tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Accurate and reliable determination of α1-antitrypsin levels in respiratory patients using dried blood spot specimens
Authors: Radoslaw Struniawski, Adam Szpechcinski, Beata Poplawska, Michal Skronski, Pawel Kuca, Joanna Chorostowska-Wynimko
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background: The use of dried blood spot (DBS) specimens for the α1-antitrypsin (AAT) measurement is often limited by low quantity of AAT protein after extraction. The aim of our study was to validate an optimized protocol of AAT quantification from DBS by comparing it with the “gold standard” measurement of AAT level in plasma.  Methods: 190 DBS and matched plasma samples were collected from respiratory patients. 6-mm discs were cut from DBS samples and incubated overnight in appropriate volume of the reaction buffer. The determination of AAT concentrations in eluted DBS and plasma samples was performed by a rate immune nephelometric method with a commercially available reagents containing goat anti-human AAT antibody (Beckman-Coulter, USA).  Results: the optimized method of AAT quantification allowed successful AAT level determination in all analyzed DBS samples. The ranges of AAT concentration for DBS and plasma were 0,078-2,1 mg/dL and 16–350 mg/dL, respectively. The regression curve of DBS to plasma AAT concentrations presented coefficient of determination (R2) above 0,85 and the following equation: Y(mg/dL )=169,5*X+18,482. Calculated AAT DBS concentrations did not differ significantly from reference plasma values (p=0.0000).  Conclusion: the optimized method of DBS AAT level determination provide statistically equivalent quantitative results to plasma-based reference. As demonstrated, AAT level measurement in DBS is sufficiently linear, sensitive and accurate to support the laboratory diagnostics of AAT deficiency and therefore is appropriate for clinical practice.
NEUTRALIZATION OF VIRUSES BY HOMOLOGOUS IMMUNE SERUM
Authors: David A. J. Tyrrell, Frank L. Horsfall
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1953)

Neutralization experiments with Newcastle disease, influenza A, or bacterial virus, T(3), reveal, under all conditions studied, a linear relationship between the logarithm of the serum dilution end point and that of the quantity of virus used. With Newcastle disease and influenza A, the slope of the neutralization line varies markedly with the host-cell system used and in the chick embryo is strikingly affected by the route of inoculation. The other variables examined have no definite effect upon the slope. Reactivation of neutralized influenza virus is demonstrable in the chick embryo on dilution of the mixture. There appears to be an inverse relationship between the degree of susceptibility of a host to infection with influenza A virus and the neutralizing titer of a serum as measured in that host. With the T(3)-serum system, comparable results are obtained when the number of unneutralized virus particles chosen as the end point is varied widely.
Biologic and clinicopathologic factors as indicators of specific relapse types in node-negative breast cancer.
Authors: R Silvestrini, M G Daidone, A Luisi, P Boracchi, M Mezzetti, G Di Fronzo, S Andreola, B Salvadori, U Veronesi
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1995)

PURPOSE AND METHODS We evaluated, in 1,800 patients with node-negative tumors treated with locoregional therapy until relapse, the competitive risks for different types of metastasis by cell proliferation (3H-thymidine labeling index [3H-dT LI]), estrogen receptors (ERs), and progesterone receptors (PgRs), and by the integration of biologic and clinicopathologic information. RESULTS Hormone receptor status and proliferative activity of the primary tumor were not indicative of contralateral failures. Hormone receptors failed to predict the 8-year incidence of locoregional recurrence, but they were significant indicators of distant metastasis and overall survival. The latter finding was confirmed even in multivariate analysis. Conversely, cell proliferation predicted both locoregional and distant metastases and survival, regardless of patient age, tumor size, and ER and PgR status. Recursive partitioning and amalgamation analysis ascribed to cell proliferation an important prognostic role for locoregional recurrence together with patient age and tumor size. CONCLUSION Biologic markers, in particular cell proliferation, provide information for the different types of relapse and could complement the predictive role of pathologic staging.
Predominance of dfrG as determinant of trimethoprim resistance in imported Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: D. Nurjadi, J. Schäfer, B. Friedrich-Jänicke, A. Mueller, A. Neumayr, A. Calvo-Cano, A. Goorhuis, N. Molhoek, H. Lagler, A. Kantele, P.J.J. Van Genderen, J. Gascon, M.P. Grobusch, E. Caumes, C. Hatz, R. Fleck, F.P. Mockenhaupt, P. Zanger
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2015)
Comparative psychological disturbance in patients with pancreatic and gastric cancer
Authors: J C Holland, A H Korzun, S Tross, P Silberfarb, M Perry, R Comis, M Oster
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1986)

One hundred and seven patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and 111 patients with advanced gastric cancer, stratified for key medical and sociodemographic variables, were assessed with the Profile of Mood States before beginning combination chemotherapy in a national cancer clinical trials group. The pancreatic cancer patients had significantly higher self-ratings of depression, tension-anxiety, fatigue, confusion-bewilderment, and total mood disturbance; no difference was found in vigor or anger-hostility. These data support prior observations that patients with advanced pancreatic cancer experience significantly greater general psychological disturbance than patients with another type of advanced abdominal neoplasm.
Increase of resistance to macrolides in invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae in Spain (2000-2001)
Authors: J. Oteo, J. Campos, S. Cruchaga, G. Baquero, E. Lázaro, M. Madurga, F.J. de Abajo, F. Baquero
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2004)
Chronic cough is associated with airway oxidative stress
Authors: Heikki Koskela, Minna Purokivi
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

The mechanisms of chronic cough are unclear. Airway sensory C-fibres represent one of the two major vagal afferent pathways to initiate the cough reflex. Many reactive oxygen species are capable to stimulate or sensitise the C-fibres. The aim of this study was to investigate whether airway oxidative stress is associated with chronic cough.  Fifteen healthy subjects and 43 patients with chronic cough participated. The most probable reason for chronic cough was rhinitis in 22 patients, oesophageal reflux disease in 14 patients, and asthma in 9 patients. Exhaled breath condensate samples were collected according to published guidelines. The concentrations of 8-isoprostane, a reliable marker of airway oxidative stress, were measured by enzyme immunoassay. The patients also filled in Leicester Cough Questionnaire and underwent a hypertonic saline cough provocation test. The measurements were repeated at one, four, and 12 weeks during treatment with inhaled budesonide, 800 ug/day.  The 8-isoprostane concentrations were higher in the cough patients than in the healthy subjects (24.6 ± 1.2 pg/ml  vs.  10.1 ± 1.7 pg/ml, p = 0.045). Within the cough patients, the 8-isoprostane concentration associated with the Leicester Cough Questionnaire total score (p = 0.044). Cough sensitivity to saline did not correlate with the 8-isoprostane concentration. Budesonide treatment did not affect the 8-isoprostane concentrations.  Chronic cough seems to be associated with airway oxidative stress. The oxidative stress is resistant to treatment with inhaled corticosteroids.
Mechanism of Insulin-resistant Glucose Transport Activity in the Enlarged Adipose Cell of the Aged, Obese Rat
Authors: Paul J. Hissin, James E. Foley, Lawrence J. Wardzala, Eddy Karnieli, Ian A. Simpson, Lester B. Salans, Samuel W. Cushman
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1982)

The effects of increasing cell size on glucose transport activity and metabolism and on the concentrations of glucose transport systems in both the plasma and low density microsomal membranes in isolated adipose cells from the aging rat model of obesity have been examined. Glucose transport activity was assessed by measuring l-arabinose transport and the concentration of glucose transport systems estimated by measuring specific d-glucose-inhibitable cytochalasin B-binding. Basal glucose transport activity increases from 0.3 to 1.4 fmol/cell/min with a 10-fold increase in cell size, but remains constant per unit cellular surface area and is accompanied by a constant 5 pmol of glucose transport systems/mg of membrane protein in the plasma membrane fraction. Maximally insulin-stimulated glucose transport activity, on the other hand, remains constant at 2.3 fmol/cell per min with increasing cell size, but markedly decreases per unit cellular surface area and is accompanied by a decrease from 30 pmol of glucose transport systems/mg of plasma membrane protein to the basal level. These diminished effects of insulin on glucose transport activity and the number of glucose transport systems in the plasma membrane fraction in enlarged cells are paralleled by an 80% decrease in the basal number of glucose transport systems/mg of membrane protein in the low density microsomal membrane fraction, the source of those glucose transport systems appearing in the plasma membrane in response to insulin. The effects of cell size on the metabolism of a low concentration of [1-14C]glucose (0.56 mM) directly parallel those on glucose transport activity and the concentration of glucose transport systems in the plasma membrane fraction, and are not associated with significant alterations in the cell's sensitivity to insulin. Thus, adipose cellular enlargement is accompanied by the development of a marked "insulin resistance" at the glucose transport level, which may be the consequence of a relative depletion of glucose transport systems in the intracellular pool.
Merkel cell carcinoma in a patient with <scp>GATA</scp> 2 deficiency: a novel association with primary immunodeficiency
Authors: C. Crall, K.W. Morley, G. Rabinowits, B. Schmidt, A. Dioun Broyles, J.T. Huang
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2015)

A 55‐year‐old woman with GATA2 deficiency and neurofibromatosis 1 was diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This polyomavirus‐associated cutaneous malignancy has previously been associated with immunosuppression and acquired immunodeficiencies such as HIV/AIDS. However, MCC has not been previously reported in the setting of underlying primary or inherited immunodeficiency.
Mechanisms of Immunity to Sarcoma I Allografts in the C57BL/Ks Mouse. III. The Additive and Synergistic Actions of Macrophages and Immune Serum&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: Mang-So Tsoi, Russell S. Weiser
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1968)

X-irradiated C57BL/Ks mice were used for studies on the combined action of immune serum and macrophages in the passive transfer of immunity to Sarcoma I (Sal) allografts. Whereas immune macrophages mixed with tumor inocula strongly suppressed solid tumor growth, immune serum mixed with tumor inocula produced only slight inhibition of tumor growth, confined to the early period after inoculation. The most marked inhibition of growth of solid tumor resulted when both immune macrophages and immune serum were mixed with the tumor inoculum. This effect was probably additive. The combination of nonimmune macrophages and immune serum acted synergistically to inhibit solid tumor growth, even when the immune serum was administered at a site distant from the inoculum. The combination of immune serum and immune macrophages acted additively and possibly synergistically to suppress ascites tumor growth.
Hopelessness and eventual suicide: a 10-year prospective study of patients hospitalized with suicidal ideation
Authors: Aaron T. Beck, Robert A. Steer, Maria Kovacs, Betsy Garrison
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1985)

The authors intensively studied 207 patients hospitalized because of suicidal ideation, but not for recent suicide attempts, at the time of admission. During a follow-up period of 5-10 years, 14 patients committed suicide. Of all the data collected at the time of hospitalization, only the Hopelessness Scale and the pessimism item of the Beck Depression Inventory predicted the eventual suicides. A score of 10 or more on the Hopelessness Scale correctly identified 91% of the eventual suicides. Taken in conjunction with previous studies showing the relationship between hopelessness and suicidal intent, these findings indicate the importance of degree of hopelessness as an indicator of long-term suicidal risk in hospitalized depressed patients.
Pivotal ERIVANCE basal cell carcinoma (BCC) study: 12-month update of efficacy and safety of vismodegib in advanced BCC
Authors: Aleksandar Sekulic, Michael R. Migden, Karl Lewis, John D. Hainsworth, James A. Solomon, Simon Yoo, Sarah T. Arron, Philip A. Friedlander, Ellen Marmur, Charles M. Rudin, Anne Lynn S. Chang, Luc Dirix, Jeannie Hou, Huibin Yue, Axel Hauschild
Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2015)
Characterization of plasmid-mediated AmpC-producing E. coli from Swedish broilers and association with human clinical isolates
Authors: S. Börjesson, C. Jernberg, A. Brolund, P. Edquist, M. Finn, A. Landén, B. Olsson-Liljequist, K. Tegmark Wisell, B. Bengtsson, S. Englund
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2013)
Geographic Patterns of Multiple Myeloma: Racial and Industrial Correlates, State of Texas, 1969–71
Authors: Vincent U. Agu, Bobbe L. Christensen, Patricia A. Buffler
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1980)

Age-adjusted mortality rates for multiple myeloma in Texas State economic area(s) (TSEA) were correlated with selected occupations. After control was made for the percentage of population classified as black, the positive association between the age-adjusted mortality rate from multiple myeloma and percentage of the population in each TSEA employed in beauty shops, carpentry, and agricultural industries was significant (P<0.05). The findings emphasized the possible importance of race as a confounding variable in ecologic analyses of environmental and industrial exposures associated with mortality due to multiple myeloma. The data supported previous findings by another investigator of a strong association between farming occupations and death from multiple myeloma.
<i>The BMJ</i>article wrongly taints medical teaching in Sudan
Authors: Ahmed S A ElSayed, Ahmed Ibrahim, Mohamed A M Ibnouf, Mohammed El Makki Ahmed, Osman Taha
Journal: BMJ (2015)

We are a group of senior Sudanese doctors from four different universities in Sudan. While working in UK or Irish hospitals we were impressed by The BMJ ’s scientific knowledge and authoritative opinion pieces. We were therefore surprised that Gardham’s two articles were deemed fit for publication and were featured on the cover.1 2 …
Base-Line Data in a Carcinogen-Susceptible First-Generation Hybrid Strain of Syrian Golden Hamsters: F1D Alexander
Authors: P Bernfeld, F Homburger, R A Adams, E Soto, C G Van Dongen
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1986)

Base-line data in over 600 control animals of both sexes of the first-generation hybrid BIO F1D Alexander strain of Syrian golden hamsters are presented. They involve mortality, body weights, spontaneous tumor incidence, and incidence of nonneoplastic lesions. The results confirmed previously published data on smaller numbers of animals of this hamster strain. Spontaneous tumors with an incidence of more than 2% were limited to lymphomas (less than or equal to 6%), adrenocortical carcinomas (less than 8%), adrenal adenomas (9-14% in males; 3.5% in females), islet cell adenomas (less than 6%), and follicular adenomas of the thyroid gland (3.5% in females only). This low incidence of spontaneous tumors and the high survival rate (compared to those of hamsters from other sources), together with the previously established high susceptibility to tumor induction by carcinogen administration, render the F1D Alexander hamster an excellent animal model for lifetime carcinogenesis bioassays.
Doctor-patient communication about breast cancer adjuvant therapy.
Authors: L A Siminoff, J H Fetting, M D Abeloff
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1989)

Candidates for breast cancer adjuvant therapy must not only grapple with the concept of micrometastatic disease, but often must consider the benefits and risks of clinical trials and alternatives. We studied 100 consecutive patient-physician encounters about adjuvant therapy to determine how well we informed patients about benefits and risks and how clearly we recommended treatment. Evaluation included observation and audiorecording of encounters, patient- and physician-completed questionnaires, and patient interviews. Patient-physician agreement on the benefits and risks of adjuvant therapy was poor. Sixty percent of patients overestimated their chance of cure by 20% or more compared with the physician. Poor agreement was partially explained by the observation that patients and physicians exchanged little specific information. Furthermore, decision-making was compressed. Although this was the first meeting with a medical oncologist for 79 patients (79%), 82 (82%) made final decisions about treatment by the end of the meeting. Physicians clearly identified their recommended treatment. Patients generally followed the physician's recommendation, except when clinical trials were recommended. Only 45% of trial-eligible patients chose to participate in offered trials. Physician recommendations of clinical trials were not as effectively communicated as nontrial treatments. Nonstandard adjuvant regimens, similar to the experimental arm of some ongoing randomized trials, were recommended to 30% of patients, especially those with a poor prognosis. In essence, physicians acted as if the trial question was answered, thereby diminishing enthusiasm for the trial. The widespread recommendation of nonstandard regimens similar or identical to the experimental arms in ongoing trials suggests a serious lack of consensus on what questions to ask in clinical trials and whether or not those questions have been answered.
Interferon alfa-2a and fluorouracil in the treatment of patients with advanced esophageal cancer.
Authors: D Kelsen, D Lovett, J Wong, L Saltz, M Buckley, P Murray, R Heelan, C Lightdale
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1992)

PURPOSE The trial was undertaken to determine the response rate to and toxicities from the combination of interferon alfa-2a (IFN) and fluorouracil (FU) in patients with advanced esophageal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this prospective phase II trial conducted at a large tertiary referral cancer center and university hospital, 40 patients with advanced locoregional, metastatic epidermoid, or adenocarcinoma of the esophagus were given FU 750 mg/m2 by 24-hour continuous intravenous infusion days 1 to 5, followed by weekly outpatient bolus FU 750 mg/m2 and IFN 9 x 10(6) U three times per week from day 1. Dose was attenuated for fatigue, neurotoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, and myelosuppression. RESULTS Complete and partial responses were seen in 10 of 37 assessable patients with esophageal cancer (27%; 95% confidence interval, 0.13 to 0.41). Although substantial, toxicity was tolerable and primarily involved fatigue and mild myelosuppression. The median duration of response was 6.4 months (range, 2.8 to 14+ months). CONCLUSION The combination of IFN and FU is an active regimen in the treatment of advanced esophageal cancer with a response rate similar to that reported for cisplatin-containing combinations in similar patient populations. Further studies based on this combination are indicated.
Relationship Between Dimethylnitrosamine Metabolism or Activation and Its Ability To Induce Liver Necrosis in Rats&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN3"&gt;3&lt;/xref&gt;&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN4"&gt;4&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: Hector M. Godoy, Maria I. Diaz Gomez, Jose A. Castro
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1980)
Bovine Leukemia: Establishment and Morphologic Characterization of Continuous Cell Suspension Culture, BL-1&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: Gordon H. Theilen, Joanne D. Rush, Walter A. Nelson-Rees, Donald L. Dungworth, Robert J. Munn, John W. Switzer
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1968)

Attempts to establish cell suspension cultures from 10 leukemic cows led to the development of a successful method. By this procedure, a serial-passage suspension cell culture has been maintained for 7 months. The cells grew as individual free-floating cells without attaching to the glass. All cells, by virtue of their morphology and staining characteristics, were identified as lymphocytes. Chromosomal observations on the present lymph-node-derived cells have revealed an aneuploid (number and kind) constitution.
Bacterial infection in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Fatma Chermiti Ben Abdallah, Wafa Bouhawel, Imen Sahnoun, Ridha Mahouachi, Amel Chtourou, Sofia Taktak, Ali Ben Kheder
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Inroduction:  infections are major causes of acute exacerbations (AE) of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which increase mortality rate and impair quality of life of patients.   Aim:  determine the bacterial profile in patients hospitalized in our department for AE of COPD caused broncho-pulmonary infection.   Methods:  retrospective study including 100 patients hospitalized for AE of COPD. Broncho-pulmonary infection was considered because of clinical, radiological and or bacteriological criteria.   Results:  Mean age of patients was 63 years and mean duration of the disease was 11 years. Regarding to GOLD classification, 63 % of patients had COPD stage II, 34 % stage III and 3 % stage IV. Infectious agent was identified in 69 patients with sputum culture. Isolated pathogens were: Haemophilius Influenzae (28), Streptococcus Pneumoniae (8), Streptococcus (3), Enterobacter (12), Pseudomonas Aeuroginosa (10), serratia (2), Klebsiella (2) and 4 patients had mixed infections (staphylocoque and Haemophilius). Modification of sputum colour is the most parameter correlated with bacterial infection. Duration of COPD more than 10 years, severe dyspnea and impaired respiratory function (FEV1  Conclusion:  bacterial infection is major cause of AE of COPD and is considered as a worsening lung function factor. In patients with lower FEV1, AE is caused by more aggressive pathogens.