tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
AB0699 Prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus in autoimmune hepatitis
Authors: N. Maamouri, H. Kchir, N. Belkahla, I. Ben Ghorbel, B. Mohsni, N. Naija, S. Chouaib, N. Ben Mami
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2013)

<h3>Background</h3> Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a necrotico-inflammatory chronic disease of the liver of unknown etiology. It is associated in approximately 40% of cases with at least another auto-immune disease in particular Sjogren Syndrome and auto-immune thyroid dysfunction. The association AIH-systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was rarely reported in literature. <h3>Objectives</h3> To evaluate the prevalence of SLE in AIH and to determinate the characteristics of this association. <h3>Methods</h3> A retrospective study including all patients affected by AIH, hospitalised in the Department of Gastroenterology B of Rabta's Hospital between January 1996 and December 2009. We have searched among those patients the SLE cases; diagnosis retained basing on ACR criteria (American College of Rheumatology). <h3>Results</h3> During the period of the study, 34 cases of AIH were collected. There were 29 women and 5 men with a mean age of 46 years. The association with a SLE was noted in 3 cases (8,8%). There were 3 women aged respectively by 15, 66 and 47 years. The hepathopathy was at the stage of cirrhosis with ascites in the first 2 cases and at a stage of chronic hepatitis revealed by an acute cytolysis (50- fold above the normal values) in the last case. The immunological tests showed antinuclear antibodies (AAN) positivity in all cases and the presence of anti-smooth muscle antibodies specific of actine in the 1st and the 3rd patients. Native anti-DNA antibodies were noted in all cases. In all patients, the diagnosis of SLE was retained basing on the positivity of both antinuclear and native anti-DNA antibodies associated in the 1st case with a photosensitivity and a haemolytic anaemia, in the 2nd case with a polyserosits and a severe renal failure and in the 3rd case, with the presence in immunofluorescence of C1q, C3 and IgG deposits on the dermo-epidermal junction. Besides, celiac disease and autoimmune hypothyroidism were diagnosed respectively in the 1st and the 3rd patient. A corticosteroid therapy was undergone in the 2nd and the 3rd patients and was associated with azathioprine (AZT) in the 3rd case which was quickly stopped in front of the appearance at the ninth day of an acute pancreatitis. <h3>Conclusions</h3> AIH and SLE association is rare. Its systematic research by an immunological assessment in the presence of AIH could help to early diagnosis. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None Declared
FRI0251 Impact of the extent of joint contractures on physical capacity tests in systemic sclerosis
Authors: C. Varjú, K. Lantos, J. Bozό, H. Farkas, K. Horváth, Z. Bálint, R. Faludi, L. Czirják, A. Komόcsi
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2013)

<h3>Background</h3> Joint contractures as well as symptoms of cardiopulmonary involvement restrict the physical capacity of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The six minute walk test (6MWT) is widely used in the assessment of physical capacity and to evaluate treatment efficacy. However, it is unclear how much the joint function of the patients influences the diagnostic value of the walking tests. <h3>Objectives</h3> We performed a prospective, cross sectional, single center study to assess the 6MWT, the 10-meter walk test (10meterWT) in the context of the joint contractures. The relationship between the extent of joint-contractures to the major internal organ involvements including different forms of cardiopulmonary involvement was also examined. <h3>Methods</h3> Ninety-six consecutive patients, 84 females and 12 males, 32 with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc), 64 with limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) were enrolled during their routine yearly scheduled check-up. Patients' mean age was 56.2±12.7 years (±SD) with a mean disease duration of 8.8±7.5 years. The protocol included physical examination, echocardiography and 6MWT. Additionally, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ DI), and European SSc activity index were determine and the 10meterWT was also performed. Limitation in range of motion of the joints greater than 25% was considered "contracture", and the number of contractures of each extremity was recorded. <h3>Results</h3> The mean distance of the 6MWT was 363±66 m. Neither the number of contractures of the lower extremities, nor the number of the whole body's all contractures showed significant correlation with the 6-minute walk distance in SSc. HAQ DI (p&lt;0.001) and age (p&lt;0.05) were independent predictors of the results of both walking tests. Predictors of 6MWT included the right ventricular systolic pressure, and the number of digital ulcers, while a trend for the presence of left heart failure was also found (p=0.057). Further significant determinants of the 10-meterWT were the extent of the joint restrictions of the lower extremities (p&lt;0.01), and the disease activity index (p&lt;0.05). <h3>Conclusions</h3> The number of joint contractures does not influence significantly the applicability of 6MWT in SSc. The relation to the right ventricular systolic pressure underlines its applicability in characterizing patients with left or right heart dysfunction. The 10MWT where the patients are expected to walk only 10 meters as opposed to the hundreds of meters covered in the 6MWT, is the more sensitive indicator of the joint involvement. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None Declared
FRI0407 The Impact of Lupus Nephritis at Inception on Health Related Quality of Life: Results from an International Cohort Study: Table
Authors: J.G. Hanly, A.G. O'Keeffe, M.B. Urowitz
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2014)

<h3>Background</h3> Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is important in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) for both global and organ specific disease. <h3>Objectives</h3> To examine the association between lupus nephritis at inception and patient self-report HRQoL in a large, multi-ethnic/racial, cohort of SLE patients. <h3>Methods</h3> An observational cohort study of new onset SLE (ACR classification criteria &lt;15 months) was performed by an international network of 32 academic centers. Patients were evaluated at enrollment and annually. Lupus nephritis was identified as “renal disorder” in the ACR classification criteria. Using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), three GFR states were defined: state 1 (eGFR: &gt;60 ml/min); state 2 (eGFR: 30 – 60 mL/min); and state 3 (eGFR: &lt;30 ml/min). Similarly, using estimated urine protein excretion (ePrU), three PrU states were defined: state 1 (ePrU: &lt;0.25 gr/day); state 2 (ePrU: 0.25 – 3.0 gr/day); and state 3 (ePrU: &gt;3.0 gr/day). HRQoL was determined by patient self-report SF-36 subscale scores, mental (MCS) and physical (PCS) component summary scores. Statistical analyses were based on analysis of variance or equivalent t-tests. <h3>Results</h3> There were 1,827 patients, 89% females, predominantly Caucasian (49.2%) with a mean ± SD age of 35.1±13.3 years. The mean ± SD disease duration was 0.5±0.3 years and the mean duration of follow-up was 4.6±3.4 years. The cumulative occurrence of lupus nephritis was 38.4% and the majority of patients (71.2%) were diagnosed at enrollment. SF-36 subscale and summary scores were not significantly lower in patients with lupus nephritis compared to those without nephritis at enrollment. However, for patients with lupus nephritis at enrollment or follow-up, those in state 3 GFR had clinically and statistically significant lower scores in three subscales (Physical function, Physical role and Bodily pain) and in the Physical component summary score of the SF-36 (p&lt;0.01) (Table 1). The only association between SF-36 scores and PrU states at diagnosis of nephritis was in the Role Physical subscale (Table 1). <h3>Conclusions</h3> The presence of lupus nephritis in a large multi-ethnic cohort was not associated with a reduction in HRQoL. However, severe impairment in renal function and to a lesser extent heavy proteinuria, were associated with lower subscale and physical component summary scores of the SF-36. Patient self-report HRQoL is reduced in severe lupus nephritis and may be an important outcome variable in clinical trials of renal disease in SLE. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared <h3>DOI</h3> 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.1114
INTERLEUKIN-18 PROMOTES DEVELOPMENT OF HYPOXIA-INDUCED PULMONARY ARTERY HYPERTENSION IN MICE
Authors: Daisuke Morisawa, Shinichi Hirotani, Makiko Oboshi, Koichi Nishimura, Hisashi Sawada, Akiyo Eguchi, Yoshitaka Okuhara, Toshihiro Iwasaku, Yoshiro Naito, Toshiaki Mano, Masaharu Ishihara, Tohru Masuyama
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2015)
Abstract B58: Differential mechanisms control steady state expression of breast cancer antiestrogen resistance 3 (BCAR3) in non-invasive and invasive breast cancer cell lines
Authors: Michael Guerrero, Amy H. Bouton
Journal: Cancer Research (2011)

Abstract The overexpression of breast cancer antiestrogen resistance 3 (BCAR3) has been shown to reduce the antagonistic effects of tamoxifen and fulvestrant in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer cell lines. BCAR3 also has a role in the regulation of the migratory and invasive potential of both ER+ and ER- breast cancer cells. A tight correlation between BCAR3 expression and breast cancer cell phenotype exists such that non-invasive, early stage cells express very low levels whereas more invasive, mesenchymal-like cells express very high levels of BCAR3. Because of this correlation, it is important to understand the temporal and spatial regulation of BCAR3. In this study, we set out to define potential mechanisms that regulate BCAR3 expression to better understand, predict, and reverse the consequences of elevated expression. In MCF7 and T47D cells (non-invasive, early stage ER+), high plating density coincident with abundant cell-cell junctions resulted in low levels of both BCAR3 mRNA and protein. Conversely, BCAR3 expression was found to be elevated under conditions in which cell-cell junctions were reduced (low density plating). In the more invasive BT549 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, BCAR3 mRNA and protein expression was found to be dependent upon the stable expression of its binding partner p130Cas (Cas). Interestingly, we previously showed that BCAR3 expression positively correlates with the tyrosine phosphorylation state of Cas, activation of the tyrosine kinase c-Src, and the physical interaction between Cas and c-Src. We are currently investigating whether cell-cell junction formation and differential expression alters the subcellular localization of BCAR3. Taken together, we propose a role for BCAR3 in driving the transition from localized disease to a more invasive and aggressive breast tumor phenotype. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Second AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; 2011 Sep 14-18; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(18 Suppl):Abstract nr B58.
Mutations in the Mu Heavy-Chain Gene in Patients with Agammaglobulinemia
Authors: Leman Yel, Yoshiyuki Minegishi, Elaine Coustan-Smith, Rebecca H. Buckley, Hubert Trübel, Lauren M. Pachman, Geoffrey R. Kitchingman, Dario Campana, Jurg Rohrer, Mary Ellen Conley
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1996)

Most patients with congenital hypogammaglobulinemia and absent B cells are males with X-linked agammaglobulinemia, which is caused by mutations in the gene for Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk); however, there are females with a similar disorder who do not have mutations in this gene. We studied two families with autosomal recessive defects in B-cell development and patients with presumed X-linked agammaglobulinemia who did not have mutations in Btk.A series of candidate genes that encode proteins involved in B-cell signal-transduction pathways were analyzed by linkage studies and mutation screening.Four different mutations were identified in the mu heavy-chain gene on chromosome 14. In one family, there was a homozygous 75-to-100-kb deletion that included D-region genes, J-region genes, and the mu constant-region gene. In a second family, there was a homozygous base-pair substitution in the alternative splice site of the mu heavy-chain gene. This mutation would inhibit production of the membrane form of the mu chain and produce an amino acid substitution in the secreted form. In addition, a patient previously thought to have X-linked agammaglobulinemia was found to have an amino acid substitution on one chromosome at an invariant cysteine that is required for the intrachain disulfide bond and, on the other chromosome, a large deletion that included the immunoglobulin locus.Defects in the mu heavy-chain gene are a cause of agammaglobulinemia in humans. This implies that an intact membrane-bound mu chain is essential for B-cell development.
Standards for the Care of Diabetes: Origins, Uses and Implications for Third-Party Payment
Authors: Charles M Clark, Eleanor D Kinney
Journal: Diabetes Care (1992)

Standards of care are those principles that define the appropriate environment, process, and procedures necessary for quality medical care and optimal health outcomes. The initial impetus to develop standards of care came from the medical profession when it attempted to define quality of care. More recently, standards defining the medical necessity of diagnostic tests or procedures have been developed at the request of public and private third-party payors. These efforts are the natural outgrowth of two decades of health-care delivery research and technology assessment examining the effectiveness of various medical procedures. This article reviews the development of standards by the medical profession, emphasizing current standard-setting activities of private organizations and the federal government. This study examines the characteristics of a good process for developing credible medical standards to guide patient care and the payment for that care. This study also discusses how the American Diabetes Association used this process in developing standards for care of patients with diabetes mellitus and implementation problems encountered because of coverage policy of public and private health insurer programs.
Nonanesthesiologist administration of propofol: it's all about money
Authors: J.-M. Dumonceau
Journal: Endoscopy (2012)

Propofol is tending to replace so-called traditional sedation (i. e., benzodiazepine with or without opioids), particularly during colonoscopy, because of its advantages for both the patient and the endoscopist [1] [2]. For example, between 2003 and 2007 in the USA, the involvement of anesthesiologists in colonoscopy almost tripled, from 9 % to 25 % of colonoscopies, and this figure is projected to exceed 50 % by 2015 [3]. The additional cost of indiscriminate anesthesiologist involvement in colonoscopy is a serious concern. This is particularly true when the purpose of colonoscopy is to screen for colorectal cancer because a test used for screening the general population must be cost-effective. For example, in France, fecal testing has been chosen for colorectal cancer screening because it is the most cost-effective method [4]; in that country, 90 % of colonoscopies are performed with sedation and intravenous sedation of any type may only be administered by anesthesiologists (!). Anesthesiologist involvement adds 285 % to the cost of a colonoscopy (EUR 740 vs. EUR 192, respectively, for a colonoscopy with vs. without an anesthesiologist) [4]. Nonanesthesiologist administration of propofol (NAAP) retains the advantages of propofol-based sedation while maintaining patient safety and lowering costs [1] [2]. Obstacles to implementation of NAAP, whether at a national level or at the level of the endoscopy unit, mostly come down to costs and to relationships between endoscopists and anesthesiologists. Costs include NAAP training and, possibly, additional staff; these are not usually offset by increased income as in many countries there is no additional reimbursement for sedation performed by nonanesthesiologists. Relationships between endoscopists and anesthesiologists (at a personal or a national society level) may be strongly influenced by financial considerations as endoscopic sedation is usually easy and may be very lucrative for anesthesiologists.
Hemiagenesis of the Thyroid Associated with Chronic Lymphocytic Thyroiditis
Authors: RAJNISH SHARMA, ANUPAM MONDAL, MANJU POPLI, M. SAHOO, NIKHIL MALHOTRA, SHRINL SONI
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2001)

The authors report a case of hemiagenesis of the left thyroid lobe indicated on Tc-99m pertechnetate scan and later confirmed on ultrasonography. The patient was clinically hypothyroid with a right-sided goiter. The cytopathologic diagnosis was made by fine-needle aspiration cytologic analysis, which indicated chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis in the right lobe of the thyroid gland. Later the patient's condition was stabilized with thyroxine replacement therapy. The association of hemiagenesis of the thyroid with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis has not been reported in the literature.
ANTIGENIC VARIANTS OF INFLUENZA A VIRUS (PR8 STRAIN)
Authors: Clayton G. Loosli, Dorothy Hamre, Paul Gerber
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1958)

Two series of variants of influenza PR8-S virus have been described. While all retain the same degree of pathogenicity for mice and fertile eggs, there was a progressive loss in the ability of the variants to provoke antibody following vaccination or infection of mice and ferrets. The immunogenicity of the variants was, therefore, less than that of the original strain. Although little or no serological relationship could be demonstrated between some of the variants and the PR8-S virus a considerable degree of cross-immunity could be demonstrated in the cross-protection tests with these viruses if observations were based solely on death or survival of the mice. By employing the occurrence of lesions in the lung and the titer of virus in the lung 48 hours after challenge, the amount of cross-protection in mice could be related to the amount of serological cross-reaction. In general mice vaccinated with PR8-S virus were less resistant to infection with the variant viruses than mice vaccinated with variants and challenged with the PR8-S parent virus. The role of the immune environment of the host in the production of the variant influenza viruses with their serological differences, decreasing antigenicity, and persisting pathogenicity as well as the epidemiological implications of these findings with respect to epidemic influenza in man are discussed.
Less May Be as Good as More
Authors: Yu-Ren Chen, Yu-Chin Wu, Chia-Hung Kao, Te-Chun Hsieh, Shung-Shung Sun
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2013)

We presented a patient with abnormal focal accumulation of 67Ga in the left upper abdomen. After drinking water, we successfully identified the abnormal radioactivity that was from the stomach. Subsequent endoscopic examination did not reveal gastric pathological condition. Gastric accumulation of 67Ga may relate to pathological conditions or physiological uptake, confounding interpretation of 67Ga scintigraphy. Simple water ingestion method can rapidly identify gastric 67Ga uptake, and the shape of distended stomach can also help to differentiate pathological conditions from physiological uptake, which is especially helpful for a busy nuclear medicine department and for places where the SPECT/CT systems are not available.
Abstract 4384: Discovery of CD146/Latexin as a novel pathway suppressing breast tumor invasion.
Authors: Allal Ouhtit, Zakariya Y. Abd Elmageed, Augusta Fernando, Rajiv Gaur, Ishita Gupta, Somya Shanmuganathan, Hamad Al-Riyami, Madhwa HG Raj
Journal: Cancer Research (2013)

Abstract CD146, also known as melanoma cell adhesion molecule or MUC18, was initially identified as a promoter of melanoma as well as prostate cancer progression and metastasis. Interestingly, however, CD146 appears to be a breast cancer (BC) tumor suppressor. The molecular mechanism of CD146 in cancer are still nascent and controversial. To address this discrepancy, we applied microarray gene expression profiling analysis, using a tetracycline (tet On)-inducible system of CD146 in the MDA-MB-231 BC cell line, and identified latexin (LXN) as a potential CD146-downstream signaling transcriptional target. LXN showed a 7 fold increase, which was confirmed in vitro by both time-course western blotting and RT-PCR analyses. In addition, NF-kappaB was identified as the molecular link between CD146 induction and LXN transactivation. More interestingly, we established the CD146-tet On inducible system in mouse BC xenograft model, and demonstrated that in vivo induction of CD146-inhibited breast tumor growth. Furthermore, breast tumor tissues from both Omani patients and patients from New Orleans area in Louisiana, were examined by immunohistochemistry for the expression of CD146 and LXN. Strikingly, the results revealed that the expression levels of both CD146 and its downstream target LXN showed parallel inhibition patterns in BC progression, with high expression in both normal and benign but low or no expression in malignant and metastatic breast tumor tissues. This study is the first to uncover a molecular link and provide evidence for a role of CD146/LXN-signaling in suppressing BC progression. Thus, reactivation of LXN through pharmacological manipulation holds particular promise for guiding the development of novel targeted-therapeutic strategies for BC. Citation Format: Allal Ouhtit, Zakariya Y. Abd Elmageed, Augusta Fernando, Rajiv Gaur, Ishita Gupta, Somya Shanmuganathan, Hamad Al-Riyami, Madhwa HG Raj. Discovery of CD146/Latexin as a novel pathway suppressing breast tumor invasion. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4384. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-4384
A Comparison of Five Maintenance Therapies for Reflux Esophagitis
Authors: Sergio Vigneri, Rosanna Termini, Gioacchino Leandro, Salvatore Badalamenti, Maurizio Pantalena, Vincenzo Savarino, Francesco Di Mario, Giuseppe Battaglia, Giuseppe Sandro Mela, Alberto Pilotto, Mario Plebani, Giovanni Davi
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1995)

Patients with reflux esophagitis have a high rate of relapse within one year after therapy is discontinued.