tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Mature CD11c<sup>+</sup>cells are enhanced in hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Authors: M. Girard, E. Israël-Assayag, Y. Cormier
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2009)

The present study verified the hypothesis that enhanced maturation of antigen-presenting CD11c + cells could explain the viral-induced exacerbated immune response to Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula (SR), the main antigen responsible for farmer’s lung, a classic form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). Four groups of mice were studied: group 1 received intranasal instillations of saline; group 2 received instillations of SR for 12 weeks; group 3 received instillations of saline and a single infection with Sendai virus on week 3; and group 4 received instillations of SR for 12 weeks with a single administration of Sendai virus on week 3. On week 13, mice were sacrificed and bronchoalveolar lavage was performed. Lungs were harvested, digested with enzymes, and CD11c + cells were analysed in flow cytometry with anti-CD11c, anti-CD86 and anti-major histocompatibility complex class II markers. Immunofluorescence studies were also performed with the same cell surface markers. Both flow cytometry and immunofluorescence results demonstrate that mature CD11c + cells are significantly enhanced in SR-challenged mice simultaneously infected with Sendai virus, compared with other groups. These CD11c + cells persist in the lung for 9 weeks after the virus infection. Maturation of CD11c + cells could explain, at least in part, the virus-induced increased immune response to SR antigens in this model of HP, but mechanisms have still to be elucidated.
Cervical Rib and Subclavian Thrombosis
Authors: L. A. Richardson
Journal: BMJ (1966)

<h3>OBJECTIVE</h3> To investigate whether QT dispersion is a reliable index of the severity of aortic stenosis and left ventricular hypertrophy in the setting of aortic stenosis. <h3>DESIGN</h3> A retrospective analysis of the results of echocardiography and electrocardiography before and after aortic valve replacement. <h3>SETTING</h3> Tertiary centre. <h3>PATIENTS</h3> 36 men (30 white and six black) with symptomatic aortic stenosis requiring valve replacement. <h3>RESULTS</h3> All patients had significant aortic stenosis (mean (SD) aortic valve area 0.68 (0.18) cm<sup>2</sup>) and evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy (left ventricular mass index (LVMI): 267 (90) g/m<sup>2</sup>). Before aortic valve replacement, QT dispersion was correlated with mean aortic valve area and LVMI (<i>r</i> = 0.697, p &lt; 0.001, and <i>r</i> = 0.59, p &lt; 2.4 × 10<sup>−6</sup>, respectively). QT dispersion and QT corrected for heart rate dispersion decreased from 133 (54) to 71 (33) ms and from 151 (64) to 94 (76) ms, respectively (p &lt; 0.001 for both). LVMI regressed after aortic valve replacement to 190 (79) g/m<sup>2</sup>, p &lt; 0.01. <h3>CONCLUSIONS</h3> QT dispersion is increased in association with LVMI in patients with significant symptomatic aortic stenosis. Aortic valve replacement reduces QT dispersion and LVMI. QT dispersion could be a useful indicator of risk and risk reduction in patients with significant symptomatic aortic stenosis.
Experimental models for the study of neurodegeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Luis B Tovar-y-Romo, Luz Diana Santa-Cruz, Ricardo Tapia
Journal: Molecular Neurodegeneration (2009)

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease of unknown cause, characterized by the selective and progressive death of both upper and lower motoneurons, leading to a progressive paralysis. Experimental animal models of the disease may provide knowledge of the pathophysiological mechanisms and allow the design and testing of therapeutic strategies, provided that they mimic as close as possible the symptoms and temporal progression of the human disease. The principal hypotheses proposed to explain the mechanisms of motoneuron degeneration have been studied mostly in models in vitro, such as primary cultures of fetal motoneurons, organotypic cultures of spinal cord sections from postnatal rodents and the motoneuron-like hybridoma cell line NSC-34. However, these models are flawed in the sense that they do not allow a direct correlation between motoneuron death and its physical consequences like paralysis. In vivo, the most widely used model is the transgenic mouse that bears a human mutant superoxide dismutase 1, the only known cause of ALS. The major disadvantage of this model is that it represents about 2%-3% of human ALS. In addition, there is a growing concern on the accuracy of these transgenic models and the extrapolations of the findings made in these animals to the clinics. Models of spontaneous motoneuron disease, like the wobbler and pmn mice, have been used aiming to understand the basic cellular mechanisms of motoneuron diseases, but these abnormalities are probably different from those occurring in ALS. Therefore, the design and testing of in vivo models of sporadic ALS, which accounts for >90% of the disease, is necessary. The main models of this type are based on the excitotoxic death of spinal motoneurons and might be useful even when there is no definitive demonstration that excitotoxicity is a cause of human ALS. Despite their difficulties, these models offer the best possibility to establish valid correlations between cellular alterations and motor behavior, although improvements are still necessary in order to produce a reliable and integrative model that accurately reproduces the cellular mechanisms of motoneuron degeneration in ALS.
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in systemic sclerosis: a cross-sectional observational study of 52 patients
Authors: A-L Hachulla, D Launay, V Gaxotte, P de Groote, N Lamblin, P Devos, P-Y Hatron, J-P Beregi, E Hachulla
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2008)

To assess the prevalence and patterns of cardiac abnormalities as detected by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in systemic sclerosis (SSc).Fifty-two consecutive patients with SSc underwent cardiac MRI to determine morphological, functional, perfusion at rest and delayed enhancement abnormalities.At least one abnormality on cardiac MRI was observed in 39/52 patients (75%). Increased myocardial signal intensity in T2 was observed in 6 patients (12%), thinning of left ventricle (LV) myocardium in 15 patients (29%) and pericardial effusion in 10 patients (19%). LV and right ventricle (RV) ejection fractions were altered in 12 patients (23%) and 11 patients (21%), respectively. LV diastolic dysfunction was found in 15/43 patients (35%). LV kinetic abnormalities were found in 16/52 patients (31%) and myocardial delayed contrast enhancement was detected in 11/52 patients (21%). No perfusion defects at rest were found. Patients with limited SSc had similar MRI abnormalities to patients with diffuse SSc. Seven of 40 patients (17%) without pulmonary arterial hypertension had RV dilatation.This study shows that MRI is a reliable and sensitive technique for diagnosing heart involvement in SSc and for analysing its mechanisms, including its inflammatory, microvascular and fibrotic components. Compared with echocardiography, MRI appears to provide additional information by visualising myocardial fibrosis and inflammation. RV dilatation appeared to be non-specific for pulmonary arterial hypertension but could also reflect myocardial involvement related to SSc. Further studies are needed to determine whether cardiac MRI abnormalities have an impact on the prognosis and treatment strategy.
Electrophysiological effects of acute ventricular dilatation in the isolated rabbit heart.
Authors: M J Reiter, D P Synhorst, D E Mann
Journal: Circulation Research (1988)

We examined the effects of left ventricular dilatation on epicardial pacing threshold, conduction velocity, and effective refractory period (ERP) in the isolated, retrograde perfused rabbit heart. Left ventricular size was modified by acutely changing the volume of a fluid-filled balloon anchored within the vented left ventricle. Increases in left ventricular volume, associated with increases in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure from 0 +/- 1 to 35 +/- 2 mm Hg, were not associated with significant changes in pacing threshold or conduction velocity. The left ventricular ERP decreased significantly with an added volume of 1.5 ml (91.4 +/- 5.5 msec) compared with starting volume (117.7 +/- 3.8 msec, p less than 0.01). Right ventricular ERP did not change significantly with increases in left ventricular volume. The left and right ventricular ERPs were comparable at starting volume (117.7 +/- 3.8 and 117.6 +/- 3.5 msec, respectively; p = NS) but were significantly different with an added volume of 1.5 ml (91.4 +/- 5.5 and 112 +/- 5.6 msec, p less than 0.05). These changes were independent of coronary perfusion pressure and paced cycle length, suggesting that ischemia is an unlikely explanation for the observed effects. Changes in left ventricular volume decreased left ventricular ERP in a regionally heterogeneous manner, increasing the temporal dispersion of recovery over the left ventricle nearly twofold. Induced ventricular arrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation) were significantly more frequent at high (35%) than at low (3%) volumes during left ventricular pacing. We conclude that ventricular dilatation is associated with increased dispersion of refractoriness in this model, a finding that correlates with propensity for reentrant arrhythmias.
Rapid diagnosis of an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
Authors: J H Winter, A C McCartney, R J Fallon, A B Telfer, J K Drury, I J Reece, M C Timbury
Journal: Thorax (1987)

In the last three months of 1985 there was an outbreak of legionnaires' disease at Glasgow Royal Infirmary affecting 15 patients and one surgeon; five patients died. Legionnaires' disease was first suspected when a second case of severe nosocomial pneumonia occurred in a high dependency unit. The application of the direct fluorescent antibody test to specimens obtained at bronchoscopy was responsible for the rapid diagnosis of legionnaires' disease, which led to the prescription of appropriate antibiotic treatment and the shutting down of the contaminated cooling tower, thereby containing the outbreak. It also led to a search for further cases. It is suggested that these diagnostic techniques should be included in the investigation of affected patients in an outbreak of pneumonia.
Positron emission tomography for assessment of the response to induction radiochemotherapy in locally advanced oesophageal cancer
Authors: P. Flamen, E. Van Cutsem, A. Lerut, J.-P. Cambier, K. Haustermans, G. Bormans, P. De Leyn, D. Van Raemdonck, W. De Wever, N. Ectors, A. Maes, L. Mortelmans
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2002)
Modification by Influenza on Health Effects of Air Pollution in Hong Kong
Authors: Chit Ming Wong, Lin Yang, Thuan Quoc Thach, Patsy Yuen Kwan Chau, King Pan Chan, G. Neil Thomas, Tai Hing Lam, Tze Wai Wong, Anthony J. Hedley, J.S. Malik Peiris
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2008)

Both influenza viruses and air pollutants have been well documented as major hazards to human health, but few epidemiologic studies have assessed effect modification of influenza on health effects of ambient air pollutants.We aimed to assess modifying effects of influenza on health effects of ambient air pollutants.We applied Poisson regression to daily numbers of hospitalizations and mortality to develop core models after adjustment for potential time-varying confounding variables. We assessed modification of influenza by adding variables for concentrations of single ambient air pollutants and proportions of influenza-positive specimens (influenza intensity) and their cross-product terms.We found significant effect modification of influenza (p < 0.05) for effects of ozone. When influenza intensity is assumed to increase from 0% to 10%, the excess risks per 10-microg/m(3) increase in concentration of O(3) increased 0.24% and 0.40% for hospitalization of respiratory disease in the all-ages group and >or= 65 year age group, respectively; 0.46% for hospitalization of acute respiratory disease in the all-ages group; and 0.40% for hospitalization of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the >or= 65 group. The estimated increases in the excess risks for mortality of respiratory disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the all-ages group were 0.59% and 1.05%, respectively. We found no significant modification of influenza on effects of other pollutants in most disease outcomes under study.Influenza activity could be an effect modifier for the health effects of air pollutants particularly for O(3) and should be considered in the studies for short-term effects of air pollutants on health.
Short- and long-term clinical benefit of sirolimus-eluting stents compared to conventional bare stents for patients with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Pedro A Lemos, Francesco Saia, Sjoerd H Hofma, Joost Daemen, Andrew T.L Ong, Chourmouzios A Arampatzis, Angela Hoye, Eugene McFadden, Georgios Sianos, Pieter C Smits, Willem J van der Giessen, Pim de Feyter, Ron T van Domburg, Patrick W Serruys
Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2004)
Biological Evidence for Dual Antiangiogenic-Antiaromatase Activity of the VEGFR Inhibitor PTK787/ZK222584<i>In vivo</i>
Authors: Susana Banerjee, Roger A'Hern, Simone Detre, Amanda J. Littlewood-Evans, Dean B. Evans, Mitchell Dowsett, Lesley-Ann Martin
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2010)

Abstract Purpose: Targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and estrogen receptor signaling pathways concomitantly may enhance benefit in estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer. We had shown previously that the VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor PTK787/ZK222584 (PTK/ZK) is a competitive aromatase inhibitor in vitro. Here we investigated (a) whether PTK/ZK shows both antiangiogenic and antiaromatase inhibitory properties in vivo, and (b) whether the combination of PTK/ZK and letrozole is superior to letrozole alone. Experimental Design: Estrogen-dependent human breast cancer cells engineered to express aromatase (MCF7 AROM 1 and BT474 AROM) were used. Mice were treated with vehicle, PTK/ZK (25, 50, or 100 mg/kg), letrozole, or PTK/ZK in combination with letrozole. Results: In MCF7 AROM 1 tumors, all treatments induced growth suppression and were associated with a reduction in cell turnover index, a composite measurement of both proliferation and apoptosis. PTK/ZK significantly reduced vessel density. Whereas letrozole caused tumor regression, PTK/ZK stabilized tumor volumes. The growth suppressive and antiangiogenic effects of PTK/ZK were confirmed in BT474 AROM xenografts. The addition of PTK/ZK did not enhance the growth-suppressive effects of letrozole. However, PTK/ZK decreased progesterone receptor (PgR) and TFF1 expression and uterine weight, indicating that PTK/ZK decreases 17β-estradiol (E2) signaling in vivo. Conclusion: The VEGF receptor inhibitor PTK/ZK showed effects on E2-dependent gene expression consistent with aromatase inhibition as well as antiangiogenesis in xenograft models of breast cancer. The combination with letrozole was not superior to letrozole alone. Overall, these results provide further support for a potential therapeutic approach of dual inhibition of VEGF and E2 signaling using a single agent. Clin Cancer Res; 16(16); 4178–87. ©2010 AACR.
Not Allowed to Die
Authors: W. R. Russell
Journal: BMJ (1968)

<h3>Objectives</h3> To study the association between polypharmacy and the risk of hospitalisation and death in cases of COVID-19 in the population over the age of 65. <h3>Design</h3> Population-based cohort study. <h3>Setting</h3> Quebec Integrated Chronic Disease Surveillance System, composed of five medico-administrative databases, in the province of Quebec, Canada. <h3>Participants</h3> 32 476 COVID-19 cases aged over 65 whose diagnosis was made between 23 February 2020 and 15 March 2021, and who were covered by the public drug insurance plan (thus excluding those living in long-term care). We counted the number of different medications they claimed between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2020. <h3>Outcome measures</h3> Robust Poisson regression was used to calculate relative risk of hospitalisation and death associated with the use of multiple medications, adjusting for age, sex, chronic conditions, material and social deprivation and living environment. <h3>Results</h3> Of the 32 476 COVID-19 cases included, 10 350 (32%) were hospitalised and 4146 (13%) died. Compared with 0–4 medications, polypharmacy exposure was associated with increased hospitalisations, with relative risks ranging from 1.11 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.19) for those using 5–9 medications to 1.62 (95% CI 1.51 to 1.75) for those using 20+. Similarly, the risk of death increased with the number of medications, from 1.13 (95% CI 0.99 to 1.30) for those using (5–9 medications to 1.97 (95% CI 1.70 to 2.27) (20+). Increased risk was mainly observed in younger groups. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Polypharmacy was significantly associated with the risk of hospitalisations and deaths related to COVID-19 in this cohort of older adults. Polypharmacy may represent a marker of vulnerability, especially for younger groups of older adults.
Sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis: its progression and radiological features. A study of 12 cases.
Authors: P Fritz, G Baldauf, H J Wilke, I Reitter
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (1992)

Twelve cases of sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis were followed up over four to 16 years. The patients underwent repeated radiological examinations of the sternocostoclavicular joints and the sternum, and the extrasternal osseous manifestations of the disease were studied to show changes in the radiological features during long term follow up. Five of 12 (41%) patients had extrasternal manifestations. With the exception of one patient extrasternal manifestations were first detected by scintigraphs because they were asymptomatic. With respect to the sternal manifestations the initial radiological diagnosis was made during an acute phase while painful swelling over the sternum and decreased mobility of the shoulders occurred. The radiological examinations showed the signs of a proliferative destructive arthritis in most patients. In contrast with the frequent occurrences of clinical symptoms, the radiological signs of progression take several years to become detectable. There are no specific bacteriological, serological or histological findings. Usually a permanent increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rates is found. Sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis is a slowly progressing disease, characterised by a chronic aseptic destructive sternoclavicular arthritis with a reactive low turnover sclerosis that begins in a similar way to an enthesopathy and ends after several decades with total ankylosis. The radiological identification of retrosternal proliferation of soft tissue by computed tomography was found to be a valuable criterion for the differential diagnosis from other benign hyperostotic processes of the sternoclavicular region.
Pressure Events of the Cardiac Cycle in the Dog
Authors: HOWARD L. MOSCOVITZ, ROBERT J. WILDER
Journal: Circulation Research (1956)

Simultaneous pressure curves from the cardiac cavities, aorta and pulmonary artery of dogs were recorded by manometers of equal sensitivity. It was found that left ventricular pressure during ejection is practically identical with that of the aorta. In the majority of dogs atrial and ventricular end-diastolic pressures were equal. The temporal relations of events in the right and left heart were similar to those reported in man, but the duration of the cardiac cycle is too dependent on cycle length to permit comparison.
Use of inhaled corticosteroids following discharge from an emergency department for an acute exacerbation of asthma
Authors: L Blais
Journal: Thorax (2004)

<b>Background:</b> Most patients who have an asthma exacerbation leading to a visit to an emergency department (ED) will benefit from treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) at discharge. We investigated whether asthmatic children and adolescents were receiving ICS after discharge from the ED and identified the characteristics of patients and physicians associated with their use. <b>Methods:</b> A cohort of 4042 asthmatic patients aged 5–17 years was selected from the administrative database of the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec between 1997 and 1999. The proportion of patients using ICS 1, 3, and 6 months after ED discharge was estimated. Using GEE models the independent contribution of sociodemographic variables, markers of asthma severity, prior use of healthcare services and ICS, and physician characteristics was investigated on the likelihood of using ICS after ED discharge. <b>Results:</b> 68% of children and 51% of adolescents had a valid prescription for ICS in the month following discharge. At 6 months after discharge the corresponding figures were 77% and 60%. The strongest predictors of ICS use were age, with adolescents being less likely to use ICS than children (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.43 to 0.56), prior use of ICS (OR 2.28; 95% CI 2.00 to 2.61), and filling a prescription for oral corticosteroids in the month following discharge (OR 2.29; 95% CI 2.03 to 2.58). However, patients who had an ED visit or a hospital admission for asthma during the 6 months before discharge were not more likely to use ICS after discharge. <b>Conclusion:</b> A large proportion of patients with clear markers of uncontrolled or severe asthma did not have a valid prescription for an ICS after discharge from the ED.
Role and Results of Surgery in Acute Type B Aortic Dissection
Authors: Santi Trimarchi, Christoph A. Nienaber, Vincenzo Rampoldi, Truls Myrmel, Toru Suzuki, Eduardo Bossone, Valerio Tolva, Michael G. Deeb, Gilbert R. Upchurch, Jeanna V. Cooper, Jianming Fang, Eric M. Isselbacher, Thoralf M. Sundt, Kim A. Eagle
Journal: Circulation (2006)

The clinical profiles and outcomes of patients treated surgically for acute type B aortic dissection (ABAD) are often reported for those in small series or for those cared for at a single institution over a long time period, during which a continuous evolution in techniques has occurred. Accordingly, we sought to evaluate the clinical features and surgical results of patients enrolled in the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection by identifying primary factors that influenced surgical outcome and estimating average surgical mortality for ABAD in the current era.A comprehensive analysis of 290 clinical variables and their relation to surgical outcomes for 82 patients who required surgery for ABAD (from a population of 1256 patients; mean+/-SD age, 60.6+/-15.0 years; 82.9% male) and who were enrolled in the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection was performed. The overall in-hospital mortality was 29.3%. Factors associated with increased surgical mortality based on univariate analysis were preoperative coma or altered consciousness, partial thrombosis of the false lumen, evidence of periaortic hematoma on diagnostic imaging, descending aortic diameter >6 cm, right ventricle dysfunction at surgery, and shorter time from the onset of symptoms to surgery. Factors associated with favorable outcomes included radiating pain, normotension at surgery (systolic blood pressure 100 to 149 mm Hg), and reduced hypothermic circulatory arrest time. The 2 independent predictors of surgical mortality were age >70 years (odds ratio, 4.32; 95% confidence interval, 1.30 to 14.34) and preoperative shock/hypotension (odds ratio, 6.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.12 to 32.49).The present study provides insights into current-day clinical profiles and surgical outcomes of ABAD. Knowledge about different preoperative clinical conditions may help surgeons in making treatment decisions among these high-risk patients.