tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
No effect of histamine on human bronchial epithelial cell permeability and tight junctional integrity in vitro
Authors: JL Devalia, RW Godfrey, RJ Sapsford, NJ Severs, PK Jeffery, RJ Davies
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1994)

Both animal and human studies have suggested that histamine increases airway epithelial cell permeability in vivo. In order to study the effect of histamine on paracellular epithelial permeability and tight junctional integrity, we have cultured human bronchial epithelial cells to confluency and investigated the effect of topically applied 0.1-20.0 microM histamine. Cultures were established on microporous membranes of tissue culture cell inserts and used for the assessment of: 1) transepithelial movement of radiolabelled mannitol (14C-mannitol) and bovine serum albumin (14C-BSA), in the luminal to serosal direction and 2) changes in electrical resistance of the cultures. Epithelial cell cultures were also established on plastic coverslips, in order to determine tight junction morphology by freeze-fracture electron microscopy, and to assess junctional integrity by lanthanum penetration, using thin sections. Compared with untreated control cultures, 0.1-10 microM histamine did not significantly alter the movement of either 14C-mannitol or 14C-BSA across the epithelial cultures at any time during incubation, but caused an increase in the electrical resistance of the cultures, which was maximal by 6 h of incubation. The morphology of the tight junctions revealed by freeze-fracture and junctional integrity (the latter determined by the degree of lanthanum penetration) were similar in untreated control cultures and cultures incubated with histamine. These studies indicate that histamine does not have a direct effect on paracellular bronchial epithelial permeability in vitro.
Diagnostic accuracy of pleural fluid cytology compared to pleural biopsy histology obtained via thoracoscopy
Authors: Shahul Leyakathali Khan, Mohammed Haris, Mohammed Munavvar
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Introduction  Pleural effusion is a common problem with a wide range of differential diagnosis including serious underlying pathology. Pleural fluid sampling is the first line investigation in the diagnostic pathway of unilateral suspected exudative effusion. Previous studies have shown mean sensitivity of about 60% for malignancy on pleural fluid cytology. In those with unclear etiology, pleural biopsy is undertaken to confirm the diagnosis. We wished to look at the diagnostic accuracy of pleural fluid cytology compared to pleural biopsy obtained on histology.  Methods  Retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with unilateral pleural effusion who had semi rigid thoracoscopy and pleural biopsy between January 2008 to February 2012.  Results  112 patients had thoracoscopy during the above period. Mean age was 74; male 96 (86%). 95(85%) had confirmed malignancy on pleural biopsy and 17(15%) were benign. Mesothelioma was the common 44%. Pleural cytology obtained at the time of Thoracoscopy was sent in 99 cases; malignancy was reported in 59 (60%).  The sensitivity, specificity and the negative predictive value of the pleural fluid was 70% (CI: 59 to 80), 100% (CI: 78 to 100), and 37% (CI: 27 to 54)  Conclusion  Our results show similar diagnostic accuracy for pleural fluid cytology compared to the previous studies. This should be undertaken as the first line prior to undertaking more invasive assessment and pleural biopsy.  Reference:  1. BTS guidelines for the investigation of a unilateral pleural effusion in adults  Thorax 2003;58(Suppl II):ii8–ii17.
Only 6% of drug advertising material is supported by evidence
Authors: Annette Tuffs
Journal: BMJ (2004)

A new study of the advertising material and marketing brochures sent out by drug companies to GPs in Germany has shown that about 94% of the information in them has no basis in scientific evidence.

The study, carried out by the Institute for Evidence-Based Medicine, a private independent research institute in Cologne, evaluated 175 brochures containing information on 520 drugs, which were either sent by post or handed out to 43 GPs since last June. The study was published in this month's issue of the drugs bulletin Arznei Telegramm (2004;35:21-3; www.di-em.de/data/at\_2004\_35_21.pdf).

About 15% of the brochures did not contain …
Venous Thromboembolic Disease
Authors: Michael B. Streiff, Paula L. Bockenstedt, Spero R. Cataland, Carolyn Chesney, Charles Eby, John Fanikos, Patrick F. Fogarty, Shuwei Gao, Julio Garcia-Aguilar, Samuel Z. Goldhaber, Hani Hassoun, Paul Hendrie, Bjorn Holmstrom, Kimberly A. Jones, Nicole Kuderer, Jason T. Lee, Michael M. Millenson, Anne T. Neff, Thomas L. Ortel, Judy L. Smith, Gary C. Yee, Anaadriana Zakarija
Journal: Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2011)

OverviewVenous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common and life-threatening condition in patients with cancer. 1,2esults from a retrospective study of 66,106 patients hospitalized with adult neutropenic cancer showed that 2.7% to 12.1% of these patients, depending on the type of malignancy, experienced VTE during their first hospitalization. 1These NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) specifically outline strategies to prevent and treat VTE in adult patients either diagnosed with cancer or for whom cancer is clinically suspected.
Changing use of noninvasive ventilation in critically ill patients: trends over 15 years in francophone countries
Authors: Alexandre Demoule, Sylvie Chevret, Annalisa Carlucci, Achille Kouatchet, Samir Jaber, Ferhat Meziani, Matthieu Schmidt, David Schnell, Céline Clergue, Jérôme Aboab, Antoine Rabbat, Béatrice Eon, Claude Guérin, Hugues Georges, Benjamin Zuber, Jean Dellamonica, Vincent Das, Joël Cousson, Didier Perez, Laurent Brochard, Elie Azoulay
Journal: Intensive Care Medicine (2015)
Adaptive remodeling of the biliary architecture underlies liver homeostasis
Authors: Kota Kaneko, Kenji Kamimoto, Atsushi Miyajima, Tohru Itoh
Journal: Hepatology (2015)

Serving as the center for metabolism and detoxification, the liver is inherently susceptible to a wide variety of damage imposed by toxins or chemicals. Induction of cell populations with biliary epithelial phenotypes, which include progenitor‐like cells and are referred to as liver progenitor cells, is often observed in histopathological examination of various liver diseases in both human patients and animal models and has been implicated in regeneration. However, the tissue dynamics underlying this phenomenon remains largely unclear. We have developed a simple imaging technique to reveal the global and fine‐scale architecture of the biliary tract spreading in the mouse liver. Using this novel method, we show that the emergence and expansion of liver progenitor cells actually reflect structural transformation of the intrahepatic biliary tree in mouse liver injury models. The biliary branches expanded their area gradually and contiguously along with the course of chronic injury. Relevant regulatory signals known to be involved in liver progenitor cell regulation, including fibroblast growth factor 7 and tumor necrosis factor‐like weak inducer of apoptosis, can modulate the dynamics of the biliary epithelium in different ways. Importantly, the structural transformations of the biliary tree were diverse and corresponded well with the parenchymal injury patterns. That is, when chronic hepatocyte damage was induced in the pericentral area, the biliary branches exhibited an extended structure from the periportal area with apparent tropism toward the distant injured area. Conclusion : The hepatobiliary system possesses a unique and unprecedented structural flexibility and can remodel dynamically and adaptively in response to various injury conditions; this type of tissue plasticity should constitute an essential component to maintain liver homeostasis. (H epatology 2015;61:2056–2066)
Change in pulmonary function abnormalities in sarcoidosis over time: A review of 75 cases
Authors: Christopher Atkins, Andrew Wilkes, Orion Twentyman, Chris Atkins
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Airflow obstruction is common on initial pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in Sarcoidosis. Little has been published about change in PFTs over time, or with treatment. We examined PFT change in patients diagnosed with Sarcoidosis over a 14 year period.  75 patients were included. Median follow-up was 5.1 years. Patients were divided into those treated prior to follow-up (n=39) and those not (n=36). Results are shown in table 1.  Treated patients tended to have greater deterioration of their PFTs. The difference was non-significant, except for a lower decline in FEV1/FVC ratio in those untreated. Previous research (Miller et al. Chest 2011; 139:52-59) suggests fixed ratio values are less accurate than percentile predicted; here, there was no statistical difference in percentile change between groups.  Absolute FEV1 and FVC values declined in both groups, though less in those untreated. Both groups showed greater than expected annual decline in FEV1 (Kerstjens et al. Thorax 1997;52:820-7), though both improved their percentile predicted values, with no significant difference in FEV1 or FVC change between groups.
Plasma surfactant protein D (SP-D) and smoking status in patients with COPD
Authors: Kateryna Gashynova
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

SPD is a lung derived protein that suggests being specific marker for COPD.  The   aim   of study was to evaluate SP-D level in COPD patients (pts) with different smoking status.    Study population and methods  . 44 out-patients with stable COPD (Stage II-IV) were surveyed. Plasma SP-D, spirometry and smoking status evaluation were performed for all pts.    Results  . In accordance with smoking status all pts were divided on three groups: Group I – pts who have never smoked; Group II – current smokers and Group III – ex-smokers.  All groups were similar regarding to sex, age, spirometry data and disease duration.  SP-D level in pts with different smoking status presents in table 1.    Conclusions.    Both current and ex-smokers with COPD have significantly higher SP-D level than pts, who have never smoked.  The difference in SP-D between current and ex-smokers was not statistically significant.
Anti-inflammatory activity of macrolides in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the identification of potential biomarkers of azithromycin administration
Authors: Simon Hall, Stuart Farrow
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Many studies in the recent past have determined that macrolide antibiotics have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity in addition to their efficacy in treating bacterial infection. Macrolides have been successfully used in the treatment of diverse chronic inflammatory respiratory disorders, including diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB), cystic fibrosis (CF) and bronchiolitis obliterans (BOS). We investigated the ability of azithromycin to attenuate the effects of a lymphocyte directed pro-inflammatory stimulus in PBMCs from healthy volunteers. Our results demonstrate that azithromycin significantly inhibited the induction of proliferation and the release of IL17 in these cells. Treatment with azithromycin in the absence of a pro-inflammatory stimulus in PBMCs induced the release of IL10 in a dose dependent manner 24 h after challenge. In the same model, azithromycin caused a dose dependent, bell-shaped release of GMCSF 24 h after treatment. In conclusion, azithromycin exhibits significant anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties and IL10 and GMCSF may prove to be useful biomarkers following macrolide therapy in respiratory disorders.
Medical Practice: Where Next?
Authors: R J Lilford, Frances Howie, Irene Scott, Rachel Warren
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (2001)

Advances in technological and medical understanding in the past half century have brought substantial improvement in health. It is ironic that, at a time when potential returns from medical interventions are higher than ever before, the satisfaction levels of both doctors1 and the public2 seem particularly low. In this article we examine the external forces that are driving change and creating huge tensions within medicine; and, looking to the future, we broaden our discussion and ask what medicine really is and how its various components will fit into a broader concept of the organization of healthcare.
Naturally occurring genetic variation that prevents prion disease is identified
Authors: J. Wise
Journal: BMJ (2015)

A naturally occurring variant of the human prion protein that produces complete resistance to prion diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) has been identified. The researchers said that the findings, published in Nature , could provide important insights into dementia and help to guide research into new treatments.1

For many years researchers from the Medical Research Council’s prion unit have been studying a prion disease called kuru, which was once widespread in a remote area of Papua New Guinea. People of …
Analysis of the patients with community acquired pneumonia treated in MHAT "St. Marina", Varna, Bulgaria for the 2011-2012 period
Authors: Vanya Kostadinova, Yordan Radkov, Iskra Mircheva
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background:Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the most common infectious disease through the world.

Aim:To analyze patients with CAP according to C-reactive protein (CRP) levels,CRB-65 and CURB-65 scores,the concomitant diseases,the antibacterial treatment.

Methods:A retrospective survey for the period of 2 years that includes 870 consecutive hospitalized patients with CAP,mean age 59,82 ± 16,96 years, 43,6% men (n=379),133 of them were in intensive care unit(ICU).CRB65 and CURB65,CRP,antibiotic treatment,influence of co-morbidity and outcomes have been studied.

Results:Prevaling CURB65 score in the ICU is 3 (27,4%) and in the hospital ward 0 (39,3%)(influenced by social factors).There is a significant difference in CRP levels at admission and after treatment among the patients in the hospital ward and these in the ICU(t=–6,284, p 0,05).Quinolones as a part of initial treatment or as a second choice after treatment failure lead to the most significant CRP levels drop (F=10,8694; p=0,0000).

Conclusion:Social factors have a large influence in decision making whether to hospitalize patients with CAP. Quinolones improve CRP levels in most.
The Serum Cholesterol-Cancer Relationship: An Analysis of Time Trends in the Framingham Study
Authors: Paul D. Sorlie, Manning Feinleib
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1982)

Time trends in serum cholesterol were analyzed in the Framingham Study data to determine whether low serum cholesterol, which appears to be associated with increased cancer risk, can truly be called a precursor to the development of the disease. Serum cholesterol measured at base line was found to be associated with the risk of both fatal cancer and all cancers occurring in the subsequent 18 years in men (P less than 0.05). This inverse association seems particularly strong for colon cancer in men. Analysis of time trends in the Framingham data did not yield consistent results for all ages. Men 50--59 years old had a statistically significant lower serum cholesterol measured 16--18 years before cancer diagnosis. For men 60--65 years old, a statistically significant trend toward lower serum cholesterol was apparent as measurement was made closer to the time fo cancer diagnosis. Although the Framingham data are not conclusive, they do suggest that in some cancer cases where the serum cholesterol level was lower than that expected at as much as 16--18 years before cancer diagnosis, the depressed level was likely to be a precursor to the tumor growth. However, consistent with the metabolic consequences of tumor growth, the data show that in some cancer cases, serum cholesterol had decreased at measurements made close to the time of cancer diagnosis.
Cisplatin-gemcitabine combination in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase II study.
Authors: L Crinò, G Scagliotti, M Marangolo, F Figoli, M Clerici, F De Marinis, F Salvati, G Cruciani, L Dogliotti, F Pucci, A Paccagnella, V Adamo, G Altavilla, P Incoronato, M Trippetti, A M Mosconi, A Santucci, S Sorbolini, C Oliva, M Tonato
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1997)

PURPOSE The nucleoside analog, gemcitabine, has shown activity as a single agent in the treatment of metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Its combination with cisplatin in preclinical models suggested synergy between the two drugs. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and toxicity of the cisplatin-gemcitabine combination in advanced NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty-eight consecutive previously untreated NSCLC patients entered the trial from January to June 1994. The median age was 60 years (range, 37 to 70) and performance status (PS) was 0 or 1; 22 patients had unresectable stage III disease (21 stage IIIB and one stage IIIA) and 26 had stage IV disease. Gemcitabine 1 g/m2 was administered weekly (days 1, 8, and 15) followed by a 1-week rest and cisplatin 100 mg/m2 on day 2 of each 28-day cycle. Survival and response were determined in accordance with the intention-to-treat principle in all enrolled patients. RESULTS Of 48 assessable patients, one (stage IV) had a complete response (CR) and 25 achieved a partial response (PR). The overall response rate was 54% (95% confidence interval [CI], 40% to 68%). Thrombocytopenia was the main side effect, with 52% of patients experiencing grade III to IV toxicity, which was usually short-lived and responsible for the omission of gemcitabine administration on day 15 in 50% of chemotherapy courses. The median survival time was 61.5 weeks (95% CI, 40 to 71). CONCLUSION The combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin induced a high response rate in both stage IIIB and IV NSCLC, with modest side effects. The regimen deserves further careful evaluation in a phase III prospective randomized trial.
The utility of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomographyin the evaluation of carcinoid tumors presenting as pulmonary nodules. Experience in our hospital
Authors: Vanessa López, Sonia Herrero, Amaia Iridoy, Jose Cascante, Angel Panizo, Maria Garcia, Javier Hueto
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Introduction and Objective:fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) is sensitive for detection of neoplastic solitary pulmonary nodules but may have decreased sensitivity for the detection of carcinoid tumors.Our purpose was to analyze PET to detect pulmonary carcinoid tumors.  Methods:We performed a retrospective review of our hospital results regarding PET in the setting of thoracic carcinoid neoplasms.Identified 19 patients with a pathologic diagnosis of bronchial carcinoid who had an previous PET (2006 to 2013).The following data were abstracted from the clinical records:clinical,localization,size,pathology,PET imaging  Results:42% were male,mean age 54,7 years ±12,5  26% smoker,57,8% ex smoker,15,7% no smoker.14 (74%)typical,5(26%) atypical carcinoid tumor  The mean greatest pathologic dimension was 24 mm±8,5;results were significantly different between typical and atypical 21mm±5,2 and 35±7,5, p =0,0034)  We found that there was a consistent location of tumors.47%of this tumors are endobronchial in origin  18 positive PET cases(mean SVmax 2,82 ± 2,37)results were not significantly different between typical and atypical tumor(SVmax 2,34 ±1,33 and SVmax 4,19±4,04,p =0.51)  34% was discrepancy PET imaging between lymph nodes and found to correlate with surgical staging  6(31%) of these cases false-positive and false-negative in 1(5%)  Conclusions:  In our experience PET imaging in detection of carcinoid tumors is somewhat reduced  We didnt find PET imaging useful for the evaluation of typical and atypical thoracic carcinoid tumors  In our sample the PET study are a contributies little to the decision making in these tumors.
Induction of B-Tropic and N-Tropic Murine Leukemia Virus From B10.BR/SgLi Mouse Embryo Cell Lines by 5-lodo-2′-deoxyuridine&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="fn2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: B Moll, J W Hartley, W P Rowe
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1979)

In contrast to the original B10.BR/SgSn congenic mouse strain, adult mice of the B10.BR/SgLi subline showed a high level of expression of B-tropic ecotropic murine leukemia virus (MuLV). Both B-tropic and N-tropic ecotropic MuLV could be included in cultures of virus-free cell lines derived from embryos of B10.BR/SgLi mice. Both various were also inducible from each of several clonal cell lines and from cultures of F1 embryos of matings of B10.BR/SgLi males with females of strains NFS/N and A/J, which are negative for B-tropic virus. Thus the information for B-tropic MuLV as well as that for N-tropic MuLV was transmitted as a genetic element in the B10.BR/SgLi subline.
Optimizing the shave excision technique to aid accurate histological diagnosis
Authors: J. Hafiji, W. Hussain, B. Tallon, P. Salmon
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2011)

Journal Article Optimizing the shave excision technique to aid accurate histological diagnosis Get access J. Hafiji, J. Hafiji Skin Cancer Institute, Dermatological Surgical Unit, 171 Cameron Road, Tauranga, New Zealand E‐mail: juber.hafiji@hotmail.co.uk Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar W. Hussain, W. Hussain Skin Cancer Institute, Dermatological Surgical Unit, 171 Cameron Road, Tauranga, New Zealand E‐mail: juber.hafiji@hotmail.co.uk Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar B. Tallon, B. Tallon Skin Cancer Institute, Dermatological Surgical Unit, 171 Cameron Road, Tauranga, New Zealand E‐mail: juber.hafiji@hotmail.co.uk Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar P. Salmon P. Salmon Skin Cancer Institute, Dermatological Surgical Unit, 171 Cameron Road, Tauranga, New Zealand E‐mail: juber.hafiji@hotmail.co.uk Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 166, Issue 1, 1 January 2012, Pages 226–227, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2011.10527.x Published: 01 January 2012
A randomized, crossover study to examine the pharmacodynamics and safety of a new antimuscarinic (TD-4208) in COPD
Authors: Peter Potgieter, Alan Hopkins, Phillip Liu, Dean Quinn, Craig Amburgey, Edmund Moran
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background:  TD-4208 is a potent and selective inhaled muscarinic antagonist with functional lung selectivity and long duration in preclinical models of bronchoconstriction.   Aims:  To investigate the bronchodilatory profile, safety and tolerability of nebulized TD-4208 in patients with COPD.   Methods:  Thirty-two patients aged 45-75 years with moderate or severe COPD were randomized in a double blind, complete 4-way crossover study. Single doses of 350 µg or 700 µg TD-4208, ipratropium (500 µg) or placebo were administered using a PARI LC Plus nebulizer in each period. Baseline and serial post-dose spirometry assessments (0-25 hrs) were performed. Safety evaluation included AEs, vital signs, ECGs, and clinical lab results.   Results:  A statistically significant improvement in peak FEV1 versus placebo of 174 mL (95% CI: 112, 235), 169 mL (95% CI: 108, 231) and 176 mL (95% CI: 114, 237), for TD-4208 350 µg, 700 µg, and ipratropium, respectively, was observed (p   Conclusions:  TD-4208 was well tolerated and demonstrated significant peak bronchodilation with rapid onset that was sustained over 24 hrs suggesting a once daily dosing regimen.