tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Decreased hydration state of the stratum corneum and reduced amino acid content of the skin surface in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis
Authors: None Tanaka, None Okada, None Zhen, None Inamura, None Kitano, None Shirai, None Sakamoto, None Inamura, None Tagami
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1998)

Recent studies of the stratum corneum (SC) in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) have disclosed various functional impairments even in clinically unaffected skin. However, it has not been clear whether the presence of atopic background itself has any influence on the function of the SC. In this study, we conducted functional studies of the SC in the mid-portion of the flexor surface of the forearm of 49 skin lesion-free patients with allergic rhinitis to Japanese cedar pollen (atopic respiratory disease; ARD) in early spring, their disease-active season, by comparing the findings obtained with those in 28 patients with AD and 57 age-matched healthy control subjects. The results showed that the patients with ARD had significantly lower skin surface hydration levels assessed by high-frequency conductometry than those of the healthy control subjects. These levels were, however, not as low as those noted in moderately or severely affected patients with AD. Moreover, by measuring the amounts of water-soluble amino acids contained in the superficial portions of the SC, we found that these are also decreased at a marginal level (P = 0.051) in patients with ARD compared with levels in healthy control subjects. In contrast, the water barrier function of the SC evaluated by measurements of transepidermal water loss in patients with ARD was not different from that of the healthy control subjects. These results suggest that, although their skin appears normal clinically, the SC of the patients with ARD has functional deficiency in water-holding capacity.
Prevalence of Childhood Exposure to Violence, Crime, and Abuse
Authors: David Finkelhor, Heather A. Turner, Anne Shattuck, Sherry L. Hamby
Journal: JAMA Pediatrics (2015)

It is important to estimate the burden of and trends for violence, crime, and abuse in the lives of children.To provide health care professionals, policy makers, and parents with current estimates of exposure to violence, crime, and abuse across childhood and at different developmental stages.The National Survey of Children's Exposure to Violence (NatSCEV) includes a representative sample of US telephone numbers from August 28, 2013, to April 30, 2014. Via telephone interviews, information was obtained on 4000 children 0 to 17 years old, with information about exposure to violence, crime, and abuse provided by youth 10 to 17 years old and by caregivers for children 0 to 9 years old.Exposure to violence, crime, and abuse using the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire.In total, 37.3% of youth experienced a physical assault in the study year, and 9.3% of youth experienced an assault-related injury. Two percent of girls experienced sexual assault or sexual abuse in the study year, while the rate was 4.6% for girls 14 to 17 years old. Overall, 15.2% of children and youth experienced maltreatment by a caregiver, including 5.0% who experienced physical abuse. In total, 5.8% witnessed an assault between parents. Only 2 significant rate changes could be detected compared with the last survey in 2011, namely, declines in past-year exposure to dating violence and lifetime exposure to household theft.Children and youth are exposed to violence, abuse, and crime in varied and extensive ways, which justifies continued monitoring and prevention efforts.
HiFive: a tool suite for easy and efficient HiC and 5C data analysis
Authors: Michael EG Sauria, Jennifer E. Phillips-Cremins, Victor G. Corces, James Taylor
Journal: Genome biology (2015)

The chromatin interaction assays 5C and HiC have advanced our understanding of genomic spatial organization, but analysis approaches for these data are limited by usability and flexibility. The HiFive tool suite provides efficient data handling and a variety of normalization approaches for easy, fast analysis and method comparison. Integration of MPI-based parallelization allows scalability and rapid processing time. In addition to single-command analysis of an entire experiment from mapped reads to interaction values, HiFive has been integrated into the open-source, web-based platform Galaxy to connect users with computational resources and a graphical interface. HiFive is open-source software available from http://taylorlab.org/software/hifive/ .
Investigation of the Viability, Adhesion, and Migration of Human Fibroblasts in a Hyaluronic Acid/Gelatin Microgel‐Reinforced Composite Hydrogel for Vocal Fold Tissue Regeneration
Authors: Hossein K. Heris, Jamal Daoud, Sara Sheibani, Hojatollah Vali, Maryam Tabrizian, Luc Mongeau
Journal: Advanced Healthcare Materials (2015)

The potential use of a novel scaffold biomaterial consisting of cross‐linked hyaluronic acid (HA)–gelatin (Ge) composite microgels is investigated for use in treating vocal fold injury and scarring. Cell adhesion integrins and kinematics of cell motion are investigated in 2D and 3D culture conditions, respectively. Human vocal fold fibroblast (hVFF) cells are seeded on HA–Ge microgels attached to a HA hydrogel thin film. The results show that hVFF cells establish effective adhesion to HA–Ge microgels through the ubiquitous expression of β 1 integrin in the cell membrane. The microgels are then encapsulated in a 3D HA hydrogel for the study of cell migration. The cells within the HA–Ge microgel‐reinforced composite hydrogel (MRCH) scaffold have an average motility speed of 0.24 ± 0.08 μm min −1 . The recorded microscopic images reveal features that are presumably associated with lobopodial and lamellipodial cell migration modes within the MRCH scaffold. Average cell speed during lobopodial migration is greater than that during lamellipodial migration. The cells move faster in the MRCH than in the HA–Ge gel without microgels. These findings support the hypothesis that HA–Ge MRCH promotes cell adhesion and migration; thereby they constitute a promising biomaterial for vocal fold repair.
Things have improved
Authors: P Stone, C Phillips, A Mabbott, P Langstone
Journal: BMJ (1994)

EDITOR, - Mina Mills and colleagues paint a grim picture of the quality of care of dying patients in Scottish teaching hospitals in 1983.1 They conclude by exhorting the medical profession to “implement practical steps to facilitate high quality care of the dying” and to transmit the knowledge and skills of the hospice movement into all settings. While we agree that these findings are still relevant to current clinical practice, we believe that the situation has improved …
Tissue engineered pre-vascularized buccal mucosa equivalents utilizing a primary triculture of epithelial cells, endothelial cells and fibroblasts
Authors: M. Heller, E.V. Frerick-Ochs, H.-K. Bauer, E. Schiegnitz, D. Flesch, J. Brieger, R. Stein, B. Al-Nawas, C. Brochhausen, J.W. Thüroff, R.E. Unger, W. Brenner
Journal: Biomaterials (2015)
A randomized attempt to increase the efficacy of cytotoxic chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer by hormonal synchronization.
Authors: M E Lippman, J Cassidy, M Wesley, R C Young
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1984)

Human breast cancer cells in tissue culture can be growth inhibited by tamoxifen, an inhibition that can be reversed by estrogen. The question of whether tamoxifen inhibition of breast cancer followed by estradiol reversal would increase the efficacy of chemotherapy was asked. One hundred ten patients were prospectively randomized to chemotherapy consisting of cytoxan (750 mg/m2) and Adriamycin (30 mg/m2) on day 1 plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (500 mg/m2) and methotrexate (MTX, 40 mg/m2) on day 8 versus the same chemotherapy plus tamoxifen (20 mg/m2) on days 2-6 and premarin (0.625 mg every 12 hours for three days) on day 7. Chemotherapy was given in 21-day cycles. The first 55 patients were randomized to a regimen in which 5-FU preceded MTX by 24 hours; thereafter, all patients received MTX followed in one hour by 5-FU. No difference in any response parameter was seen between these two 5-FU/MTX schedules. A limited number of patients with inflammatory breast cancer had a significantly higher response rate (93% versus 61%; p = 0.03) than patients with recurrent metastatic disease. Time to progression (13 versus 17 months) and survival (17 versus 23 months) of responders significantly favored the treatment arm including tamoxifen and premarin. Whereas an additive effect of hormones plus chemotherapy cannot be entirely excluded as the explanation for the improved results with the addition of tamoxifen for four days plus one day of premarin, results suggest that further efforts to increase the efficacy of chemotherapy by perturbing tumor growth rates may be worthwhile.
Cigarette smoke exposure directly induces increased ubiquination and impairs hypoxic-angiogenic signalling in skeletal muscles
Authors: Vladimir Basic, Hongwei Yao, Irfan Rahman, Allan Sirsjö, Samy M. Abdel-Halim
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Objectives:  Pulmonary cachexia syndrome (PCS) is a common occurrence in COPD patients and is directly correlated with increased rate of mortality in these patients. We have recently identified overexpression of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) mRNA and protein in skeletal muscles of COPD patients. This would exert a negative impact on muscle capillarization by impairing the signal transduction of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). It is unclear if VHL overexpression is a primary event induced by cigarette smoke (CS) or if it occurs secondary to development of COPD.   Methods:  129SvJWT  littermates mice were exposed to CS or air during 6 months. The gastrocnemius skeletal muscles were collected and analyzed for expression of the various components of the hypoxic-angiogenic signalling cascade including HIF-1, VHL and VEGF using quantitative RT-PCR and western blots.   Results:  Exposure of  129SvJWT  mice to cigarette smoke induced a significant overexpression of HIF-1 mRNA (p*=0.03 vs. controls). Likewise, significant VHL mRNA and protein overexpression were elicited (p***=0.00063 vs. controls). By contrast, VEGFa mRNA expression was not altered (p=0.88).   Conclusion:  The current results demonstrate VHL overexpression in skeletal muscles of normal mice exposed to CS. This is in analogy and further confirms our recent findings in skeletal muscles of COPD patients. Thus VHL overexpression appears to be an early primary event related to CS exposure rather than a secondary occurrence to development of the COPD pathology.
Development of virus-specific CD4+ T cells during primary cytomegalovirus infection
Authors: Rob J. Rentenaar, Laila E. Gamadia, Nicolette van derHoek, Frank N.J. van Diepen, René Boom, Jan F.L. Weel, Pauline M.E. Wertheim-van Dillen, René A.W. van Lier, Ineke J.M. ten Berge
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2000)

Although virus-specific CD4(+) T cells have been characterized extensively in latently infected individuals, it is unclear how these protective T-cell responses develop during primary virus infection in humans. Here, we analyzed the kinetics and characteristics of cytomegalovirus-specific (CMV-specific) CD4(+) T cells in the course of primary CMV infection in kidney transplant recipients. Our data reveal that, as the first sign of specific immunity, circulating CMV-specific CD4(+) T cells become detectable with a median of 7 days after first appearance of CMV-DNA in peripheral blood. These cells produce the T helper 1 type (Th1) cytokines IFNgamma and TNFalpha, but not the T helper 2 type (Th2) cytokine IL4. In primary CMV infection, the vast majority of these circulating virus-specific T cells have features of recently activated naive T cells in that they coexpress CD45RA and CD45R0 and appear to be in the cell cycle. In contrast, in people who have recovered from CMV infection earlier in life, virus-specific T cells do not cycle and express surface markers characteristic of memory T cells. After the initial rise, circulating virus-specific CD4(+) T cells decline rapidly. During this phase, a strong rise in IgM and IgG anti-CMV antibody titers occurs, concomitant with the reduction of CMV-DNA in the circulation.
Survival of patients with resistant Hodgkin's disease after polyclonal yttrium 90-labeled antiferritin treatment.
Authors: J M Herpst, J L Klein, P K Leichner, S M Quadri, H M Vriesendorp
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1995)

PURPOSE A follow-up study was initiated of patients with Hodgkin's disease who were treated with yttrium 90-labeled antiferritin. Prescription method, pharmacokinetics, acute and late side effects, and survival were evaluated. METHODS Patients had measurable disease and failed &gt; or = two multiagent chemotherapy regimens previously (N = 44). All patients received 5-mCi indium 111-labeled antiferritin 2 mg intravenously and were scanned repeatedly by gamma camera. In five patients, polyclonal antiferritin (rabbit, pig, or baboon) failed to target the tumor. Thirty-nine patients were injected intravenously with 10-, 20-, 30-, 40-, or 50-mCi yttrium 90-labeled antiferritin 2 to 5 mg. Patients received between one and five cycles. Some patients were supported with 5 x 10(7) autologous bone marrow cells per kilogram. RESULTS Yttrium 90-labeled polyclonal antiferritin does not produce immunologic, pharmacologic, or microbiologic complications in vivo. Bone marrow toxicity is the only side effect observed. Overall response rate is 20 of 39, or 51%. Two patients had stable disease. A significant positive correlation is found between blood radioactivity level 1 hour after radioimmunoconjugate administration and subsequent response of Hodgkin's disease. A dosage in millicuries per kilogram provides a higher positive correlation with blood radioactivity levels 1 hour after administration than a dosage in millicuries per square meter of body-surface area or in total millicuries. Fifty percent of patients survive for &gt; or = 6 months. CONCLUSION The low-dose protein used (2 to 5 mg) indicates that the high response rate is due to radiation and not to immunologic effects of the antibody. High-activity administrations followed by bone marrow transplantation are not required for tumor response. The therapeutic ratio of radiolabeled antiferritin is higher than the therapeutic ratio observed in most phase I studies of chemotherapeutic agents. This analysis does not identify a superior mode of treatment for patients with end-stage Hodgkin's disease. However, in a heavily pretreated patient population, prolonged survival is observed after relatively inexpensive treatment. Preclinical research with yttrium 90-labeled antiferritin indicates that significant increases in tumor dose can be obtained in the future without an increase in normal tissue toxicity.
Relationship between Protein Binding and Extravascular drug Concentrations of a Water-soluble Drug, Cytosine Arabinoside
Authors: A Johnston, E M Piall, P Turner, M L Slevin, R C Woollard, T A Lister
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1983)

The degree of binding of a drug to plasma proteins has a marked effect on its distribution, elimination, and pharmacological effect. Since only the unbound fraction is available for distribution into extravascular space, the ratio of drug in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or saliva to that in plasma is often regarded as a physiological measure of the free fraction of a drug. CSF: plasma and saliva: plasma ratios of cytosine arabinoside (araC) have been measured in patients with acute leukaemia and found to be 0.1-0.28, implying a binding of 72-90%. The protein binding of araC was measured by equilibrium dialysis in the plasma of patients with acute leukaemia at presentation. The mean binding ratio was 2.3 +/- 6.8, implying that there was little or no protein binding. There was no correlation between alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (AAG) levels and protein binding. The low CSF and saliva: plasma araC ratios found, suggest that drugs such as araC which have low lipid solubility do not pass freely into extravascular space. Thus the CSF or saliva: plasma ratio cannot be considered a good physiological measure of protein binding for drugs with poor lipid solubility.
Controversies in Management: Hormone replacement therapy for all? Universal prescription is desirable
Authors: P. Toozs-Hobson, L. Cardozo
Journal: BMJ (1996)

Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding * History of endometrial atypical hyperplasia or cancer * History of breast cancer?* Hypertriglyceridaemia * Gall stones * Specific disturbances of blood clotting-for example, protein C deficiency, possibly anti- thrombin III deficiency * Vague psychiatric disturbances, particularly unrecognised depression The most important contraindication to treatment is when the patient has nothing to gain.
The six-minute walking test accompanied by pulse oximetry and ventilation assessment in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Valeriy Bystrov, Tamila Martynyuk, Olga Arhipova, Pavel Galitsin, Irina Chazova
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

The aim:to evaluate exercise capacity, oxygen desaturation and minute ventilation(VE) during six-minute walking test (6MWT) in pts with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).  Methods:25pts with PAH(aged 41,3±13,5 yrs) included in study.18 pts had idiopathic PAH, 4 pts- PAH associated with systemic scleroderma, 3 pts- PAH associated with Eisenmenger syndrome. All pts had WHO functional class II-III, systolic pulmonary artery pressure 71,2±21,4 mmHg. 6MWT performed according to the requirements of American Thoracic Society(2002) with spirometer Spiropalm 6MWT(COSMED, Italy) with integrated pulse oximeter and ventilation measurement. Borg index was assessed in accordance with the 10-point scale. SpO2 estimated at baseline and during 6MWT by continuous pulse oximeter using finger to determine exercise induced desaturation. VE was continuously measured using portable system Flowmeter. The measurement SpO2, VE, respiratory frequency(RF), heart rate during 6MWT, distance walked were recorded and calculated.  Results:The mean distance 6MWT was 460,12±102,0m with Borg index=2,8±1,0. Results of measurement during 6MWT demonstrated in table.  Desaturation time SpO2 ≤88% was 4,6±1,7 min:sec.  Conclusions: Oxygen desaturation and VE assessment during the 6MWT may improve functional status evaluation in PAH pts. It is helpful to monitor changing degree of functional impairment, quantify perceive dyspnea, to study presence and extent of desaturation on tension.
Continuous Subcutaneous Infusion of Treprostinil, a Prostacyclin Analogue, in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: GERALD SIMONNEAU, ROBYN J. BARST, NAZZARENO GALIE, ROBERT NAEIJE, STUART RICH, ROBERT C. BOURGE, ANNE KEOGH, RONALD OUDIZ, ADAANI FROST, SHELMER D. BLACKBURN, JAMES W. CROW, LEWIS J. RUBIN
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2002)

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a life-threatening disease for which continuous intravenous prostacyclin has proven to be effective. However, this treatment requires a permanent central venous catheter with the associated risk of serious complications such as sepsis, thromboembolism, or syncope. Treprostinil, a stable prostacyclin analogue, can be administered by a continuous subcutaneous infusion, avoiding these risks. We conducted a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial in 470 patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, either primary or associated with connective tissue disease or congenital systemic-to-pulmonary shunts. Exercise capacity improved with treprostinil and was unchanged with placebo; the between treatment group difference in median six-minute walking distance was 16 m (p = 0.006). Improvement in exercise capacity was greater in the sicker patients and was dose-related, but independent of disease etiology. Concomitantly, treprostinil significantly improved indices of dyspnea, signs and symptoms of pulmonary hypertension, and hemodynamics. The most common side effect attributed to treprostinil was infusion site pain (85%) leading to premature discontinuation from the study in 8% of patients. Three patients in the treprostinil treatment group presented with an episode of gastrointestinal hemorrhage. We conclude that chronic subcutaneous infusion of treprostinil is an effective treatment with an acceptable safety profile in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Endoscopic drainage of walled-off pancreatic necrosis using a novel self-expanding metal stent
Authors: Matthew Huggett, Kofi Oppong, Stephen Pereira, Margaret Keane, Vikramjit Mitra, Richard Charnley, Manu Nayar
Journal: Endoscopy (2015)

<b>Background and study aims:</b> This report describes the use of a novel, fully covered, self-expanding metal stent (FCSEMS) for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage of walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WON). <b>Patients and methods:</b> Patients with WON, as defined by the revised Atlanta Criteria, were included in this open-lable, two-center, observational study. The WON was punctured using a cystotome, and the FCSEMS was inserted under fluoroscopic guidance. Necrosectomy procedures were performed as necessary. <b>Results:</b> A total of 19 patients were included. The median maximum collection size was 15 cm with a median of 50 % necrosis. A total of 14/19 patients underwent necrosectomy, requiring a median of 4 procedures. Resolution or reduction in the size of collection by at least 80 % was achieved in all patients. Percutaneous or surgical drainage was required in three patients. Five stents migrated or dislodged. One patient had abdominal pain post-procedure. Five patients died during follow-up (three from multi-organ failure, and two unrelated to pancreatitis). <b>Conclusions:</b> Use of this stent is feasible and safe for drainage of WON. However, stent displacement rates were high, and improvements to the stent design are required before it can be advocated for routine use in WON.