tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Microcalorimetry for bacterial strain discrimination - a first step in developing a novel technique for the diagnosis of severe infections
Authors: Andrei-Alexandru Muntean, Dragos Cosmin Zaharia, Octavian Balint, Alexandru Tudor Steriade, Mihnea Ioan Gabriel Popa, Roxana Micut, Ioana Teodora Tofolean, Mircea Ioan Popa, Vlad Tudor Popa, Miron Alexandru Bogdan
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Microcalorimetry has been used to study bacterial growth kinetics (expressed as thermograms) as a result of their specific metabolism. While most respiratory tract infections have a benign outcome, some present with septic disease and poor prognosis. There is a need for novel techniques that provide rapid diagnosis and aid in antibiotic stewardship. The current study uses Differential Scanning Calorimetry (μDSC) to evaluate detection and discrimination criteria for bacteria using their specific thermograms.

The thermograms were obtained from broth cultures of Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) at an initial 1/100 dilution of 0,1 McFarland suspension. The studied parameters of the 2-peak shaped thermograms were time to bacterial growth detection (t0.015), time to exponential growth phase (t0.05), height (HFMax1) and time (t1stMax) to first peak heatflow. Results showed that E. coli grows faster and has higher heatflow peaks than S. aureus, allowing for fast and reliable differentiation. Numerical values and statistical significance of discrimination parameters are presented in the table:

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The thermograms act as kinetic fingerprints for bacterial growth and our study proves that bacterial discrimination is possible within 4 to 6 hours, and may aid in the workup of infections that require rapid bacteriological information to guide therapy.
A Method of Evaluation of Results in Hay Fever; Its Application to Certain Modes of Treatment
Authors: Samuel M. Feinberg
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1933)

Article1 March 1933A Method of Evaluation of Results in Hay Fever; Its Application to Certain Modes of TreatmentSAMUEL M. FEINBERG, M.D., F.A.C.P.SAMUEL M. FEINBERG, M.D., F.A.C.P.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-6-9-1153 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTherapeutic progress in any field necessitates a means at our disposal for measuring therapeutic results. This may imply either an objective method or a good subjective method. In hay fever this is especially desirable because of the natural variations in the symptoms. From time to time various treatments are advocated in hay fever and it becomes necessary to measure their value. Modifications in technic of old accepted forms of treatment must also be evaluated. In addition, the measurement of therapeutic results in hay fever may be of worth also in the study of other factors such as age, complications, climate...References1 BLACKLEY CH: Experimental researches on the causes and nature of catarrhus aestivus, (hay fever or hay asthma),1873, London, Baillière, Tindall and Cox. Google Scholar2 DUKEDURHAM WWOC: Pollen content of air; relationship to symptoms and treatment of hay fever, asthma and eczema, Jr. Am. Med. Assoc., 1928, xc, 1529-1532. CrossrefGoogle Scholar3 RACKEMANNSMITH FMLB: Ragweed hay fever: symptoms and pollen concentration compared (1930), New England Jr. Med., 1931, cciv, 711-712. CrossrefGoogle Scholar4 RACKEMANNSMITH FMLB: Studies in asthma; the plant pollens of New England: their relative importance, Jr. Allergy, 1931, ii, 364-371. CrossrefGoogle Scholar5 ACQUARONEGAY PLN: A survey of the pollen flora in Baltimore during 1929, Jr. Allergy, 1931, ii, 336-355. CrossrefGoogle Scholar6 HOPKINS M: Effect of weather variations upon the symptoms of hay fever patients, Jr. Allergy, 1931, ii, 145-148. CrossrefGoogle Scholar7 GAY LN: Economic results from the treatment of pollen asthma and hay fever, Jr. Allergy, 1931, ii, 456-466. CrossrefGoogle Scholar8 BECKMAN H: Nitrohydrochloric acid in treatment of hay fever, Am. Jr. Med. Sci., 1927, clxxiv, 525-529. CrossrefGoogle Scholar9 HAMBURGER F: Brom Gegen Heuschnupfen, Münch. med. Wchnschr., 1927, lxxiv, 852. Google Scholar10 HIRSCH C: Zur Therapie des Heuschnupfens mit Salvamin Kahlbaum, Ztschr. f. Laryng. Rhin., 1927, xvi, 75-80. Google Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Chicago, Illinois*Read before the Chicago Society of Allergy, January 18, 1932.†From the Allergy Clinic, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 1 March 1933Volume 6, Issue 9Page: 1153-1160KeywordsAllergy and immunologyFeversHyperthermia ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 March 1933 PDF downloadLoading ...
Biofilm causes decreased production of interferon-gamma.
Authors: M K Dasgupta
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (1996)

Interferon-gamma, a cytokine, is produced by lymphocytes when they are stimulated by cytokines from activated macrophages, and is essential for macrophage-mediated bactericidal operations. To investigate whether a strain of bacteria can activate macrophages and lymphocytes, the interferon-gamma levels may thus be measured. Current literature maintains that peritoneal dialysis patients with recurrent peritonitis have "unhealthy" macrophages and lymphocytes unable to produce interferon-gamma, but that the administration of interferon improves the rates of peritonitis. In an in vitro experiment, Staphylococcus epidermidis, in both its planktonic and biofilm forms, was added to a suspension of peritoneal dialysis effluents, macrophages, and healthy peripheral blood lymphocytes, which were incubated at 37 degrees C for 18 h and then centrifuged. Subsequent levels of interferon-gamma were measured in the supernatants. Three such experiments were done with peritoneal macrophages and dialysis effluents collected from each of the three different patients involved in the study. It was found that little or no interferon-gamma (0.42 +/- 0.17 U/mL) was produced when biofilm bacteria were tested, but significant amounts of interferon-gamma (9.25 +/- 4.63 U/mL) resulted in conjunction with the planktonic form of the same bacteria. To eliminate experimental errors, all conditions were left identical, appropriate control groups were added, and each of the three experiments was duplicated. These in vitro data therefore provide new insight in the role of biofilm in the pathogenesis of recurrent peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients. Further clinical studies are required.
Objective measurement of inhalation profiles in patients using metered dose inhalers (MDIs)
Authors: Wahida Azouz, Philip Chetcuti, Harold Hosker, Dinesh Saralaya, Henry Chrystyn
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Subjective assessments of inhaler technique suggest that patients have problems using MDIs (Crompton et al. Respir Med 2006). To expand on this problem we have electronically measured inhalation profiles of patients when they use a MDI using their normal technique. Children with asthma (CHILD; n=20), adults with asthma (ADULT; n=60) and chronic obstructive airways disease (COPD; n=31) completed the study. We have measured their peak inhalation flow (PIFR), inhalation volume (IV), length of inhalation (Ti) and the time between actuation and the start of an inhalation (TsIn). The results are shown in the table below.

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Table 1. Mean (SD) [range]





Using a PIFR <90L/min for slow flow with a TsIn of 0-0.2 seconds for good co-ordination only 3 CHILD, 4 ADULT and 6 COPD demonstrated a good inhalation technique. The PIFR of 15 CHILD was <90L/min, 26 ADULT and 24 COPD. 9 CHILD actuated too early, 4 too late and 2 did not actuate. 17 ADULTS actuated too early, 27 were too late and 5 did not actuate. 9 COPD actuated too early and 14 too late. The mean (SD) ADULT ACQ was 2.04 (1.00) with no difference between slow and fast PIFR and co-ordination. ACQ for those with a good (n=4) and poor technique (n=56) was 1.07 (0.36) and 2.08 (1.02). As expected MDI co-ordination (TsIn) was poor and most PIFRs were too fast. The low IV and short Ti reveal that patients need to exhale more and prolong their inhalation time.
Immunotherapy with Grass Pollen Major Allergens
Authors: Ole ØSterballe
Journal: Allergy (1982)

Perenial hyposensitization with a partially purified timothy extract resulted in a statistically significantly higher degree of clinical protection than treatment with the two timothy major allergens (Nos. 19 and 25) and protected better from the second—than during the first grass pollen season. The extracts were standardized biologically and adsorbed to aluminium hydroxide for administration. The therapy had a more beneficial influence on sneezing than on rhinorrhoea and blockage of nasal airways, and an excellent effect on grass pollen asthma was obtained with the partially purified timothy extract. Associated birch pollen allergy was not influenced by hyposensitization with grass pollen.
Interaction between RPL554 and glycopyrronium bromide in small human airways
Authors: Luigino Calzetta, Mario Cazzola, Clive Page, Paola Rogliani, Francesco Facciolo, Maria Gabriella Matera
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background :The relaxant synergistic interaction between RPL554 and anticholinergic agents has been recently proved on human isolated segmental bronchi (Calzetta, L. et al. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2013;346:414-23).

Aim :To investigate the interaction between RPL554 and glycopyrronium in human isolated bronchioles.

Methods :Precision cut lung slices (PCLSs) from 6 patients were incubated in Krebs-Henseleit solution (37°C) aerated with O2/CO2 (95:5%). The concentration response to RPL554 and glycopyrronium, administered alone and in combination at isoeffective concentrations, was assessed at sub-maximal contraction (70% maximum, EC70) induced by carbachol (CCh). The relaxation of small bronchi (<1mm diameter) was expressed as % of maximal response (lumen area enhancement) induced by papaverine (Emax) and potency as negative logarithm of IC50 (pD2). Drug mixture effects were analyzed by Bliss Independence theory. Values (n=3) are mean±SEM.

Results :Glycopyrronium induced a more potent concentration-dependent relaxation of bronchioles compared with RPL554 (pD2: glycopyrronium 9.2±0.4, RPL554 6.0±0.1, P<0.001) and both abolished the CCh-induced contraction. Glycopyrronium and RPL554 at low-to-middle concentrations (glycopyrronium 0.05nM–0.14 nM, RPL554 0.32µM–0.54µM) had a synergistic relaxant effect on small airway enhancing relaxation by +21.1±4.0%, compared with the expected response (P<0.05). Low concentrations (EC30) of glycopyrronium plus RPL554 induced significant (P<0.05) lumen area enhancement of 69.1±2.4%, compared with the expected response (51.0±5.4%).

Conclusions :RPL554 and glycopyrronium had a synergistic interaction on the lumen area enhancement of bronchioles, mainly at low-to-middle concentrations.
Effects of high-repetitive single limb exercises (HRSLE) on functional exercise capacity in patients with COPD - Randomized controlled multicenter trial
Authors: Andre Nyberg, Britta Lindström, Karin Wadell
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Introduction : Single limb exercises (SLE) in the form of one-legged cycling induce significant increases in exercise capacity in patients with COPD. Up to date it is unknown whether changes in exercise capacity can be achieved by using the SLE concept performed as strength training with a high number of repetitions (HRSLE) for this group of patients.

Aim : To evaluate the effects of HRSLE and patient education (PE) compared to PE alone on functional exercise capacity in patients with COPD

Methods : Participants with COPD were recruited and randomized to eight weeks of HRSLE and PE or PE alone. Blinded measurements of functional exercise capacity measured by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), the 6-minute pegboard and ring test (6PBRT) and the unsupported upper limb exercise test (UULEX) were performed. HRSLE is a strength training regimen performed with one leg /arm at a time alternating the left/right side using elastic bands and body weight as resistance with a high number of repetitions.

Results : Forty-four patients with COPD [23 female; mean (SD) age: 68.7 (5.6) years; FEV1 %predicted: 44.6 (9.7); BMI: 25.6 (4.4)] were included. The magnitude of change was greater in the HRSLE group in the 6MWT (mean difference: 32m, 95% CI 13 to 57m; effect size (ES) 2.2), the 6PBRT (mean difference: 20 rings, 95% CI 3 to 37 rings; ES 1.5) and the UULEX (mean difference: 118 sec, 95% CI 72 to 164 sec; ES 3.2).

Conclusion : The present study shows that eight weeks of HRSLE improves upper and lower extremity functional exercise capacity in patients with moderate to severe COPD.
Lung clearance index during pulmonary exacerbation in school-age children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Liam Welsh, Marisol Tomai, Haily Tran, Sarath Ranganathan
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background  Multiple breath washout is now regarded as a more sensitive measure of early cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease than traditional measures of lung function. However, although it is well established that lung clearance index (LCI) is often abnormal in CF, it remains unclear what constitutes a clinically significant change.   Methods  We are prospectively performing multiple breath nitrogen washout (MBNW) and spirometry upon admission and at discharge in school-age children with CF who have been hospitalised for pulmonary exacerbation. Our aim is to establish the utility of LCI for assessing short term clinical response to IV therapy.   Results  Seven patients (4 male) with a mean (range) age of 15.6 (10.4 – 19.9) years, have completed paired MBNW measurements thus far in 2013. Mean (SD) LCI on admission was 11.18 (2.85)  versus  9.90 (2.5) on discharge. Although this was a reduction of 10.7% the mean LCI did not differ significantly (p=0.308). The mean interval between MBNW measurements was 7.7 (3.9) days. Mean (SD) FEV1 % predicted on admission was 68.1 (16.2) %  versus  73.1 (18.2) % at discharge, (p=0.08).   Conclusion  In this group of patients with mild-to-moderate CF lung disease, LCI improved by 10.7% over the course of their hospital admission while FEV- 1  improved by 7.3%. As these lung function tests assess different aspects of lung disease, further data will allow both clinically significant cutoff values and the relative contributions of ventilation inhomogeneity and airway function during pulmonary exacerbations in CF to be determined.
European Phase II Study of Rituximab (Chimeric Anti-CD20 Monoclonal Antibody) for Patients With Newly Diagnosed Mantle-Cell Lymphoma and Previously Treated Mantle-Cell Lymphoma, Immunocytoma, and Small B-Cell Lymphocytic Lymphoma
Authors: James M. Foran, Ama Z. S. Rohatiner, David Cunningham, Razvan A. Popescu, Philippe Solal-Celigny, Michele Ghielmini, Bertrand Coiffier, Peter W. M. Johnson, Christian Gisselbrecht, Felix Reyes, John A. Radford, Eric M. Bessell, Bertrand Souleau, Aziz Benzohra, T. Andrew Lister
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2000)

PURPOSE: Mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL), immunocytoma (IMC), and small B-cell lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) are B-cell malignancies that express CD20 and are incurable with standard therapy. A multicenter phase II study was conducted to assess the toxicity and the overall response rates (RR) and complete response (CR) rates to rituximab (chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1997 and January 1998, 131 patients with newly diagnosed MCL (MCL1; n = 34) and previously treated MCL (MCL2; n = 40), IMC (n = 28), and SLL (n = 29) received rituximab 375 mg/m 2 /wk for 4 weeks via intravenous infusion. Restaging studies were performed 1 and 2 months after treatment. An analysis of the duration of response was conducted in December 1998. RESULTS: Eleven patients were unassessable, including one who died of splenic rupture after the first infusion. The RR among the 120 assessable patients was 30% (36 of 120 patients). The RR by histology was as follows: MCL1, 38%; MCL2, 37%; IMC, 28%; and SLL, 14%. Ten patients, all with MCL, achieved CR. The median duration of response in MCL was 1.2 years. Immediate side effects were common and usually responded to adjustments in the infusion rate. There were 31 episodes of infection after treatment; most cases were mild. Cardiac arrhythmia and ophthalmologic side effects occurred in 10 and nine patients, respectively, including one case of severe loss of visual acuity. CONCLUSION: Single-agent rituximab has moderate activity in MCL and IMC but only limited activity in SLL. The duration of response in MCL was similar to that previously reported in follicular lymphoma. Its use in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy to increase the CR rate is warranted in MCL and IMC.
Autoimmune hypothyroidism protects against breast cancer development in the elderly
Authors: M. Sandhu, B. Zagorski, K. Sykora, G. Booth, C. Brezden-Masley
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2006)

588 Background: An association between breast cancer and autoimmune hypothyroidism has been suggested. While a biological role for thyroid hormone in breast tumorigenesis has been demonstrated in vitro, epidemiological evidence is lacking. Methods: A retrospective, population-based cohort study was conducted to examine the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer (BRCA) in women with or without autoimmune hypothyroidism, identified on the basis of prescriptions for levothyroxine (LT4). Administrative health records were used to capture information on all women aged 66 and older living in Ontario, Canada at baseline (April 1, 1993 to March 31, 1996) and during a 10-year follow up. Propensity scores were used to create a matched cohort of LT4 and non-LT4 users. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to evaluate the impact of LT4 use on the 5-year incidence of BRCA and benign breast disease, and on all-cause mortality rates among women diagnosed with breast cancer during follow-up. Results: LT4 users (N=89,093) and non-LT4 users (N=89,093) were well-matched with respect to baseline sociodemographics, estrogen use, comorbidity, and health care utilization, including the likelihood of receiving mammography or a breast biopsy. The 5-year incidence of BRCA was 0.86% in LT4 users compared to 0.97% in non-LT4 users (p=0.002). Adjustment for baseline characteristics did not alter these results (hazard ratio [HR] 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77–0.95; p= 0.004). Among women who developed BRCA, all cause mortality was significantly lower in LT4 users than in non-users (43.9% vs. 56.1%; adjusted HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.70–0.96; p= 0.01). The incidence of benign breast disease did not vary between groups. Conclusions: Elderly women with autoimmune hypothyroidism appeared to have a protective advantage in the incidence of BRCA and in mortality following a breast cancer diagnosis. These results suggest a biological role for thyroid hormone in the development of breast cancer, with a modulating effect of treated autoimmune hypothyroidism in promoting a less aggressive disease course. Further studies exploring the effect of thyroid hormone in breast cancer development are needed and may uncover novel therapeutic targets in the management of breast cancer in the future. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Assessment and Significance of Mediastinal Bulk in Hodgkin's Disease: Comparison Between Computed Tomography and Chest Radiography
Authors: A. J. Bradley, B. M. Carrington, J. A.L. Lawrance, W. D.J. Ryder, J. A. Radford
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1999)

PURPOSE: In Hodgkin's disease (HD), mediastinal bulk is currently defined from chest radiograph (CXR) measurements as a ratio of the maximum transverse mass diameter to the internal thoracic diameter at T5/6 level ≥ 0.33. We evaluated how computed tomographic (CT) measurements of bulk correspond to those obtained from the CXR and correlated nodal mass long axis diameter with freedom from progression. METHODS: Ninety-five adult patients who had a CXR thoracic ratio of greater than 0.3 and a CT scan within 28 days of the CXR were included in the study, provided that both investigations were performed before the start of treatment. Measurements of the widest mediastinal diameter and internal thoracic diameter were made on both CXR and CT scan. The thoracic ratio (TR) was calculated for each modality and compared using paired t tests. The longest diameter of the largest individual nodal mass (LIM CT ) was also measured from the CT and correlated with freedom from progression using Cox regression. RESULTS: There was excellent correlation between CT and CXR for measurement of TR, with TR CT greater than TR CXR (mean difference of 2%). A TR CT of 0.35 was found to be equivalent to a TR CXR of 0.33. No single measurement of nodal size correlated with the current definition of bulk. However LIM CT greater than 10 cm did correlate with increased risk of progressive HD (P = .03), even after adjustment for other prognostic variables (chemotherapy regimen and Hasenclever Prognostic Index). CONCLUSION: Excellent correlation was observed between assessment of TR by CXR and CT scan. The longest diameter of the LIM CT greater than 10 cm was found to be associated with an increased risk of disease progression.
Around 9% of patients with ischaemic stroke are suitable for thrombectomy
Authors: David L Cohen, Robin Kearney, Megan Griffiths, Vinoth Nadesalingam, Rajaram Bathula
Journal: BMJ (2015)

As suggested by Apps and colleagues,1 we have already quantified the group of patients with stroke who are eligible for thrombectomy.

After publication of the thrombectomy trials, we studied all admissions to our hyperacute stroke unit to see how many would be eligible for endovascular therapy if the trial criteria were applied. The criteria were …
Frequent promoter methylation of CDH1, DAPK, RARB, and HIC1 genes in carcinoma of cervix uteri: its relationship to clinical outcome.
Authors: Gopeshwar Narayan, Hugo Arias-Pulido, Sanjay Koul, Hernan Vargas, Fang F Zhang, Jeannine Villella, Achim Schneider, Mary B Terry, Mahesh Mansukhani, Vundavalli V Murty
Journal: Molecular Cancer (2003)

Cervical cancer (CC), a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide, has been causally linked to genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Although a host of genetic alterations have been identified, molecular basis of CC development is still poorly understood. We examined the role of promoter hypermethylation, an epigenetic alteration that is associated with the silencing tumor suppressor genes in human cancer, by studying 16 gene promoters in 90 CC cases. We found a high frequency of promoter methylation in CDH1, DAPK, RARB, and HIC1 genes. Correlation of promoter methylation with clinical characteristics and other genetic changes revealed the following: a) overall promoter methylation was higher in more advanced stage of the disease, b) promoter methylation of RARB and BRCA1 predicted worse prognosis, and c) the HIC1 promoter methylation was frequently seen in association with microsatellite instability. Promoter methylation was associated with gene silencing in CC cell lines. Treatment with methylation or histone deacetylation-inhibiting agents resulted in profound reactivation of gene expression. These results may have implications in understanding the underlying epigenetic mechanisms in CC development, provide prognostic indicators, and identify important gene targets for treatment.