tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Enhancement program on noninvasive ventilation care for chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure
Authors: Chan Yuen Yee, Choi Ming Wah, Ng Shu Wah, Wong Kam Fai, Tsang Wai Yi
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2014)

Introduction

Over the last decade, non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has become the standard of care in treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure. To meet the growing demand of COPD patients, a NIV service for COPD patients has been launched in five pilot hospitals in September 2013. As nurses play an important role in the success of NIV treatment, a training program was organized by the respiratory division of the United Christian Hospital during July to August 2013 to enhance nurses' competency in NIV care.

Objectives

To enhance nurses' competency in NIV care for COPD patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure.

Methodology

The enhancement program was run by qualified respiratory nurses which consisted of 4 identical sessions related to NIV care. The duration was 2.5 hours per each session. Target attendants were nurses who had experience in caring patients on NIV treatment. A pre & post test consisted of 15 multiple choice questions (MCQ) will be completed by each attendant before and after the training session.

Results

Four training sessions were organized during July to August 2013. A total of 49 nurses who were working in medical wards of local hospitals have attended the lectures. From the evaluation of the pre & post 15 MCQ test, the pre test mean score was 9.65 and post test was 11.67. We use paired-samples T-test to compare the mean scores and the p-value was <0.001.

Conclusion

Competent nurses contribute a major role in the success of NIV service. The result shows that our training program could help nurses to enhance their knowledge and skills in NIV care.
A phase I dose-finding clinical pharmacokinetic study of an oral formulation of irinotecan (CPT-11) administered for 5 days every 3 weeks in patients with advanced solid tumours
Authors: H. Dumez, A. Awada, M. Piccart, S. Assadourian, D. Semiond, G. Guetens, G. de Boeck, R.A.A. Maes, E.A. de Bruijn, A. van Oosterom
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2006)
Combination of the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin and CC-5013 has synergistic activity in multiple myeloma
Authors: Noopur Raje, Shaji Kumar, Teru Hideshima, Kenji Ishitsuka, Dharminder Chauhan, Constantine Mitsiades, Klaus Podar, Steven Le Gouill, Paul Richardson, Nikhil C. Munshi, David I. Stirling, Joseph H. Antin, Kenneth C. Anderson
Journal: Blood (2004)
Risk of Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms in Family Members of Intensive Care Unit Patients
Authors: Elie Azoulay, Frédéric Pochard, Nancy Kentish-Barnes, Sylvie Chevret, Jérôme Aboab, Christophe Adrie, Djilali Annane, Gérard Bleichner, Pierre Edouard Bollaert, Michael Darmon, Thomas Fassier, Richard Galliot, Maité Garrouste-Orgeas, Cyril Goulenok, Dany Goldgran-Toledano, Jan Hayon, Mercé Jourdain, Michel Kaidomar, Christian Laplace, Jérôme Larché, Jérôme Liotier, Laurent Papazian, Catherine Poisson, Jean Reignier, Fayçal Saidi, Benoît Schlemmer
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2005)

Intensive care unit (ICU) admission of a relative is a stressful event that may cause symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Factors associated with these symptoms need to be identified.For patients admitted to 21 ICUs between March and November 2003, we studied the family member with the main potential decision-making role.Ninety days after ICU discharge or death, family members completed the Impact of Event Scale (which evaluates the severity of post-traumatic stress reactions), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and 36-item Short-Form General Health Survey during a telephone interview. Linear regression was used to identify factors associated with the risk of post-traumatic stress symptoms.Interviews were obtained for family members of 284 (62%) of the 459 eligible patients. Post-traumatic stress symptoms consistent with a moderate to major risk of PTSD were found in 94 (33.1%) family members. Higher rates were noted among family members who felt information was incomplete in the ICU (48.4%), who shared in decision making (47.8%), whose relative died in the ICU (50%), whose relative died after end-of-life decisions (60%), and who shared in end-of-life decisions (81.8%). Severe post-traumatic stress reaction was associated with increased rates of anxiety and depression and decreased quality of life.Post-traumatic stress reaction consistent with a high risk of PTSD is common in family members of ICU patients and is the rule among those who share in end-of-life decisions. Research is needed to investigate PTSD rates and to devise preventive and early-detection strategies.
Pneumonia and inhaled corticosteroids in COPD
Authors: Avais Jabbar
Journal: Thorax (2013)

Pneumonia and inhaled corticosteroids in COPDCombination treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β 2 -agonists decreases exacerbations and improves quality of life in patients with COPD; however; a potential concern is an increased risk of pneumonia.Although the TORCH and INSPIRE studies have shown the risk of pneumonia to increase with fluticasone/salmeterol versus placebo and tiotropium, there has been no direct comparison of fixed combinations of inhaled corticosteroids/ long-acting β 2 -agonists.The PATHOS study compared the occurrences of pneumonia and pneumonia-related events in patients with COPD treated with either fluticasone/salmeterol (Seretide) or budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort).This was an observational retrospective cohort study matched for propensity score comparing 2734 patients in each group.Two thousand one hundred and fifteen patients (39%) had at least one diagnosis of pneumonia during the study period.Compared with the budesonide/formoterol group, the rate of pneumonia and the rate of admission to hospital related to pneumonia were 73% and 74% higher in the fluticasone/ salmeterol treatment group, giving a rate ratio of 1.73 and 1.74, respectively.When comparing fluticasone/salmeterol with budesonide/formoterol, the pneumonia event rate per 100 patient years was 11.0 versus 6.4.There were 97 deaths from pneumonia in the fluticasone/ salmeterol group compared with 52 deaths in the budesonide/formoterol group, corresponding to a 76% increase in mortality.Furthermore, there was no dose-response relation with regard to risk of pneumonia with the two treatments, indicating that differences were due to the class of inhaled corticosteroids/long-acting β2-agonists and not the dose.This study shows that the risks of pneumonia and pneumonia-related events are higher with fluticasone/salmeterol than with budesonide/formoterol in patients with COPD.This represents an intraclass difference between fixed combinations of inhaled corticosteroids/longacting β2-agonists.Such differences may be related to differences in the immunosuppressant potencies between budesonide and fluticasone.Long-term randomised controlled trials would be beneficial to assess the extent of such intraclass differences put in context with the benefits of such regimens in preventing exacerbations.
Macrophages in Renal Disease
Authors: Yiping Wang, David C.H. Harris
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2011)

Macrophages have heterogeneous phenotypes as they exercise their twofold role in the development and recovery of renal diseases. Some subpopulations of macrophages (M1) have a pathogenic function in renal inflammation, making them a logical target for elimination. Alternatively, M2 macrophage subpopulations resolve inflammation and repair injury, making them a potential therapeutic tool against renal injury. Here, we summarize recent findings regarding macrophage plasticity, and the various strategies for targeting or utilizing macrophages to treat renal disease. We highlight, in particular, the potential of renoprotective M2 macrophages to resolve inflammation and repair the kidney.
ULTRASTRUOTURAL STUDY OF SKELETAL MUSCLE IN MORPHOEA
Authors: ROMAN MICHALOWSKI
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (1970)

SUMMARY.— Electron microscopic studies have been carried out in 2 cases of localized and one of generalized morphoea. Specimens were taken from pectoralis major, trapezius, quadriceps femoris and biceps brachii in areas of affected skin. The muscle fibre and its components showed various degrees of damage—vacuolization, absence of some bands and focal or marginal atrophy of some myofibrils. Band Z was the most resistant. No changes were seen in muscle capillaries. In both forms of morphoea the sarcoplasmic reticulum in some muscle fibres was widened at the expense of myofibrils. In both conditions some muscle fibres and their components were unaffected.
INR Self-Management Permits Lower Anticoagulation Levels After Mechanical Heart Valve Replacement
Authors: H. Koertke, K. Minami, D. Boethig, Th. Breymann, D. Seifert, O. Wagner, N. Atmacha, A. Krian, J. Ennker, U. Taborski, W.P. Klövekorn, R. Moosdorf, W. Saggau, R. Koerfer
Journal: Circulation (2003)

The Early Self Controlled Anticoagulation Trial (ESCAT I) showed that anticoagulation self-management after mechanical heart valve replacement decreased complication rates by maintaining INR levels closer to the target range than International Normalized Ratio (INR) home doctor management. The therapeutic range for the INR in that study was between 2.5 and 4.5 for all positions of prosthetic valves. ESCAT II should find out whether lowering the target range for INR self-management would further reduce complication rates.ESCAT II is a prospective controlled randomized (valves: St. Jude Medical Standard or Medtronic Hall, treatment: conventional/low-dose) multicenter study with 3,300 patients. We present interim results of 1,818 patients. 908 were categorized as having a low-dose target range, which was INR 1.8 to 2.8 for prostheses in aortic position and 2.5 to 3.5 for prostheses in mitral position or in combined valve replacement. The control group (conventional group) with 910 patients aimed at an INR of 2.5 to 4.5 for all valve positions.In the conventional group, 74% of INR values measured were within the therapeutic range. In the low-dose group, 72% of the values were within that range. The linearized thromboembolism rate (% per patient year) was 0.21% for both groups. The bleeding complication rate was 0.56% in the low-dose regimen group versus 0.91% in the conventional group.Early onset INR self-management under oral anticoagulation after mechanical heart valve replacement enables patients to keep within a lower and smaller INR target range. The reduced anticoagulation level resulted in fewer grade III bleeding complications without increasing thromboembolic event rates.
Combretastatin A-4 Phosphate Affects Tumor Vessel Volume and Size Distribution as Assessed Using MRI-Based Vessel Size Imaging
Authors: Thomas Nielsen, Lise Bentzen, Michael Pedersen, Trine Tramm, Paul F.J.W. Rijken, Johan Bussink, Michael R. Horsman, Leif Østergaard
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2012)

Combretastatin A-4 disodium phosphate (CA4P) is a promising vascular disrupting agent (VDA) in clinical trials. As CA4P acts on dividing endothelial cells, we hypothesize that CA4P affects vessels of certain sizes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of CA4P by the MRI-based vessel size imaging (VSI).C3H mammary carcinomas were grown to 200 mm(3) in the right rear foot of female CDF(1) mice. A control group of mice received no treatment, and a treatment group had CA4P administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 250 mg/kg. VSI was conducted on a 3 Tesla MR scanner to estimate the tumor blood volume (ζ(0)) and mean vessel radius (R). Vascularization was also estimated histologically by endothelial and Hoechst 33342 staining.ζ(0) and R showed different spatial heterogeneity. Tumor median and quartile values of ζ(0) were all significantly reduced by about 35% in the CA4P-treated group as compared with the control group, and the median and upper quartile of R were significantly increased. Histograms of ζ(0) and R showed a general decrease in ζ(0) following treatment, and values of R in a certain range (≈20-30 μm) were decreased in the treatment group. The drug-induced change in ζ(0) was in agreement with histology and our previous dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) data.Tumor blood volume and mean vessel radius showed a clear response following treatment with CA4P. VSI may prove valuable in estimation of tumor angiogenesis and prediction of response to VDAs.
Anti-interleukin 6 receptor antibody treatment in rheumatic disease
Authors: N. Nishimoto
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2000)

Interleukin 6 (IL6) is a pleiotropic cytokine with a wide range of biological activities. IL6 transgene into mice gives rise to the abnormalities such as hypergammaglobulinaemia, thrombocytosis, infiltration of inflammatory cells into the tissues, mesangial cell proliferation of the kidney as well as splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy, which are predictable by the biological functions of IL6 shown in vitro. Continuous overproduction of IL6 is observed in patients with some immune-inflammatory diseases such as Castleman's disease and rheumatoid arthritis that are frequently associated with similar abnormalities to those of IL6 transgenic mice, strongly suggesting the involvement of IL6 in the human diseases. Successful treatment of the model animals for immune-inflammatory diseases with anti-IL6 receptor (IL6R) antibody thus indicates the possible application of IL6 blocking agents to treat the IL6 related immune-inflammatory diseases of humans. In this review, the new therapeutic strategy for Castleman's disease and RA using humanized antibody to human IL6 receptor, MRA, is discussed.
Unique Tumor Antigens: Evidence for Immune Control of Genome Integrity and Immunogenic Targets for T Cell–Mediated Patient-Specific Immunotherapy
Authors: Marialuisa Sensi, Andrea Anichini
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2006)

Abstract The molecular identification and characterization of antigenic epitopes recognized by T cells on human cancers has rapidly evolved since the cloning in 1991 of MAGEA1, the first gene reported to encode a CTL-defined human tumor antigen. In the expanding field of human tumor immunology, unique tumor antigens constitute a growing class of T cell–defined epitopes that exhibit strong immunogenicity. Some of these antigens, which often derive from mutation of genes that have relevant biological functions, are less susceptible to immunoselection and may be retained even in advanced tumors. Immunogenicity and constitutive expression of the unique tumor antigens provide a strong rationale for the design of novel, patient-tailored therapies that target such determinants. Here we discuss the immunologic relevance of unique tumor antigens in the light of the prospects for exploiting such epitopes as targets for patient-specific immune intervention strategies.
An epistatic effect of the female specific loci on the development of autoimmune vasculitis and antinuclear autoantibody in murine lupus
Authors: M-C Zhang
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2005)

<b>Objective:</b> To identify the genetic loci regulating the incidence and severity of renal autoimmune vasculitis developed in murine lupus. <b>Methods:</b> Vasculitis of renal arteries was histopathologically evaluated in MRL/Mp-<i>Fas<sup>lpr</sup></i> (MRL/lpr), C57BL/6-<i>Fas<sup>lpr</sup></i> (B6/lpr), (MRL/lpr×B6/lpr) F<sub>1</sub>, and MRL/lpr×(MRL/lpr×B6/lpr) F<sub>1</sub> backcross mice. Using genomic DNA samples of the backcross mice, genome-wide scans, association studies, and linkage analyses were carried out based on genotypes of polymorphic microsatellite markers. Correlations of vasculitis grade and levels of various autoantibodies were also evaluated. <b>Results:</b> Two recessive susceptibility loci of the MRL allele were identified on chromosomes 4 and 1, which had previously been defined as the autoimmune related loci termed <i>Arvm1</i> and <i>Sle-1/Nba2</i>, respectively. The former was epistatic to the latter in a female specific manner. The titre of antinuclear autoantibody (ANA) in IgG class, but not ANA in IgM class or anti-dsDNA in either IgG or IgM class, correlated significantly with vasculitis grade. <b>Conclusions:</b> The present loci have been reported in previous studies using a different set of murine strains, suggesting that they are of importance in the development of autoimmune vasculitis in murine models. The concomitance of autoimmune vasculitis and IgG ANA suggests a shared genetic factor regulating these traits.
Variability in the Degree of Expression of Phosphorylated IκBα in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cases With Nodal Involvement
Authors: Antonia Rodríguez, Nerea Martínez, Francisca I. Camacho, Elena Ruíz-Ballesteros, Patrocinio Algara, Juan-Fernando García, Javier Menárguez, Tomás Alvaro, Manuel F. Fresno, Fernando Solano, Manuela Mollejo, Carmen Martin, Miguel A. Piris
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2004)

Abstract Purpose: Based on previous preliminary observations, we hypothesize that the molecular and clinical variability of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) reflects differences in the degree of nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation, as determined by the expression of phosphorylated IκBα (p-IκBα). Experimental Design: The expression profile (mRNA and protein expression) was analyzed with the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas Oncochip, a cDNA microarray containing 6386 cancer-related genes, and a tissue microarray (TMA). The results were correlated with the IgVH mutational status, ZAP-70 expression, cytogenetic alterations, and clinical outcome. Results: We found correlations between the presence of p-IκBα, a surrogate marker of NF-κB activation, and changes in the expression profile (mRNA and protein expression) and clinical outcome in a series of CLL cases with lymph node involvement. Activation of NF-κB, as determined by the expression of p-IκBα, was associated with the expression of a set of genes comprising key genes involved in the control of B-cell receptor signaling, signal transduction, and apoptosis, including SYK, LYN, BCL2, CCR7, BTK, PIK3CD, and others. Cases with increased expression of p-IκBα showed longer overall survival than cases with lower expression. A Cox regression model was derived to estimate some parameters of prognostic interest: IgVH mutational status, ZAP-70, and p-IκBα expression. The multivariate analysis disclosed p-IκBα and ZAP-70 expression as independent prognostic factors of survival. Conclusions: A variable degree of activation of NF-κB, as determined by the expression of p-IκBα, is an identifiable event in CLL, and is correlated with changes in the expression profile and overall survival.
Relationships in the Drosophila obscura species group, inferred from mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase II sequences.
Authors: A T Beckenbach, Y W Wei, H Liu
Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution (1993)

We compare the sequences for the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase II gene of 13 species of the Drosophila obscura group. The survey includes six members of the D. affinis subgroup, four of the D. pseudoobscura subgroup, and three of the D. obscura subgroup. In all species, the gene is 688 nucleotides in length, encoding a protein of 229 amino acids plus the first position T of the stop codon. The sequences show the typical high-transition bias for closely related species, but that bias is essentially eliminated for species pairs of > 5% sequence divergence. The phylogenetic relationships in the species group are inferred using both neighbor-joining and maximum parsimony. The two procedures give comparable results, showing that the D. affinis and D. pseudoobscura subgroups are monophyletic groupings that appear to have closer affinities to one another than either has to the D. obscura subgroup. We use transversion distances to estimate times of divergence, on the basis of three different estimates of the time of separation of the D. obscura species group from the D. melanogaster group. If that event occurred 35 Mya, then we can estimate the origin of the nearctic forms at approximately 22 Mya and the separation of the D. affinis and D. pseudoobscura subgroups at approximately 17 Mya.
Cementomimetics—constructing a cementum-like biomineralized microlayer via amelogenin-derived peptides
Authors: Mustafa Gungormus, Ersin E Oren, Jeremy A Horst, Hanson Fong, Marketa Hnilova, Martha J Somerman, Malcolm L Snead, Ram Samudrala, Candan Tamerler, Mehmet Sarikaya
Journal: International Journal of Oral Science (2012)

Cementum is the outer-, mineralized-tissue covering the tooth root and an essential part of the system of periodontal tissue that anchors the tooth to the bone. Periodontal disease results from the destructive behavior of the host elicited by an infectious biofilm adhering to the tooth root and left untreated, may lead to tooth loss. We describe a novel protocol for identifying peptide sequences from native proteins with the potential to repair damaged dental tissues by controlling hydroxyapatite biomineralization. Using amelogenin as a case study and a bioinformatics scoring matrix, we identified regions within amelogenin that are shared with a set of hydroxyapatite-binding peptides (HABPs) previously selected by phage display. One 22-amino acid long peptide regions referred to as amelogenin-derived peptide 5 (ADP5) was shown to facilitate cell-free formation of a cementum-like hydroxyapatite mineral layer on demineralized human root dentin that, in turn, supported attachment of periodontal ligament cells in vitro. Our findings have several implications in peptide-assisted mineral formation that mimic biomineralization. By further elaborating the mechanism for protein control over the biomineral formed, we afford new insights into the evolution of protein–mineral interactions. By exploiting small peptide domains of native proteins, our understanding of structure–function relationships of biomineralizing proteins can be extended and these peptides can be utilized to engineer mineral formation. Finally, the cementomimetic layer formed by ADP5 has the potential clinical application to repair diseased root surfaces so as to promote the regeneration of periodontal tissues and thereby reduce the morbidity associated with tooth loss. New understanding of protein–mineral interactions has led to a method of repairing diseased teeth using peptide coatings, a US study reveals. Mehmet Sarikaya of the University of Washington and co-workers at institutions around the USA have deconstructed the dental enamel protein amelogenin to identify natural peptides that share useful characteristics with crystal-binding peptides (hydrozyapatites). They found that one such peptide — ADP5 — binds with demineralized tooth dentin to form a strong layer. This behavior is very similar to natural cementum, which covers tooth roots and helps hold teeth in place. Cementum is, however, very prone to disease through infections that decrease its ability to mineralize. ADP5 appears to mimic cementum mineralization, and could be used to form a protective layer over diseased teeth, allowing regeneration to begin.