tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Detection of thyroglobulin, thyroid peroxidase, and RET/PTC1 mRNA transcripts in the peripheral blood of patients with thyroid disease.
Authors: G Tallini, R A Ghossein, J Emanuel, J Gill, B Kinder, A B Dimich, J Costa, R Robbins, G N Burrow, J Rosai
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1998)

PURPOSE Detection of mRNA transcripts for thyroglobulin (TG), thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and RET/PTC1 in the peripheral blood of patients with thyroid disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS TG, TPO, and RET/PTC1 mRNA were analyzed in 52 peripheral-blood samples from 44 patients diagnosed with thyroid carcinoma (24 patients), adenoma (five patients), and nodular hyperplasia (15 patients) by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS TG and TPO were identified in 13 patients (54.2%) with thyroid carcinoma, which includes five of eight patients with no clinical evidence of disease at the time of blood collection. Four of 5 patients had cervical lymph node metastases and/or extrathyroid extension at the time of the initial surgery. RET/PTC1 mRNA was detected in the peripheral blood of only one patient with papillary thyroid carcinoma. This sample was also positive for TG and TPO. TG and TPO were detected in two patients (10%) with benign thyroid nodules. All positive samples from patients with benign thyroid lesions were collected before surgery, whereas all samples collected after surgery were negative. RET/PTC1 mRNA was not detected in any of the patients with benign thyroid nodules. RT-PCR positivity for TG and TPO mRNA was higher in patients with carcinoma than in patients with benign lesions (P = .002). CONCLUSION TG, TPO, and RET/PTC1 mRNA are detectable in the peripheral blood of patients with thyroid disease, which correlates with a diagnosis of carcinoma.
Wells clinical prediction rule and pulmonary embolism rule out criteria (PERC) in preventing over investigation of pulmonary embolism in emergency departments
Authors: Müge Aydogdu, Nazli Topbasi Sinanoglu, Nurettin Ozgur Dogan, Ipek Kivilcim Oguzulgen, Ahmet Demircan, Fikret Bildik, Numan Ekim
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background: Depending on the worse outcomes of missed diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE), unnecessary diagnostic tests are usually ordered to most of the patients with dyspnea or pleuritic chest pain.  Aims: To identify rates and causes of overinvestigation for PE in our emergency department (ED) and to search whether it was possible to reduce this overinvestigation by using Wells score and Pulmonary Embolism Rule Out Criteria (PERC) in daily practice.  Methods: A retrospective observational cohort study performed in an ED of a tertiary care university hospital. 108 patients, who had diagnotic tests with the suspicion of PE, were included in the study.  Results: Among the whole study group, 53(49%) were diagnosed as PE (+) and overdiagnosis was present in 55 (51%) patients i.e., PE (-).The sensitivity of high Wells score was 43%, specificity 78%, positive predictive value 66% and negative predictive value 59% for PE diagnosis. PERC criteria found to be negative (when all of the 8 criteria were fulfilled) in only 5 (5%) patients. The sensitivity of the test was 98%, specificity 7%, positive predictive value %50, negative predictive value %80.When individual parameters of PERC were evaluated solely for the exclusion of PE; no leg swelling and no previous DVT or PE history were found significantly negatively correlated with the diagnosis of PE (p=0.001, r= -0.325 and p= 0.013, r= -0.214 respectively)  Conclusion: Over investigation of PE in EDs still remains as an important problem. In order to prevent this, the clinical prediction rules must be developed further or may be used in combination.
A meta-analysis of health related quality of life (HRQOL) in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB): Association with clinical outcomes
Authors: Arietta Spinou, Konstantinos C. Frangos, Rachel Garrod, Surinder S. Birring
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Introduction: HRQOL is impaired in NCFB; however its relationship with other clinical outcomes is poorly understood.

Aims: To evaluate the association between HRQOL and clinical outcomes in NCFB.

Methods: A search was conducted on Embase, Pubmed, Medline, PsychINFO and Cochrane Library. Studies were included if they reported correlation coefficients for HRQOL with other clinical outcomes. Quantitative analysis used a random effects model and applied Fishers z. Statistical heterogeneity was estimated.

Results: Search identified 392 studies and 17 studies (5 abstracts) were included.

View this table:

Meta-analysis results.





Conclusions: Findings supported that HRQOL has a stronger association with functional and symptoms assessments than with objective measures. The review involved heterogeneity of the HRQOL questionnaires and disease aetiologies. These results could form the basis for investigating aetiological relationships in future studies.
Takayasu Arteritis and Pregnancy
Authors: C. Comarmond, T. Mirault, L. Biard, J. Nizard, M. Lambert, B. Wechsler, E. Hachulla, L. Chiche, F. Koskas, J. Gaudric, P. Cluzel, E. Messas, M. Resche‐Rigon, J. C. Piette, P. Cacoub, D. Saadoun
Journal: Arthritis & Rheumatology (2015)

Objective To assess the relationship between Takayasu arteritis (TAK) and pregnancy outcome. Methods This study included 240 pregnancies in 96 patients fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology 1990 criteria for the classification of TAK and/or the 1994 Chapel Hill Consensus Conference nomenclature/criteria for vasculitis. We analyzed obstetric and maternal outcomes in women who were pregnant before and/or at the same time as or after TAK diagnosis. We assessed factors associated with complicated pregnancy. Results One hundred forty‐two pregnancies occurred in 52 patients before TAK diagnosis (median age at pregnancy 26 years [interquartile range 23–30 years]), and 98 pregnancies occurred in 52 patients concomitant with or after TAK diagnosis (median age at pregnancy 28 years [interquartile range 26–31 years]). Pregnancies concomitant with or after TAK diagnosis had a 13‐fold higher rate of obstetric complications compared to pregnancies before TAK diagnosis (odds ratio 13 [95% confidence interval 5–33], P &lt; 0.0001). TAK was associated with a 40% frequency of obstetric complications, including preeclampsia/eclampsia (24 pregnancies [24%]), premature delivery (8 pregnancies [8%]), and intrauterine fetal growth restriction or death (5 pregnancies [5%]). Maternal complications of TAK occurred during 39% of pregnancies and included mainly new‐onset or worsening hypertension (26 pregnancies [27%]). In multivariate analysis, smoking (odds ratio 6.15 [95% confidence interval 1.31–28.8]) and disease activity of TAK (a National Institutes of Health score of &gt;1) (odds ratio 28.7 [95% confidence interval 7.89–104.7]) were independently associated with obstetric and maternal complications. Conclusion TAK negatively affects pregnancy outcomes. Disease activity increases the risk of obstetric and maternal complications, mainly due to arterial hypertension.
Inequitable and Ineffective: Exclusion of Mental Health from the Post-2015 Development Agenda
Authors: Alexander C. Tsai, Mark Tomlinson
Journal: PLoS Medicine (2015)

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), adopted at the turn of the century, represented a milestone in global development by committing United Nations member states to eradicating extreme poverty and achieving specific targets over the subsequent decade and a half.At this time the world's attention is increasingly focused on the post-2015 development agenda, which will be unveiled in September of this year in the form of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Given that mental health and other non-communicable diseases were conspicuously omitted from the MDGs, and have only been weakly mentioned in draft SDG targets, in this essay we argue for a place for mental health on the post-2015 development agenda.Its continued exclusion will not only contribute to the failure of the SDGs given the centrality of mental health in most aspects of human development and well-being but also formalize our collective failure to care for the most vulnerable among us.
Drug Concentration Errors Related to Sampling from Silastic Catheters
Authors: E. J. Quebbeman, R. K. Ausman, Ahmed A. R. Hamid, G. Caballero, N. E. Hoffman
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1984)

To the Editor: Constant infusion of some antitumor agents appears to improve their efficacy and/or diminish adverse effects associated with their administration. Silastic catheters placed for long-term central access facilitate this type of therapy. Also, they provide a means to obtain blood with minimal trauma for the patient. During treatment it is sometimes useful to withdraw samples for assay of drug blood levels. When doing so, we became concerned about unusually high 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) values in several patients, causing us to measure drug concentration in samples taken simultaneously from the catheter and a peripheral vein. Catheter samples showed seven to 80 times greater concentration of 5-FU. In one individual who had been off infusion for three days, a small 5-FU concentration persisted in the catheter sample whereas the peripheral vein value was zero as expected. Subsequently, we performed an in vitro study. A Broviac catheter (volume, 0.6 mL) was perfused for five days at 2.0 mL per hour with a solution containing 500 mg 5-FU made up to 60 mL with 0.9% saline. The catheter then was flushed with 30-mL water to remove all fluid containing 5-FU. Ensuing sampling and flushing was done in accordance with Table 1. The last milliliter of flush solution was analyzed in each instance by high-pressure liquid chromatography technology. Since all of the 5-FU infusion solution had been removed, the presence of drug in the water wash indicates that 5-FU was passing into the catheter lumen from the silastic wall. We believe it is important to recognize that other drugs may act in the same way. The use of silastic catheters for both infusion and sampling may lead to an overestimation of drug concentration even though sufficient blood is withdrawn before taking the definitive sample. Please see the PDF for Table.
Acute effects of different intensities of positive expiratory pressure on chest wall volumes in chronic stroke
Authors: Íllia Nadinne Lima, Elis Emmanuelle Cabral, Vanessa Regiane Resqueti, Maria Clara Góes, Ana Cristina Maciel, Rêncio Bento Florêncio, Andrea Aliverti, Guilherme Augusto Fregonezi
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Aim:  To evaluate acute effects of different intensities of Positive Expiratory Pressure (PEP)on chest wall kinematics in patients with Parkinson disease (PD).  Methods:  15 subjects with PD (PG) (59.1±9.3 years; FEV 1 %: 85±16.5; FEV 1 /FVC: 0.84±0.1) and 15 age-matched healthy controls with normal lung function (CG) were included in the study. All subjects were evaluated by Optoelectronic Plethysmography. Volumes of chest wall (CW) and its compartments (abdominal, abdominal rib cage and pulmonary rib cage) were measured during 3 random PEPintensities(10, 15 and 20 cmH 2 O) in 3 different moments: quite breathing (QB), 5 minutes of each PEP with 5 minutes of rest between PEP and recovery.  Results:  PG significantly increased Vtcw when we compared QB with different PEP intensities (PEP 10 : 1.07±0.4, PEP 15 : 1.19 ± 0.4, PEP 20 : 1.40 ± 0.5L, p 10  (6.68±3.6 s) and PEP 20  (7.42±3.4s), (p 10 : 11.3±4.9, PEP 15 : 11.4±3.7, PEP 20 : 10±4.3 cycles/min, p Conclusion : The use of PEP in Parkinson disease improves ventilation without important changes in operational volumes. Due to the restrictive characteristic of the disease and the similar changes observed in the three intensities of PEP, caution must be adopted during PEP use at intensities over 10 cmH 2 O.
Patterns of Nucleic Acid and Protein Synthesis in Normal Human Gastric Mucosa and Atrophic Gastritis&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: Eleanor E. Deschner
 3, Sidney J. Winawer, Martin Lipkin
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1972)

Analyses were made of autoradiographic patterns of tritiated thymidine, uridine, and leucine incorporation after incubation of normal gastric mucosa and mucosa in various stages of atrophic gastritis. In normal gastric mucosa, incorporation of precursors into DNA, RNA, and protein was greatest in the neck and isthmus cells. However, in mucosa in various stages of atrophic gastritis, alterations in the gradients of precursor incorporation could be correlated with the severity of the gastric lesion. The earliest abnormalities were increased RNA and protein synthesis as well as DNA synthesis in surface epithelial cells of histologically normal gastric mucosa. This gradient continued when the mucosa became lined with immature cuboidal cells and extended into the stages of increased atrophy and early intestinalization. During the period of severe atrophie gastritis, the intestinalized gastric mucosa was characterized by a labeling pattern seen in the normal small bowel—with DNA synthesis and greater RNA and protein synthesis in the lower portions of the glands. The results are compared with those of other studies of intestinal metaplasia and are discussed in the light of various theories of gastric cancer induction.
Peer victimisation during adolescence and its impact on depression in early adulthood: prospective cohort study in the United Kingdom
Authors: L. Bowes, C. Joinson, D. Wolke, G. Lewis
Journal: BMJ (2015)

The benzopyranopyrrole S33084 displayed pronounced affinity (p<i>K</i><sub>i</sub> = 9.6) for cloned human hD<sub>3</sub>-receptors, and &gt;100-fold lower affinity for hD<sub>2</sub> and all other receptors (&gt;30) examined. S33084 concentration dependently, potently, and competitively (pA<sub>2</sub> = 9.7) antagonized dopamine (DA)-induced [<sup>35</sup>S]guanosine-5′-<i>O</i>-(3-thio)triphosphate (GTPγS) binding at hD<sub>3</sub>-receptors. It also concentration dependently abolished stimulation by DA of hD<sub>3</sub>-receptor-coupled mitogen-activated protein kinase. Administered alone, S33084 did not modify dialysate levels of DA in the frontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, or striatum of freely moving rats, nor the firing rate of ventrotegmental dopaminergic cell bodies. Furthermore, it had minimal effect on DA turnover in mesocortical, mesolimbic, and nigrostriatal projection regions. However, S33084 dose dependently blocked the suppressive influence of the preferential D<sub>3</sub>-agonist PD128,907 on frontocortical release of DA. Furthermore, it likewise antagonized the inhibitory influence of PD128,907 on the electrical activity of ventrotegmental dopaminergic neurons. Although less potent than S33084, GR218,231 likewise behaved as a selective hD<sub>3</sub>- versus hD<sub>2</sub>-receptor antagonist and its neurochemical and electrophysiological profiles were similar. In contrast, L741,626 was a preferential antagonist at hD<sub>2</sub> versus hD<sub>3</sub>sites. In vivo, on administration alone, L741,626 increased frontocortical, mesolimbic, and (more potently) striatal DA release, enhanced the firing rate of dopaminergic perikarya, and accelerated cerebral DA synthesis. It also blocked the actions of PD128,907. In conclusion, S33084 is a novel, potent, selective, and competitive antagonist at hD<sub>3</sub>-receptors. Although GR218,231 behaves similarly, L741,626 is a preferential D<sub>2</sub>-receptor antagonist. DA D<sub>2</sub>- but not D<sub>3</sub>-(auto) receptors tonically inhibit ascending dopaminergic pathways, although the latter may contribute to phasic suppression of DA release in frontal cortex.
Facilitation of early percutaneous coronary intervention after reteplase with or without abciximab in acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Howard C Herrmann, David J Moliterno, E.Magnus Ohman, Amanda L Stebbins, Christopher Bode, Amadeo Betriu, Florian Forycki, Jerry S Miklin, William B Bachinsky, A.Michael Lincoff, Robert M Califf, Eric J Topol
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2000)
Prospective study of circulating factor XI and incident venous thromboembolism: The Longitudinal Investigation of Thromboembolism Etiology (LITE)
Authors: Aaron R. Folsom, Weihong Tang, Nicholas S. Roetker, Susan R. Heckbert, Mary Cushman, James S. Pankow
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (2015)

Elevated plasma concentrations of coagulation factor XI may increase risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), but prospective data are limited. We studied prospectively the associations of plasma factor XI and a key F11 genetic variant with incident VTE in whites and African‐Americans. We measured factor XI in 16,299 participants, initially free of VTE, in two prospective population cohorts. We also measured the F11 single nucleotide polymorphism rs4241824, which a genome‐wide association study had linked to factor XI concentration. During follow‐up, we identified 606 VTEs. The age, race, sex, and study‐adjusted hazard ratio of VTE increased across factor XI quintiles ( P &lt; 0.001 for trend), and the hazard ratio was 1.51 (95% CI 1.16, 1.97) for the highest versus lowest quintile overall, and was 1.42 (95% CI 1.03, 1.95) in whites and 1.72 (95% CI 1.08, 2.73) in African‐Americans. In whites, the F11 variant was associated with both factor XI concentration and VTE incidence (1.15‐fold greater incidence of VTE per risk allele). In African‐Americans, these associations were absent. In conclusion, this cohort study documented that an elevated plasma factor XI concentration is a risk factor for VTE over extended follow‐up, not only in whites but also in African‐Americans. In whites, the association of the F11 genetic variant with VTE suggests a causal relation, but we did not observe this genetic relation in African‐Americans. Am. J. Hematol. 90:1047–1051, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efficacy and safety of quinidine therapy for maintenance of sinus rhythm after cardioversion. A meta-analysis of randomized control trials.
Authors: S E Coplen, E M Antman, J A Berlin, P Hewitt, T C Chalmers
Journal: Circulation (1990)

Because individual studies evaluating the role of quinidine in the maintenance of sinus rhythm after cardioversion from chronic atrial fibrillation have involved relatively few patients, a meta-analysis of randomized control trials was performed. Six trials published between 1970 and 1984 were selected by two blinded reviewers based on study design and statistical analysis. Data from these six trials involving 808 patients were pooled after testing for homogeneity of treatment effects across trials. Life table estimates of the percent of patients still in sinus rhythm at 3, 6, and 12 months after cardioversion were constructed for quinidine and control groups. The proportion of patients remaining in sinus rhythm in the quinidine group was 69%, 58%, and 50% at 3, 6, and 12 months postcardioversion respectively. The proportion of patients remaining in sinus rhythm in the control group was 45%, 33%, and 25% at the same time intervals. The pooled rate difference, or difference in proportion of patients in sinus rhythm between quinidine and control groups, was 24%, 23%, and 24% at 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up (p less than 0.001 at all time intervals). The unadjusted total mortality rate in the quinidine-treated patients was 2.9% and in the control group was 0.8%. The odds of dying in the quinidine-treated group were approximately three times that of the control group ("typical" odds ratio = 2.98, p less than 0.05). Thus, quinidine treatment is more effective than no antiarrhythmic therapy in suppressing recurrences of atrial fibrillation but appears to be associated with increased total mortality.
Aerobic capacity in adults born extremely preterm
Authors: Hege Clemm, Maria Vollsæter, Ola Røksund, Thomas Halvorsen
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

INTRODUCTION Large cohorts of subjects born extremely preterm have begun to reach adulthood. Preterm birth has been associated with markers of later cardiovascular disease. Physical activity (PA) may alleviate some of these risk factors; however in extreme preterms PA has been described to be reduced, as has also aerobic capacity. We aimed to address these issues in a population based cohort of extremely preterm born adults.

METHODS Subjects born extremely preterm in Western Norway in 1982-1985 and matched control subjects born at term were followed longitudinally with standardized maximal cardiopulmonary exercise tests at 18 and 25 years of age. Their medical history and leisure-time physical activity were reported in standardized questionnaires.

RESULTS At 25 years of age 34 (67%) surviving eligible preterms and 33 control subjects were successfully studied with results as follows: PeakVO2 (ml/kg/min) 40.7 vs. 44.2 (p=0.046), PeakVO2 (L/min) 2.9 vs. 3.2; p=0.009, distance completed (meters) 910 vs. 1020 (p=0.032). Differences were mainly explained by the males, while data for females were relatively similar; however, tests of interaction were not significant (p=0.231). Findings at 25 years of age basically reflected those observed at 18. Leisure-time physical activity was similarly and positively associated with exercise capacity in in both groups, although stronger at 18 than 25.

CONCLUSION Exercise capacity was slightly reduced in adults born extremely preterm, differences mainly explained by males. Their response to physical activity seemed to be as in term-borns, opening for PA as an effective health promoting measure in this vulnerable group.
HIV-specific Immunity Derived From Chimeric Antigen Receptor-engineered Stem Cells
Authors: Anjie Zhen, Masakazu Kamata, Valerie Rezek, Jonathan Rick, Bernard Levin, Saro Kasparian, Irvin SY Chen, Otto O Yang, Jerome A Zack, Scott G Kitchen
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2015)

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response is critical in controlling HIV infection. Since the immune response does not eliminate HIV, it would be beneficial to develop ways to enhance the HIV-specific CTL response to allow long-term viral suppression or clearance. Here, we report the use of a protective chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) in a hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC)-based approach to engineer HIV immunity. We determined that CAR-modified HSPCs differentiate into functional T cells as well as natural killer (NK) cells in vivo in humanized mice and these cells are resistant to HIV infection and suppress HIV replication. These results strongly suggest that stem cell-based gene therapy with a CAR may be feasible and effective in treating chronic HIV infection and other morbidities. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response is critical in controlling HIV infection. Since the immune response does not eliminate HIV, it would be beneficial to develop ways to enhance the HIV-specific CTL response to allow long-term viral suppression or clearance. Here, we report the use of a protective chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) in a hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC)-based approach to engineer HIV immunity. We determined that CAR-modified HSPCs differentiate into functional T cells as well as natural killer (NK) cells in vivo in humanized mice and these cells are resistant to HIV infection and suppress HIV replication. These results strongly suggest that stem cell-based gene therapy with a CAR may be feasible and effective in treating chronic HIV infection and other morbidities.