tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Use of the Prostate Cancer–specific Quality of Life Instrument (PROSQOLI) in clinical practice
Authors: D. W. Cescon, C. Canil, L. W. Le, I. F. Tannock
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2009)

e20569 Background: Improvement of quality of life (QOL) is a major therapeutic goal for men with advanced prostate cancer (APC). The PROSQOLI consists of a series of 9 linear analog self-assessment (LASA) scales that evaluate pain, fatigue, appetite, constipation and other symptoms, and overall well-being; it was designed and validated for use in patients with APC. Here we evaluate the use of a computer-based version of the PROSQOLI in routine clinical practice for its ability to stimulate recognition of symptoms and for its impact on clinical decision-making. Methods: Consenting patients with APC completed a touch screen version of the PROSQOLI before seeing the doctor at visits to the outpatient clinic. In phase I of the study physicians did not have access to this information; in phase II physicians were provided with results of the PROSQOLI and its changes from previous visits. Physicians’ recognition of symptoms, and changes in management were extracted from transcribed clinical notes. Results: 36 men were recruited, and data collected from 120 clinic visits (85 phase I, 35 phase II). Normalized symptom scores (0=none; 100 =very severe) were highest for fatigue (median = 42), followed by urinary problems (27) and mood (27) with no differences between phases. Median normalized pain scores were 25 in phase I and 11 in phase II (p=0.03). Changes in management occurred in 41% of phase I, and 43% of phase II visits (NS). Comparison of patient-assessed and physician-described symptoms was limited by lack of documentation in transcribed notes: mention of PROSQOLI symptoms ranged from 75% of visits for pain to 2/120 visits for mood. Presence or absence of fatigue and urinary symptoms were described at 53% and 40% of visits respectively. Rates of documentation did not differ between study phases. Conclusions: No impact on patient care could be demonstrated as a result of computer-based self-assessment of changes in symptoms and QOL. Prostate cancer-specific symptoms were poorly documented in clinical notes; improved recording of symptoms might be facilitated by the use of a tool such as the electronic touch-screen PROSQOLI. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Association of peripheral blood absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and clinical activity in patients (pts) with advanced melanoma treated with ipilimumab
Authors: D. M. Berman, J. Wolchok, J. Weber, O. Hamid, S. O'Day, S. D. Chasalow
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2009)

3020 Background: Ipilimumab, an anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody, induces durable survival benefits in advanced melanoma pts. Peripheral ALC from routine safety labs were collected from 533 pts with unresectable stage III/IV malignant melanoma treated with ipilimumab 0.3, 3, or 10 mg/kg (recommended dose) in 4 Phase II studies. Methods: Ipilimumab was given every 3 weeks (Q3W) x 4; eligible pts could then continue to receive ipilimumab Q12W starting at Week 24. ALC was analyzed first in studies CA184007, 008, and 022 combined (ipilimumab 0.3, 3, or 10 mg/kg), and then prospectively analyzed for confirmation in study CA184004 (ipilimumab 3 or 10 mg/kg). Using the modified World Health Organization criteria, Response-evaluable pts (n = 444) were classified by clinical activity (complete or partial response, or stable disease ≥ 24 wks) or without clinical activity. Results: Across studies 007, 008, and 022, pts with clinical activity had a greater mean rate of ALC change (slope) than did pts without clinical activity (P = 0.0013); no pt with a negative ALC slope over the induction period had clinical activity (P = 0.0013) (Table). These associations were confirmed in 004; pts with benefit had a greater mean slope (P = 0.00042), and only 1 pt with a (slightly) negative ALC slope had clinical activity (Table). Over all pts (n = 533), the rate of ALC change was significantly associated with dose (007, 008, 022: P &lt; 0.0001; 004: P = 0.0015). Conclusions: A higher rate of ALC change was associated with clinical activity in a pooled analysis of studies 007, 008, and 022 (n = 379). This was confirmed in study 004 (n = 65). A negative ALC slope was associated with a lack of clinical activity. In both analyses, the rate of change in ALC was dose-dependent, favoring 10 mg/kg. [Table: see text] [Table: see text]
Legal Interventions to Address US Reductions in Life Expectancy
Authors: Lawrence O. Gostin, James G. Hodge, Donna E. Levin
Journal: JAMA (2020)

Our website uses cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing to use our site, or clicking "Continue," you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy | Continue JAMA HomeNew OnlineCurrent IssueFor Authors Publications JAMA JAMA Network Open JAMA Cardiology JAMA Dermatology JAMA Health Forum JAMA Internal Medicine JAMA Neurology JAMA Oncology JAMA Ophthalmology JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery JAMA Pediatrics JAMA Psychiatry JAMA Surgery Archives of Neurology & Psychiatry (1919-1959) Podcasts Clinical Reviews Editors' Summary Medical News Author Interviews More JN Learning / CMESubscribeJobsInstitutions / LibrariansReprints & Permissions Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement 2023 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved Search All JAMA JAMA Network Open JAMA Cardiology JAMA Dermatology JAMA Forum Archive JAMA Health Forum JAMA Internal Medicine JAMA Neurology JAMA Oncology JAMA Ophthalmology JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery JAMA Pediatrics JAMA Psychiatry JAMA Surgery Archives of Neurology & Psychiatry Input Search Term Sign In Individual Sign In Sign inCreate an Account Access through your institution Sign In Purchase Options: Buy this article Rent this article Subscribe to the JAMA journal
Use of a plastic banded bag over the control body of the endoscope as a splash guard to minimize the biological hazard during the COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Alejandro Bojórquez, Jose Carlos Súbtil, Maria Teresa Betés, Miguel Muñoz-Navas
Journal: Endoscopy (2020)

See also: ESGE and ESGENA Position Statement on gastrointestinal endoscopy and the COVID-19 pandemicEndoscopy 2020; 52(06): 483-490DOI: 10.1055/a-1155-6229 See also: Use of a plastic banded bag over the control body of the endoscope for COVID-19 prevention: a commentEndoscopy 2020; 52(12): 1149-1149DOI: 10.1055/a-1276-0364
Endothelial to mesenchymal transition: a precursor to post-COVID-19 interstitial pulmonary fibrosis and vascular obliteration?
Authors: Mathew Suji Eapen, Wenying Lu, Archana Vijay Gaikwad, Prem Bhattarai, Collin Chia, Ashutosh Hardikar, Greg Haug, Sukhwinder Singh Sohal
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2020)

We read with interest the recent editorial by Huertas et al. [1], highlighting the importance of endothelial cell dysfunction in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The authors have made some very fascinating insights, and we would like to take this discussion further, especially emphasising the role of endothelial cells in initiating post-infection pulmonary fibrosis and vascular remodelling. The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has been suggested as the primary receptor for mediating SARS-CoV-2 entry into the host cells. Apart from ACE2, the other key players that facilitate SARS-CoV-2 entry, includes transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), furin, sialic acid and the extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (CD147) [1]. In their article, the authors provide compelling comprehensions from a study comparing post mortem lung tissues from patients who died from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), acute respiratory distress syndrome due to influenza A (H1N1) infection and those from age-matched, uninfected control lungs [1, 2]. A crucial inference was the connections between the significant increase in ACE2 positive endothelial cells and the substantial change in endothelial cell morphology, disruption of intercellular junctions, cell swelling, and the breakdown of the underlying basement membrane, all indicative of vascular structural modification in tune to the process of endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) [3]. Considering the implications for post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis and vascular destruction seen in this infectious pathology, we believe that the role of EndMT in disease manifestation could be consequential. Endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) could lead to post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis and vascular remodelling <https://bit.ly/2QqSKxT> Clifford Craig Foundation Launceston General Hospital, Lung Foundation Australia, The Alfred Hospital Melbourne and James Hogg Lung Registry, The University of British Columbia, Canada.
The DIMSCAN cytotoxicity assay, unlike the MTT assay, identifies syngergistic combinations of anticancer agents
Authors: Ondrej Kalous, Jiri Krejsa, Tomas Frgala, C. Patrick Reynolds
Journal: Cancer Research (2004)

552  Cytotoxicity assays using 96-well microplates offer several advantages over colony-forming or dye-exclusion assays, including automation, rapid sample handling, the ability to change the medium, and conditions similar to standard cell cultures. These assays employ colorimetrically measured dyes, radioactive isotopes, or fluorochromes to detect viable cells. The MTT assay, which is based on the colorimetric measurement of a formazan derivative of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide that is formed by live cells, has been the most frequently used assay for in vitro cytotoxicity testing. However, the dynamic range of this assay, which is 2 logs, might limit its use for testing drug combinations to identify syngergistic interactions. The DIMSCAN cytototoxicity assay employs fluorescein diacetate (FDA), a dye that selectively accumulates in viable cells and is quantified by a semi-automatic digital imaging fluorescence microscope (Cytometry, 24:204, 1996). DIMSCAN measures relative numbers of viable cells by evaluating the FDA fluorescence intensity in each well after the elimination of background fluorescence by digital thresholding and eosin Y staining and has a 93% sensitivity in detecting a single viable cell in a microplate well. DIMSCAN provides a linear relationship over a 4 log dynamic range between the number of deposited viable cells and the fluorescence intensity measured and scans a 96-well microplate in less than 7 min. We compared the ability to detect drug synergy between the DIMSCAN and MTT assays using combinations of anticancer drugs that are known to be active against neuroblastoma in vitro and in vivo: melphalan (L-PAM) + buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) (Bone Marrow Transplant 30:135, 2002), and fenretinide (4-HPR) + safingol (SAF) (J Natl Cancer Inst, 92:1897, 2000). After incubating various concentrations of the drugs in fixed ratios with the CHLA-90 multi-drug-resistant neuroblastoma cell line for five days, the microplates were analyzed with DIMSCAN or MTT. Results are summarized in the following table, with Combination Index (CI) values:   1.0 = antagonism. These data demonstrate that the larger dynamic range of the DIMSCAN assay allows identification of synergistic drug combinations that were not evident when employing the MTT assay.
Monthly Patient Volumes of Buprenorphine-Waivered Clinicians in the US
Authors: Alexandra Duncan, Jared Anderman, Travis Deseran, Ian Reynolds, Bradley D. Stein
Journal: JAMA Network Open (2020)

This cross-sectional study examines the number of patients prescribed buprenorphine by US clinicians who were waivered to treat 30, 100, or 275 patients concurrently.
Urine DNA methylation assay enables early detection and recurrence monitoring for bladder cancer
Authors: Xu Chen, Jingtong Zhang, Weimei Ruan, Ming Huang, Chanjuan Wang, Hong Wang, Zeyu Jiang, Shaogang Wang, Zheng Liu, Chunxiao Liu, Wanlong Tan, Jin Yang, Jiaxin Chen, Zhiwei Chen, Xia Li, Xiaoyu Zhang, Peng Xu, Lin Chen, Ruihui Xie, Qianghua Zhou, Shizhong Xu, Darryl Luke Irwin, Jian-Bing Fan, Jian Huang, Tianxin Lin
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2020)

BACKGROUNDCurrent methods for the detection and surveillance of bladder cancer (BCa) are often invasive and/or possess suboptimal sensitivity and specificity, especially in early-stage, minimal, and residual tumors.METHODSWe developed an efficient method, termed utMeMA, for the detection of urine tumor DNA methylation at multiple genomic regions by MassARRAY. We identified the BCa-specific methylation markers by combined analyses of cohorts from Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital (SYSMH), The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The BCa diagnostic model was built in a retrospective cohort (n = 313) and validated in a multicenter, prospective cohort (n = 175). The performance of this diagnostic assay was analyzed and compared with urine cytology and FISH.RESULTSWe first discovered 26 significant methylation markers of BCa in combined analyses. We built and validated a 2-marker-based diagnostic model that discriminated among patients with BCa with high accuracy (86.7%), sensitivity (90.0%), and specificity (83.1%). Furthermore, the utMeMA-based assay achieved a great improvement in sensitivity over urine cytology and FISH, especially in the detection of early-stage (stage Ta and low-grade tumor, 64.5% vs. 11.8%, 15.8%), minimal (81.0% vs. 14.8%, 37.9%), residual (93.3% vs. 27.3%, 64.3%), and recurrent (89.5% vs. 31.4%, 52.8%) tumors. The urine diagnostic score from this assay was better associated with tumor malignancy and burden.CONCLUSIONUrine tumor DNA methylation assessment for early diagnosis, minimal, residual tumor detection and surveillance in BCa is a rapid, high-throughput, noninvasive, and promising approach, which may reduce the burden of cystoscopy and blind second surgery.FUNDINGThis study was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
Population-scale longitudinal mapping of COVID-19 symptoms, behaviour and testing
Authors: William E. Allen, Han Altae-Tran, James Briggs, Xin Jin, Glen McGee, Andy Shi, Rumya Raghavan, Mireille Kamariza, Nicole Nova, Albert Pereta, Chris Danford, Amine Kamel, Patrik Gothe, Evrhet Milam, Jean Aurambault, Thorben Primke, Weijie Li, Josh Inkenbrandt, Tuan Huynh, Evan Chen, Christina Lee, Michael Croatto, Helen Bentley, Wendy Lu, Robert Murray, Mark Travassos, Brent A. Coull, John Openshaw, Casey S. Greene, Ophir Shalem, Gary King, Ryan Probasco, David R. Cheng, Ben Silbermann, Feng Zhang, Xihong Lin
Journal: Nature Human Behaviour (2020)

Despite the widespread implementation of public health measures, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to spread in the United States. To facilitate an agile response to the pandemic, we developed How We Feel, a web and mobile application that collects longitudinal self-reported survey responses on health, behaviour and demographics. Here, we report results from over 500,000 users in the United States from 2 April 2020 to 12 May 2020. We show that self-reported surveys can be used to build predictive models to identify likely COVID-19-positive individuals. We find evidence among our users for asymptomatic or presymptomatic presentation; show a variety of exposure, occupational and demographic risk factors for COVID-19 beyond symptoms; reveal factors for which users have been SARS-CoV-2 PCR tested; and highlight the temporal dynamics of symptoms and self-isolation behaviour. These results highlight the utility of collecting a diverse set of symptomatic, demographic, exposure and behavioural self-reported data to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. How We Feel is a web and mobile-phone application for collecting de-identified self-reported COVID-19-related data. These data are used to map a diverse set of symptomatic, demographic, exposure and behavioural factors relevant to the ongoing pandemic.
Small airways’ function in Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome
Authors: K. Giannadaki, S. Schiza, G. Vavougios, V. Ladopoulos, N. Tzanakis, N. Siafakas
Journal: Pulmonology (2020)

Most of the studies of the pathophysiology of Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS) focus on the collapsibility and obstruction of the upper airways. The aim of our study was the investigation of small airways' function in patients with OSAHS.We studied 23 patients (mean age, 51.6 years) diagnosed with mild to severe OSAHS, without comorbidities and 8 controls (mean age, 45.9 years). All subjects underwent full polysomnography sleep study; spirometry and maximum flow/volume curves while breathing room air and a mixture of 80%He-20%O2. The volume of equal flows (VisoV⋅) of the two curves and the difference of flows at 50% of FVC (ΔV˙max50) were calculated, as indicates of small airways' function.The results showed that VisoV⋅ was significantly increased in patients with OSAHS compared with controls (18.79±9.39 vs. 4.72±4.68, p=0.004). No statistically significantly difference was found in ΔV˙max50% (p=0.551); or the maximum Expiratory flow at 25-75% of FVC (p=0.067) and the maximum expiratory flow at 50% of FVC (p=0.174) breathing air.We conclude that at the time of the diagnosis of OSAHS, the function of the small airways is affected. This could be due to breathing at low lung volumes and the cyclic closure/opening of the small airways and may affect the natural history of OSAHS. The findings could lead to new therapeutic implications, targeting directly the small airways.
Excess all-cause mortality during the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in France, March to May 2020
Authors: Anne Fouillet, Isabelle Pontais, Céline Caserio-Schönemann
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2020)

Through a weekly all-cause mortality surveillance system, we observed in France a major all-cause excess mortality from March to May 2020, concomitant with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic. The excess mortality was 25,030 deaths, mainly among elderly people. Five metropolitan regions were the most affected, particularly Île-de-France and the Grand-Est regions. Assessing the excess mortality related to COVID-19 is complex because of the potential protective effect of the lockdown period on other causes of mortality.
Immune dysregulation and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in individuals with haploinsufficiency of SOCS1
Authors: Pui Y. Lee, Craig D. Platt, Sabrina Weeks, Rachael F. Grace, George Maher, Kasey Gauthier, Sridevi Devana, Sally Vitali, Adrienne G. Randolph, Douglas R. McDonald, Raif S. Geha, Janet Chou
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2020)

We studied 2 unrelated patients with immune thrombocytopenia and autoimmune hemolytic anemia in the setting of acute infections. One patient developed multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children in the setting of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection.We sought to identify the mechanisms underlying the development of infection-driven autoimmune cytopenias.Whole-exome sequencing was performed on both patients, and the impact of the identified variants was validated by functional assays using the patients' PBMCs.Each patient was found to have a unique heterozygous truncation variant in suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1). SOCS1 is an essential negative regulator of type I and type II IFN signaling. The patients' PBMCs showed increased levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 phosphorylation and a transcriptional signature characterized by increased expression of type I and type II IFN-stimulated genes and proapoptotic genes. The enhanced IFN signature exhibited by the patients' unstimulated PBMCs parallels the hyperinflammatory state associated with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, suggesting the contributions of SOCS1 in regulating the inflammatory response characteristic of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.Heterozygous loss-of-function SOCS1 mutations are associated with enhanced IFN signaling and increased immune cell activation, thereby predisposing to infection-associated autoimmune cytopenias.
Include pregnant women in research—particularly covid-19 research
Authors: Marian Knight, R Katie Morris, Jenny Furniss, Lucy C Chappell
Journal: BMJ (2020)

The colon is the most common site of gastrointestinal ischemia. The condition resolves completely with conservative treatment in most cases, but late diagnosis or severe ischemia can be associated with high rates of complications and death. Once ischemic colitis is diagnosed, serial physical examinations and colonoscopies are helpful to follow the condition. Prompt surgery is required for severe episodes, when conservative measures fail, and for patients with chronic symptoms.
Association of obesity and its genetic predisposition with the risk of severe COVID-19: Analysis of population-based cohort data
Authors: Zhaozhong Zhu, Kohei Hasegawa, Baoshan Ma, Michimasa Fujiogi, Carlos A. Camargo, Liming Liang
Journal: Metabolism (2020)

We aimed to examine the associations of obesity-related traits (body mass index [BMI], central obesity) and their genetic predisposition with the risk of developing severe COVID-19 in a population-based data.We analyzed data from 489,769 adults enrolled in the UK Biobank-a population-based cohort study. The exposures of interest are BMI categories and central obesity (e.g., larger waist circumference). Using genome-wide genotyping data, we also computed polygenic risk scores (PRSs) that represent an individual's overall genetic risk for each obesity trait. The outcome was severe COVID-19, defined by hospitalization for laboratory-confirmed COVID-19.Of 489,769 individuals, 33% were normal weight (BMI, 18.5-24.9 kg/m2), 43% overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m2), and 24% obese (≥30.0 kg/m2). The UK Biobank identified 641 patients with severe COVID-19. Compared to adults with normal weight, those with a higher BMI had a dose-response increases in the risk of severe COVID-19, with the following adjusted ORs: for 25.0-29.9 kg/m2, 1.40 (95%CI 1.14-1.73; P = 0.002); for 30.0-34.9 kg/m2, 1.73 (95%CI 1.36-2.20; P < 0.001); for 35.0-39.9 kg/m2, 2.82 (95%CI 2.08-3.83; P < 0.001); and for ≥40.0 kg/m2, 3.30 (95%CI 2.17-5.03; P < 0.001). Likewise, central obesity was associated with significantly higher risk of severe COVID-19 (P < 0.001). Furthermore, larger PRS for BMI was associated with higher risk of outcome (adjusted OR per BMI PRS Z-score 1.14, 95%CI 1.05-1.24; P = 0.004).In this large population-based cohort, individuals with more-severe obesity, central obesity, or genetic predisposition for obesity are at higher risk of developing severe-COVID-19.
THU0226 Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (als): a trap for the rheumatologist
Authors: P Goupille, S Bouillon, P Corcia, J Brunais-Besse, S Quennesson, JP Valat
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2001)

<h3>Background</h3> ALS is a degeneration of the central and peripheral motoneurons in the bulbar and spinal areas; its mean duration is 36 months (deaths, respiratory disorders). The incidence is 2–5 cases/100 000. Two clinical features are observed: spinal with motor defect of the limbs, bulbar with swallowing disorders. <h3>Objectives</h3> To report 6 cases of ALS, observed in a Department of Rheumatology in a University hospital, hospitalised in 1999 for chronic painful syndromes. <h3>Methods</h3> Description of: demographic data (age, sex), rheumatologic features (sciatica, cruralgia, painful limb, fatigue on walking.. .), clinical signs, results of explorations, course of the disease and treatment. <h3>Results</h3> <h3>Conclusion</h3> Rheumatologist may meet ALS and must know the signs allowing the diagnosis.