tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Smoking cessation in asthmatic patients
Authors: Segismundo Solano Reina, Lidia Perera López, Paz Vaquero Lozano, Raquel Solano Garcia-Tenorio, Teresa Lopez Ruiz, Carlos A. Jiminez Ruiz, Jose Ignacio de Granda Orive
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Introduction:  There is a lot of evidence that smoking is an aggravating factor in asthma.  Objective:  Evaluate smoking cessation abstinence rates in smokers with asthma treated with drug therapy, combined with brief counseling.  Material and Methods:  It conducted a descriptive, longitudinal and prospective study, from January 2010 to October 2012. All patients underwent clinical history of smoking. A total of seven visits were conducted (baseline, and at weeks 2nd and 4th and at months 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 12th). Smoking abstinence was confirmed by validation of exhaled CO (  Results:  We included 128 patients, 98 (76.5%) women and 30 (23.5%) males, mean age: 41.14 (± 10.61) years. Mean number of cigarettes smoked per day: 23.76 (± 9.33). FTND-score Mean: 7.08 (± 1.20), mean CO: 25.26(± 12, 64)ppm. 53% of the subjects smoked their first cigarette five minutes after waking up and 32% 30 minutes after waking up.  Considering the treatment used, the abstinence rate at week 52 was:  Vareniclina: 58%. Nicotine patches: 49% and bupropion: 45%.  Conclusions:  • More females than males among the participants.  • The average consumption of cigarettes per day is high.  • Physical dependence severe, more than 7 points in the FTND-score and 88% smoked their first cigarette within half an hour.  • The highest abstinence rate was obtained by varenicline (58%), then nicotine patches (49%) and bupropion (45%).  • All medications were well tolerated and safe.
Downregulation of Apoptosis-Inducing Factor in Harlequin Mutant Mice Sensitizes the Myocardium to Oxidative Stress–Related Cell Death and Pressure Overload–Induced Decompensation
Authors: Vanessa P.M. van Empel, Anne T. Bertrand, Roel van der Nagel, Sawa Kostin, Pieter A. Doevendans, Harry J. Crijns, Elly de Wit, Wim Sluiter, Susan L. Ackerman, Leon J. De Windt
Journal: Circulation Research (2005)

Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), or programmed cell death 8 (Pdcd8), is a highly conserved, ubiquitous flavoprotein localized in the mitochondrial intermembrane space. In vivo, AIF provides protection against neuronal apoptosis induced by oxidative stress. Conversely, in vitro, AIF has been demonstrated to have a proapoptotic role when, on induction of the mitochondrial death pathway, AIF translocates to the nucleus where it facilitates chromatin condensation and large scale DNA fragmentation. To determine the role of AIF in myocardial apoptotic processes, we examined cardiomyocytes from an AIF-deficient mouse mutant, Harlequin (Hq). Hq mutant cardiomyocytes demonstrated increased sensitivity to H2O2-induced cell death. Further, Hq hearts subjected to ischemia/reperfusion revealed more cardiac damage and, unlike wild-type mice, the amount of damage increased with the age of the animal. Aortic banding caused enhanced hypertrophy, increased cardiomyocyte apoptotic and necrotic cell death, and accelerated progression toward maladaptive left ventricular remodeling in Hq mutant mice compared with wild-type counterparts. These findings correlated with a reduced capacity of subsarcolemmal mitochondria from Hq mutant hearts to scavenge free radicals. Together, these data demonstrate a critical role for AIF as a cardiac antioxidant in the protection against oxidative stress-induced cell death and development of heart failure induced by pressure overload.
Restriction fragment mass polymorphism (RFMP) analysis based on MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry for detecting antiretroviral resistance in HIV-1 infected patients
Authors: J.-H. Lee, A. Hachiya, S.-K. Shin, J. Lee, H. Gatanaga, S. Oka, K.A. Kirby, Y.T. Ong, S.G. Sarafianos, W.R. Folk, W. Yoo, S.P. Hong, S.-O. Kim
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2013)
To study the effect of chronic inhalation of street dust on pulmonary functions in street cleaners
Authors: Zuber Ahmad, Shadab Mohammad, Dhirendra K. Agrawal, Aslam Mohammad
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

PURPOSE: Street cleaners who sweep streets manually are exposed to different types of dusts, which have deleterious effect on pulmonary functions. We carried out this study to know the status of pulmonary functions in these occupationally exposed persons.  METHODS: One hundred ten street cleaners, 80 non-smokers and 30 smokers, who were cleaning the streets for more than 5 years were included in this study. Sixty controls, 30 smokers and 30 non smokers, were also included for comparison. Their lung functions FVC, FEV1, PEFR and FEV25-75 were assessed by spirometry. Statistical analysis of data was done according to unpaired 9t9 test using SPSS version 16.0 software.  RESULTS: The mean FVC, FEV1, PEFR and FEV25-75 were 85.87+15.16%, 63.82+14.79%, 65.65+16.22% and 53.31+20.20% respectively in nonsmoker cleaners, while in smoker cleaners these were 85.0+15.96%, 59.96+17.35%, 60.90+16.91% and 51.78+19.31% respectively. FVC was not found to be affected in these persons while other parameters were significantly decreased as compared to those in controls. In controls these were 88.66+12.92%, 88.50+18.80%, 90.16+14.30% and 84.00+18.20% respectively in nonsmokers and 84.25+11.2%, 78.42+16.80%, 60.62+18.22% and 62.30+16.50% respectively in smokers.  CONCLUSIONS: Obstructive pattern was observed in both smoker and non smoker cleaners. Smoker cleaners had significantly higher obstruction than smoker controls. Thus street dust was found to act synergistically with smoking and further deteriorated the lung functions.  CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Street dust acts synergistically with smoking and further aggravates obstruction in airways so these persons should take proper preventive measures.
Properties and Synthesis of Tubulin in Neuroblastoma Cells12
Authors: U. Z. Littauer, H. Schmitt, I. Gozes
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1976)

Cloned neuroblastoma cell lines derived from the spontaneous mouse tumor C-1300 were used to study nerve cell differentiation. Our findings included a) morphologic and electrical differentiation was induced by the addition of dimethyl sulfoxide to the culture medium of some of the neuroblastoma clonal lines; b) a contrasting difference existed between the percentage of the phenylalanine-specific, tRNA species deficient in the peroxy Y-nucleoside in the mouse embryo or rat brain (6–10%) and that of mouse neuroblastoma cells (85%); c) the assembly of neuroblastoma microtubules and neurofilaments that are necessary for neurite outgrowth proceeded from preexisting pools of tubulin and actin, but a sustained level of phosphorylated tubulin was not required for this regulation; and d) the in vitro translation of tubulin and actin was accomplished with mRNA from rat brains in a wheat-germ cellfree system.
Evaluation of the microscopic observation drug susceptibility assay for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistance to pyrazinamide
Authors: L.D. Ghiraldi, P.A.Z. Campanerut, F.L.E. Spositto, D.N. Sato, C.Q.F. Leite, M. Hirata, R.D.C. Hirata, R.F. Cardoso
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2011)
Pretreatment microRNA Expression Impacting on Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Predicts Intrinsic Radiosensitivity in Head and Neck Cancer Cell Lines and Patients
Authors: Monique C. de Jong, Jelle J. ten Hoeve, Reidar Grénman, Lodewyk F. Wessels, Ron Kerkhoven, Hein te Riele, Michiel W.M. van den Brekel, Marcel Verheij, Adrian C. Begg
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2015)

Predominant causes of head and neck cancer recurrence after radiotherapy are rapid repopulation, hypoxia, fraction of cancer stem cells, and intrinsic radioresistance. Currently, intrinsic radioresistance can only be assessed by ex vivo colony assays. Besides being time-consuming, colony assays do not identify causes of intrinsic resistance. We aimed to identify a biomarker for intrinsic radioresistance to be used before start of treatment and to reveal biologic processes that could be targeted to overcome intrinsic resistance.We analyzed both microRNA and mRNA expression in a large panel of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines. Expression was measured on both irradiated and unirradiated samples. Results were validated using modified cell lines and a series of patients with laryngeal cancer.miRs, mRNAs, and gene sets that correlated with resistance could be identified from expression data of unirradiated cells. The presence of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and low expression of miRs involved in the inhibition of EMT were important radioresistance determinants. This finding was validated in two independent cell line pairs, in which the induction of EMT reduced radiosensitivity. Moreover, low expression of the most important miR (miR-203) was shown to correlate with local disease recurrence after radiotherapy in a series of patients with laryngeal cancer.These findings indicate that EMT and low expression of EMT-inhibiting miRs, especially miR-203, measured in pretreatment material, causes intrinsic radioresistance of HNSCC, which could enable identification and treatment modification of radioresistant tumors. Clin Cancer Res; 21(24); 5630-8. ©2015 AACR.
Mixed treatment analysis comparing tiotropium HandiHaler® and Respimat®
Authors: Ronald Dahl, Hendrik Schmidt, Michael Könen-Bergmann, Norbert Metzdorf
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background:  Tiotropium is available in the once-daily formulations HandiHaler ®  18 µg (HH) and Respimat ®  5 µg (R5) for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Both formulations have been compared to placebo (PBO) in Phase III trials and directly compared in a recent Phase IIIb trial (TIOSPIR™).   Methods:  This post-hoc analysis of HH vs R5 identified all trials with vital status follow up (analyzed for death) and those with a duration ≥1 year (analyzed for exacerbations). A frequentist mixed treatment comparison (MTC) was used to collate direct and indirect evidence for HH, R5 and PBO.   Results:  In the six trials that were analyzed for deaths, 8680 patients were treated with HH, 8760 with R5 and 6053 with PBO. Five trials were included in the exacerbations analysis: 8673 patients were treated with HH, 8314 with R5 and 5612 with PBO. Using a random-effects model of MTC for HH vs R5, odds ratios (ORs) were 1.01 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.89-1.15) for deaths and 0.90 (95% CI: 0.81-1.01) for exacerbations; fixed-effects model measures were similar with a smaller CI for exacerbations: deaths, 1.01 (95% CI: 0.89-1.15); exacerbations, 0.92 (95% CI: 0.86-0.98). ORs versus PBO (random-effects model) for deaths were 0.91 (95% CI: 0.80-1.04) for HH and 0.92 (95% CI: 0.77-1.10) for R5; for exacerbations 0.87 (95% CI: 0.78-0.98) for HH and 0.79 (95% CI: 0.70-0.88) for R5.   Conclusions:  When compared, HH and R5 showed similar effects on survival and exacerbations in this meta-analysis. Prolongation of survival was not statistically significant vs PBO, while risk of exacerbation was lower for both formulations with a numerically higher efficacy for R5.  Funded by Boehringer Ingelheim.
Introducing the AASLD President: Gyongyi Szabo
Authors: Craig McClain
Journal: Hepatology (2014)

1School of MedicineUniversity of LouisvilleLouisvilleKY *Address reprint requests to: Craig McClain, M.D., School of Medicine, University of Louisville, 401 East Chestnut Street, Louisville, KY 40202. E‐mail: [email protected]; fax: 502‐852‐6233.
Occupational asthma induced by exposure to high and low molecular weight agents. Similarities and differences
Authors: Xavier Munoz, Olga Meca, Monica Sanchez-Ortiz, Ferran Morell, Maria-Jesus Cruz
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Introduction:  The aim of this study was to analyse possible differences between occupational asthma (OA) caused either by agents of high molecular weight (HMW), whose mechanism of action is always IgE-mediated, or by agents of low molecular weight (LMW) whose mechanism is often unknown.   Methods:  The study included 79 patients with OA diagnosed by specific inhalation challenge (SIC). Anthropometric characteristics were analysed, as well as atopic status, profession, latency period, asthma severity, lung function tests and SIC results.   Results:  Twenty-three patients (29%) were diagnosed with OA induced by HMW agents, and 56 (71%) with OA induced by LMW agents. In the LMW-induced group, asthma was intermittent in 21 (38%), mild persistent in five (9%), and moderate persistent in 30 (53%). In the HMW-induced group, it was intermittent in eight (35%), mild persistent in eight (35%), and moderate persistent in seven (30%) (p = 0.014). Paradoxically, the dose-response ratio in the methacholine test was higher in patients exposed to HMW agents (HMW 56.3 (131.1), LMW 18.5 (23.8), p = 0.012). Most HMW-exposed patients (78%) showed early response to SIC, whereas in those exposed to LMW response was dual (50%) or atypical (21%) (p = 0.0001). No differences were found in latency periods, smoking habit, atopic status or in the other lung function studies.   Conclusions:  Though there are no clear reasons for the differences, the OA caused by LMW agents appears to be more severe than that caused by HMW agents. The distinct pattern of response to the SIC suggests that the mechanism of action depends on the type of agent.
Role of 3′,5′ -Adenosine Monophosphate in Regulation of Morphology and Growth of Transformed and Normal Fibroblasts
Authors: George S. Johnson, Ira Pastan
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1972)

N6,O2′-dibutyryl 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate (dbc-AMP) altered morphology and growth properties of fibroblasts. During treatment with dbc-AMP, the cell body and processes were elongated, and the cells spread out and occupied a greater area in contact with the substratum. In one cell line, which normally showed extensive vacuolization, dbc-AMP greatly decreased the vacuole content. Morphologic changes were observed with all cell lines tested, including Swiss/3T3, BALB/3T3, and Swiss/3T3 and BALB/3T3 cells transformed by polyoma virus, murine leukemia and sarcoma viruses, and simian virus 40 (SV40). Usually, the changes in the SV40-transformed cells were not as extensive as those observed with the others. Also, L-2071 cells, a line that grows on a chemically defined, protein-free medium, and BHK-21 cells were responsive. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP decreased the growth rate of the cells; the effect was potentiated by theophylline. The treatment decreased by seven-fold the saturation density of 3T3 cells, a line normally displaying contact inhibition of growth at a relatively low cell density. But dbc-AMP even with theophylline did not markedly decrease the saturation density of the non-contact-inhibited transformed cells.
Relationship between maximal workload as measured by cardiopulmonary test and equation-estimated values, in COPD
Authors: Marta Ferrer, Cejudo Pilar, González Hector Hugo, Vázquez Rosa, C. Preciado, Abad Maria, Cadenas Maria Jose, Ortega Francisco
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CEPT) is widely used to individualize cycle training intensity in Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR). However, this test is costly and not always available in the clinical setting. One option would be using prediction equations that estimate peak work rate from distance walked in the incremental Shuttle Walking Test (ISWT).

Aims: To compare results in terms of maximum workload obtained from the application of two different equations that estimate Wpeak from distance walked in the SWT, with those obtained from a conventional incremental CPET.

Methods: 76 COPD patients (mean FEV1 42.8% predicted) admitted to a PR program were included and they performed CPET and ISWT. Measures of peak workload were then obtained, either directly (CPET) or by estimation from the distance walked (ISWT) using the two currently available equations by Andorttir and Luxon.

Results: Data are expressed as mean (SD). Distance walked in ISWT was 400 (160) m, whereas Wpeak from the CEPT was 60 (24) watts. A significant correlation was found between those two variables: r= 0.738. Wpeak as estimated from the Andorttir equation was 88.9(33), and 107 (29) watts from the Luxon equation, showing both variables a significant correlation with the Wpeak on the CPET: r=0.733 and r=0.752, respectively.Stepwise multiple regression analyses showed MVV (maximal voluntary ventilation) as the only significant variable, which accounted for no more than 46% of the variance.

Conclusions: In our sample, both equations offered an overestimation of the maximum workload in comparison with the direct measure on the CPET.
Platelet Metabolism In Rauscher Virus Leukemia&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: Isadore Brodsky, Nikolay V. Dimitrov
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1969)

Journal Article Platelet Metabolism In Rauscher Virus Leukemia Get access Isadore Brodsky, M.D., Isadore Brodsky, M.D. Hematology Section, Department of Medicine, Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Nikolay V. Dimitrov, M.D. Nikolay V. Dimitrov, M.D. Hematology Section, Department of Medicine, Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Volume 43, Issue 2, August 1969, Pages 385–390, https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/43.2.385 Published: 01 August 1969 Article history Received: 10 January 1969 Accepted: 21 May 1969 Published: 01 August 1969
Importance of Genetic Factors in Adolescent Asthma
Authors: TARJA LAITINEN, MAIJA RÄSÄNEN, JAAKKO KAPRIO, MARKKU KOSKENVUO, LAURI A. LAITINEN
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (1998)

Gene-environment interactions and inheritance of asthma were studied in 16-yr-old twins and their parents who participated in the nationwide Finnish Twin Cohort Study. Between 1991 and 1994, questionnaires, including a question on physician-diagnosed asthma, were mailed to the members of 2,483 twin families. The individual response rate ranged from 82 to 93%. Information on parental asthma status allowed the genetic modeling of asthma data in two different groups of twins. In families where one of the parents was asthmatic, as much as 87% of the variation in susceptibility to asthma in twins was explained by genetic factors. On the other hand, for twins whose parents were unaffected, a model including environmental effect alone was sufficient to explain the development of asthma. Genetic influences could not be totally excluded, but their role was significantly smaller. These results indicate that the presence of asthma in successive generations is more likely caused by shared genes than shared environmental risk factors; however, substantial heterogeneity among families may exist. Genetic analysis, especially among the families with an obvious familial component in development of asthma, may enhance the chances of revealing the pathogenetic mechanisms
Mobilization of peripheral-blood progenitor cells with high-dose etoposide and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in patients with breast cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and Hodgkin's disease.
Authors: E A Copelan, S K Ceselski, S A Ezzone, L C Lasky, S L Penza, T P Bechtel, J L Klein, D M Hehmeyer, M D Scholl, D D Marshall, P J Elder, G L Risley, B R Avalos
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1997)

PURPOSE We analyzed the safety and effectiveness of high-dose etoposide (2 g/m2) followed by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) as a peripheral-blood progenitor cell (PBPC) mobilization regimen and assessed extent of tumor reduction in patients with breast cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), and Hodgkin's disease (HD). PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred sixty-nine consecutive patients who eventually underwent PBPC transplantation received treatment with high-dose etoposide (2 g/m2) followed by daily G-CSF (5 microg/kg). RESULTS This mobilization method was effective in nearly all patients. No patients died of mobilization-related complications. A 50% reduction in tumor size was seen in 19% of assessable patients with breast cancer, 44% of those with NHL, and 38% of those with HD. Hematopoietic recovery (HR) following transplantation occurred in all patients. Patients with &gt; or = 4 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg engrafted with neutrophils at a median of 9 days after transplant and patients with at least 1.2 x 10(6) CD34+/CD33- cells/kg achieved platelet recovery at a median of 15 days. CONCLUSION Etoposide plus G-CSF is an effective and safe method for mobilization of PBPCs. Etoposide is an effective agent in tumor reduction in NHL and HD and is less effective in breast cancer. The substantially lower incidence of prior exposure to this agent compared with cyclophosphamide favors its use.
Clinical, functional and laboratory assessment of treatment efficacy in COPD patients
Authors: Ilona Baranova, Igor Leshchenko
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Scientists have been investigating surfactant protein D (SP-D) actively but data of plasma SP-D correlation with other parameters in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients is not full.

The aim: assessment of clinical, functional parameters and SP-D blood plasma level in moderate and severe COPD patients under the different pharmacologic therapy.

Materials and methods: Males with moderate (n=38, age 60,6±10,2 yrs) and severe (n=42, age 61,2±7,2 yrs) COPD initially were taking formoterol (FORM)+ beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) + tiotropium bromide (TB) for 24 weeks (1treatment stage), then - TB for 12 weeks (2 stage) and finally - TB + FORM for 12 weeks (3 stage).SGRQ-C and mMRC parameters, FEV1and SP-D in blood plasma were investigated at the end of every stage of treatment. Frequency of exacerbations was assessed during 48 weeks of the study. Control group was 34 healthy men (age 62,3±5,8 yrs).

Results: in the patients with moderate COPD we observed spread of COPD symptoms (p<0,001), SP-D elevation in blood plasma (p=0,01) at the 2 stage compared with the 1 stage, postbronchodilator FEV1 redused compared with the 1 (p<0,001) and the 3 (p<0,001) stages. Frequency of exacerbations increased in severe COPD patients on the 2 and the 3 stages of therapy versus the 1 stage (p<0,05).The highest system anti-inflammatory effect was observed under 3-component therapy.

Conclusion: Investigation findings give evidence that combination of long-acting inhaled bronchodilators provides clinical and functional efficacy in moderate COPD patients. Only 3-component therapy (TB, FORM, BDP) provides low SP-D level in blood plasma of moderate and severe COPD patients (p>0,05 compared with control group).