tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Physical activity and lung function two months after cardiac surgery
Authors: Marcus Jonsson, Charlotte Urell, Margareta Emtner, Elisabeth Westerdahl
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background

Physical activity has well-established positive health-related effects. Sedentary behaviour has been associated with postoperative complications and mortality after cardiac surgery. Patients undergoing cardiac surgery often suffer from impaired lung function postoperatively. The association between physical activity and lung function in cardiac surgery patients has not previously been reported.

Methods

Patients undergoing cardiac surgery were followed up two months postoperatively. Physical activity was assessed on a four-category scale (sedentary, moderate activity, moderate regular exercise, and regular activity and exercise), modified from the Swedish National Institute of Public Health's national survey. Lung function was assessed with spirometry.

Results

The sample included 283 patients (82% male). Two months after surgery, the level of physical activity had increased (p<0.001) in the whole sample. In comparison to patients who remained sedentary or decreased their level of activity, patients who remained active or increased their level of physical activity had significantly better recovery of lung function in terms of VC (94 ± 11% of preoperative value vs. 91 ± 9%; p=0.03), TLC (96 ± 11% vs. 90 ± 11%; p=0.01), and IC (94 ± 14% vs. 88 ± 19%; p=0.008).

Conclusions

As early as two months after cardiac surgery, patients reported a higher level of physical activity compared to their preoperative state. Patients who remained active or increased their self-reported level of activity had significantly better recovery of lung function two months after surgery, compared with patients who remained sedentary or reduced their level of activity.
Significant associations between obstructive sleep apnea and fat accumulation in the liver in male subjects without visceral obesity
Authors: Yoshiro Toyama, Yuichi Chihara, Takeshi Kubo, Satoshi Hamada, Masanori Azuma, Kimihiko Murase, Yuka Harada, Chikara Yoshimura, Takefumi Hitomi, Toru Oga, Michiaki Mishima, Kazuo Chin
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components, and its association with steatohepatitis has been reported. Fatty liver disease also has a strong relationship to visceral obesity (VO) and MS. However, whether OSA is independently related to liver fat accumulation is not known.  Objectives: To investigate gender-specific relationships among OSA, liver fat content, VO and other MS-related variables.  Methods: This study included 250 subjects (189 males, 61 females) who underwent diagnostic polysomnography and abdominal CT. The average CT value of liver (CT L ) was used as an alternative to liver fat content. Visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area (SFA) were also measured.  Results: Among study subjects, average age, BMI and VFA were 57 years, 26.6 kg/m 2 , and 145 cm 2 , respectively. In males, VFA, 4% oxygen desaturation index, % sleep time of SpO 2   L  were age, BMI, VFA, TG, HDL-cholesterol and fasting plasma glucose levels in males and BMI and TG in females. Multiple analysis also showed that, in addition to BMI, TG and HOMA-IR, %T90 was correlated with CT L  (R 2  = 15.1%, P  2 ).  Conclusions: Nocturnal hypoxia was an important risk factor for liver fat accumulation in male OSA patients without VO. Treatment of OSA might prevent or improve fatty liver disease in these patients.
Randomized prospective study of the benefit of adjuvant radiation therapy in the treatment of soft tissue sarcomas of the extremity.
Authors: J C Yang, A E Chang, A R Baker, W F Sindelar, D N Danforth, S L Topalian, T DeLaney, E Glatstein, S M Steinberg, M J Merino, S A Rosenberg
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1998)

PURPOSE This randomized, prospective study assesses the impact of postoperative external-beam radiation therapy on local recurrence (LR), overall survival (OS), and quality of life after limb-sparing resection of extremity sarcomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with extremity tumors and a limb-sparing surgical option were randomized to receive or not receive postoperative adjuvant external-beam radiotherapy. Patients with high-grade sarcomas received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy whereas patients with low-grade sarcomas or locally aggressive nonmalignant tumors were randomized after surgery alone. RESULTS Ninety-one patients with high-grade lesions were randomized; 47 to receive radiotherapy (XRT) and 44 to not receive XRT. With a median follow-up of 9.6 years, a highly significant decrease (P2 = .0028) in the probability of LR was seen with radiation, but no difference in OS was shown. Of 50 patients with low-grade lesions (24 randomized to resection alone and 26 to resection and postoperative XRT), there was also a lower probability of LR (P2 = .016) in patients receiving XRT, again, without a difference in OS. A concurrent quality-of-life study showed that extremity radiotherapy resulted in significantly worse limb strength, edema, and range of motion, but these deficits were often transient and had few measurable effects on activities of daily life or global quality of life. CONCLUSION This study indicates that although postoperative external-beam radiotherapy is highly effective in preventing LRs, selected patients with extremity soft tissue sarcoma who have a low risk of LR may not require adjuvant XRT after limb-sparing surgery (LSS).
Expression of gp330 and gp330/alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor-associated protein in renal tubular differentiation.
Authors: M Abbate, D R Bachinsky, R T McCluskey, D Brown
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (1994)

The gp330/alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor-associated protein (RAP) is a 39- to 45-kd protein that binds to the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein/alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor and to gp330, a major glycoprotein of the brush border of proximal tubule cells. Despite evidence that gp330 functions as a receptor for several ligands and that soluble RAP inhibits ligand binding to gp330 in vitro, the physiologic function of RAP is unknown. Given the predominant location of RAP within the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), RAP might be involved in the intracellular processing and/or transport of gp330. The developing rat kidney was used as a dynamic model to study in detail the relationship between gp330 and RAP in vivo by immunohistochemical techniques. RAP was expressed in the renal vesicle and continued to be present, with a vesicular and perinuclear pattern of staining, in both proximal tubule cells and glomerular cells at subsequent stages. Immunoperoxidase electron microscopy demonstrated RAP in cisternae of the RER and in large subapical vesicles. gp330 was initially expressed in early proximal tubule cells in S-shaped bodies and was located in the perinuclear envelope and cytoplasmic vesicles as well as at the apical surface. Cytoplasmic gp330 staining was more evident at a stage subsequent to the S-shaped body, possibly related to more active biosynthesis. By comparative analysis of the patterns of immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase staining, gp330 and RAP colocalized in the RER and in some large subapical vacuoles, but no definite RAP staining could be detected at the surface of proximal tubule cells at any stage, despite the presence of abundant gp330 in this location. The expression of gp330 at the apical surface of immature tubular cells was associated with the onset of fluid-phase endocytosis of fluoroscein isothiocyanate-dextran and, therefore, of reabsorption of material from the tubular lumen, in the absence of concomitant changes in RAP expression in the same cells. These findings indicate that the role of endogenous RAP may not be directly related to ligand binding of gp330 at the surface of proximal tubule cells, although RAP may be involved in the processing and the intracellular trafficking of newly synthesized gp330, in particular in the delivery of gp330 to the plasma membrane.
Reoperative Surgery for Early Complications following Abdominal and Abdominothoracic Operations
Authors: R M Kirk
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1988)

In-hospital mortality was 9.6% in 3000 abdominal and abdominothoracic operations carried out by me or under my care. Intra-abdominal complications developing during the recovery period required reoperation in 141 patients. The decision to reoperate was a clinical one in 97.8%, although investigations were often helpful in localizing the site of the complicating lesion: the mortality in this group was 42.5%. Technical failure at the first operation could be indicated in 46%. Leaks and bleeding were most frequent and carried a high mortality. Patient selection and preparation, and selection of the simplest effective procedure, are not yet capable of being fully assessed in an individual patient.
Exercise precipitates lung function derangement in early diabetes
Authors: Anupama Gupta, Neena Mishra, Rajesh Gupta, Sushma Sood
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Association between diabetes and pulmonary function has been inconsistent in various studies.

Aim: Our study aims 1. To find out minimal early changes in lung functions in diabetics i.e. without any complications. 2. To reveal abnormality of lung functions on minimal physical exertion (or exercise).

Methods: In 30 patients of type-2 DM without complication, nine spirometeric parameters were recorded at rest, immediately after exercise (Mag cycle ergo meter, starting at 60 revolutions/minute against zero work load for a period of 5 minutes) and 5 minutes after stopping exercise and compared with matched healthy subjects as controls using paired & unpaired 't' test and 'p' values.(non randomized)

Observations: 1. FEV1/FVC%, FEF50 and FEF75 were significant low in diabetics as compared to controls and further deteriorated on exercise indicating small airway and obstructive lung disease even in early diabetics i.e. Without complication.

2. Though FEV1, FVC & MVV in diabetics were comparable to controls but contrarily failed to rise on exercise suggest that diabetics fatigue early.

3. On 5 minutes of rest after exertion (exercise) FVC, FEV1/FVC%, FEF75 & MVV failed to recover hints that mild exercise precipitates underlying restrictive abnormality of lung in diabetics.

Discussion and conclusion: From the observations we can make out that early changes in lung functions

are obstructive in early diabetics taken as uncomplicated, with musculo-skeletal and connective tissue dysfunctions underlying, the restrictive abnormality is precipitated even on mild exercise.
Inhibition of Adenovirus Oncogenicity in Hamsters by Adeno-Associated Virus DNA<xref ref-type="fn" rid="fn2">2</xref><xref ref-type="fn" rid="fn3">3</xref>
Authors: L M de la Maza, B J Carter
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1981)

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) DNA partially inhibited in Syrian golden hamsters the formation of tumors by the human adenovirus (Ad) type 12. Furthermore, defective interfering AAV particles or their DNA also reduced tumorigenesis. Defective AAV particles contain aberrant genomes with extensive deletions of the internal AAV DNA sequences. Variant AAV DNA, containing 30% of the viral genome, decreased the incidence of Ad-induced tumors from 44 to 18%. Defective AAV particles, which have a buoyant density of 1.32 g/cm3 in CsCl and which are highly enriched for the DNA of the terminal regions (map positions, 0-5 and 95-100), completely suppressed Ad oncogenicity. This observation suggested that the AAV DNA sequences close to the terminal region of the genome mediated the inhibition of the Ad oncogenicity.
Serial Next-Generation Sequencing of Circulating Cell-Free DNA Evaluating Tumor Clone Response To Molecularly Targeted Drug Administration
Authors: Jean Sebastien Frenel, Suzanne Carreira, Jane Goodall, Desam Roda, Raquel Perez-Lopez, Nina Tunariu, Ruth Riisnaes, Susana Miranda, Ines Figueiredo, Daniel Nava-Rodrigues, Alan Smith, Christophe Leux, Isaac Garcia-Murillas, Roberta Ferraldeschi, David Lorente, Joaquin Mateo, Michael Ong, Timothy A. Yap, Udai Banerji, Delila Gasi Tandefelt, Nick Turner, Gerhardt Attard, Johann S. de Bono
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2015)

Abstract Purpose: We evaluated whether next-generation sequencing (NGS) of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) could be used for patient selection and as a tumor clone response biomarker in patients with advanced cancers participating in early-phase clinical trials of targeted drugs. Experimental Design: Plasma samples from patients with known tumor mutations who completed at least two courses of investigational targeted therapy were collected monthly, until disease progression. NGS was performed sequentially on the Ion Torrent PGM platform. Results: cfDNA was extracted from 39 patients with various tumor types. Treatments administered targeted mainly the PI3K–AKT–mTOR pathway (n = 28) or MEK (n = 7). Overall, 159 plasma samples were sequenced with a mean sequencing coverage achieved of 1,685X across experiments. At trial initiation (C1D1), 23 of 39 (59%) patients had at least one mutation identified in cfDNA (mean 2, range 1–5). Out of the 44 mutations identified at C1D1, TP53, PIK3CA and KRAS were the top 3 mutated genes identified, with 18 (41%), 9 (20%), 8 (18%) different mutations, respectively. Out of these 23 patients, 13 received a targeted drug matching their tumor profile. For the 23 patients with cfDNA mutation at C1D1, the monitoring of mutation allele frequency (AF) in consecutive plasma samples during treatment with targeted drugs demonstrated potential treatment associated clonal responses. Longitudinal monitoring of cfDNA samples with multiple mutations indicated the presence of separate clones behaving discordantly. Molecular changes at cfDNA mutation level were associated with time to disease progression by RECIST criteria. Conclusions: Targeted NGS of cfDNA has potential clinical utility to monitor the delivery of targeted therapies. Clin Cancer Res; 21(20); 4586–96. ©2015 AACR.
The PROXIMAL Trial: Proximal Protection During Saphenous Vein Graft Intervention Using the Proxis Embolic Protection System
Authors: Laura Mauri, David Cox, James Hermiller, Joseph Massaro, Joyce Wahr, Sew Wah Tay, Michael Jonas, Jeffrey J. Popma, Jim Pavliska, Dennis Wahr, Campbell Rogers
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2007)
Etoposide and carboplatin in neuroblastoma: a French Society of Pediatric Oncology phase II study.
Authors: D Frappaz, J Michon, O Hartmann, E Bouffet, O Lejars, H Rubie, J C Gentet, P Chastagner, E Sariban, L Brugiere
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1992)

PURPOSE A phase II study of etoposide (VP 16) and carboplatin (CBDCA) was performed in patients with metastatic neuroblastoma (NB). The aim of the study was to find an alternative treatment for induction with different toxicities than the VP 16/cisplatin (CDDP) combination. PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty-seven patients who were from 6 months to 16 years of age, with either relapsed (29) or primary resistant (18) NB, were included in a cooperative multicenter phase II study of the French Society of Pediatric Oncology (SFOP). The schedule consisted of 5 consecutive days of VP 16 100 mg/m2/d and CBDCA 160 mg/m2/d. RESULTS The response rate for the 39 assessable patients was 43%; there were four complete remissions and 13 partial remissions. Neither the status of the patients nor the total dose of CDDP that was received previously influenced response. Hematologic toxicity was marked and caused considerable delay between courses (median interval, 39 days). In these heavily pretreated patients, 16% had a more than 50% decrease in creatinine clearance and a 22% World Health Organization (WHO) grade 2 ototoxicity. CONCLUSION This VP 16/CBDCA combination deserves further evaluation for efficacy and toxicity in newly diagnosed patients, and the combination of both drugs should be considered for high-dose therapy with bone marrow transplantation.
Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma with Intralesional Interferon Alpha-2b
Authors: M F Healsmith, J Berth-Jones, A Fletcher, R A C Graham-Brown
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1991)

We report a series of 11 basal cell carcinomas of various types treated with nine intra-lesional injections of 1.5 million units of interferon alpha-2b. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically in each case. After 3 months' follow-up six tumours had resolved both clinically and histologically. In three cases the tumour size was reduced. One tumour grew larger. Side effects were well tolerated except by one subject who was withdrawn. Those cases which responded have now been followed-up for between 12 and 26 months with no clinical or histological evidence of tumour recurrence. This is the longest period of follow-up so far reported for this novel treatment. The results are encouraging and, if maintained in future series, may indicate a useful role for interferon alpha in the management of this common cutaneous malignancy.
Carboplatin Skin Testing: A Skin-Testing Protocol for Predicting Hypersensitivity to Carboplatin Chemotherapy
Authors: K. M. Zanotti, L. A. Rybicki, A. W. Kennedy, J. L. Belinson, K. D. Webster, B. Kulp, G. Peterson, M. Markman
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2001)

PURPOSE: A high incidence of moderate to severe hypersensitivity reactions (HRs) is noted in patients who have been treated with multiple courses of carboplatin. Presently, there is no reliable way to predict which patients may be at risk for this potentially severe adverse reaction. We developed a skin-test protocol to identify patients at high risk for HR to carboplatin chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing more than seven courses of carboplatin received a 0.02-mL intradermal injection of an undiluted aliquot of their planned carboplatin infusion 1 hour before each course of the agent. A positive skin test was prospectively defined as that resulting in a wheel of at least 5 mm with a surrounding flare. We recently reported a 27% incidence of HRs in patients receiving more than seven courses of carboplatin. These patients served as historical controls for the current study. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients with recurrent ovarian or primary peritoneal carcinoma receiving carboplatin were skin tested. Thirteen of 47 patients (28%) manifested a positive skin test at a median of nine total courses of carboplatin (range, eight to 17 courses). This rate of skin-test positivity was not significantly different from the incidence of documented HR reported in a historical control group (P = .89), suggesting comparable populations. A negative skin test accurately predicted the absence of HR in 166 of 168 courses of chemotherapy. Only two of 47 patients (4%) experienced a HR after a negative skin test. Thus, administering carboplatin only to patients with a negative skin test may result in a significant reduction in HRs relative to historical controls (P = .002). CONCLUSION: An easily performed skin test appears to predict patients in whom carboplatin may be safely administered. Treatment modifications based on the results of skin testing may reduce the incidence of HRs in patients receiving repeated courses of carboplatin.
Young goths may be more vulnerable to depression and self harm, study finds
Authors: Nigel Hawkes
Journal: BMJ (2015)

UK teenagers who identify themselves as goths are more likely to be depressed and to self harm than those who belong to other social cultures, research published in Lancet Psychiatry has found.1

A study at Oxford and Bristol universities found that goths—characterised by dark clothes, black eyeliner, alienation from mass culture, and an attachment to certain kinds of post-punk music—are three times more likely to be clinically depressed at age 18 and five times more likely to self harm than those who do not identify with goth culture.

This does not mean that becoming a goth causes depression or self harm, said Lucy Bowes, of Oxford University, and Rebecca Pearson, of Bristol University, who led the study. They told a briefing at the Science Media Centre in London that this was an observational study that cannot identify cause and effect.

Nonetheless, they said that “peer contagion” could be a cause of their …
Response to exercise in patients with obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Tadeusz Przybylowski, Piotr Bielicki, Katarzyna Hildebrand, Marta Kumor, Ryszarda Chazan
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Aim of this study was to assess cardio-pulmonary response to exercise (CPET) and the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on response to exercise.   Methods   The study group consisted of 140 patients (138 M, age 49±10 yrs, BMI 30±4 kg/m 2 ). Baseline testing included polysomnography, CPET and lung function testing. The first post-CPAP testing (I) was performed in 73 patients after 4±1 weeks, second (II, n=24) after 15±3 weeks, distant tests (III) in 64 patients after 47±18 months.   Results   Mean AHI was 43.6±23. In 23% of patients CPET was terminated due to increase in systolic blood pressure (BP) > 220 mmHg. Peak O 2  consumption VO 2peak  was 29.1±6 ml/kg/min, but in 49% of patients it was   40 had lower VO 2peak  (27.6±6 vs 30.8±6 ml/kg/min; p=0.001). During study I no changes in VO 2peak  were noticed, however peak sys. and dias. BP decreased 15.9±19.7 mmHg (p  During study II increase in VO 2peak  of 4.2±5.6 ml/kg/min (p 2peak  increased 2.7±3.3 ml/kg/min (p 2peak  decreased 4.1±3.1 ml/kg/min (p   Conlusions    In 50% of untreated OSAS patients a decrease in VO 2peak  can be expected.  Increase in arterial BP pressure is a frequent reason of exercise termination.  CPAP treatment attenuates BP pressure response to CPET and accelerates recovery of BP and heart rate.  A failure to start the treatment of OSAS leads to a decrease in exercise tolerance.
Intensive chemotherapy and low-dose radiotherapy for the treatment of advanced-stage Hodgkin's disease in pediatric patients: a Pediatric Oncology Group study.
Authors: M A Weiner, B G Leventhal, R Marcus, M Brecher, J Ternberg, F G Behm, A Cantor, M Wharam, A Chauvenet
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1991)

Sixty-two patients with advanced-stage Hodgkin's disease and a median age of 12 years (range, 3 to 22 years) were treated with four cycles of mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (MOPP) alternating with four cycles of doxorubicin, vinblastine, bleomycin, and dacarbazine (ABVD) followed by low-dose radiotherapy (RT). We determined the feasibility, immediate safety, and rapidity of response of patients to this regimen, as well as the relationship between prognostic factors and the rate of complete remission (CR), event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival. Therapy was well tolerated, and the major toxicity was hematopoietic. At the end of chemotherapy, 54 of 62 patients (87%) were in CR by clinical restaging, with a biopsy of residual disease where necessary. The actuarial 3-year EFS is 77% (SE, 11%), with a median follow-up of 35 months, and the survival is 91% (SE, 7%). With respect to EFS, female patients and those with stage II or III disease fared statistically better than males and patients with stage IV disease, respectively. Six patients have died: three of progressive Hodgkin's disease, one of secondary acute myelocytic leukemia (AML), one of secondary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), and one of overwhelming bacterial sepsis. The Pediatric Oncology Group (POG) is currently engaged in a randomized study of these eight cycles of chemotherapy with and without RT to assess the role of RT in achieving comparable results.