tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic approach of lung malignancies through CT-guided percutaneous needle cytology and biopsy
Authors: Carla Ribeiro, Ines Ladeira, Ana Oliveira, Manuela Vanzeller, Tiago Pereira, Barbara Parente
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background  The use of CT- guided percutaneous needle procedures is well established in the diagnostic approach of suspected lung malignancy.  Aim  To evaluate the efficacy and the complication rate of these procedures.  Methods  A retrospective study of patients submitted to transthoracic needle cytology/core biopsy for suspected lung malignancy in a 2 year period.  Results  We assessed 129 episodes concerning 117 patients (213 punctures), 76% male, mean age 65,4 years.  Most common localizations were RUL 35,7% and RIL 22,5%. 55% had other lesions.  Citology was performed in all patients; core needle biopsy was needed in 23,3%.  107 patients have a definite diagnosis (malignancy in 83,2%) of which 63,6% were done as an extemporaneous exam. The most frequent diagnosis was lung adenocarcinoma (36,4%) and NSCLC (12,1%).  We assessed 15 episodes of pneumothorax (7% of punctures), 3 needing aspiration and 1 tube drainage, 5 small hemorrhagic episodes and 1 hemoptysis. The distance to the chest wall significantly affected the presence of pneumothorax (3,8 vs 17,6mm; p  Nodules that were diagnosed as cancer were statistically bigger than non malignant lesions (51,7 vs 33,8 mm) (p=0,01). Bigger nodules had a higher need of core needle biopsy in order to obtain a diagnosis (p=0,01).  The presence of cavitation or ground glass opacification did not interfere with diagnostic accuracy.  Conclusions  CT-guided percutaneous lung punctures are important tools in the diagnostic approach of lung malignancies with a low rate of complications. The possibility of having a pathologist to provide an extemporaneous exam speeds the diagnosis and reduces the need for further invasive diagnosis and iatrogenic damage.
Use of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to monitor β-lactam plasma concentrations during the treatment of endocarditis
Authors: P. Tattevin, O. Tribut, C. Arvieux, M. Dupont, R. Flicoteaux, L. Desbordes, Y. Le Tulzo, C. Michelet
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2005)
The Respiratory Muscles (Problems in Respiratory Care series)
Journal: Thorax (1991)

Cardiac surgery in ThoraxFor some time Thorax has continued to accept papers concerned with cardiac surgery, though not cardiology, the reason being that there were few other outlets for the surgical papers.The number of journals available for papers on cardiac surgery has increased recently, so it was decided at the last editorial board meeting that Thorax should no longer accept papers concerned primarily with cardiac surgery.Thorax is very keen, however, to continue to publish papers on thoracic surgery and papers concerned with the effects of any form of surgery, including cardiac surgery, on the lungs.
Is substance P (SP) involved in sleep physiology and behavioural characteristics in children with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome during sleep (OSAHS)?
Authors: Afroditi Sakellaropoulou, Maria Hatzistilianou, Maria Emporiadou, Victor Aivazis, Fanni Athanasiadou Piperopoulou
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

The neuropeptide substance P (SP) has been supposed to mediate sleep physiology and influence behavioral and cognitive functions. Its levels are found to be significantly lowered in patients with OSAHS.  This study aimed to measure SP levels9 in serum of children with OSAHS and to correlate them with sleep physiology and possible behavioural problems.  40 children were evaluated with overnight polysomnography for OSAHS. A questionnaire concerning the presence of aggressiveness, hyper-motility, attention deficit disorders and behaviour problems was fulfilled. Relationship between serum SP levels and number of total apneas, respiratory events, REM/ non-REM sleep were calculated using Pearson correlation analysis; p   14/40 children had mild, 14/40 moderate and 12/40 (30%) severe degree of OSAHS. In 25/40 (62.5%) children low levels of SP were recorded (314.36±58.32), and the rest 15/40 (37.5%) had normal values (538.51±128.79). No statistical significance was found between SP levels and: the presence of aggressiveness (p=0.191), hyper-mobility (p=0.346), attention deficit disorders (p=0.388) or behavioural problems (p=0.586).  Positive correlation was found between SP and: a) total number of apnoeas (r=0.477, p=0.002) and b) total respiratory events (r=0.311, p=0.051). There was important statistical significance between SP levels and: a) stage 1 of non-REM sleep (r= - 0.345, p=0.032), and b) stage 2 of non-REM sleep (r=0.414, p=0.009).  Therefore, SP appears to influence sleep characteristics, although further studies are required in order to define its role at nervous system.
S-Carbamylcysteine Inhibition of Protein Synthesis by Ehrlich Ascites Tumor Cells
Authors: M. Rabinovitz, J. M. Fisher
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1962)

S-Carbamyl-l-cysteine, an analogue of glutamine, inhibited incorporation of several amino acids into Ehrlich ascites cell protein in vitro. Glutamine neither prevented the inhibition when incubated with the cells before addition of the inhibitor nor when added with the inhibitor. The analogue interfered with the stimulation of incorporation of other amino acids by glutamine. Inhibition could be prevented but not relieved by glucose. The results indicate that S-carbamylcysteine, or one of its metabolic products, interferes with the oxidative energy supply supporting protein synthesis.
Respiratory impedance by forced oscillation of multi-frequencies technique in asthma with and without airflow obstruction and COPD with and without emphysema
Authors: Keisaku Fujimoto, Haruna Yamazaki, Midori Ura, Yoshiaki Kitaguchi
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Objective:  The purpose is to examine the possibility of differentiating COPD from asthma with airflow obstruction by the method of forced oscillation of multi-frequencies technique.   Patients and Methods  :  Thirty-four patients with asthma (20 patients had airflow obstruction (BA with OB) and 14 patients did not (BA without OB)), 61 patients with COPD (35 patients with apparent emphysema (COPD with PE) and 26 patients without apparent emphysema (COPD without PE)), and 48 normal never-smokers were recruited, and examined pulmonary function testing including forced oscillation of multi-frequencies technique using a MostGraph-01. All COPD patients were examined a chest high-resolution computed tomography and analyzed emphysematous changes by Goddard9s method and divided COPD with emphysema by emphysema score ≥6.   Results:  BA without OB showed no differences from healthy non-smokers. BA with OB showed significant increases of R5, R20, R5-R20, more negative values of X5, and greater within-breath changes in R5 and R5-R20. COPD without PE showed a significant increase in R5-R20 and more negative values of X5. COPD with PE showed significant increases of R5, R5-R20, most negative values of X5, and greater within-breath changes in X5.   Conclusions:  These findings suggest that a forced oscillation of multi-frequencies technique may be useful for differentiation between asthma with airflow obstruction and COPD phenotype by the manner of within-breath changes in resistance and peripheral capacitive reactance, however, not comlpeted.
Appoptosin-Mediated Caspase Cleavage of Tau Contributes to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Pathogenesis
Authors: Yingjun Zhao, I-Chu Tseng, Charles J. Heyser, Edward Rockenstein, Michael Mante, Anthony Adame, Qiuyang Zheng, Timothy Huang, Xin Wang, Pharhad E. Arslan, Paramita Chakrabarty, Chengbiao Wu, Guojun Bu, William C. Mobley, Yun-wu Zhang, Peter St. George-Hyslop, Eliezer Masliah, Paul Fraser, Huaxi Xu
Journal: Neuron (2015)
The Impact of Nocturnal Hypoglycemia on Sleep in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Poul Jennum, Kirstine Stender-Petersen, Rasmus Rabøl, Niklas Rye Jørgensen, Pei-Ling Chu, Sten Madsbad
Journal: Diabetes Care (2015)

The aim of this trial was to investigate the impact of nocturnal hypoglycemia on sleep patterns (assessed by polysomnography) and counterregulatory hormones.In this single-blinded, crossover trial, 26 subjects with type 2 diabetes attended two experimental night visits (one normoglycemic and one hypoglycemic) in randomized order. Plasma glucose (PG) levels were controlled by hyperinsulinemic glucose clamping. On the hypoglycemic night, hypoglycemia was induced after reaching sleep stage N2 by turning off glucose infusion until the PG target of 2.7-2.8 mmol/L was reached and maintained for 15 min. Thereafter, subjects were brought back to normoglycemia for the rest of the night. On the normoglycemic night, PG was maintained at 5.0-7.0 mmol/L throughout the night.During the first 4 h of sleep (0-4 h; after reaching sleep stage N2), no difference between experimental nights was observed in the rate of electroencephalography-identified arousals or awakenings, but the rate of awakenings was 27% lower during 4-8 h and 20% lower during 0-8 h on the hypoglycemic night than on the normoglycemic night (both statistically significant). Total sleep time tended to be longer on the hypoglycemic night (observed means 366 vs. 349 min, P nonsignificant). Statistically significantly higher counterregulatory hormonal responses (adrenaline, growth hormone, and cortisol) to hypoglycemia were observed compared with normoglycemia.Nocturnal hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes caused a decrease in awakening response in the 4-8-h period following the event. These findings underscore the risks associated with nocturnal hypoglycemia because nocturnal hypoglycemia potentially affects the patient's ability to wake up and respond with an adequate intake of carbohydrates.
Palliative care needs in COPD patients with or without cancer: an epidemiological study
Authors: Cornelia Meffert, Isaak Hatami, Carola Xander, Gerhild Becker
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2015)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a growing cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, many patients with severe COPD do not receive adequate palliative care. The main goals of our study were to identify the percentage of hospital patients with palliative care needs, particularly those who suffer from COPD. Data were collected prospectively from inpatients at the University Medical Centre Freiburg (Freiburg, Germany). Based on the World Health Organization definition of palliative care, the treating physician reported for each patient discharged whether the patient had palliative care needs or not. Data from 39 849 patients could be analysed, of which 1455 were suffering from COPD. Of all COPD patients, 9.1% had palliative care needs. In COPD patients with palliative care needs, hospital stay was significantly longer (13.7 versus 10.3 days) than in the group without palliative care needs, and significantly more patients died during their hospital stay (8.3% versus 3.7%). The presence of metastases was the highest risk factor for developing palliative care needs (OR 4.18). Furthermore, a main diagnosis of COPD implied an increased probability of palliative care needs (OR 1.87). Our results show that COPD patients have a high risk of developing palliative care needs. Further efforts are required to provide palliative care to COPD patients.
Solving the mystery of health inequality
Authors: N. Hawkes
Journal: BMJ (2015)

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> Nitric oxide (NO) is detectable in the exhaled breath, is involved in airway defence and inflammation, and probably modulates bronchial smooth muscle tone. Given the sensitivity of nitrogen oxides to local redox conditions, we postulated that exposure to oxidant or antioxidant compounds could alter concentrations of NO in the exhaled breath (eNO). We assessed the effect of nitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>) and ascorbic acid exposure on eNO in healthy human subjects. <h3>METHODS</h3> Ten healthy subjects were randomised to undergo a 20 minute single blind exposure to NO<sub>2</sub> (1.5 parts per million) or medical air in a crossover fashion. Exhaled NO and pulmonary function were measured before and for 3 hours after exposure. In a separate double blind crossover study 20 healthy subjects received ascorbic acid 500 mg twice daily or placebo for 2 weeks with a 6 week interim washout. Serum ascorbic acid levels and eNO were measured before and after each supplementation phase. <h3>RESULTS</h3> NO<sub>2</sub>induced a decrease of 0.62 (95% CI 0.32 to 0.92) ppb in the mean post-exposure eNO (p&lt;0.01) with no change in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV<sub>1</sub>). Oral supplementation with ascorbic acid increased the mean serum ascorbic acid concentration by 7.4 (95% CI 5.1 to 9.7) μg/ml (63%) but did not alter eNO. <h3>CONCLUSIONS</h3> NO<sub>2</sub>exposure causes a decrease in eNO, an effect which may be mediated through changes in epithelial lining fluid redox state or through a direct effect on epithelial cells. In contrast, ascorbic acid does not appear to play a significant role in the metabolism of NO in the epithelial lining fluid.
Oral bacterial community dynamics in paediatric patients with malignancies in relation to chemotherapy-related oral mucositis: a prospective study
Authors: Y. Ye, G. Carlsson, M. Barr Agholme, J.A.L. Wilson, A. Roos, B. Henriques-Normark, L. Engstrand, T. Modéer, K. Pütsep
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2013)

The role of oral bacteria in the development of chemotherapy-related oral mucositis has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate oral bacterial community diversity and dynamics in paediatric patients with malignancies in relation to the occurrence of oral mucositis. Patients with malignancies (n = 37) and reference individuals without known systemic disorders (n = 38) were recruited. For patients, oral bacterial samples were taken from mucosal surfaces both at the time of malignancy diagnosis and during chemotherapy. If oral mucositis occurred, samples were taken from the surface of the mucositis lesions. Oral mucosal bacterial samples were also taken from reference individuals. All samples were assessed using a 16S ribosomal RNA gene 454 pyrosequencing method. A lower microbial diversity (p < 0.01) and a higher intersubject variability (p < 0.001) were found in patients as compared with reference individuals. At the time of malignancy diagnosis (i.e. before chemotherapy) patients that later developed mucositis showed a higher microbial diversity (p < 0.05) and a higher intersubject variability (p < 0.001) compared with those without mucositis. The change of bacterial composition during chemotherapy was more pronounced in patients who later developed mucositis than those without mucositis (p < 0.01). In conclusion, we found a higher microbial diversity at the time of malignancy diagnosis in patients who later develop oral mucositis and that these patients had a more significant modification of the bacterial community by chemotherapy before the occurrence of mucositis. These findings may possibly be of clinical importance in developing better strategies for personalized preventive management.
New Aspects of the Treatment of Nephrotic Syndrome
Authors: ANKE SCHWARZ
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2001)

Abstract. The nephrotic syndrome, caused by glomerulonephritis, diabetes mellitus, or amyloidosis, is still a therapeutic challenge. Newer therapeutic approaches may be sought in the fields of immunosuppression, nonspecific supportive measures, heparinoid administration, and removal of a supposed glomerular basement membrane toxic factor. In immunosuppression, the newer drugs now used in organ transplantation (cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil) can also be used in the treatment of glomerulonephritis. In nonspecific supportive treatment, angiotensin II receptor antagonists are now used in addition to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Positive effects of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors on the nephrotic syndrome have not yet been proven. Cyclooxygenase II inhibitors must be tested but probably have too many renal side effects, similar to those of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Heparinoids or glycosaminoglycans serve as polyanions and thus have protective effects on the negative charge of the glomerular basement membrane. They can now be administered as oral medications. The removal of a supposed glomerular basement membrane toxic factor that induces proteinuria has been attempted for 20 yr and now is usually performed using immunoadsorption. Especially in cases of recurrent nephrotic syndrome after renal transplantation for patients with glomerulonephritis, this approach has been successful in decreasing proteinuria, although in most cases its effect is not lasting but must be continuously renewed.
The phenotype of alveolar macrophages and its correlation with immune cells in bronchoalveolar lavage
Authors: I Striz, YM Wang, I Svarcova, L Trnka, C Sorg, U Costabel
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1993)

The phenotype of alveolar macrophages (AMs) is known to be modulated during pathological immune reactions in the lung. In this study, we wanted to determine the relationship between the AM phenotype and changes in the proportions of the various immune cells in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). BAL was performed in 76 consecutive patients, including 32 with sarcoidosis, 8 with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, 9 with pneumoconiosis, 13 with other respiratory disorders, and 14 controls without evidence of interstitial lung disease. The phenotype of AMs was studied by a panel of 15 monoclonal antibodies against various myeloid antigens, and was correlated with the proportions of cells obtained by BAL. The percentage of BAL lymphocytes showed a relationship with the expression of macrophage antigens in 11 out of 15 antigens studied (all except adhesive molecules CD11a, CD11c, CD18 and the antigen 25F9 present on mature macrophages). Furthermore, the CD4/CD8 ratio of BAL T-lymphocytes correlated with the AM expression of CD54 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)), RFD1 (marker of dendritic cells), and CD71 (transferrin receptor). In samples with an increased number of bronchoalveolar neutrophils, the subpopulation of 27E10 positive AMs (inflammatory acute phase macrophages) was increased. Eosinophils in BAL were not associated with a significant increase in AM membrane antigen expression. Prominent changes of the AM phenotype were found in active sarcoidosis showing lymphocytic alveolitis, with more frequent expression of CD54, KiM2, CD71, CD11b and RFD9. In conclusion, this study shows that the phenotype of AMs is related to the type and intensity of the immunopathological reaction in the lung, and correlates with the proportions of bronchoalveolar cells.
Serologic and Structural Studies of Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN1"&gt;1&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: Robert C. Nowinski, Nurul H. Sarkar
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1972)

Antisera prepared against isolated proteins of the mouse mammary tumor virus (MTV) identified by immunodiffusion 5 antigens (MTV-s1, -s2, -s3, -s4/ and -s5). MTV-s1 and -s2 were group-specific and were antigens of the viral nucleoid. MTV-s3 was a structural protein of the viral membrane. MTV-s4 and -s5 were type-specific, being found in MTV of only certain strains. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of MTV showed 5 major proteins in the virion; the molecular weights of these were p1 (90,000), p2 (70,000), p3 (52,000), p4 (33,000), and p5 (23,000). The major protein of the virus was p3; it was found in the nucleoid and carried the MTV-s1 antigen. Protein p5 was the structural protein of the membrane, and it carried the MTV-s3 antigen. Comparison of MTV with leukemia-sarcoma viruses showed characteristic difference between the protein composition of the B- and C-type viruses.
COPD self management: The impact of implementing self management plans & rescue medications across 3 hospitals
Authors: Hasanin Khachi, Matthew Hodson, Robyn Hudson, Michael Parker
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Introduction:  Guidelines for COPD suggests that patients should be given self-management advice and rescue medication.   Aims & Objectives:  Assess if a unified self management strategy, consisting of a self management plans, education and rescue medications, reduces hospital readmissions at 30 and 90 days.   Methods:  A six months project, across three acute hospitals was carried out. All patients admitted with a COPD exacerbation, unless contra-indicated were given:  ·Self management plan.  ·Rescue medication: course of prednisolone & antibiotic.   Results:  491 patients were recruited. 53.3%, 54.6% and 25.2% of patients received a self management plan and rescue medication across the three hospitals respectively, with a mean of 36.3%. Common reasons for not receiving these were language barriers and concordance issues.   Conclusions:  Unified self management plans and rescue medications in COPD reduces 30 and 90 readmission rates by 12.1% and 5.7% respectively.
Expected gains in life expectancy from various coronary heart disease risk factor modifications.
Authors: J Tsevat, M C Weinstein, L W Williams, A N Tosteson, L Goldman
Journal: Circulation (1991)

BACKGROUND Despite much evidence that modifying risk factors for coronary heart disease can decrease morbidity and mortality, little is known about the impact of risk-factor modification on life expectancy. METHODS AND RESULTS We used the Coronary Heart Disease Policy Model, a state-transition computer simulation of the US population, to forecast potential gains in life expectancy from risk-factor modification for the cohort of Americans turning age 35 in 1990. Among 35-year-old men, we projected that the population-wide increase in life expectancy would be about 1.1 years from strict blood pressure control, 0.8 years from smoking cessation, 0.7 years from reduction of serum cholesterol to 200 mg/dl, and about 0.6 years from weight loss to ideal body weight. For women, reducing cholesterol to 200 mg/dl would have the greatest estimated impact-a gain of 0.8 years-whereas smoking cessation, blood pressure control, or weight loss would yield population-wide gains of 0.7, 0.4, and 0.4 years, respectively. Gains for 35-year-old individuals having a given risk factor are greater. We estimate that, on average, male smokers would gain 2.3 years from quitting smoking; males with hypertension would gain 1.1-5.3 years from reducing their diastolic blood pressure to 88 mm Hg; men with serum cholesterol levels exceeding 200 mg/dl would gain 0.5-4.2 years from lowering their serum cholesterol level to 200 mg/dl; and overweight men would gain an average of 0.7-1.7 years from achieving ideal body weight. Corresponding projected gains for at-risk women are 2.8 years from quitting smoking, 0.9-5.7 years from lowering blood pressure, 0.4-6.3 years from decreasing serum cholesterol, and 0.5-1.1 years from losing weight. Eliminating coronary heart disease mortality is estimated to extend the average life expectancy of a 35-year-old man by 3.1 years and a 35-year-old woman by 3.3 years. CONCLUSIONS Population-wide gains in life expectancy from single risk-factor modifications are modest, but gains to individuals at risk can be more substantial.
Antigenic Changes of DBA/2J Mastocytoma Cells When Grown in the BALB/c Mouse2
Authors: Judith E. Wolf, Ronald B. Faanes, Yong Sung Choi
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1977)

A 10-day growth period of the DBA/2J strain-specific P815-X2 mastocytoma in the BALB/c mouse altered the antigenicity of the tumor cell surface. The in vivo-modified mastocytoma cells differed from mastocytoma cells grown in the original DBA/2J mice in susceptibility to lysis by immune peritoneal exudate cells, in vitro antigenic recognition by cytotoxic T-cells, and immunizing capacity in allogeneic C57BL/6 mice. Propagation of the altered tumor cells in the original host or maintenance in tissue culture for 40 hours restored complete susceptibility to lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity.