tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Bacterial load in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its relationship with airway inflammation and lung function
Authors: Mitesh Pancholi, Mona Bafadhel, Sue McKenna, Sarah Terry, Vijay Mistry, Chris Newby, Ian Pavord, Christopher Brightling
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is characterised by fixed airflow obstruction, typically in association with persistent airway inflammation and bacterial colonisation. The relationship between these features of disease is not fully understood.

Method: Patients with COPD were recruited from a single centre and were characterised in terms of their lung function, health status, sputum cell counts and quantitative microbiology to derive colony forming units (CFU)/ml of sputum

Results: 126 patients were recruited, 83 were male. The mean (SEM) was for FEV1% predicted 48.10 (1.64), sputum neutrophil count 73.2 (2.06)%, total cell count (TCC) 6.55 (0.90) 106/g, CFU 8.5×107(1.5×107) and median (IQR) eosinophil count, 0.75 (0.25-2.5)% data for the neutrophil (%), eosinophil (%).

Univariate correlations was observed between CFU and neutrophil (%) (r=0.306; p=<0.001), TCC (r=0.273; p=0.002), but not eosinophil (%) (r=-0.058; p=0.517) and FEV1% predicted (r=-0.061; p=0.497).

CFU data was put into tertiles, with a relationship observed with neutrophil (%) (p=0.035), TCC (p=0.028) 106/g and eosinophil (%) (p=0.011), but not FEV1% predicted (p=0.942).

Conclusion: Bacterial load was associated with the sputum total cell count and neutrophil differential but was not associated with lung function. Longitudinal studies are required to assess the role of bacteria in disease progression.
Metabolic Risk Factors for Vascular Disease in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Nigel McArdle, David Hillman, Lawrie Beilin, Gerald Watts
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2006)

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is reported to have a metabolic profile predisposing to cardiovascular disease. However, previous case-control studies have not adequately controlled for confounders.To determine whether OSA is associated with increased insulin resistance and related metabolic risk factors.We performed a matched case-control study (n = 42) examining putative metabolic risks among men with OSA attending a sleep clinic (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] > 15] compared with no OSA (AHI < 5). Participants were matched for age +/- 5 yr, body mass index +/- 10%, and current smoking status. They were free of diabetes, clinically demonstrable cardiovascular disease, marked hypertension, and dyslipidemia.Mean +/- SD AHI was higher in patients with OSA (40 +/- 27) than in control subjects (3 +/- 1.3, p = 0.02), and median (interquartile range) nocturnal oxygen saturation was lower (OSA, 83 [76-88]; control, 91 [90-93]%; p < 0.001). Patients with OSA had a higher median (interquartile range) homeostasis model assessment score for insulin resistance (OSA, 1.7 [0.8-4.1]; control, 1.0 [0.7-1.8] mU.mmol/L(2); p = 0.02), total cholesterol (OSA, 5.6 [4.8-6.2]; control, 4.8 [4.3-5.4] mmol/L; p = 0.049), and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (OSA, 3.8 [2.9-4.2]; control, 3.1 [2.6-3.6] mmol/L; p = 0.04). Patients with OSA had higher 24-h and nocturnal (12-h) urinary norepinephrine excretion and plasma leptin levels, and lower insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 levels (all, p < or = 0.02). Multiple linear regression, adjusting for central obesity, age, and alcohol consumption, confirmed an independent association between OSA and metabolic risks (all, p < 0.05), with a trend for IGF-1 (p = 0.053).In a sleep clinic population, men with OSA and no identifiable cardiovascular disease have increased insulin resistance and other metabolic changes that act to increase the risk of vascular disease, compared with age- and body mass index-matched attendees without OSA.
An audit to identify the optimum referral rate to a contact dermatitis investigation unit
Authors: None Bhushan, None Beck
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1999)

Journal Article An audit to identify the optimum referral rate to a contact dermatitis investigation unit Get access M. Bhushan, M. Bhushan Contact Dermatitis Investigation Unit, Department of Dermatology, Hope Hospital, Salford M6 8HD, U.K. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar M.H. Beck M.H. Beck Contact Dermatitis Investigation Unit, Department of Dermatology, Hope Hospital, Salford M6 8HD, U.K. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 141, Issue 3, 1 September 1999, Pages 570–572, https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2133.1999.03051.x Published: 01 September 1999
The acute effects of postural change and non-invasive ventilation breathing on the regional distribution of lung ventilation: An electrical impedance tomography study
Authors: Nathalia Parente de Sousa, Liégina Silveira Marinho, Luana Torres Monteiro, Aline Menezes Sampaio, Vasco Pinheiro Diógenes Bastos, Andrea da Nóbrega Cirino Nogueira, Mirizana Alves-de-Almeida, Eduardo Leite Vieira Costa, Marcelo do Amaral Beraldo, Marcelo Britto Passos Amato, Marcelo Alcantara Holanda
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Introduction: The combined effects of postural changes and the use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIV) on the regional distribution of lung ventilation (RDLV) is still underexplored. The electrical impedance tomography (EIT) has emerged as a consistent technique for the dynamic evaluation of RDLV. Objectives: To evaluate the RDLV in healthy subjects during spontaneous respiration (SR) and during NIV breathing in different body positions. Methodology: The RDLV was assessed by EIT (32 electrodes) in 10 healthy subjects (5 men), during 10 minutes of SR, or with CPAP of 10cmH2O and with BiPAP of 15/5cmH2O in four body positions (dorsal (D), ventral (V), right lateral (RL) and left lateral (LL). Results: The figure below shows the % of RDLV in the four quadrants of the lungs.  During SR, the RDLV was higher in the gravity dependent quadrants, mainly in the lateral decubitus, except for the V position. NIV breathing (CPAP and BIPAP) did not alter the pattern of RDLV as compared to SR. Conclusions: EIT can clearly demonstrate that, with the exception of prone positioning, the dependent regions of the lungs are better ventilated both during SR or CPAP and BiPAP breathing.
Association of Variants in <i>CCR6</i> With Susceptibility to Lupus Nephritis in Chinese
Authors: Xu‐jie Zhou, Rong Mu, Chun Li, Swapan K. Nath, Yue‐miao Zhang, Yuan‐yuan Qi, Zhan‐guo Li, Ming‐hui Zhao, Hong Zhang
Journal: Arthritis & Rheumatology (2015)
The association between vitamin D and FEV1 in a general population is not explained by eNO
Authors: Willemien Thijs, Robert Prein, Frits R. Rosendaal, Saskia Middeldorp, Klaus F. Rabe, Martin den Heijer, Saskia le Cessie, Pieter S. Hiemstra, Renee de Mutsert
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Studies have demonstrated a role for vitamin D in inflammation and host defense against infection. In patients with obstructive lung diseases higher vitamin D levels are associated with a better lung function.  We aimed to study the association between vitamin D and lung function (FEV1), and to which extent this association could be explained by exhaled nitric oxide (eNO), as a measure of airways inflammation, in a general population.  This is a cross-sectional analysis of the baseline measurements of the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study, a cohort of participants aged 45 to 65 years with an oversampling of BMI≥27kg/m². We used linear regression to study the associations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations with FEV1 and eNO, adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, month and year, recent cold, asthma and total body fat.  After exclusion of participants with missing data (n=166), 5146 adults were included with a mean (SD) age of 56 (6) y, BMI of 30.6 (4.8) kg/m² and total body fat of 37 (9) %. 47 % were men, 6% had asthma and 25% had a cold within the last month. The median (IQR) eNO was 18 (11-22) ppb, 25-hydroxyvitamin D 57 (39-71) nmol/l and the mean (SD) FEV1 was 104 (16) %. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was associated with FEV1 (beta 0.09, 95% CI 0.07-0.10) this attenuated after adjustment for confounding (beta 0.03, 95% CI 0.01-0.05) but did not further change after adjustment for eNO. There was no association of eNO (beta 0.00 95% CI -0.001-0.000) with 25-hydroxyvitamin D, nor with FEV1 (beta 0.00 95% CI 0.000-0.001).  Conclusion: In a general population serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was associated with FEV1. This association was not explained by airways inflammation as assessed by eNO.
Cocarcinogenic Versus Incomplete Carcinogenic Activity Among Aromatic Hydrocarbons: Contrast Between Chrysene and Benzo[bltriphenylene2
Authors: A. Wesley Horton, G. M. Christian
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1974)

For 80 weeks, C3H male mice were given repeated topical applications of 6 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons-chrysene (C), fluoranthene (F), pyrene, triphenylene (T), perylene (P), and benzo[b]triphenylene (BT)-in either decahydronaphthalene (Decalin), a noncocarcinogenic vehicle, or 50: 50 Decalin:n-dodecane, a cocarcinogenic mixture. When applied in Decalin, only BT produced malignant tumors. When combined with 50: 50 Decalin:n-dodecane, C, T, and pyrene, but not BT, produced malignant tumors. C,in particular, was outstanding in its production of tumors with the help of dodecane. C and T were classified as incomplete carcinogens, lacking any cocarcinogenic activity. F and P were inactive under these conditions. The 5-ringed BT behaved entirely differently from C and T; i.e., its activity was decreased when n-dodecane wasintroduced. Tentative estimates were made of the relative contribution of cocarcinogenic versus chrysene-Iike activity to the overall activity in carcinogenesis of each of the 6 aromatic hydrocarbons and of several others frequently tested.
Effectiveness of Sorafenib in Patients with Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization (TACE) Refractory and Intermediate-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Tadaaki Arizumi, Kazuomi Ueshima, Tomohiro Minami, Masashi Kono, Hirokazu Chishina, Masahiro Takita, Satoshi Kitai, Tatsuo Inoue, Norihisa Yada, Satoru Hagiwara, Yasunori Minami, Toshiharu Sakurai, Naoshi Nishida, Masatoshi Kudo
Journal: Liver Cancer (2015)

Patients with intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) refractory to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) are considered to be candidates for sorafenib. The aim of this study was to evaluate the superiority of conversion of treatment to sorafenib on overall survival (OS) for cases refractory to TACE.This was a retrospective cohort study carried out on 497 patients with HCC who were treated with TACE therapy at our hospital between January 2008 and December 2013. Fifty-six patients were diagnosed as refractory to TACE during their clinical course and they were divided into two cohorts, (1) those who switched from TACE to sorafenib and (2) those who continued TACE. The overall survival (OS) after the time of being refractory to TACE was evaluated between the two groups.After refractoriness to TACE therapy was confirmed, 24 patients continued with TACE (TACE-group) and 32 patients underwent treatment conversion to sorafenib (sorafenib-group). The median OS was 24.7 months in the sorafenib-group and 13.6 months in the TACE-group (p=0.002).Conversion to sorafenib significantly improves the OS in patients refractory to TACE therapy with intermediate-stage HCC. Administration of sorafenib is therefore recommended in such circumstances of TACE treatment failure.
Tobacco smoking (TS) in home oxygen therapy (HOT). Preliminary data (
Authors: Laura De Lozzo, Fabrizio Facchini, Luigi Marino, Samantha Angelotti, Stefano Nardini
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background and aim : HOT is used in any hypoxemic chronic respiratory failure but TS can impair HOT and cause fires and burns. Many patients are smokers when entering HOT: a prevalence as high as 19% was measured among HOT Patients (HOTP) and little is known on HOTP smoking characteristics. Among a total of 388 HOTP we assist, we surveyed so far 136 HOTP (mean age=74,7 y), and preliminary data from them are here presented.  Method : 1.analysis of our database for information about TS; 2.telephone interviews for all Patients and caregivers; 3. outpatient consultation of HOTP during which Pack-years (P/Y), Fagerstroem test (FTND), Exhaled-Carbon monoxide (ExCO), Anxiety and Depression test (CBA 2.0) and self-efficacy (SEQ12) were tested.  Results : Current smokers #=11(8,1%); P/Y=40; ExCO=20 ppm; FTND=5; Anxiety=22,2%; Depression 33,3%; Self-efficacy=9,2. Mean # of previous quitting attempts=2 (60% unassisted/self-managed-40% with drugs (mostly nicotine replacement therapy-NRT); 60% relapsed before  Conclusion:  In our sample, probably due to older age, smoker prevalence is lower than in previous studies.Not surprisingly self-efficacy was very low. Nicotine dependence and ExCO were lower than expected and smoking is probably maintained more by anxiety and depression whose scores are high. Since quitting is still desired, we are currently offering education on disease and intensive psychological assistance for quitting, extended to caregivers.  (*) Supported by an unconditioned educational grant from Medicair.
Ambulatory care of patients with bronchial asthma participating in a German disease management program
Authors: Sabine Groos, Jens Kretschmann, Bernd Hagen, Lutz Altenhofen
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background:  In 2006 a disease management program for bronchial asthma was started in the North Rhine region, Germany, focussing on patient education and optimisation of quality of care.   Methods:  By the end of 2009 data from 55,928 adults (A) and 13,021 children (C, aged 5 to 17 years) are analysed cross-sectionally. Between 2007 and 2009 continuously documented patients are analysed longitudinally. Standardised medical records provide information of symptom frequency, non-medical interventions and pharmacotherapy.   Results:  In 2009 35% of the adults suffer at least from weekly symptoms (C 13%), in 38% symptoms are documented less than once per week (C 50%). Control of inhalation techniques is conducted for 72% of all adults (C 79%) and 63% are provided with a self-management plan (C 86%). Asthma education is advised to 47% of all patients (C 65%), but only 46% of these subsequently participate in such an education (C 48%). Most common pharmacotherapy in patients with at least weekly symptoms consists of short-acting beta-agonists (SABA) as reliever medication (A 70%, C 82%), inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) (A 71%, C 72%) or long-acting beta-agonists (LABA) as controller medication (A 63%, C 34%). SABA (2007–09 A: 69–68%, C: 91–92%), LABA (A: 56–60%, C: 26–22%) and ICS in adults (70–68%) are prescribed rather constantly over time, prescription rates of ICS in children decline (73–58%).   Conclusions:  Prescription rates of SABA, LABA and ICS seem to be in accordance to recommendations by asthma guidelines. Control of inhalation devices is at a high level, but rate of participation in patient education needs further improvement. Limitations due to potential selection bias have to be considered.
Tumorigenicity of Methyl-n-Propylnitrosamine in Syrian Golden Hamsters2
Authors: Parviz Pour, Friedrich W. Krüger, Antonio Cardesa, Jürgen Althoff, Ulrich Mohr
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1974)

Weekly subcutaneous injections (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg body wt) of methyl-n-propylnitrosamine (MPN) given for life to Syrian golden hamsters caused tumors of the respiratory tract and liver. The main target tissue was the posterior region of the nasal cavity where adenocarcinomas were most common. Papillomas were found in the larynx, trachea, and stem bronchi. Adenomas and carcinomas of the lung developed mainly in females treated with the highest dose. The morphology of the observed neoplasms and the metabolic relation of MPN to di-n-propylnitrosamine are discussed.
A functional variant in the CFI gene confers a high risk of age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Johannes P H van de Ven, Sara C Nilsson, Perciliz L Tan, Gabriëlle H S Buitendijk, Tina Ristau, Frida C Mohlin, Sander B Nabuurs, Frederieke E Schoenmaker-Koller, Dzenita Smailhodzic, Peter A Campochiaro, Donald J Zack, Maheswara R Duvvari, Bjorn Bakker, Codrut C Paun, Camiel J F Boon, Andre G Uitterlinden, Sandra Liakopoulos, B Jeroen Klevering, Sascha Fauser, Mohamed R Daha, Nicholas Katsanis, Caroline C W Klaver, Anna M Blom, Carel B Hoyng, Anneke I den Hollander
Journal: Nature Genetics (2013)
High-dose sequential chemoradiotherapy, a widely applicable regimen, confers survival benefit to patients with high-risk multiple myeloma.
Authors: A M Gianni, C Tarella, M Bregni, S Siena, F Lombardi, L Gandola, D Caracciolo, A Stern, G Bonadonna, M Boccadoro
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1994)

PURPOSE To assess the toxicity, efficacy, and applicability of high-dose therapy with bone marrow and/or peripheral-blood autotransplantation in high-risk, previously untreated patients with multiple myeloma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirteen consecutive patients with high-labeling index (LI) multiple myeloma received a novel high-dose sequential (HDS) regimen consisting in the high-dose administration of cyclophosphamide (7 g/m2) followed by vincristine (1.4 mg/m2) plus methotrexate (8 g/m2 with leucovorin rescue), etoposide (2 g/m2) and, finally, total-body irradiation (TBI; 10 Gy) plus melphalan (120 mg/m2) with autografting of peripheral-blood hematopoietic progenitor cells. Recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF; 5 micrograms/kg/d) was continuously infused after cyclophosphamide and etoposide both to accelerate hematopoietic recovery and to expand/mobilize the hematopoietic progenitor-cell pool. RESULTS Among 13 patients, 12 completed the program; 10 (or 77%) achieved a complete response and five are alive and disease-free after a median follow-up duration of 36 months (range, 24 to 52). The durations of both freedom from progression (FFP; median, 38 months) and overall survival (OS; median, 41 months) were significantly superior in the 13 HDS-treated patients as compared with 19 well-matched historical controls. CONCLUSION HDS emerges as a highly effective, well-tolerated, and widely accessible regimen capable of imparting a survival benefit to patients with high-LI multiple myeloma. Larger studies using this or similar programs in standard-risk myeloma are clearly warranted.
Circulating microparticles levels and vascular function in a mouse model of combined intermittent hypoxia and high-fat diet
Authors: Wojciech Trzepizur, Gaceb Abderahim, Claire Arnaud, Christophe Ribuot, Patrick Levy, Ramaroson Andriantsitohaina, Maria Carmen Martinez, Frederic Gagnadoux
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

There is a clinical co-incidence of the metabolic syndrome and the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), and both are associated with cardio-vascular diseases. Microparticles (MPs) are submicron membrane vesicles, released into the extracellular space following to cell activation, implicated in the vascular damage associated with both syndromes.  The aim of this study was to evaluate the specific effects of intermittent hypoxia, obesity and the combination of both conditions on MPs levels and endothelial function.  Fifty two mice were divided in four groups: control group, high-fat diet (HFD) (42% calories from fat for 8 weeks) receiving group, intermittent hypoxia (IH) group (for 2 weeks,8hours of IH/day, 1 stimulus by 30-60s,) and a group receiving both HFD and IH  We showed that HFD was able to induce early-onset obesity as reflecting by the increase of adipose tissue weight, dyslipidemia and a decrease in the endothelium-dependent relaxation evoked by acetylcholine. Exposure to IH was responsible for an increase in the rate of leukocyte MPs, without changes in endothelium-dependent relaxation. Animals submitted to the combination of both treatments displayed a similar profile of MPs like to only IH treatment and showed an insulin resistance as accessed by HOMA index. In addition, IH prevented endothelial dysfunction induced by HFD alone.  This study suggests a specific role of IH in the increased leukocyte derived MPs levels observed in OSAS and in the insulin resistance induced in the HFD model. Interestingly, IH for 2 weeks might be considered as a preconditionning mechanism inducing protection of the vascular function in HFD models.
A functional promoter polymorphism of the human <i>IL18</i> gene is associated with aspirin-induced urticaria
Authors: S-H. Kim, J.K. Son, E-M. Yang, J-E. Kim, H-S. Park
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2011)

Summary Background Urticaria is the commonest cutaneous reaction caused by aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The pathogenesis of aspirin-induced urticaria (AIU) is not fully understood, but appears to involve mast cell activation and neutrophil infiltration. Objectives To investigate the genetic contribution of interleukin (IL)-18, which can amplify acute inflammation by promoting mast cell activation, neutrophil migration and cytokine production, to the pathogenesis of AIU. Methods A case–control association study was performed using 275 patients with AIU and 196 normal healthy controls in a Korean population. Two promoter polymorphisms of the IL18 gene (−607A/C and −137G/C) were genotyped using the primer extension method. The functional effect of the IL18 gene promoter polymorphism was investigated through in vitro studies including a luciferase reporter assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) and ex vivo studies involving neutrophil chemotaxis assays. Results A significant association was detected between both AIU in general and the aspirin-intolerant acute urticaria (AIAU) phenotype and the IL18 promoter polymorphism −607A/C. Patients with AIAU showed higher frequencies of the C−607G−137 haplotype, ht1 [CG], compared with controls (P =0·02). Moreover, ht1 [CG] showed a high transcript haplotype by the luciferase activity assay, and EMSAs identified a −607C allele-specific DNA-binding protein as CREB2. Neutrophil chemotactic activity was highest in subjects with AIU exhibiting the high transcript haplotype, ht1 [CG] (P =0·019). Conclusions The high transcript haplotype ht1 [CG] of the IL18 gene may contribute to the development of acute cutaneous inflammation sensitive to aspirin, leading to the clinical presentation of AIAU.
Anticonvulsant Drugs and Bone Disease in the Elderly
Authors: M G Harrington, H M Hodkinson
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1987)

Elderly psychiatric inpatients were studied to find the prevalence of osteomalacia in those taking anticonvulsant medication (n = 19) and a comparison group not taking these drugs (n = 37). Only one biopsy-proven case was discovered among the anticonvulsant group, and none in the comparison group. This was an unexpectedly low rate. The clinical and biochemical data (including alkaline and acid phosphatase isoenzymes) were further analysed to detect subclinical osteomalacia, but none was found. A difference between the two subgroups was found for total and liver alkaline phosphatase only. The possible explanations for these unexpected findings are discussed. The effect of anticonvulsants on vitamin D and bone metabolism is reviewed and the hypothesis that drug-induced changes in vitamin D metabolism are responsible for the bone changes described in earlier series is questioned.