tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
FRI0479 Serum Free Light Chains of Immunoglobulins Are Associated with Disease Activity in Systemic Sclerosis: A Prospective and Controlled Study
Authors: A. Lanteri, S. Dubucquoi, E. Hachulla, C. Langlois, M. Lambert, S. Vuye, C. Hauspie, P.-Y. Hatron, D. Launay
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2014)

<h3>Background</h3> There is a free light chains excess production over immunoglobulin heavy-chain synthesis by B lymphocytes. Serum free light chains (SFLC) are high in monoclonal gammapathy and can serve as a diagnosis tool for myeloma. Recent studies have suggested that SFLC are higher in autoimmune diseases like Sjögren syndrome, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis than in healthy population, and could be interesting biomarkers for disease activity assessment. There are no data in systemic sclerosis (SSc). <h3>Objectives</h3> To determinate if SFLC are higher in SSc vs healthy population, and if the level of SFLC correlates with disease activity or severity. <h3>Methods</h3> 134 patients with SSc were prospectively enrolled. Following data were gathered: age at diagnosis, SSc subtypes, visceral involvement, biological manifestations including the other B cell activation markers (rheumatoid factor, beta2-microglobuline, BAFF, levels of gammaglobulins), SSc activity and severity scores. SFLC were assessed by Combylite® (The Binding Site, Birmingham, UK) in patients and in a control group of 401 blood donors matched for age and sex. <h3>Results</h3> Mean and median SFLC values were significantly higher in SSc than in controls (median: 19.99 mg/L, mean 24.03 mg/L vs median 15.43 mg/L, mean 17.50 mg/L, respectively, p&lt;0.05). In univariate analysis, there was a significant correlation between SFLC and the modified Rodnan score, past digital ulcers, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure, DLCO and EUSTAR as well as Medsger scores. SFLC were also correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CRP, and with all the B cell activation markers (IgG, IgA, and IgM levels, rheumatoid factor, beta2-microglobuline, and BAFF). The multivariate analysis found a significant positive correlation between SFLC and the presence of an interstitial lung involvement and its severity (Medgser pulmonary score), past digital ulcers, the IgG and IgA levels, rheumatoid factor, beta2-microglobuline, and BAFF. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Our study is the first to assess SFLC in SSc. We show that SFLC are higher in SSc than in controls. Moreover SFLC is significantly correlated with fibrotic involvements of the disease (pulmonary and cutaneous), and with activity and severity. Our results add an additional line of evidence that B cells activation plays probably a role in the pathophysiology of SSc. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared <h3>DOI</h3> 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.4309
PMO-008 The value of endoscopy in patients with confirmed diverticular disease on CT scan
Authors: C Daker, T Brier, K Besherdas
Journal: Gut (2012)

<h3>Introduction</h3> Diverticulitis, the common clinical complication of diverticulosis, may affect 10%–25% of patients with colonic diverticula. The diagnosis of diverticulitis may be made on clinical grounds. However, it is usual practice to perform a CT scan to confirm the diagnosis and assess for complications (eg, abscess, fistula, obstruction). CT criteria suggestive of diverticulitis include: presence of diverticula with pericolic infiltration of fatty tissue, thickening of the colonic wall, and abscess formation. The sensitivity of CT scan in diagnosing of diverticulitis is up to 97%. Once an episode of diverticulitis has been treated, we have observed patients to be followed up by undergoing routine colonoscopy (CSy). We hypothesised that the value of CSy in patients with a confirmed CT diagnosis of diverticulitis is negligible. <h3>Methods</h3> A duel centre (2 North London hospitals), retrospective analysis of all patients with an ICD 10 coding on their in-patient discharge summary letters of diverticular disease (DD) over the past year was employed. Patient notes were scrutinised and correlated to endoscopic records. The dates of both CT scan and CSy were recorded. Completion rates of the endoscopies and findings in addition to diverticular disease was noted. <h3>Results</h3> 137 patients over a 4-month period had DD recorded within the discharge summary. 47 patients with presumed diagnosis of diverticulitis had a CT scan prior to endoscopy (35 CSy and/12 Flexible sigmoidoscopy). Of the 47, DD was evident on the CT scan in 34. Endoscopy subsequently confirmed DD in 32/34 of these cases (95%), with four procedures ending in failure. No other pathological features were found in 30/34 cases. Within the cohort of 32 patients in which endoscopy confirmed CT, three had colonic polyps. Of the 13 cases (of 47) in which DD was not reported on the prior CT scan, subsequent endoscopy confirmed DD in 11/13, with one procedure ending in failure. Of these 11 cases, one had a colonic polyp. In the two cases where endoscopy did not reveal DD, a diagnosis of colitis was recorded. <h3>Conclusion</h3> In this study, performing a CSy in patients previously diagnosed with diverticulitis confirmed on CT scan add no further information. CSy is only useful in the setting of clinical diverticulitis if the diagnosis is not supported by CT scan. In patients with diverticulitis other diagnosis such as polyps were detected in only 4 of 47 patients (8%), not a unsurprising finding as one would expect to find polyps at routine CSy in upto 25%. From this study, we would not support performing a CSy in patients with clinical diverticulitis confirmed on CT scan and avoiding CSy could save 100 colonoscopies per annum in a hospital like ours freeing up space to perform other procedures with more appropriate indications. <h3>Competing interests</h3> None declared.
FDG PET/CT Findings in Multiple Splenic Amebomas (Amebic Granulomas)
Authors: Aisheng Dong, Yang Wang, Changjing Zuo, Huaimin Zhu
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2015)

Splenic ameboma (amebic granuloma) is rare. A 38-year-old man with a severe pneumonia due to inhalation of swimming pool water 18 months ago complained of night sweat, tiredness, and anorexia for 1 month. Abdominal ultrasound showed multiple nodules in the spleen. These nodules showed slight enhancement on enhanced CT and intense FDG uptake on PET/CT. Splenectomy was performed. Multiple splenic amebomas were confirmed by pathology. Free-living amoebae were also detected in samples of pleural effusion and blood. Splenic ameboma, although rare, should be included in the differential diagnosis with isolated focally increased FDG activity in the spleen.
Abstract LB-133: Genome-wide differences in DNA methylation between tumor and normal adjacent tissue mapped by high-throughput sequencing of methyl-CPG binding domain based affinity-purified genomic fragments
Authors: Gavin D. Meredith, Miroslav Dudas, Daniel Krissinger, George Marnellos, Christopher Adams
Journal: Cancer Research (2010)

Abstract Aberrant DNA methylation is characteristic of many cancers and differences in methylation have been observed in a wide variety of genomic contexts; for example, both within “classic” promoter-associated CpG islands and also in distal, non-CpG island regions. Establishing a method to broadly and efficiently survey the methylation patterns genome-wide in matched tumor and normal genomic DNA and to elucidate differences in these “methylomes” is the objective of the work presented. The method combines the power of methyl-CpG binding domain (MBD) proteins to sensitively and selectively bind methylated DNA sequences with the coverage, precision, and accuracy provided by high-throughput sequencing. Notably, MBD-affinity capture can also be used to sub-fractionate genomic DNA based on its average methyl-CpG content. In parallel, patient-derived matched samples of fragmented genomic DNA from a breast tumor and normal adjacent tissue were enriched and fractionated based on their methyl-CpG content with a commercial MBD-based affinity reagent (see figure) and high-throughput sequencing libraries were prepared from each fraction. The libraries were sequenced at 50 bp read-length on a SOLiD 3 Plus system and mapped to the human reference genome. Peak analysis of the distribution of mapped reads permitted the discovery of hundreds of putative differentially methylation regions (DMRs). Differential methylation at a number of these positions was confirmed by bisulfite-sequencing. We conclude that such enrichment and fractionation, when coupled to high-throughput sequencing, can be used to efficiently survey the majority of DNA methylation marks within samples of genomic DNA and to discover genomic loci of differential methylation. We conclude that such enrichment and fractionation, when coupled to high-throughput sequencing, can be used to efficiently survey a large fraction of all DMRs between samples of genomic DNA and to discover genomic loci of differential methylation. These datasets can then be compared with ChIP-seq and/or RNA-seq data sets to begin to decipher the functional genomics and epigenomics of cancer. Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-133.
ASSOCIATION OF INFLAMMATORY, LIPID AND MINERAL METABOLISM MARKERS WITH VALVULAR AND ANNULAR CALCIFICATION: RESULTS FROM THE CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH STUDY
Authors: Anna Bortnick, Traci Bartz, Joachim H. Ix, Michel Choncol, Alexander Reiner, Mary Cushman, David Owens, Eddy Barasch, David Siscovick, John Gottdiener, Jorge Kizer
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2015)
AB1173 Prevalence of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis and Related Factors: Outcomes of Cappadocia Chronic Diseases Epidemiological Study
Authors: S. Kiraz, A. Akdogan, O. Karadag, A. Erden, L. Kilic, U. Kalyoncu, S.A. Bilgen, I. Ertenli
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2015)

<h3>Background</h3> Oral aphthous stomatitis is a common lesion and frequency is reported between 10-20% in the community. Although the exact etiology is unknown; immunological, allergic, nutritional and microbial factors, certain medications and some chronic/rheumatic diseases are associated. <h3>Objectives</h3> The present population-based epidemiological study aimed to determine the frequency of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and associated factors. <h3>Methods</h3> In 2013, a cohort for chronic diseases and related risk factors was initiated by the Turkish Society of Internal Medicine. For this purpose, Avanos and Gülşehir counties, which have a 5-year migration rate of less than 10%, were selected among the county seats of the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey (Cappadocia region). The cohort consisted of subjects aged ≥18 years living in the relevant counties and it was targeted to reach whole adult population. Informed consents were obtained from the adults and 90% of whole adult population agreed to participate in the study. Photos showing oral aphthous were usedwhen applying the questionnaire for chronic diseases. Participants with and without oral aphthous ulcer were compared in terms of sociodemographic and medical characteristics. <h3>Results</h3> Data of 11,049 participants (mean age, 44.6±16.4 years; 56.1% males) were evaluated. Of the participants, 13.2% had RAS (Female/Male: 17.1/8.2%). In logistic regression analysis female gender (p&lt;0.001; OR =1.441±1.253-1.656), any rheumatic disease presence (p=0.001; OR =2.364±1.408-3.968), history of joint swelling (p&lt;0.001; OR =1.755±1.527-2.016), presence of low back pain, (p&lt;0.001; OR =1.727±1.529-1.952) were found to be independent risk factors for RAS development. Age (p=0.001; OR =0.994±0.990-0.997), alcohol usage (p=0.033; OR =0.744±0.566-0.977) and smoking (p&lt;0.001; OR =0.651±0.555-0.763) were found to be protective factors. <h3>Conclusions</h3> In our cohort, RAS prevalence was found to be 13.2%. Advanced age and smoking are known to reduce development of RAS, as well as alcohol usage may have role of reducing development of RAS. People with RAS should be evaluated for underlying chronic and rheumatic diseases. <h3>Acknowledgements</h3> The present study was unconditionally funded by the Turkish Society of Internal Medicine, which provided financial support for data collection and analysis and manuscript preparation. The Turkish Society of Internal Medicine had no contribution to the study design and interpretation of the results. The authors declare no conflict of interests. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared
Intestinal Pork Tapeworm Disease Mimicking Lymphoma on PET/CT Imaging
Authors: Lei Jiang, Hanxing Tong, Hui Tan, Lei Han, Hongcheng Shi
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2014)

A 17-year-old girl with abdominal pain for 3 months underwent 18F-FDG PET to evaluate possible malignancy due to unexplained ascites detected by ultrasound. The images demonstrated multiple foci of abnormally increased 18F-FDG activity in the lymphadenopathy from the neck to the abdomen and in the thickened intestinal wall. In addition, abnormal activity was noted in the pharynx and skeletons. Cysticercosis was confirmed pathologically.
Abstract 714: A potential epigenetic regulation of PDGFRβ overexpression in melanomas acquiring resistance to PLX4032
Authors: Ramin Nazarian, Roberto Ferrari, Xiangju Kong, Siavash K. Kurdistani, Roger S. Lo
Journal: Cancer Research (2011)

Abstract Activating B-RAF V600E kinase mutations occur in ∼7% of human malignancies and ∼60% of melanomas. Clinical experience with a novel B-RAF inhibitor, PLX4032, demonstrated an unprecedented 80% anti-tumor response rate among patients with V600EB-RAF-positive melanomas, but acquired drug resistance frequently develops after initial responses. In previous work, we showed that PLX4032 acquired resistance does not occur by V600EB-RAF secondary mutations. Instead, resistant melanomas develop mutually exclusive upregulation of PDGFRβ (activating MAPK-alternative survival) or N-RAS (reactivating MAPK). PDGFRβ over-expression at the RNA and protein levels does not result from genomic DNA copy number gain or correlate with mutational activation, suggesting a non-genetic cause. In contrast to N-RAS-upregulated, PLX4032-resistant cells, PDGFRβ-upregulated, PLX4032-resistant melanoma (PPRM) cell lines display a global switch in cellular morphology and gene expression patterns when compared to their drug-sensitive, parental counterparts. Specifically, this switch involves a loss of melanocytic differentiation and a gain of epithelial-to-mesenchymal gene expression. We show that PLX4032 and the HDAC inhibitor LBH589 (panobinostat) rapidly and reversibly control the levels of PDGFRβ RNA and protein. We thus used PPRM cell lines and short-term cell culture to dissect a potential epigenetic mechanism of PDGFRβ over-expression. In ChIP assays, PPRM cell lines and culture, when treated with LBH589, displayed significant deacetylation of histone H3K9, H3K18 and H4K16 in conserved acetylation peaks in the PDGFRβ gene body. Continued progress in characterizing this potential epigenetic pathway of PLX4032 acquired resistance may reveal novel therapeutic opportunities. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 714. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-714
Patrick Forsyth Aitken Crawshaw Stephen Bernard Davies Edward Millar Dimock Hugh Lewis Ellis Muriel Frances Mary Evans Michael Feiwel Ian Charles Fraser Luigi Gonsaga Wilfred Brian Gough Peter Michael King Wilfred Oakley Nowlan
Authors: R. Aubrey, P. Davies, A. Owen-Smith, B. Bower, J. Evans, A. du Vivier, C. Fraser, J. Lewis, E. T Mathews, P. King, H. Owen-Reece, R M Aitken
Journal: BMJ (1999)

Former general practitioner Crondall
SP0025 Food Challenges - Getting In; Getting IT On; Getting IT Off
Authors: K. Betteridge
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2014)

<h3>Background</h3> People with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) often find it difficult to follow a healthy diet. Reasons include pain, lack of mobility, lack of aids and adaptations, finances and fatigue. <h3>Objective</h3> To demonstrate how people with RMDs can adopt strategies which promote healthy eating and help maintain an appropriate body weight. <h3>Methods</h3> To explore the different elements which help people eat well when living with an RMD. Including: – buying or growing food – food preparation and tips on how to make things easier – accessing high quality information to promote an understanding of which foods help create a balanced diet – food safety in the home – keeping active to help your wellbeing – the role of patient organisations in supporting people with RMDs to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. <h3>Results</h3> People with RMDs will feel more confident about making healthy choices and better able to adopt strategies for choosing suitable food, preparing meals more easily and maintaining a healthy weight. <h3>Conclusion</h3> With the right information, motivation and support, it is possible to make healthy choices in order to maintain a healthy diet when living with an RMD. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared <h3>DOI</h3> 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.6264
Abstract 1747: Helicobacter pylori-positive diffuse large b-cell lymphoma: a distinct clinicopathologic entity
Authors: Sung-Hsin Kuo, Chung-Wu Lin, Li-Tzong Chen, Ping-Ning Hsu, Chiun Hsu, Ming-Shiang Wu, Kun-Huei Yeh, Yi-Shin Tzeng, Pei -Yen Yeh, Hsiu-Po Wang, Ann-Lii Cheng
Journal: Cancer Research (2010)

Abstract Background We previously reported that H. pylori-positive gastric DLBCL, with or without evidence of MALT origin, may respond to H. pylori eradication therapy. In this study, we further investigated the clinicopathologic features of H. pylori-positive DLBCL without histologic evidence of MALT origin. Methods We reviewed consecutive cases of gastric DLBCL without histologic evidence of MALT origin. H. pylori infection was documented by histologic examination, a urease test or bacterial culture. H. pylori-positive cases were further examined for CagA protein expression. Results A group of 45 patients positive for H. pylori were not histomorphologically different from a group of 48 patients negative for H. pylori. However, patients with H. pylori infection had a better International Prognostic Index score (0-1, 70% vs 30%, P = ·001), a lower clinical stage (I-IIE1, 73% vs 33%, P &amp;lt; [[Unable to Display Character: &amp;#8729;]]001), a better tumor response to chemotherapy (complete response, 80% vs 50%, P = .01), and significantly better 5-year event-free survival (EFS) (71% vs 24%, P &amp;lt; [[Unable to Display Character: &amp;#8729;]]001) and overall survival (OS) (73% vs 30%, P &amp;lt; [[Unable to Display Character: &amp;#8729;]]001). CagA expression, as defined by more than 5% of tumor cells with CagA staining, was identified in 23 (68%) of 34 H. pylori-positive tumors. Compared with the 11 H. pylori-positive but CagA-negative cases, the 23 H. pylori-positive, CagA-positive cases were associated with significantly better 5-year EFS (73% vs 15%, P = [[Unable to Display Character: &amp;#8729;]]002) and OS (91% vs 27%, P = [[Unable to Display Character: &amp;#8729;]]001). Conclusion H. pylori-positive gastric DLBCL, particularly with CagA expression in tumor cells, appears to be a distinct tumor entity, sharing some key clinicopathologic features with H. pylori-associated gastric MALT lymphoma. Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1747.
Abstract 75: Identification and characterization of novel MELK (maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase) substrates in breast cancer cells
Authors: Suyoun Chung, Yusuke Nakamura
Journal: Cancer Research (2012)

Abstract Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide. Treatment for breast cancer acting on molecular targets in critical signaling pathways in cancer cells have successfully reduced the motility rate in a subset of breast cancer patients, but a significant portion of patients cannot expect to have benefits from these treatments. Therefore, development of new therapeutics for those patients urgently required. Toward the goal of cancer-specific drug development, we previously identified MELK (maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase) as a target for development of novel breast cancer therapy through genome-wide expression profile analysis. MELK was over-expressed in the great majority of breast cancer cells, particularly in TN breast cancer cells, and knockdown of MELK significantly suppressed the growth of breast cancer cells. Concordantly, the cells, which were transiently induced MELK, promoted its proliferation. Furthermore, cells in which over-expression of MELK were likely to increase the proportion of breast cancer-initiating stem cells more than those transfected with mock vector or kinase-dead MELK mutant plasmid. Although several substrates of MELK were reported, we are still not fully understood how MELK contributes to breast cancer development or progression. To elucidate the MELK signaling pathway in breast cancer cells, we examined 2D-PAGE and mass spectrometric analysis. Finally, we successfully identified two novel substrates of MELK. We confirmed the phosphorylation of these substrates by MELK via in vitro kinase assay and identified phosphorylation sites on each substrate by mass spectrometry. These results provide new information for better understanding of the biological role of MELK. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 75. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-75