tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Characterisation of patients with difficult-to-treat and treatment-resistant severe asthma
Authors: Federica Novelli, Federico Lorenzo Dente, Maria Laura Bartoli, Silvana Cianchetti, Antonella Di Franco, Lorenza Melosini, Elena Bacci, Pierluigi Paggiaro
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background : A recent World Health Organization (WHO) meeting proposed a uniform classification of severe asthma (SA) into 3 groups: untreated SA, difficult-to-treat SA, and treatment-resistant SA (JACI 2010).   Aim:  To characterize and compare the demographic, functional and inflammatory parameters and the level of control of patients with difficult-to-treat and treatment-resistant SA.   Method:  12 patients with treatment-resistant SA and 24 patients with difficult-to-treat SA (defined according to WHO document) were enrolled in this study (mean age: 59 yrs). All patients underwent spirometry and methacholine test. Asthma control was evaluated according to GINA guidelines and also by ACT questionnaire, ACQ questionnaire and PEF diary. Sputum eosinophils percentage and exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) were measured as markers of airway inflammation. Furthermore, all patients underwent ENT visit to evaluate the presence of pathology of the upper airways (in particular rhinosinusitis and/or polyps).   Results : Patients with treatment-resistant SA had a higher sputum eosinophilia (57.1% (3.7-86.2) Vs 12.5 (0-95.6), p   Conclusions:  Patients with treatment-resistant SA have a greater eosinophilic inflammation of lower airway than patients with difficult-to-treat SA, but a similar level of control and pharmacologic therapy, suggesting the need for different treatment strategies in the two groups of patients.
Individuals, Families, and the New Era of Genetics: Biopsychosocial Perspectivesedited by Suzanne M. Miller, Ph.D., Susan H. McDaniel, Ph.D., John S. Rolland, M.D., and Suzanne L. Feetham, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N. New York, W.W. Norton &amp; Co., 2006, 520 pp., $49.95.
Authors: FRANK deGRUY
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (2007)
Peripheral Metabolism of Intact Parathyroid Hormone
Authors: K. A. Hruska, A. Korkor, K. Martin, E. Slatopolsky
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1981)

The plasma disappearance rate (metabolic clearance rate) of administered intact parathyroid hormone (intact PTH) was analyzed in awake dogs with indwelling hepatic and renal vein catheters. The metabolic clearance rate (MCR) of intact PTH was found to be very rapid, 21.6 ± 3.1 ml/min per kg in 11 normal dogs. The liver accounted for the greatest fraction of the MCR of intact PTH (61 ± 4%) by virtue of an arterial minus venous (a - v) difference across the liver of 45 ± 3%. The renal uptake of intact PTH accounted for 31 ± 3% of the MCR of intact PTH. The renal a - v difference for intact PTH of 29 ± 2% was significantly greater than the filtration fraction indicating renal uptake of intact PTH at sites independent of glomerular filtration. Together, the hepatic and renal clearances of intact PTH accounted for all but a small fraction of the MCR of intact PTH. The MCR of intact PTH, rendered biologically inactive by oxidation, was markedly decreased to 8.8 ± 1 ml/min per kg. The a - v difference of oxidized intact PTH was reduced both in the liver and kidney. These data suggested that the high uptake rates of intact PTH are dependent, at least in part, upon sites recognizing only biologically active PTH.
Prospective analysis among medical school of University of São Paulo: GHPSS (2008/2011)
Authors: Renato Paceli, Stella Martins, Gustavo Prado, Anna Morais, Elisa Lombardi, Frederico Fernandes, Mario Terra-Filho, Ubiratan Santos
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Introduction: Knowledge acquired in tobacco-related diseases and treatment are fundamental for futures physicians who will have to manage with this pandemic disease. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of smokers, Shisha use, passive smoking; knowledge about tobacco-related diseases, smoking cessation techniques and treatment on medical students. Methods: Cross-sectional survey randomly sample of 211 medical students from 3rd year of 2008 and 6th year of 2011. The questionnaire used was the self-administered Global Health Professional Students Survey (GHPSS) after translation and validation to Portuguese. The GHPSS was supplemented with questions about knowledge acquired. Results: Responded 101 x 110 students 3rd/6th. Low prevalence of smokers among the male population with a fall in the 6th year (7.9 x 4.6%, p=0.266), no female smoker. Current/past use of Shisha were higher in 3rd/6th (47.5% x 46.4%, p=0.522). The students have a Knowledge of Smoke Free Places in college, buildings and clinics, (45.4% x 91.8%, p
Lymphocytotoxic Autoantibodies Eluted From In Vivo Propagating Sarcoma Cells of Mice: Brief Communication 2
Authors: Maya Ran, Margalit Yaakubowicz, Isaac P. Witz
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1978)

Eluates of SEYF-a cells (from polyoma virus-induced sarcoma grown in A.BY mice) containing cytotoxic antiSEYF-a antibodies mediated complement-dependent cytotoxicity of normal lymph node cells. Some lymphocytotoxicity was also mediated by sera of tumor-bearing mice, but the pattern of cytotoxicity was different from that exhibited by tumor eluates. The titer of lymphocytotoxic antibodies in the serum was lower than the titer of anti-SEYF-a antibodies, whereas eluates exhibited similar tiers toward both target cells. These results indicated that tumor cells selectively absorbed the lymphocytotoxic antibodies from the serum. Tumor eluates had cytotoxic activity also against thymocytes, splenocytes, and even bone marrow cells. The strain distribution of sensitive thymocytes to the antibodies present in eluates indicated that Thy 1 was not involved. Unfractionated eluates as well as IgG fractions isolated from eluates were active.
Infections caused by Gordonia species at a medical centre in Taiwan, 1997 to 2008
Authors: C.C. Lai, C.Y. Wang, C.Y. Liu, C.K. Tan, S.H. Lin, C.H. Liao, C.H. Chou, Y.T. Huang, H.I. Lin, P.R. Hsueh
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2010)
Cough induced by enalapril but not by captopril
Authors: H Puolijoki, M Nieminen, E Moilanen, L Siitonen, A Lahdensuo, P Reinikainen, H Vapaatalo
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1989)

We report a 68 yr old woman with hypertension who developed a dry cough on enalapril but not on captopril therapy. Pulmonary function tests, methacholine inhalation challenges, total blood eosinophil counts, and changes in plasma concentrations of prostaglandin E2 and thromboxane B2 did not explain the difference in the adverse reaction between these two angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.
Cardiac metastases from soft-tissue sarcomas.
Authors: D E Hallahan, N J Vogelzang, K M Borow, D G Bostwick, M A Simon
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1986)

Cardiac metastases were present in 30 of 120 (25%) consecutive autopsies of patients with soft-tissue sarcoma (STS). Fifty percent of the patients had metastases to the myocardium, while 33% had pericardial metastases and 17% had both. Congestive heart failure was present in ten patients and was commonly caused by diffuse myocardial or restrictive pericardial metastases. Other signs and symptoms of cardiac involvement by STS included chest pain (three patients), arrhythmias (two), conduction block (two), simulation of an atrial myxoma (one), and sudden death (one). Echocardiography was used infrequently, but was diagnostic in 80% of cases in which it was used. We conclude that metastatic STS commonly involves the heart and produces cardiac symptoms.
Quality versus quantity of life in the treatment of patients with advanced small-cell lung cancer? A randomized phase III comparison of weekly carboplatin and teniposide versus cisplatin, adriamycin, etoposide alternating with cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, vincristine and lomustine
Authors: R.A. Joss, P. Alberto, C. Hürny, M. Bacchi, S. Leyvraz, B. Thürlimann, T. Cerny, G. Martinelli, R. Stahel, C. Ludwig
Journal: Annals of Oncology (1995)
Dopamine during α- or β-Adrenergic Blockade in Man
Authors: Mara Lorenzi, John H. Karam, Eva Tsalikian, Nancy V. Bohannon, John E. Gerich, Peter H. Forsham
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1979)

We studied the contribution of α- and β-adrenergic receptor activation to the cardiovascular, metabolic, and hormonal effects of dopamine. At a concentration of 1.5 μg/kg·min, the infusion of dopamine in 12 normal volunteers was associated with a transient but significant rise in pulse rate, which was prevented by propranolol. Venous plasma glucose did not change throughout the experiments, and a mild increase in plasma free fatty acid levels observed during the administration of dopamine alone was antagonized by propranolol. In contrast, neither the β-adrenergic blocker, propranolol, nor the α-adrenergic blocker, phentolamine, was effective in inhibiting the dopamine-induced rise in plasma glucagon (from 82±9 to 128±14 pg/ml; P < 0.005) and serum insulin (from 7.5±1 to 13±1.5 μU/ml; P < 0.005) or its suppression of plasma prolactin (from 8.5±1 to 5.2±0.8 ng/ml; P < 0.001). Although serum growth hormone levels did not change during the infusion of dopamine alone, an obvious rise occurred in three subjects during the combined infusion of propranolol and dopamine.
Ventilation-perfusion mismatch in COPD with or without emphysema: Comparison of structural CT and functional OE-MRI
Authors: WeiJuan Zhang, Penny Hubbard, Eva Bondesson, Lars Wigström, Simon Young, Dave Singh, Geoffrey Parker, Josephine Naish
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Single-slice conoral oxygen-enhanced MRI (OE-MRI) images were acquired in 24 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 12 healthy subjects, from which color-coded V/Q maps were extracted by pixelwise model fitting. COPD were structurally classified by percentage of low attenuation areas under -950 HU (LAA%) in matched single-slice CT images: LAA%≤1%–non-emphysema (n=8), >1%–emphysema (n=16).  V/Q maps in COPD were much more heterogeneous than those in healthy subjects, while they showed similar or mildly lower heterogeneity in non-emphysematous COPD than in emphysematous COPD, which demonstrates that comparative V/Q mismatch exists in COPD even if there is no emphysema. To explore potentially different structure-function relationship in two COPD types, correlation between CT and OE-MRI parameters was measured. Median V/Q did not correlate with LLA% in COPD. However, inter-quartile range of V/Q, representing the extent of heterogeneity, was fairly correlated with LLA% in emphysematous COPD (r=0.449, p=0.017), indicating V/Q mismatch in COPD gets worse as emphysema increases. However, the correlation was not found in non-emphysematous COPD.  This study elucidates that distinction between emphysematous COPD and non-emphysematous COPD does not affect the presence of V/Q imbalance substantially but that the relationship between V/Q and CT measures does vary between these two types.
Prevalence and pathogenesis of anaemia in inflammatory bowel disease: a cross sectional study in a large tertiary centre
Authors: S. Tanwar, G. Lipman, J. Parkes, S. McCartney
Journal: Gut (2011)

<h3>Introduction</h3> Both anaemia and iron deficiency are being increasingly recognised in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) not only as manifestations of active disease but as factors influencing patient quality of life in their own right.1 As a result, guidelines have been formulated to facilitate the management of patients in these settings.2 In this study the authors have investigated the prevalence and the treatment requirements of both anaemia and iron deficiency in outpatients with IBD. <h3>Methods</h3> In a cross-sectional study, all outpatients with IBD at our centre were identified. After excluding for pregnancy, recent surgery and blood dyscrasias, 543 outpatients with IBD were identified (265 with ulcerative colitis, 268 with Crohn9s disease, 10 with indeterminate colitis). In addition to both gender and age, haemoglobin, iron status and iron therapy were also collected. Disease activity was confirmed by endoscopic and/or radiological assessment. C reactive protein (CRP) was also collected as a presumed surrogate for disease activity. <h3>Results</h3> Of the 543 patients with IBD, 91 patients (16.8%) were anaemic of which 45 patients (49.5%) had biochemical evidence of iron deficiency. 38 patients (14.3%) with ulcerative colitis compared with 52 patients (19.5%) with Crohn9s disease were anaemic (p=0.102). Anaemia was associated with the presence of iron deficiency (p&lt;0.001) and active disease (p=0.005) but not with gender. Similarly, iron deficiency was also associated with active disease (p&lt;0.001) but not gender or the type of IBD. CRP was significantly different in patients with and without both anaemia and iron deficiency (p&lt;0.001). In patients with active disease, both haemoglobin (p=0.010) and CRP (p&lt;0.001) were significantly different to those with inactive disease but not MCV or ferritin. Of the 38 patients who were on oral iron, 11 (29%) had a suboptimal response and required intravenous iron. 6 out of 12 patients being administered intravenous iron required erythropoetin. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Anaemia is a common finding in outpatients with IBD with frequency of up to 20% of which almost half had evidence of iron deficiency. In contrast to oral iron therapy, intravenous iron and erythropoietin therapy were required for only 2% and 1% of patients respectively. Anaemia was associated with an older age, active disease and iron deficiency. Both anaemia, iron deficiency and CRP appear to act as surrogate markers for active disease.
A comparison of two analysers measuring exhaled nitric oxide concentration
Authors: Waldemar Tomalak, Jakub Radlinski
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

The measurements of the concentration of nitric oxide in exhaled air (FeNO) has been introduced in 909s of XXth century. FeNO appeared to be a useful marker of inflammation activity and is used as a tool in controlling asthma and its treatment.  The aim of the work was to compare two analysers measuring FeNO: Sievers 280i (Sievers, USA) and HypAir (Medisoft, B). The Sievers analyser works on-line and uses ozone transducer to measure FeNO. Hypair analyses the sample off-line (time of analysis ∼25s) and uses electrochemical transducer. In 76 patients (12.6±6.0 years) we have made measurements using both analysers in random order according to ERS/ATS recommendations. The subjects exhaled air through flow restrictor. At least three measurements that did not differ much than 5% were taken in each subject using both analysers, and the mean was taken as a result. The data were then analysed using Bland-Altman approach.  Mean value of FeNO for Sievers was 35.0±33.9 ppb (range 5-172 ppb) and 31.5±30.4 ppb (5-162) for HypAir respectively. The mean difference was 3.5±8.5 ppb; both measurements did not differ between them (paired t-test p=0.25). The measurements were strongly related to each other with r=0.971 and FeNO(HypAir) = 1.07+0.87*FeNO(SIEVERS).  Bland-Altman analysis showed, that correlation between difference and the mean was statistically significant (r=0.42, P
Circulating nucleosomal DNA of blood as an indicator of the pathological process during chronical bronchitis
Authors: Irina Vasilyeva, Tatiana Ivtchik
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

The expression of the protein Ras is the basis of the activation of cell cycle by the connection of the signal path of the EGRF with the cascade of MAP. This method of regulation is used in the cells of respiratory epithelium as a response to the impact of air pollutants and caused in the inhibition of apoptosis in pathogenesis of COPD. Low-molecular-weight, nucleosomal DNA fraction (lmwDNA) of the blood plasma is an universal quantitative indicator of apoptosis, which allows to distinguish fundamentally different condition of the organism. The states accompanied by strengthening of apoptosis are marked by increase in lmwDNAs content. The level of lmwDNA can be lower than background level during states, connected with the apoptosis inhibition. The COPD is noticed for the first time by the decline of the level of lmwDNA in the blood plasma unlike in the case of the CnonOB. COPD patients in the remission state the lmwDNA level consisted 7.8 ng/ml plasma (n=31) and was lower (P
Lung on Chip: Co-culture of alveolar epithelial cells & bone marrow derived stromal cells in microfluidic system
Authors: Anna Schoeni, Laurent Barbe, Amiq Gazdhar, Thomas Geiser, Olivier Guenat
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background:  Microfluidics system are novel tools to study cell-cell interactions in vitro. This project focuses on the development of a new microfluidic device to co-culture alveolar epithelial cells and mesenchymal stem cells to study cellular interactions involved in healing the injured alveolar epithelium.   Methods:  Microfluidic systems in polydimethylsiloxane were fabricated by soft lithography. The alveolar A549 epithelial cells were seeded and injury tests were made on the cells by perfusion with media containing H2O2 or bleomycin during 6 or 18hrs. Rat Bone marrow derived stromal cells (BMSC) were then introduced into the system and cell-cell interaction was studied over 24 hrs.   Results:  A successful co-culture of A549 alveolar epithelial cells and BMS was achieved in the microfluidic system. The seeded alveolar epithelial cells and BMSC adhered to the bottom surface of the microfluidic device and proliferated under constant perfusion. Epithelial injury to mimic mechanisms seen in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was induced in the microchannels by perfusing with H2O2 or bleomycin. Migration of BMSC towards the injured epithelium was observed as well as cell-cell interaction between the two cell types was also seen.   Conclusion:  We demonstrate a novel microfluidic device aimed at showing interactions between different cell types on the basis of a changing microenvironment. Also we were able to confirm interaction between injured alvolar epithelium and BMSC, and showed that BMSC try to heal the injured epitelium.
Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms with severe atopic dermatitis in adults
Authors: G. Heine, N. Hoefer, A. Franke, U. Nöthling, R.R. Schumann, L. Hamann, M. Worm
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2012)

Vitamin D mediates immunomodulatory functions, and beneficial functions in allergic diseases have been suggested. Vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) polymorphisms are known but have not been studied in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).To investigate the frequency of four common VDR gene polymorphisms in patients with AD, and their potential functional relevance.In this case-control study, 265 patients with AD [n=142 severe AD, Scoring AD index (SCORAD) > 40; n=123 moderate AD, SCORAD 15-40] and 265 healthy controls were genotyped for four common VDR gene polymorphisms by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The VDR haplotype sequences were analysed in silico. Baseline and activation-induced gene expression of VDR and the vitamin D metabolizing enzyme CYP24A1 were analysed in monocytes of homozygous VDR haplotype carriers by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.In patients with severe AD, the VDR BsmI (rs1544410) G allele, ApaI (rs7975232) C allele and TaqI (rs731236) T alleles were over-represented compared with healthy controls. These single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were tightly linked, and the VDR haplotype GCT was correlated with severe AD and complementary AAC with protection from AD. The VDR haplotype GCT region is evolutionarily conserved. The VDR FokI (rs2228570) SNP was not associated with AD. Baseline VDR expression in monocytes and short-term activation were haplotype independent.A specific VDR haplotype is more frequent in patients with severe AD. These data indicate that VDR contributes to the control of AD, e.g. by regulation of the epidermal barrier function and/or local immune response.
Oral N-acetylcysteine or S-carboxymethylcysteine inhibit cigarette smoke-induced hypersecretion of mucus in rat larynx and trachea in situ
Authors: DF Rogers, NC Turner, C Marriott, PK Jeffery
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1989)

Two weeks exposure of rats to cigarette smoke (CS) significantly (p less than 0.05) increased the secretion of fucose-containing glycoconjugates above normal in an in situ preparation of larynx and trachea. After equilibration mean basal secretion in CS-exposed rats was 24 micrograms (per 30 min collection) which was 8 times higher than that of unexposed animals (p less than 0.01). N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or S-carboxymethylcysteine (SCMC) given as 1% of the drinking water, before and after daily exposure to CS, significantly inhibited the development of the CS-induced increase in fucose secretion reducing the mean for basal secretion in each group to 7 and 5 micrograms, respectively (p less than 0.05). Neither NAC nor SCMC had significant effects on baseline glycoconjugate secretion in control animals. Albumin was inconsistently present in the secretions of both control and CS-exposed animals, whereas in those exposed to CS and also given one of the two cysteine derivatives there was a consistent increase in albumin transudation.
A Rapid Dialysis Cell in the Zirconyl Gel Assay for Carcinoembryonic Antigen in Human Serum2
Authors: Herbert Z. Kupchik, Calvin A. Saravis, Marvin C. Feil, Norman Zamcheck
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1974)

Radioimmunoassays for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) utilizing perchloric acid (PCA) extraction of serum or plasma require more than 24 hours to perform because complete dialysis of the extracts is necessary. Thin layers (1–2 mm) of PCA extracts of serum (1-ml duplicates) were dialyzed through semipermeable membranes held on disposable plastic templates. The thin layer plus the large surface area permitted removal of low molecular weight materials and neutralization of the PCA within 1 hour if dialyzed first against water for 30 minutes and then against 0.01 M ammonium acetate buffer (pH 6.6) for 30 minutes. After these steps (extraction and dialysis), the zirconyl phosphate gel (Z-gel) radioimmunoassay could be completed in an additional 3–4 hours. The assay detected as little as 1.25 ng CEA/ml serum and was reproducible; test results correlated well with those obtained by the Farr and Z-gel CEA assays. This dialysis unit retained the PCA extraction step of the Z-gel assay but shortened the time required to analyze specimens.