tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Lavage versus serum measurements of lysozyme, angiotensin converting enzyme and other inflammatory markers in pulmonary sarcoidosis
Authors: C Prior, RA Barbee, PM Evans, PJ Townsend, ZS Primett, F Fyhrquist, C Gronhagen-Riska, PL Haslam
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1990)

The aim of this study was to explore whether amounts of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and lysozyme produced within the lungs correlate more closely than serum levels of these enzymes, or other inflammatory markers, with chest radiographic profusion scores, lung function and therapy response in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis. We have studied 25 patients, and levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were used to determine "local" enzyme production by reference to serum and lavage albumin. Before treatment, serum lysozyme levels were elevated in more patients (80%) than serum ACE levels (40%). They also gave the best overall correlation with clinical measurements prior to treatment and falls in serum lysozyme closely parallelled improvement in lung function (transfer factor for carbon monoxide (DLCO)) on therapy. The only other markers showing significant correlations with disease severity were lavage neutrophil counts per ml and "local" ACE measurements prior to treatment. The value of pre-treatment levels of the different inflammatory markers in predicting response to corticosteroid therapy was explored and the only significant finding was that BAL lymphocyte percentages and numbers.ml-1 were initially higher in patients with lower post-treatment chest X-ray scores (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.05, respectively). We conclude that serum lysozyme levels appear to be a more useful marker of overall disease activity in sarcoidosis than measurements of other inflammatory markers. However, BAL lymphocyte counts were the best predictive marker of radiographic response to corticosteroids.
Effect of ipratropium bromide and/or sodium cromoglycate pretreatment on water-induced bronchoconstriction in asthma
Authors: CM Tranfa, A Vatrella, R Parrella, F Bariffi
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1995)

The mechanisms underlying water-induced bronchoconstriction are still not fully understood. Cholinergic reflexes and mast cell mediator release are currently believed to play an important pathogenetic role. In order to evaluate the relative contribution of each of these mechanisms, we studied the effect of ipratropium bromide (80 micrograms), a muscarinic antagonist, and sodium cromoglycate (20 mg), an inhibitor of mast cell mediator release, administered alone and in combination, in the prevention of bronchospasm induced by ultrasonic mist of distilled water (UMDW). Fifteen patients with documented atopic asthma and hyperresponsiveness to distilled water were selected for this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Airway responses to pharmachological agents and bronchial challenge were measured by change in specific airways conductance (sGaw). Sodium cromoglycate had no effect on bronchial calibre, whilst ipratropium bromide and the combination of the two drugs produced a significant bronchodilation 30, 60 and 90 min after treatments. The maximal increase in sGaw (mean % +/- SD) was observed at 90 min: 63 +/- 28% and 58 +/- 22% after ipratropium bromide and the combined drugs respectively. UMDW (2, 4, 8, 16 ml water) caused a -36 +/- 19%, -42 +/- 19%, -49 +/- 18%, -56 +/- 15% mean % +/- SD fall in sGaw after placebo. Pretreatment with sodium cromoglycate abolished the bronchoconstriction to 2 ml (fall sGaw -5 +/- 23% NS) and significantly reduced the effect of 4 (-15 +/- 22%), 8 (-21 +/- 20%) and 16 ml (-24 +/- 18%) water.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Human breath analysis supports the existence of individual phenotypes
Authors: Pablo Martinez-Lozano Sinues, Renato Zenobi, Malcolm Kohler
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Objectives: Breath analysis holds promise to diagnose lung diseases non-invasively. However, like other biofluids, the exhaled metabolic phenotype varies during the course of the days. This may complicate the interpretation of diagnostic breath tests. The main goal of this study was to assess the amplitude of this temporal noise in human exhaled breathprints.  Methods: The assessment was pursued by analyzing the composition of exhaled breath of a group of healthy subjects during nine days at different times of the day. The used technique allows for the in vivo collection of breath mass spectral signatures. The mass spectra were subsequently statistically post-processed.  Results: We found that, despite of the expected temporal fluctuations in breath composition, each subject showed a characteristic exhaled breathprint, distinguishable from the other subjects and stable over time. The figure shows the projection of the mass spectral breathprints onto two dimensions. Each convex hull comprises all the measurements collected during nine days from each individual. As visually apparent, each subject tends to occupy his/her own space.  Conclusions: We conclude that individual signatures of breath composition exist. This finding may support current efforts towards the development of non-invasive diagnostic technologies which can be precisely tailored to meet the specific needs when populations or individuals are investigated over extended time periods.
Outcome of patients with Hodgkin's disease failing after primary MOPP-ABVD.
Authors: V Bonfante, A Santoro, S Viviani, L Devizzi, M Balzarotti, F Soncini, M Zanini, P Valagussa, G Bonadonna
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1997)

PURPOSE This study analyzed long-term results in patients with Hodgkin's disease who were resistant to or relapsed after first-line treatment with MOPP and ABVD. Response to salvage treatments and prognostic factors were also evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study population included 115 refractory or relapsed patients among a total of 415 patients treated with alternating or hybrid MOPP-ABVD followed by radiotherapy (25 to 30 Gy) to initial bulky sites. The median follow-up duration of the present series was 91 months. Thirty-nine of 115 patients (34%) showed disease progression while on primary treatment (induction failures); 48 relapsed after complete remissions that lasted &lt; or = 12 months and 28 after complete remission that lasted more than 12 months from the end of all treatments. RESULTS At 8 years, the overall survival rate was 27%, being 54% and 28% in patients whose initial complete remission was longer or shorter than 12 months, respectively, and 8% in induction failures (P &lt; .001). Response to first-line chemotherapy and disease extent at first progression significantly influenced long-term results, as well as the incidence and duration of complete remission. CONCLUSION The present data confirm previous observations that showed the main prognostic factors to influence outcome after salvage treatment are response duration to first-line therapy and disease extent at relapse. The results indicate that patients who relapse after the alternating MOPP/ABVD regimen have a prognosis similar to that of patients who relapse after a four-drug regimen (MOPP or ABVD alone). Re-treatment with initial chemotherapy seems the treatment of choice for patients who relapse after an initial complete remission that lasts greater than 12 months, while the real impact of high-dose chemotherapy or new regimens should be assessed in resistant patients.
GENERAL PARESIS IN SENILITY
Authors: SILVANO ARIETI
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1945)

General paresis occurs in senility with considerable frequency. In the State of New York, about 10% of paretics admitted for the first time to state hospitals are 60 years old or more. The incubation of the senile type of paresis is generally either extremely long (40-50 years), or rather short (5-7 years). The diagnosis is often made difficult by the fact that the blood serology is negative, in spite of the progress of the histologic inflammatory process. Pathologic investigations revealed that these cases may be divided into two groups: the first group, by far less common, characterized by intense inflammatory changes, presence of alterations typical of senility, and absence of arteriosclerotic lesions; the second group characterized by milder inflammatory changes, absence of alterations typical of senility, and the almost constant presence of arteriosclerotic lesions. Study of the interrelations between the paretic process, cerebral arteriosclerosis, and senility, seems to indicate that (1) the neuroluetic inflammatory process may have an inhibitory influence upon the neuropathologic changes of senility. On the other hand the senile process may have a stimulating influence upon the neuroluetic inflammation. (2) Neurolues may accelerate the arteriosclerotic process of the brain. Cerebral arteriosclerotic changes in turn may tend to diminish the intensity of the inflammatory process.
Interval lung cancers not detected on screening chest x-rays: How are they different?
Authors: Paul A. Kvale, Christine Cole Johnson, Martin Tammemagi, Pamela M. Marcus, Carl J. Zylak, David L. Spizarny, William Hocking, Martin Oken, John Commins, Lawrence Ragard, Ping Hu, Christine Berg, Philip Prorok
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background:  The Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial provides us an opportunity to describe interval lung cancers not detected by screening chest x-ray (CXR) compared to screen-detected cancers.   Methods:  Participants were screened with CXR at baseline and annually for two (never smokers) or three (ever smokers) more years. Putative interval cancers were those with a negative CXR screen but with a diagnosis of lung cancer within 12 months. Screen-detected cancers were those with a positive CXR and diagnosed within 12 months. Potential interval cancers were re-reviewed to determine whether lung cancer was missed and probably present during the initial interpretation or whether the lesion was a “true interval” cancer.  Results: 77,445 participants were randomized to the intervention arm with 70,633 screened. Of 5,227 positive screens from any screening round, 298 resulted in screen-detected lung cancers; 152 had potential interval cancers with 128 CXR available for re-review. Cancer was probably present in 45/128 (35.2%) at time of screening; 83 (64.8%) were “true interval” cancers. Compared to screen-detected cancers, true interval cancers were more common among males, persons with    Conclusion:  True interval lung cancers differ from CXR-screen-detected cancers with regard to demographic variables, stage, cell type and location.
Paediatric exercise testing: Who goes the distance?
Authors: Matthew Butler, Caroline Beardsmore, Erol Gaillard
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background:  Bronchial challenge tests to demonstrate airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) can provide valuable objective evidence of asthma where the diagnosis is in doubt. Exercise testing, an indirect measure of AHR, is often the test of choice in children. However, few studies report the clinical value and limitations of exercise testing.   Aims : 1) To quantify the test outcomes of a paediatric cohort and 2) to identify patient characteristics associated with a positive result.   Methods:  We conducted a retrospective review of 4 years (2009-13) of exercise test data from our paediatric lung function laboratory. Patients completed a respiratory questionnaire, FeNO, serial spirometry, and a standardised 6-minute treadmill run in accordance with the ERS protocol. A fall in FEV 1  of >15% from baseline was considered indicative of AHR.   Results:  136 children (median age 11 years; range 5-17) underwent exercise testing. Overall, 85% finished the run but completion rate was only 58% for girls aged 12-17. Of all completers (n=116), 34 children tested positive for AHR, which was associated with worse baseline lung function, a history of atopy and FeNO >35ppb. Objective evidence supporting a diagnosis of asthma was obtained in 27% of patients with previously uncertain diagnosis.   Conclusions:  Exercise testing is useful in children with an equivocal asthma diagnosis. Over 40% of girls aged 12-17 did not complete the 6-min run. The reasons for the high rate of non-completion in this group are not clear. Direct challenge testing (e.g. with methacholine) may be indicated where exercise testing is either negative or not completed. Direct comparison of direct and indirect challenge testing is required to compare sensitivity and specificity of these tests.
Polymerase and RNA Studies on Milk Virions From Women of the Parsi Community&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN1"&gt;1&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: M R Das, A B Vaidya, S M Sirsat, D H Moore
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1972)

Several milk samples From women of the Parsi community were examined for reverse transcriptase. They were processed by methods similar to those used for isolating B-type particles from mouse milk and collecting the material sedimenting between densities of 1.16 g/cm3 and 1.19 g/cm3 in a sucrose-density gradient. On examination, 4 of 12 samples had DNA-polymerizing activity. The reaction product after phenol extraction revealed the presence of nascent DNA attached to RNA sedimenting in the 30S-45S region.
Chest HRCT findings in non-smoking, asymptomatic elderly subjects with normal echocardiogram and pulmonary function tests
Authors: Daniel Winter, Marcos Manzini, Alexandre Busse, Omar Jaluul, Tânia Guimarães, Mario Terra-Filho
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background  The study of the normal ageing process is becoming more important as life expectancy increases. To our knowledge, no studies reporting chest HRCT findings in asymptomatic, non-smoking elderly subjects with both normal echocardiogram and PFTs were conducted.  Objectives  To describe chest HRCT findings in a population of asymptomatic, non-smoking elderly subjects with normal echocardiogram and PFTs.  Methods  After institutional approval, patients over 65 years old recruited from the Geriatrics outpatient clinic were studied and compared with normal volunteers under 50 years old. Written consent was obtained. Participants were submitted to a questionnaire, echocardiography and PFTs for assessing absence of disease, and afterwards submitted to chest HRCT. Scans were interpreted and findings were scored, including pulmonary nodules, cysts, parenchymal bands, interlobular septal thickening, reticular opacities and bronchiectasis. Non-parametric tests were used for the statistical analysis, with P   Results  The HRCT findings of 53 asymptomatic subjects over 65 years old (mean age 74,6 yrs) were compared with those of 24 volunteers under 50 years old (mean age 35,7 yrs). The prevalence of abnormal scans was higher in the elderly (84,9% vs 12,5%, P   Conclusion  Parenchymal bands, interlobular septal thickening and lung nodules are present in asymptomatic elderly subjects and may represent normal ageing of the lungs.
Treatment of advanced-stage massive mediastinal Hodgkin's disease: the case for combined modality treatment.
Authors: D L Longo, A Russo, P L Duffey, S M Hubbard, E Glatstein, J B Hill, E S Jaffe, R C Young, V T DeVita
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1991)

In the initial series of 198 patients treated at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) with mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (MOPP) chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease, a review of presenting chest radiographs available on 192 of these patients showed 49 patients with mediastinal masses greater than one third the greatest posteroanterior chest diameter. Five patients had stage IIB disease, and 44 had stage III or IV disease. Thirty-five (71%) patients achieved a complete remission with MOPP chemotherapy. Fourteen (40%) of the complete responders relapsed, but four of these achieved durable remissions in response to subsequent therapy. Thirty (61%) patients have died (14 induction failures, nine relapsed patients, seven complete responders in remission). Thus, with a median follow-up of 20 years (range, 15 to 23), the overall survival for the group is 39%, and the disease-free survival for the complete responders is 60%. A subset of 10 patients received mantle radiation therapy after maximal response to MOPP. One of these patients failed to achieve complete remission, but among the nine complete responders only one has relapsed. In contrast, 13 of 26 (50%) patients achieving a complete response to MOPP alone have relapsed (P2 = .0536). Although MOPP alone was not prospectively compared with MOPP plus radiation therapy in the treatment of advanced-stage massive mediastinal Hodgkin's disease in this series, the retrospective analysis shows a nearly significant difference in disease-free survival favoring combined modality treatment. The difference in tumor mortality between MOPP-treated (44%) and combined modality-treated patients (80%) was also nearly significant (P2 = .055). However, overall survival differences between patients treated with MOPP alone and those treated with combined modality therapy were not significantly different (P2 = 0.23) because of the mortality related to late complications of combined modality treatment.
Is a Drain Necessary after Colonic Anastomosis?
Authors: C D Johnso, P M Lamont, N Orr, M Lennox
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1989)

To date, there have been no clinical investigations of the usefulness of drains following colonic anastomosis in elective operations. We report a prospective study in which 49 patients were randomized to have a corrugated silastic drain (Portex) placed next to the colonic anastomosis. These patients were compared with a control group of 57 patients who had no drain. The two groups were similar in age, sex, diagnosis and site of anastomosis. There was no difference in outcome between the two groups. Anastomotic leakage occurred in six patients in each group. Wound infections were noted in 10 patients in each group. Two patients with a drain and one patient without a drain died from leakage at the anastomosis. This study provides no evidence to support the use of a corrugated drain after anastomosis of the colon.
Intravenous carboplatin for recurrent malignant glioma: a phase II study.
Authors: W K Yung, L Mechtler, M J Gleason
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1991)

Thirty patients with recurrent malignant glioma were treated with intravenous (IV) carboplatin (CBDCA) every 4 weeks at a starting dose of 400 mg/m2 escalating to 450 mg/m2. All patients had documented recurrent tumor after prior radiotherapy but had not received prior chemotherapy. Of 29 assessable patients, four (14%) responded to the treatment for 44, 51+, 72, and 91 weeks; 10 (34%) achieved stable disease (S); while 15 (52%) had progressive disease (P). The total response (responses plus S) rate was 48%, with a median time to progression (MTP) of 26 weeks in these patients; the MTP for all 29 patients was 11 weeks. The toxic effects were mainly hematologic, with thrombocytopenia and granulocytopenia being mild at 400 mg/m2 and 450 mg/m2 doses. NO neurotoxicity or renal toxicity was encountered. These results suggest that CBCDA given at 400 mg/m2 or 450 mg/m2 every 4 weeks is marginally active in patients with recurrent malignant gliomas. Since hematologic toxicity is mild, a higher dose could possibly be given, and may increase the response rate.
Asthma and IgE associated polymorphisms influence TH17 pathway gene expression
Authors: Luise Worth, Sven Michel, Vincent Gaertner, Sebastian Kerzel, Michael Kabesch, Maximilian Schieck
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background: TH17 cells participate in the pathogenesis of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, such as asthma. Recently, our group identified associations of asthma and total serum IgE levels with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TH17 pathway genes. We now investigated functional effects of these SNPs on gene expression within the TH17 pathway in vitro.  Methods: TH17 pathway SNPs were genotyped (23 by MALDI-TOF MS; 2 by RFLP) in a randomly selected cohort (n=57, German adults). Expression of ten signature TH17 pathway genes was measured by quantitative real-time PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, stimulated with phytohemagglutinin, D. pteronyssinus, lipid A, or peptidoglycan. Induction of mRNA levels was compared between unstimulated and stimulated cells applying the delta-delta Ct method and correlated with genotypes. Measurements of TH17 pathway cytokines were performed.  Results: The RORyt SNP rs6693413, with minor allele frequency (MAF) 0.48, displayed allele-specific effects on IL17F mRNA induction in two of the tested stimulations (lowest p=0.013). Additionally, IL23A induction correlated with rs9395766 (IL17A; MAF=0.40) in all tested stimulations (lowest p=0.030).  Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that certain SNPs in the TH17 pathway are not only associated with asthma or IgE levels but also correlate with TH17 pathway gene expression. The observed effects of RORyt and IL17A variants on IL17F and IL23A expression support previous genetic studies, which suggested a central role of the IL-23/IL-17 axis within TH17 associated diseases.
Ethiodized oil emulsion 13 in computed tomography of hepatoma.
Authors: J P Dutcher, P J Haney, N O Whitley, R Finley, P Pearl, M S Didolkar, P H Wiernik
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1984)

Six patients with biopsy-proven hepatoma were prospectively evaluated both by conventional computed tomography (CT) and by scans using ethiodized oil emulsion 13 (EOE 13) as a contrast agent. EOE 13 infusion resulted in marked improvement in the demonstration of the neoplasm in all cases and allowed more accurate definition of tumor extent than was possible with standard scanning techniques. In two cases EOE 13 enhancement was essential for complete radiographic depiction of tumor location, size, and extent. EOE 13 also proved to be of considerable value in assessment of therapeutic response in three patients, permitting more objective determination of tumor growth or regression. EOE 13--enhanced CT scanning provides a valuable means of staging patients presenting with hepatoma and is a reliable, accurate means of radiographic follow-up.
Genetic characterisation of Helicobacter pylori isolates from an Argentinean adult population based on cag pathogenicity island right-end motifs, lspA-glmM polymorphism and iceA and vacA genotypes
Authors: A.G. Leanza, M.J. Matteo, O. Crespo, P. Antelo, J. Olmos, M. Catalano
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2004)
Body-surface area as a basis for dosing of anticancer agents: science, myth, or habit?
Authors: M J Ratain
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1998)

Article Tools Article Tools OPTIONS & TOOLS Export Citation Track Citation Add To Favorites Rights & Permissions COMPANION ARTICLES No companion articles ARTICLE CITATION DOI: 10.1200/JCO.1998.16.7.2297 Journal of Clinical Oncology - published online before print September 21, 2016 PMID: 9667242 Body-surface area as a basis for dosing of anticancer agents: science, myth, or habit? M J RatainxM J RatainSearch for articles by this author https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.1998.16.7.2297 PDF "Body-surface area as a basis for dosing of anticancer agents: science, myth, or habit?." Journal of Clinical Oncology, 16(7), pp. 2297–2298© 1998 by American Society of Clinical Oncology