tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Late-breaking abstract: Molecular and phenotypic characters of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus isolates from patients with empyema thoracis in Central Taiwan
Authors: Yi-Wen Huang, Chang-Yao Tsao, Wei-Yao Wang, Shin-Ming Tsao
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background:  Staphylococcus  aureus  had been isolated from patients with severe infections and empyema. . The goals were to delineate the molecular and phenotypic characters of MRSA isolated from patients with empyema thoracis.in central taiwan   Methods  :  MRSA isolates from pleural effusion of patients with empyema were collected from March, 2012 to Feb, 2014 and were typed with PCR and nucleotide sequencing based on polymorphisms in staphylococcal cassette chromosome , multilocus sequence type , X region on protein A ( spa ), and direct repeat units . Phenotypes were characterized with antibiogram by disc diffusion and MIC to vancomycin by agar dilution.   Results  :  Totally 19 non-duplicate MRSA isolates with  mecA  from patients with empyema were analyzed. The mean and range of MIC to VA were 2.13 and 2 to 3 mg/L, respectively. Multidrug resistance, defined as resistance to more than or equal to 3 kinds of antibiotics other than ƒA-lactam by disc diffusion method, was found in 15 (78.9%) isolates. The isolates were typed as followed (no.%): ST5-SCC mec II- spa  (6, 31.2%); ST239 and its SLV-SCC mec III- spa  (6, 31.2%); SCC mec IV-ST573- spa  (2, 10.5%), SCC mec IV-ST8 and its SLV- spa  (2, 10.5%), ST59-SCC mec IV or V T - spa (2, 10.5%); and SCC mec V with untypable ST and  spa  types (1, 5.3%).   Conclusions:  Diverse molecular types with high rate of multidrug resistance and elevated MIC to vancomycin were found in 19 MRSA isolates from patient with empyema. Further attempts including Panton-Valentine leukocidin and superantigenic toxins identification will help in delineating the correlation between molecular types and phenotypes of MRSA in patients with empyema.
Sirolimus plus prednisone for Erdheim-Chester disease: an open-label trial
Authors: Davide Gianfreda, Maria Nicastro, Maricla Galetti, Federico Alberici, Domenico Corradi, Gabriella Becchi, Giorgio Baldari, Massimo De Filippo, Stefania Ferretti, Gabriella Moroni, Rosario Foti, Marcella Di Gangi, Guido Jeannin, Raphael Saffroy, Jean-François Emile, Carlo Buzio, Augusto Vaglio
Journal: Blood (2015)
Infopoints: The internet and the globalisation of medical education
Authors: J. M Harris, S. J Salasche, R. B Harris
Journal: BMJ (2001)

The internet permits the global distribution of medical education and has created new and exciting opportunities for academic institutions, educators, publishers, and investors. The BMJ Publishing Group, for example, has announced an agreement with a California company to develop “online case-based learning modules for the continuing medical education (CME) requirements of family practitioners globally.”1

These bold initiatives may overlook several important questions. What is the effectiveness of internet education, will students use it, and can a program that works in one setting be transferred to another?2 What about the economics?

Our medical centre has expertise in skin cancer that could be of benefit to others. We have collaborated with a local company to develop …
Could exhaled ferritin and SOD be used as markers for lung cancer and prognosis prediction purposes
Authors: Giovanna E. Carpagnano, Anna Koutelou, Annarita Depalo, Laura Bergantino, Cinzia Ruggeri, Donato Lacedonia, Maria P. Foschino Barbaro
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Today an increasing interest is being generated by the study of lung cancer markers in the exhaled breath condensate as this sample seems to lend itself to lung cancer early-screening and follow-up. Ferritin and SOD have recently been recognized to play a role in lung cancerogenesis and patients9 survival.   Purpose:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical value and the prognostic power of exhaled ferritin and exhaled SOD in lung cancer patients.   Material and methods:  40 NSCLC patients and 15 controls were enrolled in the study. All subjects under study underwent exhaled breath condensate collection and analysis of ferritin and SOD. A total of 36 patients were either given a follow-up of at least 102 weeks, or were followed up until death.   Results:  Exhaled ferritin and SOD resulted higher in NSCLC than in controls and influenced by the stage of cancer. A pronounced survival difference was found in the presence of exhaled ferritin 300 ng/ml and exhaled SOD >13.5 U/μl.   Conclusions:  In conclusion, although results need to be confirmed on a larger population, we supposed that the measure of ferritin and SOD in the EBC could be clinically suggested in the monitoring of lung cancer and as an outcome predictor.
Superiority of late over early intensification in relapsing/refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: A randomized study from the GELA: LNH RP 93.
Authors: André Bosly, Anne Sonet, G. Salles, P. Brice, C. Haioun, Y Kerneis, H. Tilly, P. Lederlin, I Plantier, C. Sebban, C. Gisselbrecht, B. Coiffier
Journal: Blood (1997)
Inhaled medication delivery to infants via valved holding chamber with facemask: Not all VHCs perform the same
Authors: R. Sharpe, J. Suggett, M. Nagel, R. Ali, V. Avvakoumova, J. Mitchell
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

RATIONALE: We report a study using an in-vitro model (ADAM-III) in which the structure of a 7 month infant face together with an anatomically accurate nasopharynx have been simulated. This model was used to test two VHC-facemask products (antistatic AeroChamber Plus® with Flow-Vu® inspiratory flow indicator (aAC Plus/IFI), TMI; A2A Spacer, Clement Clarke International) with a beta2 adrenergic agonist pMDI.

METHODS: Each VHC (n=5 devices/group) was tested out-of-package, and the A2A spacer group were also tested after pre-washing with detergent to mitigate electrostatic charge. A filter at the distal end of the nasopharynx model collected aerosol capable of reaching the lungs. Test conditions included a tidal volume of 50 mL, inspiratory/expiratory ratio of 1:3 and 30 breaths/min. 5-actuations of salbutamol sulfate (90 µg/actuation) were delivered at 30-s intervals, timing each actuation to coincide with (a) onset of inhalation (coordinated) and (b) the onset of exhalation (uncoordinated). The mass of salbutamol was recovered from the filter to determine delivered mass/actuation ( DM ).

RESULTS: DM ex aAC Plus/IFI VHC group was significantly greater than from the A2A spacer devices, even after pre-washing the latter devices (unpaired t-test, p < 0.001). Additionally, DM ex A2A Spacer markedly decreased when pMDI actuation coincided with exhalation (paired t-test, p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding values from the aAC Plus/IFI VHC group were unaffected (p = 0.75).

CONCLUSIONS: The delivered mass from the two VHCs differed significantly as did the relationship with onset of inhalation. Clinicians should be aware of these differences and their potential clinical impact.
Extended Perineal<i>Dermatobia hominis</i>Myiasis in a Traveler Returning From South America
Authors: Rostane Gaci, Marion Delord, Philippe Parola, Philippe Brouqui, Jean-Christophe Lagier
Journal: JAMA Dermatology (2015)

of NSAGU indicate a reliable association between M fermentans infection and NSAGU.To elucidate acute M fermentans infection, anti-M fermentans IgM antibody measurements were performed within 2 weeks after the onset of genital ulcers.Mycoplasma fermentans has been found in the throat, peripheral blood leukocytes, and urine. 5Interest in M fermentans has recently increased in the clinical setting because of its possible roles in the pathogenesis of illnesses such as rheumatoid diseases, respiratory infections, and genitourinary tract infections. 5Suggesting association between M fermentans and mucosal ulcers, a previous study revealed that antibodies against M fermentans were detected in 32% of patients with malignant aphthosis. 6Mycoplasma fermentans infection seems likely to be involved in the development of genital ulcers, although the exact mechanism remains unknown.No standardized treatment has been defined for NSAGU because the condition is commonly self-limiting; however, in most cases the severe pain and acute urinary retention require rapid healing. 2,3A regimen of topical or oral corticosteroids in the acute phase, followed by prophylactic doxycycline has recently been recommended for NSAGU. 2 Furthermore, administration of macrolides and tetracyclines during the prodromal stage of NSAGU, well-known effective antibiotics against mycoplasma species, could provide beneficial effects.Clinicians need to consider the involvement of M fermentans infection in the occurrence of NSAGU.
Substitution of vitamin D in patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma: A randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study
Authors: Albrecht Breitenbücher, Ursina Voit, David Miedinger, Jörg D. Leuppi, Reto Krapf
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background:  Vitamin D 3  stimulates glucocorticoid-induced IL-10 synthesis by regulatory T cells in patients with asthma. IL-10 is a potent antiinflammatory cytokine that can block asthmatic inflammation.   Objective:  To study whether short-term calcitriol affects lung function and symptoms in patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma treated with a combination of long-acting beta-2-agonists and inhaled corticosteroids.   Methods:  20 outpatients (8m, 12f) with moderate to severe persistent asthma (mean age 58.4y, 36-83) were enrolled in this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, double-dummy pilot trial with random crossover design. All were treated with a stable dose equivalent to ≥400 ug/day of budesonide and ≥12 ug/day of formoterol for at least 4 weeks. Patients were randomized to receive either calcitriol 1.0 µg once daily or placebo. Each treatment phase lasted for 4 weeks, interrupted by a 3-week treatment washout period. Treatment effect was calculated by subtracting baseline values from end of treatment values and using a linear mixed effects model to correct for period and sequence effect.   Results:  Baseline FEV1 was 69.2 %pred. (±11.9), 25-hydroxyvitamin D level 46.6 nmol/L (±21.8). FEV1 %pred. increased by 1.4 % (±7.5) during calcitriol compared to 0.2 % (±5.5) during placebo treatment (p=0.64, n.s.). FE NO , bronchial hyperreactivity, peak flow, asthma symptom scores and use of short-acting beta-2-agonists were also not significantly different between calcitriol and placebo periods.   Conclusion:  Calcitriol did not improve lung function and asthma symptoms in this short term pilot study (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT 00712205).
Foreign travel-associated infections, Norway 2007
Authors: H Blystad
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2008)

Travelling abroad is increasingly popular among the 4.5 million Norwegians. In 2007, Norwegians made a total of 5.8 million holiday trips defined as stays away from all-year residences with a duration of at least four nights. In about half of these trips (3.4 million trips), the destination was outside Norway. The favourite destination in 2007 was Spain, which was chosen for more than 650,000 holiday trips, followed by Denmark, Sweden and Greece [1].
Neural Mechanisms in dissociative amnesia for childhood abuse: relevance to the current controversy surrounding the "false memory syndrome"
Authors: J D Bremner, J H Krystal, D S Charney, S M Southwick
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1996)

There is considerable controversy about delayed recall of childhood abuse. Some authors have claimed that there is a "false memory syndrome," in which therapists suggest to patients events that never actually occurred. These authors point to findings that suggest that memory traces are susceptible to modification. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on the potential vulnerability of memory traces to modification and on the effects of stress on the neurobiology of memory.The authors review findings on mechanisms involved in normal memory function, effects of stress on memory in normal persons, children's memory of stressful events, and alterations of memory function in psychiatric disorders. The effects of stress on specific brain regions and brain chemistry are also examined.Neuropeptides and neurotransmitters released during stress can modulate memory function, acting at the level of the hippocampus, amygdala, and other brain regions involved in memory. Such release may interfere with the laying down of memory traces for incidents of childhood abuse. Also, childhood abuse may result in long-term alterations in the function of these neuromodulators.John Nemiah pointed out several years ago that alterations in memory in the form of dissociative amnesia are an important part of exposure to traumatic stressors, such as childhood abuse. The studies reviewed here show that extreme stress has long-term effects on memory. These findings may provide a model for understanding the mechanisms involved in dissociative amnesia, as well as a rationale for phenomena such as delayed recall of childhood abuse.
Assessing physicians’ preferences on skin cancer treatment in Europe
Authors: L. Ferrandiz, A. Ruiz-de-Casas, M. Trakatelli, E. de Vries, M. Ulrich, S. Aquilina, O. Saksela, S. Majewski, A. Ranki, C. Proby, C. Magnoni, S. Pitkänen, K. Kalokasidis, S. Siskou, B. Hinrichs, E. Altsitsiadis, E. Stockfleth, D. Moreno-Ramirez
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2012)

Background A wide variety of both surgical and nonsurgical therapies is currently available for patients with skin cancer. Objectives This part of the EPIDERM (European Prevention Initiative for Dermatological Malignancies) project is aimed at the evaluation of the treatment preferences for skin cancer in eight countries of the European Union. Methods A multicentre hospital‐based case–control study was carried out at dermatology departments in Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, Poland, Scotland and Spain. Patients with skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, squamous cell carcinoma, cutaneous malignant melanoma and Bowen disease) were consecutively enrolled between July 2008 and July 2010. Information on the study variables (sex, age, country, tumour type, anatomical location and treatment) was obtained from questionnaires designed by the EPIDERM project. Results In total, 1708 patients with skin cancer were included. Surgery was the first treatment option in 76·5% of the patients (P = 0·001). Actinic keratosis was the only tumour type in which nonsurgical treatment was more frequent than surgery (91·4%). Tumours on the head were less likely to be surgically excised than those at other locations (odds ratio 0·25, P = 0·001). Simple excision or curettage was the most common surgical procedure (65·4%), followed by graft and flaps (22·4%). Cryotherapy was the most common nonsurgical option (52·4%), followed by imiquimod (18·0%), photodynamic therapy (PDT; 12·0%), 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU; 5·7%), and diclofenac with hyaluronic acid (4·0%). Conclusions Surgery remains the first‐choice treatment of skin cancer. Regarding nonsurgical treatments, the conservative treatments available (imiquimod, 5‐FU, PDT and diclofenac gel) have not yet exceeded the use of ablative options such as cryotherapy despite their accepted benefit of treating field cancerization.
23S rRNA mutations in linezolid-resistant clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis: A report of two cases
Authors: Myungsun Lee, Taeksun Song
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Use of linezolid for the treatment of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis is increasing. We have recently showed linezolid is effective at achieving culture conversion among patients with treatment refractory XDR pulmonary tuberculosis in our randomized controlled trial.  Exposure to the drug, however, eventually resulted in the selection of resistant organism, and understanding of the mechanism of acquired resistance is important in clinical decision making during treatment. In two cases who failed treatment mutations in 23S rRNA were identified in linezolid-resistant strains isolated from the patients.  Case 1: A 30-year-old female had started linezolid with background regimen(BR) for pulmonary tuberculosis. Sputum was not converted negative after 6 months of treatment and the case was regarded as a failure. MIC of the isolate at week 26 indicated the development of resistance, 32-fold increase. Sequencing of the isolate revealed the acquisition of a mutation in 23S rRNA, G2447U.  Case 2: A 46-year-old male had started linezolid with BR for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. His sputum culture had converted negative after 14 weeks of treatment. At week 45 sputum reverted positive followed by consecutive positivity, which indicated treatment failure. The isolate at week 45 showed an increase in MIC (8 folds) and another mutation in 23S rRNA, G2576U, was identified. Backward analysis of the isolates revealed the advent of the same mutation at week 13 already.  Examination for the resistance-conferring mutations could be useful to anticipate treatment outcome.
Abstract 11900: The Main Mediator of Cellular Adaptation to Redox Stress NRF2 is Regulated by NADPH Oxidase NOX4 in Endothelial Cells: A Novel Feedback Mechanism
Authors: Coy Brunssen, Claudia Haschke, Heike Langbein, Melanie Brux, Claudia Goettsch, Winfried Goettsch, Alexander Arsov, Henning Morawietz
Journal: Circulation (2011)

The NADPH oxidase NOX4 is a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in endothelial cells. ROS formation is downregulated by long-term exposure to hemodynamic forces. A main mediator of cellular adaptation to oxidative stress is the transcription factor NRF2. We could recently show that downregulation of NRF2 induces NOX4. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is not well understood. In this study, we analyzed the cross-talk between NOX4 and NRF2 in human endothelial cells (HUVEC). Transduction of HUVEC with lentiviral particles containing scrambled shRNA, shNRF2, or shNOX4 did not alter cell viability and proliferation. However, regulation of NOX4 by transcription factor NRF2 was depending on the cellular proliferation and/or status of confluence. Transduction with shNRF2 induced NOX4 in proliferating HUVEC and human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1). To verify these data on transcriptional level, we cloned 1490 bp 59-regulatory sequence of human NOX4 gene and 59-terminally deleted fragments. Using dual-luciferase reporter assay, all NOX4 promoter constructs showed high basal activity in endothelial cells. Transduction with shNRF2 increased NOX4 promoter activity significantly. Long-term exposure of HUVEC to arterial laminar shear stress (30 dyne/cm 2 ) induced elongation of endothelial cells in the direction of the flow. Lentiviral downregulation of NOX4 using shNOX4 inhibited this elongation of cell shape in response to flow. In contrast, transduction with shNRF2 increased cell elongation. In addition, application of shear stress resulted in significant downregulation of NOX4 and 2-fold upregulation of NRF2 and NRF2 target genes NQO-1 and HO-1. Downregulation of NRF2 using shNRF2 caused inhibition of shear stress-dependent induction of NRF2, NQO1 and HO-1. NOX4 downregulation in response to laminar shear stress was unaffected by shNRF2. However, transduction of HUVEC with shNOX4 inhibited flow-dependent upregulation of NRF2. In conclusion, ROS production by NOX4 might control the antioxidative capacity and cellular adaptation to hemodynamic forces. Our data suggest a novel feedback mechanism involving the major NADPH oxidase isoform NOX4 and the transcription factor NRF2 in human endothelial cells.
A network analysis of the single nucleotide polymorphisms in acute allergic diseases
Authors: J. Renkonen, P. Mattila, V. Parviainen, S. Joenväärä, S. Toppila‐Salmi, R. Renkonen
Journal: Allergy (2009)

Abstract Background: Genetics of acute allergies has focused on identifying single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within genes relevant in the pathogenesis. In this study, we begin a systems biology analysis of the interconnectivity and biological functions of these genes, their transcripts and their corresponding proteins. Methods: The literature (Pubmed) was searched for SNPs within genes relevant in acute allergic diseases. The SNP‐modified genes were converted to corresponding proteins and their protein–protein interactions were searched from six different databases. This interaction network was analysed with annotated vocabularies (ontologies), such as Gene Ontology, Reactome and Nature pathway interaction database. Time‐series transcriptomics was performed with nasal epithelial cells obtained from allergic patients and their healthy control subjects. Results: A total of 39 genes with SNPs related to acute allergic diseases were found from a literature search. The corresponding proteins were then hooked into a large protein–protein interaction network with the help of various databases. Twenty‐five SNP‐related proteins had more than one interacting protein and a network contained 95 proteins, and 182 connections could be generated. This network was 10‐fold enriched with protein kinases and proteins involved in the host–virus interaction compared with background human proteome. Finally, eight of the 95 nodes on our network displayed nasal epithelial transcriptomal regulation in a time‐series analysis collected from birch allergic patients during the spring pollen season. Conclusions: Signal transduction with special reference to host–virus interactions dominated in the allergy‐related protein interaction network. Systems level analysis of allergy‐related mutation can provide new insights into pathogenetic mechanisms of the diseases.
Correlation of clinical, laboratory and functional parameters in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Mehmet Unlu, Pinar Cimen, Cenk Kirakli, Nuran Katgi, Yelda Varol, Ismail Kayaalp, Aysu Ayranci, Salih Zeki Guclu
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Dyspnea is most important symptom affecting the daily lives of COPD patients.It is not possible to determine the degree of dyspnea and quality of life only by spirometry.Additional markers are needed to assess the perception of dyspnea and the quality of life.In addition anxiety and depression are the most common comorbidities affecting the lives of patients with COPD.In this study we evaluated perception and degree of dyspnea in stable COPD patients with different measurement methods and investigate the correlation between the clinical,laboratory and functional parameters with dyspnea scales;and also aimed to determine relationship between level of COPD and psychological influence of the COPD patients.101 COPD patients that were admitted to hospital were included to the study between June 2012-December 2012.OCD and BDI dyspnea scales that were used to assess patients, showed a strong positive correlation with FEV1(p
The gene mutated in ataxia-ocular apraxia 1 encodes the new HIT/Zn-finger protein aprataxin
Authors: Maria-Céu Moreira, Clara Barbot, Nobutada Tachi, Naoki Kozuka, Eiji Uchida, Toby Gibson, Pedro Mendonça, Manuela Costa, José Barros, Takayuki Yanagisawa, Mitsunori Watanabe, Yoshio Ikeda, Masashi Aoki, Tetsuya Nagata, Paula Coutinho, Jorge Sequeiros, Michel Koenig
Journal: Nature Genetics (2001)