tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Abstract 18568: Interfacing Fast Multi-phase Cardiac Image Registration with MRI-based Catheter Tracking for MRI-guided Electrophysiological Ablative Procedures
Authors: Ka-Wai Kwok, Kit-Hang Lee, Yue Chen, Wei Wang, Yang Hu, Gary C.T. Chow, Hualei Shelley Zhang, William G Stevenson, Raymond Y. Kwong, Wayne Luk, Ehud J Schmidt, Zion T.H. Tse
Journal: Circulation (2014)

Background:   T2-weighted cardiac MRI, performed peri-operatively during an electrophysiology procedure, can, within the acute-injury phase after RFA delivery, distinguish scar tissue from edema [1]. Although ablated lesions are observed on MR images, the visualized lesion positions may not be well aligned with the pre-operative electrophysiological (EP) roadmap due to tissue deformation. We propose to register the lesion targets onto the EP roadmap for more accurate ablation with an MRI-compatible active catheter tracking system.   Objectives:  To map the ablated lesion target accurately onto the EP roadmap based on rapid intra-operative MR images.   Methods:  An intensity-based 3D image registration approach, Demons [2], co-registered (a) intra-operative low-resolution MR images with (b) pre-operative high-resolution MR images that construct the EP roadmap. Both can have different dimension and scanning directions obtained by a 3T-MRI scanner (Fig.A1). The computation was accelerated using graphic processing units (GPUs). A left atrial (LA) model constructed of soft silicone was used, of which the LA morphology can be varied (Fig.A2). Gadolinium contrast agents could be injected into pre-defined regions inside the LA wall (Fig. B2), simulating perioperative physiological changes at ablation landmarks ( 3 ) were used to navigate to the ablation landmarks and validate the registration (Fig.B3).   Results:  The GPU-based co-registration was conducted within 2sec. It re-aligned the ablation target onto the EP roadmap with an average distance error of    Conclusions:   The proposed platform tracked EP catheters, and co-registered cardiac images in real-time, allowing for improved targeting of lesions.   Ref:  [1] Ranjan,  Circ.,  2012; [2] Vercauteren,  NeuroImage , 2009; [3] Schmidt,  Circ. , 2008.
The influenza season has started in a number of European countries
Authors: J MS Arkema, A Meijer, W  J Paget, V van Casteren, O Hungnes, A Mazick, J Van Der Velden
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2008)

Increased influenza activity was reported in 13 European countries in week 2 of 2008: Austria, Bulgaria, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. Based on historical trends, influenza activity is expected to increase in more countries in the coming weeks and to move gradually eastwards and northwards in Europe [1]. Influenza activity is mainly associated with type A influenza virus, subtype H1, which usually causes only mild- to medium-intensity influenza epidemics.
Clinical activity of crizotinib in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring ROS1 gene rearrangement.
Authors: Alice Tsang Shaw, D Ross Camidge, Jeffrey A. Engelman, Benjamin J. Solomon, Eunice Lee Kwak, Jeffrey W. Clark, Ravi Salgia, Geoffrey Shapiro, Yung-Jue Bang, Weiwei Tan, Lesley Tye, Keith D. Wilner, Patricia Stephenson, Marileila Varella-Garcia, Kristin Bergethon, A. John Iafrate, Sai-Hong Ignatius Ou
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2012)

7508 Background: Chromosomal rearrangements of the ROS1 receptor tyrosine kinase gene define a new molecular subset of NSCLC. In cell lines, ROS1 rearrangements lead to expression of oncogenic ROS1 fusion kinases and sensitivity to ROS kinase inhibition. We examined the efficacy and safety of crizotinib, a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor of MET, ALK and ROS, in patients with advanced, ROS1-rearranged NSCLC. Methods: Patients with advanced NSCLC harboring ROS1 rearrangement, as determined using a break-apart FISH assay, were recruited into an expansion cohort of a phase 1 study of crizotinib. Patients were treated with crizotinib at the standard oral dose of 250 mg BID. The objective response rate (ORR) was determined based on RECIST 1.0. The disease control rate (DCR; stable disease [SD] + partial response [PR] + complete response [CR]) was evaluated at 8 weeks. Results: Thirteen patients within the ROS expansion cohort received crizotinib and all were evaluable for response. The median age was 47 yrs (range 31–72), and all but one of the patients were never-smokers. All patients had adenocarcinoma histology. 12/13 patients were tested for ALK rearrangement and all were negative. The median number of prior treatments was 1 (range 0–3). To date, the ORR is 54% (7/13), with 6 PRs and 1 CR, with 6 responses achieved by the first restaging scan at 7–8 wks. There was 1 additional unconfirmed PR at the time of data cut-off. The DCR at 8 wks was 85% (11/13). Median duration of treatment was 20 wks (range 4+–59+). All responses are ongoing, and 12 patients continue on study. One patient had disease progression at first restaging and was discontinued from the study. The pharmacokinetics and safety profile of crizotinib in this group of patients were similar to that observed in patients with ALK-positive NSCLC. Conclusions: Crizotinib demonstrates marked antitumor activity in patients with advanced NSCLC harboring ROS1 rearrangements. Like ALK, ROS defines a distinct subpopulation of NSCLC patients for whom crizotinib therapy may be highly effective. This study represents the first clinical validation of ROS as a therapeutic target in cancer.
Sleep associated breathing problems in primary nocturnal enuresis: A polysomnographic study
Authors: Amany Abd Al-Aziz, Hanan Hamed, Ayat Motawie, Amany Fatouh, Lamia Afifi
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Nocturnal enuresis (NE) is one of the most common pediatric sleep related problems. Lack of arousal and inhibition deficit of micturation reflex have been proposed as the main dysfunction leading to wetting during sleep. Nocturnal enuresis may be a symptom of sleep-disordered breathing.Data regarding sleep patterns in children with enuresis and its relationship to obstructive sleep apnea is controversial.  We aimed to study the sleep architecture in children with primary nocturnal enuresis and search for sleep associated breathing problems in those children.  This study included 31 children aged 6-18 years with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis and having no respiratory complains. They were subjected to polysomnographic assessment and compared to age and sex matched controls.  Enuretic children had significant prolonged sleep latency (45.56±46.29 Vs 23±25.3 min, P=.01). Stages 1% and 3% were significantly prolonged (9.98± 7.24 and 10.23±4.77 Vs 7.1±5.5 and 5.5±2.9, P=.03 &.001 respectively). REM stage % (12.35±7.67 Vs 22.6±5.2, P=.001), sleep efficiency % (71.8±20.67 Vs 89.3±7.5, P=.01) and arousal index (1.03±2.61 Vs 9.3± 4.8, P=.001) were significantly reduced. Snoring were present in 6 cases (19.35%), 5 cases (16.1%) had sleep disordered breathing and 6 cases (19.35%) had apenia hypopnea index g5. Ten cases (32.2%) had nocturnal arrhythmia.  Conclusion: Primary nocturnal enuresis is associated with disturbed sleep architecture. Nocturnal enuresis could be a presenting symptom for hidden sleep disordered breathing. Polysomnography is recommended in children complaining of primary nocturnal enuresis to investigate breathing disorders.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa: resistance and therapeutic options at the turn of the new millennium
Authors: N. Mesaros, P. Nordmann, P. Plésiat, M. Roussel-Delvallez, J. Van Eldere, Y. Glupczynski, Y. Van Laethem, F. Jacobs, P. Lebecque, A. Malfroot, P.M. Tulkens, F. Van Bambeke
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2007)
Upper and lower airway nitric oxide levels in primary ciliary dyskinesia
Authors: Annabelle Liew, Walker Woolf, Amanda Harris, Janice Coles, Jane Lucas
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Introduction   Patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) have low nasal nitric oxide (nNO) and fractional exhaled NO (FeNO). The reasons are unclear but might be related to ciliary function. Analysis of nitric oxide (NO) from different regions of the airway and comparisons with other disease states may guide our understanding.   Aim   To compare differential bronchial (J NO ) and alveolar (Calv NO ) NO in patients with PCD, cystic fibrosis (CF), asthma and healthy subjects.   Methods   Exhaled NO at different flow rates (50, 100, 200 and 250 ml/s) and nNO were measured (NIOX flex®, Aerocrine, Sweden) in patients with PCD (n=12), asthma (n=18), CF (n=12) and healthy controls (n=17). J NO  and Calv NO  were derived using a model of pulmonary NO exchange-dynamics.   Results   FeNO 50  and nNO were significantly lower in PCD than in healthy subjects, as was J NO , 271 pl/s (228) vs. 965 pl/s (963) (p=0.004) (mean (SD)). However Calv NO  was similar between the two, 1.6 ppb (0.5) vs. 2.4 ppb (1.4) (p=0.174). (Table 1 for CF and asthma data)   Conclusion   PCD patients have significantly lower J NO  but similar Calv NO  to healthy controls. As there are no cilia in the alveolar region this might support the hypothesis that NO biosynthesis is coupled to ciliary function. Data collection continues.
Continued benefit of coronary stenting versus balloon angioplasty: One-year clinical follow-up of Benestent trial
Authors: Carlos Macaya, Patrick W. Serruys, Peter Ruygrok, Harry Suryapranata, Gijs Mast, Silvio Klugmann, Philippe Urban, Peter den Heijer, Karel Koch, Rudiger Simon, Marie-Claude Morice, Peter Crean, Hans Bonnier, William Wijns, Nicolas Danchin, Claude Bourdonnec, Marie-Angèle Morel
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (1996)
Chemotherapy for anaplastic oligodendroglioma. National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group.
Authors: G Cairncross, D Macdonald, S Ludwin, D Lee, T Cascino, J Buckner, D Fulton, E Dropcho, D Stewart, C Schold
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1994)

PURPOSE To examine the rate and duration of response of anaplastic oligodendrogliomas to a dose-escalated combination chemotherapy regimen consisting of procarbazine, lomustine (CCNU), and vincristine (PCV) and to evaluate the side effects of this treatment. METHODS In this single-arm multicentered phase II study, patients with measurable, newly diagnosed or recurrent, contrast-enhancing anaplastic oligodendrogliomas were treated with up to six cycles of PCV. Central pathology and radiology review were mandatory, and rigorous response criteria based on imaging were used. RESULTS Thirty-three patients entered the trial; nine were excluded subsequently, seven due to ineligible pathology. Eighteen of 24 eligible patients (75%) responded, nine completely (38%), four had stable disease (SD), and two progressed during the first cycle of PCV. Responses were observed in nine of 10 patients (90%) with a preexisting low-grade oligodendroglioma and 10 of 15 (67%) with necrotic tumors, called glioblastoma multiforme by some. Previously irradiated patients were as likely to respond to PCV as those newly diagnosed (11 of 15 [73%] v seven of nine [78%]). The median time to progression will be at least 25.2 months for complete responders, and was 14.2 months for partial responders and 6.8 months for stable patients. Four ineligible patients also responded to PCV; all had gliomas with oligodendroglial differentiation. All responders, eligible or ineligible, were stable or improved neurologically, but nine of 22 (41%) experienced a decline in Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of one grade while on PCV. Adverse events on treatment included a death from Pneumocystis pneumonia, a severe reversible encephalopathy due to procarbazine, an intratumoral hemorrhage, and a subdural hematoma. All other acute toxicities were anticipated and manageable. CONCLUSION Anaplastic oligodendrogliomas are chemosensitive brain cancers. Patients with these tumors respond predictably, durably, and often completely to PCV, and many tolerate a dose-escalated formulation. Cooperative group and randomized trials will be necessary to explore fully the role of chemotherapy in the treatment of aggressive oligodendrogliomas.
Decreased circulatory receptor for advanced glycation end-products is associated with poorer survival in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Hiroshi Iwamoto, Yasushi Horimasu, Taku Nakashima, Shinichiro Ohshimo, Nobuhisa Ishikawa, Kazunori Fujitaka, Yoshinori Haruta, Hiroshi Murai, Noboru Hattori, Witold Mazur, Nobuoki Kohno
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background:  The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) is highly expressed in alveolar type 1 pneumocytes and expression of RAGE is decreased in lung of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, there has been no study investigating circulatory RAGE levels in patients with IPF.   Aim:  We conducted this study to determine circulatory RAGE levels and the association between RAGE levels and survival in patients with IPF.   Methods:  Thirty-eight IPF patients and 81 control subjects were enrolled in this study. Serum concentrations of soluble RAGE (sRAGE) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Overall survival rates in IPF patients were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method applying cutoff values determined by the ROC curve analysis.   Results:  The median follow-up period for the patients with IPF was 20.6 months. Serum levels of sRAGE was significantly decreased in patients with IPF (569.0 ± 41.6 pg/ml) compared with control subjects (826.1 ± 37.6 pg/ml) (p l 0.001). The patients with IPF were categorized by their serum sRAGE levels (as above or below the cut-off level of 625 pg/mL) and their survival estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. The difference in median survival between the two groups was significant (p l 0.05). The IPF patients with low levels of sRAGE (l 625 pg/mL) had shorter survival (2-year survival rate: 56%) compared with those with high levels of sRAGE (2-year survival rate: 100%).   Conclusions:  Circulatory sRAGE levels are decreased in patients with IPF compared with control subjects. Decreased sRAGE is associated with poorer survival in patients with IPF.
Early-Onset Group B Streptococcal Disease--United States, 1998-1999
Authors: K. White, J. Rainbow, S. Johonson, B. Juni, J. Besser, C. Olson, R. Lynfield, R. Danila, G. Rothrock, P. Daily, A. Reingold, D. Vujia, A. Roome, H. Linardos, J. Hadler, W. Baughman, P. Martell-Cleary, M. Farley, P. Blake, M. Pass, L. Harrison, J. Roche, B. Damaske, S. Zansky, N. M. Bennett, P. . Smith
Journal: JAMA (2000)
Use of prescription psychotropic drugs among suicide victims in New York City
Authors: P M Marzuk, K Tardiff, A C Leon, C S Hirsch, M Stajic, N Hartwell, L Portera
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1995)

The authors examined the rate of prescription psychotropic drug use among suicide victims at the time of their death.From a total of 1,970 suicides that occurred in New York City from 1990 to 1992, 1,635 cases that had a complete toxicologic analysis and an injury-death interval of 48 hours or less were assessed at autopsy for the presence of commonly prescribed antidepressants and neuroleptics.Prescription psychotropic medications were detected in only 16.4% (N = 268) of the suicide victims studied. Demographic factors associated with use of these drugs included female gender and white race. Poisoning accounted for 17.9% (N = 293) of all suicides studied, but antidepressants or neuroleptics were detected in less than half of these victims. Among all suicide victims in whom an antidepressant or neuroleptic was detected, almost half had used lethal methods other than poisoning.In this study, most individuals who committed suicide in New York City were not taking prescription psychotropic medications at the time of their death and either were not receiving pharmacotherapy or were noncompliant.
Partial Purine Nucleoside Phosphorylase Deficiency
Authors: Erwin W. Gelfand, Hans-Michael Dosch, W. Douglas Biggar, Irving H. Fox
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1978)

Immune function in two brothers with a deficiency of purine nucleoside phosphorylase was evaluated in vivo and in vitro. Both patients had a history of recurrent infections and profound lymphopenia. Studies of cell-mediated immunity revealed an absence of delayed cutaneous reactivity to a number of antigens, including dinitrochlorobenzene, and significantly reduced lymphocyte proliferative responses to nonspecific mitogens, specific antigen, and allogeneic cells. E-rosetting cells were present but reduced in number (20.0% and 31.5%). Serum immunoglobulin levels, percentages of circulating immunoglobulin-and C3-receptor-bearing B cells, as well as the ability to produce antibody in response to specific antigen in vivo were normal. Moreover, studies of the in vitro induction of specific IgM antibody delineated the presence of T-helper and T-regulator cells. The normal induction of bone marrow precursor T-cell maturation by human thymic epithelium-conditioned medium or thymosin suggested that the initial stages of T-cell generation were intact in these patients. Attempts to reconstitute the in vitro proliferative response with a variety of reagents, including purine nucleoside phosphorylase itself, were unsuccessful. Selective impairment of certain aspects of T-cell function in these patients and a less severe clinical picture than previously described may be explained by the presence of a partial deficiency of nucleoside phosphorylase activity and incomplete block of purine catabolism.
Quality of life in patients receiving home oxygen therapy (HOT) for chronic respiratory diseases (CRD)
Authors: Peter Frith, Ruth Sladek, Tina Jones, Mary Luszcz, Debra Rowett, Paul Cafarella, Tanya Effing, Paddy Phillips
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Introduction: Health related quality of life (HRQL) is impaired in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Less is known about impacts of HOT on health status in patients with CRDs. We hypothesized that health status would be impaired independent of underlying respiratory disease, and physical and mental health status would be lower than population norms. Methods: Patients receiving HOT from 3 hospitals in South Australia completed Australian Karnovsky Performance Scale (AKPS), Short Form 36 (SF36) and Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ). Scores were compared to population norms. Correlations were made with Spearman (skewed) or Pearson (normal distributions). Differences in scores between CRD types were evaluated by Student T-test. Results: Data were available from 197 patients (mean age=74.4; SD=9 yrs; 62% male; 155 (78.6%) with COPD, 32 (16.2%) pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and 10 (6.2%) other CRDs). No differences in HRQL were seen between COPD and IPF. SF36 emotional dimensions were similar to population norms. Physical health dimensions were substantially lower than population norms. Patients9 AKPS performance was on average “requiring occasional assistance” (64.8; SD=12.1). CRQ dyspnoea (3.4; 1.6) and fatigue (3.29; 1.17) scores indicated moderate impairment; emotional function (4.4; 1.24) and mastery (4.4; 1.37) were not impaired. CRQ domains (except emotional function) were highly correlated with AKPS and SF36 dimensions (p
P163Stromal derived factor 1-a protects human heart tissue from simulated ischaemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: A Malik, Z He, V Sivaraman, SM Davidson, JM Walker, DM Yellon
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2014)

Purpose: Whether, stromal cell-derived factor 1 αlpha (SDF-1α) can protect human heart tissue is not known, and is investigated here using isolated human atrial trabeculae exposed to simulated ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Methods: Atrial trabeculae were isolated from right atrial appendage tissue harvested from consented patients undergoing elective cardiac bypass surgery (REC 00/0275). They were suspended in organ baths and superfused with normoxic Tyrode's solution at 37.0°C with a field stimulation of 1 Hz. Atrial trabeculae were randomised to receive: (1) Control group (N=10): 60 minutes simulated ischaemia (SI, hypoxic solution+3 Hz field stimulation) followed by 60 minutes reperfusion. After 60 minutes reperfusion the recovery of baseline contractile function (expressed as a %) was determined; (2) SDF-1α group (N=10): Trabeculae were perfused with SDF-1α (25ng/ml) for 30 minutes prior to SI; (3) SDF-1α+AMD3100 group (N=7): Trabeculae were perfused with SDF-1α (25ng/ml) for 30 minutes prior to SI, with AMD3100 (10mcg/ml), a specific SDF-1α/CXCR4 receptor blocker, given 10 minutes prior to SDF-1α; (4) AMD 3100 group (N=4): Trabeculae were treated with AMD3100 given 40 minutes prior to SI. Results: (see figure 1). Pre-treatment of human atrial trabeculae with SDF-1α prior to simulated IRI improved the % recovery of baseline contractile function when compared to control (52±2% with SDF-1α versus 28±2% in control; p<0.05). This cardioprotective effect was significantly reduced by AMD3100 when compared to SDF-1α alone (24±2% with SDF-1α+AMD100; p<0.05). AMD3100 itself had no effect on functional recovery when compared to control (30±4% with AMD3100 versus 28±2% with control; p>0.05). Figure 1
Hyaluronan infusion improves survival in endotoxemic rats
Authors: Won-Il Choi, Hales Charles
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background:  It has been proposed that Hyaluronan (HA) acts as a vehicle for cytokines due to the strong negative charge on its surface. We hypothsized that HA would function like a cytokine scavenger, reducing inflammatory signaling cascade leading to improved survival in endotoxemia.   Methods:  Endotoxin (Salmonella, 10 mg/kg) or an equal amount of 0.9% NaCl (NS) was injected into the jugular vein of rats. HA (1600 kDa, 0.35%) or NS was given 0.5 ml/h for 3 h. HA or NS infusion was started at three different time points; 30 min before, 1 hour after, and 4 hour after endotoxin injection. Rats were divided into control and HA groups at three different time point.   Results:  The survival rate (%) of rats treated with HA was higher (90%) than in controls9 (60%) treated with NS infusion 30 min before LPS injection; HA was higher (90%) than in controls9 (50%) when HA or NS infused 1 h after LPS; HA was higher (60%) than in controls9 (20%), when HA or NS infused 4 h after LPS. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of the animals surviving HA or NS infusion 4 h after LPS showed that total cell count and neutrophils were significantly (p  4 /ml vs. 61×10 4 /ml; neutrophils, 21×10 4 /ml vs. 0.2×10 4 /ml, respectively). Serum cytokines of the animals surviving HA or NS infusion 4 h after LPS showed that TNF-alpha and MIP-2 were significantly (p    Conclusion:  Continuous infusion of hyaluronan, 1600 kDa, reduced BAL cell count and serum cytokines, and improved survival in the endotoxemic rats.