tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
“If it looks like a duck…” – why humans need to focus on different approaches than insects if we are to become efficiently and effectively ultrasocial
Authors: Kenneth John Aitken
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2016)

Abstract The parallels between the agricultural successes of ultrasocial insects and those of humans are interesting and potentially important. There are a number of important caveats, however, including the relative complexities of insect reproduction, their more rigidly determined altricial patterns of social behaviour, the roles of post-reproductive group members, and differences in the known factors involved in ultrasocietal collapse.
Association of active human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) infection with autoimmune thyroid gland diseases
Authors: A. Sultanova, M. Cistjakovs, S. Gravelsina, S. Chapenko, S. Roga, E. Cunskis, Z. Nora-Krukle, V. Groma, I. Ventina, M. Murovska
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2016)
Clinical Experience with Azacitidine In Secondary Myelodysplastic Syndrome In Spain
Authors: Regina García, Guillermo F Sanz, Dunia de Miguel Llorente, Benet Nomdedeu, M Mar Romero, Teresa Bernal, Juan Besalduch, Elena Amutio, Salut Brunet, Grupo Andaluz de Smd
Journal: Blood (2010)
Denosumab for the prevention of symptomatic skeletal events in patients with castration-resistant advanced prostate cancer: A comparison with skeletal-related events.
Authors: Matthew R. Smith, Robert E. Coleman, Laurence Klotz, Kenneth B. Pittman, Piotr Milecki, Rachel Wei, Arun Balakumaran, Karim Fizazi
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2014)

35 Background: In a randomized controlled trial of men with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and bone metastases, denosumab was superior to zoledronic acid (ZA) for reducing skeletal-related events (SRE, defined as pathological fracture, surgery or radiation to bone [including the use of radioisotopes], or spinal cord compression) (Fizazi, et al. Lancet 2011;377:813-822.). Recently, the composite endpoint of symptomatic skeletal event (SSE, defined as symptomatic fracture, surgery or radiation to bone, or spinal cord compression) was introduced as an alternative term/clinical trial endpoint to describe skeletal morbidity. Methods: Men with CRPC, ≥ 1 bone metastasis, and no prior IV bisphosphonate use received either SC denosumab 120 mg or IV ZA 4 mg (adjusted for creatinine clearance) in a blinded fashion every 4 weeks. Oral calcium and vitamin D supplements were recommended. SSEs included pathologic fractures considered symptomatic by the investigator, spinal cord compression and surgery and radiation to bone. Results: As previously reported, fewer men who received denosumab than ZA had confirmed first SREs, and experienced multiple SREs (Table). Similarly, fewer patients in the denosumab group than the ZA group had confirmed first SSE and multiple SSEs. The median (95% CI) estimate of time to first SSE (superiority analysis) for denosumab was not reached (28.8 mo, not estimable), and for ZA it was 24.2 (20.7, 30.2) mo (HR = 0.78 (0.66, 0.93) P = 0.01). Conclusions: Denosumab reduced the risk of skeletal events in men with CRPC regardless of endpoint definition as SRE or SSE. The risk of developing SSEs was reduced by up to 22% when comparing denosumab with ZA. Clinical trial information: NCT00321620. [Table: see text]
Monosomal Karyotype Is Predictive of Poor Response to Therapy and Worse Overall Survival in Secondary Acute Myeloid Leukemia (sAML); Analysis of a Multi-Center Phase II Study of Amonafide and Cytarabine Induction Therapy.
Authors: Ben J Downie, Harry P Erba, Richard M Stone, David A Rizzieri, James M Foran
Journal: Blood (2009)
Differentially Expressed and Novel Transcripts in Highly Purified Chronic Phase CML Stem Cells
Authors: Yun Zhao, Allen Delaney, Afshin Raouf, Kamini Raghuram, Haiyan I Li, Angelique Schnerch, Xiaoyan Jiang, Allen C Eaves, Marco A Marra, Connie J. Eaves
Journal: Blood (2008)
Does adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) exacerbate cognitive impairment in elderly breast cancer (BC) patients? Results of a prospective, longitudinal study
Authors: M. B. Rodin, J. A. Wallace, M. Lacy, K. Kuball, B. Pykkonen, G. Fleming
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2006)

10530 Background: Over the last few years, several retrospective studies documented cognitive impairment in post-chemotherapy BC patients. This decline was hypothesized to be related to CT (“chemo-brain”). More recently, a prospective study (Wefel et al. 2005) documented significant cognitive impairment at baseline, which may impact response to CT, along with treatment related effects. While all previous studies focused on the cognitive response of young BC women, older patients may be much more susceptible to any CT related neurotoxicity. Thus, the current study investigated the incidence and course of cognitive impairment in older, post-menopausal BC patients undergoing CT. Methods: 19 postmenopausal women (≥50 yrs) with no prior chemo or hormonal cancer treatment, and baseline MMSE &gt;23 completed a comprehensive neurocognitive battery of tests along with anxiety and depression measures, prior to treatment. At 6 months, 12 patients returned for post-chemotherapy evaluation, with 8 evaluated at 2 years. Ten DCIS patients were also evaluated at baseline and 6 months. Results: Mean age at baseline was 67 yrs with 14 years of education. Prior to treatment, 37% displayed significant cognitive impairment not accounted for by other variables. At six months, within and between group analyses revealed only improved fine motor speed (Finger tapping, p.01) related to practice effects, but no decline in cognitive functions. There were no significant differences across measures between BC and DCIS groups. However, RCI revealed 3 of 12 BC patients improved on memory tasks. Two year longitudinal analyses again revealed improved motor speed and possible cognitive flexibility (TMT-A, p.02), along with decreased anxiety (STAI-S, p = .03). Conclusion: This small study does not support a finding of treatment-associated cognitive impairment among elderly women receiving standard CT for breast cancer. However, like Wefel’s sample, we documented significant cognitive impairment prior to initiation of treatment. Studies addressing the etiologic mechanism related to this cognitive dysfunction are warranted. Limitations of the current study will be discussed. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
P0558 : HBV infection is not affected by the induction of FXR activity but may limit the activity of FXR agonists in humanized mice
Authors: O.D. Bhadra, T. Volz, N. Oehler, L. Allweiss, K. Giersch, A.W. Lohse, J. Petersen, C. Kremoser, M. Lütgehetmann, J. Heeren, M. Dandri
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2015)
Outcomes of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients treated with second-line chemotherapy (SL) with CPT-11: A retrospective analysis.
Authors: A. Lopez Jimenez, G. Esquerdo, E. Barrajon, L. Del Rio Pazos, J. Cervera, N. Diaz, C. Angeles Oyonarte
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2010)

e18144 Background: Patients (Pts) with SCLC progressing after first-line chemotherapy (FL) have a poor prognosis and evidence of a benefit of SL is still limited. This retrospective analysis evaluates the clinical outcomes of patients who received a SL treatment after failure of a FL for SCLC with CPT-11 alone or in combination. Methods: We reviewed retrospectively 20 consecutive patients who failed a FL and received a second-line treatment, between 2007 and 2009 at 2 institutions. Our endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), response rate and toxicity. Results: Pts characteristics: male/female: 15/5; ECOG PS 0/1/2/3: 0/9/10/1; median age: 62 (range 40-77); prior thoracic/brain radiotherapy was administered in 7 and 13 pts, respectively; 5 pts had ischemic cardiopathy ; 40% of pts had hepatic metastases and 20% brain metastases; 50% of pts received CPT-11 in combination (8 pts added to cisplatin, 1 added to carboplatin and 1 to gemcitabine). Partial responses were observed in 8 pts (40%; 5 of them received combination therapy), stable disease in 7 (35%; 3 of them received combination) and progression in 5 (25%; 2 of them received polichemotherapy). Haematological toxicity was the most common, although usually mild: neutropenia G2-4 in 7 pts (35%; 3 pts G3-4, only one of them in the combination therapy group), febrile neutropenia in 3 pts (15%; one of them in the combination therapy group) and anemia G2-4 in 12 pts (60%; 1 pt G3-4, in the single agent group) and G2-4 diarrhea in 7 pts (35%; 1 pt G3-4, in the combination therapy group). Median time to progression was 4.78 months. Median survival time was 5.75 months. Conclusions: CPT-11 as a single agent or in combination is an active and well tolerated second- line chemotherapy in SCLC. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Assessment of treatment with panitumumab, cetuximab, and bevacizumab among mCRC patients with wild-type <i>RAS </i>or <i>BRAF </i>treated at community cancer centers in the United States.
Authors: Kimberly Lowe, Tamer Garawin, Michael Anthony Kelsh, Gerry C. Bohac
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2016)

663 Background: There is limited observational data on the use of RAS test results and treatment patterns with chemotherapy and biologics among metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. Our objective was to use real world data to evaluate the treatment sequences of mCRC patients who have wild-type RAS (KRAS, NRAS), or BRAF and who are treated at community cancer clinics within the United States (U.S.). Methods: The sample included 536 patients in the Oncology Services Comprehensive Electronic Records (OSCER) database who were diagnosed with mCRC between 1/1/2011 and 8/31/2015. All patients had available treatment data and were confirmed to have wild-type RAS or BRAF. Patients were stratified into mutually-exclusive categories based on 1 st line treatment with chemotherapy in combination with either bevacizumab (Bmab), cetuximab (Cmab), panitumumab (Pmab), a combination of Pmab, Cmab or Bmab, or no biologics. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Results: The demographics of the sample were as follows: mean age 67 years (standard deviation = 12), 55% male, 70% White, and 50% with ECOG value of zero. The use of Bmab, Cmab, or Pmab in combination with chemotherapy in 1 st line treatment was follows: Bmab only (n = 270, 50%), Cmab only (n = 81, 15%), Pmab only (n = 28, 5%), and a combination of either Bmab, Cmab and/or Pmab (n = 6, 1%). No biologics were administered to 151 (28%) of the sample in 1 st line. There were no statistically significant differences in age, gender, race, insurance type, region of the U.S. or ECOG status at mCRC diagnosis across the 1 st line treatment categories. Of the 385 patients who received a biologic in 1 st line, 94 (24%) of those who survived and selected to continue treatment received a biologic in 2 nd line. Of these 94 patients, 25 (27%) of those who survived and selected to continue treatment also received a biologic in 3 rd line. Conclusions: Bmab was the most commonly-used biologic among mCRC patients with wild-type RAS or BRAF in this descriptive study. Future research is needed to better understand what factors impact treatment decisions among mCRC patients.
Thymic Epithelial Cells
Authors: Jakub Abramson, Graham Anderson
Journal: Annual Review of Immunology (2017)

Intrathymic T cell development is a complex process that depends upon continuous guidance from thymus stromal cell microenvironments. The thymic epithelium within the thymic stroma comprises highly specialized cells with a high degree of anatomic, phenotypic, and functional heterogeneity. These properties are collectively required to bias thymocyte development toward production of self-tolerant and functionally competent T cells. The importance of thymic epithelial cells (TECs) is evidenced by clear links between their dysfunction and multiple diseases where autoimmunity and immunodeficiency are major components. Consequently, TECs are an attractive target for cell therapies to restore effective immune system function. The pathways and molecular regulators that control TEC development are becoming clearer, as are their influences on particular stages of T cell development. Here, we review both historical and the most recent advances in our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling TEC development, function, dysfunction, and regeneration.
Switching from methadone to a different opioid: What is the equianalgesic dose ratio?
Authors: P. W. Walker, E. Bruera, B. Pei, G. Kaur, K. Zhang, H. Jeanine, E. Curry, S. Palla, M. Mansell
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2006)

8617 Background: Methadone (ME) is a highly effective opioid agonist used for difficult pain syndromes. However, the rotation from ME to another opioid may be difficult because of the absence of a uniformly accepted conversion ratio. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive medical records of Pts undergoing an opioid rotation from ME to an alternative opioid. For inclusion, Pts were required to have received ME for at least 3 days prior to the switch and reach a stable dose of the alternative opioid(s) during 7 days following. Stable dose was defined as a 30% or less change in opioid dose from one day to the next. For purposes of analysis, on the day before the switch, doses, were divided into ME doses and the oral morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD), based on medication and route of all other opioids taken on that day, using standard equinalgesic tables. All doses after the switch were converted to the MEDD. For Pts receiving ME and a second opioid prior to the switch, the MEDD of the second opioid was subtracted from the MEDD calculated for the day when stable dose was reached. The remainder was used to calculate the equianalgesic raio with the previous ME dose. Results: Records on 39 Pts met inclusion criteria. Excluded from analysis were 5 Pts who were restarted on ME in &lt; 8 days, 2 whose opioid dose markedly decreased of post switch, and 3 due to concerns about reliability of multiple routes used for fentanyl. Data from 29 Pts, 10 female, mean age 48 ±14.4 were evaluable. The ratio for: oral ME to MEDD was 1:4.7 (CL 3.0–6.5)(n=16), IV ME to MEDD was 1:13.5 (CL6.6–20.5)(n=13), p=0.06. ME dose is significantly correlated to stable MEDD after switching opioids for both ME IV and oral (Spearman=0.86,p=0.0001 and Spearman=0.72, p=0.0024, respectively. Mean day of achieving stable dose was on day 2.5 ±0.2 for IV ME and day 2.6±0.3 for oral ME. Conclusions: These dose ratios are new findings that will assist in switching Pts more safely to alternative opioids, when side effects or pain problems occur.An important difference in analgesic potency appears to exist between IV and oral ME. Further research with prospective studies is required. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Somatic mutation, copy number and transcriptomic profiles of primary and matched metastatic estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers
Authors: D. Fumagalli, T.R. Wilson, R. Salgado, X. Lu, J. Yu, C. O'Brien, K. Walter, L.Y. Huw, C. Criscitiello, I. Laios, V. Jose, D.N. Brown, F. Rothé, M. Maetens, D. Zardavas, P. Savas, D. Larsimont, M.J. Piccart-Gebhart, S. Michiels, M.R. Lackner, C. Sotiriou, S. Loi
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2016)
P3-274: Pulmonary artery reconstruction for lung cancer; is this procedure safe and useful?
Authors: Motohiro Yamashita, Eisaku Komori, Shigeki Sawada, Akira Kurita, Naoyuki Nogami, Yoshihiko Segawa, Tetsu Shinkai, Shigemitsu Takashima
Journal: Journal of Thoracic Oncology (2007)
Midkine in the plasma as a novel breast cancer marker.
Authors: Y. Yamamoto, M. Ibusuki, H. Fujimori, K. Ota, Y. Ando, H. Iwase
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2010)

1142 Background: Midkine, a heparin-binding growth factor, is up-regulated in many types of cancer. The aim of this study is to measure plasma midkine levels in patients with breast cancer and to assess its clinical significance in breast cancer. Methods: We examined plasma midkine levels in 95 healthy volunteers, 11 patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), 111 patients with primary invasive breast cancer without distant metastasis (PIBC) and 25 patients with distant metastatic breast cancer (MBC), using an automatic immunoasssay analyzer (TOSOH AIA system). Results: In PIBC, we studied the correlation between plasma midkine levels and clinicopathological factors. Immunoreactive midkine was detectable in the plasma of healthy volunteers, and a cut-off level of 750 pg/ml was established. In patients with breast cancer, plasma midkine levels were increased above normal values. These elevated levels of midkine were seen in 1 (9.1%) of 11 patients with DCIS, 36 (32.4%) of 111 patients with PIBC, and 16 (64.0%) of 25 patients with MBC. Increased levels of midkine were correlated with menopausal status (p=0.0497) and nuclear grade (p=0.0343) in PIBC. Cancer detection rates based on midkine levels were higher than those based on three conventional markers including CA15-3 (p<0.0001), CEA (p=0.0077) and NCCST-439 (p<0.0001). Detection rates of breast cancer using combination of two conventional tumor markers (CA15-3/CEA, CA15-3/NCCST-439 or CEA/NCCST-439) with midkine is significantly higher than those using combination of three conventional tumor markers. Conclusions: Midkine may be a useful novel tumor marker for detection of breast cancer, superior to conventional tumor markers. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Surveillance de la tuberculose dans la Région Europe de l'OMS en 1995 : résultats de l'étude de faisabilité
Authors: A Perrocheau, V Schwoebel, J Veen
Journal: Eurosurveillance (1998)

L'evaluation des modifications epidemiologiques de la tuberculose (TB) en Europe est limitee par les differences de definitions et de qualite des systemes de surveillance existant entre les pays (1,2). En 1996, afin de standardiser la surveillance de la TB dans les pays europeens, des recommandations de consensus comprenant une definition de cas commune et un ensemble minimum de variables ont ete elaborees par un groupe de travail mis en place par l'Organisation Mondiale de la Sante (OMS) et l'Union Internationale Contre la Tuberculose et les Maladies Respiratoires et approuvees par 37 representants nationaux (3,4).
Analysis of the effect of p16 and tobacco pack-years (p-y) on overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) for patients with oropharynx cancer (OPC) in Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) protocol 9003.
Authors: M. L. Gillison, Q. Zhang, K. Ang, K. K. Fu, M. E. Hammond, R. Jordan, A. Trotti, S. Spencer, M. Rotman, C. H. Chung
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2010)

5510 Background: Differences in OS and PFS were observed for HPV-positive (pos) and negative (neg) OPC patients (pts) treated with chemoradiation in RTOG 0129. We evaluated whether similar differences were observed when OPC pts were treated with radiotherapy alone in RTOG 9003. Methods: An unplanned, retrospective analysis was performed on archived tumor from OPC pts treated in RTOG 9003, a four-arm, phase III trial that compared standard-FX, to hyper-FX, accelerated (A)-FX with split or AFX with concomitant boost. Tumor HPV status for OPC pts was determined by a surrogate, p16 IHC (≥70% expression pos). Five-year OS and PFS were estimated (with 95% confidence intervals [CI]) by Kaplan- Meier method and compared by log-rank test. Hazard ratios (HR) for OS (death) and PFS (progression or death) were estimated by Cox models. Results: p16 was evaluable for29% (190/646) of OPC pts and only 39% were pos. OS/PFS outcomes were similar for pts with/without p16 data. p16-pos tumors were associated with better Zubrod PS, absent anemia, and T1 stage, but not assigned treatment. Overall median p-y of tobacco smoking was high (38 p-y), but was lower for the p16-pos group (29 vs. 45.9 p-y, p=0.016). At median f/u of 9.3 years, p16-pos OPC pts had better OS (5-year 49.0 vs. 19.6%, p<0.0001; HR 0.43, 95%CI 0.31-0.61) and PFS (5-year 43.6 vs.19.0%, p<0.0001; HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.32-0.63) than p16- neg pts. At 5-years, local-regional failure was lower for p16-pos OPC (30.5 vs. 54.9%, p<0.001) but distant metastases (11.1 vs. 13.0%, p=0.71) and second primary tumors (SPT, 13.8 vs. 11.4%, p=0.40) were not. The hazard of death (OS) or progression and death (PFS) significantly increased by 1% per p-y of tobacco smoking (for both, HR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.01, p<0.002), after adjustment for Zubrod PS, T stage, N stage and p16. Conclusions: The relative hazard of death or progression for p16-pos vs. neg pts and for p-y of tobacco smoking appears independent of treatment by radiotherapy or chemoradiation. Absolute rates for OS, PFS, and SPT may be compromised in part by higher cumulative p-y of tobacco smoking in pts enrolled a decade before those in RTOG 0129. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Are proton pump inhibitors a threat for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhosis? Not so fast
Authors: Muhammad Ali Khan, George Cholankeril, Colin W. Howden
Journal: Hepatology (2016)

In their recent study, Dam et al.1 retrospectively analyzed data from three multicenter trials of satavaptan in ascites, to look for associations between proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) and hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Although the researchers concluded that PPIs pose a threat of the development of SBP and HE in patients with cirrhosis, the limitations of retrospective analyses should be considered. These trials were designed to address a separate issue and not to assess the effect of PPIs on the development of SBP or HE. Therefore, they cannot account for all potential confounders. In observational epidemiology, summary risk estimates of below 2 are more likely to indicate confounding than causality.2 Biological plausibility for an association between PPI use and SBP is based on PPIs decreasing gastric acidity, which may promote small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) with subsequent bacterial translocation leading to SBP. However, a study3 of 1,191 patients found no association between PPI use and SIBO. In our recent meta-analysis,4 we found a statistically significant, but quantitatively small, association between SBP and PPI use. Furthermore, we noted that prospectively conducted studies failed to show any association.4 Overall, this constituted low-quality evidence as per GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) methodology. A more recent prospective study by Miozzo et al.5 with a 5-year follow-up did not report any significant association between PPI use and SBP. Dam et al. found that only 56% of the patents in their retrospective analysis had a valid indication for PPI use.1 As with all drugs, PPIs should be used in their lowest effective dose and only for appropriate indications—in patients with and without cirrhosis alike. However, based on the evidence presented by Dam et al.1 it is premature to conclude that PPIs pose a major threat of SBP and HE in patients with cirrhosis. PPI treatment should not be withheld from patients with cirrhosis who have a valid indication for it. Muhammad Ali Khan, M.D. George Cholankeril, M.D. Colin W. Howden, M.D. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology University of Tennessee Health Science Center Memphis TN