tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Effect of pulmonary rehabilitation on cardiac function during exercise in COPD
Authors: Ioannis Nasis, Stayros Chryssanthopoulos, Nikolaos Athanasiadis, Maroula Vasilopoulou, Giorgios Kaltsakas, Panagiotis Rapakoulias, Elias Giallafos, Costas Davos, Nikolaos Koulouris, Ioannis Vogiatzis
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Aim:  We studied the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on echocardiography cardiac function indices in 10 COPD patients (GOLD stages II-IV).   Methods:  PR consisted of interval cycling training at peak work capacity, (Wrpeak). Before and after PR patients underwent a constant-load exercise test (CLET) at 75% of Wrpeak for 6 min. Physiological data during CLET and Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) of the lateral mitral annulus was obtained from the apical 4-chamber view at rest and immediately after the CLET before and after rehabilitation. Peak mitral annular early (E’) and late (A’) diastolic velocities, E and A waves of mitral inflow and the E/E′ ratio were obtained to evaluate left ventricular (LV) function. Peak tricuspid annular systolic (S’) velocity, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) were measured as indices of RV function.   Results:  Whilst RV systolic function indices (S’ and TAPSE) improved immediately after the CLET both before and after PR, exercise training did not have an important impact on LV or RV indices.   Conclusion:  The impact of rehabilitative exercise training on RV and LV cardiac function indices during exercise in COPD is not significant.
The protective effect of proanthocyanidin on the methotrexate-induced intestinal damage
Authors: M. Gulgun, O. Erdem, E. Oztas, E. Kismet, V. Koseoglu, N. Balamtekin, V. Kesik, O. Ozcan
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2007)

19576 Background: Methotrexate (MTX) induced mucositis is an important dose-limiting side effect for which there is no definitive prophylaxis or treatment. This study was designed to investigate whether proantocyanidin, grape seed extract from Vitus Vinifera, had a protective effect on the small intestine of rats with MTX-induced damage. Methods: Thirty two albino rats were randomized into experimental and control groups and divided into four groups. To the first group, MTX was applied as a single dose (20 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. To the second group, in addition to MTX application, proanthocyanidin (100 mg/kg) was given orally every day by gavage until the rats were killed. To the third group, proanthocyanidin only was administered. The fourth group was the control. All animals were sacrificied 4 days after the intraperitoneally injection of MTX for histopathologic examination and tissue malonaldehyd (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels. Results: MTX was found to lead to injury in the jejunal tissues and to increase the MDA levels. Administration of the proantocyanidin decreased the jejunal damage and MDA level which was caused by MTX treatment and increased SOD an GPx levels. Conclusions: These results suggest that proanthocyanidin may protect the small intestine of rats from MTX-induced damage. The effects of proanthocyanidin could be resulted from antioxidant properties of the proanthocyanidin. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Experience of a standardised method for assessing respiratory disability
Authors: JE Cotes, DJ Chinn, JW Reed, JE Hutchinson
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1994)

A standardised method of scoring respiratory disability based on measurement and/or estimation of maximal oxygen uptake has recently been developed by the European Society for Clinical Respiratory Physiology. In the present study, we wanted to determine how the results obtained using this objective method compared with those by the more traditional empirical method used in a Medical Boarding Centre (MBC) for Respiratory Diseases. The subjects were 62 men who were claiming industrial injuries benefit on account of prior exposure to a respiratory hazard. The MBC ratings and the disability scores were correlated and, in the case of men with moderate or severe disability, numerically equivalent. The results provided independent confirmation that the MBC ratings were influenced by the forced expiratory volume, radiological category of pneumoconiosis and grade of breathlessness. In subjects in whom the measured and estimated maximal oxygen uptakes were inconsistent, the information obtained during the exercise test could identify which of several factors contributed to the exercise limitation. Since the new method might be expected to reduce the difficulties experienced in assessing respiratory disability, its use is recommended.
The relationship between daily physical activity and exercise performance in adults with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Daniela Savi, Marcello Di Paolo, Nicholas Simmonds, Paolo Onorati, Tamara Perelli, Serenella Bertasi, Giuseppe Cimino, Serena Quattrucci, Pierantonio Laveneziana, Paolo Palange
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background. Physical exercise improves outcomes for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Laboratory-based measures obtained at submaximal exercise during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) have been shown to closely reflect activities of daily living in healthy subjects. To date, the link between daily physical activity and submaximal exercise data obtained during CPET has never been systematically explored in clinically stable adults with CF.  Methods. Sixteen  stable CF patients (mean age 33 (8) SD yrs; FEV 1  2.62 (0.66) l; FEV 1  68 (15) % predicted, BMI 22.1 (2.3)) and 15 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were studied at rest and during symptom-limited incremental CPET. Measurements were taken at the lactic threshold (LT) and at peak exercise. The 6MWT was also performed.Daily PA was assessed using the SenseWear (SW) Pro3 Armband accelerometer. Results. Except for peak values, VO2 profile and the VO2 at LT were comparable between CF and controls. No difference was observed in 6MWD between CF and controls. Compared with controls, CF patients had similar values in daily PA at different intensities with higher duration of PA ( p =0.04) and higher average of metabolic equivalents ( p =0.04). Conclusions: Submaximal exercise data related to aerobic capacity were comparable between CF patients with mild to moderate lung impairment and healthy controls. Daily PA at home without any different changes in chronic therapy might play an important role in maintaining aerobic fitness in adults with CF. CPET is a valuable tool in assessing aerobic fitness in CF and could be used to detect early changes in PA.
The clinical use of BAL in patients with pulmonary infections
Authors: M Rust, C Albera, L Carratu, C Danel, D Israel-Biet, H Klech, SI Rennard, AJ Robalo-Cordeiro, G Semenzato, G Velluti, al. et
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1990)

In immunocompetent patients with community acquired pneumonia, as well as in the immunocompetent host with nosocomial pneumonia, a calculated therapy can be initiated without prior invasive diagnostic procedure. This kind of patient management, however, is not warranted in immunocompromised or immunodeficient patients, in whom an exact diagnosis and the identification of the organism causing pneumonia is of utmost importance to select the correct therapeutic regime. If less invasive techniques like blood cultures were not successful in establishing the diagnosis, or the results from other procedures such as sputum induction were nondiagnostic, it is necessary to obtain specimens from the lower respiratory tract. These specimens can be taken using transtracheal aspiration, fibreoptic bronchoscopy, transthoracic needle puncture, or open lung biopsy. Such invasive procedures may also be necessary in the immunocompetent host, if therapy for a community acquired pneumonia or nosocomial pneumonia have failed and less invasive procedures are not likely to identify the cause of the disease. As experience during the past years has shown, taking microbiological samples by protected brush, bronchoalveolar lavage and/or transbronchial lung biopsy are methods which combine a low rate of side-effects and a sufficient diagnostic yield when used in this context [222-224]. Also bronchoalveolar lavage alone is a sensitive method to establish the diagnosis of infection of the lower respiratory tract caused by bacteria [222, 223], mycobacteria [225], viruses [226) and other opportunistic infections of the lung (e.g. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) [227, 228] (summary in table 1).
Remifentanil attenuates LPS-induced neutrophil activation
Authors: Hyejin Jeong, Chihyeong Yun
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Surgical trauma and anesthesia are associated with a complex dysregulation of the immune system with neutrophil activation involving activation of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Several studies demonstrate that opioids modulate the immune response via opioid receptors expressed directly on the immune cells themselves. Neutrophils play a pivotal role in the coordination and regulation of immune responses. However, the ability of opioid directly participating in LPS-induced neutrophil activation has not been fully examined. In the present experiments, the effects of various opioids including remifentanil, sufentanil, alfentanil and fentanyl were investigated. Remifentanil only could attenuate activation of neutrophils exposed to LPS. In particular, remifentanil decreased LPS-induced activation of intracellular signaling pathways, including p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and ERK1/2, and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-a, IL- 6 and IL- 8. There was no effect of remifentanil on LPS-induced activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in neutrophils. These results demonstrate that remifentanil can attenuate LPS-induced neutrophil responses and also suggest that such effects are sufficiently important in vivo to play a major contributory role in neutrophil-mediated inflammatory responses by surgical and anesthetic trauma.
Abstract 13144: Effects of Dapagliflozin on Blood Pressure in Diabetic Patients With Hypertension Inadequately Controlled by a Renin-Angiotensin System Blocker
Authors: Michael A Weber, Traci A Mansfield, Federica Alessi, Agata Ptaszynska
Journal: Circulation (2013)

Hypertension is common in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and is usually treated with an ACEi or ARB. Dapagliflozin (DAPA), an insulin-independent sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor that ...
The cancer survivor survey: Using Web-based technology to assess cancer survivor challenges.
Authors: E. M. Smith, K. Skalla, T. Onega, K. Anton, S. Gallagher, J. Rhoda, W. DiSalvo, A. Dietrich
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2010)

9054 Background: The study goal was to describe physical, psychosocial, psychological, spiritual, and economic challenges faced by cancer survivors. A secondary aim was to develop and pilot test a web-based system for surveying large populations. Methods: This cross-sectional, population-based pilot study was conducted at an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and at 10 community-based cancer clinics serving urban and rural populations throughout New Hampshire. Cancer survivors were individuals diagnosed with cancer, or their caregivers. Population-based and convenience sampling approaches were used to recruit 720 survivors (548 patients and 172 caregivers) over 4 months. A state-based breast cancer screening registry was used to target most participants. Self-reported demographic, clinical, and resource data were gathered via the Web survey. Unique patient and caregiver surveys contained 112 and 72 items respectively. Content validity was satisfactory and intra-rater reliability data analysis is underway. Computer-mediated branching logic diminished respondent burden. Results: The average time taken to complete the survey was 12-18 minutes. Respondents were 22-88 years of age with educational backgrounds ranging from less than 8th grade to graduate education. Although a wide range of cancer diagnoses were represented, as expected, most patients had breast cancer (68.4%). Common patient problems were fatigue (26.5%), joint pain (20%), memory loss (19.9%), insomnia (19.7%), and intimacy problems (17.9%). Most wanted help for these problems (33.7–68.5%). Talking with other survivors, support groups, nutritional counseling, exercise, massage, Reiki, and yoga were the most commonly used/requested support services. Caregivers reported problems with communication (21.5%), weight gain (19.2%), anxiety (18.6%), insomnia (18.6%), fatigue (18%), and finances (12.8%). Most caregivers (66%) would use supportive resources. Conclusions: The Web-based survey facilitated population-based data collection from patients of diverse age and educational backgrounds. Survivors struggle with many bothersome problems. Survey data can be used to develop community-specific resources. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) for pituitary adenomas
Authors: K. D. Voduc, R. Ma, M. McKenzie
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2005)

1543 Background: Case series have reported the efficacy of single fraction radiosurgery (SRS) in the treatment of pituitary adenomas. In comparison to single fraction radiation treatments, fractionated treatments can potentially reduce the risk of long term radiation side effects, while delivering a higher dose of radiation to the tumor. The objective of this study was to evaluate the radiological and biochemical pituitary tumor control rates following fractionated radiotherapy (SRT) at the BC Cancer Agency. Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of the first 37 patients with pituitary adenoma treated with SRT at the BCCA. SRT was delivered with a 6 MV linear accelerator using arcs or conformal beams. The prescribed dose was 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions, delivered 5 days per week. The outcomes were radiological tumor control and biochemical control. Radiological control was the absence of tumor progression on imaging. Biochemical control was defined as the discontinuation of drug therapy taken for hormone hypersecretion. The toxicity outcomes were hypopituitarism and visual loss. Hypopituitarism was defined as the initiation of any hormone replacement therapy following the completion of SRT. Visual loss is the diagnosis of a new visual field deficit or loss of visual acuity after SRT. Results: 36 patients were treated for residual or recurrent disease after surgery, and 1 patient received SRT as first treatment. The median follow-up was 19.1 months. At the time of publication, there has yet to be a single case of radiological progression, thus the tumor control rate is 100%. 13/17 patients with functioning tumors required drug therapy for hormone hypersecretion prior to SRT. Medications were discontinued in 5/13, and the 2-year actuarial rate of biochemical control is 30%. Regarding toxicity, the 2-year actuarial rate of hypopituitarism is 20%. No patients were found to have visual loss after SRT. Conclusions: This study suggests that SRT is an effective and safe treatment for recurrent or residual pituitary adenoma. At this point, the rate of biochemical control is consistent with previous studies using SRS, and this is expected to improve with longer follow-up. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
SOX2 antibody responses in patients with various tumor types and SCLC with and without paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes
Authors: L. Chen, S. Narayanan, J. Posner, U. Ozbek, E. Ritter, S. Gnjatic, Y. Chen, L. Old, A. Gure
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2006)

2562 Background: SOX2, a member of the SOX Group B family of transcription factors, is expressed in normal adult brain, testis and prostate as well as in many SCLC cell lines. Spontaneous antibody responses to SOX2 have previously been shown to be detectable in SCLC patients. We undertook a retrospective study to determine whether antibody responses were detectable in patients with other malignancies and in patients with paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes (PND/PNS). Methods: Previously obtained serum samples from patients with no known disease (n = 84), breast and ovarian cancer (n = 35 each), melanoma (n = 42), NSCLC (n = 150), and SCLC patients, 90 from Turkey and 68 patients studied for PND, were tested by ELISA using serial 4-fold dilutions for anti-SOX2 and anti-HuD antibody. Results: Preliminary data shows SOX2 reactivity in 5/84 (6%) normal volunteer sera, 8/35 (23%) in both breast and ovarian cancer patients, 4/42 (9%) melanoma patients, 20/150 (13.3%) NSCLC patients, and 56/158 (35.4%) SCLC patients. Compared to controls, there was a statistically significant difference in SOX2 immunoreactivity in breast, ovarian (p = 0.007 for both) and SCLC patients (p &lt; 0.001), and a trend was noted in NSCLC patients (p = 0.080). No breast, ovarian, melanoma or normal patient had SOX2 antibody titers ≥1:6400, compared with 32/56 (57.1%) of SCLC (p &lt; 0.01) and 6/20 (30%) NSCLC patients (p &lt; 0.16). Nine SCLC patients had neurologic symptoms and were previously found to have anti-HuD antibodies, associated with a diagnosis of PND. This was confirmed in 8/9 patients in our assay. However, none of the nine patients displayed anti-SOX2 reactivity. Eleven additional SCLC patients were found to be HuD positive by our ELISA. Conclusions: Anti-SOX2 responses are found in a significant proportion of patients with SCLC, breast and ovarian cancer, but not in melanoma patients compared to normal controls. Patients with SCLC have higher titer antibodies when compared with the other groups, and anti-SOX2 antibodies do not appear to associate with anti-HuD responses, supporting the hypothesis that SOX2 immune responses are not associated with PND and may be useful as a vaccine target. Supported by the Cancer and Leukemia Group B/Aventis Oncology Award and the Steps for Breath Foundation. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Survey of Management in Acute upper Gastrointestinal Haemorrhage<sup>1</sup>
Authors: G E Thomas, P B Cotton, C G Clark, P B Boulos
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1980)

The answers to a questionnaire concerning attitudes of members of the British Society of Gastroenterology to the management of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding are analysed. In the majority of cases patients were admitted to general wards under the care of physicians. Use of intensive therapy units and venous pressure monitoring varied widely. Emergency endoscopy appeared readily available and was usually the first diagnostic procedure. Double contrast radiology and emergency angiography were available in relatively few centres. Specific nonoperative treatments (angiographic and endoscopic) were scarcely employed. Most respondents agreed that elderly patients fared badly, but there was little agreement concerning other factors which influence re-bleeding or outcome. There was a wide divergence of opinion concerning the need for surgical intervention in certain hypothetical clinical situations. Despite the difficulties involved, we believe that controlled trials are necessary to improve the management of bleeding patients.
Abstract 11301: AdipoRon, the First Orally Active Adiponectin Receptor Activator, Attenuates Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by AMPK-Mediated Autophagy and AMPK-Independent Anti-Apoptosis
Authors: Yaying Wang, Rui Li, Wayne Bond Lau, Gaizhen Liu, Yuexing Yuan, Theodore Christopher, Bernard Lopez, Erhe Gao, Walter Koch, Xin Ma
Journal: Circulation (2014)

Adiponectin (APN) is a cardioprotective molecule. Its reduction in diabetes exacerbates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury. Although APN administration in animals attenuates MI/R injury, multiple factors limit its clinical application. The current study investigated whether AdipoRon, the first orally active molecule binding APN receptors, may protect against cardiac MI/R injury, and if so, to delineate the mechanisms involved. Wild type (WT) or gene manipulated mice were treated with vehicle or AdipoRon (50 mg/kg, 10 min prior to MI) and subjected to MI/R (30 min/3-24 hours). Orally administered AdipoRon in WT mice significantly reduced infarct size and improved cardiac function (P
Sensitivity and specificity of neck circumference in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
Authors: Carmen Ardelean, Diana Dimitriu, Stefan Frent, Iosif Marincu, Daniel Lighezan, Stefan Mihaicuta
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Objectives: A cross-sectional review to assess the ability of the neck circumference(NC) to predict obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome(OSAS) in a population group from Timisoara, Romania.  Methods: 836 consecutive adult male patients referred to a sleep lab were polysomnographic evaluated for OSAS between 2005-2013. NC was recorded. With the area under curve(AUC) derived from the receiver-operating characteristic(ROC) curve we assessed the classification ability of NC for the diagnostic of OSAS. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predicted value(PPV), negative predicted value(NPV), positive likelihood ratio(LR+) and negative likelihood ratio(LR-) were calculated for different cut-off points.  Results: Age=19-83years; NC=30-62cm. 778(93.1%) patients with OSAS, with apnoea-hypopnea index(AHI)> 5/hour. median AHI=38.75/h.Correlation was found between NC and AHI (ρ=0.35, p 41 is 1.68 times more likely to have OSAS  .  Conclusion: NC measurement is easy to obtain with no additional costs. NC is a reliable measurement in patients suspected to have OSAS on a population referred to a sleep lab. Patients with NC of more than 41 cm should have a priority for the overnight sleep study.
Tissue Catalase Activity in Several C57BL Substrains and in Other Strains of Inbred Mice
Authors: Miloslav Rechcigl, W. E. Heston
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1963)

A number of inbred strains of mice and several substrains of C57BL, including mice of both sexes, were surveyed for their liver and kidney catalase activity. Strains C3H/He, C3Hf/He, YBR/He, and BALB/cDe possessed nearly the same level of liver catalase activity. Most of the substrains of C57BL, including C57BL/6J, C57BL/10J, C57BL/6JN, C57BL/10-H-2dN, C57BL/10ScN, and C57BL/Sp, and the related strains C57L/He, C57BR/cdLw, and C58/Lw, exhibited only approximately half the liver catalase activity of the other strains. Two C57BL substrains, C57BL/He and C57BL/An, however, had relatively high liver catalase activity, the level of which was comparable to the catalase activity of other mouse strains. Kidney catalase activity, on the other hand, was approximately the same in all C57BL substrains and somewhat higher in the other strains. Males, in general, had greater levels of liver and kidney catalase activity than females. The sex difference was absent, however, in the liver but present in the kidney in the C57BL substrains with low levels of liver catalase activity. The possibilities that the low level of liver catalase activity in most of the C57BL substrains and the related strains represents a mutation present in the stock from which these strains were derived and that the high level in the C57BL/An and C57BL/He substrains represents a reverse mutation are discussed.
Half of US cardiovascular deaths are due to modifiable risk factors, study finds
Authors: Michael McCarthy
Journal: BMJ (2015)

If the five commonest modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease—high cholesterol concentrations, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and smoking—were eliminated in the United States, deaths from cardiovascular disease would be halved, a new study in the Annals of Internal Medicine has found.1 Cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and stroke are the leading cause of death in the US, accounting for more than 780 000 deaths in 2010.

In the cross sectional and cohort study, Shivani Patel, a postdoctoral fellow at Hubert Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and colleagues estimated what fraction of cardiovascular deaths would be prevented in 2009 to …