tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Provider Treatment Intensity and Outcomes for Patients With Early-Stage Bladder Cancer
Authors: B. K. Hollenbeck, Z. Ye, R. L. Dunn, J. E. Montie, J. D. Birkmeyer
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2009)

Bladder cancer is among the most prevalent and expensive to treat cancers in the United States. In the absence of high-level evidence to guide the optimal management of bladder cancer, urologists may vary widely in how aggressively they treat early-stage disease. We examined associations between initial treatment intensity and subsequent outcomes.We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database to identify patients who were diagnosed with early-stage bladder cancer from January 1, 1992, through December 31, 2002 (n = 20 713), and the physician primarily responsible for providing care to each patient (n = 940). We ranked the providers according to the intensity of treatment they delivered to their patients (as measured by their average bladder cancer expenditures reported to Medicare in the first 2 years after a diagnosis) and then grouped them into quartiles that contained approximately equal numbers of patients. We assessed associations between treatment intensity and outcomes, including survival through December 31, 2005, and the need for subsequent major interventions by using Cox proportional hazards models. All statistical tests were two-sided.The average Medicare expenditure per patient for providers in the highest quartile of treatment intensity was more than twice that for providers in the lowest quartile of treatment intensity ($7131 vs $2830, respectively). High-treatment intensity providers more commonly performed endoscopic surveillance and used more intravesical therapy and imaging studies than low-treatment intensity providers. However, the intensity of initial treatment was not associated with a lower risk of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio of death from any cause for patients of low- vs high-treatment intensity providers = 1.03, 95% confidence interval 0.97 to 1.09). Initial intensive management did not obviate the need for later interventions. In fact, a higher proportion of patients treated by high-treatment intensity providers than by low-treatment intensity providers subsequently underwent a major medical intervention (11.0% vs 6.4%, P = .02).Providers vary widely in how aggressively they manage early-stage bladder cancer. Patients treated by high-treatment intensity providers do not appear to benefit in terms of survival or in avoidance of subsequent major medical interventions.
Erythema infectiosum: an outbreak of "slapped cheek" disease in north Devon.
Authors: H E Cramp, B D Armstrong
Journal: BMJ (1976)

An outbreak of erythema infectiosum (fifth disease; megalerythema epidemicum) which occurred in a small north Devon town (population 3600) during the spring of 1975 is reported. All fifty-eight cases displayed the diagnostic "slapped cheek" appearance. Virological studies gave disappointingly negative results.
Changes of mucosal immunity and antioxidation activity in elite male Taiwanese taekwondo athletes associated with intensive training and rapid weight loss
Authors: M-L Tsai, K-M Chou, C-K Chang, S-H Fang
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2009)

The aim of this study was to investigate the cumulative effects of prolonged, intensive training and rapid weight loss on immunological parameters and antioxidation activity of elite male Taiwanese taekwondo athletes.16 Elite male taekwondo athletes (mean age, 21.6 (1.3) years; mean height, 173.7 (5.5) cm) volunteered to participate in this study. Beginning at 30 days before a national competition, saliva samples were obtained during a 7-week training, the competition and the postcompetition period. Levels of salivary IgA, cortisol, lactoferrin and free-radical scavenging activity were measured at 30-, 14-, 7- and 1-day precompetition and 1-, 7- and 19-day postcompetition. Body weight and body fat were also recorded.The mean body weight was notably decreased during the week immediately before the competition. Results reveal that the levels of salivary IgA were differentially regulated during the training, competition and recovery period, while the salivary cortisol and lactoferrin concentrations and free-radical scavenging activity were not appreciably affected during the training and the competition period. Furthermore, the results of an upper respiratory tract infection incidence indicate that following the decreases of mucosal immunity, the risk of acquiring infection was significantly increased.Our results demonstrated that mucosal immunity in elite male taekwondo athletes is modulated by exercise and rapid weight reduction during the training, competition and recovery period. Cumulative effects of prolonged intensive training and rapid weight reduction suppressed mucosal immunity. Furthermore, because of the "open window" of impaired immunity during the precompetition period, the incidence of upper respiratory tract infection was significantly increased after the competition.
Triggerlike stimulation of cholesterol accumulation and DNA and extracellular matrix synthesis induced by atherogenic serum or low density lipoprotein in cultured cells.
Authors: A N Orekhov, V V Tertov, S A Kudryashov, V N Smirnov
Journal: Circulation Research (1990)

A 72-hour incubation of cultured cells with blood sera or plasma of patients suffering from coronary heart disease (CHD) with angiographically assessed coronary atherosclerosis caused a threefold to fourfold elevation of intracellular cholesterol. An elevated cholesterol level in the cells precultured with patients' sera was retained several days after the removal of the examined serum from culture. The accumulation of intracellular cholesterol was accompanied by enhanced synthesis of DNA, total protein, collagen, sulfated glycosaminoglycans, and hyaluronic acid. Enhanced DNA and total protein synthesis was retained for at least 9 days after the serum had been removed from culture. The obtained results suggest that the sera of CHD patients possess an atherogenic potential that manifests itself at the arterial cell level in the stable stimulation of atherosclerotic cellular processes: proliferation, lipidosis, and fibrosis. The examined sera of healthy donors were devoid of such an atherogenic potential. The low density lipoprotein (LDL) fraction (density, 1.030-1.050 g/cm3) obtained from an atherogenic serum had the same atherogenic potential as a whole serum. Atherosclerotic alterations in cultured intimal cells caused by atherogenic LDL were retained for at least 3 days after the removal of the lipoprotein from culture. Preincubation of intimal cells with LDL obtained from healthy donors had no effect on the intracellular cholesterol level or the synthesis of DNA and extracellular matrix. One may assume that the atherogenic potential of CHD patients' sera is related to the presence of LDLs that are qualitatively different from the LDL of healthy subjects.
Vorinostat for Treatment of Cutaneous Manifestations of Advanced Primary Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Bhupinder S. Mann, John R. Johnson, Kun He, Rajeshwari Sridhara, Sophia Abraham, Brian P. Booth, Leigh Verbois, David E. Morse, Josephine M. Jee, Sarah Pope, Ravi S. Harapanhalli, Ramzi Dagher, Ann Farrell, Robert Justice, Richard Pazdur
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2007)

To discuss vorinostat approval for treatment of cutaneous manifestations of advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).Data from 1 single-arm, open-label, multicenter pivotal trial and 11 other trials submitted to support the new drug application for vorinostat in the treatment of advanced primary CTCL were reviewed. The pivotal trial assessed responses by changes in overall skin disease score using a severity-weighted assessment tool (SWAT). Vorinostat could be considered active in CTCL if observed response rate was at least 20% and the lower bound of the corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) excluded 5%. Patients reported pruritus relief using a questionnaire and a visual analogue scale.The pivotal trial enrolled 74 patients with stage IB or higher CTCL. Median number of prior treatments was 3, and 61 patients (82%) had stage IIB or higher disease. The objective response rate in the skin disease assessed by change in the overall SWAT score from the baseline was 30% (95% CI, 18.5 to 42.6) in patients with stage IIB or higher disease. Median response duration (end of response defined by 50% increase in SWAT score from the nadir) was 168 days. Median time to tumor progression was 148 days for overall population and 169 days for patients with stage IIB or higher disease. Assessment of pruritus relief was considered unreliable.Vorinostat showed activity in CTCL, and skin responses were a clinical benefit. Vorinostat was approved for treatment of cutaneous manifestations of CTCL. A nonblinded, single-arm trial did not allow a reliable assessment of pruritus relief.
ACUTE FREE PERFORATION OF THE GALL-BLADDER
Authors: A. L. D'Abreu
Journal: BMJ (1935)

MTNEBRITISHfactory, as the word aseptic would imply no organism or virus as the causal agent.As we have stated above, it is probable that some -virus as yet unidentified is the infective factor.Hence the-purely descriptive name of " acute benign lymphocytic meningitis " is submitted as a more accurate title for the condition.Summary 1. Two cases of acute benign lymphocytic meningitis are described.2. A review of the literature on the subject is given, and a plea is made that the disease syndrome of the condition as described by A. Wallgren in 1925 should be recognized by modern paediatric textbooks.My thanks are due to Professor V. M. Synge for allowing me to publish one of the cases, and to Drs. H. L.
Translating genomics into the clinic: moving to the post-Mendelian world
Authors: Mildred K Cho
Journal: Genome Medicine (2009)

The challenge of genome medicine is not to make a significant move into the clinic over the next five years. The floodgates of genomic research have been opened, and the hopes are that the rising tide will spill over into medical practice in the form of diagnostic tests, risk assessment tools and therapeutics. The ability to perform genome-wide analyses using several different approaches has already provided tantalizing new clues to disease causation and therapeutic targets. Companies have sprung up to use these new technologies to provide information to individuals about predicted health and disease, and about behavioral traits. As exciting as these prospects are, it is far too soon to promise clinically useful information from genomic analyses. We have far to go to assure basic levels of analytical validity or clinical validity of the diagnostic or predictive tools on offer, and to determine their clinical utility in the medical context.
Response to Letter Regarding Article, “Good Prognosis for Pericarditis With and Without Myocardial Involvement: Results From a Multicenter, Prospective Cohort Study”
Authors: Massimo Imazio, Antonio Brucato, Andrea Barbieri, Francesca Ferroni, Silvia Maestroni, Guido Ligabue, Alessandra Chinaglia, Davide Cumetti, Giovanni Della Casa, Federica Bonomi, Francesca Mantovani, Paola Di Corato, Roberta Lugli, Riccardo Faletti, Stefano Leuzzi, Rodolfo Bonamini, Maria Grazia Modena, Riccardo Belli
Journal: Circulation (2014)

We thank Drs Mewton and Bresson
Prognostic utility of plasma neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin in patients with acute heart failure: The NGAL EvaLuation Along with B‐type NaTriuretic Peptide in acutely decompensated heart failure (GALLANT) trial
Authors: Alan S. Maisel, Christian Mueller, Robert Fitzgerald, Robert Brikhan, Brian C. Hiestand, Navaid Iqbal, Paul Clopton, Dirk J. van Veldhuisen
Journal: European Journal of Heart Failure (2011)
Effectiveness of reactive oral cholera vaccination in rural Haiti: a case-control study and bias-indicator analysis
Authors: Louise C Ivers, Isabelle J Hilaire, Jessica E Teng, Charles P Almazor, J Gregory Jerome, Ralph Ternier, Jacques Boncy, Josiane Buteau, Megan B Murray, Jason B Harris, Molly F Franke
Journal: The Lancet Global Health (2015)

BackgroundBetween April and June, 2012, a reactive cholera vaccination campaign was done in Haiti with an oral inactivated bivalent whole-cell vaccine. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of the vaccine in a case-control study and to assess the likelihood of bias in that study in a bias-indicator study.MethodsResidents of Bocozel or Grand Saline who were eligible for the vaccination campaign (ie, age ≥12 months, not pregnant, and living in the region at the time of the vaccine campaign) were included. In the primary case-control study, cases had acute watery diarrhoea, sought treatment at one of three participating cholera treatment units, and had a stool sample positive for cholera by culture. For each case, four control individuals who did not seek treatment for acute watery diarrhoea were matched by location of residence, enrolment time (within 2 weeks of the case), and age (1–4 years, 5–15 years, and >15 years). Cases in the bias-indicator study were individuals with acute watery diarrhoea with a negative stool sample for cholera. Controls were selected in the same manner as in the primary case-control study. Trained staff used standard laboratory procedures to do rapid tests and stool cultures from study cases. Participants were interviewed to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, risk factors for cholera, and self-reported vaccination. Data were analysed by conditional logistic regression, adjusting for matching factors.FindingsFrom Oct 24, 2012, to March 9, 2014, 114 eligible individuals presented with acute watery diarrhoea and were enrolled, 25 of whom were subsequently excluded. 47 participants were analysed as cases in the vaccine effectiveness case-control study and 42 as cases in the bias-indicator study. 33 (70%) of 47 cholera cases self-reported vaccination versus 167 (89%) of 188 controls (vaccine effectiveness 63%, 95% CI 8–85). 27 (57%) of 47 cases had certified vaccination versus 147 (78%) of 188 controls (vaccine effectiveness 58%, 13–80). Neither self-reported nor verified vaccination was significantly associated with non-cholera diarrhoea (vaccine effectiveness 18%, 95% CI −208 to 78 by self-report and −21%, −238 to 57 by verified vaccination).InterpretationBivalent whole-cell oral cholera vaccine effectively protected against cholera in Haiti from 4 months to 24 months after vaccination. Vaccination is an important component of efforts to control cholera epidemics.FundingNational Institutes of Health, Delivering Oral Vaccines Effectively project, and Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School.
Sensitization pattern of crustacean-allergic individuals can indicate allergy to molluscs
Authors: C. Vidal, B. Bartolomé, V. Rodríguez, M. Armisén, A. Linneberg, A. González-Quintela
Journal: Allergy (2015)

This study investigated the sensitization pattern of crustacean-allergic patients according to tolerance to molluscs. Thirty-one patients with anaphylaxis to crustaceans (14 with mollusc allergy and 17 with mollusc tolerance) were studied using skin prick tests (SPTs), specific IgEs (sIgEs) and SDS-PAGE immunoblotting. IgE-reactive shrimp proteins were identified by proteomic analyses. Patients with mollusc allergy presented more frequently SPTs positive to molluscs and higher sIgE titres in response to both molluscs and crustaceans. Shrimp-sIgE and rPen a1-sIgE values of 1.57 kUA /l and 4.38 kUA /l, respectively, showed positive likelihood ratios of 4.3 and 10.9 for the identification of mollusc allergy. Patients with mollusc allergy reacted more frequently to tropomyosin in immunoblots than did patients without it (93% vs 35%, respectively, P = 0.004). Reactivity to proteins other than tropomyosin (n = 14) was not different between the two groups. Among patients with crustacean anaphylaxis, patients with mollusc allergy and mollusc tolerance show a different pattern of sensitization, something that may help identify them.
Natural history of intrahepatic canine islet cell autografts.
Authors: R Alejandro, R G Cutfield, F L Shienvold, K S Polonsky, J Noel, L Olson, J Dillberger, J Miller, D H Mintz
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1986)

We have serially followed the function of intrahepatic canine islet autografts in 15 beagle dogs for up to 24 mo. Of these, only 20% sustained normal levels of fasting blood glucose for greater than 15 mo posttransplant. Failure of autograft function was accompanied by a preferential loss of well-granulated beta cells in the engrafted islets. The chronic stimulation of an initially marginal intrahepatic beta-cell mass ultimately resulted in metabolic deterioration and loss of beta cells below the minimal threshold required to maintain normal fasting blood glucose levels. It is possible that transplantation of a larger mass of islets would result in indefinite graft function in dogs. However, it remains to be demonstrated in larger mammals, including humans, whether an islet cell mass that is initially adequate in a heterotropic site such as the liver can remain functionally competent over a prolonged period.
Practicalities of Drugging the Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase/Akt Cell Survival Signaling Pathway
Authors: Garth Powis, Nathan Ihle, D. Lynn Kirkpatrick
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2006)

The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway is the most frequently mutated or overexpressed signaling abnormality in human cancer. PI3K is activated by a number of mechanisms, including growth factor receptors, integrins, and Ras, converting phosphatidylinositols
Continuous longitudinal regression equations for pulmonary function measures
Authors: DL Sherrill, MD Lebowitz, RJ Knudson, B Burrows
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1992)

The data from a longitudinal population study in Tucson, Arizona, were used to describe the development and decline of maximal expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) measures with age. On the basis of their answers to self-administered questionnaires, in 9 of the first 10 surveys (1972-1988) and having performed at least one MEFV test, 930 nonsmoking healthy subjects were selected, providing 3,848 individual observations. The data were analysed using statistical methods that yield continuous piecewise linear regression equations and allow subjects to have repeated measures which are unequally spaced and at different times for different subjects. In addition, the age intervals for the piecewise linear line segments are estimated for each of the MEFV indices, as part of the modelling procedure. The resulting predicted values are compared between sexes and to previously published cross-sectional results from the same population. All MEFV measures in healthy subjects have an early increase in the rate of development corresponding to the onset of the adolescent growth spurt. This rapid growth period is followed by a plateau phase which lasts around 10 yrs for forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) in males, in which growth continues, but at a much lower rate. The plateau phase, is followed by a constant rate of decline which lasts throughout adulthood. In contrast, flow measures did not have a detectable plateau period, but did have points of increased rates of decline much later in life.
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Authors: D A Fox, J D Faix, J Coblyn, P Fraser, B Smith, M E Weinblatt
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1986)

We report two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who subsequently developed thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. In each case the coexistence of these two conditions was confirmed by pathological findings. Both patients responded to treatment, but one eventually died. A review of the literature suggests a possible relationship between the two disorders.
Acute phase proteins as biomarkers for predicting the exposure and toxicity of nanomaterials
Authors: Kazuma Higashisaka, Yasuo Yoshioka, Kohei Yamashita, Yuki Morishita, Maho Fujimura, Hiromi Nabeshi, Kazuya Nagano, Yasuhiro Abe, Haruhiko Kamada, Shin-ichi Tsunoda, Tomoaki Yoshikawa, Norio Itoh, Yasuo Tsutsumi
Journal: Biomaterials (2010)
Mapping and Ablation of Idiopathic Ventricular Fibrillation
Authors: Michel Haïssaguerre, Morio Shoda, Pierre Jaïs, Akihiko Nogami, Dipen C. Shah, Josef Kautzner, Thomas Arentz, Dietrich Kalushe, Dominique Lamaison, Mike Griffith, Fernando Cruz, Angelo de Paola, Fiorenzo Gaïta, Mélèze Hocini, Stéphane Garrigue, Laurent Macle, Rukshen Weerasooriya, Jacques Clémenty
Journal: Circulation (2002)

Background— Ventricular fibrillation is the main mechanism of sudden cardiac death. The feasibility of eliminating recurrent episodes by catheter ablation has not been reported. Methods and Results— Twenty-seven patients without known heart disease (13 men, 14 women, 41±14 years of age) were studied after being resuscitated from recurrent (10±12) episodes of primary idiopathic ventricular fibrillation; 23 had received a defibrillator. The first initiating beat of ventricular fibrillation had an identical electrocardiographic morphology and coupling interval (297±41 ms) to preceding isolated premature beats typically noted in the aftermath of resuscitation. These triggers were localized by mapping the earliest electrical activity and ablated by local radiofrequency delivery. Outcome was assessed by Holter and defibrillator memory interrogation. Premature beats were elicited from the Purkinje conducting system in 23 patients: from the left ventricular septum in 10, from the anterior right ventricle in 9, and from both in 4. The interval from the Purkinje potential to the following myocardial activation varied from 10 to 150 ms during premature beat but was 11±5 ms during sinus rhythm, indicating location at peripheral Purkinje arborization. The premature beats originated from the right ventricular outflow tract muscle in 4 patients. The accuracy of mapping was confirmed by acute elimination of premature beats during local radiofrequency delivery. During a follow-up of 24±28 months, 24 patients (89%) had no recurrence of ventricular fibrillation without drug. Conclusions— Primary idiopathic ventricular fibrillation is a syndrome characterized by dominant triggers from the distal Purkinje system. These sources can be eliminated by focal energy delivery.