tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Abstract 17306: Fatty Acid Oxidation Inhibitors Improve RV Function and Cardiac Repolarization in Right Ventricular Hypertrophy Induced by Pulmonary Artery Banding
Authors: Yong-Hu Fang, Lin Piao, Peter T Toth, Jalees Rehman, Stephen L Archer
Journal: Circulation (2010)

Introduction: Right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) and right ventricular failure is major determinants of prognosis and functional state of patients with congenital heart disease or pulmonary artery...
Abstract 3586: HIF-1α from tumor-surround fibroblasts contributes to breast cancer malignant progression
Authors: Yi Lu, Jun Zhang
Journal: Cancer Research (2014)

Abstract As tumor-surrounding stromal cells (such as fibroblasts) are integrate components of the tumor environment that together as an entity plays critical roles in the tumor progression, we investigated whether HIF-1α from tumor-surrounding fibroblasts plays a critical role in breast cancer (BCa) malignant progression. We co-cultured BCa 4T1/GFP cells with MEF fibroblasts that either expressed or lacked the HIF-1α gene in a 3D culture system established in our lab. The mixed cells (BCa:MEF) grew in a suspension manner and formed aggregates/spheroids. We found that HIF-1α plays a role under hypoxia in the 3D BCa cells' protrusion formation, an established marker for invasive, aggressively malignant tumor cells that start to invade the surrounding matrix. These protrusions (fluorescent) only appeared in mixed-cell aggregates containing HIF-1α wild-type MEF fibroblasts; but not appear in mixed-cell aggregates containing HIF-1α knockout MEF fibroblasts, implying HIF-1α from fibroblasts (MEF) plays a critical role in inducing surrounding epithelial BCa cells to form protrusions, an indicator that tumor cells have become invasive. Moreover, we performed transwell overnight invasion assay of BCa LM2 cells with and without cocultured MEF under both normoxia (21% O2) and hypoxia (1% O2). We found that MEF significantly promoted BCa invade through matrigel, and HIF-1α WT MEF promoted BCa invasion more than HIF-KO MEF did under hypoxia. Furthermore, by using Boyden's chamber-based cell migration assay, we found that migration of HIF-1α WT BCa (MMTC-PyT) cells increased more than two fold under hypoxia than normoxia. However, this hypoxia-induced increase in migration disappeared if HIF-1α KO counterparts were used. The loss of this hypoxia-induced migration in HIF-1α KO cells can be rescued by exogenous HIF-1α with Ad-HIF-1α transduction. A similar pattern of HIF-1α-dependent, hypoxia-stimulated cell migration was observed in fibroblasts when we analyzed HIF-1α WT and KO MEF cells, demonstrating that hypoxia stimulated a HIF-1α-dependent cell migration in both BCa and MEF cells. Together, these results indicate that HIF-1α from tumor-surrounding fibroblasts plays critical roles in promoting BCa malignant progression. Citation Format: Yi Lu, Jun Zhang. HIF-1α from tumor-surround fibroblasts contributes to breast cancer malignant progression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3586. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3586
Abstract 16269: ECMO as a Bridge to Pediatric Heart Transplantation: Impact on Post-Listing and Post-Transplantation Outcomes
Authors: Anne I Dipchand, William Mahle, Margaret Tresler, David C Naftel, James K Kirklin, Steven Webber
Journal: Circulation (2011)

Background: Current organ allocation algorithms have been developed to direct hearts to the sickest recipients to mitigate death whilst waiting. Such a strategy may reduce post-transplant (Tx) surv...
Right ventricular oxygen supply and diffusion in human and experimental pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Gerrina Ruiter, Yeun Ying Wong, Frances de Man, Louis Handoko, Pieter Postmus, Nico Westerhof, Hans Niessen, Willem van der Laarse, Anton Vonk-Noordegraaf
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Introduction:  In pulmonary hypertension (PH), right ventricular (RV) oxygen supply has to increase to meet the higher oxygen consumption due to the high RV power output. To investigate how the RV adapts to meet these requirements, we studied the oxygen supply and intracellular diffusion in terms of capillarization and myoglobin content in patients with PH. In addition, we compared healthy rats to a rat model with stable PH (preserved cardiac output) and progressive PH (RV failure) to answer the question whether adaptations in oxygen handling are characteristic for the failing RV or develop during progression of the disease.   Methods:  RV tissue was collected at autopsy of 10 diseased PH patients and 10 control patients who died from a left ventricular myocardial infarction. In rats, stable PH and progressive PH were induced by monocrotaline 40 and 60 mg/kg, respectively. RV cardiomyocyte cell size, capillary density and myoglobin content were determined.   Results:  RV cardiomyocyte cell size is strongly increased in PH patients compared to controls (PH: 824±125 vs con: 353±97 μm 2 , p 2 , p   Conclusion:  Oxygen supply to and diffusion within the cardiomyocytes is reduced in both failing human and rat RV. This is characteristic for the failing PH RV since stable PH rats maintained supply and diffusion.
Small Indian mongooses and masked palm civets serve as new reservoirs of Bartonella henselae and potential sources of infection for humans
Authors: S. Sato, H. Kabeya, Y. Shigematsu, H. Sentsui, Y. Une, M. Minami, K. Murata, G. Ogura, S. Maruyama
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2013)
Excess mortality among the elderly in 12 European countries, February and March 2012
Authors: A Mazick, B Gergonne, J Nielsen, F Wuillaume, M J Virtanen, A Fouillet, H Uphoff, T Sideroglou, A Paldy, A Oza, B Nunes, V M Flores-Segovia, C Junker, S A McDonald, H K Green, R Pebody, K Mølbak
Journal: Eurosurveillance (2012)

In February and March 2012, excess deaths among the elderly have been observed in 12 European countries that carry out weekly monitoring of all-cause mortality. These preliminary data indicate that the impact of influenza in Europe differs from the recent pandemic and post-pandemic seasons. The current excess mortality among the elderly may be related to the return of influenza A(H3N2) virus, potentially with added effects of a cold snap.
Elements of the private therapeutic interview
Authors: N E Zinberg
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1987)

A previous paper explored the differences between a psychiatric interview that is entirely private and one observed by way of a mechanical device. The attempt to explore such differences raises questions about what are the special elements in the private interview that rely heavily on privacy. This paper focuses on 1) the specific rhythms that are worked out within each patient-therapist dyad; 2) the quality of the concentration of one individual on another; 3) the capacity for undoing, or taking back, previously stated positions; and 4) the difference between the intimacy developed through privacy in everyday social situations and that achieved in the therapeutic relationship.
Occupational allergy to bell pepper pollen in greenhouses in the Netherlands, an 8‐year follow‐up study
Authors: J. A. Patiwael, N. W. Jong, A. Burdorf, H. Groot, R. Gerth van Wijk
Journal: Allergy (2010)

Pollen from bell pepper plants cultivated in greenhouses are known to cause occupational allergic disease. A cross-sectional study among 472 bell pepper employees in 1999 estimated prevalences for sensitization to bell pepper pollen of 28% and for work-related allergic symptoms of 54%. There is scarce information on the incidence of work-related allergy and its risk factors. Aims of the present study were to estimate the cumulative incidence of work-related symptoms and sensitization to bell pepper pollen, and to determine risk factors for the onset of these symptoms and sensitization.Bell pepper employees who participated in a cross-sectional survey in 1999 were asked to take part in a follow-up study in 2007. Information on demographic characteristics, job characteristics and allergic symptoms was gathered by means of a questionnaire. Furthermore, skin tests were performed with a.o. bell pepper pollen.In total, 280 of 472 employees were available for questionnaires and in 250 employees allergy tests were performed. During the 8-year follow-up, the cumulative incidence of sensitization to bell pepper pollen was 9% and of work-related rhinitis 19%. Atopy [odds ratio (OR) 5.60] and smoking (OR 3.53) were significantly associated with development of rhinitis. The cumulative incidence of work-related asthma symptoms was 8%. Again atopy (OR 5.03) and smoking (OR 11.85) were significant risk factors.Cumulative incidences for sensitization to bell pepper pollen, work-related rhinitis and asthma symptoms were 9%, 19% and 8%, respectively. Atopy and smoking are risk factors for developing work-related symptoms among workers in bell pepper horticulture.
Regional Isolation Drives Bacterial Diversification within Cystic Fibrosis Lungs
Authors: Peter Jorth, Benjamin J. Staudinger, Xia Wu, Katherine B. Hisert, Hillary Hayden, Jayanthi Garudathri, Christopher L. Harding, Matthew C. Radey, Amir Rezayat, Gilbert Bautista, William R. Berrington, Amanda F. Goddard, Chunxiang Zheng, Angus Angermeyer, Mitchell J. Brittnacher, Jacob Kitzman, Jay Shendure, Corinne L. Fligner, John Mittler, Moira L. Aitken, Colin Manoil, James E. Bruce, Timothy L. Yahr, Pradeep K. Singh
Journal: Cell Host & Microbe (2015)
Assessment of Streptococcus pneumoniae pilus islet-1 prevalence in carried and transmitted isolates from mother–infant pairs on the Thailand–Burma border
Authors: P. Turner, S. Melchiorre, M. Moschioni, M.A. Barocchi, C. Turner, W. Watthanaworawit, N. Kaewcharernnet, F. Nosten, D. Goldblatt
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2011)

Streptococcus pneumoniae pilus islet-1 (PI–1)-encoded pilus enhances in vitro adhesion to the respiratory epithelium and may contribute to pneumococcal nasopharyngeal colonization and transmission. The pilus subunits are regarded as potential protein vaccine candidates. In this study, we sought to determine PI–1 prevalence in carried pneumococcal isolates and explore its relationship with transmissibility or carriage duration. We studied 896 pneumococcal isolates collected during a longitudinal carriage study that included monthly nasopharyngeal swabbing of 234 infants and their mothers between the ages of 1 and 24 months. These were cultured according to the WHO pneumococcal carriage detection protocol. PI-1 PCR and genotyping by multilocus sequence typing were performed on isolates chosen according to specific carriage and transmission definitions. Overall, 35.2% of the isolates were PI-1-positive, but PI-1 presence was restricted to ten of the 34 serotypes studied and was most frequently associated with serotypes 19F and 23F; 47.5% of transmitted and 43.3% of non-transmitted isolates were PI-1-positive (OR 1.2; 95% CI 0.8-1.7; p 0.4). The duration of first-ever infant pneumococcal carriage was significantly longer with PI-1-positive organisms, but this difference was not significant at the individual serotype level. In conclusion, PI-1 is commonly found in pneumococcal carriage isolates, but does not appear to be associated with pneumococcal transmissibility or carriage duration.
Pegaptanib for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Evangelos S. Gragoudas, Anthony P. Adamis, Emmett T. Cunningham, Matthew Feinsod, David R. Guyer
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2004)

Pegaptanib, an anti–vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, was evaluated in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.
Effects and feasibility of different types of endurance training in patients with end stage lung disease before lung transplantation
Authors: Rainer Gloeckl, Bianca Weber-Lange, Martin Halle, Klaus Kenn
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Objective: Aim of this study was to compare the effects and the feasibility of continuous moderate endurance training (CT) versus high-intensity interval training (IT) in patients with end-stage COPD before lung transplantation (pre-LTx) during a specialized 3-week in-patient pulmonary rehabilitation programme.

Methods: 60 lung transplant candidates (age: 53.5±56.3 yrs; FEV1 pred. 24.9±7.9%) performed up to 15 training sessions within 3 weeks randomised either to CT (n=30) or IT (n=30). CT was characterised by cycling at 60% Wmax whereas IT consisted of 30 sec exercise (100% Wmax) and 30 sec rest. Total amount of exercise time per session in CT increased from 10 to 30 min respectively from 12 to 36 min in IT yielding equivalent volume of exercise.

Results: Both groups achieved similar improvements in 6MWD. The CT group increased by 35.7±42,21m from baseline 312.7±98.2m and the IT group by 35.4±27,89m from 289.5±108.7m. Despite an increase in cycling time, patients in both groups showed decreased symptoms of dyspnoea during exercise. The overall dyspnoea over the whole training period was significantly (p=0.018) higher in CT (BORG 7.1) than in IT (BORG 6.2). Furthermore, significantly (p<0.001) more unintended interruptions during exercise were observed in CT (28.3) than in IT (7.2).

Conclusion: Our study shows, that CT as well as IT can significantly improve exercise capacity in pre-LTx patients. IT seems to be better tolerated, expressed by a lower grade of dyspnoea and significantly better feasibility of the exercise protocol.
Length of secondary schooling and risk of HIV infection in Botswana: evidence from a natural experiment
Authors: Jan-Walter De Neve, Günther Fink, S V Subramanian, Sikhulile Moyo, Jacob Bor
Journal: The Lancet Global Health (2015)

BackgroundAn estimated 2·1 million individuals are newly infected with HIV every year. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have reported conflicting evidence for the association between education and HIV risk, and no randomised trial has identified a causal effect for education on HIV incidence. We aimed to use a policy reform in secondary schooling in Botswana to identify the causal effect of length of schooling on new HIV infection.MethodsData for HIV biomarkers and demographics were obtained from the nationally representative household 2004 and 2008 Botswana AIDS Impact Surveys (N=7018). In 1996, Botswana reformed the grade structure of secondary school, expanding access to grade ten and increasing educational attainment for affected cohorts. Using exposure to the policy reform as an instrumental variable, we used two-stage least squares to estimate the causal effect of years of schooling on the cumulative probability that an individual contracted HIV up to their age at the time of the survey. We also assessed the cost-effectiveness of secondary schooling as an HIV prevention intervention in comparison to other established interventions.FindingsEach additional year of secondary schooling caused by the policy change led to an absolute reduction in the cumulative risk of HIV infection of 8·1 percentage points (p=0·008), relative to a baseline prevalence of 25·5% in the pre-reform 1980 birth cohort. Effects were particularly large in women (11·6 percentage points, p=0·046). Results were robust to a wide array of sensitivity analyses. Secondary school was cost effective as an HIV prevention intervention by standard metrics (cost per HIV infection averted was US$27 753).InterpretationAdditional years of secondary schooling had a large protective effect against HIV risk in Botswana, particularly for women. Increasing progression through secondary school could be a cost-effective HIV prevention measure in HIV-endemic settings, in addition to yielding other societal benefits.FundingTakemi Program in International Health at the Harvard T.H.Chan School of Public Health, Belgian American Educational Foundation, Fernand Lazard Foundation, Boston University, National Institutes of Health.
Inability to perform paced step-test and self-reported physical activity are useful measures of functional capacity among patients with COPD
Authors: David Coultas, Bradford Jackson, Minyong Uhm, Karan Singh, Sejong Bae
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background: Functional capacity among patients with COPD is traditionally assessed with walking tests. Step-tests and measures of physical activity (PA) offer alternative methods.  Objectives: To examine the relationships between an externally paced step-test (PST), self-reported PA, health-related quality of life, and 6-minute walking (6MW) distance.  Methods: Analysis of baseline data from patients enrolled in a clinical trial. A three minute PST was performed at 22 steps/minute. PA was assessed with the rapid assessment of PA (RAPA) questionnaire categorized as active, intermediate, or low. Other measures were Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ), SF-12, and 6MW. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for factors independently associated with completion of the PST.  Results: Of 325 patients mean age (SD) was 69 (10) years, 51% female, 92% white. The PST was administered to 84% and only 24% were able to complete entire 3 minutes. There were multiple clinically and statistically significant differences between the completers (C) and non-completers (NC) (Table).  Inability to complete the PST was lower among active/intermediate vs. low PA (OR 0.7, CI 0.5-0.9) adjusting for age, gender, BMI, smoking status, GOLD stage, BODE index, and CRQ.  Conclusions: These results suggest that the PST and RAPA offer feasible and clinically relevant measures among patients with COPD.  Funding: NIH R18 HL092955.
Treatment of patients with transitional-cell carcinoma of the urothelial tract with ifosfamide, paclitaxel, and cisplatin: a phase II trial.
Authors: D F Bajorin, J A McCaffrey, S Hilton, M Mazumdar, W K Kelly, H I Scher, J Spicer, H Herr, G Higgins
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1998)

PURPOSE A phase II trial of ifosfamide, paclitaxel, and cisplatin (ITP) was conducted in previously untreated patients with advanced transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC) to assess its efficacy and toxicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty patients with metastatic or unresectable TCC were treated with ifosfamide 1.5 g/m2/d for 3 days with paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 over 3 hours and cisplatin 70 mg/m2 on day 1 of each 28-day treatment cycle. Therapy was continued for a maximum of six cycles. Prophylactic hematopoietic growth factor (recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor [rhG-CSF]) was given on days 6 to 17 of each cycle. RESULTS Twenty-three of 29 assessable patients (79%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 60% to 92%) demonstrated a major response (six complete [CR] and 17 partial [PR]) with response durations that ranged from 5 to 24+ months. Five patients with T4 bladder primary tumors had a major response, two with pathologic CR. At a median follow-up duration of 17.9 months, nine (31%) patients remain disease-free (range, 10+ to 24+). Hematologic toxicity included anemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia; febrile neutropenia was observed in 17% of patients and 4% of cycles. No grade 4 nonhematologic toxicity was observed. Grade 3 nonhematologic toxicity included alopecia, allergy (3%), renal insufficiency (13%), and neuropathy (10%). Dose reductions or drug omissions were necessary for adverse events in seven (23%) patients. CONCLUSION ITP is an active, well-tolerated regimen in previously untreated patients with TCC of the urothelial tract. Further study of this regimen in patients with both TCC and non-transitional-cell urothelial tumors is ongoing.
Inflammatory mediators in COPD patients with and without alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency
Authors: Timm Greulich, Julia Klein, Christian Herr, Angelique Holland, Silke Mronga, Claus Vogelmeier, Rembert Koczulla, Robert Bals
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Introduction:  Systemic inflammation is present in a large proportion of COPD patients and is discussed to be the missing link between COPD and its extrapulmonary manifestations. Little is known about differences in systemic inflammation in COPD patients with and without alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD).   Aims:  We tested the hypothesis that systemic inflammation in COPD would differ in patients with and without AATD and that markers of inflammation would be associated with quality of life (QoL).   Methods:  In this cross-sectional study we included 102 participants. We measured lung function, quality of life (QoL) using the St. Georges Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and inflammatory mediators in peripheral blood. We compared concentrations of inflammatory mediators in four groups: AATD patients without augmentation therapy (AATD unsub ; n=20), AATD patients with augmentation therapy (AATD sub ; n=20), patients with COPD (n=46) and healthy controls (HC; n=16).   Results:  Geometric mean high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was significantly elevated in COPD (3.72 mg/l) and AATD unsub  (4.19 mg/l) compared to AATD sub  (0.96 mg/l) and HC (0.82 mg/l). Significant differences could also be detected for alpha-1 antitrypsin (p  HsCRP levels were positively correlated with SGRQ in COPD patients without AATD (Spearman9s r=0.46; p   Conclusion:  Low grade systemic inflammation is present in COPD with and without AATD. Despite different causes of these diseases, a common inflammatory pathway may exist. In patients with COPD, but not in AATD patients, systemic inflammation is associated with QoL.
Abstract 784: PDK-1 is Required for Regulation of Cell Size, Beta-Adrenergic Response and Cell Survival in the Heart.
Authors: Kaoru Ito, Hiroshi Akazawa, Masaji Tamagawa, Norio Suda, Wataru Ogawa, Masato Kasuga, Haruaki Nakaya, Issei Komuro
Journal: Circulation (2006)

The 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1) is a ubiquitously expressed kinase that plays important roles in mediating a variety of effects of growth factors on cells. PDK-1 is in particular ...