tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of contact allergy in the general population in different European regions
Authors: T.L. Diepgen, R.F. Ofenloch, M. Bruze, P. Bertuccio, S. Cazzaniga, P.-J. Coenraads, P. Elsner, M. Goncalo, Å. Svensson, L. Naldi
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2015)

Population-based studies about contact allergy are scarce.To obtain reliable estimates of the prevalence of contact allergy in the general population in Europe.A cross-sectional study of a random sample from the general population, aged 18-74 years, in five different European countries (Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Portugal). In total, 12 377 subjects were interviewed and a random sample (n = 3119) patch tested to TRUE Test panels 1-3 and Fragrance Mix (FM) II, hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde (HICC) and sesquiterpene lactone mix. A positive patch test reaction is considered as contact allergy.In total, 27·0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 25·5-28·5] had at least one positive reaction to an allergen of the European baseline series, with a significantly higher prevalence in women than in men. The highest age-standardized prevalences (≥ 1%) were found for nickel (14·5%, 95% CI 13·2-15·8), thiomersal (5·0%, 95% CI 4·2-5·8), cobalt (2·2%, 95% CI 1·7-2·7), FM II (1·9%, 95% CI 1·5-2·5), FM I (1·8%, 95% CI 1·4-2·3), HICC (1·4%, 95% CI 1·0-1·9), p-tert-butylphenol formaldehyde resin (1·3%, 95% CI 0·9-1·7) and para-phenylenediamine (1·0%, 95% CI 0·6-1·3). Only nickel and thiomersal showed a statistically significantly different prevalence for contact allergy among the different European populations. Subjects reporting contact dermatitis in their lifetime (age-standardized prevalence 15·1%, 95% CI 13·8-16·3) had an increased risk for contact allergy (odds ratio 1·9, 95% CI 1·5-2·5). The risk of having a contact allergy was not increased in those with atopic dermatitis (prevalence 7·6%, 95% CI 6·7-8·6; odds ratio 1·0, 95% CI 0·7-1·4).Contact allergy to at least one allergen of the European baseline series was diagnosed in more than one-quarter of the general European population. Therefore measures to improve the primary prevention of contact allergy have to be enforced.
Longevity Is Linked to Mitochondrial Mutation Rates in Rockfish: A Test Using Poisson Regression
Authors: Xia Hua, Peter Cowman, Dan Warren, Lindell Bromham
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2015)

The mitochondrial theory of ageing proposes that the cumulative effect of biochemical damage in mitochondria causes mitochondrial mutations and plays a key role in ageing. Numerous studies have applied comparative approaches to test one of the predictions of the theory: That the rate of mitochondrial mutations is negatively correlated with longevity. Comparative studies face three challenges in detecting correlates of mutation rate: Covariation of mutation rates between species due to ancestry, covariation between life-history traits, and difficulty obtaining accurate estimates of mutation rate. We address these challenges using a novel Poisson regression method to examine the link between mutation rate and lifespan in rockfish (Sebastes). This method has better performance than traditional sister-species comparisons when sister species are too recently diverged to give reliable estimates of mutation rate. Rockfish are an ideal model system: They have long life spans with indeterminate growth and little evidence of senescence, which minimizes the confounding tradeoffs between lifespan and fecundity. We show that lifespan in rockfish is negatively correlated to rate of mitochondrial mutation, but not the rate of nuclear mutation. The life history of rockfish allows us to conclude that this relationship is unlikely to be driven by the tradeoffs between longevity and fecundity, or by the frequency of DNA replications in the germline. Instead, the relationship is compatible with the hypothesis that mutation rates are reduced by selection in long-lived taxa to reduce the chance of mitochondrial damage over its lifespan, consistent with the mitochondrial theory of ageing.
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome as factor of arrhythmic syndrome emergence and increase of cardiovascular risk in patients with COPD
Authors: O.S. Khmel, V.V. Rodionova, L.A. Glinyana, N.A. But
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Purpose:to define the correlation between degree of cardiovascular risk, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS), and frequency of arrhythmias in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases(COPD).  Design:were examined 42 patients in the age of 57,63±2,78 years with COPD stage II(83%) and stage III(17%)(GOLD 2011). Duration of disease was 11-23 years.64% of patients were smoking, index of smoking-15,3±0,52 pack-years. Control group included 15 practically healthy persons. Basic therapy was held according to GOLD2011.  Methods:Holter monitor test with spectral analysis of heart rhythm variability, rheopneumography with definition of apnoea/hypopnoea index(AHI), six-minute walk test(6MWT), calculation of cardiovascular risk according to the scale SCORE.  Results:69% of patients had OSAS of mild and 24% - of moderate stage(p  Conclusions:93% of patients with COPD had OSAS, evidently increased risk for life threatening arrhythmias and fatal complications.
Surveillance of Duodenal Polyps in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis: Progress Report
Authors: Karen P Nugent, Allan D Spigelman, Christopher B Williams, Ian C Talbot, Robin K S Phillips
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1994)

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is characterized by the presence of premalignant adenomas of the large and small bowel. Prophylactic colectomy deals with the risk for colon cancer, leaving duodenal cancer as the leading cause of death. Although most FAP patients have duodenal adenomas, only approximately 5% develop duodenal cancer. This study looks at progression of duodenal polyps with time. The outcome of endoscopic surveillance in the duodenum of 70 patients with familial adenomatous polyposis was determined. A mean of 40 months elapsed between endoscopies. Outcome was measured using video comparison and a staging system that includes histological assessment. Duodenal cancer developed in one patient, and was suspected in two others. The stage of duodenal polyposis worsened in another seven patients. When histology was ignored, comparison of video recordings in 52 patients showed a worsening in 21 (40%). In conclusion, further surveillance appears warranted so that patients at high risk for duodenal cancer might receive early treatment. Should slow progression of duodenal polyposis be shown to be associated with low risk, then most patients can be safely offered less frequent endoscopies than hitherto.
Shape change of the occlusion-pressure wave during exercise
Authors: A Loiseau, P Loiseau, C Dubreuil, JC Pujet
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1990)

In conscious subjects, the occlusion pressure measured in the initial part of the inspiration (up to 200 ms) appears to be a valid index of output of the respiratory centres. To interpret any relative change in occlusion pressure, the shape of the occlusion-pressure wave must remain absolutely constant. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the shape of occlusion-pressure wave does not change during exercise. However, we found that the shape changed significantly during cycle incremental-load exercise in five healthy subjects and in 12 of 17 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The major change appeared during the second half of the exercise and mainly during the last workloads. This study shows that it is necessary to take into consideration this form change to interpret any relative change in mechanical transforms of the inspiratory neural output such as pressure at 0.1 s (P0.1) and mean inspiratory flow (VT/TI) or their ratio. This finding confirms, in direct fashion, the expected form change from previous data in which P0.1 is thought to measure the rate of change in chest wall muscle pressure (Pmus) over a segment somewhat removed from the onset of neural inspiration.
SMO Gene Amplification and Activation of the Hedgehog Pathway as Novel Mechanisms of Resistance to Anti-Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Drugs in Human Lung Cancer
Authors: Carminia Maria Della Corte, Claudio Bellevicine, Giovanni Vicidomini, Donata Vitagliano, Umberto Malapelle, Marina Accardo, Alessio Fabozzi, Alfonso Fiorelli, Morena Fasano, Federica Papaccio, Erika Martinelli, Teresa Troiani, Giancarlo Troncone, Mario Santini, Roberto Bianco, Fortunato Ciardiello, Floriana Morgillo
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2015)

Resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) of EGF receptor (EGFR) is often related to activation of other signaling pathways and evolution through a mesenchymal phenotype.Because the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway has emerged as an important mediator of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), we studied the activation of Hh signaling in models of EGFR-TKIs intrinsic or acquired resistance from both EGFR-mutated and wild-type (WT) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines.Activation of the Hh pathway was found in both models of EGFR-mutated and EGFR-WT NSCLC cell line resistant to EGFR-TKIs. In EGFR-mutated HCC827-GR cells, we found SMO (the Hh receptor) gene amplification, MET activation, and the functional interaction of these two signaling pathways. In HCC827-GR cells, inhibition of SMO or downregulation of GLI1 (the most important Hh-induced transcription factor) expression in combination with MET inhibition exerted significant antitumor activity.In EGFR-WT NSCLC cell lines resistant to EGFR inhibitors, the combined inhibition of SMO and EGFR exerted a strong antiproliferative activity with a complete inhibition of PI3K/Akt and MAPK phosphorylation. In addition, the inhibition of SMO by the use of LDE225 sensitizes EGFR-WT NSCLC cells to standard chemotherapy.This result supports the role of the Hh pathway in mediating resistance to anti-EGFR-TKIs through the induction of EMT and suggests new opportunities to design new treatment strategies in lung cancer.
Positive airway pressure devices in postoperative bariatric surgery: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Eli Maria Pazzianotto-Forti, Patrícia Brigatto, Jéssica Cristina Carbinatto, Carolina Moraes da Costa, Maria Imaculada Lima-Montebello, Irineu Rasera-Jr
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Introduction:Positive pressure in the airways can contribute to the restoration of lung volumes and capacities in post operative. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the application of bilevel positive airway pressure in the post-bariatric surgery may be more effective than when applied expiratory and inspiratory positive pressure separately in restoring lung volume and capacity, and thoracic mobility. Methods: Sixty morbidly obese, hospitalized for bariatric surgery, were evaluated. The pulmonary function and thoracic mobility were evaluated preoperatively and reevaluated on the 1st postoperative day. After evaluations the volunteers were randomized and allocated into groups, according to the following treatment: G EPAP, received expiratory positive airway pressure (n=20), G IPPB intermittent positive pressure breathing (n=20) and G BIPAP bilevel positive airway pressure (n=20). All the groups received these interventions, besides conventional physiotherapy, in 6 sets of 15 breaths or 30 minutes, twice a day in the immediate postoperative period and on the 1st postoperative day. Results: The results revealed significant reduction in spirometric variables postoperatively , regardless of the resource used, with no significant difference among the techniques, and preservation of thoracic mobility only in G BIPAP . Conclusions:It was concluded that the application of BIPAP may be considered more effective than when applied inspiratory and expiratory positive pressure separately in relation to the thoracic mobility preservation. However, it showed no efficacy or superiority in restoring lung volume and capacity of women in postoperative of bariatric surgery.FAPESP 2013/06334-8.
Should psychiatric hospitals completely ban smoking?
Authors: Deborah Arnott, Simon Wessely, Michael Fitzpatrick
Journal: BMJ (2015)

A "smoking culture" leads to disproportionate harm among people with serious mental health problems, argue <b>Deborah Arnott</b> and <b>Simon Wessely</b>. But <b>Michael Fitzpatrick</b> thinks it unethical to deprive patients of autonomy and impose treatment
Lymphoma diagnosis on computed tomography guided needle aspiration and biopsy
Authors: S Rouhi, M Bakhshayesh Karam
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background:  In recent years, CT-guided biopsy is going to be replaced with open biopsy for Lymphoma diagnosis.   Objectives:  This study was designed to assess Lymphoma diagnosis on CT-guided biopsy and to identify the complication rate of procedure.   Methods:  We evaluated 78 CT-guided biopsies of mediastinal lesions performed from March 2004 to December 2008, retrospectively. All biopsies were performed by one radiologist. The CTs were assessed by a trained general practitioner for the size and location of lesions and pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum diagnosis and then all CTs were double checked by the same radiologist. Lesions considered benign or malignant and lymphoma based on pathology reports.   Results:  Biopsy yielded sufficient tissue for pathologic examination in 63 cases (80.77%); 14 lesions (17.9%) were benign and 49 lesions (62.8%) were malignant. In malignant masses 15 Lymphoma (30.6%) and 20 other kinds of tumors (46.8%) were found. Moreover, 1 1malignant lesions had no differentiation. Among Lymphoma lesions, there were 7 (46.7%) Hodgkin, 5 (33.33%) Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and 3 (20%) Lymphoma without differentiation. Pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum as complications did not present in any case.   Conclusion:  CT-guided needle biopsy seems to be reliable as a less invasive diagnostic modality with low risk probability of complications for Lymphoma.
Abstract 575: NKX6.1 functions as a tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Hsin-Jung Li, Yu-Lueng Shih, Ming-De Yan, Pei-Ning Yu, Ya-Wen Lin
Journal: Cancer Research (2014)

Abstract In addition to genetic alterations, epigenetic alterations have been increasingly recognized as a key event for carcinogenesis. Methylation of CpG islands in promoter regions is almost associated with transcriptional silencing and is implicated in tumor suppressor gene (TSG) inactivation in cancer cells. Our previous data showed that NKX6.1 promoter is hypermethylated and downregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines. The goal of this study was to elucidate whether NKX6.1 is a tumor suppressor gene in HCC. All HCC samples with NKX6.1 promoter hypermethylation showed downregulation of NKX6.1 expression using quantitative methylation-specific PCR and quantitative RT-PCR analysis. In addition, the expression of NKX6.1 in HCC cell lines can be restored by treatment with DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor, 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine. These findings indicate that NKX6.1 is frequently silenced in HCC via promoter methylation. We then cloned and determined the putative promoter of NKX6.1 by luciferase reporter assay. The Sp1 site in the NKX6.1 promoter region is important for the promoter activity. When we treated cells with Trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), the NKX6.1 promoter activity increased. These data suggest that promoter methylation and histone modification may take part in the epigenetic silencing of NKX6.1 in HCC. Overexpression of NKX6.1 significantly suppressed transformation in HepG2 and SK-Hep1 cells; however, there is no significant effect on cell viability. Moreover we use a xenograft model to demonstrate the suppressor effects of NKX6.1 on tumor formation in vivo. Taken together, these data suggest that NKX6.1 might be a candidate tumor suppressor in HCC in vitro and in vivo. Citation Format: Hsin-Jung Li, Yu-Lueng Shih, Ming-De Yan, Pei-Ning Yu, Ya-Wen Lin. NKX6.1 functions as a tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 575. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-575
Oxygen saturation and perfusion changes during dermatological methylaminolaevulinate photodynamic therapy
Authors: J. Tyrrell, C. Thorn, A. Shore, S. Campbell, A. Curnow
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2011)

Methylaminolaevulinate (MAL)-photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a successful topical treatment for a number of (pre)cancerous dermatological conditions. In combination, light of the appropriate wavelength, the photosensitizer protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) and tissue oxygen result in the production of singlet oxygen and reactive oxygen species inducing cell death.This study investigates real-time changes in localized tissue blood oxygen saturation and perfusion in conjunction with PpIX fluorescence monitoring for the first time during dermatological MAL-PDT.Oxygen saturation, perfusion and PpIX fluorescence were monitored noninvasively utilizing optical reflectance spectroscopy, laser Doppler perfusion imaging and a fluorescence imaging system, respectively. Patients attending for standard dermatological MAL-PDT were recruited to this ethically approved study and monitored prior to, during and after light irradiation.Significant reductions in mean blood oxygen saturation (P < 0·005) and PpIX fluorescence (P < 0·001) were observed within the first minute of irradiation (4·75 J cm(-2) ) while, in contrast, perfusion was observed to increase significantly (P < 0·01) during treatment. The changes in oxygen saturation and PpIX fluorescence were positively correlated during the initial phase of treatment (r(2) = 0·766).Rapid reductions in the localized blood oxygen saturation have been observed for the first time to occur clinically within the initial minutes of light irradiation and positively correlate with the concurrent PpIX photobleaching. Furthermore, perfusion increases, suggesting that the microvasculature compensates for the PDT-induced oxygen depletion.
Tissue Perfusion Inhomogeneity During Early Tumor Growth in Rats&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="fn2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: B Endrich, H S Reinhold, J F Gross, M Intaglietta
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1979)

Tissue perfusion in BA 1112 sarcomas of WAG inbred Rijswijk rats was determined from in vivo measurements of capillary density, length, and erythrocyte velocity in modified Algire chamber preparations. Studies were done with the use of television techniques in situ during a period of 26 days, both in control chambers and after implantation of a 0.1-mm3 piece of tumor tissue. Perfusion in control areas void of tumor tissue. Perfusion in control areas void of tumor was approximately 8-10 ml/minute/100 g of tissue. Flow in active tumor growth regions on the outward side of the tumor edge was through undifferentiated channels and had characteristics of flow through a porous medium. Despite enhanced arterial supply, the stabilized tumor microcirculation at the inward side of the growing tumor retained its perfusion rate constant (15-18 ml/min/100 g). Perfusion in central portions of the tumor was about 2-4 ml/minute/100 g during 12 days, whereas the tumor doubled in diameter. Our findings support the concept of temporal and functional blood flow inhomogeneity in the microcirculation of spreading tumors.
Hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension: Synergistic effects of sildenafil and erythropoietin in mice
Authors: Victor Samillan, Thomas Haider, Johannes Vogel, Max Gassmann, Louise Ostergaard
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

The term pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) describes a group of diseases characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial pressure. The cause can be due to several vascular changes, including pulmonary remodeling. If left untreated, patients might die from right heart failure within an average of three years. The present study was designed to investigate single and combination therapy with erythropoietin (epo) and sildenafil on hypoxia-induced PAH.  Mice were randomized, first in a normoxic and a hypoxic group and second to receive saline, epo, sildenafil or epo and sildenafil. Epo was injected three times per weekly (500 IU/kg) and sildenafil daily (10 mg/kg). The animals were exposed to three weeks of either hypoxia (10 % oxygen) or normoxia, after which they underwent the different treatments for an additional two weeks. Immunohistochemistry was performed to elucidate changes in morphology. Plasma levels of cardiotrophin-1 and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were measured. The pulmonary pressure was estimated using right heart catherization.  On average the hypoxic mice lost approximately 20 % of their body weight. This was reduced to 5 % for the group receiving the combination treatment. The hypoxia-induced increase in right ventricular hypertrophy and medial wall thickness of pulmonary arterioles was significantly attenuated with the combination therapy. Similar results were also observed for cardiotrophin-1 and ANP levels.  The combination treatment with epo and sildenafil demonstrated an improvement in the clinical outcome in hypoxia-induced PAH in rodents, superior to that observed for either drug given alone.
Dyadic Relationship Conflict, Gender, and Mortality in Urban Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: PAUL L. KIMMEL, ROLF A. PETERSON, KAREN L. WEIHS, NICOLE SHIDLER, SAMUEL J. SIMMENS, SYLVAN ALLEYNE, ILLUMINADO CRUZ, JACK A. YANOVSKI, JUDITH H. VEIS, TERRY M. PHILLIPS
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2000)

Abstract. The effects of dyadic satisfaction and conflict have not been well defined in the hemodialysis (HD) population. The aim of this study was to determine whether the perception of decreased dyadic satisfaction was associated with mortality in patients treated with HD, and if so, whether there were different relationships between risk factors, and differential outcomes in men and women. A total of 174 HD patients, primarily African-Americans, involved in dyadic relationships for more than 6 mo had indices of dyadic satisfaction, depression, perception of illness effects, social support, behavioral compliance with the dialysis prescription, and plasma interleukin-1 (IL-1) and β-endorphin levels measured. Cox proportional hazards models assessed relative mortality risks. Patients' dyadic satisfaction scores correlated with β-endorphin levels. There was no correlation of IL-1 or β-endorphin with any psychosocial or behavioral compliance measure in the group as a whole. Correlations between psychosocial, medical, and neuroimmunologic variables were different in men and women. For women, dyadic satisfaction correlated with β-endorphin levels, depression, and perception of illness. Women with higher dyadic satisfaction and decreased dyadic conflict were at decreased mortality risk, but dyadic adjustment indices were unassociated with differential survival in the larger group of men. Correlations between neuroendocrine and immune markers are different in African-American male and female HD patients. Greater dyadic satisfaction and lower dyadic conflict are independently associated with decreased mortality in female African-American HD patients, of the same order of magnitude as medical risk factors. Such effects may be attributable to a relationship between dyadic satisfaction and conflict and health-related behaviors, or through an effect on neuroendocrine or immunologic status.