tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with capecitabine in locally advanced rectal cancer: Analysis of prognostic factors.
Authors: Jesus Romero, Sofía Sánchez, Arsenio Sánchez, Isabel Alonso, Raquel Benlloch, Sofía Córdoba, Irma Zapata, Beatriz Gil, Marta López, María Hernández, Miguel Pastrana, Alberto Herreros, Ana Ruíz Casado, Jorge Obeso, Olga Engel
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2021)

92 Background: Capecitabine-based neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is the standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). The objective of this retrospective study is to analyze overall survival (OS), local relapse free-survival (LRFS), distant metastases free-survival (DMFS) and prognostic factors. Methods: Between 2009 and 2018, 207 patients(p) with LARC has been treated in our hospital with neoadjuvant CRT. Clinical characteristics: Mean age: 65 y (41-87); male:129, female:78; TNM: cT2: 12p, cT3: 176p, cT4: 19p, cN0: 59p, cN1: 106p, cN2: 42p. Treatment: pelvic radiotherapy (45Gy, 1.8Gy/day) plus concomitant capecitabine (852mg/sqm/12h for 28 days). Surgery (mesorectal excision) was carried out 6-8 after the end of CRT. Statistics:Kaplan-Meier and Log-rank test. Results: Mean follow-up: 43 months. Downstaging:104/192 (54%). Pathological complete response:31/192 (16%). Sphincter preservation rate was 82%. Five-year OS, LRFS and DMFS were 89.9%, 93.3% and 81.7%, respectively. Factors predicting shorter 5-y OS were: cT4 (69% vs 91% and 91% for cT1 and CT2, respectively; p=0.027), pT3-4 (85% and 64% vs 100%, 100% and 98% for pT0, pT1 and pT2, respectively; p=0.008), pathological involved nodes (pN+) (77% vs 96%; p=0.001), perineural invasion (PNI) (78% vs 95%; p=0.041), LVI (p&lt;0.001), Ryan 3 (p&lt;0.001), resection margin R1 (67% vs 94% for R0; p&lt;0.001), no pCR (p=0.027) and absence of downstaging (73% vs 97%; p=0.001). Factors associated with poor 5-y DMFS were:pT3-4 ( 70% and 0% vs 96%,88% and 98% for pT0,pT1 and pT2, respectively; p&lt;0.001), pN+ (68% vs 88% for pN0: p&lt;0.001), PNI (64% vs 85%; p=0.036), Ryan 3 (49% vs 96%, 85% and 85% for Ryan 0, 1 and 2, respectively; p&lt;0.001), R1 (33% vs 86% for R0; p&lt;0.001) and absence of downstaging (50% vs 71%; p&lt;0.001). CTCAE 4.0 grade 3 toxicity: 1%. No grade 4 toxicity was seen. Conclusions: CRT with capecitabine provides high rates of survival and sphinter preservation with excellent tolerance. Patients with adverse pathological factors (pT4, pN+, PNI, Ryan 3, R1 and absence of downstaging) have a higher risk of distant metastasis and are more likely to benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.
AB0112 Severe pulmonary hypertension (ph) in a patient with systemic sclerosis (ssc) and antiphospholipid syndrome (aps) – case report
Authors: OM Kowal-Bielecka, A Sulik, K Kita, S Sierakowski
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2001)

<h3>Background</h3> PH is a well-recognised complication of SSc and may be secondary to interstitial lung disease or present as isolated PH due to vascular changes. The coincidence of SSc and APS is not common and only a few reports can be found in the literature. <h3>Objectives</h3> We describe here a case of a patient with severe PH in a course of limited SSc and secondary APS. <h3>Methods</h3> <h3>Results</h3> A 63-year old Caucasian woman with 50-years history of Raynaud phenomenon and 3-years history of mild dyspnea on exertion, previously untreated, suddenly developed fever and chest pain. She was admitted to a general hospital, diagnosed as having right pleuropneumonia and cardiac insufficiency, and treated with antibiotics, ACE inhibitors, diuretics and small doses of methyl-digoxine which led to disappearance of pleural effusion and leg oedema. Since fever, chest pain, and dyspnea persisted she was sent to Department of Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, Medical Academy of Bialystok. Physical examination revealed sclerodactyly, multiple teleangiectasias on the face and hands, microstomia, systolic murmur with pulmonart II-nd tone accentuation, and a palpable liver. ECHO-DOPPLER revealed high pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) of 86 mmHg with distention of the right ventricle. There were no signs of interstitial lung disease in high resolution computed thomography. However, examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid showed elevated percentage of limphocytes. Perfusion scintigraphy of the lungs showed pulmonary embolisms/thrombosis. USG-DOPPLER of the lower limbs showed no signs of vein thrombosis. The patient's ESR was 145/hour, serum CRP-253 mg/dl, antinuclear antibodies positive in a titer of 1:1280, speckled, thrombocyte number – 115 000/mikrol. The patient was diagnosed as having SSc complicated with PH. In addition to previous therapy, treatment with cyclophosphamide (1000 mg i.v.), low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and nifedipine was started. On the third day after cyclophosphamide infusion dyspnea worsened and lower limb oedema appeared, PAP increased to 115 mmHg, and blood platelets fell to 80 000/mikrol. Anticardiolipin antibodies were detected in a titer of IgG-96 ACG and IgM-36 ACG. Secondary APS was diagnosed. LMWH was replaced with intrevenous infusion of heparin followed by oral anticoagulants and nifedipine dose was increased to 120 mg/day resulting in PAP fall to 90 mmHg, less dyspnea and disappearance of leg oedema. The patient now feels well with PAP of 60 mmHg. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The case described here indicates that APS may participate in the pathogenesis of PH complicating SSc and highlights the need to consider determining ACL antibodies/lupus anticoagulant in SSc patients.
SAT0276 CARDIAC MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN PATIENTS WITH BEHCET’S DISEASE: A PILOT STUDY
Authors: A. A. Ahmed, S. Tharwat, N. M. Batouty, S. D. Abd El-Halim
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2020)

Background: Behçet’s disease is a multisystemic vasculitis characterized by mucocutaneous, ocular, arthritic, and vascular manifestations.[1] However, the incidence and nature of cardiac involvement in Behcet’s disease have not been clearly documented yet. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the cardiac involvement in patients with Behçet’s disease using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: This cross -sectional descriptive study was carried out on thirty consecutive patients with Behçet’s disease (21 males,9 females) with mean age 32.3±8.9 years and with no evidence of cardiac disease. They underwent cardiac MRI to determine morphological and functional changes of the heart and to detect areas of hyperenhancement after IV administration of gadolinium. Results: At least one abnormality on cardiac MRI was observed in 20/30 patients (66.67%). Myocardial oedema was observed in 3 patients (10.0%) and late gadolinium enhancement in only 1 patient (3.3%). Pericardial effusion was found in 3 patients (10.0 %), global hypokinesia in 6 patients (20.0%) and intra-cardiac thrombosis in only 1 patient (3.3%). Pulmonary artery was dilated in 4 patients (13.3%). Left ventricular and right ventricular end diastolic volume were altered in 4 patients (13.3 %) and 7 patients (23.3%) respectively. Also, left ventricular and right ventricular end systolic volume were abnormal in7 patients (23.3%) and 5 patients (16.7%) respectively. Moreover, there was aortic valve regurge in 2 patients (6.7%), tricuspid valve regurge in 9 patients (30%), and mitral valve regurge in 9 patients (30%).Dilated left main coronary artery in 2 patients (6.7%) and arythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia in only one patient 1 patient (3.3%). Conclusion: Behçet’s disease may cause cardiac abnormalities without clinical manifestations and cardiac MRI may represent a tool for early detection of these subtle abnormalities. References: [1]Geri, G., et al., Spectrum of cardiac lesions in Behçet disease: a series of 52 patients and review of the literature. Medicine, 2012. 91 (1): p. 25-34. Figure 1. Cardiac MRI in 32 year-old female patient with Behçet’s disease for 3 years. Acknowledgments: : The authors would like to acknowledge Ahmed El Bahy for his assistance with this study Disclosure of Interests: None declared
Short-term association among meteorological variation, outdoor air pollution and acute bronchiolitis in children in a subtropical setting
Authors: Shuk Yu Leung, Steven Yuk Fai Lau, Ka Li Kwok, Kirran N. Mohammad, Paul Kay Sheung Chan, Ka Chun Chong
Journal: Thorax (2021)

Objectives To examine the association among acute bronchiolitis-related hospitalisation in children, meteorological variation and outdoor air pollution. Methods We obtained the daily counts of acute bronchiolitis-related admission of children≤2 years old from all public hospitals, meteorological data and outdoor air pollutants’ concentrations between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2017 in Hong Kong. We used quasi-Poisson generalised additive models together with distributed lag non-linear models to estimate the associations of interest adjusted for confounders. Results A total of 29 688 admissions were included in the analysis. Increased adjusted relative risk (ARR) of acute bronchiolitis-related hospitalisation was associated with high temperature (ambient temperature and apparent temperature) and was marginally associated with high vapour pressure, a proxy for absolute humidity. High concentration of NO 2 was associated with elevated risk of acute bronchiolitis admission; the risk of bronchiolitis hospitalisation increased statistically significantly with cumulative NO 2 exposure over the range 66.2–119.6 µg/m 3 . For PM 10 , the significant effect observed at high concentrations appears to be immediate but not long lasting. For SO 2 , ARR increased as the concentration approached the 75th percentile and then decreased though the association was insignificant. Conclusions Acute bronchiolitis-related hospitalisation among children was associated with temperature and exposure to NO 2 and PM 10 at different lag times, suggesting a need to adopt sustainable clean air policies, especially to target pollutants produced by motor vehicles, to protect young children’s health.
Education on reactive oxygen species to lay the foundation for understanding therapeutic advances in anticancer therapy.
Authors: Kinjal Parikh, Charlotte Warren, Richard Caracio
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2021)

478 Background: The disruption of redox balance is increasingly thought to be one of the most important underlying factors contributing to the development, progression, and metastasis of cancers in human cells. This imbalance in redox homeostasis has been shown to be induced by the generation of free radicals, predominantly reactive oxygen species (ROS). Emerging data have established ROS as a new potential therapeutic target. Understanding the mechanisms associated with tumorigenesis is important to integrate novel potential therapeutic targets and understand which tumors or patient populations may benefit from ongoing research. Shortcomings in oncologists’ knowledge and confidence can hamper the integration of new treatments into the care of patients with cancer. Methods: An online continuing education (CME) activity consisted of a multi-media 30-minute video panel of two panelists discussing the mechanism, pathophysiology, and the premises for novel anti-cancer therapies. Educational effect was assessed using a repeated paired pre-/post-assessment study design. A McNemar’s test was used to identify differences between pre- and post-assessment responses. Effect size was calculated using Cohen’s d test by determining the strength of the association between the activity and the outcomes (d &lt; .20 is modest and d ≥ .80 is large). P values were calculated and those &lt; .05 were considered statistically significant. The activity launched 5/14/2020 and data are represented through 8/6/2020. Results: A total of 1,033 learners, of which there are 656 physicians, participated in the activity. Participating in education resulted in statistically significant improvements and noticeable educational effect and data for oncologists that answered all pre- and post-assessment questions are represented below (n = 45, p &lt; .001, Cohen’s d = .454). Percentages represent relative rates of improvement The role of ROS on cancer cell proliferation, cancer cell toxicity, and the tumor microenvironment (67%, p &lt; .05) The interplay of antioxidants to aid in the development of therapies to induce DNA-damaged cell death (100%; p &lt; .001) The potential biomarkers to aid in the development of therapies to induce DNA-damaged cell death (34%; p &lt; .05). Conclusions: This online, interactive, expert-led, CME-certified educational activity resulted in significant gains in oncologist knowledge and confidence regarding the ROS pathway and associated clinical pipeline developments Upon completion of the initiative, only 11% of oncologists were able to answer all 3 matched pre/post questions correctly, signifying the need for further education The novelty of the information to many learners demonstrate the need to continue highlighting clinical advances and molecular pathways that may have potential implications in cancer therapy progress.
STING negatively regulates allogeneic T-cell responses by constraining antigen-presenting cell function
Authors: Yongxia Wu, Chih-Hang Anthony Tang, Corey Mealer, David Bastian, M. Hanief Sofi, Linlu Tian, Steven Schutt, Hee-Jin Choi, Taylor Ticer, Mengmeng Zhang, Xiaohui Sui, Lei Huang, Andrew L. Mellor, Chih-Chi Andrew Hu, Xue-Zhong Yu
Journal: Cellular and Molecular Immunology (2021)
THU0095 Circulating and local synovial fluid renin-angiotensin system in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
Authors: V Çobankara, M Çalgüneri, S Apras, S Kiraz, I Ertenli, I Haznedaroglu, MA Oztürk, O Portakal, Z Koray
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2001)

<h3>Background</h3> Recent researches demonstrated presence of local RAS in myocardium, ovary and brain. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) was shown to be produced by synovial membrane macrophages. Angiotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor, and also can stimulate angiogenesis, fibroblast proliferation and growth factor expression. Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of synovium and angiogenesis are well documented in persistant rheumatoid synovitis. <h3>Objectives</h3> In this cross-sectional study we aimed to detect ACE and renin levels in serum and synovial fluid (SF) of patients with RA and osteoarthritis OA. <h3>Methods</h3> Sixteen patients with RA (13F, 3M), 13 patients with OA (8F, 5M) and 11 healthy controls (HC) (5F, 6M) were enrolled in the study. The commercially available Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme kit and ACE calibrator were used. Renin assay was carried out with a two-site immunoreactive assay. <h3>Results</h3> Median serum ACE levels were 48 U/l, 45 U/l, and 33 U/l in RA patients, OA patients, and HC, respectively. Median serum renin levels were 12.9 pg/ml, 11.8 pg/ml, and 17.9 pg/ml in RA patients and OA patients, respectively. Neither of these results were statistically significant (p &gt; 0.05). SF levels of ACE and renin were found to be increased in RA patients (44 U/l and 3.5 pg/ml) compared to OA patients (24 U/l and 1.2 pg/ml) (Table 1). Synovial fluid renin levels in patients with RA was negatively correlated with disease duration. <h3>Conclusion</h3> In this study we demonstrated that ACE and renin levels were elevated in SF of RA patients while serum ACE and renin levels were comparable to those in OA patients and healthy controls. These observations suggest presence of local RAS in RA synovium. Since angiotensin have stimulatory roles in angiogenesis and fibroblast proliferation, local RAS may participate in pannus formation and joint destruction in patients with RA. Negative correlation of synovial renin with disease duration may be compatible with previous observations that joint erosion is most prominent during the first months of the disease. Further studies, including mRNA of ACE and angiotensin II are needed to clarify exact roles of RAS in the pathogenesis of RA.
Sensitive GATA1 mutation screening reliably identifies neonates with Down syndrome at risk for myeloid leukemia
Authors: Bianca F. Goemans, Sanne Noort, Marjolein Blink, Yong-Dong Wang, Susan T. C. J. Peters, Jacobus P. van Wouwe, Gertjan Kaspers, Valerie de Haas, Wouter J. Kollen, Vincent H. J. van der Velden, Tanja A. Gruber, Christian M. Zwaan
Journal: Leukemia (2021)

The aim of this study was to define a population-based frequency of TAM in DS newborns. The Dutch Pediatric Surveillance Unit (DPSU) registers newborns with DS and TAM screening was added to this registration from Jan 1, 2008, until Jan 1, 2013 (Erasmus MC MEC-2007-168, Netherlands Trial Register NL1587). Based on the live birth prevalence of DS in the Netherlands, an estimated 1211 DS children were born in the Netherlands during the screening period. Between 2008 and 2013, 803 neonates with DS were included in the DPSU registry. Therefore ~66% of the neonates with DS were registered. Of the 803 registered neonates, TAM screening blood samples were received for 368 neonates (46% of the registered cases). The low inclusion rate could give rise to a selection bias, as pediatricians are probably more likely to include neonates with symptoms or abnormal PB values compared to healthy DS neonates. Therefore, the incidence of TAM could be overestimated in this study.
Abstract 9546: Association Between Abnormal Stress Test Findings and Cancer Mortality by Smoking Status and Cancer Site
Authors: Yazan Assaf, Maria Irene Barillas-Lara, Sonia Fortin-Gamero, Nasir Hussain, Amanda Bonikowske, Nora Sydo, Thomas G Allison
Journal: Circulation (2019)

Background: Limited data suggest an association between abnormal stress test findings and increased cancer mortality. We studied this possible association taking into consideration the smoking stat...
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on radiotherapy services in England, UK: a population-based study
Authors: Katie Spencer, Christopher M Jones, Rebecca Girdler, Catherine Roe, Michael Sharpe, Sarah Lawton, Louise Miller, Philippa Lewis, Mererid Evans, David Sebag-Montefiore, Tom Roques, Rebecca Smittenaar, Eva Morris
Journal: The Lancet Oncology (2021)

The indirect impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer outcomes is of increasing concern. However, the extent to which key treatment modalities have been affected is unclear. We aimed to assess the impact of the pandemic on radiotherapy activity in England.In this population-based study, data relating to all radiotherapy delivered for cancer in the English NHS, between Feb 4, 2019, and June 28, 2020, were extracted from the National Radiotherapy Dataset. Changes in mean weekly radiotherapy courses, attendances (reflecting fractions), and fractionation patterns following the start of the UK lockdown were compared with corresponding months in 2019 overall, for specific diagnoses, and across age groups. The significance of changes in radiotherapy activity during lockdown was examined using interrupted time-series (ITS) analysis.In 2020, mean weekly radiotherapy courses fell by 19·9% in April, 6·2% in May, and 11·6% in June compared with corresponding months in 2019. A relatively greater fall was observed for attendances (29·1% in April, 31·4% in May, and 31·5% in June). These changes were significant on ITS analysis (p<0·0001). A greater reduction in treatment courses between 2019 and 2020 was seen for patients aged 70 years or older compared with those aged younger than 70 years (34·4% vs 7·3% in April). By diagnosis, the largest reduction from 2019 to 2020 in treatment courses was for prostate cancer (77·0% in April) and non-melanoma skin cancer (72·4% in April). Conversely, radiotherapy courses in April, 2020, compared with April, 2019, increased by 41·2% in oesophageal cancer, 64·2% in bladder cancer, and 36·3% in rectal cancer. Increased use of ultra-hypofractionated (26 Gy in five fractions) breast radiotherapy as a percentage of all courses (0·2% in April, 2019, to 60·6% in April, 2020; ITS p<0·0001) contributed to the substantial reduction in attendances.Radiotherapy activity fell significantly, but use of hypofractionated regimens rapidly increased in the English NHS during the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. An increase in treatments for some cancers suggests that radiotherapy compensated for reduced surgical activity. These data will assist health-care providers in understanding the indirect consequences of the pandemic and the role of radiotherapy services in minimising these consequences.None.
Polymeric micelles targeted against CD44v6 receptor increase niclosamide efficacy against colorectal cancer stem cells and reduce circulating tumor cells in vivo
Authors: Fernanda Andrade, Diana Rafael, Mireia Vilar-Hernández, Sara Montero, Francesc Martínez-Trucharte, Joaquin Seras-Franzoso, Zamira V. Díaz-Riascos, Ana Boullosa, Natalia García-Aranda, Patricia Cámara-Sánchez, Diego Arango, Marika Nestor, Ibane Abasolo, Bruno Sarmento, Simó Schwartz
Journal: Journal of Controlled Release (2021)
Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease Among Black Individuals in the US After Removal of the Black Race Coefficient From a Glomerular Filtration Rate Estimating Equation
Authors: Jennifer Bragg-Gresham, Xiaosong Zhang, Dao Le, Michael Heung, Vahakn Shahinian, Hal Morgenstern, Rajiv Saran
Journal: JAMA Network Open (2021)

This cross-sectional study examines whether removal of the Black race coefficient from a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimating equation is associated with a change in the estimated prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the general Black population and among Black veterans in the US.
Art in Endoscopy: “Love is in the...bowel”
Authors: Luigi G. Papparella, Maria V. Matteo, Guido Costamagna
Journal: Endoscopy (2021)

This image shows a sessile polypoid lesion (Paris class Is) found during a screening colonoscopy. The photo was taken immediately after submucosal dye injection, just before performance of an endoscopic mucosal resection. In these historically difficult times it is nice to find some love – even in unexpected places!
Abstract 15063: The Longitudinal Changes in Cardiovascular Biomarkers in Community Dwellers: The Tohoku Medical Megabank Project
Authors: Yuka Kotozaki, Kozo Tanno, Koichi Asahi, Takahito Nasu, Hideki Ohmomo, Ryo Otomo, Fumitaka Tanaka, Atsushi Shimizu, Kiyomi Sakata, Makoto Sasaki, Mamoru Satoh
Journal: Circulation (2019)

The purpose of our study was to investigate the longitudinal changes in cardiovascular biomarkers in community dwellers. We analyzed data for 7,787 participants (males / females = 2,254 / 5,533, ag...
Pretreatment of aged mice with retinoic acid supports alveolar regeneration via upregulation of reciprocal PDGFA signalling
Authors: Jason J Gokey, John Snowball, Jenna Green, Marion Waltamath, Jillian J Spinney, Katharine E Black, Lida P Hariri, Yan Xu, Anne Karina Perl
Journal: Thorax (2021)

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) primarily affects the aged population and is characterised by failure of alveolar regeneration, leading to loss of alveolar type 1 (AT1) cells. Aged mouse models of lung repair have demonstrated that regeneration fails with increased age. Mouse and rat lung repair models have shown retinoic acid (RA) treatment can restore alveolar regeneration. Herein, we seek to determine the signalling mechanisms that become activated on RA treatment prior to injury, which support alveolar differentiation.