tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Measurement of alveolar nitric oxide in IPF patients and in healthy controls
Authors: Evangelos Bouros, Paschalis Ntolios, Argyrios Tzouvelekis, Panagiotis Boglou, Konstantinos Kaltsas, Paschalis Steiropoulos, Marios Froudarakis, Emmanouhl Paraskakis, Demosthenes Bouros
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Introduction:  Exhaled Nitric Oxide (eNO) is a noninvasive and simple method of assessing airway inflammation. While its utility is well established in asthma, there are no studies in patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).   Aim:  To measure eNO concentration in IPF patients, assess its correlation with lung function tests and its potential utility as a biomarker.   Methods:  Alveolar eNO was measured in 31 patient with IPF and 20 healthy volunteers. Mean eNO was compared between the two groups. Correlation with pulmonary function testswas investigated using Pearson correlation coefficient, regression analysis.   Results:  27 IPF patients and 17 controls were able to complete all measurements. No patient or control was receiving any medication that could have an impact on eNO. Mean age was 64±10.09yrs. for patients and 55.45±8.9 for controls, 2 patients were non-smokers and 25 ex-smokers. eNO was 4.4963±3.88 ppb in patients versus 1.1118±1.46ppb in controls, respectively (p=0.0013). Mean FVC was 72.9±18.35 %pred. and mean lung DLco 40.33±11.43%pred. eNO was significantly correlated to FVC by both Pearson (p=0.01,r=0.46) and regression analysis (p=0.01, R 2 =0.22), although multiple regression analysis showed no statistical significance. However, we found no significant correlation with DLco by Pearson, regression analysis or multiple regression analysis.   Conclusions: eNO is significantly higher among IPF patients and correlate positively with FVC,butnot with DLco. Bigger cohorts of patients are needed to draw definite conclusions.
miR-195 Inhibits Tumor Progression by Targeting RPS6KB1 in Human Prostate Cancer
Authors: Chao Cai, Qing-Biao Chen, Zhao-Dong Han, Yan-Qiong Zhang, Hui-Chan He, Jia-Hong Chen, Yan-Ru Chen, Sheng-Bang Yang, Yong-Ding Wu, Yan-Ru Zeng, Guo-Qiang Qin, Yu-Xiang Liang, Qi-Shan Dai, Fu-Neng Jiang, Shu-lin Wu, Guo-Hua Zeng, Wei-De Zhong, Chin-Lee Wu
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2015)

To investigate the involvement of hsa-miRNA-195-5p (miR-195) in progression and prognosis of human prostate cancer.qRT-PCR was performed to detect miR-195 expression in both prostate cancer cell lines and clinical tissue samples. Its clinical significance was statistically analyzed. The roles of miR-195 and its candidate target gene, ribosomal protein S6 kinase, 70 kDa, polypeptide 1 (RPS6KB1) in prostate cancer progression were confirmed on the basis of both in vitro and in vivo systems.miR-195 downregulation in prostate cancer tissues was significantly associated with high Gleason score (P = 0.001), positive metastasis failure (P < 0.001), and biochemical recurrence (BCR, P < 0.001). Survival analysis identified miR-195 as an independent prognostic factor for BCR-free survival of prostate cancer patients (P = 0.022). Then, we confirmed the tumor suppressive role of miR-195 through prostate cancer cell invasion, migration, and apoptosis assays in vitro, along with tumor xenograft growth, angiogenesis, and invasion in vivo according to both gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments. In addition, RPS6KB1 was identified as a novel direct target of miR-195 through proteomic expression profiling combined with bioinformatic target prediction and luciferase reporter assay. Moreover, the reexpression and knockdown of RPS6KB1 could respectively rescue and imitate the effects induced by miR-195. Importantly, RPS6KB1 expression was closely correlated with aggressive progression and poor prognosis in prostate cancer patients as opposed to miR-195. Furthermore, we identified MMP-9, VEGF, BAD, and E-cadherin as the downstream effectors of miR-195-RPS6KB1 axis.The newly identified miR-195-RPS6KB1 axis partially illustrates the molecular mechanism of prostate cancer progression and represents a novel potential therapeutic target for prostate cancer treatment.
Fistula in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Karen Ballard, Fekade Ayenachew, Jeremy Wright, Habtamu Atnafu, Martin Andrews
Journal: The Lancet Global Health (2015)

We were very surprised to read the recent report by Mathieu Maheu-Giroux and colleagues (May, 2015) of a metaanalysis of Demographic and Health Survey data on fistula prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa. This study can only provide an estimate of urinary incontinence symptoms, and since there was no confi rmation of fi stula diagnosis, the data cannot be used to represent fistula prevalence. Indeed, Maheu-Giroux and colleagues report that women with fi stula are older and of greater parity than women without fi stula. This fi nding should have alerted them to an obvious error in the data because women classically experience fi stula during their fi rst delivery (at a young age) and frequently have no further pregnancies, whereas women with other causes of incontinence, such as uterine prolapse and stress incontinence, are older and multigravid. Moreover, the data on Ethiopia’s fistula prevalence are in profound contrast to our experience and the results of two studies we have recently undertaken in Ethiopia, both of which are currently being considered for publication. The fi rst is a communitybased study of 23 023 women surveyed for fistula and uterine prolapse, with suspected fi stula cases being followed up for diagnostic confi rmation. The second is of surgical fistula treatment in three Ethiopian fistula hospitals, where around 70% of the country’s treatments are provided. Both studies reveal a signifi cant decline in fi stula prevalence and illustrate that Ethiopia is far from having “defi ciencies in national treatment planning”, as the linked Comment suggests; rather it has been successful in improving maternal health care and delivering an eff ective patient identifi cation programme and high-quality fi stula treatment. We declare no competing interests.
Static and dynamic balance in patients with COPD: Comparison with healthy subjects and differences according to gender and disease severity
Authors: Lais R.G. Ribeiro, Josiane M. Felcar, Myriam Fernanda Merli, Rafael Mesquita, Débora Rafaelli Carvalho, Denilson C. Teixeira, Karen B.P. Fernandes, Rubens A. Silva, Vanessa Suziane Probst
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background:  It has been suggested that patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) have worse balance when compared to healthy elderly. It remains unknown, however, whether there are differences in balance according to gender and the different degrees of disease severity.  Aim:  We aim to compare static and dynamic balance between COPD patients and healthy subjects and to verify if there are differences in these outcomes between men and women, as well as among patients with different degrees of disease severity.  Methods:  27 patients with COPD and 25 healthy elderly had their static balance evaluated by the force plate (variable: COP Area) and dynamic balance by the Timed Up an Go test (TUG). Subjects with COPD were also evaluated according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) and the Body-Mass Index, Airflow Obstruction, Dyspnea, and Exercise Capacity (BODE) classification.  Results:  When compared to the healthy elderly, patients with COPD presented worse static (12,5[8,8-17,9]  vs .10,1[9,4-13,6] cm 2 , respectively;  P =0,03) and dynamic balance (10[9-11]  vs . 8[7-9] s, respectively;  P =0,0001). Men with COPD had worse static balance than women (16,8[11,8-18,9] vs. 11,1[8,5-13,4] cm 2 , respectively;  P =0,01). However, there were no differences in balance among the different degrees of disease severity according to the GOLD and BODE classification.  Conclusion:  Patients with COPD present worse static and dynamic balance when compared to healthy subjects. Moreover, balance in subjects with COPD is more affected in men and seems not to be different according to the degrees of disease severity.
Metered-dose inhaler albuterol: Evaluation of efficacy and safety of increasing doses in children with acute wheezing
Authors: Fabio Pereira Muchão, Juliana Miguita e Souza, Hélida Conceição Cavalcante Torres, Isabela Batista de Lalibera, Cláudio Schvartsman, Joaquim Carlos Rodrigues, Luiz Vicente Ribeiro Ferreira da Silva Filho
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Introduction  Ideal doses of albuterol delivered by metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) for acute asthma in children are not yet well established.  Objectives  This randomized double blind multicenter study compared two dosage regimens of albuterol (MDIs with spacers) for the treatment of moderate to severe asthma exacerbations in children.  Methods  Albuterol doses (administered at least 3 times in first hour) are in table 1.  All patients received corticosteroids and ipratropium. Maximum length of stay in the study was 4 hours (time of discharge or admission).  Outcomes assessed in both groups: hospitalization rates (HR), change, after 1 hour, in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 1H), decrease in PRAM (Pediatric Respiratory Assessment Measure) score after 1 hour (PRAM1H) and 4 hours (PRAM4H), differences in oximetry after 1 hour (SpO 2 -1H) and length of stay in the emergency room (LOS). Safety outcomes were hyperglycemia, hypokalemia, cardiac arrhythmias (CA) and tremor rates (TR). The chi-square test was used to compare HR and TR. For other outcomes, T test of comparison of means (variables with normal distribution) or Mann Whitney test (nonparametric data) were used, alpha=0.05.  Results  N=113 (2-15 years, median=5.89). There were no significant differences in HR (p=0.46), FEV 1 1H (p=0.46), PRAM1H (p=0.35), PRAM4H (p=0.32), SpO 2 -1H (p=0.53), LOS (p=0.57), decrease of serum potassium (p=0.23), increase of glucose (p=0.08) or TR in both groups (p=0.32). No CA were detected.  Conclusions  Both dosage regimens showed similar efficacy and safety in this study.
Evolution of smoking behavior after early withdrawal of a smoking cessation program
Authors: Cecília Pacheco, Artur Vale, Miguel Guimarães, Ivone Pascoal
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Introduction:Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality.Despite the recognized effectiveness of treatments currently available,the results fall short of the desirable.Objective:Clinical and epidemiological characterization of smokers with early withdrawal in a smoking cessation program (evaluation of tobacco consumption and motivation to quit).Methods:Retrospetive study based on clinical process and applying a telephone questionnaire to smokers who began a program of smoking withdrawal and abandoned the same up to a maximum of 3 interventions.Results:191 smokers were included,67% menwith an average age of 46.3 years.Most smokers had a history of prior attempt smoking cessation.The smoking load was 38 packs-year.The motivation to quit was 7.4 (numeric scale analog) and 8 (Richmond) and the dependency was 5.3 (Fagerstrom test).The telephone interview was made to 124 individuals.Fifteen smokers left smoking,10 in the first month after quitting the program.Increased motivation was the reason quoted by 2/3 of the individuals to success.About 40% referred cessation or temporary reduction of consumption after the program.About 88% of individuals still smoked at the time of the study.Approximately half of these did not change the consumption and one-third has decreased the amount of cigarettes per day.37 smokers showed interest in quitting.Conclusion:The early abandonment of the treatment program is disturbing and is one of the key factors for failure.Prolonged abstinence is not negligible.Improved information about chronic character and the need for treatment and follow-up of smoking addiction can reduce dropouts and relapses.
CSF beta-endorphin and dynorphin in bulimia nervosa
Authors: T D Brewerton, R B Lydiard, M T Laraia, J E Shook, J C Ballenger
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1992)

Preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that central opioid dysfunction may play a role in the pathophysiology of the eating disorders. In particular, endogenous opioids are known to regulate feeding behavior, mood, perception, and neuroendocrine function, all of which are disturbed in patients with eating disorders. Although low concentrations of CSF beta-endorphin have been reported in low-weight patients with anorexia nervosa, central opioid activity in normal-weight patients with bulimia nervosa has not been reported. The authors therefore measured CSF concentrations of beta-endorphin and dynorphin in drug-free female patients with DSM-III-R-defined bulimia nervosa and normal comparison subjects.After 4 days of a low monoamine diet and overnight bed rest, CSF was obtained (12-26 cc) from 11 women with bulimia and 17 normal comparison subjects (eight women and nine men).The women with bulimia had significantly lower CSF concentrations of beta-endorphin than did the female comparison subjects. However, CSF concentrations of dynorphin were not significantly different in patients and female or male comparison subjects. beta-Endorphin concentrations were inversely correlated with Beck Depression Inventory scores and the depression subscale of the Eating Disorders Inventory.These data support a role for central opiates in the mediation of the pathophysiology of the signs and symptoms of bulimia nervosa, although it is impossible to rule out the effects of depression on the results.
Real-life study on the aPpropriaTeness of treatment in moderate COPD patients (OPTIMO)
Authors: Andrea Rossi, Massimo Guerriero, Antonio Corrado
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background   Long-acting bronchodilators should be prescribed for symptomatic COPD patients with FEV1 2/yr). Real life shows a disconnection between Guidelines and clinical practice, with overprescription of ICS in COPD patients with moderate airflow obstruction and without frequent exacerbations (   Objective   To investigate whether ICS can be withdrawn safely if mild-moderate COPD patients are left on maintenance treatment with long-acting bronchodilators.   Methods   914 consecutive patients (72.5±9.3yrs), with mild-moderate COPD and without frequent exacerbations, on maintenance treatment with fixed dose combination (FDC) of ICS and LABA were enrolled in 43 pulmonary units in Italy. At the first visit (T0) the clinicians decided, following her/his clinical judgment, if to maintain the FDC therapy or to withdraw ICS on maintenance treatment with long-acting bronchodilators (LABA or/and LAMA). FEV1, exacerbation rate and CAT (COPD Assessment Test) were evaluated after 6 months (T6). 817 patients concluded the study.   Results    Conclusions   In non-exacerbators, mild-moderate COPD patients, ICS can be withdrawn safely if regular treatment with long-acting bronchodilators is maintained.
Change of phenotype and phenotypic plasticity of alveolar macrophages in COPD
Authors: Svetlana Lyamina, Sergey Kalish, Igor Malyshev
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is due to imbalance of Th1/Th2 immune responses which suppose disorder in M1 and M2 macrophages phenotypes.  Objective :assessment of macrophages phenotype and phenotypic plasticity of alveolar macrophages (AM) in COPD.  Methods : In vitro experiments were carried out on AM cultures of COPD patients (n=18, 59.7±3.56 y.o.). AM phenotype was assessed by flow cytometry (Beckman Coulter, FC500) by surface macrophages markers CD80, CD25 and CD163, CD206, typical for M1 and M2 phenotype, respectively. Phenotypic plasticity of AM was measured as percentage change of markers during 36 hours of AM reprogramming in the presence of standard serum (FBS) in concentrations 0%, 10%, 40%.  Results .In COPD patients AM of M1 phenotype prevailed, thus AM population was not monophenotypical: CD80 44.76%±1.80%, CD25 70.26%±2.20%, CD163 31.71%±1.74% and CD206 37.5%±1.23%. During AM reprogramming decreasing of FBS concentrations from 40% to 0% significantly changed expression of M1 phenotype markers: CD80 from 38.09%+0.93% to 65.42%+1.07% and CD25 from 41.51%+1.24% to 72.36%+1.43%. Increase of FBS concentrations from 0% to 40% significantly increased M2 markers expression CD163 and CD206. After 36 hours of culturing with 10%FBS only CD80 pointed to M1 phenotype prevalence in AM of COPD patients.  Conclusions : In changing environment the previous condition of macrophages phenotype is longer fixed by M1 marker CD80, and CD80 can be used for phenotypic plasticity definition. Phenotypic plasticity should be assessed specific to certain factors so that different markers show different picture of phenotypic plasticity in COPD.
Renal artery stenosis
Authors: M B Harding, L R Smith, S I Himmelstein, K Harrison, H R Phillips, S J Schwab, J B Hermiller, C J Davidson, T M Bashore
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (1992)

The purposes of this study were to determine the prevalence of angiographically significant renal artery stenosis in a patient population referred for diagnostic cardiac catheterization and to develop a model that predicts the highest-risk subset of patients who have significant renal artery narrowing. A prospective validation cohort study was undertaken in a referral-based university hospital. After left ventriculography, abdominal aortography was performed to screen for the presence of renal artery disease. A convenience sample of 1,302 of 1,651 consecutive patients undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization were enrolled in the study. Of the 1,302 abdominal aortograms performed, 1,235 (95%) were deemed of adequate quality for the evaluation of renal artery anatomy. Renal artery disease was identified in 30% of the patients. Insignificant renal artery stenosis was found in 187 (15%) and significant (greater than or equal to 50% diameter narrowing) stenosis was found in 188 (15%). Significant unilateral disease was present in 11%, and bilateral disease was present in 4%. By univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis, the association of both clinically and catheterization-derived variables with renal artery disease was assessed. Multivariable predictors included age, severity of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, female gender, and peripheral vascular disease. Hypertension was not an associated variable. These data reveal the previously undetected high prevalence of renal artery disease in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization and provide clinical and angiographic features that assist in predicting its presence.
Randomized trial showing equivalent efficacy of filgrastim 5 micrograms/kg/d and 10 micrograms/kg/d following high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation in high-risk lymphomas.
Authors: R A Stahel, L M Jost, H Honegger, E Betts, M E Goebel, A Nagler
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1997)

To evaluate the effect of two filgrastim dosages after autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) in patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).Eighty-six patients were enrolled onto a multicenter, randomized, open-label study. The study compared the efficacy and safety of two different doses of filgrastim, 5-microgram/kg/d subcutaneous (SC) bolus injection and 10-microgram/kg/d SC continuous infusion, starting on day 1 following ABMT.Both patient groups were well matched in terms of demography and disease. The results showed no statistical difference in the median time to reach an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of 0.5 x 10(9)/L (11 days; P = .685) and no difference in the median duration of neutropenia (10 v 11 days, respectively; P = .567) between either dose of filgrastim. The incidence and duration of fever and neutropenic fever were the same in both groups. The number and mean duration of clinically and documented infections, duration of intravenous (IV) antibiotics, time to discharge from hospital, and tumor response also were similar in both groups.This study demonstrates that a dose of filgrastim 5 micrograms/kg/d administered as a daily SC bolus injection has a similar efficacy and safety profile compared with the 10-microgram/kg/d dose administered as a SC continuous infusion. The lower dose of filgrastim has potential cost-saving implications in terms of both the dose of drug administered and the ease of administration. Based on these findings, the recommended dose of filgrastim after ABMT should be 5 micrograms/kg/d.
Ciliary function of the nasal and bronchial epithelium in children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Biju Thomas, Paul Aurora, Helen Spencer, Andrew Rutman, Rob A. Hirst, Chris O'Callaghan
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background   Normal ciliary function is essential in pulmonary defence. It is unclear if there is any difference in ciliary function between the nasal and the bronchial epithelium, in children with Cystic Fibrosis (CF).   Aims   Our aim was to determine if there is any difference in ciliary function between the nasal and the bronchial epithelium, in children with CF.   Methods   9 children with CF (2 males, median [IQR] age: 14.1 [12.8-15.7] years, median [IQR] duration post transplant: 12 [2.9-15.5] months), who had lung transplantation at the GOS Hospital for Children (London, UK) were studied. Nasal brushings and bronchoscopic bronchial brushings from the lower airway above the anastomosis were studied using digital high speed video camera to determine the ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and beat pattern, as described previously. (Thomas B.  et al . Eur Respir J. 2009;34:401-4).   Results   There was no significant difference in CBF or beat pattern between the epithelium of the nose and the lower airway, in children with CF (Table 1). However, the CF nasal epithelium showed significantly lower CBF and higher dyskinesia index compared to that of healthy children (Data published previously, Table 1)   Conclusion   There was no difference in ciliary function between the nasal and the bronchial epithelium in paediatric CF lung transplant recipients.
Pre-flight hypoxic test in hospitalized children with acute asthma exacerbation. How long should they delay the travel?
Authors: Jose Antonio Peña, Francisco de Borja Osona, Jose Antonio Gil, Joan Figuerola
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Any guidelines give us some evidence-based recommendations about fitness to fly in patients with respiratory illness but we haven’t specific data about how long patients who had been hospitalized due to acute asthma exacerbation should wait to fly.  Objective: We aim to determine how long it takes a pediatric patient with asthma after a severe respiratory exacerbation to overcome the pre-flight hypoxia test.  Material and methods: Observational prospective study. We included patients admitted due to an asthma attack and planned to take a trip by plane after that period. Epidemiological and clinical data were recorded. Informed consent was obtained. During the first 24 hours after oxygen therapy was finished a spirometry and pre-flight hypoxic test was performed. Patients were selected as “fit to fly” if SatO2 remained above 90%.  Results: We included a total of 21 patients (13 male). The mean age was 7.3 years (2.5-12.2). The means of the different clinical characteristics were: hospital stay 5.2 (3-10), oxygen therapy 4.1 days (1-9), maximum FiO2 0.4 (0.28 to 1, FEV1 88% (42-130), FVC 91% (53.7 to 148) FEF50 62% (33.7-117) and pre-test SatO2 95.5% (92 - 99).17 patients (81%) passed the test during the first 24 hours after removing the O2, and the remaining 4 (19%) within the next 24. No significant correlation was found between FEV1 and the minimum SatO2 during the test. Any previous data (including previous SatO2) were related with the test results.  Conclusions: All the children hospitalized for asthma exacerbation pass the hypoxia test 48h after removing the oxygen so we conclude that concerning oxygen they could fly safely after this period.