tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Angiopoietin-2 gene polymorphism as prognostic factor in caucasians with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Shinichiro Ohshimo, Yasushi Horimasu, Francesco Bonella, Hiroshi Iwamoto, Nobuhisa Ishikawa, Kazunori Fujitaka, Yoshinori Haruta, Hiroshi Murai, Noboru Hattori, Nobuyuki Hirohashi, Koichi Tanigawa, Josune Guzman, Ulrich Costabel, Nobuoki Kohno
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

BACKGROUDS : Angiopoietin-2 ( ANGPT2 ) is a potent regulator of vascular permeability and inflammation in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Genetic variants in the ANGPT2 gene are associated with increased risk of ARDS. The aim of this study was to investigate whether genetic variants of ANGPT2 are associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and its survival.

METHODS: A total of 75 patients with IPF (42 German and 33 Japanese) and 85 healthy volunteers (35 German and 50 Japanese) were enrolled. DNA was extracted from peripheral whole blood samples using the phenol-chloroform extraction and ethanol precipitation methods. The ANGPT2 rs2515475 genotype was determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The correlation between ANGPT2 polymorphisms and survival in IPF was also evaluated.

RESULTS: In the Japanese cohort, no significant difference was observed in the distribution of ANGPT2 rs2515475 polymorphism between IPF patients and healthy volunteers (p=0.31). In the German cohort, however, the distribution of ANGPT2 rs2515475 polymorphism between IPF patients and healthy volunteers was significantly different (p=0.048). The C/C polymorphism in ANGPT2 rs2515475 was significantly associated with increased risk of death (p=0.014). In the multivariate analysis, the C/C polymorphism in ANGPT2 gene was an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio=3.85; p=0.010).

CONCLUSIONS: A polymorphism in the ANGPT2 gene appears to be an independent risk factor for poor overall survival in Caucasian patients with IPF.
Continuous positive airway pressure-associated cutaneous amoebiasis in an immunosuppressed patient
Authors: R.E. Sells, C.A. Chen, M.T. Wong, M.J. Zimarowski, J.E. Kirby, R.M. Joyce, P.A. Wu
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2015)

Organisms of the genus Acanthamoeba are environmentally ubiquitous and colonizers of the oral mucosa in humans. While largely asymptomatic in healthy persons, Acanthamoeba infection can cause disseminated disease with poor prognosis in immunosuppressed populations. Here we report a unique case of cutaneous amoebiasis associated with continuous positive airway pressure use in an immunosuppressed patient.
Influence of the Interval Between Preoperative Radiation Therapy and Surgery on Downstaging and on the Rate of Sphincter-Sparing Surgery for Rectal Cancer: The Lyon R90-01 Randomized Trial
Authors: Yves Francois, Chantal J. Nemoz, Jacques Baulieux, Jacques Vignal, Jean-Paul Grandjean, Christian Partensky, Jean Christophe Souquet, Patrice Adeleine, Jean-Pierre Gerard
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1999)

PURPOSE: The optimal timing of surgery after preoperative radiotherapy in rectal cancer is unknown. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the role of the interval between preoperative radiotherapy and surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with rectal carcinoma accessible to rectal digital examination, staged T2 to T3, NX, M0, were randomized before radiotherapy (39 Gy in 13 fractions) into two groups: in the short interval (SI) group, surgery had to be performed within 2 weeks after completion of radiation therapy, compared with 6 to 8 weeks in the long interval (LI) group. Between 1991 and 1995, 201 patients were enrolled onto the study. RESULTS: A long interval between preoperative radiotherapy and surgery was associated with a significantly better clinical tumor response (53.1% in the SI group v 71.7% in the LI group, P = .007) and pathologic downstaging (10.3% in the SI group v 26% in the LI group, P = .005). At a median follow-up of 33 months, there were no differences in morbidity, local relapse, and short-term survival between the two groups. Sphincter-preserving surgery was performed in 76% of cases in the LI group versus 68% in the SI group (P = 0.27). CONCLUSION: A long interval between preoperative irradiation and surgery provides increased tumor downstaging with no detrimental effect on toxicity and early clinical results. When sphincter preservation is questionable, a long interval may increase the chance of a successful sphincter-saving surgery.
Acute effects of exercise training in daily physical activity of patients with COPD
Authors: Thaís Sant'Anna, Heleen Demeyer, Chris Burtin, Hans Van Remoortel, Daniel Langer, Fabio Pitta, Rik Gosselink, Marc Decramer, Wim Janssens, Thierry Troosters
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background: It is unknown if participating in exercise training acutely increases daily physical activity of patients with COPD.  Aim: To investigate if there is a change in patients’daily physical activity on days they attend exercise training (training days=TD) and in the days they do not (NTD).  Methods: Daily physical activity of 42 COPD patients (age:66±7yrs, FEV1:46±19%pred) was assessed during one week by a motion sensor (SenseWear Armband) in 3 moments: before starting the exercise training program (baseline) and in the 1st and 2nd months of training. Patients continued attending the training sessions during the assessment weeks. Comparisons between the 3 moments were done including and excluding the period of the training sessions.  Results: Excluding the training session period, patients spent more time in physical activities (>2 METs) on TD (49 and 49 min) and on NTD (37 and 42 min) in the 1st and 2nd month of exercise training respectively in comparison to baseline (34min) (p≤0.01). Figure 1 shows the percentage of change in daily physical activity (METs/10 min) in the TD and NTD in comparison to baseline.  Conclusion: Exercise training provides an increase in daily physical activity of patients with COPD not only in the training days but also in the non-training days. Hence, exercise training provides acute improvement in patients’ physical activity level, even on the days they do not have to perform planned exercises.
Altered composition of airway basement membranes in COPD
Authors: Oskar Hallgren, Annika Andersson-Sjöland, Elisabet Wieslander, Martina Kvist-Reimer, Magnus Dahlbäck, Leif Ericsson, Jonas Erjefält, Leif Bjermer, Claes-Göran Löfdahl, Gunilla Westergren-Thorsson
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Rationale:  The basement membrane provides a chemical and mechanical structure which is crucial for the mucosal homeostasis in the airways. Thickening of lamina reticularis is a common feature in asthma but the situation in COPD is less clear. Our hypothesis was that there are quantitative and qualitative alterations in airway basement membranes in COPD that influence the integrity of epithelial and mesenchymal cells.   Methods:  Lung tissue sections from COPD patients and control subjects were subjected to H & E and picrosirius-RED staining. Sections were also immunostained using antibodies against the small proteoglycans: decorin and biglycan. Fibroblasts were isolated from lung explants from COPD patients (n=8) (GOLD stage IV) and biopsies from control subjects (n=9) and proteoglycan production were examined  in vitro.    Results:  Hematoxylin/Eosin-staining showed an unevenly distributed thickening of lamina reticularis in bronchial and bronchiolar airways from COPD patients but not from control subjects. The thickened areas stained positive for picrosirius RED, which shows the presence of fibrillar collagens (collagen I and III). This was accompanied with increased immuno-positivity for the small leucin-rich proteoglycans decorin and biglycan. Fibroblasts isolated from bronchial specimen from COPD patients had decreased production of the basement membrane stabilizing proteoglycan perlecan (p   Conclusions:  This data indicate that there are qualitative and quantitative alterations of airway basement membranes in COPD. We suggest that the observed alterations are indicators of areas with active remodeling which influence the phenotype of epithelial cells and underlying mesenchymal cells which may result in fibrotic deposition.
Immediate and Delayed Effects of Nitrogen Mustard on Cell Replication in an Autogenous Rat Sarcoma23
Authors: Joseph Post, Robert J. Sklarew, Joseph Hoffman
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1974)

Rats with 3-methylcholanthrene-induced autogenous sarcomas received 0.1 mg/kg nitrogen mustard (HN2) daily for up to 7 days, and cell proliferation was studied by continuous labeling with tritiated thymidine. During HN2 administration tumor growth stopped, the mitotic indices fell, and interphase and mitotic labeling was markedly reduced. The unlabeled mitoses were derived from G20 cells. When present, labeling was light in tumor cells as well as in coexistent ileal crypt cells and spleen lymphocytes. When HN2 was discontinued, tumor growth resumed at the pretreatment rate. The labeling of mitoses increased as did the levels of the mitotic indices. However, the recovery of the interphase labeling indices to pretreatment levels lagged behind these latter two parameters. Thus the pretreatment growth rate was associated with a reduced proliferating cohort of cells.
Phase I Trial of 72-Hour Continuous Infusion UCN-01 in Patients With Refractory Neoplasms
Authors: Edward A. Sausville, Susan G. Arbuck, Richard Messmann, Donna Headlee, Kenneth S. Bauer, Richard M. Lush, Anthony Murgo, William D. Figg, Tyler Lahusen, Susan Jaken, Xiu-xian Jing, Michel Roberge, Eiichi Fuse, Takashi Kuwabara, Adrian M. Senderowicz
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2001)

PURPOSE: To define the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of the novel protein kinase inhibitor, UCN-01 (7-hydroxystaurosporine), administered as a 72-hour continuous intravenous infusion (CIV). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-seven patients with refractory neoplasms received UCN-01 during this phase I trial. Total, free plasma, and salivary concentrations were determined; the latter were used to address the influence of plasma protein binding on peripheral tissue distribution. The phosphorylation state of the protein kinase C (PKC) substrate alpha-adducin and the abrogation of DNA damage checkpoint also were assessed. RESULTS: The recommended phase II dose of UCN-01 as a 72-hour CIV is 42.5 mg/m 2 /d for 3 days. Avid plasma protein binding of UCN-01, as measured during the trial, dictated a change in dose escalation and administration schedules. Therefore, nine patients received drug on the initial 2-week schedule, and 38 received drug on the recommended 4-week schedule. DLTs at 53 mg/m 2 /d for 3 days included hyperglycemia with resultant metabolic acidosis, pulmonary dysfunction, nausea, vomiting, and hypotension. Pharmacokinetic determinations at the recommended dose of 42.5 mg/m 2 /d for 3 days included mean total plasma concentration of 36.4 μM (terminal elimination half-life range, 447 to 1176 hours), steady-state volume of distribution of 9.3 to 14.2 L, and clearances of 0.005 to 0.033 L/h. The mean total salivary concentration was 111 nmol/L of UCN-01. One partial response was observed in a patient with melanoma, and one protracted period ( &gt; 2.5 years) of disease stability was observed in a patient with alk-positive anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. Preliminary evidence suggests UCN-01 modulation of both PKC substrate phosphorylation and the DNA damage-related G 2 checkpoint. CONCLUSION: UCN-01 can be administered safely as an initial 72-hour CIV with subsequent monthly doses administered as 36-hour infusions.
The 10-Year Cost-Effectiveness of Lifestyle Intervention or Metformin for Diabetes Prevention
Authors: William H. Herman, Sharon L. Edelstein, Robert E. Ratner, Maria G. Montez, Ronald T. Ackermann, Trevor J. Orchard, Mary A. Foulkes, Ping Zhang, Christopher D. Saudek, Morton B. Brown
Journal: Diabetes Care (2012)

OBJECTIVE The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and its Outcomes Study (DPPOS) demonstrated that either intensive lifestyle intervention or metformin could prevent type 2 diabetes in high-risk adults for at least 10 years after randomization. We report the 10-year within-trial cost-effectiveness of the interventions. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Data on resource utilization, cost, and quality of life were collected prospectively. Economic analyses were performed from health system and societal perspectives. RESULTS Over 10 years, the cumulative, undiscounted per capita direct medical costs of the interventions, as implemented during the DPP, were greater for lifestyle ($4,572) than metformin ($2,281) or placebo ($752). The cumulative direct medical costs of care outside the DPP/DPPOS were least for lifestyle ($26,810 lifestyle vs. $27,384 metformin vs. $29,007 placebo). The cumulative, combined total direct medical costs were greatest for lifestyle and least for metformin ($31,382 lifestyle vs. $29,665 metformin vs. $29,759 placebo). The cumulative quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) accrued over 10 years were greater for lifestyle (6.89) than metformin (6.79) or placebo (6.74). When costs and outcomes were discounted at 3% and adjusted for survival, lifestyle cost $12,878 per QALY, and metformin had slightly lower costs and nearly the same QALYs as placebo. CONCLUSIONS Over 10 years, from a payer perspective, lifestyle was cost-effective and metformin was marginally cost-saving compared with placebo. Investment in lifestyle and metformin interventions for diabetes prevention in high-risk adults provides good value for the money spent.
LNH-84 regimen: a multicenter study of intensive chemotherapy in 737 patients with aggressive malignant lymphoma.
Authors: B Coiffier, C Gisselbrecht, R Herbrecht, H Tilly, A Bosly, N Brousse
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1989)

From July 1984 to September 1987, 737 patients with aggressive malignant lymphoma (ML) were treated by an intensive regimen (LNH-84) comprising three or four courses of doxorubicin, 75 mg/m2; cyclophosphamide, 1,200 mg/m2; vindesine, 2 mg/m2 x 2; bleomycin, 10 mg x 2; and prednisolone, 60 mg/m2 x 5 (ACVB), consolidation with high-dose methotrexate, ifosfamide, etoposide, asparaginase, and cytarabine, and a randomized late intensification with two courses of cytarabine, cyclophosphamide, teniposide, bleomycin, and prednisone (AraCVmB). Four hundred forty-two patients had intermediate-grade ML, 221 highgrade ML, and 74 unclassified ML. Most of the patients had advanced disease: stage IIE (23%), III (13%), or IV (47%); 38% disseminated nodes; 38% two or more extranodal sites; and 41% a tumoral mass greater than 10 cm. Five hundred fifty-three patients (75%) went into complete remission (CR), 63 (9%) into partial remission, 62 (8%) failed to respond, and 59 (8%) died during ACVB courses, 17 of them from progression of the disease. With a median follow-up of 23 months, the estimated 2-year overall survival time to failure (TTF), and time to relapse (TTR) survival are 67%, 56%, and 67%, respectively. Patients receiving a late intensification had the same relapse rate as the other patients. A persistent fibronecrotic mass was found in 150 patients (20%) and did not influence the relapse rate. Toxicity was mainly neutropenia and infection during the ACVB courses, with 40 patients (5%) dying from septic complications while responding to treatment. Fifty-three percent of the patients had a neutropenia less than 0.500 x 10(9)/L, 58% fever (6% grade 4), and 49% a documented infection (8% grade 4). These results obtained with the LNH-84 regimen demonstrate that this therapeutic scheme is an effective treatment for aggressive ML.
Diffusing capacity > 61(%predicted) predicts absence of hypoxemia during 6-Minute Walk test in patients with interstitial lung disease
Authors: H.T. de Raaf, M. Wapenaar, Y.M. de Feijter, H. Groepenhoff, M.S. Wijsenbeek, B. Blink van den, H.C. Hoogsteden, H. Stam
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Introduction and Aim 

In patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) can be used to assess the need for supplemental oxygen during physical training and in-test hypoxemia is an indicator of poor survival. We investigated if TLCO (%pred) is a predictor for hypoxemia during 6MWT.

Methods 

We analysed data of 66 consecutive ILD patients who performed spirometry, TLCO-measurement and 6MWT at the same day between March 2011 and February 2012. We excluded patients with pulmonary hypertension, musculoskeletal impairment, oxygen dependence and incomplete 6MWT.

Oxygen saturation (SpO2) at the end of the 6MWT ≤88% was considered hypoxemia.

Results 

48 patients were included; 33 males and 15 females, age 59 (±13 years) IPF (n=30), sarcoidosis (n=11), NSIP (n=3), CVD (n=3) and EAA (n=1).

We found a correlation between TLCO (%pred) and SpO2 (%) at the end of 6MWT (r2 =0.22, p 61% was determined by receiver operating analysis to be 100% specific and 43% sensitive to exclude exercise hypoxemia.

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Conclusion 

Diffusing capacity can predict hypoxemia during sub maximal exercise in patients with ILD.

Our data suggest that supplemental oxygen during exercise in ILD patients with a TLCO (%pred) >61% is not necessary.

 [1]: pending:yes
Prevalence of methicillin—resistant Staphylococcus aureus in eight African hospitals and Malta
Authors: C. Kesah, S. Ben Redjeb, T.O. Odugbemi, C. S.-B. Boye, M. Dosso, J.O. Ndinya Achola, S. Koulla-Shiro, M. Benbachir, K. Rahal, M. Borg
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2003)
Israel gives health cover to children of illegal workers
Authors: Judy Siegel-Itzkovich
Journal: BMJ (2001)

Israel has introduced a health insurance programme for the children of foreign workers—both legal and illegal—designed to improve the wellbeing of thousands of youngsters.

Officially, there are some 80 000 foreign workers in the country, mainly from Thailand, Romania, the Philippines, China, and Africa, but the actual figures are thought to be much higher.

Most of these workers want to stay in Israel for only a few years to make money and then return home to their families. If they have children, getting health care for them can be a worry: employers' private health insurance schemes for legal workers cover only …
Is drug allergy less prevalent than previously assumed? A 5-year analysis
Authors: L.M. Heinzerling, D. Tomsitz, M.D. Anliker
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2011)

Rashes are a frequent conundrum in clinical practice as they may be reactive, drug induced or disease specific. Identification of the culprit drug is important as re-exposure may be harmful or even life-threatening and unnecessary avoidance of 'innocent' drugs leads to limitations of treatment options.To objectify the cause of suspected cutaneous drug reactions in a large patient population.Over 5years (2006-10), 612 patients with suspected cutaneous drug reactions were evaluated. Histology was assessed. About 200 patients were invited for complete work-up with skin tests (prick/intracutaneous testing and scratch/patch as indicated) and, if necessary, lymphocyte transformation tests (LTT). In special cases, drug provocation tests were conducted.A total number of 141 cases with suspected drug reaction underwent full work-up (age 6-86years; 75% female, 25% male). In 107 cases (76%) a drug was identified whereas 34 (24%) were reactive rashes or had other causes. Mostly, cutaneous drug reactions were maculopapular rashes, urticaria/angio-oedema; less frequently, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, systemic drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema, toxic epidermal necrolysis and fixed drug eruptions were present. Of all the cutaneous drug reactions investigated, 39·8% were caused by antibiotics, 21·2% by anti-inflammatories, 7·6% by contrast media and 31·4% by others (oral antidiabetics, antimycotics, antipsychotics, antiepileptics and others).Clinical assessment overestimates the role of drug allergies in cutaneous reactions. Assessment of suspected drug reactions can be greatly improved by thorough evaluation including dermatological and allergological work-up with skin testing and assays such as LTT.
Immunochemical Detection of Tumor-Specific and Embryonic Antigens of Diethylnitrosamine-Induced Guinea Pig Tumors2
Authors: Tibor Borsos, Arleen K. Richardson, Sarkis H. Ohanian, Edward J. Leonard
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1973)

Xenogeneic antibodies against chemically induced transplantable guinea pig hepatoma cells (line-1 and line-10) were obtained by immunization of rabbits with live cells. By appropriate absorption of antisera we obtained antibody against tumor-specific antigen. The specificity of the absorbed antisera was shown in 3 different tests: C1 fixation and transfer, fluorescent antibody, and complement- dependent cytotoxicity. Analysis of absorption results with normal adult guinea pig tissues and guinea pig embryo showed that in addition to line-specific tumor antigens, line-1 and line-10 tumor cells have an embryonic antigen in common. Using specific antibody, we found that the minimum number of line-10-specific tumor antigen sites/cell was about 100,000. The xenogeneic antisera were also used in an antibody absorption test for measurement of soluble tumor-specific antigen.
Abstract 13010: Trends and Predictors in Noninvasive and Invasive Ventilation in Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: Navdeep Gupta, Vijayadershan Muppidi, Muhammed Shahreyar, Nunzio Gaglianello, Michael P Cinquegrani
Journal: Circulation (2014)

Background: Mechanical ventilation in heart failure. However, trends and predictors of mechanical ventilation in heart failure are not well defined.

Methods: We analyzed patients in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) between 2002-2011 with primary discharge diagnosis of Heart Failure (CHF) and procedure diagnosis of noninvasive and invasive mechanical ventilation. Primary outcome was trend in noninvasive and invasive ventilation in CHF. Secondary outcome was predictors of mechanical ventilation in heart failure and their outcomes.

Results: Among 10,475,928 weighted discharges with primary diagnosis of CHF, 532,701 discharges underwent mechanical ventilation. Among these patients 272,806(2.6%) had noninvasive while 259,894(2.5%) had invasive ventilation. We saw steady increase in use of mechanical ventilation over the last ten years (4.9% in 2002 to 7.1% in 2011,P<0.001). This was driven by steady increase in rates of noninvasive ventilation (1.1% in 2002 to 5.2% in 2011, p<0.001) with decline in rates of invasive ventilation (3.8% in 2002 to 1.9% in 2011, P<0.001). Risk adjusted yearly odds of noninvasive ventilation showed a steady increase over the last 10 years (OR 1.325 in 2003 to 3.064 in 2011 with 2002 as index year) with obesity (OR 1.85) and chronic lung disease(OR 1.80) as independent predictors of utilization. On the other hand risk adjusted yearly odds of invasive ventilation showed a steady decline (OR 0.9 in 2003 to 0.18 in 2011 with 2002 as index year) with heart valve disease (OR 2.4), weight loss (OR 1.67), coagulopathy (OR 1.63) and electrolyte abnormality(OR 1.65) as positive predictors of need for invasive ventilation.

Conclusions: There is an increasing trend in utilization of mechanical ventilation in heart failure. This is mainly driven by increase in noninvasive ventilation with decline in rates of invasive ventilation over the last ten years.

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