tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Subclinical alveolar inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis: superoxide anion, neutrophil chemotactic activity and fibronectin generation by alveolar macrophages
Authors: T Perez, JM Farre, P Gosset, B Wallaert, B Duquesnoy, C Voisin, B Delcambre, AB Tonnel
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1989)

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) can be detected by pulmonary function testing (PFT) in 30-40% of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. We assessed by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) the patterns of alveolitis in 21 RA patients: group 1 comprised 12 patients without evidence of ILD, and group 29 patients with clinical ILD defined by abnormal pulmonary function tests and/or chest X-ray. Cellular characteristics of BAL were studied in both groups. In addition, alveolar macrophages (AM) from patients in group 1 were isolated, and three parameters of cellular activation were studied: superoxide anion, fibronectin and neutrophil chemotactic activity generation. Total cell counts were not increased in group 1 but significantly increased in group 2 compared to controls. In group 1, 5/12 patients had elevated lymphocyte percentage (greater than 18%) suggesting subclinical lymphocyte alveolitis. In contrast, neutrophil alveolitis (greater than 4%) was found in 7/9 patients in group 2, mean percentage 12.9 +/- 4.2, compared with 1.2 +/- 6.4% in controls and 1.9 +/- 0.5% in group 1. These changes were not correlated with disease duration nor rheumatoid factor titres. Marked elevation of lymphocyte percentage was observed in patients with abnormal serum beta-2-microglobulin. Alveolar macrophages from group 1 patients released increased amounts of superoxide anion (7260 +/- 2700 vs controls 850 +/- 120 URL/5.10(5) cells), neutrophil chemotactic activity (21 +/- 4.8 vs controls 8.1 +/- 0.7 cells/HPF), and fibronectin (6.1 +/- 1.6 vs controls 1.3 +/- 0.2 ng.10(6) cells/hour). Whether or not lymphocyte alveolitis and/or AM dysfunction are pathogenic mechanisms of subsequent interstitial lung disease in patients who are still free of symptoms remains to be determined.
Environmental Exposure to Crocidolite and Mesothelioma
Authors: JANICE HANSEN, NICHOLAS H. de KLERK, ARTHUR W. MUSK, MICHAEL S. T. HOBBS
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1998)

This study aimed to estimate exposure-response relationships for mesothelioma and environmental exposure to crocidolite. All 4,659 former residents of Wittenoom, Western Australia (WA) who lived there between 1943 and 1993 for at least 1 mo and were not directly employed in the crocidolite industry, were followed-up through the WA death, cancer and mesothelioma registries, electoral rolls, and telephone books. In 1992, all subjects who should be traced were sent a questionnaire. Exposure levels were estimated from results of periodic environmental surveys and duration of residence. Incidence rates were standardized to the World Population and Cox Regression was used to estimate the effects of exposure on incidence. To the end of 1993, 27 cases of mesothelioma were diagnosed. Mesothelioma cases stayed longer at Wittenoom, had a higher average intensity of exposure, and a higher cumulative exposure to crocidolite than control subjects. The standardized incidence of mesothelioma was 260 per million person-years, and was similar for males and females. The rate increased significantly with time from first exposure, duration of exposure and cumulative exposure. At these levels of crocidolite exposure, there is a significantly increased risk of mesothelioma, which is dose-dependent.
Pulmonary function in sarcoidosis: A review of 85 cases using percentage predicted and lower limit of normal values to determine pattern of pulmonary function deficit
Authors: Christopher Atkins, Andrew Wilkes, Orion Twentyman
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Previous studies have shown airflow limitation is common in Sarcoidosis. Recent evidence (Chest 2011; 139:52-59) suggests using fixed percentage predicted (PP) values may discordantly classify patients compared to using fifth percentiles as the lower limit of normal (LLN). We studied PFT patterns, and the effect of classifying by PP and LLN.

Our study assessed the PFT results found in consecutive patients presenting with Sarcoidosis to one medical team over a 14 year period. Eighty-five patients fulfilled the entry criteria. All had PFTs available. Patients were classified into normal, obstructive, restrictive and mixed deficits using the ATS/ERS flowchart for PFT interpretation. Classification by PP and LLN values were compared.

Eleven patients (12.9%) were classified discordantly comparing PP with LLN methods. Six had normal PFTs classified by LLN, but abnormal by PP values. Normal lung function (PP 64.7%, LLN 68.2%) was the commonest pattern. Obstruction was the commonest abnormality (PP 24.7%, LLN 21.7%). Patients with obstructive deficits were more likely to have ever smoked.

The frequency of airflow obstruction in this study was 24.7% when classified by PP, equivalent to findings from a similar cohort (Resp Med 1991; 59-64 - 24.3% using PP), but higher than cohorts studied previously in Japan (8.8%). Classified by LLN, the proportion of our patients with obstruction falls to 21.2%. Overall, the commonest PFT pattern in patients with Sarcoidosis is normality. Expiratory airflow obstruction remains the commonest abnormal pattern, with a slightly higher frequency when classified by PP compared to LLN.
Immunoelectronmicroscopic Analysis of Surface Antigens Common to Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) and Tumor Cells2
Authors: Corazon Bucana, M. G. Hanna
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1974)

The presence of cell-surface antigens on line10 hepatocarcinoma cells was demonstrated by immunoelectronmicroscopy (IEM) with the use of xenogeneic and syngeneic tumor-specific antibody and syngeneic BCG-induced antibody. This confirmed that in addition to tumor-specific antigen(s) there are common antigens between line-10 hepatocarcinoma cells and BCG organisms. The specificity of this cross-reactivity was further supported by blocking experiments and absorption of the specific antibody to BCG organisms, with subsequent IEM of the BCG and loss of reactivity to tumor cells. Complement- dependent serum cytotoxicity was correlated with the IEM assay. Cross-reactivity of the BCG-specific antibody with the surface of cells of a human melanoma culture grown from an excised subcutaneous melanoma was also demonstrated by IEM.
Clashing Diagnostic Approaches: DSM-ICD Versus RDoC
Authors: Scott O. Lilienfeld, Michael T. Treadway
Journal: Annual Review of Clinical Psychology (2016)

Since at least the middle of the past century, one overarching model of psychiatric classification has reigned supreme, namely, that of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (herein referred to as DSM-ICD). This DSM-ICD approach embraces an Aristotelian view of mental disorders as largely discrete entities that are characterized by distinctive signs, symptoms, and natural histories. Over the past several years, however, a competing vision, namely, the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative launched by the National Institute of Mental Health, has emerged in response to accumulating anomalies within the DSM-ICD system. In contrast to DSM-ICD, RDoC embraces a Galilean view of psychopathology as the product of dysfunctions in neural circuitry. RDoC appears to be a valuable endeavor that holds out the long-term promise of an alternative system of mental illness classification. We delineate three sets of pressing challenges--conceptual, methodological, and logistical/pragmatic--that must be addressed for RDoC to realize its scientific potential. We conclude with a call for further research, including investigation of a rapprochement between Aristotelian and Galilean approaches to psychiatric classification.
Risk factors for drug-resistant tuberculosis in the north of Portugal
Authors: Marta Gomes, Ana Correia, Denisa Mendonça, Raquel Duarte
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Although drug resistance is considered the main threat for tuberculosis control, in Portugal very few studies focused on the risk factors.  The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for drug resistance in patients with tuberculosis in the North of Portugal.  We performed a retrospective case-control study involving patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis registered in North of Portugal, between March 2009 and April 2010, in order to identify clinical and demographic risk factors for drug-resistant tuberculosis. We selected 2 controls per case matched according to age and place of residency. We calculated odds ratios (OR) and performed multivariable logistic regression to identify independent predictors. Significant level was set at 5% significance level.  We enrolled 76 patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis and 152 controls with drug-susceptible. The mean age of case group was 48.3 (sd=17.0) years. Male represented 64.5% (n=49) and female 35.5% (n=27). HIV co-infection was present in 14.5% of cases. In the control group the mean age was 47.9±17,8 years, 59.9% (n=91) were male and 40.1% (n=61) were female. HIV co-infection was present in 13.8% of this group. The intravenous drug use [adjusted odds ratio (OR):3.14; 95% CI:1.13-8.,66] and previous treatment (OR: 3.05;95%CI: 1.16-7.98) were found to be risk factors for TB drug- resistance  In this region, previous tuberculosis treatment and intravenous drug use were risk factors to drug-resistance. HIV co-infection was not a statistical significant risk factor for drug-resistant tuberculosis. Identifying clinical predictors of drug resistance may aid in risk stratification for earlier treatment and infection control.
Modelling of passive expiration in patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: GL Chelucci, J Dall' Ava-Santucci, JF Dhainaut, A Chelucci, A Allegra, D Paccaly, F Brunet, J Milic-Emili, A Lockhart
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1993)

The time-course of volume change during passive expiration preceded by an end-inspiratory hold was studied with a biexponential model in six adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients. We measured the initial volumes and time constants of the fast (tau 1), and the slow (tau 2) compartments of expiration, as well as the static elastance of the respiratory system. The results were compared to those of 11 normal subjects. We observed that: 1) the biexponential model fitted closely the volume decay; 2) the fast compartment was responsible for 81 +/- 7% (ARDS) versus 84 +/- 10% (controls) of the total volume exhaled, with tau 1 = 0.35 +/- 0.11 s (ARDS) versus 0.50 +/- 0.22 s (controls); 3) the slow compartment contributed only 19 +/- 6% (ARDS) versus 16 +/- 7% (controls), with tau 2 = 4.67 +/- 2.38 s (ARDS) versus 3.27 +/- 1.54 s (controls); and 4) static elastance was higher in ARDS patients. The findings could be explained in terms of a four parameter viscoelastic model of the respiratory system.
Teenage Pregnancy and Motherhood
Authors: S N Wolkind, S Kruk
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1985)

In a random sample of British-born women from a deprived inner London borough who were expecting their first baby, 31% were teenagers at the time they gave birth. The teenage mothers were compared with a group of older women randomly selected from the sample and both groups were followed up for 6 1/2 years after the birth. The teenage mothers were more likely to have had a deprived background and to have experienced material disadvantage. Despite this, they and their children did as well as the older women on a wide variety of measures of physical and mental health. A comparison of the teenagers with another sample of women who did poorly (those who had been brought up in care) suggests that the lack of an adverse result amongst the teenagers was at least in part due to support from the womens' own mothers.
A disease-specific integrated care intervention (ICI) prevents hospital admission only in COPD patients with recurrent hospitalisation
Authors: Anna Porcu, Francesco Costa, Mariella Polselli, Andrea Macuzzi, Biagio Marsiglia, Aldo Casani, Maurizio Moretti
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Introduction

COPD is characterised by an increased risk of hospital readmission due to recurrent acute exacerbations (AECOPD). The effectiveness of ICI at preventing hospitalisations in COPD patients is controversial.

Aim

The effect of 2-year follow-up ICI on hospital admission due to AECOPD was examined.

Methods

The ICI, shared among primary care, hospital chest physician and nurse care team, consisted of educational program with individually tailored care plan, specialist supervision during scheduled visits, phone contact and home visit by nurse care team, with support of information technologies. COPD patients recruited from outpatient clinics of Massa-Carrara sanitary district were followed for 2 years.

Results

Enrolled patients were divided into Group A (142 patients, 52% GOLD stages 2 and 3) with hospitalisation and Group B (214 patients, 55%GOLD stages 3 and 4) without hospitalization the year before enrolment.

In Group A, 12-month ICI decreased the mean number of hospitalisations per patient/year (0.40 versus 1.44 the year pre-enrolment p<0.001) and reduced the percent readmissions by 73%; results unchanged in 2nd-year follow-up. Gold stage 3 and 4 had the best clinical outcomes.

In Group B, 18 ( 8.4%) out 214 patients were hospitalised in the 1st year follow-up while 4.6% of patients were hospitalised in the 2nd yr.

Conclusions

The study shows that a standardised ICI, based on shared care arrangements among different levels of the sanitary system, effectively prevents hospital readmission for AECOPD only in patients with previous hospitalisation. COPD patients without previous hospitalisation might be excluded, according to local resources.
The effectiveness of a home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program (PRP) in people with COPD
Authors: Ana Schippers, Sarah Dennis, Christy Bruce, Kim Nguyen, Serena Hong, Matthew Jennings
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background: PRP has been shown to be one of the most effective interventions for COPD. However several barriers has limited participation. To overcome some of these barriers a Home-Based PRP was offered to people were unable to attend the Hospital-Based PRP.

Aim: To assess the effectiveness of a Home-Based PRP in improving exercise capacity and quality of life in people with COPD unable to attend the Hospital-Based PRP.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients recruited to a Home-Based PRP at Liverpool Hospital between January 2009 and November 2010. 6MWT and SGRQ were used. Data analysed by SPSS using the Paired T-Test.

Results: 67 patients were recruited with an average age of 72 years. Of these 33% completed the PRP and post PRP assessment, and 30% completed the 12-month post PRP follow-up. At post-PRP 6MWT improved by 36.7m P<0.001 and SGRQ improved by 9.5% P=0.003. At 12-months (compared to baseline) post-PRP 6MWT was -12.6m P=0.5 and SGRQ improved by 3.5% P=0.4. Difference in outcomes between males and females were also noted as outlined in the table.

View this table:

Outcomes Male vs Female





Conclusions: A Home-Based PRP can be a suitable alternative for patients who are unable to attend a Hospital-Based PRP. However, a RCT with appropriate sample size would be required.
Characterization of Circulating Tumor Cells (Ctcs) of Metastatic Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer (Mcrpc) Patients in First, Second &amp; Third Line Systemic Therapies
Authors: H.I. Scher, J. Louw, R. Krupa, R.M. Bambury, D. Danila, D.E. Rathkopf, Z. Arslan, N.A. Schreiber, A. Jendrisak, D. Marrinucci, R. Dittamore
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2014)
Adaptive Servo Ventilation in the treatment of central sleep apnea related to ischemic stroke
Authors: Anne-Kathrin Brill, Regula Rösti, Matthias Gugger, Sebastian Robert Ott
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background: Adaptive Servo Ventilation (ASV) is a well-established treatment of central sleep apnea (CSA) related to chronic heart failure (CHF). So far, only few studies have evaluated effectiveness and compliance of ASV in patients with CSA of other etiologies. Therefore, we analyzed ASV in CSA following ischemic stroke.  Methods: Retrospective analysis of ASV treatment in stroke patients with CSA between 2005 and 2011. Patients with acute stroke (  Results: Fifteen out of 123 patients treated with ASV suffered from CSA or complex sleep apnea related to ischemic stroke (median time from stroke 11 month). 13/15 patients were pretreated with positive pressure ventilation without clinical success (CPAP: 11/15; BiPAP: 2/15). Indication for ASV was complex sleep apnea in 6 patients, CSA/Cheyne-Stokes-Breathing in 5 patients, and mixed sleep apnea in 4 patients. At follow up after 66.3±42.0 days, mean daily use of ASV was 5.4±2.4/h per night. ASV significantly improved AHI (46.7 ±24.3 to 8.5±12.0/h, p=0.001). ESS was reduced from 8.7±5.7 to 5.6±2.5 (p=0.08).  Conclusion: Our data clearly suggests that ASV is a well-tolerated and clinically effective treatment in patients suffering from CSA related to ischemic stroke. Prospective randomized trials are warranted to establish ASV in the treatment of stroke related central sleep apnea.
Serial CSF Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Levels and Adrenocortical Activity in Combat Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Dewleen G. Baker, Scott A. West, Wendall E. Nicholson, Nosa N. Ekhator, John W. Kasckow, Kelly K. Hill, Ann B. Bruce, David N. Orth, Thomas D. Geracioti
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1999)

The authors sought to carefully test, by using a technique of continuous CSF sampling, the hypothesis that basal elevations in CSF corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) concentrations exist in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They also sought to assess the relationship among PTSD symptoms, adrenocortical activity, and CSF CRH levels.CSF was withdrawn by means of a flexible, indwelling subarachnoid catheter over a 6-hour period, and hourly CSF concentrations of CRH were determined for 11 well-characterized combat veterans with PTSD and 12 matched normal volunteers. Twenty-four-hour urinary-free cortisol excretion was also determined. PTSD and depressive symptoms were correlated with the neuroendocrine data.Mean CSF CRH levels were significantly greater in PTSD patients than in normal subjects (55.2 [SD = 16.4] versus 42.3 pg/ml [SD = 15.6]). No correlation was found between CSF CRH concentrations and PTSD symptoms. While there was no significant difference between groups in 24-hour urinary-free cortisol excretion, the correlation between 24-hour urinary-free cortisol excretion and PTSD symptoms was negative and significant.By using a serial CSF sampling technique, the authors found high basal CSF CRH concentrations and normal 24-hour urinary-free cortisol excretion in combat veterans with PTSD, a combination that appears to be unique among psychiatric conditions studied to date.
Depression of the frontal veins: A new clinical sign of frontal fibrosing alopecia
Authors: Sergio Vañó-Galván, Ana Rita Rodrigues-Barata, Marta Urech, Natalia Jiménez-Gómez, David Saceda-Corralo, John Paoli, Jesús Cuevas, Pedro Jaén
Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2015)
Affective Illness in Veteran Twins: A Diagnostic Review
Authors: MARTIN G. ALLEN, STEPHEN COHEN, WILLIAM POLLIN, STANLEY I. GREENSPAN
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1974)

The authors systematically reviewed diagnoses in the Veteran Twin Registry and found 62 pairs of twins (69 individuals) in which one or both had affective illness, a frequency of .22 percent (monozygotic [MZ] concordance = 33 percent, dizygotic [DZ] concordance = 0 percent, and MZ/DZ ratio ≥ 11.5). In 40 of the 62 pairs, one or both twins had unipolar depression (MZ concordance = 40 percent, DZ concordance = 0 percent, and MZ/DZ ratio ≥ 8). Bipolar depression was present in 22 pairs (MZ concordance = 20 percent, DZ concordance = 0 percent, MZ/DZ ratio ≥ 3.2). The data indicate that both environmental and genetic factors are important in the etiology of affective illness and present evidence that unipolar and bipolar illness are separate entities.
Six minute walk test inter-rater reproducibility in COPD patients: Cross-sectional study
Authors: Juliano Ferreira Arcuri, Ivana Gonçalves Labadessa, Joyce Nogueira Ferreira da Costa, Bruna Varanda Pessoa, Maurício Jamami, Valéria Amorim Pires Di Lorenzo
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Introduction:  Six minute walk test (6MWT) is an important tool in the evaluation of functional capacity and prognostic in COPD patients. However, especially in long term follow-up, this test could be executed by different evaluators and it isn’t well-know if 6MWT has an acceptable inter-rater reproducibility.  Aims:  This study analyzed 6MWT intra and inter-rater reproducibility in COPD patients.  Methods:  In this study, 31 patients with clinical and spirometrical diagnosis of COPD were enrolled to participate. They performed three 6MWT (American Thoracic Society, AJRCCM 2002; 116: 111–7), the first and second were executed by the same evaluator with a 30min interval, and the last by a different evaluator a week later. Exercise capacity was determinate using the walking distance. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Bland-Altmann plots were used.  Results:  Intra and inter-rater relative reproducibility was excellent (ICC>0,8). Limits of agreement (Figura 1) were higher than the minimal important clinical difference (35m) in both intra and inter-rater analysis.   Figure 1:  Reproducibility A: Intra-rater; B: Inter-rater.  6MWT: Six minute walk test.  In spite of the excellent relative reproducibility, the high bias reaffirms the need of a practice test, and the caution in a comparison of tests done by two different evaluators.  Conclusions:  6MWT don’t have an acceptable inter-rater reproducibility, due to its high bias.
Incidence of Childhood Cancer: Experience of a Decade in a Population-Based Registry<xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2">2</xref>
Authors: S Kramer, A T Meadows, P Jarrett, A E Evans
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1983)

Incidence rates of cancer among children aged 0–14 for the period 1970–79 have been generated with the use of data from the Greater Delaware Valley (GDV) Pediatric Tumor Registry. This population-based registry covers a 31-county area and has a pediatric base population of 2 million. During the period, approximately 2,300 cases of childhood cancer were diagnosed in the region. Incidence rates for all histologic types combined are similar to rates from other large surveys conducted in the United States and Western Europe. However, certain histology-specific rates in the GDV vary by race. In the GDV nonwhites relative to whites have higher rates of Wilms' tumor, soft tissue sarcomas other than rhabdomyosarcoma, and retinoblastoma. These contrasts are supported by surveys in African populations showing relatively higher rates of these tumors among African black children. GDV whites exceed nonwhites in incidence of acute leukemia, neuroblastoma, and Ewing's sarcoma. African black children also experience low rates of these tumors. The frequency of central nervous system tumors is similar for GDV whites and nonwhites, despite reports of a rarity of these neoplasms in African blacks. Variations in incidence rates reveal population subgroups with particular tumor susceptibilities and may provide clues as to the relative influence of heredity and environment on patterns observed.