tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
AB0193 Plasma chemerin levels in rheumatoid arthritis are correlated with disease activity rather than obesity
Authors: S. T. Choi, Y.-J. Ha, J.-S. Song, E.-J. Kang, K. Lee
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2013)

<h3>Background</h3> Chemerin is an adipokine that is linked to adipogenesis and chemotaxis of the innate immune system. It is expressed on macrophage, dendritic cells, and synovial lining and sublining cells. It has been reported that chemerin has both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory roles, and higher level of chemerin was detected in various chronic inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have showed that its expression is increased in the synovium of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the chemerin may play an important role in the pathogenesis of RA. However, the association between plasma chemerin level and disease activity in RA patients remains unclear. <h3>Objectives</h3> This study aims to determine whether plasma chemerin level is elevated in patient with RA and its correlation with disease activity and other parameters. <h3>Methods</h3> This study includes 71 RA patients and 42 age- and sex- matched healthy controls. Plasma samples were obtained from healthy controls and patients with RA during active and inactive disease status. We assessed the clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters including body mass index (BMI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and disease activity score 28 (DAS28). The plasma level of chemerin and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). <h3>Results</h3> Plasma chemerin levels were significantly elevated in patients with RA compared with healthy controls (9.074 ± 13.513 ng/mL vs 0.370 ± 0.219 ng/mL, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). In RA patients, plasma chemerin levels showed a negative correlation with BMI (γ= -0.264, <i>p</i> = 0.027). Adjusted plasma chemerin levels according to BMI were significantly higher in the active group (DAS28 ≥ 2.6) than in the inactive group (DAS28 &lt; 2.6) (0.591 ± 0.879 ng/mL/Kg/m<sup>2</sup> vs 0.220 ± 0.154 ng/mL/Kg/m<sup>2</sup>, <i>p</i> = 0.015). Plasma chemerin levels adjusted to BMI were correlated with DAS28 (γ = 0.340, <i>p</i> = 0.004), but not with plasma TNF-α levels. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Patients with RA showed higher plasma chemerin levels than those of healthy controls. Adjusted plasma chemerin levels according to BMI were well correlated with RA disease activity. These findings suggest that plasma chemerin could play a role in the inflammatory process of RA rather than obesity, and that it may be a useful disease activity marker and a candidate target molecule for therapy in RA patients. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None Declared
China to blacklist wayward drug manufacturers
Authors: J. Parry
Journal: BMJ (2014)

China’s National Health and Family Planning Commission has announced that it will blacklist drug manufacturers involved in bribery or the manufacture of substandard drugs, banning them from selling their products to public hospitals or government funded health institutions for two years.

The blacklist, due to come into effect on 1 March 2014, is part of a wider drive to clean up the country’s food and drug industries, after a spate of scandals over product safety and widespread corrupt practices between drug purchasers and providers in recent years. However, industry observers said that the measures would be effective only if …
Case 7-2014
Authors: Amir T. Fathi, G. William Dec, James M. Richter, Yi-Bin Chen, Shmuel S. Schwartzenberg, Godtfred Holmvang, Robert P. Hasserjian
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2014)

A 27-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of diarrhea, fatigue, and eosinophilia. He had a history of ulcerative colitis, controlled with mesalamine. Examination revealed splenomegaly. Diagnostic procedures were performed.
The Asymptomatic Isolated Pulmonary Nodule
Authors: Earle W. Wilkins
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1955)

INCREASINGLY frequent reports1 , 2 in the literature have emphasized the striking prevalence of malignant neoplasms among solitary pulmonary lesions. Such a frequency is not surprising, but it is not so widely known that these lesions may be completely asymptomatic even though malignant. Bugden,3 Sharp and Kinsella,4 Effler5 and Storey, Grant and Rothmann6 have called attention to this fact. They have all recommended exploratory thoracotomy when accepted measures have failed to establish a diagnosis.DefinitionThe series described below includes 77 cases of asymptomatic pulmonary shadows from the records of the Massachusetts General Hospital from October 1, 1947, through October 1, 1954, . . .
A2.4 Are protein tyrosine phosphatase-n1 polymorphisms associated with ankylosing spondylitis? – a pilot study
Authors: Ana Luísa Cartaxo, Inês Godet, Dário Ligeiro, Mafalda Matos, Jaime C Branco, FM Pimentel-Santos
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2014)

<h3>Background and Objectives</h3> Association between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and <i>PTPN1</i> (protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type 1) gene, was recently reported in Portuguese population, in a study of whole blood transcriptional profiling, performed by our group. Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is a ubiquitously expressed enzyme shown to negatively regulate multiple tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent signalling pathways, including IL4 signalling and IL23 pathway (dephosphorylation of JAK2 and TYK2 kinases). In addition, several <i>PTPN1</i> single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), were significantly associated with coronary calcified plaque in type 2 Diabetes patients. We sought to test the association between SNPs in this gene and susceptibility to AS among a Portuguese population. In addition, we investigated the association of this gene with activity (BASDAI), functional (BASFI), metrological (BASMI) and radiological severity (mSASSS) indexes. <h3>Materials and Methods</h3> The study was conducted on 330 AS cases and 225 ethnically matched Portuguese healthy controls. AS was defined according to the modified New York Criteria. Genotyping of <i>PTPN1</i> variants (rs2206656 and rs932420) was carried out with TaqMan allelic discrimination assays. Association analysis was performed using the Cochrane-Armitage and linear regression tests of genotypes as implemented in PLINK for dichotomous and quantitative variables respectively. Analyses of BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI and mSASSS were stratified for sex and disease duration. <h3>Results</h3> Two markers (rs2206656, rs932420) were analysed. None of them showed significant single-<i>locus</i> disease association (p &gt; 0.05) with AS in the Portuguese population. No association was observed between these SNPs and BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI or mSASSS. <h3>Conclusions</h3> These results suggest that <i>PTPN1, </i>contrary to recently described for <i>PTPN2, </i>is probably not a major determinant of susceptibility to AS. In Portuguese population, <i>PTPN1 </i>polymorphisms do not markedly influence AS disease activity and severity, as measured by BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI and mSASSS.
Extensive small-bowel Crohn’s disease detected by the newly introduced 360° panoramic viewing capsule endoscopy system
Authors: Gian Tontini, Flaminia Cavallaro, Helmut Neumann, Luca Pastorelli, Markus Neurath, Luisa Spina, Maurizio Vecchi
Journal: Endoscopy (2014)

Chronic, nonbloody diarrhea may represent a diagnostic challenge in patients with inconclusive findings after standard clinical work-up [1]. In this setting, small-bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) has high sensitivity and a favorable clinical impact in assessing the presence of small-bowel mucosal lesions in patients with suspected Crohn's disease and no obstructive symptoms [1] [2] [3].
Abstract 789: GSTP1 expression is regulated by MycN and is a marker of poor outcome in childhood neuroblastoma
Authors: Murray D. Norris, Jamie I. Fletcher, Samuele Gherardi, Jayne Murray, Catherine Burkhart, Amanda Russell, Emanuele Valli, Andre Oberthuer, Lesley J. Ashton, Wendy B. London, Glenn M. Marshall, Giovanni Perini, Michelle Haber
Journal: Cancer Research (2012)

Abstract In childhood neuroblastoma, amplification of the transcription factor MycN is associated with poor outcome and a multidrug resistant phenotype. We have previously shown that MycN regulates the expression of several ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter genes, and that these genes represent powerful prognostic markers in neuroblastoma (1,2,3). Although these transporters are able to efflux a wide range of cytotoxic drugs, they do not confer resistance to several important cytotoxic agents used to treat neuroblastoma, including cisplatin and cyclophosphamide, hence we explored the prognostic significance and transcriptional regulation of the phase II detoxifying enzyme, glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1). Using quantitative real-time PCR, GSTP1 gene expression was assessed in a retrospective cohort of 51 patients, and subsequently in a cohort of 207 prospectively accrued primary neuroblastomas. These data, and GSTP1 expression data from an independent microarray study of 251 neuroblastoma samples, were correlated with established prognostic indicators and disease outcome. High levels of GSTP1 were associated with decreased event-free and overall survival in all three cohorts. Multivariate analyses, including age at diagnosis, tumor stage and MYCN amplification status, were conducted on the two larger cohorts and demonstrated independent prognostic significance of GSTP1 expression levels. We also explored the regulation of GSTP1 by MycN using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and luciferase reporter assays in neuroblastoma cell lines and found that GSTP1 is a direct transcriptional target of MycN. We conclude that N-Myc regulates multiple components of drug metabolism and efflux pathways, including GSTP1 and transporters of the ABC superfamily. The regulation of these key multidrug resistance mechanisms may have particular significance for malignancies with amplification of Myc family genes. 1) J Biol Chem, 285:19532-19543, 2010 2) J Natl Cancer Institute, 103:1236-51, 2011 4) Nat Rev Cancer, 10:147-156, 2010 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 789. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-789
Check’n Burn: removing caloric surplus through physical activity
Authors: Antonio Monroy Antón, Lucía Sagarra Romero
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2016)

Check’n Burn

Health and Fitness

Android, iOS, FirefoxOS and Windows Phone

Android, iOS, or Windows Phone: €0.99

Check’n Burn is designed to give the user proper knowledge of food intake, providing energy values and accumulating them to calculate the main menu’s nutrition facts. It includes characteristics of each product, namely calories, carbohydrates (including sugars), lipids, proteins and sodium. It also provides, …
EVALUACION DE LA SEGURIDAD Y EFICACIA A CORTO Y LARGO PLAZO DEL DRENAJE DE COLECCIONES PANCREATICAS (CP) MEDIANTE PROTESIS METALICAS AUTOEXPANDIBLES TOTALMENTE RECUBIERTAS (PMR): RESULTADOS DE UN ESTUDIO MULTICENTRICO NACIONAL
Authors: E Vazquez, M Perez, A Sanchez, J Gornals, F Gonzalez-Huix, C De La Serna, JA Gonzalez Martin, F Gonzalez Panizo, A Gimeno, C Marra-Lopez, A Castellot
Journal: Endoscopy (2014)

Introducción: El drenaje endoscópico de CP se realiza mediante prótesis plásticas, pero sus resultados en colecciones densas (Necrosis pancreática organizada/NPO) son discretos. El papel de las PMR en CP es desconocido.
Signal Transduction in Human Hematopoietic Cells by Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Related Protein, a Novel Ligand for the FLT4 Receptor
Authors: Jian-Feng Wang, Ramesh K. Ganju, Zhong-Ying Liu, Hava Avraham, Shalom Avraham, Jerome E. Groopman
Journal: Blood (1997)
Abstract 363A: PAX2 is an oncogene in type I ovarian cancer
Authors: Huijuan Song, Celestine S. Tung, Yvonne TM Tsang, Samuel C. Mok, David M. Gershenson, Kwong-Kwok Wong
Journal: Cancer Research (2010)

Abstract Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecologic malignancy, but the most lethal gynecologic cancer. Ovarian cancer is divided into Type I and Type II subgroups. Type I tumors include low-grade micropapillary serous carcinoma, mucinous, endometrioid, and clear cell carcinomas and are characterized by high frequency of KRAS, BRAF, PTEN, or beta-catenin mutations. Type II tumors include high-grade serous carcinoma, malignant mixed mesodermal tumors (carcinosarcomas) and undifferentiated carcinomas and are characterized by high genetic instability and high frequency of TP53 mutation. Using gene expression profiling, we found that Pax2, a transcription factor of the Pax gene family, is highly expressed in type I ovarian tumors but is less expressed in Type II tumors. Pax2 is one of the nine Pax genes which have a conserved DNA sequence motif called the paired box, a 128 amino acid domain in the amino-terminal portion of the protein. Pax2 regulates tissue development and cellular differentiation in embryos and Pax2 expression is attenuated after development. Unattenuated Pax2 expression has been found in several cancer types, but the function of Pax2 in ovarian cancer is not clearly understood. In this study, we further validated the expression of Pax2 in Type I ovarian cancer by immunohistochemistry, western blot analysis and quantitative real-time PCR. Furthermore, the expression of Pax2 in two Type I ovarian cancer cell lines (RMUGL and TOV21G) was knockdown by Pax2 specific shRNA. By comparing to the control non-target shRNA cancer cell lines and the parental cell lines, Pax2 knockdown cell lines have significant reduction in growth rate as measured by WST cell proliferation assay. From the gene expression profiles of three independent Pax2 knockdown cell lines, we identified 196 genes that were significantly affected by the down-regulation of Pax2. Many of these genes are involved in cell cycle control, cellular growth and proliferation, and the TP53 pathway such as BBC3, CHEK1, GADD45A and GADD45B and JUN genes. This suggests that Pax2 may play an oncogenic role in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer through a TP53-dependent pathway. Since immunotherapy targeting Pax2 is currently being developed, Pax2 could be a therapeutic target for Type I ovarian cancer. 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 363A.
Abstract 291: Evaluation of blood flow in hepatocellular carcinoma: Assessment with computed tomography perfusion parameters and circulating angiogenic factors
Authors: Ya-Wen Chen, Chen-Pin Chou
Journal: Cancer Research (2011)

Abstract Purpose: To study the relationships between CT perfusion parameters and circulating angiogenic factors in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) Materials and Methods: This study was HIPAA compliant and was approved by the institutional review board. All participants provided informed consents. CT perfusion parameters of HCCs among 21 patients were assessed using 21-phase liver images at a 64-slice multidetector CT. We analyzed CT perfusion parameters including total blood flow, arterial blood flow, portal blood flow and arterial fraction (arterial blood flow /total blood flow) of HCCs, surrounding liver parenchyma and HCC-parenchyma ratio. Interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) in plasma were measured using Bio-Plex multiplex immunoassay in 21 HCC patients and 8 healthy controls. Result: CT perfusion parameters of HCCs showed statistically different from that of surrounding liver parenchyma in total blood flow (p=0.002), portal blood flow (p&amp;lt;0.001) and arterial fraction (p&amp;lt;0.001). Circulating IL-6, IL-8 and VEGF showed significantly higher levels in HCC patients than controls (p&amp;lt;0.05), and predicted HCC significantly better than chance (p&amp;lt;0.001). None of circulating angiogenic factors had significant correlation with any of CT perfusion parameters in HCC patients. Only HCC-parenchyma ratio of arterial blood flow showed significant positive correlation with circulating IL-8 (p&amp;lt;0.05). Conclusion: CT perfusion parameters of HCC and circulating angiogenic factors are useful tools for HCC diagnosis. Only circulating IL-8 and HCC-parenchyma ratio of arterial blood flow showed significant correlation. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 291. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-291
Use of an Angiotensin II Antagonist (Saralasin) in the Recognition of “Angiotensinogenic” Hypertension
Authors: David H. P. Streeten, Gunnar H. Anderson, J. Michael Freiberg, Theodore G. Dalakos
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1975)

The possibility has been explored of using a specific angiotensin ii antagonist, saralasin (P-113, 1-sar-8-ala-angiotensin ii) to recognize patients whose hypertension depends upon excessive angiotensin ii activity. Among 60 hypertensive patients, saralasin infusion reduced blood pressure in 16 "responders," but not in 44 "nonresponders." The "responders" had the following findings: elevated plasma renin activity in renal vein (or veins) or peripheral veins or both (16 of 16); reduced renal blood flow, shown by arteriography, isotopic studies or pyelography (15 or 16), or progressive azotemia (one of 16); and reduction in blood. These findings indicated that angiotensin ii probably caused hypertension in the "responders," One "nonresponder" had renal vein levels of plasma renin activity suggestive of angiotensinogenic hypertension. Since hypertension was invariably angiotensinogenic when it was reduced by saralasin and, with one possible exception, was never angiotensinogenic in "nonresponders," the antagonist appears to provide an efpressure to or toward normal after corrective operation (four of four) or propranolol therapy (eight of eight). fective means of recognizing angiotensinogenic hypertension.
TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT VERSUS SURGERY IN WOMEN AT HIGH RISK FOR SURGICAL AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT: A SUBGROUP ANALYSIS OF THE COREVALVE US HIGH RISK PIVOTAL TRIAL
Authors: Kimberly A. Skelding, Alfred Casale, Steven Yakubov, Michael Reardon, David Adams, Jeffrey Popma
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2015)
Warts of the Fingertips
Authors: Andre M Surovy, Robert E Hunger
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2011)

A 56-year-old man with diabetes presented with a 2-year history of slowly progressing, painless lesions on his fingertips. Examination revealed hyperkeratotic papules that were clinically diagnostic of common warts. Warts are a manifestation of cutaneous infection with HPV.
Case 23-2008
Authors: Lecia V. Sequist, Jeffrey E. Settleman, Jeanne B. Ackman, A. John Iafrate
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2008)

A 26-year-old man experienced the sudden onset of back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging disclosed a pathologic fracture of the T9 vertebral body. A chest radiograph and computed tomography of the chest showed a mass in the upper lobe of the left lung, with involvement of the hilar and mediastinal structures. Diagnostic testing was performed, and a management decision was made.
AB1061 Implementation of A Weekly Consultation of Emergency Room Patients in Patients with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases
Authors: J.A. Roman Ivorra, C. Nuñez-Cornejo Piquer, I. Chalmeta Verdejo, C. Molina Almela, E. Grau Garcia, I. Martinez Cordellat, C. Feced Olmos, C. Alcañiz Escandell, L. Gonzalez Puig, R. Negueroles Albuixech, M.L. Muñoz Guillen, J.L. Valero Sanz, J. Ivorra Cortes
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2014)

<h3>Background</h3> Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) in the La Fe Department are assessed by Primary Care, and then referred to the Specialty Center for diagnosis and monitoring by the rheumatologist. However, due to the possible delay between the Primary Care visits and consultation in the Specialty Center, the patient repeatedly comes to the Emergency Room (ER), resulting in inappropriate hospitalizations. Therefore, the Department of Rheumatology has established a Weekly Consultation of patients referred from the Emergency Room (WEC) where the rheumatologist evaluates these RMD. <h3>Objectives</h3> To analyze the impact of implementing the WEC on reducing inappropriate hospital admissions in patients with RMD. <h3>Methods</h3> During 2011, the WEC was implemented and in 2012 it was fully operational. We collected data from hospitalizations and costs for annuities in 2010, 2011 and 2012 from RMD patients directly seen in the ER and those that were evaluated in the WEC. <h3>Results</h3> Hospitalizations fromRMD decreased from 83 in 2010 to 47 in 2012 with implementation of the WEC, reducing the average number of days of hospitalization from 10.15 to 7.5. The most common diseases were low back pain and sciatic lumbar pain, which in 2011 had a shorter hospital stay in cases managed using the WEC (7 and 5 days, respectively) than cases that were not managed by Rheumatology (12 and 11 days). It also resulted in a decrease in healthcare costs derived from admissions for all pathologies. In 2012, all proposals of RMD were derived to WEC. In 2012 it can assess the impact of this new strategy again in sciatic lumbar pain and low back pain, reducing the average length of hospitalization to 8 and 7 days, respectively, and total hospitalization days by 49% (106 days) and 58% (213 days), respectively. Costs also decreased significantly, resulting in a savings in health expenditures of 41% (€20,764.7) for low back pain and 52% (€44,206.6) for lumbar sciatic pain. <h3>Conclusions</h3> With this strategy, we can conclude that it has been possible to reduce the number of admissions due to rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases with the same resources available to the Department of Rheumatology. This speeds up diagnosis and care and benefits patients. Furthermore, it also reduces the length of hospital stays and resulting hospital costs. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared <h3>DOI</h3> 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.5020