tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Epidermal growth factor in serum from patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma
Authors: P.-G. Betta, R. Libener, S. Orecchia, G. Bottero, M. Paganuzzi, P. Marroni, R. Andreatta, R. Filiberti, M. Neri, R. Puntoni
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2004)

7315 Background: Diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma (DMPM) is an aggressive and highly lethal tumor. Its incidence is increasing and is sensibly higher in some Italian areas, due to occupational and/or environmental exposure to asbestos. The epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a potent mitogen for human mesothelial and mesothelioma cells, and in addition it stimulates these cells to synthesize extracellular matrix proteins and induces a fibroblast-like morphology in their growth pattern, this phenotype worsening the biology of the tumor. Several preclinical studies have demonstrated that both EGF and EGF receptor are involved in the development and progression of DMPM. This pilot study was designed to assess the potential value of serum EGF measurement in the diagnosis and outcome of DMPM. Methods: Baseline serum EGF levels (ng/ml) were determined using an ELISA method in 20 newly diagnosed patients (mean age 67.4±9.1 years) and 17 age-gender matched healthy controls (HC; mean age 68.3±10.4 years). Results: Serum levels of EGF were twice those of HC (mean 1.1±0.4, range 0.7–2.1 vs 0.56±0.4, range 0.6±0.4; P<0.001). There was no difference in serum EGF concentration according to gender or tumor histology. The overall median survival in DMPM patients was 14 months. At univariate analysis, high EGF serum levels were associated with an unfavorable survival outcome. Using a cut-off point for EGF of 1.5 ng/ml (corresponding to the 80° percentile of marker concentration), the survival rate for patients with higher serum EGF was lower than that of patients with inferior levels (median 5.3 vs 14.0 months). Conclusions: The mean serum concentration of EGF was doubled in DMPM with respect to controls, suggesting a possible diagnostic usefulness of this biomarker. High pre-treatment levels of EGF seem to be associated with an adverse impact on survival in patients with DMPM, although the data are not statistically significant. A larger series of DMPM patients is needed to confirm these results. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Lowering the Triglyceride/High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio Is Associated With the Beneficial Impact of Pioglitazone on Progression of Coronary Atherosclerosis in Diabetic Patients
Authors: Stephen J. Nicholls, E. Murat Tuzcu, Kathy Wolski, Ozgur Bayturan, Andrea Lavoie, Kiyoko Uno, Stuart Kupfer, Alfonso Perez, Richard Nesto, Steven E. Nissen
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2011)
Randomized phase II trial of irinotecan, leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil (ILF) versus cisplatin plus ILF (PILF) for advanced gastric cancer
Authors: D. Shin, S. Lee, S. Park, J. Park, E. Cho, J. Lee, W. Lee
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2007)

4580 Background: Irinotecan, in combination with 5-fluorouracil (FU) or cisplatin, clearly demonstrated efficacy against gastric cancer. We compared the combination of irinotecan, leucovorin and FU (ILF) with cisplatin plus ILF (PILF) as first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC). Methods: Patients with chemotherapy-naïve, histologically-confirmed, metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma were randomized to receive irinotecan 150 mg/m 2 on day 1, leucovorin 20 mg/m 2 and a 22-h infusion of FU 1,000 mg/m 2 on days 1 and 2 (ILF), or ILF plus cisplatin 30 mg/m 2 on day 2 (PILF). Treatment was repeated every 2 weeks until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or patients’ refusal. Primary endpoint was response rate which assessed every 4 cycles of chemotherapy. With a single-stage phase II design, the required number of patients was at least 35 per each arm. Results: Of 91 patients registered, 46 patients were treated with ILF and 44 with PILF. For both arms, 635 chemotherapy cycles were delivered (median, 6 for ILF and 8 for PILF; p=0.46). Both ILF and PILF were generally well tolerated. However, PILF was associated with, although statistically insignificant, substantially more grade 3 or 4 toxicities than ILF (46% and 38%, respectively). In the ILF and PILF arm, 11% and 25% of patients, respectively, discontinued treatment because of toxicity. Treatment duration was similar for both arms (4.3 for ILF v 5.6 months for PILF; p=0.13). Four patients died during treatment: one in the ILF arm and 3 in the PILF arm. The objective response rate was 37% for both arms. Disease control (response plus stable disease) was achieved in 59% and 73% (p=0.02) of patients treated with ILF and PILF. There were no significant differences in therapeutic efficacy between ILF and PILF with respect to progression-free (4.8 v 6.2 months; p=0.60) and overall (10.9 v 10.4 months; p=0.93) survival. Conclusions: Both ILF and PILF appear to be active as first-line chemotherapy for AGC, with acceptable safety profiles. Given the comparable efficacy results, ILF could be a reasonable standard chemotherapy for untreated AGC patients. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Randomized study of rituximab in patients with relapsed or resistant follicular lymphoma prior to high-dose therapy as in vivo purging and to maintain remission following high-dose therapy.
Authors: R. Pettengell, N. Schmitz, C. Gisselbrecht, D. Caballero, P. Colombat, E. Conde, B. Metzner, J. A. Walewski, C. Geisler, A. Goldstone
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2010)

8005 Background: To evaluate the effects of in vivo purging with rituximab 375 mg/m2 weekly × 4 (RP) and maintenance rituximab 375 mg/m2 every 3 months for 2 years (RM) on progression free survival (PFS) in patients with relapsed follicular NHL (rFL) undergoing high-dose therapy with BEAM conditioning. Methods: From Oct 1999 to Apr 2006, 280 of a planned 420 patients with rFL in first (n=16), second (n= 222) or third remission (n=41) who achieved either a complete remission (n=83) or a very good partial remission (n=196) to induction chemotherapy, with limited bone marrow infiltration (<25% B-lymphocytes) underwent a single randomisation in a 2x2 design to RP and RM, n = 69; RP, n = 72; RM, n = 69; No R n = 70. Results: PFS at 5 years was 54.3% versus 47.8% for in vivo purging versus none (logrank PFS; p=0.20; HR 1.23, 95%CI: 0.89 - 1.72). PFS at 5 years was 58.8% versus 42.6% in patient receiving R maintenance versus none (logrank PFS; p=0.02; HR 1.50, 95%CI: 1.07 - 2.09). PFS at 5 years was 54.8% versus 37.6% in patient receiving R purging and maintenance versus none (logrank PFS; p=0.05; HR 1.44, 95%CI: 1.004 – 2.05). The success of salvage therapy is reflected in an overall survival at 5 years of 80.8% (95% CI: 75.5 – 85.0). Conclusions: This study shows that peri-autograft, R in vivo purging and 2 years maintenance post autograft gives a superior PFS compared to no rituximab. Author Disclosure Employment or Leadership Position Consultant or Advisory Role Stock Ownership Honoraria Research Funding Expert Testimony Other Remuneration Roche Roche Roche Roche
Ipilimumab in the common daily practice: Feasibility, safety, and efficacy in heavily pretreated metastatic melanoma patients
Authors: A. Di Giacomo, R. Danielli, L. Calabrò, M. Guidoboni, C. Miracco, M. Biagioli, M. Mazzei, M. Altomonte, M. Maio
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2009)

e20002 Background: Effective anti-tumor responses are being observed in metastatic melanoma (MM) patients (pts) with the anti-CTLA-4 antibody Ipilimumab (Ipi) in clinical trials; however no data support the feasibility and clinical effectiveness of Ipi use in the daily practice. We report a single Institution experience utilizing Ipi within a compassionate program for MM pts. Methods: 27 stage III (2) or IV (25) pts (14 males, 13 females), median age 55 (23–77) years, ECOG performance status 0- 1, with MM (23 cutaneous, 3 uveal, 1 mucosal) progressing to 3 median (1–5) systemic therapies for metastatic disease received Ipi. Eight pts had evidence (6) or history (2) of brain metastases and 11 elevated (&gt;1x upper limit of normal [ULN]) LDH. In the induction phase (IF) pts received Ipi (10 mg/kg i.v.) q3 weeks (wks) x 4 cycles; after a 12 wks rest treatment was repeated q12 wks in the maintenance phase (MF). Tumor assessment (TA) per modified World Health Organization criteria was performed at baseline, week (wk) 12 (±2) and wk 24, then every 12 wks. Adverse Events (AE) and immune related AE (irAE) were collected according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0. Results: All pts received at least one Ipi dose, and 18/27 completed the IF. Of the remaining 9 pts, 4 are completing the IF and 5 were withdrawn for AE severity (3 pts) or disease progression (2 pts). Eight pts entered the MF. TA at wk 12 showed partial response (PR) in 1/18 or stable disease (SD) in 5/18 pts. TA at wk 24 showed PR and SD in 3/8 and 5/8 pts, respectively, with an ongoing clinical benefit (SD + PR + CR) of 34% (8/23 pts); these pts are still on treatment. Slow, steady declines in tumor volume and appearance of new lesions with subsequent shrinking of total tumor burden has been observed. One patient had Grade 3 AE (myocardial infarction) and 2 pts had Grade 3 irAE (diarrhoea). Excluding pts who are in IF, to date median overall survival is 27 wks (19–39). Conclusions: Ipi treatment is feasible, safe and clinically effective also in the common daily practice and in heavily pretreated, progressing, MM pts. A sizable proportion of these pts experiences durable clinical benefit. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Time to clozapine response in a standardized trial
Authors: R R Conley, W T Carpenter, C A Tamminga
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1997)

The authors sought to determine the time to clozapine response in treatment-refractory patients with schizophrenia.Antipsychotic response to a clozapine trial was examined in 50 treatment-refractory schizophrenic inpatients. Subjects were treated with clozapine for at least 12 months, regardless of response status, according to a standardized, increasing dose protocol. Behavioral changes were measured through monthly assessments with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale.Thirty-four subjects (68%) met clinical response criteria by the end of the trial. Response was achieved at a mean dose of 468 mg/day (SD = 168). The dose of 30 (88%) of the responding patients was 600 mg/day or less. The mean time to response was 82 days (SD = 100, range = 10-401). It took an average of 60 days (SD = 87) for subjects to reach the dose at which clozapine response was achieved. Once this dose was reached, the average response time was 17 days (SD = 14, range = 2-56). All 34 subjects who responded met criteria within 8 weeks of a clozapine dose escalation. No late response was found in the remaining 16 subjects despite a mean follow-up period of 75 weeks (SD = 50).In this study, all patients who responded to clozapine did so within 8 weeks of a change in dose. Thus, there appears to be little clinical gain in prolonging exposure to clozapine beyond 8 weeks at any particular dose if no response is seen.
Australian doctors refuse to discharge refugee girl into government detention
Authors: Michael Woodhead
Journal: BMJ (2016)

Paediatricians at a Brisbane hospital are defying the Australian government by refusing to discharge the child of an asylum seeker, saying that she faces unsafe conditions in an offshore immigration detention centre.

Doctors at the Lady Cilento Hospital said that it was their ethical duty not to release the 12 month old, known as Baby Asha, into conditions that even the Immigration Department’s own doctors have admitted were harmful to children.

Baby Asha is recovering from burn injuries she sustained while living in a tent in the Australian run immigration detention camp on the …
Evaluation of interferon-alfa 2b in a model of acute respiratory distress syndrome and pulmonary fibrosis induced by intratraqueal bleomycin in Wistar rats
Authors: A. F. Ferreira Filho, J. R. Rossari, V. D. Silva, D. L. Da Silva, J. C. Prolla
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2006)

2566 Background: The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common clinical entity, characterized by severe and acute pulmonary dysfunction, caused by a non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, secondary to an increased permeability in the alveolar-capillary barrier due to a local or systemic inflammatory reaction initiated and amplified by pro-inflammatory cytokines, mostly interleukin (IL) 1, 6 and 8, and TNF-α. Despite recent advances in intensive care, the mortality associated to this syndrome remains around 40–50%. Interferons are natural proteins with antiviral, antiproliferative, antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory properties. Interferon-α reduces the synthesis and deposition of collagen I and III in hepatic tissue in experimental models of hepatic fibrosis. Interferon-α also modulates inflammation by inhibiting the action of TNF-α. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of interferon-α 2b in an experimental model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in Wistar rats. Methods: We evaluated 34 Wistar rats that were anesthetized with ketamine 100 mg/kg by the intraperitoneal route and divided in two groups of 17 animals each. Both groups received an intratracheal instillation of 1,5U of bleomycin and 0,2ml of saline solution in the first day (D1). Starting on D1, Group B received subcutaneous interferon-α 2b in a dose of 100,000 U/Kg/day for 14 days. In the fifteenth day (D15), all rats in both groups were anesthetized with thiopental and sacrificed. Their right lungs medium lobes were prepared for histological evaluation. Hematoxylin eosin and picrosirius stains were performed on 4 μm cuts of each specimen under carefully controlled conditions. The areas of collagen in their lungs were quantified in (μm 2 ) by digital image analysis with the Image Pro for Windows software. All statistical tests were two-sided, and P &lt; .05 was used to indicate statistical significance. Results: The mean pulmonary fibrosis area in the group A was 28,432 μm 2 versus 8,866 μm 2 in group B who used interferon-α 2b (P = 0,037). Conclusions: These results shows that the use of interferon-α 2b, in this animal model of ARDS, reduced the development of pulmonary fibrosis. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Gastrojejunocolic fistula as a cause of hypoalbuminemia and bilateral leg edema
Authors: Jae Kim, Seun Park, Moo Park, Won Moon, Sung Kim, Hye Kwon, Youn Choi
Journal: Endoscopy (2015)

A 49-year-old Korean man was admitted to our hospital on 15 November 2013 because of diarrhea, a body weight loss of 10 kg over 2 months, and a 1-month history of edema in both legs. He had undergone gastrectomy for gastric perforation after drinking agricultural chemicals in 2001, and in 2008 had also received a bypass gastrojejunostomy to treat pyloric obstruction resulting from recurrent gastric ulcers. Since then, annual upper endoscopy examinations conducted at this hospital had revealed recurrent marginal ulcers.
Chromosome Aberrations Induced by 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]-anthracene in Bone Marrow Cells of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) and Control Wistar Kyoto (WKY) Rats: Time Course and Site Specificity2
Authors: Norifumi Ueda, Mari Kondo
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1984)

Journal Article Chromosome Aberrations Induced by 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]-anthracene in Bone Marrow Cells of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) and Control Wistar Kyoto (WKY) Rats: Time Course and Site Specificity Get access Norifumi Ueda, Norifumi Ueda Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Mari Kondo Mari Kondo Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Volume 73, Issue 2, August 1984, Pages 525–530, https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/73.2.525 Published: 01 August 1984 Article history Received: 17 January 1984 Accepted: 26 March 1984 Published: 01 August 1984
Authors’ reply to Makiyama and colleagues
Authors: Jonas F Ludvigsson, Peter Ström, Cecilia Lundholm, Sven Cnattingius, Anders Ekbom, Åke Örtqvist, Nils Feltelius, Fredrik Granath, Olof Stephansson
Journal: BMJ (2016)

In response to Junya and colleagues’ concerns we recalculated the risk of offspring mortality with offspring to women who were vaccinated at 0-1 months before conception being classified as exposed.1 2 This did not change the risk estimates more than marginally (for example, the hazard ratio for fetal death went from 0.83 to 0.86 in the population based …
The significance of the ratio of metastatic to examined lymph nodes in endometrioid uterine cancer
Authors: N. N. Teng, M. K. Cheung, A. Husain, K. Osann, J. S. Berek, D. S. Kapp, J. K. Chan
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2006)

15043 Background: To determine the impact benign to positive lymph node ratio (LNR) on the disease-specific survival of women with advanced endometrioid corpus cancer. Methods: Demographic and clinico-pathologic information were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program from 1988–2001 and analyzed using Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: Of the 1,222 women diagnosed with stage IIIC-IV endometrioid uterine cancer with nodal disease, the median age was 64 (range: 28–93). 1,025 (83.9%) were White, 75 (6.1%) Black, 91 (7.5%) were Asian and 31 (2.5%) were Other. All patients underwent surgical staging including a lymph node assessment and were found to have nodal metastases. 639 (52.3%) had stage IIIC, 24 (2.0%) IVA, and 559 (45.7%) IVB disease. Furthermore, 123 (10.1%), 466 (38.1%), and 581 (47.6%) women had grade 1, 2, and 3 disease, respectively. Grade information was unavailable for 51 (4.2%) patients. The benign to positive lymph node ratios (LNR) were divided in four subgroups: ≤5%, &gt;5% to ≤10%, &gt;10% to ≤20%, and &gt;20% to determine impact of LNR on disease-specific survival. Increasing LNR (≤5%, &gt;5% to ≤10%, &gt;10% to ≤20%, and &gt;20%) was associated with a decrease in disease-specific survival at 83.8%, 73.2%, 62.4%, and 50.8%, respectively (p &lt; 0.0001). More specifically, LNR was an important factor only in patients with 11–20 and &gt;20 lymph nodes removed but not for those with less than 10 nodes resected. Women with higher (LNR) received significantly more adjuvant radiotherapy at 72.0%, 69.7%, 61.1%, and 52.6%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, age, stage, grade, and lymph node ratio were significant independent prognostic factors for survival. Adjuvant radiation was not an important independent prognostic factor in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: The ratio of metastatic to examined lymph nodes in endometrioid uterine cancer is an important prognostic factor. Clinical trials on adjuvant therapy should be designed with consideration of this significant prognosticator. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Registry of Clear-Cell Carcinoma of Genital Tract in Young Women
Authors: W J Newman, A L Herbst, H Ulfelder, D C Poskanzer
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1971)

We appreciate Dr. Newmans informative letter and of course are interested in learning of his case.  Since the publication of our article we have become aware of more than 20 additional cases of vaginal carcinoma in young women.  The maternal history has already been investigated in a number of these cases and stilbestrol administration during pregnancy has been documented in most of them.  To organize incoming data and establish the prevalence natural history and optimal therapy of these rare tumors as soon as possible we are establishing a registry of clear-cell carcinoma (mesonephroma) of the gential tract in young women.  We are anxious to learn of any cases of clear-cell carcinoma of the vagina cervix endometrium or ovary in patients under the age of 25 years.  Dr. Robert F. Scully of our Pathology Dept. will confirm the histologic diagnosis of the cases submitted and compare them to those reported by Herbst and Scully (Adenocarcinoma of the Vagina in Adolescence:  A report of 7 cases including 6 clear cell carcinomas [so-called mesonephromas].  Cancer 25: 745-757 1970) and seen subsequently.  All inquiries and communications should be addressed to:  Arthur L. Herbst M.D. Dept. of Gynecology Massachusetts General Hospital Boston Massachusetts 02114.  (full text)
Abstract P280: Serum L-Selectin and Subclinical Cardiovascular Outcomes: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) Study
Authors: Cecilia Berardi, Paul A Decker, Phillip S Kirsch, Mariza de Andrade, Michael Tsai, James S Pankow, Michele M Sale, Hugues Sicotte, Weihong Tang, Naomi Hanson, Joseph F Polak, Suzette J Bielinski
Journal: Circulation (2013)

L-selectin is an adhesion molecule constitutively expressed on leukocytes and mediating their interaction with the endothelium. As a member of the selectin family, it plays a crucial role in leukocyte adhesion to and migration through the endothelial wall during inflammation. A protective role of L-selectin in early atherosclerosis was demonstrated in animal models. Previous studies assessing the relationship of this protein with cardiovascular disease were inconsistent. Lower serum L-selectin levels were found in patients with coronary artery disease (CHD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD) compared to controls. In contrast, plasma levels of L-selectin were increased in patients with CHD and PAD. These inconsistencies might be due to an interaction of soluble L-selectin with clotting factors or anticoagulants present in plasma but not in serum. Also, the small number and Caucasian predominance of patients included in previous studies represent limitations that need to be addressed using a rigorous, population-based approach. Herein, we seek to investigate the association of serum L-selectin with subclinical outcomes in a large, ethnically heterogeneous population. In a randomly selected subset of 720 subjects for each of the four ethnicities included in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), serum samples were available for 2403 individuals (579 African Americans, 620 Caucasians, 600 Chinese and 604 Hispanics). Serum L-selectin levels and intima-media thickness (IMT) were measured at exam 2 and CAC was measured at exam 2 or 3 during the cohort follow up. Regression analysis and the Tobit model were used to assess the association of L-selectin levels with IMT and CAC respectively. The mean age was 63±10 years and 47% were men. The mean±SD protein levels were significantly different across ethnicities (867±192 ng/mL in African Americans, 956±215 ng/mL in Caucasians, 834±174 ng/mL in Chinese and 904±195 ng/mL in Hispanics; p&lt;0.0001). In the univariate analysis, age was inversely correlated to the protein levels; in addition, levels were lower in males, regardless of ethnicity and in smokers, except among Hispanics. L-selectin was associated with modestly lower CAC only among Chinese (p=0.030), the association persisted after adjustment for traditional risk factors (p=0.046). No significant association was demontrated between the protein levels and IMT. In conclusion, in this large diverse population, we found that serum L-selectin was modestly associated to measures of subclinical atherosclerosis in Chinese but not in African, European or Hispanic Americans.
Abstract 13835: Overexpression of Coupling Factor 6 Causes Salt-Sensitive Hypertension and Systolic Cardiac Dysfunction: Gender as an Important Modulator
Authors: Kei Izumiyama, Tomohiro Osanai, Toshihiro Ashitate, Shigeki Sagara, Taihei Itoh, Shuji Shibutani, Kenji Hanada, Yuko Yamamoto, Ken Okumura
Journal: Circulation (2010)

Background: Coupling factor 6 (CF6), an endogenous prostacyclin inhibitor, induces tissue acidosis by activating the acid-loading transporter ecto-F1F0 complex, and suppresses nitric oxide generati...