tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Access and use of communication technologies in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Anael Barberan, Ane Arbillaga, Jordi Vilaro, Diego Agustin Rodriguez, Yolanda Torralba, Isabel Blanco, David Fonollosa, Marc Bajet, Lluis Solanell, Albert Alonso, Joan Albert Barbera, Josep Roca
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have proven useful to enhance citizens' active involvement in several domains, including healthcare. Despite access to ICT is widespread across Europe, usability of ICT by elderly patients with chronic conditions remains controversial. The research was conducted within the frame of NEXES, an EU project designed to assess extensive deployment of integrated care services supported by an ICT platform (Linkcare©). The study explores current habits/attitudes of COPD patients concerning the use of mobile phones and Internet.

Prior to the initiation of the wellness and rehabilitation program in NEXES, we conducted a phone interview to 68 COPD patients (FEV1 P5-P95: 21-74%pred; age P5-P95: 54-78 years) to investigate their attitude towards technology.

41% of the patients use Internet and 91% use mobile phones. 58% of all subjects have internet access at home. The main reason for not using Internet is a poor knowledge on how to use it (76% of non-users). But, 55% of the non-Internet users are interested in learning how to use it. Among the Internet users, 89% have access to e-mail and 46% of them participate in social networks. 62% of patients send SMS's and 15% send files by mobile phones. The use of mobile phones correlates with age (p=0.04) whereas Internet use correlates with educational level (p<0.001), but not with disease severity or aerobic capacity.

The percentage of COPD patients using Internet and mobile phone is similar to the general population of the area for the same range of age. Disease severity does not seem to be a factor limiting accessibility and use of ICT tools in COPD patients.

Supported by: UE – FP7 (CIP-ICT) 225025.
Risk-factors and predictors of mortality in patients colonised with vancomycin-resistant enterococci
Authors: V. Sakka, S. Tsiodras, L. Galani, A. Antoniadou, M. Souli, I. Galani, M. Pantelaki, N. Siafakas, L. Zerva, H. Giamarellou
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2007)
The utility of restaging bone marrow biopsy in PET‐negative patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma and baseline bone marrow involvement
Authors: Amie E. Jackson, Jacob P. Smeltzer, Thomas M. Habermann, Jason M. Jones, Brian Burnette, Kay Ristow, Gregory A. Wiseman, William R. Macon, Grzegorz S. Nowakowski, Thomas E. Witzig
Journal: American Journal of Hematology (2014)

Patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and pre‐treatment bone marrow (BM) involvement require a restaging BM biopsy to document complete remission (CR). We investigated whether BM assessment by restaging PET‐CT could obviate the need for a repeat BM biopsy. Patients with DLBCL and a positive BM biopsy at diagnosis were identified from the Mayo Clinic Lymphoma Data Base. The concordance of BM status on restaging histopathology and PET‐CT reports and the positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of PET‐CT were determined. One thousand eighty patients with DLBCL were evaluated and 69 patients (6%) had DLBCL involving the BM at diagnosis. Of 46 patients who completed frontline chemoimmunotherapy, 34 had a restaging PET‐CT and BM biopsy and were included in the analysis. Thirty‐three patients had a negative BM by both PET‐CT and BM biopsy; one patient had persistent BM involvement by biopsy and PET‐CT. Thus, restaging PET‐CT had 100% PPV and 100% NPV for assessing residual BM disease. The findings were validated in a prospective cohort of 68 DLBCL patients treated on a phase II clinical trial where four patients (6%) had DLBCL involving the BM at diagnosis. All had a negative BM by both restaging BM biopsy and PET‐CT. Compared with the gold standard of BM biopsy, PET‐CT had a 100% NPV to exclude residual BM disease after frontline therapy. If further validated, DLBCL practice guidelines and response criteria could be modified so that BM biopsy is no longer required to document CR if the restaging PET‐CT is negative. Am. J. Hematol. 89:865–867, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diathermy and tonsillectomy: criticism of NICE * Reply from NICE
Authors: A. Shahzad, B. Campbell, P. Littlejohns
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (2004)

Earlier this year the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued guidelines for use of diathermy in tonsillectomy, based on a nationwide audit that is still continuing. A letter issued by Mr Andrew Dillon, Chief Executive, and Professor Bruce Campbell, C Chair of the Interventional Procedures Committee, advised that 'all surgeons should consider how best to minimize their use of diathermy during the tonsillectomy' [www.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=203699]. As the surgeon who does most of the adult tonsillectomies in my hospital, I have found this advice both puzzling and disruptive. An immediate consequence was that the 'risk management' section of our trust expressed grave concern that diathermy (bipolar in our case) was being used in our department. Within a fortnight a departmental policy was created stating that diathermy may be made available only if all attempts at controlling bleeding with ligatures have failed. When does that point arrive? If one tries hard enough and keeps on ligating every red object in the tonsillar bed, all bleeds eventually stop. The surgeon now feels guilty even about mentioning diathermy.
Incidental cases of tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration in adults
Authors: Engin Aynaci, Esra Yazar, Pinar Yildiz, Veysel Yilmaz
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Foreign body (FB) aspiration can be a life-threatening problem. Incidental cases can remain undetected for a long time and often are misdiagnosed. The aim of our study to report the incidence of incidentally diagnosed cases and present two cases. None of the patients had aware of foreign body aspiration previously. During the 10 years, 24 FBs have been removed in our clinic by using either FOB or rigid bronchoscope and 2 of whom detected incidentally. 25 years old patient had been misdiagnosed as having unresolved pneumonia due to consolidation of right lower lobe. After the failure of treatment, bronchoscopic evaluation and computarized thomography (CT) have been done. Metallic part of the pencil has been removed by rigit bronchoscopy. Another case was 50 years old and admitted to our hospital with almost same complaint with the first case such as cough, sputum, fewer and dypnea. Consolidation and pleural effusion adjacent to triple dental prosthesis has been detected in radiography.  It was removed by rigit bronchoscopy. None of the cases had any risk factor for aspiration such as older age and altered mental status.  Untreated or unrecognized FB aspiration can result in obstructive pneumonitis, atelectasis, lung abscess, empyema, bronchiectasis, hemoptysis, and pleural effusion. For that reason, patient with chronic cough, recurrent or unresolved lung infections even if no history of aspiration might be detected for FB aspiration.
Direct primary closure without undermining in the repair of vermilionectomy defects of the lower lip
Authors: R.B.M. Barry, J. McKenzie, D. Berg, J.A.A. Langtry
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2012)

Vermilionectomy is an excisional technique for the treatment of lower lip squamous cell carcinoma and actinic cheilitis. The vermilionectomy defect is usually repaired by a labial mucosal advancement flap. Traditionally, the mucosal wound margins are widely undermined but this can be associated with significant postoperative morbidity.We describe our experience with a modified technique whereby lower lip vermilionectomy defects were repaired by direct primary closure without undermining and present the subsequent cosmetic, functional and sensory results.This is a retrospective case series of 21 patients who underwent vermilionectomy repair by direct closure without undermining. Combined data regarding the presence of any postoperative sensory, functional or cosmetic disturbance are presented.Complete data were available for 17 patients. Minimal sensory disturbance was noted in 10·5% of our patients 6 months postoperatively, which is less than previous studies. Similarly, labial scar tension was less frequent in our series; 94% of the patients were satisfied with cosmesis.Direct closure without undermining is a simple, reproducible technique for repair of lower lip vermilionectomy defects and leads to excellent cosmetic, functional and sensory results in the majority of patients.
Biotunable Acoustic Node Assembly of Organoids
Authors: Pu Chen, Sinan Güven, Osman Berk Usta, Martin L. Yarmush, Utkan Demirci
Journal: Advanced Healthcare Materials (2015)

Bioengineering of 3D microtissues from cell spheroids is demonstrated by employing the vibration of acoustic standing waves and its hydrodynamic effect at the bottom of a liquid-carrier chamber. A large number of cell spheroids (>104) are assembled in seconds into a closely packed structure in a scaffold-free fashion under nodal pattern of the standing waves in a fluidic environment. As a service to our authors and readers, this journal provides supporting information supplied by the authors. Such materials are peer reviewed and may be re-organized for online delivery, but are not copy-edited or typeset. Technical support issues arising from supporting information (other than missing files) should be addressed to the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.
Treatment of Advanced Breast Cancer with Vinorelbine and Docetaxel With or Without Human Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
Authors: Gabriela V. Kornek, Herbert Ulrich-Pur, Melitta Penz, Karin Haider, Werner Kwasny, Dieter Depisch, Erwin Kovats, Fritz Lang, Bruno Schneeweiss, Werner Scheithauer
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2001)

PURPOSE: A multicenter phase II trial was performed to investigate the efficacy and tolerance of docetaxel, vinorelbine with or without recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in patients with metastatic breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between February 1998 and March 1999, 57 patients participated in this trial. Forty-two patients received this combination as first-line and 15 patients as second-line chemotherapy, including 10 patients who had failed anthracyclines. Therapy consisted of vinorelbine 30 mg/m 2 on days 1 and 15 and docetaxel 30 mg/m 2 on days 1, 8, and 15 every 4 weeks. Depending on the absolute neutrophil counts on the day of scheduled chemotherapeutic drug administration, a 5-day course of G-CSF 5 μg/kg/d was given. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 64.3% (95% confidence interval, 48.1% to 78.4%) in patients receiving docetaxel plus vinorelbine as first-line chemotherapy, including eight complete (19%) and 19 partial remissions (45.3%); 11 patients (26.2%) had disease stabilization, and only four (9.5%) progressed. Second-line treatment with this regimen resulted in eight (53.3%) of 15 objective responses, four had stable disease, and three had progressive disease. The median time to progression was 12 months in the first-line and 9.8 months in the second-line setting, respectively. After a median follow-up time of 18 months, 38 patients (65%) were still alive with metastatic disease. Myelosuppression was commonly observed; World Health Organization grade 3 or 4 neutropenia both occurred in 18 patients (32%) and was complicated by septicemia in four cases; grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia was seen in two patients (4%), and grade 3 anemia was seen in only one patient (2%). Severe (grade 3) nonhematologic toxicity, except for alopecia, was rarely observed and included nausea/vomiting in two patients (4%), and stomatitis, peripheral neuropathy, and skin toxicity each in one patient. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that docetaxel and vinorelbine with or without G-CSF is an effective and fairly well tolerated regimen for the treatment of advanced breast cancer. It might be particularly useful in patients previously exposed to adjuvant or palliative anthracyclines and/or alkylating agents.
Psychological Distress before and Immediately after Attendance at a Male Sub-Fertility Clinic
Authors: L Glover, K Gannon, L Sherr, P D Abel
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1994)

Where treatment options are limited, the role of clinical consultation in providing information and support becomes more important. This study examines the immediate impact of medical consultation on male sub-fertility clinic attender's anxiety, depression, self-blame, information appraisal and perceptions of future fertility. Data were collected pre- and immediately post-consultation. Clinical information and consultation details were recorded. Results showed that anxiety levels were high before consultation. Following consultation anxiety and self-blame were both reduced while depression increased. Despite information about poor prognosis being given during consultation, participants remained overly optimistic about their chances of achieving a pregnancy. It appears that the consultation has a distinct psychological impact and possible mechanisms underlying this are discussed.
Differential Effects of Amrinone and Milrinone Upon Myocardial Inflammatory Signaling
Authors: Nikhil K. Chanani, Douglas B. Cowan, Koh Takeuchi, Dimitrios N. Poutias, Lina M. Garcia, Pedro J. del Nido, Francis X. McGowan
Journal: Circulation (2002)

Background Mounting evidence links systemic and local inflammatory cytokine production to myocardial dysfunction and injury occurring during ischemia-reperfusion, cardiopulmonary bypass, and heart failure. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDEIs), used frequently in these states, can modulate inflammatory signaling. The mechanisms for these effects are unclear. We therefore examined the effects of 2 commonly used PDEIs, amrinone and milrinone, on cardiac cell inflammatory responses. Methods and Results Primary rat cardiomyocyte cultures were treated with endotoxin (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), alone or in the presence of clinically relevant concentrations of amrinone or milrinone. Regulation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NFκB), nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase isoforms, and cytokine production were assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays, Western immunoblotting, and enzyme-linked immunoassays, respectively. Both LPS and TNF-α induced significant NFκB activation, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cytokine production; with the exception of COX-2 expression, all were significantly reduced by amrinone, beginning at concentrations of 10 to 50 μmol/L. In contrast, milrinone increased nuclear NFκB translocation, iNOS and COX-2 expression, and cardiomyocyte production of interleukin-1β. Cell-permeable cAMP increased inflammatory gene expression, whereas cell-permeable cGMP had no effect, indicating that the effects of amrinone were not due to phosphodiesterase inhibition. Similar results were seen in macrophages and coronary vascular endothelial cells. Conclusions Both amrinone and milrinone have significant effects on cardiac inflammatory signaling. Overall, amrinone reduces activation of the key transcription factor NFκB and limits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, whereas milrinone does not.
Plasma Glycocalicin
Authors: M H Steinberg, J G Kelton, B S Coller
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (1987)

In some patients with thrombocytopenia, it is difficult to determine whether the condition is caused by underproduction of platelets (reduced numbers of megakaryocytes) or an increase in the rate of their destruction (normal or increased numbers of megakaryocytes). A non-invasive test to help distinguish between these two categories of thrombocytopenia would be useful. We related the plasma concentration of glycocalicin, a fragment of the platelet-membrane glycoprotein Ib, to the mechanism of thrombocytopenia by evaluating bone marrow megakaryocyte content and measuring platelet life span. Plasma glycocalicin was measured with a monoclonal antibody to the glycocalicin component of platelet glycoprotein Ib. The mean (+/- SD) plasma concentration of glycocalicin in 34 healthy controls was 87 +/- 20 percent of the level in pooled normal plasma (range, 52 to 127 percent). All of eight patients with aplastic anemia or amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia confirmed by examining bone marrow (in all patients) and by determining the life span of autologous platelets (in six patients) had glycocalicin levels significantly below the normal range (5 to 27 percent). In contrast, each of 25 patients with thrombocytopenia thought to be caused by a reduction in platelet life span, whose bone marrow contained normal or increased numbers of megakaryocytes, had glycocalicin levels that fell within or above the normal range (48 to 261 percent). There was no overlap of values between the two patient populations. These studies indicate that the measurement of plasma glycocalicin may be a useful adjunct in classifying thrombocytopenic disorders.
Management of degenerative meniscal tears and the role of surgery
Authors: Rachelle Buchbinder, Ian A Harris, Andrew Sprowson
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2015)

#### The bottom line

#### How patients were involved in the creation of this article

Eight patients (four each from the UK and Australia) read the manuscript and provided comments. They made some suggestions for improving clarity in the advice for patients box, which we have incorporated.

The use of knee arthroscopy to treat degenerative meniscal tears is well established worldwide. However, with the advent of high quality randomised controlled trials questioning its value, observations that these lesions are usually asymptomatic, and recognition that arthroscopy is a “difficult habit to break,”1 it is timely to review the best evidence based management of these tears and reconsider the role of surgery.

The menisci are two largely aneural crescent shaped discs of fibrocartilage, which sit within the lateral and medial compartments of the knee joint. They evenly transfer load across the joint, absorb shock during dynamic movement, and lubricate and help stabilise the joint. Injury, degeneration, or surgical removal of all or part of the meniscus is associated with an increased risk of developing knee osteoarthritis.2 The risk of osteoarthritis and its progression increase in line with reductions in tibial cartilage coverage.

Meniscal tears are categorised as traumatic or non-traumatic (degenerative) on the basis of their presentation. Traumatic tears tend to occur in younger active people (<40 years) and are caused by a serious traumatic injury, often while playing sport. Degenerative tears …
DNA Polymerase Activity and DNA Synthesis in Preneoplastic Nodule Out-growths of BALB/c and C3H Mouse Mammary Gland2
Authors: M. R. Banerjee, R. G. Mehta, J. E. Wagner
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1973)

Journal Article DNA Polymerase Activity and DNA Synthesis in Preneoplastic Nodule Out-growths of BALB/c and C3H Mouse Mammary Gland Get access M. R. Banerjee, M. R. Banerjee Department of Zoology and its Institute for Cellular Research, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68503 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar R. G. Mehta, R. G. Mehta Department of Zoology and its Institute for Cellular Research, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68503 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar J. E. Wagner J. E. Wagner Department of Zoology and its Institute for Cellular Research, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68503 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Volume 50, Issue 2, February 1973, Pages 339–345, https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/50.2.339 Published: 01 February 1973 Article history Received: 06 July 1972 Accepted: 19 October 1972 Published: 01 February 1973
Abnormal endocrine tests in a hemodialysis patient.
Authors: L A Hochstetler, M J Flanigan, V S Lim
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (1994)

A home hemodialysis patient with abnormal thyroid function tests and hyperprolactinemia is presented. Abnormal thyroid tests included low total triiodothyronine and low total thyroxine and free thyroxine; the latter was documented by the use of both RIA and direct dialysis equilibrium techniques. Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone was normal, and the thyroid-stimulating hormone response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation was in the low-normal range. Serum prolactin was elevated to more than twice the normal level, and the prolactin response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone was also blunted. The interpretation, pathogenesis, physiologic significance, and management of these abnormalities are discussed.
Feasibility and effects of nurse run clinics for patients with epilepsy in general practice: randomised controlled trial
Authors: L Ridsdale, D Robins, C Cryer, H Williams
Journal: BMJ (1997)

<h3>Abstract</h3> <b>Objective:</b> To test the feasibility and effect of nurse run epilepsy clinics in primary care. <b>Design:</b> A randomised controlled trial of nurse run clinics versus "usual care." <b>Setting:</b> Six general practices in the South Thames region. <b>Subjects:</b> 251 patients aged over 15 years who were taking anti-epileptic drugs or had a diagnosis of epilepsy and an attack in the past two years who met specified inclusion criteria and had responded to a questionnaire. <b>Main outcome measures:</b> Questionnaire responses and recording of key variables extracted from the clinical records before and after the intervention. <b>Results:</b> 127 patients were randomised to a nurse run clinic, of whom 106 (83%) attended. The nurse wrote 28 letters to the general practitioners suggesting changes in epilepsy management. For this intervention group compared with the usual care group there was a highly significant improvement in the level of advice recorded as having been given on drug compliance, adverse drug effects, driving, alcohol intake, and self help groups. <b>Conclusions:</b> Nurse run clinics for patients with epilepsy were feasible and well attended. Such clinics can significantly improve the level of advice and drug management recorded. <h3>Key messages</h3> Patients with epilepsy report that they are not given enough information about their condition and how to cope This study shows that nurse run clinics set up to provide such information and monitoring in six general practices were well attended by patients with epilepsy In more than one fifth of patients attending the clinics the nurse identified changes in aspects of drug management that could be improved The level of advice recorded as having been given on drug compliance, adverse drug effects, driving, alcohol intake, and self help groups increased significantly