tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Serum napsin A is a novel diagnostic and monitoring marker for interstitial lung disease
Authors: Takuya Samukawa, Tutomu Hamada, Go Tsukuya, Hiromasa Inoue
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

KL-6, and Surfactant Protein (SP)-A and SP-D have been reported as sensitive markers for interstitial lung disease (ILD). However, a more useful serum marker for diagnosis and activity of ILD may be found in napsin A, an asparatic protease, mainly expressed in alveolar type-II cells and the kidney. This study sought to evaluate the diagnostic and monitoring value of napsin A in patients with ILD in comparison with KL-6, SP-A, and SP-D, and to determine whether serum napsin A levels reflect renal dysfunction.  Subjects consisted of 34 patients with ILD, 20 patients with lung adenocarcinoma, 12 patients with kidney disease, and 20 healthy subjects. Serum samples were analyzed for each marker by ELISA. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) were used to determine appropriate cut-off levels resulting in optimal diagnostic accuracy using napsin A as a marker; differences in serum levels of these markers were investigated. Further, 10 patients with ILD were treated and evaluated for treatment efficacy and usefulness of napsin A as a monitoring marker.  The AUC values for ILD patients in comparison with control subjects were 0.949 for napsin A, 0.978 for KL-6, 0.896 for SP-A, and 0.791 for SP-D. As specific markers to distinguish ILD from lung cancer, the AUC values were 0.907 for napsin A, 0.939 for KL-6, 0.762 for SP-A, and 0.672 for SP-D. The accuracy of changes in these serum markers reflecting response to therapy were 80% for napsin A, 50% for KL-6, 70% for SP-A, and 70% for SP-D. Moreover, serum napsin A level reflected no renal dysfunction.  Serum napsin A is a novel diagnostic and monitoring marker for ILD that is superior to SP-A and SP-D, and equivalent to KL-6.
Abstract 1139: BKCa Channel-Mediated Coronary Vasodilation is Significantly Impaired in Obese Ossabaw Swine with the Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Lena Borbouse, Ian N Bratz, U. D Dincer, Gregory M Dick, Michael Sturek, Johnathan D Tune
Journal: Circulation (2007)

Our laboratory has demonstrated that obese animals with the metabolic syndrome display significant coronary vascular dysfunction. Although the mechanisms of this impairment have not been fully esta...
Safety and Efficacy Results of a Randomized Trial Comparing Adjuvant Toremifene and Tamoxifen in Postmenopausal Patients With Node-Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Kaija Holli, Ritva Valavaara, Guillermo Blanco, Vesa Kataja, Päivi Hietanen, Martti Flander, Eero Pukkala, Heikki Joensuu
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2000)

PURPOSE: In this multicenter trial, toremifene 40 mg/d was compared with tamoxifen 20 mg/d, both given orally for 3 years to postmenopausal, axillary node–positive women after breast surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The first 899 patients (toremifene, n = 459; tamoxifen, n = 440) of the total of 1,480 patients accrued to the trial were included in this scheduled safety analysis. The mean follow-up time was 3.4 years. RESULTS: The two treatment groups were well balanced with respect to patient and disease characteristics. The subjective side-effect profile was similar in both treatment groups. Slightly more vascular complications (deep vein thromboses, cerebrovascular events, and pulmonary embolisms) were seen among tamoxifen-treated patients (5.9%) as compared with toremifene-treated patients (3.5%) (P = .11), whereas bone fractures (P = .09) and vaginal leukorrhea (P = .05) were more common in the toremifene group. The number of subsequent second cancers was similar. The breast cancer recurrence rate was 23.1% (n = 106) in the toremifene group and 26.1% (n = 115) in the tamoxifen group (P = .31). When only patients with estrogen receptor (ER)–positive cancer were considered (n = 556), the risk for breast cancer recurrence was nonsignificantly lower among the toremifene-treated women, with a hazards ratio of 0.74 (90% confidence interval, 0.52 to 1.04; P = .14). The mean time to breast cancer recurrence and overall survival were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: The side-effect profile of toremifene resembles that of tamoxifen. The efficacy of toremifene seems to be no less than that of tamoxifen. The trend for fewer breast cancer recurrences in the ER-positive subgroup is encouraging, but a longer follow-up is needed to confirm this.
Development of Resistance to Teratocarcinogenesis by Primordial Germ Cells in Mice&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: Leroy C. Stevens
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1966)

Testicular teratomas were experimentally induced in strain 129 genital ridges grafted into the testes of adult strain 129 mice. Fetuses resulting from precisely timed matings were used as donors of genital ridges. The primordial germ cells became resistant to experimental teratocarcinogenesis from 12 days, 12 hours to 13 days, 11 hours of gestation.
Antitumor Activity of a Polychlorinated Biphenyl Mixture, Aroclor 1254, in Rats In-oculated With Walker 256 Carcinosarcoma Cells2
Authors: Nancy Isaacson Kerkvliet, Donald J. Kimeldorf
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1977)

The effects of a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixture, Aroclor 1254, on the transplantability and growth of the Walker 256 carcinosarcoma in male Sprague-Dawley rats were investigated. Repeated ip injection (100–200 mg PCB/kg) during tumor development resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of tumor growth. When small numbers of tumor cells (103) were in-oculated, the number of tumor takes in PCB-treated animals was reduced and the latent period for the tumors that did develop was increased. When large numbers of tumor cells (107) were in-oculated, host survival time significantly increased in PCB-treated rats. Furthermore, whereas all controls exhibited progressive tumor growth after the inoculation of 107 tumor cells, complete tumor regression occurred in 25% of the animals treated with 200 mg PCB/kg. Preconditioning of the host with PCB for 5 days before tumor cell inoculation was equally effective in inhibiting primary tumor growth as was treatment with PCB during the first 5 days after tumor cell injection. If PCB exposure was delayed until after the tumor was established, the growth of the primary tumor was less effectively inhibited. Delayed PCB treatment, however, was more effective in prolonging host survival and decreasing metastases than was pretreatment or early treatment with PCB. The effect of PCB on survival time of animals bearing the ascites form of the Walker tumor was also assessed.
Thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) Contributes to the Development of Vascular Inflammation by Regulating Monocytic Cell Motility in Mouse Models of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Authors: Zhenjie Liu, Stephanie Morgan, Jun Ren, Qiwei Wang, Douglas S. Annis, Deane F. Mosher, Jing Zhang, Christine M. Sorenson, Nader Sheibani, Bo Liu
Journal: Circulation Research (2015)

Histological examination of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) tissues demonstrates extracellular matrix destruction and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Previous work with mouse models of AAA has shown that anti-inflammatory strategies can effectively attenuate aneurysm formation. Thrombospondin-1 is a matricellular protein involved in the maintenance of vascular structure and homeostasis through the regulation of biological functions, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and adhesion. Expression levels of thrombospondin-1 correlate with vascular disease conditions.To use thrombospondin-1-deficient (Thbs1(-/-)) mice to test the hypothesis that thrombospondin-1 contributes to pathogenesis of AAAs.Mouse experimental AAA was induced through perivascular treatment with calcium phosphate, intraluminal perfusion with porcine elastase, or systemic administration of angiotensin II. Induction of AAA increased thrombospondin-1 expression in aortas of C57BL/6 or apoE-/- mice. Compared with Thbs1(+/+) mice, Thbs1(-/-) mice developed significantly smaller aortic expansion when subjected to AAA inductions, which was associated with diminished infiltration of macrophages. Thbs1(-/-) monocytic cells had reduced adhesion and migratory capacity in vitro compared with wild-type counterparts. Adoptive transfer of Thbs1(+/+) monocytic cells or bone marrow reconstitution rescued aneurysm development in Thbs1(-/-) mice.Thrombospondin-1 expression plays a significant role in regulation of migration and adhesion of mononuclear cells, contributing to vascular inflammation during AAA development.
Periodontal health and global public health
Authors: Poul E. Petersen, Pierre C. Baehni
Journal: Periodontology 2000 (2012)

Abstract Chronic diseases are a growing burden to people, to health‐care systems and to societies across the world. The rapid increase in the burden of chronic diseases is particularly prevalent in the developing countries. Periodontal disease is one of the two most important oral diseases contributing to the global burden of chronic disease. In addition to social determinants, periodontal health status is related to several proximal factors. Modifiable risk factors, such as tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet and nutrition, obesity, psychological stress and insufficient personal/oral hygiene, are important and these principal risk factors for periodontal disease are shared by other chronic diseases. The present monograph is devoted to the existing evidence on the practice of public health related to periodontal health. Public health is defined as the process of mobilizing and engaging local, national and international resources to assure that people can be healthy. Social determinants of health, environmental hazards and unhealthy lifestyles are prioritized in modern public health‐care. Disease prevention and health promotion are cornerstones in actions for public health. This volume of Periodontology 2000 is entitled ‘Periodontal health and global public health’; the 12 articles of this volume discuss different aspects of this statement. It covers a range of subjects from public health issues to patient care. This monograph intends to stimulate community action research in the field of periodontology in order to help the development of appropriate public health intervention and relevant surveillance programs. It also expects to stimulate health authorities and professional organizations to initiate and support actions to promote periodontal health in their respective countries.
Paired sequence difference in ribosomal RNAs: evolutionary and phylogenetic implications.
Authors: W C Wheeler, R L Honeycutt
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (1988)

Ribosomal RNAs have secondary structures that are maintained by internal Watson-Crick pairing. Through analysis of chordate, arthropod, and plant 5S ribosomal RNA sequences, we show that Darwinian selection operates on these nucleotide sequences to maintain functionally important secondary structure. Insect phylogenies based on nucleotide positions involved in pairing and the production of secondary structure are incongruent with those constructed on the basis of positions that are not. Furthermore, phylogeny reconstruction using these nonpairing bases is concordant with other, morphological data.
Relationship between hepcidin levels and periodic limb movements in sleep in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
Authors: Ozlem Abakay, Abdurrahman Abakay, Yilmaz Palanci, Hatice Yuksel, Hadice Selimoglu Sen, Osman Evliyaoglu, Abdullah Cetin Tanrrikulu
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Objectives: A new proposed marker of hypoxia, Hepcidin, may identify at-risk patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Periodic limb movement (PLM) in sleep is characterized by periodic episodes of repetitive and stereotypic limb movements during sleep.  Aim: This study was aimed to assess potential correlations between PLM index, hepcidin levels and iron status in patients with OSAS.  Methods: Forty-four newly diagnosed OSAS patients and 49 nonapneic controls were enrolled in this study. Demographic data, cigarette smoking status, previous history of other diseases and drugs were obtained by a standardized questionnaire. All patients underwent polysomnographic evaluation. The hepcidin, iron, ferritin,TIBC, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured.  Results: The mean age was 47.4±7.2 (18–68) years in the OSAS group and 44.9±11.1 (23–65) years in the control group. There were no differences in age, gender and smoking between OSAS patients and controls. Mean apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) was 25.1 events/h. Mean serum hepcidin levels were significantly higher in OSAS subjects (725.9 ng/ml) than in control subjects (646.0 ng/ml) (P   Serum hepcidin levels were significantly correlated with AHI (r = 0.453), and PLMI (r = 0.114). Serum iron levels were significantly negatively correlated with AHI (r =-0.169) and PLMI (r =-0.032).  Conclusion  In our study, the level of hepcidin was increased in patients with OSAS. We suggest that levels of hepcidin correlate with the AHI and PLM index severity of OSAS.
Manual Aspiration versus Chest Tube Drainage in First Episodes of Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax
Authors: Marc Noppen, Patrick Alexander, Peter Driesen, Hans Slabbynck, André Verstraeten
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2002)

Although there is no agreement on the optimal treatment of patients presenting with a first episode of primary spontaneous pneumothorax, the majority of physicians prefer chest tube drainage for air evacuation. Manual aspiration of air has been proposed by some, but lack of sound comparative data and safety data has limited its use. In this first randomized, prospective, multicenter pilot study, 60 patients with a first episode of primary spontaneous pneumothorax were randomly allocated to manual aspiration (n = 27) or chest tube drainage (n = 33). Immediate success was obtained in 16 out of 27 (59.3%) in the manual aspiration group, and in 21 out of 33 (63.6%) in the chest tube drainage group (p = 0.9). One-week success rates were 25 out of 27 (93%) in the intention-to-treat manual aspiration group and 28 out of 33 (85%) in the chest tube drainage group (p = 0.4). Fourteen of 27 manual aspiration patients (52%) were hospitalized, versus 100% of the chest tube drainage patients (p < 0.0001). Recurrence rates with at least 1-year follow-up were 7 out of 26 (26%) in the manual aspiration group, and 9 out of 33 (27.3%) in the chest tube drainage group (p = 0.9). There were no complications associated with manual aspiration. Although statistical power is insufficient to formally confirm therapeutic equality, this pilot study suggests that in first episodes of primary spontaneous pneumothorax, manual aspiration seems equally effective as chest tube drainage and is safe, well tolerated, and feasible as an outpatient procedure in the majority of patients.
Clinically Relevant Cognitive Impairment in Middle-Aged Adults With Childhood-Onset Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Karen A. Nunley, Caterina Rosano, Christopher M. Ryan, J. Richard Jennings, Howard J. Aizenstein, Janice C. Zgibor, Tina Costacou, Robert M. Boudreau, Rachel Miller, Trevor J. Orchard, Judith A. Saxton
Journal: Diabetes Care (2015)

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and correlates of clinically relevant cognitive impairment in middle-aged adults with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS During 2010–2013, 97 adults diagnosed with T1D and aged &amp;lt;18 years (age and duration 49 ± 7 and 41 ± 6 years, respectively; 51% female) and 138 similarly aged adults without T1D (age 49 ± 7 years; 55% female) completed extensive neuropsychological testing. Biomedical data on participants with T1D were collected periodically since 1986–1988. Cognitive impairment status was based on the number of test scores ≥1.5 SD worse than demographically appropriate published norms: none, mild (only one test), or clinically relevant (two or more tests). RESULTS The prevalence of clinically relevant cognitive impairment was five times higher among participants with than without T1D (28% vs. 5%; P &amp;lt; 0.0001), independent of education, age, or blood pressure. Effect sizes were large (Cohen d 0.6–0.9; P &amp;lt; 0.0001) for psychomotor speed and visuoconstruction tasks and were modest (d 0.3–0.6; P &amp;lt; 0.05) for measures of executive function. Among participants with T1D, prevalent cognitive impairment was related to 14-year average A1c &amp;gt;7.5% (58 mmol/mol) (odds ratio [OR] 3.0; P = 0.009), proliferative retinopathy (OR 2.8; P = 0.01), and distal symmetric polyneuropathy (OR 2.6; P = 0.03) measured 5 years earlier; higher BMI (OR 1.1; P = 0.03); and ankle-brachial index ≥1.3 (OR 4.2; P = 0.01) measured 20 years earlier, independent of education. CONCLUSIONS Clinically relevant cognitive impairment is highly prevalent among these middle-aged adults with childhood-onset T1D. In this aging cohort, chronic hyperglycemia and prevalent microvascular disease were associated with cognitive impairment, relationships shown previously in younger populations with T1D. Two additional potentially modifiable risk factors for T1D-related cognitive impairment, vascular health and BMI, deserve further study.
Increased high risk sexual behaviour in homosexual men
Authors: N. Macdonald
Journal: BMJ (2000)

Editor—Dodds et al began their paper1 with the statement that the incidence of HIV infection among homosexual men in the United Kingdom is increasing despite efforts to reduce high risk behaviour and supported the statement of increasing incidence by referencing a report from the Public Health Laboratory Service.2

This report, which featured national surveillance data on HIV infection acquired through sex between men, does, however, not suggest that the incidence in homosexual men is rising. Rather, together with the more recent update,3 it highlights the number of new diagnoses of HIV infection acquired through sex between men, which have remained fairly constant at around 1500 a year throughout the 1990s. The published erratum clarifies the situation (16 September, p 675), but the statement caused us to re-examine our data to see what we are able to say about recent trends in HIV among homosexual men.

Although trends in the diagnosis of HIV relate more closely to the uptake of HIV testing than to the underlying incidence of infection, the fact that there has been little change in the median age or median CD4 lymphocyte count at diagnosis in this group over the past 10 years suggests that new infections have occurred at similar rates to diagnoses, through most of that period at least.4

At best, however, such indicators provide only a broad measure of past incidence, and more sensitive and timely markers of likely changes in HIV incidence may be found in the surveillance of acute sexually transmitted infections and the type of monitoring of high risk sexual behaviour covered in the paper by Dodds et al.

Increases in markers of HIV transmission risk may not, however, be directly translated into increased transmission. The annual survey of prevalent diagnosed HIV infections shows that in 1999 67% of homosexual men with diagnosed HIV infection in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland were receiving multiantiretroviral therapy.

Widespread use of treatment that is successfully reducing viral load might well offset any increases in risky behaviour. Although measures of the recent incidence of HIV infection are imprecise, there is clear evidence that the numbers of prevalent HIV infections that are diagnosed are increasing,5 and the messages concerning safer sex practice among men who have sex with men need to be further strengthened. The fact that we have no evidence of a decrease in the incidence of HIV infection is a cause for concern at this stage in the epidemic.
Velaglucerase alfa (VPRIV) enzyme replacement therapy in patients with Gaucher disease: Long‐term data from phase III clinical trials
Authors: Derralynn A. Hughes, Derlis E. Gonzalez, Elena A. Lukina, Atul Mehta, Madhulika Kabra, Deborah Elstein, Isaac Kisinovsky, Pilar Giraldo, Ashish Bavdekar, Thomas N. Hangartner, Nan Wang, Eric Crombez, Ari Zimran
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (2015)

Type 1 Gaucher disease is an inherited lysosomal enzyme deficiency with variable age of symptom onset. Common presenting signs include thrombocytopenia, anemia, hepatosplenomegaly, bone abnormalities, and, additionally in children, growth failure. Fifty‐seven patients aged 3–62 years at the baseline of two phase III trials for velaglucerase alfa treatment were enrolled in the single extension study. In the extension, they received every‐other‐week velaglucerase alfa intravenous infusions for 1.2–4.8 years at 60 U/kg, although 10 patients experienced dose reduction. No patient experienced a drug‐related serious adverse event or withdrew due to an adverse event. One patient died following a convulsion that was reported as unrelated to the study drug. Only one patient tested positive for anti‐velaglucerase alfa antibodies. Combining the experience of the initial phase III trials and the extension study, significant improvements were observed in the first 24 months from baseline in hematology variables, organ volumes, plasma biomarkers, and, in adults, the lumbar spine bone mineral density Z‐score. Improvements were maintained over longer‐term treatment. Velaglucerase alfa had a good long‐term safety and tolerability profile, and patients continued to respond clinically, which is consistent with the results of the extension study to the phase I/II trial of velaglucerase alfa. EudraCT number 2008‐001965‐27; www.clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT00635427. Am. J. Hematol. 90:584–591, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Standardised mortality from chronic respiratory diseases in Russian Arctic
Authors: Marine Gambaryan, Anna Kalinina, Alexander Deev, Shalnova Svetlana
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

The Russian Arctic with 6.7million or 4.7% of national population seem to face much bigger burden of chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) compared to Russian average –already one of the highest in European region- due to extreme climate, geographical and ecological conditions.  The aim of the study is to analyse the age-standardised CRD mortality in Russian Arctic for developing relevant preventive programs.  Methods: The CRD death rates from National statistics 2010 data for population from selected Arctic regions aged 25-64 were standardized according to European standards and analyzed in comparison with the National average. CRD contribution to all-cause mortality structure was examined.  Results showed unexpectedly high CRD mortality rates in Chukotka Autonomous Okrug - twice higher compared to national average -129 per 10000 populations. In Arkhangelsk oblast CRD mortality was 9% higher, in Murmansk Oblast and Sakha Republic (Yakutia) – CRD mortality was close to national average. The contribution to overall mortality ranged from 5.1% to 7.4% - with Russian average 7%. Men have significantly higher CRD mortality rates compared to women. CRD together with CVD and Cancer result as cause of death of 57-64% population of Russian Arctic and 91% of male population of Arkhangelsk Oblast aged 25-64.  Conclusion. Russian Arctic population faces high premature CRD mortality, particularly in heavy industrial regions and regions with predominantly indigenous population. In the regions with “better” CRD mortality rates CRD prevalence in relation with other determinants will be examined. These findings allow to set priorities in developing complex preventive programs.
Letter to the editor: Prioritisation of infectious diseases in public health: feedback on the prioritisation methodology, 15 July 2008 to 15 January 2009
Authors: V J Del Rio Vilas, G Montibeller, L A Franco
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2011)

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