Patients were devided into 75% training and 25% test group. Cross-validation, class accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the method was calculated in the test group.  Results  166 patients with lung cancer, 91 patient with other lung diseases and 79 healthy volunteers were recruited. In the test group for lung cancer cross-validation accuracy was 72.8%, class accuracy 79.1%, sensitivity 88.9%, specificity 66.7%, PPV 75.5% and NPV 83.9%.  Conclusions  Exhaled breath analysis by electronic nose using support vector pattern recognition method is able to discriminate lung cancer from healthy subjects and patients with different lung diseases.  Acknowledgements  Study was sponsored by ERAF activity 2.1.1.1.0 Project Nb. 2010/0303/2DP/2.1.1.1.0/10/APIA/VIAA/043/
Abstract 4700: Changes in Left Ventricular Myocardial Strain after Aortic Valve Replacement: Comprehensive 2-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Strain Imaging Assessment
Authors: Victoria Delgado, Laurens F Tops, Rutger J van Bommel, Frank van der Kley, Robert J Klautz, Eduard R Holman, Ernst E van der Wall, Martin J Schalij, Jeroen J Bax
Journal: Circulation (2008)

Background: In patients with severe aortic stenosis and preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF), the presence of subtle left ventricular (LV) dysfunction may be misdiagnosed by the standard methods. Two-dimensional speckle tracking strain imaging enables multidirectional assessment of LV myocardial strain. Objectives: To evaluate the presence of subtle LV dysfunction in patients with severe aortic stenosis by using 2-dimensional speckle tracking imaging and the recovery of myocardial function after aortic valve replacement (AVR). Methods: Changes in radial, circumferential and longitudinal strain/strain rate of the LV were evaluated by using 2-dimensional speckle tracking imaging in 100 severe aortic stenosis patients after AVR. Radial and circumferential strain/strain rate were assessed at mid ventricular short axis level of the LV. Longitudinal strain/strain rate were evaluated at the conventional 2-, 4-chambers and long-axis apical views of the LV. These LV functional parameters were compared to conventional LVEF. Results: After AVR (median follow-up 5.3 months), the aortic valve area significantly increased (from 0.8 ± 0.2 cm 2 to 1.6 ± 0.5 cm 2 , p&lt;0.001) together with a significant decrease in the maximal transaortic pressure gradient (from 72 ± 21 mmHg to 22 ± 9 mmHg, p&lt;0.001). In addition, a significant regression of LV mass index was observed (from 154 ± 48 g/m 2 to 132 ± 44 g/m 2 , p&lt;0.001). The LVEF remained unchanged at follow-up whereas a significant improvement of LV longitudinal and circumferential shortening was observed (Table ). Conclusions: In severe aortic stenosis patients, impaired LV longitudinal and circumferential shortening exist although preserved LVEF. After AVR, myocardial strain improves significantly in these two directions. Two-dimensional speckle tracking strain imaging enables an early detection of these subtle changes in LV performance. Changes in LV mechanics after AVR
The prescribing patterns for asthma in general practice setting: Adherence to GINA guidelines
Authors: Giuseppe Sarno, Sandra Baldacci, Sara Maio, Anna Angino, Franca Martini, Sonia Cerrai, Marzia Simoni, Patrizia Silvi, Marco Borbotti, Anna Paola Pala, Megon Bresciani, Giovanni Viegi
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background: General practitioners (GPs) are the first healthcare professionals whom asthma patients refer to for their symptoms. Aim : to assess drug prescription for asthma by GPs and to evaluate prescriptive adherence to GINA guidelines (GL). Methods: 107 GPs throughout Italy provided data on 995 asthmatic patients (45% males, mean age 43.3 ± 17.7 yrs). Results: 48.5% of patients had intermittent (48.5%) or mild persistent asthma (25.3%); 61% had co-morbid allergic rhinitis (AR). More frequently, prescribed medicines were a combination of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) plus long-acting β2-agonists (LABA) (55%), and short-acting β2-agonists (SABA) as mono-therapy or in combination with ICS (40%). In general, prescriptive appropriateness was higher for patients with only asthma (25%) than for those with asthma+AR (16%). Regardless of concomitant rhinitis, the lowest adherence to GL was found in the mild persistent asthma category (11%), whilst the highest was in the severe persistent group (56.3%). Conclusion: In general, we found low adherence of GPs to GINA GL recommendations, with a trend to over-treatment of intermittent asthma; conversely, more appropriate therapeutic regimens were applied for severe asthma.
Diagnostic delay of pulmonary embolism in primary and secondary care: A retrospective study
Authors: Stefan Walen, Roger Damoiseaux, Steven Uil, Jan Willem van den Berg
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Objective 

To document and quantify the various stages of diagnostic delay of pulmonary embolism and to identify clinical factors associated with this delay.

Design 

A retrospective cohort study, conducted in Zwolle and surroundings, the Netherlands.

Participants 

391 patients diagnosed with pulmonary embolism between 2008 and 2009 in the Isala klinieken, Zwolle, the Netherlands. 261 patients were included for analysis.

Main outcome measures 

The diagnostic delay in days, subdivided in patient delay, delay in primary care, delay in secondary care, and total diagnostic delay. Secondary endpoints were the association between clinical variables and diagnostic delay expressed as odds ratio's.

Results 

The 261 patients enrolled had an average delay of 8.6 days from symptom onset to diagnosis.

Patient delay (4.2 days average) and delay in primary care (3.9 days) were the major.

contributors to this delay. In secondary care there was a diagnostic delay of 0.5 days.

Chest pain and symptoms of deep venous thrombosis were associated with an early diagnosis.

Patient delay was shorter in patients with chest pain and longer in patients with dyspnea. In primary care, chest pain and rales were associated with an early referral, whereas co-morbidity led to a delayed referral. In secondary care dyspnea was the only parameter significantly associated with delay, leading to an earlier diagnosis.

Conclusion and recommendations 

This study showed that the diagnostic delay of pulmonary embolism in daily practice is substantial, especially patient delay and delay in primary care. There is room to reduce this delay by increasing patient awareness and by developing practical diagnostic algorithms for primary care.
Late-breaking abstract: Relationship with hemoglobin A1c and exacerbations of COPD. A preliminary study
Authors: Haruka Aoki, Takeshi Hisada, Hiroaki Tsurumaki, Reiko Yoshino, Hidemasa Kuwabara, Tamotsu Ishizuka, Kunio Dobashi, Masatomo Mori
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background and objective:  Hyperglycaemia during hospital admission is associated with poor outcomes in patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction, stroke and pneumonia. Systemic inflammation may represent a possible cause of glycometabolic disorder. We studied that assocition Hemoglobin A1c with an increased risk of acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD).   Methods:  Patients with COPD were prospectively enrolled and followed between 2010 and 2011. Medical records, HbA1c, fasting glucose and metabolic markers were assessed in 29 patients.   Results:  A total of 29 patients (mean age of 78.2 years) were recruited, 11 with AECOPD and 18 without. Clinical data were collected from the patients. HbA1c levels of AECOPD patients were significantly higher on entry point compared with other patients (5.783±0.2638; 4.983±0.1778, respectively p=0.0361). Moreover, there was a trend for increased length of stay and frequency of admissions in patients with higher levels of HbA1c. (4.5% 6%, 15days (0.9/year (y)); 26days (1/y); 23days (1.3/y); 30days (2.3/y), respectively)   Conclusion:  Previous study revealed that comorbid diabetes prolongs length of stay and increases risk of death in patients with AECOPD. However, less evidence exists for relationship of HbA1c with AECOPD. For the first time our study demonstrates that HbA1c is a prognostic factor associated with AECOPD. Taken together with a previous study that revealed a similar trend, our study suggests that further studies are now required to elucidate the reasons for these poorer outcomes, in particular whether premorbid glycaemic control or inpatient control is responsible, as these are potentially modifiable factors.
Panton–Valentine leukocidin is expressed at toxic levels in human skin abscesses
Authors: C. Badiou, O. Dumitrescu, M. Croze, Y. Gillet, B. Dohin, D.H. Slayman, B. Allaouchiche, J. Etienne, F. Vandenesch, G. Lina
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2008)
Side-by-side comparison of photodynamic therapy and pulsed-dye laser treatment of port-wine stain birthmarks
Authors: K. Gao, Z. Huang, K.-H. Yuan, B. Zhang, Z.-Q. Hu
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2012)

Background Pulsed-dye laser (PDL)-mediated photothermolysis is the current standard treatment for port-wine stain (PWS) birthmarks. Vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT) might be an alternative for the treatment of PWS. Objectives To compare clinical outcomes of PDT and PDL treatment of PWS. Methods Two adjacent flat areas of PWS lesions were selected from each of 15 patients (two male and 13 female; age 11–36 years) and randomly assigned to either single-session PDL or PDT. PDL was delivered using a 585-nm pulsed laser. PDT was carried out with a combination of haematoporphyrin monomethyl ether (HMME) and a low-power copper vapour laser (510·6 and 578·2 nm). Clinical outcomes were evaluated colorimetrically and visually during follow-up. Results A total of nine red PWS lesions and six purple PWS lesions were treated. For red PWS, colorimetric assessment showed that the blanching rates of PDL and PDT at 2 months ranged from −11% to 24% and 22% to 55%, respectively. For purple PWS, blanching rates of PDL and PDT ranged from 8% to 33% and 30% to 45%, respectively. Overall, there was a significant difference between the blanching effect of single-session PDL treatment and a single-session PDT treatment. Conclusions This side-by-side comparison demonstrates that PDT is at least as effective as PDL and, in some cases, superior. The true value of PDT for the treatment of PWS deserves further investigation.
Dampness, mould and endotoxin in primary schools and lung function in children: The international HITEA study
Authors: José Jacobs, Alicia Borras-Santos, Jan-Paul Zock, Esmeralda Krop, Bernadette Aalders, Juha Pekkanen, Martin Taubel, Anne Hyvarinen, Dick Heederik
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Respiratory health effects in relation to moisture in homes are well recognised, but little is known on effects of dampness in school environments. We have previously reported a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms in pupils from moisture damaged schools. Here we aim to study associations between dampness and visible mould in school buildings, endotoxin exposure and lung function in children.

We included 15 Spanish, Dutch and Finnish primary schools with and 10 without moisture, dampness and visible mould based on reports and inspections. Endotoxin in settled dust was measured in 237 classrooms. Acceptable forced spirometry tests were done in 2736 children aged 6-12 years. Associations between moisture, log-transformed endotoxin levels and lung function were assessed by multiple linear regression adjusted for gender, age, height, home moisture, ETS, parental education, technician, school and (for endotoxin analyses) school moisture status.

In the Netherlands and Finland, FEV1 and FEF25-75% tended to be higher in children attending damaged schools or classrooms with higher endotoxin levels. FEV1 was 39 (95%CI 5-72) ml higher in Dutch children attending damaged schools and in Finland FEV1 significantly increased with increasing endotoxin exposure. In Spain, FEF25-75% tended to be somewhat lower, but not statistically significant, in relation to school moisture status and increased endotoxin levels.

Our findings do not provide consistent evidence for adverse effects of moisture damage in the school environment on lung function in children. Heterogeneity across different geographical areas may be related to climate, ventilation characteristics and type of school building.
Respiratory Intensive Care
Journal: Thorax (1988)

Book notices ing the tumour to be composed predominantly of cartilage but with epithelial structures, fat, and fibromuscular tissues.Eight years later a repeat chest radiograph showed an opacity in a similar position and at subsequent exploration a further nodule was removed from the area of scar tissue at the site of previous surgery.This again was confirmed histologically as being a chondromatous hamartoma.The appearance of an opacity at the site of a previous hamartoma should not, however, be assumed to be a recurrence as there must be a possibility of scar carcinoma.
Report on Pilot Study of Treatment of Breast Cancer by Quadrantic Excision with Axillary Dissection and no Other Therapy<sup>1</sup>
Authors: W P Greening, A C V Montgomery, N F C Gowing
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1978)

This paper is a report on a pilot study designed to test the hypothesis that with a negative node status minimal surgery and conservation of the breast is indicated. The preliminary figures giving the recurrence rate and survival time tentatively suggest that this is true.
miRNA-145 & SMAD3 expression in patients with COPD
Authors: Lawrence O'Leary, B. Tildy, I. Papazoglou, Ian Adcock, Fan Chung, Mark Perry
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Rationale   In COPD there is an increase in airway smooth muscle (ASM) mass. ASM cells may contribute to airway inflammation and remodelling through the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and increased proliferation. We have previously demonstrated that ASM cells in COPD are of a hyperproliferative state and release greater amounts of IL-6 & CXCL8. microRNAs (miRNAs) have recently emerged as important regulatory molecules in COPD, and we have previously demonstrated the role of these in controlling ASM cell proliferation in asthma. We hypothesis that miRNAs are important in controlling the aberrant phenotype observed in ASM cells from patients with COPD.   Methods   Human primary ASM cells were grown from individuals classified as being healthy, smokers, or those with COPD ( n  = 9). Cells were stimulated with TGF-β, and the expression of miRNA & mRNA levels were measured by RT-PCR. Computational prediction algorithms were used to identify targets of miR-145, and said miRNA was knocked-down and over-expressed using mimics and inhibitors, respectively.   Results   miR-145 was significantly up-regulated in ASM cells from patients with COPD compared against healthy subjects and smokers. Conversely, SMAD3 (a key mRNA of the TGF-β signalling pathway), was significantly decreased in the same samples.  Inhibiting miR-145 in ASM cells from COPD patients reduced the increased IL-6 & CXCL8 release and returned the levels of SMAD3 back to levels comparable to that of healthy individuals.   Conclusions   This is the first time that miR-145 has been demonstrated to be fundamental in controlling the increased inflammatory state of ASM cells from COPD patients. This miRNA may not only act as a novel biomarker for COPD, but may also be a novel target for treatment.