tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Effects of outdoor temperature and humidity on methacholine challenge tests
Authors: Bruno Sposato, Marco Scalese, Andrea Pammolli, Maurizio Di Tomassi, Maria G. Migliorini, Raffaele Scala, Mario Naldi
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

This study tried to evaluate whether outdoor daily temperature (T) and humidity (H) can influence methacholine test results in outpatients living in temperate climate areas. 4,723 subjects (2391 males; age 35.1±16.15; FEV 1  100.36% [IQR: 92.34-108.8]) that performed a methacholine test for a suspected bronchial asthma between 2000 and 2010 were considered. Mean outdoor temperatures (°C) and relative humidity (%), registered when the test was performed, were considered. Patients with bronchial hyperresponsiveness (PD 20  20  were 359 μg [IQR: 160-967]. On receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis, temperature and humidity did not significantly predict hyperresponsiveness (AUC: 0.5); an AUC of 0.55 for temperature was found only in subjects aged  20°C and H 80%), no differences in hyperresponsiveness prevalence and in PD 20  were found. A significantly positive relationship between PD 20  and BMI was detected in subjects aged from 36 to 51 (r: 0.079; p: 0.031) and in those with severe hyperresponsiveness (PD 20
Intake of alcohol and risk of adult-onset asthma
Authors: Sofie Lieberoth, Vibeke Backer, Kirsten Ohm Kyvik, Allan Linneberg, Simon Francis Thomsen
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Aim: To examine the association between intake of alcohol and risk of adult-onset asthma.

Methods: Using data from two multidisciplinary questionnaire surveys we prospectively studied 19,349 twins, 12-41 years of age, enrolled in the nationwide Danish Twin Registry.

Results: The eight-year incidence of asthma was 4.3%. After adjustment for sex, age, BMI, educational level and smoking the risk of new-onset asthma was significantly related to alcohol intake in a U-shaped manner with the lowest risk observed in the group with a moderate weekly intake of alcohol, p=0.02. The highest risk of asthma was observed in rare/never drinkers, OR=1.45 (1.17-1.82), p=0.001, whereas the risk of asthma in heavy daily drinkers was also increased, however not statistically significant, OR=1.26 (0.63-2.50), p=0.514. After adjustment for overall intake of alcohol, preference for beer drinking was associated with an increased risk of asthma compared with no preference, OR=1.29 (1.03-1.61), p=0.01.

Conclusions: Alcohol intake appears to increase the risk of new-onset asthma in adults with a U-shaped association between amount of alcohol intake and the risk of asthma.
Adaptive behavioral responses to potential infertility among survivors of testis cancer.
Authors: P P Rieker, E M Fitzgerald, L A Kalish
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1990)

In a retrospective study of 153 testis cancer survivors, we examined the sociodemographic and clinical determinants of attitudes and behaviors toward illness-induced infertility. Five fertility adjustment responses were identified: sperm-banking awareness (SBA); adoption awareness (AA); fertility testing (FT); trying to father children (TFC); and fertility distress (FD). Although responses to infertility are multidetermined, these data demonstrate there is a distinct sociodemographic and clinical profile for the subgroups of men who engage in different fertility-related behaviors. Multivariate analysis results show that men most likely to be concerned with banking sperm are those who at diagnosis are younger (less than 35 years), childless, college educated, and whose relationships have become strained. Men who sought fertility tests were childless, college graduates, and able to ejaculate. The only factor predicting adoption was childlessness. Those married men attempting to father children were also less than 35 years of age at diagnosis and without ejaculatory dysfunction. The men at greatest risk for continued distress about infertility were those who remained childless and had posttreatment ejaculatory dysfunction. Residual infertility distress also was significantly associated with treatments that included extensive retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) surgery, indicating that the latter is a "risk factor" in survivors' long-term distress. These data, while not definitive, show that the prerogative to have children is very important to men and that losing it sets into motion a range of both adverse emotions and adaptive responses. Adjustment to infertility is a complex process that begins at diagnosis and extends long after treatment is completed.
Skin disorders in relation to oral contraception and other factors, including age, social class, smoking and body mass index. Findings in a large cohort study
Authors: M.P. Vessey, R. Painter, J. Powell
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2000)

Background Over the years, a substantial number of scientific papers has been published considering the possible relationship between oral contraceptive use and various skin disorders. Objectives We aimed to investigate the possible effects of oral contraceptives and other factors including age, social class, smoking and body mass index on the occurrence of hospital referral for skin disorders within the Oxford Family Planning Association (Oxford-FPA) contraceptive study. Methods We carried out a cohort study with long-term follow up of 17,032 women aged 25–39 years recruited at 17 family planning centres in England and Scotland between 1968 and 1974. The main outcome measure was the pattern of referral to hospital for skin disorders among the participants. The conditions considered (number of women affected in parentheses) were: malignant melanoma (48); other skin cancers (83); benign skin neoplasms (384); boils and cellulitis (334); eczema and dermatitis (327); erythematous disease (54); psoriasis (92); hypertrophic and atrophic conditions (59); diseases of the nails (80); diseases of the hair and hair follicles (74); diseases of the sebaceous glands (362); pigmented naevi (383); and unspecified eruptions (199). Some of these disease categories are broad, which complicates interpretation of the findings. Results As the data relate to hospital referrals, while most skin disorders are largely managed within primary care, it is difficult to know to what extent our findings can be generalized to disease patterns in the community. None the less, a number of interesting results emerged. These included increased risks (approximately twofold) of referral to hospital for boils and cellulitis in heavy women, for psoriasis in women who smoke, and for pigmented naevi in women of higher social class. Referral for pigmented naevi was reduced by about half in women with a high body mass index. Of the oral contraceptive associations studied, we consider that only an increased risk of referral for eczema or dermatitis in current or recent pill users (relative risk 1·6, 95% confidence interval 1·2–2·1) might reflect a causal relationship. There was no increased risk in past users nor was the risk related to duration of use. These findings are very similar to those reported from the Royal College of General Practitioners oral contraception study. Conclusions Hospital referral for certain skin disorders was related to age, social class, smoking and body mass index within the Oxford-FPA study. Hospital referral for skin disorders generally seems to be unrelated to oral contraceptive use within the study, the possible exception being eczema and dermatitis, which occur more commonly in current and recent pill users than in non-users.
A Comparative Cohort Study of Visual Outcomes in Femtosecond Laser-Assisted versus Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery
Authors: Shaun Y.P. Ewe, Robin G. Abell, Carmen L. Oakley, Chris H.L. Lim, Penelope L. Allen, Zachary E. McPherson, Anupam Rao, Peter E.J. Davies, Brendan J. Vote
Journal: Ophthalmology (2015)
The poetry of disease
Authors: Dai George
Journal: The Lancet Respiratory Medicine (2015)

Tuberculosis is threatening to make a comeback, if it hasn't already. In a world where around 650 000 people have multidrug-resistant strains of the disease, the popular memory of the so-called white plague is in serious need of an update. Whether through romantic fantasies of the consumptive literary genius (eg, John Keats or Franz Kafka) or the quainter image of lungers (a slang term used to describe people with tuberculosis of the lungs) stretched out in the sunshine, undergoing heliotherapy in their pyjamas, our stereotypes render the disease as glamorous, comic or, at any rate, harmlessly obsolete.
Novel Agents for Relapsing Forms of Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Rebecca Straus Farber, Asaff Harel, Fred Lublin
Journal: Annual Review of Medicine (2015)

Since 2004, five drugs with new mechanisms of action have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The expanded armamentarium of treatment options offers new opportunities for improved disease control and increased tolerability of medications, and also presents new safety concerns and monitoring requirements with which physicians must familiarize themselves. We review each of the newly approved agents—natalizumab, fingolimod, teriflunomide, dimethyl fumarate, and alemtuzumab—with regard to their mechanism of action, clinical trial data, safety and tolerability concerns, and monitoring requirements. We also review available data for promising agents that are currently in late-phase clinical trials, including daclizumab, ocrelizumab, and ofatumumab.
Extracellular Stiffness Modulates the Expression of Functional Proteins and Growth Factors in Endothelial Cells
Authors: Lívia Santos, Gregor Fuhrmann, Maya Juenet, Nadav Amdursky, Christine‐Maria Horejs, Paola Campagnolo, Molly M. Stevens
Journal: Advanced Healthcare Materials (2015)

Angiogenesis, the formation of blood vessels from pre-existing ones, is of vital importance during the early stages of bone healing. Extracellular stiffness plays an important role in regulating endothelial cell behavior and angiogenesis, but how this mechanical cue affects proliferation kinetics, gene regulation, and the expression of proteins implicated in angiogenesis and bone regeneration remains unclear. Using collagen-coated polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogels, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) are exposed to an environment that mimics the elastic properties of collagenous bone, and cellular proliferation and gene and protein expressions are assessed. The proliferation and gene expression of HUVECs are not differentially affected by culture on 3 or 30 kPa PAAm hydrogels, henceforth referred to as low and high stiffness gels, respectively. Although the proliferation and gene transcript levels remain unchanged, significant differences are found in the expressions of functional proteins and growth factors implicated both in the angiogenic and osteogenic processes. The down-regulation of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 protein with concomitant over-expression of caveolin-1, wingless-type 2, bone morphogenic protein 2, and basic fibroblast growth factor on the high stiffness PAAm hydrogel suggests that rigidity has a pro-angiogenic effect with inherent benefits for bone regeneration.
Abstract 742: Inducibility of Atrial Fibrillation in the Myocardial Sleeve of the Superior Vena Cava is Mediated by the Ganglionated Plexi on the Right Pulmonary Artery
Authors: Guo-Dong Niu, Benjamin J Scherlag, Zhibing Lu, Muhammad Ghias, Ralph Lazzara, Warren M Jackman, Sunny S Po
Journal: Circulation (2007)

Introduction: Previous studies have shown that electrical stimulation of the ganglionated plexi (GP) on the right pulmonary artery (RPA), the so-called “3rd fat pad (FP)” causes slowing of the sinus rate and AV conduction. Ablation of this GP prevents induction of atrial fibrillation (AF) caused by vagosympathetic nerve (VNS) stimulation and atrial premature beats (APBs). Methods: Eleven dogs anesthetized with Na-pentobarbital were subjected to a right thoracotomy at the 4 th intercostal space. The RPA at the upper lobe of the right lung was dissected and the distal end tied in order to insert and stabilize an 8 Fr. Sheath into the RPA. A small basket electrode catheter, consisting of 5 splines, each spline containing 3 pairs of bipolar electrodes, was inserted into the RPA underneath the superior vena cava (SVC). A Lasso catheter, inserted through a sheath in the right jugular vein was positioned in the SVC contacting the sleeve of myocardium at the SVC-right atrial (RA) junction. Octapolar electrode catheters were sutured against the right superior, inferior pulmonary veins (PVs), RA and RA appendage. Through a left sided thoracotomy, similar placements of recording electrode catheters were made at the left superior, inferior PVs and left atrium (LA) body and appendage. Right and left vagosympathetic nerve stimulation (VNS, frequency, 20 Hz; stimulus duration, 0.01 ms; voltage 1.5– 4.5 Volts) slowed the heart rate (HR) by 50% or induced 2:1 AV block. The RPA GP was also stimulated to achieve similar effects on HR and AV block. Results: RPA GP stimulation consistently and significantly reduced the threshold for AF inducibility (control 8±3; RPA GP stimulation 3.2±1.5 volts, p&lt;0.01) whereas after RPA GP ablation, the averaged voltage to induce AF was increased to 11.5±1.5 although 7 of 11 showed non-inducibility at the maximum voltage used (12 volts). The inducibility threshold at the other atrial and PV sites were unchanged by RPA GP stimulation before or after RPA GP ablation (p=NS). Moreover, there was a loss of HR slowing and AV block with VNS stimulation. Conclusion: RPA GP stimulation which markedly decreased HR or AV conduction selectively suppressed AF inducibility at the myocardial sleeve of the SVC but did not affect AF inducibility at other atrial sites.
Pneumonia caused by Mycobacterium kansasii in a series of patients without recognised immune defect
Authors: S.M. Arend, E. Cerdé de Palou, P. de Haas, R. Janssen, M.A. Hoeve, E.M. Verhard, T.H.M. Ottenhoff, D. van Soolingen, J.T. van Dissel
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2004)
Practical Applications of a Monoclonal Antibody (NDOG<sub>2</sub>) against Placental Alkaline Phosphatase in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: J O Davies, P Jackson, C Sadowski, E R Davies, E Pitcher, G M Stirrat, K Howe, B Randle, C A Sunderland
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1985)

A monoclonal antibody (NDOG 2 ) against placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) in ovarian cancer has been used in three ways by the Bristol University Department of Obstetrics &amp; Gynaecology. First, in an indirect immunoperoxidase technique, NDOG 2 demonstrated positive standing in 64% of 56 ovarian carcinomas as well as in 25% of 44 benign tumours. The majority of these positive tumours were serous cystadenocarcinomas or serous cystadenomas and there was considerable variation in the expression of this antigen from tumour to tumour. NDOG 2 was also used as the basis of two serum assays and, when labelled with 123-iodine ( 123 I), in radioimmunoscintigraphy (RIS) to monitor patients' response to therapy. The first serum assay measures the enzymic activity of PLAP and the second recognizes the antigenicity of the molecules. Assay 2 proved more useful in that it predicted the course of the disease in 45% of patients followed up, whereas Assay 1 was only of use in 25% of cases. RIS proved to be a useful imaging technique and was at least as sensitive as conventional imaging techniques. The common causes of false-positive and false-negative results are described.
Mortality in acute medical admissions is impacted by air quality
Authors: Judith Lyons, Sanjay Chotirmall, Deirdre O'Riordan, Bernard Silke
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Aim : Air pollution degraded by black smoke(particulate matter, PM  10 ), sulphur dioxide(SO 2 ) and nitrogen oxide(NO X ) affects human health. National legislation has led to improved air quality and lower death rates in Dublin. Our study investigates the impact of current air pollutant concentrations (PM 10 ,SO 2  and NO X)  on in-hospital mortality of acute medical admissions to St James9s Hospital over a decade(2002-2011).   Design:  All emergency admissions(55,596 episodes in n=32,581 patients) were tracked prospectively and mortality assessed. Daily levels of PM 10 , SO 2  and NOx were obtained from monitoring stations in our catchment area.   Methods:  Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was employed to examine relationships between pollutant concentration and Odds Ratio(OR) for death following adjustment for other mortality predictors.   Results:  Mortality related to each pollutant variable assessed (as quintiles of increasing atmospheric concentration) were significantly predictive. For PM 10  and SO 2 , mortality in the highest three quintile concentrations (compared to base quintile) was significantly increased (p‹0.001) with univariate ORs of 1.24, 1.36 and 1.25 for PM 10  and 1.43, 1.54 and 1.58 for SO 2  respectively. Mortality in all quintile concentrations (compared to base quintile) was significantly increased(p‹0.05) for NO X  with univariate ORs of 1.14, 1.18, 1.28 and 1.35 respectively. Following adjustment for other mortality predictors, all three air pollutants were independently predictive of mortality.   Conclusion:  Current low air pollutant concentrations continue to affect human health. European legislation on safe levels of air pollution should be re-considered.
A phase II study of concurrent pemetrexed/cisplatin/radiation (RT) for unresectable stage IIIA/b non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Authors: A. M. Brade, A. Bezjak, R. M. MacRae, S. A. Laurie, L. Wang, S. Capobianco, F. A. Shepherd
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2010)

7087 Background: Concurrent chemoRT is standard of care for most patients with unresectable stage III A/B NSCLC but no standard chemotherapy regimen/schedule has been established. In a previous phase I study (Brade et. al, ASCO 2008), we reported that pemetrexed was the first 3rd generation deliverable at full dose concurrently with full dose RT and cisplatin. This combination was further in this study. Methods: Starting April/07 to Aug/09, patients with unresectable stage IIIA/B NSCLC were entered on a single arm phase II trial at 5 Canadian centers. Eligibility: < 5% weight loss; ECOG PS 0/1; no malignant effusions; FEV1 >1.3 l; adequate organ function. Staging PET scans were not routinely available. Patients received pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 day 1, cisplatin 20 mg/m2 days 1-5 q21 days × 2 concurrent with RT (61-66 Gy in 6-6.5 weeks) followed by pemetrexed/cisplatin alone × 2 q21 days (pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 day 1, cisplatin 75 mg/m2 day 1). Results: 39 patients were accrued. Demographics: median age: 63 years [range 37-80]; stage IIIA/B: 15/24; Histology: adenocarcinoma (21), squamous (10), mixed (1), large cell (1), NSCLC (6); median radiation dose: 65 Gy [range 14.4-66]. Four cycles of chemotherapy were delivered in 29/39 pts (3, 2 and 1 cycle in 3, 6 and 1 patient, respectively). Twenty of 39 patients experienced grade 3/4 toxicity deemed probably/definitely related to study therapy; 10 had grade 3/4 hematologic toxicity, primarily neutropenia; grade 3/4: 8/2 patients. Grade 3 non-hematologic toxicity was observed in 14 patients: nausea/vomiting 4; esophagitis 2; electrolyte alterations 5; fatigue/syncope 4. Grade 4 hypotension/syncope was seen in 1 patient. Grade 3 pneumonitis was observed in 1 patient, grade 2 pneumonitis in 4 patients. Median overall/progression-free survivals were 19.7/11.8 months, respectively. One year overall/progression-free survivals were 80%/47%, respectively. Conclusions: Full dose pemetrexed/cisplatin with full dose concurrent RT is relatively well tolerated and active in stage III/B NSCLC. These data provide support for an ongoing phase III registration trial (PROCLAIM) evaluating a similar regimen. Author Disclosure Employment or Leadership Position Consultant or Advisory Role Stock Ownership Honoraria Research Funding Expert Testimony Other Remuneration Lilly Lilly
Abstract P167: The Body Adiposity Index in Africans is a more Practical Measure of Percent Fat than Bioelectric Impedance
Authors: Amber B Courville, Dilatat Bello, Caroline K Thoreson, Michelle Y O'Connor, Stephanie T Chung, Madia Ricks, Anne E Sumner
Journal: Circulation (2014)

As the obesity epidemic overtakes Africa, practical methods to measure percent body fat need identification. Possibilities which have not been validated in Africans are the Body Adiposity Index (BAI), which uses hip circumference and height and the same formula for men and women, and bioelectric impedance (BIA) derived from NHANES III data and uses different equations for men and women. Using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans as the reference method, 107 Africans (71% male; age 39.5∓10.3 y, range 22 to 64 y; BMI 27.9∓4.5 kg/m 2 , range 19.7 to 41.2 kg/m 2 ) had percent body fat assessed in two ways. Method 1 was: BAI (Hip circumference/Height 1.5 )-18). Method 2 was: BIA (Men: weight - (-10.678 + 0.262*weight + 0.652*height 2 /resistance + 0.015*resistance))/weight*100; Women: (weight - (-9.529 + 0.168*weight + 0.696*height 2 /resistance + 0.016*resistance))/weight*100)). Percent body fat by DXA, BAI and BIA are shown in the Figure. Concordance was between 0.5 and 0.6 with P &lt;0.001 for DXA and BAI as well as between DXA and BIA. Bland-Altman analyses revealed the BAI estimated percent body fat with a mean difference of 1.1% and limits of agreement of -9.7 and 11.9. With BIA the mean difference was 6.0% and the limits of agreement were -2.3 and 14.4.The BAI and BIA are similar in accuracy, but BAI is easier to apply as it requires only hip circumference and height measurements and uses the same equation for men and women. Therefore, BAI is a superior measure of body fat for both clinical and epidemiological studies in Africans.
Can the Evolution to Pneumoconiosis Be Suspected in Coal Miners?
Authors: EVE BOURGKARD, PIERRE BERNADAC, NEARKASEN CHAU, JEAN-PIERRE BERTRAND, DAN TECULESCU, QUANG THIEU PHAM
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1998)

To assess whether the evolution to pneumoconiosis may be suspected in coal miners, we conducted a 4-yr longitudinal study of 80 dust-exposed miners with chest X-ray findings classified 0/1 or 1/0 according to the International Labor Organization (ILO) classification (exposed to coal mine dust, suspected of pneumoconiosis [ES group]) and two control groups having normal X-rays. The first of these latter two groups included 80 miners with similar exposure to that of the first group (exposure with normal X-rays [EN]), whereas the second group consisted of markedly less exposed miners (no exposure with normal X-rays [NN]). The protocol comprised a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and smoking, assessment of cumulative coal-mine-dust exposure, X-rays, computed tomographic (CT) scans, and lung-function tests. The study was conducted in 1990 and 1994 by the same medical team. At the end of the follow-up, 24 members of the ES group had worsened X-ray findings, and 10 of them had X-ray findings classified as 1/1 or greater. In the EN and NN groups, six and one subjects, respectively, had worsened X-ray findings. At the first examination, subjects who developed pneumoconiosis had significantly lower values for FEV1/FVC ratio, maximum midexpiratory flow (MMEF), and maximal forced expiratory flow at 25% of vital capacity (FEF25%), and higher CT-scan micronodule scores. This latter score and FEF25% were significantly associated with the evolution to pneumoconiosis in the ES group, and scanner micronodule score and MMEF were significantly associated with this in all three groups combined. Worsening findings on X-ray and change to pneumoconiosis must be controlled in coal miners. The findings in this study offer the possibility of identifying miners who especially need follow-up and monitoring.