tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Cardiovascular risk factors and frontotemporal dementia: a case–control study
Authors: Angel Golimstok, Nuria Cámpora, Juan I Rojas, María C Fernandez, Cristina Elizondo, Enrique Soriano, Edgardo Cristiano
Journal: Translational Neurodegeneration (2014)

Cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) were widely described as related to dementia. There are very few studies regarding this association in FTD. The objective of the study was to compare the frequency of CRF in our population with FTD and controls. 100 consecutive subjects with FTD diagnosis according to Lund-Manchester clinical criteria and 200 controls matched by age and sex were included between January 2003 to February 2007 at the Cognitive and Behavior Unit of Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. Clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, brain images (CT/MRI), neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric assessment were performed. Multiple regression analysis was performed to analyze the association in CRF between FTD patients vs. controls. The mean age in FTD was 69.7 ± 0.9 vs. 70.1 ± 0.8 in controls (p 0.12). No difference in gender was observed between cases and controls. No differences were identified between patients and controls regarding hypertension (HTA) (65% vs. 67,3% p 0.44); dyslipidemia (57% vs. 54.7% p 0.74); obesity (39% vs. 27.6% p 0.14) and hypothyroidism (26% vs. 17.1% p 0.1). A significant difference was observed for Diabetes Mellitus (39% vs. 22.6% p 0.001). In our population, Diabetes Mellitus was associated as an independent risk factor for FTD. To our knowledge this is the first report in which CRF were evaluated prospectively in FTD patients. More studies are needed to confirm this finding in larger populations.
10 RESULTS OF A PROOF OF CONCEPT STUDY (C210) OF TELAPREVIR MONOTHERAPY AND IN COMBINATION WITH PEGINTERFERON ALFA-2A AND RIBAVIRIN IN TREATMENT-NAIVE GENOTYPE 4 HCV PATIENTS
Authors: Y. Benhamou, J. Moussalli, V. Ratziu, P. Lebray, V. Gysen, K. de Backer, A. Ghys, R. van Heeswijk, T. Vangeneugden, G. Picchio, M. Beumont-Mauviel
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2009)
Patent Foramen Ovale, Subclinical Cerebrovascular Disease, and Ischemic Stroke in a Population-Based Cohort
Authors: Marco R. Di Tullio, Zhezhen Jin, Cesare Russo, Mitchell S.V. Elkind, Tatjana Rundek, Mitsuhiro Yoshita, Charles DeCarli, Clinton B. Wright, Shunichi Homma, Ralph L. Sacco
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2013)
Item Response Theory and Clinical Measurement
Authors: Steven P. Reise, Niels G. Waller
Journal: Annual Review of Clinical Psychology (2008)

In this review, we examine studies that use item response theory (IRT) to explore the psychometric properties of clinical measures. Next, we consider how IRT has been used in clinical research for: scale linking, computerized adaptive testing, and differential item functioning analysis. Finally, we consider the scale properties of IRT trait scores. We conclude that there are notable differences between cognitive and clinical measures that have relevance for IRT modeling. Future research should be directed toward a better understanding of the metric of the latent trait and the psychological processes that lead to individual differences in item response behaviors.
Coarctation of the Aorta and Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Idan Roifman, Judith Therrien, Raluca Ionescu-Ittu, Louise Pilote, Liming Guo, Mark A. Kotowycz, Giuseppe Martucci, Ariane J. Marelli
Journal: Circulation (2012)

Aortic coarctation (CoA) is reported to predispose to coronary artery disease (CAD). However, our clinical observations do not support this premise. Our objectives were to describe the prevalence of CAD among adults with CoA and to determine whether CoA is an independent predictor of CAD or premature CAD.The study population was derived from the Quebec Congenital Heart Disease Database. We compared patients with CoA and those with a ventricular septal defect, who are not known to be at increased risk of CAD. The prevalence of CAD in patients with CoA compared with those with ventricular septal defect was determined. We then used a nested case-control design to determine whether CoA independently predicted for the development of CAD. Of 756 patients with CoA who were alive in 2005, 37 had a history of CAD compared with 224 of 6481 patients with ventricular septal defect (4.9% versus 3.5%; P=0.04). Male sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.62-2.80), hypertension (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.44-2.64), diabetes mellitus (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.09-2.58), age (OR per 10-year increase, 2.28; 95% CI, 2.09-2.48), and hyperlipidemia (OR, 11.58; 95% CI, 5.75-23.3) all independently predicted for the development of CAD. CoA did not independently predict for the development of CAD (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.68-1.57) or premature CAD (OR for CoA versus ventricular septal defect, 1.44; 95% CI, 0.79-2.64) after adjustment for other factors.Although traditional cardiovascular risk factors independently predicted for the development of CAD, the diagnosis of CoA alone did not. Our findings suggest that cardiovascular outcomes of these patients may be improved with tight risk factor control.
Dietary Phosphatidylcholine Intake and Type 2 Diabetes in Men and Women
Authors: Yanping Li, Dong D. Wang, Stephanie E. Chiuve, JoAnn E. Manson, Walter C. Willett, Frank B. Hu, Lu Qi
Journal: Diabetes Care (2015)

Recent studies have related plasma levels of gut microbiota metabolites of dietary phosphatidylcholine to risk of cardiovascular disease (1,2). Choline from dietary phosphatidylcholine can be converted by gut microbes to form trimethylamine, which is then absorbed and oxidized in the liver to form trimethyamine oxidase (3). Diet is the primary source of gut microbiota metabolites; however, little is known about the association between dietary phosphatidylcholine and risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D).

We extracted data with dietary intake from three ongoing cohorts: the Nurses' Health Study (NHS), NHS II, and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS). We excluded participants with diabetes ( n = 5,466), cardiovascular disease ( n = 3,655), cancer ( n = 8,675), or implausible dietary data ( n = 4,009) at baseline, leaving 203,308 men and women for analysis (NHS: 73,128; NHS II: 88,516; HPFS: 41,664). Dietary phosphatidylcholine was estimated by a valid food-frequency questionnaire (4), with approximately 130 food items administered every 2 or 4 years combined with the phosphatidylcholine contents from the U.S. Department of Agriculture database (http://www.ars.usda.gov/ba/bhnrc/ndl) and from values published by …
Tumour- and treatment-related colostomy rates following mitomycin C or cisplatin chemoradiation with or without maintenance chemotherapy in squamous cell carcinoma of the anus in the ACT II trial
Authors: R. Glynne-Jones, L. Kadalayil, H.M. Meadows, D. Cunningham, L. Samuel, J.I. Geh, C. Lowdell, R. James, S. Beare, R. Begum, J.A. Ledermann, D. Sebag-Montefiore
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2014)
Zoledronic Acid Significantly Reduces Skeletal Complications Compared With Placebo in Japanese Women With Bone Metastases From Breast Cancer: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Norio Kohno, Kenjiro Aogi, Hironobu Minami, Seigo Nakamura, Taro Asaga, Yuichi Iino, Toru Watanabe, Carsten Goessl, Yasuo Ohashi, Shigemitsu Takashima
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2005)

Purpose To investigate the efficacy and safety of zoledronic acid for the treatment of bone metastases from breast cancer. Patients and Methods Women with bone metastases (N = 228) were randomly assigned to receive 4 mg zoledronic acid (n = 114) or placebo (n = 114) via 15-minute infusions every 4 weeks for 1 year. The primary efficacy end point was the skeletal-related event (SRE) rate ratio between treatment groups. An SRE was defined as pathologic fracture, spinal cord compression, and radiation or surgery to bone. Secondary end points included percentage of patients with at least one SRE, time-to-first SRE, and Andersen-Gill multiple-event analysis. Results The SRE rate ratio at 1 year (excluding HCM and adjusted for prior fracture) was 0.61 (permutation test; P = .027), indicating that zoledronic acid reduced the rate of SRE by 39% compared with placebo. The percentage of patients with at least one SRE (excluding HCM) was significantly reduced by 20% by zoledronic acid (29.8% v 49.6% for placebo; P = .003). Zoledronic acid significantly delayed time-to-first SRE (median not reached v 364 days; Cox regression; P = .007) and reduced the risk of SREs by 41% in multiple event analysis (risk ratio = 0.59; P = .019) compared with placebo. Zoledronic acid was well tolerated with a safety profile similar to placebo. No patient treated with zoledronic acid had grade 3 or 4 serum creatinine increase. Conclusion Zoledronic acid significantly reduced skeletal complications compared with placebo across multiple end points in Japanese women with bone metastases from breast cancer.
Risk factors for chronic mucus hypersecretion, stratified by COPD
Authors: Akkelies Dijkstra, Kim de Jong, Marike Boezen, Harry Groen, Judith Vonk, Dirkje Postma
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background  Next to smoking and environmental tobacco smoke exposure (ETS), occupational exposures have been reported as risk factors for both chronic mucus hypersecretion (CMH) and COPD in the general population. As not all subjects with COPD have CMH and vice versa, we investigated whether risk factors for CMH are similar in subjects with and without COPD.  Methods  1,479 subjects with and 8,529 without COPD (18-89 yrs), participating in the general population based LifeLines cohort, completed questionnaires on respiratory symptoms, ETS, smoking habits and employment status, and underwent spirometry. Exposure to occupational risk factors was assessed using the ALOHA-job exposure matrix (JEM). Analyses were performed using multiple logistic regression models.  Results  The prevalence of CMH was significantly higher in subjects with than without COPD (8.7% versus 3.4%, p=0.001). In COPD, a significantly higher risk for CMH was associated with pack-years smoking and ETS and in non-COPD with male gender, higher BMI, current smoking and several occupational exposures; mineral dust, gas & fumes and vapors, gases, dust and fumes (VGDF) (see figure).  Conclusions  Risk factors for CMH differ depending on the presence or absence of COPD. In COPD, only higher pack-years and ETS are associated with higher risks for CMH, whereas in non-COPD several occupational exposures are associated with the presence of CMH.  Figure. Odds ratios and 95%CI of risk factors for CMH, stratified by COPD; occupational exposures separately added.
Energy Metabolism of the Completely Isolated Mammalian Heart in Failure
Authors: VICTOR LORBEK
Journal: Circulation Research (1953)

Experimental cardiac failure was reinvestigated in the completely isolated mammalian heart using a simplified system in which only the left ventricle performs work and exhibits volume changes. An effort was made to assess the importance of such experimental artefacts as acapnia, altered or depleted substrate, and controlled (constant) diastolic volume. None of these factors appeared to play a determining role in the mechanism of experimental failure, which was characterized by a decline in mechanical efficiency, with little or no impairment of total energy liberation.
Core Curriculum in Adult Primary Care Series: Gastroenterology: The Core Curriculum Committee HealthStream, Nashville, TN, USA. ISBN 1-57276 943-2
Authors: R Jones
Journal: Gut (2002)

This CD, which was extremely difficult to unwrap, is aimed at primary care physicians in the USA, and is part of a fairly comprehensive set of learning materials produced by an organisation called Core Curriculum. The CDs are all based on lectures given by clinicians from in and around Boston and each consists of an audio recording of a four hour session of four lectures, backed up by a transcript of the lectures and by graphics. The gastroenterology CD covers irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), coeliac disease and lactose intolerance, and …
A general framework for analyzing tumor subclonality using SNP array and DNA sequencing data
Authors: Bo Li, Jun Z Li
Journal: Genome biology (2014)

Abstract Intra-tumor heterogeneity reflects cancer genome evolution and provides key information for diagnosis and treatment. When bulk tumor tissues are profiled for somatic copy number alterations (sCNA) and point mutations, it may be difficult to estimate their cellular fractions when a mutation falls within a sCNA. We present the Clonal Heterogeneity Analysis Tool, which estimates cellular fractions for both sCNAs and mutations, and uses their distributions to inform macroscopic clonal architecture. In a set of approximately 700 breast tumors, more than half appear to contain multiple recognizable aneuploid tumor clones, and many show subtype-specific differences in clonality for known cancer genes.
Macrophage-Induced Tumor Angiogenesis Is Regulated by the TSC2–mTOR Pathway
Authors: Wei Chen, Tao Ma, Xu-ning Shen, Xue-feng Xia, Guo-dong Xu, Xue-li Bai, Ting-bo Liang
Journal: Cancer Research (2012)

Abstract Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) have multifaceted roles in tumor development but they have been associated particularly closely with tumor angiogenesis. However, although the accumulation of TAM (M2 phenotype) promotes tumor angiogenesis, the mechanism through which monocytes differentiate to generate TAM is unclear. Here, we report that the mTOR pathway is a critical element in the regulation of monocyte differentiation to TAM. In human peripheral monocytes stimulated by lipopolysaccharide, mTOR was inhibited by rapamycin or activated by RNA interference–mediated knockdown of the mTOR repressor tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2). Rapamycin caused the monocytes to differentiate into M1 macrophages releasing more interleukin (IL)-12 and less IL-10, whereas TSC2 knockdown caused the monocytes to differentiate into M2 macrophages releasing less IL-12 and more IL-10. In parallel fashion, angiogenic properties were promoted or reduced in human umbilical vein endothelial cells cocultured with TSC2-deficient monocytes or rapamycin-treated monocytes, respectively. Furthermore, tumor angiogenesis and growth in murine xenografts were promoted or reduced by infusion of hosts with TSC2-deficient or TSC2-overexpressing monocytes, respectively. Finally, in vivo depletion of macrophages was sufficient to block the antiangiogenic effects of rapamycin on tumors. Our results define the TSC2–mTOR pathway as a key determinant in the differentiation of monocytes into M2 phenotype TAM that promote angiogenesis. Cancer Res; 72(6); 1363–72. ©2012 AACR.
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase
Authors: Masataka Sata, Ryozo Nagai
Journal: Circulation Research (2002)

he pathogenesis of essential hypertension is multifactorial.Although the cause of elevated arterial pressure is unknown in most cases, the fundamental hemodynamic abnormality in hypertension is increased peripheral resistance primarily due to changes in vascular structure and function. 1These changes include arterial wall thickening and abnormal vascular tone, which are modulated by complex interactions between susceptibility genes and environmental factors influencing neural, humoral, cellular, and subcellular mechanisms.While essential hypertension likely has a number of distinct causes, identification of a common feature of hypertension may provide a useful target to treat the disease.The present study by Northcott et al 2 in this issue of Circulation Research reports an alternation in an intracellular signaling that may contribute to deregulated vascular tone and remodeling during hypertension.
Extramammary Paget’s disease: treatment, prognostic factors and outcome in 76 patients
Authors: N. Hatta, M. Yamada, T. Hirano, A. Fujimoto, R. Morita
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2007)

Background Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is a rare cutaneous carcinoma usually presenting as a genital erythematous lesion in the elderly. Although most EMPD tumours are in situ, invasive EMPD has a poor prognosis. Objective To evaluate the clinical and pathological features of EMPD and determine prognostic factors for survival. Methods The medical records of 76 patients with EMPD were retrospectively reviewed. Results Of the 66 patients who underwent curative surgical excision, five (8%) developed local recurrence, but surgical margin (≤ 2 cm or > 2 cm) was not correlated with local recurrence. Thirteen of the 76 patients (17%) developed systemic metastases and 10 of these died of disease. On univariate analysis, the presence of nodules in the primary tumour, clinical lymph node swelling, elevated serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels, tumour invasion level and lymph node metastasis were significant prognostic factors. On multivariate analysis, invasion level and elevated serum CEA were the only factors that were significantly associated with reduced survival. Conclusions Invasion level and lymph node metastasis are important prognostic factors in EMPD. In patients with in situ tumour, local tumour control is the major aim of treatment; however, wide surgical margins are not associated with a lower risk of local recurrence.
Conflicts of Interest in Editorials in High-Impact Journals
Authors: Rob Brierley, David Collingridge
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2013)

We read with great interest the study by Cornely et al, which found superior cure rates, higher sustained response rates, and fewer recurrences in adult patients with cancer who received fidaxomicin versus vancomycin for treatment of Clostridium difficileassociated diarrhea (CDAD). 1 This conclusion was drawn after post hoc analysis of combined data from two noninferiority trials comparing fidaxomicin to vancomycin. 2,3The burden of CDAD in patients with cancer is significant; 9% to 13% of hematopoietic stem-cell
A Role for <i>ATM</i> in Hereditary Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Janine L. Bakker, Johan P. de Winter
Journal: Cancer Discovery (2012)

Abstract The genetic risk factors that contribute to pancreatic cancers are largely unknown. A new next-generation sequencing study by Roberts and colleagues now adds ATM to the list of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma predisposition genes. Cancer Discovery; 2(1); 14–5. ©2012 AACR. Commentary on Roberts et al., p. 41.
Real-Time Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Coronary Catheterization in Swine
Authors: Reed A. Omary, Jordin D. Green, Brian E. Schirf, Yongzhong Li, J. Paul Finn, Debiao Li
Journal: Circulation (2003)

We tested the hypothesis that real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can guide coronary artery catheterization in swine via a percutaneous femoral artery approach.In 12 pigs, we accessed femoral arteries percutaneously. We used 6- or 7-French coronary Judkins catheters filled with dilute 4% gadolinium (Gd) contrast agent and coaxially inserted 0.030-inch diameter active guidewires as endovascular devices. For catheter tracking, we used a 2-dimensional (2D) inversion recovery-prepared spoiled gradient echo sequence at a temporal resolution of 7 frames/s. For guidewire tracking, we used 2D steady-state free precession imaging at a temporal resolution of 9 frames/s. Coronary artery catheterization under MRI guidance was successful in 12/12 pigs. Successful coronary catheterization was verified by obtaining MR angiographic images after direct catheter-based injections of dilute Gd.Real-time MRI-guided catheterization of coronary arteries in swine is feasible via a percutaneous femoral artery approach. Selective coronary MR angiography can then be performed with dilute contrast agent injections.
Antiviral combinations for severe influenza
Authors: Jake Dunning, J Kenneth Baillie, Bin Cao, Frederick G Hayden
Journal: The Lancet Infectious Diseases (2014)

Observational data suggest that the treatment of influenza infection with neuraminidase inhibitors decreases progression to more severe illness, especially when treatment is started soon after symptom onset. However, even early treatment might fail to prevent complications in some patients, particularly those infected with novel viruses such as the 2009 pandemic influenza A H1N1, avian influenza A H5N1 virus subtype, or the avian influenza A H7N9 virus subtype. Furthermore, treatment with one antiviral drug might promote the development of antiviral resistance, especially in immunocompromised hosts and critically ill patients. An obvious strategy to optimise antiviral therapy is to combine drugs with different modes of action. Because host immune responses to infection might also contribute to illness pathogenesis, improved outcomes might be gained from the combination of antiviral therapy with drugs that modulate the immune response in an infected individual. We review available data from preclinical and clinical studies of combination antiviral therapy and of combined antiviral-immunomodulator therapy for influenza. Early-stage data draw attention to several promising antiviral combinations with therapeutic potential in severe infections, but there remains a need to substantiate clinical benefit. Combination therapies with favourable experimental data need to be tested in carefully designed aclinical trials to assess their efficacy.
Safety and efficacy of influenza vaccination in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with quiescent disease
Authors: A Holvast
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2005)

to assess the safety and efficacy of influenza vaccination in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to evaluate the influence of immunosuppressive drugs on the immune response.SLE patients (n=56) and healthy controls (n=18) were studied. All patients had quiescent disease (SLE disease activity index<or=5). Four patient groups were defined on the basis of their drug use: (1) no drug treatment; (2) hydroxychloroquine treatment; (3) azathioprine treatment; (4) prednisone treatment. Participants received trivalent influenza subunit vaccine during October/November 2003. Disease activity scores and side effects were recorded. Antibody titres against influenza virus were measured before and 30 days after vaccination using the haemagglutination inhibition assay.Influenza vaccination did not result in changes in disease activity and was well tolerated. SLE patients had fewer seroconversions or fourfold titre rises for A/H1N1 (p<0.001) and A/H3N2 (p<0.001) than healthy controls, while for B/Hong Kong the difference was of borderline significance (p=0.051). With regard to immunosuppressive treatment, fewer SLE patients using azathioprine developed fourfold titre rises against A/H3N2 (p=0.041), and fewer achieved titres of >or=40 against A/H3N2 (p=0.030) compared with the other patient groups.Influenza vaccination in SLE patients with quiescent disease is safe but is less effective than in controls. Use of azathioprine was associated with a trend to decreased vaccination efficacy.