tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Body mass and gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms Reply
Authors: R N MARIC
Journal: Gut (2001)

Editor,—In a recent article, Lagergren et al (

 Gut 2000;47:26–9



) reported no relation between body mass and gastro-oesophageal reflux in a Swedish population and concluded that reflux symptoms occur independently of body mass index. As the authors point out, the evidence on this subject is conflicting. A large recent US cross sectional study1 reported a strong positive association between body mass index and the prevalence of reflux symptoms (table 1). One possible explanation for the difference between the two studies is the younger age distribution of the US cohort. The prevalence of overweight has increased dramatically throughout Europe and North America in recent decades.2 As a consequence, the younger US cohort is likely to have accumulated more person years of overweight by any given age and the risk of reflux symptoms may be related to both the magnitude and years of overweight exposure. The authors also concluded, in the light of their findings, that weight reduction may not be justifiable as an antireflux therapy. Even if overweight is a poor predictor of reflux symptoms, this does not necessarily …
Abstract 1653: The Role of the Fibrinogen Alpha Chain in Controlling the Rate of Factor XIII Activation: Implications for Coronary Artery Thrombus Formation
Authors: Kerrie A Smith, Penelope J Adamson, Robert A Ariens, Helen Philippou, Peter J Grant
Journal: Circulation (2008)

Background: The development of an obstructive arterial thrombus is dependent on the generation of a platelet rich fibrin mesh secondary to plaque rupture. Fibrin itself is formed by the cleavage of fibrinogen by thrombin with subsequent fibrin cross-linking by activated Factor XIII. Critical to these processes, fibrinogen α-chain residues 242– 424 have a major regulatory role in the dissociation of coagulation Factor XIII A subunit (FXIIIA) from the Factor XIII B subunit (FXIIIB), however the mechanisms for this enhancing effect have not been determined. Methods: α-Chain residues 242– 424 were expressed as a GST-fusion protein in E .coli, along with six further truncations; αC fragments α242– 402, α242–387, α242–374, α242–341, α242–289 and α242–265. FXIII-A and an inactive double thrombin cleavage mutant (R37A/K513A) were also expressed as GST-fusion proteins in E . coli . Results: Using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and ELISA we can confirm the presence of at least two binding sites on the αC for activated FXIII-A within residues α388 – 424 and α242–265 with an overall KD of 4.9 ± 2.29 μM. This interaction was specific for activated FXIII-A, as the inactive FXIII-A double thrombin cleavage mutant did not bind to the αC as indicated by SPR and ELISA. We demonstrated that the binding of the αC is dependent on a conformational change which occurs during activation of FXIII-A with calcium and thrombin. FXIII-A activated with thrombin alone did not bind αC as determined by SPR and ELISA. Competition studies showed that the αC competitively inhibits binding with a K I of 1.2 μM confirming the specificity of this interaction. Iodoacetamide blocking of FXIII-A active site cysteine did not prevent binding of the αC suggesting this interaction is independent of FXIII-A cross-linking. Furthermore we have identified a novel interaction between FXIIIB and α-chain by ELISA. Utilising the αC fragments we have localised two binding regions between α290–341 and α242–265 with a K D of 123nM ± 11 and 286nM ± 24.7 respectively. Conclusions: The binding of both FXIII A- and B-subunits to this area of the fibrinogen α-chain suggests a crucial role in controlling the amount of activated FXIII generated for clot stabilisation and presents a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
Epidemiological and microbiological characteristics of reported cases with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in the Republic of Bulgaria for the period 2007-2009
Authors: Vladimir Milanov, Mariya Zamfirova, Tonka Varleva, Elizabeta Bachiyska, Antoniya Koleva, Angelina Yaneva
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

A retrospective study of all patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) registered and reported in Bulgaria during the period 2007-2009 was performed.

Aim: To make epidemiological and microbiological characteristics of all cases with culture confirmed MDR-TB recorded and reported in the country during the above-mentioned period.

Materials and methods: Case-based data for all TB patients recorded and reported by the regional TB health facilities for the period 2007-2009, data sent by the microbiological laboratories for TB diagnosis, and TB registries of the NRL-TB at the NCIPD were examined.

Results: According to the case-based data, a total of 149 MDR-TB patients (age range 18-87) were recorded and reported during the period 2007-2009, representing 5.3% of all tested with DST. Out of all MDR-TB cases, 107 (72%) were male. Fifty-six patients (38%) were new, and 93 cases (62%) were previously treated. Out of all registered MDR-TB patients, 88.6% were confirmed by the NRL-TB.

Conclusion: The case-based registries provide exact clinical, microbiological and epidemiological information, avoiding case duplication during the reporting period. The frequency of MDR-TB among previously treated TB cases is higher, mainly among the relapses and the defaulters after previous treatment. Active investigation among the contacts of MDR-TB cases and among targeted groups of TB patients (defaulters, failure of treatment, chronic cases), and confirmation of the resistance by the NRL-TB is needed, in order to provide timely and appropriate treatment of all confirmed MDR-TB cases.
Safety and Efficacy of Liraglutide in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and End-Stage Renal Disease: An Investigator-Initiated, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group, Randomized Trial
Authors: Thomas Idorn, Filip K. Knop, Morten B. Jørgensen, Tonny Jensen, Marsela Resuli, Pernille M. Hansen, Karl B. Christensen, Jens J. Holst, Mads Hornum, Bo Feldt-Rasmussen
Journal: Diabetes Care (2015)

To evaluate parameters related to safety and efficacy of liraglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes and dialysis-dependent end-stage renal disease (ESRD).Twenty-four patients with type 2 diabetes and ESRD and 23 control subjects with type 2 diabetes and normal kidney function were randomly allocated to 12 weeks of double-blind liraglutide (titrated to a maximum dose of 1.8 mg) or placebo treatment (1:1) injected subcutaneously once daily as add on to ongoing antidiabetic treatment. Dose-corrected plasma trough liraglutide concentration was evaluated at the final trial visit as the primary outcome measure using a linear mixed model.Twenty patients with ESRD (1:1 for liraglutide vs. placebo) and 20 control subjects (1:1) completed the study period. Dose-corrected plasma trough liraglutide concentration at the final visit was increased by 49% (95% CI 6-109, P = 0.02) in the group with ESRD compared with the control group. Initial and temporary nausea and vomiting occurred more frequently among liraglutide-treated patients with ESRD compared with control subjects (P < 0.04). Glycemic control tended to improve during the study period in both liraglutide-treated groups as assessed by daily blood glucose measurements (P < 0.01), and dose of baseline insulin was reduced in parallel (P < 0.04). Body weight was reduced in both liraglutide-treated groups (-2.4 ± 0.8 kg [mean ± SE] in the group with ESRD, P = 0.22; -2.9 ± 1.0 kg in the control group, P = 0.03).Plasma liraglutide concentrations increased during treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes and ESRD, who experienced more gastrointestinal side effects. Reduced treatment doses and prolonged titration period may be advisable.
Must "second victims" always be in the wrong?
Authors: C. V. Thompson, N. Suggett, J. Fellows
Journal: BMJ (2015)

The relation between net fund flows and performance is examined around the two most recent U.S. economic recessions for U.S. equity funds. Post-recessionary period net fund flows are positively (negatively) correlated with absolute (peer-relative) performance for the early 2000s recession, and with absolute and peer-relative performance for the Great Recession (the most recent one) according to nonparametric measures. Empirical copulas in the extreme left tails indicate a positive dependence for the early 2000s recession, and independence for the Great Recession between performance and net fund flows. <b>TOPICS:</b>Mutual funds/passive investing/indexing, security analysis and valuation, financial crises and financial market history, performance measurement
Detection of muscle wasting in patients with chronic heart failure using<i>C</i>-terminal agrin fragment: results from the Studies Investigating Co-morbidities Aggravating Heart Failure (SICA-HF)
Authors: Lisa Steinbeck, Nicole Ebner, Miroslava Valentova, Tarek Bekfani, Sebastian Elsner, Pius Dahinden, Stefan Hettwer, Nadja Scherbakov, Jörg C. Schefold, Anja Sandek, Jochen Springer, Wolfram Doehner, Stefan D. Anker, Stephan von Haehling
Journal: European Journal of Heart Failure (2015)
Tidal breath analysis for infant pulmonary function testing
Authors: J.H.T. Bates, G. Schmalisch, D Filbrun, J Stocks, None on behalf of theErs/ats Task Force on Standards for Infant Respiratory Function Testing
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2000)

The aim of this position paper is to provide recommendations pertaining to software and equipment requirements when analysing tidal breathing measurements in infants. These guidelines cover numerous aspects including terminology and definitions, equipment, data acquisition and analysis, and reporting of results, and highlight areas in which further research is needed before consensus can be reached. When collecting tidal breathing data in infants and children, equipment dead space and resistance must be minimized, all sources of leak eliminated, and a flowmeter with appropriate frequency response and linearity employed. Inspired gases should be corrected to body temperature, barometric pressure and saturated with water vapour conditions and efforts made to eliminate the various sources of drift in volume that can occur. In addition, the analogue-to-digital converter used to sample data must be capable of adequately resolving the highest and lowest flows required by the study. An adequate sampling rate must be used; 50-100 Hz may be sufficient for the determination of timing and volume parameters, especially in older infants, but rates of 200 Hz are recommended for analysis of the tidal breathing flow/volume loop and other sensitive parameters such as time to peak tidal expiratory flow/expiratory time. The potentially most troublesome aspect of tidal breath analysis from the computational point of view is the identification of the beginning and end of inspiration and expiration. Once methods and equipment for the measurement and analysis of tidal breathing in infants have been standardized, there is an urgent need to establish appropriate reference ranges for various key parameters so that they may be used more effectively in the clinical setting. Implementation of these recommendations should help to ensure that such measurements are as accurate as possible and that more meaningful comparisons can be made between data collected in different centres or with different equipment.
Is there a difference in response to first line chemotherapy related to age in patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small lung cancer?
Authors: Sonja Badovinac, Marta Korsic, Davorka Capalija, Branka Cucevic, Ladislav Pavlovic, Mihovil Roglic
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Aim:  Elderly population has higher incidence of non-small cell lung cancer and until recently was not treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. In this retrospective study we analyzed is there a difference in response rate to frontline chemotherapy related to patients’ age.  Methods:  In this retrospective study we analyzed medical data of a group of 186 patients with stage IIIB and IV non-small cell lung cancer who were eligible for chemotherapy depending on their ECOG performance status, hepatic and renal function. Patients were divided in 4 groups depending on age: group 1 was for patients younger then 60 years, group 2 for 61- to 65-year-old, group 3 was for 66- to 70-year-old and group 4 was for patients older then 71 years. Patients in all groups received platinum based doublet chemotherapy as frontline treatment. Radiological assessment was made after every two cycles of the therapy and response was defined as complete response, partial response, stable disease or disease progression.  Results: There were 64 patients in group 1, 34 patients in group 2, 31 in group 3 and 57 in group 4. At radiological evaluation after frontline therapy disease control (complete response, partial response or stable disease) was achieved in 57,8%, 67,6%, 61,3% and 64,9% respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in response to first line chemotherapy regarding age of patients (P=0,767).  Conclusion: there is no difference in disease control rate to the first line chemotherapy related to age of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small lung cancer.
CB-10 * INTRAOPERATIVE FLOW CYTOMETRY ANALYSIS OF GLIOMA TISSUE FOR RAPID DETERMINATION OF TUMOR PRESENCE AND ITS HISTOPATHOLOGICAL GRADE
Authors: S. Koriyama, N. Masayuki, Y. Muragaki, T. Maruyama, M. Tamura, S. Ikuta, N. Takeda, T. Komori, T. Shioyama, T. Taira, H. Iseki, Y. Okada
Journal: Neuro-Oncology (2014)

OBJECTIVE: Intraoperative histopathological investigation plays an important role during surgery for gliomas. To facilitate the rapid characterization of resected tissue, an original technique of intraoperative flow cytometry (iFC) was established. The objective in this study was evaluation of this technique's efficacy for rapidly determining tumor presence in the surgical biopsy sample and WHO histopathological grade of the neoplasm. METHODS: In total, 328 separate biopsy specimens obtained during the resection of 81 intracranial gliomas were analyzed with iFC. The evaluated malignancy index (MI) was defined as the ratio of the number of cells with greater than normal DNA content to the total number of cells. The duration of iFC in all cases was approximately 10 minutes. Each sample was additionally investigated histopathologically on frozen and permanent formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections. The latter process was used as a "gold standard" control for evaluation of the diagnostic efficacy of iFC analysis. RESULTS: The MI differed significantly between neoplastic and perilesional brain tissue (25.3% ± 22.0% vs 4.6% ± 2.6%, p < 0.01). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed a corresponding area under the curve value of 0.941. The optimal cutoff level of the MI for identification of tumor in the biopsy specimen was 6.8%, which provided 0.88 sensitivity, 0.88 specificity, 0.97 positive predictive value, 0.60 negative predictive value, and 0.88 diagnostic accuracy. Additionally, the MI showed a significant association with WHO histopathological grades of glioma (p < 0.01), but its values in Grade II, III, and IV tumors overlapped prominently and were on average 13.3% ± 11.0%, 35.0% ± 21.8%, and 46.6% ± 23.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study demonstrate that iFC with the determination of the MI may be feasible for rapidly determining glioma presence in a surgical biopsy sample.
Non-invasive Stimulation of the P6 (Neiguan) Antiemetic Acupuncture Point in Cancer Chemotherapy
Authors: J W Dundee, J Yang, C McMillan
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1991)

The beneficial effects of transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the P6 antiemetic point (Neiguan) as an adjuvant to standard antiemetics was studied in over 100 patients in whom chemotherapy-induced sickness was not adequately controlled by antiemetics alone. Although the results were not quite as good as with invasive acupuncture, more than 75% patients achieved considerable benefit from what was a nontoxic procedure. The use of large diffuse low impedence electrodes simplifies the technique. The 2 hourly application of Sea Bands prolongs the antiemetic action. Best results were obtained from the 2 hourly self-administration of 5 min of transcutaneous electrical stimulation of P6 using a simple battery-operated TENS machine (15 Hz) to activate a large, easy-to-place surface electrode and increasing current until Qi is elicited.
Isolation and Characterization of Clonal Cell Lines From a Transplantable Metastasizing Rat Mammary Tumor, TR2CL&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: J C Williams, B A Gusterson, P Monaghan, R C Coombes, P S Rudland
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1985)

The metastasizing rat mammary cell strain from the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (London Branch) which was originally developed from a benign rat mammary tumor induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (CAS: 684-93-5), yielded single-cell-cloned lines of isometric epithelial cells [rat mammary (Rama) 600-Rama 621] and one line of elongated cells (Rama 622); the former had a higher estrogen receptor content than the latter. All the representative epithelial cell lines tested (Rama 600, 603, and 617) failed to convert to elongated, myoepithelial-like cells or droplet cell/doming, alveolar-like cells in vitro. All representative cell lines tested induced tumors in syngeneic F344/N rats and CBA nu/nu mice, but only the epithelial lines metastasized to lungs and local lymph nodes in rats and to lungs in nude mice. The involved lungs and lymph nodes contained mainly intravascular thrombi and deposits in the subcapsular sinus, respectively. Tumors and metastases from the representative epithelial cell lines contained acinar and glandular structures together with an elongated cellular component. The Rama 622 tumors contained mainly spindle cells. Antisera to rat milk fat globule membranes and human keratins stained some of the epithelial and elongated cells in the Rama 600 tumors; less staining was observed in the Rama 622 tumors. None of the tumor cells stained with antiserum to myosin. Anti-laminin serum delineated a fragmented basement membrane in glandular elements and stained weakly the cytoplasm of the more elongated tumor cells. Ultrastructural analysis confirmed the identity of epithelial cells in the Rama 600 tumors, but no well-differentiated myoepithelial cells were seen in either type of tumor. Since nonmetastasizing epithelial cells isolated directly from carcinogen-induced benign rat mammary tumors can differentiate to myoepithelial-like cells in vitro or when growing as tumors in animals, it is suggested that the development of the malignant phenotype is associated with a loss of this differentiating ability.
Impact on quality of life and general health of three types of pulmonary rehabilitation: Endurance, resistance and combined training in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in Costa Rica
Authors: Ronald Chacon-Chaves, Henry Delgado
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

We compared the results of three modalities of training in 20 patients with moderate to severe COPD (grade III and IV) : endurance (aerobic) training, resistance (strength) training and combined (endurance +resistance) and compared them with a group of patients receiving regular COPD treatment without exercise intervention.  We evaluated dyspnea (Borg scale, daily life disability (Barthel scale), Quality of life (Q of L) St. George Questionnaire and mental condition (General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), in all the patients before and after the rehabilitation program of 12 weeks. Results are expressed as median ±SD  There was a significant improvement between the control group and the rehabilitation groups since the point of view of disability and mental condition. Quality of life as measured by the SG Questionnaire also improved but only reached statistical significance in the resistance group. Our results confirm the benefits of both types of training in patients with COPD.
Non-tuberculous infections in patients with TNF-alpha-antagonist treatment
Authors: Tulin Cagatay, Aysen Erer, Sinem Karaosman, Gülfer Okumus, Nuray Oktay, Bahar Ozcelik, Penbe Cagatay, Zeki Kilicaslan, Ziya Gulbaran
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Introduction: In recent years the use of TNF antagonist drugs for many diseases such as rheumatological diseases has increased. As a complication of these treatment infection tendencies mainly tuberculosis is increasing. The purpose of this study in patients receiving anti-TNF therapy is to assess the frequency of infection other than tuberculosis.  1220 patients receiving anti-TNF therapy have been referred to our clinic from rheumatology and other clinics. In 5 years of follow-up, 123 (%10) (79 women, 44 men) with non-tuberculous infections were detected.  50 (40.7%) of patients receiving anti-TNF therapy with nonspecific infections had rhemotoid arthritis, 42 (34.1%) of them had anklozan spondylitis, 31 (25.2%) of them had other diseases.In this non-tuberculous infections group 38.1% (n=45) of the patients were using infliximab, 16.9% (n=20) of them were using adalimubab and 45% (n=53) of them were using etanercept. The patients receiving anti-TNF drugs had upper respiratory tract infection in 63.4% (n=78), had pneumonia in 6.5% (n=8), had acute bronchitis in 2.4% (n=3). One case of eye infection, one chicken pox, one urinal tract infection, one tooth infection and one soft tissue infection were detected.In an asthmatic patient also frequent infective attacks were seen. Relapses were seen at nine patients who had upper respiratory tract infection. Focus of infection couldn9t be identified at twenty-nine patients 29 (23.6%).  In conclusion, infections at the patients receiving anti-TNF therapy were not serious and they were mostly upper respiratory tract infections. Our study indicates that non-tuberculous infections are not frequent despite the absence of control group for comparing.
Pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular impairment in patients with sarcoidosis
Authors: Nina Karoli, Andrey Rebrov
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

There is little date about frequency of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and right ventricular (RV) impairment in patients with sarcoidosis. In this work we examined the prevalence PH in these disorders using noninvasive cardiopulmonary evaluation.  33 patients (aged 50,64±2,84) with sarcoidosis have been studied. 8 pts was with R I stage and 26 with RII stage of sarcoidisis. Criteria of exception were the clinical displays heart disease, heavy arterial hypertension. Control group have made 14 normotensive volunteers (aged 47,57±1,86). All patients were studied using realtime, phased array, two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography. The pulmonary artery systolic pressure (SP) was calculated as the sum of the transtricuspid pressure gradient and the right atrial pressure.   Results:  PH (SP>35 mm Hg) is revealed at 18 patients (52.9%) and 10 pts (30.3%) had SP > 40 mm Hg. Doppler-estimated SP at the patients with sarcoidosis exceeded SP at the healthy persons (p  We noted a correlation between SP and MRS scale (r=0,52, p   Conclusion:  Pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular abnormalities is common in patients with sarcoidosis.