tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Effect of Carcinogenic and Noncarcinogenic Hydrocarbons on Interferon Synthesis and Virus Plaque Development2
Authors: Jaqueline de Maeyer-Guignard, Edward de Maeyer
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1965)

In cultures of rat embryo cells, interferon production was depressed by the carcinogen, benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), but not by its noncarcinogenic counterpart, benzo[a]pyrene (BeP). This suggests a correlation between carcinogenic power and inhibition of interferon synthesis. When rat embryo cells were preincubated with BaP and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), Sindbis virus plaques were significantly larger than in control cultures. In contradistinction, no increase in Sindbis plaque size was observed after incubation of the rat embryo cultures with 4 noncarcinogenic hydrocarbons. In a continuous line of rat cells, in which interferon was not active, no enhancing effect on plaque size was obtained with either BaP or DMBA. This provides evidence that the increased plaque size, obtained with carcinogens in rat embryo cells, is related to the depression of interferon synthesis. The possibility of a direct stimulation of virus growth by carcinogens, either by shortening the eclipse phase or by increasing the virus yield per cell, was excluded by the superposable one-step growth curves obtained with Sindbis virus in control and BaP-treated rat embryo cells.
The influence of anxiety on smoking behaviour in patients with chronic hepatitis
Authors: Iosif Marincu, Lucian Negrutiu, Stefan Mihaicuta, Ioan Iacobiciu, Nicoleta Bertici, Carmen Ardelean, Ioana Todor, Adriana Neghina, Cristian Oancea, Stefan Frent, Raul Neghina
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background:  Patients with chronic hepatitis often have affective disturbances that in the context of this diagnosis may strongly influence their atitude toward smoking. This study aims to assess the level of the anxiety as well as its influence on smoking behaviour in a group of patients with chronic hepatitis.   Methods:  The study included 68 smokers with chronic hepatitis admitted to the Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Timisoara who answered the State Trait Anxiety Inventory-X2 (S.T.A.I.-X2) anonymous test. The final scores allowed classification of patients by level of anxiety: minimal (score below 40), moderate (score 40-60) and severe (score over 60). Other variables were: sex, marital status, residence, number of cigarettes/day, family conflicts, alcohol intake etc.   Results:  Most of the patients were male (63.2%, p=0.004). Of the study group, 64.7% had severe anxiety and 35.3% moderate anxiety (p=0.001). The number of cigarettes smoked/day ranged between 10-20 in 73.5% of cases whereas 26.5% of patients reported less than 10 cigarettes smoked/day (p   Conclusions:  Considering that severe anxiety in patients with chronic hepatitis leads to an increased number of cigarettes smoked/day, it becomes mandatory to establish a cognitive-behavioral therapy with anti-smoking counseling in these cases.
Simultaneous Occurrence Of Multiple Myeloma and Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Dual Malignancy Of The Hematopoietic System
Authors: Gregorio Campos-Cabrera, Virgina Campos-Cabrera, Qfb-Ebc Qfb-Ebc, Jose-Luis Campos-Villagomez, Salvador Campos-Cabrera
Journal: Blood (2013)
Cigarette smoking patterns of cardiology and respiratory inpatients at a university teaching hospital
Authors: Yusuf Vali, Agrawal Sanjay
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background: Smoking cessation is key in reducing cardio-respiratory disease and is most effectively achieved via formal cessation services. Knowledge of smoking prevalence, and referral patterns in inpatients would facilitate cessation efforts in this population.  Aims: To assess smoking prevalence by examining documentation in acute admissions and elicit whether smokers are referred for cessation.  Methods: A snapshot of all cardio-respiratory inpatients was taken on a single day looking at medical and nursing records of smoking. Smokers were then asked to corroborate if they were advised or referred.  Results: 150 patients (83 respiratory, 67 cardiology) were identified. In the medical notes, smoking status was unrecorded in 31 (20.7%) patients. Of the remaining 119, 17 (14.3%) were smokers, none had a record of cessation advice or referral. Nursing records of smoking status were incomplete in 16 (10.7%) cases and reported 18 (13.4%) smokers of whom 7 were advised to quit and 2 referred. Combining this data with direct questioning, revealed 20 (14.0%) smokers in total. Of these only 5 (25.0%) received cessation advice and 3 (15.0%) referred, all of whom by nurses. The prevalence of smokers was higher on respiratory (18.4%) compared to cardiology (9.0%) wards.  Conclusion: The smoking prevalence of inpatients was identical to that of age-matched individuals in England, however in respiratory inpatients it was higher. Nursing documentation and smoking cessation efforts were superior to those of doctors, however overall referral rates were low. Staff require further training on effective smoking cessation methods and how to seize the opportunity when smokers are inpatients.
NLK functions to maintain proliferation and stemness of NSCLC and is a target of metformin
Authors: Dong Suwei, Zeng Liang, Liu Zhimin, Li Ruilei, Zou Yingying, Li Zhen, Ge Chunlei, Lai Zhangchao, Xue Yuanbo, Yang Jinyan, Li Gaofeng, Song Xin
Journal: Journal of Hematology & Oncology (2015)

Nemo-like kinase (NLK) is an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine kinase that regulates the activity of a wide range of signal transduction pathways. Metformin, an oral antidiabetic drug, is used for cancer prevention. However, the significance and underlying mechanism of NLK and metformin in oncogenesis has not been fully elucidated. Here, we investigate a novel role of NLK and metformin in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). NLK expression was analyzed in 121 NSCLCs and 92 normal lung tissue samples from benign pulmonary disease. Lentivirus vectors with NLK-shRNA were used to examine the effect of NLK on cell proliferation and tumorigenesis in vitro. Then, tumor xenograft mouse models revealed that NLK knockdown cells had a reduced ability for tumor formation compared with the control group in vivo. Multiple cell cycle regulator expression patterns induced by NLK silencing were examined by western blots in A549 cells. We also employed metformin to study its anti-cancer effects and mechanisms. Cancer stem cell property was checked by tumor sphere formation and markers including CD133, Nanog, c-Myc, and TLF4. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis revealed that NLK expression was up-regulated in NSCLC cases (p < 0.001) and correlated with tumor T stage (p < 0.05). Silencing of NLK suppressed cell proliferation and tumorigenicity significantly in vitro and in vivo, which might be modulated by JUN family proteins. Furthermore, metformin selectively inhibits NLK expression and proliferation in NSCLC cells, but not immortalized noncancerous lung bronchial epithelial cells. In addition, both NLK knockdown and metformin treatment reduced the tumor sphere formation capacity and percentage of CD133+ cells. Accordingly, the expression level of stem cell markers (Nanog, c-Myc, and TLF4) were decreased significantly. NLK is critical for cancer cell cycle progression, and tumorigenesis in NSCLC, NLK knockdown, and metformin treatment inhibit cancer cell proliferation and stemness. Metformin inhibits NLK expression and might be a potential treatment strategy for NSCLC.
Improving palliative care for patients with COPD
Authors: Salvador Diaz-Lobato, Dan Smyth, J. Randall Curtis
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2015)

High quality palliative care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains a major challenge in our modern healthcare systems throughout the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines palliative care as "the active total care of patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment" [1], a definition that certainly describes the care for patients with COPD. The WHO goes on to say that this care should include "an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families … through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual" [2]. Relief of suffering should also include effective patient- and family-centred communication, identification of the patients' goals of care, shared decision-making, and advance care planning. The need for palliative care in COPD is under-recognised and unaddressed at hospital discharge <http://ow.ly/P1YbQ>
Virus Infections in Immunocompromised Patients: Their Importance and Their Management
Authors: R N P Sutton, R F Itzhaki, J Christophers, J Saldanha, A Gannicliffe, H Anderson
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1985)

Opportunistic viral infections were investigated in 156 adult patients admitted over one year to a medical oncology service: 35% of the total group and 65% of those with acute leukaemia experienced viral infections, 79% of which were with viruses of the herpes group. Surprisingly few enteric viruses were recovered. Reactivation of herpes simplex virus in the brains of these immunosuppressed patients was suggested by the demonstration by nucleic acid hybridization of herpes simplex virus DNA sequences in neurones and endothelial cells in patients with evidence of past infection with virus. Acyclovir was effective in therapy and prophylaxis. Twenty-three strains from 7 patients were tested for sensitivity to this antiviral: in 3 instances clinical resistance was observed but the strains were fully sensitive in vitro, as were all other strains tested.
A longitudinal study of airway symptoms among local residents after a Norwegian air polluting oil tank explosion
Authors: Jens-Tore Granslo, Bjørg Eli Hollund, Lygre Stein, Magne Bråtveit, Bente Elisabeth Moen
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background   In 2007 storage tanks containing mixtures of sulphuric hydrocarbons exploded and caught fire in a Norwegian industrial harbour. This study assesses airway symptoms in the nearby population approximately 1.5 and 3.5 years after the explosion.   Methods   The population was examined twice, 1.5 and 3.5 years after the accident, including persons above 17 years. Persons living  20 km away. 317 persons answered a questionnaire including four questions with symptoms related to upper airways and eight related to lower airways.   Results    In the follow-up period “Cough with phlegm” among exposed males was significantly reduced from 43% to 28% (McNemar test p= 0.015). In the control group 28% and 24% had cough with phlegm at these time points. Adjusted odds ratios between exposed and controls in the first and second examination were 2.1 (95% confidence interval 1.0, 4.5) and 1.7 (0.7, 2.9), respectively. “Daily cough” among exposed males were 46% and 35% in the first and second examination (McNemar test p=0.057), and 31% and 28 % in the control group. Adjusted odds ratios were 2.7 (1.3, 5.8) and 1.5 (0.5, 3.6) when comparing exposed and controls in the first and second examination. There were no changes in prevalence of airway symptoms among females between 1.5 and 3.5 years after the accident.   Conclusion   The prevalence of some symptoms from the lower airways was reduced among exposed males in the follow up period after an oil tank explosion.
Treatment for Primary CNS Lymphoma: The Next Step
Authors: Lauren E. Abrey, Joachim Yahalom, Lisa M. DeAngelis
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2000)

PURPOSE: The use of preradiotherapy (RT) methotrexate (MTX) has improved disease control and survival in patients with primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL). The reported protocol was designed to optimize and enhance the chemotherapeutic component of treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients were treated with five cycles of high-dose MTX 3.5 g/m 2 , procarbazine 100 mg/m 2 /d, and vincristine 1.4 mg/m 2 . Thirty patients received whole-brain RT (45 Gy). Twenty-two older patients deferred RT to diminish the risk of delayed neurotoxicity; these patients are compared with 12 older patients who completed the entire treatment regimen. Most patients (n = 35) received high-dose cytarabine after RT. RESULTS: Objective response rate to the induction chemotherapy regimen was 90%; overall median survival is 60 months. Grade 3 or 4 myelosuppression was seen in 30 patients, primarily in association with cytarabine; grade 3 nephrotoxicity due to MTX was seen in two patients. Older patients had similar median survival with or without the addition of RT: 32 versus 33 months, respectively. However, late neurotoxicity was significantly more common in those older patients who received RT (P = .00004). Patients younger than 60 years who received the complete treatment regimen have not reached median disease-free or overall survival. CONCLUSION: Increasing the dose of MTX and adding procarbazine and vincristine improved disease control and overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed PCNSL. Younger patients in particular fared extremely well with this treatment regimen. In older patients, deferring whole-brain RT did not compromise overall survival but did reduce treatment-related toxicity.
The effectiveness of MDR TB treatment in children and adolescents depending on its duration
Authors: Gulbadan Bekembaeva, Arike Alenova, Larisa Kastykpaeva
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Target: was to study the effectiveness of treatment of TB with multiple drug resistance with drugs of second line depending on duration of intensive and continuation phases.  Materials and methods: Group I – 50 patients treated by short regimens (intensive phase from 2 to 4 months, continuation phase from 12 to 16 months) up to adoption of standardized schemas and terms of treatments with DSL during 2001 to 2006. Group II – 50 children and adolescents treated with DSL according to terns of treatment recommended by WHO (intensive phase not lesser than 6 months and continuation phase not lesser than 18 months) during 2007 to 2008. Groups to be compared were virtually identical by gender and age. During 2001 to 2006 frequency of primary forms of drug resistant TB among children and adolescents constituted 37.5% while during 2007 to 2008 - 8.1% (P?0.05).  Results: In the Group I treatment effectiveness constituted 84.0%, relapse emerged in 10.0% of patients of this group. Three adolescents (6.0%) died, one of them died diabetes mellitus, two others from progressing TB process and polyorganic insufficiency. Dynamic observation of children and adolescents showed that effective treatment was marked in 48 (96.0%). Out of 16 (32.0%) of patients with positive sputum smear outcome “cured” was stated in 11 (22.0%), outcome “treatment completed” in 32 (64.0%) patients without positive smears. Failure was marked in 2 (4.0%) children and adolescents, and further they were administrated the treatment with drugs of the third line. Thus, despite of more complicated TB structure in the Group II, durable regimen of chemotherapy led to cure MDR TB.
Abstract 14019: Electrophysiological Effects of the Late Sodium Current Inhibitor GS967 in <i>Scn5a</i> -1798insD Mouse and Human <i>SCN5A</i> -1795insD iPSC-derived Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Vincent Portero, Maaike Hoekstra, Arie O Verkerk, Isabella Mengarelli, Richard P Davis, Christian Freund, Connie R Bezzina, Luiz Belardinelli, Sridharan Rajamani, Marieke W Veldkamp, Carol Ann Remme
Journal: Circulation (2014)

Background and Aim: Selective inhibition of cardiac late sodium current (I Na,L ) is an emerging target in the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias. The electrophysiological effects of GS967, a potent I Na,L inhibitor, were investigated in an overlap syndrome model of both gain and loss of sodium channel function, comprising cardiomyocytes derived from human SCN5A -1795insD induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC-CMs) and mice carrying the homologous mutation Scn5a -1798insD. Methods and Results: On patch-clamp analysis, isolated mouse Scn5a -1798insD cardiomyocytes and human SCN5A -1795insD iPSC-CMs showed decreased peak I Na and action potential (AP) upstroke velocity (Vmax) and increased I Na,L and AP duration at 90% repolarization (APD 90 ) as compared to wild-type. GS967 (50-300 nM) significantly decreased APD 90 in mouse Scn5a -1798insD cardiomyocytes by 8±2% (mean±SEM) at 50 nM (n=7), 13±3% at 100 nM (n=11) and 20±5% at 300 nM (n=6) (all p &lt;0.01 vs. control), without affecting Vmax. GS967 (300 nM) selectively inhibited I NaL in mouse Scn5a -1798insD cardiomyocytes (GS967-sensitive current of 0.7±0.1 pA/pF, n=6), but had no effect on peak I Na . Furthermore, GS967 (100 nM) suppressed fast (5 Hz) pacing-induced afterpotentials and triggered activity. In human SCN5A -1795insD iPSC-CMs (n=6), GS967 (300 nM) significantly reduced APD 90 without affecting the resting membrane potential or Vmax. In Langendorff-perfused, isolated mouse Scn5a -1798insD hearts (n=5), GS967 (300 nM) had no effect on ventricular activation time or conduction velocity (as assessed by epicardial mapping). Conclusion: Selective inhibition of I NaL by GS967 attenuated AP prolongation and prevented pro-arrhythmic activity in mouse Scn5a -1798insD cardiomyocytes and human SCN5A-1795insD iPSC-CMs, thus suppressing the gain-of-function features of this overlap syndrome mutation. Importantly, these beneficial actions of GS967 occurred in the absence of deleterious effects on sodium channel availability or cardiac conduction, despite a pre-existing decrease in peak I Na . Thus, selective inhibition of I Na,L constitutes a promising pharmacological treatment of cardiac channelopathies associated with enhanced I NaL , even in overlap syndromes whereby peak I Na is decreased.
Results of Treatment With Hyper-CVAD, a Dose-Intensive Regimen, in Adult Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Hagop M. Kantarjian, Susan O’Brien, Terry L. Smith, Jorge Cortes, Francis J. Giles, Miloslav Beran, Sherry Pierce, Yang Huh, Michael Andreeff, Charles Koller, Chul S. Ha, Michael J. Keating, Sharon Murphy, Emil J. Freireich
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2000)

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of Hyper-CVAD (fractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone), a dose-intensive regimen, in adult acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adults with newly diagnosed ALL referred since 1992 were entered onto the study; treatment was initiated in 204 patients between 1992 and January 1998. No exclusions were made because of older age, poor performance status, organ dysfunction, or active infection. Median age was 39.5 years; 37% were at least 50 years old. Mature B-cell disease (Burkitt type) was present in 9%, T-cell disease in 17%. Leukocytosis of more than 30 × 10 9 /L was found in 26%, Philadelphia chromosome–positive disease in 16% (20% of patients with assessable metaphases), CNS leukemia at the time of diagnosis in 7%, and a mediastinal mass in 7%. Treatment consisted of four cycles of Hyper-CVAD alternating with four cycles of high-dose methotrexate (MTX) and cytarabine therapy, together with intrathecal CNS prophylaxis and supportive care with antibiotic prophylaxis and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor therapy. Maintenance in patients with nonmature B-cell ALL included 2 years of treatment with mercaptopurine, MTX, vincristine, and prednisone (POMP). RESULTS: Overall, 185 patients (91%) achieved complete remission (CR) and 12 (6%) died during induction therapy. Estimated 5-year survival and 5-year CR rates were 39% and 38%, respectively. The incidence of CNS relapse was low (4%). Compared with 222 patients treated with vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone (VAD) regimens, our patients had a better CR rate (91% v 75%, P &lt; .01) and CR rate after one course (74% v 55%, P &lt; .01) and better survival (P &lt; .01), and a smaller percentage had more than 5% day 14 blasts (34% v 48%, P = .01). Previous prognostic models remained predictive for outcome with Hyper-CVAD therapy. CONCLUSION: Hyper-CVAD therapy is superior to our previous regimens and should be compared with established regimens in adult ALL.
Abstract 15930: Temporal Trends and Reasons for Deferring Patients From Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in the United States
Authors: Ricardo O Escarcega, Rebecca Torguson, Joelle Salmon, Sandeep Kumar, Marco A Magalhaes, nevin C Baker, Sa’ar Minha, Thibault Lhermusier, Hideaki Ota, Lowell Satler, Augusto Pichard, Itsik Ben-Dor, Ron Waksman
Journal: Circulation (2014)

Introduction: The number of available options for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has increased in the past few years. However, the number of patients excluded remains uncertain.

Hypothesis: We sought to describe the temporal changes of causes of exclusion from TAVR.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all patients who were referred to our center from January 1st 2010 to July 31st 2013. Reasons for exclusion were divided into cardiac causes, valvular (significant mitral disease, aortic regurgitation and annulus size), unsuitable for TAVR (echocardiographic [area  40 mm Hg] or low Society of Thoracic Surgeons’ score) and inadequate access.

Results: Overall 1,051 patients were referred with approximately 70 to 90% of the population were excluded from TAVR at the initial screening visit (figure panel A). Of that population, 26% (n=280) were excluded due to cardiac causes, 18% (n=190) due to valvular causes, 21% (n=216) were unsuitable and 6.3% (n=66) due inadequate access. Baseline characteristics including Echo indices were similar among groups. As seen in the figure (panel B), the number of patients excluded from cardiac causes, valvular causes and those unsuitable for TAVR has been lower overtime. However, the number of patients excluded due to inadequate access remained unchanged (p=0.42).

Conclusions: Under the existing TAVR device availability in the US and with restricted labeling, the overall number of patients deferred from TAVR over the past three years remains high. The current device profiles are still prohibitive for many patients to undergo TAVR via the transfemoral approach. Further, device iterations and flexibility of the inclusion criteria are warranted to expand TAVR use to more patients presenting with symptomatic aortic stenosis.

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Abstract 4147: The Incidence and Predictors of Late (Beyond 1 Year) Target Lesion Revascularization After Sirolimus-eluting Stent Implantation: From Three-year Follow-up of the j-Cypher Registry
Authors: Yoshihisa Nakagawa, Kazuaki Mitsudo, Takeshi Kimura, Takeshi Morimoto, Toshiya Muramatsu, Nobuo Shiode, Kazuya Kawai, Yoshiaki Yokoi, Takaaki Isshiki, Keijiro Saku, Osamu Doi, j-cypher Registry Investigators
Journal: Circulation (2009)

Background: There is little long-term data to evaluate target lesion revascularization (TLR) after Sirolimus-eluting stent (SES). Also, it is not clear whether there really exists a late catch-up p...
ESCMID guideline for the diagnosis and management of Candida diseases 2012: patients with HIV infection or AIDS
Authors: O. Lortholary, G. Petrikkos, M. Akova, M.C. Arendrup, S. Arikan-Akdagli, M. Bassetti, J. Bille, T. Calandra, E. Castagnola, O.A. Cornely, M. Cuenca-Estrella, J.P. Donnelly, J. Garbino, A.H. Groll, R. Herbrecht, W.W. Hope, H.E. Jensen, B.J. Kullberg, C. Lass-Flörl, W. Meersseman, M.D. Richardson, E. Roilides, P.E. Verweij, C. Viscoli, A.J. Ullmann
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2012)
To feel, despite everything
Authors: Colin Martin
Journal: The Lancet Psychiatry (2015)

The International Art Exhibition, held in Venice every 2 years, is stimulating but exhausting. This year there are two international survey exhibitions of contemporary art; 87 national participants exhibiting in pavilions at the Giardini, the Arsenale, and throughout the city; and 44 collateral events. Among exhibitions which, based on prior knowledge, we expect to either enjoy or dislike, there are invariably others whose intensity of artistic vision and achievement unexpectedly impress or challenge us.