tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Organophosphate and carbamate insecticide exposure is related to lung function change among smallholder farmers: a prospective study
Authors: Martin Rune Hassan Hansen, Erik Jørs, Annelli Sandbæk, Daniel Sekabojja, John C Ssempebwa, Ruth Mubeezi, Philipp Staudacher, Samuel Fuhrimann, Torben Sigsgaard, Alex Burdorf, Bo Martin Bibby, Vivi Schlünssen
Journal: Thorax (2021)

Introduction and aim Exposure to some insecticides may cause airway obstruction, but existing evidence is limited by cross-sectional designs and inadequate confounder control. We investigated the relation between organophosphate and carbamate insecticides and pulmonary function in a prospective study accounting for important confounders. Methods In a cohort of 364 smallholder farmers in Uganda (69% women), participants underwent pre-bronchodilator spirometry at baseline (September/October 2018) and at two follow-up visits (November/December 2018 and January/February 2019). Exposure to carbamate and organophosphate insecticides was assessed using haemoglobin-adjusted erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE/Hb). Less than 3% of participants were lost to follow-up. We calculated Z-scores for FEV 1 , FVC and FEV 1 /FVC using the Global Lung Function Initiative equations. Data were analysed in linear mixed and fixed effect models accounting for family relationships and repeated measures of exposure and outcome. Results Low AChE/Hb was significantly associated with low FEV 1 Z-score in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Compared with individuals with AChE/Hb 25.90 U/g (50 th percentile, reference), those with lower AChE/Hb 24.50 U/g (35 th percentile) had mean FEV 1 Z-score 0.045 (0.003 to 0.087) lower, and persons with higher AChE/Hb 27.30 U/g (65 th percentile) had a mean FEV 1 Z-score 0.043 (−0.002 to 0.087) higher compared with the reference. Similar, but numerically smaller and statistically non-significant effects were seen for Z-scores of FVC and FEV 1 /FVC. Conclusion Exposure to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides may lead to lung function decline. Our results add to the growing evidence of health effects in relation to exposure to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides, underlining the importance of minimising exposure.
Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic ononcologists' online CME consumption and educationalneeds
Authors: M. A. Worst, K. Lucero
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2020)

Introduction: COVID-19 has the ability to make certain populations particularly vulnerable to infection, includingthose with cancer  Data relating to how the virus is transmitted, vulnerability, preventative measures, and treatmenthave evolved almost daily since the start of the pandemic, particularly in those with cancer  In response, variousadvocacy groups and scientific bodies have provided guidance on how to provide cancer care during the COVID-19pandemic  As of June 1, 2020, Medscape has published 27 online continuing medical education (CME) activitiesabout COVID-19  These have drawn 2353 oncologist learners  COVID-19 is the #1 news topic since January foroncologists  Despite the growing body of evidence, many oncologists are either unaware or unsure of safe andoptimal ways to provide cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic  Moreover, survey data indicate that 67% ofcommunity oncologists access online CME either daily or at least once a week  Thus, the purpose of the study wasto examine content consumption patterns online and assess potential education needs as they relate to treatingcancer during the COVID-19 pandemic  Methods: Medscape deployed incentivized surveys in March and April 2020 and analyzed content consumptionpatterns on Medscape org and  com of oncologist Medscape members in March 2020 as compared to March 2019(i e , year over year [YOY]) (n=20,460)  Results: Of the total 166 oncologists who participated, the majority practiced in the community setting  29% ofoncologists indicated changing practice in the last week and 41% in the last month  Use of desktop rather thanmobile devices to access CME has increased from 68% to 85% YOY from March 2019 to March 2020 and may bedue to oncologists being at home more in recent months  Overall, there is a 7% YOY increase in online CME visits, and a 66% YOY increase in visits to Medscape News  Only 26% of oncologists indicated they were veryknowledgeable regarding how to manage patients with cancer, and 14% were very confident in their ability toaddress clinical decisions regarding treatment of patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic  Participants were most interested in additional education on management of infected COVID-19 patients with cancer onimmunotherapy (78%), targeted therapy (60%), and chemotherapy (60%), and they had a preference for learningvia video and text over audio only  Conclusions: Many oncologists access online CME at least once a week in order to learn about the latestdevelopments, including COVID-19, and to find answers to specific questions  Oncologists are seeking out onlineCME more than in the previous year  They indicate not feeling very knowledgeable or confident about treating andmanaging patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic  They overwhelmingly desire CME aboutimmunotherapy  Taken together, results indicate a strong need for online CME to help oncologists provide optimalcare to their patients during the COVID-19 pandemic
Abstract 18837: Effect of Life-Course Interactions Between Sex, Age, and Lipoprotein Profiles on Mid-Life Physical Performance
Authors: Benjamin D Pollock, Pat Stuchlik, Camilo Fernandez Alonso, Rupert Barshop, Azad Hussain, Tian Shu, Jack Guralnik, Jeanette Gustat, Larry S Webber, Wei Chen, Emily W Harville, Lydia A Bazzano
Journal: Circulation (2016)

Introduction: The life-course effects of serum cholesterol and lipoprotein levels on physical performance during adulthood have not been well-documented in bi-racial populations. In this study, we ...
The Irradiated Brain Microenvironment Supports Glioma Stemness and Survival via Astrocyte-Derived Transglutaminase 2
Authors: Tracy J. Berg, Carolina Marques, Vasiliki Pantazopoulou, Elinn Johansson, Kristoffer von Stedingk, David Lindgren, Pauline Jeannot, Elin J. Pietras, Tobias Bergström, Fredrik J. Swartling, Valeria Governa, Johan Bengzon, Mattias Belting, Håkan Axelson, Massimo Squatrito, Alexander Pietras
Journal: Cancer Research (2021)

The tumor microenvironment plays an essential role in supporting glioma stemness and radioresistance. Following radiotherapy, recurrent gliomas form in an irradiated microenvironment. Here we report that astrocytes, when pre-irradiated, increase stemness and survival of cocultured glioma cells. Tumor-naïve brains increased reactive astrocytes in response to radiation, and mice subjected to radiation prior to implantation of glioma cells developed more aggressive tumors. Extracellular matrix derived from irradiated astrocytes were found to be a major driver of this phenotype and astrocyte-derived transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) was identified as a promoter of glioma stemness and radioresistance. TGM2 levels increased after radiation in vivo and in recurrent human glioma, and TGM2 inhibitors abrogated glioma stemness and survival. These data suggest that irradiation of the brain results in the formation of a tumor-supportive microenvironment. Therapeutic targeting of radiation-induced, astrocyte-derived extracellular matrix proteins may enhance the efficacy of standard-of-care radiotherapy by reducing stemness in glioma. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings presented here indicate that radiotherapy can result in a tumor-supportive microenvironment, the targeting of which may be necessary to overcome tumor cell therapeutic resistance and recurrence. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/81/8/2101/F1.large.jpg.
Algorithmic matching of personal protective equipment donations with healthcare facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ram Bala, Charlotte Lee, Benjamin Pallant, Maahika Srinivasan, Daniel Lurie, Rohit Jacob, Neeraj Bhagchandani, Megan Ranney, Shuhan He
Journal: npj Digital Medicine (2021)

GetUsPPE.org has built a centralized platform to facilitate matches for PPE donations, with an active role in matching donors with the appropriate recipients. A manual match process was limited by volunteer hours, thus we developed an open-access matching algorithm using a linear programming-based transportation model. From April 14, 2020 to April 27, 2020, the algorithm was used to match 83,136 items of PPE to 135 healthcare facilities in need across the United States with a median of 214.3 miles traveled, 100% of available donations matched, met the full quantity of requested PPE for 67% of recipients matched, and with 46% matches under 30 miles traveled. Compared with the period April 1, 2020 to April 13, 2020, when PPE matching was manual, the algorithm resulted in a 280% increase in matches/day. This publicly available automated algorithm could be deployed in future situations when the healthcare supply chain is insufficient.
Taking a Stand Against Air Pollution—The Impact on Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Michael Brauer, Barbara Casadei, Robert A. Harrington, Richard Kovacs, Karen Sliwa, Michael Brauer, Narantuya Davaakhuu, Michael Hadley, Daniel Kass, Mark Miller, Maria Consuelo Escamilla Nuñez, Dorairaj Prabhakaran, Ta-Chen Su, Ilonca C.H. Vaartjes, Rajesh Vedanthan
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2021)

Although the attention of the world and the global health community specifically is deservedly focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, other determinants of health continue to have large impacts and may also interact with COVID-19. Air pollution is one crucial example. Established evidence from other respiratory viruses and emerging evidence for COVID-19 specifically indicates that air pollution alters respiratory defense mechanisms leading to worsened infection severity. Air pollution also contributes to co-morbidities that are known to worsen outcomes amongst those infected with COVID-19, and air pollution may also enhance infection transmission due to its impact on more frequent coughing. Yet despite the massive disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are reasons for optimism: broad societal lockdowns have shown us a glimpse of what a future with strong air pollution measures could yield. Thus, the urgency to combat air pollution is not diminished, but instead heightened in the context of the pandemic.
SP0145 Development and present state of the czech league against rheumatism
Authors: R Bardfeld, H Cadkova
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2001)

<h3></h3> The Czech League against Rheumatism (CLAR) was founded in 1991 and accepted as a member of EULAR in 1999. Since 2000 CLAR participates in activities within the framework of Bone and Joint Decade 2000–2010 and of European Manifesto for People with Arthritis/Rheumatism for the third Millennium as well. The central CLAR branch is located in Prague and the second one was instituted recently in Moravia. Some data characterising the development and activity of CLAR were followed up during last ten years. Thus an increasing number of members of CLAR were noted. This number doubled during the last year, i.e. to 203 persons. The number of issues of the CLAR Bulletin edited every three months increased in the same extent. The interest of patients to participate in rehabilitation and in yoga meditation expanded too/to about 40 patients every week/. These encouraging facts should be considered as consequence of CLAR activities mentioned above and of enhanced public awareness of rheumatic conditions too. The majority of CLAR actions are organised with the help of the Institute of Rheumatology in Prague and with the support of pharmaceutical industry.
A Scientific Perspective
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1954)

AbstractThe following sections are included:IntroductionFinancial Modeling and ComputersEpistemic Uncertainty: Exact and Inexact ModelsExact Models, e.g., Financial StatementsInexact Models, e.g., Behavioral RelationshipsIdentification, Simulation and ExtrapolationPro Forma Financial Statement ProjectionsEnvisioning Information: Unique MappingsExercisesBibliography
Randomized Phase II Trial of Sipuleucel-T with or without Radium-223 in Men with Bone-metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Catherine H. Marshall, Wei Fu, Hao Wang, Jong Chul Park, Theodore L. DeWeese, Phuoc T. Tran, Daniel Y. Song, Serina King, Michaella Afful, Julia Hurrelbrink, Charlotte Manogue, Patrick Cotogno, Nancy P. Moldawer, Pedro C. Barata, Charles G. Drake, Edwin M. Posadas, Andrew J. Armstrong, Oliver Sartor, Emmanuel S. Antonarakis
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2021)

Abstract Purpose: To investigate whether radium-223 increases peripheral immune responses to sipuleucel-T in men with bone-predominant, minimally symptomatic metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Patients and Methods: A total of 32 patients were randomized 1:1 in this open-label, phase II multicenter trial. Patients in the control arm received three sipuleucel-T treatments, 2 weeks apart. Those in the combination arm received six doses of radium-223 monthly, with sipuleucel-T intercalated between the second and fourth doses of radium-223. The primary endpoint was a comparison of peripheral antigen PA2024-specific T-cell responses (measured by proliferation index). Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and PSA responses. Results: We enrolled 32 patients, followed for a median of 1.6 years. Six weeks after the first sipuleucel-T dose, participants in the control arm had a 3.2-fold greater change in PA2024-specific T-cell responses compared with those who received combination treatment (P = 0.036). Patients in the combination arm were more likely to have a &amp;gt;50% PSA decline [5 (31%) vs. 0 patients; P = 0.04], and also demonstrated longer PFS [39 vs. 12 weeks; HR, 0.32; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.14–0.76] and OS (not reached vs. 2.6 years; HR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.08–1.23). Conclusions: Our data raise the possibility of greater clinical activity with the combination of sipuleucel-T and radium-223 in men with asymptomatic bone mCRPC, despite the paradoxically lower immune responses observed. Additional study to confirm these findings in a larger trial is warranted.
Delivering health interventions to women, children, and adolescents in conflict settings: what have we learned from ten country case studies?
Authors: Neha S Singh, Anushka Ataullahjan, Khadidiatou Ndiaye, Jai K Das, Paul H Wise, Chiara Altare, Zahra Ahmed, Samira Sami, Chaza Akik, Hannah Tappis, Shafiq Mirzazada, Isabel C Garcés-Palacio, Hala Ghattas, Ana Langer, Ronald J Waldman, Paul Spiegel, Zulfiqar A Bhutta, Karl Blanchet, Zulfiqar Bhutta, Robert Black, Karl Blanchet, Ties Boerma, Michelle Gaffey, Ana Langer, Paul Spiegel, Ronald Waldman, Paul Wise
Journal: The Lancet (2021)
The evolution of alternative splicing in glioblastoma under therapy
Authors: Lin Wang, Karin Shamardani, Husam Babikir, Francisca Catalan, Takahide Nejo, Susan Chang, Joanna J. Phillips, Hideho Okada, Aaron A. Diaz
Journal: Genome biology (2021)

Abstract Background Alternative splicing is a rich source of tumor-specific neoantigen targets for immunotherapy. This holds promise for glioblastomas (GBMs), the most common primary tumors of the adult brain, which are resistant to standard-of-care therapy. Although most clinical trials enroll patients at recurrence, most preclinical studies have been done with specimens from primary disease. There are limited expression data from GBMs at recurrence and surprisingly little is known about the evolution of splicing patterns under therapy. Result We profile 37 primary-recurrent paired human GBM specimens via RNA sequencing. We describe the landscape of alternative splicing in GBM at recurrence and contrast that to primary and non-malignant brain-tissue specimens. By screening single-cell atlases, we identify cell-type-specific splicing patterns and novel splicing events in cell-surface proteins that are suitable targets for engineered T cell therapies. We identify recurrent-specific isoforms of mitogen-activated kinase pathway genes that enhance invasiveness and are preferentially expressed by stem-like cells. Conclusion These studies shed light on gene expression in recurrent GBM and identify novel targets for therapeutic development.
PET/CT for Brain Amyloid
Authors: Sangwon Lee, Jin Ho Jung, Dongwoo Kim, Hyun Keong Lim, Mi-Ae Park, Garam Kim, Minjae So, Sun Kook Yoo, Byoung Seok Ye, Yong Choi, Mijin Yun
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2021)

This study was to develop a convolutional neural network (CNN) model with a residual learning framework to predict the full-time 18F-florbetaben (18F-FBB) PET/CT images from corresponding short-time scans.In this retrospective study, we enrolled 22 cognitively normal subjects, 20 patients with mild cognitive impairment, and 42 patients with Alzheimer disease. Twenty minutes of list-mode PET/CT data were acquired and reconstructed as the ground-truth images. The short-time scans were made in either 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 minutes. The CNN with a residual learning framework was implemented to predict the ground-truth images of 18F-FBB PET/CT using short-time scans with either a single-slice or a 3-slice input layer. Model performance was evaluated by quantitative and qualitative analyses. Additionally, we quantified the amyloid load in the ground-truth and predicted images using the SUV ratio.On quantitative analyses, with increasing scan time, the normalized root-mean-squared error and the SUV ratio differences between predicted and ground-truth images gradually decreased, and the peak signal-to-noise ratio increased. On qualitative analysis, the predicted images from the 3-slice CNN model showed better image quality than those from the single-slice model. The 3-slice CNN model with a short-time scan of at least 2 minutes achieved comparable, quantitative prediction of full-time 18F-FBB PET/CT images, with adequate to excellent image quality.The 3-slice CNN model with a residual learning framework is promising for the prediction of full-time 18F-FBB PET/CT images from short-time scans.
AB0204 Early diagnosis and follow-up of pyomyositis by computed tomography
Authors: N Kyriazis, G Pardalis, E Kyprizlis, A Papageorgiou, L Brianas
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2001)

<h3>Background</h3> Pyomyositis is a bacterial infection of skeletal muscles, most commonly caused by staphylococcus aureus. If diagnosed early, pyomyositis can be treated with antibiotics alone. However, the diagnosis is often overlooked, or delayed because of lack of familiarity with this disease. Clinical suspicion and appropriate imaging techniques are the keys to early diagnosis. <h3>Objectives</h3> To report a new case of pyomyositis, demonstrating the value of computed tomography (CT) in the early diagnosis and follow-up of pyomyositis. <h3>Methods</h3> Retrospective clinical and laboratory analysis of one patient. <h3>Results</h3> A previously healthy 44-year-old Caucasian workman developed chills and high fever, about 6 h after an abrasion of the skin over his right hand. Three days later he was admitted to the hospital with hyperthermia (41°C) and prostration. Physical examination revealed an exquisite tenderness of the right subclavicular area with local warmth, swelling and erythema of the skin, indicating acute inflammation in the chest wall. No evidence of suppuration, cellulitis, lymphangitis, or regional lymphadenopathy was observed in the right upper extremity. Laboratory investigation showed an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 47 mm, a white blood cell count of 17,380/mm<sup>3</sup> with 84% polymorphs, and a creatine phosphokinase of 1,520 IU/L (normal range 24–234 IU/L). Multiple blood cultures were negative and chest X-rays were normal. A CT scan of the chest demonstrated marked swelling of the right pectoralis minor muscle. This evidence of acute muscle inflammation supported the presumptive diagnosis of acute pyomyositis, in its invasive stage. Intravenous antibiotics therapy with a combination of clindamycin and ticarcillin/clavulanic acid was started on admission. Fever, tenderness, and other signs of inflammation subsided in a few days with antibiotics alone. No surgical procedure was necessary. After two weeks of hospitalisation the patient was discharged in good condition, but antibiotics were continued oraly for two more weeks. Complete clinical recovery with restoration to normal of all laboratory tests was achieved within one month. A new CT imaging taken four weeks later revealed a complete resolution of the inflammation with no residual deformity of the affected muscle, verifying the favourable outcome of prompt antibiotic treatment. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Although the causative microorganism was not identified, there is convincing evidence that this patient had pyomyositis. This case illustrates the value of CT in timely diagnosis and nonsurgical management of pyomyositis, by showing that: a) CT imaging can allow early detection of pyomyositis during its presuppurative phase, b) prompt antibiotic therapy may obviate surgery, and c) besides facilitating an early diagnois, CT is also very useful in the follow-up of pyomyositis.
Porta Hepatic Schwannoma on FDG PET/CT
Authors: Nuh Filizoglu, Kevser Oksuzoglu, Salih Ozguven, Tunc Ones, Tanju Yusuf Erdil
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2021)

Abstract Schwannomas are benign tumors that arise from Schwann cells of neural sheath. They can occur in any part of the body. However, the most common locations are the head, neck, spinal cord, and extremities. Schwannoma in the porta hepatis is extremely rare. Herein, we describe a case of porta hepatic schwannoma in a 36-year-old woman who presented with abdominal pain for a month.