tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Bronchoscintigraphic visualization of the acute effect of tobacco exposure and terbutaline on mucociliary clearance in smokers
Authors: J Mortensen, S Groth, P Lange, N Rossing
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1989)

The aim of this study was to examine the acute effect of tobacco smoke exposure and inhaled terbutaline on mucociliary clearance in 9 healthy smokers. It was based on a recently described method for scintigraphic visualization of the bronchi (bronchoscintigraphy). After an initial bronchoscintigram had been made by having the subjects inhale aerosolized 99mTc-albumin, they inhaled either terbutaline or placebo from a metered-dose inhaler. Subsequently, data acquisition for production of bronchoscintigrams was repeated at 10 min intervals for 120 min, and the mucociliary clearance was estimated from the movement of radioactivity in the series of bronchoscintigrams thus obtained. On two study days the subjects remained tobacco abstinent, while on two occasions they chain-smoked during the examination. Acute tobacco exposure resulted in an increased clearance rate in the lobar bronchi in 8 of the 9 smokers (p less than 0.03), while in the main bronchi and the trachea the effect was inconsistent. In all subjects terbutaline systematically increased the clearance rate in all visible bronchial structures compared to placebo (p less than 0.04). The combination of smoking and terbutaline caused a faster clearance rate in the lobar bronchi in most subjects than tobacco smoke or terbutaline alone. It is concluded that both acute tobacco exposure and terbutaline increase mucociliary clearance in healthy smokers.
A quality improvement project to measure the effect of introducing an electronic discharge referral system to smoking cessation services
Authors: Joshua Wilcox, Jemima Robinson, Philip Pearson
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Introduction  Hospital admissions are an ideal opportunity to refer patients to smoking cessation services. Changes to e-Discharge software could allow for an electronic referral and increase the number of patients who stop smoking.  Aims and objectives  Can e-discharge referral systems increase the number of referrals to smoking cessation services without compromising quality?  Methods  We reviewed the number and origin of referrals to smoking cessation services at our large university hospital over a 94 day period. 30 days into our study we introduced a tick-box referral system in the existing e-Discharge software; we also conducted teaching sessions. For the last 30 days any problems with referrals were reviewed.  Results  For the first 30 days the number of referrals to smoking cessation services was 43; in the last 30 days the number of referrals was 81 (28 from e-Discharges, 53 from regular referral sources). The average referral rate went from 1.48/day in the first 30 days to 2.61/day for the last 30 days. Problems with e-Discharge referrals included: no consent for referral or non-smokers referred (serious problems); and duplicate referrals. Very few referrals were problem-free (2%), a minority had serious problems (15%). The rate of problem accumulation fell from 2.1/day to 1.3/day after further education. The percentage of patients who were booked for an appointment following an e-discharge referral was 16.5%.  Conclusions  Referral numbers to smoking cessation services increased with the use of e-Discharge software; further education is needed to improve the quality of referrals and could increase the number of patients who stop smoking.
BEAM chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation for patients with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Authors: W Mills, R Chopra, A McMillan, R Pearce, D C Linch, A H Goldstone
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1995)

PURPOSE To evaluate the outcome of patients with relapsed or resistant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) and to determine the main prognostic factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred seven patients with relapsed or resistant intermediate-/high-grade NHL underwent high-dose carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, and melphalan (BEAM) chemotherapy and ABMT at University College Hospitals between September 1981 and February 1993. The minimum follow-up duration of all patients is 6 months. RESULTS At 3 months, the overall response rate to BEAM and ABMT was 73% (41% complete response and 32% partial response). The 5-year actuarial overall survival and progression-free survival rates were 41% and 35%, respectively. The early procedure-related mortality rate was 7% (eight of 107 patients). On multivariate analysis, the main prognostic factor was disease status at the time of ABMT. Patients with chemosensitive disease had an actuarial 5-year survival rate of 49% at 5 years compared with 13% for those with chemoresistant disease (P &lt; .001). For patients considered to have chemosensitive disease at the time of transplantation, there is a significant difference in the actuarial progression-free survival rates for those who received high-dose therapy after attaining a partial response to first-line therapy (69% at 5 years) as compared with those with sensitive but relapsed disease (32% at 5 years) (P = .003). CONCLUSION Patients with chemosensitive disease benefit most from high-dose chemotherapy, and those who receive such therapy early after achieving a partial response to first-line therapy have a high rate of cure.
Interstitial cells of Cajal are involved in the afferent limb of the rectoanal inhibitory reflex
Authors: F de Lorijn
Journal: Gut (2005)

<b>Background and aims:</b> Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) have been shown to be involved in nitrergic neurotransmission of the lower oesophageal sphincter and pylorus. Here we studied the role of ICC and nitric oxide (NO) in the inhibitory neurotransmission of the murine internal anal sphincter (IAS). <b>Methods:</b> The rectoanal inhibitory reflex, rectal compliance, and relaxation of the isolated IAS to electrical stimulation were measured in controls, <i>KIT <sup>W</sup>/KIT <sup>Wv</sup></i> mice, and neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) deficient mice. In addition, we evaluated the effect of blockade of nNOS using N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. Distribution of nNOS positive neurones and ICC in the IAS was assessed immunohistochemically. <b>Results:</b> KIT positive ICC were present in a dense network in the IAS of controls but not in <i>KIT <sup>W</sup>/KIT<sup>Wv</sup></i> mice. Relaxation of IAS muscle strips induced by electrical stimulation was diminished in nNOS<sup>−/−</sup> mice but not in <i>KIT <sup>W</sup>/KIT <sup>Wv</sup></i> mice. Blockade of NOS reduced the relaxation of IAS muscle strips in both mice. Relaxation of the IAS to rectal distension was significantly diminished in <i>KIT <sup>W</sup>/KIT <sup>Wv</sup></i> mice and nNOS deficient mice. In concert, in vivo blockade of NOS attenuated the relaxation of the IAS in controls. No significant difference in compliance was found. <b>Conclusion:</b> The inhibitory innervation of the IAS and the rectoanal inhibitory reflex are mediated by NO and the rectoanal inhibitory reflex requires an intact network of ICC in the IAS. Thus both loss of nitrergic innervation and deficiency of ICC lead to impaired anal relaxation and may play an important role in rectal evacuation disorders.
Tuberculosis in prisons in Republic of Macedonia from 2005-2010
Authors: Maja Zakoska, Stefan Talevski
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Introduction:  Prison9s population (yearly approximately 2600 prisoners) is group with higher risk of tuberculosis (TB) due to fullness of prisons, bad living conditions and inadequate medical care. Total population9s notification rate decreases continuously but the rate of TB cases in prisons is still high (384/2005, 0/2006, 115/2007, 230/2008, 307/2009 and 384/2010). Aim of this survey is to prove the situation with TB in prisons in Macedonia.   Material:  Data for this survey are taken from the Central TB Registry. The forms of TB, previous treatment, bacteriological confirmation and treatment outcome between 36 prisoners (period 2005-2010) have been analysed.   Results:  In the period 2005-2010, 36 cases of TB were registered, 91, 6% male and 8, 4% female. The pulmonary TB was identified at 83, 3%, extra pulmonary TB at 16, 7% cases. From all cases, 83, 3% were new and 16, 7% previously treated. Bacteriological confirmation of pulmonary TB with direct microscopy identified at 43,3% and bacteriological confirmation of culture at 63,3% cases. The drug sensitivity test demonstrated multi drug resistance in 2,7% cases. Treatment outcomes from 2005-2009 were following: successful treated 80, 9%, dead 3, 8%, default treatment 11, 5% and 3, 8% lost from evidence. Drug addiction is finding in 41, 6% prisoners with TB.   Conclusion:  Rate of TB in prisons in Macedonia is higher than in total population. Among TB cases in prisons percentage of bacteriological confirmation is low. Appearance of multi drug resistant form of tuberculosis is bad prognostic sign.
Nociceptin orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) – N/OFQ peptide (NOP) receptor system plays a key immunomodulatory role in asthma
Authors: Shailendra Singh, Nikol Sullo, Maria Matteis, Giuseppe Spaziano, Konrad Urbanek, Antonella De Angelis, Raffaele De Palma, Ruth Saunders, Lucy Woodman, Bruno D'Agostino, Christopher Brightling, David Lambert
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Asthma is characterised by airflow obstruction, airway hyper-responsiveness and airway inflammation. The heptadecapeptide nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is the endogenous ligand for the N/OFQ peptide (NOP) receptor, a non-opioid member of the opioid receptor family. Role of N/OFQ-NOP system in asthma is uncertain. We sought to evaluate N/OFQ-NOP expression in human airway tissues and relate this to an established animal model of asthma.  NOP expression was investigated by qRT-PCR. Its functional role was then interrogated using a range of assays including migration, collagen gel contraction and wound healing. We further investigated the functional role of N/OFQ  in vivo  using ovalbumin-sensitised mice.  NOP expression was detected in human airway smooth muscle cells (mean ΔCT=11±0.7,n=13), bronchial epithelial cells (mean ΔCT=10±0.49,n=12) and peripheral blood eosinophils (mean ΔCT=10.4±1.2,n=16). N/OFQ inhibited chemoattractant-induced migration of eosinophils (p in vitro  (p in vivo  models (p Ex vivo  animal studies showed that N/OFQ significantly inhibits release of inflammatory mediators, mucus hyper-secretion and eosinophil infiltration within the airways.  This study provides a comprehensive and complementary  in vivo  and  in vitro  evidence for a role of NOP activation in the pathogenesis of asthma.
A specific objective supplemental factor in evaluating acute mountain sickness: ΔHR in combination with SaO2
Authors: Ming Li, Ji-Hang Zhang, Guo-Xi Zhao, Shi-Zhu Bian, Xu-Bin Gao, Xi Liu, Jie Yu, Jun-Qing Dong, Guo-Zhu Chen, Hong Wang, Lan Huang
Journal: Military Medical Research (2015)

So far, there have been no measurements confirmed useful in diagnosing acute mountain sickness (AMS). The aim of this study was to determine the role of heart rate (HR) difference (ΔHR) and oxygen saturation ( SaO2) as objective risk factors in aiding the diagnosis of AMS. A total of 1,019 participants were assigned to either the acute exposure group (AEG): from 500 m to 3,700 m by flight within 2.5 h (n = 752); or the pre-acclimatization group (PAG): ascended to 4,400 m from 3,650 m within three hours by car after adapting 33 days at 3,650 m (n = 267). The questionnaires or measurements of resting SaO2 (oxygen saturation) and HR were completed between 18 and 24 h before departure and after arrival. Incidence of AMS was 61.3 % (461) in AEG, with 46.1 % (347) mild cases and 15.2 % (114) severe cases. In PAG, the incidence was 38.9 % (104), with 30.7 % (82) mild cases and 8.2 % (22) severe cases. The AMS subjects showed a significant increase in HR and a decrease in SaO2 levels compared with the non-AMS subjects in both groups. ΔHR and post-exposure SaO2 were significantly correlated with the Lake Louise Score (LLS) in both groups. Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed the ΔHR >25 and SaO2 < 88 % in AEG as well as ΔHR >15 and SaO2 < 86 % in PAG to be independent risk factors of AMS. Combining these two measurements could specifically indicate participants with AMS, which showed a positive predictive value of 89 % and specificity of 97 % in AEG as well as 85 % and 98 % in PAG. ΔHR or SaO2, as objective measurements, correlate with AMS. Combination of these two measurements may be useful as an additional specific and objective factor to further confirm the diagnosis of AMS.
Versican, tenascin, periostin and IL-17A+ cells in severe asthma
Authors: Thais Mauad, Diogenes S. Ferreira, Raquel Annoni, Bianca L. Oliveira, Edgard H. Katayama, Regina M. Carvalho-Pinto, Klaus F. Rabe, Alberto Cukier, Rafael Stelmach, Marisa Dolhnikoff
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background: Fixed airflow obstruction may be present in severe asthmatics, yet how airway remodeling and inflammation relate to airway obstruction is unclear.  Aims: To investigate versican, tenascin and periostin content and IL-17A+ cells in the airways of severe asthmatics and their association with lung function.  Methods: Sixty-two severe asthmatics received prednisone 40 mg/day for 2 weeks and 800µg budesonide + 24µg formoterol daily for 12 weeks. All patients were non- or ex-smokers ≤10 pack-years. Patients were classified based on post-bronchodilator (BD) lung function after the prednisone trial into 3 groups: non-persistent obstruction (NPO: FEV1 ≥80%pred + FEV1/FVC > 0.70), persistent obstruction (PO: FEV1>50% and   Results: Fourteen patients were classified as NPO, 36 as PO and 12 as FO. Asthmatics with FO (0.30±0.11) had greater versican in the ASM than asthmatics with PO (0.14±0.09, p  Conclusion: Versican content in the ASM is increased in severe asthmatics with FO and may oppose excessive bronchoconstriction in these patients.
Abstract 17270: The Effects of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy on Myofilament Calcium Sensitivity are Global and Mediated by Protein Phosphorylation
Authors: Jonathan A Kirk, Richard S Tunin, Weidong Gao, David A Kass
Journal: Circulation (2011)

We have previously shown that calcium sensitivity is significantly decreased with dyssynchrony, but is improved with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) using trabeculae from the right ventricle (RV). However, dyssynchrony and resynchronization cause regional changes in stress, with the RV and left ventricle (LV) experiencing differing loads. To investigate the regional effects of CRT, we used 3 canine models: dyssynchronous heart failure (HF dys , left bundle ablation, 6 wks atrial tachypacing), CRT (left bundle ablation, 3 wks atrial tachypacing, 3 wks biventricular tachypacing), and non-paced controls. Steady-state force-calcium relationships were measured in skinned myocytes isolated from the LV lateral wall. Compared to control, HF dys exhibited decreased maximal calcium-activated force (F max , Con: 35.00 ± 4.61 93 mN•mm -2 , n = 7 myocytes from 3 dogs, HF dys : 13.44 ± 1.66 mN•mm -2 , n = 7 myocytes from 3 dogs, P &lt; 0.01), and decreased calcium sensitivity (EC 50 , Con: 1.92 ± 0.16 μM, HF dys : 2.58 ± 0.11, P &lt; 0.01). These parameters were returned to near control values in the CRT dog (F max : 36.16 ± 2.78 mN•mm -2 , EC 50 : 2.00 ± 0.19 μM, n = 8 myocytes P &lt; 0.05 vs HF dys , P = N.S. vs Con). To discover if these changes were mediated by altered phosphorylation state, we treated skinned RV trabeculae muscles with the phosphatase PP1 (2,500 U/ml) for 60 minutes, and measured force-calcium curves before and after treatment. None of the groups had a statistically significant change in F max after treatment ( P = N.S.). However, there was an increase in EC 50 in both Con (ΔEC 50 : 1.09 ± 0.22 μM, n = 6) and CRT (ΔEC 50 : 0.70 ± 0.23 μM, n = 5), while there was no effect on HF dys trabeculae (ΔEC 50 : -0.06 ± 0.14 μM, n = 5, P &lt; 0.05 vs Con and CRT). This suggests that myofilament protein phosphorylation is responsible for the changes in calcium sensitivity. In summary, these results show that despite opposing regional changes in stress, the myofilament responds in a globally homogenous manner and is mediated by altered global kinase/phosphatase activity, and not by local stress response. Overall, this is encouraging data for the development of a pharmacological intervention to recreate the beneficial aspects of CRT, since regional targeting may be unnecessary.
Patients' and health professionals' views on primary care for people with serious mental illness: focus group study
Authors: Helen Lester, Jonathan Q Tritter, Helen Sorohan
Journal: BMJ (2005)

<h3>Abstract</h3> <b>Objective</b> To explore the experience of providing and receiving primary care from the perspectives of primary care health professionals and patients with serious mental illness respectively. <b>Design</b> Qualitative study consisting of six patient groups, six health professional groups, and six combined focus groups. <b>Setting</b> Six primary care trusts in the West Midlands. <b>Participants</b> Forty five patients with serious mental illness, 39 general practitioners (GPs), and eight practice nurses. <b>Results</b> Most health professionals felt that the care of people with serious mental illness was too specialised for primary care. However, most patients viewed primary care as the cornerstone of their health care and preferred to consult their own GP, who listened and was willing to learn, rather than be referred to a different GP with specific mental health knowledge. Swift access was important to patients, with barriers created by the effects of the illness and the noisy or crowded waiting area. Some patients described how they exaggerated symptoms (“acted up”) to negotiate an urgent appointment, a strategy that was also employed by some GPs to facilitate admission to secondary care. Most participants felt that structured reviews of care had value. However, whereas health professionals perceived serious mental illness as a lifelong condition, patients emphasised the importance of optimism in treatment and hope for recovery. <b>Conclusions</b> Primary care is of central importance to people with serious mental illness. The challenge for health professionals and patients is to create a system in which patients can see a health professional when they want to without needing to exaggerate their symptoms. The importance that patients attach to optimism in treatment, continuity of care, and listening skills compared with specific mental health knowledge should encourage health professionals in primary care to play a greater role in the care of patients with serious mental illness.
Preoperative chemotherapy for stage IIIB extremity soft tissue sarcoma: long-term results from a single institution.
Authors: P W Pisters, S R Patel, D G Varma, S C Cheng, N P Chen, H T Nguyen, B W Feig, A Pollack, R E Pollock, R S Benjamin
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1997)

PURPOSE To review a single institution's long-term results with doxorubicin-based preoperative chemotherapy for American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage IIIB extremity soft tissue sarcoma (STS). PATIENTS AND METHODS The records of all patients with AJCC stage IIIB extremity STS treated with preoperative chemotherapy between 1986 and 1990 at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center were reviewed to assess rates of response, local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS Seventy-six patients with stage IIIB disease received preoperative chemotherapy. The median sarcoma size was 10 cm. Seventy-two patients (95%) had tumors located deep to the muscular fascia. Most patients received a median of three preoperative cycles of doxorubicin and dacarbazine (ADIC), cyclophosphamide and ADIC (CyADIC), or other doxorubicin-based regimens. Radiographic response rates were as follows: complete response (CR), 9%; partial response (PR), 19%; minor response, 13%; stable disease, 30%; and progression, 30%. The overall objective major response rate (CRs plus PRs) was 27%. At a median follow-up time of 85 months, 5-year actuarial rates of LRFS, DMFS, DFS, and OS with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were 83% (CI, 73% to 94%), 52% (CI, 41% to 66%), 46% (CI, 35% to 60%), and 59% (CI, 48% to 72%), respectively. Comparison of responding patients (CRs plus PRs) and nonresponding patients did not show any significant differences in LRFS, DMFS, DFS, or OS. CONCLUSION Preoperative doxorubicin-based chemotherapy was associated with response, DFS, and OS rates similar to those observed in randomized postoperative chemotherapy trials. Responding patients had rates of LRFS, DMFS, DFS, and OS comparable to those of nonresponders.
External Validity of Randomized Controlled Trials in Severe Asthma
Authors: Laurie Pahus, Khuder Alagha, Tünde Sofalvi, Isabelle Vachier, Arnaud Bourdin, Nicolas Molinari, Pascal Chanez
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2015)

et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d'enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés.
The Kidney Council of the American Heart Association needs support to maintain a good thing.
Authors: A C Schoolwerth, R T Miller, W E Mitch
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (1997)

Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN 8(10):p 1624-1625, October 1997. | DOI: 10.1681/ASN.V8101624
Comparable engraftment kinetics following peripheral-blood stem-cell infusion mobilized with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor with or without cyclophosphamide in multiple myeloma.
Authors: K R Desikan, B Barlogie, S Jagannath, D H Vesole, D Siegel, A Fassas, N Munshi, S Singhal, J Mehta, S Tindle, J Nelson, D Bracy, S Mattox, G Tricot
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1998)

PURPOSE To compare, in the setting of tandem autotransplantations for multiple myeloma (MM), two established methods of peripheral-blood stem-cell (PBSC) procurement with chemotherapy or hematopoietic growth factor alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between June 1994 and July 1995, 44 patients with MM were randomized to PBSC mobilization with either granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) 16 microg/kg (group 1; n = 22) or high-dose cyclophosphamide (HDCTX) 6 g/m2 plus G-CSF 5 microg/kg (group 2; n = 22). All 44 patients received melphalan 200 mg/m2 with their first autograft and 32 patients proceeded to a second transplantation. RESULTS Group 2 required a significantly longer time interval for completion of PBSC collection than group 1 (median, 22 v 8 days; P = .0001), greater frequency of hospitalization (100% v 32%; P = .0001), and increased transfusion of platelets (86% v 18%; P = .0001) and packed RBCs (86% v 55%; P = .02). Likewise, the incidence of fever and pneumonia/sepsis were higher in group 2 (P = .02 and P = .04, respectively). Surprisingly, despite greater CD34 cell quantities infused in group 2, median recovery times of granulocytes (both &gt; 500/microL and 2,500/microL) and platelets (both &gt; 50,000/microL and &gt; 100,000/microL) were similar (all P &gt; .7). Posttransplant toxicities were also similar. CONCLUSION Compared with HDCTX plus G-CSF, high-dose G-CSF alone is associated with lower morbidity, shorter duration of PBSC mobilization, and comparable hematopoietic recovery after transplantation, which should result in significant cost reduction. Considering the relatively limited antitumor activity of HDCTX (10% with &gt; or = 50% tumor cytoreduction), PBSC mobilization with HDCTX should be limited to selected patients with persistent MM despite induction chemotherapy.
Whole-exome sequencing of Ethiopian patients with ichthyosis vulgaris and atopic dermatitis
Authors: Fulya Taylan, Daniel Nilsson, Samina Asad, Agne Lieden, Carl-Fredrik Wahlgren, Mårten C.G. Winge, Kassahun Desalegn Bilcha, Magnus Nordenskjöld, Maria Bradley
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2015)