tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Green areas around homes reduce atopic sensitization in children
Authors: L. Ruokolainen, L. Hertzen, N. Fyhrquist, T. Laatikainen, J. Lehtomäki, P. Auvinen, A. M. Karvonen, A. Hyvärinen, V. Tillmann, O. Niemelä, M. Knip, T. Haahtela, J. Pekkanen, I. Hanski
Journal: Allergy (2014)

Western lifestyle is associated with high prevalence of allergy, asthma and other chronic inflammatory disorders. To explain this association, we tested the 'biodiversity hypothesis', which posits that reduced contact of children with environmental biodiversity, including environmental microbiota in natural habitats, has adverse consequences on the assembly of human commensal microbiota and its contribution to immune tolerance.We analysed four study cohorts from Finland and Estonia (n = 1044) comprising children and adolescents aged 0.5-20 years. The prevalence of atopic sensitization was assessed by measuring serum IgE specific to inhalant allergens. We calculated the proportion of five land-use types--forest, agricultural land, built areas, wetlands and water bodies--in the landscape around the homes using the CORINE2006 classification.The cover of forest and agricultural land within 2-5 km from the home was inversely and significantly associated with atopic sensitization. This relationship was observed for children 6 years of age and older. Land-use pattern explained 20% of the variation in the relative abundance of Proteobacteria on the skin of healthy individuals, supporting the hypothesis of a strong environmental effect on the commensal microbiota.The amount of green environment (forest and agricultural land) around homes was inversely associated with the risk of atopic sensitization in children. The results indicate that early-life exposure to green environments is especially important. The environmental effect may be mediated via the effect of environmental microbiota on the commensal microbiota influencing immunotolerance.
Clinical profile and survival of patients undergoing surgery for non-small cell lung cancer: Impact of positron emission tomography adoption
Authors: Christelle Clément-Duchêne, Irawati Lemonnier, Francis Guillemin, Jean-Michel Vignaud, Guillaume Gauchotte, Stéphanie Lacomme, Gilles Grosdidier, Joëlle Siat, Yves Martinet
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background:  According to staging, 20% of lung cancer patients can be cured with surgical treatment. This study will analyze the staging impact of [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (PET) on clinical characteristics, and survival in surgical non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC).   Aim and methods:  Evaluation of the impact of PET adoption on survival of 1877 consecutive NSCLC patients treated with surgery, in Nancy, between 1988 and 2013. Two groups were established: G1=before PET introduction: 1998-2003/G2=after PET introduction: 2004-2013. Descriptive statistical analyses, and survival analysis were done according to the Kaplan-Meier method.   Results:  Adenocarcinoma was the most frequent histological types in G2 (39.7% adenocarcinoma  vs  22.8% squamous cell carcinoma, p vs  G1: 13.8%, p vs  6.8%, p=0;0092),and early stages (IA) (29.7%  vs  16.6%, p vs  G1 (13.6%  vs  8.8%, p vs  6.5%, p vs  G1in G2 had a better survival (p   Conclusions:  The introduction of PET has an impact on the profile, and the survival of NSCLC treated with surgery.
The ineffectiveness of paracetamol for spinal pain provides opportunities to better manage low back pain
Authors: Kieran O'Sullivan, Peter O'Sullivan
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2015)

Not for the first time, a blow has been delivered to a commonly used intervention for low back pain (LBP). A high quality review1 demonstrated that paracetamol was no better than placebo for LBP, with any perceived clinical benefit probably reflecting natural history and/or placebo. This mirrors evidence that many other common interventions for LBP have limited effectiveness (eg, epidural injections, spinal manipulation and acupuncture). Furthermore, other interventions that carry significant risk (eg, nsaids, opioids and spinal surgery) do not demonstrate greater efficacy than low risk interventions such as exercise. Nevertheless, there are exponential increases in medication prescription, injections and surgical rates for LBP, with concurrent increases in disability levels.2 This suggests that practice is not changing in line with the evidence.

Emerging data on the mechanisms involved in LBP (1) explain why these approaches might be unsuccessful and (2) offer opportunities to enhance LBP management.

LBP is common and becomes persistent and disabling for a small proportion. While …
Water vapour and temperature dynamics in the upper airways of normal and CF subjects
Authors: None Primiano FP, GM Saidel, None Montague FW, KL Kruse, CG Green, JG Horowitz
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1988)

Water vapour partial pressure (PH2O) and temperature (T) were measured together, continuously, at the airway opening (either lips or nares) and at the oropharynx of human subjects with normal lungs or with cystic fibrosis (CF). No apparent differences in PH2O or T were found between normal and CF groups breathing ambient air (22 +/- 2 degrees C). During inspiration the relative humidity at the pharynx for nose breathing (95%) was higher than for mouth breathing (75%). For hot air breathing (48 +/- 2 degrees C), the PH2O and relative humidity of inspired gas at the pharynx was lower for the CF group than for the normal group. Also, the CF group had a higher airway surface temperature at the airway openings on inspiration. These data suggest that when the rate of evaporation is sufficiently high, the rate-limiting step may be water transport through the mucosal tissue and/or secretions. At least for the upper airways, this rate limitation is more evident for CF patients than for normal subjects.
Upregulation of ER Signaling as an Adaptive Mechanism of Cell Survival in HER2-Positive Breast Tumors Treated with Anti-HER2 Therapy
Authors: Mario Giuliano, Huizhong Hu, Yen-Chao Wang, Xiaoyong Fu, Agostina Nardone, Sabrina Herrera, Sufeng Mao, Alejandro Contreras, Carolina Gutierrez, Tao Wang, Susan G. Hilsenbeck, Carmine De Angelis, Nicholas J. Wang, Laura M. Heiser, Joe W. Gray, Sara Lopez-Tarruella, Anne C. Pavlick, Meghana V. Trivedi, Gary C. Chamness, Jenny C. Chang, C. Kent Osborne, Mothaffar F. Rimawi, Rachel Schiff
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2015)

To investigate the direct effect and therapeutic consequences of epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeting therapy on expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and Bcl2 in preclinical models and clinical tumor samples.
Arterial blood gases after different ranges of surgical lung resection
Authors: Vesna Cukic, Aida Ustamujic, Vladimir Lovre
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

OBJECTIVE: to show the changes the of arterial blood gases after various ranges of lung resection.  MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was done on 71 patients surgically treated at the Clinic for Thoracic Surgery, who were previously treated at the Clinic for Pulmonary Diseases from 01.06.2009. to 01.09.2011. Different types of lung resection were made. Patients whose %ppoFEV1 was was less than 30% of normal values of FEV1 were not given a permission for lung resection.  We monitored the changes in partial pressures of blood gases (PaO2, PaCO2 and SaO2) one and two months after resection and compared them to preoperative values. As there were no significant differences in the results we showed arterial blood gas analysis obtained two months after surgical resection. Results were statistically analyzed by SPSS and Microsoft Office Excel. Statistical significance was determined at an interval of 95%.  RESULTS: In 59 patients (83%) there was an increase, and in 12 patients (17%) there was a decrease of PaO2, compared to preoperative values. In 58 patients (82%) there was a decrease, and in 13 patients (18%) there was an increase in PaCO2, compared to preoperative values.  For all subjects: The value of the PaO2 was significantly increased after lung surgery compared to preoperative values (p   CONCLUSION: If the %ppoFEV1 (%prognosed postoperative FEV1) is bigger than 30% of normal values of FEV1 (according to sex, weight, height, age) in patient planned for lung resection surgery there is no development of respiratory insufficiency after resection.
The significance of circulating cells carrying t(14;18) in long remission from follicular lymphoma.
Authors: C G Price, J Meerabux, S Murtagh, F E Cotter, A Z Rohatiner, B D Young, T A Lister
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1991)

Peripheral blood mononuclear cell fractions from 15 patients in continuous clinical remission from follicular lymphoma for longer than 10 years were examined for cells carrying the t(14;18) translocation using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The assay used was able to detect one positive cell in approximately 5 x 10(5) cells (a single 14q+ molecule in 2.5 micrograms DNA). Cells positive for t(14;18) were found in six of eight patients initially presenting with stage III or IV disease, compared with zero of seven of those with stage I or II disease (P less than .05). In two cases 14q+ junction regions were also successfully amplified from formalin-fixed biopsy material obtained at presentation 12 and 17 years previously. In both, sequence analysis demonstrated that the cells circulating in remission belonged to the original clone. These results indicate that cells bearing t(14;18) frequently persist in the peripheral blood in long remission of advanced follicular lymphoma and question the value of their presence as a predictor of relapse.
Abstract 3138: Impact of “Off Label” Utilization of Drug-Eluting Stents on Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Probal Roy, Ashesh N Buch, Aamir Javaid, Teruo Okabe, Vikram Raya, Tina L Pinto Slottow, Daniel H Steinberg, Kimberly Smith, Zhenyi Xue, Lowell F Satler, Kenneth M Kent, William O Suddath, Augusto D Pichard, Joseph Lindsay, Ron Waksman
Journal: Circulation (2007)

Background: The utilization of drug-eluting stents (DES) in “real world” practice has deviated substantially from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved indications. The outcomes of patients undergoing intracoronary DES implantation (versus BMS) for non-FDA approved indications has not been determined. Methods : The clinical outcomes of 546 patients undergoing DES implantation for ≥1 non-FDA approved (“Off label”) indication after device approval were assessed. This group was then compared to 546 propensity-matched patients receiving BMS prior to DES approval for the same indications. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events [MACE; death-all cause, non-fatal Q-wave MI and target vessel revascularization (TVR)] at 12 months. Results: Baseline clinical and procedural characteristics were well matched. Patients in the BMS group were more likely to be treated with larger diameter and shorter stents. Though both in-hospital and 30-day all-cause mortality was greater in the DES group, there was no significant difference in cardiac death at both time points. At 30 days all other clinical outcomes were comparable. At 12 months MACE was significantly reduced in the DES group (27.8% vs. 21.4% p=0.014) driven by reductions in repeat revascularization [target lesion revascularization (TLR): 16.4% vs. 7.8% p&lt;0.001, TVR: 20.2% vs.13.1% p&lt;0.003]. There was no significant increase in death and non-fatal Q-wave MI with DES. Conclusions: The utilization of DES for non-FDA approved indications proved to be efficacious and safe when compared to a propensity-matched BMS cohort. These findings support broadening the current FDA indications for DES use.
Evolving Treatment Strategies for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Melinda Telli
Journal: Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2015)

Although not yet practice changing in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer, growing evidence suggests that neoadjuvant platinum-based therapy is active and that some patients may benefit from such an approach. Recent randomized phase III data suggests that carboplatin has comparable efficacy to docetaxel as first-line therapy in unselected advanced triple-negative breast cancer. In both settings, the efficacy of such treatment appears to be influenced by BRCA1/2 mutation status, with carriers of these mutations experiencing higher response rates. To optimize patient selection, biomarkers of response need to be incorporated into randomized clinical trials and validated. In addition to BRCA1/2, it is likely that measures of genomic instability and other germline biomarkers beyond BRCA1/2 may be associated with therapeutic sensitivity.
Clinical effects of benzyl benzoate in the prevention of house‐dust‐mite allergy
Authors: R. F. Kroidl, D. Göbel, D. Balzer, F. Trendelenburg, U. Schwichtenberg
Journal: Allergy (1998)

The efficacy of the acaricide benzyl benzoate as an additive to a chemically and technically defined cleaning substance (Acarosan®) was tested in a multicentric, prospective, randomized, controlled study on 118 outpatients with bronchial asthma due to house‐dust‐mite allergy. Subjective reports from patients and doctors revealed an improvement in clinical complaints in more than 50%. with only small differences between the verum and the placebo group. Objective parameters such as titrated skin tests, RAST. and bronchial challenge tests with histamine and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (D. pt.) did not reveal any significant changes either during the year of testing or between the two groups. A clinical improvement as observed in either group could not be assessed by objective parameters. Additional questions as to the merits of the possible prophylactic use of benzyl benzoate over more than 1 year remain unanswered.
Prognostic factors in unselected patients with nonseminomatous metastatic testicular cancer: a multicenter experience.
Authors: N Aass, O Klepp, E Cavallin-Stahl, O Dahl, H Wicklund, B Unsgaard, L Baldetorp, S Ahlström, S D Fosså
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1991)

Between 1981 and 1986, 200 consecutive patients with metastatic nonseminomatous testicular cancer were entered into the Swedish Norwegian Testicular Cancer (SWENOTECA) project from 14 hospitals. The treatment plan was four chemotherapy cycles (cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin) followed by surgical resection of residual tumor masses. After a median observation time of 75 months, the overall 5-year survival rate was 82%. In a univariate analysis, the following parameters influenced the prognosis significantly: the extent of the disease (Medical Research Council [MRC] grouping); the prechemotherapy levels of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH); the patients' age; the presence of extrapulmonary hematogeneous metastases; and/or particularly large lymph node metastases. Patients fared better when more than 3 weeks elapsed between orchiectomy and start of chemotherapy as compared with those who were treated within this interval. The place of treatment (a large oncology unit v smaller units) also represented a significant prognostic factor for patients with large-volume (LV) and very-large-volume (VLV) disease combined. Multivariate analysis (Cox regression proportional hazards model) performed in all 193 assessable patients showed the following adverse prognostic factors: high-volume metastatic burden, age older than 35 years, prechemotherapy AFP greater than 500 micrograms/L and/or HCG greater than 1,000 U/L, and an interval between orchiectomy and start of chemotherapy of less than 3 weeks. The place of treatment also significantly influenced the final outcome. If patients with LV and VLV disease were combined, the presence of two of the following risk factors represented an additional prognostic factor: AFP greater than 1,000 micrograms/L, HCG greater than 10,000 U/L, liver metastases, brain metastases, bone metastases, retroperitoneal tumor greater than or equal to 10 cm, and mediastinal tumor greater than or equal to 5 cm.
Isolated anthracosis: A benign but little-known cause of bronchial stenosis and obstruction
Authors: Shahram Kahkouee, Ramin Pourghorban, Mahdi Bitarafan, Leila Mosadegh
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Bronchial anthracosis is defined as black tattoos in mucosal layer possibly due to dust exposure or air pollution. It usually results in bronchial narrowing or obstruction in elderly Asians; thus, may mimic bronchogenic carcinoma.  111 patients with proved anthracosis, based on findings in bronchial biopsy specimens, were enrolled. After excluding those with tuberculosis, malignancy, smoking-related lung diseases and chronic bronchitis, CT findings of the remaining 58 patients (female, 29; mean age, 70.2; smoker, 12); designated as isolated anthracosis, were evaluated.  We highlighted central peribronchial soft tissue thickening (63.8%), causing bronchial narrowing (63.8%) or obstruction (19%). Bronchial narrowing affected multiple bronchi in some cases (two bronchi, 12 patients; three bronchi, 9 patients; five bronchi, 2 patients) and segmental atelectasis (46.6%), lobar (22.4%) or multilobar (3.4%) collapses were ensued. Findings mostly occurred in the right middle lobe. Air trapping, mosaicism and some other nonspecific findings like scattered parenchymal nodules, nodular infiltration and calcified or non-calcified lymph nodes were also appreciated.  Although bronchial narrowing and peribronchial soft tissue thickening may raise the suspicion of malignancy in elderly patients; anthracosis may also be considered, especially in non-smokers when multiple bronchial involvement and other related imaging findings are identified.
Superoxide Production by Digitonin-Stimulated Guinea Pig Granulocytes
Authors: Harvey J. Cohen, Margaret E. Chovaniec
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1978)

N-ethylmaleimide, divalent cations, ethylene glycol bis (β aminoethyl ether) N,N,N′,N′,-tetraacetate, 2-deoxyglucose, cyanide, and dinitrophenol were examined for their effect on the ability of guinea pig granulocytes to generate superoxide (O2−) when stimulated by digitonin. N-ethylmaleimide (1 mM) inhibits only when added before complete activation of the O2− generating system, and at lower concentrations (0.05-0.2 mM) slows the activation process. Ca++ is required for maximum O2− generation, and Mg++ decreases the amount of Ca++ required. Ethylene glycol bis (β aminoethyl ether) N,N,N′,N′,-tetraacetate (10 mM) inhibits only if added before complete activation. Incubation of cells in 2-DOG causes a time- and concentration-dependent inhibition of O2− generation. It also increases the time required for activation of this system. Cyanide and dinitrophenol increase the rate of O2− production. However, when these compounds are added to cells whose O2− production is partially inhibited by incubation in 2-deoxyglucose, complete inhibition results. If cyanide or dinitrophenol is added after activation of 2-deoxyglucose-treated cells, no further inhibition occurs. On the basis of the above results, we conclude that the activation of the O2− generating system is N-ethylmaleimide sensitive, Ca++ dependent, and energy requiring, but that the activity of the enzyme system in the cell is not.
Sarcoidosis related to interferon and ribavirin treatment of hepatitis C – Analysis of four cases
Authors: Malgorzata Sobiecka, Malgorzata Bartosiewicz, Katarzyna Lewandowska, Piotr Radwan-Rohrenschef, Iwona Bestry, Renata Langfort, Jan Kus
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disorder of unknown etiology. Several reports have suggested an association between antiviral treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and sarcoidosis.  Aims: To describe the main characteristics and treatment of sarcoidosis developing in patients with chronic hepatitis C receiving pegylated interferon (PEG INF) and ribavirin (RBV) therapy.  METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all patients with a history of HCV treatment, who were diagnosed with sarcoidosis in our institution.  RESULTS: We identified 4 patients (3 men, 1 woman, mean age 53,75 yrs; range 52 – 55 yrs) with chronic hepatitis C who developed INF-α-induced sarcoidosis. Three patients developed pulmonary sarcoidosis following completion of treatment with PEG INF and RBV (after 3, 7 and 10 months, respectively), in one patient hepatic and pulmonary sarcoidsosis emerged during therapy. The diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy in all patients (1 – cervical lymph node, 1- liver and 2 – transbronchial lung biopsy). Mean follow-up period was 27,25 months (4, 26, 37 and 42 months, respectively). Stabilization without specific therapy of sarcoidosis was observed in two patients and relapse after initial spontaneous remission in one case. One patient was treated with prednisone due to symptoms (cough, dyspnea) and impairment of pulmonary function tests (restriction, decreased DLco).  CONCLUSIONS: Sarcoidosis may appear during, but also upon completion of a pegylated INF-α and ribavirin therapy. A search for clinical and radiological findings typical for sarcoidosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C should be included in the follow up during and after antiviral therapy.
Escalated dosages of methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin plus recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in advanced urothelial carcinoma: an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group trial.
Authors: P J Loehrer, P Elson, R Dreicer, R Hahn, C R Nichols, R Williams, L H Einhorn
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1994)

PURPOSE This multicenter cooperative group phase I/II trial evaluated the toxicity and efficacy of escalated dosages of methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (M-VAC) with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS From November 1990 through October 1991, 35 patients with advanced urothelial cancer previously untreated with chemotherapy were treated with escalated dosages of M-VAC (M-VACII). In patients with prior pelvic radiotherapy, standard M-VAC (M-VACI) was administered plus rhG-CSF. For other patients, M-VACII dosages were methotrexate 40 mg/m2 (days 1, 15, and 22), vinblastine 4 mg/m2 (days 2, 15, and 22), doxorubicin 40 mg/m2 (day 2), and cisplatin 100 mg/m2 (day 2). In addition, rhG-CSF was administered at a dosage of 300 micrograms subcutaneously on days 4 to 11. Cycles were repeated every 4 weeks. For patients who tolerated the first course of therapy, subsequent escalation by 25% of all drugs was performed. RESULTS Six complete responses and 15 partial responses were observed (60%; 95% confidence interval, 42% to 76%). The median duration of response was 4.6 months, and the median survival time was 9.4 months (range, 0.5 to 23.5+). Twenty-eight of 35 patients experienced grade 3 or 4 leukopenia, including 14 patients who developed fever associated with neutropenia. Eight (23%) early deaths were observed. CONCLUSION This regimen (M-VACII) with escalated dosages of M-VAC was associated with significant toxicity and had no apparent benefit over M-VACI therapy with regard to complete response rate or survival. Further evaluation of the dose-intensity of the components of this regimen in this disease is likely to be of limited benefit to patients.
European perspective and update on the management of complicated skin and soft tissue infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus after more than 10 years of experience with linezolid
Authors: M. Bassetti, M. Baguneid, E. Bouza, M. Dryden, D. Nathwani, M. Wilcox
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2014)