tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Do psychological factors predict outcome in both low-back pain and shoulder pain?
Authors: D. A W M van der Windt, T. Kuijpers, P. Jellema, G. J M G van der Heijden, L. M Bouter
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2006)

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Psychological factors are assumed to predict persistent or recurrent musculoskeletal pain. The influence of psychological factors in patients with low-back pain (LBP) or shoulder pain was explored to study whether there is similarity regarding the factors that predict persisting pain and disability. <b>Methods:</b> Patients presenting in primary care with a new episode of shoulder pain or non-specific (sub)acute low back pain (LBP) were enrolled in a prospective study. In both patient groups, pain catastrophising, distress, somatisation and fear-avoidance beliefs were measured at baseline. Primary outcome measures at 3 months were (1) persistent symptoms, and (2) &lt;30% reduction in functional disability. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to study the associations between psychological factors and outcome. <b>Results:</b> A total of 587 patients with shoulder pain and 171 patients with LBP were enrolled in the study. In patients with shoulder pain, most associations of psychological factors with outcome were weak and not significant. Only in patients with longer symptom duration at baseline (⩾3 months) were higher scores on catastrophising significantly associated with persistent symptoms (p = 0.04). In patients with LBP, psychological factors were more strongly associated with poor outcome, although most associations were not significant. <b>Conclusion:</b> Psychological factors, with the exception of fear-avoidance beliefs, are more strongly associated with persistent pain and disability in patients with LBP than in those with shoulder pain. This seems to indicate that in a primary care population the influence of psychological factors on outcome may vary across patients with different types of pain.
Antiphospholipase A2 Receptor Antibody Titer and Subclass in Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy
Authors: Julia M. Hofstra, Hanna Debiec, Colin D. Short, Timotheé Pellé, Robert Kleta, Peter W. Mathieson, Pierre Ronco, Paul E. Brenchley, Jack F. Wetzels
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2012)

The phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) is the major target antigen in idiopathic membranous nephropathy. The technique for measuring antibodies against PLA2R and the relationship between antibody titer and clinical characteristics are not well established. Here, we measured anti-PLA2R (aPLA2R) antibody titer and subclass in a well defined cohort of 117 Caucasian patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy and nephrotic-range proteinuria using both indirect immunofluorescence testing (IIFT) and ELISA. We assessed agreement between tests and correlated antibody titer with clinical baseline parameters and outcome. In this cohort, aPLA2R antibodies were positive in 74% and 72% of patients using IIFT and ELISA, respectively. Concordance between both tests was excellent (94% agreement, κ=0.85). Among 82 aPLA2R-positive patients, antibody titer significantly correlated with baseline proteinuria (P=0.02). Spontaneous remissions occurred significantly less frequently among patients with high antibody titers (38% versus 4% in the lowest and highest tertiles, respectively; P<0.01). IgG4 was the dominant subclass in the majority of patients. Titers of IgG4, but not IgG1 or IgG3, significantly correlated with the occurrence of spontaneous remission (P=0.03). In summary, these data show high agreement between IIFT and ELISA assessments of aPLA2R antibody titer and highlight the pathogenetic role of these antibodies, especially the IgG4 subclass, given the observed relationships between aPLA2R titer, baseline proteinuria, and outcome.
Artificial Sweeteners Have No Effect on Gastric Emptying, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1, or Glycemia After Oral Glucose in Healthy Humans
Authors: Tongzhi Wu, Michelle J. Bound, Scott D. Standfield, Max Bellon, Richard L. Young, Karen L. Jones, Michael Horowitz, Christopher K. Rayner
Journal: Diabetes Care (2013)

Intestinal exposure to glucose stimulates the release of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), slows subsequent gastric emptying, and reduces appetite. These responses are signaled, at least in part, by intestinal “sweet taste receptors” (STRs), including taste receptor type 1 members 2 and 3 (T1R2, T1R3), and their cellular signaling partners α-gustducin and transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 5 (TRPM5) (1). A recent study by Brown et al. (2) in healthy humans reported that oral ingestion of “diet soda,” containing both sucralose (46 mg) and acesulfame potassium (AceK) (26 mg), augmented GLP-1 release by more than one-third after an oral glucose load given 10 min later compared with carbonated water, suggesting a potential synergy between artificial sweeteners and glucose in stimulating GLP-1 secretion. The design of that study was, however, suboptimal, as the diet soda contained a number of substances (including caramel color, gum acacia, natural flavors, citric acid, potassium benzoate, phosphoric acid, and potassium citrate) that were not controlled for. Therefore, we evaluated whether oral administration of sucralose and AceK in doses comparable with those used by Brown et al. (2) would augment the GLP-1 response to oral glucose and modulate gastric emptying or glycemia …
Topical corticosteroid phobia in atopic dermatitis: a study of its nature, origins and frequency
Authors: H. Aubert‐Wastiaux, L. Moret, A. Le Rhun, A.M. Fontenoy, J.M. Nguyen, C. Leux, L. Misery, P. Young, M. Chastaing, N. Danou, P. Lombrail, F. Boralevi, J.P. Lacour, J. Mazereeuw‐Hautier, J.‐F. Stalder, S. Barbarot
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2011)

Topical corticosteroids remain the mainstay of atopic dermatitis therapy. Many atopic dermatitis therapeutic failures appear to be attributable to poor adherence to treatment due to topical corticosteroid phobia.To assess the facets, origins and frequency of fear of topical corticosteroid use among patients with atopic dermatitis.A questionnaire comprising 69 items, generated from information gathered during interviews with 21 patients and 15 health professionals, was given to consecutive patients consulting at the outpatient dermatology departments of five regional university hospitals or with 53 dermatologists in private practice.A total of 208 questionnaires were analysed (including 144 from parents and 87 from adult patients, 27 of whom were also parents); 80·7% of the respondents reported having fears about topical corticosteroids and 36% admitted nonadherence to treatment. A correlation was found between topical corticosteroid phobia and the need for reassurance, the belief that topical corticosteroids pass through the skin into the bloodstream, a prior adverse event, inconsistent information about the quantity of cream to apply, a desire to self-treat for the shortest time possible or poor treatment adherence. Topical corticosteroid phobia was not correlated with atopic dermatitis severity.Topical corticosteroid phobia is a genuine and complex phenomenon, common among French patients with atopic dermatitis, that has an important impact on treatment compliance.
Rheumatoid arthritis patients show a decline in peripheral blood CD4+CD161+ T lymphocytes
Authors: P. Chalan, W. Abdulahad, M. G. Huitema, B. J. Kroesen, E. Brouwer, A. M. H. Boots
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2011)

<h3>Background and objectives</h3> Ample evidence suggests a role for T lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). CD161, a prototypic NK receptor was shown to confer tissue migratory properties to T cells and may thus contribute to tissue pathology. The role of CD161+ T cells in recently diagnosed RA has not been investigated yet. Our first objective was to provide clues on T cell subset(s) involved in RA pathology by analysing frequencies of circulating T lymphocytes with naïve, central memory (CM), effector memory (EM), terminally differentiated (TD) phenotype and by assessing CD161 expression. Secondly, we assessed whether T cell subset changes correlated with disease activity. Thirdly, we investigated the influence of methotrexate (MTX) treatment on T cell subsets. <h3>Materials and methods</h3> Fresh EDTA blood from recently diagnosed, non-treated RA patients (n=21) and from age-/sex-matched healthy controls (HC, n=17) was stained with fluorochrome-conjugated anti-CD4, CD8, CD45RO, CCR7, CD161 antibodies and analysed using flowcytometry (FACSCalibur). Thirteen patients had a second measurement 14 weeks after start of methotrexate treatment. DAS28, ESR, CRP, measures of disease activity, were assessed at baseline (before treatment), and at 14 weeks (after treatment). <h3>Results</h3> RA patients (at baseline) and HC showed similar frequencies of circulating T<sub>Naive</sub>, T<sub>CM</sub>, T<sub>EM</sub>, T<sub>TD</sub> cells, within both the CD4+ and CD8+ peripheral compartments. Of note, the frequency of CD161+ T cells in CD4+, but not CD8+ T cells was significantly decreased in RA (p=0.017). Moreover, the level of CD161 expression (MFI) on CD4+ T cells was significantly reduced (p=0.005). The percentage and the absolute number of circulating CD4+CD161+ T cells were found to be inversely correlated with DAS28 (−0.66, p=0.007 and −0.54, p=0.038, respectively). MTX treatment tended to increase the frequency of CD4+CD161+ T lymphocytes when compared to baseline. <h3>Conclusions</h3> The relative proportions of circulating naïve, memory and terminally differentiated T lymphocytes do not differ between RA patients and healthy controls. The decline in the number of circulating CD4+CD161+ T lymphocytes and its inverse correlation with disease activity may suggest that these cells have migrated to the joints. Furthermore, the relative increase of CD4+CD161+ T cells following MTX treatment suggests that CD4+CD161+ T cell subset might qualify as a biomarker of disease activity in RA.
Mesangial Cell-Binding Anti-DNA Antibodies in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Tak-Mao Chan, Jack Kok-Hung Leung, Stephen Kar-Nung Ho, Susan Yung
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2002)

ABSTRACT. The mechanisms by which anti-DNA antibodies contribute to the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN) remain to be elucidated. This study investigates the binding of polyclonal anti-DNA immunoglobulins from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) to human mesangial cells (HMC) in vitro . Testing of cross-sectional serum samples from 280 LN patients (108 during active disease; 172 during remission), 35 SLE patients without renal involvement, 72 patients with non-lupus primary glomerular diseases, and 37 healthy subjects with a cellular enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed significant IgG mesangial cell-binding activity in patients with SLE, particularly those with active LN ( P &lt; 0.0001). Significant HMC-binding activity was demonstrated in 83.9%, 42.8%, and 47.1% of patients with active LN, inactive LN, and non-renal SLE, respectively. This was predominantly attributed to binding by anti-DNA antibodies, and immune complex binding accounted for 4.6%, 3.5%, and 2.8% of seropositive samples in the respective groups. Longitudinal studies in 27 LN patients demonstrated correlation between serial levels of anti-DNA antibodies, serum HMC-binding activity, and disease activity in 18 patients (66.7%). Affinity-purified polyclonal IgG anti-DNA antibodies from sera with HMC-binding activity showed significant binding to cultured HMC, and to a lesser extent glomerular and proximal tubular epithelial cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells, but not tumor cell lines, peritoneal mesothelial cells, bronchial epithelial cells, or fibroblasts. The binding of anti-DNA antibodies to HMC was increased 1.47-fold ( P = 0.0059) after the removal of Ig-associated DNA by DNase treatment, but it was unaffected by DNase treatment of HMC membrane. Controlled trypsinization of membrane proteins in HMC resulted in a 1.26-fold ( P = 0.0025) increase in their binding by anti-DNA antibodies. In conclusion, subsets of anti-DNA antibodies from patients with SLE are capable of binding to HMC. The association of such binding with renal involvement and disease activity and its modulation by DNA concentration suggest that Ig binding to HMC can be a potential marker for disease activity in selected patients and that the binding of anti-DNA antibodies to HMC may be a pathogenetic mechanism in LN.
Is the Pooled Analysis of the North Central Cancer Treatment Group Phase III Trials N9741 and N9841 Biased?
Authors: Mario Mandalà, Federica Grosso
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2012)

all follow-up care be transitioned to another team, leaving medical oncology only with the most acute and ill patients.Certainly, as the risk of breast cancer recurrence stretches over decades rather than years, for many patients, including those with complex or higher risk disease, maintenance of care with medical oncology is necessary.However, for the thousands of low-risk cancer survivors, transition to a nonmedical oncology setting is appropriate and safe.We would note that the odds ratios for the belief that medical oncologist follow-up relative to PCP follow-up decreases breast cancer worry and increases the chances of survival are 2.21 (95% CI, 1.62 to 3.03) and 2.38 (95% CI, 1.73 to 3.28), respectively.The numbers quoted by Warner 1 reflect the odds of a patient ranking medical oncologist before PCP when asked to rank providers' ability to achieve the above goals.In addition, we would highlight that in our study, the majority of patients considered NP/PCP follow-up visits capable of decreasing worry and increasing chance of survival, while contributing less stress around the visit.Furthermore, the vast majority of patients surveyed recognized the importance of PCPs in screening for other cancers and providing general medical care.We agree with Warner 1 that the survivor population is characterized by fear of recurrence, and addressing patient anxiety comprises a significant aspect of survivor care for all providers.However, as described above, patient responses in our study do support an element of satisfaction with seeing an NP or PCP for follow-up care.In addition, patient belief in superior outcomes with medical oncologists is not supported by published evidence.Observing any patient-reported anxiety regarding these care models highlights the need for increased education and encouragement as a patient transitions over time within her care team.Greater patient satisfaction may be achieved as a survivor finds shorter wait times, greater time for psychosocial support, and increased attention to routine health maintenance within a survivorship clinic.Ultimately, achieving optimal survivor care will require early education for survivors about the safety of transitions in follow-up care, personalized decision making about timing of change, and continuous reassurance regarding the use of a team approach.
Validation of a Colorectal Cancer Risk Prediction Model Among White Patients Age 50 Years and Older
Authors: Yikyung Park, Andrew Nathan Freedman, Mitchell H. Gail, David Pee, Albert Hollenbeck, Arthur Schatzkin, Ruth M. Pfeiffer
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2008)

Validation of an absolute risk prediction model for colorectal cancer (CRC) by using a large, population-based cohort.The National Institutes of Health (NIH) -American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) diet and health study, a prospective cohort study, was used to validate the model. Men and women age 50 to 71 years at baseline answered self-administered questionnaires that asked about demographic characteristics, diet, lifestyle, and medical histories. We compared expected numbers of CRC patient cases predicted by the model to the observed numbers of CRC patient cases identified in the NIH-AARP study overall and in subgroups defined by risk factor combinations. The discriminatory power was measured by the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC).During an average of 6.9 years of follow-up, we identified 2,092 and 832 incident CRC patient cases in men and women, respectively. The overall expected/observed ratio was 0.99 (95% CI, 0.95 to 1.04) in men and 1.05 (95% CI, 0.98 to 1.11) in women. Agreement between the expected and the observed number of cases was good in most risk factor categories, except for in subgroups defined by CRC screening and polyp history. This discrepancy may be caused by differences in the question on screening and polyp history between two studies. The AUC was 0.61 (95% CI, 0.60 to 0.62) for men and 0.61 (95% CI, 0.59 to 0.62) for women, which was similar to other risk prediction models.The absolute risk model for CRC was well calibrated in a large prospective cohort study. This prediction model, which estimates an individual's risk of CRC given age and risk factors, may be a useful tool for physicians, researchers, and policy makers.
A Mathematical Model for the Estimation of Heart Volumes from Indicator Dilution Curves
Authors: LOUIS D. HOMER, HANS P. KRAYENBUEHL
Journal: Circulation Research (1967)

The estimation of ventricular volumes by indicator dilution methods is subject to errors resulting from incomplete mixing and nonuniform sampling. A mathematical model is proposed which theoretically permits calculation of these errors. The model allows for nonuniform distribution of indicator in the ventricle and for nonuniform representation of the end-diastolic volume (EDV) in the systolic ejectate. It is assumed that the concentration of indicator and the flow at a given cross section of the aorta are uniform but not necessarily the same at a different cross section, or at different times during the cardiac cycle. In respect to the validity of the popular formula, EDV = SV/l-K ( K = average residual fraction), it was shown that the conditions traditionally believed to be satisfying for accurate measurements of EDV are neither sufficient nor necessary. Less restrictive alternative conditions sufficient for accurate measurements are proposed.
Safety and Viability of Microencapsulated Human Islets Transplanted Into Diabetic Humans
Authors: Bernard E. Tuch, Gregory W. Keogh, Lindy J. Williams, Wei Wu, Jayne L. Foster, Vijayganapathy Vaithilingam, Robert Philips
Journal: Diabetes Care (2009)

Transplantation of insulin-producing cells placed inside microcapsules is being trialled to overcome the need for immunosuppressive therapy.Four type 1 diabetic patients with no detectable C-peptide received an intraperitoneal infusion of islets inside microcapsules of barium alginate (mean 178,200 islet equivalents on each of eight occasions).C-peptide was detected on day 1 post-transplantation, and blood glucose levels and insulin requirements decreased. C-peptide was undetectable by 1-4 weeks. In a multi-islet recipient, C-peptide was detected at 6 weeks after the third infusion and remains detectable at 2.5 years. Neither insulin requirements nor glycemic control was affected. Capsules recovered at 16 months were surrounded by fibrous tissue and contained necrotic islets. No major side effects or infection occurred.While allografting of encapsulated human islets is safe, efficacy of the cells needs to improve for the therapy to make an impact on the clinical scene.
Serum neurotrophin-3 and neurotrophin-4 levels are associated with asthma severity in children
Authors: A. Szczepankiewicz, M. Rachel, P. Sobkowiak, Z. Kycler, I. Wojsyk-Banaszak, N. Schöneich, M. Skibinska, A. Bręborowicz
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Serum neurotrophin-3 and neurotrophin-4 levels are associated with asthma severity in childrenTo the Editors: Asthma is the most common chronic disease in childhood and is characterised by chronic airway inflammation, reversible airflow obstruction and hyperresponsiveness of the airways.Among the substantial pathophysiological aspects of asthma are neuroimmune interaction mechanisms; neurotrophins are mediators of the interactions providing links between immune, structural and neuronal cells.
Gemcitabine Plus Bevacizumab Compared With Gemcitabine Plus Placebo in Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: Phase III Trial of the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB 80303)
Authors: Hedy Lee Kindler, Donna Niedzwiecki, Donna Hollis, Susan Sutherland, Deborah Schrag, Herbert Hurwitz, Federico Innocenti, Mary Frances Mulcahy, Eileen O'Reilly, Timothy F. Wozniak, Joel Picus, Pankaj Bhargava, Robert J. Mayer, Richard L. Schilsky, Richard M. Goldberg
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2010)

The combination of gemcitabine plus bevacizumab produced a 21% response rate and a median survival of 8.8 months in a multicenter phase II trial in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. These encouraging data led Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) to conduct a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized phase III trial of gemcitabine/bevacizumab versus gemcitabine/placebo in advanced pancreatic cancer patients.
Ki-67 Correlates With In Vivo Bromodeoxyuridine Labeling Index in Operable Breast Cancer
Authors: William H. Goodson, Dan H. Moore, Frederick M. Waldman
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2006)

In their review of Ki-67 and breast cancer, Urruticoechea, Smith, and Dowsett 1 are correct that in vivo labeling of S-phase breast cancer cells with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) is "laborious" and that proliferation rate measured with in vivo labeling of S-phase tumor cells with BrdU is a useful "gold standard."However, four of the five references they list report in vitro, not in vivo labeling with BrdU, 2-5 and the fifth reference does not include BrdU at all. 6 There has been one published comparison of in vivo BrdU and Ki-67 in breast cancer.This study found a high correlation between Ki-67 and in vivo labeling of S-phase cells with BrdU. 7 Both of these indices of proliferation indicated risk of recurrence in the first 5 years that was comparable to, and not statistically different from, prognostic information based on node status. 8 This study with in vivo BrdU is unlikely to be repeated because (1) in vivo BrdU cannot be recommended for widespread clinical use and (2) Ki-67 has emerged as a readily obtained marker of proliferation that correlates highly with both in vivo and in vitro labeling of S-phase tumor cells with BrdU.
Mechanism of bronchoprotective effects of a novel natriuretic hormone peptide☆
Authors: Gary Hellermann, Xiaoyuan Kong, Jóhanna Gunnarsdóttir, Homero San Juan, Raji Singam, Sumita Behera, Weidong Zhang, Richard F Lockey, Shyam S Mohapatra
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2004)
A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of pseudocatalase cream and narrowband ultraviolet B in the treatment of vitiligo
Authors: S. Bakis-Petsoglou, J.L. Le Guay, R. Wittal
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2009)

Background Pseudocatalase cream in conjunction with narrowband ultraviolet B (NB‐UVB) has previously been reported to result in repigmentation of vitiliginous skin. Objectives The purpose of this 24‐week, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized, single‐centre trial was to assess the efficacy of pseudocatalase cream and NB‐UVB vs. placebo and NB‐UVB for the treatment of vitiligo. Methods Patients with active vitiligo on their face and/or hands applied either pseudocatalase cream or placebo to their whole body, twice daily for 24 weeks. NB‐UVB therapy was administered three times a week for the duration of the trial. Efficacy was assessed primarily by digital image analysis of photographs. Results Thirty‐two patients were randomized to either the pseudocatalase arm (n =14) or placebo (n =18). Between‐group analysis did not show a statistically significant improvement in percentage area affected in the pseudocatalase cream group when compared with placebo. However, a statistically significant improvement was found within each group by week 12, which was maintained throughout the study. Conclusions NB‐UVB treatment is a moderately effective treatment for vitiligo. Pseudocatalase cream does not appear to add any incremental benefit to NB‐UVB alone.