tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Does one year change in quality of life predict the mortality in patients with COPD?: Prospective cohort study
Authors: Yavuz Havlucu, Arzu Yorgancioglu, Aysin Sakar Coskun, Pinar Celik
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

To assess the contribution of the 1 year change in quality of life in predicting the mortality and survival time of a cohort of patients with COPD followed for 9 years.

Health related quality of life,St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and pulmonary function test assessment was done beginning and first year. Mortality will be obtained from hospital records and direct family interviews.

Comparisons were performed using independent unpaired t-tests, a nonparametric Mann–Whitney U-test or the Chi-squared test. Cox regression analysis for baseline QoL scores and 1 year change in QoL. Statistical significance is accepted at p<0.05.

In this prospective study,218 patients(86.85%) were male and mean age was 65,55(43-82 years). When the begining parameters of dead patients and survived patients were compared, there was a statistically difference according to body mass index, smoking, PFT parameters, and SGRQ scores(p<0.05.). when the beginning paramaters of dead patients due to respiratory reason and due to non-respiratory reasons, there was significant difference according to age and presence of cardiac comorbidty. After cox regression analysis, relative risk of baseline quality of life score was 1,042 (95% CI 1,028-1,057) for all cause mortality and 1,030 (95% CI 1,011-1,050) for respiratory cause mortality but relative risk of one year change in quality of life was 1,175 (95% CI 1,130-1,221) for all cause mortality and 1,214 (95% CI 1,151-1,280) for respiratory cause mortality.

Baseline assessment of QoL with change in quality of life in a year is more effective than baseline asessment to predict the any cause and respiratory cause mortality among patients with COPD.
Abstract 1822: Epigenetic Parallelism Between Hindlimb Ischemia And Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Revealed By Global Histone Modification Profiling
Authors: Claudia Colussi, Stefania Straino, Barbara Illi, Jessica Rosati, Serena Vitale, Maurizio C Capogrossi, Carlo Gaetano
Journal: Circulation (2008)
Q-Band Chromosome Patterns of a Variant of the BHK 21 C13 Cell Line
Authors: Ruth Marshall
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1973)

The chromosomes of a derivative of the Syrian hamster cell line BHK 21 C13, oncogenically transformed by polyoma virus and resistant to 8-azaadenine and 8-aza-adenosine, were identified after staining with quinacrine dihydrochloride. The loss of 6 chromosomes from the parent population and the extensive rearrangements of the remaining 38 produced a homogeneous modal population in which 22 single chromosomes and 4 pairs were differentiated by their Q-bands. The remaining 8 chromosomes not differentiated by their Q-bands fell into 2 groups, PyY/AA/AAR 13–17 and PyY/AA/AAR 27–29. Four single PyY/AA/AAR chromosomes (#10, 26, 30, and 34) and the 4 identifiable pairs of PyY/AA/AAR chromosomes (#19+20, 23+24, 32+33, and 37+38) had banding patterns similar to those of C13 chromosomes.
Apoptosis of Fashigh CD4+ Synovial T Cells by <i>Borrelia-</i>reactive Fas-ligandhigh γδ T Cells in Lyme Arthritis
Authors: Michael S. Vincent, Karen Roessner, David Lynch, David Wilson, Sheldon M. Cooper, Jurg Tschopp, Leonard H. Sigal, Ralph C. Budd
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (1996)

The function of the minor subset of T lymphocytes bearing the γδ T cell antigen receptor is uncertain. Although some γδ T cells react to microbial products, responsiveness has only rarely been demonstrated toward a bacterial antigen from a naturally occurring human infection. Synovial fluid lymphocytes from patients with Lyme arthritis contain a large proportion of γδ cells that proliferate in response to the causative spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi. Furthermore, synovial γδ T cell clones express elevated and sustained levels of the ligand for Fas (APO-1, CD95) compared to αβ T cells, and induce apoptosis of Fashigh CD4+ synovial lymphocytes. The findings suggest that γδ T cells contribute to defense in human infections, as well as manifest an immunoregulatory function at inflammatory sites by a Fas-dependent process.
Dual‐Specificity Phosphatase 5 Attenuates Autoimmune Arthritis in Mice via Reciprocal Regulation of the Th17/Treg Cell Balance and Inhibition of Osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Su‐Jin Moon, Mi‐Ae Lim, Jin‐Sil Park, Jae‐Kyeong Byun, Sung‐Min Kim, Mi‐Kyung Park, Eun‐Kyung Kim, Young‐Mee Moon, Jun‐Ki Min, Sung‐Min Ahn, Sung‐Hwan Park, Mi‐La Cho
Journal: Arthritis & Rheumatology (2014)

Objective Dual‐specificity phosphatase 5 (DUSP‐5) is a phosphatase that specifically dephosphorylates both phosphoserine and phosphotyrosine residues of MAPK. The dysregulated activation of MAPK contributes to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. This study was undertaken to investigate the therapeutic potential of DUSP‐5 in preventing the development of autoimmune arthritis in an animal model. Methods Autoimmune arthritis was induced in DBA/1J mice by immunization with type II collagen (CII). Eight days after CII immunization, the mice were injected intravenously with pcDNA–DUSP5 or mock vector, and electroporation was performed. The serum concentration of anti‐CII antibodies was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Histologic analysis of the joints was performed using Safranin O, toluidine blue, and immunohistochemical staining. The expression of transcription factors was analyzed by immunostaining and Western blotting. The frequencies of interleukin‐17–producing CD4+ Th17 cells and CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results In DUSP5‐overexpressing mice, the severity of arthritis, as indicated by the clinical arthritis score and the extent of histologic inflammation and cartilage damage, was attenuated. The pcDNA–DUSP5–injected mice had lower circulating levels of total and CII‐specific IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a. The Th17 cell population frequency was decreased and the Treg cell frequency was increased in the spleens of the DUSP5‐treated group. The reciprocal regulation of Th17 and Treg cells in vivo was associated with attenuated activity of pSTAT‐3 and pERK, and with increased activity of pSTAT‐5. DUSP5 overexpression suppressed joint damage through down‐regulation of pro‐osteoclastogenic molecules. Conclusion The antiarthritic properties of DUSP‐5 are associated with its reciprocal regulation of Th17 and Treg cells and its inhibition of ERK activity.
Neurotherapy for chronic headache following traumatic brain injury
Authors: David V. Nelson, Mary Lee Esty
Journal: Military Medical Research (2015)

Chronic headache following traumatic brain injury (TBI) sustained in military service, while common, is highly challenging to treat with existing pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions and may be complicated by co-morbid posttraumatic stress. Recently, a novel form of brainwave-based intervention known as the Flexyx Neurotherapy System (FNS) that involves minute pulses of electromagnetic energy stimulation of brainwave activity has been suggested as a means to address symptoms of TBI. This study reports on a clinical series of patients with chronic headache following service-connected TBI treated with FNS.Nine veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq with moderate to severe chronic headaches following service-connected TBI and complicated by posttraumatic stress symptoms were treated in 20 individual FNS sessions at the Brain Wellness and Biofeedback Center of Washington (in Bethesda, Maryland, USA). They periodically completed measures including the Brief Pain Inventory-Headache (BPI-HA) past week worst and average pain ratings, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Military version (PCL-M), and individual treatment session numerical rating scale (NRS) for degree of cognitive dysfunction. Data analyses included beginning to end of treatment t-test comparisons for the BPI-HA, PCL-M, and cognitive dysfunction NRS.All beginning to end of treatment t-test comparisons for the BPI-HA, PCL-M, and cognitive dysfunction NRS indicated statistically significant decreases. All but one participant experienced reduction in headaches along with reductions in posttraumatic stress and perceived cognitive dysfunction, with a subset experiencing virtual elimination of headaches. One participant obtained modest headache relief but no improvement in posttraumatic stress or cognitive dysfunction.FNS may be a potentially efficacious treatment for chronic posttraumatic headache sustained in military service. Further research is needed to investigate the efficacy of FNS within a randomized, controlled clinical trial, to identify characteristics of those most likely to respond, and to explore underlying mechanisms that may contribute to improvement.
Tumour necrosis factor-α antagonists in patients with concurrent psoriasis and hepatitis B or hepatitis C: a retrospective analysis of 17 patients
Authors: F. Prignano, F. Ricceri, L. Pescitelli, F. Zanieri, T. Lotti
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2010)

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α antagonists are effective for the treatment of plaque-type psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, but concerns remain about the safety of these agents in the presence of chronic infections, including past hepatitis B (HBV) and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections.To assess the safety of TNF-α therapy in patients with plaque-type psoriasis and concurrent past HBV or chronic HCV.Data were collected retrospectively from patients in the PsoCare Centre, Division of Dermatology II, Florence University. Patients with plaque-type psoriasis who were receiving anti-TNF-α therapy were retrospectively reviewed for the presence of HBV or HCV by a serological evaluation.Seventeen patients (13 men and four women, age 36-74 years) with plaque-type psoriasis associated with hepatitis infections (11 with past HBV infection, five with chronic HCV infection and one affected by both HBV and HCV) were identified. Fourteen patients had received etanercept, two adalimumab and one adalimumab as a second biologic treatment after an unsuccessful trial of etanercept. In none of the cases were changes in serum aminotransferases or viral load reported.In our analysis, the use of anti-TNF-α therapy appears to be safe as it did not affect serum aminotransferases or viral load. However, repeated monitoring is necessary throughout the treatment period. Systematic, large-scale studies are also needed to assess the risks and benefits of TNF-α antagonists in these patients.
The course and outcomes of pregnancy in women with bronchial asthma
Authors: Yulia R. Dymarskaya, Olga V. Lavrova, Marina A. Petrova, Elena A. Shapovalova
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Bronchial asthma (BA) is in high incidence among pregnant women (8.4%-13.9%). Women with BA have a greater risk of complications of the course and outcomes of pregnancy.

Purpose. To analyze the course of pregnancy, delivery and neonatal status in women with varying severity of BA.

Materials and methods. 100 pregnant women with the mean age of 28,35±0,46 ys with BA - 24 with mild intermittent (1 group), 28 - mild persistent (2 group), 48 - moderate persistent/severe BA (3 group). Patients were co-managed with pulmonologist, allergist and obstetrician from early stages of pregnancy, using an individual plan of preventive and therapeutic measures.

Results. 

View this table:

Frequency of the most important pregnancy and delivery data





Incidence of preeclampsia inversely related to the severity of BA. Incidence of threatened abortion in I trimester was 27% and in III - 18%. Incidence of placental insufficiency was 17 % and correlated with the severity of BA. Chronic and acute fetal hypoxia were in 18% and 12%, respectively. Vaginal delivery was in 64%. Cesarean section was more often in group 3. 96% of women delivered at term. The mean body weight, length and Apgar score of neonates were the lowest in group 3 (p<0.05).

Conclusion. Preventive and treatment measures in patients with BA are important. Co-management of pregnancy by obstetricians, pulmonologists, allergists from early stages may help to reduce the risk of the most common obstetric complications.
Lateral gene transfer and ancient paralogy of operons containing redundant copies of tryptophan-pathway genes in Xylellaspecies and in heterocystous cyanobacteria
Authors: Gary Xie, Carol A Bonner, Tom Brettin, Raphael Gottardo, Nemat O Keyhani, Roy A Jensen
Journal: Genome biology (2003)

Tryptophan-pathway genes that exist within an apparent operon-like organization were evaluated as examples of multi-genic genomic regions that contain phylogenetically incongruous genes and coexist with genes outside the operon that are congruous. A seven-gene cluster in Xylella fastidiosa includes genes encoding the two subunits of anthranilate synthase, an aryl-CoA synthetase, and trpR. A second gene block, present in the Anabaena/Nostoc lineage, but not in other cyanobacteria, contains a near-complete tryptophan operon nested within an apparent supraoperon containing other aromatic-pathway genes.The gene block in X. fastidiosa exhibits a sharply delineated low-GC content. This, as well as bias of codon usage and 3:1 dinucleotide analysis, strongly implicates lateral gene transfer (LGT). In contrast, parametric studies and protein tree phylogenies did not support the origination of the Anabaena/Nostoc gene block by LGT.Judging from the apparent minimal amelioration, the low-GC gene block in X. fastidiosa probably originated by LGT at a relatively recent time. The surprising inability to pinpoint a donor lineage still leaves room for alternative, albeit less likely, explanations other than LGT. On the other hand, the large Anabaena/Nostoc gene block does not seem to have arisen by LGT. We suggest that the contemporary Anabaena/Nostoc array of divergent paralogs represents an ancient ancestral state of paralog divergence, with extensive streamlining by gene loss occurring in the lineage of descent representing other (unicellular) cyanobacteria.
Sequence Effect of Irinotecan and Fluorouracil Treatment on Pharmacokinetics and Toxicity in Chemotherapy-Naive Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients
Authors: Alfredo Falcone, Antonello Di Paolo, Gianluca Masi, Giacomo Allegrini, Romano Danesi, Monica Lencioni, Elisabetta Pfanner, Silvia Comis, Mario Del Tacca, Pierfranco Conte
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2001)

PURPOSE: To investigate the sequence effect of irinotecan and a 48-hour infusion of fluorouracil (5-FU) modulated by leucovorin (LV) on the plasma pharmacokinetics of irinotecan and its metabolites, the toxicity profile of this combination, and irinotecan’s maximum-tolerated dose (MTD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-three metastatic colorectal cancer patients were randomized to receive a 60-minute infusion of irinotecan before or after a 48-hour infusion of 5-FU modulated by LV. The reverse sequence was used after 21 days for the second cycle. 5-FU 3,500 mg/m 2 was preceded by l-LV 250 mg/m 2 . Irinotecan 150 mg/m 2 (starting dose) was administered to the first three patients. The dose was escalated by 50 mg/m 2 in subsequent groups of three to six patients to determine the MTD for both sequences. Pharmacokinetic analysis of irinotecan and its metabolites was performed after each cycle. RESULTS: Toxicities were affected by the sequence of administration of irinotecan and 5-FU, with an improved tolerability for irinotecan followed by 5-FU. The irinotecan MTD was reached at 300 mg/m 2 when irinotecan followed 5-FU and at 450 mg/m 2 when it preceded 5-FU. In seven of 23 patients who received both sequences at identical irinotecan doses, the dose-limiting toxicity was observed only when irinotecan followed 5-FU. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that the administration sequence significantly affected the SN-38 area under the concentration-versus-time curve (AUC), which was 40.1% lower (P &lt; .05) when irinotecan preceded 5-FU. CONCLUSION: The sequence of treatment with irinotecan and infusional 5-FU affects the tolerability of this combination. This can be explained in part by a reduced SN-38 AUC when irinotecan preceded infusional 5-FU. Well-defined 5-FU/irinotecan regimens are needed because the administration sequence or the interval between the agents might affect treatment tolerance and perhaps also activity.
Association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and cancer incidence - A nationwide population-based study
Authors: Po-Ju Wei, Ming-Ju Tsai, Yi-Hsuan Tsai, Tzu-Yu Kuo, Chia-Min Chen, Ming-Shyan Huang
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Rationale  Recently, increased incidence of cancer in patients with severe OSA has been reported from a large multicenter Spanish cohort. Therefore, we conducted a nationwide population-based study using Taiwan National Health Insurance (NHI) database.  Methods  The dataset used for this study is a cohort of 1 million subjects randomly sampled from individuals enrolled in the NHI system. We enrolled patients, aged 18∼80 years, with a diagnosis of OSA by polysomnography (PSG) in the dataset. Patients had a diagnosis of cancer prior to OSA were excluded. The first day of OSA diagnosis was defined as the index day. Each patient was matched to 25 randomly-selected, age- and gender-matched control subjects without OSA. The control subjects were given the same index day as their matched case. The occurrance of cancer was identified from the catastrophic disease claim dataset.  Results  From the dataset, a total of 2064 patients with a diagnosis of OSA by PSG were identified. After excluding patients by algorithm and matching to control subjects, 1189 patients and 29661 control subjects were identified for further analysis. Between OSA patients and control subjects, the cancer incidence and the free-from-cancer survival curve showed no significantly difference.  Conclusions  The previous study showed increased cancer incidence in severe OSA patients compared with OSA patients with low apnea-hypopnea index. However, difference between OSA and non-OSA group was not discussion. Our study revealed no significantly difference in cancer incidence between these two groups, but we could not identify the severity of OSA. Further study may be needed to identify the association between OSA and cancer.
Prognostic role of cardiac troponins and simplified pulmonary embolism severity index in patients with normotensive pulmonary embolism
Authors: Savas Ozsu, Yasin Abul, Asim Orem, Funda Oztuna, Yilmaz Bulbul, HÃ¼seyin Yaman, Tevfik Ozlu
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

The new, high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) assay may improve risk stratification of normotensive patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Simplied Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (sPESI) has shown prognostic accuracy.

We aimed to investigate whether risk stratification by cardiac troponin testing improves the prediction of clinical outcomes in patients with a sPESI. The primary end point of the study was adverse 30-day outcome, defined as death from any cause or nonfatal recurrent venous thromboembolism or nonfatal major bleeding.

18 (14.9%) advers events within 30 days diagnosis of PE. The sPESI classified 76 patients (62.8%) to the high-risk category (≥1 point[s]). Of patients with low sPESI, had hsTnT ≥0.014 pg/mL was 14(%31.1) patients. Low sPESI and hsTnT <0,014 had occurs non-fatal hemorrhage in a patient. The advers event rate rose from 0% in patients with sPESI ≥1 or positive hsTnT, and further to 14% in those with hsTnT ≥0.014 pg/mL+ sPESI ≥1. The advers event rate rose from 1.6 % in patients with sPESI ≥1 or positive cTnT, and further to 12.4% in those with cTnT ≥0.01 pg/mL+ sPESI ≥1. Of the 121study patients, the hsTnT≥0.014+ sPESI ≥1 point(s) had a higher sensitivity, and a higher negative predictive value than the cTnT≥0.01+ sPESI ≥1 point(s) combinative model for predicting 30-day adverse outcome in the study.

In conclusion, cardiac troponin testing may not be required for the minority of patients with a low sPESI but it no adds prognostic information. Risk stratification with the combination of sPESI and cardiac troponin may also serve for agressive PE treatment strategies.
Description of smoking status in pulmonary patient in the discharge list
Authors: Ika Pesic, Branka Bulajic-Subotic, Vladimir Zugic, Branislav Gvozdenovic, Nada Lazovic
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Aim:  The aim of the study was to assess how much pulmonologists define the smoking status in the discharge lists to inpatients.  Methods:  We compared the overall discharged lists in 2005 and 2011 in the Clinic for pulmonology of the Clinical Centre of Serbia.  Results:  There were 5,924 hospitalized patients in 2005 and only 25% had defined the smoking status. In 2011, 30.2%) out of the total of 3,909 hospitalized patients had described smoking status. The lowest number of patients with described smoking status in both 2005 and 2011 was among the populaton of lung cancer (2005 – 13.3% and 2011 – 17.2%, p=0.04). There were significantly more cases of described smoking status in discharge lists of astmatics between two examnined periods (2005 – 39.1% and 2011 – 49.5%, p 0.05). There was lower number of smokers in 2011 than in 2005 (2005 – 60.1% and 2011 – 51.6%, p Conclusion:  Although there were significant increase in the description of the smoking status among all diagnosis in 2011 in comparison with 2005, we can conclude that doctors still do not pay enough attention to smoking status and addressing the smoking to patients as the cause of their pulmonary disease.
Vascular enumeration as a significant prognosticator for invasive breast carcinoma.
Authors: M J Aceñero, J F González, M G Gallego, P A Ballesteros
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1998)

PURPOSE Vascular enumeration has been claimed to be an independent prognosticator for invasive breast cancer. Most of the studies have performed a manual count of the vessels. Few investigators have used image analyzers to reduce subjectivity in the measures. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the manual vessel count to the counts obtained with an image analyzer and to estimate their possible prognostic influence. MATERIALS AND METHODS We selected 112 patients with invasive ductal carcinoma, treated with radical mastectomy followed by chemotherapy and with a minimal follow-up time of 60 months (5 years). After immunostaining with factor VIII, we performed a double count of the vessels. First, we performed a manual count following Gasparini's criteria, and second, we used an image analyzer (Microm, Barcelona, Spain) to count the vessels in eight adjacent microscopic fields with a 20x objective, to reach a total area of 0.98 mm2. The image analyzer calculated the total number of vessels, their size and also the percentage of the field occupied by the vessels. RESULTS In our series, vascular enumeration showed no significant association with histologic grade (Bloom-Scarff-Richardson grading), tumor size, or staging. CONCLUSION Vascular enumeration with both methods was an independent prognosticator for relapse-free-survival (RFS) in both node-negative and -positive patients in the univariate analysis, but only vascular enumeration with the image analyzer was an independent prognostic factor in the multivariate analysis, together with lymph node metastases.