tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Fibroblast-alveolar cell interactions in sarcoidosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: evidence for stimulatory and inhibitory cytokine production by alveolar cells
Authors: B de Rochemonteix-Galve, JM Dayer, AF Junod
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1990)

To better understand how the activity of inflammatory cells collected by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) could affect the outcome of granulomatous and fibrotic pulmonary diseases, we studied secretory products and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression for certain cytokines of BAL cells in 10 controls, 14 patients with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and 22 patients with sarcoidosis. We assayed the activity of 48 h conditioned media for: 1) their biological action on fibroblast proliferation and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), collagenase and collagen production by fibroblasts; 2) TNF alpha levels by bioassay and radioimmunoassay; 3) interleukin 1 (IL-1) alpha and beta and beta levels by solid phase enzyme immunoassay (EIA); 4) tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and IL-1 inhibitory activity. We also measured, in freshly isolated BAL cells: 1) mRNA levels for IL-1 alpha and beta and TNF alpha; 2) cell-associated IL-1 alpha and beta by EIA. The only difference found in the assessment of the biological activity of BAL cells conditioned medium was an increase in fibroblast proliferation in sarcoidosis vs IPF patients. The IL-1 alpha and beta, and TNF alpha contents of conditioned media were similar in the three groups. Inhibitory activity against IL-1 and TNF alpha was found in a few patients. Further analysis revealed two peaks of inhibitory activity against IL-1 (20-25 kD and 35-40 kD), as well as a distinct TNF alpha inhibitory activity which could be retained on a TNF alpha-binding affinity column. No mRNA expression for TNF alpha was found in freshly isolated BAL cells, whereas very variable levels of IL-1 alpha and beta mRNA levels were detected in the three groups. Because of these variable results of differences in functional state between freshly isolated and cultured BAL cells, and of the presence of inhibitory substances against IL-1 and TNF alpha, it is unlikely that the development of fibrosis could be ascribed to a single disorder or abnormality.
Achromobacter xylosoxidans: Friend or foe?
Authors: Liesbeth Christiaens, Pieter Goeminne, Lieven Dupont
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background: Despite increasing prevalence of Achromobacter xylosoxidans (AX) in cystic fibrosis (CF), it is still unclear what its pathogenicity is. Most studies suggest AX is a colonizer of damaged lungs rather than a pathogen. We looked at prevalence of chronic colonization of AX in our CF population and investigated impact on clinical progression.

Methods: In a cross-sectional analysis of 307 CF patients, we compared the group of once only infected (OI) to chronically colonized patients (CC). We analyzed differences in age, lung function and BMI z-score. Subanalysis included hospitalization rate and evolution of lung function in ten CC patients.

Results: Of the 307 patients, 22% showed positive culture for AX during at least 1 follow-up with 6% being CC, 9% OI and 7% with intermittently positive cultures. In 2009, the prevalence of a positive culture was 8%. No difference was detected between the OI and the CC group for age (p=0.16), FEV1% (p=0.24), FVC% (p=0.4) and BMI z-score (p=0.64). Subanalysis showed no impact of colonization on lung function decline and BMI z-score, though subanalysis showed significantly more hospitalizations (0.8 vs 1.6, p=0.049) during two years after diagnosis of colonization compared to two years before. Chronically infected patients had higher prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) with only one of 19 patient showing no record of cultured PA.

Conclusion: A small subset of CF patients (6%) and not all patients with acquisition of AX (less than 1 in 3) become CC with AX. CC with AX was associated with increase in hospitalization rate, but did not affect lung function decline nor BMI evolution. Further data, e.g. case-control studies to exclude time-effect, are necessary to clarify clinical relevance of AX in CF.
National trends in utilization and outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) among patients with and without COPD in Spain (2001-2011)
Authors: Javier de Miguel Díez, Rodrigo Jiménez García, Milagros Llanos Flores, Valentín Hernández Barrera, Ana López de Andrés, Alicia Oliva Ramos, Irene Jarana Aparicio, Julio Cesar Vargas Espinal, Luis Puente Maestu, Pilar Carrasco Garrido
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background: COPD is associated with a high risk of death due to coronary artery disease (CAD). Patients with COPD suffering from CAD are frequently treated with revascularization procedures.  Objective: We aim to compare trends in the use and outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with and without COPD in Spain (2001-2011).  Methods: We identified all patients who had undergone PCI, using national hospital discharge data. Discharges were divided, according to a history of COPD, in: COPD and non COPD.  Results: From 2001 to 2011, 434,108 PCIs were performed. The incidence of use of PCI increased over time in both groups, from 4.94 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2001 to 11.76 in 2011 in COPD, and from 87.74 to 177.56 in non COPD. The mean age increased significantly in both groups, from 68.07 (8.97) years in 2001 to 70.57 (9.92) years in 2011 in COPD patients and from 63.35 (11.2) years in 2001 to 65.43 (12.07) years in 2011 in non-COPD patients. Comorbidity increased significantly in both groups. The average LOS decreased significantly over time, from 9 (IQR 10) days in 2001 to 6 (IQR 6) days in COPD patients, and from 6 (IQR 9) days in 2001 to 5 (IQR 6) days in patients without COPD. IHM changed significantly over the entire study period among patients with COPD (from 2.65% in 2001 to 2.66% en 2011) and non COPD (from 1.92% in 2001 to 1.85% in 2011).  Conclusions: The incidence of use of PCI procedures increased over time in COPD and non-COPD patients. Increasing age and comorbidity can be associated with a higher use of PCI procedures. LOS and IHM were higher in patients with COPD than in those without COPD.
Screening of HIV positive TB contacts with an interferon-gamma release assay in a congregate setting in Singapore
Authors: Suay Hong Gan, Sugunavalli Bhoopalan, Kyi Win KhinMar, Timorthy M. Barkham, Cynthia Bin Eng Chee, Yee Tang Wang
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

We used the T-SPOT.TB assay in screening HIV positive contacts of infectious TB cases in the prison setting. The test is believed, on presumptive evidence, to be more sensitive than the tuberculin skin test and QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube assay in detecting latent TB infection.  We report the screening of 47 HIV positive contacts around 3 infectious TB cases in the prison from 2008 to 2010. Exposure of the contacts occurred during the 1-hour daily activities. Identified contacts were screened for symptoms and examined for signs of active disease. Sputum tests for AFB smears and cultures, chest xray and T-TSPOT.TB assay were done. Diagnosis of latent TB infection was based on the T-TSPOT.TB assay, after excluding active disease. Window prophylaxis was offered if the initial test was negative and stopped if the repeat T-SPOT.TB assay done after 8-10 weeks of last exposure was negative.  36 (76.6%) the contacts were tested negative by the T-SPOT.TB assay. Their median CD 4 count was 343 cells/ul and 44.4% of them were on anti-retroviral therapy. 8 contacts had positive T-SPOT.TB assay result, 2 of whom had active TB (yield of 4.3%). The indeterminate rate was 2.1%. 3 contacts completed preventive treatment while 14 contacts had window prophylaxis. During the mean follow up of 19 months (median of 21.5 months, range of 10 to 25 months), one of the T-TSPOT.TB assay negative contacts, whose CD4 count was 4 cells/ul, developed active TB 11 months after completing screening.  Except in cases with extremely low CD4 count, the T-SPOT.TB assay appears to have a good negative predictive value for progression to active disease in HIV positive TB contacts in Singapore.
Pulmonary schistosomiasis resembling acute pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: T Schaberg, W Rahn, P Racz, H Lode
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1991)

Pulmonary involvement of schistosomiasis is usually characterized by a miliary mottling or diffuse nodular infiltrates. In most cases, pulmonary involvement is associated with an apparent clinical involvement of other organs. This report describes a 35 yr old patient who developed a cavity, a parenchymatous infiltrate and hilar adenopathy in association with pulmonary schistosomiasis. Schistosoma eggs were demonstrated in transbronchial biopsies from the lung. Pulmonary involvement of schistosomiasis is reviewed and atypical features are discussed, which may lead to diagnostic difficulties, particularly compared to tuberculosis.
Circumvention of Multiple-Drug Resistance in Human Cancer Cells By Thioridazine, Trifluoperazine, and Chlorpromazine&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN1"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: S Akiyama, N Shiraishi, Y Kuratomi, M Nakagawa, M Kuwano
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1986)

Human KB carcinoma cells were selected in four sequential steps for increasing resistance to colchicine and were found to be cross-resistant to multiple drugs. Thioridazine, a phenothiazine calmodulin inhibitor, almost completely reversed the resistance of the multiple-drug-resistant cells to doxorubicin, vinblastine, dactinomycin, and daunorubicin, and partially reversed the resistance to colchicine and vincristine. Other phenothiazine calmodulin inhibitors, trifluoperazine and chlorpromazine, were also found to show similar but somewhat weaker effects on drug resistance. However, a well-known naphthalenesulfonamide derivative calmodulin inhibitor, N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7), could not reverse the drug resistance. Very low accumulation of vincristine or daunorubicin was observed in the multiple-drug-resistant KB cells in comparison with accumulation in the parental KB cells. Increased rate of accumulation of the drugs by thioridazine, trifluoperazine, and chlorpromazine was most prominent in the resistant KB-ChR-24 cells than in KB cells. We have observed enhanced efflux of the drugs from the resistant cells, and thioridazine inhibited this efflux. These studies suggest a role for increased drug efflux in the development of the multiple-drug resistance phenotype in human carcinoma cells.
α<sub>1</sub>-Antitrypsin Determines the Pattern of Emphysema and Function in Tobacco Smoke–exposed Mice
Authors: Yasutaka Takubo, Alexei Guerassimov, Heberto Ghezzo, Alexandra Triantafillopoulos, Jason H. T. Bates, John R. Hoidal, Manuel G. Cosio
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2002)

Cigarette smoking in humans is associated with various patterns of emphysema and functional consequences. We tested the hypothesis that variations in alpha1-antitrypsin expression modulate the pattern of emphysema and functional consequences in cigarette smoke-exposed mice. We compared the effects of up to 6 months of cigarette smoke exposure in C57BL/6J (C57) mice and in low-alpha1-antitrypsin, C57BL/6J pa+/pa+ (pallid) mice. At the end of the experiment, we determined lung mechanical properties, the extent (mean linear intercept) and type of emphysema, and the cellular inflammatory response. After 4 months of cigarette smoking, pallid smoking mice, but not C57 smoking mice, had a significant increase in mean linear intercept. After 6 months of smoke exposure, C57 smoking mice and pallid smoking mice had similar degrees of emphysema. The pattern of emphysema in pallid smoking mice was more diffuse than in C57 smoking mice, affecting all airspaces. Pallid mice, but not C57 mice, developed a T cell inflammation in the alveolar wall after 6 months of smoking (p < 0.01). Although lung compliance was not changed in C57 smoking mice after smoke exposure, it increased significantly in pallid smoking mice over the 6 months of exposure (p < 0.0082). In summary, cigarette smoking induces emphysema in C57 and pallid mice, but the emphysema, inflammatory infiltrate, and resulting physiologic abnormalities were substantially different in the two strains, with the C57 and pallid mice exhibiting features similar to centrilobular and panlobular emphysema, respectively.
High flow nasal cannula therapy improves clinical and gas exchange parameters in children with acute bronchiolitis
Authors: Uros Krivec, Marina Praprotnik, Malena Aldeco
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Introduction: Heated and humidified high flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC) is increasingly used to treat children with acute viral bronchiolitis.  Aim: To determine whether this treatment modality is associated with improvement in physiological parameters in infants and children with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure.  Methods: In a prospective observational study data from children younger than 24 months were collected. HFNC was started on worsening clinical state despite conventional management, when no immediate intubation was needed. Clinical respiratory parameters and capillary blood gasses were assessed just prior to and after introduction of HFNC.  Results: Data from 39 children (11 girls), median age 11 (range 0,3 – 24) months, with acute viral bronchiolitis were analyzed. Patients’ mean SpO2 on admission was 91% (± 4%). After HFNC a significant decrease in respiratory rate, 51 (± 11) vs. 46 (± 13) breaths per minute (P = 0,007), heart rate, 150 (± 15) vs. 130 (± 17) beats per minute (P = 0,000) and respiratory effort score, 4,6 (± 1,1) vs. 4,0 (± 0,9) (P = 0,0003) was documented. There was a significant increase in SpO2 96,8 (± 2,7) vs. 98,5 (± 1,6) percent (P = 0,01). Besides, a significant increase in capillary blood pH, 7,36 (± 0,06) vs. 7,40 (± 0,43) (P = 0,0006) and decrease in PCO2, 5,96 (± 1,02) vs. 5,32 (± 0,83) kPa (P = 0,0004) issued. A trend towards lower capillary blood bicarbonate concentration and blood glucose level was seen. 8 patients secondarily deteriorated and needed intubation, none of them died.  Conclusions: HFNC can effectively improve respiratory and gas exchange parameters in critically ill children with acute bronchiolitis.
Current practice: Pleural fluid sampling and analysis - how well are we doing?
Authors: Patrick Bradley, Jurgen Herre, Stefan Marciniak, Pasupathy Sivasothy
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background   Pleural aspiration has important diagnostic and therapeutic uses. British Thoracic Society (BTS) guidelines detail evidence-based best practice for thoracocentesis and testing, but it is uncertain how closely these guidelines are followed.   Aims   This study evaluated adherence to best practice in a large tertiary hospital, comparing the performance of the respiratory department with the rest of the hospital. This was to assess whether there is an impetus for improving the practice of pleural aspiration and subsequent testing, in particular for patients with suspected pleural infection.   Methods   We retrospectively examined patient records for those who had pleural aspirations sent for microbiological testing over an eight-week period in 2012. Thirty procedures were included, following exclusion of cases with known pleural malignancy and repeat procedures. Adherence to BTS recommended practice was assessed and compared hospital-wide.   Results   A high proportion of pleural aspiration procedures were performed without ultrasound guidance (50%). Biochemical parameters such as albumin, total protein, pH and LDH from pleural fluid, as well as serum when appropriate, were in many cases not measured (37%, 67%, 43% and 70% respectively).   Conclusions   This assessment of real-world practice highlights a need for closer adherence to professional guidelines. These findings necessitate a structured training programme for both ultrasound and sample processing to both ensure patient safety and to minimise the potential morbidity associated with repeated fluid sampling.
Forced Vital Capacity in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Roland M. du Bois, Derek Weycker, Carlo Albera, Williamson Z. Bradford, Ulrich Costabel, Alex Kartashov, Talmadge E. King, Lisa Lancaster, Paul W. Noble, Steven A. Sahn, Michiel Thomeer, Dominique Valeyre, Athol U. Wells
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2011)

Forced vital capacity (FVC) is an established measure of pulmonary function in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Evidence regarding its measurement properties and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in this population is limited.To assess the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of FVC and estimate the MCID in patients with IPF.The study population included all 1,156 randomized patients in two clinical trials of IFN-γ1b. FVC and other measures of functional status were measured at screening or baseline and 24-week intervals thereafter. Reliability was assessed based on two proximal measures of FVC, validity was assessed based on correlations between FVC and other measures of functional status, and responsiveness was assessed based on the relationship between 24-week changes in FVC and other measures of functional status. Distribution-based and anchor-based methods were used to estimate the MCID.Correlation of percent-predicted FVC between measurements (mean interval, 18 d) was high (r = 0.93; P < 0.001). Correlations between FVC and other parameters were generally weak, with the strongest observed correlation between FVC and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (r = 0.38; P < 0.001). Correlations between change in FVC and changes in other parameters were slightly stronger (range, r = 0.16-0.37; P < 0.001). Importantly, 1-year risk of death was more than twofold higher (P < 0.001) in patients with a 24-week decline in FVC between 5% and 10%. The estimated MCID was 2-6%.FVC is a reliable, valid, and responsive measure of clinical status in patients with IPF, and a decline of 2-6%, although small, represents a clinically important difference.
Night time dyspnea in COPD: A study of a general population
Authors: Peter Lange, Jacob Marott
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

RATIONALE  The aim of present analyses was to investigate the prevalence of night time dyspnea in patients with COPD selected from the general population and to describe characteristics and prognosis of patients with this symptom.  METHODS  Using data from two prospective studies of the general population in the Copenhagen area, we investigated the prevalence of night time dyspnea in 6616 individuals with COPD. The individuals were followed for 5 years with regard to COPD exacerbations, hospital admissions and survival.  RESULTS  The overall prevalence of night time dyspnea 4.3 %: 2.1% in GOLD A; 12.9% in GOLD B; 2.6% in GOLD C and 16.3% in GOLD D. Compared with individuals without night time dyspnea, the individuals with night time dyspnea had a lower FEV 1 , higher day time dyspnea score (mMRC) and higher prevalence of bronchitis and wheezing.  During the follow-up, we observed that presence of night time dyspnea after adjustment for age and sex was associated with a 2.3 (95% CI: 1.7-3.0) times higher risk of COPD exacerbation, 3.2 (2.3-4.4) times higher risk of COPD hospital admission and 1.7 (1.2-2.3) times higher risk of death. After further adjustment for FEV 1  in % of predicted, day time dyspnea and frequent exacerbations, the relative risk of future exacerbations connected with night time dyspnea was reduced to 1.3 (CI: 1.0-1.8), the risk of future COPD admissions to 1.4 (CI: 1.0-2.0) and the risk of death to 1.1 (CI: 0.8-1.6)  CONCLUSION  The prevalence of night time dyspnea in COPD increases with disease severity. Night time dyspnea is a significant predictor of poor prognosis with regard to exacerbations, hospital admissions and survival  Funding: an unrestricted grant from Almirall.
Transplantation of Chemically Induced Metastatic Mucinous Adenocarcinomas of the Jejunum and Colon in Rats
Authors: Jerrold M. Ward, Richard S. Yamamoto, John H. Weisburger, Timothy Benjamin
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1973)

Journal Article Transplantation of Chemically Induced Metastatic Mucinous Adenocarcinomas of the Jejunum and Colon in Rats Get access Jerrold M. Ward, Jerrold M. Ward 2Carcinogen Metabolism and Toxicology Branch, Division of Cancer Cause and Prevention, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Bethesda, Md. 20014 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Richard S. Yamamoto, Richard S. Yamamoto 3Experimental Pathology Branch Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar John H. Weisburger, John H. Weisburger 2Carcinogen Metabolism and Toxicology Branch, Division of Cancer Cause and Prevention, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Bethesda, Md. 20014 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Timothy Benjamin Timothy Benjamin 2Carcinogen Metabolism and Toxicology Branch, Division of Cancer Cause and Prevention, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Bethesda, Md. 20014 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Volume 51, Issue 6, December 1973, Pages 1997–1999, https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/51.6.1997 Published: 01 December 1973 Article history Received: 10 August 1973 Accepted: 12 September 1973 Published: 01 December 1973
A rare cause of hemoptysis: Munchausen syndrome
Authors: Guzin Cinel, Suleyman Tolga Yavuz, Ugur Ozcelik, Ebru Yalcin, Deniz Dogru, Nural Kiper
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Hemoptysis is a serious and sometimes life-threatening symptom that requires broad evaluation, including invasive procedures.Neverthless in a group of patients, the cause of hemoptysis may not be elucidated despite extensive investigations.Factitious hemoptysis is a manifiestation of Munchausen syndrome that describes a group of patients who intentionally produce or feign symptoms or disabilities; and it must be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of unexplained hemoptysis.Here we report 5 patients diagnosed as Munchausen syndrom whose complaints were hemoptysis.  PATIENTS: Five patients (1 male,4 females), median age 15 (10-16,5), described hemoptysis occuring with cough or sputum.Symptom duration was 6 (1-24) months.They had not hematemesis or melena. Despite having hemoptysis everyday, or once in 2 or 3 days, hemoglobin values varied between 12,2-14,8 (median 13,2) g/dL. Chest x-rays, computed tomography of thorax, laryngoscopy, flexible bronchoscopy, hematological survey related with bleeding diathesis were normal in all patients. Accompanying psychiatric problems were determined in two patients with detailed history. In one patient, detailed physical examination revealed multiple crusted and bleeding bitched lesions on the buccal mucosa. One patient brought us 3mL red fluid in a plastic cup as her bloody cough, but it was cherry juice. The other patient had problems with her school and family; and her hemoptysis was existing when she had bad notes at school.  Munchausen syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hemoptysis of unclear etiology, especially when accompanied by changing symptoms and in patients with a calm manner despite dramatic complaints.