tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Correlation between c-erbB-4 receptor expression and response to gemcitabine–cisplatin chemotherapy in non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: O. Merimsky, A. Staroselsky, M. Inbar, Y. Schwartz, N. Wigler, A. Mann, S. Marmor, J. Greif
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2001)
Bone Erosion Is Associated With Reduction of Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Endothelial Dysfunction in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Yune‐Jung Park, Ji‐Young Kim, Jeongmi Park, Jin‐Jung Choi, Wan‐Uk Kim, Chul‐Soo Cho
Journal: Arthritis & Rheumatology (2014)

To identify factors influencing endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) counts in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).The number of circulating CD34+/ vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2-positive EPCs was measured in 126 RA patients and 46 non-RA control patients. Endothelial function was assessed by brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Serum CXCL12 concentrations were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. EPCs and FMD were measured at baseline and after 24 weeks of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy in 29 patients with active RA.The numbers of circulating EPCs were significantly lower in the RA patients than in the non-RA controls. In multivariate analysis, older age, reduced levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and higher bone erosion scores were independent risk factors for reduced EPC counts in RA patients. Serum CXCL12 levels correlated negatively with EPC counts, but positively with bone erosion scores. FMD was impaired in RA patients, and a decreased FMD in RA was closely associated with a higher bone erosion score and a reduced EPC count. In addition, EPC counts were restored by anti-TNF therapy, and this increase was paralleled by improvement in FMD. Interestingly, restoration of EPC counts was attenuated in patients with higher bone erosion scores than in those with lower scores, despite similar levels of improvement in disease activity.The numbers of circulating EPCs in RA patients are reduced and are inversely correlated with serum levels of CXCL12. Reduced EPC counts are closely associated not only with bone erosion, but also with endothelial dysfunction.
Immunologic Studies on a Pancreatic Oncofetal Protein 2
Authors: Anastasios A. Mihas
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1978)

Immunization of rabbits with a human fetal pancreas extract produced precipitating antibody against an antigen present only in fetal pancreas and extracts of human pancreatic carcinoma. Pancreatic oncofetal protein (POP) migrated on immunoelectrophoresis in the α1-α2 region, thus making possible its detection by counterimmunoelectrophoresis. POP was found in the 12,000×g supernatant of fetal pancreas and could be precipitated with (NH4)2SO4 at concentrations between 30 and 45%. The antigen was partially purified by consecutive centrifugation at 12,000×g, 40% (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, and ion-exchange chromatography. Treatment of the POP with trypsin completely abolished its antigenic activity; this suggested that the antigen was a protein or a moiety closely associated with protein.
Rapid DNA extraction from dried blood spots for the alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency detection by real-time PCR
Authors: Radoslaw Struniawski, Adam Szpechcinski, Beata Poplawska, Michal Skronski, Pawel Kuca, Joanna Chorostowska-Wynimko
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background: The use of dried blood spot (DBS) specimens for the genetic screening of alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is often limited by low quantity and quality of extracted DNA. Our aim was to develop the method of simple, fast and efficient DNA extraction from DBS samples using commercial kit that effectively eliminates any natural PCR inhibitors allowing for successful AAT genotyping by real-time PCR and direct sequencing.  Methods: DNA extracted from 84 DBS samples from COPD patients was genotyped for PI*S and PI*Z AAT deficiency variants by real-time PCR. The results of AAT genotyping were validated by IEF phenotyping and concentration measurement of AAT protein in sera from the same patients. The diagnosis of rare/unknown AAT variants was established by direct sequencing.  Results: the proposed method of DNA extraction allowed successful DNA isolation from all analyzed DBS samples. Both quantity and quality of DNA were sufficient for further real-time PCR and genetic sequence analysis of all samples. The 100% concordance between AAT DBS genotypes and serum phenotypes in positive detection of two major deficiency alleles was achieved. Both assays, DBS AAT genotyping by real-time PCR and AAT phenotyping by IEF, positively identified PI*S and PI*Z allele in 8 out of 84 (9,5%) and 16 out of 84 (19%) patients, respectively.  Conclusion: the proposed procedure minimizes the hand-on-time of DBS samples preparation providing sufficient quantity and quality of genomic DNA to be used for either real-time PCR or genetic sequence analysis, as only good quality DNA template guarantees efficient and reproducible AAT genotyping results in any DBS screening protocol.
Presence of aspiration pneumonia is independently associated with mortality, after adjusting for age, disease severity, and comorbities
Authors: Michael Lanspa, Paula Peyrani, Timothy Wiemken, Julio Ramirez, Nathan Dean
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background : Patients with aspiration pneumonia are older and have more comorbid conditions. It is unknown whether presence of aspiration pneumonia independently increases mortality, or merely signifies greater comorbidities.

Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of the Community-Acquired Pneumonia Organization (CAPO) database, which retrospectively collected data from 43 hospitals in 12 countries, between June 2001 and December 2012. We included adult patients who met criteria for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Presence of aspiration pneumonia was determined clinically. We performed a propensity-matched analysis, comparing patients with and without aspiration pneumonia, accounting for age, disease severity, and comorbidities.

Results: We identified 451 patients with aspiration and 4734 patients with non-aspiration CAP. Patients with aspiration pneumonia were older (median 79 vs. 69, p < 0.001), had greater comorbidities, and presented with greater disease severity. Patients with aspiration pneumonia had greater pneumonia severity index scores (median 123 vs. 92, p < 0.001), increased hospital length-of-stay (median 9 vs. 7 days, p <0.001), and increased in-hospital mortality (41% vs. 26%, p < 0.001). The propensity-matched analysis, adjusted for age, disease severity, and comorbidities, demonstrated that aspiration pneumonia independently conferred a 2.32 (95% CI 1.56-3.45, p < 0.001) odds ratio for in-hospital mortality compared to non-aspiration pneumonia.

Conclusions: Patients with aspiration pneumonia are more likely to die than those with non-aspiration pneumonia, even after adjusting for age, disease severity, and comorbidities.
The percentage of influenza vaccination in urban and suburban high risk population in western Greece during the year 2010
Authors: Dimitra Sereti, Theodosios Theodosiou, Konstantina Sereti, Maria Petta
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Aim:  To estimate the percentage of immunization against influenza.   Method:  1156 high risk patients were asked for having or not having done the influenza vaccine. They were also, asked for the reasons which made them not to be vaccinated.   Results:  227 patients (35,1%) from the rural and suburban were vaccinated and 133 (26,1%) from the urban.  The reasons for no vaccination were fear, ignorance, personal beliefs, neglect, contraindications and lack of vaccine or difficulty in access.  The vaccination was carried out by family physicians in 65,6% of the rural and suburban population and in a 53,4% of the urban.   Conclusion:  People from rural and suburban areas are more immunizated against influenza compared with those from urban. Apart from the contra-indications, there are other reasons that influence the influenza vaccination of the population. The participation of the family physicians in rural population9s vaccination indicates the quality of the direct relationship between doctor and patients and probably is the main cause for the low percentages of fear, ignorance or neglect about the vaccine against influenza.
Abnormalities of chromosome 16 in association with acute myelomonocytic leukemia and dysplastic bone marrow eosinophils.
Authors: D E Hogge, S Misawa, N Z Parsa, A Pollak, J R Testa
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1984)

Six patients with M4 acute myelomonocytic leukemia ( AMMoL ) were identified who had abnormalities of chromosome 16 in bone marrow cells. Five had a pericentric inversion, inv(16)( p13q22 ), and a sixth patient had a translocation, t(16;16)(p13.1;q22). Each of these six patients had bone marrow eosinophils that were abnormal in morphology on light and/or electron microscopy and by cytochemical stains. The eosinophils constituted 1%-24% of nucleated marrow cells. Of 61 acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) patients, all those with AMMoL and abnormal bone marrow eosinophils had an inv(16) or a t(16;16). One other patient in this group had a rearrangement of chromosome 16 (with a break in the short arm at band p13); however, the ANLL type was M1 and no abnormal eosinophils were present. Four patients with ANLL types other than M4 had an increase in marrow eosinophils; three in whom the eosinophils appeared normal and one with ANLL-M2 and bizarre eosinophils morphologically distinct from those seen in AMMoL . Chromosome pair 16 was normal in the latter four patients. AMMoL with dysplastic bone marrow eosinophils appears to represent a unique clinicopathologic entity associated with several related abnormalities affecting 16q . The morphologic features of both blasts and eosinophils may be more important than the absolute number of eosinophils in the marrow in identifying this group of patients. This may have prognostic importance as five of six patients achieved complete remission with standard antileukemic therapy and are still alive.
Construction of a DBA/2.Fv-2 r Congenic Strain. Apparent Lethality of the Homozygous Fv-2 r Genotype: Brief Communication 2
Authors: Kenneth J. Blank, Frank Lilly
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1977)

From the (C57BL/6 × DBA/2)F1 cross, 13 serial backcrosses to the DBA/2 parental mouse strain were bred with selection by progeny testing in each generation for the Fv-2s/Fv-2r heterozygous genotype. Intercrossing heterozygotes of the 13th backcross generation produced no Fv-2r/Fv-2r homozygotes. Homozygosity for the Fv-2r allele thus appeared to be lethal on a DBA/2 background and in the absence of protector gene(s) of the C57BL strain.
Use of the Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator in High-Risk Cardiac Patients
Authors: Valentina Kutyifa, Arthur J. Moss, Helmut Klein, Yitschak Biton, Scott McNitt, Bonnie MacKecknie, Wojciech Zareba, Ilan Goldenberg
Journal: Circulation (2015)

Prospective data on the safety and efficacy of the wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) in a real-world setting are lacking. The Prospective Registry of Patients Using the Wearable Defibrillator (WEARIT-II) Registry was designed to provide real-world data on the WCD as a strategy during a period of risk stratification.The WEARIT-II Registry enrolled 2000 patients with ischemic (n=805, 40%), or nonischemic cardiomyopathy (n=927, 46%), or congenital/inherited heart disease (n=268) prescribed WCD between August 2011 and February 2014. Clinical data, arrhythmia events, implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation, and improvement in ejection fraction were captured. The median age was 62 years; the median ejection fraction was 25%. The median WCD wear time was 90 days, with median daily use of 22.5 hours. There was a total of 120 sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias in 41 patients, of whom 54% received appropriate WCD shock. Only 10 patients (0.5%) received inappropriate WCD therapy. The rate of sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias by 3 months was 3% among patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and congenital/inherited heart disease, and 1% among nonischemic patients (P=0.02). At the end of WCD use, 840 patients (42%) were implanted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. The most frequent reason not to implant an implantable cardioverter defibrillator following WCD use was improvement in ejection fraction.The WEARIT-II Registry demonstrates a high rate of sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias at 3 months in at-risk patients who are not eligible for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, and suggests that the WCD can be safely used to protect patients during this period of risk assessment.
Management of acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD); experience from a district general hospital in north west England
Authors: Sharada Gudur, Annette Pilling, Joanne Wright, Abdul Ashish, Imran Aziz
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background : Our Trust covers a population of 330,000, with a dedicated nurse-lead COPD unit supported by a respiratory consultant for advice. Patients with AECOPD are assessed following referral, at 2 and 6 weeks. Home visits are undertaken in the first 2 weeks. The main aims are to prevent hospital admission through patient self management, patient / carer education and early supported discharge.

Methods : Patient outcomes from April 2010 to March 2011 were reviewed. Exclusion criteria used were asthma, bronchiectasis, pneumonia, confused patients, uncontrolled diabetes, abnormal ECG and lack of social support.

Results : Of 636 referred, 497 were suitable. The referral source is shown below.

View this table:

Referral sources





Unsuitability criteria were Not AECOPD (50%), Lack of social support (20%), too poorly (20%), pneumonia/hypoxia/cardiac (10%). Of the 497 (286 F: 211 M) suitable patients (median age 70 y, IQR 63-76), 293 were ex smokers, 175 current smokers and 29 non smokers. There was a lack of relationship between seasons and admissions. 29 (5.8%) patients were admitted, with a mean length of stay of 4.65 days. So 468 readmissions were avoided, thereby saving 2159.82 bed days.

Conclusions : We have shown that within a planned unit with consultant support, COPD patients requiring inpatient management is significantly lower compared to National average (16%). In the current environment of financial austerity we feel that this model of COPD care is effective in saving valuable hospital bed occupancy and also provides management of patients in their own environment by facilitating self education and personalized care.
Pulmonary volumetric analyses based on three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT), compared with pulmonary function test
Authors: Hiroo Wada, Sayuki Hiraoka, Keiko Morita, Masamichi Koyanagi, Kenichi Yokoyama, Yoshinosuke Fukuchi, Toshiaki Nitatori, Hajime Goto
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

BACKGROUND  Three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) potentiates the application to the daily clinical practice.   METHODS  Forty four patients (30 COPD, 12 lung cancer, 2 miscellaneous) were enrolled in this study. Lung volumes (LV), as well as the low attenuation volume (LAV), were measured based on 3D-CT both at the end inspiratory volume (EIV) and at the end expiratory volume (EEV) and compared with the physiological data of ordinary pulmonary function tests.   RESULTS & DISCUSSION  Lung volumes determined using reconstituted 3D-CT images at end inspiratory volume (LVins), those at end expiratory volume (LVexp), and their difference (LVins – LVexp), were significantly associated with TLC (p   CONCLUSION  3D-CT reveals not only the physiologic properties, but also provides some insights into the mechanism of respiration.
Ultraviolet B induced suppression of induction of contact sensitivity in human skin is not associated with tumour necrosis factor-alpha-308 or interleukin-10 genetic polymorphisms
Authors: None Allen, None Skov, None Barber, None Trembath, None Simon, None Baadsgaard, None Barker
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1998)

Low doses of ultraviolet B (UVB) can induce localized immunosuppression in skin. This effect may be important in the induction of skin cancers and is thought to be mediated by tumour necrosis factor (TNF) α and interleukin (IL) 10 in conjunction with other factors. In humans a transition polymorphism in the TNF‐α gene may affect TNF‐α secretion and the promoter region of the IL‐10 gene contains a CA repeat polymorphism which may affect gene function. We have therefore investigated the association of these polymorphisms with UVB‐induced immunosuppression in humans. Volunteers (n = 42) were irradiated with UVB then sensitized on irradiated skin with diphenylcyclopropanone (DPCP) and subsequently antigen challenged with DPCP. DNA was extracted from blood samples and volunteers genotyped for the TNF‐α polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction digestion. The CA repeat polymorphism was amplified by PCR and sized by gel electrophoresis. Twenty‐four volunteers were susceptible to UVB‐induced immunosuppression and 18 were resistant. The association of allele frequencies and phenotype was statistically tested using a χ2‐test. For both the TNF‐α and IL‐10 polymorphisms, there was no statistically significant association between allele types and response to UVB. These results indicate that variation in the immune response to UVB in humans is not associated with the TNF‐α‐308 transition or IL‐10 CA repeat polymorphisms, although other as yet undetected DNA sequence variants of these genes may be involved.
Excluding extreme breaths from analysis can change conductive airway ventilatory inhomogeneity by over 25% in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Noor Al-Khathlan, Ruslan Garipov, John Owers-Bradley, Erol Gaillard, Caroline Beardsmore
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Gas washout tests assess ventilatory inhomogeneity. Analysis of normalised phase 3 slopes (SnIII) allows differentiation of inhomogeneity of conducting and acinar airways (S cond  and S acin ). Standardising data collection and analysis in subjects with a wide range of tidal volumes remains problematic, though multiplying each SnIII by the expired tidal volume (Vt) of the breath has been used as a correction. Our  Aim was to examine the effect of excluding breaths with extreme Vt on S cond .   Methods:  We performed multi-breath nitrogen washout in 16 children with CF aged 6 -17 yr. An auditory signal indicated when the child has inspired a pre-set Vt. Measurements were performed in triplicate in all except 2 and analysed with a custom-built programme. SnIII from every breath was plotted against lung turnover (TO), separately for each run and for all runs combined. The slope of SnIII against TO was calculated for all data between 1.5 and 6 TO to determine S cond.  Analysis was repeated after excluding breaths that differed from the mean expired Vt by >10%. Results were compared with paired t-tests and Bland-Altman plots.   Results:  The number of breaths between 1.5 and 6 TO ranged from 7-26. 15 children had 1-10 extreme breaths excluded, which had no effect on S cond  for the group as a whole (mean, 95%CI=-0.0015, -0.0076 to 0.0046, p= 0.61). In 5/16 cases S cond  altered by >25%. Biggest changes were seen in those with lowest values of S cond . Size and direction of the change was unrelated to the number of breaths excluded.   Conclusion:  Retaining or excluding individual breaths can make a significant difference to S cond,  which may be relevant in longitudinal studies.
Tuberculosis Prevention in Methadone Maintenance Clinics
Authors: DAVID C. SNYDER, E. ANTONIO PAZ, JANET C. MOHLE-BOETANI, ROBERT FALLSTAD, ROSA LEE BLACK, DANIEL P. CHIN
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1999)

To determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a program to provide screening for tuberculosis infection and directly observed preventive therapy (DOPT) in methadone maintenance clinics, we determined completion rates of screening for tuberculosis infection, medical evaluation, and preventive therapy, as well as the number of active tuberculosis cases and tuberculosis-related deaths prevented, in five clinics in San Francisco, California. Between 1990 and 1995, a total of 2,689 clients (of whom 18% were HIV-seropositive) were screened at least once. Of eligible clients, 99% received tuberculin skin tests, 96% received a medical examination, 91% began isoniazid preventive therapy, and 82% completed preventive therapy. Program effectiveness was enhanced by close collaboration between public health and methadone maintenance programs and the use of incentives and enablers. Over a 3-yr follow-up period, only one verified case of tuberculosis was reported among clients with a positive tuberculin skin test, thereby preventing as much as 95% of expected tuberculosis cases. Over 10 yr, we estimate the program would prevent 30.0 (52%) of 57.7 expected cases of tuberculosis, and 7.6 (57%) of 13.4 expected tuberculosis-related deaths. The program cost $771,569, but averted an estimated $876,229, for a net savings of $104,660 (average of $3,724 per case prevented). Our study demonstrates that when effectively implemented, screening for tuberculosis infection and DOPT in methadone maintenance clinics is a highly cost-effective approach to prevent tuberculosis.
Randomized trial of bilateral oophorectomy versus tamoxifen in premenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer.
Authors: J N Ingle, J E Krook, S J Green, T P Kubista, L K Everson, D L Ahmann, M N Chang, H F Bisel, H E Windschitl, D I Twito
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1986)

A randomized clinical trial was performed to compare the efficacy of bilateral oophorectomy with that of tamoxifen at a dose of 10 mg twice daily in premenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer, and to examine the efficacy of each as a crossover treatment. Initial treatment responses were seen in ten of 27 patients (37%) treated with oophorectomy and seven of 26 patients (27%) treated with tamoxifen. The difference was not statistically significant. Crossover responses were seen in five of 15 patients (33%) treated with oophorectomy, including three responses in ten prior tamoxifen nonresponders; and two of 18 patients (11%) treated with tamoxifen. Time to progression distributions were not significantly different during initial treatment, and no significant differences in survival were noted. Thus, there was no overall disadvantage to the use of tamoxifen as opposed to oophorectomy as initial hormonal therapy, and a failure to respond to tamoxifen did not preclude a response to subsequent oophorectomy. Exploratory data analysis within subsets indicated consistent differential treatment effects in the visceral dominant patients. Of the 16 such patients treated with oophorectomy, eight (50%) experienced objective responses but there were no responses in the 14 patients treated with tamoxifen. In the nine visceral dominant crossover patients who had not responded to initial tamoxifen, three (33%) subsequently responded to oophorectomy. Time to progression distributions within the visceral dominant subset appeared to be better for the patients treated initially with oophorectomy. However, one must be very cautious in drawing conclusions from exploratory subset analyses, especially with the small sample size. Further studies would be required to test any hypothesis of differential organ site responsiveness.