tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
AB0612 Efficacy of Subcutaneous Immunoglobulins (SCIG) in Refractory Inflammatory Myopathies
Authors: S. Gambini, C. Gelardi, R. Moretti, V. Pedini, A. Gabrielli, M.G. Danieli
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2014)

<h3>Objectives</h3> To evaluate the efficacy of subcutaneous of immunoglobulins (SCIg) in 13 patients with refractory polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM). <h3>Methods</h3> We described 13 patients (10 female and 3 male) with PM (5) and DM (8), diagnosed according to the Bohan and Peter9s criteria, with a mean age of 50 years and a mean disease duration of 72 months. Prior SCIg treatment, all patients received high dose oral glucocorticoids associated to several immunosuppressive agents with no sustained improvement. Mean follow-up period was 20 months. We used a standardized protocol of infusion consisting on the administration of a weekly dose of 0.2 g/kg/week of SCIg, by the means of a programmable pump, changing sites of administration every week. After a three weeks of in hospital training period, patients were switched to home management. <h3>Results</h3> Treatments response was evaluated using clinical and laboratory data. We documented a significant improvement on serum CK levels, MRC score and Rankin modified score. Prednisone daily dose was reduced in all patient. Neither systemic adverse events nor relapses were reported. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Our data showed the effectiveness and the good tolerance of SCIg as a valid treatment option in active and severe form of myopathies, also as steroid-sparing agents. However, a longer follow-up period is necessary to evaluate their efficacy as an alternative to intravenous route of administration (IVIg treatment). <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared <h3>DOI</h3> 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.3610
Efficacy and Safety Data of Taiwan Breast Cancer Patients Enrolled in the Lapatinib Expanded Access Program (LEAP).
Authors: S. Chen, C. Huang, C. Tsao, M. Liu, D. Yeh, M. Hou, T. Chang, R. Hsien, T. Chao, C. Tai, Y. Lin
Journal: Cancer Research (2009)

Abstract Background: LEAP is a single-arm, open-label, expanded access study of lapatinib in combination with capecitabine in 42 countries. The primary objective of LEAP was to provide patients with pre-approval access to lapatinib based on positive clinical data from a pivotal Phase III trial.Methods: Enrolled patients had locally advanced or HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC), progressive disease (PD, by modified RECIST) following prior therapy with anthracycline-, taxane-, and trastuzumab-containing regimens, including some patients previously treated with capecitabine, and were ineligible for ongoing lapatinib trials. Patients received lapatinib (1250 mg/day) and capecitabine (2000 mg/m2/day, days 1-14, every 21 days). Baseline characteristics, including prior therapies, were collected. Response was assessed using RECIST criteria.Results: From Mar 2007 to Sep 2008, 238 patients were enrolled at 10 centers in Taiwan. At the 11 June 2009 data cut-off, data were collected and analyzed for 166 patients. Patients received an average of 5 prior cytotoxic therapies, including trastuzumab and capecitabine.Of 166 patients, 3 (2%) had complete response, 49 (30%) had partial response, 62 (37%) had stable disease, 42 (25%) had PD, and 10 (6%) were unknown. The median duration of treatment was 5.5 mo and the median time to progression was 5.3 mo, respectively. Per protocol, only serious adverse events (SAEs) were reported. Thirty SAEs were reported for 238 patients; 6 (20%) were considered treatment-related by investigators, were not fatal, and included stomatitis (2), vomiting (2), diarrhea (1), and cellulitis (1). As of 11 June 2009, 66 (40%) patients were alive and 149 withdrew from LEAP, the majority (85%) because of progressive disease.Conclusion: Although data were collected retrospectively via case report forms, these results reflect the real world setting in Taiwan for the treatment of erbB2+ MBC patients and confirms that lapatinib, in combination with capecitabine, demonstrates efficacy in this patient population including those who are heavily pretreated. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 5093.
Endoscopic treatment of a completely obstructed ileorectal anastomosis
Authors: Najib Al Ghossaini, Vincent Maunoury, Richard Delcenserie, Philippe Bulois
Journal: Endoscopy (2014)

Complete anastomotic obstruction secondary to a benign disease is rare, with only a few reports of endoscopic management in the literature [1] [2] [3]. We describe a case of the successful endoscopic management of a completely obstructed ileorectal anastomosis with the use of an endoscopic rendezvous technique. A 55-year-old man was admitted in September of 2009 for severe alcoholic pancreatitis. Organ necrosis developed, so that subtotal colectomy and lateral ileostomy were required. In May 2010, an ileorectal anastomosis was established, and ileostomy closure was postponed. After 3 months, the patient underwent a rectoscopy, which revealed complete obstruction of the anastomosis. At the same time, a second operator conducted an endoscopic procedure through the ileostomy. Transillumination was obtained from both sides. Fluoroscopy showed that the two endoscope tips were almost in contact with each other. We punctured the upper side of the anastomosis with a 19-gauge needle (Cook Endoscopy, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA) and passed a Metro II guidewire (Cook Endoscopy) through the needle ([Fig. 1]). A 10-Fr cystotome (Cook Endoscopy) was then passed from below upward over the guidewire, and dilation with a 10-mm Quantum Maverick balloon (Boston Scientific, Natick, Massachusetts, USA) was carried out ([Fig. 2]), followed by the placement of a fully covered self-expandable Wallstent (Boston Scientific) measuring 80 × 10 cm ([Video 1]). After 1 week, the stent was removed ([Fig. 3]), and the new orifice was further dilated to 15 mm. At 6 months after the procedure, the patient's bowel habits had returned to normal. Complete obstruction of an anastomosis presents a particular challenge because it requires a real recanalization. The technique of rendezvous was first proposed in the management of complex esophageal strictures [4]. The use of this therapeutic approach to treat complete obstruction of a colorectal anastomosis under fluoroscopic control [5], endoscopic ultrasound [6], or computed tomography [7] has been reported. Our case is, to our knowledge, the first one in which an ileorectal anastomosis was treated.
Effectiveness of Tc-99m Sestamibi Compared to Ga-67 in Patients With Pulmonary Sarcoidosis
Authors: N Karkavitsas, J Damilakis, N Tzanakis, A Xilouris, M Samiou, D Bouros
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (1997)

The authors evaluated the suitability of Tc-99m MIBI to be used as an alternative to Ga-67 in pulmonary sarcoidosis imaging. Studies were performed on 21 patients. Eleven patients (group I) had been on corticosteroid treatment before the study, while 10 patients (group II) had received no treatment. Activity of sarcoidosis was assessed from clinical manifestations of the disease, pulmonary function tests, bronchoalveolar lavage, high-resolution computed tomography, and serum biochemistry. Ga-67 imaging results were abnormal in 73% of patients of group I (n = 8) and 90% of patients of group II (n = 9). Tc-99m MIBI imaging results were abnormal in 0% of patients of group I (n = 0) and 40% of patients of group II (n = 4). The lymph nodes were better demonstrated with Ga-67. Abnormal results of Ga-67 imaging were 100% sensitive to clinically active sarcoidosis, but had a relatively low specificity (33%). In contrast, abnormal MIBI imaging had very low sensitivity (11%). The authors conclude that planar Tc-99m MIBI scintigraphic images are not sensitive for the diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis.
HIGHER PLASMA TRIMETHYLAMINE-N-OXIDE IS ASSOCIATED WITH GREATER ATHEROSCLEROTIC BURDEN QUANTIFIED BY THE SYNTAX SCORE
Authors: Vichai Senthong, Xinmin Li, John Coughlin, Timothy Hudec, Sarah Neale, Lin Li, Yuping Wu, Zeneng Wang, Stanley Hazen, Wai Hong Tang
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2015)
Tumor Angiogenesis and Metastasis — Correlation in Invasive Breast Carcinoma
Authors: Noel Weidner, Joseph P. Semple, William R. Welch, Judah Folkman
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1991)

Experimental evidence suggests that the growth of a tumor beyond a certain size requires angiogenesis, which may also permit metastasis. To investigate how tumor angiogenesis correlates with metastases in breast carcinoma, we counted microvessels (capillaries and venules) and graded the density of microvessels within the initial invasive carcinomas of 49 patients (30 with metastases and 19 without).
P13.08 * CAN HYPOFRACTIONATED STEREOTACTIC RE-IRRADIATION IMPROVES THE OUTCOME IN PATIENTS WITH RECURRENT GLIOBLASTOMA?
Authors: P. Ciammella, A. Podgornii, M. Galeandro, C. Iotti
Journal: Neuro-Oncology (2014)

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults. Tumor control and survival have improved with the use of radiotherapy (RT) plus concomitant and adjuvant TMZ, but the prognosis remain poor. In most cases the recurrence occurs within 7-9 months after primary treatment and up to 90% in close proximity to the resection cavity or the target volume of postoperative RT. Currently, many approaches are available for the salvage treatment of patients with recurrent GBM, including resection, re-irrradiation or systemic agents, but no standard of care exists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 91 consecutive patients with GBM treated between 2007 and 2012 with conventional adjuvant chemo-radiation therapy. The pattern of recurrence and salvage therapy (re-operation, re-irradiation, chemotherapy or supportive care), evaluated by interdisciplinary neuro-oncology team, was analyzed for all patients. The salvage radiotherapy was performed with hypo fractionated stereotactic technique with a total dose of 25 Gy in 5 consecutive fractions. RESULTS: At the time of data analysis, 74 out 91 patients had died and the tumour progression was the primary cause of death in 65 patients. Among 17 patients still alive, 11 were in stable disease and 6 in course of systemic salvage therapy. Recurrence occurred “in-field” in 59 patients (80%), and “out-field” in 14 patients (20%). At the time of recurrence, re-operation was performed in 6 patients, chemotherapy in 37 patients, best supportive care in 13 patients and salvage RT was in 15 patients. The median time interval between primary RT and salvage RT was 10.8 months (range, 6-54 months). The median overall survival was 17 months, 16.8 months, 9.9 months and 33 months for patients treated with re-surgery, chemotherapy, best supportive care and re-irradiation, respectively. In salvage RT patients, KPS (p = 0.03) and O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) methylation status (p= 0.02) were statistically correlated with OS. No patients demonstrated clinically significant acute morbidity, and all patients were able to complete the prescribed radiation dose without interruption. Neurological deterioration occurred in two patients at 1 and 3 months after re-irradiation and was managed successfully with dexamethasone. CONCLUSION: The current literature suggests that hypo-fractionated stereotactic radiation therapy is effective and safe in recurrent GBM after conventional chemo-radiation treatment. Until prospective randomized trials consolidate these results, the decisions for salvage treatment will remain individual and should be based on multidisciplinary analysis of each patient.
PAPILA PERIDIVERTICULAR: SIGNIFICADO CLÍNICO EN LA CANULACIÓN POR COLANGIOPANCREATOGRAFÍA RETROGADA ENDOSCÓPICA
Authors: M Alburquerque Miranda, M Figa Francesch, M Pérez Contreras, L Vidal Plana, F González-Huix Llado
Journal: Endoscopy (2013)

Introducción: La presencia de una papila de Vater peridiverticular (PD) podría dificultar la canulación biliar y/o pancreática y cambiar los resultados de la CPRE. Objetivo: Comparar los resultados de la CPRE en pacientes con PD vs. pacientes sin PD. Método: De junio 2002 a junio 2012, registramos prospectivamente los pacientes con papila “intacta” en CPRE. Incluimos: indicación y nivel de dificultad de la CPRE, características anatómicas de la papila y localización respecto del divertículo duodenal, éxito y facilidad de canulación (número de intentos, Freeman score), técnicas de canulación (standard, uso de guía o prótesis pancreática, precorte, etc.) y resultados de la CPRE. En el análisis usamos el programa SPSS 15.0. Resultados: Entre 2337 pacientes con papila “intacta” (edad: 71,7 +/- 15 años, mujeres: 44,7%) 551 (23,1%) tuvieron PD (31,4% dentro, 29,2% en el borde y 39,4% adjacentes al divertículo). En el grupo PD, la tasa de canulación no fue diferente del grupo no PD (92,3 vs. 92,2%), ni el número de intentos, ni el Freeman score; el número de precortes fue menor (14,2 vs. 21%, p = 0,000) y éstos fueron realizados con mayor frecuencia desde el orificio papilar. No hubo diferencias en el uso de guía para canular ni en el éxito diagnóstico ni terapéutico. En el grupo PD la tasa de complicaciones fue ligeramente mayor que en el no PD (14,2 vs. 11,1%; p = 0,035) a expensas del número de hemorragias postpapilotomía (8,5 vs. 4,6%; p = 0,000); aunque, la mayoría de éstas fueron leves (4,9 vs. 1,8%) y se resolvieron en el mismo procedimiento. No hubo diferencias con respecto a otras complicaciones. Conclusiones: Un divertículo peripapilar no implica mayor dificultad o tasas inferiores de canulación de la vía biliar y se consigue con técnicas menos complejas. Las complicaciones en PD son más frecuentes; aunque, a expensas de hemorragias leves fácilmente controlables.
Calcium Supplements for the Prevention of Colorectal Adenomas
Authors: J.A. Baron, M. Beach, J.S. Mandel, R.U. van Stolk, R.W. Haile, R.S. Sandler, R. Rothstein, R.W. Summers, D.C. Snover, G.J. Beck, J.H. Bond, H. Frankl, L. Pearson, E.R. Greenberg
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1999)

Laboratory, clinical, and epidemiologic evidence suggests that calcium may help prevent colorectal adenomas. We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial of the effect of supplementation with calcium carbonate on the recurrence of colorectal adenomas. We randomly assigned 930 subjects (mean age, 61 years; 72 percent men) with a recent history of colorectal adenomas to receive either calcium carbonate (3 g [1200 mg of elemental calcium] daily) or placebo, with follow-up colonoscopies one and four years after the qualifying examination. The primary end point was the proportion of subjects in whom at least one adenoma was detected after the first follow-up endoscopy but up to (and including) the second follow-up examination. Risk ratios for the recurrence of adenomas were adjusted for age, sex, lifetime number of adenomas before the study, clinical center, and length of the surveillance period.
Australian neuroscientist given two year suspended sentence for falsifying Parkinson's research
Authors: Owen Dyer
Journal: BMJ (2016)

An Australian neuroscientist has received a two year suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to falsifying research that purported to show that transcranial magnetic stimulation could improve speech difficulties in people with Parkinson’s disease.

“Your research [gave] false hope to Parkinson’s researchers and Parkinson’s sufferers,” magistrate Tina Privitera told the former University of Queensland researcher Bruce Murdoch in court. “You knew the research was false.”

His co-author, former University of Queensland speech pathologist, Caroline Barwood, was also charged and is awaiting trial on six counts of fraud.

Murdoch pleaded guilty …
AB0789 Cardiac valve morphology and left ventricular function in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSC) and matched population controls
Authors: A. Nordin, K. Jensen-Urstad, L. Björnådal, E. Svenungsson
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2013)

<h3>Objectives</h3> To investigate cardiac valve morphology and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and matched population controls. We also studied the occurrence and relationship between manifest cardiovascular disease (CVD) and abnormal echocardiography findings. <h3>Methods</h3> 110 patients (62±12 years) with SSc were compared with 105 age and gender matched population-based controls (61±12 years). CVD was defined as a history of objectively verified angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction or intermittent claudication. Echocardiography was performed to assess valvular abnormalities and left ventricular function. <h3>Results</h3> 44 SSc patients had an abnormal echocardiogram compared to 23subjects in the control population (P&lt;0.001). On group basis SSc patients had lower (but normal) LVEF (P=0.02). Three of the SSc patients had undergone valve replacement and one had a significant aortic insufficiency. Two subjects in the control group had undergone valve replacement. Valve thickening or valve prosthesis was found in 28 patients and 19 controls (NS). 20 SSc patients and 7 control subjects had previous CVD (p&lt;0.01). Seven patients had previous myocardial infarction (MI), 8 had angina (among them two with MI), 7 patients had peripheral vascular disease, among them 5 had undergone surgery (2 of them also had an MI). Among patients with CVD 8 had valve thickening or prosthesis, 5 had LV hypokinesia, 3 had LVEF ≤35, six had PAH (defined as TI velocity&gt;2.9m/s). Among controls with CVD 3 had MI, 4 had CVL. Three controls vith CVD had valve thickening, all had normal LVEF and none had PAH. <h3>Conclusions</h3> SSc patients have a higher prevalence of abnormal echocardiograms than population based controls. Previous CVD is more common among the SSC patients. Valve thickening or valve prosthesis was not more common among the SSc patients than population controls. On group basis SSc patients had lower (but normal) LVEF though more SSc patients than controls had regional hypokinesia (P=0.02). <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None Declared
Abstract 393: Low-dose gamma-irradiation inhibits IL-6 secretion from human lung fibroblasts to suppress bronchial epithelial cell transformation by cigarette smoke carcinogen
Authors: Wenshu Chen, Xiuling Xu, Lang Bai, Mabel T. Padilla, Bobby R. Scott, Steven A. Belinsky, Yong Lin
Journal: Cancer Research (2012)

Abstract The relationship between low-dose (&amp;lt;100 mSv) ionizing radiation (LDR) and human cancer risk is controversial. While microenvironment consisting of stromal cells, cytokines and growth factors is modulated by carcinogens to favor carcinogenesis, how LDR impacts this oncogenic process is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the role and mechanism of low-dose ionizing radiation in modulating the response of human lung fibroblasts to carcinogen stimulation and the impacts of which on bronchial epithelial cell transformation. Using a human cytokine antibody array, we found that secretion of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, CXCL1 and CXCL5 from human lung fibroblasts was induced by cigarette smoke carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide (BPDE), which was inhibited by a low dose of γ-ray irradiation. BPDE induced IL-6 secretion from lung fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner, which was suppressed when the NF-κB and ERK pathways were blocked. LDR effectively inhibited NF-κB but not ERK activated by BPDE, suggesting that NF-κB is the target for LDR in fibroblasts. In addition, conditioned media from BPDE-treated fibroblasts activated STAT3 in the immortalized human bronchial epithelial cell line Beas-2B, which was blocked with an IL-6 neutralizing antibody as well as by pretreating fibroblasts with LDR. Furthermore, IL-6 significantly enhanced BPDE-induced Beas-2B cell transformation in vitro. These results suggest that LDR inhibits cigarette smoke carcinogen-induced lung carcinogenesis through suppressing secretion of protumorigenic cytokines such as IL-6 from fibroblasts in the tumor-prone microenvironment. 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 393. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-393
The End of Dual Therapy with Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System Blockade?
Authors: Dick de Zeeuw
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2013)

Treatment aimed at multiple risk factors and specific markers such as glucose level, blood pressure, body weight, cholesterol levels, and albuminuria has been the main focus to slow cardiovascular and renal risk among patients with diabetes. Among the agents used, those that interrupt the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) have shown protection that extends beyond decreasing blood pressure. In part, these additional effects may be explained by a decrease in albuminuria.1 Therefore, angiotensin-converting–enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II–receptor blockers (ARBs) have become first-choice drugs in patients with diabetes. Despite some success, the residual cardiovascular and renal risk among patients with diabetes remains . . .
Cardiomyopathy with Mitochondrial Damage Associated with Nucleoside Reverse-Transcriptase Inhibitors
Authors: Fenneke C.P. Frerichs, Koert P. Dingemans, Kees Brinkman
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2002)

The report by Kenchaiah et al. (Aug. 1 issue) 1 and the accompanying editorial by Massie 2 show the important association between any increased body-mass index and the risk of heart failure.However, several reports have now indicated that abdominal fat may be at least as important as body-mass index in determining cardiac risk.Lakka et al. 3 found that the waist-to-hip ratio provided additional information beyond body-mass index that helped in predicting coronary heart disease, whereas the reverse did not apply.That study, involving 1346 Finnish men 42 to 60 years of age, showed an increase by nearly a factor of three in the risk of coronary events in men with a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.91 or greater.During eight years of follow-up in the Nurses' Health Study, Rexrode et al. 4 found that the waist-to-hip ratio and waist circumference were strongly and independently associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease among women with a body-mass index of 25 or less.They noted that after adjustment for body-mass index and other cardiac risk factors, women with a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.88 or higher had a relative risk of coronary heart disease of 3.25, as compared with those with a ratio below 0.72.The more recent focus on visceral fat as an even more sensitive risk factor for vascular disease and diabetes 5 may be a further refinement.
Pericarditis: a rare complication of fully covered self-expandable metallic stent in postoperative benign anastomotic stricture
Authors: Sheng-Lei Yan, Yueh-Tsung Lee, Chien-Hua Chen, Yung-Hsiang Yeh, Shing-Kao Yueh
Journal: Endoscopy (2014)

Benign esophageal strictures are traditionally treated by endoscopic dilation with bougies or balloons [1] [2]. Fully covered, self-expandable, metallic stents (SEMS) have been used in the treatment of benign esophageal disease, with the benefits of removability and low incidence of tissue hyperplasia [3]. However, significant complications, such as stent migration, recurrent stricture, or erosions into vital structures may occur [4] [5]. We report on a novel case of pericarditis in a patient with recurrent postoperative benign anastomotic stricture, which was managed by placement of a fully covered SEMS.