tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
M6 Can clinical psychology input improve care quality and reduce admissions among patients with respiratory disease?
Authors: G Thew, J MacCallam, J Robinson, P Salkovskis, J Suntharalingam
Journal: Thorax (2015)

<h3>Introduction and objectives</h3> Health outcomes for patients with respiratory conditions can be significantly affected by their psychological wellbeing; those experiencing psychological difficulties are less able to manage symptoms, have a poorer quality of life, and have more frequent hospital admissions. National guidance recommends the need for the assessment and treatment of psychological difficulties secondary to respiratory disease, but implementation of this across services is inconsistent. Here, we report the findings of a nine-month trial integrating clinical psychology into a specialist respiratory department, which aimed to identify the psychological needs within this patient group, provide interventions to address these needs, and to evaluate the impact of this across a range of outcome domains. <h3>Methods</h3> Standardised measures were used at two timepoints to assess levels of common psychological difficulties among inpatients. Psychological assessment and intervention was implemented as clinically appropriate within the context of the wider multidisciplinary team. This addressed issues including breathlessness-related panic and anxiety, low mood, health concerns, self-management of illness, coping strategies, and supporting discharge. Data on hospital admissions were used to evaluate changes in healthcare use following intervention. Feedback was collected from both patients and staff to review the experience and acceptability of psychology provision. <h3>Results</h3> Results showed that the rates of clinically significant symptoms of depression, anxiety, and health anxiety among inpatients were 71%, 40%, and 21% respectively. They highlighted that integrating clinical psychology into the multidisciplinary team was received well by patients and staff, leading to improved patient experiences and clinical outcomes, and a greater focus on holistic care. Of the 69 patients receiving psychology input with at least one month follow-up data, 77% showed a reduction in their admission frequency, and those readmitted showed an average reduction in length of stay of 1.7 days. The associated cost savings to the wider NHS more than covered the costs of providing psychology input. <h3>Conclusions</h3> In light of existing literature, national guidance, and the present findings, we highlight the need for those commissioning and managing respiratory services to consider the varied benefits of integrating psychological provision for a patient group with high levels of psychological need.
Hair Analysis as a Marker for Fetal Exposure to Maternal Smoking
Authors: Julia Klein, David Chitayat, Gideon Koren
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1993)

To the Editor: Maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy is associated with fetal risks in the short and long term1,2. Any attempt to understand the effects of maternal smoking on the fetus should include an estimate of the degree of fetal exposure to the constituents of cigarette smoke. To date, no biologic markers have been identified that can assist in such an estimation. We describe the distribution characteristics of nicotine and its metabolite cotinine in maternal and fetal hair. We studied 10 smoking and 11 nonsmoking mothers (mean ages, 19 and 20 years, respectively) in two hospitals in Toronto. . . .
Oral Therapy for<i>Pneumocystis carinii</i>Pneumonia in the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Authors: Ileana Medina, John Mills, Gifford Leoung, Philip C. Hopewell, Belle Lee, Gunnard Modin, Neal Benowitz, Constance B. Wofsy
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1990)

Antimicrobial drugs that can be taken orally are needed for the treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Preliminary data indicate that dapsone with trimethoprim may be an effective alternative to trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole, which is frequently toxic.
EPID-16PATTERNS OF CARE AND OUTCOME IN GLIOBLASTOMA PATIENTS IN THE CANTON OF ZURICH: A POPULATION-BASED STUDY (2005-2009)
Authors: Dorothee Gramatzki, Silvia Dehler, Elisabeth Rushing, Kathrin Zaugg, Silvia Hofer, Yasuhiro Yonekawa, Helmut Bertalanffy, Anton Valavanis, Sabine Rohrmann, Miklos Pless, Joachim Oberle, Patrick Roth, Hiroko Ohgaki, Michael Weller
Journal: Neuro-Oncology (2015)

A population-based analysis of patterns of care and outcome in glioma patients diagnosed 1980-1994 in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, has confirmed the overall poor prognosis of glioblastoma. To explore changes in outcome over the last decades, the registry data were re-evaluated for patients diagnosed in the time frame 2005-2009. Patients diagnosed with glioblastoma in the Canton of Zurich from 2005-2009 were identified by the Cancer Registry Zurich. Clinical and epidemiological data, as well as molecular markers were assessed, and analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model. In the current database, there were 264 patients with glioblastoma, including 256 primary glioblastomas with an annual incidence of 3.98 compared to 3.55 in the former patient group. Median age at diagnosis was 60.0 years recently as opposed to 61.3 years previously. Overall survival (OS) for all glioblastoma patients was 41.7% at 1 year, 22.7% at 2 years and 13.1% at 3 years in the present study while previously the OS was significantly lower, namely 17.7% at 1 year, 3.3% at 2 years and 1.2% at 3 years, respectively. Median OS for primary glioblastomas was 11.0 months for the period ending 2009 versus 4.7 months for the patient population of 1980-1994. In the present study, by treatment, the median OS for best supportive care, radiotherapy alone, temozolomide alone or radiotherapy plus temozolomide was 2.0, 6.0, 6.0 or 17.0 months, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed age, KPS, extent of resection, adjuvant treatment regimens, year of diagnosis, IDH-1 mutation status and MGMT promoter methylation status significantly associated with survival. The OS of patients in the Canton of Zurich with newly diagnosed glioblastoma has markedly improved from the period of 1980-1994 to 2005-2009.
Oral Intake of Anti-Hangover Substance Increases Metabolizing Capacity of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 in Rat Model: New Therapeutic Potentials for Chronic Itch ?
Authors: Bossng Kang, Chae-Young Bang, Se-Young Choung, Kyungwoo Choi
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2016)
Elastolytic Activity in Pulmonary Lavage Fluid from Patients with Adult Respiratory-Distress Syndrome
Authors: Catherine T. Lee, Alan M. Fein, Michael Lippmann, Henry Holtzman, Philip Kimbel, George Weinbaum
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1981)

To test the hypothesis that adult respiratory-distress syndrome (ARDS) is related to increased activity of the proteolytic enzyme elastase released from neutrophils in the lung, we determined the differential white-cell count, the elastolytic activity, the source of elastase, and the concentration and activity of the endogenous protease inhibitor alpha-1-antiprotease (α-1-AP) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from 23 patients with ARDS and from 55 patients without this syndrome. Neutrophil predominance (>80 per cent) was observed in 18 of 23 patients with ARDS. High elastolytic activity of neutrophil origin was found in 12 of 23 patients with ARDS (52 per cent), in none of 16 normal nonsmokers (P<0.01), in two of 17 normal smokers, and in three of 22 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Although there were no significant differences in α-1-AP concentrations, its activity was reduced in eight of nine patients with ARDS and high elastolytic activity. We conclude that in many patients with ARDS, high levels of neutrophil elastolytic activity in the lungs are associated with reduced α-1-AP function. (N Engl J Med. 1981; 304:192–6.)
Delayed-onset, grade IV neutropenia associated with rituximab therapy in a lymphoma patient: A case report and literature review
Authors: R. Baskin, S. Motl
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2004)

6682 Background: Several cases of delayed-onset (> 4 weeks post therapy) neutropenia associated with rituximab have been reported in lymphoma patients. The majority of patients have been heavily pre-treated with chemotherapy. This is the first report of delayed neutropenia in a patient receiving rituximab as part of first-line therapy. Methods: Delayed neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in a 53-year old, male with high-grade B-cell lymphoma 6 weeks after completing 6 cycles of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, mitoxantrone, vincristine, and prednisone (CNOP). The patient remains in complete remission 12 months after diagnosis. Six weeks after completing therapy, significant neutropenia and thrombocytopenia developed; WBC 700/mm3, neutrophil granulocytes 0.320/μL, PLT 71 x 103/μL. Complications included severe mucositis, oropharyngeal infections, weakness, weight loss, and fatigue. Treatment with filgrastim 480 μg daily improved neutrophil and platelet counts and controlled infections. However, discontinuation of filgrastim resulted in an ANC < 1000 and recurrent infections. Grade IV neutropenia developed 3 times. Full recovery occurred 5 to 7 days after filgrastim onset. The anti-neutrophil antibody was negative. A bone marrow biopsies during filgrastim therapy demonstrated hypercellularity (80%) and no abnormal leukocytes. The cytogenetic analysis showed normal karotypes. Pertinent history includes diffuse inflammatory lung disease during chemotherapy, which responded to steroids. Results: The neutropenia continues 6 months after completion of rituximab, but is controlled on 2 doses of filgrastim per week. Thrombocytopenia has resolved. Conclusions: Although Genentech reports the rate of delayed-onset neutropenia to be < 0.02%, a growing body of evidence suggests it is more common. Monitoring blood counts for up 8 weeks after rituximab therapy is worthwhile, although the literature reports neutropenia development 24 weeks post rituximab therapy. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Limited small cell lung cancer (stages I-III): Observations from the National Cancer Database
Authors: L. E. Gaspar, G. E. Gay, J. Crawford, J. B. Putnam, R. S. Herbst, J. A. Bonner
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2004)

7042 Background: The standard treatment of limited stage small cell lung cancer (LSCLC) has changed over the past 15 years. Standard treatment for LSCLC currently involves multiple agent chemotherapy and early concurrent thoracic radiation therapy. Methods: Four patient cohorts, diagnosed with limited small cell lung cancer (LSCLC) in 1985, 1990, 1995 and 2000 were studied to describe demographic and treatment pattern changes as well as survival rates across cohorts (total patients 22,969). Results: Women comprised 40.2% of patients in the 1985 cohort, but represented a significant proportional increase over each cohort, representing 50.8% of the 2000 cohort. The proportion of patients aged ≥ 70 yrs also significantly increased over time, 31.6% in 1985 to 44.9% in 2000. Over these years the utilization of chemoradiation as the primary treatment of LSCLC increased from 34.6% to 51.9% of patients (from 37.0% to 60.5% for patients < 70 yrs, from 29.5% to 41.3% for patients ≥ 70 yrs) During the same time the use of chemotherapy as the sole treatment declined from 30.7 % in 1985 to 21.7% in 2000. Chemotherapy as the sole treatment was utilized in 25.9% of the 70 yrs and older population in 2000, as compared to 18.3% in those younger than 70 yrs. The percent of patients for which there was no treatment given did not change significantly over the cohorts (14.3% in 1985, 13.7% in 2000). The 5-yr survival and confidence interval (CI) for the 1985, 1990 and 1995 cohort treated with chemoradiation are as follows: 10.5% (CI 6.75–14.25), 11.88% (CI 9.63–14.13), 13.3% (11.2–15.4%) Conclusions: Despite changes in demographics and treatment during these time intervals the 5-yr survival for patients treated with chemoradiation did not increase significantly as shown in the table below. These results demonstrate the continued need for the evaluation of new treatments in this group of patients. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
ATPS-98MONITORING ONCOLYTIC HSV-1 WITH NON-INVASIVE BIOLUMINESCENCE
Authors: Yuhui Zhang, E. Antonio Chiocca, Hiroshi Nakashima
Journal: Neuro-Oncology (2015)

Oncolytic HSV-1 (hereinafter referred to as oHSV1) is one of the promising bioagents for cancer virotherapy.However, variability exists in oHSV1 mediated cytotoxicity and replication towards panels of patient-derived and mouse glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells.We hypothesized that cell-specific differences may exist in oHSV1 infection/replication kinetics accounting for the observed variability.To study this, we have engineered a novel oHSV1 that expresses different luciferase cDNAs for bioluminescence imaging (BLI) in vitro and in vivo.This new oHSV1 (NG34-duLuc) expresses both firefly luciferase (Fluc) and Renilla luciferase (Rluc) genes under the viral late gene and immediate early gene promoters, respectively, to monitor different phases of the viral replicative cycle.NG34-duLuc vector DNA was generated in E.coli with the fHsvQuik system (Gene Ther.2006;13(8):705-14), based on the NG34 virus backbone (H Nakashima, EA Chiocca et al., in preparation).We confirmed that cells infected by isolated viral clones expressed both luciferases.We further validated the bioluminescence of each luciferase upon the infection in vitro using U251, U87 human glioma cells and CT2A mouse glioma cells.In vivo BLI after NG34-duLuc treatment was also performed using subcutaneous or intracranial U87 xenograft nude mice and CT2A syngeneic CL57/BL6 mice.Overall, our findings confirm that the duplicate bioluminescence imaging can monitor the viral late gene and immediate early gene promoters respectively by Fluc and Rluc.
Effect of Acetazolamide on Citrate Excretion and Formation of Renal Calculi
Authors: Edwin E. Gordon, Sheldon G. Sheps
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1957)

ÖSTBERG,1 in 1931, suggested that the citric acid in urine functions to keep relatively insoluble calcium salts in solution. Since that time evidence has accumulated that in man the urinary citrate-calcium balance is an important mechanism for preventing the development of calcium calculi in the urinary tract.2 3 4 5 Additional evidence substantiating this concept has recently been provided by Harrison and Harrison.6 These investigators found that the urinary excretion of citrate was markedly reduced in rats that had been fed acetazolamide (Diamox). Furthermore, precipitation of calcium salts in the urinary tract of these animals was a striking finding.Recently, we have had . . .
Quality of life in asthmatic children “a comparative study of patients' and parents' perceptions”
Authors: Malak Shaheen, Samer Mostafa, Eman Zaki
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background:  Pediatric asthma is one of the most important public health problems. Pediatric pulmonologists are not only responsible for clinical relief of children9s symptoms but also for ensuring a better quality of life for them and their families.   Aim of the work:  The present study investigated the Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for pediatric asthmatic patients and their caregivers.   Methods:  This study comprised 80 children and their parents. They were classified into two groups. Group I (40 known asthmatic children) and group II (40 matched healthy children). All children were subjected to full history taking, thorough clinical examination, pulmonary function tests and assessment of Pediatric Quality of Life using PedsQL™ Inventory both Child Self Report and Parent Proxy Report.   Results:  In the current study, HRQOL (physical, emotion, social, school and psychosocial health) showed significant lower scores both in asthmatic children and their caregivers compared to controls (p   In conclusion, childhood asthma leads to lowering the HRQOL of asthmatic children and their families; however parents are more vulnerable for worse quality of life.
Necrotizing Pneumonitis and Empyema Due to Microaerophilic Streptococci
Authors: Sydney M. Finegold, Bernard Smolens, Aaron A. Cohen, William L. Hewitt, Alan B. Miller, Alvin Davis
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1965)

THE role of anaerobic streptococci and other anaerobes in various pulmonary and pleural infections is well established. As a rule, these organisms are involved in mixed infections with other anaerobes or aerobes. The types of infections involved vary from fulminating pulmonary gangrene to isolated lung abscess or empyema. A number of these infections have been found to be secondary to infection elsewhere in the body, to carcinoma or foreign body or to aspiration.The purpose of this paper is to report 3 cases of necrotizing pneumonitis and empyema that presented difficult diagnostic and therapeutic problems; microaerophilic streptococci were isolated in . . .
SAT0305 Costs of Best Supportive Care in the Treatment of Moderate-To-Severe Psoriatic Arthritis in the United States
Authors: T. Tencer, S. Li, F. Zhang
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2013)

<h3>Background</h3> Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory condition of the joints that occurs in up to 30% of patients with psoriasis. While the cost of DMARD therapy has previously been described, little is known about the costs of best supportive care following DMARD discontinuation. <h3>Objectives</h3> To describe the best supportive care costs of psoriatic arthritis patients following discontinuation of DMARD therapy. <h3>Methods</h3> Adult patients with ≥ 2 PsA diagnoses (from office visits) with continuous insurance coverage ≥ 6-month before (baseline period) and ≥ 12-month post-index date were selected from the MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Claims database (2005-2009). The index date was defined as the last day of DMARD coverage. Discontinuation was defined as no DMARD treatment for ≥ 12 consecutive months from the last day of DMARD prescription coverage. Patients were classified as having discontinued from a biologic if there was evidence of biologic DMARD use during the baseline period; otherwise they were defined as having discontinued from non-biologic DMARD. Twelve-month average costs following discontinuation were reported. <h3>Results</h3> A total of 1,656 PsA patients met the selection criteria; 63.2% were discontinued on non-biologic DMARD therapy and 36.8% on biologic therapy. Of non-biologic DMARD users, 59.7% were on methotrexate and 40.3% on other DMARDS. Over the 12-month period following discontinuation, total costs were $14,359 (SD: 23,375) and $10,144 (SD: 17,312) for biologic and non-biologic discontinuers, respectively (p&lt; 0.001). Outpatient and hospital/ER costs were significantly higher for the biologic discontinuers compared to the non-biologic discontinuers ($7,606 vs. $5,429, p=0.002, and $3,439 vs. $2,066, p=0.013, respectively) and accounted for 77% and 74% of total costs, respectively. Similarly, biologic discontinuers had higher drug costs ($3,314 vs. $2,649, p=0.002) and longer mean length of hospital stay (1.16 days vs. 0.71 days, p=0.012, respectively). <h3>Conclusions</h3> This study suggests that outpatient and hospital/ER costs account for a substantial proportion of health care costs in PsA patients who discontinued from DMARD therapy. Patients who had discontinued from biologic DMARD therapy incurred higher outpatient, hospital and drug costs and longer hospital stays compared to patients who had discontinued from non-biologic DMARD therapy. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> T. Tencer Employee of: Celgene Corporation, S. Li Consultant for: Celgene Corporation, F. Zhang Employee of: Celgene Corporation
30PD Novel plasma circulating microRNA signature for early detection of non-small cell lung cancer in liquid biopsy
Authors: T. Powrózek, P. Krawczyk, D. Kowalski, B. Kuźnar-Kamińska, K. Winiarczyk, M. Olszyna-Serementa, H. Batura-Gabryel, J. Milanowski
Journal: Journal of Thoracic Oncology (2016)
An Automatic Blood-Pressure-Recording Machine
Authors: J. H. Currens, G. L. Brownell, S. Aronow
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1957)

THE need for a device to make a record of the systolic and diastolic blood pressure in a manner similar to the clinical auscultatory method has been apparent for some time. The method should be reliable when compared with the clinical method, and there should be little or no discomfort to the patient. It is the purpose of this report to describe such a device with certain automatic properties.HistoricalAn early instrument used in measuring the blood pressure in the extremity of man came from the physiologic laboratory of S. von Basch1 in 1881. A plethysmograph containing the forearm . . .
Uric Acid Retention Due to Hydrochlorothiazide
Authors: L. A. Healey, George J. Magid, John L. Decker
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1959)

ELEVATION of the serum uric acid after the administration of chlorothiazide was noted by Laragh, Heinemann and Demartini1 in the course of investigating the diuretic properties of the drug. Oren et al.2 reported 2 cases of gouty arthritis and elevated serum uric acid in patients receiving prolonged chlorothiazide therapy for hypertension. It is the purpose of this paper to present a similar case and to record some observations on the serum uric acid and urinary urate excretion after the administration of hydrochlorothiazide.Case ReportJ.F. (A406),¶ a 48-year-old man, was admitted to the Seattle Veterans Administration Hospital because of pain . . .
Modulation of Protein–Protein Interactions for the Development of Novel Therapeutics
Authors: Ioanna Petta, Sam Lievens, Claude Libert, Jan Tavernier, Karolien De Bosscher
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2015)

Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) underlie most biological processes. An increasing interest to investigate the unexplored potential of PPIs in drug discovery is driven by the need to find novel therapeutic targets for a whole range of diseases with a high unmet medical need. To date, PPI inhibition with small molecules is the mechanism that has most often been explored, resulting in significant progress towards drug development. However, also PPI stabilization is gradually gaining ground. In this review, we provide a focused overview of a number of PPIs that control critical regulatory pathways and constitute targets for the design of novel therapeutics. We discuss PPI-modulating small molecules that are already pursued in clinical trials. In addition, we review a number of PPIs that are still under preclinical investigation but for which preliminary data support their use as therapeutic targets.