tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Physical Test for Distant Metastases in Patients with Breast Cancer
Authors: R C Coombes, T J Powles, M Abbott, L De Rivas, H T Ford, V R McCready, A M Neville, J-C Gazet
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1980)

Of 312 patients presenting with breast cancer to a single clinic, 297 were screened for metastases in skin and nodes, bone, marrow, liver and lungs, using standard clinical, radiological scanning and cytological techniques. Thirty-four patients were found to have overt metastatic disease using these tests. Metastases were demonstrable on chest X-ray in 6.1% of the entire group of patients, on the bone scan in 4.2%, liver scan in 1.5%, liver ultrasound in 1.2% and in the bone marrow in only a single patient; 3.8% had contralateral or supraclavicular lymph node metastases or skin metastases. Twenty-eight of these 34 patients (82%) with overt metastases would have been classed as metastatic had only chest X-ray and clinical examination been carried out.A survey was then carried out to determine when tests for bone and liver metastases became abnormal. Bone scan and skeletal survey results were reviewed in 58 patients, 22 of whom had developed skeletal metastases and all of whom had regular skeletal scintigraphy carried out. Sixteen of 20 (80%) scans carried out within six months of the development of skeletal deposits were abnormal compared with 4 of 19 (21%) scans at the same follow-up time in those who failed to develop metastases, but few patients showed definite evidence of bone metastases on scanning prior to radiological metastases. Fifty-one patients who were found to have liver metastases at post-mortem were reviewed and most showed progressively rising alkaline phosphatase before death but only 11 of 57 (19.2%) and 14 of 50 (28%) had positive liver scintiscans and liver ultrasound examinations respectively from 3-12 months before death.
Clinical presentation and severity of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome in Tunisian women
Authors: Nadia Boudawara, Leila Boussoffara, Nessrine El Fahem, Soumaya Bouchareb, Raouia Oija, Mounira Sakka, Jalel Knani
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Introduction: obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) results from recurrent episodes of breathing cessation during sleep. OSAHS is more prevalent in men than women and is not well managed in female patients.  Aims of the study: studying the influence of female gender on clinical presentation and laboratory findings and identifying predictors of severity of OSAHS in women.  Patients and methods: During six years 427 patients were referred to our department for a suspicion of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome and only 373 patients had an OSAHS confirmed by nocturnal polygraph. Among these patients 148 were female. Clinical data, spirometric, a six-minutes-walking-test, laboratory tests and cardiac ultarsound were determined in these 148 women.  Results: Among the 148 patients 46% had a severe OSAHS with an apnea hypopnea index (AHI) >30. Hypertension was found in 70% of patients, diabetes in 33%, asthma in 21% and dyslipidemia in 11% of patients. Older age, Epworth sleep scale, greater body mass index, and the duration of the evolution of symptoms were risk factors of severity of OSAHS in female patients.  Conclusion: Despite the higher frequency of OSAHS in male patients, it is also common in women.
Lung cancer in young patients: Clinical findings
Authors: Othmen Neffati, Hanene Smadhi, Leila Elfekih, Dorra Greb, Tawaddod Khmis, Hela Hassen, Ines Akrout, Hajer BenAbdelghaffar, Souraya Fenniche, Mohamed Lamine Megdiche
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Introduction: Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in men throughout the word. It’s often known as an affliction of elderly smokers.

Pur pose: Is to present the clinical features, pathologic findings, and prognosis of lung cancer in young patients.

Methods: The records from all patients with a diagnosis of lung cancer and an age less than or equal to 45 years were reviewed during a period of 5 years(2008-2012).

Results: Five women and twenty men with a mean age of 42 years (30-45years) were included. Cancer was diagnosed at an earlier age in women than in men. Smoking was noted in 21 patients. The mean duration of symptoms before consulting was 3.5 months. Common complaints were alteration of the general condition (64%), chest pain (44%), cough (40%) and dyspnea (32%). Histology types were: adenocarcinoma in 17 patients (68%), squamous cell carcinoma in 4cases (16%), small cell carcinoma in 3 cases (12%) and large cell carcinoma in one case (4%). Diagnosis was confirmed by bronchial biopsy in 56% of cases, percutaneous CT guided biopsy in 24%, mediastinoscopy in 4% and by surgery in 4%. Seventeen patients were discovered in metastatic stage. Treatment modalities were: chemotherapy alone in 12 cases, a radio-chemotherapy in 7cases, surgery alone in two cases, neoadjuvant chemotherapy in one case and radiotherapy alone in one case.Treatment was palliative in two cases. Progressive disease was noted in 17patients. The median survival was 12.5 months (2-36 months).

Conclusion: Lung cancer remains with poor prognosis even in young people. His prevalence remains in increasing because smoking exposure became recently more important especially among young women.
Characteristics and outcomes of hospitalizations for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD)
Authors: Tyler Knight, Xiao Xu, Rebecca Baik, Xiao Tu, Joseph Parker, Nestor Molfino
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

RATIONALE:  Up to 25% of AECOPD events require hospitalization. However, data on AECOPD hospitalizations, including seasonal patterns, health resource use (HRU) and post-discharge readmission is limited. This study describes the characteristics and outcomes of AECOPD treated in US hospitals.   METHODS:  A retrospective study of COPD patients treated in 376 US hospitals for AECOPD from 2007-2010 was conducted with the Premier Perspective® database. All AECOPD hospitalizations for COPD patients aged 40-85 years were identified. Characteristics of AECOPD hospitalizations (including seasonal patterns, length of stay [LOS], proportions admitted to ICU and treated with ventilator, and in-hospital mortality) and 30- to 90-day post-discharge readmission were summarized.   RESULTS:  Of 285,752 AECOPD hospitalizations identified, most were found in the winter season (December-March, range 9.2-10.3%), peaking in March (10.3%); while the fewest were found in the summer season (June-September, range 6.5-7.5%), dipping in August (6.5%). Median LOS was 4 days; 20.5% included ICU admission and 12.9% required ventilator use. In-hospital mortality was 3.3% overall; 10.6% and 1.5% with and without an ICU stay, respectively; and 13.9% and 1.8% with and without ventilator use, respectively. Within 30, 60 and 90 days after discharge, readmission rates to the same hospital were 10.4%, 14.6% and 17.4%, respectively.   CONCLUSONS:  AECOPD-related hospitalizations are most prevalent from December to March and represent substantial healthcare burden by high readmission rates, substantial HRU, and resulting mortality. Early preventive treatment may reduce disease burden of AECOPD events.
Types of interstitial lung diseases and comparison on survival of idiopathic and secondary types in a tertiary care setting of Sri Lanka
Authors: Asanga Upul, Dinesh Dasanayake, Kiruna Wickramasekara, Lalith Gamage, Anoma Siribaddana
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Objectives   The interstitial lung diseases (ILDs),heterogeneous. Our objectives were to identify the sub categories of ILD s, find secondary causes and to compare survival.   Methods   All the patients who were diagnosed to have ILD in the respiratory unit Kandy from May 2009 to April 2011were recruited. All were investigated for secondary causes. They were classified into sub classes of idiopathic or secondary. Diagnosis and treatment was according to the ERS\ATS consensus guide lines 2002. Survival of these patients during the two year period was recorded. The two groups were compared using Fisher9s Exact test.   Results   There were 41 patients with interstitial lung disease. Twenty one (51.3%) were idiopathic and 20 (49.7%) had secondary causes. There were 6 (27%) males with an average age of 71 years ,and 15 (73%) females with an average age of 61 in idiopathic group. In the secondary group there were 6 (30%) males with average age of 53 years and 14 (70%) females with average age of 54 years .Secondary causes identified were , rheumatoid arthritis (n=8, 19.5%), 7.3%),systemic sclerosis (n=2, 4.8%),%), polymyositis (n=1, 2.4%) , Hypersensitivity pneumonitis(n=2, 4.8%), amiadarone lung (n=1, 2.4%), and sarcoidosis (n=1, 2.4%) silicosis (n=3, berylliosis (n=1, 2.4%), Idiopathic group consisted of 10 (45%) with UIP and 8 (36%) with NSIP. Three had other varieties. During the 2 years. 5 (23.8%) of idiopathic group died. One (5%) of secondary group died [FET, p = 0.0002].   Conclusions   50% of the patients with ILD had secondary causes. Patients with idiopathic diseases had a poor survival compared to the patients with secondary diseases.
The SI! Program for Cardiovascular Health Promotion in Early Childhood
Authors: José L. Peñalvo, Gloria Santos-Beneit, Mercedes Sotos-Prieto, Patricia Bodega, Belén Oliva, Xavier Orrit, Carla Rodríguez, Juan Miguel Fernández-Alvira, Juliana Redondo, Rajesh Vedanthan, Sameer Bansilal, Emilia Gómez, Valentin Fuster
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2015)
Abstract 17795: Left Atrial Appendage Volume Reflects Severity of Mitral Regargitation: A Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography Study
Authors: Yoko Fukuoka, Masaki Izumo, Takeji Saitoh, Eiji Kuwahara, Jun Tanaka, Swaminatha V Gurudevan, Kirsten Tolstrup, Robert J Siegel, Takahiro Shiota
Journal: Circulation (2011)

Background: Left atrial (LA) size is well known to reflect volume overload condition such as mitral regurgitation (MR). However, the effects to left atrial appendage (LAA) have not been well defined. LAA structure has multilobed complicated three-dimensional structures. Recent development of real-time 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT3D-TEE) has enabled us to examine morphology and determine absolute volumes of LAA without geometrical assumptions. We investigated the relationship between MR severity and LAA volume. Methods: Seventy-four patients with MR who underwent RT3D-TEE were studied. All measurements were performed off-line software. Maximal LAA orifice area, depth and volume, and the number of LAA lobes were assessed (Figure). We also measured LAA emptying flow velocity (LAAev) as the average of 3 consecutive cardiac cycles in patients in normal sinus rhythm and 5 consecutive cardiac cycles in patients with atrial fibrillation. MR grade was evaluated by vena contracta width (VCW). In 58 patients, we also determined the maximal LA volume by the Simpson method from apical views by 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. Pulsed Doppler E, tissue Doppler E' and E/E' were also measured. Results: Mean LAA orifice area was 5.0±3.8 cm 2 , LAA volume was 11±10 ml, LA volume was 116±57ml, and LAAev was 41±23 cm/sec. Patients with moderate to severe MR had larger LAA orifice area, LAA volume, and LA volume than patients with mild MR (Table). In contrast, there were no relationship between MR severity, the number of LAA lobes and LAAev. 3D derived LAA volume was correlated with VCW significantly (r=0.51, p&lt;0.01). Conclusion: LAA volume was associated with MR severity.
Epidemiological Study of the Genetics and Environment of Asthma, Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness, and Atopy
Authors: FRANCINE KAUFFMANN, MARIE-HÉLÈNE DIZIER, ISABELLE PIN, EVELYNE PATY, FRÉDÉRIC GORMAND, DANIEL VERVLOET, JEAN BOUSQUET, FRANÇOISE NEUKIRCH, ISABELLA ANNESI, MARIE-PIERRE ORYSZCZYN, MARK LATHROP, FLORENCE DEMENAIS, ALAIN LOCKHART, JOSUÉ FEINGOLD
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1997)

Section:ChooseTop of pageAbstract <<EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF ...HETEROGENEITY AND SEVERIT...COMPARISON OF ASTHMA PHEN...ReferencesCITING ARTICLES
Peak Plantar Shear and Pressure and Foot Ulcer Locations: A Call to Revisit Ulceration Pathomechanics
Authors: Metin Yavuz, Hiral Master, Alan Garrett, Lawrence A. Lavery, Linda S. Adams
Journal: Diabetes Care (2015)

The sensitivity and specificity of plantar pressure in identifying diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are relatively low, leading investigators to label peak pressure (PP) as a “poor” predictor (1). Moreover, pressure-reducing therapeutic footwear is only “meagerly” effective in preventing recurrent ulceration (2). These findings indicate that DFUs have a more complicated pathology. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of plantar shear as it relates to ulcer locations using a custom-built stress plate (3).

Eight volunteers, each with one recently healed forefoot plantar DFU, walked at self-selected speeds across the custom-built plate, quantifying both PP and peak shear (PS).

In five subjects (63%), PP and PS occurred at different plantar sites. Of eight ulcers, five did not develop at PP locations (Fig. 1). Two ulcers developed at PP-only locations, whereas three developed at PS-only sites. One ulcer location matched overlapping locations of PP and PS. Surprisingly, two ulcers …
Loss of NDRG2 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition of gallbladder carcinoma cells through MMP-19-mediated Slug expression
Authors: Dong Gwang Lee, Sang-Hyun Lee, Jang-Seong Kim, Jongjin Park, Young-Lai Cho, Koon Soon Kim, Deog Yeon Jo, Ik-Chan Song, Nayoung Kim, Hwan-Jung Yun, Young-Jun Park, Seon-Jin Lee, Hee Gu Lee, Kwang-Hee Bae, Sang Chul Lee, Sungbo Shim, Young-Myeong Kim, Young-Guen Kwon, Jin-Man Kim, Hyo Jin Lee, Jeong-Ki Min
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2015)
Signal Sequence Conservation and Mature Peptide Divergence Within Subgroups of the Murine beta-Defensin Gene Family
Authors: G. M. Morrison
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2003)

Beta-defensins are two exon genes which encode broad spectrum antimicrobial cationic peptides. We have analyzed the largest murine cluster of these genes which localizes to chromosome 8. Using hidden Markov models, we identified six beta-defensin exon 2-like sequences and subsequently found full-length expressed transcripts for these novel genes. Expression was high in brain and reproductive tissues. Eleven beta-defensins could be grouped into two clear subgroups by virtue of their position and high signal sequence (exon 1 encoded) identity. In contrast, however, there was a very low level of sequence conservation in the exon 2 region encoding the mature antimicrobial peptide. Examination of the gene sequences of orthologs in other rodents also revealed an excess of nucleotide changes that altered amino acids in the mature peptide region. Evolutionary analysis revealed strong evidence that following gene duplication, exon 1 and surrounding noncoding DNA show little divergence within subgroups. The focus for rapid sequence divergence is localized in the DNA encoding the mature peptide and this is driven by accelerated positive selection. This mechanism of evolution is consistent with the role of this gene family as defense against bacterial pathogens and the sequence changes have implications for novel antibiotic design.
Achieving cocaine abstinence with a behavioral approach
Authors: S T Higgins, A J Budney, W K Bickel, J R Hughes, F Foerg, G Badger
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1993)

The authors compared the efficacy of a multicomponent behavioral treatment and drug abuse counseling for cocaine-dependent individuals.The 38 patients were enrolled in outpatient treatment and were randomly assigned to the two treatments. Counseling in the behavioral treatment was based on the community reinforcement approach, while the drug abuse counseling was based on the disease model of dependence and recovery. Patients in the behavioral, but not the drug counseling, treatment also received incentives contingent on submitting cocaine-free urine specimens.Of the 19 patients who received behavioral treatment, 58% completed 24 weeks of treatment, versus 11% of the patients who received counseling. In the behavioral treatment group 68% and 42% of the patients achieved at least 8 and 16 weeks of documented continuous cocaine abstinence, respectively, versus 11% and 5% in the drug abuse counseling group.This multicomponent behavioral treatment appears to be an effective intervention for retaining outpatients in treatment and establishing cocaine abstinence.
Steps to combat climate change would also improve human health, commission says
Authors: N. Hawkes
Journal: BMJ (2015)

Climate change provides an opportunity to make big improvements in human health, because the changes needed to counter it will clean the air, encourage more active lives, rebuild cities in a more humane way, and improve the diet of those who live in them, a new report concludes.

If nothing is done, says the Lancet ’s Commission on Climate Change (thelancet.com/commissions/climate-change), the threat to human health is huge, with increasing frequency of direct effects such as heatwaves, floods, droughts, and storms and indirect effects that include changes in the pattern of disease, insecure food supplies, involuntary migration, displacement, and conflicts. Taken together, these effects have the capacity to undo the gains of the past 50 years in development and human health.

But if the right steps are taken they will have many benefits beyond that of preventing the rise of global temperatures, the commission’s co-chair, Anthony Costello, told a press briefing at the Science Media Centre in London on 22 June. 

“The effects of a 4°C rise in global temperatures are very …
Effects of an intra-dyalitic aerobic training program on oxygen uptake kinetics in patients with end-stage renal disease
Authors: Maycon Reboredo, J. Alberto Neder, Bruno Pinheiro, Diane Henrique, Ruiter Faria, Rogério Paula
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with several hemodynamic and peripheral muscle abnormalities that could slow the rate of change in oxygen uptake (VO2) at the onset and at the end of dynamic exercise. We therefore investigated the effects of supervised aerobic training during hemodialysis on the VO2 on- and off-kinetics in ESRD patients.

Methods: Twelve patients and 12 age- and gender-matched, non-trained patients underwent an incremental and constant work rate cardiopulmonary exercise tests on a cycle ergometer at baseline and after 12 wks of exercise training or a similar control period. Exercise training was performed during the first two hours of hemodialysis sessions by using a stationary cycle, three times a week.

Results: Training significantly accelerated VO2 kinetics (τ decreased from 62.5±19.6 s to 45±12.6 s) and reduced O2 deficit at the onset of a sub-anaerobic threshold (AT) exercise test (p<0.05). At a supra-AT test, τ decreased from 52.9±17.4 s to 40.4±13.8 s (p<0.05) and time to exercise intolerance increased significantly (311.9±223.4 s vs. 589.2±358.1 s). Similar positive effects of training were observed at the off-exercise transient in both sub- and supra-AT tests (τ=75.1±16.4 s vs. 66.2±20.8 s and 73.4±20.4 s vs. 59.9±12.8 s, p<0.05, respectively). In contrast, VO2 on- and off-kinetics were significantly slower at the final evaluation in the non-trained patients (p<0.05).

Conclusions: A 12-week supervised aerobic training program was highly effective in accelerating on- and off-exercise VO2 kinetics at both moderate and severe exercise intensity domains in ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Effectiveness of the use of heliox on nebulizer associated with noninvasive ventilation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Vitória Lima, Cyda Reinaux, Luciana Alcoforado, Shirley Campos, Catarina Rattes, Simone Brandão, Valdecir Galindo Filho, Armèle Dornelas de Andrade
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of nebulized bronchodilators carried by heliox associated with NIV in the pulmonary deposition of radioaerosol in patients with stable COPD. Methods: A randomized controlled trial involving 37 patients divided into four groups: heliox NIV, oxygen NIV, heliox and oxygen. For scintigraphy pulmonary inhalation dose was administered a dose of dietilnotriaminopentaacetico acid labeled with technetium(99mTc-DTPA- 25 mCi) combined with fenoterol bromide(0.12 mg) and ipatropium bromide(0.25 mg) delivered through a bi-level noninvasive ventilation system using a face mask with two unidirectional valves and connected to the nebulizer for radioisotopes(IPAP = 10 cm H2O and EPAP=8 cm H2O). Images were acquired immediately after the intervention using a Gama camera and Regions of interest was determined. Results: There was a higher radioaerosol pulmonary deposition in the lower third in the heliox NIV and oxygen NIV groups compared to oxygen group(p=0.03 and p=0.02, respectively). We observed a higher deposition in the middle third(p=0.008) in heliox NIV group when compared to O2. Thus, there was a positive correlation gain in inspiratory capacity(IC) and the total area of the right lung(p=0.04, r=0.71) in the heliox NIV group. Conclusion: Our results suggest that coupling heliox or oxygen with bi-level NIV reached a higher lung radioaerosol deposition in the lower third for both lungs. The association between heliox and NIV seem to be more effective to promote a higher radioaerosol peripheral deposition considering the gain of the IC.  Supported by: CAPES NF, CNPq, FACEPE.