tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Standardization, sensitivity and specificity of an ash (Fraxinus excelsior) pollen allergen extract
Authors: Frédéric de Blay, Ashok Purohit, Olivier Broutin, Agnès Viatte, Philippe Moingeon, Robert K. Zeldin
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background:  Ash ( Fraxinus excelsior ), a wind-pollinated tree species causing spring time pollinosis, is the main representative of the Oleaceae family in temperate zones.   Aims and objectives:  There is a need to standardize allergen extracts. Here we calibrated the biological activity of an ash pollen in-house reference preparation (IHRP) in allergic subjects and assessed the sensitivity and specificity of a prick-test solution prepared from this IHRP.   Methods:  27 ash pollen allergic subjects, with ash pollen and nOle e 1-specific serum IgEs (sIgE) >2.0 kUA/L and >0.7 kUA/L, respectively and positive ash pollen nasal challenge tests (NCT) participated. Skin prick testing (SPT) with IHRP was performed and the concentration inducing a mean wheal diameter of 7 mm was defined as 100 IR/mL. Subsequently, a 100 IR/mL solution of IHRP was assessed in 30 ash allergic subjects (history of ash allergy and ash-specific sIgE >0.7 kUA/L) and 30 non-allergic subjects (no history of allergy and ash-specific sIgE    Results:  The 100 IR/mL concentration corresponded to 1/148 weight/volume. All ash allergic subjects had a positive SPT (>3mm) and 29/30 non-allergic subjects had a negative SPT. Therefore, the sensitivity of the 100 IR/mL solution was 100% [88.6-100.0] and its specificity was 96.7% [83.3-99.4].   Conclusions:  A 100 IR/mL prick test solution for in vivo diagnosis of ash pollen allergy was shown to be highly sensitive and specific.
Rapid field detection assays for Bacillus anthracis, Brucella spp., Francisella tularensis and Yersinia pestis
Authors: P. Matero, H. Hemmilä, H. Tomaso, H. Piiparinen, K. Rantakokko-Jalava, L. Nuotio, S. Nikkari
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2010)
Could the initial use of antipseudomonal agents improve the prognosis for non-hospital acquired pneumonia?
Authors: Hiromasa Tachibana, Tadashi Ishida, Akihiiro Ito, Gen Masuda
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background: Antipseudomonal agent (APA) therapy is recommended for certain patients with non-Hospital acquired pneumonia (non-HAP). However, evidence of the initial use efficacy of APA is lacking and randomized controlled trials are difficult because of ethical restraints.  Objectives: To clarify the difference in mortality between pneumonia patients who underwent initial APA therapy and those who did not, we conducted a retrospective cohort analysis using propensity scores.  Methods: All non-HAP patients admitted to our hospital from April 2007 to June 2012 were eligible for this study. We calculated the propensity score using 69 potential confounding variables. The primary outcome was defined as the 30-day mortality of non-HAP patients and the secondary outcome as 30-day mortality for healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) patients. Using the inverse probability of treatment weights, we estimated mortality in non-HAP patients using the average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) method. For HCAP patients, we used the ATT and average treatment effect (ATE) methods.  Results: A total of 1783 non-HAP patients were enrolled in our study. In the non-HAP patient cohort, the mortality of the initial treatment and non-treatment groups were 22.2% vs 5.7% (P  Conclusions: Our analysis suggests the initial use of APA may worsen the prognosis for non-HAP and HCAP patients. Randomized control trials are required to evaluate the role of initial use of APA.
Impaired expression of ATP‐binding cassette transporter G2 and liver damage in erythropoietic protoporphyria
Authors: Satoru Hagiwara, Naoshi Nishida, Ah‐Mee Park, Toshiharu Sakurai, Akira Kawada, Masatoshi Kudo
Journal: Hepatology (2015)

Hagiwara, Satoru; Nishida, Naoshi; Park, Ah‐Mee; Sakurai, Toshiharu; Kawada, Akira; Kudo, Masatoshi Author Information
Distinct clinical characteristics of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia predominant in upper lobes
Authors: Tsuneyuki Oda, Eri Hagiwara, Tomohisa Baba, Hideya Kitamura, Atsuhito Nakazawa, Takashi Ogura
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Objectives: Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) predominant in upper lobes is not common but present in clinical practice with certain features such as severe breathlessness and poor outcome. In this study, we aimed to define clinical features in patients with this type of disease.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of all 301 patients with surgically proven IIP in our institute between 2001 and 2011. HRCT was employed to specify the distribution of the lesion. Pulmonary function, 6-minute walk test, clinical background, and outcome in patients with IIP predominant in upper lobes with pathological UIP (upper lobe UIP) were especially analyzed. The data were compared with those in UIP predominant in lower lobes (usual UIP).

Results: Nine patients of upper lobe UIP and 111 patients of usual UIP were identified in 301 patients. There was no significant difference in 6-minute walk test, smoking history or other clinical background between upper lobe UIP and usual UIP. However, significant difference between the two groups was observed in KL-6 (600 vs 1166 IU/ml), %DLCO (108.7 vs 78.0%), RV/TLC% (42.6 vs 33.6%), PaCO2 (44.6 vs 41.7 torr), and AaDO2 (7.1 vs 16.8 torr). The increase of residual volume and PaCO2 may indicate alveolar hypoventilation and contribute to the respiratory distress in patients with upper lobe UIP, even though pulmonary diffusing capacity were more likely retained. The survival time tended to be shorter in patients with upper lobe UIP.

Conclusions: Our results delineate the characteristics of upper lobe UIP and support the view that upper lobe UIP is a distinct category of IIP.
Lung cancer screening in COPD patients: NLST criteria vs a COPD screening score
Authors: Juan de Torres, David Wilson, Pablo Sanchez, Joel Weissfeld, Ana Belen Alcaide, Arantza Campo, Usua Montes, Javier Zulueta
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Objective: To explore NLST criteria among COPD patients and to develop a COPD-tailored score that improves it9s predictive capability for LC risk.  Methods: We analyzed the databases from the Pamplona-IELCAP LC screening study (P-IELCAP) and the Pittsburgh Lung Screening Study (PLuSS). Only patients with spirometricaly proven COPD were included. NLST criteria were applied to both populations. By logistic regression we determined which factors were independently associated with LC, and then developed a COPD screening score (COPDss).  Results:  Forty-eight percent of COPD patients in P-IELCAP and 30% in PluSS did not meet NLST criteria (Table 1, panel A), resulting in the exclusion of 33% and 22% of lung cancers in each cohort, respectively (panel B). Factors associated with lung cancer risk are shown in Table 2. Variables finally included in the calculation of the COPDss are shown in Table 3. Figure 1 shows the ROC for NLST criteria and for COPDss in each COPD cohort (panels 2 & 3), and in both combined (panel 1).  Conclusions: In patients with COPD undergoing screening, NLST criteria results in the exclusion of a large proportion of patients with LC. The COPDss improves the prediction of lung cancer risk among COPD patients.
Multiple brain metastases are associated with poor survival in patients treated with surgery and radiotherapy.
Authors: M B Hazuka, W D Burleson, D N Stroud, C E Leonard, K O Lillehei, J J Kinzie
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1993)

PURPOSE A retrospective analysis was performed to evaluate the role of surgery in the management of patients with solitary and multiple brain metastases. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between 1980 and 1990, 46 patients underwent surgical resection of brain metastases at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. All but two patients received postoperative whole-brain radiotherapy to a median total dose of 30 Gy (range, 11.4 Gy to 50.0 Gy). Lung was the most common (56%) primary site and adenocarcinoma was the most common (46%) tumor histology. Twenty-eight of 46 patients (61%) had solitary metastases, while the remaining 18 patients had two or more foci. RESULTS The median survival of all 46 patients was 11 months, and the 1- and 2-year survival rates were 40% and 12%, respectively. Moderately severe to severe neurologic impairment at the time of diagnosis and the presence of multiple brain metastases were associated with a significantly poorer survival. In patients with solitary metastasis, gross total resection and adenocarcinoma tumor histology significantly prolonged survival, whereas primary tumor site, the presence of active extracranial disease, and radiation dose had no significant effect on survival. CONCLUSION These results are consistent with a recent randomized study supporting the role of surgery and whole-brain radiation therapy in the management of patients with solitary brain metastases. We would caution against the generalization of this concept to patients with two or more brain metastases.
Remote Ischemic Preconditioning and Postoperative Renal Dysfunction
Authors: Andrew Redington, Christopher Caldarone
Journal: JAMA (2015)

To the Editor The Editorial by Drs Pan and Sheikh-Hamad1 accompanied the study by Zarbock et al2 showing a beneficial effect of remote ischemic preconditioning on the incidence of postoperative renal dysfunction in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery: incidence and risk factors according to clinical presentation
Authors: A. Lemaignen, G. Birgand, W. Ghodhbane, S. Alkhoder, I. Lolom, S. Belorgey, F.-X. Lescure, L. Armand-Lefevre, R. Raffoul, M.-P. Dilly, P. Nataf, J.C. Lucet
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2015)
PD-002 Impact of the definition of time to event endpoint on randomized clinical trials results in oncology (DATECAN-2): an analysis of 9 pancreatic cancer trials
Authors: A. Pam, D. Vernerey, B. Chauffert, C. Louvet, F. Levi, H. Galjaard, S. Gourgou, C. Bellera, A. Anota, F. Bonnetain
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2015)
Health Outcomes After External-Beam Radiation Therapy for Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer: Results From the Prostate Cancer Outcomes Study
Authors: A. S. Hamilton, J. L. Stanford, F. D. Gilliland, P. C. Albertsen, R. A. Stephenson, R. M. Hoffman, J. W. Eley, L. C. Harlan, A. L. Potosky
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2001)

PURPOSE: Studies reporting effects of radiotherapy for prostate cancer on sexual, bowel, and urinary function have been conducted primarily in referral centers or academic institutions. Effects of external-beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer among a population-based cohort were assessed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population included 497 white, Hispanic, and African-American men with localized prostate cancer from six US cancer registries who were diagnosed between October 1, 1994, and October 31, 1995, and treated initially with external-beam radiotherapy. They were interviewed at regular intervals, and medical records were reviewed. Distributions of responses for bowel-, urinary-, and sexual-related functions at 6, 12, and 24 months after diagnosis and adjusted mean composite change scores for each domain were analyzed. RESULTS: Declines of 28.9% in the sexual function score and 5.4% in the bowel function score occurred by 24 months, whereas at this time, the urinary function score was relatively unchanged. A total of 43% of those who were potent before diagnosis became impotent after 24 months. More than two thirds of the men were satisfied with their treatment and would make the same decision again. CONCLUSION: Sexual function was the most adversely affected quality-of-life domain, with problems continuing to increase between 12 and 24 months. Bowel function problems increased at 6 months, with partial resolution observed by 24 months. Despite the side effects, satisfaction with therapy was high. These results are representative of men in community practice settings and may be of assistance to men and to clinicians when making treatment decisions.
Motivation to quit smoking among patients with atherosclerosis compared with asymptomatic smokers
Authors: Anna Sokalska, Joanna Domagala-Kulawik
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Smoking habit is a severe factor of risk that exacerbates diseases of human organs accenting pulmonary diseases. It is worth to assess the range of addiction and motivation to quit smoking among patients suffering from one of the form of atherosclerosis- peripheral arterial disease(PAD).  The objective of this study was to compare the stage of addiction and the level of motivation to quit smoking of patients with PAD with asymptomatic smokers.  30 patients with PAD and 40 asymptomatic smokers were examined using Schneider motivation test (Sm) and Fagerstrom Test (FT) for Nicotine Dependence. The clinical data was collected: Fontaine9s classification, number of pack- years, amputation episodes, amount of hospitalization, age and associated diseases.  Sm score of patients with PAD is higher (8,8 points) than motivation of asymptomatic smokers (8,6 points) whereas the stage of addiction is lower (5,2) in contrast to the control group(5,7)-difference not significant. There is a significantly higher score of Sm among patient with amputation versus patient without (p  Patients with PAD represent a very specific group which is required to provide an effective way of addiction recovery. The higher is the level of disability correlated with amputation episodes, ischemia and IHD, the more significant is the score of Sm. The participation of the second- hand smoke is the agent which affects the PAD course.
Abstract 908: Efficacy of Statin Treatment in Normocholesterolemic Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: Evaluation by Integrated Backscatter Intravascular Ultrasound: 6-month Prospective Study
Authors: Kiyoshi Iida, Shigemasa Tani, Michiaki Matsumoto, Hirofumi Kawamata, Narimichi Kumabe, Takeo Anazawa, Ken Nagao, Atsushi Hirayama
Journal: Circulation (2008)

Few data exist regarding the effect of statins, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, on tissue characterization on coronary plaques in normocholesterolemic patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to clarify statin-induced the change in tissue characteristics on coronary atherogenesis in normocholesterolemic patients using an integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound (IB-IVUS). We compared plaque characteristics on IB-IVUS and serum lipid markers in normocholesterolemic patients with CAD (n = 26) at baseline and after 6-month statin treatment. Totally, 1,288 (each of 644 lesions at baseline and after 6-month) non-target coronary lesions with mild to moderate stenosis were measured. After 6-month treatment, significant decrease in percentage lipid pool area (from 49 ± 10 to 46 ± 10%, p &lt; 0.05) and increase in percentage dense fibrous plaque area (from 50 ± 9% to 53 ± 9%, p &lt; 0.05) were found. Compared to the baseline values, there were significant reduction in serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (111 ± 34 vs. 97 ± 28 mg/dL, p &lt; 0.005) and significant increase in serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (46 ± 13 vs. 49 ± 12 mg/dL, p &lt; 0.05). Percent changes in HDL-cholesterol levels were inversely correlated with changes in %lipid pool (r = 0.40, p &lt; 0.05) and positively correlated with changes in %fibrous plaque (r = 0.44, p &lt; 0.05). We demonstrated that six months statin treatment changed in tissue characteristics towards coronary plaque stabilization, accompanying the changes in HDL-cholesterol levels. These results provide further support for the beneficial effect of statin on tissue characteristics on coronary artery in CAD patients with not only hypercholesterolemia but also normocholesterolemia.
Bronchiectasis: Current Concepts in Pathogenesis, Immunology, and Microbiology
Authors: Rosemary J. Boyton, Daniel M. Altmann
Journal: Annual Review of Pathology Mechanisms of Disease (2016)

Bronchiectasis is a disorder of persistent lung inflammation and recurrent infection, defined by a common pathological end point: irreversible bronchial dilatation arrived at through diverse etiologies. This suggests an interplay between immunogenetic susceptibility, immune dysregulation, bacterial infection, and lung damage. The damaged epithelium impairs mucus removal and facilitates bacterial infection with increased cough, sputum production, and airflow obstruction. Lung infection is caused by respiratory bacterial and fungal pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Haemophilus, Aspergillus fumigatus, and nontuberculous mycobacteria. Recent studies have highlighted the relationship between the lung microbiota and microbial-pathogen niches. Disease may result from environments favoring interleukin-17-driven neutrophilia. Bronchiectasis may present in autoimmune disease, as well as conditions of immune dysregulation, such as combined variable immune deficiency, transporter associated with antigen processing-deficiency syndrome, and hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome. Differences in prevalence across geography and ethnicity implicate an etiological mix of genetics and environment underpinning susceptibility.
Effects of two immunosuppressive triple therapies on inflammatory cells in lung
Authors: Francine Maria Almeida, Maristela Prado e Silva, Sonia Fatima Soto, Aristides Tadeu Correia, Paulo Pêgo-Fernandes, Rogerio Pazetti
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Historically the principal immunosuppression therapy on lung transplantation consisted of cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisone. However, the most commonly used immunosuppressive regimen in both adult and pediatric patients in the last decade is tacrolimus, mycophenolate, and prednisone. Our aim was to compare the effects of the two therapies concerning inflammatory profile. Ninety Wistar rats were divided into three groups: Control, saline solution 0.9% (2.5 mL/kg); Therapy I, tacrolimus (1 mg/kg) + mycophenolate (30 mg/kg) + prednisone (1.25 mg/kg) and Therapy II, cyclosporine (10 mg/kg) + azathioprine (3 mg/kg) + prednisone (1.25 mg/kg). Animals were treated by gavage daily for 7, 15 or 30 days. After these periods, inflammatory cell counts were performed in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), blood smears and lung tissue. In BAL, total cells, neutrophils, macrophages were increased in Therapy I at 15 days in comparison with both Control and Therapy II groups (p=0.001). In blood smears, neutrophils was increased at 7, 15 and 30 days in Therapy I and Therapy II in comparison with Control group (p<0.012), but percentage of monocytes decreased at 7 days in both Therapies versus Control. In lung tissue, polymorphonuclear cells were increased in Therapy I at all times in comparison with Control and Therapy II groups (p<0.020). Mononuclear cells were higher at 7, 15 and 30 days on Therapy I and Therapy II in comparison with Control group (p=0.001). Both therapies, mainly Therapy I, increased the influx of inflammatory cells in BAL, blood and lung tissue up to 30 days.
Role of Adjuvant and Posttreatment Exercise Programs in Breast Health
Authors: Jennifer A. Ligibel
Journal: Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2011)

Growing evidence suggests that physical activity may be an important part of survivorship care for women with a history of breast cancer. Observational evidence suggests that women who are physically active after breast cancer diagnosis have a 30% to 50% lower risk of breast cancer recurrence, breast cancer death, and overall death compared with sedentary individuals. Although randomized controlled trials have not been performed to test the ability of exercise to improve outcomes in women with early-stage breast cancer, many small intervention studies have shown the safety and potential benefits of exercise in the adjuvant and posttreatment settings. These studies have shown that physical activity can be performed safely both during and after adjuvant treatment for breast cancer, and that women who increase physical activity in these settings experience improvements in fitness, strength, quality of life, and other end points. Although more research is needed to fully define the role of exercise in breast cancer survivors, the many proven benefits of physical activity have led the American Cancer Society and American College of Sports Medicine to encourage regular participation in moderate-intensity recreational activity for most breast cancer survivors. This article reviews the growing evidence that exercise could be an important part of breast cancer survivorship, and describes current exercise guidelines for breast cancer survivors.
Enlarging the lung donor pool by using extended criteria donors; a single-center study
Authors: Jana Somers, Caroline Meers, Shana Wauters, Stijn Verleden, Annemie Vaneylen, Bart Vanaudenaerde, Geert Verleden, Dirk Van Raemdonck
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Previous studies have reported comparable medium-term outcome after lung transplantation(LTx)from extended-criteria donors(ECD)when compared to standard-criteria donors(SCD). However, long-term outcome after LTx from ECDs is not well studied.  All effective heart-beating lung donors within our hospital network between 2006 and 2007(n=50)were classified(SCDn=23;ECDn=27)according to the criteria listed in Table 1. Lung recipients were followed up to 5 years. Survival,rates of acute and chronic rejection, pulmonary function(VC,FEV1),total and differential cell count and IL8 levels in BAL were compared between groups. IL8 concentration was measured in BAL using standard ELISA. Differences in donor groups were assessed using Fisher9s exact test, unpaired t-test, Mann-Whitney test or repeated measurements ANOVA. Survival curves were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test.  No significant differences were seen in 5-year survival(87%vs.70%;p=0.14), freedom from BOS(70%vs.63%;p=0.44), rate of acute rejection, pulmonary function, total and differential cell count of lymphocytes and neutrophils between lung recipients from both donor groups. A significant difference in the course of IL8 concentration over time after LTx was observed(p=0.002)between SCDs and ECDs.  The acceptance of ECDs doubled the number of transplants performed annually. This policy did not negatively influence long-term results after LTx.