tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Structure of Peptides Associated with Class I and Class II MHC Molecules
Authors: Victor H. Engelhard
Journal: Annual Review of Immunology (1994)

Class I and class II molecules encoded by genes within the major histocompatibility complex play a central role in regulation of immune responses through their ability to bind and display small peptides derived from foreign antigens. Within the last few years, considerable progress has been made in understanding the structures of class I and class II MHC molecules, as well as the features of the peptides that are their principal ligands. This review summarizes this information and describes how it accounts for both the specificity and degeneracy of peptide binding. It also considers how the origin and structural features of peptides that have been isolated from MHC molecules, so-called “naturally processed” peptides, have provided insight into the pathways through which the peptides are produced. Finally, the use of new structural information and techniques for peptide characterization for the identification of peptides that comprise epitopes for individual antigen-specific T cells are considered.
Changing Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status and Prostate Cancer Incidence
Authors: L. Liu, W. Cozen, L. Bernstein, R. K. Ross, D. Deapen
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2001)

Background: Understanding the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and prostate cancer incidence could identify populations that should be targeted for intervention and prevention programs. We examined this relationship within the major racial/ethnic groups during the period 1972 through 1997, which spans the introduction of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. Methods: We used data from the population-based Los Angeles Cancer Surveillance Program to examine age-adjusted prostate cancer incidence rates in five SES groups over three specific calendar periods by racial/ethnic subpopulation (white, black, Asian, and Hispanic) and by stage of disease at diagnosis. Linear regression analysis was used to test for trends in the age-adjusted incidence rates that were associated with increasing levels of SES. All P values were two-sided. Results: For men diagnosed with prostate cancer before 1987, when the test for PSA was not widely available, we found no association between SES and the incidence of prostate cancer in any of four racial/ethnic subpopulations or between SES and the stage of disease at diagnosis. In contrast, among men who were diagnosed with prostate cancer after 1987, SES was statistically significantly and positively associated with prostate cancer incidence in men from all racial/ethnic subpopulations except Asians (P = .01 for white men, P = .001 for black men, P = .02 for Hispanic men, P = .06 for Asian men, and P = .01 for all men combined). Higher SES was statistically significantly associated with cancers of earlier stage (P = .01 for localized cancer and P = .00 for regional cancer) for men who were diagnosed with prostate cancer after 1987. Conclusions: The association between SES and prostate cancer incidence after 1987 may reflect more prevalent PSA screening in populations with higher SES due to their greater access to health care. SES should, therefore, be considered an important factor in interpreting variations and time trends in prostate cancer incidence.
Metronidazole reduces intestinal inflammation and blood loss in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug induced enteropathy.
Authors: I Bjarnason, J Hayllar, P Smethurst, A Price, M J Gumpel
Journal: Gut (1992)

This study assessed the effect of metronidazole on the gastroduodenal mucosa, intestinal permeability, blood loss, and inflammation in patients on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Thirteen patients were studied before and after 2-12 weeks9 treatment with metronidazole 800 mg/day, while maintaining an unchanged NSAID intake. Intestinal inflammation, as assessed by the faecal excretion of indium-111 labelled neutrophils, and blood loss, assessed with chromium-51 labelled red cells, were significantly reduced after treatment (mean (SD) 111In excretion 4.7 (4.7)% v 1.5 (1.3)% (N &lt; 1.0%), p &lt; 0.001, 51Cr red cells loss 2.6 (1.6) ml/day v 0.9 (0.5) ml/day (N &lt; 1.0 ml/day), p &lt; 0.01). Intestinal permeability assessed as the 5 hour urinary excretion ratio of 51CrEDTA/L-rhamnose did not change significantly (0.133 (0.046) v 0.154 (0.064), p &gt; 0.1) and there were no significant changes in the endoscopic or microscopic appearances of the gastroduodenal mucosa. These results suggest that the neutrophil is the main damaging effector cell in NSAID induced enteropathy. The main neutrophil chemo-attractant in this enteropathy may be a metronidazole sensitive microbe.
Role of a mixed type, moderate intensity exercise programme after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation
Authors: S C Hayes, P S Davies, T W Parker, J Bashford, A Green
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2004)

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of peripheral blood stem cell transplantation on functional capacity, and to determine the role of a mixed type, moderate intensity exercise programme in the recovery of patients after intensive cancer treatment. Methods: Peak aerobic capacity and muscular strength (upper body, lower body, and handgrip strength) measures were assessed before (PI) and after (PII) transplant and after a 12 week intervention period (PIII). After PII, 12 patients aged 16–64 years were allotted in equal numbers to a control group or exercise intervention group. Results: Mean peak aerobic capacity and muscular strength were reduced after the transplant, with significant (p&lt;0.05) decreases for upper body strength. No change was found in aerobic capacity and muscular strength between PII and PIII for the control group. In contrast, participation in the exercise programme led to significant improvements in peak aerobic capacity (p&lt;0.05) and upper and lower body strength (p&lt;0.01). In addition, values recorded after the three month intervention period were significantly higher than before treatment for peak aerobic capacity (litres/min (p&lt;0.05) and ml/kg/min (p&lt;0.01)) and lower body strength (p&lt;0.01). Conclusion: Intensive treatment for cancer can adversely affect aerobic capacity and muscular strength. A mixed type, moderate intensity exercise programme can help patients to regain fitness and strength within three months. No exercise can exacerbate physical losses resulting from treatment.
Changing aetiology, clinical features, antimicrobial resistance, and outcomes of bloodstream infection in neutropenic cancer patients
Authors: C. Gudiol, M. Bodro, A. Simonetti, F. Tubau, E. González-Barca, M. Cisnal, E. Domingo-Domenech, L. Jiménez, J. Carratalà
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2012)
Patients could withhold information from GPs because of confusion over care.data scheme, doctors warn
Authors: A. O'Dowd
Journal: BMJ (2014)

Patients who are unclear about the use of their GP medical records in the national care.data programme could avoid seeing doctors and choose not to volunteer information, doctors have told MPs.

This potentially highly damaging outcome of the scheme—which will load data from GPs’ patient records on to the care.data system and link it to the Hospital Episode Statistics database—was highlighted during a stormy session of the parliamentary health select committee on 25 February.

The programme was recently put on hold for six months until the autumn1 after concerns that patients did not know enough about the system and how to opt out of it.

MPs on the committee, holding the first evidence …
Birth outcome in women exposed to 5-aminosalicylic acid during pregnancy: a Danish cohort study
Authors: B Norgard
Journal: Gut (2003)

<b>Background:</b> 5-Aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) preparations are the firstline drugs in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Data on the safety of these drugs in pregnancy are sparse. <b>Aims:</b> To examine the risk of adverse birth outcome in women who were prescribed 5-ASA drugs during pregnancy. <b>Patients:</b> Women were included in the study if they were prescribed 5-ASA drugs immediately before or during pregnancy. To examine the risk of malformations, we included 60 pregnancies exposed to 5-ASA drugs 30 days before pregnancy or in the first trimester. To examine stillbirths, preterm births, and low birth weight, we included 88 pregnancies exposed during the entire pregnancy. Outcomes were compared with those of 19 418 pregnancies in which no drugs were prescribed for mothers during the study period. <b>Methods:</b> We conducted a Danish cohort study based on data from a population based prescription registry, the Danish Birth Registry, and the Hospital Discharge Registry in North Jutland County. <b>Results:</b> Odds ratios for malformations, stillbirth, preterm birth, and low birth weight in women who received prescriptions for 5-ASA drugs were 1.9 (95% confidence interval 0.7–5.4), 6.4 (1.7–24.9), 1.9 (0.9–3.9), and 1.2 (0.4–3.3), respectively. The increased risk of stillbirth and preterm birth were found only in patients with ulcerative colitis. <b>Conclusions:</b> We found an increased risk of stillbirth and preterm birth in women who had been prescribed 5-ASA drugs during pregnancy but no substantial increased risk of malformations. It was difficult to distinguish the specific effects of disease activity and 5-ASA drugs.
Urinary excretion of aquaporin-2 in humans
Authors: S Elliot, P Goldsmith, M Knepper, M Haughey, B Olson
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (1996)

The vasopressin-sensitive water channel (aquaporin 2; AQP-2) mediates water transport across the apical plasma membrane of the renal collecting ducts and is excreted in human urine. This study presents the hypothesis that measurements of the AQP-2 excretion rate might be used as a marker of collecting-duct responsiveness to vasopressin, and therefore could be useful in the clinical evaluation of various water-balance disorders. This study presents information about the development of an antibody to human AQP-2, and measures the urinary excretion of AQP-2 by quantitative Western analysis. A standard curve of band densities was generated by using known quantities of the modified immunizing peptide to derive the amount of AQP-2 contained in aliquots of urine. AQP-2 urinary excretion changed with short-term alterations in hydration status produced either by water loading (76% decrease, P < 0.01) or by 3% sodium chloride (760% increase, P < 0.01). Steady-state 24-h urinary excretion of AQP-2 was 43 +/- 10 nmol/24 h (or 28.5 +/- 6.9 pmol/mg creatinine), and 20 +/- 6 nmol/24 h (or 18.3 +/- 7.9 pmol/mg creatinine) in men and women, respectively. Therefore, urinary AQP-2 excretion can be quantified by using Western analysis, and may serve as a marker of collecting-duct responsiveness to vasopressin in different physiologic settings.
Retracted: Influence of p53 in the transition of myotrophin-induced cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure
Authors: Biswajit Das, David Young, Amit Vasanji, Sudhiranjan Gupta, Sagartirtha Sarkar, Subha Sen
Journal: Cardiovascular Research (2010)

Cardiac-specific overexpression of myotrophin (myo) protein in transgenic (myo-Tg) mice results in hypertrophy at 4 weeks that progresses to heart failure (HF) by 36 weeks.Gene profiling showed that p53 expression increases as hypertrophy worsens to HF, suggesting that p53 may influence myo-induced HF.We aimed to define how the p53 signalling cascade affects the spectrum of cardiac hypertrophy (CH)/HF. Methods and resultsImmunoblot analysis showed that in myo-Tg mice (Mus musculus), upregulation of p53 occurs only when hypertrophy transitions to HF (16 weeks onward).To elucidate the role of p53, a double-Tg mouse line (p53 2/2 /myo +/+ ) was developed by crossing myo-Tg mice with p53-null mice.A significant reduction in cardiac mass with improved cardiac function was observed in p53 2/2 /myo +/+ mice, suggesting that absence of p53 prevents hypertrophy from turning into HF.Analysis via real-time reverse-transcription PCR revealed changes in transcripts of the p53 pathway in p53 2/2 /myo +/+ mice.Ingenuity Pathway Analysis TM indicated that cross-talk among several key nodal molecules (e.g.cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A, caspase-3, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain enhancer of activated B cells etc.) may play a regulatory role in the transition of CH to HF. ConclusionOur data provide evidence, for the first time, that the coherence of p53 with myo plays an active role during the transition of CH to HF in a model of HF induced by myo overexpression.Transition from CH to HF can be prevented in the absence of p53 in myo-induced hypertrophy.Therefore, deletion/inhibition of p53 could be a therapeutic strategy to prevent CH from transitioning to HF.
<i>N</i>-Acetylaspartate Concentration in the Anterior Cingulate of Maltreated Children and Adolescents With PTSD
Authors: Michael D. De Bellis, Matcheri S. Keshavan, Steven Spencer, Julie Hall
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (2000)

OBJECTIVE: Anterior cingulate dysfunction has been implicated in the pathophysiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The authors hypothesized that integrity of the anterior cingulate may be affected in childhood PTSD.METHOD: Single voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (proton MRS) was used to measure the relative concentration of N-acetylaspartate and creatine, a marker of neural integrity, in the anterior cingulate of 11 children and adolescents who met DSM-IV criteria for PTSD secondary to maltreatment and 11 healthy matched comparison subjects.RESULTS: The ratio of N-acetylaspartate to creatine was significantly lower in the maltreated subjects with PTSD than in the comparison subjects.CONCLUSIONS: The lower N-acetylaspartate/creatine ratio in subjects with PTSD suggests that anterior cingulate neuronal metabolism may be altered in childhood PTSD.
Central Venous Lines in Children With Lesser Risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Optimal Type and Timing of Placement
Authors: Thomas W. McLean, Christen J. Fisher, Beverly M. Snively, Allen R. Chauvenet
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2005)

In pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the optimal time for central venous line (CVL) insertion and the optimal type of CVL (internal v external) is unclear. This study was undertaken to compare complication rates between early versus late line insertion, and between internal versus external lines in children with lesser risk ALL.We performed a retrospective analysis of patients enrolled onto Pediatric Oncology Group (POG) protocol 9201. Data regarding demographics, CVL types and insertion dates, blood counts, and complications were reviewed through week 25 of therapy.Of 697 patients enrolled onto POG protocol 9201, 362 patients had sufficient data for analysis. When compared to late line placement (> day 15 of induction), early CVL placement (</= day 15 of induction) was associated with an increased risk of having a positive blood culture (odds ratio, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.0 to 5.0; P = .05). When compared with internal CVLs ("ports"), external CVLs were associated with a positive blood culture (odds ratio, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.3 to 7.5; P = .01), thrombosis (odds ratio, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.5 to 10.3; P = .006), and CVL removal (odds ratio, 5.6; 95% CI, 2.7 to 11.6; P < .001).In pediatric patients with lesser risk ALL, internal lines (ports) should be the preferred CVL type due to a lower risk of infectious and thrombotic complications. In addition, CVLs placed early in induction are associated with a higher risk of positive blood culture than those placed later in induction.
A dynamical system theory approach to cognitive neuroscience
Authors: D. Heinke
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2000)

Neural organization contains a wealth of facts from all areas of brain research and provides a useful overview of physiological data for those working outside the immediate field. Furthermore, it gives a good example that the approach of dynamical system theory together with the concepts of cooperative and competitive interaction can be fruitful for an interdisciplinary approach to cognition.
49 PEGINTRON MAINTENANCE THERAPY IN CIRRHOTIC (METAVIR F4) HCV PATIENTS, WHO FAILED TO RESPOND TO INTERFERON/RIBAVIRN (IR) THERAPY: FINAL RESULTS OF THE EPIC3 CIRRHOSIS MAINTENANCE TRIAL
Authors: J. Bruix, T. Poynard, M. Colombo, E. Schiff, J. Reichen, K. Burak, E.J.L. Heathcote, T. Berg, J.-L. Poo-Ramirez, C. Brandao Mello, R. Guenther, C. Niederau, R. Terg, N. Bopari, J. Harvey, L.H. Griffel, M. Burroughs, C.A. Brass, J.K. Albrecht
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2009)
Activity of pomalidomide in patients with immunoglobulin light-chain amyloidosis
Authors: Angela Dispenzieri, Francis Buadi, Kristina Laumann, Betsy LaPlant, Suzanne R. Hayman, Shaji K. Kumar, David Dingli, Steven R. Zeldenrust, Joseph R. Mikhael, Robert Hall, S. Vincent Rajkumar, Craig Reeder, Rafael Fonseca, P. Lief Bergsagel, A. Keith Stewart, Vivek Roy, Thomas E. Witzig, John A. Lust, Stephen J. Russell, Morie A. Gertz, Martha Q. Lacy
Journal: Blood (2012)
Identification of Differentially Regulated Splice Variants and Novel Exons in Glial Brain Tumors Using Exon Expression Arrays
Authors: Pim J. French, Justine Peeters, Sebastiaan Horsman, Elza Duijm, Ivar Siccama, Martin J. van den Bent, Theo M. Luider, Johan M. Kros, Peter van der Spek, Peter A. Sillevis Smitt
Journal: Cancer Research (2007)

Abstract Aberrant splice variants are involved in the initiation and/or progression of glial brain tumors. We therefore set out to identify splice variants that are differentially expressed between histologic subgroups of gliomas. Splice variants were identified using a novel platform that profiles the expression of virtually all known and predicted exons present in the human genome. Exon-level expression profiling was done on 26 glioblastomas, 22 oligodendrogliomas, and 6 control brain samples. Our results show that Human Exon arrays can identify subgroups of gliomas based on their histologic appearance and genetic aberrations. We next used our expression data to identify differentially expressed splice variants. In two independent approaches, we identified 49 and up to 459 exons that are differentially spliced between glioblastomas and oligodendrogliomas, a subset of which (47% and 33%) were confirmed by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). In addition, exon level expression profiling also identified &amp;gt;700 novel exons. Expression of ∼67% of these candidate novel exons was confirmed by RT-PCR. Our results indicate that exon level expression profiling can be used to molecularly classify brain tumor subgroups, can identify differentially regulated splice variants, and can identify novel exons. The splice variants identified by exon level expression profiling may help to detect the genetic changes that cause or maintain gliomas and may serve as novel treatment targets. [Cancer Res 2007;67(12):5635–8]
Phase I/II Trial of Capecitabine, Oxaliplatin, and Radiation for Rectal Cancer
Authors: Claus Rödel, Gerhard. G. Grabenbauer, Thomas Papadopoulos, Werner Hohenberger, Hans-Joachim Schmoll, Rolf Sauer
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2003)

The purpose of this study was to establish the feasibility and efficacy of preoperative radiotherapy (RT) with concurrent capecitabine and oxaliplatin (XELOX-RT) in patients with rectal cancer.Thirty-two patients with locally advanced (T3/T4) or low-lying rectal cancer received preoperative RT (total dose, 50.4 Gy). Capecitabine was administered concurrently at 825 mg/m2 bid on days 1 to 14 and 22 to 35, with oxaliplatin starting at 50 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, 22, and 29 with planned escalation steps of 10 mg/m2. End points of the phase II study included downstaging, histopathologic tumor regression, resectability of T4 disease, and sphincter preservation in patients with low-lying tumors.Dose-limiting grade 3 gastrointestinal toxicity was observed in two of six patients treated with 60 mg/m2 of oxaliplatin. Thus, 50 mg/m2 was the recommended dose for the phase II study. Toxicities observed at this dose level were generally mild, with only two cases of short-lived grade 3 diarrhea. Myelosuppression, mainly leukopenia, was restricted to grade 2 in 19% of patients. T-category downstaging was achieved in 17 (55%) of 31 operated patients, and 68% of patients had negative lymph nodes. Pathologic complete response was found in 19% of the resected specimens. Radical surgery with free margins could be performed in 79% of patients with T4 disease, and 36% of patients with tumors < or = 2 cm from the dentate line had sphincter-saving surgery.Preoperative XELOX-RT is a feasible and well tolerated treatment. This regimen is proposed for phase III evaluation comparing standard fluorouracil-based therapy with XELOX chemoradiotherapy.
Abraxane®, a novel Cremophor®-free, albumin-bound particle form of paclitaxel for the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: M.R. Green, G.M. Manikhas, S. Orlov, B. Afanasyev, A.M. Makhson, P. Bhar, M.J. Hawkins
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2006)
Financial and Clinical Impact of Team-Based Treatment for Medicaid Enrollees With Diabetes in a Federally Qualified Health Center
Authors: Dennis P. Scanlon, Christopher S. Hollenbeak, Jeff Beich, Anne-Marie Dyer, Robert A. Gabbay, Arnold Milstein
Journal: Diabetes Care (2008)

The purpose of this study was to determine whether multidisciplinary team-based care guided by the chronic care model can reduce medical payments and improve quality for Medicaid enrollees with diabetes.This study was a difference-in-differences analysis comparing Medicaid patients with diabetes who received team-based care versus those who did not. Team-based care was provided to patients treated at CareSouth, a multisite rural federally qualified community health center located in South Carolina. Control patients were matched to team care patients using propensity score techniques. Financial outcomes compared Medicaid (and Medicare for dually eligible patients) payments 1 year before and after intervention. Trends over time in levels of A1C, BMI, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were analyzed for intervention patients during the postintervention period.Although average claims payments increased for both the CareSouth patients and control patients, there were no statistically significant differences in total payments between the two groups. In the intervention group, patients with A1C >9 at baseline experienced an average reduction of 0.75 mg/dl per year (95% CI 0.50-0.99), patients with BMI >30 at baseline had an average reduction of 2.3 points per year (95% CI 0.99-3.58), and patients with SBP >140 mmHg at baseline had an average reduction of 2.2 mmHg per year (95% CI 0.44-3.88).Team-based care following the chronic care model has the potential to improve quality without increasing payments. Short-term savings were not evident and should not be assumed when designing programs.