tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Ratio of size of recipient and donor areas in treatment of vitiligo by autologous cultured melanocyte transplantation
Authors: W.S. Hong, D.N. Hu, G.P. Qian, S.A. McCormick, A.E. Xu
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2011)

Autologous melanocytes can be expanded in vitro, allowing the treatment of large lesions of vitiligo in one session. Theoretically, this procedure could provide a higher donor/recipient size ratio (DR ratio) compared with that in noncultured cell transplantation (with a DR ratio < 1 : 10). However, the exact DR ratio obtained from this procedure has not been reported.To study whether transplantation of cultured pure melanocytes at a high DR ratio is as efficient as that at a low DR ratio.One hundred and two patients with vitiligo were treated by transplantation of cultured pure melanocytes and were divided into two groups: a low DR ratio group, including patients with DR ratio ≤ 1 : 10 (mean 1 : 8, 35 cases) and a high DR ratio group with DR ratio > 1 : 10 (mean 1 : 27, 67 cases). The extent of repigmentation between these two groups was compared.There was no significant difference in repigmentation between the low DR ratio group (mean ± SD 77·4 ± 22·5%) and the high DR ratio group (77·6 ± 24·8%). Multiple regression analysis showed that even after adjustment for age, sex, type of vitiligo and transplanted cell density, there was no significant correlation between the extent of repigmentation and the DR ratio, indicating that patients treated with high DR ratio obtained a satisfactory result and showed no difference from the low DR ratio group.Various surgical procedures for the treatment of vitiligo which involve melanocyte transplantation or skin grafts have different inherent DR ratios. Transplantation of cultured pure melanocytes is an expensive and complicated procedure; however, it provides the highest DR ratio (> 1 : 10 and up to 1 : 60). Surgeons can select one of these methods for the treatment of vitiligo based on their experience and skill, on the size of lesions, and the availability of laboratory support.
Raising cigarette prices decreases consumption without increase in smuggling: A study from Iran
Authors: Ali Abdolahinia, Vahid Moosavi, Simin Shafiefar, Nasrin Taheri, Makan Sadr, Mohammad Reza Masjedi
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Introduction: Raising tobacco prices is one of the best initiatives for decreasing tobacco consumption.Tobacco smuggling, which is widespread in many countries such as Iran, seriously harms the public health by undermining tobacco tax policies, Tobacco companies claim that the rise of tobacco products’ prices leads to increase in tobacco smuggling.

Methods: In this cross sectional study which was conducted in 2012, we divided Tehran population into five clusters and selected 546 smokers randomly. We filled out a questionnaire via face-to-face, which consisted of items such as brand, price, amount of cigarettes consumed daily, pictorial warning and tax labels placed, and fluctuation of consumption since last year. Then the data were analyzed by statistical tests.

Results: About 18 percent of smokers reported that their cigarette packets had not pictorial warnings. Moreover, 19 percent of smokers said that their packets had not any tax-related label, which reveals that approximately 20 percent of tobacco products, consumed in Tehran, is illicit or smuggled. Regarding the amount of cigarette consumption, 32.2 percent mentioned that their consumption has decreased since last year; a figure which had a significant difference in comparison with smokers whose consumption had increased.(p<0.05)

Conclusion: Since tobacco products prices have raised since last year, it can be concluded that raising tobacco prices could lead to decrease in consumption. Additionally, since the amount of illicit products had no significant difference with the last year’s figures mentioned in the official reports, it can be concluded that raising tobacco prices does not lead to increase in amount of smuggling.
Recent Clinical Results in the Chemotherapy of Brain Tumors: BTCG Studies
Authors: W. R. Shapiro, S. B. Green, P. C. Burger, R. G. Selker, M. S. Mahaley, J. Mealey, J. T. Robertson, F. H. Hochberg, J. D. Vangilder, J. Ransohoff, R. Young
Journal: Neuro-Oncology (1991)

Phase III Trial 8301 compared intra-arterial (IA) versus intravenous (IV) BCNU (200 mg/m2 q 8 wk), each regimen without or with IV 5-FU (1 g/m2/d × 3 two wks after BCNU), plus radiation therapy, in the treatment of malignant glioma. Actuarial analysis (logrank) demonstrated worse survival for the IA group (p=0.07, and for those receiving at least one course, p=0.03). Serious toxicity was observed in the IA group, including irreversible encephalopathy (8.4%) and visual loss ipsilateral to the infused carotid artery. 5-FU did not influence survival. IA BCNU is neither safe nor effective. Phase II Trial 8420, compared IA cisplatin, 60 mg/m2 every 4 weeks, versus IV PCNU, 100 mg/m2 every 8 weeks. There was no statistical difference in survival between patients treated with IV PCNU and those treated with IA cisplatin. The median survival of the IV PCNU patients was 11.8 months; that of the IA cisplatin patients was 9.4 months. The incidence of encephalopathy was substantially less than with IA BCNU; the incidence of severe encephalopathy was 1.3%.
Transforming growth factor-beta 1 in hypertensive renal injury in Dahl salt-sensitive rats.
Authors: K Tamaki, S Okuda, M Nakayama, T Yanagida, M Fujishima
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (1996)

The expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) for hypertensive renal injury was investigated in Dahl salt-sensitive (Dahl-S) rats fed a high-salt (HS; 8% NaCl) diet or a low-salt (LS; 0.3% NaCl) diet for 4 wk. The HS rats developed severe hypertension and renal damage, including glomerulosclerosis and arteriosclerosis. TGF-beta biosynthesis by isolated glomeruli, the TGF-beta localization, and the gene expression of TGF-beta 1, latent TGF-beta binding protein (LTBP), and TGF-beta receptors (Types I, II, and III) were compared between the HS rats and LS rats. A TGF-beta bioassay revealed that the isolated glomeruli from the HS rats secreted a larger amount of latent TGF-beta than those from the LS rats. Northern blotting analysis demonstrated that the HS diet led to the increases in cortical gene expression of TGF-beta 1, LTBP, and TGF-beta receptors, compared with the LS diet. The glomerular biosynthesis of fibronectin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and cortical mRNA expression for fibronectin, collagen I, and PAI-1 (which may be affected by TGF-beta) in the HS rats were elevated, compared with the LS rats. The latent TGF-beta immunostained by anti-LTBP antibody was localized on the sclerosing glomeruli and vascular walls. Furthermore, fibronectin, collagen I, and PAI-1 were also localized in the sclerotic area. The TGF-beta 1-positive cells, immunostained by antibody for latency-associated peptide of TGF-beta 1, increased in the glomeruli and vascular walls in the HS rats. These results thus suggested that TGF-beta 1 may be related to hypertensive renal injury in this model.
Neuro-Otological Findings in Normal Children
Authors: G S Kenyon
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1988)

The findings of a neuro-otological evaluation of 100 normal school children and 21 adults are presented. The results show changes in the vestibulo-ocular reflex with age which are of importance in the interpretation of future tests. They also give a fascinating insight into the maturation processes taking place in the growing child.
Anger and anxiety in patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax
Authors: Hatice Eryigit, Evrim Ozkorumak, Kadir Burak Ozer, Murat Ersin Cardak, Ali Fidan, Recep Demirhan
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Introduction: Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is usually seen in young, male smokers. Pathophysiology of PSP remains unclear, also the number of research concerning emotional status are scarce. The aim of this study is to investigate psychological factors associated with PSP.  Method: Participants were recruited from male patients who admitted to department of thoracic surgery outpatient clinic with the diagnosis of PSP in an education and research hospital. Beck depression inventory (BDI), Beck anxiety inventory (BAI), state–trait anger expression inventory (STAXI), state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) were administered respectively to all patients.  Results:Twenty five patients and 25 healthy controls were included in this study. Mean age of patient group was 24.80± 5.77 years, of control group was 26.76 ± 6.78 years and difference was not significant (p=0.277). The weight and body mass index of the patient group significantly lower than the control group respectively. Mean BAI scores in patient and control group was 12.28 ±12.65 and 5.84±6.91 respectively. Anxiety levels were not different in two group (p=0.97). Mean BDI score of patients and control group were 9.12±9.93, 5.24±5.61 respectively but the difference was insignificant (p=0.32). When anger structures of the groups were compared, state anger subscale was higher in patient group but was insignificant(p=0.491). Trait anxiety scores were higher in patient group, but not differ significantly (p=0.71).  Conclusion: This preliminary report of our study does not indicate any significant difference between the patient and healthy control. But we continue to recruit patients for enlarging our sample that would give more precise results.
4′-Demethylepipodophyllotoxin-β-D-Glucoside: A New Podophyllotoxin Derivative With VM-26-Like and VP-16-213-Like Activities&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: Radhey S. Gupta, Bhag Singh
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1984)

Mutants of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells independently selected for resistance to the anticancer drug 4'-demethylepipodophyllotoxin thenylidene-beta-D-glucoside (VM-26) and the microtubule inhibitor podophyllotoxin exhibit mutually an exclusive cross-resistance pattern toward various podophyllotoxin derivatives that possess either VM-26-like or podophyllotoxin-like activities, respectively. The cross-resistance studies with these mutants have led to the identification of a new podophyllotoxin derivative, 4'-demethylepipodophyllotoxin-beta-D-glucoside (compound No. 13), which possesses VM-26-like and 4'-demethylepipodophyllotoxin ethylidene-beta-D-glucoside (VP-16-213)-like activity. This inference is strongly supported by our observation that, like VM-26 and VP-16-213, compound No. 13 showed no antimitotic activity (as seen by the effect on the mitotic index) but was highly active in inducing DNA strand breaks, sister chromatid exchanges, and mutations at the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase and adenosine kinase loci in CHO cells. On the basis of structure-activity data of various podophyllotoxin derivatives, three structural features have been identified that appear essential for VM-26-like activity. These are: 1) the presence of an hydroxyl group at the 4'-carbon, 2) an epi-configuration at the C-4 position, and 3) the presence of a glycoside moiety on the hydroxyl group at the C-4 position. In addition, the nature of the glycoside substituents at the C-4 position greatly affects the relative VM-26-like activity of various compounds.
Cause-specific mortality in mild COPD: The Rotterdam Study
Authors: Lies Lahousse, Guy Joos, Albert Hofman, Bruno Stricker, Guy Brusselle
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background:   Since patients with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are rarely included in large COPD cohort studies and clinical trials, little is known about their cause specific mortality.   Aim:   To identify the main causes of death in subjects with mild COPD (GOLD stage I) compared to moderate/severe COPD and subjects without respiratory symptoms and a normal spirometry.   Methods:   In participants of the Rotterdam Study, a large prospective population-based cohort study, information on vital status was obtained regularly from the municipal health authorities in Rotterdam. The cause of death was determined in 257 participants who had performed a spirometry at the research centre between 2002 and 2010. The classification of deaths was based on the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).   Results:   Two thirds of the subjects with mild COPD died due to cardiovascular causes (51%) or lung cancer (12%), whereas only 2% of mild COPD patients died from pulmonary causes.   Conclusions:   The high percentages of cardiovascular death and lung cancer death emphasize the need for optimal diagnosis and treatment of comorbidities in patients with mild COPD to decrease mortality.
Abstract 7: Intracoronary Autologous Cardiac Progenitor Cell Transfer In Children With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: 2-year Results Of The Ticap Trial
Authors: Shuta Ishigami, Suguru Tarui, Michihiro Okuyama, Daiki Ousaka, Junko Kobayashi, Shingo Kasahara, Shunji Sano, Hidemasa Oh
Journal: Circulation Research (2014)

Backgrounds: Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a severe congenital heart malformation. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine whether intracoronary delivery of autologous cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) was feasible and safe to treat the children with HLHS. Methods: Four-teen patients with HLHS undergoing staged palliations were prospectively enrolled in this trial between January, 2011, and January, 2012. Seven patients constitutively assigned to receive intracoronary CDCs injection followed by 7 patients allocated to a control group with standard care alone. The primary endpoint was to assess the safety and the secondary endpoint was the preliminary efficacy by assessing the improvements of the right ventricular function during the follow-up. Results: No major complications were reported within 24 months of CDC infusion. Echocardiography showed that improvement of right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) was greater in the CDC-treated group (+5.3±3.2%) than in controls (+0.1±3.4%, P=0.01) at 3-month follow up. This cardiac function enhancement was manifested even in long-term observation (+7.8±4.9% vs. +2.2±3.1% at 1 year, P=0.03; +8.8±3.7% vs. +3.4±6.4% at 2 years, P=0.04). The absolute improvements in RVEF between 2 groups was confirmed by using right ventriculogram (RVG: +8.9±7.6% vs. +2.0±2.8% at 1 year, P=0.02; +8.1±6.0% vs. +2.9±3.9% at 2 years, P=0.04). In addition, RVEF on cMRI was also markedly improved in CDC-treated patients from 36.1±7.5% at baseline to 42.7±8.7% at 1 year (P=0.04) and to 42.4±7.6% at 2 years (P=0.047). Heart failure status was reduced in CDC-treated group as shown by significant decrease in Ross Heart Failure Class (2.6±0.8 at baseline vs. 1.4±0.5 at 2 years, P=0.01). Moreover, Z scores for weight-for-age was significantly increased from −4.0±2.7 at baseline to −2.2±1.4 at 2 year (P=0.02), whereas all of these parameters did not change in control subjects. Conclusion: These results of 2-year follow-up of TICAP trial suggest that intracoronary infusion of autologous CDCs is feasible and safe to treat the children with HLHS. This novel therapeutic strategy may impact on cardiac function as well as clinical symptom of heart failure status and somatic growth in long-term outcome.
Real-life long-term omalizumab therapy in children with severe allergic asthma
Authors: Antoine Deschildre, Christophe Marguet, Carole Langlois, Isabelle Pin, Jean-Luc Rittié, Jocelyne Derelle, Rola Abou Taam, Michael Fayon, Jacques Brouard, Jean Christophe Dubus, Daniel Siret, Laurence Weiss, Guillaume Pouessel, Laurent Beghin, Jocelyne Just
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2015)

We previously reported the French real-life experience of 1 year of add-on treatment with omalizumab in 101 severe allergic asthmatic children (6–18 years), 92 of whom were still receiving the treatment at the end of the first year [1]. The study provided complementary data to the previous randomised trials [2–6]. We showed a marked drop of 72% in the mean rate of severe exacerbations (from 4.4 per patient during the preceding year to 1.25 during the year of treatment) and of 88.5% for hospitalisations (44% of the patients during the preceding year to 6.7% during the year of treatment); a large improvement in asthma control (from 0% at initiation to 67% of well-controlled patients after 1 year); a decrease of 30% of the mean inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) dose (from 703 at initiation to 488 µg fluticasone equivalent per day after 1 year); and a forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) increase, from a mean of 88% to 92.1% of the predicted value. Treatment was discontinued in six patients due to serious adverse events attributed to omalizumab by the practitioner. Here we report the outcome of this cohort after 2 years of omalizumab treatment. Beneficial effects at 2 years of omalizumab on severe exacerbations and control in severe allergic asthmatic children <http://ow.ly/LGgnw> We are grateful to Céline Clairet (Centre d'Investigations Cliniques Pédiatriques, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France) for data collection and management.
Pulmonary function in children with acute myeloid and lymphoid leukemia
Authors: Karla Mendonça, Thalita Macêdo, Diana Freitas, Ingrid Guerra Azevedo, Raquel Mendes, Gabriela Chaves, Tania Campos
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background: Leukemias are the most common malignancy in children and adolescents. Aim: To assess pulmonary function in children with acute leukemia in the maintenance phase of chemotherapy treatment, and compare it with healthy school children. Method: 34 children were evaluated (24 boys, 6.83±1.40 years; 10 girls, 6.2±1.0 years) assigned into Group A: 17 children with acute leukemia (BMI: 16.09±2.67 kg/m2) and group B: 17 healthy students (BMI: 15.46±1.95 kg/m2), matched for gender, age and height. The thoracic mobility was evaluated by thoracic expansion in the axillary and xiphoid levels. Spirometry was measured following American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society. Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) were measured with a digital manometer. The student’s T-tests were used to compare values found in group A with group B. Results: The comparison between groups A and B for the evaluated variables is shown in table 1.

View this table:



Conclusion: The findings of this study show a decreasing in thoracic mobility and inspiratory muscle strength in children with acute leukemias.
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing and critical care use after high risk elective surgery for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Laura Malin, Saagar Patel, Malcolm West, Sandy Jack, Robert Parker
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Introduction   Aintree University Hospital is a regional centre for hepatobiliary (HPB), upper and lower gastrointestinal (UGI, LGI) surgery serving a population with significant morbidity from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) informs peri-operative risk and elective critical care (ICU) use.   Methods   142 sequential patients undergoing surgery were analysed to assess the prevalence of COPD, severity and use of critical care. Smoking history was not available.   Results   Seventy-eight patients had COPD (FEV1/FVC   Allcomers with COPD admitted to ICU had no difference in age, FEV1, AT (10.9 vs 10.6 ml/kg/min), or other CPET variables compared with those managed on surgical wards.  HPB and UGI surgery is routinely admitted to ICU. Twenty patients with COPD underwent LGI surgery after which ICU is decided on an individual basis. Ten were admitted to ICU and 10 received ward care. Those admitted to ICU had non-significantly lower values for AT (10.3 vs 11.2 ml/kg/min) whilst FEV1 was no different. All were alive 6 months after surgery.   Conclusions   The prevalence of significant COPD was lower than expected. All surgical candidates undergo multidisciplinary assessment. It is unlikely patients are excluded from surgery due to a diagnosis of COPD alone. ICU use is mainly based on type of surgery performed. As no post-operative care unit exists distinct from ICU it is felt an effective use of resources.
How do cytology samples compare with histology specimens when used for EGFR testing in patients with NSCLC
Authors: Shahul Leyakathali khan, Mohammed Haris, Sarah Diver, Jane Edwards, Mohammed Munavvar
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background: With the evolution of individualised treatment strategies in non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), it is becoming increasingly important to obtain adequate tissue for accurate pathologic sub-typing and molecular testing. In most cases diagnosis and staging is done using small biopsies or cytology specimens obtained by minimally invasive techniques.  Aim: To compare the adequacy of cytology and histology samples used for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation screening.  Methods: Retrospective study of 135 consecutive samples obtained from NSCLC patients between Jan 2010 and Dec 2011.  Results: Of the 135 samples sent for EGFR testing, 13 were positive, 115 negative and 7 were considered inadequate or failed molecular testing. 106 had adenocarcinoma, 11 adenosquamous, 13 NSCLC-NOS(not otherwise specified), 4 squamous and 1 small cell. Positive EGFR was noted in 4 cytology and 9 histology samples (p=0.27).  Cytology samples include 46 endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) guided fine needle aspiration (FNA), 8 pleural fluid, 7 ultrasound guided or superficial FNAs from lymph nodes or masses, 1 transbronchial (mini-probe), 2 bronchial washings and 2 brush biopsies. Histology biopsies include 29 endobronchial biopsies, 19 CT guided lung biopsies, 8 thoracoscopic and 1 ultrasound guided pleural biopsies, 1 renal biopsy, and 11 surgical excision samples (bone, brain, lymph node and groin mass).  Conclusion: The overall adequacy rate from both groups was 95% with no difference, suggesting that the cytology samples can be reliably used for molecular testing.
Commentary 1 on "Bicuspid aortic valve in competitive athletes"
Authors: Sanjay Sharma
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2008)

This large cross-sectional study of non-elite athletes observed a prevalence of bicuspid aortic valve of 2.5%, which is, not surprisingly, similar to that in the general population. Of the athletes with bicuspid aortic valve, 85% had valvular dysfunction—predominantly aortic regurgitation. Although …
Abstract 13213: Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase (TIMP)-2 Regulates Macrophage Invasion by Modulating MMP-14 Expression and Retards Plaque Progression
Authors: Jason L Johnson, Karina Di Gregoli, Christopher Jackson, Andrew Newby
Journal: Circulation (2010)

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are proposed to precipitate atherosclerotic plaque progression and instability. However, the role of their endogenous inhibitors, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteina...