tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
99mTc-HDP SPECT With CT Myelography in a 1-Step Procedure
Authors: Steve Durante, Sven Haller, Gaël Amzalag, Enrico Tessitore, Olivier Rager
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2015)

We present the case of a 45-year-old woman with a history of multiple back surgeries to illustrate the feasibility of combining CT myelography (myeloCT) and 99mTc-HDP SPECT/CT bone scan in a 1-step procedure to realize a combined SPECT-myeloCT. Myelography CT and SPECT/CT were required to assess nerve root compression and pseudarthrosis, respectively. The proposed combined acquisition protocol provides information about nervous compression as well as pseudarthrosis in a 1 examination, optimizing radiation dose and patient comfort.
Epidemiology of the Homebound Population in the United States
Authors: Katherine A. Ornstein, Bruce Leff, Kenneth E. Covinsky, Christine S. Ritchie, Alex D. Federman, Laken Roberts, Amy S. Kelley, Albert L. Siu, Sarah L. Szanton
Journal: JAMA Internal Medicine (2015)

Increasing numbers of older, community-dwelling adults have functional impairments that prevent them from leaving their homes. It is uncertain how many people who live in the United States are homebound.To develop measures of the frequency of leaving and ability to leave the home and to use these measures to estimate the size of the homebound population in the US population.Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study collected in 2011 in the contiguous United States. Participants were a nationally representative sample of 7603 noninstitutionalized Medicare beneficiaries 65 years and older.We defined homebound persons as those who never (completely homebound) or rarely (mostly homebound) left the home in the last month. We defined semihomebound persons as those who only left the home with assistance or had difficulty or needed help leaving the home. We compared demographic, clinical, and health care utilization characteristics across different homebound status categories.In 2011, the prevalence of homebound individuals was 5.6% (95% CI, 5.1%-6.2%), including an estimated 395,422 people who were completely homebound and 1,578,984 people who were mostly homebound. Among semihomebound individuals, the prevalence of those who never left home without personal assistance was 3.3% (95% CI, 2.8%-3.8%), and the prevalence of those who required help or had difficulty was 11.7% (95% CI, 10.9%-12.6%). Completely homebound individuals were more likely to be older (83.2 vs 74.3 years, P < .001), female (67.9% vs 53.4%, P < .006), and of nonwhite race (34.1% vs 17.6%, P < .001) and have less education and income than nonhomebound individuals. They also had more chronic conditions (4.9 vs 2.5) and were more likely to have been hospitalized in the last 12 months (52.1% vs 16.2%) (P < .001 for both). Only 11.9% of completely homebound individuals reported receiving primary care services at home.In total, 5.6% of the elderly, community-dwelling Medicare population (approximately 2 million people) were completely or mostly homebound in 2011. Our findings can inform improvements in clinical and social services for these individuals.
Alveolar macrophage activity in experimentally induced pneumonia
Authors: Usman Farkhutdinov
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Alveolar macrophages (AM) play an important role in lung inflammation.

The aim was to study the AM state in experimentally induced pneumonia (PN).

Methods: PN was induced in 120 white rats by transthoracic injection of pneumococcus culture. The animals were sacrificed at 1, 3, 7 day of PN course. The content of malonic dialdehyde (MDA) was determined in the animal lungs. The production of active oxygen forms (AOF) by alveolar macrophages (AM) was determined by nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test. In addition phagocytic activity (PhA) of AM has been assessed, morphological investigations were performed.

Results The development of PN in rats was accompanied by increase of MDA content in the lungs, by increase of NBT-test values and PhA of AM. The NBT values of AM correlated directly to MDA content in the lungs. Due to morphological changes the animals were divided into 2 groups. In both groups the level of MDA in the lungs remained high. In the 1st group of rats on the 3, 7 days NBT values and PhA of AM were found to be increased, infiltration changes were abundant in the lungs. The rats of the 2nd group have demonstrated lowering of NBT values and PhA of AM, destructive changes in the lungs.

Conclusion: AOF produced by AM initiated free radical processes and lung inflammation in experimentally induced PN. Decreased production of AOF and reduction of PhA of AM demonstrated the inflammatory complications.
Are two six-minute walk tests necessary during acute exacerbations of COPD?
Authors: Christian Osadnik, Christine McDonald, Anne Holland
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background: The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a valid, reliable and widely used measure of exercise tolerance in COPD. Repeat testing is recommended during stable disease, however its necessity during an acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) is unclear.  Aims and objectives: To investigate the repeatability of the 6MWT during AECOPD and explore characteristics of those who demonstrate learning effects.  Methods: 17 participants (7 male, mean age 69 years, FEV 1  42% pred) who presented to hospital with AECOPD were recruited. Two 6MWTs (T1, T2) were performed in accordance with ATS/ERS guidelines at hospital discharge. Distance walked (6MWD) at T1 and T2 were compared via Bland-Altman plots. Exploratory comparisons between 9responders9 (T2 - T1 ≥ 30m) and 9non-responders9 were performed via unpaired t-tests.  Results: Mean 6MWD difference (T2 - T1) was -4.9m but limits of agreement were wide (-114 to 104m). Compared to 9non-responders9, 9responders9 (n = 6) had a significantly lower smoking history 22.1 (14) vs 75.5 (48) pack years, p = 0.02; shorter length of stay 2.7 (0.7) vs 7.0 (4.6) days, p = 0.04; and a trend towards more rests 1.7 (1) vs 0.6 (0.9), p = 0.052.  Conclusion: There is marked variability between two 6MWDs on the same day at the end of a hospital admission for AECOPD. A single 6MWD may not be a reliable measure of functional exercise tolerance immediately following a COPD exacerbation.
Cervical cancer patients’ preferences and use of various cancer information sources in South Korea
Authors: H. Noh, M. Lee, Y. Yun, S. Park, D. Bae, J. Nam, C. Park, C. Cho, J. Lee, Y. Chang
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2007)

16073 Background: Accessing appropriate facts is important in enabling cancer patients cope with the disease. This study focused on the utilization and preferences of cancer information sources by cervical cancer patients in terms of ease in receiving and searching the available data. Methods: The study included 830 women over the age of 18 years treated for cervical cancer at six hospitals in South Korea between 1983 and 2004. All the participants provided written informed consent, and the Institutional Review Board of the National Cancer Center approved the protocol. A questionnaire addressed the patients’ use of and preferences for sources and forms of cancer information. Data were collected by mail. Results: Television and/or the radio were the the most frequently cited sources of cancer information by the middle and oldest age groups: 45–64 years (52.0%), =65 years (47.3%), while patients in the youngest age group (&lt;45 years) used the Internet (38.8%). Booklets and/or pamphlets (24.0%) were the source of cancer information preferred by the youngest age group, while patients in the middle and oldest age groups preferred TV/radio: 45–64 years (35.7%) and =65 years (55.0%). Life notes and/or experiences (43.2%), that is, personal accounts, comprised the most easily understood form of information regardless of age group. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that cervical cancer patients’ utilization of and preferences for sources of cancer information vary according to patient age. Tailored educational materials that consider the users’ age and condition should be customized to best fit their specific preferences. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Strain-Specific V3 and CD4 Binding Site Autologous HIV-1 Neutralizing Antibodies Select Neutralization-Resistant Viruses
Authors: M. Anthony Moody, Feng Gao, Thaddeus C. Gurley, Joshua D. Amos, Amit Kumar, Bhavna Hora, Dawn J. Marshall, John F. Whitesides, Shi-Mao Xia, Robert Parks, Krissey E. Lloyd, Kwan-Ki Hwang, Xiaozhi Lu, Mattia Bonsignori, Andrés Finzi, Nathan A. Vandergrift, S. Munir Alam, Guido Ferrari, Xiaoying Shen, Georgia D. Tomaras, Gift Kamanga, Myron S. Cohen, Noel E. Sam, Saidi Kapiga, Elin S. Gray, Nancy L. Tumba, Lynn Morris, Susan Zolla-Pazner, Miroslaw K. Gorny, John R. Mascola, Beatrice H. Hahn, George M. Shaw, Joseph G. Sodroski, Hua-Xin Liao, David C. Montefiori, Peter T. Hraber, Bette T. Korber, Barton F. Haynes
Journal: Cell Host & Microbe (2015)
Diesel exhaust adversely affects people with moderate asthma
Authors: Tasbirul Islam
Journal: Thorax (2008)

Road traffic pollutions may trigger asthma symptoms and exacerbations, and this is mainly attributed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon core diesel exhaust particles (DEP).

The authors carried out a randomised crossover study enrolling 60 non-smoking adults with stable mild and moderate asthma. Each participant was required to walk for 2 hours (10.30– 12.30 hours) along Oxford Street, London (used by …
Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) attenuates bleomycin-Induced pulmonary fibrosis in the mice
Authors: Seung Won Ra, Byungsuk Kwon, Hong Rae Cho, Young Ju Min, Kwang Won Seo, Yangjin Jegal, Hee Jeong Cha, Jung Cheol Lee, Jong-Joon Ahn
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background: Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) has more powerful antioxidative activity than other well-known antioxidants, including vitamin C and E. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic progressive disorder with a poor prognosis. An oxidant-antioxidant imbalance may contribute to the disease process in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Objectives: To examine whether GSPE which is known to act as an antioxidant has therapeutic effect on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice, an animal model of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Methods: Mice were treated by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. GSPE was administered by intraperitoneal (IP) injections (30, 60, or 90 mg/kg).

Mice were sacrificed on days 21 after bleomycin instillation.

Results: Compared with the BLM/Veh group, histologic findings in mice treated with BLM and IP injection of GSPE (BLM/GSPE) showed less fibrotic lesions in a dose-dependent manner. The mean Aschcroft's fibrosis score in the BLM/Veh group was significantly higher than in the BLM/GSPE group.

The lung hydroxyproline concentration on Day 21 was significantly higher in the BLM/Veh group than in the BLM/GSPE group (62.9 vs 55.3, 51.9, 50.4 ug/ml).

Conclusions: GSPE attenuated bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice, suggesting that GSPE may be useful in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Deregulation of genes related to TGF-β signaling pathway via aberrant methylation in human cancers
Authors: Hisayuki Shigematsu, Makoto Suzuki, Takao Takahashi, David S. Shames, Noriaki Sunaga, Eugene P. Frenkel, Takehiko Fujisawa, John D. Minna, Adi F. Gazdar
Journal: Cancer Research (2004)

4180   The transforming growth factor (TGF)-β super family plays a complex dual function in carcinogenesis acting as a tumor suppressor gene or an oncogene during different stages of cancer pathogenesis. Although mutations of type I and II receptor genes or Smad genes are well recognized in some types of cancers, a little is known about the molecular mechanism of other components in TGF-β superfamily signaling pathway. We investigated silencing, via methylation, of both facilitative (RUNX3) and inhibitory (HPP1 and DRM/Gremlin) genes regulating this signaling pathway by studying cell lines (n = 30) and primary tumors (n = 220) representing the major forms of human cancers (lung, breast, colorectal, bladder, and prostate cancers). RUNX3 is a member of RUNT domain family and interacts with Smad proteins, suggesting a key molecule in TGF-β signaling pathway. Loss of RUNX3 expression with hemizygous deletion or promoter methylation was reported in gastric cancers. HPP1 is a transmembrane receptor containing follistatin like domains and has the potential to inhibit TGF-β superfamily signaling. Aberrant methylation was reported in several cancers. DRM/Gremlin is an antagonist of TGF-β superfamily, bone morphogenetic proteins. Loss of DRM/Gremlin expression was observed, but the mechanism of its silencing is not clearly established in human cancers. Here we show that loss of RUNX3, HPP1, and DRM/Gremlin mRNA expression by reverse transcription PCR in human lung and breast cancer cell line is associated with promoter methylation (concordance: 92-100%) and reactivated their expression after treatment with a demethylating agent, 5-aza-2’-deocxycytidine. We also examined promoter methylation of the three genes in major types of human tumors by methylation specific PCR. Methylation frequencies of each gene were as follows: RUNX3 (23-43%), HPP1 (32-64%), and DRM/Gremlin (21-65%). We found that the three genes related to TGF-β superfamily signaling pathway, RUNX3, HPP1, and DRM/Gremlin, are often methylated and silenced in human cancers. Our results provide strong evidence that TGF-β signaling pathway is frequently deregulated via epigenetic changes of facilitative and inhibitory genes in the major human cancer types.
Managing the Financial Impact of Cancer Treatment: The Role of Clinical Practice Guidelines
Authors: Scott Ramsey, Veena Shankaran
Journal: Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2012)

The rising cost of cancer treatment in the United States poses a significant challenge to health systems, government and private insurers, and individual patients.To some degree, cancer treatment costs are rising due to inappropriate, non-evidence-based use of expensive new technologies and drugs.However, adherence to evidence-based clinical practice guidelines does not necessarily guarantee that cancer treatment will be less costly or optimally cost-effective.Although clinical practice guidelines may endorse many acceptable evidence-based treatment options, the financial implications of different treatment decisions within these guidelines can vary significantly.In the case of first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) and gastric cancer, for example, the cost of 6 months' treatment varies widely while the clinical effectiveness of these regimens is comparable.Patients' out-of-pocket payments for various treatment regimens may also vary significantly.In the setting of rapidly rising cancer treatment costs, it is essential that clinical practice guidelines begin to incorporate economic information from the patient and health system perspectives to minimize the financial impact of cancer care on patients and society.
Inhaled <i>vs</i> subcutaneous effects of a dual IL‐4/IL‐13 antagonist in a monkey model of asthma
Authors: A. Tomkinson, J. Tepper, M. Morton, A. Bowden, L. Stevens, P. Harris, D. Lindell, N. Fitch, R. Gundel, E. B. Getz
Journal: Allergy (2009)

Abstract Background: Pitrakinra is a recombinant protein derived from human interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) that binds to IL‐4Rα and acts as a competitive antagonist of IL‐4 and IL‐13. The studies reported here compare the dose‐ranging effects of pitrakinra on allergen‐induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and airway eosinophilia when administered subcutaneously (s.c.) or by inhalation to the Ascaris suum ‐sensitive cynomolgus monkey for the purpose of elucidating the primary site of pitrakinra’s anti‐asthmatic action. Methods: Airway responsiveness to inhaled methacholine and bronchoalveolar lavage cell composition was determined before and after three allergen exposures with a 1‐week course of twice‐daily (b.i.d.) s.c. or inhaled pitrakinra or placebo treatment. Results: Treatment with s.c. pitrakinra significantly reduced allergen‐induced AHR, with a maximum effect of a 2.8‐ to 3.8‐fold increase in methacholine PC 100 relative to control ( P &lt; 0.05) observed at b.i.d. s.c. doses of 0.05–0.5 mg/kg. Inhaled pitrakinra also significantly reduced AHR with a similar maximum effect of a 2.8‐ to 3.2‐fold increase in methacholine PC 100 relative to control ( P &lt; 0.05) at nominal b.i.d. doses of 3–100 mg. The maximal effect on AHR following inhalation was observed at a plasma concentration which exhibited no efficacy via the subcutaneous route. The effect of pitrakinra on lung eosinophilia was not statistically significant following either route of administration, although lung eosinophil count was reduced in all studies relative to control. Conclusion: Local administration of pitrakinra to the lung is sufficient to inhibit AHR, one of the cardinal features of asthma, indicating the therapeutic potential of inhaled pitrakinra in the treatment of atopic asthma.
TEL gene rearrangement in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a new genetic marker with prognostic significance.
Authors: J E Rubnitz, J R Downing, C H Pui, S A Shurtleff, S C Raimondi, W E Evans, D R Head, W M Crist, G K Rivera, M L Hancock, J M Boyett, A Buijs, G Grosveld, F G Behm
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1997)

TEL gene rearrangements due to the 12;21 chromosomal translocation are the most common molecular genetic abnormality in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), occurring in approximately 25% of cases with a B-precursor immunophenotype. The limited number of clinically useful genetic markers in this leukemia subtype prompted us to assess TEL status as a predictor of treatment outcome.We determined the status of the TEL gene (rearranged or germline) in 188 cases of B-precursor acute leukemia using Southern blot analysis and related the findings to event-free survival. All comparisons of outcome were stratified by treatment regimen, risk classification, age, and leukocyte count.Forty-eight patients (26%) had a rearranged TEL gene. At 5 years of follow-up, an estimated 91% +/- 5% (SE) of this group were event-free survivors, compared with only 65% +/- 5% of the group with germline TEL (stratified log-rank P = .011). For nonhyperdiploid patients, the odds ratio of an adverse event in the germline TEL group to that for the rearranged TEL group was 4.06 (95% confidence interval, 1.86 to 8.84). The relationship of TEL rearrangement to a favorable prognosis was independent of recognized good-risk features in B-precursor leukemia, including age, initial leukocyte count, and hyperdiploidy.Rearrangement of the TEL gene distinguishes a large subset of children with favorable-prognosis B-precursor leukemia who cannot be identified by standard prognostic features. It may be possible to treat these patients less aggressively without loss of therapeutic efficacy.
Epidemiology of seasonal and pandemic influenza (H1N1) in German hospitals - Influence of comorbidity, ventilatory support and age on mortality
Authors: Daniel von der Beck, Benjamin Löh, Martina Korfei, Werner Seeger, Andreas Günther
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Hospitalizations for seasonal and pandemic influenza (H1N1) were compared on the basis of mortality rates, need for ventilatory support, demographic data, length of stay and comorbidities.  33,148 cases of seasonal and a total of 37,054 cases of pandemic influenza were analyzed. ICD-10 coded data comprising all nationwide hospitalizations from 2005 to 2010 were obtained from the German Federal Statistical Office (DESTATIS). Overall, elderly patients (> 60 Y.) are hospitalized most frequently throughout all age groups. Use of invasive and non-invasive ventilatory support and and mortality are also highest within this group. In contrast the number of hospitalizations among younger age groups (
Potassium Channel Blockade Enhances Atrial Fibrillation–Selective Antiarrhythmic Effects of Optimized State-Dependent Sodium Channel Blockade
Authors: Martin Aguilar, Feng Xiong, Xiao Yan Qi, Philippe Comtois, Stanley Nattel
Journal: Circulation (2015)

The development of effective and safe antiarrhythmic drugs for atrial fibrillation (AF) rhythm control is an unmet clinical need. Multichannel blockers are believed to have advantages over single-channel blockers for AF, but their development has been completely empirical to date. We tested the hypothesis that adding K(+)-channel blockade improves the atrium-selective electrophysiological profile and anti-AF effects of optimized Na(+)-channel blockers.Realistic cardiomyocyte-, tissue-, and state-dependent Na(+)-channel block mathematical models, optical mapping, and action potential recording were used to study the effect of Na(+)-current (INa) blockade with or without concomitant inhibition of the rapid or ultrarapid delayed-rectifier K(+) currents (IKr and IKur, respectively). In the mathematical model, maximal AF selectivity was obtained with an inactivated-state Na(+)-channel blocker. Combining optimized Na(+)-channel blocker with IKr block increased rate-dependent and atrium-selective peak INa reduction, increased AF selectivity, and more effectively terminated AF compared with optimized Na(+)-channel blocker alone. Combining optimized Na(+)-channel blocker with IKur block had similar effects but without IKr block-induced ventricular action potential prolongation. Consistent with the mathematical model, in coronary-perfused canine hearts, the addition of dofetilide (selective IKr blocker) to pilsicainide (selective INa blocker) produced enhanced atrium-selective effects on maximal phase 0 upstroke and conduction velocity. Furthermore, pilsicainide plus dofetilide had higher AF termination efficacy than pilsicainide alone. Pilsicainide alone had no statistically significant effect on AF inducibility, whereas pilsicainide plus dofetilide rendered AF noninducible.K(+)-channel block potentiates the AF-selective anti-AF effects obtainable with optimized Na(+)-channel blockade. Combining optimized Na(+)-channel block with blockade of atrial K(+) currents is a potentially valuable AF-selective antiarrhythmic drug strategy.
Elastography strain ratio in the staging of mediastinal lymph nodes
Authors: Ales Rozman, Mateja Marc Malovrh
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Ultrasound elastography is an imaging procedure, used to assess the biomechanical characteristics of tissue. Comparing two areas of tissue allows numeric display of strain ratios. The aim of this study was to compare EBUS elastography strain ratio in staging of mediastinal lymph nodes in lung cancer patients with tissue diagnosis as a gold standard.

EBUS bronchoscopy was performed on consenting patients referred to bronchoscopy for diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. Real-time elastography with strain ratio measurements was performed using pre-production prototype model EBUS center EU-Y0008 and BF-UC180F linear ultrasound bronchoscopes (Olympus Tokyo, Japan). Elastoghaphy evaluation was performed before EBUS-TBNA. The main outcome was the accuracy of strain ratio in differentiating between benign and malignant lymph nodes.

Sixty-six mediastinal lymph nodes in 27 patients were evaluated. Malignant infiltration was confirmed in 34 (51.5%) lymph nodes by EBUS-TBNA and/or surgically. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for strain ratio was 0.91 (95% CI 0.83 – 0.98, p < 0.0001)

![Figure][1] 



. At strain ratio ≥ 8 the accuracy for malignancy prediction was 89.4% (sens. 88.2%, spec. 90.6%, PPV 90.9%, NPV 87.9%).

EBUS elastography strain ratio is a promising new technique for staging of mediastinal lymph nodes in patients with lung cancer. It may help in the selection of biopsy spot, complement EBUS-TBNA or even reduce the number of punctures.

 [1]: pending:yes