tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Abstract 5008: Effect of Clopidogrel Discontinuation on Platelet Function
Authors: Marie Lordkipanidze, Jean G Diodati, Erick Schampaert, Donald A Palisaitis, Edmond Sia, Chantal Pharand
Journal: Circulation (2009)

Objective: Clopidogrel discontinuation is associated with increased incidence of ischemic events, which may signal a pharmacological rebound. We evaluated the impact of clopidogrel discontinuation on platelet function in CAD patients. Methods: Platelet aggregation was measured by VerifyNow ® P2Y 12 and by light transmission aggregometry (LTA) in response to ADP 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, and 20 μ M, in 37 CAD patients scheduled to discontinue clopidogrel treatment (aspirin treated patients clinically stable 1 year after clopidogrel initiation), and 37 CAD patients not taking clopidogrel. Platelet function was assessed the day before clopidogrel cessation and 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 days after. Results: Subjects were on average 65±10 years old, and presented classic CAD risk factors similarly treated between groups. Subjects discontinuing clopidogrel were more likely to have undergone stenting. VerifyNow ® P2Y 12 did not detect any rebound platelet activity, but ADP-induced LTA showed significant increase in platelet aggregation, particularly at low ADP levels, suggestive of platelet hypersensitivity (Fig ). Rebound platelet activity was detectable at 7 days after clopidogrel cessation, and remained higher than in controls 28 days of discontinuation. No clinical events were seen at 28 days in either group. Conclusion: Platelet sensitization to ADP as a consequence of chronic clopidogrel administration may partially explain the recrudescence of ischemic events following clopidogrel discontinuation in otherwise stable CAD patients. Further research into the pathophysiological processes of platelet function recovery is required. Figure: Platelet aggregation as a function of time
Effects of type I, II and III interferons on endothelin-1 release by human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells
Authors: Peter M. George, Rekha Badiger, Hime Gashaw, Neil Galloway-Phillipps, Trevor T. Hansel, Jane A. Mitchell
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

The potent vasoconstrictor and mitogen peptide endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a therapeutic target for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Work from our group has shown that ET-1 release by human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs) is critically regulated by interferons (IFN) and TNF. We have shown that type I IFNα and IFNβ and type II IFNγ, but not type III IFNλ, all released in host responses to viral infection, induce ET-1. As viral infection and IFN therapy are increasingly associated with lung toxicity, including pulmonary hypertension, we have investigated the nature of any interaction between IFNs for ET-1 release by HPASMCs. Cells from 3 separate donors were stimulated in 96-well plates with IFNα, -β, -γ and -λ (all 10ng/ml). Supernatants were collected after 24 hours and ET-1 concentrations measured by sandwich ELISA. In the presence of TNFα (10ng/ml), type I IFNs (-α and -β) or type II IFNγ, but not type III IFNλ, induced ET-1 release. Additive release of ET-1 was seen with IFNα/γ and IFNβ/γ but not IFNα/β. IFNλ did not release ET-1 under any condition studied. Type I and II IFNs act independently to stimulate ET-1 from HPASMCs, which reflects what is known about their separate receptor pathways.  Our finding that IFNλ is inactive in these cells may suggest that type III IFN spares the lung vasculature.
Amount of Satellite DNA in Four Experimentally Induced Tumors of the Central Nervous System. Quantitative Changes in a Glioblastoma Producing C-Type Particles 2
Authors: Laura Manuelidis, Elias E. Manuelidis
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1976)

The quantitative preservation of satellite DNA was studied in several central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms; four tumor lines derived from 3-methylcholanthrene implantation into the CNS of mice were compared with brain and tissue cultures of normal mouse cells by analytical centrifugation in cesium chloride. Three tumors showed no detectable difference from normal cells; nuclear and whole cell preparations were comparable. Only a glioblastoma line producing C-type particles (TC509) revealed a significant difference from normal cells and exhibited a decrease of approximately 20% in satellite DNA or 2% of the total DNA on repeated examination for 1 year. C-type RNA virus may be related to relative decreases in satellite DNA observed in TC509.
THE TREATMENT OF INFERTILITY
Authors: H G Burger, H W G Baker
Journal: Annual Review of Medicine (1987)

Combined management of infertile couples is optimal. The most common problems in men are low sperm concentration and motility of unknown cause. Although there are no specific effective treatments, factors correlated with subsequent fertility are emerging that should be useful for advising couples of their chances. In the woman, disorders of ovulation can usually be treated successfully, but results of tubal surgery for past inflammatory damage remain poor. In vitro fertilization may be useful for idiopathic infertility and semen disorders of mild to moderate severity, as well as for tubal obstruction.
Interventions to reduce <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> in the management of atopic eczema: an updated Cochrane review
Authors: F.J. Bath-Hextall, A.J. Birnie, J.C. Ravenscroft, H.C. Williams
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2010)

Background An association between the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and atopic eczema has been recognized for many years. Although few would dispute the benefit of systemic antibiotics in people with overtly clinically infected eczema, the clinical role of S. aureus in causing inflammatory flares in clinically uninfected eczema is less clear. Objectives/Methods To see if atopic eczema can be improved by antistaphylococcal agents, we performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using Cochrane Skin Group's Specialised Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE (from 2000), EMBASE (from 1980), the metaRegister of Current Controlled Trials (to March 2009), plus manual searching of references and conference proceedings. RCTs that compared interventions to reduce S. aureus in people with atopic eczema with no treatment, vehicle, or another active compound were included. Publication status and language were not barriers to inclusion. Results Twenty‐six studies involving 1229 participants were included. The studies were generally short term and of poor quality. There was no significant difference in global outcome for clinically infected eczema when oral antibiotics were compared with placebo [one study, relative risk (RR) 0·40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·13–1·24] or when topical steroid antibiotic combinations were compared with steroid alone (two studies, RR 0·52, 95% CI 0·23–1·16). One study of children with infected eczema that added bleach to bathwater showed a significant improvement in eczema severity when compared with bathwater alone, although the difference could have been explained by regression to the mean. Although antistaphylococcal interventions reduced S. aureus numbers in people with clinically uninfected eczema, none of the studies showed any clinical benefit. Conclusions We failed to find any evidence that commonly used antistaphylococcal interventions are clinically helpful in people with eczema that is not clinically infected. Their continued use should be questioned in such situations, until better and longer‐term studies show clear evidence of clinical benefit.
Nodular amyloidosis of the lung and the breast mimicking breast carcinoma with pulmonary metastasis
Authors: Y S Liaw, S H Kuo, P C Yang, C L Chen, K T Luh
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1995)

Nodular amyloidosis of the breast and lung is a rare condition of unknown aetiology. The disease runs a benign course, but offers a diagnostic problem due to nonspecific histological features. We describe the case of a 56 year old woman with a 5 year history of multiple nodules of both lungs and left breast, clinically mimicking breast carcinoma with pulmonary metastasis. To our knowledge, this is the first case of cytologically proven amyloidosis diagnosed by ultrasound-guided percutaneous transthoracic fine-needle aspiration of pulmonary nodules.
New approaches to surgical treatment of patients with tuberculosis of lungs revealed for the first time in combination with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Yaroslav Voloshyn
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

257 patients with destructive tuberculosis of lungs and diabetes operated in the Institute (last 25 years). Men - 148 (57,58%), women - 109 (42,41%), aged 14-67 years. Insulin-dependent diabetes - 199 (77,43%), insulin-independent - 58 (22,57%): severe form - 174 (67,7%), moderate - 62 (24,13%), light - 21 (8,17%).  Before reaching the Institute - chemotherapy (6 months) - 95 (36,96%), 6-12 months - 150 (58,37%), none - 12 (4,67%). Indications to operation: tuberculoma - 125 (48,64%), fibrocavernous tuberculosis - 109 (42,41%), cavernous - 5 (1,95%), disseminated - 4 (1,56%), caseous pneumonia - 14 (5,45%).  New methods of preoperative preparation, operative and postoperative treatment (using erbisol and other new preparations) worked out.  Segmentectomy - 188 (73,15%), lobectomy - 59 (22,96%), bilobectomy - 7 (2,72%), combinated resection - 20 (7,78%), pneumonectomy - 19 (7,39%), precising resection - 25 (9,73%), new methods of cryosurgery, videothoracoscopy, including biological welding of tissues.  Complications - 27 (10,51%), lethality - 5 (1,95%), clinical effect - 252 (98,05%). After discharging from the Institute chemotherapy - 7-12 months on the background of dietinsulintherapy, treatment against relapse - spring and autumn (3 years). Full clinic effect (1-18 years) - 92,5%.  So, taking into consideration particular features of tuberculosis course, mutual complication of both diseases, experience of many years, high efficiency of complex treatment let work out the indications to resection of lungs in cases of tuberculosis with diabetes. New methods of treatment were worked out and new technologies of operation were introduced.
Long term inhalatory therapy in asthma - Achieving control of the disease
Authors: Lavinia Davidescu, Abigail Audu, Ruxandra Ulmeanu
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Objective: Evaluation of long term inhalatory therapy in asthma and achieving control of the disease using asthma control test.  Methods: This was a prospective study recruiting ambulatory patients aged >12 years with asthma at the Pneumology Hospital Oradea between December 2011 and January 2012.We evaluate the effectiveness of long term inhalatory treatment of the disease with ACT as a means of detecting GINA defined uncontrolled, partially controlled and controlled asthma (uncontrolled and partially controlled asthma are together labeled as “not controlled9 according to GINA). Patients with the following were included in the study: hospitalized for asthma and ambulatory patients with asthma. The questionnaire used was ACT Romanian and English version for adults from www.asthmacontroltest.com. Eligible patients answered and submitted the questionnaire to the investigator, patients then performed Spirometry tests followed by interviews with a pulmonologist who evaluated their asthma control and provided treatment modifications as required.  Results: A total of 60 patients participated in the study of mean age 55 years. Females comprised of 55% of the participants and 45% male participants. A mean ACT score was15.05., in which GINA stage 1 and 3 are prominent 35%, but in general patients are unequally distributed among the four stages. Most of the patients were using preventive medication; the majority had uncontrolled asthma according to both GINA and ACT criteria and were stepped up on treatment after their visit .
Shared Predisposition in the Association Between Cannabis Use and Subcortical Brain Structure
Authors: David Pagliaccio, Deanna M. Barch, Ryan Bogdan, Phillip K. Wood, Michael T. Lynskey, Andrew C. Heath, Arpana Agrawal
Journal: JAMA Psychiatry (2015)

Prior neuroimaging studies have suggested that alterations in brain structure may be a consequence of cannabis use. Siblings discordant for cannabis use offer an opportunity to use cross-sectional data to disentangle such causal hypotheses from shared effects of genetics and familial environment on brain structure and cannabis use.To determine whether cannabis use is associated with differences in brain structure in a large sample of twins/siblings and to examine sibling pairs discordant for cannabis use to separate potential causal and predispositional factors linking lifetime cannabis exposure to volumetric alterations.Cross-sectional diagnostic interview, behavioral, and neuroimaging data were collected from community sampling and established family registries from August 2012 to September 2014. This study included data from 483 participants (22-35 years old) enrolled in the ongoing Human Connectome Project, with 262 participants reporting cannabis exposure (ie, ever used cannabis in their lifetime).Cannabis exposure was measured with the Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism. Whole-brain, hippocampus, amygdala, ventral striatum, and orbitofrontal cortex volumes were related to lifetime cannabis use (ever used, age at onset, and frequency of use) using linear regressions. Genetic (ρg) and environmental (ρe) correlations between cannabis use and brain volumes were estimated. Linear mixed models were used to examine volume differences in sex-matched concordant unexposed (n = 71 pairs), exposed (n = 81 pairs), or exposure discordant (n = 89 pairs) sibling pairs.Among 483 study participants, cannabis exposure was related to smaller left amygdala (approximately 2.3%; P = .007) and right ventral striatum (approximately 3.5%; P < .005) volumes. These volumetric differences were within the range of normal variation. The association between left amygdala volume and cannabis use was largely owing to shared genetic factors (ρg = -0.43; P = .004), while the origin of the association with right ventral striatum volumes was unclear. Importantly, brain volumes did not differ between sex-matched siblings discordant for use (fixed effect = -7.43; t = -0.93, P = .35). Both the exposed and unexposed siblings in pairs discordant for cannabis exposure showed reduced amygdala volumes relative to members of concordant unexposed pairs (fixed effect = 12.56; t = 2.97; P = .003).In this study, differences in amygdala volume in cannabis users were attributable to common predispositional factors, genetic or environmental in origin, with little support for causal influences. Causal influences, in isolation or in conjunction with predispositional factors, may exist for other brain regions (eg, ventral striatum) or at more severe levels of cannabis involvement and deserve further study.
Biology and Genetics of Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathies
Authors: U Suter, G J Snipes
Journal: Annual Review of Neuroscience (1995)

The brain's default mode network consists of discrete, bilateral and symmetrical cortical areas, in the medial and lateral parietal, medial prefrontal, and medial and lateral temporal cortices of the human, nonhuman primate, cat, and rodent brains. Its ...Read More
Bronchial hyperresponsiveness as a predictor of treatment-response in COPD
Authors: Irina Trofimenko, Boris Chernyak
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) is an independent trait in COPD and provides important information on phenotype heterogeneity.

Aim. To study bronchoprotective effect of 6-months tiotropium bromide (TB) and to compare of its clinical efficacy in COPD patients depending on a bronchial reactivity level.

Methods. COPD symptoms, spirometry parameters and quality of life with use SGRQ were analyzed depending on the BHR in methacholine challenge at 29 COPD outpatients (GOLD II). Patients were divided two groups: the 1-st (n=15) provocative dose (PD)20≤0,471 mg and the 2-nd (n=14) PD20>0,471 mg. PD20 in the 1-st group was assessed initially and after 6-months in 24-26 hours last dose of TB.

Results. BHR in the 1-st group was decreased at 6 months of therapy (p<0,05). In 6 months BHR was not revealed at 9 from 15 patients with initial BHR. In this group dyspnea decreased on 0,6 points, day and night cough was less on 1,0 and 0,6 points from baseline (p<0,05 in all cases). The correlation between dyspnea degree and PD20 was ρ=-0,67, p<0,05. Patients without BHR showed decrease only of a day cough (p<0,05). The mean pre-bronchodilator FEV1 increased on 240 ml from baseline in the 1-st group (p=0,007) and 72 ml in the 2-nd. No differences were found for post-bronchodilator FEV1. Exacerbations number in patients with BHR was characterized by decrease in comparison to the 2-nd group (p=0,03). Mean differences of SGRQ domains of group with BHR were 14-20 points from baseline (p<0,01). In the 2-nd group the only domain Symptoms showed improvement (p<0,05).

Conclusion. TB reduces of bronchial reactivity level in the initial high values. COPD patients with BHR respond to TB therapy better than patients without BHR.
A Model of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Normal Humans
Authors: EARL D. KING, CHRISTOPHER P. O'DONNELL, PHILIP L. SMITH, ALAN R. SCHWARTZ
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2000)

We determined whether upper airway obstruction in normal individuals with intact reflexes could produce the syndrome of obstructive sleep apnea. Upper airway obstruction was produced in 12 normal individuals by lowering nasal pressure to -10 cm H(2)O during sleep. Full night polysomnography was performed during two consecutive nights of sleep with subatmospheric nasal pressure and compared with control nights before and after the negative pressure nights. We found that the application of negative pressure was associated with the development of recurrent obstructive apneas (non-REM-disordered breathing rate, 32.6 +/- 34.8 and 37.8 +/- 29.1 events/h during each of two negative pressure nights; p < 0.001) that were associated with oxyhemoglobin desaturation, arousals from sleep, and alterations in sleep stage distribution. Moreover, the median daytime sleep latency after two nights of sleep with subatmospheric pressure fell from 6.9 +/- 1.1 to 3.4 +/- 0.6 min, and rose significantly again to 8.1 +/- 1.5 min (p < 0.03) after the control night following subatmospheric pressure nights. Our findings suggest that a decrease in the pharyngeal transmural pressure alone is a sufficient condition for the production of the sleep apnea syndrome in normal individuals.
The management of bleeding esophageal varices
Authors: R A Malt
Journal: JAMA (1987)

<h3>To the Editor.—</h3> The article by Cello et al<sup>1</sup>provides an excellent update on the drug and nondrug management of patients with hemorrhaging esophageal varices. In discussing vasopressin therapy, the authors mention that nitroglycerin can ameliorate some of the side effects of vasopressin; however, controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of combination therapy have not been published. Because nitroglycerin may cause an additional decrease in portal pressure, two recently published studies were conducted to evaluate the beneficial effect of nitroglycerin in the setting of acute variceal hemorrhage. Gimson et al<sup>2</sup>randomized 57 patients with acute variceal bleeding into groups, one receiving vasopressin alone (0.4 U/min) and one receiving vasopressin at the same dosage plus intravenous nitroglycerin (40 μg/min titrated to blood pressure, with a maximal dose of 400 μg/min). At the end of 12 hours, cessation of bleeding was statistically more frequent in patients receiving combination therapy than those
Book Review: Type 2 Diabetes in Practice
Authors: Mark Vanderpump
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (2001)

In the UK, the prevalence of all types of diabetes is 3-7%. It is even higher in certain ethnic groups, whilst the indirect costs of diabetes are currently estimated at 9% of total healthcare budgets. The aims of treatment for type 2 diabetes, which accounts for more than 90% of all patients with diabetes, are focused on optimizing quality of life, tight control of blood glucose and attention to a syndrome of associated risk factors. This requires input from a broad spectrum of disciplines and much of the work in improving diabetes care involves primary-care-led services—a strategy requiring much education and substantial resources. Many of these issues will be addressed by the Department of Health's soon-to-be-published National Service Framework (NSF) in Diabetes, so Krentz and Bailey's book is very timely.

Type 2 Diabetes in Practice is the first in a series to be published by the RSM Press with the aim of presenting opinion-leader advice relevant to everyday clinical practice. It serves as a concise but comprehensive review of all aspects of the management of type 2 diabetes and is likely to be of greatest interest to those looking after diabetic patients in primary care. I approached this book as a consultant diabetologist who has been asked to coordinate diabetes care in the community. Although not detailed enough for a specialist's textbook, Type 2 Diabetes in Practice provides sufficient basic information to allow an understanding of all aspects of the management of type 2 diabetes, with evidence-based guidelines where available. It is clear that, although the most complex patients are managed within secondary care, the NSF will recognize that the greatest opportunities for improvement in quality and efficiency lie in refocusing the hospital services to the areas of greatest need. As a result, increasing numbers of patients with type 2 diabetes will be managed in primary care. The chapters deal with aetiology, pathophysiology and natural history while providing numerous evidence-based guidelines for management of all aspects of type 2 diabetes. Main points are highlighted, and brief but comprehensive references are provided. The tables and diagrams, particularly those dealing with molecular mechanisms, are clear. I was impressed by the references to recent trials suggesting benefits from ACE inhibitors such as HOPE and MICROHOPE and the inclusion of American Diabetes Association guidelines on glycaemic control. The NICE guidelines for the glitazones were obviously published after the book was written but a discussion of their potential role is included. In areas where evidence was less clear-cut I found myself agreeing with the practical advice being offered. Inevitably there are a few areas where omissions have occurred—for example the use of the anticonvulsant gabapentin in painful peripheral neuropathy. In conclusion, I will find this book very useful in the preparation of teaching programmes for primary care colleagues within my district.