tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis B in rugby: is it time to revisit policy?: Table 1
Authors: Mark W Sonderup, Jason Suter, C Wendy Spearman
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2015)

Globally, hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a significant yet preventable health issue. In South Africa, seroprevalence prior to the vaccine introduction in 1995 ranged between 0.3and 15% with differences observed in ethnic groups, provinces and rural versus urban areas.1 Vaccination has reduced incidence although with no catch-up schedule, those born before vaccination or incompletely vaccinated, remain at risk.2 Chronic HBV infection elevates the risk of cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Acute HBV carries low mortality but potentially significant morbidity for a professional sportsperson.

We report a professional rugby player, incidentally found to have chronic HBV infection. Born before 1995, his HBV acquisition was likely in childhood before age 5, in keeping with HBV epidemiology in sub-Saharan Africa. He used no alcohol, illicit substances or performance enhancing drugs. Table 1 lists his workup identifying the immune clearance/active phase of chronic HBV infection with HBeAg positive, alanine transaminase >5X elevated and a markedly elevated viral load of >log 9 IU/mL. Examination was normal and …
Tele Hematology/Hemostasis Clinics: Delivering Hematology/Oncology and Hemophilia Comprehensive Services To Remote Pediatric Patients In Michigan
Authors: Roshni Kulkarni, Michelle Witkop, Ajovi Scott-Emuakpor, Renuka Gera, Steven Gualdoni, Susan Adkins, Laura Carlson, David Rushlow, Elna Saah
Journal: Blood (2013)
Immunologic Relatedness of Papillomaviruses From Different Species&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: A. Bennett Jenson, Joel D. Rosenthal, Carl Olson, Franklin Pass, Wayne D. Lancaster, Keerti Shah
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1980)

An antiserum prepared by immunization of a rabbit with sodium dodecyl sulfate-disrupted virions from a pool of plantar warts was cross-reactive with virus-positive papillomas of other animal species by both indirect immunofluorescence tests on frozen sections of wart tissues and peroxidase-antiperoxidase tests of sections of Formalin-fixed tissues. The antiserum stained plantar warts, common warts, and skin lesions of epidermodysplasia verruciformis, all from humans; bovine fibropapilloma, experimentally produced with bovine types 1 and 2; and transmissible canine oral papillomas. The staining was localized to nuclei of the upper granular layers of the peithelium and was similar in distribution to the pattern produced by antiserum specifically prepared against that papillomavirus. The antiserum did not stain virus-negative warts, or cells infected with simlan virus 40, human polyomavirus BK, and murine polyomavirus. These data suggested that papillomaviruses share a common internal antigen unrelated to a similar antigen described previously for the polyomaviruses (which include simian virus 40 and polyomavirus subgroups).
Obama outlines plan to curb prescription drug and heroin misuse
Authors: Michael McCarthy
Journal: BMJ (2015)

President Barack Obama has announced a new national initiative to curtail the United States’ epidemic of prescription drug and heroin misuse. Obama announced the initiative on 21 October at a community forum in Charleston, West Virginia, the state hardest hit by the epidemic.

In recent years the US has seen the number of deaths from overdose more than double, from 6.0 per 100 000 population in 1999 to 13.8 per 100 000 in 2013 or about 44 000 a year. Roughly half these deaths are due to misuse of prescription drugs, including opioid analgesics, sedatives, and stimulants. In West Virginia the overdose death rate is more than twice the national average, at 33.5 per 100 000 population.

“More Americans …
Pharmacodynamic study of nimotuzumab, an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody (MAb), in patients with unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN): A SENDO Foundation study
Authors: F. Rojo, E. Gracias, N. Villena, T. Cruz, I. Corradino, M. Cedeño, C. Campas, C. Sessa, T. Crombet, J. Albanell
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2008)

6070 Background: Nimotuzumab (N) is a humanized MAb to EGFR that has shown evidence of efficacy in patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors, notably without provoking skin rash. Although lack of rash might be a therapeutic advantage, evidence of biological activity of N is needed. To this end, a PD study was performed. Methods: Ten pts with advanced SCCHN, unsuitable for chemo-radiotherapy, were enrolled in a single center phase Ib clinical trial. Pts received 8 weekly infusions of N at 2 dose levels: 200mg and 400mg. The first N infusion was administered 1 week before starting radiation while remaining doses were delivered concomitantly with irradiation. Paired biopsies were taken from skin and primary tumors, before (pre-therapy) and 1 week (on-single agent therapy) after first infusion. A PD study by immunohistochemistry was conducted to assay the effects of N on EGFR—total and phosphorylated (p)—and its signaling pathways ERK and AKT (total and p) as well as proliferation (Ki67). Results: N was well tolerated and there was no evidence of skin rash in any of the treated pts. Objective response was achieved in 80% of pts (2 CR, 6 PR). Median survival time was 7.2 months. PD showed inhibition of p- EGFR in both skin and tumor (Wilcoxon test, p=0.042 skin, p=0.034 tumor). Inhibition of downstream pathways was suggested by a trend in the decrease of p-ERK (p=0.091) and a significant reduction in proliferation (p=0.012). Upregulation of p-AKT was observed in tumor (p=0.043) but not in skin, similarly to what has been reported for other anti-EGFR agents. Characteristic lymphocytic infiltrates, folliculitis or perifolliculitis induced by other EGFR inhibitors were not observed. No associations were found between doses or response and PD effects. Conclusions: These data show that after a short period of exposure, N as a single agent inhibited EGFR phosphorylation and this was accompanied by a trend towards molecular downstream effects consistent with the expected biological effects of EGFR targeting. The absence of inflammatory skin reaction might be linked to the lack of skin toxicity by N. The response rate observed with N and radiation is promising. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Randomized phase II trial of pemetrexed with either cisplatin or carboplatin in extensive stage small cell lung cancer
Authors: M. A. Socinski, C. Weissman, L. L. Hart, J. K. Choksi, C. Holladay, D. Prager, C. K. Obasaju
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2004)

7204 Background: Pemetrexed (PEM, ALIMTA, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN) is synergistic with platinum-based compounds in preclinical models. Clinical activity in combination with the platinums has been demonstrated in a single Phase 3 trial in pleural mesothelioma and four phase 2 trials in non-small cell lung cancer. PEM-platinum doublets may also show clinical activity in patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). Methods: In this multi-center randomized phase II clinical trial, patients received PEM 500 mg/m2 with a platinum compound (carboplatin AUC 5 or cisplatin 75 mg/m2). Treatment was administered once every 21 days for a maximum of 6 cycles. All patients received folic acid, vitamin B12, and steroid prophylaxis. Results: So far, 47 of a planned 72 patients have been accrued in this study. Results are currently available for 21 patients. Median age was 61.0 years (range=53–74) for PEM + cisplatin and 65.0 years (range=54–75) for PEM + carboplatin. For all 21 patients, performance status 0:1=24%:62% and histological:cytological diagnosis was 71%:29%. Of the 17 patients evaluable for tumor response, there were 0 CRs, 9 PRs, 6 SDs, and 2 PDs for a response rate of 55%. Two patients experienced a Grade 3/4 serious adverse event. Grade 3/4 serious adverse events included neutropenia, nausea, vomiting, pneumonia, dehydration, and hyponatremia, all of which occurred in 1 patient. The data is too premature to estimate survival outcomes. Conclusions: This preliminary data suggests that PEM+CIS and PEM+CARBO in ES-SCLC have a favorable toxicity profile, with few hematologic or nonhematologic toxicities. The preliminary response rate appears promising. Additional response, toxicity and time-to-event data from the completed study will be presented at the meeting. Author Disclosure Employment or Leadership Consultant or Advisory Stock Ownership Honoraria Research Funding Expert Testimony Other Remuneration Eli Lilly & Co. Eli Lilly & Co. Eli Lilly & Co. Eli Lilly & Co.
Establishment and evaluation of a new measurement of cough reflex sensitivity: Cough provocation by agonist of TRPA1 (cinnamaldehyde)
Authors: ChunLi Liu, MingYu Chen, PeiJian Dong
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

BACKGROUND:  Increasing cough reflex sensitivity associated with neurogenic inflammation of airway is thought to have a major role in the pathogenesis of Post-infectious cough. TRPA1 is activated by various proinflammatory neuropeptides at the peripheral terminals and exogenous pollutant molecules relevant to respiratory diseases.   METHODS:  35 healthy volunteers(Group A) and 25 patients of Post-infectious cough(Group B) recruited via public postings and outpatient services of our hospital were challenged with doubling concentrations of cinnamaldehyde(50, 100, 200, 400, 800mM) by a breath-activated dosimeter until the concentration inducing five or more coughs was reached. The thresholds of cough reflex were defined as the lowest concentrations of cinnamaldehyde that elicted two or more coughs (lg C2) and five or more coughs (lg C5), respectively.   RESULT:  During the process of test, there was no serious side effect in all subjects, but one has a sense of nausea. The variation of General lung ventilation including FEV1{[3.35±0.53,3.35±0.52],[2.76±0.82,2.71±0.73]}, FVC{[3.72±0.70,3.71±0.71],[3.30±0.78, 3.29±0.76]}and FEV1/FVC {[ 90.6±5.42, 90.9±4.92],[ 83.6±4.45, 82.4+5.04]}, showed no significant differences(P   CONCLUSION:  Cinnamaldehyde challenge has established to be a effectively objective method for evaluating airway hypersensitivity with high reproducibility.
Enhanced Medical Assessment Strategy for Barawan Somali Refugees--Kenya, 1997
Journal: JAMA (1998)

Implementation of an enhanced refugee medical assessment strategy among Barawan Somali refugees in Kenya in 1997 revealed prevalences of malaria and intestinal parasites high enough to warrant pre-embarkment treatment.  Refugee medical assessments generally focus only on inadmissible conditions (e.g. infectious tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS).  About 4000 Barawan Somali refugees had been encamped since 1992 near Mombasa Kenya.  Included in the analysis were 390 of these refugees assessed July 7-17 1997 before departure to the US.  26 refugees (7%) were positive for malaria.  This prevalence is considered an underestimate however because of extensive use among refugees with fever of presumptive antimalarial therapy.  All 19 refugees treated with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) were malaria-negative by day 7 after therapy.  Of the 331 stool specimens available 129 (39%) were positive for one or more pathogenic intestinal parasites predominantly Trichuris trichiura.  These refugees (with the exception of pregnant women) were treated with single-dose albendazole.  The Centers for Disease Control has recommended continuation of mass pre-embarkment therapy (the day before departure) for malaria and parasitic diseases for all departing refugees with no contraindications to treatment.  Expansion of screening to include malaria and parasitic diseases has the potential to curb transmission in the resettlement communities.
Recognizing and coping with our own prejudices: Fighting liberal bias without conservative input
Authors: Roy F. Baumeister
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2015)

Abstract This commentary summarizes my struggle to overcome liberal bias without conservative input. I generally assume I am biased and constantly try to build a good-quality argument for the opposite view. Trying to dispense with one's liberal values can help, if one is willing. Frequent self-tests help. Liberal biases include race, gender, and poverty, but also dislike of business corporations and even Western civilization. Feminism is the single strongest and most powerful bias.
Mechanistic studies of the transport of peimine in the Caco-2 cell model
Authors: Lihua Chen, Xueping Lu, Xinli Liang, Dandan Hong, Zhiyu Guan, Yongmei Guan, Weifeng Zhu
Journal: Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B (2016)

Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for its expectorant, antitussive, antiinflammatory and analgesic properties. Moreover, modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that F. thunbergii Miq. has efficacy in the treatment of leukemia and cancers of the liver and cervix. Although the alkaloid, peimine, is largely responsible for these pharmacological effects, it has very low oral bioavailability. The aim of this study was to investigate the intestinal absorption of peimine in Caco-2 cell monolayers. Having demonstrated that peimine is non-toxic to Caco-2 cells at concentrations <200 μmol/L, the effect of peimine concentration, pH, temperature, efflux transport protein inhibitors and EDTA-Na2 on peimine transport were studied. The results show that peimine transport is concentration-dependent; that at pH 6.0 and 7.4, the P app(AP-BL) of peimine is not significantly different but the P app(BL-AP)) is; that both P app(AP-BL) and P app(BL-AP) at 4 °C are significantly higher than their corresponding values at 37 °C; that the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitors, verapamil and cyclosporin A, increase absorption of peimine; and that EDTA-Na2 has no discernible effect. In summary, the results demonstrate that the intestinal absorption of peimine across Caco-2 cell monolayers involves active transport and that peimine is a substrate of P-gp.
Translational study searching for synergy between glycopyrronium and indacaterol
Authors: Mario Cazzola, Luigino Calzetta, Andrea Segreti, Francesco Facciolo, Paola Rogliani, Maria Gabriella Matera
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background   QVA149 is a combination of indacaterol and glycopyrronium (Dahl, R. et al. Respir Med 2013;107:1558-67).   Aim   To investigate the interaction of indacaterol and glycopyrroniumin in inducing acute bronchodilation.   Methods   Bronchial rings from 6 patients were incubated in Krebs-Henseleit solution (37°C) aerated with O2/CO2 (95/5%) under 0.5–1.0 g tension. The effect of drugs (% maximal response to papaverine) administered alone or in combination at isoeffective concentrations was assessed at sub-maximal contraction (70% maximum, EC 70 ) induced by acetylcholine. Lung function of 16 COPD patients was assessed after inhalation of indacaterol 150µg and glycopyrronium 50µg, alone or in combination. Spirometric data were normalized for the maximal effect induced by salbutamol. Drug mixture effects were analyzed by Bliss Independence (BI) theory. Values ( ex vivo  n=3,  in vivo  n=16) are mean±SEM.   Results   Both glycopyrronium and indacaterol completely relaxed bronchial rings in a concentration-dependent manner, glycopyrronium was more potent than indacaterol (pD 2 : 8.75±0.04 and 7.68±0.22, respectively; P 30  (BI delta effect: 0.26±0.03, P 1  at 15 min post-administration and additive effect persisted between 5 min and 180 min post-inhalation.   Conclusions   QVA149 ensures a broncholytic effect that is much broader than what can be observed with the single monocomponents.
PEG-liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) at 40mg/m<sup>2</sup> versus 50mg/m<sup>2</sup> every month for patients with metastatic breast cancer: A comparative analysis of two prospective phase II studies
Authors: A. Atmaca, S.-E. Al-Batran, H.-G. Meerpohl, E.-M. Grischke, W. Lerbs, A. Knuth, E. Jäger
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2005)

700 Background: Safety and tolerability are main objectives in the treatment of patients with advanced breast cancer (MBC). In randomized studies, PLD has demonstrated equivalent efficacy and less toxicity compared to doxorubicin. However, specific side effects of PLD at standard doses such as the palmo-plantar erythema (PPE) may severely alter the quality of life in patients with MBC. This study was designed to evaluate a dose modification of PLD (40 mg/m2 every month) in patients with MBC. Methods: Ninety-one previously treated patients with MBC were enrolled to 2 subsequent multicenter phase II studies with identical study design. Patients were treated with PLD 50mg/m2 monthly (n=46) or PLD 40mg/m2 monthly (n=45) and were evaluated weekly for toxicity and monthly for tumor response. Treatment was continued unless progression of disease or unacceptable toxicity was observed. Main selection criteria were: measurable disease; at least 1, maximum 2 pretreatments; age 18 - 80 years; Karnofsky 70%; sufficient hematological and organ function. Results: Patient characteristics, efficacy results and toxicities for the two groups are shown in the table below. Conclusions: Compared to PLD at 50mg/m2, PLD at 40mg/m2 showed less CTC Grade 3/4 PPE, dose reductions, and treatment shifts due to non-hematological toxicity. There were no significant differences in efficacy between the two doses but a tendency toward a prolonged PFS and OS in patients treated with PLD at 50mg/m2. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Correlation of education, age, and health insurance status with attitudes about and preferences for direct-to-consumer BRCA testing
Authors: S. W. Gray, D. Smith, L. Karp, C. O'Grady, R. Hornik, K. Armstrong
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2009)

e22116 Background: Direct-to-consumer (DTC) cancer genetic testing is increasingly common. However, little is know about peoples' attitudes about or preferences for DTC testing as compared to clinic-based genetic testing. Methods: We surveyed a convenience sample of 257 women without prior BRCA testing/counseling experience about their attitudes about and intentions to get online BRCA testing (90% participation rate). Subjects completed baseline interviews, viewed a modified commercial DTC website and completed an online survey. Results: Sample characteristics: mean age 37 (range 19–71), 80% white, mean education 3 years college, 45% with a household income &lt;$50,000, 3% with a history of breast/ovarian cancer and mean Frank risk 4.7%. 64% of women expressed interest in BRCA testing at baseline and 24% intended to get tested in the next year. After viewing the website, 22% of women said that they would prefer DTC testing, 60% said that they would prefer clinic-based testing and 18% were indifferent. Overall, women believed that DTC testing would be more convenient (p &lt;0.001), offer greater privacy (p &lt;0.01), and be less likely to lead to discrimination (p &lt;0.001) while clinic testing would provide more information (p &lt;0.001) and counseling (p &lt;0.001). After adjusting for confounders, older and less highly educated women had more positive attitudes about DTC BRCA testing (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 4.20, p= 0.02 and OR 10.3, p=0.03 high school (HS) vs. college and OR 16.1, p=0.02 HS vs. graduate school). Women with no health insurance and more positive attitudes about DTC genetic testing were more likely to prefer DTC genetic testing over clinic testing (adjusted OR 3.1, p=0.03 and OR 3.7, p&lt;0.01). There were no associations between race and outcomes. Conclusions: A substantial minority of women expressed a preference for DTC BRCA testing after viewing a modified commercial website. Preferential interest in DTC testing by less educated and uninsured populations makes it especially critical that these sites provide high quality services. Without high quality service, the availability of DTC testing may only exacerbate disparities in genetic services and prevention. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Prognostic value of soluble MUC1 and anti-MUC1 antibody levels in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Y. Jiang, A. Goy, H. A. Fritsche, S. Von Mensdorff-Pouilly, B. Lichtiger, M. Hess, D. Simons, Y. Remache, F. Cabanillas, F. Gilles
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2004)

6586 Background: A soluble form of mucin MUC1 (sMUC1) as well as antibodies anti-MUC1 can be found in peripheral blood (PB) of patients with MUC1+ carcinoma or myeloma. MUC1 is expressed in 80% of diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL). Methods: sMUC1 level was evaluated in 80 VBD (Volunteer Blood Donor) and 95 DLCL pts using an immunoassay that detects the MUC1 CA27.29 epitope. All DLCL pts were treated on study with the same anthracyclins-containing regimen at MD Anderson between 1993 and 1996. IgM and IgG antibodies against MUC1 were quantified using an immunoassay with a 60aa peptide part of MUC1 tandem repeat. The median level of sMUC1, anti-MUC1-IgG and anti-MUC1-IgM found in VBD was used as a cutoff to separate the patients in two groups. Results: The sMUC1 level was significantly higher in DLCL (mean 25.4 ± 11.3 U/ml) than in VBD (mean value 15.6 ± 9.1 U/ml) (p < .0001, Mann-Whitney). The level of circulating anti-MUC1-IgG was also significantly higher in DLCL (1.211 ± 0.959 Arb, U/ml) than in VBD (1.015 ± 0.667 Arb, U/ml) (p=. 0041, Mann-Whitney), but not for anti-MUC1-IgM. There was no statistical correlation between the levels of sMUC1 and the presence of anti-MUC1 antibodies. The 10-year failure-free survival (FFS) was 87.1% for pts with low sMUC1 vs. 56.7% for pts with high sMUC1 (p = .026; log-rank test.). The same correlation was seen with overall survival (P < .05). In addition sMUC1 remained an independent prognostic variable for FFS. The level of circulating anti-MUC1-IgG or anti-MUC1-IgM did not correlate with either FFS or OS. Conclusions: A high level of circulating of sMUC1 is associated with a poor outcome in patients with DLCL. The level of circulating anti-MUC1 antibody was not found predictive of survival in DLCL patients in our study. No significant financial relationships to disclose.