tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Changes in the prevalence of asthma, rhinitis and eczema in different age groups in Chinese schoolchildren
Authors: Ning Song, Mohammed Shamssain, Jin Zhang, Shuting Hao, Jitao Guan, Jianling Wu, Chunling Fu, Xixin Yan
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Introduction: Little is known about the prevalence of allergic diseases in children of different ages. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of allergic diseases in children over a wide age range in Chinese schoolchildren in Shijiazhuang city in Hebei Province in China.  Body: In a cross-sectional study, we studied 10824 Chinese schoolchildren, aged 6-18 years, using ISAAC questionnaire. We classified children into three age groups; 6-8 years, 9-12 years, and 13-18 years. Asthma symptoms had significantly decreased with age from 6-8 year age group to 13-18 year age group (ever wheeze from 7.1% to 3.9%, P
Chronic paranasal sinusitis exacerbates allergic inflammation in patients with asthma and contributes to refractoriness to treatment
Authors: Mayuko Tanaka, Takenori Okada, Hiroyoshi Watanabe, Hideyuki Satoh, Shingo Tokita, Tomoshige Wakayama, Kenya Kohyama, Naoto Fueki, Hironori Sagara
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background: Factors such as airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, and airway remodeling contribute to the pathogenesis of refractory asthma in a complex fashion. Many studies have reported the development of severe disease in patients with asthma associated with allergic rhinitis. However, the relation between chronic paranasal sinusitis and severe asthma remains largely uninvestigated. In the present study, we examined whether the concurrent presence of paranasal sinusitis contributes to the development of refractory asthma.

Subjects: Three groups of patients were studied: those with asthma, those with chronic paranasal sinusitis, and those with both asthma and paranasal sinusitis. Peripheral eosinophil counts, serum IgE levels, exhaled nitric oxide (FeNo) levels as a maker of airway inflammation, and airway hyperresponsiveness were compared among the groups.

Results: Peripheral eosinophil counts, FeNo levels, and serum IgE levels were higher in patients with asthma and chronic paranasal sinusitis than in patients with asthma alone and patients with chronic paranasal sinusitis alone. Airway hyperresponsiveness was slightly increased in patients with chronic paranasal sinusitis, but was further increased in patients with asthma, and was significantly increased in patients with asthma plus chronic paranasal sinusitis.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that chronic paranasal sinusitis may modify airway inflammation in patients with asthma and contribute to the exacerbation of disease. Paranasal sinusitis should thus be adequately treated in patients with asthma complicated by chronic paranasal sinusitis.
Cultivation &lt;italic&gt;In Vitro&lt;/italic&gt; of Cells Derived From Adult C3H Mouse Ventral Prostate&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: T. T. Chen, Charles Heidelberger
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1969)

Journal Article Cultivation In Vitro of Cells Derived From Adult C3H Mouse Ventral Prostate Get access T. T. Chen, T. T. Chen McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, The Medical School, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Charles Heidelberger Charles Heidelberger McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, The Medical School, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Volume 42, Issue 6, June 1969, Pages 903–914, https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/42.6.903 Published: 01 June 1969 Article history Received: 01 October 1968 Accepted: 20 March 1969 Published: 01 June 1969
Internet-Based Self-Help for Trichotillomania: A Randomized Controlled Study Comparing Decoupling and Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Authors: Steffi Weidt, Richard Klaghofer, Alexa Kuenburg, Annette Beatrix Bruehl, Aba Delsignore, Steffen Moritz, Michael Rufer
Journal: Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (2015)

&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Background:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Trichotillomania (TTM) is characterized by recurrent hair-pulling that results in substantial hair loss. A previous pilot study demonstrated that the online self-help intervention ‘decoupling' (DC) might be effective at reducing hair-pulling symptoms, with a stronger effect than progressive muscle relaxation (PMR). We aimed to extend these findings using a more robust randomized clinical trial design, including diagnostic interviews by phone, a 6-month follow-up and e-mail support. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; One hundred five adults with TTM were recruited online and randomly allocated to either DC (n = 55) or PMR (n = 50). The intervention lasted 4 weeks, with severity of TTM assessed at 3 time points (before intervention, immediately after intervention and at the 6-month follow-up) using the Massachusetts General Hospital Hair-Pulling Scale (MGH-HPS). Both intention-to-treat and completer analyses were conducted. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Intention-to-treat analysis demonstrated highly significant and comparable symptom reductions (MGH-HPS) in both the DC and PMR groups (p &lt; 0.001, partial &amp;#x03B7;&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; = 0.31) that persisted through 6 months of follow-up. Participants' subjective appraisals favoured DC in some areas (e.g. greater satisfaction with DC than PMR). Completer analyses demonstrated the same pattern as the intention-to-treat analyses. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Despite subjective appraisals in favour of DC, symptom reduction was comparable in the two groups. While the results suggest that even short Internet-based interventions like DC and PMR potentially help individuals with TTM, a partial effect of unspecific factors, like regression towards the mean, cannot be ruled out. Therefore, longitudinal studies with non-treated controls are warranted.
Patterns of sequence variation in the mitochondrial D-loop region of shrews.
Authors: D T Stewart, A J Baker
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (1994)

Direct sequencing of the mitochondrial displacement loop (D-loop) of shrews (genus Sorex) for the region between the tRNA(Pro) and the conserved sequence block-F revealed variable numbers of 79-bp tandem repeats. These repeats were found in all 19 individuals sequenced, representing three subspecies and one closely related species of the masked shrew group (Sorex cinereus cinereus, S. c. miscix, S. c. acadicus, and S. haydeni) and an outgroup, the pygmy shrew (S. hoyi). Each specimen also possessed an adjacent 76-bp imperfect copy of the tandem repeats. One individual was heteroplasmic for length variants consisting of five and seven copies of the 79-bp tandem repeat. The sequence of the repeats is conducive to the formation of secondary structure. A termination-associated sequence is present in each of the repeats and in a unique sequence region 5' to the tandem array as well. Mean genetic distance between the masked shrew taxa and the pygmy shrew was calculated separately for the unique sequence region, one of the tandem repeats, the imperfect repeat, and these three regions combined. The unique sequence region evolved more rapidly than the tandem repeats or the imperfect repeat. The small genetic distance between pairs of tandem repeats within an individual is consistent with a model of concerted evolution. Repeats are apparently duplicated and lost at a high rate, which tends to homogenize the tandem array. The rate of D-loop sequence divergence between the masked and pygmy shrews is estimated to be 15%-20%/Myr, the highest rate observed in D-loops of mammals. Rapid sequence evolution in shrews may be due either to their high metabolic rate and short generation time or to the presence of variable numbers of tandem repeats.
Susceptibility variants on chromosome 7p21.1 suggest HDAC9 as a new candidate gene for male-pattern baldness
Authors: F.F. Brockschmidt, S. Heilmann, J.A. Ellis, S. Eigelshoven, S. Hanneken, C. Herold, S. Moebus, M.A. Alblas, B. Lippke, N. Kluck, L. Priebe, F.A. Degenhardt, R.A. Jamra, C. Meesters, K.-H. Jöckel, R. Erbel, S. Harrap, J. Schumacher, H. Fröhlich, R. Kruse, A.M. Hillmer, T. Becker, M.M. Nöthen
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2011)

Male-pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia, AGA) is the most common form of hair loss among humans. Research has shown that it is caused by genetic factors. Numerous studies have unequivocally identified two major genetic risk loci for AGA: the X-chromosomal AR/EDA2R locus, and the PAX1/FOXA2 locus on chromosome 20.To identify further candidate genes for AGA, and thus gain further insights into this phenotype.A German sample of 581 severely affected cases and 617 controls was used to perform a genome-wide association study. The identified associated locus was further analysed by fine-mapping, and then independently replicated in an Australian sample. Expression and pathway analyses were performed to characterize the susceptibility gene identified.The most significant association signal was obtained for rs756853 (P = 1·64 × 10(-7) ), which is located intronically in the histone deacetylase 9 (HDAC9) gene. Fine-mapping and a family-based analysis revealed that rs756853 and the 6-kb distal rs2249817 were the most highly associated single nucleotide polymorphisms. The association finding was replicated in an independent Australian sample, when the analysis was restricted to severely affected cases and unaffected controls (P = 0·026). Analysis of rs2249817 in a combined sample of severely affected German and Australian cases and unaffected controls revealed a strong association signal (P = 9·09 × 10(-8) ). Tissue expression studies demonstrated HDAC9 expression in various tissues, including tissues of relevance to AGA. No strong genotypic effects were observed in genotype-specific expression or splice studies. Pathway analyses supported the hypothesis that HDAC9 plays a functional role in AGA via interaction with the AR gene.The present study suggests that HDAC9 is the third AGA susceptibility gene.
Association Between Atrial Fibrillation and Dementia in the General Population
Authors: Renée F. A. G. de Bruijn, Jan Heeringa, Frank J. Wolters, Oscar H. Franco, Bruno H. C. Stricker, Albert Hofman, Peter J. Koudstaal, M. Arfan Ikram
Journal: JAMA Neurology (2015)

<h3>Importance</h3> Atrial fibrillation (AF) has been suggested as a risk factor for dementia since it may lead to chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and stroke. However, longitudinal studies assessing the association between AF and dementia have shown inconsistent results. <h3>Objective</h3> To determine the effect of AF on the risk of developing dementia during 20 years of follow-up. <h3>Design, Setting, and Participants</h3> The association of prevalent and incident AF with incident dementia was assessed from July 6, 1989, to February 4, 2010, in 6514 dementia-free participants in the prospective population-based Rotterdam Study. Data analysis was conducted from September 18, 2014, to April 17, 2015. Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusting for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors; censored for stroke; and stratified by median age were used. In addition, we investigated whether the association between incident AF and dementia varied according to the duration of exposure, categorized in 6-year time bands. <h3>Exposures</h3> Prevalent and incident AF. <h3>Main Outcomes and Measures</h3> Incident dementia, determined according to the<i>Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders</i>(Third Edition Revised) and the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke–Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association criteria. <h3>Results</h3> At baseline, 318 of 6514 participants (4.9%) had prevalent AF, and during 81 483 person-years of follow-up, 994 participants (15.3%) developed incident dementia. With findings presented as adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI), prevalent AF was related to an increased risk of dementia (1.33; 1.02-1.73). Among 6196 participants without prevalent AF during 79 003 person-years of follow-up, 723 participants (11.7%) developed incident AF and 932 individuals (15.0%) developed incident dementia. Incident AF was associated with an increased risk of dementia in younger participants (&lt;67 years: 1.81; 1.11-2.94 vs ≥67 years: 1.12; 0.85-1.46;<i>P</i> = .02 for interaction). The risk of dementia was strongly associated with duration of exposure to AF in the younger participants (in the highest stratum: 3.30; 1.16-9.38;<i>P</i> = .003 for trend) but not in the elder participants (0.25; 0.04-1.86;<i>P</i> = .94 for trend). <h3>Conclusions and Relevance</h3> Atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of dementia, independent of clinical stroke. This association was strongest for younger participants with the longest duration of AF. Future studies should investigate whether optimal treatment of AF can prevent or postpone dementia.
Unusual Interaction Between Plasma Membranes of Cells in Immunoelectron Microscopy2
Authors: Macie M. Sturm, Tadao Aoki
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1973)

A unique marking pattern was observed by indirect immunoelectron microscopy with hybrid antibody anti-rat-γG/antiferritin and ferritin; the cells were drawn apart so that substances (probably γG) attached to cell surfaces alone, or a mixture of such substances and ferritin, formed threads between the cells. This phenomenon was an artifact and did not seem to affect the formation of antigen-positive sectors on the cell surface.
Comparison of the constant flow and occlusion methods for assessment of bronchoconstriction in guinea-pigs
Authors: AM Lorino, M Benichou, T Kochi, H Lorino, J Milic-Emili, A Harf
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1989)

Assessments of total respiratory compliance (C) and conductance (G) with the constant inspiratory flow and the occlusion methods were compared in the basal state and during histamine or serotonin induced bronchoconstriction in 22 normal, anaesthetized, paralysed, mechanically ventilated guinea-pigs. In the basal state, no significant difference was found between the C and G values measured by both methods. During drug-induced bronchoconstriction, small but significant differences were observed between the respiratory parameters measured by the two methods, and expressed as the percentage ratio (R) to the corresponding basal values (respectively RCCF and RCOC, and RGCF and RGOC). This discrepancy, which was independent of the drug and of the dose, was probably attributable to a modification of the visco elastic properties of the lung due to either the mechanical ventilation or the infused drug. Nevertheless, this study demonstrates that both methods can be considered as equivalent for bronchoconstriction assessment because very strong correlations were found between RCCF and RCOC (r = 0.96, p less than 0.001) and between RGCF and RGOC (r = 0.97, p less than 0.001), and because the slopes of the linear relationships were not significantly different from unity in both cases.
Exhaled Nitric Oxide and Hydrogen Peroxide in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: IVONE MARTINS FERREIRA, MEHDI S. HAZARI, CARLOS GUTIERREZ, NOE ZAMEL, KENNETH R. CHAPMAN
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2001)

There is controversy about the role of inhaled corticosteroids in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although they appear to have little impact on airways obstruction or its progression, their use may reduce the frequency and/or severity of exacerbations in a subset of patients. We undertook the following study to determine the impact of inhaled corticosteroid on two noninvasive markers of airways inflammation. We assigned 20 stable nonsmoking patients with COPD in random, double-blind crossover fashion to two 2-wk treatment periods with inhaled beclomethasone 500 μ g twice daily or matching placebo, followed by a 2-wk washout period. We measured exhaled nitric oxide (ENO), breath condensate H2O2, and flow volume spirometry at weekly intervals. Median baseline ENO was 26.2 (19.3 to 54.8) ppb and fell significantly following 1 and 2 wk of beclomethasone ( − 10.6 ppb, p = 0.002, and − 6.3 ppb, p = 0.013, respectively) but was unchanged by placebo inhalation. Breath condensate H2O2 levels did not change significantly with inhaled beclomethasone or placebo. Although there were no significant changes in FEV1 with BDP therapy, there was a moderate inverse correlation between changes in ENO and changes in FEV1 (r − 0.50). We conclude that inhaled beclomethasone reduces ENO levels in stable nonsmoking patients with COPD, a finding compatible with an antiinflammatory mechanism of action.
Major forces for early stage cancers detection: Targeted PET-diagnostic and therapeutic imaging
Authors: Ashot Khanamiryan
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2008)

A9  Imaging plays the major role in modern medicine and new generation drugs discovery, contributing as an independent and powerful asset. However, PET [imaging and technology] in particular may act as the unifier source and communicate between all conventional imaging modalities. The only missing link for these sophisticated interactions of high-tech systems is a method, which will accurately predict, direct and control imaging in theory and experiment.  This work demonstrates Harmonic method exclusively designed for PET-imaging tracers and other technologies development, an instrument as adoptive as universal. Harmonic method executes at all levels of diagnostic and therapeutic imaging, starting from: imaging-tracers development and cell-uptake studies, in vivo and in vivo small-cell populations early detection and structural differentiation, and randomly distributed and independently progressing malignances location and drug-treatment diagnostics at required phases of patients’ rehabilitation. Harmonic method is applying special tools: signal complexity (signal/background interconversion), isomerism (principal of tracers’ relativity), and targeted drugs’ discovery by reporter gene expression (HSV-1 sr39tk and F[18]FXAU); and is operating according by special rules and regulation.  Conclusion: Harmonism is a self-developing universal method, which allows highly selective and sensitive differentiation (qualification and quantification) of imaging modalities main dilemma: Signal/Background ratios theoretical (mathematical) and experimental (physical) evaluation.
Enriching case selection for imminent RA: the use of anti-CCP antibodies in individuals with new non-specific musculoskeletal symptoms – a cohort study
Authors: Jacqueline L Nam, Laura Hunt, Elizabeth M A Hensor, Paul Emery
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2015)

Around 1% of the population test positive for anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies. This biomarker predicts the progression to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but over a variable time frame. To increase its clinical relevance, this study sought to determine (1) if the proportion of anti-CCP-positive individuals could be enriched by case selection of people attending primary care with new non-specific musculoskeletal (MSK) symptoms but without clinical synovitis (CS) and (2) whether these individuals progress rapidly to inflammatory arthritis (IA), in particular RA.In this prospective cohort study, individuals aged ≥18 years with new non-specific MSK symptoms, without CS, were recruited from primary care in the UK. Anti-CCP-positive individuals were invited for follow-up in the rheumatology department, Leeds. Those who tested negative were sent questionnaires 12 months later.2028 individuals were recruited. Of these, 2.8% (57/2028) were anti-CCP positive, of whom 47% (27/57) developed IA - 24 RA, 1 undifferentiated IA (UIA), 2 polymyositis; 92.6% (25/27) within 12 months, median 1.8 months (IQR 1.0-4.3, range 0.3-16.1). Of the anti-CCP-negative individuals, 1.3% (20/1559) developed IA (1 UIA, 13 RA, 6 psoriatic arthritis); 75% (15/20) within 12 months. The relative risk for developing RA within 12 months in the anti-CCP-positive group was 66.8 (95% CI 32.2 to 138.4, p<0.001); for IA, it was 45.5 (95% CI 25.4 to 81.6, p<0.001).Selecting individuals with new non-specific MSK symptoms without CS enriched the prevalence of anti-CCP positivity to 2.8%. Those who tested positive had a high risk of rapidly developing RA. The cost-effectiveness of this approach will need to be determined.NCT02012764.
Clinical features and prognostic factors in elderly patients with aspiration pneumonia
Authors: Seo Woo Kim, Yon Ju Ryu, Seok Jung Lee, Jin Hwa Lee, Jung Hyun Chang, Sung Shine Shim
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

BACKGROUNDS: The aims of this study were to investigate the clinical features, risk factors, and outcomes of patients with aspiration pneumonia and to identify the prognostic factors contributing to mortality in these patients.  METHOD: Following a retrospective review of clinical data and radiographic findings between 2006 and 2010, 176 patients were enrolled in this study.  RESULTS: The median age of patients was 75 years (range, 66-81), and 125 (71%) patients were male. 89 (51%) were admitted to the medical ICU and their clinical course was fulminant as a result of acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation in 79 (45%), septic shock in 36, ARDS in 20, and multi-organ failure in 26. Overall in-hospital mortality was 22.7% (40/176) with a median survival of 18 (range 9-43) days. Comorbidities or risk factors associated aspiration included cerebrovascular accidents ( n  =79), bed-ridden status ( n  =67), DM ( n  =58), dysphagia ( n  =57), malignancy ( n  =29), dementia ( n  =25), alcoholism ( n  =18) and Parkinson9s disease ( n  =14). The leading pathogen considered to be associated with pneumonia is MRSA ( n  =60), followed by  A. baumanii  ( n  =24),  K. pneumonia  ( n  =19), and  P. aeruginosa  ( n  =17). Independent predictive factors of in-hospital mortality included septic shock (HR 7.1, 95% CI, 2.6-19.3,  P ), dysphagia (HR 5.3, 95% CI, 1.5-19.1 , P=0.010 ), hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin ≤ 2.5g/dL) (HR 2.7, 95% CI, 1.1-6.9,  P=0.038 ), and CVA (HR 2.6, 95% CI, 1.1-6.5,  P=0.036 ).  CONCLUSION: Aspiration pneumonia has a high mortality rate and poor prognosis, particularly in patients with septic shock, dysphagia, hypoalbuminemia, CVA.
Myocardial Iodine-123 Meta-Iodobenzylguanidine Imaging and Cardiac Events in Heart Failure
Authors: Arnold F. Jacobson, Roxy Senior, Manuel D. Cerqueira, Nathan D. Wong, Gregory S. Thomas, Victor A. Lopez, Denis Agostini, Fred Weiland, Harish Chandna, Jagat Narula
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2010)
Wood burning stoves produce PM<sub>2.5</sub>particles in amounts similar to traffic and increase global warming
Authors: Dorothy L Robinson
Journal: BMJ (2015)

A comprehensive review identified the misguided nature of favourable taxation for diesel vehicles: “global warming has been negatively affected, and air pollution has become alarming in many European locations.”1 Policymakers did not adequately consider the serious health effects of particles less than 2.5 microns in size (PM2.5)—known since 1993 when the Six Cities study was published—and the additional global warming from nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide, …