tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
BODCAT index: Could we use it instead of BODE or BODEx to classify COPD severity?
Authors: Elena Ojeda, Liliana Moran, Paula Rodriguez, Jose Miguel Rodriguez, Soledad Lopez, Pilar De Lucas
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

INTRODUCTION :6-minute walking test (6MWT) is difficult to perform in primary care.Plus,exacerbations are not always correctly reported by patients. OBJECTIVE :To determine the validity and usefulness of modified BODE and BODEx index when classifying the severity of COPD in stable condition by replacing exacerbations and 6MWT by quality of life questionnaire CAT results,easier to perform in primary care   METHOD : 65 patients (mean age 68 years,4% of women,96 % men) treated in our hospital in stable condition.We evaluated FEV1,body mass index,degree of dyspnea by the MRC scale,6MWT,exacerbations in the previous year CAT questionnaire for quality of life.Three index were completed with 6MWT,exacerbations and CAT:BODE ,BODEx,BODCAT. CAT score was stratified: 0-10 one point,11-20 two points,21-30 three points and 31-40 four points.The exacerbations score was stratified:0 no points,1-2 one point,more than 3 two points.The BODE index was scored in the usual way.   RESULTS :Correlation (Spearman9s Rho ) between BODE,BODCAT and BODEx was significant,in all cases with an r about 0.93-0.94 and p  and    CONCLUSION :The excellent correlation between the analyzed index leads to think about replacing the 6MWT by CAT questionnaire in the assessment COPD.It is necessary to have a larger sample and evaluate by severity stratification, and have a long-term monitoring.
Schizophrenia in Afro-Caribbean Immigrants
Authors: A F Callan
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1996)

Hospital admission rates for schizophrenia are higher in Afro-Caribbean immigrants to Britain than in the white British-born population. However, the reported differences in incidence and prevalence could be due to confounding variables: the diagnosis of schizophrenia might not carry the same prognostic implications in the two groups; and the differences in formal admission rates might not persist when demographic and diagnostic differences are allowed for. The case-notes of 50 Afro-Caribbean immigrants and 41 British-born white patients with a hospital diagnosis of schizophrenia were examined retrospectively, the average period covered being 12 years. There were no differences in the number of readmissions, but in the Afro-Caribbean group readmissions were shorter. Involuntary admissions were twice as common in Afro-Caribbeans and this excess was not explained by differences in age, sex, or type of illness. The reported excess of schizophrenia in Afro-Caribbean immigrants to Britain is real, but the illness seems to run a milder course than in the white British-born population.
Epidemiology of acne vulgaris
Authors: K. Bhate, H.C. Williams
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2012)

Despite acne being an almost universal condition in younger people, relatively little is known about its epidemiology. We sought to review what is known about the distribution and causes of acne by conducting a systematic review of relevant epidemiological studies. We searched Medline and Embase to the end of November 2011. The role of Propionibacterium acnes in pathogenesis is unclear: antibiotics have a direct antimicrobial as well as an anti-inflammatory effect. Moderate-to-severe acne affects around 20% of young people and severity correlates with pubertal maturity. Acne may be presenting at a younger age because of earlier puberty. It is unclear if ethnicity is truly associated with acne. Black individuals are more prone to postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and specific subtypes such as 'pomade acne'. Acne persists into the 20s and 30s in around 64% and 43% of individuals, respectively. The heritability of acne is almost 80% in first-degree relatives. Acne occurs earlier and is more severe in those with a positive family history. Suicidal ideation is more common in those with severe compared with mild acne. In the U.S.A., the cost of acne is over 3 billion dollars per year in terms of treatment and loss of productivity. A systematic review in 2005 found no clear evidence of dietary components increasing acne risk. One small randomized controlled trial showed that low glycaemic index (GI) diets can lower acne severity. A possible association between dairy food intake and acne requires closer scrutiny. Natural sunlight or poor hygiene are not associated. The association between smoking and acne is probably due to confounding. Validated core outcomes in future studies will help in combining future evidence.
Validation of a sensitive and quantitative biomarker method for the determination of hepcidin in human serum
Authors: M. J. Rose, H. Li, L. Tran, C. A. James, O. Wang, B. J. Sasu
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2008)

20612 Background: Human hepcidin-25 plays an important regulatory role in iron metabolism and is known to be induced by inflammation. To allow accurate measurement of hepcidin concentrations in clinical samples, a quantitative serum hepcidin assay was developed using HPLC-MS/MS. This assay improves on previous mass spectrometry methods by the addition of a stable labeled internal standard, and is capable of differentiating full length hepcidin and biologically inactive breakdown products such as hepcidin-22 and hepcidin-20. Methods: Human serum samples were pretreated with a high-throughput, 96-well solid phase extraction method and then analyzed using HPLC-MS/MS. The method was validated according to the current FDA guidelines and met the criteria for bioanalytical methods validation. Results: The method was able to accurately determine hepcidin concentrations in human serum between 2.5 and 2000 ng/mL, and its applicability was demonstrated in healthy subjects and in patients expected to have inflammation. Serum hepcidin-25 concentrations were below 2.5 ng/mL in 31 of 60 healthy subjects, while the overall mean concentration was less than 10 ng/mL. All samples from patients having anemia of cancer (n=30, hemoglobin below 10 mg/dL) had detectable hepcidin concentrations (> 2.5 ng/mL) with a mean concentration of 100 ng/ml (median 89 ng/mL). Sepsis patients, another population expected to have elevated hepcidin concentrations, were tested for comparison, resulting in mean serum hepcidin concentrations of 220 ng/ml (n=12, median 121 ng/mL). Conclusions: A sensitive and quantitative assay for the determination of human hepcidin in the presence of its degradation products in human serum has been developed. The usefulness of this method was demonstrated by its application to the determination of hepcidin concentrations from normal subjects, sepsis patients, and patients with anemia of cancer. Author Disclosure Employment or Leadership Consultant or Advisory Role Stock Ownership Honoraria Research Expert Testimony Other Remuneration Amgen Inc. Amgen Inc.
Relationship between age and online nasal nitric oxide measured using different techniques in children with suspected primary ciliary dyskinesia
Authors: Nicole Beydon, Arnaud Chambellan, Véronique Nève, Estelle Escudier, Alberti Corinne, Muriel Le Bourgeois
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background Variable thresholds of nasal nitric oxide (nNO) are proposed to screen children for primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) without taking age into account. But very few young children have been studied in whom false positive were tests were found.

Objectives 1) to study the relationship between age and nNO measured using apnea (AP) or expiration against resistance (ExRe), and the tidal breathing (VT) techniques in non PCD children.

Methods Multicentre online nNO measurements study (chemiluminescence, Seres, France, Aerocrine, Sweden, flow sample 0.3L.min-1) in children with suspected PCD. Values recorded were the best value of AP or ExRe, and means of 5 maximal peaks, 10s during controlled regular VT, and last 30s during VT measurement.

Results 79 children with complete diagnosis procedure (47 with PCD, age, median [range] 11.0 [3.2-17.8]y) were studied. In non PCD children, nNO measurement was correlated with age (AR or ExRe p=0.0002, r2 = 0.38; 5 peaks p<0.03, r2 = 0.17; 10s p<0.02, r2 = 0.22) (Figure). nNO values according to techniques are shown in table.

View this table:



![Figure][1] 



Conclusion 

nNO thresholds value to discriminate for PCD cannot be independent of age in children whichever the nNO technique of measure used.

 [1]: pending:yes
Abstract 16262: Regulation of Mitochondria Redox State by GSH Repletion Triggers Cell Death
Authors: Huali Zhang, Pattraranee Limphong, Joel Pieper, Nader Chaar, Ivor Benjamin
Journal: Circulation (2011)

Intracellular redox balance is critical for the proper functioning of numerous proteins and biological processes. To control the redox environment of subcellular compartments, cells utilize two reg...
Ultrasonic Imaging of Tumor Angiogenesis Using Contrast Microbubbles Targeted via the Tumor-Binding Peptide Arginine-Arginine-Leucine
Authors: Gregory E.R. Weller, Michael K.K. Wong, Ruth A. Modzelewski, Erxiong Lu, Alexander L. Klibanov, William R. Wagner, Flordeliza S. Villanueva
Journal: Cancer Research (2005)

Endothelial cells (EC) of angiogenic tumor vasculature are characterized by altered expression of molecular markers on their surface. Numerous peptides have been identified that specifically bind tumor angiogenic endothelium, including the tripeptide arginine-arginine-leucine (RRL). We hypothesized that ultrasound contrast microbubbles (MB) targeted via linkage with RRL would specifically adhere to tumor angiogenic endothelium versus normal myocardium, and that this selective adhesion could be detected ultrasonically. Microbubbles were conjugated to cyclic peptides containing either RRL (RRL-MB) or a glycine control sequence (control-MB). As measured in a parallel plate flow chamber, in vitro adhesion of RRL-MBs was three times greater to cultured tumor-derived ECs than to normal ECs (P < 0.01), demonstrating selective binding of RRL-MBs to tumor endothelium. Mice bearing s.c. Clone C or PC3 tumors were given i.v. injections of fluorescent RRL to show in vivo localization to tumor vasculature or were ultrasonically imaged following i.v. injections of targeted contrast MBs. Ultrasound images showed strong RRL-MB contrast enhancement within the tumors but not the control tissue myocardium. Control-MBs caused minimal enhancement in either tissue. Quantitative acoustic videointensity was significantly greater for the tumors than the hearts (5 +/- 1 versus 0.5 +/- 1 intensity units; P = 0.001). These data show that ultrasound contrast MBs targeted to tumor vasculature via RRL preferentially adhere to tumor versus normal vasculature and that this selective adherence can be detected with ultrasound. Targeted microbubbles may thus offer a noninvasive contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging technique for the functional imaging of tumor neovascularization, and may have further implications for therapeutic tumor targeting.
Abstract 11045: Genetic Variant R952Q in LRP8 is Associated with Increased Plasma Triglyceride Levels in Patients with Familial and Premature CAD and MI
Authors: Gong-Qing Shen, Lin Li, Qing K Wang
Journal: Circulation (2011)

Background: Our previous genome-wide linkage analysis in the GeneQuest CAD population has identified a novel significant genetic locus for plasma triglyceride (TG) levels on chromosome 1p31-32. We ...
Do we know how stressed we are?
Authors: Natalia Washington
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2015)

I take issue with Kalisch et al.'s formulation of PASTOR, arguing that care must be taken in understanding what is meant by "appraisal." I examine the implications of PASTOR given two competing possibilities for what counts as an appraisal - first, if appraisal is restricted to conscious reflection on one's circumstances, and second, if appraisal is expanded to include subconscious mechanisms of evaluation.
Tumor angiogenesis correlates with metastatic disease, N-myc amplification, and poor outcome in human neuroblastoma.
Authors: D Meitar, S E Crawford, A W Rademaker, S L Cohn
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1996)

PURPOSE To determine if the clinical outcome of children with neuroblastoma (NB) is correlated with the degree of tumor neovascularization and to assess the relationship of stage, N-myc copy number, and histology to angiogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The vascularity of primary untreated NB from 50 patients diagnosed at a single institution between 1984 and 1994 was evaluated. An image processor was used to analyze the tumor tissue area for each histologic slide of tumor, and a vascular index (VI) was calculated, where VI = total number of vessels/mm2 of tissue area. Tumors were classified histologically according to the criteria of Shimada et al (J Natl Cancer Inst 73:405-416, 1984), and N-myc copy number was determined by Southern blot analysis. RESULTS We found that higher VI (&gt; 4.0) in NB strongly correlated with widely disseminated disease (P = .006) and poor survival (P &lt; .0001). VI more than 4.0 was also statistically associated with N-myc amplification (P = .02) and unfavorable histology (P = .02). Univariate analysis demonstrated that disease stage, tumor histology, and N-myc copy number were also predictive of outcome. Cox regression analysis showed that VI provided independent prognostic information. CONCLUSION Our studies indicate that angiogenesis may play an important role in determining the biologic behavior of NB. Antiangiogenic therapy may prove to be effective in the treatment of children with highly vascular, widely disseminated NB.
A fateful omission
Authors: Ami Schattner
Journal: BMJ (2015)

It was on one of my first days of a long awaited sabbatical at Stanford. Last night’s admissions were presented. Most turned out to be elderly patients with multimorbidity and many readmissions.

One patient, however, stood out, and I remember him vividly as though 20 years had not passed since. He was a fit 60 year old who had fainted while having a shower. Severe anaemia was found, and he was rapidly diagnosed as having silent caecal carcinoma, which had metastasized to …
Rethinking reappraisal: Insights from affective neuroscience
Authors: Alessandro Grecucci, Remo Job
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2015)

Abstract Kalisch et al. argue that appraisal and reappraisal are key mechanisms promoting resilience; however, experimental findings seem to contradict this simplistic view. We argue that a deeper look at affective neuroscience may provide complementary and stronger evidence on how emotional reactivity and emotion regulation may affect resilience.
Impairment of lymphopoiesis and myelopoiesis in mice reconstituted with bone marrow–hematopoietic progenitor cells expressing SDF-1–intrakine
Authors: Nobuyuki Onai, Yan-yun Zhang, Hiroyuki Yoneyama, Toshio Kitamura, Sho Ishikawa, Kouji Matsushima
Journal: Blood (2000)
Identification and evaluation of a combination of chlamydial antigens to support the diagnosis of severe and invasive Chlamydia trachomatis infections
Authors: V. Forsbach-Birk, U. Simnacher, K. -I. Pfrepper, E. Soutschek, A.O. Kiselev, M.F. Lampe, T. Meyer, E. Straube, A. Essig
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2009)
Effect of the Mediterranean diet on heart failure biomarkers: a randomized sample from the <scp>PREDIMED</scp> trial
Authors: Montserrat Fitó, Ramón Estruch, Jordi Salas‐Salvadó, Miguel Angel Martínez‐Gonzalez, Fernando Arós, Joan Vila, Dolores Corella, Oscar Díaz, Guillermo Sáez, Rafael de la Torre, María‐Teresa Mitjavila, Miguel Angel Muñoz, Rosa‐María Lamuela‐Raventós, Valentina Ruiz‐Gutierrez, Miquel Fiol, Enrique Gómez‐Gracia, José Lapetra, Emilio Ros, Lluis Serra‐Majem, María‐Isabel Covas
Journal: European Journal of Heart Failure (2014)
War Stress and Neurotic Illness.
Authors: Abram Kardiner, Herbert Spiegel
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1947)

This book is a restatement of Kardiner's earlier contribution to the study of traumatic neuroses originally entitled "The Traumatic Neuroses of War." The present edition contains an additional section concerning the acute phase of the war neuroses, written in collaboration with Herbert Spiegel. This section is an adequate, if incomplete, description of the emotional setting and of the psychologic and morale factors significant in the development of the war neuroses. There is no particularly new systematic approach in this part of the book; but, since it is based on the writer's own experiences in battle, it produces an authentic and vivid impact on the reader. The greater part of the book is devoted to the study of the chronic phase of the war neuroses. Kardiner makes much of the difference between the acute and the chronic phases. He adopts the rather unusual position that the acute phase of the illness
Is serum cystatin C a predictor of acute pulmonary thromboembolism in patients with normal renal function
Authors: Nuri Tutar, Nur Aleyna Kemik, Insu Yilmaz, Cevat Yazici, Ferhan Elmali, Hakan Buyukoglan, Asiye Kanbay, Ali Dogan, Fatma Sema Oymak, Inci Gulmez, Ramazan Demir
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Early diagnosis is the key point in the management of acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). There are no reports in the literature comparing the serum cystatin C levels in patients with acute PTE and normal volunteers. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed 50 acute PTE patients and 45 healthy volunteers with normal renal function. The serum cystatin C level was significantly higher in the PTE group than in the non-PTE group [1.08 mg/dL (IQR 0.79-1.56) and 0.85 mg/dL (IQR 0.77-1.03), respectively, p=0.017]. When determining the presence of PTE, the highest value of sensitivity and specificity was set at a cut-off value of 1.15 mg/dL with 93.3% specificity, 46.0% sensitivity, 88.5% PPV and 60.9% NPV. In the multivariate model cystatin C was significantly associated with the presence of PTE (OR: 12.34, 95% CI 2.64-57.75).In conclusion, cystatin C may be an indicator of acute PTE in patients with normal renal function.
Pulmonary immune cells in health and disease: platelets
Authors: CM Herd, CP Page
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1994)

The platelet has traditionally been associated with disorders of the cardiovascular system; a well-recognized cell type actively involved in the maintenance of haemostasis and the initiation of repair following tissue injury. It has been accepted that the primary function of platelets is their adhesion to the endothelium or to other components at sites of the injured vessel wall in the initiation of haemostasis. However, it has been suggested that the fundamental physiological role of the platelet within the mammalian circulation is in the defence of the host against invasion by foreign organisms. Studies from several groups suggest an important role of the platelet in allergic processes and immunological mechanisms. In this review, we have summarized the origin, physiology, activation and function of the platelet, in addition to both experimental and clinical evidence implicating the involvement of this cell type in certain human lung diseases.
Nanomaterials for Engineering Stem Cell Responses
Authors: Punyavee Kerativitayanan, James K. Carrow, Akhilesh K. Gaharwar
Journal: Advanced Healthcare Materials (2015)

Recent progress in nanotechnology has stimulated the development of multifunctional biomaterials for tissue engineering applications. Synergistic interactions between nanomaterials and stem cell engineering offer numerous possibilities to address some of the daunting challenges in regenerative medicine, such as controlling trigger differentiation, immune reactions, limited supply of stem cells, and engineering complex tissue structures. Specifically, the interactions between stem cells and their microenvironment play key roles in controlling stem cell fate, which underlines therapeutic success. However, the interactions between nanomaterials and stem cells are not well understood, and the effects of the nanomaterials shape, surface morphology, and chemical functionality on cellular processes need critical evaluation. In this Review, focus is put on recent development in nanomaterial-stem cell interactions, with specific emphasis on their application in regenerative medicine. Further, the emerging technologies based on nanomaterials developed over the past decade for stem cell engineering are reviewed, as well as the potential applications of these nanomaterials in tissue regeneration, stem cell isolation, and drug/gene delivery. It is anticipated that the enhanced understanding of nanomaterial-stem cell interactions will facilitate improved biomaterial design for a range of biomedical and biotechnological applications.
Allogeneic, syngeneic, and autologous marrow transplantation for Hodgkin's disease: the 21-year Seattle experience.
Authors: J E Anderson, M R Litzow, F R Appelbaum, G Schoch, L D Fisher, C D Buckner, F B Petersen, S W Crawford, O W Press, J E Sanders
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1993)

PURPOSE To analyze results of 127 patients undergoing myeloablative therapy followed by marrow transplantation for relapsed or refractory Hodgkin's disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-three patients had primary refractory disease, 34 were in early first relapse or second complete remission (CR), and 70 had refractory first relapse or disease beyond second CR. Preparative regimens included total-body irradiation (TBI) and chemotherapy (n = 61) or chemotherapy only (n = 66). Sixty-eight patients received autologous marrow, six syngeneic marrow, and 53 allogeneic marrow. RESULTS The 5-year actuarial probabilities of survival, event-free survival (EFS), relapse, and nonrelapse mortality for the entire group were 21%, 18%, 65%, and 49%, respectively. HLA-identical allogeneic marrow recipients had a statistically lower relapse rate compared with recipients of autologous marrow, but survival, EFS, and nonrelapse mortality rates were not significantly different. In the multivariate analysis, higher performance status and absence of bulky disease predicted for improved EFS and lower relapse rates, while fewer prior treatment regimens predicted for improved EFS and lower nonrelapse mortality rates. Additionally, the univariate analysis showed that patients who underwent transplantation with disease refractory to chemotherapy or beyond second CR had a worse outcome compared with those who had less advanced disease. CONCLUSION Outcome with transplantation for patients with Hodgkin's disease is improved if transplantation is performed early after relapse when disease burden is less, tumor chemosensitivity is greater, and the patient is likely to have a better performance status. The use of HLA-matched sibling marrow results in a lower relapse rate and, thus, for some individuals, may be preferable to the use of autologous marrow.
Exercise and the microbiota
Authors: Orla O’Sullivan, Owen Cronin, Siobhan F Clarke, Eileen F Murphy, Micheal G Molloy, Fergus Shanahan, Paul D Cotter
Journal: Gut Microbes (2015)

Sedentary lifestyle is linked with poor health, most commonly obesity and associated disorders, the corollary being that exercise offers a preventive strategy. However, the scope of exercise biology extends well beyond energy expenditure and has emerged as a great 'polypill', which is safe, reliable and cost-effective not only in disease prevention but also treatment. Biological mechanisms by which exercise influences homeostasis are becoming clearer and involve multi-organ systemic adaptations. Most of the elements of a modern lifestyle influence the indigenous microbiota but few studies have explored the effect of increased physical activity. While dietary responses to exercise obscure the influence of exercise alone on gut microbiota, professional athletes operating at the extremes of performance provide informative data. We assessed the relationship between extreme levels of exercise, associated dietary habits and gut microbiota composition, and discuss potential mechanisms by which exercise may exert a direct or indirect influence on gut microbiota.