tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Phase II study of cetuximab in patients with unresectable or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: A. X. Zhu, L. Blaszkowsky, P. C. Enzinger, P. Bhargava, D. P. Ryan, J. Meyerhardt, K. Horgan, K. Hale, S. Sheehan, K. Stuart
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2006)

14096 Background: Patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have a poor prognosis with no established systemic treatment regimen. Epidermal growth factor receptor/human epidermal growth factor receptor 1 (EGFR/HER1) and ligand expression is frequently seen in HCC. Recent studies suggest that erlotinib, an EGFR/HER1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor, may have benefit in stabilizing HCC. We performed a phase II study with cetuximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody that binds selectively to EGFR, in advanced HCC. Methods: Eligibility criteria include unresectable or metastatic measurable HCC, up to two prior systemic regimens, performance status ≤ 2, CLIP score ≤ 3, and adequate organ functions. The initial dose of cetuximab is 400 mg/m 2 intravenously (IV) administered over 120 minutes, followed by weekly infusions at 250 mg/m 2 IV over 60 minutes. Each cycle is defined as 6 consecutive weekly treatments. EGFR expression was assayed by immunohistochemistry and trough serum concentrations of cetuximab were determined during the first cycle. The primary endpoint of the study was progression free survival (PFS). Results: The planned 30 patients have been enrolled: median age = 58 (33–82), M/F = 23/7, ECOG 0/1/2 = 16/12/2, CLIP 0/1/2/3=2/9/14/5. No responses were seen. Five patients had stable disease. The median number of cycles on study per patient was 1 (range, 1–3). 16 patients developed progressive disease following one cycle of treatment. Only one patient remains on study. The median PFS and OS were 41 days (95% CI, 36 to 79) and 157 days (95% CI, 112 to not available), respectively. The treatment was generally well tolerated. No treatment related deaths occurred. Treatment related grade 1–2 toxicities included rash (83%), fatigue (47%), hypomagnesemia (27%), nausea (20%), anemia (13%), diarrhea (13%), anorexia (13%), and elevation of SGOT/SGPT (10%). Grade 3 SGOT, hypomagnesemia, and fever without neutropenia were seen in one patient (3%) each. Conclusions: Cetuximab has no activity in HCC in this phase II study. It can be safely given with tolerable toxicity profiles in HCC patients. Updated information on toxicity, efficacy, EGFR expression and pharmacokinetics will be presented at the meeting. Supported by Bristol-Myers Squibb. [Table: see text]
The impact of smoke-free legislation on smoking-related emergency admissions in Istanbul
Authors: Elif Dagli, Ela Erdem, Ahmet Topuzoglu, Pinar Ay, Suayip Birinci, Ibrahim Topcu, Refika Ersu
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Introduction:  Reductions in exposure to tobacco smoke was shown to attenuate the risk of exacerbations of chronic respiratory and cardiac conditions both in adults and children. The aim of this study was to compare the changes in emergency department (ED) admissions for smoking-related diseases before and after the implementataion of smoking ban in Istanbul.   Methods:  Admissions to ten major hospitals in Istanbul in the first five months of 2009 and 2010 were evaluated and compared, using International Classification of Diseases, (ICD-10) diagnostic codes.   Results:  In 2009, there were 115030 ED admissions for the associated diagnostic codes, whereas this decreased to 87212 in 2010. There was a 16% decrease in acute nasopharyngitis, 32.9% decrease in pneumonia, 18.8% decrease in acute broncitis, 59,2% decrease in allergic rhinitis, 61.3% decrease in lower respiratory tract diseases, 21.4% decrease in chronic obstructive lung disease, 20,5% decrease in asthma, 33.6% decrease in ischemic heart disease and acute myocardial infarction. All differences were found statistically significant. Cost saving of emergency drugs and services on site were 437,104 euros for 10 hospitals in a 5 month period, which is projected to be 3,147,148 euros for Istanbul annually, without calculating the prevented hospital treatment cost.   Conclusion:  ER admission rates for diseases associated with active and passive smoking were reduced by 24.2% as a result of smoking ban in Istanbul. Positive effects of clear indoor air ordinances are observed in a very short period, and therefore respiratory health professionals should be advocates for this policies against all odds.
Dasatinib compared to imatinib (IM) in patients (pts) with newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myelogenous leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP): Twelve-month efficacy and safety from the phase III DASISION study.
Authors: H. Kantarjian, N. P. Shah, A. Hochhaus, J. E. Cortes, S. Shah, M. Ayala, B. Moiraghi, M. Bradley-Garelik, C. Zhu, M. Baccarani
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2010)

LBA6500 Background: Dasatinib is a highly potent BCR-ABL kinase inhibitor. Once daily dasatinib demonstrated high rates of durable complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) with 73% progression-free survival and 87% overall survival at 3 yrs in pts with CML-CP post IM failure. DASISION compares efficacy and safety of dasatinib and IM as initial treatment of CML-CP. Methods: 519 pts with Ph(+) newly diagnosed CML-CP stratified by Hasford risk were randomized to dasatinib 100 mg QD (n = 259) or IM 400 mg QD (n = 260). The primary endpoint was 12-mo rate of confirmed CCyR (cCCyR; CCyR on 2 consecutive analyses; any # of metaphases). Other endpoints were rates of and times to CCyR and major molecular response (MMR). Results: Pts characteristics were well balanced. Minimum follow-up was 12 mos; median treatment duration was 14 mos. 85% of dasatinib and 81% of IM pts remained on study. Median dose intensity was 99 mg/d for dasatinib and 400 mg/d for IM. cCCyR rate was superior for dasatinib vs IM (77% vs 66%, P = 0.0067). 12-mo CCyR and MMR rates ( Table ) were higher for dasatinib vs IM (CCyR: 83% vs 72%; MMR: 46% vs. 28%). MMR was obtained significantly faster with dasatinib (HR 2.0, P &lt; 0.0001) as was CCyR (HR 1.5, P &lt; 0.0001). Rates of transformation to AP/BC were 1.9% for dasatinib and 3.5% for IM. Grade 3/4 anemia (10% vs 7%) and neutropenia (21% vs 20%) were similar across arms; thrombocytopenia was more common for dasatinib (19% vs. 10%). Non-hematologic adverse drug reactions (all grades) in ≥10% of pts (dasatinib vs. IM) were fluid retention (19% vs 42%; including pleural effusion, all grade 1 or 2, 10% vs. 0%), nausea (8% vs. 20%), vomiting (5% vs. 10%), myalgia (6% vs.12%), muscle inflammation (4% vs. 17%) and rash (11% vs. 17%). Conclusions: Dasatinib showed significantly higher and faster rates of CCyR and MMR vs IM. Given the predictive value of 12-mo CCyR and MMR and the favorable tolerability of dasatinib, dasatinib may improve long-term outcomes in pts with newly diagnosed CML-CP. [Table: see text] [Table: see text]
Abstract 18968: Correlation Between Myocardial Perfusion and Contractility by SPECT and MRI, and Electromechanical Mapping Parameters in Patients with Advanced Coronary Artery Disease. A PRECISE Substudy
Authors: Ricardo Sanz-Ruiz, Enrique Gutierrez Ibañes, Esther Perez David, Juan Carlos Alonso Farto, Jaime Elizaga Corrales, Maria Eugenia Fernández Santos, Pedro Luis Sanchez Fernandez, Francisco Fernández Avilés
Journal: Circulation (2012)

Introduction: electromechanical mapping (EMM) of the left ventricle (LV) is a new technique that provides us with voltage (unipolar and bipolar voltage) and contractility (lineal local shortening) information of the LV. The objective of this study was to assess the correlation between EMM parameters and myocardial perfusion and contractility by SPECT/MRI, in patients with advanced chronic coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: the PRECISE clinical trial of freshly isolated adipose-derived stem cells for angiogenesis included pts with chronic stable CAD, reversible perfusion defects detectable by SPECT and not amenable for revascularization. Wall motion score index was assessed with MRI imaging in all patients (normal=1; hypokinetic=2; akinetic=3). Perfusion was studied with SPECT Tc-99m sestamibi (normal=grade 0; most impaired=grade 4) and EMM was performed with the NOGA XP system, all using the same 17-segment polar map of the LV. All studies were performed and analyzed by independent observers blinded to the results of the other techniques. Results: 27 consecutive pts were included (62±8 years and 77% male). A total of 865 SPECT and MRI segments were correlated with the corresponding EMM data. Segments with better perfusion at rest and stress (fig.1), and segments with better WMSI by MRI (fig.2) had better voltage and local shortening parameters. Conclusions: EMM is a useful technique for assessing myocardial health status in terms of perfusion and contractility in chronic CAD pts, and can be used for a precise delivery of stem cell therapy.
Effects of right ventricular pacing rate on the pattern of left ventricular contraction and filling as assessed by radionuclide ventriculography.
Authors: Takashi Yamagishi, Masaharu Ozaki, Reizo Kusukawa
Journal: Circulation (1991)

Changes in the pattern of the global left ventricular (LV) time-activity curve with increasing pacing rates were evaluated using radionuclide ventriculography in 15 patients with chronically implanted right ventricular VVI pacemakers. The variables obtained were correlated with the conventional systolic time intervals recorded immediately after radionuclide ventriculography in 8 of the 15 patients. Increasing the pacing rate from 50 to 110 beats per minute (bpm) altered the pattern and timing of LV contraction and filling dramatically. It produced progressive delay and reduction of LV contraction, thus shortening the LV diastolic filling time, and sometimes resulting in LV filling even during early systole. Despite these profound alterations, relative cardiac output in-creased progressively, peaking at a pacing rate of 110 bpm in most patients. In paced patients, filling parameters and diastolic timing intervals require careful attention, since they may be difficult to determine from the altered LV time-activity curve at higher pacing rates.
Prevalence of clinically elevated depressive symptoms in college athletes and differences by gender and sport
Authors: Andrew Wolanin, Eugene Hong, Donald Marks, Kelly Panchoo, Michael Gross
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2016)

Background There are approximately 400 000 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) student athletes and 5–7 million high school student athletes competing each year. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, the depression prevalence rate for young adults, which ranges from 10% to 85% across studies, is higher than that of other age groups. Given the relatively high prevalence of depression in individuals of collegiate age in the general population, the prevalence of depression among athletes in this age group warrants further study. This multiyear study examined the prevalence of depressive symptoms in college athletes, as well as demographic factors related to increased or decreased rates of depressive symptoms by gender and sport. Objective To describe the prevalence of depression symptoms among NCAA division I student athletes at a single institution over 3 consecutive years. Method Participants (n=465) completed a battery of measures during their yearly spring sports medicine physical across 3 consecutive years. The battery included the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and a demographic questionnaire, administered during the course of routine sports medicine physical examinations. Differences in depressive symptoms prevalence and relative risk ratios were calculated by gender and sport. Results The prevalence rate for a clinically relevant level of depressive symptoms, as measured on the CES-D (CES-D ≥16), was 23.7%. A moderate to severe level of depressive symptoms was reported by 6.3%. There was a significant gender difference in prevalence of depressive symptoms, χ 2 (1)=7.459, p=0.006, with female athletes exhibiting 1.844 times the risk of male athletes for endorsing clinically relevant symptoms. Conclusions The CES-D identified clinically relevant levels of depressive symptoms in nearly one-quarter of college student athletes in this large cross-sectional sample. Female college athletes reported significantly more depressive symptoms than males. Findings suggest that depression prevalence among college athletes is comparable to that found in the general college population. In light of these findings, sports medicine personnel may wish to implement depression screening and assessment of depressive symptoms across sports to identify at-risk athletes. Risk factors related to depression in college athletes warrant additional study.
Correlation of endothelial angiopoietin-2 expression with tumor angiogenesis and response to sunitinib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
Authors: Juhana Rautiola, Anita Lampinen, Ari Ristimäki, Tuomas Mirtti, Heikki Joensuu, Petri Bono, Pipsa Saharinen
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2015)

461 Background: The endothelial growth factor angiopoietin-2 (Ang2) is a target for novel anti-angiogenic therapies, but its potential as a biomarker remains unknown. Methods: We evaluated Ang2, CD31 and Ki67 expression in tumors of 136 patients with metastatic RCC (mRCC) treated with first-line sunitinib from tumor samples. Results: Ang2 was exclusively expressed in the endothelial cells of tumor blood vessels. Using a cutoff of ≥50 Ang2+ vessels/microscopic field, 38% of the samples had high Ang2 expression. High Ang2 expression correlated with high CD31+ vessel density (p=0.002). 91% of patients with high Ang2 expression had partial response (PR) or stable disease (SD) as best response to sunitinib compared to 76% of those with low Ang2 expression (p=0.033). High CD31+ vessel density correlated with high clinical benefit rate (p=0.015), and with low levels of Ki-67+ tumor cells (p=0.018). Combined high expression of both Ang2 and CD31 predicted a better clinical benefit rate with 100% of the patients with high Ang2 and CD31 expression (n=25) achieving PR/SD compared to 77% among the rest of the patients (n=101; p=0.007). Only one (8%, n=12) patient with papillary RCC had high Ang2 expression, whereas 49 (41%, n = 120) patients with clear cell RCC had high Ang2 expression (p=0.03). Conclusions: In this first study to investigate Ang2 expression and outcome in mRCC patients treated with an angiogenesis inhibitor, high Ang2 expression in the tumor vasculature was predictive for sunitinib efficacy.
Abstract 15780: CSL112, A Novel Formulation of Human Apolipoprotein A-I, Dramatically Increases Cholesterol Efflux Capacity in Patients With Stable Atherothrombotic Disease: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Ascending-Dose Study
Authors: Andreas Gille, Denise D'Andrea, Rachel Easton, Pierluigi Tricoci, John H Alexander, Samuel D Wright, Charles L Shear
Journal: Circulation (2013)

Introduction: The ability of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to remove cholesterol from macrophages in atherosclerotic plaque is thought to underlie its inverse correlation with cardiovascular risk....
Chromosome Changes Associated With the Progression of Cell Lines From Preneoplastic to Tumorigenic Phenotype During Transformation of Mouse Salivary Gland Epithelium In Vitro
Authors: J K Cowell, C B Wigley
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1982)

Two mouse salivary gland epithelial cell lines, CSG 211 and CSG 205/2B1, isolated during carcinogen-induced neoplastic transformation in vitro, were analyzed cytogenetically before and after they acquired the ability to produce carcinomas in syngeneic animals. With the use of Giemsa banding techniques, chromosome changes were identified that were associated with the transition from a preneoplastic to a fully transformed (tumorigenic) phenotype during serial passage in vitro. Results were compared with those from a third cell line of similar origin, CSG 225, which was tumorigenic at the earliest passage tested. These cell lines were found to be subtetraploid, which confirms previous data, and the tumorigenic lines showed consistent losses of copies of chromosomes 1, 4, 7, 9, and 14. Compared with their preneoplastic counterparts, the loss of no single chromosome seems to be sufficient to generate the tumorigenic phenotype, but the loss of a combination of some or all of these chromosomes appears to be important in the phenotypic transition. In CSG 211 the loss of chromosome 7 is probably more important in this respect than loss of the other chromosomes listed. The karyotype of this cell line undergoes major structural rearrangement, which suggests that loss of specific regions of chromosomes 1 and 9 is also important.
Normatology: a review and commentary with reference to abortion and physician-assisted suicide
Authors: H K Brodie, L Banner
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1997)

This article opens with a review of the concept of "normatology," which was developed by Sabshin and Offer in four books published over a period of 30 years. Normatology seeks to produce an "operational definition of normality and health" over the life cycle. Such a definition can be used as a guideline in the deliver of health care. The importance of this field of study is highlighted when considering issues such as abortion or physician-assisted suicide. Fortunately, the proclivity of Americans to conduct public opinion polls helps researchers determine what is considered "normal" at any given time. Gallup Polls, which have posed the same question about the legality of abortion from 1975 to 1995, indicate that about half of all Americans continuously occupy the middle ground on this issue despite a somewhat liberalizing trend. In general, public opinion holds that it is normal to want to avoid giving birth to a damaged child, to place the mother's health and safety above that of the fetus, and to terminate a pregnancy resulting from rape. It is less normal to abort a healthy fetus on demand. Thus, abortion will likely continue to be a source of controversy and confusion in our society and among psychiatric patients. In comparison, psychiatrists express attitudes about abortion that are more liberal than normal. In the case of physician-assisted suicide, public approval has increased since 1950 as scientific advancements have facilitated the prolongation of unproductive and painful life. If legalized, physician-assisted suicide may depend upon psychiatric assessment of an absence of mental disease. Such an assessment is required in the Northern Territory of Australia, where voluntary euthanasia is legal, but not in the Netherlands, where it is government-regulated. Psychiatrists must understand public opinion in order to influence it or deal with it competently.
Reply to Kristo et al.
Authors: Rehan Haidry, Gideon Lipman, Matthew Banks, Mohammed Butt, Vinay Sehgal, David Graham, Jason Dunn, Abhinav Gupta, Rami Sweis, Haroon Miah, Danielle Morris, Howard Smart, Pradeep Bhandari, Robert Willert, Grant Fullarton, Jonathon Morris, Massimo Di Pietro, Charles Gordon, Ian Penman, High Barr, Praful Patel, Philip Boger, Neil Kapoor, Brinder Mahon, Jonathon Hoare, Ravi Narayanasamy, Dermot O’Toole, Edward Cheong, Natalie Direkze, Yeng Ang, Andrew Veitch, Anjan Dhar, David Nyalender, Krish Ragunath, Anthony Leahy, Mark Fullard, Manuel Rodriguez-Justo, Marco Novelli, Laurence Lovat
Journal: Endoscopy (2015)

We thank you for your observations and comments about the role of surgical treatment for acid reflux in maintaining long-term disease remission after successful endoscopic therapy. We share your observations that although, in most patents, with combined endoscopic resection and radiofrequency ablation (RFA), we are able to clear the mucosal neoplasia and intestinal metaplasia that is Barrett’s esophagus, we do not reverse the persisting reflux insult that drives the biological transformation to Barrett’s esophagus and neoplasia.
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation-Positive Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer in the Real-World Setting in Central Europe
Authors: Rodryg Ramlau, Tanja Cufer, Peter Berzinec, Rafal Dziadziuszko, Włodzimierz Olszewski, Helmut Popper, Paolo Bajcic, Ladislav Dusšk, Zuzana Zbozinkova, Robert Pirker
Journal: Journal of Thoracic Oncology (2015)
PTH-309 Use of warmed humidified insufflation carbon dioxide to reduce surgical site infections in laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a cohort study
Authors: N Noor, D Reynecke, J Hendricks, R Motson, T Arulampalam
Journal: Gut (2015)

<h3>Introduction</h3> Surgical Site infections (SSI) are a common complication associated with considerable morbidity. They have a negative impact on recovery time leading to extended hospital stay, reduced patient quality of life and constitute a financial burden to healthcare providers. The aim of this study was to evaluate if using HumiGard warmed, humidified CO<sub>2</sub>insufflation system decreased the incidence of SSI. <h3>Method</h3> A retrospective cohort study of two patient groups (n = 252 in a 1:1 ratio) undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resections in a specialist unit was undertaken; the first from Sept 2012 – July 2013 pre HumiGard and the second from July 2013–2014 with the HumiGard system. Data was retrieved retrospectively from case notes of all patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal surgery with the HumiGard system and the same number of patients pre-intervention. The primary outcome was the between-groups difference in incidence of SSI, which was graded according to a standard classification system by an enhanced recovery team. Secondary outcomes were; differences in incidence of post-operative pneumonia, number of bed days and length of time in theatre recovery. In order to identify any change in outcomes, relative risk and odds ratios and their respective 95% confidence intervals were estimated as a measure of association for SSI, while RR was estimated for pneumonia. Bed-days and length of time in theatre recovery were analysed by ANOVA since these were continuous variables. Data was analysed in Genstat V.16. <h3>Results</h3> Incidence of SSI was significantly reduced from 12% to 4.7% following introduction of Humigard (p = 0.047). A non-significant reduction in pneumonia was observed using HumiGard (4 vs 1, p = 0.21). Mean number of bed days decreased by 1.5 days (7.87 to 6.32) but did not reach significance (p = 0.16). Length of time spent in theatre recovery was similar (186 Vs. 190 mins p = 0.86). Mean body temperature post op was 36.5<sup>ᵒC </sup>with Humigard, data was not recorded in the first cohort. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The introduction of the HumiGard system in laparoscopic colorectal resectional surgery significantly reduced incidence of SSI. A trend was identified that it decreased pneumonia and length of stay, however these did not reach significance, therefore further data are required to more fully assess these outcome measures. With widespread use of laparoscopic surgical techniques now routine across surgical specialties in UK centres this study has identified an important intervention to reduce SSI. A randomised controlled trial to further assess the role of warming and humidifying insufflation gases in reducing the SSI and length of hospital stay is indicated. <h3>Disclosure of interest</h3> None Declared.