tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Clusters of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clones producing different carbapenemases in an intensive care unit
Authors: A. Tsakris, A. Ikonomidis, A. Poulou, N. Spanakis, D. Vrizas, M. Diomidous, S. Pournaras, F. Markou
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2008)
Establishment of Lymphomatous Cell Lines From Bone Marrow Samples From Patients With Burkitt's Lymphoma&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: I Philip, T Philip, M Favrot, M Vuillaume, B Fontaniere, D Chamard, G M Lenoir
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1984)

A total of 233 bone marrow aspirates were obtained from 43 patients with Burkitt's lymphoma (BL). Lymphoma cells were absent and lymphoblastoid cell lines could not be established from 197 samples, which were characterized by limited initial cell proliferation and development of an adherent population, followed by cell death after 2-4 weeks. In 14 aspirates, after a similar pattern of growth, cell proliferation began again after about 6 weeks, with a rapid appearance and growth of cell clumps from the feeder layer--a type of growth typical of spontaneous lymphoblastoid cell lines. In 22 aspirates, growth of malignant cells was observed in culture and cytocentrifuged, stained smears, including marrow samples from 9 patients in whom the presence of BL cells had not been ascertained or even suspected by cytology. Karyotypic anomalies characteristic of BL were found in these cells: t(8;14) in the majority, two t(8;22), two t(2;8), and one t(2;8;9).
Predictors of Treatment Response From a First Episode of Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder
Authors: Delbert G. Robinson, Margaret G. Woerner, Jose Ma.J. Alvir, Stephen Geisler, Amy Koreen, Brian Sheitman, Miranda Chakos, David Mayerhoff, Robert Bilder, Robert Goldman, Jeffrey A. Lieberman
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1999)

This study examined the treatment response of patients with first-episode schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder and potential predictors of response.First-episode patients were assessed on measures of psychopathology, cognition, social functioning, and biological parameters and treated according to a standardized algorithm.One hundred eighteen patients (52% male, mean age 25.2 years) entered the study. The cumulative percentage of patients responding by 1 year was 87%; the median time to response was 9 weeks. The following variables were significantly associated with less likelihood of response to treatment: male sex, obstetric complications, more severe hallucinations and delusions, poorer attention at baseline, and the development of parkinsonism during antipsychotic treatment. Variables not significantly related to treatment response were diagnosis (schizophrenia versus schizoaffective disorder), premorbid functioning, duration of psychotic symptoms prior to study entry, baseline disorganization, negative and depressive symptoms, baseline motor function, akathisia and dystonia during treatment, growth hormone and homovanillic acid measures, psychotic symptom activation to methylphenidate, and magnetic resonance measures.Patients with first-episode schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder have high rates of response to antipsychotic treatment; there are specific clinical and pathobiologic predictors of response.
A EuroPrevall review of factors affecting incidence of peanut allergy: priorities for research and policy
Authors: A. Boulay, J. Houghton, V. Gancheva, Y. Sterk, A. Strada, M. Schlegel‐Zawadzka, B. Sora, R. Sala, R. Van Ree, G. Rowe
Journal: Allergy (2008)

Peanuts are extensively cultivated around the world, providing a foodstuff that is both cheap to produce and nutritious. However, allergy to peanuts is of growing global concern, particularly given the severity of peanut-allergic reactions, which can include anaphylaxis and death. Consequently, it is important to understand the factors related to the prevalence of peanut allergy in order to inform efforts to ameliorate or pre-empt the condition. In this article we review evidence for the relevance of factors hypothesized to have some association with allergy prevalence, including both genetic and environmental factors. Although our analysis does indicate some empirical support for the importance of a number of factors, the key finding is that there are significant data gaps in the literature that undermine our ability to provide firm conclusions. We highlight these gaps, indicating questions that need to be addressed by future research.
Phase III randomized study to compare interferon alfa-2a in combination with fluorouracil versus fluorouracil alone in patients with advanced colorectal cancer.
Authors: F A Greco, R Figlin, M York, L Einhorn, R Schilsky, E M Marshall, S S Buys, M J Froimtchuk, J Schuller, L Schuchter, M Buyse, L Ritter, A Man, A K Yap
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1996)

To compare the efficacy and toxicity profiles of a combination of fluorouracil (5-FU) and recombinant human interferon alfa-2a ([IFN alpha 2a] Roferon-A; Hoffmann-LaRoche, Basel, Switzerland) versus 5-FU alone in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer (ACC).A total of 245 previously untreated ACC patients were randomized to receive either IFN alpha 2a (9 million IU) subcutaneously (SC) three times weekly with 5-FU (750 mg/m2/d) by continuous intravenous (CIV) infusion on days 1 to 5 and then, after a 1-week hiatus, as a weekly IV bolus at the same dose (IFN/ 5-FU), or 5-FU alone at the same dose schedule (5-FU).There were no significant differences between IFN/5-FU and 5-FU alone in the overall response rate (24% v 17%, P = .2), duration of response (median, 6.4 v 8.1 months), time to response (plateau at 3 months), time to progressive disease ([PD] median, 4.8 v 4.9 months), or survival duration (median, 13.9 v 13.2 months). Toxicity profiles were not statistically different except for constitutional symptoms, which were more frequent and more severe with IFN/5-FU. More patients interrupted treatment for adverse events (AEs) with IFN/ 5-FU (34%) than with 5-FU alone (21%) (P = .03). The number of deaths (mostly unrelated to drug treatment) during the study (8%) was similar with both regimens.The combination IFN/5-FU produced a response rate, response duration, and survival duration similar to that of 5-FU alone. The addition of IFN to 5-FU in the doses and schedules used in this study did not provide any further benefit over 5-FU alone and cannot be recommended for patients with metastatic ACC. This study confirms the value of large prospective randomized clinical trials to determine the clinical value of regimens that emerge from smaller single-center phase II studies.
The polyamine spermine prolongs eosinophil survival
Authors: Pinja Ilmarinen-Salo, Eeva Moilanen, Jonas S. Erjefält, Hannu Kankaanranta
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background: Most phenotypes of asthma involve accumulation of eosinophils in the airways. Spermine, spermidine and putrescine are ubiquitous cationic polyamines with basic functions related to nucleic acid packaging, DNA replication, apoptosis, transcription and translation. Polyamine levels are elevated in serum from patients with asthma suggesting a role in the disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate if polyamines, especially spermine, regulate eosinophil survival which is a significant factor contributing to airway eosinophilia. Methods: Eosinophils were isolated from venous blood of eosinophilic donors. Apoptosis was determined by transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analysis and DNA fragmentation assay. Caspase 3/7, 8 and 9 activities were determined by luminescence assay. Results: We found that spermine (10-1000 µM) and spermidine (100-1000 µM) but not putrescine prevented apoptosis-related DNA fragmentation. Survival-prolonging effect of spermine was confirmed by TEM analysis, which showed that its efficiency in enhancing survival was close to that of GM-CSF. We also found that spermine repressed activities of caspases 3/7, 8 and 9. Inhibitor studies excluded JAK, PI3K, p38 and ERK1/2 as mediators of spermine-induced eosinophil survival. Additionally, spermine had no effect on LC3II expression indicating no role for autophagy in mediating its effects. Conclusions: In summary, our data show that spermine acts as an eosinophil survival-prolonging factor and the mechanism seems to involve inhibition of caspases 3/7, 8 and 9. The survival-promoting effects of spermine may contribute to the eosinophilia in asthma.
Extrahepatic Biliary Carcinomas in Asiatic Bears&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN3"&gt;3&lt;/xref&gt;&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN4"&gt;4&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: Richard J. Montali, P. Jack Hoopes, Mitchell Bush
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1981)

Extrahepatic biliary carcinomas occurred in 2 Asiatic bears at the National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C. The tumors were associated with ascites in both cases and jaundice in 1 and metastasized widely. Neither bear had gallstones. Microscopically, the tumors were infiltrative, scirrhous adenocarcinomas that produced varying amounts of mucin. A genetic predisposition and change from the natural diet were factors proposed to contribute to the development of this neoplasm.
Treatment with anti-OX40L or anti-TSLP does not alter the frequency of T regulatory cells in allergic asthmatics
Authors: A. J. Baatjes, S. G. Smith, B. Dua, R. Watson, G. M. Gauvreau, P. M. O'Byrne
Journal: Allergy (2015)

OX40-OX40L interactions and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) are important in the induction and maintenance of Th2 responses in allergic disease, whereas T regulatory cells (Treg) have been shown to suppress pro-inflammatory Th2 responses. Both OX40L and TSLP have been implicated in the negative regulation of Treg. The effect of anti-asthma therapies on Treg is not well known. Our aim was to assess the effects of two monoclonal antibody therapies (anti-OX40L and anti-TSLP) on Treg frequency using a human model of allergic asthma. We hypothesized that the anti-inflammatory effects of these therapies would result in an increase in circulating Treg (CD4(+) CD25(+) CD127(low) Foxp3(+) cells) frequency. We measured Treg using flow cytometry, and our results showed that neither allergen challenge nor monoclonal antibody therapy altered circulating Treg frequency. These data highlight the need for assessment of airway Treg and for a more complete understanding of Treg biology so as to develop pharmacologics/biologics that modulate Treg for asthma therapy.
Clinical characteristics of surgically-diagnosed pulmonary cryptococcosis
Authors: Akihiro Ito, Hiromasa Tachibana, Tadashi Ishida
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background: Pulmonary cryptococcosis is a type of pulmonary mycosis that can be asymptomatic and determined only as an abnormal shadow on X-ray film. Because differentiating pulmonary cryptococcosis nodules from lung cancer is difficult, some patients must be surgically diagnosed. Furthermore, whether surgically-diagnosed pulmonary cryptococcosis should be treated remains controversial.  Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether we can differentiate pulmonary cryptococcosis from lung cancer, and it should be treated after surgery.  Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 17 patients with surgically-diagnosed pulmonary cryptococcosis at the 1135-bed Kurashiki Central Hospital (a tertiary facility), Okayama, Japan between June 1994 and November 2009.  Results: The 8 male and 9 female patients (median age, 56 years; range, 36 to 71 years) included 2 with diabetes mellitus and 2 who were treated with steroids. Eleven patients who underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopy before surgery were not diagnosed. Only one of six patients was positive for Cryptococcus antigen. The X-rays revealed nodules or a mass in all patients and none had an infiltration shadow. Thirteen patients had a single nodule. Only one patient was administered with fluconazole, 16 patients were not treated and none of the 17 patients relapsed.  Conclusions: To differentiate a single nodule of pulmonary cryptococcosis from lung cancer was difficult, rendering surgery as the sole definitive diagnostic option. None of our patients relapsed including four who were immunocompromised, indicating that treatment is not a necessary component of follow-up after surgical diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis.
Meta-analysis of adjuvant trastuzumab for early breast cancer: Cardiotoxicity and brain metastases incidence
Authors: F. Cuppone, E. Bria, D. Giannarelli, C. Nisticò, I. Sperduti, P. Carlini, M. Milella, M. Ciccarese, F. Cognetti, E. Terzoli
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2007)

543 Background: The introduction of adjuvant trastuzumab (T) for early breast cancer overexpressing HER-2 has extraordinarily decreased the risk of both recurrence and death in 5 randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Nevertheless, the issue regarding the long-term safety profile of such drug is still open; in particular, questions remain about long-term cardiotoxicity, and specific pattern of relapse such as brain metastases (BM). In order to quantify the magnitude of these 2 risks, together with the survival outcome, a literature-based meta-analysis was performed. Methods: All phase III trials were considered eligible. A literature-based meta-analysis was accomplished, and event-based relative risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were derived. A fixed- and a random-effect model according to the inverse variance and the Mantel-Haenzel method were applied. Heterogeneity test was applied as well. Absolute differences (AD) and the number of patients needed to treat or to harm (NNT/NNH) were calculated. Primary end-points were: 1) chronic heart failure grade III-IV rate (CHF), 2) 10% reduction of L-FEV rate (L-FEV) and 3) BM rate. In order to quantify the magnitude of the significant benefit already found in the original RCTs, secondary end-points were: 1) disease-free survival (DFS) and 2) overall survival (OS). Results: Five RCTs were gathered (11,187 patients); at an average 2-yrs follow-up, all data were available for the cardiotoxicity and outcome end-points, while 3 RCTs reported results for BM analysis (6,738 patients). Conclusions: The overall outcome stresses that trastuzumab is likely to be one of the most important discovery in clinical oncology. Nevertheless, the biological activity of trastuzumab needs to be investigated more extensively to explore both long-term safety and specific relapse pattern. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Abstract 3860: Constitutive Basal Repression of the Mitochondrial Death Protein Bnip3 by NF-kB Averts Cell Death of Post-natal Ventricular Myocytes
Authors: Natalia Yurkova, Hongying Gang, James Shaw, Rimpy Dhingra, Tong Zhang, Lorrie Kirshenbaum
Journal: Circulation (2009)
Restoration of T cell function in chronic hepatitis B patients upon treatment with interferon based combination therapy
Authors: Annikki de Niet, Femke Stelma, Louis Jansen, Marjan J. Sinnige, Ester B.M. Remmerswaal, R. Bart Takkenberg, Neeltje A. Kootstra, Hendrik W. Reesink, Rene A.W. van Lier, Ester M.M. van Leeuwen
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2015)
Respiratory muscle strength and exercise tolerance before and after pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD patients
Authors: Alina Croitoru, Diana Ionita, Lucia Marinescu, Carmen Stroescu, Cornelia Tudose, Stefan Dumitrache-Rujinski, Claudia Toma, Dragos Bumbacea, Dana Anghelescu, Miron Bogdan
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background:  Respiratory muscle impairment could contribute to severe breathlessness and exercise intolerance in COPD patients.   Aim:  To evaluate the respiratory muscle function and exercise tolerance in COPD patients before and after pulmonary rehabilitation.   Subjects and methods:  Respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure MIP, maximal expiratory pressure MEP), exercise tolerance (6 minutes walking test 6MWT) and dyspnoea score (BORG scale) were analyzed in patients with stable COPD before and after pulmonary rehabilitation (outpatient program, 2 months, 3 sessions/week, including daily respiratory muscle training).   Results:  Twenty-two patients with COPD stage II-IV GOLD were included. Mean MIP value was 68.6% of the predicted value (less than 70% in 16 cases) and mean MEP value 104.4%. The mean 6MWT distance (6MWD) was 410 meters. 6MWD was better associated with MIP (r 0.62) than with MEP (r 0.38). Severity of dyspnoea was negatively associated with MIP values (r -0.49) and with 6MWD (r -0.49). Mean 6MWD increased with 70 meters at the end of the rehabilitation program, mean dyspnoea score diminished at rest (from 3.3 to 2.1) and after exercise (from 5.3 to 2.6), and mean MIP values increased to 81.6%.   Conclusions:  An improvement in exercise tolerance was seen after pulmonary rehabilitation. Increased walking distance accompanied by lower dyspnoea scores could be related to the increased respiratory muscle performance measured by MIP.
BRAF Inhibition in a Lung Transplant Recipient With Metastatic Melanoma
Authors: Kambiz Afshar, Sascha David, Thomas Fuehner, Jens Gottlieb, Ralf Gutzmer
Journal: JAMA Dermatology (2015)

and sorafenib therapy was restarted without further sequelae.Unlike other cases reported in the literature, the patient described herein and the one described by Bilaç et al 2 had clinically EM-like eruptions with targetoid lesions, nondiagnostic histopathologic findings, and successful reinitiation of sorafenib treatment.Thus, we recommend biopsy of targetoid eruptions during sorafenib therapy to differentiate between a diagnosis of EM and EM-like sorafenib reaction to minimize discontinuation of an antineoplastic agent shown to prolong progression-free survival.
More could be done to protect people from heatwave in India, say campaigners
Authors: S. Bagcchi
Journal: BMJ (2015)

Organisations and activists in India have urged the government to take firm action to protect people from the heatwave currently sweeping the country, which has claimed the lives of more than 2500 people since mid-April.

Doctors, health assistants, and social workers have taken to the streets, giving out rehydration materials and advising people to stay indoors during the hottest part of the day, when temperatures have soared to around 45°C in some places. The heatwave is the fourth most deadly heatwave reported since 1998; the deadliest heatwave occurred in 2010 …
Randomized trial of chemotherapy and radiation therapy with or without warfarin for limited-stage small-cell lung cancer: a Cancer and Leukemia Group B study.
Authors: L H Maurer, J E Herndon, D R Hollis, J Aisner, R W Carey, A T Skarin, M C Perry, W L Eaton, L L Zacharski, S Hammond, M R Green
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1997)

PURPOSE Studies by the Veterans Administration Cooperative Studies Program and Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) suggested that the addition of warfarin to chemotherapy might enhance response and/or survival in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). This randomized study evaluated the effect of warfarin with chemotherapy and radiation therapy in limited-stage SCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients were randomized to receive warfarin or no warfarin. All patients received three cycles of doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide (ACE). Cycles 4 and 5 (cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide [PCE]) were given concurrently with radiation therapy. Three cycles of ACE were given after chemoradiation therapy, but were discontinued due to a high rate of pulmonary toxicity. RESULTS There were no significant differences in response rates, survival, failure-free survival, disease-free survival, or patterns of relapse between the warfarin-treated and control groups. In patients treated according to the initial design, an increase in failure-free survival seen with warfarin treatment approached significance (P = .07). Preamendment results, while not significant, did not have superimposable treatment survival curves. A landmark analysis at 8 months showed a median survival time after the landmark for complete responders of 33 months with warfarin treatment compared with &lt; or = 13.75 months for complete or partial responders not treated with warfarin (P = .05). Differences between the complete responders in this preamendment population were not significant (P = .103). CONCLUSION Warfarin does not appear to improve outcome significantly in limited-stage SCLC. However, the differences in some variables between populations before the protocol amendment correspond to the favorable effects of anticoagulants observed in previous studies.
Regulators seize 6.2 million doses of illegally traded medicines in UK
Authors: M. Limb
Journal: BMJ (2015)

Investigators worldwide have seized more than 20 million doses of illegally traded medicines and medical devices worth £51.6m (€72.4m; $81.7m) in a global crackdown across 115 countries. A haul of 6.2 million doses in the United Kingdom was worth £15.8m, the country’s highest figure yet recorded.

The figures were published on 18 June by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) as part of the international clampdown known as Operation Pangea, now in its eighth year.

Alastair Jeffrey, the agency’s head of enforcement, said that concerns were growing that more “criminal gangs” were looking to trade fake and unlicensed medicines and devices because of low penalties and sentencing. He warned that many people were risking their health and that most of these were seeking “lifestyle medicines,” such as potentially harmful slimming pills, on the internet. …
Abstract 95: Longitudinal In Vivo Quantification of Infarct Size and Cardiac Function in a Murine Model of Myocardial Infarction using Novel Compact High-Performance MRI
Authors: Tonya Coulthard, Jun Wu
Journal: Circulation Research (2014)

Intro: Delayed Enhancement Imaging (DEI) characterizes MI and predicts therapeutic efficacy following coronary revascularization, stem cell transplantation, or other procedures. Typically gadolinium-based (Gd) contrast agents are injected intravenously and accumulate in the lesion, differentiating between normal and diseased myocardium. Traditionally, DEI has been explored using superconducting high-field MRI. Using a novel compact MRI at 1 Tesla, there is increased sensitivity to Gd-based contrast agents compared with higher-field MRI systems. Hypothesis: In this study, DEI on a compact MRI system was employed with spatial intensity analysis to measure infarct size. Tagged cine MRI assessed myocardial strain using the HARP method. Post-mortem histology of Masson Trichrome staining estimated infarct size. Correlation analysis determined relationships between infarct size measured via DEI and histology. Methods: C57BL/6 MI mice had ligation of the left anterior descending artery. Four sham control and five MI mice we imaged using compact MRI (ICON compact MRI, Billerica, MA) and monitored longitudinally over 21 days for infarct progression and cardiac function in vivo. DE imaging was performed 10-20 minutes post injection of 2 μL Gd contrast agent (ProHance, 0.5 mmol/ml). Images were acquired in short axis, 1 mm superior to the apex. Post-processing analysis (pcVirtue, Diagnosoft, Morrisville, NC) measured cardiac function and infarct size. Results and Conclusions: Analyses of DEI data indicate an average infarct size of 24.85 +/- 15.09 % in the left ventricle. One week after MI induction, a much lower EF was observed in MI mice with respect to control (35.3 +/- 7.567% vs. 67.3 +/- 1.6 %), with a slight recovery of cardiac function in MI mice by week 3 (EF = 45.5 +/- 3.1%). Strain analysis also indicated significantly lower average peak strain in MI vs control mice (6.9 +/- 4.3 vs. 21.5 +/- 0.4 %). Preliminary results demonstrate successful monitoring of cardiac function while performing DEI to visualize and quantify MI at 1 Tesla and leverage the benefits of the increased sensitivity of Gd-based contrast imaging with novel compact MRI. Such imaging and analysis techniques could be used to test efficacy of multiple therapeutic interventions.