tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Interaction of corticosteroids and catecholamines in the treatment of asthma.
Authors: G M Shenfield, M E Hodson, S W Clarke, J W Paterson
Journal: Thorax (1975)

Twelve patients with airways obstruction (due to asthma and/or chronic bronchitis) were given a trial of prednisone therapy to assess reversibility. Six asthmatic patients responded well but no predictive criteria were found. In three patients improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was detectable at 6 hours but not at 3 hours. One patient took 36 hours to show any sign of improvement. None of the patients who improved reached their peak FEV1 before six days treatment with prednisone, which suggests that a 'trial of steroids' should last for at least one week. Potentiation, as measured by either a greater peak rise or a more sustained increase in FEV1 after isoprenaline, was observed in five of the six asthmatic patients responding to steroids. It is concluded that potentiation of catecholmines is one of the mechanisms by which corticosteroids may act in asthma.
Oral contraceptives and cerebral arterial occlusion.
Authors: L. Illis, R. S. Kocen, W. I. McDonald, V. P. Mondkar
Journal: BMJ (1965)

A study was undertaken at the National Hospital Queen Square London to examine the figures for proven cerebral arterial occlusion occurring between January 1 1955 and June 30 1965 to determine how many women with such occlusions were on  oral contraceptives and to see if there were any detectable change in the incidence of occlusion in women in the reporductive period of life.  Of the 315 cases of cerebral arterial occlusion at the hospital 39 were in women 18-45 years old.  21 occurred before oral contraception introduction in 1961 and 18 occurred after 1961.  3 to 4 of the 18 patients developed their symptoms within a few weeks of starting oral contraceptives.  2 of the 4 patients had a previous arterial occlusive episode.  It is noted that any possible causal relationship between oral contraceptives and cerebral arterial occlusion can only be demonstrated in patients by a prospective long-term study.
Systemic lupus erithematous (SLE) masquerading as juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM)
Authors: M.E. Gonzalez-Serrano, M.E. Gonzalez-Serrano, T.A. Staines-Boone, S.E. Espinosa-Padilla, F.J. Espinosa-Rosales
Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2005)
Pilot Trial Evaluating an 123I-Labeled 80-Kilodalton Engineered Anticarcinoembryonic Antigen Antibody Fragment (cT84.66 Minibody) in Patients with Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Jeffrey Y. C. Wong, David Z. Chu, Lawrence E. Williams, Dave M. Yamauchi, David N. Ikle, Cheuk S. Kwok, An Liu, Sharon Wilczynski, David Colcher, Paul J. Yazaki, John E. Shively, Anna M. Wu, Andrew A. Raubitschek
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2004)

Abstract Purpose: The chimeric T84.66 (cT84.66) minibody is a novel engineered antibody construct (VL-linker-VH-CH3; 80 kDa) that demonstrates bivalent and high affinity (4 × 1010 m−1) binding to carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The variable regions (VL and VH) assemble to form the antigen-combining sites, and the protein forms dimers through self-association of the CH3 domains. In animal models, the minibody demonstrated high tumor uptake, approaching that of some intact antibodies, substantially faster clearance than intact chimeric T84.66, and superior tumor-to-blood ratios compared with the cT84.66 F(ab′)2 fragment, making it attractive for further evaluation as an imaging and therapy agent. The purpose of this pilot clinical study was to determine whether 123I-cT84.66 minibody demonstrated tumor targeting and was well tolerated as well as to begin to evaluate its biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity in patients with colorectal cancer. Experimental Design: Ten patients with biopsy-proven colorectal cancer (6 newly diagnosed, 1 pelvic recurrence, 3 limited metastatic disease) were entered on this study. Each received 5–10 mCi (1 mg) of 123I-labeled minibody i.v. followed by serial nuclear scans and blood and urine sampling over the next 48–72 h. Surgery was performed immediately after the last nuclear scan. Results: Tumor imaging was observed with 123I-labeled minibody in seven of the eight patients who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy before surgery. Two patients received neoadjuvant radiation and chemotherapy, which significantly reduced tumor size before surgery and minibody infusion. At surgery, no tumor was detected in one patient and only a 2-mm focus was seen in the second patient. 123I-labeled minibody tumor targeting was not seen in either of these pretreated patients. Mean serum residence time of the minibody was 29.8 h (range, 10.9–65.4 h). No drug-related adverse reactions were observed. All 10 patients were evaluated for immune responses to the minibody, with no significant responses observed. Conclusion: This pilot study represents one of the first clinical efforts to evaluate an engineered intermediate-molecular-mass radiolabeled antibody construct directed against CEA. cT84.66 minibody demonstrates tumor targeting to colorectal cancer and a faster clearance in comparison with intact antibodies, making it appropriate for further evaluation as an imaging and therapy agent. The mean residence time of the minibody in patients is longer than predicted from murine models. We therefore plan to further evaluate its biodistribution and pharmacokinetic properties with minibody labeled with a longer-lived radionuclide, such as 111In.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Mania: A Controlled Study
Authors: Nimrod Grisaru, Bella Chudakov, Yuri Yaroslavsky, R.H. Belmaker
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (1998)

Left prefrontal transcranial magnetic stimulation has been reported to have ECT-like effects in depression; therefore, the authors planned a study of transcranial magnetic stimulation in mania.Sixteen patients completed a 14-day double-blind, controlled trial of right versus left prefrontal transcranial magnetic stimulation at 20 Hz (2-second duration per train, 20 trains/day for 10 treatment days). Mania was evaluated with the Mania Scale, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, and the Clinical Global Impression.Significantly more improvement was observed in patients treated with right than with left prefrontal transcranial magnetic stimulation.The therapeutic effect of transcranial magnetic stimulation in mania may show laterality opposite to its effect in depression.
Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of the Effects of Donepezil on Neuronal Markers and Hippocampal Volumes in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: K. Ranga Rama Krishnan, H. Cecil Charles, P. Murali Doraiswamy, Jacobo Mintzer, Richard Weisler, Xin Yu, Carlos Perdomo, John R. Ieni, Sharon Rogers
Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry (2003)

OBJECTIVE: The authors examined the effect of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor donepezil on magnetic resonance markers of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease. METHOD: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study, 67 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease received 24 weeks of treatment with donepezil (5 mg/day for the first 28 days and 10 mg/day thereafter) or placebo. Patients were reevaluated at 6-week intervals to measure change from baseline in several outcome measures, including right, left, and total hippocampal volumes, measured with magnetic resonance imaging; brain concentrations of N-acetylaspartate, measured with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy; and cognition, assessed with the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale cognitive subscale. RESULTS: At some interim assessments, mean normalized measures of N-acetylaspartate concentration tended to be higher in the donepezil-treated patients than in the patients who received placebo, but these differences were not significant at endpoint. At endpoint, the donepezil-treated patients had significantly smaller mean decreases in total and right hippocampal volumes and a smaller, nearly significant mean decrease in left hippocampal volume, compared with the placebo-treated patients. Mean Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale cognitive subscale scores were improved after treatment with donepezil, relative to placebo, at weeks 6, 12, 18, and 24. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that donepezil may have a potentially protective effect in Alzheimer’s disease. Larger, longer-term confirmatory studies of the medication’s effects are warranted.
Stroke After Carotid Stenting and Endarterectomy in the Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy Versus Stenting Trial (CREST)
Authors: Michael D. Hill, William Brooks, Ariane Mackey, Wayne M. Clark, James F. Meschia, William F. Morrish, J.P. Mohr, J. David Rhodes, Jeffrey J. Popma, Brajesh K. Lal, Mary E. Longbottom, Jenifer H. Voeks, George Howard, Thomas G. Brott
Journal: Circulation (2012)

Background— Stroke occurs more commonly after carotid artery stenting than after carotid endarterectomy. Details regarding stroke type, severity, and characteristics have not been reported previously. We describe the strokes that have occurred in the Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy versus Stenting Trial (CREST). Methods and Results— CREST is a randomized, open-allocation, controlled trial with blinded end-point adjudication. Stroke was a component of the primary composite outcome. Patients who received their assigned treatment within 30 days of randomization were included. Stroke was adjudicated by a panel of board-certified vascular neurologists with secondary central review of clinically obtained brain images. Stroke type, laterality, timing, and outcome were reported. A periprocedural stroke occurred among 81 of the 2502 patients randomized and among 69 of the 2272 in the present analysis. Strokes were predominantly minor (81%, n=56), ischemic (90%, n=62), in the anterior circulation (94%, n=65), and ipsilateral to the treated artery (88%, n=61). There were 7 hemorrhages, which occurred 3 to 21 days after the procedure, and 5 were fatal. Major stroke occurred in 13 (0.6%) of the 2272 patients. The estimated 4-year mortality after stroke was 21.1% compared with 11.6% for those without stroke. The adjusted risk of death at 4 years was higher after periprocedural stroke (hazard ratio, 2.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.63–4.76). Conclusions— Stroke, particularly severe stroke, was uncommon after carotid intervention in CREST, but stroke was associated with significant morbidity and was independently associated with a nearly 3-fold increased future mortality. The delayed timing of major and hemorrhagic stroke after revascularization suggests that these strokes may be preventable. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT00004732.
Variability of lung function predicts loss of asthma control following withdrawal of inhaled corticosteroid treatment
Authors: C. Thamrin, D. R. Taylor, S. L. Jones, B. Suki, U. Frey
Journal: Thorax (2010)

<h3>Background</h3> One aspect of a multidimensional approach to understanding asthma as a complex dynamic disease is to study how lung function varies with time. Variability measures of lung function have been shown to predict response to β<sub>2</sub>-agonist treatment. An investigation was conducted to determine whether mean, coefficient of variation (CV) or autocorrelation, a measure of short-term memory, of peak expiratory flow (PEF) could predict loss of asthma control following withdrawal of regular inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment, using data from a previous study. <h3>Methods</h3> 87 adult patients with mild to moderate asthma who had been taking ICS at a constant dose for at least 6 months were monitored for 2–4 weeks. ICS was then withdrawn and monitoring continued until loss of control occurred as per predefined criteria. Twice-daily PEF was recorded during monitoring. Associations between loss of control and mean, CV and autocorrelation of morning PEF within 2 weeks pre- and post-ICS withdrawal were assessed using Cox regression analysis. Predictive utility was assessed using receiver operator characteristics. <h3>Results</h3> 53 out of 87 patients had sufficient PEF data over the required analysis period. The mean (389 vs 370 l/min, p&lt;0.0001) and CV (4.5% vs 5.6%, p=0.007) but not autocorrelation of PEF changed significantly from prewithdrawal to postwithdrawal in subjects who subsequently lost control, and were unaltered in those who did not. These changes were related to time to loss of control. CV was the most consistent predictor, with similar sensitivity and sensitivity to exhaled nitric oxide. <h3>Conclusion</h3> A simple, easy to obtain variability measure of daily lung function such as the CV may predict loss of asthma control within the first 2 weeks of ICS withdrawal.
Bacteria-eradicating therapy for ocular adnexal MALT lymphoma: questions for an open international prospective trial
Authors: A.J.M. Ferreri, M. Ponzoni, G.P. Dognini, M.-Q. Du, C. Doglioni, J. Radford, R. Dolcetti, F. Cavalli
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2006)
Age-dependent incidence, time course, and consequences of thymic renewal in adults
Authors: Frances T. Hakim, Sarfraz A. Memon, Rosemarie Cepeda, Elizabeth C. Jones, Catherine K. Chow, Claude Kasten-Sportes, Jeanne Odom, Barbara A. Vance, Barbara L. Christensen, Crystal L. Mackall, Ronald E. Gress
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2005)

Homeostatic regulation of T cells involves an ongoing balance of new T cell generation, peripheral expansion, and turnover. The recovery of T cells when this balance is disrupted provides insight into the mechanisms that govern homeostasis. In a long-term, single cohort study, we assessed the role of thymic function after autologous transplant in adults, correlating serial computed tomography imaging of thymic size with concurrent measurements of peripheral CD4+ T cell populations. We established the age-dependent incidence, time course, and duration of thymic enlargement in adults and demonstrated that these changes were correlated with peripheral recovery of naive CD45RA+CD62L+ and signal-joint TCR rearrangement excision circle–bearing CD4+ populations with broad TCR diversity. Furthermore, we demonstrated that renewed thymopoiesis was critical for the restoration of peripheral CD4+ T cell populations. This recovery encompassed the recovery of normal CD4+ T cell numbers, a low ratio of effector to central memory cells, and a broad repertoire of TCR Vβ diversity among these memory cells. These data define the timeline and consequences of renewal of adult thymopoietic activity at levels able to quantitatively restore peripheral T cell populations. They further suggest that structural thymic regrowth serves as a basis for the regeneration of peripheral T cell populations.
Systolic Blood Pressure at Admission, Clinical Characteristics, and Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized With Acute Heart Failure
Authors: Mihai Gheorghiade, William T. Abraham, Nancy M. Albert, Barry H. Greenberg, Christopher M. O’Connor, Lilin She, Wendy Gattis Stough, Clyde W. Yancy, James B. Young, Gregg C. Fonarow, for the OPTIMIZE-HF Investigators and Coordinators
Journal: JAMA (2006)

The association between systolic blood pressure (SBP) at admission, clinical characteristics, and outcomes in patients hospitalized for heart failure who have reduced or relatively preserved systolic function has not been well studied.To evaluate the relationship between SBP at admission, clinical profile, and outcomes in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure.Cohort study using data from the Organized Program to Initiate Lifesaving Treatment in Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure (OPTIMIZE-HF) registry and performance-improvement program for patients hospitalized with heart failure at 259 US hospitals between March 2003 and December 2004. Patients were divided into quartiles by SBP at hospital admission (<120, 120-139, 140-161, and >161 mm Hg). In-hospital outcomes were based on 48,612 patients aged 18 years or older with heart failure. Of the 41,267 patients with left ventricular function assessed, 21,149 (51%) had preserved left ventricular function. Postdischarge outcomes were based on a prespecified subgroup (n = 5791, 10% of patients) with follow-up data assessed between 60 and 90 days.In-hospital and postdischarge mortality.Patients with higher SBP were more likely to be female and black and to have preserved systolic function. Fifty percent of the patients had SBP higher than 140 mm Hg at admission. Patients with lower SBP at admission had higher in-hospital and postdischarge mortality rates. Higher SBP at admission was associated with lower in-hospital mortality rates: 7.2% (<120 mm Hg), 3.6% (120-139 mm Hg), 2.5% (140-161 mm Hg), and 1.7% (>161 mm Hg) (P<.001 for overall difference). Postdischarge mortality rates in the follow-up cohort by SBP at admission were 14.0%, 8.4%, 6.0%, and 5.4%, respectively (P<.001 for overall difference).Systolic hypertension is common in patients hospitalized for heart failure. Systolic blood pressure is an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure with either reduced or relatively preserved systolic function. Low SBP (<120 mm Hg) at hospital admission identifies patients who have a poor prognosis despite medical therapy. These findings may have important therapeutic implications because characteristics and outcomes differ greatly among patients with heart failure with varying SBP.
Oesophageal endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration improves and simplifies the staging of lung cancer
Authors: H Kramer
Journal: Thorax (2004)

Positron emission tomography (PET) is accurate for mediastinal staging of lung cancer but has a moderate positive predictive value, necessitating pathological verification. Endoscopic ultrasonography with fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is a technique for tissue verification of mediastinal and upper retroperitoneal abnormalities. The use of EUS-FNA may decrease the number of surgical procedures and thereby staging costs.EUS-FNA was used prospectively for the cytological assessment of mediastinal and/or upper retroperitoneal PET hot spots in patients with suspected lung cancer. Only if EUS-FNA was positive for malignancy was subsequent mediastinoscopy or exploratory thoracotomy cancelled. The cost effectiveness of EUS-FNA was determined.Of 488 consecutive patients with suspected lung cancer, 81 were enrolled with mediastinal and/or upper retroperitoneal PET hot spots. EUS-FNA was positive in 50 (62%) patients, negative in six, and inconclusive in 25. Of the 31 negative or inconclusive patients, 26 underwent surgical staging (resulting in 14 patients with and 12 without mediastinal malignancy), while five patients had mediastinal metastases during follow up. No EUS-FNA related morbidity or mortality was encountered. The accuracy of the decision to proceed to surgery (or not) on the basis of EUS-FNA was 77% (95% CI 68 to 86). EUS-FNA detected more mediastinal abnormalities than PET except for the upper mediastinal region. Addition of EUS-FNA to conventional lung cancer staging reduced staging costs by 40% per patient, mainly due to a decrease in surgical staging procedures.EUS-FNA can replace more than half of the surgical staging procedures in lung cancer patients with mediastinal and/or upper retroperitoneal PET hot spots, thereby saving 40% of staging costs.
[52] LIVER TRANSPLANTATION FOR HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA: VALIDATION OF A NEW PROGNOSTIC SCORE PREDICTING DISEASE-FREE SURVIVAL
Authors: T. Decaens, F. Roudot-Thoraval, H. Badran, C. Meyer, F. Durand, R. Adam, O. Boillot, S. Bresson-Hadni, J. Gugenheim, S. Dharancy, P.H. Bernard, P. Compagnon, Y. Calmus, J. Hardwigsen, C. Ducerf, G.P. Pageaux, M.N. Hilleret, O. Chazouilleres, D. Cherqui, C. Duvoux
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2007)
Chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the foot
Authors: N Padhiar, A Tardioli, M Allen, J B King
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2011)

In this paper the authors present a case history along with results of case series and a literature review to demonstrate the complexity of this condition. The main aim is to increase the awareness among clinicians and the scientist to research in the area of chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS). CECS usually refers to myoneural ischaemia due to a reversible increase in tissue pressure within a myofascial compartment. CECS of the leg is well documented in the literature since it was first described by Mavor in 1956. CECS of the foot remains underdiagnosed and has been reported in the literature only on an anecdotal basis. Wood Jones proposed that there were four compartments in the foot but Manoli and Weber suggest that there are nine separate muscle compartments. Clinical signs and symptoms of CECS of the foot remain diverse and lack the consistency of its counter part in the leg. The range of signs and symptoms include swelling, tension, cramps, tightness, paraesthesia, numbness, cyanosis and soft tissue indurations. As a result number of diagnosis is first considered and includes plantar fasciitis, tibialis posterior tendonitis, tarsal tunnel syndrome and medial Lisfranc injury. CECS of the foot remains a diagnosis of exclusion. The most effective treatment is a superficial fasciotomy.
Bone mineral density (BMD) in male patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in age 40-70 years
Authors: Sviatlana Lemiasheuskaya, Alexander Makarevich, Alla Shepelkevich
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2011)

Background:  COPD is often associated with the systemic extra pulmonary effects such as osteoporosis.   Aim and objectives:  To study the dynamics of BMD in the course of COPD progression.   Material and methods:  We examined 72 COPD male patients (aged 40-70 years). The COPD pts were subdivided into groups according to COPD severity: the 1st was made of 14 men; GOLD I stage; mean age 55 years; FEV1 78%; BMI 27 kg/m 2 , smokers 68%, packs/yrs 20; the 2nd included 43 patients; GOLD II stage; mean age 57; FEV1 63%; BMI 28 kg/m 2 , smokers 80%, packs/yrs 21; the 3d -20 patients; GOLD III stage; mean age 60; FEV1 41%; BMI 24,5 kg/m 2 , smokers 84%, packs/yrs 28. All the findings were compared in 34 normal age-, sex- and BMI-matched control subjects. BMD was measured in spine (L1-L4) and femoral necks (FN) in 106 men using DEXA.   Results:  The level of BMD was significantly lower in 3d group in comparison with control both in spine (0,992±0,156 vs.1,252±0,119 g/CM2, p  We found the negative significant correlations between packs/yrs and BMD of L1-L4 (r=-0,55); with BMD of FN (r=-0,38).   Conclusions:  The significant decrease of BMD was found in the course of COPD progression.
VICMpred: An SVM-Based Method for the Prediction of Functional Proteins of Gram-Negative Bacteria Using Amino Acid Patterns and Composition
Authors: Sudipto Saha, G.P.S. Raghava
Journal: Genomics Proteomics & Bioinformatics (2006)

Abstract In this study, an attempt has been made to predict the major functions of gram-negative bacterial proteins from their amino acid sequences. The dataset used for training and testing consists of 670 non-redundant gram-negative bacterial proteins (255 of cellular process, 60 of information molecules, 285 of metabolism, and 70 of virulence factors). First we developed an SVM-based method using amino acid and dipeptide composition and achieved the overall accuracy of 52.39% and 47.01%, respectively. We introduced a new concept for the classification of proteins based on tetrapeptides, in which we identified the unique tetrapeptides significantly found in a class of proteins. These tetrapeptides were used as the input feature for predicting the function of a protein and achieved the overall accuracy of 68.66%. We also developed a hybrid method in which the tetrapeptide information was used with amino acid composition and achieved the overall accuracy of 70.75%. A five-fold cross validation was used to evaluate the performance of these methods. The web server VICMpred has been developed for predicting the function of gram-negative bacterial proteins (http://www.imtech.res.in/raghava/vicmpred/).