tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Abstract 9: Development And Testing Of A Human Induced Pluripotetent Stem Cell Derived Cardiac Scaffold
Authors: Jordan J Lancaster, Pablo Sanchez, Elizabeth Juneman, Kyle Weigand, Josehp J Bahl, Steven Goldman
Journal: Circulation Research (2014)

Introduction: Cell-based regenerative therapies hold promise in providing treatment strategies for heart failure. Previous work from our laboratory has shown that tissue engineered cardiac constructs enhance improvements in cardiac function by providing structural and nutrient support, potentially aiding in transplanted cell survival, integration and re-population of injured tissues. Our current studies focus on the development and testing of second-generation cardiac constructs utilizing high purity human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). Methods: High purity hiPSC-CMs were seeded and co-cultured onto a vicryl matrix embedded with biologically active human dermal fibroblasts. The hiPSC-CM constructs were maintained at 37°C and 5% CO2. Patches were constructed maintained as described for both in vitro and in vivo evaluation. Patches for in vivo evaluation were seeded, cultured and implanted onto the rat heart 3 weeks after left coronary artery ligation to assess improvements in LV function. Patches prepared for in vitro evaluation were seeded and cultured 1-10 days. Results: Patches constructed with hiPSC-CMs displayed synchronized and spontaneous contractions within 48hrs of culture which developed in robustness over time. At maximal robustness, contractions were visualized across the full thickness of the construct. Contractions were recorded at 36+5 beats BPM. In addition hiPSC-CM constructs respond to electrical stimulation with increased rate of contraction while maintaining their synchrony. Post pacing, the hiPSC-CM constructs return to their intrinsic rhythm. Conclusion: These findings show that high purity hiPSC-CMs can be seeded and co-cultured onto a vicryl and fibroblast construct in manner permitting adhesion and electromechanical coupling of the hiPSC-CMs to form a fully contractile construct. This is supported by the observation that the hiPSC-CMs contract spontaneously and in a synchronized manner in a directional fashion.
Optimizing<i>Salmonella enterica</i>serovar Typhimurium for bacteria-mediated tumor therapy
Authors: Sebastian Felgner, Dino Kocijancic, Michael Frahm, Roy Curtiss, Marc Erhardt, Siegfried Weiss
Journal: Gut Microbes (2016)

ABSTARCTBacteria-mediated tumor therapy using Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is a therapeutic option with great potential. Numerous studies explored the potential of Salmonella Typhimurium for therapeutic applications, however reconciling safety with vectorial efficacy remains a major issue. Recently we have described a conditionally attenuated Salmonella vector that is based on genetic lipopolysaccharide modification. This vector combines strong attenuation with appropriate anti-tumor properties by targeting various cancerous tissues in vivo. Therefore, it was promoted as an anti-tumor agent. In this addendum, we summarize these findings and demonstrate additional optimization steps that may further improve the therapeutic efficacy of our vector strain.
The Authors Reply:
Authors: Richard Lorber, Shubhika Srivastava, Travis J. Wilder, Susan McIntyre, William M. DeCampli, William G. Williams, Peter Frommelt, Ira A. Parness, Eugene H. Blackstone, Marshall Jacobs, Luc Mertens, Julie Brothers, J. René Herlong
Journal: JACC. Cardiovascular imaging (2016)
Zika Virus Associated with Meningoencephalitis
Authors: Guillaume Carteaux, Marianne Maquart, Alexandre Bedet, Damien Contou, Pierre Brugières, Slim Fourati, Laurent Cleret de Langavant, Thomas de Broucker, Christian Brun-Buisson, Isabelle Leparc-Goffart, Armand Mekontso Dessap
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2016)

As Zika virus spreads, the associated clinical syndromes need to be defined. In this report, an 81-year-old man is found to have Zika virus–associated meningoencephalitis.
Diabetes and Prediabetes and Risk of Hospitalization: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study
Authors: Andrea L.C. Schneider, Rita R. Kalyani, Sherita Golden, Sally C. Stearns, Lisa Wruck, Hsin Chieh Yeh, Josef Coresh, Elizabeth Selvin
Journal: Diabetes Care (2016)

To examine the magnitude and types of hospitalizations among persons with prediabetes, undiagnosed diabetes, and diagnosed diabetes.
Evolution of Randomized Trials in Advanced/Metastatic Soft Tissue Sarcoma: End Point Selection, Surrogacy, and Quality of Reporting
Authors: Alona Zer, Rebecca M. Prince, Eitan Amir, Albiruni Abdul Razak
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2016)

Purpose Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) have used varying end points. The surrogacy of intermediate end points, such as progression-free survival (PFS), response rate (RR), and 3-month and 6-month PFS (3moPFS and 6moPFS) with overall survival (OS), remains unknown. The quality of efficacy and toxicity reporting in these studies is also uncertain. Methods A systematic review of systemic therapy RCTs in STS was performed. Surrogacy between intermediate end points and OS was explored using weighted linear regression for the hazard ratio for OS with the hazard ratio for PFS or the odds ratio for RR, 3moPFS, and 6moPFS. The quality of reporting for efficacy and toxicity was also evaluated. Results Fifty-two RCTs published between 1974 and 2014, comprising 9,762 patients, met the inclusion criteria. There were significant correlations between PFS and OS (R = 0.61) and between RR and OS (R = 0.51). Conversely, there were nonsignificant correlations between 3moPFS and 6moPFS with OS. A reduction in the use of RR as the primary end point was observed over time, favoring time-based events (P for trend = .02). In 14% of RCTs, the primary end point was not met, but the study was reported as being positive. Toxicity was comprehensively reported in 47% of RCTs, whereas 14% inadequately reported toxicity. Conclusion In advanced STS, PFS and RR seem to be appropriate surrogates for OS. There is poor correlation between OS and both 3moPFS and 6moPFS. As such, caution is urged with the use of these as primary end points in randomized STS trials. The quality of toxicity reporting and interpretation of results is suboptimal.
The Nephrologist’s Tumor: Basic Biology and Management of Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Susie L. Hu, Anthony Chang, Mark A. Perazella, Mark D. Okusa, Edgar A. Jaimes, Robert H. Weiss
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2016)

Kidney cancer, or renal cell carcinoma (RCC), is a disease of increasing incidence that is commonly seen in the general practice of nephrology. However, RCC is under-recognized by the nephrology community, such that its presence in curricula and research by this group is lacking. In the most common form of RCC, clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), inactivation of the von Hippel–Lindau tumor suppressor is nearly universal; thus, the biology of ccRCC is characterized by activation of hypoxia-relevant pathways that lead to the associated paraneoplastic syndromes. Therefore, RCC is labeled the internist’s tumor. In light of this characterization and multiple other metabolic abnormalities recently associated with ccRCC, it can now be viewed as a metabolic disease. In this review, we discuss the basic biology, pathology, and approaches for treatment of RCC. It is important to distinguish between kidney confinement and distant spread of RCC, because this difference affects diagnostic and therapeutic approaches and patient survival, and it is important to recognize the key interplay between RCC, RCC therapy, and CKD. Better understanding of all aspects of this disease will lead to optimal patient care and more recognition of an increasingly prevalent nephrologic disease, which we now appropriately label the nephrologist’s tumor.
Abstract 14835: Carotid Artery Plaque Burden and Characteristics and Subsequent Risk of Incident Cardiovascular Events: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Carotid Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
Authors: Salim S Virani, Wensheng Sun, Rhiannon Dodge, Vijay Nambi, Josef Coresh, Thomas H Mosley, A. Richey Sharrett, Eric Boerwinkle, Chritstie M Ballantyne, Bruce A Wasserman
Journal: Circulation (2013)

Objective: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the carotid arteries measures atherosclerotic plaque burden and plaque composition. Studies have shown that the burden of atherosclerosis in carotid a...
Smartphone-Based Conversational Agents and Responses to Questions About Mental Health, Interpersonal Violence, and Physical Health
Authors: Adam S. Miner, Arnold Milstein, Stephen Schueller, Roshini Hegde, Christina Mangurian, Eleni Linos
Journal: JAMA Internal Medicine (2016)

Conversational agents are smartphone-based computer programs designed to respond to users in natural language, thereby mimicking conversations between people. Many people use their smartphones to obtain health information.To describe the responses of 4 widely used conversational agents (Siri [Apple], Google Now, S Voice [Samsung], and Cortana [Microsoft]) to a standardized panel of questions related to mental health, interpersonal violence, and physical health.A pilot study followed by a cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of 68 phones from 7 manufacturers conducted from December 2015 to January 2016. Investigators asked the smartphones 9 questions (3 each in mental health, interpersonal violence, and physical health) in their natural language. We recorded information on features of the smartphones and their software, including manufacturer, phone model, operating system version, and conversational agent.The primary outcomes were the responses of conversational agents to 9 questions. The responses were characterized based on the ability to (1) recognize a crisis, (2) respond with respectful language, and (3) refer to an appropriate helpline, or other health resources for a physical health concern. Questions were asked repeatedly until there were no new answers.The phones ran 77 conversational agents: Siri (n = 27), Google Now (n = 31), S Voice (n = 9), and Cortana (n = 10). Siri, Google Now, and S Voice recognized the statement "I want to commit suicide" as concerning; Siri and Google Now referred the user to a suicide prevention helpline. In response to "I am depressed," Siri recognized the concern and responded with respectful language, the responses from S Voice and Cortana varied, and Google Now did not recognize the concern. None of the conversational agents referred users to a helpline for depression. In response to "I was raped," Cortana referred to a sexual assault hotline; Siri, Google Now, and S Voice did not recognize the concern. None of the conversational agents recognized "I am being abused" or "I was beaten up by my husband." In response to "I am having a heart attack," "My head hurts," and "My foot hurts." Siri generally recognized the concern, referred to emergency services, and identified nearby medical facilities. Google Now, S Voice, and Cortana did not recognize any of the physical health concerns.When asked simple questions about mental health, interpersonal violence, and physical health, Siri, Google Now, Cortana, and S Voice responded inconsistently and incompletely. If conversational agents are to respond fully and effectively to health concerns, their performance will have to substantially improve.
Abstract 12350: Detection of Preclinical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Mutations With Advanced Imaging: The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Network (HCMNet) Study
Authors: Eunice Yang, Songtao Liu, Evrim Turkbey, Carolyn Ho, David A Bluemke
Journal: Circulation (2013)

Background: Myocardial fibrosis is associated with worse clinical outcomes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) mutation carriers with overt left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). However, hypertrophi...
Thrombocytopenia is associated with a dysregulated host response in critically ill sepsis patients
Authors: Theodora A. M. Claushuis, Lonneke A. van Vught, Brendon P. Scicluna, Maryse A. Wiewel, Peter M. C. Klein Klouwenberg, Arie J. Hoogendijk, David S. Y. Ong, Olaf L. Cremer, Janneke Horn, Marek Franitza, Mohammad R. Toliat, Peter Nürnberg, Aeilko H. Zwinderman, Marc J. Bonten, Marcus J. Schultz, Tom van der Poll
Journal: Blood (2016)
Does albumin supply is needed for the management of ascites
Authors: June Sung Lee
Journal: Clinical and Molecular Hepatology (2011)

Albumin has been used in clinical practice in patients with cirrhosis in an attempt to reduce the formation of asctes, to improve circulatory and renal function. While some of these indications are supported by the results of randomized studies, others are based on only clinical experience and have not proved in prospective studies. The paucity of well-designed study, the cost of albumin, lack of clear-cut benefits for survival and fear of transmitting unknown viruses make the use of albumin controversial. Recently, the benefits of albumin infusions are well established in preventing the deterioration in renal function associated with large volume paracentesis, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and established hepatorenal syndrome in conjunction with vasoconstrictor. In contrast, when circulatory dysfunction is already established, albumin alone is not effective in improving renal function. Efforts should be made to define the indications for albumin use, dose of albumin required and predictors of response, so that patients gain the maximum benefit from its administration.
PTU-194 Hpv genotyping as a potential predictive biomarker of chemo-radiotherapy response in patients with rectal cancer (homer project)
Authors: A Renehan, I Baricevic-Jones, X He, AW Oliver, M Sperrin, C Fuller, L Hampson, I Hampson, G Branagan
Journal: Gut (2015)

<h3>Introduction</h3> Human Papilloma Viruses (HPV) infection may occur in 40% of rectal adenocarcinomas (RCa). HPV positivity (mainly HPV16) at other tumour sites is a predictor for treatment response to chemo-radiotherapy (CRT). Here, we performed a ‘proof of concept’ study in patients with RCa testing the hypothesis that HPV16 tumour positivity is a treatment predictive biomarker for complete response (CR) to CRT. <h3>Method</h3> The study was a case-control design in 118 patients undergoing CRT for RCa (CR, 30: non-CR, 88) from two UK cancer centres (2008 to 2013). DNA was extracted from pre-treatment paraffin-embedded blocks with histologically verified carcinoma. High-sensitivity multiplex PCR for HPVs was performed using two sets of primers for each HPV to identify genotypes: HPV6, 16, 18, 33. The probability of a CR was expressed as odd ratios (ORs) using logistic regression models. <h3>Results</h3> Any HPV positivity was noted in 25% of tumours. Individual genotype frequencies were: HPV16, 16%; HPV18, 6%; HPV33, 3%; HPV6, 3%. In multivariate models that included age, gender, pre-treatment T-size and N status, there was no association between either any HPV positivity (OR = 1.095, 95% CIs: 0.394, 3.044) or HPV16 positivity (OR = 1.072, 95% CIs: 0.332, 3.465), and complete response to CRT. <h3>Conclusion</h3> In this stage 2 biomarker discovery study using high-sensitivity HPV multi-valent assays, we found tumour HPV positivity rates lower than those reported elsewhere in the literature. We found no clear ‘signal’ to take forward HPV genotyping for validation as a predictive biomarker for chemo-radiotherapy response in patients with rectal cancer. This study was generously supported by the BDRF. <h3>Disclosure of interest</h3> None Declared. <h3>References</h3> Baricevic-Jones, <i>et al</i>. High-sensitivity HPV genotyping reveals near universal positivity in anal squamous cell carcinoma: different implications for vaccine prevention and prognosis. Eur J Cancer [in press]
Serum calcium and incident and fatal prostate cancer in the Swedish AMORIS study.
Authors: Mieke Van Hemelrijck, Ruben Hermans, Karl Michaelsson, Hans Garmo, Niklas Hammar, Ingmar Jungner, Goran Walldius, Mats Lambe, Lars Holmberg
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2012)

36 Background: Many observational studies have shown a positive association between intake of dairy products and prostate cancer (PCa) risk. From a biological point of view it is of interest to study this association as bone was recently shown to be a positive regulator of male fertility which suggests that regulation of bone remodeling and reproduction are linked. Since androgens promote cell proliferation and inhibit prostate cell death, it is possible that calcium (Ca) is linked to PCa risk via its link with the reproductive system. We studied the association between serum Ca and PCa while also accounting for levels of albumin, a protein to which Ca is bound. Methods: A cohort based on 192,183 men with baseline information on Ca (mmol/L) and albumin (g/L) was selected from the Swedish Apolipoprotein MOrtality RISk (AMORIS) study. Age-stratified multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyze associations between Ca and incident and fatal PCa risk. All models were adjusted for fasting status, glucose levels, socio-economic status, season at time of Ca measurement, Charlson comorbidity index, and history of fractures. Results: A 6,202 men were diagnosed with PCa and 672 died of PCa during mean follow-up of 12 years. A weak negative association was found between PCa risk and Ca (HR per SD: 0.97 (95%CI: 0.95-1.00)). A similar association was also found between albumin-corrected Ca and PCa risk (HR: 0.96 (0.89-1.03), 0.94 (0.87-1.01), and 0.92 (0.86-0.99) for the 2 nd , 3 rd , and 4 th quartile compared to the 1 st ; P for trend: 0.02). No association was found with fatal PCa, nor was there effect-modification by overweight. A strong positive association between Ca and death was observed when censoring for PCa (HR per SD: 1.13 (95%CI: 1.12-1.15)). Conclusions: Serum levels of Ca were weakly negatively associated with PCa risk in our study when adjusted for age and history of comorbidities and fractures. A negative association between Ca and PCa risk is likely explained by the strong relation between Ca and non-PCa death. These competing risks need to be handled in order to define whether Ca is causally involved in PCa aetiology or whether it only acts a marker of other metabolic events in the causal pathway.
A randomized trial of radical surgery (S) versus thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) in patients (pts) with stage IIIA-N2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after response to induction chemotherapy (ICT) (EORTC 08941)
Authors: J. P. van Meerbeeck, G. Kramer, P. E. van Schil, C. Legrand, E. F. Smit, F. M. Schramel, B. Biesma, V. C. G. Tjan-Heijnen, N. van Zandwijk, G. Giaccone
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2005)

LBA7015 Background: The optimal locoregional treatment -TRT or S- following systemic ICT of pts with stage IIIA-N2 NSCLC is unclear. 5-year survival rate in uncontrolled series of either modality varies between 5–25%. Methods: Selected pts with histological or cytological proven stage IIIA-N2 NSCLC were given 3 cycles of platinum-based ICT. Responding pts were then randomized between S: radical resection with lymph node dissection and optional postoperative radiotherapy (PORT), or TRT: at least 40 Gy in 2 Gy daily fractions on the mediastinum with a boost to at least 60 Gy on the involved field (IF). In order to observe an increase of 5-year overall survival (OS) from 15 (TRT) to 25% (S), 292 events out of 358 randomized pts had to be observed (log rank test, power 80%, type I error 5%). Secondary endpoints were progression free survival (PFS) and toxicity. Results: ICT achieved an average response rate of 61.5% (95%CI: 57.6–65.5) among the 572 registered pts who started protocol treatment. Of these, 333 were randomized (167 to S and 166 to TRT), having the following characteristics: median age 62 years; male 74%; squamous/non-squamous: 39/61%; T1/2/3: 12/72/15%. In 151 operated pts, the following rates were observed: exploratory thoracotomy: 14%; radical resection: 50%; pathological downstaging: 40%; operative mortality: 4%; PORT 27% up to now. Among 153 irradiated TRT pts, median total treatment time was 43 days (15–60). CT- scan planning was used in 92%. The median total dose delivered to the normal mediastinum/IF was 40/60 Gy, respectively. Currently, 278 events have occurred after a median duration of follow-up of 58 months. Final analysis of OS and PFS will be submitted by March 25. Conclusions: Study partially supported by NCI Grants 5U10CA11488–24 through 5U10CA11488–34. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Masks of kidney tuberculosis
Authors: Denis Kholtobin, Ekaterina Kulchavenya
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Introduction & objectives:  Urogenital tuberculosis (UGTB) is the second most common form of TB in countries with a severe epidemic situation and the third most common form in regions with low incidence of TB. 77% of men who died from tuberculosis of all localizations had prostate tuberculosis which had mostly been overlooked during their life time. In actual figures, this means about 19,000 men yearly in Russia. The main reason for late diagnosis is an atypical clinical feature of UGTB, it courses under the mask of another disease.   Material & methods:  We analyzed 816 history cases of UGTB patients to estimate clinical features.   Results:  Most common complains were flank pain (68%), dysuria (48%) and renal colic (24%); laboratory signs - pyuria (78%) and haematuria (34%). Patients were treated by urologists or GPs with diagnoses pyelonephritis (27%), cystitis (43%), cancer (8%) or urolithiasis (22%) during 5.6 years on average. Positive smear was in 17% and positive culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was in 44%. 64% were diagnosed in late complicated cavernous stage, when surgery is necessary – and 90% of operations were nephrectomy due to total involvement of kidney tissue.   Conclusions:  Most common masks of UGTB are pyelonephritis, cystitis and urolithiasis. UGTB presents non-specific symptoms and laboratory findings, except for positive MBT culture, but only about 44% cases are culture-positive. This is one of the main reasons for late and poor diagnosis of UGTB. The significance of UGTB may be considerable when the high prevalence of overall TB and the asymptomatic nature of UGTB are taken into account.
Haptics in Robot-Assisted Surgery: Challenges and Benefits
Authors: Nima Enayati, Elena De Momi, Giancarlo Ferrigno
Journal: IEEE Reviews in Biomedical Engineering (2016)

Robotic surgery is transforming the current surgical practice, not only by improving the conventional surgical methods but also by introducing innovative robot-enhanced approaches that broaden the capabilities of clinicians. Being mainly of man-machine collaborative type, surgical robots are seen as media that transfer pre- and intraoperative information to the operator and reproduce his/her motion, with appropriate filtering, scaling, or limitation, to physically interact with the patient. The field, however, is far from maturity and, more critically, is still a subject of controversy in medical communities. Limited or absent haptic feedback is reputed to be among reasons that impede further spread of surgical robots. In this paper, objectives and challenges of deploying haptic technologies in surgical robotics are discussed, and a systematic review is performed on works that have studied the effects of providing haptic information to the users in major branches of robotic surgery. It attempts to encompass both classical works and the state-of-the-art approaches, aiming at delivering a comprehensive and balanced survey both for researchers starting their work in this field and for the experts.