tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Atopy and allergic disease in rural Poland before and after accession to the European Union
Authors: Barbara Sozanska, Mateusz Blaszczyk, Neil Pearce, Paul Cullinan
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background : Farming environments may protect against atopy, asthma and hay fever.

Objective: In 2003 we measured a striking, age-related difference in the prevalence of atopy between village and small-town populations in south west Poland. Nine years later, we undertook a second cross-sectional survey of the same area to assess whether rapid changes in farming practices, driven by accession to the European Union in 2004, would be reflected in an increase in atopy, asthma and hay fever in these villages.

Methods: In 2012 we surveyed 1730 inhabitants aged >5 years (response rate 86%). 560 villagers and 348 town inhabitants took part in both surveys. Participants completed a questionnaire on farm-related exposures and symptoms of asthma and hay fever. Atopy was assessed using skin prick tests.

Results: In 2012, far fewer villagers had contact with cows (4% vs 24.3% in 2003) or pigs (14% vs 33.5%), milked cows (2.7% vs 12.7%) or drank unpasteurised milk (9% vs 35%). The prevalence of atopy increased, at all ages, between 2003 and 2012 both in the total village population (7.3% vs 19.6%, p<0.0001) and among villagers who took part in both surveys (7.9% vs 17.8%, p<0.0001). In the townspeople it did not change substantially (20.0% vs 19.9% and 21.7% vs 18.5%, respectively). There was no significant difference in asthma prevalence in either the villages (5.0% vs 4.3%) or town (4.3% vs 5.0%). Hay fever increased in the villages (3.0% vs 7.7%) but not in the town (7.1% vs 7.2%).

Conclusions: We report a substantial increase in atopy, at all ages, in a remarkably short period of time in a Polish population whose farm-related exposures were dramatically reduced after joining the European Union.
Impacts of exposure to environmental air pollution on heart rate variability in young athletes
Authors: Renato Paceli, Aretusa Cardoso Der Fortes, Gustavo Faibischew Prado, Matheus Sá, Mauro Vaisberg, Mario Terra-Filho, Ubiratan de Paula Santos
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Introduction: Air pollution has been widely associated with morbidity and mortality by cardiopulmonary diseases. Heart Rate Variability (HRV), a marker of cardiovascular risk, has been employed in several studies to evaluate the effects of air pollution. Objectives: Evaluate HRV in young volunteers during rest and exercise in two different scenarios: in a park (1) and on a high traffic avenue (2). Methods: We evaluated 19 healthy male army soldiers at rest for 15 minutes and during running (4.7 miles) for 45 minutes. Recordings of R-R intervals were conducted with the Polar RS800 heart rate monitor. During the HRV data collection, we recorded the concentration of PM2.5 with a Dust-Track Monitor. The HRV analysis was done using Paired t-test or Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. Results: The median concentrations PM2.5 in the circuit 1 and 2 were 23.50 (IQR: 8.0 – 39.0) and 62.0 (IQR: 37.50 – 103.3), respectively (p
Serious Adverse Drug Reactions to Pyrimethamine-Sulphadoxine, Pyrimethamine-Dapsone and to Amodiaquine in Britain
Authors: P A Phillips-Howard, L J West
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1990)

All reports of adverse reactions with pyrimethamine-sulphadoxine (Fansidar), pyrimethamine-dapsone (Maloprim), and amodiaquine spontaneously reported through the UK national post-marketing system were reviewed. Retrospective reporting rates of serious reactions associated with these drugs were analysed using prescription data from the Department of Health, derived from the Prescription Pricing Authority, and relevant pharmaceutical companies. Whilst interpretation of these data requires caution, they allowed comparison with reporting rates from other studies. The reported rate for all serious reactions to pyrimethamine-sulphadoxine was 1 : 2100 prescriptions, and for cutaneous reactions was 1 : 4900 prescriptions, with a fatality rate of 1 : 11 100. The reported rate for serious reactions to pyrimethamine-dapsone was 1 : 9100 prescriptions, and for blood dyscrasias was 1 : 20 000 prescriptions, with a fatality rate of 1 : 75 000. The reported rate of blood dyscrasias associated with amodiaquine was 1 : 2100 users with a fatality rate of 1 : 31 000. Serious hepatic disorders occurred in 1 : 11 1000 pyrimethamine-sulphadoxine prescriptions, 1 : 75 200 pyrimethamine-dapsone prescriptions, and in 1 : 15 650 amodiaquine users. 35% of cases received these drugs needlessly as they were not exposed to drug resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Since few serious reactions have been reported to chloroquine plus proguanil, these data support guidelines which restrict the use of reviewed drugs for those at greatest risk of infection. Dosage data indicated that fatalities had taken higher doses and continued prophylaxis after onset of symptoms. Two thirds of serious reactions to the compound antimalarials were reported in females.
Intrathecal chemotherapy for treatment of overt meningeal leukemia: Comparison between intraventricular and traditional intralumbar route
Authors: M. Iacoangeli, R. Roselli, L. Pagano, G. Leone, R. Marra, A. Pompucci, R. Trignani, M. Scerrati
Journal: Annals of Oncology (1995)

Background: Despite advances in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), overt meningeal leukemia remains a dire condition.The role of intraventricular chemotherapy (FVC) in its treatment is still a matter for debate.Data suggesting benefit from it have been countered by statements of concern regarding the potential complications associated with its use.This report details our results from using IVC.Patients and methods: We compared two groups of adult patients with ALL at their first meningeal involvement.Twelve of them were submitted to ILC and 9 to IVC.Results: Our data showed that IVC yielded a higher rate of complete response (88% vs. 33%) and a lower incidence of second CNS relapse than did ILC (none vs. 50%).Even though there were more long-term disease-free survivors (33% vs. 8%) among the IVC patients, the difference in median event-free survival was not significant (120 vs. 80 weeks; p -0.66).IVC was associated with a longer overall survival (p •= 0.005) and CNS remission time (p -0.046).Two cases refractory to ILC were later fully responsive to IVC.There were 22% device-related and 11% drug-related complications.Conclusions: The results are promising, but the small series does not allow for any definite conclusion.In our opinion, the hazards inherent in the placement and operation of the device do not outweigh the benefits of IVC for the treatment of overt meningeal leukemia and should not preclude its use.Accurate neurosurgical technique, meticulous care in drug administration and experience with this form of therapy can all contribute to minimizing complications so that full advantage can be taken of IVC's potential.
Comparing needle aspiration with intercostal tube in the management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax with complete lung collapse: A retrospective 5 year study
Authors: Muhammad Badar Ganaie, Shiva Bikmalla, Muhammad Amin Afridi, Masood Khalil, Imran Hussain, Mohammed Haris
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Introduction: International guidelines vary considerably on optimal management of Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax (PSP) based on size criteria. There is no differentiation between large PSP with complete lung collapse and large pneumothorax in current treatment algorithms. We aimed to compare needle aspiration(NA) with intercostal tube(ICT) as first intervention in PSP with complete lung collapse.  Methods: Retrospective observational study of 735 consecutive pneumothorax episodes between March 2008 and December 2013. Secondary spontaneous, traumatic and iatrogenic pneumothorax were excluded. PSP with no visible aerated ipsilateral lung on plain chest radiograph was defined as 9complete lung collapse9.  Results: Of the 735 episodes, 233(32%) were PSP. 61 had complete lung collapse; 32 patients had NA and 29 ICT as first intervention. Median length of stay (LOS) was similar in both groups. Compared with NA group, patients in ICT group had significantly better immediate success rate (66% versus 10%; p  Conclusion: Our results show significantly better success rates with ICT as first intervention in the management of PSP with complete lung collapse. We propose a further sub group of PSP with complete lung collapse in which NA is not attempted.
Effectiveness of preoperative chemotherapy in Wilms' tumor: results of an International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) clinical trial.
Authors: J Lemerle, P A Voute, M F Tournade, C Rodary, J F Delemarre, D Sarrazin, J M Burgers, B Sandstedt, H Mildenberger, M Carli
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1983)

The results of a controlled clinical trial of preoperative radiotherapy compared to chemotherapy in patients with nephroblastoma are presented. Of 397 histologically proven cases of Wilms' tumor registered at 34 centers between January 1977 and July 1979, 164 were eligible for the trial and were randomized to receive preoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy (group R, 76 patients) or preoperative chemotherapy (group C, 88 patients). The results were evaluated in terms of the number of surgical tumor ruptures and of local tumor extent at pathologic examination, reflecting the effectiveness of the preoperative treatment. Survival and recurrence-free survival in the two treatment groups were also taken into account. The stage distribution was comparable in the two groups, with 52% stage I tumors in group R, and 43% in group C. Significant changes in the pathologic pattern were more frequent in group R than in group C (53% versus 17%). From these data it is concluded that preoperative chemotherapy is as good as preoperative radiotherapy in terms of prevention of tumor rupture. In addition, it was shown that 43% of an unselected population of patients with Wilms' tumor could be treated without any radiotherapy when chemotherapy had been given preoperatively.
Amphetamine abuse and intracranial haemorrhage
Authors: Neil Buxton, Norman S McConachie
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (2000)

Amphetamines taken by any route can cause cerebral vasculitis and intracranial haemorrhage. 8 cases were seen in a neurosurgical unit over 3.5 years. The published work indicates that those who experience these complications, mainly young adults, have poor outcomes.
A novel echo-score for evaluating the pre-test probability of pre-capillary versus post-capillary pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Michele D'Alto, Emanuele Romeo, Paola Argiento, Anna Correra, Berardo Sarubbi, Maria Pignatiello, Antonietta Caronna, Nicola Grimaldi, Raffaele Calabrò, Maria Giovanna Russo
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Aim: To provide an echo-score for evaluating the pre-test probability of pre-capillary (pre-PH) vs post-capillary (post-PH) pulmonary hypertension (PH).  Methods: One hundred thirty-five consecutive patients underwent Doppler echocardiography (DE) within 1 hour of a clinically indicated right heart catheterization (RHC). The DE was scored on the basis of features suggesting pre-PH: right atrium (RA) > left atrium (LA), right ventricle (RV) > left ventricle (LV), apex forming RV, LV eccentricity index (EI)   Results: Twelve/135 patients did not have PH at RHC; 84 showed pre-capillary (54 group 1) and 39 post-capillary PH (group 2). The probability of pre-PH was 37% in presence of low, 86% in presence of medium and 95% in presence of high echo-score. LV-EF ≤40% had 100% specificity for post-PH. The majority of echo features showed an high specificity but a low sensitivity for pre-PH.  Conclusion: RHC remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of PH. Nevertheless, a novel easy and integrated echo-score provides a good pre-test probability of having a pre-capillary rather than post-capillary PH.
Role of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation in Older Patients with Aml or High Risk Mds
Authors: Yasutaka Aoyama, Masahiro Manabe, Takeo Kumura, Naonori Harada, Johzi Nagasaki, Junya Ohkita, Atsuko Mugitani
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2014)
Assessment of the suitability of filters for use in clinical studies with an HFA fluticasone propionate pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) and a valved holding chamber (VHC)
Authors: Kurt Nikander, Lois Slator, Dirk von Hollen, Ross Hatley
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

The assessment of delivered dose is an integral part of the development process for new aerosol delivery devices, especially in pediatric patients in which pharmacokinetic studies are difficult to perform.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dose collection efficiency of a 3M Filtrete G-200 (G-200) filter in a low dead space filter holder for use in ex vivo tests using a preproduction OptiChamber Diamond VHC (Diamond; Philips Respironics).

Two preproduction Diamond VHCs were tested over 10 runs. Five fluticasone propionate (Flovent HFA 220 μg) pMDIs were primed before use. The mouthpiece of the VHC was sealed to a filter holder containing two 67mm G-200 filters. The pMDI was actuated into the VHC, followed by 20 s extraction (at 90 L/min), repeated 25 times. Filters and VHC deposits were analyzed using HPLC (Agilent 1100/1200). The percentage of total emitted dose deposited on the 2nd filters over 10 runs was calculated; where the amount of drug detected on the 2nd filter was below the Limit of Quantification (LOQ; 25μg) the LOQ was used to calculate the total, and where the amount detected was zero the Limit of Detection (LOD; 2.5μg) was used to calculate the total (overestimates the total amount on the 2nd filters significantly), the total was then divided by total recovered drug.

The amount of drug deposited on the 2nd filters was below the LOQ for all the filters and <0.645% of the total was calculated to have deposited on the 2nd filters. Recovered doses were within the expected range.

Less than 1% of the emitted dose was deposited on the 2nd filter and thus passed the 1st filter.
Trends in Medicaid Reimbursements for Insulin From 1991 Through 2014
Authors: Jing Luo, Jerry Avorn, Aaron S. Kesselheim
Journal: JAMA Internal Medicine (2015)

Insulin is a vital medicine for patients with diabetes mellitus. Newer, more expensive insulin products and the lack of generic insulins in the United States have increased costs for patients and insurers.To examine Medicaid payment trends for insulin products. Cost information is available for all 50 states and has been recorded since the 1990s.A time-series analysis comparing reimbursements and prices. Using state- and national-level Medicaid data from 1991 to 2014, we identified all patients who used 1 or more of the 16 insulin products that were continuously available in the United States between 2006 and 2014. Insulin products were classified into rapid-acting and long-acting analogs, short-acting, intermediate, and premixed insulins based on American Diabetes Association Guidelines.Inflation-adjusted payments made to pharmacies by Medicaid per 1 mL (100 IU) of insulin in 2014 US dollars.Since 1991, Medicaid reimbursement per unit (1 mL) of insulin dispensed has risen steadily. In the 1990s, Medicaid reimbursed pharmacies between $2.36 and $4.43 per unit. By 2014, reimbursement for short-acting insulins increased to $9.64 per unit; intermediate, $9.22; premixed, $14.79; and long-acting, $19.78. Medicaid reimbursement for rapid-acting insulin analogs rose to $19.81 per unit. The rate of increase in reimbursement was higher for insulins with patent protection ($0.20 per quarter) than without ($0.05 per quarter) (P<.001).Total Medicaid reimbursements peaked at $407.4 million dollars in quarter 2 of 2014. Total volume peaked at 29.9 million units in quarter 4 of 2005 and was 21.2 million units in quarter 2 of 2014.Between 1991 and 2014, there was a near-exponential upward trend in Medicaid payments on a per-unit basis for a wide variety of insulin products regardless of formulation, duration of action, and whether the product was patented. Although reimbursements for newer, patent-protected insulin analogs increased at a faster rate than reimbursements for older insulins, payments increased for all products we examined. Our findings suggest a lack of price competition in the United States for this class of medications.
The CHREST model of active perception and its role in problem solving
Authors: Peter C. R. Lane, Peter C-H. Cheng, Fernand Gobet
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2001)

We discuss the relation of the Theory of Event Coding (TEC) to a computational model of expert perception, CHREST, based on the chunking theory. TEC's status as a verbal theory leaves several questions unanswerable, such as the precise nature of internal representations used, or the degree of learning required to obtain a particular level of competence: CHREST may help answer such questions.
Anesthetic effects on the glycerol model of rhabdomyolysis-induced acute renal failure in rats.
Authors: K M Lochhead, E D Kharasch, R A Zager
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (1998)

Isoflurane, the most widely used inhalational anesthetic, releases inorganic fluoride during its metabolism by the cytochrome P450 system. Recent experimental data indicate that when cultured proximal tubular cells are exposed to inorganic fluoride, they become relatively resistant to myoglobin- and ATP depletion-mediated attack. The present study was undertaken to assess whether isoflurane anesthesia might confer in vivo cytoprotection, possibly by causing renal tubular inorganic fluoride exposure, thereby mitigating a combined myoglobin/ATP depletion model of acute renal failure (glycerol-induced ARF). Rats were injected with hypertonic glycerol (50%; 9 ml/kg, intramuscularly) while undergoing 4 h of isoflurane anesthesia. Glycerol-injected rats anesthetized with a virtually nondefluorinated inhalational anesthetic (desflurane) or with a nonfluorinated anesthetic (pentobarbital) served as controls. The severity of ARF was assessed 24 h later (blood urea nitrogen, plasma creatinine [Cr], and renal histology). Anesthetic effects on extrarenal injury (plasma creatine phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and hematocrit levels), acute intrarenal heme loading (cast formation), and BP during the initiation phase of renal injury (0 to 4 h after glycerol injection) were also assessed. Glycerol induced severe ARF under pentobarbital anesthesia (Cr, 2.8 +/- 0.3 mg/dl; severe tubular necrosis). Somewhat worse azotemia, but comparable tubular necrosis, resulted with desflurane use. Conversely, glycerol plus isoflurane anesthesia induced only mild renal damage (Cr, 0.9 +/- 0.1, minimal tubular necrosis; P < 0.01). This reduction apparently was not due to differences in degrees of muscle necrosis, hemolysis, acute renal heme loading, or BP during the initiation phase of ARF, suggesting that a direct renal mechanism was operative. These results: (1) underscore that differing anesthetics can profoundly alter the expression of experimental renal injury; (2) raise the intriguing possibility that isoflurane could potentially protect surgical/trauma patients from rhabdomyolysis-induced ARF; and (3) further support the concept that renal fluoride exposure may confer proximal tubular cytoprotective effects.
Lesson of the Week: Acute angle closure glaucoma masquerading as systemic illness
Authors: M. Dayan, B. Turner, C. McGhee
Journal: BMJ (1996)

minimum quality.ISI may also ask how well a particular specialty or country is represented in its coverage.And, after a few years of history, all other criteria being equal, one can look at a journal's impact.This article has focused on journal impact factors and their role in what Stephen Lock described as "journalology.""Like individual authors, a variety of indicators can be used to judge journals in a current or historical sense.Impact numbers are probably less important than the rankings which are obtained.Often there are only slight quantitative differences involved.The literature is replete with recommendations for cor- rective factors that should be considered, but in the final analysis subjective peer judgment is essential.Caution in use of impacts as surrogates Journal impact data have been grafted on to certain large scale studies of university departments and even individuals.Sometimes a journal's impact is used as a substitute for the evaluation of recently published articles simply because it takes several years for the average article to be cited.However, a small percentage of articles will experience almost immediate and high citation.Using the journal's average citation impact instead of the actual article impact is tantamount to grading by the prestige of the journal involved.While expedient, it is dangerous.Although journal assess- ments are important, evaluation of faculty is a much more important exercise that affects individual careers.Impact numbers should not be used as surrogates except in unusual circumstances.'2
Phase II trial of a combination chemotherapy of CPT-11 and S-1 in patients with advanced/recurrent colorectal cancer (OGSG- 0405)
Authors: N. Tomita, S. Okamura, K. Nakata, K. Murata, Y. Tokunaga, M. Umeki, H. Takiuchi, H. Furukawa
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2008)

15029 Background: The primary objective of this study was to explore the usefulness and safety of CPT-11/S-1 combination chemotherapy, along with the usefulness of genetic analysis for prediction of adverse events, in patients with advanced/recurrent colorectal cancer. Methods: Thirty patients (PS:0–2, Age:20–75) with measurable metastatic lesion of colorectal cancer were enrolled in this trial. Protocol treatment consisted of two 35-days cycles of a combination chemotherapy using CPT-11 and S-1. CPT-11 at a dose of 80 mg/ m2 was administered intravenously over 90 minutes on day 1 and 15 and S-1 was administered orally at a dose of 80 mg/ m2 on days 1–21 followed by two week rest in one course(35 days). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of drug metabolizing enzyme genes eg., UGT1A1, TS, DPYD, OPRT, MTHFR were analyzed using DNAs from the patients. Results: Overall response rate was 44.8 % (13/29) with a disease control rate 79.3 % (23/29) including 1 CR, 12 PR and 10 SD cases and median overall survival time was calculated as 16.7 months at present. The major toxicities seen during the treatment were grade 3/4 neutropenia (3 cases, 10.3%) and grade 3 diarrhea (4 cases, 13.8%). Other toxicities were one each of grade 3 hemoglobin, stomatitis, constipation, anorexia, vomiting and fever, and no severe adverse event was encounterd. As for the result of SNPs, statistically significant correlations between mutation of UGT1A1 *6 and diarrhea, and mutation of either TS, DPYD or OPRT and neutrocytopenia were detected. Conclusions: The combination regimen using CPT-11 and S-1 is considered to be fairly feasible and safely performable. Response rate in the patients receiving CPT-11 at a dose of 80 mg/m2 in this regimen was comparable to that of previously-reported 5-FU based regimens coupled with CPT-11, and this combination regimen was expected to be utilized in the advanced colorectal cancer patients on an outpatient basis. Further studies with larger numbers of cases are needed to clarify the usefulness of SNPs analysis of drug metabolizing enzyme gene(s) in the prediction of severe adverse events. No significant financial relationships to disclose.