tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Semiquantitative Imaging Biomarkers of Knee Osteoarthritis Progression: Data From the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health Osteoarthritis Biomarkers Consortium
Authors: Jamie E. Collins, Elena Losina, Michael C. Nevitt, Frank W. Roemer, Ali Guermazi, John A. Lynch, Jeffrey N. Katz, C. Kent Kwoh, Virginia B. Kraus, David J. Hunter
Journal: Arthritis & Rheumatology (2016)

To determine the association between changes in semiquantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarkers over 24 months and radiographic and pain progression over 48 months in knees with mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis (OA).We undertook a nested case-control study as part of the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health Biomarkers Consortium Project. We used multivariable logistic regression models to examine the association between change over 24 months in semiquantitative MRI markers and radiographic and pain progression in knee OA. MRIs were read according to the MRI OA Knee Score system. We focused on changes in cartilage, osteophytes, meniscus, bone marrow lesions, Hoffa-synovitis, and effusion-synovitis.The most parsimonious model included changes in cartilage thickness and surface area, effusion-synovitis, Hoffa-synovitis, and meniscal morphology (C statistic 0.740). Compared with no worsening, worsening in cartilage thickness in ≥3 subregions was associated with 2.8-fold (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.3-5.9) greater odds of being a case, and worsening in cartilage surface area in ≥3 subregions was associated with 2.4-fold (95% CI 1.3-4.4) greater odds of being a case. Worsening of meniscal morphology in any region was associated with 2.2-fold (95% CI 1.3-3.8) greater odds of being a case. Worsening effusion-synovitis and Hoffa-synovitis were also associated with a greater odds of being a case (odds ratios 2.7 and 2.0, respectively).Twenty-four-month changes in cartilage thickness, cartilage surface area, effusion-synovitis, Hoffa-synovitis, and meniscal morphology were independently associated with OA progression, suggesting that these factors may serve as efficacy biomarkers in clinical trials of disease-modifying interventions for knee OA.
Over-the-scope clipping in recurrent colonic diverticular bleeding
Authors: Paola Soriani, Gian Tontini, Sara Vavassori, Helmut Neumann, Luca Pastorelli, Maurizio Vecchi, Pavlos Lagoussis
Journal: Endoscopy (2016)

Colonic diverticula are the most frequent cause of lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in adults. Nonetheless, the identification of a definite bleeding source is endoscopically challenging and diagnosis is usually presumptive. Once a source has been precisely identified, various endoscopic hemostatic methods can be used, including clipping, endoscopic band ligation and epinephrine injection [1] [2]. However, use of an over-the-scope clip (OTSC) has not yet been described.
Interleukin-15 enhances the proliferation, stimulatory phenotype, and antitumor effector functions of human gamma delta T cells
Authors: Heleen H. Van Acker, Sébastien Anguille, Yannick Willemen, Johan M. Van den Bergh, Zwi N. Berneman, Eva Lion, Evelien L. Smits, Viggo F. Van Tendeloo
Journal: Journal of Hematology & Oncology (2016)

Adoptive immunotherapy is gaining momentum to fight malignancies, whereby γδ T cells have received recent attention as an alternative cell source as to natural killer cells and αβ T cells. The advent of γδ T cells is largely due to their ability to recognize and target tumor cells using both innate characteristic and T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated mechanisms, their capacity to enhance the generation of antigen-specific T cell responses, and their potential to be used in an autologous or allogeneic setting.In this study, we explored the beneficial effect of the immunostimulatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-15 on purified γδ T cells and its use as a stimulatory signal in the ex vivo expansion of γδ T cells for adoptive transfer. The expansion protocol was validated both with immune cells of healthy individuals and acute myeloid leukemia patients.We report that the addition of IL-15 to γδ T cell cultures results in a more activated phenotype, a higher proliferative capacity, a more pronounced T helper 1 polarization, and an increased cytotoxic capacity of γδ T cells. Moreover γδ T cell expansion starting with peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy individuals and acute myeloid leukemia patients is boosted in the presence of IL-15, whereby the antitumor properties of the γδ T cells are strengthened as well.Our results support the rationale to explore the use of IL-15 in clinical adoptive therapy protocols exploiting γδ T cells.
Recession may decrease mortality trends
Authors: Giuseppe Vetrugno, Angelico Spagnolo, Fabio De-Giorgio
Journal: BMJ (2016)

Parmar and colleagues focus on the health effects of the 2008 economic crisis, amplified by austerity, in the so called PIGS countries (Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Spain).1 The crisis wasn’t the result of an explosion of sovereign debt, as is intimated, but of an increase in private borrowing,2 a consequence of disproportions in budgets owing …
Anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha-induced apoptosis contributes to the induction of autoantibodies but not the downregulation of synovial inflammatory infiltration in spondyloarthritis
Authors: Tineke Cantaert, L De Rycke, B Vandooren, E Kruithof, F De Keyser, E. M Veys, D Baeten
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2006)
Education level as prognostic factor of patients (pts) with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) enrolled in clinical trials.
Authors: M. Di Maio, A. Morabito, S. Barbera, V. Gebbia, B. Daniele, A. Ceribelli, F. Carrozza, A. Rossi, S. Signoriello, C. Gridelli
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2010)

6124 Background: Socioeconomic status can potentially affect prognosis of cancer pts. Aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of education level in pts receiving 1st-line chemotherapy (CT) for advanced NSCLC. Methods: Individual data of Italian pts receiving CT within 4 phase III trials conducted between 1996 and 2005 by our group were pooled. Pts were divided in 3 groups according to education level: low (LE: none/elementary school), intermediate (IE: middle school), high (HE: high school/university). Statistical analysis was stratified by trial. Results: Information about education was available in 1,587/1,613 pts: LE 871, IE 419, HE 297. Education level was significantly different among birth cohorts; median age was 71, 66, 64 in LE, IE and HE respectively (p<0.001). Distribution of histotypes was significantly different between education groups: squamous tumors 43%/34%/30%, adenocarcinomas 33%/45%/48% in LE, IE and HE, respectively (p<0.001). Unfit (PS 2) pts were more frequent in LE (15%) and IE (14%) than in HE (5%) (p<0.001). Number of CT cycles received was significantly associated with PS (mean 4.2/3.9/3.2 in PS 0/1/2) but, within PS categories, was not associated with education level. Median survival was 7.7 months for pts with LE, 7.9 months for those with IE and 9.4 months for those with HE (p=0.10). At the multivariate analysis (Table), prognosis was significantly influenced by gender and PS, whilst education level was not an independent predictor of survival. Conclusions: In this series of pts enrolled in trials of 1st-line CT for advanced NSCLC, high education level was associated with lower proportion of unfit patients at diagnosis. When corrected for PS and other prognostic factors, education level did not significantly affect treatment compliance and outcome. Cox model HR of death 95% CI p Birth cohort 0.98 0.92–1.05 0.60 Gender, female vs. male 0.82 0.71–0.96 0.01 ECOG PS <0.0001 1 vs. 0 1.36 1.20–1.55 2 vs. 0 1.69 1.40–2.04 Stage, IV vs. IIIb 1.07 0.94–1.22 0.32 Histotype 0.20 Adeno vs. squamous 0.87 0.76–0.99 Other vs. squamous 0.97 0.83–1.12 Unknown vs. squamous 1.06 0.59–1.91 Education level 0.20 Intermediate vs. low 1.05 0.92–1.20 High vs. low 0.90 0.76–1.05 No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Mental health, treatment preferences, advance care planning, and location and quality of death in advanced cancer patients with dependent children
Authors: M. E. Nilsson, P. K. Maciejewski, B. Zhang, A. A. Wright, E. D. Trice, A. Muriel, R. Friedlander Jr., S. D. Block, H. G. Prigerson
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2008)

9517 Background: Clinicians observe that advanced cancer patients with dependent children agonize over how their death will affect their children and are more willing than patients without dependent children to undergo aggressive measures to stay alive. The aim of this study was to determine empirically whether advanced cancer patients with and without dependent children differ in treatment preferences, mental health, and end-of-life (EOL) outcomes. Methods: Coping with Cancer is an NCI/NIMH-funded, multi-institutional prospective cohort study of 668 advanced cancer patients. Patients with dependent children were compared to those without dependent children on: rates of psychiatric disorders, advance care planning (ACP), EOL care, quality of last week of life and location of death. Results: In adjusted analyses, advanced cancer patients with dependent children were more likely to meet Panic Disorder criteria [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)=5.41 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI):2.13–13.69)], feel worried (βstandardized=0.09, p=0.006) and prefer aggressive treatment over palliative care [AOR=1.77 (95%CI:1.07–2.93)]. They were less likely to engage in ACP [e.g., Do Not Resuscitate orders [AOR=0.44 (95%CI:0.26–0.75)], die in inpatient hospice [AOR=0.09 (95%CI:0.01–0.66)] and had worse quality of life in the last week of life (βstandardized=0.15, p=0.007). Conclusions: Patients with dependent children are more anxious, less likely to engage in ACP, less likely to die in inpatient hospice, and have worse quality of last week of life. Advanced cancer patients with dependent children represent a particularly distressed patient population warranting further clinical attention and research. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Reduced cortisol metabolism as a driver of ACTH suppression during critical illness
Authors: Eva Boonen, Hilke Vervenne, Philippe Meersseman, Leen Mortier, Yoo-Mee Vanwijngaerden, Isabel Spriet, Brian Walker, Lies Langouche, Ilse Vanhorebeek, Greet Van den Berghe
Journal: Endocrine Reviews (2012)
Deletions of the region 1p36.3 are uncommon in marginal zone B-cell lymphomas: an interphase fish study
Authors: M Stefanova, Iwona Wlodarska, L Michaux, K Hinz, Michel Stul, Gregor Verhoef, J Thomas, DK Hossfeld, Christiane Peeters, Herman Van den Berghe, Anne Hagemeijer-Hausman, J Dierlamm
Journal: Annals of Oncology (1999)
Immunohistochemical staining for p16INK4A selectively detects human papillomavirus-related premalignant and malignant vulvar lesions
Authors: C. Montagut, B. Mellado, M. Mármol, M. Santos, J. Domingo-Doménech, A. García, S. Ramón Y Cajal, L. M. Puig-Tintoré, P. Gascon, J. Ordi
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2004)

5028 Background: Two distinct types of vulvar carcinomas have been delineated which differ in terms of clinical presentation and outcome. The first, usually of basaloid or warty type is frequently preceded by the undifferentiated form of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) and is human papillomavirus (HPV)-related. The second, generally keratinizing, is frequently associated with the differentiated form of VIN as well as with lichen sclerosus and squamous cell hyperplasia and arises through HPV non-related pathways. p16 overexpression secondary to inhibition of pRb induced by the action of the E7 viral oncoprotein has been described in HPV-related tumors and premalignant lesions in different settings. However, p16 overexpression has not been analyzed in vulvar lesions. The aim of this study is to determine p16 immunohistochemical expression in a large serie of vulvar carcinomas and their precursors including HPV and non-HPV related histologies. Methods: Tissue samples from 120 cases with epithelial neoplastic, hyperplastic and normal lesions of the vulva were included in this study. The samples were fixed in 10% formalin and paraffin embedded. Immunohistochemical studies were done using a p16 antibody (p16INK4A Research Kit, Dako) in the automated immunohistochemical system TechMate 500 using the EnVision method (Dako Co, Carpinteria, CA, USA). Results: p16 was strongly positive in all HPV-related histologies: basaloid/condilomatous VIN (30/30), basaloid (7/7) and warty (2/2) carcinomas, and in a small proportion of seborrheic keratosis and condiloma acuminata (14 and 22% respectively). In contrast, p16 was consistently negative in HPV-unrelated lesions: normal skin (0/41), squamous cell hyperplasia (0/20), lichen sclerosus (0/19), differentiated VIN 3 (0/11), keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma (0/30), and verrucous carcinoma (0/2). Conclusions: p16 immunostaining is a good discriminator between HPV-related and HPV-unrelated vulvar carcinomas and VINs. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Tumor and Renal Response in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Mieloma and Renal Failure Treated with Bortezomib and Dexamethasone: Results of a Prospective Phase II Trial from Pethema/GEM
Authors: Laura Rosiñol, Albert Oriol, M Jesús Blanchard, Luis Palomera, Maria-Victoria Mateos, Javier De La Rubia, Miguel T Hernandez, Joaquín Díaz-Mediavilla, Jose Mariano Hernandez, Raquel Jiménez, Cristina Motllo, Juan José Lahuerta, Jesus F. San Miguel, Joan Blade
Journal: Blood (2014)
Molecular features of colorectal cancer in Peruvian patients.
Authors: P. C. Montenegro, C. Egoavil, L. A. Casanova, A. Martínez-Cantó, C. Alenda, A. Payá, I. Castillejo, A. Castillejo, J. Soto, L. Carbonell
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2010)

e14043 Background: CRC is the fifth and the fourth cause of cancer in Peruvian males and females, respectively. DNA mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency in CRC has been reported in a minority of cases ranging from 8% to 18%. Alteration of the MMR system is the molecular hallmark of the Lynch syndrome tumours. The MMR deficiency, the KRAS and BRAF somatic mutations, have predictive and prognostic value in CRC. Methods: The study was performed in 90 non-selected CRC patients from the INEN of Peru. CRC tumours where analyzed for MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2 protein expression by immunohistochemistry and for microsatellite instability (MSI) using the BAT26 marker. The methylation status of the MLH1 gene promoter was approached by methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MS-MLPA). BRAF (V600E) and K-RAS (codons 12 and 13) mutations were analysed by direct sequencing. Family history of cancer, clinical and pathological features of all cases where also tested in a univariate analysis. Results: A total of 35 cases (38.8%) showed loss of MMR protein expression and/or MSI;MMR deficient tumours were associated to right colon location, high grade, intratumoral lymphocytosis and special histological type (medullar, signet ring, mucinous, undifferenciated and mixed types) as previously described (p < 0.0001). The age at diagnosis was 64.5 (55-75) in MMR+ and 55 (46-66) in MMR- cases (p < 0.005). No association was found with the revised Bethesda criteria. MLH1 loss of expression was found in 24 cases. MLH1 methylation was detected in 71.4% of cases analysed (10/14). K-RAS mutation was found in 15 cases (16.7%). Seven mutations were in codon 12 and eight mutations were found in codon 13. One case showed a previously unreported mutation in codon 13: G13R. BRAF mutation was detected in 9 samples (10%). BRAF mutation showed significant correlation with MMR+ (7/28, p < 0.05). BRAF and KRAS mutations were mutually exclusive (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Nonselected Peruvian CRC show significant differences with other series described. MSI prevalence is the highest reported to date (38%), On the contrary, the frequency of KRAS mutations is one the lowest reported (16.7%). A higher prevalence of codon 13 mutations was found in this series. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Community-wide outbreak of haemolytic uraemic syndrome associated with Shiga toxin 2-producing Escherichia coli O26:H11 in southern Italy, summer 2013
Authors: Cinzia Germinario, Alfredo Caprioli, Mario Giordano, Maria Chironna, Maria Serena Gallone, Silvio Tafuri, Fabio Minelli, Antonella Maugliani, Valeria Michelacci, Luisa Santangelo, Onofrio Mongelli, Cosimo Montagna, Gaia Scavia
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2016)

In summer 2013, an excess of paediatric cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) in a southern region of Italy prompted the investigation of a community-wide outbreak of Shiga toxin 2-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O26:H11 infections. Case finding was based on testing patients with HUS or bloody diarrhoea for STEC infection by microbiological and serological methods. A case–control study was conducted to identify the source of the outbreak. STEC O26 infection was identified in 20 children (median age 17 months) with HUS, two of whom reported severe neurological sequelae. No cases in adults were detected. Molecular typing showed that two distinct STEC O26:H11 strains were involved. The case–control study showed an association between STEC O26 infection and consumption of dairy products from two local plants, but not with specific ready-to-eat products. E.coli O26:H11 strains lacking the stx genes were isolated from bulk milk and curd samples, but their PFGE profiles did not match those of the outbreak isolates. This outbreak supports the view that infections with Stx2-producing E. coli O26 in children have a high probability of progressing to HUS and represent an emerging public health problem in Europe.
Epidemiological and molecular investigation of a rubella outbreak, Romania, 2011 to 2012
Authors: Mihaela Lazar, Emily Abernathy, Min-hsin Chen, Joseph Icenogle, Denisa Janta, Aurora Stanescu, Adriana Pistol, Sabine Santibanez, Annette Mankertz, Judith M Hübschen, Grigore Mihaescu, Gheorghe Necula, Emilia Lupulescu
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2016)

We describe a rubella outbreak that occurred in Romania between September 2011 and December 2012. During this period 24,627 rubella cases, 41.1% (n=10,134) of which female, were notified based on clinical criteria, and a total of 6,182 individuals were found serologically positive for IgM-specific rubella antibody. The median age of notified cases was 18 years (range: &lt;1–65) and the most affected age group 15 to 19 years (n=16,245 cases). Of all notified cases, 24,067 cases (97.7%) reported no history of vaccination. Phylogenetic analysis of 19 sequences (739 nucleotides each), from 10 districts of the country revealed that the outbreak was caused by two distinct rubella virus strains of genotype 2B, which co-circulated with both temporal and geographical overlap. In addition to the 6,182 IgM-positive rubella cases, 28 cases of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) were identified, including 11 neonatal deaths and one stillbirth. The outbreak underscores the need to encourage higher vaccination uptake in the population, particularly in women of reproductive age, and to strengthen epidemiological and laboratory investigations of suspected rubella cases. Genetic characterisation of wild-type rubella virus is an essential component to enhance surveillance and here we report rubella virus sequences from Romania.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (SCCOC) in young patients: The Dana Farber Cancer Institute experience.
Authors: Glenn J. Hanna, Robert I. Haddad, Justine A. Barletta, Marshall R. Posner, Jochen H. Lorch
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2013)

6054 Background: Young patients (≤ age 45) with SCCOC and limited tobacco and alcohol exposure represent a distinct clinical entity with a poor prognosis. These patients are poorly characterized. We report our institution’s experience treating these patients over the past decade. Methods: Patients ≤ 45 years with SCCOC treated between 2001 and 2012 were identified retrospectively. Patient characteristics and treatment were recorded. Results: A total of 99 patients were identified (34 F and 65 M). Median age at diagnosis was 34 and 38 years, respectively (range 14 to 45 years). Thirty one (91.2%) women were never or former smokers with fewer than 10 pack-years, as compared with 50 (76.9%) men (p = 0.07). In women, 33 (97.1%) reported minimal to no alcohol use, compared with 52 (80%) men (p = 0.02). Oral tongue was the primary site in the majority of patients (30 F, 58 M). Surgical resection was the primary treatment modality (30, 88.2% F vs. 44, 68% M). Post-op radiation or chemoradiation was applied depending on stage and pathological findings. Stage: 53/99 (53.5%) presented with stage I or II disease and 46/99 (46.5%) had stage III or IV disease. Males on average had more advanced stage disease at presentation (33/65, 50.8%). Four of 7 women and 4 out of 18 men tested positive for human papilloma virus (HPV). Seven women (20.6%) and 13 (20%) men demonstrated evidence of local or locoregional recurrence with a median time to recurrence of 5 years and 0.67 years (range 1-10 and 0.08-11), respectively. Second primaries were rare (2, 5.88% F vs. 0, 0% M). Two women (5.9%) and 9 men (13.9%) died from recurrent disease. Overall, 4 (30.8%) women with stage III, IV disease demonstrated recurrence vs. 6 (18.2%) men (p = 0.35). Conclusions: In our experience, young patients with SCCOC have high cure rates that do not appear to be inferior to other sites in the head and neck area. Men and women are equally affected. Further clinical and genomic characterization for this group of patients is warranted.
Impaired adipose tissue lipid storage, but not altered lipolysis, contributes to elevated levels of NEFA in type 2 diabetes. Degree of hyperglycemia and adiposity are important factors
Authors: Maria J Pereira, Stanko Skrtic, Petros Katsogiannos, Niclas Abrahamsson, Cherno O Sidibeh, Santosh Dahgam, Marianne Månsson, Ulf Risérus, Joel Kullberg, Jan W Eriksson
Journal: Metabolism (2016)