tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
T-Cell Responses to Survivin in Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy
Authors: Dörthe Schaue, Begonya Comin-Anduix, Antoni Ribas, Li Zhang, Lee Goodglick, James W. Sayre, Annelies Debucquoy, Karin Haustermans, William H. McBride
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2008)

Abstract Purpose: The goal of this study was to determine if radiation therapy (RT) of human cancer enhances or diminishes tumor-specific T-cell reactivity. This is important if immunotherapy is to be harnessed to improve the outcome of cancer radiotherapy. Experimental Design: Lymphocytes were isolated from colorectal cancer (CRC) patients before, during, and after presurgical chemoradiotherapy. Similar samples were taken from prostate cancer patients receiving standard RT. The level of CD8+ T cells capable of binding tetramers for the tumor-associated antigen survivin, which is overexpressed in both cancer types, was enumerated in HLA-A*0201 patient samples. CD4+, CD25high, Foxp3+ cells were also enumerated to evaluate therapy-induced changes in Tregulatory cells. For CRC patients, most of whom were enrolled in a clinical trial, pathologic response data were available, as well as biopsy and resection specimens, which were stained for cytoplasmic and intranuclear survivin. Results: Survivin-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes were detected in the peripheral blood of CRC and prostate cancer patients and increased after therapy in some, but not all, patients. Increases were more common in CRC patients whose tumor was downstaged after chemoradiotherapy. Biopsy specimens from this cohort generally had higher nuclear to cytoplasmic survivin expression. Tregulatory cells generally increased in the circulation following therapy but only in CRC patients. Conclusion: This study indicates that RT may increase the likelihood of some cancer patients responding to immunotherapy and lays a basis for future investigations aimed at combining radiation and immunotherapy.
Studies of the Rate of Transfer of Rb <sup>86</sup> , K <sup>39</sup> , Na <sup>24</sup> , Na <sup>23</sup> . Cl <sup>36</sup> , and Cl <sup>35</sup> Across the Pericardium of Dogs
Authors: G. E. BURCH, C. T. RAV
Journal: Circulation Research (1958)

Studies of the simultaneous rates of transfer of various tracers and stable isotopes from the pericardium of normal dogs under pentobarbital anesthesia indicated that the rate of transfer of Rb 86 was greater than that of Na 24 and Cl 36 , which were approximately equal. These observations show the pericardium to be a very active serous membrane concerned with electrolyte transfer phenomena as well as an excellent experimental model for the study of the kinetics of exchange of electrolytes across a normal living membrane.
Examination of Links Between Herpes Zoster Incidence and Childhood Varicella Vaccination
Authors: Craig M. Hales, Rafael Harpaz, M. Riduan Joesoef, Stephanie R. Bialek
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2013)

Introduction of a universal varicella vaccine program for U.S. children in 1996 sparked concern that less-frequent exposure to varicella would decrease external boosting of immunity to varicella zoster virus and thereby increase incidence of herpes zoster (HZ).To determine whether the varicella vaccination program has influenced trends in HZ incidence in the U.S. population older than 65 years.Retrospective study of Medicare claims.Medicare, 1992 through 2010.2 848 765 beneficiaries older than 65 years.Annual HZ incidence from 1992 through 2010; rate ratios (RRs) for HZ incidence by age, sex, and race or ethnicity; and state-level varicella vaccination coverage.281 317 incident cases of HZ occurred. Age- and sex-standardized HZ incidence increased 39% from 10.0 per 1000 person-years in 1992 to 13.9 per 1000 person-years in 2010 with no evidence of a statistically significant change in the rate of increase after introduction of the varicella vaccination program. Before introduction of this program, HZ incidence was higher in women (RR, 1.21 [95% CI, 1.19 to 1.24]) than men and was lower in black persons (RR, 0.51 [CI, 0.48 to 0.53]) and Hispanic persons (RR, 0.76 [CI, 0.72 to 0.81]) than white persons. In a model adjusted for sex, age, and calendar year from 1997 to 2010, HZ incidence did not vary by state varicella vaccination coverage (RR, 0.9998 [CI, 0.9993 to 1.0003]).Uncertain level and consistency of health-seeking behavior and access and uncertain accuracy of disease coding.Age-specific HZ incidence increased in the U.S. population older than 65 years even before implementation of the childhood varicella vaccination program. Introduction and widespread use of the vaccine did not seem to affect this increase. This information is reassuring for countries considering universal varicella vaccination.None.
Comparison of Screening Mammography in the United States and the United Kingdom
Authors: Rebecca Smith-Bindman
Journal: JAMA (2003)

Screening mammography differs between the United States and the United Kingdom; a direct comparison may suggest methods to improve the practice.To compare screening mammography performance between the United States and the United Kingdom among similar-aged women.Women aged 50 years or older were identified who underwent 5.5 million mammograms from January 1, 1996, to December 31, 1999, within 3 large-scale mammography registries or screening programs: the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC, n = 978 591) and National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP, n = 613 388) in the United States; and the National Health Service Breast Screening Program (NHSBSP, n = 3.94 million) in the United Kingdom. A total of 27 612 women were diagnosed with breast cancer (invasive or ductal carcinoma in situ) within 12 months of screening among the 3 groups.Recall rates (recommendation for further evaluation including diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, clinical examination, or biopsy) and cancer detection rates were calculated for first and subsequent mammograms, and within 5-year age groups.Recall rates were approximately twice as high in the United States than in the United Kingdom for all age groups; however, cancer rates were similar. Among women aged 50 to 54 years who underwent a first screening mammogram, 14.4% in the BCSC and 12.5% in the NBCCEDP were recalled for further evaluation vs only 7.6% in the NHSBSP. Cancer detection rates per 1000 mammogram screens were 5.8, 5.9, and 6.3, in the BCSC, NBCCEDP, and NHSBSP, respectively. Recall rates were lower for subsequent examinations in all 3 settings but remained twice as high in the United States. A similar percentage of women underwent biopsy in each setting, but rates of percutaneous biopsy were lower and open surgical biopsy higher in the United States. Open surgical biopsies not resulting in a diagnosis of cancer (negative biopsies) were twice as high in the United States than in the United Kingdom. Based on a 10-year period of screening 1000 women aged 50 to 59 years, 477, 433, and 175 women in the BCSC, NBCCEDP, and NHSBSP, respectively, would be recalled; and for women aged 60 to 69 years, 396, 334, and 133 women, respectively. The estimated cancer detection rates per 1000 women aged 50 to 59 years were 24.5, 23.8, and 19.4, respectively, and for women aged 60 to 69 years, 31.5, 26.6, and 27.9, respectively.Recall and negative open surgical biopsy rates are twice as high in US settings than in the United Kingdom but cancer detection rates are similar. Efforts to improve US mammographic screening should target lowering the recall rate without reducing the cancer detection rate.
Radiation Injury: Bone Marrow Transplantation
Authors: C C Congdon
Journal: Annual Review of Medicine (1962)

A review is given of developments in studies on bone marrow transplantation in experimental animals and man for the last ten years. Discussion is given on systems for identifying foreign bone marrow transplants, foreign bone marrow reaction (secondary disease), physiological aspects of blood formation, major variables in bone marrow transplantation, and experiments with large animals and man. (P.C.H.)
Amino acid and peptide absorption in patients with coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis
Authors: D. B. A. Silk, P. J. Kumar, D. Perrett, M. L. Clark, A. M. Dawson
Journal: Gut (1974)

A double-lumen perfusion technique has been used to study amino acid and peptide absorption in eight normal control subjects, 13 patients with untreated adult coeliac disease, and 16 patients with dermatitis herpetiformis who had varying morphological abnormalities of the small bowel. All subjects were perfused with isotonic solutions containing 10 mM glycyl-L-alanine and 10 mM glycine + 10 mM L-alanine. Patients with adult coeliac disease had impaired absorption of glycine (p < 0.01) and L-alanine (p < 0.05) from the amino acid solution compared with the control subjects. Amino acid uptake from the dipeptide solution was not significantly impaired, although four individual patients had impaired uptake of both amino acids. In contrast to these findings, very few patients with dermatitis herpetiformis had impaired amino acid absorption from either solution. Sodium absorption was impaired from both solutions when the groups of patients with adult coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis with subtotal villous atrophy and partial villous atrophy were studied, and there were patients in each group who secreted sodium and water. The results suggest that malabsorption of dietary protein is unlikely to occur in dermatitis herpetiformis but may occur and contribute to protein deficiency seen in some severe cases of adult coeliac disease. The impairment of sodium and water absorption provides evidence that there may be functional impairment of the jejunal mucosa in dermatitis herpetiformis as well as in adult coeliac disease.
Differences in spontaneous breathing pattern and mechanics in patients with severe COPD recovering from acute exacerbation
Authors: M Vitacca, R Porta, L Bianchi, E Clini, N Ambrosino
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1999)

The aims of this study were to assess spontaneous breathing patterns in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) recovering from acute exacerbation and to assess the relationship between different breathing patterns and clinical and functional parameters of respiratory impairment. Thirty-four COPD patients underwent assessment of lung function tests, arterial blood gases, haemodynamics, breathing pattern (respiratory frequency (fR), tidal volume (VT), inspiratory and expiratory time (tI and tE), duty cycle (tI/ttot), VT/tI) and mechanics (oesophageal pressure (Poes), work of breathing (WOB), pressure-time product and index, and dynamic intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEPi,dyn)). According to the presence (group 1) or absence (group 2) of Poes swings during the expiratory phase (premature inspiration), 20 (59%) patients were included in group 1 and 14 (41%) in group 2. Premature inspirations were observed 4.5+/-6.4 times x min(-1) (range 1-31), i.e. 20+/-21% (3.7-100%) of total fR calculated from VT tracings. In group 1 the coefficient of variation in VT, tE, tI/ttot, PEEPi,dyn, Poes and WOB of the eight consecutive breaths immediately preceding the premature inspiration was greater than that of eight consecutive breaths in group 2. There were no significant differences in the assessed parameters between the two groups in the overall population, whereas patients with chronic hypoxaemia in group 1 showed a more severe impairment in clinical conditions, mechanics and lung function than hypoxaemic patients in group 2. In spontaneously breathing patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease recovering from an acute exacerbation, detectable activity of inspiratory muscles during expiration was found in more than half of the cases. This phenomenon was not associated with any significant differences in anthropometric, demographic, physiological or clinical characteristics.
Randomized Trial of Different Screening Strategies for Colorectal Cancer: Patient Response and Detection Rates
Authors: N. Segnan, C. Senore, B. Andreoni, A. Arrigoni, L. Bisanti, A. Cardelli, G. Castiglione, C. Crosta, R. DiPlacido, A. Ferrari, R. Ferraris, F. Ferrero, M. Fracchia, S. Gasperoni, G. Malfitana, S. Recchia, M. Risio, M. Rizzetto, G. Saracco, M. Spandre, D. Turco, P. Turco, M. Zappa
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2005)

Background: Although there is general consensus concerning the efficacy of colorectal cancer screening, there is a lack of agreement about which routine screening strategy should be adopted. We compared the participation and detection rates achievable through different strategies of colorectal cancer screening. Methods: From November 1999 through June 2001 we conducted a multicenter, randomized trial in Italy among a sample of 55–64 year olds in the general population who had an average risk of colorectal cancer. People with previous colorectal cancer, adenomas, inflammatory bowel disease, a recent (≤2 years) colorectal endoscopy or fecal occult blood test (FOBT), or two first-degree relatives with colorectal cancer were excluded. Eligible subjects were randomly assigned, within the roster of their general practitioner, to 1) biennial FOBT (delivered by mail), 2) biennial FOBT (delivered by general practitioner or a screening facility), 3) patient's choice of FOBT or "once-only" sigmoidoscopy, 4) "once-only" sigmoidoscopy, or 5) sigmoidoscopy followed by biennial FOBT. An immunologic FOBT was used. Participation and detection rates of the strategies tested were compared using multivariable logistic regression models that adjusted for age, sex, and screening center. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results: Of 28 319 people sampled, 1637 were excluded and 26 682 were randomly assigned to a screening arm. After excluding undelivered letters ( n = 427), the participation rates for groups 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 were 30.1% (682/2266), 28.1% (1654/5893), 27.1% (970/3579), 28.1% (1026/3650), and 28.1% (3049/10 867), respectively. Of the 2858 subjects screened by FOBT, 122 (4.3%) had a positive test result, 10 (3.5 per 1000) had colorectal cancer, and 39 (1.4%) had an advanced adenoma. Among the 4466 subjects screened by sigmoidoscopy, 341 (7.6%) were referred for colonoscopy, 18 (4 per 1000) had colorectal cancer, and 229 (5.1%) harbored an advanced adenoma. Conclusions: The participation rates were similar for sigmoidoscopy and FOBT. The detection rate for advanced neoplasia was three times higher following screening by sigmoidoscopy than by FOBT.
Measured GFR Does Not Outperform Estimated GFR in Predicting CKD-related Complications
Authors: Chi-yuan Hsu, Kathleen Propert, Dawei Xie, Lee Hamm, Jiang He, Edgar Miller, Akinlolu Ojo, Michael Shlipak, Valerie Teal, Raymond Townsend, Matthew Weir, Jillian Wilson, Harold Feldman
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2011)

Although many assume that measurement of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using a marker such as iothalamate (iGFR) is superior to equation-estimated GFR (eGFR), each of these methods has distinct disadvantages. Because physicians often use renal function to guide the screening for various CKD-associated complications, one method to compare the clinical utility of iGFR and eGFR is to determine the strength of their association with CKD-associated comorbidities. Using a subset of 1214 participants in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study, we determined the cross-sectional associations between known complications of CKD and iGFR, eGFR estimated from serum creatinine (eGFR_Cr), and eGFR estimated from cystatin C (eGFR_cysC). We found that none of the measures of renal function strongly associated with CKD complications and that the relative strengths of associations varied according to the outcome of interest. For example, iGFR demonstrated better discrimination than eGFR_Cr and eGFR_cysC for outcomes of anemia and hemoglobin concentration; however, both eGFR_Cr and eGFR_cysC demonstrated better discrimination than iGFR for outcomes of hyperphosphatemia and phosphorus level. iGFR and eGFR had similar strengths of association with hyperkalemia/potassium level and with metabolic acidosis/bicarbonate level. In conclusion, iothalamate measurement of GFR is not consistently superior to equation-based estimations of GFR in explaining CKD-related comorbidities. These results raise questions regarding the conventional view that iGFR is the "gold standard" measure of kidney function.
Medical Management of Hyperglycemia in Type 2 Diabetes: A Consensus Algorithm for the Initiation and Adjustment of Therapy
Authors: David M. Nathan, John B. Buse, Mayer B. Davidson, Ele Ferrannini, Rury R. Holman, Robert Sherwin, Bernard Zinman
Journal: Diabetes Care (2008)

The consensus algorithm for the medical management of type 2 diabetes was published in August 2006 with the expectation that it would be updated, based on the availability of new interventions and new evidence to establish their clinical role. The authors continue to endorse the principles used to develop the algorithm and its major features. We are sensitive to the risks of changing the algorithm cavalierly or too frequently, without compelling new information. An update to the consensus algorithm published in January 2008 specifically addressed safety issues surrounding the thiazolidinediones. In this revision, we focus on the new classes of medications that now have more clinical data and experience.
Clinical Characteristics and Biopsy Specimen Features in African-American and White Men Without Prostate Cancer
Authors: James A. Eastham, Robert A. May, Terence Whatley, Arden Crow, Dennis D. Venable, Oliver Sartor
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1998)

Background:The reported incidence of prostate cancer is higher among African-American men than among white men.We conducted a study of African-American and white men without prostate cancer to determine whether clinical and histologic findings might be associated with racial differences in serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels.Methods: From January 1990 through March 1997, 493 (59.5%) of 829 African-American men and 736 (74.1%) of 993 white men who had elevated serum PSA levels (у4.0 ng/mL) and/or abnormal digital rectal examinations and who underwent transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies were found to be without prostate cancer.Also reviewed were patients' age and race, indication for biopsy, histologic features of the prostate biopsy specimen, ultrasound-measured prostate volume, PSA density (i.e., the PSA level divided by the prostate volume), and (in some cases) serum testosterone levels.Results: Among these men without prostate cancer, there were no statistically significant differences by race in the ages of the patients, their prostate volumes, or their serum testosterone levels; however, the mean serum PSA levels and PSA densities were significantly higher in African-American men than in white men (twosided P values of .00003and .000009,respectively).A higher proportion of African-American men than white men had inflammation in their prostate biopsy specimen, and men of both races with prostate inflammation had higher PSA values than those without inflammation.African-American men without inflammation had higher PSA values than white men without inflammation.Conclusions: In this study, African-American men without histologic evidence of prostate cancer had significantly higher PSA levels and PSA densities than similarly aged white men.This finding was not accounted for by racial differences in patients' age, serum testosterone level, or prostate volume.[
MICROGLIA AS MEDIATORS OF INFLAMMATORY AND DEGENERATIVE DISEASES
Authors: F. González-Scarano, Gordon Baltuch
Journal: Annual Review of Neuroscience (1999)

▪ Abstract Microglia are the principal immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS) and have a critical role in host defense against invading microorganisms and neoplastic cells. However, as with immune cells in other organs, microglia may play a dual role, amplifying the effects of inflammation and mediating cellular degeneration as well as protecting the CNS. In entities like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection of the nervous system, microglia are also critical to viral persistence. In this review we discuss the role of microglia in three diseases in which their activity is at least partially deleterious: HIV, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease.
Outcome of children of parents with atopic asthma and transient childhood wheezy bronchitis
Authors: G. L. Christie, P. J. Helms, S. J. Ross, D. J. Godden, J. A. Friend, J. S. Legge, N. E. Haites, J. G. Douglas
Journal: Thorax (1997)

BACKGROUND: Childhood asthma and wheeze only in the presence of respiratory infection (wheezy bronchitis) appear to have different prognoses and may differ in their aetiology and heritability. In particular, slight reductions in lung function may be associated with episodes of wheezing associated with intercurrent viral infection. METHODS: Outcomes for wheezing symptoms and lung function were studied in 133 offspring of three distinct groups of 69 middle aged probands with childhood histories of (1) atopic asthma (n = 18), (2) wheeze associated with upper respiratory tract infection (wheezy bronchitis, n = 24), and (3) no symptoms (n = 27). Probands were selected from a previously studied cohort in which outcomes of wheezy bronchitis and asthma had been shown to differ. RESULTS: Children of probands with wheezy bronchitis had a lower prevalence of current wheezing symptoms. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) in boys of probands with a history of wheezy bronchitis were significantly reduced compared with either of the other two groups (p &lt; 0.0001). In a multivariate analysis, grouping based on parent proband had a significant effect on lung function, independent of factors such as symptoms, atopy or smoking history. CONCLUSIONS: The different symptomatic and lung function outcome in children of probands with wheezy bronchitis and asthma provides further evidence that wheezy bronchitis and asthma differ in their natural history and heritability, and suggests that there may be familial factors specific to each wheezing syndrome.
What is the operating point? A discourse on perceptual organisation
Authors: Simon R. Schultz
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2000)

The standard dogmatism ignores the fact that neural coding is extremely flexible, and the degree of “coarseness” versus “locality” of representation in real brains can be different under different task conditions. The real question that should be asked is: What is the operating point of neural coding under natural behavioural conditions? Several sources of evidence suggest that under natural conditions some degree of distribution of coding pervades the nervous system.