tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Small and Large Intestine.
Authors: S J Middleton
Journal: Gut (2005)

Edited by G Lichtenstein, G Wu. Pennsylvania: Mosby, 2003, £62.99, pp 364. ISBN 0323018955

The Small and Large Intestine , one of four volumes in this series named the Requisites in Gastroenterology edited by Anil Rustgi of the University of Pennsylvania, provides a refreshing readable overview. While successfully avoiding entrenchment in detailed consideration of the scientific literature, it provides a mainstream viewpoint of the major issues. It is presented in a logical and clear manner aimed at achieving an understanding at a basic level which will provide the reader with a good platform to focus on specific areas with more in depth study. In this series, Rustgi moves away from an account of the substantial gastroenterological literature which often includes clinical trials with apparently contradictory conclusions that may lead to controversies unwanted by the novice. Rather than being expected to weigh up the evidence, the student is more usually interested in the general viewpoint of the main body of experts. This series avoids the comprehensive consideration of the literature often found in the …
Quality of Life in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: Validation of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-H&amp;N35
Authors: Kristin Bjordal, Eva Hammerlid, Marianne Ahlner-Elmqvist, Alexander de Graeff, Morten Boysen, Jan F. Evensen, Anders Biörklund, J. Rob J. de Leeuw, Peter M. Fayers, Magnus Jannert, Thomas Westin, Stein Kaasa
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1999)

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to define the scales and test the validity, reliability, and sensitivity of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ)-H&amp;N35, a questionnaire designed to assess the quality of life of head and neck (H&amp;N) cancer patients in conjunction with the general cancer-specific EORTC QLQ-C30. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Questionnaires were given to 500 H&amp;N cancer patients from Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands as part of two prospective studies. The patients completed the questionnaires before, during (Norway and Sweden only), and after treatment, yielding a total of 2070 completed questionnaires. RESULTS: The compliance rate was high, and the questionnaires were well accepted by the patients. Seven scales were constructed (pain, swallowing, senses, speech, social eating, social contact, sexuality). Scales and single items were sensitive to differences between patient subgroups with relation to site, stage, or performance status. Most scales and single items were sensitive to changes, with differences of various magnitudes according to the site in question. The internal consistency, as assessed by Cronbach's alpha coefficient, varied according to assessment point and within subsamples of patients. A low overall alpha value was found for the speech and the senses scales, but values were higher in assessments of patients with laryngeal cancer and in patients with nose, sinus, and salivary gland tumors. Scales and single items in the QLQ-H&amp;N35 seem to be more sensitive to differences between groups and changes over time than do the scales and single items in the core questionnaire. CONCLUSION: The QLQ-H&amp;N35, in conjunction with the QLQ-C30, provides a valuable tool for the assessment of health-related quality of life in clinical studies of H&amp;N cancer patients before, during, and after treatment with radiotherapy, surgery, or chemotherapy.
Neurotoxicity associated with systemic high-dose cytosine arabinoside.
Authors: S Nand, H L Messmore, R Patel, S G Fisher, R I Fisher
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1986)

High doses of cytosine arabinoside (ara-C) have been used in the treatment of refractory forms of acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL) and ANLL occurring after previous antineoplastic therapy. In addition to the usual toxicities associated with antimetabolites, neurotoxicity, mainly in the form of cerebellar dysfunction, develops in a significant proportion of patients receiving high-dose cytosine arabinoside HDara-C. This study was performed to determine the incidence of cerebellar dysfunction in our patients and to determine any factors that predict its development. In this series of 30 consecutive patients receiving HDara-C, confusion with cerebellar signs and symptoms developed in seven (23%). Factors that appear to predispose patients to the development of neurotoxicity are (1) past history of neurologic dysfunction and (2) preexisting and progressive hepatic dysfunction. No peripheral neuropathy was seen. In contrast to previous reports, we did not find neurotoxicity to be dose related. Prophylactic use of pyridoxine does not prevent neurotoxicity.
Non-genomic effect of glucocorticoids on inhibition of expression of CD63 on peripheral blood basophils
Authors: Katsuyuki Tomita, Hitomi Zushi, Nanase Watatani, Shigeyoshi Yamagata, Hideo Ichihashi, Ryuji Satoh, Hiroyuki Sano, Hiroaki Kume, Ryuta Haraguchi, Yuji Tohda
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background:  Glucocorticoids (GC) could inhibit histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells within 10 minutes, which classical genomic mechanism could not explain. The clinical efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids combined with long-acting beta 2-agonists has been widely demonstrated in asthma.   Objective:  In order to validate the benefit of the combined these agents in vitro, we studied a rapid effect of fluticasone propionate (FP) and formoterol (FORM) alone and in-combination on inhibition of expression of CD63, which is a maker of degranulation of basophils, in house dust mite (HDM)-sensitive patients with asthma.   Methods:  Whole peripheral bloods from asthmatic patients were incubated with HDM for 20 min in the pretreatment of FP and/or FORM for 1 hour. We assessed the expression of CD63 on basophils by quantifying the mean fluorescence of CD63 in IgE-positive cells by FACS analysis.   Results:  A high concentration of FP (10 -8 M) alone, but not a low concentration of FP (10 -12 M) alone, inhibits CD63 expression-induced with HDM. The combination of FP (10 -8 M) and FORM (10 -7 M) more inhibits CD 63 expression on basophils.   Conclusion:  The study provided evidence that non-genomic mechanism might be involved in rapid effect of glucocorticoids on basophils in asthma.
Leukemia in Women Following Radiotherapy for Cervical Cancer: Ten-Year Follow-up of an International Study&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN3"&gt;3&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: J D Boice, G B Hutchison
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1980)

An international collaborative study of 31,219 women treated for cervical cancer from 30 radiotherapy centers in nine countries was conducted. Patients were followed clinically and with blood studies between 1960 and 1970, and 148,000 woman-years (WY) were accumulated. Among 28,490 women treated with either intercavitary radium, external radiation, or both, 134,000 WY were accumulated and 13 cases of leukemia were observed. On the basis of general population rates, 15.5 cases were expected [relative risk (RR) = 0.8; 95% confidence limits (CL) = 0.4-1.4]. A twofold risk could thus be excluded, but a 1.4-fold risk remained possible. In absolute terms, risks larger than 0.1 leukemia cases per 10(6) WY-rad could be excluded. Among 2,729 cervical cancer patients not irradiated but similarly evaluated, 14,000 WY were accumulated and 2 cases of leukemia were observed as compared with 1.0 expected. In the interval 4-8 years after exposure, the period in which any leukemogenic effect might be most apparent, 7 cases of leukemia were observed among exposed patients as compared with 5.4 expected (RR - 1.3; 95% CL = 0.5-2.7). The absence of an increased leukemia risk suggested that the radiation regimens used to treat cervical cancer are not so effective in inducing leukemia as are other radiation exposures that have been studied.
Dose-titration, multicenter study of oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate for the treatment of breakthrough pain in cancer patients using transdermal fentanyl for persistent pain.
Authors: J M Christie, M Simmonds, R Patt, P Coluzzi, M A Busch, E Nordbrock, R K Portenoy
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1998)

PURPOSE Supplemental, "as-needed," administration of an opioid is a common approach to the problem of breakthrough pain in cancer patients. Oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC) is undergoing investigation as a new treatment for breakthrough pain. The primary purpose of the study was to demonstrate that a single-unit dose of OTFC can safely and effectively treat breakthrough pain. A secondary goal was to determine appropriate dosing guidelines. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, dose-titration study in 62 adult cancer patients using transdermal fentanyl for persistent pain. Consenting patients provided 2 days of baseline data to evaluate the performance of their usual breakthrough pain medication. Patients then randomly received 200 microg or 400 microg OTFC in double-blind fashion. (Patients were always assigned, rather than randomized, to 200 microg if 400 microg represented &gt; 20% of around-the-clock medication.) Pain intensity (PI), pain relief (PR), and global satisfaction scores were recorded. OTFC was then titrated until the patient received adequate PR for each episode using one OTFC unit. Orders to titrate up were ignored one third of the time to improve the blind. Two days of baseline data were compared with 2 days of OTFC data after titration identified an effective dose of OTFC. RESULTS Most patients (76%) found a safe and effective dose of OTFC. There was no meaningful relationship between the around-the-clock opioid regimen and the effective dose of OTFC. In open-label comparisons, OTFC produced a faster onset of relief and a greater degree of PR than patients' usual breakthrough medication. Somnolence, nausea, and dizziness were the most common side effects associated with OTFC. CONCLUSION Most patients find a single OTFC dosage that adequately treats breakthrough pain. The optimal dose is found by titration and is not predicted by around-the-clock dose of opioids.
LSC 2013 abstract - The long-term effect of neonatal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection on the response to adult allergen challenge
Authors: Laura Lambert, Nazanin Farhadi, Fiona Culley
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Infantile RSV infection is a major cause of bronchiolitis in young children and is associated with increased risk of allergy and asthma persisting up to age 18 years.  Using a clinically relevant murine model, we aimed to determine whether neonatal RSV infection could cause exacerbated responses to allergens later in life. We hypothesised that a neonatal RSV infection would alter the airway cytokine and cellular responses to an adult challenge with house dust mite (HDM) extract, a common allergen.  Neonatal BALB/c mice received RSV at age 3d. As adults they were challenged i.n. with 50µg HDM extract. 4 hours later, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was taken for differential cell counts, and RT-PCR performed on lung tissue for cytokine expression.  A single challenge with HDM extract resulted in expression of inflammatory cytokines including CCL2, IL-6, IL-1α and CXCL1. When mice had been neonatally primed with an RSV infection, expression of cytokine genes was significantly increased. HDM-induced BAL neutrophilia was also significantly augmented both in terms of percentages (64±10 vs 42±13%) and cell numbers (5.1±2.5 vs 2.3±1.4x10 4  cells). These data indicate that a neonatal RSV infection can have a long-term 9innate imprinting9 effect resulting in exacerbated responses to unrelated antigens in HDM.  Our findings model the clinical observation that infants hospitalised with RSV bronchiolitis are more likely to experience pulmonary immune dysregulation (including asthma and allergy) later in life. Given the lack of a safe vaccine for RSV, it is important to understand the long-term consequences of this infection.
Cancer statistics: Breast cancer in situ
Authors: Elizabeth M. Ward, Carol E. DeSantis, Chun Chieh Lin, Joan L. Kramer, Ahmedin Jemal, Betsy Kohler, Otis W. Brawley, Ted Gansler
Journal: CA A Cancer Journal for Clinicians (2015)

An estimated 60,290 new cases of breast carcinoma in situ are expected to be diagnosed in 2015, and approximately 1 in 33 women is likely to receive an in situ breast cancer diagnosis in her lifetime. Although in situ breast cancers are relatively common, their clinical significance and optimal treatment are topics of uncertainty and concern for both patients and clinicians. In this article, the American Cancer Society provides information about occurrence and treatment patterns for the 2 major subtypes of in situ breast cancer in the United States-ductal carcinoma in situ and lobular carcinoma in situ-using data from the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries and the 13 oldest Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries. The authors also present an overview of in situ breast cancer detection, treatment, risk factors, and prevention and discuss research needs and initiatives.
Prevention of adverse pulmonary consequences of myocardial ischaemia in rats
Authors: Ferenc Petak, Gergely Albu, Eniko Lele, Maurice Beghetti, Walid Habre
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

The efficiency of treatment strategies against airway hyperresponsiveness (AH) were compared following chronic postcapillary pulmonary hypertension induced by myocardial ischaemia (MI). Airway resistance (Raw) was measured in four groups of rats under baseline conditions, and following iv infusions of 2-18 μg/kg/min methacholine (MCh). Sham surgery was then performed in Group C, while the left interventricular coronary artery was ligated in the other groups without treatment (Group I), or daily treatments with combined angiotensin enzyme converter (ACE) inhibitor and diuretics (enalapril, lasix, Group IE), or a calcium channel blocker (diltiazem, Group ID). Eight weeks later, MCh provocations were repeated. Equivalent dose of MCh causing 50% increase in Raw (ED 50 ) was determined. Left atrial pressure (Pla) was estimated from the end-diastolic left ventricular pressure. Elevations in Pla to MI (6.8±1.1 [SD] vs. 15.2±1.3 mmHg in Groups C and I, respectively) were not affected by the treatment in Group ID (13.7±3.1 mmHg), whereas they were inhibited in Group IE (10.9±3.2 mmHg, p=0.005). The development of AH following MI was completely abolished in both Groups ID and IE.  These findings suggest the efficiency of combined ACE inhibitor and diuretics to protect the adverse pulmonary haemodynamical consequences of MI, while both treatment strategies have similar affinities to prevent AH.  Supported by grants SNSF 3200B0-118231 and OTKA K81179.
Phase I/II Study of Electrochemotherapy with Intravenous Bleomycin and Variable Geometry Electric Fields for the Treatment of Deep and Large Soft Tissue Tumors
Authors: S. Valpione, L.G. Campana, M. Rastrelli, A. Sommariva, A. Vecchiato, C. Aliberti, V. Chiarion-Sileni, C.R. Rossi
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2014)
Abstract 136: Gel Stiffness-tuned, Nanostructure-templated Alignment and Maturation of Cardiomyocytes For Cardiac Tissue Engineering
Authors: Eduard Sleep, Jason R Mantei, Mark T McClendon, Samuel I Stupp
Journal: Circulation Research (2014)

Objective: To investigate how the supramolecular structure and mechanical properties of hydrogels made of chemically-defined peptide amphiphiles (PAs) could influence i) the alignment of cardiomyocytes seeded in them and ii) the functional maturation of the cell construct. Methods: We generated a series of PAs with different peptide sequences that allowed us to make PA gels with stiffness values ranging three orders of magnitude. The nature of the gelation process provides these gels with same-direction oriented nanofibers along an elongated PA gel. We seeded these PA gels with either HL-1 cardiomyocytes or iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes and cultured them for up to two weeks. We then measured cell survival, proliferation and alignment over time and also the electrophysiological properties of the cell construct as a whole. Results: We found that cardiomyocytes responded to the alignment of the nanofibers in the gel by aligning to them and that this process can be tuned by changing the stiffness of the PA gel. This in turn influenced the investigated electrophysiological parameters of the cell construct suggesting a functional maturation induced by the PA gel properties. Conclusions: We believe this study shows for the first time that the nanostructural and mechanical properties of hydrogels can be exploited to influence the maturation of cardiomyocytes/cell construct. This can have important implications for strategies that aim to use ESC- or iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes in tissue engineering, as there is a need for their proper maturation and function.
Impact of social of social risk factor on treatment outcome in patients with culture positive pulmonary tuberculosis (CPPTB)
Authors: Izabela Siemion-Szczesniak, Maria Korzeniewska-Kosela, Jan Kus
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of social risk factors on treatment outcome among culture-positive patients treated for active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB).

Material and methods: We retrospectively reviewed all medical records of patients notified in 1995 and 2000 in three separate districts in Poland in years 1995 and 2000. The relation between both alcohol abuse and homelessness and poor treatment outcome was evaluated. Treatment outcome was categorized as: cured, treatment completed, treatment defaulted, treatment failure.

Results: 708 patients with culture positive PTB were included to the study (373 in 1995 and 335 in 2000). There were 85 patients with risk factors in 1995 and 101 patients in 2000. 80 of participants in 1995 and 69 in 2000 abused alcohol, 5 and 32 were homeless, respectively. Among alcohol abusers treatment success rate were 45.1% in 1995 and 53,6% in 2000. Among patients not abusing alcohol treatment success rates were 63,8% and 54,1 % , respectively (p=0.005 in 1995 and p= 0.0186 in 2000). In 1995 40% of homeless patients had succeeded treatment, while the rate of treatment success among non-homeless was 60%. The difference was not statistically significant (p=0.6532) probably because of small number of homeless patients. In 2000 treatment success rate among homeless participants was 25% and among non-homeless 57,1%, which was highly statistically significant (p=0.001).

Conclusions: Alcohol abuse and homelessness were associated with no success of treatment outcome among patients with PTB. Interventions to improve treatment adherence in patients considered to be at risk for default are necessary.
Cannabis Indica in 19th-Century Psychiatry
Authors: ERIC T. CARLSON
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1974)

The author presents a stuck of the history and usage of cannabis indicus (the 19th-century pharmacological term referring to the plant we today call cannabis sativa indica). His review of the drug's physiological and psychological effects reveals that most of the effects reported in the 1960s were known to writers of the 19th century, when the drug was alternately considered a cure for and a cause of insanity.
LSC 2013 abstract - The role of damage associated molecular patterns in the genetic susceptibility towards cigarette smoke induced neutrophilic airway inflammation
Authors: Daan Pouwels, Irene Heijink, Lisette Den Boef, Marike Boezen, Martijn Nawijn, Antoon van Oosterhout
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Damage Associated Molecular Patterns (DAMPs) that are released from necrotic epithelial cells upon exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) have been proposed to contribute to neutrophilic lung inflammation in COPD. DAMPs can activate immune cells upon ligation of pattern recognition receptors. Only 20% of smoking individuals develop COPD, indicating a role for genetic susceptibility. We hypothesize that the profile of DAMPs released upon CS exposure contributes to the susceptibility to develop neutrophilic airway inflammation.  30 Inbred mouse strains were exposed to CS or air (control) in a 5-day exposure model. Subsequently, neutrophilic airway inflammation and the DAMP profile (e.g. HMGB1, HSP70, dsDNA, mtDNA) in the BAL fluid were determined in all mice by standard morphology, ELISA and qPCR. Haplotype Association Mapping (HAM), using 4 million SNPs, was performed to identify susceptibility genes for DAMP (dsDNA) release after CS exposure.  Linear regression analysis showed a positive relation between neutrophilia and most, but not all, DAMPs. In a forward stepwise linear regression analysis dsDNA appeared to be the best predictor for neutrophilic airway inflammation. HAM analysis of dsDNA revealed several susceptibility genes contributing to DAMP release after CS exposure including genes that are functionally mapped to cell-death pathways.  In conclusion, mice susceptible for neutrophilic airway inflammation after CS exposure also show increased DAMP release which is associated with genes involved in the regulation of cell-death pathways.
Abstract 10981: Morphine Decreases Clopidogrel Concentrations and Effects: a Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Eva-Luise Hobl, Thomas Stimpfl, Raute Sunder-Plassmann, Petra Jilma, Christian Schorgenhofer, Ulla Derhaschnig, Bernd Jilma
Journal: Circulation (2013)

Background: Morphine is the recommended routine therapy of pain in patients suffering from myocardial infarction, for which clopidogrel has become a mainstay. We hypothesized that morphine lowers t...
Knowledge and practices of hospital employees on tuberculosis
Authors: Alexandros Charisis, Athima Tatsioni, Athina Gogali, Anna Efthymiou, Christos Katsanos, George Daskalopoulos, Stavros Constantopoulos, Athanasios Konstantinidis
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background: Barriers to implement prevention strategies for tuberculosis (TB) in hospitals may result from inadequate personnel knowledge and practices.

Purpose: To assess the knowledge and practices of hospital employees on TB in NW Greece.

Methods: A health visitor administered a structured questionnaire to employees in Ioannina University Hospital. Questions were related to knowledge on TB transmission route, TB infectious types, preventive measures adopted during the management of a suspected case, and suggested placement for a patient with active TB.

Results: Questionnaires were completed by 789 employees including 192 physicians, 436 nurses, 67 technicians, 72 assistants, and 22 administrators. Mean age was 41.3±7.8 years. Most (but not all) recognized saliva drops as transmission route (86.1%), and pulmonary TB as infectious (88.6%). Few recognized laryngeal TB as infectious (18.6%). Among 491, who had managed a suspected case, 75.8% used regular masks and 4.7% high protection masks. Employees who worked for at least 20 years were more likely to report regular mask (OR 1.7 95%, CI 1.1-2.7; P=0.02) and less likely high protection mask use (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.8; P=0.01) when compared with employees who started working during the last 5 years. For newly diagnosed patients, 63.6% of employees supported care in special infectious disease units, while 31.7% care in a regular hospital ward, in isolation.

Conclusion: Employees generally recognized that TB is transmitted by saliva drops and that infectious TB included pulmonary but not laryngeal type. Few of them who managed suspected cases used high protection mask. The majority supported that care to patients should be offered in infectious disease units.