tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Choriocarcinoma: Transfilter Stimulation of Vasoproliferation in the Hamster Cheek Pouch—Studied by Light and Electron Microscopy&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: Robert L. Ehrmann, Mogens Knoth
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1968)

By placing a transparent window (Sanders chamber) in the neck of a hamster and a light source in its mouth, one can microscopically observe vascularizing tumor fragments in the cheek pouch. When a microporous filter membrane with pore size 0.5 μ or less (ultrathin Millipore or Nuclepore) was interposed between explants of the transplantable Greene human choriocarcinoma and the underlying pouch tissue within a Sanders chamber, circumscribed dense networks of proliferated capillaries and venules formed within a week beneath the filter—under, alongside, or encircling the overlying tumor explants. For wholemounts, pouch vessels were filled with carbon black via aortic perfusion, and the pouch was fixed and stained. Wholemounts clearly showed the zones of vasoproliferation directly underneath growing sheets of tumor cells. Electron microscopy revealed particulate material of probable tumor origin, apparently passing from tumor pseudopods to pouch tissue through the filter membrane pores. Although this material appeared to consist of discrete particles, it could not be unquestionably proved they were not portions of narrow tumor pseudopods cut in different planes. Explants of hamster and human endometrium failed to elicit any vascular reaction across a Millipore filter. When considered with the work of others, the vasoproliferative response to choriocarcinoma explants is another example of the tumor cell's ability to rapidly establish its blood supply. Continued experimentation with microporous membranes may prove that the tumor cells are indeed releasing a vasoactive substance.
Open trial of ciclosporin treatment for Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis
Authors: L. Valeyrie-Allanore, P. Wolkenstein, L. Brochard, N. Ortonne, B. Maître, J. Revuz, M. Bagot, J.C. Roujeau
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2010)

Background Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)are acute mucocutaneous reactions associated with poor prognosis. The treatment is mainly symptomatic, based on supportive care. Until now, several curative treatments have been proposed without evidence of effectiveness.Objectives To evaluate the effect of ciclosporin on SJS and TEN after a short series had suggested a benefit.Methods We conducted an open, phase II trial to determine the safety and possible benefit of ciclosporin. Among the 45 consecutive patients admitted for SJS /TEN from March 2005 to September 2007, 29 fulfilled inclusion criteria. Ciclosporin was administered orally (3 mg kg)1 daily for 10 days) and tapered over a month. Clinical and biological evaluations were performed sequentially. Predicted death rate was estimated with a validated prognostic score (SCORTEN).Results Twenty-nine patients were included at a mean +/- SD of 2.8 +/- 1.8 days after onset. The final diagnosis was SJS (n = 10), SJS ⁄TEN overlap (n = 12) and TEN(n = 7). One month of treatment was completed in 26. Ciclosporin was stopped after more than 10 days in three cases for side-effects including posterior leucoencephalopathy (n = 1), neutropenia (n = 1) and nosocomial pneumopathy(n = 1). Ciclosporin dosage was tapered earlier than scheduled in two cases for alteration in renal function. The prognostic score predicted 2.75 deaths; none occurred (P = 0.1). Mean epidermal detachment remained stable in 18 of 29 cases (62%). The mean ± SD hospital stay was 16.2 +/- 9.1 days.Conclusions Both the death rate and the progression of detachment seemed lower than expected, suggesting a possible usefulness of ciclosporin in SJS and TEN that needs to be confirmed.
Abstract 8: Transplantation of Mouse Adipose Derived Stem Cell Sheet into Infarcted Rat Myocardium Increase Cell Engraftment and Cardiac Function
Authors: Jong-Ho Kim, Hyung Joon Joo, Ha-Rim Seo, Long-Hui Cui, Mi-Na Kim, Seung-Cheol Choi, Chi-Youn Park, Ji-Hyun Choi, Soon Jun Hong, Jeong Ik Lee, Do-Sun Lim
Journal: Circulation Research (2014)

Background: Cell sheet technology has magnified as an important transplantation skill. Mouse adipose derived stem cells (mADSCs) can secrete various growth factors, which promote the repair of damaged cardiomyocyte and protecting cells from death. In addition, autologous cell source to easily obtain from patients are promising candidates for cell therapy in cardiovascular field. Methods: mADSCs were confirmed stem cell properties and secreted cytokines were evaluated in vitro. Eighteen acute myocardial infarction (AMI) rats were divide into 3 group; sham (n=6), suspended mADSCs (n=6), and mADSCs sheet (n=6) groups. In the mADSCs sheet group, 60х106 cells were cultured for 2 days onto temperature-responsive polymers and the sheets were then transplanted over the infarct region. In additional, the sheet was made of carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFDA) -labelled mADSCs to confirmed cell survival. Engraftment and differentiation were blindly assessed after 28 days. Results: The mADSCs expressed Sca-1+ and represented multi-differentiation potential. Interestingly, EGF and IGF levels significantly increased in the mADSCs sheet. Significant improvements in ejection fraction and fraction shortening value were observed in the mADSCs sheet and suspended mADSCs groups compared with the sham group at 14 and 28 days. But, it was not higher significance level in the mADSCs sheet group than in the suspended mADSCs group. Engraftment range and fibrosis area of infarct region were significantly higher in the mADSCs sheet group compared to the other two groups at 4, 14 and 28 days. In significant expressed cytokines (bFGF, IL-1a, IL-1ra, CT-1, EGF, TGFb1, IGF-1, IGF-2 and MCP-1) were observed in the mADSCs sheet group compared with the other 2 groups at 28 days after transplantation. In addition, in the mADSCs sheet was confirmed endothelial differentiation by Von Willebrand factor (vWF) at 4, 14 and 28 days. Conclusions: Transplantation of mADSCs sheet into rat infarcted myocardium increased engraftment and survival of transplanted cells. The mADSCs sheet is very useful for the study of stem cell proliferation and differentiation as well as for cell therapy in cardiovascular field.
Peripheral Thelper1/Thelper2/Thelper17/regulatory T cell imbalance in asthmatic pregnancy
Authors: Lilla Tamási, Gergely Toldi, Attila Molvarec, Balázs Stenczer, Veronika Muller, István Ivancsó, Noémi Eszes, András Bikov, Anikó Bohács, János Rigó, György Losonczy
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Asthma and pregnancy show bilateral clinical interactions with mostly unknown immunological mechanisms. Healthy gestation is characterized by a sensitive balance of Th1/Th2/Th17/regulatory T (Treg) cells which may be altered in asthmatic pregnancy. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of these cell subsets in asthmatic compared with healthy pregnancy.  The prevalence of Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg lymphocytes was identified by cell surface and intracellular marker staining in 24 healthy non-pregnant (HNP), 23 healthy pregnant (HP), 15 asthmatic non-pregnant (ANP) and 15 asthmatic pregnant (AP) women using flow cytometry.  HP and ANP were characterized by increased Th2/Th1 ratio compared to HNP, but no further increase was observed in AP. Healthy pregnancy increased Treg cell prevalence compared with HNP data (4.64% vs. 2.98%; p 0.05). Asthma increased Th17 prevalence in non-pregnant patients (3.81% vs. HNP; p  Peripheral Thelper1/Thelper2/Thelper17/regulatory T cell imbalance may play a role in the interrelationship and compromised immune tolerance characterizing asthmatic pregnancy.
Complementary/Alternative Medicine Use in a Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Implications for Oncology
Authors: Mary Ann Richardson, Tina Sanders, J. Lynn Palmer, Anthony Greisinger, S. Eva Singletary
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2000)

PURPOSE: Oncologists are aware that their patients use complementary/alternative medicine (CAM). As cancer incidence rates and survival time increase, use of CAM will likely increase. This study assessed the prevalence and predictors of CAM use in a comprehensive cancer center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Subjects were English-speaking cancer patients at least 18 years of age, attending one of eight outpatient clinics at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, between December 1997 and June 1998. After giving written informed consent, participants completed a self-administered questionnaire. Differences between CAM users and nonusers were assessed by χ 2 and univariate logistic regression analysis. A multivariate logistic regression model identified the simultaneous impact of demographic, clinical, and treatment variables on CAM use; P values were two-sided. RESULTS: Of the 453 participants (response rate, 51.4%), 99.3% had heard of CAM. Of those, 83.3% had used at least one CAM approach. Use was greatest for spiritual practices (80.5%), vitamins and herbs (62.6%), and movement and physical therapies (59.2%) and predicted (P &lt; .001) by sex (female), younger age, indigent pay status, and surgery. After excluding spiritual practices and psychotherapy, 95.8% of participants were aware of CAM and 68.7% of those had used CAM. Use was predicted (P &lt; .0001) by sex (female), education, and chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: In most categories, CAM use was common among outpatients. Given the number of patients combining vitamins and herbs with conventional treatments, the oncology community must improve patient-provider communication, offer reliable information to patients, and initiate research to determine possible drug-herb-vitamin interactions.
The efficacy of COPD patients education: A paired matched case-control study
Authors: Veronica Catotti, Giusy Sardo, Giuseppina Di Martino, Nicola Ciancio, Giuseppe Di Maria
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Health professionals recommend educational support and counseling of COPD patients in their care-setting but the efficacy of educational programs (EP) and effectiveness of tools assessing the results achieved have been poorly investigated so far. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of short-term EP in 28 COPD-patients. Patients (14M/14F, 60-80 yrs) with severe to very-severe stable COPD were enrolled. The Bristol COPD knowledge questionnaire (BCKQ) consisting of 65 statements grouped in 13 domains (epidemiology, etiology, symptoms, dyspnea, sputum, respiratory infections, exercise, smoking, vaccinations, bronchodilator therapy, antibiotics, systemic/inhaled steroids) was administered. Patients were then paired-matched according to age, sex and scholar level, and randomly assigned to 2 groups The study-group (S-G) received a classroom EP lasting 1 hour and 45 min. by a set of slides purposely shaped on BCKQ. The second group of patients (control-Group, C-G) received a low-intesity counseling using only a short video without any physician-support (sham-EP). Immediately after EP or sham-EP, an interactive discussion based on question-and-answer sessions took place by the guidance of a physician. Then BCKQ was re-administered to both groups. In the S-G the BCKQ-score (mean±SD) before and after the EP was 24.93±7.41 and 44.01±10.07 (p
Recurrent furunculosis: a review of the literature
Authors: M. Demos, M.P. McLeod, K. Nouri
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2012)

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is increasing in incidence and manifests as skin and soft tissue infections including furuncles. The majority of studies have focused on the epidemiology of single furuncles and not recurrent disease. There is a lack of data concerning the incidence of furunculosis outside the U.S.A.This report reviews the literature of recurrent furunculosis and the impact of CA-MRSA on the disease.Article citations were searched within PubMed. Search terms used were 'furunculosis', 'recurrent furunculosis', 'skin abscess' and 'recurrent boils'. Articles were discarded if they did not refer to furunculosis secondary to S. aureus.A total of 1515 articles were initially retrieved with the term 'furunculosis', 77 with the term 'recurrent furunculosis', 2778 with the term 'skin abscess', and 1526 with the term 'recurrent boils'. After excluding articles not referring to S. aureus furunculosis, 86 articles were included for this review.Furunculosis is increasing within the U.S.A. secondary to the CA-MRSA epidemic and the resistant organism's close association with the Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) virulence factor. PVL is associated with follicular infections in general, having its strongest association with furunculosis and its recurrence. The majority of furuncles in the U.S.A. are caused by CA-MRSA, while elsewhere in the world they are caused by methicillin-sensitive S. aureus. Nasal carriage of S. aureus is the primary risk factor for recurrent furunculosis and occurs in 60% of individuals.
Adult Burkitt's and Burkitt-like non-Hodgkin's lymphoma--outcome for patients treated with high-dose therapy and autologous stem-cell transplantation in first remission or at relapse: results from the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation.
Authors: J W Sweetenham, R Pearce, G Taghipour, D Blaise, C Gisselbrecht, A H Goldstone
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1996)

PURPOSE To investigate the results of treatment for adult patients with Burkitt's and Burkitt-like non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) undergoing high-dose therapy and autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT), and to determine prognostic factors for this group. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective analysis of 117 adult patients reported to the lymphoma registry of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) between June 1984 and November 1994. Seventy of these patients received high-dose therapy and stem-cell transplantation in first complete remission (CR). Data on all patients were reviewed, and prognostic factors were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS The actuarial overall survival (OS) rate for the entire group was 53% at 3 years. The major factor predicting for outcome after transplantation was disease status: the 3-year actuarial OS rate was 72% for patients transplanted in first CR, compared with 37% for patients in chemosensitive relapse, and 7% for chemoresistant patients. For patients transplanted in first CR, disease bulk at the time of ASCT was the only factor predictive of progression-free survival (PFS) and OS. CONCLUSION The results of high-dose therapy and ASCT for patients with relapsed disease, particularly chemosensitive relapse, are superior to those reported for conventional-dose salvage regimens. The results for patients transplanted in first CR require comparison with modern dose-intensive regimens.
Evidence against hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression in the antidiabetic action of leptin
Authors: Gregory J. Morton, Thomas H. Meek, Miles E. Matsen, Michael W. Schwartz
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2015)

Leptin administration restores euglycemia in rodents with severe insulin-deficient diabetes, and recent studies to explain this phenomenon have focused on the ability of leptin to normalize excessive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. Here, we employed a streptozotocin-induced rat model (STZ-DM) of uncontrolled insulin-deficient diabetes mellitus (uDM) to investigate the contribution of HPA axis suppression to leptin-mediated glucose lowering. Specifically, we asked if HPA axis activation is required for diabetic hyperglycemia, whether HPA axis normalization can be achieved using a dose of leptin below that needed to normalize glycemia, and if the ability of leptin to lower plasma glucocorticoid levels is required for its antidiabetic action. In STZ-DM rats, neither adrenalectomy-induced (ADX-induced) glucocorticoid deficiency nor pharmacological glucocorticoid receptor blockade lowered elevated blood glucose levels. Although elevated plasma levels of corticosterone were normalized by i.v. leptin infusion at a dose that raises low plasma levels into the physiological range, diabetic hyperglycemia was not altered. Lastly, the potent glucose-lowering effect of continuous intracerebroventricular leptin infusion was not impacted by systemic administration of corticosterone at a dose that maintained elevated plasma levels characteristic of STZ-DM. We conclude that, although restoring low plasma leptin levels into the physiological range effectively normalizes increased HPA axis activity in rats with uDM, this effect is neither necessary nor sufficient to explain leptin's antidiabetic action.
Life-Span, Tumor Incidence, and Natural Killer Cell Activity in Mice Selected for High or Low Antibody Responsiveness&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: V Covelli, S Marini, V Di Majo, B Bassani, C Mancini, L Adorini, G Doria
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1984)

Biozzi mice selected for high (H) or low (L) antibody responsiveness to natural antigens have been followed for their entire life-span to examine their pathology at death. As previously found in selection I, shorter life-span and higher lymphoma incidence were observed in L responder mice than in H responder mice selected for antibody responsiveness to sheep red blood cells (selection II). In mice selected for antibody responsiveness to Salmonella flagellar antigens (selection III), similar life-span and similar lymphoma incidence were found in H and L responder mice. Natural killer (NK) cell activity, as assessed in spleen cells from young mice, was lower in L than in H responder mice of selection I but higher in L than in H responder mice of both selections II and III. All these results indicate that longevity and lymphoma incidence at death are independent of NK cell activity in mice selected for H or L antibody responsiveness to natural antigens. Furthermore, genetic selection for antibody responsiveness does not always appear to influence life-span and lymphoma incidence.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery With or Without Whole-Brain Radiotherapy for Brain Metastases
Authors: Hidefumi Aoyama, Masao Tago, Hiroki Shirato
Journal: JAMA Oncology (2015)

<h3>Importance</h3> It remains uncertain whether treatment with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) alone can be safely applied to all patient populations with 1 to 4 brain metastases (BMs) exhibiting heterogeneous prognoses. <h3>Objective</h3> To investigate the feasibility of SRS alone for patients with different prognoses determined by the diagnosis-specific Graded Prognostic Assessment (DS-GPA). <h3>Design, Setting, and Participants</h3> A secondary analysis (performed in September 2014) of the Japanese Radiation Oncology Study Group (JROSG) 99-1, a phase 3 randomized trial, comparing SRS alone and whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) + SRS conducted in 1999 to 2003. Among a total of 132 patients, 88 with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 1 to 4 BMs were included and poststratified by DS-GPA scores to avoid potential bias from BMs from different primary cancer types. The median follow-up time was 8.05 months. <h3>Interventions</h3> The WBRT schedule was 30 Gy in 10 fractions over 2 to 2.5 weeks. The mean SRS dose was 21.9 Gy in SRS alone and 16.6 Gy in WBRT + SRS. <h3>Main Outcomes and Measures</h3> The primary end point was overall survival (OS), and the secondary end points included brain tumor recurrence (BTR), salvage treatment, and radiation toxic effects. <h3>Results</h3> Forty-seven patients had a favorable prognosis, with DS-GPA scores of 2.5 to 4.0 (26 SRS-alone and 21 WBRT + SRS [DS-GPA 2.5-4.0 group]), and 41 had an unfavorable prognosis, with DS-GPA scores of 0.5 to 2.0 (19 SRS-alone and 22 WBRT + SRS [DS-GPA 0.5-2.0 group]). Significantly better OS was observed in the DS-GPA 2.5-4.0 group in WBRT + SRS vs the SRS alone, with a median survival time of 16.7 (95% CI, 7.5-72.9) months vs 10.6 (95% CI, 7.7-15.5) months (<i>P</i> = .04) (hazard ratio [HR], 1.92; 95% CI, 1.01-3.78). However, no such difference was observed in the DS-GPA 0.5-2.0 group (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.55-1.99) (<i>P</i> = .86). This benefit could be explained by the differing BTR rates, in that the prevention against BTR by WBRT had a more significant impact in the DS-GPA 2.5-4.0 group (HR, 8.31; 95% CI, 3.05-29.13) (<i>P</i> &lt; .001) vs the DS-GPA 0.5-2.0 group (HR, 3.57; 95% CI, 1.02-16.49) (<i>P</i> = .04). <h3>Conclusions and Relevance</h3> Despite the current trend of using SRS alone, the important role of WBRT for patients with BMs from NSCLC with a favorable prognosis should be considered. Our findings should be validated through appropriately designed prospective studies. <h3>Trial Registration</h3> umin.ac.jp/ctr Identifier:C000000412
Real life effectiveness of omalizumab in severe allergic asthma, does the IgE level matter? A Bradford experience
Authors: Salina Jain, Dinesh Saralaya, Karen Regan, Laura Walker
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

IgE (immunoglobulin E) plays a pivotal role in allergic asthma. Omalizumab is a recombinant monoclonal antibody that inhibits IgE.

In the UK, Omalizumab was licensed for patients with IgE levels between 30-700 IU/ml till 2010. The license was extended to include IgE levels up to 1500IU/ml. In our study, 41 patients fulfilled the criteria for commencing omalizumab were recruited. 27 (66%) patients had IgEs between 30-700IU/ml and 14 (34%) patients fell out of the license initially, until the licence was increased to 1500IU/ml, 4 (9%) patients had significant higher levels of IgE and were out of the license. We aimed to compare the response to treatment in the licensed and unlicensed group. Response to treatment was measured by comparing the frequency of visits to the GP & A&E, hospital/ICU stays, use of oral steroids, and improvement in QOL scores.

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From these results it is possible to see that those patients that fall out of the omalizumab license do fair well if not better than those within the license. Depicted by a greater reduction in hospital days and ICU admission, a greater reduction in the daily oral corticosteriod use and an increase in ACT/AQLA scores once commenced on treatment.
Lung capillary blood volume and membrane diffusion in PH
Authors: Laurent Godinas, David Montani, Pierantonio Laveneziana, David Amar, Abdel Belguendouz, Mourad Sarni, Xavier Jais, Barbara Girerd, Olivier Sitbon, Gérald Simonneau, Marc Humbert, Gilles Garcia
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Combined lung diffusion of carbon monoxide (DLCO) and nitric oxide (DLNO) measurement has a potential ability to assess pulmonary capillary blood volume (Vc) disturbances. Usefullness of DLNO measurement and its derivatives is still controversial in pulmonary hypertension. To evaluate its potential role, we restrospectively reviewed the combined values of DLCO and DLNO in 120 well-characterized consecutive patients with pulmonary hypertension. Patients were divided in three groups: pulmonary hypertension (PAH) (n=64), pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) (n=14) and chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) (n=42). Measurements of DLNO, DLCO, membrane diffusing capacity (Dm) and Vc were measured during a single breath maneuver. An ANOVA or a Kruskal-Wallis statistical test were used to compare groups. We found a significant difference between patients with PVOD and with PAH or CTEPH for DLNO, DLCO, Dm and Vc. DLNO/DLCO ratio was not different between groups (non statistically significant trend for an increased ratio in PVOD). We conclude that DLNO measurement alone or in combination could help to determine subtype of pulmonary hypertension and needs further attention.

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DLNO, DLCO, Dm and Vc values