tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Computed tomography findings of pulmonary nocardiosis at diagnosis
Authors: Fatma Sema Oymak, Afra Yildirim, Orhan Yildiz, Duygu Percin, Emine Doganay, Nuri Tutar, Ismail Kocyigit, Asiye Kanbay, Hakan Buyukoglan, Hayati Demiraslan, Inci Gulmez, Ramazan Demir
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Computerized tomography (CT) plays an important role in the diagnosis of pulmonary nocardiosis (PN), allowing earlier detection and better characterization of the abnormalities than does chest radiography. The aim of the present study was to review reported radiographic clues to the diagnosis of PN at the time of initial presentation. A computerized database search was performed to find all cases of PN, confirmed positive culture, in patients at our institution over the last 11 years. Twenty six patients (n=26) with PN were identified. Patients without CT scan available at initial presentation (n=2) and patients with concurrent diseases involving the lungs and pleura were excluded (n=2). For the remaining 22 patients [median age: 46 years (range, 21 to72 y)], standardized radiographic features were recorded. Some form of immunosuppression was present in 95 % of the cases. Preexisting structural abnormalities of the lung were uncommon (COPD : 2). CT features of PN included one or more nodules/ masses (16 patients, 73%), airspace consolidation / infiltrates (12 patients, 55 %), pleural effusion/ thickening (9 patients, 41%), mediastinal lymphadenopathy (6 patients, 27%), diffuse interstitial pattern (4 patients, 18%), chest wall extension (2 patients, 9%). Cavitary lesions with /without internal low attenuation including nodules, masses, or airspace disease, occurred in 64 % of the patients. CT findings of PN in immunocompromised patients are pleomorphic and not specific. CT findings consist predominantly of nodules/ masses and cavitary lesions without any significant zonal or anatomic distribution. Diffuse interstitial patterns also occur. Pleural effusions are quite common, and lymph nodes may be enlarged.
Role of Toll‐like Receptors 2 and 4 in Mediating Endothelial Dysfunction and Arterial Remodeling in Primary Arterial Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Authors: Ygal Benhamou, Jeremy Bellien, Guillaume Armengol, Ebba Brakenhielm, Sahil Adriouch, Michele Iacob, Isabelle Remy‐Jouet, Véronique Le Cam‐Duchez, Christelle Monteil, Sylvanie Renet, Fabienne Jouen, Laurent Drouot, Jean‐François Menard, Jeanne‐Yvonne Borg, Christian Thuillez, Olivier Boyer, Hervé Levesque, Vincent Richard, Robinson Joannidès
Journal: Arthritis & Rheumatology (2014)

To assess the role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in antiphospholipid antibody (aPL)-mediated vascular abnormalities in patients with primary arterial antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).Forty-eight subjects participated in the study. Arterial function and structure and TLR pathway activation were determined in patients with primary arterial APS and matched controls. The pathogenic effects of aPL isolated from patients were assessed in wild-type (WT) and TLR-knockout mice.APS patients had endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffening, and hypertrophy, as evidenced by decreased brachial artery endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and increased aortic pulse wave velocity and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), as compared with controls. Plasma samples from APS patients revealed decreased nitric oxide (NO) availability and a pro-oxidative, proinflammatory, and prothrombotic state illustrated by a decrease in nitrite and an increase in lipid peroxidation, tumor necrosis factor α levels, and tissue factor (TF) levels. Furthermore, TLR pathway activation was found in APS patients with increased TLR-2 and TLR-4 messenger RNA expression and increased protein levels of the activated TLR transduction protein interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Moreover, agonist-stimulated cell-surface expression of TLR-2 and TLR-4 in circulating monocytes was higher in APS patients than in controls. These changes were positively associated with IMT and negatively associated with FMD. Finally, aPL injection decreased mesenteric endothelium-dependent relaxation and increased TF expression in WT mice but not in TLR-2- or TLR-4-knockout mice.This translational study supports the notion that TLR-2 and TLR-4 play a role in mediating vascular abnormalities in patients with primary arterial APS. TLRs thus constitute a promising pharmacologic target for preventing cardiovascular complications in APS.
Psychosocial morbidity but not clinical control is associated with dysfunctional breathing in moderate and severe asthmatics
Authors: Milene Saccomani, Karen Evaristo, Denise de Moraes Paisani, Regina Carvalho-Pinto, Renata Nakata Teixeira, Rafael Stelmach, Milton A. Martins, Celso R.F. Carvalho
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background : Asthmatics have a dysfunctional breathing and are more prone to have high levels of anxiety and depression that are associated with worsening in the clinical control. However, the associations among these outcomes remains unknown.  Objective:  To investigate the association among dysfunctional breathing, psychosocial morbidity and clinical control in asthmatic patients.  Methods:  Fifty-one adults with moderate and severe asthma were enrolled and the anxiety levels were evaluated by Hospital anxiety and depression questionnaire (HAD), the clinical control by the asthma control questionnaire (ACQ) and the dysfunctional breathing by changes in chest wall volume and its compartments using the optoelectronic plethysmography. Patients were classified according the presence of anxiety and/or clinical control and the comparison was tested using Student t-test with the significance level set at 5%.  Results:  31patients presented symptoms of anxiety (AG, 46±12yrs, BMI=28±5kg/m 2 ) and 20 did not present (NAG, 49±10yrs, BMI=28±4kg/m 2 ). No difference in the clinical control was observed between AG and NAG patients (ACQ, 1.9 (0.6-4.6) vs. 2.1 (0.5-3.8) 95CI%; p>0.05); however, AG patients presented a reduced tidal volume in the chest wall and a shorter inspiratory time (respectively, 358±274 vs. 414±379mL and 1.2±0.3 vs. 1.5±0.5 sec; p Conclusion:  Dysfunctional breathing is associated with symptoms of anxiety but not with clinical control in patients with moderate and severe asthma.
Dicer Cleavage by Calpain Determines Platelet microRNA Levels and Function in Diabetes
Authors: Amro Elgheznawy, Lei Shi, Jiong Hu, Ilka Wittig, Hebatullah Laban, Joachim Pircher, Alexander Mann, Patrick Provost, Voahanginirina Randriamboavonjy, Ingrid Fleming
Journal: Circulation Research (2015)

Rationale: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNA species generated by the processing of longer precursors by the ribonucleases Drosha and Dicer. Platelets contain large amounts of miRNA that are altered by disease, in particular diabetes mellitus. Objective: This study determined why platelet miRNA levels are attenuated in diabetic individuals and how decreased levels of the platelet-enriched miRNA, miR-223, affect platelet function. Methods and Results: Dicer levels were altered in platelets from diabetic mice and patients, a change that could be attributed to the cleavage of the enzyme by calpain, resulting in loss of function. Diabetes mellitus in human subjects as well as in mice resulted in decreased levels of platelet miR-142, miR-143, miR-155, and miR-223. Focusing on only 1 of these miRNAs, miR-223 deletion in mice resulted in modestly enhanced platelet aggregation, the formation of large thrombi and delayed clot retraction compared with wild-type littermates. A similar dysregulation was detected in platelets from diabetic patients. Proteomic analysis of platelets from miR-223 knockout mice revealed increased levels of several proteins, including kindlin-3 and coagulation factor XIII-A. Whereas, kindlin-3 was indirectly regulated by miR-223, factor XIII was a direct target and both proteins were also altered in diabetic platelets. Treating diabetic mice with a calpain inhibitor prevented loss of platelet dicer as well as the diabetes mellitus–induced decrease in platelet miRNA levels and the upregulation of miR-223 target proteins. Conclusions: Thus, calpain inhibition may be one means of normalizing platelet miRNA processing as well as platelet function in diabetes mellitus.
Effects of N-acetylcysteine in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in the rat: Treatment after acute lung injury
Authors: Jae Sung Choi, Ho Sung Lee, Ki Hyun Seo, Ju Ock Na, Yong Hoon Kim
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Introduction:  As it has been known that N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) which is a free radical scavenger and antioxidant reduces acute lung injury of rats stimulated by endotoxin, studies on NAC are being executed recently as a way of treatments of lung injuries. This study was to elucidate effect of NAC in LPS-induced acute lung injury in rats.   Methods:  Six weeks old SD rats were divided into 4 groups (group 1: saline, 2: NAC, group 3: LPS, group 4: LPS+NAC). LPS was intravenously injected at the rate of 5mg/kg. NAC of 20mg/kg was injected into abdominal cavity 3, 6 and 12 hours after the injection of LPS. BAL fluids and lung tissues were obtained from individual rats. Using 100mg of lung tissues, the levels of NF-kB and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were measured.   Results:  Neutrophilic inflammations of the lung tissues and BAL fluids were the most severe in the LPS group. The amounts of NF-kB in the group 3 (0.32±0.23 ng/μl) showed statistically significant differences compared with the group 1 (0.16±0.12 ng/μl), 2 (0.16±0.12 ng/μl) (p   Conclusion:  N-Acetylcysteine has a protective effect to reduce acute lung injury stimulated by endotoxin and it is considered that the mechanism appears in relation to neutrophils that are mainly involved in lung injuries.
The melanoma epidemic
Authors: R. M Mackie, R. Marks, A. Green
Journal: BMJ (1996)

negative for H pylori admitted to flare ups of pain.2The fact that such symptoms probably resulted from coexistent reflux or functional bowel disease rather than recurrence of ulcer is not important in this context.Deferring retesting of patients' H pylori status until symptomatic relapse has a superficial economic appeal, as the urea breath test is relatively expensive.The savings made through not retesting patients who remain asymptomatic will, however, be partly offset by the extra costs of treating patients who suffer a relapse.Even simple relapse will incur added costs (drugs, consultations, loss of work) before repeat testing is arranged, and the costs of just one complication would finance many breath tests.In a 12 month follow up study, among 66 patients with ulcer who remained positive for H pylori after eradication treatment two bled from an ulcer and two were admitted to hospital with abdominal pain.3Excluding patients with a history of complicated ulcer and advising patients to reconsult if symptoms recur will not remove the possibility of patients presenting with severe symptoms or complications.Sonnenberg and Townsend esti- mated the costs of treating duodenal ulcer with alternative management strategies, including treatment to eradicate H pylori both with and without subsequent testing for H pylori.4 When use of a post-treatment test costing up to $400 was assumed, routine verification of eradication seemed less expensive than awaiting symptomatic recurrence and resulted in patients spend- ing less time with active ulceration.Evidence is accumulating to support a change from Schwartz's dictum of "no acid, no ulcer" to "no Hpylori, no ulcer."But what about "no pain, no H pylori"? We urge caution in the implemen- tation of a symptom based assessment of Hpylori status after treatment, doubting both its reliabil- ity and its cost effectiveness.It seems harsh to require some patients to suffer a recurrence of symptoms before establishing whether the treat- ment has been effective.The wider provision of H pylori testing services should be a priority; patients' wellbeing should not be risked for mar- ginal cost savings.
Ibandronate and pamidronate in patients with bone metastases from breast or lung cancer: A comparative study
Authors: K. Kritikos, P. Heras, A. Hatzopoulos, S. Karagiannis, D. Mitsibounas
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2005)

8283 Objective: To estimate the difference in the effectiveness of ibandronate and pamidronate in patients with bone metastases from breast or lung cancer. Patients and Methods: Groups Α (ibandronate) and Β (pamidronate) included 8 and 7 patients respectively with breast cancer and 5 patients each with lung cancer. Ibandronate and pamidronate were administered intravenously at doses of 6mg and 90mg respectively, every 4 weeks for 6 months. All patients had bone metastases confirmed by scans. To evaluate the levels of pain, motility and quality of life, the linear analog scale LASA was used, grading patients from 0–10. For pain, 0 was the lowest possible level, for motility and quality of life, 10 was the best grade. The effect of ibandronate and pamidronate on bone resorption indices was estimated on the basis of the calcium/creatinine ratio. Results: In group A, an impressive response was observed in pain alleviation (grades 0–1). Motility was significantly improved (grades 8–10) as well as the overall quality of life (grades 8–10). Compared with group B, the reduced use of analgesics and the reduction of bone resorption indices, reflected in the decrease of blood calcium levels, were statistically significant. In Group B, pain was graded as 3–4, motility as 6–8, and the overall quality of life as 6–9. Conclusions: Ibandronate appears to be superior to pamidronate in alleviating pain, improving motility and the overall quality of life, and reducing bone resorption indices in patients with bone metastases from breast or lung cancer. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Combined treatment of rapidly progressing neuroendocrine tumors by transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation of the liver and peptide-receptor radiotherapy is save and effective: Report of 30 consecutive patients.
Authors: D. Hoersch, V. Prasad, A. Petrovitch, R. P. Baum
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2010)

e14634 Background: Patients with rapidly progressing neuroendocrine tumors presenting with high tumor load and/or severe clinical syndromes are clinically challenging with limited life expectany. Peptide receptor radiotherapy (PRRT) and transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation (TACE) have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors. However, there are no reports that both therapies have been applied in combination. Methods: We treated thirty consecutive patients (19 male and 11 female, mean age 55.2) years with rapidly progressing neuroendorine tumors with high tumor load or severe functional syndromes by sequential PRRT and TACE. The treatment was well tolerated by all patients except for one patient suffering from hepatic encephalopathy grade 3 for 12 hours after TACE. One patient showed hepatic failure attributed to progression. 28 of 30 patients could be discharged. Severe functional syndromes were present in 9 patients Sequential TACE and PRRT was performed in 29 patients. One patient intended to treat sequentially died after the first cycle of TACE due to progression and ectopic Cushing's syndrome. A mean of 2.8 cycles (1-10) of TACE was performed and a mean of 4.03 cycles of PRRT (1-7) with 90-Yttrium or 177- Lutetium. Results: In 7/9 patients functional syndromes could be controlled. Two of the nine patients died due to functional syndromes and progression. Response to combined treatment was evaluated after the last treatment, either TACE or PRRT. Stable disease was noted in 16/30 with a mean of 7 months, partial remission in 2/30 patients with a mean of 5 months (4-6) and progressive disease in 12/30 patients after a mean of 2.7 months (0.5-6). Nine deaths occurred, all in the progressive disease group. Conclusions: Initial experience with combined treatment of PRRT and TACE is safe and effective in controlling severe functional syndromes. A subgroup of patients responds with stable disease of partial remission although prognosis remains poor for most of the patients. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Dietary Intervention Prevents Dyslipidemia Associated With Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1–Infected Individuals
Authors: Rosmeri K. Lazzaretti, Regina Kuhmmer, Eduardo Sprinz, Carísi A. Polanczyk, Jorge P. Ribeiro
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2012)
Characteristics of Variants of Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) Isolated From Mouse RSV Tumors
Authors: I. N. Kryukova, I. B. Obukh, F. Tot
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1970)

Several variants of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) were isolated from mouse tumors induced by the injection of adult mice with nontransformed syngeneic mouse-embryo tissue cultures, which had been exposed to Carr-Zilber (C-Z) strain of RSV. The “mouse” variants of RSV differed from the original C-Z strain by high oncogenicity in adult mice and less ability to produce foci of transformation (pocks) on the chorioallantoic membranes (CAM) of chick embryos. The coat antigen of one mouse variant differed from that of the original strain. The other mouse variants were identical to C-Z strain in this respect. All the examined variants of RSV produced pocks of different shapes on the CAM; the virus isolated from several different morphologic types of pocks proved highly oncogenic in adult mice. Moreover, the original C-Z strain, as well as the Schmidt-Ruppin strain of RSV nononcogenic in intact adult mice, acquired oncogenic activity in adult mice after passages through the CAM of chick embryos.
Prevalence of Tuberculosis Infection in the United States Population
Authors: Diane E. Bennett, Jeanne M. Courval, Ida Onorato, Tracy Agerton, Judy D. Gibson, Lauren Lambert, Geraldine M. McQuillan, Brenda Lewis, Thomas R. Navin, Kenneth G. Castro
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2007)

The goal for tuberculosis (TB) elimination in the United States is a TB disease incidence of less than 1 per million U.S. population by 2010, which requires that the latent TB infection (LTBI) prevalence be less than 1% and decreasing.To estimate the prevalence of LTBI in the U.S. population.Interviews and medical examinations, including tuberculin skin testing (TST), of 7,386 individuals were conducted in 1999-2000 as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally representative sample of the civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. population. LTBI was defined as a TST measurement of >/=10 mm. Associations of age, race/ethnicity, sex, poverty, and birthplace were assessed. Results among the 24- to 74-year-old subgroup were compared with NHANES 1971-1972 data.Estimated LTBI prevalence was 4.2%; an estimated 11,213,000 individuals had LTBI. Among 25- to 74-year-olds, prevalence decreased from 14.3% in 1971-1972 to 5.7% in 1999-2000. Higher prevalences were seen in the foreign born (18.7%), non-Hispanic blacks/African Americans (7.0%), Mexican Americans (9.4%), and individuals living in poverty (6.1%). A total of 63% of LTBI was among the foreign born. Among the U.S. born, after adjusting for confounding factors, LTBI was associated with non-Hispanic African-American race/ethnicity, Mexican American ethnicity, and poverty. A total of 25.5% of persons with LTBI had been previously diagnosed as having LTBI or TB, and only 13.2% had been prescribed treatment.In addition to basic TB control measures, elimination strategies should include targeted evaluation and treatment of individuals in high-prevalence groups, as well as enhanced support for global TB prevention and control.
Analysis of Organ-Specific Effects on Metastatic Tumor Formation by Studies In Vitro&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN1"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: E Horak, D L Darling, D Tarin
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1986)

After entry into the blood, cells from disseminating malignant tumors are rapidly distributed to many organs, but they only grow to form metastases in certain sites. Clinical and pathologic observations on tumor metastasis in humans and in animals have confirmed that the distribution of these secondary neoplasms is related to the site and type of the primary neoplasm. Numerous studies now indicate that success or failure in producing metastatic deposits is influenced by interaction between the tumor cells and the microenvironment of the organ in which they lodge. In the present investigation, the mechanisms by which the microenvironmental conditions of specific organs may influence tumor cell survival and behavior and hence metastasis distribution were investigated in vitro with the use of spontaneous mouse mammary carcinomas from C3H/Avy mice. Some organs (lung, ovary) promoted the survival and the attachment of the tumor cells to the substratum, while others (liver, thyroid gland) consistently diminished survival of the tumor cells in the flask. These effects were shown to be due to soluble substances diffusing out of the organs, the dose dependency of which was demonstrated. It is known that in vivo murine mammary tumors develop metastases mainly in the lungs and occasionally in the kidneys or ovaries (if inoculated via the aorta). The effects of these same organs on tumor cells in vitro were thus in good agreement with the in vivo observations. The findings are compatible with the hypothesis that normal organs can usually suppress the formation of tumor metastases and that tumors that succeed in establishing metastases have evolved means of escaping the inhibitory effects of organs in which the deposits are found.
Novel Selective Orally Bioavailable Small Molecule PAK4 Allosteric Modulators (PAMs) Display Anti-Tumor Activity in Vitro and in Vivo in Hematological Malignancies
Authors: William Senapedis, Ryan George, Dilara McCauley, Joel Ellis, Marsha Crochiere, Michael Savona, Sharon Shacham, Yosef Landesman, Erkan Baloglu
Journal: Blood (2014)
Leptin, adiponectin and ghrelin levels in female patients with asthma during stable and exacerbation periods
Authors: Agori Tsaroucha, Zoe Daniil, Foteini Malli, Panagiotis Georgoulias, Markos Minas, Konstantinos Kostikas, Alexandra Bargiota, Konstantinos I. Gourgoulianis
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Introduction: Adipose tissue-derived hormones may be involved in the relationship of obesity with asthma. No definite conclusions regarding the role of leptin and adiponectin with asthma are available. No studies have examined the role of ghrelin in asthma.

Methods: We assessed the concentrations of leptin, adiponectin and ghrelin in 32 post-menopausal stable asthma patients (mean age±SD:57.5±8.9years), 37 female asthmatics during exacerbations(51.24±14.50years) and 8 weeks later, and 22 controls (57.6±10.8years). We examined the relationship between the three peptides and indexes of airway inflammation and atopy.

Results: Stable asthma patients exhibited higher leptin and lower ghrelin concentrations compared to controls (24.8±14.8vs11.2(5.7-21.7),p=0.04 and 470.1(353.0-578.6)vs739.0(614.6-955.5),p<0.001, respectively). Patients with severe asthma had higher leptin and lower adiponectin levels vs patients with mild to moderate asthma(31.1±15.5vs19.2±12.1, p=0.021 and 6.7(4.6-12.9)vs16.6±9.3, p=0.017, respectively). Increased BMI was associated with increased asthma severity, however when adjusted for leptin levels this association did not persist. During asthma exacerbations serum leptin levels and leptin/adiponectin ratio were elevated and adiponectin and ghrelin levels were decreased compared to stable state (19.8(15.2-29.1)vs9.8 (6.1-16.2), p<0.001 and 2.6(1.9-4.6)vs0.6(0.4-1.1), p<0.001, and 7.9±3.2vs15.0±7.0,p<0.001, 662.6±227.5vs884.0(660.4-1018), p<0.001, respectively).

Conclusion: Our data suggest that leptin, adiponectin and ghrelin may play a significant role to the pathogenesis of asthma during stable state and asthma exacerbatio independently of obesity.