tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Obesity and impairments in chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (COPD)
Authors: Nichola S. Gale, Ali Albarrati, Iain C. Munnery, Margaret Munnery, John Ronald Cockcroft, Dennis Shale
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background:
In patients with COPD, a preserved BMI may improve survival. However, the implications for function and health status have not been fully established. We hypothesised that obese patients would have reduced physical capacity and more impairments than non-obese patients with COPD and comparator subjects.
Method:
As part of a longitudinal study of co-morbidities in COPD (ARCADE), 400 patients (COPD confirmed with spirometry) and 100 comparator subjects (past or current smokers) free from respiratory disease were assessed. In all subjects, spirometry, BMI, six minute walk distance (6MWD), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and physical, medical, functional and psychosocial impairments using the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) were determined. Patients also completed the St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and were categorised by BMI.
Results:
Patients and comparators were similar in gender and BMI COPD 28.0(5.5) comparators 28.5(4.6) kg/m2, and had similar proportions across the BMI categories, in both groups a third were obese (>30kg/m2). Lung function differed in patients and controls FEV1% predicted 58(20) and 105(15) respectively (p<0.01), but did not differ across the BMI categories. Patients had reduced 6MWD, increased TUG and CGA than comparators in each BMI category (all p<0.001) and in COPD 6MWD, TUG, CGA and SGRQ differed across the BMI categories (ANOVA p<0.05). Obese patients had reduced 6MWD and greater TUG, SGRQ than patients with BMI 20-29.9 (p<0.001).
Conclusion:
Obese patients with COPD had reduced physical capacity and more impairments than non obese patients and obese comparators. Optimisation of BMI may improve physical outcomes for patients with COPD.
Biological Studies With RE Virus (Strain T) That Induces Reticuloendotheliosis in Turkeys, Chickens, and Japanese Quail&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: Gordon H. Theilen, Robert F. Zeigel, Marvin J. Twiehaus
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1966)
Duration of residency in a non-endemic area and risk of severe malaria in African immigrants
Authors: A. Färnert, K. Wyss, S. Dashti, P. Naucler
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2014)

In malaria-endemic areas, adults very rarely succumb to severe malaria, suggesting that immunity to severe disease is life-long under conditions of repeated exposure. To what extent this protection persists in the absence of exposure remains to be established. The aim of this study was to assess whether duration of residency in a malaria-free country affects the risk for severe malaria in immigrants originating from sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 948 cases of malaria diagnosed in Stockholm, Sweden in 1995–2013. Among 501 adult patients with Plasmodium falciparum (315 of endemic origin and 186 of non-endemic origin, mainly Sweden), 41 (8.2%) had severe malaria according to WHO criteria (including 5% with parasitaemia), 22 (4.4%) had factors prognostic of poor outcome, and 35 (7.0%) were admitted to intensive care. Overall, patient origin did not affect the odds of severe malaria, according to any of these definitions. However, when the immigrants were stratified with regard to their duration of residency in Sweden, the risk of factors prognostic for poor outcome was associated with duration of prior residency in a malaria-free country among patients of endemic origin (p 0.02), and immigrants who had lived for ≥15 years in Sweden had a similar risk as non-immune travellers. The results of this explorative study suggest that, although immunity to severe malaria is maintained for several years in African adults, this protection might be lost with time without repeated re-exposure. A larger study, preferably including multiple centres, will be needed to confirm our findings.
Oligoclonal T Cell Expansions in Pulmonary Lymphoproliferative Disorders
Authors: KATSUSHI KUROSU, NORIO YUMOTO, WILLIAM N. ROM, YUICHI TAKIGUCHI, JAGIRDAR JAISHREE, KOH NAKATA, KOICHIRO TATSUMI, ATSUO MIKATA, TAKAYUKI KURIYAMA, MICHAEL D. WEIDEN
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2002)

We used a denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) procedure with 40-nucleotide guanine- and cytosine-rich sequences in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing analysis to analyze the T cell antigen receptor (TCR)-V γ gene repertoire of infiltrating T lymphocytes in pulmonary lymphoproliferative disorders. Six of 15 low-grade mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas and 8 of 15 cases of lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP) showed some oligoclonal bands for TCR-V γ genes on DGGE. Sequencing analysis demonstrated plural oligoclonal TCR-V γ clones among the oligoclonal PCR products on DGGE, leading to the conclusion that conventional antigen-specific oligoclonal expansions may play some role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary lymphoproliferative disorders. The frequency of oligoclonal infiltrating T cell expansions in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related LIP (100%) was significantly higher than in low-grade pulmonary MALT lymphomas (40%) or in HIV-negative LIP (30%). Because recent evidence demonstrates that the V3 loop in the proviral amino acid sequences of mononuclear cells from bronchoalveolar lavage is more homogeneous than those from peripheral blood, this homogeneity might result in oligoclonal expansions of infiltrating T lymphocytes as a consequence of ongoing reactions against lung-specific viral strains.
Activation of nuclear factor kappa B in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: S Schreiber, S Nikolaus, J Hampe
Journal: Gut (1998)

Expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines is increased in the intestinal lamina propria of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Nuclear factor kappa B (NF kappa B) controls transcription of inflammation genes. On activation, NF kappa B is rapidly released from its cytoplasmic inhibitor (I kappa B), transmigrates into the nucleus, and binds to DNA response elements in gene promoter regions.To investigate whether increased activation of NF kappa B is important in IBD and may be down-regulated by anti-inflammatory treatment.Activation of NF kappa B was determined by western blot assessment and electrophoretic mobility shift assay in nuclear extracts of colonic biopsy samples as well as lamina propria mononuclear cells.Nuclear levels of NF kappa B p65 are increased in lamina propria biopsy specimens from patients with Crohn's disease in comparison with patients with ulcerative colitis and controls. Increased activation of NF kappa B was detected in lamina propria mononuclear cells from patients with active IBD. Corticosteroids strongly inhibit intestinal NF kappa B activation in IBD in vivo and in vitro by stabilising the cytosolic inhibitor I kappa B alpha against activation induced degradation.In both IBDs, but particularly Crohn's disease, increased activation of NF kappa B may be involved in the regulation of the inflammatory response. Inhibition of NF kappa B activation may represent a mechanism by which steroids exert an anti-inflammatory effect in IBD.
Children with enuresis
Authors: F. C M Forbes, L Light
Journal: BMJ (1998)

Editor—Gosnell has written a moving piece about his experience of childhood enuresis, unsuccessful behavioural and pharmacological treatments, and the fact that in retrospect he attributes the enuresis and hence the failure of treatment to his experience of being regularly sexually abused by an older relative.1 He highlights the silent but miserable stance in which sexually abused victims are frequently placed and how difficult it can be for them to break the silence. He recognises that often these children feel insecure and need time to build up trust in the people offering help, and he suggests that long term psychotherapy should be offered as a first line treatment. 

Unlike in the 1960s, it is now more widely recognised that children who have been sexually abused may present with a range of symptoms, including enuresis. The enuresis, however, is much more commonly part of a wider picture of emotional or behavioural disturbance, or both. A strong suspicion of sexual abuse would prompt investigation, plans to ensure the safety of the child, and a fuller assessment regarding what form of psychotherapy was indicated. 

While acknowledging the link between enuresis and sexual abuse, it is important to recognise that there are children who present with “simple” enuresis, with no other associated features of psychological disturbance, who are unlikely to have been abused and who benefit from behavioural interventions such as enuresis alarms and “star charts.” It would be inappropriate and hugely expensive to suggest that these children undergo long term psychotherapy; in fact, the child and family would probably vote with their feet. 

Gosnell’s article highlights the need for recognition of the existence of child sexual abuse; the fact that it occurs far more commonly within the circle of known family and friends than with strangers; the diversity of possible clinical presentations; and the need for mental health services and other agencies dealing with abused children to have the resources to assess these children and provide them (and their families where appropriate) with appropriate therapeutic care.
Activity of Sequential New Drugs (Nds) Post-Docetaxel (Doc) Failure, in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (Mcrpc) Patients (Pts). Update from a Multicenter Italian Experience
Authors: O. Caffo, U. De Giorgi, L. Fratino, G. Facchini, U. Basso, D. Alesini, D. Gasparro, C. Ortega, M. Tucci, F. Verderame, E. Campadelli, G. Lo Re, R. Sabbatini, M. Donini, G. Procopio, D. Sartori, P.A. Zucali, F. Carrozza, A. D'Angelo, F. Morelli
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2014)
Factor XII deficiency: a possible cause of livedo with ulceration?
Authors: K.C. Sato-Matsumura, T. Matsumura, H. Hayashi, T. Atsumi, H. Kobayashi
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2000)

Journal Article Factor XII deficiency: a possible cause of livedo with ulceration? Get access K.C. Sato‐Matsumura, K.C. Sato‐Matsumura Departments of Dermatology, and Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar T. Matsumura, T. Matsumura Departments of Dermatology, and Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar H. Hayashi, H. Hayashi Departments of Dermatology, and Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar T. Atsumi, T. Atsumi Internal Medicine II, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Kita 15 Nishi 7, Kita‐ku, Sapporo, 060–8638, Japan Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar H. Kobayashi H. Kobayashi Departments of Dermatology, and Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 143, Issue 4, 1 October 2000, Pages 897–899, https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2133.2000.03800.x Published: 01 October 2000
Enhancement of trastuzumab-mediated cellular cytotoxicity by interleukin-21
Authors: C. Krejsa, S. Hughes, F. Wagener, K. Bannink, B. Johnson, K. Henderson, R. Holly, E. Sievers, M. Rogge
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2005)

2567 Background: Interleukin-21, a cytokine produced by activated T cells, has potent effects on growth, survival and activation status of T, B and natural killer (NK) cells. In vitro studies show increased NK cytolytic function following combined human recombinant (rIL-21) stimulation and Fc receptor engagement. We studied the effect of rIL-21 on antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against trastuzumab-coated breast cancer targets. Methods: ADCC assays were performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cell preparations (MNCs) from cynomolgus monkeys and on enriched human NK cells, following in vitro treatment with rIL-21. Cynomolgus monkeys were treated with rIL-21 as part of an in vivo model of ADCC (Hughes, et al., ASCO submitted), and the ex vivo ADCC activity of MNCs from these animals was tested. Whole blood and MNCs were characterized by flow cytometry. Results: Human NK cells incubated with rIL-21 had 2 to 4-fold increased ADCC against breast cancer targets including Her2/neu-low lines MCF7 and HCC38 (p<.02). Cynomolgus MNCs cultured with rIL-21 showed variable ADCC activation. In animals treated with rIL-21, an immediate decline in ADCC activity correlated with the extravasation of NK cells from the peripheral blood. This was followed by a substantial increase in ADCC against BT-474 cells at later timepoints. Normalization for NK cell numbers showed increased lytic efficiency of NK cells, especially after two cycles of treatment. The percentage of perforin-positive MNCs increased following treatment, as did other biomarkers of immune activation including FcγRI and FcγRIII expression. Conclusion: Treatment of cynomolgus monkeys with rIL-21 increased the activity of MNCs in trastuzumab-mediated ex vivo ADCC assays. This lytic activation is consistent with the enhanced effector function observed after in vitro incubation of NK cells or MNCs with rIL-21. Thus, adjuvant treatment with rIL-21 may enhance monoclonal antibody therapy by improving ADCC. Author Disclosure Employment or Leadership Consultant or Advisory Role Stock Ownership Honoraria Research Funding Expert Testimony Other Remuneration ZymoGenetics ZymoGenetics
Risk of breast cancer among female airline cabin attendants
Authors: P Badrinath, S. Ramaiah, A. Auvinen, E. Pukkala, M. Blettner, D. Wartenberg, C. P. Stapleton
Journal: BMJ (1999)

Editor—We agree with Wartenberg and Stapleton that dicophane (DDT) is one of the possible aetiological factors for breast cancer in female airline cabin attendants.1 Two other factors (exposure to cosmic radiation and recall bias) also merit attention.

We are not told how the cases and controls were selected or matched in their survey. The exposure data should be only data up to the date of diagnosis for flight attendants in whom breast cancer was diagnosed (cases) and data up to the date of pseudo-diagnosis for controls (the date on which the breast cancer was diagnosed in the cases). The cabin attendants with breast cancer would have stopped flying because of illness, and controls would have continued to fly; this would distort the measurement of exposure to cosmic radiation. Moreover, the cabin attendants with breast cancer would probably have had fewer flights in the year before the diagnosis owing to the undiagnosed breast cancer. Ideally, exposure should be measured until the year before diagnosis to avoid this bias. The breast is the organ most sensitive to radiation carcinogenesis in postpubertal women,2 and hence cosmic radiation cannot be ruled out as a potential factor in the aetiology of breast cancer. A cohort study of Canadian air pilots showed an increased risk of acute myeloid leukaemia, the type of leukaemia induced by exposure to radiation (standardised incidence ratio 4.72 (90% confidence interval 2.05 to 9.31)).3

Recall bias needs to be considered in any study in which exposure is measured after a disease has been diagnosed or an event has occurred.4 In the case of exposure to DDT, recall bias could have led to the non-significant increase in risk that Wartenberg and Stapleton found. Because of the strong link between pesticides and cancers, flight attendants with breast cancer would have been more likely than controls to recall pesticide spray. It is always important to verify the records, if they are available, to measure their agreement with reported exposure in a proportion of cases and controls. 

Although the point estimate for exposure to DDT that Wartenberg and Stapleton report is high (odds ratio 2.2), the wide confidence interval (0.4 to 10.9) suggests that recall bias could account for the observed odds ratio. We agree with the authors’ suggestion that large studies will be the way forward to determine the role of DDT in breast cancer among airline attendants. These studies should also explore the joint effect of DDT and cosmic radiation.
Improvement of quality of spirometric measurements after analysis of errors detected by spirometric software
Authors: Waldemar Tomalak, Malgorzata Czajkowska-Malinowska, Jakub Radlinski
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

In 2011 we have attempted to check the quality of spirometric measurements in people aged>65 years, as – according to the literature, they may have problems with proper execution of the manoeuvers. Mesurements ware made using JAEGER’s MasterLab, the analysis was made on the results of 1304 measurements made in patients aged 65-94 years, using ERS/ATS error codes. This analysis revealed that 2.2% of them were not able to perform spirometry at all. Of the remaining 1275 patients, 32,6% made it without any errors, 53,2% made 1 error, 12,1% made 2; 1,6% made 3 and 0.5% made 4 errors recognized by software. The dominant error was error ‘100’ – no plateau at end expiration. The results, although better than seen in the literature have been the subjects of extended discussion among clinicians, respiratory technologists and technicians, in order to point out domains of possible improvement.  A year later the analysis was repeated; this time there were 1277 patients eligible for analysis. The quality was improved in all aspects: only 1.9% were not able to perform spirometry; in the remaining 1253 patients the percentage of good spirometries was 51.1%; 45.6% of patients made 1 error; 2.7% 2 errors; 0.4% 3 errors and 0.2% 4 errors. Again – the dominant error was error ‘100’ which in fact is the problem of Jaeger software rather than technicians’ performance.  Those results show, that careful analysis of errors may result in improvement of quality of spirometric results. Such analysis should be performed repeatedly to ensure the highest level of quality.
Denominators count: supplementing surveillance data for genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection with testing data, Norway, 2007 to 2013
Authors: Hilde Kløvstad, Preben Aavitsland
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2015)

As genital Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia) infection is often asymptomatic, surveillance of diagnosed cases is heavily influenced by the rate and distribution of testing. In 2007, we started supplementing case-based surveillance data from the Norwegian Surveillance System for Communicable Diseases (MSIS) with aggregated data on age group and sex of individuals tested. In this report, annual testing rates, diagnosis rates and proportion positive for chlamydia in Norway between 1990 and 2013 are presented. From 2007, rates are also stratified by age group and sex. The annual testing rate for chlamydia culminated in the early 1990s, with 8,035 tested per 100,000 population in 1991. It then declined to 5,312 per 100,000 in 2000 after which it remained relatively stable. Between 1990 and 2013 the annual rate of diagnosed cases increased 1.5 times from ca 300 to ca 450 per 100,000 population. The proportion of positive among the tested rose twofold from ca 4% in the 1990s to 8% in 2013. Data from 2007 to 2013 indicate that more women than men were tested (ratio: 2.56; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.56–2.58) and diagnosed (1.54; 95% CI: 1.52–1.56). Among tested individuals above 14 years-old, the proportion positive was higher in men than women for all age groups. Too many tests are performed in women aged 30 years and older, where 49 of 50 tests are negative. Testing coverage is low (15%) among 15 to 24 year-old males. Information on sex and age-distribution among the tested helps to interpret surveillance data and provides indications on how to improve targeting of testing for chlamydia. Regular prevalence surveys may address remaining limitations of surveillance.
Molecular evolution of mitochondrial 12S RNA and cytochrome b sequences in the pantherine lineage of Felidae.
Authors: D N Janczewski, W S Modi, J C Stephens, S J O'Brien
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (1995)

DNA sequence comparisons of two mitochondrial DNA genes were used to infer phylogenetic relationships among 17 Felidae species, notably 15 in the previously described pantherine lineage. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to generate sequences of 358 base pairs of the mitochondrial 12S RNA gene and 289 base pairs of the cytochrome b protein coding gene. DNA sequences were compared within and between 17 felid and five nonfelid carnivore species. Evolutionary trees were constructed using phenetic, cladistic, and maximum likelihood algorithms. The combined results suggested several phylogenetic relationships including (1) the recognition of a recently evolved monophyletic genus Panthera consisting of Panthera leo, P. pardus, P. onca, P. uncia, P. tigris, and Neofelis nebulosa; (2) the recent common ancestry of Acinonyx jubatus, the African cheetah, and Puma concolor, the American puma; and (3) two golden cat species, Profelis temmincki and Profelis aurata, are not sister species, and the latter is strongly associated with Caracal caracal. These data add to the growing database of vertebrate mtDNA sequences and, given the relatively recent divergence among the felids represented here (1-10 Myr), allow 12S and cytochrome b sequence evolution to be addressed over a time scale different from those addressed in most work on vertebrate mtDNA.
Malondialdehyde‐Acetaldehyde Adducts and Anti–Malondialdehyde‐Acetaldehyde Antibodies in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Geoffrey M. Thiele, Michael J. Duryee, Daniel R. Anderson, Lynell W. Klassen, Stephen M. Mohring, Kathleen A. Young, Dathe Benissan‐Messan, Harlan Sayles, Anand Dusad, Carlos D. Hunter, Jeremy Sokolove, William H. Robinson, James R. O'Dell, Anthony P. Nicholas, Dean J. Tuma, Ted R. Mikuls
Journal: Arthritis & Rheumatology (2014)

Objective Malondialdehyde‐acetaldehyde (MAA) adducts are a product of oxidative stress associated with tolerance loss in several disease states. This study was undertaken to investigate the presence of MAA adducts and circulating anti‐MAA antibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Synovial tissue from patients with RA and patients with osteoarthritis (OA) were examined for the presence of MAA‐modified and citrullinated proteins. Anti‐MAA antibody isotypes were measured in RA patients (n = 1,720) and healthy controls (n = 80) by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Antigen‐specific anti–citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) were measured in RA patients using a multiplex antigen array. Anti‐MAA isotype concentrations were compared in a subset of RA patients (n = 80) and matched healthy controls (n = 80). Associations of anti‐MAA antibody isotypes with disease characteristics, including ACPA positivity, were examined in all RA patients. Results Expression of MAA adducts was increased in RA synovial tissue compared to OA synovial tissue, and colocalization with citrullinated proteins was found. Increased levels of anti‐MAA antibody isotypes were observed in RA patients compared to controls ( P &lt; 0.001). Among RA patients, anti‐MAA antibody isotypes were associated with seropositivity for ACPAs and rheumatoid factor ( P &lt; 0.001) in addition to select measures of disease activity. Higher anti‐MAA antibody concentrations were associated with a greater number of positive antigen‐specific ACPA analytes (expressed at high titer) ( P &lt; 0.001) and a higher ACPA score ( P &lt; 0.001), independent of other covariates. Conclusion MAA adduct formation is increased in RA and appears to result in robust antibody responses that are strongly associated with ACPAs. These results support speculation that MAA formation may be a cofactor that drives tolerance loss, resulting in the autoimmune responses characteristic of RA.