tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
POPULATION DISPARITIES IN ASTHMA
Authors: Diane R. Gold, Rosalind Wright
Journal: Annual Review of Public Health (2005)

The prevalence of asthma in the United States is higher than in many other countries in the world. Asthma, the most common chronic disease of childhood in the United States, disproportionately burdens many socioeconomically disadvantaged urban communities. In this review we discuss hypotheses for between-country disparities in asthma prevalence, including differences in "hygiene" (e.g., family size, use of day care, early-life respiratory infection exposures, endotoxin and other farm-related exposures, microbial colonization of the infant bowel, exposure to parasites, and exposure to large domestic animal sources of allergen), diet, traffic pollution, and cigarette smoking. We present data on socioeconomic and ethnic disparities in asthma prevalence and morbidity in the United States and discuss environmental factors contributing to asthma disparities (e.g., housing conditions, indoor environmental exposures including allergens, traffic air pollution, disparities in treatment and access to care, and cigarette smoking). We discuss environmental influences on somatic growth (low birth weight, prematurity, and obesity) and their relevance to asthma disparities. The relevance of the hygiene hypothesis to the U.S. urban situation is reviewed. Finally, we discuss community-level factors contributing to asthma disparities.
Role of Soluble Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products on Endotoxin-induced Lung Injury
Authors: Haiying Zhang, Sadatomo Tasaka, Yoshiki Shiraishi, Koichi Fukunaga, Wakako Yamada, Hiroyuki Seki, Yuko Ogawa, Keisuke Miyamoto, Yasushi Nakano, Naoki Hasegawa, Taku Miyasho, Ikuro Maruyama, Akitoshi Ishizaka
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2008)

The interaction of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and its ligands often leads to inflammatory processes or tissue injury, although the effect of the blockade of RAGE signaling on lung injury remains to be investigated.Using a murine model of lung injury induced by intratracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS), we evaluated RAGE expression in the airspace and the effect of recombinant soluble RAGE (sRAGE) on LPS-induced lung injury.First, the expression of sRAGE in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was determined at 24 hours after intratracheal instillation of LPS or phosphate-buffered saline. Next, to evaluate the effect of sRAGE, BAL fluid was collected for cell counting and measurements of lung permeability and cytokine concentrations 24 hours after intratracheal LPS in the mice with or without intraperitoneal administration of sRAGE 1 hour after the instillation. In another series, lungs were sampled for histopathology and detection of apoptotic cells. The activation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB was analyzed 4 hours after LPS instillation.In response to LPS challenge, a RAGE isoform of 48 kD was detected in the BAL fluid. Treatment with sRAGE significantly attenuated the increases in neutrophil infiltration, lung permeability, production of inflammatory cytokines, NF-kappaB activation, and apoptotic cells in the lung as well as development of pathologic changes after LPS instillation.RAGE plays an important role in the pathogenesis of LPS-induced lung injury in mice. It was suggested that sRAGE should be tested as a treatment modality in other models of acute lung injury.
Capsaicin responsiveness and cough in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: M J Doherty
Journal: Thorax (2000)

Chronic cough is associated with an increased sensitivity to inhaled capsaicin in a number of conditions but there are no data for patients with more severe asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Moreover, the relationships between the capsaicin response (expressed as the concentration of capsaicin provoking five coughs, C5), self-reported cough, and routine medication is not known.The cough response to capsaicin in 53 subjects with asthma, 56 subjects with COPD, and 96 healthy individuals was recorded and compared with a number of subjective measures of self-reported cough, measures of airway obstruction, and prescribed medication. In asthmatic subjects the relationships between the cough response to capsaicin and mean daily peak flow variability and non-specific bronchial hyperresponsiveness to histamine were also examined.Subjects with asthma (median C5 = 62 mM) and COPD (median C5 = 31 mM) were similarly sensitive to capsaicin and both were more reactive than normal subjects (median C5 >500 mM). Capsaicin sensitivity was related to symptomatic cough as measured by the diary card score in both asthma and COPD (r = -0.38 and r = -0.44, respectively), but only in asthma and not COPD when measured using a visual analogue score (r = -0.32 and r = -0.05, respectively). Capsaicin sensitivity was independent of the degree of airway obstruction and in asthmatics was not related to PEF variability or PC(20) for histamine. The response to capsaicin was not related to treatment with inhaled corticosteroids but was increased in those using anticholinergic agents in both conditions.These data suggest that an increased cough reflex, as measured by capsaicin responsiveness, is an important contributor to the presence of cough in asthma and COPD, rather than cough being simply secondary to excessive airway secretions. The lack of any relationship between capsaicin responsiveness and airflow limitation as measured by the FEV(1) suggests that the mechanisms producing cough are likely to be different from those causing airways obstruction, at least in patients with COPD.
Regulation of ITAM-positive receptors: role of IL-12 and IL-18
Authors: John R. Ortaldo, Robin Winkler-Pickett, Jon Wigginton, Meagan Horner, Earl W. Bere, Anna T. Mason, Narayan Bhat, James Cherry, Michael Sanford, Deborah L. Hodge, Howard A. Young
Journal: Blood (2005)
Prevalence of renal artery stenosis in subjects with type 2 diabetes and coexistent hypertension.
Authors: J Valabhji, S Robinson, C Poulter, A C Robinson, C Kong, C Henzen, W M Gedroyc, M D Feher, R S Elkeles
Journal: Diabetes Care (2000)

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of renal artery stenosis (RAS) in subjects with type 2 diabetes and coexistent hypertension by using magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the renal arteries, to assess clinical and biochemical predictors of RAS, and to assess the hemodynamic significance of RAS, by using the captopril test (a measure of the response of plasma renin activity to a single oral dose of captopril). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 117 subjects with type 2 diabetes and coexistent hypertension between 40 and 70 years of age and with creatinine concentrations &amp;lt; 150 micromol/l were recruited from two inner-city general diabetes clinics. All subjects underwent MRA of the renal arteries. In a subgroup of 85 subjects, data concerning possible clinical and biochemical predictors of RAS were collected, and the captopril test was performed. For comparison of a continuous variable between subjects with a positive MRA and those with a negative MRA, the Mann-Whitney test was used. For comparison of a discrete variable between subjects with a positive MRA and those with a negative MRA, Fisher's exact test was used. RESULTS: The prevalence of RAS detected by using MRA in 117 hypertensive type 2 diabetic subjects was 17%; 19 subjects had unilateral RAS, and only 1 subject had bilateral RAS. A femoral bruit was significantly more common in subjects with a positive MRA versus subjects with a negative MRA (21 vs. 0%; Fisher's exact test P &amp;lt; 0.005); however, other clinical features of atherosclerotic disease were not statistically associated. Greater duration of hypertension and treatment with statins were features of subjects with RAS (P &amp;lt; 0.05). The captopril test was negative in all subjects, although the antihypertensive response to oral captopril was significantly greater in subjects with RAS detected by MRA. CONCLUSIONS: RAS is common in hypertensive type 2 diabetic subjects. The presence of a femoral bruit is a useful predictive clinical marker. The captopril test is not useful in predicting the hemodynamic significance of RAS in this patient group.
Inhibition of cGAS DNA Sensing by a Herpesvirus Virion Protein
Authors: Jian-jun Wu, Wenwei Li, Yaming Shao, Denis Avey, Bishi Fu, Joseph Gillen, Travis Hand, Siming Ma, Xia Liu, Wendell Miley, Andreas Konrad, Frank Neipel, Michael Stürzl, Denise Whitby, Hong Li, Fanxiu Zhu
Journal: Cell Host & Microbe (2015)
Should We View Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Differently after ECLIPSE?. A Clinical Perspective from the Study Team
Authors: Jørgen Vestbo, Alvar Agusti, Emiel F. M. Wouters, Per Bakke, Peter M. A. Calverley, Bartolome Celli, Harvey Coxson, Courtney Crim, Lisa D. Edwards, Nicholas Locantore, David A. Lomas, William MacNee, Bruce Miller, Stephen I. Rennard, Edwin K. Silverman, Julie C. Yates, Ruth Tal-Singer
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2014)

Section:ChooseTop of pageAbstract <<The ECLIPSE Study (NCT002...COPD HeterogeneityThe Frequent Exacerbator ...Decline in FEV1Change in CT-defined Dens...Bronchodilator Reversibil...Systemic InflammationFunctional COPD OutcomesComorbidities in COPDConclusionsReferencesCITING ARTICLES
Formation of Dense Erythrocytes in SAD Mice Exposed to Chronic Hypoxia: Evaluation of Different Therapeutic Regimens and of a Combination of Oral Clotrimazole and Magnesium Therapies
Authors: Lucia De Franceschi, Carlo Brugnara, Philippe Rouyer-Fessard, Helene Jouault, Yves Beuzard
Journal: Blood (1999)
c-Jun NH2-Terminal Kinase (JNK)1 and JNK2 Have Distinct Roles in CD8+ T Cell Activation
Authors: Dietrich Conze, Troy Krahl, Norman Kennedy, Linda Weiss, Joanne Lumsden, Patricia Hess, Richard A. Flavell, Graham Le Gros, Roger J. Davis, Mercedes Rincón
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine (2002)

The c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway is induced by cytokines and stress stimuli and is implicated in cell death and differentiation, but the specific function of this pathway depends on the cell type. Here we examined the role of JNK1 and JNK2 in CD8+ T cells. Unlike CD4+ T cells, the absence of JNK2 causes increased interleukin (IL)-2 production and proliferation of CD8+ T cells. In contrast, JNK1-deficient CD8+ T cells are unable to undergo antigen-stimulated expansion in vitro, even in the presence of exogenous IL-2. The hypoproliferation of these cells is associated with impaired IL-2 receptor α chain (CD25) gene and cell surface expression. The reduced level of nuclear activating protein 1 (AP-1) complexes in activated JNK1-deficient CD8+ T cells can account for the impaired IL-2 receptor α chain gene expression. Thus, JNK1 and JNK2 play different roles during CD8+ T cell activation and these roles differ from those in CD4+ T cells.
Calcium Metabolism in Newborn Infants THE INTERRELATIONSHIP OF PARATHYROID FUNCTION AND CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM, AND PHOSPHORUS METABOLISM IN NORMAL, “SICK,” AND HYPOCALCEMIC NEWBORNS
Authors: Louis David, Constantine S. Anast
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1974)

Serum immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and plasma total calcium, ionized calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus levels were determined during the first 9 days of life in 137 normal term infants, 55 "sick" infants, and 43 hypocalcemic (Ca <7.5 mg/100 ml; Ca++<4.0 mg/100 ml) infants.
Microbial degradation of complex carbohydrates in the gut
Authors: Harry J. Flint, Karen P. Scott, Sylvia H. Duncan, Petra Louis, Evelyne Forano
Journal: Gut Microbes (2012)

Bacteria that colonize the mammalian intestine collectively possess a far larger repertoire of degradative enzymes and metabolic capabilities than their hosts. Microbial fermentation of complex non-digestible dietary carbohydrates and host–derived glycans in the human intestine has important consequences for health. Certain dominant species, notably among the Bacteroidetes, are known to possess very large numbers of genes that encode carbohydrate active enzymes and can switch readily between different energy sources in the gut depending on availability. Nevertheless, more nutritionally specialized bacteria appear to play critical roles in the community by initiating the degradation of complex substrates such as plant cell walls, starch particles and mucin. Examples are emerging from the Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Verrucomicrobium phyla, but more information is needed on these little studied groups. The impact of dietary carbohydrates, including prebiotics, on human health requires understanding of the complex relationship between diet composition, the gut microbiota and metabolic outputs.
Asymptomatic Cytomegalovirus Infection Following Blood Transfusion in Tumor Surgery
Authors: David P. Stevens
Journal: JAMA (1970)

Forty-one patients who underwent whole blood transfusion during aggressive surgical excision of solid tumors were followed up prospectively for evidence of active cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Fourfold or greater elevation in complement-fixing antibody titers developed in 13 (32%) of the patients within 8 to 16 weeks after surgery. Cytomegalovirus was isolated from one of these patients. The incidence of antibody rise correlated best with volume of blood received, but it did not appear to be related to either the time of storage of transfused blood or the type of operative procedure performed. No clinical illness could be attributed to CMV infection in these patients.
Mammography Screening and Breast Cancer Mortality in Sweden
Authors: P. Autier, A. Koechlin, M. Smans, L. Vatten, M. Boniol
Journal: JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2012)

Swedish women aged 40-69 years were gradually offered regular mammography screening since 1974, and nationwide coverage was achieved in 1997. We hypothesized that this gradual implementation of breast cancer screening would be reflected in county-specific mortality patterns during the last 20 years.Using data from the Swedish Board of Health and Welfare from 1960 to 2009, we used joinpoint regression to analyze breast cancer mortality trends in women aged 40 years and older (1,286,000 women in 1995-1996). Poisson regression models were used to compare observed mortality trends with expected trends if screening had resulted in breast cancer mortality reductions of 10%, 20%, or 30% among women screened during 18 years of follow-up after the introduction of screening. All statistical tests were two-sided.From 1972 to 2009, breast cancer mortality rates in Swedish women aged 40 years and older declined by 0.98% annually, from 68.4 to 42.8 per 100,000, and it continuously declined in 14 of the 21 Swedish counties. In three counties, breast cancer mortality declined sharply during or soon after the implementation of screening; in two counties, a steep decline started at least 5 years after screening was introduced; and in two counties, breast cancer mortality increased after screening started. In counties in which screening started in 1974-1978, mortality trends during the next 18 years were similar to those before screening started, and in counties in which screening started in 1986-1987, mortality increased by approximately 12% (P = .007) after the introduction of screening compared with previous trends. In counties in which screening started in 1987-1988 and in 1989-1990, mortality declined by approximately 5% (P = .001) and 8% (P < .001), respectively, after the introduction of screening. Conclusion County-specific mortality statistics in Sweden are consistent with studies that have reported limited or no impact of screening on mortality from breast cancer.
Arterial hemodynamics in human hypertension.
Authors: C T Ting, K P Brin, S J Lin, S P Wang, M S Chang, B N Chiang, F C Yin
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (1986)

Differences in aortic impedance between normotensives and hypertensives are not well characterized. We examined impedance in 8 normotensive and 11 hypertensive (mean 96.7 vs. 122.2 mmHg) age-matched, Chinese patients undergoing cardiac catheterization at rest, during nitroprusside, and handgrip exercise before and after beta blockade (propranolol). Hypertensives had higher resistance (2,295 vs. 1713 dyn-s/cm5), characteristic impedance (145.7 vs. 93.9 dyn-s/cm5), total external power (1,579 vs. 1174 mW), peripheral reflections (ratio of backward to forward wave components of 0.54 vs. 0.44), and first zero crossing of impedance phase angle (4.15 vs. 2.97 Hz). These abnormalities were eliminated with vasodilatation. Differences between groups were not further exacerbated when pressure was increased during handgrip exercise. Beta blockade further increased resistance and reflections. Thus, hemodynamic abnormalities of essential hypertension (increased resistance, reflections, and pulse wave velocity, and decreased compliance) are compatible with an increased vasomotor tone that is further unmasked during generalized beta blockade.
Omega-3 supplementation and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Helen M. Parker, Nathan A. Johnson, Catriona A. Burdon, Jeffrey S. Cohn, Helen T. O’Connor, Jacob George
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2011)

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a frequent accompaniment of obesity and insulin resistance. With the prevalence approaching 85% in obese populations, new therapeutic approaches to manage NAFLD are warranted. A systematic search of the literature was conducted for studies pertaining to the effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation on NAFLD in humans. Primary outcome measures were liver fat and liver function tests: alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase [1]. Data were pooled and meta-analyses conducted using a random effects model. Nine eligible studies, involving 355 individuals given either omega-3 PUFA or control treatment were included. Beneficial changes in liver fat favoured PUFA treatment (effect size=-0.97, 95% CI: -0.58 to -1.35, p<0.001). A benefit of PUFA vs. control was also observed for AST (effect size=-0.97, 95% CI: -0.13 to -1.82, p=0.02). There was a trend towards favouring PUFA treatment on ALT but this was not significant (effect size=-0.56, 95% CI: -1.16 to 0.03, p=0.06). Sub-analyses of only randomised control trials (RCTs) showed a significant benefit for PUFA vs. control on liver fat (effect size=-0.96, 95% CI: -0.43 to -1.48, p<0.001), but not for ALT (p=0.74) or AST (p=0.28). There was significant heterogeneity between studies. The pooled data suggest that omega-3 PUFA supplementation may decrease liver fat, however, the optimal dose is currently not known. Well designed RCTs which quantify the magnitude of effect of omega-3 PUFA supplementation on liver fat are needed.
Scanning laser Doppler imaging may predict disease progression of localized scleroderma in children and young adults
Authors: L.J. Shaw, J. Shipley, E.L. Newell, N. Harris, J.G. Clinch, C.R. Lovell
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2013)

Localized scleroderma is a rare but potentially disfiguring and disabling condition. Systemic treatment should be started early in those with active disease in key functional and cosmetic sites, but disease activity is difficult to determine clinically. Superficial blood flow has been shown to correlate with disease activity in localized scleroderma.To examine whether superficial blood flow measured by laser Doppler imaging (LDI) has the potential to predict disease progression and therefore select patients for early systemic treatment.A group of 20 individuals had clinical assessment and scanning LDI blood-flow measurements of 32 affected body sites. After a mean follow-up of 8.7 months their clinical outcome was compared with the results of the initial LDI assessment.Eleven out of 15 patients with an assessment of active LDI had progressed clinically, and 16 out of the 17 scans with inactive LDI assessment had not progressed, giving a positive predictive value of 73% and a negative predictive value of 94%.We believe that LDI can be a useful tool in predicting disease progression in localized scleroderma, and it may help clinicians to decide which patients to treat early.
Elevated serum interleukin-27 levels in patients with systemic sclerosis: association with T cell, B cell and fibroblast activation
Authors: A. Yoshizaki, K. Yanaba, Y. Iwata, K. Komura, A. Ogawa, E. Muroi, F. Ogawa, M. Takenaka, K. Shimizu, M. Hasegawa, M. Fujimoto, S. Sato
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2010)

<h3>Objective</h3> To determine serum levels of interleukin 27 (IL-27) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and relate the results to the clinical features of SSc. <h3>Methods</h3> Serum levels of IL-27 in 91 patients with SSc and the production of IL-27 by isolated monocytes were examined by ELISA. The expression of IL-27 receptor in the skin fibroblasts, B cells and T cells was quantified by real-time PCR. The effect of IL-27 on immunoglobulin G (IgG) production of B cells, IL-17 production of CD4 T cells and proliferation and collagen synthesis of fibroblasts was also analysed. <h3>Results</h3> Serum IL-27 levels were raised in patients with SSc compared with healthy controls and correlated positively with the extent of skin and pulmonary fibrosis and immunological abnormalities. IL-27 levels also correlated positively with serum levels of hyaluronan, recently identified as an endogenous ligand for Toll-like receptors. The retrospective longitudinal analysis showed a tendency for serum IL-27 levels to be attenuated during the follow-up period. IL-27 production by cultured monocytes was increased by hyaluronan stimulation. IL-27 receptor expression was upregulated in the affected skin fibroblasts, B cells and CD4 T cells of patients with SSc. Moreover, IL-27 stimulation increased IgG production of B cells, IL-17 production of CD4 T cells and proliferation and collagen synthesis of fibroblasts in patients with SSc compared with those in healthy controls. <h3>Conclusion</h3> These results suggest that IL-27 and its signalling in B cells, T cells and fibroblasts contributes to disease development in patients with SSc.
M2 chemokines during acute exacerbations of IPF
Authors: Jonas Schupp, Corina Kollert, Benedikt Jäger, Joachim Müller-Quernheim, Antje Prasse
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2012)

Background:   Alternative activation of macrophages is a well-recognized phenomenon in patients with IPF and is associated with poor prognosis. The most common cause of death in IPF is Acute Exacerbations (AEs).   Objectives:   Evaluation of the alternative activation state of macrophages during acute exacerbations in patients with IPF.   Methods:   61 patients with IPF and 14 healthy volunteers underwent bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage, one million BAL cells were cultured for 24 hours without further stimulation and the conditioned medium was harvested. Spontaneous M2 chemokine production (CCL2, CCL17, CCL18, CCL22 and IL-1Ra) was measured by ELISA. AEs were defined according to the criteria of Collard et al. (Collard, HD et al. AJRCCM 2007; 176:636-643).   Results:   BAL cells of patients with IPF produced significantly more CCL2, CCL17, CCL18, CCL22 and IL-1Ra as compared to cells of healthy volunteers. Seventeen patients suffered from an AE at the time point of bronchoscopy. The spontaneous production of CCL2, CCL18, CCL22 and IL-1Ra were significantly increased of BAL cells from patients with AE in comparison to patients without AE (all p   Conclusion:   We could show a further increase of M2 chemokines during AEs in patients with IPF. High state of alternative activation of macrophages is associated with an increased risk for AEs and might therefore be a therapeutic target for AE prophylaxis.