tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Influence of Baseline Characteristics, Operative Conduct, and Postoperative Course on 30-Day Outcomes of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Among Patients With Left Ventricular Dysfunction
Authors: Krzysztof Wrobel, Susanna R. Stevens, Robert H. Jones, Craig H. Selzman, Andre Lamy, Thomas M. Beaver, Ljubomir T. Djokovic, Nan Wang, Eric J. Velazquez, George Sopko, Irving L. Kron, J. Michael DiMaio, Robert E. Michler, Kerry L. Lee, Michael Yii, Chua Yeow Leng, Marian Zembala, Jean L. Rouleau, Richard C. Daly, Hussein R. Al-Khalidi
Journal: Circulation (2015)

Background— Patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction, ischemic heart failure, and coronary artery disease suitable for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are at higher risk for surgical morbidity and mortality. Paradoxically, those patients with the most severe coronary artery disease and ventricular dysfunction who derive the greatest clinical benefit from CABG are also at the greatest operative risk, which makes decision making regarding whether to proceed to surgery difficult in such patients. To better inform such decision making, we analyzed the Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure (STICH) CABG population for detailed information on perioperative risk and outcomes. Methods and Results— In both STICH trials (hypotheses), 2136 patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction of ≤35% and coronary artery disease were allocated to medical therapy, CABG plus medical therapy, or CABG with surgical ventricular reconstruction. Relationships of baseline characteristics and operative conduct with morbidity and mortality at 30 days were evaluated. There were a total of 1460 patients randomized to and receiving surgery, and 346 (≈25%) of these high-risk patients developed a severe complication within 30 days. Worsening renal insufficiency, cardiac arrest with cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and ventricular arrhythmias were the most frequent complications and those most commonly associated with death. Mortality at 30 days was 5.1% and was generally preceded by a serious complication (65 of 74 deaths). Left ventricular size, renal dysfunction, advanced age, and atrial fibrillation/flutter were significant preoperative predictors of mortality within 30 days. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was the only independent surgical variable predictive of 30-day mortality. Conclusions— CABG can be performed with relatively low 30-day mortality in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. Serious postoperative complications occurred in nearly 1 in 4 patients and were associated with mortality. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT00023595.
Vitamin D levels and risk of infection, assessment for disease severity, and predictor of mortality in the Chinese intensive care units: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Longxiang Su, Sihua Wang, Lichao Cao, Kun Xiao, Lixin Xie
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Introduction  Vitamin D level below normal prolongs hospital stay and increases incidence of adverse prognosis and pushing up mortality of a number of diseases.  Objectives  To evaluate the significance of vitamin D’s relevance to sepsis, as well as its value in severity and prognosis assessment.  Methods  The high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect the concentrations of the total 25(OH)D in serum of Chinese critically ill patients.  Results  This study involved 50 healthy control, 51 as ICU control patients, and 105 diagnosed with sepsis. Critically-ill ICU patients (ICU sepsis and ICU control group) have lower vitamin D density than normal people, but sepsis patients show no significant reduction of vitamin D density when compared with critically-ill patients with no obvious signs of infection (normal vs. ICU Control vs. ICU Sepsis [Ig], 1.14±0.28 vs. 0.97±0.22 vs. 0.91±0.24,  P ). For assessment of disease severity, there were negative correlation trend between APACHE II,SAPS II, SOFA score and vitamin D level. Pearson correlation efficient turned out -0.124 ( P=0.124 ), -0.039 ( P=0.629 ), and -0.12 ( P=0.221 ), respectively. Additionally, subjects of different 25(OH)D levels show no difference whether in terms of 28-day survival (χ 2 =1.78,  P=0.776 ) or 90-day survival (χ 2 =4.12,  P=0.389 ). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrates that APECHE II and SAPS II score are independent risk factors to deaths caused by sepsis.  Conclusion  Clinically, measurement of vitamin D is not to be taken as an indicator for diagnosis and assessment in Chinese critically ill patients.
Thrombocytopenia Induced by the Friend Leukemia Virus&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: Lewis Hilliard Dennis, Isadore Brodsky
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1965)

The Friend leukemia virus caused significant thrombocytopenia in Swiss-Webster female mice 2 days after inoculation. The inoculum was infected splenic homogenate or whole blood. Thrombocytopenia was demonstrated in serially and nonserially bled mice. With infection, the platelet count fell progressively. Thrombocytopenia also developed in two inbred strains of mice—CF1 and C57BL There was no apparent relationship between thrombocytopenia and spleen weight. Mice dying early in infection with a hemorrhagic diathesis had severe thrombocytopenia, with platelet counts of less than 25,000 per mm3. Friend leukemia virus grown in tissue culture caused thrombocytopenia before splenic enlargement. Thrombocytopenia was not demonstrated in mice inoculated with normal spleen suspension, normal whole blood, LDH virus, and Friend-infected whole blood heated at 56° C for 30 minutes. The study demonstrates that thrombocytopenia is a major factor in the pathophysiology of Friend leukemia virus disease.
Toremifene and tamoxifen are equally effective for early-stage breast cancer: first results of International Breast Cancer Study Group Trials 12-93 and 14-93
Authors: O. Pagani, S. Gelber, E. Simoncini, M. Castiglione-Gertsch, K. Price, D. Zahrieh, R. Gelber, A. Coates, A. Goldhirsch
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2004)
Effect of short-acting bronchodilators (BDs) on the severity of respiratory muscle (RM) strength in COPD patients (pts)
Authors: Bogdana Basina, Tetyana Pertseva, Lyudmyla Konopkina
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

One of the pathogenetic links in COPD is a dysfunction of the RM. RM strength may depend on some medicines.   Aim : to determine the effects of BDs on the RM strength in COPD pts during prolonged their admission and during acute test.   Materials and methods . We studied 50 COPD pts, divided into two groups depending on the treatment: 1 – 22 male (63,7±1,6yrs) who constantly didn’t use any drug, 2 – 28 male (64,0±1,4yrs), treated though regularly and protractedly (more than 3 yrs), but inadequately according to disease stage (constantly taking only short-acting β2-agonist or combination short-acting β2-agonist/short-acting anticholinergic, but not taking ICS).  Measurements included clinical status, spirometry (pre- and post-dose of salbutamol), occlusal spirometry in terms RImax and REmax that described the RM strength during inhalation and exhalation.   Results  are presented in the Table.   Conclusion : RM strength in pts was lower than in normal; but in those, who regularly and protractedly took short-acting BD it was significantly lower (both in inhalation and exhalation) than in pts who didn’t take regularly any medication. Most likely, it was associated with the need to constantly overcome resistance at current bronchial obstruction. Taking in the acute BD test leads to increased RM strength, possibly by improving contractility of the diaphragm.
Phase I clinical trial of melphalan and 41.8 degrees C whole-body hyperthermia in cancer patients.
Authors: H I Robins, D Rushing, M Kutz, K D Tutsch, C L Tiggelaar, D Paul, D Spriggs, C Kraemer, W Gillis, C Feierabend, R Z Arzoomanian, W Longo, D Alberti, F d'Oleire, R P Qu, G Wilding, J A Stewart
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1997)

PURPOSE To evaluate the biologic interactions and toxicities of melphalan (L-PAM) combined with 41.8 degrees C whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) for 60 minutes. PATIENTS AND METHODS Sixteen patients with refractory cancer were treated (May 1992 to May 1995) with WBH alone during week 1) thereafter patients were randomized to receive either L-PAM alone on week 2 and L-PAM plus WBH on week 5, or the reverse sequence. Patients who demonstrated clinical improvement received WBH plus L-PAM monthly. Dose levels of L-PAM were 10 mg/m2 (n = 3), 15 mg/m2 (n = 3), 17.5 mg/m2 (n = 6), and 20 mg/m2 (n = 4). L-PAM was administered at target temperature; WBH was administered with an Aquatherm radiant-heat device (patent pending; Cancer Research Institute, New York, NY). RESULTS Comparisons of mean WBC count and platelet nadirs for L-PAM alone and L-PAM plus WBH demonstrated that the addition of WBH resulted in nadir counts that were, on average, 25% lower. There were no instances of febrile neutropenia or bleeding. Toxicities allowed for escalation of L-PAM to 20 mg/m2; all four patients at this level experienced grade 4 myelosuppression. No significant myelosuppression was observed at 10 and 15 mg/m2. Grade 3 myelosuppression was observed in two of six patients at 17.5 mg/m2. Responses included complete remission (CR) of pancreatic cancer (10 mg/m2), partial remission (PR) of malignant melanoma in two patients (20 mg/m2), and transient clinical and/or serologic improvement in five patients. The pharmacokinetics of L-PAM were not altered by WBH. Observed cytokine induction by WBH is also discussed in detail. CONCLUSION We conclude that L-PAM with 41.8 degrees C WBH is well tolerated. Clinical results are consistent with preclinical predictions and provide a foundation for second-generation trials now in progress.
Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in 4 genes (VDR, COL1A1, CALCR and BGLAP) with susceptibility to steroid osteoporosis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
Authors: Anna Ulitina, Dali Dzadzua, Lubov' Novikova, Irina Pavlenko, Julia Ilkovich, Michael Dubina
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Steroid osteoporosis is a serious medical and economic problem. At the same time, osteoporosis is a polygenic disorder.   Aim:  To assess effectiveness of steroid osteoporosis prevention by antiresorptive agents (ARA - Bisphosphonates, Calcitonin) in patients with IPF with different genetic predisposition to osteoporosis.   Subjects:  114 patients with IPF, 19 males, 95 females, age 56.7±10.6 years, treated with Corticosteroids (CS).   Methods:  Bone mineral density (BMD) measuring by DEXA, patients9 questionnaires and genotyping were used. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral leukocytes. We investigated 5 SNPs by PCR-RFLP analysis in 4 genes: vitamin D receptor, collagen type1 alpha1, calcitonin receptor and osteocalcin.   Results:  Severity of BMD loss and bone fractures occurrence strongly correlated with CS cumulative dose (p=0.010 and p=0.001, respectively). Multiple regression analysis showed significant influence of only VDR-FokI on BMD (p=0.009), and BGLAP was about significant (p=0.081). Environmental factors, firstly ARA intake, seems to have stronger influence on BMD than genes (adjusted R 2 =0.065).   Conclusion:  ARA administration is necessary for all patients with IPF, irrespectively of genotype. VDR-FokI analysis is useful to reveal subjects with increased risk of osteoporosis in order to more active BMD loss prevention. Further efforts are required to clarify weight of BGLAP.
Combination treatment with methotrexate and cyclosporin for severe recalcitrant psoriasis
Authors: None Clark, None Kirby, None Morris, None Davison, None Zaki, None Emerson, None Saihan, None Chalmers, None N.barker, None Allen, None Griffiths
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1999)

An increasingly important approach to the management of patients with severe psoriasis is the concurrent use of two systemic treatments. Previous guidelines have advised against the use of methotrexate and cyclosporin in combination. We report the successful use of a combination of methotrexate and cyclosporin in the treatment of 19 patients with severe, recalcitrant psoriasis, 15 of whom had psoriatic arthropathy. Most patients had previously received two or more systemic treatments. Before combination treatment was started nine of the patients were taking methotrexate and 10 were taking cyclosporin at the maximum tolerated doses. The duration of combination treatment was bimodally distributed, with seven patients having short-term treatment (mean ± SD duration 18.9 ± 15.7 weeks) and 12 patients having long-term treatment (mean ± SD duration 193.2 ± 160.6 weeks). Those patients who received short-term treatment did not develop any evidence of toxicity from either agent. Of those patients on long-term treatment, three developed mild impairment of renal function that returned to normal following a reduction in dose of cyclosporin, and three had impairment of renal function (following long-term cyclosporin monotherapy) that improved, but did not normalize, following a reduction in dose of cyclosporin. In each case, combination treatment for psoriasis resulted in good control of both skin and joint problems using lower doses of each agent than would have been used for monotherapy. We conclude that the combination of methotrexate and cyclosporin is an effective treatment for this group of patients.
Loss of SH3 Domain–Binding Protein 2 Function Suppresses Bone Destruction in Tumor Necrosis Factor–Driven and Collagen‐Induced Arthritis in Mice
Authors: Tomoyuki Mukai, Richard Gallant, Shu Ishida, Mizuho Kittaka, Teruhito Yoshitaka, David A. Fox, Yoshitaka Morita, Keiichiro Nishida, Robert Rottapel, Yasuyoshi Ueki
Journal: Arthritis & Rheumatology (2014)

Objective SH3 domain–binding protein 2 (SH3BP2) is a signaling adapter protein that regulates the immune and skeletal systems. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of SH3BP2 in arthritis using 2 experimental mouse models, i.e., human tumor necrosis factor α–transgenic (hTNF‐Tg) mice and mice with collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA). Methods First, Sh3bp2 −/− and wild‐type (Sh3bp2 +/+ ) mice were crossed with hTNF‐Tg mice. Inflammation and bone loss were examined by clinical inspection and histologic and micro−computed tomography analysis, and osteoclastogenesis was evaluated using primary bone marrow–derived macrophage colony‐stimulating factor–dependent macrophages (BMMs). Second, CIA was induced in Sh3bp2 −/− and Sh3bp2 +/+ mice, and the incidence and severity of arthritis were evaluated. Anti–mouse type II collagen (CII) antibody levels were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and lymph node cell responses to CII were determined. Results SH3BP2 deficiency did not alter the severity of joint swelling but did suppress bone erosion in the hTNF‐Tg mouse model. Bone loss at the talus and tibia was prevented in Sh3bp2 −/− /hTNF‐Tg mice compared to Sh3bp2 +/+ /hTNF‐Tg mice. RANKL‐ and TNFα‐induced osteoclastogenesis was suppressed in Sh3bp2 −/− mouse BMM cultures. NF‐ATc1 nuclear localization in response to TNFα was decreased in Sh3bp2 −/− mouse BMMs compared to Sh3bp2 +/+ mouse BMMs. In the CIA model, SH3BP2 deficiency suppressed the incidence of arthritis and this was associated with decreased anti‐CII antibody production, while antigen‐specific T cell responses in lymph nodes were not significantly different between Sh3bp2 +/+ and Sh3bp2 −/− mice. Conclusion SH3BP2 deficiency prevents loss of bone via impaired osteoclastogenesis in the hTNF‐Tg mouse model and suppresses the induction of arthritis via decreased autoantibody production in the CIA model. Therefore, SH3BP2 could potentially be a therapeutic target in rheumatoid arthritis.
Hair casts are a dermoscopic clue for the diagnosis of traction alopecia
Authors: A. Tosti, M. Miteva, F. Torres, C. Vincenzi, P. Romanelli
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2010)

Conflicts of interest: none declared. Madam, Prolonged hair traction may cause cicatricial alopecia, which is more commonly localized at hair margins behind the frontal hairline or along the temporoparietal margin (marginal alopecia) but may involve any scalp area depending on the cause of traction. Traction alopecia is clinically characterized by loss and thinning of hair in the affected area. Traction alopecia due to traumatic hair care practice is a very common problem in African‐American women and children. Hairstyling associated with considerable traction includes braids, twists, dreadlocks, braiding and weaving with extensions, and the use of overnight rollers. According to a large epidemiological study, traction alopecia is more common when traction is applied to relaxed hair and in subjects using combined hairstyles.1, 2 However, marginal traction alopecia due to hairstyle can also occur in straight‐haired individuals, particularly in girls wearing a tight ponytail. Occipital loss has been reported in women wearing a chignon or a bun, in nurses who used to fix their cap with a pin and recently in African‐American girls wearing sculptured hairstyles requiring multiple pins.3
Treatment of refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia with fludarabine phosphate via the group C protocol mechanism of the National Cancer Institute: five-year follow-up report.
Authors: J M Sorensen, D A Vena, A Fallavollita, H G Chun, B D Cheson
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1997)

PURPOSE To provide fludarabine to physicians for the management of patients with advanced refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and to determine the response rate and duration, toxicity, and survival with this agent. PATIENTS AND METHODS This phase II protocol was open to all eligible patients whose local physicians obtained written permission from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to register patients onto this protocol. Of 791 national and international enrolled patients, 724 with a median age of 65 years received fludarabine, of which 703 were assessable for response. RESULTS Thirty-two percent of assessable patients responded (95% confidence interval [CI], 29% to 36%), with 21 patients (3%) obtaining a complete response and 205 (29%) a partial response. The median duration of response was 13.1 months and the median survival time from registration was 12.6 months. Age, performance status (PS), and Rai stage correlated with survival (P &lt; .01). Grade 4 hematologic toxicity was reported in 43% and was associated with infection in 22%. Neurotoxicity (primarily grade 1 motor dysfunction) was reported in 14% patients and correlated with age. CONCLUSION This study describes the toxicity and activity of fludarabine in refractory CLL in a setting that more closely resembles clinical practice than most published trials. The low response rate may be related to advanced stage (89% Rai high-risk), disease-related symptoms (63% had B symptoms), and/or degree of prior treatment. Other contributing factors inherent in a group C treatment protocol included lack of central pathology review, variable supportive care, and a tendency to use this mechanism at a later stage in the disease.
Cocarcinogenic Action of Mechanical Damage and X-Ray Irradiation on Intramandibular Tissue of Mice
Authors: F. Eulderink, Th. G. van Rijssel
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1972)

The effect of combined X-ray irradiation and continuous mechanical irritation was studied. Chronic mechanical irritation of enamelforming epithelium by implantation of nylon threads or steel wires in alveolar sockets of (♀ WLLF × ♂ O20)F1 mice, which induces intramandibular carcinoma, was combined with X-ray irradiation of the head in a single dose of 500 or 1000 rads. These doses did not induce tumors when applied without other treatment. Implantation and irradiation together caused a marked increase of the number of induced tumors as compared with implantation alone. Both carcinomas and benign mesenchymal tumors (osteofibromas) developed. At a dose level of 500 rads, this increase was significant for carcinomas and for all types of tumor; at a dose of 1000 rads this was true For all tumors but not for carcinomas alone. Combined with thread implantation, irradiation gave more tumors in a dose of 500 rads than in one of 1000 rads; for carcinomas this was statistically significant. At higher dose levels the cell-damaging action of the × rays probably interferes with the carcinogenic influence.
Is female gender a protective factor for NSCLC patients? A follow up study of 20 years of 478 patients
Authors: Jose Chatkin, Noris Scaglia, Jose Figueiredo-Pinto
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background:  Previous studies reported a better survival rate among females with non-small lung cancer (NSCLC). We have previoulsy also registereed similar findings. The purpose of this study was to re-evaluate female gender as a protective factor survival in a cohort of patients with NSCLC in a follow up study of 20 years.   Methods:  In a retrospective cohort study, we examined the survival rates of 478 NSCLC patients who underwent surgical curative treatment at Hospital da PUCRS, in Porto Alegre, Brazil between January 1990 and December 2009. Survival rates were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier plots and by the log rank test. Cox proportional hazards analyses were performed to identify potential confounding factors. The statistical significance was considered as P=0.05.   Results:  The 5-year survival rate was 55.6% for women and 38.8% for men (P=0,005), when considering the whole group of patients. After adjustment for possible confounding factors (age, TNM stage, histology, tumor size, surgical procedure, smoking load, hemoglobin, and postoperative complications), female gender protective effect persisted only for stage I (survival rates: 75.2% and 47.9%, for women and men, respectively; P=0.007). For subjects in stages ≥II, no significant differences in 5-years survival rates were found. The hazard ratio for males in stage I was 1.95 (95%CI: 1.16 to 3.27, P=0.012), when compared to females.   Conclusion:  In this 20 years of follow up study, female gender was a protective factor for mortality in patients with NSCLC submitted to surgery with curative intent in stage I when compared to males. This effect is not observed in patients in stage ≥II.
Effectiveness of baseline therapy and respiratory biofeedback in children with asthma and psychogenic dyspnea
Authors: Margarita Zinchenko, Oleg Grishin, Viktor Grishin
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background : Studies have shown that biofeedback therapy is effective in adults with asthma combined with anxiety states and hyperventilation syndrome (HVS) (A.E. Meuret et al., 2007). However, children with asthma are more prone to anxiety states and psychogenic dyspnea (PD), while the baseline therapy of children with steroids and bronchodilators is less effective than with adults (W.D. Carroll et al.,2012).   Aim : To study the effects of respiratory BFB on the effectiveness of baseline therapy in children with asthma combined with psychogenic dyspnea.   Methods : The study involved 63 children from 7 to 15 years of age with the diagnosis of asthma with the symptoms of PD and HVS. The children were admitted to the hospital for choosing a baseline treatment of asthma according to the GINA. The biofeedback group received a course (7–10) of 20-minute respiratory BFB sessions. The level of asthma control was assessed after 1 month of baseline therapy.   Results : At the admission to the hospital, the average values of FEV 1 , PetCO 2  and breath rate (BR) were similar in both groups. All children in the control group (n=30) and biofeedback group (n=33) needed additional inhalations of ABAA. After 3-4 weeks of adequate baseline therapy, PetCO 2  and FEV 1  increased in the BFB group, while these indicators in the control group did not change. Twenty six out of 33 children from the BFB group stopped using ABAA, which was significantly higher (p    Conclusion : The method of respiratory BFB enhances the effectiveness of baseline therapy in children with asthma combined with HVS and psychogenic dyspnea.