tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
The gastrointestinal stimulus to insulin release
Authors: D. J. Chisholm, J. D. Young, L. Lazarus
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1969)

The gastrointestinal stimulus to the release of insulin has been investigated in man by the use of a radioimmunoassay for secretin. Serum secretin levels rose rapidly after the oral ingestion of glucose or protein and preceded the elevation of serum insulin. An intravenous infusion of highly purified secretin caused a release of insulin when the serum secretin levels were within the physiological range. Infusion of hydrochloric acid into the duodenum caused an elevation of serum secretin and serum insulin levels in normal subjects. A similar response of secretin and insulin was seen after intravenous infusion of pentagastrin even when the acid stimulus to the duodenum was prevented. The latter observation suggests that pentagastrin (and probably gastrin) releases secretin by a direct humoral effect which is later fortified by the arrival of gastric acid in the duodenum. These studies suggest that secretin participates in the augmentation of insulin release after oral stimuli, and that a rapid sequence of humoral events takes place, gastrin releasing secretin and secretin releasing insulin. Subsequently secretin release would be augmented by a local stimulus in the duodenum and insulin release by the rising level of blood glucose or amino acids. This humoral system, which could also involve other gastrointestinal hormones, would provide a mechanism for facilitating the release of insulin to coincide with the onset of metabolite absorption.
Elderly Alcoholics in the Edinburgh Psychiatric Services
Authors: K J B Rix
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1982)

Thirty-one elderly alcoholics diagnosed in the Edinburgh psychiatric service during a 5-month period were interviewed and compared with 30, sex-matched young alcoholics. The two groups were very similar, except in terms of diagnoses of chronic organic brain disease, and the few differences found may reflect age or generational differences. It is suggested that elderly alcoholics, with the exception of those with chronic organic brain disease, may be treated with young alcoholics in general psychiatry and specialist alcoholism services, while those who have chronic organic brain disease may be better treated in a psychogeriatric service.
Targeting the Expression of the Inhibitor of Differentiation (Id) Genes in Tumor Microenvironment (Tme) and Tumor Cells is Crucial in the Prevention of Liver Metastasis (Lm) from Lung Cancer
Authors: E. Castanon Alvarez, I. Lopez, M. Ponz, M. Collantes, M. Ecay, J.M. Lopez-Picazo, I. Gil-Aldea, A. Calvo, I. Gil-Bazo
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2014)
Pediatric asthma and in vivo phagocytosis of black carbon air pollution by airway macrophages
Authors: Rossa Brugha, Naseem Mushtaq, Isobel Dundas, Marek Sanak, Jonathan Grigg
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background  Airway macrophages (AM) remove inhaled black carbon (BC) particulate matter. In severe asthma, in vitro studies suggest that AM phagocytosis is impaired. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which inhibits airway macrophage phagocytosis in vitro, is increased in severe asthma.  Aims and Objectives  To assess AM black carbon and PGE2 in asthmatic children.  Methods  AM were obtained by induced sputum from healthy controls (n=39) and children with mild asthma (n=13) and moderate-to-severe asthma (n=20) with informed consent. The area of AM BC (μm2) was assessed by image analysis. Urinary 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-tetranor-PGE2 was measured by high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.  Results  Children with severe asthma had reduced AM BC (p   Compared with controls, there was no difference in AM black carbon, or urinary tetranor-PGE2 in children with mild asthma.  Conclusions  Phagocytosis of inhaled black carbon particles in vivo is impaired in severe asthma. We found indirect evidence that this is associated with increased PGE2.
Home alone
Authors: Des Spence
Journal: BMJ (2007)

My brothers and I shared a room throughout our childhood. Not just a room but clothes as well: we had a communal pants and socks drawer. It held family heirlooms of grey cotton and stretched elastic, others were psychedelic polyester, but darker forces were at work—the purple “pants” lurked menacingly at the bottom. My mother swore blind that they weren't girls “knickers,” but we knew she was lying. Crammed together in one room we fought, teased, wrestled, studied, and laughed together. When I first opened the door of my tiny cell in the university halls of residence I thought myself royalty. One week later I was miserable; I hated being alone.

I consider that there are lies, damn lies, statistics, and then surveys. But the Office for National Statistics' annual report on social trends, released this month, seems to have the ring of truth, for a change. Apparently when we aren't living with our parents into our 40s we are living alone. Some seven million people in the United Kingdom now live alone, and this number is set to rise. So what? Well, this atomisation of society is a ticking time bomb for healthcare provision.

Having spent a more than a decade doing a weekly shift of night-time home visits, I am very conscious of the vulnerability of people who live alone, especially elderly people. There may be no one to nurse them or watch over them. Distant relatives are unable to offer practical support. The phone rings at emergency social work support. There remains the last and lowest common denominator: acute medical receiving. A trolley, unnecessary investigations, and bed blocking; perhaps a hospital acquired infection thrown in for good measure. This is no good for anyone.

Others have family acting as advocates. Crushed against the wall, inflamed by their body heat—so starts the game of family tag wrestling. Round after round of verbal slapping downs and head locks from 15 concerned family members all impossibly squeezed into the consulting rooms. Draining tussles with families are our medical auditors, the quality control. Paid “carers” are simply no substitute for a family.

But also there is the broader issue of loneliness. Gnawing, it inflames introspection, distorts perspective, and leads to deep unhappiness. Television and the media offer false companionship—a selfish acquaintance selling a one way mirror into someone else's life. I want to write a formal complaint about Margaret Thatcher's mis-selling of the “culture of the individual.” Nobody seems to have read the small print about the disintegration of community, and I fear that it is too late for compensation. I may not want to wear other people's underwear, but I will certainly never want to live alone.
Congestive Heart Failure After Treatment for Wilms’ Tumor: A Report From the National Wilms’ Tumor Study Group
Authors: Daniel M. Green, Yevgeny A. Grigoriev, Bin Nan, Janice R. Takashima, Pat A. Norkool, Giulio J. D’Angio, Norman E. Breslow
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2001)

PURPOSE: We determined the frequency of and risk factors for congestive heart failure following treatment for Wilms’ tumor that included doxorubicin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Flow sheets and medical records were reviewed to identify cases of congestive heart failure in a cohort of patients treated on National Wilms’ Tumor Studies (NWTS)-1, -2, -3, and -4. The frequency of congestive heart failure was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. A case-control study was conducted to determine the relationship among cumulative doxorubicin dose, site(s), total dose of abdominal and thoracic irradiation, sex, and the frequency of congestive heart failure. RESULTS: The cumulative frequency of congestive heart failure was 4.4% at 20 years after diagnosis among patients treated initially with doxorubicin and 17.4% at 20 years after diagnosis among those treated with doxorubicin for their first or subsequent relapse of Wilms’ tumor. The relative risk (RR) of congestive heart failure was increased in females (RR = 4.5; P = .004) and by cumulative doxorubicin dose (RR = 3.3/100 mg/m 2 ; P &lt; .001), lung irradiation (RR = 1.6/10 Gy; P = .037), and left abdominal irradiation (RR = 1.8/10 Gy; P = .013). CONCLUSION: We conclude that congestive heart failure is a risk of treatment with doxorubicin for Wilms’ tumor. Additional follow-up of those children treated on NWTS-4 will be necessary to determine if the decrease in dose to 150 mg/m 2 significantly reduces this risk.
Malacia, inflammation and bacterial colonisation of the conducting airways in infants with persistent respiratory symptoms
Authors: Frans De Baets, Iris De Schutter, Claudia Aarts, Filomeen Haerynck, Sabine Van Daele, Elke De Wachter, Anne Malfroot, Petra Schelstraete
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

In infants with persistent respiratory symptoms, wet cough and wheezing despite regular anti-asthma inhalation treatment diagnostic investigations to exclude underlying disease are warranted.

Prospectively 124 infants with treatment resistant respiratory symptoms were enrolled. Sweat test, 24 hours oesophageal pH measurement and fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were performed. BAL fluid was processed for neutrophil counting and bacterial culture. Inflammation of the respiratory mucosa was registered.

A 24 hours oesophageal pH measurement was positive in 29%. A structural abnormality of the central airways was found in 47% (40% females). In 19% of infants no anatomical anomalies nor chronic inflammation of the respiratory mucosa were observed, whereas in 64% definite macroscopic mucosal inflammation was registered. Pronounced inflammation of the respiratory mucosa was associated with a significantly higher percentage of neutrophils in the BAL fluid, 48% (IQR 14 – 82) compared to 7% (IQR 0 – 16) (p< 0,025) in the normal group. A positive BAL culture was found in 62% of the infants with pronounced mucosal inflammation compared to 25% in the group without inflammation (p< 0.016). Fifty six percent of the BAL fluid samples was positive for bacterial culture.

In infants with treatment resistant respiratory symptoms, nearly half have anatomical anomalies of the central airways. In 62% of the children with pronounced mucosal inflammation a positive BAL culture and a significantly higher percentage of BAL fluid neutrophils were detected, suggesting chronic bronchial infection as a possible reason for ongoing respiratory symptoms.
Bosentan in pulmonary hypertension associated with fibrotic idiopathic interstitial pneumonia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Authors: Gregory Keir, Tamera Corte, Lisa Parfitt, Toby Maher, Phillip Marino, Elisabetta Renzoni, Konstantinos Dimopoulos, Michael Gatzoulis, Brendon Madden, Luke Howard, Paul Corris, Katherine O'Reilly, Ben Hope-Gill, Surinder Birring, Athol Wells, S. John Wort
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background 

In fibrosing idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP), pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with worse outcome.We report the first randomised,double-blinded, placebo-controlled study to assess the safety and efficacy of the dual endothelin-1 receptor antagonist, bosentan, in fibrotic IIP-associated PH.

Methods 

Patients with fibrotic IIP and right heart catheter (RHC) confirmed PH (defined as a mPAP ≥25 mm Hg, PCWP ≤15 mmHg, and a PVR ≥ 3 Wood Units), were randomised 2:1 to receive either bosentan (125 mg bd) or placebo.The primary end point was a reduction in PVR index of ≥20% on repeat RHC after 16 weeks of therapy.

Results 

60 patients(42 men),with a mean age of 66.6 (9.2) years were enrolled (table 1).39 patients completed the study;7 patients died (3/40 in the bosentan arm, 4/20 in placebo;p=0.21),and 14 patients withdrew for other reasons. In the bosentan arm, 7/25(28.0%) patients dropped their PVRi by ≥20%,compared with 4/14(28.6%) in the placebo arm (p=0.97). There was no change in oxygen saturation or quality of life (CAMPHOR) (table 2).

Conclusion 

In this study, no significant change in PVRi with bosentan therapy was detected.

View this table:

Baseline characteristics





View this table:

Week 16 follow-up data
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in India: An analysis of prognostic factors using a single treatment regimen
Authors: S. Advani, S. Pai, D. Venzon, M. Adde, P.K. Kurkure, C.N. Nair, B. Sirohi, S.D. Banavali, R. Hawaldar, B.B. Kolhatkar, T. Vats, I. Magrath
Journal: Annals of Oncology (1999)
Multiplex <i>H. pylori</i> Serology and Risk of Gastric Cardia and Noncardia Adenocarcinomas
Authors: Ramin Shakeri, Reza Malekzadeh, Dariush Nasrollahzadeh, Michael Pawilta, Gwen Murphy, Farhad Islami, Masoud Sotoudeh, Angelika Michel, Arash Etemadi, Tim Waterboer, Hossein Poustchi, Paul Brennan, Paolo Boffetta, Sanford M. Dawsey, Farin Kamangar, Christian C. Abnet
Journal: Cancer Research (2015)

The reported associations with gastric adenocarcinoma and seropositivity to different Helicobacter pylori antigens using multiplex serology have not been consistent across studies. We aimed to investigate the association between 15 different multiplex serology antigens and the risk of gastric cardia (GCA) and gastric noncardia (GNCA) adenocarcinomas in northeastern Iran, a population with high rates of gastric adenocarcinoma. We included 272 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma (142 GCA, 103 GNCA, and 27 unspecified) and 524 controls who were individually matched to cases for age, sex, and place of residence in a population-based case-control study. Seropositivity to H. pylori was assessed using both multiplex serology and H. pylori IgG ELISA. Ninety-five percent of controls were seropositive to H. pylori. Of the 15 antibodies in the multiplex assay, 11 showed no significant association with gastric adenocarcinomas. CagA and VacA were associated with a significantly increased risk of all gastric adenocarcinoma and GNCA in multivariate models. Surprisingly, GroEL and NapA were significantly associated with a reduced risk of these tumors. Only CagA antigen was associated with significantly elevated risk of GCA. We found no associations between H. pylori seropositivity overall either by whole-cell ELISA test or multiplex serology, likely due to the high prevalence of seropositivity. Individual antigen testing showed that CagA positivity was associated with increased risk of both noncardia and cardia adenocarcinoma, which is similar to some other Asian populations, whereas two antigens were associated with lower risk of gastric cancer. This latter result was unexpected and should be retested in other populations.
Impairment of Red Blood Cell Deformability by Tumor Growth
Authors: M H Cohen
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1979)

Red blood cell deformability is a major determinant of capillary blood flow. In mice with L1210 leukemia and with Lewis lung carcinoma, red blood cell deformability was significantly decreased during tumor growth. In mice with L1210 leukemia, deformability was significantly decreased by day 5 after transplantation and progressively decreased through day 9. Terminally, red blood cell deformability returned to normal or above normal values. In mice with Lewis lung carcinoma, significant decreases in deformability were noted 21--28 days after transplantation and persisted throughout the remainder of the tumor course. Impaired capillary blood flow, secondary to abnormal red blood cell deformability, is therefore associated with advanced cancer.
Evaluation of Tumor Measurements in Oncology: Use of Film-Based and Electronic Techniques
Authors: Lawrence H. Schwartz, Michelle S. Ginsberg, Douglas DeCorato, Lawrence N. Rothenberg, Steven Einstein, Peter Kijewski, David M. Panicek
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2000)

PURPOSE: To evaluate the variability in bidimensional computed tomography (CT) measurements obtained of actual tumors and of tumor phantoms by use of three measurement techniques: hand-held calipers on film, electronic calipers on a workstation, and an autocontour technique on a workstation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three radiologists measured 45 actual tumors (in the lung, liver, and lymph nodes) on CT images, using each of the three techniques. Bidimensional measurements were recorded, and their cross-products calculated. The coefficient of variation was calculated to assess interobserver variability. CT images of 48 phantoms were measured by three radiologists with each of the techniques. In addition to the coefficient of variation, the differences between the cross-product measurements of tumor phantoms themselves and the measurements obtained with each of the techniques were calculated. RESULTS: The differences between the coefficients of variation were statistically significantly different for the autocontour technique, compared with the other techniques, both for actual tumors and for tumor phantoms. There was no statistically significant difference in the coefficient of variation between measurements obtained with hand-held calipers and electronic calipers. The cross-products for tumor phantoms were 12% less than the actual cross-product when calipers on film were used, 11% less using electronic calipers, and 1% greater using the autocontour technique. CONCLUSION: Tumor size is obtained more accurately and consistently between readers using an automated autocontour technique than between those using hand-held or electronic calipers. This finding has substantial implications for monitoring tumor therapy in an individual patient, as well as for evaluating the effectiveness of new therapies under development.
Factors influencing dropout of a smoking cessation consultation in patients treated with varenicline
Authors: Sergio Campainha Fernandes, Carla Ribeiro, Regina Monteiro, Ana Antunes, Miguel Guimarães, Ivone Pascoal
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Introduction: Smoking cessation clinics have high dropout rates. Reasons are often not clear.  Aim: To determine factors influencing dropout of smoking cessation clinics in patients treated with varenicline.  Methods: Retrospective cohort of patients started on varenicline. Comparative analysis of patients who dropped out (group 1) or not (group 2) our clinic at 4, 12, 24 and 52 weeks according to demographics, attempts to quit smoking, previous diseases, motivation (Richmond) and dependence (Fagerstrom) assessed on first consultation.  Results: We included 120 patients (70% male), mean age 46.6±10.3 y.o., mean 31.3±21.3 P.Y. smoking. Motivation: 8.4±1.2; Dependence: and 4.8±2.2. Forty-six patients (38.3%) had respiratory, 29 (24.2%) cardiovascular and 7 (5.8%) controlled psychiatric disease. Varenicline was taken on average 8.3±3.8 weeks. Dropout rates were 8.3%, 20.1%, 30.8% and 40.6% at 4, 12, 24 and 52 weeks. At week 4 dropout was observed in older age (p = 0.018) and individuals with no respiratory disease (p=0.043). There was negative relation between motivation and dropout at week 12 (p=0.05) and between dependence and dropout at week 24 (p=0.04). Smoking in the previous appointment increased dropout risk at 24 and 52 weeks (p=0.001 and p=0.04). Adherence to varenicline therapy lowered dropout risk at 24 and 52 weeks (p=0.0001 and p=0.001).  Conclusion: Younger individuals with no respiratory disease, less dependent and less motivated tend to dropout more. At week 24 and 52 those who continue smoking and do not adhere to varenicline quit more. Our results may help to identify individuals most likely to abandon programs and improve strategies to address them.
Treatment tolerance of elderly cancer patients entered onto phase II clinical trials: an Illinois Cancer Center study.
Authors: S Giovanazzi-Bannon, A Rademaker, G Lai, A B Benson
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1994)

PURPOSE Past research that has compared cancer treatment tolerance between elderly and nonelderly cancer patients has been contradictory. Some investigators concluded that there is no difference between the groups, while others demonstrated elderly patients experienced less tolerance to treatment. As a result, some physicians discriminate against elderly cancer patients by not entering them onto clinical trials out of a belief that they will not tolerate the therapy. METHODS An analysis was performed using the Illinois Cancer Center (ICC) data base, which contains treatment information for all patients registered onto phase II trials. A maximum of 672 cases was available for evaluation of 11 treatment-related variables. RESULTS The results demonstrated no significant differences between elderly and nonelderly patients for the following seven treatment-related variables: performance status (PS), number of dose reductions, number of treatment interruptions, total days of delay, best response, reason off-study, and number of grade 3 or greater toxicities. Minor differences were detected for number of courses and number of dose escalations. CONCLUSION Based on these results, elderly patients should not be denied access to cancer clinical trials relative to age alone.
Vitamin-D supplementation in patients with new smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) with refrence to sputum conversion
Authors: Govind Narayan Srivastava, Sandeep Chaudhry, Hemant Kumar, S.K. Singh
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Back ground: PTB is major problem in developing countries like india. Role of vit-D as immunomodulator which also suppresses growth of mycobacterial bacilli in macrophages, helps in treatment of PTB and early sputum conversion.

Methods: Study includes 60 patients of sputum positive PTB above age of 15 yrs with sex ratio 1:0.7, from may 2009 to October 2009 to avoid seasonal variation. All patients were divided in to 2 groups randomly. one group (28 patients) received only ATT and other group (32 patients) received ATT with oral cholecalciferol (vit d) 60,000 IU daily for 5 days. serum vit D were measured pretreatment and at every 2 weeks for 8 weeks. other measurements like sputum smear for AFB, Hb etc also measured.data were analysed.

Results: There is significant increase in Hb at 8 weeks (P-0.03), Decrease in mean ESR at 8th week (P-0.0001) and increase in weight gain after 8 weeks (P-0.0312) in group who received vit D along with ATT.

View this table:

Table 1





There was early sputum conversion in patient who received vit D and ATT but this difference was not significant stastically so further study with large sample is required.

View this table:

Table 2





Conclusion: Supplementation with vit D in patients with smear positive PTB was of benefit in terms of haemoglobin, weight gain, ESR reduction and general well being. An early sputum conversion was observed in patients who received vit D supplementation.