tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
The trend of tuberculosis in Bucharest between years 2001 – 2013
Authors: Emilia Tabacu, Gilda Popescu, Nicoleta Cioran
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Bucharest, Romania9s capital, a great urban aglomeration with almost 2 000 000 inhabitants and a population density of 8 528 inhabitants/Km², was confronted with a rate, sometimes wery high of tuberculosis cases for a long time period.  Objective:  The study of the main indicators of the TB endemic in Bucharest between years 2001 - 2013.  Material and method:  We used the information existing in the official documents of the information system within the National Program of Tuberculosis Control. Trends of TB endemic were constantly favorable in Bucharest in the recent years:the overall incidence progressively decreased from 154,1%ooo in 2001 to 64,6%ooo in 2013, incidence of TB in children 0 – 14 years dropped steadily from 60,5%ooo in 2002 to24,9%ooo in 2013. Tuberculosis mortality in Bucharest, a marker for severity of the endemic were 11,7%ooo in 2001 and 7,1%ooo in 2010. The incidence continues to be greaterin males than in females. The source density was reduced from 12 sources/Km 2  in 2001 to 5 sources/Km 2  in 2012. A negative aspect of TB endemic in Bucharest is a number of severe forms of TB, TB-HIV, MDR-TB or deaths in children under 15 years old. DOTS strategy implemented in Bucharest proved to be an important weapon for TB control, success rate increase yearly.  Conclusio n: Prompt assurance of TB diagnostic and also the accurate management of TB treatment constitute the guarantee of the decrease of this disease, goal applies to all age groups.
Use of Intermittent vs Continuous Pulse Oximetry for Nonhypoxemic Infants and Young Children Hospitalized for Bronchiolitis
Authors: Russell McCulloh, Michael Koster, Shawn Ralston, Matthew Johnson, Vanessa Hill, Kristin Koehn, Gina Weddle, Brian Alverson
Journal: JAMA Pediatrics (2015)

Clinical practice guidelines for managing infants and children hospitalized for bronchiolitis recommend only obtaining intermittent or "spot check" pulse oximetry readings for those who show clinical improvement. The effect of such monitoring is currently unknown.To determine the effect of intermittent vs continuous pulse oximetry monitoring on hospital length of stay among nonhypoxemic infants and young children hospitalized for bronchiolitis.Randomized, parallel-group, superiority clinical trial of otherwise healthy infants and children 2 years of age or younger hospitalized for bronchiolitis during the period from 2009 to 2014 at 1 of 4 children's hospitals in the United States. Parents or guardians were blinded to allocation assignment until informed consent was obtained; study personnel and outcome assessors were not.Patients were randomly assigned to undergo continuous or intermittent pulse oximetry monitoring (ie, pulse oximetry measurements were obtained along with a scheduled check of vital signs or for clinical suspicion of deterioration) during hospitalization when oxygen saturation levels were 90% or higher.Length of hospital stay was the primary outcome. Secondary outcome measures included duration of supplemental oxygen use and rate of escalation of care (defined as transfer to an intensive care unit).A total of 449 infants and young children were screened for inclusion; 288 infants and young children were excluded, resulting in 161 patients who were enrolled in the study (80 patients underwent continuous monitoring, and 81 patients intermittent). The mean length of stay did not differ based on pulse oximetry monitoring strategy (48.9 hours [95% CI, 41.3-56.5 hours] for continuous monitoring vs 46.2 hours [95% CI, 39.1-53.3 hours] for intermittent monitoring; P = .77). The rates of escalation of care and duration of supplemental oxygen use did not differ between groups.Intermittent pulse oximetry monitoring of nonhypoxemic patients with bronchiolitis did not shorten hospital length of stay and was not associated with any difference in rate of escalation of care or use of diagnostic or therapeutic measures. Our results suggest that intermittent pulse oximetry monitoring can be routinely considered in the management of infants and children hospitalized for bronchiolitis who show clinical improvement.clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01014910.
The modified version of the pulmonary functional status and dyspnea questionnaire: A valid measure to evaluate functional status in patients with COPD
Authors: Chris Burtin, Daniel Langer, Hans Van Remoortel, Rik Gosselink, Wim Janssens, Marc Decramer, Thierry Troosters
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background: The modified version of the Pulmonary Functional Status and Dyspnea Questionnaire (PFSDQ-M, Lareau et al., Heart & Lung 1998; 27(3):159-168 ) is a reliable tool which aims to evaluate perceived functional status in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Aim: To establish the relationship between PFSDQ-M score and different objective measures reflecting different aspects of functional status.

Methods: PFSDQ-M (total score, subdomains change in daily activities compared to the period before disease onset, dyspnea and fatigue symptoms related with daily activities), daily number of steps (Dynaport Minimod, McRoberts, the Netherlands), six-minute walking distance (6MWD) and isometric quadriceps strength were assessed in 40 patients with COPD (age 67±7 yrs, FEV1 46±16%pred). Pearson correlations were computed between questionnaire outcomes and direct measurements related with functional status.

Results: Daily number of steps, 6MWD and quadriceps force were 3126±2601, 66±17%pred and 72±19%pred respectively. Total score and different subdomains of PFSDQ-M were significantly related with daily steps, 6MWD and quadriceps strength (table).

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Conclusion: These findings add to the validity of the PFSDQ-M as a subjective tool to evaluate functional status in patients with COPD.
The Effect of Dietary ω-3 Fatty Acids on Coronary Atherosclerosis
Authors: Clemens von Schacky
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1999)

Epidemiologic studies, studies of mechanisms of action, and many animal studies indicate that dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids has antiatherosclerotic potential. Few trials in humans have examined this potential.To determine the effect of dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids on the course of coronary artery atherosclerosis in humans.Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinically controlled trial.University preventive cardiology unit.223 patients with angiographically proven coronary artery disease.Fish oil concentrate (55% eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids) or a placebo with a fatty acid composition resembling that of the average European diet, 6 g/d for 3 months and then 3 g/d for 21 months.The results of standardized coronary angiography, done before and after 2 years of treatment, were evaluated by an expert panel (primary end point) and by quantitative coronary angiography. Patients were followed for clinical and laboratory status.Pairs of angiograms (one taken at baseline and one taken at 2 years) were evaluated for 80 of 112 placebo recipients and 82 of 111 fish oil recipients. At the end of treatment, 48 coronary segments in the placebo group showed changes (36 showed mild progression, 5 showed moderate progression, and 7 showed mild regression) and 55 coronary segments in the fish oil group showed changes (35 showed mild progression, 4 showed moderate progression, 14 showed mild regression, and 2 showed moderate regression) (P = 0.041). Loss in minimal luminal diameter, as assessed by quantitative coronary angiography, was somewhat less in the fish oil group (P > 0.1). Fish oil recipients had fewer cardiovascular events (P = 0.10); other clinical variables did not differ between the study groups. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels tended to be greater in the fish oil group.Dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids modestly mitigates the course of coronary atherosclerosis in humans.
Relationship Between Growth Rate, Cell Volume, Cell Cycle Kinetics, and Antigenic Properties of Cultured Murine Lymphoma Cells&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN3"&gt;3&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: M Cikes
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1970)

Journal Article Relationship Between Growth Rate, Cell Volume, Cell Cycle Kinetics, and Antigenic Properties of Cultured Murine Lymphoma Cells Get access Matko Cikes Matko Cikes Department of Tumor Biology, Karolinska Institutet School of Medicine, Stockholm 60, Sweden Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Volume 45, Issue 5, November 1970, Pages 979–988, https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/45.5.979 Published: 01 November 1970 Article history Received: 04 May 1970 Accepted: 13 July 1970 Published: 01 November 1970
PARP-1 deficiency blocks IL-5 expression through calpain-dependent degradation of STAT-6 in a murine asthma model
Authors: Amarjit Naura, Rahul Datta, Mourad Zerfaoui, Youssef Errami, Mustapha Oumouna, Hogyoung Kim, Jihang Ju, Virginia Ronchi, Arthur Hass, Hamid Boulares
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background:  We recently showed that poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 (PARP-1) may play a role in allergen (ovalbumin)-induced airway eosinophilia, potentially through a specific effect on IL-5 production.   Objective:  To explore the mechanism by which PARP-1 regulates IL-5 production and to determine how PARP-1 inhibition blocks allergen-induced eosinophilia.   Methods:  This study was conducted using a murine model of allergic airway inflammation and primary splenocytes.   Results:  PARP-1 knockout-associated reduction in IL-5 upon allergen exposure occurs at the mRNA level. Such an effect appears to take place after IL-4 receptor activation as PARP-1 inhibition exerted no effect on JAK1/JAK3 activation. Signal transducer and activator of transcription-6 (STAT-6) protein was severely downregulated in spleens of PARP-1(-/-) mice without any effect on mRNA levels, suggesting an effect on protein integrity rather than gene transcription. Interestingly, the degradation of STAT-6 in PARP-1(-/-) mice required allergen stimulation. Additionally, PARP-1 enzymatic activity appears to be required for STAT-6 integrity. The downregulation of STAT-6 coincided with mRNA and protein reduction of GATA-binding protein-3 and occupancy of its binding site on the IL-5 gene promoter. IL-4 was sufficient to induce STAT-6 downregulation in both PARP-1(-/-) mice and isolated splenocytes. Such degradation may be mediated by calpain, but not by proteasomes.   Conclusion:  These results demonstrate a novel function of PARP-1 in regulating IL-5 expression during allergen-induced inflammation and explain the underlying mechanism by which PARP-1 inhibition results in IL-5 reduction.
Employee Attitudes and Smoking Behavior at the City of Hope National Medical Center Smoke-Free Campus
Authors: David Lin, Douglas C. Stahl, David Iklé, Frederic W. Grannis
Journal: Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2006)

Since 1989, City of Hope National Medical Center (COH), located in Duarte, California, and a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, has prohibited smoking anywhere on the 100-acre campus. Because little published information is available on smoke-free campuses (SFCs), we investigated the attitudes of COH employees toward the SFC and attempted to answer the question of whether a difference in employee smoking behavior occurred and was attributable to the SFC policy. An anonymous survey was sent to all 2787 campus employees using both Web-based data entry and scannable paper forms. Employees with network access were contacted by e-mail and those without computers were contacted in person. Respondents were asked questions regarding their attitudes toward the SFC and about their smoking history and current smoking behavior. A total of 1356 responses (48.7%) were received. One hundred (7.4%) respondents were current smokers, 242 (17.8%) were ex-smokers, and 1014 (74.8%) were nonsmokers. Smokers and ex-smokers smoked a mean of 2.4 fewer cigarettes (95% CI, 1.8 to 3.1; P &lt; .0001) on workdays than on days off, with evidence of a small amount of compensatory smoking (one cigarette per day). Of the smoking employees, 61.6% believed that the SFC reduced their cigarette consumption, and 42.2% quit smoking while employed at COH between 1989 and 2002. Of all respondents, 92.6% supported the COH SFC policy. High acceptance was consistent across gender, ethnicity, job type, and educational level. COH's SFC policy is strongly supported by employees and may decrease cigarette consumption and facilitate smoking cessation among smoking employees. This information may be useful to NCCN and other medical centers in assessing current and planning future campus smoking policies.
Single agent vincristine by infusion in refractory multiple myeloma.
Authors: D V Jackson, L D Case, E K Pope, D R White, C L Spurr, F Richards, J J Stuart, H B Muss, M R Cooper, W R Black
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1985)

A phase 2 trial of vincristine infusion was conducted in a group of 21 patients with refractory multiple myeloma. Patients were generally heavily pretreated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Vincristine was given intravenously (IV) as a 0.5 mg bolus and followed immediately by infusion of 0.25 to 0.50 mg/m2/d for 5 days. Courses were repeated every 3 weeks in the absence of disease progression or prohibitive toxicity. Objective responses (partial) were noted in two patients (10%), both of whom were administered 0.5 mg/m2/d infusions. Response durations were brief (2.2 and 1.2 months). Toxicity consisted of neurotoxicity and myelosuppression. In addition to the occurrence of paresthesias and myalgias, ileus (two cases) and moderately severe loss of motor function (two cases) were observed. The mean lowest WBC count following treatment was 2.67 X 10(3)/microL v 3.96 X 10(3)/microL pretreatment (P = .008). The mean lowest platelet count was 75.0 X 10(3)/microL v 106.8 X 10(3)/microL pretreatment (P = .008). Vincristine infusion appears to have limited activity in the treatment of refractory multiple myeloma. Additionally, response durations were short lived and toxicity, both neurologic and hematologic, was appreciable.
Arterial oxygenation does not predict the outcome of patients with acute respiratory failure needing mechanical ventilation
Authors: P Jimenez, A Torres, J Roca, A Cobos, R Rodriguez-Roisin
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1994)

One hundred and eighteen patients consecutively submitted to mechanical ventilation during a one year period, and admitted to the Respiratory Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, were prospectively studied in order to define the importance of hypoxaemia as a predictor of mortality. Using a discriminant multivariate analysis, the following variables were selected as the best predictors of outcome: 1) the number of associated complications (NAC) on admission; 2) the simplified acute physiologic score (SAPS); 3) oxygenation index (PAO2-AaPO2)/PAO2 + 0.014 positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP); and 4) the age of the patients. Using these predictors, 84% of the patients were accurately classified as survivors or as nonsurvivors. The partial contribution of each predictor to the model was also assessed using a logistic regression, by eliminating each single predictor and each possible pair of predictors. Using this means of analysis, the NAC and SAPS were the only predictors of mortality. The inclusion of short-term mechanically-ventilated patients did not bias the accuracy of prediction.
First Two Years of a Follow-up Breast Clinic Led by a Nurse Practitioner
Authors: J J Earnshaw, Y Stephenson
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1997)

After special training a nurse practitioner ran an independent clinic for follow-up patients with breast disease. All patients referred to a single surgical firm with breast cancer and most patients with benign disease who required follow-up were included. In the first 2 years of the service 382 clinic visits were recorded (median 5/clinic, range 1-12). The nurse practitioner reviewed 236 (62%) patients alone but involved the consultant surgeon in the remainder. No significant lesion was missed in these patients. The nurse-led clinic is popular with patients and, subject to careful supervision, offers an attractive option for follow-up of patients with breast disease.
<scp>rA</scp>pi m 3 and <scp>rA</scp>pi m 10 improve detection of honey bee sensitization in Hymenoptera venom‐allergic patients with double sensitization to honey bee and yellow jacket venom
Authors: M. Frick, S. Müller, F. Bantleon, J. Huss‐Marp, J. Lidholm, E. Spillner, T. Jakob
Journal: Allergy (2015)

Recombinant allergens improve the diagnostic precision in Hymenoptera venom allergy (HVA), in particular in patients with double sensitization to both honey bee (HBV) and yellow jacket venom (YJV). While currently available vespid allergens allow the detection of >95% of YJV-allergic patients, the sensitization frequency to the only available HBV marker allergen rApi m 1 in HBV-allergic patients is lower. Here, we demonstrate that sIgE to additional HBV marker allergens rApi m 3 and rApi m 10 allows the detection of genuine HBV sensitization in 46-65% of Api m 1 negative sera. This is of particular relevance in patients with double sensitization to HBV and YJV that did not identify the culprit insect. Addition of sIgE to rApi m 3 and rApi m 10 provides evidence of HBV sensitization in a large proportion of rApi m 1-negative patients and thus provides a diagnostic marker and rationale for VIT treatment with HBV, which otherwise would have been missing.
Reversal of Immunoparalysis in Humans<i>In Vivo</i>
Authors: Jenneke Leentjens, Matthijs Kox, Rebecca M. Koch, Frank Preijers, Leo A. B. Joosten, Johannes G. van der Hoeven, Mihai G. Netea, Peter Pickkers
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2012)

Reversal of sepsis-induced immunoparalysis may reduce the incidence of secondary infections and improve outcome. Although IFN-γ and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) restore immune competence of ex vivo stimulated leukocytes of patients with sepsis, effects on immunoparalysis in vivo are not known.To investigate the effects of IFN-γ and GM-CSF on immunoparalysis in vivo in humans.We performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study in 18 healthy male volunteers that received Escherichia coli endotoxin (LPS; 2 ng/kg, intravenously) on days 1 and 7 (visits 1 and 2). On days 2, 4, and 6, subjects received subcutaneous injections of IFN-γ (100 μg/day; n = 6), GM-CSF (4 μg/kg/day; n = 6), or placebo (NaCl 0.9%; n = 6).In the placebo group, immunoparalysis was illustrated by a 60% (48-71%) reduction of LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α plasma concentrations during visit 2 (P = 0.03), whereas the antiinflammatory IL-10 response was not significantly attenuated (39% [2-65%]; P = 0.15). In contrast, in the IFN-γ group, TNF-α concentrations during visit 2 were not significantly attenuated (28% [1-47%]; P = 0.09), whereas the IL-10 response was significantly lower (reduction of 54% [47-66%]; P = 0.03). Compared with the placebo group, the reduction in the LPS-induced TNF-α response during visit 2 was significantly less pronounced in the IFN-γ group (P = 0.01). Moreover, compared with placebo, treatment with IFN-γ increased monocyte HLA-DR expression (P = 0.02). The effects of GM-CSF tended in the same direction as IFN-γ, but were not statistically significant compared with placebo.IFN-γ partially reverses immunoparalysis in vivo in humans. These results suggest that IFN-γ is a promising treatment option to reverse sepsis-induced immunoparalysis.
Phase I/pharmacokinetic study of high-dose progesterone and doxorubicin.
Authors: R D Christen, E F McClay, S C Plaxe, S S Yen, S Kim, S Kirmani, L L Wilgus, D D Heath, D R Shalinsky, J L Freddo
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1993)

PURPOSE We developed a new formulation of progesterone that permits administration of up to 10 g of progesterone as a continuous intravenous infusion over 24 hours and conducted a phase I clinical trial to determine whether progesterone could modulate the in vivo cytotoxicity of the P-glycoprotein substrate doxorubicin. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-four patients with advanced malignancies were treated with increasing doses of progesterone and a fixed dose of 60 mg/m2 of doxorubicin given as an intravenous bolus 2 hours after starting a 24-hour intravenous infusion of progesterone. RESULTS Progesterone enhanced doxorubicin-induced myelotoxicity in a dose-dependent fashion without altering the pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin. The steady-state plasma concentration of progesterone at a dose level of 4 g was 4.1 +/- 0.9 mumol/L, which was higher than the minimal concentration required to reverse multidrug resistance (MDR) in vitro. CONCLUSION Progesterone enhanced the hematologic toxicity of doxorubicin without altering its pharmacokinetics, suggesting that progesterone could modulate P-glycoprotein at the level of pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells. Adequate tissue concentrations of progesterone could be achieved in vivo to modulate doxorubicin toxicity in the bone marrow and thus potentially in tumor tissue as well. Selectivity may potentially be gained by using hematopoietic growth factors to offset the enhanced hematologic toxicity of doxorubicin while leaving the enhancement of toxicity to tumor cells unchanged.
Phase I and II trial of five-day infused 5-fluorouracil and radiation in advanced cancer of the head and neck.
Authors: J E Byfield, T R Sharp, S S Frankel, S G Tang, F B Callipari
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1984)

Eighteen patients with advanced epithelial cancers of the head and neck region were studied for their tolerance and response to combined cycles of 120-hour infused 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and external-beam radiation therapy. 5-FU infusions were given under conditions where radiosensitization would be expected at the higher infusion doses. Coincident radiation treatments were given as four sequential daily fractions of 250 rad each administered during days 1 through 4 of each five-day infusion cycle. The patients were rested for at least nine days after each cycle or longer until toxicity was resolved. The regimen was then repeated in each patient for a total of five treatment cycles. Thereafter therapy was consolidated, usually by boost radiation without drug. In sequential patient subsets the infusion load was progressively escalated in a phase I format. The complete response rate for stage IV patients was 75% with survival benefit compared to prior results. 5-FU dose-dependent combined modality loco-regional toxicity was demonstrated without significant enhancement of systemic toxicity of any form; 5-FU dose-dependent enhanced responsiveness and survival benefit is also suggested. Further scheduling and response studies of 5-FU under radiosensitizing conditions appear warranted.