tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
A phase III trial comparing idarubicin and daunorubicin in combination with cytarabine in acute myelogenous leukemia: a Southeastern Cancer Study Group Study.
Authors: W R Vogler, E Velez-Garcia, R S Weiner, M A Flaum, A A Bartolucci, G A Omura, M C Gerber, P L Banks
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1992)

PURPOSE A randomized clinical trial was undertaken to compare the therapeutic effectiveness of idarubicin (IDR) to daunorubicin (DNR), and both were given in combination with cytarabine (CA) in acute myelogenous leukemic (AML) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS Newly diagnosed patients were given a daily infusion of CA (100 mg/m2) for 7 days and were assigned randomly to receive DNR (45 mg/m2) or IDR (12 mg/m2) daily for the first 3 days. Those patients who achieved a complete remission (CR) were given three consolidation courses that consisted of CA (100 mg/m2 intravenously [IV]) and thioguanine (TG; 100 mg/m2 orally) every 12 hours for 5 days and either DNR (50 mg/m2) or IDR (15 mg/m2) on the first day of each cycle. After consolidation, patients received late intensification, which consisted of the same drugs used for induction except that the CA was given for 5 days and the anthracycline for 2 days. Four courses were planned at 13-week intervals. RESULTS The CR rates were 75 of 105 (71%) on the IDR arm and 65 of 113 (58%) on the DNR arm (P = .03). The median survival and median remission durations were 297 and 433 days, respectively, on the IDR arm. The median survival and median remission durations were 277 and 328 days, respectively, on the DNR arm. Six deaths occurred during late intensification, five on IDR and one on DNR; this approach was abandoned after 47 patients were entered. The median survival was significantly longer for patients who received late intensification. CONCLUSION This trial demonstrated that IDR was more effective than DNR in remission induction in AML.
US melanoma prevalence has doubled over past 30 years
Authors: M. McCarthy
Journal: BMJ (2015)

The prevalence of melanoma in the United States has doubled over the three decades from 1982 to 2011, from 11.2 per 100 000 population to 22.7 per 100 000, says a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Without effective prevention efforts in the community this rate will continue to rise, the CDC has warned.1

Each year more than 65 000 people in the US are given a new diagnosis of invasive melanoma of the skin, and about …
Establishing a KSHV+ Cell Line (BCP-1) From Peripheral Blood and Characterizing Its Growth in Nod/SCID Mice
Authors: Chris Boshoff, Shou-Jiang Gao, Lyn E. Healy, Steve Matthews, Alero J. Thomas, Loinel Coignet, Roger A. Warnke, James A. Strauchen, Estella Matutes, Onsi W. Kamel, Patrick S. Moore, Robin A. Weiss, Yuan Chang
Journal: Blood (1998)
A rare case of mediastinal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor
Authors: Gabriel Cozma, Ovidiu Burlacu, Ioan Adrian Petrache, Monica Marc, Voicu Voiculescu, Calin Tunea, Iris Miron, Alexandru Nicodin
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

The inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) or the inflammatory pseudotumor is a rare benign tumor composed of spindle cells that is known to develop in various locations such as lung, skin, breast, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, bone, epididymis, peritoneum. Mediastinal localisation of the tumor is very rare. We present the case of a 16 years old female with such pathology.

Methods

The patient was admitted into our clinic with a history of pain in the right hemithorax, mild dyspneea and irritative cough. The chest x-ray showed a great ascension of the right hemidiaphragm. Abdominal ultrasound revealed the presence of heterogeneous formations, bulky with liver parenchyma dislocation and fluid collection. The Chest CT examination showed a giant formation in the right hemithorax having right upperdiaphragmatic mass effect on the liver, lower mediastinum and lung parenchyma. A right posterolateral approach was used revealing a giant tumoral formation (14/13/12 cm) originating from the mediastinum. Total surgical ablation was performed.

Results

The postoperative outcome of the patient was good, with no complications and lung reexpansioning. The hospital stay was 7 days. Immunohistochemistry was positive for desmin, VIM, CD 34, CD 68, Ki67, and was diagnosed with inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. No tumoral recurrence was noticed at the one year and two year follow-up.

Conclusions

The mediastinal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor is a very rare pathology. It can raise a series of problems such as the preoperative diagnosis, technical problems related to its location. If total surgical ablation is possible the patients have a favorable outcome.
Cost-effectiveness of routine radiation therapy following conservative surgery for early-stage breast cancer.
Authors: J A Hayman, B E Hillner, J R Harris, J C Weeks
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1998)

PURPOSE To examine the cost-effectiveness of radiation therapy following conservative surgery for early-stage breast cancer. METHODS Using a Markov model, a cost-utility analysis was performed to compare a strategy of radiation therapy versus no radiation therapy in a hypothetical cohort of 60-year-old women following conservative surgery. Local recurrence, distant recurrence, and survival rates used in the model were derived from randomized trial data. Utilities for the nonmetastatic health states were collected from actual patients. Direct medical costs were estimated using data from a single institution. Transportation and time costs were also estimated. Years of life, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), costs, and incremental cost/QALY over a 10-year time horizon were calculated by the model for each strategy. RESULTS The addition of radiation therapy results in a cost increase of $9,800 per patient, no change in life expectancy, and an increase of 0.35 QALYs per patient, which leads to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $28,000/QALY, which is well below $50,000/QALY, a commonly cited threshold for cost-effective care. Sensitivity analysis shows the ratio to be heavily influenced by the cost of radiation therapy and the quality-of-life benefit that results from decreased risk of local recurrence. CONCLUSION Radiation therapy following conservative surgery is cost-effective compared with other accepted medical interventions. This study illustrates the importance of considering an intervention's effect on quality of life, as well as survival in defining cost-effectiveness.
Systematic Overview of Cost-Utility Assessments in Oncology
Authors: C.C. Earle, R.H. Chapman, C.S. Baker, C.M. Bell, P.W. Stone, E.A. Sandberg, P.J. Neumann
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2000)

PURPOSE: Cost-utility analyses (CUAs) present the value of an intervention as the ratio of its incremental cost divided by its incremental survival benefit, with survival weighted by utilities to produce quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). We critically reviewed the CUA literature and its role in informing clinical oncology practice, research priorities, and policy. METHODS: The English-language literature was searched between 1975 and1997 for CUAs. Two readers abstracted from each article descriptions of the clinical situation and patients, the methods used, study perspective, the measures of effectiveness, costs included, discounting, and whether sensitivity analyses were performed. The readers then made subjective quality assessments. We also extracted utility values from the reviewed papers, along with information on how and from whom utilities were measured. RESULTS: Our search yielded 40 studies, which described 263 health states and presented 89 cost-utility ratios. Both the number and quality of studies increased over time. However, many studies are at variance with current standards. Only 20% of studies took a societal perspective, more than a third failed to discount both the costs and QALYs, and utilities were often simply estimates from the investigators or other physicians. CONCLUSION: The cost-utility literature in oncology is not large but is rapidly expanding. There remains much room for improvement in the methodological rigor with which utilities are measured. Considering quality-of-life effects by incorporating utilities into economic studies is particularly important in oncology, where many therapies obtain modest improvements in response or survival at the expense of nontrivial toxicity.
LSC 2013 abstract - Bacterial species associated with the lower airways of patients with and without bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after lung transplantation
Authors: Geraint Rogers, Christopher van der Gast, Stephanie Yerkovich, Peter Hopkins, Kenneth Bruce
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background:  Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) impacts markedly on patient long term survival following lung transplantation. Allograft neutrophilia, and a response in some patients to azithromycin treatment suggest bacterial infection may contribute to BOS. We compare the bacterial species present in lower airway secretions in patients with and without BOS after lung transplantation.   Methods:  Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples were obtained from 63 individuals with and without BOS after lung transplantation (33 BOS grade ≥1, and 30 non-BOS). Control BAL samples were obtained from 40 healthy individuals undergoing either general anaesthesia or bronchoscopy for a non-infective respiratory indication. Bacterial content of samples was determined by culture-independent 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing.   Results:  PCR amplification was achieved for 30 of the DNA extracts (12 BOS, 11 non-BOS, and 7 controls). Examination of 71,185 identified 294 bacterial species, including recognised respiratory pathogens. No significant difference in diversity was observed between patient groups. However, bacterial community composition was found to diverge between post-transplant samples as compared to control samples, with  Pseudomonas aeruginosa , contributing most to bacterial community similarity in the former patient group.   Conclusions:  Data from this study indicates that a diverse bacterial community is associated with post-transplant airways in some individuals, and identifies a number of bacterial species whose potential role in the development of BOS warrants further investigation.
Sustained induction of fetal hemoglobin by pulse butyrate therapy in sickle cell disease.
Authors: George F. Atweh, Millicent Sutton, Imad Nassif, Vassiliki Boosalis, George J. Dover, Sylvan Wallenstein, Elizabeth Wright, Lillian McMahon, George Stamatoyannopoulos, Douglas V. Faller, Susan P. Perrine
Journal: Blood (1999)
A Model Based on Pathologic Features of Superficial Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Complements Clinical Node Staging in Determining Risk of Metastasis to Lymph Nodes
Authors: Jon M. Davison, Michael S. Landau, James D. Luketich, Kevin M. McGrath, Tyler J. Foxwell, Douglas P. Landsittel, Michael K. Gibson, Katie S. Nason
Journal: Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (2015)
Should EUS-B be added to EBUS?
Authors: Laurence Crombag, Jos Stigt, Christophe Dooms, Kurt Tournoy, Jouke Annema
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Introduction:  Guidelines recommend Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) and/or Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) for nodal staging of lung cancer. The added value of EUS-B to EBUS is under discussion and so far only assessed in a single center tertiary referral setting.  Aim:  To investigate the added value of EUS with the EBUS scope (EUS-B) to EBUS for loco-regional nodal staging including T4 assessment.  Methods:  Prospective, multicenter study in patients with (suspected) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and an indication for invasive mediastinal nodal staging. EUS-B was performed following a systematic EBUS evaluation including routine aspiration of nodes with short axis greater than 8 mm. Surgery with nodal dissection was the reference standard whenever endosonography was negative.  Results:  80 patients (mean age 65 years, 50 male) were evaluated according to protocol. Final diagnosis was NSCLC, SCLC, benign and other in 68, 6, 4 and 2 patients, respectively. The prevalence of advanced disease (N2-3/T4) was 34/80 (43%). In 9 (11%) patients EUS-B had an added value to EBUS based on the detection of nodal metastases (3 N2, 3 N3) metastases or mediastinal tumor invasion (3 T4). Endosonography results were false negative in 6 patients (5 N2, 1 T4).  Conclusion and implication:  The routine addition of EUS-B to EBUS results in improved loco-regional staging of patients with NSCLC. Therefore, the use of EUS-B added to EBUS should be encouraged.
Coffee Drinking and Cancer of the Lower Urinary Tract&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="fn2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: D Simon, S Yen, P Cole
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1975)

The relationship between coffee drinking and cancer of the lower urinary tract (LUT) was investigated by a case-control study of white women identified from hospitals in urban areas of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Data on coffee drinking, tea drinking, use of coffee additives, and cigarette smoking were obtained by mail questionnaire. Information was available for 135 women with LUT cancer and 390 controls. For women who usually drank 1+ cups of coffee per day, the risk ratio of having LUT cancer was 2.1 (95 percent confidence limits, 1.1-4.3), compared to a risk of 1 for women who drank less or not at all. However, no dose-response relationship was demonstrated between LUT cancer and usual daily coffee consumption or "cup-years" of coffee drinking. The association of coffee with disease was no different, whether decaffeinated, nondecaffeinated, regular, or instant coffee had been drunk, or whether the coffee was brewed strong or weak. Use of nondairy creamers, saccharin, or cyclamates was not associated with increased risk of disease. The risk of LUT cancer for cigarette smokers relative to nonsmokers was 1.6 (1.0-2.4). The attendant dose-response relationship was statistically significant. The absence of a dose-response relationship between coffee drinking and LUT cancer suggested that the association observed was noncasual.
Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial of Homoeopathic Arnica C30 for Pain and Infection after Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
Authors: Oliver Hart, Mark A Mullee, George Lewith, John Miller
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1997)

Homoeopathic potencies of arnica have been used for many years to aid postoperative recovery. The effects of arnica C30 on pain and postoperative recovery after total abdominal hysterectomy were evaluated in a double-blind, randomized, controlled study. Of 93 women entered into the study, 20 did not complete protocol treatment: nine were excluded because they failed to comply with the protocol, nine had their operations cancelled or changed within 24 h and two had to be withdrawn because of the recurrence of previously chronic painful conditions. Those who did not complete protocol treatment were equally divided between the arnica (nine patients) and placebo groups (11 patients). 73 patients completed the study, of whom 35 received placebo and 38 received arnica C30. The placebo group had a greater median age and the arnica group had slightly longer operations; nevertheless, no significant difference between the two groups could be demonstrated. We conclude that arnica in homoeopathic potency had no effect on postoperative recovery in the context of our study.
Blood transfusion-modulated tumor recurrence: first results of a randomized study of autologous versus allogeneic blood transfusion in colorectal cancer surgery.
Authors: M M Heiss, W Mempel, C Delanoff, K W Jauch, C Gabka, M Mempel, H J Dieterich, H J Eissner, F W Schildberg
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1994)

PURPOSE Allogeneic blood transfusions have reportedly been associated with a poor prognosis in patients with curatively resected cancer. To control for immunosuppression induced by a speculatively causal allogeneic blood transfusion, we designed a randomized study in which the control group received autologous blood transfusions not related to any condition of immunosuppression. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred twenty patients with potentially curative resectable colorectal cancer and the capability to predeposit autologous blood were randomly selected to receive either standard allogeneic blood transfusion or predeposited autologous blood. RESULTS In curatively resected cancer patients, the number who needed allogeneic blood transfusions was reduced from 60% in the allogeneic blood group to 33% in the autologous blood group (P = .009). After a median follow-up duration of 22 months (range, 8 to 48) tumor recurrence was observed in 28.9% of the allogeneic blood group and 16.7% of the autologous blood group. Life-table analysis established a tendency toward a shorter tumor-free survival for the allogeneic blood group (log-rank P = .11). The problem with this analysis was the strong association of allogeneic blood transfusions with tumor recurrence, which interfered in 33% of patients in the autologous blood group who required additional allogeneic blood transfusions. Multivariate analysis of established risk factors for tumor recurrence and surgery-related variables reflecting potential immunosuppressive conditions showed that only pT stage (relative risk, 6.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.82 to 23.99; P = .004), pN stage (relative risk, 8.39; 95% CI, 3.15 to 22.33; P &lt; .001), and the need for allogeneic blood (relative risk, 6.18; 95% CI, 2.20 to 17.37; P &lt; .001) were independent predictors of tumor recurrence. Subgroup analysis of patients who received a transfusion of &lt; or = 2 U blood found a significantly higher risk of tumor recurrence in the allogeneic blood group (relative risk, 5.16; 95% CI, 1.13 to 23.62; P = .034), which was reduced to borderline significance (relative risk, 3.54; 95% CI, 0.76 to 16.51; P = .107) by adjustment for tumor (T) and node (N) stage. CONCLUSION As indicated by these first results, the blood transfusion modality has a significant effect on tumor recurrence after surgical treatment of colorectal cancer. A change in the practice of blood transfusion might thus potentially surpass the impact of any recent adjuvant treatment strategies.
Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry: An Overview
Authors: Z. J. LIPOWSKI
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1974)

The author reviews the scope, underlying assumptions, and organization of consultation-liaison psychiatry. During the 40 years since their inception, liaison services in general hospitals have played a mediating role between psychiatry and medicine. The liaison psychiatrist is one of the few health professionals with a broad enough perspective to achieve a measure of integration of diverse data relevant to comprehensive evaluation and management of patients. Liaison psychiatrists are increasingly involved in teaching and research in addition to clinical activities. The author predicts that the education, functions, and professional attitudes of the liaison psychiatrist represent a viable model that psychiatry as a whole will increasingly adopt.
Main Plenary Sessions: Summaries of Papers
Authors: I Bowns, Karen Collins, S J Walters, A J G McDonagh
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2006)

Bowns I.R., Collins K., Walters S.J., McDonagh A.J.G. Photo-dermoscopic screening
in the management of suspected skin cancer. 86th Annual Meeting of the British
Association of Dermatologists, Manchester, United Kingdom, July, 2006. British
Journal of Dermatology 2006; 155S 1:9.
&lt;italic&gt;Fv-4:&lt;/italic&gt; Gene Controlling Resistance to NB-Tropic Friend Murine Leukemia Virus. Distribution in Wild Mice, Introduction Into Genetic Background of BALB/c Mice, and Mapping of Chromosomes&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: T Odaka, H Ikeda, H Yoshikura, K Moriwaki, S Suzuki
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1981)

A gene controlling resistance to NB-tropic Friend murine leukemia virus (F-MuLV) was studied in wild mice. Mice of various subspecies were crossed with inbred BALB/c mice, and their F1 hybrids were tested for resistance to F-MuLV. Some mice of Mus musculus molossinus (Japan), M. musculus castaneus (Taiwan and the Philippines), and M. musculus urbanus (Sri Lanka) appeared to have a dominant resistance gene. A partially congenic strain, BALB/c-Fv-4wr (C4W), was established by the introduction of the gene Fv-4wr from a M. musculus molossinus into the genetic background of BALB/c mice. [(C4W X DBA/2) X C57BL/6-Fvs] crosses revealed that Fv-4wr is located on chromosome 12 with the gene order of Fv-4w-Pre-1-lgh-1, apparently at the same site as the Fv-4. The resistance of C4W mice was indistinguishable from the Fv-4-controlled resistance of FRG mice.
Functional limitations of COPD
Authors: H Surchi
Journal: Thorax (2009)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects both pulmonary and non-pulmonary systems and results in a wide range of physical functional limitations in sufferers. This study is an attempt to characterise the impact of COPD on non-pulmonary function.

One thousand and two patients from the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program (KPMCP) aged 40–65 years who met the criteria for a diagnosis of COPD …
Using the six-minute walk test to assess exercise capacity in people with pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Lissa Spencer, Bill Zafiropoulos, Jennifer Alison
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Introduction: The aim of the study was to determine if there was a difference in six-minute walk distance (6MWD) when two six-minute walk tests (6MWTs) were performed in people with pulmonary hypertension (PH) prior to attendance at the PH clinic.

Methods: Participants with PH performed two 6MWTs for the first time prior to attendance at the PH Clinic. The tests were performed on a 32 metre continuous track in an outpatient hospital setting using standard instructions and encouragement.

Results: 212 participants completed two 6MWTs [mean (SD) age 57 (16) years; BMI 27 (6) kg/m2]. Using the better 6MWT the mean distance was 438 (139) metres and 6MWT % predicted was 87% (24). There was a significant increase in 6MWD on the second 6MWT [mean difference (95% CI) 16 m (9 to 23), p<0.0001] with 66% of participants walking further on the second walk than the first walk. There were no adverse events during testing.

Conclusion: In people with PH, when a second 6MWT was performed the increase in walk distance was significant but small. This may indicate that one test at baseline may be adequate.