tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Changes in mucociliary clearance during and after isocapnic hyperventilation in asthmatic and healthy subjects
Authors: E Daviskas, S D Anderson, I Gonda, H K Chan, P Cook, R Fulton
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (1995)

Hyperpnoea with dry air could lead to a reduction in depth and hyperosmolarity of the periciliary fluid layer (PFL) as a consequence of evaporative water loss. We investigated whether mucociliary clearance (MCC) is likely to be affected by dry air hyperpnoea, which also results in airway narrowing in asthmatics. MCC was measured by radioaerosol technique, for about 1 h, in 10 asthmatic and 8 healthy subjects on 3 separate days: 1) nasal resting breathing with ambient air; 2) isocapnic hyperventilation (ISH) with dry air; and 3) ISH with warm humid air. Analysis of the initial and post-intervention lung radioactivity for the whole right lung and for defined regions of interest showed that, compared to ISH with warm humid air and nasal resting breathing, MCC was reduced during and increased post-ISH with dry air in the whole right lung of both groups. The mean reduction in clearance (+/- 95% confidence interval (95% CI)) was -9.3% (-3.1 to -15.6%) and -3.6% (-2.0 to -9.1%), and the mean increase (+/- 95% CI) was 19.2% (11.8 to 26.6%) and 14.8% (7.1 to 22.5%), compared to warm humid air, in asthmatic and healthy subjects, respectively. However, regional analysis showed that the changes were present in all lung regions of the asthmatics, whilst only in the central region of the healthy subjects. The duration of the increased clearance rates post-ISH was also different in both groups. The changes in mucociliary clearance during and after isocapnic hyperventilation with dry air was probably related to the water content of the inspired air, causing transient changes in the periciliary fluid layer.
Bridging the gap: an integrated paediatric to adult clinical service for young adults with kidney failure
Authors: P. N. Harden, G. Walsh, N. Bandler, S. Bradley, D. Lonsdale, J. Taylor, S. D. Marks
Journal: BMJ (2012)

<b>Problem</b> Transition from paediatric to adult care of young adults with chronic diseases is poorly coordinated, often delayed, and usually managed through a single referral letter. About 35% of young adults lose a successfully functioning kidney transplant within 36 months of transfer from paediatric to adult services. <b>Design</b> Before and after study of the impact of a new integrated paediatric-adult clinical service for patients with kidney failure. <b>Setting</b> Adult renal centre in Oxford and two paediatric renal centres in London. <b>Strategies for change</b> An integrated paediatric-young adult joint transition clinic and care pathway was established in 2006, in conjunction with a young adult clinical service with regular community based clinics. Previously, young adult transplant recipients were transferred by a single referral letter to an adult renal consultant and managed in a conventional adult clinic. <b>Key measures for improvement</b> Rates of acute rejection and loss of kidney transplants five years before and five years after the introduction of the integrated young adult care pathway. <b>Effects of the change</b> Nine young adult kidney transplant recipients were transferred directly to adult care between 2000 and 2006 (group 1). From 2006 to 2010, 12 young adult transplant recipients underwent integrated transition into the new young adult service (group 2). Six transplants were lost in group 1 (67%) compared with no transplant losses in group 2. <b>Lessons learnt</b> Implementing an integrated transition clinic, coupled with improving young adults’ healthcare experience through a young adult clinic, improved patient adherence to regular medication and engagement with healthcare providers, as judged by reduced transplant failure rates. This model may be applicable to other young adult populations with chronic disease transferring to adult healthcare.
Increased Risks of Hip Fracture in Diabetic Patients of Taiwan
Authors: Hua-Fen Chen, Ching-An Ho, Chung-Yi Li
Journal: Diabetes Care (2007)

OBJECTIVE—Using Taiwan's National Health Insurance claim data, we evaluated the age-, sex-, and urbanization-specific incidence density and relative risks of hip fracture in the diabetic population. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Diabetic patients (n = 500,868) and an age- and sex-matched control group (n = 500,248) were linked to inpatient claims (1997–2002) to identify hospitalizations for nontransport accident hip fracture. The person-year approach with Poisson assumption and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to estimate the incidence and the cumulative event rates. We also assessed the age-, sex-, and urbanization-specific relative risks of hip fracture in relation to diabetes with the Cox proportional hazard regression model. RESULTS—The overall incidences of hip fracture for diabetic men and women, respectively, were 3.01 and 6.75/1,000 person-years, which were higher than those for control men and women. There were significant interactions of diabetes and age and diabetes and urbanization statuses. Hazard ratios (HRs) of diabetic patients aged 35–44 years (men 2.45 [95% CI 1.65–3.64]; women 3.19 [1.39–7.33]) were higher than those of diabetic patients aged 55–64 years (men 1.90; women 2.81), but in diabetic men aged &amp;gt;74 years and diabetic women aged &amp;gt;84 years, the HRs were compared with null statistically (HRs 0.98 and 0.91, respectively). Diabetic patients living in rural areas tended to have higher HRs of hip fracture. CONCLUSIONS—In Taiwan, diabetes increased the risk of hip fracture in both sexes in all age-groups except in diabetic men aged &amp;gt;74 years and diabetic women aged &amp;gt;84 years. Higher HRs of hip fracture were disproportionately observed in younger diabetic patients and in those living in rural areas.
EphB2 is a Prognostic Factor in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Adrian M. Jubb, Fiona Zhong, Sheila Bheddah, Heike I. Grabsch, Gretchen D. Frantz, Wolfram Mueller, Vidya Kavi, Phil Quirke, Paul Polakis, Hartmut Koeppen
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2005)

A receptor tyrosine kinase for ephrin ligands, EphB2 is expressed in colorectal cancer and has been proposed as a target for immunoconjugate therapy. The aim of this study was to perform a detailed histologic analysis of EphB2 expression in normal and neoplastic colorectal tissues. In addition, we sought to evaluate EphB2 expression as a prognostic factor in colorectal cancer. Expression of EphB2 was examined in normal colon (n = 28), colorectal cell lines (n = 20), colorectal adenomas (n = 148), primary cancers (n = 28), and metastases (n = 39) using immunohistochemistry. In addition, a series of primary cancers and matched normal (n = 342) with outcome data were profiled in tissue microarrays. The intensity of EphB2 expression was assessed in the entire series by immunohistochemistry, and in a subset by in situ hybridization. Overall survival and recurrence-free survival were correlated with EphB2 protein expression in retrospective subset analyses. Epithelial EphB2 expression was shown at all stages of colorectal tumorigenesis, including the base of all normal crypts, 77% of adenomas, 82% of primary cancers, and 64% of metastases. Although homogeneous expression was observed in adenomas, the pattern of staining was focal (mean 25%) in most malignant lesions. Patients whose tumor stained 2+ for EphB2 expression (versus 0/1+) exhibited significantly prolonged overall survival: mean duration of survival, 2,514 versus 1,044 days; hazard ratio, 0.45; 95% confidence interval, 0.18 to 0.95 (P = 0.035). In summary, EphB2 is expressed in normal crypts, colorectal adenomas, primary cancers, and metastases. High levels of EphB2 expression are associated with a longer mean duration of survival in colorectal cancer.
Outdoor workers’ sun-related knowledge, attitudes and protective behaviours: a systematic review of cross-sectional and interventional studies
Authors: D. Reinau, M. Weiss, C.R. Meier, T.L. Diepgen, C. Surber
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2012)

Sun protection is a major concern for outdoor workers as they are particularly exposed to solar ultraviolet radiation and therefore at increased risk of developing some forms of skin cancer, cataract and ocular neoplasm. In order to provide an overview of outdoor workers' sun-related knowledge, attitudes and protective behaviours as reported in the literature and to evaluate the effectiveness of sun-safety education programmes in outdoor occupational settings, we conducted a systematic review of the literature by searching three electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO) from their inception up to 25 April 2012. An extensive hand search complemented the database searches. We identified 34 relevant articles on descriptive studies and 18 articles on interventional studies. Considerable numbers of outdoor workers were found to have sun-sensitive skin types; sunburn rates per season ranged from 50% to 80%. Data concerning outdoor workers' sun-related knowledge and attitudes were scarce and controversial. The reported sun-protective behaviours were largely inadequate, with many workers stating that they never or only rarely wore a long-sleeved shirt (50-80%), sun-protective headgear (30-80%) and sunscreen (30-100%) while working in the sun. However, there is growing evidence that occupational sun-safety education is effective in increasing outdoor workers' sun-protection habits and presumably in decreasing sunburn rates. Occupational sun-safety education programmes offer great potential for improving outdoor workers' largely insufficient sun-protective behaviours. It is hoped that, in the future, committed support from healthcare authorities, cancer foundations, employers and dermatologists will open the way for rapid and uncomplicated implementation of sun-safety education programmes.
Explanatory Models for Psychiatric Illness
Authors: Kenneth S. Kendler
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (2008)

How can we best develop explanatory models for psychiatric disorders? Because causal factors have an impact on psychiatric illness both at micro levels and macro levels, both within and outside of the individual, and involving processes best understood from biological, psychological, and sociocultural perspectives, traditional models of science that strive for single broadly applicable explanatory laws are ill suited for our field. Such models are based on the incorrect assumption that psychiatric illnesses can be understood from a single perspective. A more appropriate scientific model for psychiatry emphasizes the understanding of mechanisms, an approach that fits naturally with a multicausal framework and provides a realistic paradigm for scientific progress, that is, understanding mechanisms through decomposition and reassembly. Simple subunits of complicated mechanisms can be usefully studied in isolation. Reassembling these constituent parts into a functioning whole, which is straightforward for simple additive mechanisms, will be far more challenging in psychiatry where causal networks contain multiple nonlinear interactions and causal loops. Our field has long struggled with the interrelationship between biological and psychological explanatory perspectives. Building from the seminal work of the neuronal modeler and philosopher David Marr, the author suggests that biology will implement but not replace psychology within our explanatory systems. The iterative process of interactions between biology and psychology needed to achieve this implementation will deepen our understanding of both classes of processes.
Hepatic arterial infusion of floxuridine, leucovorin, doxorubicin, and cisplatin for hepatocellular carcinoma: effects of hepatitis B and C viral infection on drug toxicity and patient survival.
Authors: Y Z Patt, C Charnsangavej, B Yoffe, R Smith, D Lawrence, V Chuang, H Carrasco, M Roh, J Chase, H Fischer
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (1994)

PURPOSE To conduct a pilot trial of hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of floxuridine (FUDR), leucovorin, Adriamycin (doxorubicin; Adria Laboratories, Columbus, OH), and cisplatin (FLAP) in nonresectable hepatocellular cancer (HCC) confined to the liver and assess the effects of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viral markers on toxicity, response to treatment, and patient survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS Of 31 HCC patients, 13 were HBV- and HCV-nonreactive, and 18 had evidence of either current or prior HBV and/or HCV infection. Treatment was delivered through percutaneous hepatic arterial catheters, and Infusaid pumps (Shiley Infusaid, Norwood, MA) were placed in responding patients. Cisplatin (100 mg/m2) and Adriamycin (30 to 35 mg/m2) were administered on day 1, followed by a continuous 24-hour HAI of an admixture of floxuridine (60 mg/m2) and leucovorin (15 mg/m2) daily for 4 days. Treatment was repeated every 5 weeks. RESULTS Twelve (41%) of 29 assessable patients had a partial response (PR), with a median time to disease progression of 13 months. Six (50%) of 12 HBV-negative (HBV-)/HCV-negative (HCV-) and six of 17 (35%) HBV-positive (HCV+) and/or HCV-positive (HCV+) patients achieved a PR. Eight patients have been maintained in remission for a median duration greater than 15.5 months. The median survival duration of all 31 patients was 15 months, 7.5 months among HBV+ and/or HCV+ patients, and significantly longer among hepatitis-non-reactive patients (P = .007). (A median has not yet been reached.) Granulocylopenia (&lt; 0.1 x 10(3)/microL), thrombocytopenia (&lt; 25 x 10(3)/microL), and hospitalizations for infectious complications were significantly more common among HBV-HCV-reactive than -nonreactive patients: 56%, 50%, and 67% versus 15%, 15%, and 8%, respectively (P &lt; .05 for all). CONCLUSION HAI of FLAP has induced long-term PR and has palliated extensive nonresectable HCC. Positive hepatitis serology appeared to increase bone marrow susceptibility to myelotoxic drugs. Conceivably, one or both viruses may have a direct inhibitory effect on bone marrow progenitors and thereby contribute to the observed myelotoxicity.
Physiological growth indices in winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) cultivars as affected by drought stress at Iran
Authors: Payam Moaveni, Ahmad Ebrahimi, Hossein Aliabadi Farahani
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2010)

This experiment was carried out to study the effect of drought stress on physiological growth indices of winter rapeseed cultivars in Karaj, Iran using split-plot design with three replications to study the effect of drought stress on oil yield of winter rapeseed cultivars. The main-plot factors included: Four levels of irrigation regimes (control = no drought stress, irrigation interrupted during the flowering stage, irrigation interrupted during the silique formation stage and irrigation interrupted during the seed filling stage) while the sub-plot factor included three cultivars (Zarfam, Okapi and Licord) of winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). The results showed that total dry matter (TDM), leaf area index (LAI), relative growth rate (RGR) and crop growth rate (CGR) were highly significantly different among the rapeseed cultivars, whereas, drought stress had effects of practical significance on TDM, LAI, RGR and CGR. The results also showed that the highest TDM, LAI, RGR and CGR were obtained from the cultivar, Zarfam under no-drought condition. The findings firmly established that the drought stress sorely reduces physiological growth indices of winter rapeseed cultivars under conditions of Karaj in Iran.

	 

	Key words: Drought stress, physiological growth indices, winter rapeseed cultivars.
Construction and Characterization of a Triple-Recombinant Vaccinia Virus Encoding B7-1, Interleukin 12, and a Model Tumor Antigen
Authors: M. W. Carroll, B. Moss, W. W. Overwijk, D. R. Surman, N. P. Restifo, K. Tsung
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1998)

Construction of recombinant viruses that can serve as vaccines for the treatment of experimental murine tumors has recently been achieved. The cooperative effects of immune system modulators, including cytokines such as interleukin 12 (IL-12) and costimulatory molecules such as B7-1, may be necessary for activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Thus, we have explored the feasibility and the efficacy of inclusion of these immunomodulatory molecules in recombinant virus vaccines in an experimental antitumor model in mice that uses Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase as a target antigen.We developed a "cassette" system in which three loci of the vaccinia virus genome were used for homologous recombination. A variety of recombinant vaccinia viruses were constructed, including one virus, vB7/beta/IL-12, that contains the following five transgenes: murine B7-1, murine IL-12 subunit p35, murine IL-12 subunit p40, E. coli lacZ (encodes beta-galactosidase, the model antigen), and E. coli gpt (xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase, a selection gene). The effects of the recombinant viruses on lung metastases and survival were tested in animals that had been given an intravenous injection of beta-galactosidase-expressing murine colon carcinoma cells 3 days before they received the recombinant virus by intravenous inoculation.Expression of functional B7-1 and IL-12 by virally infected cells was demonstrated in vitro. Lung tumor nodules (i.e., metastases) were reduced in mice by more than 95% after treatment with the virus vB7/beta/IL-12; a further reduction in lung tumor nodules was observed when exogenous IL-12 was also given. Greatest survival of tumor-bearing mice was observed in those treated with viruses encoding beta-galactosidase and B7-1 plus exogenous IL-12.This study shows the feasibility of constructing vaccinia viruses that express tumor antigens and multiple immune cofactors to create unique immunologic microenvironments that can modulate immune responses to cancer.
Hepatocyte Growth Factor–Mediated Cell Invasion in Pancreatic Cancer Cells Is Dependent on Neuropilin-1
Authors: Arikira Matsushita, Tobias Götze, Murray Korc
Journal: Cancer Research (2007)

Neuropilin-1 (Np-1), a receptor for semaphorin 3A and vascular endothelial growth factor, is expressed at high levels in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). To assess the potential role of Np-1 in PDAC, COLO-357 pancreatic cancer cells, which express relatively low levels of Np-1, were stably transfected with the Np-1 cDNA. Np-1 overexpression was associated with enhanced cell invasiveness in response to hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and this effect was abolished by small interfering RNA-mediated down-regulation of c-Met. Conversely, in PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells, which express relatively high levels of Np-1, suppression of endogenous Np-1 completely abolished HGF-mediated cell invasion. To determine which pathways are involved in Np-1-mediated facilitation of c-Met-dependent cell invasiveness, the effects of HGF on signaling were examined next in sham-transfected and Np-1-overexpressing COLO-357 cells. HGF actions on c-Met tyrosine phosphorylation and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation were increased in Np-1-overexpressing COLO-357 cells by comparison with HGF effects in sham-transfected cells. SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 MAPK, suppressed HGF-induced invasion in Np-1-overexpressing cells, whereas U0126, a MAP/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase inhibitor, was without effect. PP2, a Src inhibitor, and LY294002, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, also suppressed HGF-induced invasion in these cells. Immunoprecipitation studies revealed that Np-1 associated with c-Met, but not with epidermal growth factor receptor, family members. Confocal microscopy indicated that this association occurred on the plasma membrane and that HGF promoted the internalization of Np-1-c-Met complex, leading to its perinuclear localization. These findings indicate that Np-1 is required for efficient activation of c-Met-dependent pathways that promote cell invasiveness.
An audit of tumour markers requests (CEA, AFP, CA19-9) in a district general hospital
Authors: N. Rahman, M. Toqeer, J. Rademaker, M. Whitehead, H. Broyd, M. Patel, M. Abdullah, K. Gordon
Journal: Gut (2011)

<h3>Introduction</h3> Tumour markers can contribute usefully to patient management, but awareness of their limitations is essential. Inappropriate testing of tumour markers has financial implications, can cause anxiety and distress to the patient, lead to unnecessary investigations and delay in reaching the correct diagnosis. <h3>Methods</h3> The aims were to establish the extent of inappropriate requesting of tumour markers in a district general hospital, to affect change in request practice if required and produce guidelines for local use. A retrospective audit of the requests of 3 commonly used tumour markers in Gastroenterology, AFP, CEA and CA19-9 was carried out at the Conquest Hospital over a period of 3 months from December 2009 to February 2010. The requests were analysed using guidelines from the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB), which included summaries of relevant recommendations from other clinical organisations. <h3>Results</h3> Total requests amounted to 818, of which 356 came from GPs, 244 from outpatient and 218 from inpatient. In these 818 patients, 982 tumour markers were requested, of which 382 (39%) were appropriate; all requests from cancer multidisciplinary meetings met the NACB guidelines. 684 (70%) of requests were for CEA, of these 352 (51%) were not appropriate. AFP and CA19-9 each made up a total of 15% of requests. CA19-9 was the most inappropriately requested tumour marker at 85%, closely followed by AFP at 60%. 133 (26%) of the patients had panels of tumour markers requested while no such requests came from cancer multidisciplinary meetings. <h3>Conclusion</h3> These results demonstrate that the majority of requests for tumour markers by non-specialists at our institution were inappropriate when compared to the national guidelines. It is reassuring that all the requests from the MDM were appropriate. Specialists should request tumour markers and locally agreed guidelines should be made available to help non-specialists. This will ensure cost effectiveness, improve patient care and reduce unnecessary investigations.
Gall stones in a Danish population. Relation to weight, physical activity, smoking, coffee consumption, and diabetes mellitus.
Authors: T Jorgensen
Journal: Gut (1989)

The presence of gall stones diagnosed by ultrasonography in a cross sectional study was analysed in relation to relative weight, weight change since age 25, slimming treatment, physical activity, smoking, consumption of coffee, and diabetes mellitus. The random sample comprised 4581 men and women of Danish origin, aged 30, 40, 50, and 60 years, of whom 3608 (79%) attended the investigation. In women high body mass index, history of slimming treatment, and weight gain since the age of 25 of more than 5 body mass index units were each significantly associated with gall stones (p less than 0.05), while only body mass index was significant (p less than 0.05) in a multivariate analysis. In men history of slimming treatment was significantly associated (p less than 0.05) with gall stones in univariate and in multivariate analyses, where smoking also became significantly associated (p less than 0.05). No significant association was detected between gall stones and the other variables.
Neo-associativism: Limited learning transfer without binding symbol representations
Authors: Steven Phillips
Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2002)

Perruchet &amp; Vinter claim that with the additional capacity to determine whether two arbitrary stimuli are the same or different, their association-based PARSER model is sufficient to account for learning transfer. This claim overstates the generalization capacity of perceptual versus nonperceptual (symbolic) relational processes. An example shows why some types of learning transfer also require the capacity to bind arbitrary representations to nonperceptual relational symbols.