tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Urticaria: an evidence-based update. Conference report
Authors: A.B. Alexandroff, K.E. Harman
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2010)

Summary Evidence-based update meetings are held annually by the Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology, University of Nottingham. Topics are chosen by delegates at the previous year's conference and in the past have included blistering disorders, psoriasis, hair disorders and skin cancers. Once the topic is identified, a trials database search is undertaken with the aim of including speakers who are actively involved in trials that address the subject in question. This year, the eighth Evidence Based Update meeting focused on urticaria and took place in Loughborough University on 14 May 2009. The latest data on the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic urticaria, including cold and solar urticaria, and the impact of food intolerance on chronic urticaria, were presented by an international panel of renowned speakers, who sometimes expressed different viewpoints. The highlights of the meeting included an informal atmosphere, an international perspective, and a practical question and answer session. Over 70% of the delegates stated that they would be changing their clinical practice following on from the meeting. The evidence-based update meeting in 2010 will be devoted to eczema.
Nrf2 lowers risk for lung injury induced by diesel exhaust
Authors: Ying-Ji Li, Takako Shimizu, Katsuhito Kato, Masao Sugamata, Ken Takeda, Masayuki Yamamoto, Tomoyuki Kawada
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Diesel exhaust (DE) induced oxidative stress play an important role in proinflammatory reaction on airway. Nrf2 is involved in the transcriptional regulation of many antioxidant genes. In the present study, we investigated the role of Nrf2 in the development of DE induced lung injury in both of  Nrf2 +/+ and  Nrf2 -/- mice.  C57BL/6J  Nrf2 +/+ and  Nrf2 -/- mice were exposed to DE (DE particle 1mg/m 3 ) or clean air for 8 hrs/day and 6 days/week for 4 weeks. We performed the histopathologic examination of the lung tissues through electron microscope. The cell populations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes in the lung tissues were examined.  An electron microscope study showed the alveolar type II cells injury and degeneration of lamellar body after DE exposure in  Nrf2 -/- mice.There were DE particle-laden alveolar macrophages were significantly greater in  Nrf2 -/- than in  Nrf2 +/+ mice. Neutrophils number in the BALF also significantly increased in  Nrf2 -/- mice than in  Nrf2 +/+ mice. Expression of antioxidant enzyme genes was significantly increased in  Nrf2 +/+ mice after exposed to DE compared with  Nrf2 -/- mice.  Nrf2 may be an important protective factor against oxidative stresses, and have a possibility to lower the risk for some pulmonary diseases induced by DE.
Minimally invasive repair for pectus excavatum (Nuss procedure) – Aesthetic and/or functional?
Authors: Constantin Grozavu, Mihai Ilias, Dragos Marin, Daniel Pantile
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background: Pectus excavatum is the most frequent anterior thoracic wall congenital malformation. Among teenagers, when the esthetics and clinical symptoms become more important, pectus exacvatum becomes a real psychological problem. During the time many treatment techniques have been proposed, conservative or surgical. The minimally invasive repair technique of pectus excavatum, Nuss technique, developed after 1986, is now the most used technique worldwide.

Objectives: Our study aimed to analyze the degree of patients' satisfaction regarding the esthetic results after the minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum, as well as the improvement of respiratory functional parameters.

Method: We will present some historical data related to surgical repair of pectus excavatum, advantages and disadvantages of open surgery; also we will present clinical and paraclinical evaluations, including anthropometric indexes, as well as indications and contraindications of Nuss technique and possible intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Our study was carried out on a group of patients with pectus excavatum, who have been submitted to Nuss technique, during a timeframe of 4 years (2007 – 2011), aged from 8 to 38 years. Prior to surgery the patients were submitted to a standard protocol of investigations.

Results: We present the benefits of Nuss technique and the improvements of the functional and aesthetical indexes.

Conclusions: Nuss technique is an efficient method, with very good aesthetical and functional results, allowing quick social and professional patients' reintegration, as well as an improved self-image and self confidence.
Abstract P48: Preconditioning with Periodic Acceleration Significantly Decreases Infarct Size and Arrhythmias after Left Ventricular Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Rats
Authors: Arkady Uryash, Heng Wu, Jaqueline Arias, Jorge Bassuk, Paul Kurlansky, Jose A Adams
Journal: Circulation (2008)

BACKGROUND: Whole body periodic acceleration (pGz) is the sinusoidal head-foot motion in the spinal axis. pGz increases pulsatile vascular shear stress to the endothelium, activates endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) thus promoting increased release of nitric oxide (NO) in pigs, sheep, rats, isolated aorta, and humans. pGz is cardioprotective via NO release 1 hr prior to CPR or during CPR in pigs with induced ventricular fibrillation. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether acute and chronic pGz preconditioning is cardioprotective in myocardial ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats as measured by infarction size, and arrhythmias. METHODS: Unsedated, restrained, male rats (310±9 g, n=16) were preconditioned with pGz ( f =6 cps, a =3.4 m/s 2 ). Rats were randomized to: a) pGz 2 hr for 1 day prior to I/R (PRE-pGz 1D) n=4, b) pGz 2 hrs per day for 3 days prior to I/R (PRE-pGz 3D) n=6 and c) Control (C) n=6. Then, they were anesthetized and underwent focal I/R injury by left coronary artery ligation for 30 minutes followed by 120 min of reperfusion. ECG, and aortic pressure were monitored and infarct size calculated as % area at risk. RESULTS: PRE-pGz 3D had an infarct sparring effect of 77% of C. Both 1 and 3 days PRE-pGz significantly attenuated ventricular arrhythmias during reperfusion. Figure below shows % infarct for all groups, † P &lt;0.001 PRE-pGz 3D vs. C, * P &lt;0.001 PRE-pGz 1D vs. C, and representative areas of infarct (INF) and at risk (AAR) in PRE-pGz 3D and C. CONCLUSIONS: pGz preconditioning in rats significantly reduces infarct size and attenuates ventricular arrhythmias. This simple and non-invasive method of cardioprotection for I/R injury warrants human investigations.
A prolonged outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease in an extended Irish Traveller family across three Health Service Executive (HSE) areas in Ireland, 2010 to 2013
Authors: L O’Connor, M Ward, D Bennett, R Mulhall, P O’Lorcain, R Cunney, R McDermott, E Neville, J Heslin, R FitzGerald, K Meyler, M Conlon, A Clarke, B Corcoran, G Fitzpatrick, B O’Connor, P Flanagan, D O’Flanagan, S Cotter
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2015)

Between March 2010 and November 2013 eight laboratory-confirmed cases of serogroup B, invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) were identified in an extended Irish Traveller family across three Health Service Executive (HSE) areas of Ireland. Cases were aged between 5 and 46 months, and were either a cousin or sibling of another case. All eight cases survived. Chemoprophylaxis was given to relevant nuclear family members and close contacts on each occasion, but failed to prevent further cases. Neisseria meningitidis isolates from six cases were highly related, belonging to the ST-41/44 clonal complex, and shared the porA designation 7–2,4. In November 2013, the outbreak control team recommended that directly observed ciprofloxacin chemoprophylaxis be administered simultaneously to the extended family, and that the four component meningococcal B (4CMenB) vaccine be administered to family members aged 2 months to 23 years inclusive and relevant close contacts of the eighth case. Subsequently these recommendations were implemented at three regional clinics. Additionally pharyngeal swabs (n=112) were collected to assess carriage rates of N. meningitidis in this extended family. Pharyngeal carriage of N. meningitidis was detected in 15 (13%) family members. From the epidemiological investigation and carriage study overcrowding was the most likely risk factor identified in this outbreak. To date, the combination of directly observed ciprofloxacin chemoprophylaxis and use of 4CMenB vaccine have controlled the outbreak with no further cases diagnosed.
UK Strategies for Palliative Care
Authors: Ilora Finlay
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (2001)

Palliative and supportive care differ in philosophy from curative strategies in focusing primarily on the consequences of a disease rather than its cause or specific cure. Approaches are therefore necessarily holistic, pragmatic and multidisciplinary and there is almost no philosophical distinction between palliation and support. The approach therefore complements oncological or antiviral treatments; it does not substitute for or replace them.
Detection of circulating tumor cells in patients with Ewing's sarcoma and peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor.
Authors: D C West, H E Grier, M M Swallow, G D Demetri, L Granowetter, J Sklar
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1997)

PURPOSE To determine the feasibility of detecting Ewing's sarcoma (ES) or peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) through a reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of the t(11;22)(q24;q12) fusion transcript in blood and bone marrow samples from patients with these neoplasms. PATIENTS AND METHODS Peripheral-blood (PB) and/or bone marrow aspirate (BM) samples were obtained from 28 patients with ES or PNET at initial presentation or at relapse. Patients were divided into two groups: newly diagnosed patients with nonmetastatic disease and those with metastatic/relapsed disease. RNA was extracted from fractionated BM and PB samples, and RT-PCR was performed for the EWS/HumFLI1 fusion mRNA was transcribed across the t(11;22) breakpoint. RESULTS Among the 16 patients with nonmetastatic disease, three of 16 were RT-PCR positive for EWS/HumFLI1 RNA in BM and three of 10 were positive in PB. The total number of nonmetastatic patients who were positive in either PB or BM was four of 16 (25%). Among patients with metastatic/relapsed disease, two of six were positive in BM and five of 10 were positive in PB. The total fraction of patients with metastatic/relapsed disease that was positive in either BM or PB was six of 12 (50%). CONCLUSION In this study, we show that it is possible to amplify the EWS/HumFLI1 RNA by RT-PCR from the BM and PB of a subset of patients with both nonmetastatic and metastatic ES or PNET, which implies that occult tumor cells are present at these sites. The true biologic and clinical meaning of this information is unknown. However, it does suggest a possible application of RT-PCR for the monitoring of residual disease in patients who are undergoing therapy for ES or PNET. This approach may permit early identification of patients who may benefit from alternative therapy or who may be spared possible overtreatment.
Single-Dose Antibiotic Prophylaxis of Abdominal Surgical Wound Infection: A Trial of Preoperative Latamoxef against Peroperative Tetracycline Lavage
Authors: P Sauven, M J Playforth, G M R Smith, M Evans, A V Pollock
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1986)

A randomized controlled clinical trial was undertaken in 542 consecutive emergency and elective abdominal operations, with one group of patients receiving tetracycline peritoneal and wound lavage and the other a single intravenous injection of 1 g latamoxef at induction of anaesthesia. Seventy-five patients were withdrawn because no potentially contaminated hollow viscus was opened, and a further 36 because they could not be assessed for wound infection. Of the remaining 431 patients, 212 received latamoxef resulting in 5 major and 8 minor wound infections in hospital; another 4 minor infections occurred at home (total incidence 8.0%). In the tetracycline group ( n = 219) there were 7 major and 19 minor wound infections in hospital and 10 minor infections later (total incidence 16.4%). This is significantly higher than the rate with latamoxef ( P=0.012). Monitoring of operative and postoperative bleeding revealed no evidence (except in one doubtful case) of excessive bleeding associated with the use of a single dose of latamoxef. It is concluded that single-dose preoperative latamoxef is more effective than peroperative tetracycline lavage for the prevention of wound infections after potentially contaminated abdominal operations.
Intravenous infusion of high doses of liposomes containing NSC 251635, a water-insoluble cytostatic agent. A pilot study with pharmacokinetic data.
Authors: J P Sculier, A Coune, C Brassinne, C Laduron, G Atassi, J M Ruysschaert, J Frühling
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1986)

In patients with resistant malignant tumors, we performed a pilot trial of intravenous infusion of a water-insoluble cytostatic agent, NSC 251635, entrapped in large volumes of liposomes made of egg yolk lecithin, cholesterol, and stearylamine (4:3:1). Forty liposome infusions were given to 14 patients in 38 courses. The volume of liposomes (20 mg of lipids/mL) varied from 205 to 1,000 mL or 124 to 617 mL/m2 of body surface, and amounts of NSC 251635 varied from 82 to 456 mg/m2. Three patients received repeated single courses. Liposomal therapy was very well tolerated. Side effects observed during some infusions were mild sedation, fever, chills, lumbar pain, urticarial rash, and bronchospasm. In all patients investigated, an important activation of the complement system was observed. No objective regression of the tumors was observed. The limiting factor in the phase I study was not toxicity but the volume of liposomes that could be prepared at once because of the long time required for its preparation. Pharmacokinetic data showed that maximal serum phospholipid and NSC 251635 concentrations were obtained at the end of the liposome infusion. The drug's peak was followed by a decreasing phase leading to a kind of plateau and a prolonged presence of the drug in the blood until 120 hours after its administration. Comparison of the pharmacokinetics of phospholipids and NSC 251635 suggests a rather rapid dissociation of the drug from the liposome.
Diagnosis of tuberculosis lymph node disease (TBLN): Problems with mediastinal disease
Authors: Robert Hackett, Graham Bothamley
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Introduction: TBLN requires material for culture and histological examination for diagnosis. This is especially important as drug-resistance increases. Current guidelines recommend empirical treatment after material for histology and culture has been obtained1.

Method: A retrospective cohort review of all newly diagnosed cases of TBLN between January 1st 2009 and October 31st 2010 was performed against national standards [1]. Site, biopsy technique, reason for failure to biopsy and other investigations were recorded.

Results: 39 cases were identified (26 extrathoracic, 13 intrathoracic). 22 had a fine needle aspirate (FNA) and 6 required open biopsy. 15 (39%) were commenced on treatment with no laboratory evidence of TB: 6 had no compatible histology or culture and 9 had no biopsy performed (8 mediastinal, 1 supraclavicular). Failures to biopsy were due to patient refusal (2) or technical difficulty in mediastinal biopsy (7).

View this table:



None had pulmonary evidence of TB on their chest x-ray. Ultrasound and CT confirmed caseation in 3 cases. Failure to improve after 2 months treatment led to open biopsies and diagnoses of follicular hyperplasia of the thymus and lipoma.

Conclusion: An endoscopic biopsy under ultrasound (EBUS) service for mediastinal TB will improve adherence to guidelines, obtain material for culture and reduce risk of misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment.

Reference: 

*   1. National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions. Tuberculosis: clinical diagnosis and management of tuberculosis, and measures for its prevention and control. 2006.
The role of fibrocytes in bronchial remodelling during acute exacerbation of COPD
Authors: Annaig Ozier, Benoit Allard, Bourdieu Antonin, Thomas Trian, Gabrielle Carvalho, Elise Maurat, Hoang-Nam Bui, Olivier Guisset, Frederic Vargas, Gilles Hilbert, Roger Marthan, Patrick Berger
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background: Acute exacerbations of COPD are associated with increased bronchial inflammation and probably contribute to bronchial remodelling. Fibrocytes have emerged as key effector cells in diseases characterized by both chronic inflammation and remodelling, such as asthma or lung fibrosis. However, the recruitment of circulating fibrocytes to the lung and their involvement in bronchial remodelling during COPD exacerbations remain unknown.  Methods: Circulating fibrocytes were quantified by flow cytometry in 33 COPD patients during an acute exacerbation and two months later in stable condition, and 26 age-matched control subjects. To address the mechanisms involved in fibrocyte migration to the lung during an acute exacerbation of COPD, COPD and control primary bronchial epithelial cells cultured under air-liquid condition were infected with rhinovirus RV16 to mimic in vitro such an exacerbation. The culture medium was then collected to induce fibrocyte migration. After 7 days of culture in serum free medium or serum free medium containing TNF-α, the cell morphology and α-smooth muscle actin expression as a marker of myofibroblast differentiation were both analyzed by immunocytochemistry.  Results: The number of circulating fibrocytes is significantly increased during an acute exacerbation of COPD as compared to both controls and COPD in stable condition. RV16-infected COPD epithelium induces fibrocyte migration. Fibrocytes differentiate into myofibroblast-like cells expressing α-smooth muscle actin with an elongated shape in a TNF-α-dependent manner.  Conclusion: These results strongly suggest that fibrocytes may play a crucial role in bronchial remodelling following COPD exacerbation.
P28 Optimising the analysis of the electroencephalogram in hepatic encephalopathy
Authors: M Morgan, H Dabrowski, M Stubbs, C Jackson
Journal: Gut (2010)

Introduction  Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is the commonest complication of cirrhosis. It has a detrimental effect on quality of life and on survival. Nevertheless, there is no recognised gold standard for its diagnosis. The only objective diagnostic technique, which does not require patient co-operation, is the electroencephalogram (EEG). The current assessment of the EEG is based on measures of the mean dominant frequency (MDF) and the percentage θ (θ%) power from spectral analysis. However, this represents a fairly simplistic approach to analysis of complex shifting wave forms.  Aim  To optimise the analysis of the EEG to provide more reliable criteria for the diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy and the grading of its severity.  Method  The patient population comprised 169 individuals (108 men, 61 women; mean (range) age, 55 (26–80) yr) with biopsy-proven cirrhosis, classified on the basis of clinical (Conn  et al , 1977) and psychometric performance (PHES; Weissenborn  et al , 2001), as neuropsychiatrically unimpaired (n=85), or as having minimal (n=21) or overt (n=63) HE. The reference population comprised 48 healthy individuals (25 men, 23 women; mean (range) age, 39 (22–58) yr). Standard 21-lead, eyes-closed EEG recordings were obtained in all subjects. EEGs were visually inspected and spectral analysis undertaken on a standard P3–P4 derivation (Amodio  et al , 1999) and a SEDACA component (Montagnese  et al , 2007). In addition, a measure of the stability of the posterior rhythm, F-mean, was obtained using a novel computational technique. A subset of 74 patients underwent a mean of 3 (2–9) repeat assessments over time. Performance of the variables was assessed using ROC analysis.  Results  Four variables had good performance characteristics.  All four variables correlated significantly with the PHES scores (p  Conclusion  Two additional variables have been identified which have good performance characteristics for the diagnosis of any degree of HE. These new variables, in combination with the currently used EEG measures, can be used to optimise the diagnosis of HE and the grading of its severity.
Cholestasis and Hepatic Metastases: A Factor Contributing to Extreme Elevations of Carcinoembryonic Antigen23
Authors: M. J. O'Brien, B. Bronstein, N. Zamcheck, C. Saravis, B. Burke, L. S. Gottlieb
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1980)

Records of 19 autopsied patients with metastatic carcinoma were studied to elucidate the contribution to the elevation of antemortem plasma carclnoembryonlc antigen (CEA) levels (range, 5.9–136,000 ng/ml) of 1) liver pathology and dysfunction, 2) tumor morphology and CEA content, and 3) tumor spread and location. Liver function tests and plasma CEA recorded within 8 weeks of death, autopsy records of tumor spread, liver weight (as an index of liver tumor mass), and histologic sections were reviewed. Tissue CEA was demonstrated in 15 patients by an immunoperoxidase method. Cholestasis was seen in histologic sections of tissue from 8 of 10 patients, and elevated bilirubin was seen in 7 of 10 patients with hepatic metastases and CEA levels greater than 1,000 ng/ml. In contrast, histologically observed cholestasls and elevated bilirubin were seen in only 1 of 8 patients with CEA less than 500 ng/ml. A significant correlation was found between the plasma CEA level and histologically observed cholestasls (P<0.01). Serum bilirubin also correlated significantly (P<0.01), but alkaline phosphatase did not. Liver weight (tumor mass) showed a positive correlation with cholestasls (P<0.01) but not with circulating CEA. Markedly elevated plasma CEA levels (<1,000 ng/ml) seen preterminally may partially reflect impaired excretion of CEA by the hepatobiliary system rather than, or in addition to, preterminal increase in CEA-producing tumor.
The association between porphyria cutanea tarda and diabetes mellitus: analysis of a long-term follow-up cohort
Authors: C. Muñoz-Santos, A. Guilabert, N. Moreno, M. Gimenez, E. Darwich, J. To-Figueras, C. Herrero
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2011)

Journal Article The association between porphyria cutanea tarda and diabetes mellitus: analysis of a long‐term follow‐up cohort Get access C. Muñoz‐Santos, C. Muñoz‐Santos Department of Dermatology Carlos Muñoz‐Santos. E‐mail: carlosmunozsantos@gmail.com Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar A. Guilabert, A. Guilabert Department of Dermatology Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar N. Moreno, N. Moreno Institut Català de la Salut, SAP Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Barcelona, Spain Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar M. Gimenez, M. Gimenez Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit and Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar E. Darwich, E. Darwich Department of Dermatology Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar J. To‐Figueras, J. To‐Figueras Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, 170 Villarroel, 08036 Barcelona, Spain Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar C. Herrero C. Herrero Department of Dermatology Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 165, Issue 3, 1 September 2011, Pages 486–491, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2011.10401.x Published: 01 September 2011