tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Clofazimine for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: Multicenter, randomized controlled study
Authors: Shenjie Tang, Xiaohui Hao, Lan Yao, Yidian Liu, Hua Sun, Jin Gu
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of using clofazimine to treat MDR-TB.  Methods: We enrolled 92 patients who had sputum-culture-positive MDR-TB in 8 major tuberculosis specialized hospital. Patients were randomly assigned to clofazimine therapy group (n=46) and control group (n=46). All patients had positive sputum-smear microscopy results at the time of MDR-TB diagnosis. Patients in two groups were adopted individual-based chemotherapy regimens based on the patient medication history and drug susceptibility test results. Meanwhile, clofazimine therapy group was added to 100 mg of clofazimine once daily for 21 months.  Results:3 Patients in each group discontinued therapy because of side effects or other reasons. The sputum culture conversion rates of clofazimine therapy group were 74.41%(32/43) in 21th months after treatment, higher than those of control group (58.13%,25/43). The lesions absorption rates of clofazimine therapy group were 81.39%(35/43) in 21th months after treatment, higher than those of control group (60.46%,26/43). Of clofazimine therapy group, 39 had cavitary changes noted on initial chest computed tomography, and of control group, 38 had cavitary changes. The cavity closure or reduced rates of clofazimine therapy group were 71.79% (28/39) in 21th months after treatment, higher than those of control group (57.89%, 22/38). Side-effects of skin such as skin discolouration, ichthyosis only occurred in 40 patients of clofazimine therapy group.  Conclusions: Using clofazimine to treat MDR-TB can significantly improve clinical symptoms, promote lesion absorption and cavity closure, and accelerate sputum negative conversion.
Penetration and remanence of pollen in dwellings
Authors: Denis Charpin, Christian Pichot, Michel Calleja, Vincent Penel
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Indoor pollens come from outdoor pollination but the temporal relationship between both phenomenons is poorly documented. In this study, we ried to compute the influx and remanence of various pollen species throughout the pollen season.   Material & methods   Five families living in the same street of a suburban community volunteered to participate. Monitoring of indoor pollen counts was performed at 4 occasions (February, April, May and August 2008) through sampling of house-dust from the living room. During the same period, outdoor pollen counts were monitored using a Burkard pollen trap.   Results   Variation of pollen counts over time.  Overall, there was a strinking increase in indoor pollen counts during each pollen season: cypress (February), plane tree (April), Poaceae and olive.tree(June).However, away from the pollination period, there was still high number of pollen grains for the main allergenic.  Between species differences  Two groups of species can be defined on the basis of these results: the first group includes Platanus, Quercus and Cupressaceae which exhibit high remanence (0.4) and a low penetration, and the second group contains species with high penetration but various remanences).  Time period effect  Increasing values were observed along seasons: from very low (2.6, p value=3%) in winter, to moderate in spring (13 to 15, p value=0.001% and 0.001%) and hudge in summer (204, p value=0.10%). Remanence coefficients were never significant.   Discussion   Both pollen species, housing and the sampling time period have bearing on penetration and remanence of pollen grains indoor. These pollen could then interact with the allergic patients who could get symptom away from the pollination period.
Characteristics of smoking among visitors of health promotion centers at Tomsk Region, Russian Federation
Authors: Natalia Kosova, Olga Kobyakova, Evgeny Kulikov, Margarita Muzykina, Ivan Deev, Elena Starovoytova, Natalya Kirillova, Vadim Boykov, Olesya Laricheva, Yulia Chatorova, Sofya Mazeina, Alisa Almikeeva
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Objective:  To characterize and evaluate smoking as a risk factor of noncommunicable diseases among visitors of Health Promotion Centers.   Materials and Methods:  National project Health in 2006 was launched in Russia, which goal is to promote public health and evaluate prevalence of risk factors. In Health Promotion Centers every patient was examined and instructed about methods of risk factor correction. The data of 3 882 visitors, aged of 19 to 92 years, average age - 49,0 ± 15,9 years, including 3024 (77.9%) women and 858 (22.1%) men were analyzed.   Results and discussion:  The prevalence of smoking was 19,8% (n=745), significantly most men smoked, compared to women (OR 0,46; 95% CI 0,39-0,54). Maximal prevalence of smoking was registered at age group 30-39 years (30,6%), in older age groups, the prevalence of this factor is greatly reduced. Established that the men start smoking at younger age compared to women (17,4±6,1 vs 21,0±7,8 years, p  0,05).   Conclusions:  Every fifth of visitors is smoker. Maximal prevalence of smoking was registered among young people. The majority of smokers (62.6%) have at least one chronic noncommunicable disease. Probably for smoking should be used individual arrangements to improve effectiveness.
Human bone marrow mast cells in systemic mast cell disease
Authors: L. C. Gabriel, L. M. Escribano, J. L. Navarro
Journal: Allergy (1988)

In a case of systemic mast cell disease with moderate bone marrow involvement, we studied the sensitivity of mast cell cationic dye‐binding to formaldehyde fixation, as well as the mast cell ultrastructure, so as to determine whether these cells possess characteristics of mucosal mast cells. This histochemical method has proved to be one of the few which reveal heterogeneity of the mast cells in human intestine. Even though rat bone marrow mast cells have been shown to belong to the mucosal mast cell compartment, we have found no difference in mast cell counts in samples fixed either in formaldehyde or Carnoy's fixative. The ultrastructure did not show major differences with cutaneous mast cells. A few cells presented two nuclei, suggesting mitotic division of mature mast cells in bone marrow.
Clinical Effectiveness of Coronary Stents in Elderly Persons
Authors: Pamela S. Douglas, J. Matthew Brennan, Kevin J. Anstrom, Art Sedrakyan, Eric L. Eisenstein, Ghazala Haque, David Dai, David F. Kong, Bradley Hammill, Lesley Curtis, David Matchar, Ralph Brindis, Eric D. Peterson
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2009)
P-214 Pattern of Dipkoff-2 gene expression in tumoral tissues of colorectal cancer and two tumor tissues of colorectal cancer and three cell lines (HUVEC, SW480 and HCT116)
Authors: F. Khodarahmi, M.S. Fazeli, H. Mahmoodzadeh, A. Mehrtash, N. Keikhosravi, M. Ghadir, L. Teimoori-Toolabi
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2015)
Exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) as a blood acidity marker in sportsmen
Authors: Evgeny Babarskov, Ludmila Shogenova, Zaurbek Aisanov, Alexander Cherniak, Alexander Chuchalin
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background:  Carboxyhemoglobin dissociation rate strongly depends on blood acidity (Bohr9s effect). Therefore CO concentration in exhaled air is increased as a result of lactate generation after intensive exercise.   Aim:  Study of relationship between CO concentration in exhaled air and blood lactate concentration in athletes after intensive exercise.   Methods:  CO concentration was measured by SMOKERLYZER® (Bedfont) with previous breath holding and blood lactate concentration was registered by ACCUTREND®Lactate (Roche Diagnostics) in 9 elite cyclists, mean (SD), age 25(2.8)yrs, height 176(4.5)cm, weight 76.5(5.8)kg, maximal oxygen uptake 65.6(4.5)ml/min/kg before and after training cycle-race.   Results:  There was strong correlation between CO concentration ratio and lactate concentration. After training lactate concentration increased 3.5-fold from 2 to 7mmol/L and CO concenration increased 2.5-fold from 3 to 10ppm.   Conclusion:  Our findings provide a basis for development of new non-invasive method for anaerobic threshold detection, which may be useful for elite athletes training programs.
Author’s reply to Karran
Authors: Margaret McCartney
Journal: BMJ (2015)

Karran says that the EXPEDITION and EXPEDITION 2 trials showed a 34% slowing of cognitive decline—evidence of a disease modifying effect.1 2

He did not reference this statement and on PubMed I found only a short presentation (“oral session,” apparently from the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2013).3 The results read “In the mild population, approximately 34% less cognitive decline (ADAS-Cog 11, ADAS-Cog 14, and MMSE) …
Respiratory symptoms and risk for obstructive sleep apnea in professional musicians
Authors: Maria Antoniadou, Vasilis Michailidis, Eleni Perantoni, Diamantis Chloros, Athanasia Prinza, Theodoros Gegas, Venetia Tsara
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background:  There is a controversy regarding the effects of playing wind musical instruments and singing on the respiratory system and the risk for nocturnal breathing abnormalities.  The aim of this study was to detect the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and the risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in wind instrument players and singers.  Patients - Methods: 30 professional musicians (age 37,7±8,9 years, BMI: 25,9±4,3 kg/m 2 , 25 wind instrument players in bands and 5 singers) completed a questionnaire on demographic data and respiratory symptoms and the Berlin Questionnaire (BQ) for the assessment of the risk for OSA.   Results:  Wind instrument players (80% males, 36% smokers, 32% alcohol users) reported sinusitis (24%), heartburn (20%), throat clearing (20%), jaw problems (16%), cough (16%) and nasal catarrh (16%). Singers (60% males, non-smokers, 20% alcohol users) reported reflux symptoms (60%), hoarseness (60%), throat clearing (40%), sinusitis (40%) and nasal catarrh (40%). Of the musicians, 4 instrumentalists (16%) and 1 singer (20%) had a high risk score on BQ. There was no association between smoking and respiratory symptoms in both instrumentalists and singers. Smoking was positively correlated with alcohol consumption (p   Conclusion:  Frequent respiratory symptoms and low risk for OSA were observed in wind instrument players and singers. Smoking habit together with alcohol consumption was common in instrumentalists, whereas singers adopted a healthier life style.
Statisticians should be coauthors
Authors: M. A Mullee, R. M Pickering, F. C Lampe, S. A Julious
Journal: BMJ (1995)

than precludes,' a fully integrated approach to the management of risk factors in a group of high risk patients.We would seek to justify the value of personal health education for these patients in terms of improvements in their reported diet, activity, freedom from symptoms, and quality of life.
Abstract 59: PDK1 in melanoma development and metastasis
Authors: Marzia Scortegagna, Chelsea Ruller, Yongmei Feng, Rossitza Lazova, Harriet Kluger, Jian-Liang Li, Surya K. De, Robert Rickert, Maurizio Pellecchia, Marcus Bosenberg, Ze'ev Ronai
Journal: Cancer Research (2014)

Abstract Phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that phosphorylates members of the conserved AGC kinase superfamily, including AKT and PKC, and is implicated in important cellular processes including survival, metabolism and tumorigenesis. In large cohorts of nevi and melanoma samples, PDK1 expression was significantly higher in primary melanoma, compared with nevi, and was further increased in metastatic melanoma. Selective inactivation of Pdk1 in the melanocytes of BrafV600E::Pten-/- or BrafV600E::Cdkn2a-/-::Pten-/- mice delayed the development of pigmented lesions and melanoma induced by systemic or local administration of 4-HT. Melanoma invasion and metastasis were significantly reduced or completely prevented by Pdk1 deletion. Administration of the PDK1 inhibitor GSK2334470 (PDKi) effectively delayed melanomagenesis and metastasis in BrafV600E::Pten-/- mice. Pdk1-/- melanomas exhibit a marked decrease in the activity of AKT, p70S6K and PKC. Notably, genetic inactivation or pharmacological inhibition of PDK1 were even more effective in attenuating melanoma development and metastasis of human tumors with Pten WT as in genetic model of BrafV600E::Cdkn2a-/-::Pten+/+ mice, representing an additional fraction of human tumors harboring such mutation. Gene expression analyses identified Pdk1-dependent changes in FOXO3a-regulated genes and inhibition of FOXO3a restored proliferation and colony formation of Pdk1-/- melanoma cells. PDK1 effect on FOXO3a and melanoma development and progression appears to be AKT independent. Our studies provide direct genetic evidence for the importance of PDK1, in part through FOXO3a-dependent pathway, in melanoma development and progression. Citation Format: Marzia Scortegagna, Chelsea Ruller, Yongmei Feng, Rossitza Lazova, Harriet Kluger, Jian-Liang Li, Surya K. De, Robert Rickert, Maurizio Pellecchia, Marcus Bosenberg, Ze'ev Ronai. PDK1 in melanoma development and metastasis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 59. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-59
Theories of the Soul
Authors: Jack Coulehan
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2015)

Ad Libitum6 October 2015Theories of the SoulJack Coulehan, MD, MPHJack Coulehan, MD, MPHFrom Setauket, New York.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/M15-1470 Audio Reading - “Theories of the Soul” Audio. Michael A. LaCombe, MD, Annals Associate Editor, reads "Theories of the Soul," by J. Coulehan. Your browser does not support the audio element. Audio player progress bar Step backward in current audio track Play current audio trackPause current audio track Step forward in current audio track Mute current audio trackUnmute current audio track 00:00/ SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Twenty Cases Suggestive of Reincarnation—Ian Stevenson, 1918–2007The soul I grew up onbegan at conceptionwith a one way ticket,perdition or heaven.The scientific versiondisintegrates at deathwithout a suggestionof recurrence or wrath.Your children remembera life before this one,their traumatic encountersin village and home.Is my soul's appearance,too, a hundredth edition?Do my genes' adaptationsaccount for nothing?Consciousness suppressedby an erasing machine,I began as a blank,unaware my return wasneither given for goodnessnor exacted for shame,by an improbable wizardbehind the curtain.Jack Coulehan, MD, MPHSetauket, New York Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From Setauket, New York.Current Author Address: Jack Coulehan, MD, MPH; e-mail, John.[email protected]edu. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement Audio Reading - “Theories of the Soul” Audio. Michael A. LaCombe, MD, Annals Associate Editor, reads "Theories of the Soul," by J. Coulehan. Your browser does not support the audio element. Audio player progress bar Step backward in current audio track Play current audio trackPause current audio track Step forward in current audio track Mute current audio trackUnmute current audio track 00:00/ FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 6 October 2015Volume 163, Issue 7Page: 563KeywordsChildrenConsciousness ePublished: 6 October 2015 Issue Published: 6 October 2015 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2015 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...
Combining active immunotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors in prostate cancer.
Authors: Harpreet Singh, Ravi Amrit Madan, William L. Dahut, Geraldine Helen O'Sullivan Coyne, Myrna Rauckhorst, Sheri McMahon, Christopher Ryan Heery, Jeffrey Schlom, James L. Gulley
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2015)

172 Background: Results of recent clinical trials have intensified interest in immunotherapy in oncology. A number of cancer immunotherapies have been approved recently, while others are in late stage clinical development. The poxvirus-based active immunotherapy, PROSTVAC is generally well tolerated and is currently being evaluated in a global Phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Ipilimumab, an approved immune checkpoint inhibitor in melanoma, is also being evaluated in a Phase 3 trial in chemo-naïve mCRPC. Methods: Results of two Phase 2 trials in men with mCRPC who were treated with PROSTVAC alone were compared with results from a Phase 1 combination study in mCRPC patients treated with PROSTVAC plus escalating doses of ipilimumab. Patients were enrolled in the Phase 1 combination study when docetaxel was the only FDA-approved mCRPC treatment that improved overall survival (OS). Results: In a multicenter Phase 2 trial, 125 men were randomized 2:1 to receive PROSTVAC or placebo. Patients treated with PROSTVAC had improved OS compared to placebo (25.1 vs 16.6 months; HR 0.56; 95% CI 0.37-0.85).Similar data was seen in a second phase 2 trial of PROSTVAC, where 32 patients with mCRPC had a median OS of 26.6 months (predicted median OS by the Halabi nomogram was 17.4 months). In a Phase 1 combination study of 30 mCRPC patients with similar baseline characteristics (predicted median OS of 18.5 months), patients were treated with PROSTVAC plus escalating doses of ipilimumab. The observed median OS was 31.3 months for all dose cohorts and 37.2 months for patients treated at 10 mg/kg based on updated overall survival data. Furthermore, there appears to be a tail on the curve with approximately 20% of patients at 10 mg/kg alive at 80 months. Conclusions: The comparison of data from three independent trials of PROSTVAC active immunotherapy in three similar patient populations provides hypothesis-generating data that the addition of an immune checkpoint inhibitor may have a positive effect on overall survival through a potential synergy in mechanism of action. The updated long term survival data is further evidence of improved OS with PROSTVAC. Future randomized trials are being planned to prospectively evaluate this hypothesis. Clinical trial information: NCT00113984.
Age-dependent influence of ADRB2 gene polymorphisms on asthma severity in Serbian population
Authors: Natasa Petrovic-Stanojevic, Aleksandra Topic, Aleksandra Nikolic, Marija Stankovic, Vesna Dopudja-Pantic, Branislava Milenkovic, Dragica Radojkovic
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background : Beta 2-adrenergic receptor is expressed in airway smooth muscle and induces bronchial relaxation. It is assumed that two common investigated polymorphisms of the beta2-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB2), Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu are responsible for the susceptibility to asthma.  Aims : We investigated whether ADRB2 polymorphisms affect severity of asthma in population of Serbian asthmatics in relation of age. Asthma severity were evaluated based on Asthma Control Test (ACT) and results of spirometry testing (FEV1 percentage).  Methods .The study included a group of 162 patients with asthma, divided in two age groups, ( 50 year old, n=57). Genotyping of Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu polymorphisms was performed by direct sequencing of PCR products.  Results.  Younger 16ArgGly heterozygotes showed significant higher values for FEV1 and ACT than both 16GlyGly (p=0.05 and p=0.045, respectively) and 16ArgArg (p=0.042 and p=0.024) homozygotes. In addition, younger asthmatic with 27GluGlu genotype showed tendency to have higher FEV1 value than 27GlnGln, but probability was near to significant (p=0.068). Younger carriers with combined genotypes 16GlyGly/27GlnGln showed significant lower FEV1 and ACT than 16Gly-Gly/27Glu-Glu (p=0.044) and 16ArgGly/27GlnGln (p=0.007). Neither the Arg16Gly nor Gln27Glu polymorphisms were not associated with asthma severity in older asthmatics.  Conclusion.  This is the first study which suggests that Serbian asthmatics younger than 50 years with combination of genotypes 16GlyGly/27GlnGln showed worse lung function and ACT. This result may be of clinical interest in prevention of disease severity.
Abstract P165: Effects of Lactation on Postpartum Blood Pressure among Women with Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia
Authors: Malamo Countouris, Eleanor Bimla Schwarz, Brianna Rossiter, Andrew Althouse, Janet Catov
Journal: Circulation (2015)

Introduction: Lactation is associated with improved maternal blood pressure (BP) in later life and in the postpartum period among normotensive women. However, little is known about whether lactation is also cardio-protective in women with pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders. This study aimed to characterize the relationship between lactation and postpartum BP in women who remained normotensive during pregnancy compared to those who developed preeclampsia or gestational hypertension. Hypothesis: Lactation will be associated with lower postpartum BP, particularly in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Methods: Data were obtained from a cohort of normotensive women who participated in the Prenatal Exposures &amp; Preeclampsia Prevention study (n=651; 65% African American; 83% overweight or obese prior to pregnancy). Women were enrolled during pregnancy and attended a postpartum visit where data on lactation and BP were collected following a standardized protocol. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess the relationship between lactation and postpartum BP in women who remained normotensive during pregnancy, developed gestational hypertension (2 or more BP measurements &gt;140/90), or developed preeclampsia (gestational hypertension plus proteinuria). Further analyses adjusted for age, race, smoking, prepregnancy weight, and time since delivery. Results: A total of 439 women attended the postpartum study visit (mean time since birth 8.5 months); 50 (11%) developed gestational hypertension, and 38 (9%) preeclampsia. Lactation was reported by 246 (56%) with 84 (19%) reporting lactation for ≥ 6 months. Women who lactated were older, wealthier, and more likely to plan to lactate compared to those who did not lactate. There was no association between lactation duration and postpartum systolic BP for women who remained normotensive during pregnancy (never lactated: 111.0 mmHg vs. lactated ≥ 6 months: 112.9 mmHg, p=0.83) nor among women who developed preeclampsia (never lactated: 121.3 mmHg vs. lactated ≥ 6 months: 128.3 mmHg, p=0.35). However, greater lactation duration was associated with lower systolic BP among women who developed gestational hypertension (never lactated: 127.8 mmHg vs. lactated ≥ 6 months: 109.4 mmHg, p=0.04). This relationship remained significant after adjusting for covariates. Similarly, lactation was associated with lower postpartum diastolic BP only for women with a history of gestational hypertension. Conclusions: Lactation appears to lower postpartum BP among women who develop gestational hypertension, but do not develop preeclampsia. Future work should investigate the mechanisms driving the relationship between lactation and postpartum BP in gestational hypertension.