tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Urge to cough is significantly abolished by nasal thymol application
Authors: Silvia Gavliakova, Zuzana Biringerova, Eva Hanuskova, Tomas Buday, Ivan Poliacek, Jana Plevkova
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Thymol is empirically used to relieve symptoms of respiratory diseases. It is a component of thyme herb extract, a terpene with antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidative activity. In the respiratory system it is known to modulate mucociliary transport, airway β2 receptors, and combined with ivy extract attenuates coughing in children with acute bronchitis. Thymol also acts on the transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 3 (TRPV3) channels which are expressed in the skin, tongue, and afferent somatosensory neurons. In the present study we the tested hypothesis that intranasal administration of thymol would modulate the cough reflex possibly by trigeminal/olfactory pathways. Eighteen healthy volunteers with normal lung function were tested for cough. Before and after nasal administration of thymol (0.025 ml, 10-3M) into both nostrils, urge-to-cough, cough threshold, cumulative and total count of coughs per provocation were estimated during standardized and validated capsaicin cough challenge. Nasal thymol challenges induced pleasant olfactory sensations and in 6 out of the 18 subjects also a transient (up to 2 min) mild cooling sensation. Cough threshold was not influenced when compared with intranasal saline and vehicle challenges (12.5 vs. 13.2 vs. 10.2μM of capsaicin to induce two or more coughs (C2), respectively, but the total count of coughs after nasal thymol challenge was significantly lower than that obtained after saline or vehicle (19 vs. 20 vs. 14 coughs/provocation, respectively; p
Vitamin D level in cystic fibrosis patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and aspergillus sensitization
Authors: Clara Green, Albert Yick Hou Lim
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background:

Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients have increased risk of developing allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). In vitro study showed that Th2 response in ABPA is attenuated by vitamin D3. However, it is not known if there is a correlation of vitamin D level in CF patients with ABPA and aspergillus sensitization (AS).

Objectives:

To study the vitamin D level in adult CF patients with ABPA and AS.

Methods:

A retrospective study on all CF patients attending the regional adult CF centre at University Hospital of North Staffordshire. Age, sex, CFTR genotype, BMI, spirometry, sputum microbiology/mycology, Aspergillus serology, spirometric lung functions and vitamin D level were recorded.

Results:

A total of 65 patients with 97 serum vitamin D level were studied. There were 6 ABPA, 39 aspergillus sensitization and 52 controls. The 3 groups had significant difference (median) in vitamin D3 level (nmol/l) (24, 25, 37, p= 0.011) and vitamin D level (nmol/l) (23, 26, 31, p= 0.024). No differences in vitamin D2 level, FEV1% predicted and BMI. There was a significant correlation between specific IgE to aspergillus fumigatus (AF) RAST score, vitamin D3 and vitamin D level (nmol/l) (D3 level: r=-0.283, p=0.01; D level: r=-0.201, p=0.048).

Conclusions:

ABPA patients have significant lower level of vitamin D3 and D than patients without. There is a significant negative correlation between specific IgE to AF RAST score, vitamin D3 and D level. This study suggests that vitamin D deficiency is a potential risk factor of developing ABPA and AS.
HPV vaccination and pregnancy
Authors: Karen Canfell
Journal: BMJ (2015)

After nine years of experience, the picture remains reassuring

Prophylactic vaccines against human papillomavirus (HPV) were first licensed for use in girls and young women in 2006, with more than 175 million doses distributed worldwide by 2013.1 Bivalent and quadrivalent vaccines protect against new infection with oncogenic HPV types 16 and 18, responsible for about 70% of cervical cancers. The quadrivalent vaccine also protects against HPV types 6 and 11, responsible for most anogenital warts. Although routine vaccination is recommended for preadolescent girls, catch-up to older ages was generally conducted in the first few years of implementation, with the upper age varying from 16-18 (United Kingdom, several European countries) to 23-26 years (France, Australia, United States). Although it is not recommended, many thousands of young women are thus likely to have been inadvertently vaccinated around the time of conception or in pregnancy. 

In a linked paper, Panagiotou and colleagues (doi:10.1136/bmj.h4358) report on the long term follow-up for pregnancy outcomes in women enrolled in the Costa Rica HPV Vaccine Trial.2 An earlier pooled analysis from this trial and the PApilloma TRIal against Cancer In young Adults (PATRICIA) trial found no overall association between vaccination using the bivalent vaccine and spontaneous abortion, but a small increase in risk in the subgroup of pregnancies conceived within 90 days of vaccination could not be completely ruled out.3 In the Costa Rica trial, women …
Resistin: a new hormone that links obesity with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Abi Berger
Journal: BMJ (2001)

A new hormone has been identified that links obesity to type 2 diabetes. It has been called resistin (for “resistance to insulin”), and, although first identified in mice, it has also now been found in humans. Its US discoverers believe that it goes some of the way to explaining how obesity predisposes people to diabetes (Nature 2001;409:307-12).

Type 2 diabetes has long been observed to be associated with obesity. Insulin resistance is the hallmark of type 2 diabetes and is manifested all over the body. …
Abstract 16343: Exercise-Induced Improvements in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Correlate With Improved Diastolic Function, but Unchanged Chronotropic Competence - The Ex-DHF-P Trial
Authors: Rolf Wachter, Hans-Dirk Dungen, Gotz Gelbrich, Silja Schwarz, Gerd Hasenfuss, Martin Halle, Burkert Pieske, Frank Edelmann
Journal: Circulation (2011)

Background: Patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) frequently suffer from diastolic dysfunction. However, other mechanisms, e. g. chronotropic incompentence (CI) are al...
Prevalence of elevated blood lead levels in an inner-city pediatric clinic population.
Authors: S T Melman, J W Nimeh, R D Anbar
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (1998)

In November 1997, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released revised guidelines for lead poisoning screening, including a recommendation that states and regions individualize screening policies based on local prevalence of elevated lead levels. The purpose of this study was to collect prevalence data for a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, inner-city pediatric outpatient population previously not known to have elevated blood lead levels in order to determine its risk for lead exposure and screening requirements. Charts were reviewed for 817 children of 10 months through 6 years of age whose venous blood lead levels were obtained as part of their routine health care over a 12-month period ending October 1992. None of these children had a history of previously elevated lead levels. Prevalence of elevated lead levels was determined for this population and correlated with patient age, sex, race, and insurance type. More than two-thirds (68%) of the study patients had a blood lead level of [Greater than and equal to]10 microg/dl. Elevated blood lead levels were associated with black race (p<0.0001), but not with sex or insurance type. The percentage of children with elevated blood lead levels was highest at ages 37-48 months. A majority of the children screened had lead levels in excess of the CDC threshold for an abnormal lead level (10 microgram/dl). This is the highest reported prevalence within a U.S. pediatric clinic population. In view of this extremely high prevalence, clinicians and public health personnel caring for children in Philadelphia inner-city clinics must follow the intent of the new CDC guidelines by increasing their efforts in the areas of screening, follow-up, and environmental interventions. To ensure a lead-safe upbringing for children in the United States, state health officials nationwide should perform local risk assessments before considering policy transitions from universal to targeted screening.
Mild asthmatic patients consistently respond to natural, low dose, allergen challenge in an EEC
Authors: Deepen Patel, Nayven Patel, Joanne Lee, Peter Couroux, Rod Hafner, Anne Marie Salapatek
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Introduction:  The cat allergen,  Felis domesticus  ( Fel d1 ), is a common trigger of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma exacerbation. Aerosolized  Fel d1  in an Environmental Exposure Chamber (EEC) reproducibly evokes nasal and ocular symptoms in cat allergic patients. Mild asthmatics9 respiratory responses inside the EEC were assessed.   Methods:  Patients with history of rhinoconjunctivitis and positive SPT to  Fel d1  were exposed to low, well-controlled levels of aerosolized  Fel d1  in an EEC for 3hrs, over 4 consecutive days [V2a, V2b, V2c, V2d]. Total nasal, ocular, and asthma (cough, wheezing, & shortness of breath) symptoms were collected [scale:0-3] pre-EEC and then every 30min. FEV 1  was measured at screening, pre- & post-EEC. Of the patients who met eligibility criteria, 12 patients were mild asthmatics (GINA classification 1). Asthma scores and FEV 1  from these patients were evaluated. FEV 1  measures were analyzed using paired t-test.   Results:  A consistent decrease in FEV 1  and an exacerbation of asthma symptoms was observed in mild asthmatic patients over 4 consecutive days. At V2a, there was a decrease of 10.9 to 87.6±4.52% (p 1  with decreases of 10.2 to 87.1±5.25% (p=0.07) [V2b], 11.9 to 84.9±5.50% (p   Conclusion:  Low-dose aerosolized cat allergen EEC clinical model provides a safe, consistent and natural exposure environment to exacerbate a clinical response in asthmatic patients indicating that the EEC model may be used for testing putative therapeutics for cat allergy induced asthma.
News
Authors: J H Tanne
Journal: BMJ (1991)

In just 3 months in 1991, WHO increased its estimate of the number of people infected with HIV in all of Asia 2 fold (500,000-1 million). By 2000, WHO estimated that there will be 250,000 new cases each year in India and Thailand alone where HIV infection has spread most rapidly. A professor from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences reported that AIDS is no longer restricted to the urban areas of Madras. Bombay, Calcutta, and Delhi. It spread to Manipur which is located on the border of the Golden Triangle, a drug trading area, where an especially high rate existed in the early 1990s. For example, in October 1989, 1 blood sample from this area tested positive for HIV, but by June 1990, 54% of 1500 blood samples tested positive. Thailand already had a serious AIDS epidemic so with a high HIV rate in Manipur, India and Thailand, AIDS could spread to Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, and southern China. 1 major mode of HIV transmission in India is prostitution. Harsh economic conditions often force women into it. Often they are coerced. Since condom use has been promoted as a method of family planning, prostitutes have not considered using condoms to protect themselves and their clients from AIDS. An Indian sociologist advocated targeting truck drivers since the prostitutes do not have the power to demand safe sex and truck drivers spread it into rural areas. The Thailand, the number of HIV infected people climbed from 300,000 in December 1990 to 400,000 by mid 1991. Intravenous drug use, (males make up 90% of drug addicts) was the main mode of HIV transmission in Bangkok. These males than transmit HIV to prostitutes. In mid 1991, however, 92% of drug addicts in Bangkok practice safe injection techniques. Seroprevalence in diverse Thai groups included 6% of men with sexually transmitted diseases, 15% of prostitutes, and 6% of army recruits.
Understanding the role of hyperdiploidy in myeloma prognosis: which trisomies really matter?
Authors: Marie-Lorraine Chretien, Jill Corre, Valerie Lauwers-Cances, Florence Magrangeas, Alice Cleynen, Edwige Yon, Cyrille Hulin, Xavier Leleu, Frederique Orsini-Piocelle, Jean-Sebastien Blade, Claudine Sohn, Lionel Karlin, Xavier Delbrel, Benjamin Hebraud, Murielle Roussel, Gerald Marit, Laurent Garderet, Mohamad Mohty, Philippe Rodon, Laurent Voillat, Bruno Royer, Arnaud Jaccard, Karim Belhadj, Jean Fontan, Denis Caillot, Anne-Marie Stoppa, Michel Attal, Thierry Facon, Philippe Moreau, Stephane Minvielle, Hervé Avet-Loiseau
Journal: Blood (2015)
Advancing cancer target discovery through vector-mediated RNAi.
Authors: Michele Cleary, Richard Klinghoffer, Nelson Chau, Peter Linsley
Journal: Cancer Research (2006)

SY22-01   We have optimized high throughput lentivirus-mediated delivery of short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) for use in screens for novel cancer gene targets. We are using this approach to identify genes whose silencing enhances the effects of existing chemotherapeutic compounds. The hits from our screens are useful in two key ways: First, these genes, or members of their respective pathways, may serve as ideal targets for small molecule inhibitors that could be administered in combination with lower doses of standard chemotherapies. Second, these hits may provide better predictions of patient response to the treatment studied. Along with screening for novel drug targets, we are using vector-mediated RNAi to explore cancer gene networks through microarray profiling. Previously, we reported that transfection of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) can result in the cleavage of unintended targets. Although less prevalent, we find that shRNAs can also result in silencing of transcripts other than that for which the shRNA was designed. We see that such off-target mRNAs are enriched for transcripts containing the shRNA antisense strand equivalents of microRNA seed-region hexamers. This observation suggests that, like siRNAs, shRNAs are not exquisitely specific, and very short regions of homology within a core shRNA sequence are sufficient to produce undesired effects. These results emphasize the need to use multiple RNAi sequences to ensure that observed phenotypes correspond directly to silencing of intended target genes. Because of this, we have incorporated the use of multiple shRNAs into our screening platform.
A genome-wide association study confirms PNPLA3 and identifies TM6SF2 and MBOAT7 as risk loci for alcohol-related cirrhosis
Authors: Stephan Buch, Felix Stickel, Eric Trépo, Michael Way, Alexander Herrmann, Hans Dieter Nischalke, Mario Brosch, Jonas Rosendahl, Thomas Berg, Monika Ridinger, Marcella Rietschel, Andrew McQuillin, Josef Frank, Falk Kiefer, Stefan Schreiber, Wolfgang Lieb, Michael Soyka, Nasser Semmo, Elmar Aigner, Christian Datz, Renate Schmelz, Stefan Brückner, Sebastian Zeissig, Anna-Magdalena Stephan, Norbert Wodarz, Jacques Devière, Nicolas Clumeck, Christoph Sarrazin, Frank Lammert, Thierry Gustot, Pierre Deltenre, Henry Völzke, Markus M Lerch, Julia Mayerle, Florian Eyer, Clemens Schafmayer, Sven Cichon, Markus M Nöthen, Michael Nothnagel, David Ellinghaus, Klaus Huse, Andre Franke, Steffen Zopf, Claus Hellerbrand, Christophe Moreno, Denis Franchimont, Marsha Y Morgan, Jochen Hampe
Journal: Nature Genetics (2015)
Role of FDG-PET/CT in Extramedullary Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Sree Harsha Tirumani, Christopher Sakellis, Heather Jacene, Atul B. Shinagare, Nikhil C. Munshi, Nikhil H. Ramaiya, Annick D. Van den Abbeele
Journal: Clinical Nuclear Medicine (2015)

The aim of this study was to describe FDG-PET/CT findings in extramedullary multiple myeloma (EMM) correlating them with clinical outcome.In this institutional review board-approved HIPAA-compliant retrospective study, we reviewed the FDG-PET/CT scans of 35 patients with EMM (16 women, 19 men; mean age, 56 years; median follow-up after the diagnosis of EMM, 14 months) out of 156 patients diagnosed with MM at our institute between 2004 and 2012. The distribution and metabolic activity of EMM on the scans were reviewed. Clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records. Statistical analysis was performed to determine differences in outcome based on time of detection and distribution of EMM.Extramedullary multiple myeloma was present at diagnosis in 12 of 35 patients and during disease progression in 23 of 35 patients. Indications for FDG-PET/CT were initial staging (12/35), restaging for disease progression (18/23), or assessment of response to therapy (5/23). Extramedullary multiple myeloma was FDG-avid (mean SUVmax, 8.4; range, 1.2-31), solitary in 10 patients (29%) and multifocal in 25 patients (71%). Two patterns of distribution were noted: direct extension of osseous plasmacytomas in 18 (51%) of 35 patients and hematogeneous/lymphangiogenic dissemination in 33 (94%) of 35 patients. Mean SUVmax in lesions with direct osseous extension was statistically higher than hematogeneous/lymphangiogenic EMM (Mann-Whitney U test, P = 0.03). The most common sites of hematogeneous/lymphangiogenic spread of EMM were lymph nodes (21/35 [60%]), liver (10/35 [29%]), lung (9/35 [26%]), muscles away from bones (7/35 [20%]), and peritoneum/mesentery (7/35 [20%]). There was no statistically significant difference in distribution of EMM at presentation and during disease progression (χ2 test, P > 0.05); 24 (69%) of 35 patients died (median interval after diagnosis of EMM, 7 months). There was no statistically significant difference in outcome for EMM at presentation and during disease progression (log-rank test, P = 0.068). Involvement of any of the following 3 sites: liver, lung, and muscles away from bones, was associated with statistically significant shorter survival (log-rank test, P = 0.0008).Extramedullary multiple myeloma is more often seen on FDG-PET/CT in the context of a hematogeneous/lymphangiogenic spread pattern and less commonly as a direct extension of osseous plasmacytomas. Extramedullary multiple myeloma has poor outcome whether detected at presentation or during follow-up. Extramedullary multiple myeloma involving the liver, lung, and muscles was associated with shorter survival in our study.
Phylogenetic position of foraminifera inferred from LSU rRNA gene sequences.
Authors: J Pawlowski, I Bolivar, J Guiard-Maffia, M Gouy
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (1994)

A 5'-terminal region of 1600-1800 base pairs was amplified, cloned, and sequenced in the large subunit rDNA (LSU rDNA) of four species of foraminifera. These sequences were compared with the homologous regions of 16 eukaryotic taxa in order to establish the phylogenetic position of foraminifera. Analysis of 610 unambiguously aligned bases shows that foraminifera branch closely to plasmodial and cellular slime molds in the middle of the eukaryotic tree--that is, much earlier than suggested by the fossil record. These data, the first DNA sequences reported for foraminifera, will help analyze this class of protists and the early evolution of eukaryotes.
Cardiac function and central haemodynamics in severe chronic obstructive lung disease. Acute and long-term effects of felodipine
Authors: T Bratel, G Hedenstierna, H Lundquist, O Nyquist, E Ripe
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1988)

Eleven patients, with advanced chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD), received an infusion of the calcium antagonist felodipine at a rate of 0.9 mg/h. Pulmonary and systemic vascular resistances (PVR and SVR) at rest were reduced by 18% (p less than 0.05) and 33% (p less than 0.001), respectively. Cardiac output increased by 33%. The right ventricular and left ventricular ejection fractions (RVEF and LVEF), measured by equilibrium gated radionuclide ventriculography, increased by 32% (p less than 0.01) and 25% (p less than 0.01), respectively. During exercise both PVR and SVR fell by a mean of 30% (p less than 0.01). RVEF and LVEF both increased by about 14% (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.01). After three months of oral felodipine treatment, a dose-related decrease in PVR was noted at rest (r = -0.83) compared with pretreatment values. There was an increase in RVEF which correlated to a reduction in PVR (r = -0.76). Three patients discontinued the trial due to side effects. It is concluded that the reduction of PVR induced by felodipine is accompanied by an improvement in right heart function as measured by ejection fraction measurements.
Authors' reply to Zagarella
Authors: Yana Vinogradova, Carol Coupland, Julia Hippisley-Cox
Journal: BMJ (2015)

Zagarella asks whether risks of venous thromboembolism may be different in women with potential symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), such as acne and hirsutism, but without a formal diagnosis.1 2 Menstrual disorders and acne were recorded for a large proportion of cases and controls across the databases—23-36% for menstrual disorders and 9-13% for acne—and 1-2% had hirsutism recorded. Although …
Latin America asthma insight and management (LA AIM): A survey of asthma patients in 4 Latin American countries and Puerto Rico
Authors: Jorge Maspero, Jose Jardim, Alvaro Aranda, C. Pablo Tassinari
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Introduction:  In 2011, we conducted a comprehensive asthma survey in Latin America to explore realities of living with asthma and identify unmet needs in asthma management. The Latin America Asthma Insight and Management (LA AIM) survey was modeled on similar programs in the United States, Europe and Canada, and the Asia-Pacific region.   Methods:  Face-to-face interviews lasting approximately 35min were conducted with respondents in a national probability sample. The survey was included 2000 patients (400 patients/location) in Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela) and Puerto Rico. Survey questions covered asthma burden; impact of asthma on patients; emotional burden; symptoms; seasonal influences on symptoms; triggers; most bothersome symptoms; and patient perceptions about current levels of control.   Results:  More than 51,000 households were screened, and 2169 respondents completed the LA AIM survey across the 5 locations. Respondents were predominantly female (67% for the region, proportion similar in each country). Mean age was 37y (for the region; 35-43y, range across countries). Mean age at diagnosis across locations was 15y; (Argentina:19y; Mexico and Puerto Rico:18y; Brazil:16y; Venezuela:11y). Dust was the most commonly reported trigger (61% overall), followed by change in weather (41% overall).   Conclusions:  The LA AIM survey provides a comprehensive view of the state of asthma across 5 distinct Latin American cultures. The survey reveals that asthma has a profound impact on patient health and quality of life, suggesting a continuing unmet need for asthma education in Latin America. Results were primarily similar across the region.
Yes we can! The Raffles Dialogue on Human Wellbeing and Security
Authors: Tikki Pang, Yap Seng Chong, Hildy Fong, Eva Harris, Richard Horton, Kelley Lee, Eugene Liu, Kishore Mahbubani, Mari Pangestu, Khay Guan Yeoh, John Eu-Li Wong
Journal: The Lancet Global Health (2015)

The future of human wellbeing and security depends on our ability to deal with the multiple effects of globalisation and on adoption of a new paradigm and philosophy for living and for health that emphasises people's wellbeing and social justice. Such was the topic of the inaugural Raffles Dialogue on Human Wellbeing and Security held in Singapore on Feb 2-3, 2015. Participants agreed that, to achieve these goals, four conditions must be met. First, equity must be integral to the implementation of technology. Second, there is an urgent need for innovations within our global institutions to make them "fit for purpose" in a rapidly changing world. Third, we must find the right balance between the roles of government and markets so that all those in need can access affordable medicine and health care. Finally, we must realise that we live in a small and interdependent "global village", where Asian countries need to assume greater leadership of our global village councils. This is the great imperative of our times.