tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Cluster of invasive Neisseria meningitidis infections on a cruise ship, Italy, October 2012
Authors: P Stefanelli, C Fazio, A Neri, P Isola, S Sani, P Marelli, C Martinelli, P Mastrantonio, M G Pompa
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2012)

We describe a cluster of four cases of invasive meningococcal disease that occurred on a cruise ship sailing along the Italian coast in October 2012. All four cases were hospitalised with severe illness and one of them died. This report illustrates the importance of rapid implementation of emergency control measures such as administration of prophylaxis to all crew members and passengers to prevent the spread of the disease in such a close environment.
Brief Report: Does Medication Use or Disease Activity During Pregnancy in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Affect Bone Density in Their Prepubertal Offspring?
Authors: Florentien D. O. de Steenwinkel, Anita C. S. Hokken‐Koelega, Johanna M. W. Hazes, Radboud J. E. M. Dolhain
Journal: Arthritis & Rheumatology (2013)

Prednisone use and active disease are associated with reduced bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Either or both of these factors may be inevitable during pregnancy in women with RA, but it is unknown whether they variables influence the BMD of the offspring. This study was undertaken to investigate whether medication use or disease activity during pregnancy in RA patients influences the BMD of their prepubertal offspring.Mothers (n = 255) participated in a prospective cohort study of RA and pregnancy, and 108 children of these mothers (ages 5-10 years) were included in this followup study. Information on features known to influence BMD in children, i.e., calcium intake, physical activity, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level, sex, height, and weight, was collected. In addition, pre- and postnatal variables known to influence BMD, i.e., gestational age, maternal smoking, birth weight, postnatal rate of growth, and type of feeding, were recorded. Independent variables were prednisone use, sulfasalazine use, and RA disease activity during pregnancy.We found no association of BMD in the children with either prednisone use or RA disease activity during pregnancy, even after correcting for all known associated variables. Sulfasalazine use during pregnancy had a positive effect on the total-body BMD of the offspring (difference in standard deviation score 0.53, P = 0.005).Our findings indicate that neither medication use nor high RA disease activity during pregnancy is associated with decreased BMD in offspring at age ∼7 years. The maternal benefit of medication use for RA during pregnancy outweighs the effect on BMD in the offspring.
Parasite Calcineurin Regulates Host Cell Recognition and Attachment by Apicomplexans
Authors: Aditya S. Paul, Sudeshna Saha, Klemens Engelberg, Rays H.Y. Jiang, Bradley I. Coleman, Aziz L. Kosber, Chun-Ti Chen, Markus Ganter, Nicole Espy, Tim W. Gilberger, Marc-Jan Gubbels, Manoj T. Duraisingh
Journal: Cell Host & Microbe (2015)
Nicotine dependence and changes in smoking status among smokers - report from the obstructive lung disease in Northern Sweden COPD study
Authors: Britt-Marie Eklund, Linnea Hedman, Elisabeth Öberg, Berne Eriksson, Caroline Stridsman, Eva Rönmark, Anne Lindberg
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background: Smoking is strongly related to respiratory health but population based data on nicotine dependence and smoking cessation are scarce.  Aim: To evaluate nicotine dependence and motivation to smoking cessation among smokers in relation to changes in smoking habits in a longitudinal population based study.  Methods: The OLIN COPD study include 993 subjects with FEV 1 /FVC   Results: In 2005 there were 366 smokers; (266 COPD, 100 non-COPD). In the follow-up in 2008, continuous smokers tended to be more common in COPD, 71% (147/208) compared to in non-COPD 60% (47/78). The FTND score 2005 in relation to smoking status in 2008 was 4.06 in continuous smokers, 3.67 in re-starters and 2.85 in ex-smokers (higher score means higher nicotine dependence) while HIS-scores were 2.32, 2.17 and 1.73. The corresponding scores for mtsc were 6.00, 6.43 and 6.62 (higher score means higher motivation).  Conclusion: Among continuous smokers higher nicotine dependence as well as lower motivation to smoking cessation has to be addressed in order to promote smoking cessation in the population.
Phase I trial of zalutumumab and irinotecan in metastatic colorectal cancer patients who have failed irinotecan- and cetuximab-based therapy
Authors: M. Mano, A. Hendlisz, J. Machiels, E. Ehrnrooth, H. Aladdin, J. Van Laethem
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2009)

e15028 Background: Zalutumumab is a novel human IgG1 anti-EGFR mAb. We investigated the safety of zalutumumab and irinotecan in heavily pretreated mCRC patients. Methods: Metastatic CRC patients with documented progression (PD) during or within 6 months of stopping cetuximab and irinotecan based therapy were eligible. No prior treatment with anti-EGFR antibodies other than cetuximab was allowed. Patients received weekly doses of zalutumumab 8mg/kg and 16 mg/kg respectively in combination with irinotecan (180 mg/m 2 ) every second week until PD or unacceptable toxicity. Results: The maximum tolerated dose was not reached and no patients experienced any dose limiting toxicity. At data cut-off (18-Dec-08) 4 patients had died (no cases of death were considered related to zalutumumab), 4 were off study due to PD and 1 was still ongoing ( Table 1 ). In total, 6 patients experienced one or more grade 3/4 toxicities (diarrhea 2; neutropenia 2; leucopenia 1; abdominal pain 1; pulmonary embolism 1; alopecia 1). Conclusions: Zalutumumab can be safely administrated in doses up to 16mg/kg in combination with irinotecan in mCRC patients failing cetuximab and irinotecan based therapy. Zalutumumab and irinotecan resulted in durable stable disease warranting further investigation of this regimen. [Table: see text] [Table: see text]
Pulmonary Manifestations of Primary Sjögren's Syndrome
Authors: Isao Ito, Sonoko Nagai, Masanori Kitaichi, Andrew G. Nicholson, Takeshi Johkoh, Satoshi Noma, Dong Soon Kim, Tomohiro Handa, Takateru Izumi, Michiaki Mishima
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2004)

Clinicopathologic pulmonary manifestations associated with primary Sjogren's syndrome have yet to be reviewed in a large series since the recognition of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) as a distinct histologic pattern.To determine clinical presentations, high-resolution computed tomographic (HRCT) and histologic findings of the lung disease associated with primary Sjogren's syndrome in the light of NSIP, and to analyze prognosis of the disease.On the basis of 33 cases (31 surgical lung biopsies and 2 autopsies) collected consecutively from multiple centers, we have retrospectively evaluated clinical, radiologic, and pathologic manifestations of the disease. Prognostic factors were identified by univariate and multivariate analysis.We found that NSIP was the most frequently seen histologic pattern (20 of 33 cases [61%], 19 fibrosing and 1 cellular). Bronchiolar diseases and amyloid and malignant lymphoma were seen less frequently. HRCT-pathologic correlation resulted in a 94% positive predictive value of CT-NSIP pattern for pathologic diagnosis of NSIP, whereas the diagnostic value of HRCT was low (15%) with an HRCT pattern other than NSIP, data that may influence the decision to biopsy. The 5-year survival rate was 84% overall and 83% in patients with NSIP. Multivariate analysis on all patients showed that low Pa(O(2)) (p = 0.02) and presence of microscopic honeycombing (p = 0.04) were independently associated with survival. Patients with NSIP showed lower vital capacity (mean +/- SD: 68.5 +/- 16.6%pred) than patients without NSIP (92.5 +/- 18.6%pred; p < 0.001).Among a diversity of pulmonary lesions in primary Sjogren's syndrome, NSIP was the commonest histologic pattern and had a favorable prognosis.
Carcinoma in situ of the Urinary Bladder: Review of Clinicopathologic Characteristics with an Emphasis on Aspects Related to Molecular Diagnostic Techniques and Prognosis
Authors: Nalan Nese, Ruta Gupta, Matthew H. T. Bui, Mahul B. Amin
Journal: Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2009)

Carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the urinary bladder is defined as a flat lesion comprising of cytologically malignant cells which may involve either full or partial thickness of the urothelium. De novo CIS constitutes less than 3% of all urothelial neoplasms; however, CIS detected concurrently or secondarily during follow-up of urothelial carcinoma constitutes 45% and 90%, respectively, of bladder cancer. CIS is noted predominantly in male smokers in the sixth or seventh decade. Patients may present with dysuria, nocturia, and urinary frequency and urgency with microscopic hematuria. Cystoscopic findings may range from unremarkable to erythema or edema. Urine cytology is an important diagnostic tool. Cellular anaplasia, loss of polarity, discohesion, nuclear enlargement, hyperchromasia, pleomorphism, and atypical mitoses are the histopathologic hallmarks of CIS. Extensive denud ation of the urothelium, monomorphic appearance of the neoplastic cells, inflammatory atypia, radiation induced nuclear smudging, multinucleation, and pagetoid spread of CIS may cause diagnostic difficulties. Together with clinical and morphologic correlation, immunostaining with CK 20, p53 (full thickness), and CD44 (absence of staining) may help accurately diagnose CIS. Fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis of voided urine for amplification of chromosomes 3, 7, and 17 and deletion of 9p has high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing CIS in surveillance cases. Several other molecular markers, such as NMP 22 and BTA, are under evaluation or used variably in clinical pathology. Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) instillation is considered the preferred treatment, with radical cystectomy being offered to refractory cases. Chemotherapy, α-interferon, and photodynamic therapy are other modalities that can be considered in BCG-refractory cases. Multifocality, involvement of prostatic urethra, and response to BCG remain the most important prognostic factors, although newer molecular markers are being evaluated for this entity. Patient outcome varies based on whether it is de novo development or diagnosed secondary to prior or concomitant papillary bladder cancer. From a clinical perspective, the principal determinants of outcome are extent of disease, involvement of prostatic urethra, response to therapy, and time to recurrence.
Higher incidence of lung cancer in female passive smokers
Authors: Sawang Saenghirunvattana, Chanawat Tesavibul, Rungsima Saenghirunvattana, Cecille Lorraine Castillon, Kritsana Sutthisri
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

INTRODUCTION. Lung cancer is diagnosed more frequently than any other cancer in both men and women, and while smoking remains the predominant cause, recent studies reveal that lung cancer rates among people who have never smoked are higher in women than in men. In industrialized countries, rates reflect smoking behaviors. In Asia, particularly in China, the pattern varies such that lung cancer rates in men reflect high smoking rates but high rates among non-smoking women appear to be related to other factors. The following were identified as potential risk factors: cooking oil vapor, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), occupational hazards such as exposure to toxins and chemicals i.e. asbestos and ambient air pollutants.  OBJECTIVE. The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether passive smoking by females is significantly correlated with lung cancer.  MATERIALS AND METHOD. In 2011, a survey was administered to a sample of lung cancer patients who received treatment at the Bangkok Lung Center for the purpose of ascertaining their exposure to passive smoking.  RESULTS. The responses to the survey yielded a significant correlation between the incidence of lung cancer and exposure to passive smoking.  CONCLUSIONS. Recommendations based on the results of the study include strengthening and increasing public education about the health risks associated with passive smoking, as well as a re-evaluation of current lung cancer screening practices currently accepted by the medical establishment.
Abstract 3055: ACTA2 Mutations Cause Diverse And Diffuse Vascular Diseases, Including Aortic Aneurysms, Premature Coronary Artery Disease And Moyamoya Disease
Authors: Dong-chuan Guo, Hariyadarshi Pannu, Van Tran-Fadulu, Christina Papke, Nili Avidan, Scott Bourgeois, Robert Yu, Anthony Estrera, Hazim Safi, Poyee Tung, L Buja, Steve Scherer, C Raman, Sanjay Shete, Dianna Milewicz
Journal: Circulation (2007)
Maintenance Therapy With Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors After Transplant in Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Merav Bar, Jerald Radich
Journal: Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2013)

Because of their outstanding efficacy and low toxicity, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have replaced allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) as the standard frontline therapy for patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Until a decade ago, HCT was the preferred treatment for CML, with 5-year overall survival rates of approximately 80%, 40%, and 20% for patients in chronic, accelerated, and blast crisis phases, respectively. Relapse after transplant is a problem for patients who undergo transplant in advanced phase disease and those undergoing a T-depleted transplant. Until the introduction of TKIs, therapy for relapsed CML after transplant relied on interferon and/or donor leukocyte infusion (DLI). Although effective in inducing remission, DLI is associated with clinically significant graft-versus-host disease or myelosuppression, with an accompanying treatment-related mortality of 5% to 20%. TKIs have emerged as an attractive alternative therapy for persistent or relapsing CML after HCT. Similar to DLI, the effectiveness of TKI posttransplant is largely determined by the phase of disease at relapse, showing very good response in patients experiencing relapse in the chronic phase, with high rates (>60%) of hematologic and cytogenetic remissions, but less favorable outcomes in patients with advanced disease, with only a minority experiencing durable cytogenetic or molecular remissions. Molecular monitoring of the BCR-ABL chimeric mRNA posttransplant is important for early detection of patients at high risk of relapse.
Public health impact of isoniazid-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains with a mutation at amino-acid position 315 of katG: a decade of experience in The Netherlands
Authors: H.R. van Doorn, P.E.W. de Haas, K. Kremer, C.M.J.E. Vandenbroucke-Grauls, M.W. Borgdorff, D. van Soolingen
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2006)
Cln101 and Ovr110 as novel serum markers for detection of ovarian cancer
Authors: N. W. Kim, I. Simon, X. Duan
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2004)

5033 Background: We have identified, through genomic data mining, mRNA expression profiling, and secretory domain characterization, two novel serum cancer markers, Cln101 and Ovr110. We have measured the levels of Cln101 and Ovr110 in over 2500 serum samples, and compared their sensitivity and specificity in ovarian cancer to CA125. Methods: A sensitive dual monoclonal antibody sandwich ELISA for Cln101 and Ovr110 were developed. The assays were used to test serum sample set that included 555 normal controls, 1023 cancer samples, and 997 samples from various benign diseases. CA125 levels were measured on the same samples using Lumipulse bioanalyzer (FujiRebio, Tokyo, Japan). The sensitivity and specificity of each marker, and combinations of the markers, were analyzed by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves in univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Levels of Cln101 and Ovr110 were elevated in ovarian cancer patients when compared to healthy controls or women with benign ovarian diseases. The two markers had either comparable, or better sensitivity and specificity in detecting ovarian cancer than the traditional tumor marker, CA125. The table below shows Area Under the Curve (AUC) of all markers tested in univariate and multivariate analysis. Conclusions: These findings suggest that Cln101 and Ovr110 are promising serum markers for ovarian cancer that could improve the sensitivity of traditional ovarian cancer serum markers. Additional studies are planned to confirm and expand the current findings. *AUC derived from ROC analyses comparing cancer vs. normal + benigns Author Disclosure Employment or Leadership Consultant or Advisory Stock Ownership Honoraria Research Funding Expert Testimony Other Remuneration diaDexus, Inc. diaDexus, Inc. diaDexus, Inc. diaDexus Inc. diaDexus, Inc. diaDexus, Inc.
Comorbidity and other factors effecting smoking cessetion
Authors: Banu Salepci, Ali Fidan, Ferhan Karatas, Nesrin Kiral, Elif Torun Parmaksiz, Coskun Dogan, Gulsen Sarac
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Objective:  To determine the effect of comorbidity as well as other demographic, pulmonary function test and smoking- related parameters on smoking cessetion.   Methods : Between May-2013 – December-2013, smokers followed at least for one month were included. The demographic data, comorbid diseases, PFTs, smoking history and medication were recorded. The effect of comorbid disease as well as demographics, PFTs, smoking-related parameters on smoking cessetion were analyzed. Chi-square and Mann Whitney –U tests were used in statistical analysis.   Results:  For 206 smokers, median follow up was 3 months and 121(58.7%) were male, 85(41.3%) were female. Mean age was 41.3±12.2 (16-79). Smoking history was 27.6 pack-years while mean Fagerstrom Dependence Score was 6.3. Comorbid disease was existing in 124(60.2%) cases. Physchiatric diseases 43(20.9%) were the leading comorbid disease followed by heart failure and hypertension (6.7% and 8.3% respectively). Of the cases, 74.8% has been discontinued even in the first month of follow-up and 1 month quitting rate (out of 206 patients) was 21.4% while it was 10.2% for 3 months (out of 128 patients). Comorbid diseases showed no statistically significant effect on quitting rates. Considering for 3-months-period, quitters were older (mean age:51.8 vs. 40.4; p=0.003), more heavy smokers ( 40.5 vs. 27.1 pack-years; p=0.006) and with lower FEV1/FVC ratio (71.9 vs. 77.9; p=0.049)   Conclusion:  Many of the smokers who attempted to quit has failed in following smoking cessetion program. Comorbidity was not found to be effecting quitting rates. Older and more heavy smokers as well as smokers with relatively lower FEV1/FVC ratio were found to be more succesive in quitting smoking.
STUDIES ON EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS
Authors: Lester S. King
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1938)

The action of the virus of equine encephalomyelitis in the guinea pig brain has been studied, and various histological changes have been described in detail. After peripheral inoculation (as in the pad) the earliest detectable pathologic change in the nervous system is the accumulation of leucocytes within the lumen of blood vessels, and the proliferation of the vascular adventitia. This precedes the appearance of any significant perivascular cuffing, and may or may not be accompanied by a few polymorphonuclear leucocytes in the tissue. The typical lesion is a fairly well circumscribed focus of polymorphonuclear leucocytes accompanying the blood vessel changes described above. The leucocytes may be numerous or sparse, and may or may not be accompanied by neuronal destruction. In early cases, before the onset of symptoms, such circumscribed lesions appear in small number irregularly scattered through the gray matter. The neo- and olfactory cortices are the principal sites of predilection, although basal ganglia, thalamus, cerebellum, and lower olfactory centers may also be involved. The hippocampus is much less affected than other parts of the brain. A rough distinction is made between inflammatory and degenerative lesions, a distinction which depends on the relationship between the neuronal destruction and the exudative changes in any given site. These two types are described, and their significance is discussed. After intracerebral inoculation, the inflammatory changes are much less marked than after peripheral inoculation. This is due not to insufficient time for the development of lesions but to a different type of pathological process. Following intracerebral inoculation, there is primary destruction of neurones, involving especially the hippocampus, and also large areas of the neo-cortex. This change, similar to ischemic necrosis, is regarded in part as a non-specific reaction of especially vulnerable tissue.
Abstract 5336: Presence of Ischemia and Non-Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia is Strongly Associated With the Risk of Cardiovascular Outcomes: Observations From the MERLIN-TIMI 36 Trial
Authors: James R Harkness, David A Morrow, Eugene Braunwald, Jie Qin, Luiz Belardinelli, Whedy Wang, Ewa Karwatowska-Prokopczuk, Jose Lopez-Sendon, Christophe Bode, Benjamin M Scirica
Journal: Circulation (2009)

Background: Among pts with NSTEACS, recurrent ischemia and ventricular arrhythmias detected on continuous ECG (cECG) remain common clinical events with uncertain clinical significance. Methods: We determined the risk associated with the presence of ischemia (&gt; 1mm ST depression lasting &gt; 1min) and NSVT (&gt; 4beats) alone or combined on 7-day cEKG in 6355 pts with NSTEACS. Pts were categorized into 4 groups: No ischemia or NSVT, NSVT alone, Ischemia alone or Both ischemia and NSVT. Median clinical follow-up was 348 days. Results: A total of 43.6% pts had no VT or ischemia; 31.2% had NSVT alone; 18.5% had ischemia alone; and 6.8% had both NSVT and ischemia. Pts with either NSVT or ischemia on cECG were at increased risk of CV outcomes (Table ). In a MV analysis, recurrent ischemia alone increased the risk of all CV outcomes while NSVT alone increased the risk of CVD, SCD, and subsequent heart failure. Pts with both ischemia and NSVT were at high-risk for CVD (10.1 v 3.0%, p&lt;0.001), SCD (7.8 v 0.9%, p&lt;0.001), recurrent MI (15.4 v 6.2%, p&lt;0.001) and heart failure (13.0 v 3.0%, p&lt;0.001) compared to pts with neither. In pts with both ischemia and NSVT, 47.1% of SCD occurred within 90d (Figure ). Conclusion: In more than 6300 pts with NSTEACS, the presence of either ischemia or NSVT alone or particularly in combination was independently associated with poor CV outcomes, including a particularly high risk for early SCD. These findings raise the question whether such pts should be considered for ICD implantation. Sudden Cardiac Death 1-yr Clinical Outcomes(%) by NSVT or Ischemia detected on cECG monitoring
Twenty-two years of candidaemia surveillance: results from a Norwegian national study
Authors: L. Hesstvedt, P. Gaustad, C.T. Andersen, E. Haarr, R. Hannula, H.H. Haukland, N.-O. Hermansen, K.W. Larssen, H. Mylvaganam, T.E. Ranheim, P. Sandven, I. Nordøy, A. Kanestrøm, C. Grub, A. Onken, C. Thielsen, D. Skaare, S. Tofteland, L.-J. Sønsteby, R. Hjetland, R. Hide, E. Vik, A. Kümmel, S. Åsheim
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2015)