tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Oesophageal shortening: in vivo validation of high-frequency ultrasound measurements of oesophageal muscle wall thickness
Authors: W. Boesmans, P. Vanden Berghe, R. Farre, D. Sifrim
Journal: Gut (2010)

<h3>Background and aims</h3> Assessment of oesophageal muscle wall thickness with high-frequency intraluminal ultrasound (HFIUS) is proposed as a method to evaluate longitudinal muscle contraction and oesophageal shortening in patients with oesophageal symptoms. Studies using this technique suggested that prolonged oesophageal wall thickening can be associated with chest pain and heartburn. Validation studies comparing HFIUS measurements against fluoroscopic investigations of oesophageal shortening are not available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between oesophageal muscle wall thickening and oesophageal shortening in vivo. <h3>Methods</h3> Oesophageal shortening and muscle wall thickness were assessed simultaneously in lightly sedated cats, using fluoroscopic tracking of endoscopically attached metal clips and HFIUS, respectively. Oesophageal shortening was studied during secondary peristalsis and oesophageal mucosal acidification. Video fluoroscopy and HFIUS images were recorded simultaneously and the magnitude and timing of changes in distance between clips and muscle wall thickness were compared. <h3>Results</h3> During peristalsis, the distance between the clips was maximally reduced to 33% and the muscle wall thickness was increased to 218% above baseline. Maximal shortening and wall thickening correlated significantly and occurred simultaneously. Likewise, mucosal acidification provoked simultaneous oesophageal shortening (20%) and increased basal muscle wall thickness (40%). Secondary peristalsis during mucosal acidification was associated with strong and prolonged oesophageal shortening. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Oesophageal muscle wall thickening, measured with HFIUS is a good predictor of oesophageal shortening and longitudinal muscle contraction during swallowing and oesophageal mucosal acidification.
Guidelines for the management of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing endoscopic procedures
Authors: A M Veitch, T P Baglin, A H Gershlick, S M Harnden, R Tighe, S Cairns
Journal: Gut (2008)

Please refer to fig 1 for an algorithmic representation of the recommendations, and tables 1–3 for a risk stratification of endoscopic procedures and medical conditions requiring anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy. Aspirin therapy can be continued for all endoscopic procedures. Figure 1 Guidelines for the management of patients on warfarin or clopidogrel undergoing endoscopic procedures. AF, atrial fibrillation; EMR, endoscopic mucosal resection; ERCP, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; EUS, endoscopic ultrasound; FNA, fine needle aspiration; INR, international normalised ratio; LMWH, low molecular weight heparin; PEG, percutaneous endoscopic gastroenterostomy; VTE, venous thromboembolism. View this table: Table 1 Risk stratification of endoscopic procedures based on risk of haemorrhage View this table: Table 2 Risk stratification for discontinuation of anticoagulant therapy View this table: Table 3 Risk stratification for discontinuation of clopidogrel ### 1.1 Acute gastro-intestinal haemorrhage Acute gastro-intestinal haemorrhage in patients on anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents is a high-risk situation. The immediate risk to the patient from haemorrhage may outweigh the risk of thrombosis as a result of stopping anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy. Patients need to be assessed on an individual basis, and it is not possible to give unequivocal guidance to cover all situations. For patients with high-risk conditions on warfarin, then this can be discontinued with or without substitution of heparin depending on the severity of haemorrhage and risk of discontinuing anticoagulant therapy. There is a high risk of acute myocardial infarction or death if clopidogrel is discontinued in patients with coronary stents, particularly early after implantation, but extending up to 1 year after this. Endoscopy should be attempted as soon as safely possible after urgent liaison between the patient's cardiologist and the consultant specialist undertaking endoscopy. Clopidogrel should not be discontinued without discussion with a cardiologist. If clopidogrel therapy needs to be discontinued in this context, then this should be limited to a maximum of 5 days as the risk of stent thrombosis increases after this interval. (Evidence grade III. Recommendation grade B.) Early therapeutic endoscopic intervention may achieve haemostasis with minimal or no cessation of anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy, and should be the first aim. (Evidence grade IV. Recommendation grade C.) ### 1.2 Low-risk endoscopic procedures Anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy should be continued. (Evidence grade IV. Recommendation grade C.) If warfarin is continued then it should be ensured that the international normalised ratio (INR) does not exceed the therapeutic range: (Evidence grade IV. Recommendation grade C.)
Interleukin-10 level in sputum is reduced in bronchial asthma, COPD and in smokers
Authors: S Takanashi, Y Hasegawa, Y Kanehira, K Yamamoto, K Fujimoto, K Satoh, K Okamura
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1999)

Interleukin (IL)-10 is a potent regulatory cytokine that decreases inflammatory responses. This study investigated whether IL-10 levels in the airway are decreased in chronic airway inflammation associated with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Sputum was obtained from 12 healthy nonsmokers, 10 healthy smokers, 16 asthmatic patients and seven patients with COPD by means of the sputum-induction method. The IL-10 level was measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunocytochemical analysis. The IL-10 level in sputum was significantly lower in asthma and COPD patients and healthy smokers compared with that in healthy nonsmokers (nonsmokers, 68.0+/-11.3; smokers, 45.3+/-7.8; asthma, 26.7+/-4.0; COPD, 18.0+/-2.3 pg x mL(-1); p<0.05 for nonsmokers versus the other groups). The percentage of IL-10-positive cells in the sputum was also significantly lower in asthma and COPD and in smokers (nonsmokers, 13.2+/-1.7; smokers, 6.4+/-1.8; asthma, 5.4+/-3.5; COPD, 3.5+/-1.6%; p<0.05 for nonsmokers versus the other groups). The IL-10-positive cell appeared morphologically to be the macrophage. These data suggest that the reduced level of interleukin-10 within the airways plays a role in the pathogenesis of chronic airway inflammation in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Transplantation of cardiac progenitor cell sheet onto infarcted heart promotes cardiogenesis and improves function
Authors: Liudmila Zakharova, Diego Mastroeni, Nezahet Mutlu, Michelle Molina, Steven Goldman, Edward Diethrich, Mohamed A. Gaballa
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2010)

Cell-based therapy for myocardial infarction (MI) holds great promise; however, the ideal cell type and delivery system have not been established. Obstacles in the field are the massive cell death after direct injection and the small percentage of surviving cells differentiating into cardiomyocytes. To overcome these challenges we designed a novel study to deliver cardiac progenitor cells as a cell sheet.Cell sheets composed of rat or human cardiac progenitor cells (cardiospheres), and cardiac stromal cells were transplanted onto the infarcted myocardium after coronary artery ligation in rats. Three weeks later, transplanted cells survived, proliferated, and differentiated into cardiomyocytes (14.6 +/- 4.7%). Cell sheet transplantation suppressed cardiac wall thinning and increased capillary density (194 +/- 20 vs. 97 +/- 24 per mm(2), P < 0.05) compared with the untreated MI. Cell migration from the sheet was observed along the necrotic trails within the infarcted area. The migrated cells were located in the vicinity of stromal-derived factor (SDF-1) released from the injured myocardium, and about 20% of these cells expressed CXCR4, suggesting that the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis plays, at least, a role in cell migration. Transplantation of cell sheets resulted in a preservation of cardiac contractile function after MI, as was shown by a greater ejection fraction and lower left ventricular end diastolic pressure compared with untreated MI.The scaffold-free cardiosphere-derived cell sheet approach seeks to efficiently deliver cells and increase cell survival. These transplanted cells effectively rescue myocardium function after infarction by promoting not only neovascularization but also inducing a significant level of cardiomyogenesis.
Photoacoustic Microscopy and Computed Tomography: From Bench to Bedside
Authors: Lihong V. Wang, Liang Gao
Journal: Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering (2014)

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) of biological tissue has seen immense growth in the past decade, providing unprecedented spatial resolution and functional information at depths in the optical diffusive regime. PAI uniquely combines the advantages of optical excitation and those of acoustic detection. The hybrid imaging modality features high sensitivity to optical absorption and wide scalability of spatial resolution with the desired imaging depth. Here we first summarize the fundamental principles underpinning the technology, then highlight its practical implementation, and finally discuss recent advances toward clinical translation.
Rotational deformation of the canine left ventricle measured by magnetic resonance tagging: effects of catecholamines, ischaemia, and pacing
Authors: M. B Buchalter, F. E Rademakers, J. L Weiss, W. J Rogers, M. L Weisfeldt, E. P Shapiro
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (1994)

The aim was to investigate the generation of rotation of the left ventricular apex with respect to the base by magnetic resonance tagging, a non-invasive method of labelling the myocardium, in a canine model.18 dogs were imaged at baseline and during: (1) inotropic stimulation with dobutamine; (2) chronotropic stimulation with atrial pacing; (3) anterior wall ischaemia; (4) posterior wall ischaemia; and (5) varying left ventricular activation site; six dogs underwent each intervention. Apical rotation of the apex (torsion) was quantified. The epicardium and the endocardium were considered separately, as were the anterior and posterior walls.Mean torsion of the epicardium [anterior 3.1(SEM 1.2) degrees, posterior 9.9(1.0) degrees] was less than that of the endocardium [anterior 8.1(2.6) degrees, posterior 14.9(2.0) degrees, p < 0.05 for both]. Anterior torsion was less than posterior torsion for both the epicardium, p < 0.05, and the endocardium, p < 0.05. Dobutamine increased torsion of both the epicardium [anterior 13.3(2.2) degrees, posterior 12.6(1.7) degrees, p < 0.05 for both] and the endocardium [anterior 24.6(2.3) degrees, posterior 16.5(2.1) degrees, p < 0.05 for both]. Atrial pacing at 160% baseline rate increased torsion of both the anterior wall [epicardium 6.6(1.0) degrees, endocardium 11.3(1.2) degrees, p < 0.05] and the posterior wall [epicardium 13.0(1.3) degrees, endocardium 19.4(1.9) degrees, p < 0.05]. Anterior wall ischaemia reduced torsion of the anterior wall only [epicardium -2.0(1.0) degrees, endocardium 6.7(2.3) degrees, both p < 0.05]. Posterior wall ischaemia reduced torsion of the posterior wall of the epicardium only [7.1(1.2) degrees, p < 0.05] but also reduced torsion of the anterior wall [epicardium 0.7(1.0) degrees, endocardium 2.4(1.6) degrees, p < 0.05 for both]. Altering the pattern of left ventricular activation by atrioventricular pacing reduced torsion of the posterior wall of the epicardium [6.6(1.2) degrees, p < 0.05] and of the anterior [3.6(1.9) degrees, p < 0.05] and posterior [7.1(1.6) degrees, p < 0.05] walls of the endocardium.Rotational deformation of the left ventricle is dependent on the pattern of left ventricular activation and the contractile state. That a decrease in the contractile state in one area (by ischaemia) can cause a decrease in rotation in another suggests that this rotation depends on the complex fiber arrangement of the whole ventricle.
Nab-Paclitaxel Plus Gemcitabine Vs Gemcitabine Alone for Patients with Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer: Influence of Primary Pancreatic Tumor Location on Efficacy and Treatment Exposure in the Mpact Phase III Trial
Authors: Lopez-Martin Jose, Ma Wen Wee, Karapetis Christos, Balcke Peter, Kennecke Hagan, Stahl Michael, Milella Michele, Nugent Francis, Prager Diane, Lu Brian, Ferrara Stefano, Penenberg Darryl, Von Hoff Daniel
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2014)
Subpopulation of Proepicardial Cells Is Derived From the Somatic Mesoderm in the Chick Embryo
Authors: Jan Schlueter, Thomas Brand
Journal: Circulation Research (2013)

Rationale: The proepicardium (PE) is a transient structure forming at the venous pole of the heart and gives rise to the epicardium, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells. The embryological origin of the PE is presently unclear. Asymmetrical formation of the PE on the right inflow tract is a conserved feature of many vertebrate embryos, and in the chicken is under the control of fibroblast growth factor 8 and snail homolog 1. Objective: To gain further insight into the process of asymmetrical PE formation, we studied the role of TWIST1 during PE formation in the chick embryo. Methods and Results: TWIST1 is asymmetrically expressed on the right side in the somatic mesoderm under the control of snail homolog 1. Fate mapping experiments revealed a contribution of the somatic mesoderm to the PE. After colonization of the heart, this cell lineage gives rise to the epicardium, smooth muscle cells, and potentially fibroblast. Suppression of TWIST1 function in the right coelomic cavity caused a severe disruption of the villous protrusions of the PE and Wilms tumor 1 and transcription factor 21 expression. Rescue with the corresponding mouse cDNA normalized gene expression and PE morphology. Forced expression of TWIST1 on the left side induced ectopic expression domains of Wilms tumor 1 and transcription factor 21. Conclusions: A significant proportion of the PE has its origin outside of the currently proposed domain in the splanchnic layer of the lateral plate mesoderm. The phenotype in embryos subjected to TWIST1 loss- or gain-of-function suggests an important contribution of somatic mesoderm to the mesothelial cell layer of the PE.
Two-dimensional echocardiographic determination of ventricular volumes in the fetal heart. Validation studies in fetal lambs.
Authors: K G Schmidt, N H Silverman, G F Van Hare, J A Hawkins, J L Cloez, A M Rudolph
Journal: Circulation (1990)

The determination of ventricular volumes in the fetal heart from two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) may give a better estimate of fetal ventricular size than simple diameter measurements, but the accuracy of this method has not been established. In fetal lambs, we tested whether ventricular volume calculations from 2DE using a biplane Simpson's rule algorithm are accurate. Calculations of left and right ventricular end-diastolic volumes from 2DE were compared with cast volumes of these ventricles. Also, at different levels of left atrial pressure, left ventricular stroke volumes calculated from 2DE were compared with stroke volumes measured simultaneously by an electromagnetic flowmeter. There was a good correlation between volumes determined from 2DE (y axis) and from casts (x axis) for both the left (r = 0.92; y = 0.2 + 1.1x; SEE = 0.19 ml) and right ventricle (r = 0.90; y = 0.7 + 0.9x; SEE = 0.21 ml). Left ventricular stroke volumes calculated from 2DE correlated well with those measured by the electromagnetic flowmeter (r = 0.87; y = 0.2 + 0.9x; SEE = 0.27 ml). Thus, calculation of fetal ventricular volumes from 2DE images using a biplane Simpson's rule method is feasible and accurate.
Initiation of biological agents in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: results of a Delphi study by the ASAS Group
Authors: T Pham, D van der Heijde, A Calin, M A Khan, Sj van der Linden, N Bellamy, M Dougados
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2003)

There is ample evidence of important symptomatic efficacy of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) inhibition in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Moreover, studies suggest that anti-TNF could be considered as the first disease controlling antirheumatic treatment (DC-ART) for AS.To determine precisely which patients with AS are most likely to benefit from anti-TNFalpha treatment because of the cost and possible long term side effects of such treatment.Assessment in Ankylosing Spondylitis (ASAS) members were asked to use a Delphi technique to name the characteristics of patients with AS for whom they would start DC-ART, in three different clinical presentations (isolated axial involvement, peripheral arthritis, enthesitis).Among the 62 invited ASAS members, more than 50% actively participated in the four phases of definition according to the Delphi technique. For each of the three clinical presentations, a combination of five to six domains was proposed, with an evaluation instrument and a cut off point defining a minimum level of activity for each domain.This study provides a profile for a patient with AS for considering initiation of biological agents that reflects the opinion of the ASAS members, using a Delphi exercise. Further studies are required to assess their relevance and their consistency with clinical practice.
EVI-1 interacts with histone methyltransferases SUV39H1 and G9a for transcriptional repression and bone marrow immortalization
Authors: S Goyama, E Nitta, T Yoshino, S Kako, N Watanabe-Okochi, M Shimabe, Y Imai, K Takahashi, M Kurokawa
Journal: Leukemia (2009)
Vaccine Policy Changes and Epidemiology of Poliomyelitis in the United States
Authors: Lorraine Niño Alexander
Journal: JAMA (2004)

The last case of poliomyelitis in the United States due to indigenously acquired wild poliovirus occurred in 1979; however, as a consequence of oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) use that began in 1961, an average of 9 cases of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP) were confirmed each year from 1961 through 1989. To reduce the VAPP burden, national vaccination policy changed in 1997 from reliance on OPV to options for a sequential schedule of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) followed by OPV. In 2000, an exclusive IPV schedule was adopted.To review the epidemiology of paralytic poliomyelitis and document the association between the vaccine schedule changes and VAPP in the United States.Review of national surveillance data from 1990 through 2003 for cases of confirmed paralytic poliomyelitis.Number of confirmed paralytic poliomyelitis cases, including VAPP, and ratio of VAPP cases to number of doses of OPV distributed that occurred before, during, and after implementation of policy changes.From 1990 through 1999, 61 cases of paralytic poliomyelitis were reported; 59 (97%) of these were VAPP (1 case per 2.9 million OPV doses distributed), 1 case was imported, and 1 case was indeterminate. Thirteen cases occurred during the 1997-1999 transitional policy period and were associated with the all-OPV schedule; none occurred with the IPV-OPV schedule. No cases occurred after the United States implemented the all-IPV policy in 2000. The last imported poliomyelitis case occurred in 1993 and the last case of VAPP occurred in 1999.The change in polio vaccination policy from OPV to exclusive use of IPV was successfully implemented; this change led to the elimination of VAPP in the United States.
Efficacy of intraperitoneal chemohyperthermia with oxaliplatin in colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis. Preliminary results in24 patients
Authors: D. Elias, L. Sideris, M. Pocard, C. Edè, D. Ben Hassouna, M. Ducreux, V. Boige, J.F. Côté, P. Lasser
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2004)
Phase I Clinical Study of Seneca Valley Virus (SVV-001),a Replication-Competent Picornavirus, in Advanced Solid Tumors with Neuroendocrine Features
Authors: Charles M. Rudin, John T. Poirier, Neil N. Senzer, Joseph Stephenson, David Loesch, Kevin D. Burroughs, P. Seshidhar Reddy, Christine L. Hann, Paul L. Hallenbeck
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2011)

Seneca Valley Virus (SVV-001) is a novel naturally occurring replication-competent picornavirus with potent and selective tropism for neuroendocrine cancer cell types, including small cell lung cancer. We conducted a first-in-human, first-in-class phase I clinical trial of this agent in patients with cancers with neuroendocrine features, including small cell lung cancer.Clinical evaluation of single intravenous doses in patients with cancers with neuroendocrine features was performed across five log-increments from 10(7) to 10(11) vp/kg. Toxicity, viral titers and clearance, neutralizing antibody development, and tumor response were assessed.A total of 30 patients were treated with SVV-001, including six with small cell carcinoma at the lowest dose of 10(7) vp/kg. SVV-001 was well tolerated, with no dose-limiting toxicities observed in any dose cohort. Viral clearance was documented in all subjects and correlated temporally with development of antiviral antibodies. Evidence of in vivo intratumoral viral replication was observed among patients with small cell carcinoma, with peak viral titers estimated to be >10(3)-fold higher than the administered dose. One patient with previously progressive chemorefractory small cell lung cancer remained progression-free for 10 months after SVV-001 administration, and is alive over 3 years after treatment.Intravenous SVV-001 administration in patients is well tolerated at doses up to 10(11) vp/kg, with predictable viral clearance kinetics, intratumoral viral replication, and evidence of antitumor activity in patients with small cell lung cancer. Phase II clinical evaluation in small cell lung cancer is warranted, and has been initiated.
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy performed by nurses: scope for the future?
Authors: S Smale, I Bjarnason, I Forgacs, P Prasad, M Mukhood, M Wong, A Ng, H E Mulcahy
Journal: Gut (2003)

Previous researchers have shown that non-medical endoscopists can perform lower gastrointestinal endoscopy as safely and effectively as medical staff. However, it is not known if upper gastrointestinal endoscopy performed by medical and non-medical endoscopists in clinical practice yields similar results in terms of performance, patient discomfort, and satisfaction.To determine differences in the yield of diagnosis for significant disease during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy performed by nurse and medical endoscopists and to measure patient discomfort, satisfaction, and attitudes towards future endoscopy.This two part study included 3009 patients in a retrospective analysis and 480 in a prospective study.The first part of the study assessed indications for endoscopy, diagnoses, and procedures performed by medical and nurse endoscopists. In a second prospective study, 480 patients were included to determine the association between endoscopist type and sedation, patient anxiety, discomfort, satisfaction, and attitudes towards future sedation.No patient refused endoscopy by either a nurse or medical endoscopist and there were no complications in either group. Nurses performed 1487 procedures and reported fewer endoscopies as "normal" than medical staff (p=0.006). Multivariate analysis showed that male sex, older age, inpatient status, dysphagia, and gastrointestinal bleeding, but not endoscopist type, were all associated with significant disease. In relation to discomfort and satisfaction, a similar proportion of patients received sedation in both groups (p=0.81). There were no differences in pre-procedure anxiety (p=0.61), discomfort during intubation (p=0.97), discomfort during examination (p=0.90), or post-procedure examination rating (p=0.79) in patients examined by medical or nurse endoscopists.Experienced nurses perform routine diagnostic gastroscopy safely in everyday clinical practice and with as little discomfort and as much patient satisfaction as medical staff.