tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Height and Weight in Children Treated for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Relationship to CNS Treatment
Authors: Virginia Kimball Dalton, Montse Rue, Lewis B. Silverman, Richard D. Gelber, Barbara L. Asselin, Ronald D. Barr, Luis A. Clavell, Craig A. Hurwitz, Albert Moghrabi, Yvan Samson, Marshall Schorin, Nancy J. Tarbell, Stephen E. Sallan, Laurie E. Cohen
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2003)

We evaluated the long-term effects of treatment on height and weight in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated with one of the following three different CNS therapies: intrathecal therapy alone, intrathecal therapy with conventional cranial radiation, or intrathecal therapy with twice-daily radiation.Between 1987 and 1995, 618 children treated on two consecutive Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Consortium protocols for ALL were measured for height and weight at diagnosis, and approximately every 6 months thereafter. Patient height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were converted to z scores for age and sex using the 2000 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth charts for the United States.Children younger than 13 years at diagnosis had a statistically significant decrease in their height z scores and an increase in their BMI z scores, regardless of whether they had received cranial radiation. Young age at diagnosis and increased chemotherapy intensity were major risk factors. Unexpectedly, there was no significant difference in long-term height between children who received radiation and those who did not.Final height is compromised in survivors of ALL. The detrimental effects on height occur during therapy without the ability for long-term catch-up growth. Although patients became overweight for height, this seemed to be a result of relative height loss with normal weight gain rather than accelerated weight gain. The type of CNS treatment received did not affect changes in height, weight, or BMI.
Effect of age and asthma duration upon elastase and α<sub>1</sub>-antitrypsin levels in adult asthmatics
Authors: A.M. Vignola, A. Bonanno, M. Profita, L. Riccobono, N. Scichilone, M. Spatafora, J. Bousquet, G. Bonsignore, V. Bellia
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2003)

In asthmatic subjects an imbalance between elastase and α<sub>1</sub>‐antitrypsin (α<sub>1</sub>‐PI) exists. This study aims to evaluate whether ageing <i>per se</i> affects the levels of elastase. Both young and elderly asthmatics with comparable severity and duration of disease, as well as young and elderly healthy subjects, underwent an induced sputum procedure to measure levels of elastase and α<sub>1</sub>‐PI. The percentage of sputum neutrophils and eosinophils was higher in young and elderly asthmatics than in young and elderly controls. The levels of both total and active elastase were significantly higher in young and elderly asthmatics than in young and elderly controls, and directly correlated with the percentage of neutrophils. In addition, in both young and elderly asthmatics the levels of total and active elastase were negatively correlated with forced expiratory volume in one second values, but positively correlated with the duration of the disease. This study indicates that ageing <i>per se</i> does not necessarily lead to a progressive elastase/α<sub>1</sub>‐antitrypsin imbalance in asthma, and suggests that an important variable in the development of airway remodelling in both young and elderly asthmatics is represented by the duration of the disease.
Prevention of ursodeoxycholate hepatotoxicity in the rabbit by conjugation withN-methyl amino acids
Authors: Adrian Schmassmann, Alan F. Hofmann, Antonietta M. Angellotti, Huong-Thu Ton-Nu, Claudio D. Schteingart, Carlo Clerici, Steven S. Rossi, Marcus A. Rothschild, Bertram I. Cohen, Richard J. Stenger, Erwin H. Mosbach
Journal: Hepatology (1990)

The effect of dietary administration of four different amino acid (N-acyl) conjugates of ursodeoxycholic acid on biliary bile acid composition, liver tests and hepatic morphology by light microscopy was examined in the rabbit. Each group of four to five rabbits received a chow diet supplemented with a single conjugate of ursodeoxycholic acid ursodeoxycholyl-glycine, ursodeoxycholyl-sarcosine, ursodeoxycholyl-taurine or ursodeoxycholyl-N-methyltaurine for 3 wks at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day; a control group received chow alone. After 3 wks of feeding, animals receiving ursodeoxycholyl-glycine or ursodeoxycholyl-taurine had hepatotoxicity associated with abnormal liver tests. Lithocholic acid made up 11% +/- 2.7% of biliary bile acids in the ursodeoxycholyl-glycine and 10% +/- 2.2% in the ursodeoxycholyl-taurine group. In contrast, animals receiving ursodeoxycholyl-sarcosine or ursodeoxycholyl-N-methyltaurine had neither hepatotoxicity nor abnormal liver tests and the proportion of lithocholic acid in biliary bile acids increased much less. Complementary studies showed that ursodeoxycholyl-sarcosine and ursodeoxycholyl-N-methyltaurine were not biotransformed during hepatic transport and were resistant to deconjugation and dehydroxylation in the rabbit. These experiments indicate that the N-methyl amino acid conjugates of ursodeoxycholic acid are nontoxic in the rabbit and resist deconjugation and dehydroxylation. Such resistance decreases formation of lithocholic acid in the colon, thus reducing its accumulation and consequent induction of hepatotoxicity.
Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection in patients with renal disease.
Authors: J Garcia-Valdecasas, C Bernal, F Garcia, S Cerezo, W O Umana, B von Albertini, P L Kimmel
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (1994)

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies and the epidemiologic factors associated with HCV infection in patients with chronic renal failure before the onset of ESRD. Sex, age, type of renal disease, level of renal function, and history of blood transfusions and invasive procedures were analyzed in 226 patients with renal disease, compared with a population of 1,244 normal subjects and 124 patients with impaired immunity (patients having autoimmune diseases and receiving chemotherapy treatment). Eighteen seropositive patients with renal disease (prevalence, 7.9%) were found, which was significantly higher than the prevalence in the normal population (1.03% in blood donors, 0.98% in pregnant women; P < 0.001, chi 2). There was no significant association of sex, number of blood transfusions, or history of invasive procedures with the presence of HCV antibodies. The prevalence of HCV antibodies was higher (16.6%) in patients with glomerulonephritis compared with patients diagnosed with interstitial nephritis, pyelonephritis, nephrosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, polycystic kidney, and miscellaneous renal diseases (P < 0.01, chi 2). There was a higher prevalence of HCV antibodies in patients with creatinine clearance lower than 30 mL/min (13%) compared with patients with creatinine clearance higher than 30 mL/min (2.7%) (P < 0.01, chi 2). These data suggest that HCV infection may be associated with the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis. Alternatively, glomerulonephritis or severe renal insufficiency may increase the likelihood of HCV infection.
Progressive systemic sclerosis complicated by diffuse pulmonary haemorrhage.
Authors: J Kallenbach, I Prinsloo, S Zwi
Journal: Thorax (1977)

A case is reported of progressive systemic sclerosis with pulmonary fibrosis which was complicated by recurrent haemoptyses due to diffuse pulmonary haemorrhage. We have found no other report of this association. The haemorrhage finally remitted after treatment was started with 40 mg prednisone daily, though previously spontaneous remissions had occurred.
Transcription Analysis of Human Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporter-1 Predicts Survival in Pancreas Cancer Patients Treated with Gemcitabine
Authors: Elisa Giovannetti, Mario Del Tacca, Valentina Mey, Niccola Funel, Sara Nannizzi, Sergio Ricci, Cinzia Orlandini, Ugo Boggi, Daniela Campani, Marco Del Chiaro, Mauro Iannopollo, Generoso Bevilacqua, Franco Mosca, Romano Danesi
Journal: Cancer Research (2006)

Abstract Gene expression analysis may help the management of cancer patients, allowing the selection of subjects responding to treatment. The aim of this study was the characterization of expression pattern of genes involved in gemcitabine activity in pancreas tumor specimens and its correlation with treatment outcome. The role of drug transport and metabolism on gemcitabine cytotoxicity was examined with specific inhibitors, whereas transcription analysis of human equilibrative nucleoside transporter-1 (hENT1), deoxycytidine kinase (dCK), 5′-nucleotidase (5′-NT), cytidine deaminase (CDA), and ribonucleotide reductase subunits M1 and M2 (RRM1 and RRM2) was done by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR in tumor tissue isolated by laser microdissection from surgical or biopsy samples of 102 patients. Association between clinical outcome and gene expression levels was estimated using Kaplan-Meier method and Cox's proportional hazards model. Transport and metabolism had a key role on gemcitabine sensitivity in vitro; moreover, hENT1, dCK, 5′-NT, CDA, RRM1, and RRM2 were detectable in most tumor specimens. hENT1 expression was significantly correlated with clinical outcome. Patients with high levels of hENT1 had a significantly longer overall survival [median, 25.7; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 17.6-33.7 months in the higher expression tertile versus median, 8.5; 95% CI, 7.0-9.9 months in the lower expression tertile]. Similar results were obtained with disease-free survival and time to disease progression, and the multivariate analysis confirmed the prognostic significance of hENT1. This study suggests that the expression levels of hENT1 may allow the stratification of patients based on their likelihood of survival, thus offering a potential new tool for treatment optimization. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(7): 3928-35)
Anaemia may add information to standardised disease activity assessment to predict radiographic damage in rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Burkhard Möller, Almut Scherer, Frauke Förger, Peter M Villiger, Axel Finckh
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2013)

Anaemia in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is prototypical of the chronic disease type and is often neglected in clinical practice. We studied anaemia in relation to disease activity, medications and radiographic progression.Data were collected between 1996 and 2007 over a mean follow-up of 2.2 years. Anaemia was defined according to WHO (♀ haemoglobin<12 g/dl, ♂: haemoglobin<13 g/dl), or alternative criteria. Anaemia prevalence was studied in relation to disease parameters and pharmacological therapy. Radiographic progression was analysed in 9731 radiograph sets from 2681 patients in crude longitudinal regression models and after adjusting for potential confounding factors, including the clinical disease activity score with the 28-joint count for tender and swollen joints and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28ESR) or the clinical disease activity index (cDAI), synthetic antirheumatic drugs and antitumour necrosis factor (TNF) therapy.Anaemia prevalence decreased from more than 24% in years before 2001 to 15% in 2007. Erosions progressed significantly faster in patients with anaemia (p<0.001). Adjusted models showed these effects independently of clinical disease activity and other indicators of disease severity. Radiographic damage progression rates were increasing with severity of anaemia, suggesting a 'dose-response effect'. The effect of anaemia on damage progression was maintained in subgroups of patients treated with TNF blockade or corticosteroids, and without non-selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).Anaemia in RA appears to capture disease processes that remain unmeasured by established disease activity measures in patients with or without TNF blockade, and may help to identify patients with more rapid erosive disease.
A Tailored Approach to Catheter Ablation of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Hakan Oral, Aman Chugh, Eric Good, Sundar Sankaran, Stephen S. Reich, Petar Igic, Darryl Elmouchi, David Tschopp, Thomas Crawford, Sujoya Dey, Alan Wimmer, Kristina Lemola, Krit Jongnarangsin, Frank Bogun, Frank Pelosi, Fred Morady
Journal: Circulation (2006)

Background— Because the genesis of atrial fibrillation (AF) is multifactorial and variable, an ablation strategy that involves pulmonary vein isolation and/or a particular set of ablation lines may not be equally effective or efficient in all patients with AF. A tailored strategy that targets initiators and drivers of AF is a possible alternative to a standardized lesion set. Methods and Results— Catheter ablation was performed in 153 consecutive patients (mean age, 56±11 years) with symptomatic paroxysmal AF with the use of an 8-mm tip radiofrequency ablation catheter. The esophagus was visualized with barium. The pulmonary veins and left atrium were mapped during spontaneous or induced AF. Arrhythmogenic pulmonary veins were isolated or encircled. If AF was still present or inducible, complex electrograms in the left atrium, coronary sinus, and superior vena cava were targeted for ablation. The end point of ablation was absence of frequent atrial ectopy and spontaneous AF during isoproterenol infusion and noninducibility of AF. Routine energy applications near the esophagus were avoided. During follow-up, left atrial flutter developed in 19% of patients and was still present in 10% at &gt;12 weeks of follow-up. A repeat ablation procedure was performed in 18% of patients. During a mean follow-up of 11±4 months, 77% of patients were free from AF and/or atrial flutter without antiarrhythmic drug therapy. Pericardial tamponade or transient neurological events occurred in 2% of procedures. Conclusions— A tailored ablation strategy that only targets triggers and drivers of AF is feasible and eliminates paroxysmal AF in ≈80% of patients.
Pyloric Stenosis in Identical Twins
Authors: F. L. K. Lewis
Journal: BMJ (1944)

MEDICAL MEMORANDAMEDATLt OURNAL 221 varying in diameter from 1/4 to 1 in., firm in consistency, and tender.The colour faded on pressure but did not completely dis- appear.There were enlarged soft lymph nodes in the left posterior triangle and right axilla.There was an area of impaired resonance with diminished air entry and rales in the left axilla.TIhe Ilverl Was enlarged to 1/2 in.below the costal margin, and the tip of the spleen was just palpable.A blood count gave: erythrocytes, 3,910,000; haemoglobin, 62%o; colour index, 0.8%; leucocytes, 13,400 (poly- morphonuclears 10,251, lymphocyLes 2,680, eosinophils nil, basophils njil, large mononuclears 469).The Paul-Bunnell test was negative,as was blood culture.The urine was normal.The patient ran an irregular pyrexia up to 103 °.Fresh skin lesions appeared during the next two days and then gradually faded and disappeared.None were visible at the time of her death.
Detection of Novel Actionable Genetic Changes in Salivary Duct Carcinoma Helps Direct Patient Treatment
Authors: Valentina Nardi, Peter M. Sadow, Dejan Juric, Dave Zhao, Arjola K. Cosper, Kristin Bergethon, Vanessa L. Scialabba, Julie M. Batten, Darrell R. Borger, Anthony John Iafrate, Rebecca S. Heist, Donald P. Lawrence, Keith T. Flaherty, Johanna C. Bendell, Daniel Deschler, Yi Li, Lori J. Wirth, Dora Dias-Santagata
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2012)

Salivary duct carcinomas (SDC) are a rare and aggressive subtype of salivary gland cancers for which cytotoxic chemotherapy has limited efficacy. We investigated whether genotyping analysis could detect novel tumor-specific mutations that would help direct SDC patient treatment using targeted agents.We genotyped 27 SDC archival specimens from patients followed at Massachusetts General Hospital and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (Boston, MA) between 2000 and 2011. These included the tumors of 8 patients who were tested prospectively. Targeted mutational analysis of 13 clinically relevant cancer genes was conducted using SNaPshot multiplexed genotyping. FISH was conducted to detect HER2 gene amplification. Patient medical records and tumor histopathologic features were retrospectively reviewed.Mutually exclusive genetic aberrations were detected in 15 of 27 (56%) tumors, including 2 (7%) mutations in BRAF, 5 (19%) mutations in PIK3CA, and 8 (30%) cases of HER2 gene amplification. To our knowledge, this is the first time that BRAF and PIK3CA mutations have been reported in this tumor type. Prospective clinical testing of 8 patients with SDC identified actionable genetic alterations in 6 tumors and influenced therapeutic decisions for all 6 patients.SNaPshot molecular profiling identified novel genetic changes in SDCs, expanded the therapeutic options for patients with this rare tumor, and is changing SDC management at our institution. These findings highlight the importance of using broad-based genetic profiling to expedite the identification of effective-targeted therapies for patients with rare malignancies.
CABG Versus PCI
Authors: Robert H. Habib, Kamellia R. Dimitrova, Sanaa A. Badour, Maroun B. Yammine, Abdul-Karim M. El-Hage-Sleiman, Darryl M. Hoffman, Charles M. Geller, Thomas A. Schwann, Robert F. Tranbaugh
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2015)
Once daily versus three times daily mesalazine granules in active ulcerative colitis: a double-blind, double-dummy, randomised, non-inferiority trial
Authors: W Kruis, G Kiudelis, I Racz, I A Gorelov, J Pokrotnieks, M Horynski, M Batovsky, J Kykal, S Boehm, R Greinwald, R Mueller
Journal: Gut (2008)

<h3>Objectives:</h3> To determine the therapeutic equivalence and safety of once daily (OD) versus three times daily (TID) dosing of a total daily dose of 3 g Salofalk (mesalazine) granules in patients with active ulcerative colitis. <h3>Design:</h3> A randomised, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel group, multicentre, international, phase III non-inferiority study. <h3>Setting:</h3> 54 centres in 13 countries. <h3>Patients:</h3> 380 patients with confirmed diagnosis of established or first attack of ulcerative colitis (clinical activity index (CAI)&gt;4 and endoscopic index ⩾4 at baseline) were randomised and treated. <h3>Interventions:</h3> 8-week treatment with either 3 g OD or 1 g TID mesalazine granules. <h3>Main outcome measures:</h3> Clinical remission (CAI⩽4) at study end. <h3>Results:</h3> 380 patients were evaluable for efficacy and safety by intention-to-treat (ITT); 345 for per protocol (PP) analysis. In the ITT population, 79.1% in the OD group (n = 191) and 75.7% in the TID group (n = 189) achieved clinical remission (p&lt;0.0001 for non-inferiority). Significantly more patients with proctosigmoiditis achieved clinical remission in the OD group (86%; n = 97) versus the TID group (73%; n = 100; p = 0.0298). About 70% of patients in both treatment groups achieved endoscopic remission, and 35% in the OD group and 41% in the TID group achieved histological remission. About 80% of all patients preferred OD dosing. Similar numbers of adverse events occurred in 55 patients (28.8%) in the OD group and in 61 patients (32.3%) in the TID group, indicating that the two dosing regimens were equally safe and well tolerated. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> OD 3 g mesalazine granules are as effective and safe as a TID 1 g schedule. With respect to the best possible adherence of patients to the treatment, OD dosing of mesalazine should be the preferred application mode in active ulcerative colitis. <h3>ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:</h3> NCT00449722
Immunosuppression and Teratology
Authors: Vincent T. Armenti
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2004)

Cyclosporine A (CsA), introduced in the early 1980s, soon became the mainstay of immunosuppression in transplantation. When first introduced, concern was raised about the safety of its use in pregnancy ([1][1]). These early reports in fact suggested that cyclosporine might be associated with an
Lung secretion sol-phase proteins: comparison of sputum with secretions obtained by direct sampling.
Authors: J Wiggins, S L Hill, R A Stockley
Journal: Thorax (1983)

The protein content of tracheal secretions and of bronchial lavage and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was compared with that of sputum in 33 patients who underwent fibreoptic bronchoscopy. The secretion-to-serum concentration ratios for albumin, alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, and immunoglobulin A (IgA) fell progressively as samples were obtained from further down the bronchial tree, probably reflecting greater sample dilution. The secretion-to-serum protein ratios when standardised for the corresponding albumin ratio were similar in all secretions studied. In particular, the IgA ratios were about eight times those of albumin and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin ratios were about twice those of albumin, suggesting similar degrees of "local production" of these proteins in all secretions studied. Some patients showed considerable differences in IgA ratios between sputum and bronchial lavage fluid. The significance of these differences is not clear.
BOWEL WALL THICKENING ON CT; ITS SIGNIFICANCE AND RELATIONSHIP WITH ENDOSCOPIC ABNORMALITIES
Authors: K Hartery, N Breslin
Journal: Gut (2013)

<h3>Introduction</h3> Bowel wall thickening (BWT) is an increasing recognised entity seen on CT. Advances in technology and accumulated experience in image interpretation, even the most subtle changes affecting the bowel are now being detected. <h3>Aims/Background</h3> “Further endoscopic evaluation” often is suggested when BWT is identified on CT imaging, Is there clinical correlation? <h3>Method</h3> A retrospective analysis was performed on all abdominopelvic CT carried out in AMNCH, Tallaght from the 1st of January to 30st of June 2012. All patients with colonic BWT were included. Subsequently, Patients were excluded if they were under age of 18 years, history of Bowel Cancer and/or Prev colonic surgery, or if there was a specific CT finding related to the bowel other than BWT (mass, stricture, abscess, or confirmed cancer). Demographic information was obtained from KEY operating systems as well as Hb value, biopsy reports. Endoscopic reports were obtained from GI electronic reporting system as well as presence/absence of symptoms. <h3>Results</h3> In total, 2,211 abdominopelvic CT reports were reviewed. After exclusion criteria were applied, 95 patients with colonic BWT were analysed. Of these, 52 had follow-on endoscopy. Demographic information revealed that 24 were male, with mean age of 56.8 years. The most common site of BWT reported was the sigmoid colon (n=18), followed by descending colon (n=10), and transverse colon (n=7). Despite CT finding of BWT, 17 (32.6%) had normal endoscopies. Inflammation/Diverticulitis was found in 15 (28.8%)/10 (19.2%) endoscopies. 3 (5.7%) were found to be adenomatous polyps. While, a further 8 (15.3%) were colorectal cancer. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Correlation between BWT on abdominopelvic CT and abnormal endoscopy at the same site was 67.4%, in keeping with published studies.