tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
What is the role of endoscopic ultrasonography for the management of patients with dilated common bile duct?
Authors: S Okaniwa, Y Nakamura, M Hiraguri, N Horigome, G Kaneko, Y Okaniwa, N Itoh
Journal: Endoscopy (2006)

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 129 cases with dilated CBD detected with CT (>9mm in diameter) between April 2000 and November 2005. Final diagnoses were determined by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and surgical exploration, and all cases diagnosed as only dilated CBD were followed up at least 6 months after diagnosed. As CBD stones and biliopancreatic carcinomas (BPC) are determinant factors for the management of patients with CBD dilatation, we evaluate the diagnostic accuracy in detecting these diseases in the following diagnostic processes. First, we picked up these diseases using CT. When CBD stones were detected, we performed endoscopic treatment without EUS. If CT could not detect any cause or only revealed equivocal findings, we performed EUS additionally and reconsidered the management.
P25 A novel cost-saving approach to the sleep clinic non-attenders with CPAP machines
Authors: A. H. Shah, P. Close, J. Oliver, S. D. West
Journal: Thorax (2011)

<h3>Introduction</h3> Increasing numbers of patients are diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS) and require Continual Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment. There is little work following up patients who have received CPAP machines and then default from outpatient review. Contacting these patients may allow their care to be optimised and reclaiming unused machines may enable cost-savings in terms of reuse. Our objective was to establish if Sleep Clinic non-attenders were still using their CPAP machines, and whether a potential cost-saving was achievable from reclamation of CPAP machines. <h3>Methods</h3> A search was performed on the Sleep Service CPAP database for patients with OSAS who had defaulted from follow-up for at least 3 years. Administration staff performed phone-based interviews based on a simple proforma, which established the status of patients9 CPAP use—active, usage with problems, or no longer using. Sleep Service physiologists contacted the patients having problems with CPAP, to troubleshoot and arrange appointments for review and machine servicing. Arrangements were made for unused CPAP machines to be returned. A cost analysis was based on cost of a CPAP unit and the overtime cost of the administration staff involved in contacting patients. <h3>Results</h3> We identified 196 patients who had CPAP machines and had defaulted from follow-up for 3 years or more. Of these, 138 (70%) patients stated they wished to continue CPAP treatment and required out-patient review. There were 58 (30%) patients no longer using CPAP and wanted to discontinue; they were asked to return their CPAP machine or be invoiced. Machines in good condition could be re-used for other patients. Based on unit cost, this could represent savings of up to £10 400. Administration overtime staff costs for this project were £386 (44 h work) and therefore the overall potential cost-saving was £10 014. <h3>Conclusions</h3> An active search and contact of non-attenders to Sleep Clinic prescribed CPAP has identified a significant proportion no longer using their CPAP machines. The cost of this search was relatively low and thus cost-savings could be achieved in terms of reclaiming and reusing machines. This may represent an important cost-saving exercise as Sleep services continue to expand.
Greenhouse emissions and the changing climate
Authors: M. Grubb
Journal: BMJ (2000)

There is something new about the floods that have ravaged Europe and most recently England this year. For the first time senior politicians and the media have clearly linked flooding to global warming. What would have been regarded a few years ago as irresponsible speculation has moved into the mainstream. Of course, it is foolish to claim that any single event is “caused by global warming”: extreme events are rare by definition and statistics on changes in frequency are complex. But even allowing for the demands of the media and the public for stark, black and white simplification the shift in belief is not without foundation.

It is five years since the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (set up by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Meteorological Organization) first concluded cautiously that there was “discernible evidence” that some changes in climate …
Abstract 3987: Functional implication of TGFBR3 dysregulation and its clinical application in oral cancer.
Authors: Wei-Yu Fang, Jen-Ren Hsiao, Jang-Yang Chang, Sen-Tien Tsai, Li-Jin Hsu, Li-Wha Wu
Journal: Cancer Research (2013)

Abstract TGF-β type III receptor (TGFBR3), a co-receptor for TGF-β family members, is required for the high-affinity binding of ligands to their receptors to begin their cellular function. More and more studies showed contrasting roles of TGFBR3, tumor suppressor or oncogene, depending on the cancer type. However, the exact role of TGFBR3 and the responsible mechanism in oral cancer remains to be characterized. By using immunohisotochemical staining and real-time PCR, we found a down-regulation of TGFBR3 in oral cancer tissues. In the same line of this observation, we also detected a significant decrease of soluble TGFBR3 (sTGFBR3) in the oral cancer patient sera when compared with normal sera. Using Kaplan Meyer survival curve analysis and log rank test, we found that low TGFBR3 expression patients tend to have poor clinical outcome than those with high expression. Genetic manipulation of TGFBR3 was used to examine the role of TGFBR3 in oral cancer cells. Although the alteration resulted in differential effects on cell proliferation, TGFBR3 knockdown significantly increased migration and Matrigel invasion. TGFBR3 overexpression had the opposite effect on cell migration and invasion. Xenograft tumorigenesis and metastasis will be used to confirm the effect observed in vitro. Since TGFB is frequently overxpressed in oral cancer cells, we will evaluate the therapeutic potential of using sTGFBR3 in treating oral cancer in mice. Our study should facilitate studying the role of TGFBR3 in oral cancer progression and metastasis, and evaluating the possibility of using TGFBR3 as a therapeutic target for oral cancer treatment. Citation Format: Wei-Yu Fang, Jen-Ren Hsiao, Jang-Yang Chang, Sen-Tien Tsai, Li-Jin Hsu, Li-Wha Wu. Functional implication of TGFBR3 dysregulation and its clinical application in oral cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3987. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3987
THU0231 The efficacy of tacrolimus in patients with interstitial lung diseases complicated with polymyositis or dermatomyositis
Authors: T. Kurita, S. Yasuda, K. Oba, K. Otomo, H. Shida, T. Watanabe, Y. Kanetsuka, M. Kono, T. Odani, Y. Fujieda, Y. Kon, T. Horita, N. Sato, T. Atsumi
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2013)

<h3>Background</h3> Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) complicated with polymyositis (PM) or dermatomyositis (DM) are frequently aggressive and refractory to immunosuppressive treatment. Recently, some anecdotal case reports suggested the potential benefit of tacrolimus for severe ILD complicated with PM/DM. However, little evidence has yet shown the efficacy of tacrolimus. <h3>Objectives</h3> To evaluate the prognosis of patients diagnosed as ILD complicated with PM/DM and treated with tacrolimus. <h3>Methods</h3> This retrospective study comprised 46 untreated patients with ILD complicated with PM/DM who were admitted to Hokkaido University Hospital from January 2000 to October 2011. These patients were treated with tacrolimus plus conventional therapy (n=25) or only with conventional therapy (prednisolone 1mg/kg/day, intravenous cyclophosphamide and/or cyclosporine; n=21) and were followed up for 35.3 (1.0-121.3) months. Because patients with severe ILD were more frequently treated with tacrolimus, matching was done based on the propensity for tacrolimus therapy to reduce confounding by indication. Propensity score was calculated using logistic regression model with age, sex, dermatomyositis, amyopathic manifestation, oxygen administration, acute progression within 60 days, serum KL-6 levels, ground glass opacity and extensive ILD (over 50% lesion of total lung assessed by high resolution CT). Primary endpoint was defined as death, relapse of underlying diseases or serious infections. The hazard ratio of tacrolimus use was evaluated in the Cox regression model stratified by matched pair. <h3>Results</h3> Based on propensity scores, 12 patients from each group were well matched. In the matched pairs, tacrolimus group had significantly longer event-free-survival as compared with conventional therapy group (hazard ratio = 0.708, 95% confidence interval = 0.506-0.991; p=0.044). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Addition of tacrolimus to conventional therapy significantly improved the prognosis of patients with PM/DM-related ILD. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None Declared
Cancer Patients at Low Risk From Blood Transfusions
Authors: P. Eastman
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1995)

Journal Article Cancer Patients at Low Risk From Blood Transfusions Get access Peggy Eastman Peggy Eastman Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Volume 87, Issue 4, 15 February 1995, Pages 250–251, https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/87.4.250 Published: 15 February 1995
Surveillance for<i>Escherichia coli</i>O157:H7 Infections in Minnesota by Molecular Subtyping
Authors: Jeffrey B. Bender, Craig W. Hedberg, John M. Besser, David J. Boxrud, Kristine L. MacDonald, Michael T. Osterholm
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1997)

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a leading cause of diarrhea and the hemolytic–uremic syndrome. Current public health surveillance for E. coli O157:H7 requires considerable resources; traditional methods lack the sensitivity and specificity to detect outbreaks effectively.
Abstract 2544: Associations between RET/PTC rearrangements, BRAF and RAS mutations and radiation dose, age at exposure, and latency in post-Chernobyl thyroid cancer
Authors: Rebecca J. Leeman-Neill, Alina V. Brenner, Mark P. Little, Andre C. Bouville, Tetyana I. Bogdanova, Maureen Hatch, Kiyohiko Mabuchi, Mykola D. Tronko, Yuri E. Nikiforov
Journal: Cancer Research (2012)

Abstract Introduction: Childhood exposure to I-131 from the Chernobyl accident was associated with a dramatic increase in incidence of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). PTCs are characterized by several genetic alterations including RET/PTC rearrangements and point mutations of BRAF and RAS. Association between mutations and radiation doses has not been studied in post-Chernobyl tumors. Design: We analyzed 70 PTCs diagnosed in a Ukrainian-American cohort who were &amp;lt; 18 y.o. at the time of Chernobyl and received 0.008-8.6 Gy of I-131 to the thyroid. Thyroid doses were estimated based on radioactivity measurements taken shortly after the accident, environmental transport models, and interview data. BRAF and RAS mutations were identified by melting curve analysis and RET/PTC1 and RET/PTC3 by real-time RT-PCR. All mutations were confirmed by sequencing. Results: Identified mutations and patient characteristics are shown in Table 1. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in I-131 dose for both BRAF and RAS mutations (p=0.005 and 0.026). There were highly statistically significant (p&amp;lt;0.001) differences between the trends with dose for BRAF and RAS vs RET/PTC. Comparing with BRAF and RAS mutations, the age at exposure was lower in cases with RET/PTC (p=0.001). RET/PTC3 was associated with a shorter latency period as compared to other mutations (p&amp;lt;0.02). Table 1. Genetic alterations and corresponding patient characteristics Conclusions: Our results demonstrate for the first time that prevalence of BRAF or RAS point mutations in post-Chernobyl tumors significantly decreases with increasing radiation dose, in contrast to the lack of decrease for RET/PTC. RET/PTC rearrangements are associated with younger age at exposure than point mutations of BRAF and RAS. These data provide support for the potential relationship between chromosomal rearrangements, but not point mutations, and radiation exposure. 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 2544. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2544
Abstract 5172: Developing a lung metastasis gene signature using a lung tropism model in melanoma
Authors: Yu Wen, Maung Naing Lin Shan, Jiadong Li, James Goydos
Journal: Cancer Research (2015)

Abstract A patient with metastatic melanoma has a 5-year survival rate of only 15%. As with most cancers, approximately 90% of fatalities are caused by metastatic spread of tumor cells to vital organs like the liver, lung, brain, bone, etc. Lung is one of the leading metastatic sites of melanoma at initial presentation, yet the mechanisms that lead to melanoma lung metastases are not well understood. For our study we have developed an in vivo ‘spontaneous lung-metastasis model’ using two human melanoma cell lines, UACC903 and C8161, with different genetic backgrounds. Parental melanoma cells were injected subcutaneously into nude mice. After the tumors reached the maximum allowable size of 1.5 cm, survival surgery was performed to remove the subcutaneous tumors and the animals were observed for an additional 4 weeks or until the animals appeared ill. The animals were sacrificed and lung metastases were surgically removed and re-cultured. The two new cell lines were designated as UACC903-LM and C8161-LM. This process was repeated using these new cell lines to obtain a second round of lung metastasizing lines we designated as UACC903-LMM and C8161-LMM. Using the parental and metastasizing cell lines we have been able to identify a lung metastasis gene signature using PCR array analysis, validated by PCR and Western Blot. This lung metastasis gene signature was further supported by the identification of increased expression of the same set of genes in lung metastasis as compared to primary tumors from patients with melanoma. We have also observed increased migration in metastasizing cell lines as compared to the parental lines using a trans-well migration assay with fetal bovine serum as chemo-attractant. CXCR-4 was one of gene products up-regulated in the metastasizing cell lines and the FDA-approved CXCR-4 antagonist, AMD-3100, inhibited trans-well migration of the metastasizing cell lines far more than parental cell lines. Our ongoing studies are examining the potential of inhibiting CXCR-4, and other gene products from our metastasis gene signature, as a therapeutic option in patients with advanced melanoma. Funding: NIH RO1-563057 Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Yu Wen, Maung Naing Lin Shan, Jiadong Li, James Goydos. Developing a lung metastasis gene signature using a lung tropism model in melanoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 5172. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-5172
CARDIAC MAGNETIC RESONANCE EVIDENCE OF MYOCARDIAL DIFFUSE FIBROSIS IN PATIENTS WITH MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE
Authors: An Bui, Sebastien Roujol, Murilo Foppa, Kraig Kissinger, Beth Goddu, Thomas Hauser, Peter Zimetbaum, Warren Manning, Reza Nezafat, Francesca Delling
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2015)
The Effect of BAL (2,3-Dimercaptopropanol) on Hepatolenticular Degeneration (Wilson's Disease)
Authors: D. Denny-Brown, Huntington Porter
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1951)

HEPATOLENTICULAR degeneration is an uncommon but not rare disease that is generally regarded as incurable. In our experience one or two cases may be found in the outpatient department of any large general hospital, often mistakenly labeled as multiple sclerosis or Parkinsonism. The more chronic type of the disease, earlier known as "pseudosclerosis" because of the prominence of an intention tremor as a symptom, is grouped with the "progressive lenticular degeneration" of Wilson, under the general heading of "hepatolenticular degeneration."1 , 2 This disease is of considerable interest, for it is one of the few chronic degenerative diseases of the nervous system . . .
Radiofréquence oesophagienne: résultats à long terme chez 33 patients
Authors: F Caillol, G Monges, E Bories, C Pesenti, J Guiramand, M Giovannini
Journal: Endoscopy (2011)

Introduction: L'endobrachyoesophage (EBO) est définie comme une transformation de l'épithélium malpighien de l'oesophage en muqueuse spécialisée intestinale. Présent chez 1% de la population générale, son évolution vers la dysplasie de haut grade (DHG) est estimée à 0,5% par patient par an. Récemment la radiofréquence oesophagienne (RFA) est apparu comme un des outils de traitement de l'EBO et de la dégénérescence sur EBO.
AB0403 Experience of using frax in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: M. Podvorotova, I. Dydykina, E. Nasonov
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2013)

<h3>Background</h3> It's widely known that the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased risk of fragility fractures. <h3>Objectives</h3> The aim of our study was to assess the absolute risk of osteoporotic fractures in the patients with RA by FRAX (Fracture risk assessment tool), to distribute them in the groups of high, middle and low fracture risk and then to compare. This allowed to characterize a group of patients with increased risk of fractures. <h3>Methods</h3> 611 women aged 40 years and elder with RA from 834 women in clinical database of Institute of Rheumatology (Moscow) were included in the study. The fracture risk by FRAX was assessed without BMD results. We used the NOGG guidelines and management algorithm for the assessment of individuals at fracture risk. Also for the distribution of patients into risk groups, we used the management chart for osteoporosis (WHO), which shows the dependence of fracture risk by age and rateof FRAX. <h3>Results</h3> The majority of the women with RA had high or middle fracture risk (58,6%). They were older (61,3 and 60,3 years) compared with patients at low fracture risk (mean age was 54,2 years). Among patients at low fracture risk there were more individuals with increased body mass index (BMI) and obesity (p&lt;0,05). More women at high fracture risk reached menopause than in other groups (p&lt;0,05). RA in the majority of these women (63,0%) began after menopause, while in 54.9% of women at low fracture risk RA started before menopause (p&lt;0,001). Duration of the disease did not significantly differ between the groups. Although in all groups was dominated by patients with moderate disease activity and functional impairments, the number of patients with high disease activity and functional impairments was higher in groups with high and middle fracture risk (p&lt;0,05) and the duration of glucocorticoid (GC) therapy was significantly longer in these groups (p&lt;0,05). In 93,4%, 11,6% and 2,4% of our patients (in groups at high, middle and low fracture risk respectively) had a prior nontraumatic fractures. <h3>Conclusions</h3> The majority of patients with RA had increased fracture risk. They were older, had a lower BMI. Almost all of them have reached menopause, and RA began after it happened. In groups with high and middle fracture risk the number of patients with high disease activity and functional impairments was higher and they received GC therapy for longer. They were also more likely to have any prior fractures history. <h3>References</h3> Kanis JA et al. Osteoporos Int 2010;21(2):S407-S413 <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None Declared
P157 Hepatocyte growth factor concentration correlates with haemodynamic severity in connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: R Condliffe, CA Elliot, I Sabroe, RT Zamanian, A Morton, AJ Swift, DG Kiely, A Lawrie
Journal: Thorax (2013)

<h3>Introduction</h3> Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) acts via the tyrosine kinase receptor, c-MET, on endothelial and epithelial cells. It has angiogenic, mitogenic, motogenic and anti-apoptotic effects. Administration of HGF has been shown to ameliorate pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in the monocrotaline rat model.<sup>1,2</sup> Little is known regarding circulating HGF levels in human disease. <h3>Methods</h3> 47 incident, treatment naive patients with PAH in association with connective tissue disease (CTD-PAH) had blood sampling at or within 1 day of diagnostic right heart catheterisation. Plasma HGF concentrations were measured using Bio-Plex bead array. A proportion of patients also had NT-proBNP measured and underwent cardiac MRI. <h3>Results</h3> Baseline characteristics were (mean, sd): Age 64(10)yrs, mean right atrial pressure (mRAP) 9.6(11.7)mmHg, mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) 40.6(13)mmHg, pulmonary arterial wedge pressure 10.5(4.5)mmHg, cardiac index (CI) 2.97(0.7)L/min, pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) 531(350)dyns. HGF levels correlated positively with mRAP (0.6, r &lt; 0.001), mPAP (r = 0.68, p &lt; 0.001: fig 1), PVR (r = 0.51, p = 0.001) and negatively with CI (r = -0.43, p = 0.008) and right ventricular ejection fraction measured by MRI (r = -0.53, p = 0.034). N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) measured in approximately 50% of patients correlated more strongly with CI (r = -0.72, p &lt; 0.001) and PVR (r = 0.61, p = 0.003) but did not correlate with mPAP. A small proportion (7) of patients underwent repeat right heart catheterisation (RHC) following therapy with Bosentan (n = 6) or sildenafil (n = 1). Interestingly, improvement in CI at repeat RHC correlated positively with a further increase in HGF levels (r = 0.8, p = 0.03). <h3>Conclusion</h3> Plasma HGF concentrations correlate with haemodynamic severity in CTD-PAH. Further work to determine whether high levels of HGF are involved in the pathogenesis of PAH or are instead elevated in a reparative response to underlying pulmonary vascular remodelling is required. <h3>References</h3> Ono M <i>et al</i>. <i>Circulation</i> 2004;110:2896–92 Hiramine K <i>et al</i>. <i>Int J Molec Med</i> 2011;27:497–502