tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Cognitive Function as a Predictor of Survival in Patients With Recurrent Malignant Glioma
Authors: Christina A. Meyers, Kenneth R. Hess, W.K. Alfred Yung, Victor A. Levin
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2000)

PURPOSE: To determine the contribution of cognitive function in predicting the survival of patients with recurrent malignant brain tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 80 patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme or anaplastic astrocytoma were seen for baseline evaluations before beginning a phase I or phase II clinical trial. Each patient received a battery of nine brief tests measuring cognitive function, ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), and quality of life (QOL). Tests were given monthly after treatment was begun. RESULTS: Performance on a test of verbal memory was independently and strongly related to survival after accounting for age, Karnofsky performance status score, histology, and time since diagnosis. Models incorporating three of nine and all nine tests in the battery accounted for significantly more variance in survival than did the clinical variables alone. Measures of QOL and ADLs (bathing, feeding, and so on) were not independently related to survival, although they provide clinical information that is important for patient care. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that a multifaceted assessment of cognition, QOL, and patient function is practical for brain tumor patients in clinical trials and can provide information regarding the relative risks versus benefits of new treatment regimens that supplements the information from the usual clinical variables.
Polymorphisms in toll-like receptor 4 are associated with severity but not susceptibility for asthma in a Chinese Han population
Authors: Qian Zhang, Fen-Hong Qian, Lin-Fu Zhou, Guo-Zhen Wei, Kai-Sheng Yin
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background:  Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) links human innate and adaptive immunity via bacterial endotoxin recognition, and has a considerable role in the pathogenesis of asthma. The effects of the genetic variants in  TLR4  on asthma are still largely unknown.   Aims and objectives:  This study aimed to evaluate the effects of polymorphisms in  TLR4  on asthma risk and asthma-related phenotypes in a Chinese Han population.   Methods:  We consecutively recruited 318 unrelated adult asthmatic patients and 352 healthy volunteers. Four tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in  TLR4  gene were detected using GenomeLab SNPstream or TaqMans Genotyping. We conducted case-control and case-only association studies between the selected tagging SNPs in  TLR4  and asthma or asthma-related phenotypes.   Results:  We found no evidence to support a significant association between  TLR4  SNPs and asthma susceptibility. However, our results revealed that the TT homozygote of rs1927914 was associated with lower FEV 1 % in asthmatic patients. An evidently positive association was found between the TT genotype of rs1927914, or the GG genotype of rs10983755 and rs1927907, and asthma severity ( P =0.024, 0.009, 0.013, respectively), which indicated that the C allele of rs1927914, and the A allele of rs10983755 and rs1927907 had a protective effect on asthma severity.   Conclusion:  TLR4  polymorphisms do not contribute to asthma susceptibility, but may influence the severity of asthma.
Implementation and Evaluation of Diabetes Management via Clinical Video Telehealth
Authors: Natalie Verbosky, Cherylyn Beckey, Nahla Lutfi
Journal: Diabetes Care (2015)

“Telehealth” is a delivery of health-related services and information via telecommunications technologies. Clinical video telehealth (CVT) is a form of telehealth using a real-time video and audio transmission that is used to virtually connect a health care professional and a patient. CVT links the patient at a clinic closer to his or her home to a provider at another location. The goal of telehealth is to improve clinical outcomes and access to care while reducing costs, time, and risks with traveling to the main medical center. Typical patients are veterans in postacute care settings and high-risk patients with chronic disease states (1).

We implemented a CVT pharmacotherapy clinic for patients with diabetes at the West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs Medical …
Predictors of effects and adverse effects of pirfenidone on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Toru Arai, Yoshikazu Inoue, Chikatoshi Sugimoto, Yumiko Sasaki, Kazunobu Tachibana, Naoko Sakamoto, Tomohisa Okuma, Masanori Akira, Masanori Kitaichi, Seiji Hyashi
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Introduction:  Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a poor prognostic fibrotic lung disease with unknown etiologies. Pirfenidone (PFD) was recently reported to decrease the rate of decline in vital capacity and it is anticipated that PFD improves prognosis of IPF patients.   Aim:  We prospectively examined clinical findings of IPF to predict the effects and adverse effects of PFD.   Subjects:  PFD was administered to 41 cases of IPF between January 2009 and December 2010. Severity stage (I/II/III/IV) of IPF defined by Japanese Respiratory Society (JRS) were 9/6/9/17, respectively. PFD was discontinued within 3 months because of adverse effects or death in 11 cases. Effects of PFD were evaluated by definition by JRS in 30 cases treated with PFD for more than 3 months. Adverse effects were evaluated in all cases.   Method:  Chi square test for univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed using various clinical findings to clarify the predictor of short-term effects of PFD and its adverse effects, especially appetite loss and/or nausea.   Results:  Improvement after PFD therapy was observed in 6 cases (20%). Severity stage I/II and diagnosis of IPF based on surgical biopsy specimens were significant predictors of improvement by chi square test and multivariate analysis. Appetite loss and/or nausea occurred more in IPF patients with older age (>68 yrs) and without intake of proton-pomp inhibitor (PPI) by multivariate logistic regression analysis.   Conclusions:  Effects of PFD is better in IPF patients with severity stage I/II and/or diagnosed by histologically. Appetite loss and/or nausea significantly associated with older age and no PPI intake.
Relationship between airway obstruction, desaturation during exercise and nocturnal hypoxaemia in cystic fibrosis patients
Authors: FG Versteegh, JM Bogaard, JW Raatgever, H Stam, HJ Neijens, KF Kerrebijn
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1990)

We measured pulmonary function, responses to exercise and oxygen saturation (So2) at rest, and also before and during sleep in 24 patients with cystic fibrosis in a varying degree of severity. The pulmonary function indices analysed were forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), total lung capacity (TLC), measured by body plethysmography (TLC box) and Helium dilution (TLC He), residual volume measured by body plethysmography (RV) and the amount of trapped air (TA = TLC box-TLC He). The exercise variables included symptom limited maximal oxygen uptake (Vo2max), maximum minute ventilation (VEmax) and So2, at rest in sitting position and during maximal exercise. So2 was measured by ear oximetry. The lowest mean So2 obtained in two consecutive nights over a period of 1 hour was taken as the indicator of nocturnal oxygen saturation. A high correlation existed between resting supine and sitting So2, and the degree of nocturnal hypoxaemia (0.84 and 0.76, respectively). Highly significant correlations existed also for the indices of airway obstruction, Vo2 max and lowest So2 at exercise versus the nocturnal lowest hourly mean So2. From all variables a resting So2 in the sitting position lower than 94% appeared to be most predictive of nocturnal desaturation and indicates a risk of nocturnal hypoxaemia in patients with cystic fibrosis.
Absence of<i>MYD88</i>L265P mutation in blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm
Authors: G. Fiandrino, M. Arra, R. Riboni, M. Lucioni, E. Dallera, L. Arcaini, E. Berti, M. Paulli
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2012)

Funding sources: Research Fund Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy. Conflicts of interest: none declared. MADAM, MYD88 is a cytoplasmic adaptor protein involved in the antiviral response of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cells.1 A heterozygous mutation of exon 5 (c.794T>C) in the MYD88 gene has recently been identified in diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas (DLBCL) with an activated B‐cell‐like phenotype,2 primary cutaneous DLBCL3 and primary central nervous system DLBCL,4 as well as in a minority of cases of splenic marginal zone lymphoma5 and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.6 The corresponding single amino acid substitution (L265P) affects the Toll/interleukin‐1 receptor (TIR) domain of MYD88, and favours tumour cell survival through IRAK1 (interleukin‐1 receptor associated kinase)/IRAK4, and NF‐κB (nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells) signalling.2 NF‐κB is a protein complex that, upon activation, enters the nucleus, controlling inflammation and haematopoiesis.7 It is also involved in both lymphoid and myeloid tumours, and NF‐κB‐centred therapies have now become available.8
Extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli faecal carriage in Spanish travellers returning from tropical and subtropical countries
Authors: M. Sole, C. Pitart, I. Oliveira, A. Fábrega, L. MuÑoz, I. Campo, P. Salvador, M.J. Alvarez-Martínez, J. GascÓn, F. Marco, J. Vila
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2014)
High-dose cefepime as an alternative treatment for infections caused by TEM-24 ESBL-producing Enterobacter aerogenes in severely-ill patients
Authors: K. Goethaert, M. van Looveren, C. Lammens, H. Jansens, A. Baraniak, M. Gniadkowski, K. van Herck, P.G. Jorens, H.E. Demey, M. Ieven, L. Bossaert, H. Goossens
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2005)
The pancreas anatomy conditions the origin and properties of resident macrophages
Authors: Boris Calderon, Javier A. Carrero, Stephen T. Ferris, Dorothy K. Sojka, Lindsay Moore, Slava Epelman, Kenneth M. Murphy, Wayne M. Yokoyama, Gwendalyn J. Randolph, Emil R. Unanue
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (2015)

We examine the features, origin, turnover, and gene expression of pancreatic macrophages under steady state. The data distinguish macrophages within distinct intrapancreatic microenvironments and suggest how macrophage phenotype is imprinted by the local milieu. Macrophages in islets of Langerhans and in the interacinar stroma are distinct in origin and phenotypic properties. In islets, macrophages are the only myeloid cells: they derive from definitive hematopoiesis, exchange to a minimum with blood cells, have a low level of self-replication, and depend on CSF-1. They express Il1b and Tnfa transcripts, indicating classical activation, M1, under steady state. The interacinar stroma contains two macrophage subsets. One is derived from primitive hematopoiesis, with no interchange by blood cells and alternative, M2, activation profile, whereas the second is derived from definitive hematopoiesis and exchanges with circulating myeloid cells but also shows an alternative activation profile. Complete replacement of islet and stromal macrophages by donor stem cells occurred after lethal irradiation with identical profiles as observed under steady state. The extraordinary plasticity of macrophages within the pancreatic organ and the distinct features imprinted by their anatomical localization sets the base for examining these cells in pathological conditions.
A method of predicting adult height and obesity in long-term survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Authors: M J Schell, J J Ochs, E A Schriock, M Carter
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1992)

PURPOSE Short stature and obesity have been reported among long-term survivors of childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). We examined factors that contribute to these adverse sequelae. PATIENTS AND METHODS Serial height and weight measurements were analyzed for 91 long-term survivors who were treated for ALL between 1967 and 1975 at a single institution. These patients were all younger than 12 years at diagnosis, were in continuous complete remission, had reached final height, and had height and weight measurements within 1 year of age 18 years. They had received craniospinal (n = 33) or cranial irradiation (n = 58) to total doses of 24 Gy as CNS prophylaxis. Standard deviation scores (SDS) were used to reflect the deviation of height and weight measurements from population means, and the body mass index (BMI; weight divided by height squared) was used in assessing obesity at age 18 years. RESULTS Short stature (less than fifth percentile) was seen in 41 patients (45%), and obesity (BMI greater than or equal to 24 kg/m2) in 35 (38%). Regression formulae were developed that explain 65% and 62% of the variability in patient height and BMI, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Risk factors were identified for abnormally short stature, which was defined to be a decrease of 1.5 SDS in height from diagnosis to age 18 years. These factors include younger age and above-average height for age at diagnosis (height SDS greater than 0), craniospinal irradiation, and greater decrease in height SDS during antileukemic therapy. Risk factors for obesity at age 18 years include weight SDS greater than 0 and greater than height SDS at 1 year after the end of chemotherapy.
High yield of liquid mycobacterial culture in pleural fluid and tissue
Authors: Florian von Groote-Bidlingmaier, Kiki Chung, Corne Rautenbach, Maurizio Bernasconi, Coenraad Koegelenberg, Elizabeth Wasserman, Chris Bolliger, Andreas Diacon
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background:  Liquid culture media are reported to increase the yield of positive mycobacterial cultures in sputum by 10-20% but its value for pleural fluid is not well established.   Method:  We investigated 66 consecutive patients with exudative effusions of suspected inflammatory or infectious nature in a single session and directly compared the yields for a diagnosis of TB of a spot sputum smear and culture, pleural fluid ADA and cell count, low volume (5ml) and high volume (100ml) liquid mycobacterial culture and pleural biopsy histology and culture. A final diagnosis of TB was established in 50 patients (75.8%) by histological proof of granulomatous inflammation or any positive culture. All TB cultures were performed in an automated liquid culture system (MGIT 960, Becton Dickinson).   Results:  Available results among these 50 patients indicated the following respective yields:  22/34 (64.7%) for spot sputum (smear positive: 17.1%; culture positive: 61.3%); 44/46 (95.7%) for pleural fluid adenosine deaminase (ADA) ≥50 U/l; 32/41 (78%) for ADA≥50 U/l combined with lymphocyte predominance; and 31/46 (67.4%) for pleural fluid MGIT culture (low volume: 56.5%; high volume: 63%; p=0.45). Non invasive testing (sputum and pleural fluid analysis) had 100% yield with 72% microbiologically proven cases. The yield of pleural biopsy was 44/49 (89.8%; culture: 33/44, 75%; histology: 40/49, 81.6%).   Conclusion:  Liquid mycobacterial culture has an exceptionally high yield in both pleural fluid and tissue and should be routinely used.
Breast Cancer in Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women2
Authors: Kathleen Stavraky, Susan Emmons
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1974)

In the effort to determine if the risk factors for breast cancer differed between premenopausal and postmenopausal women, a case control study was conducted. The study sample included 95 premenopausal and 278 postmenopausal women with breast cancer admitted to the Ontario Cancer Foundation Clinic in London, Canada during the June 1967 to February 1971 period. The controls were 106 premenopausal and 480 postmenopausal women with benign and malignant diseases of sites other than breast admitted to the same clinic during the same period. The breast cancer risk increased with increasing age at 1st pregnancy among postmenopausal women only. Among the prememopausal women, increased breast cancer was associated with early menarche. Late age at natural menopause was an important risk factor for postmenopausal women. The risk in women experiencing natural menopause over the age of 55 was 2.5 times as great as that of women undergoing menopause before age 40. A longer interval between age at menarche and age at 1st pregnancy increased the risk in both groups. Oral contraceptive use, or duration of use, did not increase the risk of breast cancer. Among oral contraceptive users, there was a trend toward greater risk with increasing age at 1st use of OCs.
Antigenic Modulation in Vitro. III. Failure to Modulate H-2 Antigens On Several Mouse Tumors&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: J M Richards, J B Jacobson, C W Stackpole
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1979)

The capacity of various malignant and normal mouse cells to acquire resistance to lysis by guinea pig complement during exposure to H-2 antisera in vitro at 37 degrees C (antigenic modulation) was examined. All tumors tested, including cell lines of the TL+ leukemias RADA1, ASL1, and RLmale1, the TL- leukemia EL 4, myelomas MOPC-70A and S194, and the sarcoma Meth A, failed to modulate when incubated with multispecific or monospecific H-2 antisera up to 24 hours, even though under comparable conditions thymus-leukemia (TL) antigens and surface IgG molecules modulated within several hours. Indirect sensitization of RADA1 leukemia cells with H-2 antisera followed by antiserum against mouse IgG also failed to induce H-2 antigen modulation. Normal peritoneal cells from certain mouse strains were partially modulated with H-2D-specific or H-2K-specific and monospecific antisera within several hours, but normal thymus and lymph node cells did not modulate. Modulation of peritoneal cells occurred without a complete loss of sensitizing H-2 antibody from the cell surface and required a cobra venom factor-sensitive activity that could be restored by human complement component C3. Modulation of TL antigens in vitro had previously been shown to have similar characteristics.
A randomized, double-blind trial of fluorouracil plus placebo versus fluorouracil plus oral leucovorin in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.
Authors: L R Laufman, R M Bukowski, M A Collier, B A Sullivan, R A McKinnis, N J Clendennin, A Guaspari, W D Brenckman
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1993)

PURPOSE A prospectively randomized trial was performed to determine whether the combination of fluorouracil (FU) plus leucovorin (FU-LV) administered orally is more effective than equitoxic FU for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial design was used to eliminate observer bias. An escalating FU dosing schedule was used to achieve equal toxicity. End points were response, time to treatment failure (TTF), and eight quality-of-life (QL) parameters. A crossover arm allowed FU-treated patients to receive FU-LV combination treatment after treatment failure. RESULTS Response rate was 32% for FU-LV versus 23% for FU (P = .15). Median TTF was 22 versus 16 weeks (P = .27). Median survival time was 44 versus 54 weeks (P = .26). QL was the same for both treatments, except for days of hospitalization, which was greater for FU-LV (P &lt; .001). Toxicities were similar to those previously reported for FU-LV and FU alone. CONCLUSION Oral LV-FU produces the same efficacy and toxicity pattern as has been reported for intravenous LV-FU. When FU-LV is compared with equitoxic doses of FU, there is no difference in patient outcome. These results suggest that patients with advanced disease should receive FU at doses adequate to produce toxicity.
Mortality risk prediction in COPD by a prognostic biomarker panel – Results of a derivation and validation cohort with a long term follow-up
Authors: Stolz Daiana, Anja Meyer, Janko Rakic, Lucas Boeck, Andreas Scherr, Michael Tamm
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background:  COPD is a complex disease with varying phenotypes. The simultaneous determination of multiple biomarkers reflecting different pathobiologic pathways could be useful in identifying individuals with increased risk of death in COPD.   Objective:  To derive and validate the combination of three plasma biomarkers to estimate mortality risk in COPD.   Methods:  Prospective cohort study including 385 patients with a follow-up of 5 years. Baseline levels of adrenomedullin, arginine-vasopressin, and atrial natriuretic peptide were measured in subjects at a time when they were not experiencing symptoms of exacerbation. Biomarkers were analyzed in combination defined as high or low according to cut points.   Results:  In the derivation cohort (n=142), there were 73 deaths. Crude hazard ratios for mortality were 3.0 (95%CI 1.8-5.1) for 1 high biomarker, 4.8 (95%CI 2.4-9.5) for 2 biomarkers and 9.6 (95%CI 3.3-28.3) for 3 high biomarkers compared with no elevated biomarkers. In the validation cohort (n=243), 87 individuals died. Corresponding hazard ratios were 1.9 (95%CI 1.1-3.3), 3.1 (95%CI 1.8-5.4) and 5.4 (95%CI 2.5-11.4). Multivariable adjustment for clinical variables as well as the BODE-index and stratification by the GOLD stages provided consistent results. The addition of the panel to the BODE-index generated a net reclassification improvement of 57.9% (95%CI 21.7%-92.4%) at 3 years follow-up and 45.9% (95%CI 13.9%-75.7%) at 5 years follow-up.   Conclusions:  Simultaneously elevated levels of adrenomedullin, arginine vasopressin and atrial natriuretic peptide are associated with increased risk of death in patients with stable COPD.
The role of extrapleural thoracomyoplasty for conversion of smears in patients with drug resistant destructive pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Grigorii Kudriashov, Armen Avetisyan, Igor Vasiliev, Galina Marfina, Evgeniya Popova, Nataliya Blum, Evgenii Sokolovich, Peter Yablonsky
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Introduction:  drug resistant (DR) destructive pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), progressive for a long time, is an indication the drugs are stopped (WHO, Guidelines for the programmatic management of DR TB, 2007). The role of surgical treatment for these patients is unclear.  Aim:  To determine the feasibility of thoracomyoplasty for treatment of patients with DR destructive pulmonary TB.  Methods:  prospective clinical trial during 2013 year. 18 consecutive patients (3 female, 15 male) with destructive pulmonary TB. 1 st  group (gr.) - 5 patients with two-sided tuberculosis lung destruction; 2 nd  gr. - 13 patients with one-sided cavities in lung. All patients had a progressive of pulmonary TB (XDR-TB in 10 cases, MDR-TB in 8 cases) despite of the long time chemotherapy according to DST of MTB (more than 12 months) and positive smear on MTB before admission in clinic. Charlson comorbidity index was 1+0.57 in 1 st  gr., 1.2+0.63 in 2 nd  gr. All patients had respiratory insufficiency (MRC 2-3, FEV 1  Results:  Postoperative period was uncomplicated in 14 cases. In 3 cases were seroma in postoperative scar. In 1 case was postoperative progression of TB. Middle operative time was 126+17 min. Operation hemorrhage was 138+65 ml. Rate of conversion of smears in 1 st  gr. was 40%, in 2 nd  gr. – 57%.  Conclusion:  thoracomyoplasty for treatment patients with progressive DR destructive pulmonary TB accompanied with good rate of conversion in early postoperative period, acceptable morbidity and absence of mortality.