tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
AB0174 Overweight is an Independent Contributor to Atherosclerosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients at Low Risk for Cardiovascular Disease: A Cross-Sectional Controlled Study
Authors: K. Sacre, M. Chauchard, B. Escoubet, C. Francois, M.-C. Vanderhaegen, M.-C. Zennaro, M.-P. Chauveheid, T. Papo
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2015)

<h3>Background</h3> Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Obesity is an additional risk factor for cardiovascular disease that appears to be more prevalent in SLE population <h3>Objectives</h3> We aimed to determine whether overweight (defined as a BMI&gt;25) contributed to subclinical atherosclerosis in SLE patients at low risk for CVD according to traditional factors. <h3>Methods</h3> Internal carotid wall thickness (ICWT) and carotid plaques were prospectively assessed, as a measure of subclinical atherosclerosis, in 49 SLE patients asymptomatic for CVD and 49 controls matched on Framingham score. Factors associated to ICWT were identified in SLE patients and in controls and multiple linear regression (multivariate analysis) was performed. <h3>Results</h3> SLE patients and controls displayed a low 10-year risk for CVD according to Framingham score (mean 1.9±3.5 in SLE vs 1.8±3.2% in controls, p=0.37). ICWT (1.3±0.6 vs 1±0.3mm, p=0.0007) and number of patients with carotid plaques (18.4% vs 2.0%, p=0.015) were however higher in SLE patients as compared to controls. In multivariable analysis, SLE was an independent the risk for a carotid plaque (OR [95%CI]: 3.53 [1.36 - 9.14]; p=0.009 as compared to controls). Older age, higher body mass index (BMI) and higher Framingham score were associated with atherosclerosis in SLE patients in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, only the association with overweight (i.e. BMI&gt;25kg/m<sup>2</sup>) remained significant (OR [95%CI]: 4.13 [1.02 - 16.75]; p=0.047). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Overweight is an independent contributor to atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus. Identifying SLE patients at a higher risk for CVD is mandatory. Body weight control should be a specific target in clinical practice in order to prevent the occurrence of atherosclerosis and its deleterious consequences in patients with SLE. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared
SP0218 The Challanges in Health Economic Evaluations
Authors: J. Sorensen
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2015)

Health economics evaluations are important to document "value for money" of interventions and treatment policies in rheumatology. High quality evaluations are conducted alongside clinical trials with the additional collection of data on health economic outcomes (e.g. survival and health-related quality of life) and resource use associated with the interventions and derived from outcomes of the interventions. Sometimes it is relevant to extend the description of outcomes and resource use beyond the time frame of the clinical trial in so called "modelling studies". Both type evaluations requires an number of assumptions and simplifications in order to describe the cost-effectiveness. In his presentation I will discuss some of the challanges relating to economic evaluations based on clinical trials. These include the problems of "piggy-bagging" onto clinical trials with a limited time frame and often small sample sizes that are calibrated to detect difference in clinical measures but rarely to detect differences in resource use and cost. Also the analysis of outcomes and costs that are correlated impose analytical challanges. It is important that economic evaluations are conducted in systematic and transparent ways in order to addresse key features of the decision problem. Studies with non-transparent analyses may be difficult for decision makers to understand and use in their work, and may therefore not offer sufficient and reliable evidence for decision making about wither to inctroduce or abandon the analysed interventions. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared
The burden of genital warts in Slovenia: results from a national probability sample survey
Authors: I Klavs, M Grgič-Vitek
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2008)

The objective of this study was to estimate the lifetime age-specific cumulative incidence of self-reported genital warts diagnosis in Slovenia and to explore the association with demographic characteristics and self-reported sexual behaviour. Data were collected in the period from November 1999 to February 2001 from a national probability sample of the general population aged 18-49 years through a combination of face-to-face interviews at the respondents' homes and anonymous self-completed questionnaires. In total, 849 men and 903 women were interviewed (response: 63.3% men, 70.9% women). Among sexually experienced respondents with available information (752 men and 842 women), previous diagnosis of genital warts was reported by 0.3% of men (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.0%-1.3%) and 0.4% of women (95% CI: 0.1%-1.1%), and in the age group of 40-49 year-olds by 0.5% of men (95% CI:0.0-3.2) and 0.7% of women (95% CI: 0.2%-2.9%). In comparison to women with fewer than 10 lifetime male partners, those who reported to have had at least 10 male partners were more likely to have a previous diagnosis of genital warts (adjusted odds ratio: 7.2 (95% CI: 1.1%-47.8%). The lifetime cumulative incidence of self-reported genital warts diagnosis among Slovenians was relatively low in comparison to other published estimates from probability sample surveys in the general population in European countries. Our findings will inform the Slovenian vaccination policy against human papillomaviruses (HPV) and contribute to a better understanding of the differences between European countries regarding the burden of genital warts.
Congenital rubella still a public health problem in Italy: analysis of national surveillance data from 2005 to 2013
Authors: C Giambi, A Filia, M C Rota, M Del Manso, S Declich, G Nacca, E Rizzuto, A Bella, Collective regional contact points for rubella
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2015)

In accordance with the goal of the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, the Italian national measles and rubella elimination plan aims to reduce the incidence of congenital rubella cases to?less than?one case per 100,000 live births by the end of 2015. We report national surveillance data for congenital rubella and rubella in pregnancy from 2005 to 2013. A total of 75 congenital rubella infections were reported; the national annual mean incidence was 1.5/100,000 live births, including probable and confirmed cases according to European Union case definition. Two peaks occurred in 2008 and 2012 (5.0 and 3.6/100,000 respectively). Overall, 160 rubella infections in pregnancy were reported; 69/148 women were multiparous and 38/126 had had a rubella antibody test before pregnancy. Among reported cases, there were 62 infected newborns, 31 voluntary abortions, one stillbirth and one spontaneous abortion. A total of 24 newborns were unclassified and 14 women were lost to follow-up, so underestimation is likely. To improve follow-up of cases, systematic procedures for monitoring infected mothers and children were introduced in 2013. To prevent congenital rubella, antibody screening before pregnancy and vaccination of susceptible women, including post-partum and post-abortum vaccination, should be promoted. Population coverage?of two doses of measles-mumps-rubella vaccination of ≥?95% should be maintained and knowledge of health professionals improved.
FRI0315 Febuxostat May be Usefully Utilized for Allopurinol-Refractory Hyperuricemia in Gout Treatment of Dialysis Patients or Those in Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Table 1.
Authors: C.-N. Son, H.-J. Jeong, J.-M. Kim, H.-S. Kim, S.-H. Kim
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2015)

<h3>Background</h3> Research on the safety and effects of febuxostat in stage 4 or 5 CKD patients is very limited. There are some studies where research on hyperuricemia patients with gout history has been conducted [1, 2], but there is little data on cases of application to patients actually in order to treat gout. <h3>Objectives</h3> This study aims to examine the clinical effects of febuxostat in cases of allopurinol-refractory hyperuricemia during treatment of gout in dialysis patients or stage 4 CKD patients. <h3>Methods</h3> Patients selected had been administered febuxostat for six months or longer because of allopurinol-refractory hyperuricemia during treatment of gout from May 2012 to February 2014. The patients met the American College of Rheumatology criteria for acute gout. The age, gender, duration of gout, cause of CKD, serum uric acid (SUA), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), creatinine, and doses of febuxostat were investigated in patients whose eGFR had been less than 45 mL/min per 1.73 m<sup>2</sup> among the patients before the initiation of febuxostat administration <h3>Results</h3> A total of 25 patients were enrolled. The number of stage 3b (30 ≤ eGFR &lt;45) CKD patients, stage 4 (15 ≤ eGFR &lt;30) patients, and stage 5 (eGFR &lt;15) patients was 13, 6, and 6, respectively, and all six patients at stage 5 CKD were undergoing hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. During the six-month observation period, gout recurred in none of the patients. The six stage 5 patients9 SUA decreased from 7.2±0.7 mg/dL at baseline to 4.9±2.2 mg/dL (p&lt;0.05), the stage 4 CKD patients9 SUA reduced from 8.9±2.8 mg/dL at baseline to 6.7±4.4 mg/dL (p&lt;0.05), and the stage 3b CKD patients9 SUA dropped from 8.8±1.9 mg/dL to 5.6±2.1 mg/dL (p&lt;0.05) six months after the administration of febuxostat. In addition, the eGFR did not statistically change in the CKD stage 3b and 4 patients. <h3>Conclusions</h3> In gout treatment of dialysis patients or CKD stage 4 patients with allopurinol-refractory hyperuricemia, febuxostat inhibited gout recurrence and effectively decreased SUA during a period of six months. <h3>References</h3> Horikoshi, et al. Clin Exp Nephrol. 2013:17;149-50. Shibagaki, et al. Hypertens Res. 2014:37;919-25. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared
French situation concerning the Swedish Chlamydia trachomatis variant
Authors: B de Barbeyrac, S Raherison, S Cado, F Normandin, M Clerc, V Clairet, V Goulet, C Bébéar
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2007)

In 2006, a plasmid deletion mutant of Chlamydia trachomatis was identified in Sweden that can not be detected with those commercial tests targeting the deleted area. In order to study the spread of this strain in France, a laboratory-based surveillance system was set up by the National Reference Centre for Chlamydiae and the Institut de Veille Sanitaire. Among 1,141 C. trachomatis-positive specimens from all over France, the new variant was only detected in one case. This case was a non-French resident consulting a sexually transmitted infections clinic. Although the new variant does not seem to be established in France as yet, surveillance based on the testing of C. trachomatis-positive samples from all over France continues.
PWE-286 Neo-adjuvant chemo-dxt and elapr: the gold standard in the treatment of low rectal cancer
Authors: A Miah, K Boyle, A Miller, D Hemingway
Journal: Gut (2015)

<h3>Introduction</h3> The abdomino-perineal resection of the rectum (APR) was first described in detail, by the eminent English surgeon Sir Ernest Miles in his seminal paper in 1908. He described the steps employed to surgically treat low rectal cancers, which were not amenable to Anterior Resection of the rectum. This operation has been the standard treatment for low rectal cancers for over a hundred years. However, despite the advent of TME, local recurrence and survival have not improved to the same degree as seen in Anterior Resection of rectum. Differences in outcomes were partly related to the anatomical and surgical (technical) challenges operating deep in the pelvis. In recent years, the Extra-Levator APR technique has been shown to improve outcome. In this study we report on the differences in outcome following adoption of Chemo-DXT and ELAPR in our unit. <h3>Method</h3> We used our colorectal cancer database to select cases that qualified i.e. low rectal cancers that underwent APR in a 3 year period. In hospital Radiology and Pathology IT systems were used to collect further data. We compared various measures including circumferential resection margins (CRM). Margin positivity was compared from the pre ELAPR era to that observed in current unit practice of ELAPR. <h3>Results</h3> 1. Our findings showed that neoadjuvant treatment downstaged and in some cases “cured” the tumours prior to surgery, <b><i>radiologically</i></b>. 2. With Neoadjuvant Chemo-DXT all T4 tumours were shrunk to a lower ypT stage in our Post-ELAPR data. 3. CRM margin positivity had reduced to 9% since the adoption of ELAPR in the unit. Previously it was 20%; thus, an <b><i>11% improvement</i></b>on the previous audit figure or a <b><i>&gt;50% reduction in CRM positivity</i></b>. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Our data supports the notion that Neoadjuvant Chemo-DXT and ELAPR can reduce CRM positivity in low rectal cancer and improve prognosis and should form the gold standard treatment of low rectal cancer. <h3>Disclosure of interest</h3> None Declared. <h3>References</h3> Miles WE. A method of performing abdomino-perineal excision for carcinoma of the rectum and of the terminal portion of the pelvic colon (1908). <i>CA Cancer J Clin.</i>1971;21(6):361–364 Heald RJ. The 9Holy Plane9 of rectal surgery. <i>J R Soc Med</i>. 1988;81(9):503–508 Palmer G, <i>et al</i>. Local control and survival after extralevator abdominoperineal excision for locally advanced or low rectal cancer. <i>Colorectal Dis</i>. 2014;16(7): 527–532
Graft and donor denial in heart transplant recipients
Authors: F M Mai
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1986)

Eighteen of 20 survivors of a heart transplant used denial as a coping mechanism. In seven of the subjects, denial was expressed toward the graft, in five it was toward the donor, and in six it was toward both. Other feelings expressed at the time of discharge were euphoria, gratitude, curiosity, ambivalence, guilt, anxiety, and a feeling of a change in body image. The author suggests that denial serves a protective and adaptive function in heart transplant recipients.
Cytomegalovirus
Authors: Janet M. Torpy
Journal: JAMA (2010)

CytomegalovirusC ytomegalovirus (CMV), a virus from the herpes and chickenpox virus family, is a common cause of infection and illness worldwide.CMV infection can be congenital (present at birth) or passed from an infected pregnant woman to her baby.Congenital CMV infection is a leading nongenetic cause of deafness in children.The April 14, 2010, issue of JAMA contains an article about testing for CMV infection in newborn infants.
Shigellosis in refugees, Austria, July to November 2015
Authors: Ingeborg Lederer, Karin Taus, Franz Allerberger, Sabrina Fenkart, Alexander Spina, Burkhard Springer, Daniela Schmid
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2015)

We report on a cluster of shigellosis including 21 cases in refugees and two in local residents who worked in refugee transit centres, detected in Austria in 2015, between calendar weeks 29 and 47. The species isolated from the cluster cases, including one mixed infection, were S. sonnei (n = 13), S. flexneri (n = 10) and S. boydii (n = 1). Eleven of 18 tested isolates were extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-positive, including five of six ciprofloxacin-resistant and three azithromycin-resistant isolates.
ECG Response: August 20, 2013
Authors: Philip J Podrid
Journal: Circulation (2013)

ECG Challenge: A 67-year-old man recently underwent radical neck surgery for pharyngeal cancer.Three days later, he developed severe muscle twitching and spasms and sharp chest pain.An ECG was obtained.The rhythm is regular at a rate of 78 bpm.There is a P wave (+) before each QRS complex with a stable PR interval (0.16 second).The P waves are positive in leads I, II, aVF, and V 4 through V 6 .Hence, this is a normal sinus rhythm.The QRS complex duration is normal (0.08 second) and has a normal axis (between 0° and 90°, positive QRS complex in leads I and aVF).The QRS complex has a normal morphology, although there is poor R-wave progression in leads V 1 and V 2 .This is likely a normal variant, although an old anteroseptal myocardial infarction should be considered.The QT/QTc intervals are prolonged (480/540 milliseconds).There are 2 different patterns for QT prolongation.The first is delayed repolarization in which the long-QT interval is the result of a long ST segment (^) and the T wave is normal in duration.This pattern is seen with either hypocalcemia or hypomagnesemia, which results in a prolongation in phase 2 of the action potential and hence a delay in the onset of repolarization.This type of QT prolongation is not associated with any cardiac abnormalities; specifically, it is not associated with torsade des pointes.The second pattern is called prolonged repolarization in which there is a widening of the T wave (prolongation in the T-wave duration).This is often the result of a slow efflux of potassium during phase 3 of the action potential, which prolongs repolarization or the refractoriness of the membrane.This is a long-QT pattern that is associated with the development of torsade des pointes, or a long-QT syndrome.The long-QT interval in this situation may be acquired, a result of therapy with a drug that interferes with the efflux of potassium during repolarization (eg, the class III antiarrhythmic drugs), or congenital, a result of a channelopathy that causes a prolongation in membrane refractoriness.In this ECG, the pattern is one of delayed repolarization as there is a long ST segment (^) and a normal T wave.The patient likely developed hypocalcemia as a result of hypoparathyroidism due to the recent neck surgery.
NADPH oxidase controls neutrophilic response to sterile inflammation in mice by regulating the IL-1α/G-CSF axis
Authors: Juhi Bagaitkar, Nancy K. Pech, Stoyan Ivanov, Anthony Austin, Melody Yue Zeng, Sabine Pallat, Guangming Huang, Gwendalyn J. Randolph, Mary C. Dinauer
Journal: Blood (2015)
Toll-Like Receptors 2 and 4 Are Potential Therapeutic Targets in Peritoneal Dialysis–Associated Fibrosis
Authors: Anne-Catherine Raby, Chantal S. Colmont, Ann Kift-Morgan, Jörg Köhl, Matthias Eberl, Donald Fraser, Nicholas Topley, Mario O. Labéta
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2016)

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) remains limited by dialysis failure due to peritoneal membrane fibrosis driven by inflammation caused by infections or sterile cellular stress. Given the fundamental role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and complement in inflammation, we assessed the potential of peritoneal TLR2, TLR4 and C5a receptors, C5aR and C5L2, as therapeutic targets in PD-associated fibrosis. We detected TLR2–, TLR4–, and C5aR–mediated proinflammatory and fibrotic responses to bacteria that were consistent with the expression of these receptors in peritoneal macrophages (TLR2/4, C5aR) and mesothelial cells (TLR2, C5aR). Experiments in knockout mice revealed a major role for TLR2, a lesser role for TLR4, a supplementary role for C5aR, and no apparent activity of C5L2 in infection–induced peritoneal fibrosis. Similarly, antibody blockade of TLR2, TLR4, or C5aR differentially inhibited bacteria–induced profibrotic and inflammatory mediator production by peritoneal leukocytes isolated from the peritoneal dialysis effluent (PDE) of noninfected uremic patients. Additionally, antibodies against TLR2, TLR4, or the coreceptor CD14 reduced the profibrotic responses of uremic leukocytes to endogenous components present in the PDE of noninfected patients. Enhancing TLR2-mediated inflammation increased fibrosis in vivo . Furthermore, soluble TLR2 (sTLR2), a negative modulator of TLRs that we detected in PDE, inhibited PDE–induced, TLR2– or TLR4–mediated profibrotic responses. Notably, sTLR2 treatment markedly reduced Gram–positive and –negative bacteria–induced fibrosis in vivo , inhibiting proinflammatory and fibrotic genes without affecting infection clearance. These findings reveal the influence of peritoneal TLR2 and TLR4 on PD-associated fibrosis and describe a therapeutic strategy against fibrosis.
Delayed Foreign-Body Tumorigenesis in Mice Infected With Lactate Dehydrogenase-Elevating Virus: Brief Communication2
Authors: Margo Brinton-Darnell, Inge Brand
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1977)

Journal Article Delayed Foreign-Body Tumorigenesis in Mice Infected With Lactate Dehydrogenase-Elevating Virus: Brief Communication Get access Margo Brinton-Darnell, Margo Brinton-Darnell Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Inge Brand Inge Brand Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Volume 59, Issue 3, September 1977, Pages 1027–1029, https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/59.3.1027 Published: 01 September 1977 Article history Received: 03 January 1977 Accepted: 28 March 1977 Published: 01 September 1977
Cystic fibrosis
Authors: Jane C Davies, Eric W F W Alton, Andrew Bush
Journal: BMJ (2007)

Over 7000 people have cystic fibrosis in the United Kingdom.It is the commonest genetically inherited disease in white populations (1 in 2500 newborns), although it is increasingly recognised as being important in non-white populations.However, most general practitioners have only one or two patients on their list, and as management generally takes place in specialist centres, many general paediatricians will be involved in the care of only a small number of patients.Progress in our understanding of the disease and the impact of this on management has been rapid over the past 20 years.Cystic fibrosis used to be a digestive and lung disease of young children but more recently has become a complex, multisystem disease extending into adulthood; there will soon be more adults than children with the condition.The predicted median survival for babies born in the 21st century is now more than 50 years. 1This increased survival-together with changes in standard treatment, the increasing implementation of newborn screening, and the focus on new therapeutic strategies-leads us to consider that an update on this albeit relatively rare disease may be of general interest. What is the cause of cystic fibrosis?Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disease.It is caused by mutations in the CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) gene. 2 The commonest mutation is the deletion of phenylalanine at codon 508 (phe508del, until recently known as ΔF508).This occurs in about 70% of patients with cystic fibrosis (www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/posters/chromosome/cftr.shtml).Over 1600 mutations of the CFTR gene have been described.Different mutations in this gene have varying effects on CFTR function and can result in different phenotypes of the disease.Some mutations will result in milder forms of the disease, although there is not enough evidence about these rarer mutations to counsel patients about their prognosis.The CFTR protein is expressed in many cells and has several functions, not all of which have been linked with disease.The primary function of the CFTR protein is as an ion channel that regulates liquid volume on epithelial surfaces through chloride secretion and inhibition of sodium absorption.