tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Effects of nebulization with heliox coupled with positive end-expiratory pressure on the regional chest wall volume variations: A clinical trial
Authors: Luciana Alcoforado, Catarina Rattes, Daniella Brandão, Cyda Reinaux, Vitoria Lima, Larissa Feitosa, Jacqueline Barcelar, Andrea Aliverti, Armele Dornelas de Andrade
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and heliox are used separately to optimize the nebulization in asthmatics patients. We evaluated the efficacy of nebulizer bronchodilators carried by the heliox coupled to PEEP, at the same time, in the distribution of volume variations into the different thoracoabdominal compartments and to correlate them with pulmonary function in stable asthmatic. Randomized controlled trial study involving 27 patients (mean age 46.52±11.67 years) divided into four groups: G1= Heliox PEEP, G2=Oxygen + PEEP, G3=Heliox, and G4=Oxygen-submitted to nebulization with bronchodilators. Spirometry, cardiopulmonary and chest wall volume by Opto-Electronic Plethysmography (OEP) parameters were measured before and after nebulization. For the OEP, 89 markers were attached to the trunk in a sitting position and three measures of slow vital capacity and quiet breathing were captured by six cameras. Statistical analysis used Fisher9s tests, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon. Post-intervention, regarding to FEV1/FVC ratio, the G1 had increased values when compared to G3 (p=0.02) and G4 compared to G3 (p=0,02).None difference was found in the regional chest wall volume variations between groups and within groups in the initial and end expiratory volume. IC increased in the G1 (0.09L) and G2 (0.08L) when compared to G3 (0.06L) and G4 (0.06L), p
Ciprofloxacin versus trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole for prophylaxis of bacterial infections in bone marrow transplant recipients: a randomized, controlled trial.
Authors: M A Lew, K Kehoe, J Ritz, K H Antman, L Nadler, L A Kalish, R Finberg
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1995)

PURPOSE To compare the efficacy and safety of ciprofloxacin (CIP) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMS) for the prevention of bacterial infections in patients who received bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for the treatment of solid and hematopoietic neoplasms. PATIENTS AND METHODS Adult inpatients about to undergo BMT for lymphoma, leukemia, or solid tumors were enrolled onto a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial that compared CIP (750 mg orally twice per day) with TMS (160 mg trimethoprim and 800 mg sulfamethoxazole orally twice per day). Subjects were stratified before randomization according to tumor and BMT type. Prophylaxis was begun within 96 hours of initiation of the BMT preparative regimen and continued until the onset of fever, signs or symptoms of infection, serious adverse effects, or recovery of the absolute granulocyte count (AGC) to &gt; or = to 400/microL. RESULTS Seventy-five CIP recipients and 71 TMS recipients were assessable for efficacy. No difference was noted between the two groups in occurrence of fever during neutropenia, time to onset of first fever, or overall infection rates. Ten bacteremias occurred in CIP recipients versus six in TMS recipients (P = .43). Ten episodes of Clostridium difficile enterocolitis occurred in TMS recipients versus no episodes in CIP recipients (P = .001). Four infections caused by gram-negative bacilli, including one bacteremia, occurred in TMS recipients versus none in CIP recipients (P = .06). No differences were noted in the incidence of rash or organ toxicity. TMS recipients had longer durations of granulocytopenia at AGC levels &lt; or = to 500/microL and &lt; or = to 100/microL than did CIP recipients (P = .08 for both comparisons). Mean peak and trough serum levels of CIP decreased significantly between weeks 1 and 2 of prophylaxis. CONCLUSION CIP and TMS were equally safe and effective in the prevention of bacterial infections in BMT patients when the overall infection rate was used as the principal end point. TMS prophylaxis was associated with a higher incidence of C difficile enterocolitis and infections caused by gram-negative bacilli, as well as a trend toward prolongation of granulocytopenia.
Incidence of asthma and wheeze among teenagers is associated with environmental risk factors
Authors: Linnea Hedman, Martin Andersson, Anders Bjerg, Sigrid Sundberg, Eva Rönmark
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Aim:  To study the incidence of asthma and wheeze among teenagers in relation to environmental risk factors, including smoking.   Method:  In a longitudinal study about asthma and allergic diseases within the Obstructive Lung Disease In Northern Sweden (OLIN) studies, a cohort of school children (n=3,430) was followed annually from age 7-8yrs by completion of an extended ISAAC questionnaire. Skin prick tests (SPT) were performed at age 12yrs. In the endpoint survey (age 19yrs) 2,861 (83% of original responders) participated. Risk factor analyses for the cumulative incidence of asthma and wheeze from age 12 to 19yrs were performed (mean follow-up time 6.5y).   Results:  The cumulative incidence of physician-diagnosed asthma was 7.6%, current asthma 6.6%, and current wheeze 22.4%. Interestingly, increasing number of siblings was inversely related to the incidence of physician-diagnosed asthma, current asthma and current wheeze in multivariate analyses (OR 0.8-0.9). Current smoking was related to the incidence of asthma (OR 1.6) and current wheeze (OR 2.8). Ex-smoking (OR 2.5), living close to a road with heavy traffic (OR 1.3) and house dampness (OR 1.3), respectively, was significantly associated with the incidence of current wheeze. As expected, female sex, positive SPT, and parental history of asthma were also significant risk factors.   Conclusion:  Beside the risk factors sex, positive SPT, and heredity of asthma, several environmental risk factors were found, including smoking, traffic exposure and house dampness. Thus, the incidence of asthma and wheeze among teenagers could partly be reduced by smoking prevention and improvement of their living environment.
A reassessment of the clinical implications of the superior vena caval syndrome.
Authors: F R Ahmann
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1984)

For the past 30 years patients presenting with the superior vena caval syndrome (SVCS) have, as a recommended practice, been treated with radiotherapy without necessarily establishing a tissue diagnosis. This practice has been pursued as it was accepted that the probability that unresectable lung cancer was the cause of the syndrome was high; that SVCS was a condition for which diagnostic procedures carried a high risk; and that SVCS was a life-threatening situation requiring immediate relief. To assess the validity of this practice, the literature since 1934 was reviewed. One thousand nine hundred eighty-six cases of reported SVCS were identified resulting in the emergence of several important facts: (1) small cell lung cancer is currently the leading etiology of SVCS accounting for approximately 40% of all cases due to lung cancer; (2) the experience with performing thoracotomies, mediastinoscopies, bronchoscopies, lymph node biopsies, and venograms as reported in the literature suggests that all of these diagnostic procedures can be performed safely; (3) while the SVCS can cause worrisome symptomatology, there is little reported clinical or experimental evidence that an unrelieved SVCS is life threatening; and (4) patency of the SVCS may not be reestablished after palliative therapy even though signs and symptoms may resolve. Because of therapeutic advances in the treatment of small cell lung cancer, lymphoproliferative disorders, and other malignant etiologies of the SVCS, the findings of this review suggest that a policy of treatment without histologic diagnosis is ill advised.
Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry for fast and accurate identification of Pseudallescheria/ Scedosporium species
Authors: E. Sitterlé, S. Giraud, J. Leto, J.P. Bouchara, A. Rougeron, F. Morio, B. Dauphin, C. Angebault, G. Quesne, J.L. Beretti, N. Hassouni, X. Nassif, M.E. Bougnoux
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2014)
Effectiveness as an outcome measure for treatment trials in psychiatry
Authors: W. WOLFGANG FLEISCHHACKER, GUY M. GOODWIN
Journal: World Psychiatry (2009)

There is at present some confusion about the relative value of clinical trials performed to investigate efficacy vs. those designed to investigate effectiveness. This is particularly challenging when studies performed as experiments for regulators by companies are used to shape and inform clinical practice, especially if studies conducted under more real life conditions fail to support predicted benefits. We review the field in relation to the new antipsychotics, in particular. Other indications, including mood disorders, which are also briefly touched upon, have so far received less definitive attention, but are likely to encounter the same difficulties. We conclude that, where the results of efficacy trials are positive and an effectiveness trial is negative, one should not necessarily prefer the effectiveness trial - it may simply have failed. Where efficacy trials and effectiveness trials point to similar conclusions, then the findings are mutually supportive.
The migration of monocytes is stimulated by Jagged-1 and DLL-4 via the notch pathway
Authors: Kathrin Watzinger, Susanna Desole, Kaehler Christian
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

The notch signaling system is a highly conserved signaling system that functions to regulate tissue homoeostasis and morphogenesis of stem cells in adults. Monocytes serve as key cells in inflammatory and immunological processes.

Monocytes were isolated from EDTA anticoagulated venous blood. For the chemotactic assays modified 48-well microchemotaxis chambers were used. Monocytes migrated through an 5 µm pore sized cellulose membrane filter for 45 min in a humified atmosphere against a gradient of the substances tested (fMLP, Jagged1, DLL4,DAPT). For blocking experiments monocytes were preincubated with specific ligands for different durations. Migration depth of the cells in the filter was quantified microscopically by measuring the distance [µm] from the surface of the filters to the leading front of the cells.

The notch ligands DLL4 and Jagged1 significantly stimulate migration in a dose dependent manner revealing a maximal effect at [100ng/ml]. The effect was comparable with maximal stimulation of migration elicited by the well known chemoattractant fMLP (10-8 M). A significant inhibition of migration was observed by pre-incubating the cells with the γ-secretase inhibitor DAPT [10-4]. Interestingly, priming of cells with the ligands also elicited monocyte migration [maximal effect at 100ng/ml]. Different preincubation times with the ligands revealed that at least a preincubation time of 30 min is necessary to stimulate monocyte migration.

Jagged1 and DLL4 directly stimulate migration of human monocytes in vitro. For activation of migration a cell-cell interaction for about 30 min seems to be necessary. In conclusion, it can be suggested, that Jagged1 DLL4 are involved in inflammatory processes.
Reply to Gianluca Giannarini, Alessandro Crestani, Andrea Porzionato, Veronica Macchi, and Vincenzo Ficarra's Letter to the Editor re: Massimiliano Spaliviero, Bing Ying Poon, Christoph A. Karlo, et al. An Arterial Based Complexity (ABC) Scoring System to Assess the Morbidity Profile of Partial Nephrectomy. Eur Urol 2016;69:72–9
Authors: Karim A. Touijer
Journal: European Urology (2015)
Survival Time of Mice Bearing Ehrlich Ascites Tumor, With Special Reference to the Effect of Hydrocortisone Administration
Authors: Mitsuo Kodama, Hiroyuki Amo, Toshiko Kodama
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1970)

Tumor lines of high and low virulence were established from the same Ehrlich ascites 4N tumor. The effect of hydrocortisone acetate (HCA) on these tumors was investigated. The fast-killing tumors produced lethal bleeding in the abdominal cavity of tumor-bearing mice. By suppressing the abdominal hemorrhage, HCA prolonged the mean survival time from 6.8 ± 2.7 days to 17.6 ±1.7 days in dd male mice and from 5.5 ± 0.9 days to 18.3 ±1.3 days in dd females bearing these tumors. It is indicated that the early death of mice with a highly virulent tumor can be distinguished from the late death of cortisone-treated mice with the same tumor, or from the late death of untreated mice with a tumor of low virulence. Evidence showed that the ameliorating action of HCA on survival time is its interference with the immunologic reaction between the host and the tumor in the abdominal cavity. Microscopically, tumors of high virulence possessed some common karyotypic characteristics, and the invasion of tumor cells into the omentum and pancreas was much more profound with tumor lines of high virulence than with those of low virulence. The adrenocortical hormone affected neither the chromosome constitution of tumor cells nor the process of tumor invasion into the host tissue.
Characteristics of vertebral osteomyelitis after liver transplantation
Authors: R. Buzelé, V. Zarrouk, C. Francoz, F. Durand, B. Fantin
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2015)

We performed a retrospective single-centre 1:3 case-control study to investigate the characteristics of vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) occurring in orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) recipients between 2000 and 2012. Nine cases were identified in 752 OLT recipients (1.2%), with a median time from OLT to VO of 12 weeks. In comparison with 27 VO not occurring in OLT patients (controls), VO occurring in OLT recipients was characterized by decreased levels of inflammation biomarkers (average C-reactive protein 65.1 mg·L(-1) vs. 167 mg·L(-1), p 0.02; average white blood cell count 4.8 × 10(9)·L(-1) vs. 12.9 × 10(9)·L(-1), p < 0.001), higher rate of fungal infections (3/9 vs. 0/27, p 0.01), lower rate of bacterial infections (3/9 vs. 25/27, p 0.001) and decreased proportion of positive blood cultures (1/9 vs. 16/27, p 0.02) despite a trend towards higher rate of multifocal infection. Microbiologic outcomes were similar between the two groups. Overall, VO in OLT patients was more difficult to diagnose as a result of altered inflammation response and specific microbial epidemiology of causal microorganisms.
International tailored chemotherapy adjuvant trial: Itaca trial.
Authors: Silvia Novello, Christian Manegold, Christian Grohe, Ida Colantonio, Monika Heidi Serke, Michael Geissler, Giuseppe Valmadre, Wolfgang Schuette, Erich Stoelben, Emilio Bria, Valentina Monica, Valter Torri, Giorgio Scagliotti
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2012)

TPS7109 Background: This is an ongoing phase III multicenter randomized trial comparing adjuvant pharmacogenomic-driven chemotherapy, based on thymidilate synthase (TS) and excision-repair cross-complementing -1 (ERCC1) gene expression versus standard adjuvant chemotherapy in completely resected stage II-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (EudraCT #: 2008-001764-36). Methods: In all registered patients, before randomization, expression of ERCC1 and TS is assessed by qRT-PCR on paraffin-embedded tumor specimens in a central laboratory. Randomization is stratified by stage and smoking status. Trial was emended on Feb, 2011 with the 7th staging system. Primary end point is overall survival; secondary end points include recurrence-free survival, therapeutic compliance, toxicity profile and comparative evaluation of ERCC1 and TS mRNA versus protein. It is assumed that the 5-year survival in the control arm is 45% and the hazard reduction associated to the experimental treatment is 30%. With a power of 90% to detect the estimated effect with log-rank test, a significant level of 5% (2 tails), 336 events have to be observed; the expected total number of patients is 700. The final statistical analysis will group together all control arms and all tailored chemotherapies groups. Efficacy analysis will be done on an intent-to-treat basis. Cox proportional hazard model will be used for estimating hazard ratios after adjusting for relevant variables. Within 45 days post-surgery, patients in each genetic profile are randomized to receive either a standard chemotherapy selected by the investigator (cisplatin/vinorelbine, cisplatin/docetaxel or cisplatin/gemcitabine) or an experimental treatment (tailored arms) selected as follows: 1) high ERCC1 and high TS 4 cycles of single agent paclitaxel 2) high ERCC1 and low TS 4 cycles of single agent pemetrexed 3) low ERCC1 and high TS 4 cycles of cisplatin/gemcitabine 4) low ERCC1 and low TS) 4 cycles of cisplatin/pemetrexed. All chemotherapy regimens are administered for a total of 4 cycles on a 3-weekly basis. Currently, 312 patients have been randomized from 26 institutions mainly located in Italy and Germany (average enrolment: 13 patients/month).
Comparison of inflammatory response biomarkers to predict complications in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia
Authors: Ane Uranga, Pedro Pablo España, Alberto Capelastegui, Inmaculada Gorordo, Rosa Diez, Amaia Bilbao, Carmen Mar, Edurne Bereciartua
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background:  Recently, an extensive research has gone into identifying the predictive value of biomarkers for complications in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).   Objective:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of inflammatory biomarkers measured on admission in hospitalized patients with CAP.   Methods:  We prospectively included patients over 18 years old for a period of one year. Procalcitonin (PCT), C reactive protein (CRP) and Pro adrenomedullin (ProADM) were compared in predicting complications occurred in the follow-up of 30 days. Mortality, severe sepsis, ventilation and/or septic shock and ICU/IRCU admission were the complications analyzed. For the comparison of biomarkers, the nonparametric Wilcoxon test was used, whereas AUC was used to measure the predictive ability of each biomarker.   Results:  A total of 320 patients with diagnosis of CAP were included in our study and samples for biomarkers could be extracted in 258 of them. Table 1 shows the results of the comparison of the biomarkers according to each outcome, and the AUC values. Biomarkers are described as median and interquartile range.   Conclusion:  ProADM is a powerful tool for the prediction of mortality and other complications in hospitalized patients with CAP. In addition, we found that PCT has the greatest predictive value for complications such as ventilation/shock or ICU/IRCU admission.
An unusual opacity in lung lymphoma
Authors: Nadia Bencharif, Ghania Malki, Habib Douagui
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Pulmonary localization of lymphoma is rare. It presents mainly in young patients with various histological features   Study objective:  To show an unusual cause of lung cavity   Method:  In order to illustrate the atypical radiological presentations of lung lymphoma. We report a retrospective serie of four cases of lymphoma collected in our service over a period of three years  A mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma was found in one patient, a diffuse large B cell in other patient and two cases of Hodgkin9s disease  All diagnosis were proven histologically by bronchial an nodal biopsies.Peripheral nodes were appeared very late after pulmonary localization   Results:  Among the four cases of lymphoma radiographic and CT finding demonstrated a large cavity like to tuberculosis lesion in three patients. In the one case of diffuse large B cell lymphoma CT showed one masse spreading locally mimicking primary bronchial carcinoma   Conclusion:  This study discusses difficult to differentiate between primary lung lymphoma and bronchial carcinoma; tuberculosis with Hodkin9s disease and MALT lung lymphoma.
Alternative Splice in Alternative Lice
Authors: Jaime M. Tovar-Corona, Atahualpa Castillo-Morales, Lu Chen, Brett P. Olds, John M. Clark, Stuart E. Reynolds, Barry R. Pittendrigh, Edward J. Feil, Araxi O. Urrutia
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (2015)

Genomic and transcriptomics analyses have revealed human head and body lice to be almost genetically identical; although con-specific, they nevertheless occupy distinct ecological niches and have differing feeding patterns. Most importantly, while head lice are not known to be vector competent, body lice can transmit three serious bacterial diseases; epidemictyphus, trench fever, and relapsing fever. In order to gain insights into the molecular bases for these differences, we analyzed alternative splicing (AS) using next-generation sequencing data for one strain of head lice and one strain of body lice. We identified a total of 3,598 AS events which were head or body lice specific. Exon skipping AS events were overrepresented among both head and body lice, whereas intron retention events were underrepresented in both. However, both the enrichment of exon skipping and the underrepresentation of intron retention are significantly stronger in body lice compared with head lice. Genes containing body louse-specific AS events were found to be significantly enriched for functions associated with development of the nervous system, salivary gland, trachea, and ovarian follicle cells, as well as regulation of transcription. In contrast, no functional categories were overrepresented among genes with head louse-specific AS events. Together, our results constitute the first evidence for transcript pool differences in head and body lice, providing insights into molecular adaptations that enabled human lice to adapt to clothing, and representing a powerful illustration of the pivotal role AS can play in functional adaptation.
Androgen Deprivation Therapy: Minimizing Exposure and Mitigating Side Effects
Authors: Miren Gaztañaga, Juanita Crook
Journal: Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2012)

Despite common and occasionally serious side effects, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is widely used in the management of prostate cancer at all stages and presentations. ADT is frequently used in situations in which evidence of benefit is lacking, such as combined with definitive radiotherapy for favorable-risk prostate cancer, or in the primary management of elderly patients with low-risk disease. In intermediate- and high-risk disease, the role of ADT is being challenged and is decreasing in importance, as the ability to deliver very high biologically effective doses becomes more widely available, especially through the combination of external radiotherapy and brachytherapy. Appropriately selecting patients for ADT according to established indications will minimize the number exposed, whereas systematic patient education before initiating treatment can ameliorate the side effects. Minimizing the exposure to ADT and efforts to mitigate the side effects may have a beneficial effect on quality of life for many men with prostate cancer.