tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Telomerase Activity and Telomerase Subunits Gene Expression Patterns in Neuroblastoma: A Molecular and Immunohistochemical Study Establishing Prognostic Tools for Fresh-Frozen and Paraffin-Embedded Tissues
Authors: Christopher Poremba, Christina Scheel, Barbara Hero, Holger Christiansen, Karl-Ludwig Schaefer, Jun-ichi Nakayama, Frank Berthold, Heribert Juergens, Werner Boecker, Barbara Dockhorn-Dworniczak
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2000)

PURPOSE: We have recently demonstrated that telomerase activity (TA) is an independent prognostic factor in neuroblastomas. In the present study, the prognostic impact of TA and gene expression of the three major telomerase subunits is evaluated by molecular and immunohistochemical techniques in fresh-frozen and paraffin-embedded tissues. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty-three neuroblastomas of all stages were analyzed for TA. The TA levels of 75 neuroblastoma cases were correlated with gene expression of telomerase subunits hTRT, human telomerase RNA (hTR), and telomerase protein 1 (TP1) by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), using an innovative approach on the LightCycler instrument (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany). For selected cases, the applicability of RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry for hTRT expression analysis was investigated in paraffin-embedded tissues. TA and subunit expression patterns were correlated with traditional prognostic indicators and disease outcome. RESULTS: TA was present in a total of 39 (29.3%) of 133 neuroblastomas and in 31 (29.8%) of 104 initial neuroblastomas without cytotoxic pretreatment. TA was significantly correlated with both event-free and overall survival (P &lt; .0001). Furthermore, we found a significant correlation between expression levels of TA and hTRT (P &lt; .0001) as well as hTR (P &lt; .001). Multivariate analysis revealed only TA and tumor stage but not serum lactate dehydrogenase, MYCN amplification, or age at diagnosis as independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: The significant correlation with clinical outcome strongly recommends that analysis of TA be incorporated into the clinical investigation of each individual neuroblastoma at the time of diagnosis. Because the mere presence or absence of TA without further quantification is sufficient basis for predicting disease outcome, the telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay could be complemented with but not replaced by analysis of hTRT or hTR expression.
Evaluation of Hepatocellular Neoplasms in Mice
Authors: J. M. Ward, G. Vlahakis
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1978)

Thirty C3H-AvyfB male mice from 3 to 15 months of age were killed, and the genesis of their hepatocellular neoplasms was studied. As the mice aged, the number of tumors per liver and mean diameter of the tumors increased. Histologically, the smallest tumors were composed of solid sheets of cells and were better differentiated than the largest tumors. Small foci of hepatocytes in prominent trabeculae were seen in a few small tumors, whereas prominent trabecular formation was a common characteristic of large tumors. In addition, 18 metastatic hepatocellular carcinomas observed in aged C3H-AvyfB, C3HfC, C3H, C3HfB, (C3HfB × YBR)F1, or C57BL/6 mice were also included for a morphologic study of their primary and metastatic lesions. Invariably, the pulmonary metastases were composed of a well-differentiated sheet of hepatocytes that resembled those in the solid liver tumors. The smallest hepatocellular neoplasms appear to represent early stages in the development of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma.
Aerobic training inhibits leukocytes production of oxidants, pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic factors reducing asthmatic phenotype
Authors: Rodolfo Paula Vieira, Ronaldo Aparecido Silva, Ana Paula Ligeiro Oliveira, Milton Arruda Martins, Celso Ricardo Fernandes Carvalho
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Aerobic training results in beneficial effects to asthmatic patients and also in animal models of asthma. However, the studies have not evaluated yet the effects of aerobic training on the peribronchial leukocytes activation. This study evaluated the effects of 4 weeks of low intensity aerobic training on the expression of inflammatory and fibrotic mediators by peribronchial leukocytes. 32 BALB/c mice divided in 4 experimental groups: Control, Exercise, OVA and OVA+Exercise were sensitized on days 0, 14, 28 and 42 and challenged with aerolized OVA 1% for 3x/week, beginning on 21 st  day for 4 weeks. Low intensity aerobic treadmill training started on day 22 nd  for 4 weeks. 72 hours after last OVA challenge mice were assessed to lung inflammation, levels of IL-5 and IL-10 in BAL fluid by ELISA and for quantitative analysis of peribronchial leukocytes activation. The results showed that aerobic training in sensitized animals resulted in significant decrease of total cells and eosinophils in BAL fluid, decreased level of IL-5 and increased level of IL-10 in BAL fluid (p
Smoking prevalence and practice in special categories: Taxi drivers
Authors: Ioana Munteanu, Florin Mihaltan, Daniela Ivascu
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

The goal of the survey was to estimate the prevalence of tobacco consumption on taxi drivers and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in cabs. The study is important because it is the first one made in Romania on this topic and there are a few of them reported in medical publication.There are decisions of local counsel on banning smoking in taxis for both driver and customer. The date were collected from a 5-10 min questioner which contain demographic data, Fagerstrom Nicotine Dependence Scale and questions regarding smoking practice in the car. The questioners were directly distribute to taxi drivers from three large taxi companies from Bucharest. Results:100 questioners were collect for statistical analysis from 400 taxi divers. The lot was made by 94%men and 6%women; average age37.79 ±9.89years; driving experience averaged 7.67± 4.55years.hey work in shifts: 7.1% only in day, 63.6% in night and 29.3% in alternative. The work years on night shift average were 3.9± 3.86. Smokers 70.7%, (average age 38.04± 9.78years) Exsmokers 10.1%, Nonsmokers 19.2%. Number of cigarettes/day (0-5) 15.7%, 10/20 68.6% and > 20% 15.7%. Nicotine dependence was high, 70% of smoker light their cigarette in the first 5 minutes of waking. 35% of smoke in the taxi, if the customer doesn9t express his opinion regarding smoking. Conclusions The prevalence of smoking is higher than the national average (30%). The study group consists of young people who work at night and have a high dependence on nicotine. There is company internal rules that bans smoking, so many taxi drivers refrain from smoking in taxis, but not when they don9 t have client. Smoke free policy can support a smoking cessation program among them.
A phase II clinical trial of adoptive immunotherapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma using mitogen-activated autologous leukocytes and continuous infusion interleukin-2.
Authors: J C Wang, A Walle, A Novogrodsky, M Suthanthiran, R T Silver, N H Bander, A L Rubin, K H Stenzel
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1989)

Forty patients with metastatic, recurrent, or unresectable renal cell carcinoma were entered into a study of the therapeutic efficacy of adoptive immunotherapy using periodate (IO4-) and interleukin-2 (IL2)-activated autologous leukocytes and continuous infusion low-dose IL2. Patient survival was also examined. The first 15 consecutive patients were enrolled in protocol A without an IL2 priming phase and the following 25 patients were entered in protocol B where a 5-day priming phase was initiated before leukapheresis. A maintenance regimen consisted of either 3 x 10(6) units of recombinant interferon-alpha (rIFN-alpha), three times per week only or together with leukapheresis and infusion of IO4-/IL2-activated cells and 2 days of continuous infusion IL2 per month. Thirty-four patients completed the protocol treatment. Four patients were removed from the study owing to rapid tumor progression and two patients died while receiving treatment. The clinical response rate was 22%: two patients had a complete response and five patients had a partial response. Among the 25 patients who had no clinical response, 11 patients had either a mixed response or stabilization. Neither response, response duration, nor site response correlated with the total dose of IL2 administered or the number of activated killer cells infused. Patients who received maintenance therapy had longer survival times than patients who did not receive such therapy. All toxicity and side effects associated with IL2 treatment were transient and resolved after discontinuation of the drug. Patients on maintenance therapy tolerated both rIFN-alpha and monthly infusions of activated killer cells and IL2 well. This study confirms the concept of adoptive immunotherapy as a new treatment approach for advanced renal cell carcinoma and suggests that maintenance therapy may prolong survival time.
Cancer in Households: A Human-Canine Retrospective Study&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: Robert Schneider, C. Richard Dorn, Melville R. Klauber
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1968)

An index case group of 427 households in which canine malignancies were histopathologically confirmed was matched, on the basis of 5 household human-cancer risk categories, with 520 control households in which dogs were free of malignancies. Of 54 human cancers reported in case households, 48% were verified malignancies; of 39 human cancers reported in control households, 54% were verified. This study, which could detect differences in relative risk in excess of threefold to fourfold, showed no overall association of human and canine cancer. Tests of the highest human risk groups separately—households containing members predominately 60 years of age and over—also were without significance. The small number of verified human and dog malignancies in the same household precluded the analysis of associations of specific tumor histologic types or sites. However, 5 cutaneous malignant melanomas in dogs were associated with malignancies in the digestive tract of humans. While this is possibly a spurious association, it is interesting that most of the 48 canine malignant melanomas in this study were on the head region, the area most in contact with humans.
Percutaneous coronary intervention. II: The procedure
Authors: E. D Grech
Journal: BMJ (2003)

<h3>Abstract</h3> <h3>Background</h3> Although convalescent plasma has been widely used to treat severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), data from randomized controlled trials that support its efficacy are limited. <h3>Objective</h3> To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of convalescent plasma among adults hospitalized with severe and critical COVID-19. <h3>Design</h3> Randomized, double-blind, controlled, multicenter, phase 2 trial conducted from April 21<sup>st</sup> to November 27<sup>th</sup>, 2020. <h3>Setting</h3> Five hospitals in New York City (NY, USA) and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). <h3>Participants</h3> Hospitalized patients aged ≥18 years with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, infiltrates on chest imaging and oxygen saturation ≤ 94% on room air or requirement for supplemental oxygen, invasive mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. <h3>Intervention</h3> Participants were randomized 2:1 to a single transfusion of either 1 unit of convalescent or normal control plasma. <h3>Measurements</h3> The primary outcome was clinical status at 28 days, measured using an ordinal scale and analyzed using a proportional odds model in the intention-to-treat population. <h3>Results</h3> Of 223 participants enrolled, 150 were randomized to receive convalescent plasma and 73 to normal control plasma. At 28 days, no significant improvement in clinical status was observed in participants randomized to convalescent plasma (with an odds ratio (OR) of a 1-point improvement in the scale: 1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.83-2.68, p=0.180). However, 28-day mortality was significantly lower in participants randomized to convalescent plasma versus control plasma (19/150 [12.6%] versus 18/73 [24.6%], OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.22-0.91, p=0.034). The median titer of anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody in infused convalescent plasma units was 1:160 (IQR 1:80-1:320). In a subset of nasopharyngeal swab samples (n=40) from Brazil that underwent genomic sequencing, no evidence of neutralization-escape mutants was detected. Serious adverse events occurred in 39/147 (27%) participants who received convalescent plasma and 26/72 (36%) participants who received control plasma. <h3>Limitations</h3> Some participants did not receive high-titer convalescent plasma. <h3>Conclusion</h3> In adults hospitalized with severe COVID-19, use of convalescent plasma was not associated with significant improvement in 28 days clinical status. The significant reduction in mortality associated with convalescent plasma, however, may warrant further evaluation. <h3>Registration</h3> ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04359810 <h3>Funding</h3> Amazon Foundation <h3>Clinical Trial Registration</h3> ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04359810
Do existing empirical models for welding fumes estimate exposure to ultrafine particles among Canadian welding apprentices
Authors: Hans Kromhout, Maximilien Debia, Igor Burstyn, Denyse Gautrin, Eva Suarthana
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background: An exposure study in Quebec showed that apprentices in welding profession have a high level of exposure to ultrafine particles (UFP) during the whole training period.This is of increasing importance as evidence suggests that UFP may contribute to adverse respiratory and cardiovascular outcomes. We evaluated how well existing empirical models for welding fumes estimate exposure to UFP among welding apprentices.

Methods: We used an existing exposure database of 136 UFP measurements from two welding vocational schools in Quebec. We used three exposure models for inhalable dusts and fumes, respirable dusts and fumes, and total particulate matter to estimate UFP exposure among apprentice welders from Quebec. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between the estimated exposure to welding fumes based on the three models and measured UFP concentrations.

Results: Low correlation coefficients were found between the measured UFP concentrations and the estimated welding fumes concentrations from the three exposure models that ranged from 0.11 to 0.22. Correlations coefficients between the estimates of the three models were markedly higher and ranged from 0.41 to 0.74.

Conclusions: Current empirical models for exposure to welding fumes are insufficient for predicting exposure to UFP among welding apprentices. More UFP measurements are needed to derive UFP-specific empirical models. These models will be crucial for controlling exposure and to assess association of exposure to UFP and respiratory health effects.
The factors associated to pulmonary impairment in patients with treated tuberculosis
Authors: Mikhail Chushkin, Valentina Aksenova, Elena Bogorodskaya, Vadim Koroev, Sergey Mandrykin, Dmitriy Zhutikov, Eduard Tikhokhod, Sergey Smerdin
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Tuberculosis is associated with frequent pulmonary impairment. Low lung function is an independent predictor of all-cause or respiratory disease mortality. The aim of the study was to ascertain the factors affecting lung function in patients treated for pulmonary tuberculosis.  Methods: In 302 patients who were treated for pulmonary tuberculosis (188 men and 114 women between the ages of 20 and 82 years) and observed at local dispensaries pulmonary function tests were performed.  Results: Out of 302 patients, 114 (37,8%) had low lung function (FEV1  0.05); smoking ever vs never (OR 1.21; 95% CI 0.74 to 1.97; p>0.05).  Conclusion: Risk factors for low lung function were culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in the past, age more than 40 years, recurrence of tuberculosis which may increase the prevalence of low lung function in the patients treated for pulmonary tuberculosis.
Relationship of upper airways disorders to FEV1 and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in an epidemiological study
Authors: I Annesi, MP Oryszczyn, F Neukirch, E Orvoen-Frija, M Korobaeff, F Kauffmann
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1992)

Associations of upper airways disorders (UAD) with forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and bronchial methacholine response were studied, taking smoking habits into account. We used epidemiological data drawn from a population of 324 men, aged 27-58 yrs. Lower FEV1 level was related to hay fever (p = 0.01), usual (p = 0.01) and chronic (p = 0.02) rhinitis and common cold on the day of examination (p = 0.04). Allowance for the major potential confounding factor, tobacco smoking, showed similar results. Bronchial methacholine response was heightened in men reporting hay fever compared to those without (p = 0.01) but also in men reporting chronic rhinitis (p = 0.06), a group which did not exhibit skin prick test positivity more often than other subjects. Exclusion of asthmatics and taking into account smoking and skin prick test positivity yielded mostly similar results. Our data support the hypothesis of an association between lung impairment, as assessed by lower FEV1 and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine, and different types of UAD, allergic or not.
Oxidative stress and systemic inflammation in different COPD phenotypes
Authors: Piero Ceriana, Giuseppe Brunetti, Teresa Coccini, Elisa Roda, Antonio Spanevello
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Introduction – Oxidative stress (OS) and systemic inflammation (SI) play a pivotal role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is not clear whether the degree of OS and SI may differ between the COPD phenotypes (P). Methods - We selected 36 COPD patients having clinical and radiological features of two distinct phenotypes. 18 patients belonging to the emphysema P (EP) had a history of COPD without cough or phlegm, were thinner, had low intensity sounds at auscultation, impaired lung diffusing capacity and definite emphysematous pattern at HRCT. 18 patients belonging to the bronchitis P (BP) had chronic productive cough, adventitious chest sounds at auscultation and radiological signs of increased bronchial and vascular markers. During a phase of clinical stability, the following markers of OS and SI were assessed in both groups and in a third group of 18 peer-age healthy people: F2 isoprostanes (F2-IP), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD-1), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin (IL) 8 and 6. Results – F2-IP was significantly higher (pl0.05) in both EP (191 pg/ml) and BP (209 pg/ml) compared to controls (96 pg/ml), MCP-1 was significantly higher in EP (290 pg/ml, pl0.01) and BP (267 pg/ml, pl0.05) compared to controls (204 pg/ml). SOD-1 was significantly lower (pl0.01) in EP (121 U/ml) compared to controls (165 U/ml)while no differences were observed for IL8 and IL6. Conclusions – some SI markers are higher in both COPD phenotypes while antioxidants are reduced, especially in the EP.
Transient Postoperative Hypertension: Role of Obesity and Oral Contraceptives
Authors: Louis H Honoré
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1979)

Brief evidence is presented which indicates that obesity in men and oral contraceptives (OCs) in women predispose them to transient postoperative hypertension development.  The study included healthy young men and women aged 18-44 years who underwent minor surgery.  Upper limit of normal for diastolic blood pressure was taken as 90 mm of Hg.  Only patients with normal admission pressures were studied and postoperative hypertension was diagnosed if at least 2 diastolic readings exceeded 90 mm.  Obesity was defined as weight 10% or more in excess of desirable levels as established by standard tables.  Of the 267 men studied 44 (16.5%) showed transient uncomplicated postoperative hypertension with diastolic pressures ranging from 92-110 mm of Hg.  In all cases the blood pressure was normal within 3 hours postoperatively.  The incidence of obesity was significantly higher (P < .005) in postoperative hypertensives (63.7%) than in normotensives (15.7%).  Of the 266 women studied 16 (6.1%) had transient postoperative hypertension similar to the males.  The incidence of obesity was not significantly different in the postoperative hypertensives (18.8%) and the normotensives (15.8%).  OC use was significantly greater (P < .01) in the postoperative hypertensives (68.8%) than in the normotensives (20.6%).
Intravenous immunoglobulins as a treatment of interstitial granulomatous dermatitis with arthritis
Authors: R. Alghamdi, C. Bejar, M. Steff, L. Deschamps, E. Marinho, B. Crickx, V. Descamps
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2012)

Funding sources: none. Conflicts of interest: none declared. Madam, Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis with arthritis (IGDA) is an uncommon idiopathic dermatosis with various cutaneous expressions, including subcutaneous linear cords or bands, plaques and papules.1 The diagnosis of IGDA depends on histological confirmation with, in particular, the presence of infiltrate in the reticular dermis, a predominance of interstitial and palisading histiocytes and a few areas of degenerative collagen bundles associated with a variable number of polynuclear neutrophils and eosinophils.2 We report a case of IGDA with a dramatic improvement after treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG). An 81‐year‐old woman presented with progressive pruritic inflammatory erythematosus plaques on the face, trunk and limbs which she had had for 5 years; there was a sharp demarcation of the plaques with the healthy skin. She also complained of joint pain for several years. Prior examinations, which included a skin biopsy, had shown histological signs of an interstitial pattern of granuloma annulae, monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) and positive anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibody. Various treatments did not improve the cutaneous lesions (topical corticosteroids, tacrolimus ointment, vitamin therapy, hydroxychloroquine and phototherapy).
Palbociclib: a first-in-class CDK4/CDK6 inhibitor for the treatment of hormone-receptor positive advanced breast cancer
Authors: Janice Lu
Journal: Journal of Hematology & Oncology (2015)

Palbociclib was approved by the FDA for use in combination with letrozole for the treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer as initial endocrine-based therapy. In addition, the combination of palbociclib with fulvestrant resulted in superior outcome than fulvestrant alone in those who had progressed during prior endocrine therapy. This research highlight summarized the current development of CDK4/CDK6 inhibitors and future directions in the treatment of advanced hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.
Further Studies on Surface Antigen of Shope Papilloma Cells: Trypsin Sensitivity&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: Akinori Ishimoto, Yohei Ito
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1971)

The surface antigen specific for Shope papilloma virus (SPV) was easily exfoliated by trypsinization. When cells dispersed with 0.25% trypsin were stained by the indirect immunofluorescent technique, the ratio of the cells with specific surface fluorescence did not exceed 5%. However, when ceils dispersed with 0.02% ethylenediaminetetraacetate and those frown on coverslips were stained by similar procedures, over 15 and 50% of the cells, respectively, fluoresced. The trypsin sensitivity of the antigen thus detected suggests that the SPV-induced new surface antigen is a protein or protein-bound substance. The cytotoxic test was not sensitive enough to detect antigen remaining on the surface of cells dispersed with 0.25% trypsin.