tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
THU0251 Associations of systemic sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases (analysis of 153 patients from a single eustar centre)
Authors: K. Simic Pasalic, N. Damjanov, G. Marinkovic
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2013)

<h3>Background</h3> The association of several autoimmune diseases (AID) is not a rarity, few recent studies highlighted high incidence of this phenomenon in series of Systemic Sclerosis patients<sup>1</sup>. <h3>Objectives</h3> To assess the frequency and types of AIB associated with SSc, in our group of patients. <h3>Methods</h3> Data on demographic, clinical and laboratory features of 153 SSc patients were retrospectively collected from medical records of EUSTAR centre Institute of rheumatology, Belgrade, Serbia, as well as the aviable data on previous or concomitant expression of other rheumatic or nonrheumatic AID. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS14. <h3>Results</h3> Out of 153 SSc patients with average duration of disease of 9.2 years and average age of 59.1 years, 138 (88.8%) were females, 67 (43.7%) had diffuse cutaneous subtype of disease (dSSc), while 86 (57.3%) had limited disease (lSSc). In 61 (39.8%) ACA positivity was found, ATA postitivity in 75 (49%), yet, all 153 pts were ANA positive. We found another rheumatic AID in 24 (25.6%) SSc pts: Rheumatoid arthritis - RA 10 (6.5%), Sy Sjögreni - SS in 5 (3.2%), inflamatory myopathy - IM in 4 (2.6%), Systemic Lupus Erythematodes - SLE in 3 (1.9%), Sy antiphospoholipida – APS in 1 (0.6%). Among nonrheumatic AID the most frequently found was Hashimoto’s thyroiditis 18 (11,7%), with hypothyroidism in 13 SSc pts, Sicca sy in 14 (9,15%), vitiligo in 4 (3,2%), PBC, thyrotoxicosis in 2 (1,3%), while each 1 (0,6%) SSc patient had hepatitis autoimmunis and M. Adissoni. Overall, association of SSc with AID was found in 45 (29,4%), more thet one AID was found in 14 (9%). Not any clinical SSc manifestation was correlated with development of AID, while coexsistence of it with SSc was statistically significantly associated with female gender (42 vs 3, <i>p</i>&lt;0,001), lSSc (34 vs 11, <i>p</i>=0,04), ACA positivity (38 vs 7, <i>p</i>=0,01). <h3>Conclusions</h3> The prevalence of associated AID with SSc, in our group of patients is 29,4%, the most frequently autoimmune thyroiditis with hypothyroidism and sicca sy. <h3>References</h3> Avouac J, et al. J Rheumatol 2010. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None Declared
Case 18-2009
Authors: Douglas Wilson, Rocío M. Hurtado, Subba Digumarthy
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2009)

A 24-year-old woman with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and pulmonary tuberculosis was admitted to a hospital in South Africa because of progressive cough, dyspnea, and wasting. A diagnosis of tuberculosis had been made 7 months earlier, and HIV infection 6 months earlier. Cough and positive sputum smears persisted, and despite broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and supportive care, her condition worsened and she died on the 20th hospital day.
Isoenzymes and Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Felix Wróblewski, Carol Ross, Kenneth Gregory
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1960)

PLASMA and serum enzyme-activity alterations have proved useful as laboratory parameters in the diagnosis of myocardial disease.1 Among the enzymes employed to reflect myocardial necrosis are aldolase, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, lactic dehydrogenase and malic dehydrogenase. Although the quantitative and serial changes in blood enzymes observed in myocardial infarction are characteristic, they are not specific in that other states such as those of liver, biliary and pancreatic tract and skeletal muscle may result in similar changes. In addition, the administration of drugs such as chlorpromazine, promazine, bishydroxycoumarin, pyrazinamide and opiates may result in elevations of serum enzymes similar to those observed . . .
P3-06-02: Identification of Redundant, Tumor Subtype Specific Fusion Transcripts in Primary Breast Tumors.
Authors: EA Thompson, YW Asmann, BM Necela, CA Andorfer, HE Cunliffe, A Hossain, JE Getz, G Hostetter, GP Schroth, EA Perez
Journal: Cancer Research (2011)

Abstract Background: The role of fusion genes and associated fusion transcripts has long been recognized in hematopoietic malignancies. Until quite recently it has been difficult to detect such events on a genomic scale in solid tumors. Consequently, little is known about the potential role of fusion genes, transcripts, and proteins as driver mutations, biomarkers, or therapeutic targets in breast cancer. Methods: We have developed a novel analytical pipeline, Snowshoes-FTD, for detection of fusion transcripts in breast cancer cell lines and tumor samples (Asmann, et al. NAR 2011; May 27 ePub ahead of print). Preliminary analyses have been carried out with a panel of 8 each ER+, HER2+, and triple negative (TN) primary breast tumors, 8 primary human mammary epithelial cell (HMEC) lines from biopsy samples, plus 16 normal tissues from the Illumina Body Map dataset. Results: We have identified 120 redundant, tumor-specific fusion transcripts, expressed in two or more tumors and in no non-transformed samples. Sixteen of these represent intrachromosomal fusions and 104 arise from fusion of transcripts that map to two different chromosomes. Every breast tumor expressed one or more fusion transcripts. Twenty-nine fusion transcripts appeared to be tumor subtype specific. Among these, we have identified 2 HER2+, 10 ER+, and 17 triple negative specific redundant transcripts. In general, HER2+ tumors expressed fewer fusion transcripts (range 4 to 28/tumor) compared to TN (range11 to 44/tumor). Chromosomal distribution patterns were also markedly different among the tumor subtypes. For example, ER+ tumors expressed a preponderance of redundant fusion transcripts that involve chr1 and 2, whereas TN tumors had no fusion transcripts that map to either chromosome. Conversely, the predominant locus for TN fusion transcripts was chr19, which contains only one HER2+ fusion and no ER+ fusion transcripts. Conclusions: Primary breast tumors express many chimaeric transcripts, which we presume to arise primarily from genomic rearrangements. The majority of these transcripts are redundant, and a subset are tumor subtype specific. These transcripts may mark regions of chromosomal instability. HER2+ tumors, in general, appear to evidence less chromosomal instability, as inferred from fusion transcripts; although some HER2+ tumors appear to be quite unstable. TN tumors contain many more redundant fusion transcripts, implying increased genomic instability, particularly in chr19. We conclude that these fusion transcripts represent a class of heretofore unrecognized biomarkers that may be used for sub-classification of breast tumors. Some of these transcripts appear to encode proteins that may function as tumor-subtype-specific driver mutations and may have potential as therapeutic targets in breast cancer. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-06-02.
THU0350 Smoking is associated with reduced IGF-1 levels and higher pain experience in patients with fibromyalgia
Authors: M. Bokarewa, J. Bjersing, H. Alhafed, M. Erlandsson, M. Dehlin, K. Mannerkorpi
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2013)

<h3>Background</h3> Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musle pain and tenderness. Chronic pain is the major symptom that affects patients physically, mentally and socially. Mechanisms of pain in FM are not completely understood. Relation between smoking and pain is contradictive. In epidemiologic studies smoking is associated to chronic pain, while in acute experiment stimulation of nicotine receptors alleviates pain. <h3>Objectives</h3> The present study evaluates the possible relation between pain, cigarette smoking, and levels of IGF-1 in patients with FM. <h3>Methods</h3> Pain was characterised in 63 patients with FM (all women, age 52 years) by Fibromialgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), tender points count, and pain threshold was assessed by algometer. All patients participated in the structured telephone interview regarding their smoking habits. Levels of IGF-1, leptin, resistin, and adiponectin were measured in blood. The statistical analysis was performed regarding smoking habits, IGF-1 levels and intensity of pain. Patients were categorized by pain (FIQ and threshold) quartiles, and relative risk (95%CI) was calculated. <h3>Results</h3> Eighteen patients (28.6%) reported to be current smokers, and 45 were non-smokers. Among the non-smokers, 25 patients smoked previously and ceased before the study (median 13 years, range 1-30). Smokers had higher pain experience compared to non-smokers, characterised by higher FIQ (p=0.036), and lower pain threshold (p=0.014). The difference in pain was largest between the current smokers and patients who had ceased smoking (dFIQ 12%, p=0.005). The RR of pain in the upper quartile in smokers was 6.3 (95%CI: 1.41-36.18) compared to previous smokers. Furthermore, previous smokers have lower pain, fewer tender points and a higher pain threshold compared to smokers. Smokers had significantly lower levels of IGF-1 (ng/ml, median: 2.72 vs 4.82, p=0.027) compared to never-smokers and lower levels of leptin (ng/ml, median: 16.9 vs 34.8, p=0.013) compared to non-smokers. Current and previous smokers had frequently low levels of IGF-1 compared to non-smokers (88% vs 12%, p=0.018). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Smoking in FM patients was associated with high pain experience. Pain experience improved in the patients who had ceased smoking. Current and previous smoking was associated with low levels of IGF-1 suggesting long-term effects of smoking on regulation of IGF-1 levels in FM patients. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None Declared
Effects of PBBs on cattle. IV. Distribution and clearance of components of firemaster BP-6.
Authors: L B Willett, H I Durst
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1978)

Sixty dairy animals were utilized in seven experiments to determine aspects of the distribution and clearance of FireMaster BP-6. Experimental protocols of various studies provided daily exposures from 0.25 to 25,000 mg, exposures for 1 to 202 days, and total study periods from 10 to 1100 days. Necropsy of 28 animals provided information on residue concentrations in 35 tissues, and the excretion in milk was determined in 15 animals. These studies showed that the major brominated biphenyls of this commercial mixture were absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and appeared in the blood plasma within 4 hr. With continued exposure to the residue plasma concentrations reached a steady state by 15 days. Free PBB was not detectable in urine. During PBB feeding feces was the major route of excretion, representing approximately 50% of the amount fed to animals not displaying signs of toxicosis. Following a withdrawal of PBB, fecal concentrations declined to 1 to 2% of concentrations during dosing, yet, feces remained the major excretory route in nonlactating animals. In contrast, in post-exposure lactating animals milk fat became an important excretory route removing three-times the quantity of residue cleared in feces. Following parturition, concentrations of PBB in milk fat declined approximately twofold in 6 days. Thereafter, the residue concentration in milk fat was approximately 0.4 that in depot fats. PBB had a predilection for lipid tissues with similar concentrations in various depot fats. Concentrations of the residue were notably low in tissues of the nervous system despite the high content of lipid material. Liver contained residue concentrations that were disproportionately high when compared to the lipid content of the organ. Calves born to PBB-exposed cows had similar distribution of residues in body tissues although concentrations were less than those of the dam.
Abstract 4797: Dendritic cells loaded with autologous tumor lysate by electroporation effectively induce lysate specific IFN-γ producing T cells in glioblastoma patients
Authors: Masashi Takahara, Mai Tomiyama, Mie Nieda, Shigenori Goto, Madhusudan V. Peshwa, Yonehiro Kanemura, Ryuji Maekawa, Shusuke Moriuchi
Journal: Cancer Research (2010)

Abstract Electroporation (EP) can facilitate antigen uptake by dendritic cells (DCs) with consequently enhanced antigen processing and presentation. Earlier we reported that DCs electroporated in the presence of tumor lysate are fivefold to 20-fold more effective in proliferation of tumor-lysate-specific T lymphocytes compared to controls, DCs incubated with the same lysate. In this study we examined the ability of EP-loaded DCs to induce tumor-lysate-specific IFN-γ producing T cells. DCs were prepared from peripheral CD14-positive monocytes by culturing and maturating in culture medium containing GM-CSF, IL-4, PGE2 and TNF-α. We electroloaded DCs from four glioblastoma patients who had been surgically treated. in the presence of autologous tumor lysates (final concentration of 2 mg/mL). In some experiments, we added zoledronate in the culture medium during DC maturating process in order to examine its enhanced effect on the induction of tumor-lysate-specific IFN-γ producing T cells. At 1.5 hrs after EP, we assessed such DCs’ ability to stimulate and proliferate T cells in comparison with DCs co-cultured with the same tumor lysate as control. We incubated autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes (1×106) with lysate-loaded DCs (1×105) for 14 days with IL-2 replenished every two to three days. Surface markers for T cell subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry on days 7 and 14 and IFN-γ secreting T cells by ELISPOT on day 14. EP-loaded DCs induced more IFN-γ producing T cells than control DCs (p&amp;lt;0.001). In two patients (Patient #2 &amp; #3) that expressed higher levels of HLA class I molecules in resected tumor tissue, especially, IFN-γ producing T cells were tumor specific because such T cells significantly higher induced compared with DCs without lysate (p&amp;lt;0.001). Addition of zoledronate, further increased the induction of tumor lysate specific IFN-γ producing cells, concurrent to correlative expansion of the gamma-delta T cells in culture. We hypothesize that the gamma-delta T cells may play important roles in enhancement of tumor lysate specific IFN-γ producing cells. These results suggest that DCs electro-loaded with autologous tumor lysate in combination with zoledronate treatment induce more effective immune responses and may lead to development of more effective immunotherapies for treatment of glioblastoma patients. 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 4797.
The Mechanism of Renal Complications in Sulfonamide Therapy
Authors: Edwin L. Prien
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1945)

THE ever-increasing number of case reports of renal complications in sulfonamide drug therapy indicates that neither the mechanism of their production nor the means of preventing them is yet understood. The following observations are offered in the hope that they may contribute to a better comprehension of this problem.Early experience with sulfapyridine and sulfathiazole showed that it was mainly the insoluble acetyl derivatives of the drugs that crystallized in the urinary passages, producing obstruction and anuria. It was immediately obvious that a large urinary output would tend to keep these derivatives in solution and to prevent this complication. When . . .
Brain structures playing a crucial role in the representation of tools in humans and non-human primates
Authors: Guido Gainotti
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2012)

The cortical representation of concepts varies according to the information critical for their development. Living categories, being mainly based upon visual information, are bilaterally represented in the rostral parts of the ventral stream of visual processing; whereas tools, being mainly based upon action data, are unilaterally represented in a left-sided fronto-parietal network. The unilateral representation of tools results from involvement in actions of the right side of the body.
Sequential IgE-Targeted Therapy Combining Immunapheresis And Omalizumab In Patients With Severe Atopic Dermatitis And Grossly Elevated Total Serum IgE Levels - A Pilot Trial
Authors: A. Zink, A. Gensbaur, M. Zirbs, F. Seifert, I. Léon Suárez, J. Liptak, L. Eichhorn, A. Onken, M. Mempel, J. Huss-Marp, R. Hein, J. Ring, M. Ollert
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2012)
AB0078 Birth weight is not an independent risk factor for the development of rheumatoid arthritis in adulthood.
Authors: A. J. Svendsen, K. O. Kyvik, G. Houen, C. Nielsen, R. Holst, A. Skytthe, P. Junker
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2013)

<h3>Background</h3> Circumstances in early life, including low birth weight, have been proposed as risk factors for development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adulthood. The twin-control study design provides an opportunity to investigate the significance of potential prenatal determinants for adult morbidity by accounting for maternal characteristics and important early environmental and genetic factors. <h3>Objectives</h3> To investigate whether birth weight is a risk factor for the development of RA in adulthood. <h3>Methods</h3> We investigated the association between birth weight and RA in a sample of 14 monozygotic, 19 dizygotic same sexed and 9 opposite sexed twin pairs discordant for rheumatoid arthritis in which valid information on birth weight, length and order were available from midwife records. Explorative analysis was performed with difference plot. Conditional logistic regression, using twin pairs as groups, was used to investigate the relationship between RA and birth weight adjusting for birth length, birth order and sex. <h3>Results</h3> Mean birth weight did not differ between MZ and DZ twins while mean birth length of MZ twins was significantly higher than in DZ twins (p&lt;0.003). Five (3 MZ, 1 DZss and 1 DZos) twin pairs had identical birth weight. The intra-pairwise differences, RA twin minus co-twin, ranged from -750 grams to 1100 grams with an overall mean of 78 grams (95% CI = -13 to 70) and 146 grams (95% CI = (-36 to 329) in MZ, 32 grams (95% CI = -90 to 154) in DZss and 69 grams (95% CI = -122 to 260) in DZos twin pairs. The odds ratio for birth weight was 1.00 (95% CI = 0.997 to 1.003), adjusting for birth length, birth order and sex. Restricting the analysis to ACPA positive RA did not change the results. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Birth weight in itself is not a risk factor for the development of adult rheumatoid arthritis. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None Declared
Lack of elective surgery in Cardiff hospitals put patients at risk
Authors: G. Iacobucci
Journal: BMJ (2013)

The Royal College of Surgeons has called for urgent action on a “serious patient safety issue” at Wales’s largest hospital, after reporting that a high number of patients have died on waiting lists for elective cardiac surgery.

Waiting lists for elective cardiac surgery at the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board were “higher than clinically appropriate” and could be causing high death rates, the college warned. It called on Health Inspectorate Wales to investigate the problems as a matter of urgency.

The warning came after the college produced a report following a visit to the University Hospital of Wales in April, warning that patients’ access to elective surgery was being hampered by demand for …
Levodopa in Parkinsonism: Potentiation of Central Effects with a Peripheral Inhibitor
Authors: Paul S. Papavasiliou, George C. Cotzias, Simone E. Düby, Andreas J. Steck, Clas Fehling, Margaret A. Bell
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1972)

The clinical state achieved with levodopa was compared to that on levodopa plus alpha-methyldopa hydrazine, which blocks conversion of levodopa to dopamine within peripheral tissues only. Five children with dystonia remained unimproved by either regimen. In 26 adults with Parkinsonism less levodopa was needed for symptomatic control when levodopa was given with inhibitor than when used alone. The amount of inhibitor that had to be added to similar doses of levodopa was less in patients who had received levodopa chronically. Rapid induction of therapy, better diurnal symptomatic control and a new capability to administer pyridoxine to patients receiving levodopa constituted advantages of adding inhibitor to levodopa. The main disadvantage of these combinations was the rapid induction of involuntary movements.
Human virus-specific effector-type T cells accumulate in blood but not in lymph nodes
Authors: Ester B. M. Remmerswaal, Simone H. C. Havenith, Mirza M. Idu, Ester M. M. van Leeuwen, Karlijn A. M. I. van Donselaar, Anja ten Brinke, Nelly van der Bom-Baylon, Fréderike J. Bemelman, René A. W. van Lier, Ineke J. M. ten Berge
Journal: Blood (2011)
DETECTION OF ISCHEMIC MYOCARDIAL SEGMENTS CONFIRMED ON INVASIVE FRACTIONAL FLOW RESERVE USING THE TIME INTERVAL THRESHOLD BETWEEN AORTIC VALVE CLOSURE AND REGIONAL PEAK LONGITUDINAL STRAIN
Authors: Koya Ozawa, Nobusada Funabashi, Takeshi Nishi, Masayuki Takahara, Hiroyuki Takaoka, Yoshihide Fujimoto, Yoshio Kobayashi
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2015)
Case 9-1995
Authors: A.C. Moncure, A. Rashid
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1995)

Presentation of CaseA 60-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of left-sided abdominal pain and diarrhea.The patient had been in stable health until three or four years earlier, when he began to have intermittent pain in the left flank that radiated to the left upper and lower quadrants, without a change in bowel habit. Evaluation included a colonoscopic examination, an intravenous urographic study, and a computed tomographic (CT) scan of the abdomen, which were negative. Three months before admission severe, diffuse abdominal pain occurred, and the patient was seen at another hospital. He passed fresh blood through . . .