tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Clinical interpretation of St George's respiratory questionnaire in Chinese COPD patients
Authors: Yipeng Du, Rong Liu, Bei He
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Backgrounds: Although the St George's Respiratory Questionnaires (SGRQ) was used widely in China as a valid instrument for quality of life evaluation in COPD patients, the relationship between SGRQ, lung function and therapeutic effect is uncertain.

Objectives: To determine whether the SGRQ was related with lung function in Chinese COPD patients and evaluate therapeutic effect on them.

Methods: After a two weeks run-in period, outpatients (63 patients; 10 women; mean age 67.6 years) were assessed at baseline by the SGRQ-MC, clinical data and spirometry. Then patients were treated in a randomised, open-labeled, parallel group trial with either a combination of 50μg salmeterol and 500μg fluticasone propionate twice daily (SF, n = 18, mean age 67.4 years) or 21μg ipratropine bromide and 120μg salbutamol quartic daily (IS, n = 18, mean age 66.7 years) for 3 months.

Results: SGRQ activity score and total score were negatively correlated with FEV1% predicted ( r = -0.427, P = 0.016, activity score; r = -0.368, P = 0.042, total score) and FVC% predicted ( r = -0.534, P = 0.002, activity score; r = -0.504, P = 0.004, total score) in subjects of age less than 70 years. Such relationships were not seen in subjects of age more than 70 years. Moreover, SGRQ score was significantly reduced by SF (difference -19.8; 95% CI -28.3 to -11.3; P < 0.001) but not by IS. SF did not significantly change FEV1% predicted.

Conclusions: SGRQ was associated with lung function in Chinese COPD patients of age less than 70 years and was valid for evaluating therapeutic effect.
Cerebellar toxicity following high-dose cytosine arabinoside.
Authors: L A Dworkin, R D Goldman, L S Zivin, P C Fuchs
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1985)

A patient with acute cerebellar toxicity following systemic high-dose cytosine arabinoside (ara-C) 3 g/m2/12 h for secondary acute nonlymphocytic leukemia is reported. Initial symptoms of ataxia and dysarthria emerged at 30 g/m2 cumulative dose and persisted without improvement over a ten-week period. Recurrence and worsening of cerebellar symptoms followed further consolidation treatment with high-dose ara-C. Subsequent autopsy showed extensive Purkinje's cell damage in the lateral cerebellar hemispheres. Persistent severe toxicity can occur at total doses less than those generally recognized.
Late-breaking abstract: Integration of electronic nose technology with spirometry: Validation of a new approach for exhaled breath analysis
Authors: Rianne de Vries, Paul Brinkman, Niki Fens, Erica Dijkers, Simon Bootsma, Frans de Jongh, Peter Sterk
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Rationale: New ‘omics9-technologies allow better phenotyping of airway diseases [Wheelock ERJ 2013]. Exhaled breath metabolomics by electronic noses (eNose) can bring this to daily practice [Fens CEA 2013].  Aim: To validate a newly developed integration of eNose technology with routine spirometry.  Methods: This was a case-control study on outpatients with asthma and healthy controls. During spirometry, fingerprints from exhaled breath were collected in triplicate by an eNose based on 3 identical metal oxide sensor arrays at the rear end of a pneumotachograph. Data-analysis involved signal processing, environment correction and statistics based on principal component analysis, followed by discriminant analysis (Matlab2014/SPSS20). Sensor stability was verified using lung diffusion test gas (Lindegas) as quality control (QC) gas before every session.  Results: Data of 20 subjects (10 asthmatics, age 30±6.9 yr, FEV1 93±11.2 %pred and 10 controls, age 28±7.4 yr, FEV1 105±7.2) were available. The integration of techniques didn9t affect spirometry results (Bland-Altman). Exhaled breath data in controls and QC gas showed high within-day (ICC=0.89) and between-days repeatability (ICC=0.81) for all sensors. Principal component 1 (p  Conclusion: This newly developed integration of eNose technology with spirometry provides repeatable exhaled breath analysis, adequately distinguishing asthmatics from controls. The combination of spirometry with eNose can facilitate implementation of exhaled breath analysis in daily practice.
International Olympic Committee consensus statement on youth athletic development
Authors: Michael F Bergeron, Margo Mountjoy, Neil Armstrong, Michael Chia, Jean Côté, Carolyn A Emery, Avery Faigenbaum, Gary Hall, Susi Kriemler, Michel Léglise, Robert M Malina, Anne Marte Pensgaard, Alex Sanchez, Torbjørn Soligard, Jorunn Sundgot-Borgen, Willem van Mechelen, Juanita R Weissensteiner, Lars Engebretsen
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2015)

The health, fitness and other advantages of youth sports participation are well recognised. However, there are considerable challenges for all stakeholders involved—especially youth athletes—in trying to maintain inclusive, sustainable and enjoyable participation and success for all levels of individual athletic achievement. In an effort to advance a more unified, evidence-informed approach to youth athlete development, the IOC critically evaluated the current state of science and practice of youth athlete development and presented recommendations for developing healthy, resilient and capable youth athletes, while providing opportunities for all levels of sport participation and success. The IOC further challenges all youth and other sport governing bodies to embrace and implement these recommended guiding principles.
The role of live poultry movement and live bird market biosecurity in the epidemiology of influenza A (H7N9): A cross-sectional observational study in four eastern China provinces
Authors: Xiaoyan Zhou, Yin Li, Youming Wang, John Edwards, Fusheng Guo, Archie C.A. Clements, Baoxu Huang, Ricardo J. Soares Magalhaes
Journal: Journal of Infection (2015)

A new reassortant influenza A (H7N9) virus emerged early 2013 in eastern China. Exposure to H7N9 infected poultry at live bird markets (LBM) was implicated as the main risk factor for human infection. We aimed to identify the role of LBM biosecurity indicators and poultry movement in the affected areas.A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 24 LBMs at the beginning of H7N9 outbreak in all affected provinces. We used univariable analysis to identify the biosecurity factors associated with the H7N9 presence in LBMs and social network and spatial analysis to quantify the connectivity and geographic variation in the connectivity of poultry movements.Chickens were the predominant poultry species traded by affected LBMs. The presence of H7N9 in LBMs was significantly associated with the type of LBM and with LBMs that sold chicken to other markets. The chicken movements were significantly spatially clustered and was highest in counties from Jiangsu and Anhui provinces.LBM biosecurity and chicken movement played an important role in the emergence of H7N9. This study identified highly connected areas in eastern China which continue to report human infections highlighting candidate areas for more detailed epidemiological investigations.
Personalizing Death in the Intensive Care Unit: The 3 Wishes Project
Authors: Deborah Cook, Marilyn Swinton, Feli Toledo, France Clarke, Trudy Rose, Tracey Hand-Breckenridge, Anne Boyle, Anne Woods, Nicole Zytaruk, Diane Heels-Ansdell, Robert Sheppard
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2015)

Dying in the complex, efficiency-driven environment of the intensive care unit can be dehumanizing for the patient and have profound, long-lasting consequences for all persons attendant to that death.To bring peace to the final days of a patient's life and to ease the grieving process.Mixed-methods study.21-bed medical-surgical intensive care unit.Dying patients and their families and clinicians.To honor each patient, a set of wishes was generated by patients, family members, or clinicians. The wishes were implemented before or after death by patients, families, clinicians (6 of whom were project team members), or the project team.Quantitative data included demographic characteristics, processes of care, and scores on the Quality of End-of-Life Care-10 instrument. Semistructured interviews of family members and clinicians were transcribed verbatim, and qualitative description was used to analyze them.Participants included 40 decedents, at least 1 family member per patient, and 3 clinicians per patient. The 159 wishes were implemented and classified into 5 categories: humanizing the environment, tributes, family reconnections, observances, and "paying it forward." Scores on the Quality of End-of-Life Care-10 instrument were high. The central theme from 160 interviews of 170 persons was how the 3 Wishes Project personalized the dying process. For patients, eliciting and customizing the wishes honored them by celebrating their lives and dignifying their deaths. For families, it created positive memories and individualized end-of-life care for their loved ones. For clinicians, it promoted interprofessional care and humanism in practice.Impaired consciousness limited understanding of patients' viewpoints.The 3 Wishes Project facilitated personalization of the dying process through explicit integration of palliative and spiritual care into critical care practice.Hamilton Academy of Health Science Research Organization, Canadian Intensive Care Foundation.
How do reducing equivalents increase insulin secretion?
Authors: Alan D. Attie
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2015)

Glucose stimulation of insulin secretion in pancreatic β cells involves cell depolarization and subsequent opening of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels to elicit insulin granule exocytosis. This pathway alone does not account for the entire magnitude of the secretory response in β cells. In this issue, Ferdaoussi, Dai, and colleagues reveal that insulin secretion is amplified by cytosolic isocitrate dehydrogenase–dependent transfer of reducing equivalents, which generates NADPH and reduced glutathione, which in turn activates sentrin/SUMO-specific protease-1 (SENP1). β Cell–specific deletion of Senp1 in murine models reduced the amplification of insulin exocytosis, resulting in impaired glucose tolerance. Further, their studies demonstrate that restoring intracellular NADPH or activating SENP1 improves insulin exocytosis in human β cells from donors with type 2 diabetes, suggesting a potential therapeutic target to augment insulin production.
High flow nasal cannula oxygen in acute respiratory failure; effectiveness and predictors of failure
Authors: So Young Park, Chang Youl Lee, Chang Whan Kim, Yong Bum Park, Myung Goo Lee
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Introduction: To determine the effectiveness of high flow nasal cannula (HFNC), and the factors predicting from failure of HFNC in acute respiratory failure.

Method : We retrospectively evaluated acute respiratory failure patients who required HFNC at Chuncheon Sacred Hospital, between August 2011 and January 2012.

Result : In all, 33 patients were included in the study. Their median age was 73.4 years (49-89). Majority of the patients were male(22 patients, 67%). The most common cause of acute respiratory failure was pneumonia followed by COPD acute exacerbation, acute pulmonary edema due to congestive heart failure, cancer progression, and lung fibrosis. The hospital mortality was 24%. In the unadjusted model, ( P =0.03), APACHE II score ( P =0.04), BNP (P=0.03) and higher respiratory rate ( P = 0.04) were associated with HFNC failure. However, in the adjusted model, higher respiratory rate ( P = 0.04) were associated with HFNC failure [P= 0.04, OR 3.36].

Conclusion : HFNC has beneficial effect on clinical sign and oxygenation in ICU patients with acute respiratory failure. Predictors of high flow nasal cannula failure might be used to guide decisions regarding intubation.
Similar adaptive immune response in COPD patients with and without α1 antitrypsin deficiency
Authors: Simonetta Baraldo, Erica Bazzan, Graziella Turato, Beatrice Molena, Francesca Lunardi, Nazarena Nannini, Marco Damin, Marco Schiavon, Elisabetta Balestro, Monica Loy, Federico Rea, Manuel Cosio, Fiorella Calabrese, Marina Saetta
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Rationale. COPD is a complex disease characterized by variable degree of lung damage in response to cigarette smoke. An elastase/antielastase imbalance, along with innate immunity, is believed to account for lung destruction in α1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), however it is now apparent that AAT has important immune regulatory roles.  Aim. To assess adaptive immunity in COPD patients with AATD and compare it to that present in COPD patients with similar disease severity but with normal AAT-levels.  Methods. By immunohistochemistry we quantified the number of B cells, T-cells (CD4,CD8), neutrophils and macrophages in lung tissue of severe COPD patients with (n=10) and without (n=22) AATD undergoing lung transplantation, as well as smoking (n=16) and non-smoking (n=8) controls.  Results. The two groups of patients with severe COPD, with and without AATD, had similar numbers of B-lymphocytes [median (range): 1.9 (0-4.4) and 1.1 (0-5) cells/mm], CD8 [3.4 (0.6-6.8) and 4.1 (3.1-6.8)] and CD4 T-lymphocytes [5.5 (1-10.8) and 6.0 (1.6-11.9)] that were higher when compared to the control groups (p  Conclusions. The lung inflammatory pattern in severe COPD with AATD is indistinguishable from the one found in COPD without AATD, suggesting that in both conditions an adaptive immune response is an important pathogenetic factor.  Funded by Padua University, CARIPARO, Chiesi.
Cytotoxic chemotherapy induces cell differentiation in small-cell lung carcinoma.
Authors: E Brambilla, D Moro, S Gazzeri, P Y Brichon, H Nagy-Mignotte, F Morel, M Jacrot, C Brambilla
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1991)

Despite the high response rates resulting from chemotherapy, the majority of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients relapse with chemoresistant tumors. To analyze the phenotypic changes that are precursors of chemoresistant status, and to investigate the role of chemotherapy in these changes, tumor samples from 20 patients, taken before chemotherapy (etoposide, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide) and again at the onset of chemoresistance (after at least three courses of chemotherapy), were compared. The histologic changes were minor in 10 of 20 patients, as shown by an increase in cell size; they were major in 10 of 20 patients, with the appearance of mixed composite tumors in which neuroendocrine (NE), epidermoid, and glandular components were mixed. Major changes correlated with a good response to chemotherapy (P = .001). Ultrastructural studies showed an increase in neurosecretory granules and desmosomes, and a high frequency of multidirectional differentiation (45%) when comparison was made with pretherapy samples (10%) (P less than .01). Immunohistochemical (IH) analysis showed an increase in cytokeratin (CK) expression in treated patients, with a different labeling pattern and the expression of higher molecular weight CK. The expression of NE lineage markers (Leu 19, Sy 38, SL 11-14) remained stable, while that of NE differentiation markers (Leu 7, chromogranin) increased in the treated patients. The neuron-specific enolase (NSE) activity remained stable in treated SCLC. Large cells with a more differentiated phenotype and proliferative capacity (as shown by Ki 67 labeling), appeared to be characteristic of treated and secondary chemoresistant SCLC. The acquisition of a more complex phenotype, which correlates with primary response to therapy, implies a drug-induced differentiation in SCLC.
Association between serum clara cell secretory protein (CC-16) levels and asthma-related phenotypes among adults from the EGEA study
Authors: Marta Rava, Nicole Le Moual, Xavier Dumont, Stefano Guerra, Valerie Siroux, Benedicte Jacquemin, Alfred Bernard, Francine Kauffmann, Rachel Nadif
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

CC16 is a biological marker with anti-inflammatory and protective effects on the respiratory tract from oxidative stress. Lower levels of CC16 were observed in asthmatics, but this result has not been confirmed in any large epidemiological study. Associations between CC16, asthma and asthma-related phenotypes were studied in 1308 adults (43.7 yrs, 51.4% women) from the French Epidemiological study on Genetics and Environment of Asthma (EGEA). Serum CC16 level was determined by ELISA. Estimates were adjusted for age, sex, smoking, pack-years, BMI and time of collection. Median (1st-3rd quartile) CC16 levels were 12.4 (8.02, 19.1) µg/l (range: 2.1-70.6 µg/l). CC16 levels decreased with female sex, BMI and pack-years and increased with age. No association was observed between CC16 level and current asthma. In asthmatics, CC16 levels decreased with severe persistent asthma compared to intermittent asthma.  CC16 level may be related with asthma severity. Further studies are needed to clarify this association.  Funded by NETA project, ERS fellowship 123-2011.
The usage of complementary therapies by dermatological patients: a systematic review
Authors: E. Ernst
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2000)

Complementary medicine (CM) is more popular than ever before. Dermatology has not remained unaffected by this trend. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize all surveys of dermatological patients regarding the usage of CM. Three independent literature searches were carried out. Data were extracted in a predefined, standardized way and evaluated descriptively. Seven surveys met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Collectively they show a high but variable prevalence of CM. Lifetime prevalence ranged from 35 to 69%. The most frequently used treatment modalities comprise homoeopathy, herbalism and food supplements. With this high level of prevalence, research into the potential risks and benefits of CM is urgently needed. Dermatologists should consider discussing CM openly with their patients.
Abstract 2236: Automatic Endocardium Recognition and Tracking System For Automated Quantitation of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction: Clinical Reproducibility and Accuracy of AutoEF
Authors: Zhimin Wang, Peng Li, Steven Fowler, Sriram Krishnan, Wei Zhao, Yuji Matsumoto, Magaret L Knoll, Jagat Narula, Mani A Vannan
Journal: Circulation (2006)

Background and Purpose: Quantitative approaches to LV EF have been unpopular because among other reasons they entail manual tracing of endocardial borders. We evaluated whether AutoEF (Siemens, CA)...
The Mechanism of Action of Certain Urea Derivatives on Normal and Tumor Tissue
Authors: Wilson C. Grant, John C. Krantz
Journal: Cancer Research (1942)

This investigation was undertaken as the beginning of a program of study on the chemotherapy of tumors. In planning these investigations it seemed desirable to use a tissue metabolite of low molecular weight, possessing ease of diffusion, and yielding chemical derivatives with comparative ease. The substance which, in our opinion, met these requirements best was urea. With numerous derivatives ~ of this compound easily available, the effect of various substituent groups upon the oxygen uptake of normal tissue and tumor could be studied in vitro and possible leads obtained for application to living animals with tumors. Such an investigation might lead ultimately to the discovery of a chemical structure which would exhibit with definite specificity a deleterious action on the neoplastic cells.
Effect of patient education on adherence to drug treatment for rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: J Hill, H Bird, S Johnson
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2001)

To determine whether a patient education programme (PE) would improve rates of adherence to a slow acting antirheumatic drug and to assess any subsequent effect on patient outcome.A randomly controlled study comprising 100 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (49 control CG; 51 experimental EG) requiring D-penicillamine (DPA). The same practitioner saw patients on seven occasions, for the same length of time. The EG received 7 x 30 minute one to one sessions of PE, while the CG received standard management. The primary measure of adherence was a pharmacological marker (phenobarbitone) encapsulated with the DPA assayed at monthly intervals for six months. Plasma viscosity (PV), C reactive protein, articular index, morning stiffness, and pain score were used to assess outcome.454 blood samples were collected and assayed and the pharmacological marker showed the EG to be significantly more adherent on more occasions than the CG (p<0.05). Patterns of adherence over time showed that at 12 weeks 86% (38/44) of those in the EG compared with 64% (29/45) of the CG remained adherent (p=0.01). These trends continued and by the end of the study 85% (29/34) of the EG compared with 55% (23/42) of the CG were taking their DPA as prescribed. Fifteen patients (12 from the EG) experienced side effects requiring study withdrawal and 14 patients requested study withdrawal (two from the EG). On study entry patients in the CG had significantly higher levels of PV than the EG and this remained so throughout the research. However, on completion, the health status of patients in both groups had improved significantly (p<0.01).PE significantly increased adherence to DPA and its effects persisted over a period of six months. No additional clinical benefit was detected in the EG in comparison with the CG.
Snoring at sitting position is a good predictor of sleep apnea in Chinese patients
Authors: En-Ting Chang
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background Snoring is a common symptom among adults population, and it is the most common complaint in patient with obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) syndrome. Patients who have snoring in sitting position during nap or sleep should have narrower upper airway. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the snoring in sitting position is a predictor of OSA patients.

Method We prospective enrolled 51 male and 23 female patients. All the participants received questionnaires as well as a standard polysomnography thereafter.

Result Patients who have self-reported snoring of sitting position (with tilt position for over than 45°, SS+ group) have higher body mass index as well as higher circumflex of neck and waist, higher level of Epworth sleepiness scale. During polysomnographic study, SS group have more percentage of S1 and less percentage of S2 sleep. Besides, SS group have more severity of apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), as well as higher AHI during REM or non-REM sleep. More oxygen desaturation index and arousal index were also noted. The sensitive and specificity of the SS + group for OSA (defined as AHI ≥5) were 0.77 and 0.52, with positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 0.8 and 0.48. The likelihood ratio was 1.6. On the other hands, the sensitive and specificity of the SS + group for moderate to severe OSA (defined as AHI ≥15) were 0.78 and 0.42.

Conclusion In the present study, the symptoms of self-reported snoring of sitting position can be a useful predictor of Chinese OSA patients.