tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Abstract 18987: Fenofibrate Reduces Peripheral Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetes: the Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes (FIELD) Study
Authors: Kushwin Rajamani, Mark Donoghoe, Liping Li, Ru-Dee Ting, Peter G Colman, Paul Drury, Markku Laakso, Anthony C Keech
Journal: Circulation (2010)

Introduction: Peripheral neuropathy, a microvascular complication of diabetes, is a major contributor to lower limb ulcer formation and amputation and their devastating consequences. The aim of thi...
Reported pathological childhood experiences associated with the development of borderline personality disorder
Authors: M C Zanarini, A A Williams, R E Lewis, R B Reich, S C Vera, M F Marino, A Levin, L Yong, F R Frankenburg
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1997)

The purpose of this study was to assess a full range of pathological childhood experiences reported by patients with criteria-defined borderline personality disorder and comparison patients with other personality disorders.The pathological childhood experiences reported by 467 inpatients with personality disorders were assessed by interviewers who used a semistructured research interview and were blind to clinical diagnosis.Of the 358 patients with borderline personality disorder, 91% reported having been abused, and 92% reported having been neglected, before the age of 18. The borderline patients were significantly more likely than the 109 patients with other personality disorders to report having been emotionally and physically abused by a caretaker and sexually abused by a noncaretaker. They were also significantly more likely to report having a caretaker withdraw from them emotionally, treat them inconsistently, deny their thoughts and feelings, place them in the role of a parent, and fail to provide them with needed protection. The borderline patients with a childhood history of sexual abuse were significantly more likely than those without such a history to report having experienced all but one of the types of abuse and neglect studied. When all significant risk factors were considered together, four were found to be significant predictors of a borderline diagnosis: female gender, sexual abuse by a male noncaretaker, emotional denial by a male caretaker, and inconsistent treatment by a female caretaker.The results suggest that sexual abuse is neither necessary nor sufficient for the development of borderline personality disorder and that other childhood experiences, particularly neglect by caretakers of both genders, represent significant risk factors.
Different treatment courses with inhaled corticosteroids for eosinophilic bronchitis
Authors: Danyuan Xu, Kefang Lai, Jiaxing Xie, Wei Luo, Nanshan Zhong
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background: Eosinophilic bronchitis (EB) is a common cause of chronic cough. Inhaled corticosteroids can improve sputum eosinophilia and cough severity. However, the treatment course with inhaled corticosteroids for EB is unkown.

Objective: To observe the efficacy and recurrence in EB patients with different treatment courses of inhaled corticosteroids.

Methods: 60 patients diagnosised as EB were randomly divided into three groups with inhaled budesonide 200 μg twice daily via a turbohaler for 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 16 weeks respectively. Cough severity was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) and daytime cough symptom score at baseline and during the treatment period. Airway inflamation was assessed by sputum eosinophil count (Eos%). All the patients were followed up for 6 months after treatment.

Results: The daytime cough score after treatment decreased in all three group ( p <0.05), which was lower in 16 weeks group and 8 weeks group than 4 weeks group ( p <0.05). The rate that VAS decreased over 80% after treatment were 55% in 4 weeks group, lower than 8 weeks, 16 weeks group (85%, 95%, p <0.05). The sputum eosinophil count decreased in all three group after treatment. The rate that sputum eosinophil count returned to normal level (Eos%<2.5%) in 8 weeks group (75%), 16 weeks group (95%) were significantly higher than 4 weeks group (50%, p <0.05). The rate of recurrence was 31.3%, 23.5%, 27.8% in 4, 8, 16 weeks group respectively. There are no significant difference among three groups.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that eosinophilic brochitis should be treated with low-dose inhaled budesonide for over 8 weeks. Recurrence appear not to be related to treatment course.
NYHA2度の心不全患者における心臓再同期療法(CRT)の臨床効果
Authors: 青山豊, 吉田幸彦, 金村則良, 松本正弥, 山本崇之, 橋本踏青, 小椋康弘, 鈴木博彦, 井上夏夫, 立松康, 七里守, 三輪田悟, 平山治雄
Journal: Circulation (2007)
Abstract 2382: The Influence of Electronic Health Records on Quality of Care for Heart Failure
Authors: M N Walsh, G Fonarow, C W Yancy, N M Albert, A Curtis, W Gattis Stough, M Gheorghiade, J T Heywood, M McBride, M Mehra, C O'Connor, D Reynolds
Journal: Circulation (2008)

Electronic health records (EHR) are purported to be an important technology to improve the quality of health care, yet few data exist regarding the effect of EHR on the delivery of evidence-based c...
Delivery of drugs and macromolecules to the mitochondria for cancer therapy
Authors: Phong Lu, Benjamin J. Bruno, Malena Rabenau, Carol S. Lim
Journal: Journal of Controlled Release (2015)

Mitochondria are organelles that have pivotal functions in producing the energy necessary for life and executing the cell death pathway. Targeting drugs and macromolecules to the mitochondria may provide an effective means of inducing cell death for cancer therapy, and has been actively pursued in the last decade. This review will provide a brief overview of mitochondrial structure and function, how it relates to cancer, and importantly, will discuss different strategies of mitochondrial delivery including delivery using small molecules, peptides, genes encoding proteins and MTSs, and targeting polymers/nanoparticles with payloads to the mitochondria. The advantages and disadvantages for each strategy will be discussed. Specific examples using the latest strategies for mitochondrial targeting will be evaluated, as well as potential opportunities for specific mitochondrial compartment localization, which may lead to improvements in mitochondrial therapeutics. Future perspectives in mitochondrial targeting of drugs and macromolecules will be discussed. Currently this is an under-explored area that is prime for new discoveries in cancer therapeutics.
RE: Aspirin and COX-2 Inhibitor Use in Patients With Stage III Colon Cancer
Authors: M. Lee, P. Gibbs
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2015)

There continues to be interest in the potential for aspirin and COX-2 inhibitors to prevent recurrence and/or death in patients with early-stage colon cancer, with the study by Ng et al. (1) providing further support. Unfortunately this study only adds to a confusing literature, with minimal data on agents provided and no contribution to the emerging evidence that tumor molecular determinants have a major impact on treatment benefit.
Pilot trial of a type I - polarized autologous dendritic cell vaccine incorporating tumor blood vessel antigen-derived peptides in patients with metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Joseph Baar, Walter J Storkus, James Finke, Lisa Butterfield, Hillard Lazarus, Jane Reese, Katharine Downes, Thomas Budd, Adam Brufsky, Pingfu Fu
Journal: Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (2015)

Meeting abstracts Cancer vaccines based on tumor-associated antigens are rarely curative in advanced cancer. This limitation relates to the heterogeneity of cancer due to defects in antigen presentation and altered immunophenotypes. Therefore, another method to promote anti-tumor immunity is to
Exacerbation of Atopic Dermatitis after Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Vaccination
Authors: S J Dalton, M R Haeney, Leena Patel, T J David
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1998)

In two children with atopic dermatitis, routine vaccination with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) was followed by severe exacerbation of skin disease. If the sequence is cause and effect, a possible mechanism is stimulation of a Th2 lymphocyte cytokine profile by the vaccine, with migration of activated lymphocytes to inflamed skin. In children with active atopic dermatitis, BCG vaccination is best deferred until remission.
Abstract 14842: Prognostic Value Of Combined Dobutamine Stress CMR And Late Gadolinium Enhancement In Patients With Diabetes Mellitus.
Authors: Sebastian Kelle, Juliane Vierecke, Christina Egnell, Amedeo Chiribiri, Ernst Wellnhofer, Cosima Jahnke, Ingo Paetsch, Christoph Klein, Eckart Fleck, Rolf Gebker
Journal: Circulation (2011)

Background: Patients with diabetes mellitus are at high risk of cardiovascular events. Aim of this study was to assess the value of combined dobutamine stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance (DCM...
The death of death rates?
Authors: Tim Doran, Karen Bloor, Alan Maynard
Journal: BMJ (2015)

Using mortality as a quality indicator for hospitals

The history of medicine can be characterised as a long struggle against ignorance and ineptitude.1 In revealing the complexity of human disease, medical science has chipped away at the former while increasing the risk of the latter. A profession that was once responsible for balancing four humours is now obliged to juggle over 14 000 discrete conditions. Fumbles are inevitable. But to what extent are they avoidable?

The National Health Service is still dealing with the fallout from the Francis inquiry into failings at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.2 One of its first responses was to dispatch Bruce Keogh, the national medical director, to investigate other places of concern—hospitals with persistently high mortality rates.3 But was this the best way to identify rogues?

In a linked article (doi:10.1136/bmj.h3239), Hogan and colleagues measured the association between death rates reported by hospitals and the number of deaths they should have avoided.4 This is a vital piece of information. A strong link would mean that comparative mortality data could serve as a system-wide smoke alarm, providing administrators with an efficient means of monitoring quality of …
Study links changes to primary care in England to rise in hospital admissions of children
Authors: S. Mayor
Journal: BMJ (2015)

A rise in unplanned admissions to hospital of children with conditions usually managed by GPs came at the same time as NHS primary care changed to focus on chronic disease management, says a study looking at trends in hospital admissions.

The researchers analysed short admissions (less than two days) to hospital of children younger than 15 years in England between April 2000 and March 2012. Their study, reported in the Annals of Family Medicine ,1 concluded that the introduction of new primary care health policy in 2004 was associated with an 8% increase in short stay …
Studies of pemetrexed and gemcitabine, alone and in combinations, in human lung cancer models
Authors: D. C. Chan, V. J. Chen, Z. Zhang, B. Helfrich, F. R. Hirsch, D. Ma, P. A. Bunn
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2006)

17114 Background: Gemcitabine (GEM) is a deoxycytidine analog that inhibits DNA synthesis. Pemetrexed (ALIMTA, PEM) is a novel antifolate inhibiting multiple enzymes targets, including thymidylate synthase (TS). This study aimed at evaluating the antitumor effects of these antimetabolites against NSCLC and SCLC tumor models. Methods: In vitro growth inhibition (IC50) studies were done by 6-days MTT assays against a panel of 20 NSCLC and 17 SCLC cell lines. In vivo studies used only NSCLC H2122 tumor line, implanted either subcutaneously in athymic nude mice or orthotopically in athymic nude rats. Drugs were given via the ip route at the designated schedules. Results: Against NSCLC and SCLC cell lines, the averaged IC50s of GEM were 0.015 ± 0.008 μM and 0.055 ± 0.04 μM respectively. The corresponding averaged IC50s for PEM were 0.65 ± 0.2 μM and 0.091±0.018 μM respectively. When H2122 tumors reached 50–100mg, mice were treated with 10 daily doses of PEM at 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg, or three doses of GEM every 4 days at 30, 60 and 120 mg/kg. PEM delayed tumor growth by 12 to 18 days, and GEM delayed by 10 to 14 days, relative to vehicle control. Results of three combination regimens with GEM (30 mg/kg) and PEM (100 mg/kg) were: (1) GEM → PEM gave intermediate activities between the two single agents, but was toxic to animals; (2) PEM and GEM given concurrently were more active than single agents alone and delayed tumor growth by 12 days with some toxic side effects; (3) PEM → GEM was better than the single agents alone, and delayed tumor growth by ∼14 days without toxicity. Athymic nude rats bearing orthotopic H2122 tumors given PEM daily at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg for 21 days had significantly prolonged survival, but not in a dose-dependent manner. PEM at 50 mg/kg was more effective than doses at 100 or 200 mg/kg. GEM was toxic to nude rats due to poor plasma deamination of GEM. Conclusions: In vitro, PEM was more potent against SCLC than NSCLC cell lines, but GEM had similar activities against all lung lines tested. Studies of H2122 xenografts in rodent supported PEM → GEM as the preferred sequence for the combined administration of these two drugs. [Table: see text]
Abstract A13: MSX1-induced neural crest-like reprograming promotes melanoma progression
Authors: Markus V. Heppt, Wang X. Joshua, Denitsa M. Hristova, Zhi Wei, Martin Irmler, Carola Berking, Robert Besch, Johannes Beckers, Frank J. Rauscher, David E. Fisher, Meenhard Herlyn, Mizuho Fukunaga-Kalabis
Journal: Cancer Research (2015)

Abstract Melanoma cells share many biological properties with neural crest cells. Here, we show that the homeodomain transcription factor Msh homeobox 1 (MSX1), which is essential for neural crest specification, reprograms melanocytes towards a neural crest precursor-like state. MSX1-reprogrammed melanocytes express the neural crest marker p75 and are able to differentiate into neuronal and mesenchymal lineages. Mechanistically, MSX1 suppresses the proximal promoter of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), the master transcriptional regulator of melanogenesis. MSX1 expression is also significantly correlated with melanoma progression. MSX1 prompts melanoma cell motility and depletion of MSX1 significantly inhibits melanoma metastasis. These results demonstrate that not only can neural crest-like reprogramming in melanocytes be achieved by a single factor, but also that similar dedifferentiation is a critical process for melanoma progression. Citation Format: Markus V. Heppt, Wang X. Joshua, Denitsa M. Hristova, Zhi Wei, Martin Irmler, Carola Berking, Robert Besch, Johannes Beckers, Frank J. Rauscher, III, David E. Fisher, Meenhard Herlyn, Mizuho Fukunaga-Kalabis. MSX1-induced neural crest-like reprograming promotes melanoma progression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Melanoma: From Biology to Therapy; Sep 20-23, 2014; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(14 Suppl):Abstract nr A13.
A pilot study of treatment compliance in home non-invasive ventilation
Authors: Linda Cheng, Veronica Chan, Chung-Ming Chu
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Introduction:  Home non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is increasingly employed to treat chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure (CHcRF). However, little is known about the patients9 compliance with home NIV.   Aims and objectives:  To study home NIV compliance, examine factors affecting it, and how compliance impacts on outcomes.   Methods:  A cross sectional study was performed in patients with CHcRF treated by home NIV. A questionnaire on NIV adverse effects was administered. Compliance was measured by built-in time counters in the NIV machines. Outcomes including readmission, repeat acute NIV use and intubation were recorded.   Results:  Sixty-five patients (60% males) with age 72.6±9.4 years were studied with the following diseases: very severe COPD (40%), COPD/OSA overlap syndrome (32.3%), thoracic restriction (10.8%), obesity hypoventilation syndrome (7.7%), neuromuscular disorders (3.1%), and others (13.8%). The mean daily use was 7.3±2.9 hours/day. Twenty-two patients (33.8%) reported adverse effects interfering wth home NIV use. Higher number of NIV adverse effects correlated with lower percentage of days with home NIV use ≥ 4 hours/day (Spearman9s rho = -0.351, p = 0.004). Higher number of repeat acute NIV use during compliance study period was correlated with the lower percentage of days with home NIV use ≥ 4 hours/day (Spearman9s rho = -0.257, p = 0.042) and worse overnight oximetry findings [percentage of time with SpO 2     Conclusions:  Home NIV compliance appeared satisfactory in this group of patients. NIV compliance correlated negatively with the number of adverse effects. Poor compliance and worse overnight SpO 2  were associated with higher risk of repeat acute NIV use.
The Inhibition of Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Cytotoxicity by Dapsone
Authors: O. Stendahl, L. Molin, C. Dahlgren
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1978)

The effect of the sulfone compound 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (dapsone) on normal human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) has been investigated in vitro. The drug has a dramatically beneficial effect in dermatitis herpetiformis in which the PMNL and immune complexes has been stressed to be of importance for the development of the skin lesions. Pruritus disappears and the inflammatory eruptions clear within a few days of starting therapy. The effect of dapsone has been evaluated on the different stages of phagocytosis. Using dapsone concentrations (1-30 μg/ml) comparable with those found after therapeutic doses, we have found that the drug interferes primarily with the myeloperoxidase (MPO)-H2O2-halide-mediated cytotoxic system in the PMNL. No effect was observed on random locomotion, chemotaxis, phagocytic ingestion, oxidative metabolism, or the release of lysosomal enzymes. Kinetic studies in a cell-free system with purified MPO revealed a competitive type of inhibition using varying concentrations of NaI. Furthermore, the inhibition resulted in reduced candidicidal activity during phagocytosis of Candida albicans, and reduced cytotoxicity to adjacent mammalian cells measured as the 51Cr release from virus-induced lymphoma cells. Because the MPO-H2O2-halide system not only fulfills the antimicrobial activity but is suggested to be a modulator of the inflammatory reaction as well, the action of dapsone in dermatitis herpetiformis may in part be explained by its effect on this system.
Does family support affect physical activity of patients with COPD? An exploratory study
Authors: Joana Cruz, Dina Brooks, Alda Marques
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Introduction: Despite the well-recognised benefits of regular physical activity (PA) in COPD, a large number of patients are inactive. Previous research has highlighted that family support may affect PA levels of healthy people. However, the influence of family members on PA levels of patients with COPD has never been explored.  Objective:To assess PA levels of patients with COPD and explore the influence of family members on this health behaviour.  Methods: Eighteen patients (66.2±11.7 years, FEV 1  67.2±20.7pp) and their respective family members (57.7±12.4 years) completed the Portuguese version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short-form (IPAQ-sf), which provides information about the amount of PA performed in the last 7 days. This was reported as Metabolic Equivalents-minutes spent per week (MET-min/wk) and sitting time per day. Descriptive statistics were conducted and a stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate whether family members9 PA variables were associated with patients9 PA.  Results: Patients spent a median of 1386.0 (interquartile range [IQR]=2255.5) MET-min/wk and family members spent 862.5 (IQR=1533.0) MET-min/wk. Self-reported sitting time was 4.0 (IQR=2.3) h/day for patients and 3.0 (IQR=3.25) h/day for family members. Family members9 MET-min/wk (B=0.957, p=0.021) and sitting time (B=-10.319, p=0.015) were significant predictors of patients9 MET-min/wk (F(2,15)=6.438, p=0.010; r 2  adjusted =0.39).  Conclusion: Findings suggest that family members influence the PA levels of patients with COPD. Therefore, the inclusion of the family in rehabilitation interventions might facilitate the increase of patients9 PA.
A rapid test for environmental soy aeroallergens exposure assessment
Authors: Daniel Alvarez-Simon, María-Jesús Cruz, María-Dolores Untoria, Xavier Muñoz, Ferran Morell, Susana Gomez-Olles
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Introduction:  Monitoring soy environmental concentrations has shown its usefulness in protecting public health in Barcelona, being the high threshold value of 627ng/ml. Soy hull low-molecular-weight (SHLMW) allergens levels are measured by a sandwich enzyme immunoassay (EIA). However, this assay requires skilled personnel and is time-consuming.   Aim:  To develop and validate a rapid, accurate and user-friendly test to assess if soy aeroallergens levels are above the high threshold value in environmental samples.   Methods:  We developed a one-step colloidal gold-based assay for the assessment of SHLMW aeroallergens levels. In parallel, 120 filters extracts were analysed by the rapid assay (1:100 dilution) and the EIA. Rapid test results were interpreted visually by 3 independent readers. Readers compared the colour of the test line with the test line of a 3-point standard curve: 1,56ng/ml (-), 6,25ng/ml (+) and 25ng/ml (++).The line intensities were also analysed by densitometry.   Results:  The detection limit of the rapid test was 6,25ng/ml. Agreement in rapid test interpretations between readers was substantial (76%), with a kappa index of 0.631 (CI 0.546-0.716). The sensitivity of visual interpretation by the 3 readers was 100%(CI 85-100), 100%(85-100) and 87%(66-97), whereas the specificity was 77%(68-85), 66%(56-75) and 87%(78-93), respectively. Densitometric analysis showed a good correlation between the line density and the EIA result (r s =0.845; p   Conclusions:  This simple assay may allow a rapid identification of those environmental filter eluates that are above the high threshold value without the need of skilled personnel or laboratory equipment.  SGO is supported by Beatriu de Pinos programme.
Therapeutic lymphangiogenesis ameliorates established acute lung allograft rejection
Authors: Ye Cui, Kaifeng Liu, Maria E. Monzon-Medina, Robert F. Padera, Hao Wang, Gautam George, Demet Toprak, Elie Abdelnour, Emmanuel D’Agostino, Hilary J. Goldberg, Mark A. Perrella, Rosanna Malbran Forteza, Ivan O. Rosas, Gary Visner, Souheil El-Chemaly
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2015)

Lung transplantation is the only viable option for patients suffering from otherwise incurable end-stage pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Despite aggressive immunosuppression, acute rejection of the lung allograft occurs in over half of transplant recipients, and the factors that promote lung acceptance are poorly understood. The contribution of lymphatic vessels to transplant pathophysiology remains controversial, and data that directly address the exact roles of lymphatic vessels in lung allograft function and survival are limited. Here, we have shown that there is a marked decline in the density of lymphatic vessels, accompanied by accumulation of low-MW hyaluronan (HA) in mouse orthotopic allografts undergoing rejection. We found that stimulation of lymphangiogenesis with VEGF-C156S, a mutant form of VEGF-C with selective VEGFR-3 binding, alleviates an established rejection response and improves clearance of HA from the lung allograft. Longitudinal analysis of transbronchial biopsies from human lung transplant recipients demonstrated an association between resolution of acute lung rejection and decreased HA in the graft tissue. Taken together, these results indicate that lymphatic vessel formation after lung transplantation mediates HA drainage and suggest that treatments to stimulate lymphangiogenesis have promise for improving graft outcomes.