tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Comparison of circulating CA15-3 and carcinoembryonic antigen levels in patients with breast cancer.
Authors: D F Hayes, V R Zurawski, D W Kufe
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1986)

An immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) has been used to determine circulating levels of the breast cancer-associated antigen, CA15-3. Of 1,050 normal control subjects, serum from 99 (9.4%) had CA15-3 antigen levels greater than 22 U/mL, while that from 58 (5.5%) and 14 (1.3%) had levels greater than 25 U/mL and 30 U/mL, respectively. In contrast, 115 of 158 patients (73%) with metastatic breast cancer had CA15-3 levels greater than 22 U/mL. Thirteen of 26 patients (50%) with only local metastases, 27 of 34 (79%) of those with only bone metastases, and 20 of 24 (83%) with hepatic metastases had CA15-3 levels greater than 22 U/mL. Furthermore, nine of 31 patients (29%) with primary breast cancer had CA15-3 levels greater than 22 U/mL. CA15-3 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were compared for the same patient population. Significantly more patients with metastatic breast cancer had elevated CA15-3 levels than had elevated CEA levels (P less than .001). Furthermore, the CA15-3 IRMA was more sensitive than the CEA assay in patients with only bone metastases, as well as those with only local metastases. Significantly more patients with primary carcinoma of the breast also had elevated CA15-3 than had elevated CEA levels (P less than .02). CA15-3 levels were greater than 22 U/mL in patients with nonmalignant conditions, including five of 25 patients (20%) with benign breast diseases, and 23 of 52 patients (44%) with benign liver diseases. Furthermore, CA15-3 levels were also greater than 22 U/mL in 24 of 54 patients (44%) with gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies, 12 of 17 patients (71%) with bronchogenic carcinoma, and 29 of 44 patients (66%) with epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Serial CA15-3 levels correlated with clinical disease course. Nineteen of 21 patients (91%) with tumor progression had at least a 25% increase in CA15-3 levels. Conversely, seven of nine patients (78%) with tumor regression had at least a 50% decrease in CA15-3 levels. Among 27 patients with stable disease, 16 (59%) had levels that did not vary by more than +/- 25% of the original CA15-3 levels. These results indicate that the CA15-3 antigen is a sensitive marker for the evaluation and monitoring of patients with breast cancer.
The inter-observer reliability of using a new non-invasive technique to identify patient ventilator asynchrony (PVA) during non-invasive ventilation (NIV)
Authors: Michelle Ramsay, Swapna Mandal, Joerg Steier, Anita Simonds, Nicholas Hart
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Introduction:  Poor patient-ventilator interaction reduces respiratory muscle unloading resulting in patient discomfort and reduced adherence. We hypothesised that non-invasive measurements with pre-defined PVA criteria would be reliably correlated between 2 independent observers.  Methods: 5 patients initiated on NIV were assessed for PVA using respiratory inductance plethysmography (RIP), 2 nd  intercostal space parasternal electromyography (EMG para ) and mask pressures (P mask ). Two independent observers each recorded PVA from the overnight traces examining each breath from a 2 minute period for each 10 minute epoch over an hour.  Results: A total of 1347 breaths were analysed by each observer.  Conclusion: PVA can be reliably identified using the above technique. The predominant PVA was  ineffective effort .This analysis could be automated to provide a simple approach to assessing PVA.
A dose-escalating study of XRP6258 in combination with capecitabine, in patients (pts) with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) progressing after anthracycline and taxane therapy: Preliminary results
Authors: T. Besse-Hammer, C. Villanueva, M. Campone, J. Machiels, A. Awada, E. Magherini, F. Dubin, D. Semiond, X. B. Pivot
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2009)

1053 Background: Cabazitaxel (X), a new taxoid showed activity in taxane resistant MBC. Capecitabine (C) is approved in MBC pts pretreated with anthracycline and taxane. Methods: A standard 3+3 escalation scheme explored doses of combined intravenous X (Day (D)1) with oral C twice daily (D1to14), every 3 weeks (q3w). The study objectives were the identification of dose limiting toxicities (DLTs), recommended dose (RD) of the combination, assessment of safety, pharmacokinetics (PK) and activity at the RD in an expanded cohort. Results: 32 MBC pts pretreated with taxane and anthracycline were enrolled and treated (15 in the dose escalation part and 17 at the RD). Data for the first 25 pts, are available so far: median age 52 [34–74], ECOG-PS 0/1: 15/10, in first or second line chemotherapy, median of 3 (1–7) organs involved (mainly: bone, liver, lymph nodes). In the escalation part, X+C were administered at 3 dose levels (DL) (Table). DL2 was defined as the RD and the expansion cohort was initiated. PK analysis did not show any drug-drug interaction with this schedule of administration. Overall, out of the 25 pts (125cy), the main Gr3–4 toxicities (N pts) were asthenia (4), hand-foot syndrome (4), neutropenia (15), febrile neutropenia (1), neutropenic infection (1), no toxic death. Efficacy was observed at each DL with a total of 1 complete response, 4 partial responses (PR) and 16 stabilizations (including 3 unconfirmed PR). Conclusions: X was safely combined to C. X at 20 mg/m 2 D1 + C at 1000 mg/m 2 twice a D (D1–14), q3w is the RD. Updated results for efficacy and safety will be presented. [Table: see text] [Table: see text]
Alcohol-dysregulated miR-30a and miR-934 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Maarouf A. Saad, Selena Z. Kuo, Elham Rahimy, Angela E. Zou, Avinaash Korrapati, Mehran Rahimy, Elizabeth Kim, Hao Zheng, Michael Andrew Yu, Jessica Wang-Rodriguez, Weg M. Ongkeko
Journal: Molecular Cancer (2015)

Alcohol consumption is a well-established risk factor for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC); however, the molecular mechanisms by which alcohol promotes HNSCC pathogenesis and progression remain poorly understood. Our study sought to identify microRNAs that are dysregulated in alcohol-associated HNSCC and investigate their contribution to the malignant phenotype. Using RNA-sequencing data from 136 HNSCC patients, we compared the expression levels of 1,046 microRNAs between drinking and non-drinking cohorts. Dysregulated microRNAs were verified by qRT-PCR in normal oral keratinocytes treated with biologically relevant doses of ethanol and acetaldehyde. The most promising microRNA candidates were investigated for their effects on cellular proliferation and invasion, sensitivity to cisplatin, and expression of cancer stem cell genes. Finally, putative target genes were identified and evaluated in vitro to further establish roles for these miRNAs in alcohol-associated HNSCC. From RNA-sequencing analysis we identified 8 miRNAs to be significantly upregulated in alcohol-associated HNSCCs. qRT-PCR experiments determined that among these candidates, miR-30a and miR-934 were the most highly upregulated in vitro by alcohol and acetaldehyde. Overexpression of miR-30a and miR-934 in normal and HNSCC cell lines produced up to a 2-fold increase in cellular proliferation, as well as induction of the anti-apoptotic gene BCL-2. Upon inhibition of these miRNAs, HNSCC cell lines exhibited increased sensitivity to cisplatin and reduced matrigel invasion. miRNA knockdown also indicated direct targeting of several tumor suppressor genes by miR-30a and miR-934. Alcohol induces the dysregulation of miR-30a and miR-934, which may play crucial roles in HNSCC pathogenesis and progression. Future investigation of the alcohol-mediated pathways effecting these transformations will prove valuable for furthering the understanding and treatment of alcohol-associated HNSCC.
Regulation of Gene Expression in Normal and Neoplastic Mammary Cells: A Review&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN1"&gt;1&lt;/xref&gt;&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: Roger W. Turkington
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1972)

The formation of rapidly labeled nuclear RNAs was compared at distinct stages of neoplastic development in the mammary cells of the C3H mouse: normal cells; hyperplastic alveolar nodules; spontaneous carcinomas; and serially transplantable carcinomas. Each successive stage was associated with the synthesis of an increased diversity of hybridizable nuclear RNA species. A specific enzyme, transfer RNA guanine 7-methylase, was not detectable in the normal mammary cells, but the genetic information for this protein was expressed in the mammary carcinomas. These studies suggest that altered regulation of gene expression may be a fundamental property of neoplastic mammary cells and that neoplastic progression is characterized by progressive derepression of specific genes.
Clinical and polysomnographic determinants of snoring
Authors: Ioannis Koutsourelakis, Emmanouil Vagiakis, Eleni Perraki, Aliki Minaritzoglou, Spyros Zakynthinos
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Snoring is considered one of the hallmarks of sleep-disordered breathing but its determinants remain obscure. We aimed to document positional dependency of snoring along with its association with clinical and polysomnographic variables.  48 apnoeic and 53 nonapnoeic snorers who slept in supine and lateral position in all sleep stages during overnight polysomnography were included. Snoring was quantified by measuring the mean sound intensity, snoring frequency and their product.  In apnoeic and nonapnoeic snorers, mean snoring intensity and mean intensity-frequency product were higher in supine than in lateral position and were also usually higher in N3 in comparison to REM and/or N2 stage in a given position.  Positional change in snoring intensity as expressed by the ratio of mean intensity in the supine to lateral position was independently and positively correlated with age and tonsils size in nonapnoeic snorers, and with body mass index, tonsils size, and apnoea-hypopnoea index in apnoeics.  Snoring is more prominent in supine position and in N3. Snoring positional dependence is determined by tonsils size and age in nonapnoeic snorers, and body mass and apnoea-hypopnoea indices in apnoeics.
Defective Immunohematopoiesis in Young-Adult Mice of the Leukemia-Prone AKR Strain&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN3"&gt;3&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: E. H. Perkins, T. Makinodan, A. C. Upton, Charlene Seibert, Lou C. Satterfield
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1971)

The leukemia-prone AKR mouse was used as a model system for a study of intrinsic (cellular) and extrinsic (environmental) factors affecting immunohematopoiesis. Transferring identical numbers of cells from the same bone marrow or spleen cell suspension indicated that, in contrast to X-irradiated young-adult C3H recipients, X-irradiated young-adult AKR recipients did not support adequately stem cell differentiation and/or subsequent proliferation. The deficiency could not be attributed to defective or unresponsive immunohematopoietic stem cells, for, given a favorable environment in the C3H recipient, differentiation and subsequent proliferation were maximal. In vivo diffusion chamber studies demonstrated that the defect was a noncellular or humoral factor(s) permeable through a 0.22 μ porosity Millipore filter. The environmental inadequacy of the AKR recipient could not be related to histoincompatibility between donor and host. Thymus ablation and reconstitution studies indicated that the AKR thymus or thymic factor(s) did not play a prominent role, and that the suppression of immunohematopoiesis could not be related to the leukemia virus in the AKR recipient. It thus appears that the environmental inadequacy of the AKR recipient might best be accounted for on a genetic basis.
Murine Lymph Node Natural Killer Cells: Regulatory Mechanisms of Activation or Suppression&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="fn2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="fn3"&gt;3&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: G Hisano, N Hanna
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1982)

The kinetics and organ distribution patterns of lymph node natural killer (NK) cell activation or suppression were found to vary according to the type, dose, and route of administration of Corynebacterium parvum or polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly l · poly C), Activation of lymph node NK cells by local injections of C. parvum into the footpad or the peritoneum was restricted to the regional lymph nodes; contralateral and distant lymph nodes were not involved. This selectivity persisted even though splenic and peripheral blood NK cells were strongly activated by the same treatment. Conversely, poly l · poly C induced systemic activation of NK cells without selectively activating the regional lymph nodes. The decline of NK cell activity observed 2 weeks after C. parvum treatment was associated with a state of unresponsiveness to a second injection of NK cell stimulants. The expression of C. parvum-induced suppression could be systemic or restricted to the regional lymph nodes. Possible mechanisms for the anatomical compartmentalization of NK cell activation or suppression and the implications for the control of tumor growth and dissemination in vivo are discussed.
Endobronchial ultrasound in the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions
Authors: Leonello Fuso, Francesco Varone, Andrea Smargiassi, Riccardo Inchingolo, Daniele Magnini, Antonino Maria Andrea Mule, Guido Rindi, Salvatore Valente
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) is a useful diagnostic tool to localize peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) and to guide transbronchial biopsy (TBB). We retrospectively evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of EBUS-guided TBB in comparison with a definitive diagnosis established by transthoracic CT-guided needle aspiration or surgical lobectomy. In the last ten months, 168 patients performed bronchoscopy for a PPL (mean diameter = 3.5±2.1 cm). PPL was visualized in 123 patients (73%) and TBB was performed in 117 patients. These patients had a PPL larger than patients with a non visualized lesion (mean diameter 3.7±2.1 vs 2.3±1.6 cm, respectively). A definitive diagnosis was obtained in 77 patients whereas 40 patients were lost to follow-up. The TBB diagnosis was cancer in 45 patients and non-malignant lesion in 32 patients. The definitive diagnosis was cancer in 67 patients and non-malignant lesion in 10 patients: all these 10 patients without cancer were correctly diagnosed with TBB.  In conclusion, sensitivity of EBUS-guided TBB in the diagnosis of cancer was 67% (45/67) and the overall diagnostic accuracy was 71% (45+10/77). Our data confirm that EBUS-guided TBB is a sensitive method with a high diagnostic yield in patients with PPLs.
Specific Diagnosis of Exogenous Bronchial Asthma in Adults
Authors: Ole ØSterballe, Hans‐Jørgen Malling, Bent Weeke
Journal: Allergy (1979)

Twenty‐two adults with extrinsic bronchial asthma were examined with 26 different allergens from five groups: house dust + mite (30 BP), animal dandruff (30 BP), pollen (12 BP), mould fungi (11 BP), and feather + cotton (10 BP). The same allergen batch was used for each allergen extract in all analyses. Based on the results of the single analyses: case history (CH), intracutaneous test (ST), RAST, histamine release from basophil leucocytes (HR), and the results of the analysis combinations and the “true diagnosis” bronchial provocation (BP), the sensitivity and specificity (SE and SP) were calculated and shown graphically. An evaluation of the diagnostic reliability of the single analyses and analysis combinations was then possible. Generally, HR was the best individual analysis with very few false positive values and false negative values, followed by RAST, ST, and CH. None of them was able to predict allergy for feather + cotton. Otherwise, BP was positive when HR and RAST reached scores 2 and 3 with the exception of RAST for animal dandruff. As regards ST, we had to reach score 3 in order to predict positive BP. CH would only provide the diagnosis with a maximum score in the pollen group. BP was positive in any analysis combination resulting in score 6 or more. ST appeared to be the most sensitive of the individual analyses. Alt the patients with ST score 0 showed negative BP for all allergen groups, whereas a corresponding sensitivity for HR score 0 was only achieved with animal dandruff, and for RAST score 0 for pollen only. In spite of the new analyses, BP is in many cases necessary if a definite diagnosis is required.
Increased life expectancy for physically active Norwegians
Authors: Eivind Berge
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2015)

Physical activity is essential for health and longevity,1 but modern ways of living are negligent to this truth. Instead, we need reminders that physical activity should be an integrated part of life, rather than some rare, extra and burdensome obligation. Two large Norwegian population-based studies2 ,3 serve as such reminders, and call for political actions that can stimulate physical activity and improve public health.

The Oslo Study in 1972–1973 recruited 14 846 healthy men born in 1923–1932, and has followed these men until 2012.4–6 In the present article, 5738 men who were alive and available in 2000 (mean age 73 years) have been followed until 2012, and the analyses show a strong association between physical activity and survival in these elderly men.2 The importance of physical activity is illustrated in several ways, for example by showing that associations …
Risk Assessment and Comparative Effectiveness of Left Ventricular Assist Device and Medical Management in Ambulatory Heart Failure Patients
Authors: Jerry D. Estep, Randall C. Starling, Douglas A. Horstmanshof, Carmelo A. Milano, Craig H. Selzman, Keyur B. Shah, Matthias Loebe, Nader Moazami, James W. Long, Josef Stehlik, Vigneshwar Kasirajan, Donald C. Haas, John B. O'Connell, Andrew J. Boyle, David J. Farrar, Joseph G. Rogers
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2015)

Data for left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) in patients with noninotrope-dependent heart failure (HF) are limited. The goal of this study was to evaluate HeartMate II (HMII) LVAD support versus optimal medical management (OMM) in ambulatory New York Heart Association functional class IIIB/IV patients meeting indications for LVAD destination therapy but not dependent on intravenous inotropic support. This was a prospective, multicenter (N = 41), observational study of 200 patients (97 LVAD, 103 OMM). Entry criteria included ≥1 hospitalization for HF in the last 12 months and 6-min walk distance (6MWD) <300 m. The primary composite endpoint was survival on original therapy with improvement in 6MWD ≥75 m at 12 months. LVAD patients were more severely ill, with more patients classified as Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support profile 4 (65% LVAD vs. 34% OMM; p < 0.001) than 5 to 7. More LVAD patients met the primary endpoint (39% LVAD vs. 21% OMM; odds ratio: 2.4 [95% confidence interval: 1.2 to 4.8]; p = 0.012). On the basis of as-treated analysis, 12-month survival was greater for LVAD versus OMM (80 ± 4% vs. 63 ± 5%; p = 0.022) patients. Adverse events were higher in LVAD patients, at 1.89 events/patient-year (EPPY), primarily driven by bleeding (1.22 EPPY), than with OMM, at 0.83 EPPY, primarily driven by worsening HF (0.68 EPPY). Most patients (80% LVAD vs. 62% OMM; p < 0.001) required hospitalizations. Health-related quality of life (HRQol) and depression improved from baseline more significantly with LVADs than with OMM (Δ visual analog scale: 29 ± 25 vs. 10 ± 22 [p < 0.001]; Δ Patient Health Questionnaire–9: –5 ± 7 vs. –1 ± 5 [p < 0.001]). Survival with improved functional status was better with HMII LVAD compared with OMM. Despite experiencing more frequent adverse events, LVAD patients improved more in HRQol and depression. The results support HMII use in functionally limited, noninotrope-dependent HF patients with poor HRQoL. (Risk Assessment and Comparative Effectiveness of Left Ventricular Assist Device [LVAD] and Medical Management [ROADMAP]; NCT01452802)
Hemodynamic effects of intradialytic food ingestion and the effects of caffeine.
Authors: M M Barakat, Z M Nawab, A W Yu, A H Lau, T S Ing, J T Daugirdas
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (1993)

Although the hypotensive effects of food ingestion during hemodialysis have been documented, the hemodynamic mechanism is unclear. It could be decreased cardiac output due to splanchnic sequestration or decreased vascular resistance due to splanchnic vasorelaxation. Also, the effects of caffeine, which block postprandial hypotension in the elderly, have not been studied in a dialysis setting. Central hemodynamics were monitored by thoracic electric bioimpedance in 10 dialysis patients who ingested a test meal 1 h into dialysis. All ultrafiltration was done during the initial 2 h. Bicarbonate dialysate was used. Each patient was studied three times in a double-blind (with respect to placebo/caffeine) cross-over trial: placebo/no meal, placebo/meal, and caffeine/meal. Blood pressure decreased sooner and to a great extent in the treatments in which food ingestion accompanied ultrafiltration (e.g., at 30 min after food ingestion, percent change in mean arterial pressure was -12.4 +/- 1.8 versus -2.4 +/- 3.5 mm Hg when food was not ingested; P < 0.05). The hemodynamic mechanism of food-associated hypotension was found to be a fall in systemic vascular resistance (SVRI). Caffeine pretreatment (200 mg), which resulted in intradialytic plasma caffeine levels of about 4 micrograms/mL at time of food ingestion, had no effect on food-associated reductions in blood pressure or SVRI. The results suggest that food ingestion during dialysis causes hypotension primarily because of decreased SVRI. The effects of food ingestion on mean arterial pressure and SVRI are not attenuated by the ingestion of 200 mg of caffeine 1 h before dialysis.
Smoking cessation service in a citizen hospital - a two year evaluation 2010 - 2011
Authors: Heinz Borer, Peter Woodtli, Patrick Müller, Franziska Jenzer
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background: The citizen hospital Solothurn is a smoke-free health center since 1999. A smoking cessation service (scs) is available since then. We report on our activity 2010-2011.  Methods: behavioural and pharmacologic counselling for in- and outpatients (inpts/outpts) as well as for employees by a MD and a counsellor specially trained in smoking cessation. Evaluation of all smokers receiving conselling 2010-2011 by phone call in July 2012.  Results: 182 smokers were treated (54% men; 70% outpts). Mean age 53 years(18-81, SD12.6); 43 pack years(3-180, SD31.2). Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (0 low-10 high): 5.5 (SD 2.3). 447 interventions overall - mean number of interventions outpts/inpts: 2.71(SD1.73) / 1.85(SD1.38) respectively with 64% of pts having 1-2 sessions and 36% of pts having 3 or more sessions. Interventions consisted of councelling alone (49% of pts), NRT (overall 35% - inpts 43%, outpts 32%), Varenicline (16% - almost only outpts). In July 2012 37/138 pts (27%) were smoke-free for more than one year. 67/130 persistent smokers (51%) stopped smoking temporarily. 75/130 persistent smokers (58%) reported a transient reduction of cigarettes smoked. Pts9 ratings of our scs were   (42%),  (35%), little  (20%) and not  (3%). 87% of pts would recommend our scs to others.  Conclusion: Our scs had substantial impact on smokers and prompted a considerable number of them to stop smoking either definitively (27%) or temporarily (51%) or to reduce the number of cigarettes smoked (58%). Using more NRT and having more sessions could possibly increase the number of quitters. Our scs was very much appreciated: 77% of pts rated it as helpful or very helpful.