tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Hard metal lung disease – Role of bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis
Authors: Rafael Futoshi Mizutani, Carolina Salim Gonçalves, Evelise Lima, Beatriz Dalcolmo de Almeida Leão, Elisa Maria Siqueira Lombardi, Mário Terra-Filho, Ubiratan de Paula Santos
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Introduction: Hard metal lung disease (HMD) is a rare disorder caused by exposure to cobalt and tungsten carbide. Its most typical histological pattern is giant cell interstitial pneumonia (GIP) and the diagnosis usually requires invasive procedures. Objectives: We describe the findings of five patients with HMD diagnosed by less invasive methods such as bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Methods: Five patients with HMD were attended at our hospital between 2010-2013. They were submitted to radiological imaging, bronchoscopy with BAL and lung biopsy. In two patients, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) was performed to detect metal in lung tissue. Results: The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 42.0 (±13.6) years old. The occupational exposure time was 11.4 (±7.9) years; all were male and had restrictive lung function pattern and reduced DLCO. The most common high-resolution CT presentation was ground-glass opacities. Four patients had GC in BAL cytological analysis; three had intra-alveolar GC in lung biopsy and one had histological pattern of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. The two patients in which EDX was performed had higher tungsten levels in lung tissue compared to a non-exposed patient, and one patient had elevated cobalt levels as well. After removal from exposure and treatment with prednisone all patients had partial radiological and functional improvement. Conclusion: All five patients had compatible occupational history and radiological findings for HMD and four of them had GC in BAL, which suggests that the use of BAL and transbronchial biopsy may be sufficient for diagnosis of HMD, thus avoiding the need of more invasive diagnostic approaches.
Sporotrichoid Mycobacterial Infection
Authors: Jessica Kim So, Taraneh Paravar
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine (2015)

A 25-year-old man with Crohn's disease that was well controlled with infliximab presented with a vesicular eruption that had affected his right great toe for 3 months. Ascending pink, painful nodules, which exuded yellow fluid, developed on his right leg.
Terbutaline Slow‐Release Tablets in Children with Asthma
Authors: S. Croner, M. Gustafsson, N.‐I. M. Kjellman, L. Säwedal
Journal: Allergy (1986)

The effects of 5 mg slow‐release terbutaline sulphate tablets (Bricanyl® Depot) given twice daily were compared with those of ordinary oral β‐agonist treatment given three times daily. The study was open, randomized and cross‐over and was carried out over 8 weeks in 18 children with bronchial asthma. Compared with ordinary medication, the slow‐release tablets obtained higher morning expiratory peak flow values and an improvement in the asthma symptoms during the night and during exercise ( P &gt; 0.05). No differences were found in side effects in spite of a higher total daily dose during the period with terbutaline slow‐release tablets. The slow‐release tablets were preferred by 15 of 18 children and their families when the effects, side effects and dosage were evaluated.
High urea levels predict long term mortality in patients hospitalised for acute exacerbation of COPD
Authors: R.T.M. Sprooten, E.R.A. Spruijt, D. Kotz, E.F.M. Wouters, G.G.U. Rohde
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Background: Mortality rates in hospitalised patients for an acute exacerbation of COPD (AE-COPD) are high, however predictors for long term outcomes like mortality are still not clear.  Objectives: To investigate 2-year mortality rates and identify potential predictors of mortality in a cohort of patients hospitalized for an acute exacerbation COPD.  Methods: A retrospective, observational cohort study involving all consecutive patients admitted between January 1, 2009 and August 1, 2011 for AE-COPD was performed. Potential risk factors were collected at presentation at the emergency room. The primary endpoint was mortality rate during 2 year follow-up. For statistical analysis we used univariate and multivariate analysis including time to event analysis (cox proportional hazard models).  Results: 374 patients were included in the study. Mean age was 70.4 year (SD 10.63), 50.3% were female and more than halve had severe COPD. 160 patients (42.7%) were previously admitted for AECOPD. The mean Charlson9s index was 1.43 (SD 1.57) in which cardiac and metabolic comorbidities were most frequent. The mortality rates for 30 days, 1 and 2 years were respectively: 6.4%, 25.4% and 37.2%. Using multivariate analysis independent predictors for 2-year mortality were: increasing age (CI-95%: 1.03-1.07), male gender (CI-95%: 1.15-2.43), use of Long term oxygen therapy (LTOT) (CI-95%: 2.01-2.43), urea 8.0 mmol/l (CI-95%: 1.00-2.01).  Conclusions: Increasing age, male gender, use of LTOT, high urea-levels were correlated with increased risk for 2-year mortality in patients hospitalised with AECOPD.
Oxidative stress parameters correlation with clinical and functional characteristics of COPD patients
Authors: Valentina Kapustina, Svetlana Ovcharenko
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background : Oxidative stress plays important role in the pathogenesis of COPD. We aimed to identify oxidative stress parameters significantly associated with clinical and functional characteristics of COPD patients.  Methods : 62 patients with stable COPD (36 males, mean age 66.8 ± 7.5 years, GOLD stage I-IV) were included. Demographic and clinical data, treatment options were collected. Pulmonary function testing (PFT), 6MWT and BODE index were measured. Oxidative stress assessment included reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by granulocytes in peripheral blood, malonyldialdehyde (MDA) level and antioxidant blood capacity measurement.  Results : Female sex was associated with significant greater antioxidant blood capacity (p  Conclusion : Increasing of COPD severity (symptoms, PFT, 6MWT, BODE index) is associated with lower antioxidant blood capacity and MDA level.
B7–1 Is Not Induced in Podocytes of Human and Experimental Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Elena Gagliardini, Rubina Novelli, Daniela Corna, Carlamaria Zoja, Barbara Ruggiero, Ariela Benigni, Giuseppe Remuzzi
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2015)

The incidence of progressive kidney disease associated with diabetes continues to rise worldwide. Current standard therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and/or angiotensin receptor blockers achieves only partial renoprotection, increasing the need for novel therapeutic approaches. Previous studies described B7-1 induction in podocytes of patients with proteinuria, including those with FSGS and type 2 diabetic nephropathy (DN). These findings sparked great excitement in the renal community, implying that abatacept, a costimulatory inhibitor that targets B7-1, could be a novel therapy for diabetic renal disease. Given previous concerns over the value of B7-1 immunostaining and the efficacy of abatacept in patients with recurrent FSGS after renal transplantation, we investigated B7-1 expression in human and experimental DN before embarking on clinical studies of the use of B7-1 targeting strategies to treat proteinuria in DN. Immunohistochemical analysis of kidney specimens using different antibodies revealed that B7-1 is not induced in podocytes of patients with DN, independent of disease stage, or BTBR ob/obmice, a model of type 2 diabetes. These results do not support the use of abatacept as a therapeutic strategy for targeting podocyte B7-1 for the prevention or treatment of DN.
Analysis of cell-based RNAi screens
Authors: Michael Boutros, Lígia P Brás, Wolfgang Huber
Journal: Genome biology (2006)

Abstract RNA interference (RNAi) screening is a powerful technology for functional characterization of biological pathways. Interpretation of RNAi screens requires computational and statistical analysis techniques. We describe a method that integrates all steps to generate a scored phenotype list from raw data. It is implemented in an open-source Bioconductor/R package, cellHTS ( http://www.dkfz.de/signaling/cellHTS ). The method is useful for the analysis and documentation of individual RNAi screens. Moreover, it is a prerequisite for the integration of multiple experiments.
Incidence and management of anastomotic complications after bronchial resection: A retrospective study
Authors: Olivier Bylicki, Bastien Orsini, Sophie Laroumagne, Thomas Vandemoortele, Xavier D'Journo, Pascal-Alexandre Thomas, Philippe Astoul, Herve Dutau
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background: Bronchial resection and re-implantation in the surgical management of lung cancer are intended to spare lung parenchyma, with curative intent. We studied the incidence and management ofanastomotic complications after such procedures.  Methods: We retrospectively reviewed charts of patients referred to our center for lung tumors, who underwent bronchial resection and re-implantation from 1991 to 2011,  Results: A total of 108 patients were included. Sixty eight percent were male, and mean age was 58 years. Sleeve lobectomies were performed in 100 patients, bronchial resections without lung parenchymal resection in 8 patients. Squamous cell carcinoma represented 46.3%, carcinoid tumors 22.2%, and adenocarcinomas 18.5%. Mean time between surgery and the first bronchoscopic examination was 4.47 days, with anastomotic abnormalities detected in 20.4%. Twenty three patients underwent therapeutic bronchoscopy for malacic or fibrotic bronchial stenoses in 9 cases, for dehiscences in 7, for obstructive granulomas in 3, and for bronchopleural fistulas in 3. Endoscopic treatment consisted in stent placement in 5 cases, mechanical dilations in 3, laser treatment for one case of bronchomalacia, and resection of granulomas in 3. No risk factors were identified as predisposing for bronchial complications. There was a trend towards lower 1-year survival in patients with bronchial complications compared to those without (71.9% vs. 83.4%, p=0.114).  Conclusion: Bronchial resection and re-implantation is a surgical procedure associated with an anastomotic complication rate of 21%. Regular endoscopic surveillance is advised in order to detect and treat early complications.
Diagnosing value of closed-pleural biopsy in pleural tuberculosis
Authors: Besma Hamdi, Chiraz Aichaouia, Samira Mhamdi, Zied Moetamri, Salsabil Daboussi, Sameh Farah, Mohsen Khadhraoui, Rzaieg Cheikh
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Introduction: Thoracoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis of pleural tuberculous (PTB). However, pleural biopsy (PB) is a blind technique of investigation of simple first intension designed to make the histological diagnosis.  to evaluate the contribution of PB in the histological diagnosis of PTB.  We study retrospectively 49 patients in whom PTB were diagnosed in our military department. PB was sent for culture and histopathological examination. Patients were excluded if they had positive basciloscopy.  Results: The mean age was 32 years (12 to 78). 81% were male. A past medical history of tuberculosis was found in 25% of cases. The most frequent symptoms are: chest pain, cough and constitutional symptoms. The TB effusions were all exudative with a mean lymphocyte fraction of 80%. PB was done in 89% of cases with a mild number of fragments was 4,5. Diagnosis was confirmed by closed-PB in 61,9% of cases, boxes from the first biopsy in 53.3% of cases. Thus the sensitivity of the PB is 53%. No complications of PB were noted. The thoracoscopy confirm the diagnosis in 24,4% of cases. 4,4% of cases was histologically non diagnostic. Pleurisy is isolated in 77.5% of cases associated with pericardial disease in 6.1% of cases. Histology found a tuberculous granuloma in 69% of cases with caseous necrosis in 50% of cases. Culture of pleural fragment was positive in 3 cases. In other cases the diagnosis is retained on elements of presumptions.  Conclusion: The profitability of PB depends on the extent of lesions and the experience of the operator. The PB is a minimally invasive and cost effective for the early diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis before considering more invasive examinations.
Analysis of exhaled breath with electronic nose and diagnosis of lung cancer by multifactorial logistic regression analysis
Authors: Maris Bukovskis, Gunta Strazda, Normunds Jurka, Uldis Kopeika, Ainis Pirtnieks, Liga Balode, Jevgenija Aprinceva, Inara Kantane, Immanuels Taivans
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2013)

Background  Exhaled breath of lung cancer patients contains specific pattern of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  Objective  The aim of our study was to test the potential of multifactorial logistic regression (MLRA) analysis in diagnosis of lung cancer.  Methods  Exhaled breath of morphologically verified lung cancer patients (cancer group) and mixed group of patients with COPD, asthma, pneumonia, bronchiectasis and healthy volunteers (no cancer group) was examined. Exhaled air was collected using standardized method and sampled by electronic nose (Cyranose 320). Optimal detector parameter combination and methematical model for discrimination of lung cancer was calculated by MLRA backward stepwise method. Sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the method in the training group of smokers and nonsmokers was calculated.  Results  Total 475 patients, out of them 252 lung cancer patients and 223 patients with different lung diseases and healthy volunteers, and 265 current nonsmokers and 210 smokers, were recruited in the study.  Conclusions  Finding of optimal detector parameter combination and division of patients in smokers and nonsmokers give very high lung cancer prediction accuracy with MLRA.  Acknowledgements  Study was sponsored by ERAF activity 2.1.1.1.0 Project Nb. 2010/0303/2DP/2.1.1.1.0/10/APIA/VIAA/043/
Abstract 4000: Biological basis of aggressive phenotype in African-American prostate cancer cell line
Authors: Bita Nickkholgh, Xiaolan Fang, Kenneth Gyabaah, K.C. Balaji
Journal: Cancer Research (2014)

Abstract Introduction: It is well established that African American men (AAM) with prostate cancer (PC) present more frequently with higher grade tumors compared to Caucasians. While the disparity is likely multifactorial, the biological basis is perhaps the strongest contender. Protein kinase D1 (PKD1) is a tumor and metastasis suppressor in PC. Down regulation of PKD1 was shown to increased cell proliferation, migration and metastasis in PC. Aim and experimental procedure: In order to address the fundamental question whether PC in AAM is inherently aggressive, we compared the proliferation, invasion and the expression of PKD1-centered signaling based 13-biomarker panel in primary and metastatic AAM cell lines (E006AA and MDApca2b) to benign (RWPE) and metastatic Caucasian cell lines (LNCaP and C4-2) using Western blot within different cell compartments. The results were further validated by RT-PCR and immunofluoroscent staining. Results: The proliferation, viability and invasion assays showed that E006AA cells proliferate and invade matrigel significantly more rapidly than metastatic LNCaP and MDAPca2b cells. The 13-biomarker panel analysis showed PKD1-centered dysregulaiton in AAM prostate cancer cell lines. Although E006AA is a primary PC cell line, PKD1 was down regulated similar to more aggressive C4-2 cells. Nuclear androgen receptor (AR), which shows active AR, was higher in LNCaP and MD2Pca2b; Vimentin showed higher expression in C4-2 and E006AA. Localization of E-Cadherin, N-Cadherin, T120 phosphorylated ß- Catenin, MMP-2 and S11 phosphorylated snail in MD2Pca2b was similar to LNCaP cells but different to C4-2 and E006AA. Conclusion: Our Data demonstrates that the dysregulaiton of PKD1-centered signaling occurs in primary AAM prostate cancer cell line E006AA is akin to other metastatic PC cell lines suggesting an inherently aggressive nature of PC in AAM. Acknowledgment: Authors would like to thank Dr. Shahriar Koochekpour (Roswell park institute, University at Buffalo,State University of NewYork) for his kind gift E006AA cell line. Citation Format: Bita Nickkholgh, Xiaolan Fang, Kenneth Gyabaah, K.C. Balaji. Biological basis of aggressive phenotype in African-American prostate cancer cell line. [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 4000. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4000
Potential contribution of precursor cells to vascular remodeling in the AdTGF-β1 model of lung fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Laszlo Farkas, Daniela Farkas, Donatas Kraskauskas, Jack Gauldie, Martin Kolb, Norbert Voelkel
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with increased mortality in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The interaction between the fibrotic process and the pulmonary vasculature is incompletely understood. There is evidence in human and experimental pulmonary fibrosis that precursor cells may play a role in fibrogenesis, and that precursor cells may also be important for vascular remodeling in chronic models of pulmonary hypertension (PH). But the contribution of precursor cells to vascular remodeling and PH in pulmonary fibrosis has not been investigated yet.

This study aimed to investigate the potential contribution of precursor cells to vascular remodeling in the AdTGF-β1 model of lung fibrosis and PH.

Female Sprague Dawley rats received AdTGF-β1 or AdDL70 and were sacrificed at different time points (7, 14 and 28 days). Immunofluorescence stainings were performed on 3 μm sections of the left lung after formalin fixation.

We detected cells expressing markers of endothelial progenitor cells (CD133/vWF, c-kit/vWF, CD133/VEGFR-2) in pulmonary arteries of AdTGF-β1 animals, mainly after 14 days. We also found cells expressing markers of fibrocytes (CXCR4/α-SMA, CXCR4/prolyl-4-hydroxylase, S100A4/CD34), around pulmonary arteries of AdTGF-β1 animals. In contrast, we did not find such cells in or around pulmonary arteries in AdDL70 treated animals.

In conclusion, our data support the concept that precursor cells may contribute to postapoptotic vascular repair and pulmonary artery muscularization in experimental lung fibrosis. The detailed mechanisms of precursor cell attraction and activation are currently under investigation.
Recurrent Aspergilloma of the Frontoethmoid Sinus in a Non-Immunocompromised Patient
Authors: Paul Tierney, Michael Thomas, Diaa Samuel, Kalpesh S Patel, Nicholas Stafford
Journal: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1996)

Management of invasive aspergillosis of the paranasal sinuses requires sufficient experience to initiate appropriate investigations and then utilize the correct treatment protocol. Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is essential to show the extent of the disease and diagnosis is confirmed by histological analysis. Aspergillus flavus is a ubiquitous soil saprophyte in the Sudan and is responsible for many cases originating from this area. The literature is reviewed and treatment options discussed.
Neoplasms in Female Fischer Rats Following Intraperitoneal Injection of Methylazoxymethanol&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN1"&gt;1&lt;/xref&gt;&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN3"&gt;3&lt;/xref&gt;
Authors: G. L. Laqueur, H. Matsumoto
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1966)

Repeated intraperitoneal injections of methylazoxymethanol, the aglycone of the glycoside cycasin, in female Fischer rats resulted in a variety of neoplasms principally of the liver, kidneys, and intestinal tract. The most frequently observed lesions in the liver were cystadenomas arising from the intrahepatic biliary system. Solid bile duct adenomas and liver cell adenomas were found only a few times. An unusually high incidence of duodenal carcinomas in addition to several colonic carcinomas and adenomatous polyps was noted. The duodenal carcinomas predominantly involved the second and third part but did not metastasize. Duodenal and colonic neoplasms occurred simultaneously in several animals. The tumors of the kidney were adenomas, interstitial tumors, one nephroblastoma, and one sarcoma. While they resembled in general the tumors seen previously after feeding crude cycad meal, cycasin, or the aglycone, smooth muscle elements, which formed leiomyomas of substantial size in several instances, had not been observed among the interstitial tumors. The possibility that they resulted from transformation of interstitial cells is discussed and suggested. Thus far, smooth muscle elements in these kidney tumors have been seen only in female rats, which suggests that hormonal factors may have played a contributory role.
Measurement of quadriceps strength in patients with COPD using a rig-supported handheld dynamometer
Authors: Wai Yee James, David Jolliffe, Kamrul Islam, Beverley Maclaughlin, Christopher Griffiths, Maxine Gibbon, Jonathan Fenn, Dylan Morrisey, Adrian Martineau
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background  Quadriceps strength (QS) predicts prognosis in COPD. Measurement using a non portable isokinetic dynamometer (ID) is the gold standard. Handheld dynamometers (HHD) are portable, but measurements of QS obtained using unsupported HHD may be affected by operator strength. We therefore constructed a portable rig that can be bolted to a chair to support a HHD, and evaluated its performance in measurement of QS in COPD patients.  Objectives  To determine whether use of a rig to support a HHD reduces inter-observer variability in QS measurement, and generates data which correlate with those obtained using an ID.  Methods  Two operators (A-male, BMI 25.5 kg/m2; B-female, BMI 19.3 kg/m2) measured QS using unsupported HHD (12 patients) and rig-supported HHD (15 patients); values obtained for each patient were compared between operators. QS was then measured in 30 patients using both rig-supported HHD and ID; values obtained for each patient were compared between methods.  Results  Measurements of QS obtained using unsupported HHD differed between operator A vs. B (mean QS 49.5 kg vs 35.3 kg respectively; 95% CI for difference 5.9 to 22.6, p=0.003). Inter-observer variation was eliminated by use of the portable rig to support the HHD (mean QS 32.1 kg vs. 32.1 kg for operators A vs. B respectively; 95% CI for difference -1.4 to 1.5, p=0.96). Measures of QS using rig-supported HHD vs. ID were highly correlated (r = 0.92; 95% CI 0.76 to 0.97, p  Conclusions  Use of a portable rig to support a HHD in the measurement of QS in COPD patients eliminates observer effects, and generates values which correlate highly with those obtained using the gold standard methodology.
Abstract 18535: Radiation Safety Protocol Using Real-Time Dose Reporting Reduces Patient Exposure in Pediatric Electrophysiology Procedures
Authors: Akash R Patel, Jamie Ganley, Xiaowei Zhu, Jonathan J Rome, Maully Shah, Andrew C Glatz
Journal: Circulation (2010)

Introduction: Radiation exposure during pediatric cardiac catheterization procedures can be significant. Limited data exist on exposure during pediatric electrophysiology studies and catheter ablat...