tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
A qualitative analysis of a focus group discussion on patient decision making in cancer care
Authors: N. Srinivasaiah, B. Joseph, J. Gunn, J. Hartley, J. Monson
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2009)

e15145 Background: Patient preferences should play an important role when decision making in cancer care. Literature is increasingly demonstrating that surgeons and physicians have divergent preferences for treatment options compared with their patients and with each other. Cancer psychology is an important aspect of cancer care. Qualitative research is a gateway to explore this. We aim to explore opinions and thoughts among surgical colleagues about “patient decision making in cancer care”. Methods: A pilot focus group discussion among members of the academic surgical unit involving 4 consultants, 3 registrars and 3 research fellows. The discussion was audio-taped and transcribed. Qualitative methodology was adopted for analysis. Thematic analysis using framework approach was done thereby identifying Themes &amp; Outcomes. Results: Themes that emerged are Evidence based clinical practice, Knowledge, Decision making, Patient Information, Risk, Communication, Consent, Socioeconomic factors and Patient empowerment, Outcomes derived are to increase the evidence base, Increase the clinician and patient knowledge, provide adequate information, Decisions to be based on patients best interest, Communicate risk in a understandable manner, Take patients views, knowledge and demands into consideration, Conclusions: Patient decision making in cancer care is slowly evolving, where decisions are not only made taking into account patients views, knowledge and demand but are also driven by them in a minority. Time is a factor and in years to come the patients will play an increased role in their treatments taking into account tradeoffs and risks between survival and quality of life. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Center Volume and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support at Lung Transplantation in the Lung Allocation Score Era
Authors: Don Hayes, Joseph D. Tobias, Dmitry Tumin
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2016)

Outcomes related to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) used to bridge patients to lung transplantation in the context of center differences in transplant expertise have not been investigated.To determine the effects of ECMO at time of transplant on survival in adult patients who underwent transplant surgery in historically low- and high-volume centers.The United Network for Organ Sharing database was used to classify centers according to transplant volume between May 2005 and May 2010 as low-volume centers (bottom 50% of centers), medium-volume centers (next 25%), or high-volume centers (top 25%). Influences of ECMO on post-transplant survival were estimated among adults receiving lung transplants between June 2010 and June 2015 based on historic center volume in the preceding 5 years.Sixty-five centers were classified according to lung transplant volume in 2005-2010, with 8,228 adults (279 on ECMO) who underwent transplants at these centers between June 2010 and June 2015 included in the survival analysis. In multivariable Cox analysis stratified by center, we found that, in historically low-volume centers, ECMO was associated with increased post-transplant mortality hazard (hazard ratio, 1.968; 95% confidence interval, 1.083-3.577; P = 0.026). In contrast, in historically high-volume centers, ECMO had no adverse influence on post-transplant survival (hazard ratio, 0.853; 95% confidence interval, 0.596-1.222; P = 0.386).An adverse effect of ECMO at the time of lung transplant was evident in low-volume centers but absent in centers with experience of performing more than 170 lung transplants in the first 5 years of the lung allocation score era.
UN predicts half the teenagers in Africa will die of AIDS
Authors: Scott Gottlieb
Journal: BMJ (2000)

AIDS will cause early death in as many as half of the teenagers living in the hardest hit countries of southern Africa, causing population imbalances nearly without precedent, according to a report released last week by UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.

Demographers predict that two thirds of the 15 year olds in Botswana will die of AIDS before reaching age 50. Although that is clearly the world's worst scenario, researchers predict that in any country where 15% of adults are now infected, at least 35% of those who are currently teenagers will eventually die of AIDS.

The AIDS epidemic is already measurably eroding economic development, educational attainment, and child survival—all …
Impact of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) on local progression-free (LPFS) and disease-free (DFS) survival in localized high-risk soft tissue sarcoma (HR-STS) after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) with regional hyperthermia (RHT)
Authors: R.D. Issels, E. Kampmann, V. Bücklein, E. Nössner, L.H. Lindner, M. Schmidt, U. Mansmann, W. Hiddemann, M. Subklewe, T. Knösel
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2015)
Population profile for squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of cervix in Waterford Regional Hospital, Ireland.
Authors: M. G. McNamara, H. Zainal Abidin, E. Murphy, J. Stratton, P. Calvert
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2010)

e15557 Background: In the United States (US), squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) account for approximately 70 percent of cervical cancers, adenocarcinomas (AC) 25 percent, and adenosquamous carcinomas 3%-5% with the mean age at diagnosis documented as 47 years. In poorly screened populations, the vast majority of cervical cancers are of squamous histology, whereas in populations with good cervical cancer screening programmes, the proportion of AC is increased. Cytology screening and changes in socioeconomic profile has led to declines in cervical SCC incidence and mortality rates worldwide. It has been suggested that Pap smear screening has played a significant role in the reduction in SCC in the United States, Canada, New South Wales, in some of the Asian countries and in almost all European countries except Ireland. Cervical cancer screening was only introduced in Ireland in 2008. The purpose of this study was to explore the population profile for SCC and AC in the South East of Ireland. Methods: 114 patients were treated in Waterford Regional hospital for invasive cervical carcinoma between 2004 and 2009. Following full staging, patients were assigned to primary surgery and/or radiotherapy/chemotherapy. Results: The mean age at diagnosis of invasive cervical carcinoma in this group was 38 years. SCCs accounted for 78%, AC 18 percent and others 4%. Fifty one percent proceeded to primary chemotherapy/radiotherapy whereas forty nine percent had initial surgery. The most frequent presenting complaint was abnormal pattern of bleeding with 56% presenting in this way. There was a smoking history in 57% of cases with the mean parity being 3. Previous Pap smears were recorded in 54% of cases with only 33% having being referred post abnormal smears in this study. Conclusions: The predominant pattern shown by cancer registries in developed countries is of a reduction in the incidence of SCC. The percentage of SCC cases in our study was higher than the U.S. average with a younger mean age at presentation. Further studies are required to elucidate whether increased uptake of Pap smears will decrease incidence of SCC in this population. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Systems biology of mucosal injury in cancer patients
Authors: D. E. Peterson, R. Srivastava, J. R. White, R. V. Lalla, L. M. Loew
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2008)

9634 Background: Mucosal injury (mucositis) caused by high-dose or targeted cancer therapy can result in significant morbidity and financial cost. Understanding the causative complex molecular pathways of this toxicity will enhance design of new therapies. Computational reaction kinetic biological models represent an important strategic advance in this regard. These simulations are cost- and time- efficient and can identify new hypotheses and projected experimental outcomes. The technology also permits integration of complex models based on animal and human data. Methods: A mucositis reaction network structure was developed using COX-2 pathway data derived from literature-based animal and human studies as well as pre- and post-transplant oral mucosal biopsies from three hematopoietic cell transplant patients. Virtual Cell software was used to simulate network dynamics. Results: The nonlinear network mucositis model incorporated feedback loops and accounted for dynamic response of COX-1, COX-2, TNF-α, PGE-2, IL-1β, IL-6, PGI-2, TXA-2 and NF-κB with nonlinear correlation coefficients of −0.73, −4.27, −89.1, −7.85, 0.02, −2.79, 0.63, 0.86 and −0.02 respectively. For 7 of 8 molecular species, the model was able to predict final steady-state value within experimental error with exception of TNF-α. The ninth species, TXA-2, did not achieve steady-state within the timeframe monitored. Conclusions: Using the COX-2 pathway as a prototype, this model successfully incorporated experimental and computational approaches to elucidate mucositis network pathways. The results identify research areas requiring further study such as TNF-α dynamics, thus highlighting benefit of the model. This technology could also facilitate design of new mucositis research protocols including (i) mechanisms of neuropeptide-mediated pain, (ii) identification of tissue-based risk factors and (iii) integration of genetic, cytomorphologic and functional expression of oral and gastrointestinal mucosal injury. Supported by U.S. Public Health Service grants from National Center for Research Resources (P41 RR013186) and NIH Roadmap National Technology Centers for Networks and Pathways (U54 RR022232). Author Disclosure Employment or Leadership Consultant or Advisory Role Stock Ownership Honoraria Research Expert Testimony Other Remuneration The GI Co. ActoGeniX NV, Alizyme Ther. Ltd., Endo Pharm Inc., Genzyme Corp., MGI Pharma Inc., Nuvelo, The GI Co. The GI Co.
Selective Enhancement of Hypoxic Cell Killing by Melphalan Via Thiol Depletion: In Vitro Studies With Hypoxic Cell Sensitizers and Buthionine Sulfoximine&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: L Roizin-Towle
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1985)

The relationship between thiol depletion and its enhancement of melphalan (L-PAM) cytotoxicity was studied with the use of V-79-379A Chinese hamster cells in vitro. Selective killing of hypoxic cells by use of a specific and nonspecific reducer of endogenous cellular thiols was the approach used in combining drugs with disparate mechanisms of action. Noncytotoxic concentrations of agents were employed in those experiments designed to mimic a practical scheme for their implementation in vivo. Cells made hypoxic by gassing in suspension with 95% nitrogen and 5% CO2 were treated with buthionine S-R-sulfoximine (BSO), a specific inhibitor of glutathione synthesis and a hypoxic cell sensitizer (i.e., either misonidazole or SR-2508) before their exposure to the alkylating agent. Cellular loss of nonprotein thiols by treatment with BSO correlated with enhanced L-PAM toxicity; however, a far greater effect was achieved when this enzymatic inhibitor was used in combination with a hypoxic cell sensitizer. This chemopotentiation of hypoxic cell killing by L-PAM, along with little potentiation of toxic cell killing, indicated the practical and potential benefit of this sort of drug therapy in vivo.
Toxicity of holotransferrin but not albumin in proximal tubule cells in primary culture.
Authors: L Chen, R A Boadle, D C Harris
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (1998)

Proteinuria has been invoked as a cause of tubulointerstitial injury in chronic renal disease, and in vivo studies have suggested indirectly the particular nephrotoxicity of one urinary protein holotransferrin (Tf-Fe). However, to date there has been no direct evidence for the nephrotoxicity of Tf-Fe. To examine the potential cytotoxicity of Tf-Fe and the mechanism involved, and to compare this to another urinary protein albumin, rat proximal tubule cells were studied in primary culture. Tf-Fe at pH 6.0 caused functional and ultrastructural injury, but no cytotoxicity was seen with cells exposed to albumin, apotransferrin (transferrin), or Tf-Fe at pH 7.4. The influence of pH on Tf-Fe-induced cytotoxicity was not due to pH per se, but could be explained by an effect on Tf-Fe uptake. At pH 6.0, uptake of 125I-Tf-Fe (3.55 +/- 0.05 versus 1.25 +/- 0.10 fmol/dish, P < 0.01) and intracellular iron concentration (1.14 +/- 0.25 versus 0.46 +/- 0.23 nmol/dish, P < 0.01) were increased compared with values at pH 7.4. In contrast, pH 6.0 did not increase iron uptake from FeCl3. Lysine (100 mM) inhibited Tf-Fe uptake, decreased intracellular iron concentration, and attenuated Tf-Fe-induced cytotoxicity. The iron chelator des-ferrioxamine (200 microM) and hydroxyl radical scavenger dimethylpyrroline N-oxide (32 mM) abolished lactate dehydrogenase leakage induced by Tf-Fe at pH 6.0. Lipid peroxidation, as assessed by production of malondialdehyde, preceded lactate dehydrogenase leakage. In summary, holotransferrin, but not albumin, is toxic to rat proximal tubule cells, a pH-dependent effect involving its uptake into tubule cells, its iron moiety, and its lipid peroxidation.
<i>PPM1D</i>Mosaic Truncating Variants in Ovarian Cancer Cases May Be Treatment-Related Somatic Mutations
Authors: Paul D. P. Pharoah, Honglin Song, Ed Dicks, Maria P. Intermaggio, Patricia Harrington, Caroline Baynes, Kathryn Alsop, Natalia Bogdanova, Mine S. Cicek, Julie M. Cunningham, Brooke L. Fridley, Aleksandra Gentry-Maharaj, Peter Hillemanns, Shashi Lele, Jenny Lester, Valerie McGuire, Kirsten B. Moysich, Samantha Poblete, Weiva Sieh, Lara Sucheston-Campbell, Martin Widschwendter, Alice S. Whittemore, Thilo Dörk, Usha Menon, Kunle Odunsi, Ellen L. Goode, Beth Y. Karlan, David D. Bowtell, Simon A. Gayther, Susan J. Ramus
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2016)

Mosaic truncating mutations in the protein phosphatase, Mg 2+ /Mn 2+ -dependent, 1D ( PPM1D ) gene have recently been reported with a statistically significantly greater frequency in lymphocyte DNA from ovarian cancer case patients compared with unaffected control patients. Using massively parallel sequencing (MPS) we identified truncating PPM1D mutations in 12 of 3236 epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) case patients (0.37%) but in only one of 3431 unaffected control patients (0.03%) ( P = .001). All statistical tests were two-sided. A combination of Sanger sequencing, pyrosequencing, and MPS data suggested that 12 of the 13 mutations were mosaic. All mutations were identified in post-chemotherapy treatment blood samples from case patients (n = 1827) (average 1234 days post-treatment in carriers) rather than from cases collected pretreatment (less than 14 days after diagnosis, n = 1384) ( P = .002). These data suggest that PPM1D variants in EOC cases are primarily somatic mosaic mutations caused by treatment and are not associated with germline predisposition to EOC.
Smoking: Habits and Beliefs of Oregon Physicians&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: S. Spence Meighan, M.B., Ch.B., M.R.C.P.(London), Morris Weitman, Ph.D.
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1965)

The habits and beliefs of physicians regarding cigarette smoking are specially important, because their professional education and experience make them much more aware, than is the general public, of the nature of those diseases reportedly caused by smoking. Physicians also have an important role in making the public better informed about the dangers of smoking, and their special place in the community may permit them to influence the patterns of behavior of those seeking their advice on health matters. A questionnaire was mailed in May, 1964, to all members of the Oregon Medical Association residing in the State; 1,794 doctors, 89.9 percent, responded. Of these, 23.9 percent reported they smoked cigarettes regularly, 15.4 percent smoked pipes or cigars, and 60.7 percent did not smoke at all. The opinions of the physicians regarding the nature and severity of the risks involved in cigarette smoking were found to be related directly to their personal smoking habits. Clearly, fewer Oregon physicians now smoke cigarettes, and those who do are smoking less, Although the data are not strictly comparable, a widespread trend away from cigarettes is evident from data obtained from doctors in other parts of the United States and the United Kingdom. Such information may help persuade the general public that they too should give up smoking.
Commentary 2 on “Airway inflammation in the elite athlete and type of sportAirway inflammation in the elite athlete and type of sport”
Authors: Sergio Bonini
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2008)

The paper of Belda and co-workers describes the interesting finding that swimmers have an increased number of neutrophils in induced sputum. A mixed type of neutrophilic–eosinophilic inflammation has been …
Detection of circulating hypoxia-regulated miR-210 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients
Authors: A. S. Ho, X. Huang, H. Cao, A. C. Koong, Q. T. Le
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2009)

4624 Background: MicroRNAs (miRs) are small non-coding transcripts involved in many cellular mechanisms, including tumorigenesis. miR-210, in particular, has been shown to be induced by hypoxia, over-expressed in several different cancers, and correlated with adverse outcomes in breast cancer. Moreover, since pancreatic adenocarcinomas have been previously shown to be extremely hypoxic, we hypothesized that miR-210 may be elevated in the plasma of these patients compared to non-cancer controls. Here, we compared the circulating plasma levels of miR-210 in pancreatic cancer patients and controls using a novel miRNA extraction approach and quantitative PCR. Methods: Pretreatment EDTA plasma samples were obtained from pancreatic cancer patients and age-matched non-cancer controls. miRNA was extracted from 40ul of plasma and reverse transcribed to cDNA. A known quantity of c. elegans miR-54 was added to the sample as a normalization control. miR-210 and cel-miR-54 were then quantified using TaqMan MicroRNA Assays. The procedure was performed on the initial 11 pairs of age-matched pancreatic cancer patients and non- cancer controls, then validated with a second cohort of 12 pancreatic cancer patients and 11 controls. Results: miR-210 was reliably detected and quantified in small amounts of plasma using the approach developed in our study. There is a statistically significant four-fold increase of mir-210 expression in pancreatic cancer patients compared to normal controls (Student's t-test, p &lt;0.0001). This difference was confirmed in the validation group (Student's t-test, p&lt;0.05). Conclusions: Circulating miR-210 levels can be readily measured from a small quantity of plasma using a novel extraction method. Its expression is significantly higher in the blood of pancreatic cancer patients compared to controls and may potentially serve as a useful biomarker for pancreatic cancer diagnosis. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Some Anticardiolipin Antibodies Recognize a Combination of Phospholipids With Thrombin-Modified Antithrombin, Complement C4b-Binding Protein, and Lipopolysaccharide Binding Protein
Authors: Josiane Arvieux, Gilles Pernod, Véronique Regnault, Luc Darnige, Jérôme Garin
Journal: Blood (1999)
Abstract 16047: Bivalirudin Bridging to Oral Anticoagulation After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation
Authors: Alexander Kantorovich, Jodie M Fink, Nader Moazami, Michael A Militello
Journal: Circulation (2013)

Introduction: Anticoagulation post-VAD implantation is necessary to prevent pump thrombosis; however, patients are at an increased risk of bleeding post-operatively. Different approaches to anticoa...
Cost-effectiveness of tositumomab and iodine I-131 tositumomab (Bexxar therapeutic regimen (BTR)), in treatment of non- Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)
Authors: C. R. Flowers, J. C. Sambrook, A. Briggs, K. Osenenko, H. Wang, M. R. Dalal
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2007)

8089 Background: BTR has demonstrated efficacy in NHL patients and it has potential to prolong time to progression (TTP) in relapsed/refractory, low grade, follicular, or transformed NHL. This study assessed effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of BTR compared to alternative therapies in first, second, and third line NHL therapy. Methods: Time-to-event models were constructed with 2 events: progression and death. Patient data from 8 BTR clinical trials were combined to fit Weibull models for TTP and overall survival (OS) by including FLIPI covariates. Estimates for BTR were compared with estimates for alternatives from Weibull models fitted to published TTP and BTR OS data by lines of therapy and measured in life-years (LY). Estimated pre-progression costs included drug costs, lab tests, monitoring, and adverse events; post progression costs included NHL costs until death, all valued in 2006 $US and discounted at 3%. Indirect comparisons yielded incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER=Δ cost/Δ LYs) in each line of therapy. Results: As observed in the table , cost of care estimates in BTR were often comparable with alternative therapies, but typically LY gain favored BTR. Mostly in first and third line, a BTR strategy had an ICER less than the cost-effectiveness threshold of $50,000 per LY gained. Conclusion: Overall, a BTR strategy has a favorable cost-effectiveness profile to alternative strategies including rituximab maintenance (RXM) in first, second, and third line NHL therapy. Results imply both a possible survival gain with early BTR use, and the cost-effectiveness of BTR. This modeling approach can aid in clinical decision making regarding the sequence and timing of therapy for patients with follicular NHL. No significant financial relationships to disclose. [Table: see text]
Renal functional reserve in healthy elderly subjects.
Authors: D Fliser, M Zeier, R Nowack, E Ritz
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (1993)

The increase in GFR after an amino acid (AA) load, the so-called renal functional reserve, is impaired in the aged rat. Whether the renal functional reserve predicts the progression of renal disease in humans is controversial, but it is possible that age-related alterations of renal hemodynamics are relevant for the evolution of renal disease in the elderly. We compared renal hemodynamics before and after an AA infusion in 15 healthy normotensive subjects of young age (seven women, eight men; median age, 26 yr; range, 23 to 32) and in 10 subjects of old age (six women, four men; median age, 70 yr; range, 61 to 82) on normal dietary protein intake. Baseline GFR and effective RPF were measured after 12 h of fasting by the inulin (Cin) and para-aminohippurate (Cpah) steady-state infusion techniques. The renal functional reserve was examined after an overnight AA infusion (7% solution; 83 mL/h). Median basal Cin and Cpah were significantly lower (P < 0.01) in the elderly (102 and 339 mL/min per 1.73 m2) than in the young subjects (122 and 647 mL/min per 1.73 m2), but virtually all GFR values of the elderly were still within the normal range. Median Cin upon infusion of AA was 118 mL/min per 1.73 m2 (range, 98 to 137) in the elderly and 146 (range, 120 to 171) in the young, respectively. Corresponding values of Cpah were 349 mL/min per 1.73 m2 in the elderly versus 689 mL/min per 1.73 m2 in the young. Cin increased significantly (P < 0.01) after the AA load in both young and elderly subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)