tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Haemoglobin concentration and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in primary care patients
Authors: E J Kanfer, B A Nicol
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1997)

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) remains a commonly measured indicator of disease, but is subject to several non-disease influences. The haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and ESR were measured in 1249 consecutive patients (492 men, 757 women) from primary care practices. An inverse correlation was found between Hb and ESR throughout the range of measured Hb, and in particular there was a significant difference in the median ESR of patients in the highest and lowest quartile for non-anaemic Hb (P < 0.001). These results indicate that correct clinical analysis of an ESR result should take into account the Hb, both in anaemic and in non-anaemic patients. Interpretative difficulties due to external influences on the measured ESR could be resolved by replacement of this test with plasma viscosity estimation.
Zanolimumab, a Fully Human Monoclonal Antibody: Preliminary Results of an Ongoing Clinical Trial in CD4+ Peripheral T-Cell Lymphomas (PTCL).
Authors: Francesco d’Amore, Thomas Relander, Mats Jerkeman, Hans Hagberg, Anders Osterborg, Peter Johnson, John A. Radford, Barry W. Hancock, Martin Gramatzki, Norbert Schmitz, Herve Tilly, Franck Morschhauser, STeen Lisby, Ole Baadsgaard
Journal: Blood (2006)
Cytogenetics of pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with emphasis on prognostic implications of the t(1;19).
Authors: S C Raimondi, F G Behm, P K Roberson, D L Williams, C H Pui, W M Crist, A T Look, G K Rivera
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1990)

In earlier studies of the cytogenetic characteristics of leukemic lymphoblasts from children with pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), we concluded that certain chromosomal abnormalities explain, in part, the increased presence of high-risk features at diagnosis and the less favorable response to therapy among patients with this immunologic subclass of ALL. With extended follow-up and a larger patient population, we have further evaluated the biologic and clinical aspects of pre-B leukemia. Of 686 cases of ALL with adequate immunophenotyping, 150 were classified as pre-B cell. Seventy-seven (69%) of the 112 pre-B cases with fully banded karyotypes had a translocation. The t(1;19) accounted for 28 (25%) of these pre-B cases and 31 (6.5%) of all 480 consecutively banded ALL cases. Three (2.6%) of the pre-B cases had a novel dicentric (7;9)(p1?3;p11) translocation. A t(9;22)(q34;q11) and a t(4;11)(q21;q23) were observed in seven (6%) and three (2.6%) of the cases, respectively. Within the pre-B subgroup, comparison of t(1;19) cases (n = 28) with those having other translocations (n = 49) or no identifiable translocations (n = 35) indicated that higher leukocyte counts (P = .002), absence of DNA indexes greater than 1.16 (P = .02), higher serum lactate dehydrogenase levels (P less than .0001), and a higher frequency of nonwhite race (P = .006) were significantly related to the t(1;19). Both the t(1;19) and other chromosomal translocations were associated with an adverse prognosis in the subset of patients treated from 1979 to 1984 (Total Therapy study X). In a more recent and more intensive chemotherapy program (Total Therapy study XI), neither the t(1;19) nor other chromosomal translocations has conferred an inferior outcome, suggesting that effective treatment can offset the negative impact of chromosomal rearrangements in cases of childhood pre-B ALL.
Benchmarking and monitoring quality of COPD management in primary care (joint working project with GSK)
Authors: Mukesh Singh, Alison Trundle, Pauline Scott, Duncan Short, Joan Manzie
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background/Aims: In the UK, effective COPD management is guided by compliance with NICE guidelines within a national quality outcomes framework. We sought to benchmark existing standards of care and measure changes in identified areas for improvement to comply with NICE guidance following focused educational initiatives.

Methods: Baseline data were captured using 'Patient Outcomes and Information Service' (POINTS) software for all patients with COPD within the cluster population across 25 practices. Additional data was recorded during ongoing screening and clinical case review to measure changes in key parameters over 12 months from November 2011 to November 2012. Relevant outcomes were selected to align with NICE guidance.

Results: Benchmarking and progress were reported for a total of 2521 COPD patients. Over a 12 month period, 212 new COPD diagnoses were made, with 67% (n=1694) of existing patients undergoing clinical review. The proportion of patients receiving a NICE standard patient review increased from 51% (n=2309) to 61% (n=2521). Exacerbation frequency recording increased from 20% (n=1219) to 72% (n=1694) and CAT score recording from 7.2% (n=1219) to 69.7% (n=1694). Self-management plan creation increased from 2.6% (n=1694) to 43.1% (n=1694) and referral and uptake of pulmonary rehabilitation from 2.1% (n=1219) to 21.9% (n=1694). Allied with this, a 6.25% reduction in COPD-related hospital admissions was reported, compared to the national average decrease of 1.06%.

Conclusions: Benchmarking with focused medical education towards identified areas for improvement improves patient COPD management in primary care.
Toddler sleep behaviour questionnaire - Validation and utilisation
Authors: Leanne Gauld, Peter Newcombe, Celeste Daniels
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Behavioural sleep disorders are common. An assessment tool is useful for screening and developing management strategies.   Aim:  To develop a validated Toddler Sleep Behaviour Questionnaire for 1-5 year olds which discriminates normal from behavioural sleep disorders and to describe sleep behaviours in a normal community sample.   Questionnaire validation:  A questionnaire was developed by a sleep physician.  Face  and  content validity  were assessed by feedback from all Australian paediatric sleep physicians (14/17 responded) and suggestions incorporated.  3 samples were recruited: 1. Pilot sample, tested twice (n=23), 2. Paediatric sleep physician diagnosed behavioural sleep disorder (n=21), 3. Community sample (n=419).   Internal consistency  was assessed by Cronbach α in each group. Modifications were made to achieve α=0.6-0.9. Clinically important items were retained despite lowering α.  Test-retest reliability  was assessed on the Pilot sample (r≥0.41, p≤0.05).  Construct validity  was confirmed by expected correlations between related items, and  discriminate validity  was assessed by group differences between Pilot and Clinical samples ( Sleep Hygiene  (α=0.8) and  Bedtime Resistance  (α=0.9)  Scales  have been developed.   Normal Sleep Behaviours:  A behavioural sleep disorder is present in 35.8% of the Community sample. Mean total sleep duration decreased with age (p   Conclusions:  The Toddler Sleep Behaviour Questionnaire is a structured assessment tool with sound psychometric qualities. Detailed normal sleep behaviours, environment and timing, may be useful to health professionals.
Review: DOACs do not differ from standard anticoagulants for recurrent VTE; factor Xa inhibitors reduce bleeding
Authors: Ryan D. Watkins, Matthew T. Rondina
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2015)

Source Citation Robertson L, Kesteven P, McCaslin JE.Oral direct thrombin inhibitors or oral factor Xa inhibitors for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;6:CD010956. 26123214
Osteonecrosis as a Complication of Treating Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children: A Report From the Children’s Cancer Group
Authors: Leonard A. Mattano, Harland N. Sather, Michael E. Trigg, James B. Nachman
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2000)

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence, risk factors, and morbidity for osteonecrosis (ON) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated with intensive chemotherapy including multiple, prolonged courses of corticosteroid. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The occurrence of symptomatic ON was investigated retrospectively in 1,409 children ages 1 to 20 years old receiving therapy for high-risk ALL on Children’s Cancer Group (CCG) protocol CCG-1882. RESULTS: ON was diagnosed in 111 patients (9.3% ± 0.9%, 3-year life-table incidence). The incidence was higher for older children (≥ 10 years: 14.2% ± 1.3% v &lt; 10 years: 0.9% ± 0.4%; P &lt; .0001), especially females 10 to 15 years old and males 16 to 20 years old (19.2% ± 2.3% and 20.7% ± 4.7%, respectively). In patients 10 to 20 years old, the incidence of ON was higher for females versus males (17.4% ± 2.1% v 11.7% ± 1.6%, respectively; P = .03) and for patients randomized to receive two 21-day dexamethasone courses versus one course (23.2% ± 4.8% v 16.4% ± 4.3%, respectively; P = .27). Among ethnic groups, whites had the highest incidence and blacks the lowest, with other groups intermediate (16.7% ± 1.4% v 3.3% ± 2.3% v 6.7% ± 2.2%, respectively; P = .003). There was no difference in event-free survival in patients with or without ON. ON was diagnosed within 3 years of starting ALL therapy in all but one patient, involved weight-bearing joint(s) in 94% of patients, and was multifocal in 74% of patients. Symptoms of pain and/or immobility were chronic in 84% of patients, with 24% having undergone an orthopedic procedure and an additional 15% considered candidates for surgery in the future. CONCLUSION: Children ages 10 to 20 years who receive intensive ALL therapy, including multiple courses of corticosteroid, are at significant risk for developing ON.
Essential roles of FoxM1 in Ras-induced liver cancer progression and in cancer cells with stem cell features
Authors: Dragana Kopanja, Akshay Pandey, Megan Kiefer, Zebin Wang, Neha Chandan, Janai R. Carr, Roberta Franks, Dae-Yeul Yu, Grace Guzman, Ajay Maker, Pradip Raychaudhuri
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2015)
Increased oxidative stress in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS)
Authors: Velin Stratev, Jordan Petev, Sonya Galcheva, Marinka Peneva
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Introduction: Oxidative stress defined as increased burden of oxidants and/or depletion of antioxidants is one of the key pathogenetic mechanisms of both COPD and MetS.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the levels of antioxidant enzymes superoxide-dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-peroxidase (GPx) among COPD patients presenting MetS compared to control subjects with MetS and their association with the components of the syndrome.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study with 244 participants (mean age 60.5 ± 9.5 years) divided into 2 groups: 141 COPD patients and 103 matched controls. MetS was defined according to the IDF criteria and BMI was calculated. We measured the erythrocyte levels of SOD and GPx.

Results: Among COPD patients 41.8 % presented 3 or more features of the MetS vs. 39% in the control group. The levels of antioxidant enzymes were significantly lower in patients with COPD presenting MetS (GPx 37.1 ± 6.1 U/gHb; SOD 1203.3 ± 149.5 U/gHb) compared to those without MetS (GPx 38.1 ± 7.8 U/gHb; SOD 1210.2 ± 175.5 U/gHb) and the control subjects (GPx 40.4 ± 9.1 U/gHb; SOD 1264.5 ± 157.4 U/gHb) (p < 0.05).

Using multiple linear regression analysis we found that there was a significant negative association between the antioxidant enzymes and both WC (β = -0.257, p = 0.001 for GPx and β = -0.355, p < 0.0001 for SOD) and BMI (β = -0.177, p = 0.023 for GPx and β = -0.171, p = 0.029 for SOD).

Conclusion: The present study suggests an increased oxidative stress in patients with COPD presenting MetS, which is associated with the degree of abdominal and overall obesity.
Occupational exposure to dusts, gases, and fumes and incidence of COPD in SAPALDIA
Authors: Amar Mehta, David Miedinger, Dirk Keidel, Robert Bettschart, Andreas Bircher, Pierre-Olivier Bridevaux, Ivan Curjuric, Hans Kromhout, Nicole Probst-Hensch, Thomas Rothe, Erich W. Russi, Tamara Schikowski, Christian Schindler, Joel Schwartz, Roel Vermeulen, Thierry Rochat, Nino Kuenzli
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Objective: We evaluated if occupational exposures were associated with increased incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the Swiss Cohort Study on Air Pollution and Lung and Heart Diseases in Adults (SAPALDIA).

Methods: Pre-bronchodilator ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second over forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) was measured in 4,551 non-asthmatic participants (ages 18 to 64) in SAPALDIA at baseline in 1991 and at follow-up in 2001-2003. COPD was defined as FEV1/FVC < lower limit of normal (LLN, predictions according to the Quanjer spirometric reference equation). Using a job-exposure matrix, historical exposures (ever, never as reference) to mineral dusts, biological dusts, and gases or fumes were determined from self-reported occupations at baseline and during follow-up. Incident rate ratios (IRRs) of COPD were estimated for each exposure after adjustment for potential confounders. Gender, chronic bronchitis at baseline, and smoking status were evaluated for effect modification.

Results: Positive associations were observed between COPD and all occupational exposures but were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Relative to unexposed participants without chronic bronchitis, those with chronic bronchitis who were also exposed to either mineral dusts (IRR: 1.47, 95%CI: 1.00-2.15), biological dusts (IRR: 1.61, 95%CI: 1.12-2.31), or gases/fumes (IRR: 1.53, 95%CI: 1.10-2.12) had increased incidence of COPD. No considerable differences in IRRs were observed across sex and smoking status.

Conclusion: In Swiss working adults with pre-existing chronic bronchitis, occupational exposures to mineral and biological dusts, and gases/fumes increased the risk of incident COPD.
Gambling with the nation's health?
Authors: E. O'Brien
Journal: BMJ (1995)

The whore and gambler, by the state Licensed, build that nation's fate.

EDITOR,--Martin McKee and Franco Sassi's editorial raises an issue that has been largely ignored in the polemic arising since the introduction of the National Lottery.1 Well directed and amply endowed publicity can realise whatever it sets out to achieve, and selling vice is no exception. When governments set about peddling vice, however, perhaps we need to wake up and ask some questions. None would argue but that gambling is a vice--one in which most of us indulge from time …
Clinical, pathologic, and molecular spectrum of tumors associated with t(11;22)(p13;q12): desmoplastic small round-cell tumor and its variants.
Authors: W L Gerald, M Ladanyi, E de Alava, M Cuatrecasas, B H Kushner, M P LaQuaglia, J Rosai
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1998)

PURPOSE Intense investigation has reshaped concepts about undifferentiated tumors occurring in young people (small round-cell tumors). Tumors associated with t(11;22)(p13;q12) and descriptively designated desmoplastic small round-cell tumor (DSRCT) are a distinctive, rare, poorly understood member of this family. We reviewed 109 cases of DSRCT to further characterize this entity better. METHODS Clinical information and histology were reviewed. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting were performed using standard techniques. Chimeric EWS-WT1 RNA and DNA were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genomic translocation breakpoints mapped in a subset of cases. RESULTS There were 90 males and 19 females from 6 to 49 years of age (mean, 22 years). A total of 103 had tumor in the abdominal cavity, four in the thoracic region, one in the posterior cranial fossa, and one in the hand. Typical histologic and immunohistochemical features were usually evident in well-sampled tumors, but variations in cellularity, stromal components, cytology, architecture, and immunoreactivity occurred. Tumor cells were usually reactive with antibodies to keratin (67 of 78 cases, 86%), epithelial membrane antigen (50 of 54, 93%), vimentin (64 of 66, 97%), desmin (70 of 78, 90%), neuron-specific enolase (60 of 74, 81%), and the EWS-WT1 chimeric protein (25 of 27, 93%); typically nonreactive for muscle common actin (one of 58, 2%), myogenin (zero of eight, 0%), and chromogranin (one of 46, 2%); and variably reactive for MIC2 (nine of 47, 20%) and p53 (five of 17 with &gt; 20% tumor cells reactive). Functional EWS-WT1 gene fusion was evident in 25 of 26 cases with genomic breakpoints in WT1 intron 7, and EWS introns 7, 8, and 9. Prognosis in general is poor, but tumors are responsive to aggressive therapy. CONCLUSION This large review identifies a greater degree of clinical, pathologic, and molecular variation than originally appreciated for tumors associated with t(11;22)(p13;q12). Translocation and functional fusion of the EWS and WT1 genes appears to be a consistent feature of this unique tumor.
Ruthenium Red-Staining Coat of Paired Neoplastic and Nonneoplastic Mouse Cell Lines in Culture
Authors: Katherine K. Sanford, William T. Hall, Barbara A. Hobbs, Miriam L. Hursey
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1976)

The ruthenium red-staining coat (RRSC) of a pair of neoplastic and nonneoplastic cell lines derived from a common pool of mouse embryo cells was examined by electron microscopy. The objective was to establish whether a thickening of RRSC is associated with “spontaneous” neoplastic transformation of cells in culture. Ruthenium red has an affinity for acid mucopolysaccharides of the cell coat. Differences in thickness of RRSC between cells of these neoplastic and nonneoplastic lines were negligible.
Tamoxifen Adjuvant Treatment Duration in Early Breast Cancer: Initial Results of a Randomized Study Comparing Short-Term Treatment With Long-Term Treatment
Authors: Thierry Delozier, Marc Spielmann, Josette Macé-Lesec’h, Maud Janvier, Catherine Hill, Bernard Asselain, Jean-Pierre Julien, Béatrice Weber, Louis Mauriac, Jean-Christophe Petit, Pierre Kerbrat, Jean-Pierre Malhaire, Philippe Vennin, B. Leduc, Moïse Namer for the
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2000)

PURPOSE: In 1986, The Fédération Nationale des Centres de Lutte Contre le Cancer Breast Group initiated a multicenter randomized trial to assess the usefulness of long-term adjuvant tamoxifen treatment. Short-term adjuvant tamoxifen treatment was to be compared with lifelong adjuvant tamoxifen treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who were disease-free after 2 to 3 years of adjuvant tamoxifen treatment were eligible for the trial. From September 1986 to May 1995, 3,793 patients were randomized from France, Belgium, and Argentina. A total of 1,882 patients stopped tamoxifen (short-term group), and 1,911 patients were to continue tamoxifen for life (long-term group) at the same dose as previously prescribed. The protocol was modified in February 1997, limiting tamoxifen treatment to 10 years after randomization, thus giving a comparison between a 2- to 3-year treatment and a 12- to 13-year treatment. To date, the median duration of tamoxifen treatment is 30 months in the short-term group, and 70 months in the long-term group. RESULTS: Overall, longer tamoxifen treatment induced a 23% reduction in relapse rates, leading to a 7-year disease-free survival rate of 78%, compared with 72% in the shorter-treatment group. In contrast, overall survival did not differ between the two groups, with a 79% overall survival rate in both groups. This improvement in disease-free survival could be observed in node-positive patients (P = .001); however, it was not found in node-negative patients. Prolonged tamoxifen treatment corresponded to a significant increase in disease-free survival in estrogen receptor–positive patients (P = .03) as well as in estrogen receptor–negative patients (P = .05). Furthermore, longer treatment reduced contralateral breast cancers and did not increase the number of endometrial cancers. CONCLUSION: : Although no survival advantage was noted, patients did benefit from longer tamoxifen treatment over 3 years and had significantly better disease-free survival compared with patients who stopped hormonal treatment. Long-term follow-up is needed to assess these results. Most patients in the long-term group are still receiving treatment. Comparison of results as time passes will enable conclusions to be made on the value of long-term treatment over 5 years compared with 2 to 3 years.
Predictors of clinical response to interleukin-2--based immunotherapy in melanoma patients: a French multiinstitutional study.
Authors: E Tartour, J Y Blay, T Dorval, B Escudier, V Mosseri, J Y Douillard, L Deneux, I Gorin, S Negrier, C Mathiot, P Pouillart, W H Fridman
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1996)

Various parameters have been reported to be correlated with response to interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy. A multiinstitutional study was performed to assess by multivariate analysis the predictive value of known clinical and biologic melanoma prognostic markers recorded before the onset of IL-2 therapy on the likelihood of objective clinical response.Serum C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were measured in 81 metastatic melanoma patients included in different IL-2-based regimens before the starting of IL-2-therapy. Clinically defined prognostic groups, i.e., patients with superficial or visceral metastases, were also analyzed for response correlates. Patients were evaluated for response to treatment 4 to 6 weeks after completion of one course of therapy.On univariate analysis, the pretreatment values of CRP (P = .001), IL-6 (P = .007), and LDH (P = .02) and site of metastases (P = .0004) were correlated with clinical response. However, only CRP (P < .007) and clinically defined group (P < .004) were independent predictors on multifactorial analysis. Indeed, when adjusted to CRP, IL-6 tended to improve patient selection, but did not reach statistical significance (P = .07). Furthermore, using multivariate survival analysis based on the Cox proportional hazards model, only CRP was found to be an independent prognostic factor for survival (P < .0001).In this study, patients with high serum levels of CRP and/or visceral organ involvement before therapy were unlikely to respond to IL-2 therapy. Therefore, clinical classification based on the site of metastases and serum CRP determination before the start of IL-2 therapy may help to improve selection of melanoma patients who may benefit from IL-2 and could prevent unnecessary morbidity.
Whole-genome sequencing for prediction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug susceptibility and resistance: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Timothy M Walker, Thomas A Kohl, Shaheed V Omar, Jessica Hedge, Carlos Del Ojo Elias, Phelim Bradley, Zamin Iqbal, Silke Feuerriegel, Katherine E Niehaus, Daniel J Wilson, David A Clifton, Georgia Kapatai, Camilla L C Ip, Rory Bowden, Francis A Drobniewski, Caroline Allix-Béguec, Cyril Gaudin, Julian Parkhill, Roland Diel, Philip Supply, Derrick W Crook, E Grace Smith, A Sarah Walker, Nazir Ismail, Stefan Niemann, Tim E A Peto
Journal: The Lancet Infectious Diseases (2015)